The Project Gutenberg eBook of The 2005 CIA World Factbook

This ebook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this ebook or online at www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this eBook.

Title: The 2005 CIA World Factbook

Author: United States. Central Intelligence Agency

Release date: December 18, 2008 [eBook #27560]

Most recently updated: January 4, 2021

Language: English

Credits: Produced by Al Haines

*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE 2005 CIA WORLD FACTBOOK ***

Produced by Al Haines

THE CIA WORLD FACTBOOK 2005

CONTENTS

Countries and Locations

Field Listings

Rank Orders

Appendixes

Notes and Definitions

History of The World Factbook

Contributors and Copyright Information

Purchasing Information

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What's New

- Country information has been updated as of 20 October, 2005.

- There have been some significant changes to the latest edition of The World Factbook. Recent confirmation that the United Kingdom Government administers the Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia on Cyprus as dependencies (and not as lease areas like the US Guantanamo Bay Naval Station in Cuba) has required a changing of their status and their addition to the Factbook as new entities. In addition, the European Union has been included as an "Other" entity at the end of the listing. The European Union continues to accrue more nation-like characteristics for itself and so a separate listing was deemed appropriate. A fuller explanation may be found under the European Union Preliminary statement.

- Along with the new entities and the regular information updates, The World Factbook now also features six new fields. In the People category, a Major infectious diseases field has been added for countries deemed to pose a higher degree of risk for travelers. In the Economy category, entries have been added for Current account balance, Investment (gross fixed), Public debt, and Reserves of foreign exchange and gold. The Transnational issues category has a new Refugees and internally displaced persons entry.

- Revision of some individual country maps, first introduced in the 2001 edition, is continued in this edition. Several regional maps have also been updated to reflect boundary changes and place name spelling changes.

=====================================================================

Country Listing

[Transcriber's note: To search on a country name in this file, prefix the name with "@", e.g. "@Afghanistan". "Afghanistan" will find all occurrences; prefixing it with "@" will find the correct location.]

World

A

Afghanistan

Akrotiri

Albania

Algeria

American Samoa

Andorra

Angola

Anguilla

Antarctica

Antigua and Barbuda

Arctic Ocean

Argentina

Armenia

Aruba

Ashmore and Cartier Islands

Atlantic Ocean

Australia

Austria

Azerbaijan

B

Bahamas, The

Bahrain

Baker Island

Bangladesh

Barbados

Bassas da India

Belarus

Belgium

Belize

Benin

Bermuda

Bhutan

Bolivia

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Botswana

Bouvet Island

Brazil

British Indian Ocean Territory

British Virgin Islands

Brunei

Bulgaria

Burkina Faso

Burma

Burundi

C

Cambodia

Cameroon

Canada

Cape Verde

Cayman Islands

Central African Republic

Chad

Chile

China

Christmas Island

Clipperton Island

Cocos (Keeling) Islands

Colombia

Comoros

Congo, Democratic Republic of the

Congo, Republic of the

Cook Islands

Coral Sea Islands

Costa Rica

Cote d'Ivoire

Croatia

Cuba

Cyprus

Czech Republic

D

Denmark

Dhekelia

Djibouti

Dominica

Dominican Republic

E

East Timor

Ecuador

Egypt

El Salvador

Equatorial Guinea

Eritrea

Estonia

Ethiopia

Europa Island

F

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

Faroe Islands

Fiji

Finland

France

French Guiana

French Polynesia

French Southern and Antarctic Lands

G

Gabon

Gambia, The

Gaza Strip

Georgia

Germany

Ghana

Gibraltar

Glorioso Islands

Greece

Greenland

Grenada

Guadeloupe

Guam

Guatemala

Guernsey

Guinea

Guinea-Bissau

Guyana

H

Haiti

Heard Island and McDonald Islands

Holy See (Vatican City)

Honduras

Hong Kong

Howland Island

Hungary

I

Iceland

India

Indian Ocean

Indonesia

Iran

Iraq

Ireland

Israel

Italy

J

Jamaica

Jan Mayen

Japan

Jarvis Island

Jersey

Johnston Atoll

Jordan

Juan de Nova Island

K

Kazakhstan

Kenya

Kingman Reef

Kiribati

Korea, North

Korea, South

Kuwait

Kyrgyzstan

L

Laos

Latvia

Lebanon

Lesotho

Liberia

Libya

Liechtenstein

Lithuania

Luxembourg

M

Macau

Macedonia

Madagascar

Malawi

Malaysia

Maldives

Mali

Malta

Man, Isle of

Marshall Islands

Martinique

Mauritania

Mauritius

Mayotte

Mexico

Micronesia, Federated States of

Midway Islands

Moldova

Monaco

Mongolia

Montserrat

Morocco

Mozambique

N

Namibia

Nauru

Navassa Island

Nepal

Netherlands

Netherlands Antilles

New Caledonia

New Zealand

Nicaragua

Niger

Nigeria

Niue

Norfolk Island

Northern Mariana Islands

Norway

O

Oman

P

Pacific Ocean

Pakistan

Palau

Palmyra Atoll

Panama

Papua New Guinea

Paracel Islands

Paraguay

Peru

Philippines

Pitcairn Islands

Poland

Portugal

Puerto Rico

Q

Qatar

R

Reunion

Romania

Russia

Rwanda

S

Saint Helena

Saint Kitts and Nevis

Saint Lucia

Saint Pierre and Miquelon

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Samoa

San Marino

Sao Tome and Principe

Saudi Arabia

Senegal

Serbia and Montenegro

Seychelles

Sierra Leone

Singapore

Slovakia

Slovenia

Solomon Islands

Somalia

South Africa

South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands

Southern Ocean

Spain

Spratly Islands

Sri Lanka

Sudan

Suriname

Svalbard

Swaziland

Sweden

Switzerland

Syria

T

Taiwan entry follows Zimbabwe

Tajikistan

Tanzania

Thailand

Togo

Tokelau

Tonga

Trinidad and Tobago

Tromelin Island

Tunisia

Turkey

Turkmenistan

Turks and Caicos Islands

Tuvalu

U

Uganda

Ukraine

United Arab Emirates

United Kingdom

United States

Uruguay

Uzbekistan

V

Vanuatu

Venezuela

Vietnam

Virgin Islands

W

Wake Island

Wallis and Futuna

West Bank

Western Sahara

Y

Yemen

Z

Zambia

Zimbabwe

Taiwan

European Union

=====================================================================

Field Listings

[Transcriber's note: To search on a field code in this file, prefix the code number with "@", e.g. "@2001". "2001" will find all occurrences; prefixing it with "@" will find the correct location.]

Code Field Description

2001 GDP (purchasing power parity) 2002 Population growth rate (%) 2003 GDP - real growth rate (%) 2004 GDP - per capita 2006 Dependency status 2007 Diplomatic representation from the US 2008 Transportation - note 2010 Age structure (%) 2011 Geographic coordinates 2012 GDP - composition by sector (%) 2013 Radio broadcast stations 2015 Television broadcast stations 2018 Sex ratio (male(s)/female) 2019 Heliports 2020 Elevation extremes (m) 2021 Natural hazards 2022 People - note 2023 Area - comparative 2024 Military service age and obligation (years of age) 2025 Manpower fit for military service 2026 Manpower reaching military service age annually 2028 Background 2030 Airports - with paved runways 2031 Airports - with unpaved runways 2032 Environment - current issues 2033 Environment - international agreements 2034 Military expenditures - percent of GDP (%) 2038 Electricity - production (kWh) 2042 Electricity - consumption (kWh) 2043 Electricity - imports (kWh) 2044 Electricity - exports (kWh) 2046 Population below poverty line (%) 2047 Household income or consumption by percentage share (%) 2048 Labor force - by occupation (%) 2049 Exports - commodities 2050 Exports - partners (%) 2051 Administrative divisions 2052 Agriculture - products 2053 Airports 2054 Birth rate (births/1,000 population) 2055 Military branches 2056 Budget 2057 Capital 2058 Imports - commodities 2059 Climate 2060 Coastline (km) 2061 Imports - partners (%) 2062 Economic aid - donor 2063 Constitution 2064 Economic aid - recipient 2065 Currency (code) 2066 Death rate (deaths/1,000 population) 2067 Military expenditures - dollar figure 2068 Dependent areas 2070 Disputes - international 2075 Ethnic groups (%) 2076 Exchange rates 2077 Executive branch 2078 Exports 2079 Debt - external 2080 Fiscal year 2081 Flag description 2085 Highways (km) 2086 Illicit drugs 2087 Imports 2088 Independence 2089 Industrial production growth rate (%) 2090 Industries 2091 Infant mortality rate (deaths/1,000 live births) 2092 Inflation rate (consumer prices) (%) 2093 Waterways (km) 2094 Judicial branch 2095 Labor force 2096 Land boundaries (km) 2097 Land use (%) 2098 Languages (%) 2100 Legal system 2101 Legislative branch 2102 Life expectancy at birth (years) 2103 Literacy (%) 2105 Manpower available for military service 2106 Maritime claims 2107 International organization participation 2108 Merchant marine 2109 National holiday 2110 Nationality 2111 Natural resources 2112 Net migration rate (migrant(s)/1,000 population) 2113 Geography - note 2115 Political pressure groups and leaders 2116 Economy - overview 2117 Pipelines (km) 2118 Political parties and leaders 2119 Population 2120 Ports and harbors 2121 Railways (km) 2122 Religions (%) 2123 Suffrage 2124 Telephone system 2125 Terrain 2127 Total fertility rate (children born/woman) 2128 Government type 2129 Unemployment rate (%) 2137 Military - note 2138 Communications - note 2140 Government - note 2142 Country name 2144 Location 2145 Map references 2146 Irrigated land (sq km) 2147 Area (sq km) 2149 Diplomatic representation in the US 2150 Telephones - main lines in use 2151 Telephones - mobile cellular 2153 Internet users 2154 Internet country code 2155 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate (%) 2156 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS 2157 HIV/AIDS - deaths 2158 Currency code 2172 Distribution of family income - Gini index 2173 Oil - production (bbl/day) 2174 Oil - consumption (bbl/day) 2175 Oil - imports (bbl/day) 2176 Oil - exports (bbl/day) 2177 Median age (years) 2178 Oil - proved reserves (bbl) 2179 Natural gas - proved reserves (cu m) 2180 Natural gas - production (cu m) 2181 Natural gas - consumption (cu m) 2182 Natural gas - imports (cu m) 2183 Natural gas - exports (cu m) 2184 Internet hosts 2185 Investment (gross fixed) (% of GDP) 2186 Public debt (% of GDP) 2187 Current account balance 2188 Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2193 Major infectious diseases 2194 Refugees and internally displaced persons

======================================================================

Rank Orders

[Transcriber's note: To search on a rank order in this file, prefix the rank's name with "@", e.g. "@Population". "Population" will find all occurrences; prefixing it with "@" will find the correct location.]

Guide to Rank Order Pages

Rank Order pages are presorted lists of data from selected Factbook data fields. Rank Order pages are generally given in descending order - highest to lowest - such as Population and Area. The two exceptions are Unemployment Rate and Inflation Rate, which are in ascending - lowest to highest - order. Rank Order pages are available for the following 47 fields in six of the nine Factbook categories.

Geography

Area - total

People

Population

Birth rate

Death rate

Infant mortality rate

Life expectancy at birth - total

Total fertility rate

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

HIV/AIDS - deaths

Economy

GDP (purchasing power parity)

GDP - real growth rate

GDP - per capita

Investment (gross fixed)

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

Labor force

Unemployment rate

Public debt

Industrial production growth rate

Electricity - production

Electricity - consumption

Oil - production

Oil - consumption

Oil - exports

Oil - imports

Oil - proved reserves

Natural Gas - production

Natural Gas - consumption

Natural Gas - exports

Natural Gas - imports

Natural Gas - proved reserves

Current account balance

Exports

Imports

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

Debt - external

Communications

Telephones - main lines in use

Telephones - mobile cellular

Internet hosts

Internet users

Transportation

Railways - total

Highways - total

Waterways

Merchant marine - total

Airports

Military

Military expenditures - dollar figure

Military expenditures - percent of GDP

Factbook fields with Rank Order pages are easily identified with a small bar chart icon to the right of the data field title.

Not all Rank Order pages include the same number of entries because information for a particular field is not available for all countries. In addition, not all data fields are suitable for displaying as Rank Order pages, such as those containing textual information. Textual information is more readily viewed by clicking on the Field Listing icon next to the Data field title. The other icon next to the data field title provides the definition of the field.

All of the 'Rank Order' pages can be downloaded as tab-delimited data files and can be opened in other applications such as spreadsheets and databases. To save a Rank Order page in a spreadsheet, first click on the 'Download Datafile' choice above the Rank Order page you selected; then, at the top of your browser window, click on 'File' and 'Save As'. After saving the file, open the spreadsheet, find the saved file, and 'Open' it.

Additional Rank Order pages being considered for future updates of the

Factbook Web site include:

Median age

Literacy

Population below the poverty line

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

=====================================================================

Appendixes

Appendix A - Abbreviations

Appendix B - International Organizations and Groups

Appendix C - Selected International Environmental Agreements

Appendix D - Cross-Reference List of Country Data Codes

Appendix E - Cross-Reference List of Hydrographic Data Codes

Appendix F - Cross-Reference List of Geographic Names

======================================================================

Notes and Definitions

Along with the new entities and the regular information updates, The World Factbook now also features six new fields. In the Economy category, entries have been added for Current account balance, Investment (gross fixed), Public debt, and Reserves of foreign exchange and gold. The Transnational issues category has a new Refugees and internally displaced persons entry.

Abbreviations This information is included in Appendix A: Abbreviations, which includes all abbreviations and acronyms used in the Factbook, with their expansions.

Acronyms An acronym is an abbreviation coined from the initial letter of each successive word in a term or phrase. In general, an acronym made up solely from the first letter of the major words in the expanded form is rendered in all capital letters (NATO from North Atlantic Treaty Organization; an exception would be ASEAN for Association of Southeast Asian Nations). In general, an acronym made up of more than the first letter of the major words in the expanded form is rendered with only an initial capital letter (Comsat from Communications Satellite Corporation; an exception would be NAM from Nonaligned Movement). Hybrid forms are sometimes used to distinguish between initially identical terms (WTO: WTrO for World Trade Organization and WToO for World Tourism Organization.)

Administrative divisions This entry generally gives the numbers, designatory terms, and first- order administrative divisions as approved by the US Board on Geographic Names (BGN). Changes that have been reported but not yet acted on by BGN are noted.

Age structure This entry provides the distribution of the population according to age. Information is included by sex and age group (0-14 years, 15-64 years, 65 years and over). The age structure of a population affects a nation's key socioeconomic issues. Countries with young populations (high percentage under age 15) need to invest more in schools, while countries with older populations (high percentage ages 65 and over) need to invest more in the health sector. The age structure can also be used to help predict potential political issues. For example, the rapid growth of a young adult population unable to find employment can lead to unrest.

Agriculture - products This entry is an ordered listing of major crops and products starting with the most important.

Airports This entry gives the total number of airports. The runway(s) may be paved (concrete or asphalt surfaces) or unpaved (grass, dirt, sand, or gravel surfaces), but must be usable. Not all airports have facilities for refueling, maintenance, or air traffic control.

Airports - with paved runways This entry gives the total number of airports with paved runways (concrete or asphalt surfaces) by length. For airports with more than one runway, only the longest runway is included according to the following five groups - (1) over 3,047 m, (2) 2,438 to 3,047 m, (3) 1,524 to 2,437 m, (4) 914 to 1,523 m, and (5) under 914 m. Only airports with usable runways are included in this listing. Not all airports have facilities for refueling, maintenance, or air traffic control.

Airports - with unpaved runways This entry gives the total number of airports with unpaved runways (grass, dirt, sand, or gravel surfaces) by length. For airports with more than one runway, only the longest runway is included according to the following five groups - (1) over 3,047 m, (2) 2,438 to 3,047 m, (3) 1,524 to 2,437 m, (4) 914 to 1,523 m, and (5) under 914 m. Only airports with usable runways are included in this listing. Not all airports have facilities for refueling, maintenance, or air traffic control.

Appendixes

This section includes Factbook-related material by topic.

Area This entry includes three subfields. Total area is the sum of all land and water areas delimited by international boundaries and/or coastlines. Land area is the aggregate of all surfaces delimited by international boundaries and/or coastlines, excluding inland water bodies (lakes, reservoirs, rivers). Water area is the sum of all water surfaces delimited by international boundaries and/or coastlines, including inland water bodies (lakes, reservoirs, rivers).

Area - comparative This entry provides an area comparison based on total area equivalents. Most entities are compared with the entire US or one of the 50 states based on area measurements (1990 revised) provided by the US Bureau of the Census. The smaller entities are compared with Washington, DC (178 sq km, 69 sq mi) or The Mall in Washington, DC (0.59 sq km, 0.23 sq mi, 146 acres).

Background This entry usually highlights major historic events and current issues and may include a statement about one or two key future trends.

Birth rate This entry gives the average annual number of births during a year per 1,000 persons in the population at midyear; also known as crude birth rate. The birth rate is usually the dominant factor in determining the rate of population growth. It depends on both the level of fertility and the age structure of the population.

Budget This entry includes revenues, total expenditures, and capital expenditures. These figures are calculated on an exchange rate basis, i.e., not in purchasing power parity (PPP) terms.

Capital

This entry gives the location of the seat of government.

Climate This entry includes a brief description of typical weather regimes throughout the year.

Coastline This entry gives the total length of the boundary between the land area (including islands) and the sea.

Communications This category deals with the means of exchanging information and includes the telephone, radio, television, and Internet host entries.

Communications - note This entry includes miscellaneous communications information of significance not included elsewhere.

Constitution This entry includes the dates of adoption, revisions, and major amendments.

Country data codes see Data codes

Country map Most versions of the Factbook provide a country map in color. The maps were produced from the best information available at the time of preparation. Names and/or boundaries may have changed subsequently.

Country name This entry includes all forms of the country's name approved by the US Board on Geographic Names (Italy is used as an example): conventional long form (Italian Republic), conventional short form (Italy), local long form (Repubblica Italiana), local short form (Italia), former (Kingdom of Italy), as well as the abbreviation. Also see the Terminology note.

Crude oil

See entry for oil.

Currency (code)

This entry identifies the national medium of exchange and, in

parenthesis, gives the International Organization for Standardization

(ISO) 4217 alphabetic currency code for each country.

Current account balance This entry records a country's net trade in goods and services, plus net earnings from rents, interest, profits, and dividends, and net transfer payments (such as pension funds and worker remittances) to and from the rest of the world during the period specified. These figures are calculated on an exchange rate basis, i.e., not in purchasing power parity (PPP) terms.

Data codes

This information is presented in Appendix D: Cross-Reference List of

Country Data Codes and Appendix E: Cross-Reference List of Hydrographic

Data Codes.

Date of information In general, information available as of 1 January 2005, was used in the preparation of this edition.

Death rate This entry gives the average annual number of deaths during a year per 1,000 population at midyear; also known as crude death rate. The death rate, while only a rough indicator of the mortality situation in a country, accurately indicates the current mortality impact on population growth. This indicator is significantly affected by age distribution, and most countries will eventually show a rise in the overall death rate, in spite of continued decline in mortality at all ages, as declining fertility results in an aging population.

Debt - external This entry gives the total public and private debt owed to nonresidents repayable in foreign currency, goods, or services. These figures are calculated on an exchange rate basis, i.e., not in purchasing power parity (PPP) terms.

Dependency status This entry describes the formal relationship between a particular nonindependent entity and an independent state.

Dependent areas This entry contains an alphabetical listing of all nonindependent entities associated in some way with a particular independent state.

Diplomatic representation The US Government has diplomatic relations with 187 independent states, including 186 of the 191 UN members (excluded UN members are Bhutan, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, and the US itself). In addition, the US has diplomatic relations with 1 independent state that is not in the UN - Holy See.

Diplomatic representation from the US This entry includes the chief of mission, embassy address, mailing address, telephone number, FAX number, branch office locations, consulate general locations, and consulate locations.

Diplomatic representation in the US This entry includes the chief of mission, chancery, telephone, FAX, consulate general locations, and consulate locations.

Disputes - international This entry includes a wide variety of situations that range from traditional bilateral boundary disputes to unilateral claims of one sort or another. Information regarding disputes over international terrestrial and maritime boundaries has been reviewed by the US Department of State. References to other situations involving borders or frontiers may also be included, such as resource disputes, geopolitical questions, or irredentist issues; however, inclusion does not necessarily constitute official acceptance or recognition by the US Government.

Distribution of family income - Gini index This index measures the degree of inequality in the distribution of family income in a country. The index is calculated from the Lorenz curve, in which cumulative family income is plotted against the number of families arranged from the poorest to the richest. The index is the ratio of (a) the area between a country's Lorenz curve and the 45 degree helping line to (b) the entire triangular area under the 45 degree line. The more nearly equal a country's income distribution, the closer its Lorenz curve to the 45 degree line and the lower its Gini index, e.g., a Scandinavian country with an index of 25. The more unequal a country's income distribution, the farther its Lorenz curve from the 45 degree line and the higher its Gini index, e.g., a Sub- Saharan country with an index of 50. If income were distributed with perfect equality, the Lorenz curve would coincide with the 45 degree line and the index would be zero; if income were distributed with perfect inequality, the Lorenz curve would coincide with the horizontal axis and the right vertical axis and the index would be 100.

Economic aid - donor This entry refers to net official development assistance (ODA) from Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) nations to developing countries and multilateral organizations. ODA is defined as financial assistance that is concessional in character, has the main objective to promote economic development and welfare of the less developed countries (LDCs), and contains a grant element of at least 25%. The entry does not cover other official flows (OOF) or private flows. These figures are calculated on an exchange rate basis, i.e., not in purchasing power parity (PPP) terms.

Economic aid - recipient This entry, which is subject to major problems of definition and statistical coverage, refers to the net inflow of Official Development Finance (ODF) to recipient countries. The figure includes assistance from the World Bank, the IMF, and other international organizations and from individual nation donors. Formal commitments of aid are included in the data. Omitted from the data are grants by private organizations. Aid comes in various forms including outright grants and loans. The entry thus is the difference between new inflows and repayments. These figures are calculated on an exchange rate basis, i.e., not in purchasing power parity (PPP) terms.

Economy This category includes the entries dealing with the size, development, and management of productive resources, i.e., land, labor, and capital.

Economy - overview This entry briefly describes the type of economy, including the degree of market orientation, the level of economic development, the most important natural resources, and the unique areas of specialization. It also characterizes major economic events and policy changes in the most recent 12 months and may include a statement about one or two key future macroeconomic trends.

Electricity - consumption This entry consists of total electricity generated annually plus imports and minus exports, expressed in kilowatt-hours. The discrepancy between the amount of electricity generated and/or imported and the amount consumed and/or exported is accounted for as loss in transmission and distribution.

Electricity - exports

This entry is the total exported electricity in kilowatt-hours.

Electricity - imports

This entry is the total imported electricity in kilowatt-hours.

Electricity - production This entry is the annual electricity generated expressed in kilowatt- hours. The discrepancy between the amount of electricity generated and/or imported and the amount consumed and/or exported is accounted for as loss in transmission and distribution.

Elevation extremes

This entry includes both the highest point and the lowest point.

Entities Some of the independent states, dependencies, areas of special sovereignty, and governments included in this publication are not independent, and others are not officially recognized by the US Government. "Independent state" refers to a people politically organized into a sovereign state with a definite territory. "Dependencies" and "areas of special sovereignty" refer to a broad category of political entities that are associated in some way with an independent state. "Country" names used in the table of contents or for page headings are usually the short-form names as approved by the US Board on Geographic Names and may include independent states, dependencies, and areas of special sovereignty, or other geographic entities. There are a total of 271 separate geographic entities in The World Factbook that may be categorized as follows: INDEPENDENT STATES 192 Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, The Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burma, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, East Timor, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, The Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Holy See, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, North Korea, South Korea, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Federated States of Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, NZ, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia and Montenegro, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, UAE, UK, US, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe OTHER 2 Taiwan, European Union DEPENDENCIES AND AREAS OF SPECIAL SOVEREIGNTY 6 Australia - Ashmore and Cartier Islands, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Coral Sea Islands, Heard Island and McDonald Islands, Norfolk Island 2 China - Hong Kong, Macau 2 Denmark - Faroe Islands, Greenland 16 France - Bassas da India, Clipperton Island, Europa Island, French Guiana, French Polynesia, French Southern and Antarctic Lands, Glorioso Islands, Guadeloupe, Juan de Nova Island, Martinique, Mayotte, New Caledonia, Reunion, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Tromelin Island, Wallis and Futuna 2 Netherlands - Aruba, Netherlands Antilles 3 New Zealand - Cook Islands, Niue, Tokelau 3 Norway - Bouvet Island, Jan Mayen, Svalbard 17 UK - Akrotiri, Anguilla, Bermuda, British Indian Ocean Territory, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Dhekelia, Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey, Isle of Man, Montserrat, Pitcairn Islands, Saint Helena, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, Turks and Caicos Islands 14 US - American Samoa, Baker Island, Guam, Howland Island, Jarvis Island, Johnston Atoll, Kingman Reef, Midway Islands, Navassa Island, Northern Mariana Islands, Palmyra Atoll, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, Wake Island MISCELLANEOUS 6 Antarctica, Gaza Strip, Paracel Islands, Spratly Islands, West Bank, Western Sahara OTHER ENTITIES 5 oceans - Arctic Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean, Southern Ocean 1 World

271 total

Environment - current issues This entry lists the most pressing and important environmental problems. The following terms and abbreviations are used throughout the entry: acidification - the lowering of soil and water pH due to acid precipitation and deposition usually through precipitation; this process disrupts ecosystem nutrient flows and may kill freshwater fish and plants dependent on more neutral or alkaline conditions (see acid rain). acid rain - characterized as containing harmful levels of sulfur dioxide or nitrogen oxide; acid rain is damaging and potentially deadly to the earth's fragile ecosystems; acidity is measured using the pH scale where 7 is neutral, values greater than 7 are considered alkaline, and values below 5.6 are considered acid precipitation; note - a pH of 2.4 (the acidity of vinegar) has been measured in rainfall in New England. aerosol - a collection of airborne particles dispersed in a gas, smoke, or fog. afforestation - converting a bare or agricultural space by planting trees and plants; reforestation involves replanting trees on areas that have been cut or destroyed by fire. asbestos - a naturally occurring soft fibrous mineral commonly used in fireproofing materials and considered to be highly carcinogenic in particulate form. biodiversity - also biological diversity; the relative number of species, diverse in form and function, at the genetic, organism, community, and ecosystem level; loss of biodiversity reduces an ecosystem's ability to recover from natural or man-induced disruption. bio-indicators - a plant or animal species whose presence, abundance, and health reveal the general condition of its habitat. biomass - the total weight or volume of living matter in a given area or volume. carbon cycle - the term used to describe the exchange of carbon (in various forms, e.g., as carbon dioxide) between the atmosphere, ocean, terrestrial biosphere, and geological deposits. catchments - assemblages used to capture and retain rainwater and runoff; an important water management technique in areas with limited freshwater resources, such as Gibraltar. DDT (dichloro-diphenyl-trichloro-ethane) - a colorless, odorless insecticide that has toxic effects on most animals; the use of DDT was banned in the US in 1972. defoliants - chemicals which cause plants to lose their leaves artificially; often used in agricultural practices for weed control, and may have detrimental impacts on human and ecosystem health. deforestation - the destruction of vast areas of forest (e.g., unsustainable forestry practices, agricultural and range land clearing, and the over exploitation of wood products for use as fuel) without planting new growth. desertification - the spread of desert-like conditions in arid or semi- arid areas, due to overgrazing, loss of agriculturally productive soils, or climate change. dredging - the practice of deepening an existing waterway; also, a technique used for collecting bottom-dwelling marine organisms (e.g., shellfish) or harvesting coral, often causing significant destruction of reef and ocean-floor ecosystems. drift-net fishing - done with a net, miles in extent, that is generally anchored to a boat and left to float with the tide; often results in an over harvesting and waste of large populations of non-commercial marine species (by-catch) by its effect of "sweeping the ocean clean". ecosystems - ecological units comprised of complex communities of organisms and their specific environments. effluents - waste materials, such as smoke, sewage, or industrial waste which are released into the environment, subsequently polluting it. endangered species - a species that is threatened with extinction either by direct hunting or habitat destruction. freshwater - water with very low soluble mineral content; sources include lakes, streams, rivers, glaciers, and underground aquifers. greenhouse gas - a gas that "traps" infrared radiation in the lower atmosphere causing surface warming; water vapor, carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, methane, hydrofluorocarbons, and ozone are the primary greenhouse gases in the Earth's atmosphere. groundwater - water sources found below the surface of the earth often in naturally occurring reservoirs in permeable rock strata; the source for wells and natural springs. Highlands Water Project - a series of dams constructed jointly by Lesotho and South Africa to redirect Lesotho's abundant water supply into a rapidly growing area in South Africa; while it is the largest infrastructure project in southern Africa, it is also the most costly and controversial; objections to the project include claims that it forces people from their homes, submerges farmlands, and squanders economic resources. Inuit Circumpolar Conference (ICC) - represents the 145,000 Inuits of Russia, Alaska, Canada, and Greenland in international environmental issues; a General Assembly convenes every three years to determine the focus of the ICC; the most current concerns are long-range transport of pollutants, sustainable development, and climate change. metallurgical plants - industries which specialize in the science, technology, and processing of metals; these plants produce highly concentrated and toxic wastes which can contribute to pollution of ground water and air when not properly disposed. noxious substances - injurious, very harmful to living beings. overgrazing - the grazing of animals on plant material faster than it can naturally regrow leading to the permanent loss of plant cover, a common effect of too many animals grazing limited range land. ozone shield - a layer of the atmosphere composed of ozone gas (O3) that resides approximately 25 miles above the Earth's surface and absorbs solar ultraviolet radiation that can be harmful to living organisms. poaching - the illegal killing of animals or fish, a great concern with respect to endangered or threatened species. pollution - the contamination of a healthy environment by man-made waste. potable water - water that is drinkable, safe to be consumed. salination - the process through which fresh (drinkable) water becomes salt (undrinkable) water; hence, desalination is the reverse process; also involves the accumulation of salts in topsoil caused by evaporation of excessive irrigation water, a process that can eventually render soil incapable of supporting crops. siltation - occurs when water channels and reservoirs become clotted with silt and mud, a side effect of deforestation and soil erosion. slash-and-burn agriculture - a rotating cultivation technique in which trees are cut down and burned in order to clear land for temporary agriculture; the land is used until its productivity declines at which point a new plot is selected and the process repeats; this practice is sustainable while population levels are low and time is permitted for regrowth of natural vegetation; conversely, where these conditions do not exist, the practice can have disastrous consequences for the environment . soil degradation - damage to the land's productive capacity because of poor agricultural practices such as the excessive use of pesticides or fertilizers, soil compaction from heavy equipment, or erosion of topsoil, eventually resulting in reduced ability to produce agricultural products. soil erosion - the removal of soil by the action of water or wind, compounded by poor agricultural practices, deforestation, overgrazing, and desertification. ultraviolet (UV) radiation - a portion of the electromagnetic energy emitted by the sun and naturally filtered in the upper atmosphere by the ozone layer; UV radiation can be harmful to living organisms and has been linked to increasing rates of skin cancer in humans. water-born diseases - those in which bacteria survive in, and are transmitted through, water; always a serious threat in areas with an untreated water supply.

Environment - international agreements This entry separates country participation in international environmental agreements into two levels - party to and signed, but not ratified. Agreements are listed in alphabetical order by the abbreviated form of the full name.

Environmental agreements This information is presented in Appendix C: Selected International Environmental Agreements, which includes the name, abbreviation, date opened for signature, date entered into force, objective, and parties by category.

Ethnic groups This entry provides an ordered listing of ethnic groups starting with the largest and normally includes the percent of total population.

Exchange rates This entry provides the official value of a country's monetary unit at a given date or over a given period of time, as expressed in units of local currency per US dollar and as determined by international market forces or official fiat.

Executive branch This entry includes several subfields. Chief of state includes the name and title of the titular leader of the country who represents the state at official and ceremonial functions but may not be involved with the day-to-day activities of the government. Head of government includes the name and title of the top administrative leader who is designated to manage the day-to-day activities of the government. For example, in the UK, the monarch is the chief of state, and the prime minister is the head of government. In the US, the president is both the chief of state and the head of government. Cabinet includes the official name for this body of high-ranking advisers and the method for selection of members. Elections includes the nature of election process or accession to power, date of the last election, and date of the next election. Election results includes the percent of vote for each candidate in the last election.

Exports This entry provides the total US dollar amount of merchandise exports on an f.o.b. (free on board) basis. These figures are calculated on an exchange rate basis, i.e., not in purchasing power parity (PPP) terms.

Exports - commodities This entry provides a rank ordering of exported products starting with the most important; it sometimes includes the percent of total dollar value.

Exports - partners This entry provides a rank ordering of trading partners starting with the most important; it sometimes includes the percent of total dollar value.

Fiscal year This entry identifies the beginning and ending months for a country's accounting period of 12 months, which often is the calendar year but which may begin in any month. All yearly references are for the calendar year (CY) unless indicated as a noncalendar fiscal year (FY).

Flag description This entry provides a written flag description produced from actual flags or the best information available at the time the entry was written. The flags of independent states are used by their dependencies unless there is an officially recognized local flag. Some disputed and other areas do not have flags.

Flag graphic Most versions of the Factbook include a color flag at the beginning of the country profile. The flag graphics were produced from actual flags or the best information available at the time of preparation. The flags of independent states are used by their dependencies unless there is an officially recognized local flag. Some disputed and other areas do not have flags.

GDP (purchasing power parity) This entry gives the gross domestic product (GDP) or value of all final goods and services produced within a nation in a given year. GDP dollar estimates in the Factbook are derived from purchasing power parity (PPP) calculations. See the note on GDP methodology for more information.

GDP - composition by sector This entry gives the percentage contribution of agriculture, industry, and services to total GDP. The distribution will total less than 100 percent if the data are incomplete.

GDP - per capita This entry shows GDP on a purchasing power parity basis divided by population as of 1 July for the same year.

GDP - real growth rate This entry gives GDP growth on an annual basis adjusted for inflation and expressed as a percent.

GDP methodology In the Economy category, GDP dollar estimates for all countries are derived from purchasing power parity (PPP) calculations rather than from conversions at official currency exchange rates. The PPP method involves the use of standardized international dollar price weights, which are applied to the quantities of final goods and services produced in a given economy. The data derived from the PPP method provide the best available starting point for comparisons of economic strength and well-being between countries. The division of a GDP estimate in domestic currency by the corresponding PPP estimate in dollars gives the PPP conversion rate. Whereas PPP estimates for OECD countries are quite reliable, PPP estimates for developing countries are often rough approximations. Most of the GDP estimates are based on extrapolation of PPP numbers published by the UN International Comparison Program (UNICP) and by Professors Robert Summers and Alan Heston of the University of Pennsylvania and their colleagues. In contrast, the currency exchange rate method involves a variety of international and domestic financial forces that often have little relation to domestic output. In developing countries with weak currencies the exchange rate estimate of GDP in dollars is typically one-fourth to one-half the PPP estimate. Furthermore, exchange rates may suddenly go up or down by 10% or more because of market forces or official fiat whereas real output has remained unchanged. On 12 January 1994, for example, the 14 countries of the African Financial Community (whose currencies are tied to the French franc) devalued their currencies by 50%. This move, of course, did not cut the real output of these countries by half. One important caution: the proportion of, say, defense expenditures as a percentage of GDP in local currency accounts may differ substantially from the proportion when GDP accounts are expressed in PPP terms, as, for example, when an observer tries to estimate the dollar level of Russian or Japanese military expenditures. Note: the numbers for GDP and other economic data cannot be chained together from successive volumes of the Factbook because of changes in the US dollar measuring rod, revisions of data by statistical agencies, use of new or different sources of information, and changes in national statistical methods and practices.

GNP Gross national product (GNP) is the value of all final goods and services produced within a nation in a given year, plus income earned by its citizens abroad, minus income earned by foreigners from domestic production. The Factbook, following current practice, uses GDP rather than GNP to measure national production. However, the user must realize that in certain countries net remittances from citizens working abroad may be important to national well-being.

GWP This entry gives the gross world product (GWP) or aggregate value of all final goods and services produced worldwide in a given year.

Geographic coordinates This entry includes rounded latitude and longitude figures for the purpose of finding the approximate geographic center of an entity and is based on the Gazetteer of Conventional Names, Third Edition, August 1988, US Board on Geographic Names and on other sources.

Geographic names This information is presented in Appendix F: Cross-Reference List of Geographic Names. It includes a listing of various alternate names, former names, local names, and regional names referenced to one or more related Factbook entries. Spellings are normally, but not always, those approved by the US Board on Geographic Names (BGN). Alternate names and additional information are included in parentheses.

Geography This category includes the entries dealing with the natural environment and the effects of human activity.

Geography - note This entry includes miscellaneous geographic information of significance not included elsewhere.

Gini index

See entry for Distribution of family income - Gini index

Government This category includes the entries dealing with the system for the adoption and administration of public policy.

Government - note This entry includes miscellaneous government information of significance not included elsewhere.

Government type This entry gives the basic form of government. Definitions of the major governmental terms are as follows: Anarchy - a condition of lawlessness or political disorder brought about by the absence of governmental authority. Commonwealth - a nation, state, or other political entity founded on law and united by a compact of the people for the common good. Communism - a system of government in which the state plans and controls the economy and a single - often authoritarian - party holds power; state controls are imposed with the elimination of private ownership of property or capital while claiming to make progress toward a higher social order in which all goods are equally shared by the people (i.e., a classless society). Confederacy (Confederation) - a union by compact or treaty between states, provinces, or territories, that creates a central government with limited powers; the constituent entities retain supreme authority over all matters except those delegated to the central government. Constitutional - a government by or operating under an authoritative document (constitution) that sets forth the system of fundamental laws and principles that determines the nature, functions, and limits of that government. Constitutional democracy - a form of government in which the sovereign power of the people is spelled out in a governing constitution. Constitutional monarchy - a system of government in which a monarch is guided by a constitution whereby his/her rights, duties, and responsibilities are spelled out in written law or by custom. Democracy - a form of government in which the supreme power is retained by the people, but which is usually exercised indirectly through a system of representation and delegated authority periodically renewed. Democratic republic - a state in which the supreme power rests in the body of citizens entitled to vote for officers and representatives responsible to them. Dictatorship - a form of government in which a ruler or small clique wield absolute power (not restricted by a constitution or laws). Ecclesiastical - a government administrated by a church. Federal (Federative) - a form of government in which sovereign power is formally divided - usually by means of a constitution - between a central authority and a number of constituent regions (states, colonies, or provinces) so that each region retains some management of its internal affairs; differs from a confederacy in that the central government exerts influence directly upon both individuals as well as upon the regional units. Federal republic - a state in which the powers of the central government are restricted and in which the component parts (states, colonies, or provinces) retain a degree of self-government; ultimate sovereign power rests with the voters who chose their governmental representatives. Maoism - the theory and practice of Marxism-Leninism developed in China by Mao Zedong (Mao Tse-tung), which states that a continuous revolution is necessary if the leaders of a communist state are to keep in touch with the people. Marxism - the political, economic, and social principles espoused by 19th century economist Karl Marx; he viewed the struggle of workers as a progression of historical forces that would proceed from a class struggle of the proletariat (workers) exploited by capitalists (business owners), to a socialist "dictatorship of the proletariat," to, finally, a classless society - communism. Marxism-Leninism - an expanded form of communism developed by Lenin from doctrines of Karl Marx; Lenin saw imperialism as the final stage of capitalism and shifted the focus of workers' struggle from developed to underdeveloped countries. Monarchy - a government in which the supreme power is lodged in the hands of a monarch who reigns over a state or territory, usually for life and by hereditary right; the monarch may be either a sole absolute ruler or a sovereign - such as a king, queen, or prince - with constitutionally limited authority. Oligarchy - a government in which control is exercised by a small group of individuals whose authority generally is based on wealth or power. Parliamentary democracy - a political system in which the legislature (parliament) selects the government - a prime minister, premier, or chancellor along with the cabinet ministers - according to party strength as expressed in elections; by this system, the government acquires a dual responsibility: to the people as well as to the parliament. Parliamentary government (Cabinet-Parliamentary government) - a government in which members of an executive branch (the cabinet and its leader - a prime minister, premier, or chancellor) are nominated to their positions by a legislature or parliament, and are directly responsible to it; this type of government can be dissolved at will by the parliament (legislature) by means of a no confidence vote or the leader of the cabinet may dissolve the parliament if it can no longer function. Parliamentary monarchy - a state headed by a monarch who is not actively involved in policy formation or implementation (i.e., the exercise of sovereign powers by a monarch in a ceremonial capacity); true governmental leadership is carried out by a cabinet and its head - a prime minister, premier, or chancellor - who are drawn from a legislature (parliament). Republic - a representative democracy in which the people's elected deputies (representatives), not the people themselves, vote on legislation. Socialism - a government in which the means of planning, producing, and distributing goods is controlled by a central government that theoretically seeks a more just and equitable distribution of property and labor; in actuality, most socialist governments have ended up being no more than dictatorships over workers by a ruling elite. Sultanate - similar to a monarchy, but a government in which the supreme power is in the hands of a sultan (the head of a Muslim state); the sultan may be an absolute ruler or a sovereign with constitutionally limited authority. Theocracy - a form of government in which a Deity is recognized as the supreme civil ruler, but the Deity's laws are interpreted by ecclesiastical authorities (bishops, mullahs, etc.); a government subject to religious authority. Totalitarian - a government that seeks to subordinate the individual to the state by controlling not only all political and economic matters, but also the attitudes, values, and beliefs of its population.

Gross domestic product see GDP

Gross national product see GNP

Gross world product see GWP

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate This entry gives an estimate of the percentage of adults (aged 15-49) living with HIV/AIDS. The adult prevalence rate is calculated by dividing the estimated number of adults living with HIV/AIDS at yearend by the total adult population at yearend.

HIV/AIDS - deaths This entry gives an estimate of the number of adults and children who died of AIDS during a given calendar year.

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS This entry gives an estimate of all people (adults and children) alive at yearend with HIV infection, whether or not they have developed symptoms of AIDS.

Heliports This entry gives the total number of heliports with hard-surface runways, helipads, or landing areas that support routine sustained helicopter operations exclusively and have support facilities including one or more of the following facilities: lighting, fuel, passenger handling, or maintenance. It includes former airports used exclusively for helicopter operations but excludes heliports limited to day operations and natural clearings that could support helicopter landings and takeoffs.

Highways This entry states the total length of the highway system and the length of the paved and unpaved parts.

Household income or consumption by percentage share Data on household income or consumption come from household surveys, the results adjusted for household size. Nations use different standards and procedures in collecting and adjusting the data. Surveys based on income will normally show a more unequal distribution than surveys based on consumption. The quality of surveys is improving with time, yet caution is still necessary in making inter-country comparisons.

Hydrographic data codes see Data codes

Illicit drugs This entry gives information on the five categories of illicit drugs - narcotics, stimulants, depressants (sedatives), hallucinogens, and cannabis. These categories include many drugs legally produced and prescribed by doctors as well as those illegally produced and sold outside of medical channels. Cannabis (Cannabis sativa) is the common hemp plant, which provides hallucinogens with some sedative properties, and includes marijuana (pot, Acapulco gold, grass, reefer), tetrahydrocannabinol (THC, Marinol), hashish (hash), and hashish oil (hash oil). Coca (mostly Erythroxylum coca) is a bush with leaves that contain the stimulant used to make cocaine. Coca is not to be confused with cocoa, which comes from cacao seeds and is used in making chocolate, cocoa, and cocoa butter. Cocaine is a stimulant derived from the leaves of the coca bush. Depressants (sedatives) are drugs that reduce tension and anxiety and include chloral hydrate, barbiturates (Amytal, Nembutal, Seconal, phenobarbital), benzodiazepines (Librium, Valium), methaqualone (Quaalude), glutethimide (Doriden), and others (Equanil, Placidyl, Valmid). Drugs are any chemical substances that effect a physical, mental, emotional, or behavioral change in an individual. Drug abuse is the use of any licit or illicit chemical substance that results in physical, mental, emotional, or behavioral impairment in an individual. Hallucinogens are drugs that affect sensation, thinking, self- awareness, and emotion. Hallucinogens include LSD (acid, microdot), mescaline and peyote (mexc, buttons, cactus), amphetamine variants (PMA, STP, DOB), phencyclidine (PCP, angel dust, hog), phencyclidine analogues (PCE, PCPy, TCP), and others (psilocybin, psilocyn). Hashish is the resinous exudate of the cannabis or hemp plant (Cannabis sativa). Heroin is a semisynthetic derivative of morphine. Mandrax is a trade name for methaqualone, a pharmaceutical depressant. Marijuana is the dried leaf of the cannabis or hemp plant (Cannabis sativa). Methaqualone is a pharmaceutical depressant, referred to as mandrax in Southwest Asia and Africa. Narcotics are drugs that relieve pain, often induce sleep, and refer to opium, opium derivatives, and synthetic substitutes. Natural narcotics include opium (paregoric, parepectolin), morphine (MS-Contin, Roxanol), codeine (Tylenol with codeine, Empirin with codeine, Robitussan AC), and thebaine. Semisynthetic narcotics include heroin (horse, smack), and hydromorphone (Dilaudid). Synthetic narcotics include meperidine or Pethidine (Demerol, Mepergan), methadone (Dolophine, Methadose), and others (Darvon, Lomotil). Opium is the brown, gummy exudate of the incised, unripe seedpod of the opium poppy. Opium poppy (Papaver somniferum) is the source for the natural and semisynthetic narcotics. Poppy straw is the entire cut and dried opium poppy-plant material, other than the seeds. Opium is extracted from poppy straw in commercial operations that produce the drug for medical use. Qat (kat, khat) is a stimulant from the buds or leaves of Catha edulis that is chewed or drunk as tea. Quaaludes is the North American slang term for methaqualone, a pharmaceutical depressant. Stimulants are drugs that relieve mild depression, increase energy and activity, and include cocaine (coke, snow, crack), amphetamines (Desoxyn, Dexedrine), ephedrine, ecstasy (clarity, essence, doctor, Adam), phenmetrazine (Preludin), methylphenidate (Ritalin), and others (Cylert, Sanorex, Tenuate).

Imports This entry provides the total US dollar amount of merchandise imports on a c.i.f. (cost, insurance, and freight) or f.o.b. (free on board) basis. These figures are calculated on an exchange rate basis, i.e., not in purchasing power parity (PPP) terms.

Imports - commodities This entry provides a rank ordering of imported products starting with the most important; it sometimes includes the percent of total dollar value.

Imports - partners This entry provides a rank ordering of trading partners starting with the most important; it sometimes includes the percent of total dollar value.

Independence For most countries, this entry gives the date that sovereignty was achieved and from which nation, empire, or trusteeship. For the other countries, the date given may not represent "independence" in the strict sense, but rather some significant nationhood event such as the traditional founding date or the date of unification, federation, confederation, establishment, fundamental change in the form of government, or state succession. Dependent areas include the notation "none" followed by the nature of their dependency status. Also see the Terminology note.

Industrial production growth rate This entry gives the annual percentage increase in industrial production (includes manufacturing, mining, and construction).

Industries This entry provides a rank ordering of industries starting with the largest by value of annual output.

Infant mortality rate This entry gives the number of deaths of infants under one year old in a given year per 1,000 live births in the same year; included is the total death rate, and deaths by sex, male and female. This rate is often used as an indicator of the level of health in a country.

Inflation rate (consumer prices) This entry furnishes the annual percent change in consumer prices compared with the previous year's consumer prices.

International disputes see Disputes - international

International organization participation This entry lists in alphabetical order by abbreviation those international organizations in which the subject country is a member or participates in some other way.

International organizations

This information is presented in Appendix B: International

Organizations and Groups which includes the name, abbreviation, date

established, aim, and members by category.

Internet country code

This entry includes the two-letter codes maintained by the

International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in the ISO 3166

Alpha-2 list and used by the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA)

to establish country-coded top-level domains (ccTLDs).

Internet hosts This entry lists the number of Internet hosts available within a country. An Internet host is a computer connected directly to the Internet; normally an Internet Service Provider's (ISP) computer is a host. Internet users may use either a hard-wired terminal, at an institution with a mainframe computer connected directly to the Internet, or may connect remotely by way of a modem via telephone line, cable, or satellite to the Internet Service Provider's host computer. The number of hosts is one indicator of the extent of Internet connectivity.

Internet users This entry gives the number of users within a country that access the Internet. Statistics vary from country to country and may include users who access the Internet at least several times a week to those who access it only once within a period of several months.

Introduction

This category includes one entry, Background.

Investment (gross fixed) This entry records total business spending on fixed assets, such as factories, machinery, equipment, dwellings, and inventories of raw materials, which provide the basis for future production. It is measured gross of the depreciation of the assets, i.e., it includes invesment that merely replaces worn-out or scrapped capital.

Irrigated land This entry gives the number of square kilometers of land area that is artificially supplied with water.

Judicial branch This entry contains the name(s) of the highest court(s) and a brief description of the selection process for members.

Labor force

This entry contains the total labor force figure.

Labor force - by occupation This entry lists the percentage distribution of the labor force by occupation. The distribution will total less than 100 percent if the data are incomplete.

Land boundaries This entry contains the total length of all land boundaries and the individual lengths for each of the contiguous border countries.

Land use This entry contains the percentage shares of total land area for three different types of land use: arable land - land cultivated for crops like wheat, maize, and rice that are replanted after each harvest; permanent crops - land cultivated for crops like citrus, coffee, and rubber that are not replanted after each harvest; includes land under flowering shrubs, fruit trees, nut trees, and vines, but excludes land under trees grown for wood or timber; other - any land not arable or under permanent crops; includes permanent meadows and pastures, forests and woodlands, built-on areas, roads, barren land, etc.

Languages This entry provides a rank ordering of languages starting with the largest and sometimes includes the percent of total population speaking that language.

Legal system

This entry contains a brief description of the legal system's

historical roots, role in government, and acceptance of International

Court of Justice (ICJ) jurisdiction.

Legislative branch This entry contains information on the structure (unicameral, bicameral, tricameral), formal name, number of seats, and term of office. Elections includes the nature of election process or accession to power, date of the last election, and date of the next election. Election results includes the percent of vote and/or number of seats held by each party in the last election.

Life expectancy at birth This entry contains the average number of years to be lived by a group of people born in the same year, if mortality at each age remains constant in the future. The entry includes total population as well as the male and female components. Life expectancy at birth is also a measure of overall quality of life in a country and summarizes the mortality at all ages. It can also be thought of as indicating the potential return on investment in human capital and is necessary for the calculation of various actuarial measures.

Literacy This entry includes a definition of literacy and Census Bureau percentages for the total population, males, and females. There are no universal definitions and standards of literacy. Unless otherwise specified, all rates are based on the most common definition - the ability to read and write at a specified age. Detailing the standards that individual countries use to assess the ability to read and write is beyond the scope of the Factbook. Information on literacy, while not a perfect measure of educational results, is probably the most easily available and valid for international comparisons. Low levels of literacy, and education in general, can impede the economic development of a country in the current rapidly changing, technology-driven world.

Location This entry identifies the country's regional location, neighboring countries, and adjacent bodies of water.

Major infectious diseases This entry lists major infectious diseases likely to be encountered in countries where the risk of such diseases is assessed to be very high as compared to the United States. These infectious diseases represent risks to US government personnel traveling to the specified country for a period of less than three years. The degree of risk is assessed by considering the foreign nature of these infectious diseases, their severity, and the probability of being affected by the diseases present. The diseases listed do not necessarily represent the total disease burden experienced by the local population. The risk to an individual traveler varies considerably by the specific location, visit duration, type of activities, type of accommodations, time of year, and other factors. Consultation with a travel medicine physician is needed to evaluate individual risk and recommend appropriate preventive measures such as vaccines. Diseases are organized into the following six exposure categories shown in italics and listed in typical descending order of risk. Note - The sequence of exposure categories listed in individual country entries may vary according to local conditions. food or waterborne diseases acquired through eating or drinking on the local economy: Hepatitis A - viral disease that interferes with the functioning of the liver; spread through consumption of food or water contaminated with fecal matter, principally in areas of poor sanitation; victims exhibit fever, jaundice, and diarrhea; 15% of victims will experience prolonged symptoms over 6-9 months; vaccine available. Hepatitis E - water-borne viral disease that interferes with the functioning of the liver; most commonly spread through fecal contamination of drinking water; victims exhibit jaundice, fatigue, abdominal pain, and dark colored urine. Typhoid fever - bacterial disease spread through contact with food or water contaminated by fecal matter or sewage; victims exhibit sustained high fevers; left untreated, mortality rates can reach 20%. vectorborne diseases acquired through the bite of an infected arthropod: Malaria - caused by single-cell parasitic protozoa Plasmodium; transmitted to humans via the bite of the female Anopheles mosquito; parasites multiply in the liver attacking red blood cells resulting in cycles of fever, chills, and sweats accompanied by anemia; death due to damage to vital organs and interruption of blood supply to the brain; endemic in 100, mostly tropical, countries with 90% of cases and the majority of 1.5-2.5 million estimated annual deaths occurring in sub- Saharan Africa. Dengue fever - mosquito-borne (Aedes aegypti) viral disease associated with urban environments; manifests as sudden onset of fever and severe headache; occasionally produces shock and hemorrhage leading to death in 5% of cases. Yellow fever - mosquito-borne viral disease; severity ranges from influenza-like symptoms to severe hepatitis and hemorrhagic fever; occurs only in tropical South America and sub-Saharan Africa, where most cases are reported; fatality rate is less than 20%. Japanese Encephalitis - mosquito-borne (Culex tritaeniorhynchus) viral disease associated with rural areas in Asia; acute encephalitis can progress to paralysis, coma, and death; fatality rates 30%. African Trypanosomiasis - caused by the parasitic protozoa Trypanosoma; transmitted to humans via the bite of bloodsucking Tsetse flies; infection leads to malaise and irregular fevers and, in advanced cases when the parasites invade the central nervous system, coma and death; endemic in 36 countries of sub-Saharan Africa; cattle and wild animals act as reservoir hosts for the parasites. Cutaneous Leishmaniasis - caused by the parasitic protozoa leishmania; transmitted to humans via the bite of sandflies; results in skin lesions that may become chronic; endemic in 88 countries; 90% of cases occur in Iran, Afghanistan, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, and Peru; wild and domesticated animals as well as humans can act as reservoirs of infection. Plague - bacterial disease transmitted by fleas normally associated with rats; person-to-person airborne transmission also possible; recent plague epidemics occurred in areas of Asia, Africa, and South America associated with rural areas or small towns and villages; manifests as fever, headache, and painfully swollen lymph nodes; disease progresses rapidly and without antibiotic treatment leads to pneumonic form with a death rate in excess of 50%. Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever - tick-borne viral disease; infection may also result from exposure to infected animal blood or tissue; geographic distribution includes Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe; sudden onset of fever, headache, and muscle aches followed by hemorrhaging in the bowels, urine, nose, and gums; mortality rate is approximately 30%. Rift Valley fever - viral disease affecting domesticated animals and humans; transmission is by mosquito and other biting insects; infection may also occur through handling of infected meat or contact with blood; geographic distribution includes eastern and southern Africa where cattle and sheep are raised; symptoms are generally mild with fever and some liver abnormalities, but the disease may progress to hemorrhagic fever, encephalitis, or ocular disease; fatality rates are low at about 1% of cases. Chikungunya - mosquito-borne (Aedes aegypti) viral disease associated with urban environments, similar to Dengue Fever; characterized by sudden onset of fever, rash, and severe joint pain usually lasting 3-7 days, some cases result in persistent arthritis. water contact diseases acquired through swimming or wading in freshwater lakes, streams, and rivers: Leptospirosis - bacterial disease that affects animals and humans; infection occurs through contact with water, food, or soil contaminated by animal urine; symptoms include high fever, severe headache, vomiting, jaundice, and diarrhea; untreated, the disease can result in kidney damage, liver failure, meningitis, or respiratory distress; fatality rates are low but left untreated recovery can take months. Schistosomiasis - caused by parasitic trematode flatworm Schistosoma; fresh water snails act as intermediate host and release larval form of parasite that penetrates the skin of people exposed to contaminated water; worms mature and reproduce in the blood vessels, liver, kidneys, and intestines releasing eggs, which become trapped in tissues triggering an immune response; may manifest as either urinary or intestinal disease resulting in decreased work or learning capacity; mortality, while generally low, may occur in advanced cases usually due to bladder cancer; endemic in 74 developing countries with 80% of infected people living in sub-Saharan Africa; humans act as the reservoir for this parasite. aerosolized dust or soil contact disease acquired through inhalation of aerosols contaminated with rodent urine: Lassa fever - viral disease carried by rats of the genus Mastomys; endemic in portions of West Africa; infection occurs through direct contact with or consumption of food contaminated by rodent urine or fecal matter containing virus particles; fatality rate can reach 50% in epidemic outbreaks. respiratory disease acquired through close contact with an infectious person: Meningococcal meningitis - bacterial disease causing an inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord; one of the most important bacterial pathogens is Neisseria meningitidis because of its potential to cause epidemics; symptoms include stiff neck, high fever, headaches, and vomiting; bacteria are transmitted from person to person by respiratory droplets and facilitated by close and prolonged contact resulting from crowded living conditions, often with a seasonal distribution; death occurs in 5-15% of cases, typically within 24-48 hours of onset of symptoms; highest burden of meningococcal disease occurs in the hyperendemic region of sub-Saharan Africa known as the "Meningitis Belt" which stretches from Senegal east to Ethiopia. animal contact disease acquired through direct contact with local animals: Rabies - viral disease of mammals usually transmitted through the bite of an infected animal, most commonly dogs; virus affects the central nervous system causing brain alteration and death; symptoms initially are non-specific fever and headache progressing to neurological symptoms; death occurs within days of the onset of symptoms.

Manpower available for military service This entry gives the total numbers of males and females age 15-49 and assumes that every individual is fit to serve.

Manpower fit for military service This entry gives the number of males and females age 15-49 fit for military service. This is a more refined measure of potential military manpower availability which tries to account for the health situation in the country and reduces the maximum potential number to a more realistic estimate of the actual number fit to serve.

Manpower reaching military service age annually This entry gives the number of draft-age males and females entering the military manpower pool in any given year and is a measure of the availability of draft-age young adults.

Map references This entry includes the name of the Factbook reference map on which a country may be found. The entry on Geographic coordinates may be helpful in finding some smaller countries.

Maritime claims This entry includes the following claims, the definitions of which are excerpted from the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which alone contains the full and definitive descriptions: territorial sea - the sovereignty of a coastal state extends beyond its land territory and internal waters to an adjacent belt of sea, described as the territorial sea in the UNCLOS (Part II); this sovereignty extends to the air space over the territorial sea as well as its underlying seabed and subsoil; every state has the right to establish the breadth of its territorial sea up to a limit not exceeding 12 nautical miles; the normal baseline for measuring the breadth of the territorial sea is the low-water line along the coast as marked on large-scale charts officially recognized by the coastal state; the UNCLOS describes specific rules for archipelagic states. contiguous zone - according to the UNCLOS (Article 33), this is a zone contiguous to a coastal state's territorial sea, over which it may exercise the control necessary to: prevent infringement of its customs, fiscal, immigration, or sanitary laws and regulations within its territory or territorial sea; punish infringement of the above laws and regulations committed within its territory or territorial sea; the contiguous zone may not extend beyond 24 nautical miles from the baselines from which the breadth of the territorial sea is measured (e.g. the US has claimed a 12-nautical mile contiguous zone in addition to its 12-nautical mile territorial sea). exclusive economic zone (EEZ) - the UNCLOS (Part V) defines the EEZ as a zone beyond and adjacent to the territorial sea in which a coastal state has: sovereign rights for the purpose of exploring and exploiting, conserving and managing the natural resources, whether living or non-living, of the waters superjacent to the seabed and of the seabed and its subsoil, and with regard to other activities for the economic exploitation and exploration of the zone, such as the production of energy from the water, currents, and winds; jurisdiction with regard to the establishment and use of artificial islands, installations, and structures; marine scientific research; the protection and preservation of the marine environment; the outer limit of the exclusive economic zone shall not exceed 200 nautical miles from the baselines from which the breadth of the territorial sea is measured. continental shelf - the UNCLOS (Article 76) defines the continental shelf of a coastal state as comprising the seabed and subsoil of the submarine areas that extend beyond its territorial sea throughout the natural prolongation of its land territory to the outer edge of the continental margin, or to a distance of 200 nautical miles from the baselines from which the breadth of the territorial sea is measured where the outer edge of the continental margin does not extend up to that distance; the continental margin comprises the submerged prolongation of the landmass of the coastal state, and consists of the seabed and subsoil of the shelf, the slope and the rise; wherever the continental margin extends beyond 200 nautical miles from the baseline, coastal states may extend their claim to a distance not to exceed 350 nautical miles from the baseline or 100 nautical miles from the 2500 meter isobath; it does not include the deep ocean floor with its oceanic ridges or the subsoil thereof. exclusive fishing zone - while this term is not used in the UNCLOS, some states (e.g. the United Kingdom) have chosen not to claim an EEZ, but rather to claim jurisdiction over the living resources off their coast; in such cases, the term exclusive fishing zone is often used; the breadth of this zone is normally the same as the EEZ or 200 nautical miles.

Median age This entry is the age that divides a population into two numerically equal groups; that is, half the people are younger than this age and half are older. It is a single index that summarizes the age distribution of a population. Currently, the median age ranges from a low of about 15 in Uganda and Gaza Strip to 40 or more in several European countries and Japan. See the entry for "Age structure" for the importance of a young versus an older age structure and, by implication, a low versus a higher median age.

Merchant marine Merchant marine may be defined as all ships engaged in the carriage of goods; or all commercial vessels (as opposed to all nonmilitary ships), which excludes tugs, fishing vessels, offshore oil rigs, etc. This entry contains information in four fields - total, ships by type, foreign-owned, and registered in other countries. Total includes the number of ships (1,000 GRT or over), total DWT for those ships, and total GRT for those ships. DWT or dead weight tonnage is the total weight of cargo, plus bunkers, stores, etc., that a ship can carry when immersed to the appropriate load line. GRT or gross register tonnage is a figure obtained by measuring the entire sheltered volume of a ship available for cargo and passengers and converting it to tons on the basis of 100 cubic feet per ton; there is no stable relationship between GRT and DWT. Ships by type includes a listing of barge carriers, bulk cargo ships, cargo ships, chemical tankers, combination bulk carriers, combination ore/oil carriers, container ships, liquefied gas tankers, livestock carriers, multifunctional large-load carriers, petroleum tankers, passenger ships, passenger/cargo ships, railcar carriers, refrigerated cargo ships, roll-on/roll-off cargo ships, short-sea passenger ships, specialized tankers, and vehicle carriers. Foreign-owned are ships that fly the flag of one country but belong to owners in another. Registered in other countries are ships that belong to owners in one country but fly the flag of another.

Military This category includes the entries dealing with a country's military structure, manpower, and expenditures.

Military - note This entry includes miscellaneous military information of significance not included elsewhere.

Military branches This entry lists the names of the ground, naval, air, marine, and other defense or security forces.

Military expenditures - dollar figure This entry gives current military expenditures in US dollars; the figure is calculated by multiplying the estimated defense spending in percentage terms by the gross domestic product (GDP) calculated on an exchange rate basis, not purchasing power parity (PPP) terms. Dollar figures for military expenditures should be treated with caution because of different price patterns and accounting methods among nations, as well as wide variations in the strength of their currencies.

Military expenditures - percent of GDP This entry gives current military expenditures as an estimated percent of gross domestic product (GDP). These figures are calculated on an exchange rate basis, i.e., not in purchasing power parity (PPP) terms.

Military service age and obligation This entry gives the minimum age at which an individual may volunteer for military service or be subject to conscription.

Money figures All money figures are expressed in contemporaneous US dollars unless otherwise indicated.

National holiday This entry gives the primary national day of celebration - usually independence day.

Nationality This entry provides the identifying terms for citizens - noun and adjective.

Natural gas - consumption This entry is the total natural gas consumed in cubic meters (cu m). The discrepancy between the amount of natural gas produced and/or imported and the amount consumed and/or exported is due to the omission of stock changes and other complicating factors.

Natural gas - exports

This entry is the total natural gas exported in cubic meters (cu m).

Natural gas - imports

This entry is the total natural gas imported in cubic meters (cu m).

Natural gas - production This entry is the total natural gas produced in cubic meters (cu m). The discrepancy between the amount of natural gas produced and/or imported and the amount consumed and/or exported is due to the omission of stock changes and other complicating factors.

Natural gas - proved reserves This entry is the stock of proved reserves of natural gas in cubic meters (cu m). Proved reserves are those quantities of natural gas, which, by analysis of geological and engineering data, can be estimated with a high degree of confidence to be commercially recoverable from a given date forward, from known reservoirs and under current economic conditions.

Natural hazards

This entry lists potential natural disasters.

Natural resources This entry lists a country's mineral, petroleum, hydropower, and other resources of commercial importance.

Net migration rate This entry includes the figure for the difference between the number of persons entering and leaving a country during the year per 1,000 persons (based on midyear population). An excess of persons entering the country is referred to as net immigration (e.g., 3.56 migrants/1,000 population); an excess of persons leaving the country as net emigration (e.g., -9.26 migrants/1,000 population). The net migration rate indicates the contribution of migration to the overall level of population change. High levels of migration can cause problems such as increasing unemployment and potential ethnic strife (if people are coming in) or a reduction in the labor force, perhaps in certain key sectors (if people are leaving).

Oil - consumption This entry is the total oil consumed in barrels per day (bbl/day). The discrepancy between the amount of oil produced and/or imported and the amount consumed and/or exported is due to the omission of stock changes, refinery gains, and other complicating factors.

Oil - exports This entry is the total oil exported in barrels per day (bbl/day), including both crude oil and oil products.

Oil - imports This entry is the total oil imported in barrels per day (bbl/day), including both crude oil and oil products.

Oil - production This entry is the total oil produced in barrels per day (bbl/day). The discrepancy between the amount of oil produced and/or imported and the amount consumed and/or exported is due to the omission of stock changes, refinery gains, and other complicating factors.

Oil - proved reserves This entry is the stock of proved reserves of crude oil in barrels (bbl). Proved reserves are those quantities of petroleum which, by analysis of geological and engineering data, can be estimated with a high degree of confidence to be commercially recoverable from a given date forward, from known reservoirs and under current economic conditions.

People This category includes the entries dealing with the characteristics of the people and their society.

People - note This entry includes miscellaneous demographic information of significance not included elsewhere.

Personal Names - Capitalization The Factbook capitalizes the surname or family name of individuals for the convenience of our users who are faced with a world of different cultures and naming conventions. The need for capitalization, bold type, underlining, italics, or some other indicator of the individual's surname is apparent in the following examples: MAO Zedong, Fidel CASTRO Ruz, George W. BUSH, and TUNKU SALAHUDDIN Abdul Aziz Shah ibni Al- Marhum Sultan Hisammuddin Alam Shah. By knowing the surname, a short form without all capital letters can be used with confidence as in President Castro, Chairman Mao, President Bush, or Sultan Tunku Salahuddin. The same system of capitalization is extended to the names of leaders with surnames that are not commonly used such as Queen ELIZABETH II.

Personal Names - Spelling The romanization of personal names in the Factbook normally follows the same transliteration system used by the US Board on Geographic Names for spelling place names. At times, however, a foreign leader expressly indicates a preference for, or the media or official documents regularly use, a romanized spelling that differs from the transliteration derived from the US Government standard. In such cases, the Factbook uses the alternative spelling.

Personal Names - Titles The Factbook capitalizes any valid title (or short form of it) immediately preceding a person's name. A title standing alone is not capitalized. Examples: President PUTIN and President BUSH are chiefs of state. In Russia, the president is chief of state and the premier is the head of the government, while in the US, the president is both chief of state and head of government.

Petroleum

See entry for "oil."

Petroleum products

See entry for "oil."

Pipelines This entry gives the lengths and types of pipelines for transporting products like natural gas, crude oil, or petroleum products.

Political parties and leaders This entry includes a listing of significant political organizations and their leaders.

Political pressure groups and leaders This entry includes a listing of organizations with leaders involved in politics, but not standing for legislative election.

Population This entry gives an estimate from the US Bureau of the Census based on statistics from population censuses, vital statistics registration systems, or sample surveys pertaining to the recent past and on assumptions about future trends. The total population presents one overall measure of the potential impact of the country on the world and within its region. Note: starting with the 1993 Factbook, demographic estimates for some countries (mostly African) have explicitly taken into account the effects of the growing impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. These countries are currently: The Bahamas, Benin, Botswana, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Burma, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Population below poverty line National estimates of the percentage of the population falling below the poverty line are based on surveys of sub-groups, with the results weighted by the number of people in each group. Definitions of poverty vary considerably among nations. For example, rich nations generally employ more generous standards of poverty than poor nations.

Population growth rate The average annual percent change in the population, resulting from a surplus (or deficit) of births over deaths and the balance of migrants entering and leaving a country. The rate may be positive or negative. The growth rate is a factor in determining how great a burden would be imposed on a country by the changing needs of its people for infrastructure (e.g., schools, hospitals, housing, roads), resources (e.g., food, water, electricity), and jobs. Rapid population growth can be seen as threatening by neighboring countries.

Ports and harbors This entry lists the major ports and harbors selected on the basis of overall importance to each country. This is determined by evaluating a number of factors (e.g., dollar value of goods handled, gross tonnage, facilities, military significance).

Public debt This entry records the cumulatiive total of all government borrowings less repayments that are denominated in a country's home currency. Public debt should not be confused with external debt, which reflects the foreign currency liabilities of both the private and public sector and must be financed out of foreign exchange earnings.

Radio broadcast stations This entry includes the total number of AM, FM, and shortwave broadcast stations.

Railways This entry states the total route length of the railway network and of its component parts by gauge: broad, standard, narrow, and dual. Other gauges are listed under note.

Reference maps

This section includes world and regional maps.

Refugees and internally displaced persons This entry includes those persons residing in a country as refugees or internally displaced persons (IDPs). The definition of a refugee according to a United Nations Convention is "a person who is outside his/her country of nationality or habitual residence; has a well- founded fear of persecution because of his/her race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group or political opinion; and is unable or unwilling to avail himself/herself of the protection of that country, or to return there, for fear of persecution." The UN established the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in 1950 to handle refugee matters worldwide. The UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) has a different, operational definition for a Palestinian refugee: "a person whose normal place of residence was Palestine during the period 1 June 1946 to 15 May 1948 and who lost both home and means of livelihood as a result of the 1948 conflict." However, UNHCR also assists some 400,000 Palestinian refugees not covered under the UNRWA definition. The term "internally displaced person" is not specifically covered in the UN Convention; it is used to describe people who have fled their homes for reasons similar to refugees, but who remain within their own national territory and are subject to the laws of that state.

Religions This entry is an ordered listing of religions by adherents starting with the largest group and sometimes includes the percent of total population.

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold This entry gives the dollar value for the stock of all financial assets that are available to the central monetary authority for use in meeting a country's balance of payments needs as of the end-date of the period specified. This category includes not only foreign currency and gold, but also a country's holdings of Special Drawing Rights in the International Monetary Fund, and its reserve position in the Fund.

Sex ratio This entry includes the number of males for each female in five age groups - at birth, under 15 years, 15-64 years, 65 years and over, and for the total population. Sex ratio at birth has recently emerged as an indicator of certain kinds of sex discrimination in some countries. For instance, high sex ratios at birth in some Asian countries are now attributed to sex-selective abortion and infanticide due to a strong preference for sons. This will affect future marriage patterns and fertility patterns. Eventually, it could cause unrest among young adult males who are unable to find partners.

Suffrage This entry gives the age at enfranchisement and whether the right to vote is universal or restricted.

Telephone numbers All telephone numbers in the Factbook consist of the country code in brackets, the city or area code (where required) in parentheses, and the local number. The one component that is not presented is the international access code, which varies from country to country. For example, an international direct dial telephone call placed from the US to Madrid, Spain, would be as follows: 011 [34] (1) 577-xxxx, where 011 is the international access code for station-to-station calls; 01 is for calls other than station-to-station calls, [34] is the country code for Spain, (1) is the city code for Madrid, 577 is the local exchange, and xxxx is the local telephone number. An international direct dial telephone call placed from another country to the US would be as follows: international access code + [1] (202) 939-xxxx, where [ 1] is the country code for the US, (202) is the area code for Washington, DC, 939 is the local exchange, and xxxx is the local telephone number.

Telephone system This entry includes a brief general assessment of the system with details on the domestic and international components. The following terms and abbreviations are used throughout the entry: Africa ONE - a fiber-optic submarine cable link encircling the continent of Africa. Arabsat - Arab Satellite Communications Organization (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia). Autodin - Automatic Digital Network (US Department of Defense). CB - citizen's band mobile radio communications. cellular telephone system - the telephones in this system are radio transceivers, with each instrument having its own private radio frequency and sufficient radiated power to reach the booster station in its area (cell), from which the telephone signal is fed to a telephone exchange. Central American Microwave System - a trunk microwave radio relay system that links the countries of Central America and Mexico with each other. coaxial cable - a multichannel communication cable consisting of a central conducting wire, surrounded by and insulated from a cylindrical conducting shell; a large number of telephone channels can be made available within the insulated space by the use of a large number of carrier frequencies. Comsat - Communications Satellite Corporation (US). DSN - Defense Switched Network (formerly Automatic Voice Network or Autovon); basic general-purpose, switched voice network of the Defense Communications System (US Department of Defense). Eutelsat - European Telecommunications Satellite Organization (Paris). fiber-optic cable - a multichannel communications cable using a thread of optical glass fibers as a transmission medium in which the signal (voice, video, etc.) is in the form of a coded pulse of light. GSM - a global system for mobile (cellular) communications devised by the Groupe Special Mobile of the pan-European standardization organization, Conference Europeanne des Posts et Telecommunications (CEPT) in 1982. HF - high frequency; any radio frequency in the 3,000- to 30,000-kHz range. Inmarsat - International Maritime Satellite Organization (London); provider of global mobile satellite communications for commercial, distress, and safety applications at sea, in the air, and on land. Intelsat - International Telecommunications Satellite Organization (Washington, DC). Intersputnik - International Organization of Space Communications (Moscow); first established in the former Soviet Union and the East European countries, it is now marketing its services worldwide with earth stations in North America, Africa, and East Asia. landline - communication wire or cable of any sort that is installed on poles or buried in the ground. Marecs - Maritime European Communications Satellite used in the Inmarsat system on lease from the European Space Agency. Marisat - satellites of the Comsat Corporation that participate in the Inmarsat system. Medarabtel - the Middle East Telecommunications Project of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) providing a modern telecommunications network, primarily by microwave radio relay, linking Algeria, Djibouti, Egypt, Jordan, Libya, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, and Yemen; it was initially started in Morocco in 1970 by the Arab Telecommunications Union (ATU) and was known at that time as the Middle East Mediterranean Telecommunications Network. microwave radio relay - transmission of long distance telephone calls and television programs by highly directional radio microwaves that are received and sent on from one booster station to another on an optical path. NMT - Nordic Mobile Telephone; an analog cellular telephone system that was developed jointly by the national telecommunications authorities of the Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden). Orbita - a Russian television service; also the trade name of a packet- switched digital telephone network. radiotelephone communications - the two-way transmission and reception of sounds by broadcast radio on authorized frequencies using telephone handsets. PanAmSat - PanAmSat Corporation (Greenwich, CT). SAFE - South African Far East Cable satellite communication system - a communication system consisting of two or more earth stations and at least one satellite that provide long distance transmission of voice, data, and television; the system usually serves as a trunk connection between telephone exchanges; if the earth stations are in the same country, it is a domestic system. satellite earth station - a communications facility with a microwave radio transmitting and receiving antenna and required receiving and transmitting equipment for communicating with satellites. satellite link - a radio connection between a satellite and an earth station permitting communication between them, either one-way (down link from satellite to earth station - television receive-only transmission) or two-way (telephone channels). SHF - super high frequency; any radio frequency in the 3,000- to 30,000-MHz range. shortwave - radio frequencies (from 1.605 to 30 MHz) that fall above the commercial broadcast band and are used for communication over long distances. Solidaridad - geosynchronous satellites in Mexico's system of international telecommunications in the Western Hemisphere. Statsionar - Russia's geostationary system for satellite telecommunications. submarine cable - a cable designed for service under water. TAT - Trans-Atlantic Telephone; any of a number of high-capacity submarine coaxial telephone cables linking Europe with North America. telefax - facsimile service between subscriber stations via the public switched telephone network or the international Datel network. telegraph - a telecommunications system designed for unmodulated electric impulse transmission. telex - a communication service involving teletypewriters connected by wire through automatic exchanges. tropospheric scatter - a form of microwave radio transmission in which the troposphere is used to scatter and reflect a fraction of the incident radio waves back to earth; powerful, highly directional antennas are used to transmit and receive the microwave signals; reliable over-the-horizon communications are realized for distances up to 600 miles in a single hop; additional hops can extend the range of this system for very long distances. trunk network - a network of switching centers, connected by multichannel trunk lines. UHF - ultra high frequency; any radio frequency in the 300- to 3,000- MHz range. VHF - very high frequency; any radio frequency in the 30- to 300-MHz range.

Telephones - main lines in use

This entry gives the total number of main telephone lines in use.

Telephones - mobile cellular

This entry gives the total number of mobile cellular telephones in use.

Television broadcast stations This entry gives the total number of separate broadcast stations plus any repeater stations.

Terminology Due to the highly structured nature of the Factbook database, some collective generic terms have to be used. For example, the word Country in the Country name entry refers to a wide variety of dependencies, areas of special sovereignty, uninhabited islands, and other entities in addition to the traditional countries or independent states. Military is also used as an umbrella term for various civil defense, security, and defense activities in many entries. The Independence entry includes the usual colonial independence dates and former ruling states as well as other significant nationhood dates such as the traditional founding date or the date of unification, federation, confederation, establishment, or state succession that are not strictly independence dates. Dependent areas have the nature of their dependency status noted in this same entry.

Terrain

This entry contains a brief description of the topography.

Total fertility rate This entry gives a figure for the average number of children that would be born per woman if all women lived to the end of their childbearing years and bore children according to a given fertility rate at each age. The total fertility rate (TFR) is a more direct measure of the level of fertility than the crude birth rate, since it refers to births per woman. This indicator shows the potential for population change in the country. A rate of two children per woman is considered the replacement rate for a population, resulting in relative stability in terms of total numbers. Rates above two children indicate populations growing in size and whose median age is declining. Higher rates may also indicate difficulties for families, in some situations, to feed and educate their children and for women to enter the labor force. Rates below two children indicate populations decreasing in size and growing older. Global fertility rates are in general decline and this trend is most pronounced in industrialized countries, especially Western Europe, where populations are projected to decline dramatically over the next 50 years.

Transnational issues

This category includes three entries - Disputes - international,

Refugees and internally displaced persons, and Illicit drugs - that

deal with current issues going beyond national boundaries.

Transportation This category includes the entries dealing with the means for movement of people and goods.

Transportation - note This entry includes miscellaneous transportation information of significance not included elsewhere.

Unemployment rate This entry contains the percent of the labor force that is without jobs. Substantial underemployment might be noted.

Waterways This entry gives the total length of navigable rivers, canals, and other inland bodies of water.

Years All year references are for the calendar year (CY) unless indicated as fiscal year (FY). The calendar year is an accounting period of 12 months from 1 January to 31 December. The fiscal year is an accounting period of 12 months other than 1 January to 31 December.

Note: Information for the US and US dependencies was compiled from material in the public domain and does not represent Intelligence Community estimates.

This page was last updated on 20 October 2005

=====================================================================

History

The Intelligence Cycle is the process by which information is acquired, converted into intelligence, and made available to policymakers. Information is raw data from any source, data that may be fragmentary, contradictory, unreliable, ambiguous, deceptive, or wrong. Intelligence is information that has been collected, integrated, evaluated, analyzed, and interpreted. Finished intelligence is the final product of the Intelligence Cycle ready to be delivered to the policymaker.

The three types of finished intelligence are: basic, current, and estimative. Basic intelligence provides the fundamental and factual reference material on a country or issue. Current intelligence reports on new developments. Estimative intelligence judges probable outcomes. The three are mutually supportive: basic intelligence is the foundation on which the other two are constructed; current intelligence continually updates the inventory of knowledge; and estimative intelligence revises overall interpretations of country and issue prospects for guidance of basic and current intelligence. The World Factbook, The President's Daily Brief, and the National Intelligence Estimates are examples of the three types of finished intelligence.

The United States has carried on foreign intelligence activities since the days of George Washington but only since World War II have they been coordinated on a government-wide basis. Three programs have highlighted the development of coordinated basic intelligence since that time: (1) the Joint Army Navy Intelligence Studies (JANIS), (2) the National Intelligence Survey (NIS), and (3) The World Factbook.

During World War II, intelligence consumers realized that the production of basic intelligence by different components of the US Government resulted in a great duplication of effort and conflicting information. The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941 brought home to leaders in Congress and the executive branch the need for integrating departmental reports to national policymakers. Detailed and coordinated information was needed not only on such major powers as Germany and Japan, but also on places of little previous interest. In the Pacific Theater, for example, the Navy and Marines had to launch amphibious operations against many islands about which information was unconfirmed or nonexistent. Intelligence authorities resolved that the United States should never again be caught unprepared.

In 1943, Gen. George B. Strong (G-2), Adm. H. C. Train (Office of Naval Intelligence - ONI), and Gen. William J. Donovan (Director of the Office of Strategic Services - OSS) decided that a joint effort should be initiated. A steering committee was appointed on 27 April 1943 that recommended the formation of a Joint Intelligence Study Publishing Board to assemble, edit, coordinate, and publish the Joint Army Navy Intelligence Studies (JANIS). JANIS was the first interdepartmental basic intelligence program to fulfill the needs of the US Government for an authoritative and coordinated appraisal of strategic basic intelligence. Between April 1943 and July 1947, the board published 34 JANIS studies. JANIS performed well in the war effort, and numerous letters of commendation were received, including a statement from Adm. Forrest Sherman, Chief of Staff, Pacific Ocean Areas, which said, "JANIS has become the indispensable reference work for the shore-based planners."

The need for more comprehensive basic intelligence in the postwar world was well expressed in 1946 by George S. Pettee, a noted author on national security. He wrote in The Future of American Secret Intelligence (Infantry Journal Press, 1946, page 46) that world leadership in peace requires even more elaborate intelligence than in war. "The conduct of peace involves all countries, all human activities - not just the enemy and his war production."

The Central Intelligence Agency was established on 26 July 1947 and officially began operating on 18 September 1947. Effective 1 October 1947, the Director of Central Intelligence assumed operational responsibility for JANIS. On 13 January 1948, the National Security Council issued Intelligence Directive (NSCID) No. 3, which authorized the National Intelligence Survey (NIS) program as a peacetime replacement for the wartime JANIS program. Before adequate NIS country sections could be produced, government agencies had to develop more comprehensive gazetteers and better maps. The US Board on Geographic Names (BGN) compiled the names; the Department of the Interior produced the gazetteers; and CIA produced the maps.

The Hoover Commission's Clark Committee, set up in 1954 to study the structure and administration of the CIA, reported to Congress in 1955 that: "The National Intelligence Survey is an invaluable publication which provides the essential elements of basic intelligence on all areas of the world. There will always be a continuing requirement for keeping the Survey up-to-date." The Factbook was created as an annual summary and update to the encyclopedic NIS studies. The first classified Factbook was published in August 1962, and the first unclassified version was published in June 1971. The NIS program was terminated in 1973 except for the Factbook, map, and gazetteer components. The 1975 Factbook was the first to be made available to the public with sales through the US Government Printing Office (GPO). The year 2005 marks the 58th anniversary of the establishment of the Central Intelligence Agency and the 62nd year of continuous basic intelligence support to the US Government by The World Factbook and its two predecessor programs.

This page was last updated on 28 April, 2005

=====================================================================

Contributors and Copyright Information

The World Factbook is prepared by the Central Intelligence Agency for the use of US Government officials, and the style, format, coverage, and content are designed to meet their specific requirements. Information is provided by Antarctic Information Program (National Science Foundation), Bureau of the Census (Department of Commerce), Bureau of Labor Statistics (Department of Labor), Central Intelligence Agency, Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs, Defense Intelligence Agency (Department of Defense), Department of State, Fish and Wildlife Service (Department of the Interior), National Geospatial- Intelligence Agency (Department of Defense), Naval Facilities Engineering Command (Department of Defense), Office of Insular Affairs (Department of the Interior), US Board on Geographic Names (Department of the Interior), and other public and private sources.

The Factbook is in the public domain. Accordingly, it may be copied freely without permission of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). The official seal of the CIA, however, may NOT be copied without permission as required by the CIA Act of 1949 (50 U.S.C. section 403m). Misuse of the official seal of the CIA could result in civil and criminal penalties.

Comments and queries are welcome and may be addressed to:

Central Intelligence Agency

Attn.: Office of Public Affairs

Washington, DC 20505

Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-4:30 PM Eastern Standard Time

Telephone: [1] (703) 482-0623

FAX: [1] (703) 482-1739

This page was last updated on 18 July, 2005

=====================================================================

Purchasing Information

The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) publishes The World Factbook in printed and Internet versions. US Government officials may obtain information about availability of the Factbook from their organizations or through liaison channels to the CIA. Other users may obtain sales information about printed copies from the following:

Superintendent of Documents

P. O. Box 371954

Pittsburgh, PA 15250-7954

Hours: Monday-Friday 7:30 AM-9:00 PM Eastern Standard Time (EST)

Telephone: [1] (202) 512-1800; toll free: [1] (866) 512-1800

FAX: [1] (202) 512-2104

http://bookstore.gpo.gov/

National Technical Information Service 5285 Port Royal Road Springfield, VA 22161 Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-6:00 PM Eastern Standard Time (EST) Telephone: [1] (800) 553-6847 (only in the US); [1] (703) 605-6000 (for outside US) FAX: [1] (703) 605-6900 http://www.ntis.gov/

The World Factbook can be accessed on the Internet at: http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/index.html

This page was last updated on 27 September, 2005

=====================================================================

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The World Factbook staff thanks you for your comments, suggestions, updates, kudos, and corrections over the past years. The willingness of readers from around the world to share their observations and specialized knowledge is very helpful as we try to produce the best possible publications. Please feel free to continue to write and e-mail us. At least two Factbook staffers review every item. The sheer volume of correspondence precludes detailed personal replies, but we sincerely appreciate your time and interest in the Factbook. If you include your e-mail address we will at least acknowledge your note. Thank you again.

Answers to many frequently asked questions (FAQs) are explained in the Notes and Definitions section in The World Factbook. Please review this section to see if your question is already answered there. In addition, we have compiled the following list of FAQs to answer other common questions. Select from the following categories to narrow your search:

General

Geography

Spelling and Pronunciation

Policies and Procedures

Technical

General

Can you provide additional information for a specific country?

The staff cannot provide data beyond what appears in The World Factbook. The format and information in the Factbook are tailored to the specific requirements of US Government officials and content is focused on their current and anticipated needs. The staff welcomes suggestions for new entries.

How often is The World Factbook updated?

Formerly our Web site (and the published Factbook) were only updated annually. Beginning in November 2001 we instituted a new system of more frequent online updates. The World Factbook is currently updated every two weeks.

The annual printed version of the Factbook is usually released about midyear. US Government officials may obtain information about Factbook availability from their own organizations or through liaison channels to the CIA. Other users may obtain sales information through the following channels:

Superintendent of Documents

P. O. Box 371954 Pittsburgh, PA 15250-7954

Telephone: [1] (202) 512-1800

FAX: [1] (202) 512-2250

http://bookstore.gpo.gov

National Technical Information Service 5285 Port Royal Road Springfield, VA 22161 Telephone: [1] (800) 553-6847 (only in the US); [1] (703) 605-6000 (for outside US) FAX: [1] (703) 605-6900 http://www.ntis.gov

Can I use some or all of The World Factbook for my Web site (book, research project, homework, etc.)?

The World Factbook is in the public domain and may be used freely by anyone at anytime without seeking permission. However, US Code prohibits use of the CIA seal in a manner which implies that the CIA approved, endorsed, or authorized such use. If you have any questions about your intended use, you should consult with legal counsel. Further information on The World Factbook's use is described on the Contributors and Copyright Information page. As a courtesy, please cite The World Factbook when used.

Why doesn't The World Factbook include information on states, departments, provinces, etc., in the country format?

The World Factbook provides national-level information on countries, territories, and dependencies, but not subnational administrative units within a country. A good encyclopedia should provide state/province- level information.

Is it possible to access older editions of The World Factbook to do comparative research and trend analysis?

Only the current version is available for browsing on the CIA Web site.

In the future, the staff hopes to post electronic versions of The World

Factbook as far back as 1986. Hardcopy editions for earlier years are

available from libraries.

Would it be possible to set up a partnership or collaboration between the producers of The World Factbook and other organizations or individuals?

The World Factbook does not partner with other organizations or individuals, but we do welcome comments and suggestions that such groups or persons choose to provide.

Geography

I can't find a geographic name for a particular country. Why not?

The World Factbook is not a gazetteer (a dictionary or index of places, usually with descriptive or statistical information) and cannot provide more than the names of the administrative divisions (in the Government category) and major cities/towns (on the country maps). Our expanded Cross-Reference List of Geographic Names, however, includes many of the world's major geographic features as well as historic (former) names of countries and cities mentioned in The World Factbook.

Why are Taiwan and the European Union listed out of alphabetical order at the end of the Factbook entries?

Taiwan is listed after the regular entries because even though the mainland People's Republic of China claims Taiwan, elected Taiwanese authorities de facto administer the island and reject mainland sovereignty claims. With the establishment of diplomatic relations with China on January 1, 1979, the US Government recognized the People's Republic of China as the sole legal government of China, acknowledging the Chinese position that there is only one China and that Taiwan is part of China.

The European Union (EU) is not a country, but it has taken on many nation-like attributes and these are likely to be expanded in the future. A more complete explanation on the inclusion of the EU into the Factbook may be found in the Preliminary statement.

Since we have an ambassador who represents the US at the Vatican, why is this entity not listed in the Factbook?

Vatican City is found under Holy See. The term "Holy See" refers to the authority, jurisdiction, and sovereignty vested in the Pope and his advisors to direct the worldwide Catholic Church. The Holy See has a legal personality that allows it to enter into treaties as the juridical equal of a state and to send and receive diplomatic representatives. Vatican City, created in 1929 to administer properties belonging to the Holy See in Rome, is recognized under international law as a sovereign state, but it does not send or receive diplomatic representatives. Consequently, Holy See is included as a Factbook entry, with Vatican City cross-referenced in the Geographic Names appendix.

Why is Palestine not listed in The World Factbook?

The areas that could potentially form a future Palestinian state — the West Bank and Gaza Strip — do appear in the Factbook. These areas are presently Israeli-occupied with current status subject to the Israeli- Palestinian 1995 Interim Agreement; their permanent status is to be determined through further negotiation.

Why are the Golan Heights not shown as part of Israel or Northern

Cyprus with Turkey?

Territorial occupations/annexations not recognized by the United States

Government are not shown on US Government maps.

Why don't you include information on entities such as Tibet, Kashmir, or Kosovo?

The World Factbook provides information on the administrative divisions of a country as recommended by the United States Board on Geographic Names (BGN). The BGN is a component of the US Government that develops policies, principles, and procedures governing the spelling, use, and application of geographic names—domestic, foreign, Antarctic, and undersea. Its decisions enable all departments and agencies of the US Government to have access to uniform names of geographic features.

Also included in the Factbook are entries on parts of the world whose status has not yet been resolved (e.g., West Bank, Spratly Islands). Specific regions within a country or areas in dispute among countries are not covered.

What do you mean when you say that a country is "doubly landlocked"?

A doubly landlocked country is one that is separated from an ocean or an ocean-accessible sea by two intervening countries. Uzbekistan and Liechtenstein are the only countries that fit this definition.

Spelling and Pronunciation

Why is the spelling of proper names such as rulers, presidents, and prime ministers in The World Factbook different than their spelling in my country?

The Factbook staff applies the names and spellings from the Chiefs of State link on the CIA Web site. The World Factbook is prepared using the standard American English computer keyboard and does not use any special characters, symbols, or most diacritical markings in its spellings. Surnames are always spelled with capital letters; they may appear first in some cultures.

The spelling of geographic names, features, cities, administrative divisions, etc. in the Factbook differs from those used in my country. Why is this?

The United States Board on Geographic Names (BGN) recommends and approves names and spellings. The BGN is the component of the United States Government that develops policies, principles, and procedures governing the spelling, use, and application of geographic names— domestic, foreign, Antarctic, and undersea. Its decisions enable all departments and agencies of the US Government to use uniform names of geographic features. (A note is usually included where changes may have occurred but have not yet been approved by the BGN). The World Factbook is prepared using the standard American English computer keyboard and does not use any special characters, symbols, or most diacritical markings in its spellings.

Why doesn't The World Factbook include pronunciations of country or leader names?

There are too many variations in pronunciation among English-speaking countries, not to mention English renditions of non-English names, for pronunciations to be included. American English pronunciations are included for some countries like Qatar and Kiribati.

Why is the name of the Labour party misspelled?

When American and British spellings of common English words differ, The World Factbook always uses the American spelling, even when these common words form part of a proper name in British English.

Policies and Procedures

What is The World Factbook's source for a specific subject field?

The Factbook staff uses many different sources to publish what we judge are the most reliable and consistent data for any particular category. Space considerations preclude a listing of these various sources.

The names of some geographic features provided in the Factbook differ from those used in other publications. For example, in Asia the Factbook has Burma as the country name, but in other publications Myanmar is used; also, the Factbook uses Sea of Japan whereas other publications label it East Sea. What is your policy on naming geographic features?

The Factbook staff follows the guidance of the United States Board on Geographic Names (BGN). The BGN is the component of the United States Government that develops policies, principles, and procedures governing the spelling, use, and application of geographic names—domestic, foreign, Antarctic, and undersea. Its decisions enable all departments and agencies of the US Government to have access to uniform names of geographic features. The position of the BGN is that the names Burma and Sea of Japan be used in official US Government maps and publications.

Why is most of the statistical information in the Factbook given in metric units, rather than the units standard to US measure?

US Federal agencies are required by the Metric Conversion Act of 1975 (Public Law 94-168) and by Executive Order 12770 of July 1991 to use the International System of Units, commonly referred to as the metric system or SI. In addition, the metric system is used by over 95 percent of the world's population.

Why don't you include information on minimum and maximum temperature extremes?

The Factbook staff judges that this information would only be useful for some (generally smaller) countries. Larger countries can have large temperature extremes that do not represent the landmass as a whole. In the future, such a category may be adopted listing the extremes, but also adding a normal temperature range found throughout most of a country's territory.

What information sources are used for the country flags?

Flag designs used in The World Factbook are those recognized by the protocol office of the US Department of State.

Why do your GDP (Gross Domestic Product) statistics differ from other sources?

GDP dollar estimates in The World Factbook are derived from purchasing power parity (PPP) calculations. See the Notes and Definitions section on GDP methodology for more information.

On the CIA Web site, Chiefs of State is updated weekly, but the last update for the Factbook was an earlier date. Why the discrepancy?

Although Chiefs of State and The World Factbook both appear on the CIA Web site, they are produced and updated by separate staffs. Chiefs of State includes fewer countries but more leaders, and is updated more frequently than The World Factbook, which has a much larger database, and includes all countries.

Some percentage distributions do not add to 100. Why not?

Because of rounding, percentage distributions do not always add precisely to 100%. Rounding of numbers always results in a loss of precision—i.e., error. This error becomes apparent when percentage data are totaled, as the following two examples show:

Original Data Rounded to whole integer

Example 1 43.2 43

30.4 30

26.4 26

—— —

100.0 99

Example 2 42.8 43

31.6 32

25.6 26

—— —

100.0 101

When this occurs, we do not force the numbers to add exactly to 100, because doing so would introduce additional error into the distribution.

What rounding convention does The World Factbook use?

In deciding on the number of digits to present, the Factbook staff assesses the accuracy of the original data and the needs of US Government officials. All of the economic data are processed by computer—either at the source or by the Factbook staff. The economic data presented in The Factbook, therefore, follow the rounding convention used by virtually all numerical software applications, namely, any digit followed by a "5" is rounded up to the next higher digit, no matter whether the original digit is even or odd. Thus, for example, when rounded to the nearest integer, 2.5 becomes 3, rather than 2, as occurred in some pre-computer rounding systems.

Technical

Does The World Factbook comply with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation

Act regarding accessibility of Web pages?

The World Factbook home page has a link entitled "Text/Low Bandwidth Version." The country data in the text version is fully accessible. We believe The World Factbook is compliant with the Section 508 law in both fact and spirit. If you are experiencing difficulty, please use our comment form to provide us details of the specific problem you are experiencing and the assistive software and/or hardware that you are using so that we can work with our technical support staff to find and implement a solution. We welcome visitors' suggestions to improve accessibility of The World Factbook and the CIA Web site.

I am using the Factbook online and it is not working. What is wrong?

Hundreds of "Factbook" look-alikes exist on the Internet. The Factbook site at: www.cia.gov is the only official site.

When I attempt to download a PDF (Portable Document Format) map file (or some other map) the file has no image. Can you fix this?

Some of the files on The World Factbook Web site are large and could take several minutes to download on a dial-up connection. The screen might be blank during the download process.

When I open a map on The World Factbook site, it is fuzzy or granular, or too big or too small. Why?

Adjusting the resolution setting on your monitor should correct this problem.

Is The World Factbook country data available in machine-readable format? All I can find is HTML, but I'm looking for simple tabular data.

The Factbook Web site now features "Rank Order" pages for selected Factbook entries. "Rank Order" pages are available for those data fields identified with a small bar chart icon located next to the title of the data entry. In addition, all of the "Rank Order" pages can be downloaded as tab-delimited data files that can be opened in other applications such as spreadsheets and databases.

This page was last updated on 27 September, 2005

=====================================================================

@Afghanistan

Introduction Afghanistan

Background:

Afghanistan's recent history is a story of war and civil unrest.

The Soviet Union invaded in 1979, but was forced to withdraw 10

years later by anti-Communist mujahidin forces. The Communist regime

in Kabul collapsed in 1992. Fighting that subsequently erupted among

the various mujahidin factions eventually helped to spawn the

Taliban, a hardline Pakistani-sponsored movement that fought to end

the warlordism and civil war that gripped the country. The Taliban

seized Kabul in 1996 and were able to capture most of the country

outside of Northern Alliance strongholds primarily in the northeast.

Following the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks, a US, Allied, and

Northern Alliance military action toppled the Taliban for sheltering

Osama BIN LADIN. In late 2001, a conference in Bonn, Germany,

established a process for political reconstruction that ultimately

resulted in the adoption of a new constitution and presidential

election in 2004. On 9 October 2004, Hamid KARZAI became the first

democratically elected president of Afghanistan. The new Afghan

government's next task is to hold National Assembly elections,

tentatively scheduled for April 2005.

Geography Afghanistan

Location:

Southern Asia, north and west of Pakistan, east of Iran

Geographic coordinates:

33 00 N, 65 00 E

Map references:

Asia

Area:

total: 647,500 sq km

land: 647,500 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly smaller than Texas

Land boundaries:

total: 5,529 km

border countries: China 76 km, Iran 936 km, Pakistan 2,430 km,

Tajikistan 1,206 km, Turkmenistan 744 km, Uzbekistan 137 km

Coastline:

0 km (landlocked)

Maritime claims:

none (landlocked)

Climate:

arid to semiarid; cold winters and hot summers

Terrain:

mostly rugged mountains; plains in north and southwest

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Amu Darya 258 m

highest point: Nowshak 7,485 m

Natural resources:

natural gas, petroleum, coal, copper, chromite, talc, barites,

sulfur, lead, zinc, iron ore, salt, precious and semiprecious stones

Land use: arable land: 12.13% permanent crops: 0.22% other: 87.65% (2001)

Irrigated land:

23,860 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

damaging earthquakes occur in Hindu Kush mountains; flooding;

droughts

Environment - current issues:

limited natural fresh water resources; inadequate supplies of

potable water; soil degradation; overgrazing; deforestation (much of

the remaining forests are being cut down for fuel and building

materials); desertification; air and water pollution

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered

Species, Environmental Modification, Marine Dumping

signed, but not ratified: Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine

Life Conservation

Geography - note:

landlocked; the Hindu Kush mountains that run northeast to

southwest divide the northern provinces from the rest of the

country; the highest peaks are in the northern Vakhan (Wakhan

Corridor)

People Afghanistan

Population:

29,928,987 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 44.7% (male 6,842,857/female 6,524,485)

15-64 years: 52.9% (male 8,124,077/female 7,713,603)

65 years and over: 2.4% (male 353,193/female 370,772) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 17.56 years

male: 17.55 years

female: 17.57 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

4.77%

note: this rate does not take into consideration the recent war and

its continuing impact (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

47.02 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

20.75 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

21.43 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.95 male(s)/female

total population: 1.05 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 163.07 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 167.79 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 158.12 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 42.9 years

male: 42.71 years

female: 43.1 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

6.75 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

0.01% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

NA

Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne disease: malaria is a high risk countrywide below 2,000 meters from March through November animal contact disease: rabies (2004)

Nationality:

noun: Afghan(s)

adjective: Afghan

Ethnic groups:

Pashtun 42%, Tajik 27%, Hazara 9%, Uzbek 9%, Aimak 4%, Turkmen 3%,

Baloch 2%, other 4%

Religions:

Sunni Muslim 80%, Shi'a Muslim 19%, other 1%

Languages:

Afghan Persian or Dari (official) 50%, Pashtu (official) 35%,

Turkic languages (primarily Uzbek and Turkmen) 11%, 30 minor

languages (primarily Balochi and Pashai) 4%, much bilingualism

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 36%

male: 51%

female: 21% (1999 est.)

People - note:

of the estimated 4 million refugees in October 2001, 2.3 million

have returned

Government Afghanistan

Country name:

conventional long form: Islamic Republic of Afghanistan

conventional short form: Afghanistan

local long form: Jomhuri-ye Eslami-ye Afghanestan

local short form: Afghanestan

former: Republic of Afghanistan

Government type:

Islamic republic

Capital:

Kabul

Administrative divisions:

34 provinces (velayat, singular - velayat); Badakhshan, Badghis,

Baghlan, Balkh, Bamian, Daykondi, Farah, Faryab, Ghazni, Ghowr,

Helmand, Herat, Jowzjan, Kabol, Kandahar, Kapisa, Khowst, Konar,

Kondoz, Laghman, Lowgar, Nangarhar, Nimruz, Nurestan, Oruzgan,

Paktia, Paktika, Panjshir, Parvan, Samangan, Sar-e Pol, Takhar,

Vardak, and Zabol

Independence:

19 August 1919 (from UK control over Afghan foreign affairs)

National holiday:

Independence Day, 19 August (1919)

Constitution:

new constitution drafted 14 December 2003 - 4 January 2004; signed

16 January 2004

Legal system:

according to the new constitution, no law should be "contrary to

Islam"; the state is obliged to create a prosperous and progressive

society based on social justice, protection of human dignity,

protection of human rights, realization of democracy, and to ensure

national unity and equality among all ethnic groups and tribes; the

state shall abide by the UN charter, international treaties,

international conventions that Afghanistan signed, and the Universal

Declaration of Human Rights

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan

Hamid KARZAI (since 7 December 2004); note - the president is both

the chief of state and head of government; former King ZAHIR Shah

holds the honorific, "Father of the Country," and presides

symbolically over certain occasions, but lacks any governing

authority; the honorific is not hereditary

head of government: President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan

Hamid KARZAI (since 7 December 2004); note - the president is both

chief of state and head of government

cabinet: 27 ministers; note - under the new constitution, ministers

are appointed by the president and approved by the National Assembly

elections: the president and two vice presidents are elected by

direct vote for a five-year term; if no candidate receives 50% or

more of the vote in the first round of voting, the two candidates

with the most votes will participate in a second round; a president

can only be elected for two terms; election last held 9 October 2004

(next to be held in 2009)

election results: Hamid KARZAI elected president; percent of vote -

Hamid KARZAI 55.4%, Yunus QANOONI 16.3%, Ustad Mohammad MOHAQQEQ

11.6%, Abdul Rashid DOSTAM 10.0%, Abdul Latif PEDRAM 1.4%, Masooda

JALAL 1.2%

Legislative branch:

nonfunctioning as of January 2004; government is empowered by the

constitution to issue legislation by decree until the new assembly

is seated; under the new constitution, the bicameral National

Assembly will consist of the Wolesi Jirga or House of People (no

more than 249 seats), directly elected for a five-year term, and the

Meshrano Jirga or House of Elders (102 seats, one third elected from

provincial councils for a four-year term, one third elected from

local district councils for a three-year term, and one third

presidential appointees for a five-year term; the presidential

appointees will include two representatives of Kuchis and two

representatives of the disabled; half of the presidential appointees

will be women)

note: on rare occasions the government may convene the Loya Jirga on

issues of independence, national sovereignty, and territorial

integrity; it can amend the provisions of the constitution and

prosecute the president; it is made up of members of the National

Assembly and chairpersons of the provincial and district councils

elections: scheduled for spring 2005

Judicial branch:

the new constitution establishes a nine-member Stera Mahkama or

Supreme Court (its nine justices are appointed for 10-year terms by

the president with approval of the Wolesi Jirga) and subordinate

High Courts and Appeals Courts; there is also a Minister of Justice;

a separate Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission established by

the Bonn Agreement is charged with investigating human rights abuses

and war crimes

Political parties and leaders:

note - includes only political parties approved by the Ministry of

Justice: Afghan Millat [Anwarul Haq AHADI]; De Afghanistan De Solay

Ghorzang Gond [Shahnawaz TANAI]; De Afghanistan De Solay Mili Islami

Gond [Shah Mahmood Polal ZAI]; Harakat-e-Islami Afghanistan

[Mohammad Asif MOHSINEE]; Hezb-e-Aarman-e-Mardum-e-Afghanistan

[Iihaj Saraj-u-din ZAFAREE]; Hezb-e-Aazadee Afghanistan [Abdul

MALIK]; Hezb-e-Adalat-e-Islami Afghanistan [Mohammad Kabeer

MARZBAN]; Hezb-e-Afghanistan-e-Wahid [Mohammad Wasil RAHEEMEE];

Hezb-e-Afghan Watan Islami Gond [leader NA]; Hezb-e-Congra-e-Mili

Afghanistan [Latif PEDRAM]; Hezb-e-Falah-e-Mardum-e-Afghanistan

[Mohammad ZAREEF]; Hezb-e-Libral-e-Aazadee

Khwa-e-Mardum-e-Afghanistan [Ajmal SOHAIL]; Hezb-e-Hambastagee Mili

Jawanan-e-Afghanistan [Mohammad Jamil KARZAI];

Hezb-e-Hamnbatagee-e-Afghanistan [Abdul Khaleq NEMAT];

Hezb-e-Harakat-e-Mili Wahdat-e-Afghanistan [Mohammad Nadir AATASH];

Hezb-e-Harak-e-Islami Mardum-e-Afghanistan [Ilhaj Said Hssain

ANWARY]; Hezb-e-Ifazat Az Uqoq-e-Bashar Wa Inkishaf-e-Afghanistan

[Baryalai NASRATEE]; Hezb-e-Istiqlal-e-Afghanistan [Dr. Gh. Farooq

NIJZRABEE]; Hezb-e-Jamhoree Khwahan [Sibghatullah SANJAR];

Hezb-e-Kar Wa Tawsiha-e-Afghanistan [Zulfiar OMID]; Hezb-e-Mili

Afghanistan [Abdul Rasheed AARYAN]; Hezb-e-Mili

Wahdat-e-Aqwam-e-Islami Afghanistan [Mohammad Shah KHOGYANEE];

Hezb-e-Nuhzhat-e-Mili Afghanistan [Ahmad Wali MASOUD];

Hezb-e-Paiwand-e-Mili Afghanistan [Said Mansoor NADIRI];

Hezb-e-Rastakhaiz-e-Islami Mardum-e-Afghanistan [Said ZAHIR];

Hezb-e-Refah-e-Mardum-e-Afghanistan [Mia Gul WASEEQ];

Hezb-e-Risalat-e-Mardum-e-Afghanistan [Noor Aqa ROEEN];

Hezb-e-Sahadat-e-Mardum-e-Afghanistan [Mohammad Zubair PAIROZ];

Hezb-e-Sahadat-e-Mili Wa Islami Afghanistan [Mohammad Usman

SALIGZADA]; Hezb-e-Sulh-e-Mili Islami Aqwam-e-Afghanistan [Abdul

Qahir SHARYATEE]; Hezb-e-Sulh Wa Wahdat-e-Mili Afghanistan [Abdul

Qadir IMAMEE]; Hezb-e-Tafahum-e-Wa Democracy Afghanistan [Ahamad

SHAHEEN]; Hezb-e-Wahdat-e-Islami Afghanistan [Mohammad Karim

KHALILI]; Hezb-e-Wahdat-e-Islami Mardum-e-Afghanistan [Ustad

Mohammad MOHAQQEQ]; Hezb-e-Wahdat-e-Mili Afghanistan [Abdul Rasheed

Jalili]; Jamahat-ul-Dahwat ilal Qurhan-wa-Sunat-ul-Afghanistan

[Mawlawee Samiullah NAJEEBEE]; Jombesh-e Milli [Abdul Rashid

DOSTAM]; Mahaz-e-Mili Islami Afghanistan [Said Ahmad GAILANEE];

Majmah-e-Mili Fahaleen-e-Sulh-e-Afghanistan [Shams ul Haq Noor

SHAMS]; Nuhzat-e-Aazadee Wa democracy Afghanistan [Abdul Raqeeb

Jawid KUHISTANEE]; Nuhzat-e-Hambastagee Mili Afghanistan [Peer Said

Ishaq GAILANEE]; Sazman-e-Islami Afghanistan-e-Jawan [Siad Jawad

HUSSAINEE]; Tahreek Wahdat-e-Mili [Sultan Mahmood DHAZI] (30 Sep

2004)

Political pressure groups and leaders:

Jamiat-e Islami (Society of Islam) [former President Burhanuddin

RABBANI]; Ittihad-e Islami (Islamic Union for the Liberation of

Afghanistan), [Abdul Rasul SAYYAF]; there are also small monarchist,

communist, and democratic groups

International organization participation:

AsDB, CP, ECO, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB,

IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIC,

OPCW, SACEP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WMO,

WTO (observer), WToO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Said Tayeb JAWAD

chancery: 2118 Kalorama Road NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] 202-483-6410

FAX: [1] 202-483-6488

consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, New York

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Zalmay KHALILZAD

embassy: The Great Masood Road, Kabul

mailing address: 6180 Kabul Place, Dulles, VA 20189-6180

telephone: [00] (2) 230-0436

FAX: [0093] (2) 230-1364

Flag description:

three equal vertical bands of black (hoist), red, and green, with a

gold emblem centered on the red band; the emblem features a

temple-like structure encircled by a wreath on the left and right

and by a bold Islamic inscription above

Economy Afghanistan

Economy - overview:

Afghanistan's economic outlook has improved significantly since the

fall of the Taliban regime in 2001 because of the infusion of over

$2 billion in international assistance, recovery of the agricultural

sector, and the reestablishment of market institutions. Agriculture

boomed in 2003 with the end of a four-year drought, but drought

conditions returned for the southern half of the country in 2004.

Despite the progress of the past few years, Afghanistan remains

extremely poor, landlocked, and highly dependent on foreign aid,

farming, and trade with neighboring countries. It will probably take

the remainder of the decade and continuing donor aid and attention

to raise Afghanistan's living standards up from its current status

among the lowest in the world. Much of the population continues to

suffer from shortages of housing, clean water, electricity, medical

care, and jobs, but the Afghan government and international donors

remain committed to improving access to these basic necessities by

prioritizing infrastructure development, education, housing

development, jobs programs, and economic reform over the next year.

Growing political stability and continued international commitment

to Afghan reconstruction create an optimistic outlook for

maintaining improvements in the Afghan economy in 2005. Expanding

poppy cultivation and a growing opium trade may account for

one-third of GDP and looms as one of Kabul's most serious policy

challenges.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$21.5 billion (2003 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

7.5% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $800 (2003 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 60% industry: 20% services: 20% (1990 est.)

Labor force:

11.8 million (2001 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 80%, industry 10%, services 10% (2004 est.)

Unemployment rate:

NA

Population below poverty line:

53% (2003)

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

10.3% (2003)

Budget:

revenues: $300 million

expenditures: $609 million, including capital expenditures of NA

(FY04-05 budget)

Agriculture - products:

opium, wheat, fruits, nuts, wool, mutton, sheepskins, lambskins

Industries:

small-scale production of textiles, soap, furniture, shoes,

fertilizer, cement; handwoven carpets; natural gas, coal, copper

Industrial production growth rate:

NA

Electricity - production:

540 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 36.3% hydro: 63.7% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

652.2 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

150 million kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

3,500 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Oil - proved reserves:

0 bbl (1 January 2002)

Natural gas - production:

220 million cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - consumption:

220 million cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - exports:

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - imports:

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves:

49.98 billion cu m (1 January 2002)

Exports:

$446 million (not including illicit exports or reexports) (FY03-04)

Exports - commodities:

opium, fruits and nuts, handwoven carpets, wool, cotton, hides and

pelts, precious and semi-precious gems

Exports - partners:

Pakistan 24%, India 21.3%, US 12.4%, Germany 5.5% (2004)

Imports:

$3.759 billion (FY03-04)

Imports - commodities:

capital goods, food, textiles, petroleum products

Imports - partners:

Pakistan 25.5%, US 8.7%, India 8.5%, Germany 6.5%, Turkmenistan

5.3%, Kenya 4.7%, South Korea 4.2%, Russia 4.2% (2004)

Debt - external:

$8 billion in bilateral debt, mostly to Russia; Afghanistan has

$500 million in debt to Multilateral Development Banks (2004)

Economic aid - recipient:

international pledges made by more than 60 countries and

international financial institutions at the Berlin Donors Conference

for Afghan reconstruction in March 2004 reached $8.9 billion for

2004-09

Currency (code):

afghani (AFA)

Currency code:

AFA

Exchange rates:

afghanis per US dollar - 3,000 (2004), 3,000 (2003), 3,000 (2002),

3,000 (2001), 3,000 (2000)

note: in 2002, the afghani was revalued and the currency stabilized

at about 50 afghanis to the dollar; before 2002, the market rate

varied widely from the official rate

Fiscal year:

21 March - 20 March

Communications Afghanistan

Telephones - main lines in use:

33,100 (2002)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

15,000 (2002)

Telephone system:

general assessment: very limited telephone and telegraph service

domestic: telephone service improving with the establishment of two

mobile phone operators by 2003; telephone main lines remain weak

with only 0.1 line per 10 people

international: country code - 93; five VSAT's installed in Kabul,

Herat, Mazar-e-Sharif, Kandahar, and Jalalabad provide international

and domestic voice and data connectivity

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 21, FM 23, shortwave 1 (broadcasts in Pashtu, Afghan Persian

(Dari), Urdu, and English) (2003)

Radios:

167,000 (1999)

Television broadcast stations: at least 10 (one government-run central television station in Kabul and regional stations in nine of the 32 provinces; the regional stations operate on a reduced schedule; also, in 1997, there was a station in Mazar-e Sharif reaching four northern Afghanistan provinces) (1998)

Televisions:

100,000 (1999)

Internet country code:

.af

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

1 (2000)

Internet users:

1,000 (2002)

Communications - note:

in March 2003 'af' was established as Afghanistan's domain name;

Internet access is growing through Internet cafes as well as public

"telekiosks" in Kabul that are part of a nationwide network proposed

by the Transitional Authority for Internet access (2002)

Transportation Afghanistan

Highways: total: 21,000 km paved: 2,793 km unpaved: 18,207 km (1999 est.)

Waterways: 1,200 km note: chiefly Amu Darya, which handles vessels up to 500 DWT (2004)

Pipelines:

gas 387 km (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Kheyrabad, Shir Khan

Airports:

47 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 10 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 37 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 7 1,524 to 2,437 m: 14 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 11 (2004 est.)

Heliports: 5 (2004 est.)

Military Afghanistan

Military branches:

Afghan National Army (includes Afghan Air Force), Afghan Militia

Force (AMF) (2005)

Military service age and obligation:

22 years of age; inductees are contracted into service for a 4-year

term (2005)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 22-49: 4,952,812 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 22-49: 2,662,946 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:

males: 275,362 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$188.4 million (2004)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

2.6% (2004)

Transnational Issues Afghanistan

Disputes - international:

the UN has been able to repatriate over two million Afghan refugees

but several million more continue to reside in Iran and Pakistan in

camps and elsewhere, many at their own choosing; Coalition and

Pakistani forces continue to patrol remote tribal areas to control

the borders and stem organized terrorist and other illegal

cross-border activities; regular meetings between Pakistani and

Coalition allies aim to resolve periodic claims of boundary

encroachments; occasional conflicts over water-sharing arrangements

with Amu Darya and Helmand River states

Refugees and internally displaced persons:

IDPs: 167,000 - 200,000 (mostly Pashtuns and Kuchis displaced in

south and west due to drought and instability) (2004)

Illicit drugs:

world's largest producer of opium; cultivation of opium poppy

reached unprecedented level of 206,700 hectares in 2004; counterdrug

efforts largely unsuccessful; potential opium production of 4,950

metric tons; potential heroin production of 582 metric tons if all

opium was processed; source of hashish; many narcotics-processing

labs throughout the country; drug trade source of instability and

some antigovernment groups profit from the trade; 80-90% of the

heroin consumed in Europe comes from Afghan opium; vulnerable to

narcotics money laundering through informal financial networks

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Akrotiri

Introduction Akrotiri

Background:

By terms of the 1960 Treaty of Establishment that created the

independent Republic of Cyprus, the UK retained full sovereignty and

jurisdiction over two areas of almost 254 square kilometers in

total: Akrotiri and Dhekelia. The southernmost and smallest of these

is the Akrotiri Sovereign Base Area, which is also referred to as

the Western Sovereign Base Area.

Geography Akrotiri

Location:

peninsula on the southwest coast of Cyprus

Geographic coordinates:

34 37 N, 32 58 E

Map references:

Middle East

Area:

total: 123 sq km

note: includes a salt lake and wetlands

Area - comparative:

about 0.7 times the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries: total: 47.4 km border countries: Cyprus 47.4 km

Coastline:

56.3 km

Climate:

temperate; Mediterranean with hot, dry summers and cool winters

Environment - current issues:

shooting around the salt lake; note - breeding place for loggerhead

and green turtles; only remaining colony of griffon vultures is on

the base

Geography - note:

British extraterritorial rights also extended to several small

off-post sites scattered across Cyprus

People Akrotiri

Population:

no indigenous inhabitants

note: approximately 1,300 military personnel are on the base; there

are another 5,000 British citizens who are families of military

personnel or civilian staff on both Akrotiri and Dhekelia; Cyprus

citizens work on the base, but do not live there

Languages:

English, Greek

Government Akrotiri

Country name:

conventional long form: Akrotiri Sovereign Base Area

conventional short form: Akrotiri

Dependency status:

overseas territory of UK; administered by an administrator who is

also the Commander, British Forces Cyprus

Capital:

Episkopi Cantonment; also serves as capital of Dhekelia

Legal system:

the laws of the UK, where applicable, apply

Executive branch:

chief of state: Queen Elizabeth II (since 6 February 1952)

head of government: Administrator Maj. Gen. Peter Thomas Clayton

PEARSON (since 9 May 2003); note - reports to the British Ministry

of Defence

elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; the administrator is

appointed by the monarch

Diplomatic representation in the US:

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Diplomatic representation from the US:

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Flag description:

the flag of the UK is used

Economy Akrotiri

Economy - overview:

Economic activity is limited to providing services to the military

and their families located in Akrotiri. All food and manufactured

goods must be imported.

Military Akrotiri

Military - note:

Akrotiri has a full RAF base, Headquarters for British Forces on

Cyprus, and Episkopi Support Unit

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Albania

Introduction Albania

Background:

Between 1990 and 1992 Albania ended 46 years of xenophobic

Communist rule and established a multiparty democracy. The

transition has proven difficult as successive governments have tried

to deal with high unemployment, widespread corruption, a dilapidated

infrastructure, powerful organized crime networks with links to

government officials, and disruptive political opponents. Albania

has made incremental progress in its democratic development since

first holding multiiparty elections in 1991, but deficiencies remain

- particularly in regard to the rule of law. Despite some lingering

problems, international observers have judged elections to be

largely free and fair since the restoration of political stability

following the collapse of pyramid schemes in 1997. In the 2005

general elections, the Democratic Party and its allies won a

decisive victory on pledges of reducing crime and corruption,

promoting economic growth, and decreasing the size of government.

Although Albania's economy continues to grow, the country is still

one of the poorest in Europe, hampered by a large informal economy,

large public debt, and an inadequate energy and tranportation

infrastructure. Albania has played a largely helpful role in

managing inter-ethnic tensions in southeastern Europe, and is

continuing to work toward joining NATO and the EU.

Geography Albania

Location:

Southeastern Europe, bordering the Adriatic Sea and Ionian Sea,

between Greece and Serbia and Montenegro

Geographic coordinates:

41 00 N, 20 00 E

Map references:

Europe

Area:

total: 28,748 sq km

land: 27,398 sq km

water: 1,350 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly smaller than Maryland

Land boundaries:

total: 720 km

border countries: Greece 282 km, Macedonia 151 km, Serbia and

Montenegro 287 km

Coastline:

362 km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 12 nm

continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

Climate:

mild temperate; cool, cloudy, wet winters; hot, clear, dry summers;

interior is cooler and wetter

Terrain:

mostly mountains and hills; small plains along coast

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Adriatic Sea 0 m

highest point: Maja e Korabit (Golem Korab) 2,764 m

Natural resources:

petroleum, natural gas, coal, bauxite, chromite, copper, iron ore,

nickel, salt, timber, hydropower

Land use: arable land: 21.09% permanent crops: 4.42% other: 74.49% (2001)

Irrigated land:

3,400 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

destructive earthquakes; tsunamis occur along southwestern coast;

floods; drought

Environment - current issues:

deforestation; soil erosion; water pollution from industrial and

domestic effluents

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered

Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection,

Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

strategic location along Strait of Otranto (links Adriatic Sea to

Ionian Sea and Mediterranean Sea)

People Albania

Population:

3,563,112 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 25.6% (male 476,989/female 434,298)

15-64 years: 65.8% (male 1,199,964/female 1,144,886)

65 years and over: 8.6% (male 141,559/female 165,416) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 28.52 years

male: 27.95 years

female: 29.1 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

0.52% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

15.08 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

5.12 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

-4.8 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.1 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.1 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.86 male(s)/female

total population: 1.04 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 21.52 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 21.96 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 21.03 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 77.24 years

male: 74.6 years

female: 80.15 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

2.04 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

NA%

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

NA

Nationality:

noun: Albanian(s)

adjective: Albanian

Ethnic groups:

Albanian 95%, Greek 3%, other 2% (Vlach, Roma (Gypsy), Serb,

Macedonian, Bulgarian) (1989 est.)

note: in 1989, other estimates of the Greek population ranged from

1% (official Albanian statistics) to 12% (from a Greek organization)

Religions:

Muslim 70%, Albanian Orthodox 20%, Roman Catholic 10%

note: percentages are estimates; there are no available current

statistics on religious affiliation; all mosques and churches were

closed in 1967 and religious observances prohibited; in November

1990, Albania began allowing private religious practice

Languages:

Albanian (official - derived from Tosk dialect), Greek, Vlach,

Romani, Slavic dialects

Literacy:

definition: age 9 and over can read and write

total population: 86.5%

male: 93.3%

female: 79.5% (2003 est.)

Government Albania

Country name:

conventional long form: Republic of Albania

conventional short form: Albania

local long form: Republika e Shqiperise

local short form: Shqiperia

former: People's Socialist Republic of Albania

Government type:

emerging democracy

Capital:

Tirana

Administrative divisions:

12 counties (qarqe, singular - qark); Qarku i Beratit, Qarku i

Dibres, Qarku i Durresit, Qarku i Elbasanit, Qarku i Fierit, Qarku i

Gjirokastres, Qarku i Korces, Qarku i Kukesit, Qarku i Lezhes, Qarku

i Shkodres, Qarku i Tiranes, Qarku i Vlores

Independence:

28 November 1912 (from Ottoman Empire)

National holiday:

Independence Day, 28 November (1912)

Constitution:

adopted by popular referendum on 28 November 1998

Legal system:

has a civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ

jurisdiction; has accepted jurisdiction of the International

Criminal Court for its citizens

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President of the Republic Alfred MOISIU (since 24

July 2002)

head of government: Prime Minister Sali BERISHA (since 10 September

2005)

cabinet: Council of Ministers proposed by the prime minister,

nominated by the president, and approved by parliament

elections: president elected by the People's Assembly for a

five-year term; election last held 24 June 2002 (next to be held

June 2007); prime minister appointed by the president

election results: Alfred MOISIU elected president; People's Assembly

vote by number - total votes 116, for 97, against 19

Legislative branch:

unicameral People's Assembly or Kuvendi Popullor (140 seats; 100

are elected by direct popular vote and 40 by proportional vote for

four-year terms)

elections: last held 4 July 2005 (next to be held July 2009)

election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -

PD 55, PS 40, PR 11, PSD 7, LSI 5, other 22

Judicial branch:

Constitutional Court, Supreme Court (chairman is elected by the

People's Assembly for a four-year term), and multiple appeals and

district courts

Political parties and leaders:

Agrarian Environmentalist Party or PAA [Lufter XHUVELI]; Christian

Democratic Party or PDK [Nikolle LESI]; Communist Party of Albania

or PKSH [Hysni MILLOSHI]; Democratic Alliance Party or PAD [Neritan

CEKA]; Democratic Party or PD [Sali BERISHA]; Legality Movement

Party or PLL [Ekrem SPAHIU]; Liberal Union Party or PBL [Arjan

STAROVA]; National Front Party (Balli Kombetar) or PBK [Adriatik

ALIMADHI]; New Democratic Party or PDR [Genc POLLO]; Party of

National Unity or PUK [Idajet BEQIRI]; Renewed Democratic Party or

PDR [Dashamir SHEHI]; Republican Party or PR [Fatmir MEDIU]; Social

Democracy Party or PDS [Paskal MILO]; Social Democratic Party or PSD

[Skender GJINUSHI]; Socialist Movement for Integration or LSI [Ilir

META]; Socialist Party or PS (formerly the Albanian Party of Labor)

[Fatos NANO]; Union for Human Rights Party or PBDNJ [Vangjel DULE]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

Confederation of Trade Unions of Albania or KSSH [Kastriot MUCO];

Front for Albanian National Unification or FBKSH [Gafur ADILI];

Omonia [Jani JANI]; Union of Independent Trade Unions of Albania or

BSPSH [Gezim KALAJA]

International organization participation:

ACCT, BSEC, CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt,

ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol,

IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, MIGA, OIC, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, UN,

UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNOMIG, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO,

WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Agim NESHO chancery: 2100 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 223-4942 FAX: [1] (202) 628-7342

Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Marcie B. RIES embassy: Rruga Elbasanit, Labinoti #103, Tirana mailing address: U. S. Department of State, 9510 Tirana Place, Dulles, VA 20189-9510 telephone: [355] (4) 247285 FAX: [355] (4) 374957 and [355] (4) 232222

Flag description: red with a black two-headed eagle in the center

Economy Albania

Economy - overview:

Poor and backward by European standards, Albania is making the

difficult transition to a more modern open-market economy. The

government has taken measures to curb violent crime and to spur

economic activity and trade. The economy is bolstered by annual

remittances from abroad of $600-$800 million, mostly from Greece and

Italy; this helps offset the towering trade deficit. Agriculture,

which accounts for about one-half of GDP, is held back because of

frequent drought and the need to modernize equipment, to clarify

property rights, and to consolidate small plots of land. Energy

shortages and antiquated and inadequate infrastructure make it

difficult to attract and sustain foreign investment. The planned

construction of a new thermal power plant near Vlore and improved

transmission and distribution facilities will help relieve the

energy shortages. Also, the government is moving slowly to improve

the poor national road and rail network, a long-standing barrier to

sustained economic growth. On the positive side: growth was strong

in 2003 and 2004, the nation has important oil and gas reserves, and

inflation is not a problem.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$17.46 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

5.6% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $4,900 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 46.2% industry: 25.4% services: 28.4% (2004 est.)

Labor force: 1.09 million (not including 352,000 emigrant workers) (2004 est.)

Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 57%, non-agricultural private sector 20%, public sector 23% (2004 est.)

Unemployment rate:

14.8% officially; may be as high as 30% (2001 est.)

Population below poverty line:

25% (2004 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

3.2% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

18.4% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $2.05 billion

expenditures: $2.46 billion, including capital expenditures of $500

million (2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

wheat, corn, potatoes, vegetables, fruits, sugar beets, grapes;

meat, dairy products

Industries:

food processing, textiles and clothing; lumber, oil, cement,

chemicals, mining, basic metals, hydropower

Industrial production growth rate:

3.1% (2004 est.)

Electricity - production:

5.68 billion kWh (2004)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 2.9% hydro: 97.1% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

6.76 billion kWh (2004)

Electricity - exports:

100 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

1.08 billion kWh (2004 est.)

Oil - production:

2,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Oil - consumption:

7,500 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Oil - exports:

0 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Oil - imports:

5,500 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Oil - proved reserves:

185.5 million bbl (1 January 2002)

Natural gas - production:

30 million cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - consumption:

30 million cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - exports:

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - imports:

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves:

3.316 billion cu m (1 January 2002)

Current account balance:

$-504 million (2004 est.)

Exports:

$552.4 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

textiles and footwear; asphalt, metals and metallic ores, crude

oil; vegetables, fruits, tobacco

Exports - partners:

Italy 71.7%, Canada 4.3%, Germany 4.3% (2004)

Imports:

$2.076 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, textiles, chemicals

Imports - partners:

Italy 34.8%, Greece 19.8%, Turkey 7.7%, Germany 5.3% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$1.206 billion (2004 est.)

Debt - external:

$1.41 billion (2003)

Economic aid - recipient:

ODA: $315 million (top donors were Italy, EU, Germany) (2000 est.)

Currency (code):

lek (ALL)

Currency code:

ALL

Exchange rates:

leke per US dollar - 102.649 (2004), 121.863 (2003), 140.155

(2002), 143.485 (2001), 143.709 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Albania

Telephones - main lines in use:

255,000 (2003)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

1.1 million (2003)

Telephone system:

general assessment: despite new investment in fixed lines, the

density of main lines remains the lowest in Europe with roughly 8

lines per 100 people; however, cellular telephone use is widespread

and generally effective

domestic: offsetting the shortage of fixed line capacity, mobile

phone service has been available since 1996; by 2003 two companies

were providing mobile services at a greater density than some of

Albania's Balkan neighbors

international: country code - 355; inadequate fixed main lines;

adequate cellular connections; international traffic carried by

microwave radio relay from the Tirana exchange to Italy and Greece

(2003)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 13, FM 4, shortwave 2 (2001)

Radios:

1 million (2001)

Television broadcast stations:

3 (plus 58 repeaters) (2001)

Televisions:

700,000 (2001)

Internet country code:

.al

Internet hosts:

455 (2004)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

10 (2001)

Internet users:

30,000 (2003)

Transportation Albania

Railways: total: 447 km standard gauge: 447 km 1.435-m gauge (2004)

Highways: total: 18,000 km paved: 5,400 km unpaved: 12,600 km (2002)

Waterways:

43 km (2004)

Pipelines:

gas 339 km; oil 207 km (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Durres, Sarande, Shengjin, Vlore

Merchant marine:

total: 25 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 40,878 GRT/62,676 DWT

by type: cargo 24, roll on/roll off 1

foreign-owned: 2 (Denmark 1, Turkey 1)

registered in other countries: 1 (2005)

Airports:

11 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 8 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 4 (2004 est.)

Heliports: 1 (2004 est.)

Military Albania

Military branches:

General Staff Headquarters, Land Forces Command (Army), Naval

Forces Command, Air Defense Command, Logistics Command, Training and

Doctrine Command

Military service age and obligation:

19 years of age (2004)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 19-49: 809,524 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 19-49: 668,526 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:

males: 37,407 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$56.5 million (FY02)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

1.49% (FY02)

Transnational Issues Albania

Disputes - international:

the Albanian Government calls for the protection of the rights of

ethnic Albanians in neighboring countries, and the peaceful

resolution of interethnic disputes; some ethnic Albanian groups in

neighboring countries advocate for a "greater Albania," but the idea

has little appeal among Albanian nationals; thousands of unemployed

Albanians emigrate annually to nearby Italy and other developed

countries

Illicit drugs:

increasingly active transshipment point for Southwest Asian

opiates, hashish, and cannabis transiting the Balkan route and - to

a far lesser extent - cocaine from South America destined for

Western Europe; limited opium and growing cannabis production;

ethnic Albanian narcotrafficking organizations active and expanding

in Europe; vulnerable to money laundering associated with regional

trafficking in narcotics, arms, contraband, and illegal aliens

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Algeria

Introduction Algeria

Background:

After more than a century of rule by France, Algerians fought

through much of the 1950s to achieve independence in 1962. Algeria's

primary political party, the National Liberation Front (FLN), has

dominated politics ever since. Many Algerians in the subsequent

generation were not satisfied, however, and moved to counter the

FLN's centrality in Algerian politics. The surprising first round

success of the Islamic Salvation Front (FIS) in the December 1991

balloting spurred the Algerian army to intervene and postpone the

second round of elections to prevent what the secular elite feared

would be an extremist-led government from assuming power. The army

began a crack down on the FIS that spurred FIS supporters to begin

attacking government targets. The government later allowed elections

featuring pro-government and moderate religious-based parties, but

did not appease the activists who progressively widened their

attacks. The fighting escalated into an insurgency, which saw

intense fighting between 1992-98 and which resulted in over 100,000

deaths - many attributed to indiscriminate massacres of villagers by

extremists. The government gained the upper hand by the late-1990s

and FIS's armed wing, the Islamic Salvation Army, disbanded in

January 2000. However, small numbers of armed militants persist in

confronting government forces and conducting ambushes and occasional

attacks on villages. The army placed Abdelaziz BOUTEFLIKA in the

presidency in 1999 in a fraudulent election but claimed neutrality

in his 2004 landslide reelection victory. Longstanding problems

continue to face BOUTEFLIKA in his second term, including the ethnic

minority Berbers' ongoing autonomy campaign, large-scale

unemployment, a shortage of housing, unreliable electrical and water

supplies, government inefficiencies and corruption, and the

continuing - although significantly degraded - activities of

extremist militants. Algeria must also diversify its petroleum-based

economy, which has yielded a large cash reserve but which has not

been used to redress Algeria's many social and infrastructure

problems. Algeria assumed a two-year seat on the UN Security Council

in January 2004.

Geography Algeria

Location:

Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Morocco

and Tunisia

Geographic coordinates:

28 00 N, 3 00 E

Map references:

Africa

Area:

total: 2,381,740 sq km

land: 2,381,740 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly less than 3.5 times the size of Texas

Land boundaries:

total: 6,343 km

border countries: Libya 982 km, Mali 1,376 km, Mauritania 463 km,

Morocco 1,559 km, Niger 956 km, Tunisia 965 km, Western Sahara 42 km

Coastline:

998 km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive fishing zone: 32-52 nm

Climate:

arid to semiarid; mild, wet winters with hot, dry summers along

coast; drier with cold winters and hot summers on high plateau;

sirocco is a hot, dust/sand-laden wind especially common in summer

Terrain:

mostly high plateau and desert; some mountains; narrow,

discontinuous coastal plain

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Chott Melrhir -40 m

highest point: Tahat 3,003 m

Natural resources:

petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, phosphates, uranium, lead, zinc

Land use: arable land: 3.22% permanent crops: 0.25% other: 96.53% (2001)

Irrigated land:

5,600 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

mountainous areas subject to severe earthquakes; mudslides and

floods in rainy season

Environment - current issues:

soil erosion from overgrazing and other poor farming practices;

desertification; dumping of raw sewage, petroleum refining wastes,

and other industrial effluents is leading to the pollution of rivers

and coastal waters; Mediterranean Sea, in particular, becoming

polluted from oil wastes, soil erosion, and fertilizer runoff;

inadequate supplies of potable water

Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note: second-largest country in Africa (after Sudan)

People Algeria

Population:

32,531,853 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 29% (male 4,811,086/female 4,626,271)

15-64 years: 66.3% (male 10,861,862/female 10,701,459)

65 years and over: 4.7% (male 719,460/female 811,715) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 24.36 years

male: 24.18 years

female: 24.53 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

1.22% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

17.13 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

4.6 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

-0.37 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.89 male(s)/female

total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 31 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 34.83 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 26.98 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 73 years

male: 71.45 years

female: 74.63 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

1.92 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

0.1% ; note - no country specific models provided (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

9,100 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

less than 500 (2003 est.)

Major infectious diseases:

degree of risk: intermediate

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and

typhoid fever

vectorborne disease: cutaneous leishmaniasis is a high risk in some

locations (2004)

Nationality:

noun: Algerian(s)

adjective: Algerian

Ethnic groups:

Arab-Berber 99%, European less than 1%

note: almost all Algerians are Berber in origin, not Arab; the

minority who identify themselves as Berber live mostly in the

mountainous region of Kabylie east of Algiers; the Berbers are also

Muslim but identify with their Berber rather than Arab cultural

heritage; Berbers have long agitated, sometimes violently, for

autonomy; the government is unlikely to grant autonomy but has

offered to begin sponsoring teaching Berber language in schools

Religions:

Sunni Muslim (state religion) 99%, Christian and Jewish 1%

Languages:

Arabic (official), French, Berber dialects

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 70%

male: 78.8%

female: 61% (2003 est.)

Government Algeria

Country name:

conventional long form: People's Democratic Republic of Algeria

conventional short form: Algeria

local long form: Al Jumhuriyah al Jaza'iriyah ad Dimuqratiyah ash

Sha'biyah

local short form: Al Jaza'ir

Government type:

republic

Capital:

Algiers

Administrative divisions:

48 provinces (wilayas, singular - wilaya); Adrar, Ain Defla, Ain

Temouchent, Alger, Annaba, Batna, Bechar, Bejaia, Biskra, Blida,

Bordj Bou Arreridj, Bouira, Boumerdes, Chlef, Constantine, Djelfa,

El Bayadh, El Oued, El Tarf, Ghardaia, Guelma, Illizi, Jijel,

Khenchela, Laghouat, Mascara, Medea, Mila, Mostaganem, M'Sila,

Naama, Oran, Ouargla, Oum el Bouaghi, Relizane, Saida, Setif, Sidi

Bel Abbes, Skikda, Souk Ahras, Tamanghasset, Tebessa, Tiaret,

Tindouf, Tipaza, Tissemsilt, Tizi Ouzou, Tlemcen

Independence:

5 July 1962 (from France)

National holiday:

Revolution Day, 1 November (1954)

Constitution:

19 November 1976, effective 22 November 1976; revised 3 November

1988, 23 February 1989, and 28 November 1996

Legal system:

socialist, based on French and Islamic law; judicial review of

legislative acts in ad hoc Constitutional Council composed of

various public officials, including several Supreme Court justices;

has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Abdelaziz BOUTEFLIKA (since 28 April 1999)

head of government: Prime Minister Ahmed OUYAHIA (since 9 May 2003)

cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president

elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;

election last held 8 April 2004 (next to be held NA April 2009);

prime minister appointed by the president

election results: Abdelaziz BOUTEFLIKA reelected president for

second term; percent of vote - Abdelaziz BOUTEFLIKA 85%, Ali BENFLIS

6.4%, Abdellah DJABALLAH 5%

Legislative branch:

bicameral Parliament consists of the National People's Assembly or

Al-Majlis Ech-Chaabi Al-Watani (389 seats - changed from 380 seats

in the 2002 elections; members elected by popular vote to serve

five-year terms) and the Council of Nations (Senate) (144 seats;

one-third of the members appointed by the president, two-thirds

elected by indirect vote; members serve six-year terms; the

constitution requires half the council to be renewed every three

years)

elections: National People's Assembly - last held 30 May 2002 (next

to be held NA 2007); Council of Nations (Senate) - last held 30

December 2003 (next to be held NA 2006)

election results: National People's Assembly - percent of vote by

party - NA%; seats by party - FLN 199, RND 48, Islah 43, MSP 38, PT

21, FNA 8, EnNahda 1, PRA 1, MEN 1, independents 29; Council of

Nations - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party NA%

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court or Court Supreme

Political parties and leaders:

Algerian National Front or FNA [Moussa TOUATI]; Democratic National

Rally or RND [Ahmed OUYAHIA, chairman]; Islamic Salvation Front or

FIS (outlawed April 1992) [Ali BELHADJ and Dr. Abassi MADANI, Rabeh

KEBIR (self-exiled in Germany)]; National Entente Movement or MEN

[Ali BOUKHAZNA]; National Liberation Front or FLN [Abdelaziz

BELKHADEM, secretary general (also serves as Foreign Minister)];

National Reform Movement or Islah (formerly MRN) [Abdellah

DJABALLAH]; National Renewal Party or PRA [Yacine TERKMANE];

Progressive Republican Party [Khadir DRISS]; Rally for Culture and

Democracy or RCD [Said SAADI, secretary general]; Renaissance

Movement or EnNahda Movement [Fatah RABEI]; Socialist Forces Front

or FFS [Hocine Ait AHMED, secretary general (self-exiled in

Switzerland)]; Social Liberal Party or PSL [Ahmed KHELIL]; Society

of Peace Movement or MSP [Boujerra SOLTANI]; Workers Party or PT

[Louisa HANOUN]

note: a law banning political parties based on religion was enacted

in March 1997

Political pressure groups and leaders:

The Algerian Human Rights League or LADH or LADDH [Yahia Ali

ABDENOUR]; SOS Disparus [Nacera DUTOUR]; Somoud [Ali MERABET]

International organization participation:

ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AMF, AMU, AU, BIS, FAO, G-15, G-24, G-77, IAEA,

IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC,

IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAS, MIGA,

MONUC, NAM, OAPEC, OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, OPEC, OSCE (partner),

UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO,

UNMEE, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO (observer)

Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Amine KHERBI chancery: 2137 Wyoming Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 265-2800 FAX: [1] (202) 667-2174

Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Richard W. ERDMAN embassy: 4 Chemin Cheikh Bachir El-Ibrahimi, Algiers mailing address: B. P. 408, Alger-Gare, 16030 Algiers telephone: [213] (21) 691-425/255/186 FAX: [213] (21) 69-39-79

Flag description:

two equal vertical bands of green (hoist side) and white; a red,

five-pointed star within a red crescent centered over the two-color

boundary; the crescent, star, and color green are traditional

symbols of Islam (the state religion)

Economy Algeria

Economy - overview:

The hydrocarbons sector is the backbone of the economy, accounting

for roughly 60% of budget revenues, 30% of GDP, and over 95% of

export earnings. Algeria has the seventh-largest reserves of natural

gas in the world and is the second-largest gas exporter; it ranks

14th in oil reserves. Sustained high oil prices in recent years,

along with macroeconomic policy reforms supported by the IMF, have

helped improve Algeria's financial and macroeconomic indicators.

Algeria is running substantial trade surpluses and building up

record foreign exchange reserves. Real GDP has risen due to higher

oil output and increased government spending. The government's

continued efforts to diversify the economy by attracting foreign and

domestic investment outside the energy sector, however, has had

little success in reducing high unemployment and improving living

standards. Structural reform within the economy moves ahead slowly.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$212.3 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

6.1% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $6,600 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 10.3% industry: 57.4% services: 32.3% (2004 est.)

Labor force: 9.91 million (2004 est.)

Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 14%, industry 13.4%, construction and public works 10%, trade 14.6%, government 32%, other 16% (2003 est.)

Unemployment rate:

25.4% (2004 est.)

Population below poverty line:

23% (1999 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.8% highest 10%: 26.8% (1995)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

35.3 (1995)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

3.1% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

26.2% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $31.47 billion

expenditures: $29.3 billion, including capital expenditures of $5.8

billion (2004 est.)

Public debt:

37.4% of GDP (2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

wheat, barley, oats, grapes, olives, citrus, fruits; sheep, cattle

Industries:

petroleum, natural gas, light industries, mining, electrical,

petrochemical, food processing

Industrial production growth rate:

6% (2004 est.)

Electricity - production:

25.76 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 99.7% hydro: 0.3% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

23.61 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

500 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

150 million kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

1.2 million bbl/day (2004 est.)

Oil - consumption:

209,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Oil - proved reserves:

11.87 billion bbl (2004 est.)

Natural gas - production:

80.3 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - consumption:

22.32 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - exports:

57.98 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - imports:

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves:

4.739 trillion cu m (2004)

Current account balance:

$11.9 billion (2004 est.)

Exports:

$32.16 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

petroleum, natural gas, and petroleum products 97%

Exports - partners:

US 22.6%, Italy 17.2%, France 11.4%, Spain 10.1%, Canada 7.5%,

Brazil 6.1%, Belgium 4.6% (2004)

Imports:

$15.25 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

capital goods, foodstuffs, consumer goods

Imports - partners:

France 30.3%, Italy 8.2%, Germany 6.5%, Spain 5.5%, US 5.2%, China

5.1%, Turkey 4.3% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$43.55 billion (2004 est.)

Debt - external:

$21.9 billion (2004 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:

$122.8 million (2002 est.)

Currency (code):

Algerian dinar (DZD)

Currency code:

DZD

Exchange rates:

Algerian dinars per US dollar - 72.061 (2004), 77.395 (2003),

79.682 (2002), 77.215 (2001), 75.26 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Algeria

Telephones - main lines in use:

2,199,600 (2003)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

1,447,310 (2003)

Telephone system:

general assessment: telephone density in Algeria is very low, not

exceeding five telephones per 100 persons; the number of fixed main

lines increased in the last few years to a little more than

2,000,000, but only about two-thirds of these have subscribers; much

of the infrastructure is outdated and inefficient

domestic: good service in north but sparse in south; domestic

satellite system with 12 earth stations (20 additional domestic

earth stations are planned)

international: country code - 213; 5 submarine cables; microwave

radio relay to Italy, France, Spain, Morocco, and Tunisia; coaxial

cable to Morocco and Tunisia; participant in Medarabtel; satellite

earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean), 1

Intersputnik, and 1 Arabsat (1998)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 25, FM 1, shortwave 8 (1999)

Radios:

7.1 million (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

46 (plus 216 repeaters) (1995)

Televisions:

3.1 million (1997)

Internet country code:

.dz

Internet hosts:

897 (2004)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

2 (2000)

Internet users:

500,000 (2002)

Transportation Algeria

Railways:

total: 3,973 km

standard gauge: 2,888 km 1.435-m gauge (283 km electrified)

narrow gauge: 1,085 km 1.055-m gauge (2004)

Highways:

total: 104,000 km

paved: 71,656 km (including 640 km of expressways)

unpaved: 32,344 km (1999)

Pipelines:

condensate 1,344 km; gas 85,946 km; liquid petroleum gas 2,213 km;

oil 6,496 km (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Algiers, Annaba, Arzew, Bejaia, Djendjene, Jijel, Mostaganem, Oran,

Skikda

Merchant marine:

total: 56 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 837,676 GRT/929,847 DWT

by type: bulk carrier 9, cargo 14, chemical tanker 4, liquefied gas

10, passenger/cargo 4, petroleum tanker 6, roll on/roll off 9

foreign-owned: 3 (United Kingdom 3)

registered in other countries: 1 (2005)

Airports:

137 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 52 over 3,047 m: 10 2,438 to 3,047 m: 27 1,524 to 2,437 m: 10 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 85 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 26 914 to 1,523 m: 38 under 914 m: 19 (2004 est.)

Heliports: 1 (2004 est.)

Military Algeria

Military branches:

People's National Army (ANP; includes Land Forces), Algerian

National Navy (MRA), Air Force (QJJ), Territorial Air Defense Force

(2005)

Military service age and obligation: 19-30 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript service obligation - 18 months (October 2003)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 19-49: 8,033,049 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 19-49: 6,590,079 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:

males: 374,639 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$2.48 billion (2004)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

3.2% (2004)

Transnational Issues Algeria

Disputes - international:

Algeria supports the exiled Sahrawi Polisario Front and rejects

Moroccan administration of Western Sahara; Algeria's border with

Morocco remains an irritant to bilateral relations, each nation has

accused the other of harboring militants and arms smuggling; in an

attempt to improve relations after unilaterally imposing a visa

requirement on Algerians in the early 1990s, Morocco lifted the

requirement in mid-2004 - a gesture not reciprocated by Algeria;

Algeria remains concerned about armed bandits operating throughout

the Sahel who sometimes destabilize southern Algerian towns; dormant

disputes include Libyan claims of about 32,000 sq km still reflected

on its maps of southeastern Algeria and the FLN's assertions of a

claim to Chirac Pastures in southeastern Morocco

Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 165,000 (Western Saharan Sahrawi, mostly living in Algerian-sponsored camps in the southwestern Algerian town of Tindouf) IDPs: 100,000 - 200,000 (conflict between government forces, Islamic insurgents) (2004)

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@American Samoa

Introduction American Samoa

Background:

Settled as early as 1000 B.C., Samoa was "discovered" by European

explorers in the 18th century. International rivalries in the latter

half of the 19th century were settled by an 1899 treaty in which

Germany and the US divided the Samoan archipelago. The US formally

occupied its portion - a smaller group of eastern islands with the

excellent harbor of Pago Pago - the following year.

Geography American Samoa

Location:

Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about half

way between Hawaii and New Zealand

Geographic coordinates:

14 20 S, 170 00 W

Map references:

Oceania

Area:

total: 199 sq km

land: 199 sq km

water: 0 sq km

note: includes Rose Island and Swains Island

Area - comparative:

slightly larger than Washington, DC

Land boundaries:

0 km

Coastline:

116 km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Climate:

tropical marine, moderated by southeast trade winds; annual

rainfall averages about 3 m; rainy season from November to April,

dry season from May to October; little seasonal temperature variation

Terrain:

five volcanic islands with rugged peaks and limited coastal plains,

two coral atolls (Rose Island, Swains Island)

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

highest point: Lata 966 m

Natural resources:

pumice, pumicite

Land use:

arable land: 10%

permanent crops: 15%

other: 75% (2001)

Irrigated land:

NA sq km

Natural hazards:

typhoons common from December to March

Environment - current issues:

limited natural fresh water resources; the water division of the

government has spent substantial funds in the past few years to

improve water catchments and pipelines

Geography - note:

Pago Pago has one of the best natural deepwater harbors in the

South Pacific Ocean, sheltered by shape from rough seas and

protected by peripheral mountains from high winds; strategic

location in the South Pacific Ocean

People American Samoa

Population:

57,881 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 35.7% (male 10,705/female 9,956)

15-64 years: 61.3% (male 18,351/female 17,125)

65 years and over: 3% (male 664/female 1,080) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 22.76 years

male: 22.5 years

female: 23.05 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

-0.11% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

23.13 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

3.33 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

-20.89 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.08 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.07 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.62 male(s)/female

total population: 1.06 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 9.27 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 9.85 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 8.65 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 75.84 years

male: 72.27 years

female: 79.62 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

3.25 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

NA

Nationality:

noun: American Samoan(s)

adjective: American Samoan

Ethnic groups:

native Pacific islander 92.9%, Asian 2.9%, white 1.2%, mixed 2.8%,

other 0.2% (2000 census)

Religions:

Christian Congregationalist 50%, Roman Catholic 20%, Protestant and

other 30%

Languages:

Samoan 90.6% (closely related to Hawaiian and other Polynesian

languages), English 2.9%, Tongan 2.4%, other Pacific islander 2.1%,

other 2%

note: most people are bilingual (2000 census)

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 97%

male: 98%

female: 97% (1980 est.)

Government American Samoa

Country name:

conventional long form: Territory of American Samoa

conventional short form: American Samoa

abbreviation: AS

Dependency status:

unincorporated and unorganized territory of the US; administered by

the Office of Insular Affairs, US Department of the Interior

Government type:

NA

Capital:

Pago Pago

Administrative divisions:

none (territory of the US); there are no first-order administrative

divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are three

districts and two islands* at the second order; Eastern, Manu'a,

Rose Island*, Swains Island*, Western

Independence:

none (territory of the US)

National holiday:

Flag Day, 17 April (1900)

Constitution:

ratified 2 June 1966, effective 1 July 1967

Legal system:

NA

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President George W. BUSH of the US (since 20

January 2001) and Vice President Richard B. CHENEY (since 20 January

2001)

head of government: Governor Togiola TULAFONO (since 7 April 2003)

cabinet: cabinet made up of 12 department directors

elections: US president and vice president elected on the same

ticket for four-year terms; governor and lieutenant governor elected

on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms; election

last held 2 and 16 November 2004 (next to be held November 2008)

election results: Togiola TULAFONO elected governor; percent of vote

- Togiola TULAFONO 55.7%, Afoa Moega LUTU 44.3%

Legislative branch:

bicameral Fono or Legislative Assembly consists of the House of

Representatives (21 seats - 20 of which are elected by popular vote

and 1 is an appointed, nonvoting delegate from Swains Island;

members serve two-year terms) and the Senate (18 seats; members are

elected from local chiefs and serve four-year terms)

elections: House of Representatives - last held 2 November 2004

(next to be held November 2006); Senate - last held 2 November 2004

(next to be held November 2008)

election results: House of Representatives - percent of vote by

party - NA%; seats by party - NA; Senate - percent of vote by party

- NA%; seats by party - independents 18

note: American Samoa elects one nonvoting representative to the US

House of Representatives; election last held 2 November 2004 (next

to be held November 2006); results - Eni F. H. FALEOMAVAEGA

(Democrat) reelected as delegate

Judicial branch:

High Court (chief justice and associate justices are appointed by

the US Secretary of the Interior)

Political parties and leaders:

Democratic Party [Oreta M. TOGAFAU]; Republican Party [Tautai A. F.

FAALEVAO]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

NA

International organization participation:

Interpol (subbureau), IOC, UPU

Diplomatic representation in the US:

none (territory of the US)

Diplomatic representation from the US:

none (territory of the US)

Flag description:

blue, with a white triangle edged in red that is based on the outer

side and extends to the hoist side; a brown and white American bald

eagle flying toward the hoist side is carrying two traditional

Samoan symbols of authority, a staff and a war club

Economy American Samoa

Economy - overview:

This is a traditional Polynesian economy in which more than 90% of

the land is communally owned. Economic activity is strongly linked

to the US, with which American Samoa conducts most of its foreign

trade. Tuna fishing and tuna processing plants are the backbone of

the private sector, with canned tuna the primary export. Transfers

from the US Government add substantially to American Samoa's

economic well-being. Attempts by the government to develop a larger

and broader economy are restrained by Samoa's remote location, its

limited transportation, and its devastating hurricanes. Tourism is a

promising developing sector.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$500 million (2000 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

NA

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $8,000 (2000 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA%

Labor force:

14,000 (1996)

Labor force - by occupation:

tuna canneries 34%, government 33%, other 33% (1990)

Unemployment rate:

6% (2000)

Population below poverty line:

NA

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA%

highest 10%: NA%

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

NA%

Budget:

revenues: $121 million (37% in local revenue and 63% in US grants)

expenditures: $127 million, including capital expenditures of NA

(FY96/97)

Agriculture - products:

bananas, coconuts, vegetables, taro, breadfruit, yams, copra,

pineapples, papayas; dairy products, livestock

Industries:

tuna canneries (largely supplied by foreign fishing vessels),

handicrafts

Industrial production growth rate:

NA%

Electricity - production:

130 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

120.9 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

3,800 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Exports:

$30 million (2002)

Exports - commodities:

canned tuna 93%

Exports - partners:

Samoa 39.8%, Australia 19.9%, Japan 15.1%, New Zealand 10.5% (2004)

Imports:

$123 million (2002)

Imports - commodities:

materials for canneries 56%, food 8%, petroleum products 7%,

machinery and parts 6%

Imports - partners:

Japan 31.4%, New Zealand 27.9%, Germany 17.1%, Australia 8.9% (2004)

Debt - external:

$NA

Economic aid - recipient:

important financial support from the US, more than $40 million in

1994

Currency (code):

US dollar (USD)

Currency code:

USD

Exchange rates:

the US dollar is used

Fiscal year:

1 October - 30 September

Communications American Samoa

Telephones - main lines in use:

15,000 (2001)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

2,377 (1999)

Telephone system:

general assessment: NA

domestic: good telex, telegraph, facsimile and cellular telephone

services; domestic satellite system with 1 Comsat earth station

international: country code - 1-684; satellite earth station - 1

Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 3, FM 4, shortwave 1 (2004)

Radios:

57,000 (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

1; note - one cable TV station (2004)

Televisions:

14,000 (1997)

Internet country code:

.as

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

1 (2000)

Internet users:

NA

Transportation American Samoa

Highways: total: 185 km paved: 185 km unpaved: 0 km (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Pago Pago

Airports:

3 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 2

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1

under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 1

under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Military American Samoa

Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the US

Transnational Issues American Samoa

Disputes - international: none

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Andorra

Introduction Andorra

Background:

For 715 years, from 1278 to 1993, Andorrans lived under a unique

co-principality, ruled by French and Spanish leaders (from 1607

onward, the French chief of state and the Spanish bishop of Urgel).

In 1993, this feudal system was modified with the titular heads of

state retained, but the government transformed into a parliamentary

democracy. Long isolated and impoverished, mountainous Andorra

achieved considerable prosperity since World War II through its

tourist industry. Many immigrants (legal and illegal) are attracted

to the thriving economy with its lack of income taxes.

Geography Andorra

Location:

Southwestern Europe, between France and Spain

Geographic coordinates:

42 30 N, 1 30 E

Map references:

Europe

Area:

total: 468 sq km

land: 468 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative:

2.5 times the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries: total: 120.3 km border countries: France 56.6 km, Spain 63.7 km

Coastline:

0 km (landlocked)

Maritime claims:

none (landlocked)

Climate:

temperate; snowy, cold winters and warm, dry summers

Terrain:

rugged mountains dissected by narrow valleys

Elevation extremes: lowest point: Riu Runer 840 m highest point: Coma Pedrosa 2,946 m

Natural resources: hydropower, mineral water, timber, iron ore, lead

Land use: arable land: 2.22% permanent crops: 0% other: 97.78% (2001)

Irrigated land:

NA sq km

Natural hazards:

avalanches

Environment - current issues:

deforestation; overgrazing of mountain meadows contributes to soil

erosion; air pollution; wastewater treatment and solid waste disposal

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Hazardous Wastes

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

landlocked; straddles a number of important crossroads in the

Pyrenees

People Andorra

Population:

70,549 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 14.8% (male 5,471/female 4,995)

15-64 years: 71.5% (male 26,463/female 23,977)

65 years and over: 13.7% (male 4,780/female 4,863) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 40.34 years

male: 40.63 years

female: 40.02 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

0.95% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

9 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

6.07 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

6.53 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.1 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.1 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.98 male(s)/female

total population: 1.08 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 4.05 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 4.38 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 3.69 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 83.51 years

male: 80.6 years

female: 86.6 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

1.29 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

NA%

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

NA

Nationality:

noun: Andorran(s)

adjective: Andorran

Ethnic groups:

Spanish 43%, Andorran 33%, Portuguese 11%, French 7%, other 6%

(1998)

Religions:

Roman Catholic (predominant)

Languages:

Catalan (official), French, Castilian, Portuguese

Literacy: definition: NA total population: 100% male: NA% female: NA%

Government Andorra

Country name:

conventional long form: Principality of Andorra

conventional short form: Andorra

local long form: Principat d'Andorra

local short form: Andorra

Government type:

parliamentary democracy (since March 1993) that retains as its

chiefs of state a coprincipality; the two princes are the president

of France and bishop of Seo de Urgel, Spain, who are represented

locally by coprinces' representatives

Capital:

Andorra la Vella

Administrative divisions:

7 parishes (parroquies, singular - parroquia); Andorra la Vella,

Canillo, Encamp, La Massana, Escaldes-Engordany, Ordino, Sant Julia

de Loria

Independence:

1278 (was formed under the joint suzerainty of the French count of

Foix and the Spanish bishop of Urgel)

National holiday:

Our Lady of Meritxell Day, 8 September (1278)

Constitution:

Andorra's first written constitution was drafted in 1991, approved

by referendum 14 March 1993, effective 4 May 1993

Legal system:

based on French and Spanish civil codes; no judicial review of

legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: French Coprince Jacques CHIRAC (since 17 May 1995),

represented by Philippe MASSONI (since 26 July 2002); Spanish

Coprince Bishop Joan Enric VIVES i SICILIA (since 12 May 2003),

represented by Nemesi MARQUES i OSTE (since NA)

head of government: Executive Council President Albert PINTAT

SANTOLARIA (since 27 May 2005)

cabinet: Executive Council or Govern designated by the Executive

Council president

elections: Executive Council president elected by the General

Council and formally appointed by the coprinces for a four-year

term; election last held 4 March 2001 (next to be held April-May

2005)

election results: Marc FORNE MOLNE elected executive council

president; percent of General Council vote - NA%

Legislative branch:

unicameral General Council of the Valleys or Consell General de las

Valls (28 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote, 14 from

a single national constituency and 14 to represent each of the 7

parishes; members serve four-year terms)

elections: last held 24 April 2005 (next to be held March-April 2009)

election results: percent of vote by party - PLA 41.2%, PS 38.1%,

CDA 11%, other 9.7%; seats by party - PLA 14, PS 12, CDA 2

Judicial branch:

Tribunal of Judges or Tribunal de Batlles; Tribunal of the Courts

or Tribunal de Corts; Supreme Court of Justice of Andorra or

Tribunal Superior de Justicia d'Andorra; Supreme Council of Justice

or Consell Superior de la Justicia; Fiscal Ministry or Ministeri

Fiscal; Constitutional Tribunal or Tribunal Constitucional

Political parties and leaders:

Andorran Democratic Center Party or CDA (formerly Democratic Party

or PD) [leader NA]; Liberal Party of Andorra or PLA (formerly

Liberal Union or UL) [Albert PINTAT]; Social Democratic Party or PS

(formerly part of National Democratic Group or AND) [Mariona

GONZALEZ REOLIT]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

NA

International organization participation:

CE, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IFRCS, Interpol, IOC, ITU, OPCW, OSCE, UN,

UNESCO, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WToO, WTO (observer)

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Jelena V.

PIA-COMELLA

chancery: 2 United Nations Plaza, 25th Floor, New York, NY 10017

telephone: [1] (212) 750-8064

FAX: [1] (212) 750-6630

Diplomatic representation from the US:

the US does not have an embassy in Andorra; the US Ambassador to

Spain is accredited to Andorra; US interests in Andorra are

represented by the Consulate General's office in Barcelona (Spain);

mailing address: Paseo Reina Elisenda, 23, 08034 Barcelona, Spain;

telephone: [34] (93) 280-2227; FAX: [34] (93) 280-6175

Flag description:

three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, and red

with the national coat of arms centered in the yellow band; the coat

of arms features a quartered shield; similar to the flags of Chad

and Romania, which do not have a national coat of arms in the

center, and the flag of Moldova, which does bear a national emblem

Economy Andorra

Economy - overview:

Tourism, the mainstay of Andorra's tiny, well-to-do economy,

accounts for roughly 80% of GDP. An estimated 9 million tourists

visit annually, attracted by Andorra's duty-free status and by its

summer and winter resorts. Andorra's comparative advantage has

recently eroded as the economies of neighboring France and Spain

have been opened up, providing broader availability of goods and

lower tariffs. The banking sector, with its "tax haven" status, also

contributes substantially to the economy. Agricultural production is

limited - only 2% of the land is arable - and most food has to be

imported. The principal livestock activity is sheep raising.

Manufacturing output consists mainly of cigarettes, cigars, and

furniture. Andorra is a member of the EU Customs Union and is

treated as an EU member for trade in manufactured goods (no tariffs)

and as a non-EU member for agricultural products.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$1.9 billion (2003 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

2% (2003 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $26,800 (2003 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA%

Labor force:

33,000 (2001 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 1%, industry 21%, services 78% (2000 est.)

Unemployment rate:

0% (1996 est.)

Population below poverty line:

NA%

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA%

highest 10%: NA%

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

4.3% (2000)

Budget:

revenues: $385 million

expenditures: $342 million, including capital expenditures of NA

(1997)

Agriculture - products:

small quantities of rye, wheat, barley, oats, vegetables; sheep

Industries:

tourism (particularly skiing), cattle raising, timber, banking

Industrial production growth rate:

NA%

Electricity - production:

NA kWh

Electricity - production by source:

NA

Electricity - consumption:

NA kWh

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

NA kWh; note - most electricity supplied by Spain and France;

Andorra generates a small amount of hydropower

Exports:

$58 million f.o.b. (1998)

Exports - commodities:

tobacco products, furniture

Exports - partners:

Spain 58%, France 34% (2000)

Imports:

$1.077 billion (1998)

Imports - commodities:

consumer goods, food, electricity

Imports - partners:

Spain 48%, France 35%, US 2.3% (2000)

Debt - external:

$NA

Economic aid - recipient:

none

Currency (code):

euro (EUR)

Currency code:

EUR

Exchange rates:

euros per US dollar - 0.8054 (2004), 0.886 (2003), 1.0626 (2002),

1.1175 (2001), 1.0854 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Andorra

Telephones - main lines in use:

35,000 (2001)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

23,500 (2001)

Telephone system:

general assessment: NA

domestic: modern system with microwave radio relay connections

between exchanges

international: country code - 376; landline circuits to France and

Spain

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 0, FM 15, shortwave 0 (1998)

Radios:

16,000 (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

0 (1997)

Televisions:

27,000 (1997)

Internet country code:

.ad

Internet hosts:

4,144 (2004)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

1 (2000)

Internet users:

24,500 (2001)

Transportation Andorra

Highways: total: 269 km paved: 198 km unpaved: 71 km

Merchant marine:

registered in other countries: 1

Airports:

none (2004 est.)

Military Andorra

Military branches:

no regular military forces, Police Service of Andorra

Military - note:

defense is the responsibility of France and Spain

Transnational Issues Andorra

Disputes - international: none

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Angola

Introduction Angola

Background:

Angola has begun to enjoy the fruits of peace since the end of a

27-year civil war in 2002. Fighting between the Popular Movement for

the Liberation of Angola (MPLA), led by Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS, and

the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA), led

by Jonas SAVIMBI, followed independence from Portugal in 1975. Peace

seemed imminent in 1992 when Angola held national elections, but

UNITA renewed fighting after being beaten by the MPLA at the polls.

Up to 1.5 million lives may have been lost - and 4 million people

displaced - in the quarter century of fighting. SAVIMBI's death in

2002 ended UNITA's insurgency and strengthened the MPLA's hold on

power. DOS SANTOS has pledged to hold national elections in 2006.

Geography Angola

Location:

Southern Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between

Namibia and Democratic Republic of the Congo

Geographic coordinates:

12 30 S, 18 30 E

Map references:

Africa

Area:

total: 1,246,700 sq km

land: 1,246,700 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly less than twice the size of Texas

Land boundaries:

total: 5,198 km

border countries: Democratic Republic of the Congo 2,511 km (of

which 225 km is the boundary of discontiguous Cabinda Province),

Republic of the Congo 201 km, Namibia 1,376 km, Zambia 1,110 km

Coastline:

1,600 km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 24 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Climate:

semiarid in south and along coast to Luanda; north has cool, dry

season (May to October) and hot, rainy season (November to April)

Terrain:

narrow coastal plain rises abruptly to vast interior plateau

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

highest point: Morro de Moco 2,620 m

Natural resources:

petroleum, diamonds, iron ore, phosphates, copper, feldspar, gold,

bauxite, uranium

Land use: arable land: 2.41% permanent crops: 0.24% other: 97.35% (2001)

Irrigated land:

750 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

locally heavy rainfall causes periodic flooding on the plateau

Environment - current issues:

overuse of pastures and subsequent soil erosion attributable to

population pressures; desertification; deforestation of tropical

rain forest, in response to both international demand for tropical

timber and to domestic use as fuel, resulting in loss of

biodiversity; soil erosion contributing to water pollution and

siltation of rivers and dams; inadequate supplies of potable water

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Law of the

Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

the province of Cabinda is an exclave, separated from the rest of

the country by the Democratic Republic of the Congo

People Angola

Population:

11,190,786 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 43.4% (male 2,454,209/female 2,407,083)

15-64 years: 53.7% (male 3,059,339/female 2,955,060)

65 years and over: 2.8% (male 139,961/female 175,134) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 18.12 years

male: 18.12 years

female: 18.11 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

1.9% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

44.64 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

25.9 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

0.28 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/female

total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 191.19 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 203.68 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 178.07 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 38.43 years

male: 37.28 years

female: 39.64 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

6.27 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

3.9% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

240,000 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

21,000 (2003 est.)

Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: malaria, African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness) are high risks in some locations respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis water contact disease: schistosomiasis (2004)

Nationality:

noun: Angolan(s)

adjective: Angolan

Ethnic groups:

Ovimbundu 37%, Kimbundu 25%, Bakongo 13%, mestico (mixed European

and native African) 2%, European 1%, other 22%

Religions:

indigenous beliefs 47%, Roman Catholic 38%, Protestant 15% (1998

est.)

Languages:

Portuguese (official), Bantu and other African languages

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 66.8%

male: 82.1%

female: 53.8% (2001 est.)

Government Angola

Country name:

conventional long form: Republic of Angola

conventional short form: Angola

local long form: Republica de Angola

local short form: Angola

former: People's Republic of Angola

Government type:

republic, nominally a multiparty democracy with a strong

presidential system

Capital:

Luanda

Administrative divisions:

18 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Bengo, Benguela,

Bie, Cabinda, Cuando Cubango, Cuanza Norte, Cuanza Sul, Cunene,

Huambo, Huila, Luanda, Lunda Norte, Lunda Sul, Malanje, Moxico,

Namibe, Uige, Zaire

Independence:

11 November 1975 (from Portugal)

National holiday:

Independence Day, 11 November (1975)

Constitution:

11 November 1975; revised 7 January 1978, 11 August 1980, 6 March

1991, and 26 August 1992; note - new constitution has not yet been

approved

Legal system:

based on Portuguese civil law system and customary law; recently

modified to accommodate political pluralism and increased use of

free markets

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS (since 21

September 1979); note - the president is both chief of state and

head of government

head of government: President Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS (since 21

September 1979); note - the president is both chief of state and

head of government; Fernando de Piedade Dias DOS SANTOS was

appointed Prime Minister on 6 December 2002, but this is not a

position of real power

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president

elections: president elected by universal ballot for a five-year

term; President DOS SANTOS originally elected (in 1979) without

opposition under a one-party system and stood for reelection in

Angola's first multiparty elections 29-30 September 1992 (next to be

held September 2006)

election results: DOS SANTOS 49.6%, Jonas SAVIMBI 40.1%, making a

run-off election necessary; the run-off was not held and SAVIMBI's

National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA)

repudiated the results of the first election; the civil war resumed

Legislative branch:

unicameral National Assembly or Assembleia Nacional (220 seats;

members elected by proportional vote to serve four-year terms)

elections: last held 29-30 September 1992 (next to be held September

2006)

election results: percent of vote by party - MPLA 54%, UNITA 34%,

others 12%; seats by party - MPLA 129, UNITA 70, PRS 6, FNLA 5, PLD

3, others 7

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court or Tribunal da Relacao (judges are appointed by the

president)

Political parties and leaders:

Liberal Democratic Party or PLD [Analia de Victoria PEREIRA];

National Front for the Liberation of Angola or FNLA [disputed

leadership: Lucas NGONDA, Holden ROBERTO]; National Union for the

Total Independence of Angola or UNITA [Isaias SAMAKUVA], largest

opposition party has engaged in years of armed resistance; Popular

Movement for the Liberation of Angola or MPLA [Jose Eduardo DOS

SANTOS], ruling party in power since 1975; Social Renewal Party or

PRS [disputed leadership: Eduardo KUANGANA, Antonio MUACHICUNGO]

note: about a dozen minor parties participated in the 1992 elections

but only won a few seats and have little influence in the National

Assembly

Political pressure groups and leaders:

Front for the Liberation of the Enclave of Cabinda or FLEC [N'zita

Henriques TIAGO, Antonio Bento BEMBE]

note: FLEC is waging a small-scale, highly factionalized, armed

struggle for the independence of Cabinda Province

International organization participation:

ACP, AfDB, AU, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory),

ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC,

IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, MIGA, NAM, OAS (observer), SADC, UN,

UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Josefina Perpetua Pitra DIAKIDI chancery: 2108 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 785-1156 FAX: [1] (202) 785-1258 consulate(s) general: Houston and New York

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Cynthia EFFIRD

embassy: number 32 Rua Houari Boumedienne (in the Miramar area of

Luanda), Luanda

mailing address: international mail: Caixa Postal 6468, Luanda;

pouch: American Embassy Luanda, Department of State, Washington, DC

20521-2550

telephone: [244] (2) 445-481, 447-028, 446-224

FAX: [244] (2) 446-924

Flag description:

two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and black with a centered

yellow emblem consisting of a five-pointed star within half a

cogwheel crossed by a machete (in the style of a hammer and sickle)

Economy Angola

Economy - overview:

Angola has been an economy in disarray because of a quarter century

of nearly continuous warfare. An apparently durable peace was

established after the death of rebel leader Jonas SAVIMBI in

February 2002, but consequences from the conflict continue including

the impact of widespread land mines. Subsistence agriculture

provides the main livelihood for 85% of the population. Oil

production and the supporting activities are vital to the economy,

contributing about 45% to GDP and more than half of exports. Much of

the country's food must still be imported. To fully take advantage

of its rich natural resources - gold, diamonds, extensive forests,

Atlantic fisheries, and large oil deposits - Angola will need to

continue reforming government policies and to reduce corruption.

While Angola made progress in further lowering inflation, from 325%

in 2000 to about 106% in 2002, the government has failed to make

sufficient progress on reforms recommended by the IMF such as

increasing foreign exchange reserves and promoting greater

transparency in government spending. Increased oil production

supported 7% GDP growth in 2003 and 12% growth in 2004.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$23.17 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

11.7% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $2,100 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 8% industry: 67% services: 25% (2001 est.)

Labor force:

5.41 million (2004 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 85%, industry and services 15% (2003 est.)

Unemployment rate:

extensive unemployment and underemployment affecting more than half

the population (2001 est.)

Population below poverty line:

70% (2003 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

43.8% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

34.5% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $9.013 billion

expenditures: $9.562 billion, including capital expenditures of $963

million (2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

bananas, sugarcane, coffee, sisal, corn, cotton, manioc (tapioca),

tobacco, vegetables, plantains; livestock; forest products; fish

Industries:

petroleum; diamonds, iron ore, phosphates, feldspar, bauxite,

uranium, and gold; cement; basic metal products; fish processing;

food processing; brewing; tobacco products; sugar; textiles, ship

repair

Industrial production growth rate:

1% (2000)

Electricity - production:

1.707 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 36.4% hydro: 63.6% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

1.587 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

980,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Oil - consumption:

31,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Oil - proved reserves:

22.88 billion bbl (2004 est.)

Natural gas - production:

530 million cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - consumption:

530 million cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - exports:

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - imports:

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves:

79.57 billion cu m (2004)

Current account balance:

$-37.88 million (2004 est.)

Exports:

$12.76 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

crude oil, diamonds, refined petroleum products, gas, coffee,

sisal, fish and fish products, timber, cotton

Exports - partners:

US 38%, China 35.9%, Taiwan 6.8%, France 6.5% (2004)

Imports:

$4.896 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

machinery and electrical equipment, vehicles and spare parts;

medicines, food, textiles, military goods

Imports - partners:

South Korea 28.3%, Portugal 13.1%, US 9.3%, South Africa 7.4%,

Brazil 5.6%, Japan 4.8%, France 4.4% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$800 million (2004 est.)

Debt - external:

$10.45 billion (2004 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:

$383.5 million (1999)

Currency (code):

kwanza (AOA)

Currency code:

AOA

Exchange rates:

kwanza per US dollar - 83.541 (2004), 74.606 (2003), 43.53 (2002),

22.058 (2001), 10.041 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Angola

Telephones - main lines in use:

96,300 (2003)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

130,000 (2002)

Telephone system:

general assessment: telephone service limited mostly to government

and business use; HF radiotelephone used extensively for military

links

domestic: limited system of wire, microwave radio relay, and

tropospheric scatter

international: country code - 244; satellite earth stations - 2

Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); fiber optic submarine cable (SAT-3/WASC)

provides connectivity to Europe and Asia

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 21, FM 6, shortwave 7 (2000)

Radios:

815,000 (2000)

Television broadcast stations:

6 (2000)

Televisions:

196,000 (2000)

Internet country code:

.ao

Internet hosts:

17 (2003)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

1 (2000)

Internet users:

41,000 (2002)

Transportation Angola

Railways: total: 2,761 km narrow gauge: 2,638 km 1.067-m gauge; 123 km 0.600-m gauge (2004)

Highways: total: 51,429 km paved: 5,328 km unpaved: 46,101 km (2001)

Waterways:

1,300 km (2004)

Pipelines:

gas 214 km; liquid natural gas 14 km; liquid petroleum gas 30 km;

oil 837 km; refined products 56 km (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Cabinda, Luanda, Soyo

Merchant marine:

total: 4 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 26,123 GRT/42,879 DWT

by type: cargo 1, passenger/cargo 2, petroleum tanker 1

registered in other countries: 4 (2005)

Airports:

243 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 32

over 3,047 m: 4

2,438 to 3,047 m: 8

1,524 to 2,437 m: 14

914 to 1,523 m: 5

under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 211

over 3,047 m: 2

2,438 to 3,047 m: 4

1,524 to 2,437 m: 30

914 to 1,523 m: 95

under 914 m: 80 (2004 est.)

Military Angola

Military branches:

Army, Navy (Marinha de Guerra, MdG), Air and Air Defense Forces

(FANA)

Military service age and obligation:

17 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript service

obligation - 2 years plus time for training (2001)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 17-49: 2,423,221 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 17-49: 1,174,548 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:

males: 121,254 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$183.58 million (2004)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

10.6% (2004)

Transnational Issues Angola

Disputes - international:

90,000 Angolan refugees were repatriated by 2004, the remaining

refugees in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Zambia are

expected to return in 2005; many Cabinda exclave secessionists have

sought shelter in neighboring states

Refugees and internally displaced persons:

IDPs: 40,000-60,000 (27-year civil war ending in 2002; 4 million

IDPs already have returned) (2004)

Illicit drugs:

used as a transshipment point for cocaine destined for Western

Europe and other African states

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Anguilla

Introduction Anguilla

Background:

Colonized by English settlers from Saint Kitts in 1650, Anguilla

was administered by Great Britain until the early 19th century, when

the island - against the wishes of the inhabitants - was

incorporated into a single British dependency, along with Saint

Kitts and Nevis. Several attempts at separation failed. In 1971, two

years after a revolt, Anguilla was finally allowed to secede; this

arrangement was formally recognized in 1980, with Anguilla becoming

a separate British dependency.

Geography Anguilla

Location:

Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and North Atlantic

Ocean, east of Puerto Rico

Geographic coordinates:

18 15 N, 63 10 W

Map references:

Central America and the Caribbean

Area:

total: 102 sq km

land: 102 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative:

about half the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries:

0 km

Coastline:

61 km

Maritime claims: territorial sea: 3 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm

Climate:

tropical; moderated by northeast trade winds

Terrain:

flat and low-lying island of coral and limestone

Elevation extremes: lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Crocus Hill 65 m

Natural resources:

salt, fish, lobster

Land use:

arable land: 0%

permanent crops: 0%

other: 100% (mostly rock with sparse scrub oak, few trees, some

commercial salt ponds) (2001)

Irrigated land:

NA

Natural hazards:

frequent hurricanes and other tropical storms (July to October)

Environment - current issues: supplies of potable water sometimes cannot meet increasing demand largely because of poor distribution system

Geography - note: the most northerly of the Leeward Islands in the Lesser Antilles

People Anguilla

Population:

13,254 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 23.2% (male 1,561/female 1,517)

15-64 years: 69.9% (male 4,767/female 4,501)

65 years and over: 6.9% (male 405/female 503) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 30.76 years

male: 30.81 years

female: 30.7 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

1.77% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

14.26 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

5.43 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

8.83 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.06 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/female

total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 21.03 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 27.59 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 14.27 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 77.11 years

male: 74.18 years

female: 80.12 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

1.73 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

NA

Nationality:

noun: Anguillan(s)

adjective: Anguillan

Ethnic groups:

black (predominant) 90.1%, mixed, mulatto 4.6%, white 3.7%, other

1.6% (2001 Census)

Religions:

Anglican 29%, Methodist 23.9%, other Protestant 30.2%, Roman

Catholic 5.7%, other Christian 1.7%, other 5.2%, none or unspecified

4.3% (2001 Census)

Languages:

English (official)

Literacy:

definition: age 12 and over can read and write

total population: 95%

male: 95%

female: 95% (1984 est.)

Government Anguilla

Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Anguilla

Dependency status:

overseas territory of the UK

Government type:

NA

Capital:

The Valley

Administrative divisions:

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Independence:

none (overseas territory of the UK)

National holiday:

Anguilla Day, 30 May

Constitution:

Anguilla Constitutional Order 1 April 1982; amended 1990

Legal system:

based on English common law

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952);

represented by Governor Alan Eden HUCKLE (since 28 May 2004)

head of government: Chief Minister Osbourne FLEMING (since 3 March

2000)

cabinet: Executive Council appointed by the governor from among the

elected members of the House of Assembly

elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed by

the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the

majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually

appointed chief minister by the governor

Legislative branch:

unicameral House of Assembly (11 seats total, 7 elected by direct

popular vote, 2 ex officio members, and 2 appointed; members serve

five-year terms)

elections: last held 21 February 2005 (next to be held 2010)

election results: percent of vote by party - AUF 38.9%, ANSA 19.2%,

AUM 19.4%, APP 9.5 %, independents 13%; seats by party - AUF 4, ANSA

2, AUM 1

Judicial branch:

High Court (judge provided by Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court)

Political parties and leaders:

Anguilla United Movement or AUM [Hubert HUGHES]; The Anguilla

United Front or AUF [Osbourne FLEMING, Victor BANKS], a coalition of

the Anguilla Democratic Party or ADP and the Anguilla National

Alliance or ANA; Anguilla Progressive Party or APP [Roy ROGERS];

Anguilla Strategic Alternative or ANSA [Edison BAIRD]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

NA

International organization participation:

Caricom (associate), CDB, Interpol (subbureau), OECS (associate),

UPU

Diplomatic representation in the US:

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Diplomatic representation from the US:

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Flag description:

blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and

the Anguillan coat of arms centered in the outer half of the flag;

the coat of arms depicts three orange dolphins in an interlocking

circular design on a white background with blue wavy water below

Economy Anguilla

Economy - overview:

Anguilla has few natural resources, and the economy depends heavily

on luxury tourism, offshore banking, lobster fishing, and

remittances from emigrants. Increased activity in the tourism

industry, which has spurred the growth of the construction sector,

has contributed to economic growth. Anguillan officials have put

substantial effort into developing the offshore financial sector,

which is small, but growing. In the medium term, prospects for the

economy will depend largely on the tourism sector and, therefore, on

revived income growth in the industrialized nations as well as on

favorable weather conditions.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$112 million (2002 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

2.8% (2001 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $7,500 (2002 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 4% industry: 18% services: 78% (2002 est.)

Labor force: 6,049 (2001)

Labor force - by occupation: agriculture/fishing/forestry/mining 4%, manufacturing 3%, construction 18%, transportation and utilities 10%, commerce 36%, services 29% (2000 est.)

Unemployment rate:

8% (2002)

Population below poverty line:

23% (2002)

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

2.3%

Budget:

revenues: $22.8 million

expenditures: $22.5 million, including capital expenditures of NA

(2000 est.)

Agriculture - products:

small quantities of tobacco, vegetables; cattle raising

Industries:

tourism, boat building, offshore financial services

Industrial production growth rate:

3.1% (1997 est.)

Electricity - production:

NA

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: NA hydro: NA nuclear: NA other: NA

Electricity - consumption:

42.6 million kWh

Exports:

$2.6 million (1999)

Exports - commodities:

lobster, fish, livestock, salt, concrete blocks, rum

Exports - partners:

UK, US, Puerto Rico, Saint-Martin (2000)

Imports:

$80.9 million (1999)

Imports - commodities:

fuels, foodstuffs, manufactures, chemicals, trucks, textiles

Imports - partners:

US, Puerto Rico, UK (2000)

Debt - external:

$8.8 million (1998)

Economic aid - recipient:

$9 million (2004 est.)

Currency (code):

East Caribbean dollar (XCD)

Currency code:

XCD

Exchange rates:

East Caribbean dollars per US dollar - 2.7 (2004), 2.7 (2003), 2.7

(2002), 2.7 (2001), 2.7 (2000)

note: fixed rate since 1976

Fiscal year:

1 April - 31 March

Communications Anguilla

Telephones - main lines in use:

6,200 (2002)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

1,800 (2002)

Telephone system:

general assessment: NA

domestic: modern internal telephone system

international: country code - 1-264; microwave radio relay to island

of Saint Martin (Guadeloupe and Netherlands Antilles)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 2, FM 7, shortwave 0 (2004)

Radios:

3,000 (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

1 (1997)

Televisions:

1,000 (1997)

Internet country code:

.ai

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

16 (2000)

Internet users:

3,000 (2002)

Transportation Anguilla

Highways: total: 105 km paved: 65 km unpaved: 40 km (1997)

Ports and harbors:

Blowing Point, Road Bay

Airports:

3 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 2

under 914 m: 2 (2004 est.)

Military Anguilla

Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the UK

Transnational Issues Anguilla

Disputes - international:

none

Illicit drugs:

transshipment point for South American narcotics destined for the

US and Europe

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Antarctica

Introduction Antarctica

Background:

Speculation over the existence of a "southern land" was not

confirmed until the early 1820s when British and American commercial

operators and British and Russian national expeditions began

exploring the Antarctic Peninsula region and other areas south of

the Antarctic Circle. Not until 1840 was it established that

Antarctica was indeed a continent and not just a group of islands.

Several exploration "firsts" were achieved in the early 20th

century. Following World War II, there was an upsurge in scientific

research on the continent. A number of countries have set up

year-round research stations on Antarctica. Seven have made

territorial claims, but not all countries recognize these claims. In

order to form a legal framework for the activities of nations on the

continent, an Antarctic Treaty was negotiated that neither denies

nor gives recognition to existing territorial claims; signed in

1959, it entered into force in 1961.

Geography Antarctica

Location:

continent mostly south of the Antarctic Circle

Geographic coordinates:

90 00 S, 0 00 E

Map references:

Antarctic Region

Area:

total: 14 million sq km

land: 14 million sq km (280,000 sq km ice-free, 13.72 million sq km

ice-covered) (est.)

note: fifth-largest continent, following Asia, Africa, North

America, and South America, but larger than Australia and the

subcontinent of Europe

Area - comparative:

slightly less than 1.5 times the size of the US

Land boundaries: 0 km note: see entry on Disputes - international

Coastline:

17,968 km

Maritime claims:

Australia, Chile, and Argentina claim Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)

rights or similar over 200 nm extensions seaward from their

continental claims, but like the claims themselves, these zones are

not accepted by other countries; 20 of 27 Antarctic consultative

nations have made no claims to Antarctic territory (although Russia

and the US have reserved the right to do so) and do not recognize

the claims of the other nations; also see the Disputes -

international entry

Climate:

severe low temperatures vary with latitude, elevation, and distance

from the ocean; East Antarctica is colder than West Antarctica

because of its higher elevation; Antarctic Peninsula has the most

moderate climate; higher temperatures occur in January along the

coast and average slightly below freezing

Terrain:

about 98% thick continental ice sheet and 2% barren rock, with

average elevations between 2,000 and 4,000 meters; mountain ranges

up to nearly 5,000 meters; ice-free coastal areas include parts of

southern Victoria Land, Wilkes Land, the Antarctic Peninsula area,

and parts of Ross Island on McMurdo Sound; glaciers form ice shelves

along about half of the coastline, and floating ice shelves

constitute 11% of the area of the continent

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Bentley Subglacial Trench -2,555 m

highest point: Vinson Massif 4,897 m

note: the lowest known land point in Antarctica is hidden in the

Bentley Subglacial Trench; at its surface is the deepest ice yet

discovered and the world's lowest elevation not under seawater

Natural resources:

iron ore, chromium, copper, gold, nickel, platinum and other

minerals, and coal and hydrocarbons have been found in small

uncommercial quantities; none presently exploited; krill, finfish,

and crab have been taken by commercial fisheries

Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (ice 98%, barren rock 2%) (2001)

Irrigated land:

0 sq km

Natural hazards:

katabatic (gravity-driven) winds blow coastward from the high

interior; frequent blizzards form near the foot of the plateau;

cyclonic storms form over the ocean and move clockwise along the

coast; volcanism on Deception Island and isolated areas of West

Antarctica; other seismic activity rare and weak; large icebergs may

calve from ice shelf

Environment - current issues:

in 1998, NASA satellite data showed that the antarctic ozone hole

was the largest on record, covering 27 million square kilometers;

researchers in 1997 found that increased ultraviolet light passing

through the hole damages the DNA of icefish, an antarctic fish

lacking hemoglobin; ozone depletion earlier was shown to harm

one-celled antarctic marine plants; in 2002, significant areas of

ice shelves disintegrated in response to regional warming

Geography - note:

the coldest, windiest, highest (on average), and driest continent;

during summer, more solar radiation reaches the surface at the South

Pole than is received at the Equator in an equivalent period; mostly

uninhabitable

People Antarctica

Population:

no indigenous inhabitants, but there are both permanent and

summer-only staffed research stations

note: 26 nations, all signatory to the Antarctic Treaty, operate

seasonal (summer) and year-round research stations on the continent

and in its surrounding oceans; the population of persons doing and

supporting science on the continent and its nearby islands south of

60 degrees south latitude (the region covered by the Antarctic

Treaty) varies from approximately 4,000 in summer to 1,000 in

winter; in addition, approximately 1,000 personnel including ship's

crew and scientists doing onboard research are present in the waters

of the treaty region; summer (January) population - 3,687 total;

Argentina 302, Australia 201, Belgium 13, Brazil 80, Bulgaria 16,

Chile 352, China 70, Finland 11, France 100, Germany 51, India 60,

Italy 106, Japan 136, South Korea 14, Netherlands 10, NZ 60, Norway

40, Peru 28, Poland 70, Russia 254, South Africa 80, Spain 43,

Sweden 20, UK 192, US 1,378 (1998-99); winter (July) population -

964 total; Argentina 165, Australia 75, Brazil 12, Chile 129, China

33, France 33, Germany 9, India 25, Japan 40, South Korea 14, NZ 10,

Poland 20, Russia 102, South Africa 10, UK 39, US 248 (1998-99);

research stations operated within the Antarctic Treaty area (south

of 60 degrees south) by members of the Council of Managers of

National Antarctic Programs (COMNAP): year-round stations - 38

total; Argentina 6, Australia 3, Brazil 1, Chile 4, China 2, France

1, Germany 1, India 1, Japan 1, South Korea 1, NZ 1, Poland 1,

Russia 6, South Africa 1, Ukraine 1, UK 2, US 3, Uruguay 1, Italy

and France jointly 1 (2005); summer-only stations - 34 total;

Argentina 8, Australia 2, Bulgaria 1, Chile 5, Ecuador 1, Finland 1,

Germany 2, Italy 1, Japan 3, Norway 2, Peru 1, Russia 2, South

Africa 1, Spain 2, Sweden 1, UK 1 (2004-2005); in addition, during

the austral summer some nations have numerous occupied locations

such as tent camps, summer-long temporary facilities, and mobile

traverses in support of research

Government Antarctica

Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Antarctica

Government type: Antarctic Treaty Summary - the Antarctic Treaty, signed on 1 December 1959 and entered into force on 23 June 1961, establishes the legal framework for the management of Antarctica; the 27th Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting was held in Cape Town, South Africa in May-June 2004; at these periodic meetings, decisions are made by consensus (not by vote) of all consultative member nations; at the end of 2003, there were 45 treaty member nations: 28 consultative and 17 non-consultative; consultative (decision-making) members include the seven nations that claim portions of Antarctica as national territory (some claims overlap) and 21 non-claimant nations; the US and Russia have reserved the right to make claims; the US does not recognize the claims of others; Antarctica is administered through meetings of the consultative member nations; decisions from these meetings are carried out by these member nations (with respect to their own nationals and operations) in accordance with their own national laws; the year in parentheses indicates when an acceding nation was accepted as a consultative member, while no date indicates the country was an original 1959 treaty signatory; claimant nations are - Argentina, Australia, Chile, France, New Zealand, Norway, and the UK. Nonclaimant consultative nations are - Belgium, Brazil (1983), Bulgaria (1998) China (1985), Ecuador (1990), Finland (1989), Germany (1981), India (1983), Italy (1987), Japan, South Korea (1989), Netherlands (1990), Peru (1989), Poland (1977), Russia, South Africa, Spain (1988), Sweden (1988), Ukraine (1992), Uruguay (1985), and the US; non-consultative members, with year of accession in parentheses, are - Austria (1987), Canada (1988), Colombia (1989), Cuba (1984), Czech Republic (1993), Denmark (1965), Estonia (2001), Greece (1987), Guatemala (1991), Hungary (1984), North Korea (1987), Papua New Guinea (1981), Romania (1971), Slovakia (1993), Switzerland (1990), Turkey (1995), and Venezuela (1999); Article 1 - area to be used for peaceful purposes only; military activity, such as weapons testing, is prohibited, but military personnel and equipment may be used for scientific research or any other peaceful purpose; Article 2 - freedom of scientific investigation and cooperation shall continue; Article 3 - free exchange of information and personnel, cooperation with the UN and other international agencies; Article 4 - does not recognize, dispute, or establish territorial claims and no new claims shall be asserted while the treaty is in force; Article 5 - prohibits nuclear explosions or disposal of radioactive wastes; Article 6 - includes under the treaty all land and ice shelves south of 60 degrees 00 minutes south and reserves high seas rights; Article 7 - treaty-state observers have free access, including aerial observation, to any area and may inspect all stations, installations, and equipment; advance notice of all expeditions and of the introduction of military personnel must be given; Article 8 - allows for jurisdiction over observers and scientists by their own states; Article 9 - frequent consultative meetings take place among member nations; Article 10 - treaty states will discourage activities by any country in Antarctica that are contrary to the treaty; Article 11 - disputes to be settled peacefully by the parties concerned or, ultimately, by the ICJ; Articles 12, 13, 14 - deal with upholding, interpreting, and amending the treaty among involved nations; other agreements - some 200 recommendations adopted at treaty consultative meetings and ratified by governments include - Agreed Measures for Fauna and Flora (1964) which were later incorporated into the Environmental Protocol; Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Seals (1972); Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (1980); a mineral resources agreement was signed in 1988 but remains unratified; the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty was signed 4 October 1991 and entered into force 14 January 1998; this agreement provides for the protection of the Antarctic environment through five specific annexes: 1) environmental impact assessment, 2) conservation of Antarctic fauna and flora, 3) waste disposal and waste management, 4) prevention of marine pollution, and 5) area protection and management; it prohibits all activities relating to mineral resources except scientific research; a permanent Antarctic Treaty Secretariat was established in 2004 in Buenos Aires, Argentina

Legal system:

Antarctica is administered through meetings of the consultative

member nations; decisions from these meetings are carried out by

these member nations (with respect to their own nationals and

operations) in accordance with their own national laws; US law,

including certain criminal offenses by or against US nationals, such

as murder, may apply extra-territorially; some US laws directly

apply to Antarctica; for example, the Antarctic Conservation Act, 16

U.S.C. section 2401 et seq., provides civil and criminal penalties

for the following activities, unless authorized by regulation of

statute: the taking of native mammals or birds; the introduction of

nonindigenous plants and animals; entry into specially protected

areas; the discharge or disposal of pollutants; and the importation

into the US of certain items from Antarctica; violation of the

Antarctic Conservation Act carries penalties of up to $10,000 in

fines and one year in prison; the National Science Foundation and

Department of Justice share enforcement responsibilities; Public Law

95-541, the US Antarctic Conservation Act of 1978, as amended in

1996, requires expeditions from the US to Antarctica to notify, in

advance, the Office of Oceans, Room 5805, Department of State,

Washington, DC 20520, which reports such plans to other nations as

required by the Antarctic Treaty; for more information, contact

Permit Office, Office of Polar Programs, National Science

Foundation, Arlington, Virginia 22230; telephone: (703) 292-8030, or

visit their website at www.nsf.gov; more generally, access to the

Antarctic Treaty area, that is to all areas between 60 and 90

degrees latitude South, is subject to a number of relevant legal

instruments and authorization procedures adopted by the states party

to the Antarctic Treaty.

Economy Antarctica

Economy - overview:

Fishing off the coast and tourism, both based abroad, account for

the limited economic activity. Antarctic fisheries in 2000-01 (1

July-30 June) reported landing 112,934 metric tons. Unregulated

fishing, particularly of Patagonian toothfish, is a serious problem.

The Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living

Resources determines the recommended catch limits for marine

species. A total of 13,571 tourists visited in the 2002-03 antarctic

summer, up from the 11,588 visitors the previous year. Nearly all of

them were passengers on commercial (nongovernmental) ships and

several yachts that make trips during the summer. Most tourist trips

last approximately two weeks.

Communications Antarctica

Telephones - main lines in use:

0

note: information for US bases only (2001)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

NA

Telephone system:

general assessment: local systems at some research stations

domestic: NA

international: country code - 672; via satellite (mobile Inmarsat

and Iridium system) from some research stations

Radio broadcast stations:

AM NA, FM 2, shortwave 1

note: information for US bases only (2002)

Radios:

NA

Television broadcast stations:

1 (cable system with six channels; American Forces Antarctic

Network-McMurdo)

note: information for US bases only (2002)

Televisions:

several hundred at McMurdo Station (US)

note: information for US bases only (2001)

Internet country code:

.aq

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

NA

Transportation Antarctica

Ports and harbors:

there are no developed ports and harbors in Antarctica; most

coastal stations have offshore anchorages, and supplies are

transferred from ship to shore by small boats, barges, and

helicopters; a few stations have a basic wharf facility; US coastal

stations include McMurdo (77 51 S, 166 40 E), Palmer (64 43 S, 64 03

W); government use only except by permit (see Permit Office under

"Legal System"); all ships at port are subject to inspection in

accordance with Article 7, Antarctic Treaty; offshore anchorage is

sparse and intermittent; relevant legal instruments and

authorization procedures adopted by the states party to the

Antarctic Treaty regulating access to the Antarctic Treaty area, to

all areas between 60 and 90 degrees of latitude South, have to be

complied with (see "Legal System") (2004)

Airports:

there are no developed public access airports or landing

facilities; 30 stations, operated by 16 national governments party

to the Antarctic Treaty, have restricted aircraft landing facilities

for either helicopters or fixed-wing aircraft; commercial

enterprises operate two additional aircraft landing facilities;

helicopter pads are available at 27 stations; runways at 15

locations are gravel, sea-ice, blue-ice, or compacted snow suitable

for landing wheeled, fixed-wing aircraft; of these, one is greater

than 3 km in length, six are between 2 km and 3 km in length, three

are between 1 km and 2 km in length, three are less than 1 km in

length, and two are of unknown length; snow surface skiways, limited

to use by ski-equipped, fixed-wing aircraft, are available at

another 15 locations; of these, four are greater than 3 km in

length, three are between 2 km and 3 km in length, two are between 1

km and 2 km in length, two are less than 1 km in length, and four

are of unknown length; aircraft landing facilities generally subject

to severe restrictions and limitations resulting from extreme

seasonal and geographic conditions; aircraft landing facilities do

not meet ICAO standards; advance approval from the respective

governmental or nongovernmental operating organization required for

using their facilities; landed aircraft are subject to inspection in

accordance with Article 7, Antarctic Treaty; guidelines for the

operation of aircraft near concentrations of birds in Antarctica

were adopted in 2004; relevant legal instruments and authorization

procedures adopted by states party to the Antarctic Treaty

regulating access to the Antarctic Treaty area, that is to all areas

between 60 and 90 degrees of latitude South, have to be complied

with (see information under "Legal System"); an Antarctic Flight

Information Manual (AFIM) providing up-to-date details of Antarctic

air facilities and procedures is maintained and published by the

Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 20 over 3,047 m: 6 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 6 (2004 est.)

Heliports:

27 stations have restricted helicopter landing facilities

(helipads) (2004 est.)

Military Antarctica

Military - note:

the Antarctic Treaty prohibits any measures of a military nature,

such as the establishment of military bases and fortifications, the

carrying out of military maneuvers, or the testing of any type of

weapon; it permits the use of military personnel or equipment for

scientific research or for any other peaceful purposes

Transnational Issues Antarctica

Disputes - international:

Antarctic Treaty freezes claims (see Antarctic Treaty Summary in

Government type entry); Argentina, Australia, Chile, France, NZ,

Norway, and UK claim land and maritime sectors (some overlapping)

for a large portion of the continent; the US and many other states

do not recognize these territorial claims and have made no claims

themselves (the US and Russia reserve the right to do so); no claims

have been made in the sector between 90 degrees west and 150 degrees

west; several states with territorial claims in Antarctica have

expressed their intention to submit data to the UN Commission on the

Limits of the Continental Shelf to extend their continental shelf

claims to adjoining undersea ridges

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Antigua and Barbuda

Introduction Antigua and Barbuda

Background:

The Siboney were the first to inhabit the islands of Antigua and

Barbuda in 2400 B.C., but Arawak and Carib Indians populated the

islands when Columbus landed on his second voyage in 1493. Early

settlements by the Spanish and French were succeeded by the English

who formed a colony in 1667. Slavery, established to run the sugar

plantations on Antigua, was abolished in 1834. The islands became an

independent state within the British Commonwealth of Nations in 1981.

Geography Antigua and Barbuda

Location:

Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic

Ocean, east-southeast of Puerto Rico

Geographic coordinates:

17 03 N, 61 48 W

Map references:

Central America and the Caribbean

Area:

total: 442.6 sq km (Antigua 280 sq km; Barbuda 161 sq km)

land: 442.6 sq km

water: 0 sq km

note: includes Redonda, 1.6 sq km

Area - comparative:

2.5 times the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries:

0 km

Coastline:

153 km

Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin

Climate:

tropical maritime; little seasonal temperature variation

Terrain:

mostly low-lying limestone and coral islands, with some higher

volcanic areas

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m

highest point: Boggy Peak 402 m

Natural resources:

NEGL; pleasant climate fosters tourism

Land use:

arable land: 18.18%

permanent crops: 4.55%

other: 77.27% (2001)

Irrigated land:

NA

Natural hazards:

hurricanes and tropical storms (July to October); periodic droughts

Environment - current issues: water management - a major concern because of limited natural fresh water resources - is further hampered by the clearing of trees to increase crop production, causing rainfall to run off quickly

Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

Antigua has a deeply indented shoreline with many natural harbors

and beaches; Barbuda has a very large western harbor

People Antigua and Barbuda

Population:

68,722 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 27.9% (male 9,767/female 9,427)

15-64 years: 68% (male 23,466/female 23,250)

65 years and over: 4.1% (male 1,085/female 1,727) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 29.67 years

male: 29.19 years

female: 30.15 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

0.57% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

17.26 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

5.44 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

-6.11 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.63 male(s)/female

total population: 1 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 19.46 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 23.43 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 15.29 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 71.9 years

male: 69.53 years

female: 74.38 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

2.26 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

NA

Nationality: noun: Antiguan(s), Barbudan(s) adjective: Antiguan, Barbudan

Ethnic groups:

black, British, Portuguese, Lebanese, Syrian

Religions:

Christian, (predominantly Anglican with other Protestant, and some

Roman Catholic)

Languages:

English (official), local dialects

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over has completed five or more years of

schooling

total population: 89%

male: 90%

female: 88% (1960 est.)

Government Antigua and Barbuda

Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Antigua and Barbuda

Government type:

constitutional monarchy with UK-style parliament

Capital:

Saint John's (Antigua)

Administrative divisions:

6 parishes and 2 dependencies*; Barbuda*, Redonda*, Saint George,

Saint John, Saint Mary, Saint Paul, Saint Peter, Saint Philip

Independence:

1 November 1981 (from UK)

National holiday:

Independence Day (National Day), 1 November (1981)

Constitution:

1 November 1981

Legal system:

based on English common law

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952),

represented by Governor General Sir James B. CARLISLE (since 10 June

1993)

head of government: Prime Minister Winston Baldwin SPENCER (since 24

March 2004)

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the governor general on

the advice of the prime minister

elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor general chosen

by the monarch on the advice of the prime minister; following

legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the

leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister

by the governor general

Legislative branch:

bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (17-member body

appointed by the governor general) and the House of Representatives

(17 seats; members are elected by proportional representation to

serve five-year terms)

elections: House of Representatives - last held 23 March 2004 (next

to be held NA 2009)

election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -

ALP 4, UPP 13

Judicial branch:

Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (based in Saint Lucia; one judge of

the Supreme Court is a resident of the islands and presides over the

Court of Summary Jurisdiction)

Political parties and leaders:

Antigua Labor Party or ALP [Lester Bryant BIRD]; Barbuda People's

Movement or BPM [Thomas H. FRANK]; United Progressive Party or UPP

[Baldwin SPENCER] (a coalition of three opposition parties - United

National Democratic Party or UNDP, Antigua Caribbean Liberation

Movement or ACLM, and Progressive Labor Movement or PLM)

Political pressure groups and leaders:

Antigua Trades and Labor Union or ATLU [William ROBINSON]; People's

Democratic Movement or PDM [Hugh MARSHALL]

International organization participation:

ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM,

IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO (subscriber),

ITU, OAS, OECS, OPANAL, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO,

WIPO, WMO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Lionel A. HURST chancery: 3216 New Mexico Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016 telephone: [1] (202) 362-5122 FAX: [1] (202) 362-5225 consulate(s) general: Miami

Diplomatic representation from the US: the US does not have an embassy in Antigua and Barbuda (embassy closed 30 June 1994); the US Ambassador to Barbados is accredited to Antigua and Barbuda

Flag description:

red, with an inverted isosceles triangle based on the top edge of

the flag; the triangle contains three horizontal bands of black

(top), light blue, and white, with a yellow rising sun in the black

band

Economy Antigua and Barbuda

Economy - overview:

Tourism continues to dominate the economy, accounting for more than

half of GDP. Weak tourist arrival numbers since early 2000 have

slowed the economy, however, and pressed the government into a tight

fiscal corner. The dual-island nation's agricultural production is

focused on the domestic market and constrained by a limited water

supply and a labor shortage stemming from the lure of higher wages

in tourism and construction. Manufacturing comprises enclave-type

assembly for export with major products being bedding, handicrafts,

and electronic components. Prospects for economic growth in the

medium term will continue to depend on income growth in the

industrialized world, especially in the US, which accounts for

slightly more than one-third of tourist arrivals.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$750 million (2002 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

3% (2002 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $11,000 (2002 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 3.9% industry: 19.2% services: 76.8% (2002)

Labor force:

30,000

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 7%, industry 11%, services 82% (1983)

Unemployment rate:

11% (2001 est.)

Population below poverty line:

NA

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

0.4% (2000 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $123.7 million

expenditures: $145.9 million, including capital expenditures of NA

(2000 est.)

Agriculture - products:

cotton, fruits, vegetables, bananas, coconuts, cucumbers, mangoes,

sugarcane; livestock

Industries:

tourism, construction, light manufacturing (clothing, alcohol,

household appliances)

Industrial production growth rate:

6% (1997 est.)

Electricity - production:

110.8 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

103 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

3,600 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Exports:

$689 million (2002)

Exports - commodities:

petroleum products 48%, manufactures 23%, machinery and transport

equipment 17%, food and live animals 4%, other 8%

Exports - partners:

Poland 47.8%, UK 24.6%, Germany 8.7% (2004)

Imports:

$692 million (2002 est.)

Imports - commodities:

food and live animals, machinery and transport equipment,

manufactures, chemicals, oil

Imports - partners:

China 19.5%, US 18.7%, Singapore 14.8%, Poland 8.5%, Trinidad and

Tobago 4.7% (2004)

Debt - external:

$231 million (1999)

Economic aid - recipient:

$2.3 million (1995)

Currency (code):

East Caribbean dollar (XCD)

Currency code:

XCD

Exchange rates:

East Caribbean dollars per US dollar - 2.7 (2004), 2.7 (2003), 2.7

(2002), 2.7 (2001), 2.7 (2000)

note: fixed rate since 1976

Fiscal year:

1 April - 31 March

Communications Antigua and Barbuda

Telephones - main lines in use:

38,000 (2002)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

38,200 (2002)

Telephone system:

general assessment: NA

domestic: good automatic telephone system

international: country code - 1-268; 1 coaxial submarine cable;

satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); tropospheric

scatter to Saba (Netherlands Antilles) and Guadeloupe

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 4, FM 2, shortwave 0 (1998)

Radios:

36,000 (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

2 (1997)

Televisions:

31,000 (1997)

Internet country code:

.ag

Internet hosts:

1,665 (2003)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

16 (2000)

Internet users:

10,000 (2002)

Transportation Antigua and Barbuda

Highways:

total: 250 km (1999 est.)

Ports and harbors:

Saint John's

Merchant marine:

total: 980 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 5,873,626 GRT/7,683,143 DWT

by type: bulk carrier 33, cargo 630, chemical tanker 9, container

272, liquefied gas 9, petroleum tanker 1, refrigerated cargo 8, roll

on/roll off 17, vehicle carrier 1

foreign-owned: 923 (Australia 2, Bangladesh 4, Belgium 4, Colombia

2, Denmark 8, Estonia 2, Germany 849, Iceland 5, Latvia 5, Lebanon

2, Lithuania 1, Netherlands 11, Norway 3, Philippines 1, Russia 1,

Slovenia 5, Sweden 1, Switzerland 5, Turkey 4, United Kingdom 1,

United States 7) (2005)

Airports:

3 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 2

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1

under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 1

under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Military Antigua and Barbuda

Military branches:

Royal Antigua and Barbuda Defense Force: Infantry, Coast Guard

(2004)

Military service age and obligation:

18 years of age (est.); no conscript military service (2001)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

NA

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

NA

Transnational Issues Antigua and Barbuda

Disputes - international:

none

Illicit drugs:

considered a minor transshipment point for narcotics bound for the

US and Europe; more significant as an offshore financial center

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Arctic Ocean

Introduction Arctic Ocean

Background:

The Arctic Ocean is the smallest of the world's five oceans (after

the Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, and the recently

delimited Southern Ocean). The Northwest Passage (US and Canada) and

Northern Sea Route (Norway and Russia) are two important seasonal

waterways. A sparse network of air, ocean, river, and land routes

circumscribes the Arctic Ocean.

Geography Arctic Ocean

Location:

body of water between Europe, Asia, and North America, mostly north

of the Arctic Circle

Geographic coordinates:

90 00 N, 0 00 E

Map references:

Arctic Region

Area:

total: 14.056 million sq km

note: includes Baffin Bay, Barents Sea, Beaufort Sea, Chukchi Sea,

East Siberian Sea, Greenland Sea, Hudson Bay, Hudson Strait, Kara

Sea, Laptev Sea, Northwest Passage, and other tributary water bodies

Area - comparative:

slightly less than 1.5 times the size of the US

Coastline:

45,389 km

Climate:

polar climate characterized by persistent cold and relatively

narrow annual temperature ranges; winters characterized by

continuous darkness, cold and stable weather conditions, and clear

skies; summers characterized by continuous daylight, damp and foggy

weather, and weak cyclones with rain or snow

Terrain:

central surface covered by a perennial drifting polar icepack that,

on average, is about 3 meters thick, although pressure ridges may be

three times that thickness; clockwise drift pattern in the Beaufort

Gyral Stream, but nearly straight-line movement from the New

Siberian Islands (Russia) to Denmark Strait (between Greenland and

Iceland); the icepack is surrounded by open seas during the summer,

but more than doubles in size during the winter and extends to the

encircling landmasses; the ocean floor is about 50% continental

shelf (highest percentage of any ocean) with the remainder a central

basin interrupted by three submarine ridges (Alpha Cordillera,

Nansen Cordillera, and Lomonosov Ridge)

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Fram Basin -4,665 m

highest point: sea level 0 m

Natural resources:

sand and gravel aggregates, placer deposits, polymetallic nodules,

oil and gas fields, fish, marine mammals (seals and whales)

Natural hazards:

ice islands occasionally break away from northern Ellesmere Island;

icebergs calved from glaciers in western Greenland and extreme

northeastern Canada; permafrost in islands; virtually ice locked

from October to June; ships subject to superstructure icing from

October to May

Environment - current issues:

endangered marine species include walruses and whales; fragile

ecosystem slow to change and slow to recover from disruptions or

damage; thinning polar icepack

Geography - note:

major chokepoint is the southern Chukchi Sea (northern access to

the Pacific Ocean via the Bering Strait); strategic location between

North America and Russia; shortest marine link between the extremes

of eastern and western Russia; floating research stations operated

by the US and Russia; maximum snow cover in March or April about 20

to 50 centimeters over the frozen ocean; snow cover lasts about 10

months

Economy Arctic Ocean

Economy - overview:

Economic activity is limited to the exploitation of natural

resources, including petroleum, natural gas, fish, and seals.

Transportation Arctic Ocean

Ports and harbors:

Churchill (Canada), Murmansk (Russia), Prudhoe Bay (US)

Transportation - note:

sparse network of air, ocean, river, and land routes; the Northwest

Passage (North America) and Northern Sea Route (Eurasia) are

important seasonal waterways

Transnational Issues Arctic Ocean

Disputes - international: some maritime disputes (see littoral states)

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Argentina

Introduction Argentina

Background:

Following independence from Spain in 1816, Argentina experienced

periods of internal political conflict between conservatives and

liberals and between civilian and military factions. After World War

II, a long period of Peronist authoritarian rule and interference in

subsequent governments was followed by a military junta that took

power in 1976. Democracy returned in 1983, and numerous elections

since then have underscored Argentina's progress in democratic

consolidation.

Geography Argentina

Location:

Southern South America, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between

Chile and Uruguay

Geographic coordinates:

34 00 S, 64 00 W

Map references:

South America

Area:

total: 2,766,890 sq km

land: 2,736,690 sq km

water: 30,200 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly less than three-tenths the size of the US

Land boundaries:

total: 9,665 km

border countries: Bolivia 832 km, Brazil 1,224 km, Chile 5,150 km,

Paraguay 1,880 km, Uruguay 579 km

Coastline:

4,989 km

Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin

Climate:

mostly temperate; arid in southeast; subantarctic in southwest

Terrain:

rich plains of the Pampas in northern half, flat to rolling plateau

of Patagonia in south, rugged Andes along western border

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Laguna del Carbon -105 m (located between Puerto San

Julian and Comandante Luis Piedra Buena in the province of Santa

Cruz)

highest point: Cerro Aconcagua 6,960 m (located in the northwestern

corner of the province of Mendoza)

Natural resources:

fertile plains of the pampas, lead, zinc, tin, copper, iron ore,

manganese, petroleum, uranium

Land use: arable land: 12.31% permanent crops: 0.48% other: 87.21% (2001)

Irrigated land:

15,610 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

San Miguel de Tucuman and Mendoza areas in the Andes subject to

earthquakes; pamperos are violent windstorms that can strike the

pampas and northeast; heavy flooding

Environment - current issues: environmental problems (urban and rural) typical of an industrializing economy such as deforestation, soil degradation, desertification, air pollution, and water pollution note: Argentina is a world leader in setting voluntary greenhouse gas targets

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living

Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate

Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered

Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the

Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution,

Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation

Geography - note:

second-largest country in South America (after Brazil); strategic

location relative to sea lanes between the South Atlantic and the

South Pacific Oceans (Strait of Magellan, Beagle Channel, Drake

Passage); Cerro Aconcagua is South America's tallest mountain, while

Laguna del Carbon is the lowest point in the Western Hemisphere

People Argentina

Population:

39,537,943 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 25.6% (male 5,170,721/female 4,938,171)

15-64 years: 63.9% (male 12,626,711/female 12,627,026)

65 years and over: 10.6% (male 1,712,117/female 2,463,197) (2005

est.)

Median age: total: 29.42 years male: 28.52 years female: 30.4 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

0.98% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

16.9 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

7.56 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

0.4 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female

total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 15.18 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 17.07 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 13.19 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 75.91 years

male: 72.17 years

female: 79.85 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

2.19 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

0.7% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

130,000 (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

1,500 (2003 est.)

Nationality:

noun: Argentine(s)

adjective: Argentine

Ethnic groups:

white (mostly Spanish and Italian) 97%, mestizo (mixed white and

Amerindian ancestry), Amerindian, or other non-white groups 3%

Religions:

nominally Roman Catholic 92% (less than 20% practicing), Protestant

2%, Jewish 2%, other 4%

Languages:

Spanish (official), English, Italian, German, French

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 97.1%

male: 97.1%

female: 97.1% (2003 est.)

Government Argentina

Country name:

conventional long form: Argentine Republic

conventional short form: Argentina

local long form: Republica Argentina

local short form: Argentina

Government type:

republic

Capital:

Buenos Aires

Administrative divisions:

23 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia), and 1 autonomous

city* (distrito federal); Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires Capital

Federal*, Catamarca, Chaco, Chubut, Cordoba, Corrientes, Entre Rios,

Formosa, Jujuy, La Pampa, La Rioja, Mendoza, Misiones, Neuquen, Rio

Negro, Salta, San Juan, San Luis, Santa Cruz, Santa Fe, Santiago del

Estero, Tierra del Fuego - Antartida e Islas del Atlantico Sur,

Tucuman

note: the US does not recognize any claims to Antarctica

Independence:

9 July 1816 (from Spain)

National holiday:

Revolution Day, 25 May (1810)

Constitution:

1 May 1853; revised August 1994

Legal system:

mixture of US and West European legal systems; has not accepted

compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal and compulsory

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Nestor KIRCHNER (since 25 May 2003); Vice

President Daniel SCIOLI (since 25 May 2003); note - the president is

both the chief of state and head of government

head of government: President Nestor KIRCHNER (since 25 May 2003);

Vice President Daniel SCIOLI (since 25 May 2003); note - the

president is both the chief of state and head of government

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president

elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket

by popular vote for four-year terms; election last held 27 April

2003 (next election to be held NA 2007)

election results: results of the presidential election of 27 April

2003: Carlos Saul MENEM 24.3%, Nestor KIRCHNER 22%, Ricardo Lopez

MURPHY 16.4%, Adolfo Rodriguez SAA 14.4%, Elisa CARRIO 14.2%, other

8.7%; the subsequent runoff election slated for 25 May 2003 was

awarded to KIRCHNER by default after MENEM withdrew his candidacy on

the eve of the election

Legislative branch:

bicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional consists of the

Senate (72 seats; members are elected by direct vote; presently

one-third of the members elected every two years to a six-year term)

and the Chamber of Deputies (257 seats; members are elected by

direct vote; one-half of the members elected every two years to a

four-year term)

elections: Senate - last held intermittently by province during the

2nd half of 2003 (next to be held NA 2005); Chamber of Deputies -

last held intermittently by province during the 2nd half of 2003

(next to be held NA 2005)

election results: Senate - percent of vote by bloc or party - NA%;

seats by bloc or party - PJ 41, UCR 16, provincial parties 15;

Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by bloc or party - NA%; seats

by bloc or party - PJ 133, UCR 46, IF 23, ARI 11, Socialist 6,

other/provincial parties 38

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (the nine Supreme Court judges are

appointed by the president with approval by the Senate)

Political parties and leaders:

Action for the Republic or AR [Domingo CAVALLO]; Alternative for a

Republic of Equals or ARI [Elisa CARRIO]; Federal Recreate Movement

or RECREAR [Ricardo LOPEZ MURPHY]; Front for a Country in Solidarity

or Frepaso (a four-party coalition) [Dario Pedro ALESSANDRO];

Interbloque Federal or IF (a broad coalition of approximately 12

parties including RECREAR) [leader NA]; Justicialist Party or PJ

(Peronist umbrella political organization) [leader NA]; Radical

Civic Union or UCR [Angel ROZAS]; Socialist Party or PS [Ruben

GIUSTINIANI]; Union For All [Patricia BULLRICH]; several provincial

parties

Political pressure groups and leaders:

Argentine Association of Pharmaceutical Labs (CILFA); Argentine

Industrial Union (manufacturers' association); Argentine Rural

Society (large landowners' association); business organizations;

Central of Argentine Workers or CTA (a radical union for employed

and unemployed workers); General Confederation of Labor or CGT

(Peronist-leaning umbrella labor organization); Peronist-dominated

labor movement; Roman Catholic Church; students

International organization participation:

AfDB, Australia Group, BCIE, BIS, CSN, FAO, G-6, G-15, G-24, G-77,

IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC,

IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA,

Mercosur, MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSTAH, NSG, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG,

UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR,

UNIDO, UNMIK, UNMOVIC, UNTSO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO,

WToO, WTO, ZC

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Jose Octavio BORDON

chancery: 1600 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009

telephone: [1] (202) 238-6400

FAX: [1] (202) 332-3171

consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami,

New York

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Lino GUTIERREZ

embassy: Avenida Colombia 4300, C1425GMN Buenos Aires

mailing address: international mail: use street address; APO

address: Unit 4334, APO AA 34034

telephone: [54] (11) 5777-4533

FAX: [54] (11) 5777-4240

Flag description:

three equal horizontal bands of light blue (top), white, and light

blue; centered in the white band is a radiant yellow sun with a

human face known as the Sun of May

Economy Argentina

Economy - overview:

Argentina benefits from rich natural resources, a highly literate

population, an export-oriented agricultural sector, and a

diversified industrial base. Over the past decade, however, the

country has suffered problems of inflation, external debt, capital

flight, and budget deficits. Growth in 2000 was a negative 0.8%, as

both domestic and foreign investors remained skeptical of the

government's ability to pay debts and maintain the peso's fixed

exchange rate with the US dollar. The economic situation worsened in

2001 with the widening of spreads on Argentine bonds, massive

withdrawals from the banks, and a further decline in consumer and

investor confidence. Government efforts to achieve a "zero deficit,"

to stabilize the banking system, and to restore economic growth

proved inadequate in the face of the mounting economic problems. The

peso's peg to the dollar was abandoned in January 2002, and the peso

was floated in February; the exchange rate plunged and real GDP fell

by 10.9% in 2002, but by mid-year the economy had stabilized, albeit

at a lower level. GDP expanded by more than 8% in 2003 and again in

2004, with unemployment falling and inflation remaining in single

digits.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$483.5 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

8.3% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $12,400 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 10.6% industry: 35.9% services: 53.5% (2004 est.)

Labor force:

15.04 million (2004 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture NA%, industry NA%, services NA%

Unemployment rate:

14.8% (2004 est.)

Population below poverty line:

44.3% (June 2004)

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA%

highest 10%: NA%

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

6.1% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

18.3% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $29.15 billion

expenditures: $26.84 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Public debt:

118% of GDP (June 2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

sunflower seeds, lemons, soybeans, grapes, corn, tobacco, peanuts,

tea, wheat; livestock

Industries:

food processing, motor vehicles, consumer durables, textiles,

chemicals and petrochemicals, printing, metallurgy, steel

Industrial production growth rate:

12% (2004 est.)

Electricity - production:

81.39 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 52.2% hydro: 40.8% nuclear: 6.7% other: 0.2% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

81.65 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

2.818 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

8.775 billion kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

755,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Oil - consumption:

486,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Oil - proved reserves:

2.9 billion bbl (2004 est.)

Natural gas - production:

37.15 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - consumption:

31.1 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - exports:

6.05 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - imports:

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves:

768 billion cu m (2004)

Current account balance:

$5.473 billion (2004 est.)

Exports:

$33.78 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

edible oils, fuels and energy, cereals, feed, motor vehicles

Exports - partners:

Brazil 15.3%, Chile 10.7%, US 10.2%, China 8.7%, Spain 4.4% (2004)

Imports:

$22.06 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

machinery and equipment, motor vehicles, chemicals, metal

manufactures, plastics

Imports - partners:

Brazil 36.2%, US 16.6%, Germany 5.7%, China 4.3% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$19.47 billion (2004 est.)

Debt - external:

$157.7 billion (2004 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:

$10 billion (2001 est.)

Currency (code):

Argentine peso (ARS)

Currency code:

ARS

Exchange rates:

Argentine pesos per US dollar - 2.9233 (2004), 2.9006 (2003),

3.0633 (2002), 0.9995 (2001), 0.9995 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Argentina

Telephones - main lines in use:

8,009,400 (2002)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

6.5 million (2002)

Telephone system:

general assessment: by opening the telecommunications market to

competition and foreign investment with the "Telecommunications

Liberalization Plan of 1998," Argentina encouraged the growth of

modern telecommunication technology; fiber-optic cable trunk lines

are being installed between all major cities; the major networks are

entirely digital and the availability of telephone service is being

improved; however, telephone density is presently minimal, and

making telephone service universally available will take time

domestic: microwave radio relay, fiber-optic cable, and a domestic

satellite system with 40 earth stations serve the trunk network;

more than 110,000 pay telephones are installed and mobile telephone

use is rapidly expanding

international: country code - 54; satellite earth stations - 8

Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); Atlantis II and Unisur submarine cables;

two international gateways near Buenos Aires (1999)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 260 (including 10 inactive stations), FM NA (probably more than

1,000, mostly unlicensed), shortwave 6 (1998)

Radios:

24.3 million (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

42 (plus 444 repeaters) (1997)

Televisions:

7.95 million (1997)

Internet country code:

.ar

Internet hosts:

742,358 (2003)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

33 (2000)

Internet users:

4.1 million (2002)

Transportation Argentina

Railways:

total: 34,091 km (167 km electrified)

broad gauge: 20,594 km 1.676-m gauge (141 km electrified)

standard gauge: 2,885 km 1.435-m gauge (26 km electrified)

narrow gauge: 10,375 km 1.000-m gauge; 237 km 0.750-m gauge (2004)

Highways:

total: 215,471 km

paved: 63,348 km (including 734 km of expressways)

unpaved: 152,123 km (1999)

Waterways:

11,000 km (2004)

Pipelines:

gas 27,166 km; liquid petroleum gas 41 km; oil 3,668 km; refined

products 2,945 km; unknown (oil/water) 13 km (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Bahia Blanca, Buenos Aires, Concepcion del Uruguay, La Plata, Punta

Colorada, Rosario, San Lorenzo-San Martin, San Nicolas

Merchant marine:

total: 26 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 149,007 GRT/212,620 DWT

by type: bulk carrier 2, cargo 9, chemical tanker 1, passenger 1,

passenger/cargo 3, petroleum tanker 7, refrigerated cargo 2, roll

on/roll off 1

foreign-owned: 2 (Chile 1, Uruguay 1)

registered in other countries: 23 (2005)

Airports:

1,334 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 144

over 3,047 m: 4

2,438 to 3,047 m: 26

1,524 to 2,437 m: 62

914 to 1,523 m: 44

under 914 m: 8 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 1,190

over 3,047 m: 2

2,438 to 3,047 m: 2

1,524 to 2,437 m: 50

914 to 1,523 m: 569

under 914 m: 567 (2004 est.)

Military Argentina

Military branches:

Argentine Army, Navy of the Argentine Republic (includes Naval

Aviation and Marines), Argentine Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Argentina,

FAA)

Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2001)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 18-49: 8,981,886 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: 7,316,038 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:

males: 344,575 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$4.3 billion (FY99)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

1.3% (FY00)

Military - note:

the Argentine military is a well-organized force constrained by the

country's prolonged economic hardship; the country has recently

experienced a strong recovery, and the military is now implementing

"Plan 2000," aimed at making the ground forces lighter and more

responsive (2005)

Transnational Issues Argentina

Disputes - international:

Argentina claims the UK-administered Falkland Islands (Islas

Malvinas) and South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands in its

constitution; it briefly occupied the Falklands in 1982, but in 1995

agreed no longer to seek settlement by force; territorial claim in

Antarctica partially overlaps UK and Chilean claims (see Antarctic

disputes); unruly region at convergence of Argentina-Brazil-Paraguay

borders is locus of money laundering, smuggling, arms and illegal

narcotics trafficking, and fundraising for extremist organizations;

uncontested dispute between Brazil and Uruguay over Braziliera

Island in the Quarai/Cuareim River leaves the tripoint with

Argentina in question

Illicit drugs:

used as a transshipment country for cocaine headed for Europe and

the US; some money-laundering activity, especially in the Tri-Border

Area; domestic consumption of drugs in urban centers is increasing

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Armenia

Introduction Armenia

Background:

Armenia prides itself on being the first nation to formally adopt

Christianity (early 4th century). Despite periods of autonomy, over

the centuries Armenia came under the sway of various empires

including the Roman, Byzantine, Arab, Persian, and Ottoman. It was

incorporated into Russia in 1828 and the USSR in 1920. Armenian

leaders remain preoccupied by the long conflict with Muslim

Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh, a primarily Armenian-populated

region, assigned to Soviet Azerbaijan in the 1920s by Moscow.

Armenia and Azerbaijan began fighting over the area in 1988; the

struggle escalated after both countries attained independence from

the Soviet Union in 1991. By May 1994, when a cease-fire took hold,

Armenian forces held not only Nagorno-Karabakh but also a

significant portion of Azerbaijan proper. The economies of both

sides have been hurt by their inability to make substantial progress

toward a peaceful resolution. Turkey imposed an economic blockade on

Armenia and closed the common border because of the Armenian

occupation of Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding areas.

Geography Armenia

Location:

Southwestern Asia, east of Turkey

Geographic coordinates:

40 00 N, 45 00 E

Map references:

Asia

Area:

total: 29,800 sq km

land: 28,400 sq km

water: 1,400 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly smaller than Maryland

Land boundaries:

total: 1,254 km

border countries: Azerbaijan-proper 566 km, Azerbaijan-Naxcivan

exclave 221 km, Georgia 164 km, Iran 35 km, Turkey 268 km

Coastline:

0 km (landlocked)

Maritime claims:

none (landlocked)

Climate:

highland continental, hot summers, cold winters

Terrain:

Armenian Highland with mountains; little forest land; fast flowing

rivers; good soil in Aras River valley

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Debed River 400 m

highest point: Aragats Lerrnagagat' 4,090 m

Natural resources:

small deposits of gold, copper, molybdenum, zinc, alumina

Land use: arable land: 17.55% permanent crops: 2.3% other: 80.15% (2001)

Irrigated land:

2,870 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

occasionally severe earthquakes; droughts

Environment - current issues:

soil pollution from toxic chemicals such as DDT; the energy crisis

of the 1990s led to deforestation when citizens scavenged for

firewood; pollution of Hrazdan (Razdan) and Aras Rivers; the

draining of Sevana Lich (Lake Sevan), a result of its use as a

source for hydropower, threatens drinking water supplies; restart of

Metsamor nuclear power plant in spite of its location in a

seismically active zone

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate

Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the

Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants

Geography - note:

landlocked in the Lesser Caucasus Mountains; Sevana Lich (Lake

Sevan) is the largest lake in this mountain range

People Armenia

Population:

2,982,904 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 21.6% (male 339,453/female 305,214)

15-64 years: 67.5% (male 938,734/female 1,074,240)

65 years and over: 10.9% (male 131,519/female 193,744) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 30.07 years

male: 27.45 years

female: 32.84 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

-0.25% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

11.76 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

8.16 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

-6.1 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.17 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.11 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.87 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.68 male(s)/female

total population: 0.9 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 23.28 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 28.51 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 17.13 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 71.55 years

male: 67.97 years

female: 75.75 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

1.32 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

0.1% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

2,600 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

less than 200 (2003 est.)

Nationality:

noun: Armenian(s)

adjective: Armenian

Ethnic groups:

Armenian 97.9%, Yezidi (Kurd) 1.3%, Russian 0.5%, other 0.3% (2001

census)

Religions:

Armenian Apostolic 94.7%, other Christian 4%, Yezidi (monotheist

with elements of nature worship) 1.3%

Languages:

Armenian 97.7%, Yezidi 1%, Russian 0.9%, other 0.4% (2001 census)

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 98.6%

male: 99.4%

female: 98% (2003 est.)

Government Armenia

Country name:

conventional long form: Republic of Armenia

conventional short form: Armenia

local long form: Hayastani Hanrapetut'yun

local short form: Hayastan

former: Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic; Armenian Republic

Government type:

republic

Capital:

Yerevan

Administrative divisions:

11 provinces (marzer, singular - marz); Aragatsotn, Ararat,

Armavir, Geghark'unik', Kotayk', Lorri, Shirak, Syunik', Tavush,

Vayots' Dzor, Yerevan

Independence:

21 September 1991 (from Soviet Union)

National holiday:

Independence Day, 21 September (1991)

Constitution:

adopted by nationwide referendum 5 July 1995

Legal system:

based on civil law system

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Robert KOCHARIAN (since 30 March 1998)

head of government: Prime Minister Andranik MARGARYAN (since 12 May

2000)

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister

elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;

election last held 19 February and 5 March 2003 (next to be held NA

2008); prime minister appointed by the president; the prime minister

and Council of Ministers must resign if the National Assembly

refuses to accept their program

election results: Robert KOCHARIAN reelected president; percent of

vote - Robert KOCHARIAN 67.5%, Stepan DEMIRCHYAN 32.5%

Legislative branch:

unicameral National Assembly (Parliament) or Azgayin Zhoghov (131

seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms; 75

members elected by party list, 56 by direct vote)

elections: last held 25 May 2003 (next to be held in the spring of

2007)

note: percent of vote by party - Republican Party 23.5%, Justice

Bloc 13.6%, Rule of Law 12.3%, ARF (Dashnak) 11.4%, National Unity

Party 8.8%, United Labor Party 5.7%; seats by party - Republican

Party 23, Justice Bloc 14, Rule of Law 12, ARF (Dashnak) 11,

National Unity 9, United Labor 6; note - seats by party change

frequently as deputies switch parties or announce themselves

independent

Judicial branch:

Constitutional Court; Court of Cassation (Appeals Court)

Political parties and leaders:

Agro-Industrial Party [Vladimir BADALIAN]; Armenia Party [Myasnik

MALKHASYAN]; Armenian National Movement or ANM [Alex ARZUMANYAN,

chairman]; Armenian Ramkavar Liberal Party or HRAK [Harutyun

MIRZAKHANYAN, chairman]; Armenian Revolutionary Federation

("Dashnak" Party) or ARF [Vahan HOVHANISSIAN]; Democratic Party

[Aram SARKISYAN]; Justice Bloc (comprised of the Democratic Party,

National Democratic Party, National Democratic Union, and the

People's Party) [Stepan DEMIRCHYAN]; National Democratic Party

[Shavarsh KOCHARIAN]; National Democratic Union or NDU [Vazgen

MANUKIAN]; National Unity Party [Artashes GEGAMIAN, chairman];

People's Party of Armenia [Stepan DEMIRCHYAN]; Republic Party

[Albert BAZEYAN and Aram SARKISYAN, chairmen]; Republican Party or

RPA [Andranik MARKARYAN]; Rule of Law Party [Artur BAGDASARIAN,

chairman]; Union of Constitutional Rights [Hrant KHACHATURYAN];

United Labor Party [Gurgen ARSENIAN]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

Yerkrapah Union [Manvel GRIGORIAN]

International organization participation:

BSEC, CE, CIS, EAPC, EBRD, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory),

ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU,

MIGA, NAM (observer), OAS (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD,

UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Tatoul MARKARIAN chancery: 2225 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 319-1976 FAX: [1] (202) 319-2982 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador John M. EVANS

embassy: 18 Baghramyan Ave., Yerevan 375019

mailing address: American Embassy Yerevan, Department of State, 7020

Yerevan Place, Washington, DC 20521-7020

telephone: [374](1) 521-611, 520-791, 542-117, 542-132, 524-661,

527-001, 524-840

FAX: [374](1) 520-800

Flag description:

three equal horizontal bands of red (top), blue, and orange

Economy Armenia

Economy - overview:

Under the old Soviet central planning system, Armenia had developed

a modern industrial sector, supplying machine tools, textiles, and

other manufactured goods to sister republics in exchange for raw

materials and energy. Since the implosion of the USSR in December

1991, Armenia has switched to small-scale agriculture away from the

large agroindustrial complexes of the Soviet era. The agricultural

sector has long-term needs for more investment and updated

technology. The privatization of industry has been at a slower pace,

but has been given renewed emphasis by the current administration.

Armenia is a food importer, and its mineral deposits (copper, gold,

bauxite) are small. The ongoing conflict with Azerbaijan over the

ethnic Armenian-dominated region of Nagorno-Karabakh and the breakup

of the centrally directed economic system of the former Soviet Union

contributed to a severe economic decline in the early 1990s. By

1994, however, the Armenian Government had launched an ambitious

IMF-sponsored economic liberalization program that resulted in

positive growth rates in 1995-2003. Armenia joined the WTO in

January 2003. Armenia also has managed to slash inflation, stabilize

the local currency (the dram), and privatize most small- and

medium-sized enterprises. The chronic energy shortages Armenia

suffered in the early and mid-1990s have been offset by the energy

supplied by one of its nuclear power plants at Metsamor. Armenia is

now a net energy exporter, although it does not have sufficient

generating capacity to replace Metsamor, which is under

international pressure to close. The electricity distribution system

was privatized in 2002. Armenia's severe trade imbalance has been

offset somewhat by international aid and foreign direct investment.

Economic ties with Russia remain close, especially in the energy

sector.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$13.65 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

9% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $4,600 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 22.9% industry: 36.1% services: 41.1% (2004 est.)

Labor force:

1.4 million (2001)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 45%, industry 25%, services 30% (2002 est.)

Unemployment rate:

30% (2003 est.)

Population below poverty line:

50% (2002 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.3% highest 10%: 46.2% (1999)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

44.4 (1996)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

3.5% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

19.8% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $428.1 million

expenditures: $491.2 million, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

fruit (especially grapes), vegetables; livestock

Industries:

diamond-processing, metal-cutting machine tools, forging-pressing

machines, electric motors, tires, knitted wear, hosiery, shoes, silk

fabric, chemicals, trucks, instruments, microelectronics, jewelry

manufacturing, software development, food processing, brandy

Industrial production growth rate:

15% (2002 est.)

Electricity - production:

6.492 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 42.3% hydro: 27% nuclear: 30.7% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption: 5.797 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports: 704 million kWh; note - exports an unknown quantity to Georgia; includes exports to Nagorno-Karabakh region in Azerbaijan (2002)

Electricity - imports:

463 million kWh; note - imports an unknown quantity from Iran (2002)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

5,700 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Natural gas - production:

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - consumption:

1.4 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - exports:

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - imports:

1.4 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Current account balance:

$-240.4 million (2004 est.)

Exports:

$850 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

diamonds, mineral products, foodstuffs, energy

Exports - partners:

Belgium 18%, Israel 15.3%, Germany 13.3%, Russia 12.5%, US 8.1%,

Netherlands 7.2%, Iran 5.5%, Georgia 4.3%, UAE 4% (2004)

Imports:

$1.3 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

natural gas, petroleum, tobacco products, foodstuffs, diamonds

Imports - partners:

Russia 11.3%, Belgium 10.1%, Israel 8.4%, US 7.6%, Iran 7.1%, UAE

6.1%, Ukraine 5.9%, Italy 5.5%, Germany 5.2%, Georgia 4.6%, France

4.5% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$555 million (2004 est.)

Debt - external:

$905 million (June 2001)

Economic aid - recipient:

ODA $170 million (2000)

Currency (code):

dram (AMD)

Currency code:

AMD

Exchange rates:

drams per US dollar - 533.45 (2004), 578.76 (2003), 573.35 (2002),

555.08 (2001), 539.53 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Armenia

Telephones - main lines in use:

562,600 (2003)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

114,400 (2003)

Telephone system:

general assessment: system inadequate; now 90% privately owned and

undergoing modernization and expansion

domestic: the majority of subscribers and the most modern equipment

are in Yerevan (this includes paging and mobile cellular service)

international: country code - 374; Yerevan is connected to the

Trans-Asia-Europe fiber-optic cable through Iran; additional

international service is available by microwave radio relay and

landline connections to the other countries of the Commonwealth of

Independent States and through the Moscow international switch and

by satellite to the rest of the world; satellite earth stations - 1

Intelsat (2000)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 9, FM 6, shortwave 1 (1998)

Radios:

850,000 (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

3 (plus an unknown number of repeaters); (1998)

Televisions:

825,000 (1997)

Internet country code:

.am

Internet hosts:

2,206 (2004)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

9 (2001)

Internet users:

150,000 (2003)

Transportation Armenia

Railways:

total: 845 km

broad gauge: 845 km 1.520-m gauge (828 km electrified)

note: some lines are out of service (2004)

Highways:

total: 8,431 km

paved: 8,161 km (includes 7,567 km of expressways)

unpaved: 270 km (2002)

Pipelines:

gas 1,871 km (2004)

Airports:

16 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 11 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 3 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 5

1,524 to 2,437 m: 2

914 to 1,523 m: 2

under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Military Armenia

Military branches:

Army, Air Force, Air Defense Force

Military service age and obligation: 18-27 years of age for compulsory military service, conscript service obligation - 12 months; 18 years of age for voluntary military service (May 2004)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 18-49: 722,836 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: 551,938 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:

males: 31,774 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$135 million (FY01)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

6.5% (FY01)

Transnational Issues Armenia

Disputes - international:

Armenia supports ethnic Armenian secessionists in Nagorno-Karabakh

and since the early 1990s, has militarily occupied 16% of Azerbaijan

- Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE)

continues to mediate dispute; over 800,000 mostly ethnic

Azerbaijanis were driven from the occupied lands and Armenia; about

230,000 ethnic Armenians were driven from their homes in Azerbaijan

into Armenia; Azerbaijan seeks transit route through Armenia to

connect to Naxcivan exclave; border with Turkey remains closed over

Nagorno-Karabakh dispute; ethnic Armenian groups in Javakheti region

of Georgia seek greater autonomy; tens of thousands of Armenians

emigrate, primarily to Russia, to seek employment

Refugees and internally displaced persons:

refugees (country of origin): 236,306 (Azerbaijan)

IDPs: 50,000 (conflict with Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh) (2004)

Illicit drugs:

illicit cultivation of small amount of cannabis for domestic

consumption; used as a transit point for illicit drugs - mostly

opium and hashish - moving from Southwest Asia to Russia and to a

lesser extent the rest of Europe

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Aruba

Introduction Aruba

Background:

Discovered and claimed for Spain in 1499, Aruba was acquired by the

Dutch in 1636. The island's economy has been dominated by three main

industries. A 19th century gold rush was followed by prosperity

brought on by the opening in 1924 of an oil refinery. The last

decades of the 20th century saw a boom in the tourism industry.

Aruba seceded from the Netherlands Antilles in 1986 and became a

separate, autonomous member of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

Movement toward full independence was halted at Aruba's request in

1990.

Geography Aruba

Location:

Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, north of Venezuela

Geographic coordinates:

12 30 N, 69 58 W

Map references:

Central America and the Caribbean

Area:

total: 193 sq km

land: 193 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly larger than Washington, DC

Land boundaries:

0 km

Coastline:

68.5 km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 12 nm

Climate:

tropical marine; little seasonal temperature variation

Terrain:

flat with a few hills; scant vegetation

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m

highest point: Mount Jamanota 188 m

Natural resources:

NEGL; white sandy beaches

Land use:

arable land: 10.53% (including aloe 0.01%)

permanent crops: 0%

other: 89.47% (2001)

Irrigated land:

0.01 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

lies outside the Caribbean hurricane belt

Environment - current issues:

NA

Geography - note:

a flat, riverless island renowned for its white sand beaches; its

tropical climate is moderated by constant trade winds from the

Atlantic Ocean; the temperature is almost constant at about 27

degrees Celsius (81 degrees Fahrenheit)

People Aruba

Population:

71,566 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 19.9% (male 7,308/female 6,960)

15-64 years: 68.2% (male 23,736/female 25,068)

65 years and over: 11.9% (male 3,486/female 5,008) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 38 years

male: 36.07 years

female: 39.7 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

0.47% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

11.26 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

6.57 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female

total population: 0.93 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 5.89 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 6.71 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 5.03 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 79.14 years

male: 75.8 years

female: 82.65 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

1.79 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

NA

Nationality: noun: Aruban(s) adjective: Aruban; Dutch

Ethnic groups:

mixed white/Caribbean Amerindian 80%

Religions:

Roman Catholic 82%, Protestant 8%, Hindu, Muslim, Confucian, Jewish

Languages:

Dutch (official), Papiamento (a Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, English

dialect), English (widely spoken), Spanish

Literacy: definition: total population: 97% male: NA% female: NA%

Government Aruba

Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Aruba

Dependency status:

part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands; full autonomy in internal

affairs obtained in 1986 upon separation from the Netherlands

Antilles; Dutch Government responsible for defense and foreign

affairs

Government type:

parliamentary democracy

Capital:

Oranjestad

Administrative divisions:

none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands)

Independence:

none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands)

National holiday:

Flag Day, 18 March

Constitution:

1 January 1986

Legal system:

based on Dutch civil law system, with some English common law

influence

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: Queen BEATRIX of the Netherlands (since 30 April

1980), represented by Governor General Fredis REFUNJOL (since 11 May

2004)

head of government: Prime Minister Nelson O. ODUBER (since 30

October 2001)

cabinet: Council of Ministers (elected by the Staten)

elections: the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed for

a six-year term by the monarch; prime minister and deputy prime

minister elected by the Staten for four-year terms; election last

held 28 September 2001 (next to be held by December 2005)

election results: Nelson O. ODUBER elected prime minister; percent

of legislative vote - NA

Legislative branch:

unicameral Legislature or Staten (21 seats; members elected by

direct, popular vote to serve four-year terms)

elections: last held 23 September 2005 (next to be held by NA 2009)

election results: percent of vote by party - MEP 43%, AVP 32%, MPA

7%, RED 7%, PDR 6%, OLA 4%, PPA 2%; seats by party - MEP 11, AVP 8,

MPA 1, RED 1

Judicial branch:

Common Court of Justice of Aruba (judges are appointed by the

monarch)

Political parties and leaders:

Aliansa/Aruban Social Movement or MSA [Robert WEVER]; Aruban

Liberal Organization or OLA [Glenbert CROES]; Aruban Patriotic

Movement or MPA [Monica ARENDS-KOCK]; Aruban Patriotic Party or PPA

[Benny NISBET]; Aruban People's Party or AVP [Mike EMAN]; People's

Electoral Movement Party or MEP [Nelson O. ODUBER]; Real Democracy

or PDR [Andin BIKKER]; RED [Rudy LAMPE]; Workers Political Platform

or PTT [Gregorio WOLFF]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

NA

International organization participation:

ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, UNESCO (associate), UPU, WCL, WToO

(associate)

Diplomatic representation in the US: none (represented by the Kingdom of the Netherlands); note - Mr. Henry Baarh, Minister Plenipotentiary for Aruba at the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands

Diplomatic representation from the US:

the US does not have an embassy in Aruba; the Consul General to

Netherlands Antilles is accredited to Aruba

Flag description:

blue, with two narrow, horizontal, yellow stripes across the lower

portion and a red, four-pointed star outlined in white in the upper

hoist-side corner

Economy Aruba

Economy - overview:

Tourism is the mainstay of the small, open Aruban economy, with

offshore banking and oil refining and storage also important. The

rapid growth of the tourism sector over the last decade has resulted

in a substantial expansion of other activities. Construction has

boomed, with hotel capacity five times the 1985 level. In addition,

the reopening of the country's oil refinery in 1993, a major source

of employment and foreign exchange earnings, has further spurred

growth. Aruba's small labor force and exceptionally low unemployment

rate have led to a large number of unfilled job vacancies, despite

sharp rises in wage rates in recent years. Tourist arrivals have

declined in the aftermath of the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks

on the US. The government now must deal with a budget deficit and a

negative trade balance.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$1.94 billion (2002 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

-1.5% (2002 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $28,000 (2002 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA%

Labor force: 41,500 (1997 est.)

Labor force - by occupation: most employment is in wholesale and retail trade and repair, followed by hotels and restaurants; oil refining

Unemployment rate:

0.6% (2003 est.)

Population below poverty line:

NA

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

3.2% (2002 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $135.8 million

expenditures: $147 million, including capital expenditures of NA

(2000)

Agriculture - products:

aloes; livestock; fish

Industries:

tourism, transshipment facilities, oil refining

Industrial production growth rate:

NA%

Electricity - production:

807.7 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

751.2 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

6,500 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Exports:

$128 million f.o.b. (including oil reexports) (2002 est.)

Exports - commodities:

live animals and animal products, art and collectibles, machinery

and electrical equipment, transport equipment

Exports - partners:

Netherlands 28.5%, Panama 17.5%, Venezuela 14.7%, Netherlands

Antilles 11.2%, Colombia 10.7%, US 10.4% (2004)

Imports:

$841 million f.o.b. (2002 est.)

Imports - commodities:

machinery and electrical equipment, crude oil for refining and

reexport, chemicals; foodstuffs

Imports - partners:

US 55.5%, Netherlands 14.1%, Venezuela 3.3% (2004)

Debt - external:

$285 million (1996)

Economic aid - recipient:

$26 million (1995); note - the Netherlands provided a $127 million

aid package to Aruba and Suriname in 1996

Currency (code):

Aruban guilder/florin (AWG)

Currency code:

AWG

Exchange rates:

Aruban guilders/florins per US dollar - 1.79 (2004), 1.79 (2003),

1.79 (2002), 1.79 (2001), 1.79 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Aruba

Telephones - main lines in use:

37,100 (2002)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

53,000 (2001)

Telephone system:

general assessment: modern fully automatic telecommunications system

domestic: increased competition through privatization; 3 wireless

service providers are now licensed

international: country code - 297; 1 submarine cable to Sint Maarten

(Netherlands Antilles); extensive interisland microwave radio relay

links

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 2, FM 16, shortwave 0 (2004)

Radios:

50,000 (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

1 (1997)

Televisions:

20,000 (1997)

Internet country code:

.aw

Internet hosts:

923 (2001)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

NA

Internet users:

24,000 (2002)

Transportation Aruba

Highways:

total: 800 km

paved: 513 km

unpaved: 287 km

note: most coastal roads are paved, while unpaved roads serve large

tracts of the interior (1995)

Ports and harbors:

Barcadera, Oranjestad, Sint Nicolaas

Airports:

1 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Military Aruba

Military branches:

no regular indigenous military forces; Royal Dutch Navy and

Marines, Coast Guard

Military - note:

defense is the responsibility of the Kingdom of the Netherlands

Transnational Issues Aruba

Disputes - international:

none

Illicit drugs:

transit point for US- and Europe-bound narcotics with some

accompanying money-laundering activity

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Ashmore and Cartier Islands

Introduction Ashmore and Cartier Islands

Background:

These uninhabited islands came under Australian authority in 1931;

formal administration began two years later. Ashmore Reef supports a

rich and diverse avian and marine habitat; in 1983, it became a

National Nature Reserve. Cartier Island, a former bombing range, is

now a marine reserve.

Geography Ashmore and Cartier Islands

Location:

Southeastern Asia, islands in the Indian Ocean, midway between

northwestern Australia and Timor island

Geographic coordinates:

12 14 S, 123 05 E

Map references:

Southeast Asia

Area:

total: 5 sq km

land: 5 sq km

water: 0 sq km

note: includes Ashmore Reef (West, Middle, and East Islets) and

Cartier Island

Area - comparative:

about eight times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC

Land boundaries:

0 km

Coastline:

74.1 km

Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 12 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm

Climate:

tropical

Terrain:

low with sand and coral

Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 3 m

Natural resources: fish

Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (all grass and sand) (2001)

Irrigated land:

0 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

surrounded by shoals and reefs that can pose maritime hazards

Environment - current issues:

NA

Geography - note:

Ashmore Reef National Nature Reserve established in August 1983

People Ashmore and Cartier Islands

Population:

no indigenous inhabitants

note: Indonesian fishermen are allowed access to the lagoon and

fresh water at Ashmore Reef's West Island (July 2005 est.)

People - note:

the landing of illegal immigrants from Indonesia's Rote Island has

become an ongoing problem

Government Ashmore and Cartier Islands

Country name:

conventional long form: Territory of Ashmore and Cartier Islands

conventional short form: Ashmore and Cartier Islands

Dependency status:

territory of Australia; administered by the Australian Department

of Transport and Regional Services

Legal system:

the laws of the Commonwealth of Australia and the laws of the

Northern Territory of Australia, where applicable, apply

Diplomatic representation in the US:

none (territory of Australia)

Diplomatic representation from the US:

none (territory of Australia)

Flag description:

the flag of Australia is used

Economy Ashmore and Cartier Islands

Economy - overview: no economic activity

Transportation Ashmore and Cartier Islands

Ports and harbors: none; offshore anchorage only

Military Ashmore and Cartier Islands

Military - note:

defense is the responsibility of Australia; periodic visits by the

Royal Australian Navy and Royal Australian Air Force

Transnational Issues Ashmore and Cartier Islands

Disputes - international:

Indonesian groups challenge Australia's claim to Ashmore Reef;

Australia closed the surrounding waters to Indonesian traditional

fishing and created a national park in the region while continuing

to prospect for hydrocarbons in the vicinity

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Atlantic Ocean

Introduction Atlantic Ocean

Background:

The Atlantic Ocean is the second largest of the world's five oceans

(after the Pacific Ocean, but larger than the Indian Ocean, Southern

Ocean, and Arctic Ocean). The Kiel Canal (Germany), Oresund

(Denmark-Sweden), Bosporus (Turkey), Strait of Gibraltar

(Morocco-Spain), and the Saint Lawrence Seaway (Canada-US) are

important strategic access waterways. The decision by the

International Hydrographic Organization in the spring of 2000 to

delimit a fifth world ocean, the Southern Ocean, removed the portion

of the Atlantic Ocean south of 60 degrees south.

Geography Atlantic Ocean

Location:

body of water between Africa, Europe, the Southern Ocean, and the

Western Hemisphere

Geographic coordinates:

0 00 N, 25 00 W

Map references:

Political Map of the World

Area:

total: 76.762 million sq km

note: includes Baltic Sea, Black Sea, Caribbean Sea, Davis Strait,

Denmark Strait, part of the Drake Passage, Gulf of Mexico, Labrador

Sea, Mediterranean Sea, North Sea, Norwegian Sea, almost all of the

Scotia Sea, and other tributary water bodies

Area - comparative:

slightly less than 6.5 times the size of the US

Coastline:

111,866 km

Climate:

tropical cyclones (hurricanes) develop off the coast of Africa near

Cape Verde and move westward into the Caribbean Sea; hurricanes can

occur from May to December, but are most frequent from August to

November

Terrain:

surface usually covered with sea ice in Labrador Sea, Denmark

Strait, and coastal portions of the Baltic Sea from October to June;

clockwise warm-water gyre (broad, circular system of currents) in

the northern Atlantic, counterclockwise warm-water gyre in the

southern Atlantic; the ocean floor is dominated by the Mid-Atlantic

Ridge, a rugged north-south centerline for the entire Atlantic basin

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Milwaukee Deep in the Puerto Rico Trench -8,605 m

highest point: sea level 0 m

Natural resources:

oil and gas fields, fish, marine mammals (seals and whales), sand

and gravel aggregates, placer deposits, polymetallic nodules,

precious stones

Natural hazards:

icebergs common in Davis Strait, Denmark Strait, and the

northwestern Atlantic Ocean from February to August and have been

spotted as far south as Bermuda and the Madeira Islands; ships

subject to superstructure icing in extreme northern Atlantic from

October to May; persistent fog can be a maritime hazard from May to

September; hurricanes (May to December)

Environment - current issues:

endangered marine species include the manatee, seals, sea lions,

turtles, and whales; drift net fishing is hastening the decline of

fish stocks and contributing to international disputes; municipal

sludge pollution off eastern US, southern Brazil, and eastern

Argentina; oil pollution in Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, Lake

Maracaibo, Mediterranean Sea, and North Sea; industrial waste and

municipal sewage pollution in Baltic Sea, North Sea, and

Mediterranean Sea

Geography - note:

major chokepoints include the Dardanelles, Strait of Gibraltar,

access to the Panama and Suez Canals; strategic straits include the

Strait of Dover, Straits of Florida, Mona Passage, The Sound

(Oresund), and Windward Passage; the Equator divides the Atlantic

Ocean into the North Atlantic Ocean and South Atlantic Ocean

Economy Atlantic Ocean

Economy - overview:

The Atlantic Ocean provides some of the world's most heavily

trafficked sea routes, between and within the Eastern and Western

Hemispheres. Other economic activity includes the exploitation of

natural resources, e.g., fishing, dredging of aragonite sands (The

Bahamas), and production of crude oil and natural gas (Caribbean

Sea, Gulf of Mexico, and North Sea).

Transportation Atlantic Ocean

Ports and harbors:

Alexandria (Egypt), Algiers (Algeria), Antwerp (Belgium), Barcelona

(Spain), Buenos Aires (Argentina), Casablanca (Morocco), Colon

(Panama), Copenhagen (Denmark), Dakar (Senegal), Gdansk (Poland),

Hamburg (Germany), Helsinki (Finland), Las Palmas (Canary Islands,

Spain), Le Havre (France), Lisbon (Portugal), London (UK), Marseille

(France), Montevideo (Uruguay), Montreal (Canada), Naples (Italy),

New Orleans (US), New York (US), Oran (Algeria), Oslo (Norway),

Peiraiefs or Piraeus (Greece), Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), Rotterdam

(Netherlands), Saint Petersburg (Russia), Stockholm (Sweden)

Transportation - note:

Kiel Canal and Saint Lawrence Seaway are two important waterways;

significant domestic commercial and recreational use of Intracoastal

Waterway on central and south Atlantic seaboard and Gulf of Mexico

coast of US

Transnational Issues Atlantic Ocean

Disputes - international: some maritime disputes (see littoral states)

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Australia

Introduction Australia

Background:

Aboriginal settlers arrived on the continent from Southeast Asia

about 40,000 years before the first Europeans began exploration in

the 17th century. No formal territorial claims were made until 1770,

when Capt. James COOK took possession in the name of Great Britain.

Six colonies were created in the late 18th and 19th centuries; they

federated and became the Commonwealth of Australia in 1901. The new

country took advantage of its natural resources to rapidly develop

its agricultural and manufacturing industries and to make a major

contribution to the British effort in World Wars I and II. In recent

decades, Australia has transformed itself into an internationally

competitive, advanced market economy. It boasted one of the OECD's

fastest growing economies during the 1990's, a performance due in

large part to economic reforms adopted in the 1980's. Long-term

concerns include pollution, particularly depletion of the ozone

layer, and management and conservation of coastal areas, especially

the Great Barrier Reef.

Geography Australia

Location:

Oceania, continent between the Indian Ocean and the South Pacific

Ocean

Geographic coordinates:

27 00 S, 133 00 E

Map references:

Oceania

Area:

total: 7,686,850 sq km

land: 7,617,930 sq km

water: 68,920 sq km

note: includes Lord Howe Island and Macquarie Island

Area - comparative:

slightly smaller than the US contiguous 48 states

Land boundaries:

0 km

Coastline:

25,760 km

Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin

Climate:

generally arid to semiarid; temperate in south and east; tropical

in north

Terrain:

mostly low plateau with deserts; fertile plain in southeast

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Lake Eyre -15 m

highest point: Mount Kosciuszko 2,229 m

Natural resources:

bauxite, coal, iron ore, copper, tin, gold, silver, uranium,

nickel, tungsten, mineral sands, lead, zinc, diamonds, natural gas,

petroleum

Land use:

arable land: 6.55% (includes about 27 million hectares of

cultivated grassland)

permanent crops: 0.04%

other: 93.41% (2001)

Irrigated land:

24,000 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

cyclones along the coast; severe droughts; forest fires

Environment - current issues:

soil erosion from overgrazing, industrial development,

urbanization, and poor farming practices; soil salinity rising due

to the use of poor quality water; desertification; clearing for

agricultural purposes threatens the natural habitat of many unique

animal and plant species; the Great Barrier Reef off the northeast

coast, the largest coral reef in the world, is threatened by

increased shipping and its popularity as a tourist site; limited

natural fresh water resources

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living

Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate

Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental

Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping,

Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution,

Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol

Geography - note:

world's smallest continent but sixth-largest country; population

concentrated along the eastern and southeastern coasts; the

invigorating tropical sea breeze known as the "Fremantle Doctor"

affects the city of Perth on the west coast, and is one of the most

consistent winds in the world

People Australia

Population:

20,090,437 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 19.8% (male 2,038,809/female 1,943,563)

15-64 years: 67.2% (male 6,815,600/female 6,695,189)

65 years and over: 12.9% (male 1,145,274/female 1,452,002) (2005

est.)

Median age: total: 36.56 years male: 35.74 years female: 37.4 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

0.87% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

12.26 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

7.44 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

3.91 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.79 male(s)/female

total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 4.69 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 5.08 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 4.27 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 80.39 years

male: 77.52 years

female: 83.4 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

1.76 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

0.1% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

14,000 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

less than 200 (2003 est.)

Nationality:

noun: Australian(s)

adjective: Australian

Ethnic groups:

Caucasian 92%, Asian 7%, aboriginal and other 1%

Religions:

Catholic 26.4%, Anglican 20.5%, other Christian 20.5%, Buddhist

1.9%, Muslim 1.5%, other 1.2%, unspecified 12.7%, none 15.3% (2001

Census)

Languages:

English 79.1%, Chinese 2.1%, Italian 1.9%, other 11.1%, unspecified

5.8% (2001 Census)

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 100%

male: 100%

female: 100% (1980 est.)

Government Australia

Country name:

conventional long form: Commonwealth of Australia

conventional short form: Australia

Government type:

democratic, federal-state system recognizing the British monarch as

sovereign

Capital:

Canberra

Administrative divisions:

6 states and 2 territories*; Australian Capital Territory*, New

South Wales, Northern Territory*, Queensland, South Australia,

Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia

Dependent areas:

Ashmore and Cartier Islands, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling)

Islands, Coral Sea Islands, Heard Island and McDonald Islands,

Norfolk Island, Macquarie Island

Independence:

1 January 1901 (federation of UK colonies)

National holiday:

Australia Day, 26 January (1788)

Constitution:

9 July 1900, effective 1 January 1901

Legal system:

based on English common law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction,

with reservations

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal and compulsory

Executive branch:

chief of state: Queen of Australia ELIZABETH II (since 6 February

1952), represented by Governor General Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Michael

JEFFERY (since 11 August 2003)

head of government: Prime Minister John Winston HOWARD (since 11

March 1996); Deputy Prime Minister Mark VAILE (since 6 July 2005)

cabinet: Prime Minister nominates, from among members of Parliament,

candidates who are subsequently sworn in by the Governor General to

serve as government ministers

elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor general

appointed by the monarch on the recommendation of the prime

minister; following legislative elections, the leader of the

majority party or leader of a majority coalition is sworn in as

prime minister by the governor general

note: government coalition - Liberal Party and National Party

Legislative branch:

bicameral Federal Parliament consists of the Senate (76 seats - 12

from each of the six states and two from each of the two mainland

territories; one-half of state members are elected every three years

by popular vote to serve six-year terms while all territory members

are elected every three years) and the House of Representatives (150

seats; members elected by popular preferential voting to serve terms

of up to three-years; no state can have fewer than five

representatives)

elections: Senate - last held 9 October 2004 (next to be held no

later than June 2008); House of Representatives - last held 9

October 2004 (next to be called no later than November 2007)

election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by

party (for session beginning on 1 July 2005) - Liberal

Party-National Party coalition 39, Australian Labor Party 28,

Democrats 4, Australian Greens 4, Family First Party 1; House of

Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -

Liberal Party-National Party coalition 87, Australian Labor Party

60, independents 3

Judicial branch:

High Court (the chief justice and six other justices are appointed

by the governor general)

Political parties and leaders:

Australian Democrats [Lyn ALLISON]; Australian Labor Party [Kim

BEAZLEY]; Australian Progressive Alliance [Meg LEES]; Australian

Greens [Bob BROWN]; Liberal Party [John Winston HOWARD]; The

Nationals [Mark VAILE]; One Nation Party [Len HARRIS]; Family First

Party [Steve FIELDING]

International organization participation:

ANZUS, APEC, ARF, AsDB, ASEAN (dialogue partner), Australia Group,

BIS, C, CP, EBRD, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM,

IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM,

ISO, ITU, MIGA, NAM (guest), NEA, NSG, OECD, OPCW, Paris Club, PCA,

PIF, Sparteca, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNMEE, UNMISET, UNTSO,

UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, WToO, ZC

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Michael J. THAWLEY

chancery: 1601 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036

telephone: [1] (202) 797-3000

FAX: [1] (202) 797-3168

consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Chicago, Honolulu, Los Angeles, New

York, and San Francisco

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: William A. STANTON, Charge d'Affaires ad interim

embassy: Moonah Place, Yarralumla, Canberra, Australian Capital

Territory 2600

mailing address: APO AP 96549

telephone: [61] (02) 6214-5600

FAX: [61] (02) 6214-5970

consulate(s) general: Melbourne, Perth, Sydney

Flag description:

blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and a

large seven-pointed star in the lower hoist-side quadrant known as

the Commonwealth Star, representing the federation of the colonies

of Australia in 1901; the star depicts one point for each of the six

original states and one representing all of Australia's internal and

external territories; the remaining half is a representation of the

Southern Cross constellation in white with one small five-pointed

star and four larger, seven-pointed stars

Economy Australia

Economy - overview:

Australia has an enviable Western-style capitalist economy, with a

per capita GDP on par with the four dominant West European

economies. Rising output in the domestic economy, robust business

and consumer confidence, and rising exports of raw materials and

agricultural products are fueling the economy. Australia's emphasis

on reforms, low inflation, and growing ties with China are other key

factors behind the economy's strength. The impact of drought, weak

foreign demand, and strong import demand pushed the trade deficit up

from $8 billion in 2002, to $18 billion in 2003, and to $13 billion

in 2004. One other concern is the rapid increase in domestic housing

prices, which have raised the prospect that interest rates will need

to be raised to prevent a speculative bubble.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$611.7 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

3.5% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $30,700 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 3.4% industry: 28.2% services: 68.4% (2004 est.)

Labor force:

10.35 million (2004 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 3.6%, industry 26.4%, services 70% (2004 est.)

Unemployment rate:

5.1% (December 2004 est.)

Population below poverty line:

NA

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: 2%

highest 10%: 25.4% (1994)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

35.2 (1994)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

2.3% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

25.3% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $222.7 billion

expenditures: $221.7 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Public debt:

17.4% of GDP (2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

wheat, barley, sugarcane, fruits; cattle, sheep, poultry

Industries:

mining, industrial and transportation equipment, food processing,

chemicals, steel

Industrial production growth rate:

1.9% (2004 est.)

Electricity - production:

210.3 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 90.8% hydro: 8.3% nuclear: 0% other: 0.9% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

195.6 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

537,500 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Oil - consumption:

796,500 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

523,400 bbl/day (2001)

Oil - imports:

530,800 bbl/day (2001)

Oil - proved reserves:

3.664 billion bbl (1 January 2002)

Natural gas - production:

33.08 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - consumption:

23.33 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - exports:

9.744 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - imports:

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves:

2.407 trillion cu m (1 January 2002)

Current account balance:

$-38.3 billion (2004 est.)

Exports:

$86.89 billion (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

coal, gold, meat, wool, alumina, iron ore, wheat, machinery and

transport equipment

Exports - partners:

Japan 18.6%, China 9.2%, US 8.1%, South Korea 7.7%, New Zealand

7.4%, India 4.6%, UK 4.2% (2004)

Imports:

$98.1 billion (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

machinery and transport equipment, computers and office machines,

telecommunication equipment and parts; crude oil and petroleum

products

Imports - partners:

US 14.8%, China 12.7%, Japan 11.8%, Germany 5.8%, Singapore 4.4%,

UK 4.1% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$35.14 billion (2004 est.)

Debt - external:

$308.7 billion (3rd quarter, 2004 est.)

Economic aid - donor:

ODA, $894 million (FY99/00)

Currency (code):

Australian dollar (AUD)

Currency code:

AUD

Exchange rates:

Australian dollars per US dollar - 1.3598 (2004), 1.5419 (2003),

1.8406 (2002), 1.9334 (2001), 1.7248 (2000)

Fiscal year:

1 July - 30 June

Communications Australia

Telephones - main lines in use:

10.815 million (2003)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

14.347 million (2003)

Telephone system:

general assessment: excellent domestic and international service

domestic: domestic satellite system; much use of radiotelephone in

areas of low population density; rapid growth of mobile cellular

telephones

international: country code - 61; submarine cables to New Zealand,

Papua New Guinea, and Indonesia; satellite earth stations - 10

Intelsat (4 Indian Ocean and 6 Pacific Ocean), 2 Inmarsat (Indian

and Pacific Ocean regions) (1998)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 262, FM 345, shortwave 1 (1998)

Radios:

25.5 million (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

104 (1997)

Televisions:

10.15 million (1997)

Internet country code:

.au

Internet hosts:

2,847,763 (2003)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

571 (2002)

Internet users:

9.472 million (2002)

Transportation Australia

Railways:

total: 54,439 km (3859 km electrified)

broad gauge: 5,434 km 1.600-m gauge

standard gauge: 34,110 km 1.435-m gauge (1,397 km electrified)

narrow gauge: 14,895 km 1.067-m gauge (2,462 km electrified)

dual gauge: 213 km dual gauge (2004)

Highways:

total: 811,603 km

paved: 314,090 km (including 18,619 km of expressways)

unpaved: 497,513 km (1999 est.)

Waterways:

2,000 km (mainly used for recreation on Murray and Murray-Darling

river systems) (2004)

Pipelines:

condensate/gas 492 km; gas 28,680 km; liquid petroleum gas 240 km;

oil 4,773 km; oil/gas/water 110 km (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Brisbane, Dampier, Fremantle, Gladstone, Hay Point, Melbourne,

Newcastle, Port Hedland, Port Kembla, Port Walcott, Sydney

Merchant marine:

total: 55 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 1,531,461 GRT/1,999,409 DWT

by type: bulk carrier 16, cargo 7, chemical tanker 3, container 1,

liquefied gas 4, passenger 5, passenger/cargo 6, petroleum tanker 8,

roll on/roll off 5

foreign-owned: 16 (France 1, Germany 3, Japan 1, Philippines 1,

Saudi Arabia 1, United Kingdom 2, United States 7)

registered in other countries: 35 (2005)

Airports:

448 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 305 over 3,047 m: 10 2,438 to 3,047 m: 12 1,524 to 2,437 m: 131 914 to 1,523 m: 139 under 914 m: 13 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 143 1,524 to 2,437 m: 17 914 to 1,523 m: 112 under 914 m: 14 (2004 est.)

Military Australia

Military branches:

Australian Defense Force (ADF): Australian Army, Royal Australian

Navy, Royal Australian Air Force, Special Operations Command

Military service age and obligation:

16 years of age for voluntary service (2001)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 16-49: 4,943,676 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 16-49: 4,092,717 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:

males: 142,158 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$16.65 billion (2004)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

2.7% (2004)

Transnational Issues Australia

Disputes - international:

East Timor and Australia continue to meet but disagree over how to

delimit a permanent maritime boundary and share unexploited

petroleum resources that fall outside the Joint Petroleum

Development Area covered by the 2002 Timor Sea Treaty; East Timor

dispute hampers creation of a revised maritime boundary with

Indonesia (see also Ashmore and Cartier Islands dispute); regional

states express concern over Australia's 2004 declaration of a

1,000-nautical mile-wide maritime indentification zone; Australia

asserts land and maritime claims to Antarctica (see Antarctica); in

2004 Australia submitted claims to UNCLOS to extend its continental

margin from both its mainland and Antarctic claims

Illicit drugs:

Tasmania is one of the world's major suppliers of licit opiate

products; government maintains strict controls over areas of opium

poppy cultivation and output of poppy straw concentrate

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Austria

Introduction Austria

Background:

Once the center of power for the large Austro-Hungarian Empire,

Austria was reduced to a small republic after its defeat in World

War I. Following annexation by Nazi Germany in 1938 and subsequent

occupation by the victorious Allies in 1945, Austria's status

remained unclear for a decade. A State Treaty signed in 1955 ended

the occupation, recognized Austria's independence, and forbade

unification with Germany. A constitutional law that same year

declared the country's "perpetual neutrality" as a condition for

Soviet military withdrawal. Following the Soviet Union's collapse in

1991 and Austria's entry into the European Union in 1995, some

Austrians have called into question this neutrality. A prosperous,

democratic country, Austria entered the Economic and Monetary Union

in 1999.

Geography Austria

Location:

Central Europe, north of Italy and Slovenia

Geographic coordinates:

47 20 N, 13 20 E

Map references:

Europe

Area:

total: 83,870 sq km

land: 82,444 sq km

water: 1,426 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly smaller than Maine

Land boundaries:

total: 2,562 km

border countries: Czech Republic 362 km, Germany 784 km, Hungary 366

km, Italy 430 km, Liechtenstein 35 km, Slovakia 91 km, Slovenia 330

km, Switzerland 164 km

Coastline:

0 km (landlocked)

Maritime claims:

none (landlocked)

Climate:

temperate; continental, cloudy; cold winters with frequent rain and

some snow in lowlands and snow in mountains; moderate summers with

occasional showers

Terrain:

in the west and south mostly mountains (Alps); along the eastern

and northern margins mostly flat or gently sloping

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Neusiedler See 115 m

highest point: Grossglockner 3,798 m

Natural resources:

oil, coal, lignite, timber, iron ore, copper, zinc, antimony,

magnesite, tungsten, graphite, salt, hydropower

Land use: arable land: 16.91% permanent crops: 0.86% other: 82.23% (2001)

Irrigated land:

457 sq km (2000 est.)

Natural hazards:

landslides; avalanches; earthquakes

Environment - current issues: some forest degradation caused by air and soil pollution; soil pollution results from the use of agricultural chemicals; air pollution results from emissions by coal- and oil-fired power stations and industrial plants and from trucks transiting Austria between northern and southern Europe

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air

Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85,

Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds,

Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto

Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental

Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer

Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94,

Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

landlocked; strategic location at the crossroads of central Europe

with many easily traversable Alpine passes and valleys; major river

is the Danube; population is concentrated on eastern lowlands

because of steep slopes, poor soils, and low temperatures elsewhere

People Austria

Population:

8,184,691 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 15.6% (male 656,058/female 624,574)

15-64 years: 67.8% (male 2,790,673/female 2,756,612)

65 years and over: 16.6% (male 543,626/female 813,148) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 40.44 years

male: 39.3 years

female: 41.61 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

0.11% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

8.81 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

9.7 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

1.97 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.67 male(s)/female

total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 4.66 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 5.74 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 3.53 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 78.92 years

male: 76.03 years

female: 81.96 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

1.36 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

0.3% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

10,000 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

less than 100 (2003 est.)

Nationality:

noun: Austrian(s)

adjective: Austrian

Ethnic groups:

Austrians 91.1%, former Yugoslavs 4% (includes Croatians, Slovenes,

Serbs, and Bosniaks), Turks 1.6%, German 0.9%, other or unspecified

2.4% (2001 census)

Religions:

Roman Catholic 73.6%, Protestant 4.7%, Muslim 4.2%, other 3.5%,

unspecified 2%, none 12% (2001 census)

Languages:

German (official nationwide), Slovene (official in Carinthia),

Croatian (official in Burgenland), Hungarian (official in Burgenland)

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 98%

male: NA%

female: NA%

Government Austria

Country name:

conventional long form: Republic of Austria

conventional short form: Austria

local long form: Republik Oesterreich

local short form: Oesterreich

Government type:

federal republic

Capital:

Vienna

Administrative divisions:

9 states (Bundeslaender, singular - Bundesland); Burgenland,

Kaernten, Niederoesterreich, Oberoesterreich, Salzburg, Steiermark,

Tirol, Vorarlberg, Wien (Vienna)

Independence:

1156 (Duchy of Austria founded); 12 November 1918 (republic

proclaimed)

National holiday:

National Day, 26 October (1955); note - commemorates the State

Treaty restoring national sovereignty and the end of occupation and

the passage of the law on permanent neutrality

Constitution:

1920; revised 1929 (reinstated 1 May 1945)

Legal system:

civil law system with Roman law origin; judicial review of

legislative acts by the Constitutional Court; separate

administrative and civil/penal supreme courts; accepts compulsory

ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal; compulsory for presidential elections

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Heinz FISCHER (since 8 July 2004)

head of government: Chancellor Wolfgang SCHUESSEL (OeVP)(since 4

February 2000); Vice Chancellor Hubert GORBACH (since 21 October

2003)

cabinet: Council of Ministers chosen by the president on the advice

of the chancellor

elections: president elected by direct popular vote for a six-year

term; presidential election last held 25 April 2004 (next to be held

April 2010); chancellor traditionally chosen by the president from

the plurality party in the National Council; vice chancellor chosen

by the president on the advice of the chancellor

election results: Heinz FISCHER elected president; percent of vote -

Heinz FISCHER (SPOe) 52.4%, Benita FERRERO-WALDNER (OeVP) 47.6%

note: government coalition - OeVP and FPOe

Legislative branch:

bicameral Federal Assembly or Bundesversammlung consists of Federal

Council or Bundesrat (62 members; members represent each of the

states on the basis of population, but with each state having at

least three representatives; members serve a five- or six-year term)

and the National Council or Nationalrat (183 seats; members elected

by direct popular vote to serve four-year terms)

elections: National Council - last held 24 November 2002 (next to be

held in the fall of 2006)

election results: National Council - percent of vote by party - OeVP

42.3%, SPOe 36.5%, FPOe 10.0%, Greens 9.5%; seats by party - OeVP

79, SPOe 69, FPOe 18, Greens 17; seating as of May 2005 after split

within the Freedom Party: OeVP 79, SPOe 69, Greens 17, BZOe 11, FPOe

7

Judicial branch:

Supreme Judicial Court or Oberster Gerichtshof; Administrative

Court or Verwaltungsgerichtshof; Constitutional Court or

Verfassungsgerichtshof

Political parties and leaders:

Alliance for the Future of Austria or BZOe [Joerg HAIDER]; Austrian

People's Party or OeVP [Wolfgang SCHUESSEL]; Freedom Party of

Austria or FPOe [Heinz Christian STRACHE]; Social Democratic Party

of Austria or SPOe [Alfred GUSENBAUER]; The Greens [Alexander VAN

DER BELLEN]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

Austrian Trade Union Federation (nominally independent but

primarily Socialist) or OeGB; Federal Economic Chamber;

OeVP-oriented League of Austrian Industrialists or VOeI; Roman

Catholic Church, including its chief lay organization, Catholic

Action; three composite leagues of the Austrian People's Party or

OeVP representing business, labor, and farmers and other

non-government organizations in the areas of environment and human

rights

International organization participation:

AfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, BSEC (observer), CE, CEI, CERN,

EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, G- 9, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO,

ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO,

Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MIGA, MINURSO, NAM (guest), NEA, NSG,

OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD,

UNDOF, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNMEE, UNMIK, UNOMIG,

UNTSO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WEU (observer), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO,

WTO, ZC

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Eva NOWOTNY

chancery: 3524 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008-3035

telephone: [1] (202) 895-6700

FAX: [1] (202) 895-6750

consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador William Lee LYONS BROWN, Jr.

embassy: Boltzmanngasse 16, A-1090, Vienna

mailing address: use embassy street address

telephone: [43] (1) 31339-0, 31375, 31335

FAX: [43] (1) 3100682

Flag description:

three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and red

Economy Austria

Economy - overview:

Austria, with its well-developed market economy and high standard

of living, is closely tied to other EU economies, especially

Germany's. The economy features up-to-date industrial and

agricultural sectors. Timber is a key industry, 47% of the land area

being forested. Membership in the EU has drawn an influx of foreign

investors attracted by Austria's access to the single European

market and proximity to the new EU economies. Slow growth in Europe

has held the economy to 0.7% growth in 2001, 1.4% in 2002, 0.8% in

2003, and 1.9% in 2004. To meet increased competition from both EU

and Central European countries, particularly the new EU members,

Austria will need to emphasize knowledge-based sectors of the

economy, continue to deregulate the service sector, and encourage

much greater participation in the labor market by its aging

population. The aging phenomenon, together with already high health

and pension costs, poses fundamental problems in tax and welfare

policies.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$255.9 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

1.9% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $31,300 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 2.3% industry: 30.8% services: 66.9% (2004 est.)

Labor force: 3.45 million (2004 est.)

Labor force - by occupation: agriculture and forestry 4%, industry and crafts 29%, services 67% (2001 est.)

Unemployment rate:

4.4% (2004 est.)

Population below poverty line:

3.9% (1999)

Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.5% highest 10%: 22.5% (1995)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

31 (1995)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

1.8% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

22.6% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $142.5 billion

expenditures: $146.4 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Public debt:

64.2% of GDP (2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

grains, potatoes, sugar beets, wine, fruit; dairy products, cattle,

pigs, poultry; lumber

Industries:

construction, machinery, vehicles and parts, food, metals,

chemicals, lumber and wood processing, paper and paperboard,

communications equipment, tourism

Industrial production growth rate:

3.3% (2004 est.)

Electricity - production:

58.49 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 29.3% hydro: 67.2% nuclear: 0% other: 3.5% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

55.09 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

14.7 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

15.4 billion kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

20,670 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

262,400 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

35,470 bbl/day (2001)

Oil - imports:

262,000 bbl/day (2001)

Oil - proved reserves:

85.69 million bbl (1 January 2002)

Natural gas - production:

1.731 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - consumption:

7.81 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - exports:

403 million cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - imports:

6.033 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves:

24.9 billion cu m (1 January 2002)

Current account balance:

$-3.283 billion (2004 est.)

Exports:

$102.7 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

machinery and equipment, motor vehicles and parts, paper and

paperboard, metal goods, chemicals, iron and steel; textiles,

foodstuffs

Exports - partners:

Germany 32%, Italy 8.9%, US 6%, Switzerland 4.8%, France 4.2%, UK

4.2% (2004)

Imports:

$101.2 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

machinery and equipment, motor vehicles, chemicals, metal goods,

oil and oil products; foodstuffs

Imports - partners:

Germany 46.3%, Italy 6.8%, Switzerland 4.3% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$12.73 billion (2003)

Debt - external:

$15.5 billion (2003 est.)

Economic aid - donor:

ODA, $520 million (2002)

Currency (code):

euro (EUR)

note: on 1 January 1999, the European Monetary Union introduced the

euro as a common currency to be used by the financial institutions

of member countries; as of 1 January 2002, the euro became the only

legal tender in EMU member countries, including Austria

Currency code:

EUR

Exchange rates:

euros per US dollar - 0.8054 (2004), 0.886 (2003), 1.0626 (2002),

1.1175 (2001), 1.0854 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Austria

Telephones - main lines in use:

3.881 million (2003)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

7,094,500 (2003)

Telephone system:

general assessment: highly developed and efficient

domestic: there are 48 main lines for every 100 persons; the fiber

optic net is very extensive; all telephone applications and Internet

services are available

international: country code - 43; satellite earth stations - 2

Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean) and 1 Eutelsat; in

addition, there are about 600 VSAT (very small aperture terminals)

(2002)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 2, FM 65 (plus several hundred repeaters), shortwave 1 (2001)

Radios:

6.08 million (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

10 (plus more than 1,000 repeaters) (2001)

Televisions:

4.25 million (1997)

Internet country code:

.at

Internet hosts:

387,006 (2004)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

37 (2000)

Internet users:

3.73 million (2003)

Transportation Austria

Railways:

total: 6,021 km (3,552 km electrified)

standard gauge: 5,565 km 1.435-m gauge (3,430 km electrified)

narrow gauge: 34 km 1.000-m gauge (28 km electrified); 422 km

0.760-m gauge (94 km electrified) (2004)

Highways:

total: 200,000 km

paved: 200,000 km (including 1,645 km of expressways)

unpaved: 0 km (2002)

Waterways:

358 km (2003)

Pipelines:

gas 2,722 km; oil 663 km; refined products 149 km (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Enns, Krems, Linz, Vienna

Merchant marine:

total: 8 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 29,624 GRT/37,425 DWT

by type: cargo 6, container 2

foreign-owned: 2 (Netherlands 2)

registered in other countries: 19 (2005)

Airports:

55 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 24 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 5 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 14 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 31 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 27 (2004 est.)

Heliports: 1 (2004 est.)

Military Austria

Military branches:

Land Forces (KdoLdSK), Air Forces (KdoLuSK)

Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for compulsory military service; 16 years of age for voluntary service; from 2007, at the earliest, compulsory military service obligation will be reduced from 8 months to 6 (June 2004)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 18-49: 1,914,800 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: 1,550,441 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:

males: 48,967 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$1.497 billion (FY01/02)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

0.9% (2004)

Transnational Issues Austria

Disputes - international:

none

Illicit drugs:

transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin and South American

cocaine destined for Western Europe

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Azerbaijan

Introduction Azerbaijan

Background:

Azerbaijan - a nation with a Turkic and majority-Muslim population

- regained its independence after the collapse of the Soviet Union

in 1991. Despite a 1994 cease-fire, Azerbaijan has yet to resolve

its conflict with Armenia over the Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh

enclave (largely Armenian populated). Azerbaijan has lost 16% of its

territory and must support some 571,000 internally displaced persons

as a result of the conflict. Corruption is ubiquitous and the

promise of widespread wealth from Azerbaijan's undeveloped petroleum

resources remains largely unfulfilled.

Geography Azerbaijan

Location:

Southwestern Asia, bordering the Caspian Sea, between Iran and

Russia, with a small European portion north of the Caucasus range

Geographic coordinates:

40 30 N, 47 30 E

Map references:

Asia

Area:

total: 86,600 sq km

land: 86,100 sq km

water: 500 sq km

note: includes the exclave of Naxcivan Autonomous Republic and the

Nagorno-Karabakh region; the region's autonomy was abolished by

Azerbaijani Supreme Soviet on 26 November 1991

Area - comparative:

slightly smaller than Maine

Land boundaries:

total: 2,013 km

border countries: Armenia (with Azerbaijan-proper) 566 km, Armenia

(with Azerbaijan-Naxcivan exclave) 221 km, Georgia 322 km, Iran

(with Azerbaijan-proper) 432 km, Iran (with Azerbaijan-Naxcivan

exclave) 179 km, Russia 284 km, Turkey 9 km

Coastline:

0 km (landlocked); note - Azerbaijan borders the Caspian Sea (800

km, est.)

Maritime claims:

none (landlocked)

Climate:

dry, semiarid steppe

Terrain:

large, flat Kur-Araz Ovaligi (Kura-Araks Lowland) (much of it below

sea level) with Great Caucasus Mountains to the north, Qarabag

Yaylasi (Karabakh Upland) in west; Baku lies on Abseron Yasaqligi

(Apsheron Peninsula) that juts into Caspian Sea

Elevation extremes: lowest point: Caspian Sea -28 m highest point: Bazarduzu Dagi 4,485 m

Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, nonferrous metals, alumina

Land use: arable land: 19.63% permanent crops: 2.71% other: 77.66% (2001)

Irrigated land:

14,550 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

droughts

Environment - current issues:

local scientists consider the Abseron Yasaqligi (Apsheron

Peninsula) (including Baku and Sumqayit) and the Caspian Sea to be

the ecologically most devastated area in the world because of severe

air, soil, and water pollution; soil pollution results from oil

spills, from the use of DDT as a pesticide, and from toxic

defoliants used in the production of cotton

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate

Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species,

Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

both the main area of the country and the Naxcivan exclave are

landlocked

People Azerbaijan

Population:

7,911,974 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 26.4% (male 1,063,731/female 1,028,684)

15-64 years: 65.7% (male 2,533,762/female 2,665,381)

65 years and over: 7.8% (male 245,758/female 374,658) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 27.53 years

male: 26.09 years

female: 29 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

0.59% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

20.4 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

9.86 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

-4.64 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.66 male(s)/female

total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 81.74 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 83.58 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 79.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 63.35 years

male: 59.24 years

female: 67.66 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

2.44 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

less than 0.1% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

1,400 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

less than 100 (2001 est.)

Nationality:

noun: Azerbaijani(s)

adjective: Azerbaijani

Ethnic groups:

Azeri 90.6%, Dagestani 2.2%, Russian 1.8%, Armenian 1.5%, other

3.9% (1999 census)

note: almost all Armenians live in the separatist Nagorno-Karabakh

region

Religions:

Muslim 93.4%, Russian Orthodox 2.5%, Armenian Orthodox 2.3%, other

1.8% (1995 est.)

note: religious affiliation is still nominal in Azerbaijan;

percentages for actual practicing adherents are much lower

Languages:

Azerbaijani (Azeri) 89%, Russian 3%, Armenian 2%, other 6% (1995

est.)

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 98.8%

male: 99.5%

female: 98.2% (1999 est.)

Government Azerbaijan

Country name:

conventional long form: Republic of Azerbaijan

conventional short form: Azerbaijan

local long form: Azarbaycan Respublikasi

local short form: none

former: Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic

Government type:

republic

Capital:

Baku (Baki)

Administrative divisions:

59 rayons (rayonlar; rayon - singular), 11 cities* (saharlar; sahar

- singular), 1 autonomous republic** (muxtar respublika)

: rayons: Abseron Rayonu, Agcabadi Rayonu, Agdam Rayonu, Agdas

Rayonu, Agstafa Rayonu, Agsu Rayonu, Astara Rayonu, Balakan Rayonu,

Barda Rayonu, Beylaqan Rayonu, Bilasuvar Rayonu, Cabrayil Rayonu,

Calilabad Rayonu, Daskasan Rayonu, Davaci Rayonu, Fuzuli Rayonu,

Gadabay Rayonu, Goranboy Rayonu, Goycay Rayonu, Haciqabul Rayonu,

Imisli Rayonu, Ismayilli Rayonu, Kalbacar Rayonu, Kurdamir Rayonu,

Lacin Rayonu, Lankaran Rayonu, Lerik Rayonu, Masalli Rayonu,

Neftcala Rayonu, Oguz Rayonu, Qabala Rayonu, Qax Rayonu, Qazax

Rayonu, Qobustan Rayonu, Quba Rayonu, Qubadli Rayonu, Qusar Rayonu,

Saatli Rayonu, Sabirabad Rayonu, Saki Rayonu, Salyan Rayonu, Samaxi

Rayonu, Samkir Rayonu, Samux Rayonu, Siyazan Rayonu, Susa Rayonu,

Tartar Rayonu, Tovuz Rayonu, Ucar Rayonu, Xacmaz Rayonu, Xanlar

Rayonu, Xizi Rayonu, Xocali Rayonu, Xocavand Rayonu, Yardimli

Rayonu, Yevlax Rayonu, Zangilan Rayonu, Zaqatala Rayonu, Zardab

Rayonu

: cities: Ali Bayramli Sahari, Baki Sahari, Ganca Sahari, Lankaran

Sahari, Mingacevir Sahari, Naftalan Sahari, Saki Sahari, Sumqayit

Sahari, Susa Sahari, Xankandi Sahari, Yevlax Sahari

: autonomous republic: Naxcivan Muxtar Respublikasi

Independence:

30 August 1991 (from Soviet Union)

National holiday:

Founding of the Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan, 28 May (1918)

Constitution:

adopted 12 November 1995

Legal system:

based on civil law system

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Ilham ALIYEV (since 31 October 2003)

head of government: Prime Minister Artur RASIZADE (since 4 November

2003); First Deputy Prime Minister Abbas ABBASOV (since 10 November

2003)

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president and

confirmed by the National Assembly

elections: president elected by popular vote to a five-year term;

election last held 15 October 2003 (next to be held October 2008);

prime minister and first deputy prime ministers appointed by the

president and confirmed by the National Assembly

election results: Ilham ALIYEV elected president; percent of vote -

Ilham ALIYEV 76.8%, Isa GAMBAR 14%

Legislative branch:

unicameral National Assembly or Milli Mejlis (125 seats; members

elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)

elections: last held 4 November 2000 (next to be held NA November

2005)

note: 100 members of the current parliament were elected on the

basis of single mandate constituencies, while 25 were elected based

on proportional balloting; as a result of a 24 August 2002 national

referendum on changes to the constitution, all 125 members of the

next parliament will be elected from single mandate constituencies

election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -

NAP and allies 108, APF "Reform" 6, CSP 3, PNIA 2, Musavat Party 2,

CPA 2, APF "Classic" 1, Compatriot Party 1

note: PNIA, Musavat, and APF "Classic" parties refused to take their

seats

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court

Political parties and leaders:

Azerbaijan Popular Front or APF [Ali KARIMLI, leader of "Reform"

faction; Mirmahmud MIRALI-OGLU, leader of "Classic" faction]; Civic

Solidarity Party or CSP [Sabir RUSTAMKHANLY]; Civic Union Party

[Ayaz MUTALIBOV]; Communist Party of Azerbaijan or CPA [Ramiz

AHMADOV]; Compatriot Party [Mais SAFARLI]; Democratic Party for

Azerbaijan or DPA [Rasul QULIYEV, chairman]; Justice Party [Ilyas

ISMAILOV]; Liberal Party of Azerbaijan [Lala Shovkat HACIYEVA];

Musavat [Isa GAMBAR, chairman]; New Azerbaijan Party or NAP

[vacant]; Party for National Independence of Azerbaijan or PNIA

[Etibar MAMMADLI, chairman]; Social Democratic Party of Azerbaijan

or SDP [Araz ALIZADE and Ayaz MUTALIBOV]

note: opposition parties regularly factionalize and form new parties

Political pressure groups and leaders:

Sadval, Lezgin movement; self-proclaimed Armenian Nagorno-Karabakh

Republic; Talysh independence movement; Union of Pro-Azerbaijani

Forces (UPAF)

International organization participation:

AsDB, BSEC, CE, CIS, EAPC, EBRD, ECO, FAO, GUUAM, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO,

ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol,

IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MIGA, OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, UN,

UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

(observer)

Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Hafiz PASHAYEV chancery: 2741 34th Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 337-3500 FAX: [1] (202) 337-5911

Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Reno L. HARNISH III embassy: 83 Azadlyg Prospecti, Baku AZ1007 mailing address: American Embassy Baku, Department of State, 7050 Baku Place, Washington, DC 20521-7050 telephone: [9] (9412) 98-03-35, 36, 37 FAX: [9] (9412) 656-671

Flag description:

three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), red, and green; a

crescent and eight-pointed star in white are centered in red band

Economy Azerbaijan

Economy - overview:

Azerbaijan's number one export is oil. Azerbaijan's oil production

declined through 1997 but has registered an increase every year

since. Negotiation of production-sharing arrangements (PSAs) with

foreign firms, which have thus far committed $60 billion to

long-term oilfield development, should generate the funds needed to

spur future industrial development. Oil production under the first

of these PSAs, with the Azerbaijan International Operating Company,

began in November 1997. Azerbaijan shares all the formidable

problems of the former Soviet republics in making the transition

from a command to a market economy, but its considerable energy

resources brighten its long-term prospects. Baku has only recently

begun making progress on economic reform, and old economic ties and

structures are slowly being replaced. One obstacle to economic

progress is the need for stepped up foreign investment in the

non-energy sector. A second obstacle is the continuing conflict with

Armenia over the Nagorno-Karabakh region. Trade with Russia and the

other former Soviet republics is declining in importance while trade

is building with Turkey and the nations of Europe. Long-term

prospects will depend on world oil prices, the location of new

pipelines in the region, and Azerbaijan's ability to manage its oil

wealth.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$30.01 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

9.8% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $3,800 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 14.1% industry: 45.7% services: 40.2% (2002 est.)

Labor force:

5.09 million (2004 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture and forestry 41%, industry 7%, services 52% (2001)

Unemployment rate:

1.2% (official rate) (2004 est.)

Population below poverty line:

49% (2002 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.8% highest 10%: 27.8% (1995)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

36 (1995)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

4.6% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

65.1% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $2.715 billion

expenditures: $2.801 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Public debt:

18.9% of GDP (2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

cotton, grain, rice, grapes, fruit, vegetables, tea, tobacco;

cattle, pigs, sheep, goats

Industries:

petroleum and natural gas, petroleum products, oilfield equipment;

steel, iron ore, cement; chemicals and petrochemicals; textiles

Industrial production growth rate:

4% (2004 est.)

Electricity - production:

17.55 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 89.7% hydro: 10.3% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

17.37 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

505 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

1.558 billion kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

312,800 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Oil - consumption:

140,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Oil - proved reserves:

589 million bbl (1 January 2002)

Natural gas - production:

5.72 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - consumption:

6.72 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - exports:

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - imports:

1 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves:

62.3 billion cu m (1 January 2002)

Current account balance:

$-2.899 billion (2004 est.)

Exports:

$3.168 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

oil and gas 90%, machinery, cotton, foodstuffs

Exports - partners:

Italy 26.6%, Czech Republic 11.9%, Germany 8.1%, Indonesia 6.4%,

Romania 6.2%, Georgia 6%, Russia 5.3%, Turkey 5.2%, France 4.1%

(2004)

Imports:

$3.622 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

machinery and equipment, oil products, foodstuffs, metals, chemicals

Imports - partners:

Russia 16.1%, UK 12.5%, Turkey 10.5%, Germany 7.8%, Ukraine 5.6%,

Netherlands 4.9%, US 4.1%, Italy 4% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$875 million (2004 est.)

Debt - external:

$1.832 billion (2004 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:

ODA, $140 million (2000 est.)

Currency (code):

Azerbaijani manat (AZM)

Currency code:

AZM

Exchange rates:

Azerbaijani manats per US dollar - 4,913.48 (2004), 4,910.73

(2003), 4,860.82 (2002), 4,656.58 (2001), 4,474.15 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Azerbaijan

Telephones - main lines in use:

923,800 (2002)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

870,000 (2002)

Telephone system:

general assessment: inadequate; requires considerable expansion and

modernization; teledensity of 10 main lines per 100 persons is low

(2002)

domestic: the majority of telephones are in Baku and other

industrial centers - about 700 villages still without public

telephone service; satellite service connects Baku to a modern

switch in its exclave of Naxcivan

international: country code - 994; the old Soviet system of cable

and microwave is still serviceable; a satellite connection to Turkey

enables Baku to reach about 200 additional countries, some of which

are directly connected to Baku by satellite providers other than

Turkey (1997)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 10, FM 17, shortwave 1 (1998)

Radios:

175,000 (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

2 (1997)

Televisions:

170,000 (1997)

Internet country code:

.az

Internet hosts:

586 (2004)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

2 (2000)

Internet users:

300,000 (2002)

Transportation Azerbaijan

Railways: total: 2,957 km broad gauge: 2,957 km 1.520-m gauge (1,278 km electrified) (2004)

Highways: total: 28,030 km paved: 25,890 km unpaved: 2,130 km (2002)

Pipelines:

gas 4,451 km; oil 1,518 km (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Baku (Baki)

Merchant marine:

total: 81 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 253,004 GRT/318,922 DWT

by type: cargo 26, passenger 2, passenger/cargo 8, petroleum tanker

41, roll on/roll off 2, specialized tanker 2

registered in other countries: 3 (2005)

Airports:

50 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 27 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 6 1,524 to 2,437 m: 15 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 23 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 6 under 914 m: 15 (2004 est.)

Heliports: 2 (2004 est.)

Military Azerbaijan

Military branches:

Army, Navy, Air and Air Defense Forces

Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service; law passed December 2001 raises maximum conscription age from 28 to 35 (December 2001)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 18-49: 1,961,973 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: 1,314,955 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:

males: 82,358 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$121 million (FY99)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

2.6% (FY99)

Transnational Issues Azerbaijan

Disputes - international:

Armenia supports ethnic Armenian secessionists in Nagorno-Karabakh

and since the early 1990s has militarily occupied 16% of Azerbaijan

- Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE)

continues to mediate dispute; over 800,000 mostly ethnic

Azerbaijanis were driven from the occupied lands and Armenia; about

230,000 ethnic Armenians were driven from their homes in Azerbaijan

into Armenia; Azerbaijan seeks transit route through Armenia to

connect to Naxcivan exclave; Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Russia

ratify Caspian seabed delimitation treaties based on equidistance,

while Iran continues to insist on an even one-fifth allocation and

challenges Azerbaijan's hydrocarbon exploration in disputed waters;

bilateral talks continue with Turkmenistan on dividing the seabed

and contested oilfields in the middle of the Caspian; Azerbaijan and

Georgia cannot resolve the alignment of their boundary at certain

crossing areas

Refugees and internally displaced persons:

IDPs: 571,000 (conflict with Armenia over Nagorno-Karabakh) (2004)

Illicit drugs:

limited illicit cultivation of cannabis and opium poppy, mostly for

CIS consumption; small government eradication program; transit point

for Southwest Asian opiates bound for Russia and to a lesser extent

the rest of Europe

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Bahamas, The

Introduction Bahamas, The

Background:

Arawak Indians inhabited the islands when Christopher Columbus

first set foot in the New World on San Salvador in 1492. British

settlement of the islands began in 1647; the islands became a colony

in 1783. Since attaining independence from the UK in 1973, The

Bahamas have prospered through tourism and international banking and

investment management. Because of its geography, the country is a

major transshipment point for illegal drugs, particularly shipments

to the US, and its territory is used for smuggling illegal migrants

into the US.

Geography Bahamas, The

Location:

Caribbean, chain of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, southeast

of Florida, northeast of Cuba

Geographic coordinates:

24 15 N, 76 00 W

Map references:

Central America and the Caribbean

Area:

total: 13,940 sq km

land: 10,070 sq km

water: 3,870 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly smaller than Connecticut

Land boundaries:

0 km

Coastline:

3,542 km

Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Climate:

tropical marine; moderated by warm waters of Gulf Stream

Terrain:

long, flat coral formations with some low rounded hills

Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Alvernia, on Cat Island 63 m

Natural resources: salt, aragonite, timber, arable land

Land use: arable land: 0.8% permanent crops: 0.4% other: 98.8% (2001)

Irrigated land:

NA

Natural hazards:

hurricanes and other tropical storms cause extensive flood and wind

damage

Environment - current issues:

coral reef decay; solid waste disposal

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto

Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law

of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

strategic location adjacent to US and Cuba; extensive island chain

of which 30 are inhabited

People Bahamas, The

Population:

301,790

note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the

effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower

life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower

population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of

population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July

2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 27.9% (male 42,142/female 42,096)

15-64 years: 65.9% (male 97,865/female 101,047)

65 years and over: 6.2% (male 7,616/female 11,024) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 27.55 years

male: 26.78 years

female: 28.34 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

0.67% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

17.87 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

8.97 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

-2.18 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female

total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 25.21 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 31.02 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 19.28 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 65.54 years

male: 62.11 years

female: 69.04 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

2.2 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

3% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

5,600 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

less than 200 (2003 est.)

Nationality: noun: Bahamian(s) adjective: Bahamian

Ethnic groups:

black 85%, white 12%, Asian and Hispanic 3%

Religions:

Baptist 35.4%, Anglican 15.1%, Roman Catholic 13.5%, Pentecostal

8.1%, Church of God 4.8%, Methodist 4.2%, other Christian 15.2%,

none or unspecified 2.9%, other 0.8% (2000 census)

Languages:

English (official), Creole (among Haitian immigrants)

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 95.6%

male: 94.7%

female: 96.5% (2003 est.)

Government Bahamas, The

Country name:

conventional long form: Commonwealth of The Bahamas

conventional short form: The Bahamas

Government type:

constitutional parliamentary democracy

Capital:

Nassau

Administrative divisions:

21 districts; Acklins and Crooked Islands, Bimini, Cat Island,

Exuma, Freeport, Fresh Creek, Governor's Harbour, Green Turtle Cay,

Harbour Island, High Rock, Inagua, Kemps Bay, Long Island, Marsh

Harbour, Mayaguana, New Providence, Nichollstown and Berry Islands,

Ragged Island, Rock Sound, Sandy Point, San Salvador and Rum Cay

Independence:

10 July 1973 (from UK)

National holiday:

Independence Day, 10 July (1973)

Constitution:

10 July 1973

Legal system:

based on English common law

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952),

represented by Governor General Dame Ivy DUMONT (since NA May 2002)

head of government: Prime Minister Perry CHRISTIE (since 3 May 2002)

and Deputy Prime Minister Cynthia PRATT (since 7 May 2002)

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the prime

minister's recommendation

elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor general

appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the

leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition

is usually appointed prime minister by the governor general; the

prime minister recommends the deputy prime minister

Legislative branch:

bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (16-member body

appointed by the governor general upon the advice of the prime

minister and the opposition leader for five-year terms) and the

House of Assembly (40 seats; members elected by direct popular vote

to serve five-year terms); the government may dissolve the

parliament and call elections at any time

elections: last held 1 May 2002 (next to be held by May 2007)

election results: percent of vote by party - PLP 50.8%, FNM 41.1%,

independents 5.2%; seats by party - PLP 29, FNM 7, independents 4

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court; Court of Appeal; magistrates courts

Political parties and leaders:

Free National Movement or FNM [Tommy TURNQUEST]; Progressive

Liberal Party or PLP [Perry CHRISTIE]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

NA

International organization participation:

ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt

(signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOM,

IOC, ITU, LAES, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW (signatory), UN,

UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)

Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Joshua SEARS chancery: 2220 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 319-2660 FAX: [1] (202) 319-2668 consulate(s) general: Miami and New York

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador John D. ROOD

embassy: 42 Queen Street, Nassau

mailing address: local or express mail address: P. O. Box N-8197,

Nassau; Department of State, 3370 Nassau Place, Washington, DC

20521-3370

telephone: [1] (242) 322-1181, 328-2206 (after hours)

FAX: [1] (242) 356-0222

Flag description:

three equal horizontal bands of aquamarine (top), gold, and

aquamarine, with a black equilateral triangle based on the hoist side

Economy Bahamas, The

Economy - overview:

The Bahamas is a stable, developing nation with an economy heavily

dependent on tourism and offshore banking. Tourism alone accounts

for more than 60% of GDP and directly or indirectly employs half of

the archipelago's labor force. Steady growth in tourism receipts and

a boom in construction of new hotels, resorts, and residences had

led to solid GDP growth in recent years, but the slowdown in the US

economy and the attacks of 11 September 2001 held back growth in

these sectors in 2001-03. Financial services constitute the

second-most important sector of the Bahamian economy, accounting for

about 15% of GDP. However, since December 2000, when the government

enacted new regulations on the financial sector, many international

businesses have left The Bahamas. Manufacturing and agriculture

together contribute approximately a tenth of GDP and show little

growth, despite government incentives aimed at those sectors.

Overall growth prospects in the short run rest heavily on the

fortunes of the tourism sector, which depends on growth in the US,

the source of more than 80% of the visitors. In addition to tourism

and banking, the government supports the development of a "third

pillar," e-commerce.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$5.295 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

3% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $17,700 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 3% industry: 7% services: 90% (2001 est.)

Labor force: 156,000 (1999)

Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 5%, industry 5%, tourism 50%, other services 40% (1999 est.)

Unemployment rate:

10.2% (2004 est.)

Population below poverty line:

NA

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: 27% (2000)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

1.2% (year ending September 2004)

Budget:

revenues: $1 billion

expenditures: $1 billion, including capital expenditures of $106.7

million (FY03/04)

Agriculture - products:

citrus, vegetables; poultry

Industries:

tourism, banking, cement, oil transshipment, salt, rum, aragonite,

pharmaceuticals, spiral-welded steel pipe

Industrial production growth rate:

NA

Electricity - production:

1.716 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

1.596 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

23,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

transhipments of 29,000 bbl/day (2003)

Oil - imports:

NA

Exports:

$636 million (2003 est.)

Exports - commodities:

mineral products and salt, animal products, rum, chemicals; fruit

and vegetables

Exports - partners:

US 40.2%, Poland 13.3%, Spain 11.6%, Germany 5.9%, France 4.3%

(2004)

Imports:

$1.63 billion (2003)

Imports - commodities:

machinery and transport equipment, manufactures, chemicals, mineral

fuels; food and live animals

Imports - partners:

US 22.4%, South Korea 18.9%, Brazil 9.2%, Japan 7.9%, Italy 7.8%,

Venezuela 6.6% (2004)

Debt - external:

$308.5 million (2002)

Economic aid - recipient:

$9.8 million (1995)

Currency (code):

Bahamian dollar (BSD)

Currency code:

BSD

Exchange rates:

Bahamian dollars per US dollar - 1 (2004), 1 (2003), 1 (2002), 1

(2001), 1 (2000)

Fiscal year:

1 July - 30 June

Communications Bahamas, The

Telephones - main lines in use:

131,700 (2003)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

121,800 (2002)

Telephone system:

general assessment: modern facilities

domestic: totally automatic system; highly developed

international: country code - 1-242; tropospheric scatter and

submarine cable to Florida; 3 coaxial submarine cables; satellite

earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (1997)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 3, FM 5, shortwave 0 (2004)

Radios:

215,000 (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

2 (2004)

Televisions:

67,000 (1997)

Internet country code:

.bs

Internet hosts:

302 (2003)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

19 (2000)

Internet users:

84,000 (2003)

Transportation Bahamas, The

Highways: total: 2,693 km paved: 1,546 km unpaved: 1,147 km (1999 est.)

Ports and harbors:

Freeport, Nassau, South Riding Point

Merchant marine:

total: 1,119

by type: barge carrier 2, bulk carrier 183, cargo 259, chemical

tanker 54, combination ore/oil 17, container 74, liquefied gas 28,

livestock carrier 2, passenger 116, passenger/cargo 40, petroleum

tanker 168, refrigerated cargo 130, roll on/roll off 20, specialized

tanker 2, vehicle carrier 24

foreign-owned: 968 (Angola 4, Australia 4, Belgium 17, Canada 9,

China 3, Croatia 1, Cuba 1, Cyprus 13, Denmark 18, Estonia 1,

Finland 7, France 28, Germany 15, Greece 194, Hong Kong 11,

Indonesia 2, Ireland 1, Israel 1, Italy 7, Japan 49, Jordan 2, Kenya

1, Latvia 1, Malaysia 12, Monaco 15, Netherlands 24, New Zealand 1,

Nigeria 2, Norway 229, Poland 13, Reunion 1, Russia 2, Saudi Arabia

12, Serbia & Montenegro 2, Singapore 11, Slovenia 1, South Korea 1,

Spain 6, Sweden 9, Switzerland 4, Thailand 1, Trinidad & Tobago 2,

Turkey 7, UAE 12, United Kingdom 55, United States 154, Uruguay 2)

registered in other countries: 35 (2005)

Airports:

63 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 29 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 14 914 to 1,523 m: 9 under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 34 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 10 under 914 m: 21 (2004 est.)

Heliports: 1 (2004 est.)

Military Bahamas, The

Military branches:

Royal Bahamaian Defense Force (naval forces) (2004)

Military service age and obligation:

18 years of age (est.); no conscription (2001)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

NA

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

NA

Transnational Issues Bahamas, The

Disputes - international:

have not been able to agree on the alignment of a maritime boundary

with the US; continues to monitor and interdict Haitian refugees

fleeing economic privation and political instability

Illicit drugs:

transshipment point for cocaine and marijuana bound for US and

Europe; offshore financial center

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Bahrain

Introduction Bahrain

Background:

Bahrain's small size and central location among Persian Gulf

countries require it to play a delicate balancing act in foreign

affairs among its larger neighbors. Facing declining oil reserves,

Bahrain has turned to petroleum processing and refining and has

transformed itself into an international banking center. The new

amir, installed in 1999, has pushed economic and political reforms

and has worked to improve relations with the Shi'a community. In

February 2001, Bahraini voters approved a referendum on the National

Action Charter - the centerpiece of the amir's political

liberalization program. In February 2002, Amir HAMAD bin Isa Al

Khalifa proclaimed himself king. In October 2002, Bahrainis elected

members of the lower house of Bahrain's reconstituted bicameral

legislature, the National Assembly.

Geography Bahrain

Location:

Middle East, archipelago in the Persian Gulf, east of Saudi Arabia

Geographic coordinates:

26 00 N, 50 33 E

Map references:

Middle East

Area:

total: 665 sq km

land: 665 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative:

3.5 times the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries:

0 km

Coastline:

161 km

Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm continental shelf: extending to boundaries to be determined

Climate:

arid; mild, pleasant winters; very hot, humid summers

Terrain:

mostly low desert plain rising gently to low central escarpment

Elevation extremes: lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m highest point: Jabal ad Dukhan 122 m

Natural resources: oil, associated and nonassociated natural gas, fish, pearls

Land use: arable land: 2.82% permanent crops: 5.63% other: 91.55% (2001)

Irrigated land:

50 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

periodic droughts; dust storms

Environment - current issues:

desertification resulting from the degradation of limited arable

land, periods of drought, and dust storms; coastal degradation

(damage to coastlines, coral reefs, and sea vegetation) resulting

from oil spills and other discharges from large tankers, oil

refineries, and distribution stations; lack of freshwater resources,

groundwater and seawater are the only sources for all water needs

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Hazardous

Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

close to primary Middle Eastern petroleum sources; strategic

location in Persian Gulf, through which much of the Western world's

petroleum must transit to reach open ocean

People Bahrain

Population: 688,345 note: includes 235,108 non-nationals (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 27.8% (male 96,807/female 94,863)

15-64 years: 68.7% (male 275,792/female 197,424)

65 years and over: 3.4% (male 12,078/female 11,381) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 29.19 years

male: 32.16 years

female: 25.54 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

1.51% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

18.1 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

4.08 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

1.04 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.4 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 1.06 male(s)/female

total population: 1.27 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 17.27 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 20.17 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 14.28 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 74.23 years

male: 71.76 years

female: 76.78 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

2.63 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

0.2% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

less than 600 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

less than 200 (2003 est.)

Nationality:

noun: Bahraini(s)

adjective: Bahraini

Ethnic groups:

Bahraini 62.4%, non-Bahraini 37.6% (2001 census)

Religions:

Muslim (Shi'a and Sunni) 81.2%, Christian 9%, other 9.8% (2001

census)

Languages:

Arabic, English, Farsi, Urdu

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 89.1%

male: 91.9%

female: 85% (2003 est.)

Government Bahrain

Country name:

conventional long form: Kingdom of Bahrain

conventional short form: Bahrain

local long form: Mamlakat al Bahrayn

local short form: Al Bahrayn

former: Dilmun

Government type:

constitutional hereditary monarchy

Capital:

Manama

Administrative divisions:

12 municipalities (manatiq, singular - mintaqah); Al Hadd, Al

Manamah, Al Mintaqah al Gharbiyah, Al Mintaqah al Wusta, Al Mintaqah

ash Shamaliyah, Al Muharraq, Ar Rifa' wa al Mintaqah al Janubiyah,

Jidd Hafs, Madinat Hamad, Madinat 'Isa, Juzur Hawar, Sitrah

note: all municipalities administered from Manama

Independence:

15 August 1971 (from UK)

National holiday:

National Day, 16 December (1971); note - 15 August 1971 is the date

of independence from the UK, 16 December 1971 is the date of

independence from British protection

Constitution:

new constitution 14 February 2002

Legal system:

based on Islamic law and English common law

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: King HAMAD bin Isa al-Khalifa (since 6 March 1999);

Heir Apparent Crown Prince SALMAN bin Hamad (son of the monarch,

born 21 October 1969)

head of government: Prime Minister KHALIFA bin Salman al-Khalifa

(since NA 1971)

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the monarch

elections: none; the monarchy is hereditary; prime minister

appointed by the monarch

Legislative branch:

bicameral Parliament consists of Shura Council (40 members

appointed by the King) and House of Deputies (40 members directly

elected to serve four-year terms)

elections: House of Deputies - last held 31 October 2002 (next

election to be held NA 2006)

election results: House of Deputies - percent of vote by party -

NA%; seats by party - independents 21, Sunni Islamists 9, other 10

note: first elections since 7 December 1973; unicameral National

Assembly dissolved 26 August 1975; National Action Charter created

bicameral legislature on 23 December 2000; approved by referendum 14

February 2001; first legislative session of Parliament held on 25

December 2002

Judicial branch:

High Civil Appeals Court

Political parties and leaders: political parties prohibited but politically oriented societies are allowed

Political pressure groups and leaders:

Shi'a activists fomented unrest sporadically in 1994-97, demanding

the return of an elected National Assembly and an end to

unemployment; several small, clandestine leftist and Islamic

fundamentalist groups are active

International organization participation:

ABEDA, AFESD, AMF, ESCWA, FAO, G-77, GCC, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt

(signatory), ICRM, IDB, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol,

IOC, ISO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,

UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Nasir al-BALUSHI chancery: 3502 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 342-1111 FAX: [1] (202) 362-2192 consulate(s) general: New York

Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador William T. MONROE embassy: Building #979, Road 3119 (next to Al-Ahli Sports Club), Block 331, Zinj District, Manama mailing address: American Embassy Manama, PSC 451, FPO AE 09834-5100; international mail: American Embassy, Box 26431, Manama telephone: [973] 1724-2700 FAX: [973] 1725-6242 (consular)

Flag description:

red, the traditional color for flags of Persian Gulf states, with a

white serrated band (five white points) on the hoist side; the five

points represent the five pillars of Islam

Economy Bahrain

Economy - overview:

In well-to-do Bahrain, petroleum production and refining account

for about 60% of export receipts, 60% of government revenues, and

30% of GDP. With its highly developed communication and transport

facilities, Bahrain is home to numerous multinational firms with

business in the Gulf. A large share of exports consist of petroleum

products made from refining imported crude. Construction proceeds on

several major industrial projects. Unemployment, especially among

the young, and the depletion of oil and underground water resources

are major long-term economic problems. In September 2004 Bahrain

signed a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the United States - the

first such agreement undertaken by a Gulf state. Both countries must

ratify the FTA before it is enforced.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$13.01 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

5.6% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $19,200 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector:

agriculture: 0.7%

industry: 41%

services: 58.4% (2004 est.)

Labor force:

370,000

note: 44% of the population in the 15-64 age group is non-national

(2004 est.)

Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 1%, industry, commerce, and services 79%, government 20% (1997 est.)

Unemployment rate:

15% (1998 est.)

Population below poverty line:

NA

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

2.1% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

12.8% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $3.825 billion

expenditures: $3.262 billion, including capital expenditures of $700

million (2004 est.)

Public debt:

63.8% of GDP (2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

fruit, vegetables; poultry, dairy products; shrimp, fish

Industries:

petroleum processing and refining, aluminum smelting, iron

pelletization, fertilizers, offshore banking, ship repairing; tourism

Industrial production growth rate:

2% (2000 est.)

Electricity - production:

6.86 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

6.379 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

44,000 bbl/day (2003)

Oil - consumption:

40,000 bbl/day (2003 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Oil - proved reserves:

126 million bbl (2004 est.)

Natural gas - production:

32.7 billion cu m (2002 est.)

Natural gas - consumption:

32.7 billion cu m (2002 est.)

Natural gas - exports:

0 cu m (2002 est.)

Natural gas - imports:

0 cu m (2002 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves:

46 billion cu m (2004)

Current account balance:

$586.1 million (2004 est.)

Exports:

$8.205 billion (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

petroleum and petroleum products, aluminum, textiles

Exports - partners:

Saudi Arabia 3%, US 2.9%, UAE 2.2% (2004)

Imports:

$5.87 billion (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

crude oil, machinery, chemicals

Imports - partners:

Saudi Arabia 32.4%, Japan 7.3%, Germany 6.1%, US 5.6%, UK 5.4%,

France 4.8% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$2.141 billion (2004 est.)

Debt - external:

$6.215 billion (2004 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:

$150 million; note - $50 million annually since 1992 from each of

Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Kuwait (2002)

Currency (code):

Bahraini dinar (BHD)

Currency code:

BHD

Exchange rates:

Bahraini dinars per US dollar - 0.376 (2004), 0.376 (2003), 0.376

(2002), 0.376 (2001), 0.376 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Bahrain

Telephones - main lines in use:

185,800 (2003)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

443,100 (2003)

Telephone system:

general assessment: modern system

domestic: modern fiber-optic integrated services; digital network

with rapidly growing use of mobile cellular telephones

international: country code - 973; tropospheric scatter to Qatar and

UAE; microwave radio relay to Saudi Arabia; submarine cable to

Qatar, UAE, and Saudi Arabia; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat

(1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean) and 1 Arabsat (1997)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 2, FM 3, shortwave 0 (1998)

Radios:

338,000 (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

4 (1997)

Televisions:

275,000 (1997)

Internet country code:

.bh

Internet hosts:

1,334 (2003)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

1 (2000)

Internet users:

195,700 (2003)

Transportation Bahrain

Highways: total: 3,459 km paved: 2,653 km unpaved: 806 km (2002)

Pipelines:

gas 20 km; oil 53 km (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Mina' Salman, Sitrah

Merchant marine:

total: 8 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 219,083 GRT/312,638 DWT

by type: bulk carrier 3, cargo 2, container 2, petroleum tanker 1

foreign-owned: 2 (Kuwait 2) (2005)

Airports:

4 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 3

over 3,047 m: 2

1524 to 2437 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Heliports:

1 (2004 est.)

Military Bahrain

Military branches:

Bahrain Defense Forces (BDF): Ground Force (includes Air Defense),

Navy, Air Force, National Guard

Military service age and obligation:

18 years of age for voluntary military service (2001)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 18-49: 202,126 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: 161,372 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:

males: 6,013 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$628.9 million (2004)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

6.3% (2004)

Transnational Issues Bahrain

Disputes - international: none

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Baker Island

Introduction Baker Island

Background:

The US took possession of the island in 1857, and its guano

deposits were mined by US and British companies during the second

half of the 19th century. In 1935, a short-lived attempt at

colonization was begun on this island - as well as on nearby Howland

Island - but was disrupted by World War II and thereafter abandoned.

Presently the island is a National Wildlife Refuge run by the US

Department of the Interior; a day beacon is situated near the middle

of the west coast.

Geography Baker Island

Location:

Oceania, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, about half way between

Hawaii and Australia

Geographic coordinates:

0 13 N, 176 31 W

Map references:

Oceania

Area:

total: 1.4 sq km

land: 1.4 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative:

about 2.5 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC

Land boundaries:

0 km

Coastline:

4.8 km

Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Climate:

equatorial; scant rainfall, constant wind, burning sun

Terrain:

low, nearly level coral island surrounded by a narrow fringing reef

Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 8 m

Natural resources: guano (deposits worked until 1891), terrestrial and aquatic wildlife

Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (2001)

Irrigated land:

0 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

the narrow fringing reef surrounding the island can be a maritime

hazard

Environment - current issues:

no natural fresh water resources

Geography - note:

treeless, sparse, and scattered vegetation consisting of grasses,

prostrate vines, and low growing shrubs; primarily a nesting,

roosting, and foraging habitat for seabirds, shorebirds, and marine

wildlife

People Baker Island

Population:

uninhabited

note: American civilians evacuated in 1942 after Japanese air and

naval attacks during World War II; occupied by US military during

World War II, but abandoned after the war; public entry is by

special-use permit from US Fish and Wildlife Service only and

generally restricted to scientists and educators; a cemetery and

remnants of structures from early settlement are located near the

middle of the west coast; visited annually by US Fish and Wildlife

Service (2005 est.)

Government Baker Island

Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Baker Island

Dependency status:

unincorporated territory of the US; administered from Washington,

DC, by the Fish and Wildlife Service of the US Department of the

Interior as part of the National Wildlife Refuge system

Legal system:

the laws of the US, where applicable, apply

Flag description:

the flag of the US is used

Economy Baker Island

Economy - overview: no economic activity

Transportation Baker Island

Ports and harbors:

none; offshore anchorage only; note - there is one small boat

landing area along the middle of the west coast

Airports:

1 abandoned World War II runway of 1,665 m, completely covered with

vegetation and unusable (2004 est.)

Transportation - note:

there is a day beacon near the middle of the west coast

Military Baker Island

Military - note:

defense is the responsibility of the US; visited annually by the US

Coast Guard

Transnational Issues Baker Island

Disputes - international: none

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Bangladesh

Introduction Bangladesh

Background:

Bangladesh came into existence in 1971 when Bengali East Pakistan

seceded from its union with West Pakistan. About a third of this

extremely poor country floods annually during the monsoon rainy

season, hampering economic development.

Geography Bangladesh

Location:

Southern Asia, bordering the Bay of Bengal, between Burma and India

Geographic coordinates:

24 00 N, 90 00 E

Map references:

Asia

Area:

total: 144,000 sq km

land: 133,910 sq km

water: 10,090 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly smaller than Iowa

Land boundaries: total: 4,246 km border countries: Burma 193 km, India 4,053 km

Coastline: 580 km

Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 18 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: up to the outer limits of the continental margin

Climate:

tropical; mild winter (October to March); hot, humid summer (March

to June); humid, warm rainy monsoon (June to October)

Terrain:

mostly flat alluvial plain; hilly in southeast

Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Keokradong 1,230 m

Natural resources: natural gas, arable land, timber, coal

Land use: arable land: 62.11% permanent crops: 3.07% other: 34.82% (2001)

Irrigated land:

38,440 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

droughts, cyclones; much of the country routinely inundated during

the summer monsoon season

Environment - current issues:

many people are landless and forced to live on and cultivate

flood-prone land; water-borne diseases prevalent in surface water;

water pollution, especially of fishing areas, results from the use

of commercial pesticides; ground water contaminated by naturally

occurring arsenic; intermittent water shortages because of falling

water tables in the northern and central parts of the country; soil

degradation and erosion; deforestation; severe overpopulation

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto

Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental

Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer

Protection, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

most of the country is situated on deltas of large rivers flowing

from the Himalayas: the Ganges unites with the Jamuna (main channel

of the Brahmaputra) and later joins the Meghna to eventually empty

into the Bay of Bengal

People Bangladesh

Population:

144,319,628 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 33.1% (male 24,590,207/female 23,162,420)

15-64 years: 63.5% (male 46,764,824/female 44,868,733)

65 years and over: 3.4% (male 2,650,683/female 2,282,761) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 21.87 years

male: 21.88 years

female: 21.85 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

2.09% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

30.01 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

8.4 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

-0.69 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 1.16 male(s)/female

total population: 1.05 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 62.6 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 63.65 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 61.48 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 62.08 years

male: 62.13 years

female: 62.02 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

3.13 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

less than 0.1% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

13,000 (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

650 (2001 est.)

Major infectious diseases:

degree of risk: high

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A and E,

and typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria are high risks in

some locations

water contact disease: leptospirosis

animal contact disease: rabies (2004)

Nationality:

noun: Bangladeshi(s)

adjective: Bangladeshi

Ethnic groups:

Bengali 98%, tribal groups, non-Bengali Muslims (1998)

Religions:

Muslim 83%, Hindu 16%, other 1% (1998)

Languages:

Bangla (official, also known as Bengali), English

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 43.1%

male: 53.9%

female: 31.8% (2003 est.)

Government Bangladesh

Country name:

conventional long form: People's Republic of Bangladesh

conventional short form: Bangladesh

former: East Pakistan

Government type:

parliamentary democracy

Capital:

Dhaka

Administrative divisions:

6 divisions; Barisal, Chittagong, Dhaka, Khulna, Rajshahi, and

Sylhet

Independence:

16 December 1971 (from West Pakistan); note - 26 March 1971 is the

date of independence from West Pakistan, 16 December 1971 is known

as Victory Day and commemorates the official creation of the state

of Bangladesh

National holiday:

Independence Day, 26 March (1971); note - 26 March 1971 is the date

of independence from West Pakistan, 16 December 1971 is Victory Day

and commemorates the official creation of the state of Bangladesh

Constitution:

4 November 1972, effective 16 December 1972; suspended following

coup of 24 March 1982, restored 10 November 1986; amended many times

Legal system:

based on English common law

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Iajuddin AHMED (since 6 September 2002);

note - the president's duties are normally ceremonial, but with the

13th amendment to the constitution ("Caretaker Government

Amendment"), the president's role becomes significant at times when

Parliament is dissolved and a caretaker government is installed - at

presidential direction - to supervise the elections

head of government: Prime Minister Khaleda ZIA (since 10 October

2001)

cabinet: Cabinet selected by the prime minister and appointed by the

president

elections: president elected by National Parliament for a five-year

term; election scheduled for 16 September 2002 was not held since

Iajuddin AHMED was the only presidential candidate; he was sworn in

on 6 September 2002 (next election to be held by NA 2007); following

legislative elections, the leader of the party that wins the most

seats is usually appointed prime minister by the president

election results: Iajuddin AHMED declared by the Election Commission

elected unopposed as president; percent of National Parliament vote

- NA

Legislative branch:

unicameral National Parliament or Jatiya Sangsad; 300 seats elected

by popular vote from single territorial constituencies (the

constitutional amendment reserving 30 seats for women over and above

the 300 regular parliament seats expired in May 2001); members serve

five-year terms

elections: last held 1 October 2001 (next to be held before October

2006)

election results: percent of vote by party - BNP and alliance

partners 47%, AL 40%; seats by party - BNP 195, AL 58, JI 17, JP

(Ershad faction) 14, IOJ 3, JP (Naziur) 4, other 9; note - the

election of October 2001 brought a majority BNP government aligned

with three other smaller parties - Jamaat-e-Islami, Islami Oikya

Jote, and Jatiya Party (Manzur)

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court (the chief justices and other judges are appointed by

the president)

Political parties and leaders:

Awami League or AL [Sheikh HASINA]; Bangladesh Communist Party or

BCP [Saifuddin Ahmed MANIK]; Bangladesh Nationalist Party or BNP

[Khaleda ZIA, chairperson]; Islami Oikya Jote or IOJ [Mufti Fazlul

Haq AMINI]; Jamaat-e-Islami or JI [Motiur Rahman NIZAMI]; Jatiya

Party or JP (Ershad faction) [Hussain Mohammad ERSHAD]; Jatiya Party

(Manzur faction) [Naziur Rahman MANZUR]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

NA

International organization participation:

AsDB, C, CP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory),

ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO,

Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MIGA, MINURSO, MONUC, NAM, OIC, ONUB,

OPCW, SAARC, SACEP, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO,

UNMEE, UNMIK, UNMIL, UNMISET, UNOCI, UNOMIG, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU,

WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Shamsher Mobin CHOWDHURY

chancery: 3510 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 244-0183

FAX: [1] (202) 244-5366

consulate(s) general: Los Angeles and New York

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Harry K. THOMAS, Jr.

embassy: Madani Avenue, Baridhara, Dhaka 1212

mailing address: G. P. O. Box 323, Dhaka 1000

telephone: [880] (2) 885-5500

FAX: [880] (2) 882-3744

Flag description:

green with a large red disk slightly to the hoist side of center;

the red sun of freedom represents the blood shed to achieve

independence; the green field symbolizes the lush countryside, and

secondarily, the traditional color of Islam

Economy Bangladesh

Economy - overview:

Despite sustained domestic and international efforts to improve

economic and demographic prospects, Bangladesh remains a poor,

overpopulated, and ill-governed nation. Although half of GDP is

generated through the service sector, nearly two-thirds of

Bangladeshis are employed in the agriculture sector, with rice as

the single-most-important product. Major impediments to growth

include frequent cyclones and floods, inefficient state-owned

enterprises, inadequate port facilities, a rapidly growing labor

force that cannot be absorbed by agriculture, delays in exploiting

energy resources (natural gas), insufficient power supplies, and

slow implementation of economic reforms. Economic reform is stalled

in many instances by political infighting and corruption at all

levels of government. Progress also has been blocked by opposition

from the bureaucracy, public sector unions, and other vested

interest groups. The BNP government, led by Prime Minister Khaleda

ZIA, has the parliamentary strength to push through needed reforms,

but the party's political will to do so has been lacking in key

areas. One encouraging note: growth has been a steady 5% for the

past several years.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$275.7 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

4.9% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $2,000 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector:

agriculture: 21.2%

industry: 27.1%

services: 51.7% (2004 est.)

Labor force:

65.49 million

note: extensive export of labor to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, UAE, Oman,

Qatar, and Malaysia; workers' remittances estimated at $1.71 billion

in 1998-99 (2004 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 63%, industry 11%, services 26% (FY95/96)

Unemployment rate:

40% (includes underemployment) (2004 est.)

Population below poverty line:

45% (2004 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.9% highest 10%: 28.6% (1995-96 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

33.6 (FY95/96)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

6% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

23.5% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $5.921 billion

expenditures: $8.262 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Public debt:

43% of GDP (2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

rice, jute, tea, wheat, sugarcane, potatoes, tobacco, pulses,

oilseeds, spices, fruit; beef, milk, poultry

Industries:

cotton textiles, jute, garments, tea processing, paper newsprint,

cement, chemical fertilizer, light engineering, sugar

Industrial production growth rate:

6.5% (2004 est.)

Electricity - production:

16.45 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 93.7% hydro: 6.3% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

15.3 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

3,581 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

71,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Oil - proved reserves:

28.45 million bbl (1 January 2002)

Natural gas - production:

9.9 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - consumption:

9.9 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - exports:

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - imports:

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves:

150.3 billion cu m (1 January 2002)

Current account balance:

$216.6 million (2004 est.)

Exports:

$7.478 billion (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

garments, jute and jute goods, leather, frozen fish and seafood

(2001)

Exports - partners:

US 22.4%, Germany 14.5%, UK 11.2%, France 6.9%, Italy 4% (2004)

Imports:

$10.03 billion (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

machinery and equipment, chemicals, iron and steel, textiles,

foodstuffs, petroleum products, cement (2000)

Imports - partners:

India 15.1%, China 12.5%, Singapore 7.5%, Kuwait 5.5%, Japan 5.3%,

Hong Kong 4.5% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$3 billion (2004 est.)

Debt - external:

$19.97 billion (2004 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:

$1.575 billion (2000 est.)

Currency (code):

taka (BDT)

Currency code:

BDT

Exchange rates:

taka per US dollar - 59.513 (2004), 58.15 (2003), 57.888 (2002),

55.807 (2001), 52.142 (2000)

Fiscal year:

1 July - 30 June

Communications Bangladesh

Telephones - main lines in use:

740,000 (2003)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

1.365 million (2003)

Telephone system:

general assessment: totally inadequate for a modern country

domestic: modernizing; introducing digital systems; trunk systems

include VHF and UHF microwave radio relay links, and some

fiber-optic cable in cities

international: country code - 880; satellite earth stations - 2

Intelsat (Indian Ocean); international radiotelephone communications

and landline service to neighboring countries (2000)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 12, FM 12, shortwave 2 (1999)

Radios:

6.15 million (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

15 (1999)

Televisions:

770,000 (1997)

Internet country code:

.bd

Internet hosts:

1 (2003)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

10 (2000)

Internet users:

243,000 (2003)

Transportation Bangladesh

Railways:

total: 2,706 km

broad gauge: 884 km 1.676-m gauge

narrow gauge: 1,822 km 1.000-m gauge (2004)

Highways:

total: 207,486 km

paved: 19,773 km

unpaved: 187,713 km (1999)

Waterways: 8,372 km note: includes 2,575 km main cargo routes (2004)

Pipelines:

gas 2,012 km (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Chittagong, Mongla Port

Merchant marine:

total: 41 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 319,897 GRT/440,575 DWT

by type: bulk carrier 2, cargo 28, container 6, passenger/cargo 1,

petroleum tanker 4

foreign-owned: 10 (China 1, Singapore 9)

registered in other countries: 14 (2005)

Airports:

16 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 15 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 6 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Military Bangladesh

Military branches:

Army, Navy, Air Force

Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2005)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 18-49: 35,170,019 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: 26,841,255 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$995.3 million (2004)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

1.8% (2004)

Transnational Issues Bangladesh

Disputes - international:

discussions with India remain stalled to delimit a small section of

river boundary, exchange 162 miniscule enclaves in both countries,

allocate divided villages, and stop illegal cross-border trade,

migration, violence, and transit of terrorists through the porous

border; Bangladesh protests India's attempts to fence off

high-traffic sections of the porous boundary; a joint

Bangladesh-India boundary inspection in 2005 revealed 92 pillars are

missing; dispute with India over New Moore/South Talpatty/Purbasha

Island in the Bay of Bengal deters maritime boundary delimitation;

Burmese Muslim refugees strain Bangladesh's meager resources

Refugees and internally displaced persons:

IDPs: 61,000 (land conflicts, religious persecution) (2004)

Illicit drugs:

transit country for illegal drugs produced in neighboring countries

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Barbados

Introduction Barbados

Background:

The island was uninhabited when first settled by the British in

1627. Slaves worked the sugar plantations established on the island

until 1834 when slavery was abolished. The economy remained heavily

dependent on sugar, rum, and molasses production through most of the

20th century. The gradual introduction of social and political

reforms in the 1940s and 1950s led to complete independence from the

UK in 1966. In the 1990s, tourism and manufacturing surpassed the

sugar industry in economic importance.

Geography Barbados

Location:

Caribbean, island in the North Atlantic Ocean, northeast of

Venezuela

Geographic coordinates:

13 10 N, 59 32 W

Map references:

Central America and the Caribbean

Area:

total: 431 sq km

land: 431 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative:

2.5 times the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries:

0 km

Coastline:

97 km

Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Climate:

tropical; rainy season (June to October)

Terrain:

relatively flat; rises gently to central highland region

Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Hillaby 336 m

Natural resources: petroleum, fish, natural gas

Land use: arable land: 37.21% permanent crops: 2.33% other: 60.46% (2001)

Irrigated land:

10 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

infrequent hurricanes; periodic landslides

Environment - current issues: pollution of coastal waters from waste disposal by ships; soil erosion; illegal solid waste disposal threatens contamination of aquifers

Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note: easternmost Caribbean island

People Barbados

Population:

279,254 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 20.6% (male 28,813/female 28,634)

15-64 years: 70.6% (male 96,590/female 100,622)

65 years and over: 8.8% (male 9,432/female 15,163) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 34.15 years

male: 32.99 years

female: 35.28 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

0.33% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

12.83 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

9.17 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

-0.31 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.01 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.62 male(s)/female

total population: 0.93 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 12.5 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 14.14 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 10.83 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 72.59 years

male: 70.6 years

female: 74.6 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

1.65 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

1.5% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

2,500 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

less than 200 (2003 est.)

Nationality:

noun: Barbadian(s) or Bajan (colloquial)

adjective: Barbadian or Bajan (colloquial)

Ethnic groups:

black 90%, white 4%, Asian and mixed 6%

Religions:

Protestant 67% (Anglican 40%, Pentecostal 8%, Methodist 7%, other

12%), Roman Catholic 4%, none 17%, other 12%

Languages:

English

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school

total population: 99.7%

male: 99.7%

female: 99.7% (2002 est.)

Government Barbados

Country name:

conventional long form: none

conventional short form: Barbados

Government type:

parliamentary democracy; independent sovereign state within the

Commonwealth

Capital:

Bridgetown

Administrative divisions:

11 parishes; Christ Church, Saint Andrew, Saint George, Saint

James, Saint John, Saint Joseph, Saint Lucy, Saint Michael, Saint

Peter, Saint Philip, Saint Thomas; note - the city of Bridgetown may

be given parish status

Independence:

30 November 1966 (from UK)

National holiday:

Independence Day, 30 November (1966)

Constitution:

30 November 1966

Legal system:

English common law; no judicial review of legislative acts

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952),

represented by Governor General Sir Clifford Straughn HUSBANDS

(since 1 June 1996)

head of government: Prime Minister Owen Seymour ARTHUR (since 7

September 1994); Deputy Prime Minister Mia MOTTLEY (since 26 May

2003)

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of

the prime minister

elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor general

appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the

leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition

is usually appointed prime minister by the governor general; the

prime minister recommends the deputy prime minister

Legislative branch:

bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (21-member body

appointed by the governor general) and the House of Assembly (30

seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve five-year

terms)

elections: House of Assembly - last held 21 May 2003 (next to be

held by May 2008)

election results: House of Assembly - percent of vote by party -

NA%; seats by party - BLP 23, DLP 7

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court of Judicature (judges are appointed by the Service

Commissions for the Judicial and Legal Services)

Political parties and leaders:

Barbados Labor Party or BLP [Owen ARTHUR]; Democratic Labor Party

or DLP [Clyde Mascoll]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

Barbados Workers Union [Leroy TROTMAN]; Clement Payne Labor Union

[David COMMISSIONG]; People's Progressive Movement [Eric SEALY];

Worker's Party of Barbados [Dr. George BELLE]

International organization participation:

ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU,

ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU,

LAES, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO,

WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Michael Ian KING

chancery: 2144 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 939-9200

FAX: [1] (202) 332-7467

consulate(s) general: Miami and New York

consulate(s): Los Angeles

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Mary E. KRAMER

embassy: Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce Building, Broad Street,

Bridgetown; (courier) ALICO Building-Cheapside, Bridgetown

mailing address: P. O. Box 302, Bridgetown; CMR 1014, APO AA 34055

telephone: [1] (246) 436-4950

FAX: [1] (246) 429-5246, 429-3379

Flag description:

three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), gold, and blue

with the head of a black trident centered on the gold band; the

trident head represents independence and a break with the past (the

colonial coat of arms contained a complete trident)

Economy Barbados

Economy - overview:

Historically, the Barbadian economy had been dependent on sugarcane

cultivation and related activities, but production in recent years

has diversified into light industry and tourism. Offshore finance

and information services are important foreign exchange earners. The

government continues its efforts to reduce unemployment, to

encourage direct foreign investment, and to privatize remaining

state-owned enterprises. The economy contracted in 2002-03 mainly

due to a decline in tourism. Growth probably was positive in 2004,

as economic conditions in the US and Europe moderately improved.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$4.569 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

2.3% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $16,400 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 6% industry: 16% services: 78% (2000 est.)

Labor force:

128,500 (2001 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 10%, industry 15%, services 75% (1996 est.)

Unemployment rate:

10.7% (2003 est.)

Population below poverty line:

NA

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

-0.5% (2003 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $847 million (including grants)

expenditures: $886 million, including capital expenditures of NA

(2000 est.)

Agriculture - products:

sugarcane, vegetables, cotton

Industries:

tourism, sugar, light manufacturing, component assembly for export

Industrial production growth rate:

-3.2% (2000 est.)

Electricity - production:

800 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

744 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

1,271 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

10,900 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Oil - proved reserves:

1.254 million bbl (1 January 2002)

Natural gas - production:

29.17 million cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - consumption:

29.17 million cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - exports:

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - imports:

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves:

70.79 million cu m (1 January 2002)

Exports:

$206 million (2002)

Exports - commodities:

sugar and molasses, rum, other foods and beverages, chemicals,

electrical components

Exports - partners:

US 20.6%, UK 14.5%, Trinidad and Tobago 13.9%, Saint Lucia 6.9%,

Jamaica 6.6%, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 5.1% (2004)

Imports:

$1.039 billion (2002)

Imports - commodities:

consumer goods, machinery, foodstuffs, construction materials,

chemicals, fuel, electrical components

Imports - partners:

US 35.2%, Trinidad and Tobago 20%, UK 5.6%, Japan 4.3% (2004)

Debt - external:

$668 million (2003)

Economic aid - recipient:

$9.1 million (1995)

Currency (code):

Barbadian dollar (BBD)

Currency code:

BBD

Exchange rates:

Barbadian dollars per US dollar - 2 (2004), 2 (2003), 2 (2002), 2

(2001), 2 (2000)

Fiscal year:

1 April - 31 March

Communications Barbados

Telephones - main lines in use:

134,000 (2003)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

140,000 (2003)

Telephone system:

general assessment: NA

domestic: island-wide automatic telephone system

international: country code - 1-246; satellite earth stations - 4

Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); tropospheric scatter to Trinidad and

Saint Lucia

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 2, FM 6, shortwave 0 (2004)

Radios:

237,000 (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

1 (plus two cable channels) (2004)

Televisions:

76,000 (1997)

Internet country code:

.bb

Internet hosts:

204 (2003)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

19 (2000)

Internet users:

100,000 (2003)

Transportation Barbados

Highways: total: 1,600 km paved: 1,578 km unpaved: 22 km (2002)

Ports and harbors:

Bridgetown

Merchant marine:

total: 58 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 427,465 GRT/668,195 DWT

by type: bulk carrier 14, cargo 31, chemical tanker 6,

passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 3, roll on/roll off 2,

specialized tanker 1

foreign-owned: 53 (Bahamas 1, Bangladesh 1, Canada 12, Greece 11,

Lebanon 2, Netherlands 1, Norway 17, UAE 1, United Kingdom 7)

registered in other countries: 1 (2005)

Airports:

1 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Military Barbados

Military branches:

Royal Barbados Defense Force: Troops Command and Coast Guard (2005)

Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for voluntary military service; volunteers at earlier age with parental consent; no conscription (2001)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 18-49: 71,330 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: 51,298 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

NA

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

NA

Military - note:

the Royal Barbados Defense Force includes a land-based Troop

Command and a small Coast Guard; the primary role of the land

element is to defend the island against external aggression; the

Command consists of a single, part-time battalion with a small

regular cadre that is deployed throughout the island; it

increasingly supports the police in patrolling the coastline to

prevent smuggling and other illicit activities (2005)

Transnational Issues Barbados

Disputes - international:

in 2005, Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago agreed to compulsory

international arbitration that will result in a binding award

challenging whether the northern limit of Trinidad and Tobago's and

Venezuela's maritime boundary extends into Barbadian waters and the

southern limit of Barbadian traditional fishing; joins other

Caribbean states to counter Venezuela's claim that Aves Island

sustains human habitation, a criterion under UNCLOS, which permits

Venezuela to extend its EEZ/continental shelf over a large portion

of the Caribbean Sea

Illicit drugs:

one of many Caribbean transshipment points for narcotics bound for

Europe and the US; offshore financial center

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Bassas da India

Introduction Bassas da India

Background:

This atoll is a volcanic rock surrounded by reefs and is awash at

high tide. A French possession since 1897, it was placed under the

administration of a commissioner residing in Reunion in 1968.

Geography Bassas da India

Location:

Southern Africa, islands in the southern Mozambique Channel, about

one-half of the way from Madagascar to Mozambique

Geographic coordinates:

21 30 S, 39 50 E

Map references:

Africa

Area:

total: 0.2 sq km

land: 0.2 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative:

about one-third the size of The Mall in Washington, DC

Land boundaries:

0 km

Coastline:

35.2 km

Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Climate:

tropical

Terrain:

volcanic rock

Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 2.4 m

Natural resources: none

Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (all rock) (2001)

Irrigated land:

0 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

maritime hazard since it is usually under water during high tide

and surrounded by reefs; subject to periodic cyclones

Environment - current issues:

NA

Geography - note:

the islands emerge from a circular reef that sits atop a

long-extinct, submerged volcano

People Bassas da India

Population: uninhabited (July 2005 est.)

Government Bassas da India

Country name:

conventional long form: none

conventional short form: Bassas da India

Dependency status:

possession of France; administered by the Administrateur Superieur

of the French Southern and Antarctic Lands

Legal system:

the laws of France, where applicable, apply

Flag description:

the flag of France is used

Economy Bassas da India

Economy - overview: no economic activity

Transportation Bassas da India

Ports and harbors: none; offshore anchorage only

Military Bassas da India

Military - note: defense is the responsibility of France

Transnational Issues Bassas da India

Disputes - international: claimed by Madagascar

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Belarus

Introduction Belarus

Background:

After seven decades as a constituent republic of the USSR, Belarus

attained its independence in 1991. It has retained closer political

and economic ties to Russia than any of the other former Soviet

republics. Belarus and Russia signed a treaty on a two-state union

on 8 December 1999 envisioning greater political and economic

integration. Although Belarus agreed to a framework to carry out the

accord, serious implementation has yet to take place. Since his

election in July 1995 as the country's first president, Alexander

LUKASHENKO has steadily consolidated his power through authoritarian

means. Government restrictions on freedom of speech and the press,

peaceful assembly, and religion continue.

Geography Belarus

Location:

Eastern Europe, east of Poland

Geographic coordinates:

53 00 N, 28 00 E

Map references:

Europe

Area:

total: 207,600 sq km

land: 207,600 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly smaller than Kansas

Land boundaries:

total: 2,900 km

border countries: Latvia 141 km, Lithuania 502 km, Poland 407 km,

Russia 959 km, Ukraine 891 km

Coastline:

0 km (landlocked)

Maritime claims:

none (landlocked)

Climate:

cold winters, cool and moist summers; transitional between

continental and maritime

Terrain:

generally flat and contains much marshland

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Nyoman River 90 m

highest point: Dzyarzhynskaya Hara 346 m

Natural resources:

forests, peat deposits, small quantities of oil and natural gas,

granite, dolomitic limestone, marl, chalk, sand, gravel, clay

Land use: arable land: 29.55% permanent crops: 0.6% other: 69.85% (2001)

Irrigated land:

1,150 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

NA

Environment - current issues: soil pollution from pesticide use; southern part of the country contaminated with fallout from 1986 nuclear reactor accident at Chornobyl' in northern Ukraine

Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea

Geography - note:

landlocked; glacial scouring accounts for the flatness of

Belarusian terrain and for its 11,000 lakes; the country is

geologically well endowed with extensive deposits of granite,

dolomitic limestone, marl, chalk, sand, gravel, and clay

People Belarus

Population:

10,300,483 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 16% (male 839,292/female 804,738)

15-64 years: 69.5% (male 3,481,432/female 3,672,991)

65 years and over: 14.6% (male 498,717/female 1,003,313) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 37.03 years

male: 34.32 years

female: 39.7 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

-0.09% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

10.83 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

14.15 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

2.42 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.5 male(s)/female

total population: 0.88 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 13.37 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 14.3 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 12.39 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 68.72 years

male: 63.03 years

female: 74.69 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

1.39 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

0.3% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

15,000 (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

1,000 (2001 est.)

Nationality:

noun: Belarusian(s)

adjective: Belarusian

Ethnic groups:

Belarusian 81.2%, Russian 11.4%, Polish 3.9%, Ukrainian 2.4%, other

1.1% (1999 census)

Religions:

Eastern Orthodox 80%, other (including Roman Catholic, Protestant,

Jewish, and Muslim) 20% (1997 est.)

Languages:

Belarusian, Russian, other

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 99.6%

male: 99.8%

female: 99.5% (2003 est.)

Government Belarus

Country name:

conventional long form: Republic of Belarus

conventional short form: Belarus

local long form: Respublika Byelarus'

local short form: none

former: Belorussian (Byelorussian) Soviet Socialist Republic

Government type:

republic in name, although in fact a dictatorship

Capital:

Minsk

Administrative divisions:

6 provinces (voblastsi, singular - voblasts') and 1 municipality*

(horad); Brest, Homyel', Horad Minsk*, Hrodna, Mahilyow, Minsk,

Vitsyebsk

note: administrative divisions have the same names as their

administrative centers

Independence:

25 August 1991 (from Soviet Union)

National holiday:

Independence Day, 3 July (1944); note - 3 July 1944 was the date

Minsk was liberated from German troops, 25 August 1991 was the date

of independence from the Soviet Union

Constitution:

15 March 1994; revised by national referendum of 24 November 1996

giving the presidency greatly expanded powers and became effective

27 November 1996; revised again 17 October 2004 removing

presidential term limits

Legal system:

based on civil law system

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Aleksandr LUKASHENKO (since 20 July 1994)

head of government: Prime Minister Sergei SIDORSKY (since 19

December 2003); First Deputy Prime Minister Vladimir SEMASHKO (since

December 2003)

cabinet: Council of Ministers

elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;

first election took place 23 June and 10 July 1994; according to the

1994 constitution, the next election should have been held in 1999,

however LUKASHENKO extended his term to 2001 via a November 1996

referendum; new election held 9 September 2001; October 2004

referendum ended presidential term limits allowing president to run

for a third term in September 2006; prime minister and deputy prime

ministers appointed by the president

election results: Aleksandr LUKASHENKO reelected president; percent

of vote - Aleksandr LUKASHENKO 75.6%, Vladimir GONCHARIK 15.4%

Legislative branch:

bicameral National Assembly or Natsionalnoye Sobranie consists of

the Council of the Republic or Soviet Respubliki (64 seats; 56

members elected by regional councils and 8 members appointed by the

president, all for 4-year terms) and the Chamber of Representatives

or Palata Predstaviteley (110 seats; members elected by universal

adult suffrage to serve 4-year terms)

elections: last held 18 March and 1 April 2001 and 17 and 31 October

2004; international observers widely denounced the October 2004

elections as flawed and undemocratic, based on massive government

falsification; pro-Lukashenko candidates won every seat, after many

opposition candidates were disqualified for technical reasons

election results: Soviet Respubliki - percent of vote by party -

NA%; seats by party - NA; Palata Predstaviteley - percent of vote by

party - NA%; seats by party - NA

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the president);

Constitutional Court (half of the judges appointed by the president

and half appointed by the Chamber of Representatives)

Political parties and leaders:

Pro-government parties: Agrarian Party or AP [leader NA];

Belarusian Communist Party or KPB [leader NA]; Belarusian Patriotic

Movement (Belarusian Patriotic Party) or BPR [Anatoliy BARANKEVICH,

chairman]; Liberal Democratic Party of Belarus [Sergei GAYDUKEVICH];

Social-Sports Party [leader NA]; Opposition parties: Belarusian

Popular Front or BNF [Vintsuk VYACHORKA]; Belarusian Social-Democrat

Party Narodnaya Gromada or BSDP NG [Nikolay STATKEVICH, chairman];

Belarusian Social-Democratic Party Hromada [Stanislav SHUSHKEVICH,

chairman]; United Civic Party or UCP [Anatol LEBEDKO]; Party of

Communists Belarusian or PKB [Sergei KALYAKIN, chairman]; Women's

Party "Nadezhda" [Valentina MATUSEVICH, chairperson]

note: the opposition Belarusian Party of Labor [Aleksandr

BUKHVOSTOV] was liquidated in August 2004, but remains active

Political pressure groups and leaders:

NA

International organization participation:

CEI, CIS, EAPC, EBRD, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IFC, IFRCS,

ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, MIGA, NAM, NSG,

OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU,

WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Mikhail KHVOSTOV

chancery: 1619 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009

telephone: [1] (202) 986-1604

FAX: [1] (202) 986-1805

consulate(s) general: New York

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador George A. KROL

embassy: 46 Starovilenskaya St., Minsk 220002

mailing address: PSC 78, Box B Minsk, APO 09723

telephone: [375] (17) 210-12-83, 217-7347, 217-7348

FAX: [375] (17) 234-7853

Flag description:

red horizontal band (top) and green horizontal band one-half the

width of the red band; a white vertical stripe on the hoist side

bears Belarusian national ornamention in red

Economy Belarus

Economy - overview:

Belarus's economy in 2003-04 posted 6.1% and 6.4% growth. Still,

the economy continues to be hampered by high inflation, persistent

trade deficits, and ongoing rocky relations with Russia, Belarus'

largest trading partner and energy supplier. Belarus has seen little

structural reform since 1995, when President LUKASHENKO launched the

country on the path of "market socialism." In keeping with this

policy, LUKASHENKO reimposed administrative controls over prices and

currency exchange rates and expanded the state's right to intervene

in the management of private enterprises. In addition, businesses

have been subject to pressure on the part of central and local

governments, e.g., arbitrary changes in regulations, numerous

rigorous inspections, retroactive application of new business

regulations, and arrests of "disruptive" businessmen and factory

owners. A wide range of redistributive policies has helped those at

the bottom of the ladder; the Gini coefficient is among the lowest

in the world. For the time being, Belarus remains self-isolated from

the West and its open-market economies. Growth has been strong in

recent years, despite the roadblocks in a tough, centrally directed

economy and the high, but decreasing, rate of inflation. Growth has

been buoyed by increased Russian demand for generally noncompetitive

Belarusian goods.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$70.5 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

6.4% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $6,800 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 11% industry: 36.4% services: 52.6% (2004 est.)

Labor force:

4.305 million (31 December 2003)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 14%, industry 34.7%, services 51.3% (2003 est.)

Unemployment rate:

2% officially registered unemployed; large number of underemployed

workers (2004)

Population below poverty line:

27.1% (2003 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 5.1% highest 10%: 20% (1998)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

21.7 (1998)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

17.4% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

21.8% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $3.326 billion

expenditures: $3.564 billion, including capital expenditures of $180

million (2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

grain, potatoes, vegetables, sugar beets, flax; beef, milk

Industries:

metal-cutting machine tools, tractors, trucks, earthmovers,

motorcycles, televisions, chemical fibers, fertilizer, textiles,

radios, refrigerators

Industrial production growth rate:

4% (2004 est.)

Electricity - production:

30 billion kWh (2004)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 99.5% hydro: 0.1% nuclear: 0% other: 0.4% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

34.3 billion kWh (2004)

Electricity - exports:

800 million kWh (2004)

Electricity - imports:

3.2 billion kWh (2003)

Oil - production:

36,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Oil - consumption:

285,000 bbl/day (2003 est.)

Oil - exports:

14,500 bbl/day (2003 est.)

Oil - imports:

360,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Natural gas - production:

250 million cu m (2004 est.)

Natural gas - consumption:

18.8 billion cu m (2004 est.)

Natural gas - exports:

0 cu m (2004 est.)

Natural gas - imports:

18.5 billion cu m (2004 est.)

Current account balance:

$-1.119 billion (2004 est.)

Exports:

$11.47 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

machinery and equipment, mineral products, chemicals, metals;

textiles, foodstuffs

Exports - partners:

Russia 47%, UK 8.3%, Netherlands 6.7%, Poland 5.3% (2004)

Imports:

$13.57 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

mineral products, machinery and equipment, chemicals, foodstuffs,

metals

Imports - partners:

Russia 68.2%, Germany 6.6%, Ukraine 3.3% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$770.2 million (2004 est.)

Debt - external:

$600 million (2004 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:

$194.3 million (1995)

Currency (code):

Belarusian ruble (BYB/BYR)

Currency code:

BYB/BYR

Exchange rates:

Belarusian rubles per US dollar - 2,160.26 (2004), 2,051.27 (2003),

1,790.92 (2002), 1,390 (2001), 876.75 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Belarus

Telephones - main lines in use:

3,071,300 (2003)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

1.118 million (2003)

Telephone system:

general assessment: the Ministry of Telecommunications controls all

telecommunications through its carrier (a joint stock company)

Beltelcom which is a monopoly

domestic: local - Minsk has a digital metropolitan network and a

cellular NMT-450 network; waiting lists for telephones are long;

local service outside Minsk is neglected and poor; intercity -

Belarus has a partly developed fiber-optic backbone system presently

serving at least 13 major cities (1998); Belarus' fiber optics form

synchronous digital hierarchy rings through other countries'

systems; an inadequate analog system remains operational

international: country code - 375; Belarus is a member of the

Trans-European Line (TEL), Trans-Asia-Europe (TAE) fiber-optic line,

and has access to the Trans-Siberia Line (TSL); three fiber-optic

segments provide connectivity to Latvia, Poland, Russia, and

Ukraine; worldwide service is available to Belarus through this

infrastructure; additional analog lines to Russia; Intelsat,

Eutelsat, and Intersputnik earth stations

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 28, FM 37, shortwave 11 (1998)

Radios:

3.02 million (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

47 (plus 27 repeaters) (1995)

Televisions:

2.52 million (1997)

Internet country code:

.by

Internet hosts:

5,308 (2004)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

23 (2002)

Internet users:

1,391,900 (2003)

Transportation Belarus

Railways:

total: 5,512 km

broad gauge: 5,497 km 1.520-m gauge (874 km electrified)

standard gauge: 15 km 1.435-m (2004)

Highways:

total: 79,990 km

paved: 69,351 km

unpaved: 10,639 km (2002)

Waterways:

2,500 km (use limited by location on perimeter of country and by

shallowness) (2003)

Pipelines:

gas 5,223 km; oil 2,443 km; refined products 1,686 km (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Mazyr

Airports:

133 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 50

over 3,047 m: 2

2,438 to 3,047 m: 22

1,524 to 2,437 m: 4

914 to 1,523 m: 1

under 914 m: 21 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 83

over 3,047 m: 2

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 5

914 to 1,523 m: 11

under 914 m: 64 (2004 est.)

Heliports:

1 (2004 est.)

Military Belarus

Military branches:

Army, Air and Air Defense Force

Military service age and obligation: 18-27 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript service obligation - 18 months (May 2004)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 18-49: 2,520,644 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: 1,657,984 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:

males: 85,202 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$176.1 million (FY02)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

1.4% (FY02)

Transnational Issues Belarus

Disputes - international:

1997 boundary treaty with Ukraine remains unratified over

unresolved financial claims, preventing demarcation and diminishing

border security; boundary with Latvia remains undemarcated but a

third of the border with Lithuania was demarcated in 2004

Illicit drugs:

limited cultivation of opium poppy and cannabis, mostly for the

domestic market; transshipment point for illicit drugs to and via

Russia, and to the Baltics and Western Europe; a small and lightly

regulated financial center; new anti-money-laundering legislation

does not meet international standards; few investigations or

prosecutions of money-laundering activities

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Belgium

Introduction Belgium

Background:

Belgium became independent from the Netherlands in 1830 and was

occupied by Germany during World Wars I and II. It has prospered in

the past half century as a modern, technologically advanced European

state and member of NATO and the EU. Tensions between the

Dutch-speaking Flemings of the north and the French-speaking

Walloons of the south have led in recent years to constitutional

amendments granting these regions formal recognition and autonomy.

Geography Belgium

Location:

Western Europe, bordering the North Sea, between France and the

Netherlands

Geographic coordinates:

50 50 N, 4 00 E

Map references:

Europe

Area:

total: 30,528 sq km

land: 30,278 sq km

water: 250 sq km

Area - comparative:

about the size of Maryland

Land boundaries:

total: 1,385 km

border countries: France 620 km, Germany 167 km, Luxembourg 148 km,

Netherlands 450 km

Coastline:

66.5 km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: geographic coordinates define outer limit

continental shelf: median line with neighbors

Climate:

temperate; mild winters, cool summers; rainy, humid, cloudy

Terrain:

flat coastal plains in northwest, central rolling hills, rugged

mountains of Ardennes Forest in southeast

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: North Sea 0 m

highest point: Signal de Botrange 694 m

Natural resources:

construction materials, silica sand, carbonates

Land use: arable land: 23.28% permanent crops: 0.4% other: 76.32% note: includes Luxembourg (2001)

Irrigated land:

40 sq km (includes Luxembourg) (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

flooding is a threat along rivers and in areas of reclaimed coastal

land, protected from the sea by concrete dikes

Environment - current issues:

the environment is exposed to intense pressures from human

activities: urbanization, dense transportation network, industry,

extensive animal breeding and crop cultivation; air and water

pollution also have repercussions for neighboring countries;

uncertainties regarding federal and regional responsibilities (now

resolved) have slowed progress in tackling environmental challenges

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air

Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile

Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol,

Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic

Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol,

Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification,

Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life

Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical

Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants

Geography - note:

crossroads of Western Europe; majority of West European capitals

within 1,000 km of Brussels, the seat of both the European Union and

NATO

People Belgium

Population:

10,364,388 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 16.9% (male 892,995/female 855,177)

15-64 years: 65.7% (male 3,435,282/female 3,373,917)

65 years and over: 17.4% (male 745,178/female 1,061,839) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 40.55 years

male: 39.29 years

female: 41.81 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

0.15% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

10.48 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

10.22 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

1.23 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female

total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 4.68 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 5.27 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 4.06 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 78.62 years

male: 75.44 years

female: 81.94 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

1.64 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

0.2% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

10,000 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

less than 100 (2003 est.)

Nationality:

noun: Belgian(s)

adjective: Belgian

Ethnic groups:

Fleming 58%, Walloon 31%, mixed or other 11%

Religions:

Roman Catholic 75%, Protestant or other 25%

Languages:

Dutch (official) 60%, French (official) 40%, German (official) less

than 1%, legally bilingual (Dutch and French)

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 98%

male: NA%

female: NA%

Government Belgium

Country name:

conventional long form: Kingdom of Belgium

conventional short form: Belgium

local long form: Royaume de Belgique/Koninkrijk Belgie

local short form: Belgique/Belgie

Government type:

federal parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarch

Capital:

Brussels

Administrative divisions:

10 provinces (French: provinces, singular - province; Dutch:

provincies, singular - provincie) and 3 regions* (French: regions;

Dutch: gewesten); Antwerpen, Brabant Wallon, Brussels* (Bruxelles),

Flanders*, Hainaut, Liege, Limburg, Luxembourg, Namur,

Oost-Vlaanderen, Vlaams-Brabant, Wallonia*, West-Vlaanderen

note: as a result of the 1993 constitutional revision that furthered

devolution into a federal state, there are now three levels of

government (federal, regional, and linguistic community) with a

complex division of responsibilities

Independence:

4 October 1830 (a provisional government declares independence from

the Netherlands); 21 July 1831 (King Leopold I ascends to the throne)

National holiday:

21 July (1831) ascension to the Throne of King Leopold I

Constitution:

7 February 1831; amended many times; revised 14 July 1993 to create

a federal state

Legal system:

civil law system influenced by English constitutional theory;

judicial review of legislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ

jurisdiction, with reservations

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal and compulsory

Executive branch:

chief of state: King ALBERT II (since 9 August 1993); Heir Apparent

Prince PHILIPPE, son of the monarch

head of government: Prime Minister Guy VERHOFSTADT (since 13 July

1999)

cabinet: Council of Ministers formally appointed by the monarch

elections: none; the monarchy is hereditary; following legislative

elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the

majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the

monarch and then approved by parliament

note: government coalition - VLD, MR, PS, SP.A-Spirit

Legislative branch:

bicameral Parliament consists of a Senate or Senaat in Dutch, Senat

in French (71 seats; 40 members are directly elected by popular

vote, 31 are indirectly elected; members serve four-year terms) and

a Chamber of Deputies or Kamer van Volksvertegenwoordigers in Dutch,

Chambre des Representants in French (150 seats; members are directly

elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation

to serve four-year terms)

elections: Senate and Chamber of Deputies - last held 18 May 2003

(next to be held no later than May 2007)

election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - SP.A-Spirit

15.5%, VLD 15.4%, CD & V 12.7%, PS 12.8%, MR 12.1%, VB 9.4%, CDH

5.6%; seats by party - SP.A-Spirit 7, VLD 7, CD & V 6, PS 6, MR 5,

VB 5, CDH 2, other 2 (note - there are also 31 indirectly elected

senators); Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - VLD

15.4%, SP.A-Spirit 14.9%, CD & V 13.3%, PS 13.0%, VB 11.6%, MR

11.4%, CDH 5.5%, Ecolo 3.1%; seats by party - VLD 25, SP.A-Spirit

23, CD & V 21, PS 25, VB 18, MR 24, CDH 8 Ecolo 4, other 2

note: as a result of the 1993 constitutional revision that furthered

devolution into a federal state, there are now three levels of

government (federal, regional, and linguistic community) with a

complex division of responsibilities; this reality leaves six

governments each with its own legislative assembly

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court of Justice or Hof van Cassatie (in Dutch) or Cour de

Cassation (in French) (judges are appointed for life by the

Government; candidacies have to be submitted by the High Justice

Council)

Political parties and leaders:

Flemish parties: Christian Democrats and Flemish or CD & V [Jo

VANDEURZEN]; Flemish Liberal Democrats or VLD [Bart SOMERS]; GROEN!

(formerly AGALEV, Flemish Greens) [Vera DUA]; New Flemish Alliance

or NVA [Bart DE WEVER]; Socialist Party.Alternative or SP.A

[Caroline GENNEZ]; Spirit [Geert LAMBERT] (new party now associated

with SP.A); Vlaams Belang (Flemish Interest) or VB [Frank VANHECKE]

Francophone parties: Ecolo (Francophone Greens) [Jean-Michel JAVAUX,

Evelyne HUYTEBROECK, Claude BROUIR]; Humanist and Democratic Center

of CDH [Joelle MILQUET]; National Front or FN [Daniel FERET];

Reformist Movement or MR [Didier REYNDERS]; Socialist Party or PS

[Elio DI RUPO]; other minor parties

Political pressure groups and leaders:

Christian, Socialist, and Liberal Trade Unions; Federation of

Belgian Industries; numerous other associations representing

bankers, manufacturers, middle-class artisans, and the legal and

medical professions; various organizations represent the cultural

interests of Flanders and Wallonia; various peace groups such as Pax

Christi and groups representing immigrants

International organization participation:

ACCT, AfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, Benelux, BIS, CE, CERN, EAPC,

EBRD, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, G- 9, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO,

ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF,

IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MIGA, MONUC, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS

(observer), OECD, ONUB, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, UN, UNCTAD,

UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIK, UNMOGIP, UNRWA, UNTSO, UPU, WADB

(nonregional), WCL, WCO, WEU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Franciskus VAN DAELE

chancery: 3330 Garfield Street NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 333-6900

FAX: [1] (202) 333-3079

consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Los Angeles, and New York

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Tom C. KOROLOGOS

embassy: Regentlaan 27 Boulevard du Regent, B-1000 Brussels

mailing address: PSC 82, Box 002, APO AE 09710

telephone: [32] (2) 508-2111

FAX: [32] (2) 511-2725

Flag description:

three equal vertical bands of black (hoist side), yellow, and red;

the design was based on the flag of France

Economy Belgium

Economy - overview:

This modern private enterprise economy has capitalized on its

central geographic location, highly developed transport network, and

diversified industrial and commercial base. Industry is concentrated

mainly in the populous Flemish area in the north. With few natural

resources, Belgium must import substantial quantities of raw

materials and export a large volume of manufactures, making its

economy unusually dependent on the state of world markets. Roughly

three-quarters of its trade is with other EU countries. Public debt

is nearly 100% of GDP. On the positive side, the government has

succeeded in balancing its budget, and income distribution is

relatively equal. Belgium began circulating the euro currency in

January 2002. Economic growth in 2001-03 dropped sharply because of

the global economic slowdown, with moderate recovery in 2004.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$316.2 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

2.6% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $30,600 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 1.3% industry: 25.7% services: 73% (2004 est.)

Labor force:

4.75 million (2004 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 1.3%, industry 24.5%, services 74.2% (2003 est.)

Unemployment rate:

12% (first half, 2004)

Population below poverty line:

4% (1989 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.2% highest 10%: 23% (1996)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

28.7 (1996)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

1.9% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

19.1% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $173.7 billion

expenditures: $174.8 billion, including capital expenditures of

$1.56 billion (2004 est.)

Public debt:

96.2% of GDP (2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

sugar beets, fresh vegetables, fruits, grain, tobacco; beef, veal,

pork, milk

Industries:

engineering and metal products, motor vehicle assembly,

transportation equipment, scientific instruments, processed food and

beverages, chemicals, basic metals, textiles, glass, petroleum

Industrial production growth rate:

3.5% (2004 est.)

Electricity - production:

76.58 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 38.4% hydro: 0.6% nuclear: 59.3% other: 1.8% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

78.82 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

9.1 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

16.7 billion kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

595,100 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

450,000 bbl/day (2001)

Oil - imports:

1.042 million bbl/day (2001)

Natural gas - production:

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - consumption:

15.5 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - exports:

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - imports:

15.4 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Current account balance:

$11.4 billion (2004 est.)

Exports:

$255.7 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Exports - commodities:

machinery and equipment, chemicals, diamonds, metals and metal

products, foodstuffs

Exports - partners:

Germany 19.9%, France 17.2%, Netherlands 11.8%, UK 8.6%, US 6.5%,

Italy 5.2% (2004)

Imports:

$235 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Imports - commodities:

machinery and equipment, chemicals, diamonds, pharmaceuticals,

foodstuffs, transportation equipment, oil products

Imports - partners:

Germany 18.4%, Netherlands 17%, France 12.5%, UK 6.8%, Ireland

6.3%, US 5.5% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$14.45 billion (2003)

Debt - external:

$28.3 billion (1999 est.)

Economic aid - donor:

ODA, $1.072 billion (2002)

Currency (code):

euro (EUR)

note: on 1 January 1999, the European Monetary Union introduced the

euro as a common currency to be used by financial institutions of

member countries; on 1 January 2002, the euro became the sole

currency for everyday transactions within the member countries

Currency code:

EUR

Exchange rates:

euros per US dollar - 0.8054 (2004), 0.886 (2003), 1.0626 (2002),

1.1175 (2001), 1.0854 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Belgium

Telephones - main lines in use:

5,120,400 (2002)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

8,135,500 (2002)

Telephone system:

general assessment: highly developed, technologically advanced, and

completely automated domestic and international telephone and

telegraph facilities

domestic: nationwide cellular telephone system; extensive cable

network; limited microwave radio relay network

international: country code - 32; 5 submarine cables; satellite

earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) and 1 Eutelsat

Radio broadcast stations:

FM 79, AM 7, shortwave 1 (1998)

Radios:

8.075 million (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

25 (plus 10 repeaters) (1997)

Televisions:

4.72 million (1997)

Internet country code:

.be

Internet hosts:

166,799 (2004)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

61 (2000)

Internet users:

3.4 million (2002)

Transportation Belgium

Railways: total: 3,521 km standard gauge: 3,521 km 1.435-m gauge (2,927 km electrified) (2004)

Highways:

total: 149,028 km

paved: 116,540 km (including 1,729 km of expressways)

unpaved: 32,488 km (2002)

Waterways:

2,043 km (1,528 km in regular commercial use) (2003)

Pipelines:

gas 1,485 km; oil 158 km; refined products 535 km (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Antwerp, Brussels, Gent, Liege, Oostende, Zeebrugge

Merchant marine:

total: 53 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 1,146,301 GRT/1,588,184 DWT

by type: bulk carrier 15, cargo 2, chemical tanker 2, container 8,

liquefied gas 17, petroleum tanker 9

foreign-owned: 12 (Denmark 4, France 4, Greece 4)

registered in other countries: 101 (2005)

Airports:

43 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 25 over 3,047 m: 6 2,438 to 3,047 m: 8 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 7 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 18 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 16 (2004 est.)

Heliports: 1 (2004 est.)

Military Belgium

Military branches:

Land, Naval, and Air Components (2005)

Military service age and obligation: 16 years of age for voluntary military service; women comprise some 7% of the Belgian armed forces (2001)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 16-49: 2,436,736 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 16-49: 1,998,003 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:

males: 64,263 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$3.999 billion (2003)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

1.3% (2003)

Transnational Issues Belgium

Disputes - international:

none

Illicit drugs:

growing producer of synthetic drugs; transit point for US-bound

ecstasy; source of precursor chemicals for South American cocaine

processors; transshipment point for cocaine, heroin, hashish, and

marijuana entering Western Europe; despite a strengthening of

legislation, the country remains vulnerable to money laundering

related to narcotics, automobiles, alcohol, and tobacco

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Belize

Introduction Belize

Background:

Territorial disputes between the UK and Guatemala delayed the

independence of Belize (formerly British Honduras) until 1981.

Guatemala refused to recognize the new nation until 1992. Tourism

has become the mainstay of the economy. The country remains plagued

by high unemployment, growing involvement in the South American drug

trade, and increasing urban crime.

Geography Belize

Location:

Central America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Guatemala and

Mexico

Geographic coordinates:

17 15 N, 88 45 W

Map references:

Central America and the Caribbean

Area:

total: 22,966 sq km

land: 22,806 sq km

water: 160 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly smaller than Massachusetts

Land boundaries: total: 516 km border countries: Guatemala 266 km, Mexico 250 km

Coastline:

386 km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 12 nm in the north, 3 nm in the south; note - from

the mouth of the Sarstoon River to Ranguana Cay, Belize's

territorial sea is 3 nm; according to Belize's Maritime Areas Act,

1992, the purpose of this limitation is to provide a framework for

negotiating a definitive agreement on territorial differences with

Guatemala

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Climate:

tropical; very hot and humid; rainy season (May to November); dry

season (February to May)

Terrain:

flat, swampy coastal plain; low mountains in south

Elevation extremes: lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Victoria Peak 1,160 m

Natural resources: arable land potential, timber, fish, hydropower

Land use: arable land: 2.85% permanent crops: 1.71% other: 95.44% (2001)

Irrigated land:

30 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

frequent, devastating hurricanes (June to November) and coastal

flooding (especially in south)

Environment - current issues:

deforestation; water pollution from sewage, industrial effluents,

agricultural runoff; solid and sewage waste disposal

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto

Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law

of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

only country in Central America without a coastline on the North

Pacific Ocean

People Belize

Population:

279,457 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 40.1% (male 57,114/female 54,877)

15-64 years: 56.4% (male 79,694/female 77,881)

65 years and over: 3.5% (male 4,768/female 5,123) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 19.35 years

male: 19.21 years

female: 19.49 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

2.33% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

29.34 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

6.04 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.93 male(s)/female

total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 25.69 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 28.97 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 22.25 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 68.44 years

male: 66.54 years

female: 70.44 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

3.68 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

2.4% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

3,600 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

less than 200 (2003 est.)

Nationality: noun: Belizean(s) adjective: Belizean

Ethnic groups:

mestizo 48.7%, Creole 24.9%, Maya 10.6%, Garifuna 6.1%, other 9.7%

Religions:

Roman Catholic 49.6%, Protestant 27% (Pentecostal 7.4%, Anglican

5.3%, Seventh-Day Adventist 5.2%, Mennonite 4.1%, Methodist 3.5%,

Jehovah's Witnesses 1.5%), other 14%, none 9.4% (2000)

Languages:

English (official), Spanish, Mayan, Garifuna (Carib), Creole

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 94.1%

male: 94.1%

female: 94.1% (2003 est.)

Government Belize

Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Belize former: British Honduras

Government type:

parliamentary democracy

Capital:

Belmopan

Administrative divisions:

6 districts; Belize, Cayo, Corozal, Orange Walk, Stann Creek, Toledo

Independence:

21 September 1981 (from UK)

National holiday:

Independence Day, 21 September (1981)

Constitution:

21 September 1981

Legal system:

English law

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952),

represented by Governor General Sir Colville YOUNG, Sr. (since 17

November 1993)

head of government: Prime Minister Said Wilbert MUSA (since 28

August 1998); Deputy Prime Minister John BRICENO (since 1 September

1998)

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of

the prime minister

elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor general

appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the

leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition

is usually appointed prime minister by the governor general; prime

minister recommends the deputy prime minister

Legislative branch:

bicameral National Assembly consists of the Senate (12 members

appointed by the governor general - six on the advice of the prime

minister, three on the advice of the leader of the opposition, and

one each on the advice of the Belize Council of Churches and

Evangelical Association of Churches, the Belize Chamber of Commerce

and Industry and the Belize Better Business Bureau, and the National

Trade Union Congress and the Civil Society Steering Committee;

members are appointed for five-year terms) and the House of

Representatives (29 seats; members are elected by direct popular

vote to serve five-year terms)

elections: House of Representatives - last held 5 March 2003 (next

to be held March 2008)

election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -

PUP 21, UDP 8

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court (the chief justice is appointed by the governor

general on the advice of the prime minister)

Political parties and leaders:

People's United Party or PUP [Said MUSA]; United Democratic Party

or UDP [Dean BARROW, party leader; Douglas SINGH, party chairman]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

Society for the Promotion of Education and Research or SPEAR [Adele

CATZIM]

International organization participation:

ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU,

ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU,

LAES, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO,

UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Lisa M. SHOMAN

chancery: 2535 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 332-9636

FAX: [1] (202) 332-6888

consulate(s) general: Los Angeles

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Russell F. FREEMAN

embassy: 29 Gabourel Lane, Belize City

mailing address: P. O. Box 286, Belize City

telephone: [501] 227-7161 through 7163

FAX: [501] 2-30802

Flag description:

blue with a narrow red stripe along the top and the bottom edges;

centered is a large white disk bearing the coat of arms; the coat of

arms features a shield flanked by two workers in front of a mahogany

tree with the related motto SUB UMBRA FLOREO (I Flourish in the

Shade) on a scroll at the bottom, all encircled by a green garland

Economy Belize

Economy - overview:

In this small, essentially private enterprise economy the tourism

industry is the number one foreign exchange earner followed by

marine products, citrus, cane sugar, bananas, and garments. The

government's expansionary monetary and fiscal policies, initiated in

September 1998, led to sturdy GDP growth averaging nearly 6% in

1999-2004. Major concerns continue to be the sizable trade deficit

and foreign debt. A key short-term objective remains the reduction

of poverty with the help of international donors.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$1.778 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

3.5% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $6,500 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector:

agriculture: 17.7%

industry: 15%

services: 67.3% (2003 est.)

Labor force:

90,000

note: shortage of skilled labor and all types of technical personnel

(2001 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 27%, industry 18%, services 55% (2001 est.)

Unemployment rate:

12.9% (2003)

Population below poverty line:

33% (1999 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

2.9% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

33.6% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $244.5 million

expenditures: $300 million, including capital expenditures of $70

million (2004 est.)

Agriculture - products: bananas, coca, citrus, sugar; fish, cultured shrimp; lumber; garments

Industries:

garment production, food processing, tourism, construction

Industrial production growth rate:

4.6% (1999)

Electricity - production:

117 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 59.9% hydro: 40.1% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

108.8 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

5,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Current account balance:

$-115 million (2004 est.)

Exports:

$401.4 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

sugar, bananas, citrus, clothing, fish products, molasses, wood

Exports - partners:

US 37.2%, UK 26.8%, Jamaica 4.6% (2004)

Imports:

$579.9 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods; fuels,

chemicals, pharmaceuticals; food, beverages, tobacco

Imports - partners:

US 30.1%, Mexico 12%, Guatemala 7.4%, Cuba 7.2%, China 4.2%, Japan

4.1% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$111.1 million (2004 est.)

Debt - external:

$1.362 billion (June 2004 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:

NA

Currency (code):

Belizean dollar (BZD)

Currency code:

BZD

Exchange rates:

Belizean dollars per US dollar - 2 (2004), 2 (2003), 2 (2002), 2

(2001), 2 (2000)

Fiscal year:

1 April - 31 March

Communications Belize

Telephones - main lines in use:

33,300 (2003)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

60,400 (2003)

Telephone system:

general assessment: above-average system

domestic: trunk network depends primarily on microwave radio relay

international: country code - 501; satellite earth station - 1

Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 1, FM 12, shortwave 0 (1998)

Radios:

133,000 (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

2 (1997)

Televisions:

41,000 (1997)

Internet country code:

.bz

Internet hosts:

2,613 (2003)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

2 (2000)

Internet users:

30,000 (2002)

Transportation Belize

Highways: total: 2,872 km paved: 488 km unpaved: 2,384 km (1999 est.)

Waterways:

825 km (navigable only by small craft) (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Belize City

Merchant marine:

total: 295 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 1,015,270 GRT/1,336,890 DWT

by type: bulk carrier 25, cargo 207, chemical tanker 9, container 6,

passenger/cargo 6, petroleum tanker 20, refrigerated cargo 17, roll

on/roll off 5

foreign-owned: 142 (Australia 2, Belgium 1, China 50, Cuba 1, Cyprus

1, Estonia 9, Germany 4, Hong Kong 6, Indonesia 3, Italy 2, Japan 5,

Latvia 4, Malaysia 1, Nigeria 1, Pakistan 1, Poland 2, Russia 23,

Singapore 5, South Korea 6, Spain 3, Switzerland 1, Turkey 2,

Ukraine 4, UAE 3, United States 2) (2005)

Airports:

43 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 5

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 2

under 914 m: 2 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 38

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 11

under 914 m: 26 (2004 est.)

Military Belize

Military branches:

Belize Defense Force (BDF): Army, Maritime Wing, Air Wing, and

Volunteer Guard

Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for voluntary military service; laws allow for conscription only if volunteers are insufficient; conscription has never been implemented; volunteers typically outnumber available positions by 3:1 (2001)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 18-49: 60,750 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: 41,368 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:

males: 3,209 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$18 million (2003)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

2% (2003)

Transnational Issues Belize

Disputes - international:

Guatemalan squatters continue to settle in the largely uninhabited

rain forests of Belize's border region; OAS is attempting to revive

the 2002 failed Differendum that created a small adjustment to land

boundary, a Guatemalan maritime corridor in Caribbean, joint

ecological park for disputed Sapodilla Cays, and substantial US-UK

financial package

Illicit drugs:

major transshipment point for cocaine; small-scale illicit producer

of cannabis for the international drug trade; money-laundering

activity related to narcotics trafficking and offshore sector

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Benin

Introduction Benin

Background:

Present day Benin was the site of Dahomey, a prominent West African

kingdom that rose in the 15th century. The territory became a French

Colony in 1872 and achieved independence on 1 August 1960, as the

Republic of Benin. A succession of military governments ended in

1972 with the rise to power of Mathieu KEREKOU and the establishment

of a government based on Marxist-Leninist principles. A move to

representative government began in 1989. Two years later, free

elections ushered in former Prime Minister Nicephore SOGLO as

president, marking the first successful transfer of power in Africa

from a dictatorship to a democracy. KEREKOU was returned to power by

elections held in 1996 and 2001, though some irregularities were

alleged.

Geography Benin

Location:

Western Africa, bordering the Bight of Benin, between Nigeria and

Togo

Geographic coordinates:

9 30 N, 2 15 E

Map references:

Africa

Area:

total: 112,620 sq km

land: 110,620 sq km

water: 2,000 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly smaller than Pennsylvania

Land boundaries:

total: 1,989 km

border countries: Burkina Faso 306 km, Niger 266 km, Nigeria 773 km,

Togo 644 km

Coastline:

121 km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 200 nm

Climate:

tropical; hot, humid in south; semiarid in north

Terrain:

mostly flat to undulating plain; some hills and low mountains

Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mont Sokbaro 658 m

Natural resources: small offshore oil deposits, limestone, marble, timber

Land use: arable land: 18.08% permanent crops: 2.4% other: 79.52% (2001)

Irrigated land:

120 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

hot, dry, dusty harmattan wind may affect north from December to

March

Environment - current issues:

inadequate supplies of potable water; poaching threatens wildlife

populations; deforestation; desertification

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto

Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental

Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer

Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

sandbanks create difficult access to a coast with no natural

harbors, river mouths, or islands

People Benin

Population:

7,460,025

note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the

effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower

life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower

population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of

population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July

2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 46.5% (male 1,752,243/female 1,719,458)

15-64 years: 51.2% (male 1,868,630/female 1,948,610)

65 years and over: 2.3% (male 70,367/female 100,717) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 16.56 years

male: 16.12 years

female: 17.01 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

2.82% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

41.99 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

13.76 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female

total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 85 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 90 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 79.86 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 52.66 years

male: 51.53 years

female: 53.82 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

5.86 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

1.9% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

68,000 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

5,800 (2003 est.)

Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: malaria, yellow fever, and others are high risks in some locations respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis (2004)

Nationality:

noun: Beninese (singular and plural)

adjective: Beninese

Ethnic groups:

African 99% (42 ethnic groups, most important being Fon, Adja,

Yoruba, Bariba), Europeans 5,500

Religions:

indigenous beliefs 50%, Christian 30%, Muslim 20%

Languages:

French (official), Fon and Yoruba (most common vernaculars in

south), tribal languages (at least six major ones in north)

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 33.6%

male: 46.4%

female: 22.6% (2002 est.)

Government Benin

Country name:

conventional long form: Republic of Benin

conventional short form: Benin

local long form: Republique du Benin

local short form: Benin

former: Dahomey

Government type:

republic under multiparty democratic rule; dropped Marxism-Leninism

December 1989

Capital:

Porto-Novo is the official capital; Cotonou is the seat of

government

Administrative divisions:

12 departments; Alibori, Atakora, Atlantique, Borgou, Collines,

Kouffo, Donga, Littoral, Mono, Oueme, Plateau, Zou

Independence:

1 August 1960 (from France)

National holiday:

National Day, 1 August (1960)

Constitution:

December 1990

Legal system:

based on French civil law and customary law; has not accepted

compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Mathieu KEREKOU (since 4 April 1996);

note - the president is both the chief of state and head of

government

head of government: President Mathieu KEREKOU (since 4 April 1996);

note - the president is both the chief of state and head of

government

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president

elections: president reelected by popular vote for a five-year term;

runoff election held 22 March 2001 (next to be held March 2006)

election results: Mathieu KEREKOU reelected president; percent of

vote - Mathieu KEREKOU 84.1%, Bruno AMOUSSOU 15.9%

note: the four top-ranking contenders following the first-round

presidential elections were: Mathieu KEREKOU (incumbent) 45.4%,

Nicephore SOGLO (former president) 27.1%, Adrien HOUNGBEDJI

(National Assembly Speaker) 12.6%, and Bruno AMOUSSOU (Minister of

State) 8.6%; the second-round balloting, originally scheduled for 18

March 2001, was postponed four days because both SOGLO and

HOUNGBEDJI withdrew alleging electoral fraud; this left KEREKOU to

run against his own Minister of State, AMOUSSOU, in what was termed

a "friendly match"

Legislative branch:

unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (83 seats;

members are elected by direct popular vote to serve four-year terms)

elections: last held 30 March 2003 (next to be held March 2007)

election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -

Presidential Movement 52, opposition (PRB, PRD, E'toile, and 5 other

small parties) 31

Judicial branch:

Constitutional Court or Cour Constitutionnelle; Supreme Court or

Cour Supreme; High Court of Justice

Political parties and leaders:

African Congress for Renewal or DUNYA [Saka SALEY]; African

Movement for Democracy and Progress or MADEP [Sefou FAGBOHOUN];

Alliance of the Social Democratic Party or PSD [Bruno AMOUSSOU];

Coalition of Democratic Forces [Gatien HOUNGBEDJI]; Democratic

Renewal Party or PRD [Adrien HOUNGBEDJI]; Front for Renewal and

Development or FARD-ALAFIA [Jerome Sakia KINA]; Impulse for Progress

and Democracy or IPD [Bertin BORNA]; Key Force or FC [leader NA];

Presidential Movement (UBF, MADEP, FC, IDP, and four small parties);

Renaissance Party du Benin or PRB [Nicephore SOGLO]; The Star

Alliance (Alliance E'toile) [Sacca LAFIA]; Union of Tomorrow's Benin

or UBF [Bruno AMOUSSOU]

note: approximately 20 additional minor parties

Political pressure groups and leaders:

NA

International organization participation:

ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD,

ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO,

Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, MIGA, MINUSTAH, MONUC,

NAM, OIC, ONUB, OPCW, UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNCTAD,

UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNOCI, UPU, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WCL, WCO,

WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Cyrille Segbe OGUIN chancery: 2124 Kalorama Road NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 232-6656 FAX: [1] (202) 265-1996

Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Wayne NEILL embassy: Rue Caporal Bernard Anani, Cotonou mailing address: 01 B. P. 2012, Cotonou telephone: [229] 30-06-50 FAX: [229] 30-06-70

Flag description:

two equal horizontal bands of yellow (top) and red (bottom) with a

vertical green band on the hoist side

Economy Benin

Economy - overview:

The economy of Benin remains underdeveloped and dependent on

subsistence agriculture, cotton production, and regional trade.

Growth in real output has averaged around 5% in the past six years,

but rapid population growth has offset much of this increase.

Inflation has subsided over the past several years. In order to

raise growth still further, Benin plans to attract more foreign

investment, place more emphasis on tourism, facilitate the

development of new food processing systems and agricultural

products, and encourage new information and communication

technology. The 2001 privatization policy should continue in

telecommunications, water, electricity, and agriculture in spite of

initial government reluctance. The Paris Club and bilateral

creditors have eased the external debt situation, while pressing for

more rapid structural reforms. Benin continues to be hurt by

Nigerian trade protection that bans imports of a growing list of

products from Benin and elsewhere. As a result, smuggling and

criminality along the Benin-Nigeria border has been on the rise.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$8.338 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

5% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $1,200 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector:

agriculture: 36.3%

industry: 14.3%

services: 49.4% (2004 est.)

Labor force:

NA (1996)

Unemployment rate:

NA

Population below poverty line:

33% (2001 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

2.8% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

19.3% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $869.4 million

expenditures: $720.4 million, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Agriculture - products: cotton, corn, cassava (tapioca), yams, beans, palm oil, peanuts, livestock (2001)

Industries:

textiles, food processing, construction materials, cement (2001)

Industrial production growth rate:

8.3% (2001 est.)

Electricity - production:

285.2 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 14.2% hydro: 85.8% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

565.2 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

300 million kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

700 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

11,500 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Oil - proved reserves:

4.105 million bbl (1 January 2002)

Natural gas - proved reserves:

608.8 million cu m (1 January 2002)

Current account balance:

$-159.9 million (2004 est.)

Exports:

$720.9 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

cotton, crude oil, palm products, cocoa

Exports - partners:

China 28.7%, India 18.4%, Ghana 6.3%, Thailand 6%, Niger 5.8%,

Indonesia 4.2%, Nigeria 4.2% (2004)

Imports:

$934.5 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

foodstuffs, capital goods, petroleum products

Imports - partners:

China 32.2%, France 13%, Thailand 6.7%, Cote d'Ivoire 5.3% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$839.3 million (2004 est.)

Debt - external:

$1.6 billion (2000)

Economic aid - recipient:

$342.6 million (2000)

Currency (code):

Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XOF); note - responsible

authority is the Central Bank of the West African States

Currency code:

XOF

Exchange rates:

Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar - 528.29

(2004), 581.2 (2003), 696.99 (2002), 733.04 (2001), 711.98 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Benin

Telephones - main lines in use:

66,500 (2003)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

236,200 (2003)

Telephone system:

general assessment: NA

domestic: fair system of open-wire, microwave radio relay, and

cellular connections

international: country code - 229; satellite earth station - 1

Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); fiber optic submarine cable (SAT-3/WASC)

provides connectivity to Europe and Asia

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 2, FM 9, shortwave 4 (2000)

Radios:

660,000 (2000)

Television broadcast stations:

1 (2001)

Televisions:

66,000 (2000)

Internet country code:

.bj

Internet hosts:

879 (2004)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

4 (2002)

Internet users:

70,000 (2003)

Transportation Benin

Railways: total: 578 km narrow gauge: 578 km 1.000-m gauge (2004)

Highways:

total: 6,787 km

paved: 1,357 km (including 10 km of expressways)

unpaved: 5,430 km (1999 est.)

Waterways:

150 km (on River Niger along northern border) (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Cotonou

Airports:

5 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 4

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2004 est.)

Military Benin

Military branches:

Army, Navy, Air Force

Military service age and obligation: 21 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service; in practice, volunteers may be taken at the age of 18; both sexes are eligible for military service; conscript tour of duty - 18 months (2004)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 21-49: 1,207,071

females age 21-49: 1,216,180 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 21-49: 670,170

females age 21-49: 630,078 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:

males: 72,841

females: 71,428 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$96.5 million (2004)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

2.4% (2004)

Transnational Issues Benin

Disputes - international:

two villages remain in dispute along the border with Burkina Faso;

accuses Burkina Faso of moving boundary pillars; much of Benin-Niger

boundary, including tripoint with Nigeria, remains undemarcated, and

the states expect a ruling in 2005 from the ICJ over the disputed

Niger and Mekrou River islands; a joint task force was established

in 2004 that resolved disputes over and redrew the maritime and the

870-km land boundary with Nigeria, including the sovereignty over

seven villages along the Okpara River; a joint boundary commission

continues to resurvey the boundary with Togo to verify Benin's claim

that Togo moved boundary stones

Illicit drugs:

transshipment point for narcotics associated with Nigerian

trafficking organizations and most commonly destined for Western

Europe and the US; vulnerable to money laundering due to a poorly

regulated financial infrastructure

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Bermuda

Introduction Bermuda

Background:

Bermuda was first settled in 1609 by shipwrecked English colonists

headed for Virginia. Tourism to the island to escape North American

winters first developed in Victorian times. Tourism continues to be

important to the island's economy, although international business

has overtaken it in recent years. Bermuda has developed into a

highly successful offshore financial center. A referendum on

independence was soundly defeated in 1995.

Geography Bermuda

Location:

North America, group of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, east

of South Carolina (US)

Geographic coordinates:

32 20 N, 64 45 W

Map references:

North America

Area:

total: 53.3 sq km

land: 53.3 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative:

about one-third the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries:

0 km

Coastline:

103 km

Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm

Climate:

subtropical; mild, humid; gales, strong winds common in winter

Terrain:

low hills separated by fertile depressions

Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Town Hill 76 m

Natural resources: limestone, pleasant climate fostering tourism

Land use: arable land: 20% permanent crops: 0% other: 80% (55% developed, 45% rural/open space) (2001)

Irrigated land:

NA

Natural hazards:

hurricanes (June to November)

Environment - current issues:

asbestos disposal; water pollution; preservation of open space;

sustainable development

Geography - note:

consists of about 138 coral islands and islets with ample rainfall,

but no rivers or freshwater lakes; some land was leased by US

Government from 1941 to 1995

People Bermuda

Population:

65,365 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 18.9% (male 6,177/female 6,154)

15-64 years: 69.2% (male 22,422/female 22,828)

65 years and over: 11.9% (male 3,378/female 4,406) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 39.76 years

male: 38.78 years

female: 40.58 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

0.64% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

11.6 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

7.63 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

2.45 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female

total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 8.53 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 10.14 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 6.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 77.79 years

male: 75.7 years

female: 79.91 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

1.89 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

NA

Nationality:

noun: Bermudian(s)

adjective: Bermudian

Ethnic groups:

black 54.8%, white 34.1%, mixed 6.4%, other races 4.3%, unspecified

0.4% (2000 census)

Religions:

Anglican 23%, Roman Catholic 15%, African Methodist Episcopal 11%,

other Protestant 18%, other 12%, unaffiliated 6%, unspecified 1%,

none 14% (2000 census)

Languages:

English (official), Portuguese

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 98%

male: 98%

female: 99% (1970 est.)

Government Bermuda

Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Bermuda former: Somers Islands

Dependency status:

overseas territory of the UK

Government type:

parliamentary British overseas territory with internal

self-government

Capital:

Hamilton

Administrative divisions:

9 parishes and 2 municipalities*; Devonshire, Hamilton, Hamilton*,

Paget, Pembroke, Saint George*, Saint George's, Sandys, Smith's,

Southampton, Warwick

Independence:

none (overseas territory of the UK)

National holiday:

Bermuda Day, 24 May

Constitution:

8 June 1968; amended 1989 and 2003

Legal system:

English law

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952),

represented by Governor Sir John VEREKER (since 11 April 2002)

head of government: Premier William Alexander SCOTT (since 24 July

2003); Deputy Premier Ewart BROWN

cabinet: Cabinet nominated by the premier, appointed by the governor

elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed by

the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the

majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually

appointed premier by the governor

Legislative branch:

bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (an 11-member body

appointed by the governor, the premier, and the opposition) and the

House of Assembly (36 seats; members are elected by popular vote to

serve up to five-year terms)

elections: last general election held 24 July 2003 (next to be held

July 2008)

election results: percent of vote by party - PLP 51.7%, UBP 48%;

seats by party - PLP 22, UBP 14

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court; Court of Appeal; Magistrate Courts

Political parties and leaders:

Progressive Labor Party or PLP [William Alexander SCOTT]; United

Bermuda Party or UBP [Grant GIBBONS]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

Bermuda Employer's Union [Eddie SAINTS]; Bermuda Industrial Union

or BIU [Derrick BURGESS]; Bermuda Public Services Union or BPSU [Ed

BALL]; Bermuda Union of Teachers [Michael CHARLES]

International organization participation:

Caricom (associate), ICFTU, Interpol (subbureau), IOC, UPU, WCO,

Egmont Group, Caribbean Financial Action Task Force

Diplomatic representation in the US:

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Deputy Chief of Mission Antoinette BOECKER consulate(s) general: Crown Hill, 16 Middle Road, Devonshire DVO3 mailing address: P. O. Box HM325, Hamilton HMBX; American Consulate General Hamilton, Department of State, 5300 Hamilton Place, Washington, DC 20520-5300 telephone: [1] (441) 295-1342 FAX: [1] (441) 295-1592, [1] (441) 296-9233

Flag description:

red, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and

the Bermudian coat of arms (white and green shield with a red lion

holding a scrolled shield showing the sinking of the ship Sea

Venture off Bermuda in 1609) centered on the outer half of the flag

Economy Bermuda

Economy - overview:

Bermuda enjoys one of the highest per capita incomes in the world,

nearly equal to that of the US. Its economy is primarily based on

providing financial services for international business and luxury

facilities for tourists. The effects of 11 September 2001 have had

both positive and negative ramifications for Bermuda. On the

positive side, a number of new reinsurance companies have located on

the island, contributing to the expansion of an already robust

international business sector. On the negative side, Bermuda's

tourism industry - which derives over 80% of its visitors from the

US - was severely hit as American tourists chose not to travel.

Tourism rebounded somewhat in 2002-04. Most capital equipment and

food must be imported. Bermuda's industrial sector is small,

although construction continues to be important; the average cost of

a house in June 2003 had risen to $976,000. Agriculture is limited,

only 20% of the land being arable.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$2.33 billion (2003 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

2% (2003 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $36,000 (2003 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 1% industry: 10% services: 89% (2002 est.)

Labor force: 37,470 (2000)

Labor force - by occupation: agriculture and fishing 3%, laborers 17%, clerical 22%, professional and technical 17%, administrative and managerial 13%, sales 8%, services 20% (2000 est.)

Unemployment rate:

5% (2002 est.)

Population below poverty line:

19% (2000)

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

3.3% (mid-2003 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $671.1 million

expenditures: $594.6 million, including capital expenditures of $55

million (FY03/04)

Agriculture - products:

bananas, vegetables, citrus, flowers; dairy products

Industries:

tourism, international business, light manufacturing

Industrial production growth rate:

NA%

Electricity - production:

643 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

598 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

4,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Exports:

$879 million (2002)

Exports - commodities:

reexports of pharmaceuticals

Exports - partners:

France 73.2%, UK 6.2%, Spain 2.4% (2004)

Imports:

$5.523 billion (2002)

Imports - commodities:

machinery and transport equipment, construction materials,

chemicals, food and live animals

Imports - partners:

Kazakhstan 39.2%, France 16.2%, Japan 13.1%, Italy 9.2%, South

Korea 8.8%, US 6.4% (2004)

Debt - external:

$160 million (FY99/00)

Economic aid - recipient:

NA

Currency (code):

Bermudian dollar (BMD)

Currency code:

BMD

Exchange rates:

Bermudian dollar per US dollar - 1.0000 (fixed rate pegged to the

US dollar)

Fiscal year:

1 April - 31 March

Communications Bermuda

Telephones - main lines in use:

56,000 (2002)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

37,873 (2003)

Telephone system:

general assessment: good

domestic: fully automatic digital telephone system; fiber optic

trunk lines

international: country code - 1-441; 3 fiber optic submarine cables;

satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 5, FM 3, shortwave 0 (2004)

Radios:

82,000 (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

4 (2004)

Televisions:

66,000 (1997)

Internet country code:

.bm

Internet hosts:

5,161 (2001)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

20 (2000)

Internet users:

34,500 (2003)

Transportation Bermuda

Highways: total: 450 km paved: 450 km unpaved: 0 km note: public roads - 209 km; private roads - 241 km (2002)

Ports and harbors:

Hamilton, Saint George

Merchant marine:

total: 108 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 4,845,326 GRT/6,501,782 DWT

by type: bulk carrier 22, cargo 6, container 22, liquefied gas 13,

passenger 13, passenger/cargo 6, petroleum tanker 8, refrigerated

cargo 11, roll on/roll off 7

foreign-owned: 103 (Australia 2, Canada 20, Finland 2, Germany 1,

Greece 1, Hong Kong 5, Indonesia 1, Nigeria 8, Norway 5, Sweden 9,

Switzerland 2, United Kingdom 27, United States 20)

registered in other countries: 1 (2005)

Airports:

1 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Military Bermuda

Military branches:

Bermuda Regiment

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$4.03 million (2001)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

0.11% (FY00/01)

Military - note:

defense is the responsibility of the UK

Transnational Issues Bermuda

Disputes - international: none

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Bhutan

Introduction Bhutan

Background:

In 1865, Britain and Bhutan signed the Treaty of Sinchulu, under

which Bhutan would receive an annual subsidy in exchange for ceding

some border land. Under British influence, a monarchy was set up in

1907; three years later, a treaty was signed whereby the British

agreed not to interfere in Bhutanese internal affairs and Bhutan

allowed Britain to direct its foreign affairs. This role was assumed

by independent India after 1947. Two years later, a formal

Indo-Bhutanese accord returned the areas of Bhutan annexed by the

British, formalized the annual subsidies the country received, and

defined India's responsibilities in defense and foreign relations. A

refugee issue of some 100,000 Bhutanese in Nepal remains unresolved;

90% of the refugees are housed in seven United Nations Office of the

High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) camps.

Geography Bhutan

Location:

Southern Asia, between China and India

Geographic coordinates:

27 30 N, 90 30 E

Map references:

Asia

Area:

total: 47,000 sq km

land: 47,000 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative:

about half the size of Indiana

Land boundaries: total: 1,075 km border countries: China 470 km, India 605 km

Coastline:

0 km (landlocked)

Maritime claims:

none (landlocked)

Climate:

varies; tropical in southern plains; cool winters and hot summers

in central valleys; severe winters and cool summers in Himalayas

Terrain:

mostly mountainous with some fertile valleys and savanna

Elevation extremes: lowest point: Drangme Chhu 97 m highest point: Kula Kangri 7,553 m

Natural resources: timber, hydropower, gypsum, calcium carbonate

Land use: arable land: 3.09% permanent crops: 0.43% other: 96.48% (2001)

Irrigated land:

400 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

violent storms from the Himalayas are the source of the country's

name which translates as Land of the Thunder Dragon; frequent

landslides during the rainy season

Environment - current issues:

soil erosion; limited access to potable water

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto

Protocol, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes

signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea

Geography - note:

landlocked; strategic location between China and India; controls

several key Himalayan mountain passes

People Bhutan

Population: 2,232,291 note: other estimates range as low as 810,000 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 39.1% (male 452,213/female 420,675)

15-64 years: 56.9% (male 654,109/female 615,431)

65 years and over: 4% (male 45,281/female 44,582) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 20.27 years

male: 20.11 years

female: 20.44 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

2.11% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

34.03 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

12.94 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.08 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.06 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 1.02 male(s)/female

total population: 1.07 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 100.44 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 98.19 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 102.81 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 54.39 years

male: 54.65 years

female: 54.11 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

4.81 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

less than 0.1% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

less than 100 (1999 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

NA

Nationality:

noun: Bhutanese (singular and plural)

adjective: Bhutanese

Ethnic groups:

Bhote 50%, ethnic Nepalese 35% (includes Lhotsampas - one of

several Nepalese ethnic groups), indigenous or migrant tribes 15%

Religions:

Lamaistic Buddhist 75%, Indian- and Nepalese-influenced Hinduism 25%

Languages:

Dzongkha (official), Bhotes speak various Tibetan dialects,

Nepalese speak various Nepalese dialects

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 42.2%

male: 56.2%

female: 28.1% (1995 est.)

Government Bhutan

Country name:

conventional long form: Kingdom of Bhutan

conventional short form: Bhutan

Government type:

monarchy; special treaty relationship with India

Capital:

Thimphu

Administrative divisions:

18 districts (dzongkhag, singular and plural); Bumthang, Chhukha,

Chirang, Dagana, Geylegphug, Ha, Lhuntshi, Mongar, Paro, Pemagatsel,

Punakha, Samchi, Samdrup Jongkhar, Shemgang, Tashigang, Thimphu,

Tongsa, Wangdi Phodrang

note: there may be two new districts named Gasa and Yangtse

Independence:

8 August 1949 (from India)

National holiday:

National Day (Ugyen WANGCHUCK became first hereditary king), 17

December (1907)

Constitution:

no written constitution or bill of rights; note - in 2001 the King

commissioned the drafting of a constitution, and in November 2004

presented a draft to the Council of Ministers; now awaiting

referendum

Legal system:

based on Indian law and English common law; has not accepted

compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage:

each family has one vote in village-level elections; note - in late

2003 Bhutan's legislature passed a new election law

Executive branch:

chief of state: King Jigme Singye WANGCHUCK (since 24 July 1972)

head of government: Chairman of the Council of Ministers Lyonpo

Sangay NGEDUP (since 5 September 2005)

cabinet: Council of Ministers (Lhengye Shungtsog) nominated by the

monarch, approved by the National Assembly; members serve fixed,

five-year terms; note - there is also a Royal Advisory Council

(Lodoi Tsokde), members nominated by the monarch

elections: none; the monarch is hereditary, but democratic reforms

in July 1998 grant the National Assembly authority to remove the

monarch with two-thirds vote

Legislative branch:

unicameral National Assembly or Tshogdu (150 seats; 105 elected

from village constituencies, 10 represent religious bodies, and 35

are designated by the monarch to represent government and other

secular interests; members serve three-year terms)

elections: local elections last held November 2002 (next to be held

NA 2005)

election results: NA

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court of Appeal (the monarch); High Court (judges appointed

by the monarch)

Political parties and leaders:

no legal parties

Political pressure groups and leaders:

Buddhist clergy; ethnic Nepalese organizations leading militant

antigovernment campaign; Indian merchant community; United Front for

Democracy (exiled)

International organization participation:

AsDB, CP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IMF, IOC, IOM

(observer), ITU, NAM, OPCW (signatory), SAARC, SACEP, UN, UNCTAD,

UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO (observer)

Diplomatic representation in the US: none; note - Bhutan has a Permanent Mission to the UN; address: 2 United Nations Plaza, 27th Floor, New York, NY 10017; telephone [1] (212) 826-1919; FAX [1] (212) 826-2998; the Bhutanese mission to the UN has consular jurisdiction in the US consulate(s) general: New York

Diplomatic representation from the US: the US and Bhutan have no formal diplomatic relations, although informal contact is maintained between the Bhutanese and US Embassy in New Delhi (India)

Flag description:

divided diagonally from the lower hoist side corner; the upper

triangle is yellow and the lower triangle is orange; centered along

the dividing line is a large black and white dragon facing away from

the hoist side

Economy Bhutan

Economy - overview:

The economy, one of the world's smallest and least developed, is

based on agriculture and forestry, which provide the main livelihood

for more than 90% of the population. Agriculture consists largely of

subsistence farming and animal husbandry. Rugged mountains dominate

the terrain and make the building of roads and other infrastructure

difficult and expensive. The economy is closely aligned with India's

through strong trade and monetary links and dependence on India's

financial assistance. The industrial sector is technologically

backward, with most production of the cottage industry type. Most

development projects, such as road construction, rely on Indian

migrant labor. Bhutan's hydropower potential and its attraction for

tourists are key resources. Model education, social, and environment

programs are underway with support from multilateral development

organizations. Each economic program takes into account the

government's desire to protect the country's environment and

cultural traditions. For example, the government, in its cautious

expansion of the tourist sector, encourages visits by upscale,

environmentally conscientious tourists. Detailed controls and

uncertain policies in areas like industrial licensing, trade, labor,

and finance continue to hamper foreign investment.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$2.9 billion (2003 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

5.3% (2003 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $1,400 (2003 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 45% industry: 10% services: 45% (2002 est.)

Labor force: NA note: massive lack of skilled labor

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 93%, industry and commerce 2%, services 5%

Unemployment rate:

NA

Population below poverty line:

NA

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

3% (2002 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $146 million

expenditures: $152 million, including capital expenditures of NA

note: the government of India finances nearly three-fifths of

Bhutan's budget expenditures (FY95/96 est.)

Agriculture - products:

rice, corn, root crops, citrus, foodgrains; dairy products, eggs

Industries:

cement, wood products, processed fruits, alcoholic beverages,

calcium carbide

Industrial production growth rate:

9.3% (1996 est.)

Electricity - production:

2.001 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 0.1% hydro: 99.9% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

312.9 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

1.56 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

12 million kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

1,020 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Exports:

$154 million f.o.b. (2000 est.)

Exports - commodities:

electricity (to India), cardamom, gypsum, timber, handicrafts,

cement, fruit, precious stones, spices

Exports - partners:

Bangladesh 47.4%, Japan 30.2%, France 3.4% (2004)

Imports:

$196 million c.i.f. (2000 est.)

Imports - commodities:

fuel and lubricants, grain, machinery and parts, vehicles, fabrics,

rice

Imports - partners:

Germany 65.4%, Japan 14.3%, Austria 6.8%, UK 4.5% (2004)

Debt - external:

$245 million (2000)

Economic aid - recipient:

substantial aid from India and other nations

Currency (code):

ngultrum (BTN); Indian rupee (INR)

Currency code:

BTN; INR

Exchange rates:

ngultrum per US dollar - 45.317 (2004), 46.583 (2003), 48.61

(2002), 47.186 (2001), 44.942 (2000)

Fiscal year:

1 July - 30 June

Communications Bhutan

Telephones - main lines in use:

25,200 (2003)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

22,000 (2005)

Telephone system:

general assessment: telecommunications facilities are poor

domestic: very low tele-density; domestic service is very poor

especially in rural areas; wireless service available since 2003

international: country code - 975; international telephone and

telegraph service via landline and microwave relay through India;

satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2005)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 0, FM 1, shortwave 1 (2004)

Radios:

37,000 (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

1 (2005)

Televisions:

11,000 (1997)

Internet country code:

.bt

Internet hosts:

985 (2003)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

NA

Internet users:

15,000 (2003)

Transportation Bhutan

Highways: total: 4,007 km paved: 24 km unpaved: 3,983 km (2002)

Airports: 2 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Military Bhutan

Military branches:

Royal Bhutan Army (includes Royal Bodyguard and Royal Bhutan

Police) (2005)

Military service age and obligation:

18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription

(2001)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 18-49: 483,860 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: 314,975 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:

males: 23,939 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$13.7 million (2004)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

1.8% (2004)

Transnational Issues Bhutan

Disputes - international:

approximately 104,000 Bhutanese refugees live in Nepal, 90% of whom

reside in seven UN Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees

camps; Bhutan cooperates with India to expel Indian separatists

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Bolivia

Introduction Bolivia

Background:

Bolivia, named after independence fighter Simon BOLIVAR, broke away

from Spanish rule in 1825; much of its subsequent history has

consisted of a series of nearly 200 coups and counter-coups.

Comparatively democratic civilian rule was established in 1982, but

leaders have faced difficult problems of deep-seated poverty, social

unrest, and illegal drug production. Current goals include

attracting foreign investment, strengthening the educational system,

resolving disputes with coca growers over Bolivia's counterdrug

efforts, and waging an anticorruption campaign.

Geography Bolivia

Location:

Central South America, southwest of Brazil

Geographic coordinates:

17 00 S, 65 00 W

Map references:

South America

Area:

total: 1,098,580 sq km

land: 1,084,390 sq km

water: 14,190 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly less than three times the size of Montana

Land boundaries:

total: 6,743 km

border countries: Argentina 832 km, Brazil 3,400 km, Chile 861 km,

Paraguay 750 km, Peru 900 km

Coastline:

0 km (landlocked)

Maritime claims:

none (landlocked)

Climate:

varies with altitude; humid and tropical to cold and semiarid

Terrain:

rugged Andes Mountains with a highland plateau (Altiplano), hills,

lowland plains of the Amazon Basin

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Rio Paraguay 90 m

highest point: Nevado Sajama 6,542 m

Natural resources:

tin, natural gas, petroleum, zinc, tungsten, antimony, silver,

iron, lead, gold, timber, hydropower

Land use: arable land: 2.67% permanent crops: 0.19% other: 97.14% (2001)

Irrigated land:

1,280 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

flooding in the northeast (March-April)

Environment - current issues:

the clearing of land for agricultural purposes and the

international demand for tropical timber are contributing to

deforestation; soil erosion from overgrazing and poor cultivation

methods (including slash-and-burn agriculture); desertification;

loss of biodiversity; industrial pollution of water supplies used

for drinking and irrigation

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto

Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law

of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution,

Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification, Marine Life

Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection

Geography - note:

landlocked; shares control of Lago Titicaca, world's highest

navigable lake (elevation 3,805 m), with Peru

People Bolivia

Population:

8,857,870 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 35.7% (male 1,613,049/female 1,551,023)

15-64 years: 59.8% (male 2,591,328/female 2,701,892)

65 years and over: 4.5% (male 178,486/female 222,092) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 21.47 years

male: 20.79 years

female: 22.17 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

1.49% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

23.76 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

7.64 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

-1.27 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/female

total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 53.11 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 56.7 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 49.33 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 65.5 years

male: 62.89 years

female: 68.25 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

2.94 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

0.1% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

4,900 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

less than 500 (2003 est.)

Nationality:

noun: Bolivian(s)

adjective: Bolivian

Ethnic groups:

Quechua 30%, mestizo (mixed white and Amerindian ancestry) 30%,

Aymara 25%, white 15%

Religions:

Roman Catholic 95%, Protestant (Evangelical Methodist) 5%

Languages:

Spanish (official), Quechua (official), Aymara (official)

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 87.2%

male: 93.1%

female: 81.6% (2003 est.)

Government Bolivia

Country name:

conventional long form: Republic of Bolivia

conventional short form: Bolivia

local long form: Republica de Bolivia

local short form: Bolivia

Government type:

republic

Capital:

La Paz (seat of government); Sucre (legal capital and seat of

judiciary)

Administrative divisions:

9 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento); Chuquisaca,

Cochabamba, Beni, La Paz, Oruro, Pando, Potosi, Santa Cruz, Tarija

Independence:

6 August 1825 (from Spain)

National holiday:

Independence Day, 6 August (1825)

Constitution:

2 February 1967; revised in August 1994

Legal system:

based on Spanish law and Napoleonic Code; has not accepted

compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage:

18 years of age, universal and compulsory (married); 21 years of

age, universal and compulsory (single)

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Eduardo RODRIGUEZ Veltze (since 9 June

2005); Vice President (vacant); note - the president is both chief

of state and head of government

head of government: President Eduardo RODRIGUEZ Veltze (since 9 June

2005); Vice President (vacant); note - the president is both chief

of state and head of government

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president

elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket

by popular vote for five-year terms; election last held 30 June 2002

(next to be held June 2007)

election results: as a result of no candidate winning a majority in

the 30 June 2002 election, Gonzalo SANCHEZ DE LOZADA Bustamante was

chosen president by Congress; congressional votes - Gonzalo SANCHEZ

DE LOZADA Bustamante 84, Evo MORALES 43; note - following the

resignation of the elected president on 17 October 2003 and Vice

President Carlos Diego MESA Gisbert on 9 June 2005, Eduardo

RODRIGUEZ Veltze, President of the Supreme Court and constitutional

successor, became president.

Legislative branch:

bicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional consists of

Chamber of Senators or Camara de Senadores (27 seats; members are

elected by proportional representation from party lists to serve

five-year terms) and Chamber of Deputies or Camara de Diputados (130

seats; 68 are directly elected from their districts and 62 are

elected by proportional representation from party lists to serve

five-year terms)

elections: Chamber of Senators and Chamber of Deputies - last held

30 June 2002 (next to be held June 2007)

election results: Chamber of Senators - percent of vote by party -

NA%; seats by party - MNR 11, MAS 8, MIR 5, NFR 2, other 1; Chamber

of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - MNR

36, MAS 27, MIR 26, NFR 25, others 16

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (judges appointed for 10-year terms

by National Congress); District Courts (one in each department);

provincial and local courts (to try minor cases)

Political parties and leaders:

Bolivian Socialist Falange or FSB [Romel PANTOJA]; Civic Solidarity

Union or UCS [Johnny FERNANDEZ]; Free Bolivia Movement or MBL [Franz

BARRIOS]; Marshal of Ayacucho Institutional Vanguard or VIMA [Freddy

ZABALA]; Movement of the Revolutionary Left or MIR [Jaime PAZ

Zamora]; Movement Toward Socialism or MAS [Evo MORALES]; Movement

Without Fear or MSM [Juan DEL GRANADO]; Nationalist Democratic

Action or ADN [Jorge Fernando QUIROGA Ramirez]; Nationalist

Revolutionary Movement or MNR [leader NA]; New Republican Force or

NFR [Manfred REYES-VILLA]; Pachakuti Indigenous Movement or MIP

[Felipe QUISPE]; Socialist Party or PS [Jeres JUSTINIANO]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

Cocalero Groups; indigenous organizations; labor unions; Sole

Confederation of Campesino Workers of Bolivia or CSUTCB [Roman

LOAYZA]

International organization participation:

CAN, CSN, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD,

IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent),

ITU, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur (associate), MIGA, MINUSTAH, MONUC, NAM,

OAS, ONUB, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO,

UNIDO, UNMIK, UNMIL, UNMISET, UNOCI, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO,

WMO, WToO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Jaime APARICIO Otero

chancery: 3014 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 483-4410

FAX: [1] (202) 328-3712

consulate(s) general: Miami, New York, and San Francisco

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador David N. GREENLEE

embassy: Avenida Arce 2780, San Jorge, La Paz

mailing address: P. O. Box 425, La Paz; APO AA 34032

telephone: [591] (2) 2430120, 2430251

FAX: [591] (2) 2433900

Flag description:

three equal horizontal bands of red (top), yellow, and green with

the coat of arms centered on the yellow band; similar to the flag of

Ghana, which has a large black five-pointed star centered in the

yellow band

Economy Bolivia

Economy - overview:

Bolivia, long one of the poorest and least developed Latin American

countries, reformed its economy after suffering a disastrous

economic crisis in the early 1980s. The reforms spurred real GDP

growth, which averaged 4 percent in the 1990s, and poverty rates

fell. Economic growth, however, lagged again beginning in 1999

because of a global slowdown and homegrown factors such as political

turmoil, civil unrest, and soaring fiscal deficits, all of which

hurt investor confidence. In 2003, violent protests against the

pro-foreign investment economic policies of President SANCHEZ DE

LOZADA led to his resignation and the cancellation of plans to

export Bolivia's newly discovered natural gas reserves to large

northern hemisphere markets. Foreign investment dried up as

companies adopted a wait-and-see attitude regarding new President

Carlos MESA's willingness to protect investor rights in the face of

increased demands by radical groups that the government expropriate

foreign-owned assets. Real GDP growth in 2003 and 2004 - helped by

increased demand for natural gas in neighboring Brazil - was

positive, but still below the levels seen during the 1990s. Bolivia

remains dependent on foreign aid from multilateral lenders and

foreign governments.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$22.33 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

3.7% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $2,600 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 13% industry: 28% services: 59% (2004 est.)

Labor force:

3.8 million (2004 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture NA%, industry NA%, services NA%

Unemployment rate: 9.2% in urban areas note: widespread underemployment (2003 est.)

Population below poverty line: 64% (2004 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.3% highest 10%: 32% (1999)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

44.7 (1999)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

4.9% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

10.4% of GDP (2003 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $2.264 billion

expenditures: $2.769 billion, including capital expenditures of $741

million (2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

soybeans, coffee, coca, cotton, corn, sugarcane, rice, potatoes;

timber

Industries:

mining, smelting, petroleum, food and beverages, tobacco,

handicrafts, clothing

Industrial production growth rate:

5.7% (2004 est.)

Electricity - production:

4.132 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 44.4% hydro: 54% nuclear: 0% other: 1.5% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

3.848 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

3 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

9 million kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

39,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Oil - consumption:

49,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Oil - proved reserves:

458.8 million bbl (1 January 2002)

Natural gas - production:

8.44 billion cu m (2004 est.)

Natural gas - consumption:

1.15 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - exports:

2.9 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - imports:

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves:

727.2 billion cu m (1 January 2002)

Current account balance:

$273 million (2004 est.)

Exports:

$1.986 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

natural gas, soybeans and soy products, crude petroleum, zinc ore,

tin

Exports - partners:

Brazil 40%, US 13.9%, Colombia 8.7%, Peru 6.3%, Japan 4.5% (2004)

Imports:

$1.595 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

petroleum products, plastics, paper, aircraft and aircraft parts,

prepared foods, automobiles, insecticides, soybeans

Imports - partners:

Brazil 29.7%, Argentina 17.6%, US 10.8%, Chile 7.7%, Peru 7.3%

(2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$1.214 billion (2004 est.)

Debt - external:

$5.439 billion (June 2004 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:

$681 million (2002)

Currency (code):

boliviano (BOB)

Currency code:

BOB

Exchange rates:

bolivianos per US dollar - 7.9363 (2004), 7.6592 (2003), 7.17

(2002), 6.6069 (2001), 6.1835 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Bolivia

Telephones - main lines in use:

600,100 (2003)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

1,401,500 (2003)

Telephone system:

general assessment: new subscribers face bureaucratic difficulties;

most telephones are concentrated in La Paz and other cities; mobile

cellular telephone use expanding rapidly

domestic: primary trunk system, which is being expanded, employs

digital microwave radio relay; some areas are served by fiber-optic

cable; mobile cellular systems are being expanded

international: country code - 591; satellite earth station - 1

Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 171, FM 73, shortwave 77 (1999)

Radios:

5.25 million (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

48 (1997)

Televisions:

900,000 (1997)

Internet country code:

.bo

Internet hosts:

7,080 (2003)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

9 (2000)

Internet users:

270,000 (2002)

Transportation Bolivia

Railways: total: 3,519 km narrow gauge: 3,519 km 1.000-m gauge (2004)

Highways: total: 60,282 km paved: 3,979 km unpaved: 56,303 km (2002)

Waterways:

10,000 km (commercially navigable) (2004)

Pipelines:

gas 4,860 km; liquid petroleum gas 47 km; oil 2,457 km; refined

products 1,589 km; unknown (oil/water) 247 km (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Puerto Aguirre (on the Paraguay/Parana waterway, at the

Bolivia/Brazil border); also, Bolivia has free port privileges in

maritime ports in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Paraguay

Merchant marine:

total: 32 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 413,407 GRT/699,901 DWT

by type: bulk carrier 2, cargo 16, chemical tanker 1, container 1,

passenger/cargo 2, petroleum tanker 9, refrigerated cargo 1

foreign-owned: 11 (Argentina 1, Egypt 2, Eritrea 1, Germany 1, Iran

1, Singapore 2, United Kingdom 1, United States 2) (2005)

Airports:

1,065 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 16 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 3 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 1,049 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 60 914 to 1,523 m: 207 under 914 m: 778 (2004 est.)

Military Bolivia

Military branches:

Army (Ejercito Boliviano), Navy (Fuerza Naval; includes Marines),

Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Boliviana) (2004)

Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for voluntary military service; when annual number of volunteers falls short of goal, compulsory recruitment is effected, including conscription of boys as young as 14; one estimate holds that 40% of the armed forces are under the age of 18, with 50% of those under the age of 16; conscript tour of duty - 12 months (2002)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 18-49: 1,923,234 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: 1,311,414 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:

males: 101,101 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$132.2 million (2004)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

1.6% (2004)

Transnational Issues Bolivia

Disputes - international:

Chile rebuffs Bolivia's reactivated claim to restore the Atacama

corridor, ceded to Chile in 1884, offering instead unrestricted but

not sovereign maritime access through Chile for Bolivian natural gas

and other commodities

Illicit drugs:

world's third-largest cultivator of coca (after Colombia and Peru)

with an estimated 28,450 hectares under cultivation in June 2003, a

23% increase from June 2002; intermediate coca products and cocaine

exported mostly to or through Brazil, Argentina, and Chile to

European and US drug markets; eradication and alternative crop

programs under the MESA administration have been unable to keep pace

with farmers' attempts to increase cultivation; money-laundering

activity related to narcotics trade, especially along the borders

with Brazil and Paraguay

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Bosnia and Herzegovina

Introduction Bosnia and Herzegovina

Background:

Bosnia and Herzegovina's declaration of sovereignty in October

1991, was followed by a declaration of independence from the former

Yugoslavia on 3 March 1992 after a referendum boycotted by ethnic

Serbs. The Bosnian Serbs - supported by neighboring Serbia and

Montenegro - responded with armed resistance aimed at partitioning

the republic along ethnic lines and joining Serb-held areas to form

a "Greater Serbia." In March 1994, Bosniaks and Croats reduced the

number of warring factions from three to two by signing an agreement

creating a joint Bosniak/Croat Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

On 21 November 1995, in Dayton, Ohio, the warring parties initialed

a peace agreement that brought to a halt three years of interethnic

civil strife (the final agreement was signed in Paris on 14 December

1995). The Dayton Agreement retained Bosnia and Herzegovina's

international boundaries and created a joint multi-ethnic and

democratic government. This national government was charged with

conducting foreign, diplomatic, and fiscal policy. Also recognized

was a second tier of government comprised of two entities roughly

equal in size: the Bosniak/Croat Federation of Bosnia and

Herzegovina and the Bosnian Serb-led Republika Srpska (RS). The

Federation and RS governments were charged with overseeing most

government functions. The Office of the High Representative (OHR)

was established to oversee the implementation of the civilian

aspects of the agreement. In 1995-96, a NATO-led international

peacekeeping force (IFOR) of 60,000 troops served in Bosnia to

implement and monitor the military aspects of the agreement. IFOR

was succeeded by a smaller, NATO-led Stabilization Force (SFOR)

whose mission was to deter renewed hostilities. European Union

peacekeeping troops (EUFOR) replaced SFOR in December 2004; their

mission was to maintain peace and stability throughout the country.

Geography Bosnia and Herzegovina

Location:

Southeastern Europe, bordering the Adriatic Sea and Croatia

Geographic coordinates:

44 00 N, 18 00 E

Map references:

Europe

Area:

total: 51,129 sq km

land: 51,129 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly smaller than West Virginia

Land boundaries: total: 1,459 km border countries: Croatia 932 km, Serbia and Montenegro 527 km

Coastline:

20 km

Maritime claims:

no data available

Climate:

hot summers and cold winters; areas of high elevation have short,

cool summers and long, severe winters; mild, rainy winters along

coast

Terrain:

mountains and valleys

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Adriatic Sea 0 m

highest point: Maglic 2,386 m

Natural resources:

coal, iron ore, bauxite, copper, lead, zinc, chromite, cobalt,

manganese, nickel, clay, gypsum, salt, sand, forests, hydropower

Land use: arable land: 13.6% permanent crops: 2.96% other: 83.44% (2001)

Irrigated land:

20 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

destructive earthquakes

Environment - current issues:

air pollution from metallurgical plants; sites for disposing of

urban waste are limited; water shortages and destruction of

infrastructure because of the 1992-95 civil strife; deforestation

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Hazardous

Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer

Protection, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

within Bosnia and Herzegovina's recognized borders, the country is

divided into a joint Bosniak/Croat Federation (about 51% of the

territory) and the Bosnian Serb-led Republika Srpska or RS (about

49% of the territory); the region called Herzegovina is contiguous

to Croatia and Serbia and Montenegro (Montenegro), and traditionally

has been settled by an ethnic Croat majority in the west and an

ethnic Serb majority in the east

People Bosnia and Herzegovina

Population:

4,025,476 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 18.3% (male 378,784/female 358,784)

15-64 years: 70.7% (male 1,458,405/female 1,388,793)

65 years and over: 10.9% (male 188,741/female 251,969) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 36.21 years

male: 35.81 years

female: 36.63 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

0.44% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

12.49 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

8.44 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

0.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.75 male(s)/female

total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 21.05 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 23.62 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 18.31 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 77.83 years

male: 74.21 years

female: 81.72 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

1.71 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

less than 0.1% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

900 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

100 (2001 est.)

Nationality:

noun: Bosnian(s), Herzegovinian(s)

adjective: Bosnian, Herzegovinian

Ethnic groups:

Serb 37.1%, Bosniak 48%, Croat 14.3%, other 0.6% (2000)

note: Bosniak has replaced Muslim as an ethnic term in part to avoid

confusion with the religious term Muslim - an adherent of Islam

Religions:

Muslim 40%, Orthodox 31%, Roman Catholic 15%, other 14%

Languages:

Bosnian, Croatian, Serbian

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 94.6%

male: 98.4%

female: 91.1% (2000 est.)

Government Bosnia and Herzegovina

Country name:

conventional long form: none

conventional short form: Bosnia and Herzegovina

local long form: none

local short form: Bosna i Hercegovina

former: People's Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Socialist

Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina

Government type:

emerging federal democratic republic

Capital:

Sarajevo

Administrative divisions:

2 first-order administrative divisions and 1 internationally

supervised district* - Brcko district (Brcko Distrikt)*, the

Bosniak/Croat Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (Federacija Bosna

i Hercegovina) and the Bosnian Serb-led Republika Srpska; note -

Brcko district is in northeastern Bosnia and is an administrative

unit under the sovereignty of Bosnia and Herzegovina; the district

remains under international supervision

Independence:

1 March 1992 (from Yugoslavia; referendum for independence was

completed 1 March 1992; independence was declared 3 March 1992)

National holiday:

National Day, 25 November (1943)

Constitution:

the Dayton Agreement, signed 14 December 1995, included a new

constitution now in force; note - each of the entities also has its

own constitution

Legal system:

based on civil law system

Suffrage:

18 years of age, universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: Chairman of the Presidency Ivo Miro JOVIC (since 28

June 2005; presidency member since 9 May 2005 - Croat; note - Dragan

COVIC was sacked by High Representative Paddy ASHDOWN on 29 Mar

2005); other members of the three-member rotating (every eight

months) presidency: Borislav PARAVAC (since 10 April 2003 - Serb);

and Sulejman TIHIC (since 5 October 2002 - Bosniak)

head of government: Chairman of the Council of Ministers Adnan

TERZIC (since 20 December 2002)

cabinet: Council of Ministers nominated by the council chairman;

approved by the National House of Representatives

elections: the three members of the presidency (one Bosniak, one

Croat, one Serb) are elected by popular vote for a four-year term;

the member with the most votes becomes the chairman unless he or she

was the incumbent chairman at the time of the election, but the

chairmanship rotates every eight months; election last held 5

October 2002 (next to be held NA 2006); the chairman of the Council

of Ministers is appointed by the presidency and confirmed by the

National House of Representatives

election results: percent of vote - Mirko SAROVIC with 35.5% of the

Serb vote was elected chairman of the collective presidency for the

first eight months; Dragan COVIC received 61.5% of the Croat vote;

Sulejman TIHIC received 37% of the Bosniak vote

note: President of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina: Niko

LOZANCIC (since 27 January 2003); Vice Presidents Sahbaz DZIHANOVIC

(since NA 2003) and Desnica RADIVOJEVIC (since NA 2003); President

of the Republika Srpska: Dragan CAVIC (since 28 November 2002)

Legislative branch:

bicameral Parliamentary Assembly or Skupstina consists of the

National House of Representatives or Predstavnicki Dom (42 seats -

elected by proportional representation, 28 seats allocated from the

Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and 14 seats from the Republika

Srpska; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms);

and the House of Peoples or Dom Naroda (15 seats - 5 Bosniak, 5

Croat, 5 Serb; members elected by the Bosniak/Croat Federation's

House of Representatives and the Republika Srpska's National

Assembly to serve four-year terms); note - Bosnia's election law

specifies four-year terms for the state and first-order

administrative division entity legislatures

elections: National House of Representatives - elections last held 5

October 2002 (next to be held in NA 2006); House of Peoples - last

constituted NA January 2003 (next to be constituted in 2007)

election results: National House of Representatives - percent of

vote by party/coalition - SDA 21.9%, SDS 14.0%, SBiH 10.5%, SDP

10.4%, SNSD 9.8%, HDZ 9.5%, PDP 4.6%, others 19.3%; seats by

party/coalition - SDA 10, SDS 5, SBiH 6, SDP 4, SNSD 3, HDZ 5, PDP

2, others 7; House of Peoples - percent of vote by party/coalition -

NA%; seats by party/coalition - NA

note: the Bosniak/Croat Federation has a bicameral legislature that

consists of a House of Representatives (98 seats; members elected by

popular vote to serve four-year terms); elections last held 5

October 2002 (next to be held NA October 2006); percent of vote by

party - NA%; seats by party/coalition - SDA 32, HDZ-BiH 16, SDP 15,

SBiH 15, other 20; and a House of Peoples (60 seats - 30 Bosniak, 30

Croat); last constituted December 2002; the Republika Srpska has a

National Assembly (83 seats; members elected by popular vote to

serve four-year terms); elections last held 5 October 2002 (next to

be held in the fall of 2006); percent of vote by party - NA%; seats

by party/coalition - SDS 26, SNSD 19, PDP 9, SDA 6, SRS 4, SPRS 3,

DNZ 3, SBiH 4, SDP 3, others 6; as a result of the 2002

constitutional reform process, a 28-member Republika Srpska Council

of Peoples (COP) was established in the Republika Srpska National

Assembly including 8 Croats, 8 Bosniaks, 8 Serbs, and 4 members of

the smaller communities

Judicial branch:

BiH Constitutional Court (consists of nine members: four members

are selected by the Bosniak/Croat Federation's House of

Representatives, two members by the Republika Srpska's National

Assembly, and three non-Bosnian members by the president of the

European Court of Human Rights); BiH State Court (consists of nine

judges and three divisions - Administrative, Appellate and Criminal

- having jurisdiction over cases related to state-level law and

appellate jurisdiction over cases initiated in the entities; note -

a War Crimes Chamber may be added at a future date)

note: the entities each have a Supreme Court; each entity also has a

number of lower courts; there are 10 cantonal courts in the

Federation, plus a number of municipal courts; the Republika Srpska

has five municipal courts

Political parties and leaders:

Alliance of Independent Social Democrats or SNSD [Milorad DODIK];

Bosnian Party or BOSS [Mirnes AJANOVIC]; Civic Democratic Party or

GDS [Ibrahim SPAHIC]; Croatian Democratic Union of Bosnia and

Herzegovina or HDZ-BH [Barisa COLAK]; Croat Christian Democratic

Union of Bosnia and Herzegovina or HKDU [Mijo IVANIC-LONIC]; Croat

Party of Rights or HSP [Zdravko HRISTIC]; Croat Peasants Party or

HSS [Marko TADIC]; Democratic National Union or DNZ [Fikret ABDIC];

Liberal Democratic Party or LDS [Rasim KADIC]; New Croat Initiative

or NHI [Kresimir ZUBAK]; Party for Bosnia and Herzegovina or SBiH

[Safet HALILOVIC]; Party of Democratic Action or SDA [Sulejman

TIHIC]; Party of Democratic Progress or PDP [Mladen IVANIC]; Serb

Democratic Party or SDS [Dragan CAVIC - acting]; Serb Radical Party

of the Republika Srpska or SRS-RS [Milanko MIHAJLICA]; Serb Radical

Party-Dr. Vojislav Seselj or SRS-VS [Radislav KANJERIC]; Social

Democratic Party of BIH or SDP [Zlatko LAGUMDZIJA]; Social

Democratic Union or SDU [Miro LAZOVIC]; Socialist Party of Republika

Srpska or SPRS [Petar DJOKIC]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

NA

International organization participation:

BIS, CE, CEI, EBRD, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, IDA, IFAD,

IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU,

MIGA, MONUC, NAM (guest), OAS (observer), OIC (observer), OPCW,

OSCE, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMEE, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO,

WTO (observer)

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Bisera TURKOVIC

chancery: 2109 E Street NW, Washington, DC 20037

telephone: [1] (202) 337-1500

FAX: [1] (202) 337-1502

consulate(s) general: Chicago, New York

Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Douglas L. McELHANEY embassy: Alipasina 43, 71000 Sarajevo mailing address: use street address telephone: [387] (33) 445-700 FAX: [387] (33) 659-722 branch office(s): Banja Luka, Mostar

Flag description:

a wide medium blue vertical band on the fly side with a yellow

isosceles triangle abutting the band and the top of the flag; the

remainder of the flag is medium blue with seven full five-pointed

white stars and two half stars top and bottom along the hypotenuse

of the triangle

Economy Bosnia and Herzegovina

Economy - overview:

Bosnia and Herzegovina ranked next to Macedonia as the poorest

republic in the old Yugoslav federation. Although agriculture is

almost all in private hands, farms are small and inefficient, and

the republic traditionally is a net importer of food. Industry has

been greatly overstaffed, one reflection of the socialist economic

structure of Yugoslavia. TITO had pushed the development of military

industries in the republic with the result that Bosnia hosted a

number of Yugoslavia's defense plants. The interethnic warfare in

Bosnia caused production to plummet by 80% from 1992 to 1995 and

unemployment to soar. With an uneasy peace in place, output

recovered in 1996-99 at high percentage rates from a low base; but

output growth slowed in 2000-02. Part of the lag in output was made

up in 2003-2004. National-level statistics are limited and do not

capture the large share of black market activity. The konvertibilna

marka (convertible mark or BAM)- the national currency introduced in

1998 - is now pegged to the euro, and the Central Bank of Bosnia and

Herzegovina has dramatically increased its reserve holdings.

Implementation of privatization, however, has been slow, and local

entities only reluctantly support national-level institutions.

Banking reform accelerated in 2001 as all the Communist-era payments

bureaus were shut down. A sizeable current account deficit and high

unemployment rate remain the two most serious economic problems. The

country receives substantial amounts of reconstruction assistance

and humanitarian aid from the international community but will have

to prepare for an era of declining assistance.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$26.21 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

5% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $6,500 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 14.2% industry: 30.8% services: 55% (2002)

Labor force:

1.026 million (2001)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture NA, industry NA, services NA

Unemployment rate:

44% officially; however, grey economy may reduce actual

unemployment to near 20% (2004 est.)

Population below poverty line:

25% (2004 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA%

highest 10%: NA%

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

1.1% (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $3.618 billion

expenditures: $3.642 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

wheat, corn, fruits, vegetables; livestock

Industries:

steel, coal, iron ore, lead, zinc, manganese, bauxite, vehicle

assembly, textiles, tobacco products, wooden furniture, tank and

aircraft assembly, domestic appliances, oil refining (2001)

Industrial production growth rate:

5.5% (2003 est.)

Electricity - production:

10.04 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 53.5% hydro: 46.5% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

8.318 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

3.288 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

2.271 billion kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

20,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Natural gas - production:

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - consumption:

300 million cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - exports:

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - imports:

300 million cu m (2001 est.)

Current account balance:

$-2.1 billion (2004 est.)

Exports:

$1.7 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

metals, clothing, wood products

Exports - partners:

Italy 22.3%, Croatia 21.1%, Germany 20.8%, Austria 7.4%, Slovenia

7.1%, Hungary 4.8% (2004)

Imports:

$5.2 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

machinery and equipment, chemicals, fuels, foodstuffs

Imports - partners:

Croatia 23.8%, Slovenia 15.8%, Germany 14.8%, Italy 11.4%, Austria

6.6%, Hungary 6.1% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$2 billion (2004 est.)

Debt - external:

$3 billion (2004 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:

$650 million (2001 est.)

Currency (code):

marka (BAM)

Currency code:

BAM

Exchange rates:

marka per US dollar - 1.58 (2004), 1.73 (2003), 2.08 (2002), 2.19

(2001), 2.12 (2000)

note: the marka is pegged to the euro

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Bosnia and Herzegovina

Telephones - main lines in use:

938,000 (2003)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

1.05 million (2003)

Telephone system:

general assessment: telephone and telegraph network needs

modernization and expansion; many urban areas are below average as

contrasted with services in other former Yugoslav republics

domestic: NA

international: country code - 387; no satellite earth stations

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 8, FM 16, shortwave 1 (1998)

Radios:

940,000 (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

33 (plus 277 repeaters) (September 1995)

Televisions:

NA

Internet country code:

.ba

Internet hosts:

6,994 (2004)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

3 (2000)

Internet users:

100,000 (2002)

Transportation Bosnia and Herzegovina

Railways:

total: 1,021 km (795 km electrified)

standard gauge: 1,021 km 1.435-m gauge (2004)

Highways:

total: 21,846 km

paved: 11,424 km

unpaved: 10,422 km (1999 est.)

Waterways:

Sava River (northern border) open to shipping but use limited

because of no agreement with neighboring countries (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Bosanska Gradiska, Bosanski Brod, Bosanski Samac, and Brcko (all

inland waterway ports on the Sava), Orasje

Airports:

27 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 8

2,438 to 3,047 m: 4

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

under 914 m: 3 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 19

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 7

under 914 m: 11 (2004 est.)

Heliports:

5 (2004 est.)

Military Bosnia and Herzegovina

Military branches:

VF Army (the air and air defense forces are subordinate commands

within the Army), VRS Army (the air and air defense forces are

subordinate commands within the Army)

Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for compulsory military service in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina; 16 years of age in times of war; 18 years of age for Republika Srpska; 17 years of age for voluntary military service in the Federation and in the Republika Srpska; by law, military obligations cover all healthy men between the ages of 18 and 60, and all women between the ages of 18 and 55; service obligation is 4 months (July 2004)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 18-49: 1,034,367 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: 829,530 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:

males: 31,264 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$234.3 million (FY02)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

4.5% (FY02)

Transnational Issues Bosnia and Herzegovina

Disputes - international:

Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia and Montenegro have delimited

most of their boundary, but sections along the Drina River remain in

dispute; discussions continue with Croatia on several small disputed

sections of the boundary

Refugees and internally displaced persons:

IDPs: 327,200 (Bosnian Croats, Serbs, and Muslims displaced in

1992-95 war) (2004)

Illicit drugs:

minor transit point for marijuana and opiate trafficking routes to

Western Europe; remains highly vulnerable to money-laundering

activity given a primarily cash-based and unregulated economy, weak

law enforcement and instances of corruption

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Botswana

Introduction Botswana

Background:

Formerly the British protectorate of Bechuanaland, Botswana adopted

its new name upon independence in 1966. Four decades of

uninterrupted civilian leadership, progressive social policies, and

significant capital investment have created one of the most dynamic

economies in Africa. Mineral extraction, principally diamond mining,

dominates economic activity, though tourism is a growing sector due

to the country's conservation practices and extensive nature

preserves. Botswana has one of the world's highest known rates of

HIV/AIDS infection, but also one of Africa's most progressive and

comprehensive programs for dealing with the disease.

Geography Botswana

Location:

Southern Africa, north of South Africa

Geographic coordinates:

22 00 S, 24 00 E

Map references:

Africa

Area:

total: 600,370 sq km

land: 585,370 sq km

water: 15,000 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly smaller than Texas

Land boundaries:

total: 4,013 km

border countries: Namibia 1,360 km, South Africa 1,840 km, Zimbabwe

813 km

Coastline:

0 km (landlocked)

Maritime claims:

none (landlocked)

Climate:

semiarid; warm winters and hot summers

Terrain:

predominantly flat to gently rolling tableland; Kalahari Desert in

southwest

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: junction of the Limpopo and Shashe Rivers 513 m

highest point: Tsodilo Hills 1,489 m

Natural resources:

diamonds, copper, nickel, salt, soda ash, potash, coal, iron ore,

silver

Land use: arable land: 0.65% permanent crops: 0.01% other: 99.34% (2001)

Irrigated land:

10 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

periodic droughts; seasonal August winds blow from the west,

carrying sand and dust across the country, which can obscure

visibility

Environment - current issues:

overgrazing; desertification; limited fresh water resources

Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note: landlocked; population concentrated in eastern part of the country

People Botswana

Population:

1,640,115

note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the

effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower

life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower

population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of

population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July

2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 38.8% (male 322,916/female 312,735)

15-64 years: 57.5% (male 455,183/female 487,236)

65 years and over: 3.8% (male 23,914/female 38,131) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 19.29 years

male: 18.64 years

female: 19.93 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

0% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

23.33 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

29.36 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

6.07 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.93 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.63 male(s)/female

total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 54.58 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 55.97 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 53.14 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 33.87 years

male: 33.89 years

female: 33.84 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

2.85 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

37.3% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

350,000 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

33,000 (2003 est.)

Major infectious diseases:

degree of risk: high

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and

typhoid fever

vectorborne disease: malaria (2004)

Nationality:

noun: Motswana (singular), Batswana (plural)

adjective: Motswana (singular), Batswana (plural)

Ethnic groups:

Tswana (or Setswana) 79%, Kalanga 11%, Basarwa 3%, other, including

Kgalagadi and white 7%

Religions:

Christian 71.6%, Badimo 6%, other 1.4%, unspecified 0.4%, none

20.6% (2001 census)

Languages:

Setswana 78.2%, Kalanga 7.9%, Sekgalagadi 2.8%, English 2.1%

(official), other 8.6%, unspecified 0.4% (2001 census)

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 79.8%

male: 76.9%

female: 82.4% (2003 est.)

Government Botswana

Country name:

conventional long form: Republic of Botswana

conventional short form: Botswana

former: Bechuanaland

Government type:

parliamentary republic

Capital:

Gaborone

Administrative divisions:

9 districts and 5 town councils*; Central, Francistown*, Gaborone*,

Ghanzi, Jwaneng*, Kgalagadi, Kgatleng, Kweneng, Lobatse*, Northwest,

Northeast, Selebi-Pikwe*, Southeast, Southern

Independence:

30 September 1966 (from UK)

National holiday:

Independence Day (Botswana Day), 30 September (1966)

Constitution:

March 1965, effective 30 September 1966

Legal system:

based on Roman-Dutch law and local customary law; judicial review

limited to matters of interpretation; has not accepted compulsory

ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Festus G. MOGAE (since 1 April 1998) and

Vice President Seretse Ian KHAMA (since 13 July 1998); note - the

president is both the chief of state and head of government

head of government: President Festus G. MOGAE (since 1 April 1998)

and Vice President Seretse Ian KHAMA (since 13 July 1998); note -

the president is both the chief of state and head of government

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president

elections: president indirectly elected for a five-year term;

election last held 20 October 2004 (next to be held NA 2009); vice

president appointed by the president

election results: Festus G. MOGAE elected president; percent of

National Assembly vote - 52%

Legislative branch:

bicameral Parliament consists of the House of Chiefs (a largely

advisory 15-member body consisting of the chiefs of the eight

principal tribes, four elected subchiefs, and three members selected

by the other 12 members) and the National Assembly (61 seats, 57

members are directly elected by popular vote and four are appointed

by the majority party; members serve five-year terms)

elections: National Assembly elections last held 30 October 2004

(next to be held October 2009)

election results: percent of vote by party - BDP 52%, BNF 26%, BCP

17%, other 5%; seats by party - BDP 44, BNF 12, BCP 1

Judicial branch:

High Court; Court of Appeal; Magistrates' Courts (one in each

district)

Political parties and leaders:

Botswana Democratic Party or BDP [Festus G. MOGAE]; Botswana

National Front or BNF [Otswoletse MOUPO]; Botswana Congress Party or

BCP [Otlaadisa KOOSALETSE]; Botswana Alliance Movement or BAM

[Ephraim Lepetu SETSHWAELO]

note: a number of minor parties joined forces in 1999 to form the

BAM but did not capture any parliamentary seats; the BAM parties

are: the United Action Party [Ephraim Lepetu SETSHWAELO]; the

Independence Freedom Party or IFP [Motsamai MPHO]; and the Botswana

Progressive Union [D. K. KWELE]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

NA

International organization participation:

ACP, AfDB, AU, C, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM,

IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, MIGA, NAM,

OPCW, SACU, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO,

WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Lapologang Caesar LEKOA

chancery: 1531-1533 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036

telephone: [1] (202) 244-4990

FAX: [1] (202) 244-4164

Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Joseph HUGGINS embassy: address NA, Gaborone mailing address: Embassy Enclave, P. O. Box 90, Gaborone telephone: [267] 353982 FAX: [267] 312782

Flag description: light blue with a horizontal white-edged black stripe in the center

Economy Botswana

Economy - overview:

Botswana has maintained one of the world's highest economic growth

rates since independence in 1966. Through fiscal discipline and

sound management, Botswana has transformed itself from one of the

poorest countries in the world to a middle-income country with a per

capita GDP of $9,200 in 2004. Two major investment services rank

Botswana as the best credit risk in Africa. Diamond mining has

fueled much of the expansion and currently accounts for more than

one-third of GDP and for 70-80% of export earnings. Tourism,

financial services, subsistence farming, and cattle raising are

other key sectors. On the downside, the government must deal with

high rates of unemployment and poverty. Unemployment officially is

23.8%, but unofficial estimates place it closer to 40%. HIV/AIDS

infection rates are the second highest in the world and threaten

Botswana's impressive economic gains. An expected leveling off in

diamond mining production overshadow long-term prospects.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$15.05 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

3.5% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $9,200 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 4% industry: 44% (including 36% mining) services: 52% (2003 est.)

Labor force:

264,000 formal sector employees (2000)

Labor force - by occupation:

NA

Unemployment rate:

23.8% (2004 est.)

Population below poverty line:

47% (2002 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

7% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

25.5% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $3.735 billion

expenditures: $3.743 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Public debt:

8.6% of GDP (2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

livestock, sorghum, maize, millet, beans, sunflowers, groundnuts

Industries:

diamonds, copper, nickel, salt, soda ash, potash; livestock

processing; textiles

Industrial production growth rate:

4.4% (2004 est.)

Electricity - production:

930 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

1.89 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

1.025 billion kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

16,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Current account balance:

$337 million (2004 est.)

Exports:

$2.94 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

diamonds, copper, nickel, soda ash, meat, textiles

Exports - partners:

European Free Trade Association (EFTA) 87%, Southern African

Customs Union (SACU) 7%, Zimbabwe 4% (2000)

Imports:

$2.255 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

foodstuffs, machinery, electrical goods, transport equipment,

textiles, fuel and petroleum products, wood and paper products,

metal and metal products

Imports - partners:

Southern African Customs Union (SACU) 74%, EFTA 17%, Zimbabwe 4%

(2000)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$5.7 billion (2004 est.)

Debt - external:

$531 million (2004 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:

$73 million (1995)

Currency (code):

pula (BWP)

Currency code:

BWP

Exchange rates:

pulas per US dollar - 4.6929 (2004), 4.9499 (2003), 6.3278 (2002),

5.8412 (2001), 5.1018 (2000)

Fiscal year:

1 April - 31 March

Communications Botswana

Telephones - main lines in use:

142,400 (2002)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

435,000 (2002)

Telephone system:

general assessment: the system is expanding with the growth of

mobile cellular service and participation in regional development

domestic: small system of open-wire lines, microwave radio relay

links, and a few radiotelephone communication stations; mobile

cellular service is growing fast

international: country code - 267; two international exchanges;

digital microwave radio relay links to Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe,

and South Africa; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 8, FM 13, shortwave 4 (2001)

Radios:

252,720 (2000)

Television broadcast stations:

1 (2001)

Televisions:

31,000 (1997)

Internet country code:

.bw

Internet hosts:

1,920 (2003)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

11 (2001)

Internet users:

60,000 (2002)

Transportation Botswana

Railways: total: 888 km narrow gauge: 888 km 1.067-m gauge (2004)

Highways: total: 10,217 km paved: 5,619 km unpaved: 4,598 km (1999)

Airports: 85 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 10

2,438 to 3,047 m: 2

1,524 to 2,437 m: 7

914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 75

1,524 to 2,437 m: 3

914 to 1,523 m: 54

under 914 m: 18 (2004 est.)

Military Botswana

Military branches:

Botswana Defense Force (includes an Air Wing)

Military service age and obligation: 18 is the apparent age of voluntary military service; the official qualifications for determining minimum age are unknown (2001)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 18-49: 350,649 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: 136,322 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:

males: 21,103 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$338.5 million (2004)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

3.9% (2004)

Transnational Issues Botswana

Disputes - international:

commission established with Namibia has yet to resolve small

residual disputes along the Caprivi Strip, including the Situngu

marshlands along the Linyanti River; downstream Botswana residents

protest Namibia's planned construction of the Okavango hydroelectric

dam at Popavalle (Popa Falls); Botswana has built electric fences to

stem the thousands of Zimbabweans who flee to find work and escape

political persecution; Namibia has long supported and in 2004

Zimbabwe dropped objections to plans between Botswana and Zambia to

build a bridge over the Zambezi River, thereby de facto recognizing

their short, but not clearly delimited Botswana-Zambia boundary

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Bouvet Island

Introduction Bouvet Island

Background:

This uninhabited volcanic island is almost entirely covered by

glaciers and is difficult to approach. It was discovered in 1739 by

a French naval officer after whom the island was named. No claim was

made until 1825, when the British flag was raised. In 1928, the UK

waived its claim in favor of Norway, which had occupied the island

the previous year. In 1971, Bouvet Island and the adjacent

territorial waters were designated a nature reserve. Since 1977,

Norway has run an automated meteorological station on the island.

Geography Bouvet Island

Location:

island in the South Atlantic Ocean, southwest of the Cape of Good

Hope (South Africa)

Geographic coordinates:

54 26 S, 3 24 E

Map references:

Antarctic Region

Area:

total: 58.5 sq km

land: 58.5 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative:

about 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries:

0 km

Coastline:

29.6 km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 4 nm

Climate:

antarctic

Terrain:

volcanic; coast is mostly inaccessible

Elevation extremes: lowest point: South Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Olav Peak 935 m

Natural resources: none

Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (93% ice) (2001)

Irrigated land:

0 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

NA

Environment - current issues:

NA

Geography - note:

covered by glacial ice; declared a nature reserve

People Bouvet Island

Population: uninhabited (July 2005 est.)

Government Bouvet Island

Country name:

conventional long form: none

conventional short form: Bouvet Island

Dependency status:

territory of Norway; administered by the Polar Department of the

Ministry of Justice and Police from Oslo

Legal system:

the laws of Norway, where applicable, apply

Flag description:

the flag of Norway is used

Economy Bouvet Island

Economy - overview: no economic activity; declared a nature reserve

Communications Bouvet Island

Internet country code:

.bv

Communications - note:

automatic meteorological station

Transportation Bouvet Island

Ports and harbors: none; offshore anchorage only

Military Bouvet Island

Military - note: defense is the responsibility of Norway

Transnational Issues Bouvet Island

Disputes - international: none

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Brazil

Introduction Brazil

Background:

Following three centuries under the rule of Portugal, Brazil became

an independent nation in 1822. By far the largest and most populous

country in South America, Brazil overcame more than half a century

of military intervention in the governance of the country when in

1985 the military regime peacefully ceded power to civilian rulers.

Brazil continues to pursue industrial and agricultural growth and

development of its interior. Exploiting vast natural resources and a

large labor pool, it is today South America's leading economic power

and a regional leader. Highly unequal income distribution remains a

pressing problem.

Geography Brazil

Location:

Eastern South America, bordering the Atlantic Ocean

Geographic coordinates:

10 00 S, 55 00 W

Map references:

South America

Area:

total: 8,511,965 sq km

land: 8,456,510 sq km

water: 55,455 sq km

note: includes Arquipelago de Fernando de Noronha, Atol das Rocas,

Ilha da Trindade, Ilhas Martin Vaz, and Penedos de Sao Pedro e Sao

Paulo

Area - comparative:

slightly smaller than the US

Land boundaries:

total: 14,691 km

border countries: Argentina 1,224 km, Bolivia 3,400 km, Colombia

1,643 km, French Guiana 673 km, Guyana 1,119 km, Paraguay 1,290 km,

Peru 1,560 km, Suriname 597 km, Uruguay 985 km, Venezuela 2,200 km

Coastline:

7,491 km

Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to edge of the continental margin

Climate:

mostly tropical, but temperate in south

Terrain:

mostly flat to rolling lowlands in north; some plains, hills,

mountains, and narrow coastal belt

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

highest point: Pico da Neblina 3,014 m

Natural resources:

bauxite, gold, iron ore, manganese, nickel, phosphates, platinum,

tin, uranium, petroleum, hydropower, timber

Land use: arable land: 6.96% permanent crops: 0.9% other: 92.15% (2001)

Irrigated land:

26,560 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

recurring droughts in northeast; floods and occasional frost in

south

Environment - current issues:

deforestation in Amazon Basin destroys the habitat and endangers a

multitude of plant and animal species indigenous to the area; there

is a lucrative illegal wildlife trade; air and water pollution in

Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, and several other large cities; land

degradation and water pollution caused by improper mining

activities; wetland degradation; severe oil spills

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living

Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate

Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered

Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the

Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution,

Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

largest country in South America; shares common boundaries with

every South American country except Chile and Ecuador

People Brazil

Population:

186,112,794

note: Brazil took a count in August 2000, which reported a

population of 169,799,170; that figure was about 3.3% lower than

projections by the US Census Bureau, and is close to the implied

underenumeration of 4.6% for the 1991 census; estimates for this

country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality

due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant

mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and

changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would

otherwise be expected (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 26.1% (male 24,789,495/female 23,842,715)

15-64 years: 67.9% (male 62,669,392/female 63,719,631)

65 years and over: 6% (male 4,549,552/female 6,542,009) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 27.81 years

male: 27.06 years

female: 28.57 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

1.06% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

16.83 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

6.15 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

-0.03 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female

total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 29.61 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 33.37 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 25.66 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 71.69 years

male: 67.74 years

female: 75.85 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

1.93 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

0.7% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

660,000 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

15,000 (2003 est.)

Nationality:

noun: Brazilian(s)

adjective: Brazilian

Ethnic groups:

white 53.7%, mulatto (mixed white and black) 38.5%, black 6.2%,

other (includes Japanese, Arab, Amerindian) 0.9%, unspecified 0.7%

(2000 census)

Religions:

Roman Catholic (nominal) 73.6%, Protestant 15.4%, Spriritualist

1.3%, Bantu/voodoo 0.3%, other 1.8%, unspecified 0.2%, none 7.4%

(2000 census)

Languages:

Portuguese (official), Spanish, English, French

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 86.4%

male: 86.1%

female: 86.6% (2003 est.)

Government Brazil

Country name:

conventional long form: Federative Republic of Brazil

conventional short form: Brazil

local long form: Republica Federativa do Brasil

local short form: Brasil

Government type:

federative republic

Capital:

Brasilia

Administrative divisions:

26 states (estados, singular - estado) and 1 federal district*

(distrito federal); Acre, Alagoas, Amapa, Amazonas, Bahia, Ceara,

Distrito Federal*, Espirito Santo, Goias, Maranhao, Mato Grosso,

Mato Grosso do Sul, Minas Gerais, Para, Paraiba, Parana, Pernambuco,

Piaui, Rio de Janeiro, Rio Grande do Norte, Rio Grande do Sul,

Rondonia, Roraima, Santa Catarina, Sao Paulo, Sergipe, Tocantins

Independence:

7 September 1822 (from Portugal)

National holiday:

Independence Day, 7 September (1822)

Constitution:

5 October 1988

Legal system:

based on Roman codes; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage:

voluntary between 16 and 18 years of age and over 70; compulsory

over 18 and under 70 years of age; note - military conscripts do not

vote

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Luiz Inacio LULA DA SILVA (since 1

January 2003); Vice President Jose ALENCAR (since 1 January 2003);

note - the president is both the chief of state and head of

government

head of government: President Luiz Inacio LULA DA SILVA (since 1

January 2003); Vice President Jose ALENCAR (since 1 January 2003);

note - the president is both the chief of state and head of

government

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president

elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket

by popular vote for four-year terms; election last held 6 October

2002 (next to be held 1 October 2006, with a runoff on 29 October

2006 if necessary); runoff election held 27 October 2002

election results: in runoff election 27 October 2002, Luiz Inacio

LULA DA SILVA (PT) elected with 61.3% of the vote; Jose SERRA (PSDB)

38.7%

Legislative branch:

bicameral National Congress or Congresso Nacional consists of the

Federal Senate or Senado Federal (81 seats; three members from each

state and federal district elected according to the principle of

majority to serve eight-year terms; one-third elected after a

four-year period, two-thirds elected after the next four-year

period) and the Chamber of Deputies or Camara dos Deputados (513

seats; members are elected by proportional representation to serve

four-year terms)

elections: Federal Senate - last held 6 October 2002 for two-thirds

of the Senate (next to be held October 2006 for one-third of the

Senate); Chamber of Deputies - last held 6 October 2002 (next to be

held October 2006)

election results: Federal Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%;

seats by party - PMBD 19, PFL 19, PT 14, PSDB 11, PDT 5, PSB 4, PL

3, PTB 3, PPS 1, PSD 1, PP 1; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote

by party - NA%; seats by party - PT 91, PFL 84, PMDB 74, PSDB 71, PP

49, PL 26, PTB 26, PSB 22, PDT 21, PPS 15, PCdoB 12, PRONA 6, PV 5,

other 11; note - many congressmen have changed party affiliation

since the most recent election

Judicial branch:

Supreme Federal Tribunal (11 ministers are appointed for life by

the president and confirmed by the Senate); Higher Tribunal of

Justice; Regional Federal Tribunals (judges are appointed for life);

note - though appointed "for life," judges, like all federal

employees, have a mandatory retirement age of 70

Political parties and leaders:

Brazilian Democratic Movement Party or PMDB [Federal Deputy Michel

TEMER]; Brazilian Labor Party or PTB [Federal Deputy Roberto

JEFFERSON]; Brazilian Social Democracy Party or PSDB [Senator

Eduardo AZAREDO]; Brazilian Socialist Party or PSB [Federal Deputy

Miguel ARRAES]; Communist Party of Brazil or PCdoB [Renato RABELO];

Democratic Labor Party or PDT [Carlos LUPI]; Democratic Socialist

Party or PSD [Pedro Miguel SANTANA LOPES]; Green Party or PV [Jose

Luiz de Franca PENNA]; Liberal Front Party or PFL [Senator Jorge

BORNHAUSEN]; Liberal Party or PL [Federal Deputy Valdemar COSTA

Neto]; National Order Reconstruction Party or PRONA [Federal Deputy

Dr. Eneas CARNEIRO]; Popular Socialist Party or PPS [Federal Deputy

Roberto FREIRE]; Progressive Party or PP [Federal Deputy Pedro

CORREA]; Social Christian Party or PSC [Vitor Jorge ABDALA NOSSEIS];

Worker's Party or PT [Jose GENOINO]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

Landless Worker's Movement; labor unions and federations; large

farmers' associations; religious groups including evangelical

christian churches and the Catholic Church

International organization participation:

AfDB, BIS, CSN, FAO, G-15, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC,

ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO,

Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur, MIGA, MINUSTAH,

NAM (observer), NSG, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UN Security

Council (temporary), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNMIK,

UNMIL, UNMISET, UNMOVIC, UNOCI, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO,

WToO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Roberto ABDENUR chancery: 3006 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 238-2700 FAX: [1] (202) 238-2827 consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, and San Francisco

Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador John DANILOVICH embassy: Avenida das Nacoes, Quadra 801, Lote 3, Distrito Federal Cep 70403-900, Brasilia mailing address: Unit 3500, APO AA 34030 telephone: [55] (61) 312-7000 FAX: [55] (61) 225-9136 consulate(s) general: Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo consulate(s): Recife

Flag description:

green with a large yellow diamond in the center bearing a blue

celestial globe with 27 white five-pointed stars (one for each state

and the Federal District) arranged in the same pattern as the night

sky over Brazil; the globe has a white equatorial band with the

motto ORDEM E PROGRESSO (Order and Progress)

Economy Brazil

Economy - overview:

Possessing large and well-developed agricultural, mining,

manufacturing, and service sectors, Brazil's economy outweighs that

of all other South American countries and is expanding its presence

in world markets. From 2001-03 real wages fell and Brazil's economy

grew, on average, only 2.2% per year, as the country absorbed a

series of domestic and international economic shocks. That Brazil

absorbed these shocks without financial collapse is a tribute to the

resiliency of the Brazilian economy and the economic program put in

place by former President CARDOSO and strengthened by President LULA

DA SILVA. In 2004, Brazil enjoyed more robust growth that yielded

increases in employment and real wages. The three pillars of the

economic program are a floating exchange rate, an

inflation-targeting regime, and tight fiscal policy, all reinforced

by a series of IMF programs. The currency depreciated sharply in

2001 and 2002, which contributed to a dramatic current account

adjustment: in 2003 and 2004, Brazil ran record trade surpluses and

recorded its first current account surpluses since 1992.

Productivity gains - particularly in agriculture - also contributed

to the surge in exports, and Brazil in 2004 surpassed the previous

year's record export level and again posted a current account

surplus. While economic management has been good, there remain

important economic vulnerabilities. The most significant are

debt-related: the government's largely domestic debt increased

steadily from 1994 to 2003 - straining government finances - before

falling as a percentage of GDP in 2004, while Brazil's foreign debt

(a mix of private and public debt) is large in relation to Brazil's

small (but growing) export base. Another challenge is maintaining

economic growth over a period of time to generate employment and

make the government debt burden more manageable.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$1.492 trillion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

5.1% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $8,100 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 10.1% industry: 38.6% services: 51.3% (2004 est.)

Labor force:

89 million (2004 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 20%, industry 14%, services 66% (2003 est.)

Unemployment rate:

11.5% (2004 est.)

Population below poverty line:

22% (1998 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 0.7% highest 10%: 48% (1998)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

60.7 (1998)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

7.6% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

19.8% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $140.6 billion

expenditures: $172.4 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004)

Public debt:

52% of GDP (2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

coffee, soybeans, wheat, rice, corn, sugarcane, cocoa, citrus; beef

Industries:

textiles, shoes, chemicals, cement, lumber, iron ore, tin, steel,

aircraft, motor vehicles and parts, other machinery and equipment

Industrial production growth rate:

6% (2004 est.)

Electricity - production:

339 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 8.3% hydro: 82.7% nuclear: 4.4% other: 4.6% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

351.9 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

7 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

36.58 billion kWh; note - supplied by Paraguay (2002)

Oil - production:

1.788 million bbl/day (2004 est.)

Oil - consumption:

2.199 million bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Oil - proved reserves:

13.9 billion bbl (2004 est.)

Natural gas - production:

5.95 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - consumption:

9.59 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - exports:

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - imports:

3.64 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves:

221.7 billion cu m (2004)

Current account balance:

$8 billion (2004 est.)

Exports:

$95 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

transport equipment, iron ore, soybeans, footwear, coffee, autos

Exports - partners:

US 20.8%, Argentina 7.5%, Netherlands 6.1%, China 5.6%, Germany

4.1%, Mexico 4% (2004)

Imports:

$61 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

machinery, electrical and transport equipment, chemical products,

oil

Imports - partners:

US 18.3%, Argentina 8.9%, Germany 8.1%, China 5.9%, Nigeria 5.6%,

Japan 4.6% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$52.94 billion (2004 est.)

Debt - external:

$219.8 billion (2004 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:

$30 billion (2002)

Currency (code):

real (BRL)

Currency code:

BRL

Exchange rates:

reals per US dollar - 2.9251 (2004), 3.0771 (2003), 2.9208 (2002),

2.3577 (2001), 1.8301 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Brazil

Telephones - main lines in use:

38.81 million (2002)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

46,373,300 (2003)

Telephone system:

general assessment: good working system

domestic: extensive microwave radio relay system and a domestic

satellite system with 64 earth stations

international: country code - 55; 3 coaxial submarine cables;

satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean), 1 Inmarsat

(Atlantic Ocean region east), connected by microwave relay system to

Mercosur Brazilsat B3 satellite earth station

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 1,365, FM 296, shortwave 161 (of which 91 are collocated with AM

stations) (1999)

Radios:

71 million (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

138 (1997)

Televisions:

36.5 million (1997)

Internet country code:

.br

Internet hosts:

3,163,349 (2003)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

50 (2000)

Internet users:

14.3 million (2002)

Transportation Brazil

Railways:

total: 29,412 km (1,567 km electrified)

broad gauge: 4,907 km 1.600-m gauge (908 km electrified)

standard gauge: 194 km 1.440-m gauge

narrow gauge: 23,915 km 1.000-m gauge (581 km electrified)

dual gauge: 396 km 1.000-m and 1.600-m gauges (three rails) (78 km

electrified) (2004)

Highways: total: 1,724,929 km paved: 94,871 km unpaved: 1,630,058 km (2000)

Waterways:

50,000 km (most in areas remote from industry and population) (2004)

Pipelines:

condensate/gas 244 km; gas 10,739 km; liquid petroleum gas 341 km;

oil 5,212 km; refined products 4,755 km (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Gebig, Itaqui, Rio de Janeiro, Rio Grande, San Sebasttiao, Santos,

Sepetiba Terminal, Tubarao, Vitoria

Merchant marine:

total: 150 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 2,961,431 GRT/4,725,267 DWT

by type: bulk carrier 28, cargo 25, chemical tanker 7, combination

ore/oil 2, container 7, liquefied gas 12, passenger/cargo 12,

petroleum tanker 48, roll on/roll off 9

foreign-owned: 17 (Chile 2, Germany 7, Norway 1, Spain 7)

registered in other countries: 8 (2005)

Airports:

4,136 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 698 over 3,047 m: 7 2,438 to 3,047 m: 23 1,524 to 2,437 m: 158 914 to 1,523 m: 461 under 914 m: 49 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 3,438 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 78 914 to 1,523 m: 1,579 under 914 m: 1,780 (2004 est.)

Heliports: 417 (2004 est.)

Military Brazil

Military branches:

Brazilian Army, Brazilian Navy (includes Naval Air and Marines),

Brazilian Air Force (FAB)

Military service age and obligation:

19 years of age for compulsory military service, conscript service

obligation - 12 months; 17 years of age for voluntary service (2001)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 19-49: 45,586,036 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 19-49: 33,119,098 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:

males: 1,785,930 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$11 billion (2004)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

1.8% (2004)

Transnational Issues Brazil

Disputes - international:

unruly region at convergence of Argentina-Brazil-Paraguay borders

is locus of money laundering, smuggling, arms and illegal narcotics

trafficking, and fundraising for extremist organizations;

uncontested dispute with Uruguay over certain islands in the

Quarai/Cuareim and Invernada boundary streams and the resulting

tripoint with Argentina; in 2004 Brazil submitted its claims to

UNCLOS to extend its maritime continental margin

Illicit drugs:

illicit producer of cannabis; minor coca cultivation in the Amazon

region, used for domestic consumption; government has a large-scale

eradication program to control cannabis; important transshipment

country for Bolivian, Colombian, and Peruvian cocaine headed for

Europe and the US; also used by traffickers as a way station for

narcotics air transshipments between Peru and Colombia; upsurge in

drug-related violence and weapons smuggling; important market for

Colombian, Bolivian, and Peruvian cocaine; illicit narcotics

proceeds earned in Brazil are often laundered through the financial

system; significant illicit financial activity in the Tri-Border Area

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@British Indian Ocean Territory

Introduction British Indian Ocean Territory

Background:

Established as a territory of the UK in 1965, a number of the

British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) islands were transferred to

the Seychelles when it attained independence in 1976. Subsequently,

BIOT has consisted only of the six main island groups comprising the

Chagos Archipelago. The largest and most southerly of the islands,

Diego Garcia, contains a joint UK-US naval support facility. All of

the remaining islands are uninhabited. Former agricultural workers,

earlier residents in the islands, were relocated primarily to

Mauritius but also to the Seychelles, between 1967 and 1973. In

2000, a British High Court ruling invalidated the local immigration

order that had excluded them from the archipelago, but upheld the

special military status of Diego Garcia.

Geography British Indian Ocean Territory

Location:

archipelago in the Indian Ocean, south of India, about one-half the

way from Africa to Indonesia

Geographic coordinates:

6 00 S, 71 30 E

Map references:

Political Map of the World

Area:

total: 60 sq km

land: 60 sq km

water: 0 sq km

note: includes the entire Chagos Archipelago

Area - comparative:

about 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries:

0 km

Coastline:

698 km

Maritime claims: territorial sea: 3 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm

Climate:

tropical marine; hot, humid, moderated by trade winds

Terrain:

flat and low (most areas do not exceed four meters in elevation)

Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location on Diego Garcia 15 m

Natural resources: coconuts, fish, sugarcane

Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (2001)

Irrigated land:

0 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

NA

Environment - current issues:

NA

Geography - note:

archipelago of 2,300 islands; Diego Garcia, largest and

southernmost island, occupies strategic location in central Indian

Ocean; island is site of joint US-UK military facility

People British Indian Ocean Territory

Population:

no indigenous inhabitants

note: approximately 1,200 former agricultural workers resident in

the Chagos Archipelago, often referred to as Chagossians or Ilois,

were relocated to Mauritius and the Seychelles in the 1960s and

1970s, in November 2000 they were granted the right of return by a

British High Court ruling, though no timetable has been set; in

2001, there were approximately 1,500 UK and US military personnel

and 2,000 civilian contractors living on the island of Diego Garcia

(July 2005 est.)

Government British Indian Ocean Territory

Country name:

conventional long form: British Indian Ocean Territory

conventional short form: none

abbreviation: BIOT

Dependency status:

overseas territory of the UK; administered by a commissioner,

resident in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London

Legal system:

the laws of the UK, where applicable, apply

Executive branch:

chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952)

head of government: Commissioner Tony CROMBIE (since January 2004);

Administrator Tony HUMPHRIES (since February 2005); note - both

reside in the UK

cabinet: NA

elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; commissioner and

administrator appointed by the monarch

Diplomatic representation in the US:

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Diplomatic representation from the US:

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Flag description:

white with six blue wavy horizontal stripes; the flag of the UK is

in the upper hoist-side quadrant; the striped section bears a palm

tree and yellow crown centered on the outer half of the flag

Economy British Indian Ocean Territory

Economy - overview:

All economic activity is concentrated on the largest island of

Diego Garcia, where joint UK-US defense facilities are located.

Construction projects and various services needed to support the

military installations are done by military and contract employees

from the UK, Mauritius, the Philippines, and the US. There are no

industrial or agricultural activities on the islands. When the Ilois

return, they plan to reestablish sugarcane production and fishing.

Electricity - production:

NA kWh; note - electricity supplied by the US military

Electricity - consumption:

NA kWh

Communications British Indian Ocean Territory

Telephones - main lines in use:

NA

Telephone system:

general assessment: separate facilities for military and public

needs are available

domestic: all commercial telephone services are available, including

connection to the Internet

international: international telephone service is carried by

satellite (2000)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 0 (1998)

Radios:

NA

Television broadcast stations:

1 (1997)

Televisions:

NA

Internet country code:

.io

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

1 (2000)

Transportation British Indian Ocean Territory

Highways:

total: NA km

paved: short section of paved road between port and airfield on

Diego Garcia

unpaved: NA km

Ports and harbors:

Diego Garcia

Airports:

1 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Military British Indian Ocean Territory

Military - note:

defense is the responsibility of the UK; the US lease on Diego

Garcia expires in 2016

Transnational Issues British Indian Ocean Territory

Disputes - international:

Mauritius and Seychelles claim the Chagos Archipelago and its

former inhabitants, who reside chiefly in Mauritius, but in 2001

were granted UK citizenship and the right to repatriation since

eviction in 1965; the UK resists the Chagossians' demand for an

immediate return to the islands; repatriation is complicated by the

exclusive US military lease of Diego Garcia that restricts access to

the largest island in the chain

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@British Virgin Islands

Introduction British Virgin Islands

Background:

First settled by the Dutch in 1648, the islands were annexed in

1672 by the English. The economy is closely tied to the larger and

more populous US Virgin Islands to the west; the US dollar is the

legal currency.

Geography British Virgin Islands

Location:

Caribbean, between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean,

east of Puerto Rico

Geographic coordinates:

18 30 N, 64 30 W

Map references:

Central America and the Caribbean

Area:

total: 153 sq km

land: 153 sq km

water: 0 sq km

note: comprised of 16 inhabited and more than 20 uninhabited

islands; includes the island of Anegada

Area - comparative:

about 0.9 times the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries:

0 km

Coastline:

80 km

Maritime claims: territorial sea: 3 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm

Climate:

subtropical; humid; temperatures moderated by trade winds

Terrain:

coral islands relatively flat; volcanic islands steep, hilly

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m

highest point: Mount Sage 521 m

Natural resources:

NEGL

Land use:

arable land: 20%

permanent crops: 6.67%

other: 73.33% (2001)

Irrigated land:

NA

Natural hazards:

hurricanes and tropical storms (July to October)

Environment - current issues: limited natural fresh water resources (except for a few seasonal streams and springs on Tortola, most of the islands' water supply comes from wells and rainwater catchments)

Geography - note: strong ties to nearby US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico

People British Virgin Islands

Population:

22,643 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 21% (male 2,400/female 2,358)

15-64 years: 73.9% (male 8,607/female 8,115)

65 years and over: 5.1% (male 614/female 549) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 30.9 years

male: 31.1 years

female: 30.7 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

2.06% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

14.96 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

4.42 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

10.01 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.06 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 1.12 male(s)/female

total population: 1.05 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 18.05 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 21.02 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 14.95 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 76.49 years

male: 75.41 years

female: 77.62 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

1.72 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

NA

Nationality: noun: British Virgin Islander(s) adjective: British Virgin Islander

Ethnic groups:

black 83%, white, Indian, Asian and mixed

Religions:

Protestant 86% (Methodist 33%, Anglican 17%, Church of God 9%,

Seventh-Day Adventist 6%, Baptist 4%, Jehovah's Witnesses 2%, other

15%), Roman Catholic 10%, none 2%, other 2% (1991)

Languages:

English (official)

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 97.8% (1991 est.)

male: NA%

female: NA%

Government British Virgin Islands

Country name:

conventional long form: none

conventional short form: British Virgin Islands

abbreviation: BVI

Dependency status:

overseas territory of the UK; internal self-governing

Government type:

NA

Capital:

Road Town

Administrative divisions:

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Independence:

none (overseas territory of the UK)

National holiday:

Territory Day, 1 July

Constitution:

1 June 1977

Legal system:

English law

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952),

represented by Governor Tom MACAN (since 14 October 2002)

head of government: Chief Minister Orlando D. SMITH (since 17 June

2003)

cabinet: Executive Council appointed by the governor from members of

the Legislative Council

elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed by

the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the

majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually

appointed chief minister by the governor

Legislative branch:

unicameral Legislative Council (13 seats; members are elected by

direct popular vote, one member from each of 9 electoral districts,

four at-large members; members serve four-year terms)

elections: last held 16 May 2003 (next to be held NA 2007)

election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -

NDP 8, VIP 5

Judicial branch:

Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, consisting of the High Court of

Justice and the Court of Appeal (one judge of the Supreme Court is a

resident of the islands and presides over the High Court);

Magistrate's Court; Juvenile Court; Court of Summary Jurisdiction

Political parties and leaders:

Concerned Citizens Movement or CCM [Ethlyn SMITH]; National

Democratic Party or NDP [Orlando SMITH]; United Party or UP [Gregory

MADURO]; Virgin Islands Party or VIP [Ralph T. O'NEAL]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

NA

International organization participation:

Caricom (associate), CDB, Interpol (subbureau), IOC, OECS

(associate), UNESCO (associate), UPU

Diplomatic representation in the US:

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Diplomatic representation from the US:

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Flag description:

blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and

the Virgin Islander coat of arms centered in the outer half of the

flag; the coat of arms depicts a woman flanked on either side by a

vertical column of six oil lamps above a scroll bearing the Latin

word VIGILATE (Be Watchful)

Economy British Virgin Islands

Economy - overview:

The economy, one of the most stable and prosperous in the

Caribbean, is highly dependent on tourism, generating an estimated

45% of the national income. An estimated 350,000 tourists, mainly

from the US, visited the islands in 1998. Tourism suffered in 2002

because of the lackluster US economy. In the mid-1980s, the

government began offering offshore registration to companies wishing

to incorporate in the islands, and incorporation fees now generate

substantial revenues. Roughly 400,000 companies were on the offshore

registry by yearend 2000. The adoption of a comprehensive insurance

law in late 1994, which provides a blanket of confidentiality with

regulated statutory gateways for investigation of criminal offenses,

is expected to make the British Virgin Islands even more attractive

to international business. Livestock raising is the most important

agricultural activity; poor soils limit the islands' ability to meet

domestic food requirements. Because of traditionally close links

with the US Virgin Islands, the British Virgin Islands has used the

dollar as its currency since 1959.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$2.498 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

1% (2002 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $38,500 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 1.8% industry: 6.2% services: 92% (1996 est.)

Labor force:

12,770 (2004)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture NA%, industry NA%, services NA%

Unemployment rate:

3% (1995)

Population below poverty line:

NA

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

2.5% (2003)

Budget:

revenues: $121.5 million

expenditures: $115.5 million, including capital expenditures of NA

(1997)

Agriculture - products:

fruits, vegetables; livestock, poultry; fish

Industries:

tourism, light industry, construction, rum, concrete block,

offshore financial center

Industrial production growth rate:

NA%

Electricity - production:

36.28 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

33.74 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

420 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Exports:

$25.3 million (2002)

Exports - commodities:

rum, fresh fish, fruits, animals; gravel, sand

Exports - partners:

Virgin Islands (US), Puerto Rico, US

Imports:

$187 million (2002 est.)

Imports - commodities:

building materials, automobiles, foodstuffs, machinery

Imports - partners:

Virgin Islands (US), Puerto Rico, US

Debt - external:

$36.1 million (1997)

Economic aid - recipient:

NA

Currency (code):

US dollar (USD)

Currency code:

USD

Exchange rates:

the US dollar is used

Fiscal year:

1 April - 31 March

Communications British Virgin Islands

Telephones - main lines in use:

11,700 (2002)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

8,000 (2002)

Telephone system:

general assessment: worldwide telephone service

domestic: NA

international: country code - 1-284; submarine cable to Bermuda

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 1, FM 5, shortwave 0 (2004)

Radios:

9,000 (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

1 (plus one cable company) (1997)

Televisions:

4,000 (1997)

Internet country code:

.vg

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

16 (2000)

Internet users:

4,000 (2002)

Transportation British Virgin Islands

Highways: total: 177 km paved: 177 km unpaved: 0 km (2000)

Ports and harbors:

Road Town

Merchant marine: total: 1 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 83,825 GRT/155,909 DWT by type: cargo 1 registered in other countries: 7 (2005)

Airports: 3 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Military British Virgin Islands

Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the UK

Transnational Issues British Virgin Islands

Disputes - international:

none

Illicit drugs:

transshipment point for South American narcotics destined for the

US and Europe; large offshore financial center makes it vulnerable

to money laundering

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Brunei

Introduction Brunei

Background:

The Sultanate of Brunei's influence peaked between the 15th and

17th centuries when its control extended over coastal areas of

northwest Borneo and the southern Philippines. Brunei subsequently

entered a period of decline brought on by internal strife over royal

succession, colonial expansion of European powers, and piracy. In

1888, Brunei became a British protectorate; independence was

achieved in 1984. The same family has ruled Brunei for over six

centuries. Brunei benefits from extensive petroleum and natural gas

fields, the source of one of the highest per capita GDPs in the

developing world.

Geography Brunei

Location:

Southeastern Asia, bordering the South China Sea and Malaysia

Geographic coordinates:

4 30 N, 114 40 E

Map references:

Southeast Asia

Area:

total: 5,770 sq km

land: 5,270 sq km

water: 500 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly smaller than Delaware

Land boundaries: total: 381 km border countries: Malaysia 381 km

Coastline: 161 km

Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm or to median line

Climate:

tropical; hot, humid, rainy

Terrain:

flat coastal plain rises to mountains in east; hilly lowland in west

Elevation extremes: lowest point: South China Sea 0 m highest point: Bukit Pagon 1,850 m

Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, timber

Land use: arable land: 0.57% permanent crops: 0.76% other: 98.67% (2001)

Irrigated land:

10 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

typhoons, earthquakes, and severe flooding are rare

Environment - current issues:

seasonal smoke/haze resulting from forest fires in Indonesia

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea,

Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

close to vital sea lanes through South China Sea linking Indian and

Pacific Oceans; two parts physically separated by Malaysia; almost

an enclave of Malaysia

People Brunei

Population:

372,361 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 28.6% (male 54,342/female 52,084)

15-64 years: 68.4% (male 134,908/female 119,814)

65 years and over: 3% (male 5,301/female 5,912) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 27.04 years

male: 27.63 years

female: 26.4 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

1.9% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

19.01 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

3.42 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

3.45 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.13 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.9 male(s)/female

total population: 1.09 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 12.61 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 15.93 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 9.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 74.8 years

male: 72.36 years

female: 77.36 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

2.3 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

less than 0.1% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

less than 200 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

less than 200 (2003 est.)

Nationality:

noun: Bruneian(s)

adjective: Bruneian

Ethnic groups:

Malay 67%, Chinese 15%, indigenous 6%, other 12%

Religions:

Muslim (official) 67%, Buddhist 13%, Christian 10%, indigenous

beliefs and other 10%

Languages:

Malay (official), English, Chinese

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 93.9%

male: 96.3%

female: 91.4% (2002)

Government Brunei

Country name:

conventional long form: Negara Brunei Darussalam

conventional short form: Brunei

Government type:

constitutional sultanate

Capital:

Bandar Seri Begawan

Administrative divisions:

4 districts (daerah-daerah, singular - daerah); Belait, Brunei and

Muara, Temburong, Tutong

Independence:

1 January 1984 (from UK)

National holiday:

National Day, 23 February (1984); note - 1 January 1984 was the

date of independence from the UK, 23 February 1984 was the date of

independence from British protection

Constitution:

29 September 1959 (some provisions suspended under a State of

Emergency since December 1962, others since independence on 1

January 1984)

Legal system:

based on English common law; for Muslims, Islamic Shari'a law

supersedes civil law in a number of areas

Suffrage:

none

Executive branch:

chief of state: Sultan and Prime Minister Sir HASSANAL Bolkiah

(since 5 October 1967); note - the monarch is both the chief of

state and head of government

head of government: Sultan and Prime Minister Sir HASSANAL Bolkiah

(since 5 October 1967); note - the monarch is both the chief of

state and head of government

cabinet: Council of Cabinet Ministers appointed and presided over by

the monarch; deals with executive matters; note - there is also a

Religious Council (members appointed by the monarch) that advises on

religious matters, a Privy Council (members appointed by the

monarch) that deals with constitutional matters, and the Council of

Succession (members appointed by the monarch) that determines the

succession to the throne if the need arises

elections: none; the monarch is hereditary

Legislative branch:

Legislative Council met on 25 September 2004 for first time in 20

years with 21 members appointed by the Sultan; passed constitutional

amendments calling for a 45-seat council with 15 elected members;

Sultan dissolved council on 1 September 2005 and appointed a new

council with 29 members as of 2 September 2005

elections: last held in March 1962 (date of next election NA)

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court (chief justice and judges are sworn in by the monarch

for three-year terms)

Political parties and leaders:

National Development Party (NDP) [Yassin AFFENDI]; National Unity

Party of Brunei (PPKB) [leader NA]; People's Awareness Party (PAKAR)

[leader NA]

note: parties are small and inactive (2005)

Political pressure groups and leaders:

NA

International organization participation:

APEC, APT, ARF, ASEAN, C, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDB, IFRCS, IMF,

IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OIC, OPCW, UN,

UNCTAD, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Pengiran Anak Dato PUTEH

chancery: 3520 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 237-1838

FAX: [1] (202) 885-0560

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Emil SKODON

embassy: Third Floor, Teck Guan Plaza, Jalan Sultan, Bandar Seri

Begawan

mailing address: PSC 470 (BSB), FPO AP 96507

telephone: [673] (2) 229670

FAX: [673] (2) 225293

Flag description:

yellow with two diagonal bands of white (top, almost double width)

and black starting from the upper hoist side; the national emblem in

red is superimposed at the center; the emblem includes a

swallow-tailed flag on top of a winged column within an upturned

crescent above a scroll and flanked by two upraised hands

Economy Brunei

Economy - overview:

This small, well-to-do economy encompasses a mixture of foreign and

domestic entrepreneurship, government regulation, welfare measures,

and village tradition. Crude oil and natural gas production account

for nearly half of GDP. Per capita GDP is far above most other Third

World countries, and substantial income from overseas investment

supplements income from domestic production. The government provides

for all medical services and free education through the university

level and subsidizes rice and housing. Brunei's leaders are

concerned that steadily increased integration in the world economy

will undermine internal social cohesion, although it became a more

prominent player by serving as chairman for the 2000 APEC (Asian

Pacific Economic Cooperation) forum. Plans for the future include

upgrading the labor force, reducing unemployment, strengthening the

banking and tourist sectors, and, in general, further widening the

economic base beyond oil and gas.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$6.842 billion (2003 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

3.2% (2003 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $23,600 (2003 est.)

GDP - composition by sector:

agriculture: 5%

industry: 45%

services: 50% (2001 est.)

Labor force:

158,000

note: includes foreign workers and military personnel; temporary

residents make up about 40% of labor force (2002 est.)

Labor force - by occupation: agriculture, forestry, and fishing 10%, production of oil, natural gas, services, and construction 42%, government 48% (1999 est.)

Unemployment rate:

3.2% (2002 est.)

Population below poverty line:

NA

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

0.3% (2003 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $4.9 billion

expenditures: $4.2 billion, including capital expenditures of $1.35

billion (2003 est.)

Agriculture - products:

rice, vegetables, fruits, chickens, water buffalo

Industries:

petroleum, petroleum refining, liquefied natural gas, construction

Industrial production growth rate:

5% (2002 est.)

Electricity - production:

2.458 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

2.286 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

204,000 bbl/day (2003 est.)

Oil - consumption:

13,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

199,000 bbl/day (2003)

Oil - imports:

NA

Oil - proved reserves:

1.255 billion bbl (1 January 2002)

Natural gas - production:

10.35 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - consumption:

1.35 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - exports:

9 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - imports:

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves:

315 billion cu m (1 January 2002)

Exports:

$7.7 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Exports - commodities:

crude oil, natural gas, refined products

Exports - partners:

Japan 38.1%, South Korea 14%, Australia 11.2%, US 8.6%, Thailand

7.9%, Indonesia 5.9%, China 4.5% (2004)

Imports:

$5.2 billion c.i.f. (2003)

Imports - commodities:

machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, food,

chemicals

Imports - partners:

Singapore 32.7%, Malaysia 21.2%, UK 8.3%, Japan 7.2% (2004)

Debt - external:

$0

Economic aid - recipient:

NA

Currency (code):

Bruneian dollar (BND)

Currency code:

BND

Exchange rates:

Bruneian dollars per US dollar - 1.6902 (2004), 1.7422 (2003),

1.7906 (2002), 1.7917 (2001), 1.724 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Brunei

Telephones - main lines in use:

90,000 (2002)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

137,000 (2002)

Telephone system:

general assessment: service throughout the country is excellent;

international service is good to East Asia, Europe, and the US

domestic: every service available

international: country code - 673; satellite earth stations - 2

Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Pacific Ocean); digital submarine

cable links to Malaysia, the Philippines, and Singapore (2001)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 3, FM 10, shortwave 0 (1998)

Radios:

329,000 (1998)

Television broadcast stations:

2 (1997)

Televisions:

201,900 (1998)

Internet country code:

.bn

Internet hosts:

6,409 (2003)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

2 (2000)

Internet users:

35,000 (2002)

Transportation Brunei

Highways: total: 2,525 km paved: 2,525 km unpaved: 0 km (2000)

Waterways:

209 km (navigable by craft drawing less than 1.2 m) (2004)

Pipelines:

gas 665 km; oil 439 km (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Lumut, Muara, Seria

Merchant marine:

total: 8 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 465,937 GRT/413,393 DWT

by type: liquefied gas 8

foreign-owned: 8 (United Kingdom 8) (2005)

Airports:

2 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 1

over 3,047 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Heliports:

3 (2004 est.)

Military Brunei

Military branches:

Royal Brunei Armed Forces: Royal Brunei Land Forces, Royal Brunei

Navy, Royal Brunei Air Force

Military service age and obligation:

18 years of age (est.) (2004)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 18-49: 103,885 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: approx. 85,045 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:

males: 3,478 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$290.7 million (2004)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

5.1% (2004)

Transnational Issues Brunei

Disputes - international:

in 2003 Brunei and Malaysia ceased gas and oil exploration in their

disputed offshore and deepwater seabeds and negotiations have

stalemated prompting consideration of international legal

adjudication; Malaysia's land boundary with Brunei around Limbang is

in dispute; Brunei established an exclusive economic fishing zone

encompassing Louisa Reef in southern Spratly Islands in 1984 but

makes no public territorial claim to the offshore reefs; the 2002

"Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea" has

eased tensions in the Spratly Islands but falls short of a legally

binding "code of conduct" desired by several of the disputants

Illicit drugs:

drug trafficking and illegally importing controlled substances are

serious offenses in Brunei and carry a mandatory death penalty

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Bulgaria

Introduction Bulgaria

Background:

The Bulgars, a Central Asian Turkic tribe, merged with the local

Slavic inhabitants in the late 7th century to form the first

Bulgarian state. In succeeding centuries, Bulgaria struggled with

the Byzantine Empire to assert its place in the Balkans, but by the

end of the 14th century the country was overrun by the Ottoman

Turks. Northern Bulgaria attained autonomy in 1878 and all of

Bulgaria became independent in 1908. Having fought on the losing

side in both World Wars, Bulgaria fell within the Soviet sphere of

influence and became a People's Republic in 1946. Communist

domination ended in 1990, when Bulgaria held its first multiparty

election since World War II and began the contentious process of

moving toward political democracy and a market economy while

combating inflation, unemployment, corruption, and crime. Today,

reforms and democratization keep Bulgaria on a path toward eventual

integration into the EU. The country joined NATO in 2004.

Geography Bulgaria

Location:

Southeastern Europe, bordering the Black Sea, between Romania and

Turkey

Geographic coordinates:

43 00 N, 25 00 E

Map references:

Europe

Area:

total: 110,910 sq km

land: 110,550 sq km

water: 360 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly larger than Tennessee

Land boundaries:

total: 1,808 km

border countries: Greece 494 km, Macedonia 148 km, Romania 608 km,

Serbia and Montenegro 318 km, Turkey 240 km

Coastline:

354 km

Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Climate:

temperate; cold, damp winters; hot, dry summers

Terrain:

mostly mountains with lowlands in north and southeast

Elevation extremes: lowest point: Black Sea 0 m highest point: Musala 2,925 m

Natural resources: bauxite, copper, lead, zinc, coal, timber, arable land

Land use: arable land: 40.02% permanent crops: 1.92% other: 58.06% (2001)

Irrigated land:

8,000 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

earthquakes, landslides

Environment - current issues:

air pollution from industrial emissions; rivers polluted from raw

sewage, heavy metals, detergents; deforestation; forest damage from

air pollution and resulting acid rain; soil contamination from heavy

metals from metallurgical plants and industrial wastes

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air

Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85,

Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental

Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty,

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol,

Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification,

Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship

Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Sulfur 94

Geography - note:

strategic location near Turkish Straits; controls key land routes

from Europe to Middle East and Asia

People Bulgaria

Population:

7,450,349 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 14.1% (male 539,005/female 512,762)

15-64 years: 68.7% (male 2,516,368/female 2,599,524)

65 years and over: 17.2% (male 531,008/female 751,682) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 40.66 years

male: 38.59 years

female: 42.66 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

-0.89% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

9.66 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

14.26 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

-4.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female

total population: 0.93 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 20.55 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 24.31 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 16.56 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 72.03 years

male: 68.41 years

female: 75.87 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

1.38 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: less than 0.1% - note - no country specific models provided (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

346 (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

100 (2001 est.)

Nationality:

noun: Bulgarian(s)

adjective: Bulgarian

Ethnic groups:

Bulgarian 83.9%, Turk 9.4%, Roma 4.7%, other 2% (including

Macedonian, Armenian, Tatar, Circassian) (2001 census)

Religions:

Bulgarian Orthodox 82.6%, Muslim 12.2%, other Christian 1.2%, other

4% (2001 census)

Languages:

Bulgarian 84.5%, Turkish 9.6%, Roma 4.1%, other and unspecified

1.8% (2001 census)

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 98.6%

male: 99.1%

female: 98.2% (2003 est.)

Government Bulgaria

Country name:

conventional long form: Republic of Bulgaria

conventional short form: Bulgaria

Government type:

parliamentary democracy

Capital:

Sofia

Administrative divisions:

28 provinces (oblasti, singular - oblast); Blagoevgrad, Burgas,

Dobrich, Gabrovo, Khaskovo, Kurdzhali, Kyustendil, Lovech, Montana,

Pazardzhik, Pernik, Pleven, Plovdiv, Razgrad, Ruse, Shumen,

Silistra, Sliven, Smolyan, Sofiya, Sofiya-Grad, Stara Zagora,

Turgovishte, Varna, Veliko Turnovo, Vidin, Vratsa, Yambol

Independence:

3 March 1878 (as an autonomous principality within the Ottoman

Empire); 22 September 1908 (complete independence from the Ottoman

Empire)

National holiday:

Liberation Day, 3 March (1878)

Constitution:

adopted 12 July 1991

Legal system:

civil law and criminal law based on Roman law; accepts compulsory

ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Georgi PURVANOV (since 22 January 2002);

Vice President Angel MARIN (since 22 January 2002)

head of government: Prime Minister Sergei STANISHEV (since 16 August

2005); Deputy Prime Minister Ivaylo KALFIN (since 16 August 2005)

cabinet: Council of Ministers nominated by the prime minister and

elected by the National Assembly

elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket

by popular vote for five-year terms; election last held 11 and 18

November 2001 (next to be held NA 2006); chairman of the Council of

Ministers (prime minister) nominated by the president and elected by

the National Assembly; deputy prime ministers nominated by the prime

minister and elected by the National Assembly

election results: Georgi PURVANOV elected president; percent of vote

- Georgi PURVANOV 54.13%, Petar STOYANOV 45.87%; Sergei STANISHEV

elected prime minister, result of legislative vote - 168 to 67

Legislative branch:

unicameral National Assembly or Narodno Sobranie (240 seats;

members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)

elections: last held 25 June 2005 (next to be held June 2009)

election results: percent of vote by party - CfB 31.1%, NMS2 19.9%,

MRF 12.7%, ATAKA 8.2%, UDF 7.7%, DSB 6.5%, BPU 5.2%; seats by party

- CfB 83, NMS2 53, MRF 33, ATAKA 21, UDF 20, DSB 17, BPU 13

Judicial branch:

Supreme Administrative Court; Supreme Court of Cassation;

Constitutional Court (12 justices appointed or elected for nine-year

terms); Supreme Judicial Council (consists of the chairmen of the

two Supreme Courts, the Chief Prosecutor, and 22 other members;

responsible for appointing the justices, prosecutors, and

investigating magistrates in the justice system; members of the

Supreme Judicial Council elected for five-year terms, 11 elected by

the National Assembly and 11 by bodies of the judiciary)

Political parties and leaders:

Attack National Union [Volen Siderov]; ATAKA (Attack Coalition)

(coalition of parties headed by the Attack National Union);

Bulgarian Agrarian National Union-People's Union or BANU [Anastasia

MOZER]; Bulgarian People's Union or BPU (coalition of UFD, IMRO, and

BANU); Bulgarian Socialist Party or BSP [Sergei STANISHEV];

Coalition for Bulgaria or CfB (coalition of parties dominated by

BSP) [Sergei STANISHEV]; Democrats for a Strong Bulgaria or DSB

[Ivan KOSTOV]; Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization or

IMRO [Krasimir KARAKACHANOV]; Movement for Rights and Freedoms or

MRF [Ahmed DOGAN]; National Movement for Simeon II or NMS2 [Simeon

SAXE-COBURG-GOTHA]; New Time [Emil KOSHLUKOV]; Union of Democratic

Forces or UDF [Nadezhda MIKHAYLOVA]; Union of Free Democrats or UFD

[Stefan SOFIYANSKI]; United Democratic Forces or UtDF (a coalition

of center-right parties dominated by UDF)

Political pressure groups and leaders:

Confederation of Independent Trade Unions of Bulgaria or CITUB;

Podkrepa Labor Confederation; numerous regional, ethnic, and

national interest groups with various agendas

International organization participation:

ACCT, Australia Group, BIS, BSEC, CE, CEI, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EU

(applicant), FAO, G- 9, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IFC,

IFRCS, IHO (pending member), ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO,

ITU, MIGA, NAM (guest), NATO, NSG, OAS (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA,

UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMEE, UNMIK, UNMIL, UPU, WCL, WCO, WEU

(associate affiliate), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO, ZC

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Elena B. POPTODOROVA

chancery: 1621 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 387-0174

FAX: [1] (202) 234-7973

consulate(s) general: Chicago and New York

consulate(s): Los Angeles

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador James William PARDEW

embassy: 16 Kozyak Street, Sofia 1407

mailing address: American Embassy Sofia, Department of State, 5740

Sofia Place, Washington, DC 20521-5740

telephone: [359] (2) 937-5100

FAX: [359] (2) 937-5230

Flag description:

three equal horizontal bands of white (top), green, and red; note -

the national emblem, formerly on the hoist side of the white stripe,

has been removed

Economy Bulgaria

Economy - overview:

Bulgaria, a former communist country striving to enter the European

Union, has experienced macroeconomic stability and strong growth

since a major economic downturn in 1996 led to the fall of the then

socialist government. As a result, the government became committed

to economic reform and responsible fiscal planning. Minerals,

including coal, copper, and zinc play an important role in industry.

In 1997, macroeconomic stability was reinforced by the imposition of

a fixed exchange rate of the lev against the German D-mark and the

negotiation of an IMF standby agreement. Low inflation and steady

progress on structural reforms improved the business environment;

Bulgaria has averaged 4% growth since 2000 and has begun to attract

significant amounts of foreign direct investment. Corruption in the

public administration, a weak judiciary, and the presence of

organized crime remain the largest challenges for Bulgaria.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$61.63 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

5.3% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $8,200 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 11.5% industry: 30.1% services: 58.4% (2004 est.)

Labor force: 3.398 million (2004 est.)

Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 11%, industry 32.7%, services 56.3% (3rd quarter 2004 est.)

Unemployment rate:

12.7% (2004 est.)

Population below poverty line:

13.4% (2002 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 4.5% highest 10%: 22.8% (1997)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

26.4 (2001)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

6.1% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

18.6% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $9.67 billion

expenditures: $9.619 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Public debt:

41.9% of GDP (2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

vegetables, fruits, tobacco, livestock, wine, wheat, barley,

sunflowers, sugar beets

Industries:

electricity, gas and water; food, beverages and tobacco; machinery

and equipment, base metals, chemical products, coke, refined

petroleum, nuclear fuel

Industrial production growth rate:

5.2% (2004 est.)

Electricity - production:

43.07 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 47.8% hydro: 8.1% nuclear: 44.1% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

32.71 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

8.3 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

960 million kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

603 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

94,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Oil - proved reserves:

8.1 million bbl (1 January 2002)

Natural gas - production:

4 million cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - consumption:

5.804 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - exports:

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - imports:

5.8 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves:

3.724 billion cu m (1 January 2002)

Current account balance:

$682.9 million (2004 est.)

Exports:

$9.134 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

clothing, footwear, iron and steel, machinery and equipment, fuels

Exports - partners:

Italy 13.1%, Germany 11.6%, Turkey 9.3%, Belgium 6.1%, Greece 5.6%,

US 5.3%, France 4.9% (2004)

Imports:

$12.23 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

machinery and equipment; metals and ores; chemicals and plastics;

fuels, minerals, and raw materials

Imports - partners:

Germany 15.1%, Italy 10.2%, Russia 7.9%, Greece 7.5%, Turkey 6.9%,

France 4.4% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$7.526 billion (2004 est.)

Debt - external:

$16.1 billion (November 2004 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:

$300 million (2000 est.)

Currency (code):

lev (BGL)

Currency code:

BGN

Exchange rates:

leva per US dollar - 1.5751 (2004), 1.7327 (2003), 2.077 (2002),

2.1847 (2001), 2.1233 (2000)

note: on 5 July 1999, the lev was redenominated; the post-5 July

1999 lev is equal to 1,000 of the pre-5 July 1999 lev

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Bulgaria

Telephones - main lines in use:

2,868,200 (2002)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

2,597,500 (2002)

Telephone system:

general assessment: extensive but antiquated

domestic: more than two-thirds of the lines are residential;

telephone service is available in most villages; a fairly modern

digital cable trunk line now connects switching centers in most of

the regions, the others are connected by digital microwave radio

relay

international: country code - 359; direct dialing to 58 countries;

satellite earth stations - 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region); 2

Intelsat (Atlantic and Indian Ocean regions)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 31, FM 63, shortwave 2 (2001)

Radios:

4.51 million (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

39 (plus 1,242 repeaters) (2001)

Televisions:

3.31 million (1997)

Internet country code:

.bg

Internet hosts:

53,421 (2004)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

200 (2001)

Internet users:

630,000 (2002)

Transportation Bulgaria

Railways:

total: 4,294 km

standard gauge: 4,049 km 1.435-m gauge (2,710 km electrified)

narrow gauge: 245 km 0.760-m gauge (2004)

Highways:

total: 37,077 km

paved: 34,111 km (including 328 km of expressways)

unpaved: 2,966 km (2002)

Waterways:

470 km (2004)

Pipelines:

gas 2,425 km; oil 339 km; refined products 156 km (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Burgas, Varna

Merchant marine:

total: 64 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 757,972 GRT/1,115,238 DWT

by type: bulk carrier 34, cargo 13, chemical tanker 4, container 6,

passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 3, roll on/roll off 3

registered in other countries: 45 (2005)

Airports:

213 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 128 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 19 1,524 to 2,437 m: 15 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 92 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 85 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 11 under 914 m: 72 (2004 est.)

Heliports: 1 (2004 est.)

Military Bulgaria

Military branches:

Ground Forces, Naval Forces, Air and Air Defense Forces

Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service; conscript service obligation - 9 months (2004)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 18-49: 1,661,211 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: 1,302,037 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:

males: 51,023 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$356 million (FY02)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

2.6% (2003)

Transnational Issues Bulgaria

Disputes - international:

none

Illicit drugs:

major European transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin and,

to a lesser degree, South American cocaine for the European market;

limited producer of precursor chemicals; some money laundering of

drug-related proceeds through financial institutions

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Burkina Faso

Introduction Burkina Faso

Background:

Burkina Faso (formerly Upper Volta) achieved independence from

France in 1960. Repeated military coups during the 1970s and 1980s

were followed by multiparty elections in the early 1990s. Burkina

Faso's high population density and limited natural resources result

in poor economic prospects for the majority of its citizens. Recent

unrest in Cote d'Ivoire and northern Ghana has hindered the ability

of several hundred thousand seasonal Burkinabe farm workers to find

employment in neighboring countries.

Geography Burkina Faso

Location:

Western Africa, north of Ghana

Geographic coordinates:

13 00 N, 2 00 W

Map references:

Africa

Area:

total: 274,200 sq km

land: 273,800 sq km

water: 400 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly larger than Colorado

Land boundaries:

total: 3,193 km

border countries: Benin 306 km, Cote d'Ivoire 584 km, Ghana 549 km,

Mali 1,000 km, Niger 628 km, Togo 126 km

Coastline:

0 km (landlocked)

Maritime claims:

none (landlocked)

Climate:

tropical; warm, dry winters; hot, wet summers

Terrain:

mostly flat to dissected, undulating plains; hills in west and

southeast

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Mouhoun (Black Volta) River 200 m

highest point: Tena Kourou 749 m

Natural resources:

manganese, limestone, marble; small deposits of gold, phosphates,

pumice, salt

Land use: arable land: 14.43% permanent crops: 0.19% other: 85.38% (2001)

Irrigated land:

250 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

recurring droughts

Environment - current issues: recent droughts and desertification severely affecting agricultural activities, population distribution, and the economy; overgrazing; soil degradation; deforestation

Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

landlocked savanna cut by the three principal rivers of the Black,

Red, and White Voltas

People Burkina Faso

Population:

13,925,313

note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the

effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower

life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower

population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of

population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July

2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 46% (male 3,213,436/female 3,193,253)

15-64 years: 51.2% (male 3,487,201/female 3,635,673)

65 years and over: 2.8% (male 164,418/female 231,332) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 16.82 years

male: 16.43 years

female: 17.22 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

2.53% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

44.17 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

18.86 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female

total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 97.57 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 105.55 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 89.34 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 48.45 years

male: 46.96 years

female: 49.99 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

6.23 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

4.2% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

300,000 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

29,000 (2003 est.)

Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne disease: malaria is a high risk in some locations water contact disease: schistosomiasis respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis (2004)

Nationality:

noun: Burkinabe (singular and plural)

adjective: Burkinabe

Ethnic groups:

Mossi over 40%, Gurunsi, Senufo, Lobi, Bobo, Mande, Fulani

Religions:

indigenous beliefs 40%, Muslim 50%, Christian (mainly Roman

Catholic) 10%

Languages:

French (official), native African languages belonging to Sudanic

family spoken by 90% of the population

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 26.6%

male: 36.9%

female: 16.6% (2003 est.)

Government Burkina Faso

Country name:

conventional long form: none

conventional short form: Burkina Faso

former: Upper Volta, Republic of Upper Volta

Government type:

parliamentary republic

Capital:

Ouagadougou

Administrative divisions:

45 provinces; Bale, Bam, Banwa, Bazega, Bougouriba, Boulgou,

Boulkiemde, Comoe, Ganzourgou, Gnagna, Gourma, Houet, Ioba, Kadiogo,

Kenedougou, Komondjari, Kompienga, Kossi, Koulpelogo, Kouritenga,

Kourweogo, Leraba, Loroum, Mouhoun, Namentenga, Nahouri, Nayala,

Noumbiel, Oubritenga, Oudalan, Passore, Poni, Sanguie, Sanmatenga,

Seno, Sissili, Soum, Sourou, Tapoa, Tuy, Yagha, Yatenga, Ziro,

Zondoma, Zoundweogo

Independence:

5 August 1960 (from France)

National holiday:

Republic Day, 11 December (1958)

Constitution:

2 June 1991 approved by referendum, 11 June 1991 formally adopted;

amended April 2000

Legal system:

based on French civil law system and customary law

Suffrage:

universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Blaise COMPAORE (since 15 October 1987)

head of government: Prime Minister Ernest Paramanga YONLI (since 6

November 2000)

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the

recommendation of the prime minister

elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;

election last held 15 November 1998 (next to be held NA 2005); in

April 2000, the constitution was amended reducing the presidential

term from seven to five years, enforceable as of 2005, and allowing

the president to be reelected only once; it is unclear whether this

amendment will be applied retroactively or not; prime minister

appointed by the president with the consent of the legislature

election results: Blaise COMPAORE reelected president with 87.5%

percent of the vote

Legislative branch:

unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (111 seats;

members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)

elections: National Assembly election last held 5 May 2002 (next to

be held May 2007)

election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -

CDP 57, RDA-ADF 17, PDP/PS 10, CFD 5, PAI 5, others 17

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court; Appeals Court

Political parties and leaders:

African Democratic Rally-Alliance for Democracy and Federation or

RDA-ADF [Herman YAMEOGO]; Confederation for Federation and Democracy

or CFD [Amadou Diemdioda DICKO]; Congress for Democracy and Progress

or CDP [Roch Marc-Christian KABORE]; Movement for Tolerance and

Progress or MTP [Nayabtigungou Congo KABORE]; Party for African

Independence or PAI [Philippe OUEDRAOGO]; Party for Democracy and

Progress or PDP [Joseph KI-ZERBO]; Socialist Party or PS [leader

NA]; Union of Greens for the Development of Burkina Faso or UVDB

[Ram OVEDRAGO]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

Burkinabe General Confederation of Labor or CGTB; Burkinabe

Movement for Human Rights or MBDHP; Group of 14 February; National

Confederation of Burkinabe Workers or CNTB; National Organization of

Free Unions or ONSL; watchdog/political action groups throughout the

country in both organizations and communities

International organization participation:

ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD,

ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF,

Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, MIGA, MONUC, NAM, OIC, ONUB, OPCW, PCA, UN,

UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNOCI, UPU, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WCL, WCO,

WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Tertius ZONGO

chancery: 2340 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 332-5577

FAX: [1] (202) 667-1882

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Anthony HOLMES

embassy: 602 Avenue Raoul Follereau, Koulouba, Secteur 4

mailing address: 01 B. P. 35, Ouagadougou 01; pouch mail - U. S.

Department of State, 2440 Ouagadougou Place, Washington, DC

20521-2440

telephone: [226] 306723

FAX: [226] 303890

Flag description:

two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green with a yellow

five-pointed star in the center; uses the popular pan-African colors

of Ethiopia

Economy Burkina Faso

Economy - overview:

One of the poorest countries in the world, landlocked Burkina Faso

has few natural resources and a weak industrial base. About 90% of

the population is engaged in subsistence agriculture, which is

vulnerable to harsh climatic conditions. Cotton is the key crop and

the government has joined with other cotton producing countries in

the region to lobby for improved access to Western markets. GDP

growth has largely been driven by increases in world cotton prices.

Industry remains dominated by unprofitable government-controlled

corporations. Following the African franc currency devaluation in

January 1994 the government updated its development program in

conjunction with international agencies; exports and economic growth

have increased. The government devolved macroeconomic policy and

inflation targeting to the West African regional central bank

(BCEAO), but maintains control over microeconomic policies,

including reducing the trade deficit and implementing reforms to

encourage private investment. The bitter internal crisis in

neighboring Cote d'Ivoire continues to hurt trade and industrial

prospects and deepens the need for international assistance.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$15.74 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

4.8% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $1,200 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector:

agriculture: 39.5%

industry: 19.3%

services: 41.3% (2004 est.)

Labor force:

5 million

note: a large part of the male labor force migrates annually to

neighboring countries for seasonal employment (2003)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 90% (2000 est.)

Unemployment rate:

NA%

Population below poverty line:

45% (2003 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: 2%

highest 10%: 46.8% (1994)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

48.2 (1994)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

2.4% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

29.1% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $695.2 million

expenditures: $876.3 million, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

cotton, peanuts, shea nuts, sesame, sorghum, millet, corn, rice;

livestock

Industries:

cotton lint, beverages, agricultural processing, soap, cigarettes,

textiles, gold

Industrial production growth rate:

14% (2001 est.)

Electricity - production:

361 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 69.9% hydro: 30.1% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

335.7 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

8,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Current account balance:

$-471.7 million (2004 est.)

Exports:

$418.6 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

cotton, livestock, gold

Exports - partners:

China 32.1%, Singapore 11.5%, Ghana 4.7%, Bangladesh 4.3% (2004)

Imports:

$866.3 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

capital goods, foodstuffs, petroleum

Imports - partners:

France 29.3%, Cote d'Ivoire 16%, Togo 9.8% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$474.9 million (2004 est.)

Debt - external:

$1.3 billion (2000)

Economic aid - recipient:

$484.1 million (1995)

Currency (code):

Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XOF); note - responsible

authority is the Central Bank of the West African States

Currency code:

XOF

Exchange rates:

Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar - 528.29

(2004), 581.2 (2003), 696.99 (2002), 733.04 (2001), 711.98 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Burkina Faso

Telephones - main lines in use:

65,400 (2003)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

227,000 (2003)

Telephone system:

general assessment: all services only fair

domestic: microwave radio relay, open-wire, and radiotelephone

communication stations

international: country code - 226; satellite earth station - 1

Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 3, FM 17, shortwave 3 (2002)

Radios:

394,020 (2000)

Television broadcast stations:

1 (2002)

Televisions:

131,340 (2002)

Internet country code:

.bf

Internet hosts:

442 (2003)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

1 (2002)

Internet users:

48,000 (2003)

Transportation Burkina Faso

Railways:

total: 622 km

narrow gauge: 622 km 1.000-m gauge

note:: another 660 km of this railway extends into Cote D'Ivoire

(2004)

Highways: total: 12,506 km paved: 2,001 km unpaved: 10,505 km (1999)

Airports: 33 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 2 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 31 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 11 under 914 m: 17 (2004 est.)

Military Burkina Faso

Military branches:

Army, Air Force, National Gendarmerie (2005)

Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for compulsory military service; 20 years of age for voluntary military service (2001)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 18-49: 2,664,572 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: 1,323,548 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$64.2 million (2004)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

1.3% (2004)

Transnational Issues Burkina Faso

Disputes - international:

two villages are in dispute along the border with Benin; Benin

accuses Burkina Faso of moving boundary pillars; Burkina Faso border

regions remain a staging area for Liberia and Cote d'Ivoire rebels

and an asylum for refugees caught in local fighting; the Ivoirian

Government accuses Burkina Faso of sheltering Ivoirian rebels

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Burma

Introduction Burma

Background:

Britain conquered Burma over a period of 62 years (1824-1886) and

incorporated it into its Indian Empire. Burma was administered as a

province of India until 1937 when it became a separate,

self-governing colony; independence from the Commonwealth was

attained in 1948. Gen. NE WIN dominated the government from 1962 to

1988, first as military ruler, then as self-appointed president, and

later as political kingpin. Despite multiparty legislative elections

in 1990 that resulted in the main opposition party - the National

League for Democracy (NLD) - winning a landslide victory, the ruling

junta refused to hand over power. NLD leader and Nobel Peace Prize

recipient AUNG SAN SUU KYI, who was under house arrest from 1989 to

1995 and 2000 to 2002, was imprisoned in May 2003 and is currently

under house arrest. In December 2004, the junta announced it was

extending her detention for at least an additional year. Her

supporters, as well as all those who promote democracy and improved

human rights, are routinely harassed or jailed.

Geography Burma

Location:

Southeastern Asia, bordering the Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal,

between Bangladesh and Thailand

Geographic coordinates:

22 00 N, 98 00 E

Map references:

Southeast Asia

Area:

total: 678,500 sq km

land: 657,740 sq km

water: 20,760 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly smaller than Texas

Land boundaries:

total: 5,876 km

border countries: Bangladesh 193 km, China 2,185 km, India 1,463 km,

Laos 235 km, Thailand 1,800 km

Coastline:

1,930 km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 24 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin

Climate:

tropical monsoon; cloudy, rainy, hot, humid summers (southwest

monsoon, June to September); less cloudy, scant rainfall, mild

temperatures, lower humidity during winter (northeast monsoon,

December to April)

Terrain:

central lowlands ringed by steep, rugged highlands

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Andaman Sea 0 m

highest point: Hkakabo Razi 5,881 m

Natural resources:

petroleum, timber, tin, antimony, zinc, copper, tungsten, lead,

coal, some marble, limestone, precious stones, natural gas,

hydropower

Land use:

arable land: 15.19%

permanent crops: 0.97%

other: 83.84% (2001)

Irrigated land:

15,920 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

destructive earthquakes and cyclones; flooding and landslides

common during rainy season (June to September); periodic droughts

Environment - current issues:

deforestation; industrial pollution of air, soil, and water;

inadequate sanitation and water treatment contribute to disease

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto

Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone

Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical

Timber 94

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

strategic location near major Indian Ocean shipping lanes

People Burma

Population:

42,909,464

note: estimates for this country take into account the effects of

excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life

expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower

population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of

population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July

2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 27.2% (male 5,967,487/female 5,717,795)

15-64 years: 67.8% (male 14,448,887/female 14,641,419)

65 years and over: 5% (male 939,092/female 1,194,784) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 26.14 years

male: 25.57 years

female: 26.72 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

0.42% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

18.11 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

12.15 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

-1.8 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.79 male(s)/female

total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 67.24 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 73.11 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 61.03 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 60.7 years

male: 57.8 years

female: 63.78 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

2.01 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

1.2% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

330,000 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

20,000 (2003 est.)

Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria are high risks in some locations (2004)

Nationality:

noun: Burmese (singular and plural)

adjective: Burmese

Ethnic groups:

Burman 68%, Shan 9%, Karen 7%, Rakhine 4%, Chinese 3%, Indian 2%,

Mon 2%, other 5%

Religions:

Buddhist 89%, Christian 4% (Baptist 3%, Roman Catholic 1%), Muslim

4%, animist 1%, other 2%

Languages:

Burmese, minority ethnic groups have their own languages

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 85.3%

male: 89.2%

female: 81.4% (2002)

Government Burma

Country name:

conventional long form: Union of Burma

conventional short form: Burma

local long form: Pyidaungzu Myanma Naingngandaw (translated by the

US Government as Union of Myanma and by the Burmese as Union of

Myanmar)

local short form: Myanma Naingngandaw

former: Socialist Republic of the Union of Burma

note: since 1989 the military authorities in Burma have promoted the

name Myanmar as a conventional name for their state; this decision

was not approved by any sitting legislature in Burma, and the US

Government did not adopt the name, which is a derivative of the

Burmese short-form name Myanma Naingngandaw

Government type:

military junta

Capital:

Rangoon (government refers to the capital as Yangon)

Administrative divisions:

7 divisions (taing-myar, singular - taing) and 7 states (pyi

ne-myar, singular - pyi ne)

: divisions: Ayeyarwady, Bago, Magway, Mandalay, Sagaing,

Tanintharyi, Yangon

: states: Chin State, Kachin State, Kayin State, Kayah State, Mon

State, Rakhine State, Shan State

Independence:

4 January 1948 (from UK)

National holiday:

Independence Day, 4 January (1948); Union Day, 12 February (1947)

Constitution:

3 January 1974; suspended since 18 September 1988; national

convention convened in 1993 to draft a new constitution but

collapsed in 1996; reconvened in 2004 but does not include

participation of democratic opposition

Legal system:

has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council

Sr. Gen. THAN SHWE (since 23 April 1992)

head of government: Prime Minister, Gen SOE WIN (since 19 October

2004)

cabinet: State Peace and Development Council (SPDC); military junta,

so named 15 November 1997, which initially assumed power 18

September 1988 under the name State Law and Order Restoration

Council (SLORC); the SPDC oversees the cabinet

elections: none

Legislative branch:

unicameral People's Assembly or Pyithu Hluttaw (485 seats; members

elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)

elections: last held 27 May 1990, but Assembly never allowed by

junta to convene

election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -

NLD 392 (opposition), SNLD 23 (opposition), NUP 10 (pro-government),

other 60

Judicial branch:

remnants of the British-era legal system are in place, but there is

no guarantee of a fair public trial; the judiciary is not

independent of the executive

Political parties and leaders: National League for Democracy or NLD [AUNG SHWE, chairman, AUNG SAN SUU KYI, general secretary]; National Unity Party or NUP (pro-government) [THA KYAW]; Shan Nationalities League for Democracy or SNLD [KHUN HTUN OO]; and other smaller parties

Political pressure groups and leaders: National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma or NCGUB (self-proclaimed government in exile) ["Prime Minister" Dr. SEIN WIN] consists of individuals, some legitimately elected to the People's Assembly in 1990 (the group fled to a border area and joined insurgents in December 1990 to form parallel government in exile); Kachin Independence Army or KIA; Karen National Union or KNU; several Shan factions; United Wa State Army or UWSA; Union Solidarity and Development Association or USDA (pro-government, a social and political organization) [THAN AUNG, general secretary]

International organization participation:

APT, ARF, AsDB, ASEAN, CP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA,

IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OPCW

(signatory), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: vacant

chancery: 2300 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 332-9044

FAX: [1] (202) 332-9046

consulate(s) general: New York

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Charge d'Affaires Carmen M. MARTINEZ

embassy: 581 Merchant Street, Rangoon (GPO 521)

mailing address: Box B, APO AP 96546

telephone: [95] (1) 379 880, 379 881

FAX: [95] (1) 256 018

Flag description:

red with a blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner bearing,

14 white five-pointed stars encircling a cogwheel containing a stalk

of rice; the 14 stars represent the 7 administrative divisions and 7

states

Economy Burma

Economy - overview:

Burma is a resource-rich country that suffers from government

controls, inefficient economic policies, and abject rural poverty.

The junta took steps in the early 1990s to liberalize the economy

after decades of failure under the "Burmese Way to Socialism", but

those efforts have since stalled and some of the liberalization

measures have been rescinded. Burma has been unable to achieve

monetary or fiscal stability, resulting in an economy that suffers

from serious macroeconomic imbalances - including inflation and

multiple official exchange rates that overvalue the Burmese kyat. In

addition, most overseas development assistance ceased after the

junta began to suppress the democracy movement in 1988 and

subsequently ignored the results of the 1990 legislative elections.

Economic sanctions against Burma by the United States - including a

ban on imports of Burmese products and a ban on provision of

financial services by US persons in response to the government of

Burma's attack in May 2003 on AUNG SAN SUU KYI and her convoy -

further slowed the inflow of foreign exchange. Official statistics

are inaccurate. Published statistics on foreign trade are greatly

understated because of the size of the black market and unofficial

border trade - often estimated to be one to two times the size of

the official economy. Though the Burmese government has good

economic relations with its neighbors, a better investment climate

and an improved political situation are needed to promote foreign

investment, exports, and tourism. In February 2003, a major banking

crisis hit the country's 20 private banks, shutting them down and

disrupting the economy. As of January 2004, the largest private

banks remained moribund, leaving the private sector with little

formal access to credit.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$74.3 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

-1.3% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $1,700 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 56.6% industry: 8.8% services: 34.5% (2004 est.)

Labor force:

27.01 million (2004 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 70%, industry 7%, services 23% (2001 est.)

Unemployment rate:

5.2% (2004 est.)

Population below poverty line:

25% (2000 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.8% highest 10%: 32.4% (1998)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

17.2% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

10.2% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $474.9 million

expenditures: $955.5 million, including capital expenditures of $5.7

billion (2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

rice, pulses, beans, sesame, groundnuts, sugarcane; hardwood; fish

and fish products

Industries:

agricultural processing; knit and woven apparel; wood and wood

products; copper, tin, tungsten, iron; construction materials;

pharmaceuticals; fertilizer; cement

Industrial production growth rate:

NA

Electricity - production:

5.068 billion kWh (2003)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 44.5% hydro: 43.4% nuclear: 0% other: 12.1% (2002)

Electricity - consumption:

3.484 billion kWh (2003)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2004)

Oil - production:

17,550 bbl/day (2003 est.)

Oil - consumption:

60,950 bbl/day (2003 est.)

Oil - exports:

3,356 bbl/day (2003)

Oil - imports:

49,230 bbl/day (2003)

Oil - proved reserves:

3.2 billion bbl (2003)

Natural gas - production:

9.98 billion cu m (2003 est.)

Natural gas - consumption:

1.569 billion cu m (2003 est.)

Natural gas - exports:

8.424 billion cu m (2003 est.)

Natural gas - imports:

0 cu m (2003 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves:

2.46 trillion cu m (2003)

Current account balance:

$-185 million (2004 est.)

Exports:

$2.137 billion f.o.b.

note: official export figures are grossly underestimated due to the

value of timber, gems, narcotics, rice, and other products smuggled

to Thailand, China, and Bangladesh (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

clothing, gas, wood products, pulses, beans, fish, rice

Exports - partners:

Thailand 37.8%, India 11.7%, China 6%, Japan 5.3% (2004)

Imports:

$1.754 billion f.o.b.

note: import figures are grossly underestimated due to the value of

consumer goods, diesel fuel, and other products smuggled in from

Thailand, China, Malaysia, and India (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

fabric, petroleum products, plastics, machinery, transport

equipment, construction materials, crude oil; food products

Imports - partners:

China 29.8%, Singapore 20.8%, Thailand 19.3%, South Korea 5.2%,

Malaysia 4.8% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$590 million (2004 est.)

Debt - external:

$6.752 billion (2004 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:

$127 million (2001 est.)

Currency (code):

kyat (MMK)

Currency code:

MMK

Exchange rates:

kyats per US dollar - 5.7459 (2004), 6.0764 (2003), 6.5734 (2002),

6.6841 (2001), 6.4257 (2000)

note: these are official exchange rates; unofficial exchange rates

ranged in 2004 from 815 kyat/US dollar to nearly 970 kyat/US dollar

Fiscal year:

1 April - 31 March

Communications Burma

Telephones - main lines in use:

357,300 (2003)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

66,500 (2003)

Telephone system:

general assessment: barely meets minimum requirements for local and

intercity service for business and government; international service

is fair

domestic: NA

international: country code - 95; satellite earth station - 2,

Intelsat (Indian Ocean), and ShinSat

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 1, FM 1 (2004)

Radios:

4.2 million (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

2 (2004)

Televisions:

320,000 (2000)

Internet country code:

.mm

Internet hosts:

3 (2003)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

1

note: as of September 2000, Internet connections were legal only for

the government, tourist offices, and a few large businesses (2000)

Internet users:

28,000 (2003)

Transportation Burma

Railways: total: 3,955 km narrow gauge: 3,955 km 1.000-m gauge (2004)

Highways: total: 28,200 km paved: 3,440 km unpaved: 24,760 km (1996 est.)

Waterways:

12,800 km (2004)

Pipelines:

gas 2,056 km; oil 558 km (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Moulmein, Rangoon, Sittwe

Merchant marine:

total: 37 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 429,144 GRT/659,622 DWT

by type: bulk carrier 8, cargo 19, passenger 3, passenger/cargo 3,

roll on'roll off 3, specialized tanker 1

foreign-owned: 10 (Germany 4, Japan 5, United Kingdom 1) (2005)

Airports:

78 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 9 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 5 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 69 over 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 16 914 to 1,523 m: 20 under 914 m: 31 (2004 est.)

Heliports: 1 (2004 est.)

Military Burma

Military branches:

Myanmar Armed Forces (Tatmadaw): Army, Navy, Air Force (2005)

Military service age and obligation:

18 years of age for voluntary military service for both sexes (May

2002)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 18-49: 11,254,374

females age 18-49: 11,303,100 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: 6,512,923

females age 18-49: 6,789,720 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:

males: 440,914

females: 427,382 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$39 million (FY97)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

2.1% (FY97)

Transnational Issues Burma

Disputes - international:

over half of Burma's population consists of diverse ethnic groups

with substantial numbers of kin beyond its borders; despite

continuing border committee talks, significant differences remain

with Thailand over boundary alignment and the handling of ethnic

rebels, refugees, and illegal cross-border activities; ethnic Karens

flee into Thailand to escape fighting between Karen rebels and

Burmese troops, in 2004 Thailand sheltered about 118,000 Burmese

refugees; Karens also protest Thai support for a Burmese

hydroelectric dam on the Salween River near the border;

environmentalists in Burma and Thailand continue to voice concern

over China's construction of hydroelectric dams upstream on the

Nujiang/Salween River in Yunnan Province; India seeks cooperation

from Burma to keep Indian Nagaland separatists from hiding in remote

Burmese uplands

Refugees and internally displaced persons:

IDPs: 600,000 - 1,000,000 (government offensives against ethnic

insurgent groups near borders; most IDPs are ethnic Karen, Karenni,

Shan, and Mon) (2004)

Illicit drugs:

remains world's second largest producer of illicit opium (estimated

production in 2004 - 292 metric tons, down 40% from 2003 due to

eradication efforts and drought; cultivation in 2004 - 30,900

hectares, a 34% decline from 2003); lack of government will and

ability to take on major narcotrafficking groups and lack of serious

commitment against money laundering continues to hinder the overall

antidrug effort; major source of methamphetamine and heroin for

regional consumption; currently under Financial Action Task Force

countermeasures due to continued failure to address its inadequate

money-laundering controls (2005)

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Burundi

Introduction Burundi

Background:

Burundi's first democratically elected president was assassinated

in October 1993 after only one hundred days in office. Since then,

some 200,000 Burundians have perished in widespread, often intense

ethnic violence between Hutu and Tutsi factions. Hundreds of

thousands have been internally displaced or have become refugees in

neighboring countries. Burundi troops, seeking to secure their

borders, briefly intervened in the conflict in the Democratic

Republic of the Congo in 1998. A new transitional government,

inaugurated on 1 November 2001, signed a power-sharing agreement

with the largest rebel faction in December 2003 and set in place a

provisional constitution in October 2004. Implementation of the

agreement has been problematic, however, as one remaining rebel

group refuses to sign on and elections have been repeatedly delayed,

clouding prospects for a sustainable peace.

Geography Burundi

Location:

Central Africa, east of Democratic Republic of the Congo

Geographic coordinates:

3 30 S, 30 00 E

Map references:

Africa

Area:

total: 27,830 sq km

land: 25,650 sq km

water: 2,180 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly smaller than Maryland

Land boundaries:

total: 974 km

border countries: Democratic Republic of the Congo 233 km, Rwanda

290 km, Tanzania 451 km

Coastline:

0 km (landlocked)

Maritime claims:

none (landlocked)

Climate:

equatorial; high plateau with considerable altitude variation (772

m to 2,670 m above sea level); average annual temperature varies

with altitude from 23 to 17 degrees centigrade but is generally

moderate as the average altitude is about 1,700 m; average annual

rainfall is about 150 cm; wet seasons from February to May and

September to November, and dry seasons from June to August and

December to January

Terrain:

hilly and mountainous, dropping to a plateau in east, some plains

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Lake Tanganyika 772 m

highest point: Heha 2,670 m

Natural resources:

nickel, uranium, rare earth oxides, peat, cobalt, copper, platinum,

vanadium, arable land, hydropower, niobium, tantalum, gold, tin,

tungsten, kaolin, limestone

Land use:

arable land: 35.05%

permanent crops: 14.02%

other: 50.93% (2001)

Irrigated land:

740 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

flooding, landslides, drought

Environment - current issues:

soil erosion as a result of overgrazing and the expansion of

agriculture into marginal lands; deforestation (little forested land

remains because of uncontrolled cutting of trees for fuel); habitat

loss threatens wildlife populations

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto

Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes,

Ozone Layer Protection

signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea

Geography - note:

landlocked; straddles crest of the Nile-Congo watershed; the

Kagera, which drains into Lake Victoria, is the most remote

headstream of the White Nile

People Burundi

Population:

6,370,609

note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the

effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower

life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower

population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of

population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July

2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 46% (male 1,479,941/female 1,450,808)

15-64 years: 51.3% (male 1,617,864/female 1,653,331)

65 years and over: 2.6% (male 66,199/female 102,466) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 16.6 years

male: 16.27 years

female: 16.95 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

2.22% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

39.66 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

17.43 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.65 male(s)/female

total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 69.29 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 75.87 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 62.5 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 50.29 years

male: 49.61 years

female: 50.99 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

5.81 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

6% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

250,000 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

25,000 (2003 est.)

Major infectious diseases:

degree of risk: very high

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and

typhoid fever

vectorborne disease: malaria (2004)

Nationality:

noun: Burundian(s)

adjective: Burundian

Ethnic groups:

Hutu (Bantu) 85%, Tutsi (Hamitic) 14%, Twa (Pygmy) 1%, Europeans

3,000, South Asians 2,000

Religions:

Christian 67% (Roman Catholic 62%, Protestant 5%), indigenous

beliefs 23%, Muslim 10%

Languages:

Kirundi (official), French (official), Swahili (along Lake

Tanganyika and in the Bujumbura area)

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 51.6%

male: 58.5%

female: 45.2% (2003 est.)

Government Burundi

Country name:

conventional long form: Republic of Burundi

conventional short form: Burundi

local long form: Republika y'u Burundi

local short form: Burundi

former: Urundi

Government type:

republic

Capital:

Bujumbura

Administrative divisions:

16 provinces; Bubanza, Bujumbura, Bururi, Cankuzo, Cibitoke,

Gitega, Karuzi, Kayanza, Kirundo, Makamba, Muramvya, Muyinga, Mwaro,

Ngozi, Rutana, Ruyigi

Independence:

1 July 1962 (from UN trusteeship under Belgian administration)

National holiday:

Independence Day, 1 July (1962)

Constitution:

13 March 1992; provided for establishment of a plural political

system; supplanted on 20 October 2004 by a provisional constitution

approved by the parliament which extended the transition; a 28

February 2005 popular referendum ratified the new constitution which

set ethnic quotas for government positions, and tentatively

scheduled general elections for April 2005

Legal system:

based on German and Belgian civil codes and customary law; has not

accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage:

NA years of age; universal adult

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Domitien NDAYIZEYE (since 30 April 2003);

note - NDAYIZEYE, a Hutu, was sworn in as president for the second

half of the three-year transitional government inaugurated on 1

November 2001; Vice President Frederic NGENZEBUHORO (since 11

November 2004)

head of government: President Domitien NDAYIZEYE (since 30 April

2003); note - NDAYIZEYE, a Hutu, was sworn in as president for the

second half of the three-year transitional government inaugurated on

1 November 2001; Vice President Frederic NGENZEBUHORO (since 11

November 2004)

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by president

elections: NA; current president assumed power on 30 April 2003 as

part of the transitional government established by the 2000 Arusha

Accord; note - next presidential election is scheduled for 22 April

2005

Legislative branch:

bicameral, consists of a National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale

(expanded from 121 to approximately 140 seats under the transitional

government inaugurated 1 November 2001; members are elected by

popular vote to serve five-year terms) and a Senate (54 seats; term

length is undefined, the current senators will likely serve out the

three-year transition period)

elections: last held 29 June 1993 (next was scheduled to be held in

1998, but was suspended by presidential decree in 1996; elections

are currently planned to be held by April 2005)

election results: percent of vote by party - FRODEBU 71.04%, UPRONA

21.4%, other 7.56%; seats by party - FRODEBU 65, UPRONA 16,

civilians 27, other parties 13

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court or Cour Supreme; Constitutional Court; Courts of

Appeal (there are three in separate locations); Tribunals of First

Instance (17 at the province level and 123 small local tribunals)

Political parties and leaders:

the three national, mainstream, governing parties are: Unity for

National Progress or UPRONA [Jean-Baptiste MANWANGARI, secretary

general]; Burundi Democratic Front or FRODEBU [Jean MINANI,

president]; National Council for the Defense of Democracy, Front for

the Defense of Democracy of CNDD-FDD [Pierre NKURUNZIZA, president]

note: a multiparty system was introduced after 1998, included are:

National Resistance Movement for the Rehabilitation of the Citizen

or MRC-Rurenzangemero [Epitace BANYAGANAKANDI]; Party for National

Redress or PARENA [Jean-Baptiste BAGAZA]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

loosely organized Hutu and Tutsi militias, often affiliated with

Hutu and Tutsi extremist parties or subordinate to government

security forces

International organization participation:

ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, CEPGL, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU,

ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM

(observer), ISO (subscriber), ITU, MIGA, NAM, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD,

UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Antoine NTAMOBWA

chancery: Suite 212, 2233 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007

telephone: [1] (202) 342-2574

FAX: [1] (202) 342-2578

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador James Howard YELLIN

embassy: Avenue des Etats-Unis, Bujumbura

mailing address: B. P. 1720, Bujumbura

telephone: [257] 223454

FAX: [257] 222926

Flag description:

divided by a white diagonal cross into red panels (top and bottom)

and green panels (hoist side and outer side) with a white disk

superimposed at the center bearing three red six-pointed stars

outlined in green arranged in a triangular design (one star above,

two stars below)

Economy Burundi

Economy - overview:

Burundi is a landlocked, resource-poor country with an

underdeveloped manufacturing sector. The economy is predominantly

agricultural with roughly 90% of the population dependent on

subsistence agriculture. Economic growth depends on coffee and tea

exports, which account for 90% of foreign exchange earnings. The

ability to pay for imports, therefore, rests primarily on weather

conditions and international coffee and tea prices. The Tutsi

minority, 14% of the population, dominates the government and the

coffee trade at the expense of the Hutu majority, 85% of the

population. Since October 1993 an ethnic-based war has resulted in

more than 200,000 deaths, forced 450,000 refugees into Tanzania, and

displaced 140,000 others internally. Doubts about the prospects for

sustainable peace continue to impede development. Only one in two

children go to school, and approximately one in ten adults has

HIV/AIDS. Food, medicine, and electricity remain in short supply.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$4.001 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

3% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $600 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 48.1% industry: 19% services: 32.9% (2004 est.)

Labor force:

2.99 million (2002)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 93.6%, industry 2.3%, services 4.1% (2002 est.)

Unemployment rate:

NA

Population below poverty line:

68% (2002 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.8% highest 10%: 32.9% (1998)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

42.5 (1998)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

8.5% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

10.7% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $152.5 million

expenditures: $187.7 million, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

coffee, cotton, tea, corn, sorghum, sweet potatoes, bananas, manioc

(tapioca); beef, milk, hides

Industries:

light consumer goods such as blankets, shoes, soap; assembly of

imported components; public works construction; food processing

Industrial production growth rate:

18% (2001)

Electricity - production:

132 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 0.6% hydro: 99.4% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

137.8 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

15 million kWh; note - supplied by the Democratic Republic of the

Congo (2002)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

2,750 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Current account balance:

$-59.5 million (2004 est.)

Exports:

$31.84 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

coffee, tea, sugar, cotton, hides

Exports - partners:

Germany 19.6%, Belgium 8.2%, Pakistan 6.7%, US 5.6%, Rwanda 5.6%,

Thailand 5.4% (2004)

Imports:

$138.2 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

capital goods, petroleum products, foodstuffs

Imports - partners:

Kenya 13.7%, Tanzania 11.2%, US 8.9%, Belgium 8.5%, France 8.4%,

Italy 6%, Uganda 5.6%, Japan 4.6%, Germany 4.5% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$76.89 million (2004 est.)

Debt - external:

$1.133 billion (2002)

Economic aid - recipient:

$92.7 million (2000)

Currency (code):

Burundi franc (BIF)

Currency code:

BIF

Exchange rates:

Burundi francs per US dollar - 1,100.91 (2004), 1,082.62 (2003),

930.75 (2002), 830.35 (2001), 720.67 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Burundi

Telephones - main lines in use:

23,900 (2003)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

64,000 (2003)

Telephone system:

general assessment: primitive system

domestic: sparse system of open-wire, radiotelephone communications,

and low-capacity microwave radio relay

international: country code - 257; satellite earth station - 1

Intelsat (Indian Ocean)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 0, FM 4, shortwave 1 (2001)

Radios:

440,000 (2001)

Television broadcast stations:

1 (2001)

Televisions:

25,000 (1997)

Internet country code:

.bi

Internet hosts:

22 (2003)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

1 (2000)

Internet users:

14,000 (2003)

Transportation Burundi

Highways: total: 14,480 km paved: 1,028 km unpaved: 13,452 km (1999 est.)

Waterways:

mainly on Lake Tanganyika (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Bujumbura

Airports:

8 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 1

over 3,047 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 7

914 to 1,523 m: 4

under 914 m: 3 (2004 est.)

Military Burundi

Military branches:

National Defense Force (Forces de Defense Nationales, FDN): Army

(includes Naval Detachment and Air Wing), National Gendarmerie (2005)

Military service age and obligation:

16 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service (2001)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 16-49: 1,379,793 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 16-49: 693,956 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:

males: 84,597 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$38.7 million (2004)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

6% (2004)

Transnational Issues Burundi

Disputes - international:

Tutsi, Hutu, other conflicting ethnic groups, associated political

rebels, armed gangs, and various government forces continue fighting

in the Great Lakes region, transcending the boundaries of Burundi,

Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, and Uganda in an effort to

gain control over populated and natural resource areas; government

heads pledge to end conflict, but localized violence continues

despite the presence of about 6,000 peacekeepers from the UN

Operation in Burundi (ONUB) since 2004; although some 150,000

Burundian refugees have been repatriated, as of February 2005,

Burundian refugees still reside in camps in western Tanzania as well

as the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Refugees and internally displaced persons:

refugees (country of origin): 60,288 (Democratic Republic of the

Congo)

IDPs: 140,000 (armed conflict between government and rebels; most

IDPs in northern and western Burundi) (2004)

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Cambodia

Introduction Cambodia

Background:

Most Cambodians consider themselves to be Khmers, whose Angkor

Empire extended over much of Southeast Asia and reached its zenith

between the 10th and 13th centuries. Subsequently, attacks by the

Thai and Cham (from present-day Vietnam) weakened the empire

ushering in a long period of decline. In 1863, the king of Cambodia

placed the country under French protection; it became part of French

Indochina in 1887. Following Japanese occupation in World War II,

Cambodia became independent within the French Union in 1949 and

fully independent in 1953. After a five-year struggle, Communist

Khmer Rouge forces captured Phnom Penh in April 1975 and ordered the

evacuation of all cities and towns; at least 1.5 million Cambodians

died from execution, enforced hardships, or starvation during the

Khmer Rouge regime under POL POT. A December 1978 Vietnamese

invasion drove the Khmer Rouge into the countryside, led to a

10-year Vietnamese occupation, and touched off almost 13 years of

civil war. The 1991 Paris Peace Accords mandated democratic

elections and a ceasefire, which was not fully respected by the

Khmer Rouge. UN-sponsored elections in 1993 helped restore some

semblance of normalcy and the final elements of the Khmer Rouge

surrendered in early 1999. Factional fighting in 1997 ended the

first coalition government, but a second round of national elections

in 1998 led to the formation of another coalition government and

renewed political stability. The July 2003 elections were relatively

peaceful, but it took one year of negotiations between contending

political parties before a coalition government was formed.

Nation-wide local elections are scheduled for 2007 and national

elections for 2008.

Geography Cambodia

Location:

Southeastern Asia, bordering the Gulf of Thailand, between

Thailand, Vietnam, and Laos

Geographic coordinates:

13 00 N, 105 00 E

Map references:

Southeast Asia

Area:

total: 181,040 sq km

land: 176,520 sq km

water: 4,520 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly smaller than Oklahoma

Land boundaries: total: 2,572 km border countries: Laos 541 km, Thailand 803 km, Vietnam 1,228 km

Coastline: 443 km

Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm

Climate:

tropical; rainy, monsoon season (May to November); dry season

(December to April); little seasonal temperature variation

Terrain:

mostly low, flat plains; mountains in southwest and north

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Gulf of Thailand 0 m

highest point: Phnum Aoral 1,810 m

Natural resources:

oil and gas, timber, gemstones, some iron ore, manganese,

phosphates, hydropower potential

Land use: arable land: 20.96% permanent crops: 0.61% other: 78.43% (2001)

Irrigated land:

2,700 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

monsoonal rains (June to November); flooding; occasional droughts

Environment - current issues:

illegal logging activities throughout the country and strip mining

for gems in the western region along the border with Thailand have

resulted in habitat loss and declining biodiversity (in particular,

destruction of mangrove swamps threatens natural fisheries); soil

erosion; in rural areas, most of the population does not have access

to potable water; declining fish stocks because of illegal fishing

and overfishing

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto

Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes,

Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution,

Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea

Geography - note:

a land of paddies and forests dominated by the Mekong River and

Tonle Sap

People Cambodia

Population:

13,607,069

note: estimates for this country take into account the effects of

excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life

expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower

population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of

population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July

2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 37.3% (male 2,559,734/female 2,510,235)

15-64 years: 59.7% (male 3,887,642/female 4,232,313)

65 years and over: 3.1% (male 150,862/female 266,283) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 19.91 years

male: 19.16 years

female: 20.79 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

1.81% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

27.08 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

8.97 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.57 male(s)/female

total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 71.48 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 80.13 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 62.43 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 58.92 years

male: 56.98 years

female: 60.95 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

3.44 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

2.6% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

170,000 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

15,000 (2003 est.)

Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: dengue fever, malaria, and Japanese encephalitis are high risks in some locations (2004)

Nationality: noun: Cambodian(s) adjective: Cambodian

Ethnic groups:

Khmer 90%, Vietnamese 5%, Chinese 1%, other 4%

Religions:

Theravada Buddhist 95%, other 5%

Languages:

Khmer (official) 95%, French, English

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 73.6%

male: 84.7%

female: 64.1% (2004 est.)

Government Cambodia

Country name:

conventional long form: Kingdom of Cambodia

conventional short form: Cambodia

local long form: Preahreacheanacha Kampuchea (phonetic pronunciation)

local short form: Kampuchea

former: Kingdom of Cambodia, Khmer Republic, Democratic Kampuchea,

People's Republic of Kampuchea, State of Cambodia

Government type:

multiparty democracy under a constitutional monarchy established in

September 1993

Capital:

Phnom Penh

Administrative divisions:

20 provinces (khaitt, singular and plural) and 4 municipalities

(krong, singular and plural)

: provinces: Banteay Mean Chey, Batdambang, Kampong Cham, Kampong

Chhnang, Kampong Spoe, Kampong Thum, Kampot, Kandal, Koh Kong,

Kracheh, Mondol Kiri, Otdar Mean Chey, Pouthisat, Preah Vihear, Prey

Veng, Rotanakir, Siem Reab, Stoeng Treng, Svay Rieng, Takao

: municipalities: Keb, Pailin, Phnom Penh, Preah Seihanu

Independence:

9 November 1953 (from France)

National holiday:

Independence Day, 9 November (1953)

Constitution:

promulgated 21 September 1993

Legal system:

primarily a civil law mixture of French-influenced codes from the

United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC) period,

royal decrees, and acts of the legislature, with influences of

customary law and remnants of communist legal theory; increasing

influence of common law in recent years

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: King Norodom SIHAMONI (since 29 October 2004)

head of government: Prime Minister HUN SEN (since 14 January 1985)

and Deputy Prime Ministers SAR KHENG (since 3 February 1992),

Norodom SIRIVUDH, SOK AN, LU LAY SRENG, TEA BANH, HOR NAMHONG, NHEK

BUNCHHAY (since 16 July 2004)

cabinet: Council of Ministers in theory appointed by the monarch; in

practice named by the prime minister

elections: none; the monarch is chosen by a Royal Throne Council;

following legislative elections, a member of the majority party or

majority coalition is named prime minister by the Chairman of the

National Assembly and appointed by the king

Legislative branch:

bicameral, consists of the National Assembly (123 seats; members

elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) and the Senate (61

seats; two members appointed by the monarch, two elected by the

National Assembly, and 57 elected by "functional constituencies";

members serve five-year terms)

elections: National Assembly - last held 27 July 2003 (next to be

held in July 2008); Senate - last held 2 March 1999 (scheduled to be

held in 2004 but delayed)

election results: National Assembly - percent of vote by party - CPP

47%, SRP 22%, FUNCINPEC 21%, other 10%; seats by party - CPP 73,

FUNCINPEC 26, SRP 24; Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats

by party - CPP 31, FUNCINPEC 21, SRP 7, other 2 (July 2003)

Judicial branch:

Supreme Council of the Magistracy (provided for in the constitution

and formed in December 1997); Supreme Court (and lower courts)

exercises judicial authority

Political parties and leaders:

Cambodian Pracheachon Party (Cambodian People's Party) or CPP [CHEA

SIM]; National United Front for an Independent, Neutral, Peaceful,

and Cooperative Cambodia or FUNCINPEC [Prince NORODOM Ranariddh];

Sam Rangsi Party or SRP [SAM RANGSI]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

NA

International organization participation:

ACCT, APT, ARF, AsDB, ASEAN, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM,

IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO

(subscriber), ITU, MIGA, NAM, OPCW (signatory), PCA, UN, UNCTAD,

UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador EK SEREYWATH

chancery: 4530 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20011

telephone: [1] (202) 726-7742

FAX: [1] (202) 726-8381

Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Joseph A. MUSSOMELI embassy: 27 EO Street 240, Phnom Penh mailing address: Box P, APO AP 96546 telephone: [855] (23) 216-436/438 FAX: [855] (23) 216-437/811

Flag description:

three horizontal bands of blue (top), red (double width), and blue

with a white three-towered temple representing Angkor Wat outlined

in black in the center of the red band; only national flag to

incorporate a building in its design

Economy Cambodia

Economy - overview:

Cambodia's economy slowed dramatically in 1997 and 1998 due to the

regional economic crisis, civil violence, and political infighting,

and foreign investment and tourism decreased. In 1999, the first

full year of peace in 30 years, the government made progress on

economic reforms. Growth resumed and remained about 5% from 2000 to

2004. Economic growth has been largely driven by expansion in the

garment sector and tourism, but is expected to fall in 2005 as

growth in the garment sector stalls. Clothing exports were fostered

by a US-Cambodian Bilateral Textile Agreement signed in 1999 which

gave Cambodia a guaranteed quota of US textile imports and

established a bonus for improving working conditions and enforcing

Cambodian labor laws and international labor standards in the

industry. With the January 2005 expiration of a WTO Agreement on

Textiles and Clothing, Cambodia-based textile producers are in

direct competition with lower priced producing countries such as

China and India. Faced with the possibility that over the next five

years Cambodia may lose orders and some of the 250,000 well-paid

jobs the industry provides, Cambodia has committed itself to a

policy of continued support for high labor standards in an attempt

to maintain favor with buyers. Tourism growth remains strong, with

arrivals up 15% in 2004. The long-term development of the economy

after decades of war remains a daunting challenge. The population

lacks education and productive skills, particularly in the

poverty-ridden countryside, which suffers from an almost total lack

of basic infrastructure. Fully 75% of the population remains engaged

in subsistence farming. Fear of renewed political instability and a

dysfunctional legal system coupled with extensive government

corruption discourage foreign investment. The Cambodian government

continues to work with bilateral and multilateral donors to address

the country's many pressing needs. In December 2004, official donors

pledged $504 million in aid for 2005 on the condition that the

Cambodian government begins taking steps to address rampant

corruption. The next donor pledging session is scheduled for

December 2005. The major economic challenge for Cambodia over the

next decade will be fashioning an economic environment in which the

private sector can create enough jobs to handle Cambodia's

demographic imbalance. More than 50% of the population is 20 years

or younger.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$26.99 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

5.4% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $2,000 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 35% industry: 30% services: 35% (2004 est.)

Labor force:

7 million (2003 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 75% (2004 est.)

Unemployment rate:

2.5% (2000 est.)

Population below poverty line:

40% (2004 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.9% highest 10%: 33.8% (1997)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

40 (2004 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

3.1% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

20.9% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $548.2 million

expenditures: $836.7 million, including capital expenditures of $291

million of which 75% was financed by external assistance (2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

rice, rubber, corn, vegetables, cashews, tapioca

Industries:

tourism, garments, rice milling, fishing, wood and wood products,

rubber, cement, gem mining, textiles

Industrial production growth rate:

22% (2002 est.)

Electricity - production:

122 million kWh (2003)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 65% hydro: 35% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

100.6 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

7,200 bbl/day (2002 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Current account balance:

$-316.2 million (2004 est.)

Exports:

$2.311 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

Clothing, timber, rubber, rice, fish, tobacco, footwear

Exports - partners:

US 55.9%, Germany 11.7%, UK 6.9%, Vietnam 4.4%, Canada 4.2% (2004)

Imports:

$3.129 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

petroleum products, cigarettes, gold, construction materials,

machinery, motor vehicles, pharmaceutical products

Imports - partners:

Thailand 22.5%, Hong Kong 14.1%, China 13.6%, Vietnam 10.9%,

Singapore 10.8%, Taiwan 8.4% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$997.5 million (2004 est.)

Debt - external:

$2.4 billion (2002 est.)

Economic aid - recipient: $504 million pledged in grants and concessional loans for 2005 by international donors

Currency (code):

riel (KHR)

Currency code:

KHR

Exchange rates:

riels per US dollar - 4,016.25 (2004), 3,973.33 (2003), 3,912.08

(2002), 3,916.33 (2001), 3,840.75 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Cambodia

Telephones - main lines in use:

35,400 (2002)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

380,000 (2002)

Telephone system:

general assessment: adequate landline and/or cellular service in

Phnom Penh and other provincial cities; mobile phone coverage is

rapidly expanding in rural areas

domestic: NA

international: country code - 855; adequate but expensive landline

and cellular service available to all countries from Phnom Penh and

major provincial cities; satellite earth station - 1 Intersputnik

(Indian Ocean region)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 2, FM 17, (2003)

Radios:

1.34 million (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

7 (2003)

Televisions:

94,000 (1997)

Internet country code:

.kh

Internet hosts:

818 (2003)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

2 (2000)

Internet users:

30,000 (2002)

Transportation Cambodia

Railways: total: 602 km narrow gauge: 602 km 1.000-m gauge (2004)

Highways: total: 12,323 km paved: 1,996 km unpaved: 10,327 km (2000 est)

Waterways:

2,400 km (mainly on Mekong River) (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Phnom Penh

Merchant marine:

total: 479 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 1,913,910 GRT/2,713,967 DWT

by type: bulk carrier 34, cargo 396, chemical tanker 9, container 6,

livestock carrier 3, passenger/cargo 3, petroleum tanker 11,

refrigerated cargo 11, roll on/roll off 5, specialized tanker 1

foreign-owned: 193 (Canada 4, China 39, China 2, Cyprus 4, Egypt 5,

Estonia 2, France 1, Germany 1, Greece 6, Honduras 1, Hong Kong 3,

Indonesia 1, Isle of Man 1, Israel 1, Italy 1, Japan 1, Lebanon 1,

Nigeria 2, Norway 1, Russia 58, Singapore 5, South Korea 23, Syria

8, Turkey 7, Ukraine 6, UAE 1, United States 7, Yemen 1) (2005)

Airports:

20 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 6

2,438 to 3,047 m: 2

1,524 to 2,437 m: 2

914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 14

1,524 to 2,437 m: 2

914 to 1,523 m: 11

under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Heliports:

2 (2004 est.)

Military Cambodia

Military branches:

Royal Cambodian Armed Forces: Army, Navy, Air Force

Military service age and obligation: 18-30 years of age for compulsory military service for all males; conscription law passed September 2004; service obligation is 18 months (September 2004)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 18-49: 2,981,823 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: 1,844,144 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:

males: 175,305 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$112 million (FY01 est.)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

3% (FY01 est.)

Transnational Issues Cambodia

Disputes - international:

Southeast Asian states have enhanced border surveillance to check

the spread of avian flu; Cambodia and Thailand dispute sections of

boundary with missing boundary markers and Thai encroachments into

Cambodian territory; maritime boundary with Vietnam is hampered by

unresolved dispute over offshore islands; Cambodia accuses Thailand

of obstructing access to Preah Vihear temple ruins awarded to

Cambodia by ICJ decision in 1962; in 2004 Cambodian-Laotian and

Laotian-Vietnamese boundary commissions reerect missing markers

completing most of their demarcations

Illicit drugs:

narcotics-related corruption reportedly involving some in the

government, military, and police; possible small-scale opium,

heroin, and amphetamine production; large producer of cannabis for

the international market; vulnerable to money laundering due to its

cash-based economy and porous borders

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Cameroon

Introduction Cameroon

Background:

The former French Cameroon and part of British Cameroon merged in

1961 to form the present country. Cameroon has generally enjoyed

stability, which has permitted the development of agriculture,

roads, and railways, as well as a petroleum industry. Despite

movement toward democratic reform, political power remains firmly in

the hands of an ethnic oligarchy.

Geography Cameroon

Location:

Western Africa, bordering the Bight of Biafra, between Equatorial

Guinea and Nigeria

Geographic coordinates:

6 00 N, 12 00 E

Map references:

Africa

Area:

total: 475,440 sq km

land: 469,440 sq km

water: 6,000 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly larger than California

Land boundaries:

total: 4,591 km

border countries: Central African Republic 797 km, Chad 1,094 km,

Republic of the Congo 523 km, Equatorial Guinea 189 km, Gabon 298

km, Nigeria 1,690 km

Coastline:

402 km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 50 nm

Climate:

varies with terrain, from tropical along coast to semiarid and hot

in north

Terrain:

diverse, with coastal plain in southwest, dissected plateau in

center, mountains in west, plains in north

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

highest point: Fako (on Mount Cameroon) 4,095 m

Natural resources:

petroleum, bauxite, iron ore, timber, hydropower

Land use: arable land: 12.81% permanent crops: 2.58% other: 84.61% (2001)

Irrigated land:

330 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

volcanic activity with periodic releases of poisonous gases from

Lake Nyos and Lake Monoun volcanoes

Environment - current issues:

waterborne diseases are prevalent; deforestation; overgrazing;

desertification; poaching; overfishing

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto

Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law

of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical

Timber 94

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

sometimes referred to as the hinge of Africa; throughout the

country there are areas of thermal springs and indications of

current or prior volcanic activity; Mount Cameroon, the highest

mountain in Sub-Saharan west Africa, is an active volcano

People Cameroon

Population:

16,380,005

note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the

effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower

life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower

population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of

population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July

2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 41.7% (male 3,457,180/female 3,375,668)

15-64 years: 55% (male 4,537,281/female 4,477,163)

65 years and over: 3.3% (male 239,634/female 293,079) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 18.6 years

male: 18.45 years

female: 18.76 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

1.93% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

34.67 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

15.4 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.82 male(s)/female

total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 68.26 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 72.14 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 64.27 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 50.89 years

male: 50.71 years

female: 51.08 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

4.47 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

6.9% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

560,000 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

49,000 (2003 est.)

Major infectious diseases:

degree of risk: very high

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and

typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases: malaria and yellow fever are high risks in

some locations

water contact disease: schistosomiasis

respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis (2004)

Nationality:

noun: Cameroonian(s)

adjective: Cameroonian

Ethnic groups:

Cameroon Highlanders 31%, Equatorial Bantu 19%, Kirdi 11%, Fulani

10%, Northwestern Bantu 8%, Eastern Nigritic 7%, other African 13%,

non-African less than 1%

Religions:

indigenous beliefs 40%, Christian 40%, Muslim 20%

Languages:

24 major African language groups, English (official), French

(official)

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 79%

male: 84.7%

female: 73.4% (2003 est.)

Government Cameroon

Country name:

conventional long form: Republic of Cameroon

conventional short form: Cameroon

former: French Cameroon

Government type:

unitary republic; multiparty presidential regime (opposition

parties legalized in 1990)

note: preponderance of power remains with the president

Capital:

Yaounde

Administrative divisions:

10 provinces; Adamaoua, Centre, Est, Extreme-Nord, Littoral, Nord,

Nord-Ouest, Ouest, Sud, Sud-Ouest

Independence:

1 January 1960 (from French-administered UN trusteeship)

National holiday:

Republic Day (National Day), 20 May (1972)

Constitution:

20 May 1972 approved by referendum, 2 June 1972 formally adopted;

revised January 1996

Legal system:

based on French civil law system, with common law influence; has

not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage:

20 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Paul BIYA (since 6 November 1982)

head of government: Prime Minister Ephraim INONI (since 8 Dec 2004)

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president from proposals submitted

by the prime minister

elections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term;

election last held 11 October 2004 (next to be held NA October

2011); prime minister appointed by the president

election results: President Paul BIYA reelected; percent of vote -

Paul BIYA 70.9%, John FRU NDI 17.4%, Adamou Ndam NJOYA 4.5%, Garga

Haman ADJI 3.7%

Legislative branch:

unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (180 seats;

members are elected by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms;

note - the president can either lengthen or shorten the term of the

legislature)

elections: last held 23 June 2002 (next to be held NA 2007)

election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -

RDCP 133, SDF 21, UDC 5, other 21

note: the constitution calls for an upper chamber for the

legislature, to be called a Senate, but it has yet to be established

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the president); High Court

of Justice (consists of 9 judges and 6 substitute judges, elected by

the National Assembly)

Political parties and leaders:

Cameroonian Democratic Union or UDC [Adamou NDAM NJOYA]; Democratic

Rally of the Cameroon People or RDCP [Paul BIYA]; Movement for the

Defense of the Republic or MDR [Dakole DAISSALA]; Movement for the

Liberation and Development of Cameroon or MLDC [leader Marcel

YONDO]; Movement for the Youth of Cameroon or MYC [Dieudonne TINA];

National Union for Democracy and Progress or UNDP [Maigari BELLO

BOUBA]; Social Democratic Front or SDF [John FRU NDI]; Union of

Cameroonian Populations or UPC [Augustin Frederic KODOCK]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

Southern Cameroon National Council [Ayamba Ette OTUN]; Human Rights

Defense Group [Albert MUKONG, president]

International organization participation:

ABEDA, ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, BDEAC, C, CEMAC, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA,

IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC,

IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ITU, MIGA, MONUC, NAM, OIC,

OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIK, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU,

WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Jerome MENDOUGA

chancery: 2349 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 265-8790

FAX: [1] (202) 387-3826

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador George McDade STAPLES

embassy: Rue Nachtigal, Yaounde

mailing address: P. O. Box 817, Yaounde; pouch: American Embassy,

Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-2520

telephone: [237] 223-05-12, 222-25-89, 222-17-94, 223-40-14

FAX: [237] 223-07-53

branch office(s): Douala

Flag description:

three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), red, and yellow

with a yellow five-pointed star centered in the red band; uses the

popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia

Economy Cameroon

Economy - overview:

Because of its oil resources and favorable agricultural conditions,

Cameroon has one of the best-endowed primary commodity economies in

sub-Saharan Africa. Still, it faces many of the serious problems

facing other underdeveloped countries, such as a top-heavy civil

service and a generally unfavorable climate for business enterprise.

Since 1990, the government has embarked on various IMF and World

Bank programs designed to spur business investment, increase

efficiency in agriculture, improve trade, and recapitalize the

nation's banks. In June 2000, the government completed an

IMF-sponsored, three-year structural adjustment program; however,

the IMF is pressing for more reforms, including increased budget

transparency, privatization, and poverty reduction programs.

International oil and cocoa prices have considerable impact on the

economy.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$30.17 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

4.9% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $1,900 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 43.7% industry: 20.1% services: 36.2% (2004 est.)

Labor force:

6.68 million (2004 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 70%, industry and commerce 13%, other 17%

Unemployment rate:

30% (2001 est.)

Population below poverty line:

48% (2000 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.9% highest 10%: 36.6% (1996)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

47.7 (1996)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

1% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

16.1% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $2.493 billion

expenditures: $2.248 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Public debt:

69.1% of GDP (2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

coffee, cocoa, cotton, rubber, bananas, oilseed, grains, root

starches; livestock; timber

Industries:

petroleum production and refining, aluminum production, food

processing, light consumer goods, textiles, lumber, ship repair

Industrial production growth rate:

4.2% (1999 est.)

Electricity - production:

3.571 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 2.7% hydro: 97.3% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

3.321 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

94,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Oil - consumption:

22,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Oil - proved reserves:

80 million bbl (2004 est.)

Natural gas - production:

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - consumption:

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - exports:

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - imports:

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves:

55.22 billion cu m (2004)

Current account balance:

$-149.1 million (2004 est.)

Exports:

$2.445 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

crude oil and petroleum products, lumber, cocoa beans, aluminum,

coffee, cotton

Exports - partners:

Spain 15.2%, Italy 12.3%, UK 10.2%, France 9.2%, US 8.8%, South

Korea 7.1%, Netherlands 4.3% (2004)

Imports:

$1.979 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

machinery, electrical equipment, transport equipment, fuel, food

Imports - partners:

France 28.2%, Nigeria 9.9%, Belgium 7.6%, US 4.9%, China 4.8%,

Germany 4.6%, Italy 4.1% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$687.5 million (2004 est.)

Debt - external:

$8.46 billion (2004 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:

on 23 January 2001, the Paris Club agreed to reduce Cameroon's debt

of $1.3 billion by $900 million; debt relief now totals $1.26 billion

Currency (code):

Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XAF); note - responsible

authority is the Bank of the Central African States

Currency code:

XAF

Exchange rates:

Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XAF) per US dollar - 528.29

(2004), 581.2 (2003), 696.99 (2002), 733.04 (2001), 711.98 (2000)

Fiscal year:

1 July - 30 June

Communications Cameroon

Telephones - main lines in use:

110,900 (2002)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

1.077 million (2003)

Telephone system:

general assessment: available only to business and government

domestic: cable, microwave radio relay, and tropospheric scatter

international: country code - 237; satellite earth stations - 2

Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); fiber optic submarine cable (SAT-3/WASC)

provides connectivity to Europe and Asia

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 2, FM 9, shortwave 3 (2002)

Radios:

2.27 million (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

1 (2002)

Televisions:

450,000 (1997)

Internet country code:

.cm

Internet hosts:

479 (2004)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

1 (2002)

Internet users: 60,000 (2002) note: Cameroon also had more than 100 cyber-cafes in 2001

Transportation Cameroon

Railways: total: 1,008 km narrow gauge: 1,008 km 1.000-m gauge (2004)

Highways: total: 34,300 km paved: 4,288 km unpaved: 30,012 km (1999 est.)

Waterways:

navigation mainly on Benue River; limited during rainy season (2004)

Pipelines:

gas 90 km; liquid petroleum gas 9 km; oil 1,120 km (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Douala, Limboh Terminal

Merchant marine:

total: 1 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 169,593 GRT/357,023 DWT

by type: petroleum tanker 1 (2005)

Airports:

47 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 11 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 36 1,524 to 2,437 m: 7 914 to 1,523 m: 20 under 914 m: 9 (2004 est.)

Military Cameroon

Military branches:

Cameroon Armed Forces: Army, Navy (includes Naval Infantry), Air

Force

Military service age and obligation:

18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription

(1999)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 18-49: 3,410,440 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: 1,720,385 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:

males: 188,662 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$221.1 million (2004)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

1.6% (2004)

Transnational Issues Cameroon

Disputes - international:

ICJ ruled in 2002 on the entire Cameroon-Nigeria land and maritime

boundary but the parties formed a Joint Border Commission, which

continues to meet regularly to resolve differences bilaterally and

have commenced with demarcation in less-contested sections of the

boundary, starting in Lake Chad in the north; implementation of the

ICJ ruling on the Cameroon-Equatorial Guinea-Nigeria maritime

boundary in the Gulf of Guinea is impeded by imprecisely defined

coordinates, the unresolved Bakassi allocation, and a sovereignty

dispute between Equatorial Guinea and Cameroon over an island at the

mouth of the Ntem River; Nigeria initially rejected cession of the

Bakasi Peninsula, then agreed, but has yet to withdraw its forces

while much of the indigenous population opposes cession; only

Nigeria and Cameroon have heeded the Lake Chad Commission's

admonition to ratify the delimitation treaty which also includes

Chad and Niger

Refugees and internally displaced persons:

refugees (country of origin): 39,261 (Chad) 16,983 (Nigeria) 9,634

(Cote d'Ivoire) (2004)

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Canada

Introduction Canada

Background:

A land of vast distances and rich natural resources, Canada became

a self-governing dominion in 1867 while retaining ties to the

British crown. Economically and technologically the nation has

developed in parallel with the US, its neighbor to the south across

an unfortified border. Canada's paramount political problem is

meeting public demands for quality improvements in health care and

education services after a decade of budget cuts. The issue of

reconciling Quebec's francophone heritage with the majority

anglophone Canadian population has moved to the back burner in

recent years; support for separatism abated after the Quebec

government's referendum on independence failed to pass in October of

1995.

Geography Canada

Location:

Northern North America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean on the

east, North Pacific Ocean on the west, and the Arctic Ocean on the

north, north of the conterminous US

Geographic coordinates:

60 00 N, 95 00 W

Map references:

North America

Area:

total: 9,984,670 sq km

land: 9,093,507 sq km

water: 891,163 sq km

Area - comparative:

somewhat larger than the US

Land boundaries: total: 8,893 km border countries: US 8,893 km (includes 2,477 km with Alaska)

Coastline: 202,080 km

Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin

Climate:

varies from temperate in south to subarctic and arctic in north

Terrain:

mostly plains with mountains in west and lowlands in southeast

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

highest point: Mount Logan 5,959 m

Natural resources:

iron ore, nickel, zinc, copper, gold, lead, molybdenum, potash,

diamonds, silver, fish, timber, wildlife, coal, petroleum, natural

gas, hydropower

Land use:

arable land: 4.96%

permanent crops: 0.02%

other: 95.02% (2001)

Irrigated land:

7,200 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

continuous permafrost in north is a serious obstacle to

development; cyclonic storms form east of the Rocky Mountains, a

result of the mixing of air masses from the Arctic, Pacific, and

North American interior, and produce most of the country's rain and

snow east of the mountains

Environment - current issues:

air pollution and resulting acid rain severely affecting lakes and

damaging forests; metal smelting, coal-burning utilities, and

vehicle emissions impacting on agricultural and forest productivity;

ocean waters becoming contaminated due to agricultural, industrial,

mining, and forestry activities

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air

Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85,

Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol,

Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic

Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol,

Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification,

Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer

Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94,

Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds,

Marine Life Conservation

Geography - note:

second-largest country in world (after Russia); strategic location

between Russia and US via north polar route; approximately 90% of

the population is concentrated within 160 km of the US border

People Canada

Population:

32,805,041 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 17.9% (male 3,016,032/female 2,869,244)

15-64 years: 68.9% (male 11,357,425/female 11,244,356)

65 years and over: 13.2% (male 1,842,496/female 2,475,488) (2005

est.)

Median age: total: 38.54 years male: 37.54 years female: 39.56 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

0.9% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

10.84 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

7.73 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

5.9 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.74 male(s)/female

total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 4.75 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 5.21 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 4.27 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 80.1 years

male: 76.73 years

female: 83.63 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

1.61 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

0.3% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

56,000 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

1,500 (2003 est.)

Nationality:

noun: Canadian(s)

adjective: Canadian

Ethnic groups:

British Isles origin 28%, French origin 23%, other European 15%,

Amerindian 2%, other, mostly Asian, African, Arab 6%, mixed

background 26%

Religions:

Roman Catholic 42.6%, Protestant 23.3% (including United Church

9.5%, Anglican 6.8%, Baptist 2.4%, Lutheran 2%), other Christian

4.4%, Muslim 1.9%, other and unspecified 11.8%, none 16% (2001

census)

Languages:

English (official) 59.3%, French (official) 23.2%, other 17.5%

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 97% (1986 est.)

male: NA%

female: NA%

Government Canada

Country name:

conventional long form: none

conventional short form: Canada

Government type:

a constitutional monarchy that is also a parliamentary democracy

and a federation

Capital:

Ottawa

Administrative divisions:

10 provinces and 3 territories*; Alberta, British Columbia,

Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest

Territories*, Nova Scotia, Nunavut*, Ontario, Prince Edward Island,

Quebec, Saskatchewan, Yukon Territory*

Independence:

1 July 1867 (union of British North American colonies); 11 December

1931 (independence recognized)

National holiday:

Canada Day, 1 July (1867)

Constitution:

made up of unwritten and written acts, customs, judicial decisions,

and traditions; the written part of the constitution consists of the

Constitution Act of 29 March 1867, which created a federation of

four provinces, and the Constitution Act of 17 April 1982, which

transferred formal control over the constitution from Britain to

Canada, and added a Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms as well

as procedures for constitutional amendments

Legal system:

based on English common law, except in Quebec, where civil law

system based on French law prevails; accepts compulsory ICJ

jurisdiction, with reservations

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952),

represented by Governor General Michaelle Jean (since 27 October

2005)

head of government: Prime Minister Paul MARTIN (since 12 December

2003); Deputy Prime Minister Anne MCLELLAN (since 12 December 2003)

cabinet: Federal Ministry chosen by the prime minister from among

the members of his own party sitting in Parliament

elections: none; the monarchy is hereditary; governor general

appointed by the monarch on the advice of the prime minister for a

five-year term; following legislative elections, the leader of the

majority party or the leader of the majority coalition in the House

of Commons is automatically designated prime minister by the

governor general

Legislative branch:

bicameral Parliament or Parlement consists of the Senate or Senat

(members appointed by the governor general with the advice of the

prime minister and serve until reaching 75 years of age; its normal

limit is 105 senators) and the House of Commons or Chambre des

Communes (308 seats; members elected by direct, popular vote to

serve for up to five-year terms)

elections: House of Commons - last held 28 June 2004 (next to be

held by NA 2009)

election results: House of Commons - percent of vote by party -

Liberal Party 36.7%, Conservative Party 29.6%, New Democratic Party

15.7%, Bloc Quebecois 12.4%, Greens 4.3%, independents 0.4%, other

0.9%; seats by party - Liberal Party 134, Conservative Party 99,

Bloc Quebecois 54, New Democratic Party 19, independent 2

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court of Canada (judges are appointed by the prime minister

through the governor general); Federal Court of Canada; Federal

Court of Appeal; Provincial Courts (these are named variously Court

of Appeal, Court of Queens Bench, Superior Court, Supreme Court, and

Court of Justice)

Political parties and leaders:

Bloc Quebecois [Gilles DUCEPPE]; Conservative Party of Canada (a

merger of the Canadian Alliance and the Progressive Conservative

Party) [Stephen HARPER]; Green Party [Jim HARRIS]; Liberal Party

[Paul MARTIN]; New Democratic Party [Jack LAYTON]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

NA

International organization participation:

ACCT, AfDB, APEC, ARF, AsDB, ASEAN (dialogue partner), Australia

Group, BIS, C, CDB, CE (observer), EAPC, EBRD, ESA (cooperating

state), FAO, G-7, G-8, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt,

ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO,

Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MIGA, MINUSTAH, MONUC, NAM (guest),

NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS, OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, UN, UNAMSIL,

UNCTAD, UNDOF, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNMOVIC, UNTSO, UPU, WCL,

WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO, ZC

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Francis Joseph MCKENNA

chancery: 501 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20001

telephone: [1] (202) 682-1740

FAX: [1] (202) 682-7726

consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Boston, Buffalo, Chicago, Dallas,

Denver, Detroit, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis, New York, Phoenix,

San Diego, and Seattle

consulate(s): Anchorage, Houston, Philadelphia, Princeton, Raleigh,

San Francisco, and San Jose

Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador David H. WILKINS embassy: 490 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 1G8 mailing address: P. O. Box 5000, Ogdensburgh, NY 13669-0430 telephone: [1] (613) 238-5335, 4470 FAX: [1] (613) 688-3082 consulate(s) general: Calgary, Halifax, Montreal, Quebec, Toronto, Vancouver, Winnipeg

Flag description:

two vertical bands of red (hoist and fly side, half width), with

white square between them; an 11-pointed red maple leaf is centered

in the white square; the official colors of Canada are red and white

Economy Canada

Economy - overview:

As an affluent, high-tech industrial society, newly entered in the

trillion dollar class, Canada closely resembles the US in its

market-oriented economic system, pattern of production, and affluent

living standards. Since World War II, the impressive growth of the

manufacturing, mining, and service sectors has transformed the

nation from a largely rural economy into one primarily industrial

and urban. The 1989 US-Canada Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and the

1994 North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) (which includes

Mexico) touched off a dramatic increase in trade and economic

integration with the US. Given its great natural resources, skilled

labor force, and modern capital plant Canada enjoys solid economic

prospects. Solid fiscal management has produced a long-term budget

surplus which is substantially reducing the national debt, although

public debate continues over how to manage the rising cost of the

publicly funded healthcare system. Exports account for roughly a

third of GDP. Canada enjoys a substantial trade surplus with its

principal trading partner, the United States, which absorbs more

than 85% of Canadian exports.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$1.023 trillion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

2.4% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $31,500 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 2.3% industry: 26.4% services: 71.3% (2004 est.)

Labor force: 17.37 million (2004)

Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 3%, manufacturing 15%, construction 5%, services 74%, other 3% (2000)

Unemployment rate:

7% (2004)

Population below poverty line:

NA

Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.8% highest 10%: 23.8% (1994)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

31.5 (1994)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

1.9% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

19.4% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $151 billion

expenditures: $144 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Public debt:

NA (2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

wheat, barley, oilseed, tobacco, fruits, vegetables; dairy

products; forest products; fish

Industries:

transportation equipment, chemicals, processed and unprocessed

minerals, food products; wood and paper products; fish products,

petroleum and natural gas

Industrial production growth rate:

2% (2004 est.)

Electricity - production:

548.9 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 28% hydro: 57.9% nuclear: 12.9% other: 1.3% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

487.3 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

36.13 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

13 billion kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

3.11 million bbl/day (2004 est.)

Oil - consumption:

2.2 million bbl/day (2003 est.)

Oil - exports:

1.37 million bbl/day (2004)

Oil - imports:

987,000 bbl/day (2004)

Oil - proved reserves:

178.9 billion bbl including shale oil (2004 est.)

Natural gas - production:

165.8 billion cu m (2003 est.)

Natural gas - consumption:

55.8 billion cu m (2003 est.)

Natural gas - exports:

91.52 billion cu m (2003 est.)

Natural gas - imports:

8.73 billion cu m (2003 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves:

1.691 trillion cu m (2004)

Current account balance:

$28.2 billion (2004 est.)

Exports:

$315.6 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

motor vehicles and parts, industrial machinery, aircraft,

telecommunications equipment; chemicals, plastics, fertilizers; wood

pulp, timber, crude petroleum, natural gas, electricity, aluminum

Exports - partners:

US 85.2%, Japan 2.1%, UK 1.6% (2004)

Imports:

$256.1 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

machinery and equipment, motor vehicles and parts, crude oil,

chemicals, electricity, durable consumer goods

Imports - partners:

US 58.9%, China 6.8%, Mexico 3.8% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$36.27 billion (2003)

Debt - external:

$570 billion (2004)

Economic aid - donor:

ODA, $2 billion (2004)

Currency (code):

Canadian dollar (CAD)

Currency code:

CAD

Exchange rates:

Canadian dollars per US dollar - 1.301 (2004), 1.4011 (2003),

1.5693 (2002), 1.5488 (2001), 1.4851 (2000)

Fiscal year:

1 April - 31 March

Communications Canada

Telephones - main lines in use:

19,950,900 (2003)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

13,221,800 (2003)

Telephone system:

general assessment: excellent service provided by modern technology

domestic: domestic satellite system with about 300 earth stations

international: country code - 1-xxx; 5 coaxial submarine cables;

satellite earth stations - 5 Intelsat (4 Atlantic Ocean and 1

Pacific Ocean) and 2 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 245, FM 582, shortwave 6 (2004)

Radios:

32.3 million (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

80 (plus many repeaters) (1997)

Televisions:

21.5 million (1997)

Internet country code:

.ca

Internet hosts:

3,210,081 (2003)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

760 (2000 est.)

Internet users:

16.11 million (2002)

Transportation Canada

Railways: total: 48,683 km standard gauge: 48,683 km 1.435-m gauge (2004)

Highways:

total: 1,408,800 km

paved: 497,306 km (including 16,900 km of expressways)

unpaved: 911,494 km (2002)

Waterways:

631 km

note: Saint Lawrence Seaway of 3,769 km, including the Saint

Lawrence River of 3,058 km, shared with United States (2003)

Pipelines:

crude and refined oil 23,564 km; liquid petroleum gas 74,980 km

(2003)

Ports and harbors:

Fraser River Port, Goderich, Montreal, Port Cartier, Quebec, Saint

John's (Newfoundland), Sept Isles, Vancouver

Merchant marine:

total: 169 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 1,784,229 GRT/2,657,499 DWT

by type: bulk carrier 22, cargo 49, chemical tanker 6, combination

ore/oil 1, container 1, passenger 6, passenger/cargo 65, petroleum

tanker 13, roll on/roll off 6

foreign-owned: 6 (France 1, Germany 3, United States 2)

registered in other countries: 112 (2005)

Airports:

1,326 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 503 over 3,047 m: 18 2,438 to 3,047 m: 15 1,524 to 2,437 m: 150 914 to 1,523 m: 245 under 914 m: 75 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 823 1,524 to 2,437 m: 67 914 to 1,523 m: 347 under 914 m: 409 (2004 est.)

Heliports: 319 (2004)

Military Canada

Military branches:

Canadian Armed Forces: Land Forces Command, Maritime Command, Air

Command, Canada Command (homeland security) to be operational in

early 2006 (2005)

Military service age and obligation: 16 years of age for voluntary military service; women comprise some 11% of Canada's armed forces (2001)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 16-49: 8,216,510 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 16-49: 6,740,490 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:

males: 223,821 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$9,801.7 million (2003)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

1.1% (2003)

Transnational Issues Canada

Disputes - international:

managed maritime boundary disputes with the US at Dixon Entrance,

Beaufort Sea, Strait of Juan de Fuca, and around the disputed

Machias Seal Island and North Rock; working toward greater

cooperation with US in monitoring people and commodities crossing

the border; uncontested sovereignty dispute with Denmark over Hans

Island in the Kennedy Channel between Ellesmere Island and Greenland

Illicit drugs:

illicit producer of cannabis for the domestic drug market and

export to US; use of hydroponics technology permits growers to plant

large quantities of high-quality marijuana indoors; transit point

for heroin and cocaine entering the US market; vulnerable to

narcotics money laundering because of its mature financial services

sector

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Cape Verde

Introduction Cape Verde

Background:

The uninhabited islands were discovered and colonized by the

Portuguese in the 15th century; Cape Verde subsequently became a

trading center for African slaves and later an important coaling and

resupply stop for whaling and transatlantic shipping. Following

independence in 1975, and a tentative interest in unification with

Guinea-Bissau, a one-party system was established and maintained

until multi-party elections were held in 1990. Cape Verde continues

to exhibit one of Africa's most stable democratic governments.

Repeated droughts during the second half of the 20th century caused

significant hardship and prompted heavy emigration. As a result,

Cape Verde's expatriate population is greater than its domestic one.

Most Cape Verdeans have both African and Portuguese antecedents.

Geography Cape Verde

Location:

Western Africa, group of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, west

of Senegal

Geographic coordinates:

16 00 N, 24 00 W

Map references:

Political Map of the World

Area:

total: 4,033 sq km

land: 4,033 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly larger than Rhode Island

Land boundaries:

0 km

Coastline:

965 km

Maritime claims: measured from claimed archipelagic baselines territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Climate:

temperate; warm, dry summer; precipitation meager and very erratic

Terrain:

steep, rugged, rocky, volcanic

Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mt. Fogo 2,829 m (a volcano on Fogo Island)

Natural resources: salt, basalt rock, limestone, kaolin, fish, clay, gypsum

Land use: arable land: 9.68% permanent crops: 0.5% other: 89.82% (2001)

Irrigated land:

30 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

prolonged droughts; seasonal harmattan wind produces obscuring

dust; volcanically and seismically active

Environment - current issues: soil erosion; deforestation due to demand for wood used as fuel; desertification; environmental damage has threatened several species of birds and reptiles; illegal beach sand extraction; overfishing

Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

strategic location 500 km from west coast of Africa near major

north-south sea routes; important communications station; important

sea and air refueling site

People Cape Verde

Population:

418,224 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 39% (male 82,249/female 80,752)

15-64 years: 54.3% (male 110,119/female 116,816)

65 years and over: 6.8% (male 10,599/female 17,689) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 19.4 years

male: 18.62 years

female: 20.25 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

0.67% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

25.33 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

6.62 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

-11.99 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.6 male(s)/female

total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 47.77 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 52.95 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 42.44 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 70.45 years

male: 67.13 years

female: 73.86 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

3.48 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

0.035% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

775 (2001)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

225 (as of 2001)

Nationality:

noun: Cape Verdean(s)

adjective: Cape Verdean

Ethnic groups:

Creole (mulatto) 71%, African 28%, European 1%

Religions:

Roman Catholic (infused with indigenous beliefs); Protestant

(mostly Church of the Nazarene)

Languages:

Portuguese, Crioulo (a blend of Portuguese and West African words)

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 76.6%

male: 85.8%

female: 69.2% (2003 est.)

Government Cape Verde

Country name:

conventional long form: Republic of Cape Verde

conventional short form: Cape Verde

local long form: Republica de Cabo Verde

local short form: Cabo Verde

Government type:

republic

Capital:

Praia

Administrative divisions:

17 municipalities (concelhos, singular - concelho); Boa Vista,

Brava, Maio, Mosteiros, Paul, Praia, Porto Novo, Ribeira Grande,

Sal, Santa Catarina, Santa Cruz, Sao Domingos, Sao Filipe, Sao

Miguel, Sao Nicolau, Sao Vicente, Tarrafal

Independence:

5 July 1975 (from Portugal)

National holiday:

Independence Day, 5 July (1975)

Constitution:

new constitution came into force 25 September 1992; underwent a

major revision on 23 November 1995, substantially increasing the

powers of the president, and a further revision in 1999, to create

the position of national ombudsman (Provedor de Justica)

Legal system:

derived from the legal system of Portugal

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Pedro PIRES (since 22 March 2001)

head of government: Prime Minister Jose Maria Pereira NEVES (since 1

February 2001)

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the

recommendation of the prime minister

elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;

election last held 11 and 25 February 2001 (next to be held February

2006); prime minister nominated by the National Assembly and

appointed by the president

election results: Pedro PIRES elected president; percent of vote -

Pedro PIRES (PAICV) 49.43%, Carlos VIEGA (MPD) 49.42%; note - the

election was won by only twelve votes

Legislative branch:

unicameral National Assembly or Assembleia Nacional (72 seats;

members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)

elections: last held 14 January 2001 (next to be held December 2005)

election results: percent of vote by party - PAICV 47.3%, MPD 39.8%,

ADM 6%, other 6.9%; seats by party - PAICV 40, MPD 30, ADM 2

Judicial branch:

Supreme Tribunal of Justice or Supremo Tribunal de Justia

Political parties and leaders:

African Party for Independence of Cape Verde or PAICV [Jose Maria

Pereira NEVES, chairman]; Democratic Alliance for Change or ADM [Dr.

Eurico MONTEIRO] (a coalition of PCD, PTS, and UCID); Democratic

Christian Party or PDC [Manuel RODRIGUES, chairman]; Democratic

Renovation Party or PRD [Jacinto SANTOS, president]; Movement for

Democracy or MPD [Agostinho LOPES, president]; Party for Democratic

Convergence or PCD [Dr. Eurico MONTEIRO, president]; Party of Work

and Solidarity or PTS [Isaias RODRIGUES, president]; Social

Democratic Party or PSD [Joao ALEM, president]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

NA

International organization participation:

ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt

(signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO,

Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO,

UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO (observer)

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Jose BRITO

chancery: 3415 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007

telephone: [1] (202) 965-6820

FAX: [1] (202) 965-1207

consulate(s) general: Boston

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Donald C. JOHNSON

embassy: Rua Abilio m. Macedo 81, Praia

mailing address: C. P. 201, Praia

telephone: [238] 261 56 16, 261 56 17

FAX: [238] 261 13 55

Flag description:

three horizontal bands of light blue (top, double width), white

(with a horizontal red stripe in the middle third), and light blue;

a circle of 10 yellow five-pointed stars is centered on the hoist

end of the red stripe and extends into the upper and lower blue bands

Economy Cape Verde

Economy - overview:

This island economy suffers from a poor natural resource base,

including serious water shortages exacerbated by cycles of long-term

drought. The economy is service-oriented, with commerce, transport,

tourism, and public services accounting for 72% of GDP. Although

nearly 70% of the population lives in rural areas, the share of

agriculture in GDP in 2004 was only 12%, of which fishing accounted

for 1.5%. About 82% of food must be imported. The fishing potential,

mostly lobster and tuna, is not fully exploited. Cape Verde annually

runs a high trade deficit, financed by foreign aid and remittances

from emigrants; remittances supplement GDP by more than 20%.

Economic reforms are aimed at developing the private sector and

attracting foreign investment to diversify the economy. Future

prospects depend heavily on the maintenance of aid flows, the

encouragement of tourism, remittances, and the momentum of the

government's development program.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$600 million (2002 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

5% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $1,400 (2002 est.)

GDP - composition by sector:

agriculture: 12.1%

industry: 21.9%

services: 66% (2004 est.)

Labor force:

NA

Unemployment rate:

21% (2000 est.)

Population below poverty line:

30% (2000)

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

1.5% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

19.2% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $260.6 million

expenditures: $305.3 million, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

bananas, corn, beans, sweet potatoes, sugarcane, coffee, peanuts;

fish

Industries:

food and beverages, fish processing, shoes and garments, salt

mining, ship repair

Industrial production growth rate:

NA

Electricity - production:

43.08 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

40.06 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

2,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Current account balance:

$-93.76 million (2004 est.)

Exports:

$61.11 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

fuel, shoes, garments, fish, hides

Exports - partners:

Portugal 59.4%, US 17.2%, UK 11.4% (2004)

Imports:

$387.3 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

foodstuffs, industrial products, transport equipment, fuels

Imports - partners:

Portugal 41.8%, US 12.3%, Netherlands 8.4%, Spain 5.2%, Italy 4.2%,

Brazil 4% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$112.7 million (2004 est.)

Debt - external:

$325 million (2002)

Economic aid - recipient:

$136 million (1999)

Currency (code):

Cape Verdean escudo (CVE)

Currency code:

CVE

Exchange rates:

Cape Verdean escudos (CVE) per US dollar - 88.808 (2004), 97.703

(2003), 117.168 (2002), 123.228 (2001), 119.687 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Cape Verde

Telephones - main lines in use:

71,700 (2003)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

53,300 (2003)

Telephone system:

general assessment: effective system, extensive modernization from

1996-2000 following partial privatization in 1995

domestic: major service provider is Cabo Verde Telecom (CVT); fiber

optic ring, completed in 2001, links all islands providing Internet

access and ISDN services; cellular service introduced in 1998

international: country code - 238; 2 coaxial submarine cables; HF

radiotelephone to Senegal and Guinea-Bissau; satellite earth station

- 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 0, FM 22 (and 12 low power repeaters), shortwave 0 (2002)

Radios:

100,000 (2002 est.)

Television broadcast stations:

1 (and 7 repeaters) (2002)

Televisions:

15,000 (2002 est.)

Internet country code:

.cv

Internet hosts:

118 (2004)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

1 (2002)

Internet users:

20,400 (2003)

Transportation Cape Verde

Highways: total: 1,350 km paved: 932 km unpaved: 418 km (2000)

Ports and harbors:

Mindelo, Praia, Tarrafal

Merchant marine:

total: 5 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 5,395 GRT/6,614 DWT

by type: cargo 2, chemical tanker 1, passenger/cargo 2

foreign-owned: 1 (United Kingdom 1) (2005)

Airports: 7 note: 3 airports are reported to be nonoperational (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 6 over 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 5 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 1

under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Military Cape Verde

Military branches:

People's Revolutionary Armed Forces (FARP): Army, Coast Guard

(includes maritime air wing)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 18-49: 84,641 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: 65,614 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$14.1 million (2004)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

1.5% (2004)

Transnational Issues Cape Verde

Disputes - international:

none

Illicit drugs:

used as a transshipment point for illicit drugs moving from Latin

America and Asia destined for Western Europe; the lack of a

well-developed financial system limits the country's utility as a

money-laundering center

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Cayman Islands

Introduction Cayman Islands

Background:

The Cayman Islands were colonized from Jamaica by the British

during the 18th and 19th centuries. Administered by Jamaica since

1863, they remained a British dependency after 1962 when the former

became independent.

Geography Cayman Islands

Location:

Caribbean, island group in Caribbean Sea, nearly one-half of the

way from Cuba to Honduras

Geographic coordinates:

19 30 N, 80 30 W

Map references:

Central America and the Caribbean

Area:

total: 262 sq km

land: 262 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative:

1.5 times the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries:

0 km

Coastline:

160 km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm

Climate:

tropical marine; warm, rainy summers (May to October) and cool,

relatively dry winters (November to April)

Terrain:

low-lying limestone base surrounded by coral reefs

Elevation extremes: lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: The Bluff 43 m

Natural resources: fish, climate and beaches that foster tourism

Land use: arable land: 3.85% permanent crops: 0% other: 96.15% (2001)

Irrigated land:

NA sq km

Natural hazards:

hurricanes (July to November)

Environment - current issues: no natural fresh water resources; drinking water supplies must be met by rainwater catchments

Geography - note: important location between Cuba and Central America

People Cayman Islands

Population:

44,270 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 21.1% (male 4,658/female 4,662)

15-64 years: 70.8% (male 15,284/female 16,050)

65 years and over: 8.2% (male 1,699/female 1,917) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 36.83 years

male: 36.48 years

female: 37.18 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

2.64% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

12.92 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

4.81 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

18.25 migrant(s)/1,000 population

note: major destination for Cubans trying to migrate to the US (2005

est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.89 male(s)/female

total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 8.19 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 9.39 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 6.97 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 79.95 years

male: 77.33 years

female: 82.6 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

1.9 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

NA

Nationality:

noun: Caymanian(s)

adjective: Caymanian

Ethnic groups:

mixed 40%, white 20%, black 20%, expatriates of various ethnic

groups 20%

Religions:

United Church (Presbyterian and Congregational), Anglican, Baptist,

Church of God, other Protestant, Roman Catholic

Languages:

English

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school

total population: 98%

male: 98%

female: 98% (1970 est.)

Government Cayman Islands

Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Cayman Islands

Dependency status:

overseas territory of the UK

Government type:

British crown colony

Capital:

George Town

Administrative divisions:

8 districts; Creek, Eastern, Midland, South Town, Spot Bay, Stake

Bay, West End, Western

Independence:

none (overseas territory of the UK)

National holiday:

Constitution Day, first Monday in July

Constitution:

1959; revised 1972 and 1992

Legal system:

British common law and local statutes

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952);

Governor Bruce DINWIDDY (since 29 May 2002)

head of government: Leader of Government Business Kurt TIBBETTS

(since 18 May 2005)

cabinet: Executive Council (three members appointed by the governor,

four members elected by the Legislative Assembly)

elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; the governor is

appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the

leader of the majority party or coalition is appointed by the

governor Leader of Government Business

Legislative branch:

unicameral Legislative Assembly (18 seats, three appointed members

from the Executive Council and 15 elected by popular vote; members

serve four-year terms)

elections: last held 11 May 2005 (next to be held 2009)

election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats - PPM 9, UDP 5,

independent 1

Judicial branch:

Summary Court; Grand Court; Cayman Islands Court of Appeal

Political parties and leaders:

no national teams (loose groupings of political organizations) were

formed for the 2000 elections; United Democratic Party or UDP

[leader McKeeva BUSH]; People's Progressive Movement or PPM [leader

Kurt TIBBETTS]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

NA

International organization participation:

Caricom (associate), CDB, Interpol (subbureau), IOC, UNESCO

(associate), UPU

Diplomatic representation in the US:

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Diplomatic representation from the US:

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Flag description:

blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and

the Caymanian coat of arms centered on the outer half of the flag;

the coat of arms includes a pineapple and turtle above a shield with

three stars (representing the three islands) and a scroll at the

bottom bearing the motto HE HATH FOUNDED IT UPON THE SEAS

Economy Cayman Islands

Economy - overview:

With no direct taxation, the islands are a thriving offshore

financial center. More than 40,000 companies were registered in the

Cayman Islands as of 1998, including almost 600 banks and trust

companies; banking assets exceed $500 billion. A stock exchange was

opened in 1997. Tourism is also a mainstay, accounting for about 70%

of GDP and 75% of foreign currency earnings. The tourist industry is

aimed at the luxury market and caters mainly to visitors from North

America. Total tourist arrivals exceeded 1.2 million in 1997, with

600,000 from the US. About 90% of the islands' food and consumer

goods must be imported. The Caymanians enjoy one of the highest

outputs per capita and one of the highest standards of living in the

world.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$1.391 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

1.7% (2002 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $32,300 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 1.4% industry: 3.2% services: 95.4% (1994 est.)

Labor force:

19,820 (1995)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 1.4%, industry 12.6%, services 86% (1995)

Unemployment rate:

4.1% (1997)

Population below poverty line:

NA (2002 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

2.8% (2002)

Budget:

revenues: $265.2 million

expenditures: $248.9 million, including capital expenditures of NA

(1997)

Agriculture - products:

vegetables, fruit; livestock, turtle farming

Industries:

tourism, banking, insurance and finance, construction, construction

materials, furniture

Industrial production growth rate:

NA%

Electricity - production:

410.8 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

382.1 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

2,400 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Exports:

$1.2 million (1999)

Exports - commodities:

turtle products, manufactured consumer goods

Exports - partners:

mostly US

Imports:

$457.4 million (1999)

Imports - commodities:

foodstuffs, manufactured goods

Imports - partners:

US, Trinidad and Tobago, UK, Netherlands Antilles, Japan

Debt - external:

$70 million (1996)

Economic aid - recipient:

NA

Currency (code):

Caymanian dollar (KYD)

Currency code:

KYD

Exchange rates:

Caymanian dollars per US dollar - 0.82 (29 October 2001), 0.83 (3

November 1995), 0.85 (22 November 1993)

Fiscal year:

1 April - 31 March

Communications Cayman Islands

Telephones - main lines in use:

38,000 (2002)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

17,000 (2002)

Telephone system:

general assessment: reasonably good system

domestic: liberalization of telecom market in 2003 reflected in

falling prices and improving services

international: country code - 1-345; 2 submarine fiber optic cables

(Maya-1, Cayman-Jamaica); satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat

(Atlantic Ocean)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 1, FM 4, shortwave 0 (2004)

Radios:

36,000 (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

4 with cable system (2004)

Televisions:

7,000 (1997)

Internet country code:

.ky

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

16 (2000)

Internet users:

9,909 (2003)

Transportation Cayman Islands

Highways: total: 785 km paved: 785 km (2000)

Ports and harbors:

Cayman Brac, George Town

Merchant marine:

total: 129 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 2,827,837 GRT/4,555,974 DWT

by type: bulk carrier 29, cargo 12, chemical tanker 39, liquefied

gas 1, petroleum tanker 17, refrigerated cargo 28, roll on/roll off 3

foreign-owned: 126 (Denmark 1, Germany 14, Greece 20, Italy 12,

Norway 1, Philippines 1, Sweden 13, Switzerland 11, United Kingdom

9, United States 44) (2005)

Airports:

3 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 2

1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Military Cayman Islands

Military branches:

no regular military forces; Royal Cayman Islands Police Force

Military - note:

defense is the responsibility of the UK

Transnational Issues Cayman Islands

Disputes - international:

none

Illicit drugs:

offshore financial center; vulnerable to drug transshipment to the

US and Europe

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Central African Republic

Introduction Central African Republic

Background:

The former French colony of Ubangi-Shari became the Central African

Republic upon independence in 1960. After three tumultuous decades

of misrule - mostly by military governments - civilian rule was

established in 1993 and lasted for one decade. President Ange-Felix

PATASSE's civilian government was plagued by unrest, and in March

2003 he was deposed in a military coup led by General Francois

BOZIZE, who has since established a transitional government. Though

the government has the tacit support of civil society groups and the

main parties, a wide field of affiliated and independent candidates

will contest the municipal, legislative, and presidential elections

scheduled for February 2005. The government still does not fully

control the countryside, where pockets of lawlessness persist.

Geography Central African Republic

Location:

Central Africa, north of Democratic Republic of the Congo

Geographic coordinates:

7 00 N, 21 00 E

Map references:

Africa

Area:

total: 622,984 sq km

land: 622,984 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly smaller than Texas

Land boundaries:

total: 5,203 km

border countries: Cameroon 797 km, Chad 1,197 km, Democratic

Republic of the Congo 1,577 km, Republic of the Congo 467 km, Sudan

1,165 km

Coastline:

0 km (landlocked)

Maritime claims:

none (landlocked)

Climate:

tropical; hot, dry winters; mild to hot, wet summers

Terrain:

vast, flat to rolling, monotonous plateau; scattered hills in

northeast and southwest

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Oubangui River 335 m

highest point: Mont Ngaoui 1,420 m

Natural resources:

diamonds, uranium, timber, gold, oil, hydropower

Land use:

arable land: 3.1%

permanent crops: 0.14%

other: 96.76% (2001)

Irrigated land:

NA sq km

Natural hazards:

hot, dry, dusty harmattan winds affect northern areas; floods are

common

Environment - current issues:

tap water is not potable; poaching has diminished the country's

reputation as one of the last great wildlife refuges;

desertification; deforestation

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered

Species, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 94

signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea

Geography - note:

landlocked; almost the precise center of Africa

People Central African Republic

Population:

3,799,897

note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the

effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower

life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower

population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of

population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July

2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 42.5% (male 813,596/female 802,728)

15-64 years: 54% (male 1,010,696/female 1,041,903)

65 years and over: 3.4% (male 54,345/female 76,629) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 18.12 years

male: 17.75 years

female: 18.5 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

1.49% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

35.17 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

20.27 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female

total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 91 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 97.84 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 83.96 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 43.39 years

male: 43.27 years

female: 43.52 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

4.5 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

13.5% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

260,000 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

23,000 (2003 est.)

Major infectious diseases:

degree of risk: very high

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and

typhoid fever

vectorborne disease: malaria

respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis (2004)

Nationality:

noun: Central African(s)

adjective: Central African

Ethnic groups:

Baya 33%, Banda 27%, Mandjia 13%, Sara 10%, Mboum 7%, M'Baka 4%,

Yakoma 4%, other 2%

Religions:

indigenous beliefs 35%, Protestant 25%, Roman Catholic 25%, Muslim

15%

note: animistic beliefs and practices strongly influence the

Christian majority

Languages:

French (official), Sangho (lingua franca and national language),

tribal languages

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 51%

male: 63.3%

female: 39.9% (2003 est.)

Government Central African Republic

Country name:

conventional long form: Central African Republic

conventional short form: none

local long form: Republique Centrafricaine

local short form: none

former: Ubangi-Shari, Central African Empire

abbreviation: CAR

Government type:

republic

Capital:

Bangui

Administrative divisions:

14 prefectures (prefectures, singular - prefecture), 2 economic

prefectures* (prefectures economiques, singular - prefecture

economique), and 1 commune**; Bamingui-Bangoran, Bangui**,

Basse-Kotto, Haute-Kotto, Haut-Mbomou, Kemo, Lobaye, Mambere-Kadei,

Mbomou, Nana-Grebizi*, Nana-Mambere, Ombella-Mpoko, Ouaka, Ouham,

Ouham-Pende, Sangha-Mbaere*, Vakaga

Independence:

13 August 1960 (from France)

National holiday:

Republic Day, 1 December (1958)

Constitution:

passed by referendum 5 December 2004

Legal system:

based on French law

Suffrage:

21 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Francois BOZIZE (since 15 March 2003 coup)

head of government: Prime Minister Elie DOTE (since 13 June 2005)

note - Celestin GAOMBALET resigned 11 June 2005

cabinet: Council of Ministers

elections: president elected to five year term with a two-term

limit; next presidential elections scheduled for 10 April 2005;

prime minister appointed by the political party with a parliamentary

majority

Legislative branch:

unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (109 seats;

members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms

elections: last held 22-23 November and 13 December 1998 (next to be

held 13 March 2005)

election results: percent of vote by party - MLPC 43%, RDC 18%, MDD

9%, FPP 6%, PSD 5%, ADP 4%, PUN 3%, FODEM 2%, PLD 2%, UPR 1%, FC 1%,

independents 6%; seats by party - MLPC 47, RDC 20, MDD 8, FPP 7, PSD

6, ADP 5, PUN 3, FODEM 2, PLD 2, UPR 1, FC 1, independents 7

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court or Cour Supreme; Constitutional Court (3 judges

appointed by the president, 3 by the president of the National

Assembly, and 3 by fellow judges); Court of Appeal; Criminal Courts;

Inferior Courts

Political parties and leaders:

Alliance for Democracy and Progress or ADP [Jacques MBOLIEDAS];

Central African Democratic Assembly or RDC [Andre KOLINGBA]; Civic

Forum or FC [Gen. Timothee MALENDOMA]; Democratic Forum for

Modernity or FODEM [Charles MASSI]; Liberal Democratic Party or PLD

[Nestor KOMBO-NAGUEMON]; Movement for Democracy and Development or

MDD [David DACKO]; Movement for the Liberation of the Central

African People or MLPC [the party of deposed president, Ange-Felix

PATASSE]; Patriotic Front for Progress or FPP [Abel GOUMBA];

People's Union for the Republic or UPR [Pierre Sammy MAKFOY];

National Unity Party or PUN [Jean-Paul NGOUPANDE]; Social Democratic

Party or PSD [Enoch LAKOUE]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

NA

International organization participation:

ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, BDEAC, CEMAC, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO,

ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC,

ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIC (observer), OPCW (signatory), UN, UNCTAD,

UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Emmanuel TOUABOY

chancery: 1618 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 483-7800

FAX: [1] (202) 332-9893

Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Charge d'Affaires James PANOS embassy: Avenue David Dacko, Bangui mailing address: B. P. 924, Bangui telephone: [236] 61 02 00 FAX: [236] 61 44 94 note: the embassy is currently operating with a minimal staff

Flag description:

four equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, green, and yellow

with a vertical red band in center; there is a yellow five-pointed

star on the hoist side of the blue band

Economy Central African Republic

Economy - overview:

Subsistence agriculture, together with forestry, remains the

backbone of the economy of the Central African Republic (CAR), with

more than 70% of the population living in outlying areas. The

agricultural sector generates half of GDP. Timber has accounted for

about 16% of export earnings and the diamond industry, for 54%.

Important constraints to economic development include the CAR's

landlocked position, a poor transportation system, a largely

unskilled work force, and a legacy of misdirected macroeconomic

policies. Factional fighting between the government and its

opponents remains a drag on economic revitalization, with GDP growth

at only 0.5% in 2004. Distribution of income is extraordinarily

unequal. Grants from France and the international community can only

partially meet humanitarian needs.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$4.248 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

0.5% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $1,100 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector:

agriculture: 55%

industry: 20%

services: 25% (2001 est.)

Labor force:

NA

Unemployment rate:

8% (23% for Bangui) (2001 est.)

Population below poverty line:

NA (1993)

Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 0.7% highest 10%: 47.7% (1993)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

61.3 (1993)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

3.6% (2001 est.)

Budget:

revenues: NA

expenditures: NA, including capital expenditures of NA

Agriculture - products:

cotton, coffee, tobacco, manioc (tapioca), yams, millet, corn,

bananas; timber

Industries:

gold and diamond mining, logging, brewing, textiles, footwear,

assembly of bicycles and motorcycles

Industrial production growth rate:

3% (2002)

Electricity - production:

106 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 19.8% hydro: 80.2% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

98.58 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

2,400 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Exports:

$172 million f.o.b. (2002 est.)

Exports - commodities:

diamonds, timber, cotton, coffee, tobacco

Exports - partners:

Belgium 39.2%, Italy 8.6%, Spain 7.9%, US 6.2%, France 6.1%,

Indonesia 5.8%, China 4.9% (2004)

Imports:

$136 million f.o.b. (2002 est.)

Imports - commodities:

food, textiles, petroleum products, machinery, electrical

equipment, motor vehicles, chemicals, pharmaceuticals

Imports - partners:

France 17.6%, US 16.3%, Cameroon 9.3%, Belgium 5% (2004)

Debt - external:

$881.4 million (2000 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:

ODA $73 million; note - traditional budget subsidies from France

(2000 est.)

Currency (code):

Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XAF); note - responsible

authority is the Bank of the Central African States

Currency code:

XAF

Exchange rates:

Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XAF) per US dollar - 528.29

(2004), 581.2 (2003), 696.99 (2002), 733.04 (2001), 711.98 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Central African Republic

Telephones - main lines in use:

9,000 (2002)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

13,000 (2003)

Telephone system:

general assessment: fair system

domestic: network consists principally of microwave radio relay and

low-capacity, low-powered radiotelephone communication

international: country code - 236; satellite earth station - 1

Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 1, FM 5, shortwave 1 (2002)

Radios:

283,000 (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

1 (2001)

Televisions:

18,000 (1997)

Internet country code:

.cf

Internet hosts:

6 (2002)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

1 (2002)

Internet users:

5,000 (2002)

Transportation Central African Republic

Highways: total: 23,810 km paved: 643 km unpaved: 23,167 km (1999 est.)

Waterways:

2,800 km (primarily on the Oubangui and Sangha rivers) (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Bangui, Nola, Salo, Nzinga

Airports:

50 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 3

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 47 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 10 914 to 1,523 m: 23 under 914 m: 13 (2004 est.)

Military Central African Republic

Military branches:

Central African Armed Forces (FACA): Ground Forces, Air Force;

General Directorate of Gendarmerie Inspection (DGIG), Republican

Guard (2004)

Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for voluntary and compulsory military service; conscript service obligation is two years (2005)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 18-49: 758,103 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: 330,255 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$15.5 million (2004)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

1% (2004)

Transnational Issues Central African Republic

Disputes - international:

about 30,000 refugees fleeing the 2002 civil conflict in the CAR

still reside in southern Chad; periodic skirmishes over water and

grazing rights among related pastoral populations along the border

with southern Sudan persist

Refugees and internally displaced persons:

refugees (country of origin): 36,479 (Sudan) 1,864 (Chad) 6,484

(Democratic Republic of the Congo)

IDPs: 200,000 (unrest following coup in 2003) (2004)

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Chad

Introduction Chad

Background:

Chad, part of France's African holdings until 1960, endured three

decades of civil warfare as well as invasions by Libya before a

semblance of peace was finally restored in 1990. The government

eventually suppressed or came to terms with most political-military

groups, settled a territorial dispute with Libya on terms favorable

to Chad, drafted a democratic constitution, and held multiparty

presidential elections in 1996 and 1997. In 1998, a new rebellion

broke out in northern Chad, which sporadically flares up despite two

peace agreements signed in 2002 and 2003 between the government and

the rebels. Despite movement toward democratic reform, power remains

in the hands of an ethnic minority.

Geography Chad

Location:

Central Africa, south of Libya

Geographic coordinates:

15 00 N, 19 00 E

Map references:

Africa

Area:

total: 1.284 million sq km

land: 1,259,200 sq km

water: 24,800 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly more than three times the size of California

Land boundaries:

total: 5,968 km

border countries: Cameroon 1,094 km, Central African Republic 1,197

km, Libya 1,055 km, Niger 1,175 km, Nigeria 87 km, Sudan 1,360 km

Coastline:

0 km (landlocked)

Maritime claims:

none (landlocked)

Climate:

tropical in south, desert in north

Terrain:

broad, arid plains in center, desert in north, mountains in

northwest, lowlands in south

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Djourab Depression 160 m

highest point: Emi Koussi 3,415 m

Natural resources:

petroleum, uranium, natron, kaolin, fish (Lake Chad), gold,

limestone, sand and gravel, salt

Land use: arable land: 2.86% permanent crops: 0.02% other: 97.12% (2001)

Irrigated land:

200 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

hot, dry, dusty harmattan winds occur in north; periodic droughts;

locust plagues

Environment - current issues:

inadequate supplies of potable water; improper waste disposal in

rural areas contributes to soil and water pollution; desertification

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered

Species, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping

Geography - note:

landlocked; Lake Chad is the most significant water body in the

Sahel

People Chad

Population:

9,826,419 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 47.9% (male 2,365,277/female 2,337,388)

15-64 years: 49.4% (male 2,323,110/female 2,528,086)

65 years and over: 2.8% (male 109,535/female 163,023) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 16.02 years

male: 15.32 years

female: 16.71 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

2.95% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

45.98 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

16.41 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

-0.11 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.67 male(s)/female

total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 93.82 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 103.03 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 84.24 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 47.18 years

male: 45.55 years

female: 48.87 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

6.32 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

4.8% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

200,000 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

18,000 (2003 est.)

Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne disease: malaria water contact disease: schistosomiasis respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis (2004)

Nationality: noun: Chadian(s) adjective: Chadian

Ethnic groups:

200 distinct groups; in the north and center: Arabs, Gorane

(Toubou, Daza, Kreda), Zaghawa, Kanembou, Ouaddai, Baguirmi,

Hadjerai, Fulbe, Kotoko, Hausa, Boulala, and Maba, most of whom are

Muslim; in the south: Sara (Ngambaye, Mbaye, Goulaye), Moundang,

Moussei, Massa, most of whom are Christian or animist; about 1,000

French citizens live in Chad

Religions:

Muslim 51%, Christian 35%, animist 7%, other 7%

Languages:

French (official), Arabic (official), Sara (in south), more than

120 different languages and dialects

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write French or Arabic

total population: 47.5%

male: 56%

female: 39.3% (2003 est.)

Government Chad

Country name:

conventional long form: Republic of Chad

conventional short form: Chad

local long form: Republique du Tchad

local short form: Tchad

Government type:

republic

Capital:

N'Djamena

Administrative divisions:

14 prefectures (prefectures, singular - prefecture); Batha,

Biltine, Borkou-Ennedi-Tibesti, Chari-Baguirmi, Guera, Kanem, Lac,

Logone Occidental, Logone Oriental, Mayo-Kebbi, Moyen-Chari,

Ouaddai, Salamat, Tandjile

note: instead of 14 prefectures, there may be a new administrative

structure of 28 departments (departments, singular - department),

and 1 city*; Assongha, Baguirmi, Bahr El Gazal, Bahr Koh, Batha

Oriental, Batha Occidental, Biltine, Borkou, Dababa, Ennedi, Guera,

Hadjer Lamis, Kabia, Kanem, Lac, Lac Iro, Logone Occidental, Logone

Oriental, Mandoul, Mayo-Boneye, Mayo-Dallah, Monts de Lam,

N'Djamena*, Ouaddai, Salamat, Sila, Tandjile Oriental, Tandjile

Occidental, Tibesti

Independence:

11 August 1960 (from France)

National holiday:

Independence Day, 11 August (1960)

Constitution:

passed by referendum 31 March 1996

Legal system:

based on French civil law system and Chadian customary law; has not

accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Lt. Gen. Idriss DEBY (since 4 December

1990)

head of government: Prime Minister Pascal YOADIMNADJI (since 3

February 2005)

cabinet: Council of State, members appointed by the president on the

recommendation of the prime minister

elections: president elected by popular vote to serve five-year

term; if no candidate receives at least 50% of the total vote, the

two candidates receiving the most votes must stand for a second

round of voting; last held 20 May 2001 (next to be held NA 2006);

prime minister appointed by the president

election results: Lt. Gen. Idriss DEBY reelected president; percent

of vote - Lt. Gen. Idriss DEBY 63%, Ngarlegy YORONGAR 16%, Saleh

KEBZABO 7%

Legislative branch:

bicameral according to constitution, consists of a National

Assembly (155 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve

four-year terms) and a Senate (not yet created and size unspecified,

members to serve six-year terms, one-third of membership renewable

every two years)

elections: National Assembly - last held 21 April 2002 (next to be

held in April 2006)

election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -

MPS 110, RDP 12, FAR 9, RNDP 5, URD 5, UNDR 3, others 11

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court; Court of Appeal; Criminal Courts; Magistrate Courts

Political parties and leaders:

Federation Action for the Republic or FAR [Ngarlejy YORONGAR];

National Rally for Development and Progress or RNDP [Mamadou BISSO];

National Union for Democracy and Renewal or UNDR [Saleh KEBZABO];

Patriotic Salvation Movement or MPS [Mahamat Saleh AHMAT, chairman];

Rally for Democracy and Progress or RDP [Lol Mahamat CHOUA]; Union

for Renewal and Democracy or URD [Gen. Wadal Abdelkader KAMOUGUE];

Viva Rally for Development and Progress or Viva RNDP [Delwa Kassire

COUMAKOYE]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

NA

International organization participation:

ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, BDEAC, CEMAC, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt

(signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF,

Interpol, IOC, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIC, ONUB, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,

UNIDO, UNOCI, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Mahamat Adam BECHIR

chancery: 2002 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20009

telephone: [1] (202) 462-4009

FAX: [1] (202) 265-1937

Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Marc WALL embassy: Avenue Felix Eboue, N'Djamena mailing address: B. P. 413, N'Djamena telephone: [235] (51) 70-09 FAX: [235] (51) 56-54

Flag description:

three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, and red;

similar to the flag of Romania; also similar to the flags of Andorra

and Moldova, both of which have a national coat of arms centered in

the yellow band; design was based on the flag of France

Economy Chad

Economy - overview:

Chad's primarily agricultural economy will continue to be boosted

by major oilfield and pipeline projects that began in 2000. Over 80%

of Chad's population relies on subsistence farming and livestock

raising for its livelihood. Cotton, cattle, and gum arabic provide

the bulk of Chad's export earnings; Chad began to export oil in

2004. Chad's economy has long been handicapped by its landlocked

position, high energy costs, and a history of instability. Chad

relies on foreign assistance and foreign capital for most public and

private sector investment projects. A consortium led by two US

companies has been investing $3.7 billion to develop oil reserves

estimated at 1 billion barrels in southern Chad. Oil production came

on stream in late 2003.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$15.66 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

38% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $1,600 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector:

agriculture: 22.6%

industry: 35.6%

services: 41.7% (2004 est.)

Labor force:

NA

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture more than 80% (subsistence farming, herding, and

fishing)

Unemployment rate:

NA

Population below poverty line:

80% (2001 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

8% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

24.7% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $1.131 billion

expenditures: $957.7 million, including capital expenditures of $146

million (2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

cotton, sorghum, millet, peanuts, rice, potatoes, manioc (tapioca);

cattle, sheep, goats, camels

Industries:

oil, cotton textiles, meatpacking, beer brewing, natron (sodium

carbonate), soap, cigarettes, construction materials

Industrial production growth rate:

5% (1995)

Electricity - production:

96.13 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

89.4 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

200,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Oil - consumption:

1,500 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Current account balance:

$330.2 million (2004 est.)

Exports:

$365 million f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Exports - commodities:

cotton, cattle, gum arabic

Exports - partners:

US 67.8%, China 21.5%, Portugal 4.3% (2004)

Imports:

$500.7 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

machinery and transportation equipment, industrial goods, petroleum

products, foodstuffs, textiles

Imports - partners:

France 21.9%, Cameroon 16.1%, US 10.8%, Portugal 10.4%, Germany

6.4%, Belgium 4.6% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$652.7 million (2004 est.)

Debt - external:

$1.1 billion (2000 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:

$238.3 million received; note - $125 million committed by Taiwan

(August 1997); $30 million committed by African Development Bank;

ODA $150 million (2001 est.)

Currency (code):

Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XAF); note - responsible

authority is the Bank of the Central African States

Currency code:

XAF

Exchange rates:

Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XAF) per US dollar - 528.29

(2004), 581.2 (2003), 696.99 (2002), 733.04 (2001), 711.98 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Chad

Telephones - main lines in use:

11,800 (2002)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

65,000 (2003)

Telephone system:

general assessment: primitive system

domestic: fair system of radiotelephone communication stations

international: country code - 235; satellite earth station - 1

Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 2, FM 4, shortwave 5 (2002)

Radios:

1.67 million (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

1 (2002)

Televisions:

10,000 (1997)

Internet country code:

.td

Internet hosts:

8 (2004)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

1 (2002)

Internet users:

15,000 (2002)

Transportation Chad

Highways: total: 33,400 km paved: 267 km unpaved: 33,133 km (1999 est.)

Waterways:

Chari and Legone rivers are navigable only in wet season (2002)

Pipelines:

oil 205 km (2004)

Airports:

50 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 7 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 44 1,524 to 2,437 m: 14 914 to 1,523 m: 20 under 914 m: 10 (2004 est.)

Military Chad

Military branches:

Chadian National Army (Armee Nationale Tchadienne, ANT), Air Force,

Gendarmerie (2004)

Military service age and obligation: 20 years of age for conscripts, with 3-year service obligation; 18 years of age for volunteers; no minimum age restriction for volunteers with consent from a guardian (2004)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 20-49: 1,559,382 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 20-49: 834,695 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:

males: 95,228 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$101.3 million (2004)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

2.1% (2004)

Transnational Issues Chad

Disputes - international:

since 2003, Janjawid armed militia and Sudanese military have

driven about 200,000 Darfur region refugees into eastern Chad; Chad

remains an important mediator in the Sudanese civil conflict;

Chadian Aozou rebels reside in southern Libya; only Nigeria and

Cameroon have heeded the Lake Chad Commission's admonition to ratify

the delimitation treaty which also includes Chad and Niger

Refugees and internally displaced persons:

refugees (country of origin): 200,000 (Sudan) 30,000 (Central

African Republic) (2004)

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Chile

Introduction Chile

Background:

Prior to the coming of the Spanish in the 16th century, northern

Chile was under Inca rule while Araucanian Indians inhabited central

and southern Chile; the latter were not completely subjugated until

the early 1880s. Although Chile declared its independence in 1810,

decisive victory over the Spanish was not achieved until 1818. In

the War of the Pacific (1879-84), Chile defeated Peru and Bolivia

and won its present northern lands. A three-year-old Marxist

government of Salvador ALLENDE was overthrown in 1973 by a

dictatorial military regime led by Augusto PINOCHET, who ruled until

a freely elected president was installed in 1990. Sound economic

policies, maintained consistently since the 1980s, have contributed

to steady growth and have helped secure the country's commitment to

democratic and representative government. Chile has increasingly

assumed regional and international leadership roles befitting its

status as a stable, democratic nation.

Geography Chile

Location:

Southern South America, bordering the South Pacific Ocean, between

Argentina and Peru

Geographic coordinates:

30 00 S, 71 00 W

Map references:

South America

Area:

total: 756,950 sq km

land: 748,800 sq km

water: 8,150 sq km

note: includes Easter Island (Isla de Pascua) and Isla Sala y Gomez

Area - comparative:

slightly smaller than twice the size of Montana

Land boundaries: total: 6,171 km border countries: Argentina 5,150 km, Bolivia 861 km, Peru 160 km

Coastline: 6,435 km

Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200/350 nm

Climate:

temperate; desert in north; Mediterranean in central region; cool

and damp in south

Terrain:

low coastal mountains; fertile central valley; rugged Andes in east

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

highest point: Nevado Ojos del Salado 6,880 m

Natural resources:

copper, timber, iron ore, nitrates, precious metals, molybdenum,

hydropower

Land use: arable land: 2.65% permanent crops: 0.42% other: 96.93% (2001)

Irrigated land:

18,000 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

severe earthquakes; active volcanism; tsunamis

Environment - current issues:

widespread deforestation and mining threaten natural resources; air

pollution from industrial and vehicle emissions; water pollution

from raw sewage

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living

Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate

Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered

Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the

Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution,

Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

strategic location relative to sea lanes between Atlantic and

Pacific Oceans (Strait of Magellan, Beagle Channel, Drake Passage);

Atacama Desert is one of world's driest regions

People Chile

Population:

15,980,912 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 25.2% (male 2,062,735/female 1,970,913)

15-64 years: 66.7% (male 5,320,870/female 5,342,771)

65 years and over: 8% (male 534,737/female 748,886) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 30.07 years

male: 29.17 years

female: 31.05 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

0.97% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

15.44 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

5.76 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female

total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 8.8 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 9.55 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 8.01 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 76.58 years

male: 73.3 years

female: 80.03 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

2.02 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

0.3% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

26,000 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

1,400 (2003 est.)

Nationality: noun: Chilean(s) adjective: Chilean

Ethnic groups:

white and white-Amerindian 95%, Amerindian 3%, other 2%

Religions:

Roman Catholic 89%, Protestant 11%, Jewish NEGL%

Languages:

Spanish

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 96.2%

male: 96.4%

female: 96.1% (2003 est.)

Government Chile

Country name:

conventional long form: Republic of Chile

conventional short form: Chile

local long form: Republica de Chile

local short form: Chile

Government type:

republic

Capital:

Santiago

Administrative divisions:

13 regions (regiones, singular - region); Aisen del General Carlos

Ibanez del Campo, Antofagasta, Araucania, Atacama, Bio-Bio,

Coquimbo, Libertador General Bernardo O'Higgins, Los Lagos,

Magallanes y de la Antartica Chilena, Maule, Region Metropolitana

(Santiago), Tarapaca, Valparaiso

note: the US does not recognize claims to Antarctica

Independence:

18 September 1810 (from Spain)

National holiday:

Independence Day, 18 September (1810)

Constitution:

11 September 1980, effective 11 March 1981; amended 30 July 1989,

1993, and 1997

Legal system:

based on Code of 1857 derived from Spanish law and subsequent codes

influenced by French and Austrian law; judicial review of

legislative acts in the Supreme Court; has not accepted compulsory

ICJ jurisdiction

note: Chile is in the process of completely overhauling its criminal

justice system; a new, US-style adversarial system is being

gradually implemented throughout the country with the final stage of

implementation in the Santiago metropolitan region expected in June

2005

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal and compulsory

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Ricardo LAGOS Escobar (since 11 March

2000); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of

government

head of government: President Ricardo LAGOS Escobar (since 11 March

2000); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of

government

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president

elections: president elected by popular vote for a six-year term;

election last held 12 December 1999, with runoff election held 16

January 2000 (next to be held December 2005)

election results: Ricardo LAGOS Escobar elected president; percent

of vote - Ricardo LAGOS Escobar 51.32%, Joaquin LAVIN 48.68%

Legislative branch:

bicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional consists of the

Senate or Senado (48 seats, 38 elected by popular vote, 9 designated

members, and 1 former president who has served a full six-year term

and is senator for life); elected members serve eight-year terms

(one-half elected every four years) and the Chamber of Deputies or

Camara de Diputados (120 seats; members are elected by popular vote

to serve four-year terms)

elections: Senate - last held 16 December 2001 (next to be held

December 2005); Chamber of Deputies - last held 16 December 2001

(next to be held December 2005)

election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by

party - CPD 20 (PDC 12, PS 5, PPD 3), APC 16 (UDI 9, RN 7),

independents 2; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party -

NA%; seats by party - CPD 62 (PDC 24, PPD 21, PS 11, PRSD 6), UDI

35, RN 22, independent 1

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (judges are appointed by the

president and ratified by the Senate from lists of candidates

provided by the court itself; the president of the Supreme Court is

elected by the 21-member court); Constitutional Tribunal

Political parties and leaders:

Alliance for Chile ("Alianza") or APC (including National Renewal

or RN [Sebastian PINERA] and Independent Democratic Union or UDI

[Pablo LONGUEIRA]); Coalition of Parties for Democracy

("Concertacion") or CPD (including Christian Democratic Party or PDC

[Adolfo ZALDIVAR], Socialist Party or PS [Gonzalo MARTNER], Party

for Democracy or PPD [Victor BARRUETO], Radical Social Democratic

Party or PRSD [Orlando CANTUARIAS]); Communist Party or PC [Gladys

MARIN]

Political pressure groups and leaders: revitalized university student federations at all major universities; Roman Catholic Church; United Labor Central or CUT includes trade unionists from the country's five largest labor confederations

International organization participation:

APEC, BIS, CSN, FAO, G-15, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt

(signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO,

Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur (associate),

MIGA, MINUSTAH, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,

UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIK, UNMOGIP, UNTSO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO,

WMO, WToO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Andres BIANCHI

chancery: 1732 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036

telephone: [1] (202) 785-1746

FAX: [1] (202) 887-5579

consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New

York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and San Juan (Puerto Rico)

Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Craig A. KELLY embassy: Avenida Andres Bello 2800, Las Condes, Santiago mailing address: APO AA 34033 telephone: [56] (2) 232-2600 FAX: [56] (2) 330-3710

Flag description:

two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red; there is a blue

square the same height as the white band at the hoist-side end of

the white band; the square bears a white five-pointed star in the

center representing a guide to progress and honor; blue symbolizes

the sky, white is for the snow-covered Andes, and red stands for the

blood spilled to achieve independence; design was influenced by the

US flag

Economy Chile

Economy - overview:

Chile has a market-oriented economy characterized by a high level

of foreign trade. During the early 1990s, Chile's reputation as a

role model for economic reform was strengthened when the democratic

government of Patricio AYLWIN - which took over from the military in

1990 - deepened the economic reform initiated by the military

government. Growth in real GDP averaged 8% during 1991-97, but fell

to half that level in 1998 because of tight monetary policies

implemented to keep the current account deficit in check and because

of lower export earnings - the latter a product of the global

financial crisis. A severe drought exacerbated the recession in

1999, reducing crop yields and causing hydroelectric shortfalls and

electricity rationing, and Chile experienced negative economic

growth for the first time in more than 15 years. Despite the effects

of the recession, Chile maintained its reputation for strong

financial institutions and sound policy that have given it the

strongest sovereign bond rating in South America. By the end of

1999, exports and economic activity had begun to recover, and growth

rebounded to 4.2% in 2000. Growth fell back to 3.1% in 2001 and 2.1%

in 2002, largely due to lackluster global growth and the devaluation

of the Argentine peso. Chile's economy began a slow recovery in

2003, growing 3.2% and accelerated to 5.8% in 2004. GDP growth

benefited from high copper prices, solid export earnings

(particularly forestry, fishing, and mining), and stepped-up foreign

direct investment. Unemployment, however, remains stubbornly high.

Chile deepened its longstanding commitment to trade liberalization

with the signing of a free trade agreement with the US, which took

effect on 1 January 2004.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$169.1 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

5.8% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $10,700 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 6.3% industry: 38.2% services: 55.5% (2004 est.)

Labor force:

6.2 million (2004 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 13.6%, industry 23.4%, services 63% (2003)

Unemployment rate:

8.5% (2004 est.)

Population below poverty line:

20.6% (2000)

Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.2% highest 10%: 47% (2000)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

57.1 (2000)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

2.4% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

23.9% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $21.53 billion

expenditures: $19.95 billion, including capital expenditures of

$3.33 billion (2004 est.)

Public debt:

12.8% of GDP (2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

grapes, apples, pears, onions, wheat, corn, oats, peaches, garlic,

asparagus, beans, beef, poultry, wool; fish; timber

Industries:

copper, other minerals, foodstuffs, fish processing, iron and

steel, wood and wood products, transport equipment, cement, textiles

Industrial production growth rate:

7.8% (2004 est.)

Electricity - production:

48.6 billion kWh (2004)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 47% hydro: 51.5% nuclear: 0% other: 1.4% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

41.8 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

1.813 billion kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

18,500 bbl/day (2003 est.)

Oil - consumption:

240,000 bbl/day (2003 est.)

Oil - exports:

0 bbl/day (2003)

Oil - imports:

221,500 bbl/day (2003 est.)

Oil - proved reserves:

150 million bbl (1 January 2004)

Natural gas - production:

1.18 billion cu m (2002 est.)

Natural gas - consumption:

6.517 billion cu m (2002 est.)

Natural gas - exports:

0 cu m (2002)

Natural gas - imports:

5.337 billion cu m (2002 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves:

99.05 billion cu m (1 January 2004)

Current account balance:

$2.185 billion (2004 est.)

Exports:

$29.2 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

copper, fruit, fish products, paper and pulp, chemicals, wine

Exports - partners:

US 14%, Japan 11.4%, China 9.9%, South Korea 5.5%, Netherlands

5.1%, Brazil 4.3%, Italy 4.1%, Mexico 4% (2004)

Imports:

$22.53 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

petroleum and petroleum products, chemicals, electrical and

telecommunications equipment, industrial machinery, vehicles,

natural gas

Imports - partners:

Argentina 17%, US 14%, Brazil 11.2%, China 7.4% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$16.02 billion (2004)

Debt - external:

$44.6 billion (2004 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:

ODA, $0 (2002)

Currency (code):

Chilean peso (CLP)

Currency code:

CLP

Exchange rates:

Chilean pesos per US dollar - 609.37 (2004), 691.43 (2003), 688.94

(2002), 634.94 (2001), 539.59 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Chile

Telephones - main lines in use:

3.467 million (2002)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

6,445,700 (2002)

Telephone system:

general assessment: modern system based on extensive microwave

radio relay facilities

domestic: extensive microwave radio relay links; domestic satellite

system with 3 earth stations

international: country code - 56; satellite earth stations - 2

Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 180 (eight inactive), FM 64, shortwave 17 (one inactive) (1998)

Radios:

5.18 million (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

63 (plus 121 repeaters) (1997)

Televisions:

3.15 million (1997)

Internet country code:

.cl

Internet hosts:

202,429 (2003)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

7 (2000)

Internet users:

3.575 million (2002)

Transportation Chile

Railways:

total: 6,585 km

broad gauge: 2,831 km 1.676-m gauge (1,317 km electrified)

narrow gauge: 3,754 km 1.000-m gauge (2004)

Highways:

total: 79,605 km

paved: 16,080 km (including 407 km of expressways)

unpaved: 63,525 km (2001)

Pipelines:

gas 2,583 km; gas/lpg 42 km; liquid petroleum gas 539 km; oil 1,003

km; refined products 757 km (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Antofagasta, Arica, Huasco, Iquique, Lirquen, San Antonio, San

Vicente, Valparaiso

Merchant marine:

total: 47 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 725,216 GRT/954,519 DWT

by type: bulk carrier 10, cargo 6, chemical tanker 9, container 1,

liquefied gas 3, passenger 3, passenger/cargo 2, petroleum tanker 8,

roll on/roll off 1, vehicle carrier 4

registered in other countries: 21 (2005)

Airports:

364 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 71

over 3,047 m: 6

2,438 to 3,047 m: 6

1,524 to 2,437 m: 21

914 to 1,523 m: 23

under 914 m: 15 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 293

over 3,047 m: 1

2,438 to 3,047 m: 4

1,524 to 2,437 m: 11

914 to 1,523 m: 60

under 914 m: 217 (2004 est.)

Military Chile

Military branches:

Army of the Nation, National Navy (includes naval air, Coast Guard,

and Marine Corps), Chilean Air Force, Chilean Carabineros (National

Police)

Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for compulsory military service; all citizens 18-45 are obligated to perform military service; conscript service obligation - 12 months for Army, 24 months for Navy and Air Force (2004)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 18-49: 3,815,761 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: 3,123,281 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:

males: 140,084 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$3.42 billion (2004)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

3.8% (2004)

Transnational Issues Chile

Disputes - international:

Chile rebuffs Bolivia's reactivated claim to restore the Atacama

corridor, ceded to Chile in 1884, offering instead unrestricted but

not sovereign maritime access through Chile to Bolivian gas and

other commodities; Peru proposes changing its latitudinal maritime

boundary with Chile to an equidistance line with a southwestern

axis; territorial claim in Antarctica (Chilean Antarctic Territory)

partially overlaps Argentine and British claims

Illicit drugs:

important transshipment country for cocaine destined for Europe and

the US; economic prosperity and increasing trade have made Chile

more attractive to traffickers seeking to launder drug profits,

especially through the Iquique Free Trade Zone, but a new

anti-money-laundering law improves controls; imported precursors

passed on to Bolivia; domestic cocaine consumption is rising

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@China

Introduction China

Background:

For centuries China stood as a leading civilization, outpacing the

rest of the world in the arts and sciences, but in the 19th and

early 20th centuries, the country was beset by civil unrest, major

famines, military defeats, and foreign occupation. After World War

II, the Communists under MAO Zedong established an autocratic

socialist system that, while ensuring China's sovereignty, imposed

strict controls over everyday life and cost the lives of tens of

millions of people. After 1978, his successor DENG Xiaoping and

other leaders focused on market-oriented economic development and by

2000 output had quadrupled. For much of the population, living

standards have improved dramatically and the room for personal

choice has expanded, yet political controls remain tight.

Geography China

Location:

Eastern Asia, bordering the East China Sea, Korea Bay, Yellow Sea,

and South China Sea, between North Korea and Vietnam

Geographic coordinates:

35 00 N, 105 00 E

Map references:

Asia

Area:

total: 9,596,960 sq km

land: 9,326,410 sq km

water: 270,550 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly smaller than the US

Land boundaries:

total: 22,117 km

border countries: Afghanistan 76 km, Bhutan 470 km, Burma 2,185 km,

India 3,380 km, Kazakhstan 1,533 km, North Korea 1,416 km,

Kyrgyzstan 858 km, Laos 423 km, Mongolia 4,677 km, Nepal 1,236 km,

Pakistan 523 km, Russia (northeast) 3,605 km, Russia (northwest) 40

km, Tajikistan 414 km, Vietnam 1,281 km

regional borders: Hong Kong 30 km, Macau 0.34 km

Coastline:

14,500 km

Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin

Climate:

extremely diverse; tropical in south to subarctic in north

Terrain:

mostly mountains, high plateaus, deserts in west; plains, deltas,

and hills in east

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Turpan Pendi -154 m

highest point: Mount Everest 8,850 m

Natural resources:

coal, iron ore, petroleum, natural gas, mercury, tin, tungsten,

antimony, manganese, molybdenum, vanadium, magnetite, aluminum,

lead, zinc, uranium, hydropower potential (world's largest)

Land use:

arable land: 15.4%

permanent crops: 1.25%

other: 83.35% (2001)

Irrigated land:

525,800 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

frequent typhoons (about five per year along southern and eastern

coasts); damaging floods; tsunamis; earthquakes; droughts; land

subsidence

Environment - current issues:

air pollution (greenhouse gases, sulfur dioxide particulates) from

reliance on coal produces acid rain; water shortages, particularly

in the north; water pollution from untreated wastes; deforestation;

estimated loss of one-fifth of agricultural land since 1949 to soil

erosion and economic development; desertification; trade in

endangered species

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty,

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol,

Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the

Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution,

Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

world's fourth largest country (after Russia, Canada, and US);

Mount Everest on the border with Nepal is the world's tallest peak

People China

Population:

1,306,313,812 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 21.4% (male 148,134,928/female 131,045,415)

15-64 years: 71% (male 477,182,072/female 450,664,933)

65 years and over: 7.6% (male 47,400,282/female 51,886,182) (2005

est.)

Median age: total: 32.26 years male: 31.87 years female: 32.67 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

0.58% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

13.14 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

6.94 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

-0.4 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.12 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.13 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.06 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.91 male(s)/female

total population: 1.06 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 24.18 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 21.21 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 27.5 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 72.27 years

male: 70.65 years

female: 74.09 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

1.72 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

0.1% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

840,000 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

44,000 (2003 est.)

Nationality:

noun: Chinese (singular and plural)

adjective: Chinese

Ethnic groups:

Han Chinese 91.9%, Zhuang, Uygur, Hui, Yi, Tibetan, Miao, Manchu,

Mongol, Buyi, Korean, and other nationalities 8.1%

Religions:

Daoist (Taoist), Buddhist, Muslim 1%-2%, Christian 3%-4%

note: officially atheist (2002 est.)

Languages:

Standard Chinese or Mandarin (Putonghua, based on the Beijing

dialect), Yue (Cantonese), Wu (Shanghaiese), Minbei (Fuzhou), Minnan

(Hokkien-Taiwanese), Xiang, Gan, Hakka dialects, minority languages

(see Ethnic groups entry)

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 90.9%

male: 95.1%

female: 86.5% (2002)

Government China

Country name:

conventional long form: People's Republic of China

conventional short form: China

local long form: Zhonghua Renmin Gongheguo

local short form: Zhong Guo

abbreviation: PRC

Government type:

Communist state

Capital:

Beijing

Administrative divisions:

23 provinces (sheng, singular and plural), 5 autonomous regions

(zizhiqu, singular and plural), and 4 municipalities (shi, singular

and plural)

: provinces: Anhui, Fujian, Gansu, Guangdong, Guizhou, Hainan,

Hebei, Heilongjiang, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Jilin,

Liaoning, Qinghai, Shaanxi, Shandong, Shanxi, Sichuan, Yunnan,

Zhejiang

: autonomous regions: Guangxi, Nei Mongol, Ningxia, Xinjiang, Xizang

(Tibet)

: municipalities: Beijing, Chongqing, Shanghai, Tianjin

note: China considers Taiwan its 23rd province; see separate entries

for the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau

Independence:

221 BC (unification under the Qin or Ch'in Dynasty); 1 January 1912

(Manchu Dynasty replaced by a Republic); 1 October 1949 (People's

Republic established)

National holiday:

Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China, 1

October (1949)

Constitution:

most recent promulgation 4 December 1982

Legal system:

a complex amalgam of custom and statute, largely criminal law;

rudimentary civil code in effect since 1 January 1987; new legal

codes in effect since 1 January 1980; continuing efforts are being

made to improve civil, administrative, criminal, and commercial law

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President HU Jintao (since 15 March 2003) and Vice

President ZENG Qinghong (since 15 March 2003)

head of government: Premier WEN Jiabao (since 16 March 2003); Vice

Premiers HUANG Ju (since 17 March 2003), WU Yi (17 March 2003), ZENG

Peiyan (since 17 March 2003), and HUI Liangyu (since 17 March 2003)

cabinet: State Council appointed by the National People's Congress

(NPC)

elections: president and vice president elected by the National

People's Congress for five-year terms; elections last held 15-17

March 2003 (next to be held mid-March 2008); premier nominated by

the president, confirmed by the National People's Congress

election results: HU Jintao elected president by the Tenth National

People's Congress with a total of 2,937 votes (four delegates voted

against him, four abstained, and 38 did not vote); ZENG Qinghong

elected vice president by the Tenth National People's Congress with

a total of 2,578 votes (177 delegates voted against him, 190

abstained, and 38 did not vote); two seats were vacant

Legislative branch:

unicameral National People's Congress or Quanguo Renmin Daibiao

Dahui (2,985 seats; members elected by municipal, regional, and

provincial people's congresses to serve five-year terms)

elections: last held December 2002-February 2003 (next to be held

late 2007-February 2008)

election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats - NA

Judicial branch:

Supreme People's Court (judges appointed by the National People's

Congress); Local Peoples Courts (comprise higher, intermediate and

local courts); Special Peoples Courts (primarily military, maritime,

and railway transport courts)

Political parties and leaders:

Chinese Communist Party or CCP [HU Jintao, General Secretary of the

Central Committee]; eight registered small parties controlled by CCP

Political pressure groups and leaders:

no substantial political opposition groups exist, although the

government has identified the Falungong spiritual movement and the

China Democracy Party as subversive groups

International organization participation:

AfDB, APEC, APT, ARF, AsDB, ASEAN (dialogue partner), BIS, CDB,

FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO,

ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, LAIA

(observer), MIGA, MONUC, NAM (observer), NSG, OAS (observer), ONUB,

OPCW, PCA, SCO, UN, UN Security Council, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO,

UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNMEE, UNMIL, UNMOVIC, UNOCI, UNTSO, UPU, WCO,

WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO, ZC

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador YANG Jiechi

chancery: 2300 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 328-2500

FAX: [1] (202) 328-2582

consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, and

San Francisco

consulate(s): Los Angeles

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Clark T. RANDT, Jr.

embassy: Xiu Shui Bei Jie 3, 100600 Beijing

mailing address: PSC 461, Box 50, FPO AP 96521-0002

telephone: [86] (10) 6532-3831

FAX: [86] (10) 6532-6929

consulate(s) general: Chengdu, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Shanghai,

Shenyang

Flag description:

red with a large yellow five-pointed star and four smaller yellow

five-pointed stars (arranged in a vertical arc toward the middle of

the flag) in the upper hoist-side corner

Economy China

Economy - overview: In late 1978 the Chinese leadership began moving the economy from a sluggish, inefficient, Soviet-style centrally planned economy to a more market-oriented system. Whereas the system operates within a political framework of strict Communist control, the economic influence of non-state organizations and individual citizens has been steadily increasing. The authorities switched to a system of household and village responsibility in agriculture in place of the old collectivization, increased the authority of local officials and plant managers in industry, permitted a wide variety of small-scale enterprises in services and light manufacturing, and opened the economy to increased foreign trade and investment. The result has been a quadrupling of GDP since 1978. Measured on a purchasing power parity (PPP) basis, China in 2004 stood as the second-largest economy in the world after the US, although in per capita terms the country is still poor. Agriculture and industry have posted major gains especially in coastal areas near Hong Kong and opposite Taiwan and in Shanghai, where foreign investment has helped spur output of both domestic and export goods. The leadership, however, often has experienced - as a result of its hybrid system - the worst results of socialism (bureaucracy and lassitude) and of capitalism (growing income disparities and rising unemployment). China thus has periodically backtracked, retightening central controls at intervals. The government has struggled to (a) sustain adequate jobs growth for tens of millions of workers laid off from state-owned enterprises, migrants, and new entrants to the work force; (b) reduce corruption and other economic crimes; and (c) keep afloat the large state-owned enterprises, many of which had been shielded from competition by subsidies and had been losing the ability to pay full wages and pensions. From 100 to 150 million surplus rural workers are adrift between the villages and the cities, many subsisting through part-time, low-paying jobs. Popular resistance, changes in central policy, and loss of authority by rural cadres have weakened China's population control program, which is essential to maintaining long-term growth in living standards. At the same time, one demographic consequence of the "one child" policy is that China is now one of the most rapidly aging countries in the world. Another long-term threat to growth is the deterioration in the environment - notably air pollution, soil erosion, and the steady fall of the water table especially in the north. China continues to lose arable land because of erosion and economic development. As part of its effort to gradually slow the rapid economic growth seen in 2004, Beijing says it will reduce somewhat its spending on infrastructure in 2005, while continuing to focus on poverty relief and through rural tax reform. Accession to the World Trade Organization helps strengthen its ability to maintain strong growth rates but at the same time puts additional pressure on the hybrid system of strong political controls and growing market influences. China has benefited from a huge expansion in computer Internet use, with 94 million users at the end of 2004. Foreign investment remains a strong element in China's remarkable economic growth. Shortages of electric power and raw materials may affect industrial output in 2005. More power generating capacity is scheduled to come on line in 2006. In its rivalry with India as an economic power, China has a lead in the absorption of technology, the rising prominence in world trade, and the alleviation of poverty; India has one important advantage in its relative mastery of the English language, but the number of competent Chinese English-speakers is growing rapidly.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$7.262 trillion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

9.1% (official data) (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $5,600 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 13.8% industry and construction: 52.9% services: 33.3% (2004 est.)

Labor force:

760.8 million (2003)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 49%, industry 22%, services 29% (2003 est.)

Unemployment rate:

9.8% in urban areas; substantial unemployment and underemployment

in rural areas; an official Chinese journal estimated overall

unemployment (including rural areas) for 2003 at 20% (2004 est.)

Population below poverty line:

10% (2001 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.4% highest 10%: 30.4% (1998)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

44 (2002)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

4.1% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

46% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $317.9 billion

expenditures: $348.9 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Public debt:

31.4% of GDP (2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

rice, wheat, potatoes, corn, peanuts, tea, millet, barley, apples,

cotton, oilseed, pork, fish

Industries:

mining and ore processing, iron, steel, aluminum, and other metals;

coal; machine building; armaments; textiles and apparel; petroleum;

cement; chemicals; fertilizers; consumer products, including

footwear, toys, and electronics; food processing; transportation

equipment, including automobiles, rail cars and locomotives, ships,

and aircraft; telecommunications equipment, commercial space launch

vehicles and satellites

Industrial production growth rate:

17.1% (2004 est.)

Electricity - production:

1.91 trillion kWh (2003)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 80.2% hydro: 18.5% nuclear: 1.2% other: 0.1% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

1.63 trillion kWh (2003)

Electricity - exports:

10.38 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

2.3 billion kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

3.392 million bbl/day (2003 est.)

Oil - consumption:

4.956 million bbl/day (2002 est.)

Oil - exports:

427,800 bbl/day (2002)

Oil - imports:

2.414 million bbl/day (2002)

Oil - proved reserves:

17.74 billion bbl (2004 est.)

Natural gas - production:

35 billion cu m (2003 est.)

Natural gas - consumption:

29.18 billion cu m (2002 est.)

Natural gas - exports:

0 cu m (2002 est.)

Natural gas - imports:

0 cu m (2002 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves:

2.23 trillion cu m (2004)

Current account balance:

$30.32 billion (2004 est.)

Exports:

$583.1 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

machinery and equipment, plastics, optical and medical equipment,

iron and steel

Exports - partners:

US 21.1%, Hong Kong 17%, Japan 12.4%, South Korea 4.7%, Germany 4%

(2004)

Imports:

$552.4 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

machinery and equipment, oil and mineral fuels, plastics, optical

and medical equipment, organic chemicals, iron and steel

Imports - partners:

Japan 16.8%, Taiwan 11.4%, South Korea 11.1%, US 8%, Germany 5.4%

(2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$609.9 billion (2004 est.)

Debt - external:

$233.3 billion (3rd quarter 2004 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:

NA

Currency (code):

yuan (CNY)

note:: also referred to as the Renminbi (RMB)

Currency code:

CNY

Exchange rates:

yuan per US dollar - 8.2768 (2004), 8.277 (2003), 8.277 (2002),

8.2771 (2001), 8.2785 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications China

Telephones - main lines in use:

263 million (2003)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

269 million (2003)

Telephone system:

general assessment: domestic and international services are

increasingly available for private use; unevenly distributed

domestic system serves principal cities, industrial centers, and

many towns

domestic: interprovincial fiber-optic trunk lines and cellular

telephone systems have been installed; a domestic satellite system

with 55 earth stations is in place

international: country code - 86; satellite earth stations - 5

Intelsat (4 Pacific Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean), 1 Intersputnik

(Indian Ocean region) and 1 Inmarsat (Pacific and Indian Ocean

regions); several international fiber-optic links to Japan, South

Korea, Hong Kong, Russia, and Germany (2000)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 369, FM 259, shortwave 45 (1998)

Radios:

417 million (1997)

Television broadcast stations: 3,240 (of which 209 are operated by China Central Television, 31 are provincial TV stations and nearly 3,000 are local city stations) (1997)

Televisions:

400 million (1997)

Internet country code:

.cn

Internet hosts:

160,421 (2003)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

3 (2000)

Internet users:

94 million (2004)

Transportation China

Railways:

total: 71,898 km

standard gauge: 71,898 km 1.435-m gauge (18,115 km electrified)

dual gauge: 23,945 km (multiple track not included in total) (2002)

Highways:

total: 1,765,222 km

paved: 395,410 km (with at least 25,130 km of expressways)

unpaved: 1,369,812 km (2002 est.)

Waterways:

121,557 km (2002)

Pipelines:

gas 15,890 km; oil 14,478 km; refined products 3,280 km (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Dalian, Guangzhou, Nanjing, Ningbo, Qingdao, Qinhuangdao, Shanghai

Merchant marine:

total: 1,649 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 18,724,653 GRT/27,749,784 DWT

by type: barge carrier 2, bulk carrier 362, cargo 696, chemical

tanker 38, combination ore/oil 1, container 135, liquefied gas 30,

passenger 7, passenger/cargo 81, petroleum tanker 246, refrigerated

cargo 30, roll on/roll off 11, vehicle carrier 10

foreign-owned: 9 (Hong Kong 4, Japan 2, South Korea 2, United States

1)

registered in other countries: 872 (2005)

Airports:

472 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 383

over 3,047 m: 53

2,438 to 3,047 m: 116

1,524 to 2,437 m: 141

914 to 1,523 m: 23

under 914 m: 50 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 89

over 3,047 m: 5

2,438 to 3,047 m: 4

1,524 to 2,437 m: 13

914 to 1,523 m: 32

under 914 m: 35 (2004 est.)

Heliports:

15 (2004 est.)

Military China

Military branches:

People's Liberation Army (PLA): Ground Forces, Navy (includes

marines and naval aviation), Air Force (includes Airborne Forces),

and II Artillery Corps (strategic missile force); People's Armed

Police Force (internal security troops considered to be an adjunct

to the PLA); Militia (2003)

Military service age and obligation: 18-22 years of age for compulsory military service, with 24-month service obligation; no minimum age for voluntary service; 17 years of age for women who meet requirements for specific military jobs (2004)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 18-49: 342,956,265 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: 281,240,272 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:

males: 13,186,433 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$67.49 billion (2004)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

4.3% (2004)

Transnational Issues China

Disputes - international:

in 2005, China and India initiate drafting principles to resolve

all aspects of their extensive boundary and territorial disputes

together with a security and foreign policy dialogue to consolidate

discussions related to the boundary, regional nuclear proliferation,

and other matters; recent talks and confidence-building measures

have begun to defuse tensions over Kashmir, site of the world's

largest and most militarized territorial dispute with portions under

the de facto administration of China (Aksai Chin), India (Jammu and

Kashmir), and Pakistan (Azad Kashmir and Northern Areas); India does

not recognize Pakistan's ceding historic Kashmir lands to China in

1964; about 90,000 ethnic Tibetan exiles reside primarily in India

as well as Nepal and Bhutan; China asserts sovereignty over the

Spratly Islands together with Malaysia, Philippines, Taiwan,

Vietnam, and possibly Brunei; the 2002 "Declaration on the Conduct

of Parties in the South China Sea" has eased tensions in the

Spratlys but is not the legally binding "code of conduct" sought by

some parties; in March 2005, the national oil companies of China,

the Philippines, and Vietnam signed a joint accord on marine seismic

activities in the Spratly Islands; China occupies some of the

Paracel Islands also claimed by Vietnam and Taiwan; China and Taiwan

have become more vocal in rejecting both Japan's claims to the

uninhabited islands of Senkaku-shoto (Diaoyu Tai) and Japan's

unilaterally declared exclusive economic zone in the East China Sea,

the site of intensive hydrocarbon prospecting; certain islands in

the Yalu and Tumen rivers are in an uncontested dispute with North

Korea and a section of boundary around Mount Paektu is considered

indefinite; China seeks to stem illegal migration of tens of

thousands of North Koreans; in 2004, China and Russia divided up the

islands in the Amur, Ussuri, and Argun Rivers, ending a century-old

border dispute; demarcation of the China-Vietnam boundary proceeds

slowly and although the maritime boundary delimitation and fisheries

agreements were ratified in June 2004, implementation has been

delayed; environmentalists in Burma and Thailand remain concerned

about China's construction of hydroelectric dams upstream on the

Nujiang/Salween River in Yunnan Province

Refugees and internally displaced persons:

refugees (country of origin): 299,287 (Vietnam) estimated

30,000-50,000 (North Korea) (2004)

Illicit drugs:

major transshipment point for heroin produced in the Golden

Triangle; growing domestic drug abuse problem; source country for

chemical precursors and methamphetamine

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Christmas Island

Introduction Christmas Island

Background:

Named in 1643 for the day of its discovery, the island was annexed

and settlement was begun by the UK in 1888. Phosphate mining began

in the 1890s. The UK transferred sovereignty to Australia in 1958.

Almost two-thirds of the island has been declared a national park.

Geography Christmas Island

Location:

Southeastern Asia, island in the Indian Ocean, south of Indonesia

Geographic coordinates:

10 30 S, 105 40 E

Map references:

Southeast Asia

Area:

total: 135 sq km

land: 135 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative:

about three-quarters the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries:

0 km

Coastline:

138.9 km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 12 nm

exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm

Climate:

tropical with a wet and dry season; heat and humidity moderated by

trade winds; wet season December to April

Terrain:

steep cliffs along coast rise abruptly to central plateau

Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Murray Hill 361 m

Natural resources:

phosphate, beaches

Land use:

arable land: 0%

permanent crops: 0%

other: 100%

note: mainly tropical rainforest; 63% of the island is a national

park (2001)

Irrigated land:

NA sq km

Natural hazards:

the narrow fringing reef surrounding the island can be a maritime

hazard

Environment - current issues:

NA

Geography - note:

located along major sea lanes of Indian Ocean

People Christmas Island

Population: 361 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA

Population growth rate:

0% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

NA

Death rate:

NA

Net migration rate:

NA

Sex ratio:

NA

Infant mortality rate:

total: NA

male: NA

female: NA

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: NA

male: NA

female: NA

Total fertility rate:

NA

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

NA

Nationality:

noun: Christmas Islander(s)

adjective: Christmas Island

Ethnic groups:

Chinese 70%, European 20%, Malay 10%

note: no indigenous population (2001)

Religions:

Buddhist 36%, Muslim 25%, Christian 18%, other 21% (1997)

Languages:

English (official), Chinese, Malay

Literacy:

NA

People - note:

the Australian Bureau of Statistics reports a population of 1,508

as of the 2001 Census

Government Christmas Island

Country name:

conventional long form: Territory of Christmas Island

conventional short form: Christmas Island

Dependency status:

territory of Australia; administered by the Australian Department

of Transport and Regional Services

Government type:

NA

Capital:

The Settlement

Administrative divisions:

none (territory of Australia)

Independence:

none (territory of Australia)

National holiday:

Australia Day, 26 January (1788)

Constitution:

Christmas Island Act of 1958-59 (1 October 1958)

Legal system:

under the authority of the governor general of Australia and

Australian law

Executive branch:

chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952),

represented by the Australian governor general

head of government: Administrator Evan WILLIAMS (since 1 November

2003)

elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; administrator appointed

by the governor general of Australia and represents the monarch and

Australia

Legislative branch:

unicameral Christmas Island Shire Council (9 seats; members elected

by popular vote to serve four-year terms)

elections: held every two years with half the members standing for

election; last held 3 May 2003 (next to be held in 2005)

election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats - independents 9

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court; District Court; Magistrate's Court

Political parties and leaders:

none

Political pressure groups and leaders:

none

International organization participation:

none

Diplomatic representation in the US:

none (territory of Australia)

Diplomatic representation from the US:

none (territory of Australia)

Flag description:

the flag of Australia is used; note - in early 1986, the Christmas

Island Assembly held a design competition for an island flag,

however, the winning design has never been formally adopted as the

official flag of the territory

Economy Christmas Island

Economy - overview:

Phosphate mining had been the only significant economic activity,

but in December 1987 the Australian Government closed the mine. In

1991, the mine was reopened. With the support of the government, a

$34 million casino opened in 1993. The casino closed in 1998. The

Australian Government in 2001 agreed to support the creation of a

commercial space-launching site on the island, projected to begin

operations in the near future

GDP (purchasing power parity):

NA

GDP - real growth rate:

NA

GDP - composition by sector:

agriculture: NA

industry: NA

services: NA

Labor force:

NA

Labor force - by occupation:

NA

Budget:

revenues: NA

expenditures: NA, including capital expenditures of NA

Agriculture - products:

NA

Industries:

tourism, phosphate extraction (near depletion)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: NA hydro: NA nuclear: NA other: NA

Exports:

NA

Exports - commodities:

phosphate

Exports - partners:

Australia, NZ

Imports:

NA

Imports - commodities:

consumer goods

Imports - partners:

principally Australia

Economic aid - recipient:

NA

Currency (code):

Australian dollar (AUD)

Currency code:

AUD

Exchange rates:

Australian dollars per US dollar - 1.3598 (2004), 1.5419 (2003),

1.8406 (2002), 1.9334 (2001), 1.7248 (2000)

Fiscal year:

1 July - 30 June

Communications Christmas Island

Telephones - main lines in use:

NA

Telephones - mobile cellular:

NA

Telephone system:

general assessment: service provided by the Australian network

domestic: GSM mobile telephone service replaced older analog system

in February 2005

international: country code - 61-891; satellite earth stations - one

Intelsat earth station provides telephone and telex service (2000)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0 (2004)

Radios:

1,000 (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

NA

Televisions:

600 (1997)

Internet country code:

.cx

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

2 (2000)

Internet users:

NA

Transportation Christmas Island

Highways: total: 240 km paved: 30 km unpaved: 210 km (2000)

Ports and harbors:

Flying Fish Cove

Airports:

1 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Military Christmas Island

Military - note: defense is the responsibility of Australia

Transnational Issues Christmas Island

Disputes - international: none

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Clipperton Island

Introduction Clipperton Island

Background:

This isolated island was named for John CLIPPERTON, a pirate who

made it his hideout early in the 18th century. Annexed by France in

1855, it was seized by Mexico in 1897. Arbitration eventually

awarded the island to France, which took possession in 1935.

Geography Clipperton Island

Location:

Middle America, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, 1,120 km

southwest of Mexico

Geographic coordinates:

10 17 N, 109 13 W

Map references:

Political Map of the World

Area:

total: 6 sq km

land: 6 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative:

about 12 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC

Land boundaries:

0 km

Coastline:

11.1 km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Climate:

tropical; humid, average temperature 20-32 degrees C, rains

May-October

Terrain:

coral atoll

Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Rocher Clipperton 29 m

Natural resources: fish

Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (all coral) (2001)

Irrigated land:

0 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

NA

Environment - current issues:

NA

Geography - note:

reef 12 km in circumference

People Clipperton Island

Population: uninhabited (July 2005 est.)

Government Clipperton Island

Country name:

conventional long form: none

conventional short form: Clipperton Island

local long form: none

local short form: Ile Clipperton

former: sometimes called Ile de la Passion

Dependency status:

possession of France; administered by France from French Polynesia

by a high commissioner of the Republic

Legal system:

the laws of France, where applicable, apply

Flag description:

the flag of France is used

Economy Clipperton Island

Economy - overview:

Although 115 species of fish have been identified in the

territorial waters of Clipperton Island, the only economic activity

is tuna fishing.

Transportation Clipperton Island

Ports and harbors: none; offshore anchorage only

Military Clipperton Island

Military - note: defense is the responsibility of France

Transnational Issues Clipperton Island

Disputes - international: none

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Cocos (Keeling) Islands

Introduction Cocos (Keeling) Islands

Background:

There are 27 coral islands in the group. Captain William KEELING

discovered the islands in 1609, but they remained uninhabited until

the 19th century. Annexed by the UK in 1857, they were transferred

to the Australian Government in 1955. The population on the two

inhabited islands generally is split between the ethnic Europeans on

West Island and the ethnic Malays on Home Island.

Geography Cocos (Keeling) Islands

Location:

Southeastern Asia, group of islands in the Indian Ocean, southwest

of Indonesia, about halfway from Australia to Sri Lanka

Geographic coordinates:

12 30 S, 96 50 E

Map references:

Southeast Asia

Area:

total: 14 sq km

land: 14 sq km

water: 0 sq km

note: includes the two main islands of West Island and Home Island

Area - comparative:

about 24 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC

Land boundaries:

0 km

Coastline:

26 km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm

Climate:

tropical with high humidity, moderated by the southeast trade winds

for about nine months of the year

Terrain:

flat, low-lying coral atolls

Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 5 m

Natural resources: fish

Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (2001)

Irrigated land:

NA sq km

Natural hazards:

cyclone season is October to April

Environment - current issues: fresh water resources are limited to rainwater accumulations in natural underground reservoirs

Geography - note: islands are thickly covered with coconut palms and other vegetation

People Cocos (Keeling) Islands

Population: 628 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA

Population growth rate:

0% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

NA

Death rate:

NA

Net migration rate:

NA

Infant mortality rate:

total: NA

male: NA

female: NA

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: NA

male: NA

female: NA

Total fertility rate:

NA

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

NA

Nationality:

noun: Cocos Islander(s)

adjective: Cocos Islander

Ethnic groups:

Europeans, Cocos Malays

Religions:

Sunni Muslim 80%, other 20% (2002 est.)

Languages:

Malay (Cocos dialect), English

Government Cocos (Keeling) Islands

Country name:

conventional long form: Territory of Cocos (Keeling) Islands

conventional short form: Cocos (Keeling) Islands

Dependency status:

territory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the

Australian Department of Transport and Regional Services

Government type:

NA

Capital:

West Island

Administrative divisions:

none (territory of Australia)

Independence:

none (territory of Australia)

National holiday:

Australia Day, 26 January (1788)

Constitution:

Cocos (Keeling) Islands Act of 1955 (23 November 1953)

Legal system:

based upon the laws of Australia and local laws

Suffrage:

NA

Executive branch:

chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952),

represented by the Australian governor general

head of government: Administrator (nonresident) Evan WILLIAMS (since

1 November 2003)

cabinet: NA

elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; administrator appointed

by the governor general of Australia and represents the monarch and

Australia

Legislative branch:

unicameral Cocos (Keeling) Islands Shire Council (7 seats)

elections: held every two years with half the members standing for

election; last held NA

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court; Magistrate's Court

Political parties and leaders:

none

Political pressure groups and leaders:

none

International organization participation:

none

Diplomatic representation in the US:

none (territory of Australia)

Diplomatic representation from the US:

none (territory of Australia)

Flag description:

the flag of Australia is used

Economy Cocos (Keeling) Islands

Economy - overview:

Grown throughout the islands, coconuts are the sole cash crop.

Small local gardens and fishing contribute to the food supply, but

additional food and most other necessities must be imported from

Australia. There is a small tourist industry.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

NA

GDP - real growth rate:

NA%

GDP - composition by sector:

agriculture: NA%

industry: NA%

services: NA%

Labor force:

NA

Labor force - by occupation: the Cocos Islands Cooperative Society Ltd. employs construction workers, stevedores, and lighterage workers; tourism employs others

Unemployment rate: 60% (2000 est.)

Budget: revenues: NA expenditures: NA

Agriculture - products:

vegetables, bananas, pawpaws, coconuts

Industries:

copra products and tourism

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: NA hydro: NA nuclear: NA other: NA

Exports:

NA

Exports - commodities:

copra

Exports - partners:

Australia

Imports:

NA

Imports - commodities:

foodstuffs

Imports - partners:

Australia

Economic aid - recipient:

NA

Currency (code):

Australian dollar (AUD)

Currency code:

AUD

Exchange rates:

Australian dollars per US dollar - 1.3598 (2004), 1.5419 (2003),

1.8406 (2002), 1.9334 (2001), 1.7248 (2000)

Fiscal year:

1 July - 30 June

Communications Cocos (Keeling) Islands

Telephones - main lines in use:

287 (1992)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

note - analog cellular service available

Telephone system:

general assessment: connected within Australia's telecommunication

system

domestic: NA

international: country code - 61-891; telephone, telex, and

facsimile communications with Australia and elsewhere via satellite;

1 satellite earth station of NA type (2002)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 0 (2004)

Radios:

300 (1992)

Television broadcast stations:

NA

Televisions:

NA

Internet country code:

.cc

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

2 (2000)

Internet users:

NA

Transportation Cocos (Keeling) Islands

Highways: total: 15 km paved: NA km unpaved: NA km (2003)

Ports and harbors:

Port Refuge

Airports:

1 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Military Cocos (Keeling) Islands

Military - note:

defense is the responsibility of Australia; the territory does have

a five-person police force

Transnational Issues Cocos (Keeling) Islands

Disputes - international: none

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Colombia

Introduction Colombia

Background:

Colombia was one of the three countries that emerged from the

collapse of Gran Colombia in 1830 (the others are Ecuador and

Venezuela). A 40-year insurgent campaign to overthrow the Colombian

Government escalated during the 1990s, undergirded in part by funds

from the drug trade. Although the violence is deadly and large

swaths of the countryside are under guerrilla influence, the

movement lacks the military strength or popular support necessary to

overthrow the government. An anti-insurgent army of paramilitaries

has grown to several thousand strong in recent years, challenging

the insurgents for control of territory and the drug trade, and also

the government's ability to exert its dominion over rural areas.

While Bogota steps up efforts to reassert government control

throughout the country, neighboring countries worry about the

violence spilling over their borders.

Geography Colombia

Location:

Northern South America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Panama

and Venezuela, and bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between

Ecuador and Panama

Geographic coordinates:

4 00 N, 72 00 W

Map references:

South America

Area:

total: 1,138,910 sq km

land: 1,038,700 sq km

water: 100,210 sq km

note: includes Isla de Malpelo, Roncador Cay, Serrana Bank, and

Serranilla Bank

Area - comparative:

slightly less than three times the size of Montana

Land boundaries:

total: 6,004 km

border countries: Brazil 1,643 km, Ecuador 590 km, Panama 225 km,

Peru 1,496 km (est.), Venezuela 2,050 km

Coastline:

3,208 km (Caribbean Sea 1,760 km, North Pacific Ocean 1,448 km)

Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

Climate:

tropical along coast and eastern plains; cooler in highlands

Terrain:

flat coastal lowlands, central highlands, high Andes Mountains,

eastern lowland plains

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

highest point: Pico Cristobal Colon 5,775 m

note: nearby Pico Simon Bolivar also has the same elevation

Natural resources:

petroleum, natural gas, coal, iron ore, nickel, gold, copper,

emeralds, hydropower

Land use: arable land: 2.42% permanent crops: 1.67% other: 95.91% (2001)

Irrigated land:

8,500 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

highlands subject to volcanic eruptions; occasional earthquakes;

periodic droughts

Environment - current issues: deforestation; soil and water quality damage from overuse of pesticides; air pollution, especially in Bogota, from vehicle emissions

Environment - international agreements: party to: Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea

Geography - note:

only South American country with coastlines on both the North

Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea

People Colombia

Population:

42,954,279 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 30.7% (male 6,670,950/female 6,516,371)

15-64 years: 64.2% (male 13,424,433/female 14,142,825)

65 years and over: 5.1% (male 968,127/female 1,231,573) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 26.04 years

male: 25.14 years

female: 26.93 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

1.49% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

20.82 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

5.59 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

-0.31 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.79 male(s)/female

total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 20.97 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 24.92 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 16.89 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 71.72 years

male: 67.88 years

female: 75.7 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

2.56 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

0.7% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

190,000 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

3,600 (2003 est.)

Nationality:

noun: Colombian(s)

adjective: Colombian

Ethnic groups:

mestizo 58%, white 20%, mulatto 14%, black 4%, mixed

black-Amerindian 3%, Amerindian 1%

Religions:

Roman Catholic 90%, other 10%

Languages:

Spanish

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 92.5%

male: 92.4%

female: 92.6% (2003 est.)

Government Colombia

Country name:

conventional long form: Republic of Colombia

conventional short form: Colombia

local long form: Republica de Colombia

local short form: Colombia

Government type:

republic; executive branch dominates government structure

Capital:

Bogota

Administrative divisions:

32 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento) and 1

capital district* (distrito capital); Amazonas, Antioquia, Arauca,

Atlantico, Distrito Capital de Bogota*, Bolivar, Boyaca, Caldas,

Caqueta, Casanare, Cauca, Cesar, Choco, Cordoba, Cundinamarca,

Guainia, Guaviare, Huila, La Guajira, Magdalena, Meta, Narino, Norte

de Santander, Putumayo, Quindio, Risaralda, San Andres y

Providencia, Santander, Sucre, Tolima, Valle del Cauca, Vaupes,

Vichada

Independence:

20 July 1810 (from Spain)

National holiday:

Independence Day, 20 July (1810)

Constitution:

5 July 1991

Legal system:

based on Spanish law; a new criminal code modeled after US

procedures was enacted into law in 2004; judicial review of

executive and legislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction,

with reservations

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Alvaro URIBE Velez (since 7 August 2002);

Vice President Francisco SANTOS (since 7 August 2002); note - the

president is both the chief of state and head of government

head of government: President Alvaro URIBE Velez (since 7 August

2002); Vice President Francisco SANTOS (since 7 August 2002); note -

the president is both the chief of state and head of government

cabinet: Cabinet consists of a coalition of the two dominant parties

- the PL and PSC - and independents

elections: president and vice president elected by popular vote for

a four-year term; election last held 26 May 2002 (next to be held

May 2006)

election results: President Alvaro URIBE Velez received 53% of the

vote; Vice President Francisco SANTOS was elected on the same ticket

Legislative branch:

bicameral Congress or Congreso consists of the Senate or Senado

(102 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year

terms) and the House of Representatives or Camara de Representantes

(166 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year

terms)

elections: Senate - last held 10 March 2002 (next to be held March

2006); House of Representatives - last held 10 March 2002 (next to

be held March 2006)

election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by

party - PL 28, PSC 13, independents and smaller parties (many

aligned with conservatives) 61; House of Representatives - percent

of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - PL 54, PSC 21, independents

and other parties 91

Judicial branch:

four roughly coequal, supreme judicial organs; Supreme Court of

Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia (highest court of criminal law;

judges are selected by their peers from the nominees of the Superior

Judicial Council for eight-year terms); Council of State (highest

court of administrative law; judges are selected from the nominees

of the Superior Judicial Council for eight-year terms);

Constitutional Court (guards integrity and supremacy of the

constitution; rules on constitutionality of laws, amendments to the

constitution, and international treaties); Superior Judicial Council

(administers and disciplines the civilian judiciary; resolves

jurisdictional conflicts arising between other courts; members are

elected by three sister courts and Congress for eight-year terms)

Political parties and leaders:

Colombian Communist Party or PCC [Jaime CAICEDO]; Conservative

Party or PSC [Carlos HOLGUIN Sardi]; Democratic Pole or PDI [Samuel

MORENO Rojas]; Liberal Party or PL [Juan Fernando CRISTO]

note: Colombia has about 60 formally recognized political parties,

most of which do not have a presence in either house of Congress

Political pressure groups and leaders:

two largest insurgent groups active in Colombia - Revolutionary

Armed Forces of Colombia or FARC and National Liberation Army or

ELN; largest anti-insurgent paramilitary group is United

Self-Defense Groups of Colombia or AUC

International organization participation:

BCIE, CAN, CDB, CSN, FAO, G-3, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO,

ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO,

Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur (associate),

MIGA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR,

UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Luis Alberto MORENO Mejia chancery: 2118 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 387-8338 FAX: [1] (202) 232-8643 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Beverly Hills, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Miami, New Orleans, New York, San Francisco, San Juan (Puerto Rico), and Washington, DC

Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador William B. WOOD embassy: Calle 22D-BIS, numbers 47-51, Apartado Aereo 3831 mailing address: Carrera 45 #22D-45, Bogota, D.C., APO AA 34038 telephone: [57] (1) 315-0811 FAX: [57] (1) 315-2197

Flag description:

three horizontal bands of yellow (top, double-width), blue, and

red; similar to the flag of Ecuador, which is longer and bears the

Ecuadorian coat of arms superimposed in the center

Economy Colombia

Economy - overview:

Colombia's economy has been on a recovery trend during the past two

years despite a serious armed conflict. The economy continues to

improve thanks to austere government budgets, focused efforts to

reduce public debt levels, and an export-oriented growth focus.

Ongoing economic problems facing President URIBE range from

reforming the pension system to reducing high unemployment. New

exploration is needed to offset declining oil production. On the

positive side, several international financial institutions have

praised the economic reforms introduced by URIBE, which include

measures designed to reduce the public-sector deficit below 2.5% of

GDP. The government's economic policy and democratic security

strategy have engendered a growing sense of confidence in the

economy, particularly within the business sector. Coffee prices have

recovered from previous lows as the Colombian coffee industry

pursues greater market shares in developed countries such as the

United States.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$281.1 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

3.6% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $6,600 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 13.4% industry: 32.1% services: 54.5% (2004 est.)

Labor force:

20.7 million (2004 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 30%, industry 24%, services 46% (1990)

Unemployment rate:

13.6% (2004 est.)

Population below poverty line:

55% (2001)

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: 1%

highest 10%: 44% (1999)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

57.1 (1996)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

5.9% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

15.8% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $15.33 billion

expenditures: $21.03 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Public debt:

51.8% of GDP (2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

coffee, cut flowers, bananas, rice, tobacco, corn, sugarcane, cocoa

beans, oilseed, vegetables; forest products; shrimp

Industries:

textiles, food processing, oil, clothing and footwear, beverages,

chemicals, cement; gold, coal, emeralds

Industrial production growth rate:

4% (2004 est.)

Electricity - production:

44.87 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 26% hydro: 72.7% nuclear: 0% other: 1.3% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

41.14 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

618 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

23 million kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

531,100 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Oil - consumption:

252,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Oil - proved reserves:

1.7 billion bbl (2004 est.)

Natural gas - production:

5.7 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - consumption:

5.7 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - exports:

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - imports:

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves:

132 billion cu m (2004)

Current account balance:

$-1.706 billion (2004 est.)

Exports:

$15.5 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

petroleum, coffee, coal, apparel, bananas, cut flowers

Exports - partners:

US 42.1%, Venezuela 9.7%, Ecuador 6% (2004)

Imports:

$15.34 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

industrial equipment, transportation equipment, consumer goods,

chemicals, paper products, fuels, electricity

Imports - partners:

US 29.1%, Venezuela 6.5%, China 6.4%, Mexico 6.2%, Brazil 5.8%

(2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$11.94 billion (2004 est.)

Debt - external:

$38.7 billion (2004 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:

NA

Currency (code):

Colombian peso (COP)

Currency code:

COP

Exchange rates:

Colombian pesos per US dollar - 2,628.61 (2004), 2,877.65 (2003),

2,504.24 (2002), 2,299.63 (2001), 2,087.9 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Colombia

Telephones - main lines in use:

8,768,100 (2003)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

6,186,200 (2003)

Telephone system:

general assessment: modern system in many respects

domestic: nationwide microwave radio relay system; domestic

satellite system with 41 earth stations; fiber-optic network linking

50 cities

international: country code - 57; satellite earth stations - 6

Intelsat, 1 Inmarsat; 3 fully digitalized international switching

centers; 8 submarine cables

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 454, FM 34, shortwave 27 (1999)

Radios:

21 million (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

60 (includes seven low-power stations) (1997)

Televisions:

4.59 million (1997)

Internet country code:

.co

Internet hosts:

115,158 (2003)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

18 (2000)

Internet users:

2,732,200 (2003)

Transportation Colombia

Railways:

total: 3,304 km

standard gauge: 150 km 1.435-m gauge

narrow gauge: 3,154 km 0.914-m gauge (2004)

Highways:

total: 112,998 km

paved: 26,000 km

unpaved: 84,000 km (2000)

Waterways:

9,187 km (2004)

Pipelines:

gas 4,360 km; oil 6,134 km; refined products 3,140 km (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Barranquilla, Buenaventura, Cartagena, Muelles El Bosque, Puerto

Bolivar, Santa Marta, Turbo

Merchant marine:

total: 15 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 35,427 GRT/46,301 DWT

by type: bulk carrier 1, cargo 11, liquefied gas 1, petroleum tanker

2

registered in other countries: 7 (2005)

Airports:

980 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 101 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 9 1,524 to 2,437 m: 39 914 to 1,523 m: 39 under 914 m: 12 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 879 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 34 914 to 1,523 m: 272 under 914 m: 572 (2004 est.)

Heliports: 1 (2004 est.)

Military Colombia

Military branches:

Army (Ejercito Nacional), Navy (Armada Nacional, includes Naval

Aviation, Marines, and Coast Guard), Air Force (Fuerza Aerea

Colombiana)

Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service; conscript service obligation - 24 months (2004)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 18-49: 10,212,456 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: 6,986,228 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:

males: 389,735 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$3.3 billion (FY01)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

3.4% (FY01)

Transnational Issues Colombia

Disputes - international:

Nicaragua filed a claim against Honduras in 1999 and against

Colombia in 2001 at the ICJ over disputed maritime boundary

involving 50,000 sq km in the Caribbean Sea, including the

Archipelago de San Andres y Providencia and Quita Sueno Bank;

dispute with Venezuela over maritime boundary and Los Monjes Islands

near the Gulf of Venezuela; Colombian-organized illegal narcotics,

guerrilla, and paramilitary activities penetrate all of its

neighbors' borders and have created a serious refugee crisis with

over 300,000 persons having fled the country, mostly into

neighboring states

Refugees and internally displaced persons:

IDPs: 2,730,000 - 3,100,000 (conflict between government and FARC;

drug wars) (2004)

Illicit drugs:

illicit producer of coca, opium poppy, and cannabis; world's

leading coca cultivator (cultivation of coca in 2002 was 144,450

hectares, a 15% decline since 2001); potential production of opium

between 2001 and 2002 declined by 25% to 91 metric tons; potential

production of heroin declined to 11.3 metric tons; the world's

largest processor of coca derivatives into cocaine; supplier of

about 90% of the cocaine to the US market and the great majority of

cocaine to other international drug markets; important supplier of

heroin to the US market; active aerial eradication program; a

significant portion of non-US narcotics proceeds are either

laundered or invested in Colombia through the black market peso

exchange

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Comoros

Introduction Comoros

Background:

Unstable Comoros has endured 19 coups or attempted coups since

gaining independence from France in 1975. In 1997, the islands of

Anjouan and Moheli declared their independence from Comoros. In

1999, military chief Col. AZALI seized power. He pledged to resolve

the secessionist crisis through a confederal arrangement named the

2000 Fomboni Accord. In December 2001, voters approved a new

constitution and presidential elections took place in the spring of

2002. Each island in the archipelago elected its own president and a

new union president took office in May of 2002.

Geography Comoros

Location:

Southern Africa, group of islands at the northern mouth of the

Mozambique Channel, about two-thirds of the way between northern

Madagascar and northern Mozambique

Geographic coordinates:

12 10 S, 44 15 E

Map references:

Africa

Area:

total: 2,170 sq km

land: 2,170 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly more than 12 times the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries:

0 km

Coastline:

340 km

Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Climate:

tropical marine; rainy season (November to May)

Terrain:

volcanic islands, interiors vary from steep mountains to low hills

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m

highest point: Le Kartala 2,360 m

Natural resources:

NEGL

Land use:

arable land: 35.87%

permanent crops: 23.32%

other: 40.81% (2001)

Irrigated land:

NA sq km

Natural hazards:

cyclones possible during rainy season (December to April); Le

Kartala on Grand Comore is an active volcano

Environment - current issues:

soil degradation and erosion results from crop cultivation on

slopes without proper terracing; deforestation

Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note: important location at northern end of Mozambique Channel

People Comoros

Population:

671,247 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 42.8% (male 144,075/female 143,175)

15-64 years: 54.2% (male 179,541/female 184,488)

65 years and over: 3% (male 9,407/female 10,561) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 18.61 years

male: 18.35 years

female: 18.87 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

2.91% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

37.52 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

8.4 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.89 male(s)/female

total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 74.93 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 83.48 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 66.13 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 61.96 years

male: 59.65 years

female: 64.33 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

5.09 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

0.12% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

NA

Nationality:

noun: Comoran(s)

adjective: Comoran

Ethnic groups:

Antalote, Cafre, Makoa, Oimatsaha, Sakalava

Religions:

Sunni Muslim 98%, Roman Catholic 2%

Languages:

Arabic (official), French (official), Shikomoro (a blend of Swahili

and Arabic)

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 56.5%

male: 63.6%

female: 49.3% (2003 est.)

Government Comoros

Country name:

conventional long form: Union of the Comoros

conventional short form: Comoros

local long form: Union des Comores

local short form: Comores

Government type:

independent republic

Capital:

Moroni

Administrative divisions:

3 islands; Grande Comore (Njazidja), Anjouan (Nzwani), and Moheli

(Mwali); note - there are also four municipalities named Domoni,

Fomboni, Moroni, and Moutsamoudou

Independence:

6 July 1975 (from France)

National holiday:

Independence Day, 6 July (1975)

Constitution:

23 December 2001

Legal system:

French and Sharia (Islamic) law in a new consolidated code

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President AZALI Assoumani (since 26 May 2002); note

- following a 1999 coup AZALI was appointed president; in January

2002 he resigned his position to run in the 14 April 2002

presidential elections; Prime Minister Hamada Madi BOLERO was

appointed interim president until replaced again by AZALI in May

2002 when BOLERO was appointed Minister of External Defense and

Territorial Security; the president is both the chief of state and

the head of government

head of government: President AZALI Assoumani (since 26 May 2002);

note - following a 1999 coup AZALI was appointed president; in

January 2002 he resigned his position to run in the 14 April 2002

presidential elections; Prime Minister Hamada Madi BOLERO was

appointed interim president until replaced again by AZALI in May

2002 when BOLERO was appointed Minister of External Defense and

Territorial Security; the president is both the chief of state and

the head of government

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president

elections: as defined by the 2001 constitution, the presidency

rotates every four years among the elected presidents from the three

main islands in the Union; election last held 14 April 2002 (next to

be held April 2007); prime minister appointed by the president; note

- AZALI has not appointed a Prime Minister since he was sworn into

office in May 2002

election results: President AZALI Assoumani elected president with

75% of the vote

Legislative branch:

unicameral Assembly of the Union (33 seats; 15 deputies are

selected by the individual islands' local assemblies and the 18 by

universal suffrage; deputies serve for five years);

elections: last held 18 and 25 April 2004 (next to be held NA 2009)

election results: NA

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court or Cour Supremes (two members appointed by the

president, two members elected by the Federal Assembly, one elected

by the Council of each island, and others are former presidents of

the republic)

Political parties and leaders:

Forces pour l'Action Republicaine or FAR [Col. Abdourazak

ABDULHAMID]; Forum pour la Redressement National or FRN (alliance of

12 parties); Front Democratique or FD [Moustoifa Said CHEIKH]; Front

National pour la Justice or FNJ (Islamic party in opposition) [Ahmed

RACHID]; Movement des Citoyens pour la Republique or MCR [Mahamoud

MRADABI]; Mouvement Populaire Anjouanais or MPA (Anjouan separatist

movement) [leader NA]; Mouvement pour la Democratie et le Progress

or MDP-NGDC [Abbas DJOUSSOUF]; Movement pour le Socialisme et la

Democratie or MSD (splinter group of FD) [Abdou SOEFOU]; Parti

Comorien pour la Democratie et le Progress or PCDP [Ali MROUDJAE];

Rassemblement National pour le Development or RND (party of the

government) [Omar TAMOU, Abdoulhamid AFFRAITANE]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

NA

International organization participation:

ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AMF, AU, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt

(signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS (observer), ILO, IMF,

IMO, InOC, Interpol, IOC, ITU, LAS, NAM, OIC, OPCW (signatory), UN,

UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WMO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Mahmoud M. ABOUD (ambassador to the US

and Canada and permanent representative to the UN)

chancery: (temporary) care of the Permanent Mission of the Union of

the Comoros to the United Nations, 420 East 50th Street, New York,

NY 10022

telephone: [1] (212) 972-8010 and 223-2711

FAX: [1] (212) 983-4712 and 715-0699

Diplomatic representation from the US:

the US does not have an embassy in Comoros; the ambassador to

Mauritius is accredited to Comoros

Flag description:

four equal horizontal bands of yellow (top), white, red, and blue

with a green isosceles triangle based on the hoist; centered within

the triangle is a white crescent with the convex side facing the

hoist and four white, five-pointed stars placed vertically in a line

between the points of the crescent; the horizontal bands and the

four stars represent the four main islands of the archipelago -

Mwali, Njazidja, Nzwani, and Mayotte (a territorial collectivity of

France, but claimed by Comoros); the crescent, stars, and color

green are traditional symbols of Islam

Economy Comoros

Economy - overview:

One of the world's poorest countries, Comoros is made up of three

islands that have inadequate transportation links, a young and

rapidly increasing population, and few natural resources. The low

educational level of the labor force contributes to a subsistence

level of economic activity, high unemployment, and a heavy

dependence on foreign grants and technical assistance. Agriculture,

including fishing, hunting, and forestry, contributes 40% to GDP,

employs 80% of the labor force, and provides most of the exports.

The country is not self-sufficient in food production; rice, the

main staple, accounts for the bulk of imports. The government -

which is hampered by internal political disputes - is struggling to

upgrade education and technical training, privatize commercial and

industrial enterprises, improve health services, diversify exports,

promote tourism, and reduce the high population growth rate.

Increased foreign support is essential if the goal of 4% annual GDP

growth is to be met. Remittances from 150,000 Comorans abroad help

supplement GDP.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$441 million (2002 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

2% (2002 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $700 (2002 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 40% industry: 4% services: 56% (2001 est.)

Labor force:

144,500 (1996 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 80%

Unemployment rate:

20% (1996 est.)

Population below poverty line:

60% (2002 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

3.5% (2001 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $27.6 million

expenditures: NA, including capital expenditures of NA (2001 est.)

Agriculture - products:

vanilla, cloves, perfume essences, copra, coconuts, bananas,

cassava (tapioca)

Industries:

tourism, perfume distillation

Industrial production growth rate:

-2% (1999 est.)

Electricity - production:

23.84 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 90.6% hydro: 9.4% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

22.17 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

700 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Exports:

$28 million f.o.b. (2002 est.)

Exports - commodities:

vanilla, ylang-ylang, cloves, perfume oil, copra

Exports - partners:

US 43.8%, France 18.6%, Singapore 16.5%, Turkey 4.8%, Germany 4.5%

(2004)

Imports:

$88 million f.o.b. (2002 est.)

Imports - commodities:

rice and other foodstuffs, consumer goods; petroleum products,

cement, transport equipment

Imports - partners:

France 23.5%, South Africa 11.1%, Kenya 7.5%, UAE 7.2%, Italy 4.9%,

Pakistan 4.7%, Mauritius 4.2%, Singapore 4.1% (2004)

Debt - external:

$232 million (2000 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:

$10 million (2001 est.)

Currency (code):

Comoran franc (KMF)

Currency code:

KMF

Exchange rates:

Comoran francs (KMF) per US dollar - 396.21 (2004), 435.9 (2003),

522.74 (2002), 549.78 (2001), 533.98 (2000)

note: the Comoran franc is pegged to the euro at a rate of 491.9677

Comoran francs per euro

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Comoros

Telephones - main lines in use:

13,200 (2003)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

2,000 (2003)

Telephone system:

general assessment: sparse system of microwave radio relay and HF

radiotelephone communication stations

domestic: HF radiotelephone communications and microwave radio relay

international: country code - 269; HF radiotelephone communications

to Madagascar and Reunion

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 1, FM 4, shortwave 1 (2001)

Radios:

90,000 (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

NA

Televisions:

1,000 (1997)

Internet country code:

.km

Internet hosts:

11 (2003)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

1 (2000)

Internet users:

5,000 (2003)

Transportation Comoros

Highways: total: 880 km paved: 673 km unpaved: 207 km (1999 est)

Ports and harbors:

Mayotte, Moutsamoudou

Merchant marine:

total: 79 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 452,801 GRT/681,343 DWT

by type: bulk carrier 9, cargo 55, chemical tanker 1, container 1,

livestock carrier 1, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 5,

refrigerated cargo 5, roll on/roll off 1

foreign-owned: 35 (Bulgaria 1, Germany 1, Greece 7, India 1, Jordan

1, Kenya 1, Lebanon 3, Nigeria 1, Norway 1, Pakistan 1, Philippines

1, Russia 2, Syria 3, Turkey 6, Ukraine 4, United Kingdom 1) (2005)

Airports:

4 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 4

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 3 (2004 est.)

Military Comoros

Military branches:

Comoran Security Force

Manpower available for military service:

males age 18-49: 138,940 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: 98,792 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$11.6 million (2004)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

3% (2004)

Transnational Issues Comoros

Disputes - international: claims French-administered Mayotte

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Congo, Democratic Republic of the

Introduction Congo, Democratic Republic of the

Background:

Established as a Belgian colony in 1908, the Republic of the Congo

gained its independence in 1960, but its early years were marred by

political and social instability. Col. Joseph MOBUTU seized power

and declared himself president in a November 1965 coup. He

subsequently changed his name - to MOBUTU Sese Seko - as well as

that of the country - to Zaire. MOBUTU retained his position for 32

years through several subsequent sham elections as well as through

the use of brutal force. Ethnic strife and civil war, touched off by

a massive inflow of refugees in 1994 from fighting in Rwanda and

Burundi, led in May 1997 to the toppling of the MOBUTU regime by a

rebellion led by Laurent KABILA. He renamed the country the

Democratic Republic of the Congo (DROC), but in August 1998 his

regime was itself challenged by an insurrection backed by Rwanda and

Uganda. Troops from Zimbabwe, Angola, Namibia, Chad, and Sudan

intervened to support the Kinshasa regime. A cease-fire was signed

in July 1999 by the DROC, Zimbabwe, Angola, Uganda, Namibia, Rwanda,

and Congolese armed rebel groups, but sporadic fighting continued.

Laurent KABILA was assassinated in January 2001 and his son Joseph

KABILA was named head of state. In October 2002, the new president

was successful in negotiating the withdrawal of Rwandan forces

occupying eastern Congo; two months later, the Pretoria Accord was

signed by all remaining warring parties to end the fighting and

establish a government of national unity. A transitional government

was set up in July 2003; Joseph KABILA remains as president and is

joined by four vice presidents representing the former government,

former rebel groups, and the political opposition.

Geography Congo, Democratic Republic of the

Location:

Central Africa, northeast of Angola

Geographic coordinates:

0 00 N, 25 00 E

Map references:

Africa

Area:

total: 2,345,410 sq km

land: 2,267,600 sq km

water: 77,810 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly less than one-fourth the size of the US

Land boundaries:

total: 10,730 km

border countries: Angola 2,511 km (of which 225 km is the boundary

of Angola's discontiguous Cabinda Province), Burundi 233 km, Central

African Republic 1,577 km, Republic of the Congo 2,410 km, Rwanda

217 km, Sudan 628 km, Tanzania 459 km, Uganda 765 km, Zambia 1,930 km

Coastline:

37 km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: boundaries with neighbors

Climate:

tropical; hot and humid in equatorial river basin; cooler and drier

in southern highlands; cooler and wetter in eastern highlands; north

of Equator - wet season April to October, dry season December to

February; south of Equator - wet season November to March, dry

season April to October

Terrain:

vast central basin is a low-lying plateau; mountains in east

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

highest point: Pic Marguerite on Mont Ngaliema (Mount Stanley) 5,110

m

Natural resources:

cobalt, copper, niobium, tantalum, petroleum, industrial and gem

diamonds, gold, silver, zinc, manganese, tin, uranium, coal,

hydropower, timber

Land use:

arable land: 2.96%

permanent crops: 0.52%

other: 96.52% (2001)

Irrigated land:

110 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

periodic droughts in south; Congo River floods (seasonal); in the

east, in the Great Rift Valley, there are active volcanoes

Environment - current issues:

poaching threatens wildlife populations; water pollution;

deforestation; refugees responsible for significant deforestation,

soil erosion, and wildlife poaching; mining of minerals (coltan - a

mineral used in creating capacitors, diamonds, and gold) causing

environmental damage

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered

Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone

Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification

Geography - note:

straddles equator; has very narrow strip of land that controls the

lower Congo River and is only outlet to South Atlantic Ocean; dense

tropical rain forest in central river basin and eastern highlands

People Congo, Democratic Republic of the

Population:

60,085,804

note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the

effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower

life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower

population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of

population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July

2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 48.1% (male 14,513,779/female 14,396,952)

15-64 years: 49.4% (male 14,579,101/female 15,121,297)

65 years and over: 2.5% (male 597,776/female 876,099) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 15.8 years

male: 15.4 years

female: 16.2 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

2.98% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

44.38 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

14.43 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

-0.17 migrant(s)/1,000 population

note: fighting between the Congolese Government and Uganda- and

Rwanda-backed Congolese rebels spawned a regional war in DROC in

August 1998, which left 1.8 million Congolese internally displaced

and caused 300,000 Congolese refugees to flee to surrounding

countries (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.01 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.68 male(s)/female

total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 92.87 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 101.25 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 84.23 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 51.1 years

male: 49.68 years

female: 52.56 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

6.54 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

4.2% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

1.1 million (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

100,000 (2003 est.)

Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: malaria, plague, and African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness) are high risks in some locations water contact disease: schistosomiasis (2004)

Nationality:

noun: Congolese (singular and plural)

adjective: Congolese or Congo

Ethnic groups:

over 200 African ethnic groups of which the majority are Bantu; the

four largest tribes - Mongo, Luba, Kongo (all Bantu), and the

Mangbetu-Azande (Hamitic) make up about 45% of the population

Religions:

Roman Catholic 50%, Protestant 20%, Kimbanguist 10%, Muslim 10%,

other syncretic sects and indigenous beliefs 10%

Languages:

French (official), Lingala (a lingua franca trade language),

Kingwana (a dialect of Kiswahili or Swahili), Kikongo, Tshiluba

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write French, Lingala,

Kingwana, or Tshiluba

total population: 65.5%

male: 76.2%

female: 55.1% (2003 est.)

Government Congo, Democratic Republic of the

Country name:

conventional long form: Democratic Republic of the Congo

conventional short form: none

local long form: Republique Democratique du Congo

local short form: none

former: Congo Free State, Belgian Congo, Congo/Leopoldville,

Congo/Kinshasa, Zaire

abbreviation: DROC

Government type:

dictatorship; presumably undergoing a transition to representative

government

Capital:

Kinshasa

Administrative divisions:

10 provinces (provinces, singular - province) and 1 city* (ville);

Bandundu, Bas-Congo, Equateur, Kasai-Occidental, Kasai-Oriental,

Katanga, Kinshasa*, Maniema, Nord-Kivu, Orientale, Sud-Kivu

Independence:

30 June 1960 (from Belgium)

National holiday:

Independence Day, 30 June (1960)

Constitution:

new constitution adopted 17 July 2003

Legal system:

based on Belgian civil law system and tribal law; has not accepted

compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal and compulsory

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Joseph KABILA (since 26 January 2001);

note - following the assassination of his father, Laurent Desire

KABILA, on 16 January 2001, Joseph KABILA succeeded to the

presidency; the president is both the chief of state and head of

government

head of government: President Joseph KABILA (since 26 January 2001);

note - following the assassination of his father, Laurent Desire

KABILA, on 16 January 2001, Joseph KABILA succeeded to the

presidency; the president is both the chief of state and head of

government

cabinet: National Executive Council, appointed by the president

elections: prior to the overthrow of MOBUTU Sese Seko, the president

was elected by popular vote for a seven-year term; election last

held 29 July 1984 (next was scheduled to be held in May 1997);

formerly, there was also a prime minister who was elected by the

High Council of the Republic; note - a Transitional Government is

drafting a new constitution with free elections scheduled to be held

in NA 2005

election results: MOBUTU Sese Seko Kuku Ngbendu wa Za Banga

reelected president in 1984 without opposition

note: Joseph KABILA succeeded his father, Laurent Desire KABILA,

following the latter's assassination in January 2001, negotiations

with rebel leaders led to the establishment of a transitional

government in July 2003 with free elections scheduled to be held in

NA 2005

Legislative branch:

a 300-member Transitional Constituent Assembly established in

August 2000

elections: NA; members of the Transitional Constituent Assembly were

appointed by former President Laurent Desire KABILA

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court or Cour Supreme

Political parties and leaders:

Democratic Social Christian Party or PDSC [Andre BO-BOLIKO]; Forces

for Renovation for Union and Solidarity or FONUS [Joseph

OLENGHANKOY]; National Congolese Lumumbist Movement or MNC [Francois

LUMUMBA]; Popular Movement of the Revolution or MPR (three factions:

MPR-Fait Prive [Catherine NZUZI wa Mbombo]; MPR/Vunduawe [Felix

VUNDUAWE]; MPR/Mananga [MANANGA Dintoka Mpholo]); Unified Lumumbast

Party or PALU [Antoine GIZENGA]; Union for Democracy and Social

Progress or UDPS [Etienne TSHISEKEDI wa Mulumba]; Union of

Federalists and Independent Republicans or UFERI (two factions:

UFERI [Lokambo OMOKOKO]; UFERI/OR [Adolph Kishwe MAYA])

Political pressure groups and leaders:

NA

International organization participation:

ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, CEPGL, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO,

ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO,

Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, MIGA, NAM, OPCW

(signatory), PCA, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCL,

WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Faida MITIFU

chancery: 1800 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009: note -

Consular Office at 1726 M Street, NW, Wasington, DC, 20036

telephone: [1] (202) 234-7690, 7691

FAX: [1] (202) 234-2609

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Aubrey HOOKS

embassy: 310 Avenue des Aviateurs, Kinshasa

mailing address: Unit 31550, APO AE 09828

telephone: [243] (88) 43608

FAX: [243] (88) 43467

Flag description:

light blue with a large yellow five-pointed star in the center and

a columnar arrangement of six small yellow five-pointed stars along

the hoist side

Economy Congo, Democratic Republic of the

Economy - overview:

The economy of the Democratic Republic of the Congo - a nation

endowed with vast potential wealth - has declined drastically since

the mid-1980s. The war, which began in August 1998, dramatically

reduced national output and government revenue, increased external

debt, and resulted in the deaths of perhaps 3.5 million people from

war, famine, and disease. Foreign businesses curtailed operations

due to uncertainty about the outcome of the conflict, lack of

infrastructure, and the difficult operating environment. Conditions

improved in late 2002 with the withdrawal of a large portion of the

invading foreign troops. Several IMF and World Bank missions have

met with the government to help it develop a coherent economic plan,

and President KABILA has begun implementing reforms. Much economic

activity lies outside the GDP data. Economic stability, aided by

international donors, improved in 2003-04, although an uncertain

legal framework, corruption, and a lack of openness in government

policy continues to hamper growth. In 2005, renewed activity in the

mining sector, the source of most exports, could boost Kinshasa's

fiscal position and GDP growth.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$42.74 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

7.5% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $700 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 55% industry: 11% services: 34% (2000 est.)

Labor force:

14.51 million (1993 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

NA

Unemployment rate:

NA (2003 est.)

Population below poverty line:

NA

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

14% (2003 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $269 million

expenditures: $244 million, including capital expenditures of $24

million (1996 est.)

Agriculture - products:

coffee, sugar, palm oil, rubber, tea, quinine, cassava (tapioca),

palm oil, bananas, root crops, corn, fruits; wood products

Industries:

mining (diamonds, copper, zinc), mineral processing, consumer

products (including textiles, footwear, cigarettes, processed foods

and beverages), cement, commercial ship repair

Industrial production growth rate:

NA

Electricity - production:

6.086 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 1.8% hydro: 98.2% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

4.168 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

1.5 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

8 million kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

24,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

14,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Oil - proved reserves:

1.538 billion bbl (1 January 2002)

Natural gas - proved reserves:

104.8 billion cu m (1 January 2002)

Exports:

$1.417 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.)

Exports - commodities:

diamonds, copper, crude oil, coffee, cobalt

Exports - partners:

Belgium 47.8%, Finland 21%, US 10.9%, China 7.6% (2004)

Imports:

$933 million f.o.b. (2002 est.)

Imports - commodities:

foodstuffs, mining and other machinery, transport equipment, fuels

Imports - partners:

South Africa 18.5%, Belgium 15.5%, France 10.8%, Kenya 6.3%, US 6%,

Germany 5.8% (2004)

Debt - external:

$11.6 billion (2000 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:

$195.3 million (1995)

Currency (code):

Congolese franc (CDF)

Currency code:

CDF

Exchange rates:

Congolese francs per US dollar - 401.04 (2004), 405.34 (2003),

346.49 (2002), 206.62 (2001), 21.82 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Congo, Democratic Republic of the

Telephones - main lines in use:

10,000 (2002)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

1 million (2003)

Telephone system:

general assessment: poor

domestic: barely adequate wire and microwave radio relay service in

and between urban areas; domestic satellite system with 14 earth

stations

international: country code - 243; satellite earth station - 1

Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 3, FM 11, shortwave 2 (2001)

Radios:

18.03 million (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

4 (2001)

Televisions:

6.478 million (1997)

Internet country code:

.cd

Internet hosts:

153 (2003)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

1 (2001)

Internet users:

50,000 (2002)

Transportation Congo, Democratic Republic of the

Railways:

total: 5,138 km

narrow gauge: 3,987 km 1.067-m gauge (858 km electrified); 125 km

1.000-m gauge; 1,026 km 0.600-m gauge (2004)

Highways:

total: 157,000 km (including 30 km of expressways)

paved: NA km

unpaved: NA km (1999 est.)

Waterways:

15,000 km (navigation on the Congo curtailed by fighting) (2004)

Pipelines:

gas 54 km; oil 71 km (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Banana, Boma, Bukavu, Bumba, Goma, Kalemie, Kindu, Kinshasa,

Kisangani, Matadi, Mbandaka

Merchant marine:

registered in other countries: 1

Airports:

230 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 24 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 16 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 206 1,524 to 2,437 m: 17 914 to 1,523 m: 92 under 914 m: 97 (2004 est.)

Military Congo, Democratic Republic of the

Military branches:

Army, Navy, Air Force

Manpower available for military service:

males age 18-49: 11,052,696 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: 5,851,292 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$93.5 million (2004)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

1.5% (2004)

Transnational Issues Congo, Democratic Republic of the

Disputes - international:

heads of the Great Lakes states and UN pledge to end conflict but

unchecked tribal, rebel, and militia fighting continues unabated in

the northeastern region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo,

drawing in the neighboring states of Burundi, Rwanda and Uganda; the

UN Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

(MONUC) has maintained over 14,000 peacekeepers in the region since

1999; thousands of Ituri refugees from the Congo continue to flee

the fighting primarily into Uganda; 90,000 Angolan refugees were

repatriated by 2004 with the remainder in the Democratic Republic of

the Congo expected to return in 2005; in 2005, DROC and Rwanda

established a border verification mechanism to address accusations

of Rwandan military supporting Congolese rebels and the DROC

providing rebel Rwandan "Interhamwe" forces the means and bases to

attack Rwandan forces; the location of the boundary in the broad

Congo River with the Republic of the Congo is indefinite except in

the Pool Malebo/Stanley Pool area

Refugees and internally displaced persons:

refugees (country of origin): 45,060 (Sudan) 100,000 (Angola)

19,552 (Burundi) 6,626 (Republic of Congo) 19,743 (Rwanda) 18,953

(Uganda)

IDPs: 2.33 million (fighting between government forces and rebels

since mid-1990s; most IDPs are in eastern provinces) (2004)

Illicit drugs:

illicit producer of cannabis, mostly for domestic consumption;

while rampant corruption and inadequate supervision leaves the

banking system vulnerable to money laundering, the lack of a

well-developed financial system limits the country's utility as a

money-laundering center

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Congo, Republic of the

Introduction Congo, Republic of the

Background:

Upon independence in 1960, the former French region of Middle Congo

became the Republic of the Congo. A quarter century of

experimentation with Marxism was abandoned in 1990 and a

democratically elected government installed in 1992. A brief civil

war in 1997 restored former Marxist President SASSOU-NGUESSO, but

ushered in a period of ethnic unrest. Southern-based rebel groups

agreed to a final peace accord in March 2003, but the calm is

tenuous and refugees continue to present a humanitarian crisis. The

Republic of Congo is one of Africa's largest petroleum producers

with significant potential for offshore development.

Geography Congo, Republic of the

Location:

Western Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Angola

and Gabon

Geographic coordinates:

1 00 S, 15 00 E

Map references:

Africa

Area:

total: 342,000 sq km

land: 341,500 sq km

water: 500 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly smaller than Montana

Land boundaries:

total: 5,504 km

border countries: Angola 201 km, Cameroon 523 km, Central African

Republic 467 km, Democratic Republic of the Congo 2,410 km, Gabon

1,903 km

Coastline:

169 km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 200 nm

Climate:

tropical; rainy season (March to June); dry season (June to

October); constantly high temperatures and humidity; particularly

enervating climate astride the Equator

Terrain:

coastal plain, southern basin, central plateau, northern basin

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

highest point: Mount Berongou 903 m

Natural resources:

petroleum, timber, potash, lead, zinc, uranium, copper, phosphates,

gold, magnesium, natural gas, hydropower

Land use: arable land: 0.51% permanent crops: 0.13% other: 99.36% (2001)

Irrigated land:

10 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

seasonal flooding

Environment - current issues:

air pollution from vehicle emissions; water pollution from the

dumping of raw sewage; tap water is not potable; deforestation

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered

Species, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber

94, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea

Geography - note:

about 70% of the population lives in Brazzaville, Pointe-Noire, or

along the railroad between them

People Congo, Republic of the

Population:

3,039,126

note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the

effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower

life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower

population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of

population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July

2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 37.3% (male 571,011/female 563,414)

15-64 years: 59% (male 886,297/female 907,348)

65 years and over: 3.7% (male 45,799/female 65,257) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 20.7 years

male: 20.2 years

female: 21.1 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

1.31% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

27.88 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

14.82 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.01 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female

total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 92.41 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 98.48 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 86.16 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 52.26 years

male: 51.17 years

female: 53.39 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

3.54 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

4.9% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

90,000 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

9,700 (2003 est.)

Major infectious diseases:

degree of risk: very high

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and

typhoid fever

vectorborne disease: malaria (2004)

Nationality:

noun: Congolese (singular and plural)

adjective: Congolese or Congo

Ethnic groups:

Kongo 48%, Sangha 20%, M'Bochi 12%, Teke 17%, Europeans and other 3%

note: Europeans estimated at 8,500, mostly French, before the 1997

civil war; may be half that in 1998, following the widespread

destruction of foreign businesses in 1997

Religions:

Christian 50%, animist 48%, Muslim 2%

Languages:

French (official), Lingala and Monokutuba (lingua franca trade

languages), many local languages and dialects (of which Kikongo is

the most widespread)

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 83.8%

male: 89.6%

female: 78.4% (2003 est.)

Government Congo, Republic of the

Country name:

conventional long form: Republic of the Congo

conventional short form: Congo (Brazzaville)

local long form: Republique du Congo

local short form: none

former: Middle Congo, Congo/Brazzaville, Congo

Government type:

republic

Capital:

Brazzaville

Administrative divisions:

10 regions (regions, singular - region) and 1 commune*; Bouenza,

Brazzaville*, Cuvette, Cuvette-Ouest, Kouilou, Lekoumou, Likouala,

Niari, Plateaux, Pool, Sangha

Independence:

15 August 1960 (from France)

National holiday:

Independence Day, 15 August (1960)

Constitution:

approved by referendum 20 January 2002

Legal system:

based on French civil law system and customary law

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Denis SASSOU-NGUESSO (since 25 October

1997, following the civil war in which he toppled elected president

Pascal LISSOUBA); note - the president is both the chief of state

and head of government

head of government: President Denis SASSOU-NGUESSO (since 25 October

1997, following the civil war in which he toppled elected president

Pascal LISSOUBA); note - the president is both the chief of state

and head of government

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president

elections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term

(eligible for a second seven-year term); election last held 10 March

2002 (next to be held NA 2009)

election results: Denis SASSOU-NGUESSO reelected president; percent

of vote - Denis SASSOU-NGUESSO 89.4%, Joseph Kignoumbi Kia MBOUNGOU

2.7%

Legislative branch:

bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (66 seats; members are

elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) and the National

Assembly (137 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve

five-year terms)

elections: Senate - last held 11 July 2002 (next to be held July

2007); National Assembly - last held 27 May and 26 June 2002 (next

to be held by NA May 2007)

election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by

party - FDP 56, other 10; National Assembly - percent of vote by

party - NA%; seats by party - FDP 83, UDR 6, UPADS 3, other 45

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court or Cour Supreme

Political parties and leaders:

the most important of the many parties are the Democratic and

Patriotic Forces or FDP (an alliance of Convention for Alternative

Democracy, Congolese Labor Party or PCT, Liberal Republican Party,

National Union for Democracy and Progress, Patriotic Union for the

National Reconstruction, and Union for the National Renewal) [Denis

SASSOU-NGUESSO, president]; Congolese Movement for Democracy and

Integral Development or MCDDI [Michel MAMPOUYA]; Pan-African Union

for Social Development or UPADS [Martin MBERI]; Rally for Democracy

and Social Progress or RDPS [Jean-Pierre Thystere TCHICAYA,

president]; Rally for Democracy and the Republic or RDR [Raymond

Damasge NGOLLO]; Union for Democracy and Republic or UDR [leader

NA]; Union of Democratic Forces or UFD [Sebastian EBAO]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

Congolese Trade Union Congress or CSC; General Union of Congolese

Pupils and Students or UGEEC; Revolutionary Union of Congolese Women

or URFC; Union of Congolese Socialist Youth or UJSC

International organization participation:

ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, BDEAC, CEMAC, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt,

ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC,

IOM, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OPCW (signatory), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO,

UNOCI, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Serge MOMBOULI

chancery: 4891 Colorado Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20011

telephone: [1] (202) 726-5500

FAX: [1] (202) 726-1860

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Roger A. MEECE

embassy: NA

mailing address: NA

telephone: [243] (88) 43608

note: the embassy is temporarily collocated with the US Embassy in

the Democratic Republic of the Congo (US Embassy Kinshasa, 310

Avenue des Aviateurs, Kinshasa)

Flag description:

divided diagonally from the lower hoist side by a yellow band; the

upper triangle (hoist side) is green and the lower triangle is red;

uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia

Economy Congo, Republic of the

Economy - overview:

The economy is a mixture of village agriculture and handicrafts, an

industrial sector based largely on oil, support services, and a

government characterized by budget problems and overstaffing. Oil

has supplanted forestry as the mainstay of the economy, providing a

major share of government revenues and exports. In the early 1980s,

rapidly rising oil revenues enabled the government to finance

large-scale development projects with GDP growth averaging 5%

annually, one of the highest rates in Africa. The government has

mortgaged a substantial portion of its oil earnings, contributing to

a shortage of revenues. The 12 January 1994 devaluation of Franc

Zone currencies by 50% resulted in inflation of 61% in 1994, but

inflation has subsided since. Economic reform efforts continued with

the support of international organizations, notably the World Bank

and the IMF. The reform program came to a halt in June 1997 when

civil war erupted. Denis SASSOU-NGUESSO, who returned to power when

the war ended in October 1997, publicly expressed interest in moving

forward on economic reforms and privatization and in renewing

cooperation with international financial institutions. However,

economic progress was badly hurt by slumping oil prices and the

resumption of armed conflict in December 1998, which worsened the

republic's budget deficit. The current administration presides over

an uneasy internal peace and faces difficult economic challenges of

stimulating recovery and reducing poverty.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$2.324 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

3.7% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $800 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector:

agriculture: 7.4%

industry: 52%

services: 40.6% (2004 est.)

Labor force:

NA

Unemployment rate:

NA (2003)

Population below poverty line:

NA

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

1.8% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

25.8% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $870.1 million

expenditures: $1.102 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

cassava (tapioca), sugar, rice, corn, peanuts, vegetables, coffee,

cocoa; forest products

Industries:

petroleum extraction, cement, lumber, brewing, sugar, palm oil,

soap, flour, cigarettes

Industrial production growth rate:

0% (2002 est.)

Electricity - production:

348 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 0.3% hydro: 99.7% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

573.6 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

250 million kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

227,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Oil - consumption:

5,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Oil - proved reserves:

93.5 million bbl (1 January 2002)

Natural gas - production:

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - consumption:

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - exports:

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - imports:

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves:

495.5 million cu m (1 January 2002)

Current account balance:

$266 million (2004 est.)

Exports:

$2.224 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

petroleum, lumber, plywood, sugar, cocoa, coffee, diamonds

Exports - partners:

China 26.8%, Taiwan 19.2%, North Korea 8.4%, US 7.3%, France 5.5%,

South Korea 4.8% (2004)

Imports:

$749.3 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

capital equipment, construction materials, foodstuffs

Imports - partners:

France 32.7%, US 10.1%, Germany 6.2%, Italy 6%, China 5.2%,

Netherlands 4.5% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$40.42 million (2004 est.)

Debt - external:

$5 billion (2000 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:

$159.1 million (1995)

Currency (code):

Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XAF); note - responsible

authority is the Bank of the Central African States

Currency code:

XAF

Exchange rates:

Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XAF) per US dollar - 528.29

(2004), 581.2 (2003), 696.99 (2002), 733.04 (2001), 711.98 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Congo, Republic of the

Telephones - main lines in use:

7,000 (2003)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

330,000 (2003)

Telephone system:

general assessment: services barely adequate for government use;

key exchanges are in Brazzaville, Pointe-Noire, and Loubomo;

intercity lines frequently out of order

domestic: primary network consists of microwave radio relay and

coaxial cable

international: country code - 242; satellite earth station - 1

Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 1, FM 5, shortwave 3 (2001)

Radios:

341,000 (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

1 (2002)

Televisions:

33,000 (1997)

Internet country code:

.cg

Internet hosts:

46 (2003)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

1 (2000)

Internet users:

15,000 (2003)

Transportation Congo, Republic of the

Railways: total: 894 km narrow gauge: 894 km 1.067-m gauge (2004)

Highways: total: 12,800 km paved: 1,242 km unpaved: 11,558 km (1999 est.)

Waterways:

4,385 km (on Congo and Oubanqui rivers) (2004)

Pipelines:

gas 53 km; oil 646 km (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Brazzaville, Djeno, Impfondo, Ouesso, Oyo, Pointe-Noire

Airports:

32 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 4 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 28 1,524 to 2,437 m: 6 914 to 1,523 m: 11 under 914 m: 11 (2004 est.)

Military Congo, Republic of the

Military branches:

Congolese Armed Forces (FAC): Army, Air Force (Armee de l'Air

Congolaise), Navy, Gendarmerie, Republican Guard (2005)

Military service age and obligation:

18 years of age for voluntary military service (2001)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 18-49: 686,123 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: 360,492 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:

males: 34,281 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$126.5 million (2004)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

2.8% (2004)

Transnational Issues Congo, Republic of the

Disputes - international:

about 7,000 Congolese refugees fleeing internal civil conflicts

since the mid-1990s still reside in the Democratic Republic of the

Congo; the location of the boundary in the broad Congo River with

the Democratic Republic of the Congo is indefinite except in the

Pool Malebo/Stanley Pool area

Refugees and internally displaced persons:

IDPs: 60,000 (multiple civil wars since 1992; most IDPs are ethnic

Lari) (2004)

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Cook Islands

Introduction Cook Islands

Background:

Named after Captain COOK, who sighted them in 1770, the islands

became a British protectorate in 1888. By 1900, administrative

control was transferred to New Zealand; in 1965 residents chose

self-government in free association with New Zealand. The emigration

of skilled workers to New Zealand and government deficits are

continuing problems.

Geography Cook Islands

Location:

Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about

one-half of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand

Geographic coordinates:

21 14 S, 159 46 W

Map references:

Oceania

Area:

total: 240 sq km

land: 240 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative:

1.3 times the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries:

0 km

Coastline:

120 km

Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin

Climate:

tropical; moderated by trade winds

Terrain:

low coral atolls in north; volcanic, hilly islands in south

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

highest point: Te Manga 652 m

Natural resources:

NEGL

Land use:

arable land: 17.39%

permanent crops: 13.04%

other: 69.57% (2001)

Irrigated land:

NA

Natural hazards:

typhoons (November to March)

Environment - current issues:

NA

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto

Protocol, Desertification, Law of the Sea

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

the northern Cook Islands are seven low-lying, sparsely populated,

coral atolls; the southern Cook Islands consist of eight elevated,

fertile, volcanic isles where most of the populace lives

People Cook Islands

Population: 21,388 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA

Population growth rate:

NA

Birth rate:

NA

Death rate:

NA

Sex ratio:

NA

Infant mortality rate:

total: NA

male: NA

female: NA

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: NA

male: NA

female: NA

Total fertility rate:

NA children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

NA

Nationality:

noun: Cook Islander(s)

adjective: Cook Islander

Ethnic groups:

Cook Island Maori (Polynesian) 87.7%, part Cook Island Maori 5.8%,

other 6.5% (2001 census)

Religions:

Cook Islands Christian Church 55.9%, Roman Catholic 16.8%, Seventh

Day Saint 7.9%, Church of Latter Day Saints 3.8%, other Protestant

5.8%, other 4.2%, unspecified 2.6%, none 3% (2001 census)

Languages:

English (official), Maori

Literacy: definition: NA total population: 95% male: NA% female: NA%

Government Cook Islands

Country name:

conventional long form: none

conventional short form: Cook Islands

former: Harvey Islands

Dependency status:

self-governing in free association with New Zealand; Cook Islands

is fully responsible for internal affairs; New Zealand retains

responsibility for external affairs and defense, in consultation

with the Cook Islands

Government type:

self-governing parliamentary democracy

Capital:

Avarua

Administrative divisions:

none

Independence:

none (became self-governing in free association with New Zealand on

4 August 1965 and has the right at any time to move to full

independence by unilateral action)

National holiday:

Constitution Day, first Monday in August (1965)

Constitution:

4 August 1965

Legal system:

based on New Zealand law and English common law

Suffrage:

NA years of age; universal adult

Executive branch:

chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952),

represented by Frederick GOODWIN (since 9 February 2001); New

Zealand High Commissioner Kurt MEYER (since July 2001),

representative of New Zealand

head of government: Prime Minister Jim MARURAI (since 14 December

2004); Deputy Prime Minister Terepai MAOATE (since 9 August 2005)

cabinet: Cabinet chosen by the prime minister; collectively

responsible to Parliament

elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; the UK representative is

appointed by the monarch; the New Zealand high commissioner is

appointed by the New Zealand Government; following legislative

elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the

majority coalition usually becomes prime minister

Legislative branch:

unicameral Parliament (25 seats; members elected by popular vote to

serve five-year terms)

elections: last held 7 September 2004 (next to be held by 2009)

election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -

CIP 10, DAP 9, Demo Tumu 4, independent 1; note - one seat undecided

pending by-election

note: the House of Ariki (chiefs) advises on traditional matters and

maintains considerable influence, but has no legislative powers

Judicial branch:

High Court

Political parties and leaders:

Cook Islands People's Party or CIP [Geoffrey HENRY]; Democratic

Alliance Party or DAP [Terepai MAOATE]; New Alliance Party or NAP

[Norman GEORGE]; Cook Islands National Party or CIN [Teariki

HEATHER]; Demo Party Tumu [Robert WOONTON]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

NA

International organization participation:

ACP, AsDB, FAO, ICAO, ICFTU, IFAD, IFRCS, IOC, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca,

UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WMO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

none (self-governing in free association with New Zealand)

Diplomatic representation from the US:

none (self-governing in free association with New Zealand)

Flag description:

blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and

a large circle of 15 white five-pointed stars (one for every island)

centered in the outer half of the flag

Economy Cook Islands

Economy - overview:

Like many other South Pacific island nations, the Cook Islands'

economic development is hindered by the isolation of the country

from foreign markets, the limited size of domestic markets, lack of

natural resources, periodic devastation from natural disasters, and

inadequate infrastructure. Agriculture provides the economic base

with major exports made up of copra and citrus fruit. Manufacturing

activities are limited to fruit processing, clothing, and

handicrafts. Trade deficits are offset by remittances from emigrants

and by foreign aid, overwhelmingly from New Zealand. In the 1980s

and 1990s, the country lived beyond its means, maintaining a bloated

public service and accumulating a large foreign debt. Subsequent

reforms, including the sale of state assets, the strengthening of

economic management, the encouragement of tourism, and a debt

restructuring agreement, have rekindled investment and growth.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$105 million (2001 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

7.1% (2001 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $5,000 (2001 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 17% industry: 7.8% services: 75.2% (2000 est.)

Labor force: 8,000 (1996)

Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 29%, industry 15%, services 56% note: shortage of skilled labor (1995)

Unemployment rate:

13% (1996)

Population below poverty line:

NA

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

3.2% (2000 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $28 million

expenditures: $27 million, including capital expenditures of $3.3

million (FY00/01 est.)

Agriculture - products: copra, citrus, pineapples, tomatoes, beans, pawpaws, bananas, yams, taro, coffee; pigs, poultry

Industries:

fruit processing, tourism, fishing, clothing, handicrafts

Industrial production growth rate:

1% (2002)

Electricity - production:

27 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

25.11 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

450 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Exports:

$9.1 million (2000)

Exports - commodities:

copra, papayas, fresh and canned citrus fruit, coffee; fish; pearls

and pearl shells; clothing

Exports - partners:

Australia 34%, Japan 27%, New Zealand 25%, US 8% (2000)

Imports:

$50.7 million (2000)

Imports - commodities:

foodstuffs, textiles, fuels, timber, capital goods

Imports - partners:

New Zealand 61%, Fiji 19%, US 9%, Australia 6%, Japan 2% (2000)

Debt - external:

$141 million (1996 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:

$13.1 million; note - New Zealand continues to furnish the greater

part (1995)

Currency (code):

New Zealand dollar (NZD)

Currency code:

NZD

Exchange rates:

New Zealand dollars per US dollar - 1.5087 (2004), 1.7221 (2003),

2.1622 (2002), 2.3788 (2001), 2.2012 (2000)

Fiscal year:

1 April - 31 March

Communications Cook Islands

Telephones - main lines in use:

6,200 (2002)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

1,500 (2002)

Telephone system:

general assessment: Telecom Cook Islands offers international

direct dialing, Internet, email, fax, and Telex

domestic: the individual islands are connected by a combination of

satellite earth stations, microwave systems, and VHF and HF

radiotelephone; within the islands, service is provided by small

exchanges connected to subscribers by open-wire, cable, and

fiber-optic cable

international: country code - 682; satellite earth station - 1

Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0 (2004)

Radios:

14,000 (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

1 (outer islands receive satellite broadcasts) (2004)

Televisions:

4,000 (1997)

Internet country code:

.ck

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

3 (2000)

Internet users:

3,600 (2002)

Transportation Cook Islands

Highways: total: 320 km paved: 33 km unpaved: 287 km (2000)

Ports and harbors:

Avatiu

Merchant marine:

total: 1 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 4,074 GRT/7,520 DWT

by type: petroleum tanker 1 (2005)

Airports:

9 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 2

1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 7

1,524 to 2,437 m: 2

914 to 1,523 m: 4

under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Military Cook Islands

Military branches:

no regular military forces; Ministry of Police and Disaster

Management (2004)

Military - note:

defense is the responsibility of New Zealand, in consultation with

the Cook Islands and at its request

Transnational Issues Cook Islands

Disputes - international: none

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Coral Sea Islands

Introduction Coral Sea Islands

Background:

Scattered over some 1 million square kilometers of ocean, the Coral

Sea Islands were declared a territory of Australia in 1969. They are

uninhabited except for a small meteorological staff on the Willis

Islets. Automated weather stations, beacons, and a lighthouse occupy

many other islands and reefs.

Geography Coral Sea Islands

Location:

Oceania, islands in the Coral Sea, northeast of Australia

Geographic coordinates:

18 00 S, 152 00 E

Map references:

Oceania

Area:

total: less than 3 sq km

land: less than 3 sq km

water: 0 sq km

note: includes numerous small islands and reefs scattered over a sea

area of about 780,000 sq km, with the Willis Islets the most

important

Area - comparative:

NA

Land boundaries:

0 km

Coastline:

3,095 km

Maritime claims: territorial sea: 3 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm

Climate:

tropical

Terrain:

sand and coral reefs and islands (or cays)

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

highest point: unnamed location on Cato Island 6 m

Natural resources:

NEGL

Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (mostly grass or scrub cover) (2001)

Irrigated land:

0 sq km

Natural hazards:

occasional tropical cyclones

Environment - current issues:

no permanent fresh water resources

Geography - note:

important nesting area for birds and turtles

People Coral Sea Islands

Population:

no indigenous inhabitants

note: there is a staff of three to four at the meteorological

station (2005 est.)

Government Coral Sea Islands

Country name:

conventional long form: Coral Sea Islands Territory

conventional short form: Coral Sea Islands

Dependency status:

territory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the

Department of the Environment, Sport, and Territories

Legal system:

the laws of Australia, where applicable, apply

Executive branch:

administered from Canberra by the Department of the Environment,

Sport, and Territories

Diplomatic representation in the US:

none (territory of Australia)

Diplomatic representation from the US:

none (territory of Australia)

Flag description:

the flag of Australia is used

Economy Coral Sea Islands

Economy - overview: no economic activity

Communications Coral Sea Islands

Communications - note:

there are automatic weather stations on many of the isles and reefs

relaying data to the mainland

Transportation Coral Sea Islands

Ports and harbors: none; offshore anchorage only

Military Coral Sea Islands

Military - note:

defense is the responsibility of Australia; visited regularly by

the Royal Australian Navy; Australia has control over the activities

of visitors

Transnational Issues Coral Sea Islands

Disputes - international: none

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Costa Rica

Introduction Costa Rica

Background:

Costa Rica is a Central American success story: since the late 19th

century, only two brief periods of violence have marred its

democratic development. Although still a largely agricultural

country, it has expanded its economy to include strong technology

and tourism sectors. The standard of living is relatively high. Land

ownership is widespread.

Geography Costa Rica

Location:

Central America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the North

Pacific Ocean, between Nicaragua and Panama

Geographic coordinates:

10 00 N, 84 00 W

Map references:

Central America and the Caribbean

Area:

total: 51,100 sq km

land: 50,660 sq km

water: 440 sq km

note: includes Isla del Coco

Area - comparative:

slightly smaller than West Virginia

Land boundaries: total: 639 km border countries: Nicaragua 309 km, Panama 330 km

Coastline: 1,290 km

Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm

Climate:

tropical and subtropical; dry season (December to April); rainy

season (May to November); cooler in highlands

Terrain:

coastal plains separated by rugged mountains including over 100

volcanic cones, of which several are major volcanoes

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

highest point: Cerro Chirripo 3,810 m

Natural resources:

hydropower

Land use: arable land: 4.41% permanent crops: 5.88% other: 89.71% (2001)

Irrigated land:

1,260 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

occasional earthquakes, hurricanes along Atlantic coast; frequent

flooding of lowlands at onset of rainy season and landslides; active

volcanoes

Environment - current issues:

deforestation and land use change, largely a result of the clearing

of land for cattle ranching and agriculture; soil erosion; coastal

marine pollution; fisheries protection; solid waste management; air

pollution

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto

Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental

Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping,

Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation

Geography - note:

four volcanoes, two of them active, rise near the capital of San

Jose in the center of the country; one of the volcanoes, Irazu,

erupted destructively in 1963-65

People Costa Rica

Population:

4,016,173 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 28.9% (male 593,540/female 566,361)

15-64 years: 65.5% (male 1,330,481/female 1,300,664)

65 years and over: 5.6% (male 104,564/female 120,563) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 26.03 years

male: 25.59 years

female: 26.5 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

1.48% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

18.6 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

4.33 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

0.5 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.87 male(s)/female

total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 9.95 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 10.85 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 9 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 76.84 years

male: 74.26 years

female: 79.55 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

2.28 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

0.6% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

12,000 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

900 (2003 est.)

Nationality:

noun: Costa Rican(s)

adjective: Costa Rican

Ethnic groups:

white (including mestizo) 94%, black 3%, Amerindian 1%, Chinese 1%,

other 1%

Religions:

Roman Catholic 76.3%, Evangelical 13.7%, Jehovah's Witnesses 1.3%,

other Protestant 0.7%, other 4.8%, none 3.2%

Languages:

Spanish (official), English

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 96%

male: 95.9%

female: 96.1% (2003 est.)

Government Costa Rica

Country name:

conventional long form: Republic of Costa Rica

conventional short form: Costa Rica

local long form: Republica de Costa Rica

local short form: Costa Rica

Government type:

democratic republic

Capital:

San Jose

Administrative divisions:

7 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Alajuela, Cartago,

Guanacaste, Heredia, Limon, Puntarenas, San Jose

Independence:

15 September 1821 (from Spain)

National holiday:

Independence Day, 15 September (1821)

Constitution:

7 November 1949

Legal system:

based on Spanish civil law system; judicial review of legislative

acts in the Supreme Court; has accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal and compulsory

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Abel PACHECO (since 8 May 2002); First

Vice President Lineth SABORIO (since 8 May 2002); Second Vice

President (vacant); note - the president is both the chief of state

and head of government

head of government: President Abel PACHECO (since 8 May 2002); First

Vice President Lineth SABORIO (since 8 May 2002); Second Vice

President (vacant); note - the president is both the chief of state

and head of government

cabinet: Cabinet selected by the president

elections: president and vice presidents elected on the same ticket

by popular vote for four-year terms; election last held 3 February

2002; run-off election held 7 April 2002 (next to be held February

2006)

election results: Abel PACHECO elected president; percent of vote -

Abel PACHECO (PUSC) 58%; Rolando ARAYA (PLN) 42%

Legislative branch:

unicameral Legislative Assembly or Asamblea Legislativa (57 seats;

members are elected by direct, popular vote to serve four-year terms)

elections: last held 3 February 2002 (next to be held 3 February

2006)

election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -

PUSC 19, PLN 17, PAC 14, PML 6, PRC 1; note - seats by party as of

January 2005 - PUSC 19, PLN 16, PAC 8, PML 5, PRC 1, Patriotic Union

3, Homeland First 1, Authentic Member from Heredia 1, Democratic

National Alliance 1, independent 2

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (22 justices are elected for

eight-year terms by the Legislative Assembly)

Political parties and leaders:

Authentic Member from Heredia [Jose SALAS]; Citizen Action Party or

PAC [Otton SOLIS]; Costa Rican Renovation Party or PRC [Justo

OROZCO]; Democratic Force Party or PFD [Juan Carlos CHAVES Mora];

Democratic National Alliance [Emilia RODRIGUEZ]; General Union Party

or PUGEN [Carlos Alberto FERNANDEZ Vega]; Homeland First [Juan Jose

VARGAS]; Independent Worker Party or PIO [Jose Alberto CUBERO

Carmona]; Libertarian Movement Party or PML [Otto GUEVARA Guth];

National Christian Alliance Party or ANC [Victor GONZALEZ]; National

Integration Party or PIN [Walter MUNOZ Cespedes]; National

Liberation Party or PLN [Francisco Antonio PACHECO]; National

Patriotic Party or PPN [Daniel Enrique REYNOLDS Vargas]; National

Rescue Party or PRN [Carlos VARGAS Solano]; Patriotic Union

[Humberto ARCE]; Popular Vanguard [Trino BARRANTES Araya]; Social

Christian Unity Party or PUSC [Lorena VASQUEZ Badilla]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

Authentic Confederation of Democratic Workers or CATD (Communist

Party affiliate); Chamber of Coffee Growers; Confederated Union of

Workers or CUT (Communist Party affiliate); Costa Rican

Confederation of Democratic Workers or CCTD (Liberation Party

affiliate); Federation of Public Service Workers or FTSP; National

Association for Economic Development or ANFE; National Association

of Educators or ANDE; Rerum Novarum or CTRN (PLN affiliate) [Gilbert

Brown]

International organization participation:

BCIE, CACM, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU,

ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO,

ITU, LAES, LAIA (observer), MIGA, NAM (observer), OAS, OPANAL, OPCW,

PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO,

WMO, WToO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Tomas DUENAS

chancery: 2114 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 234-2945

FAX: [1] (202) 265-4795

consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami,

New Orleans, New York, San Francisco, San Juan (Puerto Rico), and

Tampa

consulate(s): Austin

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Douglas M.

BARNES

embassy: Calle 120 Avenida O, Pavas, San Jose

mailing address: APO AA 34020

telephone: [506] 220-3939

FAX: [506] 519-2305

Flag description:

five horizontal bands of blue (top), white, red (double width),

white, and blue, with the coat of arms in a white elliptical disk on

the hoist side of the red band; above the coat of arms a light blue

ribbon contains the words, AMERICA CENTRAL, and just below it near

the top of the coat of arms is a white ribbon with the words,

REPUBLICA COSTA RICA

Economy Costa Rica

Economy - overview:

Costa Rica's basically stable economy depends on tourism,

agriculture, and electronics exports. Poverty has been substantially

reduced over the past 15 years, and a strong social safety net has

been put into place. Foreign investors remain attracted by the

country's political stability and high education levels, and tourism

continues to bring in foreign exchange. Low prices for coffee and

bananas have hurt the agricultural sector. The government continues

to grapple with its large deficit and massive internal debt. The

reduction of inflation remains a difficult problem because of rises

in the price of imports, labor market rigidities, and fiscal

deficits. The country also needs to reform its tax system and its

pattern of public expenditure. Costa Rica recently concluded

negotiations to participate in the US-Central American Free Trade

Agreement, which, if ratified by the Costa Rican Legislature, would

result in economic reforms and an improved investment climate.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$37.97 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

3.9% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $9,600 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 8.5% industry: 29.7% services: 61.8% (2004 est.)

Labor force:

1.81 million (2004 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 20%, industry 22%, services 58% (1999 est.)

Unemployment rate:

6.6% (2004 est.)

Population below poverty line:

18% (2004 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.1% highest 10%: 36.8% (2002)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

45.9 (1997)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

11.5% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

19.2% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $2.497 billion

expenditures: $3.094 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Public debt:

58% of GDP (2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

coffee, pineapples, bananas, sugar, corn, rice, beans, potatoes;

beef; timber

Industries:

microprocessors, food processing, textiles and clothing,

construction materials, fertilizer, plastic products

Industrial production growth rate:

3.1% (2004 est.)

Electricity - production:

6.614 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 1.5% hydro: 81.9% nuclear: 0% other: 16.6% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

5.733 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

477 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

59 million kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

37,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Current account balance:

$-980.3 million (2004 est.)

Exports:

$6.184 billion (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

coffee, bananas, sugar; pineapples; textiles, electronic

components, medical equipment

Exports - partners:

US 46.9%, Netherlands 5.3%, Guatemala 4.4% (2004)

Imports:

$7.842 billion (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

raw materials, consumer goods, capital equipment, petroleum

Imports - partners:

US 46.1%, Japan 5.9%, Mexico 5.1%, Brazil 4.2% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$1.736 billion (2004 est.)

Debt - external:

$5.962 billion (2004 est.)

Currency (code):

Costa Rican colon (CRC)

Currency code:

CRC

Exchange rates:

Costa Rican colones per US dollar - 437.91 (2004), 398.66 (2003),

359.82 (2002), 328.87 (2001), 308.19 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Costa Rica

Telephones - main lines in use:

1.132 million (2002)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

528,047 (2002)

Telephone system:

general assessment: good domestic telephone service in terms of

breadth of coverage; restricted cellular telephone service

domestic: point-to-point and point-to-multi-point microwave,

fiber-optic, and coaxial cable link rural areas; Internet service is

available

international: country code - 506; connected to Central American

Microwave System; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic

Ocean); two submarine cables (1999)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 65, FM 51, shortwave 19 (2002)

Radios:

980,000 (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

20 (plus 43 repeaters) (2002)

Televisions:

525,000 (1997)

Internet country code:

.cr

Internet hosts:

10,826 (2003)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

3 (of which only one is legal) (2000)

Internet users:

800,000 (2002)

Transportation Costa Rica

Railways: total: 278 km narrow gauge: 278 km 1.067-m gauge (2004)

Highways: total: 35,303 km paved: 4,236 km unpaved: 31,067 km (2002)

Waterways:

730 km (seasonally navigable by small craft) (2004)

Pipelines:

refined products 242 km (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Caldera, Puerto Limon

Merchant marine:

total: 2 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 1,716 GRT/ DWT

by type: passenger/cargo 2 (2005)

Airports:

149 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 30 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 18 under 914 m: 8 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 119 914 to 1,523 m: 24 under 914 m: 95 (2004 est.)

Military Costa Rica

Military branches:

no regular military forces; Ministry of Public Security,

Government, and Police

Military service age and obligation:

18 years of age (2004)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 18-49: 997,690 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: 829,874 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:

males: 41,097 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$64.2 million (2004)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

0.4% (2003)

Transnational Issues Costa Rica

Disputes - international: legal dispute over navigational rights of Rio San Juan on the border with Nicaragua remains unresolved

Illicit drugs:

transshipment country for cocaine and heroin from South America;

illicit production of cannabis on small, scattered plots; domestic

cocaine consumption, particularly crack cocaine, is rising

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Cote d'Ivoire

Introduction Cote d'Ivoire

Background:

Close ties to France since independence in 1960, the development of

cocoa production for export, and foreign investment made Cote

d'Ivoire one of the most prosperous of the tropical African states,

but did not protect it from political turmoil. On 25 December 1999,

a military coup - the first ever in Cote d'Ivoire's history -

overthrew the government led by President Henri Konan BEDIE. Junta

leader Robert GUEI held elections in late 2000, but excluded

prominent opposition leader Alassane OUATTARA, blatantly rigged the

polling results, and declared himself winner. Popular protest forced

GUEI to step aside and brought runner-up Laurent GBAGBO into power.

Ivorian dissidents and disaffected members of the military launched

a failed coup attempt in September 2002. Rebel forces claimed the

northern half of the country and in January 2003 were granted

ministerial positions in a unity government under the auspices of

the Linas-Marcoussis Peace Accord. President GBAGBO and rebel forces

resumed implementation of the peace accord in December 2003 after a

three-month stalemate, but issues that sparked the civil war, such

as land reform and grounds for nationality remain unresolved. The

central government has yet to exert control over the northern

regions and tensions remain high between GBAGBO and rebel leaders.

Several thousand French and West African troops remain in Cote

d'Ivoire to maintain peace and facilitate the disarmament,

demobilization, and rehabilitation process.

Geography Cote d'Ivoire

Location:

Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Ghana

and Liberia

Geographic coordinates:

8 00 N, 5 00 W

Map references:

Africa

Area:

total: 322,460 sq km

land: 318,000 sq km

water: 4,460 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly larger than New Mexico

Land boundaries:

total: 3,110 km

border countries: Burkina Faso 584 km, Ghana 668 km, Guinea 610 km,

Liberia 716 km, Mali 532 km

Coastline:

515 km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

continental shelf: 200 nm

Climate:

tropical along coast, semiarid in far north; three seasons - warm

and dry (November to March), hot and dry (March to May), hot and wet

(June to October)

Terrain:

mostly flat to undulating plains; mountains in northwest

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Gulf of Guinea 0 m

highest point: Mont Nimba 1,752 m

Natural resources:

petroleum, natural gas, diamonds, manganese, iron ore, cobalt,

bauxite, copper, gold, nickel, tantalum, silica sand, clay, cocoa

beans, coffee, palm oil, hydropower

Land use:

arable land: 9.75%

permanent crops: 13.84%

other: 76.41% (2001)

Irrigated land:

730 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

coast has heavy surf and no natural harbors; during the rainy

season torrential flooding is possible

Environment - current issues:

deforestation (most of the country's forests - once the largest in

West Africa - have been heavily logged); water pollution from sewage

and industrial and agricultural effluents

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered

Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone

Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical

Timber 94, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

most of the inhabitants live along the sandy coastal region; apart

from the capital area, the forested interior is sparsely populated

People Cote d'Ivoire

Population:

17,298,040

note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the

effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower

life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower

population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of

population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July

2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 41% (male 3,490,536/female 3,596,208)

15-64 years: 56.3% (male 4,920,726/female 4,820,326)

65 years and over: 2.7% (male 231,514/female 238,730) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 19.05 years

male: 19.36 years

female: 18.76 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

2.06% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

35.51 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

14.94 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 0.97 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.97 male(s)/female

total population: 1 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 90.83 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 107.64 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 73.52 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 48.62 years

male: 46.05 years

female: 51.27 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

4.58 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

7% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

570,000 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

47,000 (2003 est.)

Major infectious diseases:

degree of risk: very high

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and

typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases: malaria, yellow fever, and others are high

risks in some locations

water contact: schistosomiasis (2004)

Nationality:

noun: Ivoirian(s)

adjective: Ivoirian

Ethnic groups:

Akan 42.1%, Voltaiques or Gur 17.6%, Northern Mandes 16.5%, Krous

11%, Southern Mandes 10%, other 2.8% (includes 130,000 Lebanese and

14,000 French) (1998)

Religions:

Christian 20-30%, Muslim 35-40%, indigenous 25-40% (2001)

note: the majority of foreigners (migratory workers) are Muslim

(70%) and Christian (20%)

Languages:

French (official), 60 native dialects with Dioula the most widely

spoken

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 50.9%

male: 57.9%

female: 43.6% (2003 est.)

Government Cote d'Ivoire

Country name:

conventional long form: Republic of Cote d'Ivoire

conventional short form: Cote d'Ivoire

local long form: Republique de Cote d'Ivoire

local short form: Cote d'Ivoire

former: Ivory Coast

Government type:

republic; multiparty presidential regime established 1960

Capital:

Yamoussoukro; note - although Yamoussoukro has been the official

capital since 1983, Abidjan remains the commercial and

administrative center; the US, like other countries, maintains its

Embassy in Abidjan

Administrative divisions:

19 regions; Agneby, Bafing, Bas-Sassandra, Denguele, Dix-Huit

Montagnes, Fromager, Haut-Sassandra, Lacs, Lagunes, Marahoue,

Moyen-Cavally, Moyen-Comoe, N'zi-Comoe, Savanes, Sud-Bandama,

Sud-Comoe, Vallee du Bandama, Worodougou, Zanzan

Independence:

7 August 1960 (from France)

National holiday:

Independence Day, 7 August (1960)

Constitution:

new constitution adopted 4 August 2000

Legal system:

based on French civil law system and customary law; judicial review

in the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court; has not accepted

compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Laurent GBAGBO (since 26 October 2000);

head of government: Prime Minister Seydou DIARRA (since 25 January

2003); note - appointed as transitional Prime Minister by President

GBAGBO as part of a French brokered peace plan

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president

elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;

election last held 26 October 2000 (next to be held October 2005);

prime minister appointed by the president

election results: Laurent GBAGBO elected president; percent of vote

- Laurent GBAGBO 59.4%, Robert GUEI 32.7%, Francis WODIE 5.7%, other

2.2%

Legislative branch:

unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (225 seats;

members are elected in single- and multi-district elections by

direct popular vote to serve five-year terms)

elections: elections last held 10 December 2000 with by-elections on

14 January 2001 (next to be held October 2005)

election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -

FPI 96, PDCI-RDA 94, RDR 5, PIT 4, other 2, independents 22, vacant 2

note: a Senate is scheduled to be created in the next full election

in 2005

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court or Cour Supreme consists of four chambers: Judicial

Chamber for criminal cases, Audit Chamber for financial cases,

Constitutional Chamber for judicial review cases, and Administrative

Chamber for civil cases; there is no legal limit to the number of

members

Political parties and leaders:

Citizen's Democratic Union or UDCY [Eg Theodore MEL]; Democratic

Party of Cote d'Ivoire-African Democratic Rally or PDCI-RDA [Henri

Konan BEDIE]; Ivorian Popular Front or FPI [Laurent GBAGBO]; Ivorian

Worker's Party or PIT [Francis WODIE]; Rally of the Republicans or

RDR [Alassane OUATTARA]; Union for Democracy and Peace or UDPCI

[Paul Akoto YAO]; over 20 smaller parties

Political pressure groups and leaders:

NA

International organization participation:

ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ, G-24, G-77, IAEA,

IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC,

IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OPCW,

UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WCL,

WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Daouda DIABATE chancery: 3421 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 797-0300 FAX: [1] (202) 462-9444

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Aubrey HOOKS

embassy: 5 Rue Jesse Owens, Abidjan

mailing address: B. P. 1712, Abidjan 01

telephone: [225] 20 21 09 79

FAX: [225] 20 22 32 59

Flag description:

three equal vertical bands of orange (hoist side), white, and

green; similar to the flag of Ireland, which is longer and has the

colors reversed - green (hoist side), white, and orange; also

similar to the flag of Italy, which is green (hoist side), white,

and red; design was based on the flag of France

Economy Cote d'Ivoire

Economy - overview:

Cote d'Ivoire is among the world's largest producers and exporters

of coffee, cocoa beans, and palm oil. Consequently, the economy is

highly sensitive to fluctuations in international prices for these

products and weather conditions. Despite government attempts to

diversify the economy, it is still heavily dependent on agriculture

and related activities, engaging roughly 68% of the population.

After several years of lagging performance, the Ivorian economy

began a comeback in 1994, due to the 50% devaluation of the CFA

franc and improved prices for cocoa and coffee, growth in

nontraditional primary exports such as pineapples and rubber,

limited trade and banking liberalization, offshore oil and gas

discoveries, and generous external financing and debt rescheduling

by multilateral lenders and France. Moreover, government adherence

to donor-mandated reforms led to a jump to 5% annual growth during

1996-99. Growth was negative in 2000-03 because of the difficulty of

meeting the conditions of international donors, continued low prices

of key exports, and severe civil war. In November 2004 the situation

deteriorated when President GBAGBO's troops attacked and killed nine

French peacekeeping forces, and the UN imposed an arms embargo.

Political uncertainty has clouded the economic outlook for 2005,

with fear among Ivorians spreading, foreign investment shriveling,

businessmen fleeing, travel within the country falling, and criminal

elements that traffic in weapons and diamonds gaining ground.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$24.78 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

-1% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $1,500 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 27.8% industry: 19.4% services: 52.8% (2004 est.)

Labor force:

6.7 million (68% agricultural) (2004 est.)

Unemployment rate:

13% in urban areas (1998)

Population below poverty line:

37% (1995)

Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.1% highest 10%: 28.8% (1995)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

36.7 (1995)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

1.4% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

11.3% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $2.412 billion

expenditures: $2.767 billion, including capital expenditures of $420

million (2004 est.)

Public debt:

74.8% of GDP (2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

coffee, cocoa beans, bananas, palm kernels, corn, rice, manioc

(tapioca), sweet potatoes, sugar, cotton, rubber; timber

Industries:

foodstuffs, beverages; wood products, oil refining, truck and bus

assembly, textiles, fertilizer, building materials, electricity,

ship construction and repair

Industrial production growth rate:

15% (1998 est.)

Electricity - production:

4.759 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 61.9% hydro: 38.1% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

2.976 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

1.45 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

29,300 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Oil - consumption:

32,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Oil - proved reserves:

220 million bbl (2004 est.)

Natural gas - production:

1.35 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - consumption:

1.35 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - exports:

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - imports:

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves:

14.87 billion cu m (2004)

Current account balance:

$-421.5 million (2004 est.)

Exports:

$5.124 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

cocoa, coffee, timber, petroleum, cotton, bananas, pineapples, palm

oil, fish

Exports - partners:

US 11.6%, Netherlands 10.3%, France 9.5%, Italy 5.5%, Belgium 4.7%,

Germany 4.7% (2004)

Imports:

$3.36 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

fuel, capital equipment, foodstuffs

Imports - partners:

France 24.3%, Nigeria 19.2%, UK 4% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$1.95 billion (2004 est.)

Debt - external:

$11.81 billion (2004 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:

ODA, $1 billion (1996 est.)

Currency (code):

Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XOF); note - responsible

authority is the Central Bank of the West African States

Currency code:

XOF

Exchange rates:

Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar - 528.29

(2004), 581.2 (2003), 696.99 (2002), 733.04 (2001), 711.98 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Cote d'Ivoire

Telephones - main lines in use:

328,000 (2003)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

1.236 million (2003)

Telephone system:

general assessment: well developed by African standards but

operating well below capacity

domestic: open-wire lines and microwave radio relay; 90% digitalized

international: country code - 225; satellite earth stations - 2

Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean); 2 submarine cables

(June 1999)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 2, FM 9, shortwave 3 (1998)

Radios:

2.26 million (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

14 (1999)

Televisions:

1.09 million (2000)

Internet country code:

.ci

Internet hosts:

3,795 (2004)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

5 (2001)

Internet users:

90,000 (2002)

Transportation Cote d'Ivoire

Railways:

total: 660 km

narrow gauge: 660 km 1.000-meter gauge

note: an additional 622 km of this railroad extends into Burkina

Faso (2004)

Highways:

total: 50,400 km

paved: 4,889 km

unpaved: 45,511 km (1999 est.)

Waterways:

980 km (navigable rivers, canals, and numerous coastal lagoons)

(2003)

Pipelines:

condensate 107 km; gas 223 km; oil 104 km (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Abidjan, Aboisso, Dabou, San-Pedro

Airports:

37 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 7

over 3,047 m: 1

2,438 to 3,047 m: 2

1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 30

1,524 to 2,437 m: 7

914 to 1,523 m: 15

under 914 m: 8 (2004 est.)

Military Cote d'Ivoire

Military branches:

Army, Navy, Air Force

Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service; conscript service obligation - 18 months (2004)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 18-49: 3,696,106 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: 1,973,265 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:

males: 189,354 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$180.2 million (2004)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

1.2% (2004)

Transnational Issues Cote d'Ivoire

Disputes - international:

rebel and ethnic fighting against the central government in 2002

has spilled into neighboring states, driven out foreign cocoa

workers from nearby countries, and, in 2004, resulted in 6,000

peacekeepers deployed as part of UN Operation in Cote d'Ivoire

(UNOCI) assisting 4,000 French troops already in-country; the

Ivorian Government accuses Burkina Faso and Liberia of supporting

Ivorian rebels

Refugees and internally displaced persons:

refugees (country of origin): 71,711 (Liberia)

IDPs: 500,000 (2002 coup; most IDPs are in western regions) (2004)

Illicit drugs:

illicit producer of cannabis, mostly for local consumption;

transshipment point for Southwest and Southeast Asian heroin to

Europe and occasionally to the US, and for Latin American cocaine

destined for Europe and South Africa; while rampant corruption and

inadequate supervision leave the banking system vulnerable to money

laundering, the lack of a developed financial system limits the

country's utility as a major money-laundering center

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Croatia

Introduction Croatia

Background:

The lands that today comprise Croatia were part of the

Austro-Hungarian Empire until the close of World War I. In 1918, the

Croats, Serbs, and Slovenes formed a kingdom known after 1929 as

Yugoslavia. Following World War II, Yugoslavia became a federal

independent Communist state under the strong hand of Marshal TITO.

Although Croatia declared its independence from Yugoslavia in 1991,

it took four years of sporadic, but often bitter, fighting before

occupying Serb armies were mostly cleared from Croatian lands. Under

UN supervision, the last Serb-held enclave in eastern Slavonia was

returned to Croatia in 1998.

Geography Croatia

Location:

Southeastern Europe, bordering the Adriatic Sea, between Bosnia and

Herzegovina and Slovenia

Geographic coordinates:

45 10 N, 15 30 E

Map references:

Europe

Area:

total: 56,542 sq km

land: 56,414 sq km

water: 128 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly smaller than West Virginia

Land boundaries:

total: 2,197 km

border countries: Bosnia and Herzegovina 932 km, Hungary 329 km,

Serbia and Montenegro (north) 241 km, Serbia and Montenegro (south)

25 km, Slovenia 670 km

Coastline:

5,835 km (mainland 1,777 km, islands 4,058 km)

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 12 nm

continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

Climate:

Mediterranean and continental; continental climate predominant with

hot summers and cold winters; mild winters, dry summers along coast

Terrain:

geographically diverse; flat plains along Hungarian border, low

mountains and highlands near Adriatic coastline and islands

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Adriatic Sea 0 m

highest point: Dinara 1,830 m

Natural resources:

oil, some coal, bauxite, low-grade iron ore, calcium, gypsum,

natural asphalt, silica, mica, clays, salt, hydropower

Land use: arable land: 26.09% permanent crops: 2.27% other: 71.65% (2001)

Irrigated land:

30 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

destructive earthquakes

Environment - current issues: air pollution (from metallurgical plants) and resulting acid rain is damaging the forests; coastal pollution from industrial and domestic waste; landmine removal and reconstruction of infrastructure consequent to 1992-95 civil strife

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Biodiversity,

Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous

Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship

Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic

Pollutants, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol

Geography - note:

controls most land routes from Western Europe to Aegean Sea and

Turkish Straits

People Croatia

Population:

4,495,904 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 16.4% (male 378,615/female 359,231)

15-64 years: 67% (male 1,497,355/female 1,514,993)

65 years and over: 16.6% (male 283,460/female 462,250) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 39.97 years

male: 38.01 years

female: 41.76 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

-0.02% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

9.57 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

11.38 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

1.58 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.61 male(s)/female

total population: 0.92 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 6.84 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 6.79 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 6.88 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 74.45 years

male: 70.79 years

female: 78.31 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

1.39 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

less than 0.1% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

200 (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

less than 10 (2001 est.)

Nationality:

noun: Croat(s), Croatian(s)

adjective: Croatian

Ethnic groups:

Croat 89.6%, Serb 4.5%, other 5.9% (including Bosniak, Hungarian,

Slovene, Czech, and Roma) (2001 census)

Religions:

Roman Catholic 87.8%, Orthodox 4.4%, other Christian 0.4%, Muslim

1.3%, other and unspecified 0.9%, none 5.2% (2001 census)

Languages:

Croatian 96.1%, Serbian 1%, other and undesignated 2.9% (including

Italian, Hungarian, Czech, Slovak, and German) (2001 census)

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 98.5%

male: 99.4%

female: 97.8% (2003 est.)

Government Croatia

Country name:

conventional long form: Republic of Croatia

conventional short form: Croatia

local long form: Republika Hrvatska

local short form: Hrvatska

former: People's Republic of Croatia, Socialist Republic of Croatia

Government type:

presidential/parliamentary democracy

Capital:

Zagreb

Administrative divisions:

20 counties (zupanije, zupanija - singular) and 1 city* (grad -

singular); Bjelovarsko-Bilogorska Zupanija, Brodsko-Posavska

Zupanija, Dubrovacko-Neretvanska Zupanija, Istarska Zupanija,

Karlovacka Zupanija, Koprivnicko-Krizevacka Zupanija,

Krapinsko-Zagorska Zupanija, Licko-Senjska Zupanija, Medimurska

Zupanija, Osjecko-Baranjska Zupanija, Pozesko-Slavonska Zupanija,

Primorsko-Goranska Zupanija, Sibensko-Kninska Zupanija,

Sisacko-Moslavacka Zupanija, Splitsko-Dalmatinska Zupanija,

Varazdinska Zupanija, Viroviticko-Podravska Zupanija,

Vukovarsko-Srijemska Zupanija, Zadarska Zupanija, Zagreb*,

Zagrebacka Zupanija

Independence:

25 June 1991 (from Yugoslavia)

National holiday:

Independence Day, 8 October (1991); note - 25 June 1991 is the day

the Croatian Parliament voted for independence; following a 3-month

moratorium to allow the European Community to solve the Yugoslav

crisis peacefully, Parliament adopted a decision on 8 October 1991

to sever constitutional relations with Yugoslavia

Constitution:

adopted on 22 December 1990; revised 2000, 2001

Legal system:

based on civil law system

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal (16 years of age, if employed)

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Stjepan (Stipe) MESIC (since 18 February

2000)

head of government: Prime Minister Ivo SANADER (since 9 December

2003); Deputy Prime Ministers Jadranka KOSOR (since 23 December

2003) and Damir POLANEC (since NA February 2005)

cabinet: Council of Ministers named by the prime minister and

approved by the parliamentary Assembly

elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;

election last held 16 January 2005 (next to be held January 2010);

the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority

coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the president and

then approved by the Assembly

election results: Stjepan MESIC reelected president; percent of vote

- Stjepan MESIC (HNS) 66%, Jadranka KOSOR (HDZ) 34%

Legislative branch:

unicameral Assembly or Sabor (152 seats; note - one seat was added

in the November 2003 parliamentary elections; members elected from

party lists by popular vote to serve four-year terms)

elections: Assembly - last held 23 November 2003 (next to be held in

2007)

election results: Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA%; number

of seats by party - HDZ 66, SDP 34, HSS 10, HNS 10, HSP 8, IDS 4,

Libra 3, HSU 3, SDSS 3, other 11

note: minority government coalition - HDZ, DC, HSLS, HSU, SDSS

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court; Constitutional Court; judges for both courts

appointed for eight-year terms by the Judicial Council of the

Republic, which is elected by the Assembly

Political parties and leaders:

Croatian Bloc or HB [Ivic PASALIC]; Croatian Christian Democratic

Union or HKDU [Anto KOVACEVIC]; Croatian Democratic Union or HDZ

[Ivo SANADER]; Croatian Party of Rights or HSP [Anto DJAPIC];

Croatian Peasant Party or HSS [Zlatko TOMCIC]; Croatian Pensioner

Party or HSU [Vladimir JORDAN]; Croatian People's Party or HNS

[Vesna PUSIC] (in 2005 party merged with Libra to become Croatian

People's Party-Liberal Democrats or NS-LD [Vesna PUSIC]); Croatian

Social Liberal Party or HSLS [Ivan CEHOK]; Croatian True Revival

Party or HIP [Miroslav TUDJMAN]; Democratic Centre or DC [Vesna

SKARE-OZBOLT]; Independent Democratic Serb Party or SDSS [Vojislav

STANIMIROVIC]; Istrian Democratic Assembly or IDS [Ivan JAKOVCIC];

Liberal Party or LS [Zlatko BENASIC]; Party of Liberal Democrats or

Libra [Jozo RADOS] (in 2005 merged with HNS); Social Democratic

Party of Croatia or SDP [Ivica RACAN]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

NA

International organization participation:

ABEDA, BIS, CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, FAO, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC,

ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO,

Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSTAH, NAM

(observer), OAS (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNAMSIL,

UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNIDO, UNMEE, UNMIL, UNMOGIP, UNOCI, UPU,

WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Neven JURICA

chancery: 2343 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 588-5899

FAX: [1] (202) 588-8936

consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, New York

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Ralph FRANK

embassy: 2 Thomas Jefferson, 10010 Zagreb

mailing address: use street address

telephone: [385] (1) 661-2200

FAX: [385] (1) 661-2373

Flag description:

red, white, and blue horizontal bands with Croatian coat of arms

(red and white checkered)

Economy Croatia

Economy - overview:

Before the dissolution of Yugoslavia, the Republic of Croatia,

after Slovenia, was the most prosperous and industrialized area,

with a per capita output perhaps one-third above the Yugoslav

average. The economy emerged from a mild recession in 2000 with

tourism, banking, and public investments leading the way.

Unemployment remains high, at about 14 percent, with structural

factors slowing its decline. While macroeconomic stabilization has

largely been achieved, structural reforms lag because of deep

resistance on the part of the public and lack of strong support from

politicians. Growth, while impressively about 4% for the last

several years, has been achieved through high fiscal and current

account deficits. The government is gradually reducing a heavy back

log of civil cases, many involving land tenure. The EU accession

process should accelerate fiscal and structural reform.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$50.33 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

3.7% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $11,200 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 8.2% industry: 30.1% services: 61.7% (2004 est.)

Labor force:

1.71 million (2004 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 2.7%, industry 32.8%, services 64.5% (2004)

Unemployment rate:

13.8% (2004 est.)

Population below poverty line:

11% (2003)

Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.4% highest 10%: 24.5% (2003 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

29 (1998)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

2.5% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

28.6% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $14.14 billion

expenditures: $15.65 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Public debt:

41.7% of GDP (2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

wheat, corn, sugar beets, sunflower seed, barley, alfalfa, clover,

olives, citrus, grapes, soybeans, potatoes; livestock, dairy products

Industries:

chemicals and plastics, machine tools, fabricated metal,

electronics, pig iron and rolled steel products, aluminum, paper,

wood products, construction materials, textiles, shipbuilding,

petroleum and petroleum refining, food and beverages; tourism

Industrial production growth rate:

2.7% (2004 est.)

Electricity - production:

12.51 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 33.6% hydro: 66% nuclear: 0% other: 0.4% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

15.2 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

406 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

3.966 billion kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

21,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Oil - consumption:

89,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Oil - proved reserves:

93.6 million bbl (1 January 2002)

Natural gas - production:

1.76 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - consumption:

2.84 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - exports:

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - imports:

1.08 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves:

34.36 billion cu m (1 January 2002)

Current account balance:

$-1.925 billion (2004 est.)

Exports:

$7.845 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

transport equipment, textiles, chemicals, foodstuffs, fuels

Exports - partners:

Italy 23%, Bosnia and Herzegovina 13.4%, Germany 11.4%, Austria

9.6%, Slovenia 7.6% (2004)

Imports:

$16.7 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

machinery, transport and electrical equipment, chemicals, fuels and

lubricants, foodstuffs

Imports - partners:

Italy 17.1%, Germany 15.5%, Russia 7.3%, Slovenia 7.1%, Austria

6.9%, France 4.4% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$8.563 billion (2004 est.)

Debt - external:

$26.4 billion (2004 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:

ODA $166.5 million (2002)

Currency (code):

kuna (HRK)

Currency code:

HRK

Exchange rates:

kuna per US dollar - 6.0358 (2004), 6.7035 (2003), 7.8687 (2002),

8.34 (2001), 8.2766 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Croatia

Telephones - main lines in use:

1.825 million (2002)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

2.553 million (2003)

Telephone system:

general assessment: NA

domestic: reconstruction plan calls for replacement of all analog

circuits with digital and enlarging the network; a backup will be

included in the plan for the main trunk

international: country code - 385; digital international service is

provided through the main switch in Zagreb; Croatia participates in

the Trans-Asia-Europe (TEL) fiber-optic project, which consists of

two fiber-optic trunk connections with Slovenia and a fiber-optic

trunk line from Rijeka to Split and Dubrovnik; Croatia is also

investing in ADRIA 1, a joint fiber-optic project with Germany,

Albania, and Greece (2000)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 16, FM 98, shortwave 5 (1999)

Radios:

1.51 million (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

36 (plus 321 repeaters) (September 1995)

Televisions:

1.22 million (1997)

Internet country code:

.hr

Internet hosts:

29,644 (2004)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

9 (2000)

Internet users:

1.014 million (2003)

Transportation Croatia

Railways: total: 2,726 km standard gauge: 2,726 km 1.435-m gauge (984 km electrified) (2004)

Highways:

total: 28,344 km

paved: 23,979 km (including 455 km of expressways)

unpaved: 4,365 km (2002)

Waterways:

785 km (2004)

Pipelines:

gas 1,340 km; oil 583 km (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Omisalj, Ploce, Rijeka, Sibenik, Vukovar (on Danube)

Merchant marine:

total: 73 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 750,579 GRT/1,178,786 DWT

by type: bulk carrier 25, cargo 12, chemical tanker 2,

passenger/cargo 25, petroleum tanker 4, refrigerated cargo 1, roll

on/roll off 4

foreign-owned: 1 (Denmark 1)

registered in other countries: 31 (2005)

Airports:

68 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 23 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 6 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 9 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 45 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 7 under 914 m: 37 (2004 est.)

Heliports: 1 (2004 est.)

Military Croatia

Military branches:

Ground Forces (Hrvatska Vojska, HKoV), Naval Forces (Hrvatska Ratna

Mornarica, HRM), Air and Air Defense Forces (Hrvatsko Ratno

Zrakoplovstvo i Protuzrakoplovna Obrana, HRZiPZO)

Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for compulsory military service, with 6-month service obligation; 16 years of age with consent for voluntary service; Croatian Military Police planning to end conscription in 2005 (December 2004)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 18-49: 1,005,058 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: 725,914 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:

males: 29,020 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$620 million (2004)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

2.39% (2002 est.)

Transnational Issues Croatia

Disputes - international:

discussions continue with Bosnia and Herzegovina over several small

disputed sections of the boundary; the Croatia-Slovenia land and

maritime boundary agreement, which would have ceded most of Pirin

Bay and maritime access to Slovenia and several villages to Croatia,

remains un-ratified and in dispute; as a European Union peripheral

state, neighboring Slovenia must conform to the strict Schengen

border rules to curb illegal migration and commerce through

southeastern Europe while encouraging close cross-border ties with

Croatia

Refugees and internally displaced persons:

IDPs: 12,600 (Croats and Serbs displaced in 1992-1995 war) (2004)

Illicit drugs:

transit point along the Balkan route for Southwest Asian heroin to

Western Europe; has been used as a transit point for maritime

shipments of South American cocaine bound for Western Europe

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Cuba

Introduction Cuba

Background:

The native Amerindian population of Cuba began to decline after the

European discovery of the island by Christopher COLUMBUS in 1492 and

following its development as a Spanish colony during the next

several centuries. Large numbers of African slaves were imported to

work the coffee and sugar plantations and Havana became the

launching point for the annual treasure fleets bound for Spain from

Mexico and Peru. Spanish rule was severe and exploitative and

occasional rebellions were harshly suppressed. It was US

intervention during the Spanish-American War in 1898 that finally

overthrew Spanish rule. The subsequent Treaty of Paris established

Cuban independence, which was granted in 1902 after a three-year

transition period. Fidel CASTRO led a rebel army to victory in 1959;

his iron rule has held the regime together since then. Cuba's

Communist revolution, with Soviet support, was exported throughout

Latin America and Africa during the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s. The

country is now slowly recovering from a severe economic recession in

1990, following the withdrawal of former Soviet subsidies, worth $4

billion to $6 billion annually. Cuba portrays its difficulties as

the result of the US embargo in place since 1961. Illicit migration

to the US - using homemade rafts, alien smugglers, air flights, or

via the southwest border - is a continuing problem. The US Coast

Guard intercepted 1,498 individuals attempting to cross the Straits

of Florida in 2004.

Geography Cuba

Location:

Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic

Ocean, 150 km south of Key West, Florida

Geographic coordinates:

21 30 N, 80 00 W

Map references:

Central America and the Caribbean

Area:

total: 110,860 sq km

land: 110,860 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly smaller than Pennsylvania

Land boundaries:

total: 29 km

border countries: US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay 29 km

note: Guantanamo Naval Base is leased by the US and thus remains

part of Cuba

Coastline:

3,735 km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Climate:

tropical; moderated by trade winds; dry season (November to April);

rainy season (May to October)

Terrain:

mostly flat to rolling plains, with rugged hills and mountains in

the southeast

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m

highest point: Pico Turquino 2,005 m

Natural resources:

cobalt, nickel, iron ore, chromium, copper, salt, timber, silica,

petroleum, arable land

Land use: arable land: 33.05% permanent crops: 7.6% other: 59.35% (2001)

Irrigated land:

870 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

the east coast is subject to hurricanes from August to November (in

general, the country averages about one hurricane every other year);

droughts are common

Environment - current issues:

air and water pollution; biodiversity loss; deforestation

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate

Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species,

Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine

Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation

Geography - note:

largest country in Caribbean and westernmost island of the Greater

Antilles

People Cuba

Population:

11,346,670 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 19.6% (male 1,139,644/female 1,079,412)

15-64 years: 70.1% (male 3,977,110/female 3,975,818)

65 years and over: 10.4% (male 540,720/female 633,966) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 35.36 years

male: 34.73 years

female: 35.98 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

0.33% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

12.03 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

7.19 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

-1.58 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.85 male(s)/female

total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 6.33 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 7.11 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 5.5 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 77.23 years

male: 74.94 years

female: 79.65 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

1.66 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

less than 0.1% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

3,300 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

less than 200 (2003 est.)

Nationality: noun: Cuban(s) adjective: Cuban

Ethnic groups:

mulatto 51%, white 37%, black 11%, Chinese 1%

Religions:

nominally 85% Roman Catholic prior to CASTRO assuming power;

Protestants, Jehovah's Witnesses, Jews, and Santeria are also

represented

Languages:

Spanish

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 97%

male: 97.2%

female: 96.9% (2003 est.)

People - note:

illicit migration is a continuing problem; Cubans attempt to depart

the island and enter the US using homemade rafts, alien smugglers,

direct flights, or falsified visas; Cubans also use non-maritime

routes to enter the US including direct flights to Miami and

overland via the southwest border

Government Cuba

Country name:

conventional long form: Republic of Cuba

conventional short form: Cuba

local long form: Republica de Cuba

local short form: Cuba

Government type:

Communist state

Capital:

Havana

Administrative divisions:

14 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia) and 1 special

municipality* (municipio especial); Camaguey, Ciego de Avila,

Cienfuegos, Ciudad de La Habana, Granma, Guantanamo, Holguin, Isla

de la Juventud*, La Habana, Las Tunas, Matanzas, Pinar del Rio,

Sancti Spiritus, Santiago de Cuba, Villa Clara

Independence:

20 May 1902 (from Spain 10 December 1898; administered by the US

from 1898 to 1902)

National holiday:

Independence Day, 10 December (1898); note - 10 December 1898 is

the date of independence from Spain, 20 May 1902 is the date of

independence from US administration; Rebellion Day, 26 July (1953)

Constitution:

24 February 1976; amended July 1992 and June 2002

Legal system:

based on Spanish and American law, with large elements of Communist

legal theory; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage:

16 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President of the Council of State and President of

the Council of Ministers Fidel CASTRO Ruz (prime minister from

February 1959 until 24 February 1976 when office was abolished;

president since 2 December 1976); First Vice President of the

Council of State and First Vice President of the Council of

Ministers Gen. Raul CASTRO Ruz (since 2 December 1976); note - the

president is both the chief of state and head of government

head of government: President of the Council of State and President

of the Council of Ministers Fidel CASTRO Ruz (prime minister from

February 1959 until 24 February 1976 when office was abolished;

president since 2 December 1976); First Vice President of the

Council of State and First Vice President of the Council of

Ministers Gen. Raul CASTRO Ruz (since 2 December 1976); note - the

president is both the chief of state and head of government

cabinet: Council of Ministers proposed by the president of the

Council of State and appointed by the National Assembly or the

31-member Council of State, elected by the Assembly to act on its

behalf when it is not in session

elections: president and vice presidents elected by the National

Assembly for a term of five years; election last held 6 March 2003

(next to be held in 2008)

election results: Fidel CASTRO Ruz reelected president; percent of

legislative vote - 100%; Raul CASTRO Ruz elected vice president;

percent of legislative vote - 100%

Legislative branch:

unicameral National Assembly of People's Power or Asemblea Nacional

del Poder Popular (609 seats, elected directly from slates approved

by special candidacy commissions; members serve five-year terms)

elections: last held 19 January 2003 (next to be held in NA 2008)

election results: percent of vote - PCC 97.6%; seats - PCC 609

Judicial branch:

People's Supreme Court or Tribunal Supremo Popular (president, vice

president, and other judges are elected by the National Assembly)

Political parties and leaders:

only party - Cuban Communist Party or PCC [Fidel CASTRO Ruz, first

secretary]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

NA

International organization participation:

ACP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IFAD, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMO,

Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, NAM, OAS

(excluded from formal participation since 1962), OPANAL, OPCW, PCA,

UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO,

WToO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US: none; note - Cuba has an Interests Section in the Swiss Embassy, headed by Principal Officer Dagoberto RODRIGUEZ Barrera; address: Cuban Interests Section, Swiss Embassy, 2630 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009; telephone: [1] (202) 797-8518

Diplomatic representation from the US: none; note - the US has an Interests Section in the Swiss Embassy, headed by Principal Officer James C. CASON; address: USINT, Swiss Embassy, Calzada between L and M Streets, Vedado, Havana; telephone: [53] (7) 833-3551 through 3559 (operator assistance required); FAX: [53] (7) 833-3700; protecting power in Cuba is Switzerland

Flag description:

five equal horizontal bands of blue (top and bottom) alternating

with white; a red equilateral triangle based on the hoist side bears

a white, five-pointed star in the center; design influenced by the

US flag

Economy Cuba

Economy - overview:

The government continues to balance the need for economic loosening

against a desire for firm political control. It has undertaken

limited reforms to increase enterprise efficiency and alleviate

serious shortages of food, consumer goods, and services. A major

feature of the economy is the dichotomy between relatively efficient

export enclaves and inefficient domestic sectors. The average

Cuban's standard of living remains at a lower level than before the

depression of the 1990s, which was caused by the loss of Soviet aid

and domestic inefficiencies. The government in 2004 strengthened its

controls over dollars coming into the economy from tourism,

remittances, and trade.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$33.92 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

3% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $3,000 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 6.6% industry: 25.5% services: 67.9% (2004 est.)

Labor force: 4.55 million note: state sector 78%, non-state sector 22% (2004 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 24%, industry 25%, services 51% (1999)

Unemployment rate:

2.5% (2004 est.)

Population below poverty line:

NA

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

3.1% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

11.2% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $18.01 billion

expenditures: $19.06 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

sugar, tobacco, citrus, coffee, rice, potatoes, beans; livestock

Industries:

sugar, petroleum, tobacco, construction, nickel, steel, cement,

agricultural machinery, pharmaceuticals

Industrial production growth rate:

1.4% (2004 est.)

Electricity - production:

14.41 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 93.9% hydro: 0.6% nuclear: 0% other: 5.4% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

13.4 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

77,900 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Oil - consumption:

163,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Oil - proved reserves:

532 million bbl (1 January 2002)

Natural gas - production:

600 million cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - consumption:

600 million cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - exports:

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - imports:

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves:

42.62 billion cu m (1 January 2002)

Current account balance:

$-185.1 million (2004 est.)

Exports:

$2.104 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

sugar, nickel, tobacco, fish, medical products, citrus, coffee

Exports - partners:

Netherlands 22.7%, Canada 20.6%, China 7.7%, Russia 7.5%, Spain

6.4%, Venezuela 4.4% (2004)

Imports:

$5.296 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

petroleum, food, machinery and equipment, chemicals

Imports - partners:

Spain 14.7%, Venezuela 13.5%, US 11%, China 8.9%, Canada 6.4%,

Italy 6.2%, Mexico 4.9% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$738.6 million (2004 est.)

Debt - external:

$12.09 billion (convertible currency); another $15-20 billion owed

to Russia (2004 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:

$68.2 million (1997 est.)

Currency (code):

Cuban peso (CUP) and Convertible peso (CUC)

Currency code:

CUP (nonconvertible Cuban peso) and CUC (convertible Cuban peso)

Exchange rates:

Convertible pesos per US dollar - 0.93

note: Cuba has three currencies in circulation: the Cuban peso

(CUP), the convertible peso (CUC), and the US dollar (USD), although

the dollar is being withdrawn from circulation; in April 2005 the

official exchange rate changed from $1 per CUC to $1.08 per CUC

(0.93 CUC per $1), both for individuals and enterprises; individuals

can buy 24 Cuban pesos (CUP) for each CUC sold, or sell 25 Cuban

pesos for each CUC bought; enterprises, however, must exchange CUP

and CUC at a 1:1 ratio.

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Cuba

Telephones - main lines in use:

574,400 (2002)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

17,900 (2002)

Telephone system:

general assessment: greater investment beginning in 1994 and the

establishment of a new Ministry of Information Technology and

Communications in 2000 has resulted in improvements in the system;

wireless service is expensive and remains restricted to foreigners

and regime elites, many Cubans procure wireless service illegally

with the help of foreigners

domestic: national fiber-optic system under development; 85% of

switches digitized by end of 2004; telephone line density remains

low, at 10 per 100 inhabitants; domestic cellular service expanding

international: country code - 53; fiber-optic cable laid to but not

linked to US network; satellite earth station - 1 Intersputnik

(Atlantic Ocean region)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 169, FM 55, shortwave 1 (1998)

Radios:

3.9 million (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

58 (1997)

Televisions:

2.64 million (1997)

Internet country code:

.cu

Internet hosts:

1,529 (2003)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

5 (2001)

Internet users:

120,000

note: private citizens are prohibited from buying computers or

accessing the Internet without special authorization; foreigners may

access the Internet in large hotels, but are subject to firewalls;

some Cubans buy illegal passwords on the black market, or take

advantage of public outlets to access limited email and the

government-controlled "intranet" (2004)

Transportation Cuba

Railways:

total: 4,226 km

standard gauge: 4,226 km 1.435-m gauge (140 km electrified)

note: an additional 7,742 km of track is used by sugar plantations;

about 65% of this track is standard gauge; the rest is narrow gauge

(2004)

Highways:

total: 60,858 km

paved: 29,820 km (including 638 km of expressway)

unpaved: 31,038 km (1999 est.)

Waterways:

240 km (2004)

Pipelines:

gas 49 km; oil 230 km (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Cienfuegos, Havana, Matanzas

Merchant marine:

total: 15 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 54,818 GRT/81,850 DWT

by type: bulk carrier 2, cargo 4, chemical tanker 1, passenger 2,

petroleum tanker 4, refrigerated cargo 2

foreign-owned: 1 (Spain 1)

registered in other countries: 20 (2005)

Airports:

170 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 79 over 3,047 m: 7 2,438 to 3,047 m: 9 1,524 to 2,437 m: 20 914 to 1,523 m: 6 under 914 m: 37 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 91 914 to 1,523 m: 29 under 914 m: 62 (2004 est.)

Military Cuba

Military branches:

Revolutionary Armed Forces (FAR): Revolutionary Army (ER),

Revolutionary Navy (MGR), Air and Air Defense Force (DAAFAR),

Territorial Militia Troops (MTT), Youth Labor Army (EJT)

Military service age and obligation:

17 years of age; both sexes are eligible for military service (2004)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 17-49: 2,967,865

females age 17-49: 2,913,559 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 17-49: 2,441,927

females age 17-49: 2,396,741 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:

males: 91,901

females: 87,500 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$572.3 million (2003)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

1.8% (2003)

Military - note:

Moscow, for decades the key military supporter and supplier of

Cuba, cut off almost all military aid by 1993

Transnational Issues Cuba

Disputes - international:

US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay is leased to US and only mutual

agreement or US abandonment of the area can terminate the lease

Illicit drugs:

territorial waters and air space serve as transshipment zone

primarily for marijuana bound for North America; established the

death penalty for certain drug-related crimes in 1999

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Cyprus

Introduction Cyprus

Background:

A former British colony, Cyprus received independence in 1960

following years of resistance to British rule. Tensions between the

Greek Cypriot majority and Turkish Cypriot minority came to a head

in December 1963, when violence broke out in the capital of Nicosia.

Despite the deployment of UN peacekeepers in 1964, sporadic

intercommunal violence continued forcing most Turkish Cypriots into

enclaves throughout the island. In 1974, a Greek-sponsored attempt

to seize the government was met by military intervention from

Turkey, which soon controlled more than a third of the island. In

1983, the Turkish-held area declared itself the "Turkish Republic of

Northern Cyprus," but it is recognized only by Turkey. The latest

two-year round of UN-brokered direct talks - between the leaders of

the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities to reach an

agreement to reunite the divided island - ended when the Greek

Cypriots rejected the UN settlement plan in an April 2004

referendum. Although only the internationally recognized Greek

Cypriot-controlled Republic of Cyprus joined the EU on 1 May 2004,

every Cypriot carrying a Cyprus passport will have the status of a

European citizen. EU laws, however, will not apply to north Cyprus.

Nicosia continues to oppose EU efforts to establish direct trade and

economic links to north Cyprus as a way of encouraging the Turkish

Cypriot community to continue to support reunification.

Geography Cyprus

Location:

Middle East, island in the Mediterranean Sea, south of Turkey

Geographic coordinates:

35 00 N, 33 00 E

Map references:

Middle East

Area:

total: 9,250 sq km (of which 3,355 sq km are in north Cyprus)

land: 9,240 sq km

water: 10 sq km

Area - comparative:

about 0.6 times the size of Connecticut

Land boundaries:

total: NA; note - boundary with Dhekelia is being resurveyed

border countries: Akrotiri 47.4 km, Dhekelia NA

Coastline:

648 km

Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

Climate:

temperate; Mediterranean with hot, dry summers and cool winters

Terrain:

central plain with mountains to north and south; scattered but

significant plains along southern coast

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m

highest point: Mount Olympus 1,951 m

Natural resources:

copper, pyrites, asbestos, gypsum, timber, salt, marble, clay earth

pigment

Land use: arable land: 7.79% permanent crops: 4.44% other: 87.77% (2001)

Irrigated land:

382 sq km (2001 est.)

Natural hazards:

moderate earthquake activity; droughts

Environment - current issues:

water resource problems (no natural reservoir catchments, seasonal

disparity in rainfall, sea water intrusion to island's largest

aquifer, increased salination in the north); water pollution from

sewage and industrial wastes; coastal degradation; loss of wildlife

habitats from urbanization

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic

Pollutants, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto

Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental

Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping,

Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea (after Sicily and

Sardinia)

People Cyprus

Population:

780,133 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 20.9% (male 83,256/female 79,701)

15-64 years: 67.7% (male 267,446/female 260,846)

65 years and over: 11.4% (male 38,766/female 50,118) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 34.68 years

male: 33.64 years

female: 35.7 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

0.54% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

12.57 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

7.64 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

0.43 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female

total population: 1 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 7.18 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 8.94 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 5.33 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 77.65 years

male: 75.29 years

female: 80.13 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

1.83 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

0.1% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

less than 1,000 (1999 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

NA

Nationality:

noun: Cypriot(s)

adjective: Cypriot

Ethnic groups:

Greek 77%, Turkish 18%, other 5% (2001)

Religions:

Greek Orthodox 78%, Muslim 18%, Maronite, Armenian Apostolic, and

other 4%

Languages:

Greek, Turkish, English

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 97.6%

male: 98.9%

female: 96.3% (2003 est.)

Government Cyprus

Country name:

conventional long form: Republic of Cyprus

conventional short form: Cyprus

note: the Turkish Cypriot community (north Cyprus) refers to itself

as the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" (TRNC)

Government type:

republic

note: a separation of the two ethnic communities inhabiting the

island began following the outbreak of communal strife in 1963; this

separation was further solidified after the Turkish intervention in

July 1974 that followed a Greek junta-supported coup attempt gave

the Turkish Cypriots de facto control in the north; Greek Cypriots

control the only internationally recognized government; on 15

November 1983 Turkish Cypriot "President" Rauf DENKTASH declared

independence and the formation of a "Turkish Republic of Northern

Cyprus" (TRNC), recognized only by Turkey

Capital:

Nicosia

Administrative divisions:

6 districts; Famagusta, Kyrenia, Larnaca, Limassol, Nicosia,

Paphos; note - Turkish Cypriot area's administrative divisions

include Kyrenia, all but a small part of Famagusta, and small parts

of Lefkosia (Nicosia) and Larnaca

Independence:

16 August 1960 (from UK); note - Turkish Cypriots proclaimed

self-rule on 13 February 1975 and independence in 1983, but these

proclamations are only recognized by Turkey

National holiday:

Independence Day, 1 October (1960); note - Turkish Cypriots

celebrate 15 November (1983) as Independence Day

Constitution:

16 August 1960; from December 1963, the Turkish Cypriots no longer

participated in the government; negotiations to create the basis for

a new or revised constitution to govern the island and for better

relations between Greek and Turkish Cypriots have been held

intermittently since the mid-1960s; in 1975, following the 1974

Turkish intervention, Turkish Cypriots created their own

constitution and governing bodies within the "Turkish Federated

State of Cyprus," which became the "Turkish Republic of Northern

Cyprus" when the Turkish Cypriots declared their independence in

1983; a new constitution for the "TRNC" passed by referendum on 5

May 1985

Legal system:

based on common law, with civil law modifications

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Tassos PAPADOPOULOS (since 1 March 2003);

note - the president is both the chief of state and head of

government; post of vice president is currently vacant; under the

1960 constitution, the post is reserved for a Turkish Cypriot

head of government: President Tassos PAPADOPOULOS (since 1 March

2003); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of

government; post of vice president is currently vacant; under the

1960 constitution, the post is reserved for a Turkish Cypriot

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed jointly by the president and

vice president

elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;

election last held 16 February 2003 (next to be held February 2008)

election results: Tassos PAPADOPOULOS elected president; percent of

vote - Tassos PAPADOPOULOS 51.5%, Glafkos KLIRIDIS 38.8%, Alekos

MARKIDIS 6.6%

note: Mehmet Ali TALAT becomes "president" of north Cyprus, 24 April

2005, after "presidential" elections on 17 April 2005; results -

Mehmet Ali TALAT 55.6%, Dervis EROGLU 22.7%; Ferdi Sabit SOYER is

"prime minister"; there is a Council of Ministers (cabinet) in north

Cyprus, appointed by the "prime minister"

Legislative branch:

unicameral - Republic of Cyprus: House of Representatives or Vouli

Antiprosopon (80 seats; 56 assigned to the Greek Cypriots, 24 to

Turkish Cypriots; note - only those assigned to Greek Cypriots are

filled; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year

terms); north Cyprus: Assembly of the Republic or Cumhuriyet Meclisi

(50 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year

terms)

elections: Republic of Cyprus: last held 27 May 2001 (next to be

held May 2006); north Cyprus: last held 14 December 2003 (next to be

held NA 2008)

election results: Republic of Cyprus: House of Representatives -

percent of vote by party - AKEL 34.71%, DISY 34%, DIKO 14.84%, KISOS

6.51%, others 9.94%; seats by party - AKEL (Communist) 20, DISY 19,

DIKO 9, KISOS 4, others 4; north Cyprus: Assembly of the Republic -

percent of vote by party - CTP 35.8%, UBP 32.3%, Peace and

Democratic Movement 13.4%, DP 12.3%; seats by party - CTP 19, UBP

18, Peace and Democratic Movement 6, DP 7

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court (judges are appointed jointly by the president and

vice president)

note: there is also a Supreme Court in north Cyprus

Political parties and leaders:

Republic of Cyprus: Democratic Party or DIKO [Tassos PAPADOPOULOS];

Democratic Rally or DISY [Nikos ANASTASIADHIS]; Fighting Democratic

Movement or ADIK [Dinos MIKHAILIDIS]; Green Party of Cyprus [George

PERDIKIS]; New Horizons [Nikolaus KOUTSOU]; Restorative Party of the

Working People or AKEL (Communist Party) [Dimitrios CHRISTOFIAS];

Social Democrats Movement or KISOS (formerly United Democratic Union

of Cyprus or EDEK) [Yiannakis OMIROU]; United Democrats Movement or

EDE [George VASSILIOU]; north Cyprus: Democratic Party or DP [Serder

DENKTASH]; National Birth Party or UDP [Enver EMIN]; National Unity

Party or UBP [Dervis EROGLU]; Our Party or BP [Okyay SADIKOGLU];

Patriotic Unity Movement or YBH [Alpay DURDURAN]; Peace and

Democratic Movement [Mustafa AKINCI]; Republican Turkish Party or

CTP [Mehmet ALI TALAT]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

Confederation of Cypriot Workers or SEK (pro-West); Confederation

of Revolutionary Labor Unions or Dev-Is; Federation of Turkish

Cypriot Labor Unions or Turk-Sen; Pan-Cyprian Labor Federation or

PEO (Communist controlled)

International organization participation:

Australia Group, C, CE, EBRD, EIB, EU (new member), FAO, IAEA,

IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO,

Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MIGA, NAM, NSG, OAS (observer), OPCW,

OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WEU

(observer affiliate), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Euripides L. EVRIVIADES chancery: 2211 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 462-5772 FAX: [1] (202) 483-6710 consulate(s) general: New York note: representative of the Turkish Cypriot community in the US is Osman ERTUG; office at 1667 K Street NW, Washington, DC; telephone [1] (202) 887-6198

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Michael KLOSSON

embassy: corner of Metochiou and Ploutarchou Streets, Engomi, 2407

Nicosia

mailing address: P. O. Box 24536, 1385 Nikosia

telephone: [357] (22) 393939

FAX: [357] (22) 780944

Flag description:

white with a copper-colored silhouette of the island (the name

Cyprus is derived from the Greek word for copper) above two green

crossed olive branches in the center of the flag; the branches

symbolize the hope for peace and reconciliation between the Greek

and Turkish communities

note: the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" flag has a

horizontal red stripe at the top and bottom between which is a red

crescent and red star on a white field

Economy Cyprus

Economy - overview:

The Greek Cypriot economy is prosperous but highly susceptible to

external shocks. The service sector, mainly tourism and financial

services, dominates the economy; erratic growth rates over the past

decade reflect the economy's reliance on tourism, which often

fluctuates with political instability in the region and economic

conditions in Western Europe. Economic policy is focused on meeting

the criteria to join the European Exchange Rate Mechanism (ERM2)

within the next two years although sluggish tourism and poor fiscal

management have resulted in growing budget deficits since 2001. As

in the Turkish sector, water shortages are a perennial problem; a

few desalination plants are now on-line. After 10 years of drought,

the country received substantial rainfall from 2001-03, alleviating

immediate concerns. The Turkish Cypriot economy has roughly

one-third of the per capita GDP of the south, and economic growth

tends to be volatile, given north Cyprus's relative isolation,

bloated public sector, reliance on the Turkish lira, and small

market size. The Turkish Cypriot economy grew 2.6% in 2004, fueled

by growth in the construction and education sectors as well as

increased employment of Turkish Cypriots in the Republic of Cyprus.

The Turkish Cypriots are heavily dependent on transfers from the

Turkish government. Ankara provides around $300 million a year

directly into the "TRNC" budget and regularly provides additional

financing for large infrastructure projects. Agriculture and

government service, together employ almost half of the work force,

and the potential for tourism is promising, especially with the

easing of border restrictions with the Greek Cypriots in April 2003.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

Republic of Cyprus: purchasing power parity - $15.71 billion north

Cyprus: purchasing power parity - $4.54 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

Republic of Cyprus: 3.2% north Cyprus: 2.6% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

Republic of Cyprus: purchasing power parity - $20,300 (2004 est.);

north Cyprus: purchasing power parity - $7,135 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector:

Republic of Cyprus: agriculture 4.1%; industry 19.9%; services 76%

north Cyprus: agriculture 10.6%; industry 20.5%; services 68.9%

(2004)

Labor force:

Republic of Cyprus: 330,000, north Cyprus: 95,025 (2004 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

Republic of Cyprus: agriculture 4.9%, industry 19.4%, services 75.6%

north Cyprus: agriculture 15.1%, industry 27%, services 57.9% (2003

est.)

Unemployment rate:

Republic of Cyprus: 3.2%; north Cyprus: 5.6% (2004 est.)

Population below poverty line:

NA%

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA%

highest 10%: NA%

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

Republic of Cyprus: 2.4% (2003 est.); north Cyprus: 12.6% (2003

est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

Republic of Cyprus: 17.9% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: Republic of Cyprus - $5.616 billion (2004 est.), north

Cyprus - $404.3 million (2003 est.)

expenditures: Republic of Cyprus - $685.7 million, including capital

expenditures of $685.7 million, north Cyprus - $775.7 million,

including capital expenditures of $91.4 million (2004 est.)

Public debt:

Republic of Cyprus: 74.9% of GDP (2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

citrus, vegetables, barley, grapes, olives, vegetables, poultry,

pork, lamb, kids, dairy, cheese

Industries:

tourism, food and beverage processing; cement and gypsum

production; ship repair and refurbishment; textiles; light

chemicals; metal products; wood, paper, stone, and clay products

Industrial production growth rate:

Republic of Cyprus: 0.4% (2002); north Cyprus: -0.3% (2002)

Electricity - production:

4 billion kWh; north Cyprus: NA kWh (2003)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption: Republic of Cyprus: 3.663 billion kWh (2003); north Cyprus: 602 million kWh (2003)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

300 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Oil - consumption:

Republic of Cyprus: 49,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Current account balance:

$-619.9 million (2004 est.)

Exports:

Republic of Cyprus: $1.094 billion f.o.b. north Cyprus: $49.3

million f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

Republic of Cyprus: citrus, potatoes, pharmaceuticals, cement,

clothing and cigarettes; north Cyprus: citrus, potatoes, textiles

Exports - partners:

UK 27.2%, Greece 11.9%, Germany 5%, UAE 4.8% (2004)

Imports:

Republic of Cyprus: $5.258 billion f.o.b. north Cyprus: $415.2

million f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

Republic of Cyprus: consumer goods, petroleum and lubricants,

intermediate goods, machinery, transport equipment; north Cyprus:

vehicles, fuel, cigarettes, food, minerals, chemicals, machinery

Imports - partners:

Greece 15.2%, Italy 10.5%, Germany 8.9%, UK 8.6%, France 6.3%,

Japan 4.7%, Israel 4.4%, China 4% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

Republic of Cyprus: $3.385 billion

north Cyprus: $941.6 million (2004 est.)

Debt - external:

Republic of Cyprus: $7.327 billion; north Cyprus: $NA (2004 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:

Republic of Cyprus - $17 million (1998); north Cyprus - $700

million from Turkey in grants and loans, which are usually forgiven

(2003)

Currency (code):

Greek Cypriot area: Cypriot pound (CYP); Turkish Cypriot area:

Turkish lira (TRL)

Currency code:

CYP; TRL

Exchange rates:

Cypriot pounds per US dollar - 0.4686 (2004), 0.5174 (2003), 0.6107

(2002), 0.6431 (2001), 0.6224 (2000), Turkish lira per US dollar

1.426 million (2004), 1.501 million (2003), 1.507 million (2002),

1.226 million (2001), 625,200 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Cyprus

Telephones - main lines in use:

Republic of Cyprus: 427,400 (2002); north Cyprus: 86,228 (2002)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

Republic of Cyprus: 417,900 (2002); north Cyprus: 143,178 (2002)

Telephone system:

general assessment: excellent in both Republic of Cyprus and north

Cyprus areas

domestic: open-wire, fiber-optic cable, and microwave radio relay

international: country code - 357; tropospheric scatter; 3 coaxial

and 5 fiber-optic submarine cables; satellite earth stations - 3

Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Indian Ocean), 2 Eutelsat, 2

Intersputnik, and 1 Arabsat

Radio broadcast stations:

Republic of Cyprus: AM 7, FM 60, shortwave 1 (1998); north Cyprus:

AM 3, FM 11, shortwave 1 (1998)

Radios:

Greek Cypriot area: 310,000 (1997); Turkish Cypriot area: 56,450

(1994)

Television broadcast stations:

Republic of Cyprus: 4 (plus 225 low-power repeaters) (September

1995); north Cyprus: 4 (plus 5 repeaters) (September 1995)

Televisions:

Greek Cypriot area: 248,000 (1997); Turkish Cypriot area: 52,300

(1994)

Internet country code:

.cy

Internet hosts:

5,901 (2004)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

6 (2000)

Internet users:

210,000 (2002)

Transportation Cyprus

Highways:

total: 13,943 km (Republic of Cyprus: 11,593 km; north Cyprus:

2,350 km)

paved: Republic of Cyprus: 7,211 km; north Cyprus: 1,370 km

unpaved: Republic of Cyprus: 4,382 km; north Cyprus: 980 km

(2002/1996 est.)

Ports and harbors:

Famagusta, Kyrenia, Larnaca, Limassol, Vasilikos

Merchant marine:

total: 972 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 22,016,374 GRT/35,760,004 DWT

by type: bulk carrier 384, cargo 248, chemical tanker 45, container

125, liquefied gas 4, passenger 8, passenger/cargo 19, petroleum

tanker 103, refrigerated cargo 19, roll on/roll off 12, vehicle

carrier 5

foreign-owned: 899 (Austria 2, Belgium 1, Canada 10, China 8,

Croatia 3, Cuba 5, Egypt 1, Estonia 3, France 1, Germany 236, Greece

396, Hong Kong 2, India 2, Iran 2, Israel 3, Japan 18, Latvia 7,

Monaco 1, Netherlands 12, Norway 14, Philippines 1, Poland 20,

Portugal 2, Russia 56, Singapore 2, Slovenia 4, South Korea 1, Spain

4, Sweden 6, Switzerland 4, Syria 2, Ukraine 3, UAE 11, United

Kingdom 24, United States 31, Vietnam 1)

registered in other countries: 54 (2005)

Airports:

17 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 13 2,438 to 3,047 m: 7 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 4

914 to 1,523 m: 2

under 914 m: 2 (2004 est.)

Heliports:

10 (2004 est.)

Military Cyprus

Military branches:

Republic of Cyprus: Greek Cypriot National Guard (GCNG; includes

air and naval elements)

north Cyprus: Turkish Cypriot Security Force (GKK)

Military service age and obligation:

18 years of age (2004)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 18-49: 184,352 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: 150,750 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:

males: 6,578 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$384 million (FY02)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

3.8% (FY02)

Transnational Issues Cyprus

Disputes - international:

hostilities in 1974 divided the island into two de facto autonomous

entities, the internationally recognized Cypriot Government and a

Turkish-Cypriot community (north Cyprus); the 1,000-strong UN

Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) has served in Cyprus since

1964 and maintains the buffer zone between north and south; March

2003 reunification talks failed, but Turkish-Cypriots later opened

their borders to temporary visits by Greek Cypriots; on 24 April

2004, the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities voted in

simultaneous and parallel referenda on whether to approve the

UN-brokered Annan Plan that would have ended the thirty-year

division of the island by establishing a new "United Cyprus

Republic," a majority of Greek Cypriots voted "no"; on 1 May 2004,

Cyprus entered the European Union still divided, with the EU's body

of legislation and standards (acquis communitaire) suspended in the

north

Refugees and internally displaced persons:

IDPs: 265,000 (both Turkish and Greek Cypriots; many displaced for

over 30 years) (2004)

Illicit drugs:

minor transit point for heroin and hashish via air routes and

container traffic to Europe, especially from Lebanon and Turkey;

some cocaine transits as well; despite a strengthening of

anti-money-laundering legislation, remains highly vulnerable to

money laundering; identification of benefiting owners and reporting

of suspicious transactions by nonresident-controlled companies in

offshore sector remains weak

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Czech Republic

Introduction Czech Republic

Background:

Following the First World War, the closely related Czechs and

Slovaks of the former Austro-Hungarian Empire merged to form

Czechoslovakia. During the interwar years, the new country's leaders

were frequently preoccupied with meeting the demands of other ethnic

minorities within the republic, most notably the Sudeten Germans and

the Ruthenians (Ukrainians). After World War II, a truncated

Czechoslovakia fell within the Soviet sphere of influence. In 1968,

an invasion by Warsaw Pact troops ended the efforts of the country's

leaders to liberalize Communist party rule and create "socialism

with a human face." Anti-Soviet demonstrations the following year

ushered in a period of harsh repression. With the collapse of Soviet

authority in 1989, Czechoslovakia regained its freedom through a

peaceful "Velvet Revolution." On 1 January 1993, the country

underwent a "velvet divorce" into its two national components, the

Czech Republic and Slovakia. The Czech Republic joined NATO in 1999

and the European Union in 2004.

Geography Czech Republic

Location:

Central Europe, southeast of Germany

Geographic coordinates:

49 45 N, 15 30 E

Map references:

Europe

Area:

total: 78,866 sq km

land: 77,276 sq km

water: 1,590 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly smaller than South Carolina

Land boundaries:

total: 1,881 km

border countries: Austria 362 km, Germany 646 km, Poland 658 km,

Slovakia 215 km

Coastline:

0 km (landlocked)

Maritime claims:

none (landlocked)

Climate:

temperate; cool summers; cold, cloudy, humid winters

Terrain:

Bohemia in the west consists of rolling plains, hills, and plateaus

surrounded by low mountains; Moravia in the east consists of very

hilly country

Elevation extremes: lowest point: Elbe River 115 m highest point: Snezka 1,602 m

Natural resources: hard coal, soft coal, kaolin, clay, graphite, timber

Land use: arable land: 39.8% permanent crops: 3.05% other: 57.15% (2001)

Irrigated land:

240 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

flooding

Environment - current issues: air and water pollution in areas of northwest Bohemia and in northern Moravia around Ostrava present health risks; acid rain damaging forests; efforts to bring industry up to EU code should improve domestic pollution

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air

Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85,

Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds,

Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto

Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental

Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer

Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

landlocked; strategically located astride some of oldest and most

significant land routes in Europe; Moravian Gate is a traditional

military corridor between the North European Plain and the Danube in

central Europe

People Czech Republic

Population:

10,241,138 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 14.7% (male 773,028/female 731,833)

15-64 years: 71.1% (male 3,651,018/female 3,627,006)

65 years and over: 14.2% (male 565,374/female 892,879) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 38.97 years

male: 37.2 years

female: 40.82 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

-0.05% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

9.07 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

10.54 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

0.97 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.63 male(s)/female

total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 3.93 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 4.28 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 3.55 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 76.02 years

male: 72.74 years

female: 79.49 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

1.2 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

less than 0.1% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

2,500 (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

less than 10 (2001 est.)

Nationality:

noun: Czech(s)

adjective: Czech

Ethnic groups:

Czech 90.4%, Moravian 3.7%, Slovak 1.9%, other 4% (2001 census)

Religions:

Roman Catholic 26.8%, Protestant 2.1%, other 3.3%, unspecified

8.8%, unaffiliated 59% (2001 census)

Languages:

Czech

Literacy:

definition: NA

total population: 99.9% (1999 est.)

male: NA%

female: NA%

Government Czech Republic

Country name:

conventional long form: Czech Republic

conventional short form: Czech Republic

local long form: Ceska Republika

local short form: Ceska Republika

Government type:

parliamentary democracy

Capital:

Prague

Administrative divisions:

13 regions (kraje, singular - kraj) and 1 capital city* (hlavni

mesto); Jihocesky Kraj, Jihomoravsky Kraj, Karlovarsky Kraj,

Kralovehradecky Kraj, Liberecky Kraj, Moravskoslezsky Kraj,

Olomoucky Kraj, Pardubicky Kraj, Plzensky Kraj, Praha (Prague)*,

Stredocesky Kraj, Ustecky Kraj, Vysocina, Zlinsky Kraj

Independence:

1 January 1993 (Czechoslovakia split into the Czech Republic and

Slovakia)

National holiday:

Czech Founding Day, 28 October (1918)

Constitution:

ratified 16 December 1992, effective 1 January 1993

Legal system:

civil law system based on Austro-Hungarian codes; has not accepted

compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; legal code modified to bring it in line

with Organization on Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE)

obligations and to expunge Marxist-Leninist legal theory

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Vaclav KLAUS (since 7 March 2003)

note: the Czech Republic's first president Vaclav HAVEL stepped down

from office on 2 February 2003 having served exactly 10 years;

parliament finally elected a successor on 28 February 2003 after two

inconclusive elections in January 2003

head of government: Prime Minister Jiri PAROUBEK (since 25 April

2005), Deputy Prime Ministers Zdenek SKROMACH (since 4 August 2004),

Martin JAHN (since 4 August 2004), Pavel NEMEC (since 4 August

2004), Milan SIMONOVSKY (since 4 August 2004)

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president on the recommendation of

the prime minister

elections: president elected by Parliament for a five-year term;

last successful election held 28 February 2003 (after earlier

elections held 15 and 24 January 2003 were inconclusive; next

election to be held January 2008); prime minister appointed by the

president

election results: Vaclav KLAUS elected president on 28 February

2003; Vaclav KLAUS 142 votes, Jan SOKOL 124 votes (third round;

combined votes of both chambers of parliament)

Legislative branch:

bicameral Parliament or Parlament consists of the Senate or Senat

(81 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve six-year

terms; one-third elected every two years) and the Chamber of

Deputies or Poslanecka Snemovna (200 seats; members are elected by

popular vote to serve four-year terms)

elections: Senate - last held in two rounds 5-6 November and 12-13

November 2004 (next to be held November 2006); Chamber of Deputies -

last held 14-15 June 2002 (next to be held by June 2006)

election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by

party - ODS 37, KDU-CSL 14, Open Democracy 13, CSSD 7, Caucus Open

Democracy 7, independents 3; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote

by party - CSSD 30.2%, ODS 24.5%, KSCM 18.5%, KDU-CSL & US-DEU

coalition 14.3%, other minor 12.5%; seats by party - CSSD 70, ODS

57, KSCM 41, KDU-CSL 21, US-DEU 10, independent 1

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court; Constitutional Court; chairman and deputy chairmen

are appointed by the president for a 10-year term

Political parties and leaders:

Caucus SNK [Josef ZOSER]; Christian and Democratic

Union-Czechoslovak People's Party or KDU-CSL [Miroslav KALOUSEK,

chairman]; Civic Democratic Alliance or ODA [Jirina NOVAKOVA,

chairman]; Civic Democratic Party or ODS [Mirek TOPOLANEK,

chairman]; Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia or KSCM [Miroslav

GREBENICEK, chairman]; Communist Party of Czechoslovakia or KSC

[Miroslav STEPAN, chairman]; Czech National Social Party of CSNS

[Jaroslav ROVNY, chairman]; Czech Social Democratic Party or CSSD

[Stanislav GROSS, acting chairman]; European Democrats [Jan KASL];

Freedom Union-Democratic Union or US-DEU [Hana Marvanova,

chairwoman]; Open Democracy [Sona PAUKRTOVA, chairwoman]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

Bohemian and Moravian Trade Union Confederation [Milan STECH]

International organization participation:

ACCT (observer), Australia Group, BIS, CE, CEI, CERN, EAPC, EBRD,

EIB, EU (new member), FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory),

ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC,

IOM, ISO, ITU, MIGA, MONUC, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD,

OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNMEE,

UNMIK, UNMIL, UNOMIG, UPU, WCL, WCO, WEU (member affiliate), WFTU,

WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO, ZC

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Martin PALOUS

chancery: 3900 Spring of Freedom Street NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 274-9100

FAX: [1] (202) 966-8540

consulate(s) general: Los Angeles and New York

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador William J. CABANISS

embassy: Trziste 15, 11801 Prague 1

mailing address: use embassy street address

telephone: [420] (2) 5753-0663

FAX: [420] (2) 5753-0583

Flag description:

two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red with a blue

isosceles triangle based on the hoist side (identical to the flag of

the former Czechoslovakia)

Economy Czech Republic

Economy - overview:

The Czech Republic is one of the most stable and prosperous of the

post-Communist states of Central and Eastern Europe. Growth in

2000-04 was supported by exports to the EU, primarily to Germany,

and a strong recovery of foreign and domestic investment. Domestic

demand is playing an ever more important role in underpinning growth

as interest rates drop and the availability of credit cards and

mortgages increases. Current account deficits of around 5% of GDP

are beginning to decline as demand for Czech products in the

European Union increases. Inflation is under control. Recent

accession to the EU gives further impetus and direction to

structural reform. In early 2004 the government passed increases in

the Value Added Tax (VAT) and tightened eligibility for social

benefits with the intention to bring the public finance gap down to

4% of GDP by 2006, but more difficult pension and healthcare reforms

will have to wait until after the next elections. Privatization of

the state-owned telecommunications firm Cesky Telecom is scheduled

to take place in 2005. Intensified restructuring among large

enterprises, improvements in the financial sector, and effective use

of available EU funds should strengthen output growth.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$172.2 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

3.7% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $16,800 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 3.4% industry: 39.3% services: 57.3% (2004 est.)

Labor force:

5.25 million (2004 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 4%, industry 38%, services 58% (2002 est.)

Unemployment rate:

10.6% (2004 est.)

Population below poverty line:

NA

Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 4.3% highest 10%: 22.4% (1996)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

25.4 (1996)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

3.2% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

29% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $39.31 billion

expenditures: $45.8 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Public debt:

33.5% of GDP (2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

wheat, potatoes, sugar beets, hops, fruit; pigs, poultry

Industries:

metallurgy, machinery and equipment, motor vehicles, glass,

armaments

Industrial production growth rate:

4.7% (2004 est.)

Electricity - production:

71.75 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 76.1% hydro: 2.9% nuclear: 20% other: 1% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

55.33 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

20.9 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

9.5 billion kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

7,419 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

175,700 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

26,670 bbl/day (2001)

Oil - imports:

192,300 bbl/day (2001)

Oil - proved reserves:

17.25 million bbl (1 January 2002)

Natural gas - production:

160 million cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - consumption:

9.892 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - exports:

1 million cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - imports:

9.521 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves:

3.057 billion cu m (1 January 2002)

Current account balance:

$-5.73 billion (2004 est.)

Exports:

$66.51 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

machinery and transport equipment 52%, chemicals 5%, raw materials

and fuel 9% (2003)

Exports - partners:

Germany 36.1%, Slovakia 8.4%, Austria 6%, Poland 5.3%, UK 4.7%,

France 4.7%, Italy 4.3%, Netherlands 4.3% (2004)

Imports:

$68.19 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

machinery and transport equipment 46%, raw materials and fuels 15%,

chemicals 10% (2003)

Imports - partners:

Germany 31.7%, Slovakia 5.4%, Italy 5.3%, China 5.2%, Poland 4.8%,

France 4.8%, Russia 4.1% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$32.78 billion (2004 est.)

Debt - external:

$36.28 billion (2004 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:

$2.4 billion in available EU structural adjustment and cohesion

funds (2004-06)

Currency (code):

Czech koruna (CZK)

Currency code:

CZK

Exchange rates:

koruny per US dollar - 25.7 (2004), 28.209 (2003), 32.739 (2002),

38.035 (2001), 38.598 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Czech Republic

Telephones - main lines in use:

3.626 million (2003)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

9,708,700 (2003)

Telephone system:

general assessment: privatization and modernization of the Czech

telecommunication system got a late start but is advancing steadily;

growth in the use of mobile cellular telephones is particularly

vigorous

domestic: 86% of exchanges now digital; existing copper subscriber

systems now being enhanced with Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line

(ADSL) equipment to accommodate Internet and other digital signals;

trunk systems include fiber-optic cable and microwave radio relay

international: country code - 420; satellite earth stations - 2

Intersputnik (Atlantic and Indian Ocean regions), 1 Intelsat, 1

Eutelsat, 1 Inmarsat, 1 Globalstar

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 31, FM 304, shortwave 17 (2000)

Radios:

3,159,134 (December 2000)

Television broadcast stations:

150 (plus 1,434 repeaters) (2000)

Televisions:

3,405,834 (December 2000)

Internet country code:

.cz

Internet hosts:

295,677 (2004)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

more than 300 (2000)

Internet users:

2.7 million (2003)

Transportation Czech Republic

Railways:

total: 9,543 km

standard gauge: 9,421 km 1.435-m gauge (2,893 km electrified)

narrow gauge: 122 km 0.760-m gauge (23 km electrified) (2004)

Highways:

total: 127,204 km

paved: 127,204 km (including 518 km of expressways)

unpaved: 0 km (2002)

Waterways:

664 km (on Elbe, Vltava, and Oder rivers) (2004)

Pipelines:

gas 7,020 km; oil 547 km; refined products 94 km (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Decin, Prague, Usti nad Labem

Merchant marine:

registered in other countries: 3

Airports:

120 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 44 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 9 1,524 to 2,437 m: 14 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 17 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 76 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 27 under 914 m: 48 (2004 est.)

Heliports: 2 (2004 est.)

Military Czech Republic

Military branches:

Army of the Czech Republic (ACR): Joint Forces Command, Support and

Training Forces Command (2005)

Military service age and obligation: 18-50 years of age for voluntary military service; military service transformed into a fully professional, all-volunteer force no longer dependent on conscription beginning in January 2004 (2005)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 18-49: 2,414,728 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: 1,996,631 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:

males: 66,583 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$2.17 billion (2004)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

2.02% (2004)

Transnational Issues Czech Republic

Disputes - international:

in February 2005, the ICJ refused to rule on the restitution of

Liechtenstein's land and property assets in the Czech Republic

confiscated in 1945 as German property; individual Sudeten Germans

seek restitution for property confiscated in connection with their

expulsion after World War II

Illicit drugs:

transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin and minor transit

point for Latin American cocaine to Western Europe; producer of

synthetic drugs for local and regional markets; susceptible to money

laundering related to drug trafficking, organized crime

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Denmark

Introduction Denmark

Background:

Once the seat of Viking raiders and later a major north European

power, Denmark has evolved into a modern, prosperous nation that is

participating in the general political and economic integration of

Europe. It joined NATO in 1949 and the EEC (now the EU) in 1973.

However, the country has opted out of certain elements of the

European Union's Maastricht Treaty, including the European Economic

and Monetary Union (EMU), European defense cooperation, and issues

concerning certain justice and home affairs.

Geography Denmark

Location:

Northern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea and the North Sea, on a

peninsula north of Germany (Jutland); also includes two major

islands (Sjaelland and Fyn)

Geographic coordinates:

56 00 N, 10 00 E

Map references:

Europe

Area:

total: 43,094 sq km

land: 42,394 sq km

water: 700 sq km

note: includes the island of Bornholm in the Baltic Sea and the rest

of metropolitan Denmark (the Jutland Peninsula, and the major

islands of Sjaelland and Fyn), but excludes the Faroe Islands and

Greenland

Area - comparative:

slightly less than twice the size of Massachusetts

Land boundaries: total: 68 km border countries: Germany 68 km

Coastline: 7,314 km

Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

Climate:

temperate; humid and overcast; mild, windy winters and cool summers

Terrain:

low and flat to gently rolling plains

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Lammefjord -7 m

highest point: Yding Skovhoej 173 m

Natural resources:

petroleum, natural gas, fish, salt, limestone, chalk, stone, gravel

and sand

Land use: arable land: 54.02% permanent crops: 0.19% other: 45.79% (2001)

Irrigated land:

4,760 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

flooding is a threat in some areas of the country (e.g., parts of

Jutland, along the southern coast of the island of Lolland) that are

protected from the sea by a system of dikes

Environment - current issues:

air pollution, principally from vehicle and power plant emissions;

nitrogen and phosphorus pollution of the North Sea; drinking and

surface water becoming polluted from animal wastes and pesticides

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air

Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85,

Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds,

Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto

Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental

Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping,

Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution,

Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

controls Danish Straits (Skagerrak and Kattegat) linking Baltic and

North Seas; about one-quarter of the population lives in greater

Copenhagen

People Denmark

Population:

5,432,335 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 18.8% (male 524,250/female 497,683)

15-64 years: 66.1% (male 1,811,787/female 1,780,907)

65 years and over: 15.1% (male 349,458/female 468,250) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 39.47 years

male: 38.55 years

female: 40.4 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

0.34% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

11.36 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

10.43 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

2.53 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.75 male(s)/female

total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 4.56 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 4.59 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 4.53 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 77.62 years

male: 75.34 years

female: 80.03 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

1.74 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

0.2% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

5,000 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

less than 100 (2003 est.)

Nationality:

noun: Dane(s)

adjective: Danish

Ethnic groups:

Scandinavian, Inuit, Faroese, German, Turkish, Iranian, Somali

Religions:

Evangelical Lutheran 95%, other Protestant and Roman Catholic 3%,

Muslim 2%

Languages:

Danish, Faroese, Greenlandic (an Inuit dialect), German (small

minority)

note: English is the predominant second language

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 100%

male: 100%

female: 100%

Government Denmark

Country name:

conventional long form: Kingdom of Denmark

conventional short form: Denmark

local long form: Kongeriget Danmark

local short form: Danmark

Government type:

constitutional monarchy

Capital:

Copenhagen

Administrative divisions:

metropolitan Denmark - 14 counties (amter, singular - amt) and 2

boroughs* (amtskommuner, singular - amtskommune); Arhus, Bornholm,

Frederiksberg*, Frederiksborg, Fyn, Kobenhavn, Kobenhavn

(Copenhagen)*, Nordjylland, Ribe, Ringkobing, Roskilde,

Sonderjylland, Storstrom, Vejle, Vestsjalland, Viborg

note: since 2005 Bornholm may have become a borough; in the future

the counties may be replaced by regions; see separate entries for

the Faroe Islands and Greenland, which are part of the Kingdom of

Denmark and are self-governing overseas administrative divisions

Independence:

first organized as a unified state in 10th century; in 1849 became

a constitutional monarchy

National holiday:

none designated; Constitution Day, 5 June (1849) is generally

viewed as the National Day

Constitution:

5 June 1849 adoption of original constitution; a major overhaul of

5 June 1953 allowed for a unicameral legislature and a female chief

of state

Legal system:

civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts; accepts

compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: Queen MARGRETHE II (since 14 January 1972); Heir

Apparent Crown Prince FREDERIK, elder son of the monarch (born 26

May 1968)

head of government: Prime Minister Anders Fogh RASMUSSEN (since 27

November 2001)

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister and approved by

parliament

elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; following legislative

elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the

majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the monarch

Legislative branch:

unicameral People's Assembly or Folketinget (179 seats, including 2

from Greenland and 2 from the Faroe Islands; members are elected by

popular vote on the basis of proportional representation to serve

four-year terms)

elections: last held 8 February 2005 (next to be held February 2009)

election results: percent of vote by party - Liberal Party 29%,

Social Democrats 25.9%, Danish People's Party 13.2%, Conservative

Party 10.3%, Social Liberal Party 9.2%, Socialist People's Party 6%,

Unity List 3.4%; seats by party - Liberal Party 52, Social Democrats

47, Danish People's Party 24, Conservative Party 18, Social Liberal

Party 17, Socialist People's Party 11, Unity List 6; note - does not

include the 2 seats from Greenland and the 2 seats from the Faroe

Islands

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the monarch for life)

Political parties and leaders:

Center Democratic Party [Mimi JAKOBSEN]; Christian Democrats (was

Christian People's Party) [Marianne KARLSMOSE]; Conservative Party

(sometimes known as Conservative People's Party) [Bendt BENDTSEN];

Danish People's Party [Pia KJAERSGAARD]; Liberal Party [Anders Fogh

RASMUSSEN]; Social Democratic Party [Helle THORNING-SCHMIDT]; Social

Liberal Party (sometimes called the Radical Left) [Marianne JELVED,

leader; Soren BALD, chairman]; Socialist People's Party [Villy

SOEVNDAL]; Red-Green Unity List (bloc includes Left Socialist Party,

Communist Party of Denmark, Socialist Workers' Party) [collective

leadership]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

NA

International organization participation:

AfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB,

ESA, EU, FAO, G- 9, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM,

IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM,

ISO, ITU, MIGA, MONUC, NATO, NC, NEA, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer),

OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, UN, UN Security Council

(temporary), UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMEE, UNMIK,

UNMIL, UNMISET, UNMOGIP, UNOMIG, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WEU (observer),

WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC

Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Friis PETERSEN chancery: 3200 Whitehaven Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 234-4300 FAX: [1] (202) 328-1470 consulate(s) general: Chicago and New York

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Sally M.

LIGHT

embassy: Dag Hammarskjolds Alle 24, 2100 Copenhagen

mailing address: PSC 73, APO AE 09716

telephone: [45] 35 55 31 44

FAX: [45] 35 43 02 23

Flag description:

red with a white cross that extends to the edges of the flag; the

vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side, and that

design element of the Dannebrog (Danish flag) was subsequently

adopted by the other Nordic countries of Finland, Iceland, Norway,

and Sweden

Economy Denmark

Economy - overview:

This thoroughly modern market economy features high-tech

agriculture, up-to-date small-scale and corporate industry,

extensive government welfare measures, comfortable living standards,

a stable currency, and high dependence on foreign trade. Denmark is

a net exporter of food and energy and enjoys a comfortable balance

of payments surplus. Government objectives include streamlining the

bureaucracy and further privatization of state assets. The

government has been successful in meeting, and even exceeding, the

economic convergence criteria for participating in the third phase

(a common European currency) of the European Economic and Monetary

Union (EMU), but Denmark has decided not to join 12 other EU members

in the euro; even so, the Danish krone remains pegged to the euro.

Growth in 2004 was sluggish, yet above the scanty 0.3% of 2003.

Because of high GDP per capita, welfare benefits, a low Gini index,

and political stability, the Danish people enjoy living standards

topped by no other nation. A major long-term issue will be the sharp

decline in the ratio of workers to retirees.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$174.4 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

2.1% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $32,200 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 2.2% industry: 25.5% services: 72.3% (2004 est.)

Labor force:

2.87 million (2004 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 4%, industry 17%, services 79% (2002 est.)

Unemployment rate:

6.2% (2004 est.)

Population below poverty line:

NA

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: 2%

highest 10%: 24% (2000 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

24.7 (1992)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

1.4% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

19.8% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $136.1 billion

expenditures: $133.4 billion, including capital expenditures of $500

million (2004 est.)

Public debt:

42.5% of GDP (2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

barley, wheat, potatoes, sugar beets; pork, dairy products; fish

Industries:

iron, steel, nonferrous metals, chemicals, food processing,

machinery and transportation equipment, textiles and clothing,

electronics, construction, furniture and other wood products,

shipbuilding and refurbishment, windmills

Industrial production growth rate:

1.7% (2004 est.)

Electricity - production:

36.38 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 82.7% hydro: 0.1% nuclear: 0% other: 17.3% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

31.63 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

11.1 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

8.9 billion kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

346,200 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

218,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

332,100 bbl/day (2001)

Oil - imports:

195,000 bbl/day (2001)

Oil - proved reserves:

1.23 billion bbl (1 January 2002)

Natural gas - production:

8.38 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - consumption:

5.28 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - exports:

3.1 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - imports:

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves:

81.98 billion cu m (1 January 2002)

Current account balance:

$6.529 billion (2004 est.)

Exports:

$73.06 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

machinery and instruments, meat and meat products, dairy products,

fish, chemicals, furniture, ships, windmills

Exports - partners:

Germany 18%, Sweden 13.2%, UK 8.7%, US 5.8%, Netherlands 5.5%,

Norway 5.4%, France 5% (2004)

Imports:

$63.45 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

machinery and equipment, raw materials and semimanufactures for

industry, chemicals, grain and foodstuffs, consumer goods

Imports - partners:

Germany 22.3%, Sweden 13.5%, Netherlands 6.8%, UK 6.1%, France

4.5%, Norway 4.5%, Italy 4.1%, China 4% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$37.98 billion (2003)

Debt - external:

$21.7 billion (2000)

Economic aid - donor:

ODA, $1.63 billion (1999)

Currency (code):

Danish krone (DKK)

Currency code:

DKK

Exchange rates:

Danish kroner per US dollar - 5.9911 (2004), 6.5877 (2003), 7.8947

(2002), 8.3228 (2001), 8.0831 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Denmark

Telephones - main lines in use:

3,610,100 (2003)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

4,785,300 (2003)

Telephone system:

general assessment: excellent telephone and telegraph services

domestic: buried and submarine cables and microwave radio relay form

trunk network, 4 cellular mobile communications systems

international: country code - 45; 18 submarine fiber-optic cables

linking Denmark with Canada, Faroe Islands, Germany, Iceland,

Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Russia, Sweden, and UK; satellite earth

stations - 6 Intelsat, 10 Eutelsat, 1 Orion, 1 Inmarsat

(Blaavand-Atlantic-East); note - the Nordic countries (Denmark,

Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden) share the Danish earth station

and the Eik, Norway, station for worldwide Inmarsat access (1997)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 2, FM 355, shortwave 0 (1998)

Radios:

6.02 million (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

26 (plus 51 repeaters) (1998)

Televisions:

3.121 million (1997)

Internet country code:

.dk

Internet hosts:

1,219,925 (2004)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

13 (2000)

Internet users:

2.756 million (2002)

Transportation Denmark

Railways: total: 2,628 km standard gauge: 2,628 km 1.435-m gauge (595 km electrified) (2004)

Highways:

total: 71,847 km

paved: 71,847 km (including 918 km of expressways)

unpaved: 0 km (2002)

Waterways:

417 km (2001)

Pipelines:

condensate 12 km; gas 3,892 km; oil 455 km; oil/gas/water 2 km;

unknown (oil/water) 64 km (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Aalborg, Aarhus, Asnaesvaerkets, Copenhagen, Elsinore, Ensted,

Esbjerg, Fredericia, Frederikshavn, Graasten, Kalundborg, Odense,

Roenne

Merchant marine:

total: 287 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 6,952,473 GRT/9,030,444 DWT

by type: bulk carrier 2, cargo 67, chemical tanker 40, container 79,

liquefied gas 10, livestock carrier 2, passenger 1, passenger/cargo

42, petroleum tanker 25, refrigerated cargo 7, roll on/roll off 8,

specialized tanker 4

foreign-owned: 23 (Bahamas 14, France 1, Greece 1, Greenland 1,

Norway 2, Sweden 2, UAE 1, Vietnam 1)

registered in other countries: 487 (2005)

Airports:

97 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 28 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 7 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 12 under 914 m: 3 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 69 914 to 1,523 m: 6 under 914 m: 63 (2004 est.)

Military Denmark

Military branches:

Royal Danish Army, Royal Danish Navy, Royal Danish Air Force, Home

Guard (Hjemmevaernet)

Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for compulsory and volunteer military service; conscripts serve an initial training period that varies from 4 to 12 months according to specialization; reservists are assigned to mobilization units following completion of their conscript service (2004)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 18-49: 1,175,108 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: 955,168 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:

males: 31,317 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$3,271.6 million (2003)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

1.5% (2004)

Transnational Issues Denmark

Disputes - international:

Iceland disputes the Faroe Islands' fisheries median line; Iceland,

the UK, and Ireland dispute Denmark's claim that the Faroe Islands'

continental shelf extends beyond 200 nm; Faroese continue to study

proposals for full independence; uncontested sovereignty dispute

with Canada over Hans Island in the Kennedy Channel between

Ellesmere Island and Greenland

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Dhekelia

Introduction Dhekelia

Background:

By terms of the 1960 Treaty of Establishment that created the

independent Republic of Cyprus, the UK retained full sovereignty and

jurisdiction over two areas of almost 254 square kilometers in

total: Akrotiri and Dhekelia. The larger of these is the Dhekelia

Sovereign Base Area, which is also referred to as the Eastern

Sovereign Base Area.

Geography Dhekelia

Location:

on the southeast coast of Cyprus near Famagusta

Geographic coordinates:

34 59 N, 33 45 E

Map references:

Middle East

Area:

total: 130.8 sq km

note: area surrounds three Cypriot enclaves

Area - comparative:

about three-quarters the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries:

total: NA; note - boundary with Cyprus is being resurveyed

Coastline:

27.5 km

Climate:

temperate; Mediterranean with hot, dry summers and cool winters

Environment - current issues:

netting and trapping of small migrant songbirds in the spring and

autumn

Geography - note:

British extraterritorial rights also extended to several small

off-post sites scattered across Cyprus

People Dhekelia

Population:

no indigenous personnel

note: approximately 2,200 military personnel are on the base; there

are another 5,000 British citizens who are families of military

personnel or civilian staff on both the bases of Akrotiri and

Dhekelia; Cyprus citizens work on the base, but do not live there

Languages:

English, Greek

Government Dhekelia

Country name:

conventional long form: Dhekelia Sovereign Base Area

conventional short form: Dhekelia

Dependency status:

overseas territory of UK; administered by an administrator who is

also the Commander, British Forces Cyprus

Capital:

Episkopi Cantonment; located in Akrotiri

Legal system:

the laws of the UK, where applicable, apply

Executive branch:

chief of state: Queen Elizabeth II (since 6 February 1952)

head of government: Administrator Maj. Gen. Peter Tomas Clayton

PEARSON (since 9 May 2003); note - reports to the British Ministry

of Defence

elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; the administrator is

appointed by the monarch

Diplomatic representation in the US:

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Diplomatic representation from the US:

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Flag description:

the flag of the UK is used

Economy Dhekelia

Economy - overview:

Economic activity is limited to providing services to the military

and their families located in Dhekelia. All food and manufactured

goods must be imported.

Industries:

none

Military Dhekelia

Military - note:

includes Dheklia Garrison and Ayios Nikolaos Station connected by a

roadway

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Djibouti

Introduction Djibouti

Background:

The French Territory of the Afars and the Issas became Djibouti in

1977. Hassan Gouled APTIDON installed an authoritarian one-party

state and proceeded to serve as president until 1999. Unrest among

the Afars minority during the 1990s led to a civil war that ended in

2001 following the conclusion of a peace accord between Afar rebels

and the Issa-dominated government. Djibouti's first multi-party

presidential elections in 1999 resulted in the election of Ismail

Omar GUELLEH. Djibouti occupies a very strategic geographic location

at the mouth of the Red Sea and serves as an important transshipment

location for goods entering and leaving the east African highlands.

The present leadership favors close ties to France, which maintains

a significant military presence in the country, but has also

developed increasingly stronger ties with the United States in

recent years. Djibouti currently hosts the only United States

military base in sub-Saharan Africa and is a front-line state in the

global war on terrorism.

Geography Djibouti

Location:

Eastern Africa, bordering the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea, between

Eritrea and Somalia

Geographic coordinates:

11 30 N, 43 00 E

Map references:

Africa

Area:

total: 23,000 sq km

land: 22,980 sq km

water: 20 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly smaller than Massachusetts

Land boundaries: total: 516 km border countries: Eritrea 109 km, Ethiopia 349 km, Somalia 58 km

Coastline: 314 km

Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Climate:

desert; torrid, dry

Terrain:

coastal plain and plateau separated by central mountains

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Lac Assal -155 m

highest point: Moussa Ali 2,028 m

Natural resources:

geothermal areas, gold, clay, granite, limestone, marble, salt,

diatomite, gypsum, pumice, petroleum

Land use: arable land: 0.04% permanent crops: 0% other: 99.96% (2001)

Irrigated land:

10 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

earthquakes; droughts; occasional cyclonic disturbances from the

Indian Ocean bring heavy rains and flash floods

Environment - current issues:

inadequate supplies of potable water; limited arable land;

desertification; endangered species

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto

Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law

of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

strategic location near world's busiest shipping lanes and close to

Arabian oilfields; terminus of rail traffic into Ethiopia; mostly

wasteland; Lac Assal (Lake Assal) is the lowest point in Africa

People Djibouti

Population:

476,703 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 43.3% (male 103,516/female 102,860)

15-64 years: 53.5% (male 133,168/female 121,823)

65 years and over: 3.2% (male 7,748/female 7,588) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 18.23 years

male: 18.77 years

female: 17.69 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

2.06% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

39.98 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

19.39 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.09 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 1.02 male(s)/female

total population: 1.05 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 104.13 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 111.82 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 96.21 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 43.1 years

male: 41.84 years

female: 44.39 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

5.4 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

2.9% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

9,100 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

690 (2003 est.)

Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever vectorborne disease: malaria (2004)

Nationality: noun: Djiboutian(s) adjective: Djiboutian

Ethnic groups:

Somali 60%, Afar 35%, French, Arab, Ethiopian, and Italian 5%

Religions:

Muslim 94%, Christian 6%

Languages:

French (official), Arabic (official), Somali, Afar

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 67.9%

male: 78%

female: 58.4% (2003 est.)

Government Djibouti

Country name:

conventional long form: Republic of Djibouti

conventional short form: Djibouti

former: French Territory of the Afars and Issas, French Somaliland

Government type:

republic

Capital:

Djibouti

Administrative divisions:

5 districts (cercles, singular - cercle); 'Ali Sabih, Dikhil,

Djibouti, Obock, Tadjoura

Independence:

27 June 1977 (from France)

National holiday:

Independence Day, 27 June (1977)

Constitution:

multiparty constitution approved by referendum 4 September 1992

Legal system:

based on French civil law system, traditional practices, and

Islamic law

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal adult

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Ismail Omar GUELLEH (since 8 May 1999)

head of government: Prime Minister Mohamed Dileita DILEITA (since 4

March 2001)

cabinet: Council of Ministers responsible to the president

elections: president elected by popular vote for a six-year term;

election last held 8 April 2005 (next to be held by April 2011);

prime minister appointed by the president

election results: Ismail Omar GUELLEH reelected president; percent

of vote - Ismail Omar GUELLEH 100%

Legislative branch:

unicameral Chamber of Deputies or Chambre des Deputes (65 seats;

members elected by popular vote for five-year terms)

elections: last held 10 January 2003 (next to be held January 2008)

election results: percent of vote - RPP 62.2%, FRUD 36.9%; seats -

RPP 65, FRUD 0; note - RPP (the ruling party) dominated the election

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court or Cour Supreme

Political parties and leaders:

Democratic National Party or PND [ADEN Robleh Awaleh]; Democratic

Renewal Party or PRD [Abdillahi HAMARITEH]; Djibouti Development

Party or PDD [Mohamed Daoud CHEHEM]; Front pour la Restauration de

l'Unite Democratique or FRUD [Ali Mohamed DAOUD]; People's Progress

Assembly or RPP (governing party) [Ismail Omar GUELLEH]; Peoples

Social Democratic Party or PPSD [Moumin Bahdon FARAH]; Republican

Alliance for Democracy or ARD [Ahmed Dini AHMED]; Union for

Democracy and Justice or UDJ [leader NA]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

Union for Presidential Majority UMP (coalition includes RPP, FRUD,

PPSD and PND); Union for Democratic Changeover or UAD (opposition

coalition includes ARD, MRDD, UDJ, and PDD) [Ahmed Dini AHMED]

International organization participation:

ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AFESD, AMF, AU, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt,

ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD, ILO, IMF, IMO,

Interpol, IOC, ITU, LAS, NAM, OIC, OPCW (signatory), UN, UNCTAD,

UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador ROBLE Olhaye

chancery: Suite 515, 1156 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005

telephone: [1] (202) 331-0270

FAX: [1] (202) 331-0302

Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Marguerita RAGSDALE embassy: Plateau du Serpent, Boulevard Marechal Joffre, Djibouti mailing address: B. P. 185, Djibouti telephone: [253] 35 39 95 FAX: [253] 35 39 40

Flag description:

two equal horizontal bands of light blue (top) and light green with

a white isosceles triangle based on the hoist side bearing a red

five-pointed star in the center

Economy Djibouti

Economy - overview:

The economy is based on service activities connected with the

country's strategic location and status as a free trade zone in

northeast Africa. Two-thirds of the inhabitants live in the capital

city, the remainder are mostly nomadic herders. Scanty rainfall

limits crop production to fruits and vegetables, and most food must

be imported. Djibouti provides services as both a transit port for

the region and an international transshipment and refueling center.

Djibouti has few natural resources and little industry. The nation

is, therefore, heavily dependent on foreign assistance to help

support its balance of payments and to finance development projects.

An unemployment rate of at least 50% continues to be a major

problem. While inflation is not a concern, due to the fixed tie of

the Djiboutian franc to the US dollar, the artificially high value

of the Djiboutian franc adversely affects Djibouti's balance of

payments. Per capita consumption dropped an estimated 35% over the

last seven years because of recession, civil war, and a high

population growth rate (including immigrants and refugees). Faced

with a multitude of economic difficulties, the government has fallen

in arrears on long-term external debt and has been struggling to

meet the stipulations of foreign aid donors.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$619 million (2002 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

3.5% (2002 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $1,300 (2002 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 3.5% industry: 15.8% services: 80.7% (2001 est.)

Labor force:

282,000 (2000)

Labor force - by occupation:

NA

Unemployment rate:

50% (2004 est.)

Population below poverty line:

50% (2001 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

2% (2002 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $135 million

expenditures: $182 million, including capital expenditures of NA

(1999 est.)

Agriculture - products:

fruits, vegetables; goats, sheep, camels, animal hides

Industries:

construction, agricultural processing, salt

Industrial production growth rate:

3% (1996 est.)

Electricity - production:

180 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

167.4 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

11,300 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Exports:

$155 million f.o.b. (2002 est.)

Exports - commodities:

reexports, hides and skins, coffee (in transit)

Exports - partners:

Somalia 63.8%, Yemen 22.6%, Ethiopia 5% (2004)

Imports:

$665 million f.o.b. (2002 est.)

Imports - commodities:

foods, beverages, transport equipment, chemicals, petroleum products

Imports - partners:

Saudi Arabia 19.7%, India 12.4%, Ethiopia 11.8%, China 8.1%, France

5.6%, US 4.8% (2004)

Debt - external:

$366 million (2002 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:

$36 million (2001)

Currency (code):

Djiboutian franc (DJF)

Currency code:

DJF

Exchange rates:

Djiboutian francs per US dollar - 177.72 (2004), 177.72 (2003),

177.72 (2002), 177.72 (2001), 177.72 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Djibouti

Telephones - main lines in use:

9,500 (2003)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

23,000 (2003)

Telephone system:

general assessment: telephone facilities in the city of Djibouti

are adequate as are the microwave radio relay connections to

outlying areas of the country

domestic: microwave radio relay network

international: country code - 253; submarine cable to Jiddah, Suez,

Sicily, Marseilles, Colombo, and Singapore; satellite earth stations

- 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) and 1 Arabsat; Medarabtel regional

microwave radio relay telephone network

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 0 (2001)

Radios:

52,000 (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

1 (2002)

Televisions:

28,000 (1997)

Internet country code:

.dj

Internet hosts:

702 (2004)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

1 (2000)

Internet users:

6,500 (2003)

Transportation Djibouti

Railways:

total: 100 km (Djibouti segment of the Addis Ababa-Djibouti railway)

narrow gauge: 100 km 1.000-m gauge

note: railway under joint control of Djibouti and Ethiopia (2004)

Highways:

total: 2,890 km

paved: 364 km

unpaved: 2,526 km (1999 est.)

Ports and harbors:

Djibouti

Merchant marine:

total: 1 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 1,369 GRT/3,030 DWT

by type: cargo 1 (2005)

Airports:

13 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 3

over 3,047 m: 1

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1

1524 to 2437 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 10

1,524 to 2,437 m: 2

914 to 1,523 m: 5

under 914 m: 3 (2004 est.)

Military Djibouti

Military branches:

Djibouti National Army (includes Navy and Air Force)

Military service age and obligation:

18 years of age (est.); no conscription (2001)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 18-49: 95,328 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: 46,020 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$28.6 million (2004)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

4.4% (2004)

Transnational Issues Djibouti

Disputes - international:

Djibouti maintains economic ties and border accords with

"Somaliland" leadership while maintaining some political ties to

various factions in Somalia; although most of the 26,000 Somali

refugees in Djibouti who fled civil unrest in the early 1990s have

returned, several thousand still await repatriation in UNHCR camps

Refugees and internally displaced persons:

refugees (country of origin): 25,474 (Somalia) (2004)

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Dominica

Introduction Dominica

Background:

Dominica was the last of the Caribbean islands to be colonized by

Europeans, due chiefly to the fierce resistance of the native

Caribs. France ceded possession to Great Britain in 1763, which made

the island a colony in 1805. In 1980, two years after independence,

Dominica's fortunes improved when a corrupt and tyrannical

administration was replaced by that of Mary Eugenia CHARLES, the

first female prime minister in the Caribbean, who remained in office

for 15 years. Some 3,000 Carib Indians still living on Dominica are

the only pre-Columbian population remaining in the eastern Caribbean.

Geography Dominica

Location:

Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic

Ocean, about one-half of the way from Puerto Rico to Trinidad and

Tobago

Geographic coordinates:

15 25 N, 61 20 W

Map references:

Central America and the Caribbean

Area:

total: 754 sq km

land: 754 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly more than four times the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries:

0 km

Coastline:

148 km

Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Climate:

tropical; moderated by northeast trade winds; heavy rainfall

Terrain:

rugged mountains of volcanic origin

Elevation extremes: lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Morne Diablatins 1,447 m

Natural resources: timber, hydropower, arable land

Land use: arable land: 6.67% permanent crops: 20% other: 73.33% (2001)

Irrigated land:

NA sq km

Natural hazards:

flash floods are a constant threat; destructive hurricanes can be

expected during the late summer months

Environment - current issues:

NA

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto

Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental

Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer

Protection, Ship Pollution, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

known as "The Nature Island of the Caribbean" due to its

spectacular, lush, and varied flora and fauna, which are protected

by an extensive natural park system; the most mountainous of the

Lesser Antilles, its volcanic peaks are cones of lava craters and

include Boiling Lake, the second-largest, thermally active lake in

the world

People Dominica

Population:

69,029 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 26.7% (male 9,328/female 9,125)

15-64 years: 65.4% (male 23,225/female 21,900)

65 years and over: 7.9% (male 2,193/female 3,258) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 29.59 years

male: 29.26 years

female: 29.95 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

-0.27% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

15.73 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

6.81 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

-11.6 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.06 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.67 male(s)/female

total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 14.15 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 18.68 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 9.38 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 74.65 years

male: 71.73 years

female: 77.71 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

1.96 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

NA

Nationality: noun: Dominican(s) adjective: Dominican

Ethnic groups:

black, mixed black and European, European, Syrian, Carib Amerindian

Religions:

Roman Catholic 77%, Protestant 15% (Methodist 5%, Pentecostal 3%,

Seventh-Day Adventist 3%, Baptist 2%, other 2%), other 6%, none 2%

Languages:

English (official), French patois

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school

total population: 94%

male: 94%

female: 94% (2003 est.)

Government Dominica

Country name:

conventional long form: Commonwealth of Dominica

conventional short form: Dominica

Government type:

parliamentary democracy; republic within the Commonwealth

Capital:

Roseau

Administrative divisions:

10 parishes; Saint Andrew, Saint David, Saint George, Saint John,

Saint Joseph, Saint Luke, Saint Mark, Saint Patrick, Saint Paul,

Saint Peter

Independence:

3 November 1978 (from UK)

National holiday:

Independence Day, 3 November (1978)

Constitution:

3 November 1978

Legal system:

based on English common law

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Nicholas J. O. LIVERPOOL (since October

2003)

head of government: Prime Minister Roosevelt SKERRIT (since 8

January 2004); note - assumed post after death of Prime Minister

Pierre CHARLES

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president on the advice of the

prime minister

elections: president elected by the House of Assembly for a

five-year term; election last held 1 October 2003 (next to be held

October 2008); prime minister appointed by the president

election results: Nicholas LIVERPOOL elected president; percent of

legislative vote - NA%

Legislative branch:

unicameral House of Assembly (30 seats, 9 appointed senators, 21

elected by popular vote; members serve five-year terms)

elections: last held 5 May 2005 (next to be held by 5 August 2010);

note - tradition dictates that the election will be held within five

years of the last election, but technically it is five years from

the first seating of parliament (12 May 2005) plus a 90-day grace

period

election results: percent of vote by party - DLP 52.08%, UWP 43.6%,

DFP 3.15%; seats by party - DLP 12, UWP 8, independent 1

Judicial branch:

Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, consisting of the Court of Appeal

and the High Court (located in Saint Lucia; one of the six judges

must reside in Dominica and preside over the Court of Summary

Jurisdiction)

Political parties and leaders:

Dominica Freedom Party or DFP [Charles SAVARIN]; Dominica Labor

Party or DLP [Roosevelt SKERRIT]; United Workers Party or UWP

[Edison JAMES]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

Dominica Liberation Movement or DLM (a small leftist party)

International organization participation:

ACCT, ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM,

IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO

(subscriber), ITU, MIGA, NAM (observer), OAS, OECS, OPANAL, OPCW,

UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Swinburne LESTRADE chancery: 3216 New Mexico Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016 telephone: [1] (202) 364-6781 FAX: [1] (202) 364-6791 consulate(s) general: New York

Diplomatic representation from the US:

the US does not have an embassy in Dominica; the US Ambassador to

Barbados is accredited to Dominica

Flag description:

green, with a centered cross of three equal bands - the vertical

part is yellow (hoist side), black, and white and the horizontal

part is yellow (top), black, and white; superimposed in the center

of the cross is a red disk bearing a sisserou parrot encircled by 10

green, five-pointed stars edged in yellow; the 10 stars represent

the 10 administrative divisions (parishes)

Economy Dominica

Economy - overview:

The Dominican economy depends on agriculture, primarily bananas,

and remains highly vulnerable to climatic conditions and

international economic developments. Production of bananas dropped

precipitously in 2003, a major reason for the 1% decline in GDP.

Tourism increased in 2003 as the government sought to promote

Dominica as an "ecotourism" destination. Development of the tourism

industry remains difficult, however, because of the rugged

coastline, lack of beaches, and the absence of an international

airport. The government began a comprehensive restructuring of the

economy in 2003 - including elimination of price controls,

privatization of the state banana company, and tax increases - to

address Dominica's economic crisis and to meet IMF targets. In order

to diversify the island's production base the government is

attempting to develop an offshore financial sector and is planning

to construct an oil refinery on the eastern part of the island.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$384 million (2003 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

-1% (2003 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $5,500 (2003 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 18% industry: 24% services: 58% (2002 est.)

Labor force:

25,000 (1999 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 40%, industry and commerce 32%, services 28%

Unemployment rate:

23% (2000 est.)

Population below poverty line:

30% (2002 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

1% (2001 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $73.9 million

expenditures: $84.4 million, including capital expenditures of NA

(2001)

Agriculture - products: bananas, citrus, mangoes, root crops, coconuts, cocoa; forest and fishery potential not exploited

Industries:

soap, coconut oil, tourism, copra, furniture, cement blocks, shoes

Industrial production growth rate:

-10% (1997 est.)

Electricity - production:

68.41 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 47.1% hydro: 52.9% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

63.62 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

600 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Exports:

$39 million f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Exports - commodities:

bananas, soap, bay oil, vegetables, grapefruit, oranges

Exports - partners:

UK 21.6%, Jamaica 14.8%, Antigua and Barbuda 8.8%, Guyana 7.5%,

Japan 5.4%, Trinidad and Tobago 4.8%, US 4.3%, Saint Lucia 4% (2004)

Imports:

$98.2 million f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Imports - commodities:

manufactured goods, machinery and equipment, food, chemicals

Imports - partners:

China 20.4%, US 16.8%, Trinidad and Tobago 12.3%, UK 6.9%, South

Korea 4.6%, Japan 4.3% (2004)

Debt - external:

$161.5 million (2001)

Economic aid - recipient:

$22.8 million (2003 est.)

Currency (code):

East Caribbean dollar (XCD)

Currency code:

XCD

Exchange rates:

East Caribbean dollars per US dollar - 2.7 (2004), 2.7 (2003), 2.7

(2002), 2.7 (2001), 2.7 (2000)

Fiscal year:

1 July - 30 June

Communications Dominica

Telephones - main lines in use:

23,700 (2002)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

9,400 (2002)

Telephone system:

general assessment: NA

domestic: fully automatic network

international: country code - 1-767; microwave radio relay and SHF

radiotelephone links to Martinique and Guadeloupe; VHF and UHF

radiotelephone links to Saint Lucia

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 2, FM 4, shortwave 0 (2004)

Radios:

46,000 (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

1 (2004)

Televisions:

6,000 (1997)

Internet country code:

.dm

Internet hosts:

681 (2003)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

16 (2000)

Internet users:

12,500 (2002)

Transportation Dominica

Highways: total: 780 km paved: 393 km unpaved: 387 km (1999 est.)

Ports and harbors:

Portsmouth, Roseau

Merchant marine:

total: 32 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 13,771 GRT/19,736 DWT

by type: bulk carrier 2, cargo 19, chemical tanker 2, container 1,

passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 5, refrigerated cargo 1, roll

on/roll off 1

foreign-owned: 21 (Estonia 6, Greece 3, Pakistan 1, Russia 2,

Singapore 6, Syria 2, UAE 1) (2005)

Airports:

2 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2004 est.)

Military Dominica

Military branches:

no regular military forces; Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force

(includes Coast Guard)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

NA

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

NA

Transnational Issues Dominica

Disputes - international:

joins other Caribbean states to counter Venezuela's claim that Aves

Island sustains human habitation, a criterion under UNCLOS, which

permits Venezuela to extend its EEZ/continental shelf over a large

portion of the Caribbean Sea

Illicit drugs:

transshipment point for narcotics bound for the US and Europe;

minor cannabis producer; anti-money-laundering enforcement is weak,

making the country particularly vulnerable to money laundering

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Dominican Republic

Introduction Dominican Republic

Background:

Explored and claimed by Columbus on his first voyage in 1492, the

island of Hispaniola became a springboard for Spanish conquest of

the Caribbean and the American mainland. In 1697, Spain recognized

French dominion over the western third of the island, which in 1804

became Haiti. The remainder of the island, by then known as Santo

Domingo, sought to gain its own independence in 1821, but was

conquered and ruled by the Haitians for 22 years; it finally

attained independence as the Dominican Republic in 1844. In 1861,

the Dominicans voluntarily returned to the Spanish Empire, but two

years later they launched a war that restored independence in 1865.

A legacy of unsettled, mostly non-representative, rule for much of

its subsequent history was brought to an end in 1966 when Joaquin

BALAGUER became president. He maintained a tight grip on power for

most of the next 30 years when international reaction to flawed

elections forced him to curtail his term in 1996. Since then,

regular competitive elections have been held in which opposition

candidates have won the presidency. The Dominican economy has had

one of the fastest growth rates in the hemisphere over the past

decade.

Geography Dominican Republic

Location:

Caribbean, eastern two-thirds of the island of Hispaniola, between

the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Haiti

Geographic coordinates:

19 00 N, 70 40 W

Map references:

Central America and the Caribbean

Area:

total: 48,730 sq km

land: 48,380 sq km

water: 350 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly more than twice the size of New Hampshire

Land boundaries: total: 360 km border countries: Haiti 360 km

Coastline: 1,288 km

Maritime claims: territorial sea: 6 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin

Climate:

tropical maritime; little seasonal temperature variation; seasonal

variation in rainfall

Terrain:

rugged highlands and mountains with fertile valleys interspersed

Elevation extremes: lowest point: Lago Enriquillo -46 m highest point: Pico Duarte 3,175 m

Natural resources:

nickel, bauxite, gold, silver

Land use:

arable land: 22.65%

permanent crops: 10.33%

other: 67.02% (2001)

Irrigated land:

2,590 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

lies in the middle of the hurricane belt and subject to severe

storms from June to October; occasional flooding; periodic droughts

Environment - current issues:

water shortages; soil eroding into the sea damages coral reefs;

deforestation

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto

Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes,

Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection,

Ship Pollution

signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea

Geography - note:

shares island of Hispaniola with Haiti

People Dominican Republic

Population:

8,950,034 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 32.9% (male 1,505,964/female 1,438,809)

15-64 years: 61.7% (male 2,815,544/female 2,703,012)

65 years and over: 5.4% (male 226,372/female 260,333) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 23.88 years

male: 23.68 years

female: 24.09 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

1.29% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

23.28 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

7.35 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

-3.02 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.87 male(s)/female

total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 32.38 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 34.81 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 29.84 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 71.44 years

male: 69.94 years

female: 73.03 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

2.86 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

1.7% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

88,000 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

7,900 (2003 est.)

Nationality: noun: Dominican(s) adjective: Dominican

Ethnic groups:

white 16%, black 11%, mixed 73%

Religions:

Roman Catholic 95%

Languages:

Spanish

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 84.7%

male: 84.6%

female: 84.8% (2003 est.)

Government Dominican Republic

Country name:

conventional long form: Dominican Republic

conventional short form: The Dominican

local long form: Republica Dominicana

local short form: La Dominicana

Government type:

representative democracy

Capital:

Santo Domingo

Administrative divisions:

31 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia) and 1 district*

(distrito); Azua, Baoruco, Barahona, Dajabon, Distrito Nacional*,

Duarte, Elias Pina, El Seibo, Espaillat, Hato Mayor, Independencia,

La Altagracia, La Romana, La Vega, Maria Trinidad Sanchez, Monsenor

Nouel, Monte Cristi, Monte Plata, Pedernales, Peravia, Puerto Plata,

Salcedo, Samana, Sanchez Ramirez, San Cristobal, San Jose de Ocoa,

San Juan, San Pedro de Macoris, Santiago, Santiago Rodriguez, Santo

Domingo, Valverde

Independence:

27 February 1844 (from Haiti)

National holiday:

Independence Day, 27 February (1844)

Constitution:

28 November 1966; amended 25 July 2002

Legal system:

based on French civil codes; undergoing modification in 2004

towards an accusatory system

Suffrage:

18 years of age, universal and compulsory; married persons

regardless of age

note: members of the armed forces and national police cannot vote

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Leonel FERNANDEZ Reyna (since 16 August

2004); Vice President Rafael ALBURQUERQUE de Castro (since 16 August

2004); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of

government

head of government: President Leonel FERNANDEZ Reyna (since 16

August 2004); Vice President Rafael ALBURQUERQUE de Castro (since 16

August 2004); note - the president is both the chief of state and

head of government

cabinet: Cabinet nominated by the president

elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket

by popular vote for four-year terms; election last held 16 May 2004

(next to be held in May 2008)

election results: Leonel FERNANDEZ elected president; percent of

vote - Leonel FERNANDEZ (PLD) 57.1%, Rafael Hipolito MEJIA Dominguez

(PRD) 33.7%, Eduardo ESTRELLA (PRSC) 8.7%

Legislative branch:

bicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional consists of the

Senate or Senado (32 seats; members are elected by popular vote to

serve four-year terms) and the Chamber of Deputies or Camara de

Diputados (150 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve

four-year terms)

elections: Senate - last held 16 May 2002 (next to be held May

2006); Chamber of Deputies - last held 16 May 2002 (next to be held

May 2006)

election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by

party - PRD 29, PLD 2, PRSC 1; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote

by party - NA%; seats by party - PRD 73, PLD 41, PRSC 36

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (judges are appointed by a the

National Judicial Council comprised of the President, the leaders of

both chambers of congress, the President of the Supreme Court, and

an opposition or non-governing party member)

Political parties and leaders:

Dominican Liberation Party or PLD [Leonel FERNANDEZ Reyna];

Dominican Revolutionary Party or PRD [Vicente Sanchez BARET]; Social

Christian Reformist Party or PRSC [Enrique ATUN]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

Collective of Popular Organizations or COP; Citizen Participation

Group (Participacion Ciudadania); Foundation for

Institution-Building (FINJUS)

International organization participation:

ACP, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU,

ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM,

ISO (subscriber), ITU, LAES, LAIA (observer), MIGA, NAM, OAS,

OPANAL, OPCW (signatory), PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNOCI,

UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador-designate Flavio Dario Espinal JACOBO chancery: 1715 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 332-6280 FAX: [1] (202) 265-8057 consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Mayaguez (Puerto Rico), Miami, New Orleans, New York, Philadelphia, and San Juan (Puerto Rico)

Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Hans H. HERTELL embassy: corner of Calle Cesar Nicolas Penson and Calle Leopoldo Navarro, Santo Domingo mailing address: Unit 5500, APO AA 34041-5500 telephone: [1] (809) 221-2171 FAX: [1] (809) 686-7437

Flag description:

a centered white cross that extends to the edges divides the flag

into four rectangles - the top ones are blue (hoist side) and red,

and the bottom ones are red (hoist side) and blue; a small coat of

arms featuring a shield supported by an olive branch (left) and a

palm branch (right) is at the center of the cross; above the shield

a blue ribbon displays the motto, DIOS, PATRIA, LIBERTAD (God,

Fatherland, Liberty), and below the shield, REPUBLICA DOMINICANA

appears on a red ribbon

Economy Dominican Republic

Economy - overview:

The Dominican Republic is a Caribbean representative democracy

which enjoyed GDP growth of more than 7% in 1998-2000. Growth

subsequently plummeted as part of the global economic slowdown.

Although the country has long been viewed primarily as an exporter

of sugar, coffee, and tobacco, in recent years the service sector

has overtaken agriculture as the economy's largest employer, due to

growth in tourism and free trade zones. The country suffers from

marked income inequality; the poorest half of the population

receives less than one-fifth of GNP, while the richest 10% enjoys

nearly 40% of national income. Growth turned negative in 2003 with

reduced tourism, a major bank fraud, and limited growth in the US

economy (the source of about 85% of export revenues), but recovered

slightly in 2004. Resumption of a badly needed IMF loan, slowed due

to government repurchase of electrical power plants, is basic to the

restoration of social and economic stability. Newly elected

President FERNANDEZ in mid-2004 promised belt-tightening reform. His

administration has passed tax reform and is working to meet

preconditions for a $600 IMF standby arrangement to ease the

country's fiscal situation.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$55.68 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

1.7% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $6,300 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 10.7% industry: 31.5% services: 57.8% (2003)

Labor force: 2.3 million - 2.6 million (2000 est.)

Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 17%, industry 24.3%, services and government 58.7% (1998 est.)

Unemployment rate:

17% (2004 est.)

Population below poverty line:

25%

Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.1% highest 10%: 37.9% (1998)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

47.4 (1998)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

55% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

18.9% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $2.625 billion

expenditures: $3.382 billion, including capital expenditures of $1.1

billion (2004 est.)

Public debt:

61.1% of GDP (2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

sugarcane, coffee, cotton, cocoa, tobacco, rice, beans, potatoes,

corn, bananas; cattle, pigs, dairy products, beef, eggs

Industries:

tourism, sugar processing, ferronickel and gold mining, textiles,

cement, tobacco

Industrial production growth rate:

2% (2001 est.)

Electricity - production:

9.583 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 92% hydro: 7.6% nuclear: 0% other: 0.4% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

8.912 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

129,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

129,900 bbl/day (2003)

Current account balance:

$762.2 million (2004 est.)

Exports:

$5.446 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

ferronickel, sugar, gold, silver, coffee, cocoa, tobacco, meats,

consumer goods

Exports - partners:

US 80%, South Korea 2.1%, Canada 1.9% (2004)

Imports:

$8.093 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

foodstuffs, petroleum, cotton and fabrics, chemicals and

pharmaceuticals

Imports - partners:

US 48.1%, Venezuela 13.5%, Colombia 4.8%, Mexico 4.8% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$426 million (2004 est.)

Debt - external:

$7.745 billion (2004 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:

$239.6 million (1995)

Currency (code):

Dominican peso (DOP)

Currency code:

DOP

Exchange rates:

Dominican pesos per US dollar - 42.12 (2004), 30.831 (2003), 18.61

(2002), 16.952 (2001), 16.415 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Dominican Republic

Telephones - main lines in use:

901,800 (2003)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

2,120,400 (2003)

Telephone system:

general assessment: NA

domestic: relatively efficient system based on island-wide microwave

radio relay network

international: country code - 1-809; 1 coaxial submarine cable;

satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 120, FM 56, shortwave 4 (1998)

Radios:

1.44 million (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

25 (2003)

Televisions:

770,000 (1997)

Internet country code:

.do

Internet hosts:

64,197 (2003)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

24 (2000)

Internet users:

500,000 (2003)

Transportation Dominican Republic

Railways:

total: 1,743 km

standard gauge: 375 km 1.435-m gauge

narrow gauge: 142 km 0.762-m gauge

note: additional 1,226 km operated by sugar companies in 1.076-m,

0.889-m, and 0.762-m gauges (2004)

Highways:

total: 12,600 km

paved: 6,224 km

unpaved: 6,376 km (1999)

Ports and harbors:

Boca Chica, Puerto Plata, Rio Haina, Santo Domingo

Merchant marine:

total: 3 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 11,230 GRT/17,011 DWT

by type: cargo 3 (2005)

Airports:

31 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 13 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 18 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 10 (2004 est.)

Military Dominican Republic

Military branches:

Army, Navy, Air Force

Military service age and obligation:

18 years of age for voluntary military service (2001)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 18-49: 2,108,197 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: 1,420,693 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:

males: 91,597 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$180 million (1998)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

1.1% (1998)

Transnational Issues Dominican Republic

Disputes - international: increasing numbers of illegal migrants from the Dominican Republic cross the Mona Passage each year to Puerto Rico to find work

Illicit drugs:

transshipment point for South American drugs destined for the US

and Europe; has become a transshipment point for ecstasy from the

Netherlands and Belgium destined for US and Canada; substantial

money-laundering activity; Colombian narcotics traffickers favor the

Dominican Republic for illicit financial transactions

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@East Timor

Introduction East Timor

Background:

The Portuguese began to trade with the island of Timor in the early

16th century and colonized it in mid-century. Skirmishing with the

Dutch in the region eventually resulted in an 1859 treaty in which

Portugal ceded the western portion of the island. Imperial Japan

occupied East Timor from 1942 to 1945, but Portugal resumed colonial

authority after the Japanese defeat in World War II. East Timor

declared itself independent from Portugal on 28 November 1975 and

was invaded and occupied by Indonesian forces nine days later. It

was incorporated into Indonesia in July 1976 as the province of East

Timor. An unsuccessful campaign of pacification followed over the

next two decades, during which an estimated 100,000 to 250,000

individuals lost their lives. On 30 August 1999, in a UN-supervised

popular referendum, an overwhelming majority of the people of East

Timor voted for independence from Indonesia. Between the referendum

and the arrival of a multinational peacekeeping force in late

September 1999, anti-independence Timorese militias - organized and

supported by the Indonesian military - commenced a large-scale,

scorched-earth campaign of retribution. The militias killed

approximately 1,300 Timorese and forcibly pushed 300,000 people into

West Timor as refugees. The majority of the country's

infrastructure, including homes, irrigation systems, water supply

systems, and schools, and nearly 100% of the country's electrical

grid were destroyed. On 20 September 1999 the Australian-led

peacekeeping troops of the International Force for East Timor

(INTERFET) deployed to the country and brought the violence to an

end. On 20 May 2002, East Timor was internationally recognized as an

independent state.

Geography East Timor

Location:

Southeastern Asia, northwest of Australia in the Lesser Sunda

Islands at the eastern end of the Indonesian archipelago; note -

East Timor includes the eastern half of the island of Timor, the

Oecussi (Ambeno) region on the northwest portion of the island of

Timor, and the islands of Pulau Atauro and Pulau Jaco

Geographic coordinates:

8 50 S, 125 55 E

Map references:

Southeast Asia

Area:

total: 15,007 sq km

land: NA

water: NA

Area - comparative:

slightly larger than Connecticut

Land boundaries: total: 228 km border countries: Indonesia 228 km

Coastline: 706 km

Maritime claims: territorial sea: NA exclusive economic zone: NA continental shelf: NA exclusive fishing zone: NA

Climate:

tropical; hot, humid; distinct rainy and dry seasons

Terrain:

mountainous

Elevation extremes: lowest point: Timor Sea, Savu Sea, and Banda Sea 0 m highest point: Foho Tatamailau 2,963 m

Natural resources: gold, petroleum, natural gas, manganese, marble

Land use: arable land: 4.71% permanent crops: 0.67% other: 94.62% (2001)

Irrigated land:

1,065 sq km (est.)

Natural hazards:

floods and landslides are common; earthquakes, tsunamis, tropical

cyclones

Environment - current issues:

widespread use of slash and burn agriculture has led to

deforestation and soil erosion

Environment - international agreements:

NA

Geography - note:

Timor comes from the Malay word for "East"; the island of Timor is

part of the Malay Archipelago and is the largest and easternmost of

the Lesser Sunda Islands

People East Timor

Population: 1,040,880 note: other estimates range as low as 800,000 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 37.1% (male 196,108/female 189,753)

15-64 years: 59.9% (male 318,173/female 305,479)

65 years and over: 3% (male 15,353/female 16,014) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 20.41 years

male: 20.46 years

female: 20.35 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

2.09% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

27.19 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

6.3 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.96 male(s)/female

total population: 1.04 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 47.41 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 53.71 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 40.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 65.9 years

male: 63.63 years

female: 68.29 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

3.61 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

NA

Nationality:

noun: Timorese

adjective: Timorese

Ethnic groups:

Austronesian (Malayo-Polynesian), Papuan, small Chinese minority

Religions:

Roman Catholic 90%, Muslim 4%, Protestant 3%, Hindu 0.5%, Buddhist,

Animist (1992 est.)

Languages:

Tetum (official), Portuguese (official), Indonesian, English

note: there are about 16 indigenous languages; Tetum, Galole,

Mambae, and Kemak are spoken by significant numbers of people

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 58.6% (2002)

Government East Timor

Country name:

conventional long form: Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste

conventional short form: East Timor

local long form: Republika Demokratika Timor Lorosa'e [Tetum];

Republica Democratica de Timor-Leste [Portuguese]

local short form: Timor Lorosa'e [Tetum]; Timor-Leste [Portuguese]

former: Portuguese Timor

Government type:

Republic

Capital:

Dili

Administrative divisions:

13 administrative districts; Aileu, Ainaro, Baucau, Bobonaro

(Maliana), Cova-Lima (Suai), Dili, Ermera, Lautem (Los Palos),

Liquica, Manatuto, Manufahi (Same), Oecussi (Ambeno), Viqueque

Independence:

28 November 1975 (date of proclamation of independence from

Portugal); note - 20 May 2002 is the official date of international

recognition of East Timor's independence from Indonesia

National holiday:

Independence Day, 28 November (1975)

Constitution:

22 March 2002 (based on the Portuguese model)

Legal system:

UN-drafted legal system based on Indonesian law remains in place

but will be replaced by civil and penal codes based on Portuguese

law (2004)

Suffrage:

17 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Kay Rala Xanana GUSMAO (since 20 May

2002); note - the president plays a largely symbolic role but is

able to veto some legislation; he formerly used the name Jose

Alexandre GUSMAO

head of government: Prime Minister Mari Bin Amude ALKATIRI (since 20

May 2002)

cabinet: Council of Ministers

elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;

election last held 14 April 2002 (next to be held in April 2007);

after the first legislative elections, the leader of the majority

party was appointed prime minister by the president, suggesting a

precedent for the future

election results: Kay Rala Xanana GUSMAO elected president; percent

of vote - Kay Rala Xanana GUSMAO 82.7%, Francisco Xavier do AMARAL

17.3%

Legislative branch:

unicameral National Parliament (number of seats can vary, minimum

requirement of 52 and a maximum of 65 seats; members elected by

popular vote to serve five-year terms); note - for its first term of

office, the National Parliament is comprised of 88 members on an

exceptional basis

elections: (next to be held August 2006); direct elections for

national parliament were never held; elected delegates to the

national convention named themselves legislators instead of having

elections; hence the exceptional numbers for this term of the

national parliament.

election results: percent of vote by party - FRETILIN 57.37%, PD

8.72%, PSD 8.18%, ASDT 7.84%, UDT 2.36%, PNT 2.21%, KOTA 2.13%, PPT

2.01%, PDC 1.98%, PST 1.78%, independents/other 5.42%; seats by

party - FRETILIN 55, PD 7, PSD 6, ASDT 6, PDC 2, UDT 2, KOTA 2, PNT

2, PPT 2, UDC/PDC 1, PST 1, PL 1, independent 1

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court of Justice - constitution calls for one judge to be

appointed by National Parliament and rest appointed by Superior

Council for Judiciary; note - until Supreme Court is established,

Court of Appeals is highest court

Political parties and leaders:

Associacao Social-Democrata Timorense or ASDT [Francisco Xavier do

AMARAL]; Christian Democratic Party of Timor or PDC [Antonio

XIMENES]; Christian Democratic Union of Timor or UDC [Vicente da

Silva GUTERRES]; Democratic Party or PD [Fernando de ARAUJO];

Liberal Party or PL [leader NA]; Maubere Democratic Party or PDM

[leader NA]; People's Party of Timor or PPT [Jacob XAVIER];

Revolutionary Front of Independent East Timor or FRETILIN [Lu OLO];

Social Democrat Party of East Timor or PSD [Mario CARRASCALAO];

Socialist Party of Timor or PST [leader Avelino COELHO]; Sons of the

Mountain Warriors (also known as Association of Timorese Heroes) or

KOTA [Clementino dos Reis AMARAL]; Timor Democratic Union or UDT

[Joao CARRASCALAO]; Timor Labor Party or PTT [Paulo Freitas DA

SILVA]; Timorese Nationalist Party or PNT [Abilio ARAUJO]; Timorese

Popular Democratic Association or APODETI [Frederico Almeida-Santos

DA COSTA]

Political pressure groups and leaders: Popular Council for the Defense of the Democratic Republic of East Timor or CPD-RDTL [leader Antonio-Aitahan MATAK] is largest political pressure group; it rejects current government and claims to be rightful government; Kolimau 2000 [leader Dr. Bruno MAGALHAES] is another opposition group; dissatisfied veterans of struggle against Indonesia, led by one-time government advisor Cornelio GAMA (also known as L-7), also play an important role in pressuring government

International organization participation:

ACP, AsDB, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICCt, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS (observer),

ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, MIGA, OPCW, PIF (observer), UN, UNESCO,

UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Jose Luis GUTERRES

chancery: 3415 Massachusetts Avenue, Washington, DC 20007

telephone: 202 965-1515

FAX: 202 965-1517

consulate(s) general: New York (the ambassador resides in New York)

(2004)

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Grover Joseph REES

embassy: Avenida de Portugal, Praia dos Conqueiros, Dili

mailing address: Department of State, 8250 Dili Place, Washington,

DC 20521-8250

telephone: (670) 332-4684

FAX: (670) 331-3206

Flag description:

red, with a black isosceles triangle (based on the hoist side)

superimposed on a slightly longer yellow arrowhead that extends to

the center of the flag; there is a white star in the center of the

black triangle

Economy East Timor

Economy - overview:

In late 1999, about 70% of the economic infrastructure of East

Timor was laid waste by Indonesian troops and anti-independence

militias, and 300,000 people fled westward. Over the next three

years, however, a massive international program, manned by 5,000

peacekeepers (8,000 at peak) and 1,300 police officers, led to

substantial reconstruction in both urban and rural areas. By 2003,

all but about 30,000 of the refugees had returned. Growth was held

back in 2003 by extensive drought and the gradual winding down of

the international presence. The country faces great challenges in

continuing the rebuilding of infrastructure, strengthening the

infant civil administration, and generating jobs for young people

entering the workforce. One promising long-term project is the

planned development of oil and gas resources in nearby waters, which

have begun to supplement government revenues ahead of schedule.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$370 million (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

1% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $400 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector:

agriculture: 25.4%

industry: 17.2%

services: 57.4% (2001)

Labor force:

NA

Labor force - by occupation:

NA

Unemployment rate:

50% (including underemployment) (1992 est.)

Population below poverty line:

42% (2003 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

38 (2002 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

4% (2003 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $107.7 million

expenditures: $73 million, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Agriculture - products: coffee, rice, maize, cassava, sweet potatoes, soybeans, cabbage, mangoes, bananas, vanilla

Industries:

printing, soap manufacturing, handicrafts, woven cloth

Industrial production growth rate:

8.5%

Electricity - production:

NA kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

NA kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2002)

Exports:

$8 million (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

coffee, sandalwood, marble; note - the potential for oil and

vanilla exports

Exports - partners:

Indonesia 100%

Imports:

$167 million (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

food, gasoline, kerosene, machinery

Imports - partners:

NA

Debt - external:

none

Economic aid - recipient:

$2.2 billion (1999-2002 est.)

Currency (code):

US dollar (USD)

Currency code:

USD

Exchange rates:

the US dollar is the legal tender

Fiscal year:

1 July - 30 June

Communications East Timor

Telephones - main lines in use:

NA

Telephones - mobile cellular:

NA

Telephone system:

NA

Radio broadcast stations:

AM NA, FM NA, shortwave NA

Radios:

NA

Television broadcast stations:

NA

Televisions:

NA

Internet country code:

.tl; note - ICANN approved the change from .tp in January 2005

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

NA

Internet users:

NA

Transportation East Timor

Highways: total: 3,800 km paved: 428 km unpaved: 3,372 km (1995)

Ports and harbors:

Dili

Airports:

8 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 3

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 5

914 to 1,523 m: 3

under 914 m: 2 (2004 est.)

Heliports:

1 (2004 est.)

Military East Timor

Military branches:

East Timor Defense Force (Forcas de Defesa de Timor-L'este, FDTL):

Army, Navy (Armada) (2005)

Military service age and obligation:

18 years of age for voluntary military service (2001)

Manpower available for military service:

NA

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: NA

Manpower reaching military service age annually:

NA

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$4.4 million (FY03)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

NA

Transnational Issues East Timor

Disputes - international:

UN Mission of Support in East Timor (UNMISET) has maintained about

a thousand peacekeepers in East Timor since 2002; East

Timor-Indonesia Boundary Committee continues to meet, survey, and

delimit the land boundary, but several sections of the boundary

especially around the Oekussi enclave remain unresolved; Indonesia

and East Timor contest the sovereignty of the uninhabited coral

island of Palau Batek/Fatu Sinai, which prevents delimitation of the

northern maritime boundaries; many of 28,000 East Timorese refugees

still residing in Indonesia in 2003 have returned, but many continue

to refuse repatriation; East Timor and Australia continue to meet

but disagree over how to delimit a permanent maritime boundary and

share unexploited potential petroleum resources that fall outside

the Joint Petroleum Development Area covered by the 2002 Timor Sea

Treaty; dispute with Australia also hampers creation of a southern

maritime boundary with Indonesia

Illicit drugs:

NA

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Ecuador

Introduction Ecuador

Background:

The "Republic of the Equator" was one of three countries that

emerged from the collapse of Gran Colombia in 1830 (the others are

Colombia and Venezuela). Between 1904 and 1942, Ecuador lost

territories in a series of conflicts with its neighbors. A border

war with Peru that flared in 1995 was resolved in 1999. Although

Ecuador marked 25 years of civilian governance in 2004, the period

has been marred by political instability. Seven presidents have

governed Ecuador since 1996.

Geography Ecuador

Location:

Western South America, bordering the Pacific Ocean at the Equator,

between Colombia and Peru

Geographic coordinates:

2 00 S, 77 30 W

Map references:

South America

Area:

total: 283,560 sq km

land: 276,840 sq km

water: 6,720 sq km

note: includes Galapagos Islands

Area - comparative:

slightly smaller than Nevada

Land boundaries: total: 2,010 km border countries: Colombia 590 km, Peru 1,420 km

Coastline: 2,237 km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 200 nm

continental shelf: 100 nm from 2,500 meter isobath

Climate:

tropical along coast, becoming cooler inland at higher elevations;

tropical in Amazonian jungle lowlands

Terrain:

coastal plain (costa), inter-Andean central highlands (sierra), and

flat to rolling eastern jungle (oriente)

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

highest point: Chimborazo 6,267 m

Natural resources:

petroleum, fish, timber, hydropower

Land use: arable land: 5.85% permanent crops: 4.93% other: 89.22% (2001)

Irrigated land:

8,650 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

frequent earthquakes, landslides, volcanic activity; floods;

periodic droughts

Environment - current issues:

deforestation; soil erosion; desertification; water pollution;

pollution from oil production wastes in ecologically sensitive areas

of the Amazon Basin and Galapagos Islands

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty,

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol,

Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer

Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94,

Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

Cotopaxi in Andes is highest active volcano in world

People Ecuador

Population:

13,363,593 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 33.5% (male 2,282,252/female 2,195,942)

15-64 years: 61.5% (male 4,094,146/female 4,130,096)

65 years and over: 4.9% (male 310,336/female 350,821) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 23.27 years

male: 22.82 years

female: 23.74 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

1.24% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

22.67 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

4.24 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

-6.07 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.88 male(s)/female

total population: 1 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 23.66 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 28.36 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 18.72 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 76.21 years

male: 73.35 years

female: 79.22 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

2.72 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

0.3% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

21,000 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

1,700 (2003 est.)

Nationality:

noun: Ecuadorian(s)

adjective: Ecuadorian

Ethnic groups:

mestizo (mixed Amerindian and white) 65%, Amerindian 25%, Spanish

and others 7%, black 3%

Religions:

Roman Catholic 95%, other 5%

Languages:

Spanish (official), Amerindian languages (especially Quechua)

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 92.5%

male: 94%

female: 91% (2003 est.)

Government Ecuador

Country name:

conventional long form: Republic of Ecuador

conventional short form: Ecuador

local long form: Republica del Ecuador

local short form: Ecuador

Government type:

republic

Capital:

Quito

Administrative divisions:

22 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Azuay, Bolivar,

Canar, Carchi, Chimborazo, Cotopaxi, El Oro, Esmeraldas, Galapagos,

Guayas, Imbabura, Loja, Los Rios, Manabi, Morona-Santiago, Napo,

Orellana, Pastaza, Pichincha, Sucumbios, Tungurahua, Zamora-Chinchipe

Independence:

24 May 1822 (from Spain)

National holiday:

Independence Day (independence of Quito), 10 August (1809)

Constitution:

10 August 1998

Legal system:

based on civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ

jurisdiction

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal, compulsory for literate persons ages

18-65, optional for other eligible voters

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Alfredo PALACIO (since 20 April 2005);

Vice President Nicanor Alejandro SERRANO Aguilar (since 5 May 2005);

note - the president is both the chief of state and head of

government; former President Lucio GUTIERREZ was removed from office

by congress effective 20 April 2005

head of government: President Alfredo PALACIO (since 20 April 2005);

Vice President Nicanor Alejandro SERRANO Aguilar (since 5 May 2005);

note - the president is both the chief of state and head of

government

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president

elections: the president and vice president are elected on the same

ticket by popular vote for a four-year term (no immediate

reelection); election last held 20 October 2002; runoff election

held 24 November 2002 (next to be held October 2006)

election results: results of the 24 November 2002 runoff election -

Lucio GUTIERREZ elected president; percent of vote - Lucio GUTIERREZ

54.3%; Alvaro NOBOA 45.7%; note - Vice President Alfredo PALACIO

assumed the presidency on 20 April 2005 after congress removed Lucio

GUTIERREZ from office

Legislative branch:

unicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional (100 seats;

members are popularly elected by province to serve four-year terms)

elections: last held 20 October 2002 (next to be held October 2006)

election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -

PSC 25, PRE 15, ID 16, PRIAN 10, PSP 9, Pachakutik Movement 6, MPD

5, DP 4, PS-FA 3, independents 7; note - defections by members of

National Congress are commonplace, resulting in frequent changes in

the numbers of seats held by the various parties

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (according to the Constitution, new

justices are elected by the full Supreme Court; in December 2004,

however, Congress successfully replaced the entire court via a

simple-majority resolution)

Political parties and leaders:

Concentration of Popular Forces or CFP [Averroes BUCARAM];

Democratic Left or ID [Guillermo LANDAZURI]; National Action

Institutional Renewal Party or PRIAN [Alvaro NOBOA]; Pachakutik

Movement [Gilberto TALAHUA]; Patriotic Society Party or PSP [Lucio

GUTIERREZ Borbua]; Popular Democracy or DP [Dr. Juan Manuel

FUERTES]; Popular Democratic Movement or MPD [Gustavo TERAN Acosta];

Radical Alfarista Front or FRA [Fabian ALARCON, director]; Roldosist

Party or PRE [Abdala BUCARAM Ortiz, director]; Social Christian

Party or PSC [Leon FEBRES CORDERO]; Socialist Party - Broad Front or

PS-FA [Victor GRANDA]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador or CONAIE

[Luis MACAS, president]; Coordinator of Social Movements or CMS [F.

Napoleon SANTOS]; Federation of Indigenous Evangelists of Ecuador or

FEINE [Marco MURILLO, president]; National Federation of Indigenous

Afro-Ecuatorianos and Peasants or FENOCIN [Pedro DE LA CRUZ,

president]; Popular Front or FP [Luis VILLACIS]

International organization participation:

CAN, CSN, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU,

ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM,

ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur (associate), MIGA, MINUSTAH, NAM,

OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIL,

UNOCI, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant)

chancery: 2535 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009

telephone: [1] (202) 234-7200

FAX: [1] (202) 667-3482

consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, Jersey City (New Jersey),

Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, and San Francisco

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Kristie Anne KENNEY

embassy: Avenida 12 de Octubre y Avenida Patria, Quito

mailing address: APO AA 34039

telephone: [593] (2) 256-2890

FAX: [593] (2) 250-2052

consulate(s) general: Guayaquil

Flag description:

three horizontal bands of yellow (top, double width), blue, and red

with the coat of arms superimposed at the center of the flag;

similar to the flag of Colombia, which is shorter and does not bear

a coat of arms

Economy Ecuador

Economy - overview:

Ecuador has substantial petroleum resources, which have accounted

for 40% of the country's export earnings and one-fourth of central

government budget revenues in recent years. Consequently,

fluctuations in world market prices can have a substantial domestic

impact. In the late 1990s, Ecuador suffered its worst economic

crisis, with natural disasters and sharp declines in world petroleum

prices driving Ecuador's economy into free fall in 1999. Real GDP

contracted by more than 6%, with poverty worsening significantly.

The banking system also collapsed, and Ecuador defaulted on its

external debt later that year. The currency depreciated by some 70%

in 1999, and, on the brink of hyperinflation, the MAHAUD government

announced it would dollarize the economy. A coup, however, ousted

MAHAUD from office in January 2000, and after a short-lived junta

failed to garner military support, Vice President Gustavo NOBOA took

over the presidency. In March 2000, Congress approved a series of

structural reforms that also provided the framework for the adoption

of the US dollar as legal tender. Dollarization stabilized the

economy, and growth returned to its pre-crisis levels in the years

that followed. Under the administration of Lucio GUTIERREZ - January

2003 to April 2005 - Ecuador benefited from higher world petroleum

prices, but the government has made little progress on economic

reforms necessary to reduce Ecuador's vulnerability to petroleum

price swings and financial crises.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$49.51 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

5.8% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $3,700 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 8.7% industry: 30.5% services: 60.9% (2004 est.)

Labor force:

4.53 million (urban) (2004 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 8%, industry 24%, services 68% (2001)

Unemployment rate:

11.1%; note - underemployment of 47% (2004 est.)

Population below poverty line:

45% (2001 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: 2%

highest 10%: 32%

note: data for urban households only (October 2003)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

42

note: data are for urban households (2003)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

2% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

20.6% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $7.9 billion

expenditures: planned $7.3 billion, including capital expenditures

of $1.6 billion (2004 est.)

Public debt:

49.2% of GDP (2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

bananas, coffee, cocoa, rice, potatoes, manioc (tapioca),

plantains, sugarcane; cattle, sheep, pigs, beef, pork, dairy

products; balsa wood; fish, shrimp

Industries:

petroleum, food processing, textiles, wood products, chemicals

Industrial production growth rate:

10% (2004 est.)

Electricity - production:

11.54 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 81% hydro: 19% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

10.79 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

57 million kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

523,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Oil - consumption:

129,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

387,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Oil - imports:

NA

Oil - proved reserves:

4.408 billion bbl (2004 est.)

Natural gas - production:

160 million cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - consumption:

160 million cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - exports:

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - imports:

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves:

106.5 billion cu m (2004)

Current account balance:

$261.1 million (2004 est.)

Exports:

$7.56 billion (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

petroleum, bananas, cut flowers, shrimp

Exports - partners:

US 42.9%, Panama 14.3%, Peru 7.9%, Italy 4.6% (2004)

Imports:

$7.65 billion (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

vehicles, medicinal products, telecommunications equipment,

electricity

Imports - partners:

US 16.5%, Colombia 14.1%, China 9.2%, Venezuela 7.1%, Brazil 6.5%,

Chile 4.6%, Japan 4.5%, Mexico 4.3% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$1.436 billion (December 2004 est.)

Debt - external:

$16.81 billion (2004 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:

$216 million (2002)

Currency (code):

US dollar (USD)

Currency code:

USD

Exchange rates:

25,000 (2004), 25,000 (2003), 25,000 (2002), 25,000 (2001), 24,988

(2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Ecuador

Telephones - main lines in use:

1.549 million (2003)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

2,394,400 (2003)

Telephone system:

general assessment: generally elementary but being expanded

domestic: facilities generally inadequate and unreliable

international: country code - 593; satellite earth station - 1

Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 392, FM 35, shortwave 29 (2001)

Radios:

5 million (2001)

Television broadcast stations:

7 (plus 14 repeaters) (2001)

Televisions:

2.5 million (2001)

Internet country code:

.ec

Internet hosts:

3,188 (2003)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

31 (2001)

Internet users:

569,700 (2003)

Transportation Ecuador

Railways: total: 966 km narrow gauge: 966 km 1.067-m gauge (2004)

Highways: total: 43,197 km paved: 8,164 km unpaved: 35,033 km (2002)

Waterways:

1,500 km (most inaccessible) (2003)

Pipelines:

extra heavy crude 578 km; gas 71 km; oil 1,386 km; refined products

1,185 km (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Esmeraldas, Guayaquil, La Libertad, Manta, Puerto Bolivar

Merchant marine:

total: 31 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 241,403 GRT/391,898 DWT

by type: chemical tanker 2, liquefied gas 1, passenger 8, petroleum

tanker 20

foreign-owned: 3 (Germany 1, Greece 1, Paraguay 1) (2005)

Airports:

205 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 62 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 18 914 to 1,523 m: 19 under 914 m: 18 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 143 914 to 1,523 m: 30 under 914 m: 113 (2004 est.)

Heliports: 1 (2004 est.)

Military Ecuador

Military branches:

Army, Navy (includes Naval Infantry, Naval Aviation, Coast Guard),

Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Ecuatoriana, FAE)

Military service age and obligation:

20 years of age for conscript military service; 12-month service

obligation (2004)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 20-49: 2,792,770 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 20-49: 2,338,428 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:

males: 133,922 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$655 million (2004)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

2.2% (2004)

Transnational Issues Ecuador

Disputes - international:

organized illegal narcotics operations in Colombia penetrate across

Ecuador's shared border and caused over 20,000 refugees to flee into

Ecuador in 2004

Illicit drugs:

significant transit country for cocaine originating in Colombia and

Peru; importer of precursor chemicals used in production of illicit

narcotics; attractive location for cash-placement by drug

traffickers laundering money because of dollarization and weak

anti-money-laundering regime, especially vulnerable along the border

with Colombia; increased activity on the northern frontier by

trafficking groups and Colombian insurgents

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Egypt

Introduction Egypt

Background:

The regularity and richness of the annual Nile River flood, coupled

with semi-isolation provided by deserts to the east and west,

allowed for the development of one of the world's great

civilizations. A unified kingdom arose circa 3200 B.C. and a series

of dynasties ruled in Egypt for the next three millennia. The last

native dynasty fell to the Persians in 341 B.C., who in turn were

replaced by the Greeks, Romans, and Byzantines. It was the Arabs who

introduced Islam and the Arabic language in the 7th century and who

ruled for the next six centuries. A local military caste, the

Mamluks took control about 1250 and continued to govern after the

conquest of Egypt by the Ottoman Turks in 1517. Following the

completion of the Suez Canal in 1869, Egypt became an important

world transportation hub, but also fell heavily into debt.

Ostensibly to protect its investments, Britain seized control of

Egypt's government in 1882, but nominal allegiance to the Ottoman

Empire continued until 1914. Partially independent from the UK in

1922, Egypt acquired full sovereignty following World War II. The

completion of the Aswan High Dam in 1971 and the resultant Lake

Nasser have altered the time-honored place of the Nile River in the

agriculture and ecology of Egypt. A rapidly growing population (the

largest in the Arab world), limited arable land, and dependence on

the Nile all continue to overtax resources and stress society. The

government has struggled to ready the economy for the new millennium

through economic reform and massive investment in communications and

physical infrastructure.

Geography Egypt

Location:

Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Libya and

the Gaza Strip, and the Red Sea north of Sudan, and includes the

Asian Sinai Peninsula

Geographic coordinates:

27 00 N, 30 00 E

Map references:

Africa

Area:

total: 1,001,450 sq km

land: 995,450 sq km

water: 6,000 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly more than three times the size of New Mexico

Land boundaries:

total: 2,665 km

border countries: Gaza Strip 11 km, Israel 266 km, Libya 1,115 km,

Sudan 1,273 km

Coastline:

2,450 km

Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

Climate:

desert; hot, dry summers with moderate winters

Terrain:

vast desert plateau interrupted by Nile valley and delta

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Qattara Depression -133 m

highest point: Mount Catherine 2,629 m

Natural resources:

petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, phosphates, manganese, limestone,

gypsum, talc, asbestos, lead, zinc

Land use: arable land: 2.87% permanent crops: 0.48% other: 96.65% (2001)

Irrigated land:

33,000 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

periodic droughts; frequent earthquakes, flash floods, landslides;

hot, driving windstorm called khamsin occurs in spring; dust storms,

sandstorms

Environment - current issues:

agricultural land being lost to urbanization and windblown sands;

increasing soil salination below Aswan High Dam; desertification;

oil pollution threatening coral reefs, beaches, and marine habitats;

other water pollution from agricultural pesticides, raw sewage, and

industrial effluents; very limited natural fresh water resources

away from the Nile which is the only perennial water source; rapid

growth in population overstraining the Nile and natural resources

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto

Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental

Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping,

Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical

Timber 94, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

controls Sinai Peninsula, only land bridge between Africa and

remainder of Eastern Hemisphere; controls Suez Canal, a sea link

between Indian Ocean and Mediterranean Sea; size, and juxtaposition

to Israel, establish its major role in Middle Eastern geopolitics;

dependence on upstream neighbors; dominance of Nile basin issues;

prone to influxes of refugees

People Egypt

Population:

77,505,756 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 33% (male 13,106,043/female 12,483,899)

15-64 years: 62.6% (male 24,531,266/female 23,972,216)

65 years and over: 4.4% (male 1,457,097/female 1,955,235) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 23.68 years

male: 23.31 years

female: 24.05 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

1.78% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

23.32 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

5.26 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

-0.22 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.74 male(s)/female

total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 32.59 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 33.31 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 31.83 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 71 years

male: 68.5 years

female: 73.62 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

2.88 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

less than 0.1% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

12,000 (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

700 (2003 est.)

Nationality:

noun: Egyptian(s)

adjective: Egyptian

Ethnic groups:

Eastern Hamitic stock (Egyptians, Bedouins, and Berbers) 99%,

Greek, Nubian, Armenian, other European (primarily Italian and

French) 1%

Religions:

Muslim (mostly Sunni) 94%, Coptic Christian and other 6%

Languages:

Arabic (official), English and French widely understood by educated

classes

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 57.7%

male: 68.3%

female: 46.9% (2003 est.)

Government Egypt

Country name:

conventional long form: Arab Republic of Egypt

conventional short form: Egypt

local long form: Jumhuriyat Misr al-Arabiyah

local short form: Misr

former: United Arab Republic (with Syria)

Government type:

republic

Capital:

Cairo

Administrative divisions:

26 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah); Ad Daqahliyah,

Al Bahr al Ahmar, Al Buhayrah, Al Fayyum, Al Gharbiyah, Al

Iskandariyah, Al Isma'iliyah, Al Jizah, Al Minufiyah, Al Minya, Al

Qahirah, Al Qalyubiyah, Al Wadi al Jadid, Ash Sharqiyah, As Suways,

Aswan, Asyut, Bani Suwayf, Bur Sa'id, Dumyat, Janub Sina', Kafr ash

Shaykh, Matruh, Qina, Shamal Sina', Suhaj

Independence:

28 February 1922 (from UK)

National holiday:

Revolution Day, 23 July (1952)

Constitution:

11 September 1971; amended 22 May 1980

Legal system:

based on English common law, Islamic law, and Napoleonic codes;

judicial review by Supreme Court and Council of State (oversees

validity of administrative decisions); accepts compulsory ICJ

jurisdiction, with reservations

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal and compulsory

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Mohammed Hosni MUBARAK (since 14 October

1981)

head of government: Prime Minister Ahmed NAZIF (since 9 July 2004)

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president

elections: president elected by popular vote for six-year term; note

- a national referendum in May 2005 approved a constitutional

amendment that changed the presidential election to a multicandidate

popular vote; previously the president was nominated by the People's

Assembly and the nomination was validated by a national, popular

referendum; last referendum held 26 September 1999; first election

under terms of constitutional amendment held 7 September 2005; next

election scheduled for 2011

election results: Hosni MUBARAK reelected president; percent of vote

- Hosni MUBARAK 88.6%, Ayman NOUR 7.6%, Noman GOMAA 2.9%

Legislative branch:

bicameral system consists of the People's Assembly or Majlis

al-Sha'b (454 seats; 444 elected by popular vote, 10 appointed by

the president; members serve five-year terms) and the Advisory

Council or Majlis al-Shura - which functions only in a consultative

role (264 seats; 176 elected by popular vote, 88 appointed by the

president; members serve six-year terms; mid-term elections for half

the members)

elections: People's Assembly - three-phase voting - last held 19

October, 29 October, 8 November 2000 (next to be held

October-November 2005); Advisory Council - last held May-June 2004

(next to be held May-June 2007)

election results: People's Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA;

seats by party - NDP 388, Tagammu 6, NWP 7, Nasserists 3, Al-Ahrar

1, independents 37 (2 seats determined by a later byelection, 10

seats appointed by President); Advisory Council - percent of vote by

party - NA; seats by party - NA

Judicial branch:

Supreme Constitutional Court

Political parties and leaders:

Al-Ahrar Party [Helmi SALEM]; Nasserist Arab Democratic Party or

Nasserists [Dia' al-din DAWUD]; National Democratic Party or NDP

[Mohammed Hosni MUBARAK (governing party)]; National Progressive

Unionist Grouping or Tagammu [Rifaat EL-SAID]; New Wafd Party or NWP

[No'man GOMAA]

note: formation of political parties must be approved by the

government

Political pressure groups and leaders: despite a constitutional ban against religious-based parties, the technically illegal Muslim Brotherhood constitutes MUBARAK's potentially most significant political opposition; MUBARAK tolerated limited political activity by the Brotherhood for his first two terms, but moved more aggressively since then to block its influence; civic society groups are sanctioned, but constrained in practical terms; trade unions and professional associations are officially sanctioned

International organization participation:

ABEDA, ACCT, AfDB, AFESD, AMF, AU, BSEC (observer), CAEU, EBRD,

FAO, G-15, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory),

ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC,

IOM, ISO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, MINURSO, MONUC, NAM, OAPEC, OAS

(observer), OIC, ONUB, OSCE (partner), PCA, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD,

UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNMIK, UNMIL, UNOMIG, UNRWA, UPU, WCO,

WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador M. Nabil FAHMY

chancery: 3521 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 895-5400

FAX: [1] (202) 244-4319

consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, New York, and San Francisco

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador designate Francis J. RICCIARDONE, Jr

embassy: 8 Kamal El Din Salah St., Garden City, Cairo

mailing address: Unit 64900, Box 15, APO AE 09839-4900

telephone: [20] (2) 797-3300

FAX: [20] (2) 797-3200

Flag description:

three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black; the

national emblem (a gold Eagle of Saladin facing the hoist side with

a shield superimposed on its chest above a scroll bearing the name

of the country in Arabic) centered in the white band; design is

based on the Arab Liberation flag and similar to the flag of Syria,

which has two green stars, Iraq, which has three green stars (plus

an Arabic inscription) in a horizontal line centered in the white

band, and Yemen, which has a plain white band

Economy Egypt

Economy - overview:

Lack of substantial progress on economic reform since the mid 1990s

has limited foreign direct investment in Egypt and kept annual GDP

growth in the range of 2%-3% in 2001-03. However, in 2004 Egypt

implemented several measures to boost foreign direct investment. In

September 2004, Egypt pushed through custom reforms, proposed income

and corporate tax reforms, reduced energy subsidies, and privatized

several enterprises. The budget deficit rose to an estimated 8% of

GDP in 2004 compared to 6.1% of GDP the previous year, in part as a

result of these reforms. Monetary pressures on an overvalued

Egyptian pound led the government to float the currency in January

2003, leading to a sharp drop in its value and consequent

inflationary pressure. In 2004, the Central Bank implemented

measures to improve currency liquidity. Egypt reached record tourism

levels, despite the Taba and Nuweiba bombings in September 2004. The

development of an export market for natural gas is a bright spot for

future growth prospects, but improvement in the capital-intensive

hydrocarbons sector does little to reduce Egypt's persistent

unemployment.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$316.3 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

4.5% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $4,200 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 17.2% industry: 33% services: 49.8% (2004 est.)

Labor force:

20.71 million (2004 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 32%, industry 17%, services 51% (2001 est.)

Unemployment rate:

10.9% (2004 est.)

Population below poverty line:

16.7% (2000 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 4.4% highest 10%: 25% (1995)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

34.4 (2001)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

9.5% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

15.8% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $15.42 billion

expenditures: $20.76 billion, including capital expenditures of $2.7

billion (2004 est.)

Public debt:

102.7% of GDP (2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

cotton, rice, corn, wheat, beans, fruits, vegetables; cattle, water

buffalo, sheep, goats

Industries:

textiles, food processing, tourism, chemicals, hydrocarbons,

construction, cement, metals

Industrial production growth rate:

2.5% (2004 est.)

Electricity - production:

81.27 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 81% hydro: 19% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

75.58 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

740,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Oil - consumption:

562,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Oil - proved reserves:

2.7 billion bbl (2004 est.)

Natural gas - production:

21.2 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - consumption:

21.2 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - exports:

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - imports:

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves:

1.264 trillion cu m (2004)

Current account balance:

$2.113 billion (2004 est.)

Exports:

$11 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

crude oil and petroleum products, cotton, textiles, metal products,

chemicals

Exports - partners:

Italy 11.9%, US 10.8%, UK 7%, Syria 6.2%, Germany 4.7%, Spain 4.2%

(2004)

Imports:

$19.21 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, chemicals, wood products, fuels

Imports - partners:

US 12.2%, Germany 7%, Italy 6.6%, France 5.7%, China 5.4%, UK 4.7%,

Saudi Arabia 4.1% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$14.03 billion (2004 est.)

Debt - external:

$33.75 billion (2004 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:

ODA, $1.12 billion (2002)

Currency (code):

Egyptian pound (EGP)

Currency code:

EGP

Exchange rates:

Egyptian pounds per US dollar - 6.1963 (2004), 5.8509 (2003),

4.4997 (2002), 3.973 (2001), 3.4721 (2000)

Fiscal year:

1 July - 30 June

Communications Egypt

Telephones - main lines in use:

9.6 million (2005)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

8,583,940 (2005)

Telephone system:

general assessment: large system; underwent extensive upgrading

during 1990s and is reasonably modern; Internet access and cellular

service are available

domestic: principal centers at Alexandria, Cairo, Al Mansurah,

Ismailia, Suez, and Tanta are connected by coaxial cable and

microwave radio relay

international: country code - 20; satellite earth stations - 2

Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean and Indian Ocean), 1 Arabsat, and 1

Inmarsat; 5 coaxial submarine cables; tropospheric scatter to Sudan;

microwave radio relay to Israel; a participant in Medarabtel

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 42 (plus 15 repeaters), FM 14, shortwave 3 (1999)

Radios:

20.5 million (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

98 (September 1995)

Televisions:

7.7 million (1997)

Internet country code:

.eg

Internet hosts:

3,401 (2004)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

50 (2000)

Internet users:

4.2 million (2005)

Transportation Egypt

Railways: total: 5,063 km standard gauge: 5,063 km 1.435-m gauge (62 km electrified) (2004)

Highways: total: 64,000 km paved: 49,984 km unpaved: 14,016 km (1999 est.)

Waterways:

3,500 km

note: includes Nile River, Lake Nasser, Alexandria-Cairo Waterway,

and numerous smaller canals in delta; Suez Canal (193.5 km including

approaches) navigable by oceangoing vessels drawing up to 17.68 m

(2004)

Pipelines:

condensate 289 km; condensate/gas 94 km; gas 6,115 km; liquid

petroleum gas 852 km; oil 5,032 km; oil/gas/water 36 km; refined

products 246 km (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Alexandria, Damietta, El Dekheila, Port Said, Suez, Zeit

Merchant marine:

total: 77 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 1,194,696 GRT/1,754,815 DWT

by type: bulk carrier 14, cargo 34, container 2, passenger/cargo 5,

petroleum tanker 14, roll on/roll off 8

foreign-owned: 10 (Denmark 1, Greece 6, Lebanon 2, Turkey 1)

registered in other countries: 34 (2005)

Airports:

87 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 72

over 3,047 m: 13

2,438 to 3,047 m: 38

1,524 to 2,437 m: 17

under 914 m: 4 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 15

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 2

914 to 1,523 m: 5

under 914 m: 7 (2004 est.)

Heliports:

2 (2004 est.)

Military Egypt

Military branches:

Army, Navy, Air Force, Air Defense Command

Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for conscript military service; 3-year service obligation (2001)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 18-49: 18,347,560 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: 15,540,234 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:

males: 802,920 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$2.44 billion (2003)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

3.4% (2004)

Transnational Issues Egypt

Disputes - international:

Egypt and Sudan retain claims to administer the two triangular

areas that extend north and south of the 1899 Treaty boundary along

the 22nd Parallel, but have withdrawn their military presence; Egypt

is developing the Hala'ib Triangle north of the Treaty line; since

the attack on Taba and other Egyptian resort towns on the Red Sea in

October 2004, Egypt vigilantly monitors the Sinai and borders with

Israel and the Gaza Strip; Egypt does not extend domestic asylum to

some 70,000 persons who identify as Palestinians but who largely

lack UNRWA assistance and, until recently, UNHCR recognition as

refugees

Refugees and internally displaced persons:

refugees (country of origin): 70,215 (Palestinian Territories)

(2004)

Illicit drugs:

transit point for Southwest Asian and Southeast Asian heroin and

opium moving to Europe, Africa, and the US; transit stop for

Nigerian couriers; concern as money-laundering site due to lax

financial regulations and enforcement

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@El Salvador

Introduction El Salvador

Background:

El Salvador achieved independence from Spain in 1821 and from the

Central American Federation in 1839. A 12-year civil war, which cost

about 75,000 lives, was brought to a close in 1992 when the

government and leftist rebels signed a treaty that provided for

military and political reforms.

Geography El Salvador

Location:

Central America, bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between

Guatemala and Honduras

Geographic coordinates:

13 50 N, 88 55 W

Map references:

Central America and the Caribbean

Area:

total: 21,040 sq km

land: 20,720 sq km

water: 320 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly smaller than Massachusetts

Land boundaries: total: 545 km border countries: Guatemala 203 km, Honduras 342 km

Coastline:

307 km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 200 nm

Climate:

tropical; rainy season (May to October); dry season (November to

April); tropical on coast; temperate in uplands

Terrain:

mostly mountains with narrow coastal belt and central plateau

Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Cerro El Pital 2,730 m

Natural resources:

hydropower, geothermal power, petroleum, arable land

Land use:

arable land: 31.85%

permanent crops: 12.07%

other: 56.08% (2001)

Irrigated land:

360 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

known as the Land of Volcanoes; frequent and sometimes very

destructive earthquakes and volcanic activity; extremely susceptible

to hurricanes

Environment - current issues: deforestation; soil erosion; water pollution; contamination of soils from disposal of toxic wastes

Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea

Geography - note:

smallest Central American country and only one without a coastline

on Caribbean Sea

People El Salvador

Population:

6,704,932 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 36.5% (male 1,250,901/female 1,198,589)

15-64 years: 58.3% (male 1,860,084/female 2,051,140)

65 years and over: 5.1% (male 153,133/female 191,085) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 21.57 years

male: 20.44 years

female: 22.69 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

1.75% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

27.04 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

5.85 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

-3.67 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.91 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/female

total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 25.1 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 27.98 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 22.08 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 71.22 years

male: 67.61 years

female: 75.01 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

3.16 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

0.7% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

29,000 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

2,200 (2003 est.)

Nationality: noun: Salvadoran(s) adjective: Salvadoran

Ethnic groups:

mestizo 90%, white 9%, Amerindian 1%

Religions:

Roman Catholic 83%, other 17%

note: there is extensive activity by Protestant groups throughout

the country; by the end of 1992, there were an estimated 1 million

Protestant evangelicals in El Salvador

Languages:

Spanish, Nahua (among some Amerindians)

Literacy:

definition: age 10 and over can read and write

total population: 80.2%

male: 82.8%

female: 77.7% (2003 est.)

Government El Salvador

Country name:

conventional long form: Republic of El Salvador

conventional short form: El Salvador

local long form: Republica de El Salvador

local short form: El Salvador

Government type:

republic

Capital:

San Salvador

Administrative divisions:

14 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento);

Ahuachapan, Cabanas, Chalatenango, Cuscatlan, La Libertad, La Paz,

La Union, Morazan, San Miguel, San Salvador, Santa Ana, San Vicente,

Sonsonate, Usulutan

Independence:

15 September 1821 (from Spain)

National holiday:

Independence Day, 15 September (1821)

Constitution:

23 December 1983

Legal system:

based on civil and Roman law, with traces of common law; judicial

review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court; accepts compulsory

ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Elias Antonio SACA Gonzalez (since 1 June

2004); Vice President Ana Vilma DE ESCOBAR (since 1 June 2004); note

- the president is both the chief of state and head of government

head of government: President Elias Antonio SACA Gonzalez (since 1

June 2004); Vice President Ana Vilma DE ESCOBAR (since 1 June 2004);

note - the president is both the chief of state and head of

government

cabinet: Council of Ministers selected by the president

elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket

by popular vote for five-year terms; election last held 21 March

2004 (next to be held March 2009)

election results: Elias Antonio SACA Gonzalez elected president;

percent of vote - Elias Antonio SACA Gonzalez (ARENA) 57.7%, Schafik

HANDAL (FMLN) 35.6%, Hector SILVA (CDU-PDC) 3.9%, other 2.8%

Legislative branch:

unicameral Legislative Assembly or Asamblea Legislativa (84 seats;

members are elected by direct, popular vote to serve three-year

terms)

elections: last held 16 March 2003 (next to be held March 2006)

election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -

FMLN 31, ARENA 28, PCN 15, PDC 5, CD 5

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (judges are selected by the

Legislative Assembly)

Political parties and leaders:

Christian Democratic Party or PDC [Rodolfo PARKER]; Democratic

Convergence or CD (formerly United Democratic Center or CDU) [Ruben

ZAMORA, secretary general]; Democratic Party or PD [Jorge MELENDEZ];

Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front or FMLN [Medardo

GONZALEZ]; Liberal Democratic Party or PLD [Kirio Waldo SALGADO,

president]; National Action Party or PAN [Gustavo Rogelio SALINAS,

secretary general]; National Conciliation Party or PCN [Ciro CRUZ

ZEPEDA, president]; National Republican Alliance or ARENA [Elias

Antonio SACA Gonzalez]; Social Christian Union or USC (formed by the

merger of Christian Social Renewal Party or PRSC and Unity Movement

or MU) [Abraham RODRIGUEZ, president]; Social Democratic Party or

PSD [Juan MEDRANO]

Political pressure groups and leaders: labor organizations - Electrical Industry Union of El Salvador or SIES; Federation of the Construction Industry, Similar Transport and other activities, or FESINCONTRANS; National Confederation of Salvadoran Workers or CNTS; National Union of Salvadoran Workers or UNTS; Port Industry Union of El Salvador or SIPES; Salvadoran Union of Ex-Petrolleros and Peasant Workers or USEPOC; Salvadoran Workers Central or CTS; Workers Union of Electrical Corporation or STCEL; business organizations - National Association of Small Enterprise or ANEP; Salvadoran Assembly Industry Association or ASIC; Salvadoran Industrial Association or ASI

International organization participation:

BCIE, CACM, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM,

IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO

(correspondent), ITU, MIGA, MINURSO, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN,

UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNOCI, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO,

WToO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Rene Antonio LEON Rodriguez chancery: 2308 California Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 265-9671 FAX: [1] (202) 234-3834 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, New York (2), San Francisco, and Washington, DC consulate(s): Boston

Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador H. Douglas BARCLAY embassy: Final Boulevard Santa Elena Sur, Antiguo Cuscatlan, La Libertad, San Salvador mailing address: Unit 3116, APO AA 34023 telephone: [503] 278-4444 FAX: [503] 278-5522

Flag description:

three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, and blue with

the national coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of

arms features a round emblem encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE EL

SALVADOR EN LA AMERICA CENTRAL; similar to the flag of Nicaragua,

which has a different coat of arms centered in the white band - it

features a triangle encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE NICARAGUA on

top and AMERICA CENTRAL on the bottom; also similar to the flag of

Honduras, which has five blue stars arranged in an X pattern

centered in the white band

Economy El Salvador

Economy - overview:

GDP per capita is roughly half that of Brazil, Argentina, and

Chile, and the distribution of income is highly unequal. The

government is striving to open new export markets, encourage foreign

investment, modernize the tax and healthcare systems, and stimulate

the sluggish economy. Implementation of the Central

America-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement, ratified by El

Salvador in 2004, is viewed as a key policy to help achieve these

objectives. The trade deficit has been offset by annual remittances

from Salvadorans living abroad - 16% of GDP in 2004 - and external

aid. With the adoption of the US dollar as its currency, El Salvador

has lost control over monetary policy and must concentrate on

maintaining a disciplined fiscal policy.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$32.35 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

1.8% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $4,900 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 9.2% industry: 31.1% services: 59.7% (2004 est.)

Labor force:

2.75 million (2004 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 17.1%, industry 17.1%, services 65.8% (2003 est.)

Unemployment rate:

6.3% - but the economy has much underemployment (2004 est.)

Population below poverty line:

36.1% (2003 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.4% highest 10%: 39.3% (2001)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

52.5 (2001)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

5.4% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

16.6% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $2.491 billion

expenditures: $2.782 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Public debt:

41.7% of GDP (2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

coffee, sugar, corn, rice, beans, oilseed, cotton, sorghum; shrimp;

beef, dairy products

Industries:

food processing, beverages, petroleum, chemicals, fertilizer,

textiles, furniture, light metals

Industrial production growth rate:

0.7% (2004 est.)

Electricity - production:

4.158 billion kWh (2004)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 44% hydro: 30.9% nuclear: 0% other: 25.1% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

4.45 billion kWh (2004)

Electricity - exports:

91 million kWh (2004)

Electricity - imports:

473 million kWh (2004)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

39,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Current account balance:

$-880.5 million (2004 est.)

Exports:

$3.249 billion (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

offshore assembly exports, coffee, sugar, shrimp, textiles,

chemicals, electricity

Exports - partners:

US 65.6%, Guatemala 11.8%, Honduras 6.3% (2004)

Imports:

$5.968 billion (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

raw materials, consumer goods, capital goods, fuels, foodstuffs,

petroleum, electricity

Imports - partners:

US 46.3%, Guatemala 8.1%, Mexico 6% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$1.888 billion (2004 est.)

Debt - external:

$4.792 billion (September 2004 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:

$125 million of which, $53 million from US (2003)

Currency (code):

US dollar (USD)

Currency code:

USD

Exchange rates:

the US dollar became El Salvador's currency in 2001

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications El Salvador

Telephones - main lines in use:

752,600 (2003)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

1,149,800 (2003)

Telephone system:

general assessment: NA

domestic: nationwide microwave radio relay system

international: country code - 503; satellite earth station - 1

Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); connected to Central American Microwave

System

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 61 (plus 24 repeaters), FM 30, shortwave 0 (1998)

Radios:

2.75 million (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

5 (1997)

Televisions:

600,000 (1990)

Internet country code:

.sv

Internet hosts:

4,084 (2003)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

4 (2000)

Internet users:

550,000 (2003)

Transportation El Salvador

Railways:

total: 283 km

narrow gauge: 283 km 0.914-m gauge

note: length of operational route reduced from 562 km to 283 km by

disuse and lack of maintenance (2004)

Highways:

total: 10,029 km

paved: 1,986 km (including 327 km of expressways)

unpaved: 8,043 km (1999 est.)

Waterways:

Rio Lempa partially navigable (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Acajutla, Puerto Cutuco

Airports:

73 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 4 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 69 914 to 1,523 m: 15 under 914 m: 54 (2004 est.)

Heliports: 1 (2004 est.)

Military El Salvador

Military branches:

Army, Navy (FNES), Air Force (FAS)

Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for compulsory military service, with 12-month service obligation; 16 years of age for volunteers (2002)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 18-49: 1,391,278 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: 960,315 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:

males: 70,286 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$157 million (2003)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

1.1% (2003)

Transnational Issues El Salvador

Disputes - international:

in 1992, the ICJ ruled on the delimitation of "bolsones" (disputed

areas) along the El Salvador-Honduras boundary, but despite OAS

intervention and a further ICJ ruling in 2003, full demarcation of

the border remains stalled; the 1992 ICJ ruling advised a tripartite

resolution to a maritime boundary in the Gulf of Fonseca advocating

Honduran access to the Pacific; El Salvador continues to claim tiny

Conejo Island, not identified in the ICJ decision, off Honduras in

the Gulf of Fonseca

Illicit drugs:

transshipment point for cocaine; small amounts of marijuana

produced for local consumption; domestic cocaine abuse on the rise

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Equatorial Guinea

Introduction Equatorial Guinea

Background:

Equatorial Guinea gained independence in 1968 after 190 years of

Spanish rule. This tiny country, composed of a mainland portion plus

five inhabited islands, is one of the smallest on the African

continent. President OBIANG NGUEMA MBASOGO has ruled the country for

over two decades since seizing power from his uncle, then President

MACIAS, in a 1979 coup. Although nominally a constitutional

democracy since 1991, the 1996 and 2002 presidential elections - as

well as the 1999 legislative elections - were widely seen as being

flawed. The president controls most opposition parties through the

judicious use of patronage. Despite the country's economic windfall

from oil production resulting in a massive increase in government

revenue in recent years, there have been few improvements in the

country's living standards.

Geography Equatorial Guinea

Location:

Western Africa, bordering the Bight of Biafra, between Cameroon and

Gabon

Geographic coordinates:

2 00 N, 10 00 E

Map references:

Africa

Area:

total: 28,051 sq km

land: 28,051 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly smaller than Maryland

Land boundaries: total: 539 km border countries: Cameroon 189 km, Gabon 350 km

Coastline: 296 km

Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Climate:

tropical; always hot, humid

Terrain:

coastal plains rise to interior hills; islands are volcanic

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

highest point: Pico Basile 3,008 m

Natural resources:

petroleum, natural gas, timber, gold, bauxite, diamonds, tantalum,

sand and gravel, clay

Land use:

arable land: 4.63%

permanent crops: 3.57%

other: 91.8% (2001)

Irrigated land:

NA sq km

Natural hazards:

violent windstorms, flash floods

Environment - current issues:

tap water is not potable; deforestation

Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ship Pollution signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note: insular and continental regions rather widely separated

People Equatorial Guinea

Population:

535,881 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 41.7% (male 112,326/female 111,244)

15-64 years: 54.5% (male 140,568/female 151,500)

65 years and over: 3.8% (male 8,900/female 11,343) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 18.83 years

male: 18.2 years

female: 19.46 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

2.42% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

36.18 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

12 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.93 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female

total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 85.13 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 91.28 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 78.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 49.7 years

male: 48.01 years

female: 51.44 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

4.62 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

3.4% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

5,900 (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

370 (2001 est.)

Major infectious diseases:

degree of risk: very high

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and

typhoid fever

vectorborne disease: malaria (2004)

Nationality:

noun: Equatorial Guinean(s) or Equatoguinean(s)

adjective: Equatorial Guinean or Equatoguinean

Ethnic groups:

Bioko (primarily Bubi, some Fernandinos), Rio Muni (primarily

Fang), Europeans less than 1,000, mostly Spanish

Religions:

nominally Christian and predominantly Roman Catholic, pagan

practices

Languages:

Spanish (official), French (official), pidgin English, Fang, Bubi,

Ibo

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 85.7%

male: 93.3%

female: 78.4% (2003 est.)

Government Equatorial Guinea

Country name:

conventional long form: Republic of Equatorial Guinea

conventional short form: Equatorial Guinea

local long form: Republica de Guinea Ecuatorial

local short form: Guinea Ecuatorial

former: Spanish Guinea

Government type:

republic

Capital:

Malabo

Administrative divisions:

7 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Annobon, Bioko

Norte, Bioko Sur, Centro Sur, Kie-Ntem, Litoral, Wele-Nzas

Independence:

12 October 1968 (from Spain)

National holiday:

Independence Day, 12 October (1968)

Constitution:

approved by national referendum 17 November 1991; amended January

1995

Legal system:

partly based on Spanish civil law and tribal custom

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal adult

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Teodoro OBIANG NGUEMA

MBASOGO (since 3 August 1979 when he seized power in a military coup)

head of government: Prime Minister Miguel Abia BITEO BORICO (since

14 June 2004); First Deputy Prime Minister Mercelino Oyono NTUTUMU

(since 15 June 2004); Deputy Prime Minister Ricardo Mangue Obama

NFUBEA (since 15 June 2004)

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president

elections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term;

election last held 15 December 2002 (next to be held December 2009);

prime minister and deputy prime ministers appointed by the president

election results: Teodoro OBIANG NGUEMA MBASOGO reelected president;

percent of vote - Teodoro OBIANG NGUEMA MBASOGO 97.1%, Celestino

Bonifacio BACALE 2.2%; elections marred by widespread fraud

Legislative branch:

unicameral House of People's Representatives or Camara de

Representantes del Pueblo (80 seats; members directly elected by

popular vote to serve five-year terms)

elections: last held 25 April 2004 (next to be held NA 2009)

election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party -

PDGE 98, NA 2

note: Parliament has little power since the constitution vests all

executive authority in the president

Judicial branch:

Supreme Tribunal

Political parties and leaders:

Convergence Party for Social Democracy or CPDS [Placido MIKO

Abogo]; Democratic Party for Equatorial Guinea or PDGE (ruling

party) [Teodoro OBIANG NGUEMA MBASOGO]; Party for Progress of

Equatorial Guinea or PPGE [Severo MOTO]; Popular Action of

Equatorial Guinea or APGE [Miguel Esono EMAN]; Popular Union or UP

[Andres Moises Bda ADA]; Progressive Democratic Alliance or ADP

[Victorino Bolekia BONAY]; Union of Independent Democrats of UDI

[Daniel OYONO]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

NA

International organization participation:

ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, BDEAC, CEMAC, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM,

IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ITU, MIGA, NAM,

OAS (observer), OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO,

WToO, WTO (observer)

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Teodoro Biyogo NSUE

chancery: 2020 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009

telephone: [1] (202) 518-5700

FAX: [1] (202) 518-5252

Diplomatic representation from the US:

the US does not have an embassy in Equatorial Guinea (embassy

closed September 1995); the US ambassador to Cameroon is accredited

to Equatorial Guinea; the US State Department is considering opening

a Consulate Agency in Malabo

Flag description:

three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and red with a

blue isosceles triangle based on the hoist side and the coat of arms

centered in the white band; the coat of arms has six yellow

six-pointed stars (representing the mainland and five offshore

islands) above a gray shield bearing a silk-cotton tree and below

which is a scroll with the motto UNIDAD, PAZ, JUSTICIA (Unity,

Peace, Justice)

Economy Equatorial Guinea

Economy - overview:

The discovery and exploitation of large oil reserves have

contributed to dramatic economic growth in recent years. Forestry,

farming, and fishing are also major components of GDP. Subsistence

farming predominates. Although pre-independence Equatorial Guinea

counted on cocoa production for hard currency earnings, the neglect

of the rural economy under successive regimes has diminished

potential for agriculture-led growth (the government has stated its

intention to reinvest some oil revenue into agriculture). A number

of aid programs sponsored by the World Bank and the IMF have been

cut off since 1993 because of corruption and mismanagement. No

longer eligible for concessional financing because of large oil

revenues, the government has been unsuccessfully trying to agree on

a "shadow" fiscal management program with the World Bank and IMF.

Businesses, for the most part, are owned by government officials and

their family members. Undeveloped natural resources include

titanium, iron ore, manganese, uranium, and alluvial gold. Growth

presumably remained strong in 2004, led by oil.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$1.27 billion (2002 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

20% (2002 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $2,700 (2002 est.)

GDP - composition by sector:

agriculture: 3%

industry: 95.7%

services: 1.3% (2004 est.)

Labor force:

NA

Unemployment rate:

30% (1998 est.)

Population below poverty line:

NA

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

8.5% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

50.8% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $813.2 million

expenditures: $375.3 million, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Agriculture - products: coffee, cocoa, rice, yams, cassava (tapioca), bananas, palm oil nuts; livestock; timber

Industries:

petroleum, fishing, sawmilling, natural gas

Industrial production growth rate:

30% (2002 est.)

Electricity - production:

26.69 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 94.3% hydro: 5.7% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

24.82 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

350,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Oil - consumption:

2,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Oil - proved reserves:

563.5 million bbl (1 January 2002)

Natural gas - production:

20 million cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - consumption:

20 million cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - exports:

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - imports:

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves:

68.53 billion cu m (1 January 2002)

Current account balance:

$-578.6 million (2004 est.)

Exports:

$2.771 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

petroleum, methanol, timber, cocoa

Exports - partners:

US 29.3%, China 22.8%, Spain 16%, Taiwan 14.9%, Canada 6.8% (2004)

Imports:

$1.167 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

petroleum sector equipment, other equipment

Imports - partners:

US 26.8%, Cote d'Ivoire 21.4%, Spain 13.6%, France 8.8%, UK 7.8%,

Italy 4.4% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$235.2 million (2004 est.)

Debt - external:

$248 million (2000 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:

$33.8 million (1995)

Currency (code):

Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XAF); note - responsible

authority is the Bank of the Central African States

Currency code:

XAF

Exchange rates:

Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XAF) per US dollar - 528.29

(2004), 581.2 (2003), 696.99 (2002), 733.04 (2001), 711.98 (2000)

Fiscal year:

1 January - 31 December

Communications Equatorial Guinea

Telephones - main lines in use:

9,600 (2003)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

41,500 (2003)

Telephone system:

general assessment: poor system with adequate government services

domestic: NA

international: country code - 240; international communications from

Bata and Malabo to African and European countries; satellite earth

station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 0, FM 3, shortwave 5 (2002)

Radios:

180,000 (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

1 (2002)

Televisions:

4,000 (1997)

Internet country code:

.gq

Internet hosts:

3 (2004)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

1 (2002)

Internet users:

1,800 (2002)

Transportation Equatorial Guinea

Highways:

total: 2,880 km (1999 est.)

Pipelines:

condensate 37 km; gas 39 km; liquid natural gas 4 km; oil 24 km

(2004)

Ports and harbors:

Malabo

Merchant marine:

total: 1 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 6,556 GRT/9,704 DWT

by type: cargo 1 (2005)

Airports:

4 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 3

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

less than 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 1

under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Military Equatorial Guinea

Military branches:

Army, Navy, Air Force (2005)

Military service age and obligation:

18 years of age (est.) (2004)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 18-49: 106,571 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: 66,379 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$126.2 million (2004)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

2.5% (2004)

Transnational Issues Equatorial Guinea

Disputes - international:

in 2002, ICJ ruled on an equidistance settlement of

Cameroon-Equatorial Guinea-Nigeria maritime boundary in the Gulf of

Guinea, but a dispute between Equatorial Guinea and Cameroon over an

island at the mouth of the Ntem River, imprecisely defined maritime

coordinates in the ICJ decision, and the unresolved Bakasi

allocation contribute to the delay in implementation; UN has been

pressing Equatorial Guinea and Gabon to pledge to resolve the

sovereignty dispute over Gabon-occupied Mbane Island and create a

maritime boundary in the hydrocarbon-rich Corisco Bay

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Eritrea

Introduction Eritrea

Background:

Eritrea was awarded to Ethiopia in 1952 as part of a federation.

Ethiopia's annexation of Eritrea as a province 10 years later

sparked a 30-year struggle for independence that ended in 1991 with

Eritrean rebels defeating governmental forces; independence was

overwhelmingly approved in a 1993 referendum. A two-and-a-half-year

border war with Ethiopia that erupted in 1998 ended under UN

auspices on 12 December 2000. Eritrea currently hosts a UN

peacekeeping operation that is monitoring a 25 km-wide Temporary

Security Zone on the border with Ethiopia. An international

commission, organized to resolve the border dispute, posted its

findings in 2002 but final demarcation is on hold due to Ethiopian

objections.

Geography Eritrea

Location:

Eastern Africa, bordering the Red Sea, between Djibouti and Sudan

Geographic coordinates:

15 00 N, 39 00 E

Map references:

Africa

Area:

total: 121,320 sq km

land: 121,320 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly larger than Pennsylvania

Land boundaries:

total: 1,626 km

border countries: Djibouti 109 km, Ethiopia 912 km, Sudan 605 km

Coastline:

2,234 km total; mainland on Red Sea 1,151 km, islands in Red Sea

1,083 km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 12 nm

Climate:

hot, dry desert strip along Red Sea coast; cooler and wetter in the

central highlands (up to 61 cm of rainfall annually); semiarid in

western hills and lowlands; rainfall heaviest during June-September

except in coastal desert

Terrain:

dominated by extension of Ethiopian north-south trending highlands,

descending on the east to a coastal desert plain, on the northwest

to hilly terrain and on the southwest to flat-to-rolling plains

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: near Kulul within the Denakil depression -75 m

highest point: Soira 3,018 m

Natural resources:

gold, potash, zinc, copper, salt, possibly oil and natural gas, fish

Land use: arable land: 4.95% permanent crops: 0.03% other: 95.02% (2001)

Irrigated land:

220 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

frequent droughts; locust swarms

Environment - current issues:

deforestation; desertification; soil erosion; overgrazing; loss of

infrastructure from civil warfare

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered

Species

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

strategic geopolitical position along world's busiest shipping

lanes; Eritrea retained the entire coastline of Ethiopia along the

Red Sea upon de jure independence from Ethiopia on 24 May 1993

People Eritrea

Population:

4,561,599 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 44.8% (male 1,023,898/female 1,019,389)

15-64 years: 51.9% (male 1,170,823/female 1,194,741)

65 years and over: 3.3% (male 74,312/female 78,436) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 17.54 years

male: 17.35 years

female: 17.73 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

2.51% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

38.62 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

13.53 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population

note: UNHCR began repatriating about 150,000 Eritrean refugees from

Sudan in 2001 following the restoration of diplomatic relations

between the two countries in 2000 (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.95 male(s)/female

total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 74.87 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 82.28 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 67.24 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 58.47 years

male: 56.96 years

female: 60.02 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

5.61 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

2.7% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

60,000 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

6,300 (2003 est.)

Major infectious diseases:

degree of risk: high

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and

typhoid fever

vectorborne disease: malaria is a high risk in some locations (2004)

Nationality:

noun: Eritrean(s)

adjective: Eritrean

Ethnic groups:

ethnic Tigrinya 50%, Tigre and Kunama 40%, Afar 4%, Saho (Red Sea

coast dwellers) 3%, other 3%

Religions:

Muslim, Coptic Christian, Roman Catholic, Protestant

Languages:

Afar, Arabic, Tigre and Kunama, Tigrinya, other Cushitic languages

Literacy: definition: NA total population: 58.6% male: 69.9% female: 47.6% (2003 est.)

Government Eritrea

Country name:

conventional long form: State of Eritrea

conventional short form: Eritrea

local long form: Hagere Ertra

local short form: Ertra

former: Eritrea Autonomous Region in Ethiopia

Government type:

transitional government

note: following a successful referendum on independence for the

Autonomous Region of Eritrea on 23-25 April 1993, a National

Assembly, composed entirely of the People's Front for Democracy and

Justice or PFDJ, was established as a transitional legislature; a

Constitutional Commission was also established to draft a

constitution; ISAIAS Afworki was elected president by the

transitional legislature; the constitution, ratified in May 1997,

did not enter into effect, pending parliamentary and presidential

elections; parliamentary elections had been scheduled in December

2001, but were postponed indefinitely; currently the sole legal

party is the People's Front for Democracy and Justice (PFDJ)

Capital:

Asmara

Administrative divisions:

6 regions (zobatat, singular - zoba); Anseba, Debub (Southern),

Debubawi K'eyih Bahri (Southern Red Sea), Gash Barka, Ma'akel

(Central), Semenawi Keyih Bahri (Northern Red Sea)

Independence:

24 May 1993 (from Ethiopia)

National holiday:

Independence Day, 24 May (1993)

Constitution:

a transitional constitution, decreed on 19 May 1993, was replaced

by a new constitution adopted on 23 May 1997, but not yet implemented

Legal system:

primary basis is the Ethiopian legal code of 1957, with revisions;

new civil, commercial, and penal codes have not yet been

promulgated; also relies on customary and post-independence-enacted

laws and, for civil cases involving Muslims, Sharia law

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President ISAIAS Afworki (since 8 June 1993); note

- the president is both the chief of state and head of government

and is head of the State Council and National Assembly

head of government: President ISAIAS Afworki (since 8 June 1993);

note - the president is both the chief of state and head of

government and is head of the State Council and National Assembly

cabinet: State Council is the collective executive authority;

members appointed by the president

elections: president elected by the National Assembly; election last

held 8 June 1993 (next election date uncertain as the National

Assembly did not hold a presidential election in December 2001 as

anticipated)

election results: ISAIAS Afworki elected president; percent of

National Assembly vote - ISAIAS Afworki 95%

Legislative branch:

unicameral National Assembly (150 seats; term limits not

established)

elections: in May 1997, following the adoption of the new

constitution, 75 members of the PFDJ Central Committee (the old

Central Committee of the EPLF), 60 members of the 527-member

Constituent Assembly, that had been established in 1997 to discuss

and ratify the new constitution, and 15 representatives of Eritreans

living abroad were formed into a Transitional National Assembly to

serve as the country's legislative body until countrywide elections

to a National Assembly were held; although only 75 of 150 members of

the Transitional National Assembly were elected, the constitution

stipulates that once past the transition stage, all members of the

National Assembly will be elected by secret ballot of all eligible

voters; National Assembly elections scheduled for December 2001 were

postponed indefinitely

Judicial branch:

High Court - regional, subregional, and village courts; also have

military and special courts

Political parties and leaders: People's Front for Democracy and Justice or PFDJ, the only party recognized by the government [ISAIAS Afworki]; note - a National Assembly committee drafted a law on political parties in January 2001, but the full National Assembly has not yet debated or voted on it

Political pressure groups and leaders: Eritrean Islamic Jihad or EIJ [leader NA] (also including Eritrean Islamic Jihad Movement or EIJM (also known as the Abu Sihel Movement) [leader NA]); Eritrean Islamic Salvation or EIS (also known as the Arafa Movement) [leader NA]; Eritrean Liberation Front or ELF [ABDULLAH Muhammed]; Eritrean National Alliance or ENA (a coalition including EIJ, EIS, ELF, and a number of ELF factions) [HERUY Tedla Biru]; Eritrean Public Forum or EPF [ARADOM Iyob]

International organization participation:

ACP, AfDB, AU, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory),

ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS (observer), IGAD, ILO, IMF, IMO,

Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, MIGA, NAM, OPCW, PCA, UN,

UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador GIRMA Asmerom

chancery: 1708 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009

telephone: [1] (202) 319-1991

FAX: [1] (202) 319-1304

consulate(s) general: Oakland (California)

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Scott H. DELISI

embassy: Franklin D. Roosevelt Street, Asmara

mailing address: P. O. Box 211, Asmara

telephone: [291] (1) 120004

FAX: [291] (1) 127584

Flag description:

red isosceles triangle (based on the hoist side) dividing the flag

into two right triangles; the upper triangle is green, the lower one

is blue; a gold wreath encircling a gold olive branch is centered on

the hoist side of the red triangle

Economy Eritrea

Economy - overview:

Since independence from Ethiopia on 24 May 1993, Eritrea has faced

the economic problems of a small, desperately poor country. Like the

economies of many African nations, the economy is largely based on

subsistence agriculture, with 80% of the population involved in

farming and herding. The Ethiopian-Eritrea war in 1998-2000 severely

hurt Eritrea's economy. GDP growth fell to zero in 1999 and to

-12.1% in 2000. The May 2000 Ethiopian offensive into northern

Eritrea caused some $600 million in property damage and loss,

including losses of $225 million in livestock and 55,000 homes. The

attack prevented planting of crops in Eritrea's most productive

region, causing food production to drop by 62%. Even during the war,

Eritrea developed its transportation infrastructure, asphalting new

roads, improving its ports, and repairing war damaged roads and

bridges. Since the war ended, the government has maintained a firm

grip on the economy, expanding the use of the military and

party-owned businesses to complete Eritrea's development agenda.

Erratic rainfall and the delayed demobilization of agriculturalists

from the military kept cereal production well below normal, holding

down growth in 2002-04. Eritrea's economic future depends upon its

ability to master social problems such as illiteracy, unemployment,

and low skills, and to open its economy to private enterprise so the

diaspora's money and expertise can foster economic growth.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$4.154 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

2.5% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $900 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector:

agriculture: 12.4%

industry: 25.9%

services: 61.7% (2004 est.)

Labor force:

NA

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 80%, industry and services 20%

Unemployment rate:

NA (2003 est.)

Population below poverty line:

50% (2004 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

10% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

26.3% of GDP (2002)

Budget:

revenues: $235.2 million

expenditures: $373.2 million, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

sorghum, lentils, vegetables, corn, cotton, tobacco, coffee, sisal;

livestock, goats; fish

Industries:

food processing, beverages, clothing and textiles, salt, cement,

commercial ship repair

Industrial production growth rate:

NA

Electricity - production:

246.6 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

229.4 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

6,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Current account balance:

$-144.9 million (2004 est.)

Exports:

$64.44 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

livestock, sorghum, textiles, food, small manufactures (2000)

Exports - partners:

Malaysia 26.6%, Italy 17.1%, Japan 8%, Germany 6.6%, China 5%, UK

4.9%, US 4.7%, France 4.4%, Poland 4.2% (2004)

Imports:

$622 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

machinery, petroleum products, food, manufactured goods (2000)

Imports - partners:

Ireland 26.6%, US 18.6%, Italy 16.6%, Turkey 6.4% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$30.87 million (2004 est.)

Debt - external:

$311 million (2000 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:

$77 million (1999)

Currency (code):

nakfa (ERN)

Currency code:

ERN

Exchange rates:

nakfa (ERN) per US dollar - 13.788 (2004), 13.878 (2003), 13.958

(2002), 11.31 (2001), 9.625 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Eritrea

Telephones - main lines in use:

38,100 (2003)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

NA

Telephone system:

general assessment: inadequate

domestic: very inadequate; most telephones are in Asmara; government

is seeking international tenders to improve the system (2002)

international: country code - 291; note - international connections

exist

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 2, FM NA, shortwave 2 (2000)

Radios:

345,000 (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

1 (2000)

Televisions:

1,000 (1997)

Internet country code:

.er

Internet hosts:

1,047 (2004)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

5 (2001)

Internet users:

9,500 (2003)

Transportation Eritrea

Railways: total: 306 km narrow gauge: 306 km 0.950-m gauge (2004)

Highways: total: 4,010 km paved: 874 km unpaved: 3,136 km (1999 est.)

Ports and harbors:

Assab, Massawa

Merchant marine:

total: 6 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 16,069 GRT/19,549 DWT

by type: cargo 3, liquefied gas 1, petroleum tanker 1, roll on/roll

off 1

registered in other countries: 1 (2005)

Airports:

17 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 4 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 13 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 2 (2004 est.)

Military Eritrea

Military branches:

Army, Navy, Air Force

Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for voluntary and compulsory military service; conscript service obligation - 16 months (2004)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: NA (2005)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$151 million (2004)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

13.4% (2004)

Transnational Issues Eritrea

Disputes - international:

Eritrea and Ethiopia agreed to abide by 2002 Ethiopia-Eritrea

Boundary Commission's (EEBC) delimitation decision, but despite

international intervention, mutual animosities, accusations and

armed posturing prevail, preventing demarcation; Ethiopia refuses to

withdraw to the delimited boundary until technical errors made by

the EEBC that ignored "human geography" are addressed, including the

award of Badme, the focus of the 1998-2000 war; Eritrea insists that

the EEBC decision be implemented immediately without modifications;

since 2000, the UN Peacekeeping Mission to Ethiopia and Eritrea

(UNMEE) monitors the 25km-wide Temporary Security Zone in Eritrea

until the demarcation; Sudan accuses Eritrea of supporting Sudanese

rebel groups; Eritrea protests Yemeni fishing around the Hanish

Islands awarded to Eritrea by the ICJ in 1999

Refugees and internally displaced persons:

IDPs: 59,000 (border war with Ethiopia from 1998-2000; most IDPs

are near the central border region) (2004)

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Estonia

Introduction Estonia

Background:

After centuries of Danish, Swedish, German, and Russian rule,

Estonia attained independence in 1918. Forcibly incorporated into

the USSR in 1940, it regained its freedom in 1991, with the collapse

of the Soviet Union. Since the last Russian troops left in 1994,

Estonia has been free to promote economic and political ties with

Western Europe. It joined both NATO and the EU in the spring of 2004.

Geography Estonia

Location:

Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea and Gulf of Finland,

between Latvia and Russia

Geographic coordinates:

59 00 N, 26 00 E

Map references:

Europe

Area:

total: 45,226 sq km

land: 43,211 sq km

water: 2,015 sq km

note: includes 1,520 islands in the Baltic Sea

Area - comparative:

slightly smaller than New Hampshire and Vermont combined

Land boundaries: total: 633 km border countries: Latvia 339 km, Russia 294 km

Coastline:

3,794 km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: limits fixed in coordination with

neighboring states

Climate:

maritime, wet, moderate winters, cool summers

Terrain:

marshy, lowlands; flat in the north, hilly in the south

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Baltic Sea 0 m

highest point: Suur Munamagi 318 m

Natural resources:

oil shale, peat, phosphorite, clay, limestone, sand, dolomite,

arable land, sea mud

Land use: arable land: 16.04% permanent crops: 0.45% other: 83.51% (2001)

Irrigated land:

40 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

sometimes flooding occurs in the spring

Environment - current issues:

air polluted with sulfur dioxide from oil-shale burning power

plants in northeast; however, the amount of pollutants emitted to

the air have fallen steadily, the emissions of 2000 were 80% less

than in 1980; the amount of unpurified wastewater discharged to

water bodies in 2000 was one twentieth the level of 1980; in

connection with the start-up of new water purification plants, the

pollution load of wastewater decreased; Estonia has more than 1,400

natural and manmade lakes, the smaller of which in agricultural

areas need to be monitored; coastal seawater is polluted in certain

locations

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air

Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds,

Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto

Protocol, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ship Pollution,

Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

the mainland terrain is flat, boggy, and partly wooded; offshore

lie more than 1,500 islands

People Estonia

Population:

1,332,893 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 15.5% (male 106,300/female 100,446)

15-64 years: 67.7% (male 429,843/female 472,034)

65 years and over: 16.8% (male 74,037/female 150,233) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 39.06 years

male: 35.52 years

female: 42.35 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

-0.65% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

9.91 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

13.21 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

-3.18 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.91 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.49 male(s)/female

total population: 0.84 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 7.87 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 9.06 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 6.6 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 71.77 years

male: 66.28 years

female: 77.6 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

1.39 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

1.1% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

7,800 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

less than 200 (2003 est.)

Nationality:

noun: Estonian(s)

adjective: Estonian

Ethnic groups:

Estonian 67.9%, Russian 25.6%, Ukrainian 2.1%, Belarusian 1.3%,

Finn 0.9%, other 2.2% (2000 census)

Religions:

Evangelical Lutheran 13.6%, Orthodox 12.8%, other Christian

(including Methodist, Seventh-Day Adventist, Roman Catholic,

Pentecostal) 1.4%, unaffiliated 34.1%, other and unspecified 32%,

none 6.1% (2000 census)

Languages:

Estonian (official) 67.3%, Russian 29.7%, other 2.3%, unknown 0.7%

(2000 census)

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 99.8%

male: 99.8%

female: 99.8% (2003 est.)

Government Estonia

Country name:

conventional long form: Republic of Estonia

conventional short form: Estonia

local long form: Eesti Vabariik

local short form: Eesti

former: Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic

Government type:

parliamentary republic

Capital:

Tallinn

Administrative divisions:

15 counties (maakonnad, singular - maakond): Harjumaa (Tallinn),

Hiiumaa (Kardla), Ida-Virumaa (Johvi), Jarvamaa (Paide), Jogevamaa

(Jogeva), Laanemaa (Haapsalu), Laane-Virumaa (Rakvere), Parnumaa

(Parnu), Polvamaa (Polva), Raplamaa (Rapla), Saaremaa (Kuressaare),

Tartumaa (Tartu), Valgamaa (Valga), Viljandimaa (Viljandi), Vorumaa

(Voru)

note: counties have the administrative center name following in

parentheses

Independence:

20 August 1991 (from Soviet Union)

National holiday:

Independence Day, 24 February (1918); note - 24 February 1918 is

the date Estonia declared its independence from Soviet Russia; 20

August 1991 is the date it declared its independence from the Soviet

Union

Constitution:

adopted 28 June 1992

Legal system:

based on civil law system; no judicial review of legislative acts

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal for all Estonian citizens

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Arnold RUUTEL (since 8 October 2001)

head of government: Prime Minister Andrus ANSIP (since 12 April 2005)

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister,

approved by Parliament

elections: president elected by Parliament for a five-year term; if

a candidate does not secure two-thirds of the votes after three

rounds of balloting in the Parliament, then an electoral assembly

(made up of Parliament plus members of local governments) elects the

president, choosing between the two candidates with the largest

percentage of votes; election last held 21 September 2001 (next to

be held in the fall of 2006); prime minister nominated by the

president and approved by Parliament

election results: Arnold RUUTEL elected president on 21 September

2001 by a 367-member electoral assembly that convened following

Parliament's failure in August to elect then-President MERI's

successor; on the second ballot of voting, RUUTEL received 186 votes

to Parliament Speaker Toomas SAVI's 155; the remaining 26 ballots

were either left blank or invalid

Legislative branch:

unicameral Parliament or Riigikogu (101 seats; members are elected

by popular vote to serve four-year terms)

elections: last held 2 March 2003 (next to be held NA March 2007)

election results: percent of vote by party - Center Party 25.4%, Res

Publica 24.6%, Reform Party 17.7%, Estonian People's Union 13%, Pro

Patria Union (Fatherland League) 7.3% People's Party Moodukad 7%;

seats by party - Center Party 28, Res Publica 28, Reform Party 19,

Estonian People's Union 13, Pro Patria Union 7, People's Party

Moodukad 6

Judicial branch:

National Court (chairman appointed by Parliament for life)

Political parties and leaders:

Center Party of Estonia (Keskerakond) [Edgar SAVISAAR, chairman];

Estonian People's Union (Rahvaliit) [Villu REILJAN, chairman];

Estonian Reform Party (Reformierakond) [Andrus ANSIP]; Estonian

United Russian People's Party or EUVRP [Yevgeniy TOMBERG, chairman];

Pro Patria Union (Isamaaliit) [Tunne KELAM, chairman]; Res Publica

[Juhan PARTS, chairman]; Social Democratic Party (formerly People's

Party Moodukad or Moderates) [Ivari PADAR, chairman]; Social

Liberals (group of 8 parliamentarians, former Center Party members)

[Peeter Kreitzberg]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

NA

International organization participation:

Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CE, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EU (new member),

FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF,

IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, MIGA, NATO, NIB,

NSG, OAS (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNTSO,

UPU, WCO, WEU (member affiliate), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Juri LUIK

chancery: 2131 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 588-0101

FAX: [1] (202) 588-0108

consulate(s) general: New York

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Aldona Zofia WOS

embassy: Kentmanni 20, 15099 Tallinn

mailing address: use embassy street address

telephone: [372] 668-8100

FAX: [372] 668-8134

Flag description:

pre-1940 flag restored by Supreme Soviet in May 1990 - three equal

horizontal bands of blue (top), black, and white

Economy Estonia

Economy - overview:

Estonia, as a new member of the World Trade Organization and the

European Union, has transitioned effectively to a modern market

economy with strong ties to the West, including the pegging of its

currency to the euro. The economy benefits from strong electronics

and telecommunications sectors and is greatly influenced by

developments in Finland, Sweden, and Germany, three major trading

partners. The current account deficit remains high; however, the

state budget enjoyed a surplus of $130 million in 2003.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$19.23 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

6% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $14,300 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 4.1% industry: 28.9% services: 67% (2004 est.)

Labor force:

660,000 (2004 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 11%, industry 20%, services 69% (1999 est.)

Unemployment rate:

9.6% (2004 est.)

Population below poverty line:

NA (2000)

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: 3%

highest 10%: 29.8% (1998)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

37 (1999)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

3% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

28.2% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $4.622 billion

expenditures: $4.601 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Public debt:

5.4% of GDP (2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

potatoes, vegetables; livestock and dairy products; fish

Industries:

engineering, electronics, wood and wood products, textile;

information technology, telecommunications

Industrial production growth rate:

5% (2000 est.)

Electricity - production:

8.301 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 99.8% hydro: 0.1% nuclear: 0% other: 0.2% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

6.358 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

1.562 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

200 million kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

5,100 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

24,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Natural gas - production:

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - consumption:

1.27 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - exports:

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - imports:

1.27 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Current account balance:

$-1.169 billion (2004 est.)

Exports:

$5.701 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

machinery and equipment 33%, wood and paper 15%, textiles 14%, food

products 8%, furniture 7%, metals, chemical products (2001)

Exports - partners:

Finland 23.1%, Sweden 15.3%, Germany 8.4%, Latvia 7.9%, Russia

5.7%, Lithuania 4.4% (2004)

Imports:

$7.318 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

machinery and equipment 33.5%, chemical products 11.6%, textiles

10.3%, foodstuffs 9.4%, transportation equipment 8.9% (2001)

Imports - partners:

Finland 22.1%, Germany 12.9%, Sweden 9.7%, Russia 9.2%, Lithuania

5.3%, Latvia 4.7% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$1.503 billion (2004 est.)

Debt - external:

$8.373 billion (2004 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:

$108 million (2000)

Currency (code):

Estonian kroon (EEK)

Currency code:

EEK

Exchange rates:

krooni per US dollar - 12.596 (2004), 13.856 (2003), 16.612 (2002),

17.478 (2001), 16.969 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Estonia

Telephones - main lines in use:

475,000 (2002)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

881,000 (2002)

Telephone system:

general assessment: foreign investment in the form of joint

business ventures greatly improved telephone service; substantial

fiber-optic cable systems carry telephone, TV, and radio traffic in

the digital mode; Internet services are available throughout most of

the country - only about 11,000 subscriber requests were unfilled by

September 2000

domestic: a wide range of high quality voice, data, and Internet

services is available throughout the country

international: country code - 372; fiber-optic cables to Finland,

Sweden, Latvia, and Russia provide worldwide packet-switched

service; two international switches are located in Tallinn (2001)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 0, FM 98, shortwave 0 (2001)

Radios:

1.01 million (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

3 (2001)

Televisions:

605,000 (1997)

Internet country code:

.ee

Internet hosts:

82,142 (2004)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

38 (2001)

Internet users:

444,000 (2002)

Transportation Estonia

Railways: total: 958 km broad gauge: 958 km 1.520-m/1.524-m gauge (132 km electrified) (2004)

Highways:

total: 55,944 km

paved: 13,874 km (including 99 km of expressways)

unpaved: 42,070 km (2002)

Waterways:

500 km (2003)

Pipelines:

gas 859 km (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Kopli, Kuivastu, Muuga, Tallinn, Virtsu

Merchant marine:

total: 43 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 212,998 GRT/177,488 DWT

by type: cargo 17, passenger/cargo 20, petroleum tanker 2, roll

on/roll off 4

foreign-owned: 6 (Norway 6)

registered in other countries: 51 (2005)

Airports:

29 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 14

over 3,047 m: 1

2,438 to 3,047 m: 8

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 3

under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 15

over 3,047 m: 1

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 3

914 to 1,523 m: 4

under 914 m: 6 (2004 est.)

Military Estonia

Military branches:

Estonian Defense Forces: Ground Forces, Navy, Air Force and Air

Defense Staff, Republic Security Forces (internal and border

troops), Volunteer Defense League (Kaitseliit), Maritime Border

Guard, Coast Guard

note: Border Guards and Ministry of Internal Affairs become part of

the Estonian Defense Forces in wartime; the Coast Guard is

subordinate to the Ministry of Defense in peacetime and the Estonian

Navy in wartime

Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for compulsory military service, with 11-month service obligation; Estonia has committed to retaining conscription for men and women up to 2010; 17 years of age for volunteers (2004)

Manpower available for military service: males age 18-49: 291,696 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service: males age 18-49: 200,382 (2005 est.) : note - in 2004, 51% of the young men called up for service were determined to be unfit; main obstacles to conscription were psychiatric and behavioral

Manpower reaching military service age annually:

males: 11,146 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$155 million (2002 est.)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

2% (2002 est.)

Transnational Issues Estonia

Disputes - international:

in 1996, the Estonia-Russia technical border agreement was

initialed but both states have been hesitant to sign and ratify it,

with Russia asserting that Estonia needs to better assimilate

Russian-speakers and Estonian groups pressing for realignment of the

boundary based more closely on the 1920 Tartu Peace Treaty that

would bring the now divided ethnic Setu people and parts of the

Narva region within Estonia; as a member state that forms part of

the EU's external border, Estonia must implement the strict Schengen

border rules

Illicit drugs:

transshipment point for opiates and cannabis from Southwest Asia

and the Caucasus via Russia, cocaine from Latin America to Western

Europe and Scandinavia, and synthetic drugs from Western Europe to

Scandinavia; increasing domestic drug abuse problem; possible

precursor manufacturing and/or trafficking; potential money

laundering related to organized crime and drug trafficking is a

concern as is possible use of the gambling sector to launder funds

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Ethiopia

Introduction Ethiopia

Background:

Unique among African countries, the ancient Ethiopian monarchy

maintained its freedom from colonial rule, with the exception of the

1936-41 Italian occupation during World War II. In 1974 a military

junta, the Derg, deposed Emperor Haile SELASSIE (who had ruled since

1930) and established a socialist state. Torn by bloody coups,

uprisings, wide-scale drought, and massive refugee problems, the

regime was finally toppled in 1991 by a coalition of rebel forces,

the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF). A

constitution was adopted in 1994 and Ethiopia's first multiparty

elections were held in 1995. A two and a half year border war with

Eritrea ended with a peace treaty on 12 December 2000. Final

demarcation of the boundary is currently on hold due to Ethiopian

objections to an international commission's finding requiring it to

surrender sensitive territory.

Geography Ethiopia

Location:

Eastern Africa, west of Somalia

Geographic coordinates:

8 00 N, 38 00 E

Map references:

Africa

Area:

total: 1,127,127 sq km

land: 1,119,683 sq km

water: 7,444 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly less than twice the size of Texas

Land boundaries:

total: 5,328 km

border countries: Djibouti 349 km, Eritrea 912 km, Kenya 861 km,

Somalia 1,600 km, Sudan 1,606 km

Coastline:

0 km (landlocked)

Maritime claims:

none (landlocked)

Climate:

tropical monsoon with wide topographic-induced variation

Terrain:

high plateau with central mountain range divided by Great Rift

Valley

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Denakil Depression -125 m

highest point: Ras Dejen 4,620 m

Natural resources:

small reserves of gold, platinum, copper, potash, natural gas,

hydropower

Land use: arable land: 10.71% permanent crops: 0.75% other: 88.54% (2001)

Irrigated land:

1,900 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

geologically active Great Rift Valley susceptible to earthquakes,

volcanic eruptions; frequent droughts

Environment - current issues:

deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification; water

shortages in some areas from water-intensive farming and poor

management

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered

Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection

signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea

Geography - note:

landlocked - entire coastline along the Red Sea was lost with the

de jure independence of Eritrea on 24 May 1993; the Blue Nile, the

chief headstream of the Nile by water volume, rises in T'ana Hayk

(Lake Tana) in northwest Ethiopia; three major crops are believed to

have originated in Ethiopia: coffee, grain sorghum, and castor bean

People Ethiopia

Population:

73,053,286

note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the

effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower

life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower

population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of

population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July

2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 43.9% (male 16,082,504/female 15,999,602)

15-64 years: 53.4% (male 19,452,737/female 19,525,746)

65 years and over: 2.7% (male 905,648/female 1,087,049) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 17.75 years

male: 17.64 years

female: 17.85 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

2.36% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

38.61 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

15.06 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population

note: repatriation of Ethiopians who fled to Sudan for refuge from

war and famine in earlier years is expected to continue for several

years; some Sudanese and Somali refugees, who fled to Ethiopia from

the fighting or famine in their own countries, continue to return to

their homes (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.83 male(s)/female

total population: 1 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 95.32 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 105.3 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 85.05 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 48.83 years

male: 47.67 years

female: 50.03 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

5.33 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

4.4% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

1.5 million (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

120,000 (2003 est.)

Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, typhoid fever, and hepatitis E vectorborne diseases: malaria and cutaneous leishmaniasis are high risks in some locations respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis animal contact disease: rabies water contact disease: schistosomiasis (2004)

Nationality:

noun: Ethiopian(s)

adjective: Ethiopian

Ethnic groups:

Oromo 40%, Amhara and Tigre 32%, Sidamo 9%, Shankella 6%, Somali

6%, Afar 4%, Gurage 2%, other 1%

Religions:

Muslim 45%-50%, Ethiopian Orthodox 35%-40%, animist 12%, other 3%-8%

Languages:

Amharic, Tigrinya, Oromigna, Guaragigna, Somali, Arabic, other

local languages, English (major foreign language taught in schools)

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 42.7%

male: 50.3%

female: 35.1% (2003 est.)

Government Ethiopia

Country name:

conventional long form: Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia

conventional short form: Ethiopia

local long form: Ityop'iya Federalawi Demokrasiyawi Ripeblik

local short form: Ityop'iya

former: Abyssinia, Italian East Africa

abbreviation: FDRE

Government type:

federal republic

Capital:

Addis Ababa

Administrative divisions:

9 ethnically-based states (kililoch, singular - kilil) and 2

self-governing administrations* (astedaderoch, singular -

astedader); Adis Abeba* (Addis Ababa), Afar, Amara (Amhara),

Binshangul Gumuz, Dire Dawa*, Gambela Hizboch (Gambela Peoples),

Hareri Hizb (Harari People), Oromiya (Oromia), Sumale (Somali),

Tigray, Ye Debub Biheroch Bihereseboch na Hizboch (Southern Nations,

Nationalities and Peoples)

Independence:

oldest independent country in Africa and one of the oldest in the

world - at least 2,000 years

National holiday:

National Day (defeat of MENGISTU regime), 28 May (1991)

Constitution:

ratified December 1994, effective 22 August 1995

Legal system:

currently transitional mix of national and regional courts

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President GIRMA Woldegiorgis (since 8 October 2001)

head of government: Prime Minister MELES Zenawi (since NA August

1995)

cabinet: Council of Ministers as provided for in the December 1994

constitution; ministers are selected by the prime minister and

approved by the House of People's Representatives

elections: president elected by the House of People's

Representatives for a six-year term; election last held 8 October

2001 (next to be held October 2007); prime minister designated by

the party in power following legislative elections

election results: GIRMA Woldegiorgis elected president; percent of

vote by the House of People's Representatives - 100%

Legislative branch:

bicameral Parliament consists of the House of Federation or upper

chamber (108 seats; members are chosen by state assemblies to serve

five-year terms) and the House of People's Representatives or lower

chamber (548 seats; members are directly elected by popular vote

from single-member districts to serve five-year terms)

elections: last held 15 May 2005 (next to be held NA 2010)

election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats by party - OPDO 177,

ANDM 134, TPLF 38, WGGPDO 27, EPRDF 19, SPDO 18, GNDM 15, KSPDO 10,

ANDP 8, GPRDF 7, SOPDM 7, BGPDUF 6, BMPDO 5, KAT 4, other regional

political groupings 22, independents 8; note - 43 seats unconfirmed

note: irregularities and violence at some polling stations

necessitated the rescheduling of voting in certain constituencies;

voting postponed in Somali regional state because of severe drought

Judicial branch:

Federal Supreme Court (the president and vice president of the

Federal Supreme Court are recommended by the prime minister and

appointed by the House of People's Representatives; for other

federal judges, the prime minister submits to the House of People's

Representatives for appointment candidates selected by the Federal

Judicial Administrative Council)

Political parties and leaders:

Afar National Democratic Party or ANDP [leader NA]; Benishangul

Gumuz People's Democratic Unity Front or BGPDUF [Mulualem BESSE];

Coalition for Unity and Democracy or CUD [HAILU Shawil]; Ethiopian

People's Revolutionary Democratic Front or EPRDF [MELES Zenawi] (an

alliance of ANDM, OPDO, SEPDF, and TPLF); Gurage Nationalities'

Democratic Movement or GNDM [leader NA]; United Ethopian Democratic

Forces or UEDF [MERARA Gudina]; dozens of small parties

Political pressure groups and leaders:

Afar Revolutionary Democratic Union Front or ARDUF [leader NA];

Council of Alternative Forces for Peace and Democracy in Ethiopia or

CAFPDE [BEYANE Petros]; Southern Ethiopia People's Democratic

Coalition or SEPDC [BEYANE Petros]

International organization participation:

ACP, AfDB, AU, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD,

IFC, IFRCS, IGAD, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO,

ITU, MIGA, NAM, ONUB, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO,

UNMIL, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO (observer)

Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador KASSAHUN Ayele chancery: 3506 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 364-1200 FAX: [1] (202) 686-9551 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles consulate(s): New York

Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Aurelia A. BRAZEAL embassy: Entoto Street, Addis Ababa mailing address: P. O. Box 1014, Addis Ababa telephone: [251] (1) 550666 FAX: [251] (1) 551328

Flag description:

three equal horizontal bands of green (top), yellow, and red with a

yellow pentagram and single yellow rays emanating from the angles

between the points on a light blue disk centered on the three bands;

Ethiopia is the oldest independent country in Africa, and the three

main colors of her flag were so often adopted by other African

countries upon independence that they became known as the

pan-African colors

Economy Ethiopia

Economy - overview:

Ethiopia's poverty-stricken economy is based on agriculture,

accounting for half of GDP, 60% of exports, and 80% of total

employment. The agricultural sector suffers from frequent drought

and poor cultivation practices. Coffee is critical to the Ethiopian

economy with exports of some $156 million in 2002, but historically

low prices have seen many farmers switching to qat to supplement

income. The war with Eritrea in 1998-2000 and recurrent drought have

buffeted the economy, in particular coffee production. In November

2001, Ethiopia qualified for debt relief from the Highly Indebted

Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative. Under Ethiopia's land tenure

system, the government owns all land and provides long-term leases

to the tenants; the system continues to hamper growth in the

industrial sector as entrepreneurs are unable to use land as

collateral for loans. Drought struck again late in 2002, leading to

a 2% decline in GDP in 2003. Normal weather patterns late in 2003

helped agricultural and GDP growth recover in 2004.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$54.89 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

11.6% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $800 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector:

agriculture: 47%

industry: 12.4%

services: 40.6% (2004 est.)

Labor force:

NA (2001 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture and animal husbandry 80%, industry and construction 8%,

government and services 12% (1985)

Unemployment rate:

NA (2002)

Population below poverty line:

50% (2004 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: 3%

highest 10%: 33.7% (1995)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

40 (1995)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

2.4% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

17.8% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $1.887 billion

expenditures: $2.388 billion, including capital expenditures of $788

million (2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

cereals, pulses, coffee, oilseed, sugarcane, potatoes, qat; hides,

cattle, sheep, goats

Industries:

food processing, beverages, textiles, chemicals, metals processing,

cement

Industrial production growth rate:

6.7% (2001 est.)

Electricity - production:

2.149 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 1.3% hydro: 97.6% nuclear: 0% other: 1.2% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

1.998 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

23,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Oil - proved reserves:

214,000 bbl (1 January 2002)

Natural gas - proved reserves:

12.46 billion cu m (1 January 2002)

Current account balance:

$-464.4 million (2004 est.)

Exports:

$562.8 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

coffee, qat, gold, leather products, live animals, oilseeds

Exports - partners:

Djibouti 13.3%, Germany 10%, Japan 8.4%, Saudi Arabia 5.6%, US

5.2%, UAE 5%, Italy 4.6% (2004)

Imports:

$2.104 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

food and live animals, petroleum and petroleum products, chemicals,

machinery, motor vehicles, cereals, textiles

Imports - partners:

Saudi Arabia 25.3%, US 15.8%, China 6.6% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$923.1 million (2004 est.)

Debt - external:

$2.9 billion (2001 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:

$308 million (FY00/01)

Currency (code):

birr (ETB)

Currency code:

ETB

Exchange rates:

birr per US dollar - 8.68 (2004), 8.5997 (2003), 8.5678 (2002),

8.4575 (2001), 8.2173 (2000)

note: since 24 October 2001 exchange rates are determined on a daily

basis via interbank transactions regulated by the Central Bank

Fiscal year:

8 July - 7 July

Communications Ethiopia

Telephones - main lines in use:

435,000 (2003)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

97,800 (2003)

Telephone system:

general assessment: adequate for government use

domestic: open-wire; microwave radio relay; radio communication in

the HF, VHF, and UHF frequencies; two domestic satellites provide

the national trunk service

international: country code - 251; open-wire to Sudan and Djibouti;

microwave radio relay to Kenya and Djibouti; satellite earth

stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Pacific Ocean)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 8, FM 0, shortwave 1 (2001)

Radios:

15.2 million (2002)

Television broadcast stations:

1 plus 24 repeaters (2002)

Televisions:

682,000 (2002)

Internet country code:

.et

Internet hosts:

9 (2003)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

1 (2002)

Internet users:

75,000 (2003)

Transportation Ethiopia

Railways:

total: 681 km (Ethiopian segment of the Addis Ababa-Djibouti

railroad)

narrow gauge: 681 km 1.000-m gauge

note: railway under joint control of Djibouti and Ethiopia (2004)

Highways:

total: 33,297 km

paved: 3,996 km

unpaved: 29,301 km (2002)

Ports and harbors:

Ethiopia is landlocked and has used ports of Assab and Massawa in

Eritrea and port of Djibouti

Merchant marine:

total: 8 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 81,933 GRT/101,287 DWT

by type: cargo 6, roll on/roll off 2 (2005)

Airports:

83 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 14 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 5 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 69 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 13 914 to 1,523 m: 27 under 914 m: 23 (2004 est.)

Military Ethiopia

Military branches:

Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF): Ground Forces, Air Force

note: Ethiopia is landlocked and has no navy; following the

secession of Eritrea, Ethiopian naval facilities remained in

Eritrean possession (2003)

Military service age and obligation:

18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service (2001)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 18-49: 14,568,277 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: 8,072,755 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:

males: 803,777 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$337.1 million (2004)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

4.6% (2004)

Transnational Issues Ethiopia

Disputes - international:

Eritrea and Ethiopia agreed to abide by the 2002 Eritrea-Ethiopia

Boundary Commission's (EEBC) delimitation decision, but despite

international intervention, mutual animosities, accusations and

armed posturing prevail, preventing demarcation; Ethiopia refuses to

withdraw to the delimited boundary until technical errors made by

the EEBC that ignored "human geography" are addressed, including the

award of Badme, the focus of the 1998-2000 war; Eritrea insists that

the EEBC decision be implemented immediately without modifications;

Ethiopia has only an administrative line and no international border

with the Oromo region of southern Somalia where it maintains

alliances with local clans in opposition to the unrecognized Somali

Interim Government in Mogadishu; "Somaliland" secessionists provide

port facilities and trade ties to landlocked Ethiopia; the UNHCR

expects most of the remaining 23,000 Somali refugees in Ethiopia to

be repatriated in 2005; efforts to demarcate the porous boundary

with Sudan have been delayed by civil war

Refugees and internally displaced persons:

refugees (country of origin): 93,032 (Sudan) 23,578 (Somalia)

IDPs: 132,000 (border war with Eritrea from 1998-2000 and ethnic

clashes in Gambela; most IDPs are in Tigray and Gambela Provinces)

(2004)

Illicit drugs:

Transit hub for heroin originating in Southwest and Southeast Asia

and destined for Europe and North America as well as cocaine

destined for markets in southern Africa; cultivates qat (khat) for

local use and regional export, principally to Djibouti and Somalia

(legal in all three countries); the lack of a well-developed

financial system limits the country's utility as a money-laundering

center

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Europa Island

Introduction Europa Island

Background:

A French possession since 1897, the island is heavily wooded; it is

the site of a small military garrison that staffs a weather station.

Geography Europa Island

Location:

Southern Africa, island in the Mozambique Channel, about half way

between southern Madagascar and southern Mozambique

Geographic coordinates:

22 20 S, 40 22 E

Map references:

Africa

Area:

total: 28 sq km

land: 28 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative:

about 0.16 times the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries:

0 km

Coastline:

22.2 km

Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Climate:

tropical

Terrain:

low and flat

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m

highest point: unnamed location 24 m

Natural resources:

NEGL

Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (mangrove forests and woodlands) (2001)

Irrigated land:

0 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

NA

Environment - current issues:

NA

Geography - note:

wildlife sanctuary

People Europa Island

Population:

no indigenous inhabitants

note: there is a small French military garrison and a few

meteorologists; visited by scientists (July 2005 est.)

Government Europa Island

Country name:

conventional long form: none

conventional short form: Europa Island

local long form: none

local short form: Ile Europa

Dependency status:

possession of France; administered by the Administrateur Superieur

of the French Southern and Antarctic Lands

Legal system:

the laws of France, where applicable, apply

Flag description:

the flag of France is used

Economy Europa Island

Economy - overview:

no economic activity

Industries:

none

Communications Europa Island

Communications - note: 1 meteorological station

Transportation Europa Island

Ports and harbors:

none; offshore anchorage only

Airports:

1 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Military Europa Island

Military - note: defense is the responsibility of France

Transnational Issues Europa Island

Disputes - international: claimed by Madagascar

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@European Union

Introduction European Union

Preliminary statement:

The evolution of the European Union (EU) from a regional economic

agreement among six neighboring states in 1951 to today's

supranational organization of 25 countries across the European

continent stands as an unprecedented phenomenon in the annals of

history. Dynastic unions for territorial consolidation were long the

norm in Europe. On a few occasions even country-level unions were

arranged - the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and the

Austro-Hungarian Empire were examples - but for such a large number

of nation-states to cede some of their sovereignty to an overarching

entity is truly unique. Although the EU is not a federation in the

strict sense, it is far more than a free-trade association such as

ASEAN, NAFTA, or Mercosur, and it has many of the attributes

associated with independent nations: its own flag, anthem, founding

date, and currency, as well as an incipient common foreign and

security policy in its dealings with other nations. In the future,

many of these nation-like characteristics are likely to be expanded.

Thus, inclusion of basic intelligence on the EU has been deemed

appropriate as a new, separate entity in The World Factbook.

However, because of the EU's special status, this description is

placed after the regular country entries.

Background: Following the two devastating World Wars of the first half of the 20th century, a number of European leaders in the late 1940s became convinced that the only way to establish a lasting peace was to unite the two chief belligerent nations - France and Germany - both economically and politically. In 1950, the French Foreign Minister Robert SCHUMAN proposed an eventual union of all Europe, the first step of which would be the integration of the coal and steel industries of Western Europe. The following year the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) was set up when six members, Belgium, France, West Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands, signed the Treaty of Paris. The ECSC was so successful that within a few years the decision was made to integrate other parts of the countries' economies. In 1957, the Treaties of Rome created the European Economic Community (EEC) and the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom), and the six member states undertook to eliminate trade barriers among themselves by forming a common market. In 1967, the institutions of all three communities were formally merged into the European Community (EC), creating a single Commission, a single Council of Ministers, and the European Parliament. Members of the European Parliament were initially selected by national parliaments, but in 1979 the first direct elections were undertaken and they have been held every five years since. In 1973, the first enlargement of the EC took place with the addition of Denmark, Ireland, and the United Kingdom. The 1980s saw further membership expansion with Greece joining in 1981 and Spain and Portugal in 1986. The 1992 Treaty of Maastricht laid the basis for further forms of cooperation in foreign and defense policy, in judicial and internal affairs, and in the creation of an economic and monetary union - including a common currency. This further integration created the European Union (EU). In 1995, Austria, Finland, and Sweden joined the EU, raising the membership total to 15. A new currency, the euro, was launched in world money markets on 1 January 1999; it become the unit of exchange for all of the EU states except the United Kingdom, Sweden, and Denmark. In 2002, citizens of the 12 euro-area countries began using the euro banknotes and coins. Ten new countries joined the EU in 2004 - Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, and Slovenia - bringing the current membership to 25. In order to ensure that the EU can continue to function efficiently with an expanded membership, the 2003 Treaty of Nice set forth rules streamlining the size and procedures of EU institutions. An EU Constitutional Treaty, signed in Rome on 29 October 2004, gave member states two years to ratify the document before it was scheduled to take effect on 1 November 2006. Referenda held in France and the Netherlands in May-June 2005 that rejected the constitution suspended the ratification effort. Despite the expansion of membership and functions, "Eurosceptics" in various countries have raised questions about the erosion of national cultures and the imposition of a flood of regulations from the EU capital in Brussels. Failure by all member states to ratify the constitution or the inability of newcomer countries to meet euro currency standards might force a loosening of some EU agreements and perhaps lead to several levels of EU participation. These "tiers" might eventually range from an "inner" core of politically integrated countries to a looser "outer" economic association of members.

Geography European Union

Location:

Europe between Belarus, Ukraine, Russia, southeastern Europe, and

the North Atlantic Ocean

Map references:

Europe

Area:

total: 3,976,372 sq km

Area - comparative:

less than one-half the size of the US

Land boundaries:

total: 11,214.8 km

border countries: Albania 282 km, Andorra 120.3 km, Belarus 1,050

km, Bulgaria 494 km, Croatia 999 km, Holy See 3.2 km, Liechtenstein

34.9 km, Macedonia 246 km, Monaco 4.4 km, Norway 2,348 km, Romania

443 km, Russia 2,257 km, San Marino 39 km, Serbia and Montenegro 151

km, Switzerland 1,811 km, Turkey 206 km, Ukraine 726 km

note: data for European Continent only

Coastline:

65,413.9 km

Maritime claims:

NA

Climate:

cold temperate; potentially subarctic in the north to temperate;

mild wet winters; hot dry summers in the south

Terrain:

fairly flat along the Baltic and Atlantic coast; mountainous in the

central and southern areas

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Lammefjord, Denmark -7 m; Zuidplaspolder, Netherlands

-7 m

highest point: Mount Blanc, France/Italy 4,807 m

Natural resources:

iron ore, arable land, natural gas, petroleum, coal, copper, lead,

zinc, hydropower, uranium, potash, fish

Land use: arable land: NA% permanent crops: NA% other: NA%

Irrigated land:

115,807 sq km

Natural hazards:

flooding along coasts; avalanches in mountainous area; earthquakes

in the south; volcanic eruptions in Italy; periodic droughts in

Spain; ice floes in the Baltic

Environment - current issues:

NA

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air

Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94,

Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Biodiversity, Climate Change,

Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes,

Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 82, Tropical

Timber 94

signed but not ratified: Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds

People European Union

Population:

456,953,258 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 16.03% (male 37,608,010/female 35,632,351)

15-64 years: 67.17% (male 154,439,536/female 152,479,619)

65 years and over: 16.81% (male 31,515,921/female 45,277,821) (2005

est.)

Median age:

NA

Population growth rate:

0.15% (July 2005 est.)

Birth rate:

10 births/1,000 population (July 2005 est.)

Death rate:

10.1 deaths/1,000 population (July 2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

1.5 migrant(s)/1,000 population (July 2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: NA

under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female

65 years and older: 0.69 male(s)/female

total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (July 2004 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 5.1 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 5.6 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 4.5 deaths/1,000 live births (July 2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 78.3 years

male: 75.1 years

female: 81.6 years (July 2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

1.47 children born/woman (July 2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

NA%

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

NA

Religions:

Roman Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox, Muslim, Jewish

Languages:

Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Estonian, Finnish, French, German,

Greek, Hungarian, Italian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Maltese, Polish,

Portuguese, Slovak, Slovene, Spanish, Swedish; note - only official

languages are listed; Irish (Gaelic) will become the twenty-first

language on 1 January 2007

Government European Union

Union name:

conventional long form: European Union

abbreviation: EU

Political structure:

a hybrid intergovernmental and supranational organization

Capital:

Brussels, Belgium

note: the Council of the European Union meets in Brussels, the

European Parliament meets in Strasbourg, France, and the Court of

Justice of the European Communities meets in Luxembourg

Member states:

25 countries: Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark,

Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy,

Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal,

Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, UK; note - Canary Islands

(Spain), Azores and Madeira (Portugal), and French Guyana,

Guadeloupe, Martinique, and Reunion (France) are sometimes listed

separately even though they are legally a part of Spain, Portugal,

and France; candidate countries: Bulgaria, Croatia, Romania, Turkey

Independence:

7 February 1992 (Maastricht Treaty signed establishing the EU); 1

November 1993 (Maastricht Treaty entered into force)

National holiday:

Europe Day 9 May (1950); note - a Union-wide holiday, the day that

Robert Schuman proposed the creation of an organized Europe

Constitution:

based on a series of treaties: the Treaty of Paris, which set up

the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) in 1951; the Treaties

of Rome, which set up the European Economic Community (EEC) and the

European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom) in 1957; the Single

European Act in 1986; the Treaty on European Union (Maastricht) in

1992; the Treaty of Amsterdam in 1997; and the Treaty of Nice in

2001; note - a new draft Constitutional Treaty, signed on 29 October

2004 in Rome, gave member states two years for ratification either

by parliamentary vote or national referendum before it was scheduled

to take effect on 1 November 2006; defeat in French and Dutch

referenda in May-June 2005 caused a suspension of the ratification

process

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of union: President of the European Commission Jose DURAO

BARROSO (since 22 November 2004)

cabinet: European Commission (composed of 25 members, one from each

member country; each commissioner responsible for one or more policy

areas)

elections: the president of the European Commission is designated by

member governments; the president-designate then chooses the other

Commission members; the European Parliament confirms the entire

Commission for a five-year term; election last held 18 November 2004

(next to be held 2009)

election results: European Parliament approved the European

Commission by an approval vote of 449 to 149 with 82 abstentions

note: the European Council brings together heads of state and

government and the president of the European Commission and meets at

least twice a year; its aim is to provide the impetus for the major

political issues relating to European integration and to issue

general policy guidelines

Legislative branch:

Council of the European Union (25 member-state ministers having 321

votes; the number of votes is roughly proportional to member-states'

population); note - the Council is the main decision-making body of

the EU; European Parliament (732 seats; seats allocated among member

states by proportion to population); members elected by direct

universal suffrage for a five-year term

elections: last held 10-13 June 2004 (next to be held June 2009)

election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats by party - EPP-ED

268, PES 202, ALDE 88, Greens/EFA 42, EUL/NGL 41, IND/DEM 36, UEN

27, independents 28

Judicial branch:

Court of Justice of the European Communities (ensures that the

treaties are interpreted and applied correctly) - 25 justices (one

from each member state) appointed for a six-year term; note - for

the sake of efficiency, the court can sit with 11 justices known as

the "Grand Chamber"; Court of First Instance - 25 justices appointed

for a six-year term

Political parties and leaders:

Group of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe or ALDE

[Graham R. WATSON]; Independence/Democracy Group or IND/DEM

[Jens-Peter BONDE and Nigel FARAGE]; Group of Greens/European Free

Alliance or Greens/EFA [Monica FRASSONI and Daniel Marc

COHN-BENDIT]; Socialist Group in the European Parliament or PES

[Martin SCHULZ]; Confederal Group of the European United Left-Nordic

Green Left or EUL/NGL [Francis WURTZ]; European People's

Party-European Democrats or EPP-ED [Hans-Gert POETTERING]; Union for

Europe of the Nations Group or UEN [Brian CROWLEY and Cristiana

MUSCARDINI]

International organization participation:

European Union: ASEAN (dialogue member), ARF (dialogue member),

EBRD, IDA, OAS (observer), OECD, WTO

European Commission: Australian Group, CBSS, CERN, FAO, G-10, NSG

(observer), UN (observer)

European Central Bank: BIS

European Investment Bank: WADB (nonregional member)

Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador John BRUTON chancery: 2300 M Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20037 telephone: [1] (202) 862-9500 FAX: [1] (202) 429-1766

Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Rockwell SCHNABEL embassy: 13 Zinnerstraat/Rue Zinner, B-1000 Brussels mailing address: same as above telephone: [32] (2) 508-2222 FAX: [32] (2) 512-5720

Flag description:

on a blue field, 12 five-pointed gold stars arranged in a circle,

representing the union of the peoples of Europe; the number of stars

is fixed

Economy European Union

Economy - overview:

Domestically, the European Union attempts to lower trade barriers,

adopt a common currency, and move toward convergence of living

standards. Internationally, the EU aims to bolster Europe's trade

position and its political and economic power. Because of the great

differences in per capita income (from $10,000 to $28,000) and

historic national animosities, the European Community faces

difficulties in devising and enforcing common policies. For example,

both Germany and France since 2003 have flouted the member states'

treaty obligation to prevent their national budgets from running

more than a 3% deficit. In 2004, the EU admitted 10 central and

eastern European countries that are, in general, less advanced

technologically and economically than the existing 15. Twelve EU

member states introduced the euro as their common currency on 1

January 1999. The UK, Sweden, and Denmark do not now participate;

the 10 new member states may choose to adopt the euro when they meet

the EU's fiscal and monetary criteria and the member states so agree.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$11.65 trillion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

2.4% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $26,900 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 2.2% industry: 28.3% services: 69.4% (2004 est.)

Labor force: 215 million (various)

Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 4.5%, industry 27.4%, services 66.9% note: the remainder is in miscellaneous public and private sector industries and services (2004)

Unemployment rate:

9.5% (2004 est.)

Population below poverty line:

See individual country listings

Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.9% highest 10%: 25.4% (1995 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

31.2 (2003 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

2.1% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

percent of GDP - 19.5% of GDP (2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

wheat, barley, oilseeds, sugar beets, wine, grapes, dairy products,

cattle, sheep, pigs, poultry, fish

Industries:

among the world's largest and most technologically advanced, the

European Union industrial base includes: ferrous and non-ferrous

metal production and processing, metal products, petroleum, coal,

cement, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, aerospace, rail transportation

equipment, passenger and commercial vehicles, construction

equipment, industrial equipment, shipbuilding, electrical power

equipment, machine tools and automated manufacturing systems,

electronics and telecommunications equipment, fishing, food and

beverage processing, furniture, paper, textiles, tourism

Industrial production growth rate:

2.4% (2004 est.)

Electricity - production:

2.888 trillion kWh (2002 est.)

Electricity - consumption:

2.661 trillion kWh (2002 est.)

Electricity - exports:

270.8 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

268.5 billion kWh (2002 est.)

Oil - production:

2.648 million bbl/day (2001)

Oil - consumption:

14.54 million bbl/day (2001)

Oil - exports:

5.322 million bbl/day (2001)

Oil - imports:

15.69 million bbl/day (2001)

Oil - proved reserves:

28.21 billion bbl (1 January 2002)

Natural gas - production:

242.6 billion cu m (2001)

Natural gas - consumption:

467.7 billion cu m (2001)

Natural gas - exports:

78.1 billion cu m (2001)

Natural gas - imports:

297.8 billion cu m (2001)

Natural gas - proved reserves:

3.256 trillion cu m (1 January 2002)

Current account balance:

$NA

Exports:

$1.109 trillion

note: external exports, excluding intra EU trade (2003)

Exports - commodities:

machinery, motor vehicles, aircraft, plastics, pharmaceuticals and

other chemicals, fuels, iron and steel, nonferrous metals, wood pulp

and paper products, textiles, meat, dairy products, fish, alcoholic

beverages.

Exports - partners:

US 22.9%, Switzerland 6.9%, China 4.1%, Japan 4%

Imports:

$1.123 trillion

note: external imports, excluding intra-EU trade (2003)

Imports - commodities:

machinery, vehicles, aircraft, plastics, crude oil, chemicals,

textiles, metals, foodstuffs, clothing

Imports - partners:

US 15.1%, China 9.7%, Japan 6.7%, Switzerland 5.6%

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$NA

Currency (code):

euro, British pound, Danish kroner, Swedish kroner, Cypriot pound,

koruny (Czech Republic), krooni (Estonia), forint (Hungary), lati

(Latvia), litai (Lithuania), Maltese liri, zloty (Poland), koruny

(Slovakia), tolar (Slovenia)

Currency code:

EUR

Exchange rates:

euros per US dollar - 0.81 (2004), 0.89 (2003), 1.06 (2002), 1.12

(2001), 1.09 (2000)

Fiscal year:

NA

Communications European Union

Telephones - main lines in use:

238,763,162 (2002)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

314,644,700 (2002)

Telephone system:

note - see individual country entries of member states

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 866, FM 13,396, shortwave 73 (1998); note - sum of individual

country radio broadcast stations; there is also a European-wide

station (Euroradio)

Television broadcast stations:

2,791 (1995); note - does not include repeaters; sum of individual

country television broadcast stations; there is also a European-wide

station (Eurovision)

Internet country code:

.eu (effective 2005); note - see country entries of member states

for individual country codes

Internet hosts:

22,000,414 (2004); note - sum of individual country Internet hosts

Internet users:

206,032,067 (September 2004)

Transportation European Union

Railways:

total: 222,293 km

broad gauge: 28,438 km

standard gauge: 186,405 km

narrow gauge: 7,427 km

other: 23 km (2003)

Highways:

total: 4,634,810 km (including 56,704 km of expressways)

paved: 4,161,318 km

unpaved: 473,492 km (1999-2000)

Waterways:

53,512 km

Ports and harbors:

Antwerp (Belgium), Barcelona (Spain), Bremen (Germany), Copenhagen

(Denmark), Gdansk (Poland), Hamburg (Germany), Helsinki (Finland),

Las Palmas (Canary Islands, Spain), Le Havre (France), Lisbon

(Portugal), London (UK), Marseille (France), Naples (Italy),

Peiraiefs or Piraeus (Greece), Riga (Latvia), Rotterdam

(Netherlands), Stockholm (Sweden), Talinn (Estonia)

Airports:

3,130 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 1,834

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 1,296

Heliports:

94 (2004)

Military European Union

Military - note:

In November 2004, the European Union heads of government signed a

"Treaty Establishing a Constitution for Europe" that offers

possibilities - with some limits - for increased defense and

security cooperation. If ratified, in a process that may take some

two years, this treaty will in effect make operational the European

Security and Defense Policy (ESDP) approved in the 2000 Nice Treaty.

Despite limits of cooperation for some EU members, development of a

European military planning unit is likely to continue. So is

creation of a rapid-reaction military force and a humanitarian aid

system, which the planning unit will support. France, Germany,

Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg, and Italy continue to press for

wider coordination. The five-nation Eurocorps - created in 1992 by

France, Germany, Belgium, Spain, and Luxembourg - has already

deployed troops and police on peacekeeping missions to Bosnia and

Herzegovina, Macedonia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo and

assumed command of the International Security Assistance Force

(ISAF) in Afghanistan in August 2004. Eurocorps directly commands

the 5,000-man Franco-German Brigade, the Multinational Command

Support Brigade, and EUFOR, which took over from SFOR in Bosnia in

December 2004. Other troop contributions are under national command

- committments to provide 67,100 troops were made at the Helsinki EU

session in 2000. Some 56,000 EU troops were actually deployed in

2003. In August 2004, the new European Defense Agency, tasked with

promoting cooperative European defense capabilities, began

operations. In November 2004, the EU Council of Ministers formally

committed to creating thirteen 1,500-man "battle groups" by the end

of 2007, to respond to international crises on a rotating basis.

Twenty-two of the EU's 25 nations have agreed to supply troops.

France, Italy, and the UK are to form the first three battle groups

in 2005, with Spain to follow. In May 2005, Norway, Sweden, and

Finland agreed to establish one of the battle groups, possibly to

include Estonian forces. The remaining groups are to be formed by

2007. (2005)

Transnational Issues European Union

Disputes - international:

the EU has no border disputes with neighboring countries; it has

set up a Schengen area - consisting of 13 EU member states that have

signed the convention implementing the Schengen agreements (1985 and

1990) on the free movement of persons and the harmonization of

border controls in Europe; the Schengen agreements ("acquis") became

incorporated into EU law with the implementation of the 1997 Treaty

of Amsterdam on 1 May 1999; member states are: Austria, Belgium,

Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg,

Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, and Sweden; in addition, non-EU states

Iceland and Norway (as part of the Nordic Union) have been included

in the Schengen area since 1996 (full members in 2001), bringing the

total current membership to 15; the UK (since 2000) and Ireland

(since 2002) take part in some aspects of the Schengen area,

especially with respect to police and criminal matters; the 10 new

member states that joined the EU in 2004 eventually are expected to

participate in Schengen, following a transition period to upgrade

their border controls and procedures

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

Introduction Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

Background:

Although first sighted by an English navigator in 1592, the first

landing (English) did not occur until almost a century later in

1690, and the first settlement (French) was not established until

1764. The colony was turned over to Spain two years later and the

islands have since been the subject of a territorial dispute, first

between Britain and Spain, then between Britain and Argentina. The

UK asserted its claim to the islands by establishing a naval

garrison there in 1833. Argentina invaded the islands on 2 April

1982. The British responded with an expeditionary force that landed

seven weeks later and after fierce fighting forced Argentine

surrender on 14 June 1982.

Geography Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

Location:

Southern South America, islands in the South Atlantic Ocean, east

of southern Argentina

Geographic coordinates:

51 45 S, 59 00 W

Map references:

South America

Area:

total: 12,173 sq km

land: 12,173 sq km

water: 0 sq km

note: includes the two main islands of East and West Falkland and

about 200 small islands

Area - comparative:

slightly smaller than Connecticut

Land boundaries:

0 km

Coastline:

1,288 km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 12 nm

continental shelf: 200 nm

exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm

Climate:

cold marine; strong westerly winds, cloudy, humid; rain occurs on

more than half of days in year; average annual rainfall is 24 inches

in Stanley; occasional snow all year, except in January and

February, but does not accumulate

Terrain:

rocky, hilly, mountainous with some boggy, undulating plains

Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Usborne 705 m

Natural resources: fish, squid, wildlife, calcified seaweed, sphagnum moss

Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (99% permanent pastures, 1% other) (2001)

Irrigated land:

NA sq km

Natural hazards:

strong winds persist throughout the year

Environment - current issues:

overfishing by unlicensed vessels is a problem; reindeer were

introduced to the islands in 2001 for commercial reasons; this is

the only commercial reindeer herd in the world unaffected by the

Chornobyl disaster

Geography - note:

deeply indented coast provides good natural harbors; short growing

season

People Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

Population: 2,967 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

2.44% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

NA births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

NA deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

NA migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: NA

male: NA

female: NA (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: NA years

male: NA years

female: NA years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

NA children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

NA

Nationality:

noun: Falkland Islander(s)

adjective: Falkland Island

Ethnic groups:

British

Religions:

primarily Anglican, Roman Catholic, United Free Church, Evangelist

Church, Jehovah's Witnesses, Lutheran, Seventh-Day Adventist

Languages:

English

Government Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

Dependency status:

overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina

Government type:

NA

Capital:

Stanley

Administrative divisions:

none (overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina)

Independence:

none (overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina)

National holiday:

Liberation Day, 14 June (1982)

Constitution:

3 October 1985; amended 1997 and 1998

Legal system:

English common law

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952)

head of government: Governor Howard PEARCE (since 3 December 2002);

Chief Executive Chris SIMPKINS (since NA March 2003); Financial

Secretary Derek F. HOWATT (since NA)

cabinet: Executive Council; three members elected by the Legislative

Council, two ex officio members (chief executive and the financial

secretary), and the governor

elections: none; the monarchy is hereditary; governor appointed by

the monarch

Legislative branch:

unicameral Legislative Council (10 seats - 2 ex officio, 8 elected

by popular vote, members serve four-year terms); presided over by

the governor

elections: last held 22 November 2001 (next to be held November 2005)

election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats - independents 8;

note - 71% voter turnout

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court (chief justice is a nonresident); Magistrates Court

(senior magistrate presides over civil and criminal divisions);

Court of Summary Jurisdiction

Political parties and leaders:

none; all independents

Political pressure groups and leaders:

none

International organization participation:

ICFTU, UPU

Diplomatic representation in the US:

none (overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina)

Diplomatic representation from the US:

none (overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina)

Flag description:

blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and

the Falkland Island coat of arms centered on the outer half of the

flag; the coat of arms contains a white ram (sheep raising was once

the major economic activity) above the sailing ship Desire (whose

crew discovered the islands) with a scroll at the bottom bearing the

motto DESIRE THE RIGHT

Economy Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

Economy - overview:

The economy was formerly based on agriculture, mainly sheep

farming, but today fishing contributes the bulk of economic

activity. In 1987 the government began selling fishing licenses to

foreign trawlers operating within the Falklands exclusive fishing

zone. These license fees total more than $40 million per year, which

goes to support the island's health, education, and welfare system.

Squid accounts for 75% of the fish taken. Dairy farming supports

domestic consumption; crops furnish winter fodder. Exports feature

shipments of high-grade wool to the UK and the sale of postage

stamps and coins. The islands are now self-financing except for

defense. The British Geological Survey announced a 200-mile oil

exploration zone around the islands in 1993, and early seismic

surveys suggest substantial reserves capable of producing 500,000

barrels per day; to date no exploitable site has been identified. An

agreement between Argentina and the UK in 1995 seeks to defuse

licensing and sovereignty conflicts that would dampen foreign

interest in exploiting potential oil reserves. Tourism, especially

eco-tourism, is increasing rapidly, with about 30,000 visitors in

2001. Another large source of income is interest paid on money the

government has in the bank. The British military presence also

provides a sizeable economic boost.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$75 million (2002 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

NA%

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $25,000 (2002 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA%

Labor force:

1,100 (est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 95% (mostly sheepherding and fishing)

Unemployment rate:

full employment; labor shortage (2001)

Population below poverty line:

NA

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA%

highest 10%: NA%

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

3.6% (1998)

Budget:

revenues: $66.2 million

expenditures: $67.9 million, including capital expenditures of $23.2

million (FY98/99 est.)

Agriculture - products:

fodder and vegetable crops; sheep, dairy products

Industries:

fish and wool processing; tourism

Industrial production growth rate:

NA%

Electricity - production:

19.06 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

17.72 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

200 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Exports:

$82 million (2002)

Exports - commodities:

wool, hides, meat

Exports - partners:

Spain 77.4%, UK 9.4%, US 4.9% (2004)

Imports:

$53 million (2002)

Imports - commodities:

fuel, food and drink, building materials, clothing

Imports - partners:

UK 63.2%, Spain 30.3%, France 3.6% (2004)

Debt - external:

$NA

Economic aid - recipient:

$0 (1997 est.)

Currency (code):

Falkland pound (FKP)

Currency code:

FKP

Exchange rates:

Falkland pounds per US dollar - 0.5462 (2004), 0.6125 (2003),

0.6672 (2002), 0.6947 (2001), 0.6609 (2000)

note: the Falkland pound is at par with the British pound

Fiscal year:

1 April - 31 March

Communications Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

Telephones - main lines in use:

2,400 (2002)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

0 (2001)

Telephone system:

general assessment: NA

domestic: government-operated radiotelephone and private VHF/CB

radiotelephone networks provide effective service to almost all

points on both islands

international: country code - 500; satellite earth station - 1

Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) with links through London to other

countries

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 1, FM 7, shortwave 0 (1998)

Radios:

1,000 (1997)

Television broadcast stations: 2 (operated by the British Forces Broadcasting Service) note: cable television is available in Stanley (2002)

Televisions:

1,000 (1997)

Internet country code:

.fk

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

2 (2000)

Internet users:

NA; however one-half of all households are reported to have

internet access (2002)

Transportation Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

Highways: total: 440 km paved: 50 km unpaved: 390 km (2002)

Ports and harbors:

Stanley

Merchant marine:

none

Airports:

5 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 2

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1

under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 3

under 914 m: 3 (2004 est.)

Military Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

Military branches:

no regular military forces

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

NA

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

NA

Military - note:

defense is the responsibility of the UK

Transnational Issues Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

Disputes - international:

Argentina, which claims the islands in its constitution and briefly

occupied the islands by force in 1982, agreed in 1995 to no longer

seek settlement by force; UK continues to reject Argentine requests

for sovereignty talks

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Faroe Islands

Introduction Faroe Islands

Background:

The population of the Faroe Islands is largely descended from

Viking settlers who arrived in the 9th century. The islands have

been connected politically to Denmark since the 14th century. A high

degree of self-government was attained in 1948.

Geography Faroe Islands

Location:

Northern Europe, island group between the Norwegian Sea and the

North Atlantic Ocean, about one-half of the way from Iceland to

Norway

Geographic coordinates:

62 00 N, 7 00 W

Map references:

Europe

Area:

total: 1,399 sq km

land: 1,399 sq km

water: 0 sq km (some lakes and streams)

Area - comparative:

eight times the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries:

0 km

Coastline:

1,117 km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 3 nm

continental shelf: 200 nm or agreed boundaries or median line

exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm or agreed boundaries or median line

Climate:

mild winters, cool summers; usually overcast; foggy, windy

Terrain:

rugged, rocky, some low peaks; cliffs along most of coast

Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Slaettaratindur 882 m

Natural resources: fish, whales, hydropower, possible oil and gas

Land use: arable land: 2.14% permanent crops: 0% other: 97.86% (2001)

Irrigated land:

0 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

NA

Environment - current issues:

NA

Geography - note:

archipelago of 17 inhabited islands and one uninhabited island, and

a few uninhabited islets; strategically located along important sea

lanes in northeastern Atlantic; precipitous terrain limits

habitation to small coastal lowlands

People Faroe Islands

Population:

46,962 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 21.3% (male 4,997/female 4,999)

15-64 years: 64.9% (male 16,120/female 14,360)

65 years and over: 13.8% (male 2,923/female 3,563) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 35.11 years

male: 34.64 years

female: 35.68 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

0.62% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

13.97 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

8.69 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

0.94 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.12 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.82 male(s)/female

total population: 1.05 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 6.24 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 7.54 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 4.93 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 79.21 years

male: 75.77 years

female: 82.67 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

2.2 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

NA%

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

NA

Nationality:

noun: Faroese (singular and plural)

adjective: Faroese

Ethnic groups:

Scandinavian

Religions:

Evangelical Lutheran

Languages:

Faroese (derived from Old Norse), Danish

Literacy: definition: NA total population: NA% male: NA% female: NA% note: probably the same as Denmark proper

Government Faroe Islands

Country name:

conventional long form: none

conventional short form: Faroe Islands

local long form: none

local short form: Foroyar

Dependency status:

part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas

administrative division of Denmark since 1948

Government type:

NA

Capital:

Torshavn

Administrative divisions:

none (part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas

administrative division of Denmark); there are no first-order

administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there

are 49 municipalities

Independence:

none (part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas

administrative division of Denmark)

National holiday:

Olaifest (Olavasoka), 29 July

Constitution:

5 June 1953 (Danish constitution)

Legal system:

Danish

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: Queen MARGRETHE II of Denmark (since 14 January

1972), represented by High Commissioner Birgit KLEIS, chief

administrative officer (since 1 November 2001)

head of government: Prime Minister Joannes EIDESGAARD (since 3

February 2004)

cabinet: Landsstyri appointed by the prime minister

elections: the monarch is hereditary; high commissioner appointed by

the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the

majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually

elected prime minister by the Faroese Parliament; election last held

20 January 2004 (next to be held no later than January 2008)

election results: Joannes EIDESGAARD elected prime minister; percent

of parliamentary vote - NA%

note: coalition of Social Democrats, Union Party, and People's Party

Legislative branch:

unicameral Faroese Parliament or Logting (32 seats; members are

elected by popular vote on a proportional basis from the seven

constituencies to serve four-year terms)

elections: last held 20 January 2004 (next to be held no later than

January 2008)

election results: percent of vote by party - Union Party 23.7%,

Social Democrats 21.8%, Republican Party 21.7%, People's Party

20.6%, Center Party 5.2%, Independence Party 4.6%; seats by party -

Union Party 7, Social Democrats 7, Republican Party 8, People's

Party 7, Center Party 2, Independence Party 1

note: election of 2 seats to the Danish Parliament was last held on

8 February 2005 (next to be held February 2009); results - percent

of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Republican Party 1, People's

Party 1

Judicial branch:

none

Political parties and leaders:

Center Party [Jenis A. RANA]; Independence Party [Kari P.

HOJGAARD]; People's Party [Anfinn KALLSBERG]; Republican Party

[Hogni HOYDAL]; Social Democratic Party [Joannes EIDESGAARD]; Union

Party [Kaj Oeo JOHANNESEN]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

NA

International organization participation:

IMO (associate), NC, NIB, UPU

Diplomatic representation in the US:

none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)

Diplomatic representation from the US:

none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)

Flag description:

white with a red cross outlined in blue extending to the edges of

the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted toward the hoist

side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag)

Economy Faroe Islands

Economy - overview:

The Faroese economy has had a strong performance since 1994, mostly

as a result of increasing fish landings and high and stable export

prices. Unemployment is minimal and there are signs of labor

shortages in several sectors. The positive economic development has

helped the Faroese Home Rule Government produce increasing budget

surpluses, which in turn has helped to reduce the large public debt,

most of it owed to Denmark. However, the total dependence on fishing

makes the Faroese economy extremely vulnerable, and the present

fishing efforts appear in excess of what is a sustainable level of

fishing in the long term. Oil finds close to the Faroese area give

hope for deposits in the immediate Faroese area, which may

eventually lay the basis for a more diversified economy and thus

lessen dependence on Danish economic assistance. Aided by a

substantial annual subsidy (15% of GDP) from Denmark, the Faroese

have a standard of living not far below the Danes and other

Scandinavians.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$1 billion (2001 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

10% (2001 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $22,000 (2001 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 27% industry: 11% services: 62% (1999)

Labor force: 24,250 (October 2000)

Labor force - by occupation: fishing, fish processing, and manufacturing 33%, construction and private services 33%, public services 34%

Unemployment rate:

1% (October 2000)

Population below poverty line:

NA%

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA%

highest 10%: NA%

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

5.1% (1999)

Budget:

revenues: $488 million

expenditures: $484 million, including capital expenditures of $21

million (1999)

Agriculture - products:

milk, potatoes, vegetables; sheep; salmon, other fish

Industries:

fishing, fish processing, small ship repair and refurbishment,

handicrafts

Industrial production growth rate:

8% (1999 est.)

Electricity - production:

220 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 62.4% hydro: 37.6% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

204.6 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

4,500 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Exports:

$408 million f.o.b. (2002)

Exports - commodities:

fish and fish products 94%, stamps, ships (1999)

Exports - partners:

Denmark 33.5%, UK 29.7%, Norway 8.4%, Nigeria 7.2% (2004)

Imports:

$466 million c.i.f. (2002)

Imports - commodities:

machinery and transport equipment 29%, consumer goods 36%, raw

materials and semi-manufactures 32%, fuels, fish and salt (1999)

Imports - partners:

Denmark 52.8%, Norway 18.3%, Iceland 4.4%, Sweden 4.2% (2004)

Debt - external:

$64 million (1999)

Economic aid - recipient:

$135 million (annual subsidy from Denmark) (1998)

Currency (code):

Danish krone (DKK)

Currency code:

DKK

Exchange rates:

Danish kroner per US dollar - 5.9911 (2004), 6.5877 (2003), 7.8947

(2002), 8.3228 (2001), 8.0831 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Faroe Islands

Telephones - main lines in use:

23,000 (2002)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

30,700 (2002)

Telephone system:

general assessment: good international communications; good

domestic facilities

domestic: digitalization was completed in 1998; both NMT (analog)

and GSM (digital) mobile telephone systems are installed

international: country code - 298; satellite earth stations - 1

Orion; 1 fiber-optic submarine cable to the Shetland Islands,

linking the Faroe Islands with Denmark and Iceland; fiber-optic

submarine cable connection to Canada-Europe cable

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 1, FM 13, shortwave 0 (1998)

Radios:

26,000 (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

3 (plus 43 low-power repeaters) (September 1995)

Televisions:

15,000 (1997)

Internet country code:

.fo

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

2 (2000)

Internet users:

25,000 (2002)

Transportation Faroe Islands

Highways: total: 463 km paved: 454 km unpaved: 9 km (1999)

Ports and harbors:

Torshavn

Merchant marine:

total: 14 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 24,051 GRT/11,998 DWT

by type: cargo 6, container 1, passenger/cargo 5, petroleum tanker 2

foreign-owned: 8 (Denmark 2, Germany 1, Iceland 2, Norway 2, United

Kingdom 1) (2005)

Airports:

1 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Military Faroe Islands

Military branches:

no regular military forces

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$NA

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

NA

Military - note:

defense is the responsibility of Denmark

Transnational Issues Faroe Islands

Disputes - international:

because anticipated offshore hydrocarbon resources have not been

realized, earlier Faroese proposals for full independence have been

deferred; Iceland disputes the Faroe Islands' fisheries median line

boundary; Iceland, the UK, and Ireland dispute Denmark's claim that

the Faroe Islands' continental shelf extends beyond 200 nm

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Fiji

Introduction Fiji

Background:

Fiji became independent in 1970, after nearly a century as a

British colony. Democratic rule was interrupted by two military

coups in 1987, caused by concern over a government perceived as

dominated by the Indian community (descendants of contract laborers

brought to the islands by the British in the 19th century). A 1990

constitution favored native Melanesian control of Fiji, but led to

heavy Indian emigration; the population loss resulted in economic

difficulties, but ensured that Melanesians became the majority.

Amendments enacted in 1997 made the constitution more equitable.

Free and peaceful elections in 1999 resulted in a government led by

an Indo-Fijian, but a coup in May 2000 ushered in a prolonged period

of political turmoil. Parliamentary elections held in August 2001

provided Fiji with a democratically elected government and gave a

mandate to the government of Prime Minister Laisenia QARASE.

Geography Fiji

Location:

Oceania, island group in the South Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds

of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand

Geographic coordinates:

18 00 S, 175 00 E

Map references:

Oceania

Area:

total: 18,270 sq km

land: 18,270 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly smaller than New Jersey

Land boundaries:

0 km

Coastline:

1,129 km

Maritime claims:

measured from claimed archipelagic straight baselines

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation;

rectilinear shelf claim added

Climate:

tropical marine; only slight seasonal temperature variation

Terrain:

mostly mountains of volcanic origin

Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Tomanivi 1,324 m

Natural resources: timber, fish, gold, copper, offshore oil potential, hydropower

Land use: arable land: 10.95% permanent crops: 4.65% other: 84.4% (2001)

Irrigated land:

30 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

cyclonic storms can occur from November to January

Environment - current issues:

deforestation; soil erosion

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto

Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea,

Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber

83, Tropical Timber 94

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

includes 332 islands of which approximately 110 are inhabited

People Fiji

Population:

893,354 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 31.4% (male 143,066/female 137,346)

15-64 years: 64.5% (male 288,434/female 287,720)

65 years and over: 4.1% (male 16,797/female 19,991) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 24.28 years

male: 23.84 years

female: 24.74 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

1.4% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

22.73 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

5.65 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

-3.04 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.84 male(s)/female

total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 12.62 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 13.97 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 11.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 69.53 years

male: 67.05 years

female: 72.14 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

2.75 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

0.1% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

600 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

less than 200 (2003 est.)

Nationality:

noun: Fijian(s)

adjective: Fijian

Ethnic groups:

Fijian 51% (predominantly Melanesian with a Polynesian admixture),

Indian 44%, European, other Pacific Islanders, overseas Chinese, and

other 5% (1998 est.)

Religions:

Christian 52% (Methodist 37%, Roman Catholic 9%), Hindu 38%, Muslim

8%, other 2%

note: Fijians are mainly Christian, Indians are Hindu, and there is

a Muslim minority (1986)

Languages:

English (official), Fijian, Hindustani

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 93.7%

male: 95.5%

female: 91.9% (2003 est.)

Government Fiji

Country name:

conventional long form: Republic of the Fiji Islands

conventional short form: Fiji

Government type:

republic

note: military coup leader Maj. Gen. Sitiveni RABUKA formally

declared Fiji a republic on 6 October 1987

Capital:

Suva (Viti Levu)

Administrative divisions:

4 divisions and 1 dependency*; Central, Eastern, Northern, Rotuma*,

Western

Independence:

10 October 1970 (from UK)

National holiday:

Independence Day, second Monday of October (1970)

Constitution:

promulgated on 25 July 1990; amended on 25 July 1997 to allow

nonethnic Fijians greater say in government and to make multiparty

government mandatory; effective 28 July 1998

Legal system:

based on British system

Suffrage:

21 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Ratu Josefa ILOILOVATU Uluivuda (since 18

July 2000)

head of government: Prime Minister Laisenia QARASE (since 10

September 2000)

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister from among the

members of Parliament and is responsible to Parliament; note - there

is also a Presidential Council that advises the president on matters

of national importance and a Great Council of Chiefs, which consists

of the highest ranking members of the traditional chief system

elections: president elected by the Great Council of Chiefs for a

five-year term; prime minister appointed by the president

election results: Ratu Josefa ILOILOVATU Uluivuda elected president

by the Great Council of Chiefs; percent of vote - NA%

Legislative branch:

bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (34 seats; 24 appointed

by the President on the advice of the Great Council of Chiefs, nine

appointed by the president, and one appointed by the council of

Rotuma) and the House of Representatives (71 seats; 23 reserved for

ethnic Fijians, 19 reserved for ethnic Indians, three reserved for

other ethnic groups, one reserved for the council of Rotuma

constituency encompassing the whole of Fiji, and 25 open seats;

members serve five-year terms)

elections: House of Representatives - last held 25 August through 1

September and 19 September 2001 (next to be held not later than

September 2006)

election results: House of Representatives - percent of vote by

party - FLP 26.5%, SDL 27.5%, NFP 1.2%, MV 4.2%, NLUP 1.3%, UGP .3%,

independents 1.4%; seats by party - FLP 27, SDL 32, MV 6, NFP 1,

NLUP 2, UGP 1, independents 2

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the president); Court of

Appeal; High Court; Magistrates' Courts

Political parties and leaders:

Bai Kei Viti Party or BKV [Ratu Tevita MOMOEDONU]; Conservative

Alliance Party/Matanitu Vanua or MV [Ratu Rakuita VAKALALABURE];

Dodonu Ni Taukei Party or DNT [Fereti S. DEWA]; Fiji Democratic

Party or FDP [Felipe BOLE] (a merger of the Christian Democrat

Alliance or VLV [Poesci Waqalevu BUNE], Fijian Association Party or

FAP [Adi Kuini SPEED], Fijian Political Party or SVT (primarily

Fijian) [Felipe BOLE], and New Labor Unity Party or NLUP [Tupeni

BABA]); Fiji Labor Party or FLP [Mahendra CHAUDRHRY]; General Voters

Party or GVP [leader NA] (became part of United General Party);

Girmit Heritage Party or GHP [leader NA]; Justice and Freedom Party

or AIM [leader NA]; Lio 'On Famor Rotuma Party or LFR [leader NA];

National Federation Party or NFP (primarily Indian) [Pramond RAE];

Nationalist Vanua Takolavo Party or NVTLP [Saula TELAWA]; Party of

National Unity or PANU [Meli BOGILEKA]; Party of the Truth or POTT

[leader NA]; United Fiji Party/Sogosogo Duavata ni Lewenivanua or

SDL [Laisenia QARASE]; United General Party or UGP [Millis Mick

BEDDOES]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

NA

International organization participation:

ACP, AsDB, C, CP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA,

IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO

(correspondent), ITU, MIGA, OPCW, PCA, PIF, Sparteca, UN, UNCTAD,

UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIK, UNMISET, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO,

WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Mr. Paula NAVUNISARAVI (Charge D'Affaires ad

Interim)

chancery: 2233 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Suite 240, Washington, DC 20007

telephone: [1] (202) 337-8320

FAX: [1] (202) 337-1996

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador David L. LYON

embassy: 31 Loftus Street, Suva

mailing address: P. O. Box 218, Suva

telephone: [679] 331-4466

FAX: [679] 330-0081

Flag description:

light blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant

and the Fijian shield centered on the outer half of the flag; the

shield depicts a yellow lion above a white field quartered by the

cross of Saint George featuring stalks of sugarcane, a palm tree,

bananas, and a white dove

Economy Fiji

Economy - overview:

Fiji, endowed with forest, mineral, and fish resources, is one of

the most developed of the Pacific island economies, though still

with a large subsistence sector. Sugar exports and a growing tourist

industry - with 300,000 to 400,000 tourists annually - are the major

sources of foreign exchange. Sugar processing makes up one-third of

industrial activity, but is inefficient. Long-term problems include

low investment, uncertain land ownership rights, and the

government's ability to manage its budget. Yet short-run economic

prospects are good, provided tensions do not again erupt between

indigenous Fijians and Indo-Fijians. Overseas remittances from

Fijians working in Kuwait and Iraq have increased significantly.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$5.173 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

3.6% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $5,900 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 16.6% industry: 22.4% services: 61% (2001 est.)

Labor force:

137,000 (1999)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture, including subsistence agriculture 70% (2001 est.)

Unemployment rate:

7.6% (1999)

Population below poverty line:

25.5% (1990-91)

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

1.6% (2002 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $427.9 million

expenditures: $531.4 million, including capital expenditures of NA

(2000 est.)

Agriculture - products:

sugarcane, coconuts, cassava (tapioca), rice, sweet potatoes,

bananas; cattle, pigs, horses, goats; fish

Industries:

tourism, sugar, clothing, copra, gold, silver, lumber, small

cottage industries

Industrial production growth rate:

NA

Electricity - production:

750 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 18.5% hydro: 81.5% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

697.5 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

5,700 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Exports:

$609 million f.o.b. (2002)

Exports - commodities:

sugar, garments, gold, timber, fish, molasses, coconut oil

Exports - partners:

US 24%, Australia 19%, UK 12.6%, Samoa 6.5%, Japan 4.1% (2004)

Imports:

$835 million c.i.f. (2002)

Imports - commodities:

manufactured goods, machinery and transport equipment, petroleum

products, food, chemicals

Imports - partners:

Australia 25.9%, Singapore 23.1%, New Zealand 21.1% (2004)

Debt - external:

$188.1 million (2001 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:

$40.3 million (1995)

Currency (code):

Fijian dollar (FJD)

Currency code:

FJD

Exchange rates:

Fijian dollars per US dollar - 1.7331 (2004), 1.8958 (2003), 2.1869

(2002), 2.2766 (2001), 2.1286 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Fiji

Telephones - main lines in use:

102,000 (2003)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

109,900 (2003)

Telephone system:

general assessment: modern local, interisland, and international

(wire/radio integrated) public and special-purpose telephone,

telegraph, and teleprinter facilities; regional radio communications

center

domestic: NA

international: country code - 679; access to important cable links

between US and Canada as well as between NZ and Australia; satellite

earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 13, FM 40, shortwave 0 (1998)

Radios:

541,476 (1999)

Television broadcast stations:

NA

Televisions:

88,110 (1999)

Internet country code:

.fj

Internet hosts:

493 (2003)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

2 (2000)

Internet users:

55,000 (2003)

Transportation Fiji

Railways:

total: 597 km

narrow gauge: 597 km 0.600-m gauge

note: belongs to the government-owned Fiji Sugar Corporation; used

to haul sugarcane during harvest season (May to December) (2003)

Highways:

total: 3,440 km

paved: 1,692 km

unpaved: 1,748 km (1999 est.)

Waterways:

203 km

note: 122 km navigable by motorized craft and 200-metric-ton barges

(2004)

Ports and harbors:

Lambasa, Lautoka, Suva

Merchant marine:

total: 7 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 6,372 GRT/7,453 DWT

by type: passenger 3, passenger/cargo 2, roll on/roll off 2

foreign-owned: 1 (Australia 1) (2005)

Airports:

28 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 3 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 25 914 to 1,523 m: 6 under 914 m: 19 (2004 est.)

Military Fiji

Military branches:

Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF): Land Forces, Naval

Division (2005)

Military service age and obligation:

18 years of age for voluntary military service (2001)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 18-49: 215,104 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: 163,960 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:

males: 9,266 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$36 million (2004)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

2.2% (FY02)

Transnational Issues Fiji

Disputes - international: none

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Finland

Introduction Finland

Background:

Finland was a province and then a grand duchy under Sweden from the

12th to the 19th centuries and an autonomous grand duchy of Russia

after 1809. It won its complete independence in 1917. During World

War II, it was able to successfully defend its freedom and resist

invasions by the Soviet Union - albeit with some loss of territory.

In the subsequent half century, the Finns made a remarkable

transformation from a farm/forest economy to a diversified modern

industrial economy; per capita income is now on par with Western

Europe. As a member of the European Union, Finland was the only

Nordic state to join the euro system at its initiation in January

1999.

Geography Finland

Location:

Northern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, Gulf of Bothnia, and

Gulf of Finland, between Sweden and Russia

Geographic coordinates:

64 00 N, 26 00 E

Map references:

Europe

Area:

total: 338,145 sq km

land: 304,473 sq km

water: 33,672 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly smaller than Montana

Land boundaries: total: 2,681 km border countries: Norway 727 km, Sweden 614 km, Russia 1,340 km

Coastline:

1,250 km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 12 nm (in the Gulf of Finland - 3 nm)

continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

exclusive fishing zone: 12 nm; extends to continental shelf boundary

with Sweden

Climate:

cold temperate; potentially subarctic but comparatively mild

because of moderating influence of the North Atlantic Current,

Baltic Sea, and more than 60,000 lakes

Terrain:

mostly low, flat to rolling plains interspersed with lakes and low

hills

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Baltic Sea 0 m

highest point: Haltiatunturi 1,328 m

Natural resources:

timber, iron ore, copper, lead, zinc, chromite, nickel, gold,

silver, limestone

Land use: arable land: 7.19% permanent crops: 0.03% other: 92.78% (2001)

Irrigated land:

640 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

NA

Environment - current issues:

air pollution from manufacturing and power plants contributing to

acid rain; water pollution from industrial wastes, agricultural

chemicals; habitat loss threatens wildlife populations

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air

Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85,

Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds,

Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources,

Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto

Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental

Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping,

Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution,

Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

long boundary with Russia; Helsinki is northernmost national

capital on European continent; population concentrated on small

southwestern coastal plain

People Finland

Population:

5,223,442 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 17.3% (male 460,977/female 443,859)

15-64 years: 66.8% (male 1,764,874/female 1,723,385)

65 years and over: 15.9% (male 328,952/female 501,395) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 40.97 years

male: 39.43 years

female: 42.52 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

0.16% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

10.5 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

9.79 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

0.89 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.66 male(s)/female

total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 3.57 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 3.89 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 3.24 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 78.35 years

male: 74.82 years

female: 82.02 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

1.73 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

less than 0.1% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

1,500 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

less than 100 (2003 est.)

Nationality:

noun: Finn(s)

adjective: Finnish

Ethnic groups:

Finn 93.4%, Swede 5.7%, Russian 0.4%, Estonian 0.2%, Roma 0.2%,

Sami 0.1%

Religions:

Lutheran National Church 84.2%, Greek Orthodox in Finland 1.1%,

other Christian 1.1%, other 0.1%, none 13.5% (2003)

Languages:

Finnish 92% (official), Swedish 5.6% (official), other 2.4% (small

Sami- and Russian-speaking minorities) (2003)

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 100% (2000 est.)

male: 100%

female: 100%

Government Finland

Country name:

conventional long form: Republic of Finland

conventional short form: Finland

local long form: Suomen Tasavalta

local short form: Suomi

Government type:

republic

Capital:

Helsinki

Administrative divisions:

6 provinces (laanit, singular - laani); Aland, Etela-Suomen Laani,

Ita-Suomen Laani, Lansi-Suomen Laani, Lappi, Oulun Laani

Independence:

6 December 1917 (from Russia)

National holiday:

Independence Day, 6 December (1917)

Constitution:

1 March 2000

Legal system:

civil law system based on Swedish law; the president may request

the Supreme Court to review laws; accepts compulsory ICJ

jurisdiction, with reservations

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Tarja HALONEN (since 1 March 2000)

head of government: Prime Minister Matti VANHANEN (since 24 June

2003) and Deputy Prime Minister Eero HEINALUOMA (since 24 September

2005)

cabinet: Council of State or Valtioneuvosto appointed by the

president, responsible to parliament

elections: president elected by popular vote for a six-year term;

election last held 16 January 2000 and 6 February 2000 (next to be

held February 2006); the president appoints the prime minister and

deputy prime minister from the majority party or the majority

coalition after parliamentary elections and the parliament must

approve the appointment

election results: Tarja HALONEN elected president; percent of vote -

Tarja HALONEN (SDP) 51.6%, Esko AHO (Kesk) 48.4%

note: government coalition - Kesk, SDP, and SFP

Legislative branch:

unicameral Parliament or Eduskunta (200 seats; members are elected

by popular vote on a proportional basis to serve four-year terms)

elections: last held 16 March 2003 (next to be held March 2007)

election results: percent of vote by party - Kesk 24.7%, SDP 24.5%,

Kok 18.5%, VAS 9.9%, VIHR 8%, KD 5.3%, SFP 4.6%; seats by party -

Kesk 55, SDP 53, Kok 40, VAS 19, VIHR 14, KD 7, SFP 8, others 4

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court or Korkein Oikeus (judges appointed by the president)

Political parties and leaders:

Center Party or Kesk [Matti VANHANEN]; Christian Democrats or KD

[Paivi RASANEN]; Green League or VIHR [Tarja CRONBERG]; Left

Alliance or VAS composed of People's Democratic League and

Democratic Alternative [Suvi-Anne SIIMES]; National Coalition

(conservative) Party or Kok [Jyrki KATAINEN]; Social Democratic

Party or SDP [Eero HEINALUOMA]; Swedish People's Party or SFP

[Jan-Erik ENESTAM]

International organization participation:

AfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB,

EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, G- 9, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU,

ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC,

IOM, ISO, ITU, MIGA, NAM (guest), NC, NEA, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer),

OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP,

UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMEE, UNMIK, UNMIL, UNMOGIP, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WEU

(observer), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Jukka Robert VALTASAARI

chancery: 3301 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 298-5800

FAX: [1] (202) 298-6030

consulate(s) general: Los Angeles and New York

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Earle I. MACK

embassy: Itainen Puistotie 14B, 00140 Helsinki

mailing address: APO AE 09723

telephone: [358] (9) 616250

FAX: [358] (9) 6162 5800

Flag description:

white with a blue cross extending to the edges of the flag; the

vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in the style

of the Dannebrog (Danish flag)

Economy Finland

Economy - overview:

Finland has a highly industrialized, largely free-market economy,

with per capita output roughly that of the UK, France, Germany, and

Italy. Its key economic sector is manufacturing - principally the

wood, metals, engineering, telecommunications, and electronics

industries. Trade is important, with exports equaling two-fifths of

GDP. Finland excels in high-tech exports, e.g., mobile phones.

Except for timber and several minerals, Finland depends on imports

of raw materials, energy, and some components for manufactured

goods. Because of the climate, agricultural development is limited

to maintaining self-sufficiency in basic products. Forestry, an

important export earner, provides a secondary occupation for the

rural population. Rapidly increasing integration with Western Europe

- Finland was one of the 12 countries joining the European Economic

and Monetary Union (EMU) - will dominate the economic picture over

the next several years. Growth in 2003 was held back by the global

slowdown but picked up in 2004. High unemployment remains a

persistent problem.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$151.2 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

3% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $29,000 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 3.3% industry: 30.2% services: 66.5% (2004 est.)

Labor force: 2.66 million (2004 est.)

Labor force - by occupation: agriculture and forestry 8%, industry 22%, construction 6%, commerce 14%, finance, insurance, and business services 10%, transport and communications 8%, public services 32%

Unemployment rate:

8.9% (2004 est.)

Population below poverty line:

NA

Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 4.2% highest 10%: 21.6% (1991)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

25.6 (1991)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

0.7% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

18.3% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $96.43 billion

expenditures: $91.95 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Public debt:

46.8% of GDP (2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

barley, wheat, sugar beets, potatoes; dairy cattle; fish

Industries:

metals and metal products, electronics, machinery and scientific

instruments, shipbuilding, pulp and paper, foodstuffs, chemicals,

textiles, clothing

Industrial production growth rate:

2% (2004 est.)

Electricity - production:

71.59 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 39% hydro: 18.7% nuclear: 30.4% other: 11.8% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

78.58 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

1.5 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

13.5 billion kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

211,400 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

101,000 bbl/day (2001)

Oil - imports:

318,300 bbl/day (2001)

Natural gas - production:

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - consumption:

4.557 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - exports:

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - imports:

4.567 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Current account balance:

$11.39 billion (2004 est.)

Exports:

$61.04 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

machinery and equipment, chemicals, metals; timber, paper, pulp

(1999)

Exports - partners:

Sweden 11.1%, Germany 10.7%, Russia 8.9%, UK 7%, US 6.4%,

Netherlands 5.1% (2004)

Imports:

$45.17 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

foodstuffs, petroleum and petroleum products, chemicals, transport

equipment, iron and steel, machinery, textile yarn and fabrics,

grains (1999)

Imports - partners:

Germany 16.2%, Sweden 14.3%, Russia 12.8%, Netherlands 6.3%,

Denmark 5.2%, UK 4.6%, France 4.3% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$11.17 billion (2003)

Debt - external:

$30 billion (December 1993)

Economic aid - donor:

ODA, $379 million (2001)

Currency (code):

euro (EUR)

note: on 1 January 1999, the European Monetary Union introduced the

euro as a common currency to be used by financial institutions of

member countries; on 1 January 2002, the euro became the sole

currency for everyday transactions within the member countries

Currency code:

EUR

Exchange rates:

euros per US dollar - 0.81 (2004), 0.89 (2003), 1.06 (2002), 1.12

(2001), 1.09 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Finland

Telephones - main lines in use:

2.548 million (2003)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

4.7 million (2003)

Telephone system:

general assessment: modern system with excellent service

domestic: digital fiber-optic fixed-line network and an extensive

cellular network provide domestic needs

international: country code - 358; 1 submarine cable (Finland

Estonia Connection); satellite earth stations - access to Intelsat

transmission service via a Swedish satellite earth station, 1

Inmarsat (Atlantic and Indian Ocean regions); note - Finland shares

the Inmarsat earth station with the other Nordic countries (Denmark,

Iceland, Norway, and Sweden)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 2, FM 186, shortwave 1 (1998)

Radios:

7.7 million (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

120 (plus 431 repeaters) (1999)

Televisions:

3.2 million (1997)

Internet country code:

.fi

Internet hosts:

1,219,173 (2004)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

3 (2002)

Internet users:

2.65 million (2002)

Transportation Finland

Railways: total: 5,851 km broad gauge: 5,851 km 1.524-m gauge (2,400 km electrified) (2004)

Highways:

total: 78,197 km

paved: 50,539 km (including 794 km of expressways)

unpaved: 27,658 km (2004)

Waterways:

7,842 km

note: includes Saimaa Canal system of 3,577 km; southern part leased

from Russia (2004)

Pipelines:

gas 694 km (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Hamina, Hanko, Helsinki, Kotka, Naantali, Pori, Porvou, Raahe,

Rauma, Turku

Merchant marine:

total: 94 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 1,152,175 GRT/1,053,906 DWT

by type: bulk carrier 3, cargo 27, chemical tanker 6, container 1,

passenger 5, passenger/cargo 20, petroleum tanker 7, roll on/roll

off 25

foreign-owned: 2 (Norway 1, United States 1)

registered in other countries: 42 (2005)

Airports:

148 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 75 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 27 1,524 to 2,437 m: 10 914 to 1,523 m: 23 under 914 m: 13 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 73 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 69 (2004 est.)

Military Finland

Military branches:

Finnish Defense Forces: Army, Navy (includes Coastal Defense

Forces), Air Force (2003)

Military service age and obligation:

18 years of age for voluntary and compulsory military service

(October 2004)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 18-49: 1,121,275 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: 913,617 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:

males: 32,040 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$1.8 billion (FY98/99)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

2% (FY98/99)

Transnational Issues Finland

Disputes - international:

various groups in Finland advocate restoration of Karelia and other

areas ceded to the Soviet Union, but the Finnish Government asserts

no territorial demands

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@France

Introduction France

Background:

Although ultimately a victor in World Wars I and II, France

suffered extensive losses in its empire, wealth, manpower, and rank

as a dominant nation-state. Nevertheless, France today is one of the

most modern countries in the world and is a leader among European

nations. Since 1958, it has constructed a presidential democracy

resistant to the instabilities experienced in earlier parliamentary

democracies. In recent years, its reconciliation and cooperation

with Germany have proved central to the economic integration of

Europe, including the introduction of a common exchange currency,

the euro, in January 1999. At present, France is at the forefront of

efforts to develop the EU's military capabilities to supplement

progress toward an EU foreign policy.

Geography France

Location:

Western Europe, bordering the Bay of Biscay and English Channel,

between Belgium and Spain, southeast of the UK; bordering the

Mediterranean Sea, between Italy and Spain

Geographic coordinates:

46 00 N, 2 00 E

Map references:

Europe

Area:

total: 547,030 sq km

land: 545,630 sq km

water: 1,400 sq km

note: includes only metropolitan France; excludes the overseas

administrative divisions

Area - comparative:

slightly less than twice the size of Colorado

Land boundaries:

total: 2,889 km

border countries: Andorra 56.6 km, Belgium 620 km, Germany 451 km,

Italy 488 km, Luxembourg 73 km, Monaco 4.4 km, Spain 623 km,

Switzerland 573 km

Coastline:

3,427 km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 24 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm (does not apply to the Mediterranean)

continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

Climate:

generally cool winters and mild summers, but mild winters and hot

summers along the Mediterranean; occasional strong, cold, dry,

north-to-northwesterly wind known as mistral

Terrain:

mostly flat plains or gently rolling hills in north and west;

remainder is mountainous, especially Pyrenees in south, Alps in east

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Rhone River delta -2 m

highest point: Mont Blanc 4,807 m

Natural resources:

coal, iron ore, bauxite, zinc, uranium, antimony, arsenic, potash,

feldspar, fluorospar, gypsum, timber, fish

Land use: arable land: 33.53% permanent crops: 2.07% other: 64.4% (2001)

Irrigated land:

20,000 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

flooding; avalanches; midwinter windstorms; drought; forest fires

in south near the Mediterranean

Environment - current issues:

some forest damage from acid rain; air pollution from industrial

and vehicle emissions; water pollution from urban wastes,

agricultural runoff

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air

Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85,

Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds,

Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources,

Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change,

Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species,

Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life

Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical

Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

largest West European nation

People France

Population:

60,656,178 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 18.4% (male 5,717,761/female 5,440,060)

15-64 years: 65.2% (male 19,784,749/female 19,752,432)

65 years and over: 16.4% (male 4,084,193/female 5,876,983) (2005

est.)

Median age: total: 38.85 years male: 37.3 years female: 40.39 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

0.37% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

12.15 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

9.08 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

0.66 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female

total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 4.26 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 4.76 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 3.73 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 79.6 years

male: 75.96 years

female: 83.42 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

1.85 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

0.4% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

120,000 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

less than 1,000 (2003 est.)

Nationality:

noun: Frenchman(men), Frenchwoman(women)

adjective: French

Ethnic groups:

Celtic and Latin with Teutonic, Slavic, North African, Indochinese,

Basque minorities

Religions:

Roman Catholic 83%-88%, Protestant 2%, Jewish 1%, Muslim 5%-10%,

unaffiliated 4%

Languages:

French 100%, rapidly declining regional dialects and languages

(Provencal, Breton, Alsatian, Corsican, Catalan, Basque, Flemish)

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 99%

male: 99%

female: 99% (1980 est.)

Government France

Country name:

conventional long form: French Republic

conventional short form: France

local long form: Republique Francaise

local short form: France

Government type:

republic

Capital:

Paris

Administrative divisions:

22 regions (regions, singular - region); Alsace, Aquitaine,

Auvergne, Basse-Normandie, Bourgogne, Bretagne, Centre,

Champagne-Ardenne, Corse, Franche-Comte, Haute-Normandie,

Ile-de-France, Languedoc-Roussillon, Limousin, Lorraine,

Midi-Pyrenees, Nord-Pas-de-Calais, Pays de la Loire, Picardie,

Poitou-Charentes, Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur, Rhone-Alpes

note: metropolitan France is divided into 22 regions (including the

"territorial collectivity" of Corse or Corsica) and is subdivided

into 96 departments; see separate entries for the overseas

departments (French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Reunion) and the

overseas territorial collectivities (Mayotte, Saint Pierre and

Miquelon)

Dependent areas:

Bassas da India, Clipperton Island, Europa Island, French

Polynesia, French Southern and Antarctic Lands, Glorioso Islands,

Juan de Nova Island, New Caledonia, Tromelin Island, Wallis and

Futuna

note: the US does not recognize claims to Antarctica

Independence:

486 (unified by Clovis)

National holiday:

Bastille Day, 14 July (1789)

Constitution:

adopted by referendum 28 September 1958, effective 4 October 1958;

amended concerning election of president in 1962; amended to comply

with provisions of 1992 EC Maastricht Treaty, 1996 Amsterdam Treaty,

2000 Treaty of Nice; amended to tighten immigration laws in 1993;

amended in 2000 to change the seven-year presidential term to a

five-year term

Legal system:

civil law system with indigenous concepts; review of administrative

but not legislative acts

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Jacques CHIRAC (since 17 May 1995)

head of government: Prime Minister Dominique DE VILLEPIN (since 31

May 2005)

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the

suggestion of the prime minister

elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term

(changed from seven-year term in October 2000); election last held

21 April and 5 May 2002 (next to be held, first round April 2007,

second round May 2007); prime minister nominated by the National

Assembly majority and appointed by the president

election results: Jacques CHIRAC reelected president; percent of

vote, second ballot - Jacques CHIRAC (RPR) 81.96%, Jean-Marie LE PEN

(FN) 18.04%

Legislative branch:

bicameral Parliament or Parlement consists of the Senate or Senat

(321 seats - 296 for metropolitan France, 13 for overseas

departments and territories, and 12 for French nationals abroad;

members are indirectly elected by an electoral college to serve

nine-year terms; elected by thirds every three years); note -

between now and 2010, 25 new seats will be added to the Senate for a

total of 346 seats - 326 for metropolitan France and overseas

departments, 2 for New Caledonia, 2 for Mayotte, 1 for Saint-Pierre

and Miquelon, 3 for overseas territories, and 12 for French

nationals abroad; members will be indirectly elected by an electoral

college to serve six-year terms, with one-half the seats being

renewed every three years; and the National Assembly or Assemblee

Nationale (577 seats; members are elected by popular vote under a

single-member majority system to serve five-year terms)

elections: Senate - last held 26 September 2004 (next to be held

September 2007); National Assembly - last held 8-16 June 2002 (next

to be held not later than June 2007)

election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by

party - UMP 156, PS 97, UDF 33, PCF 23, RDSE 15, other 7; National

Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - UMP 355,

PS 140, UDF 29, PCF 21, Radical Party 7, Greens 3, other 22

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court of Appeals or Cour de Cassation (judges are appointed

by the president from nominations of the High Council of the

Judiciary); Constitutional Council or Conseil Constitutionnel (three

members appointed by the president, three appointed by the president

of the National Assembly, and three appointed by the president of

the Senate); Council of State or Conseil d'Etat

Political parties and leaders:

Citizen and Republican Movement or MCR [Jean Pierre CHEVENEMENT];

Democratic and European Social Rally or RDSE (mainly Radical

Republican and Socialist Parties, and PRG) [Jacques PELLETIER];

French Communist Party or PCF [Marie-George BUFFET]; Left Radical

Party or PRG (previously Radical Socialist Party or PRS and the Left

Radical Movement or MRG) [Jean-Michel BAYLET]; Movement for France

or MPF [Philippe DE VILLIERS]; National Front or NF [Jean-Marie LE

PEN]; Rally for France or RPF [Charles PASQUA]; Socialist Party or

PS [Francois HOLLANDE]; Greens [Yann WEHRLING, national secretary];

Union for French Democracy or UDF [Francois BAYROU]; Union for a

Popular Movement or UMP (including RPR, DL, and a part of UDF)

[Nicolas SARKOZY]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

historically-Communist labor union (Confederation Generale du

Travail) or CGT, approximately 700,000 members (claimed);

left-leaning labor union (Confederation Francaise Democratique du

Travail) or CFDT, approximately 889,000 members (claimed);

independent labor union (Confederation Generale du Travail - Force

Ouvriere) or FO, 300,000 members (est.); independent white-collar

union (Confederation Generale des Cadres) or CGC, 196,000 members

(claimed); employers' union (Mouvement des Entreprises de France) or

MEDEF, 750,000 companies as members (claimed)

International organization participation:

ABEDA, ACCT, AfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, BDEAC, BIS, BSEC

(observer), CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, FZ, G- 5,

G- 7, G- 8, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM,

IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, InOC, Interpol, IOC,

IOM, ISO, ITU, MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSTAH, MONUC, NAM (guest), NATO,

NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, UN, UN

Security Council, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNITAR,

UNMEE, UNMIK, UNMIL, UNMOVIC, UNOCI, UNOMIG, UNRWA, UNTSO, UPU, WADB

(nonregional), WCL, WCO, WEU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO, ZC

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Jean-David LEVITTE

chancery: 4101 Reservoir Road NW, Washington, DC 20007

telephone: [1] (202) 944-6000

FAX: [1] (202) 944-6166

consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los

Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, and San Francisco

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Howard H. LEACH

embassy: 2 Avenue Gabriel, 75008 Paris Cedex 08

mailing address: PSC 116, APO AE 09777

telephone: [33] (1) 43-12-22-22

FAX: [33] (1) 42 66 97 83

consulate(s) general: Marseille, Strasbourg

Flag description:

three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), white, and red;

known as the "Le drapeau tricolore" (French Tricolor), the origin of

the flag dates to 1790 and the French Revolution; the design and/or

colors are similar to a number of other flags, including those of

Belgium, Chad, Ireland, Cote d'Ivoire, Luxembourg, and Netherlands;

the official flag for all French dependent areas

Economy France

Economy - overview:

France is in the midst of transition, from a well-to-do modern

economy that has featured extensive government ownership and

intervention to one that relies more on market mechanisms. The

government has partially or fully privatized many large companies,

banks, and insurers. It retains controlling stakes in several

leading firms, including Air France, France Telecom, Renault, and

Thales, and is dominant in some sectors, particularly power, public

transport, and defense industries. The telecommunications sector is

gradually being opened to competition. France's leaders remain

committed to a capitalism in which they maintain social equity by

means of laws, tax policies, and social spending that reduce income

disparity and the impact of free markets on public health and

welfare. The government has lowered income taxes and introduced

measures to boost employment and reform the pension system. In

addition, it is focusing on the problems of the high cost of labor

and labor market inflexibility resulting from the 35-hour workweek

and restrictions on lay-offs. The tax burden remains one of the

highest in Europe (43.8% of GDP in 2003). The lingering economic

slowdown and inflexible budget items have pushed the budget deficit

above the eurozone's 3%-of-GDP limit. Finance Minister Herve GAYMARD

has promised that the 2005 deficit will fall below 3%.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$1.737 trillion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

2.1% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $28,700 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 2.7% industry: 24.3% services: 73% (2004 est.)

Labor force:

27.7 million (2004 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 4.1%, industry 24.4%, services 71.5% (1999)

Unemployment rate:

10.1% (2004 est.)

Population below poverty line:

6.5% (2000)

Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.8% highest 10%: 25.1% (1995)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

32.7 (1995)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

2.3% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

19.2% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $1.005 trillion

expenditures: $1.08 trillion, including capital expenditures of $23

billion (2004 est.)

Public debt:

67.7% of GDP (2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

wheat, cereals, sugar beets, potatoes, wine grapes; beef, dairy

products; fish

Industries:

machinery, chemicals, automobiles, metallurgy, aircraft,

electronics; textiles, food processing; tourism

Industrial production growth rate:

1.7% (2004 est.)

Electricity - production:

528.6 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 8.2% hydro: 14% nuclear: 77.1% other: 0.7% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

414.7 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

79.9 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

3 billion kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

34,920 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

2.026 million bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

409,600 bbl/day (2001)

Oil - imports:

2.281 million bbl/day (2001)

Oil - proved reserves:

144.3 million bbl (1 January 2002)

Natural gas - production:

1.898 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - consumption:

42.01 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - exports:

1.725 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - imports:

40.26 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves:

12.86 billion cu m (1 January 2002)

Current account balance:

$-305 million (2004 est.)

Exports:

$419 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

machinery and transportation equipment, aircraft, plastics,

chemicals, pharmaceutical products, iron and steel, beverages

Exports - partners:

Germany 15%, Spain 9.5%, UK 9.3%, Italy 9%, Belgium 7.2%, US 6.7%

(2004)

Imports:

$419.7 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

machinery and equipment, vehicles, crude oil, aircraft, plastics,

chemicals

Imports - partners:

Germany 19.2%, Belgium 9.9%, Italy 8.8%, Spain 7.4%, UK 7%,

Netherlands 6.7%, US 5.1% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$70.76 billion (2003)

Debt - external:

$NA

Economic aid - donor:

ODA, $5.4 billion (2002)

Currency (code):

euro (EUR)

note: on 1 January 1999, the European Monetary Union introduced the

euro as a common currency to be used by financial institutions of

member countries; on 1 January 2002, the euro became the sole

currency for everyday transactions within the member countries

Currency code:

EUR

Exchange rates:

euros per US dollar - 0.8054 (2004), 0.886 (2003), 1.0626 (2002),

1.1175 (2001), 1.0854 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications France

Telephones - main lines in use:

33,905,400 (2003)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

41,683,100 (2003)

Telephone system:

general assessment: highly developed

domestic: extensive cable and microwave radio relay; extensive

introduction of fiber-optic cable; domestic satellite system

international: country code - 33; satellite earth stations - 2

Intelsat (with total of 5 antennas - 2 for Indian Ocean and 3 for

Atlantic Ocean), NA Eutelsat, 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic Ocean region); HF

radiotelephone communications with more than 20 countries

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 41, FM about 3,500 (this figure is an approximation and includes

many repeaters), shortwave 2 (1998)

Radios:

55.3 million (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

584 (plus 9,676 repeaters) (1995)

Televisions:

34.8 million (1997)

Internet country code:

.fr

Internet hosts:

2,396,761 (2004)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

62 (2000)

Internet users:

21.9 million (2003)

Transportation France

Railways:

total: 29,519 km

standard gauge: 29,352 km 1.435-m gauge (14,481 km electrified)

narrow gauge: 167 km 1.000-m gauge (2004)

Highways:

total: 893,100 km

paved: 893,100 km (including 12,000 km of expressways)

unpaved: 0 km (2002)

Waterways:

8,500 km (1,686 km accessible to craft of 3,000 metric tons) (2000)

Pipelines:

gas 14,232 km; oil 3,024 km; refined products 4,889 km (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Bordeaux, Calais, Dunkerque, La Pallice, Le Havre, Marseille,

Nantes, Paris, Rouen, Strasbourg

Merchant marine:

total: 56 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 703,639 GRT/889,705 DWT

by type: cargo 4, chemical tanker 6, liquefied gas 4, passenger 3,

passenger/cargo 30, petroleum tanker 8, roll on/roll off 1

foreign-owned: 6 (Sweden 5, Switzerland 1)

registered in other countries: 139 (2005)

Airports:

478 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 283 over 3,047 m: 13 2,438 to 3,047 m: 28 1,524 to 2,437 m: 95 914 to 1,523 m: 82 under 914 m: 65 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 195 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 72 under 914 m: 120 (2004 est.)

Heliports: 3 (2004 est.)

Military France

Military branches:

Army (includes Marines, Foreign Legion, Army Light Aviation), Navy

(includes naval air), Air Force (includes Air Defense), National

Gendarmerie

Military service age and obligation:

17 years of age with consent for voluntary military service (2001)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 17-49: 13,676,509 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 17-49: 11,262,661 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:

males: 389,204 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$45,238.1 million (2003)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

2.6% (2003)

Transnational Issues France

Disputes - international:

Madagascar claims Bassas da India, Europa Island, Glorioso Islands,

and Juan de Nova Island; Comoros claims Mayotte; Mauritius claims

Tromelin Island; territorial dispute between Suriname and the French

overseas department of French Guiana; France asserts a territorial

claim in Antarctica (Adelie Land); France and Vanuatu claim Matthew

and Hunter Islands, east of New Caledonia

Illicit drugs:

transshipment point for and consumer of South American cocaine,

Southwest Asian heroin, and European synthetics

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@French Guiana

Introduction French Guiana

Background:

First settled by the French in 1604, French Guiana was the site of

notorious penal settlements until 1951. The European Space Agency

launches its communication satellites from Kourou.

Geography French Guiana

Location:

Northern South America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between

Brazil and Suriname

Geographic coordinates:

4 00 N, 53 00 W

Map references:

South America

Area:

total: 91,000 sq km

land: 89,150 sq km

water: 1,850 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly smaller than Indiana

Land boundaries: total: 1,183 km border countries: Brazil 673 km, Suriname 510 km

Coastline: 378 km

Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Climate:

tropical; hot, humid; little seasonal temperature variation

Terrain:

low-lying coastal plains rising to hills and small mountains

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

highest point: Bellevue de l'Inini 851 m

Natural resources:

bauxite, timber, gold (widely scattered), petroleum, kaolin, fish,

niobium, tantalum, clay

Land use: arable land: 0.14% permanent crops: 0.05% other: 99.81% (90% forest, 10% other) (2001)

Irrigated land:

20 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

high frequency of heavy showers and severe thunderstorms; flooding

Environment - current issues:

NA

Geography - note:

mostly an unsettled wilderness; the only non-independent portion of

the South American continent

People French Guiana

Population:

195,506 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 29.3% (male 29,262/female 27,947)

15-64 years: 64.7% (male 67,895/female 58,534)

65 years and over: 6.1% (male 6,038/female 5,830) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 28.45 years

male: 29.49 years

female: 27.31 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

2.1% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

20.7 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

4.85 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

5.11 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.16 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 1.04 male(s)/female

total population: 1.12 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 12.07 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 12.91 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 11.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 77.09 years

male: 73.77 years

female: 80.58 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

3.01 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

NA%

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

NA

Nationality:

noun: French Guianese (singular and plural)

adjective: French Guianese

Ethnic groups:

black or mulatto 66%, white 12%, East Indian, Chinese, Amerindian

12%, other 10%

Religions:

Roman Catholic

Languages:

French

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 83%

male: 84%

female: 82% (1982 est.)

Government French Guiana

Country name:

conventional long form: Department of Guiana

conventional short form: French Guiana

local long form: none

local short form: Guyane

Dependency status:

overseas department of France

Government type:

NA

Capital:

Cayenne

Administrative divisions:

none (overseas department of France)

Independence:

none (overseas department of France)

National holiday:

Bastille Day, 14 July (1789)

Constitution:

4 October 1958 (French Constitution)

Legal system:

French legal system

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Jacques CHIRAC of France (since 17 May

1995), represented by Prefect Ange MANCINI (since 31 July 2002)

head of government: President of the General Council Joseph

HO-TEN-YOU (since 26 March 2001); President of the Regional Council

Antoine KARAM (since 22 March 1992)

cabinet: NA

elections: French president elected by popular vote for a five-year

term; prefect appointed by the French president on the advice of the

French Ministry of Interior; presidents of the General and Regional

Councils are appointed by the members of those councils

Legislative branch:

unicameral General Council or Conseil General (19 seats; members

are elected by popular vote to serve six-year terms) and a

unicameral Regional Council or Conseil Regional (31 seats; members

are elected by popular vote to serve six-year terms)

elections: General Council - last held NA March 2000 (next to be

held NA 2006); Regional Council - last held 15 March 1998 (next to

be held NA 2004)

election results: General Council - percent of vote by party - NA%;

seats by party - PSG 5, various left-wing parties 5, independents 7,

other 2; Regional Council - percent of vote by party - PS 28.28%,

various left parties 22.56%, RPR 15.91%, independents 8.6%, Walwari

Committee 6%; seats by party - PS 11, various left parties 9, RPR 6,

independents 3, Walwari Committee 2

note: one seat was elected to the French Senate on 27 September 1998

(next to be held September 2007); results - percent of vote by party

- NA%; seats by party - NA; 2 seats were elected to the French

National Assembly on 9 June-16 June 2002 (next to be held NA 2007);

results - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - UMP/RPR

1, Walwari Committee 1

Judicial branch:

Court of Appeals or Cour d'Appel (highest local court based in

Martinique with jurisdiction over Martinique, Guadeloupe, and French

Guiana)

Political parties and leaders:

Guyanese Democratic Action or ADG [Andre LECANTE]; Guyanese

Socialist Party or PSG [Marie-Claude VERDAN]; Guyana Democratic

Forces or FDG [Georges OTHILY]; Popular National Guyanese Party or

PNPG [Jose DORCY]; Socialist Party or PS [Paul DEBRIETTE]; Union for

a Popular Movement or UMP (includes RPR) [Muriel ICARE]; Walwari

Committee (aligned with the PRG in France) [Christine

TAUBIRA-DELANON]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

NA

International organization participation:

UPU, WCL, WFTU

Diplomatic representation in the US:

none (overseas department of France)

Diplomatic representation from the US:

none (overseas department of France)

Flag description:

the flag of France is used

Economy French Guiana

Economy - overview:

The economy is tied closely to the much larger French economy

through subsidies and imports. Besides the French space center at

Kourou (which accounts for 25% of GDP), fishing and forestry are the

most important economic activities. Forest and woodland cover 90% of

the country. The large reserves of tropical hardwoods, not fully

exploited, support an expanding sawmill industry that provides sawn

logs for export. Cultivation of crops is limited to the coastal

area, where the population is largely concentrated; rice and manioc

are the major crops. French Guiana is heavily dependent on imports

of food and energy. Unemployment is a serious problem, particularly

among younger workers.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$1.551 billion (2003 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

NA%

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $8,300 (2003 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% (2001 est.)

Labor force: 58,800 (1997)

Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 18.2%, industry 21.2%, services, government, and commerce 60.6% (1980)

Unemployment rate:

22% (2001)

Population below poverty line:

NA%

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA%

highest 10%: NA%

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

1.5% (2002 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $225 million

expenditures: $390 million, including capital expenditures of $105

million (1996)

Agriculture - products: corn, rice, manioc (tapioca), sugar, cocoa, vegetables, bananas; cattle, pigs, poultry

Industries:

construction, shrimp processing, forestry products, rum, gold mining

Industrial production growth rate:

NA%

Electricity - production:

460.1 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

427.9 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

6,500 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Exports:

$155 million f.o.b. (2002 est.)

Exports - commodities:

shrimp, timber, gold, rum, rosewood essence, clothing

Exports - partners:

France 62%, Switzerland 7%, US 2% (2001)

Imports:

$625 million c.i.f. (2002 est.)

Imports - commodities:

food (grains, processed meat), machinery and transport equipment,

fuels and chemicals

Imports - partners:

France 63%, US, Trinidad and Tobago, Italy (2002 est.)

Debt - external:

$1.2 billion (1988)

Economic aid - recipient:

NA

Currency (code):

euro (EUR)

Currency code:

EUR

Exchange rates:

Euros per US dollar - 0.8054 (2004), 0.886 (2003), 1.0626 (2002),

1.1175 (2001), 1.0854 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications French Guiana

Telephones - main lines in use:

51,000 (2001)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

138,200 (2002)

Telephone system:

general assessment: NA

domestic: fair open-wire and microwave radio relay system

international: country code - 594; satellite earth station - 1

Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 2, FM 14 (including 6 repeaters), shortwave 6 (including 5

repeaters) (1998)

Radios:

104,000 (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

3 (plus eight low-power repeaters) (1997)

Televisions:

30,000 (1997)

Internet country code:

.gf

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

2 (2000)

Internet users:

3,200 (2002)

Transportation French Guiana

Highways:

total: 817 km (1998)

Waterways:

3,760 km

note: 460 km navigable by small oceangoing vessels and coastal and

river steamers, 3,300 km by native craft (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Degrad des Cannes

Merchant marine:

registered in other countries: 3

Airports:

11 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 4 over 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 7

914 to 1,523 m: 2

under 914 m: 5 (2004 est.)

Military French Guiana

Military branches:

no regular military forces; Gendarmerie

Manpower available for military service:

males age 18-49: 47,809 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: 38,676 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$NA

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

NA

Military - note:

defense is the responsibility of France

Transnational Issues French Guiana

Disputes - international:

Suriname claims area between Riviere Litani and Riviere Marouini

(both headwaters of the Lawa) in French Guiana

Illicit drugs:

small amount of marijuana grown for local consumption; minor

transshipment point to Europe

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@French Polynesia

Introduction French Polynesia

Background:

The French annexed various Polynesian island groups during the 19th

century. In September 1995, France stirred up widespread protests by

resuming nuclear testing on the Mururoa atoll after a three-year

moratorium. The tests were suspended in January 1996.

Geography French Polynesia

Location:

Oceania, archipelagoes in the South Pacific Ocean, about one-half

of the way from South America to Australia

Geographic coordinates:

15 00 S, 140 00 W

Map references:

Oceania

Area:

total: 4,167 sq km (118 islands and atolls)

land: 3,660 sq km

water: 507 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly less than one-third the size of Connecticut

Land boundaries:

0 km

Coastline:

2,525 km

Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Climate:

tropical, but moderate

Terrain:

mixture of rugged high islands and low islands with reefs

Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Mont Orohena 2,241 m

Natural resources: timber, fish, cobalt, hydropower

Land use: arable land: 0.82% permanent crops: 5.46% other: 93.72% (2001)

Irrigated land:

NA sq km

Natural hazards:

occasional cyclonic storms in January

Environment - current issues:

NA

Geography - note:

includes five archipelagoes (4 volcanic, 1 coral); Makatea in

French Polynesia is one of the three great phosphate rock islands in

the Pacific Ocean - the others are Banaba (Ocean Island) in Kiribati

and Nauru

People French Polynesia

Population:

270,485 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 26.7% (male 36,947/female 35,403)

15-64 years: 67.4% (male 94,710/female 87,546)

65 years and over: 5.9% (male 8,018/female 7,861) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 27.48 years

male: 27.84 years

female: 27.1 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

1.52% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

16.93 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

4.63 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

2.89 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.08 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 1.02 male(s)/female

total population: 1.07 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 8.44 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 9.73 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 7.09 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 75.9 years

male: 73.5 years

female: 78.42 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

2.04 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

NA%

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

NA

Nationality:

noun: French Polynesian(s)

adjective: French Polynesian

Ethnic groups:

Polynesian 78%, Chinese 12%, local French 6%, metropolitan French 4%

Religions:

Protestant 54%, Roman Catholic 30%, other 10%, no religion 6%

Languages:

French 61.1% (official), Polynesian 31.4% (official), Asian

languages 1.2%, other 0.3%, unspecified 6% (2002 census)

Literacy:

definition: age 14 and over can read and write

total population: 98%

male: 98%

female: 98% (1977 est.)

Government French Polynesia

Country name:

conventional long form: Overseas Lands of French Polynesia

conventional short form: French Polynesia

local long form: Pays d'outre-mer de la Polynesie Francaise

local short form: Polynesie Francaise

former: French Colony of Oceania

Dependency status:

overseas lands of France; overseas territory of France from

1946-2004

Government type:

NA

Capital:

Papeete

Administrative divisions:

none (overseas lands of France); there are no first-order

administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there

are 5 archipelagic divisions named Archipel des Marquises, Archipel

des Tuamotu, Archipel des Tubuai, Iles du Vent, and Iles Sous-le-Vent

note: Clipperton Island is administered by France from French

Polynesia

Independence:

none (overseas lands of France)

National holiday:

Bastille Day, 14 July (1789)

Constitution:

4 October 1958 (French Constitution)

Legal system:

based on French system

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Jacques CHIRAC of France (since 17 May

1995), represented by High Commissioner of the Republic Michel

MATHIEU (since 24 October 2001); note - Michel MATHIER leaves 30

July 2005, replaced by Jacques MICHAUT (acting high commissioner),

until the arrival of Anne BOQUET in early September 2005

head of government: President of the Territorial Government of

French Polynesia Oscar TEMARU (since 3 March 2005); President of the

Territorial Assembly Antony GEROS (since 9 May 2004)

cabinet: Council of Ministers; president submits a list of members

of the Territorial Assembly for approval by them to serve as

ministers

elections: French president elected by popular vote for a five-year

term; high commissioner appointed by the French president on the

advice of the French Ministry of Interior; president of the

Territorial Government and the president of the Territorial Assembly

are elected by the members of the assembly

Legislative branch:

unicameral Territorial Assembly or Assemblee Territoriale (57 seats

- changed from 49 seats for May 2004 election; members are elected

by popular vote to serve five-year terms)

elections: last held 23 May 2004 (next to be held May 2009)

election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -

People's Rally for the Republic (Gaullist) 28, Union for Democracy

27, New Star 1, This Country is Yours 1; after by-elections of 13

February 2005 seating was as follows: People's Rally for the

Republic 27, Union for Democracy 27, and Alliance for a New

Democracy 3

note: one seat was elected to the French Senate on 27 September 1998

(next to be held September 2007); results - percent of vote by party

- NA%; seats by party - NA; two seats were elected to the French

National Assembly on 9 June-16 June 2002 (next to be held NA 2007);

results - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - UMP/RPR

1, UMP 1

Judicial branch:

Court of Appeal or Cour d'Appel; Court of the First Instance or

Tribunal de Premiere Instance; Court of Administrative Law or

Tribunal Administratif

Political parties and leaders:

Independent Front for the Liberation of Polynesia (Tavini

Huiraatira) [Oscar TEMARU]; New Fatherland Party (Ai'a Api) [Emile

VERNAUDON]; People's Rally for the Republic of Polynesia or RPR

(Tahoeraa Huiraatira) [Gaston FLOSSE]; The New Star (Te Fetia Api)

[Philippe SHYLE]; This Country is Yours (No Oe E Te Nunaa) [Nicle

BOUTEAU]; Union for Democracy or UPD [Oscar TEMARU]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

NA

International organization participation:

FZ, ICFTU, PIF (observer), UPU, WMO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

none (overseas lands of France)

Diplomatic representation from the US:

none (overseas lands of France)

Flag description:

two narrow red horizontal bands encase a wide white band; centered

on the white band is a disk with blue and white wave pattern on the

lower half and gold and white ray pattern on the upper half; a

stylized red, blue and white ship rides on the wave pattern; the

French flag is used for official occasions

Economy French Polynesia

Economy - overview:

Since 1962, when France stationed military personnel in the region,

French Polynesia has changed from a subsistence agricultural economy

to one in which a high proportion of the work force is either

employed by the military or supports the tourist industry. With the

halt of French nuclear testing in 1996, the military contribution to

the economy fell sharply. Tourism accounts for about one-fourth of

GDP and is a primary source of hard currency earnings. Other sources

of income are pearl farming and deep-sea commercial fishing. The

small manufacturing sector primarily processes agricultural

products. The territory benefits substantially from development

agreements with France aimed principally at creating new businesses

and strengthening social services.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$4.58 billion (2003 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

NA% (2001 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $17,500 (2003 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 4% industry: 18% services: 78% (2002)

Labor force:

70,000 (1996)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 13%, industry 19%, services 68% (2002)

Unemployment rate:

11.8% (1994)

Population below poverty line:

NA%

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA%

highest 10%: NA%

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

1.5% (2002 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $1 billion

expenditures: $900 million, including capital expenditures of $185

million (1996)

Agriculture - products: coconuts, vanilla, vegetables, fruits; poultry, beef, dairy products, coffee

Industries:

tourism, pearls, agricultural processing, handicrafts, phosphates

Industrial production growth rate:

NA%

Electricity - production:

380 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 60.7% hydro: 39.3% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

353.4 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

4,750 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Exports:

$244 million f.o.b. (2002)

Exports - commodities:

cultured pearls, coconut products, mother-of-pearl, vanilla, shark

meat

Exports - partners:

France 36.6%, Japan 22.7%, US 16.1%, Niger 13%, Thailand 4.1% (2004)

Imports:

$1.341 billion f.o.b. (2002)

Imports - commodities:

fuels, foodstuffs, machinery and equipment

Imports - partners:

France 47.6%, New Zealand 8.8%, Singapore 8.4%, Australia 8.3%, US

7.1% (2004)

Debt - external:

NA

Economic aid - recipient:

$367 million (1997)

Currency (code):

Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique franc (XPF)

Currency code:

XPF

Exchange rates:

Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique francs (XPF) per US dollar - 96.04

(2004), 105.66 (2003), 126.71 (2002), 133.26 (2001), 129.43 (2000)

note: pegged at the rate of 119.25 XPF to the euro

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications French Polynesia

Telephones - main lines in use:

52,500 (2002)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

90,000 (2002)

Telephone system:

general assessment: NA

domestic: NA

international: country code - 689; satellite earth station - 1

Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 2, FM 14, shortwave 2 (1998)

Radios:

128,000 (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

7 (plus 17 low-power repeaters) (1997)

Televisions:

40,000 (1997)

Internet country code:

.pf

Internet hosts:

5,123 (2003)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

2 (2000)

Internet users:

35,000 (2002)

Transportation French Polynesia

Highways: total: 2,590 km paved: 1,735 km unpaved: 855 km (1999)

Ports and harbors:

Papeete

Merchant marine:

total: 15 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 17,537 GRT/15,150 DWT

by type: cargo 4, passenger 4, passenger/cargo 5, refrigerated cargo

1, roll on/roll off 1

foreign-owned: 1 (France 1) (2005)

Airports:

50 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 37 over 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 23 under 914 m: 7 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 13 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 8 (2004 est.)

Heliports: 1 (2004 est.)

Military French Polynesia

Military branches:

no regular military forces; Gendarmerie and National Police Force

Military - note:

defense is the responsibility of France

Transnational Issues French Polynesia

Disputes - international: none

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@French Southern and Antarctic Lands

Introduction French Southern and Antarctic Lands

Background:

The Southern Lands consist of two archipelagos, Iles Crozet and

Iles Kerguelen, and two volcanic islands, Ile Amsterdam and Ile

Saint-Paul. They contain no permanent inhabitants and are visited

only by researchers studying the native fauna. The Antarctic portion

consists of "Adelie Land," a thin slice of the Antarctic continent

discovered and claimed by the French in 1840.

Geography French Southern and Antarctic Lands

Location:

southeast of Africa, islands in the southern Indian Ocean, about

equidistant between Africa, Antarctica, and Australia; note - French

Southern and Antarctic Lands include Ile Amsterdam, Ile Saint-Paul,

Iles Crozet, and Iles Kerguelen in the southern Indian Ocean, along

with the French-claimed sector of Antarctica, "Adelie Land"; the US

does not recognize the French claim to "Adelie Land"

Geographic coordinates:

43 00 S, 67 00 E

Map references:

Antarctic Region

Area:

total: 7,829 sq km

land: 7,829 sq km

water: 0 sq km

note: includes Ile Amsterdam, Ile Saint-Paul, Iles Crozet and Iles

Kerguelen; excludes "Adelie Land" claim of about 500,000 sq km in

Antarctica that is not recognized by the US

Area - comparative:

slightly less than 1.3 times the size of Delaware

Land boundaries:

0 km

Coastline:

1,232 km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm from Iles Kerguelen (does not

include the rest of French Southern and Antarctic Lands)

Climate:

antarctic

Terrain:

volcanic

Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Mont Ross on Iles Kerguelen 1,850 m

Natural resources: fish, crayfish

Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (2001)

Irrigated land:

0 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

Ile Amsterdam and Ile Saint-Paul are extinct volcanoes

Environment - current issues:

NA

Geography - note:

islands component is widely scattered across remote locations in

the southern Indian Ocean

People French Southern and Antarctic Lands

Population:

no indigenous inhabitants (July 2005 est.)

note: in 2002, there were 145 researchers whose numbers vary from

winter (July) to summer (January) (July 2005 est.)

Government French Southern and Antarctic Lands

Country name:

conventional long form: Territory of the French Southern and

Antarctic Lands

conventional short form: French Southern and Antarctic Lands

local long form: Territoire des Terres Australes et Antarctiques

Francaises

local short form: Terres Australes et Antarctiques Francaises

Dependency status:

overseas territory of France since 1955; administered from Paris by

Administrateur Superieur Michel CHAMPON (since 20 December 2004),

assisted by Secretary General Jean-Yves HERMOSO (since NA)

Administrative divisions:

none (overseas territory of France); there are no first-order

administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there

are 3 districts named Ile Crozet, Iles Kerguelen, and Iles

Saint-Paul et Amsterdam; excludes "Adelie Land" claim in Antarctica

that is not recognized by the US

Legal system:

the laws of France, where applicable, apply

Diplomatic representation in the US:

none (overseas territory of France)

Diplomatic representation from the US:

none (overseas territory of France)

Flag description:

the flag of France is used

Economy French Southern and Antarctic Lands

Economy - overview:

Economic activity is limited to servicing meteorological and

geophysical research stations and French and other fishing fleets.

The fish catches landed on Iles Kerguelen by foreign ships are

exported to France and Reunion.

Communications French Southern and Antarctic Lands

Internet country code: .tf

Transportation French Southern and Antarctic Lands

Ports and harbors:

none; offshore anchorage only

Merchant marine:

total: 75 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 3,092,387 GRT/5,056,658 DWT

by type: bulk carrier 2, cargo 1, chemical tanker 21, container 19,

liquefied gas 7, petroleum tanker 15, roll on/roll off 6, vehicle

carrier 4

foreign-owned: 71 (Belgium 5, Denmark 2, France 45, Germany 2,

Greece 2, Hong Kong 5, Japan 4, Saudi Arabia 1, Sweden 5) (2005)

Airports:

none (2004 est.)

Military French Southern and Antarctic Lands

Military - note: defense is the responsibility of France

Transnational Issues French Southern and Antarctic Lands

Disputes - international: French claim to "Adelie Land" in Antarctica is not recognized by the United States

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Gabon

Introduction Gabon

Background:

Only two autocratic presidents have ruled Gabon since independence

from France in 1960. Gabon's current President, El Hadj Omar BONGO

Ondimba - one of the longest-serving heads of state in the world -

has dominated Gabon's political scene for almost four decades.

President BONGO introduced a nominal multiparty system and a new

constitution in the early 1990s. However, the low turnout and

allegations of electoral fraud during the most recent local

elections in 2002-03 have exposed the weaknesses of formal political

structures in Gabon. Presidential elections scheduled for 2005 are

unlikely to bring change since the opposition remains weak, divided,

and financially dependent on the current regime. Despite political

conditions, a small population, abundant natural resources, and

considerable foreign support have helped make Gabon one of the more

prosperous and stable African countries.

Geography Gabon

Location:

Western Africa, bordering the Atlantic Ocean at the Equator,

between Republic of the Congo and Equatorial Guinea

Geographic coordinates:

1 00 S, 11 45 E

Map references:

Africa

Area:

total: 267,667 sq km

land: 257,667 sq km

water: 10,000 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly smaller than Colorado

Land boundaries:

total: 2,551 km

border countries: Cameroon 298 km, Republic of the Congo 1,903 km,

Equatorial Guinea 350 km

Coastline:

885 km

Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Climate:

tropical; always hot, humid

Terrain:

narrow coastal plain; hilly interior; savanna in east and south

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

highest point: Mont Iboundji 1,575 m

Natural resources:

petroleum, natural gas, diamond, niobium, manganese, uranium, gold,

timber, iron ore, hydropower

Land use: arable land: 1.26% permanent crops: 0.66% other: 98.08% (2001)

Irrigated land:

150 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

NA

Environment - current issues:

deforestation; poaching

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered

Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection,

Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

a small population and oil and mineral reserves have helped Gabon

become one of Africa's wealthier countries; in general, these

circumstances have allowed the country to maintain and conserve its

pristine rain forest and rich biodiversity

People Gabon

Population:

1,389,201

note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the

effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower

life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower

population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of

population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July

2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 42.1% (male 293,668/female 291,816)

15-64 years: 53.8% (male 372,134/female 374,850)

65 years and over: 4.1% (male 23,551/female 33,182) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 18.57 years

male: 18.34 years

female: 18.8 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

2.45% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

36.24 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

11.72 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female

total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 53.64 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 63.21 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 43.79 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 55.02 years

male: 53.63 years

female: 56.45 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

4.77 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

8.1% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

48,000 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

3,000 (2003 est.)

Major infectious diseases:

degree of risk: very high

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and

typhoid fever

vectorborne disease: malaria (2004)

Nationality:

noun: Gabonese (singular and plural)

adjective: Gabonese

Ethnic groups:

Bantu tribes including four major tribal groupings (Fang, Bapounou,

Nzebi, Obamba), other Africans and Europeans 154,000, including

10,700 French and 11,000 persons of dual nationality

Religions:

Christian 55%-75%, animist, Muslim less than 1%

Languages:

French (official), Fang, Myene, Nzebi, Bapounou/Eschira, Bandjabi

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 63.2%

male: 73.7%

female: 53.3% (1995 est.)

Government Gabon

Country name:

conventional long form: Gabonese Republic

conventional short form: Gabon

local long form: Republique Gabonaise

local short form: Gabon

Government type:

republic; multiparty presidential regime (opposition parties

legalized in 1990)

Capital:

Libreville

Administrative divisions:

9 provinces; Estuaire, Haut-Ogooue, Moyen-Ogooue, Ngounie, Nyanga,

Ogooue-Ivindo, Ogooue-Lolo, Ogooue-Maritime, Woleu-Ntem

Independence:

17 August 1960 (from France)

National holiday:

Founding of the Gabonese Democratic Party (PDG), 12 March (1968)

Constitution:

adopted 14 March 1991

Legal system:

based on French civil law system and customary law; judicial review

of legislative acts in Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court;

has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage:

21 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President El Hadj Omar BONGO Ondimba (since 2

December 1967)

head of government: Prime Minister Jean-Francois NTOUTOUME-EMANE

(since 23 January 1999)

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister in

consultation with the president

elections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term;

election last held 6 December 1998 (next to be held NA 2005); prime

minister appointed by the president

election results: President El Hadj Omar BONGO Ondimba reelected;

percent of vote - El Hadj Omar BONGO Ondimba 66.6%, Pierre

MAMBOUNDOU 16.5%, Fr. Paul M'BA-ABESSOLE 13.4%

Legislative branch:

bicameral legislature consists of the Senate (91 seats; members

elected by members of municipal councils and departmental

assemblies) and the National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (120

seats; members are elected by direct, popular vote to serve

five-year terms)

elections: National Assembly - last held 9 and 23 December 2001

(next to be held December 2006); Senate - last held 26 January and 9

February 2003 (next to be held by January 2009)

election results: National Assembly - percent of vote by party -

NA%; seats by party - PDG 86, RNB-RPG 8, PGP 3, ADERE 3, CLR 2, PUP

1, PSD 1, independents 13, others 3; Senate - percent of vote by

party - NA%; seats by party - PDG 53, RNB 20, PGP 4, ADERE 3, RDP 1,

CLR 1, independents 9

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court or Cour Supreme consisting of three chambers -

Judicial, Administrative, and Accounts; Constitutional Court; Courts

of Appeal; Court of State Security; County Courts

Political parties and leaders:

Circle of Liberal Reformers or CLR [General Jean Boniface ASSELE];

Congress for Democracy and Justice or CDJ [Jules Aristide Bourdes

OGOULIGUENDE]; Democratic and Republican Alliance or ADERE

[Divungui-di-Ndinge DIDJOB]; Gabonese Democratic Party or PDG,

former sole party [Simplice Nguedet MANZELA]; Gabonese Party for

Progress or PGP [Pierre-Louis AGONDJO-OKAWE]; National Rally of

Woodcutters-Rally for Gabon or RNB-RPG (Bucherons) [Fr. Paul

M'BA-ABESSOLE]; People's Unity Party or PUP [Louis Gaston MAYILA];

Rally for Democracy and Progress or RDP [Pierre EMBONI]; Social

Democratic Party or PSD [Pierre Claver MAGANGA-MOUSSAVOU]; Union for

Democracy and Social Integration or UDIS [leader NA]; Union of

Gabonese People or UPG [Pierre MAMBOUNDOU]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

NA

International organization participation:

ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, BDEAC, CEMAC, FAO, FZ, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD,

ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO,

Interpol, IOC, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIC, ONUB, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,

UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Jules Marius OGOUEBANDJA

chancery: Suite 200, 2034 20th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009

telephone: [1] (202) 797-1000

FAX: [1] (202) 332-0668

consulate(s): New York

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Barrie R. WALKLEY

embassy: Boulevard du Bord de Mer, Libreville

mailing address: Centre Ville, B. P. 4000, Libreville

telephone: [241] 76 20 03 through 76 20 04, after hours - 74 34 92

FAX: [241] 74 55 07

Flag description:

three equal horizontal bands of green (top), yellow, and blue

Economy Gabon

Economy - overview:

Gabon enjoys a per capita income four times that of most of

sub-Saharan African nations. This has supported a sharp decline in

extreme poverty; yet because of high income inequality a large

proportion of the population remains poor. Gabon depended on timber

and manganese until oil was discovered offshore in the early 1970s.

The oil sector now accounts for 50% of GDP. Gabon continues to face

fluctuating prices for its oil, timber, and manganese exports.

Despite the abundance of natural wealth, poor fiscal management

hobbles the economy. Devaluation of its currency by 50% in January

1994 sparked a one-time inflationary surge, to 35%; the rate dropped

to 6% in 1996. The IMF provided a one-year standby arrangement in

1994-95, a three-year Enhanced Financing Facility (EFF) at near

commercial rates beginning in late 1995, and stand-by credit of $119

million in October 2000. Those agreements mandate progress in

privatization and fiscal discipline. France provided additional

financial support in January 1997 after Gabon had met IMF targets

for mid-1996. In 1997, an IMF mission to Gabon criticized the

government for overspending on off-budget items, overborrowing from

the central bank, and slipping on its schedule for privatization and

administrative reform. The rebound of oil prices in 1999-2000 helped

growth, but drops in production hampered Gabon from fully realizing

potential gains. In December 2000, Gabon signed a new agreement with

the Paris Club to reschedule its official debt. A follow-up

bilateral repayment agreement with the US was signed in December

2001. Gabon signed a 14 month Stand-By Arrangement with the IMF in

May 2004, and received Paris Club debt rescheduling later that year.

Short-term progress depends on an upbeat world economy and fiscal

and other adjustments in line with IMF policies.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$7.966 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

1.9% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $5,900 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 7.4% industry: 46.7% services: 45.9% (2004 est.)

Labor force:

650,000 (2004 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 60%, industry 15%, services 25%

Unemployment rate:

21% (1997 est.)

Population below poverty line:

NA

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

1.5% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

21.8% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $2.129 billion

expenditures: $1.64 billion, including capital expenditures of $310

million (2004 est.)

Public debt:

29.3% of GDP (2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

cocoa, coffee, sugar, palm oil, rubber; cattle; okoume (a tropical

softwood); fish

Industries:

petroleum extraction and refining; manganese, and gold mining;

chemicals; ship repair; food and beverage; textile; lumbering and

plywood; cement

Industrial production growth rate:

1.6% (2002 est.)

Electricity - production:

1.161 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 34.5% hydro: 65.5% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

1.08 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

264,900 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Oil - consumption:

13,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Oil - proved reserves:

2.022 billion bbl (2004 est.)

Natural gas - production:

80 million cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - consumption:

80 million cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - exports:

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - imports:

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves:

66.47 billion cu m (2004)

Current account balance:

$196.8 million (2004 est.)

Exports:

$3.71 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

crude oil 77%, timber, manganese, uranium (2001)

Exports - partners:

US 53.3%, China 8.5%, France 7.4% (2004)

Imports:

$1.225 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, chemicals, construction

materials

Imports - partners:

France 43.8%, US 6.3%, UK 5.9%, Netherlands 4% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$268.6 million (2004 est.)

Debt - external:

$3.804 billion (2004 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:

$331 million (1995)

Currency (code):

Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XAF); note - responsible

authority is the Bank of the Central African States

Currency code:

XAF

Exchange rates:

Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XAF) per US dollar - 528.29

(2004), 581.2 (2003), 696.99 (2002), 733.04 (2001), 711.98 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Gabon

Telephones - main lines in use:

38,400 (2003)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

300,000 (2003)

Telephone system:

general assessment: adequate service by African standards and

improving with the help of the growing mobile cell system

domestic: adequate system of cable, microwave radio relay,

tropospheric scatter, radiotelephone communication stations, and a

domestic satellite system with 12 earth stations

international: country code - 241; satellite earth stations - 3

Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); fiber optic submarine cable (SAT-3/WASC)

provides connectivity to Europe and Asia

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 6, FM 7 (and 11 repeaters), shortwave 4 (2001)

Radios:

208,000 (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

4 (plus four low-power repeaters) (2001)

Televisions:

63,000 (1997)

Internet country code:

.ga

Internet hosts:

93 (2004)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

1 (2001)

Internet users:

35,000 (2003)

Transportation Gabon

Railways: total: 814 km standard gauge: 814 km 1.435-m gauge (2004)

Highways: total: 8,464 km paved: 838 km unpaved: 7,626 km (2000 est.)

Waterways:

1,600 km (310 km on Ogooue River) (2003)

Pipelines:

gas 210 km; oil 1,385 km (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Gamba, Libreville, Lucinda, Owendo, Port-Gentil

Airports:

56 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 11 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 8 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 45 1,524 to 2,437 m: 7 914 to 1,523 m: 15 under 914 m: 23 (2004 est.)

Military Gabon

Military branches:

Army, Navy, Air Force, National Gendarmerie, National Police

Military service age and obligation:

18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service (2001)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 18-49: 276,310 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: 156,632 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:

males: 15,150 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$184.8 million (2004)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

2% (2004)

Transnational Issues Gabon

Disputes - international:

UN presses Equatorial Guinea and Gabon to resolve the sovereignty

dispute over Gabon-occupied Mbane Island and to establish a maritime

boundary in hydrocarbon-rich Corisco Bay; only a few hundred out of

the 20,000 Republic of the Congo refugees who fled militia fighting

in 2000 remain in Gabon

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Gambia, The

Introduction Gambia, The

Background:

The Gambia gained its independence from the UK in 1965; it formed a

short-lived federation of Senegambia with Senegal between 1982 and

1989. In 1991 the two nations signed a friendship and cooperation

treaty. A military coup in 1994 overthrew the president and banned

political activity, but a 1996 constitution and presidential

elections, followed by parliamentary balloting in 1997, completed a

nominal return to civilian rule. The country undertook another round

of presidential and legislative elections in late 2001 and early

2002. Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH, the leader of the coup, has been

elected president in all subsequent elections.

Geography Gambia, The

Location:

Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean and Senegal

Geographic coordinates:

13 28 N, 16 34 W

Map references:

Africa

Area:

total: 11,300 sq km

land: 10,000 sq km

water: 1,300 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly less than twice the size of Delaware

Land boundaries: total: 740 km border countries: Senegal 740 km

Coastline: 80 km

Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 18 nm continental shelf: not specified exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm

Climate:

tropical; hot, rainy season (June to November); cooler, dry season

(November to May)

Terrain:

flood plain of the Gambia River flanked by some low hills

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

highest point: unnamed location 53 m

Natural resources:

fish, titanium (rutile and ilmenite), tin, zircon, silica sand,

clay, petroleum

Land use: arable land: 25% permanent crops: 0.5% other: 74.5% (2001)

Irrigated land:

20 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

drought (rainfall has dropped by 30% in the last 30 years)

Environment - current issues:

deforestation; desertification; water-borne diseases prevalent

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto

Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law

of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

almost an enclave of Senegal; smallest country on the continent of

Africa

People Gambia, The

Population:

1,593,256 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 44.5% (male 356,079/female 352,894)

15-64 years: 52.8% (male 416,809/female 424,429)

65 years and over: 2.7% (male 22,111/female 20,934) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 17.59 years

male: 17.45 years

female: 17.74 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

2.93% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

39.86 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

11.81 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

1.27 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 1.06 male(s)/female

total population: 1 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 72.02 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 78.6 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 65.24 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 53.75 years

male: 51.91 years

female: 55.64 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

5.38 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

1.2% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

6,800 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

600 (2003 est.)

Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: dengue fever, malaria, Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, yellow fever are high risks in some locations water contact disease: schistosomiasis respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis (2004)

Nationality:

noun: Gambian(s)

adjective: Gambian

Ethnic groups:

African 99% (Mandinka 42%, Fula 18%, Wolof 16%, Jola 10%, Serahuli

9%, other 4%), non-African 1%

Religions:

Muslim 90%, Christian 9%, indigenous beliefs 1%

Languages:

English (official), Mandinka, Wolof, Fula, other indigenous

vernaculars

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 40.1%

male: 47.8%

female: 32.8% (2003 est.)

Government Gambia, The

Country name:

conventional long form: Republic of The Gambia

conventional short form: The Gambia

Government type:

republic under multiparty democratic rule

Capital:

Banjul

Administrative divisions:

5 divisions and 1 city*; Banjul*, Central River, Lower River, North

Bank, Upper River, Western

Independence:

18 February 1965 (from UK)

National holiday:

Independence Day, 18 February (1965)

Constitution:

24 April 1970; suspended July 1994; rewritten and approved by

national referendum 8 August 1996; reestablished January 1997

Legal system:

based on a composite of English common law, Koranic law, and

customary law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH (since 18 October

1996; note - from 1994 to 1996 he was Chairman of the Junta); Vice

President Isatou Njie SAIDY (since 20 March 1997); note - the

president is both the chief of state and head of government

head of government: President Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH (since 18

October 1996; note - from 1994 to 1996 was he Chairman of the

Junta); Vice President Isatou Njie SAIDY (since 20 March 1997); note

- the president is both the chief of state and head of government

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president

elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;

election last held 18 October 2001 (next to be held October 2006)

election results: Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH reelected president; percent

of vote - Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH 52.9%, Ousainou DARBOE 32.7%

Legislative branch:

unicameral National Assembly (53 seats; 48 elected by popular vote,

five appointed by the president; members serve five-year terms)

elections: last held 17 January 2002 (next to be held February 2007)

election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -

APRC 45, PDOIS 2, NRP 1,

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court

Political parties and leaders: Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction or APRC - the ruling party [Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH]; Gambian People's Party-Progressive People's Party-United Democratic Party or GPP-PPP-UDP Coalition [Ousainou DARBOE]; National Convention Party or NCP [Sheriff DIBBA]; National Reconciliation Party or NRP [Hamat N. K. BAH]; People's Democratic Organization for Independence and Socialism or PDOIS [Sidia JATTA] note: in August 2001, an independent electoral commission allowed the reregistration of the GPP, NCP, and PPP, three parties banned since 1996

Political pressure groups and leaders:

NA

International organization participation:

ACP, AfDB, AU, C, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM,

IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU,

MIGA, NAM, OIC, ONUB, OPCW, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO,

UNMEE, UNMIL, UNOCI, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant)

chancery: Suite 905, 1156 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005

telephone: [1] (202) 785-1379

FAX: [1] (202) 785-1430

Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Joseph D. STAFFORD, III embassy: Kairaba Avenue, Fajara, Banjul mailing address: P. M. B. No. 19, Banjul telephone: [220] 392856, 392858, 391971 FAX: [220] 392475

Flag description:

three equal horizontal bands of red (top), blue with white edges,

and green

Economy Gambia, The

Economy - overview:

The Gambia has no significant mineral or natural resource deposits

and has a limited agricultural base. About 75% of the population

depends on crops and livestock for its livelihood. Small-scale

manufacturing activity features the processing of peanuts, fish, and

hides. Reexport trade normally constitutes a major segment of

economic activity, but a 1999 government-imposed preshipment

inspection plan, and instability of the Gambian dalasi (currency)

have drawn some of the reexport trade away from The Gambia. The

government's 1998 seizure of the private peanut firm Alimenta

eliminated the largest purchaser of Gambian groundnuts; the

following two marketing seasons saw substantially lower prices and

sales. Despite an announced program to begin privatizing key

parastatals, no plans have been made public that would indicate that

the government intends to follow through on its promises.

Unemployment and underemployment rates remain extremely high;

short-run economic progress depends on sustained bilateral and

multilateral aid, on responsible government economic management, on

continued technical assistance from the IMF and bilateral donors,

and on expected growth in the construction sector.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$2.799 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

6% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $1,800 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 26.8% industry: 14.5% services: 58.7% (2004 est.)

Labor force:

400,000 (1996)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 75%, industry, commerce, and services 19%, government 6%

Unemployment rate:

NA (2002 est.)

Population below poverty line:

NA

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

7% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

25.3% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $44.85 million

expenditures: $59.94 million, including capital expenditures of $4.1

million (2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

rice, millet, sorghum, peanuts, corn, sesame, cassava (tapioca),

palm kernels; cattle, sheep, goats

Industries:

processing peanuts, fish, and hides; tourism; beverages;

agricultural machinery assembly, woodworking, metalworking; clothing

Industrial production growth rate:

NA

Electricity - production:

90.31 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

83.99 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

1,900 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Current account balance:

$-16.4 million (2004 est.)

Exports:

$114.4 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

peanut products, fish, cotton lint, palm kernels, re-exports

Exports - partners:

India 21.4%, Thailand 15.1%, UK 13.7%, France 12.9%, Germany 8.7%,

Italy 7.5% (2004)

Imports:

$180.9 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

foodstuffs, manufactures, fuel, machinery and transport equipment

Imports - partners:

China 23.7%, Senegal 11.6%, Brazil 5.9%, UK 5.5%, Netherlands 4.5%,

US 4.4% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$113.1 million (2004 est.)

Debt - external:

$476 million (2001 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:

$45.4 million (1995)

Currency (code):

dalasi (GMD)

Currency code:

GMD

Exchange rates:

dalasi per US dollar - 27.306 (2003), 27.306 (2003), 19.918 (2002),

15.687 (2001), 12.788 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Gambia, The

Telephones - main lines in use:

38,400 (2002)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

100,000 (2002)

Telephone system:

general assessment: adequate; a packet switched data network is

available

domestic: adequate network of microwave radio relay and open-wire

international: country code - 220; microwave radio relay links to

Senegal and Guinea-Bissau; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat

(Atlantic Ocean)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 3, FM 2, shortwave 0 (2001)

Radios:

196,000 (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

1 (government-owned) (1997)

Televisions:

5,000 (2000)

Internet country code:

.gm

Internet hosts:

568 (2004)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

2 (2001)

Internet users:

25,000 (2002)

Transportation Gambia, The

Highways: total: 2,700 km paved: 956 km unpaved: 1,744 km (1999)

Waterways:

390 km (on River Gambia; small ocean-going vessels can reach 190

km) (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Banjul

Merchant marine:

total: 4 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 30,976 GRT/10,978 DWT

by type: passenger/cargo 3, petroleum tanker 1

foreign-owned: 1 (Switzerland 1) (2005)

Airports:

1 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Military Gambia, The

Military branches:

Gambian National Army (GNA), Gambian Navy (GN), Presidential Guard,

National Guard

Military service age and obligation:

18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription

(2001)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 18-49: 309,279 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: 188,117 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$1 million (2004)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

0.3% (2004)

Transnational Issues Gambia, The

Disputes - international:

attempts to stem refugees, cross-border raids, arms smuggling, and

other illegal activities by separatists from southern Senegal's

Casamance region as well as from conflicts in other west African

states

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Gaza Strip

Introduction Gaza Strip

Background:

The Israel-PLO Declaration of Principles on Interim Self-Government

Arrangements (the DOP), signed in Washington on 13 September 1993,

provided for a transitional period not exceeding five years of

Palestinian interim self-government in the Gaza Strip and the West

Bank. Under the DOP, Israel agreed to transfer certain powers and

responsibilities to the Palestinian Authority, which includes the

Palestinian Legislative Council elected in January 1996, as part of

the interim self-governing arrangements in the West Bank and Gaza

Strip. A transfer of powers and responsibilities for the Gaza Strip

and Jericho took place pursuant to the Israel-PLO 4 May 1994 Cairo

Agreement on the Gaza Strip and the Jericho Area and in additional

areas of the West Bank pursuant to the Israel-PLO 28 September 1995

Interim Agreement, the Israel-PLO 15 January 1997 Protocol

Concerning Redeployment in Hebron, the Israel-PLO 23 October 1998

Wye River Memorandum, and the 4 September 1999 Sharm el-Sheikh

Agreement. The DOP provides that Israel will retain responsibility

during the transitional period for external and internal security

and for public order of settlements and Israeli citizens. Direct

negotiations to determine the permanent status of Gaza and West Bank

began in September 1999 after a three-year hiatus, but were derailed

by a second intifadah that broke out in September 2000. The

resulting widespread violence in the West Bank and Gaza Strip,

Israel's military response, and instability within the Palestinian

Authority continued to undermine progress toward a permanent

agreement. Following the death of longtime Palestinian leader Yasir

ARAFAT in November 2004, the election of his successor Mahmud ABBAS

in January 2005 brought about a turning point in the conflict. In

February 2005 the Israeli Government voted to disengage from the

Gaza Strip by dismantling all Israeli settlements and removing all

Israeli settlers. This process was completed in September 2005.

Nonetheless, Israel maintains offshore maritime control as well as

airspace control. The future political status of the Gaza Strip has

yet to be determined.

Geography Gaza Strip

Location:

Middle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Egypt and

Israel

Geographic coordinates:

31 25 N, 34 20 E

Map references:

Middle East

Area:

total: 360 sq km

land: 360 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly more than twice the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries: total: 62 km border countries: Egypt 11 km, Israel 51 km

Coastline:

40 km

Maritime claims:

Israeli-occupied with current status subject to the

Israeli-Palestinian Interim Agreement - permanent status to be

determined through further negotiation

Climate:

temperate, mild winters, dry and warm to hot summers

Terrain:

flat to rolling, sand- and dune-covered coastal plain

Elevation extremes: lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m highest point: Abu 'Awdah (Joz Abu 'Auda) 105 m

Natural resources:

arable land, natural gas

Land use:

arable land: 28.95%

permanent crops: 21.05%

other: 50% (2001)

Irrigated land:

120 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

droughts

Environment - current issues:

desertification; salination of fresh water; sewage treatment;

water-borne disease; soil degradation; depletion and contamination

of underground water resources

Geography - note:

there are 25 Israeli settlements and civilian land use sites in the

Gaza Strip (February 2002 est.)

People Gaza Strip

Population:

1,376,289

note: in addition, there are more than 5,000 Israeli settlers in the

Gaza Strip (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 48.5% (male 342,186/female 325,899)

15-64 years: 48.8% (male 342,927/female 329,354)

65 years and over: 2.6% (male 15,036/female 20,887) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 15.65 years

male: 15.5 years

female: 15.81 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

3.77% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

40.03 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

3.87 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

1.54 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.72 male(s)/female

total population: 1.04 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 22.93 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 24.05 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 21.76 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 71.79 years

male: 70.5 years

female: 73.15 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

5.91 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

NA

Nationality:

noun: NA

adjective: NA

Ethnic groups:

Palestinian Arab and other 99.4%, Jewish 0.6%

Religions:

Muslim (predominantly Sunni) 98.7%, Christian 0.7%, Jewish 0.6%

Languages:

Arabic, Hebrew (spoken by Israeli settlers and many Palestinians),

English (widely understood)

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 91.9%

male: 96.3%

female: 87.4% (2003 est.)

Government Gaza Strip

Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Gaza Strip local long form: none local short form: Qita Ghazzah

Economy Gaza Strip

Economy - overview:

High population density, limited land access, and strict internal

and external controls have kept economic conditions in the Gaza

Strip - the smaller of the two areas under the Palestinian Authority

- even more degraded than in the West Bank. An anticipated Israeli

withdrawal from the Gaza Strip in 2005 may offer some medium-term

opportunities for economic growth. The beginning of the second

intifadah in September 2000 sparked an economic downturn, largely

the result of Israeli closure policies; these policies, which were

imposed in response to security interests in Israel, disrupted labor

and commodity relationships with the Gaza Strip. In 2001, and even

more severely in 2003, Israeli military measures in Palestinian

Authority areas resulted in the destruction of much capital plant,

the disruption of administrative structure, and widespread business

closures. Including the West Bank, the UN estimates that more than

100,000 Palestinians out of the 125,000 who used to work in Israel

or in joint industrial zones have lost their jobs. International aid

of $2 billion to Gaza Strip and the West Bank in 2004 prevented the

complete collapse of the economy and allowed some reforms in the

government's financial operations. Meanwhile unemployment has

continued at half the labor force. ARAFAT's death in 2004 leaves

open more political options that could affect the economy.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$768 million (2003 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

4.5% (2003 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $600 (2003 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 9% industry: 28% services: 63% (includes West Bank) (2002 est.)

Labor force:

725,000 (2004)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 14%, industry 19%, services 66% (2004)

Unemployment rate:

50% (includes West Bank) (2003 est.)

Population below poverty line:

81% (2004 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

2.2% (includes West Bank) (2001 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $676.6 million

expenditures: $1.155 billion, including capital expenditures of NA;

note - these budget data include West Bank (2003)

Agriculture - products:

olives, citrus, vegetables; beef, dairy products

Industries:

generally small family businesses that produce textiles, soap,

olive-wood carvings, and mother-of-pearl souvenirs; the Israelis

have established some small-scale modern industries in an industrial

center

Industrial production growth rate:

NA

Electricity - production:

NA kWh; note - electricity supplied by Israel

Electricity - consumption:

NA kWh

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2001)

Electricity - imports:

NA kWh; note - electricity supplied by Israel (2001)

Exports:

$205 million f.o.b., includes West Bank (2002)

Exports - commodities:

citrus, flowers

Exports - partners:

Israel, Egypt, West Bank

Imports:

$1.9 billion c.i.f., includes West Bank (2002)

Imports - commodities:

food, consumer goods, construction materials

Imports - partners:

Israel, Egypt, West Bank

Debt - external:

$108 million (includes West Bank) (1997 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:

$2 billion (includes West Bank) (2004 est.)

Currency (code):

new Israeli shekel (ILS)

Currency code:

ILS

Exchange rates:

new Israeli shekels per US dollar - 4.482 (2004), 4.5541 (2003),

4.7378 (2002), 4.2057 (2001), 4.0773 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Gaza Strip

Telephones - main lines in use: 95,729 (total for Gaza Strip and West Bank) (1997)

Telephones - mobile cellular: 320,000 (cellular subscribers in both Gaza Strip and West Bank) (2002)

Telephone system:

general assessment: NA

domestic: rudimentary telephone services provided by an open-wire

system

international: NA

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 0, FM 0, shortwave 0 (1998)

Radios:

NA; note - most Palestinian households have radios (1999)

Television broadcast stations:

2 (operated by the Palestinian Broadcasting Corporation) (1997)

Televisions:

NA; note - most Palestinian households have televisions (1997)

Internet country code:

.ps

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

3 (1999)

Internet users:

60,000 (includes West Bank) (2001)

Transportation Gaza Strip

Highways: total: NA km paved: NA km unpaved: NA km note: small, poorly developed road network

Ports and harbors:

Gaza

Airports:

2 (2001)

note: includes Gaza International Airport (GIA), inaugurated on 24

November 1998 as part of agreements stipulated in the September 1995

Oslo II Accord and the 23 October 1998 Wye River Memorandum; GIA has

been largely closed since October 2000 by Israeli orders and its

runway was destroyed by the Israeli Defense Forces in December 2001

(2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 1

over 3,047 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 1

under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Heliports:

1 (2004 est.)

Military Gaza Strip

Military branches:

in accordance with the peace agreement, the Palestinian Authority

is not permitted conventional military forces; there are, however,

public security forces (2002)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

NA

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

NA

Transnational Issues Gaza Strip

Disputes - international:

West Bank and Gaza Strip are Israeli-occupied with current status

subject to the Israeli-Palestinian Interim Agreement - permanent

status to be determined through further negotiation; Israel

announced its intention to pull out settlers and withdraw from the

Gaza Strip in 2005

Refugees and internally displaced persons:

refugees (country of origin): 922,674 (Palestinian Refugees

(UNRWA)) (2004)

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Georgia

Introduction Georgia

Background:

The region of present-day Georgia contained the ancient kingdoms of

Colchis and Kartli-Iberia. The area came under Roman influence in

the first centuries AD and Christianity became the state religion in

the 330s. Domination by Persians, Arabs, and Turks was followed by a

Georgian golden age (11th to the 13th centuries) that was cut short

by the Mongol invasion of 1236. Subsequently, the Ottoman and

Persian empires competed for influence in the region. Georgia was

absorbed into the Russian Empire in the 19th century. Independent

for three years (1918-1921) following the Russian revolution, it was

forcibly incorporated into the USSR until the Soviet Union dissolved

in 1991. Despite myriad problems, some progress on market reforms

and democratization has been made since then. An attempt by the

government to manipulate legislative elections in November 2003

touched off widespread protests that led to the resignation of

Eduard SHEVARDNADZE, president since 1995. New elections in early

2004 swept Mikheil SAAKASHVILI into power along with his National

Movement Party.

Geography Georgia

Location:

Southwestern Asia, bordering the Black Sea, between Turkey and

Russia

Geographic coordinates:

42 00 N, 43 30 E

Map references:

Asia

Area:

total: 69,700 sq km

land: 69,700 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly smaller than South Carolina

Land boundaries:

total: 1,461 km

border countries: Armenia 164 km, Azerbaijan 322 km, Russia 723 km,

Turkey 252 km

Coastline:

310 km

Maritime claims:

NA

Climate:

warm and pleasant; Mediterranean-like on Black Sea coast

Terrain:

largely mountainous with Great Caucasus Mountains in the north and

Lesser Caucasus Mountains in the south; Kolkhet'is Dablobi (Kolkhida

Lowland) opens to the Black Sea in the west; Mtkvari River Basin in

the east; good soils in river valley flood plains, foothills of

Kolkhida Lowland

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Black Sea 0 m

highest point: Mt'a Shkhara 5,201 m

Natural resources:

forests, hydropower, manganese deposits, iron ore, copper, minor

coal and oil deposits; coastal climate and soils allow for important

tea and citrus growth

Land use:

arable land: 11.44%

permanent crops: 3.86%

other: 84.7% (2001)

Irrigated land:

4,700 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

earthquakes

Environment - current issues:

air pollution, particularly in Rust'avi; heavy pollution of Mtkvari

River and the Black Sea; inadequate supplies of potable water; soil

pollution from toxic chemicals

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate

Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species,

Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship

Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

strategically located east of the Black Sea; Georgia controls much

of the Caucasus Mountains and the routes through them

People Georgia

Population:

4,677,401 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 18% (male 444,779/female 398,162)

15-64 years: 65.9% (male 1,480,557/female 1,603,743)

65 years and over: 16% (male 300,859/female 449,301) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 37.36 years

male: 34.93 years

female: 39.7 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

-0.35% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

10.25 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

9.09 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

-4.62 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.16 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.12 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.67 male(s)/female

total population: 0.91 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 18.59 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 20.71 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 16.13 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 75.88 years

male: 72.59 years

female: 79.67 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

1.41 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

less than 0.1% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

3,000 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

less than 200 (2003 est.)

Nationality:

noun: Georgian(s)

adjective: Georgian

Ethnic groups:

Georgian 83.8%, Azeri 6.5%, Armenian 5.7%, Russian 1.5%, other 2.5%

(2002 census)

Religions:

Orthodox Christian 83.9%, Armenian-Gregorian 3.9%, Catholic 0.8%,

Muslim 9.9%, other 0.8%, none 0.7% (2002 census)

Languages:

Georgian 71% (official), Russian 9%, Armenian 7%, Azeri 6%, other 7%

note: Abkhaz is the official language in Abkhazia

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 99%

male: 100%

female: 98% (1999 est.)

Government Georgia

Country name:

conventional long form: none

conventional short form: Georgia

local long form: none

local short form: Sak'art'velo

former: Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic

Government type:

republic

Capital:

T'bilisi

Administrative divisions:

9 regions (mkharebi, singular - mkhare), 9 cities (k'alak'ebi,

singular - k'alak'i), and 2 autonomous republics (avtomnoy

respubliki, singular - avtom respublika)

: regions: Guria, Imereti, Kakheti, Kvemo Kartli, Mtskheta-Mtianeti,

Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti, Samegrelo and Zemo Svaneti,

Samtskhe-Javakheti, Shida Kartli

: cities: Chiat'ura, Gori, K'ut'aisi, P'ot'i, Rust'avi, T'bilisi,

Tqibuli, Tsqaltubo, Zugdidi

: autonomous republics: Abkhazia or Ap'khazet'is Avtonomiuri

Respublika (Sokhumi), Ajaria or Acharis Avtonomiuri Respublika

(Bat'umi)

note: the administrative centers of the 2 autonomous republics are

shown in parentheses

Independence:

9 April 1991 (from Soviet Union)

National holiday:

Independence Day, 26 May (1918); note - 26 May 1918 is the date of

independence from Soviet Russia, 9 April 1991 is the date of

independence from the Soviet Union

Constitution:

adopted 24 August 1995

Legal system:

based on civil law system

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Mikheil SAAKASHVILI (since 25 January

2004); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of

government for the power ministries: state security (includes

interior) and defense

head of government: President Mikheil SAAKASHVILI (since 25 January

2004); Prime Minister Zurab NOGHAIDELI (since 17 February 2005);

note - the president is the chief of state and head of government

for the power ministries: state security (includes interior) and

defense; the prime minister is head of the remaining ministries of

government

cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers

elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;

election last held 4 January 2004 (next to be held NA 2009)

election results: Mikheil SAAKASHVILI elected president; percent of

vote - Mikheil SAAKASHVILI 96.3%, Temur SHASHIASHVILI 1.9%

Legislative branch:

unicameral Supreme Council (commonly referred to as Parliament) or

Umaghiesi Sabcho (235 seats - 150 elected by party lists); members

are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)

elections: last held 28 March 2004 (next to be held spring 2008)

election results: percent of vote by party - National

Movement-Democrats 67.6%, Rightist Opposition 7.6%, all other

parties received less than 7% each; seats by party - National

Movement-Democrats 135, Rightist Opposition 15

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court (judges elected by the Supreme Council on the

president's recommendation); Constitutional Court; first and second

instance courts

Political parties and leaders:

Burjanadze-Democrats [Nino BURJANADZE]; Georgian People's Front

[Nodar NATADZE]; Georgian United Communist Party or UCPG

[Panteleimon GIORGADZE]; Greens [Giorgi GACHECHILADZE]; Industry

Will Save Georgia (Industrialists) or IWSG [Georgi TOPADZE]; Labor

Party [Shalva NATELASHVILI]; National Democratic Party or NDP

[Bachuki KARDAVA]; National Movement Democratic Front [Mikheil

SAAKASHVILI] bloc composed of National Movement and

Burjanadze-Democrats; National Movement [Mikheil SAAKASHVILI]; New

Right [David GAMKRELIDZE]; Republican Party [David BERDZENISHVILI];

Rightist Opposition [David GAMKRELIDZE] bloc composed of

Industrialists and New Right Party; Socialist Party or SPG [Irakli

MINDELI]; Traditionalists [Akaki ASATIANI]; Union of National

Forces-Conservatives [Koba DAVITASHVILI and Zviad DZIDZIGURI]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

Georgian independent deputies from Abkhaz government in exile;

separatists in the breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia;

supporters of the late ousted President Zviad GAMSAKHURDYA

International organization participation:

BSEC, CE, CIS, EAPC, EBRD, FAO, GUUAM, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt,

ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM,

ITU, MIGA, OAS (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,

UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Levan MIKELADZE

chancery: Suite 602, 1101 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005

telephone: [1] (202) 387-4537

FAX: [1] (202) 393-4537

Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Richard M. MILES embassy: #25 Atoneli Street, T'bilisi 0105 mailing address: 7060 Tbilisi Place, Washington, DC 20521-7060 telephone: [995] (32) 989-967/68 FAX: [995] (32) 933-759

Flag description:

white rectangle, in its central portion a red cross connecting all

four sides of the flag; in each of the four corners is a small red

bolnur-katskhuri cross; the five-cross flag appears to date back to

the 14th century

Economy Georgia

Economy - overview:

Georgia's main economic activities include the cultivation of

agricultural products such as citrus fruits, tea, hazelnuts, and

grapes; mining of manganese and copper; and output of a small

industrial sector producing alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages,

metals, machinery, and chemicals. The country imports the bulk of

its energy needs, including natural gas and oil products. Its only

sizable internal energy resource is hydropower. Despite the severe

damage the economy has suffered due to civil strife, Georgia, with

the help of the IMF and World Bank, has made substantial economic

gains since 1995, achieving positive GDP growth and curtailing

inflation. However, the Georgian Government has suffered from

limited resources due to a chronic failure to collect tax revenues.

Georgia's new government is making progress in reforming the tax

code, enforcing taxes, and cracking down on corruption. Georgia also

suffers from energy shortages; it privatized the T'bilisi

electricity distribution network in 1998, but payment collection

rates remain low, both in T'bilisi and throughout the regions. The

country is pinning its hopes for long-term growth on its role as a

transit state for pipelines and trade. The construction on the

Baku-T'bilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline and the Baku-T'bilisi-Erzerum gas

pipeline have brought much-needed investment and job opportunities.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$14.45 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

9.5% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $3,100 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 20.5% industry: 22.6% services: 56.9% (2004 est.)

Labor force:

2.1 million (2001 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 40%, industry 20%, services 40% (1999 est.)

Unemployment rate:

17% (2001 est.)

Population below poverty line:

54% (2001 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.3% highest 10%: 27.9% (1996)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

37.1 (1996)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

5.5% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

18.5% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $671.7 million

expenditures: $804.7 million, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

citrus, grapes, tea, hazelnuts, vegetables; livestock

Industries:

steel, aircraft, machine tools, electrical appliances, mining

(manganese and copper), chemicals, wood products, wine

Industrial production growth rate:

3% (2000)

Electricity - production:

6.732 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 19.7% hydro: 80.3% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

6.811 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

300 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

850 million kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

2,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

31,500 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Natural gas - production:

60 million cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - consumption:

1.16 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - exports:

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - imports:

1.1 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Current account balance:

$-632.9 million (2004 est.)

Exports:

$909.4 million (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

scrap metal, machinery, chemicals; fuel reexports; citrus fruits,

tea, wine

Exports - partners:

Turkey 18.3%, Turkmenistan 17.8%, Russia 16.2%, Armenia 8.4%, UK

4.9% (2004)

Imports:

$1.806 billion (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

fuels, machinery and parts, transport equipment, grain and other

foods, pharmaceuticals

Imports - partners:

Russia 14%, Turkey 11%, UK 9.3%, Azerbaijan 8.5%, Germany 8.2%,

Ukraine 7.7%, US 6% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$231.4 million (2004 est.)

Debt - external:

$1.8 billion (2002)

Economic aid - recipient:

ODA $150 million (2000 est.)

Currency (code):

lari (GEL)

Currency code:

GEL

Exchange rates:

lari per US dollar - 1.9167 (2004), 2.1457 (2003), 2.1957 (2002),

2.073 (2001), 1.9762 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Georgia

Telephones - main lines in use:

650,500 (2003)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

522,300 (2003)

Telephone system:

general assessment: NA

domestic: local - T'bilisi and K'ut'aisi have cellular telephone

networks; urban telephone density is about 20 per 100 people; rural

telephone density is about 4 per 100 people; intercity facilities

include a fiber-optic line between T'bilisi and K'ut'aisi;

nationwide pager service is available

international: country code - 995; Georgia and Russia are working on

a fiber-optic line between P'ot'i and Sochi (Russia); present

international service is available by microwave, landline, and

satellite through the Moscow switch; international electronic mail

and telex service are available

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 7, FM 12, shortwave 4 (1998)

Radios:

3.02 million (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

12 (plus repeaters) (1998)

Televisions:

2.57 million (1997)

Internet country code:

.ge

Internet hosts:

5,160 (2004)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

6 (2000)

Internet users:

150,500 (2003)

Transportation Georgia

Railways:

total: 1,612 km (1,612 km electrified)

broad gauge: 1,575 km 1.520-m gauge (1,575 electrified)

narrow gauge: 37 km 0.912-m gauge (37 electrified) (2004)

Highways:

total: 20,229 km

paved: 18,914 km

unpaved: 1,315 km (2002)

Pipelines:

gas 1,697 km; oil 1,027 km; refined products 232 km (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Bat'umi, P'ot'i

Merchant marine:

total: 175 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 855,908 GRT/1,288,812 DWT

by type: bulk carrier 22, cargo 133, container 3, liquefied gas 1,

passenger 1, passenger/cargo 3, petroleum tanker 6, refrigerated

cargo 4, roll on/roll off 1, specialized tanker 1

foreign-owned: 105 (Albania 1, Azerbaijan 2, Cyprus 2, Egypt 3,

Estonia 1, Germany 1, Greece 4, Israel 1, Lebanon 3, Romania 6,

Russia 8, Syria 27, Turkey 14, Ukraine 30, UAE 2)

registered in other countries: 1 (2005)

Airports:

30 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 17 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 7 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 13 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 10 (2004 est.)

Heliports:

2 (2004 est.)

Transportation - note:

transportation network is in poor condition resulting from ethnic

conflict, criminal activities, and fuel shortages; network lacks

maintenance and repair

Military Georgia

Military branches:

Ground Forces (includes National Guard), Air and Air Defense

Forces, Maritime Defense Force, Interior Forces

Military service age and obligation:

18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service;

conscript service obligation - 18 months (2004)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 18-49: 1,038,736 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: 827,281 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:

males: 38,857 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$23 million (FY00)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

0.59% (FY00)

Military - note:

a CIS peacekeeping force of Russian troops is deployed in the

Abkhazia region of Georgia together with a UN military observer

group; a Russian peacekeeping battalion is deployed in South Ossetia

Transnational Issues Georgia

Disputes - international:

Russia and Georgia agree on delimiting 80% of their common border,

leaving certain small, strategic segments and the maritime boundary

unresolved; OSCE observers monitor volatile areas such as the

Pankisi Gorge in the Akhmeti region and the Argun Gorge in Abkhazia;

UN Observer Mission in Georgia has maintained a peacekeeping force

in Georgia since 1993; Meshkheti Turks scattered throughout the

former Soviet Union seek to return to Georgia; boundary with Armenia

remains undemarcated; ethnic Armenian groups in Javakheti region of

Georgia seek greater autonomy from the Georgian government;

Azerbaijan and Georgia cannot resolve the alignment of their

boundary at certain crossing areas

Refugees and internally displaced persons:

IDPs: 260,000 (displaced from Abkhazia and South Ossetia) (2004)

Illicit drugs:

limited cultivation of cannabis and opium poppy, mostly for

domestic consumption; used as transshipment point for opiates via

Central Asia to Western Europe and Russia

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Germany

Introduction Germany

Background:

As Europe's largest economy and most populous nation, Germany

remains a key member of the continent's economic, political, and

defense organizations. European power struggles immersed Germany in

two devastating World Wars in the first half of the 20th century and

left the country occupied by the victorious Allied powers of the US,

UK, France, and the Soviet Union in 1945. With the advent of the

Cold War, two German states were formed in 1949: the western Federal

Republic of Germany (FRG) and the eastern German Democratic Republic

(GDR). The democratic FRG embedded itself in key Western economic

and security organizations, the EC, which became the EU, and NATO,

while the Communist GDR was on the front line of the Soviet-led

Warsaw Pact. The decline of the USSR and the end of the Cold War

allowed for German unification in 1990. Since then, Germany has

expended considerable funds to bring Eastern productivity and wages

up to Western standards. In January 1999, Germany and 10 other EU

countries introduced a common European exchange currency, the euro.

Geography Germany

Location:

Central Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea and the North Sea, between

the Netherlands and Poland, south of Denmark

Geographic coordinates:

51 00 N, 9 00 E

Map references:

Europe

Area:

total: 357,021 sq km

land: 349,223 sq km

water: 7,798 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly smaller than Montana

Land boundaries:

total: 3,621 km

border countries: Austria 784 km, Belgium 167 km, Czech Republic 646

km, Denmark 68 km, France 451 km, Luxembourg 138 km, Netherlands 577

km, Poland 456 km, Switzerland 334 km

Coastline:

2,389 km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

Climate:

temperate and marine; cool, cloudy, wet winters and summers;

occasional warm mountain (foehn) wind

Terrain:

lowlands in north, uplands in center, Bavarian Alps in south

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Neuendorf bei Wilster -3.54 m

highest point: Zugspitze 2,963 m

Natural resources:

coal, lignite, natural gas, iron ore, copper, nickel, uranium,

potash, salt, construction materials, timber, arable land

Land use: arable land: 33.85% permanent crops: 0.59% other: 65.56% (2001)

Irrigated land:

4,850 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

flooding

Environment - current issues:

emissions from coal-burning utilities and industries contribute to

air pollution; acid rain, resulting from sulfur dioxide emissions,

is damaging forests; pollution in the Baltic Sea from raw sewage and

industrial effluents from rivers in eastern Germany; hazardous waste

disposal; government established a mechanism for ending the use of

nuclear power over the next 15 years; government working to meet EU

commitment to identify nature preservation areas in line with the

EU's Flora, Fauna, and Habitat directive

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air

Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85,

Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds,

Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources,

Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change,

Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species,

Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine

Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83,

Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

strategic location on North European Plain and along the entrance

to the Baltic Sea

People Germany

Population:

82,431,390 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 14.4% (male 6,078,885/female 5,766,065)

15-64 years: 66.7% (male 28,006,268/female 27,003,958)

65 years and over: 18.9% (male 6,359,776/female 9,216,438) (2005

est.)

Median age: total: 42.16 years male: 40.88 years female: 43.53 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

0% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

8.33 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

10.55 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

2.18 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female

total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 4.16 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 4.61 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 3.69 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 78.65 years

male: 75.66 years

female: 81.81 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

1.39 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

0.1% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

43,000 (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

less than 1,000 (2003 est.)

Nationality:

noun: German(s)

adjective: German

Ethnic groups:

German 91.5%, Turkish 2.4%, other 6.1% (made up largely of Greek,

Italian, Polish, Russian, Serbo-Croatian, Spanish)

Religions:

Protestant 34%, Roman Catholic 34%, Muslim 3.7%, unaffiliated or

other 28.3%

Languages:

German

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 99% (1997 est.)

male: NA%

female: NA%

Government Germany

Country name:

conventional long form: Federal Republic of Germany

conventional short form: Germany

local long form: Bundesrepublik Deutschland

local short form: Deutschland

former: German Empire, German Republic, German Reich

Government type:

federal republic

Capital:

Berlin

Administrative divisions:

13 states (Laender, singular - Land) and 3 free states*

(Freistaaten, singular - Freistaat); Baden-Wuerttemberg, Bayern*,

Berlin, Brandenburg, Bremen, Hamburg, Hessen,

Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Niedersachsen, Nordrhein-Westfalen,

Rheinland-Pfalz, Saarland, Sachsen*, Sachsen-Anhalt,

Schleswig-Holstein, Thueringen*

Independence:

18 January 1871 (German Empire unification); divided into four

zones of occupation (UK, US, USSR, and later, France) in 1945

following World War II; Federal Republic of Germany (FRG or West

Germany) proclaimed 23 May 1949 and included the former UK, US, and

French zones; German Democratic Republic (GDR or East Germany)

proclaimed 7 October 1949 and included the former USSR zone;

unification of West Germany and East Germany took place 3 October

1990; all four powers formally relinquished rights 15 March 1991

National holiday:

Unity Day, 3 October (1990)

Constitution:

23 May 1949, known as Basic Law; became constitution of the united

German people 3 October 1990

Legal system:

civil law system with indigenous concepts; judicial review of

legislative acts in the Federal Constitutional Court; has not

accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Horst KOEHLER (since 1 July 2004)

head of government: Chancellor Gerhard SCHROEDER (since 27 October

1998); Vice Chancellor Joschka FISCHER (since 17 October 1998)

cabinet: Cabinet or Bundesminister (Federal Ministers) appointed by

the president on the recommendation of the chancellor

elections: president elected for a five-year term by a Federal

Convention including all members of the Federal Assembly and an

equal number of delegates elected by the state parliaments; election

last held 23 May 2004 (next to be held 23 May 2009); chancellor

elected by an absolute majority of the Federal Assembly for a

four-year term; election last held 22 September 2002 (next to be

held September 2006)

election results: Horst KOEHLER elected president; received 604

votes of the Federal Convention against 589 for Gesine SCHWAN;

Gerhard SCHROEDER elected chancellor; percent of Federal Assembly

vote 50.7%

Legislative branch:

bicameral Parliament or Parlament consists of the Federal Assembly

or Bundestag (613 seats; elected by popular vote under a system

combining direct and proportional representation; a party must win

5% of the national vote or three direct mandates to gain

representation; members serve four-year terms) and the Federal

Council or Bundesrat (69 votes; state governments are directly

represented by votes; each has 3 to 6 votes depending on population

and are required to vote as a block)

elections: Federal Assembly - last held 18 September 2005 (next to

be held September 2009); note - there are no elections for the

Bundesrat; composition is determined by the composition of the

state-level governments; the composition of the Bundesrat has the

potential to change any time one of the 16 states holds an election

election results: Federal Assembly - percent of vote by party -

CDU/CSU 35.2%, SPD 34.3%, FDP 9.8%, Left 8.7%, Greens 8.1%; seats by

party - CDU/CSU 225, SPD 222, FDP 61, Left 54, Greens 51; Federal

Council - current composition - NA

Judicial branch:

Federal Constitutional Court or Bundesverfassungsgericht (half the

judges are elected by the Bundestag and half by the Bundesrat)

Political parties and leaders:

Alliance '90/Greens [Angelika BEER and Reinhard BUETIKOFER];

Christian Democratic Union or CDU [Angela MERKEL]; Christian Social

Union or CSU [Edmund STOIBER, chairman]; Free Democratic Party or

FDP [Guido WESTERWELLE, chairman]; Left Party or PDS/WASG [Oskar

LAFONTAINE and Gregor GYSI]; Party of Democratic Socialism or PDS

[Lothar BISKY]; Social Democratic Party or SPD [Franz MUENTEFERING]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

business associations, employers' organizations; expellee, refugee,

trade unions, and veterans groups

International organization participation:

AfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, BSEC (observer), CBSS, CDB, CE,

CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, G- 5, G- 7, G- 8, G-10,

IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC,

IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MIGA, NAM

(guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris

Club, PCA, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMEE, UNMIK,

UNMOVIC, UNOMIG, UPU, WADB (nonregional), WCO, WEU, WHO, WIPO, WMO,

WToO, WTO, ZC

Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Wolfgang Friedrich ISCHINGER chancery: 4645 Reservoir Road NW, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 298-8140 FAX: [1] (202) 298-4249 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco

Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Daniel R. COATS embassy: Neustaedtische Kirchstrasse 4-5, 10117 Berlin; note - a new embassy will be built near the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin; ground was broken in October 2004 and completion is scheduled for 2008 mailing address: PSC 120, Box 1000, APO AE 09265 telephone: [49] (030) 8305-0 FAX: [49] (030) 8305-1215 consulate(s) general: Duesseldorf, Frankfurt am Main, Hamburg, Leipzig, Munich

Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of black (top), red, and gold

Economy Germany

Economy - overview:

Germany's affluent and technologically powerful economy - the fifth

largest in the world - has become one of the slowest growing

economies in the euro zone. A quick turnaround is not in the offing

in the foreseeable future. Growth in 2001-03 fell short of 1%,

rising to 1.7% in 2004. The modernization and integration of the

eastern German economy continues to be a costly long-term process,

with annual transfers from west to east amounting to roughly $70

billion. Germany's aging population, combined with high

unemployment, has pushed social security outlays to a level

exceeding contributions from workers. Structural rigidities in the

labor market - including strict regulations on laying off workers

and the setting of wages on a national basis - have made

unemployment a chronic problem. Corporate restructuring and growing

capital markets are setting the foundations that could allow Germany

to meet the long-term challenges of European economic integration

and globalization, particularly if labor market rigidities are

further addressed. In the short run, however, the fall in government

revenues and the rise in expenditures have raised the deficit above

the EU's 3% debt limit.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$2.362 trillion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

1.7% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $28,700 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 1% industry: 31% services: 68% (2002 est.)

Labor force:

42.63 million (2004 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 2.8%, industry 33.4%, services 63.8% (1999)

Unemployment rate:

10.6% (2004 est.)

Population below poverty line:

NA

Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.6% highest 10%: 25.1% (1997)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

30 (1994)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

1.6% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

17.6% of GDP (2004)

Budget:

revenues: $1.2 trillion

expenditures: $1.3 trillion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Public debt:

65.8% of GDP (2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

potatoes, wheat, barley, sugar beets, fruit, cabbages; cattle,

pigs, poultry

Industries:

among the world's largest and most technologically advanced

producers of iron, steel, coal, cement, chemicals, machinery,

vehicles, machine tools, electronics, food and beverages;

shipbuilding; textiles

Industrial production growth rate:

2.2% (2004 est.)

Electricity - production:

560 billion kWh (2003)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 61.8% hydro: 4.2% nuclear: 29.9% other: 4.1% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

519.5 billion kWh (2003)

Electricity - exports:

53.8 billion kWh (2003)

Electricity - imports:

45.8 billion kWh (2003)

Oil - production:

74,100 bbl/day (2003)

Oil - consumption:

2.891 million bbl/day (2003)

Oil - exports:

12,990 bbl/day (2003)

Oil - imports:

2.135 million bbl/day (2003)

Oil - proved reserves:

395.8 million bbl (1 January 2004)

Natural gas - production:

21 billion cu m (2003)

Natural gas - consumption:

99.55 billion cu m (2003)

Natural gas - exports:

7.731 billion cu m (2003)

Natural gas - imports:

85.02 billion cu m (2003)

Natural gas - proved reserves:

293 billion cu m (1 January 2004)

Current account balance:

$73.59 billion (2004 est.)

Exports:

$893.3 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

machinery, vehicles, chemicals, metals and manufactures,

foodstuffs, textiles

Exports - partners:

France 10.3%, US 8.8%, UK 8.3%, Italy 7.2%, Netherlands 6.2%,

Belgium 5.6%, Austria 5.4%, Spain 5% (2004)

Imports:

$716.7 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

machinery, vehicles, chemicals, foodstuffs, textiles, metals

Imports - partners:

France 9%, Netherlands 8.3%, US 7%, Italy 6.1%, UK 5.9%, China

5.6%, Belgium 4.9%, Austria 4.2% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$96.84 billion (2003)

Debt - external:

NA

Economic aid - donor:

ODA, $5.6 billion (1998)

Currency (code):

euro (EUR)

note: on 1 January 1999, the European Monetary Union introduced the

euro as a common currency to be used by financial institutions of

member countries; on 1 January 2002, the euro became the sole

currency for everyday transactions within the member countries

Currency code:

EUR

Exchange rates:

euros per US dollar - 0.8054 (2004), 0.886 (2003), 1.0626 (2002),

1.1175 (2001), 1.0854 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Germany

Telephones - main lines in use:

54.35 million (2003)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

64.8 million (2003)

Telephone system:

general assessment: Germany has one of the world's most

technologically advanced telecommunications systems; as a result of

intensive capital expenditures since reunification, the formerly

backward system of the eastern part of the country, dating back to

World War II, has been modernized and integrated with that of the

western part

domestic: Germany is served by an extensive system of automatic

telephone exchanges connected by modern networks of fiber-optic

cable, coaxial cable, microwave radio relay, and a domestic

satellite system; cellular telephone service is widely available,

expanding rapidly, and includes roaming service to many foreign

countries

international: country code - 49; Germany's international service is

excellent worldwide, consisting of extensive land and undersea cable

facilities as well as earth stations in the Inmarsat, Intelsat,

Eutelsat, and Intersputnik satellite systems (2001)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 51, FM 787, shortwave 4 (1998)

Radios:

77.8 million (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

373 (plus 8,042 repeaters) (1995)

Televisions:

51.4 million (1998)

Internet country code:

.de

Internet hosts:

2,686,119 (2004)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

200 (2001)

Internet users:

39 million (2003)

Transportation Germany

Railways:

total: 46,142 km (20,100 km electrified)

standard gauge: 45,928 km 1.435-m gauge (20,084 km electrified)

narrow gauge: 214 km 1.000-m gauge (16 km electrified); 24 km

0.750-m gauge (2004)

Highways:

total: 230,735 km

paved: 230,735 km (including 11,515 km of expressways)

unpaved: 0 km (1999)

Waterways:

7,300 km

note: Rhine River carries most goods; Main-Danube Canal links North

Sea and Black Sea (2004)

Pipelines:

condensate 325 km; gas 25,293 km; oil 3,540 km; refined products

3,827 km (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Bremen, Bremerhaven, Brunsbuttel, Duisburg, Frankfurt, Hamburg,

Karlsruhe, Mainz, Rostock, Wilhemshaven

Merchant marine:

total: 332 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 5,721,495 GRT/6,810,631 DWT

by type: cargo 69, chemical tanker 13, container 208, liquefied gas

3, passenger 7, passenger/cargo 25, petroleum tanker 3, roll on/roll

off 4

foreign-owned: 5 (Finland 2, Netherlands 1, Switzerland 1, UAE 1)

registered in other countries: 2,289 (2005)

Airports:

550 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 331 over 3,047 m: 13 2,438 to 3,047 m: 51 1,524 to 2,437 m: 62 914 to 1,523 m: 71 under 914 m: 134 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 219 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 31 under 914 m: 185 (2004 est.)

Heliports: 34 (2004 est.)

Military Germany

Military branches:

Federal Armed Forces (Bundeswehr): Army (Heer), Navy (Deutsche

Marine, includes naval air arm), Air Force (Luftwaffe), Joint

Support Service, Central Medical Service

Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age (conscripts serve a nine-month tour of compulsory military service) (2004)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 18-49: 18,917,537 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: 15,258,931 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:

males: 497,048 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$35.063 billion (2003)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

1.5% (2003)

Transnational Issues Germany

Disputes - international:

none

Illicit drugs:

source of precursor chemicals for South American cocaine

processors; transshipment point for and consumer of Southwest Asian

heroin, Latin American cocaine, and European-produced synthetic

drugs; major financial center

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Ghana

Introduction Ghana

Background:

Formed from the merger of the British colony of the Gold Coast and

the Togoland trust territory, Ghana in 1957 became the first

sub-Saharan country in colonial Africa to gain its independence. A

long series of coups resulted in the suspension of the constitution

in 1981 and a ban on political parties. A new constitution,

restoring multiparty politics, was approved in 1992. Lt. Jerry

RAWLINGS, head of state since 1981, won presidential elections in

1992 and 1996, but was constitutionally prevented from running for a

third term in 2000. John KUFUOR, who defeated former Vice President

Atta MILLS in a free and fair election, succeeded him.

Geography Ghana

Location:

Western Africa, bordering the Gulf of Guinea, between Cote d'Ivoire

and Togo

Geographic coordinates:

8 00 N, 2 00 W

Map references:

Africa

Area:

total: 239,460 sq km

land: 230,940 sq km

water: 8,520 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly smaller than Oregon

Land boundaries:

total: 2,094 km

border countries: Burkina Faso 549 km, Cote d'Ivoire 668 km, Togo

877 km

Coastline:

539 km

Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm

Climate:

tropical; warm and comparatively dry along southeast coast; hot and

humid in southwest; hot and dry in north

Terrain:

mostly low plains with dissected plateau in south-central area

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

highest point: Mount Afadjato 880 m

Natural resources:

gold, timber, industrial diamonds, bauxite, manganese, fish,

rubber, hydropower, petroleum, silver, salt, limestone

Land use: arable land: 16.26% permanent crops: 9.67% other: 74.07% (2001)

Irrigated land:

110 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

dry, dusty, northeastern harmattan winds occur from January to

March; droughts

Environment - current issues: recurrent drought in north severely affects agricultural activities; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; poaching and habitat destruction threatens wildlife populations; water pollution; inadequate supplies of potable water

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto

Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental

Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer

Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94,

Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation

Geography - note:

Lake Volta is the world's largest artificial lake

People Ghana

Population:

21,029,853

note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the

effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower

life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower

population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of

population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July

2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 37.1% (male 3,946,326/female 3,862,390)

15-64 years: 59.1% (male 6,203,035/female 6,235,107)

65 years and over: 3.7% (male 366,472/female 416,523) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 20.45 years

male: 20.2 years

female: 20.7 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

1.25% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

23.97 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

10.84 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

-0.59 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.88 male(s)/female

total population: 1 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 51.43 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 54.25 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 48.53 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 58.47 years

male: 57.7 years

female: 59.26 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

3.02 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

3.1% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

350,000 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

30,000 (2003 est.)

Major infectious diseases:

degree of risk: very high

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea,

hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases: malaria and yellow fever are high risks in

some locations

water contact disease: schistosomiasis

respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis (2004)

Nationality:

noun: Ghanaian(s)

adjective: Ghanaian

Ethnic groups:

black African 98.5% (major tribes - Akan 44%, Moshi-Dagomba 16%,

Ewe 13%, Ga 8%, Gurma 3%, Yoruba 1%), European and other 1.5% (1998)

Religions:

Christian 63%, Muslim 16%, indigenous beliefs 21%

Languages:

English (official), African languages (including Akan,

Moshi-Dagomba, Ewe, and Ga)

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 74.8%

male: 82.7%

female: 67.1% (2003 est.)

Government Ghana

Country name:

conventional long form: Republic of Ghana

conventional short form: Ghana

former: Gold Coast

Government type:

constitutional democracy

Capital:

Accra

Administrative divisions:

10 regions; Ashanti, Brong-Ahafo, Central, Eastern, Greater Accra,

Northern, Upper East, Upper West, Volta, Western

Independence:

6 March 1957 (from UK)

National holiday:

Independence Day, 6 March (1957)

Constitution:

approved 28 April 1992

Legal system:

based on English common law and customary law; has not accepted

compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President John Agyekum KUFUOR (since 7 January

2001); Vice President Alhaji Aliu MAHAMA (since 7 January 2001);

note - the president is both the chief of state and head of

government

head of government: President John Agyekum KUFUOR (since 7 January

2001); Vice President Alhaji Aliu MAHAMA (since 7 January 2001);

note - the president is both the chief of state and head of

government

cabinet: Council of Ministers; president nominates members subject

to approval by Parliament

elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket

by popular vote for four-year terms; election last held 7 December

2004 (next to be held December 2008)

election results: John Agyekum KUFUOR reelected president in

election; percent of vote - John KUFUOR 53.4%, John Atta MILLS 43.7%

Legislative branch:

unicameral Parliament (230 seats; note - increased from 200 seats

in last election; members are elected by direct, popular vote to

serve four-year terms)

elections: last held 7 December 2004 (next to be held December 2008)

election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -

NPP 128, NDC 92, other 10

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court

Political parties and leaders:

Convention People's Party or CPP [Nii Noi DOWUONA, general

secretary]; Every Ghanaian Living Everywhere or EGLE [Owuraku AMOFA,

chairman]; Great Consolidated Popular Party or GCPP [Dan LARTY];

National Convention Party or NCP [Sarpong KUMA-KUMA]; National

Democratic Congress or NDC [Dr. Huudu YAHAYA, general secretary];

New Patriotic Party or NPP [Samuel Arthur ODOI-SYKES]; People's

Convention Party or PCP [P. K. DONKOH-AYIFI, acting chairman];

People's Heritage Party or PHP [Emmanuel Alexander ERSKINE];

People's National Convention or PNC [Edward MAHAMA]; Reform Party

[Kyeretwie OPUKU, general secretary]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

NA

International organization participation:

ACP, AfDB, AU, C, ECOWAS, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC,

ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol,

IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, MIGA, MINURSO, MONUC, NAM, OAS

(observer), ONUB, OPCW, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL,

UNITAR, UNMEE, UNMIK, UNMIL, UNOCI, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO,

WMO, WToO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Alan J. KYEREMATEN

chancery: 3512 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 686-4520

FAX: [1] (202) 686-4527

consulate(s) general: New York

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Mary Carlin YATES

embassy: 6th and 10th Lanes, 798/1 Osu, Accra

mailing address: P. O. Box 194, Accra

telephone: [233] (21) 775-347, 775-348

FAX: [233] (21) 701-813

Flag description:

three equal horizontal bands of red (top), yellow, and green with a

large black five-pointed star centered in the yellow band; uses the

popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia; similar to the flag of

Bolivia, which has a coat of arms centered in the yellow band

Economy Ghana

Economy - overview:

Well endowed with natural resources, Ghana has roughly twice the

per capita output of the poorer countries in West Africa. Even so,

Ghana remains heavily dependent on international financial and

technical assistance. Gold, timber, and cocoa production are major

sources of foreign exchange. The domestic economy continues to

revolve around subsistence agriculture, which accounts for 34% of

GDP and employs 60% of the work force, mainly small landholders.

Ghana opted for debt relief under the Heavily Indebted Poor Country

(HIPC) program in 2002. Priorities include tighter monetary and

fiscal policies, accelerated privatization, and improvement of

social services. Receipts from the gold sector helped sustain GDP

growth in 2004. Inflation should ease, but remain a major internal

problem.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$48.27 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

5.4% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $2,300 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 34.3% industry: 24.2% services: 41.4% (2004 est.)

Labor force:

10.24 million (2004 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 60%, industry 15%, services 25% (1999 est.)

Unemployment rate:

20% (1997 est.)

Population below poverty line:

31.4% (1992 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.2% highest 10%: 30.1% (1999)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

40.7 (1999)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

13% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

19.7% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $2.17 billion

expenditures: $2.56 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

cocoa, rice, coffee, cassava (tapioca), peanuts, corn, shea nuts,

bananas; timber

Industries:

mining, lumbering, light manufacturing, aluminum smelting, food

processing, cement, small commercial ship building

Industrial production growth rate:

3.8% (2000 est.)

Electricity - production:

6.922 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 5% hydro: 95% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

6.137 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

500 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

200 million kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

7,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

38,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Oil - proved reserves:

8.255 million bbl (1 January 2002)

Natural gas - proved reserves:

11.89 billion cu m (1 January 2002)

Current account balance:

$83.87 million (2004 est.)

Exports:

$3.01 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

gold, cocoa, timber, tuna, bauxite, aluminum, manganese ore,

diamonds

Exports - partners:

Mexico 69.8%, Netherlands 3.7%, UK 3% (2004)

Imports:

$3.699 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

capital equipment, petroleum, foodstuffs

Imports - partners:

Nigeria 12.6%, China 11.4%, UK 6.6%, US 6.4%, France 4.9%,

Netherlands 4.2% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$1.267 billion (2004 est.)

Debt - external:

$7.396 billion (2004 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:

$6.9 billion (1999)

Currency (code):

cedi (GHC)

Currency code:

GHC

Exchange rates:

cedis per US dollar - 9,004.6 (2004), 8,677.4 (2003), 7,932.7

(2002), 7,170.8 (2001), 5,455.1 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Ghana

Telephones - main lines in use:

302,300 (2003)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

799,900 (2003)

Telephone system:

general assessment: poor to fair system; Internet accessible; many

rural communities not yet connected; expansion of services is

underway

domestic: primarily microwave radio relay; wireless local loop has

been installed

international: country code - 233; satellite earth stations - 4

Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); microwave radio relay link to Panaftel

system connects Ghana to its neighbors; fiber optic submarine cable

(SAT-3/WASC) provides connectivity to Europe and Asia

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 0, FM 49, shortwave 3 (2001)

Radios:

12.5 million (2001)

Television broadcast stations:

10 (2001)

Televisions:

1.9 million (2001)

Internet country code:

.gh

Internet hosts:

407 (2004)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

12 (2000)

Internet users:

170,000 (2002)

Transportation Ghana

Railways: total: 953 km narrow gauge: 953 km 1.067-m gauge (2004)

Highways: total: 46,176 km paved: 8,496 km unpaved: 37,679 km (1999 est.)

Waterways:

1,293 km

note: 168 km for launches and lighters on Volta, Ankobra, and Tano

rivers; 1,125 km of arterial and feeder waterways on Lake Volta

(2003)

Pipelines:

refined products 74 km (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Takoradi, Tema

Merchant marine:

total: 4 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 19,086 GRT/26,185 DWT

by type: petroleum tanker 1, refrigerated cargo 3

foreign-owned: 1 (Brazil 1) (2005)

Airports:

12 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 7

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 4

914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 5

914 to 1,523 m: 3

under 914 m: 2 (2004 est.)

Military Ghana

Military branches:

Army, Navy, Air Force

Military service age and obligation:

18 years of age for compulsory and volunteer military service (2001)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 18-49: 4,761,226 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: 2,721,239 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:

males: 250,782 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$49.2 million (2004)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

0.6% (2004)

Transnational Issues Ghana

Disputes - international: Ghana struggles to accommodate returning nationals who worked in the cocoa plantations and escaped rebel fighting in Cote d'Ivoire

Refugees and internally displaced persons:

refugees (country of origin): 42,466 (Liberia) (2004)

Illicit drugs:

illicit producer of cannabis for the international drug trade;

major transit hub for Southwest and Southeast Asian heroin and, to a

lesser extent, South American cocaine destined for Europe and the

US; widespread crime and money laundering problem, but the lack of a

well-developed financial infrastructure limits the country's utility

as a money-laundering center

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Gibraltar

Introduction Gibraltar

Background:

Strategically important, Gibraltar was ceded to Great Britain by

Spain in the 1713 Treaty of Utrecht; the British garrison was

formally declared a colony in 1830. In referendums held in 1967 and

2002, Gibraltarians ignored Spanish pressure and voted

overwhelmingly to remain a British dependency.

Geography Gibraltar

Location:

Southwestern Europe, bordering the Strait of Gibraltar, which links

the Mediterranean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, on the southern

coast of Spain

Geographic coordinates:

36 8 N, 5 21 W

Map references:

Europe

Area:

total: 6.5 sq km

land: 6.5 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative:

about 11 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC

Land boundaries: total: 1.2 km border countries: Spain 1.2 km

Coastline:

12 km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 3 nm

Climate:

Mediterranean with mild winters and warm summers

Terrain:

a narrow coastal lowland borders the Rock of Gibraltar

Elevation extremes: lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m highest point: Rock of Gibraltar 426 m

Natural resources: none

Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (2001)

Irrigated land:

NA sq km

Natural hazards:

NA

Environment - current issues:

limited natural freshwater resources: large concrete or natural

rock water catchments collect rainwater (no longer used for drinking

water) and adequate desalination plant

Geography - note:

strategic location on Strait of Gibraltar that links the North

Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea

People Gibraltar

Population:

27,884 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 17.8% (male 2,529/female 2,426)

15-64 years: 66% (male 9,442/female 8,970)

65 years and over: 16.2% (male 2,008/female 2,509) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 39.4 years

male: 39.12 years

female: 39.63 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

0.17% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

10.87 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

9.18 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/female

total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 5.13 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 5.71 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 4.52 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 79.67 years

male: 76.8 years

female: 82.7 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

1.65 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

NA%

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

NA

Nationality:

noun: Gibraltarian(s)

adjective: Gibraltar

Ethnic groups:

Spanish, Italian, English, Maltese, Portuguese, German, North

Africans

Religions:

Roman Catholic 78.1%, Church of England 7%, other Christian 3.2%,

Muslim 4%, Jewish 2.1%, Hindu 1.8%, other or unspecified 0.9%, none

2.9% (2001 census)

Languages:

English (used in schools and for official purposes), Spanish,

Italian, Portuguese

Literacy: definition: NA total population: above 80% male: NA% female: NA%

Government Gibraltar

Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Gibraltar

Dependency status:

overseas territory of the UK

Government type:

NA

Capital:

Gibraltar

Administrative divisions:

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Independence:

none (overseas territory of the UK)

National holiday:

National Day, 10 September (1967); note - day of the national

referendum to decide whether to remain with the UK or go with Spain

Constitution:

30 May 1969

Legal system:

English law

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal, plus other UK subjects who have been

residents six months or more

Executive branch:

chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952),

represented by Governor and Commander-in-Chief Sir Francis RICHARDS

(since 27 May 2003)

head of government: Chief Minister Peter CARUANA (since 17 May 1996)

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed from among the 15 elected

members of the House of Assembly by the governor in consultation

with the chief minister

elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed by

the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the

majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually

appointed chief minister by the governor

Legislative branch:

unicameral House of Assembly (18 seats - 15 elected by popular

vote, one appointed for the Speaker, and two ex officio members;

members serve four-year terms)

elections: last held 27 November 2003 (next to be held not later

than February 2008)

election results: percent of vote by party - GSD 58%, GSLP 41%;

seats by party - GSD 8, GSLP 7

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court; Court of Appeal

Political parties and leaders:

Gibraltar Liberal Party [Joseph GARCIA]; Gibraltar Social Democrats

or GSD [Peter CARUANA]; Gibraltar Socialist Labor Party or GSLP

[Joseph John BOSSANO]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

Chamber of Commerce; Gibraltar Representatives Organization;

Women's Association

International organization participation:

Interpol (subbureau), UPU

Diplomatic representation in the US:

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Diplomatic representation from the US:

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Flag description:

two horizontal bands of white (top, double width) and red with a

three-towered red castle in the center of the white band; hanging

from the castle gate is a gold key centered in the red band

Economy Gibraltar

Economy - overview:

Self-sufficient Gibraltar benefits from an extensive shipping

trade, offshore banking, and its position as an international

conference center. The British military presence has been sharply

reduced and now contributes about 7% to the local economy, compared

with 60% in 1984. The financial sector, tourism (almost 5 million

visitors in 1998), shipping services fees, and duties on consumer

goods also generate revenue. The financial sector, the shipping

sector, and tourism each contribute 25%-30% of GDP.

Telecommunications accounts for another 10%. In recent years,

Gibraltar has seen major structural change from a public to a

private sector economy, but changes in government spending still

have a major impact on the level of employment.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$769 million (2000 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

NA%

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $27,900 (2000 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% (2002 est.)

Labor force:

14,800 (including non-Gibraltar laborers) (1999)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture negligible, industry 40%, services 60%

Unemployment rate:

2% (2001 est.)

Population below poverty line:

NA%

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA%

highest 10%: NA%

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

1.5% (1998)

Budget:

revenues: $307 million

expenditures: $284 million, including capital expenditures of NA

(FY00/01 est.)

Agriculture - products:

none

Industries:

tourism, banking and finance, ship repairing, tobacco

Industrial production growth rate:

NA%

Electricity - production:

104 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

96.76 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

42,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Exports:

$136 million f.o.b. (2002)

Exports - commodities:

(principally reexports) petroleum 51%, manufactured goods 41%,

other 8%

Exports - partners:

France 19.4%, Spain 14.1%, Turkmenistan 12.1%, Switzerland 11.7%,

Germany 10.1%, UK 9.1%, Greece 6.8% (2004)

Imports:

$1.743 billion c.i.f. (2002)

Imports - commodities:

fuels, manufactured goods, and foodstuffs

Imports - partners:

Spain 19.9%, Russia 18.4%, UK 10.8%, Italy 8.8%, Germany 7.5%, US

5.1%, Sweden 4.7%, France 4.2% (2004)

Debt - external:

$NA (2000 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:

$NA

Currency (code):

Gibraltar pound (GIP)

Currency code:

GIP

Exchange rates:

Gibraltar pounds per US dollar - 0.5462 (2004), 0.6125 (2003),

0.6672 (2002), 0.6947 (2001), 0.6609 (2000)

note: the Gibraltar pound is at par with the British pound

Fiscal year:

1 July - 30 June

Communications Gibraltar

Telephones - main lines in use:

24,512 (2002)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

9,797 (2002)

Telephone system:

general assessment: adequate, automatic domestic system and

adequate international facilities

domestic: automatic exchange facilities

international: country code - 350; radiotelephone; microwave radio

relay; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 1, FM 5, shortwave 0 (1998)

Radios:

37,000 (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

1 (plus three low-power repeaters) (1997)

Televisions:

10,000 (1997)

Internet country code:

.gi

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

2 (2000)

Internet users:

6,200 (2002)

Transportation Gibraltar

Highways: total: 29 km paved: 29 km unpaved: 0 km (2002)

Ports and harbors:

Gibraltar

Merchant marine:

total: 161 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 980,636 GRT/1,254,661 DWT

by type: barge carrier 3, bulk carrier 2, cargo 96, chemical tanker

21, container 22, passenger 3, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker

11, roll on/roll off 2

foreign-owned: 142 (Belgium 1, Cyprus 1, Finland 1, France 1,

Germany 105, Greece 12, Iceland 1, Ireland 1, Italy 1, Latvia 1,

Norway 8, Sweden 2, Switzerland 1, Taiwan 1, United Kingdom 3,

United States 2) (2005)

Airports:

1 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Military Gibraltar

Military branches:

Royal Gibraltar Regiment

Military - note:

defense is the responsibility of the UK; the last British regular

infantry forces left Gibraltar in 1992, replaced by the Royal

Gibraltar Regiment

Transnational Issues Gibraltar

Disputes - international:

in 2003, Gibraltar residents voted overwhelmingly by referendum to

remain a British colony and against a "total shared sovereignty"

arrangement while demanding participation in talks between the UK

and Spain; Spain disapproves of UK plans to grant Gibraltar even

greater autonomy

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Glorioso Islands

Introduction Glorioso Islands

Background:

A French possession since 1892, the Glorioso Islands are composed

of two lushly vegetated coral islands (Ile Glorieuse and Ile du Lys)

and three rock islets. A military garrison operates a weather and

radio station on Ile Glorieuse.

Geography Glorioso Islands

Location:

Southern Africa, group of islands in the Indian Ocean, northwest of

Madagascar

Geographic coordinates:

11 30 S, 47 20 E

Map references:

Africa

Area:

total: 5 sq km

land: 5 sq km

water: 0 sq km

note: includes Ile Glorieuse, Ile du Lys, Verte Rocks, Wreck Rock,

and South Rock

Area - comparative:

about eight times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC

Land boundaries:

0 km

Coastline:

35.2 km

Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Climate:

tropical

Terrain:

low and flat

Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 12 m

Natural resources: guano, coconuts

Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (all lush vegetation and coconut palms) (2001)

Irrigated land:

0 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

periodic cyclones

Environment - current issues:

NA

Geography - note:

the islands and rocks are surrounded by an extensive reef system

People Glorioso Islands

Population:

no indigenous inhabitants

note: there is a small French military garrison along with a few

meteorologists; visited by scientists (July 2005 est.)

Government Glorioso Islands

Country name:

conventional long form: none

conventional short form: Glorioso Islands

local long form: none

local short form: Iles Glorieuses

Dependency status:

possession of France; administered by the Administrateur Superieur

of the French Southern and Antarctic Lands

Legal system:

the laws of France, where applicable, apply

Diplomatic representation in the US:

none (possession of France)

Diplomatic representation from the US:

none (possession of France)

Flag description:

the flag of France is used

Economy Glorioso Islands

Economy - overview: no economic activity

Communications Glorioso Islands

Communications - note: 1 meteorological station

Transportation Glorioso Islands

Ports and harbors:

none; offshore anchorage only

Airports:

1 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Military Glorioso Islands

Military - note: defense is the responsibility of France

Transnational Issues Glorioso Islands

Disputes - international: claimed by Madagascar

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Greece

Introduction Greece

Background:

Greece achieved its independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1829.

During the second half of the 19th century and the first half of the

20th century, it gradually added neighboring islands and

territories, most with Greek-speaking populations. In World War II,

Greece was first invaded by Italy (1940) and subsequently occupied

by Germany (1941-44); fighting endured in a protracted civil war

between royalist supporters of the king and communist rebels.

Following the latter's defeat in 1949, Greece was able to join NATO

in 1952. A military dictatorship, which in 1967 suspended many

political liberties and forced the king to flee the country, lasted

seven years. The 1974 democratic elections and a referendum created

a parliamentary republic and abolished the monarchy. Greece joined

the European Community or EC in 1981 (which became the EU in 1992);

it became the 12th member of the euro zone in 2001.

Geography Greece

Location:

Southern Europe, bordering the Aegean Sea, Ionian Sea, and the

Mediterranean Sea, between Albania and Turkey

Geographic coordinates:

39 00 N, 22 00 E

Map references:

Europe

Area:

total: 131,940 sq km

land: 130,800 sq km

water: 1,140 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly smaller than Alabama

Land boundaries:

total: 1,228 km

border countries: Albania 282 km, Bulgaria 494 km, Turkey 206 km,

Macedonia 246 km

Coastline:

13,676 km

Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

Climate:

temperate; mild, wet winters; hot, dry summers

Terrain:

mostly mountains with ranges extending into the sea as peninsulas

or chains of islands

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m

highest point: Mount Olympus 2,917 m

Natural resources:

lignite, petroleum, iron ore, bauxite, lead, zinc, nickel,

magnesite, marble, salt, hydropower potential

Land use: arable land: 21.1% permanent crops: 8.78% other: 70.12% (2001)

Irrigated land:

14,220 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

severe earthquakes

Environment - current issues:

air pollution; water pollution

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air

Pollution-Sulfur 94, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol,

Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity,

Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification,

Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes,

Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship

Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic

Pollutants, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds

Geography - note:

strategic location dominating the Aegean Sea and southern approach

to Turkish Straits; a peninsular country, possessing an archipelago

of about 2,000 islands

People Greece

Population:

10,668,354 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 14.4% (male 791,227/female 744,178)

15-64 years: 66.8% (male 3,561,689/female 3,564,675)

65 years and over: 18.8% (male 884,497/female 1,122,088) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 40.5 years

male: 39.39 years

female: 41.65 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

0.19% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

9.72 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

10.15 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

2.34 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.79 male(s)/female

total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 5.53 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 6.08 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 4.94 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 79.09 years

male: 76.59 years

female: 81.76 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

1.33 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

0.2% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

9,100 (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

less than 100 (2003 est.)

Nationality:

noun: Greek(s)

adjective: Greek

Ethnic groups:

Greek 98%, other 2%

note: the Greek Government states there are no ethnic divisions in

Greece

Religions:

Greek Orthodox 98%, Muslim 1.3%, other 0.7%

Languages:

Greek 99% (official), English, French

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 97.5%

male: 98.6%

female: 96.5% (2003 est.)

People - note:

women, men, and children are trafficked to and within Greece for

the purposes of sexual exploitation and forced labor

Government Greece

Country name:

conventional long form: Hellenic Republic

conventional short form: Greece

local long form: Elliniki Dhimokratia

local short form: Ellas or Ellada

former: Kingdom of Greece

Government type:

parliamentary republic; monarchy rejected by referendum 8 December

1974

Capital:

Athens

Administrative divisions:

51 prefectures (nomoi, singular - nomos) and 1 autonomous region*;

Agion Oros* (Mt. Athos), Achaia, Aitolia kai Akarmania, Argolis,

Arkadia, Arta, Attiki, Chalkidiki, Chanion, Chios, Dodekanisos,

Drama, Evros, Evrytania, Evvoia, Florina, Fokidos, Fthiotis,

Grevena, Ileia, Imathia, Ioannina, Irakleion, Karditsa, Kastoria,

Kavala, Kefallinia, Kerkyra, Kilkis, Korinthia, Kozani, Kyklades,

Lakonia, Larisa, Lasithi, Lefkas, Lesvos, Magnisia, Messinia, Pella,

Pieria, Preveza, Rethynnis, Rodopi, Samos, Serrai, Thesprotia,

Thessaloniki, Trikala, Voiotia, Xanthi, Zakynthos

Independence:

1829 (from the Ottoman Empire)

National holiday:

Independence Day, 25 March (1821)

Constitution:

11 June 1975; amended March 1986 and April 2001

Legal system:

based on codified Roman law; judiciary divided into civil,

criminal, and administrative courts

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal and compulsory

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Karolos PAPOULIAS (since 12 March 2005)

head of government: Prime Minister Konstandinos KARAMANLIS (since 7

March 2004)

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president on the recommendation of

the prime minister

elections: president elected by parliament for a five-year term;

election last held 8 February 2005 (next to be held by February

2010); according to the Greek Constitution, presidents may only

serve two terms; president appoints leader of the party securing

plurality of vote in election to become prime minister and form a

government

election results: Karolos PAPOULIAS elected president; number of

parlimentary votes, 279 out of 300

Legislative branch:

unicameral Parliament or Vouli ton Ellinon (300 seats; members are

elected by direct popular vote to serve four-year terms)

elections: elections last held 7 March 2004 (next to be held by

March 2008)

election results: percent of vote by party - ND 45.4%, PASOK 40.6%,

KKE 5.9%, Synaspismos 3.3%; seats by party - ND 165, PASOK 117, KKE

12, Synaspismos 6

Judicial branch:

Supreme Judicial Court; Special Supreme Tribunal; all judges

appointed for life by the president after consultation with a

judicial council

Political parties and leaders:

Coalition of the Left and Progress (Synaspismos) [Alekos ALAVANOS];

Communist Party of Greece or KKE [Aleka PAPARIGA]; New Democracy or

ND (conservative) [Konstandinos KARAMANLIS]; Panhellenic Socialist

Movement or PASOK [Yiorgos PAPANDREOU]; Popular Orthodox Rally

[Yeoryios KARATZAFERIS]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

General Confederation of Greek Workers or GSEE [Khristos

POLYZOGOPOLOS]; Federation of Greek Industries or SEV [Odysseas

KYRIAKOPOULOS]; Civil Servants Confederation or ADEDY [Spyros

PAPASPYROS]

International organization participation:

Australia Group, BIS, BSEC, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EMU, EU,

FAO, G- 6, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD,

IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MIGA,

MINURSO, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW,

OSCE, PCA, UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNCTAD, UNESCO,

UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMEE, UNMIK, UNOMIG, UPU, WCO, WEU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO,

WMO, WToO, WTO, ZC

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Yeoryios SAVVAIDIS

chancery: 2221 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 939-1300

FAX: [1] (202) 939-1324

consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, San

Francisco, and Tampa

consulate(s): Atlanta, Houston, and New Orleans

Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Charles RIES embassy: 91 Vasilissis Sophias Avenue, 10160 Athens mailing address: PSC 108, APO AE 09842-0108 telephone: [30] (210) 721-2951 FAX: [30] (210) 645-6282 consulate(s) general: Thessaloniki

Flag description:

nine equal horizontal stripes of blue alternating with white; there

is a blue square in the upper hoist-side corner bearing a white

cross; the cross symbolizes Greek Orthodoxy, the established

religion of the country

Economy Greece

Economy - overview:

Greece has a capitalist economy with the public sector accounting

for about 40% of GDP and with per capita GDP 70% of the leading

euro-zone economies. Tourism provides 15% of GDP. Immigrants make up

nearly one-fifth of the work force, mainly in menial jobs. Greece is

a major beneficiary of EU aid, equal to about 3.3% of annual GDP.

The Greek economy grew by about 4.0% for the past two years, largely

because of an investment boom and infrastructure upgrades for the

2004 Athens Olympic Games. Despite strong growth, Greece has failed

to meet the EU's Growth and Stability Pact budget deficit criteria

of 3% of GDP since 2000; public debt, inflation, and unemployment

are also above the eurozone average. Further restructuring of the

economy will need to include privatizing of several state

enterprises, undertaking pension and other reforms, and minimizing

bureaucratic inefficiencies.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$226.4 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

3.7% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $21,300 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 7% industry: 22% services: 71% (2004 est.)

Labor force:

4.4 million (2004 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 12%, industry 20%, services 68% (2004 est.)

Unemployment rate:

10% (2004 est.)

Population below poverty line:

NA

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: 3%

highest 10%: 28.3% (1998 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

35.4 (1998)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

2.9% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

27% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $54.39 billion

expenditures: $64.4 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Public debt:

112% of GDP (2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

wheat, corn, barley, sugar beets, olives, tomatoes, wine, tobacco,

potatoes; beef, dairy products

Industries:

tourism; food and tobacco processing, textiles; chemicals, metal

products; mining, petroleum

Industrial production growth rate:

4.1% (2004 est.)

Electricity - production:

47.22 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 94.5% hydro: 3.8% nuclear: 0% other: 1.7% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

47.42 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

1.1 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

4.6 billion kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

5,992 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

405,700 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

84,720 bbl/day (2001)

Oil - imports:

468,300 bbl/day (2001)

Oil - proved reserves:

4.5 million bbl (1 January 2002)

Natural gas - production:

35 million cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - consumption:

2.021 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - exports:

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - imports:

2.018 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves:

254.9 million cu m (1 January 2002)

Current account balance:

$-8 billion (2004 est.)

Exports:

$15.5 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

food and beverages, manufactured goods, petroleum products,

chemicals, textiles

Exports - partners:

Germany 13.2%, Italy 10.3%, UK 7.5%, Bulgaria 6.3%, US 5.3%, Cyprus

4.6%, Turkey 4.5%, France 4.2% (2004)

Imports:

$54.28 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

machinery, transport equipment, fuels, chemicals

Imports - partners:

Germany 13.3%, Italy 12.8%, France 6.4%, Netherlands 5.5%, Russia

5.5%, US 4.4%, UK 4.2%, South Korea 4.1% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$7.3 billion (2004 est.)

Debt - external:

$67.23 billion (2004 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:

$8 billion from EU (2000-06)

Currency (code):

euro (EUR)

note: on 1 January 1999, the European Monetary Union introduced the

euro as a common currency to be used by financial institutions of

member countries; on 1 January 2002, the euro became the sole

currency for everyday transactions within the member countries

Currency code:

EUR

Exchange rates:

euros per US dollar - 0.8054 (2004), 0.886 (2003), 1.0626 (2002),

1.1175 (2001), 1.0854 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Greece

Telephones - main lines in use:

5,205,100 (2003)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

8,936,200 (2003)

Telephone system:

general assessment: adequate, modern networks reach all areas; good

mobile telephone and international service

domestic: microwave radio relay trunk system; extensive open-wire

connections; submarine cable to offshore islands

international: country code - 30; tropospheric scatter; 8 submarine

cables; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and

1 Indian Ocean), 1 Eutelsat, and 1 Inmarsat (Indian Ocean region)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 26, FM 88, shortwave 4 (1998)

Radios:

5.02 million (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

36 (plus 1,341 low-power repeaters); also two stations in the US

Armed Forces Radio and Television Service (1995)

Televisions:

2.54 million (1997)

Internet country code:

.gr

Internet hosts:

208,977 (2004)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

27 (2000)

Internet users:

1,718,400 (2003)

Transportation Greece

Railways:

total: 2,571 km (764 km electrified)

standard gauge: 1,565 km 1.435-m gauge

narrow gauge: 961 km 1.000-m gauge; 22 km 0.750-m gauge

dual gauge: 23 km combined 1.435-m and 1.000-m gauges (three rail

system) (2004)

Highways:

total: 117,000 km

paved: 107,406 km (including 470 km of expressways)

unpaved: 9,594 km (1999 est.)

Waterways:

6 km

note: Corinth Canal (6 km) crosses the Isthmus of Corinth; shortens

sea voyage by 325 km (2004)

Pipelines:

gas 1,166 km; oil 94 km (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Agioitheodoroi, Aspropyrgos, Irakleion, Pachi, Peiraiefs,

Thessaloniki

Merchant marine:

total: 861 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 30,186,624 GRT/52,943,968 DWT

by type: bulk carrier 296, cargo 65, chemical tanker 47, combination

ore/oil 2, container 46, liquefied gas 2, passenger 13,

passenger/cargo 121, petroleum tanker 252, roll on/roll off 17

foreign-owned: 25 (Chile 1, China 1, Cyprus 5, Norway 6, Sweden 1,

United Kingdom 11)

registered in other countries: 2,208 (2005)

Airports:

80 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 66 over 3,047 m: 5 2,438 to 3,047 m: 16 1,524 to 2,437 m: 20 914 to 1,523 m: 16 under 914 m: 9 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 14 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 11 (2004 est.)

Heliports: 7 (2004 est.)

Military Greece

Military branches:

Hellenic Army, Hellenic Navy, Hellenic Air Force (Polemiki

Aeroporia, EPA)

Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for compulsory military service; during wartime the law allows for recruitment after reaching January of the year of inductee's 18th birthday, thus including 17 year olds; 17 years of age for volunteers; conscript service obligation - 12 months for the Army and Air Force, 15 months for Navy (2005)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 18-49: 2,459,988 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: 2,018,557 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:

males: 58,399 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$5.89 billion (2004)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

4.3% (2003)

Transnational Issues Greece

Disputes - international:

Greece and Turkey continue discussions to resolve their complex

maritime, air, territorial, and boundary disputes in the Aegean Sea;

Cyprus question with Turkey; Greece rejects the use of the name

Macedonia or Republic of Macedonia

Illicit drugs:

a gateway to Europe for traffickers smuggling cannabis and heroin

from the Middle East and Southwest Asia to the West and precursor

chemicals to the East; some South American cocaine transits or is

consumed in Greece; money laundering related to drug trafficking and

organized crime

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Greenland

Introduction Greenland

Background:

The world's largest island, Greenland is about 81% ice-capped.

Vikings reached the island in the 10th century from Iceland; Danish

colonization began in the 18th century and Greenland was made an

integral part of Denmark in 1953. It joined the European Community

(now the European Union) with Denmark in 1973 but withdrew in 1985

over a dispute over stringent fishing quotas. Greenland was granted

self-government in 1979 by the Danish parliament. The law went into

effect the following year. Denmark continues to exercise control of

Greenland's foreign affairs.

Geography Greenland

Location:

Northern North America, island between the Arctic Ocean and the

North Atlantic Ocean, northeast of Canada

Geographic coordinates:

72 00 N, 40 00 W

Map references:

Arctic Region

Area:

total: 2,166,086 sq km

land: 2,166,086 sq km (410,449 sq km ice-free, 1,755,637 sq km

ice-covered) (2000 est.)

Area - comparative:

slightly more than three times the size of Texas

Land boundaries:

0 km

Coastline:

44,087 km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 3 nm

continental shelf: 200 nm or agreed boundaries or median line

exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm or agreed boundaries or median line

Climate:

arctic to subarctic; cool summers, cold winters

Terrain:

flat to gradually sloping icecap covers all but a narrow,

mountainous, barren, rocky coast

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

highest point: Gunnbjorn 3,700 m

Natural resources:

coal, iron ore, lead, zinc, molybdenum, gold, platinum, uranium,

fish, seals, whales, hydropower, possible oil and gas

Land use:

arable land: 0%

permanent crops: 0%

other: 100% (2001)

Irrigated land:

NA sq km

Natural hazards:

continuous permafrost over northern two-thirds of the island

Environment - current issues:

protection of the arctic environment; preservation of the Inuit

traditional way of life, including whaling and seal hunting

Geography - note:

dominates North Atlantic Ocean between North America and Europe;

sparse population confined to small settlements along coast, but

close to one-quarter of the population lives in the capital, Nuuk;

world's second largest ice cap

People Greenland

Population:

56,375 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 25% (male 7,216/female 6,888)

15-64 years: 68.7% (male 20,897/female 17,823)

65 years and over: 6.3% (male 1,672/female 1,879) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 33.83 years

male: 35.15 years

female: 32.14 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

-0.02% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

15.93 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

7.77 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

-8.37 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.17 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.89 male(s)/female

total population: 1.12 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 15.82 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 17.15 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 14.45 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 69.65 years

male: 66.07 years

female: 73.31 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

2.41 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

NA%

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

100 (1999)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

NA

Nationality:

noun: Greenlander(s)

adjective: Greenlandic

Ethnic groups:

Greenlander 88% (Inuit and Greenland-born whites), Danish and

others 12% (January 2000)

Religions:

Evangelical Lutheran

Languages:

Greenlandic (East Inuit), Danish, English

Literacy: definition: NA total population: NA% male: NA% female: NA% note: similar to Denmark proper

Government Greenland

Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Greenland local long form: none local short form: Kalaallit Nunaat

Dependency status:

part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas

administrative division of Denmark since 1979

Government type:

parliamentary democracy within a constitutional monarchy

Capital:

Nuuk (Godthab)

Administrative divisions:

3 districts (landsdele); Avannaa (Nordgronland), Tunu

(Ostgronland), Kitaa (Vestgronland)

note: there are 18 municipalities in Greenland

Independence:

none (part of the Kingdom of Denmark; foreign affairs is the

responsibility of Denmark, but Greenland actively participates in

international agreements relating to Greenland)

National holiday:

June 21 (longest day)

Constitution:

5 June 1953 (Danish constitution)

Legal system:

Danish

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: Queen MARGRETHE II of Denmark (since 14 January

1972), represented by High Commissioner Peter LAURITEEN (since NA

2002)

head of government: Prime Minister Hans ENOKSEN (since 14 December

2002)

cabinet: Home Rule Government is elected by the parliament

(Landstinget) on the basis of the strength of parties

elections: the monarchy is hereditary; high commissioner appointed

by the monarch; prime minister is elected by parliament (usually the

leader of the majority party); election last held 3 December 2002

(next to be held December 2006)

election results: Hans ENOKSEN elected prime minister

note: government coalition - Siumut and Inuit Ataqatigiit

Legislative branch:

unicameral Parliament or Landstinget (31 seats; members are elected

by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation to serve

four-year terms)

elections: last held on 3 December 2002 (next to be held by December

2006)

election results: percent of vote by party - Siumut 28.7%, Inuit

Ataqatigiit 25.5%, Atassut Party 20.4%, Demokratiit 15.6%,

Katusseqatigiit 5.3%; seats by party - Siumut 10, Inuit Ataqatigiit

8, Atassut 7, Demokratiit 5, Katusseqatigiit 1

note: two representatives were elected to the Danish Parliament or

Folketing on 8 February 2005 (next to be held February 2009);

percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - Siumut 1, Inuit

Ataqatigiit 1

Judicial branch:

High Court or Landsret (appeals can be made to the Ostre Landsret

or Eastern Division of the High Court or Supreme Court in Copenhagen)

Political parties and leaders:

Atassut Party (Solidarity, a conservative party favoring continuing

close relations with Denmark) [Augusta SALLING]; Demokratiit [Per

BERTHELSEN]; Inuit Ataqatigiit or IA (Eskimo Brotherhood, a leftist

party favoring complete independence from Denmark rather than home

rule) [Josef MOTZFELDT]; Issituup (Polar Party) [Nicolai HEINRICH];

Kattusseqatigiit (Candidate List, an independent right-of-center

party with no official platform [leader NA]; Siumut (Forward Party,

a social democratic party advocating more distinct Greenlandic

identity and greater autonomy from Denmark) [Hans ENOKSEN]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

NA

International organization participation:

NC, NIB, UPU

Diplomatic representation in the US:

none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)

Diplomatic representation from the US:

none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)

Flag description:

two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red with a large disk

slightly to the hoist side of center - the top half of the disk is

red, the bottom half is white

Economy Greenland

Economy - overview:

The economy remains critically dependent on exports of fish and

substantial support from the Danish Government, which supplies about

half of government revenues. The public sector, including

publicly-owned enterprises and the municipalities, plays the

dominant role in the economy. Despite several interesting

hydrocarbon and minerals exploration activities, it will take

several years before production can materialize. Tourism is the only

sector offering any near-term potential, and even this is limited

due to a short season and high costs.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$1.1 billion (2001 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

1.8% (2001 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $20,000 (2001 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA%

Labor force:

24,500 (1999 est.)

Unemployment rate:

10% (2000 est.)

Population below poverty line:

NA%

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA%

highest 10%: NA%

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

1.6% (1999 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $646 million

expenditures: $629 million, including capital expenditures of $85

million (1999)

Agriculture - products:

forage crops, garden and greenhouse vegetables; sheep, reindeer;

fish

Industries:

fish processing (mainly shrimp and Greenland halibut); gold,

niobium, tantalite, uranium, iron and diamond mining; handicrafts,

hides and skins, small shipyards

Industrial production growth rate:

NA%

Electricity - production:

245 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source:

fossil fuel: 100%

hydro: 0%

nuclear: 0%

other: 0%

note: Greenland is shifting its electricity production from fossil

fuel to hydropower production (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

227.9 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

3,700 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Exports:

$388 million f.o.b. (2002)

Exports - commodities:

fish and fish products 94% (prawns 63%)

Exports - partners:

Denmark 63.8%, Japan 12.6%, China 3.9% (2004)

Imports:

$445 million c.i.f. (2002)

Imports - commodities:

machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, food,

petroleum products

Imports - partners:

Denmark 78.7%, Sweden 11.9%, Norway 2.7% (2004)

Debt - external:

$25 million (1999)

Economic aid - recipient:

$380 million subsidy from Denmark (1997)

Currency (code):

Danish krone (DKK)

Currency code:

DKK

Exchange rates:

Danish kroner per US dollar - 5.9911 (2004), 6.5877 (2003), 7.8947

(2002), 8.3228 (2001), 8.0831 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Greenland

Telephones - main lines in use:

26,000 (2001)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

16,747 (2001)

Telephone system:

general assessment: adequate domestic and international service

provided by satellite, cables and microwave radio relay; totally

digitalized in 1995

domestic: microwave radio relay and satellite

international: country code - 299; satellite earth stations - 12

Intelsat, 1 Eutelsat, 2 Americom GE-2 (all Atlantic Ocean)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 5, FM 12, shortwave 0 (1998)

Radios:

30,000 (1998 est.)

Television broadcast stations:

1 publicly-owned station, some local low-power stations, and three

AFRTS (US Air Force) stations (1997)

Televisions:

30,000 (1998 est.)

Internet country code:

.gl

Internet hosts:

2,642 (2004)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

1 (2000)

Internet users:

20,000 (2002)

Transportation Greenland

Highways:

total: NA (there are no roads between towns) (2003)

Ports and harbors:

Sisimiut

Merchant marine:

total: 3 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 4,593 GRT/3,640 DWT

by type: cargo 1, passenger 2

foreign-owned: 1 (Denmark 1)

registered in other countries: 1 (2005)

Airports:

14 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 9 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 5 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 5

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 2

under 914 m: 2 (2004 est.)

Military Greenland

Military - note: defense is the responsibility of Denmark

Transnational Issues Greenland

Disputes - international: uncontested dispute between Canada and Denmark over Hans Island in the Kennedy Channel between Canada's Ellesmere Island and Greenland

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Grenada

Introduction Grenada

Background:

One of the smallest independent countries in the western

hemisphere, Grenada was seized by a Marxist military council on 19

October 1983. Six days later the island was invaded by US forces and

those of six other Caribbean nations, which quickly captured the

ringleaders and their hundreds of Cuban advisers. Free elections

were reinstituted the following year.

Geography Grenada

Location:

Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean,

north of Trinidad and Tobago

Geographic coordinates:

12 07 N, 61 40 W

Map references:

Central America and the Caribbean

Area:

total: 344 sq km

land: 344 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative:

twice the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries:

0 km

Coastline:

121 km

Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Climate:

tropical; tempered by northeast trade winds

Terrain:

volcanic in origin with central mountains

Elevation extremes: lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Mount Saint Catherine 840 m

Natural resources: timber, tropical fruit, deepwater harbors

Land use: arable land: 5.88% permanent crops: 29.41% other: 64.71% (2001)

Irrigated land:

NA sq km

Natural hazards:

lies on edge of hurricane belt; hurricane season lasts from June to

November

Environment - current issues:

NA

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto

Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone

Layer Protection, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

the administration of the islands of the Grenadines group is

divided between Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Grenada

People Grenada

Population:

89,502 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 33.9% (male 15,329/female 14,997)

15-64 years: 62.7% (male 29,711/female 26,436)

65 years and over: 3.4% (male 1,431/female 1,598) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 21.26 years

male: 21.73 years

female: 20.76 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

0.19% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

22.3 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

7.17 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

-13.25 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.12 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.9 male(s)/female

total population: 1.08 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 14.62 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 14.18 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 15.07 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 64.53 years

male: 62.74 years

female: 66.31 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

2.37 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

NA

Nationality:

noun: Grenadian(s)

adjective: Grenadian

Ethnic groups:

black 82%, mixed black and European 13%, European and East Indian

5%, and trace of Arawak/Carib Amerindian

Religions:

Roman Catholic 53%, Anglican 13.8%, other Protestant 33.2%

Languages:

English (official), French patois

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 98%

male: 98%

female: 98% (1970 est.)

Government Grenada

Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Grenada

Government type:

constitutional monarchy with Westminster-style parliament

Capital:

Saint George's

Administrative divisions:

6 parishes and 1 dependency*; Carriacou and Petit Martinique*,

Saint Andrew, Saint David, Saint George, Saint John, Saint Mark,

Saint Patrick

Independence:

7 February 1974 (from UK)

National holiday:

Independence Day, 7 February (1974)

Constitution:

19 December 1973

Legal system:

based on English common law

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952),

represented by Governor General Daniel WILLIAMS (since 9 August 1996)

head of government: Prime Minister Keith MITCHELL (since 22 June

1995)

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of

the prime minister

elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor general

appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the

leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition

is usually appointed prime minister by the governor general

Legislative branch:

bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (a 13-member body, 10

appointed by the government and three by the leader of the

opposition) and the House of Representatives (15 seats; members are

elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)

elections: last held on 27 November 2003 (next to be held by

November 2008)

election results: House of Representatives - percent of vote by

party - NA%; seats by party - NNP 8, NDC 7

Judicial branch:

West Indies Associate States Supreme Court (an associate judge

resides in Grenada)

Political parties and leaders:

Grenada United Labor Party or GULP [Gloria Payne BANFIELD];

National Democratic Congress or NDC [Tillman THOMAS]; New National

Party or NNP [Keith MITCHELL]; People Labor Movement or PLM [Dr.

Francis ALEXIS]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

NA

International organization participation:

ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA,

IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO (subscriber),

ITU, LAES, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OECS, OPANAL, OPCW (signatory), UN,

UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Denis G. ANTOINE chancery: 1701 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 265-2561 FAX: [1] (202) 265-2468 consulate(s) general: New York

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: the US Ambassador to Barbados is accredited to

Grenada

embassy: Lance-aux-Epines Stretch, Saint George's

mailing address: P. O. Box 54, Saint George's, Grenada, West Indies

telephone: [1] (473) 444-1173 through 1176

FAX: [1] (473) 444-4820

Flag description:

a rectangle divided diagonally into yellow triangles (top and

bottom) and green triangles (hoist side and outer side), with a red

border around the flag; there are seven yellow, five-pointed stars

with three centered in the top red border, three centered in the

bottom red border, and one on a red disk superimposed at the center

of the flag; there is also a symbolic nutmeg pod on the hoist-side

triangle (Grenada is the world's second-largest producer of nutmeg,

after Indonesia); the seven stars represent the seven administrative

divisions

Economy Grenada

Economy - overview:

Grenada relies on tourism as its main source of foreign exchange,

especially since the construction of an international airport in

1985. Strong performances in construction and manufacturing,

together with the development of an offshore financial industry,

have also contributed to growth in national output.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$440 million (2002 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

2.5% (2002 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $5,000 (2002 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 7.7% industry: 23.9% services: 68.4% (2000)

Labor force:

42,300 (1996)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 24%, industry 14%, services 62% (1999 est.)

Unemployment rate:

12.5% (2000)

Population below poverty line:

32% (2000)

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

2.8% (2001 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $85.8 million

expenditures: $102.1 million, including capital expenditures of $28

million (1997)

Agriculture - products:

bananas, cocoa, nutmeg, mace, citrus, avocados, root crops,

sugarcane, corn, vegetables

Industries:

food and beverages, textiles, light assembly operations, tourism,

construction

Industrial production growth rate:

0.7% (1997 est.)

Electricity - production:

149 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

138.6 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

1,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Exports:

$46 million (2002 est.)

Exports - commodities:

bananas, cocoa, nutmeg, fruit and vegetables, clothing, mace

Exports - partners:

Saint Lucia 12.7%, US 12.2%, Antigua and Barbuda 8.7%, Netherlands

7.9%, Saint Kitts and Nevis 7.8%, Dominica 7.8%, Germany 7.1%,

France 4.6% (2004)

Imports:

$208 million (2002 est.)

Imports - commodities:

food, manufactured goods, machinery, chemicals, fuel

Imports - partners:

Trinidad and Tobago 29.6%, US 27.8%, UK 4.8% (2004)

Debt - external:

$196 million (2000)

Economic aid - recipient:

$8.3 million (1995)

Currency (code):

East Caribbean dollar (XCD)

Currency code:

XCD

Exchange rates:

East Caribbean dollars per US dollar - 2.7 (2004), 2.7 (2003), 2.7

(2002), 2.7 (2001), 2.7 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Grenada

Telephones - main lines in use:

33,500 (2002)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

7,600 (2002)

Telephone system:

general assessment: automatic, islandwide telephone system

domestic: interisland VHF and UHF radiotelephone links

international: country code - 1-473; new SHF radiotelephone links to

Trinidad and Tobago and Saint Vincent; VHF and UHF radio links to

Trinidad

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 2, FM 13, shortwave 0 (1998)

Radios:

57,000 (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

2 (1997)

Televisions:

33,000 (1997)

Internet country code:

.gd

Internet hosts:

18 (2003)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

14 (2000)

Internet users:

15,000 (2002)

Transportation Grenada

Highways: total: 1,040 km paved: 638 km unpaved: 402 km (1999 est.)

Ports and harbors:

Saint George's

Airports:

3 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 3

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Military Grenada

Military branches:

no regular military forces; Royal Grenada Police Force

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

NA

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

NA

Transnational Issues Grenada

Disputes - international:

none

Illicit drugs:

small-scale cannabis cultivation; lesser transshipment point for

marijuana and cocaine to US

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Guadeloupe

Introduction Guadeloupe

Background:

Guadeloupe has been a French possession since 1635. The island of

Saint Martin is shared with the Netherlands; its southern portion is

named Sint Maarten and is part of the Netherlands Antilles and its

northern portion is named Saint-Martin and is part of Guadeloupe

Geography Guadeloupe

Location:

Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic

Ocean, southeast of Puerto Rico

Geographic coordinates:

16 15 N, 61 35 W

Map references:

Central America and the Caribbean

Area:

total: 1,780 sq km

land: 1,706 sq km

water: 74 sq km

note: Guadeloupe is an archipelago of nine inhabited islands,

including Basse-Terre, Grande-Terre, Marie-Galante, La Desirade,

Iles des Saintes (2), Saint-Barthelemy, Iles de la Petite Terre, and

Saint-Martin (French part of the island of Saint Martin)

Area - comparative:

10 times the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries: total: 10.2 km border countries: Netherlands Antilles (Sint Maarten) 10.2 km

Coastline: 306 km

Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Climate:

subtropical tempered by trade winds; moderately high humidity

Terrain:

Basse-Terre is volcanic in origin with interior mountains;

Grande-Terre is low limestone formation; most of the seven other

islands are volcanic in origin

Elevation extremes: lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Soufriere 1,484 m

Natural resources: cultivable land, beaches and climate that foster tourism

Land use: arable land: 11.24% permanent crops: 3.55% other: 85.21% (2001)

Irrigated land:

20 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

hurricanes (June to October); Soufriere de Guadeloupe is an active

volcano

Environment - current issues:

NA

Geography - note:

a narrow channel, the Riviere Salee, divides Guadeloupe proper into

two islands: the larger, western Basse-Terre and the smaller,

eastern Grande-Terre

People Guadeloupe

Population:

448,713 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 24% (male 55,072/female 52,677)

15-64 years: 66.9% (male 148,880/female 151,238)

65 years and over: 9.1% (male 17,032/female 23,814) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 31.81 years

male: 30.91 years

female: 32.73 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

0.92% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

15.42 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

6.06 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

-0.15 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.72 male(s)/female

total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 8.6 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 9.81 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 7.33 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 77.9 years

male: 74.74 years

female: 81.21 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

1.91 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

NA%

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

NA

Nationality:

noun: Guadeloupian(s)

adjective: Guadeloupe

Ethnic groups:

black or mulatto 90%, white 5%, East Indian, Lebanese, Chinese less

than 5%

Religions:

Roman Catholic 95%, Hindu and pagan African 4%, Protestant 1%

Languages:

French (official) 99%, Creole patois

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 90%

male: 90%

female: 90% (1982 est.)

Government Guadeloupe

Country name:

conventional long form: Department of Guadeloupe

conventional short form: Guadeloupe

local long form: Departement de la Guadeloupe

local short form: Guadeloupe

Dependency status:

overseas department of France

Government type:

NA

Capital:

Basse-Terre

Administrative divisions:

none (overseas department of France)

Independence:

none (overseas department of France)

National holiday:

Bastille Day, 14 July (1789)

Constitution:

4 October 1958 (French Constitution)

Legal system:

French legal system

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Jacques CHIRAC of France (since 17 May

1995), represented by Prefect Paul GIROT DE LANGLADE (since 17

August 2004)

head of government: President of the General Council Jacques GILLOT

(since 26 March 2001); President of the Regional Council Victorin

LUREL (since 2 April 2004)

cabinet: NA

elections: French president elected by popular vote for a five-year

term; prefect appointed by the French president on the advice of the

French Ministry of Interior; the presidents of the General and

Regional Councils are elected by the members of those councils

election results: NA

Legislative branch:

unicameral General Council or Conseil General (42 seats; members

are elected by popular vote to serve six-year terms) and the

unicameral Regional Council or Conseil Regional (41 seats; members

are elected by popular vote to serve six-year terms)

elections: General Council - last held March 2004 (next to be held

by NA 2010); Regional Council - last held 28 March 2004 (next to be

held NA 2010)

election results: General Council - percent of vote by party - NA%;

seats by party - left-wing candidates 11, PS 8, RPR 8, PPDG 6,

right-wing candidates 5, PCG 3, UDF 1; Regional Council (second

round) - percent of vote by party - PS 58.4%, UMP 41.6%; seats by

party - PS 29, UMP 12

note: Guadeloupe elects two representatives to the French Senate;

elections last held September 2004 (next to be held September 2013);

percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NA, Guadeloupe

elects four representatives to the French National Assembly;

elections last held 9 June-16 June 2002 (next to be held NA 2007);

percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - RPR 2, PS 1,

different right parties 1

Judicial branch:

Court of Appeal or Cour d'Appel with jurisdiction over Guadeloupe,

French Guiana, and Martinique

Political parties and leaders:

Communist Party of Guadeloupe or PCG [Mona CADOCE]; FGPS [Dominique

LARIFLA]; Left Radical Party or PRG [Flavien FERRANT]; Progressive

Democratic Party or PPDG [Henri BANGOU]; Socialist Party or PS

[Marlene MELISSE and Favrot DAVRAIN]; Union for French Democracy or

UDF [Marcel ESDRAS]; Union for a Popular Movement or UMP (including

RPR) [Robert JOYEUX]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

Christian Movement for the Liberation of Guadeloupe or KLPG;

General Federation of Guadeloupe Workers or CGT-G; General Union of

Guadeloupe Workers or UGTG; Movement for Independent Guadeloupe or

MPGI; The Socialist Renewal Movement

International organization participation:

WCL, WFTU

Diplomatic representation in the US:

none (overseas department of France)

Diplomatic representation from the US:

none (overseas department of France)

Flag description:

the flag of France is used

Economy Guadeloupe

Economy - overview:

The Caribbean economy depends on agriculture, tourism, light

industry, and services. It also depends on France for large

subsidies and imports. Tourism is a key industry, with most tourists

from the US; an increasingly large number of cruise ships visit the

islands. The traditional sugarcane crop is slowly being replaced by

other crops, such as bananas (which now supply about 50% of export

earnings), eggplant, and flowers. Other vegetables and root crops

are cultivated for local consumption, although Guadeloupe is still

dependent on imported food, mainly from France. Light industry

features sugar and rum production. Most manufactured goods and fuel

are imported. Unemployment is especially high among the young.

Hurricanes periodically devastate the economy.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$3.513 billion (2003 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

NA%

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $7,900 (2003 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 15% industry: 17% services: 68% (1997 est.)

Labor force:

125,900 (1997)

Labor force - by occupation:

NA

Unemployment rate:

27.8% (1998)

Population below poverty line:

NA%

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA%

highest 10%: NA%

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

NA%

Budget:

revenues: $225 million

expenditures: $390 million, including capital expenditures of $105

million (1996)

Agriculture - products: bananas, sugarcane, tropical fruits and vegetables; cattle, pigs, goats

Industries:

construction, cement, rum, sugar, tourism

Industrial production growth rate:

NA%

Electricity - production:

1.16 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

1.079 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

13,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Exports:

$140 million f.o.b. (1997)

Exports - commodities:

bananas, sugar, rum

Exports - partners:

France 60%, Martinique 18%, US 4% (1999)

Imports:

$1.7 billion c.i.f. (1997)

Imports - commodities:

foodstuffs, fuels, vehicles, clothing and other consumer goods,

construction materials

Imports - partners:

France 63%, Germany 4%, US 3%, Japan 2%, Netherlands Antilles 2%

(1999)

Debt - external:

$NA (yearend 2003 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:

NA; note - substantial annual French subsidies (2004)

Currency (code):

euro (EUR)

Currency code:

EUR

Exchange rates:

euros per US dollar - 0.8054 (2004), 0.886 (2003), 1.0626 (2002),

1.1175 j(2001), 1.0854 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Guadeloupe

Telephones - main lines in use:

210,000 (2001)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

323,500 (2002)

Telephone system:

general assessment: domestic facilities inadequate

domestic: NA

international: country code - 590; satellite earth station - 1

Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); microwave radio relay to Antigua and

Barbuda, Dominica, and Martinique

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 1, FM 17, shortwave 0 (1998)

Radios:

113,000 (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

5 (plus several low-power repeaters) (1997)

Televisions:

118,000 (1997)

Internet country code:

.gp

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

3 (2000)

Internet users:

20,000 (2002)

Transportation Guadeloupe

Highways:

total: 947 km (2002)

Ports and harbors:

Basse-Terre, Gustavia, Pointe-a-Pitre

Merchant marine: total: 1 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 1,240 GRT/109 DWT by type: passenger 1 foreign-owned: 1 (France 1) (2005)

Airports: 9 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 8 over 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 5 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 1

under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Military Guadeloupe

Military branches:

no regular military forces

Military - note:

defense is the responsibility of France

Transnational Issues Guadeloupe

Disputes - international: none

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Guam

Introduction Guam

Background:

Guam was ceded to the US by Spain in 1898. Captured by the Japanese

in 1941, it was retaken by the US three years later. The military

installation on the island is one of the most strategically

important US bases in the Pacific.

Geography Guam

Location:

Oceania, island in the North Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of

the way from Hawaii to the Philippines

Geographic coordinates:

13 28 N, 144 47 E

Map references:

Oceania

Area:

total: 549 sq km

land: 549 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative:

three times the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries:

0 km

Coastline:

125.5 km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Climate:

tropical marine; generally warm and humid, moderated by northeast

trade winds; dry season from January to June, rainy season from July

to December; little seasonal temperature variation

Terrain:

volcanic origin, surrounded by coral reefs; relatively flat

coralline limestone plateau (source of most fresh water), with steep

coastal cliffs and narrow coastal plains in north, low hills in

center, mountains in south

Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Lamlam 406 m

Natural resources: fishing (largely undeveloped), tourism (especially from Japan)

Land use: arable land: 9.09% permanent crops: 16.36% other: 74.55% (2001)

Irrigated land:

NA

Natural hazards:

frequent squalls during rainy season; relatively rare, but

potentially very destructive typhoons (June - December)

Environment - current issues:

extirpation of native bird population by the rapid proliferation of

the brown tree snake, an exotic, invasive species

Geography - note:

largest and southernmost island in the Mariana Islands archipelago;

strategic location in western North Pacific Ocean

People Guam

Population:

168,564 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 29.4% (male 25,645/female 23,887)

15-64 years: 64.1% (male 55,115/female 52,935)

65 years and over: 6.5% (male 5,157/female 5,825) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 28.38 years

male: 28.16 years

female: 28.61 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

1.46% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

19.03 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

4.41 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.07 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.88 male(s)/female

total population: 1.04 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 6.94 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 7.61 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 6.24 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 78.4 years

male: 75.34 years

female: 81.64 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

2.6 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

NA

Nationality:

noun: Guamanian(s)

adjective: Guamanian

Ethnic groups:

Chamorro 37.1%, Filipino 26.3%, other Pacific islander 11.3%, white

6.9%, other Asian 6.3%, other ethnic origin or race 2.3%, mixed 9.8%

(2000 census)

Religions:

Roman Catholic 85%, other 15% (1999 est.)

Languages:

English 38.3%, Chamorro 22.2%, Philippine languages 22.2%, other

Pacific island languages 6.8%, Asian languages 7%, other languages

3.5% (2000 census)

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 99%

male: 99%

female: 99% (1990 est.)

Government Guam

Country name:

conventional long form: Territory of Guam

conventional short form: Guam

local long form: Guahan

Dependency status:

organized, unincorporated territory of the US with policy relations

between Guam and the US under the jurisdiction of the Office of

Insular Affairs, US Department of the Interior

Government type:

NA

Capital:

Hagatna (Agana)

Administrative divisions:

none (territory of the US)

Independence:

none (territory of the US)

National holiday:

Discovery Day, first Monday in March (1521)

Constitution:

Organic Act of 1 August 1950

Legal system:

modeled on US; US federal laws apply

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal; US citizens, but do not vote in US

presidential elections

Executive branch:

chief of state: President George W. BUSH of the US (since 20

January 2001); Vice President Richard B. CHENEY (since 20 January

2001)

head of government: Governor Felix P. P. CAMACHO (since 6 January

2003) and Lieutenant Governor Kaleo MOYLAN (since 6 January 2003)

cabinet: executive departments; heads appointed by the governor with

the consent of the Guam legislature

elections: US president and vice president elected on the same

ticket for a four-year term; governor and lieutenant governor

elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year term;

election last held 5 November 2002 (next to be held November 2006)

election results: Felix P. P. CAMACHO elected governor; percent of

vote - Felix P. P. CAMACHO (Republican Party) 55.4%, Robert A.

UNDERWOOD (Democratic Party) 44.6%

Legislative branch:

unicameral Legislature (15 seats; members are elected by popular

vote to serve two-year terms)

elections: last held 2 November 2004 (next to be held November 2006)

election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -

Democratic Party 6, Republican Party 9

note: Guam elects one nonvoting delegate to the US House of

Representatives; election last held 2 November 2004 (next to be held

November 2006); results - Madeleine BORDALLO (Democratic Party) was

elected as delegate; percent of vote by party - Democratic Party

64.6%, Republican Party 35.4%; seats by party - Democratic Party 1

Judicial branch:

Federal District Court (judge is appointed by the president);

Territorial Superior Court (judges appointed for eight-year terms by

the governor)

Political parties and leaders:

Democratic Party [leader Michael PHILLIPS]; Republican Party

(controls the legislature) [leader Philip J. FLORES]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

NA

International organization participation:

Interpol (subbureau), IOC, UPU

Diplomatic representation in the US:

none (territory of the US)

Diplomatic representation from the US:

none (territory of the US)

Flag description:

territorial flag is dark blue with a narrow red border on all four

sides; centered is a red-bordered, pointed, vertical ellipse

containing a beach scene, outrigger canoe with sail, and a palm tree

with the word GUAM superimposed in bold red letters; US flag is the

national flag

Economy Guam

Economy - overview:

The economy depends on US military spending, tourism, and the

export of fish and handicrafts. Total US grants, wage payments, and

procurement outlays amounted to $1 billion in 1998. Over the past 20

years, the tourist industry has grown rapidly, creating a

construction boom for new hotels and the expansion of older ones.

More than 1 million tourists visit Guam each year. The industry had

recently suffered setbacks because of the continuing Japanese

slowdown; the Japanese normally make up almost 90% of the tourists.

Most food and industrial goods are imported. Guam faces the problem

of building up the civilian economic sector to offset the impact of

military downsizing.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$3.2 billion (2000 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

NA

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $21,000 (2000 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 7% industry: 15% services: 78% (2002 est.)

Labor force: 60,000 (2000 est.)

Labor force - by occupation: private 74% (industry 10%, trade 24%, other services 40%), federal and territorial government 26% (2000 est.)

Unemployment rate:

15% (2000 est.)

Population below poverty line:

23% (2001 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

0% (1999 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $340 million

expenditures: $445 million, including capital expenditures of NA

(2000 est.)

Agriculture - products:

fruits, copra, vegetables; eggs, pork, poultry, beef

Industries:

US military, tourism, construction, transshipment services,

concrete products, printing and publishing, food processing, textiles

Industrial production growth rate:

NA

Electricity - production:

835 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

776.6 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

20,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Exports:

$38 million f.o.b. (2002 est.)

Exports - commodities:

mostly transshipments of refined petroleum products; construction

materials, fish, food and beverage products

Exports - partners:

Japan 66.1%, South Korea 9.9%, Singapore 8.4% (2004)

Imports:

$462 million f.o.b. (2002 est.)

Imports - commodities:

petroleum and petroleum products, food, manufactured goods

Imports - partners:

Singapore 39.5%, South Korea 20.8%, Japan 19%, Hong Kong 9%,

Philippines 4.3% (2004)

Debt - external:

NA

Economic aid - recipient:

Guam receives large transfer payments from the US Federal Treasury

($143 million in 1997) into which Guamanians pay no income or excise

taxes; under the provisions of a special law of Congress, the Guam

Treasury, rather than the US Treasury, receives federal income taxes

paid by military and civilian Federal employees stationed in Guam

(2001 est.)

Currency (code):

US dollar (USD)

Currency code:

USD

Exchange rates:

the US dollar is used

Fiscal year:

1 October - 30 September

Communications Guam

Telephones - main lines in use:

84,134 (2001)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

32,600 (2001)

Telephone system:

general assessment: modern system, integrated with US facilities

for direct dialing, including free use of 800 numbers

domestic: modern digital system, including cellular mobile service

and local access to the Internet

international: country code - 1-671; satellite earth stations - 2

Intelsat (Pacific Ocean); submarine cables to US and Japan (Guam is

a trans-Pacific communications hub for MCI, Sprint, AT&T, IT&E, and

GTE, linking the US and Asia)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 4, FM 7, shortwave 2 (2003)

Radios:

221,000 (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

5 (1997)

Televisions:

106,000 (1997)

Internet country code:

.gu

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

20 (2000)

Internet users:

50,000 (2002)

Transportation Guam

Highways: total: 977 km paved: 962 km unpaved: 15 km (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Apra Harbor

Airports:

5 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 4 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 1

under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Military Guam

Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the US

Transnational Issues Guam

Disputes - international: none

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Guatemala

Introduction Guatemala

Background:

The Maya civilization flourished in Guatemala and surrounding

regions during the first millennium A.D. After almost three

centuries as a Spanish colony, Guatemala won its independence in

1821. During the second half of the 20th century, it experienced a

variety of military and civilian governments as well as a 36-year

guerrilla war. In 1996, the government signed a peace agreement

formally ending the conflict, which had left more than 100,000

people dead and had created some 1 million refugees.

Geography Guatemala

Location:

Central America, bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between El

Salvador and Mexico, and bordering the Gulf of Honduras (Caribbean

Sea) between Honduras and Belize

Geographic coordinates:

15 30 N, 90 15 W

Map references:

Central America and the Caribbean

Area:

total: 108,890 sq km

land: 108,430 sq km

water: 460 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly smaller than Tennessee

Land boundaries:

total: 1,687 km

border countries: Belize 266 km, El Salvador 203 km, Honduras 256

km, Mexico 962 km

Coastline:

400 km

Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

Climate:

tropical; hot, humid in lowlands; cooler in highlands

Terrain:

mostly mountains with narrow coastal plains and rolling limestone

plateau (Peten)

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

highest point: Volcan Tajumulco 4,211 m

Natural resources:

petroleum, nickel, rare woods, fish, chicle, hydropower

Land use: arable land: 12.54% permanent crops: 5.03% other: 82.43% (2001)

Irrigated land:

1,250 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

numerous volcanoes in mountains, with occasional violent

earthquakes; Caribbean coast extremely susceptible to hurricanes and

other tropical storms

Environment - current issues:

deforestation in the Peten rainforest; soil erosion; water pollution

Environment - international agreements: party to: Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note: no natural harbors on west coast

People Guatemala

Population:

14,655,189 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 42.4% (male 3,185,037/female 3,033,947)

15-64 years: 54.2% (male 4,019,052/female 3,928,984)

65 years and over: 3.3% (male 226,745/female 261,424) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 18.47 years

male: 18.25 years

female: 18.71 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

2.57% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

34.11 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

6.81 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

-1.63 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.87 male(s)/female

total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 35.93 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 36.74 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 35.09 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 69.06 years

male: 67.37 years

female: 70.84 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

4.53 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

1.1% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

78,000 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

5,800 (2003 est.)

Nationality:

noun: Guatemalan(s)

adjective: Guatemalan

Ethnic groups:

Mestizo (mixed Amerindian-Spanish - in local Spanish called Ladino)

and European 59.4%, K'iche 9.1%, Kaqchikel 8.4%, Mam 7.9%, Q'eqchi

6.3%, other Mayan 8.6%, indigenous non-Mayan 0.2%, other 0.1% (2001

census)

Religions:

Roman Catholic, Protestant, indigenous Mayan beliefs

Languages:

Spanish 60%, Amerindian languages 40% (23 officially recognized

Amerindian languages, including Quiche, Cakchiquel, Kekchi, Mam,

Garifuna, and Xinca)

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 70.6%

male: 78%

female: 63.3% (2003 est.)

Government Guatemala

Country name:

conventional long form: Republic of Guatemala

conventional short form: Guatemala

local long form: Republica de Guatemala

local short form: Guatemala

Government type:

constitutional democratic republic

Capital:

Guatemala

Administrative divisions:

22 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento); Alta

Verapaz, Baja Verapaz, Chimaltenango, Chiquimula, El Progreso,

Escuintla, Guatemala, Huehuetenango, Izabal, Jalapa, Jutiapa, Peten,

Quetzaltenango, Quiche, Retalhuleu, Sacatepequez, San Marcos, Santa

Rosa, Solola, Suchitepequez, Totonicapan, Zacapa

Independence:

15 September 1821 (from Spain)

National holiday:

Independence Day, 15 September (1821)

Constitution:

31 May 1985, effective 14 January 1986; note - suspended 25 May

1993 by former President SERRANO; reinstated 5 June 1993 following

ouster of president; amended November 1993

Legal system:

civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts; has not

accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal (active duty members of the armed forces

may not vote and are restricted to their barracks on election day)

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Oscar Jose Rafael BERGER Perdomo (since

14 January 2004); Vice President Eduardo STEIN Barillas (since 14

January 2004); note - the president is both the chief of state and

head of government

head of government: President Oscar Jose Rafael BERGER Perdomo

(since 14 January 2004); Vice President Eduardo STEIN Barillas

(since 14 January 2004); note - the president is both the chief of

state and head of government

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president

elections: president elected by popular vote for a four-year term;

election last held 9 November 2003; runoff held 28 December 2003

(next to be held November 2007)

election results: Oscar BERGER Perdomo elected president; percent of

vote - Oscar BERGER Perdomo (GANA) 54.1%, Alvarado COLOM (UNE) 45.9%

Legislative branch:

unicameral Congress of the Republic or Congreso de la Republica

(158 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year

terms)

elections: last held 9 November 2003 (next to be held November 2007)

election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -

GANA 49, FRG 41, UNE 33, PAN 17, other 18

note: for the 9 November 2003 election, the number of congressional

seats increased from 113 to 158

Judicial branch:

Constitutional Court or Corte de Constitutcionalidad is Guatemala's

highest court (five judges are elected for concurrent five-year

terms by Congress, each serving one year as president of the

Constitutional Court; one is elected by Congress, one elected by the

Supreme Court of Justice, one appointed by the President, one

elected by Superior Counsel of Universidad San Carlos de Guatemala,

and one by Colegio de Abogados); Supreme Court of Justice or Corte

Suprema de Justicia (13 members serve concurrent five-year terms and

elect a president of the Court each year from among their number;

the president of the Supreme Court of Justice also supervises trial

judges around the country, who are named to five-year terms)

Political parties and leaders:

Authentic Integral Development or DIA [Eduardo SUGER]; Democratic

Union or UD [Rodolfo PAIZ Andrade]; Grand National Alliance or GANA

[Oscar BERGER Perdomo]; Green Party or LOV [Rodolfo ROSALES

Garcis-Salaz]; Guatemalan Christian Democracy or DCG [Vinicio CEREZO

Arevalo]; Guatemalan National Revolutionary Unity or URNG [Alba

ESTELA Maldonado, secretary general]; Guatemalan Republican Front or

FRG [Efrain RIOS Montt]; Movement for Guatemalan Unity or MGU

[Jacobo ARBENZ Villanueva]; Movement for Principals and Values or

MPV [Francisco BIANCHI]; National Advancement Party or PAN [Leonel

LOPEZ Rodas, secretary general]; National Unity for Hope or UNE

[Alvarado COLOM Caballeros]; New Nation Alliance or ANN (formed by

an alliance of DIA, URNG, and several splinter groups most of whom

subsequently defected) [led by three co-equal partners - Nineth

Varenca MONTENEGRO Cottom, Rodolfo BAUER Paiz, and Jorge Antonio

BALSELLS TUT]; Patriot Party or PP [retired General Otto PEREZ

Molina]; Progressive Liberator Party or PLP [Acisclo VALLADARES

Molina]; Reform Movement or MR [Alfredo SKINNER-KLEE, secretary

general]; Unionista Party [leader NA]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

Agrarian Owners Group or UNAGRO; Alliance Against Impunity or AAI;

Committee for Campesino Unity or CUC; Coordinating Committee of

Agricultural, Commercial, Industrial, and Financial Associations or

CACIF; Mutual Support Group or GAM

International organization participation:

BCIE, CACM, FAO, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM,

IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO

(correspondent), ITU, LAES, LAIA (observer), MIGA, MINUSTAH, NAM,

OAS, ONUB, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNOCI, UPU,

WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Guillermo CASTILLO chancery: 2220 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 745-4952 FAX: [1] (202) 745-1908 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, and San Francisco

Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador John R. HAMILTON embassy: 7-01 Avenida Reforma, Zone 10, Guatemala City mailing address: APO AA 34024 telephone: [502] 2331-1541/55 FAX: [502] 2334-8477

Flag description:

three equal vertical bands of light blue (hoist side), white, and

light blue with the coat of arms centered in the white band; the

coat of arms includes a green and red quetzal (the national bird)

and a scroll bearing the inscription LIBERTAD 15 DE SEPTIEMBRE DE

1821 (the original date of independence from Spain) all superimposed

on a pair of crossed rifles and a pair of crossed swords and framed

by a wreath

Economy Guatemala

Economy - overview:

Guatemala is the largest and most populous of the Central American

countries with a GDP per capita roughly one-half that of Brazil,

Argentina, and Chile. The agricultural sector accounts for about

one-fourth of GDP, two-thirds of exports, and half of the labor

force. Coffee, sugar, and bananas are the main products. The 1996

signing of peace accords, which ended 36 years of civil war, removed

a major obstacle to foreign investment, but widespread political

violence and corruption scandals continue to dampen investor

confidence. The distribution of income remains highly unequal, with

perhaps 75% of the population below the poverty line. Other ongoing

challenges include increasing government revenues, negotiating

further assistance from international donors, upgrading both

government and private financial operations, curtailing drug

trafficking, and narrowing the trade deficit.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$59.47 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

2.6% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $4,200 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 22.7% industry: 19.5% services: 57.9% (2004 est.)

Labor force:

3.68 million (2004 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 50%, industry 15%, services 35% (1999 est.)

Unemployment rate:

7.5% (2003 est.)

Population below poverty line:

75% (2004 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.6% highest 10%: 46% (1998)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

55.8 (1998)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

7.2% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

14.9% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $2.878 billion

expenditures: $3.411 billion, including capital expenditures of $750

million (2004 est.)

Public debt:

32% of GDP (2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

sugarcane, corn, bananas, coffee, beans, cardamom; cattle, sheep,

pigs, chickens

Industries:

sugar, textiles and clothing, furniture, chemicals, petroleum,

metals, rubber, tourism

Industrial production growth rate:

4.1% (1999)

Electricity - production:

6.608 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 51.9% hydro: 35.2% nuclear: 0% other: 12.9% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

5.76 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

440 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

55 million kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

25,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Oil - consumption:

61,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

3,104 bbl/day (2003)

Oil - imports:

NA

Oil - proved reserves:

263 million bbl (1 January 2002)

Natural gas - proved reserves:

1.543 billion cu m (1 January 2002)

Current account balance:

$-1.381 billion (2004 est.)

Exports:

$2.911 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

coffee, sugar, petroleum, apparel, bananas, fruits and vegetables,

cardamom

Exports - partners:

US 53%, El Salvador 11.4%, Honduras 7.1%, Mexico 4.1% (2004)

Imports:

$7.77 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

fuels, machinery and transport equipment, construction materials,

grain, fertilizers, electricity

Imports - partners:

US 34%, Mexico 8.1%, South Korea 6.8%, China 6.6%, Japan 4.4% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$3.084 billion (2004 est.)

Debt - external:

$5.969 billion (2004 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:

$250 million (2000 est.)

Currency (code):

quetzal (GTQ), US dollar (USD), others allowed

Currency code:

GTQ; USD

Exchange rates:

quetzales per US dollar - 7.9465 (2004), 7.9409 (2003), 7.8216

(2002), 7.8586 (2001), 7.7632 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Guatemala

Telephones - main lines in use:

846,000 (2002)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

1,577,100 (2002)

Telephone system:

general assessment: fairly modern network centered in the city of

Guatemala

domestic: NA

international: country code - 502; connected to Central American

Microwave System; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic

Ocean)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 130, FM 487, shortwave 15 (2000)

Radios:

835,000 (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

26 (plus 27 repeaters) (1997)

Televisions:

1.323 million (1997)

Internet country code:

.gt

Internet hosts:

20,360 (2003)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

5 (2000)

Internet users:

400,000 (2002)

Transportation Guatemala

Railways: total: 886 km narrow gauge: 886 km 0.914-m gauge (2004)

Highways:

total: 14,118 km

paved: 4,871 km (including 74 km of expressways)

unpaved: 9,247 km (1999)

Waterways:

990 km

note: 260 km navigable year round; additional 730 km navigable

during high-water season (2004)

Pipelines:

oil 480 km (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Puerto Quetzal, Santo Tomas de Castilla

Airports:

452 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 11

2,438 to 3,047 m: 3

1,524 to 2,437 m: 2

914 to 1,523 m: 4

under 914 m: 2 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 441

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 8

914 to 1,523 m: 109

under 914 m: 323 (2004 est.)

Military Guatemala

Military branches:

Army, Navy (includes Marines), Air Force

Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service; conscript service obligation - 30 months (2004)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 18-49: 3,020,292 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: 2,106,847 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:

males: 161,964 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$201.9 million (2004)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

0.8% (2003)

Transnational Issues Guatemala

Disputes - international:

Guatemalan squatters continue to settle in the rain forests of

Belize's border region; OAS is attempting to revive the 2002 failed

Differendum that created a small adjustment to land boundary, a

Guatemalan maritime corridor in Caribbean, a joint ecological park

for the disputed Sapodilla Cays, and a substantial US-UK financial

package; Guatemalans enter Mexico illegally seeking work or transit

to the US

Refugees and internally displaced persons:

IDPs: 250,000 (government's scorched-earth offensive in 1980s

against indigenous people) (2004)

Illicit drugs:

major transit country for cocaine and heroin; minor producer of

illicit opium poppy and cannabis for mostly domestic consumption;

proximity to Mexico makes Guatemala a major staging area for drugs

(particularly for cocaine); money laundering is a serious problem;

corruption is a major problem; remains on Financial Action Task

Force Non-Cooperative Countries and Territories List for continued

failure to address deficiencies in money-laundering control regime

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Guernsey

Introduction Guernsey

Background:

The island of Guernsey and the other Channel Islands represent the

last remnants of the medieval Dukedom of Normandy, which held sway

in both France and England. The islands were the only British soil

occupied by German troops in World War II.

Geography Guernsey

Location:

Western Europe, islands in the English Channel, northwest of France

Geographic coordinates:

49 28 N, 2 35 W

Map references:

Europe

Area:

total: 78 sq km

land: 78 sq km

water: 0 sq km

note: includes Alderney, Guernsey, Herm, Sark, and some other

smaller islands

Area - comparative:

about one-half the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries:

0 km

Coastline:

50 km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 3 nm

exclusive fishing zone: 12 nm

Climate:

temperate with mild winters and cool summers; about 50% of days are

overcast

Terrain:

mostly level with low hills in southwest

Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location on Sark 114 m

Natural resources: cropland

Land use: arable land: NA% permanent crops: NA% other: NA%

Irrigated land:

NA sq km

Natural hazards:

NA

Environment - current issues:

NA

Geography - note:

large, deepwater harbor at Saint Peter Port

People Guernsey

Population:

65,228 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 15.4% (male 5,084/female 4,937)

15-64 years: 66.9% (male 21,611/female 22,002)

65 years and over: 17.8% (male 4,882/female 6,712) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 40.99 years

male: 40.03 years

female: 41.91 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

0.29% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

9.01 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

9.95 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

3.83 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.73 male(s)/female

total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 4.71 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 5.26 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 4.13 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 80.3 years

male: 77.3 years

female: 83.41 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

1.38 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

NA%

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

NA

Nationality:

noun: Channel Islander(s)

adjective: Channel Islander

Ethnic groups:

UK and Norman-French descent with small percentages from other

European countries

Religions:

Anglican, Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, Baptist, Congregational,

Methodist

Languages:

English, French, Norman-French dialect spoken in country districts

Literacy: definition: NA total population: NA% male: NA% female: NA%

Government Guernsey

Country name:

conventional long form: Bailiwick of Guernsey

conventional short form: Guernsey

Dependency status:

British crown dependency

Government type:

NA

Capital:

Saint Peter Port

Administrative divisions:

none (British crown dependency); there are no first-order

administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there

are 10 parishes including Saint Peter Port, Saint Sampson, Vale,

Castel, Saint Saviour, Saint Pierre du Bois, Torteval, Forest, Saint

Martin, Saint Andrew

Independence:

none (British crown dependency)

National holiday:

Liberation Day, 9 May (1945)

Constitution:

unwritten; partly statutes, partly common law and practice

Legal system:

English law and local statutes; justice is administered by the

Royal Court

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952),

represented by Lieutenant Governor and Commander-in-Chief Lt. Gen.

Sir John FOLEY (since NA 2000)

head of government: Chief Minister Laurie MORGAN (since 1 May 2004)

cabinet: Policy Council elected by the States of Deliberation

elections: the monarch is hereditary; lieutenant governor appointed

by the monarch; chief minister is elected by States of Delibertion

election results: Laurie MORGAN elected chief minister, percent of

vote of the States of Deliberation NA%

Legislative branch:

unicameral States of Deliberation (45 seats; members are elected by

popular vote for 4 years); note - Alderney and Sark have their own

parliaments

elections: last held 21 April 2004 (next to be held NA 2008)

election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats - all independents

Judicial branch:

Royal Court

Political parties and leaders:

none; all independents

Political pressure groups and leaders:

none

International organization participation:

UPU

Diplomatic representation in the US:

none (British crown dependency)

Diplomatic representation from the US:

none (British crown dependency)

Flag description:

white with the red cross of Saint George (patron saint of England)

extending to the edges of the flag and a yellow equal-armed cross of

William the Conqueror superimposed on the Saint George cross

Economy Guernsey

Economy - overview:

Financial services - banking, fund management, insurance - account

for about 55% of total income in this tiny, prosperous Channel

Island economy. Tourism, manufacturing, and horticulture, mainly

tomatoes and cut flowers, have been declining. Light tax and death

duties make Guernsey a popular tax haven. The evolving economic

integration of the EU nations is changing the environment under

which Guernsey operates.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$2.59 billion (2003 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

3% (2003 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $40,000 (2003 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 3% industry: 10% services: 87% (2000)

Labor force:

32,290 (2001)

Unemployment rate:

0.5% (1999 est.)

Population below poverty line:

NA%

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA%

highest 10%: NA%

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

4.9% (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $539.2 million

expenditures: $448.3 million, including capital expenditures of NA

(2002 est.)

Agriculture - products:

tomatoes, greenhouse flowers, sweet peppers, eggplant, fruit;

Guernsey cattle

Industries:

tourism, banking

Industrial production growth rate:

NA%

Electricity - production:

NA kWh

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: NA hydro: NA nuclear: NA other: NA

Electricity - consumption:

NA kWh

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2002)

Exports:

$NA

Exports - commodities:

tomatoes, flowers and ferns, sweet peppers, eggplant, other

vegetables

Exports - partners:

UK (regarded as internal trade)

Imports:

$NA

Imports - commodities:

coal, gasoline, oil, machinery and equipment

Imports - partners:

UK (regarded as internal trade)

Debt - external:

$NA

Economic aid - recipient:

NA

Currency (code):

British pound (GBP); note - there is also a Guernsey pound

Currency code:

GBP

Exchange rates:

Guernsey pounds per US dollar - 0.5462 (2004), 0.6125 (2003),

0.6672 (2002), 0.6947 (2001), 0.6609 (2000)

note: the Guernsey pound is at par with the British pound

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Guernsey

Telephones - main lines in use:

55,000 (2001)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

31,500 (2001)

Telephone system:

general assessment: NA

domestic: NA

international: 1 submarine cable

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0 (1998)

Radios:

NA

Television broadcast stations:

1 (1997)

Televisions:

NA

Internet country code:

.gg

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

NA

Internet users:

NA

Transportation Guernsey

Highways: total: NA km paved: NA km unpaved: NA km

Ports and harbors:

Saint Peter Port, Saint Sampson

Airports:

2 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Military Guernsey

Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the UK

Transnational Issues Guernsey

Disputes - international: none

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Guinea

Introduction Guinea

Background:

Guinea has had only two presidents since gaining its independence

from France in 1958. Lansana CONTE came to power in 1984, when the

military seized the government after the death of the first

president, Sekou TOURE. Guinea did not hold democratic elections

until 1993 when Gen. CONTE (head of the military government) was

elected president of the civilian government. He was reelected in

1998 and again in 2003. Unrest in Sierra Leone and Liberia has

spilled over into Guinea on several occasions over the past decade,

threatening stability and creating humanitarian emergencies.

Geography Guinea

Location:

Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between

Guinea-Bissau and Sierra Leone

Geographic coordinates:

11 00 N, 10 00 W

Map references:

Africa

Area:

total: 245,857 sq km

land: 245,857 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly smaller than Oregon

Land boundaries: total: 3,399 km border countries: Cote d'Ivoire 610 km, Guinea-Bissau 386 km, Liberia 563 km, Mali 858 km, Senegal 330 km, Sierra Leone 652 km

Coastline: 320 km

Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Climate:

generally hot and humid; monsoonal-type rainy season (June to

November) with southwesterly winds; dry season (December to May)

with northeasterly harmattan winds

Terrain:

generally flat coastal plain, hilly to mountainous interior

Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mont Nimba 1,752 m

Natural resources: bauxite, iron ore, diamonds, gold, uranium, hydropower, fish, salt

Land use: arable land: 3.63% permanent crops: 2.58% other: 93.79% (2001)

Irrigated land:

950 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

hot, dry, dusty harmattan haze may reduce visibility during dry

season

Environment - current issues:

deforestation; inadequate supplies of potable water;

desertification; soil contamination and erosion; overfishing,

overpopulation in forest region; poor mining practices have led to

environmental damage

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto

Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law

of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

the Niger and its important tributary the Milo have their sources

in the Guinean highlands

People Guinea

Population:

9,467,866 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 44.4% (male 2,123,207/female 2,079,475)

15-64 years: 52.4% (male 2,478,820/female 2,486,300)

65 years and over: 3.2% (male 131,130/female 168,934) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 17.67 years

male: 17.42 years

female: 17.93 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

2.37% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

42.03 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

15.38 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

-2.99 migrant(s)/1,000 population

note: as a result of conflict in neighboring countries, Guinea is

host to approximately 150,000 Liberian and Sierra Leonean refugees

(2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female

total population: 1 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 90.37 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 95.82 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 84.76 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 49.36 years

male: 48.19 years

female: 50.57 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

5.83 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

3.2% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

140,000 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

9,000 (2003 est.)

Major infectious diseases:

degree of risk: very high

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea,

hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases: malaria and yellow fever are high risks in

some locations

water contact disease: schistosomiasis

respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis

aerosolized dust or soil contact disease: Lassa fever (2004)

Nationality:

noun: Guinean(s)

adjective: Guinean

Ethnic groups:

Peuhl 40%, Malinke 30%, Soussou 20%, smaller ethnic groups 10%

Religions:

Muslim 85%, Christian 8%, indigenous beliefs 7%

Languages:

French (official), each ethnic group has its own language

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 35.9%

male: 49.9%

female: 21.9% (1995 est.)

Government Guinea

Country name:

conventional long form: Republic of Guinea

conventional short form: Guinea

local long form: Republique de Guinee

local short form: Guinee

former: French Guinea

Government type:

republic

Capital:

Conakry

Administrative divisions:

33 prefectures and 1 special zone (zone special)*; Beyla, Boffa,

Boke, Conakry*, Coyah, Dabola, Dalaba, Dinguiraye, Dubreka, Faranah,

Forecariah, Fria, Gaoual, Gueckedou, Kankan, Kerouane, Kindia,

Kissidougou, Koubia, Koundara, Kouroussa, Labe, Lelouma, Lola,

Macenta, Mali, Mamou, Mandiana, Nzerekore, Pita, Siguiri, Telimele,

Tougue, Yomou

Independence:

2 October 1958 (from France)

National holiday:

Independence Day, 2 October (1958)

Constitution:

23 December 1990 (Loi Fundamentale)

Legal system:

based on French civil law system, customary law, and decree; legal

codes currently being revised; has not accepted compulsory ICJ

jurisdiction

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Lansana CONTE (head of military

government since 5 April 1984, elected president 19 December 1993)

head of government: Prime Minister Cellou Dalein DIALLO (since 4

December 2004)

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president

elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;

candidate must receive a majority of the votes cast to be elected

president; election last held 21 December 2003 (next to be held

December 2008); the prime minister is appointed by the president

election results: Lansana CONTE reelected president; percent of vote

- Lansana CONTE (PUP) 95.3%, Mamadou Boye BARRY (UPR) 4.6%

Legislative branch:

unicameral People's National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale

Populaire (114 seats; members are elected by direct, popular vote to

serve five-year terms)

elections: last held 30 June 2002 (next to be held NA 2007)

election results: percent of vote by party - PUP 61.6%, UPR 26.6%,

other 11.8%; seats by party - PUP 85, UPR 20, other 9

Judicial branch:

Court of Appeal or Cour d'Appel

Political parties and leaders:

Democratic Party of Guinea-African Democratic Rally or PDG-RDA [El

Hadj Ismael Mohamed Gassim GUSHEIN]; National Union for Progress or

UPN [Mamadou Bhoye BARRY]; Party for Unity and Progress or PUP

[Lansana CONTE] - the governing party; People's Party of Guinea or

PPG [Pascal TOLNO]; Rally for the Guinean People or RPG [Alpha

CONDE]; Union of Democratic Forces of Guinea or UFDG [Mamadou BA];

Union of Republican Forces or UFR [Sidya TOURE]; Union for Progress

and Renewal or UPR [Siradiou DIALLO]; Union for Progress of Guinea

or UPG [Jean-Marie DORE, secretary-general]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

NA

International organization participation:

ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU,

ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM,

ISO (correspondent), ITU, MIGA, MINURSO, NAM, OIC, ONUB, OPCW, UN,

UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNOCI, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU,

WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Rafiou Alpha Oumar BARRY chancery: 2112 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 986-4300 FAX: [1] (202) 478-3010

Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Jackson MCDONALD embassy: Rue Ka 038, Conakry mailing address: B. P. 603, Conakry telephone: [224] 41 15 20, 41 15 21, 41 15 23 FAX: [224] 41 15 22

Flag description:

three equal vertical bands of red (hoist side), yellow, and green;

uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia

Economy Guinea

Economy - overview:

Guinea possesses major mineral, hydropower, and agricultural

resources, yet remains an underdeveloped nation. The country

possesses over 30% of the world's bauxite reserves and is the

second-largest bauxite producer. The mining sector accounted for

about 75% of exports in 1999. Long-run improvements in government

fiscal arrangements, literacy, and the legal framework are needed if

the country is to move out of poverty. Fighting along the Sierra

Leonean and Liberian borders, as well as refugee movements, have

caused major economic disruptions, aggravating a loss in investor

confidence. Foreign mining companies have reduced expatriate staff.

Panic buying has created food shortages and inflation and caused

riots in local markets. Guinea is not receiving multilateral aid.

The IMF and World Bank cut off most assistance in 2003. Growth rose

slightly in 2004, primarily due to increases in global demand and

commodity prices on world markets.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$19.5 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

1% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $2,100 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 25% industry: 38.2% services: 36.8% (2004 est.)

Labor force:

3 million (1999)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 80%, industry and services 20% (2000 est.)

Unemployment rate:

NA (2002 est.)

Population below poverty line:

40% (2003 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.6% highest 10%: 32% (1994)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

40.3 (1994)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

18% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

21% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $382.7 million

expenditures: $711.4 million, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

rice, coffee, pineapples, palm kernels, cassava (tapioca), bananas,

sweet potatoes; cattle, sheep, goats; timber

Industries:

bauxite, gold, diamonds; alumina refining; light manufacturing and

agricultural processing industries

Industrial production growth rate:

3.2% (1994)

Electricity - production:

855 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 45.5% hydro: 54.5% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

795.2 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

8,600 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Current account balance:

$-308.3 million (2004 est.)

Exports:

$709.2 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

bauxite, alumina, gold, diamonds, coffee, fish, agricultural

products

Exports - partners:

France 17.7%, Belgium 14.7%, UK 14.7%, Switzerland 12.8%, Ukraine

4.2% (2004)

Imports:

$641.5 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

petroleum products, metals, machinery, transport equipment,

textiles, grain and other foodstuffs

Imports - partners:

Cote d'Ivoire 15.5%, France 9%, Belgium 6.1%, China 6%, South

Africa 4.8% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$201.7 million (2004 est.)

Debt - external:

$3.25 billion (2001 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:

$359.2 million (1998)

Currency (code):

Guinean franc (GNF)

Currency code:

GNF

Exchange rates:

Guinean francs per US dollar - 2,550 (2004), 1,984.9 (2003),

1,975.8 (2002), 1,950.6 (2001), 1,746.9 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Guinea

Telephones - main lines in use:

26,200 (2003)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

111,500 (2003)

Telephone system:

general assessment: poor to fair system of open-wire lines, small

radiotelephone communication stations, and new microwave radio relay

system

domestic: microwave radio relay and radiotelephone communication

international: country code - 224; satellite earth station - 1

Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 4 (one station is inactive), FM 1 (plus 7 repeaters), shortwave

3 (2001)

Radios:

357,000 (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

6 low-power stations (2001)

Televisions:

85,000 (1997)

Internet country code:

.gn

Internet hosts:

380 (2004)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

4 (2001)

Internet users:

40,000 (2003)

Transportation Guinea

Railways:

total: 837 km

standard gauge: 175 km 1.435-m gauge

narrow gauge: 662 km 1.000-m gauge (2004)

Highways:

total: 30,500 km

paved: 5,033 km

unpaved: 25,467 km (1999 est.)

Waterways:

1,295 km (navigable by shallow-draft native craft) (2003)

Ports and harbors:

Kamsar

Airports:

16 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 5

over 3,047 m: 1

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 11

1,524 to 2,437 m: 6

914 to 1,523 m: 3

under 914 m: 2 (2004 est.)

Military Guinea

Military branches:

Army (includes Presidential Guard, Republican Guard), Navy, Air

Force, National Gendarmerie, General Directorate of National Police

Military service age and obligation:

18 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript service

obligation - 2 years (2004)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 18-49: 1,853,316 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: 1,038,036 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$56.7 million (2004)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

1.7% (2004)

Transnational Issues Guinea

Disputes - international:

conflicts among rebel groups, warlords, and youth gangs in

neighboring states has spilled over into Guinea, resulting in

domestic instability; Sierra Leone pressures Guinea to remove its

forces from the town of Yenga occupied since 1998

Refugees and internally displaced persons:

refugees (country of origin): 133,175 (Liberia) 13,633 (Sierra

Leone) 7,064 (Cote d'Ivoire)

IDPs: 100,000 (cross-border incursions from Liberia, Sierra Leone,

Cote d'Ivoire) (2004)

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Guinea-Bissau

Introduction Guinea-Bissau

Background:

Since independence from Portugal in 1974, Guinea-Bissau has

experienced considerable upheaval. The founding government consisted

of a single party system and command economy. In 1980, a military

coup established Joao VIEIRA as president and a path to a market

economy and multiparty system was implemented. A number of coup

attempts through the 1980s and early 1990s failed to unseat him and

in 1994 he was elected president in the country's first free

elections. A military coup attempt and civil war in 1998 eventually

led to VIEIRA's ouster in 1999. In February 2000, an interim

government turned over power when opposition leader Kumba YALA took

office following two rounds of transparent presidential elections.

YALA was ousted in a bloodless coup in September 2003, and Henrique

ROSA was sworn in as President. Guinea-Bissau's transition back to

democracy will be complicated by its crippled economy, devastated in

the civil war.

Geography Guinea-Bissau

Location:

Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea

and Senegal

Geographic coordinates:

12 00 N, 15 00 W

Map references:

Africa

Area:

total: 36,120 sq km

land: 28,000 sq km

water: 8,120 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly less than three times the size of Connecticut

Land boundaries: total: 724 km border countries: Guinea 386 km, Senegal 338 km

Coastline: 350 km

Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Climate:

tropical; generally hot and humid; monsoonal-type rainy season

(June to November) with southwesterly winds; dry season (December to

May) with northeasterly harmattan winds

Terrain:

mostly low coastal plain rising to savanna in east

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

highest point: unnamed location in the northeast corner of the

country 300 m

Natural resources:

fish, timber, phosphates, bauxite, clay, granite, limestone,

unexploited deposits of petroleum

Land use: arable land: 10.67% permanent crops: 8.82% other: 80.51% (2001)

Irrigated land:

170 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

hot, dry, dusty harmattan haze may reduce visibility during dry

season; brush fires

Environment - current issues:

deforestation; soil erosion; overgrazing; overfishing

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered

Species, Law of the Sea, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

this small country is swampy along its western coast and low-lying

further inland

People Guinea-Bissau

Population:

1,416,027 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 41.5% (male 293,280/female 294,483)

15-64 years: 55.5% (male 376,719/female 409,402)

65 years and over: 3% (male 17,865/female 24,278) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 18.97 years

male: 18.37 years

female: 19.57 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

1.96% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

37.65 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

16.53 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

-1.54 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.74 male(s)/female

total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 107.17 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 117.78 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 96.25 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 46.61 years

male: 44.77 years

female: 48.52 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

4.93 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

10% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

17,000 (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

1,200 (2001 est.)

Major infectious diseases:

degree of risk: very high

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea,

hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases: malaria and yellow fever are high risks in

some locations

water contact disease: schistosomiasis

respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis (2004)

Nationality:

noun: Guinean(s)

adjective: Guinean

Ethnic groups:

African 99% (Balanta 30%, Fula 20%, Manjaca 14%, Mandinga 13%,

Papel 7%), European and mulatto less than 1%

Religions:

indigenous beliefs 50%, Muslim 45%, Christian 5%

Languages:

Portuguese (official), Crioulo, African languages

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 42.4%

male: 58.1%

female: 27.4% (2003 est.)

Government Guinea-Bissau

Country name:

conventional long form: Republic of Guinea-Bissau

conventional short form: Guinea-Bissau

local long form: Republica da Guine-Bissau

local short form: Guine-Bissau

former: Portuguese Guinea

Government type:

republic, multiparty since mid-1991

Capital:

Bissau

Administrative divisions:

9 regions (regioes, singular - regiao); Bafata, Biombo, Bissau,

Bolama, Cacheu, Gabu, Oio, Quinara, Tombali; note - Bolama may have

been renamed Bolama/Bijagos

Independence:

24 September 1973 (unilaterally declared by Guinea-Bissau); 10

September 1974 (recognized by Portugal)

National holiday:

Independence Day, 24 September (1973)

Constitution:

16 May 1984; amended 4 May 1991, 4 December 1991, 26 February 1993,

9 June 1993, and 1996

Legal system:

NA

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Henrique ROSA (interim; since 28

September 2003); note - a September 2003 coup overthrew the elected

government of Kumba YALA; General Verissimo Correia SEABRA served as

interim president from 14 to 28 September 2003

head of government: Prime Minister Carlos GOMES Junior (since 9 May

2004)

cabinet: NA

elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;

election last held 28 November 1999 and 16 January 2000 (next to be

held May 2005); prime minister appointed by the president after

consultation with party leaders in the legislature

election results: Kumba YALA elected president; percent of vote,

second ballot - Kumba YALA (PRS) 72%, Malan Bacai SANHA (PAIGC) 28%

note: a bloodless coup led to the dissolution of the elected

government of Kumba YALA in September 2003; General Verissimo

Correia SEABRA served as interim president from 14 September 2003

until stepping aside on 28 September 2003 with the establishment of

a caretaker government

Legislative branch:

unicameral National People's Assembly or Assembleia Nacional

Popular (100 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve a

maximum of four years)

elections: last held 28 March 2004 (next to be held NA 2008)

election results: percent of vote by party - PAIGC 31.5%, PRS 24.8%,

PUSD 16.1%, UE 4.1%, APU 1.3%, 13 other parties 22.2%; seats by

party - PAIGC 45, PRS 35, PUSD 17, UE 2, APU 1

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court or Supremo Tribunal da Justica (consists of nine

justices appointed by the president and serve at his pleasure; final

court of appeals in criminal and civil cases); Regional Courts (one

in each of nine regions; first court of appeals for Sectoral Court

decisions; hear all felony cases and civil cases valued at over

$1,000); 24 Sectoral Courts (judges are not necessarily trained

lawyers; they hear civil cases under $1,000 and misdemeanor criminal

cases)

Political parties and leaders:

African Party for the Independence of Guinea-Bissau and Cape Verde

or PAIGC [Carlos GOMES Junior]; Front for the Liberation and

Independence of Guinea or FLING [Francois MENDY]; Guinea-Bissau

Resistance-Ba Fata Movement or RGB-MB [Helder Vaz LOPES]; Guinean

Civic Forum or FCG [Antonieta Rosa GOMES]; International League for

Ecological Protection or LIPE [Alhaje Bubacar DJALO, president];

National Union for Democracy and Progress or UNDP [Abubacer BALDE,

secretary general]; Party for Democratic Convergence or PCD [Victor

MANDINGA]; Social Renovation Party or PRS [Kumba YALA]; Union for

Change or UM [Jorge MANDINGA, president, Dr. Anne SAAD, secretary

general]; United Platform or UP [coalition formed by PCD, FDS,

FLING, and RGB-MB]; United Social Democratic Party or PUSD

[Francisco Jose FADUL]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

NA

International organization participation:

ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, ECOWAS, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt

(signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO,

Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, NAM, OIC, OPCW (signatory), UN, UNCTAD,

UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO,

WToO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Henrique

Adriano DA SILVA

chancery: 1511 K Street NW, Suite 519, Washington, DC 20005

telephone: [1] (202) 347-3950

FAX: [1] (202) 347-3954

Diplomatic representation from the US:

the US Embassy suspended operations on 14 June 1998 in the midst of

violent conflict between forces loyal to then President VIEIRA and

military-led junta; US embassy Dakar is responsible for covering

Guinea-Bissau: telephone - [221] 823-4296; FAX - [221] 822-5903

Flag description:

two equal horizontal bands of yellow (top) and green with a

vertical red band on the hoist side; there is a black five-pointed

star centered in the red band; uses the popular pan-African colors

of Ethiopia

Economy Guinea-Bissau

Economy - overview:

One of the 10 poorest countries in the world, Guinea-Bissau depends

mainly on farming and fishing. Cashew crops have increased

remarkably in recent years, and the country now ranks sixth in

cashew production. Guinea-Bissau exports fish and seafood along with

small amounts of peanuts, palm kernels, and timber. Rice is the

major crop and staple food. However, intermittent fighting between

Senegalese-backed government troops and a military junta destroyed

much of the country's infrastructure and caused widespread damage to

the economy in 1998; the civil war led to a 28% drop in GDP that

year, with partial recovery in 1999-2002. Before the war, trade

reform and price liberalization were the most successful part of the

country's structural adjustment program under IMF sponsorship. The

tightening of monetary policy and the development of the private

sector had also begun to reinvigorate the economy. Because of high

costs, the development of petroleum, phosphate, and other mineral

resources is not a near-term prospect. However, unexploited offshore

oil reserves could provide much-needed revenue in the long run. The

inequality of income distribution is one of the most extreme in the

world. The government and international donors continue to work out

plans to forward economic development from a lamentably low base. In

December 2003, the World Bank, IMF, and UNDP were forced to step in

to provide emergency budgetary support in the amount of $107 million

for 2004, representing over 80% of the total national budget.

Government drift and indecision, however, have resulted in continued

low growth in 2004.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$1.008 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

2.6% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $700 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 62% industry: 12% services: 26% (1999 est.)

Labor force:

480,000 (1999)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 82% (2000 est.)

Unemployment rate:

NA (1998)

Population below poverty line:

NA

Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 0.5% highest 10%: 42.4% (1991)

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4% (2002 est.)

Budget:

revenues: NA

expenditures: NA, including capital expenditures of NA

Agriculture - products:

rice, corn, beans, cassava (tapioca), cashew nuts, peanuts, palm

kernels, cotton; timber; fish

Industries:

agricultural products processing, beer, soft drinks

Industrial production growth rate:

2.6% (1997 est.)

Electricity - production:

55 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

51.15 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

2,500 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Exports:

$54 million f.o.b. (2002 est.)

Exports - commodities:

cashew nuts, shrimp, peanuts, palm kernels, sawn lumber

Exports - partners:

India 52.1%, US 22.2%, Nigeria 13.2% (2004)

Imports:

$104 million f.o.b. (2002 est.)

Imports - commodities:

foodstuffs, machinery and transport equipment, petroleum products

Imports - partners:

Senegal 44.6%, Portugal 13.8%, China 4.2% (2004)

Debt - external:

$941.5 million (2000 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:

$115.4 million (1995)

Currency (code):

Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XOF); note - responsible

authority is the Central Bank of the West African States; previously

the Guinea-Bissau peso (GWP) was used

Currency code:

XOF; GWP

Exchange rates:

Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar - 528.29

(2004), 581.2 (2003), 696.99 (2002), 733.04 (2001), 711.98 (2000)

note: since 1 January 1999, the XOF franc is pegged to the euro at a

rate of 655.957 XOF francs per euro

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Guinea-Bissau

Telephones - main lines in use:

10,600 (2003)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

1,300 (2003)

Telephone system:

general assessment: small system

domestic: combination of microwave radio relay, open-wire lines,

radiotelephone, and cellular communications

international: country code - 245

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 1 (transmitter out of service), FM 4, shortwave 0 (2002)

Radios:

49,000 (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

NA (1997)

Televisions:

NA

Internet country code:

.gw

Internet hosts:

2 (2004)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

2 (2002)

Internet users:

19,000 (2003)

Transportation Guinea-Bissau

Highways: total: 4,400 km paved: 453 km unpaved: 3,947 km (1999 est.)

Waterways:

4 largest rivers are navigable for some distance; many inlets and

creeks give shallow-water access to much of interior (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Bissau, Buba, Cacheu, Farim

Airports:

28 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 3

over 3,047 m: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 25

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 4

under 914 m: 20 (2004 est.)

Military Guinea-Bissau

Military branches:

People's Revolutionary Armed Force (FARP; includes Army, Navy, and

Air Force), paramilitary force

Military service age and obligation:

18 years of age for compulsory military service (2001)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 18-49: 288,770 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: 152,760 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$8.9 million (2004)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

3.1% (2004)

Transnational Issues Guinea-Bissau

Disputes - international:

attempts to stem refugees and cross-border raids, arms smuggling,

and political instability from a separatist movement in Senegal's

Casamance region

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Guyana

Introduction Guyana

Background:

Originally a Dutch colony in the 17th century, by 1815 Guyana had

become a British possession. The abolition of slavery led to black

settlement of urban areas and the importation of indentured servants

from India to work the sugar plantations. This ethnocultural divide

has persisted and has led to turbulent politics. Guyana achieved

independence from the UK in 1966, but until the early 1990s it was

ruled mostly by socialist-oriented governments. In 1992, Cheddi

JAGAN was elected president, in what is considered the country's

first free and fair election since independence. Upon his death five

years later, he was succeeded by his wife Janet, who resigned in

1999 due to poor health. Her successor, Bharrat JAGDEO, was

reelected in 2001.

Geography Guyana

Location:

Northern South America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between

Suriname and Venezuela

Geographic coordinates:

5 00 N, 59 00 W

Map references:

South America

Area:

total: 214,970 sq km

land: 196,850 sq km

water: 18,120 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly smaller than Idaho

Land boundaries: total: 2,462 km border countries: Brazil 1,119 km, Suriname 600 km, Venezuela 743 km

Coastline:

459 km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

continental shelf: 200 nm or to the outer edge of the continental

margin

Climate:

tropical; hot, humid, moderated by northeast trade winds; two rainy

seasons (May to mid-August, mid-November to mid-January)

Terrain:

mostly rolling highlands; low coastal plain; savanna in south

Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Roraima 2,835 m

Natural resources: bauxite, gold, diamonds, hardwood timber, shrimp, fish

Land use: arable land: 2.44% permanent crops: 0.15% other: 97.41% (2001)

Irrigated land:

1,500 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

flash floods are a constant threat during rainy seasons

Environment - current issues:

water pollution from sewage and agricultural and industrial

chemicals; deforestation

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto

Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law

of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber

83, Tropical Timber 94

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

the third-smallest country in South America after Suriname and

Uruguay; substantial portions of its western and eastern territories

are claimed by Venezuela and Suriname respectively

People Guyana

Population:

765,283

note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the

effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower

life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower

population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of

population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July

2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 26.4% (male 103,054/female 99,279)

15-64 years: 68.5% (male 263,953/female 260,000)

65 years and over: 5.1% (male 16,801/female 22,196) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 26.91 years

male: 26.44 years

female: 27.4 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

0.26% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

18.45 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

8.32 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

-7.51 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/female

total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 33.26 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 36.94 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 29.38 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 65.5 years

male: 62.86 years

female: 68.28 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

2.05 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

2.5% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

11,000 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

1,100 (2003 est.)

Nationality:

noun: Guyanese (singular and plural)

adjective: Guyanese

Ethnic groups:

East Indian 50%, black 36%, Amerindian 7%, white, Chinese, and

mixed 7%

Religions:

Christian 50%, Hindu 35%, Muslim 10%, other 5%

Languages:

English, Amerindian dialects, Creole, Hindi, Urdu

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school

total population: 98.8%

male: 99.1%

female: 98.5% (2003 est.)

Government Guyana

Country name:

conventional long form: Co-operative Republic of Guyana

conventional short form: Guyana

former: British Guiana

Government type:

republic within the Commonwealth

Capital:

Georgetown

Administrative divisions:

10 regions; Barima-Waini, Cuyuni-Mazaruni, Demerara-Mahaica, East

Berbice-Corentyne, Essequibo Islands-West Demerara, Mahaica-Berbice,

Pomeroon-Supenaam, Potaro-Siparuni, Upper Demerara-Berbice, Upper

Takutu-Upper Essequibo

Independence:

26 May 1966 (from UK)

National holiday:

Republic Day, 23 February (1970)

Constitution:

6 October 1980

Legal system:

based on English common law with certain admixtures of Roman-Dutch

law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Bharrat JAGDEO (since 11 August 1999);

note - assumed presidency after resignation of President Janet JAGAN

head of government: Prime Minister Samuel HINDS (since December 1997)

cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president,

responsible to the legislature

elections: president elected by the majority party in the National

Assembly following legislative elections, which must be held at

least every five years; elections last held 19 March 2001 (next to

be held by March 2006); prime minister appointed by the president

election results: President Bharrat JAGDEO reelected; percent of

legislative vote - NA%

Legislative branch:

unicameral National Assembly (68 seats, 65 elected by popular vote,

1 elected Speaker of the National Assembly, and 2 nonvoting members

appointed by the president; members serve five-year terms)

elections: last held 19 March 2001 (next to be held March 2006)

election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -

PPP/C 34, PNC 27, GAP and WPA 2, ROAR 1, TUF 1

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court of Judicature; Judicial Court of Appeal; High Court

Political parties and leaders:

Alliance for Guyana or AFG (includes Guyana Labor Party or GLP and

Working People's Alliance or WPA) [Rupert ROOPNARAINE]; Guyana

Action Party or GAP [Paul HARDY]; Guyana Labor Party or GLP [leader

NA]; People's National Congress or PNC [Robert Herman Orlando

CORBIN]; People's Progressive Party/Civic or PPP/C [Bharrat JAGDEO];

Rise, Organize, and Rebuild or ROAR [Ravi DEV]; The United Force or

TUF [Manzoor NADIR]; Working People's Alliance or WPA [Rupert

ROOPNARAINE]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

Civil Liberties Action Committee or CLAC; Guyana Council of Indian

Organizations or GCIO; Trades Union Congress or TUC

note: the GCIO and the CLAC are small and active but not well

organized

International organization participation:

ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, CSN, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt,

ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC,

ISO (subscriber), ITU, LAES, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OIC, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA,

RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO,

WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Bayney KARRAN

chancery: 2490 Tracy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 265-6900

FAX: [1] (202) 232-1297

consulate(s) general: New York

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Roland BULLEN

embassy: 100 Young and Duke Streets, Kingston, Georgetown

mailing address: P. O. Box 10507, Georgetown

telephone: [592] 225-4900 through 4909

FAX: [592] 225-8497

Flag description:

green, with a red isosceles triangle (based on the hoist side)

superimposed on a long, yellow arrowhead; there is a narrow, black

border between the red and yellow, and a narrow, white border

between the yellow and the green

Economy Guyana

Economy - overview:

The Guyanese economy exhibited moderate economic growth in 2001-02,

based on expansion in the agricultural and mining sectors, a more

favorable atmosphere for business initiatives, a more realistic

exchange rate, fairly low inflation, and the continued support of

international organizations. Growth then slowed in 2003 and came

back gradually in 2004, buoyed largely by increased export earnings.

Chronic problems include a shortage of skilled labor and a deficient

infrastructure. The government is juggling a sizable external debt

against the urgent need for expanded public investment. The bauxite

mining sector should benefit in the near term from restructuring and

partial privatization.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$2.899 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

1.9% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $3,800 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 38.3% industry: 19.9% services: 41.8% (2004 est.)

Labor force:

418,000 (2001 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture NA%, industry NA%, services NA%

Unemployment rate:

9.1% (understated) (2000)

Population below poverty line:

NA

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

4.5% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

34.5% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $287.6 million

expenditures: $371.6 million, including capital expenditures of

$93.4 million (2004 est.)

Agriculture - products: sugarcane, rice, wheat, vegetable oils; beef, pork, poultry, dairy products; fish, shrimp

Industries:

bauxite, sugar, rice milling, timber, textiles, gold mining

Industrial production growth rate:

7.1% (1997 est.)

Electricity - production:

808 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 99.4% hydro: 0.6% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

751.4 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

11,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Current account balance:

$-129.4 million (2004 est.)

Exports:

$570.2 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

sugar, gold, bauxite/alumina, rice, shrimp, molasses, rum, timber

Exports - partners:

Canada 23.2%, US 19.2%, UK 10.9%, Portugal 9%, Belgium 6.4%,

Jamaica 5.2% (2004)

Imports:

$650.1 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

manufactures, machinery, petroleum, food

Imports - partners:

Trinidad and Tobago 24.8%, US 24.5%, Cuba 6.8%, UK 5.4% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$280.6 million (2004 est.)

Debt - external:

$1.2 billion (2002)

Economic aid - recipient:

$84 million (1995), Heavily Indebted Poor Country Initiative (HIPC)

$253 million (1997)

Currency (code):

Guyanese dollar (GYD)

Currency code:

GYD

Exchange rates:

Guyanese dollars per US dollar - 198.33 (2004), 193.88 (2003),

190.67 (2002), 187.32 (2001), 182.43 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Guyana

Telephones - main lines in use:

80,400 (2002)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

87,300 (2002)

Telephone system:

general assessment: fair system for long-distance service

domestic: microwave radio relay network for trunk lines

international: country code - 592; tropospheric scatter to Trinidad;

satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 3, FM 3, shortwave 1 (1998)

Radios:

420,000 (1997)

Television broadcast stations: 3 (one public station; two private stations which relay US satellite services) (1997)

Televisions:

46,000 (1997)

Internet country code:

.gy

Internet hosts:

613 (2003)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

3 (2000)

Internet users:

125,000 (2002)

Transportation Guyana

Railways:

total: 187 km

standard gauge: 139 km 1.435-m gauge

narrow gauge: 48 km 0.914-m gauge

note: all dedicated to ore transport (2001 est.)

Highways:

total: 7,970 km

paved: 590 km

unpaved: 7,380 km (1999 est.)

Waterways:

1,077 km

note: Berbice, Demerara, and Essequibo rivers are navigable by

oceangoing vessels for 150 km, 100 km, and 80 km respectively (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Georgetown

Merchant marine:

total: 6 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 7,475 GRT/8,758 DWT

by type: cargo 5, refrigerated cargo 1

registered in other countries: 3 (2005)

Airports:

49 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 8

1,524 to 2,437 m: 3

under 914 m: 5 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 41 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 8 under 914 m: 32 (2004 est.)

Military Guyana

Military branches:

Guyana Defense Force: Ground Forces, Coast Guard, Air Corps, Guyana

People's Militia

Manpower available for military service:

males age 18-49: 206,098 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: 137,964 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$6.5 million (2003)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

0.9% (2004)

Transnational Issues Guyana

Disputes - international:

all of the area west of the Essequibo (river) is claimed by

Venezuela preventing any discussion of a maritime boundary; Guyana

has expressed its intention to join Barbados in asserting claims

before UNCLOS that Trinidad and Tobago's maritime boundary with

Venezuela extends into their waters; Suriname claims a triangle of

land between the New and Kutari/Koetari rivers in a historic dispute

over the headwaters of the Courantyne; Guyana seeks UNCLOS

arbitration to resolve the long-standing dispute with Suriname over

the axis of the territorial sea boundary in potentially oil-rich

waters

Illicit drugs:

transshipment point for narcotics from South America - primarily

Venezuela - to Europe and the US; producer of cannabis

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Haiti

Introduction Haiti

Background:

The native Arawak Amerindians - who inhabited the island of

Hispaniola when it was discovered by Columbus in 1492 - were

virtually annihilated by Spanish settlers within 25 years. In the

early 17th century, the French established a presence on Hispaniola,

and in 1697, Spain ceded to the French the western third of the

island - Haiti. The French colony, based on forestry and

sugar-related industries, became one of the wealthiest in the

Caribbean, but only through the heavy importation of African slaves

and considerable environmental degradation. In the late 18th

century, Haiti's nearly half million slaves revolted under Toussaint

L'OUVERTURE and after a prolonged struggle, became the first black

republic to declare its independence in 1804. Haiti has been plagued

by political violence for most of its history. It is the poorest

country in the Western Hemisphere.

Geography Haiti

Location:

Caribbean, western one-third of the island of Hispaniola, between

the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, west of the

Dominican Republic

Geographic coordinates:

19 00 N, 72 25 W

Map references:

Central America and the Caribbean

Area:

total: 27,750 sq km

land: 27,560 sq km

water: 190 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly smaller than Maryland

Land boundaries: total: 360 km border countries: Dominican Republic 360 km

Coastline: 1,771 km

Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: to depth of exploitation

Climate:

tropical; semiarid where mountains in east cut off trade winds

Terrain:

mostly rough and mountainous

Elevation extremes: lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Chaine de la Selle 2,680 m

Natural resources: bauxite, copper, calcium carbonate, gold, marble, hydropower

Land use: arable land: 28.3% permanent crops: 11.61% other: 60.09% (2001)

Irrigated land:

750 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

lies in the middle of the hurricane belt and subject to severe

storms from June to October; occasional flooding and earthquakes;

periodic droughts

Environment - current issues:

extensive deforestation (much of the remaining forested land is

being cleared for agriculture and used as fuel); soil erosion;

inadequate supplies of potable water

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Law of the

Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection

signed, but not ratified: Hazardous Wastes

Geography - note:

shares island of Hispaniola with Dominican Republic (western

one-third is Haiti, eastern two-thirds is the Dominican Republic)

People Haiti

Population:

8,121,622

note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the

effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower

life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower

population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of

population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July

2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 42.6% (male 1,741,622/female 1,721,436)

15-64 years: 53.9% (male 2,137,225/female 2,242,639)

65 years and over: 3.4% (male 124,383/female 154,317) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 18.03 years

male: 17.63 years

female: 18.44 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

2.26% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

36.59 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

12.34 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

-1.68 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.81 male(s)/female

total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 73.45 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 79.92 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 66.79 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 52.92 years

male: 51.58 years

female: 54.31 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

5.02 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

5.6% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

280,000 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

24,000 (2003 est.)

Nationality: noun: Haitian(s) adjective: Haitian

Ethnic groups:

black 95%, mulatto and white 5%

Religions:

Roman Catholic 80%, Protestant 16% (Baptist 10%, Pentecostal 4%,

Adventist 1%, other 1%), none 1%, other 3% (1982)

note: roughly half of the population practices Voodoo

Languages:

French (official), Creole (official)

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 52.9%

male: 54.8%

female: 51.2% (2003 est.)

Government Haiti

Country name:

conventional long form: Republic of Haiti

conventional short form: Haiti

local long form: Republique d'Haiti

local short form: Haiti

Government type:

elected government

Capital:

Port-au-Prince

Administrative divisions:

9 departments (departements, singular - departement); Artibonite,

Centre, Grand 'Anse, Nord, Nord-Est, Nord-Ouest, Ouest, Sud, Sud-Est

Independence:

1 January 1804 (from France)

National holiday:

Independence Day, 1 January (1804)

Constitution:

approved March 1987; suspended June 1988 with most articles

reinstated March 1989; in October 1991 government claimed to be

observing the constitution; returned to constitutional rule in

October 1994

Legal system:

based on Roman civil law system; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: Interim President Boniface ALEXANDRE (since 29

February 2004)

note: Jean-Bertrand ARISTIDE resigned as president on 29 February

2004; ALEXANDRE, as Chief of the Supreme Court, constitutionally

succeeded Aristide

head of government: Interim Prime Minister Gerald LATORTUE (since 12

March 2004), chosen by extraconstitutional Council of Eminent

Persons representing cross-section of political and civic interests

cabinet: Cabinet chosen by the prime minister in consultation with

the president

elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;

election last held 26 November 2000 (next to be held in November

2005); prime minister appointed by the president, ratified by the

National Assembly

election results: Jean-Bertrand ARISTIDE elected president; percent

of vote - Jean-Bertrand ARISTIDE 92%

Legislative branch:

bicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale consists of the

Senate (27 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve six-year

terms; one-third elected every two years) and the Chamber of

Deputies (83 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve

four-year terms); note - the National Assembly stopped functioning

in January 2004 when the terms of all Deputies and two-thirds of

sitting Senators expired; no replacements have been elected; the

President is currently ruling by decree

elections: Senate - last held for two-thirds of seats 21 May 2000

with runoffs on 9 July boycotted by the opposition; seven seats

still disputed; election for remaining one-third held on 26 November

2000 (next to be held in 2005); Chamber of Deputies - last held 21

May 2000 with runoffs on 30 July boycotted by the opposition; one

vacant seat rerun 26 November 2000 (next to be held in November 2005)

election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by

party - FL 26, independent 1; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote

by party - NA%; seats by party - FL 73, MOCHRENA 3, PLB 2, OPL 1,

vacant 1, other minor parties and independents 3

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court or Cour de Cassation

Political parties and leaders:

Alliance for the Liberation and Advancement of Haiti or ALAH

[Reynold GEORGES]; Assembly of Progressive National Democrats or

RDNP [Leslie MANIGAT]; Ayiti Kapab [Ernst VERDIEU]; Convention for

Democratic Unity or KID [Evans PAUL]; National Congress of

Democratic Movements or KONAKOM [Victor BENOIT]; Nationalist

Progressive Revolutionary Party or PANPRA [Serge GILLES]; Democratic

Movement for the Liberation of Haiti or MODELH [Francois LATORTUE];

Grand Center Right Front coalition (composed of MDN, MRN, and PDCH)

[Hubert de RONCERAY, Jean BUTEAU, Osner FEVRY and Marie-Denise

CLAUDE]; Haitian Christian Democratic Party or PDCH [Osner FEVRY and

Marie-Denise CLAUDE]; Haitian Democratic Party or PADEMH [Clark

PARENT]; Haitian Democratic and Reform Movement or MODEREH [Dany

TOUSSAINT and Pierre Soncon PRINCE]; Heads Together [Dr. Gerard

BLOT]; Lavalas Family or FL [leader NA]; Liberal Party of Haiti or

PLH [Michael MADSEN]; Mobilization for National Development or MDN

[Hubert DE RONCERAY]; Movement for National Reconstruction or MRN

[Jean Henold BUTEAU]; Movement for the Installation of Democracy in

Haiti or MIDH [Marc BAZIN]; National Front for the Reconstruction of

Haiti or FRON [Guy PHILIPPE]; National Progressive Democratic Party

or PNDPH [Turneb DELPE]; New Christian Movement for a New Haiti or

MOCHRENA [Luc MESADIEU]; Open the Gate Party (Parti Louvri Bayre) or

PLB [leader NA]; Popular Party for the Renewal of Haiti, or

Generation 2000 [Claude ROMAIN and Daniel SUPPLICE]; Struggling

People's Organization or OPL [Edgard LEBLANC]; MNP28 [Dejean

BELIZAIRE]; KOMBA [Evans LESCOUFLAIR]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

Autonomous Organizations of Haitian Workers or CATH [Fignole

ST-CYR]; Confederation of Haitian Workers or CTH; Federation of

Workers Trade Unions or FOS; Group of 184 Civil Society

Organization, or G-184 [Andy APAID]; National Popular Assembly or

APN; Papaye Peasants Movement or MPP [Chavannes JEAN-BAPTISTE];

Popular Organizations Gathering Power or PROP; Roman Catholic

Church; Protestant Federation of Haiti

International organization participation:

ACCT, ACP, Caricom (suspended), FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO,

ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO,

Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, LAES, MIGA, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW (signatory),

PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNDP, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO,

WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Charge d'Affaires Raymond JOSEPH (as of November

2004)

chancery: 2311 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 332-4090

FAX: [1] (202) 745-7215

consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Miami, New York, and San Juan

(Puerto Rico)

Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador James B. FOLEY embassy: 5 Harry S Truman Boulevard, Port-au-Prince mailing address: P. O. Box 1761, Port-au-Prince telephone: [509] 222-0354, 222-0269, 222-0200, 222-0327 FAX: [509] 223-1641 or 222-0200 ext 460

Flag description:

two equal horizontal bands of blue (top) and red with a centered

white rectangle bearing the coat of arms, which contains a palm tree

flanked by flags and two cannons above a scroll bearing the motto

L'UNION FAIT LA FORCE (Union Makes Strength)

Economy Haiti

Economy - overview:

In this poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, 80% of the

population lives in abject poverty, and natural disasters frequently

sweep the nation. Two-thirds of all Haitians depend on the

agriculture sector, which consists mainly of small-scale subsistence

farming. Following legislative elections in May 2000, fraught with

irregularities, international donors - including the US and EU -

suspended almost all aid to Haiti. The economy shrank an estimated

1.2% in 2001, 0.9% in 2002, grew 0.4% in 2003, and shrank by 3.5% in

2004. Suspended aid and loan disbursements totaled more than $500

million at the start of 2003. Haiti also suffers from rampant

inflation, a lack of investment, and a severe trade deficit. In

early 2005 Haiti paid its arrears to the World Bank, paving the way

to reengagement with the Bank. The resumption of aid flows from all

donors is alleviating but not ending the nation's bitter economic

problems. Civil strife in 2004 combined with extensive damage from

flooding in southern Haiti in May 2004 and Tropical Storm Jeanne in

northwestern Haiti in September 2004 further impoverished Haiti.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$12.05 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

-3.5% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $1,500 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 30% industry: 20% services: 50% (2001 est.)

Labor force: 3.6 million note: shortage of skilled labor, unskilled labor abundant (1995)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 66%, industry 9%, services 25%

Unemployment rate:

widespread unemployment and underemployment; more than two-thirds

of the labor force do not have formal jobs (2002 est.)

Population below poverty line:

80% (2003 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

22% (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $330.2 million

expenditures: $529.6 million, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

coffee, mangoes, sugarcane, rice, corn, sorghum, wood

Industries:

sugar refining, flour milling, textiles, cement, light assembly

industries based on imported parts

Industrial production growth rate:

NA

Electricity - production:

618 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 60.3% hydro: 39.7% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

574.7 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

11,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Current account balance:

$-27.63 million (2004 est.)

Exports:

$338.1 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

manufactures, coffee, oils, cocoa, mangoes

Exports - partners:

US 81.2%, Dominican Republic 7.3%, Canada 4.1% (2004)

Imports:

$1.085 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

food, manufactured goods, machinery and transport equipment, fuels,

raw materials

Imports - partners:

US 34.8%, Netherlands Antilles 18%, Malaysia 5.1%, Colombia 4.7%

(2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$80.64 million (2004 est.)

Debt - external:

$1.2 billion (2004 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:

$150 million (FY04 est.)

Currency (code):

gourde (HTG)

Currency code:

HTG

Exchange rates:

gourdes per US dollar - 38.352 (2004), 42.367 (2003), 29.251

(2002), 24.429 (2001), 21.171 (2000)

Fiscal year:

1 October - 30 September

Communications Haiti

Telephones - main lines in use:

130,000 (2002)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

140,000 (2002)

Telephone system:

general assessment: domestic facilities barely adequate;

international facilities slightly better

domestic: coaxial cable and microwave radio relay trunk service

international: country code - 509; satellite earth station - 1

Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 41, FM 26, shortwave 0 (1999)

Radios:

415,000 (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

2 (plus a cable TV service) (1997)

Televisions:

38,000 (1997)

Internet country code:

.ht

Internet hosts:

NA

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

3 (2000)

Internet users:

80,000 (2002)

Transportation Haiti

Highways: total: 4,160 km paved: 1,011 km unpaved: 3,149 km (1999 est.)

Ports and harbors:

Cap-Haitien

Airports:

13 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 4

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 3 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 9

914 to 1,523 m: 4

under 914 m: 5 (2004 est.)

Military Haiti

Military branches:

the regular Haitian Armed Forces (FAdH) - Army, Navy, and Air Force

- have been demobilized but still exist on paper until or unless

they are constitutionally abolished

Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for voluntary recruitment into the police force (2001)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 18-49: 1,626,491 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: 948,320 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:

males: 98,554 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$26 million (2003)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

0.9% (2003)

Transnational Issues Haiti

Disputes - international:

since 2004, about 8,000 peacekeepers from the UN Stabilization

Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) maintain civil order in Haiti; despite

efforts to control illegal migration, Haitians fleeing economic

privation and civil unrest continue to cross into Dominican Republic

and to sail to neighboring countries; Haiti claims US-administered

Navassa Island

Illicit drugs:

major Caribbean transshipment point for cocaine en route to the US

and Europe; substantial money-laundering activity; Colombian

narcotics traffickers favor Haiti for illicit financial

transactions; pervasive corruption

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Heard Island and McDonald Islands

Introduction Heard Island and McDonald Islands

Background:

These uninhabited, barren, sub-Antarctic islands were transferred

from the UK to Australia in 1947. Populated by large numbers of seal

and bird species, the islands have been designated a nature preserve.

Geography Heard Island and McDonald Islands

Location:

islands in the Indian Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from

Madagascar to Antarctica

Geographic coordinates:

53 06 S, 72 31 E

Map references:

Antarctic Region

Area:

total: 412 sq km

land: 412 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly more than two times the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries:

0 km

Coastline:

101.9 km

Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm

Climate:

antarctic

Terrain:

Heard Island - 80% ice-covered, bleak and mountainous, dominated by

a large massif (Big Ben) and an active volcano (Mawson Peak);

McDonald Islands - small and rocky

Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Mawson Peak, on Big Ben 2,745 m

Natural resources: fish

Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (2001)

Irrigated land:

0 sq km

Natural hazards:

Mawson Peak, an active volcano, is on Heard Island

Environment - current issues:

NA

People Heard Island and McDonald Islands

Population: uninhabited (July 2005 est.)

Government Heard Island and McDonald Islands

Country name:

conventional long form: Territory of Heard Island and McDonald

Islands

conventional short form: Heard Island and McDonald Islands

Dependency status:

territory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the

Australian Antarctic Division of the Department of the Environment

and Heritage

Legal system:

the laws of Australia, where applicable, apply

Diplomatic representation in the US:

none (territory of Australia)

Diplomatic representation from the US:

none (territory of Australia)

Flag description:

the flag of Australia is used

Economy Heard Island and McDonald Islands

Economy - overview:

No indigenous economic activity, but the Australian Government

allows limited fishing around the islands.

Communications Heard Island and McDonald Islands

Internet country code: .hm

Transportation Heard Island and McDonald Islands

Ports and harbors: none; offshore anchorage only

Military Heard Island and McDonald Islands

Military - note:

defense is the responsibility of Australia; Australia conducts

fisheries patrols

Transnational Issues Heard Island and McDonald Islands

Disputes - international: none

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Holy See (Vatican City)

Introduction Holy See (Vatican City)

Background:

Popes in their secular role ruled portions of the Italian peninsula

for more than a thousand years until the mid 19th century, when many

of the Papal States were seized by the newly united Kingdom of

Italy. In 1870, the pope's holdings were further circumscribed when

Rome itself was annexed. Disputes between a series of "prisoner"

popes and Italy were resolved in 1929 by three Lateran Treaties,

which established the independent state of Vatican City and granted

Roman Catholicism special status in Italy. In 1984, a concordat

between the Holy See and Italy modified certain of the earlier

treaty provisions, including the primacy of Roman Catholicism as the

Italian state religion. Present concerns of the Holy See include

religious freedom, international development, the Middle East,

terrorism, interreligious dialogue and reconciliation, and the

application of church doctrine in an era of rapid change and

globalization. About 1 billion people worldwide profess the Catholic

faith.

Geography Holy See (Vatican City)

Location:

Southern Europe, an enclave of Rome (Italy)

Geographic coordinates:

41 54 N, 12 27 E

Map references:

Europe

Area:

total: 0.44 sq km

land: 0.44 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative:

about 0.7 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC

Land boundaries: total: 3.2 km border countries: Italy 3.2 km

Coastline:

0 km (landlocked)

Maritime claims:

none (landlocked)

Climate:

temperate; mild, rainy winters (September to mid-May) with hot, dry

summers (May to September)

Terrain:

low hill

Elevation extremes: lowest point: unnamed location 19 m highest point: unnamed location 75 m

Natural resources: none

Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (urban area) (2001)

Irrigated land:

0 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

NA

Environment - current issues:

NA

Environment - international agreements:

party to: none of the selected agreements

signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution, Environmental Modification

Geography - note:

urban; landlocked; enclave in Rome, Italy; world's smallest state;

outside the Vatican City, 13 buildings in Rome and Castel Gandolfo

(the pope's summer residence) enjoy extraterritorial rights

People Holy See (Vatican City)

Population:

921 (July 2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

0.01% (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

NA%

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

NA

Nationality:

noun: none

adjective: none

Ethnic groups:

Italians, Swiss, other

Religions:

Roman Catholic

Languages:

Italian, Latin, French, various other languages

Literacy: definition: NA total population: 100% male: 100% female: 100%

Government Holy See (Vatican City)

Country name:

conventional long form: The Holy See (State of the Vatican City)

conventional short form: Holy See (Vatican City)

local long form: Santa Sede (Stato della Citta del Vaticano)

local short form: Santa Sede (Citta del Vaticano)

Government type:

ecclesiastical

Capital:

Vatican City

Administrative divisions:

none

Independence:

11 February 1929 (from Italy); note - the three treaties signed

with Italy on 11 February 1929 acknowledged, among other things, the

full sovereignty of the Vatican and established its territorial

extent; however, the origin of the Papal States, which over the

years have varied considerably in extent, may be traced back to the

8th century

National holiday:

Coronation Day of Pope BENEDICT XVI, 24 April (2005)

Constitution:

new Fundamental Law promulgated by Pope JOHN PAUL II on 26 November

2000, effective 22 February 2001 (replaces the first Fundamental Law

of 1929)

Legal system:

based on Code of Canon Law and revisions to it

Suffrage:

limited to cardinals less than 80 years old

Executive branch:

chief of state: Pope BENEDICT XVI (since 19 April 2005)

head of government: Secretary of State Cardinal Angelo SODANO (since

1 December 1990)

cabinet: Pontifical Commission appointed by the pope

elections: pope elected for life by the College of Cardinals;

election last held 19 April 2005 (next to be held after the death of

the current pope); secretary of state appointed by the pope

election results: Joseph RATZINGER elected Pope BENEDICT XVI

Legislative branch:

unicameral Pontifical Commission

Judicial branch:

there are three tribunals responsible for civil and criminal

matters within Vatican City; three other tribunals rule on issues

pertaining to the Holy See

note: judicial duties were established by the Motu Proprio of Pius

XII on 1 May 1946

Political parties and leaders:

none

Political pressure groups and leaders:

none (exclusive of influence exercised by church officers)

International organization participation:

CE (observer), IAEA, ICFTU, IOM (observer), ITU, NAM (guest), OAS

(observer), OPCW, OSCE, UN (observer), UNCTAD, UNHCR, UPU, WIPO,

WToO (observer), WTO (observer)

Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Gabriel MONTALVO chancery: 3339 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 333-7121 FAX: [1] (202) 337-4036

Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant) embassy: Villa Domiziana, Via delle Terme Deciane 26, 00153 Rome mailing address: PSC 59, Box 66, APO AE 09624 telephone: [39] (06) 4674-3428 FAX: [39] (06) 575-8346

Flag description:

two vertical bands of yellow (hoist side) and white with the

crossed keys of Saint Peter and the papal miter centered in the

white band

Economy Holy See (Vatican City)

Economy - overview:

This unique, noncommercial economy is supported financially by an

annual contribution from Roman Catholic dioceses throughout the

world (known as Peter's Pence); by the sale of postage stamps,

coins, medals, and tourist mementos; by fees for admission to

museums; and by the sale of publications. Investments and real

estate income also account for a sizable portion of revenue. The

incomes and living standards of lay workers are comparable to those

of counterparts who work in the city of Rome.

Labor force:

NA

Labor force - by occupation:

essentially services with a small amount of industry; note -

dignitaries, priests, nuns, guards, and 3,000 lay workers live

outside the Vatican

Population below poverty line:

NA%

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA%

highest 10%: NA%

Budget:

revenues: $245.2 million

expenditures: $260.4 million, including capital expenditures of NA

(2002)

Industries:

printing; production of coins, medals, postage stamps; a small

amount of mosaics and staff uniforms; worldwide banking and

financial activities

Electricity - production:

NA kWh

Electricity - consumption:

NA kWh

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh

Electricity - imports:

NA kWh; note - electricity supplied by Italy

Economic aid - recipient:

none

Currency (code):

euro (EUR)

Currency code:

EUR

Exchange rates:

euros per US dollar - 0.8054 (2004), 0.886 (2003), 1.0626 (2002),

1.1175 (2001), 1.0854 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Holy See (Vatican City)

Telephones - main lines in use:

NA

Telephones - mobile cellular:

NA

Telephone system:

general assessment: automatic exchange

domestic: tied into Italian system

international: country code - 39; uses Italian system

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 3, FM 4, shortwave 2 (1998)

Radios:

NA

Television broadcast stations:

1 (1996)

Televisions:

NA

Internet country code:

.va

Internet hosts:

9 (2004)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

NA

Internet users:

NA

Transportation Holy See (Vatican City)

Highways:

none; all city streets

Airports:

none (2004 est.)

Military Holy See (Vatican City)

Military branches:

Pontifical Swiss Guard (Corpo della Guardia Svizzera Pontificia)

Military - note:

defense is the responsibility of Italy; ceremonial and limited

security duties performed by Pontifical Swiss Guard

Transnational Issues Holy See (Vatican City)

Disputes - international: none

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Honduras

Introduction Honduras

Background:

Once part of Spain's vast empire in the New World, Honduras became

an independent nation in 1821. After two and a half decades of

mostly military rule, a freely elected civilian government came to

power in 1982. During the 1980s, Honduras proved a haven for

anti-Sandinista contras fighting the Marxist Nicaraguan Government

and an ally to Salvadoran Government forces fighting leftist

guerrillas. The country was devastated by Hurricane Mitch in 1998,

which killed about 5,600 people and caused approximately $2 billion

in damage.

Geography Honduras

Location:

Central America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Guatemala and

Nicaragua and bordering the Gulf of Fonseca (North Pacific Ocean),

between El Salvador and Nicaragua

Geographic coordinates:

15 00 N, 86 30 W

Map references:

Central America and the Caribbean

Area:

total: 112,090 sq km

land: 111,890 sq km

water: 200 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly larger than Tennessee

Land boundaries:

total: 1,520 km

border countries: Guatemala 256 km, El Salvador 342 km, Nicaragua

922 km

Coastline:

820 km

Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: natural extension of territory or to 200 nm

Climate:

subtropical in lowlands, temperate in mountains

Terrain:

mostly mountains in interior, narrow coastal plains

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m

highest point: Cerro Las Minas 2,870 m

Natural resources:

timber, gold, silver, copper, lead, zinc, iron ore, antimony, coal,

fish, hydropower

Land use: arable land: 9.55% permanent crops: 3.22% other: 87.23% (2001)

Irrigated land:

760 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

frequent, but generally mild, earthquakes; extremely susceptible to

damaging hurricanes and floods along the Caribbean coast

Environment - current issues:

urban population expanding; deforestation results from logging and

the clearing of land for agricultural purposes; further land

degradation and soil erosion hastened by uncontrolled development

and improper land use practices such as farming of marginal lands;

mining activities polluting Lago de Yojoa (the country's largest

source of fresh water), as well as several rivers and streams, with

heavy metals

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto

Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law

of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution,

Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

has only a short Pacific coast but a long Caribbean shoreline,

including the virtually uninhabited eastern Mosquito Coast

People Honduras

Population:

6,975,204

note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the

effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower

life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower

population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of

population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July

2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 40.8% (male 1,452,646/female 1,393,271)

15-64 years: 55.5% (male 1,921,432/female 1,948,656)

65 years and over: 3.7% (male 122,146/female 137,053) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 19.15 years

male: 18.75 years

female: 19.56 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

2.16% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

30.38 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

6.87 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

-1.95 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.89 male(s)/female

total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 29.32 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 32.84 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 25.63 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 69.3 years

male: 67.71 years

female: 70.97 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

3.87 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

1.8% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

63,000 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

4,100 (2003 est.)

Nationality:

noun: Honduran(s)

adjective: Honduran

Ethnic groups:

mestizo (mixed Amerindian and European) 90%, Amerindian 7%, black

2%, white 1%

Religions:

Roman Catholic 97%, Protestant 3%

Languages:

Spanish, Amerindian dialects

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 76.2%

male: 76.1%

female: 76.3% (2003 est.)

Government Honduras

Country name:

conventional long form: Republic of Honduras

conventional short form: Honduras

local long form: Republica de Honduras

local short form: Honduras

Government type:

democratic constitutional republic

Capital:

Tegucigalpa

Administrative divisions:

18 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento); Atlantida,

Choluteca, Colon, Comayagua, Copan, Cortes, El Paraiso, Francisco

Morazan, Gracias a Dios, Intibuca, Islas de la Bahia, La Paz,

Lempira, Ocotepeque, Olancho, Santa Barbara, Valle, Yoro

Independence:

15 September 1821 (from Spain)

National holiday:

Independence Day, 15 September (1821)

Constitution:

11 January 1982, effective 20 January 1982; amended 1995

Legal system:

rooted in Roman and Spanish civil law with increasing influence of

English common law; recent judicial reforms include abandoning

Napoleonic legal codes in favor of the oral adversarial system;

accepts ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal and compulsory

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Ricardo (Joest) MADURO (since 27 January

2002); First Vice President Vicente WILLIAMS Agasse (since 27

January 2002); Second Vice President Armida Villela Maria DE LOPEZ

Contreras (since 27 January 2002); Third Vice President Alberto DIAZ

Lobo (since 27 January 2002); note - the president is both the chief

of state and head of government

head of government: President Ricardo (Joest) MADURO (since 27

January 2002); First Vice President Vicente WILLIAMS Agasse (since

27 January 2002); Second Vice President Armida Villela Maria DE

LOPEZ Contreras (since 27 January 2002); Third Vice President

Alberto DIAZ Lobo (since 27 January 2002); note - the president is

both the chief of state and head of government

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by president

elections: president elected by popular vote for a four-year term;

election last held 25 November 2001 (next to be held 27 November

2005)

election results: Ricardo (Joest) MADURO (PN) elected president -

52.2%, Raphael PINEDA Ponce (PL) 44.3%, others 3.5%

Legislative branch:

unicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional (128 seats;

members are elected proportionally to the number of votes their

party's presidential candidate receives to serve four-year terms)

elections: last held 25 November 2001 (next to be held 27 November

2005)

election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -

PN 61, PL 55, PUD 5, PDC 4, PINU-SD 3

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia (judges are

elected for seven-year terms by the National Congress)

Political parties and leaders:

Christian Democratic Party or PDC [Juan Ramon VELAZQUEZ Nassar];

Democratic Unification Party or PUD [Matias FUNES]; Liberal Party or

PL [Roberto MICHELETTI Bain]; National Innovation and Unity

Party-Social Democratic Party or PINU-SD [Olban F. VALLADARES];

National Party of Honduras or PN [Jose Celin DISCUA Elvir]; United

Confederation of Honduran Workers or CUTH

Political pressure groups and leaders:

Committee for the Defense of Human Rights in Honduras or CODEH;

Confederation of Honduran Workers or CTH; Coordinating Committee of

Popular Organizations or CCOP; General Workers Confederation or CGT;

Honduran Council of Private Enterprise or COHEP; National

Association of Honduran Campesinos or ANACH; National Union of

Campesinos or UNC; Popular Bloc or BP; United Federation of Honduran

Workers or FUTH

International organization participation:

ABEDA, BCIE, CACM, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU,

ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO

(subscriber), ITU, LAES, LAIA (observer), MIGA, MINURSO, NAM, OAS,

OPANAL, OPCW (signatory), PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU,

WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant) chancery: Suite 4-M, 3007 Tilden Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 966-7702 FAX: [1] (202) 966-9751 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, Phoenix, San Francisco honorary consulate(s): Boston, Detroit, Jacksonville

Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Larry Leon PALMER embassy: Avenida La Paz, Apartado Postal No. 3453, Tegucigalpa mailing address: American Embassy, APO AA 34022, Tegucigalpa telephone: [504] 238-5114, 236-9320 FAX: [504] 236-9037

Flag description:

three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, and blue with

five blue, five-pointed stars arranged in an X pattern centered in

the white band; the stars represent the members of the former

Federal Republic of Central America - Costa Rica, El Salvador,

Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua; similar to the flag of El

Salvador, which features a round emblem encircled by the words

REPUBLICA DE EL SALVADOR EN LA AMERICA CENTRAL centered in the white

band; also similar to the flag of Nicaragua, which features a

triangle encircled by the word REPUBLICA DE NICARAGUA on top and

AMERICA CENTRAL on the bottom, centered in the white band

Economy Honduras

Economy - overview:

Honduras, one of the poorest countries in the Western Hemisphere

with an extraordinarily unequal distribution of income and massive

unemployment, is banking on expanded trade under the U.S.-Central

America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) and on debt relief under the

Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative. The country has

met most of its macroeconomic targets, and began a three-year IMF

Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PGRF) program in February

2004. Growth remains dependent on the economy of the US, its largest

trading partner, on commodity prices, particularly coffee, and on

reduction of the high crime rate.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$18.79 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

4.2% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $2,800 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 12.7% industry: 32.1% services: 55.3% (2004 est.)

Labor force:

2.47 million (2004 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 34%, industry 21%, services 45% (2001 est.)

Unemployment rate:

28.5% (2004 est.)

Population below poverty line:

53% (1993 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 0.6% highest 10%: 42.7% (1998)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

56.3 (1998)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

7% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

24.1% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $1.467 billion

expenditures: $1.722 billion, including capital expenditures of $106

million (2004 est.)

Public debt:

74.1% of GDP (2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

bananas, coffee, citrus; beef; timber; shrimp

Industries:

sugar, coffee, textiles, clothing, wood products

Industrial production growth rate:

7.7% (2003 est.)

Electricity - production:

3.626 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 50.2% hydro: 49.8% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

3.771 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

16 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

415 million kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

29,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Current account balance:

$258.3 million (2003 est.)

Exports:

$1.457 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

coffee, shrimp, bananas, gold, palm oil, fruit, lobster, lumber

Exports - partners:

US 54.4%, El Salvador 8.1%, Germany 5.9%, Guatemala 5.4% (2004)

Imports:

$3.332 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

machinery and transport equipment, industrial raw materials,

chemical products, fuels, foodstuffs (2000)

Imports - partners:

US 37.5%, Guatemala 6.9%, Mexico 5.4%, Costa Rica 4.3%, El Salvador

4% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$1.464 billion (2004 est.)

Debt - external:

$5.365 billion (September 2004 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:

$557.8 million (1999)

Currency (code):

lempira (HNL)

Currency code:

HNL

Exchange rates:

lempiras per US dollar - 18.206 (2004), 17.345 (2003), 16.433

(2002), 15.474 (2001), 14.839 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Honduras

Telephones - main lines in use:

322,500 (2002)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

326,500 (2002)

Telephone system:

general assessment: inadequate system

domestic: NA

international: country code - 504; satellite earth stations - 2

Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); connected to Central American Microwave

System

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 241, FM 53, shortwave 12 (1998)

Radios:

2.45 million (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

11 (plus 17 repeaters) (1997)

Televisions:

570,000 (1997)

Internet country code:

.hn

Internet hosts:

1,944 (2003)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

8 (2000)

Internet users:

168,600 (2002)

Transportation Honduras

Railways: total: 699 km narrow gauge: 279 km 1.067-m gauge; 420 km 0.914-m gauge (2004)

Highways: total: 13,603 km paved: 2,775 km unpaved: 10,828 km (1999 est.)

Waterways:

465 km (most navigable only by small craft) (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Puerto Castilla, Puerto Cortes, San Lorenzo, Tela

Merchant marine:

total: 137 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 598,600 GRT/616,158 DWT

by type: bulk carrier 10, cargo 67, chemical tanker 6, container 2,

liquefied gas 1, livestock carrier 1, passenger 4, passenger/cargo

5, petroleum tanker 30, refrigerated cargo 9, roll on/roll off 1,

specialized tanker 1

foreign-owned: 44 (Canada 1, China 3, Egypt 1, Greece 4, Hong Kong

2, Israel 1, Japan 4, Lebanon 1, Mexico 1, Singapore 12, South Korea

6, Taiwan 2, Tanzania 1, Turkey 1, United States 2, Vanuatu 1,

Vietnam 1)

registered in other countries: 1 (2005)

Airports:

115 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 11 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 3 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 104 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 18 under 914 m: 84 (2004 est.)

Military Honduras

Military branches:

Army, Navy (includes Naval Infantry), Air Force

Military service age and obligation:

18 years of age for voluntary 2-3 year military service (2004)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 18-49: 1,448,369 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: 955,019 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:

males: 77,399 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$100.6 million (2004)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

1.4% (2004)

Transnational Issues Honduras

Disputes - international:

in 1992, ICJ ruled on the delimitation of "bolsones" (disputed

areas) along the El Salvador-Honduras border, but despite OAS

intervention and a further ICJ ruling in 2003, full demarcation of

the border remains stalled; the 1992 ICJ ruling advised a tripartite

resolution to a maritime boundary in the Gulf of Fonseca with

consideration of Honduran access to the Pacific; El Salvador

continues to claim tiny Conejo Island, not mentioned in the ICJ

ruling, off Honduras in the Gulf of Fonseca; Honduras claims

Sapodilla Cays off the coast of Belize, but agreed to creation of a

joint ecological park and Guatemalan corridor in the Caribbean in

the failed 2002 Belize-Guatemala Differendum, which the OAS is

attempting to revive; Nicaragua filed a claim against Honduras in

1999 and against Colombia in 2001 at the ICJ over a complex dispute

over islands and maritime boundaries in the Caribbean Sea

Illicit drugs:

transshipment point for drugs and narcotics; illicit producer of

cannabis, cultivated on small plots and used principally for local

consumption; corruption is a major problem; some money-laundering

activity

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Hong Kong

Introduction Hong Kong

Background:

Occupied by the UK in 1841, Hong Kong was formally ceded by China

the following year; various adjacent lands were added later in the

19th century. Pursuant to an agreement signed by China and the UK on

19 December 1984, Hong Kong became the Hong Kong Special

Administrative Region (SAR) of China on 1 July 1997. In this

agreement, China has promised that, under its "one country, two

systems" formula, China's socialist economic system will not be

imposed on Hong Kong and that Hong Kong will enjoy a high degree of

autonomy in all matters except foreign and defense affairs for the

next 50 years.

Geography Hong Kong

Location:

Eastern Asia, bordering the South China Sea and China

Geographic coordinates:

22 15 N, 114 10 E

Map references:

Southeast Asia

Area:

total: 1,092 sq km

land: 1,042 sq km

water: 50 sq km

Area - comparative:

six times the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries: total: 30 km regional border: China 30 km

Coastline:

733 km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 3 nm

Climate:

tropical monsoon; cool and humid in winter, hot and rainy from

spring through summer, warm and sunny in fall

Terrain:

hilly to mountainous with steep slopes; lowlands in north

Elevation extremes: lowest point: South China Sea 0 m highest point: Tai Mo Shan 958 m

Natural resources: outstanding deepwater harbor, feldspar

Land use: arable land: 5.05% permanent crops: 1.01% other: 93.94% (2001)

Irrigated land:

20 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

occasional typhoons

Environment - current issues:

air and water pollution from rapid urbanization

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Marine Dumping (associate member)

Geography - note:

more than 200 islands

People Hong Kong

Population:

6,898,686 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 13.8% (male 498,771/female 454,252)

15-64 years: 73.5% (male 2,479,656/female 2,591,170)

65 years and over: 12.7% (male 404,308/female 470,529) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 39.4 years

male: 39.3 years

female: 39.6 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

0.65% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

7.23 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

5.98 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

5.24 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.1 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.1 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.86 male(s)/female

total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 2.97 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 3.16 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 2.77 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 81.5 years

male: 78.81 years

female: 84.41 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

0.91 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

0.1% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

2,600 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

less than 200 (2003 est.)

Nationality:

noun: Chinese/Hong Konger

adjective: Chinese/Hong Kong

Ethnic groups:

Chinese 95%, other 5%

Religions:

eclectic mixture of local religions 90%, Christian 10%

Languages:

Chinese (Cantonese), English; both are official

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school

total population: 93.5%

male: 96.9%

female: 89.6% (2002)

Government Hong Kong

Country name:

conventional long form: Hong Kong Special Administrative Region

conventional short form: Hong Kong

local long form: Xianggang Tebie Xingzhengqu

local short form: Xianggang

abbreviation: HK

Dependency status:

special administrative region of China

Government type:

limited democracy

Administrative divisions:

none (special administrative region of China)

Independence:

none (special administrative region of China)

National holiday:

National Day (Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic

of China), 1 October (1949); note - 1 July 1997 is celebrated as

Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Establishment Day

Constitution:

Basic Law, approved in March 1990 by China's National People's

Congress, is Hong Kong's "mini-constitution"

Legal system:

based on English common law

Suffrage:

direct election 18 years of age; universal for permanent residents

living in the territory of Hong Kong for the past seven years;

indirect election limited to about 200,000 members of functional

constituencies and an 800-member election committee drawn from broad

regional groupings, municipal organizations, and central government

bodies

Executive branch:

chief of state: President of China HU Jintao (since 15 March 2003)

head of government: Chief Executive Donald TSANG (since 24 June 2005)

cabinet: Executive Council consists of seven non-official members

and 14 official members

elections: previous chief executive TUNG Chee-hwa was elected to

second five-year term in March 2002 by 800-member election committee

dominated by pro-Beijing forces, resignation accepted 12 March 2005;

Donald TSANG acted as chief executive between 12 March 2005 and 25

May 2005; Henry TANG acted as chief executive between 25 May 2005

and 24 June 2005; last election 16 June 2005 to fill final two years

of TUNG's term (next to be held in June 2007)

Legislative branch:

unicameral Legislative Council or LEGCO (60 seats; in 2004 30 seats

indirectly elected by functional constituencies, 30 elected by

popular vote; members serve four-year terms)

elections: last held 12 September 2004 (next to be held in September

2008)

election results: percent of vote by party - pro-democracy group

62%; seats by party - (pro-Beijing 34) DAB 12, Liberal Party 10,

independents 11, FTU 1; (pro-democracy 25) independents 11,

Democratic Party 9, CTU 2, ADPL 1, Frontier Party 1, NWSC 1; other 1

Judicial branch:

Court of Final Appeal in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region

Political parties and leaders:

Association for Democracy and People's Livelihood or ADPL

[Frederick FUNG Kin-kee, chairman]; Citizens Party [Alex CHAN

Kai-chung]; Democratic Alliance for the Betterment of Hong Kong or

DAB [MA Lik, chairman]; Democratic Party [LEE Wing-tat, chairman];

Frontier Party [Emily LAU Wai-hing, chairwoman]; Liberal Party

[James TIEN Pei-chun, chairman]

note: political blocs include: pro-democracy - Association for

Democracy and People's Livelihood, Democratic Party, Frontier Party;

pro-Beijing - Democratic Alliance for the Betterment of Hong Kong,

Hong Kong Progressive Alliance, Liberal Party

Political pressure groups and leaders:

Chinese General Chamber of Commerce (pro-China); Chinese

Manufacturers' Association of Hong Kong; Confederation of Trade

Unions or CTU (pro-democracy) [LAU Chin-shek, president; LEE

Cheuk-yan, general secretary]; Federation of Hong Kong Industries;

Federation of Trade Unions or FTU (pro-China) [CHENG Yiu-tong,

executive councilor]; Hong Kong Alliance in Support of the Patriotic

Democratic Movement in China [Szeto WAH, chairman]; Hong Kong and

Kowloon Trade Union Council (pro-Taiwan); Hong Kong General Chamber

of Commerce; Hong Kong Professional Teachers' Union [CHEUNG

Man-kwong, president]; Neighborhood and Workers' Service Center or

NWSC (pro-democracy); The Alliance [Bernard CHAN, exco member]

International organization participation: APEC, AsDB, BIS, ICC, ICFTU, IHO, IMF, IMO (associate), Interpol (subbureau), IOC, ISO (correspondent), UPU, WCL, WCO, WMO, WToO (associate), WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US: none (special administrative region of China)

Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Consul General James B. CUNNINGHAM consulate(s) general: 26 Garden Road, Hong Kong mailing address: PSC 461, Box 1, FPO AP 96521-0006 telephone: [852] 2523-9011 FAX: [852] 2524-0860

Flag description: red with a stylized, white, five-petal bauhinia flower in the center

Economy Hong Kong

Economy - overview:

Hong Kong has a free market, entrepot economy, highly dependent on

international trade. Natural resources are limited, and food and raw

materials must be imported. Gross imports and exports (i.e.,

including reexports to and from third countries) each exceed GDP in

dollar value. Even before Hong Kong reverted to Chinese

administration on 1 July 1997, it had extensive trade and investment

ties with China. Hong Kong has been further integrating its economy

with China because China's growing openness to the world economy has

made manufacturing in China much more cost effective. Hong Kong's

reexport business to and from China is a major driver of growth. Per

capita GDP is comparable to that of the four big economies of

Western Europe. GDP growth averaged a strong 5% from 1989 to 1997,

but Hong Kong suffered two recessions in the past six years because

of the Asian financial crisis in 1998 and the global downturn in

2001 and 2002. Although the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)

outbreak also battered Hong Kong's economy, a boom in tourism from

the mainland because of China's easing of travel restrictions, a

return of consumer confidence, and a solid rise in exports resulted

in the resumption of strong growth in late 2003 and in 2004.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$234.5 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

7.9% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $34,200 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 0.1% industry: 11.3% services: 88.6% (2004 est.)

Labor force:

3.54 million (October 2004 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

manufacturing 7.5%, construction 2.9%, wholesale and retail trade,

restaurants, and hotels 43.7%, financing, insurance, and real estate

19.2%, transport and communications 7.9%, community and social

services 18.5%

note: above data exclude public sector (2004 est.)

Unemployment rate:

6.7% (2004 est.)

Population below poverty line:

NA

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

-0.3% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

22.7% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $26.6 billion

expenditures: $31.7 billion, including capital expenditures of $5.9

billion (2004 est.)

Public debt:

2.1% of GDP (2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

fresh vegetables, poultry, fish, pork

Industries:

textiles, clothing, tourism, banking, shipping, electronics,

plastics, toys, watches, clocks

Industrial production growth rate:

1% (2004 est.)

Electricity - production:

35.51 billion kWh (2003)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

38.45 billion kWh (2003)

Electricity - exports:

3 billion kWh (2003)

Electricity - imports:

10.4 billion kWh (2003)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2003 est.)

Oil - consumption:

257,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Natural gas - production:

NA

Natural gas - consumption:

680.9 million cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - exports:

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - imports:

680.9 million cu m (2001 est.)

Current account balance:

$14.85 billion (2004 est.)

Exports:

$268.1 billion f.o.b., including reexports (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

electrical machinery and appliances, textiles, apparel, footwear,

watches and clocks, toys, plastics, precious stones, printed material

Exports - partners:

China 44%, US 17%, Japan 5.3% (2004)

Imports:

$275.9 billion (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

raw materials and semi-manufactures, consumer goods, capital goods,

foodstuffs, fuel (most is re-exported)

Imports - partners:

China 43.5%, Japan 12.1%, Taiwan 7.3%, US 5.3%, Singapore 5.3%,

South Korea 4.8% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$123.6 billion (31 December 2004 est.)

Debt - external:

$66.94 billion (2004 est.)

Currency (code):

Hong Kong dollar (HKD)

Currency code:

HKD

Exchange rates:

Hong Kong dollars per US dollar - 7.788 (2004), 7.7868 (2003),

7.7989 (2002), 7.7988 (2001), 7.7912 (2000)

Fiscal year:

1 April - 31 March

Communications Hong Kong

Telephones - main lines in use:

3,801,300 (2003)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

7,241,400 (2003)

Telephone system:

general assessment: modern facilities provide excellent domestic

and international services

domestic: microwave radio relay links and extensive fiber-optic

network

international: country code - 852; satellite earth stations - 3

Intelsat (1 Pacific Ocean and 2 Indian Ocean); coaxial cable to

Guangzhou, China; access to 5 international submarine cables

providing connections to ASEAN member nations, Japan, Taiwan,

Australia, Middle East, and Western Europe

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 5, FM 9, shortwave 0 (2004)

Radios:

4.45 million (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

4 (2004)

Televisions:

1.84 million (1997)

Internet country code:

.hk

Internet hosts:

591,993 (2003)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

17 (2000)

Internet users:

3,212,800 (2003)

Transportation Hong Kong

Highways: total: 1,831 km paved: 1,831 km unpaved: 0 km (1999 est.)

Ports and harbors:

Hong Kong

Merchant marine:

total: 837 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 20,478,042 GRT/34,554,455 DWT

by type: barge carrier 1, bulk carrier 446, cargo 119, chemical

tanker 44, combination ore/oil 2, container 105, liquefied gas 20,

passenger 6, passenger/cargo 6, petroleum tanker 75, roll on/roll

off 5, vehicle carrier 8

foreign-owned: 453 (Australia 1, Bahamas 1, Belgium 3, Canada 9,

China 246, Denmark 3, France 5, Germany 13, Greece 19, India 1,

Indonesia 1, Israel 1, Japan 51, Norway 16, Philippines 13,

Singapore 17, South Korea 8, Taiwan 5, Thailand 4, UAE 1, United

Kingdom 32, United States 3)

registered in other countries: 373 (2005)

Airports:

4 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 4 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Heliports: 2 (2004 est.)

Military Hong Kong

Military branches:

no regular indigenous military forces; Hong Kong garrison of

China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) includes elements of the PLA

Ground Forces, PLA Navy, and PLA Air Force; these forces are under

the direct leadership of the Central Military Commission in Beijing

and under administrative control of the adjacent Guangzhou Military

Region

Military service age and obligation:

18 years of age (2004)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 18-49: 1,743,972 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: 1,403,088 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:

males: 40,343 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

Hong Kong garrison is funded by China; figures are NA

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

NA

Military - note:

defense is the responsibility of China

Transnational Issues Hong Kong

Disputes - international:

none

Illicit drugs:

makes strenuous law enforcement efforts, but faces difficult

challenges in controlling transit of heroin and methamphetamine to

regional and world markets; modern banking system provides conduit

for money laundering; rising indigenous use of synthetic drugs,

especially among young people

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Howland Island

Introduction Howland Island

Background:

Discovered by the US early in the 19th century, the island was

officially claimed by the US in 1857. Both US and British companies

mined for guano until about 1890. Earhart Light is a day beacon near

the middle of the west coast that was partially destroyed during

World War II, but has since been rebuilt; it is named in memory of

the famed aviatrix Amelia EARHART. The island is administered by the

US Department of the Interior as a National Wildlife Refuge.

Geography Howland Island

Location:

Oceania, island in the North Pacific Ocean, about half way between

Hawaii and Australia

Geographic coordinates:

0 48 N, 176 38 W

Map references:

Oceania

Area:

total: 1.6 sq km

land: 1.6 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative:

about three times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC

Land boundaries:

0 km

Coastline:

6.4 km

Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Climate:

equatorial; scant rainfall, constant wind, burning sun

Terrain:

low-lying, nearly level, sandy, coral island surrounded by a narrow

fringing reef; depressed central area

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

highest point: unnamed location 3 m

Natural resources:

guano (deposits worked until late 1800s), terrestrial and aquatic

wildlife

Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (2001)

Irrigated land:

0 sq km

Natural hazards:

the narrow fringing reef surrounding the island can be a maritime

hazard

Environment - current issues:

no natural fresh water resources

Geography - note:

almost totally covered with grasses, prostrate vines, and

low-growing shrubs; small area of trees in the center; primarily a

nesting, roosting, and foraging habitat for seabirds, shorebirds,

and marine wildlife

People Howland Island

Population:

uninhabited

note: American civilians evacuated in 1942 after Japanese air and

naval attacks during World War II; occupied by US military during

World War II, but abandoned after the war; public entry is by

special-use permit from US Fish and Wildlife Service only and

generally restricted to scientists and educators; visited annually

by US Fish and Wildlife Service (July 2005 est.)

Government Howland Island

Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Howland Island

Dependency status:

unincorporated territory of the US; administered from Washington,

DC, by the Fish and Wildlife Service of the US Department of the

Interior as part of the National Wildlife Refuge system

Legal system:

the laws of the US, where applicable, apply

Flag description:

the flag of the US is used

Economy Howland Island

Economy - overview: no economic activity

Transportation Howland Island

Ports and harbors:

none; offshore anchorage only; note - there is one small boat

landing area along the middle of the west coast

Airports:

airstrip constructed in 1937 for scheduled refueling stop on the

round-the-world flight of Amelia EARHART and Fred NOONAN - they left

Lae, New Guinea, for Howland Island, but were never seen again; the

airstrip is no longer serviceable (2004 est.)

Transportation - note:

Earhart Light is a day beacon near the middle of the west coast

that was partially destroyed during World War II, but has since been

rebuilt; named in memory of famed aviatrix Amelia EARHART

Military Howland Island

Military - note:

defense is the responsibility of the US; visited annually by the US

Coast Guard

Transnational Issues Howland Island

Disputes - international: none

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Hungary

Introduction Hungary

Background:

Hungary was part of the polyglot Austro-Hungarian Empire, which

collapsed during World War I. The country fell under Communist rule

following World War II. In 1956, a revolt and announced withdrawal

from the Warsaw Pact were met with a massive military intervention

by Moscow. Under the leadership of Janos KADAR in 1968, Hungary

began liberalizing its economy, introducing so-called "Goulash

Communism." Hungary held its first multiparty elections in 1990 and

initiated a free market economy. It joined NATO in 1999 and the EU

in 2004.

Geography Hungary

Location:

Central Europe, northwest of Romania

Geographic coordinates:

47 00 N, 20 00 E

Map references:

Europe

Area:

total: 93,030 sq km

land: 92,340 sq km

water: 690 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly smaller than Indiana

Land boundaries:

total: 2,171 km

border countries: Austria 366 km, Croatia 329 km, Romania 443 km,

Serbia and Montenegro 151 km, Slovakia 677 km, Slovenia 102 km,

Ukraine 103 km

Coastline:

0 km (landlocked)

Maritime claims:

none (landlocked)

Climate:

temperate; cold, cloudy, humid winters; warm summers

Terrain:

mostly flat to rolling plains; hills and low mountains on the

Slovakian border

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Tisza River 78 m

highest point: Kekes 1,014 m

Natural resources:

bauxite, coal, natural gas, fertile soils, arable land

Land use: arable land: 50.09% permanent crops: 2.06% other: 47.85% (2001)

Irrigated land: 2,100 sq km (1998 est.)

Environment - current issues: the upgrading of Hungary's standards in waste management, energy efficiency, and air, soil, and water pollution to meet EU requirements will require large investments

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air

Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85,

Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic Treaty,

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol,

Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification,

Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer

Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Sulfur 94

Geography - note:

landlocked; strategic location astride main land routes between

Western Europe and Balkan Peninsula as well as between Ukraine and

Mediterranean basin; the north-south flowing Duna (Danube) and Tisza

Rivers divide the country into three large regions

People Hungary

Population:

10,006,835 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 15.8% (male 813,203/female 769,687)

15-64 years: 69.1% (male 3,405,559/female 3,511,141)

65 years and over: 15.1% (male 547,323/female 959,922) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 38.57 years

male: 36.1 years

female: 41.24 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

-0.26% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

9.76 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

13.19 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

0.86 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.57 male(s)/female

total population: 0.91 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 8.57 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 9.27 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 7.83 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 72.4 years

male: 68.18 years

female: 76.89 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

1.32 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

0.1% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

2,800 (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

less than 100 (2001 est.)

Nationality:

noun: Hungarian(s)

adjective: Hungarian

Ethnic groups:

Hungarian 92.3%, Roma 1.9%, other or unknown 5.8% (2001 census)

Religions:

Roman Catholic 51.9%, Calvinist 15.9%, Lutheran 3%, Greek Catholic

2.6%, other Christian 1%, other or unspecified 11.1%, unaffiliated

14.5% (2001 census)

Languages:

Hungarian 93.6%, other or unspecified 6.4% (2001 census)

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 99.4%

male: 99.5%

female: 99.3% (2003 est.)

Government Hungary

Country name:

conventional long form: Republic of Hungary

conventional short form: Hungary

local long form: Magyar Koztarsasag

local short form: Magyarorszag

Government type:

parliamentary democracy

Capital:

Budapest

Administrative divisions:

19 counties (megyek, singular - megye), 20 urban counties (singular

- megyei varos), and 1 capital city (fovaros)

: counties: Bacs-Kiskun, Baranya, Bekes, Borsod-Abauj-Zemplen,

Csongrad, Fejer, Gyor-Moson-Sopron, Hajdu-Bihar, Heves,

Jasz-Nagykun-Szolnok, Komarom-Esztergom, Nograd, Pest, Somogy,

Szabolcs-Szatmar-Bereg, Tolna, Vas, Veszprem, Zala

: urban counties: Bekescsaba, Debrecen, Dunaujvaros, Eger, Gyor,

Hodmezovasarhely, Kaposvar, Kecskemet, Miskolc, Nagykanizsa,

Nyiregyhaza, Pecs, Sopron, Szeged, Szekesfehervar, Szolnok,

Szombathely, Tatabanya, Veszprem, Zalaegerszeg

: capital city: Budapest

Independence:

1001 (unification by King Stephen I)

National holiday:

Saint Stephen's Day, 20 August

Constitution:

18 August 1949, effective 20 August 1949; revised 19 April 1972; 18

October 1989 revision ensured legal rights for individuals and

constitutional checks on the authority of the prime minister and

also established the principle of parliamentary oversight; 1997

amendment streamlined the judicial system

Legal system:

rule of law based on Western model

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: Laszlo SOLYOM (since 5 August 2005)

head of government: Prime Minister Ferenc GYURCSANY (since 29

September 2004)

cabinet: Council of Ministers elected by the National Assembly on

the recommendation of the president

elections: president elected by the National Assembly for a

five-year term; election last held 6-7 June 2005 (next to be held by

June 2010); prime minister elected by the National Assembly on the

recommendation of the president; election last held 29 September 2004

election results: Laszlo SOLYOM elected president by a simple

majority in the third round of voting, 185 to 182; Ferenc GYURCSANY

elected prime minister; result of legislative vote - 197 to 12

note: to be elected, the president must win two-thirds of

legislative vote in the first two rounds or a simple majority in the

third round

Legislative branch:

unicameral National Assembly or Orszaggyules (386 seats; members

are elected by popular vote under a system of proportional and

direct representation to serve four-year terms)

elections: last held 7 and 21 April 2002 (next to be held NA April

2006)

election results: percent of vote by party (5% or more of the vote

required for parliamentary representation in the first round) -

Fidesz/MDF 48.70%, MSzP 46.11%, SzDSz 4.92%, other 0.27%; seats by

party - Fidesz 164, MSzP 178, MDF 24, SzDSz 20

Judicial branch:

Constitutional Court (judges are elected by the National Assembly

for nine-year terms)

Political parties and leaders:

Alliance of Free Democrats or SzDSz [Gabor KUNCZE]; Hungarian Civic

Alliance or Fidesz [Viktor ORBAN, chairman]; Hungarian Democratic

Forum or MDF [Ibolya DAVID]; Hungarian Democratic People's Party or

MDNP [Erzsebet PUSZTAI, chairman]; Hungarian Socialist Party or MSzP

[Istvan HILLER, chairman]; Hungarian Workers' Party or MMP [Gyula

THURMER, chairman]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

NA

International organization participation:

Australia Group, BIS, CE, CEI, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, ESA

(cooperating state), EU (new member), FAO, G- 9, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO,

ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO,

Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MIGA, MINURSO, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA,

NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,

UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIK, UNOMIG, UPU, WCL, WCO, WEU (member

affiliate), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO, ZC

Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Andras SIMONYI chancery: 3910 Shoemaker Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 362-6730 FAX: [1] (202) 966-8135 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles and New York

Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador George Herbert WALKER embassy: Szabadsag ter 12, H-1054 Budapest mailing address: pouch: American Embassy Budapest, 5270 Budapest Place, Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-5270 telephone: [36] (1) 475-4400 FAX: [36] (1) 475-4764

Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and green

Economy Hungary

Economy - overview:

Hungary has made the transition from a centrally planned to a

market economy, with a per capita income one-half that of the Big

Four European nations. Hungary continues to demonstrate strong

economic growth and acceded to the European Union in May 2004. The

private sector accounts for over 80% of GDP. Foreign ownership of

and investment in Hungarian firms are widespread, with cumulative

foreign direct investment totaling more than $23 billion since 1989.

Hungarian sovereign debt was upgraded in 2000 and together with the

Czech Republic holds the highest rating among the Central European

transition economies; however, ratings agencies have expressed

concerns over Hungary's unsustainable budget and current account

deficits. Inflation has declined from 14% in 1998 to 7% in 2004.

Unemployment has persisted around the 6% level, but Hungary's labor

force participation rate of 57% is one of the lowest in the OECD.

Germany is by far Hungary's largest economic partner. Policy

challenges include cutting the public sector deficit to 3% of GDP by

2008, from about 5% in 2004, and orchestrating an orderly interest

rate reduction without sparking capital outflows.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$149.3 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

3.9% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $14,900 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 3.3% industry: 31.4% services: 65.3% (2004 est.)

Labor force:

4.17 million (2004 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 6.2%, industry 27.1%, services 66.7% (2002)

Unemployment rate:

5.9% (2004 est.)

Population below poverty line:

8.6% (1993 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 4.1% highest 10%: 20.5% (1998)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

24.4 (1998)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

7% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

22.8% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $46.07 billion

expenditures: $51.36 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Public debt:

58.3% of GDP (2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

wheat, corn, sunflower seed, potatoes, sugar beets; pigs, cattle,

poultry, dairy products

Industries:

mining, metallurgy, construction materials, processed foods,

textiles, chemicals (especially pharmaceuticals), motor vehicles

Industrial production growth rate:

9.6% (2004 est.)

Electricity - production:

34.07 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 60.1% hydro: 0.5% nuclear: 39% other: 0.3% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

35.99 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

8.3 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

12.6 billion kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

41,190 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

140,700 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

47,180 bbl/day (2001)

Oil - imports:

136,600 bbl/day (2001)

Oil - proved reserves:

110.7 million bbl (1 January 2002)

Natural gas - production:

3.231 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - consumption:

13.37 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - exports:

4 million cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - imports:

9.587 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves:

50.45 billion cu m (1 January 2002)

Current account balance:

$-7.941 billion (2004 est.)

Exports:

$54.62 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

machinery and equipment 61.1%, other manufactures 28.7%, food

products 6.5%, raw materials 2%, fuels and electricity 1.6% (2003)

Exports - partners:

Germany 31.4%, Austria 6.8%, France 5.7%, Italy 5.6%, UK 5.1% (2004)

Imports:

$58.68 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

machinery and equipment 51.6%, other manufactures 35.7%, fuels and

electricity 7.7%, food products 3.1%, raw materials 2.0% (2003)

Imports - partners:

Germany 29.2%, Austria 8.3%, Russia 5.7%, Italy 5.5%, Netherlands

4.9%, China 4.8%, France 4.7% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$14.8 billion (2004 est.)

Debt - external:

$57 billion (2004 est.)

Economic aid - recipient: $4.2 billion in available EU structural adjustment and cohesion funds (2004-06)

Currency (code):

forint (HUF)

Currency code:

HUF

Exchange rates:

forints per US dollar - 202.75 (2004), 224.31 (2003), 257.89

(2002), 286.49 (2001), 282.18 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Hungary

Telephones - main lines in use:

3,666,400 (2002)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

6,862,800 (2002)

Telephone system:

general assessment: the telephone system has been modernized and is

capable of satisfying all requests for telecommunication service

domestic: the system is digitalized and highly automated; trunk

services are carried by fiber-optic cable and digital microwave

radio relay; a program for fiber-optic subscriber connections was

initiated in 1996; heavy use is made of mobile cellular telephones

international: country code - 36; Hungary has fiber-optic cable

connections with all neighboring countries; the international switch

is in Budapest; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic

Ocean and Indian Ocean regions), 1 Inmarsat, 1 very small aperture

terminal (VSAT) system of ground terminals

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 17, FM 57, shortwave 3 (1998)

Radios:

7.01 million (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

35 (plus 161 low-power repeaters) (1995)

Televisions:

4.42 million (1997)

Internet country code:

.hu

Internet hosts:

383,071 (2004)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

16 (2000)

Internet users:

1.6 million (2002)

Transportation Hungary

Railways:

total: 7,937 km

broad gauge: 36 km 1.524-m gauge

standard gauge: 7,682 km 1.435-m gauge (2,628 km electrified)

narrow gauge: 219 km 0.760-m gauge (2004)

Highways:

total: 159,568 km

paved: 70,050 km (including 533 km of expressways)

unpaved: 89,518 km (2002)

Waterways:

1,622 km (most on Danube River) (2004)

Pipelines:

gas 4,397 km; oil 990 km; refined products 335 km (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Budapest, Dunaujvaros, Gyor-Gonyu, Csepel, Baja, Mohacs (2003)

Airports:

44 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 18 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 8 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 26 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 11 under 914 m: 9 (2004 est.)

Heliports: 5 (2004 est.)

Military Hungary

Military branches:

Ground Forces, Air Forces

Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for voluntary military service; conscription abolished in June 2004 (June 2004)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 18-49: 2,303,116 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: 1,780,513 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:

males: 63,847 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$1.08 billion (2002 est.)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

1.75% (2002 est.)

Transnational Issues Hungary

Disputes - international:

in 2004, Hungary amended the status law extending special social

and cultural benefits and voted down a referendum to extend dual

citizenship to ethnic Hungarians living in neighboring states, which

have objected to such measures; consultations continue between

Slovakia and Hungary over Hungary's completion of its portion the

Gabcikovo-Nagymaros hydroelectric dam project along the Danube; as a

member state that forms part of the EU's external border, Hungary

must implement the strict Schengen border rules

Illicit drugs:

transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin and cannabis and for

South American cocaine destined for Western Europe; limited producer

of precursor chemicals, particularly for amphetamine and

methamphetamine; improving, but remains vulnerable to money

laundering related to organized crime and drug trafficking

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Iceland

Introduction Iceland

Background:

Settled by Norwegian and Celtic (Scottish and Irish) immigrants

during the late 9th and 10th centuries A.D., Iceland boasts the

world's oldest functioning legislative assembly, the Althing,

established in 930. Independent for over 300 years, Iceland was

subsequently ruled by Norway and Denmark. Fallout from the Askja

volcano of 1875 devastated the Icelandic economy and caused

widespread famine. Over the next quarter century, 20% of the

island's population emigrated, mostly to Canada and the US. Limited

home rule from Denmark was granted in 1874 and complete independence

attained in 1944. Literacy, longevity, income, and social cohesion

are first-rate by world standards.

Geography Iceland

Location:

Northern Europe, island between the Greenland Sea and the North

Atlantic Ocean, northwest of the UK

Geographic coordinates:

65 00 N, 18 00 W

Map references:

Arctic Region

Area:

total: 103,000 sq km

land: 100,250 sq km

water: 2,750 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly smaller than Kentucky

Land boundaries:

0 km

Coastline:

4,988 km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin

Climate:

temperate; moderated by North Atlantic Current; mild, windy

winters; damp, cool summers

Terrain:

mostly plateau interspersed with mountain peaks, icefields; coast

deeply indented by bays and fiords

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

highest point: Hvannadalshnukur 2,119 m (at Vatnajokull glacier)

Natural resources:

fish, hydropower, geothermal power, diatomite

Land use:

arable land: 0.07%

permanent crops: 0%

other: 99.93% (2001)

Irrigated land:

NA sq km

Natural hazards:

earthquakes and volcanic activity

Environment - current issues:

water pollution from fertilizer runoff; inadequate wastewater

treatment

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic

Pollutants, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto

Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes,

Kyoto Protocol, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer

Protection, Ship Pollution, Transboundary Air Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification, Marine Life

Conservation

Geography - note:

strategic location between Greenland and Europe; westernmost

European country; Reykjavik is the northernmost national capital in

the world; more land covered by glaciers than in all of continental

Europe

People Iceland

Population:

296,737 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 22.1% (male 33,302/female 32,257)

15-64 years: 66.2% (male 99,513/female 96,886)

65 years and over: 11.7% (male 15,723/female 19,056) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 34 years

male: 33.53 years

female: 34.49 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

0.91% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

13.73 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

6.68 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

2.06 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.82 male(s)/female

total population: 1 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 3.31 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 3.45 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 3.16 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 80.19 years

male: 78.13 years

female: 82.34 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

1.92 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

0.2% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

220 (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

less than 100 (2003 est.)

Nationality:

noun: Icelander(s)

adjective: Icelandic

Ethnic groups:

homogeneous mixture of descendants of Norse and Celts 94%,

population of foreign origin 6%

Religions:

Lutheran Church of Iceland 85.5%, Reykjavik Free Church 2.1%, Roman

Catholic Church 2%, Hafnarfjorour Free Church 1.5%, other Christian

2.7%, other or unspecified 3.8%, unaffiliated 2.4% (2004)

Languages:

Icelandic, English, Nordic languages, German widely spoken

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 99.9% (1997 est.)

male: NA%

female: NA%

Government Iceland

Country name:

conventional long form: Republic of Iceland

conventional short form: Iceland

local long form: Lydhveldidh Island

local short form: Island

Government type:

constitutional republic

Capital:

Reykjavik

Administrative divisions:

8 regions; Austurland, Hofudhborgarsvaedhi, Nordhurland Eystra,

Nordhurland Vestra, Sudhurland, Sudhurnes, Vestfirdhir, Vesturland

Independence:

1 December 1918 (became a sovereign state under the Danish Crown);

17 June 1944 (from Denmark)

National holiday:

Independence Day, 17 June (1944)

Constitution:

16 June 1944, effective 17 June 1944; amended many times

Legal system:

civil law system based on Danish law; has not accepted compulsory

ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Olafur Ragnar GRIMSSON (since 1 August

1996)

head of government: Prime Minister Halldor ASGRIMSSON (since 15

September 2004); note - Former Prime Minister David ODDSSON switched

positions with former Foreign Minister Halldor ASGRIMMSON

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister and approved by

parliament

elections: president, which is largely a ceremonial post, elected by

popular vote for a four-year term; election last held 26 June 2004

(next to be held June 2008); following legislative elections, the

leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition

is usually the prime minister

election results: Olafur Ragnar GRIMSSON wins with 85.6% of the

vote, Baldur AGUSTSSON 12.5%, Astthor MAGNUSSON 1.9%

Legislative branch:

unicameral Parliament or Althing (63 seats; members are elected by

popular vote to serve four-year terms)

elections: last held 10 May 2003 (next to be held by May 2007)

election results: percent of vote by party - Independence Party

33.7%, Social Democratic Alliance 31.0%, Progressive Party 17.7%,

Left-Green Alliance 8.8%, Liberal Party 7.4%; seats by party -

Independence Party 22, Social Democratic Alliance 20, Progressive

Party 12, Left-Green Alliance 5, Liberal Party 4

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court or Haestirettur (justices are appointed for life by

the Minister of Justice); eight district courts (justices are

appointed for life by the Minister of Justice)

Political parties and leaders:

Independence Party or IP [David ODDSSON]; Left-Green Alliance or

LGP [Steingrimur SIGFUSSON]; Liberal Party or LP [Gudjon

KRISTJANSSON]; Progressive Party or PP [Halldor ASGRIMSSON]; Social

Democratic Alliance (includes People's Alliance or PA, Social

Democratic Party or SDP, Women's List) or SDA [Ingibjorg Solrun

GISLADOTTIR]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

NA

International organization participation:

Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CE, EAPC, EBRD, EFTA, FAO, IAEA, IBRD,

ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF,

IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, MIGA, NATO, NC, NEA, NIB, OECD, OPCW,

OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WCO, WEU (associate), WHO, WIPO,

WMO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Helgi AGUSTSSON

chancery: Suite 1200, 1156 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005-1704

telephone: [1] (202) 265-6653

FAX: [1] (202) 265-6656

consulate(s) general: New York

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador James I. GADSDEN

embassy: Laufasvegur 21, 101 Reykjavik

mailing address: US Embassy, PSC 1003, Box 40, FPO AE 09728-0340

telephone: [354] 562-9100

FAX: [354] 562-9118

Flag description:

blue with a red cross outlined in white extending to the edges of

the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist

side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag)

Economy Iceland

Economy - overview:

Iceland's Scandinavian-type economy is basically capitalistic, yet

with an extensive welfare system (including generous housing

subsidies), low unemployment, and remarkably even distribution of

income. In the absence of other natural resources (except for

abundant geothermal power), the economy depends heavily on the

fishing industry, which provides 70% of export earnings and employs

8% of the work force. The economy remains sensitive to declining

fish stocks as well as to fluctuations in world prices for its main

exports: fish and fish products, aluminum, and ferrosilicon.

Government policies include reducing the budget and current account

deficits, limiting foreign borrowing, containing inflation, revising

agricultural and fishing policies, diversifying the economy, and

privatizing state-owned industries. The government remains opposed

to EU membership, primarily because of Icelanders' concern about

losing control over their fishing resources. Iceland's economy has

been diversifying into manufacturing and service industries in the

last decade, and new developments in software production,

biotechnology, and financial services are taking place. The tourism

sector is also expanding, with the recent trends in ecotourism and

whale watching. Growth had been remarkably steady in 1996-2001 at

3%-5%, but could not be sustained in 2002 in an environment of

global recession. Growth resumed in 2003, and estimates call for

strong growth until 2007, slowly dropping until the end of the

decade.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$9.373 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

1.8% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $31,900 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 11.2% industry: 9.6% services: 79.2% (2004 est.)

Labor force: 158,100 (2004 est.)

Labor force - by occupation: agriculture, fishing and fish processing 10.3%, industry 18.3%, services 71.4% (2003)

Unemployment rate:

3.1% (2004 est.)

Population below poverty line:

NA%

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA%

highest 10%: NA%

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

4% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

23.8% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $4.154 billion

expenditures: $4.058 billion, including capital expenditures of $467

million (2004 est.)

Public debt:

35.9% of GDP (2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

potatoes, green vegetables, mutton, dairy products, fish

Industries:

fish processing; aluminum smelting, ferrosilicon production,

geothermal power; tourism

Industrial production growth rate:

8.8% (2004 est.)

Electricity - production:

8.271 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 0.1% hydro: 82.5% nuclear: 0% other: 17.5% (geothermal) (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

7.692 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

16,300 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

0 bbl/day (2001)

Oil - imports:

15,470 bbl/day (2001)

Current account balance:

$-570 million (2004 est.)

Exports:

$2.902 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

fish and fish products 70%, aluminum, animal products,

ferrosilicon, diatomite

Exports - partners:

UK 19.1%, Germany 17.2%, Netherlands 11.5%, US 9.8%, Spain 6.8%,

Denmark 4.6% (2004)

Imports:

$3.307 billion (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

machinery and equipment, petroleum products; foodstuffs, textiles

Imports - partners:

Germany 12.3%, US 9.9%, Norway 9.7%, Denmark 7.9%, UK 7.2%, Sweden

6.7%, Netherlands 6% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$935 million (2004)

Debt - external:

$3.073 billion (2002)

Economic aid - donor:

$NA

Currency (code):

Icelandic krona (ISK)

Currency code:

ISK

Exchange rates:

Icelandic kronur per US dollar - 70.192 (2004), 76.709 (2003),

91.662 (2002), 97.425 (2001), 78.616 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Iceland

Telephones - main lines in use:

190,700 (2003)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

279,100 (2003)

Telephone system:

general assessment: extensive domestic service

domestic: the trunk network consists of coaxial and fiber-optic

cables and microwave radio relay links

international: country code - 354; satellite earth stations - 2

Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean), 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic and Indian Ocean

regions); note - Iceland shares the Inmarsat earth station with the

other Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 3, FM about 70 (including repeaters), shortwave 1 (1998)

Radios:

260,000 (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

14 (plus 156 low-power repeaters) (1997)

Televisions:

98,000 (1997)

Internet country code:

.is

Internet hosts:

122,175 (2004)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

20 (2001)

Internet users:

195,000 (2003)

Transportation Iceland

Highways:

total: 13,004 km

paved/oiled gravel: 4,331 km

unpaved: 8,673 km (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Grundartangi, Hafnarfjordur, Hornafjordhur, Reykjavik,

Seydhisfjordhur

Merchant marine:

total: 3 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 4,341 GRT/6,019 DWT

by type: cargo 2, passenger/cargo 1

registered in other countries: 30 (2005)

Airports:

98 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 5

over 3,047 m: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 3

914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 93

1,524 to 2,437 m: 3

914 to 1,523 m: 29

under 914 m: 61 (2004 est.)

Military Iceland

Military branches:

no regular armed forces; Icelandic National Police, Icelandic Coast

Guard (Islenska Landhelgisgaeslan)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 18-49: 69,038 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: 56,777 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

0

Military - note:

defense is provided by the US-manned Icelandic Defense Force (IDF)

headquartered at Keflavik

Transnational Issues Iceland

Disputes - international:

Iceland disputes Denmark's alignment of the Faroe Islands'

fisheries median line; Iceland, the UK, and Ireland dispute

Denmark's claim that the Faroe Islands' continental shelf extends

beyond 200 nm

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@India

Introduction India

Background:

The Indus Valley civilization, one of the oldest in the world,

dates back at least 5,000 years. Aryan tribes from the northwest

invaded about 1500 B.C.; their merger with the earlier Dravidian

inhabitants created the classical Indian culture. Arab incursions

starting in the 8th century and Turkish in the 12th were followed by

those of European traders, beginning in the late 15th century. By

the 19th century, Britain had assumed political control of virtually

all Indian lands. Indian armed forces in the British army played a

vital role in both World Wars. Nonviolent resistance to British

colonialism led by Mohandas GANDHI and Jawaharlal NEHRU brought

independence in 1947. The subcontinent was divided into the secular

state of India and the smaller Muslim state of Pakistan. A third war

between the two countries in 1971 resulted in East Pakistan becoming

the separate nation of Bangladesh. Despite impressive gains in

economic investment and output, India faces pressing problems such

as the ongoing dispute with Pakistan over Kashmir, massive

overpopulation, environmental degradation, extensive poverty, and

ethnic and religious strife.

Geography India

Location:

Southern Asia, bordering the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal,

between Burma and Pakistan

Geographic coordinates:

20 00 N, 77 00 E

Map references:

Asia

Area:

total: 3,287,590 sq km

land: 2,973,190 sq km

water: 314,400 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly more than one-third the size of the US

Land boundaries:

total: 14,103 km

border countries: Bangladesh 4,053 km, Bhutan 605 km, Burma 1,463

km, China 3,380 km, Nepal 1,690 km, Pakistan 2,912 km

Coastline:

7,000 km

Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin

Climate:

varies from tropical monsoon in south to temperate in north

Terrain:

upland plain (Deccan Plateau) in south, flat to rolling plain along

the Ganges, deserts in west, Himalayas in north

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m

highest point: Kanchenjunga 8,598 m

Natural resources:

coal (fourth-largest reserves in the world), iron ore, manganese,

mica, bauxite, titanium ore, chromite, natural gas, diamonds,

petroleum, limestone, arable land

Land use:

arable land: 54.4%

permanent crops: 2.74%

other: 42.86% (2001)

Irrigated land:

590,000 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

droughts; flash floods, as well as widespread and destructive

flooding from monsoonal rains; severe thunderstorms; earthquakes

Environment - current issues:

deforestation; soil erosion; overgrazing; desertification; air

pollution from industrial effluents and vehicle emissions; water

pollution from raw sewage and runoff of agricultural pesticides; tap

water is not potable throughout the country; huge and growing

population is overstraining natural resources

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living

Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate

Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species,

Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone

Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical

Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

dominates South Asian subcontinent; near important Indian Ocean

trade routes

People India

Population:

1,080,264,388 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 31.2% (male 173,634,432/female 163,932,475)

15-64 years: 63.9% (male 356,932,082/female 333,283,590)

65 years and over: 4.9% (male 26,542,025/female 25,939,784) (2005

est.)

Median age: total: 24.66 years male: 24.64 years female: 24.67 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

1.4% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

22.32 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

8.28 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

-0.07 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.07 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 1.02 male(s)/female

total population: 1.06 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 56.29 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 56.86 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 55.69 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 64.35 years

male: 63.57 years

female: 65.16 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

2.78 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

0.9% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

5.1 million (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

310,000 (2001 est.)

Major infectious diseases:

degree of risk: high

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A and E,

and typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases: dengue fever, malaria, and Japanese

encephalitis are high risks in some locations

animal contact disease: rabies (2004)

Nationality:

noun: Indian(s)

adjective: Indian

Ethnic groups:

Indo-Aryan 72%, Dravidian 25%, Mongoloid and other 3% (2000)

Religions:

Hindu 80.5%, Muslim 13.4%, Christian 2.3%, Sikh 1.9%, other 1.8%,

unspecified 0.1% (2001 census)

Languages:

English enjoys associate status but is the most important language

for national, political, and commercial communication; Hindi is the

national language and primary tongue of 30% of the people; there are

14 other official languages: Bengali, Telugu, Marathi, Tamil, Urdu,

Gujarati, Malayalam, Kannada, Oriya, Punjabi, Assamese, Kashmiri,

Sindhi, and Sanskrit; Hindustani is a popular variant of Hindi/Urdu

spoken widely throughout northern India but is not an official

language

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 59.5%

male: 70.2%

female: 48.3% (2003 est.)

Government India

Country name:

conventional long form: Republic of India

conventional short form: India

Government type:

federal republic

Capital:

New Delhi

Administrative divisions:

28 states and 7 union territories*; Andaman and Nicobar Islands*,

Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chandigarh*,

Chhattisgarh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli*, Daman and Diu*, Delhi*, Goa,

Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand,

Karnataka, Kerala, Lakshadweep*, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra,

Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Orissa, Pondicherry*, Punjab,

Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Uttaranchal, Uttar Pradesh,

West Bengal

Independence:

15 August 1947 (from UK)

National holiday:

Republic Day, 26 January (1950)

Constitution:

26 January 1950; amended many times

Legal system:

based on English common law; limited judicial review of legislative

acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations;

separate personal law codes apply to Muslims, Christians, and Hindus

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President A.P.J. Abdul KALAM (since 26 July 2002);

Vice President Bhairon Singh SHEKHAWAT (since 19 August 2002)

head of government: Prime Minister Manmohan SINGH (since NA May 2004)

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the

recommendation of the prime minister

elections: president elected by an electoral college consisting of

elected members of both houses of Parliament and the legislatures of

the states for a five-year term; election last held July 2002 (next

to be held 18 July 2007); vice president elected by both houses of

Parliament for a five-year term; election last held 12 August 2002

(next to be held August 2007); prime minister chosen by

parliamentary members of the majority party following legislative

elections; election last held April - May 2004 (next to be held May

2009)

election results: Abdul KALAM elected president; percent of

electoral college vote - 89.6%; Bhairon Singh SHEKHAWAT elected vice

president; percent of Parliament vote - 59.8%

Legislative branch:

bicameral Parliament or Sansad consists of the Council of States or

Rajya Sabha (a body consisting of not more than 250 members, up to

12 of whom are appointed by the president, the remainder are chosen

by the elected members of the state and territorial assemblies;

members serve six-year terms) and the People's Assembly or Lok Sabha

(545 seats; 543 elected by popular vote, 2 appointed by the

president; members serve five-year terms)

elections: People's Assembly - last held 20 April through 10 May

2004 (next to be held 2009)

election results: People's Assembly - percent of vote by party -

NA%; seats by party - INC 145, BJP 138, CPI(M) 43, SP 36, RJD 24,

BSP 19, DMK 16, SS 12, BJD 11, CPI 10, NCP 9, JDU 8, SAD 8, PMK 6,

TDP 5, TRS 5, JMM 5, LJSP 4, MDMK 4, independents 5, other 30

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the president and remain in

office until they reach the age of 65)

Political parties and leaders:

All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam or AIADMK [C. Jayalalitha

JAYARAM]; All India Forward Bloc or AIFB, [Debabrata BISWAS]; Asom

Gana Parishad [Brindaban GOSWAMI]; Bahujan Samaj Party or BSP

[MAYAWATI]; Bharatiya Janata Party or BJP [Lal Krishna ADVANI]; Biju

Janata Dal or BJD [Naveen PATNAIK]; Communist Party of India or CPI

[Ardhendu Bhushan BARDHAN]; Communist Party of India (Marxist) or

CPI (M) Hakishan Singh SURJEET]; Congress (I) Party [Sonia GANDHI];

Dravida Munnetra Kazagham or DMK (a regional party in Tamil Nadu)

[M. KARUNANIDHI]; Indian National Congress or INC [Sonia GANDHI];

Indian National League [Suliaman SAITH]; Janata Dal (Secular) [H. D.

Deve GOWDA]; Janata Dal (United) or JDU [Sharad YADAV]; Jharkhand

Mukti Morcha or JMM [leader NA]; Kerala Congress (Mani faction) [K.

M. MANI]; Lok Jan Shakti Party or LJSP [leader NA]; Marumalarchi

Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam or MDMK [VAIKO]; Muslim League [G. M.

BANATWALA]; Nationalist Congress Party or NCP [Sharad PAWAR];

Pattali Makkal Katchi or PMK [leader NA]; Rashtriya Janata Dal or

RJD [Laloo Prasad YADAV]; Revolutionary Socialist Party or RSP

[Abani ROY]; Samajwadi Party or SP [Mulayam Singh YADAV]; Shiromani

Akali Dal or SAD [G. S. TOHRA]; Shiv Sena or SS [Bal THACKERAY];

Tamil Maanila Congress [G. K. VASAN]; Telangana Rashtra Samithi or

TRS [leader NA]; Telugu Desam Party or TDP [Chandrababu NAIDU];

Trinamool Congress [Mamata BANERJEE]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

numerous religious or militant/chauvinistic organizations,

including Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Bajrang Dal, and Rashtriya

Swayamsevak Sangh; various separatist groups seeking greater

communal and/or regional autonomy, including the All Parties

Hurriyat Conference in the Kashmir Valley and the National Socialist

Council of Nagaland in the Northeast

International organization participation:

AfDB, ARF, AsDB, ASEAN (dialogue partner), BIS, C, CERN (observer),

CP, FAO, G- 6, G-15, G-19, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU,

ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM

(observer), ISO, ITU, MIGA, MONUC, NAM, OAS (observer), ONUB, OPCW,

PCA, SAARC, SACEP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNMEE,

UNMIK, UNMOVIC, UNOCI, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Ranendra SEN

chancery: 2107 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008; note -

Consular Wing located at 2536 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington,

DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 939-7000

FAX: [1] (202) 265-4351

consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, New York, and San Francisco

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador David C. MULFORD

embassy: Shantipath, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi 110021

mailing address: use embassy street address

telephone: [91] (11) 2419-8000

FAX: [91] (11) 2419-0017

consulate(s) general: Chennai (Madras), Kolkata (Calcutta), Mumbai

(Bombay)

Flag description:

three equal horizontal bands of saffron (subdued orange) (top),

white, and green with a blue chakra (24-spoked wheel) centered in

the white band; similar to the flag of Niger, which has a small

orange disk centered in the white band

Economy India

Economy - overview:

India's diverse economy encompasses traditional village farming,

modern agriculture, handicrafts, a wide range of modern industries,

and a multitude of services. Services are the major source of

economic growth, though two-thirds of the workforce is in

agriculture. The UPA government has committed to furthering economic

reforms and developing basic infrastructure to improve the lives of

the rural poor and boost economic performance. Government controls

on foreign trade and investment have been reduced in some areas, but

high tariffs (averaging 20% in 2004) and limits on foreign direct

investment are still in place. The government has indicated it will

do more to liberalize investment in civil aviation, telecom, and

insurance sectors in the near term. Privatization of

government-owned industries has proceeded slowly, and continues to

generate political debate; continued social, political, and economic

rigidities hold back needed initiatives. The economy has posted an

excellent average growth rate of 6.8% since 1994, reducing poverty

by about 10 percentage points. India is capitalizing on its large

numbers of well-educated people skilled in the English language to

become a major exporter of software services and software workers.

Despite strong growth, the World Bank and others worry about the

combined state and federal budget deficit, running at approximately

9% of GDP. The huge and growing population is the fundamental

social, economic, and environmental problem. In late December 2004,

a major tsunami took nearly 11,000 lives, left almost 6,000 missing,

destroyed $1.2 billion worth of property, and severely damaged the

fishing fleet.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$3.319 trillion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

6.2% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $3,100 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 23.6% industry: 28.4% services: 48% (2002 est.)

Labor force:

482.2 million (2004 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 60%, industry 17%, services 23% (1999)

Unemployment rate:

9.2% (2004 est.)

Population below poverty line:

25% (2002 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.5% highest 10%: 33.5% (1997)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

37.8 (1997)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

4.2% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

23.8% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $67.3 billion

expenditures: $104 billion, including capital expenditures of $13.5

billion (2004 est.)

Public debt:

59.7% of GDP (federal debt only; state debt not included) (2004

est.)

Agriculture - products:

rice, wheat, oilseed, cotton, jute, tea, sugarcane, potatoes;

cattle, water buffalo, sheep, goats, poultry; fish

Industries:

textiles, chemicals, food processing, steel, transportation

equipment, cement, mining, petroleum, machinery, software

Industrial production growth rate:

7.4% (2004 est.)

Electricity - production:

547.2 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 81.7% hydro: 14.5% nuclear: 3.4% other: 0.3% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

510.1 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

350 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

1.54 billion kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

780,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Oil - consumption:

2.13 million bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Oil - proved reserves:

5.7 billion bbl (2004 est.)

Natural gas - production:

22.75 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - consumption:

22.75 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - exports:

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - imports:

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves:

542.4 billion cu m (2004)

Current account balance:

$4.897 billion (2004 est.)

Exports:

$69.18 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

textile goods, gems and jewelry, engineering goods, chemicals,

leather manufactures

Exports - partners:

US 17%, UAE 8.8%, China 5.5%, Hong Kong 4.7%, UK 4.5%, Singapore

4.5% (2004)

Imports:

$89.33 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

crude oil, machinery, gems, fertilizer, chemicals

Imports - partners:

China 6.1%, US 6%, Switzerland 5.2%, Belgium 4.4% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$126 billion (2004 est.)

Debt - external:

$117.2 billion (2004 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:

$2.9 billion (FY98/99)

Currency (code):

Indian rupee (INR)

Currency code:

INR

Exchange rates:

Indian rupees per US dollar - 45.317 (2004), 46.583 (2003), 48.61

(2002), 47.186 (2001), 44.942 (2000)

Fiscal year:

1 April - 31 March

Communications India

Telephones - main lines in use:

48.917 million (2003)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

26,154,400 (2003)

Telephone system:

general assessment: recent deregulation and liberalization of

telecommunications laws and policies have prompted rapid change;

local and long distance service provided throughout all regions of

the country, with services primarily concentrated in the urban

areas; steady improvement is taking place with the recent admission

of private and private-public investors, but telephone density

remains low at about seven for each 100 persons nationwide but only

one per 100 persons in rural areas and a national waiting list of

over 1.7 million; fastest growth is in cellular service with modest

growth in fixed lines

domestic: expansion of domestic service, although still weak in

rural areas, resulted from increased competition and dramatic

reductions in price led in large part by wireless service; mobile

cellular service (both CDMA and GSM) introduced in 1994 and

organized nationwide into four metropolitan cities and 19 telecom

circles each with about three private service providers and one

state-owned service provider; in recent years significant trunk

capacity added in the form of fiber-optic cable and one of the

world's largest domestic satellite systems, the Indian National

Satellite system (INSAT), with five satellites supporting 33,000

very small aperture terminals (VSAT)

international: country code - 91; satellite earth stations - 8

Intelsat (Indian Ocean) and 1 Inmarsat (Indian Ocean region); nine

gateway exchanges operating from Mumbai (Bombay), New Delhi, Kolkata

(Calcutta), Chennai (Madras), Jalandhar, Kanpur, Gandhinagar,

Hyderabad, and Ernakulam; 5 submarine cables, including Sea-Me-We-3

with landing sites at Cochin and Mumbai (Bombay), Fiber-Optic Link

Around the Globe (FLAG) with landing site at Mumbai (Bombay), South

Africa - Far East (SAFE) with landing site at Cochin, i2icn linking

to Singapore with landing sites at Mumbai (Bombay) and Chennai

(Madras), and Tata Indicom linking Singapore and Chennai (Madras),

provide a significant increase in the bandwidth available for both

voice and data traffic (2004)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 153, FM 91, shortwave 68 (1998)

Radios:

116 million (1997)

Television broadcast stations: 562 (of which 82 stations have 1 kW or greater power and 480 stations have less than 1 kW of power) (1997)

Televisions:

63 million (1997)

Internet country code:

.in

Internet hosts:

86,871 (2003)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

43 (2000)

Internet users:

18.481 million (2003)

Transportation India

Railways:

total: 63,230 km (16,693 km electrified)

broad gauge: 45,718 km 1.676-m gauge

narrow gauge: 14,406 km 1.000-m gauge; 3,106 km 0.762-m gauge and

0.610-m gauge (2004)

Highways:

total: 2,525,989 km

paved: 1,448,655 km

unpaved: 1,077,334 km (1999)

Waterways:

14,500 km

note: 5,200 km on major rivers and 485 km on canals suitable for

mechanized vessels (2004)

Pipelines:

gas 6,171 km; liquid petroleum gas 1,195 km; oil 5,613 km; refined

products 5,567 km (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Chennai, Haldia, Jawaharal Nehru, Kandla, Kolkata (Calcutta),

Mumbai (Bombay), New Mangalore, Vishakhapatnam

Merchant marine:

total: 299 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 6,555,507 GRT/11,069,791 DWT

by type: bulk carrier 85, cargo 75, chemical tanker 13, combination

ore/oil 1, container 7, liquefied gas 14, passenger 3,

passenger/cargo 9, petroleum tanker 91, roll on/roll off 1

foreign-owned: 10 (Australia 1, China 1, Greece 1, UAE 6, United

Kingdom 1)

registered in other countries: 30 (2005)

Airports:

333 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 234 over 3,047 m: 14 2,438 to 3,047 m: 47 1,524 to 2,437 m: 78 914 to 1,523 m: 74 under 914 m: 21 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 99 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 9 914 to 1,523 m: 42 under 914 m: 45 (2004 est.)

Heliports: 20 (2004 est.)

Military India

Military branches:

Army, Navy (includes naval air arm), Air Force, Coast Guard,

various security or paramilitary forces (includes Border Security

Force, Assam Rifles, National Security Guards, Indo-Tibetan Border

Police, Special Frontier Force, Central Reserve Police Force,

Central Industrial Security Force, Railway Protection Force, and

Defense Security Corps)

Military service age and obligation:

16 years of age for voluntary military service (2001)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 16-49: 287,551,111 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 16-49: 219,471,999 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:

males: 11,446,452 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$18.86 billion (2005)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

2.93% (2005/06)

Transnational Issues India

Disputes - international:

China and India launched a security and foreign policy dialogue in

2005, consolidating discussions related to the dispute over most of

their rugged, militarized boundary, regional nuclear proliferation,

Indian claims that China transferred missiles to Pakistan, and other

matters; recent talks and confidence-building measures have begun to

defuse tensions over Kashmir, site of the world's largest and most

militarized territorial dispute with portions under the de facto

administration of China (Aksai Chin), India (Jammu and Kashmir), and

Pakistan (Azad Kashmir and Northern Areas); in 2004, India and

Pakistan instituted a cease fire in the Kashmir and in 2005,

restored bus service across the highly militarized Line of Control;

Pakistan has taken its dispute on the impact and benefits of India's

building the Baglihar dam on the Chenab River in Jammu and Kashmir

to the World Bank for arbitration; UN Military Observer Group in

India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) has maintained a small group of

peacekeepers since 1949; India does not recognize Pakistan's ceding

historic Kashmir lands to China in 1964; disputes persist with

Pakistan over Indus River water sharing; to defuse tensions and

prepare for discussions on a maritime boundary, in 2004, India and

Pakistan resurveyed a portion of the disputed boundary in Sir Creek

estuary at the mouth of the Rann of Kutch; Pakistani maps continue

to show Junagadh claim in Indian Gujarat State; discussions with

Bangladesh remain stalled to delimit a small section of river

boundary, to exchange 162 miniscule enclaves in both countries, to

allocate divided villages, and to stop illegal cross-border trade,

migration, violence, and transit of terrorists through the porous

border; Bangladesh protests India's attempts to fence off

high-traffic sections; dispute with Bangladesh over New Moore/South

Talpatty/Purbasha Island in the Bay of Bengal deters maritime

boundary delimitation; India seeks cooperation from Bhutan and Burma

to keep Indian Nagaland and Assam separatists from hiding in remote

areas along the borders; Joint Border Committee with Nepal continues

to demarcate minor disputed boundary sections; India has instituted

a stricter border regime to keep out Maoist insurgents and control

illegal cross-border activities from Nepal

Refugees and internally displaced persons:

refugees (country of origin): 92,394 (Tibet/China) 60,922 (Sri

Lanka)

IDPs: 650,000 (Jammu and Kashmir conflicts; most IDPs are Kashmiri

Hindus); 113,000 (resulting from 26 December 2004 tsunami) (2004)

Illicit drugs:

world's largest producer of licit opium for the pharmaceutical

trade, but an undetermined quantity of opium is diverted to illicit

international drug markets; transit point for illicit narcotics

produced in neighboring countries; illicit producer of methaqualone;

vulnerable to narcotics money laundering through the hawala system

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Indian Ocean

Introduction Indian Ocean

Background:

The Indian Ocean is the third largest of the world's five oceans

(after the Pacific Ocean and Atlantic Ocean, but larger than the

Southern Ocean and Arctic Ocean). Four critically important access

waterways are the Suez Canal (Egypt), Bab el Mandeb

(Djibouti-Yemen), Strait of Hormuz (Iran-Oman), and Strait of

Malacca (Indonesia-Malaysia). The decision by the International

Hydrographic Organization in the spring of 2000 to delimit a fifth

ocean, the Southern Ocean, removed the portion of the Indian Ocean

south of 60 degrees south.

Geography Indian Ocean

Location:

body of water between Africa, the Southern Ocean, Asia, and

Australia

Geographic coordinates:

20 00 S, 80 00 E

Map references:

Political Map of the World

Area:

total: 68.556 million sq km

note: includes Andaman Sea, Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal, Flores Sea,

Great Australian Bight, Gulf of Aden, Gulf of Oman, Java Sea,

Mozambique Channel, Persian Gulf, Red Sea, Savu Sea, Strait of

Malacca, Timor Sea, and other tributary water bodies

Area - comparative:

about 5.5 times the size of the US

Coastline:

66,526 km

Climate:

northeast monsoon (December to April), southwest monsoon (June to

October); tropical cyclones occur during May/June and

October/November in the northern Indian Ocean and January/February

in the southern Indian Ocean

Terrain:

surface dominated by counterclockwise gyre (broad, circular system

of currents) in the southern Indian Ocean; unique reversal of

surface currents in the northern Indian Ocean; low atmospheric

pressure over southwest Asia from hot, rising, summer air results in

the southwest monsoon and southwest-to-northeast winds and currents,

while high pressure over northern Asia from cold, falling, winter

air results in the northeast monsoon and northeast-to-southwest

winds and currents; ocean floor is dominated by the Mid-Indian Ocean

Ridge and subdivided by the Southeast Indian Ocean Ridge, Southwest

Indian Ocean Ridge, and Ninetyeast Ridge

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Java Trench -7,258 m

highest point: sea level 0 m

Natural resources:

oil and gas fields, fish, shrimp, sand and gravel aggregates,

placer deposits, polymetallic nodules

Natural hazards:

occasional icebergs pose navigational hazard in southern reaches

Environment - current issues:

endangered marine species include the dugong, seals, turtles, and

whales; oil pollution in the Arabian Sea, Persian Gulf, and Red Sea

Geography - note:

major chokepoints include Bab el Mandeb, Strait of Hormuz, Strait

of Malacca, southern access to the Suez Canal, and the Lombok Strait

Economy Indian Ocean

Economy - overview:

The Indian Ocean provides major sea routes connecting the Middle

East, Africa, and East Asia with Europe and the Americas. It carries

a particularly heavy traffic of petroleum and petroleum products

from the oilfields of the Persian Gulf and Indonesia. Its fish are

of great and growing importance to the bordering countries for

domestic consumption and export. Fishing fleets from Russia, Japan,

South Korea, and Taiwan also exploit the Indian Ocean, mainly for

shrimp and tuna. Large reserves of hydrocarbons are being tapped in

the offshore areas of Saudi Arabia, Iran, India, and western

Australia. An estimated 40% of the world's offshore oil production

comes from the Indian Ocean. Beach sands rich in heavy minerals and

offshore placer deposits are actively exploited by bordering

countries, particularly India, South Africa, Indonesia, Sri Lanka,

and Thailand.

Transportation Indian Ocean

Ports and harbors:

Chennai (Madras; India), Colombo (Sri Lanka), Durban (South

Africa), Jakarta (Indonesia), Kolkata (Calcutta; India) Melbourne

(Australia), Mumbai (Bombay; India), Richards Bay (South Africa)

Transnational Issues Indian Ocean

Disputes - international: some maritime disputes (see littoral states)

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Indonesia

Introduction Indonesia

Background:

The Dutch began to colonize Indonesia in the early 17th century;

the islands were occupied by Japan from 1942 to 1945. Indonesia

declared its independence after Japan's surrender, but it required

four years of intermittent negotiations, recurring hostilities, and

UN mediation before the Netherlands agreed to relinquish its colony.

Indonesia is the world's largest archipelagic state. Current issues

include: alleviating widespread poverty, preventing terrorism,

continuing the transition to popularly-elected governments after

four decades of authoritarianism, implementing reforms of the

banking sector, addressing charges of cronyism and corruption, and

holding the military and police accountable for human rights

violations. Indonesia has been dealing with armed separatist

movements in Aceh and in Papua.

Geography Indonesia

Location:

Southeastern Asia, archipelago between the Indian Ocean and the

Pacific Ocean

Geographic coordinates:

5 00 S, 120 00 E

Map references:

Southeast Asia

Area:

total: 1,919,440 sq km

land: 1,826,440 sq km

water: 93,000 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly less than three times the size of Texas

Land boundaries:

total: 2,830 km

border countries: East Timor 228 km, Malaysia 1,782 km, Papua New

Guinea 820 km

Coastline:

54,716 km

Maritime claims: measured from claimed archipelagic straight baselines territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Climate:

tropical; hot, humid; more moderate in highlands

Terrain:

mostly coastal lowlands; larger islands have interior mountains

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m

highest point: Puncak Jaya 5,030 m

Natural resources:

petroleum, tin, natural gas, nickel, timber, bauxite, copper,

fertile soils, coal, gold, silver

Land use: arable land: 11.32% permanent crops: 7.23% other: 81.45% (2001)

Irrigated land:

48,150 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

occasional floods, severe droughts, tsunamis, earthquakes,

volcanoes, forest fires

Environment - current issues:

deforestation; water pollution from industrial wastes, sewage; air

pollution in urban areas; smoke and haze from forest fires

Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation

Geography - note:

archipelago of 17,508 islands (6,000 inhabited); straddles equator;

strategic location astride or along major sea lanes from Indian

Ocean to Pacific Ocean

People Indonesia

Population:

241,973,879 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 29.1% (male 35,823,456/female 34,590,631)

15-64 years: 65.7% (male 79,447,560/female 79,449,399)

65 years and over: 5.2% (male 5,526,389/female 7,136,444) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 26.48 years

male: 26.03 years

female: 26.93 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

1.45% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

20.71 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

6.25 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female

total population: 1 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 35.6 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 40.72 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 30.22 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 69.57 years

male: 67.13 years

female: 72.13 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

2.44 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

0.1% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

110,000 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

2,400 (2003 est.)

Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: dengue fever, malaria, and chikungunya are high risks in some locations (2004)

Nationality:

noun: Indonesian(s)

adjective: Indonesian

Ethnic groups:

Javanese 45%, Sundanese 14%, Madurese 7.5%, coastal Malays 7.5%,

other 26%

Religions:

Muslim 88%, Protestant 5%, Roman Catholic 3%, Hindu 2%, Buddhist

1%, other 1% (1998)

Languages:

Bahasa Indonesia (official, modified form of Malay), English,

Dutch, local dialects, the most widely spoken of which is Javanese

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 87.9%

male: 92.5%

female: 83.4% (2002 est.)

Government Indonesia

Country name:

conventional long form: Republic of Indonesia

conventional short form: Indonesia

local long form: Republik Indonesia

local short form: Indonesia

former: Netherlands East Indies; Dutch East Indies

Government type:

republic

Capital:

Jakarta

Administrative divisions:

30 provinces (propinsi-propinsi, singular - propinsi), 2 special

regions* (daerah-daerah istimewa, singular - daerah istimewa), and 1

special capital city district** (daerah khusus ibukota); Aceh*,

Bali, Banten, Bengkulu, Gorontalo, Irian Jaya Barat, Jakarta Raya**,

Jambi, Jawa Barat, Jawa Tengah, Jawa Timur, Kalimantan Barat,

Kalimantan Selatan, Kalimantan Tengah, Kalimantan Timur, Kepulauan

Bangka Belitung, Kepulauan Riau, Lampung, Maluku, Maluku Utara, Nusa

Tenggara Barat, Nusa Tenggara Timur, Papua, Riau, Sulawesi Barat,

Sulawesi Selatan, Sulawesi Tengah, Sulawesi Tenggara, Sulawesi

Utara, Sumatera Barat, Sumatera Selatan, Sumatera Utara,

Yogyakarta*; note - with the implementation of decentralization on 1

January 2001, the 357 districts or regencies became the key

administrative units responsible for providing most government

services

Independence:

17 August 1945 (independence proclaimed); 27 December 1949

(Netherlands recognizes Indonesian independence)

National holiday:

Independence Day, 17 August (1945)

Constitution:

August 1945; abrogated by Federal Constitution of 1949 and

Provisional Constitution of 1950, restored 5 July 1959

Legal system:

based on Roman-Dutch law, substantially modified by indigenous

concepts and by new criminal procedures and election codes; has not

accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage:

17 years of age; universal and married persons regardless of age

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Susilo Bambang YUDHOYONO (since 20

October 2004) and Vice President Muhammad Yusuf KALLA (since 20

October 2004); note - the president is both the chief of state and

head of government

head of government: President Susilo Bambang YUDHOYONO (since 20

October 2004) and Vice President Muhammad Yusuf KALLA (since 20

October 2004);

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president

elections: president and vice president were elected for five-year

terms by direct vote of the citizenry; last held 20 September 2004

(next to be held in September 2009)

election results: Susilo Bambang YUDHOYONO elected president

receiving 60.6% of vote; MEGAWATI Sukarnoputri received 39.4%

Legislative branch:

unicameral House of Representatives or Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat

(DPR) (550 seats; members elected to serve five-year terms); House

of Regional Representatives (Dewan Perwakilan Daerah or DPD),

constitutionally mandated role includes providing legislative input

to DPR on issues affecting regions; People's Consultative Assembly

(Majelis Permusyawaratan Rakyat or MPR) has role in inaugurating and

impeaching President and in amending constitution; consists of

popularly-elected members in DPR and DPD; MPR does not formulate

national policy

elections: last held 5 April 2004 (next to be held in April 2009)

election results: percent of vote by party - Golkar 21.6%, PDI-P

18.5%, PKB 10.6%, PPP 8.2%, PD 7.5%, PKS 7.3%, PAN 6.4%, others

19.9%; seats by party - Golkar 128, PDI-P 109, PPP 58, PD 55, PAN

53, PKB 52, PKS 45, others 50

note: because of election rules, the number of seats won does not

always follow the number of votes received by parties

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court or Mahkamah Agung (justices appointed by the

president from a list of candidates approved by the legislature); a

separate Constitutional Court or Makhama Konstitusi was invested by

the president on 16 August 2003; in March 2004 the Supreme Court

assumed administrative and financial responsibility for the lower

court system from the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights

Political parties and leaders:

Crescent Moon and Star Party or PBB [Yusril Ihza MAHENDRA,

chairman]; Democratic Party or PD [Subur BUDHISANTOSO, chairman];

Functional Groups Party or Golkar [Yusuf KALLA, chairman]; Indonesia

Democratic Party-Struggle or PDI-P [MEGAWATI Sukarnoputri,

chairperson]; National Awakening Party or PKB [Alwi SHIHAB,

chairman]; National Mandate Party or PAN [Amien RAIS, chairman];

Prosperous Justice Party or PKS [MAHFUD, acting chairman]; United

Development Party or PPP [Hamzah HAZ, chairman]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

NA

International organization participation:

APEC, APT, ARF, AsDB, ASEAN, BIS, CP, FAO, G-15, G-77, IAEA, IBRD,

ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF,

IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, MIGA, MONUC, NAM, OIC,

OPCW, OPEC, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNOMIG, UPU,

WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador SOEMADI Brotodiningrat

chancery: 2020 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036

telephone: [1] (202) 775-5200

FAX: [1] (202) 775-5365

consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, and

San Francisco

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador B. Lynn PASCOE

embassy: Jalan 1 Medan Merdeka Selatan 3-5, Jakarta 10110

mailing address: Unit 8129, Box 1, FPO AP 96520

telephone: [62] (21) 3435-9000

FAX: [62] (21) 385-7189

consulate(s) general: Surabaya

Flag description:

two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and white; similar to the

flag of Monaco, which is shorter; also similar to the flag of

Poland, which is white (top) and red

Economy Indonesia

Economy - overview:

Indonesia, a vast polyglot nation, has restored financial stability

and pursued sober fiscal policies since the Asian financial crisis,

but many economic development problems remain, including high

unemployment, a fragile banking sector, endemic corruption,

inadequate infrastructure, a poor investment climate, and unequal

resource distribution among regions. Indonesia became a net oil

importer in 2004 due to declining production and lack of new

exploration investment. As a result, Jakarta is not reaping the

benefits of high world oil prices, and the cost of subsidizing

domestic fuel prices has placed an increasing strain on the budget.

Keys to future growth remain internal reform, building up the

confidence of international and domestic investors, and strong

global economic growth. In late December 2004, a major tsunami took

nearly 127,000 lives, left more than 93,000 missing and nearly

441,000 displaced, and destroyed $4.5 to $5.0 billion worth of

property.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$827.4 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

4.9% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $3,500 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 14.6% industry: 45% services: 40.4% (2004 est.)

Labor force:

111.5 million (2004 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 45%, industry 16%, services 39% (1999 est.)

Unemployment rate:

9.2% (2004 est.)

Population below poverty line:

27% (1999)

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: 4%

highest 10%: 26.7% (1999)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

37 (2001)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

6.1% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

16.6% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $52.13 billion

expenditures: $55.88 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Public debt:

56.2% of GDP (2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

rice, cassava (tapioca), peanuts, rubber, cocoa, coffee, palm oil,

copra, poultry, beef, pork, eggs

Industries:

petroleum and natural gas, textiles, apparel, footwear, mining,

cement, chemical fertilizers, plywood, rubber, food, tourism

Industrial production growth rate:

10.5% (2004 est.)

Electricity - production:

110.2 billion kWh (2003)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 86.9% hydro: 10.5% nuclear: 0% other: 2.6% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

92.35 billion kWh (2003)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

971,000 bbl/day (2003 est.)

Oil - consumption:

1.183 million bbl/day (2003 est.)

Oil - exports:

518,100 bbl/day (2003)

Oil - imports:

370,500 bbl/day (2003)

Oil - proved reserves:

4.9 billion bbl (2004 est.)

Natural gas - production:

77.6 billion cu m (2003 est.)

Natural gas - consumption:

55.3 billion cu m (2003 est.)

Natural gas - exports:

39.7 billion cu m (2003 est.)

Natural gas - imports:

0 cu m (2003 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves:

2.549 trillion cu m (2004)

Current account balance:

$7.338 billion (2004 est.)

Exports:

$69.86 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

oil and gas, electrical appliances, plywood, textiles, rubber

Exports - partners:

Japan 22.3%, US 12.3%, Singapore 8.4%, South Korea 6.8%, China

6.4%, Malaysia 4.2% (2004)

Imports:

$45.07 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

machinery and equipment, chemicals, fuels, foodstuffs

Imports - partners:

Singapore 13.1%, Japan 13.1%, China 8.8%, US 7%, Thailand 6%,

Australia 4.8%, Saudi Arabia 4.2%, South Korea 4.2% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$35.82 billion (2004 est.)

Debt - external:

$141.5 billion (2004 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:

$43 billion

note: Indonesia finished its IMF program in December 2003 but still

receives bilateral aid through the Consultative Group on Indonesia

(CGI), which pledged $2.8 billion in grants and loans for 2004 and

again in 2005; nearly $4 billion in aid money pledged by a variety

of foreign governments and other groups following the 2004 tsunami;

money is slated for use in relief and rebuilding efforts in Aceh.

Currency (code):

Indonesian rupiah (IDR)

Currency code:

IDR

Exchange rates:

Indonesian rupiahs per US dollar - 8,938.9 (2004), 8,577.1 (2003),

9,311.2 (2002), 10,260.8 (2001), 8,421.8 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year; note - previously was 1 April - 31 March, but

starting with 2001, has been changed to calendar year

Communications Indonesia

Telephones - main lines in use:

7.75 million (2002)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

11.7 million (2002)

Telephone system:

general assessment: domestic service fair, international service

good

domestic: interisland microwave system and HF radio police net;

domestic satellite communications system

international: country code - 62; satellite earth stations - 2

Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Pacific Ocean)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 678, FM 43, shortwave 82 (1998)

Radios:

31.5 million (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

41 (1999)

Televisions:

13.75 million (1997)

Internet country code:

.id

Internet hosts:

62,036 (2003)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

24 (2000)

Internet users:

8 million (2002)

Transportation Indonesia

Railways:

total: 6,458 km

narrow gauge: 5,961 km 1.067-m gauge (125 km electrified); 497 km

0.750-m gauge (2004)

Highways:

total: 342,700 km

paved: 158,670 km

unpaved: 184,030 km (1999 est.)

Waterways:

21,579 km

note: Sumatra 5,471 km, Java and Madura 820 km, Kalimantan 10,460

km, Sulawesi (Celebes) 241 km, Irian Jaya 4,587 km (2004)

Pipelines:

condensate 850 km; condensate/gas 128 km; gas 8,506 km; oil 7,472

km; oil/gas/water 66 km; refined products 1,329 km (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Banjarmasin, Belawan, Ciwandan, Krueg Geukueh, Palembang, Panjang,

Sungai Pakning, Tanjung Perak, Tanjung Priok

Merchant marine:

total: 728 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 3,192,847 GRT/4,319,739 DWT

by type: bulk carrier 35, cargo 409, chemical tanker 19, container

36, liquefied gas 7, livestock carrier 1, passenger 41,

passenger/cargo 36, petroleum tanker 125, refrigerated cargo 2, roll

on/roll off 13, specialized tanker 2, vehicle carrier 2

foreign-owned: 19 (France 1, Japan 3, Philippines 1, Singapore 11,

Switzerland 1, United Kingdom 2)

registered in other countries: 113 (2005)

Airports:

667 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 154 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 13 1,524 to 2,437 m: 44 914 to 1,523 m: 49 under 914 m: 44 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 513 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 27 under 914 m: 480 (2004 est.)

Heliports: 22 (2004 est.)

Military Indonesia

Military branches:

Indonesia Armed Forces (TNI): Army (TNI-AD), Navy (TNI-AL, includes

Marines, Naval Air arm), Air Force (TNI-AU)

Military service age and obligation:

18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service;

conscript service obligation - 2 years (2002)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 18-49: 60,543,028 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: 48,687,234 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:

males: 2,201,047 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$1.3 billion (2004)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

3% (2004)

Transnational Issues Indonesia

Disputes - international:

East Timor-Indonesia Boundary Committee continues to meet, survey

and delimit land boundary, but several sections of the boundary

remain unresolved; Indonesia and East Timor contest the sovereignty

of the uninhabited coral island of Palau Batek/Fatu Sinai, which

hinders a decision on a northern maritime boundary; a 1997 treaty

between Indonesia and Australia settled some parts of their maritime

boundary but outstanding issues remain; ICJ's award of Sipadan and

Ligitan islands to Malaysia in 2002 left maritime boundary in the

hydrocarbon-rich Celebes Sea in dispute, culminating in hostile

confrontations in March 2005 over concessions to the Ambalat oil

block; the ICJ decision has prompted Indonesia to assert claims to

and to establish a presence on its smaller outer islands; Indonesia

and Singapore pledged in 2005 to finalize their 1973 maritime

boundary agreement by defining unresolved areas north of Batam

Island; Indonesian secessionists, squatters, and illegal migrants

create repatriation problems for Papua New Guinea; piracy remains a

problem in the Malacca Strait

Refugees and internally displaced persons:

IDPs: 535,000 (government offensives against rebels in Aceh; most

IDPs in Aceh, Central Kalimantan, Maluku, and Central Sulawesi

Provinces); 441,000 (resulting from 26 December 2004 tsunmai) (2004)

Illicit drugs:

illicit producer of cannabis largely for domestic use; possible

growing role as transshipment point for Golden Triangle heroin

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Iran

Introduction Iran

Background:

Known as Persia until 1935, Iran became an Islamic republic in 1979

after the ruling monarchy was overthrown and the shah was forced

into exile. Conservative clerical forces established a theocratic

system of government with ultimate political authority nominally

vested in a learned religious scholar. Iranian-US relations have

been strained since a group of Iranian students seized the US

Embassy in Tehran on 4 November 1979 and held it until 20 January

1981. During 1980-88, Iran fought a bloody, indecisive war with Iraq

that eventually expanded into the Persian Gulf and led to clashes

between US Navy and Iranian military forces between 1987-1988. Iran

has been designated a state sponsor of terrorism for its activities

in Lebanon and elsewhere in the world and remains subject to US

economic sanctions and export controls because of its continued

involvement. Following the elections of a reformist president and

Majlis in the late 1990s, attempts to foster political reform in

response to popular dissatisfaction have floundered as conservative

politicians have prevented reform measures from being enacted,

increased repressive measures, and consolidated their control over

the government.

Geography Iran

Location:

Middle East, bordering the Gulf of Oman, the Persian Gulf, and the

Caspian Sea, between Iraq and Pakistan

Geographic coordinates:

32 00 N, 53 00 E

Map references:

Middle East

Area:

total: 1.648 million sq km

land: 1.636 million sq km

water: 12,000 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly larger than Alaska

Land boundaries:

total: 5,440 km

border countries: Afghanistan 936 km, Armenia 35 km,

Azerbaijan-proper 432 km, Azerbaijan-Naxcivan exclave 179 km, Iraq

1,458 km, Pakistan 909 km, Turkey 499 km, Turkmenistan 992 km

Coastline:

2,440 km; note - Iran also borders the Caspian Sea (740 km)

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 24 nm

exclusive economic zone: bilateral agreements or median lines in the

Persian Gulf

continental shelf: natural prolongation

Climate:

mostly arid or semiarid, subtropical along Caspian coast

Terrain:

rugged, mountainous rim; high, central basin with deserts,

mountains; small, discontinuous plains along both coasts

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Caspian Sea -28 m

highest point: Kuh-e Damavand 5,671 m

Natural resources:

petroleum, natural gas, coal, chromium, copper, iron ore, lead,

manganese, zinc, sulfur

Land use: arable land: 8.72% permanent crops: 1.39% other: 89.89% (2001)

Irrigated land:

75,620 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

periodic droughts, floods; dust storms, sandstorms; earthquakes

Environment - current issues:

air pollution, especially in urban areas, from vehicle emissions,

refinery operations, and industrial effluents; deforestation;

overgrazing; desertification; oil pollution in the Persian Gulf;

wetland losses from drought; soil degradation (salination);

inadequate supplies of potable water; water pollution from raw

sewage and industrial waste; urbanization

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered

Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection,

Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification, Law of the

Sea, Marine Life Conservation

Geography - note:

strategic location on the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz, which

are vital maritime pathways for crude oil transport

People Iran

Population:

68,017,860 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 27.1% (male 9,465,475/female 8,973,828)

15-64 years: 68% (male 23,556,970/female 22,701,065)

65 years and over: 4.9% (male 1,637,512/female 1,683,010) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 24.23 years

male: 24.03 years

female: 24.44 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

0.86% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

16.83 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

5.55 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

-2.64 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.97 male(s)/female

total population: 1.04 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 41.58 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 41.75 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 41.41 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 69.96 years

male: 68.58 years

female: 71.4 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

1.82 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

less than 0.1% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

31,000 (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

800 (2003 est.)

Nationality:

noun: Iranian(s)

adjective: Iranian

Ethnic groups:

Persian 51%, Azeri 24%, Gilaki and Mazandarani 8%, Kurd 7%, Arab

3%, Lur 2%, Baloch 2%, Turkmen 2%, other 1%

Religions:

Shi'a Muslim 89%, Sunni Muslim 9%, Zoroastrian, Jewish, Christian,

and Baha'i 2%

Languages:

Persian and Persian dialects 58%, Turkic and Turkic dialects 26%,

Kurdish 9%, Luri 2%, Balochi 1%, Arabic 1%, Turkish 1%, other 2%

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 79.4%

male: 85.6%

female: 73% (2003 est.)

Government Iran

Country name:

conventional long form: Islamic Republic of Iran

conventional short form: Iran

local long form: Jomhuri-ye Eslami-ye Iran

local short form: Iran

former: Persia

Government type:

theocratic republic

Capital:

Tehran

Administrative divisions:

30 provinces (ostanha, singular - ostan); Ardabil, Azarbayjan-e

Gharbi, Azarbayjan-e Sharqi, Bushehr, Chahar Mahall va Bakhtiari,

Esfahan, Fars, Gilan, Golestan, Hamadan, Hormozgan, Ilam, Kerman,

Kermanshah, Khorasan-e Janubi, Khorasan-e Razavi, Khorasan-e

Shemali, Khuzestan, Kohgiluyeh va Buyer Ahmad, Kordestan, Lorestan,

Markazi, Mazandaran, Qazvin, Qom, Semnan, Sistan va Baluchestan,

Tehran, Yazd, Zanjan

Independence:

1 April 1979 (Islamic Republic of Iran proclaimed)

National holiday:

Republic Day, 1 April (1979)

note: additional holidays celebrated widely in Iran include

Revolution Day, 11 February (1979); Noruz (New Year's Day), 21

March; Constitutional Monarchy Day, 5 August (1925)

Constitution:

2-3 December 1979; revised 1989 to expand powers of the presidency

and eliminate the prime ministership

Legal system:

the Constitution codifies Islamic principles of government

Suffrage:

15 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Hoseini-KHAMENEI

(since 4 June 1989)

head of government: President Mahmud AHMADI-NEJAD (since 3 August

2005) First Vice President Dr. Mohammad Reza AREF-Yazdi (since 26

August 2001)

cabinet: Council of Ministers selected by the president with

legislative approval; the Supreme Leader has some control over

appointments to the more sensitive ministries

elections: leader of the Islamic Revolution appointed for life by

the Assembly of Experts; president elected by popular vote for a

four-year term; election last held 17 June 2005 with a two-candidate

runoff on 24 June 2005 (next to be held NA 2009)

election results: Mahmud AHMADI-NEJAD elected president; percent of

vote - Mahmud AHMADI-NEJAD 62%, Ali Akbar Hashemi RAFSANJANI 36%;

note - 2% of ballots spoiled

Legislative branch:

unicameral Islamic Consultative Assembly or

Majles-e-Shura-ye-Eslami (290 seats, note - changed from 270 seats

with the 18 February 2000 election; members elected by popular vote

to serve four-year terms)

elections: last held 20 February 2004 with a runoff held 7 May 2004

(next to be held February 2008)

election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats by party -

conservatives/Islamists 190, reformers 50, independents 43,

religious minorities 5, and 2 seats unaccounted for

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court - above a special clerical court, a revolutionary

court, and a special administrative court

Political parties and leaders:

formal political parties are a relatively new phenomenon in Iran

and most conservatives still prefer to work through political

pressure groups rather than parties; a loose pro-reform coalition

called the 2nd Khordad front, which includes political parties as

well as less formal pressure groups and organizations, achieved

considerable success at elections to the sixth Majles in early 2000;

groups in the coalition include: Islamic Iran Participation Front

(IIPF); Executives of Construction Party (Kargozaran); Solidarity

Party; Islamic Labor Party; Mardom Salari; Mojahedin of the Islamic

Revolution Organization (MIRO); and Militant Clerics Society

(Ruhaniyun); the coalition participated in the seventh Majles

elections in early 2004; a new apparently conservative group, the

Builders of Islamic Iran, took a leading position in the new Majles

after winning a majority of the seats in February 2004

Political pressure groups and leaders: political pressure groups conduct most of Iran's political activities; groups that generally support the Islamic Republic include Ansar-e Hizballah, Muslim Students Following the Line of the Imam, Tehran Militant Clergy Association (Ruhaniyat), Islamic Coalition Party (Motalefeh), and Islamic Engineers Society; active pro-reform student groups include the Organization for Strengthening Unity; opposition groups include Freedom Movement of Iran, the National Front, Marz-e Por Gohar, and various ethnic and Monarchist organizations; armed political groups that have been almost completely repressed by the government include Mujahidin-e Khalq Organization (MEK), People's Fedayeen, Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan, and Komala

International organization participation:

CP, ECO, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory),

ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC,

IOM, ISO, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,

UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMEE, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

none; note - Iran has an Interests Section in the Pakistani

Embassy; address: Iranian Interests Section, Pakistani Embassy, 2209

Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007; telephone: [1] (202)

965-4990; FAX [1] (202) 965-1073

Diplomatic representation from the US:

none; note - protecting power in Iran is Switzerland

Flag description:

three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and red; the

national emblem (a stylized representation of the word Allah in the

shape of a tulip, a symbol of martyrdom) in red is centered in the

white band; ALLAH AKBAR (God is Great) in white Arabic script is

repeated 11 times along the bottom edge of the green band and 11

times along the top edge of the red band

Economy Iran

Economy - overview:

Iran's economy is marked by a bloated, inefficient state sector,

over reliance on the oil sector, and statist policies that create

major distortions throughout. Most economic activity is controlled

by the state. Private sector activity is typically small-scale -

workshops, farming, and services. President KHATAMI has continued to

follow the market reform plans of former President RAFSANJANI, with

limited progress. Relatively high oil prices in recent years have

enabled Iran to amass some $30 billion in foreign exchange reserves,

but have not eased economic hardships such as high unemployment and

inflation. The proportion of the economy devoted to the development

of weapons of mass destruction remains a contentious issue with

leading Western nations.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$516.7 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

6.3% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $7,700 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 11.2% industry: 40.9% services: 48.7% (2004 est.)

Labor force: 23 million note: shortage of skilled labor (2004 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 30%, industry 25%, services 45% (2001 est.)

Unemployment rate:

11.2% (2004 est.)

Population below poverty line:

40% (2002 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

15.5% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

31.3% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $43.34 billion

expenditures: $47.7 billion, including capital expenditures of $7.6

billion (2004 est.)

Public debt:

27% of GDP (2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

wheat, rice, other grains, sugar beets, fruits, nuts, cotton; dairy

products, wool; caviar

Industries:

petroleum, petrochemicals, textiles, cement and other construction

materials, food processing (particularly sugar refining and

vegetable oil production), metal fabrication, armaments

Industrial production growth rate:

3.5% excluding oil (2004 est.)

Electricity - production:

129 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 97.1% hydro: 2.9% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

119.9 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

3.962 million bbl/day (2004 est.)

Oil - consumption:

1.4 million bbl/day (2002 est.)

Oil - exports:

2.5 million bbl/day (2004 est.)

Oil - imports:

NA

Oil - proved reserves:

130.8 billion bbl (2004 est.)

Natural gas - production:

79 billion cu m (2003 est.)

Natural gas - consumption:

72.4 billion cu m (2003 est.)

Natural gas - exports:

3.4 billion cu m (2003 est.)

Natural gas - imports:

4.92 billion cu m (2003 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves:

26.7 trillion cu m (2004)

Current account balance:

$2.1 billion (2004 est.)

Exports:

$38.79 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

petroleum 80%, chemical and petrochemical products, fruits and

nuts, carpets

Exports - partners:

Japan 18.4%, China 9.7%, Italy 6%, South Africa 5.8%, South Korea

5.4%, Taiwan 4.6%, Turkey 4.4%, Netherlands 4% (2004)

Imports:

$31.3 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

industrial raw materials and intermediate goods, capital goods,

foodstuffs and other consumer goods, technical services, military

supplies

Imports - partners:

Germany 12.8%, France 8.3%, Italy 7.7%, China 7.2%, UAE 7.2%, South

Korea 6.1%, Russia 5.4% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$29.87 billion (2004 est.)

Debt - external:

$13.4 billion (2004 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:

$408 million (2002 est.)

Currency (code):

Iranian rial (IRR)

Currency code:

IRR

Exchange rates:

rials per US dollar - 8,614 (2004), 8,193.9 (2003), 6,907 (2002),

1,753.6 (2001), 1,764.4 (2000)

note: Iran has been using a managed floating exchange rate regime

since unifying multiple exchange rates in March 2002

Fiscal year:

21 March - 20 March

Communications Iran

Telephones - main lines in use:

14,571,100 (2003)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

3,376,500 (2003)

Telephone system:

general assessment: inadequate but currently being modernized and

expanded with the goal of not only improving the efficiency and

increasing the volume of the urban service but also bringing

telephone service to several thousand villages, not presently

connected

domestic: as a result of heavy investing in the telephone system

since 1994, the number of long-distance channels in the microwave

radio relay trunk has grown substantially; many villages have been

brought into the net; the number of main lines in the urban systems

has approximately doubled; and thousands of mobile cellular

subscribers are being served; moreover, the technical level of the

system has been raised by the installation of thousands of digital

switches

international: country code - 98; HF radio and microwave radio relay

to Turkey, Azerbaijan, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Syria,

Kuwait, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan; submarine fiber-optic cable to

UAE with access to Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe (FLAG);

Trans-Asia-Europe (TAE) fiber-optic line runs from Azerbaijan

through the northern portion of Iran to Turkmenistan with expansion

to Georgia and Azerbaijan; satellite earth stations - 9 Intelsat and

4 Inmarsat

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 72, FM 5, shortwave 5 (1998)

Radios:

17 million (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

28 (plus 450 low-power repeaters) (1997)

Televisions:

4.61 million (1997)

Internet country code:

.ir

Internet hosts:

5,269 (2004)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

100 (2002)

Internet users:

4.3 million (2003)

Transportation Iran

Railways:

total: 7,203 km

broad gauge: 94 km 1.676-m gauge

standard gauge: 7,109 km 1.435-m gauge (189 km electrified) (2004)

Highways:

total: 167,157 km

paved: 94,109 km (including 890 km of expressways)

unpaved: 73,048 km (1998)

Waterways:

850 km (on Karun River and Lake Urmia) (2004)

Pipelines:

condensate/gas 212 km; gas 16,998 km; liquid petroleum gas 570 km;

oil 8,256 km; refined products 7,808 km (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Assaluyeh, Bushehr

Merchant marine:

total: 144 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 4,715,242 GRT/8,240,069 DWT

by type: bulk carrier 38, cargo 49, chemical tanker 4, container 14,

liquefied gas 1, passenger 1, passenger/cargo 5, petroleum tanker

30, roll on/roll off 2

foreign-owned: 1 (UAE 1)

registered in other countries: 8 (2005)

Airports:

305 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 127 over 3,047 m: 39 2,438 to 3,047 m: 25 1,524 to 2,437 m: 26 914 to 1,523 m: 32 under 914 m: 5 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 178 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 9 914 to 1,523 m: 129 under 914 m: 39 (2004 est.)

Heliports: 13 (2004 est.)

Military Iran

Military branches:

Islamic Republic of Iran Regular Forces (Artesh): Ground Forces,

Navy, Air Force (includes Air Defense)

Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (Sepah-e Pasdaran-e Enqelab-e

Eslami, IRGC): Ground Forces, Navy, Air Force, Qods Force (special

operations), and Basij Force (Popular Mobilization Army)

Law Enforcement Forces: (2004)

Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for compulsory military service; 16 years of age for volunteers; soldiers as young as 9 were recruited extensively during the Iran-Iraq War; conscript service obligation - 18 months (2004)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 18-49: 18,319,545 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: 15,665,725 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:

males: 862,056 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$4.3 billion (2003 est.)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

3.3% (2003 est.)

Transnational Issues Iran

Disputes - international:

Iran protests Afghanistan's limiting flow of dammed tributaries to

the Helmand River in periods of drought; Iraq's lack of a maritime

boundary with Iran prompts jurisdiction disputes beyond the mouth of

the Shatt al Arab in the Persian Gulf; Iran and UAE engage in direct

talks and solicit Arab League support to resolve disputes over

Iran's occupation of Tunb Islands and Abu Musa Island; Iran stands

alone among littoral states in insisting upon a division of the

Caspian Sea into five equal sectors

Refugees and internally displaced persons:

refugees (country of origin): 1,223,823 (Afghanistan) 124,014

(Iraq) (2004)

Illicit drugs:

despite substantial interdiction efforts, Iran remains a key

transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin to Europe; domestic

narcotics consumption remains a persistent problem and according to

official Iranian statistics there are at least two million drug

users in the country; lax anti-money-laundering regulations

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Iraq

Introduction Iraq

Background:

Formerly part of the Ottoman Empire, Iraq was occupied by Britain

during the course of World War I; in 1920, it was declared a League

of Nations mandate under UK administration. In stages over the next

dozen years, Iraq attained its independence as a kingdom in 1932. A

"republic" was proclaimed in 1958, but in actuality a series of

military strongmen ruled the country, the latest was SADDAM Husayn.

Territorial disputes with Iran led to an inconclusive and costly

eight-year war (1980-88). In August 1990, Iraq seized Kuwait, but

was expelled by US-led, UN coalition forces during the Gulf War of

January-February 1991. Following Kuwait's liberation, the UN

Security Council (UNSC) required Iraq to scrap all weapons of mass

destruction and long-range missiles and to allow UN verification

inspections. Continued Iraqi noncompliance with UNSC resolutions

over a period of 12 years resulted in the US-led invasion of Iraq in

March 2003 and the ouster of the SADDAM Husayn regime. Coalition

forces remain in Iraq, helping to restore degraded infrastructure

and facilitating the establishment of a freely elected government,

while simultaneously dealing with a robust insurgency. The Coalition

Provisional Authority transferred sovereignty to the Iraqi Interim

Government (IG) in June 2004. Iraqis voted on 30 January 2005 to

elect a 275-member Transitional National Assembly that will draft a

permanent constitution and pave the way for new national elections

at the end of 2005.

Geography Iraq

Location:

Middle East, bordering the Persian Gulf, between Iran and Kuwait

Geographic coordinates:

33 00 N, 44 00 E

Map references:

Middle East

Area:

total: 437,072 sq km

land: 432,162 sq km

water: 4,910 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly more than twice the size of Idaho

Land boundaries:

total: 3,650 km

border countries: Iran 1,458 km, Jordan 181 km, Kuwait 240 km, Saudi

Arabia 814 km, Syria 605 km, Turkey 352 km

Coastline:

58 km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 12 nm

continental shelf: not specified

Climate:

mostly desert; mild to cool winters with dry, hot, cloudless

summers; northern mountainous regions along Iranian and Turkish

borders experience cold winters with occasionally heavy snows that

melt in early spring, sometimes causing extensive flooding in

central and southern Iraq

Terrain:

mostly broad plains; reedy marshes along Iranian border in south

with large flooded areas; mountains along borders with Iran and

Turkey

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m

highest point: unnamed peak; 3,611 m; note - this peak is not Gundah

Zhur 3,607 m or Kuh-e Hajji-Ebrahim 3,595 m

Natural resources:

petroleum, natural gas, phosphates, sulfur

Land use: arable land: 13.15% permanent crops: 0.78% other: 86.07% (2001)

Irrigated land:

35,250 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

dust storms, sandstorms, floods

Environment - current issues:

government water control projects have drained most of the

inhabited marsh areas east of An Nasiriyah by drying up or diverting

the feeder streams and rivers; a once sizable population of Marsh

Arabs, who inhabited these areas for thousands of years, has been

displaced; furthermore, the destruction of the natural habitat poses

serious threats to the area's wildlife populations; inadequate

supplies of potable water; development of the Tigris and Euphrates

rivers system contingent upon agreements with upstream riparian

Turkey; air and water pollution; soil degradation (salination) and

erosion; desertification

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Law of the Sea

signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification

Geography - note:

strategic location on Shatt al Arab waterway and at the head of the

Persian Gulf

People Iraq

Population:

26,074,906 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 40% (male 5,293,709/female 5,130,826)

15-64 years: 57% (male 7,530,619/female 7,338,109)

65 years and over: 3% (male 367,832/female 413,811) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 19.43 years

male: 19.35 years

female: 19.51 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

2.7% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

32.5 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

5.49 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.89 male(s)/female

total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 50.25 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 56.06 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 44.14 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 68.7 years

male: 67.49 years

female: 69.97 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

4.28 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

less than 0.1% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

less than 500 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

NA

Nationality:

noun: Iraqi(s)

adjective: Iraqi

Ethnic groups:

Arab 75%-80%, Kurdish 15%-20%, Turkoman, Assyrian or other 5%

Religions:

Muslim 97% (Shi'a 60%-65%, Sunni 32%-37%), Christian or other 3%

Languages:

Arabic, Kurdish (official in Kurdish regions), Assyrian, Armenian

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 40.4%

male: 55.9%

female: 24.4% (2003 est.)

Government Iraq

Country name:

conventional long form: Republic of Iraq

conventional short form: Iraq

local long form: Al Jumhuriyah al Iraqiyah

local short form: Al Iraq

Government type:

none; note - the Iraqi Interim Government (IG) was appointed on 1

June 2004

Capital:

Baghdad

Administrative divisions:

18 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah); Al Anbar, Al

Basrah, Al Muthanna, Al Qadisiyah, An Najaf, Arbil, As Sulaymaniyah,

At Ta'mim, Babil, Baghdad, Dahuk, Dhi Qar, Diyala, Karbala', Maysan,

Ninawa, Salah ad Din, Wasit

Independence:

3 October 1932 (from League of Nations mandate under British

administration); note - on 28 June 2004 the Coalition Provisional

Authority transferred sovereignty to the Iraqi Interim Government

National holiday:

Revolution Day, 17 July (1968); note - this holiday was celebrated

under the SADDAM Husayn regime but the Iraqi Interim Government has

yet to declare a new national holiday

Constitution:

interim constitution signed 8 March 2004; note - the Transitional

Administrative Law (TAL) was enacted 8 March 2004 to govern the

country until an elected Iraqi Government can draft and ratify a new

constitution in 2005

Legal system:

based on civil and Islamic law under the Iraqi Interim Government

(IG) and Transitional Administrative Law (TAL)

Suffrage:

formerly 18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: Iraqi Transitional Government (ITG) President Jalal

TALABANI (since 6 April 2005); Deputy Presidents Adil Abd AL-MAHDI

and Ghazi al-Ujayl al-YAWR (since 6 April 2005); note - the

President and Deputy Presidents comprise the Presidency Council)

head of government: Iraqi Transitional Government (ITG) Prime

Minister Ibrahim al-JAFARI (since April 2005); Deputy Prime

Ministers Rowsch SHAWAYS, Ahmad CHALABI, and Abid al-Mutlaq

al-JABBURI (since May 2005)

cabinet: 32 ministers appointed by the Presidency Council, plus

Prime Minister Ibrahim al-JAFARI, Deputy Prime Ministers Rowsch

SHAWAYS, Ahmad CHALABI, and Abid al-Mutlaq al-JABBURI

elections: held 30 January 2005 to elect a 275-member Transitional

National Assembly that will draft a permanent constitution and pave

the way for new national elections at the end of 2005

Legislative branch:

unicameral National Assembly or Mejlis Watani (consisting of 275

members elected by a closed-list, proportional-representation system

for the period between the National Assembly election and the

formation of a permanent Iraqi government pursuant to the

establishment of a permanent constitution)

elections: held 30 January 2005 to elect a 275-member Transitional

National Assembly that will draft a permanent constitution and pave

the way for new national elections at the end of 2005

election results: National Assembly - percent of vote by party -

United Iraqi Alliance 48.2%, Democratic Patriotic Alliance of

Kurdistan 25.7%, Iraqi List 13.8%, others 12.3%; number of seats by

party - United Iraqi Alliance 140, Democratic Patriotic Alliance of

Kurdistan 75, Iraqi List 40, others 20

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court appointed by the Prime Minister, confirmed by the

Presidency Council

Political parties and leaders:

Al-Sadr Movement [Muqtada Al-SADR]; Constitutional Monarchy

Movement or CMM [Sharif Ali Bin al-HUSAYN]; Da'wa Party [Ibrahim

al-JA'FARI]; Independent Iraqi Alliance or IIA [Falah al-NAQIB];

Iraqi Hizballah [Karim Mahud al-MUHAMMADAWI]; Iraqi Independent

Democrats or IID [Adnan PACHACHI, Mahdi al-HAFIZ]; Iraqi Islamic

Party or IIP [Muhsin Abd al-HAMID, Hajim al-HASSANI]; Iraqi National

Accord or INA [Ayad ALLAWI]; Iraqi National Congress or INC [Ahmad

CHALABI]; Iraqi National Unity Movement or INUM [Ahmad al-KUBAYSI,

chairman]; Jama'at al Fadilah or JAF [Ayatollah Muhammad ' Ali

al-YAQUBI]; Kurdistan Democratic Party or KDP [Masud BARZANI];

Muslim Ulama Council or MUC [Harith Sulayman al-DARI, secretary

general]; Patriotic Union of Kurdistan or PUK [Jalal TALABANI]

note: the Democratic Patriotic Alliance of Kurdistan, the Iraqi

List, and the United Iraqi Alliance were only electoral slates

consisting of the representatives from the various Iraqi political

parties

Political pressure groups and leaders: an insurgency against the Iraqi Interim Government and Coalition forces is primarily concentrated in Baghdad and in areas west and north of the capital; the diverse, multigroup insurgency is led principally by Sunni Arabs whose only common denominator is a shared desire to oust the Coalition and end US influence in Iraq

International organization participation:

ABEDA, AFESD, AMF, CAEU, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA,

IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, LAS,

NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPEC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO,

WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer), WToO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Rend Rahim

FRANCKE

chancery: 1801 P Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20036

telephone: [1] (202) 483-7500

FAX: [1] (202) 462-5066

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires James F.

JEFFREY

embassy: Baghdad

mailing address: APO AE 09316

telephone: 00-1-240-553-0584 ext. 4354; note - Consular Section

FAX: NA

Flag description:

three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black with

three green five-pointed stars in a horizontal line centered in the

white band; the phrase ALLAHU AKBAR (God is Great) in green Arabic

script - Allahu to the right of the middle star and Akbar to the

left of the middle star - was added in January 1991 during the

Persian Gulf crisis; similar to the flag of Syria, which has two

stars but no script, Yemen, which has a plain white band, and that

of Egypt which has a gold Eagle of Saladin centered in the white

band; design is based upon the Arab Liberation colors

Economy Iraq

Economy - overview:

Iraq's economy is dominated by the oil sector, which has

traditionally provided about 95% of foreign exchange earnings.

Iraq's seizure of Kuwait in August 1990, subsequent international

economic sanctions, and damage from military action by an

international coalition beginning in January 1991 drastically

reduced economic activity. Although government policies supporting

large military and internal security forces and allocating resources

to key supporters of the regime hurt the economy, implementation of

the UN's oil-for-food program beginning in December 1996 helped

improve conditions for the average Iraqi citizen. Iraq was allowed

to export limited amounts of oil in exchange for food, medicine, and

some infrastructure spare parts. In December 1999, the UN Security

Council authorized Iraq to export under the program as much oil as

required to meet humanitarian needs. The drop in GDP in 2001-02 was

largely the result of the global economic slowdown and lower oil

prices. Per capita food imports increased significantly, while

medical supplies and health care services steadily improved. Per

capita output and living standards were still well below the

pre-1991 level, but any estimates have a wide range of error. The

military victory of the US-led coalition in March-April 2003

resulted in the shutdown of much of the central economic

administrative structure. Although a comparatively small amount of

capital plant was damaged during the hostilities, looting, insurgent

attacks, and sabotage have undermined efforts to rebuild the

economy. Despite continuing political uncertainty, the Iraqi Interim

Government (IG) has founded the institutions needed to implement

economic policy, and has successfully concluded a debt reduction

agreement with the Paris Club. The high percentage gain estimated

for GDP in 2004 is the result of starting from a low base.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$54.4 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

52.3% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $2,100 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 13.6% industry: 58.6% services: 27.8% (2004 est.)

Labor force:

6.7 million (2004 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture NA, industry NA, services NA

Unemployment rate:

25% to 30% (2004 est.)

Population below poverty line:

NA

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

25.4% (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $17.1 billion

expenditures: $28.2 billion, including capital expenditures of $5.6

billion (2004 budget)

Agriculture - products:

wheat, barley, rice, vegetables, dates, cotton; cattle, sheep,

poultry

Industries:

petroleum, chemicals, textiles, construction materials, food

processing, fertilizer, metal fabrication/processing

Industrial production growth rate:

NA

Electricity - production:

32.6 billion kWh (2004)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 98.4% hydro: 1.6% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

33.7 billion kWh (2004)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2004)

Electricity - imports:

1.1 billion kWh (2004)

Oil - production:

2.25 million bbl/day (2004 est.); note - prewar production (in

2002) was 2.03 million bbl/day (2004 est.)

Oil - consumption:

383,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Oil - exports:

1.49 million bbl/day (2004 est.)

Oil - imports:

NA

Oil - proved reserves:

112.5 billion bbl (2004 est.)

Natural gas - production:

2.35 billion cu m (2002 est.)

Natural gas - consumption:

2.35 billion cu m (2002 est.)

Natural gas - exports:

0 cu m (2004 est.)

Natural gas - imports:

0 cu m (2004 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves:

3.149 trillion cu m (2004)

Current account balance:

$-560 million (2003 est.)

Exports:

$10.1 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

crude oil (83.9%), crude materials excluding fuels (8.0%), food and

live animals (5.0%)

Exports - partners:

US 51.9%, Spain 7.3%, Japan 6.6%, Italy 5.7%, Canada 5.2% (2004)

Imports:

$9.9 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

food, medicine, manufactures

Imports - partners:

Syria 22.9%, Turkey 19.5%, US 9.2%, Jordan 6.7%, Germany 4.9% (2004)

Debt - external:

$125 billion (2004 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:

more than $33 billion in foreign aid pledged for 2004-07 (2004)

Currency (code):

New Iraqi dinar (NID) as of 22 January 2004

Currency code:

NID, IQD prior to 22 January 2004

Exchange rates:

New Iraqi dinars per US dollar - 1,890 (second half, 2003), 0.3109

(2002), 0.3109 (2001), 0.3109 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Iraq

Telephones - main lines in use: 675,000; note - an unknown number of telephone lines were damaged or destroyed during the March-April 2003 war (2003)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

20,000 (2002)

Telephone system:

general assessment: the 2003 war severely disrupted

telecommunications throughout Iraq including international

connections; USAID is overseeing the repair of switching capability

and the construction of mobile and satellite communication facilities

domestic: repairs to switches and lines destroyed in the recent

fighting continue, but sabotage remains a problem; cellular service

is expected to be in place within two years

international: country code - 964; satellite earth stations - 2

Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean), 1 Intersputnik

(Atlantic Ocean region), and 1 Arabsat (inoperative); coaxial cable

and microwave radio relay to Jordan, Kuwait, Syria, and Turkey;

Kuwait line is probably nonoperational

Radio broadcast stations: after 17 months of unregulated media growth, there are approximately 80 radio stations on the air inside Iraq (2004)

Radios:

4.85 million (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

21 (2004)

Televisions:

1.75 million (1997)

Internet country code:

.iq

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

1 (2000)

Internet users:

25,000 (2002)

Transportation Iraq

Railways: total: 2,200 km standard gauge: 2,200 km 1.435-m gauge (2004)

Highways:

total: 45,550 km

paved: 38,399 km

unpaved: 7,151 km (1999)

Waterways:

5,275 km (not all navigable)

note: Euphrates River (2,815 km), Tigris River (1,895 km), and Third

River (565 km) are principal waterways (2004)

Pipelines:

gas 1,739 km; oil 5,418 km; refined products 1,343 km (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Al Basrah, Khawr az Zubayr, Umm Qasr

Merchant marine:

total: 14 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 83,221 GRT/125,255 DWT

by type: cargo 11, petroleum tanker 3 (2005)

Airports:

111; note - unknown number were damaged during the March-April 2003

war (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 79

over 3,047 m: 21

2,438 to 3,047 m: 36

1,524 to 2,437 m: 5

914 to 1,523 m: 7

under 914 m: 10 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 32

over 3,047 m: 2

2,438 to 3,047 m: 4

1,524 to 2,437 m: 5

914 to 1,523 m: 12

under 914 m: 9 (2004 est.)

Heliports:

6 (2004 est.)

Military Iraq

Military branches:

Iraqi Armed Forces: Iraqi Regular Army (includes Iraqi Special

Operations Force, Iraqi Intervention Force), Iraqi Navy (former

Iraqi Coastal Defense Force), Iraqi Air Force (former Iraqi Army Air

Corps) (2005)

Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age; the Iraqi Interim Government is creating a new professional Iraqi military force of men aged 18 to 40 to defend Iraq from external threats and the current insurgency (2004)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 18-49: 5,870,640 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: 4,930,074 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:

males: 298,518 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$1.3 billion (FY00)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

NA

Transnational Issues Iraq

Disputes - international:

coalition forces assist Iraqis in monitoring boundary security;

Iraq's lack of a maritime boundary with Iran prompts jurisdiction

disputes beyond the mouth of the Shatt al Arab in the Persian Gulf;

Turkey has expressed concern over the status of Kurds in Iraq

Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 150,000 (Palestinian Territories) IDPs: 1,340,280 (ongoing US-led war and Kurds' subsequent return) (2004)

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Ireland

Introduction Ireland

Background:

Celtic tribes arrived on the island between 600-150 B.C. Invasions

by Norsemen that began in the late 8th century were finally ended

when King Brian BORU defeated the Danes in 1014. English invasions

began in the 12th century and set off more than seven centuries of

Anglo-Irish struggle marked by fierce rebellions and harsh

repressions. A failed 1916 Easter Monday Rebellion touched off

several years of guerrilla warfare that in 1921 resulted in

independence from the UK for 26 southern counties; six northern

(Ulster) counties remained part of the United Kingdom. In 1948

Ireland withdrew from the British Commonwealth; it joined the

European Community in 1973. Irish governments have sought the

peaceful unification of Ireland and have cooperated with Britain

against terrorist groups. A peace settlement for Northern Ireland,

known as the Good Friday Agreement and approved in 1998, is being

implemented with some difficulties.

Geography Ireland

Location:

Western Europe, occupying five-sixths of the island of Ireland in

the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Great Britain

Geographic coordinates:

53 00 N, 8 00 W

Map references:

Europe

Area:

total: 70,280 sq km

land: 68,890 sq km

water: 1,390 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly larger than West Virginia

Land boundaries: total: 360 km border countries: UK 360 km

Coastline: 1,448 km

Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm

Climate:

temperate maritime; modified by North Atlantic Current; mild

winters, cool summers; consistently humid; overcast about half the

time

Terrain:

mostly level to rolling interior plain surrounded by rugged hills

and low mountains; sea cliffs on west coast

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

highest point: Carrauntoohil 1,041 m

Natural resources:

natural gas, peat, copper, lead, zinc, silver, barite, gypsum,

limestone, dolomite

Land use:

arable land: 15.2%

permanent crops: 0.03%

other: 84.77% (2001)

Irrigated land:

NA sq km

Natural hazards:

NA

Environment - current issues:

water pollution, especially of lakes, from agricultural runoff

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air

Pollution-Sulfur 94, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate

Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species,

Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine

Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83,

Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic

Pollutants, Marine Life Conservation

Geography - note:

strategic location on major air and sea routes between North

America and northern Europe; over 40% of the population resides

within 100 km of Dublin

People Ireland

Population:

4,015,676 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 20.9% (male 434,225/female 406,730)

15-64 years: 67.5% (male 1,358,086/female 1,354,148)

65 years and over: 11.5% (male 203,614/female 258,873) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 33.7 years

male: 32.9 years

female: 34.49 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

1.16% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

14.47 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

7.85 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

4.93 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.07 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.79 male(s)/female

total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 5.39 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 5.91 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 4.84 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 77.56 years

male: 74.95 years

female: 80.34 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

1.87 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

0.1% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

2,800 (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

less than 100 (2003 est.)

Nationality:

noun: Irishman(men), Irishwoman(women), Irish (collective plural)

adjective: Irish

Ethnic groups:

Celtic, English

Religions:

Roman Catholic 88.4%, Church of Ireland 3%, other Christian 1.6%,

other 1.5%, unspecified 2%, none 3.5% (2002 census)

Languages:

English (official) is the language generally used, Irish (official)

(Gaelic or Gaeilge) spoken mainly in areas located along the western

seaboard

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 98% (1981 est.)

male: NA%

female: NA%

Government Ireland

Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Ireland local long form: none local short form: Eire

Government type:

republic

Capital:

Dublin

Administrative divisions:

26 counties; Carlow, Cavan, Clare, Cork, Donegal, Dublin, Galway,

Kerry, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Leitrim, Limerick, Longford, Louth,

Mayo, Meath, Monaghan, Offaly, Roscommon, Sligo, Tipperary,

Waterford, Westmeath, Wexford, Wicklow

note: Cavan, Donegal, and Monaghan are part of Ulster Province

Independence:

6 December 1921 (from UK by treaty)

National holiday:

Saint Patrick's Day, 17 March

Constitution:

adopted 1 July 1937 by plebiscite; effective 29 December 1937

Legal system:

based on English common law, substantially modified by indigenous

concepts; judicial review of legislative acts in Supreme Court; has

not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Mary MCALEESE (since 11 November 1997)

head of government: Prime Minister Bertie AHERN (since 26 June 1997)

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president with previous nomination

by the prime minister and approval of the House of Representatives

elections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term;

election last held 31 October 1997 (next scheduled for October

2011); note - Mary MCALEESE appointed to a second term when no other

candidate qualified for the 2004 presidential election; prime

minister nominated by the House of Representatives and appointed by

the president

election results: Mary MCALEESE elected president; percent of vote -

Mary MCALEESE 44.8%, Mary BANOTTI 29.6%

note: government coalition - Fianna Fail and the Progressive

Democrats

Legislative branch:

bicameral Parliament or Oireachtas consists of the Senate or Seanad

Eireann (60 seats - 49 elected by the universities and from

candidates put forward by five vocational panels, 11 are nominated

by the prime minister; members serve five-year terms) and the House

of Representatives or Dail Eireann (166 seats; members are elected

by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation to serve

five-year terms)

elections: Senate - last held 16 and 17 July 2002 (next to be held

by July 2007); House of Representatives - last held 17 May 2002

(next to be held by May 2007)

election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by

party - Fianna Fail 30, Fine Gael 15, Labor Party 5, Progressive

Democrats 4, independents and others 6; House of Representatives -

percent of vote by party - Fianna Fail 41.5%, Fine Gael 22.5%, Labor

Party 10.8%, Sinn Fein 6.5%, Progressive Democrats 4.0%, Green Party

3.8%, others 10.9%; seats by party - Fianna Fail 81, Fine Gael 31,

Labor Party 21, Progressive Democrats 8, Green Party 6, Sinn Fein 5,

others 14

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court (judges appointed by the president on the advice of

the prime minister and cabinet)

Political parties and leaders:

Fianna Fail [Bertie AHERN]; Fine Gael [Enda KENNY]; Green Party

[Trevor SARGENT]; Labor Party [Pat RABITTE]; Progressive Democrats

[Mary HARNEY]; Sinn Fein [Gerry ADAMS]; Socialist Party [Joe

HIGGINS]; The Workers' Party [Sean GARLAND]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

NA

International organization participation:

Australia Group, BIS, CE, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, IAEA,

IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO,

IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MIGA, MINURSO, MONUC, NAM

(guest), NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club,

PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNMIK,

UNMIL, UNOCI, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WEU (observer), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO,

ZC

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Noel FAHEY

chancery: 2234 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 462-3939

FAX: [1] (202) 232-5993

consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, New York, and San Francisco

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador James C. KENNY

embassy: 42 Elgin Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4

mailing address: use embassy street address

telephone: [353] (1) 668-8777

FAX: [353] (1) 668-9946

Flag description:

three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and

orange; similar to the flag of Cote d'Ivoire, which is shorter and

has the colors reversed - orange (hoist side), white, and green;

also similar to the flag of Italy, which is shorter and has colors

of green (hoist side), white, and red

Economy Ireland

Economy - overview:

Ireland is a small, modern, trade-dependent economy with growth

averaging a robust 7% in 1995-2004. Agriculture, once the most

important sector, is now dwarfed by industry and services. Industry

accounts for 46% of GDP, about 80% of exports, and 29% of the labor

force. Although exports remain the primary engine for Ireland's

growth, the economy has also benefited from a rise in consumer

spending, construction, and business investment. Per capita GDP is

10% above that of the four big European economies and the second

highest in the EU behind Luxembourg. Over the past decade, the Irish

Government has implemented a series of national economic programs

designed to curb price and wage inflation, reduce government

spending, increase labor force skills, and promote foreign

investment. Ireland joined in circulating the euro on 1 January 2002

along with 11 other EU nations.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$126.4 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

5.1% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $31,900 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 5% industry: 46% services: 49% (2002 est.)

Labor force:

1.92 million (2004 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 8%, industry 29%, services 63% (2002 est.)

Unemployment rate:

4.3% (2004 est.)

Population below poverty line:

10% (1997 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: 2%

highest 10%: 27.3% (1997)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

35.9 (1987)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

2.2% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

23.8% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $62.51 billion

expenditures: $63.52 billion, including capital expenditures of $5.5

billion (2004 est.)

Public debt:

31.2% of GDP (2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

turnips, barley, potatoes, sugar beets, wheat; beef, dairy products

Industries:

steel, lead, zinc, silver, aluminum, barite, and gypsum mining

processing; food products, brewing, textiles, clothing; chemicals,

pharmaceuticals; machinery, rail transportation equipment, passenger

and commercial vehicles, ship construction and refurbishment; glass

and crystal; software, tourism

Industrial production growth rate:

7% (2004 est.)

Electricity - production:

22.88 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 95.9% hydro: 2.3% nuclear: 0% other: 1.7% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

21.78 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

100 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

600 million kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

174,400 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

27,450 bbl/day (2001)

Oil - imports:

178,600 bbl/day (2001)

Oil - proved reserves:

0 bbl (1 January 2002)

Natural gas - production:

815 million cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - consumption:

4.199 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - exports:

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - imports:

3.384 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves:

9.911 billion cu m (1 January 2002)

Current account balance:

$-2.881 billion (2004 est.)

Exports:

$103.8 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

machinery and equipment, computers, chemicals, pharmaceuticals;

live animals, animal products

Exports - partners:

US 19.7%, UK 17.7%, Belgium 14.7%, Germany 7.7%, France 6%,

Netherlands 4.6%, Italy 4.5% (2004)

Imports:

$60.65 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

data processing equipment, other machinery and equipment,

chemicals, petroleum and petroleum products, textiles, clothing

Imports - partners:

UK 35.6%, US 13.8%, Germany 8.9%, Netherlands 4.3%, France 4.2%

(2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$4.152 billion (2003)

Debt - external:

$11 billion (1998)

Economic aid - donor:

ODA, $283 million (2001)

Currency (code):

euro (EUR)

note: on 1 January 1999, the European Monetary Union introduced the

euro as a common currency to be used by financial institutions of

member countries; on 1 January 2002, the euro became the sole

currency for everyday transactions within the member countries

Currency code:

EUR

Exchange rates:

euros per US dollar - 0.8054 (2004), 0.886 (2003), 1.0626 (2002),

1.1175 (2001), 1.0854 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Ireland

Telephones - main lines in use:

1.955 million (2003)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

3.4 million (2003)

Telephone system:

general assessment: modern digital system using cable and microwave

radio relay

domestic: microwave radio relay

international: country code - 353; satellite earth station - 1

Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 9, FM 106, shortwave 0 (1998)

Radios:

2.55 million (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

4 (many low-power repeaters) (2001)

Televisions:

1.82 million (2001)

Internet country code:

.ie

Internet hosts:

162,228 (2004)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

22 (2000)

Internet users:

1.26 million (2003)

Transportation Ireland

Railways:

total: 3,312 km

broad gauge: 1,947 km 1.600-m gauge (46 km electrified)

narrow gauge: 1,365 km 0.914-m gauge (operated by the Irish Peat

Board to transport peat to power stations and briquetting plants)

(2004)

Highways:

total: 95,736 km

paved: 95,736 km (including 125 km of expressways)

unpaved: 0 km (2002)

Waterways:

753 km (pleasure craft only) (2004)

Pipelines:

gas 1,795 km (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Cork, Dublin, New Ross, Shannon Foynes, Waterford

Merchant marine:

total: 39

by type: bulk carrier 4, cargo 27, chemical tanker 1, container 1,

passenger/cargo 4, roll on/roll off 2

foreign-owned: 11 (Germany 3, Italy 3, Norway 1, Switzerland 1,

United Kingdom 3)

registered in other countries: 18 (2005)

Airports:

36 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 15 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 6 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 21 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 17 (2004 est.)

Military Ireland

Military branches:

Army (includes Naval Service and Air Corps)

Military service age and obligation: 17 years of age for voluntary military service; enlistees under the age of 17 can be recruited for specialist positions (2001)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 17-49: 977,092 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 17-49: 814,768 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:

males: 29,327 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$700 million (FY00/01)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

0.9% (FY00/01)

Transnational Issues Ireland

Disputes - international:

Ireland, Iceland, and the UK dispute Denmark's claim that the Faroe

Islands' continental shelf extends beyond 200 nm

Illicit drugs:

transshipment point for and consumer of hashish from North Africa

to the UK and Netherlands and of European-produced synthetic drugs;

minor transshipment point for heroin and cocaine destined for

Western Europe; despite recent legislation, narcotics-related money

laundering using bureaux de change, trusts, and shell companies

involving the offshore financial community remains a concern

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Israel

Introduction Israel

Background:

Following World War II, the British withdrew from their mandate of

Palestine, and the UN partitioned the area into Arab and Jewish

states, an arrangement rejected by the Arabs. Subsequently, the

Israelis defeated the Arabs in a series of wars without ending the

deep tensions between the two sides. The territories occupied by

Israel since the 1967 war are not included in the Israel country

profile, unless otherwise noted. On 25 April 1982, Israel withdrew

from the Sinai pursuant to the 1979 Israel-Egypt Peace Treaty.

Israel and Palestinian officials signed on 13 September 1993 a

Declaration of Principles (also known as the "Oslo accords") guiding

an interim period of Palestinian self-rule. Outstanding territorial

and other disputes with Jordan were resolved in the 26 October 1994

Israel-Jordan Treaty of Peace. In addition, on 25 May 2000, Israel

withdrew unilaterally from southern Lebanon, which it had occupied

since 1982. In keeping with the framework established at the Madrid

Conference in October 1991, bilateral negotiations were conducted

between Israel and Palestinian representatives and Syria to achieve

a permanent settlement. On 24 June 2002, US President BUSH laid out

a "road map" for resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which

envisions a two-state solution. However, progress toward a permanent

status agreement has been undermined by Palestinian-Israeli violence

ongoing since September 2000. The conflict may have reached a

turning point with the election in January 2005 of Mahmud ABBAS as

the new Palestinian leader following the November 2004 death of

Yasir ARAFAT.

Geography Israel

Location:

Middle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Egypt and

Lebanon

Geographic coordinates:

31 30 N, 34 45 E

Map references:

Middle East

Area:

total: 20,770 sq km

land: 20,330 sq km

water: 440 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly smaller than New Jersey

Land boundaries:

total: 1,017 km

border countries: Egypt 266 km, Gaza Strip 51 km, Jordan 238 km,

Lebanon 79 km, Syria 76 km, West Bank 307 km

Coastline:

273 km

Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm continental shelf: to depth of exploitation

Climate:

temperate; hot and dry in southern and eastern desert areas

Terrain:

Negev desert in the south; low coastal plain; central mountains;

Jordan Rift Valley

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Dead Sea -408 m

highest point: Har Meron 1,208 m

Natural resources:

timber, potash, copper ore, natural gas, phosphate rock, magnesium

bromide, clays, sand

Land use: arable land: 16.39% permanent crops: 4.17% other: 79.44% (2001)

Irrigated land:

1,990 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

sandstorms may occur during spring and summer; droughts; periodic

earthquakes

Environment - current issues:

limited arable land and natural fresh water resources pose serious

constraints; desertification; air pollution from industrial and

vehicle emissions; groundwater pollution from industrial and

domestic waste, chemical fertilizers, and pesticides

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto

Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes,

Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation

Geography - note:

there are 242 Israeli settlements and civilian land use sites in

the West Bank, 42 in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, 25 in the

Gaza Strip, and 29 in East Jerusalem (February 2002 est.); Sea of

Galilee is an important freshwater source

People Israel

Population:

6,276,883

note: includes about 187,000 Israeli settlers in the West Bank,

about 20,000 in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, more than 5,000

in the Gaza Strip, and fewer than 177,000 in East Jerusalem (July

2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 26.5% (male 851,415/female 812,095)

15-64 years: 63.7% (male 2,010,888/female 1,986,256)

65 years and over: 9.8% (male 264,708/female 351,521) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 29.39 years

male: 28.58 years

female: 30.27 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

1.2% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

18.21 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

6.18 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.75 male(s)/female

total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 7.03 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 7.77 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 6.26 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 79.32 years

male: 77.21 years

female: 81.55 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

2.44 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

0.1% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

3,000 (1999 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

100 (2001 est.)

Nationality:

noun: Israeli(s)

adjective: Israeli

Ethnic groups:

Jewish 80.1% (Europe/America-born 32.1%, Israel-born 20.8%,

Africa-born 14.6%, Asia-born 12.6%), non-Jewish 19.9% (mostly Arab)

(1996 est.)

Religions:

Jewish 76.5%, Muslim 15.9%, Arab Christians 1.7%, other Christian

0.4%, Druze 1.6%, unspecified 3.9% (2003)

Languages:

Hebrew (official), Arabic used officially for Arab minority,

English most commonly used foreign language

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 95.4%

male: 97.3%

female: 93.6% (2003 est.)

Government Israel

Country name:

conventional long form: State of Israel

conventional short form: Israel

local long form: Medinat Yisra'el

local short form: Yisra'el

Government type:

parliamentary democracy

Capital:

Jerusalem; note - Israel proclaimed Jerusalem as its capital in

1950, but the US, like nearly all other countries, maintains its

Embassy in Tel Aviv

Administrative divisions:

6 districts (mehozot, singular - mehoz); Central, Haifa, Jerusalem,

Northern, Southern, Tel Aviv

Independence:

14 May 1948 (from League of Nations mandate under British

administration)

National holiday:

Independence Day, 14 May (1948); note - Israel declared

independence on 14 May 1948, but the Jewish calendar is lunar and

the holiday may occur in April or May

Constitution:

no formal constitution; some of the functions of a constitution are

filled by the Declaration of Establishment (1948), the Basic Laws of

the parliament (Knesset), and the Israeli citizenship law

Legal system:

mixture of English common law, British Mandate regulations, and, in

personal matters, Jewish, Christian, and Muslim legal systems; in

December 1985, Israel informed the UN Secretariat that it would no

longer accept compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Moshe KATZAV (since 31 July 2000)

head of government: Prime Minister Ariel SHARON (since 7 March 2001)

cabinet: Cabinet selected by prime minister and approved by the

Knesset

elections: president is largely a ceremonial role and is elected by

the Knesset for a seven-year term; election last held 31 July 2000

(next to be held mid-2007); following legislative elections, the

president assigns a Knesset member - traditionally the leader of the

largest party - the task of forming a governing coalition; election

last held 28 January 2003 (next scheduled to be held fall of 2006)

election results: Moshe KATZAV elected president by the 120-member

Knesset with a total of 60 votes, other candidate, Shimon PERES,

received 57 votes (there were three abstentions); Ariel SHARON

continues as prime minister after Likud Party victory in January

2003 Knesset elections; Likud won 38 seats and then formed coalition

government with Shinui, the National Religious Party, and the

National Union

Legislative branch:

unicameral Knesset (120 seats; members elected by popular vote to

serve four-year terms)

elections: last held 28 January 2003 (next scheduled to be held fall

of 2006)

election results: percent of vote by party - Likud Party 29.4%,

Labor 14.5%, Shinui 12.3%, Shas 8.2%, National Union 5.5%, Meretz

5.2%, United Torah Judaism 4.3%, National Religious Party 4.2%,

Democratic Front for Peace and Equality 3.0%, One Nation 2.8%,

National Democratic Assembly 2.3%, Yisra'el Ba'Aliya (YBA) 2.2%,

United Arab List 2.1%, Green Leaf Party 1.2%, Herut 1.2%, other

1.6%; seats by party - Likud 38, Labor 19, Shinui 15, Shas 11,

National Union 7, Meretz 6, National Religious Party 6, United Torah

Judaism 5, Democratic Front for Peace and Equality 3, One Nation 3,

National Democratic Assembly 3, YBA 2, United Arab List 2

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court (justices appointed for life by the president)

Political parties and leaders:

Democratic Front for Peace and Equality (Hadash) [Muhammad BARAKA];

Green Leaf Party (no longer active) [Boaz WACHTEL and Shlomi

SANDAK]; Herut (no longer active) [Michael KLEINER]; Labor Party

[Shimon PERES]; Likud Party [Ariel SHARON]; Meretz (merged with

YAHAD) [Zahava GALON]; National Democratic Assembly (Balad) [Azmi

BISHARA]; National Religious Party [Ephraim "Efie" EITAM]; National

Union (Haichud Haleumi) [Avigdor LIBERMAN] (includes Tekuma Moledet

and Yisra'el Beiteinu); One Nation [David TAL]; Shas [Eliyahu

YISHAI]; Shinui [Yosef "Tommy" LAPID]; United Arab List [Abd

al-Malik DAHAMSHAH]; United Torah Judaism [Yaakov LITZMAN]; YAHAD

[Yossi BEILIN]; Yisra'el Ba'Aliya or YBA (merged with Likud) [Natan

SHARANSKY]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

Israeli nationalists advocating Jewish settlement on the West Bank

and Gaza Strip; Peace Now supports territorial concessions in the

West Bank and Gaza Strip; Yesha (settler) Council promotes settler

interests and opposes territorial compromise; B'Tselem monitors

human rights abuses

International organization participation:

BIS, BSEC (observer), CE (observer), CERN (observer), EBRD, FAO,

IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, IDA, IFAD,

IFC, IFRCS (observer), ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU,

MIGA, OAS (observer), OPCW (signatory), OSCE (partner), PCA, UN,

UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Daniel AYALON chancery: 3514 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 364-5578 FAX: [1] (202) 364-5560 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, and San Francisco

Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Daniel C. KURTZER embassy: 71 Hayarkon Street, Tel Aviv 63903 mailing address: PSC 98, Box 29, APO AE 09830 telephone: [972] (3) 519-7369/7453/7454/7457/7458/7551/7575 FAX: [972] (3) 516-4390 consulate(s) general: Jerusalem; note - an independent US mission, established in 1928, whose members are not accredited to a foreign government

Flag description:

white with a blue hexagram (six-pointed linear star) known as the

Magen David (Shield of David) centered between two equal horizontal

blue bands near the top and bottom edges of the flag

Economy Israel

Economy - overview:

Israel has a technologically advanced market economy with

substantial government participation. It depends on imports of crude

oil, grains, raw materials, and military equipment. Despite limited

natural resources, Israel has intensively developed its agricultural

and industrial sectors over the past 20 years. Israel imports

substantial quantities of grain, but is largely self-sufficient in

other agricultural products. Cut diamonds, high-technology

equipment, and agricultural products (fruits and vegetables) are the

leading exports. Israel usually posts sizable current account

deficits, which are covered by large transfer payments from abroad

and by foreign loans. Roughly half of the government's external debt

is owed to the US, which is its major source of economic and

military aid. The bitter Israeli-Palestinian conflict; difficulties

in the high-technology, construction, and tourist sectors; and

fiscal austerity in the face of growing inflation led to small

declines in GDP in 2001 and 2002. The economy grew at 1% in 2003,

with improvements in tourism and foreign direct investment. In 2004,

rising business and consumer confidence - as well as higher demand

for Israeli exports boosted GDP by 3.9%.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$129 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

3.9% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $20,800 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 2.8% industry: 37.7% services: 59.5% (2003 est.)

Labor force: 2.68 million (2004 est.)

Labor force - by occupation: agriculture, forestry, and fishing 2.6%, manufacturing 20.2%, construction 7.5%, commerce 12.8%, transport, storage, and communications 6.2%, finance and business 13.1%, personal and other services 6.4%, public services 31.2% (1996)

Unemployment rate:

10.7% (2004 est.)

Population below poverty line:

18% (2001 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.4% highest 10%: 28.3% (1997)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

35.5 (2001)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

0% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

17.6% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $48.09 billion

expenditures: $52.11 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Public debt:

104.5% of GDP (2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

citrus, vegetables, cotton; beef, poultry, dairy products

Industries:

high-technology projects (including aviation, communications,

computer-aided design and manufactures, medical electronics, fiber

optics), wood and paper products, potash and phosphates, food,

beverages, and tobacco, caustic soda, cement, construction, metals

products, chemical products, plastics, diamond cutting, textiles and

footwear

Industrial production growth rate:

4.5% (2004 est.)

Electricity - production:

42.67 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 99.9% hydro: 0.1% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

38.3 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

1.387 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

80 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

260,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Oil - proved reserves:

1.92 million bbl (1 January 2002)

Natural gas - production:

10 million cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - consumption:

10 million cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - exports:

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - imports:

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves:

20.81 billion cu m (1 January 2002)

Current account balance:

$211.9 million (2004 est.)

Exports:

$34.41 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

machinery and equipment, software, cut diamonds, agricultural

products, chemicals, textiles and apparel

Exports - partners:

US 36.8%, Belgium 7.5%, Hong Kong 4.9% (2004)

Imports:

$36.84 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

raw materials, military equipment, investment goods, rough

diamonds, fuels, grain, consumer goods

Imports - partners:

US 15%, Belgium 10.1%, Germany 7.5%, Switzerland 6.5%, UK 6.1%

(2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$28.48 billion (2004 est.)

Debt - external:

$74.46 billion (2004 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:

$662 million from US (2003 est.)

Currency (code):

new Israeli shekel (ILS); note - NIS is the currency abbreviation;

ILS is the International Organization for Standarization (ISO) code

for the NIS

Currency code:

ILS

Exchange rates:

new Israeli shekels per US dollar - 4.482 (2004), 4.5541 (2003),

4.7378 (2002), 4.2057 (2001), 4.0773 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Israel

Telephones - main lines in use:

3.006 million (2002)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

6.334 million (2002)

Telephone system:

general assessment: most highly developed system in the Middle East

although not the largest

domestic: good system of coaxial cable and microwave radio relay;

all systems are digital

international: country code - 972; 3 submarine cables; satellite

earth stations - 3 Intelsat (2 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 23, FM 15, shortwave 2 (1998)

Radios:

3.07 million (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

17 (plus 36 low-power repeaters) (1995)

Televisions:

1.69 million (1997)

Internet country code:

.il

Internet hosts:

437,516 (2004)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

21 (2000)

Internet users:

2 million (2002)

Transportation Israel

Railways: total: 640 km standard gauge: 640 km 1.435-m gauge (2004)

Highways:

total: 16,903 km

paved: 16,903 km (including 56 km of expressways)

unpaved: 0 km (2002)

Pipelines:

gas 140 km; oil 1,509 km (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Ashdod, Elat (Eilat), Hadera, Haifa

Merchant marine:

total: 17 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 752,873 GRT/881,711 DWT

by type: cargo 1, container 16

registered in other countries: 48 (2005)

Airports:

51 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 28 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 8 914 to 1,523 m: 10 under 914 m: 4 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 23 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 20 (2004 est.)

Heliports: 3 (2004 est.)

Military Israel

Military branches:

Israel Defense Forces (IDF): Ground Corps, Navy, Air and Space

Force (includes Air Defense Forces); historically there have been no

separate Israeli military services

Military service age and obligation: 17 years of age for compulsory (Jews, Druzes) and voluntary (Christians, Muslims, Circassians) military service; both sexes are eligible for military service; conscript service obligation - 36 months for men, 21 months for women (2004)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 17-49: 1,492,125

females age 17-49: 1,443,916 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 17-49: 1,255,902

females age 17-49: 1,212,394 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:

males: 53,760

females: 51,293 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$9.11 billion (FY03)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

8.7% (FY02)

Transnational Issues Israel

Disputes - international:

West Bank and Gaza Strip are Israeli-occupied with current status

subject to the Israeli-Palestinian Interim Agreement - permanent

status to be determined through further negotiation; Israel

continues construction of a "seam line" separation barrier along

parts of the Green Line and within the West Bank; Israel announced

its intention to pull out Israeli settlers and withdraw from the

Gaza Strip and four settlements in the northern West Bank in 2005;

Golan Heights is Israeli-occupied (Lebanon claims the Shab'a Farms

area of Golan Heights); since 1948, about 350 peacekeepers from the

UN Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO) headquartered in Jerusalem

monitor ceasefires, supervise armistice agreements, prevent isolated

incidents from escalating, and assist other UN personnel in the

region

Refugees and internally displaced persons:

IDPs: 276,000 (Arab villagers displaced from homes in northern

Israel) (2004)

Illicit drugs:

increasingly concerned about cocaine and heroin abuse; drugs arrive

in country from Lebanon and, increasingly, from Jordan;

money-laundering center

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Italy

Introduction Italy

Background:

Italy became a nation-state in 1861 when the city-states of the

peninsula, along with Sardinia and Sicily, were united under King

Victor EMMANUEL II. An era of parliamentary government came to a

close in the early 1920s when Benito MUSSOLINI established a Fascist

dictatorship. His disastrous alliance with Nazi Germany led to

Italy's defeat in World War II. A democratic republic replaced the

monarchy in 1946 and economic revival followed. Italy was a charter

member of NATO and the European Economic Community (EEC). It has

been at the forefront of European economic and political

unification, joining the Economic and Monetary Union in 1999.

Persistent problems include illegal immigration, organized crime,

corruption, high unemployment, sluggish economic growth, and the low

incomes and technical standards of southern Italy compared with the

prosperous north.

Geography Italy

Location:

Southern Europe, a peninsula extending into the central

Mediterranean Sea, northeast of Tunisia

Geographic coordinates:

42 50 N, 12 50 E

Map references:

Europe

Area:

total: 301,230 sq km

land: 294,020 sq km

water: 7,210 sq km

note: includes Sardinia and Sicily

Area - comparative:

slightly larger than Arizona

Land boundaries:

total: 1,932.2 km

border countries: Austria 430 km, France 488 km, Holy See (Vatican

City) 3.2 km, San Marino 39 km, Slovenia 232 km, Switzerland 740 km

Coastline:

7,600 km

Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

Climate:

predominantly Mediterranean; Alpine in far north; hot, dry in south

Terrain:

mostly rugged and mountainous; some plains, coastal lowlands

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m

highest point: Mont Blanc (Monte Bianco) de Courmayeur 4,748 m (a

secondary peak of Mont Blanc)

Natural resources:

coal, mercury, zinc, potash, marble, barite, asbestos, pumice,

fluorospar, feldspar, pyrite (sulfur), natural gas and crude oil

reserves, fish, arable land

Land use:

arable land: 27.79%

permanent crops: 9.53%

other: 62.68% (2001)

Irrigated land:

26,980 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

regional risks include landslides, mudflows, avalanches,

earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, flooding; land subsidence in Venice

Environment - current issues: air pollution from industrial emissions such as sulfur dioxide; coastal and inland rivers polluted from industrial and agricultural effluents; acid rain damaging lakes; inadequate industrial waste treatment and disposal facilities

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air

Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile

Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol,

Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic

Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol,

Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification,

Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer

Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94,

Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants

Geography - note:

strategic location dominating central Mediterranean as well as

southern sea and air approaches to Western Europe

People Italy

Population:

58,103,033 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 13.9% (male 4,166,213/female 3,919,288)

15-64 years: 66.7% (male 19,554,416/female 19,174,629)

65 years and over: 19.4% (male 4,698,441/female 6,590,046) (2005

est.)

Median age: total: 41.77 years male: 40.24 years female: 43.35 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

0.07% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

8.89 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

10.3 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

2.07 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female

total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 5.94 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 6.55 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 5.29 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 79.68 years

male: 76.75 years

female: 82.81 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

1.28 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

0.5% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

140,000 (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

less than 1,000 (2003 est.)

Nationality:

noun: Italian(s)

adjective: Italian

Ethnic groups:

Italian (includes small clusters of German-, French-, and

Slovene-Italians in the north and Albanian-Italians and

Greek-Italians in the south)

Religions:

predominately Roman Catholic with mature Protestant and Jewish

communities and a growing Muslim immigrant community

Languages:

Italian (official), German (parts of Trentino-Alto Adige region are

predominantly German speaking), French (small French-speaking

minority in Valle d'Aosta region), Slovene (Slovene-speaking

minority in the Trieste-Gorizia area)

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 98.6%

male: 99%

female: 98.3% (2003 est.)

Government Italy

Country name:

conventional long form: Italian Republic

conventional short form: Italy

local long form: Repubblica Italiana

local short form: Italia

former: Kingdom of Italy

Government type:

republic

Capital:

Rome

Administrative divisions:

16 regions (regioni, singular - regione) and 4 autonomous regions*

(regioni autonome, singular - regione autonoma); Abruzzo,

Basilicata, Calabria, Campania, Emilia-Romagna, Friuli-Venezia

Giulia*, Lazio, Liguria, Lombardia, Marche, Molise, Piemonte,

Puglia, Sardegna*, Sicilia, Toscana, Trentino-Alto Adige*, Umbria,

Valle d'Aosta*, Veneto

Independence:

17 March 1861 (Kingdom of Italy proclaimed; Italy was not finally

unified until 1870)

National holiday:

Republic Day, 2 June (1946)

Constitution:

passed 11 December 1947, effective 1 January 1948; amended many

times

Legal system:

based on civil law system; appeals treated as new trials; judicial

review under certain conditions in Constitutional Court; has not

accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal (except in senatorial elections, where

minimum age is 25)

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Carlo Azeglio CIAMPI (since 13 May 1999)

head of government: Prime Minister (referred to in Italy as the

president of the Council of Ministers) Silvio BERLUSCONI (since 10

June 2001)

cabinet: Council of Ministers nominated by the prime minister and

approved by the president

elections: president elected by an electoral college consisting of

both houses of parliament and 58 regional representatives for a

seven-year term; election last held 13 May 1999 (next to be held May

2006); prime minister appointed by the president and confirmed by

parliament

election results: Carlo Azeglio CIAMPI elected president; percent of

electoral college vote - 70%

note: a four-party government coalition includes Forza Italia,

National Alliance, Northern League, and Union of Christian Democrats

and Center Democrats

Legislative branch:

bicameral Parliament or Parlamento consists of the Senate or Senato

della Repubblica (315 seats elected by popular vote of which 232 are

directly elected and 83 are elected by regional proportional

representation; in addition, there are a small number of

senators-for-life including former presidents of the republic;

members serve five-year terms) and the Chamber of Deputies or Camera

dei Deputati (630 seats; 475 are directly elected, 155 by regional

proportional representation; members serve five-year terms)

elections: Senate - last held 13 May 2001 (next to be held 2006);

Chamber of Deputies - last held 13 May 2001 (next to be held May

2006)

election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by

party - House of Liberties 172 (Forza Italia 77, National Alliance

47, UDC 31, Lega Padana 17), Olive Tree 108 (Democrats of the Left

63, Daisy Alliance 35, Greens 10), Per le Autonomie 10, other 25;

Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party

- House of Liberties 337 (Forza Italia 176, National Alliance 97,

UDC 36, Northern League 28), Olive Tree 214 (Democrats of the Left

135, Daisy Alliance 79), Rifondazione Communista (Italian Communist

Party) 11, other 68

Judicial branch:

Constitutional Court or Corte Costituzionale (composed of 15

judges: one-third appointed by the president, one-third elected by

parliament, one-third elected by the ordinary and administrative

Supreme Courts)

Political parties and leaders:

Center-Left Olive Tree Coalition [Francesco RUTELLI] - Democrats of

the Left, Daisy Alliance (including Italian Popular Party, Italian

Renewal, Union of Democrats for Europe, The Democrats), Sunflower

Alliance (including Green Federation, Italian Democratic

Socialists), Italian Communist Party; Center-Right Freedom House

Coalition [Silvio BERLUSCONI] (formerly House of Liberties and

Freedom Alliance) - Forza Italia, National Alliance, The Whiteflower

Alliance (includes Christian Democratic Center, United Christian

Democrats), Northern League; Democrats of the Left or DS [Piero

FASSINO]; Forza Italia or FI [Silvio BERLUSCONI]; Green Federation

[Alfonso Pecoraro SCANIO]; Italian Communist Party or PdCI [Armando

COSSUTTA]; Italian Renewal or RI [Lamberto DINI]; merged with PPI

and I Democratici to form La Margherita (or The Daisy Alliance);

Italian Social Democrats or SDI [Enrico BOSELLI]; Lega Padana

[Roberto BERNARDELLI]; National Alliance or AN [Gianfranco FINI];

Northern League or NL [Umberto BOSSI]; Per le Autonomie [leader NA];

Socialist Movement-Tricolor Flame or MS-Fiamma [Luca ROMAGNOLI];

South Tyrol People's Party or SVP (German speakers) [Elmar Pichler

ROLLE]; Sunflower Alliance (includes Green Federation, Italian

Social Democrats); The Daisy Alliance (includes Italian Popular

Party, Italian Renewal, Union of Democrats for Europe, The

Democrats) [Francesco RUTELLI]; The Democrats [Arturo PARISI]; The

Radicals (formerly Pannella Reformers and Autonomous List) [Marco

PANNELLA]; Union of Democrats for Europe or UDEUR [Clemente

MASTELLA]; Union of Christian and Center Democrats or UDC [Marco

FOLLINI]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

Italian manufacturers and merchants associations (Confindustria,

Confcommercio); organized farm groups (Confcoltivatori,

Confagricoltura); Roman Catholic Church; three major trade union

confederations (Confederazione Generale Italiana del Lavoro or CGIL

[Guglielmo EPIFANI] which is left wing, Confederazione Italiana dei

Sindacati Lavoratori or CISL [Savino PEZZOTTA], which is Roman

Catholic centrist, and Unione Italiana del Lavoro or UIL [Luigi

ANGELETTI] which is lay centrist)

International organization participation:

AfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, BSEC (observer), CDB, CE, CEI,

CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, G- 7, G- 8, G-10, IADB,

IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC,

IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAIA

(observer), MIGA, MINURSO, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS

(observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,

UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNMEE, UNMIK, UNMOGIP, UNTSO, UPU, WCL, WCO,

WEU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO, ZC

Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Giovanni CASTELLANETA chancery: 3000 Whitehaven Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 612-4400 FAX: [1] (202) 518-2151 consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Houston, Miami, New York, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and San Francisco consulate(s): Detroit and San Francisco

Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Melvin F. SEMBLER embassy: Via Vittorio Veneto 119/A, 00187-Rome mailing address: PSC 59, Box 100, APO AE 09624 telephone: [39] (06) 46741 FAX: [39] (06) 488-2672, 4674-2356 consulate(s) general: Florence, Milan, Naples

Flag description:

three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and red;

similar to the flag of Ireland, which is longer and is green (hoist

side), white, and orange; also similar to the flag of the Cote

d'Ivoire, which has the colors reversed - orange (hoist side),

white, and green

note: inspired by the French flag brought to Italy by Napoleon in

1797

Economy Italy

Economy - overview:

Italy has a diversified industrial economy with roughly the same

total and per capita output as France and the UK. This capitalistic

economy remains divided into a developed industrial north, dominated

by private companies, and a less developed, welfare-dependent

agricultural south, with 20% unemployment. Most raw materials needed

by industry and more than 75% of energy requirements are imported.

Over the past decade, Italy has pursued a tight fiscal policy in

order to meet the requirements of the Economic and Monetary Unions

and has benefited from lower interest and inflation rates. The

current government has enacted numerous short-term reforms aimed at

improving competitiveness and long-term growth. Italy has moved

slowly, however, on implementing needed structural reforms, such as

lightening the high tax burden and overhauling Italy's rigid labor

market and over-generous pension system, because of the current

economic slowdown and opposition from labor unions. But the

leadership faces a severe economic constraint: the budget has

breached the 3% EU deficit ceiling.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$1.609 trillion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

1.3% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $27,700 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 2.3% industry: 28.8% services: 68.9% (2004 est.)

Labor force:

24.27 million (2004 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 5%, industry 32%, services 63% (2001)

Unemployment rate:

8.6% (2004 est.)

Population below poverty line:

NA

Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.1% highest 10%: 26.6% (2000)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

27.3 (1995)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

2.3% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

19.3% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $768.9 billion

expenditures: $820.1 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Public debt:

105.6% of GDP (2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

fruits, vegetables, grapes, potatoes, sugar beets, soybeans, grain,

olives; beef, dairy products; fish

Industries:

tourism, machinery, iron and steel, chemicals, food processing,

textiles, motor vehicles, clothing, footwear, ceramics

Industrial production growth rate:

0.7% (2004 est.)

Electricity - production:

261.6 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 78.6% hydro: 18.4% nuclear: 0% other: 3% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

293.9 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

900 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

51.5 billion kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

79,460 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

1.866 million bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

456,600 bbl/day (2001)

Oil - imports:

2.158 million bbl/day (2001)

Oil - proved reserves:

586.6 million bbl (1 January 2002)

Natural gas - production:

15.49 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - consumption:

71.18 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - exports:

61 million cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - imports:

54.78 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves:

209.7 billion cu m (1 January 2002)

Current account balance:

$-21.1 billion (2004 est.)

Exports:

$336.4 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

engineering products, textiles and clothing, production machinery,

motor vehicles, transport equipment, chemicals; food, beverages and

tobacco; minerals and nonferrous metals

Exports - partners:

Germany 13.6%, France 12.3%, US 8%, Spain 7.2%, UK 6.9%,

Switzerland 4.2% (2004)

Imports:

$329.3 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

engineering products, chemicals, transport equipment, energy

products, minerals and nonferrous metals, textiles and clothing;

food, beverages and tobacco

Imports - partners:

Germany 18%, France 10.9%, Netherlands 5.9%, Spain 4.6%, Belgium

4.4%, UK 4.3%, China 4.2% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$61.5 billion (2004 est.)

Debt - external:

$913.9 billion (2004 est.)

Economic aid - donor:

ODA, $1 billion (2002 est.)

Currency (code):

euro (EUR)

note: on 1 January 1999, the European Monetary Union introduced the

euro as a common currency to be used by financial institutions of

member countries; on 1 January 2002, the euro became the sole

currency for everyday transactions within the member countries

Currency code:

EUR

Exchange rates:

euros per US dollar - 0.8054 (2004), 0.886 (2003), 1.0626 (2002),

1.1175 (2001), 1.0854 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Italy

Telephones - main lines in use:

26.596 million (2003)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

55.918 million (2003)

Telephone system:

general assessment: modern, well developed, fast; fully automated

telephone, telex, and data services

domestic: high-capacity cable and microwave radio relay trunks

international: country code - 39; satellite earth stations - 3

Intelsat (with a total of 5 antennas - 3 for Atlantic Ocean and 2

for Indian Ocean), 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic Ocean region), and NA

Eutelsat; 21 submarine cables

Radio broadcast stations:

AM about 100, FM about 4,600, shortwave 9 (1998)

Radios:

50.5 million (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

358 (plus 4,728 repeaters) (1995)

Televisions:

30.3 million (1997)

Internet country code:

.it

Internet hosts:

1,437,511 (2004)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

93 (Italy and Holy See) (2000)

Internet users:

18.5 million (2003)

Transportation Italy

Railways:

total: 19,319 km (11,613 km electrified)

standard gauge: 18,001 km 1.435-m gauge (11,333 km electrified)

narrow gauge: 123 km 1.000-m gauge (122 km electrified); 1,195 km

0.950-m gauge (158 km electrified) (2004)

Highways:

total: 479,688 km

paved: 479,688 km (including 6,621 km of expressways)

unpaved: 0 km (1999)

Waterways:

2,400 km

note: used for commercial traffic; of limited overall value compared

to road and rail (2004)

Pipelines:

gas 17,335 km; oil 1,136 km (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Augusta, Genoa, Livorno, Melilli Oil Terminal, Ravenna, Taranto,

Trieste, Venice

Merchant marine:

total: 565 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 8,970,017 GRT/10,354,685 DWT

by type: bulk carrier 38, cargo 43, chemical tanker 128, combination

ore/oil 1, container 19, liquefied gas 38, livestock carrier 2,

passenger 16, passenger/cargo 152, petroleum tanker 53, refrigerated

cargo 4, roll on/roll off 34, specialized tanker 11, vehicle carrier

26

foreign-owned: 47 (France 3, Greece 7, Monaco 2, Switzerland 5,

Taiwan 8, Turkey 2, United Kingdom 5, United States 15)

registered in other countries: 125 (2005)

Airports:

134 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 96 over 3,047 m: 6 2,438 to 3,047 m: 32 1,524 to 2,437 m: 16 914 to 1,523 m: 30 under 914 m: 12 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 38 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 18 under 914 m: 18 (2004 est.)

Heliports: 4 (2004 est.)

Military Italy

Military branches:

Army (Esercito Italiano, EI), Navy (Marina Militare Italiana, MMI),

Air Force (Aeronautica Militare Italiana, AMI), Carabinieri Corps

(Corpo dei Carabinieri, CC) (2005)

Military service age and obligation:

18 years of age (2004)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 18-49: 13,491,260 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: 10,963,513 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:

males: 286,344 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$28,182.8 million (2003)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

1.8% (2004)

Transnational Issues Italy

Disputes - international:

Italy's long coastline and developed economy entices tens of

thousands of illegal immigrants from southeastern Europe and

northern Africa

Illicit drugs:

important gateway for and consumer of Latin American cocaine and

Southwest Asian heroin entering the European market; money

laundering by organized crime and from smuggling

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Jamaica

Introduction Jamaica

Background:

Jamaica gained full independence within the British Commonwealth in

1962. Deteriorating economic conditions during the 1970s led to

recurrent violence and a drop off in tourism. Elections in 1980 saw

the democratic socialists voted out of office. Political violence

marred elections during the 1990s.

Geography Jamaica

Location:

Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, south of Cuba

Geographic coordinates:

18 15 N, 77 30 W

Map references:

Central America and the Caribbean

Area:

total: 10,991 sq km

land: 10,831 sq km

water: 160 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly smaller than Connecticut

Land boundaries:

0 km

Coastline:

1,022 km

Maritime claims: measured from claimed archipelagic straight baselines territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to edge of the continental margin

Climate:

tropical; hot, humid; temperate interior

Terrain:

mostly mountains, with narrow, discontinuous coastal plain

Elevation extremes: lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Blue Mountain Peak 2,256 m

Natural resources:

bauxite, gypsum, limestone

Land use:

arable land: 16.07%

permanent crops: 10.16%

other: 73.77% (2001)

Irrigated land:

250 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

hurricanes (especially July to November)

Environment - current issues: heavy rates of deforestation; coastal waters polluted by industrial waste, sewage, and oil spills; damage to coral reefs; air pollution in Kingston results from vehicle emissions

Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

strategic location between Cayman Trench and Jamaica Channel, the

main sea lanes for the Panama Canal

People Jamaica

Population:

2,731,832 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 27.5% (male 385,099/female 367,398)

15-64 years: 65.6% (male 897,953/female 893,509)

65 years and over: 6.9% (male 83,632/female 104,241) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 27.25 years

male: 26.55 years

female: 27.97 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

0.71% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

16.56 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

5.37 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

-4.07 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/female

total population: 1 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 12.36 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 13.35 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 11.32 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 73.33 years

male: 71.63 years

female: 75.12 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

1.95 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

1.2% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

22,000 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

900 (2003 est.)

Nationality:

noun: Jamaican(s)

adjective: Jamaican

Ethnic groups:

black 90.9%, East Indian 1.3%, white 0.2%, Chinese 0.2%, mixed

7.3%, other 0.1%

Religions:

Protestant 61.3% (Church of God 21.2%, Baptist 8.8%, Anglican 5.5%,

Seventh-Day Adventist 9%, Pentecostal 7.6%, Methodist 2.7%, United

Church 2.7%, Brethren 1.1%, Jehovah's Witness 1.6%, Moravian 1.1%),

Roman Catholic 4%, other including some spiritual cults 34.7%

Languages:

English, patois English

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school

total population: 87.9%

male: 84.1%

female: 91.6% (2003 est.)

Government Jamaica

Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Jamaica

Government type:

constitutional parliamentary democracy

Capital:

Kingston

Administrative divisions:

14 parishes; Clarendon, Hanover, Kingston, Manchester, Portland,

Saint Andrew, Saint Ann, Saint Catherine, Saint Elizabeth, Saint

James, Saint Mary, Saint Thomas, Trelawny, Westmoreland

note: for local government purposes, Kingston and Saint Andrew were

amalgamated in 1923 into the present single corporate body known as

the Kingston and Saint Andrew Corporation

Independence:

6 August 1962 (from UK)

National holiday:

Independence Day, 6 August (1962)

Constitution:

6 August 1962

Legal system:

based on English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ

jurisdiction

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952),

represented by Governor General Sir Howard Felix COOKE (since 1

August 1991)

head of government: Prime Minister Percival James PATTERSON (since

30 March 1992)

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of

the prime minister

elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor general

appointed by the monarch on the recommendation of the prime

minister; following legislative elections, the leader of the

majority party or the leader of the majority coalition in the House

of Representatives is appointed prime minister by the governor

general; the deputy prime minister is recommended by the prime

minister

Legislative branch:

bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (a 21-member body

appointed by the governor general on the recommendations of the

prime minister and the leader of the opposition; ruling party is

allocated 13 seats, and the opposition is allocated eight seats) and

the House of Representatives (60 seats; members are elected by

popular vote to serve five-year terms)

elections: last held 16 October 2002 (next to be held in October

2007)

election results: percent of vote by party - PNP 52%, JLP 47.3%;

seats by party - PNP 34, JLP 26

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court (judges appointed by the governor general on the

advice of the prime minister); Court of Appeal

Political parties and leaders:

Jamaica Labor Party or JLP [Bruce GOLDING]; National Democratic

Movement or NDM [Hyacinth BENNETT]; People's National Party or PNP

[Percival James PATTERSON]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

New Beginnings Movement or NBM; Rastafarians (black

religious/racial cultists, pan-Africanists)

International organization participation:

ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, FAO, G-15, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt

(signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO,

Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, LAES, MIGA, NAM, OAS,

OPANAL, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO,

WMO, WToO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Gordon SHIRLEY

chancery: 1520 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036

telephone: [1] (202) 452-0660

FAX: [1] (202) 452-0081

consulate(s) general: Miami and New York

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Sue McCourt COBB

embassy: Jamaica Mutual Life Center, 2 Oxford Road, 3rd floor,

Kingston 5

mailing address: use embassy street address

telephone: [1] (876) 929-4850 through 4859

FAX: [1] (876) 935-6001

Flag description:

diagonal yellow cross divides the flag into four triangles - green

(top and bottom) and black (hoist side and outer side)

Economy Jamaica

Economy - overview:

The Jamaican economy is heavily dependent on services, which now

account for 60% of GDP. The country continues to derive most of its

foreign exchange from tourism, remittances, and bauxite/alumina. The

global economic slowdown, particularly after the terrorist attacks

in the US on 11 September 2001, stunted economic growth; the economy

rebounded moderately in 2003-04, with brisk tourist seasons. But the

economy faces serious long-term problems: high interest rates;

increased foreign competition; a pressured, sometimes sliding,

exchange rate; a sizable merchandise trade deficit; large-scale

unemployment; and a growing internal debt, the result of government

bailouts to ailing sectors of the economy. The ratio of debt to GDP

is close to 150%. Inflation, previously a bright spot, is expected

to remain in the double digits. Uncertain economic conditions have

led to increased civil unrest, including gang violence fueled by the

drug trade. In 2004, the government faced the difficult prospect of

having to achieve fiscal discipline in order to maintain debt

payments while simultaneously attacking a serious and growing crime

problem which is hampering economic growth. Attempts at deficit

control were derailed by Hurricane Ivan in September 2004, which

required substantial government spending to repair the damage.

Despite the hurricane, tourism looks set to enjoy solid growth for

the foreseeable future.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$11.13 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

1.9% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $4,100 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 6.1% industry: 32.7% services: 61.3% (2004 est.)

Labor force:

1.14 million (2004 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 20.1%, industry 16.6%, services 63.4% (2003)

Unemployment rate:

15% (2004 est.)

Population below poverty line:

19.7% (2002 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.7% highest 10%: 30.3% (2000)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

37.9 (2000)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

12.4% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

32% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $2.793 billion

expenditures: $3.157 billion, including capital expenditures of $236

million (2004 est.)

Public debt:

146.1% of GDP (2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

sugarcane, bananas, coffee, citrus, yams, vegetables, poultry,

goats, milk, crustaceans, and mollusks

Industries:

tourism, bauxite/alumina, textiles, agro processing, wearing

apparel, light manufactures, rum, cement, metal, paper, chemical

products, telecommunications

Industrial production growth rate:

-2% (2000 est.)

Electricity - production:

6.289 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 96.8% hydro: 1.8% nuclear: 0% other: 1.4% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

5.849 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

66,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Current account balance:

$-830.7 million (2004 est.)

Exports:

$1.679 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

alumina, bauxite, sugar, bananas, rum, coffee, yams, beverages,

chemicals, wearing apparel, mineral fuels

Exports - partners:

US 17.4%, Canada 14.8%, France 13%, China 10.5%, UK 8.7%,

Netherlands 7.5%, Norway 6%, Germany 5.9% (2004)

Imports:

$3.624 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

food and other consumer goods, industrial supplies, fuel, parts and

accessories of capital goods, machinery and transport equipment,

construction materials

Imports - partners:

US 38.7%, Trinidad and Tobago 13.2%, France 5.6%, Japan 4.7% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$1.4 billion (2004 est.)

Debt - external:

$5.964 billion (2004 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:

$16 million (2003)

Currency (code):

Jamaican dollar (JMD)

Currency code:

JMD

Exchange rates:

Jamaican dollars per US dollar - 61.197 (2004), 57.741 (2003),

48.416 (2002), 45.996 (2001), 42.986 (2000)

Fiscal year:

1 April - 31 March

Communications Jamaica

Telephones - main lines in use:

444,400 (2002)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

1.4 million (2002)

Telephone system:

general assessment: fully automatic domestic telephone network

domestic: NA

international: country code - 1-876; satellite earth stations - 2

Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); 3 coaxial submarine cables

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 10, FM 13, shortwave 0 (1998)

Radios:

1.215 million (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

7 (1997)

Televisions:

460,000 (1997)

Internet country code:

.jm

Internet hosts:

1,480 (2003)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

21 (2000)

Internet users:

600,000 (2002)

Transportation Jamaica

Railways:

total: 272 km

standard gauge: 272 km 1.435-m gauge

note: 207 of these km belonging to the Jamaica Railway Corporation

had been in common carrier service until 1992 but are no longer

operational; 57 km of the remaining track is privately owned and

used by ALCAN to transport bauxite (2003)

Highways:

total: 18,700 km

paved: 13,109 km

unpaved: 5,591 km (1999 est.)

Ports and harbors:

Kingston, Port Esquivel, Port Kaiser, Port Rhoades, Rocky Point

Merchant marine:

total: 9 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 74,881 GRT/100,682 DWT

by type: bulk carrier 5, petroleum tanker 1, roll on/roll off 3

foreign-owned: 8 (Germany 2, Greece 5, UAE 1) (2005)

Airports:

35 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 11 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 5 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 24 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 22 (2004 est.)

Military Jamaica

Military branches:

Jamaica Defense Force: Ground Forces, Coast Guard, Air Wing

Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for voluntary military service; younger recruits may be conscripted with parental consent (2001)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 18-49: 696,900 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: 587,006 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:

males: 26,080 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$31.2 million (2003)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

0.4% (2003)

Transnational Issues Jamaica

Disputes - international:

none

Illicit drugs:

major transshipment point for cocaine from South America to North

America and Europe; illicit cultivation of cannabis; government has

an active manual cannabis eradication program; corruption is a major

concern; substantial money-laundering activity; Colombian narcotics

traffickers favor Jamaica for illicit financial transactions

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Jan Mayen

Introduction Jan Mayen

Background:

This desolate, mountainous island was named after a Dutch whaling

captain who indisputably discovered it in 1614 (earlier claims are

inconclusive). Visited only occasionally by seal hunters and

trappers over the following centuries, the island came under

Norwegian sovereignty in 1929. The long dormant Haakon VII

Toppen/Beerenberg volcano resumed activity in 1970; it is the

northernmost active volcano on earth.

Geography Jan Mayen

Location:

Northern Europe, island between the Greenland Sea and the Norwegian

Sea, northeast of Iceland

Geographic coordinates:

71 00 N, 8 00 W

Map references:

Arctic Region

Area:

total: 373 sq km

land: 373 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly more than twice the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries:

0 km

Coastline:

124.1 km

Maritime claims: territorial sea: 4 nm contiguous zone: 10 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

Climate:

arctic maritime with frequent storms and persistent fog

Terrain:

volcanic island, partly covered by glaciers

Elevation extremes: lowest point: Norwegian Sea 0 m highest point: Haakon VII Toppen/Beerenberg 2,277 m

Natural resources: none

Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (2001)

Irrigated land:

0 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

dominated by the volcano Haakon VII Toppen/Beerenberg; volcanic

activity resumed in 1970

Environment - current issues:

NA

Geography - note:

barren volcanic island with some moss and grass

People Jan Mayen

Population:

no indigenous inhabitants

note: personnel operate the Long Range Navigation (Loran-C) base and

the weather and coastal services radio station (July 2005 est.)

Government Jan Mayen

Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Jan Mayen

Dependency status:

territory of Norway; since August 1994, administered from Oslo

through the county governor (fylkesmann) of Nordland; however,

authority has been delegated to a station commander of the Norwegian

Defense Communication Service

Legal system:

the laws of Norway, where applicable, apply

Flag description:

the flag of Norway is used

Economy Jan Mayen

Economy - overview:

Jan Mayen is a volcanic island with no exploitable natural

resources. Economic activity is limited to providing services for

employees of Norway's radio and meteorological stations on the

island.

Communications Jan Mayen

Radio broadcast stations: AM NA, FM NA, shortwave NA note: there is one radio and meteorological station (1998)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 13 (Jan Mayen and Svalbard) (2000)

Transportation Jan Mayen

Ports and harbors:

none; offshore anchorage only

Airports:

1 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Military Jan Mayen

Military - note: defense is the responsibility of Norway

Transnational Issues Jan Mayen

Disputes - international: none

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Japan

Introduction Japan

Background:

In 1603, a Tokugawa shogunate (military dictatorship) ushered in a

long period of isolation from foreign influence in order to secure

its power. For 250 years this policy enabled Japan to enjoy

stability and a flowering of its indigenous culture. Following the

Treaty of Kanagawa with the United States in 1854, Japan opened its

ports and began to intensively modernize and industrialize. During

the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Japan became a regional

power that was able to defeat the forces of both China and Russia.

It occupied Korea, Formosa (Taiwan), and southern Sakhalin Island.

In 1933 Japan occupied Manchuria and in 1937 it launched a

full-scale invasion of China. Japan attacked US forces in 1941 -

triggering America's entry into World War II - and soon occupied

much of East and Southeast Asia. After its defeat in World War II,

Japan recovered to become an economic power and a staunch ally of

the US. While the emperor retains his throne as a symbol of national

unity, actual power rests in networks of powerful politicians,

bureaucrats, and business executives. The economy experienced a

major slowdown starting in the 1990s following three decades of

unprecedented growth, but Japan still remains a major economic

power, both in Asia and globally. In 2005, Japan began a two-year

term as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council.

Geography Japan

Location:

Eastern Asia, island chain between the North Pacific Ocean and the

Sea of Japan, east of the Korean Peninsula

Geographic coordinates:

36 00 N, 138 00 E

Map references:

Asia

Area:

total: 377,835 sq km

land: 374,744 sq km

water: 3,091 sq km

note: includes Bonin Islands (Ogasawara-gunto), Daito-shoto,

Minami-jima, Okino-tori-shima, Ryukyu Islands (Nansei-shoto), and

Volcano Islands (Kazan-retto)

Area - comparative:

slightly smaller than California

Land boundaries:

0 km

Coastline:

29,751 km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 12 nm; between 3 nm and 12 nm in the international

straits - La Perouse or Soya, Tsugaru, Osumi, and Eastern and

Western Channels of the Korea or Tsushima Strait

contiguous zone: 24 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Climate:

varies from tropical in south to cool temperate in north

Terrain:

mostly rugged and mountainous

Elevation extremes: lowest point: Hachiro-gata -4 m highest point: Mount Fuji 3,776 m

Natural resources: negligible mineral resources, fish

Land use: arable land: 12.19% permanent crops: 0.96% other: 86.85% (2001)

Irrigated land:

26,790 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

many dormant and some active volcanoes; about 1,500 seismic

occurrences (mostly tremors) every year; tsunamis; typhoons

Environment - current issues:

air pollution from power plant emissions results in acid rain;

acidification of lakes and reservoirs degrading water quality and

threatening aquatic life; Japan is one of the largest consumers of

fish and tropical timber, contributing to the depletion of these

resources in Asia and elsewhere

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living

Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate

Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered

Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the

Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution,

Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling

Geography - note:

strategic location in northeast Asia

People Japan

Population:

127,417,244 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 14.3% (male 9,328,584/female 8,866,772)

15-64 years: 66.2% (male 42,462,533/female 41,942,835)

65 years and over: 19.5% (male 10,435,284/female 14,381,236) (2005

est.)

Median age: total: 42.64 years male: 40.87 years female: 44.44 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

0.05% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

9.47 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

8.95 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.73 male(s)/female

total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 3.26 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 3.52 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 2.99 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 81.15 years

male: 77.86 years

female: 84.61 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

1.39 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

less than 0.1% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

12,000 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

500 (2003 est.)

Nationality:

noun: Japanese (singular and plural)

adjective: Japanese

Ethnic groups:

Japanese 99%, others 1% (Korean 511,262, Chinese 244,241, Brazilian

182,232, Filipino 89,851, other 237,914)

note: up to 230,000 Brazilians of Japanese origin migrated to Japan

in the 1990s to work in industries; some have returned to Brazil

(2004)

Religions:

observe both Shinto and Buddhist 84%, other 16% (including

Christian 0.7%)

Languages:

Japanese

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 99%

male: 99%

female: 99% (2002)

Government Japan

Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Japan

Government type:

constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary government

Capital:

Tokyo

Administrative divisions:

47 prefectures; Aichi, Akita, Aomori, Chiba, Ehime, Fukui, Fukuoka,

Fukushima, Gifu, Gumma, Hiroshima, Hokkaido, Hyogo, Ibaraki,

Ishikawa, Iwate, Kagawa, Kagoshima, Kanagawa, Kochi, Kumamoto,

Kyoto, Mie, Miyagi, Miyazaki, Nagano, Nagasaki, Nara, Niigata, Oita,

Okayama, Okinawa, Osaka, Saga, Saitama, Shiga, Shimane, Shizuoka,

Tochigi, Tokushima, Tokyo, Tottori, Toyama, Wakayama, Yamagata,

Yamaguchi, Yamanashi

Independence:

660 BC (traditional founding by Emperor JIMMU)

National holiday:

Birthday of Emperor AKIHITO, 23 December (1933)

Constitution:

3 May 1947

Legal system:

modeled after European civil law system with English-American

influence; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court;

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations

Suffrage:

20 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: Emperor AKIHITO (since 7 January 1989)

head of government: Prime Minister Junichiro KOIZUMI (since 26 April

2001)

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister

elections: Diet designates prime minister; constitution requires

that prime minister commands parliamentary majority; following

legislative elections, leader of majority party or leader of

majority coalition in House of Representatives usually becomes prime

minister; KOIZUMI's term as leader of the LDP is scheduled to end in

September 2006; a new prime minister may be chosen at that time;

monarch is hereditary

Legislative branch:

bicameral Diet or Kokkai consists of the House of Councillors or

Sangi-in (242 seats - members elected for six-year terms; half

reelected every three years; 144 members in multi-seat

constituencies and 98 by proportional representation) and the House

of Representatives or Shugi-in (480 seats - members elected for

four-year terms; 300 in single-seat constituencies; 180 members by

proportional representation in 11 regional blocs)

elections: House of Councillors - last held 11 July 2004 (next to be

held in July 2007); House of Representatives - last held 11

September 2005 (next election by September 2009)

election results: House of Councillors - percent of vote by party -

NA; seats by party - LDP 115, DPJ 82, Komeito 24, JCP 9, SDP 5,

others 7; distribution of seats as of October 2004 - LDP 114, DPJ

84, Komeito 24, JCP 9, SDP 5, others 6

: House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - LDP 47.8%,

DPJ 36.4%, others 15.8%; seats by party - LDP 296, DPJ 113, Komeito

31, JCP 9, SDP 7, others 24 (2005)

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court (chief justice is appointed by the monarch after

designation by the cabinet; all other justices are appointed by the

cabinet)

Political parties and leaders:

Democratic Party of Japan or DPJ [Seiji MAEHARA, leader; Yukio

HATOYAMA, secretary general]; Japan Communist Party or JCP [Kazuo

SHII, chairman; Tadayoshi ICHIDA, secretary general]; Komeito

[Takenori KANZAKI, president; Tetsuzo FUYUSHIBA, secretary general];

Liberal Democratic Party or LDP [Junichiro KOIZUMI, president;

Tsutomu TAKEBE, secretary general]; Social Democratic Party or SDP

[Mizuho FUKUSHIMA, chairperson; Seiji MATAICHI, secretary general]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

NA

International organization participation:

AfDB, APEC, APT, ARF, AsDB, ASEAN (dialogue partner), Australia

Group, BIS, CE (observer), CERN (observer), CP, EBRD, FAO, G-5, G-7,

G-8, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD,

IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAIA,

MIGA, NAM (guest), NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE

(partner), Paris Club, PCA, UN, UN Security Council (temporary),

UNCTAD, UNDOF, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNMOVIC, UNRWA, UPU,

WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO, ZC

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Ryozo KATO

chancery: 2520 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 238-6700

FAX: [1] (202) 328-2187

consulate(s) general: Anchorage, Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Denver,

Detroit, Agana (Guam), Honolulu, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New

Orleans, New York, Portland (Oregon), San Francisco, and Seattle

consulate(s): Saipan (Northern Mariana Islands)

Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador J. Thomas SCHIEFFER embassy: 10-5 Akasaka 1-chome, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-8420 mailing address: Unit 45004, Box 258, APO AP 96337-5004 telephone: [81] (03) 3224-5000 FAX: [81] (03) 3505-1862 consulate(s) general: Naha (Okinawa), Osaka-Kobe, Sapporo consulate(s): Fukuoka, Nagoya

Flag description:

white with a large red disk (representing the sun without rays) in

the center

Economy Japan

Economy - overview:

Government-industry cooperation, a strong work ethic, mastery of

high technology, and a comparatively small defense allocation (1% of

GDP) helped Japan advance with extraordinary rapidity to the rank of

second most technologically-powerful economy in the world after the

US and third-largest economy after the US and China, measured on a

purchasing power parity (PPP) basis. (Using market exhange rates

rather than PPP rates, Japan's economy is larger than China's.) One

notable characteristic of the economy is the working together of

manufacturers, suppliers, and distributors in closely-knit groups

called keiretsu. A second basic feature has been the guarantee of

lifetime employment for a substantial portion of the urban labor

force. Both features are now eroding. Industry, the most important

sector of the economy, is heavily dependent on imported raw

materials and fuels. The tiny agricultural sector is highly

subsidized and protected, with crop yields among the highest in the

world. Usually self sufficient in rice, Japan must import about 50%

of its requirements of other grain and fodder crops. Japan maintains

one of the world's largest fishing fleets and accounts for nearly

15% of the global catch. For three decades overall real economic

growth had been spectacular: a 10% average in the 1960s, a 5%

average in the 1970s, and a 4% average in the 1980s. Growth slowed

markedly in the 1990s, averaging just 1.7%, largely because of the

after effects of overinvestment during the late 1980s and

contractionary domestic policies intended to wring speculative

excesses from the stock and real estate markets. From 2000 to 2003,

government efforts to revive economic growth met with little success

and were further hampered by the slowing of the US, European, and

Asian economies. In 2004, growth improved and the lingering fears of

deflation in prices and economic activity lessened. Japan's huge

government debt, which totals more than 160% of GDP, and the aging

of the population are two major long-run problems. A rise in taxes

could be viewed as endangering the revival of growth. Robotics

constitutes a key long-term economic strength with Japan possessing

410,000 of the world's 720,000 "working robots." Internal conflict

over the proper way to reform the ailing banking system continues.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$3.745 trillion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

2.9% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $29,400 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 1.3% industry: 24.7% services: 74.1% (2004 est.)

Labor force:

66.97 million (2004 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 5%, industry 25%, services 70% (2002 est.)

Unemployment rate:

4.7% (2004 est.)

Population below poverty line:

NA

Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 4.8% highest 10%: 21.7% (1993)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

24.9 (1993)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

-0.1% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

24% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $1.401 trillion

expenditures: $1.748 trillion, including capital expenditures

(public works only) of about $71 billion (2004 est.)

Public debt:

164.3% of GDP (2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

rice, sugar beets, vegetables, fruit, pork, poultry, dairy

products, eggs, fish

Industries:

among world's largest and technologically advanced producers of

motor vehicles, electronic equipment, machine tools, steel and

nonferrous metals, ships, chemicals, textiles, processed foods

Industrial production growth rate:

6.6% (2004 est.)

Electricity - production:

1.044 trillion kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 60% hydro: 8.4% nuclear: 29.8% other: 1.8% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

971 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

17,330 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

5.29 million bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

93,360 bbl/day (2001)

Oil - imports:

5.449 million bbl/day (2001)

Oil - proved reserves:

29.29 million bbl (1 January 2002)

Natural gas - production:

2.519 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - consumption:

80.42 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - exports:

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - imports:

77.73 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves:

20.02 billion cu m (1 January 2002)

Current account balance:

$170.2 billion (2004 est.)

Exports:

$538.8 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

transport equipment, motor vehicles, semiconductors, electrical

machinery, chemicals

Exports - partners:

US 22.7%, China 13.1%, South Korea 7.8%, Taiwan 7.4%, Hong Kong

6.3% (2004)

Imports:

$401.8 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

machinery and equipment, fuels, foodstuffs, chemicals, textiles,

raw materials (2001)

Imports - partners:

China 20.7%, US 14%, South Korea 4.9%, Australia 4.3%, Indonesia

4.1%, Saudi Arabia 4.1%, UAE 4% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$664.6 billion (2003)

Debt - external:

NA (2002 est.)

Economic aid - donor:

ODA, $7.9 billion (FY03/04)

Currency (code):

yen (JPY)

Currency code:

JPY

Exchange rates:

yen per US dollar - 108.19 (2004), 115.93 (2003), 125.39 (2002),

121.53 (2001), 107.77 (2000)

Fiscal year:

1 April - 31 March

Communications Japan

Telephones - main lines in use:

71.149 million (2002)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

86,658,600 (2003)

Telephone system:

general assessment: excellent domestic and international service

domestic: high level of modern technology and excellent service of

every kind

international: country code - 81; satellite earth stations - 5

Intelsat (4 Pacific Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean), 1 Intersputnik

(Indian Ocean region), and 1 Inmarsat (Pacific and Indian Ocean

regions); submarine cables to China, Philippines, Russia, and US

(via Guam) (1999)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 215 plus 370 repeaters, FM 89 plus 485 repeaters, shortwave 21

(2001)

Radios:

120.5 million (1997)

Television broadcast stations: 211 plus 7,341 repeaters note: in addition, US Forces are served by 3 TV stations and 2 TV cable services (1999)

Televisions:

86.5 million (1997)

Internet country code:

.jp

Internet hosts:

12,962,065 (2003)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

73 (2000)

Internet users:

57.2 million (2002)

Transportation Japan

Railways:

total: 23,577 km (16,519 km electrified)

standard gauge: 3,204 km 1.435-m gauge (3,204 km electrified)

narrow gauge: 77 km 1.372-m gauge (77 km electrified); 20,265 km

1.067-m gauge (13,227 km electrified); 11 km 0.762-m gauge (11 km

electrified) (2004)

Highways:

total: 1,171,647 km

paved: 903,340 km (including 6,851 km of expressways)

unpaved: 268,307 km (2001)

Waterways:

1,770 km (seagoing vessels use inland seas) (2004)

Pipelines:

gas 2,719 km; oil 170 km; oil/gas/water 60 km (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Chiba, Kawasaki, Kiire, Kisarazu, Kobe, Mizushima, Nagoya, Osaka,

Tokyo, Yohohama

Merchant marine:

total: 702 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 10,149,196 GRT/12,680,544 DWT

by type: bulk carrier 136, cargo 29, chemical tanker 23, container

13, liquefied gas 53, passenger 16, passenger/cargo 157, petroleum

tanker 160, refrigerated cargo 4, roll on/roll off 52, vehicle

carrier 59

registered in other countries: 2,233 (2005)

Airports:

174 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 143 over 3,047 m: 7 2,438 to 3,047 m: 37 1,524 to 2,437 m: 39 914 to 1,523 m: 28 under 914 m: 32 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 31 over 3047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 26 (2004 est.)

Heliports: 15 (2004 est.)

Military Japan

Military branches:

Ground Self-Defense Force (Army), Maritime Self-Defense Force

(Navy), Air Self-Defense Force (Air Force)

Military service age and obligation:

18 years of age for voluntary military service (2001)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 18-49: 27,003,112 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: 22,234,663 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:

males: 683,147 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$45.841 billion (2004)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

1% (2004)

Transnational Issues Japan

Disputes - international:

the sovereignty dispute over the islands of Etorofu, Kunashiri, and

Shikotan, and the Habomai group, known in Japan as the "Northern

Territories" and in Russia as the "Southern Kuril Islands", occupied

by the Soviet Union in 1945, now administered by Russia and claimed

by Japan, remains the primary sticking point to signing a peace

treaty formally ending World War II hostilities; Japan and South

Korea claim Liancourt Rocks (Take-shima/Tok-do), occupied by South

Korea since 1954; China and Taiwan dispute both Japan's claims to

the uninhabited islands of the Senkaku-shoto (Diaoyu Tai) and

Japan's unilaterally declared exclusive economic zone in the East

China Sea, the site of intensive hydrocarbon prospecting

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Jarvis Island

Introduction Jarvis Island

Background:

First discovered by the British in 1821, the uninhabited island was

annexed by the US in 1858, but abandoned in 1879 after tons of guano

had been removed. The UK annexed the island in 1889, but never

carried out plans for further exploitation. The US occupied and

reclaimed the island in 1935. Abandoned after World War II, the

island is currently a National Wildlife Refuge administered by the

US Department of the Interior; a day beacon is situated near the

middle of the west coast.

Geography Jarvis Island

Location:

Oceania, island in the South Pacific Ocean, about half way between

Hawaii and the Cook Islands

Geographic coordinates:

0 22 S, 160 03 W

Map references:

Oceania

Area:

total: 4.5 sq km

land: 4.5 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative:

about eight times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC

Land boundaries:

0 km

Coastline:

8 km

Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Climate:

tropical; scant rainfall, constant wind, burning sun

Terrain:

sandy, coral island surrounded by a narrow fringing reef

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

highest point: unnamed location 7 m

Natural resources:

guano (deposits worked until late 1800s), terrestrial and aquatic

wildlife

Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (2001)

Irrigated land:

0 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

the narrow fringing reef surrounding the island poses a maritime

hazard

Environment - current issues:

no natural fresh water resources

Geography - note:

sparse bunch grass, prostrate vines, and low-growing shrubs;

primarily a nesting, roosting, and foraging habitat for seabirds,

shorebirds, and marine wildlife

People Jarvis Island

Population:

uninhabited

note: Millersville settlement on western side of island occasionally

used as a weather station from 1935 until World War II, when it was

abandoned; reoccupied in 1957 during the International Geophysical

Year by scientists who left in 1958; public entry is by special-use

permit from US Fish and Wildlife Service only and generally

restricted to scientists and educators; visited annually by US Fish

and Wildlife Service (July 2005 est.)

Government Jarvis Island

Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Jarvis Island

Dependency status:

unincorporated territory of the US; administered from Washington,

DC, by the Fish and Wildlife Service of the US Department of the

Interior as part of the National Wildlife Refuge system

Legal system:

the laws of the US, where applicable, apply

Flag description:

the flag of the US is used

Economy Jarvis Island

Economy - overview: no economic activity

Transportation Jarvis Island

Ports and harbors:

none; offshore anchorage only; note - there is one small boat

landing area in the middle of the west coast and another near the

southwest corner of the island

Transportation - note:

there is a day beacon near the middle of the west coast

Military Jarvis Island

Military - note:

defense is the responsibility of the US; visited annually by the US

Coast Guard

Transnational Issues Jarvis Island

Disputes - international: none

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Jersey

Introduction Jersey

Background:

The island of Jersey and the other Channel Islands represent the

last remnants of the medieval Dukedom of Normandy that held sway in

both France and England. These islands were the only British soil

occupied by German troops in World War II.

Geography Jersey

Location:

Western Europe, island in the English Channel, northwest of France

Geographic coordinates:

49 15 N, 2 10 W

Map references:

Europe

Area:

total: 116 sq km

land: 116 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative:

about two-thirds the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries:

0 km

Coastline:

70 km

Maritime claims: territorial sea: 3 nm exclusive fishing zone: 12 nm

Climate:

temperate; mild winters and cool summers

Terrain:

gently rolling plain with low, rugged hills along north coast

Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 143 m

Natural resources: arable land

Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (2001)

Irrigated land:

NA sq km

Natural hazards:

NA

Environment - current issues:

NA

Geography - note:

largest and southernmost of Channel Islands; about 30% of

population concentrated in Saint Helier

People Jersey

Population:

90,812 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 17.5% (male 8,222/female 7,658)

15-64 years: 67% (male 30,296/female 30,561)

65 years and over: 15.5% (male 6,176/female 7,899) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 40.89 years

male: 40.13 years

female: 41.63 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

0.32% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

9.66 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

9.19 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

2.75 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.08 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.07 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female

total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 5.24 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 5.6 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 4.85 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 79.24 years

male: 76.77 years

female: 81.91 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

1.57 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

NA%

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

NA

Nationality:

noun: Channel Islander(s)

adjective: Channel Islander

Ethnic groups:

Jersey 51.1%, British 34.8%, Irish, French, and other white 6.6%,

Portuguese/Madeiran 6.4%, other 1.1% (2001 census)

Religions:

Anglican, Roman Catholic, Baptist, Congregational New Church,

Methodist, Presbyterian

Languages:

English 94.5% (official), Portuguese 4.6%, other 0.9% (2001 census)

Literacy: definition: NA total population: NA% male: NA% female: NA%

Government Jersey

Country name:

conventional long form: Bailiwick of Jersey

conventional short form: Jersey

Dependency status:

British crown dependency

Government type:

NA

Capital:

Saint Helier

Administrative divisions:

none (British crown dependency)

Independence:

none (British crown dependency)

National holiday:

Liberation Day, 9 May (1945)

Constitution:

unwritten; partly statutes, partly common law and practice

Legal system:

English law and local statute; justice is administered by the Royal

Court

Suffrage:

NA years of age; universal adult

Executive branch:

chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952)

head of government: Lieutenant Governor and Commander in Chief Air

Chief Marshall Sir John CHESHIRE (since 24 January 2001) and Bailiff

Philip Martin BAILHACHE (since NA February 1995)

cabinet: committees appointed by the Assembly of the States

elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; lieutenant governor and

bailiff appointed by the monarch

Legislative branch:

unicameral Assembly of the States (55 voting members - 12 senators

(elected for 6-year terms), 12 constables or heads of parishes

(elected for 3-year terms), 29 deputies (elected for 3-year terms);

the bailiff and the deputy bailiff; and 3 non-voting members - the

Dean of Jersey, the Attorney General, and the Solicitor General all

appointed by the monarch)

elections: last held NA (next to be held NA)

election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats - independents 53

Judicial branch:

Royal Court (judges elected by an electoral college and the bailiff)

Political parties and leaders:

none; all independents

Political pressure groups and leaders:

none

Diplomatic representation in the US:

none (British crown dependency)

Diplomatic representation from the US:

none (British crown dependency)

Flag description:

white with a diagonal red cross extending to the corners of the

flag; in the upper quadrant, surmounted by a yellow crown, a red

shield with the three lions of England in yellow

Economy Jersey

Economy - overview:

The Channel Island economy is based on international financial

services, agriculture, and tourism. In 1996 the finance sector

accounted for about 60% of the island's output. Potatoes,

cauliflower, tomatoes, and especially flowers are important export

crops, shipped mostly to the UK. The Jersey breed of dairy cattle is

known worldwide and represents an important export income earner.

Milk products go to the UK and other EU countries. Tourism accounts

for 24% of GDP. In recent years, the government has encouraged light

industry to locate in Jersey, with the result that an electronics

industry has developed alongside the traditional manufacturing of

knitwear. All raw material and energy requirements are imported, as

well as a large share of Jersey's food needs. Light taxes and death

duties make the island a popular tax haven. Living standards come

close to those of the UK.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$3.6 billion (2003 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

NA%

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $40,000 (2003 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 5% industry: 2% services: 93% (1996)

Labor force:

52,790 (2004)

Unemployment rate:

0.9% (2004 est.)

Population below poverty line:

NA%

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA%

highest 10%: NA%

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

5.3% (2004)

Budget:

revenues: $601 million

expenditures: $588 million, including capital expenditures of $98

million (2000 est.)

Agriculture - products:

potatoes, cauliflower, tomatoes; beef, dairy products

Industries:

tourism, banking and finance, dairy

Industrial production growth rate:

NA%

Electricity - consumption:

630.1 million kWh (2004 est.)

Electricity - imports:

NA kWh; note - electricity supplied by France

Exports:

$NA

Exports - commodities:

light industrial and electrical goods, foodstuffs, textiles

Exports - partners:

UK

Imports:

$NA

Imports - commodities:

machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, foodstuffs,

mineral fuels, chemicals

Imports - partners:

UK

Debt - external:

none

Economic aid - recipient:

none

Currency (code):

British pound (GBP); note - there is also a Jersey pound

Currency code:

GBP

Exchange rates:

Jersey pounds per US dollar - 0.5462 (2004), 0.6125 (2003), 0.6672

(2002), 0.6947 (2001), 0.6609 (2000)

note: the Jersey pound is at par with the British pound

Fiscal year:

1 April - 31 March

Communications Jersey

Telephones - main lines in use:

73,900 (2001)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

61,400 (2001)

Telephone system:

general assessment: NA

domestic: NA

international: 3 submarine cables

Radio broadcast stations:

AM NA, FM 1, shortwave 0 (1998)

Radios:

NA

Television broadcast stations:

2 (1997)

Televisions:

NA

Internet country code:

.je

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

NA

Internet users:

NA

Transportation Jersey

Highways: total: 577 km paved: NA km unpaved: NA km

Ports and harbors:

Gorey, Saint Aubin, Saint Helier

Airports:

1 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Military Jersey

Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the UK

Transnational Issues Jersey

Disputes - international: none

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Johnston Atoll

Introduction Johnston Atoll

Background:

Both the US and the Kingdom of Hawaii annexed Johnston Atoll in

1858, but it was the US that mined the guano deposits until the late

1880s. Johnston and Sand Islands were designated wildlife refuges in

1926. The US Navy took over the atoll in 1934, and subsequently the

US Air Force assumed control in 1948. The site was used for

high-altitude nuclear tests in the 1950s and 1960s, and until late

in 2000 the atoll was maintained as a storage and disposal site for

chemical weapons. Munitions destruction is now complete. Cleanup and

closure of the facility was completed in 2004.

Geography Johnston Atoll

Location:

Oceania, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean 717 nm (1328 km)

southwest of Honolulu, Hawaii, about one-third of the way from

Hawaii to the Marshall Islands

Geographic coordinates:

16 45 N, 169 31 W

Map references:

Oceania

Area:

total: 2.8 sq km

land: 2.8 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative:

about 4.7 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC

Land boundaries:

0 km

Coastline:

34 km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Climate:

tropical, but generally dry; consistent northeast trade winds with

little seasonal temperature variation

Terrain:

mostly flat

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

highest point: Summit Peak 5 m

Natural resources:

guano deposits worked until depletion about 1890, terrestrial and

aquatic wildlife

Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (2001)

Irrigated land:

0 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

NA

Environment - current issues:

no natural fresh water resources

Geography - note:

strategic location in the North Pacific Ocean; Johnston Island and

Sand Island are natural islands, which have been expanded by coral

dredging; North Island (Akau) and East Island (Hikina) are manmade

islands formed from coral dredging; the egg-shaped reef is 34 km in

circumference; closed to the public; a former US nuclear weapons

test site; site of now-closed Johnston Atoll Chemical Agent Disposal

System (JACADS); most facilities dismantled and cleanup complete in

2004; some low-growing vegetation

People Johnston Atoll

Population:

361 no indigenous inhabitants

note: in previous years, there was an average of 1,100 US military

and civilian contractor personnel present; as of September 2001,

population had decreased significantly when US Army Chemical

Activity Pacific (USACAP) departed; as of January 2004 the island

population was just above 200 personnel, including US Air Force, US

Fish and Wildlife Service, and civilian contractor personnel (July

2005 est.)

Government Johnston Atoll

Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Johnston Atoll

Dependency status:

unincorporated territory of the US; administered from Honolulu, HI,

by Pacific Air Forces, Hickam Air Force Base, and the Fish and

Wildlife Service of the US Department of the Interior as part of the

National Wildlife Refuge system

Legal system:

the laws of the US, where applicable, apply

Flag description:

the flag of the US is used

Economy Johnston Atoll

Economy - overview:

Economic activity is limited to providing services to US military

personnel and contractors located on the island. All food and

manufactured goods must be imported.

Communications Johnston Atoll

Telephone system: general assessment: NA domestic: 512 KB satellite link to Hawaii teleport; 20 (POTS) voice and data lines international: NA (2002)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 1 256 KB circuit to US Department of Defense-run Nonsecure Internet Protocol Router Network (NIPRNET) (2002)

Transportation Johnston Atoll

Ports and harbors:

Johnston Island

Airports:

1 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Military Johnston Atoll

Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the US

Transnational Issues Johnston Atoll

Disputes - international: none

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Jordan

Introduction Jordan

Background:

For most of its history since independence from British

administration in 1946, Jordan was ruled by King HUSSEIN (1953-99).

A pragmatic ruler, he successfully navigated competing pressures

from the major powers (US, USSR, and UK), various Arab states,

Israel, and a large internal Palestinian population, despite several

wars and coup attempts. In 1989 he reinstituted parliamentary

elections and gradual political liberalization; in 1994 he signed a

formal peace treaty with Israel. King ABDALLAH II - the eldest son

of King HUSSEIN and Princess MUNA - assumed the throne following his

father's death in February 1999. Since then, he has consolidated his

power and undertaken an aggressive economic reform program. Jordan

acceded to the World Trade Organization in 2000, and began to

participate in the European Free Trade Association in 2001. After a

two-year delay, parliamentary and municipal elections took place in

the summer of 2003. The Prime Minister and government appointed in

April 2005 declared they would build upon the previous government's

achievements to respect political and human rights and improve

living standards.

Geography Jordan

Location:

Middle East, northwest of Saudi Arabia

Geographic coordinates:

31 00 N, 36 00 E

Map references:

Middle East

Area:

total: 92,300 sq km

land: 91,971 sq km

water: 329 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly smaller than Indiana

Land boundaries:

total: 1,635 km

border countries: Iraq 181 km, Israel 238 km, Saudi Arabia 744 km,

Syria 375 km, West Bank 97 km

Coastline:

26 km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 3 nm

Climate:

mostly arid desert; rainy season in west (November to April)

Terrain:

mostly desert plateau in east, highland area in west; Great Rift

Valley separates East and West Banks of the Jordan River

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Dead Sea -408 m

highest point: Jabal Ram 1,734 m

Natural resources:

phosphates, potash, shale oil

Land use: arable land: 2.67% permanent crops: 1.83% other: 95.5% (2001)

Irrigated land:

750 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

droughts; periodic earthquakes

Environment - current issues: limited natural fresh water resources; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification

Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

strategic location at the head of the Gulf of Aqaba and as the Arab

country that shares the longest border with Israel and the occupied

West Bank

People Jordan

Population:

5,759,732 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 34.5% (male 1,015,084/female 973,220)

15-64 years: 61.7% (male 1,897,643/female 1,656,570)

65 years and over: 3.8% (male 106,168/female 111,047) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 22.62 years

male: 23.25 years

female: 21.94 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

2.56% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

21.76 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

2.63 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

6.42 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.15 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.96 male(s)/female

total population: 1.1 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 17.35 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 20.75 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 13.75 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 78.24 years

male: 75.75 years

female: 80.88 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

2.71 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

less than 0.1% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

600 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

less than 500 (2003 est.)

Nationality:

noun: Jordanian(s)

adjective: Jordanian

Ethnic groups:

Arab 98%, Circassian 1%, Armenian 1%

Religions:

Sunni Muslim 92%, Christian 6% (majority Greek Orthodox, but some

Greek and Roman Catholics, Syrian Orthodox, Coptic Orthodox,

Armenian Orthodox, and Protestant denominations), other 2% (several

small Shi'a Muslim and Druze populations) (2001 est.)

Languages:

Arabic (official), English widely understood among upper and middle

classes

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 91.3%

male: 95.9%

female: 86.3% (2003 est.)

Government Jordan

Country name:

conventional long form: Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan

conventional short form: Jordan

local long form: Al Mamlakah al Urduniyah al Hashimiyah

local short form: Al Urdun

former: Transjordan

Government type:

constitutional monarchy

Capital:

'Amman

Administrative divisions:

12 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah); Ajlun, Al

'Aqabah, Al Balqa', Al Karak, Al Mafraq, 'Amman, At Tafilah, Az

Zarqa', Irbid, Jarash, Ma'an, Madaba

Independence:

25 May 1946 (from League of Nations mandate under British

administration)

National holiday:

Independence Day, 25 May (1946)

Constitution:

1 January 1952; amended 1974, 1976, 1984

Legal system:

based on Islamic law and French codes; judicial review of

legislative acts in a specially provided High Tribunal; has not

accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: King ABDALLAH II (since 7 February 1999); Prince

HUSSEIN (born 1994), son of King ABDALLAH, is first in line to

inherit the throne

head of government: Prime Minister Adnan BADRAN (since 7 April

2005); Deputy Prime Ministers Marwan al-MUASHER and Hisham al-TEL

(since 3 July 2005)

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister in consultation

with the monarch

elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; prime minister appointed

by the monarch

Legislative branch:

bicameral National Assembly or Majlis al-'Umma consists of the

Senate, also called the House of Notables (Majlis al-Ayan) (55

seats; members appointed by the monarch from designated categories

of public figures; members serve four-year terms) and the House of

Representatives, also called the House of Deputies (Majlis

al-Nuwaab) (110 seats; members elected by popular vote on the basis

of proportional representation to serve four-year terms; note - six

seats are reserved for women and are allocated by a special

electoral panel if no women are elected)

elections: House of Representatives - last held 17 June 2003 (next

to be held NA 2007)

election results: House of Representatives - percent of vote by

party - independents and others 89.6%, Islamic Action Front (IAF)

10.4%; seats by party - independents and others 92, Islamic Action

Front 18; note - one of the six quota seats was given to a female

IAF candidate

note: the House of Representatives has been convened and dissolved

by the monarch several times since 1974; in November 1989, the first

parliamentary elections in 22 years were held; political parties

were not legalized until 1992; King ABDALLAH delayed the 2001

elections until 2003

Judicial branch:

Court of Cassation; Supreme Court (court of final appeal)

Political parties and leaders:

Al-Ajyal [Muhammad KHALAYLEH, secretary general]; Al-Umma (Nation)

Party [Ahmad al-HANANDEH, secretary general]; Arab Land Party [Dr.

Ayishah Salih HIJAZAYN, secretary general]; Ba'th Arab Progressive

Party [Fu'ad DABBUR, secretary general]; Communist Party [Munir

HAMARINAH, secretary general]; Constitutional National Party [Ahmad

al-SHUNNAQ, secretary general; Democratic Arab Islamic Movement

[Yusuf ABU BAKR, president]; Green Party [Muhammad BATAYNEH,

secretary general]; Islamic Action Front [Hazma MANSOUR, secretary

general]; Islamic al-Walsat Party [Marwan al-FAURI], secretary

general; Jordanian Democratic Left Party [Musa MA'AYTEH, secretary

general]; Jordanian Democratic Popular Unity Party [Sa'id Dhiyab Ali

MUSTAFA, secretary general]; Jordanian People's Democratic (Hashd)

Party [Ahmad YUSUF, secretary general]; Jordanian Progressive Party

[Fawwaz al-ZUBI, secretary general]; Labor Party [Dr. Mazin Sulayman

Jiryis HANNA, secretary general]; Muslim Centrist Party [leader NA];

National Action (Haqq) Party [Tariq al-KAYYALI, secretary general];

National Constitutional Party [Abdul Hadi MAJALI, secretary

general]; National Movement for Direct Democracy [Mahmud al-NUWAYHI,

secretary general]; Pan-Arab (Democratic) Movement [Mahmud

al-NUWAYHI, secretary general]; (Arab) Socialist Ba'th Party [Taysir

al-HIMSI, secretary general]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

Anti-Normalization Committee [Ali Abu SUKKAR, president vice

chairman]; Jordanian Bar Association [Saleh ARMOUTI, president];

Jordanian Press Association [Sayf al-SHARIF, president]; Muslim

Brotherhood [Abd-al-Majid DHUNAYBAT, secretary general]

International organization participation:

ABEDA, AFESD, AMF, CAEU, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt,

ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol,

IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, MINUSTAH, MONUC, NAM, OIC, ONUB,

OPCW, OSCE (partner), PCA, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO,

UNMEE, UNMIK, UNMIL, UNMISET, UNOCI, UNOMIG, UNRWA, UPU, WCO, WFTU,

WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Karim Tawfiq KAWAR

chancery: 3504 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 966-2664

FAX: [1] (202) 966-3110

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires David M.

HALE

embassy: Abdoun, Amman

mailing address: P. O. Box 354, Amman 11118 Jordan; Unit 70200, Box

5, APO AE 09892-0200

telephone: [962] (6) 592-0101

FAX: [962] (6) 592-4102

Flag description:

three equal horizontal bands of black (top), representing the

Abbassid Caliphate, white, representing the Ummayyad Caliphate, and

green, representing the Fatimid Caliphate; a red isosceles triangle

on the hoist side, representing the Great Arab Revolt of 1916, and

bearing a small white seven-pointed star symbolizing the seven

verses of the opening Sura (Al-Fatiha) of the Holy Koran; the seven

points on the star represent faith in One God, humanity, national

spirit, humility, social justice, virtue, and aspirations; design is

based on the Arab Revolt flag of World War I

Economy Jordan

Economy - overview:

Jordan is a small Arab country with inadequate supplies of water

and other natural resources such as oil. Debt, poverty, and

unemployment are fundamental problems, but King ABDALLAH, since

assuming the throne in 1999, has undertaken some broad economic

reforms in a long-term effort to improve living standards. Amman in

the past three years has worked closely with the IMF, practiced

careful monetary policy, and made substantial headway with

privatization. The government also has liberalized the trade regime

sufficiently to secure Jordan's membership in the WTO (2000), a free

trade accord with the US (2001), and an association agreement with

the EU (2001). These measures have helped improve productivity and

have put Jordan on the foreign investment map. Jordan imported most

of its oil from Iraq, but the US-led war in Iraq in 2003 made Jordan

more dependent on oil from other Gulf nations forcing the Jordanian

government to raise retail petroleum product prices and the sales

tax base. Jordan's export market, which is heavily dependent on

exports to Iraq, was also affected by the war but recovered quickly

while contributing to the Iraq recovery effort. The main challenges

facing Jordan are reducing dependence on foreign grants, reducing

the budget deficit, and creating investment incentives to promote

job creation.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$25.5 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

5.1% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $4,500 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 2.4% industry: 26% services: 71.5% (2004 est.)

Labor force:

1.41 million (2004 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 5%, industry 12.5%, services 82.5% (2001 est.)

Unemployment rate:

15% official rate; unofficial rate is approximately 30% (2004 est.)

Population below poverty line:

30% (2001 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.3% highest 10%: 29.8% (1997)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

36.4 (1997)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

3.2% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

11.6% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $3.483 billion

expenditures: $3.616 billion, including capital expenditures of $782

million (2004 est.)

Public debt:

85.8% of GDP (2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

wheat, barley, citrus, tomatoes, melons, olives; sheep, goats,

poultry

Industries:

phosphate mining, pharmaceuticals, petroleum refining, cement,

potash, inorganic chemicals, light manufacturing, tourism

Industrial production growth rate:

5% (2004 est.)

Electricity - production:

7.307 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 99.4% hydro: 0.6% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

7.094 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

2 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

300 million kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

40 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Oil - consumption:

103,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Oil - exports:

0 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Oil - imports:

100,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Oil - proved reserves:

445,000 bbl (1 January 2002)

Natural gas - production:

290 million cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - consumption:

290 million cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - exports:

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - imports:

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves:

3.256 billion cu m (1 January 2002)

Current account balance:

$203.2 million (2004 est.)

Exports:

$3.2 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

clothing, phosphates, fertilizers, potash, vegetables,

manufactures, pharmaceuticals

Exports - partners:

US 28.9%, Iraq 17.6%, India 7.1%, Saudi Arabia 5.6% (2004)

Imports:

$7.6 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

crude oil, textile fabrics, machinery, transport equipment,

manufactured goods

Imports - partners:

Saudi Arabia 19.8%, China 8.4%, Germany 6.8%, US 6.8% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$5.457 billion (2004 est.)

Debt - external:

$7.32 billion (2004 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:

ODA, $500 million (2004 est.)

Currency (code):

Jordanian dinar (JOD)

Currency code:

JOD

Exchange rates:

Jordanian dinars per US dollar - 0.709 (2004), 0.709 (2003), 0.709

(2002), 0.709 (2001), 0.709 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Jordan

Telephones - main lines in use:

622,600 (2003)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

1,325,300 (2003)

Telephone system:

general assessment: service has improved recently with increased

use of digital switching equipment, but better access to the

telephone system is needed in the rural areas and easier access to

pay telephones is needed by the urban public

domestic: microwave radio relay transmission and coaxial and

fiber-optic cable are employed on trunk lines; considerable use of

mobile cellular systems; Internet service is available

international: country code - 962; satellite earth stations - 3

Intelsat, 1 Arabsat, and 29 land and maritime Inmarsat terminals;

fiber-optic cable to Saudi Arabia and microwave radio relay link

with Egypt and Syria; connection to international submarine cable

FLAG (Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe); participant in MEDARABTEL;

international links total about 4,000

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 6, FM 5, shortwave 1 (1999)

Radios:

1.66 million (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

20 (plus 96 repeaters) (1995)

Televisions:

500,000 (1997)

Internet country code:

.jo

Internet hosts:

3,160 (2004)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

5 (2000)

Internet users:

457,000 (2003)

Transportation Jordan

Railways: total: 505 km narrow gauge: 505 km 1.050-m gauge (2004)

Highways: total: 7,301 km paved: 7,301 km unpaved: 0 km (2002)

Pipelines:

gas 10 km; oil 743 km (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Al 'Aqabah

Merchant marine:

total: 20 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 78,814 GRT/92,695 DWT

by type: bulk carrier 2, cargo 7, container 2, passenger/cargo 5,

roll on/roll off 4

foreign-owned: 12 (Greece 3, UAE 9)

registered in other countries: 14 (2005)

Airports:

17 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 15 over 3,047 m: 7 2,438 to 3,047 m: 6 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 2

under 914 m: 2 (2004 est.)

Heliports:

1 (2004 est.)

Military Jordan

Military branches:

Jordanian Armed Forces (JAF): Royal Jordanian Land Force, Royal

Jordanian Navy, Royal Jordanian Air Force, and Special Operations

Command (SOCOM); note - Public Security Directorate normally falls

under Ministry of Interior but comes under JAF in wartime or crisis

situations

Military service age and obligation: 17 years of age for voluntary military service; conscription at age 18 was suspended in 1999, although all males under age 37 are required to register (2004)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 17-49: 1,573,995 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 17-49: 1,348,076 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:

males: 60,625 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$1.46 billion (2004)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

14.6% (2004)

Transnational Issues Jordan

Disputes - international:

2004 Agreement settles border dispute with Syria pending demarcation

Refugees and internally displaced persons:

refugees (country of origin): 1,740,170 (Palestinian Refugees

(UNRWA))

IDPs: 800,000 (1967 Arab-Israeli War) (2004)

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Juan de Nova Island

Introduction Juan de Nova Island

Background:

Named after a famous 15th century Spanish navigator and explorer,

the island has been a French possession since 1897. It has been

exploited for its guano and phosphate. Presently a small military

garrison oversees a meteorological station.

Geography Juan de Nova Island

Location:

Southern Africa, island in the Mozambique Channel, about one-third

of the way between Madagascar and Mozambique

Geographic coordinates:

17 03 S, 42 45 E

Map references:

Africa

Area:

total: 4.4 sq km

land: 4.4 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative:

about seven times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC

Land boundaries:

0 km

Coastline:

24.1 km

Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

Climate:

tropical

Terrain:

low and flat

Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 10 m

Natural resources: guano deposits and other fertilizers

Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (90% forest) (2001)

Irrigated land:

0 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

periodic cyclones

Environment - current issues:

NA

Geography - note:

wildlife sanctuary

People Juan de Nova Island

Population:

no indigenous inhabitants

note: there is a small French military garrison along with a few

meteorologists; occasionally visited by scientists (July 2005 est.)

Government Juan de Nova Island

Country name:

conventional long form: none

conventional short form: Juan de Nova Island

local long form: none

local short form: Ile Juan de Nova

Dependency status:

possession of France; administered by the Administrateur Superieur

of the French Southern and Antarctic Lands

Legal system:

the laws of France, where applicable, apply

Diplomatic representation in the US:

none (possession of France)

Diplomatic representation from the US:

none (possession of France)

Flag description:

the flag of France is used

Economy Juan de Nova Island

Economy - overview:

Up to 12,000 tons of guano are mined per year.

Communications Juan de Nova Island

Communications - note: 1 meteorological station

Transportation Juan de Nova Island

Ports and harbors:

none; offshore anchorage only

Airports:

1 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Military Juan de Nova Island

Military - note: defense is the responsibility of France

Transnational Issues Juan de Nova Island

Disputes - international: claimed by Madagascar

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Kazakhstan

Introduction Kazakhstan

Background:

Native Kazakhs, a mix of Turkic and Mongol nomadic tribes who

migrated into the region in the 13th century, were rarely united as

a single nation. The area was conquered by Russia in the 18th

century and Kazakhstan became a Soviet Republic in 1936. During the

1950s and 1960s agricultural "Virgin Lands" program, Soviet citizens

were encouraged to help cultivate Kazakhstan's northern pastures.

This influx of immigrants (mostly Russians, but also some other

deported nationalities) skewed the ethnic mixture and enabled

non-Kazakhs to outnumber natives. Independence in 1991 caused many

of these newcomers to emigrate. Current issues include: developing a

cohesive national identity; expanding the development of the

country's vast energy resources and exporting them to world markets;

achieving a sustainable economic growth outside the oil, gas, and

mining sectors; and strengthening relations with neighboring states

and other foreign powers.

Geography Kazakhstan

Location:

Central Asia, northwest of China; a small portion west of the Ural

River in eastern-most Europe

Geographic coordinates:

48 00 N, 68 00 E

Map references:

Asia

Area:

total: 2,717,300 sq km

land: 2,669,800 sq km

water: 47,500 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly less than four times the size of Texas

Land boundaries:

total: 12,012 km

border countries: China 1,533 km, Kyrgyzstan 1,051 km, Russia 6,846

km, Turkmenistan 379 km, Uzbekistan 2,203 km

Coastline:

0 km (landlocked); note - Kazakhstan borders the Aral Sea, now

split into two bodies of water (1,070 km), and the Caspian Sea

(1,894 km)

Maritime claims:

none (landlocked)

Climate:

continental, cold winters and hot summers, arid and semiarid

Terrain:

extends from the Volga to the Altai Mountains and from the plains

in western Siberia to oases and desert in Central Asia

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Vpadina Kaundy -132 m

highest point: Khan Tangiri Shyngy (Pik Khan-Tengri) 6,995 m

Natural resources:

major deposits of petroleum, natural gas, coal, iron ore,

manganese, chrome ore, nickel, cobalt, copper, molybdenum, lead,

zinc, bauxite, gold, uranium

Land use:

arable land: 7.98%

permanent crops: 0.05%

other: 91.97% (2001)

Irrigated land:

23,320 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

earthquakes in the south, mudslides around Almaty

Environment - current issues:

radioactive or toxic chemical sites associated with former defense

industries and test ranges scattered throughout the country pose

health risks for humans and animals; industrial pollution is severe

in some cities; because the two main rivers which flowed into the

Aral Sea have been diverted for irrigation, it is drying up and

leaving behind a harmful layer of chemical pesticides and natural

salts; these substances are then picked up by the wind and blown

into noxious dust storms; pollution in the Caspian Sea; soil

pollution from overuse of agricultural chemicals and salination from

poor infrastructure and wasteful irrigation practices

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change,

Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer

Protection, Ship Pollution

signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol

Geography - note:

landlocked; Russia leases approximately 6,000 sq km of territory

enclosing the Baykonur Cosmodrome; in January 2004, Kazakhstan and

Russia extended the lease to 2050

People Kazakhstan

Population:

15,185,844 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 23.7% (male 1,834,535/female 1,758,988)

15-64 years: 68.4% (male 5,075,243/female 5,312,536)

65 years and over: 7.9% (male 424,341/female 780,201) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 28.52 years

male: 26.92 years

female: 30.25 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

0.3% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

15.78 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

9.46 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

-3.34 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.54 male(s)/female

total population: 0.93 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 29.21 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 33.85 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 24.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 66.55 years

male: 61.21 years

female: 72.2 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

1.89 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

0.2% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

16,500 (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

less than 200 (2003 est.)

Nationality:

noun: Kazakhstani(s)

adjective: Kazakhstani

Ethnic groups:

Kazakh (Qazaq) 53.4%, Russian 30%, Ukrainian 3.7%, Uzbek 2.5%,

German 2.4%, Tatar 1.7%, Uygur 1.4%, other 4.9% (1999 census)

Religions:

Muslim 47%, Russian Orthodox 44%, Protestant 2%, other 7%

Languages:

Kazakh (Qazaq, state language) 64.4%, Russian (official, used in

everyday business, designated the "language of interethnic

communication") 95% (2001 est.)

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 98.4%

male: 99.1%

female: 97.7% (1999 est.)

Government Kazakhstan

Country name:

conventional long form: Republic of Kazakhstan

conventional short form: Kazakhstan

local long form: Qazaqstan Respublikasy

local short form: none

former: Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic

Government type:

republic; authoritarian presidential rule, with little power

outside the executive branch

Capital:

Astana; note - the government moved from Almaty to Astana in

December 1998

Administrative divisions:

14 provinces (oblystar, singular - oblys) and 3 cities* (qala,

singular - qalasy); Almaty Oblysy, Almaty Qalasy*, Aqmola Oblysy

(Astana), Aqtobe Oblysy, Astana Qalasy*, Atyrau Oblysy, Batys

Qazaqstan Oblysy (Oral), Bayqongyr Qalasy*, Mangghystau Oblysy

(Aqtau), Ongtustik Qazaqstan Oblysy (Shymkent), Pavlodar Oblysy,

Qaraghandy Oblysy, Qostanay Oblysy, Qyzylorda Oblysy, Shyghys

Qazaqstan Oblysy (Oskemen), Soltustik Qazaqstan Oblysy

(Petropavlovsk), Zhambyl Oblysy (Taraz)

note: administrative divisions have the same names as their

administrative centers (exceptions have the administrative center

name following in parentheses); in 1995, the Governments of

Kazakhstan and Russia entered into an agreement whereby Russia would

lease for a period of 20 years an area of 6,000 sq km enclosing the

Baykonur space launch facilities and the city of Bayqongyr

(Baykonur, formerly Leninsk); in 2004, a new agreement extended the

lease to 2050

Independence:

16 December 1991 (from the Soviet Union)

National holiday:

Independence Day, 16 December (1991)

Constitution:

first post-independence constitution adopted 28 January 1993; new

constitution adopted by national referendum 30 August 1995

Legal system:

based on civil law system

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Nursultan A. NAZARBAYEV (chairman of the

Supreme Soviet from 22 February 1990, elected president 1 December

1991)

head of government: Prime Minister Daniyal AKHMETOV (since 13 June

2003); First Deputy Prime Minister Akhmetzhan YESIMOV (since 14 May

2004)

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president

elections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term;

election last held 10 January 1999, a year before it was previously

scheduled (next to be held NA 2006); note - President NAZARBAYEV's

previous term was extended to 2000 by a nationwide referendum held

30 April 1995; prime minister and first deputy prime minister

appointed by the president

election results: Nursultan A. NAZARBAYEV reelected president;

percent of vote - Nursultan A. NAZARBAYEV 81.7%, Serikbolsyn

ABDILDIN 12.1%, Gani KASYMOV 4.7%, Engels GABBASSOV 1.5%

note: President NAZARBAYEV arranged a referendum in 1995 that

expanded his presidential powers: only he can initiate

constitutional amendments, appoint and dismiss the government,

dissolve Parliament, call referenda at his discretion, and appoint

administrative heads of regions and cities

Legislative branch:

bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (39 seats; 7 senators

are appointed by the president; other members are popularly elected,

two from each of the 14 oblasts, the capital of Astana, and the city

of Almaty, to serve six-year terms; note - formerly composed of 47

seats) and the Majilis (77 seats; 10 out of the 77 Majilis members

are elected from the winning party's lists; members are popularly

elected to serve five-year terms)

elections: Senate - (indirect) last held 17 September 1999 (next to

be held December 2005); Majilis - last held 19 September and 3

October 2004 (next to be held September 2009)

election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by

party - NA; candidates nominated by local councils; Majilis -

percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - Otan 42, AIST 11,

ASAR (All Together) 4, Ak Zhol (Bright Path) 1, Democratic Party 1,

independent 18; note - most independent candidates are affiliated

with parastatal enterprises and other pro-government institutions

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court (44 members); Constitutional Council (7 members)

Political parties and leaders:

Agrarian Party [Romin MADINOV]; Ak Zhol Party "Bright Path" [Bulat

ABILOV, Uraz ZHANDOSOV, Lyudmila ZHULANOVA, Alikhan BAYMENOV,

Altynbek SARSENBAYEV, co-chairs]; ASAR "All Together" [Dariga

NAZARBAYEVA, chairwoman]; AUL "Village" [Gani KALIYEV]; Civic Party

[Azat PERUASHEV, first secretary]; Communist Party or KPK

[Serikbolsyn ABDILDIN, first secretary]; Communist People's Party of

Kazakhstan [Vladislav KOSAREV]; Democratic Party of Kazakhstan

[Maksut NARIKBAEV]; Otan "Fatherland" [Bakhytzhan ZHUMAGULOV, acting

chairman]; Patriots' Party [Gani KASYMOV]; Rukhaniyat [Altynshash

JAGANOVA]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

Adil-Soz [Tamara KALEYEVA]; Almaty Helsinki Group [Ninel FOKINA];

Confederation of Free Trade Unions [Sergei BELKIN]; Kazakhstan

International Bureau on Human Rights [Yevgeniy ZHOVTIS, executive

director]; Pensioners Movement or Pokoleniye [Irina SAVOSTINA,

chairwoman]; Republican Network of International Monitors [Dos

KUSHIM]; Transparency International [Sergei ZLOTNIKOV]

International organization participation:

AsDB, CIS, EAPC, EBRD, ECO, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD,

IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MIGA, NAM

(observer), NSG, OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, SCO, UN,

UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO,

WTO (observer)

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Kanat B. SAUDABAYEV

chancery: 1401 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20036

telephone: [1] (202) 232-5488

FAX: [1] (202) 232-5845

consulate(s): New York

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador John M. ORDWAY

embassy: 99/97A Fumanova, Samal-2, Almaty, 480099

mailing address: use embassy street address

telephone: [7] (3272) 50-48-02

FAX: [7] (3272) 50-48-84

Flag description:

sky blue background representing the endless sky and a gold sun

with 32 rays soaring above a golden steppe eagle in the center; on

the hoist side is a "national ornamentation" in gold

Economy Kazakhstan

Economy - overview:

Kazakhstan, the largest of the former Soviet republics in

territory, excluding Russia, possesses enormous fossil fuel reserves

as well as plentiful supplies of other minerals and metals. It also

has a large agricultural sector featuring livestock and grain.

Kazakhstan's industrial sector rests on the extraction and

processing of these natural resources and also on a growing

machine-building sector specializing in construction equipment,

tractors, agricultural machinery, and some defense items. The

breakup of the USSR in December 1991 and the collapse in demand for

Kazakhstan's traditional heavy industry products resulted in a

short-term contraction of the economy, with the steepest annual

decline occurring in 1994. In 1995-97, the pace of the government

program of economic reform and privatization quickened, resulting in

a substantial shifting of assets into the private sector. Kazakhstan

enjoyed double-digit growth in 2000-01 - and a solid 9.5% in 2002 -

thanks largely to its booming energy sector, but also to economic

reform, good harvests, and foreign investment. Growth remained at

the high 9% level in 2003 and 2004. The opening of the Caspian

Consortium pipeline in 2001, from western Kazakhstan's Tengiz

oilfield to the Black Sea, substantially raised export capacity. The

country has embarked upon an industrial policy designed to diversify

the economy away from overdependence on the oil sector, by

developing light industry. Additionally, the policy aims to reduce

the influence of foreign investment and foreign personnel; the

government has engaged in several disputes with foreign oil

companies over the terms of production agreements, and tensions

continue.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$118.4 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

9.1% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $7,800 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 7.4% industry: 37.8% services: 54.8% (2004 est.)

Labor force:

7.95 million (2004 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 20%, industry 30%, services 50% (2002 est.)

Unemployment rate:

8% (2004 est.)

Population below poverty line:

19% (2004 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.3% highest 10%: 26.5% (2004 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

31.5 (2003)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

6.9% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

23.9% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $8.67 billion

expenditures: $8.968 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Public debt:

13.7% of GDP (2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

grain (mostly spring wheat), cotton; livestock

Industries:

oil, coal, iron ore, manganese, chromite, lead, zinc, copper,

titanium, bauxite, gold, silver, phosphates, sulfur, iron and steel;

tractors and other agricultural machinery, electric motors,

construction materials

Industrial production growth rate:

10.6% (2004 est.)

Electricity - production:

66.82 billion kWh (2003)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 84.3% hydro: 15.7% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

62.21 billion kWh (203)

Electricity - exports:

4.975 billion kWh (2003)

Electricity - imports:

2.506 billion kWh (2003)

Oil - production:

1.2 million bbl/day (2004 est.)

Oil - consumption:

189,400 bbl/day (2003 est.)

Oil - exports:

890,000 bbl/day (2003)

Oil - imports:

47,000 bbl/day (2003)

Oil - proved reserves:

26 billion bbl (1 January 2004)

Natural gas - production:

11.6 billion cu m (2004 est.)

Natural gas - consumption:

14.3 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - exports:

11.01 billion cu m (2003 est.)

Natural gas - imports:

8.696 billion cu m (2003 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves:

1.8 trillion cu m (1 January 2004)

Current account balance:

$-39.02 million (2004 est.)

Exports:

$18.47 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

oil and oil products 58%, ferrous metals 24%, chemicals 5%,

machinery 3%, grain, wool, meat, coal (2001)

Exports - partners:

Russia 15.1%, Bermuda 13.8%, Germany 11%, China 9.9%, France 6.6%,

Italy 4% (2004)

Imports:

$13.07 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

machinery and equipment 41%, metal products 28%, foodstuffs 8%

(2001)

Imports - partners:

Russia 34.6%, China 15.4%, Germany 8.2%, France 5.7%, Ukraine 4.6%

(2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$14.35 billion (2004 est.)

Debt - external:

$26.03 billion (2004 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:

$74.2 million in US assistance programs, 1992-2000 (FY2004)

Currency (code):

tenge (KZT)

Currency code:

KZT

Exchange rates:

tenge per US dollar - 136.04 (2004), 149.58 (2003), 153.28 (2002),

146.74 (2001), 142.13 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Kazakhstan

Telephones - main lines in use:

2,081,900 (2002)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

1.027 million (2002)

Telephone system:

general assessment: service is poor; equipment antiquated

domestic: intercity by landline and microwave radio relay; mobile

cellular systems are available in most of Kazakhstan

international: country code - 7; international traffic with other

former Soviet republics and China carried by landline and microwave

radio relay and with other countries by satellite and by the

Trans-Asia-Europe (TAE) fiber-optic cable; satellite earth stations

- 2 Intelsat

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 60, FM 17, shortwave 9 (1998)

Radios:

6.47 million (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

12 (plus nine repeaters) (1998)

Televisions:

3.88 million (1997)

Internet country code:

.kz

Internet hosts:

21,984 (2004)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

10 (with their own international channels) (2001)

Internet users:

250,000 (2002)

Transportation Kazakhstan

Railways: total: 13,700 km broad gauge: 13,700 km 1.520-m gauge (3,700 km electrified) (2004)

Highways: total: 82,980 km paved: 77,918 km unpaved: 5,062 km (2002)

Waterways:

4,000 km

note: on the Syr Darya (Syrdariya) and Ertis (Irtysh) rivers (2004)

Pipelines:

condensate 18 km; gas 10,370 km; oil 10,158 km; refined products

1,187 km (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Aqtau (Shevchenko), Atyrau (Gur'yev), Oskemen (Ust-Kamenogorsk),

Pavlodar, Semey (Semipalatinsk)

Merchant marine:

total: 3 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 1,064 GRT/646 DWT

by type: cargo 2, refrigerated cargo 1

foreign-owned: 2 (United Kingdom 2) (2005)

Airports:

314 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 67

over 3,047 m: 9

2,438 to 3,047 m: 26

1,524 to 2,437 m: 17

914 to 1,523 m: 4

under 914 m: 11 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 247

over 3,047 m: 6

2,438 to 3,047 m: 6

1,524 to 2,437 m: 11

914 to 1,523 m: 27

under 914 m: 197 (2004 est.)

Heliports:

1 (2004 est.)

Military Kazakhstan

Military branches:

Ground Forces, Air and Air Defense Forces, Naval Force, Republican

Guard

Military service age and obligation:

18 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript service

obligation - 2 years; minimum age for volunteers NA (2004)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 18-49: 3,758,255 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: 2,473,529 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:

males: 173,129 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$221.8 million (Ministry of Defense expenditures) (FY02)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

0.9% (Ministry of Defense expenditures) (FY02)

Transnational Issues Kazakhstan

Disputes - international:

in 2005, Kazakhstan agreed with Russia, Turkmenistan, and

Uzbekistan to commence demarcating their boundaries; delimitation

with Kyrgyzstan is complete; creation of a seabed boundary with

Turkmenistan in the Caspian Sea remains unresolved; equidistant

seabed treaties have been ratified with Azerbaijan and Russia in the

Caspian Sea, but no resolution has been made on dividing the water

column among any of the littoral states

Illicit drugs:

significant illicit cultivation of cannabis for CIS markets, as

well as limited cultivation of opium poppy and ephedra (for the drug

ephedrine); limited government eradication of illicit crops; transit

point for Southwest Asian narcotics bound for Russia and the rest of

Europe

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Kenya

Introduction Kenya

Background:

Founding president and liberation struggle icon Jomo KENYATTA led

Kenya from independence until his death in 1978, when President

Daniel Toroitich arap MOI took power in a constitutional succession.

The country was a de facto one-party state from 1969 until 1982 when

the ruling Kenya African National Union (KANU) made itself the sole

legal party in Kenya. MOI acceded to internal and external pressure

for political liberalization in late 1991. The ethnically fractured

opposition failed to dislodge KANU from power in elections in 1992

and 1997, which were marred by violence and fraud, but are viewed as

having generally reflected the will of the Kenyan people. President

MOI stepped down in December of 2002 following fair and peaceful

elections. Mwai KIBAKI, running as the candidate of the multiethnic,

united opposition group, the National Rainbow Coalition, defeated

KANU candidate Uhuru KENYATTA and assumed the presidency following a

campaign centered on an anticorruption platform.

Geography Kenya

Location:

Eastern Africa, bordering the Indian Ocean, between Somalia and

Tanzania

Geographic coordinates:

1 00 N, 38 00 E

Map references:

Africa

Area:

total: 582,650 sq km

land: 569,250 sq km

water: 13,400 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly more than twice the size of Nevada

Land boundaries:

total: 3,477 km

border countries: Ethiopia 861 km, Somalia 682 km, Sudan 232 km,

Tanzania 769 km, Uganda 933 km

Coastline:

536 km

Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

Climate:

varies from tropical along coast to arid in interior

Terrain:

low plains rise to central highlands bisected by Great Rift Valley;

fertile plateau in west

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m

highest point: Mount Kenya 5,199 m

Natural resources:

limestone, soda ash, salt, gemstones, fluorspar, zinc, diatomite,

gypsum, wildlife, hydropower

Land use: arable land: 8.08% permanent crops: 0.98% other: 90.94% (2001)

Irrigated land:

670 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

recurring drought; flooding during rainy seasons

Environment - current issues: water pollution from urban and industrial wastes; degradation of water quality from increased use of pesticides and fertilizers; water hyacinth infestation in Lake Victoria; deforestation; soil erosion; desertification; poaching

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto

Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law

of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer

Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

the Kenyan Highlands comprise one of the most successful

agricultural production regions in Africa; glaciers are found on

Mount Kenya, Africa's second highest peak; unique physiography

supports abundant and varied wildlife of scientific and economic

value

People Kenya

Population:

33,829,590

note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the

effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower

life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower

population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of

population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July

2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 42.5% (male 7,252,075/female 7,124,034)

15-64 years: 55.2% (male 9,378,428/female 9,295,471)

65 years and over: 2.3% (male 356,116/female 423,466) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 18.19 years

male: 18.08 years

female: 18.3 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

2.56% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

40.13 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

14.65 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

0.08 migrant(s)/1,000 population

note: according to UNHCR, by the end of 2001 Kenya was host to

220,000 refugees from neighboring countries, including: Somalia

145,000 and Sudan 68,000 (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.84 male(s)/female

total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 61.47 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 64.26 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 58.62 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 47.99 years

male: 48.87 years

female: 47.09 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

4.96 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

6.7% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

1.2 million (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

150,000 (2003 est.)

Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne disease: malaria is a high risk in some locations water contact disease: schistosomiasis (2004)

Nationality: noun: Kenyan(s) adjective: Kenyan

Ethnic groups:

Kikuyu 22%, Luhya 14%, Luo 13%, Kalenjin 12%, Kamba 11%, Kisii 6%,

Meru 6%, other African 15%, non-African (Asian, European, and Arab)

1%

Religions:

Protestant 45%, Roman Catholic 33%, indigenous beliefs 10%, Muslim

10%, other 2%

note: a large majority of Kenyans are Christian, but estimates for

the percentage of the population that adheres to Islam or indigenous

beliefs vary widely

Languages:

English (official), Kiswahili (official), numerous indigenous

languages

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 85.1%

male: 90.6%

female: 79.7% (2003 est.)

Government Kenya

Country name:

conventional long form: Republic of Kenya

conventional short form: Kenya

former: British East Africa

Government type:

republic

Capital:

Nairobi

Administrative divisions:

7 provinces and 1 area*; Central, Coast, Eastern, Nairobi Area*,

North Eastern, Nyanza, Rift Valley, Western

Independence:

12 December 1963 (from UK)

National holiday:

Independence Day, 12 December (1963)

Constitution:

12 December 1963; amended as a republic 1964; reissued with

amendments 1979, 1982, 1986, 1988, 1991, 1992, 1997, and 2001

Legal system:

based on Kenyan statutory law, Kenyan and English common law,

tribal law, and Islamic law; judicial review in High Court; accepts

compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations; constitutional

amendment of 1982 making Kenya a de jure one-party state repealed in

1991

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Mwai KIBAKI (since 30 December 2002) and

Vice President Moody AWORI (since 25 September 2003); note - the

president is both the chief of state and head of government

head of government: President Mwai KIBAKI (since 30 December 2002)

and Vice President Moody AWORI (since 25 September 2003); note - the

president is both the chief of state and head of government

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president

elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;

in addition to receiving the largest number of votes in absolute

terms, the presidential candidate must also win 25% or more of the

vote in at least five of Kenya's seven provinces and one area to

avoid a runoff; election last held 27 December 2002 (next to be held

December 2007); vice president appointed by the president

election results: President Mwai KIBAKI elected; percent of vote -

Mwai KIBAKI 63%, Uhuru KENYATTA 30%

Legislative branch:

unicameral National Assembly or Bunge (224 seats; 210 members

elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms, 12 so-called

"nominated" members who are appointed by the president but selected

by the parties in proportion to their parliamentary vote totals, 2

ex-officio members)

elections: last held 27 December 2002 (next to be held by early 2007)

election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -

NARC 125, KANU 64, FORD-P 14, other 7; ex-officio 2; seats appointed

by the president - NARC 7, KANU 4, FORD-P 1

Judicial branch:

Court of Appeal (chief justice is appointed by the president); High

Court

Political parties and leaders:

Forum for the Restoration of Democracy-People or FORD-People

[Kimaniwa NYOIKE, chairman]; Kenya African National Union or KANU

[Uhuru KENYATTA]; National Rainbow Coalition or NARC [Mwai KIBAKI] -

the governing party

Political pressure groups and leaders:

human rights groups; labor unions; Muslim organizations; National

Convention Executive Council or NCEC, a proreform coalition of

political parties and nongovernment organizations [Kivutha KIBWANA];

Protestant National Council of Churches of Kenya or NCCK [Mutava

MUSYIMI]; Roman Catholic and other Christian churches; Supreme

Council of Kenya Muslims or SUPKEM [Shaykh Abdul Gafur al-BUSAIDY]

International organization participation:

ACP, AfDB, AU, C, EADB, FAO, G-15, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt

(signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD, ILO, IMF,

IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MIGA, MINURSO, MONUC, NAM, ONUB,

OPCW, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMEE, UNMIK,

UNMIL, UNOCI, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Leonard NGAITHE

chancery: 2249 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 387-6101

FAX: [1] (202) 462-3829

consulate(s) general: Los Angeles

Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador William M. BELLAMY embassy: US Embassy, United Nations Ave., Gigiri; P. O. Box 606 Village Market Nairobi mailing address: Box 21A, Unit 64100, APO AE 09831 telephone: [254] (20) 537-800 FAX: [254] (20) 537-810

Flag description:

three equal horizontal bands of black (top), red, and green; the

red band is edged in white; a large warrior's shield covering

crossed spears is superimposed at the center

Economy Kenya

Economy - overview:

The regional hub for trade and finance in East Africa, Kenya has

been hampered by corruption and by reliance upon several primary

goods whose prices have remained low. In 1997, the IMF suspended

Kenya's Enhanced Structural Adjustment Program due to the

government's failure to maintain reforms and curb corruption. A

severe drought from 1999 to 2000 compounded Kenya's problems,

causing water and energy rationing and reducing agricultural output.

As a result, GDP contracted by 0.2% in 2000. The IMF, which had

resumed loans in 2000 to help Kenya through the drought, again

halted lending in 2001 when the government failed to institute

several anticorruption measures. Despite the return of strong rains

in 2001, weak commodity prices, endemic corruption, and low

investment limited Kenya's economic growth to 1.2%. Growth lagged at

1.1% in 2002 because of erratic rains, low investor confidence,

meager donor support, and political infighting up to the elections.

In the key 27 December 2002 elections, Daniel Arap MOI's 24-year-old

reign ended, and a new opposition government took on the formidable

economic problems facing the nation. In 2003, progress was made in

rooting out corruption and encouraging donor support, with GDP

growth edging up to 1.7%. GDP grew a moderate 2.2% in 2004.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$34.68 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

2.2% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $1,100 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 19.3% industry: 18.5% services: 62.4% (2004 est.)

Labor force:

11.4 million (2004 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 75% (2003 est.)

Unemployment rate:

40% (2001 est.)

Population below poverty line:

50% (2000 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: 2%

highest 10%: 37.2% (2000)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

44.9 (1997)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

9% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

14.7% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $2.89 billion

expenditures: $3.443 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Public debt:

74.3% of GDP (2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

tea, coffee, corn, wheat, sugarcane, fruit, vegetables; dairy

products, beef, pork, poultry, eggs

Industries:

small-scale consumer goods (plastic, furniture, batteries,

textiles, soap, cigarettes, flour), agricultural products; oil

refining, aluminum, steel, lead, cement; commercial ship repair,

tourism

Industrial production growth rate:

2.6% (2004 est.)

Electricity - production:

4.475 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 17.7% hydro: 71% nuclear: 0% other: 11.3% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

4.337 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

175 million kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Oil - consumption:

57,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Current account balance:

$-459.2 million (2004 est.)

Exports:

$2.589 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

tea, horticultural products, coffee, petroleum products, fish,

cement

Exports - partners:

Uganda 13.3%, UK 11.4%, US 10.6%, Netherlands 8.2%, Egypt 4.9%,

Tanzania 4.5%, Pakistan 4.3% (2004)

Imports:

$4.19 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

machinery and transportation equipment, petroleum products, motor

vehicles, iron and steel, resins and plastics

Imports - partners:

UAE 12.6%, Saudi Arabia 9.1%, South Africa 8.8%, US 7.7%, India

7.2%, UK 6.7%, China 6.4%, Japan 5% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$1.5 billion (2004 est.)

Debt - external:

$6.792 billion (2004 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:

$453 million (1997)

Currency (code):

Kenyan shilling (KES)

Currency code:

KES

Exchange rates:

Kenyan shillings per US dollar - 79.174 (2004), 75.936 (2003),

78.749 (2002), 78.563 (2001), 76.176 (2000)

Fiscal year:

1 July - 30 June

Communications Kenya

Telephones - main lines in use:

328,400 (2003)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

1,590,800 (2003)

Telephone system:

general assessment: unreliable; little attempt to modernize except

for service to business

domestic: trunks are primarily microwave radio relay; business data

commonly transferred by a very small aperture terminal (VSAT) system

international: country code - 254; satellite earth stations - 4

Intelsat

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 24, FM 18, shortwave 6 (2001)

Radios:

3.07 million (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

8 (2002)

Televisions:

730,000 (1997)

Internet country code:

.ke

Internet hosts:

8,325 (2003)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

65 (2001)

Internet users:

400,000 (2002)

Transportation Kenya

Railways: total: 2,778 km narrow gauge: 2,778 km 1.000-m gauge (2004)

Highways: total: 63,942 km paved: 7,737 km unpaved: 56,205 km (2000)

Waterways:

part of Lake Victoria system is within boundaries of Kenya (2004)

Pipelines:

refined products 752 km (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Mombasa

Merchant marine:

total: 3 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 6,049 GRT/7,082 DWT

by type: cargo 2, petroleum tanker 1

registered in other countries: 6 (2005)

Airports:

221 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 15 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 6 under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 206 1,524 to 2,437 m: 12 914 to 1,523 m: 110 under 914 m: 84 (2004 est.)

Military Kenya

Military branches:

Army, Navy, Air Force

Military service age and obligation:

18 years of age (est.) (2004)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 18-49: 7,303,153 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: 3,963,532 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$177.1 million (2004)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

1.3% (2004)

Transnational Issues Kenya

Disputes - international:

Kenya served as an important mediator in brokering Sudan's

north-south separation in February 2005; Kenya provides shelter to

approximately a quarter of a million refugees including Ugandans who

flee across the border periodically to seek protection from Lord's

Resistance Army (LRA) rebels; Kenya's administrative limits extend

beyond the treaty border into the Sudan, creating the Ilemi Triangle

Refugees and internally displaced persons:

refugees (country of origin): 154,272 (Somalia) 11,139 (Ethiopia)

63,197 (Sudan)

IDPs: 350,000 (KANU attacks on opposition tribal groups in 1990s)

(2004)

Illicit drugs:

widespread harvesting of small plots of marijuana; transit country

for South Asian heroin destined for Europe and North America; Indian

methaqualone also transits on way to South Africa; significant

potential for money-laundering activity given the country's status

as a regional financial center; massive corruption, and relatively

high levels of narcotics-associated activities

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Kingman Reef

Introduction Kingman Reef

Background:

The US annexed the reef in 1922. Its sheltered lagoon served as a

way station for flying boats on Hawaii-to-American Samoa flights

during the late 1930s. There are no terrestrial plants on the reef,

which is frequently awash, but it does support abundant and diverse

marine fauna and flora. In 2001, the waters surrounding the reef out

to 12 nm were designated a US National Wildlife Refuge.

Geography Kingman Reef

Location:

Oceania, reef in the North Pacific Ocean, about half way between

Hawaii and American Samoa

Geographic coordinates:

6 24 N, 162 24 W

Map references:

Oceania

Area:

total: 1 sq km

land: 1 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative:

about 1.7 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC

Land boundaries:

0 km

Coastline:

3 km

Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Climate:

tropical; moderated by prevailing winds

Terrain:

low and nearly level

Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 1 m

Natural resources: terrestrial and aquatic wildlife

Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (2001)

Irrigated land:

0 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

wet or awash most of the time, maximum elevation of about 1 meter

makes Kingman Reef a maritime hazard

Environment - current issues:

none

Geography - note:

barren coral atoll with deep interior lagoon; closed to the public

People Kingman Reef

Population: uninhabited (July 2005 est.)

Government Kingman Reef

Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Kingman Reef

Dependency status:

unincorporated territory of the US; administered from Washington,

DC, by the US Fish and Wildlife Service of the Department of the

Interior

note: on 1 September 2000, the Department of the Interior accepted

restoration of its administrative jurisdiction over Kingman Reef

from the Department of the Navy; Executive Order 3223 signed 18

January 2001 established Kingman Reef National Wildlife Refuge to be

administered by the Director, US Fish and Wildlife Service; this

refuge is managed to protect the terrestrial and aquatic wildlife of

Kingman Reef out to the 12-nautical-mile territorial sea limit

Legal system:

the laws of the US, where applicable, apply

Flag description:

the flag of the US is used

Economy Kingman Reef

Economy - overview: no economic activity

Transportation Kingman Reef

Ports and harbors:

none; offshore anchorage only

Airports:

lagoon was used as a halfway station between Hawaii and American

Samoa by Pan American Airways for flying boats in 1937 and 1938

(2004 est.)

Military Kingman Reef

Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the US

Transnational Issues Kingman Reef

Disputes - international: none

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Kiribati

Introduction Kiribati

Background:

The Gilbert Islands were granted self-rule by the UK in 1971 and

complete independence in 1979 under the new name of Kiribati. The US

relinquished all claims to the sparsely inhabited Phoenix and Line

Island groups in a 1979 treaty of friendship with Kiribati.

Geography Kiribati

Location:

Oceania, group of 33 coral atolls in the Pacific Ocean, straddling

the equator; the capital Tarawa is about one-half of the way from

Hawaii to Australia; note - on 1 January 1995, Kiribati proclaimed

that all of its territory lies in the same time zone as its Gilbert

Islands group (GMT +12) even though the Phoenix Islands and the Line

Islands under its jurisdiction lie on the other side of the

International Date Line

Geographic coordinates:

1 25 N, 173 00 E

Map references:

Oceania

Area:

total: 811 sq km

land: 811 sq km

water: 0 sq km

note: includes three island groups - Gilbert Islands, Line Islands,

Phoenix Islands

Area - comparative:

four times the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries:

0 km

Coastline:

1,143 km

Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Climate:

tropical; marine, hot and humid, moderated by trade winds

Terrain:

mostly low-lying coral atolls surrounded by extensive reefs

Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location on Banaba 81 m

Natural resources: phosphate (production discontinued in 1979)

Land use: arable land: 2.74% permanent crops: 50.68% other: 46.58% (2001)

Irrigated land:

NA

Natural hazards:

typhoons can occur any time, but usually November to March;

occasional tornadoes; low level of some of the islands make them

very sensitive to changes in sea level

Environment - current issues:

heavy pollution in lagoon of south Tarawa atoll due to heavy

migration mixed with traditional practices such as lagoon latrines

and open-pit dumping; ground water at risk

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto

Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine

Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

21 of the 33 islands are inhabited; Banaba (Ocean Island) in

Kiribati is one of the three great phosphate rock islands in the

Pacific Ocean - the others are Makatea in French Polynesia, and Nauru

People Kiribati

Population:

103,092 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 38.9% (male 20,342/female 19,806)

15-64 years: 57.7% (male 29,362/female 30,136)

65 years and over: 3.3% (male 1,477/female 1,969) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 20.05 years

male: 19.61 years

female: 20.58 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

2.25% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

30.86 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

8.37 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.75 male(s)/female

total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 48.52 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 53.64 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 43.16 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 61.71 years

male: 58.71 years

female: 64.86 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

4.2 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

NA

Nationality:

noun: I-Kiribati (singular and plural)

adjective: I-Kiribati

Ethnic groups:

Micronesian 98.8%, other 1.2% (2000 census)

Religions:

Roman Catholic 52%, Protestant (Congregational) 40%, some

Seventh-Day Adventist, Muslim, Baha'i, Latter-day Saints, and Church

of God (1999)

Languages:

I-Kiribati, English (official)

Literacy: definition: NA total population: NA% male: NA% female: NA%

Government Kiribati

Country name:

conventional long form: Republic of Kiribati

conventional short form: Kiribati

note: pronounced keer-ree-bahss

former: Gilbert Islands

Government type:

republic

Capital:

Tarawa

Administrative divisions:

3 units; Gilbert Islands, Line Islands, Phoenix Islands; note - in

addition, there are 6 districts (Banaba, Central Gilberts, Line

Islands, Northern Gilberts, Southern Gilberts, Tarawa) and 21 island

councils - one for each of the inhabited islands (Abaiang, Abemama,

Aranuka, Arorae, Banaba, Beru, Butaritari, Kanton, Kiritimati,

Kuria, Maiana, Makin, Marakei, Nikunau, Nonouti, Onotoa, Tabiteuea,

Tabuaeran, Tamana, Tarawa, Teraina)

Independence:

12 July 1979 (from UK)

National holiday:

Independence Day, 12 July (1979)

Constitution:

12 July 1979

Legal system:

NA

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Anote TONG (since 10 July 2003); Vice

President Teima ONORIO; note - the president is both the chief of

state and head of government

head of government: President Anote TONG (since 10 July 2003); Vice

President Teima ONORIO; note - the president is both the chief of

state and head of government

cabinet: 12-member Cabinet appointed by the president from among the

members of the House of Parliament

elections: the House of Parliament chooses the presidential

candidates from among its members and then those candidates compete

in a general election; president is elected by popular vote for a

four-year term; election last held 4 July 2003 (next to be held not

later than July 2007); vice president appointed by the president

election results: Anote TONG 47.4%, Harry TONG 43.5%, Banuera BERINA

9.1%

Legislative branch:

unicameral House of Parliament or Maneaba Ni Maungatabu (42 seats;

39 elected by popular vote, one ex officio member - the attorney

general, one appointed to represent Banaba, and one other; members

serve four-year terms)

elections: first round elections last held 29 November 2002; second

round elections held 6 December 2002 (next to be held by November

2006)

election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -

BTK 17, MTM 16, independents 7, other 2 (includes attorney general)

note: legislative elections were held in two rounds - the first

round on 9 May 2003 and the second round on 14 May 2003

Judicial branch:

Court of Appeal; High Court; 26 Magistrates' courts; judges at all

levels are appointed by the president

Political parties and leaders:

Boutokaan Te Koaua Party or BTK [Taberannang TIMEON]; Maneaban Te

Mauri Party or MTM [Teburoro TITO]; Maurin Kiribati Pati or MKP

[leader NA]; National Progressive Party or NPP [Dr. Harry TONG]

note: there is no tradition of formally organized political parties

in Kiribati; they more closely resemble factions or interest groups

because they have no party headquarters, formal platforms, or party

structures

Political pressure groups and leaders:

NA

International organization participation:

ACP, AsDB, C, FAO, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO,

IMF, IMO, IOC, ITU, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, UN, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WMO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

Kiribati does not have an embassy in the US; there is an honorary

consulate in Honolulu

Diplomatic representation from the US:

the US does not have an embassy in Kiribati; the ambassador to Fiji

is accredited to Kiribati

Flag description:

the upper half is red with a yellow frigate bird flying over a

yellow rising sun, and the lower half is blue with three horizontal

wavy white stripes to represent the ocean

Economy Kiribati

Economy - overview:

A remote country of 33 scattered coral atolls, Kiribati has few

natural resources. Commercially viable phosphate deposits were

exhausted at the time of independence from the UK in 1979. Copra and

fish now represent the bulk of production and exports. The economy

has fluctuated widely in recent years. Economic development is

constrained by a shortage of skilled workers, weak infrastructure,

and remoteness from international markets. Tourism provides more

than one-fifth of GDP. The financial sector is at an early stage of

development as is the expansion of private sector initiatives.

Foreign financial aid from UK, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, and

China equals 25%-50% of GDP. Remittances from workers abroad account

for more than $5 million each year.

GDP (purchasing power parity): $79 million - supplemented by a nearly equal amount from external sources (2001 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

1.5% (2001 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $800 (2001 est.)

GDP - composition by sector:

agriculture: 30%

industry: 7%

services: 63% (1998 est.)

Labor force:

7,870 economically active, not including subsistence farmers (2001

est.)

Unemployment rate:

2%; underemployment 70% (1992 est.)

Population below poverty line:

NA

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

2.5% (2001 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $28.4 million

expenditures: $37.2 million, including capital expenditures of NA

(2000 est.)

Agriculture - products:

copra, taro, breadfruit, sweet potatoes, vegetables; fish

Industries:

fishing, handicrafts

Industrial production growth rate:

0.7% (1991 est.)

Electricity - production:

7 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

6.51 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

190 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Exports:

$35 million f.o.b. (2002)

Exports - commodities:

copra 62%, coconuts, seaweed, fish

Exports - partners:

France 45.7%, Japan 29.2%, US 9.1%, Thailand 5.4% (2004)

Imports:

$83 million c.i.f. (2002)

Imports - commodities:

foodstuffs, machinery and equipment, miscellaneous manufactured

goods, fuel

Imports - partners:

Australia 33.6%, Fiji 29.8%, Japan 10.3%, New Zealand 6.9%, France

4.1% (2004)

Debt - external:

$10 million (1999 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:

$15.5 million largely from UK and Japan (2001 est.)

Currency (code):

Australian dollar (AUD)

Currency code:

AUD

Exchange rates:

Australian dollars per US dollar - 1.3598 (2004), 1.5419 (2003),

1.8406 (2002), 1.9334 (2001), 1.7248 (2000)

Fiscal year:

NA

Communications Kiribati

Telephones - main lines in use:

4,500 (2002)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

500 (2002)

Telephone system:

general assessment: generally good quality national and

international service

domestic: wire line service available on Tarawa and Kiritimati;

connections to outer islands by HF/VHF radiotelephone; wireless

service available in Tarawa since 1999

international: country code - 686; Kiribati is being linked to the

Pacific Ocean Cooperative Telecommunications Network, which should

improve telephone service; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat

(Pacific Ocean)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 1

note: the shortwave station may be inactive (2002)

Radios:

17,000 (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

1 (not reported to be active) (2002)

Televisions:

1,000 (1997)

Internet country code:

.ki

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

1 (2000)

Internet users:

2,000 (2002)

Transportation Kiribati

Highways: total: 670 km paved: NA km unpaved: NA km (1999 est.)

Waterways:

5 km (small network of canals in Line Islands) (2003)

Ports and harbors:

Betio

Merchant marine:

total: 1 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 1,291 GRT/1,295 DWT

by type: passenger/cargo 1 (2005)

Airports:

20 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 17 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 12 under 914 m: 4 (2004 est.)

Military Kiribati

Military branches:

no regular military forces; Police Force (carries out law

enforcement functions and paramilitary duties; small police posts

are on all islands)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

NA

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

NA

Military - note:

Kiribati does not have military forces; defense assistance is

provided by Australia and NZ

Transnational Issues Kiribati

Disputes - international: none

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Korea, North

Introduction Korea, North

Background:

An independent kingdom under Chinese suzerainty for most of the

past millennium, Korea was occupied by Japan in 1905 following the

Russo-Japanese War; five years later, Japan formally annexed the

entire peninsula. Following World War II, Korea was split with the

northern half coming under Soviet-sponsored Communist domination.

After failing in the Korean War (1950-53) to conquer the US-backed

republic in the southern portion by force, North Korea, under its

founder President KIM Il Sung, adopted a policy of ostensible

diplomatic and economic "self-reliance" as a check against excessive

Soviet or Communist Chinese influence. It molded political,

economic, and military policies around the core ideological

objective of eventual unification of Korea under Pyongyang's

control. KIM's son, the current ruler KIM Jong Il, was officially

designated as KIM's successor in 1980 and assumed a growing

political and managerial role until his father's death in 1994. He

assumed full power without opposition. After decades of economic

mismanagement and resource misallocation, the North since the

mid-1990s has relied heavily on international aid to feed its

population while continuing to expend resources to maintain an army

of about 1 million. North Korea's long-range missile development and

research into nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons and massive

conventional armed forces are of major concern to the international

community. In December 2002, following revelations it was pursuing a

nuclear weapons program based on enriched uranium in violation of a

1994 agreement with the United States to freeze and ultimately

dismantle its existing plutonium-based program, North Korea expelled

monitors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). In

January 2003, it declared its withdrawal from the international

Non-Proliferation Treaty. In mid-2003 Pyongyang announced it had

completed the reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel rods (to extract

weapons-grade plutonium) and was developing a "nuclear deterrent."

From August 2003, North Korea has participated on and off in

six-party talks with the China, Japan, Russia, South Korea, and the

United States to resolve the stalemate over its nuclear programs.

Geography Korea, North

Location:

Eastern Asia, northern half of the Korean Peninsula bordering the

Korea Bay and the Sea of Japan, between China and South Korea

Geographic coordinates:

40 00 N, 127 00 E

Map references:

Asia

Area:

total: 120,540 sq km

land: 120,410 sq km

water: 130 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly smaller than Mississippi

Land boundaries: total: 1,673 km border countries: China 1,416 km, South Korea 238 km, Russia 19 km

Coastline:

2,495 km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

note: military boundary line 50 nm in the Sea of Japan and the

exclusive economic zone limit in the Yellow Sea where all foreign

vessels and aircraft without permission are banned

Climate:

temperate with rainfall concentrated in summer

Terrain:

mostly hills and mountains separated by deep, narrow valleys;

coastal plains wide in west, discontinuous in east

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Sea of Japan 0 m

highest point: Paektu-san 2,744 m

Natural resources:

coal, lead, tungsten, zinc, graphite, magnesite, iron ore, copper,

gold, pyrites, salt, fluorspar, hydropower

Land use: arable land: 20.76% permanent crops: 2.49% other: 76.75% (2001)

Irrigated land:

14,600 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

late spring droughts often followed by severe flooding; occasional

typhoons during the early fall

Environment - current issues:

water pollution; inadequate supplies of potable water; waterborne

disease; deforestation; soil erosion and degradation

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change,

Environmental Modification, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution

signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea

Geography - note:

strategic location bordering China, South Korea, and Russia;

mountainous interior is isolated and sparsely populated

People Korea, North

Population:

22,912,177 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 24.2% (male 2,816,844/female 2,735,478)

15-64 years: 67.9% (male 7,668,581/female 7,883,267)

65 years and over: 7.9% (male 625,819/female 1,182,188) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 31.74 years

male: 30.47 years

female: 33 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

0.9% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

16.09 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

7.05 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.53 male(s)/female

total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 24.04 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 25.77 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 22.23 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 71.37 years

male: 68.65 years

female: 74.22 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

2.15 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

NA

Nationality:

noun: Korean(s)

adjective: Korean

Ethnic groups:

racially homogeneous; there is a small Chinese community and a few

ethnic Japanese

Religions:

traditionally Buddhist and Confucianist, some Christian and

syncretic Chondogyo (Religion of the Heavenly Way)

note: autonomous religious activities now almost nonexistent;

government-sponsored religious groups exist to provide illusion of

religious freedom

Languages:

Korean

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 99%

male: 99%

female: 99%

Government Korea, North

Country name:

conventional long form: Democratic People's Republic of Korea

conventional short form: North Korea

local long form: Choson-minjujuui-inmin-konghwaguk

local short form: none

note: the North Koreans generally use the term "Choson" to refer to

their country

abbreviation: DPRK

Government type:

Communist state one-man dictatorship

Capital:

Pyongyang

Administrative divisions:

9 provinces (do, singular and plural) and 4 municipalities (si,

singular and plural)

: provinces: Chagang-do (Chagang), Hamgyong-bukto (North Hamgyong),

Hamgyong-namdo (South Hamgyong), Hwanghae-bukto (North Hwanghae),

Hwanghae-namdo (South Hwanghae), Kangwon-do (Kangwon),

P'yongan-bukto (North P'yongan), P'yongan-namdo (South P'yongan),

Yanggang-do (Yanggang)

: municipalites: Kaesong-si (Kaesong), Najin Sonbong-si (Najin),

Namp'o-si (Namp'o), P'yongyang-si (Pyongyang)

Independence:

15 August 1945 (from Japan)

National holiday:

Founding of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), 9

September (1948)

Constitution:

adopted 1948; completely revised 27 December 1972, revised again in

April 1992, and September 1998

Legal system:

based on German civil law system with Japanese influences and

Communist legal theory; no judicial review of legislative acts; has

not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage:

17 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: KIM Jong Il (since July 1994); note - on 3

September 2003, rubberstamp Supreme People's Assembly (SPA)

reelected KIM Jong Il Chairman of the National Defense Commission, a

position accorded nation's "highest administrative authority"; SPA

reelected KIM Yong Nam President of its Presidium also with

responsibility of representing state and receiving diplomatic

credentials; SPA appointed PAK Pong Ju Premier

head of government: Premier PAK Pong Ju (since 3 September 2003);

Vice Premiers KWAK Pom Gi (since 5 September 1998), JON Sung Hun

(since 3 September 2003), RO Tu Chol (since 3 September 2003)

cabinet: Cabinet (Naegak), members, except for the Minister of

People's Armed Forces, are appointed by the SPA

elections: election last held in September 2003 (next to be held in

September 2008)

election results: KIM Jong Il and KIM Yong Nam were only nominees

for positions and ran unopposed

Legislative branch:

unicameral Supreme People's Assembly or Ch'oego Inmin Hoeui (687

seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)

elections: last held 3 August 2003 (next to be held in August 2008)

election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party -

NA; ruling party approves a list of candidates who are elected

without opposition; some seats are held by minor parties

Judicial branch:

Central Court (judges are elected by the Supreme People's Assembly)

Political parties and leaders: major party - Korean Workers' Party or KWP [KIM Jong Il, general secretary]; minor parties - Chondoist Chongu Party [RYU Mi Yong, chairwoman] (under KWP control); Social Democratic Party [KIM Yong Dae, chairman] (under KWP control)

Political pressure groups and leaders:

none

International organization participation:

ARF, FAO, G-77, ICAO, ICRM, IFAD, IFRCS, IHO, IMO, IOC, ISO, ITU,

NAM, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

none; North Korea has a Permanent Mission to the UN in New York

Diplomatic representation from the US:

none (Swedish Embassy in Pyongyang represents the US as consular

protecting power)

Flag description:

three horizontal bands of blue (top), red (triple width), and blue;

the red band is edged in white; on the hoist side of the red band is

a white disk with a red five-pointed star

Economy Korea, North

Economy - overview:

North Korea, one of the world's most centrally planned and isolated

economies, faces desperate economic conditions. Industrial capital

stock is nearly beyond repair as a result of years of

underinvestment and spare parts shortages. Industrial and power

output have declined in parallel. The nation has suffered its

eleventh year of food shortages because of a lack of arable land,

collective farming, weather-related problems, and chronic shortages

of fertilizer and fuel. Massive international food aid deliveries

have allowed the regime to escape mass starvation since 1995, but

the population remains the victim of prolonged malnutrition and

deteriorating living conditions. Large-scale military spending eats

up resources needed for investment and civilian consumption. In July

2002, the government took limited steps toward a freer market

economy. In 2004, heightened political tensions with key donor

countries and general donor fatigue threatened the flow of

desperately needed food aid and fuel aid. Black market prices have

continued to rise following the increase in official prices and

wages in the summer of 2002, leaving some vulnerable groups, such as

the elderly and unemployed, less able to buy goods. In 2004, the

regime allowed private markets to sell a wider range of goods and

permitted private farming on an experimental basis in an effort to

boost agricultural output. Firm political control remains the

Communist government's overriding concern, which will constrain any

further loosening of economic regulations.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$40 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

1% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $1,700 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 30.2% industry: 33.8% services: 36% (2002 est.)

Labor force:

9.6 million

Labor force - by occupation:

agricultural 36%, nonagricultural 64%

Unemployment rate:

NA (2003)

Population below poverty line:

NA

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

NA (2003 est.)

Budget: revenues: NA expenditures: NA, including capital expenditures of NA

Agriculture - products:

rice, corn, potatoes, soybeans, pulses; cattle, pigs, pork, eggs

Industries:

military products; machine building, electric power, chemicals;

mining (coal, iron ore, magnesite, graphite, copper, zinc, lead, and

precious metals), metallurgy; textiles, food processing; tourism

Industrial production growth rate:

NA

Electricity - production:

33.62 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 29% hydro: 71% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

31.26 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

85,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

11,500 bbl/day (2003 est.)

Exports:

$1.2 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Exports - commodities:

minerals, metallurgical products, manufactures (including

armaments); textiles and fishery products

Exports - partners:

China 29.9%, South Korea 24.1%, Japan 13.2% (2004)

Imports:

$2.1 billion c.i.f. (2003)

Imports - commodities:

petroleum, coking coal, machinery and equipment; textiles, grain

Imports - partners:

China 32.9%, Thailand 10.7%, Japan 4.8% (2004)

Debt - external:

$12 billion (1996 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:

NA; note - over $117 million in food aid through the World Food

Program in 2003 plus additional aid from bilateral donors and

non-governmental organizations

Currency (code):

North Korean won (KPW)

Currency code:

KPW

Exchange rates:

official: North Korean won per US dollar - 170 (December 2004), 150

(December 2002), 2.15 (December 2001); market: North Korean won per

US dollar - 300-600 (December 2002)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Korea, North

Telephones - main lines in use:

1.1 million (2001)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

NA

Telephone system:

general assessment: NA

domestic: NA

international: country code - 850; satellite earth stations - 1

Intelsat (Indian Ocean) and 1 Russian (Indian Ocean region); other

international connections through Moscow and Beijing

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 17 (including 11 stations of Korean Central Broadcasting

Station), FM 14, shortwave 14 (2003)

Radios:

3.36 million (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

4 (includes Korean Central Television, Mansudae Television, Korean

Educational and Cultural Network, and Kaesong Television targeting

South Korea) (2003)

Televisions:

1.2 million (1997)

Internet country code:

.kp

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

1 (2000)

Internet users:

NA

Transportation Korea, North

Railways: total: 5,214 km standard gauge: 5,214 km 1.435-m gauge (3,500 km electrified) (2004)

Highways: total: 31,200 km paved: 1,997 km unpaved: 29,203 km (1999 est.)

Waterways: 2,250 km note: most navigable only by small craft (2004)

Pipelines:

oil 154 km (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Ch'ongjin, Haeju, Hungnam (Hamhung), Kimch'aek, Kosong, Najin,

Namp'o, Sinuiju, Songnim, Sonbong (formerly Unggi), Ungsang, Wonsan

Merchant marine:

total: 238 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 985,108 GRT/1,389,389 DWT

by type: bulk carrier 13, cargo 191, container 2, livestock carrier

4, passenger/cargo 5, petroleum tanker 13, refrigerated cargo 5,

roll on/roll off 5

foreign-owned: 52 (China 1, Denmark 2, France 1, Greece 4, Italy 1,

Lebanon 4, Lithuania 1, Netherlands 1, Pakistan 2, Romania 10,

Russia 2, Singapore 2, South Korea 2, Syria 9, Turkey 6, Ukraine 1,

UAE 3) (2005)

Airports:

78 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 35 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 23 1,524 to 2,437 m: 6 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 3 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 43 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 20 914 to 1,523 m: 14 under 914 m: 8 (2004 est.)

Heliports: 19 (2004 est.)

Military Korea, North

Military branches:

North Korean People's Army: Ground Force, Navy, Air Force; Civil

Security Forces (2005)

Military service age and obligation:

17 years of age (2004)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 17-49: 5,851,801 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 17-49: 4,810,831 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:

males: 194,605 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$5,217.4 million (FY02)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

NA

Transnational Issues Korea, North

Disputes - international:

China seeks to stem illegal migration of tens of thousands of North

Koreans escaping famine, economic privation, and political

oppression; North Korea and China dispute the sovereignty of certain

islands in Yalu and Tumen rivers and a section of boundary around

Paektu-san (mountain) is indefinite; Military Demarcation Line

within the 4-km wide Demilitarized Zone has separated North from

South Korea since 1953; periodic maritime disputes with South over

the Northern Limit Line; North Korea supports South Korea in

rejecting Japan's claim to Liancourt Rocks (Tok-do/Take-shima)

Refugees and internally displaced persons:

IDPs: 50,000-250,000 (government repression and famine) (2004)

Illicit drugs:

for years, from the 1970's into the 2000's, citizens of the

Democratic People's Republic of (North) Korea (DPRK), many of them

diplomatic employees of the government, were apprehended abroad

while trafficking in narcotics, including two in Turkey in December

2004; in recent years, police investigations in Taiwan and Japan

have linked North Korea to large illicit shipments of heroin and

methamphetamine, including an attempt by the North Korean merchant

ship Pong Su to deliver 150 kg of heroin to Australia in April 2003;

all indications point to North Korea emerging as an important

regional source of illicit drugs targeting markets in Japan, Taiwan,

the Russian Far East, and China

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Korea, South

Introduction Korea, South

Background:

Korea was an independent kingdom under Chinese suzerainty for most

of the past millennium. Following its victory in the Russo-Japanese

War in 1905, Japan occupied Korea; five years later it formally

annexed the entire peninsula. After World War II, a republic was set

up in the southern half of the Korean Peninsula while a

Communist-style government was installed in the north. During the

Korean War (1950-53), US and other UN forces intervened to defend

South Korea from North Korean attacks supported by the Chinese. An

armistice was signed in 1953, splitting the peninsula along a

demilitarized zone at about the 38th parallel. Thereafter, South

Korea achieved rapid economic growth with per capita income rising

to roughly 14 times the level of North Korea. In 1987, South Korean

voters elected ROH Tae-woo to the presidency, ending 26 years of

military dictatorships. South Korea today is a fully functioning

modern democracy. In June 2000, a historic first North-South summit

took place between the South's President KIM Tae-chung and the

North's leader KIM Jong Il.

Geography Korea, South

Location:

Eastern Asia, southern half of the Korean Peninsula bordering the

Sea of Japan and the Yellow Sea

Geographic coordinates:

37 00 N, 127 30 E

Map references:

Asia

Area:

total: 98,480 sq km

land: 98,190 sq km

water: 290 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly larger than Indiana

Land boundaries: total: 238 km border countries: North Korea 238 km

Coastline:

2,413 km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 12 nm; between 3 nm and 12 nm in the Korea Strait

contiguous zone: 24 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

continental shelf: not specified

Climate:

temperate, with rainfall heavier in summer than winter

Terrain:

mostly hills and mountains; wide coastal plains in west and south

Elevation extremes: lowest point: Sea of Japan 0 m highest point: Halla-san 1,950 m

Natural resources: coal, tungsten, graphite, molybdenum, lead, hydropower potential

Land use: arable land: 17.18% permanent crops: 1.95% other: 80.87% (2001)

Irrigated land:

11,590 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

occasional typhoons bring high winds and floods; low-level seismic

activity common in southwest

Environment - current issues:

air pollution in large cities; acid rain; water pollution from the

discharge of sewage and industrial effluents; drift net fishing

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living

Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate

Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species,

Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine

Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83,

Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

strategic location on Korea Strait

People Korea, South

Population:

48,422,644 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 19.4% (male 4,952,177/female 4,450,821)

15-64 years: 72% (male 17,715,267/female 17,147,808)

65 years and over: 8.6% (male 1,670,971/female 2,485,600) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 34.51 years

male: 33.53 years

female: 35.53 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

0.38% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

10.08 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

6.26 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.08 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.11 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.67 male(s)/female

total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 7.05 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 7.5 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 6.57 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 76.85 years

male: 73.42 years

female: 80.57 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

1.26 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

less than 0.1% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

8,300 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

less than 200 (2003 est.)

Nationality: noun: Korean(s) adjective: Korean

Ethnic groups:

homogeneous (except for about 20,000 Chinese)

Religions:

no affiliation 46%, Christian 26%, Buddhist 26%, Confucianist 1%,

other 1%

Languages:

Korean, English widely taught in junior high and high school

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 97.9%

male: 99.2%

female: 96.6% (2002)

Government Korea, South

Country name:

conventional long form: Republic of Korea

conventional short form: South Korea

local long form: Taehan-min'guk

local short form: none

note: the South Koreans generally use the term "Han'guk" to refer to

their country

abbreviation: ROK

Government type:

republic

Capital:

Seoul

Administrative divisions:

9 provinces (do, singular and plural) and 7 metropolitan cities

(gwangyoksi, singular and plural)

: provinces: Cheju-do, Cholla-bukto (North Cholla), Cholla-namdo

(South Cholla), Ch'ungch'ong-bukto (North Ch'ungch'ong),

Ch'ungch'ong-namdo (South Ch'ungch'ong), Kangwon-do, Kyonggi-do,

Kyongsang-bukto (North Kyongsang), Kyongsang-namdo (South Kyongsang)

: metropolitan cities: Inch'on-gwangyoksi (Inch'on),

Kwangju-gwangyoksi (Kwangju), Pusan-gwangyoksi (Pusan),

Soul-t'ukpyolsi (Seoul), Taegu-gwangyoksi (Taegu), Taejon-gwangyoksi

(Taejon), Ulsan-gwangyoksi (Ulsan)

Independence:

15 August 1945 (from Japan)

National holiday:

Liberation Day, 15 August (1945)

Constitution:

17 July 1948

Legal system:

combines elements of continental European civil law systems,

Anglo-American law, and Chinese classical thought

Suffrage:

20 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President ROH Moo-hyun (since 25 February 2003)

head of government: Prime Minister LEE Hae-chan (since 25 May 2004);

Deputy Prime Ministers HAN Duck-soo (14 March 2005), KIM Jin-pyo

(since 28 January 2005), and OH Myung (since 18 October 2004)

cabinet: State Council appointed by the president on the prime

minister's recommendation

elections: president elected by popular vote for single five-year

term; election last held 19 December 2002 (next to be held in

February 2008); prime minister appointed by president with consent

of National Assembly; deputy prime ministers appointed by president

on prime minister's recommendation

election results: results of the 19 December 2002 election - ROH

Moo-hyun elected president; percent of vote - ROH Moo-hyun (MDP)

48.9%; LEE Hoi-chang (GNP) 46.6%; other 4.5%

Legislative branch:

unicameral National Assembly or Kukhoe (299 seats - members elected

for four-year terms; 243 in single-seat constituencies, 56 by

proportional representation

elections: last held 15 April 2004 (next to be held in April 2008;

byelections held on 30 April 2005)

election results: percent of vote by party - Uri 51%, GNP 41%, DLP

3%, DP 3%, others 2%; seats by party - Uri 146, GNP 125, DLP 10, DP

9, ULD 3, independents 6

note: percent of vote is for 2004 general election; seats by party

reflect results of 2005 byelections involving six seats; MDP became

DP in May 2005 (2005)

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court (justices appointed by president with consent of

National Assembly); Constitutional Court (justices appointed by

president based partly on nominations by National Assembly and Chief

Justice of the court)

Political parties and leaders:

Democratic Labor Party or DLP [KIM Hye-kyung, chairwoman];

Democratic Party or DP [HAHN Hwa-kap, chairman]; Grand National

Party or GNP [PARK Geun-hye, chairwoman]; United Liberal Democrats

or ULD [KIM Hak-won, chairman]; Uri Party [MOON Hee-sang, chairman]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

Federation of Korean Industries; Federation of Korean Trade Unions;

Korean Confederation of Trade Unions; Korean National Council of

Churches; Korean Traders Association; Korean Veterans' Association;

National Council of Labor Unions; National Democratic Alliance of

Korea; National Federation of Farmers' Associations; National

Federation of Student Associations

International organization participation:

AfDB, APEC, APT, ARF, AsDB, ASEAN (dialogue partner), Australia

Group, BIS, CP, EBRD, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM,

IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM,

ISO, ITU, LAIA, MIGA, MINURSO, NAM (guest), NEA, NSG, OAS

(observer), OECD, ONUB, OPCW, OSCE (partner), PCA, UN, UNCTAD,

UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMOGIP, UNOMIG, UPU, WCL, WCO, WHO, WIPO,

WMO, WToO, WTO, ZC

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Lee Tae-sik (designated)

chancery: 2450 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 939-5600

FAX: [1] (202) 387-0205

consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Honolulu, Houston,

Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, and Seattle

consulate(s): Agana (Guam) and New York

Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Christopher R. HILL embassy: 82 Sejong-no, Jongno-gu, Seoul 110-710 mailing address: American Embassy, Unit 15550, APO AP 96205-5550 telephone: [82] (2) 397-4114 FAX: [82] (2) 738-8845

Flag description:

white with a red (top) and blue yin-yang symbol in the center;

there is a different black trigram from the ancient I Ching (Book of

Changes) in each corner of the white field

Economy Korea, South

Economy - overview:

Since the early 1960s, South Korea has achieved an incredible

record of growth and integration into the high-tech modern world

economy. Four decades ago GDP per capita was comparable with levels

in the poorer countries of Africa and Asia. In 2004, it joined the

trillion dollar club of world economies. Today its GDP per capita is

14 times North Korea's and equal to the lesser economies of the

European Union. This success through the late 1980s was achieved by

a system of close government/business ties, including directed

credit, import restrictions, sponsorship of specific industries, and

a strong labor effort. The government promoted the import of raw

materials and technology at the expense of consumer goods and

encouraged savings and investment over consumption. The Asian

financial crisis of 1997-99 exposed longstanding weaknesses in South

Korea's development model, including high debt/equity ratios,

massive foreign borrowing, and an undisciplined financial sector.

Growth plunged to a negative 6.9% in 1998, then strongly recovered

to 9.5% in 1999 and 8.5% in 2000. Growth fell back to 3.3% in 2001

because of the slowing global economy, falling exports, and the

perception that much-needed corporate and financial reforms had

stalled. Led by consumer spending and exports, growth in 2002 was an

impressive 7.0%, despite anemic global growth. Economic growth fell

to 3.1% in 2003 because of a downturn in consumer spending and

recovered to an estimated 4.6% in 2004 on the strength of rapid

export growth. The government plans to boost infrastructure spending

in 2005. Moderate inflation, low unemployment, an export surplus,

and fairly equal distribution of income characterize this solid

economy.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$925.1 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

4.6% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $19,200 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 3.2% industry: 40.4% services: 56.3% (2004 est.)

Labor force:

22.9 million (2004 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 8%, industry 19%, services 73% (2004 est.)

Unemployment rate:

3.6% (2004 est.)

Population below poverty line:

4% (2001 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.9% highest 10%: 22.5% (1999 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

35.8 (2000)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

3.6% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

28.7% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $150.5 billion

expenditures: $155.8 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Public debt:

21.3% of GDP (2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

rice, root crops, barley, vegetables, fruit; cattle, pigs,

chickens, milk, eggs; fish

Industries:

electronics, telecommunications, automobile production, chemicals,

shipbuilding, steel

Industrial production growth rate:

10.1% (2004 est.)

Electricity - production:

322.5 billion kWh (2003)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 62.4% hydro: 0.8% nuclear: 36.6% other: 0.2% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

293.6 billion kWh (2003)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2003)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2003)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Oil - consumption:

2.07 million bbl/day (2004 est.)

Oil - exports:

630,100 bbl/day (2003)

Oil - imports:

2.263 million bbl/day (2003)

Natural gas - production:

0 cu m (2003 est.)

Natural gas - consumption:

20.92 billion cu m (2003 est.)

Natural gas - exports:

0 cu m (2003 est.)

Natural gas - imports:

21.11 billion cu m (2003 est.)

Current account balance:

$26.78 billion (2004 est.)

Exports:

$250.6 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

semiconductors, wireless telecommunications equipment, motor

vehicles, computers, steel, ships, petrochemicals

Exports - partners:

China 19.7%, US 17%, Japan 8.6%, Hong Kong 7.2% (2004)

Imports:

$214.2 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

machinery, electronics and electronic equipment, oil, steel,

transport equipment, organic chemicals, plastics

Imports - partners:

Japan 20.6%, China 13.2%, US 12.9%, Saudi Arabia 5.3% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$199.1 billion (2004 est.)

Debt - external:

$160 billion (2004 est.)

Economic aid - donor:

ODA $334 million (2003)

Currency (code):

South Korean won (KRW)

Currency code:

KRW

Exchange rates:

South Korean won per US dollar - 1,145.3 (2004), 1,191.6 (2003),

1,251.1 (2002), 1,291 (2001), 1,131 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Korea, South

Telephones - main lines in use:

22.877 million (2003)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

33,591,800 (2003)

Telephone system:

general assessment: excellent domestic and international services

domestic: NA

international: country code - 82; fiber-optic submarine cable to

China; the Russia-Korea-Japan submarine cable; satellite earth

stations - 3 Intelsat (2 Pacific Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean) and 1

Inmarsat (Pacific Ocean region)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 58, FM 150, shortwave 2 (2004)

Radios:

47.5 million (2000)

Television broadcast stations: 64 (additionally 119 Cable Operators; 239 Relay Cable Operators) (2004)

Televisions:

15.9 million (1997)

Internet country code:

.kr

Internet hosts:

694,206 (2001)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

11 (2000)

Internet users:

29.22 million (2003)

Transportation Korea, South

Railways: total: 3,472 km standard gauge: 3,472 km 1.435-m gauge (1,342 km electrified) (2004)

Highways:

total: 86,990 km

paved: 66,721 km (including 1,996 km of expressways)

unpaved: 20,269 km (2001)

Waterways: 1,608 km note: most navigable only by small craft (2004)

Pipelines:

gas 1,433 km; refined products 827 km (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Inch'on, Masan, P'ohang, Pusan, Ulsan

Merchant marine:

total: 601 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 6,992,656 GRT/11,081,142 DWT

by type: bulk carrier 125, cargo 196, chemical tanker 88, container

71, liquefied gas 20, passenger 5, passenger/cargo 22, petroleum

tanker 51, refrigerated cargo 15, roll on/roll off 5, vehicle

carrier 3

foreign-owned: 2 (Germany 1, United Kingdom 1)

registered in other countries: 366 (2005)

Airports:

179 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 88 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 21 1,524 to 2,437 m: 14 914 to 1,523 m: 12 under 914 m: 38 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 91 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 88 (2004 est.)

Heliports: 206 (2004 est.)

Military Korea, South

Military branches:

Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, National Maritime Police

(Coast Guard)

Military service age and obligation: 20-30 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript service obligation - 24-28 months, depending on the military branch involved; 18 years of age for voluntary military service; some 4,000 women serve as commissioned and noncommissioned officers, approx. 2.3% of all officers; women, in service since 1950, are admitted to seven service branches, including infantry; excluded from artillery, armor, anti-air, and chaplaincy corps (2005)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 20-49: 12,458,257 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 20-49: 9,932,026 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:

males: 344,723 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$16.18 billion (2004)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

2.8% (2004)

Transnational Issues Korea, South

Disputes - international:

Military Demarcation Line within the 4-km wide Demilitarized Zone

has separated North from South Korea since 1953; periodic maritime

disputes with North Korea over the Northern Limit Line; South Korea

and Japan claim Liancourt Rocks (Tok-do/Take-shima), occupied by

South Korea since 1954

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Kuwait

Introduction Kuwait

Background:

Britain oversaw foreign relations and defense for the ruling

Kuwaiti AL-SABAH dynasty from 1899 until independence in 1961.

Kuwait was attacked and overrun by Iraq on 2 August 1990. Following

several weeks of aerial bombardment, a US-led, UN coalition began a

ground assault on 23 February 1991 that liberated Kuwait in four

days. Kuwait spent more than $5 billion to repair oil infrastructure

damaged during 1990-91.

Geography Kuwait

Location:

Middle East, bordering the Persian Gulf, between Iraq and Saudi

Arabia

Geographic coordinates:

29 30 N, 45 45 E

Map references:

Middle East

Area:

total: 17,820 sq km

land: 17,820 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly smaller than New Jersey

Land boundaries: total: 462 km border countries: Iraq 240 km, Saudi Arabia 222 km

Coastline:

499 km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 12 nm

Climate:

dry desert; intensely hot summers; short, cool winters

Terrain:

flat to slightly undulating desert plain

Elevation extremes: lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m highest point: unnamed location 306 m

Natural resources: petroleum, fish, shrimp, natural gas

Land use: arable land: 0.73% permanent crops: 0.11% other: 99.16% (2001)

Irrigated land:

60 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

sudden cloudbursts are common from October to April and bring heavy

rain, which can damage roads and houses; sandstorms and dust storms

occur throughout the year, but are most common between March and

August

Environment - current issues: limited natural fresh water resources; some of world's largest and most sophisticated desalination facilities provide much of the water; air and water pollution; desertification

Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: Marine Dumping

Geography - note: strategic location at head of Persian Gulf

People Kuwait

Population: 2,335,648 note: includes 1,291,354 non-nationals (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 27.2% (male 323,382/female 311,700)

15-64 years: 70.1% (male 1,045,589/female 591,243)

65 years and over: 2.7% (male 40,439/female 23,295) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 25.86 years

male: 28.05 years

female: 22.12 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

3.44%

note: this rate reflects a return to pre-Gulf crisis immigration of

expatriates (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

21.88 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

2.42 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

14.96 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.77 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 1.74 male(s)/female

total population: 1.52 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 9.95 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 10.96 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 8.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 77.03 years

male: 76.01 years

female: 78.1 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

2.97 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

0.12% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

NA

Nationality:

noun: Kuwaiti(s)

adjective: Kuwaiti

Ethnic groups:

Kuwaiti 45%, other Arab 35%, South Asian 9%, Iranian 4%, other 7%

Religions:

Muslim 85% (Sunni 70%, Shi'a 30%), Christian, Hindu, Parsi, and

other 15%

Languages:

Arabic (official), English widely spoken

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 83.5%

male: 85.1%

female: 81.7% (2003 est.)

Government Kuwait

Country name:

conventional long form: State of Kuwait

conventional short form: Kuwait

local long form: Dawlat al Kuwayt

local short form: Al Kuwayt

Government type:

nominal constitutional monarchy

Capital:

Kuwait

Administrative divisions:

5 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah); Al Ahmadi, Al

Farwaniyah, Al 'Asimah, Al Jahra', Hawalli

Independence:

19 June 1961 (from UK)

National holiday:

National Day, 25 February (1950)

Constitution:

approved and promulgated 11 November 1962

Legal system:

civil law system with Islamic law significant in personal matters;

has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage:

adult males who have been naturalized for 30 years or more or have

resided in Kuwait since before 1920 and their male descendants at

age 21

note: only 10% of all citizens are eligible to vote; in 1996,

naturalized citizens who do not meet the pre-1920 qualification but

have been naturalized for 30 years were eligible to vote for the

first time

Executive branch:

chief of state: Amir JABIR al-Ahmad al-Jabir al-Sabah (since 31

December 1977); Crown Prince SAAD al-Abdullah al-Salim al-Sabah

head of government: Prime Minister SABAH al-Ahmad al-Jabir al-Sabah

(since 13 July 2003); First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of

the Interior NAWWAF al-Ahmad al-Sabah (since 2003); Deputy Prime

Ministers JABIR MUBARAK al-Hamad al-Sabah (since 2001) and Muhammad

Dayfallah al-SHARAR (since 2003)

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister and

approved by the monarch

elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; prime minister and

deputy prime ministers appointed by the monarch

Legislative branch:

unicameral National Assembly or Majlis al-Umma (50 seats; members

elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)

elections: last held 6 July 2003 (next to be held NA 2007)

election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats - Islamists 21,

government supporters 14, liberals 3, and independents 12; note -

all cabinet ministers are also ex officio members of the National

Assembly

Judicial branch:

High Court of Appeal

Political parties and leaders:

none; formation of political parties is illegal

Political pressure groups and leaders:

several political groups act as de facto parties: Bedouins,

merchants, Sunni and Shi'a activists, and secular leftists and

nationalists

International organization participation:

ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AMF, BDEAC, CAEU, FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD,

ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO,

ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAPEC, OIC,

OPCW, OPEC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNITAR, UPU, WCO, WFTU,

WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador SALIM Abdallah al-Jabir al-Sabah

chancery: 2940 Tilden Street NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 966-0702

FAX: [1] (202) 364-2868

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Richard LEBARON

embassy: Bayan, Area 14, Al-Masjed Al-Aqsa Street (near the Bayan

palace), Kuwait City

mailing address: P. O. Box 77 Safat 13001 Kuwait; or PSC 1280 APO AE

09880-9000

telephone: [965] 539-5307, 5308

FAX: [965] 538-0282

Flag description:

three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and red with a

black trapezoid based on the hoist side; design, which dates to

1961, based on the Arab revolt flag of World War I

Economy Kuwait

Economy - overview:

Kuwait is a small, rich, relatively open economy with proved crude

oil reserves of about 96 billion barrels - 10% of world reserves.

Petroleum accounts for nearly half of GDP, 95% of export revenues,

and 80% of government income. Kuwait's climate limits agricultural

development. Consequently, with the exception of fish, it depends

almost wholly on food imports. About 75% of potable water must be

distilled or imported. Kuwait continues its discussions with foreign

oil companies to develop fields in the northern part of the country.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$48 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

6.8% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $21,300 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 0.4% industry: 60.5% services: 39.1% (2004 est.)

Labor force: 1.42 million note: non-Kuwaitis represent about 80% of the labor force (2004 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture NA, industries NA, services NA

Unemployment rate:

2.2% (2004 est.)

Population below poverty line:

NA

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

2.3% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

8% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $35.82 billion

expenditures: $19.53 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Public debt:

29.6% of GDP (2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

practically no crops; fish

Industries:

petroleum, petrochemicals, cement, shipbuilding and repair,

desalination, food processing, construction materials

Industrial production growth rate:

-5% (2002 est.)

Electricity - production:

32.43 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

30.16 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

2.319 million bbl/day (2004 est.)

Oil - consumption:

293,000 bbl/day (2003 est.)

Oil - exports:

1.97 million bbl/day (2003)

Oil - imports:

NA

Oil - proved reserves:

96.5 billion bbl (2004 est.)

Natural gas - production:

8.7 billion cu m (2002 est.)

Natural gas - consumption:

8.7 billion cu m (2002 est.)

Natural gas - exports:

0 cu m (2002 est.)

Natural gas - imports:

0 cu m (2002 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves:

1.548 trillion cu m (2004)

Current account balance:

$12.04 billion (2004 est.)

Exports:

$27.42 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

oil and refined products, fertilizers

Exports - partners:

Japan 20.5%, South Korea 13.7%, US 12.4%, Singapore 11.3%, Taiwan

9.9% (2004)

Imports:

$11.12 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

food, construction materials, vehicles and parts, clothing

Imports - partners:

US 12.9%, Germany 11.9%, Japan 7.9%, UK 5.5%, Saudi Arabia 5.5%,

Italy 5%, France 4.5%, China 4.1% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$7.333 billion (2004 est.)

Debt - external:

$15.02 billion (2004 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:

NA (2001)

Currency (code):

Kuwaiti dinar (KD)

Currency code:

KWD

Exchange rates:

Kuwaiti dinars per US dollar - 0.2947 (2004), 0.298 (2003), 0.3039

(2002), 0.3067 (2001), 0.3068 (2000)

Fiscal year:

1 April - 31 March

Communications Kuwait

Telephones - main lines in use:

486,900 (2003)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

1.42 million (2003)

Telephone system:

general assessment: the quality of service is excellent

domestic: new telephone exchanges provide a large capacity for new

subscribers; trunk traffic is carried by microwave radio relay,

coaxial cable, and open-wire and fiber-optic cable; a cellular

telephone system operates throughout Kuwait, and the country is well

supplied with pay telephones

international: country code - 965; coaxial cable and microwave radio

relay to Saudi Arabia; linked to Bahrain, Qatar, UAE via the

Fiber-Optic Gulf (FOG) cable; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat

(1 Atlantic Ocean, 2 Indian Ocean), 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic Ocean), and

2 Arabsat

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 6, FM 11, shortwave 1 (1998)

Radios:

1.175 million (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

13 (plus several satellite channels) (1997)

Televisions:

875,000 (1997)

Internet country code:

.kw

Internet hosts:

3,437 (2001)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

3 (2000)

Internet users:

567,000 (2003)

Transportation Kuwait

Highways: total: 4,450 km paved: 3,587 km unpaved: 863 km (1999 est.)

Pipelines:

gas 169 km; oil 540 km; refined products 57 km (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Ash Shu'aybah, Ash Shuwaykh, Mina' 'Abd Allah, Mina' al Ahmadi,

Mina' Su'ud

Merchant marine:

total: 39 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 2,319,082 GRT/3,768,828 DWT

by type: bulk carrier 3, container 6, liquefied gas 5, livestock

carrier 5, petroleum tanker 20

registered in other countries: 19 (2005)

Airports:

7 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 4 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 3

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

under 914 m: 2 (2004 est.)

Heliports:

3 (2004 est.)

Military Kuwait

Military branches:

Land Forces, Navy, Air Force (includes Air Defense Force), National

Guard (2002)

Military service age and obligation:

18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service (2001)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 18-49: 864,745 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: 737,292 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:

males: 18,743 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$2,584.5 million (2004)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

5.3% (2004)

Transnational Issues Kuwait

Disputes - international:

Kuwait and Saudi Arabia continue negotiating a joint maritime

boundary with Iran; no maritime boundary exists with Iraq in the

Persian Gulf

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Kyrgyzstan

Introduction Kyrgyzstan

Background:

A Central Asian country of incredible natural beauty and proud

nomadic traditions, Kyrgyzstan was annexed by Russia in 1864; it

achieved independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. Nation-wide

demonstrations in the spring of 2005 resulted in the ouster of

President Askar AKAYEV, who had run the country since 1990.

Subsequent presidential elections in July of 2005 were won

overwhelmingly by former prime minister Kurmanbek BAKIYEV. Current

concerns include: privatization of state-owned enterprises,

expansion of democracy and political freedoms, interethnic

relations, and combating terrorism.

Geography Kyrgyzstan

Location:

Central Asia, west of China

Geographic coordinates:

41 00 N, 75 00 E

Map references:

Asia

Area:

total: 198,500 sq km

land: 191,300 sq km

water: 7,200 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly smaller than South Dakota

Land boundaries:

total: 3,878 km

border countries: China 858 km, Kazakhstan 1,051 km, Tajikistan 870

km, Uzbekistan 1,099 km

Coastline:

0 km (landlocked)

Maritime claims:

none (landlocked)

Climate:

dry continental to polar in high Tien Shan; subtropical in

southwest (Fergana Valley); temperate in northern foothill zone

Terrain:

peaks of Tien Shan and associated valleys and basins encompass

entire nation

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Kara-Daryya (Karadar'ya) 132 m

highest point: Jengish Chokusu (Pik Pobedy) 7,439 m

Natural resources:

abundant hydropower; significant deposits of gold and rare earth

metals; locally exploitable coal, oil, and natural gas; other

deposits of nepheline, mercury, bismuth, lead, and zinc

Land use:

arable land: 7.3%

permanent crops: 0.35%

other: 92.35%

note: Kyrgyzstan has the world's largest natural growth walnut

forest (2001)

Irrigated land:

10,740 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

NA

Environment - current issues:

water pollution; many people get their water directly from

contaminated streams and wells; as a result, water-borne diseases

are prevalent; increasing soil salinity from faulty irrigation

practices

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate

Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone

Layer Protection

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

landlocked; entirely mountainous, dominated by the Tien Shan range;

many tall peaks, glaciers, and high-altitude lakes

People Kyrgyzstan

Population:

5,146,281 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 31.6% (male 827,751/female 796,029)

15-64 years: 62.3% (male 1,571,476/female 1,632,506)

65 years and over: 6.2% (male 123,992/female 194,527) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 23.39 years

male: 22.52 years

female: 24.27 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

1.29% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

22.48 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

7.13 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

-2.47 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.64 male(s)/female

total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 35.64 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 40.97 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 30.03 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 68.16 years

male: 64.16 years

female: 72.38 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

2.7 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

less than 0.1% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

3,900 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

less than 200 (2003 est.)

Nationality:

noun: Kyrgyzstani(s)

adjective: Kyrgyzstani

Ethnic groups:

Kyrgyz 64.9%, Uzbek 13.8%, Russian 12.5%, Dungan 1.1%, Ukrainian

1%, Uygur 1%, other 5.7% (1999 census)

Religions:

Muslim 75%, Russian Orthodox 20%, other 5%

Languages:

Kyrgyz (official), Russian (official)

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 98.7%

male: 99.3%

female: 98.1% (1999 est.)

Government Kyrgyzstan

Country name:

conventional long form: Kyrgyz Republic

conventional short form: Kyrgyzstan

local long form: Kyrgyz Respublikasy

local short form: none

former: Kirghiz Soviet Socialist Republic

Government type:

republic

Capital:

Bishkek

Administrative divisions:

7 provinces (oblastlar, singular - oblasty) and 1 city* (shaar);

Batken Oblasty, Bishkek Shaary*, Chuy Oblasty (Bishkek), Jalal-Abad

Oblasty, Naryn Oblasty, Osh Oblasty, Talas Oblasty, Ysyk-Kol Oblasty

(Karakol)

note: administrative divisions have the same names as their

administrative centers (exceptions have the administrative center

name following in parentheses)

Independence:

31 August 1991 (from Soviet Union)

National holiday:

Independence Day, 31 August (1991)

Constitution:

adopted 5 May 1993; note - amendment proposed by President AKAYEV

and passed in a national referendum on 2 February 2003 significantly

expands the powers of the president at the expense of the legislature

Legal system:

based on civil law system

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Kurmanbek BAKIYEV (since 14 August 2005);

note - former President Askar AKAYEV resigned effective 11 April

2005 following widespread protests that forced him to flee the

country on 24 March 2005

head of government: Prime Minister Feliks KULOV (since 1 September

2005)

cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president on the

recommendation of the prime minister

elections: Kurmanbek BAKIYEV elected by popular vote for a five-year

term; election last held 10 July 2005 (next scheduled for NA 2010);

prime minister nominated by the president for approval by Parliament

election results: Kurmanbek BAKIYEV elected president; percent of

vote - Kurmanbek BAKIYEV 88.6%, Tursunbai BAKIR-UULU 3.9%, other

candidates 7.5%; Feliks KULOV approved as prime minister 55-8

Legislative branch:

bicameral Supreme Council or Jorgorku Kenesh consists of the

Assembly of People's Representatives (70 seats; members are elected

by popular vote to serve five-year terms) and the Legislative

Assembly (35 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve

five-year terms); note - in accordance with a 2003 referendum, the

Parliament is slated to become unicameral with 75 deputies after the

27 February 2005 elections

elections: Assembly of People's Representatives - last held 20

February and 12 March 2000; Legislative Assembly - last held 20

February and 12 March 2000; elections for the new unicameral body or

Jorgorku Kenesh were held 27 February 2005, but the vast majority of

positions remained undecided and were to be contested in a runoff

election scheduled for 13 March 2005; election irregularities caused

widespread protests that resulted in the president being forced to

flee the country; new legislative elections have not yet been

rescheduled

election results: Assembly of People's Representatives - percent of

vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NA; and Legislative Assembly -

percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NA; note - total

seats by party in the Supreme Council were as follows: Union of

Democratic Forces 12, Communists 6, My Country Party of Action 4,

independents 73, other 10

note: the legislature became bicameral for the 5 February 1995

elections; the 2000 election results include both the Assembly of

People's Representatives and the Legislative Assembly

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court (judges are appointed for 10-year terms by the

Supreme Council on the recommendation of the president);

Constitutional Court; Higher Court of Arbitration

Political parties and leaders:

Adilet (Justice) Party [Toychubek KASYMOV]; Agrarian Labor Party of

Kyrgyzstan [Uson SYDYKOV]; Agrarian Party of Kyrgyzstan [Erkin

ALIYEV]; Alga, Kyrgyzstan (Forward, Kyrgyzstan) [Bolot BEGALIYEV];

Ar-Namys (Dignity) Party [Emil ALIYEV]; Asaba (Banner National

Revival Party) [Azimbek BEKNAZAROV]; Ata-Meken (Fatherland) [Omurbek

TEKEBAYEV]; Communist Party of Kyrgyzstan [Klara ADZHIBEKOVA];

Democratic Movement of Kyrgyzstan or DDK [Jypar JEKSHEYEV]; Erkin

Kyrgyzstan Progressive and Democratic Party [Bektur ASANOV];

Erkindik (Freedom) Party [Topchubek TURGUNALIYEV]; Future of

Kyrgyzstan [Balbak TULEBAYEV]; Jany Kyrgyzstan (New Kyrgyzstan)

[Dosbol NUR UULU]; Kairan El [Dooronbek SADYKOV]; Kyrgyz National

Party [Bakyt BESHIMOV]; Kyrgyzstan Kelechegi [Ruslan CHYNYBAYEV];

Manas El (Party of Spiritual Restoration) [Chingiz AITMATOV]; Moya

Strana (My Country Party of Action) [Joomart OTORBAYEV]; Party of

Communists of Kyrgyzstan or KCP [Bakytbek BEKBOYEV]; Party of

Justice and Progress [Muratbek IMANALIEV]; Party of Peasants

[Esengul ISAKOV]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

Council of Free Trade Unions; Kyrgyz Committee on Human Rights

[Ramazan DYRYLDAYEV]; National Unity Democratic Movement; Union of

Entrepreneurs

International organization participation:

AsDB, CIS, EAPC, EBRD, ECO, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt

(signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol,

IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, MIGA, NAM (observer), OIC, OPCW,

OSCE, PCA, PFP, SCO, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIK,

UNMIL, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Zamira SYDYKOVA

chancery: 1732 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007

telephone: [1] (202) 338-5141

FAX: [1] (202) 338-5139

consulate(s): New York

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Stephen M. YOUNG

embassy: 171 Prospect Mira, Bishkek 720016

mailing address: use embassy street address

telephone: [996] (312) 551-241, (517) 777-217

FAX: [996] (312) 551-264

Flag description:

red field with a yellow sun in the center having 40 rays

representing the 40 Kyrgyz tribes; on the obverse side the rays run

counterclockwise, on the reverse, clockwise; in the center of the

sun is a red ring crossed by two sets of three lines, a stylized

representation of the roof of the traditional Kyrgyz yurt

Economy Kyrgyzstan

Economy - overview:

Kyrgyzstan is a poor, mountainous country with a predominantly

agricultural economy. Cotton, tobacco, wool, and meat are the main

agricultural products, although only tobacco and cotton are exported

in any quantity. Industrial exports include gold, mercury, uranium,

and natural gas and electricity. Kyrgyzstan has been fairly

progressive in carrying out market reforms, such as an improved

regulatory system and land reform. Kyrgyzstan was the first CIS

country to be accepted into the World Trade Organization. With fits

and starts, inflation has been lowered to an estimated 7% in 2001,

2.1% in 2002, 4% in 2003, and 3.2% in 2004. Much of the government's

stock in enterprises has been sold. Drops in production had been

severe after the breakup of the Soviet Union in December 1991, but

by mid-1995 production began to recover and exports began to

increase. Kyrgyzstan has distinguished itself by adopting relatively

liberal economic policies. The drop in output at the Kumtor gold

mine sparked a 0.5% decline in GDP in 2002, but GDP growth bounced

back to 6% in 2003 and 2004. The government has made steady strides

in controlling its substantial fiscal deficit and aims to reduce the

deficit to 3% of GDP in 2004. The government and the international

financial institutions have been engaged in a comprehensive

medium-term poverty reduction and economic growth strategy. Further

restructuring of domestic industry and success in attracting foreign

investment are keys to future growth.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$8.495 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

6% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $1,700 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 38.5% industry: 22.8% services: 38.7% (2004 est.)

Labor force:

2.7 million (2000)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 55%, industry 15%, services 30% (2000 est.)

Unemployment rate:

18% (2004 est.)

Population below poverty line:

40% (2004 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.9% highest 10%: 23.3% (2001)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

29 (2001)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

3.2% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

17% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $431.3 million

expenditures: $445.4 million, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

tobacco, cotton, potatoes, vegetables, grapes, fruits and berries;

sheep, goats, cattle, wool

Industries:

small machinery, textiles, food processing, cement, shoes, sawn

logs, refrigerators, furniture, electric motors, gold, rare earth

metals

Industrial production growth rate:

6% (2000 est.)

Electricity - production:

11.72 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 7.6% hydro: 92.4% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

10.21 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

1.062 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

375 million kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

2,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

20,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Natural gas - production:

16 million cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - consumption:

2.016 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - exports:

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - imports:

2 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Current account balance:

$-87.92 million (2004 est.)

Exports:

$646.7 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

cotton, wool, meat, tobacco; gold, mercury, uranium, natural gas,

hydropower; machinery; shoes

Exports - partners:

UAE 28.2%, Russia 19.1%, China 12%, Kazakhstan 11.1%, Switzerland

6.3% (2004)

Imports:

$775.1 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

oil and gas, machinery and equipment, chemicals, foodstuffs

Imports - partners:

China 26.3%, Russia 22.3%, Kazakhstan 17.1%, Turkey 5.4% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$498.7 million (2004 est.)

Debt - external:

$1.97 billion (2004 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:

$50 million from the US (2001)

Currency (code):

Currency code:

KGS

Exchange rates:

soms per US dollar - 42.65 (2004), 43.648 (2003), 46.937 (2002),

48.378 (2001), 47.704 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Kyrgyzstan

Telephones - main lines in use:

394,800 (2002)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

53,100 (2002)

Telephone system:

general assessment: poorly developed; about 100,000 unsatisfied

applications for household telephones

domestic: principally microwave radio relay; one cellular provider,

probably limited to Bishkek region

international: country code - 996; connections with other CIS

countries by landline or microwave radio relay and with other

countries by leased connections with Moscow international gateway

switch and by satellite; satellite earth stations - 1 Intersputnik

and 1 Intelsat; connected internationally by the Trans-Asia-Europe

(TAE) fiber-optic line

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 12 (plus 10 repeater stations), FM 14, shortwave 2 (1998)

Radios:

520,000 (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

NA (repeater stations throughout the country relay programs from

Russia, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Turkey) (1997)

Televisions:

210,000 (1997)

Internet country code:

.kg

Internet hosts:

12,299 (2004)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

NA

Internet users:

152,000 (2002)

Transportation Kyrgyzstan

Railways: total: 470 km broad gauge: 470 km 1.520-m gauge (2004)

Highways:

total: 18,500 km

paved: 16,854 km (including 140 km of expressways)

unpaved: 1,646 km (1999 est.)

Waterways:

600 km (2004)

Pipelines:

gas 367 km; oil 13 km (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Balykchy (Ysyk-Kol or Rybach'ye)

Airports:

52 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 16 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 10 under 914 m: 2 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 36 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 31 (2004 est.)

Military Kyrgyzstan

Military branches:

Army, Air Force, National Guard (2004)

Military service age and obligation:

18 years of age for compulsory military service (2001)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 18-49: 1,193,529 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: 871,493 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:

males: 61,091 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$19.2 million (FY01)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

1.4% (FY01)

Transnational Issues Kyrgyzstan

Disputes - international:

delimitation with Kazakhstan is complete; disputes in Isfara Valley

delay completion of delimitation with Tajikistan; delimitation is

underway with Uzbekistan but serious disputes around enclaves and

elsewhere continue to mar progress for some 130 km of border

Illicit drugs:

limited illicit cultivation of cannabis and opium poppy for CIS

markets; limited government eradication of illicit crops; transit

point for Southwest Asian narcotics bound for Russia and the rest of

Europe

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Laos

Introduction Laos

Background:

Laos was under the control of Siam (Thailand) from the late 18th

century until the late 19th century when it became part of French

Indochina. The Franco-Siamese Treaty of 1907 defined the current Lao

border with Thailand. In 1975, the Communist Pathet Lao took control

of the government, ending a six-century-old monarchy. Initial closer

ties to Vietnam and socialization were replaced with a gradual

return to private enterprise, a liberalization of foreign investment

laws, and the admission into ASEAN in 1997.

Geography Laos

Location:

Southeastern Asia, northeast of Thailand, west of Vietnam

Geographic coordinates:

18 00 N, 105 00 E

Map references:

Southeast Asia

Area:

total: 236,800 sq km

land: 230,800 sq km

water: 6,000 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly larger than Utah

Land boundaries:

total: 5,083 km

border countries: Burma 235 km, Cambodia 541 km, China 423 km,

Thailand 1,754 km, Vietnam 2,130 km

Coastline:

0 km (landlocked)

Maritime claims:

none (landlocked)

Climate:

tropical monsoon; rainy season (May to November); dry season

(December to April)

Terrain:

mostly rugged mountains; some plains and plateaus

Elevation extremes: lowest point: Mekong River 70 m highest point: Phou Bia 2,817 m

Natural resources: timber, hydropower, gypsum, tin, gold, gemstones

Land use:

arable land: 3.8%

permanent crops: 0.35%

other: 95.85% (2001)

Irrigated land:

1,640 sq km

note: rainy season irrigation - 2,169 sq km; dry season irrigation -

750 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

floods, droughts

Environment - current issues: unexploded ordnance; deforestation; soil erosion; most of the population does not have access to potable water

Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

landlocked; most of the country is mountainous and thickly

forested; the Mekong River forms a large part of the western

boundary with Thailand

People Laos

Population:

6,217,141 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 41.6% (male 1,300,094/female 1,289,227)

15-64 years: 55.2% (male 1,693,494/female 1,737,196)

65 years and over: 3.2% (male 88,744/female 108,386) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 18.74 years

male: 18.42 years

female: 19.08 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

2.42% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

35.99 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

11.83 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.82 male(s)/female

total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 85.22 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 95.04 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 75.01 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 55.08 years

male: 53.07 years

female: 57.17 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

4.77 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

0.1% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

1,700 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

less than 200 (2003 est.)

Nationality:

noun: Lao(s) or Laotian(s)

adjective: Lao or Laotian

Ethnic groups:

Lao Loum (lowland) 68%, Lao Theung (upland) 22%, Lao Soung

(highland) including the Hmong and the Yao 9%, ethnic

Vietnamese/Chinese 1%

Religions:

Buddhist 60%, animist and other 40% (including various Christian

denominations 1.5%)

Languages:

Lao (official), French, English, and various ethnic languages

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 66.4%

male: 77.4%

female: 55.5% (2002)

Government Laos

Country name:

conventional long form: Lao People's Democratic Republic

conventional short form: Laos

local long form: Sathalanalat Paxathipatai Paxaxon Lao

local short form: none

Government type:

Communist state

Capital:

Vientiane

Administrative divisions:

16 provinces (khoueng, singular and plural), 1 municipality*

(kampheng nakhon, singular and plural), and 1 special zone**

(khetphiset, singular and plural); Attapu, Bokeo, Bolikhamxai,

Champasak, Houaphan, Khammouan, Louangnamtha, Louangphrabang,

Oudomxai, Phongsali, Salavan, Savannakhet, Viangchan (Vientiane)*,

Viangchan, Xaignabouli, Xaisomboun**, Xekong, Xiangkhoang

Independence:

19 July 1949 (from France)

National holiday:

Republic Day, 2 December (1975)

Constitution:

promulgated 14 August 1991

Legal system:

based on traditional customs, French legal norms and procedures,

and socialist practice

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Gen. KHAMTAI Siphadon (since 26 February

1998) and Vice President Lt. Gen. CHOUMMALI Saignason (since 27

March 2001)

head of government: Prime Minister BOUNGNANG Volachit (since 27

March 2001); First Deputy Prime Minister Bouasone BOUPHAVANH (since

3 October 2003) Deputy Prime Minister Maj. Gen. ASANG Laoli (since

May 2002), Deputy Prime Minister THONGLOUN Sisolit (since 27 March

2001), and Deputy Prime Minister SOMSAVAT Lengsavat (since 26

February 1998)

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president, approved

by the National Assembly

elections: president elected by the National Assembly for a

five-year term; election last held 24 February 2002 (next to be held

in 2007); prime minister appointed by the president with the

approval of the National Assembly for a five-year term

election results: KHAMTAI Siphadon elected president; percent of

National Assembly vote - NA%

Legislative branch:

unicameral National Assembly (109 seats; members elected by popular

vote to serve five-year terms; note - total number of seats

increased from 99 to 109 for the 2002 election)

elections: last held 24 February 2002 (next to be held in 2007)

election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -

LPRP or LPRP-approved (independent, non-party members) 109

Judicial branch:

People's Supreme Court (the president of the People's Supreme Court

is elected by the National Assembly on the recommendation of the

National Assembly Standing Committee; the vice president of the

People's Supreme Court and the judges are appointed by the National

Assembly Standing Committee)

Political parties and leaders:

Lao People's Revolutionary Party or LPRP [KHAMTAI Siphadon, party

president]; other parties proscribed

Political pressure groups and leaders:

noncommunist political groups proscribed; most opposition leaders

fled the country in 1975

International organization participation:

ACCT, APT, ARF, AsDB, ASEAN, CP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA,

IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OPCW,

PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

(observer)

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador PHANTHONG Phommahaxay

chancery: 2222 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 332-6416

FAX: [1] (202) 332-4923

Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Patricia M. HASLACH embassy: 19 Rue Bartholonie, B. P. 114, Vientiane mailing address: American Embassy, Box V, APO AP 96546 telephone: [856] (21) 212581, 212582, 212585 FAX: [856] (21) 212584

Flag description:

three horizontal bands of red (top), blue (double width), and red

with a large white disk centered in the blue band

Economy Laos

Economy - overview:

The government of Laos - one of the few remaining official

Communist states - began decentralizing control and encouraging

private enterprise in 1986. The results, starting from an extremely

low base, were striking - growth averaged 6% in 1988-2004 except

during the short-lived drop caused by the Asian financial crisis

beginning in 1997. Despite this high growth rate, Laos remains a

country with a primitive infrastructure; it has no railroads, a

rudimentary road system, and limited external and internal

telecommunications. The government has sponsored major improvements

in the road system. Electricity is available in only a few urban

areas. Subsistence agriculture accounts for half of GDP and provides

80% of total employment. The economy will continue to benefit from

aid from the IMF and other international sources and from new

foreign investment in food processing and mining. In late 2004, Laos

gained Normal Trade Relations status with the US, allowing

Laos-based producers to face lower tariffs on their exports; this

may help spur growth.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$11.28 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

6% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $1,900 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 49.5% industry: 27.5% services: 23% (2004 est.)

Labor force:

2.6 million (2001 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 80% (1997 est.)

Unemployment rate:

5.7% (1997 est.)

Population below poverty line:

40% (2002 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.2% highest 10%: 30.6% (1997)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

37 (1997)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

12.3% (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $284.3 million

expenditures: $416.5 million, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

sweet potatoes, vegetables, corn, coffee, sugarcane, tobacco,

cotton, tea, peanuts, rice, water buffalo, pigs, cattle, poultry

Industries:

tin and gypsum mining, timber, electric power, agricultural

processing, construction, garments, tourism

Industrial production growth rate:

9.7% (2001 est.)

Electricity - production:

3.56 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 1.4% hydro: 98.6% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

3.036 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

400 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

125 million kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

2,750 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Current account balance:

$-80.76 million (2004 est.)

Exports:

$365.5 million (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

garments, wood products, coffee, electricity, tin

Exports - partners:

Thailand 19.3%, Vietnam 13.4%, France 8%, Germany 5.3%, UK 5% (2004)

Imports:

$579.5 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

machinery and equipment, vehicles, fuel, consumer goods

Imports - partners:

Thailand 60.5%, China 10.3%, Vietnam 7.1%, Singapore 4% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$193.1 million (2004 est.)

Debt - external:

$2.49 billion (2001)

Economic aid - recipient:

$243 million (2001 est.)

Currency (code):

kip (LAK)

Currency code:

LAK

Exchange rates:

kips per US dollar - 10,820 (2004), 10,569 (2003), 10,056.3 (2002),

8,954.6 (2001), 7,887.6 (2000)

Fiscal year:

1 October - 30 September

Communications Laos

Telephones - main lines in use:

61,900 (2002)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

55,200 (2002)

Telephone system:

general assessment: service to general public is poor but improving

with over 20,000 telephones currently in service and an additional

48,000 expected by 2001; the government relies on a radiotelephone

network to communicate with remote areas

domestic: radiotelephone communications

international: country code - 856; satellite earth station - 1

Intersputnik (Indian Ocean region)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 12, FM 1, shortwave 4 (1998)

Radios:

730,000 (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

4 (1999)

Televisions:

52,000 (1997)

Internet country code:

.la

Internet hosts:

937 (2003)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

1 (2000)

Internet users:

15,000 (2002)

Transportation Laos

Highways:

total: 21,716 km

paved: 9,664 km

unpaved: 12,052 km (1999 est.)

Waterways:

4,600 km

note: primarily Mekong and tributaries; 2,897 additional km are

intermittently navigable by craft drawing less than 0.5 m (2003)

Pipelines:

refined products 540 km (2004)

Merchant marine:

total: 1 ship (1,000 GRT or over) 2,370 GRT/3,110 DWT

by type: cargo 1 (2005)

Airports:

44 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 9

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 5

914 to 1,523 m: 3 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 35

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 13

under 914 m: 21 (2004 est.)

Military Laos

Military branches:

Lao People's Army (LPA; includes Riverine Force), Air Force

Military service age and obligation: 15 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript service obligation - minimum 18 months (2004)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 15-49: 1,500,625 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 15-49: 954,816 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:

males: 73,167 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$10.7 million (2004)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

0.5% (2004)

Military - note:

Laos is one of the world's least developed countries; the Lao

People's Armed Forces are small, poorly funded, and ineffectively

resourced; there is little political will to allocate sparse funding

to the military, and the armed forces' gradual degradation is likely

to continue; the massive drug production and trafficking industry

centered in the Golden Triangle makes Laos an important narcotics

transit country, and armed Wa and Chinese smugglers are active on

the Lao-Burma border (2005)

Transnational Issues Laos

Disputes - international:

Southeast Asian states have enhanced border surveillance to check

the spread of avian flu; Laos and Thailand pledge to complete

demarcation of boundaries in 2005, while ongoing disputes over

squatters and boundary encroachment by Thailand including Mekong

River islets persist; in 2004 Cambodian-Laotian boundary commission

agrees to re-erect missing markers in two adjoining provinces;

concern among Mekong Commission members that China's construction of

dams on the Mekong River will affect water levels

Illicit drugs:

estimated cultivation in 2004 - 10,000 hectares, a 45% decrease

from 2003; estimated potential production in 2004 - 49 metric tons,

a significant decrease from 200 metric tons in 2003 (2005)

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Latvia

Introduction Latvia

Background:

After a brief period of independence between the two World Wars,

Latvia was annexed by the USSR in 1940. It reestablished its

independence in 1991 following the breakup of the Soviet Union.

Although the last Russian troops left in 1994, the status of the

Russian minority (some 30% of the population) remains of concern to

Moscow. Latvia joined both NATO and the EU in the spring of 2004.

Geography Latvia

Location:

Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, between Estonia and

Lithuania

Geographic coordinates:

57 00 N, 25 00 E

Map references:

Europe

Area:

total: 64,589 sq km

land: 63,589 sq km

water: 1,000 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly larger than West Virginia

Land boundaries:

total: 1,150 km

border countries: Belarus 141 km, Estonia 339 km, Lithuania 453 km,

Russia 217 km

Coastline:

531 km

Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

Climate:

maritime; wet, moderate winters

Terrain:

low plain

Elevation extremes: lowest point: Baltic Sea 0 m highest point: Gaizinkalns 312 m

Natural resources: peat, limestone, dolomite, amber, hydropower, wood, arable land

Land use: arable land: 29.67% permanent crops: 0.47% other: 69.86% (2001)

Irrigated land:

200 sq km

note: land in Latvia is often too wet, and in need of drainage, not

irrigation; approximately 16,000 sq km or 85% of agricultural land

has been improved by drainage (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

NA

Environment - current issues:

Latvia's environment has benefited from a shift to service

industries after the country regained independence; the main

environmental priorities are improvement of drinking water quality

and sewage system, household, and hazardous waste management, as

well as reduction of air pollution; in 2001, Latvia closed the EU

accession negotiation chapter on environment committing to full

enforcement of EU environmental directives by 2010

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic

Pollutants, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto

Protocol, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea,

Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

most of the country is composed of fertile, low-lying plains, with

some hills in the east

People Latvia

Population:

2,290,237 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 14.4% (male 169,284/female 161,648)

15-64 years: 69.4% (male 770,839/female 819,309)

65 years and over: 16.1% (male 120,306/female 248,851) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 39.12 years

male: 35.95 years

female: 42.15 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

-0.69% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

9.04 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

13.7 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

-2.24 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.48 male(s)/female

total population: 0.86 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 9.55 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 11.55 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 7.45 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 71.05 years

male: 65.78 years

female: 76.6 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

1.26 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

0.6% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

7,600 (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

less than 500 (2003 est.)

Nationality:

noun: Latvian(s)

adjective: Latvian

Ethnic groups:

Latvian 57.7%, Russian 29.6%, Belarusian 4.1%, Ukrainian 2.7%,

Polish 2.5%, Lithuanian 1.4%, other 2% (2002)

Religions:

Lutheran, Roman Catholic, Russian Orthodox

Languages:

Latvian (official) 58.2%, Russian 37.5%, Lithuanian and other 4.3%

(2000 census)

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 99.8%

male: 99.8%

female: 99.8% (2003 est.)

Government Latvia

Country name:

conventional long form: Republic of Latvia

conventional short form: Latvia

local long form: Latvijas Republika

local short form: Latvija

former: Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic

Government type:

parliamentary democracy

Capital:

Riga

Administrative divisions:

26 counties (singular - rajons) and 7 municipalities*: Aizkraukles

Rajons, Aluksnes Rajons, Balvu Rajons, Bauskas Rajons, Cesu Rajons,

Daugavpils*, Daugavpils Rajons, Dobeles Rajons, Gulbenes Rajons,

Jekabpils Rajons, Jelgava*, Jelgavas Rajons, Jurmala*, Kraslavas

Rajons, Kuldigas Rajons, Liepaja*, Liepajas Rajons, Limbazu Rajons,

Ludzas Rajons, Madonas Rajons, Ogres Rajons, Preilu Rajons,

Rezekne*, Rezeknes Rajons, Riga*, Rigas Rajons, Saldus Rajons, Talsu

Rajons, Tukuma Rajons, Valkas Rajons, Valmieras Rajons, Ventspils*,

Ventspils Rajons

Independence:

21 August 1991 (from Soviet Union)

National holiday:

Independence Day, 18 November (1918); note - 18 November 1918 is

the date Latvia declared itself independent from Soviet Russia; 4

May 1990 is when it declared the renewal of independence; 21 August

1991 is the date of de facto independence from the Soviet Union

Constitution:

15 February 1922; an October 1998 amendment on Fundamental Human

Rights replaced the 1991 Constitutional Law, which had supplemented

the constitution

Legal system:

based on civil law system

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal for Latvian citizens

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Vaira VIKE-FREIBERGA (since 8 July 1999)

head of government: Prime Minister Aigars KALVITIS (since 2 December

2004)

cabinet: Council of Ministers nominated by the prime minister and

appointed by the Parliament

elections: president reelected by Parliament for a four-year term;

election last held 20 June 2003 (next to be held by June 2007);

prime minister appointed by the president

election results: Vaira VIKE-FREIBERGA reelected president;

parliamentary vote - Vaira VIKE-FREIBERGA 88 of 94 votes cast

Legislative branch:

unicameral Parliament or Saeima (100 seats; members are elected by

direct, popular vote to serve four-year terms)

elections: last held 5 October 2002 (next to be held NA October 2006)

election results: percent of vote by party - JL 23.9%, PCTVL 18.9%,

TP 16.7%, ZZS 9.5%, First Party 7.6%, LNNK 5.4%; seats by party - JL

26, PCTVL 24, TP 21, ZZS 12, First Party 10, LNNK 7

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court (judges' appointments are confirmed by Parliament)

Political parties and leaders:

First Party of Latvia or LPP [Juris LUJANS]; For Human Rights in a

United Latvia or PCTVL [Tatjana ZDANOKA, Jakovs PLINERS]; For the

Fatherland and Freedom/Latvian National Independence Movement or

TB/LNNK [Janis STRAUME]; Harmony Center or SC [Sergejs DOLGOPOLOVS];

Latvian Green Party or LZP [Indulis EMSIS, Viesturs SILENIEKS,

Raimonds VEJONIS]; Latvian Farmer's Union or LZS [Augusts

BRIGMANIS]; Latvian Social Democratic Workers Party (Social

Democrats) or LSDSP [Juris BOJARS]; Latvian Socialist Party or LSP

[Alfreds RUBIKS]; Latvia's Way or LC [Ivars GODMANIS]; New Democrats

or JD [Maris GULBIS]; New Era Party or JL [Einars REPSE]; People's

Harmony Party or TSP [Aivars DATAVS]; People's Party or TP [Atis

SLAKTERIS]; Social Democratic Union or SDS [Egils BALDZENS]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

Headquarters for the Protection of Russian Schools (SHTAB)

[Aleksandr KAZAKOV]

International organization participation:

Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CE, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EU (new member),

FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF,

IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, MIGA, NATO, NIB,

NSG, OAS (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU,

WCO, WEU (member affiliate), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Maris RIEKSTINS

chancery: 4325 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20011

telephone: [1] (202) 726-8213, 8214

FAX: [1] (202) 726-6785

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Catherine TODD-BAILEY

embassy: 7 Raina Boulevard, Riga LV-1510

mailing address: American Embassy Riga, PSC 78, Box Riga, APO AE

09723

telephone: [371] 703-6200

FAX: [371] 782-0047

Flag description:

three horizontal bands of maroon (top), white (half-width), and

maroon

Economy Latvia

Economy - overview:

Latvia's transitional economy recovered from the 1998 Russian

financial crisis, largely due to the government's budget stringency

and a gradual reorientation of exports toward EU countries,

lessening Latvia's trade dependency on Russia. The majority of

companies, banks, and real estate have been privatized, although the

state still holds sizable stakes in a few large enterprises. Latvia

officially joined the World Trade Organization in February 1999. EU

membership, a top foreign policy goal, came in May 2004. The current

account and internal government deficits remain major concerns, but

the government's efforts to increase efficiency in revenue

collection may lessen the budget deficit. A growing perception that

many of Latvia's banks facilitate illicit activity could damage the

country's vibrant financial sector.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$26.53 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

7.6% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $11,500 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 4.4% industry: 24.8% services: 70.8% (2004 est.)

Labor force:

1.17 million (2004 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 15%, industry 25%, services 60% (2000 est.)

Unemployment rate:

8.8% (2004 est.)

Population below poverty line:

NA

Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.9% highest 10%: 25.9% (1998)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

32 (1999)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

6% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

26.1% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $4.231 billion

expenditures: $4.504 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Public debt:

11.8% of GDP (2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

grain, sugar beets, potatoes, vegetables; beef, pork, milk, eggs;

fish

Industries:

buses, vans, street and railroad cars, synthetic fibers,

agricultural machinery, fertilizers, washing machines, radios,

electronics, pharmaceuticals, processed foods, textiles; note -

dependent on imports for energy and raw materials

Industrial production growth rate:

8.5% (2004 est.)

Electricity - production:

4.547 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 29.1% hydro: 70.9% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

5.829 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

1.1 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

2.7 billion kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

44,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Natural gas - production:

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - consumption:

1.7 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - exports:

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - imports:

1.7 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Current account balance:

$-1.251 billion (2004 est.)

Exports:

$3.569 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

wood and wood products, machinery and equipment, metals, textiles,

foodstuffs

Exports - partners:

UK 12.8%, Germany 12%, Sweden 10%, Lithuania 9.1%, Estonia 8%,

Russia 6.4%, Denmark 5.4% (2004)

Imports:

$5.97 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

machinery and equipment, chemicals, fuels, vehicles

Imports - partners:

Germany 13.9%, Lithuania 12.2%, Russia 8.7%, Estonia 7%, Finland

6.3%, Sweden 6.1%, Poland 5.4%, Belarus 4.8% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$1.65 billion (2004 est.)

Debt - external:

$7.368 billion (2004 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:

$96.2 million (1995)

Currency (code):

Latvian lat (LVL)

Currency code:

LVL

Exchange rates:

lati per US dollar - 0.5402 (2004), 0.5715 (2003), 0.6182 (2002),

0.6279 (2001), 0.6065 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Latvia

Telephones - main lines in use:

653,900 (2003)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

1,219,600 (2003)

Telephone system:

general assessment: inadequate, but is being modernized to provide

an international capability independent of the Moscow international

switch; more facilities are being installed for individual use

domestic: expansion underway in intercity trunk line connections,

rural exchanges, and mobile systems; still many unsatisfied

subscriber applications

international: country code - 371; international connections are now

available via cable and a satellite earth station at Riga, enabling

direct connections for most calls (1998)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 8, FM 56, shortwave 1 (1998)

Radios:

1.76 million (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

44 (plus 31 repeaters) (1995)

Televisions:

1.22 million (1997)

Internet country code:

.lv

Internet hosts:

51,758 (2004)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

41 (2001)

Internet users:

936,000 (2003)

Transportation Latvia

Railways:

total: 2,303 km

broad gauge: 2,270 km 1.520-m gauge (257 km electrified)

narrow gauge: 33 km 0.750-m gauge (2004)

Highways:

total: 60,472 km

paved: 57,206 km

unpaved: 3,265 km (2002)

Waterways:

300 km (2004)

Pipelines:

gas 1,097 km; oil 409 km; refined products 415 km (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Riga, Ventspils

Merchant marine:

total: 19 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 53,153 GRT/37,414 DWT

by type: cargo 7, chemical tanker 1, liquefied gas 2,

passenger/cargo 3, petroleum tanker 5, roll on/roll off 1

registered in other countries: 86 (2005)

Airports:

50 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 26

2,438 to 3,047 m: 7

1,524 to 2,437 m: 2

914 to 1,523 m: 1

under 914 m: 16 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 24

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 2

914 to 1,523 m: 1

under 914 m: 20 (2004 est.)

Military Latvia

Military branches:

Ground Forces, Navy, Air Force, Border Guard, Home Guard

(Zemessardze)

Military service age and obligation: 19 years of age for compulsory military service, conscript service obligation - 12 months; 18 years of age for volunteers; Latvia plans to phase out conscription, tentatively moving to an all-professional force by 2007 (August 2004)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 19-49: 517,713 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 19-49: 361,098 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:

males: 19,137 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$87 million (FY01)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

1.2% (FY01)

Transnational Issues Latvia

Disputes - international:

the Latvian-Russian boundary treaty of 1997 remains unsigned and

unratified with Russia linking it to better Latvian treatment of

ethnic Russians and Latvian politicians demanding Russian agreement

to a declaration that admits Soviet aggression during the Second

World War and other issues; the Latvian parliament has not ratified

its 1998 maritime boundary treaty with Lithuania, primarily due to

concerns over oil exploration rights; as a member state that forms

part of the EU's external border, Latvia must implement the strict

Schengen border rules

Illicit drugs:

transshipment point for opiates and cannabis from Central and

Southwest Asia to Western Europe and Scandinavia and Latin American

cocaine and some synthetics from Western Europe to CIS; vulnerable

to money laundering despite improved legislation due to nascent

enforcement capabilities and comparatively weak regulation of

offshore companies and the gaming industry; organized crime

(including counterfeiting, corruption, extortion, stolen cars, and

prostitution) accounts for most laundered proceeds

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Lebanon

Introduction Lebanon

Background:

Lebanon has made progress toward rebuilding its political

institutions since 1991 and the end of the devastating 15-year civil

war. Under the Ta'if Accord - the blueprint for national

reconciliation - the Lebanese have established a more equitable

political system, particularly by giving Muslims a greater say in

the political process while institutionalizing sectarian divisions

in the government. Since the end of the war, the Lebanese have

conducted several successful elections, most of the militias have

been weakened or disbanded, and the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) have

extended central government authority over about two-thirds of the

country. Hizballah, a radical Shia organization, retains its

weapons. During Lebanon's civil war, the Arab League legitimized in

the Ta'if Accord Syria's troop deployment, numbering about 16,000

based mainly east of Beirut and in the Bekaa Valley. Damascus

justified its continued military presence in Lebanon by citing

Beirut's requests and the failure of the Lebanese Government to

implement all of the constitutional reforms in the Ta'if Accord.

Israel's withdrawal from southern Lebanon in May 2000, however,

encouraged some Lebanese groups to demand that Syria withdraw its

forces as well. The passage of UNSCR 1559 in early October 2004 - a

resolution calling for Syria to withdraw from Lebanon and end its

interference in Lebanese affairs - further emboldened Lebanese

groups opposed to Syria's presence in Lebanon. Syria finally

withdrew the remainder of its forces from Lebanon in April of 2005.

Geography Lebanon

Location:

Middle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Israel and

Syria

Geographic coordinates:

33 50 N, 35 50 E

Map references:

Middle East

Area:

total: 10,400 sq km

land: 10,230 sq km

water: 170 sq km

Area - comparative:

about 0.7 times the size of Connecticut

Land boundaries: total: 454 km border countries: Israel 79 km, Syria 375 km

Coastline:

225 km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 12 nm

Climate:

Mediterranean; mild to cool, wet winters with hot, dry summers;

Lebanon mountains experience heavy winter snows

Terrain:

narrow coastal plain; El Beqaa (Bekaa Valley) separates Lebanon and

Anti-Lebanon Mountains

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m

highest point: Qurnat as Sawda' 3,088 m

Natural resources:

limestone, iron ore, salt, water-surplus state in a water-deficit

region, arable land

Land use:

arable land: 16.62%

permanent crops: 13.98%

other: 69.4% (2001)

Irrigated land:

1,200 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

dust storms, sandstorms

Environment - current issues:

deforestation; soil erosion; desertification; air pollution in

Beirut from vehicular traffic and the burning of industrial wastes;

pollution of coastal waters from raw sewage and oil spills

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Hazardous

Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution,

Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification, Marine Life

Conservation

Geography - note:

Nahr el Litani only major river in Near East not crossing an

international boundary; rugged terrain historically helped isolate,

protect, and develop numerous factional groups based on religion,

clan, and ethnicity

People Lebanon

Population:

3,826,018 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 26.7% (male 520,270/female 499,609)

15-64 years: 66.4% (male 1,216,738/female 1,324,031)

65 years and over: 6.9% (male 120,176/female 145,194) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 27.34 years

male: 26.28 years

female: 28.43 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

1.26% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

18.88 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

6.24 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.83 male(s)/female

total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 24.52 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 27.19 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 21.71 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 72.63 years

male: 70.17 years

female: 75.21 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

1.92 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

0.1% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

2,800 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

less than 200 (2003 est.)

Nationality:

noun: Lebanese (singular and plural)

adjective: Lebanese

Ethnic groups:

Arab 95%, Armenian 4%, other 1%

Religions:

Muslim 59.7% (Shi'a, Sunni, Druze, Isma'ilite, Alawite or Nusayri),

Christian 39% (Maronite Catholic, Greek Orthodox, Melkite Catholic,

Armenian Orthodox, Syrian Catholic, Armenian Catholic, Syrian

Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Chaldean, Assyrian, Copt, Protestant),

other 1.3%

note: seventeen religious sects recognized

Languages:

Arabic (official), French, English, Armenian

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 87.4%

male: 93.1%

female: 82.2% (2003 est.)

Government Lebanon

Country name:

conventional long form: Lebanese Republic

conventional short form: Lebanon

local long form: Al Jumhuriyah al Lubnaniyah

local short form: Lubnan

Government type:

republic

Capital:

Beirut

Administrative divisions:

6 governorates (mohafazat, singular - mohafazah); Beyrouth, Beqaa,

Liban-Nord, Liban-Sud, Mont-Liban, Nabatiye

Independence:

22 November 1943 (from League of Nations mandate under French

administration)

National holiday:

Independence Day, 22 November (1943)

Constitution:

23 May 1926; amended a number of times, most recently Charter of

Lebanese National Reconciliation (Ta'if Accord) of October 1989

Legal system:

mixture of Ottoman law, canon law, Napoleonic code, and civil law;

no judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory

ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage:

21 years of age; compulsory for all males; authorized for women at

age 21 with elementary education

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Emile LAHUD (since 24 November 1998)

head of government: Prime Minister Fuad SINIORA (since 30 June

2005); Deputy Prime Minister Elias MURR (since April 2005)

cabinet: Cabinet chosen by the prime minister in consultation with

the president and members of the National Assembly

elections: president elected by the National Assembly for a six-year

term; election last held 15 October 1998 (next election date NA);

note - on 3 September 2004 the National Assembly voted 96 to 29 to

extend Emile LAHUD's six-year term by three years; the prime

minister and deputy prime minister appointed by the president in

consultation with the National Assembly; by agreement, the president

is a Maronite Christian, the prime minister is a Sunni Muslim, and

the speaker of the legislature is a Shia Muslim

election results: for 15 October 1998 election: Emile LAHUD elected

president; National Assembly vote - 118 votes in favor, 0 against,

10 abstentions

Legislative branch:

unicameral National Assembly or Majlis Alnuwab (Arabic) or

Assemblee Nationale (French) (128 seats; members elected by popular

vote on the basis of sectarian proportional representation to serve

four-year terms)

elections: last held in four rounds on 29 May, 5, 12, 19 June 2005

(next to be held 2009)

election results: percent of vote by group - NA; seats by group -

Future Movement Bloc 36; Democratic Gathering 15; Development and

Resistance Bloc 15; Loyalty to the Resistance 14; Free Patriotic

Movement 14; Lebanese Forces 6; Qornet Shewan 5; Popular Bloc 4;

Tripoli Independent Bloc 3; Syrian National Socialist Party 2;

Kataeb Reform Movement 2; Tachnaq Party 2; Democratic Renewal

Movement 1; Democratic Left 1; Nasserite Popular Movement 1; Ba'th

Party 1; Kataeb Party 1; independent 5

Judicial branch:

four Courts of Cassation (three courts for civil and commercial

cases and one court for criminal cases); Constitutional Council

(called for in Ta'if Accord - rules on constitutionality of laws);

Supreme Council (hears charges against the president and prime

minister as needed)

Political parties and leaders:

Ba'th Party [leader NA]; Democratic Gathering [Walid JUNBLATT];

Democratic Left [leader NA]; Development and Resistance Bloc [Nabih

BARRI, Amal leader/speaker]; Free Patriotic Movement [Michel AWN];

Future Movement Bloc [Sa'ad HARIRI]; Kataeb Party [leader NA];

Kataeb Reform Movement [leader NA]; Lebanese Forces [leader NA];

Loyalty to the Resistance [Mohammad RA'AD]; Nasserite Popular

Movement [leader NA]; Popular Bloc [leader NA]; Qornet Shewan

[leader NA]; Syrian National Socialist Party [leader NA]; Tripoli

Independent Bloc [leader NA]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

NA

International organization participation:

ABEDA, ACCT, AFESD, AMF, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC,

ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol,

IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAS (observer), OIC,

PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNRWA, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO,

WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO (observer)

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Dr. Farid ABBOUD

chancery: 2560 28th Street NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 939-6300

FAX: [1] (202) 939-6324

consulate(s) general: Detroit, New York, and Los Angeles

Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Jeffrey D. FELTMAN embassy: Awkar, Lebanon mailing address: P. O. Box 70-840, Antelias, Lebanon; PSC 815, Box 2, FPO AE 09836-0002 telephone: [961] (4) 542600, 543600 FAX: [961] (4) 544136

Flag description:

three horizontal bands consisting of red (top), white (middle,

double width), and red (bottom) with a green cedar tree centered in

the white band

Economy Lebanon

Economy - overview:

The 1975-91 civil war seriously damaged Lebanon's economic

infrastructure, cut national output by half, and all but ended

Lebanon's position as a Middle Eastern entrepot and banking hub. In

the years since, Lebanon has rebuilt much of its war-torn physical

and financial infrastructure by borrowing heavily - mostly from

domestic banks. In an attempt to reduce the ballooning national

debt, the HARIRI government began an austerity program, reining in

government expenditures, increasing revenue collection, and

privatizing state enterprises. In November 2002, the government met

with international donors at the Paris II conference to seek

bilateral assistance in restructuring its massive domestic debt at

lower rates of interest. Substantial receipts from donor nations

stabilized government finances in 2003, but did little to reduce the

debt, which stood at nearly 180% of GDP. In 2004 the HARIRI

government issued Eurobonds in an effort to manage maturing debt,

and the KARAMI government has continued this practice. However,

privatization of state-owned enterprises had not occurred by the end

of 2004, as promised during the Paris II conference.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$18.83 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

4% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $5,000 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector:

agriculture: 12%

industry: 21%

services: 67% (2000)

Labor force:

2.6 million

note: in addition, there are as many as 1 million foreign workers

(2001 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture NA, industry NA, services NA

Unemployment rate:

18% (1997 est.)

Population below poverty line:

28% (1999 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

2% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

26% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $4.895 billion

expenditures: $6.642 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Public debt:

177.9% of GDP (2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

citrus, grapes, tomatoes, apples, vegetables, potatoes, olives,

tobacco; sheep, goats

Industries:

banking, food processing, jewelry, cement, textiles, mineral and

chemical products, wood and furniture products, oil refining, metal

fabricating

Industrial production growth rate:

NA

Electricity - production:

8.066 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 97.2% hydro: 2.8% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

8.591 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

1.09 billion kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

107,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Current account balance:

$-2.389 billion (2004 est.)

Exports:

$1.783 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

authentic jewelry, inorganic chemicals, miscellaneous consumer

goods, fruit, tobacco, construction minerals, electric power

machinery and switchgear, textile fibers, paper

Exports - partners:

Syria 24.9%, UAE 10%, Turkey 6.9%, Switzerland 6.7%, Saudi Arabia

5.3% (2004)

Imports:

$8.162 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

petroleum products, cars, medicinal products, clothing, meat and

live animals, consumer goods, paper, textile fabrics, tobacco

Imports - partners:

Italy 11.2%, France 10.3%, Syria 9.8%, Germany 8.6%, China 5.8%, US

5.5%, UK 4.6% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$16.3 billion (2004 est.)

Debt - external:

$15.84 billion (2004 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:

$2.2 billion received (2003), out of the $4.2 billion in soft loans

pledged at the November 2002 Paris II Aid Conference

Currency (code):

Lebanese pound (LBP)

Currency code:

LBP

Exchange rates:

Lebanese pounds per US dollar - 1,507.5 (2004), 1,507.5 (2003),

1,507.5 (2002), 1,507.5 (2001), 1,507.5 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Lebanon

Telephones - main lines in use:

678,800 (2002)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

775,100 (2002)

Telephone system:

general assessment: telecommunications system severely damaged by

civil war; rebuilding well underway

domestic: primarily microwave radio relay and cable

international: country code - 961; satellite earth stations - 2

Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Atlantic Ocean) (erratic operations);

coaxial cable to Syria; microwave radio relay to Syria but

inoperable beyond Syria to Jordan; 3 submarine coaxial cables

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 20, FM 22, shortwave 4 (1998)

Radios:

2.85 million (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

15 (plus 5 repeaters) (1995)

Televisions:

1.18 million (1997)

Internet country code:

.lb

Internet hosts:

6,998 (2004)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

22 (2000)

Internet users:

400,000 (2002)

Transportation Lebanon

Railways:

total: 401 km

standard gauge: 319 km 1.435-m

narrow gauge: 82 km 1.050-m

note: rail system became unusable because of damage during the civil

war in the 1980s; short sections are operable (2004)

Highways: total: 7,300 km paved: 6,198 km unpaved: 1,102 km (1999 est.)

Pipelines:

oil 209 km (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Beirut, Chekka, Jounie, Tripoli

Merchant marine:

total: 44 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 198,602 GRT/248,313 DWT

by type: bulk carrier 4, cargo 26, livestock carrier 8, refrigerated

cargo 1, roll on/roll off 2, vehicle carrier 3

foreign-owned: 6 (Austria 1, Greece 5)

registered in other countries: 40 (2005)

Airports:

8 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 5 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 3

914 to 1,523 m: 2

under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Military Lebanon

Military branches:

Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF): Army, Navy, and Air Force

Military service age and obligation: 18-30 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service; conscript service obligation - 12 months (2004)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 18-49: 974,363 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: 821,762 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$540.6 million (2002) (2004)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

3.1% (FY99) (2004)

Transnational Issues Lebanon

Disputes - international:

intense international pressure prompts the removal of Syrian troops

and intelligence personnel from Lebanon; Lebanese Government claims

Shab'a Farms area of Israeli-occupied Golan Heights; the roughly

2,000-strong UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) has been in place

since 1978

Refugees and internally displaced persons:

refugees (country of origin): 394,532 (Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA))

IDPs: 300,000 (1975-90 civil war, Israeli invasions) (2004)

Illicit drugs:

cannabis cultivation dramatically reduced to 2,500 hectares in

2002; opium poppy cultivation minimal; small amounts of Latin

American cocaine and Southwest Asian heroin transit country on way

to European markets and for Middle Eastern consumption

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Lesotho

Introduction Lesotho

Background:

Basutoland was renamed the Kingdom of Lesotho upon independence

from the UK in 1966. King MOSHOESHOE was exiled in 1990, but

returned to Lesotho in 1992 and reinstated in 1995. Constitutional

government was restored in 1993 after 23 years of military rule. In

1998, violent protests and a military mutiny following a contentious

election prompted a brief but bloody intervention by South African

and Botswanan military forces under the aegis of the Southern

African Development Community. Constitutional reforms have since

restored political stability; peaceful parliamentary elections were

held in 2002.

Geography Lesotho

Location:

Southern Africa, an enclave of South Africa

Geographic coordinates:

29 30 S, 28 30 E

Map references:

Africa

Area:

total: 30,355 sq km

land: 30,355 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly smaller than Maryland

Land boundaries: total: 909 km border countries: South Africa 909 km

Coastline:

0 km (landlocked)

Maritime claims:

none (landlocked)

Climate:

temperate; cool to cold, dry winters; hot, wet summers

Terrain:

mostly highland with plateaus, hills, and mountains

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: junction of the Orange and Makhaleng Rivers 1,400 m

highest point: Thabana Ntlenyana 3,482 m

Natural resources:

water, agricultural and grazing land, diamonds, sand, clay,

building stone

Land use: arable land: 10.87% permanent crops: 0.13% other: 89% (2001)

Irrigated land:

10 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

periodic droughts

Environment - current issues:

population pressure forcing settlement in marginal areas results in

overgrazing, severe soil erosion, and soil exhaustion;

desertification; Highlands Water Project controls, stores, and

redirects water to South Africa

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto

Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes,

Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection

signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea

Geography - note:

landlocked, completely surrounded by South Africa; mountainous,

more than 80% of the country is 1,800 meters above sea level

People Lesotho

Population:

1,867,035

note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the

effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower

life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower

population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of

population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July

2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 36.9% (male 346,930/female 342,459)

15-64 years: 57.6% (male 526,642/female 548,096)

65 years and over: 5.5% (male 42,003/female 60,905) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 20.19 years

male: 19.68 years

female: 20.74 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

0.08% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

26.53 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

25.03 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

-0.74 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female

total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 84.23 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 89.11 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 79.21 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 34.47 years

male: 35.49 years

female: 33.42 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

3.35 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

28.9% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

320,000 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

29,000 (2003 est.)

Nationality:

noun: Mosotho (singular), Basotho (plural)

adjective: Basotho

Ethnic groups:

Sotho 99.7%, Europeans, Asians, and other 0.3%,

Religions:

Christian 80%, indigenous beliefs 20%

Languages:

Sesotho (southern Sotho), English (official), Zulu, Xhosa

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 84.8%

male: 74.5%

female: 94.5% (2003 est.)

Government Lesotho

Country name:

conventional long form: Kingdom of Lesotho

conventional short form: Lesotho

former: Basutoland

Government type:

parliamentary constitutional monarchy

Capital:

Maseru

Administrative divisions:

10 districts; Berea, Butha-Buthe, Leribe, Mafeteng, Maseru,

Mohale's Hoek, Mokhotlong, Qacha's Nek, Quthing, Thaba-Tseka

Independence:

4 October 1966 (from UK)

National holiday:

Independence Day, 4 October (1966)

Constitution:

2 April 1993

Legal system:

based on English common law and Roman-Dutch law; judicial review of

legislative acts in High Court and Court of Appeal; has not accepted

compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: King LETSIE III (since 7 February 1996); note -

King LETSIE III formerly occupied the throne from November 1990 to

February 1995, while his father was in exile

head of government: Prime Minister Pakalitha MOSISILI (since 23 May

1998)

cabinet: Cabinet

elections: none; according to the constitution, the leader of the

majority party in the Assembly automatically becomes prime minister;

the monarch is hereditary, but, under the terms of the constitution,

which came into effect after the March 1993 election, the monarch is

a "living symbol of national unity" with no executive or legislative

powers; under traditional law the college of chiefs has the power to

determine who is next in the line of succession, who shall serve as

regent in the event that the successor is not of mature age, and may

even depose the monarch

Legislative branch:

bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (33 members - 22

principal chiefs and 11 other members appointed by the ruling party)

and the Assembly (120 seats, 80 by direct popular vote and 40 by

proportional vote; members elected by popular vote for five-year

terms); note - number of seats in the Assembly rose from 80 to 120

in the May 2002 election

elections: last held 25 May 2002 (next to be held May 2007)

election results: percent of vote by party - LCD 54%, BNP 21%, LPC

7%, other 18%; seats by party - LCD 76, BNP 21, LPC 5, other 18

Judicial branch:

High Court (chief justice appointed by the monarch acting on the

advice of the Prime Minister); Court of Appeal; Magistrate's Court;

customary or traditional court

Political parties and leaders:

Basotholand African Congress or BAC [Khauhelo RALITAPOLE];

Basotholand Congress Party or BCP [Ntsukunyane MPHANYA]; Basotho

National Party or BNP [Maj. Gen. Justine Metsing LEKHANYA]; Lesotho

Congress for Democracy or LCD [Pakalitha MOSISILI] - the governing

party; Lesotho People's Congress or LPC [Kelebone MAOPE]; Lesotho

Workers Party of LWP [Macaefa BILLY]; Marematlou Freedom Party or

MFP [Vincent MALEBO]; National Independent Party or NIP [Anthony

MANYELI]; National Progressive Party or NPP [Chief Peete Nkoebe

PEETE]; Popular Front for Democracy or PFD [Lekhetho RAKUOANE];

Sefate Democratic Party or SDP [Bofihla NKUEBE]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

NA

International organization participation:

ACP, AfDB, AU, C, The Commonwealth, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt,

ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, ISO

(subscriber), ITU, MIGA, NAM, OPCW, SACU, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,

UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Molelekeng E. RAPOLAKI

chancery: 2511 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 797-5533 through 5536

FAX: [1] (202) 234-6815

Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador June Carter PERRY embassy: 254 Kingsway, Maseru West (Consular Section) mailing address: P. O. Box 333, Maseru 100, Lesotho telephone: [266] 22 312666 FAX: [266] 22 310116

Flag description:

divided diagonally from the lower hoist side corner; the upper half

is white, bearing the brown silhouette of a large shield with

crossed spear and club; the lower half is a diagonal blue band with

a green triangle in the corner

Economy Lesotho

Economy - overview:

Small, landlocked, and mountainous, Lesotho relies on remittances

from miners employed in South Africa and customs duties from the

Southern Africa Customs Union for the majority of government

revenue, but the government has strengthened its tax system to

reduce dependency on customs duties. Completion of a major

hydropower facility in January 1998 now permits the sale of water to

South Africa, also generating royalties for Lesotho. As the number

of mineworkers has declined steadily over the past several years, a

small manufacturing base has developed based on farm products that

support the milling, canning, leather, and jute industries and a

rapidly growing apparel-assembly sector. The garment industry has

grown significantly, mainly due to Lesotho qualifying for the trade

benefits contained in the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act. The

economy is still primarily based on subsistence agriculture,

especially livestock, although drought has decreased agricultural

activity. The extreme inequality in the distribution of income

remains a major drawback. Lesotho has signed an Interim Poverty

Reduction and Growth Facility with the IMF.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$5.892 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

3.3% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $3,200 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 15.2% industry: 43.9% services: 40.9% (2004 est.)

Labor force: 838,000 (2000)

Labor force - by occupation: 86% of resident population engaged in subsistence agriculture; roughly 35% of the active male wage earners work in South Africa

Unemployment rate:

45% (2002)

Population below poverty line:

49% (1999)

Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 0.9% highest 10%: 43.4%

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

56 (1986-87)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

5.3% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

39.6% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $698.5 million

expenditures: $697.6 million, including capital expenditures of $15

million (2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

corn, wheat, pulses, sorghum, barley; livestock

Industries:

food, beverages, textiles, apparel assembly, handicrafts;

construction; tourism

Industrial production growth rate:

15.5% (1999)

Electricity - production:

314 million kWh; note - electricity supplied by South Africa (2002)

Electricity - consumption:

308 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

16 million kWh; note - electricity supplied by South Africa (2002)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

1,500 bbl/day (2001)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Current account balance:

$-108.3 million (2004 est.)

Exports:

$484.5 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

manufactures 75% (clothing, footwear, road vehicles), wool and

mohair, food and live animals (2000)

Exports - partners:

US 97%, Canada 2.1%, UK 0.3% (2004)

Imports:

$730.9 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

food; building materials, vehicles, machinery, medicines, petroleum

products (2000)

Imports - partners:

Hong Kong 46.8%, China 25.5%, South Korea 5.6%, Germany 4.8% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$402.2 million (2004 est.)

Debt - external:

$735 million (2002)

Economic aid - donor:

ODA $4.4 million

Economic aid - recipient:

$41.5 million (2000)

Currency (code):

loti (LSL); South African rand (ZAR)

Currency code:

LSL; ZAR

Exchange rates:

maloti per US dollar - 6.4597 (2004), 7.5648 (2003), 10.5407

(2002), 8.6092 (2001), 6.9398 (2000)

Fiscal year:

1 April - 31 March

Communications Lesotho

Telephones - main lines in use:

28,600 (2002)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

92,000 (2002)

Telephone system:

general assessment: rudimentary system

domestic: consists of a modest but growing number of landlines, a

small microwave radio relay system, and a minor radiotelephone

communication system; a cellular mobile telephone system is growing

international: country code - 266; satellite earth station - 1

Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 1 (1998)

Radios:

NA (2002)

Television broadcast stations:

1 (2000)

Televisions:

NA

Internet country code:

.ls

Internet hosts:

119 (2003)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

1 (2000)

Internet users:

21,000 (2002)

Transportation Lesotho

Highways: total: 5,940 km paved: 1,087 km unpaved: 4,853 km (1999)

Airports: 28 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 3 over 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 25 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 21 (2004 est.)

Military Lesotho

Military branches:

Lesotho Defense Force (LDF): Army and Air Wing

Military service age and obligation:

18 years of age (est.); no conscription (2001)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 18-49: 400,457 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: 162,857 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$32.3 million (2004)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

2.3% (2004)

Military - note:

the Lesotho Government in 1999 began an open debate on the future

structure, size, and role of the armed forces, especially

considering the Lesotho Defense Force's (LDF) history of intervening

in political affairs

Transnational Issues Lesotho

Disputes - international: none

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Liberia

Introduction Liberia

Background:

In August 2003, a comprehensive peace agreement ended 14 years of

civil war and prompted the resignation of former president Charles

TAYLOR, who was exiled to Nigeria. The National Transitional

Government of Liberia (NTGL) - composed of rebel, government, and

civil society groups - assumed control in October 2003. Chairman

Gyude BRYANT, who was given a two-year mandate to oversee efforts to

rebuild Liberia, heads the new government. The United Nations

Mission in Liberia (UNMIL), which maintains a strong presence

throughout the country, completed a disarmament program for former

combatants in late 2004, but the security situation is still

volatile and the process of rebuilding the social and economic

structure of this war-torn country remains sluggish.

Geography Liberia

Location:

Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Cote

d'Ivoire and Sierra Leone

Geographic coordinates:

6 30 N, 9 30 W

Map references:

Africa

Area:

total: 111,370 sq km

land: 96,320 sq km

water: 15,050 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly larger than Tennessee

Land boundaries:

total: 1,585 km

border countries: Guinea 563 km, Cote d'Ivoire 716 km, Sierra Leone

306 km

Coastline:

579 km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 200 nm

Climate:

tropical; hot, humid; dry winters with hot days and cool to cold

nights; wet, cloudy summers with frequent heavy showers

Terrain:

mostly flat to rolling coastal plains rising to rolling plateau and

low mountains in northeast

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

highest point: Mount Wuteve 1,380 m

Natural resources:

iron ore, timber, diamonds, gold, hydropower

Land use: arable land: 3.95% permanent crops: 2.28% other: 93.77% (2001)

Irrigated land:

30 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

dust-laden harmattan winds blow from the Sahara (December to March)

Environment - current issues: tropical rain forest deforestation; soil erosion; loss of biodiversity; pollution of coastal waters from oil residue and raw sewage

Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94 signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation

Geography - note:

facing the Atlantic Ocean, the coastline is characterized by

lagoons, mangrove swamps, and river-deposited sandbars; the inland

grassy plateau supports limited agriculture

People Liberia

Population:

3,482,211 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 43.6% (male 765,662/female 751,134)

15-64 years: 52.8% (male 896,206/female 940,985)

65 years and over: 3.7% (male 64,547/female 63,677) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 18.06 years

male: 17.69 years

female: 18.42 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

2.64% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

44.22 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

17.87 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population

note: at least 200,000 Liberian refugees are in surrounding

countries; the uncertain security situation has hindered their

ability to return (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 1.01 male(s)/female

total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 128.87 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 135.64 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 121.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 38.89 years

male: 37.03 years

female: 40.81 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

6.09 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

5.9% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

100,000 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

7,200 (2003 est.)

Major infectious diseases:

degree of risk: very high

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea,

hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases: malaria and yellow fever are high risks in

some locations

water contact disease: schistosomiasis

aerosolized dust or soil contact disease: Lassa fever (2004)

Nationality:

noun: Liberian(s)

adjective: Liberian

Ethnic groups:

indigenous African tribes 95% (including Kpelle, Bassa, Gio, Kru,

Grebo, Mano, Krahn, Gola, Gbandi, Loma, Kissi, Vai, Dei, Bella,

Mandingo, and Mende), Americo-Liberians 2.5% (descendants of

immigrants from the US who had been slaves), Congo People 2.5%

(descendants of immigrants from the Caribbean who had been slaves)

Religions:

indigenous beliefs 40%, Christian 40%, Muslim 20%

Languages:

English 20% (official), some 20 ethnic group languages, of which a

few can be written and are used in correspondence

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 57.5%

male: 73.3%

female: 41.6% (2003 est.)

Government Liberia

Country name:

conventional long form: Republic of Liberia

conventional short form: Liberia

Government type:

republic

Capital:

Monrovia

Administrative divisions:

15 counties; Bomi, Bong, Gbarpolu, Grand Bassa, Grand Cape Mount,

Grand Gedeh, Grand Kru, Lofa, Margibi, Maryland, Montserrado, Nimba,

River Cess, River Gee, Sinoe

Independence:

26 July 1847

National holiday:

Independence Day, 26 July (1847)

Constitution:

6 January 1986

Legal system:

dual system of statutory law based on Anglo-American common law for

the modern sector and customary law based on unwritten tribal

practices for indigenous sector

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: Chairman Gyude BRYANT (since 14 October 2003); note

- this is an interim position until presidential elections in 2005;

the chairman is both the chief of state and head of government

head of government: Chairman Gyude BRYANT (since 14 October 2003);

note - this is an interim position until presidential elections in

2005; the chairman is both the chief of state and head of government

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president and confirmed by the

Senate; note - current cabinet positions are divided among groups

participating in the Liberian peace process

elections: president elected by popular vote for a six-year term

(renewable); election last held 19 July 1997 (next to be held 11

October 2005)

election results: Charles Ghankay TAYLOR elected president; percent

of vote - Charles Ghankay TAYLOR (NPP) 75.3%, Ellen Johnson SIRLEAF

(UP) 9.6%, Alhaji KROMAH (ALCOP) 4%, other 11.1%; note - TAYLOR

stepped down in August 2003

note: a UN-brokered cease-fire among warring factions and the

Liberian government resulted in the August 2003 resignation of

former president Charles TAYLOR; a jointly agreed upon replacement,

Chairman Gyude BRYANT, assumed office as head of the National

Transitional Government on 14 October 2003

Legislative branch:

bicameral National Assembly consists of the Senate (26 seats;

members elected by popular vote to serve nine-year terms) and the

House of Representatives (64 seats; members elected by popular vote

to serve six-year terms)

elections: Senate - last held 19 July 1997 (next to be held 11

October 2005); House of Representatives - last held 19 July 1997

(next to be held 11 October 2005)

election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by

party - NPP 21, UP 3, ALCOP 2; House of Representatives - percent of

vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NPP 49, UP 7, ALCOP 3,

Alliance of Political Parties 2, UPP 2, LPP 1

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court

Political parties and leaders:

Alliance of Political Parties (a coalition of LAP and LUP) [leader

NA]; All Liberia Coalition Party or ALCOP [Peter KERBAY]; Liberian

Action Party or LAP [C. Gyude BRYANT]; Liberian People's Party or

LPP [Koffa NAGBE]; Liberia Unification Party or LUP [leader NA];

National Patriotic Party or NPP [Cyril ALLEN] - governing party;

United People's Party or UPP [Wesley JOHNSON]; Unity Party or UP

[Charles CLARKE]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

NA

International organization participation:

ACP, AfDB, AU, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU,

ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU,

NAM, OPCW (signatory), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO,

WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Aaron B.

KOLLIE

chancery: 5201 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20011

telephone: [1] (202) 723-0437

FAX: [1] (202) 723-0436

consulate(s) general: New York

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador John William BLANEY III

embassy: 111 United Nations Drive, P. O. Box 10-0098, Mamba Point,

1000 Monrovia, 10 Liberia

mailing address: use embassy street address

telephone: [231] 226-370 through 226-380

FAX: [231] 226-148

Flag description:

11 equal horizontal stripes of red (top and bottom) alternating

with white; there is a white five-pointed star on a blue square in

the upper hoist-side corner; the design was based on the US flag

Economy Liberia

Economy - overview:

Civil war and government mismanagement have destroyed much of

Liberia's economy, especially the infrastructure in and around

Monrovia, while continued international sanctions on diamonds and

timber exports will limit growth prospects for the foreseeable

future. Many businessmen have fled the country, taking capital and

expertise with them. Some have returned, but many will not. Richly

endowed with water, mineral resources, forests, and a climate

favorable to agriculture, Liberia had been a producer and exporter

of basic products - primarily raw timber and rubber. Local

manufacturing, mainly foreign owned, had been small in scope. The

departure of the former president, Charles TAYLOR, to Nigeria in

August 2003, the establishment of the all-inclusive Transitional

Government, and the arrival of a UN mission are all necessary for

the eventual end of the political crisis, but thus far have done

little to encourage economic development. The reconstruction of

infrastructure and the raising of incomes in this ravaged economy

will largely depend on generous financial support and technical

assistance from donor countries.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$2.903 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

21.8% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $900 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 76.9% industry: 5.4% services: 17.7% (2002 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 70%, industry 8%, services 22% (2000 est.)

Unemployment rate:

85% (2003 est.)

Population below poverty line:

80%

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

15% (2003 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $85.4 million

expenditures: $90.5 million, including capital expenditures of NA

(2000 est.)

Agriculture - products: rubber, coffee, cocoa, rice, cassava (tapioca), palm oil, sugarcane, bananas; sheep, goats; timber

Industries:

rubber processing, palm oil processing, timber, diamonds

Industrial production growth rate:

NA

Electricity - production:

488.8 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

454.6 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

3,100 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - imports:

NA

Exports:

$1.079 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.)

Exports - commodities:

rubber, timber, iron, diamonds, cocoa, coffee

Exports - partners:

Denmark 29.5%, Germany 18.9%, Poland 14.3%, US 8.9%, Greece 8%

(2004)

Imports:

$5.051 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.)

Imports - commodities:

fuels, chemicals, machinery, transportation equipment, manufactured

goods; foodstuffs

Imports - partners:

South Korea 38.8%, Japan 21.2%, Singapore 12.2%, Croatia 5.3%,

Germany 4.2% (2004)

Debt - external:

$2.1 billion (2000 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:

$94 million (1999)

Currency (code):

Liberian dollar (LRD)

Currency code:

LRD

Exchange rates:

Liberian dollars per US dollar - 54.906 (2004), 59.379 (2003),

61.754 (2002), 48.583 (2001), 40.953 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Liberia

Telephones - main lines in use:

7,000 (2001)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

2,000 (2001)

Telephone system:

general assessment: the limited services available are found almost

exclusively in the capital Monrovia

domestic: fully automatic system with very low density of .21 fixed

mainlines per 100 persons; limited wireless service available

international: country code - 231; satellite earth station - 1

Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 0, FM 7, shortwave 2 (2001)

Radios:

790,000 (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

1 (plus four low-power repeaters) (2001)

Televisions:

70,000 (1997)

Internet country code:

.lr

Internet hosts:

14 (2004)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

2 (2001)

Internet users:

1,000 (2002)

Transportation Liberia

Railways:

total: 490 km

standard gauge: 345 km 1.435-m gauge

narrow gauge: 145 km 1.067-m gauge

note: none of the railways are in operation because of the civil war

(2004)

Highways:

total: 10,600 km

paved: 657 km

unpaved: 9,943 km (1999 est.)

Ports and harbors:

Buchanan, Monrovia

Merchant marine:

total: 1,465 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 50,555,752 GRT/79,125,329 DWT

by type: barge carrier 3, bulk carrier 275, cargo 91, chemical

tanker 173, combination ore/oil 22, container 388, liquefied gas 78,

passenger 2, passenger/cargo 2, petroleum tanker 324, refrigerated

cargo 57, roll on/roll off 6, specialized tanker 9, vehicle carrier

35

foreign-owned: 1,392 (Argentina 8, Australia 2, Austria 13, Bahamas

3, Brazil 6, British 1, Canada 2, Chile 1, China 36, Croatia 7,

Cyprus 1, Denmark 5, France 3, Germany 511, Greece 149, Hong Kong

29, India 4, Indonesia 1, Isle of Man 5, Israel 7, Italy 12, Japan

106, Latvia 18, Monaco 10, Netherlands 18, Nigeria 1, Norway 57,

Pakistan 1, Poland 14, Romania 1, Russia 63, Saudi Arabia 23,

Singapore 29, Slovenia 1, South Korea 4, Sweden 12, Switzerland 10,

Taiwan 54, Turkey 4, Ukraine 7, UAE 10, United Kingdom 56, United

States 84, Uruguay 3) (2005)

Airports:

53 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 2 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 51 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 8 under 914 m: 38 (2004 est.)

Military Liberia

Military branches:

Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL): Army, Navy, Air Force

Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2001)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 18-49: 659,795 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: 360,373 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$1.5 million (2004)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

0.2% (2004)

Transnational Issues Liberia

Disputes - international:

although Liberia's domestic fighting among disparate rebel groups,

warlords, and youth gangs was declared over in 2003, civil unrest

persists, and in 2004, 133,000 Liberian refugees remained in Guinea,

72,000 in Cote d'Ivoire, 67,000 in Sierra Leone, and 43,000 in

Ghana; Liberia, in turn, shelters refugees fleeing turmoil in Cote

d'Ivoire and Sierra Leone; since 2003, the UN Mission in Liberia

(UNMIL) has maintained about 18,000 peacekeepers in Liberia; the

Cote d'Ivoire Government accuses Liberia of supporting Ivoirian

rebels; UN sanctions ban Liberia from exporting diamonds and timber

Refugees and internally displaced persons:

refugees (country of origin): 13,941 (Sierra Leone) 38,325 (Cote

d'Ivoire)

IDPs: 500,000 (civil war from 1990-2004; IDP resettlement began in

November 2004) (2004)

Illicit drugs:

transshipment point for Southeast and Southwest Asian heroin and

South American cocaine for the European and US markets; corruption,

criminal activity, arms-dealing, and diamond trade provide

significant potential for money laundering, but the lack of

well-developed financial system limits the country's utility as a

major money-laundering center

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Libya

Introduction Libya

Background:

From the earliest days of his rule following his 1969 military

coup, Col. Muammar Abu Minyar al-QADHAFI has espoused his own

political system, the Third Universal Theory. The system is a

combination of socialism and Islam derived in part from tribal

practices and is supposed to be implemented by the Libyan people

themselves in a unique form of "direct democracy." QADHAFI has

always seen himself as a revolutionary and visionary leader. He used

oil funds during the 1970s and 1980s to promote his ideology outside

Libya, supporting subversives and terrorists abroad to hasten the

end of Marxism and capitalism. In addition, beginning in 1973, he

engaged in military operations in northern Chad's Aozou Strip - to

gain access to minerals and to use as a base of influence in Chadian

politics - but was forced to retreat in 1987. UN sanctions in 1992

isolated QADHAFI politically following the downing of Pan AM Flight

103 over Lockerbie, Scotland. Libyan support for terrorism appeared

to have decreased after the imposition of sanctions. During the

1990s, QADHAFI also began to rebuild his relationships with Europe.

UN sanctions were suspended in April 1999 and finally lifted in

September 2003 after Libya resolved the Lockerbie case. In December

2003, Libya announced that it had agreed to reveal and end its

programs to develop weapons of mass destruction, and QADHAFI has

made significant strides in normalizing relations with western

nations since then. He has received various Western European leaders

as well as many working-level and commercial delegations, and made

his first trip to Western Europe in 15 years when he traveled to

Brussels in April 2004. QADHAFI also finally resolved in 2004

several outstanding cases against his government for terrorist

activities in the 1980s by paying compensation to the families of

victims of the UTA and La Belle disco bombings.

Geography Libya

Location:

Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Egypt and

Tunisia

Geographic coordinates:

25 00 N, 17 00 E

Map references:

Africa

Area:

total: 1,759,540 sq km

land: 1,759,540 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly larger than Alaska

Land boundaries:

total: 4,348 km

border countries: Algeria 982 km, Chad 1,055 km, Egypt 1,115 km,

Niger 354 km, Sudan 383 km, Tunisia 459 km

Coastline:

1,770 km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 12 nm

note: Gulf of Sidra closing line - 32 degrees, 30 minutes north

Climate:

Mediterranean along coast; dry, extreme desert interior

Terrain:

mostly barren, flat to undulating plains, plateaus, depressions

Elevation extremes: lowest point: Sabkhat Ghuzayyil -47 m highest point: Bikku Bitti 2,267 m

Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, gypsum

Land use: arable land: 1.03% permanent crops: 0.19% other: 98.78% (2001)

Irrigated land:

4,700 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

hot, dry, dust-laden ghibli is a southern wind lasting one to four

days in spring and fall; dust storms, sandstorms

Environment - current issues:

desertification; very limited natural fresh water resources; the

Great Manmade River Project, the largest water development scheme in

the world, is being built to bring water from large aquifers under

the Sahara to coastal cities

Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea

Geography - note: more than 90% of the country is desert or semidesert

People Libya

Population: 5,765,563 note: includes 166,510 non-nationals (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 33.9% (male 997,364/female 955,272)

15-64 years: 62% (male 1,842,775/female 1,729,235)

65 years and over: 4.2% (male 117,967/female 122,950) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 22.68 years

male: 22.8 years

female: 22.56 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

2.33% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

26.82 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

3.48 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.07 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.96 male(s)/female

total population: 1.05 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 24.6 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 26.92 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 22.17 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 76.5 years

male: 74.29 years

female: 78.82 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

3.34 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

0.3% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

10,000 (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

NA

Major infectious diseases:

degree of risk: intermediate

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and

typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases: may be a significant risk in some locations

during the transmission season (typically April through October)

(2004)

Nationality:

noun: Libyan(s)

adjective: Libyan

Ethnic groups:

Berber and Arab 97%, Greeks, Maltese, Italians, Egyptians,

Pakistanis, Turks, Indians, Tunisians

Religions:

Sunni Muslim 97%

Languages:

Arabic, Italian, English, all are widely understood in the major

cities

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 82.6%

male: 92.4%

female: 72% (2003 est.)

Government Libya

Country name:

conventional long form: Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab

Jamahiriya

conventional short form: Libya

local long form: Al Jumahiriyah al Arabiyah al Libiyah ash Shabiyah

al Ishtirakiyah al Uzma

local short form: none

Government type:

Jamahiriya (a state of the masses) in theory, governed by the

populace through local councils; in fact, a military dictatorship

Capital:

Tripoli

Administrative divisions:

25 municipalities (baladiyat, singular - baladiyah); Ajdabiya, Al

'Aziziyah, Al Fatih, Al Jabal al Akhdar, Al Jufrah, Al Khums, Al

Kufrah, An Nuqat al Khams, Ash Shati', Awbari, Az Zawiyah, Banghazi,

Darnah, Ghadamis, Gharyan, Misratah, Murzuq, Sabha, Sawfajjin, Surt,

Tarabulus, Tarhunah, Tubruq, Yafran, Zlitan; note - the 25

municipalities may have been replaced by 13 regions

Independence:

24 December 1951 (from Italy)

National holiday:

Revolution Day, 1 September (1969)

Constitution:

11 December 1969; amended 2 March 1977

Legal system:

based on Italian civil law system and Islamic law; separate

religious courts; no constitutional provision for judicial review of

legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal and compulsory

Executive branch:

chief of state: Revolutionary Leader Col. Muammar Abu Minyar

al-QADHAFI (since 1 September 1969); note - holds no official title,

but is de facto chief of state

head of government: Secretary of the General People's Committee

(Prime Minister) Shukri Muhammad GHANIM (since 14 June 2003)

cabinet: General People's Committee established by the General

People's Congress

elections: national elections are indirect through a hierarchy of

people's committees; head of government elected by the General

People's Congress; election last held 2 March 2000 (next to be held

NA)

election results: NA

Legislative branch:

unicameral General People's Congress (NA seats; members elected

indirectly through a hierarchy of people's committees)

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court

Political parties and leaders:

none

Political pressure groups and leaders:

various Arab nationalist movements with almost negligible

memberships may be functioning clandestinely, as well as some

Islamic elements; an anti-QADHAFI Libyan exile movement exists,

primarily based in London, but has little influence

International organization participation:

ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AMF, AMU, AU, CAEU, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD,

ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol,

IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, UN,

UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

(observer), WToO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

Libya does not have an embassy in the US but maintains an interest

section under the protective power of the United Arab Emirates

Embassy in the US

Diplomatic representation from the US: the US suspended all embassy activities in Tripoli in May 1980, resumed embassy activities in February 2004 under the protective power of the US interests section of the Belgian Embassy in Tripoli, then opened a Liaison Office in Tripoli in June 2004

Flag description:

plain green; green is the traditional color of Islam (the state

religion)

Economy Libya

Economy - overview:

The Libyan economy depends primarily upon revenues from the oil

sector, which contribute practically all export earnings and about

one-quarter of GDP. These oil revenues and a small population give

Libya one of the highest per capita GDPs in Africa, but little of

this income flows down to the lower orders of society. Libyan

officials in the past four years have made progress on economic

reforms as part of a broader campaign to reintegrate the country

into the international fold. This effort picked up steam after UN

sanctions were lifted in September 2003 and as Libya announced in

December 2003 that it would abandon programs to build weapons of

mass destruction. Almost all US unilateral sanctions against Libya

were removed in April 2004. Libya faces a long road ahead in

liberalizing the socialist-oriented economy, but initial steps -

including applying for WTO membership, reducing some subsidies, and

announcing plans for privatization - are laying the groundwork for a

transition to a more market-based economy. The non-oil manufacturing

and construction sectors, which account for about 20% of GDP, have

expanded from processing mostly agricultural products to include the

production of petrochemicals, iron, steel, and aluminum. Climatic

conditions and poor soils severely limit agricultural output, and

Libya imports about 75% of its food.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$37.48 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

4.9% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $6,700 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 8.7% industry: 45.7% services: 45.6% (2004 est.)

Labor force:

1.59 million (2004 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 17%, industry 29%, services 54% (1997 est.)

Unemployment rate:

30% (2004)

Population below poverty line:

NA

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

2.9% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

9.9% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $13.52 billion

expenditures: $12.23 billion, including capital expenditures of $5.6

billion (2004 est.)

Public debt:

8.8% of GDP (2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

wheat, barley, olives, dates, citrus, vegetables, peanuts,

soybeans; cattle

Industries:

petroleum, iron and steel, food processing, textiles, handicrafts,

cement

Industrial production growth rate:

NA

Electricity - production:

20.89 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

19.43 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

1.518 million bbl/day (2004 est.)

Oil - consumption:

216,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Oil - proved reserves:

38 billion bbl (2004 est.)

Natural gas - production:

6.18 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - consumption:

5.41 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - exports:

770 million cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - imports:

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves:

1.321 trillion cu m (2004)

Current account balance:

$9.895 billion (2004 est.)

Exports:

$18.65 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

crude oil, refined petroleum products, natural gas

Exports - partners:

Italy 37%, Germany 16.6%, Spain 11.9%, Turkey 7.1%, France 6.2%

(2004)

Imports:

$7.224 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

machinery, transport equipment, semi-finished goods, food, consumer

products (1999)

Imports - partners:

Italy 25.5%, Germany 11%, South Korea 6.1%, UK 5.4%, Tunisia 4.7%,

Turkey 4.6% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$24.18 billion (2004 est.)

Debt - external:

$4.069 billion (2004 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:

$4.4 million ODA (2002)

Currency (code):

Libyan dinar (LYD)

Currency code:

LYD

Exchange rates:

Libyan dinars per US dollar - 1.305 (2004), 1.2929 (2003), 1.2707

(2002), 0.6051 (2001), 0.5122 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Libya

Telephones - main lines in use:

750,000 (2003)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

100,000 (2003)

Telephone system:

general assessment: telecommunications system is being modernized;

mobile cellular telephone system became operational in 1996

domestic: microwave radio relay, coaxial cable, cellular,

tropospheric scatter, and a domestic satellite system with 14 earth

stations

international: country code - 218; satellite earth stations - 4

Intelsat, NA Arabsat, and NA Intersputnik; submarine cables to

France and Italy; microwave radio relay to Tunisia and Egypt;

tropospheric scatter to Greece; participant in Medarabtel (1999)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 16, FM 3, shortwave 3 (2002)

Radios:

1.35 million (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

12 (plus one low-power repeater) (1999)

Televisions:

730,000 (1997)

Internet country code:

.ly

Internet hosts:

67 (2003)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

1 (2002)

Internet users:

160,000 (2003)

Transportation Libya

Railways:

0 km

note: Libya is working on 7 lines totaling 2,757 km of 1.435-m gauge

track; it hopes to have trains running by 2008 (2004)

Highways:

total: 83,200 km

paved: 47,590 km

unpaved: 35,610 km (1999 est.)

Pipelines:

condensate 225 km; gas 3,611 km; oil 7,252 km (2004)

Ports and harbors:

As Sidrah, Az Zuwaytinah, Marsa al Burayqah, Ra's Lanuf, Tripoli,

Zawiyah

Merchant marine:

total: 17 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 129,627 GRT/105,110 DWT

by type: cargo 7, liquefied gas 3, passenger/cargo 2, petroleum

tanker 1, roll on/roll off 4

foreign-owned: 1 (Algeria 1) (2005)

Airports:

139 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 59

over 3,047 m: 23

2,438 to 3,047 m: 6

1,524 to 2,437 m: 23

914 to 1,523 m: 5

under 914 m: 2 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 80

over 3,047 m: 5

2,438 to 3,047 m: 2

1,524 to 2,437 m: 14

914 to 1,523 m: 41

under 914 m: 18 (2004 est.)

Heliports:

1 (2004 est.)

Military Libya

Military branches:

Armed Peoples on Duty (Army), Navy, Air Force, Air Defense Command

Military service age and obligation:

17 years of age (2004)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 17-49: 1,505,675 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 17-49: 1,291,624 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:

males: 62,034 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$1.3 billion (FY99)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

3.9% (FY99)

Transnational Issues Libya

Disputes - international:

Libya has claimed more than 32,000 sq km in southeastern Algeria

and about 25,000 sq km in Niger in currently dormant disputes;

various Chadian rebels from the Aozou region reside in southern Libya

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Liechtenstein

Introduction Liechtenstein

Background:

The Principality of Liechtenstein was established within the Holy

Roman Empire in 1719; it became a sovereign state in 1806. Until the

end of World War I, it was closely tied to Austria, but the economic

devastation caused by that conflict forced Liechtenstein to enter

into a customs and monetary union with Switzerland. Since World War

II (in which Liechtenstein remained neutral), the country's low

taxes have spurred outstanding economic growth. Shortcomings in

banking regulatory oversight have resulted in concerns about the use

of the financial institutions for money laundering. Liechtenstein

has, however, implemented new anti-money-laundering legislation and

recently concluded a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty with the US.

Geography Liechtenstein

Location:

Central Europe, between Austria and Switzerland

Geographic coordinates:

47 16 N, 9 32 E

Map references:

Europe

Area:

total: 160 sq km

land: 160 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative:

about 0.9 times the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries: total: 76 km border countries: Austria 34.9 km, Switzerland 41.1 km

Coastline:

0 km (doubly landlocked)

Maritime claims:

none (landlocked)

Climate:

continental; cold, cloudy winters with frequent snow or rain; cool

to moderately warm, cloudy, humid summers

Terrain:

mostly mountainous (Alps) with Rhine Valley in western third

Elevation extremes: lowest point: Ruggeller Riet 430 m highest point: Grauspitz 2,599 m

Natural resources: hydroelectric potential, arable land

Land use: arable land: 25% permanent crops: 0% other: 75% (2001)

Irrigated land:

NA sq km

Natural hazards:

NA

Environment - current issues:

NA

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air

Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85,

Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds,

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol,

Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer

Protection, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea

Geography - note:

along with Uzbekistan, one of only two doubly landlocked countries

in the world; variety of microclimatic variations based on elevation

People Liechtenstein

Population:

33,717 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 17.6% (male 2,938/female 3,009)

15-64 years: 70.4% (male 11,795/female 11,927)

65 years and over: 12% (male 1,685/female 2,363) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 39.22 years

male: 38.74 years

female: 39.68 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

0.82% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

10.41 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

7.06 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

4.8 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.01 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 0.98 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female

total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 4.7 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 6.34 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 3.05 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 79.55 years

male: 75.96 years

female: 83.16 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

1.51 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

NA%

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

NA

Nationality:

noun: Liechtensteiner(s)

adjective: Liechtenstein

Ethnic groups:

Alemannic 86%, Italian, Turkish, and other 14%

Religions:

Roman Catholic 76.2%, Protestant 7%, unknown 10.6%, other 6.2%

(June 2002)

Languages:

German (official), Alemannic dialect

Literacy:

definition: age 10 and over can read and write

total population: 100%

male: 100%

female: 100%

Government Liechtenstein

Country name:

conventional long form: Principality of Liechtenstein

conventional short form: Liechtenstein

local long form: Fuerstentum Liechtenstein

local short form: Liechtenstein

Government type:

hereditary constitutional monarchy on a democratic and

parliamentary basis

Capital:

Vaduz

Administrative divisions:

11 communes (Gemeinden, singular - Gemeinde); Balzers, Eschen,

Gamprin, Mauren, Planken, Ruggell, Schaan, Schellenberg, Triesen,

Triesenberg, Vaduz

Independence:

23 January 1719 (Principality of Liechtenstein established); 12

July 1806 (independence from the Holy Roman Empire)

National holiday:

Assumption Day, 15 August

Constitution:

5 October 1921

Legal system:

local civil and penal codes; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction,

with reservations

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: Prince HANS ADAM II (since 13 November 1989,

assumed executive powers 26 August 1984); Heir Apparent Prince

ALOIS, son of the monarch (born 11 June 1968); note - on 15 August

2004, HANS ADAM transferred the official duties of the ruling prince

to ALOIS, but HANS ADAM retains status of chief of state

head of government: Head of Government Ottmar HASLER (since 5 April

2001) and Deputy Head of Government Rita KIEBER-BECK (since 5 April

2001)

cabinet: Cabinet elected by the parliament, confirmed by the monarch

elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; following legislative

elections, the leader of the majority party in the Landtag is

usually appointed the head of government by the monarch and the

leader of the largest minority party in the Landtag is usually

appointed the deputy head of government by the monarch

Legislative branch:

unicameral Parliament or Landtag (25 seats; members are elected by

direct, popular vote under proportional representation to serve

four-year terms)

elections: last held 11 and 13 March 2005 (next to be held by NA

2009)

election results: percent of vote by party - FBP 48.7%, VU 38.2%, FL

13%; seats by party - FBP 12, VU 10, FL 3

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court or Oberster Gerichtshof; Court of Appeal or

Obergericht

Political parties and leaders:

Patriotic Union (was Fatherland Union) or VU [Heinz FROMMELT];

Progressive Citizens' Party or FBP [Johannes MATT]; The Free List or

FL [Dr. Pepo FRICK, Elisabeth TELLENBACH-FRICK, Adolf RITTER]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

NA

International organization participation:

CE, EBRD, EFTA, IAEA, ICCt, ICRM, IFRCS, Interpol, IOC, ITU, OPCW,

OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UPU, WCL, WIPO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Claudia FRITSCHE chancery: 1300 Eye Street NW, Suite 550W, Washington, DC 20005 telephone: [1] (202) 216-0460 FAX: [1] (202) 216-0459

Diplomatic representation from the US:

the US does not have an embassy in Liechtenstein, but the US

Ambassador to Switzerland is also accredited to Liechtenstein

Flag description:

two equal horizontal bands of blue (top) and red with a gold crown

on the hoist side of the blue band

Economy Liechtenstein

Economy - overview:

Despite its small size and limited natural resources, Liechtenstein

has developed into a prosperous, highly industrialized,

free-enterprise economy with a vital financial service sector and

living standards on a par with its large European neighbors. The

Liechtenstein economy is widely diversified with a large number of

small businesses. Low business taxes - the maximum tax rate is 20% -

and easy incorporation rules have induced many holding or so-called

letter box companies to establish nominal offices in Liechtenstein,

providing 30% of state revenues. The country participates in a

customs union with Switzerland and uses the Swiss franc as its

national currency. It imports more than 90% of its energy

requirements. Liechtenstein has been a member of the European

Economic Area (an organization serving as a bridge between the

European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and the EU) since May 1995.

The government is working to harmonize its economic policies with

those of an integrated Europe.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$825 million (1999 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

11% (1999 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $25,000 (1999 est.)

GDP - composition by sector:

agriculture: NA%

industry: 40%

services: NA% (1999)

Labor force:

29,000 of whom 19,000 are foreigners; 13,000 commute from Austria,

Switzerland, and Germany to work each day (31 December 2001)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 1.3%, industry 47.4%, services 51.3% (31 December 2001

est.)

Unemployment rate:

1.3% (September 2002)

Population below poverty line:

NA%

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA%

highest 10%: NA%

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

1% (2001)

Budget:

revenues: $424.2 million

expenditures: $414.1 million, including capital expenditures of NA

(1998 est.)

Agriculture - products:

wheat, barley, corn, potatoes; livestock, dairy products

Industries:

electronics, metal manufacturing, dental products, ceramics,

pharmaceuticals, food products, precision instruments, tourism,

optical instruments

Industrial production growth rate:

NA%

Exports:

$2.47 billion (1996)

Exports - commodities:

small specialty machinery, connectors for audio and video, parts

for motor vehicles, dental products, hardware, prepared foodstuffs,

electronic equipment, optical products

Exports - partners:

EU 62.6% (Germany 24.3%, Austria 9.5%, France 8.9%, Italy 6.6%, UK

4.6%), US 18.9%, Switzerland 15.7%

Imports:

$917.3 million (1996)

Imports - commodities:

agricultural products, raw materials, machinery, metal goods,

textiles, foodstuffs, motor vehicles

Imports - partners:

EU, Switzerland

Debt - external:

$0 (2001)

Economic aid - recipient:

none

Currency (code):

Swiss franc (CHF)

Currency code:

CHF

Exchange rates:

Swiss francs per US dollar - 1.2435 (2004), 1.3467 (2003), 1.5586

(2002), 1.6876 (2001), 1.6888 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Liechtenstein

Telephones - main lines in use:

19,900 (2002)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

11,400 (2002)

Telephone system:

general assessment: automatic telephone system

domestic: NA

international: country code - 423; linked to Swiss networks by cable

and microwave radio relay

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 0, FM 4, shortwave 0 (1998)

Radios:

21,000 (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

NA (linked to Swiss networks) (1997)

Televisions:

12,000 (1997)

Internet country code:

.li

Internet hosts:

3,727 (2004)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

44 (Liechtenstein and Switzerland) (2000)

Internet users:

20,000 (2002)

Transportation Liechtenstein

Highways: total: 250 km paved: 250 km unpaved: 0 km

Waterways:

28 km (2004)

Pipelines:

gas 20 km (2004)

Ports and harbors:

none

Airports:

none (2004 est.)

Military Liechtenstein

Military - note: defense is the responsibility of Switzerland

Transnational Issues Liechtenstein

Disputes - international:

in February 2005, the ICJ refused to rule on the restitution of

Liechtenstein's land and property assets in the Czech Republic

confiscated in 1945 as German property

Illicit drugs:

has strengthened money-laundering controls, but money laundering

remains a concern due to Liechtenstein sophisticated offshore

financial services sector

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Lithuania

Introduction Lithuania

Background:

Independent between the two World Wars, Lithuania was annexed by

the USSR in 1940. On 11 March 1990, Lithuania became the first of

the Soviet republics to declare its independence, but Moscow did not

recognize this proclamation until September of 1991 (following the

abortive coup in Moscow). The last Russian troops withdrew in 1993.

Lithuania subsequently restructured its economy for integration into

Western European institutions; it joined both NATO and the EU in the

spring of 2004.

Geography Lithuania

Location:

Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, between Latvia and Russia

Geographic coordinates:

56 00 N, 24 00 E

Map references:

Europe

Area:

total: 65,200 sq km

land: NA sq km

water: NA sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly larger than West Virginia

Land boundaries:

total: 1,273 km

border countries: Belarus 502 km, Latvia 453 km, Poland 91 km,

Russia (Kaliningrad) 227 km

Coastline:

99 km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 12 nm

Climate:

transitional, between maritime and continental; wet, moderate

winters and summers

Terrain:

lowland, many scattered small lakes, fertile soil

Elevation extremes: lowest point: Baltic Sea 0 m highest point: Juozapines/Kalnas 292 m

Natural resources: peat, arable land

Land use: arable land: 45.22% permanent crops: 0.91% other: 53.87% (2001)

Irrigated land:

90 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

NA

Environment - current issues: contamination of soil and groundwater with petroleum products and chemicals at military bases

Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants

Geography - note:

fertile central plains are separated by hilly uplands that are

ancient glacial deposits

People Lithuania

Population:

3,596,617 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 16.1% (male 297,271/female 282,269)

15-64 years: 68.7% (male 1,206,731/female 1,264,359)

65 years and over: 15.2% (male 186,979/female 359,008) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 37.83 years

male: 35.25 years

female: 40.46 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

-0.3% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

8.62 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

10.92 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

-0.71 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.52 male(s)/female

total population: 0.89 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 6.89 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 8.25 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 5.45 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 73.97 years

male: 68.94 years

female: 79.28 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

1.19 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

0.1% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

1,300 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

less than 200 (2003 est.)

Nationality:

noun: Lithuanian(s)

adjective: Lithuanian

Ethnic groups:

Lithuanian 83.4%, Polish 6.7%, Russian 6.3%, other or unspecified

3.6% (2001 census)

Religions:

Roman Catholic 79%, Russian Orthodox 4.1%, Protestant (including

Lutheran and Evangelical Christian Baptist) 1.9%, other or

unspecified 5.5%, none 9.5% (2001 census)

Languages:

Lithuanian (official) 82%, Russian 8%, Polish 5.6%, other and

unspecified 4.4% (2001 census)

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 99.6%

male: 99.7%

female: 99.6% (2003 est.)

Government Lithuania

Country name:

conventional long form: Republic of Lithuania

conventional short form: Lithuania

local long form: Lietuvos Respublika

local short form: Lietuva

former: Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic

Government type:

parliamentary democracy

Capital:

Vilnius

Administrative divisions:

10 counties (apskritys, singular - apskritis); Alytaus, Kauno,

Klaipedos, Marijampoles, Panevezio, Siauliu, Taurages, Telsiu,

Utenos, Vilniaus

Independence:

11 March 1990 (independence declared from Soviet Union); 6

September 1991 (Soviet Union recognizes Lithuania's independence)

National holiday:

Independence Day, 16 February (1918); note - 16 February 1918 is

the date Lithuania declared its independence from Soviet Russia and

established its statehood; 11 March 1990 is the date it declared its

independence from the Soviet Union

Constitution:

adopted 25 October 1992

Legal system:

based on civil law system; legislative acts can be appealed to the

constitutional court

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Valdas ADAMKUS (since 12 July 2004)

head of government: Premier Algirdas Mykolas BRAZAUSKAS (since 3

July 2001)

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the

nomination of the premier

elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;

election last held 13 June 2004 and 27 June 2004 (next to be held

June 2009); premier appointed by the president on the approval of

the Parliament

election results: Valdas ADAMKUS elected president; percent of vote

- Valdas ADAMKUS 52.2%, Kazimiera PRUNSKIENE 47.8%

Legislative branch:

unicameral Parliament or Seimas (141 seats, 71 members are directly

elected by popular vote, 70 are elected by proportional

representation; members serve four-year terms)

elections: last held 10 and 24 October 2004 (next to be held October

2008)

election results: percent of vote by party - Labor 28.6%, Working

for Lithuania (Social Democrats and Social Liberals) 20.7%, Homeland

Union (Conservatives) 14.6%, For Order and Justice (Liberal

Democrats and Lithuanian People's Union) 11.4%, Liberal and Center

Union 9.1%, Union of Farmers and New Democracy 6.6%; seats by

faction - Labor 39, Homeland Union 25, Social Democrats 20, Liberal

and Center Union 18, Social Liberals 11, Union of Farmers and New

Democracy Parties 10, Liberal Democrats 10, Electoral Action 2,

independents 6

Judicial branch:

Constitutional Court; Supreme Court; Court of Appeal; judges for

all courts appointed by the President

Political parties and leaders:

Electoral Action of Lithuanian Poles [Valdemar TOMASZEVSKI,

chairman]; Homeland Union/Conservative Party or TS [Andrius

KUBILIUS, chairman]; Labor Party [Viktor USPASKICH, chairman];

Liberal and Center Union [Arturas ZUOKAS, chairman]; Liberal

Democratic Party [Valentinas MAZURONIS, chairman]; Lithuanian

Christian Democrats or LKD [Valentinas STUNDYS, chairman];

Lithuanian People's Union for a Fair Lithuania; Lithuanian Social

Democratic Coalition [Algirdas BRAZAUSKAS, chairman] consists of the

Lithuanian Democratic Labor Party or LDDP and the Lithuanian Social

Democratic Party or LSDP; New Democracy and Farmer's Union or VNDPS

[Kazimiera PRUNSKIENE, chairman]; Social Liberals (New Union)

[Arturas PAULAUSKAS, chairman]; Social Union of Christian

Conservatives [Gediminas VAGNORIUS, chairman]; Young Lithuania and

New Nationalists

Political pressure groups and leaders:

NA

International organization participation:

ACCT (observer), Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CE, EAPC, EBRD, EIB,

EU (new member), FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IFC,

IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU,

MIGA, NATO, NIB, NSG, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,

UNIDO, UNMIK, UPU, WCL, WCO, WEU (member affiliate), WHO, WIPO, WMO,

WToO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Vygaudas USACKAS chancery: 2622 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 234-5860 FAX: [1] (202) 328-0466 consulate(s) general: Chicago and New York

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Stephen D. MULL

embassy: 2600 Akmenu 6, Vilnius

mailing address: American Embassy, Vilnius, PSC 78, Box V, APO AE

09723

telephone: [370] (5) 266 5500

FAX: [370] (5) 266 5510

Flag description:

three equal horizontal bands of yellow (top), green, and red

Economy Lithuania

Economy - overview:

Lithuania, the Baltic state that has conducted the most trade with

Russia, has slowly rebounded from the 1998 Russian financial crisis.

Unemployment dropped from 11% in 2003 to 8% in 2004. Growing

domestic consumption and increased investment have furthered

recovery. Trade has been increasingly oriented toward the West.

Lithuania has gained membership in the World Trade Organization and

joined the EU in May 2004. Privatization of the large, state-owned

utilities, particularly in the energy sector, is nearing completion.

Overall, more than 80% of enterprises have been privatized. Foreign

government and business support have helped in the transition from

the old command economy to a market economy.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$45.23 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

6.6% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $12,500 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 6.1% industry: 33.4% services: 60.5% (2004 est.)

Labor force:

1.63 million (2004 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 20%, industry 30%, services 50% (1997 est.)

Unemployment rate:

8% (2004 est.)

Population below poverty line:

NA

Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.1% highest 10%: 25.6% (1996)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

34 (1999)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

1.1% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

21.9% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $6.542 billion

expenditures: $7.121 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Public debt:

25.2% of GDP (2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

grain, potatoes, sugar beets, flax, vegetables; beef, milk, eggs;

fish

Industries:

metal-cutting machine tools, electric motors, television sets,

refrigerators and freezers, petroleum refining, shipbuilding (small

ships), furniture making, textiles, food processing, fertilizers,

agricultural machinery, optical equipment, electronic components,

computers, amber

Industrial production growth rate:

12% (2004 est.)

Electricity - production:

17.93 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 16.5% hydro: 5.7% nuclear: 77.7% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

10.17 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

6.8 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

300 million kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

4,594 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

72,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Natural gas - production:

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - consumption:

2.76 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - exports:

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - imports:

2.76 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Current account balance:

$-1.6 billion (2004 est.)

Exports:

$8.88 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

mineral products 23%, textiles and clothing 16%, machinery and

equipment 11%, chemicals 6%, wood and wood products 5%, foodstuffs

5% (2001)

Exports - partners:

Germany 10.2%, Latvia 10.2%, Russia 9.3%, France 6.3%, UK 5.3%,

Sweden 5.1%, Estonia 5%, Poland 4.8%, Netherlands 4.8%, Denmark

4.8%, US 4.7%, Switzerland 4.6% (2004)

Imports:

$11.02 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

mineral products 21%, machinery and equipment 17%, transport

equipment 11%, chemicals 9%, textiles and clothing 9%, metals 5%

(2001)

Imports - partners:

Russia 23.1%, Germany 16.7%, Poland 7.7%, Netherlands 4% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$4.61 billion (2004 est.)

Debt - external:

$10.01 billion (2004 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:

$228.5 million (1995)

Currency (code):

litas (LTL)

Currency code:

LTL

Exchange rates:

litai per US dollar - 2.7806 (2004), 3.0609 (2003), 3.677 (2002), 4

(2001), 4 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Lithuania

Telephones - main lines in use:

824,200 (2003)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

2,169,900 (2003)

Telephone system:

general assessment: inadequate, but is being modernized to provide

an improved international capability and better residential access

domestic: a national, fiber-optic cable, interurban, trunk system is

nearing completion; rural exchanges are being improved and expanded;

mobile cellular systems are being installed; access to the Internet

is available; still many unsatisfied telephone subscriber

applications

international: country code - 370; landline connections to Latvia

and Poland; major international connections to Denmark, Sweden, and

Norway by submarine cable for further transmission by satellite

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 29, FM 142, shortwave 1 (2001)

Radios:

1.9 million (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

27

note: Lithuania has approximately 27 broadcasting stations, but may

have as many as 100 transmitters, including repeater stations (2001)

Televisions:

1.7 million (1997)

Internet country code:

.lt

Internet hosts:

67,769 (2004)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

32 (2001)

Internet users:

695,700 (2003)

Transportation Lithuania

Railways:

total: 1,998 km

broad gauge: 1,807 km 1.524-m gauge (122 km electrified)

standard gauge: 22 km 1.435-m gauge

narrow gauge: 169 km 0.750-m gauge (2004)

Highways:

total: 77,148 km

paved: 69,202 km (including 417 km of expressways)

unpaved: 7,946 km (2002)

Waterways:

600 km (2004)

Pipelines:

gas 1,696 km; oil 331 km; refined products 109 km (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Klaipeda

Merchant marine:

total: 54 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 296,856 GRT/317,731 DWT

by type: bulk carrier 8, cargo 24, chemical tanker 1,

passenger/cargo 6, petroleum tanker 1, refrigerated cargo 13, roll

on/roll off 1

foreign-owned: 12 (Denmark 12)

registered in other countries: 16 (2005)

Airports:

102 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 28 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 7 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 14 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 74 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 68 (2004 est.)

Military Lithuania

Military branches:

Ground Forces, Navy, Air Force, National Defense Volunteer Forces

(SKAT)

Military service age and obligation:

19-45 years of age for compulsory military service, conscript

service obligation - 12 months; 18 years of age for volunteers (2004)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 19-49: 830,368 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 19-49: 590,606 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:

males: 29,689 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$230.8 million (FY01)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

1.9% (FY01)

Transnational Issues Lithuania

Disputes - international:

in 2003, the Lithuania-Russia land and maritime boundary treaty was

ratified and a transit regime established through Lithuania linking

Russia and its Kaliningrad coastal exclave, leaving only

improvements to the border demarcation in 2005; by 2004, a third of

the Belarus-Lithuania boundary had been demarcated; the Latvian

parliament has not ratified its 1998 maritime boundary treaty with

Lithuania, primarily due to concerns over oil; as a member state

that forms part of the EU's external border, Lithuania must

implement the strict Schengen border rules

Illicit drugs:

transshipment point for opiates and other illicit drugs from

Southwest Asia, Latin America, and Western Europe to Western Europe

and Scandinavia; limited production of methamphetamine and ecstasy;

susceptible to money laundering despite changes to banking

legislation

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Luxembourg

Introduction Luxembourg

Background:

Founded in 963, Luxembourg became a grand duchy in 1815 and an

independent state under the Netherlands. It lost more than half of

its territory to Belgium in 1839, but gained a larger measure of

autonomy. Full independence was attained in 1867. Overrun by Germany

in both World Wars, it ended its neutrality in 1948 when it entered

into the Benelux Customs Union and when it joined NATO the following

year. In 1957, Luxembourg became one of the six founding countries

of the European Economic Community (later the European Union), and

in 1999 it joined the euro currency area.

Geography Luxembourg

Location:

Western Europe, between France and Germany

Geographic coordinates:

49 45 N, 6 10 E

Map references:

Europe

Area:

total: 2,586 sq km

land: 2,586 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly smaller than Rhode Island

Land boundaries: total: 359 km border countries: Belgium 148 km, France 73 km, Germany 138 km

Coastline:

0 km (landlocked)

Maritime claims:

none (landlocked)

Climate:

modified continental with mild winters, cool summers

Terrain:

mostly gently rolling uplands with broad, shallow valleys; uplands

to slightly mountainous in the north; steep slope down to Moselle

flood plain in the southeast

Elevation extremes: lowest point: Moselle River 133 m highest point: Buurgplaatz 559 m

Natural resources: iron ore (no longer exploited), arable land

Land use: arable land: 23.28% permanent crops: 0.4% other: 76.32% (includes Belgium) (2001)

Irrigated land:

40 sq km (includes Belgium) (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

NA

Environment - current issues:

air and water pollution in urban areas, soil pollution of farmland

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air

Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85,

Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds,

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol,

Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the

Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution,

Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification

Geography - note:

landlocked; the only Grand Duchy in the world

People Luxembourg

Population:

468,571 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 18.9% (male 45,768/female 42,980)

15-64 years: 66.5% (male 157,453/female 153,927)

65 years and over: 14.6% (male 27,573/female 40,870) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 38.51 years

male: 37.56 years

female: 39.48 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

1.25% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

12.06 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

8.41 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

8.86 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.68 male(s)/female

total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 4.81 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 4.79 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 4.83 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 78.74 years

male: 75.45 years

female: 82.24 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

1.79 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

0.2% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

less than 500 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

less than 100 (2003 est.)

Nationality:

noun: Luxembourger(s)

adjective: Luxembourg

Ethnic groups:

Celtic base (with French and German blend), Portuguese, Italian,

Slavs (from Montenegro, Albania, and Kosovo) and European (guest and

resident workers)

Religions:

87% Roman Catholic, 13% Protestants, Jews, and Muslims (2000)

Languages:

Luxembourgish (national language), German (administrative

language), French (administrative language)

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 100%

male: 100%

female: 100% (2000 est.)

Government Luxembourg

Country name:

conventional long form: Grand Duchy of Luxembourg

conventional short form: Luxembourg

local long form: Grand Duche de Luxembourg

local short form: Luxembourg

Government type:

constitutional monarchy

Capital:

Luxembourg

Administrative divisions:

3 districts; Diekirch, Grevenmacher, Luxembourg

Independence:

1839 (from the Netherlands)

National holiday:

National Day (Birthday of Grand Duchess Charlotte) 23 June

Constitution:

17 October 1868; occasional revisions

Legal system:

based on civil law system; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal and compulsory

Executive branch:

chief of state: Grand Duke HENRI (since 7 October 2000); Heir

Apparent Prince GUILLAUME (son of the monarch, born 11 November 1981)

head of government: Prime Minister Jean-Claude JUNCKER (since 1

January 1995) and Vice Prime Minister Jean ASSELBORN (since 31 July

2004)

cabinet: Council of Ministers recommended by the prime minister and

appointed by the monarch

elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; following popular

elections to the Chamber of Deputies, the leader of the majority

party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed

prime minister by the monarch; the deputy prime minister is

appointed by the monarch; they are responsible to the Chamber of

Deputies

note: government coalition - CSV and LSAP

Legislative branch:

unicameral Chamber of Deputies or Chambre des Deputes (60 seats;

members are elected by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms)

elections: last held 13 June 2004 (next to be held by June 2009)

election results: percent of vote by party - CSV 36.1%, LSAP 23.4%,

DP 16.1%, Green Party 11.6%, ADR 10%; seats by party - CSV 24, LSAP

14, DP 10, Green Party 7, ADR 5

note: there is also a Council of State that serves as an advisory

body to the Chamber of Deputies; the Council of State has 21 members

appointed by the Grand Duke on the advice of the prime minister

Judicial branch:

judicial courts and tribunals (3 Justices of the Peace, 2 district

courts, and 1 Supreme Court of Appeals); administrative courts and

tribunals (State Prosecutor's Office, administrative courts and

tribunals, and the Constitutional Court); judges for all courts are

appointed for life by the monarch

Political parties and leaders:

Action Committee for Democracy and Justice or ADR [Gast GIBERYEN];

Christian Social People's Party or CSV (known also as Christian

Social Party or PCS) [Francois BILTGEN]; Democratic Party or DP

[Claude MEISCH]; Green Party [Francois BAUSCH]; Luxembourg Socialist

Workers' Party or LSAP [Alex BODRY]; Marxist and Reformed Communist

Party dei Lenk/la Gauche (the Left) [no formal leadership]; other

minor parties

Political pressure groups and leaders:

ABBL (bankers' association); ALEBA (financial sector trade union);

Centrale Paysanne (federation of agricultural producers); CEP

(professional sector chamber); CGFP (trade union representing civil

service); Chambre de Commerce (Chamber of Commerce); Chambre des

Metiers (Chamber of Artisans); FEDIL (federation of industrialists);

LCGP (center-right trade union); OGBL (center-left trade union)

International organization participation:

ACCT, AsDB, Australia Group, Benelux, CE, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EMU, EU,

FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC,

IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MIGA, NATO, NEA,

NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,

UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WEU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Arlette CONZEMIUS-PACCOURD

chancery: 2200 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 265-4171

FAX: [1] (202) 328-8270

consulate(s) general: New York and San Francisco

Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Peter TERPELUK, Jr. embassy: 22 Boulevard Emmanuel Servais, L-2535 Luxembourg City mailing address: American Embassy Luxembourg, Unit 1410, APO AE 09126-1410 (official mail); American Embassy Luxembourg, PSC 9, Box 9500, APO AE 09123 (personal mail) telephone: [352] 46 01 23 FAX: [352] 46 14 01

Flag description:

three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and light blue;

similar to the flag of the Netherlands, which uses a darker blue and

is shorter; design was based on the flag of France

Economy Luxembourg

Economy - overview:

This stable, high-income economy - in between France, Belgium, and

Germany - features solid growth, low inflation, and low

unemployment. The industrial sector, initially dominated by steel,

has become increasingly diversified to include chemicals, rubber,

and other products. Growth in the financial sector, which now

accounts for about 22% of GDP, has more than compensated for the

decline in steel. Most banks are foreign-owned and have extensive

foreign dealings. Agriculture is based on small family-owned farms.

The economy depends on foreign and cross-border workers for more

than 30% of its labor force. Although Luxembourg, like all EU

members, has suffered from the global economic slump, the country

enjoys an extraordinarily high standard of living.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$27.27 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

2.3% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $58,900 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector:

agriculture: 0.5%

industry: 16.3%

services: 83.1% (2004 est.)

Labor force:

293,700 (of whom 105,000 are foreign cross-border workers commuting

primarily from France, Belgium, and Germany) (2004 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 1%, industry 13%, services 86% (2004 est.)

Unemployment rate:

4.5% (December, 2004 est.)

Population below poverty line:

NA%

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA%

highest 10%: NA%

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

2.4% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

19.8% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $13.74 billion

expenditures: $14.49 billion, including capital expenditures of $760

million (2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

barley, oats, potatoes, wheat, fruits, wine grapes; livestock

products

Industries:

banking, iron and steel, food processing, chemicals, metal

products, engineering, tires, glass, aluminum, information

technology, tourism and banking

Industrial production growth rate:

2.9% (2004 est.)

Electricity - production:

2.511 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 57.3% hydro: 25.2% nuclear: 0% other: 17.5% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

5.735 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

2.9 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

6.3 billion kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

50,650 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

634 bbl/day (2001)

Oil - imports:

50,700 bbl/day (2001)

Natural gas - production:

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - consumption:

865 million cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - exports:

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - imports:

867 million cu m (2001 est.)

Exports:

$13.4 billion f.o.b. (2003)

Exports - commodities:

machinery and equipment, steel products, chemicals, rubber

products, glass

Exports - partners:

Germany 22.1%, France 20.1%, Belgium 10.2%, UK 8.4%, Italy 7.3%,

Spain 5.9%, Netherlands 4.3% (2004)

Imports:

$16.3 billion c.i.f. (2003)

Imports - commodities:

minerals, metals, foodstuffs, quality consumer goods

Imports - partners:

Belgium 29.8%, Germany 22.6%, China 12.6%, France 12%, Netherlands

4.2% (2004)

Debt - external:

$NA

Economic aid - donor:

ODA, $147 million (2002)

Currency (code):

euro (EUR)

note: on 1 January 1999, the European Monetary Union introduced the

euro as a common currency to be used by financial institutions of

member countries; on 1 January 2002, the euro became the sole

currency for everyday transactions within the member countries

Currency code:

EUR

Exchange rates:

euros per US dollar - 0.8054 (2004), 0.886 (2003), 1.0626 (2002),

1.1175 (2001), 1.0854 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Luxembourg

Telephones - main lines in use:

355,400 (2002)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

473,000 (2002)

Telephone system:

general assessment: highly developed, completely automated and

efficient system, mainly buried cables

domestic: nationwide cellular telephone system; buried cable

international: country code - 352; 3 channels leased on TAT-6

coaxial submarine cable (Europe to North America)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 2, FM 9, shortwave 2 (1999)

Radios:

285,000 (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

5 (1999)

Televisions:

285,000 (1998 est.)

Internet country code:

.lu

Internet hosts:

28,214 (2003)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

8 (2000)

Internet users:

165,000 (2002)

Transportation Luxembourg

Railways: total: 274 km standard gauge: 274 km 1.435-m gauge (242 km electrified) (2004)

Highways:

total: 5,210 km

paved: 5,210 km (including 126 km of expressways)

unpaved: 0 km (2002)

Waterways:

37 km (on Moselle River) (2003)

Pipelines:

gas 155 km (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Mertert

Merchant marine:

total: 40 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 652,454 GRT/805,101 DWT

by type: chemical tanker 16, container 6, liquefied gas 2, passenger

3, petroleum tanker 6, roll on/roll off 6, vehicle carrier 1

foreign-owned: 40 (Belgium 12, Finland 3, France 8, Germany 10,

Netherlands 4, United States 3) (2005)

Airports:

2 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 1

over 3,047 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 1

under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Heliports:

1 (2004 est.)

Military Luxembourg

Military branches:

Army

Military service age and obligation: a 1967 law made the Army an all-volunteer force; 17 years of age for voluntary military service; soldiers under 18 are not deployed into combat or with peacekeeping missions (2004)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 17-49: 110,867 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 17-49: 90,279 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:

males: 2,775 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$231.6 million (2003)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

0.9% (2003)

Transnational Issues Luxembourg

Disputes - international: none

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Macau

Introduction Macau

Background:

Colonized by the Portuguese in the 16th century, Macau was the

first European settlement in the Far East. Pursuant to an agreement

signed by China and Portugal on 13 April 1987, Macau became the

Macau Special Administrative Region (SAR) of China on 20 December

1999. China has promised that, under its "one country, two systems"

formula, China's socialist economic system will not be practiced in

Macau, and that Macau will enjoy a high degree of autonomy in all

matters except foreign and defense affairs for the next 50 years.

Geography Macau

Location:

Eastern Asia, bordering the South China Sea and China

Geographic coordinates:

22 10 N, 113 33 E

Map references:

Southeast Asia

Area:

total: 25.4 sq km

land: 25.4 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative:

about 0.1 times the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries: total: 0.34 km regional border: China 0.34 km

Coastline:

41 km

Maritime claims:

not specified

Climate:

subtropical; marine with cool winters, warm summers

Terrain:

generally flat

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: South China Sea 0 m

highest point: Coloane Alto 172.4 m

Natural resources:

NEGL

Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% note: "green areas" represent 22.4% (2001)

Irrigated land:

NA sq km

Natural hazards:

typhoons

Environment - current issues:

NA

Geography - note:

essentially urban; one causeway and two bridges connect the two

islands of Coloane and Taipa to the peninsula on mainland

People Macau

Population:

449,198 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 17% (male 39,564/female 36,947)

15-64 years: 75.1% (male 160,957/female 176,386)

65 years and over: 7.9% (male 14,713/female 20,631) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 35.2 years

male: 34.9 years

female: 35.4 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

0.87% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

8.04 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

4.23 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

4.86 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.07 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.91 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female

total population: 0.92 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 4.39 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 4.59 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 4.19 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 82.12 years

male: 79.29 years

female: 85.09 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

0.93 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

NA

Nationality:

noun: Chinese

adjective: Chinese

Ethnic groups:

Chinese 95.7%, Macanese (mixed Portuguese and Asian ancestry) 1%,

other 3.3% (2001 census)

Religions:

Buddhist 50%, Roman Catholic 15%, none and other 35% (1997 est.)

Languages:

Cantonese 87.9%, Hokkien 4.4%, Mandarin 1.6%, other Chinese

dialects 3.1%, other 3% (2001 census)

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 94.5%

male: 97.2%

female: 92% (2003 est.)

Government Macau

Country name:

conventional long form: Macau Special Administrative Region

conventional short form: Macau

local long form: Aomen Tebie Xingzhengqu (Chinese); Regiao

Administrativa Especial de Macau (Portuguese)

local short form: Aomen (Chinese); Macau (Portuguese)

Dependency status:

special administrative region of China

Government type:

limited democracy

Administrative divisions:

none (special administrative region of China)

Independence:

none (special administrative region of China)

National holiday:

National Day (Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic

of China), 1 October (1949); note - 20 December 1999 is celebrated

as Macau Special Administrative Region Establishment Day

Constitution:

Basic Law, approved in March 1993 by China's National People's

Congress, is Macau's "mini-constitution"

Legal system:

based on Portuguese civil law system

Suffrage:

direct election 18 years of age, universal for permanent residents

living in Macau for the past seven years; indirect election limited

to organizations registered as "corporate voters" (257 are currently

registered) and a 300-member Election Committee drawn from broad

regional groupings, municipal organizations, and central government

bodies

Executive branch:

chief of state: President of China HU Jintao (since 15 March 2003)

head of government: Chief Executive Edmund HO Hau-wah (since 20

December 1999)

cabinet: Executive Council consists of one government secretary,

four legislators, four businessmen, and one pro-Beijing unionist

elections: chief executive chosen by a 300-member Election Committee

for up to two five-year terms

election results: Edmund HO Hau-wah reelected on 29 August 2004;

received 296 votes in Election Committee out of 300 possible; 3

members submitted blank ballots; 1 member was absent

Legislative branch:

unicameral Legislative Council or LEGCO (29 seats; 12 elected by

popular vote, 10 by indirect vote, and seven appointed by the chief

executive; members serve four-year terms)

elections: last held 26 September 2005 (next in September 2009)

election results: percent of vote - Development Union 12.8%, Macau

Development Alliance 9%, Macau United Citizens' Association 16%, New

Democratic Macau Association 18.2%, others na; seats by political

group - Development Union 2, Macau Development Alliance 1, Macau

United Citizens' Association 2, New Democratic Macau Association 2,

New Hope 1, Union Forces 2, others 2; 10 seats filled by

professional and business groups; seven members appointed by chief

executive

Judicial branch:

Court of Final Appeal in Macau Special Administrative Region

Political parties and leaders:

Civil Service Union [Jose Maria Pereira COUTINHO]; Development

Union [KWAN Tsui-hang]; Macau Development Alliance [Angela LEONG

On-kei]; Macau United Citizens' Association [CHAN Meng-kam]; New

Democratic Macau Association [Antonio NG Kuok-cheong]; United Forces

[leader NA]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

NA

International organization participation:

IMF, IMO (associate), Interpol (sub-bureau), ISO (correspondent),

UNESCO (associate), UPU, WCO, WMO, WToO (associate), WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

none (special administrative region of China)

Diplomatic representation from the US:

the US has no offices in Macau; US interests are monitored by the

US Consulate General in Hong Kong

Flag description:

light green with a lotus flower above a stylized bridge and water

in white, beneath an arc of five gold, five-pointed stars: one large

in center of arc and four smaller

Economy Macau

Economy - overview:

Macau's well-to-do economy has remained one of the most open in the

world since its reversion to China in 1999. Apparel exports and

tourism are mainstays of the economy. Although the territory was hit

hard by the 1998 Asian financial crisis and the global downturn in

2001, its economy grew 9.5% in 2002 and 15.6% in 2003. During the

first three quarters of 2004, Macau registered year-on-year GDP

increases of more than 20 percent. A rapid rise in the number of

mainland visitors because of China's easing of restrictions on

travel, increased public works expenditures, and significant

investment inflows associated with the liberalization of Macau's

gaming industry drove the recovery. The budget also returned to

surplus in 2002 because of the surge in visitors from China and a

hike in taxes on gambling profits, which generated about 70% of

government revenue. The three companies awarded gambling licenses

have pledged to invest $2.2 billion in the territory, which will

boost GDP growth. Much of Macau's textile industry may move to the

mainland as the Multi-Fiber Agreement is phased out. The territory

may have to rely more on gambling and trade-related services to

generate growth. Two new casinos were opened by new foreign gambling

licensees in 2004; development of new infrastructure and facilities

in preparation for Macau's hosting of the 2005 East Asian Games will

bolster the construction sector. The Closer Economic Partnership

Agreement (CEPA) between Macau and mainland China that came into

effect on 1 January 2004 offers many Macau-made products tariff-free

access to the mainland, and the range of products covered by CEPA

was to be expanded on 1 January 2005.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$9.1 billion (2003)

GDP - real growth rate:

15.6% (2003)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $19,400 (2003)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 0.1% industry: 7.2% services: 92.7% (2002 est.)

Labor force:

231,500 (3rd Quarter, 2004)

Labor force - by occupation:

manufacturing 18.3%, construction 8%, transport and communications

7%, wholesale and retail trade 16.2%, restaurants and hotels 10.9%,

gambling 11.6%, public sector 8.8%, other services and agriculture

19.2% (2003 est.)

Unemployment rate:

4.7% (3rd Quarter, 2004)

Population below poverty line:

NA

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

2% (3rd quarter, 2004)

Budget:

revenues: $1.84 billion

expenditures: $1.57 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2003)

Agriculture - products:

only 2% of land area is cultivated, mainly by vegetable growers;

fishing, mostly for crustaceans, is important, some of catch is

exported to Hong Kong; most food requirements are met by imports,

primarily from China

Industries:

tourism, gambling, clothing, textiles, electronics, footwear, toys

Industrial production growth rate:

NA

Electricity - production:

1.719 billion kWh (2003)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

1.772 billion kWh (2003)

Electricity - exports:

1 million kWh (2003)

Electricity - imports:

179.7 million kWh (2003)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

11,190 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Exports:

$2.58 billion f.o.b., including reexports (2003)

Exports - commodities:

clothing, textiles, footwear, toys, electronics, machinery and parts

Exports - partners:

US 48.7%, China 13.9%, Germany 8.3%, Hong Kong 7.6%, UK 4.4% (2004)

Imports:

$2.76 billion c.i.f. (2003)

Imports - commodities:

raw materials and semi-manufactured goods, consumer goods

(foodstuffs, beverages, tobacco), capital goods, mineral fuels and

oils

Imports - partners:

China 44.4%, Hong Kong 10.6%, Japan 9.6%, Taiwan 4.9%, Singapore

4.1%, US 4.1% (2004)

Debt - external:

$2.7 billion (2003)

Economic aid - recipient:

NA

Currency (code):

pataca (MOP)

Currency code:

MOP

Exchange rates:

patacas per US dollar - 8.022 (2004), 8.021 (2003), 8.033 (2002),

8.034 (2001), 8.026 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Macau

Telephones - main lines in use:

174,600 (2003)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

364,000 (2003)

Telephone system:

general assessment: fairly modern communication facilities

maintained for domestic and international services

domestic: NA

international: country code - 853; HF radiotelephone communication

facility; access to international communications carriers provided

via Hong Kong and China; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat

(Indian Ocean)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 0, FM 2, shortwave 0 (1998)

Radios:

160,000 (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

1 (2003)

Televisions:

49,000 (1997)

Internet country code:

.mo

Internet hosts:

89 (2003)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

1 (2000)

Internet users:

120,000 (2003)

Transportation Macau

Highways: total: 341 km paved: 341 km unpaved: 0 km (2002)

Ports and harbors:

Macau

Airports:

1 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Military Macau

Military branches:

China's People's Revolutionary Army (PLA) constitutes the only

armed force in Macau; several police forces constitute the Security

Forces of Macau (SFM) that are subordinate to the General

Secretariat of Security, a body comparable to a ministry of interior

(2004)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 18-49: 112,744 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: 91,299 (2005 est.)

Transnational Issues Macau

Disputes - international: none

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Macedonia

Introduction Macedonia

Background:

International recognition of Macedonia's independence from

Yugoslavia in 1991 was delayed by Greece's objection to the new

state's use of what it considered a Hellenic name and symbols.

Greece finally lifted its trade blockade in 1995 and the two

countries agreed to normalize relations, although differences over

Macedonia's name remain. The undetermined status of neighboring

Kosovo, implementation of the Framework Agreement - which ended the

2001 ethnic Albanian armed insurgency - and a weak economy continue

to be challenges for Macedonia.

Geography Macedonia

Location:

Southeastern Europe, north of Greece

Geographic coordinates:

41 50 N, 22 00 E

Map references:

Europe

Area:

total: 25,333 sq km

land: 24,856 sq km

water: 477 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly larger than Vermont

Land boundaries:

total: 766 km

border countries: Albania 151 km, Bulgaria 148 km, Greece 246 km,

Serbia and Montenegro 221 km

Coastline:

0 km (landlocked)

Maritime claims:

none (landlocked)

Climate:

warm, dry summers and autumns and relatively cold winters with

heavy snowfall

Terrain:

mountainous territory covered with deep basins and valleys; three

large lakes, each divided by a frontier line; country bisected by

the Vardar River

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Vardar River 50 m

highest point: Golem Korab (Maja e Korabit) 2,764 m

Natural resources:

low-grade iron ore, copper, lead, zinc, chromite, manganese,

nickel, tungsten, gold, silver, asbestos, gypsum, timber, arable land

Land use: arable land: 22.26% permanent crops: 1.81% other: 75.93% (2001)

Irrigated land:

550 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

high seismic risks

Environment - current issues:

air pollution from metallurgical plants

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate

Change-Kyoto Protocol, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of

the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

landlocked; major transportation corridor from Western and Central

Europe to Aegean Sea and Southern Europe to Western Europe

People Macedonia

Population:

2,045,262 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 20.5% (male 217,057/female 202,465)

15-64 years: 68.7% (male 707,489/female 697,150)

65 years and over: 10.8% (male 97,117/female 123,984) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 32.8 years

male: 31.7 years

female: 33.9 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

0.26% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

12 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

8.73 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

-0.7 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.08 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.07 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female

total population: 1 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 10.09 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 10.2 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 9.97 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 73.73 years

male: 71.28 years

female: 76.37 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

1.57 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

less than 0.1% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

less than 200 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

less than 100 (2003 est.)

Nationality:

noun: Macedonian(s)

adjective: Macedonian

Ethnic groups:

Macedonian 64.2%, Albanian 25.2%, Turkish 3.9%, Roma 2.7%, Serb

1.8%, other 2.2% (2002 census)

Religions:

Macedonian Orthodox 32.4%, other Christian 0.2%, Muslim 16.9%,

other and unspecified 50.5% (2002 census)

Languages:

Macedonian 66.5%, Albanian 25.1%, Turkish 3.5%, Roma 1.9%, Serbian

1.2%, other 1.8% (2002 census)

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 96.1%

male: 98.2%

female: 94.1% (2002 est.)

Government Macedonia

Country name:

conventional long form: Republic of Macedonia

conventional short form: Macedonia; note - the provisional

designation used by the UN, EU, and NATO is Former Yugoslav Republic

of Macedonia (FYROM)

local long form: Republika Makedonija

local short form: Makedonija

former: People's Republic of Macedonia, Socialist Republic of

Macedonia

Government type:

parliamentary democracy

Capital:

Skopje

Administrative divisions:

85 municipalities (opstini, singular - opstina); Aerodrom (Skopje),

Aracinovo, Berovo, Bitola, Bogdanci, Bogovinje, Bosilovo, Brvenica,

Butel (Skopje), Cair (Skopje), Caska, Centar (Skopje), Centar Zupa,

Cesinovo, Cucer-Sandevo, Debar, Debartsa, Delcevo, Demir Hisar,

Demir Kapija, Dojran, Dolneni, Drugovo, Gazi Baba (Skopje),

Gevgelija, Gjorce Petrov (Skopje), Gostivar, Gradsko, Ilinden,

Jegunovce, Karbinci, Karpos (Skopje), Kavadarci, Kicevo, Kisela Voda

(Skopje), Kocani, Konce, Kratovo, Kriva Palanka, Krivogastani,

Krusevo, Kumanovo, Lipkovo, Lozovo, Makedonska Kamenica, Makedonski

Brod, Mavrovo i Rastusa, Mogila, Negotino, Novaci, Novo Selo, Ohrid,

Oslomej, Pehcevo, Petrovec, Plasnica, Prilep, Probistip, Radovis,

Rankovce, Resen, Rosoman, Saraj (Skopje), Skopje, Sopiste, Staro

Nagoricane, Stip, Struga, Strumica, Studenicani, Suto Orizari

(Skopje), Sveti Nikole, Tearce, Tetovo, Valandovo, Vasilevo, Veles,

Vevcani, Vinica, Vranestica, Vrapciste, Zajas, Zelenikovo, Zelino,

Zrnovci

note: the ten municipalities followed by Skopje in parentheses

collectively constitute "greater Skopje"

Independence:

8 September 1991 (referendum by registered voters endorsing

independence from Yugoslavia)

National holiday:

Uprising Day, 2 August (1903); note - also known as Saint Elijah's

Day and Ilinden

Constitution:

adopted 17 November 1991, effective 20 November 1991; amended

November 2001 by a series of new constitutional amendments

strengthening minority rights

Legal system:

based on civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Branko CRVENKOVSKI (since 12 May 2004)

head of government: Prime Minister Vlado BUCKOVSKI (since 17

December 2004)

cabinet: Council of Ministers elected by the majority vote of all

the deputies in the Assembly; note - current cabinet formed by the

government coalition parties SDSM, LDP, and BDI

elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;

two-round election last held 14 April and 28 April 2004 (next to be

held April 2009); prime minister elected by the Assembly; election

last held 1 November 2002 (next to be held NA 2006)

election results: Branko CRVENKOVSKI elected president on

second-round ballot; percent of vote - Branko CRVENKOVSKI 62.7%,

Sasko KEDEV 37.3%; Vlado BUCKOVSKI elected prime minister by the

Assembly

Legislative branch:

unicameral Assembly or Sobranie (120 seats - members elected by

popular vote from party lists based on the percentage of the overall

vote the parties gain in each of six electoral districts; all serve

four-year terms)

elections: last held 15 September 2002 (next to be held NA 2006)

election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -

Together for Macedonia coalition 60 (SDSM 43, LDP 12, others 5),

VMRO-DPMNE 33 (VMRO 28 and LDT 5), Democratic Union for Integration

16, Democratic Party of Albanians 7, Party for Democratic Prosperity

2, National Democratic Party 1, Socialist Party of Macedonia 1

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court - the Assembly appoints the judges; Constitutional

Court - the Assembly appoints the judges; Republican Judicial

Council - the Assembly appoints the judges

Political parties and leaders:

Democratic Alliance [Pavle TRAJANOV]; Democratic Alternative or DA

[Vasil TUPURKOVSKI, president]; Democratic League of the Bosniaks

[Rafet MUMINOVIC]; Democratic Party of Albanians or PDSH/DPA [Arben

XHAFERI, president]; Democratic Party of Serbs [Ivan STOILJKOVIC];

Democratic Party of Turks [Kenan HASIPI]; Democratic Republican

Union of Macedonia or DRUM [Dosta DIMOVSKA]; Democratic Union of

Vlachs for Macedonia [leader NA]; Democratic Union for Integration

or BDI/DUI [Ali AHMETI]; Internal Macedonian Revolutionary

Organization-Agrarian Party or VMRO-Agrarian Party [Marjan GJORCEV];

Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization-Democratic Party for

Macedonian National Unity or VMRO-DPMNE (including VMRO and LDT)

[Nikola GRUEVSKI]; Internal Macedonian Revolutionary

Organization-True Macedonian Option or VMRO-Vistinska [Boris

ZMEJKOVSKI]; Internal Macedonian Revolutionary

Organization-Macedonian [Boris STOJMENOV]; Internal Macedonian

Revolutionary Organization-People's Party or VMRO-Narodna [Vesna

JANEVSKA]; League for Democracy [Gjorgi MARJANOVIC]; Liberal

Democratic Party or LDP [Risto PENOV]; Liberal Party [Stojan ANDOV];

National Democratic Party or PDK [Basri HALITI]; National Farmers'

Party [Vejljo TANTAROV]; Party for Democratic Prosperity or PPD/PDP

[Abduljhadi VEJSELI]; Social Democratic Alliance of Macedonia or

SDSM [Vlado BUCKOVSKI, president]; Socialist Party of Macedonia or

SP [Ljubisav IVANOV, president]; Together for Macedonia coalition

(including the SDSM and LDP) [Vlado BUCKOVSI]; United Party for

Emancipation or OPE [Nezdet MUSTAFA]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

Civic Movement of Macedonia [Gordana SILJANOVSKA]; Movement for

Macedonia's Euro-Atlantic Integration [Dosta DIMOVSKA]

International organization participation:

ACCT, BIS, CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM,

IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer),

ISO, ITU, MIGA, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO,

UPU, WCL, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Nikola DIMITROV chancery: Suite 302, 1101 30th Street NW, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 337-3063 FAX: [1] (202) 337-3093 consulate(s) general: Southfield (Michigan)

Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Lawrence Edward BUTLER embassy: Bul. Ilindenska bb, 1000 Skopje mailing address: American Embassy Skopje, Department of State, 7120 Skopje Place, Washington, DC 20521-7120 (pouch) telephone: [389] 2 311-6180 FAX: [389] 2 311-7103

Flag description:

a yellow sun with eight broadening rays extending to the edges of

the red field

Economy Macedonia

Economy - overview:

At independence in September 1991, Macedonia was the least

developed of the Yugoslav republics, producing a mere 5% of the

total federal output of goods and services. The collapse of

Yugoslavia ended transfer payments from the center and eliminated

advantages from inclusion in a de facto free trade area. An absence

of infrastructure, UN sanctions on the down-sized Yugoslavia, one of

its largest markets, and a Greek economic embargo over a dispute

about the country's constitutional name and flag hindered economic

growth until 1996. GDP subsequently rose each year through 2000.

However, the leadership's commitment to economic reform, free trade,

and regional integration was undermined by the ethnic Albanian

insurgency of 2001. The economy shrank 4.5% because of decreased

trade, intermittent border closures, increased deficit spending on

security needs, and investor uncertainty. Growth barely recovered in

2002 to 0.9%, then rose by a moderate 3.4% in 2003, and is estimated

at 1.3% in 2004. Unemployment at one-third of the workforce remains

a critical economic problem. Much of the extensive grey market

activity falls outside official statistics.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$14.4 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

1.3% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $7,100 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 11.2% industry: 26% services: 62.8% (2004 est.)

Labor force:

855,000 (2004 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture NA%, industry NA%, services NA%

Unemployment rate:

37.7% (3rd quarter, 2004 est.)

Population below poverty line:

30.2% (2003 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA%

highest 10%: NA%

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

0.4% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

17.5% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $1.198 billion

expenditures: $1.245 billion, including capital expenditures of $114

million (2004 est.)

Public debt:

20% of GDP (2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

wheat, grapes, rice, tobacco, corn, millet, cotton, sesame,

mulberry leaves, citrus, vegetables; beef, pork, poultry, mutton

Industries:

coal, metallic chromium, lead, zinc, ferronickel, textiles, wood

products, tobacco, food processing, buses, steel

Industrial production growth rate:

0% (2004 est.)

Electricity - production:

6.273 billion kWh (2003)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 83.7% hydro: 16.3% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

7.216 billion kWh (2003)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2003)

Electricity - imports:

953 million kWh (2003)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2003 est.)

Oil - consumption:

22,000 bbl/day (2003 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Current account balance:

$-311 million (2004 est.)

Exports:

$1.629 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

food, beverages, tobacco; miscellaneous manufactures, iron and steel

Exports - partners:

Serbia and Montenegro 31.4%, Germany 19.9%, Greece 8.9%, Croatia

6.9%, US 4.9% (2004)

Imports:

$2.677 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

machinery and equipment, chemicals, fuels; food products,

automobiles

Imports - partners:

Greece 15.4%, Germany 13.1%, Serbia and Montenegro 10.4%, Slovenia

8.6%, Bulgaria 8.1%, Turkey 6%, Romania 4.7% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$928 million (2004 est.)

Debt - external:

$1.863 billion (2004 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:

$250 million (2003 est.)

Currency (code):

Macedonian denar (MKD)

Currency code:

MKD

Exchange rates:

Macedonian denars per US dollar - 49.41 (2004), 54.32 (2003), 64.35

(2002), 68.04 (2001), 65.9 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Macedonia

Telephones - main lines in use:

560,000 (2002)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

830,000 (2005)

Telephone system:

general assessment: NA

domestic: NA

international: country code - 389

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 29, FM 20, shortwave 0 (1998)

Radios:

410,000 (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

31 (plus 166 repeaters) (1995)

Televisions:

510,000 (1997)

Internet country code:

.mk

Internet hosts:

3,738 (2004)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

6 (2000)

Internet users:

100,000 (2002)

Transportation Macedonia

Railways: total: 699 km standard gauge: 699 km 1.435-m gauge (233 km electrified) (2004)

Highways:

total: 8,684 km

paved: 5,540 km (including 133 km of expressways)

unpaved: 3,144 km (1999 est.)

Pipelines:

gas 268 km; oil 120 km (2004)

Airports:

17 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 10

2,438 to 3,047 m: 2

under 914 m: 8 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 7

914 to 1,523 m: 3

under 914 m: 4 (2004 est.)

Military Macedonia

Military branches:

Army of the Republic of Macedonia (ARM; includes Air and Air

Defense Command)

Military service age and obligation: conscription to be phased out by 2007; current tour of conscript duty is 6 months; 18 years of age for voluntary military service (January 2005)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 18-49: 498,259 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: 411,156 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:

males: 16,686 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$200 million (FY01/02 est.)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

6% (FY01/02 est.)

Transnational Issues Macedonia

Disputes - international:

ethnic Albanians in Kosovo object to demarcation of the boundary

with Macedonia in accordance with the 2000 Macedonia-Serbia and

Montenegro delimitation agreement; Greece continues to reject the

use of the name Macedonia or Republic of Macedonia

Refugees and internally displaced persons:

IDPs: 2,678 (ethnic conflict in 2001; most IDPs have returned)

(2004)

Illicit drugs:

major transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin and hashish;

minor transit point for South American cocaine destined for Europe;

although most criminal activity is thought to be domestic and not a

financial center, money laundering is a problem due to a mostly

cash-based economy and weak enforcement (no arrests or prosecutions

for money laundering to date)

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Madagascar

Introduction Madagascar

Background:

Formerly an independent kingdom, Madagascar became a French colony

in 1896, but regained its independence in 1960. During 1992-93, free

presidential and National Assembly elections were held, ending 17

years of single-party rule. In 1997, in the second presidential

race, Didier RATSIRAKA, the leader during the 1970s and 1980s, was

returned to the presidency. The 2001 presidential election was

contested between the followers of Didier RATSIRAKA and Marc

RAVALOMANANA, nearly causing secession of half of the country. In

April 2002, the High Constitutional Court announced RAVALOMANANA the

winner.

Geography Madagascar

Location:

Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, east of Mozambique

Geographic coordinates:

20 00 S, 47 00 E

Map references:

Africa

Area:

total: 587,040 sq km

land: 581,540 sq km

water: 5,500 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly less than twice the size of Arizona

Land boundaries:

0 km

Coastline:

4,828 km

Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or 100 nm from the 2,500-m deep isobath

Climate:

tropical along coast, temperate inland, arid in south

Terrain:

narrow coastal plain, high plateau and mountains in center

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m

highest point: Maromokotro 2,876 m

Natural resources:

graphite, chromite, coal, bauxite, salt, quartz, tar sands,

semiprecious stones, mica, fish, hydropower

Land use: arable land: 5.07% permanent crops: 1.03% other: 93.91% (2001)

Irrigated land:

10,900 sq km (2000 est.)

Natural hazards:

periodic cyclones, drought, and locust infestation

Environment - current issues: soil erosion results from deforestation and overgrazing; desertification; surface water contaminated with raw sewage and other organic wastes; several species of flora and fauna unique to the island are endangered

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto

Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law

of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection,

Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

world's fourth-largest island; strategic location along Mozambique

Channel

People Madagascar

Population:

18,040,341 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 44.8% (male 4,051,832/female 4,038,837)

15-64 years: 52.1% (male 4,657,346/female 4,745,971)

65 years and over: 3% (male 247,146/female 299,209) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 17.46 years

male: 17.24 years

female: 17.67 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

3.03% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

41.66 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

11.35 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.83 male(s)/female

total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 76.83 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 85.05 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 68.36 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 56.95 years

male: 54.57 years

female: 59.4 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

5.66 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

1.7% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

140,000 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

7,500 (2003 est.)

Major infectious diseases:

degree of risk: high

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea,

hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases: malaria and plague are high risks in some

locations

water contact disease: schistosomiasis (2004)

Nationality:

noun: Malagasy (singular and plural)

adjective: Malagasy

Ethnic groups:

Malayo-Indonesian (Merina and related Betsileo), Cotiers (mixed

African, Malayo-Indonesian, and Arab ancestry - Betsimisaraka,

Tsimihety, Antaisaka, Sakalava), French, Indian, Creole, Comoran

Religions:

indigenous beliefs 52%, Christian 41%, Muslim 7%

Languages:

French (official), Malagasy (official)

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 68.9%

male: 75.5%

female: 62.5% (2003 est.)

Government Madagascar

Country name:

conventional long form: Republic of Madagascar

conventional short form: Madagascar

local long form: Republique de Madagascar

local short form: Madagascar

former: Malagasy Republic

Government type:

republic

Capital:

Antananarivo

Administrative divisions:

6 provinces (faritany); Antananarivo, Antsiranana, Fianarantsoa,

Mahajanga, Toamasina, Toliara

Independence:

26 June 1960 (from France)

National holiday:

Independence Day, 26 June (1960)

Constitution:

19 August 1992 by national referendum

Legal system:

based on French civil law system and traditional Malagasy law; has

not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Marc RAVALOMANANA (since 6 May 2002)

head of government: Prime Minister Jacques SYLLA (27 May 2002)

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister

elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;

election last held 16 December 2001 (next to be held November 2006);

prime minister appointed by the president

election results: percent of vote - Didier RATSIRAKA (AREMA) 37.7%,

Marc RAVALOMANANA (TIM) 50.5%

Legislative branch:

bicameral legislature consists of a National Assembly or Assemblee

Nationale (160 seats; members are directly elected by popular vote

to serve four-year terms) and a Senate or Senat (100 seats;

two-thirds of the seats filled by regional assemblies whose members

will be elected by popular vote; the remaining one-third of the

seats appointed by the president; all members will serve four-year

terms)

elections: National Assembly - last held 15 December 2002 (next to

be held NA 2006)

election results: National Assembly - percent of vote by party -

NA%; seats by party - TIM 103, FP 22, AREMA 3, LEADER/Fanilo 2, RPSD

5, others 3, independents 22

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court or Cour Supreme; High Constitutional Court or Haute

Cour Constitutionnelle

Political parties and leaders:

Association for the Rebirth of Madagascar or AREMA [Pierrot

RAJAONARIVO]; Economic Liberalism and Democratic Action for National

Recovery or LEADER/Fanilo [Herizo RAZAFIMAHALEO]; Fihaonana Party or

FP [Guy-Willy RAZANAMASY]; I Love Madagascar or TIM [Marc

RAVALOMANANA]; Renewal of the Social Democratic Party or RPSD

[Evariste MARSON]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

Committee for the Defense of Truth and Justice or KMMR; Committee

for National Reconciliation or CRN [Albert Zafy]; National Council

of Christian Churches or FFKM

International organization participation:

ABEDA, ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt

(signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO,

InOC, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, MIGA, NAM, OPCW,

UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO,

WMO, WToO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Rajaonarivony NARISOA

chancery: 2374 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 265-5525, 5526

FAX: [1] (202) 483-7603

consulate(s) general: New York

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Wanda L. NESBITT

embassy: 14-16 Rue Rainitovo, Antsahavola, Antananarivo 101

mailing address: B. P. 620, Antsahavola, Antananarivo

telephone: [261] (20) 22-212-57, 22-212-73, 22-209-56

FAX: [261] (20) 22-345-39

Flag description:

two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green with a vertical

white band of the same width on hoist side

Economy Madagascar

Economy - overview:

Having discarded past socialist economic policies, Madagascar has

since the mid 1990s followed a World Bank and IMF led policy of

privatization and liberalization. This strategy has placed the

country on a slow and steady growth path from an extremely low

level. Agriculture, including fishing and forestry, is a mainstay of

the economy, accounting for more than one-fourth of GDP and

employing 80% of the population. Exports of apparel have boomed in

recent years primarily due to duty-free access to the United States.

Deforestation and erosion, aggravated by the use of firewood as the

primary source of fuel are serious concerns. President RAVALOMANANA

has worked aggressively to revive the economy following the 2002

political crisis, which triggered a 12% drop in GDP that year.

Poverty reduction and combating corruption will be the centerpieces

of economic policy for the next few years.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$14.56 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

5.5% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $800 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 29.3% industry: 16.7% services: 54% (2004 est.)

Labor force:

7.3 million (2000)

Population below poverty line:

50% (2004 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: 3%

highest 10%: 29% (1999)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

38.1 (1999)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

7.5% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

14.7% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $783.7 million

expenditures: $1.079 billion, including capital expenditures of $331

million (2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

coffee, vanilla, sugarcane, cloves, cocoa, rice, cassava (tapioca),

beans, bananas, peanuts; livestock products

Industries:

meat processing, soap, breweries, tanneries, sugar, textiles,

glassware, cement, automobile assembly plant, paper, petroleum,

tourism

Industrial production growth rate:

3% (2000 est.)

Electricity - production:

840.2 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 36.1% hydro: 63.9% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

781.4 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

13,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Oil - proved reserves:

0 bbl (1 January 2002)

Natural gas - proved reserves:

0 cu m (1 January 2002)

Current account balance:

$-281.9 million (2004 est.)

Exports:

$868.2 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

coffee, vanilla, shellfish, sugar; cotton cloth, chromite,

petroleum products

Exports - partners:

US 35.8%, France 30.8%, Germany 7.7% (2004)

Imports:

$1.147 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

capital goods, petroleum, consumer goods, food

Imports - partners:

France 17.2%, China 9.7%, Hong Kong 6.6%, Iran 6.4%, Mauritius

6.2%, South Africa 5.6% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$500.3 million (2004 est.)

Debt - external:

$4.6 billion (2002)

Economic aid - recipient:

$354 million (2001)

Currency (code):

Madagascar ariary (MGA)

Currency code:

MGF

Exchange rates:

Malagasy francs per US dollar - 1,868.9 (2004), 1,238.3 (2003),

1,366.4 (2002), 1,317.7 (2001), 1,353.5 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Madagascar

Telephones - main lines in use:

59,600 (2003)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

279,500 (2003)

Telephone system:

general assessment: system is above average for the region

domestic: open-wire lines, coaxial cables, microwave radio relay,

and tropospheric scatter links connect regions

international: country code - 261; submarine cable to Bahrain;

satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) and 1

Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 2 (plus a number of repeater stations), FM 9, shortwave 6 (2001)

Radios:

3.05 million (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

1 (plus 36 repeaters) (2001)

Televisions:

325,000 (1997)

Internet country code:

.mg

Internet hosts:

773 (2003)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

2 (2000)

Internet users:

70,500 (2003)

Transportation Madagascar

Railways: total: 732 km narrow gauge: 732 km 1.000-m gauge (2004)

Highways: total: 49,827 km paved: 5,780 km unpaved: 44,047 km (1999 est.)

Waterways:

600 km (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Antsiranana, Mahajanga, Toamasina, Toliara

Merchant marine:

total: 9 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 14,865 GRT/17,936 DWT

by type: cargo 5, passenger/cargo 2, petroleum tanker 2

registered in other countries: 1 (2005)

Airports:

116 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 29 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 20 under 914 m: 2 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 87 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 42 under 914 m: 43 (2004 est.)

Military Madagascar

Military branches:

People's Armed Forces: Intervention Force, Development Force, and

Aeronaval (Navy and Air) Force; National Gendarmerie

Military service age and obligation:

18 years of age (est.); conscript service obligation - 18 months

(2004)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 18-49: 3,542,797 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: 2,218,662 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:

males: 187,000 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$44.6 million (2004)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

1.2% (2004)

Transnational Issues Madagascar

Disputes - international:

claims Bassas da India, Europa Island, Glorioso Islands, and Juan

de Nova Island (all administered by France)

Illicit drugs:

illicit producer of cannabis (cultivated and wild varieties) used

mostly for domestic consumption; transshipment point for heroin

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Malawi

Introduction Malawi

Background:

Established in 1891, the British protectorate of Nyasaland became

the independent nation of Malawi in 1964. After three decades of

one-party rule under President Hastings Kamuzu BANDA the country

held multiparty elections in 1994, under a provisional constitution,

which came into full effect the following year. Current President

Bingu wa MUTHARIKA, elected in May 2004 after the previous president

failed to amend the constitution to permit another term, has

struggled to assert his authority against his predecessor, who still

leads their shared political party. MATHARIKA's anti-corruption

efforts have led to several high-level arrests but no convictions.

Increasing corruption, population growth, increasing pressure on

agricultural lands, and HIV/AIDS pose major problems for the country.

Geography Malawi

Location:

Southern Africa, east of Zambia

Geographic coordinates:

13 30 S, 34 00 E

Map references:

Africa

Area:

total: 118,480 sq km

land: 94,080 sq km

water: 24,400 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly smaller than Pennsylvania

Land boundaries: total: 2,881 km border countries: Mozambique 1,569 km, Tanzania 475 km, Zambia 837 km

Coastline:

0 km (landlocked)

Maritime claims:

none (landlocked)

Climate:

sub-tropical; rainy season (November to May); dry season (May to

November)

Terrain:

narrow elongated plateau with rolling plains, rounded hills, some

mountains

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: junction of the Shire River and international

boundary with Mozambique 37 m

highest point: Sapitwa (Mount Mlanje) 3,002 m

Natural resources:

limestone, arable land, hydropower, unexploited deposits of

uranium, coal, and bauxite

Land use: arable land: 23.38% permanent crops: 1.49% other: 75.13% (2001)

Irrigated land:

280 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

NA

Environment - current issues: deforestation; land degradation; water pollution from agricultural runoff, sewage, industrial wastes; siltation of spawning grounds endangers fish populations

Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea

Geography - note:

landlocked; Lake Nyasa, some 580 km long, is the country's most

prominent physical feature

People Malawi

Population:

12,158,924

note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the

effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower

life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower

population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of

population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July

2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 46.9% (male 2,877,568/female 2,823,296)

15-64 years: 50.4% (male 3,041,352/female 3,081,762)

65 years and over: 2.8% (male 132,175/female 202,771) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 16.34 years

male: 16.04 years

female: 16.65 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

2.06% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

43.95 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

23.39 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.65 male(s)/female

total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 103.32 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 107.44 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 99.07 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 41.43 years

male: 41.66 years

female: 41.2 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

5.98 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

14.2% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

900,000 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

84,000 (2003 est.)

Major infectious diseases:

degree of risk: very high

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea,

hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases: malaria and plague are high risks in some

locations

water contact disease: schistosomiasis (2004)

Nationality:

noun: Malawian(s)

adjective: Malawian

Ethnic groups:

Chewa, Nyanja, Tumbuka, Yao, Lomwe, Sena, Tonga, Ngoni, Ngonde,

Asian, European

Religions:

Christian 79.9%, Muslim 12.8%, other 3%, none 4.3% (1998 census)

Languages:

Chichewa 57.2% (official), Chinyanja 12.8%, Chiyao 10.1%,

Chitumbuka 9.5%, Chisena 2.7%, Chilomwe 2.4%, Chitonga 1.7%, other

3.6% (1998 census)

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 62.7%

male: 76.1%

female: 49.8% (2003 est.)

Government Malawi

Country name:

conventional long form: Republic of Malawi

conventional short form: Malawi

former: British Central African Protectorate, Nyasaland

Protectorate, Nyasaland

Government type:

multiparty democracy

Capital:

Lilongwe

Administrative divisions:

27 districts; Balaka, Blantyre, Chikwawa, Chiradzulu, Chitipa,

Dedza, Dowa, Karonga, Kasungu, Likoma, Lilongwe, Machinga (Kasupe),

Mangochi, Mchinji, Mulanje, Mwanza, Mzimba, Ntcheu, Nkhata Bay,

Nkhotakota, Nsanje, Ntchisi, Phalombe, Rumphi, Salima, Thyolo, Zomba

Independence:

6 July 1964 (from UK)

National holiday:

Independence Day (Republic Day), 6 July (1964)

Constitution:

18 May 1994

Legal system:

based on English common law and customary law; judicial review of

legislative acts in the Supreme Court of Appeal; has not accepted

compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Bingu wa MUTHARIKA (since 24 May 2004);

note - the president is both the chief of state and head of

government

head of government: President Bingu wa MUTHARIKA (since 24 May

2004); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of

government

cabinet: 46-member Cabinet named by the president

elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;

election last held 20 May 2004 (next to be held May 2009)

election results: Bingu wa MUTHARIKA elected president; percent of

vote - Bingu wa MUTHARIKA (UDF) 35.9%, John TEMBO (MCP) 27.1%,

Gwandaguluwe CHAKUAMBA (MC) 25.7%, Brown MPINGANJIRA (NDA) 8.7%,

Justin MALEWEZI (independent) 2.5%

Legislative branch:

unicameral National Assembly (193 seats; members elected by popular

vote to serve five-year terms)

elections: last held 20 May 2004 (next to be held May 2009)

election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -

UDF 74, MCP 60, Independents 24, RP 16, others 18, vacancies 1

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court of Appeal; High Court (chief justice appointed by the

president, puisne judges appointed on the advice of the Judicial

Service Commission); magistrate's courts

Political parties and leaders:

Alliance for Democracy or AFORD [Chakufwa CHIHANA]; Malawi Congress

Party or MCP [John TEMBO]; Malawi Democratic Party or MDP [Kampelo

KALUA]; Malawi Forum for Unity and Development or MAFUNDE [George

MNESA]; Mgwirizano Coalition or MC (coalition of MAFUNDE, MDP,

MGODE, NUP, PETRA, PPM, RP) [Gwandaguluwe CHAKUAMBA]; Movement for

Genuine Democratic Change or MGODE [Sam Kandodo BANDA]; National

Democratic Alliance or NDA [Brown MPINGANJIRA]; National Unity Party

or NUP [Harry CHIUME]; New Congress for Democracy or NCD [Hetherwick

NTABA]; People's Progressive Movement or PPM [Aleke BANDA]; People's

Transformation Movement or PETRA [Kamuzu CHIBAMBO]; Republican Party

or RP [Gwandaguluwe CHAKUAMBA]; United Democratic Front or UDF

[Bingu wa MUTHARIKA] - governing party

Political pressure groups and leaders:

NA

International organization participation:

ACP, AfDB, AU, C, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA,

IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent),

ITU, MIGA, MONUC, NAM, ONUB, OPCW, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO,

UNMIK, UNMIL, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Bernard Herbert SANDE

chancery: 1156 15th Street, NW, Suite 320, Washington, DC 20005

telephone: [1] (202) 721-0270

FAX: [1] (202) 721-0288

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires David

GILMOUR

embassy: Area 40, Plot 24, Kenyatta Road

mailing address: P. O. Box 30016, Lilongwe 3, Malawi

telephone: [265] (1) 773 166

FAX: [265] (1) 770 471

Flag description:

three equal horizontal bands of black (top), red, and green with a

radiant, rising, red sun centered in the black band

Government - note:

the executive exerts considerable influence over the legislature

Economy Malawi

Economy - overview:

Landlocked Malawi ranks among the world's least developed

countries. The economy is predominately agricultural, with about 90%

of the population living in rural areas. Agriculture accounted for

nearly 40% of GDP and 88% of export revenues in 2001. The

performance of the tobacco sector is key to short-term growth as

tobacco accounts for over 50% of exports. The economy depends on

substantial inflows of economic assistance from the IMF, the World

Bank, and individual donor nations. In late 2000, Malawi was

approved for relief under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC)

program. The government faces strong challenges, including

developing a market economy, improving educational facilities,

facing up to environmental problems, dealing with the rapidly

growing problem of HIV/AIDS, and satisfying foreign donors that

fiscal discipline is being tightened. In 2005, the anticorruption

campaign championed by President MUTHARIKA may help encourage

investment and economic growth.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$7.41 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

4% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $600 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 54.8% industry: 19.2% services: 26% (2004 est.)

Labor force:

4.5 million (2001 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 90% (2003 est.)

Unemployment rate:

NA (2003 est.)

Population below poverty line:

55% (2004 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

12% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

10.7% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $536 million

expenditures: $635.6 million, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Public debt:

228.3% of GDP (2004 est.)

Agriculture - products: tobacco, sugarcane, cotton, tea, corn, potatoes, cassava (tapioca), sorghum, pulses; groundnuts, Macadamia nuts; cattle, goats

Industries:

tobacco, tea, sugar, sawmill products, cement, consumer goods

Industrial production growth rate:

1.4% (2004 est.)

Electricity - production:

1.088 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 3.3% hydro: 96.7% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

1.012 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

5,400 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Current account balance:

$-55.5 million (2004 est.)

Exports:

$503.4 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

tobacco 60%, tea, sugar, cotton, coffee, peanuts, wood products,

apparel

Exports - partners:

South Africa 13.5%, US 12%, Germany 11.6%, Egypt 8.4%, UK 6.6%,

Mozambique 4.5% (2004)

Imports:

$521.1 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

food, petroleum products, semimanufactures, consumer goods,

transportation equipment

Imports - partners:

South Africa 37.3%, India 8.1%, Mozambique 7.7%, Zimbabwe 7.2%,

Tanzania 4.6%, Germany 4.1% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$160.5 million (2004 est.)

Debt - external:

$3.129 billion (2004 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:

$540 million (1999)

Currency (code):

Malawian kwacha (MWK)

Currency code:

MWK

Exchange rates:

Malawian kwachas per US dollar - 108.894 (2004), 97.433 (2003),

76.687 (2002), 72.197 (2001), 59.544 (2000)

Fiscal year:

1 July - 30 June

Communications Malawi

Telephones - main lines in use:

85,000 (2003)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

135,100 (2003)

Telephone system:

general assessment: NA

domestic: system employs open-wire lines, microwave radio relay

links, and radiotelephone communications stations

international: country code - 265; satellite earth stations - 2

Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Atlantic Ocean)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 9, FM 5 (plus 15 repeater stations), shortwave 2 (plus a third

station held in standby status) (2001)

Radios:

2.6 million (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

1 (2001)

Televisions:

NA

Internet country code:

.mw

Internet hosts:

18 (2003)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

3 (2002)

Internet users:

36,000 (2003)

Transportation Malawi

Railways: total: 797 km narrow gauge: 797 km 1.067-m gauge (2004)

Highways: total: 28,400 km paved: 5,254 km unpaved: 23,146 km (1999 est.)

Waterways: 700 km note: on Lake Nyasa (Lake Malawi) and Shire River (2003)

Ports and harbors:

Chipoka, Monkey Bay, Nkhata Bay, Nkhotakota, Chilumba

Airports:

42 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 6

over 3,047 m: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 4 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 36

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 15

under 914 m: 20 (2004 est.)

Military Malawi

Military branches:

Malawi Armed Forces: Army (includes Air Wing and Naval Detachment),

Police (includes Mobile Force Unit)

Military service age and obligation:

18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription

(2001)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 18-49: 2,320,190 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: 995,084 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$11.1 million (2004)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

0.7% (2004)

Transnational Issues Malawi

Disputes - international: disputes with Tanzania over the boundary in Lake Nyasa (Lake Malawi) and the meandering Songwe River remain dormant

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Malaysia

Introduction Malaysia

Background:

During the late 18th and 19th centuries, Great Britain established

colonies and protectorates in the area of current Malaysia; these

were occupied by Japan from 1942 to 1945. In 1948, the British-ruled

territories on the Malay Peninsula formed the Federation of Malaya,

which became independent in 1957. Malaysia was formed in 1963 when

the former British colonies of Singapore and the East Malaysian

states of Sabah and Sarawak on the northern coast of Borneo joined

the Federation. The first several years of the country's history

were marred by Indonesian efforts to control Malaysia, Philippine

claims to Sabah, and Singapore's secession from the Federation in

1965.

Geography Malaysia

Location:

Southeastern Asia, peninsula bordering Thailand and northern

one-third of the island of Borneo, bordering Indonesia, Brunei, and

the South China Sea, south of Vietnam

Geographic coordinates:

2 30 N, 112 30 E

Map references:

Southeast Asia

Area:

total: 329,750 sq km

land: 328,550 sq km

water: 1,200 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly larger than New Mexico

Land boundaries: total: 2,669 km border countries: Brunei 381 km, Indonesia 1,782 km, Thailand 506 km

Coastline:

4,675 km (Peninsular Malaysia 2,068 km, East Malaysia 2,607 km)

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation;

specified boundary in the South China Sea

Climate:

tropical; annual southwest (April to October) and northeast

(October to February) monsoons

Terrain:

coastal plains rising to hills and mountains

Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Gunung Kinabalu 4,100 m

Natural resources: tin, petroleum, timber, copper, iron ore, natural gas, bauxite

Land use: arable land: 5.48% permanent crops: 17.61% other: 76.91% (2001)

Irrigated land:

3,650 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

flooding, landslides, forest fires

Environment - current issues: air pollution from industrial and vehicular emissions; water pollution from raw sewage; deforestation; smoke/haze from Indonesian forest fires

Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands

Geography - note:

strategic location along Strait of Malacca and southern South China

Sea

People Malaysia

Population:

23,953,136 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 33% (male 4,067,006/female 3,837,758)

15-64 years: 62.4% (male 7,488,367/female 7,447,047)

65 years and over: 4.6% (male 490,334/female 622,624) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 23.92 years

male: 23.32 years

female: 24.54 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

1.8% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

23.07 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

5.06 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population

note: does not reflect net flow of an unknown number of illegal

immigrants from other countries in the region (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.79 male(s)/female

total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 17.7 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 20.49 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 14.71 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 72.24 years

male: 69.56 years

female: 75.11 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

3.07 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

0.4% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

52,000 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

2,000 (2003 est.)

Major infectious diseases:

degree of risk: high

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and

typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria are high risks in

some locations (2004)

Nationality:

noun: Malaysian(s)

adjective: Malaysian

Ethnic groups:

Malay 50.4%, Chinese 23.7%, Indigenous 11%, Indian 7.1%, others

7.8% (2004 est.)

Religions:

Muslim, Buddhist, Daoist, Hindu, Christian, Sikh; note - in

addition, Shamanism is practiced in East Malaysia

Languages:

Bahasa Melayu (official), English, Chinese dialects (Cantonese,

Mandarin, Hokkien, Hakka, Hainan, Foochow), Tamil, Telugu,

Malayalam, Panjabi, Thai

note: in addition, in East Malaysia several indigenous languages are

spoken, the largest are Iban and Kadazan

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 88.7%

male: 92%

female: 85.4% (2002)

Government Malaysia

Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Malaysia former: Federation of Malaysia

Government type:

constitutional monarchy

note: nominally headed by paramount ruler and a bicameral Parliament

consisting of a nonelected upper house and an elected lower house;

all Peninsular Malaysian states have hereditary rulers except Melaka

and Pulau Pinang (Penang); those two states along with Sabah and

Sarawak in East Malaysia have governors appointed by government;

powers of state governments are limited by federal constitution;

under terms of federation, Sabah and Sarawak retain certain

constitutional prerogatives (e.g., right to maintain their own

immigration controls); Sabah - holds 20 seats in House of

Representatives and will hold 25 seats after the next election;

Sarawak holds 28 seats in House of Representatives

Capital:

Kuala Lumpur

note: Putrajaya is referred to as administrative center not capital;

Parliament meets in Kuala Lumpur

Administrative divisions:

13 states (negeri-negeri, singular - negeri) Johor, Kedah,

Kelantan, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Perak, Perlis, Pulau

Pinang, Sabah, Sarawak, Selangor, and Terengganu; and one federal

territory (wilayah persekutuan) with three components, city of Kuala

Lumpur, Labuan, and Putrajaya

Independence:

31 August 1957 (from UK)

National holiday:

Independence Day/Malaysia Day, 31 August (1957)

Constitution:

31 August 1957; amended 16 September 1963

Legal system:

based on English common law; judicial review of legislative acts in

the Supreme Court at request of supreme head of the federation; has

not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage:

21 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: Paramount Ruler Tuanku SYED SIRAJUDDIN ibni

Almarhum Tuanku Syed Putra Jamalullail, the Raja of Perlis (since 12

December 2001)

head of government: Prime Minister ABDULLAH bin Ahmad Badawi (since

31 October 2003); Deputy Prime Minister Mohamed NAJIB bin Abdul

Razak (since 7 January 2004)

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister from among the

members of Parliament with consent of the paramount ruler

elections: paramount ruler elected by and from the hereditary rulers

of nine of the states for five-year terms; election last held 12

December 2001 (next to be held in 2006); prime minister designated

from among the members of the House of Representatives; following

legislative elections, the leader of the party that wins a plurality

of seats in the House of Representatives becomes prime minister

election results: Tuanku SYED SIRAJUDDIN ibni Almarhum Tuanku Syed

Putra Jamalullail elected paramount ruler

Legislative branch:

bicameral Parliament or Parlimen consists of the Senate or Dewan

Negara (70 seats; 44 appointed by the paramount ruler, 26 appointed

by the state legislatures) and the House of Representatives or Dewan

Rakyat (219 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve

five-year terms)

elections: House of Representatives - last held 21 March 2004 (next

must be held by 2009)

election results: House of Representatives - percent of vote by

party - BN 91%, DAP 5%, PAS 3%, other 1%; seats by party - BN 199,

DAP 12, PAS 6, PKR 1, independent 1

Judicial branch:

Federal Court (judges appointed by the paramount ruler on the

advice of the prime minister)

Political parties and leaders:

ruling-coalition National Front (Barisan Nasional) or BN,

consisting of the following parties: Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia Party

or PGRM [LIM Keng Yaik]; Liberal Democratic Party (Parti Liberal

Demokratik - Sabah) or LDP [CHONG Kah Kiat]; Malaysian Chinese

Association (Persatuan China Malaysia) or MCA [ONG Ka Ting];

Malaysian Indian Congress (Kongresi India Malaysia) or MIC [S. Samy

VELLU]; Parti Bersatu Pakyat Sabah or PBRS [Joseph KURUP]; Parti

Bersatu Sabah or PBS [Joseph PAIRIN Kitingan]; Parti Pesaka

Bumiputra Bersatu or PBB [Patinggi Haji Abdul TAIB Mahmud]; Parti

Rakyat Sarawak or PRS [James MASING]; Sabah Progressive Party (Parti

Progresif Sabah) or SAPP [YONG Teck Lee]; Sarawak United People's

Party (Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sarawak) or SUPP [George CHAN Hong Nam];

United Malays National Organization or UMNO [ABDULLAH bin Ahmad

Badawi]; United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organization

(Pertubuhan Pasko Momogun Kadazan Dusun Bersatu) or UPKO [Bernard

DOMPOK]; People's Progressive Party (Parti Progresif Penduduk

Malaysia) or PPP [M.Keyveas]; Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party

or SPDP [William MAWANI]; opposition parties: Democratic Action

Party (Parti Tindakan Demokratik) or DAP [KARPAL Singh]; Islamic

Party of Malaysia (Parti Islam se Malaysia) or PAS [Abdul HADI

Awang]; People's Justice Party (Parti Keadilan Rakyat) or PKR [WAN

AZIZAH Wan Ismael]; Sarawak National Party or SNAP [Edwin DANDUNG];

opposition coalition Alternative Front (Barisan Alternatif) or BA

consists of PAS and PKR

Political pressure groups and leaders:

NA

International organization participation:

ABEDA, APEC, APT, ARF, AsDB, ASEAN, BIS, C, CP, FAO, G-15, G-77,

IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO,

ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, MIGA, MINURSO, MONUC, NAM,

OIC, ONUB, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMEE,

UNMIK, UNMIL, UNMISET, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador GHAZZALI bin Sheikh Abdul Khalid

chancery: 3516 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 572-9700

FAX: [1] (202) 572-9882

consulate(s) general: Los Angeles and New York

Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Christopher J. LAFLEUR embassy: 376 Jalan Tun Razak, 50400 Kuala Lumpur mailing address: P. O. Box No. 10035, 50700 Kuala Lumpur; American Embassy Kuala Lumpur, APO AP 96535-8152 telephone: [60] (3) 2168-5000 FAX: [60] (3) 2142-2207

Flag description:

14 equal horizontal stripes of red (top) alternating with white

(bottom); there is a blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner

bearing a yellow crescent and a yellow 14-pointed star; the crescent

and the star are traditional symbols of Islam; the design was based

on the flag of the US

Economy Malaysia

Economy - overview:

Malaysia, a middle-income country, transformed itself from 1971

through the late 1990's from a producer of raw materials into an

emerging multi-sector economy. Growth was almost exclusively driven

by exports - particularly of electronics. As a result, Malaysia was

hard hit by the global economic downturn and the slump in the

information technology (IT) sector in 2001 and 2002. GDP in 2001

grew only 0.5% due to an estimated 11% contraction in exports, but a

substantial fiscal stimulus package equal to US $1.9 billion

mitigated the worst of the recession and the economy rebounded in

2002 with a 4.1% increase. The economy grew 4.9% in 2003,

notwithstanding a difficult first half, when external pressures from

SARS and the Iraq War led to caution in the business community.

Growth topped 7% in 2004. Healthy foreign exchange reserves, low

inflation, and a small external debt are all strengths that make it

unlikely that Malaysia will experience a financial crisis similar to

the one in 1997. The economy remains dependent on continued growth

in the US, China, and Japan, top export destinations and key sources

of foreign investment.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$229.3 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

7.1% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $9,700 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 7.2% industry: 33.6% services: 59.1% (2004 est.)

Labor force:

10.49 million (2004 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 14.5%, industry 36%, services 49.5% (2000 est.)

Unemployment rate:

3% (2004 est.)

Population below poverty line:

8% (1998 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.4% highest 10%: 39.2% (2003 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

49.2 (1997)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

1.3% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

21.7% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $25.33 billion

expenditures: $29.33 billion, including capital expenditures of $9.4

billion (2004 est.)

Public debt:

45.4% of GDP (2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

Peninsular Malaysia - rubber, palm oil, cocoa, rice; Sabah -

subsistence crops, rubber, timber, coconuts, rice; Sarawak - rubber,

pepper, timber

Industries:

Peninsular Malaysia - rubber and oil palm processing and

manufacturing, light manufacturing industry, electronics, tin mining

and smelting, logging and processing timber; Sabah - logging,

petroleum production; Sarawak - agriculture processing, petroleum

production and refining, logging

Industrial production growth rate:

10.2% (2004 est.)

Electricity - production:

75.33 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 89.5% hydro: 10.5% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

68.4 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

70 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

785,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Oil - consumption:

460,000 bbl/day (2003 est.)

Oil - exports:

230,200 bbl/day (2003)

Oil - imports:

NA

Oil - proved reserves:

3.2 billion bbl (2004 est.)

Natural gas - production:

53.66 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - consumption:

31.25 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - exports:

22.41 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - imports:

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves:

2.23 trillion cu m (2004)

Current account balance:

$11.81 billion (2004 est.)

Exports:

$123.5 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

electronic equipment, petroleum and liquefied natural gas, wood and

wood products, palm oil, rubber, textiles, chemicals

Exports - partners:

US 18.8%, Singapore 15%, Japan 10.1%, China 6.7%, Hong Kong 6%,

Thailand 4.8% (2004)

Imports:

$99.3 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

electronics, machinery, petroleum products, plastics, vehicles,

iron and steel products, chemicals

Imports - partners:

Japan 16.1%, US 14.6%, Singapore 11.2%, China 9.9%, Thailand 5.6%,

Taiwan 5.5%, South Korea 5%, Germany 4.5%, Indonesia 4% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$55.27 billion (2004 est.)

Debt - external:

$53.36 billion (2004 est.)

Currency (code):

ringgit (MYR)

Currency code:

MYR

Exchange rates:

ringgits per US dollar - 3.8 (2004), 3.8 (2003), 3.8 (2002), 3.8

(2001), 3.8 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Malaysia

Telephones - main lines in use:

4,571,600 (2003)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

11,124,100 (2003)

Telephone system:

general assessment: modern system; international service excellent

domestic: good intercity service provided on Peninsular Malaysia

mainly by microwave radio relay; adequate intercity microwave radio

relay network between Sabah and Sarawak via Brunei; domestic

satellite system with 2 earth stations

international: country code - 60; submarine cables to India, Hong

Kong, and Singapore; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian

Ocean and 1 Pacific Ocean) (2001)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 35, FM 391, shortwave 15 (2001)

Radios:

10.9 million (1999)

Television broadcast stations:

1 (plus 15 high-power repeaters) (2001)

Televisions:

10.8 million (1999)

Internet country code:

.my

Internet hosts:

107,971 (2003)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

7 (2000)

Internet users:

8,692,100 (2003)

Transportation Malaysia

Railways:

total: 1,890 km (207 km electrified)

standard gauge: 57 km 1.435-m gauge (57 km electrified)

narrow gauge: 1,833 km 1.000-m gauge (150 km electrified) (2004)

Highways:

total: 65,877 km

paved: 51,318 km

unpaved: 14,559 km (2001)

Waterways:

7,200 km

note: Peninsular Malaysia 3,200 km, Sabah 1,500 km, Sarawak 2,500 km

(2004)

Pipelines:

condensate 279 km; gas 5,047 km; oil 1,841 km; refined products 114

km (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Bintulu, Johor, Labuan, Lahad Datu, Lumut, Miri, George Town

(Penang), Port Kelang, Tanjung Pelepas

Merchant marine:

total: 346 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 5,389,397 GRT/7,539,178 DWT

by type: bulk carrier 45, cargo 109, chemical tanker 38, container

47, liquefied gas 26, livestock carrier 1, passenger 1,

passenger/cargo 6, petroleum tanker 62, roll on/roll off 6, vehicle

carrier 5

foreign-owned: 77 (China 1, Hong Kong 12, Japan 3, Singapore 61)

registered in other countries: 59 (2005)

Airports:

117 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 38 over 3,047 m: 5 2,438 to 3,047 m: 7 1,524 to 2,437 m: 10 914 to 1,523 m: 9 under 914 m: 7 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 79 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 6 under 914 m: 72 (2004 est.)

Heliports: 1 (2004 est.)

Military Malaysia

Military branches:

Malaysian Army (Tentera Darat Malaysia), Royal Malaysian Navy

(Tentera Laut Diraja Malaysia, TLDM), Royal Malaysian Air Force

(Tentera Udara Diraja Malaysia, TUDM) (2005)

Military service age and obligation:

18 years of age for voluntary military service (2005)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 18-49: 5,584,231 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: 4,574,854 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:

males: 244,418 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$1.69 billion (FY00 est.)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

2.03% (FY00)

Transnational Issues Malaysia

Disputes - international:

Malaysia has asserted sovereignty over the Spratly Islands together

with China, Philippines, Taiwan, Vietnam, and possibly Brunei; while

the 2002 "Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China

Sea" has eased tensions over the Spratly Islands, it is not the

legally binding "code of conduct" sought by some parties; Malaysia

was not party to the March 2005 joint accord among the national oil

companies of China, the Philippines, and Vietnam on conducting

marine seismic activities in the Spratly Islands; disputes continue

over deliveries of fresh water to Singapore, Singapore's land

reclamation, bridge construction, maritime boundaries, and Pedra

Branca Island/Pulau Batu Putih - but parties agree to ICJ

arbitration on island dispute within three years; ICJ awarded

Ligitan and Sipadan islands, also claimed by Indonesia and

Philippines, to Malaysia but left maritime boundary in the

hydrocarbon-rich Celebes Sea in dispute, culminating in hostile

confrontations in March 2005 over concessions to the Ambalat oil

block; separatist violence in Thailand's predominantly Muslim

southern provinces prompts measures to close and monitor border with

Malaysia to stem terrorist activities; Philippines retains a now

dormant claim to Malaysia's Sabah State in northern Borneo; in 2003,

Brunei and Malaysia ceased gas and oil exploration in their disputed

offshore and deepwater seabeds and negotiations have stalemated

prompting consideration of international adjudication; Malaysia's

land boundary with Brunei around Limbang is in dispute; piracy

remains a problem in the Malacca Strait

Illicit drugs:

transit point for some illicit drugs; drug trafficking prosecuted

vigorously and carries severe penalties

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Maldives

Introduction Maldives

Background:

The Maldives was long a sultanate, first under Dutch and then under

British protection. It became a republic in 1968, three years after

independence. Since 1978, President Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM - currently

in his sixth term in office - has dominated the islands' political

scene. Following riots in the capital Male in August 2004, the

president and his government have pledged to embark upon democratic

reforms, including a more representative political system and

expanded political freedoms. Tourism and fishing are being developed

on the archipelago.

Geography Maldives

Location:

Southern Asia, group of atolls in the Indian Ocean, south-southwest

of India

Geographic coordinates:

3 15 N, 73 00 E

Map references:

Asia

Area:

total: 300 sq km

land: 300 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative:

about 1.7 times the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries:

0 km

Coastline:

644 km

Maritime claims: measured from claimed archipelagic straight baselines territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Climate:

tropical; hot, humid; dry, northeast monsoon (November to March);

rainy, southwest monsoon (June to August)

Terrain:

flat, with white sandy beaches

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m

highest point: unnamed location on Wilingili island in the Addu

Atoll 2.4 m

Natural resources:

fish

Land use:

arable land: 13.33%

permanent crops: 16.67%

other: 70% (2001)

Irrigated land:

NA sq km

Natural hazards:

low level of islands makes them very sensitive to sea level rise

Environment - current issues: depletion of freshwater aquifers threatens water supplies; global warming and sea level rise; coral reef bleaching

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto

Protocol, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

1,190 coral islands grouped into 26 atolls (200 inhabited islands,

plus 80 islands with tourist resorts); archipelago with strategic

location astride and along major sea lanes in Indian Ocean

People Maldives

Population:

349,106 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 43.9% (male 78,794/female 74,505)

15-64 years: 53% (male 94,488/female 90,624)

65 years and over: 3.1% (male 5,339/female 5,356) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 17.69 years

male: 17.58 years

female: 17.8 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

2.82% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

35.43 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

7.24 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 1 male(s)/female

total population: 1.05 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 56.52 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 55.63 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 57.45 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 64.06 years

male: 62.76 years

female: 65.42 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

5.02 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

0.1% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

less than 100 (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

NA

Nationality:

noun: Maldivian(s)

adjective: Maldivian

Ethnic groups:

South Indians, Sinhalese, Arabs

Religions:

Sunni Muslim

Languages:

Maldivian Dhivehi (dialect of Sinhala, script derived from Arabic),

English spoken by most government officials

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 97.2%

male: 97.1%

female: 97.3% (2003 est.)

Government Maldives

Country name:

conventional long form: Republic of Maldives

conventional short form: Maldives

local long form: Dhivehi Raajjeyge Jumhooriyyaa

local short form: Dhivehi Raajje

Government type:

republic

Capital:

Male

Administrative divisions:

19 atolls (atholhu, singular and plural) and 1 other first-order

administrative division*; Alifu, Baa, Dhaalu, Faafu, Gaafu Alifu,

Gaafu Dhaalu, Gnaviyani, Haa Alifu, Haa Dhaalu, Kaafu, Laamu,

Lhaviyani, Maale*, Meemu, Noonu, Raa, Seenu, Shaviyani, Thaa, Vaavu

Independence:

26 July 1965 (from UK)

National holiday:

Independence Day, 26 July (1965)

Constitution:

adopted 1 January 1998

Legal system:

based on Islamic law with admixtures of English common law

primarily in commercial matters; has not accepted compulsory ICJ

jurisdiction

Suffrage:

21 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM (since 11 November

1978); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of

government

head of government: President Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM (since 11

November 1978); note - the president is both the chief of state and

head of government

cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president

elections: president nominated by the Majlis and then the nomination

must be ratified by a national referendum (at least a 51% approval

margin is required); president elected for a five-year term;

election last held 17 October 2003 (next to be held NA 2008)

election results: President Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM reelected in

referendum held 17 October 2003; percent of popular vote - Maumoon

Abdul GAYOOM 90.3%

Legislative branch:

unicameral People's Council or Majlis (50 seats; 42 elected by

popular vote, 8 appointed by the president; members serve five-year

terms)

elections: last held 22 January 2005 (next to be held NA 2010)

election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats - independents 50

Judicial branch:

High Court

Political parties and leaders:

although political parties are not banned, none exist

Political pressure groups and leaders:

none

International organization participation:

AsDB, C, CP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IMF, IMO,

Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OIC, OPCW, SAARC, SACEP, UN, UNCTAD,

UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Dr. Mohamed LATHEEF

chancery: 800 2nd Avenue, Suite 400E, New York, NY 10017

telephone: [1] (212) 599-6195

Diplomatic representation from the US:

the US does not have an embassy in Maldives; the US Ambassador to

Sri Lanka is accredited to Maldives and makes periodic visits there

Flag description:

red with a large green rectangle in the center bearing a vertical

white crescent; the closed side of the crescent is on the hoist side

of the flag

Economy Maldives

Economy - overview:

Tourism, Maldives' largest industry, accounts for 20% of GDP and

more than 60% of the Maldives' foreign exchange receipts. Over 90%

of government tax revenue comes from import duties and

tourism-related taxes. Fishing is a second leading sector. The

Maldivian Government began an economic reform program in 1989

initially by lifting import quotas and opening some exports to the

private sector. Subsequently, it has liberalized regulations to

allow more foreign investment. Agriculture and manufacturing

continue to play a lesser role in the economy, constrained by the

limited availability of cultivable land and the shortage of domestic

labor. Most staple foods must be imported. Industry, which consists

mainly of garment production, boat building, and handicrafts,

accounts for about 18% of GDP. Maldivian authorities worry about the

impact of erosion and possible global warming on their low-lying

country; 80% of the area is one meter or less above sea level. In

late December 2004, a major tsunami left more than 100 dead, 12,000

displaced, and property damage exceeding $300 million.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$1.25 billion (2002 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

2.3% (2002 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $3,900 (2002 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 20% industry: 18% services: 62% (2000 est.)

Labor force:

88,000 (2000)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 22%, industry 18%, services 60% (1995)

Unemployment rate:

NEGL% (2003 est.)

Population below poverty line:

NA

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

1% (2002 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $224 million (excluding foreign grants)

expenditures: $282 million, including capital expenditures of $80

million (2002 est.)

Agriculture - products:

coconuts, corn, sweet potatoes; fish

Industries:

fish processing, tourism, shipping, boat building, coconut

processing, garments, woven mats, rope, handicrafts, coral and sand

mining

Industrial production growth rate:

4.4% (1996 est.)

Electricity - production:

124.4 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

115.7 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

3,200 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Exports:

$90 million f.o.b. (2002 est.)

Exports - commodities:

fish, clothing

Exports - partners:

US 26.5%, Thailand 23.5%, Sri Lanka 12.3%, Japan 11.7%, UK 9.8%,

Germany 4.9% (2004)

Imports:

$392 million f.o.b. (2002 est.)

Imports - commodities:

petroleum products, ships, foodstuffs, textiles, clothing,

intermediate and capital goods

Imports - partners:

Singapore 24.9%, Sri Lanka 10.6%, UAE 10.3%, India 10.2%, Malaysia

7.6%, Bahrain 5.4% (2004)

Debt - external:

$281 million (2003 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:

NA (1995)

Currency (code):

rufiyaa (MVR)

Currency code:

MVR

Exchange rates:

rufiyaa per US dollar - 12.8 (2004), 12.8 (2003), 12.8 (2002),

12.24 (2001), 11.77 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Maldives

Telephones - main lines in use:

28,700 (2002)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

41,900 (2002)

Telephone system:

general assessment: minimal domestic and international facilities

domestic: interatoll communication through microwave links; all

inhabited islands are connected with telephone and fax service

international: country code - 960; satellite earth station - 3

Intelsat (Indian Ocean)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 1 (1998)

Radios:

35,000 (1999)

Television broadcast stations:

1 (1997)

Televisions:

10,000 (1999)

Internet country code:

.mv

Internet hosts:

532 (2003)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

1 (2000)

Internet users:

15,000 (2002)

Transportation Maldives

Highways: total: NA km paved: NA km unpaved: NA km

Ports and harbors:

Male

Merchant marine:

total: 16 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 57,118 GRT/72,831 DWT

by type: cargo 12, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 2,

refrigerated cargo 1

registered in other countries: 1 (2005)

Airports:

5 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 2

over 3,047 m: 1

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 3

914 to 1,523 m: 3 (2004 est.)

Military Maldives

Military branches:

National Security Service includes Security Branch (ground forces),

Air Element, Coast Guard

Military service age and obligation:

18 years of age (est.) (2004)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 18-49: 71,774 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: 56,687 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$41.1 million (2004)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

5.5% (2004)

Transnational Issues Maldives

Disputes - international:

none

Refugees and internally displaced persons:

IDPs: 12,000 (26 December 2004 tsunami victims) (2005)

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Mali

Introduction Mali

Background:

The Sudanese Republic and Senegal became independent of France in

1960 as the Mali Federation. When Senegal withdrew after only a few

months, what formerly made up the Sudanese Republic was renamed

Mali. Rule by dictatorship was brought to a close in 1991 with a

transitional government and in 1992 when Mali's first democratic

presidential election was held. After his reelection in 1997,

President Alpha KONARE continued to push through political and

economic reforms and to fight corruption. In keeping with Mali's

two-term constitutional limit, he stepped down in 2002 and was

succeeded by Amadou TOURE.

Geography Mali

Location:

Western Africa, southwest of Algeria

Geographic coordinates:

17 00 N, 4 00 W

Map references:

Africa

Area:

total: 1.24 million sq km

land: 1.22 million sq km

water: 20,000 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly less than twice the size of Texas

Land boundaries:

total: 7,243 km

border countries: Algeria 1,376 km, Burkina Faso 1,000 km, Guinea

858 km, Cote d'Ivoire 532 km, Mauritania 2,237 km, Niger 821 km,

Senegal 419 km

Coastline:

0 km (landlocked)

Maritime claims:

none (landlocked)

Climate:

subtropical to arid; hot and dry February to June; rainy, humid,

and mild June to November; cool and dry November to February

Terrain:

mostly flat to rolling northern plains covered by sand; savanna in

south, rugged hills in northeast

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Senegal River 23 m

highest point: Hombori Tondo 1,155 m

Natural resources:

gold, phosphates, kaolin, salt, limestone, uranium, gypsum,

granite, hydropower

note: bauxite, iron ore, manganese, tin, and copper deposits are

known but not exploited

Land use: arable land: 3.82% permanent crops: 0.03% other: 96.15% (2001)

Irrigated land:

1,380 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

hot, dust-laden harmattan haze common during dry seasons; recurring

droughts; occasional Niger River flooding

Environment - current issues:

deforestation; soil erosion; desertification; inadequate supplies

of potable water; poaching

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto

Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law

of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

landlocked; divided into three natural zones: the southern,

cultivated Sudanese; the central, semiarid Sahelian; and the

northern, arid Saharan

People Mali

Population:

12,291,529 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 47.1% (male 2,910,944/female 2,876,010)

15-64 years: 50% (male 2,955,496/female 3,185,666)

65 years and over: 3% (male 165,867/female 197,546) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 16.35 years

male: 15.79 years

female: 16.92 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

2.74% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

46.77 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

19.05 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

-0.33 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.93 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.84 male(s)/female

total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 116.79 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 123.32 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 110.07 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 48.64 years

male: 46.68 years

female: 50.66 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

6.5 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

1.9% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

140,000 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

12,000 (2003 est.)

Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne disease: malaria is a high risk in some locations water contact disease: schistosomiasis respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis (2004)

Nationality:

noun: Malian(s)

adjective: Malian

Ethnic groups:

Mande 50% (Bambara, Malinke, Soninke), Peul 17%, Voltaic 12%,

Songhai 6%, Tuareg and Moor 10%, other 5%

Religions:

Muslim 90%, indigenous beliefs 9%, Christian 1%

Languages:

French (official), Bambara 80%, numerous African languages

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 46.4%

male: 53.5%

female: 39.6% (2003 est.)

Government Mali

Country name:

conventional long form: Republic of Mali

conventional short form: Mali

local long form: Republique de Mali

local short form: Mali

former: French Sudan and Sudanese Republic

Government type:

republic

Capital:

Bamako

Administrative divisions:

8 regions (regions, singular - region); Gao, Kayes, Kidal,

Koulikoro, Mopti, Segou, Sikasso, Tombouctou

Independence:

22 September 1960 (from France)

National holiday:

Independence Day, 22 September (1960)

Constitution:

adopted 12 January 1992

Legal system:

based on French civil law system and customary law; judicial review

of legislative acts in Constitutional Court (which was formally

established on 9 March 1994); has not accepted compulsory ICJ

jurisdiction

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Amadou Toumani TOURE (since 8 June 2002)

head of government: Prime Minister Ousmane Issoufi MAIGA (since 30

April 2004)

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister

elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term

(two-term limit); election last held 12 May 2002 (next to be held

May 2007); prime minister appointed by the president

election results: Amadou Toumani TOURE elected president; percent of

vote - Amadou Toumani TOURE 64.4%, Soumaila CISSE 35.6%

Legislative branch:

unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (147 seats;

members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)

elections: last held 14 July and 28 July 2002 (next to be held July

2007)

election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -

Hope 2002 coalition 66, ADEMA 51, other 30

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court or Cour Supreme

Political parties and leaders:

Alliance for Democracy or ADEMA [Diounconda TRAORE, party

chairman]; Block of Alternative for the Renewal of Africa or BARA

[Yoro DIAKITE]; Democratic and Social Convention or CDS [Mamadou

Bakary SANGARE, chairman]; Hope 2002 [leader NA]; Movement for the

Independence, Renaissance and Integration of Africa or MIRIA

[Mohamed Lamine TRAORE, Mouhamedou DICKO]; National Congress for

Democratic Initiative or CNID [Mountaga TALL, chairman]; Party for

Democracy and Progress or PDP [Me Idrissa TRAORE]; Party for

National Renewal or PARENA [Yoro DIAKITE, chairman; Tiebile DRAME,

secretary general]; Rally for Democracy and Labor or RDT [Ali

GNANGADO]; Rally for Democracy and Progress or RDP [Almamy SYLLA,

chairman]; Rally for Mali or RPM [Ibrahim Boubacar KEITA, chairman];

Sudanese Union/African Democratic Rally or US/RDA [Mamadou Bamou

TOURE, secretary general]; Union of Democratic Forces for Progress

or UFDP [Youssouf TOURE, secretary general]; Union for Democracy and

Development or UDD [Moussa Balla COULIBALY]; Union for Republic and

Democracy or URD [Soumaila CISSE]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

Patriotic Movement of the Ghanda Koye or MPGK; United Movement and

Fronts of Azawad or MFUA

International organization participation:

ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, ECOWAS, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt,

ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC,

IOM, ITU, MIGA, MONUC, NAM, OIC, ONUB, OPCW, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD,

UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIL, UPU, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WCO, WFTU, WHO,

WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Abdoulaye DIOP chancery: 2130 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 332-2249, 939-8950 FAX: [1] (202) 332-6603

Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Vicki HUDDLESTONE embassy: Rue Rochester NY and Rue Mohamed V, Bamako mailing address: B. P. 34, Bamako telephone: [223] (2) 223-833 FAX: [223] (2) 223-712

Flag description:

three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), yellow, and red;

uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia

Economy Mali

Economy - overview:

Mali is among the poorest countries in the world, with 65% of its

land area desert or semidesert and with a highly unequal

distribution of income. Economic activity is largely confined to the

riverine area irrigated by the Niger. About 10% of the population is

nomadic and some 80% of the labor force is engaged in farming and

fishing. Industrial activity is concentrated on processing farm

commodities. Mali is heavily dependent on foreign aid and vulnerable

to fluctuations in world prices for cotton, its main export, along

with gold. The government has continued its successful

implementation of an IMF-recommended structural adjustment program

that is helping the economy grow, diversify, and attract foreign

investment. Mali's adherence to economic reform and the 50%

devaluation of the African franc in January 1994 have pushed up

economic growth to a sturdy 5% average in 1996-2004. Worker

remittances and external trade routes have been jeopardized by

continued unrest in neighboring Cote d'Ivoire.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$11 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

4% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $900 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 45% industry: 17% services: 38% (2001 est.)

Labor force:

3.93 million (2001 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture and fishing 80% (2001 est.)

Unemployment rate:

14.6% urban areas; 5.3% rural areas (2001 est.)

Population below poverty line:

64% average; 30% of the total population living in urban areas; 70%

of the total population living in rural areas) (2001 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: 1.8%

highest 10%: 40.4% (1994)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

50.5 (1994)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

4.5% (2002 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $764 million

expenditures: $828 million, including capital expenditures of NA

(2002 est.)

Agriculture - products: cotton, millet, rice, corn, vegetables, peanuts; cattle, sheep, goats

Industries:

food processing; construction; phosphate and gold mining

Industrial production growth rate:

NA (FY96/97)

Electricity - production:

700 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 41.7% hydro: 58.3% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption: 651 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports: 0 kWh; note - recent hydropower developments may be providing electricity to Senegal and Mauritania (2002)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

4,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Exports:

$915 million f.o.b. (2002 est.)

Exports - commodities:

cotton, gold, livestock

Exports - partners:

China 31.6%, Pakistan 10%, Italy 6.9%, Thailand 5.8%, Germany 5.1%,

India 4.8%, Bangladesh 4.5%, Taiwan 4% (2004)

Imports:

$927 million f.o.b. (2002 est.)

Imports - commodities:

petroleum, machinery and equipment, construction materials,

foodstuffs, textiles

Imports - partners:

France 14.5%, Senegal 9.8%, Cote d'Ivoire 7.6% (2004)

Debt - external:

$3.3 billion (2000)

Economic aid - recipient:

$596.4 million (2001)

Currency (code):

Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XOF); note - responsible

authority is the Central Bank of the West African States

Currency code:

XOF

Exchange rates:

Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar - 528.29

(2004), 581.2 (2003), 696.99 (2002), 733.04 (2001), 711.98 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Mali

Telephones - main lines in use:

56,600 (2002)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

250,000 (2003)

Telephone system:

general assessment: domestic system unreliable but improving;

provides only minimal service

domestic: network consists of microwave radio relay, open-wire, and

radiotelephone communications stations; expansion of microwave radio

relay in progress

international: country code - 223; satellite earth stations - 2

Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean)

Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 28, shortwave 1 note: the shortwave station in Bamako has seven frequencies and five transmitters and relays broadcasts for China Radio International (2001)

Radios:

570,000 (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

1 (plus repeaters) (2001)

Televisions:

45,000 (1997)

Internet country code:

.ml

Internet hosts:

187 (2003)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

13 (2001)

Internet users:

25,000 (2002)

Transportation Mali

Railways: total: 729 km narrow gauge: 729 km 1.000-m gauge (2004)

Highways: total: 15,100 km paved: 1,827 km unpaved: 13,273 km (1999 est.)

Waterways:

1,815 km (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Koulikoro

Airports:

28 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 9

2,438 to 3,047 m: 4

1,524 to 2,437 m: 4

914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 19 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 8 (2004 est.)

Military Mali

Military branches:

Army, Air Force, National Guard

Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service; conscript service obligation - 2 years (2004)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 18-49: 2,206,728 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: 1,231,930 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$22.4 million (2004)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

0.4% (2004)

Transnational Issues Mali

Disputes - international: none

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Malta

Introduction Malta

Background:

Great Britain formally acquired possession of Malta in 1814. The

island staunchly supported the UK through both World Wars and

remained in the Commonwealth when it became independent in 1964. A

decade later Malta became a republic. Since about the mid-1980s, the

island has transformed itself into a freight transshipment point, a

financial center, and a tourist destination. Malta became an EU

member in May of 2004.

Geography Malta

Location:

Southern Europe, islands in the Mediterranean Sea, south of Sicily

(Italy)

Geographic coordinates:

35 50 N, 14 35 E

Map references:

Europe

Area:

total: 316 sq km

land: 316 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly less than twice the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries:

0 km

Coastline:

196.8 km (does not include 56.01 km for the island of Gozo)

Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive fishing zone: 25 nm

Climate:

Mediterranean with mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers

Terrain:

mostly low, rocky, flat to dissected plains; many coastal cliffs

Elevation extremes: lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m highest point: Ta'Dmejrek 253 m (near Dingli)

Natural resources: limestone, salt, arable land

Land use: arable land: 28.13% permanent crops: 3.13% other: 68.74% (2001)

Irrigated land:

20 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

NA

Environment - current issues: very limited natural fresh water resources; increasing reliance on desalination

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate

Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species,

Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer

Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

the country comprises an archipelago, with only the three largest

islands (Malta, Ghawdex or Gozo, and Kemmuna or Comino) being

inhabited; numerous bays provide good harbors; Malta and Tunisia are

discussing the commercial exploitation of the continental shelf

between their countries, particularly for oil exploration

People Malta

Population:

398,534 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 17.6% (male 36,056/female 34,097)

15-64 years: 68.8% (male 138,537/female 135,666)

65 years and over: 13.6% (male 23,184/female 30,994) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 38.36 years

male: 36.91 years

female: 39.84 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

0.42% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

10.17 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

8 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

2.06 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.75 male(s)/female

total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 3.89 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 4.38 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 3.37 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 78.86 years

male: 76.7 years

female: 81.15 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

1.5 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

0.2% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

less than 500 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

less than 100 (2003 est.)

Nationality:

noun: Maltese (singular and plural)

adjective: Maltese

Ethnic groups:

Maltese (descendants of ancient Carthaginians and Phoenicians, with

strong elements of Italian and other Mediterranean stock)

Religions:

Roman Catholic 98%

Languages:

Maltese (official), English (official)

Literacy:

definition: age 10 and over can read and write

total population: 92.8%

male: 92%

female: 93.6% (2003 est.)

Government Malta

Country name:

conventional long form: Republic of Malta

conventional short form: Malta

local long form: Repubblika ta' Malta

local short form: Malta

Government type:

republic

Capital:

Valletta

Administrative divisions: none (administered directly from Valletta); note - Local Councils carry out administrative orders

Independence:

21 September 1964 (from UK)

National holiday:

Independence Day, 21 September (1964)

Constitution:

1964 constitution; amended many times

Legal system:

based on English common law and Roman civil law; accepts compulsory

ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Eddie FENECH ADAMI (since 4 April 2004)

head of government: Prime Minister Lawrence GONZI (since 23 March

2004)

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president on the advice of the

prime minister

elections: president elected by the House of Representatives for a

five-year term; election last held 29 March 2004 (next to be held by

April 2009); following legislative elections, the leader of the

majority party or leader of a majority coalition is usually

appointed prime minister by the president for a five-year term; the

deputy prime minister is appointed by the president on the advice of

the prime minister

election results: Eddie FENECH ADAMI elected president; percent of

House of Representatives vote - 33 out of 65 votes

Legislative branch:

unicameral House of Representatives (usually 65 seats; note -

additional seats are given to the party with the largest popular

vote to ensure a legislative majority; members are elected by

popular vote on the basis of proportional representation to serve

five-year terms)

elections: last held 12 April 2003 (next to be held by April 2008)

election results: percent of vote by party - PN 51.7%, MLP 47.6%, AD

0.7%; seats by party - PN 34, MLP 31

Judicial branch:

Constitutional Court; Court of Appeal; judges for both courts are

appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister

Political parties and leaders:

Alternativa Demokratika/Alliance for Social Justice or AD [Harry

VASSALLO]; Malta Labor Party or MLP [Alfred SANT]; Nationalist Party

or PN [Lawrence GONZI]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

NA

International organization participation:

Australia Group, C, CE, EBRD, EIB, EU (new member), FAO, IAEA,

IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IFAD, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol,

IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MIGA, NAM, NSG, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD,

UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WEU (observer affiliate), WHO, WIPO,

WMO, WToO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador John LOWELL

chancery: 2017 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 462-3611, 3612

FAX: [1] (202) 387-5470

consulate(s): New York

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires William

GRANT

embassy: 3rd Floor, Development House, Saint Anne Street, Floriana,

Malta VLT 01

mailing address: P. O. Box 535, Valletta, Malta, CMR01

telephone: [356] 2561 4000

FAX: [356] 21 243229

Flag description:

two equal vertical bands of white (hoist side) and red; in the

upper hoist-side corner is a representation of the George Cross,

edged in red

Economy Malta

Economy - overview:

Major resources are limestone, a favorable geographic location, and

a productive labor force. Malta produces only about 20% of its food

needs, has limited fresh water supplies, and has no domestic energy

sources. The economy is dependent on foreign trade, manufacturing

(especially electronics and textiles), and tourism. Continued

sluggishness in the European economy is holding back exports,

tourism, and overall growth.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$7.223 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

1% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $18,200 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 3% industry: 23% services: 74% (2003 est.)

Labor force:

160,000 (2002 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 5%, industry 24%, services 71% (1999 est.)

Unemployment rate:

7% (2003 est.)

Population below poverty line:

NA%

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA%

highest 10%: NA%

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

2.9% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

26.4% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $2.27 billion

expenditures: $2.549 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

potatoes, cauliflower, grapes, wheat, barley, tomatoes, citrus, cut

flowers, green peppers; pork, milk, poultry, eggs

Industries:

tourism; electronics, ship building and repair, construction; food

and beverages, textiles, footwear, clothing, tobacco

Industrial production growth rate:

NA%

Electricity - production:

2.15 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

2 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Oil - consumption:

20,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Current account balance:

$-241 million (2004 est.)

Exports:

$2.625 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

machinery and transport equipment, manufactures

Exports - partners:

US 15.7%, France 15.5%, Singapore 14.5%, UK 11.2%, Germany 10.8%

(2004)

Imports:

$3.407 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

machinery and transport equipment, manufactured and

semi-manufactured goods; food, drink, and tobacco

Imports - partners:

Italy 25.4%, France 13.1%, UK 12%, Germany 8.9%, US 5.2%, Singapore

4.1% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$2.865 billion (2004 est.)

Debt - external:

$130 million (1997)

Economic aid - recipient:

NA

Currency (code):

Maltese lira (MTL)

Currency code:

MTL

Exchange rates:

Maltese liri per US dollar - 0.3444 (2004), 0.3773 (2003), 0.4337

(2002), 0.4501 (2001), 0.4382 (2000)

Fiscal year:

1 April - 31 March

Communications Malta

Telephones - main lines in use:

208,300 (2003)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

290,000 (2003)

Telephone system:

general assessment: automatic system satisfies normal requirements

domestic: submarine cable and microwave radio relay between islands

international: country code - 356; 2 submarine cables; satellite

earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 1, FM 18, shortwave 6 (1999)

Radios:

255,000 (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

6 (2000)

Televisions:

280,000 (1997)

Internet country code:

.mt

Internet hosts:

7,156 (2004)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

6 (2002)

Internet users:

120,000 (2002)

Transportation Malta

Highways: total: 2,222 km paved: 2,000 km unpaved: 222 km (2002)

Ports and harbors:

Marsaxlokk, Valletta

Merchant marine:

total: 1,140 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 25,102,401 GRT/41,176,791 DWT

by type: barge carrier 1, bulk carrier 438, cargo 303, chemical

tanker 70, combination ore/oil 2, container 54, liquefied gas 8,

livestock carrier 1, passenger 5, passenger/cargo 13, petroleum

tanker 162, refrigerated cargo 43, roll on/roll off 26, specialized

tanker 1, vehicle carrier 13

foreign-owned: 1,080 (Austria 3, Azerbaijan 1, Bangladesh 3, Belgium

12, British 1, Bulgaria 18, Canada 9, China 15, Croatia 10, Cyprus

2, Czech Republic 2, Estonia 2, Finland 1, France 5, Germany 51,

Greece 527, Hong Kong 1, Iceland 7, Iran 4, Israel 26, Italy 17,

Japan 2, Latvia 30, Lebanon 6, Madagascar 1, Monaco 3, Netherlands

3, Norway 42, Pakistan 2, Poland 24, Portugal 4, Romania 5, Russia

64, Slovenia 3, South Korea 4, Sweden 3, Switzerland 32, Syria 6,

Taiwan 1, Turkey 87, Ukraine 25, UAE 5, United Kingdom 8, United

States 3)

registered in other countries: 3 (2005)

Airports:

1 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Military Malta

Military branches:

Armed Forces of Malta (AFM; includes air and maritime elements)

(2005)

Military service age and obligation:

18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription

(2001)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 18-49: 90,651 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: 74,525 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$31.1 million (2004)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

0.7% (2004)

Transnational Issues Malta

Disputes - international:

none

Illicit drugs:

minor transshipment point for hashish from North Africa to Western

Europe

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Man, Isle of

Introduction Man, Isle of

Background:

Part of the Norwegian Kingdom of the Hebrides until the 13th

century when it was ceded to Scotland, the isle came under the

British crown in 1765. Current concerns include reviving the almost

extinct Manx Gaelic language.

Geography Man, Isle of

Location:

Western Europe, island in the Irish Sea, between Great Britain and

Ireland

Geographic coordinates:

54 15 N, 4 30 W

Map references:

Europe

Area:

total: 572 sq km

land: 572 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly more than three times the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries:

0 km

Coastline:

160 km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive fishing zone: 12 nm

Climate:

temperate; cool summers and mild winters; overcast about one-third

of the time

Terrain:

hills in north and south bisected by central valley

Elevation extremes: lowest point: Irish Sea 0 m highest point: Snaefell 621 m

Natural resources:

none

Land use:

arable land: 9%

permanent crops: 0%

other: 91% (permanent pastures, forests, mountain, and heathland)

(2002)

Irrigated land:

0 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

NA

Environment - current issues:

waste disposal (both household and industrial); transboundary air

pollution

Geography - note:

one small islet, the Calf of Man, lies to the southwest, and is a

bird sanctuary

People Man, Isle of

Population:

75,049 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 17.4% (male 6,681/female 6,365)

15-64 years: 65.5% (male 24,693/female 24,482)

65 years and over: 17.1% (male 5,163/female 7,665) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 39.48 years

male: 38.16 years

female: 40.89 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

0.52% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

11.18 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

11.26 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

5.33 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.67 male(s)/female

total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 5.93 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 6.93 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 4.87 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 78.34 years

male: 74.98 years

female: 81.87 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

1.65 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

NA%

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

NA

Nationality:

noun: Manxman (men), Manxwoman (women)

adjective: Manx

Ethnic groups:

Manx (Norse-Celtic descent), Briton

Religions:

Anglican, Roman Catholic, Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian, Society

of Friends

Languages:

English, Manx Gaelic

Literacy: definition: NA total population: NA% male: NA% female: NA%

Government Man, Isle of

Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Isle of Man

Dependency status:

British crown dependency

Government type:

parliamentary democracy

Capital:

Douglas

Administrative divisions:

none; there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined

by the US Government, but there are 24 local authorities each with

its own elections

Independence:

none (British crown dependency)

National holiday:

Tynwald Day, 5 July

Constitution:

unwritten; note - The Isle of Man Constitution Act of 1961 does not

embody the unwritten Manx Constitution

Legal system:

English common law and Manx statute

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: Lord of Mann Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February

1952), represented by Lieutenant Governor Ian MACFADYEN (since 26

October 2002)

head of government: Chief Minister Donald GELLING (since 14 December

2004)

cabinet: Council of Ministers

elections: the monarch is hereditary; lieutenant governor appointed

by the monarch for a five-year term; the Chief Minister is elected

by the Tynwald; election last held 14 December 2004 (next to be held

December 2010)

election results: Donald GELLING elected chief minister by the

Tynwald; note - Richard CORKILL resigned 2 December 2004

Legislative branch:

bicameral Tynwald consists of the Legislative Council (an 11-member

body composed of the President of Tynwald, the Lord Bishop of Sodor

and Man, a nonvoting attorney general, and 8 others named by the

House of Keys) and the House of Keys (24 seats; members are elected

by popular vote to serve five-year terms)

elections: House of Keys - last held 22 November 2001 (next to be

held November 2006)

election results: House of Keys - percent of vote by party - Man

Labor Party 17.3%, Alliance for Progressive Government 14.6%; seats

by party - Man Labor Party 2, Alliance for Progressive Government 3,

independents 19

Judicial branch:

High Court of Justice (justices are appointed by the Lord

Chancellor of England on the nomination of the lieutenant governor)

Political parties and leaders: Man Labor Party [leader NA]; Alliance for Progressive Government [leader NA]; Man Nationalist Party [leader NA] note: most members sit as independents

Political pressure groups and leaders:

none

International organization participation:

UPU

Diplomatic representation in the US:

none (British crown dependency)

Diplomatic representation from the US:

none (British crown dependency)

Flag description:

red with the Three Legs of Man emblem (Trinacria), in the center;

the three legs are joined at the thigh and bent at the knee; in

order to have the toes pointing clockwise on both sides of the flag,

a two-sided emblem is used

Economy Man, Isle of

Economy - overview:

Offshore banking, manufacturing, and tourism are key sectors of the

economy. The government's policy of offering incentives to

high-technology companies and financial institutions to locate on

the island has paid off in expanding employment opportunities in

high-income industries. As a result, agriculture and fishing, once

the mainstays of the economy, have declined in their shares of GDP.

Trade is mostly with the UK. The Isle of Man enjoys free access to

EU markets.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$2.113 billion (2003 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

NA%

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $28,500 (2003 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 1% industry: 13% services: 86% (2000 est.)

Labor force:

39,690 (2001)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture, forestry and fishing 3%, manufacturing 11%,

construction 10%, transport and communication 8%, wholesale and

retail distribution 11%, professional and scientific services 18%,

public administration 6%, banking and finance 18%, tourism 2%,

entertainment and catering 3%, miscellaneous services 10%

Unemployment rate:

0.6% (2004 est.)

Population below poverty line:

NA

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA%

highest 10%: NA%

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

3.6% (March 2003 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $485 million

expenditures: $463 million, including capital expenditures of NA

(FY00/01 est.)

Agriculture - products:

cereals, vegetables; cattle, sheep, pigs, poultry

Industries:

financial services, light manufacturing, tourism

Industrial production growth rate:

3.2% (FY96/97)

Exports:

$NA

Exports - commodities:

tweeds, herring, processed shellfish, beef, lamb

Exports - partners:

UK (2000)

Imports:

$NA

Imports - commodities:

timber, fertilizers, fish

Imports - partners:

UK (2000)

Debt - external:

$NA

Economic aid - recipient:

NA

Currency (code):

British pound (GBP); note - there is also a Manx pound

Currency code:

GBP

Exchange rates:

Manx pounds per US dollar - 0.5462 (2004), 0.6125 (2003), 0.6672

(2002), 0.6947 (2001), 0.6609 (2000)

Fiscal year:

1 April - 31 March

Communications Man, Isle of

Telephones - main lines in use:

51,000 (1999)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

NA

Telephone system:

general assessment: NA

domestic: landline, telefax, mobile cellular telephone system

international: fiber-optic cable, microwave radio relay, satellite

earth station, submarine cable

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0 (1998)

Radios:

NA

Television broadcast stations:

0 (receives broadcasts from the UK and satellite) (1999)

Televisions:

27,490 (1999)

Internet country code:

.im

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

NA

Internet users:

NA

Transportation Man, Isle of

Railways: total: 61 km (35 km electrified) (2003)

Highways: total: 800 km paved: 800 km unpaved: 0 km (1999)

Ports and harbors:

Castletown, Douglas, Ramsey

Merchant marine:

total: 267 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 6,834,626 GRT/11,354,689 DWT

by type: bulk carrier 31, cargo 54, chemical tanker 45, combination

ore/oil 1, container 15, liquefied gas 46, passenger/cargo 2,

petroleum tanker 53, refrigerated cargo 4, roll on/roll off 10,

specialized tanker 1, vehicle carrier 5

foreign-owned: 253 (Australia 1, Bahamas 8, Denmark 39, France 2,

Germany 55, Greece 20, Hong Kong 3, Italy 7, Japan 4, Netherlands 2,

New Zealand 1, Norway 18, Singapore 2, Sweden 1, Turkey 2, United

Kingdom 86, United States 2)

registered in other countries: 9 (2005)

Airports:

1 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Military Man, Isle of

Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the UK

Transnational Issues Man, Isle of

Disputes - international: none

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Marshall Islands

Introduction Marshall Islands

Background:

After almost four decades under US administration as the

easternmost part of the UN Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands,

the Marshall Islands attained independence in 1986 under a Compact

of Free Association. Compensation claims continue as a result of US

nuclear testing on some of the atolls between 1947 and 1962. The

Marshall Islands hosts the US Army Kwajalein Atoll (USAKA) Reagan

Missile Test Site, a key installation in the US missile defense

network.

Geography Marshall Islands

Location:

Oceania, group of atolls and reefs in the North Pacific Ocean,

about one-half of the way from Hawaii to Australia

Geographic coordinates:

9 00 N, 168 00 E

Map references:

Oceania

Area:

total: 181.3 sq km

land: 181.3 sq km

water: 0 sq km

note: includes the atolls of Bikini, Enewetak, Kwajalein, Majuro,

Rongelap, and Utirik

Area - comparative:

about the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries:

0 km

Coastline:

370.4 km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 24 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Climate:

tropical; hot and humid; wet season from May to November; islands

border typhoon belt

Terrain:

low coral limestone and sand islands

Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location on Likiep 10 m

Natural resources:

coconut products, marine products, deep seabed minerals

Land use:

arable land: 16.67%

permanent crops: 38.89%

other: 44.44% (2001)

Irrigated land:

0 sq km

Natural hazards:

infrequent typhoons

Environment - current issues: inadequate supplies of potable water; pollution of Majuro lagoon from household waste and discharges from fishing vessels

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto

Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone

Layer Protection, Ship Pollution

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

two archipelagic island chains of 30 atolls and 1,152 islands;

Bikini and Enewetak are former US nuclear test sites; Kwajalein, the

famous World War II battleground, is now used as a US missile test

range

People Marshall Islands

Population:

59,071 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 38.2% (male 11,488/female 11,071)

15-64 years: 59.1% (male 17,887/female 17,023)

65 years and over: 2.7% (male 771/female 831) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 19.95 years

male: 19.98 years

female: 19.92 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

2.27% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

33.52 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

4.88 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

-5.91 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.93 male(s)/female

total population: 1.04 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 29.45 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 33.05 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 25.67 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 70.01 years

male: 68.05 years

female: 72.06 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

3.93 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

NA

Nationality:

noun: Marshallese (singular and plural)

adjective: Marshallese

Ethnic groups:

Micronesian

Religions:

Protestant 54.8%, Assembly of God 25.8%, Roman Catholic 8.4%, Bukot

nan Jesus 2.8%, Mormon 2.1%, other Christian 3.6%, other 1%, none

1.5% (1999 census)

Languages:

Marshallese 98.2%, other languages 1.8% (1999 census)

note: English widely spoken as a second language; both Marshallese

and English are official languages

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 93.7%

male: 93.6%

female: 93.7% (1999)

Government Marshall Islands

Country name:

conventional long form: Republic of the Marshall Islands

conventional short form: Marshall Islands

former: Marshall Islands District (Trust Territory of the Pacific

Islands)

Government type:

constitutional government in free association with the US; the

Compact of Free Association entered into force 21 October 1986 and

the Amended Compact entered into force in May 2004

Capital:

Majuro

Administrative divisions:

33 municipalities; Ailinginae, Ailinglaplap, Ailuk, Arno, Aur,

Bikar, Bikini, Bokak, Ebon, Enewetak, Erikub, Jabat, Jaluit, Jemo,

Kili, Kwajalein, Lae, Lib, Likiep, Majuro, Maloelap, Mejit, Mili,

Namorik, Namu, Rongelap, Rongrik, Toke, Ujae, Ujelang, Utirik,

Wotho, Wotje

Independence:

21 October 1986 (from the US-administered UN trusteeship)

National holiday:

Constitution Day, 1 May (1979)

Constitution:

1 May 1979

Legal system:

based on adapted Trust Territory laws, acts of the legislature,

municipal, common, and customary laws

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Kessai Hesa NOTE (since 5 January 2004);

note - the president is both the chief of state and head of

government

head of government: President Kessai Hesa NOTE (since 5 January

2004); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of

government

cabinet: Cabinet selected by the president from among the members of

Parliament

elections: president elected by Parliament from among its own

members for a four-year term; election last held 17 November 2003

(next to be held November 2007)

election results: Kessai Hesa NOTE elected president; percent of

Parliament vote - 100%

Legislative branch:

unicameral Parliament or Nitijela (33 seats; members elected by

popular vote to serve four-year terms)

elections: last held 17 November 2003 (next to be held not later

than November 2007)

election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NA

note: the Council of Chiefs is a 12-member body that advises on

matters affecting customary law and practice

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court; High Court

Political parties and leaders: traditionally there have been no formally organized political parties; what has existed more closely resembles factions or interest groups because they do not have party headquarters, formal platforms, or party structures; the following two "groupings" have competed in legislative balloting in recent years - Kabua Party [Imata KABUA] and United Democratic Party or UDP [Litokwa TOMEING]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

NA

International organization participation:

ACP, AsDB, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, IDA, IFC, IMF, IMO,

Interpol, ITU, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, WHO

Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Banny DE BRUM chancery: 2433 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 234-5414 FAX: [1] (202) 232-3236 consulate(s) general: Honolulu

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Greta N. MORRIS

embassy: Oceanside, Mejen Weto, Long Island, Majuro

mailing address: P. O. Box 1379, Majuro, Republic of the Marshall

Islands 96960-1379

telephone: [692] 247-4011

FAX: [692] 247-4012

Flag description:

blue with two stripes radiating from the lower hoist-side corner -

orange (top) and white; there is a white star with four large rays

and 20 small rays on the hoist side above the two stripes

Economy Marshall Islands

Economy - overview:

US Government assistance is the mainstay of this tiny island

economy. Agricultural production, primarily subsistence, is

concentrated on small farms; the most important commercial crops are

coconuts and breadfruit. Small-scale industry is limited to

handicrafts, tuna processing, and copra. The tourist industry, now a

small source of foreign exchange employing less than 10% of the

labor force, remains the best hope for future added income. The

islands have few natural resources, and imports far exceed exports.

Under the terms of the Amended Compact of Free Association, the US

will provide millions of dollars per year to the Marshall Islands

(RMI) through 2023, at which time a Trust Fund made up of US and RMI

contributions will begin perpetual annual payouts. Government

downsizing, drought, a drop in construction, the decline in tourism

and foreign investment due to the Asian financial difficulties, and

less income from the renewal of fishing vessel licenses have held

GDP growth to an average of 1% over the past decade.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$115 million (2001 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

1% (2001 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $1,600 (2001 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 14% industry: 16% services: 70% (2000 est.)

Labor force:

28,700 (1996 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 21.4%, industry 20.9%, services 57.7%

Unemployment rate:

30.9% (1999 est.)

Population below poverty line:

NA

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

2% (2001 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $42 million

expenditures: $40 million, including capital expenditures of NA

(1999)

Agriculture - products:

coconuts, tomatoes, melons, taro, breadfruit, fruits; pigs, chickens

Industries:

copra, tuna processing, tourism, craft items from shell, wood, and

pearls

Industrial production growth rate:

NA

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 99% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 1% (solar)

Exports:

$9 million f.o.b. (2000)

Exports - commodities:

copra cake, coconut oil, handicrafts, fish

Exports - partners:

US, Japan, Australia, China (2000)

Imports:

$54 million f.o.b. (2000)

Imports - commodities:

foodstuffs, machinery and equipment, fuels, beverages and tobacco

Imports - partners:

US, Japan, Australia, NZ, Singapore, Fiji, China, Philippines (2000)

Debt - external:

$86.5 million (FY99/00 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:

more than $1 billion from the US, 1986-2002

Currency (code):

US dollar (USD)

Currency code:

USD

Exchange rates:

the US dollar is the legal tender

Fiscal year:

1 October - 30 September

Communications Marshall Islands

Telephones - main lines in use:

4,500 (2003)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

600 (2002)

Telephone system:

general assessment: digital switching equipment; modern services

include telex, cellular, internet, international calling, caller ID,

and leased data circuits

domestic: Majuro Atoll and Ebeye and Kwajalein islands have regular,

seven-digit, direct-dial telephones; other islands interconnected by

shortwave radiotelephone (used mostly for government purposes)

international: country code - 692; satellite earth stations - 2

Intelsat (Pacific Ocean); US Government satellite communications

system on Kwajalein (2001)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 2, FM 1, shortwave 0

note: additionally, the US Armed Forces Radio and Television

Services (Central Pacific Network) operate one FM and one AM station

on Kwajalein (2002)

Radios:

NA

Television broadcast stations:

2 (both are US military stations) (2002)

Televisions:

NA

Internet country code:

.mh

Internet hosts:

6 (2003)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

1 (2002)

Internet users:

1,400 (2003)

Transportation Marshall Islands

Highways:

total: 64.5 km

paved: 64.5 km

unpaved: NA km

note: paved roads on major islands (Majuro, Kwajalein), otherwise

stone-, coral-, or laterite-surfaced roads and tracks (2002)

Ports and harbors:

Majuro

Merchant marine:

total: 540 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 16,954,092 GRT/28,176,762 DWT

by type: barge carrier 2, bulk carrier 83, cargo 47, chemical tanker

77, combination ore/oil 12, container 88, liquefied gas 16,

passenger 8, petroleum tanker 192, refrigerated cargo 4, roll

on/roll off 6, vehicle carrier 5

foreign-owned: 462 (Australia 1, Bahamas 1, Bermuda 1, Canada 4,

Chile 2, Croatia 2, Cyprus 7, Denmark 2, Georgia 1, Germany 124,

Greece 106, Hong Kong 7, India 1, Italy 1, Japan 5, Latvia 6, Monaco

9, Netherlands 4, New Zealand 1, Norway 21, Philippines 1, Russia 1,

Saudi Arabia 1, Singapore 2, Slovenia 2, Spain 1, Switzerland 5,

Taiwan 1, Turkey 11, Ukraine 1, UAE 3, United Kingdom 15, United

States 112) (2005)

Airports:

15 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 4

1,524 to 2,437 m: 3

914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 11

914 to 1,523 m: 10

under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Military Marshall Islands

Military branches:

no regular military forces; Marshall Islands Police

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

NA

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

NA

Military - note:

defense is the responsibility of the US

Transnational Issues Marshall Islands

Disputes - international: claims US territory of Wake Island

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Martinique

Introduction Martinique

Background:

Colonized by France in 1635, the island has subsequently remained a

French possession except for three brief periods of foreign

occupation.

Geography Martinique

Location:

Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and North Atlantic

Ocean, north of Trinidad and Tobago

Geographic coordinates:

14 40 N, 61 00 W

Map references:

Central America and the Caribbean

Area:

total: 1,100 sq km

land: 1,060 sq km

water: 40 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly more than six times the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries:

0 km

Coastline:

350 km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Climate:

tropical; moderated by trade winds; rainy season (June to October);

vulnerable to devastating cyclones (hurricanes) every eight years on

average; average temperature 17.3 degrees C; humid

Terrain:

mountainous with indented coastline; dormant volcano

Elevation extremes: lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Montagne Pelee 1,397 m

Natural resources: coastal scenery and beaches, cultivable land

Land use: arable land: 10.38% permanent crops: 9.43% other: 80.19% (2001)

Irrigated land:

30 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

hurricanes, flooding, and volcanic activity (an average of one

major natural disaster every five years)

Environment - current issues:

NA

Geography - note:

the island is dominated by Mount Pelee, which on 8 May 1902 erupted

and completely destroyed the city of Saint Pierre, killing 30,000

inhabitants

People Martinique

Population:

432,900 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 22.4% (male 49,112/female 47,697)

15-64 years: 67.2% (male 145,531/female 145,250)

65 years and over: 10.5% (male 20,423/female 24,887) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 33.61 years

male: 32.95 years

female: 34.28 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

0.76% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

14.14 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

6.44 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

-0.04 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.82 male(s)/female

total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 7.09 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 4.73 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 9.51 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 79.04 years

male: 79.43 years

female: 78.64 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

1.79 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

NA%

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

NA

Nationality:

noun: Martiniquais (singular and plural)

adjective: Martiniquais

Ethnic groups:

African and African-white-Indian mixture 90%, white 5%, East

Indian, Chinese less than 5%

Religions:

Roman Catholic 85%, Protestant 10.5%, Muslim 0.5%, Hindu 0.5%,

other 3.5% (1997)

Languages:

French, Creole patois

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 97.7%

male: 97.4%

female: 98.1% (2003 est.)

Government Martinique

Country name:

conventional long form: Department of Martinique

conventional short form: Martinique

local long form: Departement de la Martinique

local short form: Martinique

Dependency status:

overseas department of France

Government type:

NA

Capital:

Fort-de-France

Administrative divisions:

none (overseas department of France)

Independence:

none (overseas department of France)

National holiday:

Bastille Day, 14 July (1789)

Constitution:

4 October 1958 (French Constitution)

Legal system:

French legal system

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Jacques CHIRAC of France (since 17 May

1995); Prefect Yves DASSONVILLE (since 14 January 2004); note - took

office 8 February 2004

head of government: President of the General Council Claude LISE

(since 22 March 1992); President of the Regional Council Alfred

MARIE-JEANNE (since NA March 1998)

cabinet: NA

elections: French president elected by popular vote for a five-year

term; prefect appointed by the French president on the advice of the

French Ministry of Interior; the presidents of the General and

Regional Councils are elected by the members of those councils

Legislative branch:

unicameral General Council or Conseil General (45 seats; members

are elected by popular vote to serve six-year terms) and a

unicameral Regional Assembly or Conseil Regional (41 seats; members

are elected by popular vote to serve six-year terms)

elections: General Council - last held NA March 2000 (next to be

held NA 2006); Regional Assembly - last held on 28 March 2004 (next

to be held by March 2010)

election results: General Council - percent of vote by party - NA%;

seats by party - left-wing candidates 13, PPM 11, RPR 6, right-wing

candidates 5, PCM 3, UDF 3, PMS 2, independents 2; note - the PPM

won a plurality; Regional Assembly (second round) - percent of vote

by party - MIM 53.8%, PPM 30.6%; seats by party - MIM 28, PPM 9,

other 4

note: Martinique elects 2 seats to the French Senate; elections last

held NA September 2001 (next to be held September 2004); results -

percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - PPM 2; Martinique

also elects 4 seats to the French National Assembly; elections last

held, first round - 9 June 2002, second round - 16 June 2002 (next

to be held not later than June 2007); results - percent of vote by

party - NA%; seats by party - UMP-RPR 1, PS 1, MIM 1, left-wing

candidate 1 (candidacy of the left-wing candidate was found invalid

by the Constitutional Council; new elections will be called)

Judicial branch:

Court of Appeal or Cour d'Appel

Political parties and leaders:

Martinique Communist Party or PCM [Georges ERICHOT]; Martinique

Independence Movement or MIM [Alfred MARIE-JEANNE]; Martinique

Progressive Party or PPM [Pierre SUEDILE]; Martinique Socialist

Party or PMS [Ernest WAN-AJOUHU]; Movement of Democrats and

Ecologists for a Sovereign Martinique or Modemas [Garcin MALSA];

Rally for the Republic or RPR [Michel CHARLONE]; Socialist

Revolution Group or GRS [Philippe PIERRE-CHARLES]; Union for French

Democracy or UDF [Jean MAREN]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

Caribbean Revolutionary Alliance or ARC; Central Union for

Martinique Workers or CSTM [Marc PULVAR]; Frantz Fanon Circle;

League of Workers and Peasants; Proletarian Action Group or GAP

International organization participation:

UPU, WCL, WFTU

Diplomatic representation in the US:

none (overseas department of France)

Diplomatic representation from the US:

none (overseas department of France)

Flag description:

a light blue background is divided into four quadrants by a white

cross; in the center of each rectangle is a white snake; the flag of

France is used for official occasions

Economy Martinique

Economy - overview:

The economy is based on sugarcane, bananas, tourism, and light

industry. Agriculture accounts for about 6% of GDP and the small

industrial sector for 11%. Sugar production has declined, with most

of the sugarcane now used for the production of rum. Banana exports

are increasing, going mostly to France. The bulk of meat, vegetable,

and grain requirements must be imported, contributing to a chronic

trade deficit that requires large annual transfers of aid from

France. Tourism, which employs more than 11,000 people, has become

more important than agricultural exports as a source of foreign

exchange.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$6.117 billion (2003 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

NA%

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $14,400 (2003 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 6% industry: 11% services: 83% (1997 est.)

Labor force:

165,900 (1998)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 10%, industry 17%, services 73% (1997)

Unemployment rate:

27.2% (1998)

Population below poverty line:

NA%

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA%

highest 10%: NA%

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

3.9% (1990)

Budget:

revenues: $900 million

expenditures: $2.5 billion, including capital expenditures of $140

million (1996)

Agriculture - products:

pineapples, avocados, bananas, flowers, vegetables, sugarcane

Industries:

construction, rum, cement, oil refining, sugar, tourism

Industrial production growth rate:

NA%

Electricity - production:

1.178 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

1.095 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

13,500 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Exports:

$250 million f.o.b. (1997)

Exports - commodities:

refined petroleum products, bananas, rum, pineapples (2001 est.)

Exports - partners:

France 45%, Guadeloupe 28% (2000)

Imports:

$2 billion c.i.f. (1997)

Imports - commodities:

petroleum products, crude oil, foodstuffs, construction materials,

vehicles, clothing and other consumer goods

Imports - partners:

France 62%, Venezuela 6%, Germany 4%, Italy 4%, US 3% (2000)

Debt - external:

$180 million (1994)

Economic aid - recipient:

NA; note - substantial annual aid from France (1998)

Currency (code):

euro (EUR)

Currency code:

EUR

Exchange rates:

euros per US dollar - 0.8054 (2004), 0.886 (2003), 1.0626 (2002),

1.1175 (2001), 1.0854 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Martinique

Telephones - main lines in use:

172,000 est (2001)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

319,900 (2002)

Telephone system:

general assessment: domestic facilities are adequate

domestic: NA

international: country code - 596; microwave radio relay to

Guadeloupe, Dominica, and Saint Lucia; satellite earth stations - 2

Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 0, FM 14, shortwave 0 (1998)

Radios:

82,000 (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

11 (plus nine repeaters) (1997)

Televisions:

66,000 (1997)

Internet country code:

.mq

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

2 (2000)

Internet users:

40,000 (2002)

Transportation Martinique

Highways:

total: 2,105 km (2000)

Ports and harbors:

Fort-de-France, La Trinite, Marin

Airports:

2 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 1

over 3,047 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 1

under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Military Martinique

Military branches:

no regular military forces; Gendarmerie

Military - note:

defense is the responsibility of France

Transnational Issues Martinique

Disputes - international:

none

Illicit drugs:

transshipment point for cocaine and marijuana bound for the US and

Europe

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Mauritania

Introduction Mauritania

Background:

Independent from France in 1960, Mauritania annexed the southern

third of the former Spanish Sahara (now Western Sahara) in 1976, but

relinquished it after three years of raids by the Polisario

guerrilla front seeking independence for the territory. Maaouya Ould

Sid Ahmed TAYA siezed power in a coup in 1984. Opposition parties

were legalized and a new constitution approved in 1991. Two

multiparty presidential elections since then were widely seen as

flawed, but October 2001 legislative and municipal elections were

generally free and open. A bloodless coup in August 2005 deposed

President TAYA and ushered in a military council headed by Col. Ely

Ould Mohamed VALL, which declared it would remain in power for up to

two years while it created conditions for genuine democratic

institutions. For now, however, Mauritania remains, a one-party

state. The country continues to experience ethnic tensions between

its black population and the Maur (Arab-Berber) populace.

Geography Mauritania

Location:

Northern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between

Senegal and Western Sahara

Geographic coordinates:

20 00 N, 12 00 W

Map references:

Africa

Area:

total: 1,030,700 sq km

land: 1,030,400 sq km

water: 300 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly larger than three times the size of New Mexico

Land boundaries:

total: 5,074 km

border countries: Algeria 463 km, Mali 2,237 km, Senegal 813 km,

Western Sahara 1,561 km

Coastline:

754 km

Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin

Climate:

desert; constantly hot, dry, dusty

Terrain:

mostly barren, flat plains of the Sahara; some central hills

Elevation extremes: lowest point: Sebkhet Te-n-Dghamcha -5 m highest point: Kediet Ijill 915 m

Natural resources: iron ore, gypsum, copper, phosphate, diamonds, gold, oil, fish

Land use: arable land: 0.48% permanent crops: 0.01% other: 99.51% (2001)

Irrigated land:

490 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

hot, dry, dust/sand-laden sirocco wind blows primarily in March and

April; periodic droughts

Environment - current issues:

overgrazing, deforestation, and soil erosion aggravated by drought

are contributing to desertification; very limited natural fresh

water resources away from the Senegal, which is the only perennial

river; locust infestation

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered

Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection,

Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

most of the population concentrated in the cities of Nouakchott and

Nouadhibou and along the Senegal River in the southern part of the

country

People Mauritania

Population:

3,086,859 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 45.8% (male 707,728/female 704,616)

15-64 years: 52% (male 792,589/female 813,763)

65 years and over: 2.2% (male 27,560/female 40,603) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 16.98 years

male: 16.71 years

female: 17.24 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

2.9% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

41.43 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

12.44 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.68 male(s)/female

total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 70.89 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 73.81 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 67.89 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 52.73 years

male: 50.52 years

female: 55 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

5.94 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

0.6% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

9,500 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

less than 500 (2003 est.)

Major infectious diseases:

degree of risk: very high

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea,

hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases: malaria and Rift Valley fever are high risks

in some locations

respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis (2004)

Nationality: noun: Mauritanian(s) adjective: Mauritanian

Ethnic groups:

mixed Maur/black 40%, Moor 30%, black 30%

Religions:

Muslim 100%

Languages:

Arabic (official), Pulaar, Soninke, French, Hassaniya, Wolof

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 41.7%

male: 51.8%

female: 31.9% (2003 est.)

Government Mauritania

Country name:

conventional long form: Islamic Republic of Mauritania

conventional short form: Mauritania

local long form: Al Jumhuriyah al Islamiyah al Muritaniyah

local short form: Muritaniyah

Government type:

republic

Capital:

Nouakchott

Administrative divisions:

12 regions (regions, singular - region) and 1 capital district*;

Adrar, Assaba, Brakna, Dakhlet Nouadhibou, Gorgol, Guidimaka, Hodh

Ech Chargui, Hodh El Gharbi, Inchiri, Nouakchott*, Tagant, Tiris

Zemmour, Trarza

Independence:

28 November 1960 (from France)

National holiday:

Independence Day, 28 November (1960)

Constitution:

12 July 1991

Legal system:

a combination of Shari'a (Islamic law) and French civil law

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Maaouya Ould Sid Ahmed TAYA (since 12

December 1984); note - President TAYA deposed in a coup by the

Military Council for Justice and Democracy led by Col. Ely Ould

Mohamed VALL on 3 August 2005

head of government: Prime Minister Sidi Mohamed Ould BOUBAKAR (since

8 August 2005)

cabinet: Council of Ministers

elections: president elected by popular vote for a six-year term;

election last held 7 November 2003 (next to be held NA 2009); prime

minister appointed by the president

election results: President Maaouya Ould Sid Ahmed TAYA reelected

for a third term with 60.8% of the vote

Legislative branch:

bicameral legislature consists of the Senate or Majlis al-Shuyukh

(56 seats, a part of the seats up for election every two years;

members elected by municipal leaders to serve six-year terms) and

the National Assembly or Majlis al-Watani (81 seats; members elected

by popular vote to serve five-year terms)

elections: Senate - last held 9 and 16 April 2004 (next to be held

April 2006); National Assembly - last held 19 and 26 October 2001

(next to be held NA 2006)

election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by

party - NA; National Assembly - percent of vote by party - PRDS 79%,

RDU 3.5%, UDP 3.5%, AC 5%, UFP 3.5%, FP 1.5%; seats by party - PRDS

64, UDP 3, RDU 3, AC 4, RFD 3, UFP 3, and FP 1

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court or Cour Supreme; Court of Appeals; lower courts

Political parties and leaders:

Action for Change or AC [Messoud Ould BOULKHEIR]; Alliance for

Justice and Democracy or AJD [Kebe ABDOULAYE]; Democratic and Social

Republican Party or PRDS (ruling party) [President Maaouya Ould Sid

Ahmed TAYA]; Mauritanian Party for Renewal and Concorde or PMRC

[Molaye El Hassen Ould JIYID]; National Union for Democracy and

Development or UNDD [Tidjane KOITA]; Party for Liberty, Equality and

Justice or PLEJ [Daouda M'BAGNIGA]; Popular Front or FP [Ch'bih Ould

CHEIKH MALAININE]; Popular Progress Alliance or APP [Messoud Ould

BOULKHEIR]; Popular Social and Democratic Union or UPSD [Mohamed

Mahmoud Ould MAH]; Progress Force Union or UFP [Mohamed Ould

MAOULOUD]; Rally of Democratic Forces or RFD [Ahmed Ould DADDAH];

Rally for Democracy and Unity or RDU [Ahmed Ould SIDI BABA]; Union

for Democracy and Progress or UDP [Naha Mint MOUKNASS]

note: the Action for Change party was banned in January 2002

although its members were permitted to keep their seats in the

National Assembly; parties legalized by constitution ratified 12

July 1991, however, politics continue to be tribally based

Political pressure groups and leaders:

Arab nationalists; Ba'thists; General Confederation of Mauritanian

Workers or CGTM [Abdallahi Ould MOHAMED, secretary general];

Independent Confederation of Mauritanian Workers or CLTM [Samory

Ould BEYE]; Islamists; Mauritanian Workers Union or UTM [Mohamed Ely

Ould BRAHIM, secretary general]

International organization participation:

ABEDA, ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AFESD, AMF, AMU, AU, CAEU, FAO, G-77, IBRD,

ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO (pending member),

ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OPCW,

UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Tijani Ould KERIM

chancery: 2129 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 232-5700, 5701

FAX: [1] (202) 319-2623

Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Joseph E. LEBARON embassy: 288 Rue Abdallaye (between Presidency building and Spanish Embassy), Nouakchott mailing address: BP 222, Nouakchott telephone: [222] 525-2660/525-2663 FAX: [222] 25-25-92

Flag description:

green with a yellow five-pointed star above a yellow, horizontal

crescent; the closed side of the crescent is down; the crescent,

star, and color green are traditional symbols of Islam

Economy Mauritania

Economy - overview:

Half the population still depends on agriculture and livestock for

a livelihood, even though many of the nomads and subsistence farmers

were forced into the cities by recurrent droughts in the 1970s and

1980s. Mauritania has extensive deposits of iron ore, which account

for nearly 40% of total exports. The decline in world demand for

this ore, however, has led to cutbacks in production. The nation's

coastal waters are among the richest fishing areas in the world, but

overexploitation by foreigners threatens this key source of revenue.

The country's first deepwater port opened near Nouakchott in 1986.

In the past, drought and economic mismanagement resulted in a

buildup of foreign debt. In February 2000, Mauritania qualified for

debt relief under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC)

initiative and in December 2001 received strong support from donor

and lending countries at a triennial Consultative Group review. In

2001, exploratory oil wells in tracts 80 km offshore indicated

potential extraction at current world oil prices. A new investment

code approved in December 2001 improved the opportunities for direct

foreign investment. Ongoing negotiations with the IMF involve

problems of economic reforms and fiscal discipline. Substantial oil

production and exports probably will not begin until 2006. Meantime

the government emphasizes reduction of poverty, improvement of

health and education, and promoting privatization of the economy.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$5.534 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

3% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $1,800 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 25% industry: 29% services: 46% (2001 est.)

Labor force:

786,000 (2001)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 50%, industry 10%, services 40% (2001 est.)

Unemployment rate:

20% (2004 est.)

Population below poverty line:

40% (2004 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.5% highest 10%: 30.2% (2000)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

37.3 (1995)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

7% (2003 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $421 million

expenditures: $378 million, including capital expenditures of $154

million (2002 est.)

Agriculture - products:

dates, millet, sorghum, rice, corn, dates; cattle, sheep

Industries:

fish processing, mining of iron ore and gypsum

Industrial production growth rate:

2% (2000 est.)

Electricity - production:

190.2 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 85.9% hydro: 14.1% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

176.9 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

24,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Exports:

$541 million f.o.b. (2002)

Exports - commodities:

iron ore, fish and fish products, gold

Exports - partners:

Japan 13.1%, France 11%, Spain 9.7%, Germany 9.7%, Italy 9.6%,

Belgium 7.5%, China 6.1%, Russia 4.6%, Cote d'Ivoire 4.1% (2004)

Imports:

$860 million f.o.b. (2002)

Imports - commodities:

machinery and equipment, petroleum products, capital goods,

foodstuffs, consumer goods

Imports - partners:

France 14.1%, US 7.6%, China 6.4%, Spain 5.8%, UK 4.6%, Germany

4.3%, Belgium 4.2% (2004)

Debt - external:

$2.5 billion (2000)

Economic aid - recipient:

$220 million (2000)

Currency (code):

ouguiya (MRO)

Currency code:

MRO

Exchange rates:

ouguiyas per US dollar - NA(2004), 263.03 (2003), 271.74 (2002),

255.63 (2001), 238.92 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Mauritania

Telephones - main lines in use:

31,500 (2002)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

300,000 (2003)

Telephone system:

general assessment: limited system of cable and open-wire lines,

minor microwave radio relay links, and radiotelephone communications

stations (improvements being made)

domestic: mostly cable and open-wire lines; a recently completed

domestic satellite telecommunications system links Nouakchott with

regional capitals

international: country code - 222; satellite earth stations - 1

Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) and 2 Arabsat

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 1, FM 14, shortwave 1 (2001)

Radios:

410,000 (2001)

Television broadcast stations:

1 (2002)

Televisions:

98,000 (2001)

Internet country code:

.mr

Internet hosts:

25 (2003)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

5 (2001)

Internet users:

10,000 (2002)

Transportation Mauritania

Railways: 717 km standard gauge: 717 km 1.435-m gauge (2004)

Highways: total: 7,660 km paved: 866 km unpaved: 6,794 km (1999 est.)

Waterways:

some ferry traffic on Senegal River (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Nouadhibou, Nouakchott

Airports:

24 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 8

2,438 to 3,047 m: 3

1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 16 1,524 to 2,437 m: 9 914 to 1,523 m: 6 under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Military Mauritania

Military branches:

Mauritanian Armed Forces: Army, Navy (Marine Mauritanienne;

includes Naval Infantry), Air Force (Force Aerienne Islamique de

Mauritanie, FAIM) (2005)

Military service age and obligation:

18 years of age (est.); conscript service obligation - 2 years;

majority of servicemen believed to be volunteers; service in Air

Force and Navy is voluntary (April 2005)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 18-49: 606,463 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: 370,513 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$20.8 million (2004)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

1.7% (2004)

Transnational Issues Mauritania

Disputes - international: Mauritanian claims to Western Sahara have been dormant in recent years

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Mauritius

Introduction Mauritius

Background:

Discovered by the Portuguese in 1505, Mauritius was subsequently

held by the Dutch, French, and British before independence was

attained in 1968. A stable democracy with regular free elections and

a positive human rights record, the country has attracted

considerable foreign investment and has earned one of Africa's

highest per capita incomes. Recent poor weather and declining sugar

prices have slowed economic growth, leading to some protests over

standards of living in the Creole community.

Geography Mauritius

Location:

Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar

Geographic coordinates:

20 17 S, 57 33 E

Map references:

Political Map of the World

Area:

total: 2,040 sq km

land: 2,030 sq km

water: 10 sq km

note: includes Agalega Islands, Cargados Carajos Shoals (Saint

Brandon), and Rodrigues

Area - comparative:

almost 11 times the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries:

0 km

Coastline:

177 km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin

Climate:

tropical, modified by southeast trade winds; warm, dry winter (May

to November); hot, wet, humid summer (November to May)

Terrain:

small coastal plain rising to discontinuous mountains encircling

central plateau

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m

highest point: Mont Piton 828 m

Natural resources:

arable land, fish

Land use: arable land: 49.26% permanent crops: 2.96% other: 47.78% (2001)

Irrigated land:

200 sq km (2000 est.)

Natural hazards:

cyclones (November to April); almost completely surrounded by reefs

that may pose maritime hazards

Environment - current issues:

water pollution, degradation of coral reefs

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto

Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental

Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life

Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

the main island, from which the country derives its name, is of

volcanic origin and is almost entirely surrounded by coral reefs

People Mauritius

Population:

1,230,602 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 24.4% (male 151,043/female 148,847)

15-64 years: 69.1% (male 424,472/female 425,974)

65 years and over: 6.5% (male 31,506/female 48,760) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 30.5 years

male: 29.65 years

female: 31.46 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

0.84% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

15.62 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

6.83 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

-0.41 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.65 male(s)/female

total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 15.03 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 17.74 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 12.27 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 72.38 years

male: 68.4 years

female: 76.41 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

1.96 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

0.1% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

700 (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

less than 100 (2001 est.)

Nationality:

noun: Mauritian(s)

adjective: Mauritian

Ethnic groups:

Indo-Mauritian 68%, Creole 27%, Sino-Mauritian 3%, Franco-Mauritian

2%

Religions:

Hindu 48%, Roman Catholic 23.6%, other Christian 8.6%, Muslim

16.6%, other 2.5%, unspecified 0.3%, none 0.4% (2000 census)

Languages:

Creole 80.5%, Bhojpuri 12.1%, French 3.4% (official), other 3.7%,

unspecified 0.3% (2000 census)

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 85.6%

male: 88.6%

female: 82.7% (2003 est.)

Government Mauritius

Country name:

conventional long form: Republic of Mauritius

conventional short form: Mauritius

Government type:

parliamentary democracy

Capital:

Port Louis

Administrative divisions:

9 districts and 3 dependencies*; Agalega Islands*, Black River,

Cargados Carajos Shoals*, Flacq, Grand Port, Moka, Pamplemousses,

Plaines Wilhems, Port Louis, Riviere du Rempart, Rodrigues*, Savanne

Independence:

12 March 1968 (from UK)

National holiday:

Independence Day, 12 March (1968)

Constitution:

12 March 1968; amended 12 March 1992

Legal system:

based on French civil law system with elements of English common

law in certain areas

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Sir Anerood JUGNAUTH (since 7 October

2003) and Vice President Abdool Raouf BUNDHUN (since 25 February

2002)

head of government: Prime Minister Paul BERENGER (since 30 September

2003)

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the

recommendation of the prime minister

elections: president and vice president elected by the National

Assembly for five-year terms; election last held 25 February 2002

(next to be held NA 2007); prime minister and deputy prime minister

appointed by the president, responsible to the National Assembly

election results: Karl OFFMANN elected president and Raouf BUNDHUN

elected vice president; percent of vote by the National Assembly -

NA%; note - Karl OFFMANN stepped down on 30 September 2003

Legislative branch:

unicameral National Assembly (66 seats; 62 elected by popular vote,

4 appointed by the election commission from the losing political

parties to give representation to various ethnic minorities; members

serve five-year terms)

elections: last held on 11 September 2000 (next to be held September

2005)

election results: percent of vote by party - MSM/MMM 52.3%, MLP/PMSD

36.9%, OPR 10.8%; seats by party - MSM/MMM 54, MLP/PMSD 6, OPR 2

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court

Political parties and leaders:

Hizbullah [Cehl Mohamed FAKEEMEEAH]; Mauritian Labor Party or MLP

[Navinchandra RAMGOOLAM]; Mauritian Militant Movement or MMM [Paul

BERENGER] - in coalition with MSM; Mauritian Social Democrat Party

or PMSD [Charles Xavier-Luc DUVAL]; Militant Socialist Movement or

MSM [Pravind JUGNAUTH] - governing party; Rodrigues Movement or MR

[Joseph (Nicholas) Von MALLY]; Rodrigues Peoples Organization or OPR

[Serge CLAIR]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

various labor unions

International organization participation:

ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, C, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU,

ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, InOC, Interpol, IOC,

ISO, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OPCW, PCA, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO,

UNMIK, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Usha JEETAH

chancery: 4301 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 441, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 244-1491, 1492

FAX: [1] (202) 966-0983

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador John PRICE

embassy: 4th Floor, Rogers House, John Kennedy Street, Port Louis

mailing address: international mail: P. O. Box 544, Port Louis; US

mail: American Embassy, Port Louis, Department of State, Washington,

DC 20521-2450

telephone: [230] 202-4400

FAX: [230] 208-9534

Flag description:

four equal horizontal bands of red (top), blue, yellow, and green

Economy Mauritius

Economy - overview:

Since independence in 1968, Mauritius has developed from a

low-income, agriculturally based economy to a middle-income

diversified economy with growing industrial, financial, and tourist

sectors. For most of the period, annual growth has been in the order

of 5% to 6%. This remarkable achievement has been reflected in more

equitable income distribution, increased life expectancy, lowered

infant mortality, and a much-improved infrastructure. Sugarcane is

grown on about 90% of the cultivated land area and accounts for 25%

of export earnings. The government's development strategy centers on

expanding local financial institutions and building a domestic

information telecommunications industry. Mauritius has attracted

more than 9,000 offshore entities, many aimed at commerce in India

and South Africa, and investment in the banking sector alone has

reached over $1 billion. Mauritius, with its strong textile sector,

has been well poised to take advantage of the Africa Growth and

Opportunity Act (AGOA).

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$15.68 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

4.7% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $12,800 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 7.6% industry: 30% services: 62.4% (2004 est.)

Labor force: 560,000 (2004 est.)

Labor force - by occupation: agriculture and fishing 14%, construction and industry 36%, transportation and communication 7%, trade, restaurants, hotels 16%, finance 3%, other services 24% (1995)

Unemployment rate:

10.8% (2004 est.)

Population below poverty line:

10% (2001 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

37 (1987 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

4.5% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

22.5% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $1.231 billion

expenditures: $1.582 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Public debt:

29.2% of GDP (2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

sugarcane, tea, corn, potatoes, bananas, pulses; cattle, goats; fish

Industries:

food processing (largely sugar milling), textiles, clothing;

chemicals, metal products, transport equipment, nonelectrical

machinery; tourism

Industrial production growth rate:

8% (2000 est.)

Electricity - production:

1.836 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 90.8% hydro: 9.2% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

1.707 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

21,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Current account balance:

$284.1 million (2004 est.)

Exports:

$2.012 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

clothing and textiles, sugar, cut flowers, molasses

Exports - partners:

UK 33.1%, France 20.4%, US 14.8%, Madagascar 5.1%, Italy 4.1% (2004)

Imports:

$2.245 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

manufactured goods, capital equipment, foodstuffs, petroleum

products, chemicals

Imports - partners:

South Africa 11.3%, China 9.4%, India 9.3%, France 9.2%, Bahrain

5.3%, Japan 4.1% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$1.676 billion (2004 est.)

Debt - external:

$1.78 billion (2004 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:

$42 million (1997)

Currency (code):

Mauritian rupee (MUR)

Currency code:

MUR

Exchange rates:

Mauritian rupees per US dollar - 27.499 (2004), 27.902 (2003),

29.962 (2002), 29.129 (2001), 26.25 (2000)

Fiscal year:

1 July - 30 June

Communications Mauritius

Telephones - main lines in use:

348,200 (2003)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

462,400 (2003)

Telephone system:

general assessment: small system with good service

domestic: primarily microwave radio relay trunk system

international: country code - 230; satellite earth station - 1

Intelsat (Indian Ocean); new microwave link to Reunion; HF

radiotelephone links to several countries; fiber optic submarine

cable (SAT-3/WASC/SAFE) provides connectivity to Europe and Asia

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 4, FM 9, shortwave 0 (2002)

Radios:

420,000 (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

2 (plus several repeaters) (1997)

Televisions:

258,000 (1997)

Internet country code:

.mu

Internet hosts:

3,985 (2003)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

2 (2000)

Internet users:

150,000 (2003)

Transportation Mauritius

Highways:

total: 2,000 km

paved: 1,960 km (including 60 km of expressways)

unpaved: 40 km (2002)

Ports and harbors:

Port Louis

Merchant marine:

total: 8 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 22,946 GRT/27,102 DWT

by type: bulk carrier 4, passenger/cargo 2, refrigerated cargo 2

foreign-owned: 6 (India 4, Switzerland 2) (2005)

Airports:

6 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 2

over 3,047 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 4

914 to 1,523 m: 2

under 914 m: 2 (2004 est.)

Military Mauritius

Military branches:

National Police Force (includes the paramilitary Special Mobile

Force or SMF and National Coast Guard)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 18-49: 313,271 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: 248,659 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$12.5 million (2004)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

0.2% (2004)

Transnational Issues Mauritius

Disputes - international:

Mauritius claims the Chagos Archipelago (UK-administered British

Indian Ocean Territory), and its former inhabitants, who reside

chiefly in Mauritius, were granted UK citizenship but no right to

patriation in the UK; claims French-administered Tromelin Island

Illicit drugs:

minor consumer and transshipment point for heroin from South Asia;

small amounts of cannabis produced and consumed locally; significant

offshore financial industry creates potential for money laundering,

but corruption levels are relatively low and the government appears

generally to be committed to regulating its banking industry

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Mayotte

Introduction Mayotte

Background:

Mayotte was ceded to France along with the other islands of the

Comoros group in 1843. It was the only island in the archipelago

that voted in 1974 to retain its link with France and forego

independence.

Geography Mayotte

Location:

Southern Africa, island in the Mozambique Channel, about one-half

of the way from northern Madagascar to northern Mozambique

Geographic coordinates:

12 50 S, 45 10 E

Map references:

Africa

Area:

total: 374 sq km

land: 374 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly more than twice the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries:

0 km

Coastline:

185.2 km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Climate:

tropical; marine; hot, humid, rainy season during northeastern

monsoon (November to May); dry season is cooler (May to November)

Terrain:

generally undulating, with deep ravines and ancient volcanic peaks

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m

highest point: Benara 660 m

Natural resources:

NEGL

Land use:

arable land: NA%

permanent crops: NA%

other: NA%

Irrigated land:

NA sq km

Natural hazards:

cyclones during rainy season

Environment - current issues:

NA

Geography - note:

part of Comoro Archipelago; 18 islands

People Mayotte

Population:

193,633 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 46.2% (male 44,926/female 44,521)

15-64 years: 52.1% (male 54,713/female 46,156)

65 years and over: 1.7% (male 1,666/female 1,651) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 16.96 years

male: 18.04 years

female: 15.87 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

3.93% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

41.58 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

7.9 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

5.62 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.18 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 1.01 male(s)/female

total population: 1.1 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 62.4 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 68.51 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 56.11 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 61.39 years

male: 59.22 years

female: 63.62 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

5.89 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

NA%

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

NA

Nationality:

noun: Mahorais (singular and plural)

adjective: Mahoran

Ethnic groups:

NA

Religions:

Muslim 97%, Christian (mostly Roman Catholic)

Languages:

Mahorian (a Swahili dialect), French (official language) spoken by

35% of the population

Literacy: definition: NA total population: NA% male: NA% female: NA%

Government Mayotte

Country name:

conventional long form: Territorial Collectivity of Mayotte

conventional short form: Mayotte

Dependency status:

territorial collectivity of France

Government type:

NA

Capital:

Mamoutzou

Administrative divisions:

none (territorial collectivity of France)

Independence:

none (territorial collectivity of France)

National holiday:

Bastille Day, 14 July (1789)

Constitution:

4 October 1958 (French Constitution)

Legal system:

French law

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Jacques CHIRAC of France (since 17 May

1995), represented by Prefect Jean-Paul KIHL (since 17 January 2005)

head of government: President of the General Council Said Omar OILI

(since NA 2004)

cabinet: NA

elections: French president elected by popular vote for a five-year

term; prefect appointed by the French president on the advice of the

French Ministry of the Interior; president of the General Council

elected by the members of the General Council for a six-year term

Legislative branch:

unicameral General Council or Conseil General (19 seats; members

are elected by popular vote to serve three-year terms)

elections: last held 21 and 28 March 2004 (next to be held NA 2007)

election results: percent of vote by party - MDM 23.3%, UMP 22.8%,

PS 10.2%, MRC 8.9%, FRAP 6.5%, MPM 1.2%; seats by party - MDM 6, UMP

9, MRC 2, MPM 1, diverse left 1

note: Mayotte elects one member of the French Senate; elections last

held 24 September 2001 (next to be held September 2007); results -

percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NA; Mayotte also

elects one member to the French National Assembly; elections last

held 16 June 2002 (next to be held as a special election in June

2005); results - percent of vote by party - UMP-RPR 55.08%, UDF

44.92%; seats by party - UMP-RPR 1

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court or Tribunal Superieur d'Appel

Political parties and leaders:

Democratic Front or FD [Youssouf MOUSSA]; Mahoran Popular Movement

or MPM [Ahmed MADI]; FARC [leader NA]; Federation of Mahorans or RPR

(UMP) [Mansour KAMARDINE]; Movement for Department Status Mayotte or

MDM [Mouhoutar SALIM]; Renewed Communist Party of Mayotte or MRC

[Omar SIMBA]; Socialist Party or PS (local branch of French Parti

Socialiste) [Ibrahim ABUBACAR]; Union for French Democracy or UDF

[Henri JEAN-BAPTISTE]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

NA

International organization participation:

UPU

Diplomatic representation in the US:

none (territorial collectivity of France)

Diplomatic representation from the US:

none (territorial collectivity of France)

Flag description:

the flag of France is used

Economy Mayotte

Economy - overview:

Economic activity is based primarily on the agricultural sector,

including fishing and livestock raising. Mayotte is not

self-sufficient and must import a large portion of its food

requirements, mainly from France. The economy and future development

of the island are heavily dependent on French financial assistance,

an important supplement to GDP. Mayotte's remote location is an

obstacle to the development of tourism.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$466.8 million (2003 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

NA%

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $2,600 (2003 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA%

Labor force:

48,800 (2000)

Unemployment rate:

38% (1999)

Population below poverty line:

NA%

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA%

highest 10%: NA%

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

NA%

Budget:

revenues: NA

expenditures: $73 million, including capital expenditures of NA

(1991 est.)

Agriculture - products:

vanilla, ylang-ylang (perfume essence), coffee, copra

Industries:

newly created lobster and shrimp industry, construction

Industrial production growth rate:

NA%

Electricity - production:

NA kWh

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 0% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0%

Electricity - consumption:

NA kWh

Exports:

$3.44 million f.o.b. (1997)

Exports - commodities:

ylang-ylang (perfume essence), vanilla, copra, coconuts, coffee,

cinnamon

Exports - partners:

France 80%, Comoros 15%, Reunion (2000)

Imports:

$141.3 million f.o.b. (1997)

Imports - commodities:

food, machinery and equipment, transportation equipment, metals,

chemicals

Imports - partners:

France 66%, Africa 14%, Southeast Asia 11% (2000 est.)

Debt - external:

$NA

Economic aid - recipient:

$107.7 million; note - extensive French financial assistance (1995)

Currency (code):

euro (EUR)

Currency code:

EUR

Exchange rates:

euros per US dollar - 0.8054 (2004), 0.886 (2003), 1.0626 (2002),

1.1175 (2001), 1.0854 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Mayotte

Telephones - main lines in use:

10,000 (2001)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

21,700 (2002)

Telephone system:

general assessment: small system administered by French Department

of Posts and Telecommunications

domestic: NA

international: country code - 269; microwave radio relay and HF

radiotelephone communications to Comoros (2001)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 1, FM 5, shortwave 0 (2001)

Radios:

NA

Television broadcast stations:

3 (2001)

Televisions:

3,500 (1994)

Internet country code:

.yt

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

NA

Internet users:

NA

Transportation Mayotte

Highways: total: 93 km paved: 72 km unpaved: 21 km

Ports and harbors:

Dzaoudzi

Airports:

1 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Military Mayotte

Military - note:

defense is the responsibility of France; small contingent of French

forces stationed on the island

Transnational Issues Mayotte

Disputes - international: claimed by Comoros

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Mexico

Introduction Mexico

Background:

The site of advanced Amerindian civilizations, Mexico came under

Spanish rule for three centuries before achieving independence early

in the 19th century. A devaluation of the peso in late 1994 threw

Mexico into economic turmoil, triggering the worst recession in over

half a century. The nation continues to make an impressive recovery.

Ongoing economic and social concerns include low real wages,

underemployment for a large segment of the population, inequitable

income distribution, and few advancement opportunities for the

largely Amerindian population in the impoverished southern states.

Elections held in July 2000 marked the first time since the 1910

Mexican Revolution that the opposition defeated the party in

government, the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI). Vicente FOX

of the National Action Party (PAN) was sworn in on 1 December 2000

as the first chief executive elected in free and fair elections.

Geography Mexico

Location:

Middle America, bordering the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico,

between Belize and the US and bordering the North Pacific Ocean,

between Guatemala and the US

Geographic coordinates:

23 00 N, 102 00 W

Map references:

North America

Area:

total: 1,972,550 sq km

land: 1,923,040 sq km

water: 49,510 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly less than three times the size of Texas

Land boundaries: total: 4,353 km border countries: Belize 250 km, Guatemala 962 km, US 3,141 km

Coastline: 9,330 km

Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin

Climate:

varies from tropical to desert

Terrain:

high, rugged mountains; low coastal plains; high plateaus; desert

Elevation extremes: lowest point: Laguna Salada -10 m highest point: Volcan Pico de Orizaba 5,700 m

Natural resources: petroleum, silver, copper, gold, lead, zinc, natural gas, timber

Land use: arable land: 12.99% permanent crops: 1.31% other: 85.7% (2001)

Irrigated land:

65,000 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

tsunamis along the Pacific coast, volcanoes and destructive

earthquakes in the center and south, and hurricanes on the Pacific,

Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean coasts

Environment - current issues:

scarcity of hazardous waste disposal facilities; rural to urban

migration; natural fresh water resources scarce and polluted in

north, inaccessible and poor quality in center and extreme

southeast; raw sewage and industrial effluents polluting rivers in

urban areas; deforestation; widespread erosion; desertification;

deteriorating agricultural lands; serious air and water pollution in

the national capital and urban centers along US-Mexico border; land

subsidence in Valley of Mexico caused by groundwater depletion

note: the government considers the lack of clean water and

deforestation national security issues

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto

Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law

of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer

Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

strategic location on southern border of US; corn (maize), one of

the world's major grain crops, is thought to have originated in

Mexico

People Mexico

Population:

106,202,903 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 31.1% (male 16,844,400/female 16,159,511)

15-64 years: 63.3% (male 32,521,043/female 34,704,093)

65 years and over: 5.6% (male 2,715,010/female 3,258,846) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 24.93 years

male: 24.04 years

female: 25.85 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

1.17% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

21.01 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

4.73 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

-4.57 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.83 male(s)/female

total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 20.91 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 22.85 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 18.88 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 75.19 years

male: 72.42 years

female: 78.1 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

2.45 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

0.3% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

160,000 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

5,000 (2003 est.)

Nationality:

noun: Mexican(s)

adjective: Mexican

Ethnic groups:

mestizo (Amerindian-Spanish) 60%, Amerindian or predominantly

Amerindian 30%, white 9%, other 1%

Religions:

nominally Roman Catholic 89%, Protestant 6%, other 5%

Languages:

Spanish, various Mayan, Nahuatl, and other regional indigenous

languages

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 92.2%

male: 94%

female: 90.5% (2003 est.)

Government Mexico

Country name:

conventional long form: United Mexican States

conventional short form: Mexico

local long form: Estados Unidos Mexicanos

local short form: Mexico

Government type:

federal republic

Capital:

Mexico (Distrito Federal)

Administrative divisions:

31 states (estados, singular - estado) and 1 federal district*

(distrito federal); Aguascalientes, Baja California, Baja California

Sur, Campeche, Chiapas, Chihuahua, Coahuila de Zaragoza, Colima,

Distrito Federal*, Durango, Guanajuato, Guerrero, Hidalgo, Jalisco,

Mexico, Michoacan de Ocampo, Morelos, Nayarit, Nuevo Leon, Oaxaca,

Puebla, Queretaro de Arteaga, Quintana Roo, San Luis Potosi,

Sinaloa, Sonora, Tabasco, Tamaulipas, Tlaxcala, Veracruz-Llave,

Yucatan, Zacatecas

Independence:

16 September 1810 (from Spain)

National holiday:

Independence Day, 16 September (1810)

Constitution:

5 February 1917

Legal system:

mixture of US constitutional theory and civil law system; judicial

review of legislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction,

with reservations

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal and compulsory (but not enforced)

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Vicente FOX Quesada (since 1 December

2000); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of

government

head of government: President Vicente FOX Quesada (since 1 December

2000); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of

government

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president; note - appointment of

attorney general requires consent of the Senate

elections: president elected by popular vote for a six-year term;

election last held 2 July 2000 (next to be held 2 July 2006)

election results: Vicente FOX Quesada elected president; percent of

vote - Vicente FOX Quesada (PAN) 42.52%, Francisco LABASTIDA Ochoa

(PRI) 36.1%, Cuauhtemoc CARDENAS Solorzano (PRD) 16.64%, other 4.74%

Legislative branch:

bicameral National Congress or Congreso de la Union consists of the

Senate or Camara de Senadores (128 seats; 96 are elected by popular

vote to serve six-year terms, and 32 are allocated on the basis of

each party's popular vote) and the Federal Chamber of Deputies or

Camara Federal de Diputados (500 seats; 300 members are directly

elected by popular vote to serve three-year terms; remaining 200

members are allocated on the basis of each party's popular vote,

also for three-year terms)

elections: Senate - last held 2 July 2000 for all of the seats (next

to be held 2 July 2006); Chamber of Deputies - last held 6 July 2003

(next to be held 2 July 2006)

election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by

party - PRI 60, PAN 46, PRD 16, PVEM 5, unassigned 1; Chamber of

Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - PRI 222,

PAN 151, PRD 95, PVEM 17, PT 6, CD 5, unassigned 4; note - special

elections were held in December 2003; the PRI and the PRD each won

one seat and were each assigned one additional proportional

representation seat

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court of Justice or Suprema Corte de Justicia Nacional

(justices or ministros are appointed by the president with consent

of the Senate)

Political parties and leaders:

Convergence for Democracy or CD [Dante DELGADO Ranauro];

Institutional Revolutionary Party or PRI [Roberto MADRAZO Pintado];

Mexican Green Ecological Party or PVEM [Jorge Emilio GONZALEZ

Martinez]; National Action Party or PAN [Luis Felipe BRAVO Mena];

Party of the Democratic Revolution or PRD [Leonel GODOY]; Workers

Party or PT [Alberto ANAYA Gutierrez]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

Confederation of Employers of the Mexican Republic or COPARMEX;

Confederation of Industrial Chambers or CONCAMIN; Confederation of

Mexican Workers or CTM; Confederation of National Chambers of

Commerce or CONCANACO; Coordinator for Foreign Trade Business

Organizations or COECE; Federation of Unions Providing Goods and

Services or FESEBES; National Chamber of Transformation Industries

or CANACINTRA; National Peasant Confederation or CNC; National Union

of Workers or UNT; Regional Confederation of Mexican Workers or

CROM; Revolutionary Confederation of Workers and Peasants or CROC;

Roman Catholic Church

International organization participation:

APEC, BCIE, BIS, CDB, CE (observer), EBRD, FAO, G-3, G-6, G-15,

G-19, G-24, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU,

ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM,

ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, NAM (observer), NEA, OAS, OECD, OPANAL, OPCW,

PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNMOVIC, UPU,

WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador-designate Carlos Alberto de ICAZA

Gonzalez

chancery: 1911 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20006

telephone: [1] (202) 728-1600

FAX: [1] (202) 728-1698

consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Austin, Boston, Chicago, Dallas,

Denver, El Paso, Houston, Laredo (Texas), Los Angeles, Miami, New

Orleans, New York, Nogales (Arizona), Phoenix, Sacramento, San

Antonio, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose, San Juan (Puerto Rico)

consulate(s): Albuquerque, Brownsville (Texas), Calexico

(California), Corpus Christi (Texas), Del Rio (Texas), Detroit,

Douglas (Arizona), Eagle Pass (Texas), Fresno (California),

Indianapolis (Indiana), Kansas City (Missouri), Las Vegas, McAllen

(Texas), Midland (Texas), Omaha, Orlando, Oxnard (California),

Philadelphia, Portland (Oregon), Presidio (Texas), Raleigh, Salt

Lake City, San Bernardino, Santa Ana (California), Seattle, Tucson,

Yuma (Arizona)

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Antonio O. GARZA

embassy: Paseo de la Reforma 305, Colonia Cuauhtemoc, 06500 Mexico,

Distrito Federal

mailing address: P. O. Box 9000, Brownsville, TX 78520-0900

telephone: [52] (55) 5080-2000

FAX: [52] (55) 5525-5040

consulate(s) general: Ciudad Juarez, Guadalajara, Monterrey, Tijuana

consulate(s): Hermosillo, Matamoros, Merida, Nogales, Nuevo, Laredo

Flag description:

three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and red;

the coat of arms (an eagle perched on a cactus with a snake in its

beak) is centered in the white band

Economy Mexico

Economy - overview:

Mexico has a free market economy that recently entered the trillion

dollar class. It contains a mixture of modern and outmoded industry

and agriculture, increasingly dominated by the private sector.

Recent administrations have expanded competition in seaports,

railroads, telecommunications, electricity generation, natural gas

distribution, and airports. Per capita income is one-fourth that of

the US; income distribution remains highly unequal. Trade with the

US and Canada has tripled since the implementation of NAFTA in 1994.

Mexico has 12 free trade agreements with over 40 countries

including, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, the European Free Trade

Area, and Japan, putting more than 90% of trade under free trade

agreements. The government is cognizant of the need to upgrade

infrastructure, modernize the tax system and labor laws, and provide

incentives to invest in the energy sector, but progress is slow.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$1.006 trillion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

4.1% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $9,600 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 4% industry: 27.2% services: 68.9% (2004 est.)

Labor force:

34.73 million (2004 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 18%, industry 24%, services 58% (2003)

Unemployment rate:

3.2% plus underemployment of perhaps 25% (2004 est.)

Population below poverty line:

40% (2003 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.6% highest 10%: 35.6% (2002)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

53.1 (1998)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

5.4% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

19.4% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $160 billion

expenditures: $158 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Public debt:

23.5% of GDP (2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

corn, wheat, soybeans, rice, beans, cotton, coffee, fruit,

tomatoes; beef, poultry, dairy products; wood products

Industries:

food and beverages, tobacco, chemicals, iron and steel, petroleum,

mining, textiles, clothing, motor vehicles, consumer durables,

tourism

Industrial production growth rate:

3.8% (2004 est.)

Electricity - production:

203.6 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 78.7% hydro: 14.2% nuclear: 4.2% other: 2.9% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

189.7 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

98.65 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

367.7 million kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

3.46 million bbl/day (2004 est.)

Oil - consumption:

1.752 million bbl/day (2004 est.)

Oil - exports:

1.863 million bbl/day (2004)

Oil - imports:

205,000 bbl/day (2004)

Oil - proved reserves:

18 billion bbl (2004 est.)

Natural gas - production:

47.3 billion cu m (2004 est.)

Natural gas - consumption:

55.1 billion cu m (2004 est.)

Natural gas - exports:

0 cu m (2004 est.)

Natural gas - imports:

7.85 billion cu m (2004 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves:

420 billion cu m (2004)

Current account balance:

$-4.113 billion (2004 est.)

Exports:

$182.4 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

manufactured goods, oil and oil products, silver, fruits,

vegetables, coffee, cotton

Exports - partners:

US 87.6%, Canada 1.8%, Spain 1.1% (2004)

Imports:

$190.8 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

metalworking machines, steel mill products, agricultural machinery,

electrical equipment, car parts for assembly, repair parts for motor

vehicles, aircraft, and aircraft parts

Imports - partners:

US 53.7%, China 7%, Japan 5.1% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$60.67 billion (2004 est.)

Debt - external:

$149.9 billion (2004 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:

$1.166 billion (1995)

Currency (code):

Mexican peso (MXN)

Currency code:

MXN

Exchange rates:

Mexican pesos per US dollar - 11.286 (2004), 10.789 (2003), 9.656

(2002), 9.342 (2001), 9.456 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Mexico

Telephones - main lines in use:

15,958,700 (2003)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

28.125 million (2003)

Telephone system:

general assessment: low telephone density with about 15.2 main

lines per 100 persons; privatized in December 1990; the opening to

competition in January 1997 improved prospects for development, but

Telmex remains dominant

domestic: adequate telephone service for business and government,

but the population is poorly served; mobile subscribers far

outnumber fixed-line subscribers; domestic satellite system with 120

earth stations; extensive microwave radio relay network;

considerable use of fiber-optic cable and coaxial cable

international: country code - 52; satellite earth stations - 32

Intelsat, 2 Solidaridad (giving Mexico improved access to South

America, Central America, and much of the US as well as enhancing

domestic communications), numerous Inmarsat mobile earth stations;

linked to Central American Microwave System of trunk connections;

high capacity Columbus-2 fiber-optic submarine cable with access to

the US, Virgin Islands, Canary Islands, Morocco, Spain, and Italy

(1997)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 850, FM 545, shortwave 15 (2003)

Radios:

31 million (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

236 (plus repeaters) (1997)

Televisions:

25.6 million (1997)

Internet country code:

.mx

Internet hosts:

1,333,406 (2003)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

51 (2000)

Internet users:

10.033 million (2002)

Transportation Mexico

Railways: total: 17,634 km standard gauge: 17,634 km 1.435-m gauge (2004)

Highways:

total: 329,532 km

paved: 108,087 km (including 6,429 km of expressways)

unpaved: 221,445 km (1999 est.)

Waterways:

2,900 km

note: navigable rivers and coastal canals (2004)

Pipelines:

crude oil 28,200 km; petroleum products 10,150 km; natural gas

13,254 km; petrochemical 1,400 km (2003)

Ports and harbors:

Altamira, Manzanillo, Morro Redondo, Salina Cruz, Tampico,

Topolobampo, Veracruz

Merchant marine:

total: 57 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 649,389 GRT/942,766 DWT

by type: bulk carrier 2, cargo 6, chemical tanker 5, liquefied gas

5, passenger/cargo 9, petroleum tanker 26, roll on/roll off 4

foreign-owned: 4 (Denmark 1, Germany 1, UAE 1, United States 1)

registered in other countries: 6 (2005)

Airports:

1,833 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 233

over 3,047 m: 12

2,438 to 3,047 m: 28

1,524 to 2,437 m: 84

914 to 1,523 m: 80

under 914 m: 29 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 1,600

over 3,047 m: 1

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 69

914 to 1,523 m: 454

under 914 m: 1,075 (2004 est.)

Heliports:

2 (2004 est.)

Military Mexico

Military branches:

Secretariat of National Defense (Sedena): Army and Air Force (FAM)

Secretariat of the Navy (Semar): Naval Air and Marines (2004)

Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for compulsory military service, conscript service obligation - 12 months; 16 years of age with consent for voluntary enlistment (2004)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 18-49: 24,488,008 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: 19,058,337 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:

males: 1,063,233 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$6.043 billion (2004)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

0.9% (2004)

Transnational Issues Mexico

Disputes - international:

prolonged drought, population growth, and outmoded practices and

infrastructure in the border region have strained water-sharing

arrangements with the US; the US has stepped up efforts to stem

nationals from Mexico, Central America, and other parts of the world

from illegally crossing the border with Mexico

Refugees and internally displaced persons:

IDPs: 12,000 (government's quashing of Zapatista uprising in 1994

in eastern Chiapas Region) (2004)

Illicit drugs:

illicit cultivation of opium poppy (cultivation in 2001 - 4,400

hectares; potential heroin production - 7 metric tons) and of

cannabis (in 2001 - 4,100 hectares); government eradication efforts

have been key in keeping illicit crop levels low; major supplier of

heroin and largest foreign supplier of marijuana and methamphetamine

to the US market; continues as the primary transshipment country for

US-bound cocaine from South America, accounting for about 70 percent

of estimated annual cocaine movement to the US; major drug

syndicates control majority of drug trafficking throughout the

country; producer and distributor of ecstasy; significant

money-laundering center

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Micronesia, Federated States of

Introduction Micronesia, Federated States of

Background:

In 1979 the Federated States of Micronesia, a UN Trust Territory

under US administration, adopted a constitution. In 1986

independence was attained under a Compact of Free Association with

the US, which was amended and renewed in 2004. Present concerns

include large-scale unemployment, overfishing, and overdependence on

US aid.

Geography Micronesia, Federated States of

Location:

Oceania, island group in the North Pacific Ocean, about

three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to Indonesia

Geographic coordinates:

6 55 N, 158 15 E

Map references:

Oceania

Area:

total: 702 sq km

land: 702 sq km

water: 0 sq km (fresh water only)

note: includes Pohnpei (Ponape), Chuuk (Truk) Islands, Yap Islands,

and Kosrae (Kosaie)

Area - comparative:

four times the size of Washington, DC (land area only)

Land boundaries:

0 km

Coastline:

6,112 km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Climate:

tropical; heavy year-round rainfall, especially in the eastern

islands; located on southern edge of the typhoon belt with

occasionally severe damage

Terrain:

islands vary geologically from high mountainous islands to low,

coral atolls; volcanic outcroppings on Pohnpei, Kosrae, and Chuuk

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

highest point: Dolohmwar (Totolom) 791 m

Natural resources:

forests, marine products, deep-seabed minerals, phosphate

Land use:

arable land: 5.71%

permanent crops: 45.71%

other: 48.58% (2001)

Irrigated land:

NA

Natural hazards:

typhoons (June to December)

Environment - current issues:

overfishing, climate change, pollution

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto

Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone

Layer Protection

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

four major island groups totaling 607 islands

People Micronesia, Federated States of

Population:

108,105 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 37.1% (male 20,439/female 19,674)

15-64 years: 59.8% (male 32,382/female 32,313)

65 years and over: 3% (male 1,461/female 1,836) (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

-0.08% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

25.11 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

4.87 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

-21.01 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

NA

Infant mortality rate:

total: 30.21 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 33.3 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 26.97 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 69.75 years

male: 67.96 years

female: 71.62 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

3.25 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

NA

Nationality: noun: Micronesian(s) adjective: Micronesian; Chuukese, Kosraen(s), Pohnpeian(s), Yapese

Ethnic groups:

nine ethnic Micronesian and Polynesian groups

Religions:

Roman Catholic 50%, Protestant 47%

Languages:

English (official and common language), Trukese, Pohnpeian, Yapese,

Kosrean, Ulithian, Woleaian, Nukuoro, Kapingamarangi

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 89%

male: 91%

female: 88% (1980 est.)

Government Micronesia, Federated States of

Country name:

conventional long form: Federated States of Micronesia

conventional short form: none

former: Ponape, Truk, and Yap Districts (Trust Territory of the

Pacific Islands)

abbreviation: FSM

Government type:

constitutional government in free association with the US; the

Compact of Free Association entered into force 3 November 1986 and

the Amended Compact entered into force May 2004

Capital:

Palikir

Administrative divisions:

4 states; Chuuk (Truk), Kosrae (Kosaie), Pohnpei (Ponape), Yap

Independence:

3 November 1986 (from the US-administered UN Trusteeship)

National holiday:

Constitution Day, 10 May (1979)

Constitution:

10 May 1979

Legal system:

based on adapted Trust Territory laws, acts of the legislature,

municipal, common, and customary laws

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Joseph J. URUSEMAL (since 11 May 2003);

Vice President Redley KILLION (11 May 2003); note - the president is

both the chief of state and head of government

head of government: President Joseph J. URUSEMAL (since 11 May

2003); Vice President Redley KILLION (11 May 2003); note - the

president is both the chief of state and head of government

cabinet: Cabinet

elections: president and vice president elected by Congress from

among the four senators at large for four-year terms; election last

held 11 May 2003 (next to be held May 2007); note - a proposed

constitutional amendment to establish popular elections for

president and vice president failed

election results: Joseph J. URUSEMAL elected president; percent of

Congress vote - NA%; Redley KILLION elected vice president; percent

of Congress vote - NA%

Legislative branch:

unicameral Congress (14 seats; four - one elected from each state

to serve four-year terms and 10 - elected from single-member

districts delineated by population to serve two-year terms; members

elected by popular vote)

elections: elections for four-year term seats last held 4 March 2003

(next to be held March 2007); elections for two-year term seats last

held 8 March 2005 (next to be held March 2007)

election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats - independents 14

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court

Political parties and leaders:

no formal parties

International organization participation:

ACP, AsDB, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IMF, IOC, ITU,

MIGA, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, WHO, WMO

Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Jesse Bibiano MAREHALAU chancery: 1725 N Street NW, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 223-4383 FAX: [1] (202) 223-4391 consulate(s) general: Honolulu and Tamuning (Guam)

Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Suzanne K. HALE embassy: 101 Upper Pics Road, Kolonia mailing address: P. O. Box 1286, Kolonia, Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia 96941 telephone: [691] 320-2187 FAX: [691] 320-2186

Flag description:

light blue with four white five-pointed stars centered; the stars

are arranged in a diamond pattern

Economy Micronesia, Federated States of

Economy - overview:

Economic activity consists primarily of subsistence farming and

fishing. The islands have few mineral deposits worth exploiting,

except for high-grade phosphate. The potential for a tourist

industry exists, but the remote location, a lack of adequate

facilities, and limited air connections hinder development. The

Amended Compact of Free Association with the US guarantees the

Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) millions of dollars in annual

aid through 2023, and establishes a Trust Fund into which the US and

the FSM make annual contributions in order to provide annual payouts

to the FSM in perpetuity after 2023. The country's medium-term

economic outlook appears fragile due not only to the reduction in US

assistance but also to the slow growth of the private sector.

Geographical isolation and a poorly developed infrastructure remain

major impediments to long-term growth.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$277 million

note: GDP is supplemented by grant aid, averaging perhaps $100

million annually (2002 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

1% (2002 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $2,000 (2002 est.)

GDP - composition by sector:

agriculture: 50%

industry: 4%

services: 46% (2000 est.)

Labor force:

NA

Labor force - by occupation:

two-thirds are government employees

Unemployment rate:

16% (1999 est.)

Population below poverty line:

26.7%

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

1% (2002 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $161 million ($69 million less grants)

expenditures: $160 million, including capital expenditures of NA

(1998 est.)

Agriculture - products:

black pepper, tropical fruits and vegetables, coconuts, cassava

(tapioca), betel nuts, sweet potatoes; pigs, chickens

Industries:

tourism, construction, fish processing, specialized aquaculture,

craft items from shell, wood, and pearls

Industrial production growth rate:

NA

Electricity - production:

192 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source:

NA

Electricity - consumption:

178.6 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2002)

Exports:

$22 million (f.o.b.) (FY99/00 est.)

Exports - commodities:

fish, garments, bananas, black pepper

Exports - partners:

Japan, US, Guam (2000)

Imports:

$149 million f.o.b. (FY99/00 est.)

Imports - commodities:

food, manufactured goods, machinery and equipment, beverages

Imports - partners:

US, Australia, Japan (2000)

Debt - external:

$53.1 million (FY02/03 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:

under terms of the Compact of Free Association, the US pledged $1.3

billion in grant aid during the period 1986-2001; the level of aid

has been subsequently reduced

Currency (code):

US dollar (USD)

Currency code:

USD

Exchange rates:

the US dollar is used

Fiscal year:

1 October - 30 September

Communications Micronesia, Federated States of

Telephones - main lines in use:

10,100 (2001)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

1,800 (2002)

Telephone system:

general assessment: adequate system

domestic: islands interconnected by shortwave radiotelephone (used

mostly for government purposes), satellite (Intelsat) ground

stations, and some coaxial and fiber-optic cable; cellular service

available on Kosrae, Pohnpei, and Yap

international: country code - 691; satellite earth stations - 5

Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) (2002)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 5, FM 1, shortwave 0 (2004)

Radios:

9,400 (1996)

Television broadcast stations:

3; note - cable TV also available (2004)

Televisions:

2,800 (1999)

Internet country code:

.fm

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

1 (2000)

Internet users:

6,000 (2002)

Transportation Micronesia, Federated States of

Highways: total: 240 km paved: 42 km unpaved: 198 km (1999 est.)

Ports and harbors:

Tomil Harbor

Merchant marine:

total: 2 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 2,423 GRT/1,551 DWT

by type: cargo 1, passenger/cargo 1

foreign-owned: 2 (United States 2) (2005)

Airports:

6 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 6

1,524 to 2,437 m: 4

914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2004 est.)

Military Micronesia, Federated States of

Military branches:

no ministry of defense and no standing armed forces; the

paramilitary Maritime Wing, a small maritime law enforcement unit,

is responsible to the Division of Maritime Surveillance within the

Office of the Attorney General (2003)

Military - note:

Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) is a sovereign, self-governing

state in free association with the US; FSM is totally dependent on

the US for its defense

Transnational Issues Micronesia, Federated States of

Disputes - international: none

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Midway Islands

Introduction Midway Islands

Background:

The US took formal possession of the islands in 1867. The laying of

the trans-Pacific cable, which passed through the islands, brought

the first residents in 1903. Between 1935 and 1947, Midway was used

as a refueling stop for trans-Pacific flights. The US naval victory

over a Japanese fleet off Midway in 1942 was one of the turning

points of World War II. The islands continued to serve as a naval

station until closed in 1993. Today the islands are a national

wildlife refuge. From 1996 to 2001 the refuge was open to the

public; it is now temporarily closed.

Geography Midway Islands

Location:

Oceania, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, about one-third of the

way from Honolulu to Tokyo

Geographic coordinates:

28 13 N, 177 22 W

Map references:

Oceania

Area:

total: 6.2 sq km

land: 6.2 sq km

water: 0 sq km

note: includes Eastern Island, Sand Island, and Spit Island

Area - comparative:

about nine times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC

Land boundaries:

0 km

Coastline:

15 km

Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Climate:

subtropical; moderated by prevailing easterly winds

Terrain:

low, nearly level

Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 13 m

Natural resources: wildlife, terrestrial and aquatic

Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (2001)

Irrigated land:

0 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

NA

Environment - current issues:

NA

Geography - note:

a coral atoll managed as a national wildlife refuge and open to the

public for wildlife-related recreation in the form of wildlife

observation and photography, sport fishing, snorkeling, and scuba

diving; the refuge is temporarily closed for reorganization at

present (2004)

People Midway Islands

Population:

no indigenous inhabitants; approximately 40 people make up the

staff of US Fish and Wildlife Service and their services contractor

living at the atoll (July 2005 est.)

Government Midway Islands

Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Midway Islands

Dependency status:

unincorporated territory of the US; formerly administered from

Washington, DC, by the US Navy; on 31 October 1996, through a

presidential executive order, the jurisdiction and control of the

atoll was transferred to the Fish and Wildlife Service of the US

Department of the Interior as part of the National Wildlife Refuge

system

Legal system:

the laws of the US, where applicable, apply

Flag description:

the flag of the US is used

Economy Midway Islands

Economy - overview:

The economy is based on providing support services for the national

wildlife refuge activities located on the islands. All food and

manufactured goods must be imported.

Transportation Midway Islands

Highways: total: NA km paved: NA km unpaved: NA km

Ports and harbors:

Sand Island

Airports:

3 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 2

1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Transportation - note:

airfield serves as an emergency landing site for commercial

aircraft crossing the Pacific Ocean

Military Midway Islands

Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the US

Transnational Issues Midway Islands

Disputes - international: none

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Moldova

Introduction Moldova

Background:

Formerly part of Romania, Moldova was incorporated into the Soviet

Union at the close of World War II. Although independent from the

USSR since 1991, Russian forces have remained on Moldovan territory

east of the Dniester River supporting the Slavic majority

population, mostly Ukrainians and Russians, who have proclaimed a

"Transnistria" republic. The poorest nation in Europe, Moldova

became the first former Soviet state to elect a Communist as its

president in 2001.

Geography Moldova

Location:

Eastern Europe, northeast of Romania

Geographic coordinates:

47 00 N, 29 00 E

Map references:

Europe

Area:

total: 33,843 sq km

land: 33,371 sq km

water: 472 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly larger than Maryland

Land boundaries: total: 1,389 km border countries: Romania 450 km, Ukraine 939 km

Coastline:

0 km (landlocked)

Maritime claims:

none (landlocked)

Climate:

moderate winters, warm summers

Terrain:

rolling steppe, gradual slope south to Black Sea

Elevation extremes: lowest point: Dniester River 2 m highest point: Dealul Balanesti 430 m

Natural resources: lignite, phosphorites, gypsum, arable land, limestone

Land use: arable land: 55.3% permanent crops: 10.79% other: 33.91% (2001)

Irrigated land:

3,070 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

landslides (57 cases in 1998)

Environment - current issues:

heavy use of agricultural chemicals, including banned pesticides

such as DDT, has contaminated soil and groundwater; extensive soil

erosion from poor farming methods

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic

Pollutants, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto

Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes,

Ozone Layer Protection

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

landlocked; well endowed with various sedimentary rocks and

minerals including sand, gravel, gypsum, and limestone

People Moldova

Population:

4,455,421 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 20.2% (male 459,452/female 442,725)

15-64 years: 69.5% (male 1,489,813/female 1,606,202)

65 years and over: 10.3% (male 169,038/female 288,191) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 32.22 years

male: 30.14 years

female: 34.27 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

0.22% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

15.27 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

12.79 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

-0.25 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.93 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.59 male(s)/female

total population: 0.91 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 40.42 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 43.11 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 37.58 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 65.18 years

male: 61.12 years

female: 69.43 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

1.81 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

0.2% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

5,500 (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

less than 300 (2001 est.)

Nationality:

noun: Moldovan(s)

adjective: Moldovan

Ethnic groups:

Moldovan/Romanian 64.5%, Ukrainian 13.8%, Russian 13%, Jewish 1.5%,

Bulgarian 2%, Gagauz and other 5.2% (1989 est.)

note: internal disputes with ethnic Slavs in the Transnistrian region

Religions:

Eastern Orthodox 98%, Jewish 1.5%, Baptist and other 0.5% (2000)

Languages:

Moldovan (official, virtually the same as the Romanian language),

Russian, Gagauz (a Turkish dialect)

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 99.1%

male: 99.6%

female: 98.7% (2003 est.)

Government Moldova

Country name:

conventional long form: Republic of Moldova

conventional short form: Moldova

local long form: Republica Moldova

local short form: none

former: Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic; Moldovan Soviet

Socialist Republic

Government type:

republic

Capital:

Chisinau

Administrative divisions:

32 raions (raioane, singular - raionul), 3 municipalities

(municipiul), 1 autonomous territorial unit (unitatea teritoriala

autonoma), and 1 territorial unit (unitatea teritoriala)

: counties: Anenii Noi, Basarabeasca, Briceni, Cahul, Cantemir,

Calarasi, Causeni, Cimislia, Criuleni, Donduseni, Drochia, Dubasari,

Edinet, Falesti, Floresti, Glodeni, Hincesti, Ialoveni, Leova,

Nisporeni, Ocnita, Orhei, Rezina, Riscani, Singerei, Soldanesti,

Soroca, Stefan-Voda, Straseni, Taraclia, Telenesti, Ungheni

: municipalities: Balti, Bender, Chisinau

: autonomous territorial unit: Gagauzia

: territorial unit: Stinga Nistrului

Independence:

27 August 1991 (from Soviet Union)

National holiday:

Independence Day, 27 August (1991)

Constitution:

new constitution adopted 29 July 1994, effective 27 August 1994;

replaced old Soviet constitution of 1979

Legal system:

based on civil law system; Constitutional Court reviews legality of

legislative acts and governmental decisions of resolution; it is

unclear if Moldova accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction but accepts

many UN and Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe

(OSCE) documents

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Vladimir VORONIN (since 4 April 2001)

head of government: Prime Minister Vasile TARLEV (since 15 April

2001), First Deputy Prime Minister Vasile IOVV (since 29 January

2002)

cabinet: selected by president, subject to approval of Parliament

elections: president elected by Parliament for a four-year term;

election last held 4 April 2005 (next to be held NA 2009); note -

prime minister designated by the president, upon consultation with

Parliament; within 15 days from designation, the prime

minister-designate must request a vote of confidence from the

Parliament regarding his/her work program and entire cabinet; prime

minister designated 15 April 2001, cabinet received a vote of

confidence 19 April 2001

election results: Vladimir VORONIN reelected president;

parliamentary votes - Vladimir VORONIN 75, Gheorghe DUCA 1; Vasile

TARLEV designated prime minister; parliamentary votes of confidence

- 75 of 101

Legislative branch:

unicameral Parliament or Parlamentul (101 seats; parties and

electoral blocs elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)

elections: last held 6 March 2005 (next to be held NA 2009)

election results: percent of vote by party - PCRM 46.1%, Democratic

Moldova Bloc 28.4%, PPCD 9.1%, other parties 16.4%; seats by party -

PCRM 56, Democratic Moldova Bloc 34, PPCD 11

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court; Constitutional Court (the sole authority for

constitutional judicature)

Political parties and leaders:

Democratic Modova Bloc [Serafim URECHEANU] includes: Democratic

Party [Dumitru DIACOV], Our Moldova Alliance [Dumitru BRAGHIS,

Serafim URECHEANU], Social Liberal Party [Oleg SEREBRIAN]; Communist

Party of the Republic of Moldova or PCRM [Vladimir VORONIN, first

chairman]; Popular Christian Democratic Party or PPCD [Iurie ROSCA]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

NA

International organization participation:

ACCT, BSEC, CE, CEI, CIS, EAPC, EBRD, FAO, GUUAM, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO,

ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO,

Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, MIGA, OPCW, OSCE, PFP,

UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNOCI, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO,

WToO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Mihail MANOLI chancery: 2101 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 667-1130 FAX: [1] (202) 667-1204

Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Heather M. HODGES embassy: 103 Mateevici Street, Chisinau MD-2009 mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [373] (22) 408-300 FAX: [373] (22) 23-30-44

Flag description:

same color scheme as Romania - three equal vertical bands of blue

(hoist side), yellow, and red; emblem in center of flag is of a

Roman eagle of gold outlined in black with a red beak and talons

carrying a yellow cross in its beak and a green olive branch in its

right talons and a yellow scepter in its left talons; on its breast

is a shield divided horizontally red over blue with a stylized ox

head, star, rose, and crescent all in black-outlined yellow

Economy Moldova

Economy - overview:

Moldova remains one of the poorest countries in Europe despite

recent progress from its small economic base. It enjoys a favorable

climate and good farmland but has no major mineral deposits. As a

result, the economy depends heavily on agriculture, featuring

fruits, vegetables, wine, and tobacco. Moldova must import almost

all of its energy supplies from Russia. Energy shortages contributed

to sharp production declines after the breakup of the Soviet Union

in December 1991. As part of an ambitious reform effort after

independence, Moldova introduced a convertible currency, freed

prices, stopped issuing preferential credits to state enterprises,

backed steady land privatization, removed export controls, and freed

interest rates. The government entered into agreements with the

World Bank and the IMF to promote growth and reduce poverty. The

economy returned to positive growth of 2.1% in 2000, 6.1% in 2001,

7.2% in 2002, 6.3% in 2003, and 6.8% in 2004. Further reforms will

come slowly because of strong political forces backing government

controls. The economy remains vulnerable to higher fuel prices, poor

agricultural weather, and the skepticism of foreign investors.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$8.581 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

6.8% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $1,900 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 22.4% industry: 24.8% services: 52.8% (2004 est.)

Labor force:

1.36 million (2004 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 40%, industry 14%, services 46% (1998)

Unemployment rate:

8% (roughly 25% of working age Moldovans are employed abroad) (2002

est.)

Population below poverty line:

80% (2001 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.2% highest 10%: 30.7% (1997)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

40.6 (1997)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

11.5% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

17.1% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $648.1 million

expenditures: $634.8 million, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Public debt:

63.4% of GDP (2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

vegetables, fruits, wine, grain, sugar beets, sunflower seed,

tobacco; beef, milk

Industries:

food processing, agricultural machinery, foundry equipment,

refrigerators and freezers, washing machines, hosiery, sugar,

vegetable oil, shoes, textiles

Industrial production growth rate:

17% (2003 est.)

Electricity - production:

3.876 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 90.6% hydro: 9.4% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

4.605 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

1 billion kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

24,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Natural gas - production:

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - consumption:

2.05 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - exports:

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - imports:

2.05 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Current account balance:

$-148.4 million (2004 est.)

Exports:

$1.03 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

foodstuffs, textiles, machinery

Exports - partners:

Russia 35.8%, Italy 13.9%, Romania 10%, Germany 7.3%, Ukraine 6.6%,

Belarus 6%, US 4.6% (2004)

Imports:

$1.83 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

mineral products and fuel, machinery and equipment, chemicals,

textiles (2000)

Imports - partners:

Ukraine 24.6%, Russia 12.2%, Romania 9.3%, Germany 8.5%, Italy 7.4%

(2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$390 million (2004 est.)

Debt - external:

$1.4 billion (2004 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:

$100 million (2000)

Currency (code):

Moldovan leu (MDL)

Currency code:

MDL

Exchange rates:

lei per US dollar - 12.33 (2004), 13.945 (2003), 13.571 (2002),

12.865 (2001), 12.434 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Moldova

Telephones - main lines in use:

706,900 (2002)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

338,200 (2002)

Telephone system:

general assessment: inadequate, outmoded, poor service outside

Chisinau; some effort to modernize is under way

domestic: new subscribers face long wait for service; mobile

cellular telephone service being introduced

international: country code - 373; service through Romania and

Russia via landline; satellite earth stations - Intelsat, Eutelsat,

and Intersputnik

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 7, FM 50, shortwave 3 (1998)

Radios:

3.22 million (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

1 (plus 30 repeaters) (1995)

Televisions:

1.26 million (1997)

Internet country code:

.md

Internet hosts:

11,984 (2003)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

2 (1999)

Internet users:

150,000 (2002)

Transportation Moldova

Railways:

total: 1,138 km

broad gauge: 1,124 km 1.520-m gauge

standard gauge: 14 km 1.435-m gauge (2004)

Highways:

total: 12,719 km

paved: 10,977 km

unpaved: 1,742 km (2002)

Waterways:

424 km (2004)

Pipelines:

gas 606 km (2004)

Merchant marine:

total: 2 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 1,636 GRT/1,088 DWT

by type: cargo 2 (2005)

Airports:

23 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 6 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 17 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 11 (2004 est.)

Military Moldova

Military branches:

National Army: Ground Forces, Air Force

Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for compulsory military service; national service obligation - 12 months (2004)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 18-49: 1,066,459 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: 693,913 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:

males: 43,729 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$8.7 million (2004)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

0.4% (FY02)

Transnational Issues Moldova

Disputes - international:

Moldova and Ukraine have established joint customs posts to monitor

transit through Moldova's break-away Transnistria Region which

remains under OSCE supervision

Refugees and internally displaced persons:

IDPs: 1,000 (internal secessionist uprising in Transdniestrian

region in 1991) (2004)

Illicit drugs:

limited cultivation of opium poppy and cannabis, mostly for CIS

consumption; transshipment point for illicit drugs from Southwest

Asia via Central Asia to Russia, Western Europe, and possibly the

US; widespread crime and underground economic activity

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Monaco

Introduction Monaco

Background:

Economic development was spurred in the late 19th century with a

railroad linkup to France and the opening of a casino. Since then,

the principality's mild climate, splendid scenery, and gambling

facilities have made Monaco world famous as a tourist and recreation

center.

Geography Monaco

Location:

Western Europe, bordering the Mediterranean Sea on the southern

coast of France, near the border with Italy

Geographic coordinates:

43 44 N, 7 24 E

Map references:

Europe

Area:

total: 1.95 sq km

land: 1.95 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative:

about three times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC

Land boundaries: total: 4.4 km border countries: France 4.4 km

Coastline:

4.1 km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 12 nm

Climate:

Mediterranean with mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers

Terrain:

hilly, rugged, rocky

Elevation extremes: lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m highest point: Mont Agel 140 m

Natural resources: none

Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (urban area) (2001)

Irrigated land:

NA sq km

Natural hazards:

NA

Environment - current issues:

NA

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds,

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species,

Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer

Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol

Geography - note:

second-smallest independent state in the world (after Holy See);

almost entirely urban

People Monaco

Population:

32,409 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 15.5% (male 2,563/female 2,445)

15-64 years: 62.1% (male 9,909/female 10,217)

65 years and over: 22.4% (male 2,972/female 4,303) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 45.25 years

male: 43.27 years

female: 47.19 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

0.43% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

9.26 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

12.71 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

7.71 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female

total population: 0.91 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 5.43 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 6.29 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 4.53 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 79.57 years

male: 75.7 years

female: 83.63 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

1.76 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

NA%

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

NA

Nationality:

noun: Monegasque(s) or Monacan(s)

adjective: Monegasque or Monacan

Ethnic groups:

French 47%, Monegasque 16%, Italian 16%, other 21%

Religions:

Roman Catholic 90%

Languages:

French (official), English, Italian, Monegasque

Literacy: definition: NA total population: 99% male: NA% female: NA%

Government Monaco

Country name:

conventional long form: Principality of Monaco

conventional short form: Monaco

local long form: Principaute de Monaco

local short form: Monaco

Government type:

constitutional monarchy

Capital:

Monaco

Administrative divisions:

none; there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined

by the US Government, but there are four quarters (quartiers,

singular - quartier); Fontvieille, La Condamine, Monaco-Ville,

Monte-Carlo

Independence:

1419 (beginning of the rule by the House of Grimaldi)

National holiday:

National Day (Prince of Monaco Holiday), 19 November

Constitution:

17 December 1962

Legal system:

based on French law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage:

21 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: Prince ALBERT II (since 6 April 2005)

head of government: Minister of State Jean-Paul PROUST (since 1 June

2005)

cabinet: Council of Government is under the authority of the monarch

elections: none; the monarchy is hereditary; minister of state

appointed by the monarch from a list of three French national

candidates presented by the French Government

Legislative branch:

unicameral National Council or Conseil National (24 seats; 16

members elected by list majority system, 8 by proportional

representation; to serve five-year terms)

elections: last held 9 February 2003 (next to be held February 2008)

election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -

UNAM 21, UND 3

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court or Tribunal Supreme (judges appointed by the monarch

on the basis of nominations by the National Council)

Political parties and leaders:

National and Democratic Union or UND [Jean-Louis CAMPORA]; Union

for Monaco or UPM (including National Union for the Future of Monaco

or UNAM) [leader NA]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

NA

International organization participation:

ACCT, CE, FAO, IAEA, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IFRCS, IHO,

IMO, Interpol, IOC, ITU, OPCW, OSCE, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO,

UNITAR, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

Monaco does not have an embassy in the US

consulate(s) general: New York

Diplomatic representation from the US:

the US does not have an embassy in Monaco; the US Consul General in

Marseille (France) is accredited to Monaco

Flag description:

two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and white; similar to the

flag of Indonesia which is longer and the flag of Poland which is

white (top) and red

Economy Monaco

Economy - overview:

Monaco, bordering France on the Mediterranean coast, is a popular

resort, attracting tourists to its casino and pleasant climate. In

2001, a major construction project extended the pier used by cruise

ships in the main harbor. The principality has successfully sought

to diversify into services and small, high-value-added, nonpolluting

industries. The state has no income tax and low business taxes and

thrives as a tax haven both for individuals who have established

residence and for foreign companies that have set up businesses and

offices. The state retains monopolies in a number of sectors,

including tobacco, the telephone network, and the postal service.

Living standards are high, roughly comparable to those in prosperous

French metropolitan areas. Monaco does not publish national income

figures; the estimates below are extremely rough.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$870 million (2000 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

0.9% (2000 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $27,000 (2000 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 17% industry: NA% services: NA% (2001 est.)

Labor force:

30,540 (January 1994)

Unemployment rate:

22% (1999)

Population below poverty line:

NA%

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA%

highest 10%: NA%

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

1.9% (2000)

Budget:

revenues: $518 million

expenditures: $531 million, including capital expenditures of NA

(1995)

Agriculture - products:

none

Industries:

tourism, construction, small-scale industrial and consumer products

Industrial production growth rate:

NA%

Electricity - consumption:

NA kWh

Electricity - imports:

NA kWh

note: electricity supplied by France

Exports:

$NA; full customs integration with France, which collects and

rebates Monegasque trade duties; also participates in EU market

system through customs union with France

Imports:

$NA; full customs integration with France, which collects and

rebates Monegasque trade duties; also participates in EU market

system through customs union with France

Debt - external:

$18 billion (2000 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:

NA

Currency (code):

euro (EUR)

Currency code:

EUR

Exchange rates:

euros per US dollar - 0.8054 (2004), 0.886 (2003), 1.0626 (2002),

1.1175 (2001), 1.0854 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Monaco

Telephones - main lines in use:

33,700 (2002)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

19,300 (2002)

Telephone system:

general assessment: modern automatic telephone system

domestic: NA

international: country code - 377; no satellite earth stations;

connected by cable into the French communications system

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 1, FM NA, shortwave 8 (1998)

Radios:

34,000 (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

5 (1998)

Televisions:

25,000 (1997)

Internet country code:

.mc

Internet hosts:

533 (2004)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

2 (2000)

Internet users:

16,000 (2002)

Transportation Monaco

Highways: total: 50 km paved: 50 km unpaved: 0 km (1999 est.)

Ports and harbors:

Monaco

Merchant marine:

registered in other countries: 54 (2005)

Airports:

none; linked to the airport at Nice, France by helicopter service

(2004 est.)

Heliports:

1 (shuttle service between the international airport at Nice,

France, and Monaco's heliport at Fontvieille) (2004 est.)

Military Monaco

Military - note:

defense is the responsibility of France; the Palace Guard performs

ceremonial duties (2003)

Transnational Issues Monaco

Disputes - international: none

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Mongolia

Introduction Mongolia

Background:

The Mongols gained fame in the 13th century when under Chinggis

KHAN they conquered a huge Eurasian empire. After his death the

empire was divided into several powerful Mongol states, but these

broke apart in the 14th century. The Mongols eventually retired to

their original steppe homelands and later came under Chinese rule.

Mongolia won its independence in 1921 with Soviet backing. A

Communist regime was installed in 1924. During the early 1990s, the

ex-Communist Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party (MPRP) gradually

yielded its monopoly on power to the Democratic Union Coalition

(DUC), which defeated the MPRP in a national election in 1996. Since

then, parliamentary elections returned the MPRP overwhelmingly to

power in 2000 and produced a coalition government in 2004.

Geography Mongolia

Location:

Northern Asia, between China and Russia

Geographic coordinates:

46 00 N, 105 00 E

Map references:

Asia

Area:

total: 1,564,116 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly smaller than Alaska

Land boundaries: total: 8,220 km border countries: China 4,677 km, Russia 3,543 km

Coastline:

0 km (landlocked)

Maritime claims:

none (landlocked)

Climate:

desert; continental (large daily and seasonal temperature ranges)

Terrain:

vast semidesert and desert plains, grassy steppe, mountains in west

and southwest; Gobi Desert in south-central

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Hoh Nuur 518 m

highest point: Nayramadlin Orgil (Huyten Orgil) 4,374 m

Natural resources:

oil, coal, copper, molybdenum, tungsten, phosphates, tin, nickel,

zinc, fluorspar, gold, silver, iron

Land use: arable land: 0.77% permanent crops: 0% other: 99.23% (2001)

Irrigated land:

840 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

dust storms, grassland and forest fires, drought, and "zud," which

is harsh winter conditions

Environment - current issues:

limited natural fresh water resources in some areas; the policies

of former Communist regimes promoted rapid urbanization and

industrial growth that had negative effects on the environment; the

burning of soft coal in power plants and the lack of enforcement of

environmental laws severely polluted the air in Ulaanbaatar;

deforestation, overgrazing, and the converting of virgin land to

agricultural production increased soil erosion from wind and rain;

desertification and mining activities had a deleterious effect on

the environment

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto

Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental

Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer

Protection, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

landlocked; strategic location between China and Russia

People Mongolia

Population:

2,791,272 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 28.7% (male 407,547/female 392,440)

15-64 years: 67.7% (male 943,418/female 945,063)

65 years and over: 3.7% (male 44,413/female 58,391) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 24.28 years

male: 23.93 years

female: 24.64 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

1.45% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

21.52 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

7.03 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/female

total population: 1 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 53.79 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 57.25 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 50.16 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 64.52 years

male: 62.3 years

female: 66.86 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

2.26 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

less than 0.1% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

less than 500 (2003 est)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

less than 200 (2003 est.)

Nationality:

noun: Mongolian(s)

adjective: Mongolian

Ethnic groups:

Mongol (mostly Khalkha) 94.9%, Turkic (mostly Kazakh) 5%, other

(including Chinese and Russian) 0.1% (2000)

Religions:

Buddhist Lamaist 50%, none 40%, Shamanist and Christian 6%, Muslim

4% (2004)

Languages:

Khalkha Mongol 90%, Turkic, Russian (1999)

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 97.8%

male: 98%

female: 97.5% (2002)

Government Mongolia

Country name:

conventional long form: none

conventional short form: Mongolia

local long form: none

local short form: Mongol Uls

former: Outer Mongolia

Government type:

mixed parliamentary/presidential

Capital:

Ulaanbaatar

Administrative divisions:

21 provinces (aymguud, singular - aymag) and 1 municipality*

(singular - hot); Arhangay, Bayanhongor, Bayan-Olgiy, Bulgan, Darhan

Uul, Dornod, Dornogovi, Dundgovi, Dzavhan, Govi-Altay, Govi-Sumber,

Hentiy, Hovd, Hovsgol, Omnogovi, Orhon, Ovorhangay, Selenge,

Suhbaatar, Tov, Ulaanbaatar*, Uvs

Independence:

11 July 1921 (from China)

National holiday:

Independence Day/Revolution Day, 11 July (1921)

Constitution:

12 February 1992

Legal system:

blend of Soviet, German, and US systems that combine "continental"

or "civil" code and case-precedent; constitution ambiguous on

judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ

jurisdiction

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Nambaryn ENKHBAYAR (since 24 June 2005)

head of government: Prime Minister Tsakhi ELBEGDORJ (since 20 August

2004); Deputy Prime Minister Chultem ULAAN (since 28 September 2004)

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the State Great Hural (parliament) in

consultation with the president

elections: presidential candidates nominated by political parties

represented in State Great Hural and elected by popular vote for a

four-year term; presidential tenure limited to two four-year terms;

election last held 22 May 2005 (next to be held in May 2009);

following legislative elections, leader of majority party or

majority coalition is usually elected prime minister by State Great

Hural

election results: Nambaryn ENKHBAYAR elected president; percent of

vote - Nambaryn ENKHBAYAR (MPRP) 53.44%, Mendsaikhanin ENKHSAIKHAN

(DP) 20.05%, Bazarsadyn JARGALSAIKHAN (MRP) 13.92%, Badarchyn

ERDENEBAT (M-MNSDP) 12.59%; Tsakhi ELBEGDORJ elected prime minister

by the State Great Hural 74 to 0

Legislative branch:

unicameral State Great Hural 76 seats; members elected by popular

vote to serve four-year terms

elections: last held 27 June 2004 (next to be held in June 2008)

election results: percent of vote by party - MPRP 48.78%, MDC 44.8%,

independents 3.5%, Republican Party 1.5%, others 1.42%; seats by

party - MPRP 36, MDC 34, others 4; note - following June 2004

election, two seats in dispute and unoccupied

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court (serves as appeals court for people's and provincial

courts but rarely overturns verdicts of lower courts; judges are

nominated by the General Council of Courts and approved by the

president)

Political parties and leaders:

Citizens' Will Republican Party or CWRP (also called Civil Courage

Republican Party or CCRP) [Sanjaasurengiin OYUN]; Democratic Party

or DP [R. GONCHIKDORJ]; Motherland-Mongolian New Socialist

Democratic Party or M-MNSDP [Badarchyn ERDENEBAT]; Mongolian

People's Revolutionary Party or MPRP [Nambaryn ENKHBAYAR]; Mongolian

Republican Party or MRP [Bazarsadyn JARGALSAIKHAN]

note: DP and M-MNSDP formed Motherland-Democracy Coalition (MDC) in

2003 and with CWRP contested June 2004 elections as single party;

MDC's leadership dissolved coalition in December 2004

Political pressure groups and leaders:

NA

International organization participation:

ARF, AsDB, CP, EBRD, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU,

ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU,

MIGA, MINURSO, MONUC, NAM, OPCW, OSCE (partner), SCO (observer), UN,

UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Ravdangiyn BOLD

chancery: 2833 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20007

telephone: [1] (202) 333-7117

FAX: [1] (202) 298-9227

consulate(s) general: New York

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Pamela J. SLUTZ

embassy: Micro Region 11, Big Ring Road, C.P.O. 1021, Ulaanbaatar 13

mailing address: PSC 461, Box 300, FPO AP 96521-0002

telephone: [976] (11) 329095

FAX: [976] (11) 320776

Flag description:

three equal, vertical bands of red (hoist side), blue, and red;

centered on the hoist-side red band in yellow is the national emblem

("soyombo" - a columnar arrangement of abstract and geometric

representation for fire, sun, moon, earth, water, and the yin-yang

symbol)

Economy Mongolia

Economy - overview:

Economic activity in Mongolia has traditionally been based on

herding and agriculture. Mongolia has extensive mineral deposits;

copper, coal, molybdenum, tin, tungsten and gold account for a large

part of industrial production. Soviet assistance, at its height

one-third of GDP, disappeared almost overnight in 1990 and 1991 at

the time of the dismantlement of the USSR. The following decade saw

Mongolia endure both deep recession due to political inaction and

natural disasters, as well as economic growth due to reform

embracing free-market economics and extensive privatization of the

formerly state-run economy. Severe winters and summer droughts in

2000, 2001, and 2002 resulted in massive livestock die-off and zero

or negative GDP growth. This was compounded by falling prices for

Mongolia's primary sector exports and widespread opposition to

privatization. Growth improved from 2002 at 4% to 2003 at 5%, due

largely to high copper prices and new gold production, with the

government claiming a 10.6% growth rate for 2004 that is

unconfirmed. Mongolia's economy continues to be heavily impacted by

its neighbors. For example, Mongolia purchases 80% of its petroleum

products and a substantial amount of electric power from Russia,

leaving it vulnerable to price increases. China is Mongolia's chief

export partner and a main source of the "shadow" or "grey" economy.

The World Bank and other international financial institutions

estimate the grey economy to be at least equal to that of the

official economy. The actual size of this grey - largely cash -

economy is difficult to calculate since the money does not pass

through the hands of tax authorities or the banking sector.

Remittances from Mongolians working abroad both legally and

illegally constitute a sizeable portion. Money laundering is growing

as an accompanying concern. Mongolia settled its $11 billion debt

with Russia at the end of 2003 on very favorable terms. Mongolia,

which joined the World Trade Organization in 1997, seeks to expand

its participation and integration into Asian regional economic and

trade regimes.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$5.332 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

10.6% according to official estimate (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $1,900 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 20.6% industry: 21.4% services: 58% (2003 est.)

Labor force: 1.488 million (2003)

Labor force - by occupation: herding/agriculture 42%, mining 4%, manufacturing 6%, trade 14%, services 29%, public sector 5%, other 3.7% (2003)

Unemployment rate:

6.7% (2003)

Population below poverty line:

36.1% (2004 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.1% highest 10%: 37% (1995)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

44 (1998)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

11% (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $582 million

expenditures: $602 million, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

wheat, barley, vegetables, forage crops, sheep, goats, cattle,

camels, horses

Industries:

construction and construction materials; mining (coal, copper,

molybdenum, fluorspar, and gold); oil; food and beverages;

processing of animal products, cashmere and natural fiber

manufacturing

Industrial production growth rate:

4.1% (2002 est.)

Electricity - production:

2.692 billion kWh (2004 est.)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

2.209 billion kWh (2004 est.)

Electricity - exports:

8.2 million kWh (2004 est.)

Electricity - imports:

130.5 million kWh (2004 est.)

Oil - production:

542 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Oil - consumption:

11,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Oil - exports:

497 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Oil - imports:

11,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Exports:

$853 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

copper, apparel, livestock, animal products, cashmere, wool, hides,

fluorspar, other nonferrous metals

Exports - partners:

China 47.8%, US 17.9%, UK 15.7% (2004)

Imports:

$1 billion c.i.f. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

machinery and equipment, fuel, cars, food products, industrial

consumer goods, chemicals, building materials, sugar, tea

Imports - partners:

Russia 33.3%, China 23.6%, Japan 7.4%, South Korea 6%, US 4.6%

(2004)

Debt - external:

$1.191 billion (2004 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:

$215 million (2003)

Currency (code):

togrog/tugrik (MNT)

Currency code:

MNT

Exchange rates:

togrogs/tugriks per US dollar - 1,185.3 (2004), 1,146.5 (2003),

1,110.3 (2002), 1,097.7 (2001), 1,076.7 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Mongolia

Telephones - main lines in use:

142,300 (2004)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

404,400 (2004)

Telephone system:

general assessment: network is improving with international direct

dialing available in many areas

domestic: very low density of about 6.5 telephones for each thousand

persons; two wireless providers cover all but two provinces

international: country code - 976; satellite earth station - 1

Intersputnik (Indian Ocean Region)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 7, FM 62, shortwave 3 (2004)

Radios:

155,900 (1999)

Television broadcast stations: 52 (plus 21 provincial repeaters and many low power repeaters) (2004)

Televisions:

168,800 (1999)

Internet country code:

.mn

Internet hosts:

1,000 (2004)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

5 (2001)

Internet users:

220,000 (2004)

Transportation Mongolia

Railways: total: 1,810 km broad gauge: 1,810 km 1.524-m gauge (2004)

Highways: total: 49,256 km paved: 8,874 km unpaved: 40,376 km (2002)

Waterways:

580 km

note: only waterway in operation is Lake Khovsgol (135 km); Selenge

River (270 km) and Orkhon River (175 km) are navigable but carry

little traffic; lakes and rivers freeze in winter, are open from May

to September (2004)

Merchant marine:

total: 65 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 339,423 GRT/533,853 DWT

by type: bulk carrier 6, cargo 54, liquefied gas 2, passenger/cargo

1, refrigerated cargo 1, roll on/roll off 1

foreign-owned: 38 (China 2, Lebanon 1, Philippines 1, Russia 10,

Singapore 10, South Korea 1, Syria 1, Thailand 1, Ukraine 1, UAE 4,

Vietnam 6) (2005)

Airports:

46 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 15 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 11 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 31 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 5 1,524 to 2,437 m: 18 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 3 (2004 est.)

Heliports: 2 (2004 est.)

Military Mongolia

Military branches:

Mongolian Armed Forces: Mongolian People's Army (MPA), Mongolian

People's Air Force (MPAF) (2005)

Military service age and obligation:

18-25 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript

service obligation - 12 months (2004)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 18-49: 736,182 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: 570,435 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:

males: 34,674 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$23.1 million (FY02)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

2.2% (FY02)

Transnational Issues Mongolia

Disputes - international: none

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Montserrat

Introduction Montserrat

Background:

Much of this island was devastated and two-thirds of the population

fled abroad because of the eruption of the Soufriere Hills Volcano

that began on 18 July 1995. Montserrat has endured volcanic activity

since, with the last eruption occurring in July 2003.

Geography Montserrat

Location:

Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, southeast of Puerto Rico

Geographic coordinates:

16 45 N, 62 12 W

Map references:

Central America and the Caribbean

Area:

total: 102 sq km

land: 102 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative:

about 0.6 times the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries:

0 km

Coastline:

40 km

Maritime claims: territorial sea: 3 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm

Climate:

tropical; little daily or seasonal temperature variation

Terrain:

volcanic island, mostly mountainous, with small coastal lowland

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m

highest point: Chances Peak (in the Soufriere Hills volcanic

complex) 914 m

Natural resources:

NEGL

Land use:

arable land: 20%

permanent crops: 0%

other: 80% (2001)

Irrigated land:

NA sq km

Natural hazards:

severe hurricanes (June to November); volcanic eruptions (Soufriere

Hills volcano has erupted continuously since 1995)

Environment - current issues:

land erosion occurs on slopes that have been cleared for cultivation

Geography - note:

the island is entirely volcanic in origin and contains seven active

volcanoes

People Montserrat

Population:

9,341

note: an estimated 8,000 refugees left the island following the

resumption of volcanic activity in July 1995; some have returned

(July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 23.3% (male 1,109/female 1,072)

15-64 years: 65.6% (male 2,923/female 3,201)

65 years and over: 11.1% (male 536/female 500) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 28.56 years

male: 28.29 years

female: 28.79 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

1.04% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

17.56 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

7.17 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.91 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 1.07 male(s)/female

total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 7.35 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 8.55 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 6.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 78.71 years

male: 76.54 years

female: 80.98 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

1.78 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

NA

Nationality: noun: Montserratian(s) adjective: Montserratian

Ethnic groups:

black, white

Religions:

Anglican, Methodist, Roman Catholic, Pentecostal, Seventh-Day

Adventist, other Christian denominations

Languages:

English

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school

total population: 97%

male: 97%

female: 97% (1970 est.)

Government Montserrat

Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Montserrat

Dependency status:

overseas territory of the UK

Government type:

NA

Capital:

Plymouth (abandoned in 1997 due to volcanic activity; interim

government buildings have been built at Brades Estate, in the Carr's

Bay/Little Bay vicinity at the northwest end of Montserrat)

Administrative divisions:

3 parishes; Saint Anthony, Saint Georges, Saint Peter

Independence:

none (overseas territory of the UK)

National holiday:

Birthday of Queen ELIZABETH II, second Saturday in June (1926)

Constitution:

effective 19 December 1989

Legal system:

English common law and statutory law

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952),

represented by Governor Deborah BARNES-JONES (since 10 May 2004)

head of government: Chief Minister John OSBORNE (since 5 April 2001)

cabinet: Executive Council consists of the governor, the chief

minister, three other ministers, the attorney general, and the

finance secretary

elections: the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed by the

monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority

party usually becomes chief minister

Legislative branch:

unicameral Legislative Council (11 seats, 9 popularly elected;

members serve five-year terms)

note: expanded in 2001 from 7 to 9 elected members with attorney

general and financial secretary sitting as ex-officio members

elections: last held April 2001 (next to be held by November 2006)

election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -

NPLM 7, NPP 2

note: in 2001, the Elections Commission instituted a single

constituency/voter-at-large system whereby all eligible voters cast

ballots for all nine seats of the Legislative Council

Judicial branch:

Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (based in Saint Lucia, one judge of

the Supreme Court is a resident of the islands and presides over the

High Court)

Political parties and leaders:

National Progressive Party or NPP [Reuben T. MEADE]; New People's

Liberation Movement or NPLM [John A. OSBORNE]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

NA

International organization participation:

Caricom, CDB, ICFTU, Interpol (subbureau), OECS, UPU

Diplomatic representation in the US:

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Diplomatic representation from the US:

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Flag description:

blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and

the Montserratian coat of arms centered in the outer half of the

flag; the coat of arms features a woman standing beside a yellow

harp with her arm around a black cross

Economy Montserrat

Economy - overview:

Severe volcanic activity, which began in July 1995, has put a

damper on this small, open economy. A catastrophic eruption in June

1997 closed the airports and seaports, causing further economic and

social dislocation. Two-thirds of the 12,000 inhabitants fled the

island. Some began to return in 1998, but lack of housing limited

the number. The agriculture sector continued to be affected by the

lack of suitable land for farming and the destruction of crops.

Prospects for the economy depend largely on developments in relation

to the volcano and on public sector construction activity. The UK

has launched a three-year $122.8 million aid program to help

reconstruct the economy. Half of the island is expected to remain

uninhabitable for another decade.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$29 million (2002 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

-1% (2002 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $3,400 (2002 est.)

GDP - composition by sector:

agriculture: 5.4%

industry: 13.6%

services: 81% (1996 est.)

Labor force:

4,521 (lowered by flight of people from volcanic activity) (2000

est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture NA%, industry NA%, services NA%

Unemployment rate:

6% (1998 est.)

Population below poverty line:

NA

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

2.6% (2002 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $31.4 million

expenditures: $31.6 million, including capital expenditures of $8.4

million (1997 est.)

Agriculture - products: cabbages, carrots, cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, peppers, livestock products

Industries:

tourism, rum, textiles, electronic appliances

Industrial production growth rate:

NA%

Electricity - production:

1.8 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

1.674 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

400 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Exports:

$700,000 (2001)

Exports - commodities:

electronic components, plastic bags, apparel, hot peppers, live

plants, cattle

Exports - partners:

US, Antigua and Barbuda

Imports:

$17 million (2001)

Imports - commodities:

machinery and transportation equipment, foodstuffs, manufactured

goods, fuels, lubricants, and related materials

Imports - partners:

US, UK, Trinidad and Tobago, Japan, Canada

Debt - external:

$8.9 million (1997)

Economic aid - recipient:

Country Policy Plan (2001) is a three-year program for spending

$122.8 million in British budgetary assistance (2002 est.)

Currency (code):

East Caribbean dollar (XCD)

Currency code:

XCD

Exchange rates:

East Caribbean dollars per US dollar - 2.7 (2004), 2.7 (2003), 2.7

(2002), 2.7 (2001), 2.7 (2000)

note: fixed rate since 1976

Fiscal year:

1 April - 31 March

Communications Montserrat

Telephones - main lines in use:

NA

Telephones - mobile cellular:

70 (1994)

Telephone system:

general assessment: modern and fully digitalized

domestic: NA

international: country code - 1-664

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 0 (1998)

Radios:

7,000 (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

1 (1997)

Televisions:

3,000 (1997)

Internet country code:

.ms

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

17 (2000)

Internet users:

NA

Transportation Montserrat

Highways:

total: 227 km

paved: NA km

unpaved: NA km

note: volcanic eruptions beginning in 1995 destroyed most of the

road system (2003)

Ports and harbors:

Plymouth

Airports:

1 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Military Montserrat

Military branches:

no regular military forces; Royal Montserrat Police Force (2005)

Military - note:

defense is the responsibility of the UK

Transnational Issues Montserrat

Disputes - international:

none

Illicit drugs:

transshipment point for South American narcotics destined for the

US and Europe

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Morocco

Introduction Morocco

Background:

In 788, about a century after the Arab conquest of North Africa,

successive Moorish dynasties began to rule in Morocco. In the 16th

century, the Sa'adi monarchy, particularly under Ahmad AL-MANSUR

(1578-1603), repelled foreign invaders and inaugurated a golden age.

In 1860, Spain occupied northern Morocco and ushered in a half

century of trade rivalry among European powers that saw Morocco's

sovereignty steadily eroded; in 1912, the French imposed a

protectorate over the country. A protracted independence struggle

with France ended successfully in 1956. The internationalized city

of Tangier and most Spanish possessions were turned over to the new

country that same year. Morocco virtually annexed Western Sahara

during the late 1970s, but final resolution on the status of the

territory remains unresolved. Gradual political reforms in the 1990s

resulted in the establishment of a bicameral legislature in 1997.

Parliamentary elections were held for the second time in September

2002 and municipal elections were held in September 2003.

Geography Morocco

Location:

Northern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean and the

Mediterranean Sea, between Algeria and Western Sahara

Geographic coordinates:

32 00 N, 5 00 W

Map references:

Africa

Area:

total: 446,550 sq km

land: 446,300 sq km

water: 250 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly larger than California

Land boundaries:

total: 2,017.9 km

border countries: Algeria 1,559 km, Western Sahara 443 km, Spain

(Ceuta) 6.3 km, Spain (Melilla) 9.6 km

Coastline:

1,835 km

Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

Climate:

Mediterranean, becoming more extreme in the interior

Terrain:

northern coast and interior are mountainous with large areas of

bordering plateaus, intermontane valleys, and rich coastal plains

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Sebkha Tah -55 m

highest point: Jebel Toubkal 4,165 m

Natural resources:

phosphates, iron ore, manganese, lead, zinc, fish, salt

Land use: arable land: 19.61% permanent crops: 2.17% other: 78.22% (2001)

Irrigated land:

12,910 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

northern mountains geologically unstable and subject to

earthquakes; periodic droughts

Environment - current issues: land degradation/desertification (soil erosion resulting from farming of marginal areas, overgrazing, destruction of vegetation); water supplies contaminated by raw sewage; siltation of reservoirs; oil pollution of coastal waters

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto

Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes,

Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands,

Whaling

signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea

Geography - note:

strategic location along Strait of Gibraltar

People Morocco

Population:

32,725,847 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 32.1% (male 5,349,247/female 5,150,497)

15-64 years: 63% (male 10,259,808/female 10,346,608)

65 years and over: 4.9% (male 708,921/female 910,766) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 23.61 years

male: 23.11 years

female: 24.13 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

1.57% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

22.29 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

5.64 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

-0.92 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female

total population: 1 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 41.62 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 45.42 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 37.63 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 70.66 years

male: 68.35 years

female: 73.07 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

2.73 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

0.1% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

15,000 (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

NA

Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: intermediate food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, and hepatitis A vectorborne diseases: may be a significant risk in some locations during the transmission season (typically April through November) (2004)

Nationality: noun: Moroccan(s) adjective: Moroccan

Ethnic groups:

Arab-Berber 99.1%, other 0.7%, Jewish 0.2%

Religions:

Muslim 98.7%, Christian 1.1%, Jewish 0.2%

Languages:

Arabic (official), Berber dialects, French often the language of

business, government, and diplomacy

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 51.7%

male: 64.1%

female: 39.4% (2003 est.)

Government Morocco

Country name:

conventional long form: Kingdom of Morocco

conventional short form: Morocco

local long form: Al Mamlakah al Maghribiyah

local short form: Al Maghrib

Government type:

constitutional monarchy

Capital:

Rabat

Administrative divisions:

14 regions: Grand Casablanca, Chaouia-Ouardigha, Doukkala-Abda,

Fes-Boulemane, Gharb-Chrarda-Beni Hssen, Guelmim-Es Smara,

Marrakech-Tensift-Al Haouz, Meknes-Tafilalet, Oriental,

Rabat-Sale-Zemmour-Zaer, Souss-Massa-Draa, Tadla-Azilal,

Tanger-Tetouan, Taza-Al Hoceima-Taounate

note: Morocco claims the territory of Western Sahara, the political

status of which is considered undetermined by the United States

Government; one additional region, Oued Eddahab-Lagouira, falls

entirely within Western Sahara; another region,

Laayoune-Boujdour-Sahia El Hamra, falls mostly within Western

Sahara; a small portion of this region, in the southwestern part of

the country, falls within Moroccan-administered territory as

recognized by the United States; the province of Guelmim-Es Smara

lies in both entities

Independence:

2 March 1956 (from France)

National holiday:

Throne Day (accession of King MOHAMED VI to the throne), 30 July

(1999)

Constitution:

10 March 1972; revised 4 September 1992, amended (to create

bicameral legislature) September 1996

Legal system:

based on Islamic law and French and Spanish civil law system;

judicial review of legislative acts in Constitutional Chamber of

Supreme Court

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal (as of January 2003)

Executive branch:

chief of state: King MOHAMED VI (since 30 July 1999)

head of government: Prime Minister Driss JETTOU (since 9 October

2002)

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the monarch

elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; prime minister appointed

by the monarch following legislative elections

Legislative branch:

bicameral Parliament consists of an upper house or Chamber of

Counselors (270 seats; members elected indirectly by local councils,

professional organizations, and labor syndicates for nine-year

terms; one-third of the members are renewed every three years) and a

lower house or Chamber of Representatives (325 seats; 295 by

multi-seat constituencies and 30 from national lists of women;

members elected by popular vote for five-year terms)

elections: Chamber of Counselors - last held 6 October 2003 (next to

be held NA 2006); Chamber of Representatives - last held 27

September 2002 (next to be held NA 2007)

election results: Chamber of Counselors - percent of vote by party -

NA%; seats by party - RNI 42, MDS 33, UC 28, MP 27, PND 21, PI 21,

USFP 16, MNP 15, PA 13, FFD 12, other 42; Chamber of Representatives

- percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - USFP 50, PI 48,

PJD 42, RNI 41, MP 27, MNP 18, UC 16, PND 12, PPS 11, UD 10, other 50

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court (judges are appointed on the recommendation of the

Supreme Council of the Judiciary, presided over by the monarch)

Political parties and leaders:

Action Party or PA [Muhammad EL IDRISSI]; Alliance of Liberties or

ADL [Ali BELHAJ]; Annahj Addimocrati or Annahj [Abdellah EL HARIF];

Avant Garde Social Democratic Party or PADS [Ahmed BENJELLOUN];

Citizen Forces or FC [Abderrahman LAHJOUJI]; Citizen's Initiatives

for Development [Mohamed BENHAMOU]; Constitutional Union or UC

[Mohamed ABIED (interim)]; Democratic and Independence Party or PDI

[Abdelwahed MAACH]; Democratic and Social Movement or MDS [Mahmoud

ARCHANE]; Democratic Socialist Party or PSD [Aissa OUARDIGHI];

Democratic Union or UD [Bouazza IKKEN]; Environment and Development

Party or PED [Ahmed EL ALAMI]; Front of Democratic Forces or FFD

[Thami EL KHYARI]; Istiqlal Party (Independence Party) or PI [Abbas

El FASSI]; Justice and Development Party or PJD [Saad Eddine

OTHMANI]; Moroccan Liberal Party or PML [Mohamed ZIANE]; National

Democratic Party or PND [Abdallah KADIRI]; National Ittihadi

Congress Party or CNI [Abdelmajid BOUZOUBAA]; National Popular

Movement or MNP [Mahjoubi AHERDANE]; National Rally of Independents

or RNI [Ahmed OSMAN]; National Union of Popular Forces or UNFP

[Abdellah IBRAHIM]; Parti Al Ahd or Al Ahd [Najib EL OUAZZANI,

chairman]; Party of Progress and Socialism or PPS [Ismail ALAOUI];

Party of Renewal and Equity or PRE [Chakir ACHABAR]; Party of the

Unified Socialist Left or GSU [Mohamed Ben Said AIT IDDER]; Popular

Movement or MP [Mohamed LAENSER]; Reform and Development Party or

PRD [Abderrahmane EL KOUHEN]; Social Center Party or PSC [Lahcen

MADIH]; Socialist Union of Popular Forces or USFP [Mohammed

El-YAZGHI]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

Democratic Confederation of Labor or CDT [Noubir AMAOUI]; General

Union of Moroccan Workers or UGTM [Abderrazzak AFILAL]; Moroccan

Employers Association or CGEM [Hassan CHAMI]; National Labor Union

of Morocco or UNMT [Abdelslam MAATI]; Union of Moroccan Workers or

UMT [Mahjoub BENSEDDIK]

International organization participation:

ABEDA, ACCT, AfDB, AFESD, AMF, AMU, EBRD, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD,

ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC,

IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAS, MIGA,

MINUSTAH, MONUC, NAM, OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, OSCE (partner),

PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNOCI, UPU, WCL, WCO,

WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Aziz MEKOUAR chancery: 1601 21st Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 462-7979 through 7982 FAX: [1] (202) 265-0161 consulate(s) general: New York

Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Thomas T. RILEY embassy: 2 Avenue de Mohamed El Fassi, Rabat mailing address: PSC 74, Box 021, APO AE 09718 telephone: [212] (37) 76 22 65 FAX: [212] (37) 76 56 61 consulate(s) general: Casablanca

Flag description:

red with a green pentacle (five-pointed, linear star) known as

Sulayman's (Solomon's) seal in the center of the flag; red and green

are traditional colors in Arab flags, although the use of red is

more commonly associated with the Arab states of the Persian gulf;

design dates to 1912

Economy Morocco

Economy - overview:

Morocco faces problems typical for developing countries:

restraining government spending, reducing constraints on private

activity and foreign trade, and achieving sustainable growth.

Despite structural adjustment programs supported by the IMF, the

World Bank, and the Paris Club, the dirham is only fully convertible

for current account transactions. In 2004 Moroccan authorities

instituted measures to boost foreign direct investment and trade by

signing a free trade agreement with the US and selling government

shares in the state telecommunications company and in the largest

state-owned bank. Favorable rainfall over the past two years has

boosted agricultural output and GDP growth passed 4% in 2004. In

2005 the budget deficit is expected to rise sharply - from 1.9% of

GDP in 2004 - because of substantial increases in wages and oil

subsidies. Long-term challenges include preparing the economy for

freer trade with the US and European Union, improving education and

job prospects for Morocco's youth, and raising living standards.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$134.6 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

4.4% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $4,200 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 21.2% industry: 35.8% services: 43% (2004 est.)

Labor force:

11.02 million (2004 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 40%, industry 15%, services 45% (2003 est.)

Unemployment rate:

12.1% (2004 est.)

Population below poverty line:

19% (1999 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.6% highest 10%: 30.9% (1998-99)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

39.5 (1998-99)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

2.1% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

22.4% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $12.86 billion

expenditures: $15.4 billion, including capital expenditures of $2.19

billion (2004 est.)

Public debt:

70.2% of GDP (2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

barley, wheat, citrus, wine, vegetables, olives; livestock

Industries:

phosphate rock mining and processing, food processing, leather

goods, textiles, construction, tourism

Industrial production growth rate:

NA

Electricity - production:

13.91 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 95.4% hydro: 4.6% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

14.24 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

1.3 billion kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

1,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Oil - consumption:

167,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Oil - proved reserves:

300 million bbl (2004 est.)

Natural gas - production:

50 million cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - consumption:

50 million cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - exports:

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - imports:

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves:

665.4 million cu m (2004)

Current account balance:

$765.4 million (2004 est.)

Exports:

$9.754 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

clothing, fish, inorganic chemicals, transistors, crude minerals,

fertilizers (including phosphates), petroleum products, fruits,

vegetables

Exports - partners:

France 33.6%, Spain 17.4%, UK 7.7%, Italy 4.7%, US 4.1% (2004)

Imports:

$15.63 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

crude petroleum, textile fabric, telecommunications equipment,

wheat, gas and electricity, transistors, plastics

Imports - partners:

France 18.2%, Spain 12.1%, Italy 6.6%, Germany 6%, Russia 5.7%,

Saudi Arabia 5.4%, China 4.2%, US 4.1% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$15.14 billion (2004 est.)

Debt - external:

$17.07 billion (2004 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:

ODA $218 million (2002)

Currency (code):

Moroccan dirham (MAD)

Currency code:

MAD

Exchange rates:

Moroccan dirhams per US dollar - 8.868 (2004), 9.574 (2003), 11.021

(2002), 11.303 (2001), 10.626 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Morocco

Telephones - main lines in use:

1,219,200 (2003)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

7,332,800 (2003)

Telephone system:

general assessment: modern system with all important capabilities;

however, density is low with only 4.6 main lines available for each

100 persons

domestic: good system composed of open-wire lines, cables, and

microwave radio relay links; Internet available but expensive;

principal switching centers are Casablanca and Rabat; national

network nearly 100% digital using fiber-optic links; improved rural

service employs microwave radio relay

international: country code - 212; 7 submarine cables; satellite

earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) and 1 Arabsat;

microwave radio relay to Gibraltar, Spain, and Western Sahara;

coaxial cable and microwave radio relay to Algeria; participant in

Medarabtel; fiber-optic cable link from Agadir to Algeria and

Tunisia (1998)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 27, FM 25, shortwave 6 (1998)

Radios:

6.64 million (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

35 (plus 66 repeaters) (1995)

Televisions:

3.1 million (1997)

Internet country code:

.ma

Internet hosts:

3,627 (2004)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

8 (2000)

Internet users:

800,000 (2003)

Transportation Morocco

Railways: total: 1,907 km standard gauge: 1,907 km 1.435-m gauge (1,003 km electrified) (2004)

Highways:

total: 57,694 km

paved: 32,551 km (including 481 km of expressways)

unpaved: 25,143 km (2002)

Pipelines:

gas 695 km; oil 285 km (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Agadir, Casablanca, Mohammedia, Nador, Safi, Tangier

Merchant marine:

total: 41 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 236,131 GRT/252,367 DWT

by type: cargo 6, chemical tanker 6, container 8, passenger/cargo

13, petroleum tanker 1, refrigerated cargo 2, roll on/roll off 5

foreign-owned: 6 (France 1, Germany 2, Switzerland 2, United Kingdom

1) (2005)

Airports:

63 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 25 over 3,047 m: 11 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 8 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 38 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 10 914 to 1,523 m: 15 under 914 m: 11 (2004 est.)

Heliports: 1 (2004 est.)

Military Morocco

Military branches:

Royal Armed Forces: Army, Navy, Air Force (Force Aerienne Royale

Marocaine)

Military service age and obligation:

18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service;

conscript service obligation - 18 months (2004)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 18-49: 7,908,864 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: 6,484,787 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:

males: 353,377 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$2,305.6 million (2003)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

5% (2004)

Transnational Issues Morocco

Disputes - international:

claims and administers Western Sahara whose sovereignty remains

unresolved - UN-administered cease-fire has remained in effect since

September 1991, but attempts to hold a referendum have failed and

parties thus far have rejected all brokered proposals; Morocco

protests Spain's control over the coastal enclaves of Ceuta,

Melilla, and Penon de Velez de la Gomera, the islands of Penon de

Alhucemas and Islas Chafarinas, and surrounding waters; discussions

have not progressed on a comprehensive maritime delimitation setting

limits on exploration and refugee interdiction since Morocco's 2002

rejection of Spain's unilateral designation of a median line from

the Canary Islands; Morocco serves as one of the primary launching

areas of illegal migration into Spain from North Africa

Illicit drugs:

illicit producer of hashish; shipments of hashish mostly directed

to Western Europe; transit point for cocaine from South America

destined for Western Europe

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Mozambique

Introduction Mozambique

Background:

Almost five centuries as a Portuguese colony came to a close with

independence in 1975. Large-scale emigration by whites, economic

dependence on South Africa, a severe drought, and a prolonged civil

war hindered the country's development. The ruling Front for the

Liberation of Mozambique (FRELIMO) party formally abandoned Marxism

in 1989, and a new constitution the following year provided for

multiparty elections and a free market economy. A UN-negotiated

peace agreement between FRELIMO and rebel Mozambique National

Resistance (RENAMO) forces ended the fighting in 1992. In December

2004, Mozambique underwent a delicate transition as Joaquim CHISSANO

stepped down after 18 years in office. His newly elected successor,

Armando Emilio GUEBUZA, has promised to continue the sound economic

policies that have encouraged foreign investment.

Geography Mozambique

Location:

South-eastern Africa, bordering the Mozambique Channel, between

South Africa and Tanzania

Geographic coordinates:

18 15 S, 35 00 E

Map references:

Africa

Area:

total: 801,590 sq km

land: 784,090 sq km

water: 17,500 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly less than twice the size of California

Land boundaries:

total: 4,571 km

border countries: Malawi 1,569 km, South Africa 491 km, Swaziland

105 km, Tanzania 756 km, Zambia 419 km, Zimbabwe 1,231 km

Coastline:

2,470 km

Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Climate:

tropical to subtropical

Terrain:

mostly coastal lowlands, uplands in center, high plateaus in

northwest, mountains in west

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m

highest point: Monte Binga 2,436 m

Natural resources:

coal, titanium, natural gas, hydropower, tantalum, graphite

Land use: arable land: 5.1% permanent crops: 0.3% other: 94.6% (2001)

Irrigated land:

1,070 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

severe droughts; devastating cyclones and floods in central and

southern provinces

Environment - current issues: a long civil war and recurrent drought in the hinterlands have resulted in increased migration of the population to urban and coastal areas with adverse environmental consequences; desertification; pollution of surface and coastal waters; elephant poaching for ivory is a problem

Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

the Zambezi flows through the north-central and most fertile part

of the country

People Mozambique

Population:

19,406,703

note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the

effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower

life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower

population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of

population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected; the 1997

Mozambican census reported a population of 16,099,246 (July 2005

est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 43.1% (male 4,206,654/female 4,157,898)

15-64 years: 54.1% (male 5,088,250/female 5,416,573)

65 years and over: 2.8% (male 224,682/female 312,646) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 18.29 years

male: 17.74 years

female: 18.83 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

1.48% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

35.79 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

20.99 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.72 male(s)/female

total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 130.79 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 135.91 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 125.51 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 40.32 years

male: 39.9 years

female: 40.75 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

4.7 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

12.2% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

1.3 million (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

110,000 (2003 est.)

Major infectious diseases:

degree of risk: very high

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea,

hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases: malaria and plague are high risks in some

locations

water contact disease: schistosomiasis (2004)

Nationality:

noun: Mozambican(s)

adjective: Mozambican

Ethnic groups:

indigenous tribal groups 99.66% (Makhuwa, Tsonga, Lomwe, Sena, and

others), Europeans 0.06%, Euro-Africans 0.2%, Indians 0.08%

Religions:

Catholic 23.8%, Zionist Christian 17.5%, Muslim 17.8%, other 17.8%,

none 23.1% (1997 census)

Languages:

Emakhuwa 26.1%, Xichangana 11.3%, Portuguese 8.8% (official; spoken

by 27% of population as a second language), Elomwe 7.6%, Cisena

6.8%, Echuwabo 5.8%, other Mozambican languages 32%, other foreign

languages 0.3%, unspecified 1.3% (1997 census)

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 47.8%

male: 63.5%

female: 32.7% (2003 est.)

Government Mozambique

Country name:

conventional long form: Republic of Mozambique

conventional short form: Mozambique

local long form: Republica de Mocambique

local short form: Mocambique

former: Portuguese East Africa

Government type:

republic

Capital:

Maputo

Administrative divisions:

10 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia), 1 city (cidade)*;

Cabo Delgado, Gaza, Inhambane, Manica, Maputo, Cidade de Maputo*,

Nampula, Niassa, Sofala, Tete, Zambezia

Independence:

25 June 1975 (from Portugal)

National holiday:

Independence Day, 25 June (1975)

Constitution:

30 November 1990

Legal system:

based on Portuguese civil law system and customary law

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Armando GUEBUZA (since 2 February 2005)

head of government: Prime Minister Luisa DIOGO (since 17 February

2004)

cabinet: Cabinet

elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;

election last held 1-2 December 2004 (next to be held December

2009); prime minister appointed by the president

election results: Armando GUEBUZA elected president; percent of vote

- Armando GUEBUZA 63.7%, Afonso DHLAKAMA 31.7%

Legislative branch:

unicameral Assembly of the Republic or Assembleia da Republica (250

seats; members are directly elected by popular vote on a secret

ballot to serve five-year terms)

elections: last held 1-2 December 2004 (next to be held December

2009)

election results: percent of vote by party - Frelimo 62%, Renamo

29.7%; seats by party - Frelimo 160, Renamo 90

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court (the court of final appeal; some of its professional

judges are appointed by the president and some are elected by the

Assembly); other courts include an Administrative Court, customs

courts, maritime courts, courts marshal, labor courts

note: although the constitution provides for a separate

Constitutional Court, one has never been established; in its absence

the Supreme Court reviews constitutional cases

Political parties and leaders:

Front for the Liberation of Mozambique (Frente de Liberatacao de

Mocambique) or FRELIMO [Armando Emilio GUEBUZA, president];

Mozambique National Resistance-Electoral Union (Resistencia Nacional

Mocambicana-Uniao Eleitoral) or RENAMO-UE [Afonso DHLAKAMA,

president]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

Institute for Peace and Democracy (Instituto para Paz e Democracia)

or IPADE [Raul DOMINGOS, president]; Etica [Abdul CARIMO Issa,

chairman]; Movement for Peace and Citizenship (Movimento para Paz e

Cidadania); Mozambican League of Human Rights (Liga Mocambicana dos

Direitos Humanos) or LDH [Alice MABOTE, president]; Human Rights and

Development (Direitos Humanos e Desenvolvimento) or DHD [Artemisia

FRANCO, secretary general]

International organization participation:

ACP, AfDB, AU, C, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU,

ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC,

IOM (observer), ISO (correspondent), ITU, MIGA, MONUC, NAM, OIC,

ONUB, OPCW, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMISET, UPU,

WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Armando PANGUENE chancery: 1990 M Street NW, Suite 570, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 293-7146 FAX: [1] (202) 835-0245

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Helen LA LIME

embassy: Avenida Kenneth Kuanda 193, Maputo

mailing address: P. O. Box 783, Maputo

telephone: [258] (1) 492797

FAX: [258] (1) 490448

Flag description:

three equal horizontal bands of green (top), black, and yellow with

a red isosceles triangle based on the hoist side; the black band is

edged in white; centered in the triangle is a yellow five-pointed

star bearing a crossed rifle and hoe in black superimposed on an

open white book

Economy Mozambique

Economy - overview:

At independence in 1975, Mozambique was one of the world's poorest

countries. Socialist mismanagement and a brutal civil war from

1977-92 exacerbated the situation. In 1987, the government embarked

on a series of macroeconomic reforms designed to stabilize the

economy. These steps, combined with donor assistance and with

political stability since the multi-party elections in 1994, have

led to dramatic improvements in the country's growth rate. Inflation

was reduced to single digits during the late 1990s although it

returned to double digits in 2000-03. Fiscal reforms, including the

introduction of a value-added tax and reform of the customs service,

have improved the government's revenue collection abilities. In

spite of these gains, Mozambique remains dependent upon foreign

assistance for much of its annual budget, and the majority of the

population remains below the poverty line. Subsistence agriculture

continues to employ the vast majority of the country's workforce. A

substantial trade imbalance persists although the opening of the

MOZAL aluminum smelter, the country's largest foreign investment

project to date has increased export earnings. Additional investment

projects in titanium extraction and processing and garment

manufacturing should further close the import/export gap.

Mozambique's once substantial foreign debt has been reduced through

forgiveness and rescheduling under the IMF's Heavily Indebted Poor

Countries (HIPC) and Enhanced HIPC initiatives, and is now at a

manageable level.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$23.38 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

8.2% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $1,200 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 21.1% industry: 32.1% services: 46.9% (2004 est.)

Labor force:

9.2 million (2000 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 81%, industry 6%, services 13% (1997 est.)

Unemployment rate:

21% (1997 est.)

Population below poverty line:

70% (2001 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.5% highest 10%: 31.7% (1997)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

39.6 (1996-97)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

12.8% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

47% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $1.186 billion

expenditures: $1.398 billion, including capital expenditures of

$479.4 million (2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

cotton, cashew nuts, sugarcane, tea, cassava (tapioca), corn,

coconuts, sisal, citrus and tropical fruits, potatoes, sunflowers;

beef, poultry

Industries:

food, beverages, chemicals (fertilizer, soap, paints), aluminum,

petroleum products, textiles, cement, glass, asbestos, tobacco

Industrial production growth rate:

3.4% (2000)

Electricity - production:

8.859 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 2.9% hydro: 97.1% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

5.046 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

7.1 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

3.907 billion kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

8,500 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Oil - proved reserves:

0 bbl (1 January 2002)

Natural gas - production:

60 million cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - consumption:

60 million cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - exports:

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - imports:

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves:

63.71 billion cu m (1 January 2002)

Current account balance:

$-101.2 million (2004 est.)

Exports:

$689.4 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

aluminum, prawns, cashews, cotton, sugar, citrus, timber; bulk

electricity

Exports - partners:

Netherlands 60.9%, South Africa 12.9%, Malawi 3.3% (2004)

Imports:

$972.9 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

machinery and equipment, vehicles, fuel, chemicals, metal products,

foodstuffs, textiles

Imports - partners:

South Africa 41.4%, Netherlands 11%, Portugal 3.3% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$1.206 billion (2004 est.)

Debt - external:

$966 million (2002 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:

$632.8 million (2001)

Currency (code):

metical (MZM)

Currency code:

MZM

Exchange rates:

meticais per US dollar - 22,581 (2004), 23,782 (2003), 23,678

(2002), 20,704 (2001), 15,227 (2000)

note: effective October 2000, the exchange rate is determined as the

weighted average of buying and selling exchange rates of all

transactions of commercial banks and stock exchanges with the public

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Mozambique

Telephones - main lines in use:

83,700 (2002)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

428,900 (2003)

Telephone system:

general assessment: fair system but not available generally

(telephone density is only 16 telephones for each 1,000 persons)

domestic: the system consists of open-wire lines and trunk

connection by microwave radio relay and tropospheric scatter

international: country code - 258; satellite earth stations - 5

Intelsat (2 Atlantic Ocean and 3 Indian Ocean)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 13, FM 17, shortwave 11 (2001)

Radios:

730,000 (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

1 (2001)

Televisions:

67,600 (2000)

Internet country code:

.mz

Internet hosts:

3,249 (2003)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

11 (2002)

Internet users:

50,000 (2002)

Transportation Mozambique

Railways: total: 3,123 km narrow gauge: 2,983 km 1.067-m gauge; 140 km 0.762-m gauge (2004)

Highways: total: 30,400 km paved: 5,685 km unpaved: 24,715 km (1999 est.)

Waterways:

460 km (Zambezi River navigable to Tete and along Cahora Bassa

Lake) (2004)

Pipelines:

gas 649 km; refined products 292 km (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Beira, Maputo, Nacala

Merchant marine: total: 2 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 4,125 GRT/7,024 DWT by type: cargo 2 foreign-owned: 2 (Belgium 2) (2005)

Airports: 158 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 22 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 10 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 5 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 136 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 14 914 to 1,523 m: 34 under 914 m: 87 (2004 est.)

Military Mozambique

Military branches:

Mozambique Armed Defense Forces: Army, Navy, Air and Air Defense

Forces, Logistics Command

Manpower available for military service:

males age 18-49: 3,793,373 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: 1,751,223 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$117.3 million (2004)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

2.2% (2004)

Transnational Issues Mozambique

Disputes - international:

none

Illicit drugs:

Southern African transit point for South Asian hashish and heroin,

and South American cocaine probably destined for the European and

South African markets; producer of cannabis (for local consumption)

and methaqualone (for export to South Africa); corruption and poor

regulatory capability makes the banking system vulnerable to money

laundering, but the lack of a well-developed financial

infrastructure limits the country's utility as a money-laundering

center

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Namibia

Introduction Namibia

Background:

South Africa occupied the German colony of South-West Africa during

World War I and administered it as a mandate until after World War

II, when it annexed the territory. In 1966 the Marxist South-West

Africa People's Organization (SWAPO) guerrilla group launched a war

of independence for the area that was soon named Namibia, but it was

not until 1988 that South Africa agreed to end its administration in

accordance with a UN peace plan for the entire region. Namibia won

its independence in 1990 and has been governed by SWAPO since.

Hifikepunye POHAMBA was elected president in November 2004 in a

landslide victory replacing Sam NUJOMA who led the country during

its first 14 years of self rule.

Geography Namibia

Location:

Southern Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Angola

and South Africa

Geographic coordinates:

22 00 S, 17 00 E

Map references:

Africa

Area:

total: 825,418 sq km

land: 825,418 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly more than half the size of Alaska

Land boundaries:

total: 3,936 km

border countries: Angola 1,376 km, Botswana 1,360 km, South Africa

967 km, Zambia 233 km

Coastline:

1,572 km

Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Climate:

desert; hot, dry; rainfall sparse and erratic

Terrain:

mostly high plateau; Namib Desert along coast; Kalahari Desert in

east

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

highest point: Konigstein 2,606 m

Natural resources:

diamonds, copper, uranium, gold, lead, tin, lithium, cadmium, zinc,

salt, hydropower, fish

note: suspected deposits of oil, coal, and iron ore

Land use:

arable land: 0.99%

permanent crops: 0%

other: 99.01% (2001)

Irrigated land:

70 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

prolonged periods of drought

Environment - current issues:

very limited natural fresh water resources; desertification;

wildlife poaching; land degradation has led to few conservation areas

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Biodiversity, Climate

Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered

Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection,

Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

first country in the world to incorporate the protection of the

environment into its constitution; some 14% of the land is

protected, including virtually the entire Namib Desert coastal strip

People Namibia

Population:

2,030,692

note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the

effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower

life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower

population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of

population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July

2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 38.7% (male 396,247/female 389,543)

15-64 years: 57.7% (male 586,900/female 584,779)

65 years and over: 3.6% (male 33,524/female 39,699) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 19.79 years

male: 19.63 years

female: 19.94 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

0.73% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

25.16 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

18.36 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

0.52 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.84 male(s)/female

total population: 1 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 48.98 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 53 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 44.84 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 43.93 years

male: 44.71 years

female: 43.13 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

3.18 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

21.3% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

210,000 (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

16,000 (2003 est.)

Major infectious diseases:

degree of risk: high

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and

typhoid fever

vectorborne disease: malaria

water contact disease: schistosomiasis (2004)

Nationality:

noun: Namibian(s)

adjective: Namibian

Ethnic groups:

black 87.5%, white 6%, mixed 6.5%

note: about 50% of the population belong to the Ovambo tribe and 9%

to the Kavangos tribe; other ethnic groups are: Herero 7%, Damara

7%, Nama 5%, Caprivian 4%, Bushmen 3%, Baster 2%, Tswana 0.5%

Religions:

Christian 80% to 90% (Lutheran 50% at least), indigenous beliefs

10% to 20%

Languages:

English 7% (official), Afrikaans common language of most of the

population and about 60% of the white population, German 32%,

indigenous languages: Oshivambo, Herero, Nama

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 84%

male: 84.4%

female: 83.7% (2003 est.)

Government Namibia

Country name:

conventional long form: Republic of Namibia

conventional short form: Namibia

former: German Southwest Africa, South-West Africa

Government type:

republic

Capital:

Windhoek

Administrative divisions:

13 regions; Caprivi, Erongo, Hardap, Karas, Khomas, Kunene,

Ohangwena, Okavango, Omaheke, Omusati, Oshana, Oshikoto, Otjozondjupa

Independence:

21 March 1990 (from South African mandate)

National holiday:

Independence Day, 21 March (1990)

Constitution:

ratified 9 February 1990, effective 12 March 1990

Legal system:

based on Roman-Dutch law and 1990 constitution

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Hifikepunye POHAMBA (since 15 November

2004)

head of government: Prime Minister Nahas ANGULA (since 21 March 2005)

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president from among the members

of the National Assembly

elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;

election last held 15 November 2004 (next to be held November 2009)

election results: Hifikepunye POHAMBA elected president; percent of

vote - NA%

Legislative branch:

bicameral legislature consists of the National Council (26 seats;

two members are chosen from each regional council to serve six-year

terms) and the National Assembly (72 seats; members are elected by

popular vote to serve five-year terms)

elections: National Council - elections for regional councils, to

determine members of the National Council, held 15-16 November 2004

(next to be held November 2009); National Assembly - last held 15-16

November 2004 (next to be held November 2009)

election results: National Council - percent of vote by party - NA%;

seats by party - NA; National Assembly - percent of vote by party -

NA%; seats by party - SWAPO 55, COD 5, DTA 4, UDF 3, MAG 1, other 4

note: the National Council is primarily an advisory body

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court (judges appointed by the president on the

recommendation of the Judicial Service Commission)

Political parties and leaders:

Congress of Democrats or COD [Ben ULENGA]; Democratic Turnhalle

Alliance of Namibia or DTA [Katuutire KAURA, president]; Monitor

Action Group or MAG [Kosie PRETORIUS]; South West Africa People's

Organization or SWAPO [Sam Shafishuna NUJOMA]; United Democratic

Front or UDF [Justus GAROEB]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

NA

International organization participation:

ACP, AfDB, AU, C, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM,

IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO

(correspondent), ITU, MIGA, NAM, ONUB, OPCW, SACU, SADC, UN, UNCTAD,

UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMEE, UNMIL, UNOCI, UPU, WCL, WCO, WHO, WIPO,

WMO, WToO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Leonard Nangolo IIPUMBU chancery: 1605 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 986-0540 FAX: [1] (202) 986-0443

Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Joyce BARR embassy: Ausplan Building, 14 Lossen Street, Windhoek mailing address: Private Bag 12029 Ausspannplatz, Windhoek telephone: [264] (61) 221601 FAX: [264] (61) 229792

Flag description:

a large blue triangle with a yellow sunburst fills the upper left

section and an equal green triangle (solid) fills the lower right

section; the triangles are separated by a red stripe that is

contrasted by two narrow white-edge borders

Economy Namibia

Economy - overview:

The economy is heavily dependent on the extraction and processing

of minerals for export. Mining accounts for 20% of GDP. Rich

alluvial diamond deposits make Namibia a primary source for

gem-quality diamonds. Namibia is the fourth-largest exporter of

nonfuel minerals in Africa, the world's fifth-largest producer of

uranium, and the producer of large quantities of lead, zinc, tin,

silver, and tungsten. The mining sector employs only about 3% of the

population while about half of the population depends on subsistence

agriculture for its livelihood. Namibia normally imports about 50%

of its cereal requirements; in drought years food shortages are a

major problem in rural areas. A high per capita GDP, relative to the

region, hides the great inequality of income distribution; nearly

one-third of Namibians had annual incomes of less than $1,400 in

constant 1994 dollars, according to a 1993 study. The Namibian

economy is closely linked to South Africa with the Namibian dollar

pegged to the South African rand. Privatization of several

enterprises in coming years may stimulate long-run foreign

investment. Mining of zinc, copper, and silver and increased fish

production led growth in 2003-04.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$14.76 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

4.8% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $7,300 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 11.3% industry: 30.8% services: 57.9% (2004 est.)

Labor force:

840,000 (2004 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 47%, industry 20%, services 33% (1999 est.)

Unemployment rate:

35% (1998)

Population below poverty line:

50% (2002 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

70 (2003)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

4.2% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

19.6% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $1.788 billion

expenditures: $1.956 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Public debt:

38.5% of GDP (2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

millet, sorghum, peanuts; livestock; fish

Industries:

meatpacking, fish processing, dairy products; mining (diamond,

lead, zinc, tin, silver, tungsten, uranium, copper)

Industrial production growth rate:

NA

Electricity - production:

1.167 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source:

NA

Electricity - consumption:

1.92 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

65 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

900 million kWh; note - electricity supplied by South Africa (2002)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

13,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Oil - proved reserves:

0 bbl (1 January 2002)

Natural gas - proved reserves:

31.15 billion cu m (1 January 2002)

Current account balance:

$234.3 million (2004 est.)

Exports:

$1.356 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

diamonds, copper, gold, zinc, lead, uranium; cattle, processed

fish, karakul skins

Exports - partners:

EU 79%, US 4% (2001)

Imports:

$1.473 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

foodstuffs; petroleum products and fuel, machinery and equipment,

chemicals

Imports - partners:

US 50%, EU 31% (2001)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$360 million (2004 est.)

Debt - external:

$1.136 billion (2004 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:

ODA $160 million (2000 est.)

Currency (code):

Namibian dollar (NAD); South African rand (ZAR)

Currency code:

NAD; ZAR

Exchange rates:

Namibian dollars per US dollar - 6.4597 (2004), 7.5648 (2003),

10.5407 (2002), 8.6092 (2001), 6.9398 (2000)

Fiscal year:

1 April - 31 March

Communications Namibia

Telephones - main lines in use:

127,400 (2003)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

223,700 (2003)

Telephone system:

general assessment: good system; about 6 telephones for each 100

persons

domestic: good urban services; fair rural service; microwave radio

relay links major towns; connections to other populated places are

by open wire; 100% digital

international: country code - 264; fiber-optic cable to South

Africa, microwave radio relay link to Botswana, direct links to

other neighboring countries; connected to Africa ONE and South

African Far East (SAFE) submarine cables through South Africa;

satellite earth stations - 4 Intelsat (2002)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 2, FM 39, shortwave 4 (2001)

Radios:

232,000 (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

8 (plus about 20 low-power repeaters) (1997)

Televisions:

60,000 (1997)

Internet country code:

.na

Internet hosts:

3,164 (2003)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

2 (2000)

Internet users:

65,000 (2003)

Transportation Namibia

Railways: total: 2,382 km narrow gauge: 2,382 km 1.067-m gauge (2004)

Highways: total: 42,237 km paved: 5,406 km unpaved: 36,831 km (2002)

Ports and harbors:

Luderitz, Walvis Bay

Merchant marine:

total: 1 ship (1,000 GRT or over) 2,265 GRT/3,605 DWT

by type: cargo 1 (2005)

Airports:

136 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 21

over 3,047 m: 2

2,438 to 3,047 m: 2

1,524 to 2,437 m: 13

914 to 1,523 m: 4 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 115

2,438 to 3,047 m: 2

1,524 to 2,437 m: 22

914 to 1,523 m: 71

under 914 m: 20 (2004 est.)

Military Namibia

Military branches:

Namibian Defense Force: Army (includes Air Wing), Navy, Police

Military service age and obligation:

18 years of age for voluntary military service (2001)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 18-49: 441,293 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: 217,118 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$168.4 million (2004)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

3.1% (2004)

Transnational Issues Namibia

Disputes - international:

border commission has yet to resolve small residual disputes with

Botswana along the Caprivi Strip, including the Situngu marshlands

along the Linyanti River; Botswana residents protest Namibia's

planned construction of the Okavango hydroelectric dam on Popa

Falls; managed dispute with South Africa over the location of the

boundary in the Orange River; Namibia has supported and in 2004

Zimbabwe dropped objections to plans between Botswana and Zambia to

build a bridge over the Zambezi River, thereby de facto recognizing

a short, but not clearly delimited Botswana-Zambia, boundary in the

river

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Nauru

Introduction Nauru

Background:

Nauru's phosphate deposits began to be mined early in the 20th

century by a German-British consortium; the island was occupied by

Australian forces in World War I. Nauru achieved independence in

1968 and joined the UN in 1999. Nauru is the world's smallest

independent republic.

Geography Nauru

Location:

Oceania, island in the South Pacific Ocean, south of the Marshall

Islands

Geographic coordinates:

0 32 S, 166 55 E

Map references:

Oceania

Area:

total: 21 sq km

land: 21 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative:

about 0.1 times the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries:

0 km

Coastline:

30 km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 24 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Climate:

tropical with a monsoonal pattern; rainy season (November to

February)

Terrain:

sandy beach rises to fertile ring around raised coral reefs with

phosphate plateau in center

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

highest point: unnamed location along plateau rim 61 m

Natural resources:

phosphates, fish

Land use:

arable land: 0%

permanent crops: 0%

other: 100% (2001)

Irrigated land:

NA

Natural hazards:

periodic droughts

Environment - current issues:

limited natural fresh water resources, roof storage tanks collect

rainwater, but mostly dependent on a single, aging desalination

plant; intensive phosphate mining during the past 90 years - mainly

by a UK, Australia, and NZ consortium - has left the central 90% of

Nauru a wasteland and threatens limited remaining land resources

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto

Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine

Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

Nauru is one of the three great phosphate rock islands in the

Pacific Ocean - the others are Banaba (Ocean Island) in Kiribati and

Makatea in French Polynesia; only 53 km south of Equator

People Nauru

Population:

13,048 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 37.5% (male 2,511/female 2,379)

15-64 years: 60.6% (male 3,895/female 4,012)

65 years and over: 1.9% (male 132/female 119) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 20.24 years

male: 19.76 years

female: 20.78 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

1.83% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

25.14 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

6.82 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 1.11 male(s)/female

total population: 1 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 9.95 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 12.51 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 7.26 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 62.73 years

male: 59.16 years

female: 66.48 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

3.19 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

NA

Nationality:

noun: Nauruan(s)

adjective: Nauruan

Ethnic groups:

Nauruan 58%, other Pacific Islander 26%, Chinese 8%, European 8%

Religions:

Christian (two-thirds Protestant, one-third Roman Catholic)

Languages:

Nauruan (official, a distinct Pacific Island language), English

widely understood, spoken, and used for most government and

commercial purposes

Literacy: definition: NA total population: NA% male: NA% female: NA%

Government Nauru

Country name:

conventional long form: Republic of Nauru

conventional short form: Nauru

former: Pleasant Island

Government type:

republic

Capital:

no official capital; government offices in Yaren District

Administrative divisions:

14 districts; Aiwo, Anabar, Anetan, Anibare, Baiti, Boe, Buada,

Denigomodu, Ewa, Ijuw, Meneng, Nibok, Uaboe, Yaren

Independence:

31 January 1968 (from the Australia-, NZ-, and UK-administered UN

trusteeship)

National holiday:

Independence Day, 31 January (1968)

Constitution:

29 January 1968; amended 17 May 1968 (Constitution Day)

Legal system:

acts of the Nauru Parliament and British common law

Suffrage:

20 years of age; universal and compulsory

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Ludwig SCOTTY (since 26 October 2004);

note - the president is both the chief of state and head of

government

head of government: President Ludwig SCOTTY (since 26 October 2004);

note - the president is both the chief of state and head of

government

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president from among the members

of Parliament

elections: president elected by Parliament for a three-year term;

election last held 23 October 2004 (next to be held NA 2007)

election results: Ludwig SCOTTY was unopposed in the parliamentary

elections for president

Legislative branch:

unicameral Parliament (18 seats; members elected by popular vote to

serve three-year terms)

elections: last held 3 May 2003 (next to be held not later than May

2006)

election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats - Nauru First Party

3, independents 15

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court

Political parties and leaders:

loose multiparty system; Democratic Party [Kennan ADEANG]; Nauru

Party (informal) [leader NA]; Naoero Amo (Nauru First) Party [leader

NA]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

NA

International organization participation:

ACP, AsDB, C, FAO, ICAO, ICCt, Interpol, IOC, ITU, OPCW, PIF,

Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WHO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

Nauru does not have an embassy in the US, but does have a UN office

at 800 2nd Avenue, Suite 400 D, New York, New York 10017; telephone:

(212) 937-0074

consulate(s): Agana (Guam)

Diplomatic representation from the US:

the US does not have an embassy in Nauru; the US Ambassador to Fiji

is accredited to Nauru

Flag description:

blue with a narrow, horizontal, yellow stripe across the center and

a large white 12-pointed star below the stripe on the hoist side;

the star indicates the country's location in relation to the Equator

(the yellow stripe) and the 12 points symbolize the 12 original

tribes of Nauru

Economy Nauru

Economy - overview:

Revenues of this tiny island have traditionally come from exports

of phosphates, but reserves are now depleted. Few other resources

exist with most necessities being imported, mainly from Australia,

its former occupier and later major source of support. The

rehabilitation of mined land and the replacement of income from

phosphates are serious long-term problems. In anticipation of the

exhaustion of Nauru's phosphate deposits, substantial amounts of

phosphate income have been invested in trust funds to help cushion

the transition and provide for Nauru's economic future. As a result

of heavy spending from the trust funds, the government faces virtual

bankruptcy. To cut costs the government has called for a freeze on

wages, a reduction of over-staffed public service departments,

privatization of numerous government agencies, and closure of some

overseas consulates. In recent years Nauru has encouraged the

registration of offshore banks and corporations. In 2004 the

deterioration in housing, hospitals, and other capital plant

continued, and the cost to Australia of keeping the government and

economy afloat has substantially mounted. Few comprehensive

statistics on the Nauru economy exist, with estimates of Nauru's GDP

varying widely.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$60 million (2001 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

NA

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $5,000 (2001 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: NA industry: NA services: NA

Labor force - by occupation: employed in mining phosphates, public administration, education, and transportation

Unemployment rate:

90% (2004 est.)

Population below poverty line:

NA

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

-3.6% (1993)

Budget:

revenues: $23.4 million

expenditures: $64.8 million, including capital expenditures of NA

(FY95/96)

Agriculture - products:

coconuts

Industries:

phosphate mining, offshore banking, coconut products

Industrial production growth rate:

NA

Electricity - production:

30 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

27.9 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

1,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Exports:

$640,000 f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

phosphates

Exports - partners:

South Africa 43.4%, Germany 20.7%, India 11.8%, Japan 7.2%, Poland

4% (2004)

Imports:

$19.8 million c.i.f. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

food, fuel, manufactures, building materials, machinery

Imports - partners:

Australia 65.6%, Indonesia 5.4%, Germany 5.3%, UK 4.4% (2004)

Debt - external:

$33.3 million (2002)

Economic aid - recipient:

$2.25 million from Australia (FY96/97 est.)

Currency (code):

Australian dollar (AUD)

Currency code:

AUD

Exchange rates:

Australian dollars per US dollar - 1.3598 (2004), 1.5419 (2003),

1.8406 (2002), 1.9334 (2001), 1.7248 (2000)

Fiscal year:

1 July - 30 June

Communications Nauru

Telephones - main lines in use:

1,900 (2002)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

1,500 (2002)

Telephone system:

general assessment: adequate local and international radiotelephone

communication provided via Australian facilities

domestic: NA

international: country code - 674; satellite earth station - 1

Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 1, FM 0, shortwave 0 (1998)

Radios:

7,000 (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

1 (1997)

Televisions:

500 (1997)

Internet country code:

.nr

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

1 (2000)

Internet users:

300 (2002)

Transportation Nauru

Highways: total: 30 km paved: 24 km unpaved: 6 km (1999 est.)

Ports and harbors:

Nauru

Airports:

1 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Military Nauru

Military branches:

no regular military forces; Nauru Police Force

Manpower available for military service:

males age 18-49: 2,874 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: 1,963 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

NA

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

NA

Military - note:

Nauru maintains no defense forces; under an informal agreement,

defense is the responsibility of Australia

Transnational Issues Nauru

Disputes - international:

none

Illicit drugs:

offshore banking recently stopped, remains on Financial Action Task

Force Non-Cooperative Countries and Territories List for continued

failure to address deficiencies in money-laundering control regime

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Navassa Island

Introduction Navassa Island

Background:

This uninhabited island was claimed by the US in 1857 for its

guano. Mining took place between 1865 and 1898. The lighthouse,

built in 1917, was shut down in 1996 and administration of Navassa

Island transferred from the Coast Guard to the Department of the

Interior. A 1998 scientific expedition to the island described it as

a unique preserve of Caribbean biodiversity; the following year it

became a National Wildlife Refuge and annual scientific expeditions

have continued.

Geography Navassa Island

Location:

Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, 35 miles west of Tiburon

Peninsula of Haiti

Geographic coordinates:

18 25 N, 75 02 W

Map references:

Central America and the Caribbean

Area:

total: 5.4 sq km

land: 5.4 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative:

about nine times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC

Land boundaries:

0 km

Coastline:

8 km

Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Climate:

marine, tropical

Terrain:

raised coral and limestone plateau, flat to undulating; ringed by

vertical white cliffs (9 to 15 m high)

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m

highest point: unnamed location on southwest side 77 m

Natural resources:

guano

Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (2001)

Irrigated land:

0 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

NA

Environment - current issues:

NA

Geography - note:

strategic location 160 km south of the US Naval Base at Guantanamo

Bay, Cuba; mostly exposed rock but with enough grassland to support

goat herds; dense stands of fig-like trees, scattered cactus

People Navassa Island

Population:

uninhabited

note: transient Haitian fishermen and others camp on the island

(July 2005 est.)

Government Navassa Island

Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Navassa Island

Dependency status:

unincorporated territory of the US; administered by the Fish and

Wildlife Service, US Department of the Interior, from the Caribbean

Islands National Wildlife Refuge in Boqueron, Puerto Rico; in

September 1996, the Coast Guard ceased operations and maintenance of

Navassa Island Light, a 46-meter-tall lighthouse on the southern

side of the island; there has also been a private claim advanced

against the island

Legal system:

the laws of the US, where applicable, apply

Flag description:

the flag of the US is used

Economy Navassa Island

Economy - overview:

subsistence fishing and commercial trawling activities within

refuge waters

Transportation Navassa Island

Ports and harbors: none; offshore anchorage only

Military Navassa Island

Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the US

Transnational Issues Navassa Island

Disputes - international: claimed by Haiti, source of subsistence fishing

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Nepal

Introduction Nepal

Background:

In 1951, the Nepalese monarch ended the century-old system of rule

by hereditary premiers and instituted a cabinet system of

government. Reforms in 1990 established a multiparty democracy

within the framework of a constitutional monarchy. A Maoist

insurgency, launched in 1996, has gained traction and is threatening

to bring down the regime, especially after a negotiated cease-fire

between the Maoists and government forces broke down in August 2003.

In 2001, the crown prince massacred ten members of the royal family,

including the king and queen, and then took his own life. In October

2002, the new king dismissed the prime minister and his cabinet for

"incompetence" after they dissolved the parliament and were

subsequently unable to hold elections because of the ongoing

insurgency. While stopping short of reestablishing parliament, the

king in June 2004 reinstated the most recently elected prime

minister who formed a four-party coalition government, which the

king subsequently tasked with paving the way for elections to be

held in spring of 2005. Citing dissatisfaction with the government's

lack of progress in addressing the Maoist insurgency, the king in

February 2005 dissolved the government and assumed power.

Geography Nepal

Location:

Southern Asia, between China and India

Geographic coordinates:

28 00 N, 84 00 E

Map references:

Asia

Area:

total: 140,800 sq km

land: 136,800 sq km

water: 4,000 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly larger than Arkansas

Land boundaries: total: 2,926 km border countries: China 1,236 km, India 1,690 km

Coastline:

0 km (landlocked)

Maritime claims:

none (landlocked)

Climate:

varies from cool summers and severe winters in north to subtropical

summers and mild winters in south

Terrain:

Tarai or flat river plain of the Ganges in south, central hill

region, rugged Himalayas in north

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Kanchan Kalan 70 m

highest point: Mount Everest 8,850 m

Natural resources:

quartz, water, timber, hydropower, scenic beauty, small deposits of

lignite, copper, cobalt, iron ore

Land use: arable land: 21.68% permanent crops: 0.64% other: 77.68% (2001)

Irrigated land:

11,350 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

severe thunderstorms, flooding, landslides, drought, and famine

depending on the timing, intensity, and duration of the summer

monsoons

Environment - current issues:

deforestation (overuse of wood for fuel and lack of alternatives);

contaminated water (with human and animal wastes, agricultural

runoff, and industrial effluents); wildlife conservation; vehicular

emissions

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered

Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection,

Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation

Geography - note:

landlocked; strategic location between China and India; contains

eight of world's 10 highest peaks, including Mount Everest - the

world's tallest - on the border with China

People Nepal

Population:

27,676,547 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 39% (male 5,575,157/female 5,221,794)

15-64 years: 57.3% (male 8,137,410/female 7,720,691)

65 years and over: 3.7% (male 499,039/female 522,456) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 20.07 years

male: 19.91 years

female: 20.24 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

2.2% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

31.45 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

9.47 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.07 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.96 male(s)/female

total population: 1.06 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 66.98 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 65.25 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 68.79 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 59.8 years

male: 60.09 years

female: 59.5 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

4.19 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

0.5% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

61,000 (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

3,100 (2003 est.)

Nationality:

noun: Nepalese (singular and plural)

adjective: Nepalese

Ethnic groups:

Chhettri 15.5%, Brahman-Hill 12.5%, Magar 7%, Tharu 6.6%, Tamang

5.5%, Newar 5.4%, Muslim 4.2%, Kami 3.9%, Yadav 3.9%, other 32.7%,

unspecified 2.8% (2001 census)

Religions:

Hindu 80.6%, Buddhist 10.7%, Muslim 4.2%, Kirant 3.6%, other 0.9%

(2001 census)

note: only official Hindu state in the world

Languages:

Nepali 47.8%, Maithali 12.1%, Bhojpuri 7.4%, Tharu (Dagaura/Rana)

5.8%, Tamang 5.1%, Newar 3.6%, Magar 3.3%, Awadhi 2.4%, other 10%,

unspecified 2.5% (2001 census)

note: many in government and business also speak English

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 45.2%

male: 62.7%

female: 27.6% (2003 est.)

Government Nepal

Country name:

conventional long form: Kingdom of Nepal

conventional short form: Nepal

Government type:

parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy

Capital:

Kathmandu

Administrative divisions:

14 zones (anchal, singular and plural); Bagmati, Bheri,

Dhawalagiri, Gandaki, Janakpur, Karnali, Kosi, Lumbini, Mahakali,

Mechi, Narayani, Rapti, Sagarmatha, Seti

Independence:

1768 (unified by Prithvi Narayan Shah)

National holiday:

Birthday of King GYANENDRA, 7 July (1946)

Constitution:

9 November 1990

Legal system:

based on Hindu legal concepts and English common law; has not

accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: King GYANENDRA Bir Bikram Shah (succeeded to the

throne 4 June 2001 following the death of his nephew, King DIPENDRA

Bir Bikram Shah)

head of government: Prime Minister Sher Bahadur DEUBA; note - the

Prime Minister resigned in Februrary 2005

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the monarch on the recommendation of

the prime minister; note - the King dissolved the Cabinet in

February 2005

elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; following legislative

elections, the leader of the majority party or leader of a majority

coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the monarch

note: King BIRENDRA Bir Bikram Shah Dev died in a bloody shooting at

the royal palace on 1 June 2001 that also claimed the lives of most

of the royal family; King BIRENDRA's son, Crown Price DIPENDRA, is

believed to have been responsible for the shootings before fatally

wounding himself; immediately following the shootings and while

still clinging to life, DIPENDRA was crowned king; he died three

days later and was succeeded by his uncle

Legislative branch:

: bicameral Parliament consists of the National Council (60 seats; 35 appointed by the House of Representatives, 10 by the king, and 15 elected by an electoral college; one-third of the members elected every two years to serve six-year terms) and the House of Representatives (205 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: House of Representatives - last held 3 and 17 May 1999 (next election NA); note - Nepal's Parliament was dissolved on 22 May 2002 election results: House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NC 37.3%, CPN/UML 31.6%, NDP 10.4%, NSP 3.2%, Rastriya Jana Morcha 1.4%, Samyukta Janmorcha Nepal 0.8%, NWPP 0.5%, others 14.8%; seats by party - NC 113, CPN/UML 69, NDP 11, NSP 5, Rastriya Jana Morcha 5, Samyukta Janmorcha Nepal 1, NWPP 1

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court or Sarbochha Adalat (chief justice is appointed by

the monarch on recommendation of the Constitutional Council; the

other judges are appointed by the monarch on the recommendation of

the Judicial Council)

Political parties and leaders:

Communist Party of Nepal/United Marxist-Leninist or CPN/UML [Madhav

Kumar NEPAL, general secretary]; National Democratic Party or NDP

(also called Rastriya Prajantra Party or RPP) [Surya Bahadur THAPA,

chairman]; People's Front Nepal (Rastriya Jana Morcha) [Chitra

BAHADUR, chairman]; Nepali Congress-Democratic [Sher Bahadur DEUBA,

president]; Nepali Congress or NC [Girija Prasad KOIRALA, party

president; Sushil KOIRALA, general secretary]; Nepal Sadbhavana

(Goodwill) Party or NSP [Bhadri Prasad MANDAL, acting party

president]; Nepal Workers and Peasants Party or NWPP [Narayan Man

BIJUKCHHE, party chairman]; Samyukta Janmorcha Nepal [leader NA]

Political pressure groups and leaders: Maoist guerrilla-based insurgency [Pushpa Kamal DAHAL, also known as PRAHANDA, chairman; Dr. Baburam BHATTARAI, from Communist Party of Nepal/Maoist, chief negotiator]; numerous small, left-leaning student groups in the capital; several small, radical Nepalese antimonarchist groups

International organization participation:

AsDB, CP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC,

IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO

(correspondent), ITU, MICAH, MIGA, MONUC, NAM, ONUB, OPCW, SAARC,

SACEP, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNDOF, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMEE, UNMIK,

UNMIL, UNMISET, UNOCI, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO,

WToO, WTO (observer)

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Kedar Bhakta SHRESTHA

chancery: 2131 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 667-4550

FAX: [1] (202) 667-5534

consulate(s) general: New York

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador James F. MORIARTY

embassy: Panipokhari, Kathmandu

mailing address: use embassy street address

telephone: [977] (1) 411179

FAX: [977] (1) 419963

Flag description:

red with a blue border around the unique shape of two overlapping

right triangles; the smaller, upper triangle bears a white stylized

moon and the larger, lower triangle bears a white 12-pointed sun

Economy Nepal

Economy - overview:

Nepal is among the poorest and least developed countries in the

world with 40% of its population living below the poverty line.

Agriculture is the mainstay of the economy, providing a livelihood

for over 80% of the population and accounting for 40% of GDP.

Industrial activity mainly involves the processing of agricultural

produce including jute, sugarcane, tobacco, and grain. Security

concerns in the wake of the Maoist conflict have led to a decrease

in tourism, a key source of foreign exchange. Nepal has considerable

scope for exploiting its potential in hydropower and tourism, areas

of recent foreign investment interest. Prospects for foreign trade

or investment in other sectors will remain poor, however, because of

the small size of the economy, its technological backwardness, its

remoteness, its landlocked geographic location, its civil strife,

and its susceptibility to natural disaster.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$39.53 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

3% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $1,500 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 40% industry: 20% services: 40% (2002 est.)

Labor force: 10 million note: severe lack of skilled labor (1996 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 81%, industry 3%, services 16%

Unemployment rate:

47% (2001 est.)

Population below poverty line:

42% (1995-96)

Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.2% highest 10%: 29.8% (1995-96)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

36.7 (FY95/96)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

2.9% (2002 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $665 million

expenditures: $1.1 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(FY99/00 est.)

Agriculture - products:

rice, corn, wheat, sugarcane, root crops; milk, water buffalo meat

Industries:

tourism, carpet, textile; small rice, jute, sugar, and oilseed

mills; cigarette; cement and brick production

Industrial production growth rate:

8.7% (FY99/00)

Electricity - production:

2.054 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 8.5% hydro: 91.5% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

2.005 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

142 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

237 million kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

16,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Exports:

$568 million f.o.b., but does not include unrecorded border trade

with India (2002 est.)

Exports - commodities:

carpets, clothing, leather goods, jute goods, grain

Exports - partners:

India 47.4%, US 22.7%, Germany 8.4% (2004)

Imports:

$1.419 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.)

Imports - commodities:

gold, machinery and equipment, petroleum products, fertilizer

Imports - partners:

India 46.3%, China 10.8%, UAE 9.3%, Saudi Arabia 4.1% (2004)

Debt - external:

$2.7 billion (2001)

Economic aid - recipient:

$424 million (FY00/01)

Currency (code):

Nepalese rupee (NPR)

Currency code:

NPR

Exchange rates:

Nepalese rupees per US dollar - 73.674 (2004), 76.141 (2003),

77.877 (2002), 74.949 (2001), 71.094 (2000)

Fiscal year:

16 July - 15 July

Communications Nepal

Telephones - main lines in use:

371,800 (2003)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

50,400 (2003)

Telephone system:

general assessment: poor telephone and telegraph service; fair

radiotelephone communication service and mobile cellular telephone

network

domestic: NA

international: country code - 977; radiotelephone communications;

microwave landline to India; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat

(Indian Ocean)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 6, FM 5, shortwave 1 (January 2000)

Radios:

840,000 (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

1 (plus 9 repeaters) (1998)

Televisions:

130,000 (1997)

Internet country code:

.np

Internet hosts:

917 (2003)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

6 (2000)

Internet users:

80,000 (2002)

Transportation Nepal

Railways: total: 59 km narrow gauge: 59 km 0.762-m gauge (2004)

Highways: total: 13,223 km paved: 4,073 km unpaved: 9,150 km (1999 est.)

Airports: 46 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 9

over 3,047 m: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 7 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 37

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 7

under 914 m: 29 (2004 est.)

Military Nepal

Military branches:

Royal Nepalese Army (includes Royal Nepalese Army Air Service),

Nepalese Police Force

Military service age and obligation:

18 years of age for voluntary military service (2001)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 18-49: 6,107,091 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: 4.193 million (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:

males: 308,031 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$99.2 million (2004)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

1.5% (2004)

Transnational Issues Nepal

Disputes - international:

joint border commission continues to work on small disputed

sections of boundary with India; India has instituted a stricter

border regime to restrict transit of Maoist insurgents and illegal

cross-border activities

Refugees and internally displaced persons:

refugees (country of origin): 104,235 (Bhutan)

IDPs: 100,000-200,000 (ongoing conflict between government forces

and Maoist rebels; displacement spread across the country) (2004)

Illicit drugs:

illicit producer of cannabis and hashish for the domestic and

international drug markets; transit point for opiates from Southeast

Asia to the West

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Netherlands

Introduction Netherlands

Background:

The Kingdom of the Netherlands was formed in 1815. In 1830 Belgium

seceded and formed a separate kingdom. The Netherlands remained

neutral in World War I, but suffered invasion and occupation by

Germany in World War II. A modern, industrialized nation, the

Netherlands is also a large exporter of agricultural products. The

country was a founding member of NATO and the EEC (now the EU), and

participated in the introduction of the euro in 1999.

Geography Netherlands

Location:

Western Europe, bordering the North Sea, between Belgium and Germany

Geographic coordinates:

52 30 N, 5 45 E

Map references:

Europe

Area:

total: 41,526 sq km

land: 33,883 sq km

water: 7,643 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly less than twice the size of New Jersey

Land boundaries: total: 1,027 km border countries: Belgium 450 km, Germany 577 km

Coastline: 451 km

Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm

Climate:

temperate; marine; cool summers and mild winters

Terrain:

mostly coastal lowland and reclaimed land (polders); some hills in

southeast

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Zuidplaspolder -7 m

highest point: Vaalserberg 322 m

Natural resources:

natural gas, petroleum, peat, limestone, salt, sand and gravel,

arable land

Land use: arable land: 26.71% permanent crops: 0.97% other: 72.32% (2001)

Irrigated land:

5,650 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

flooding

Environment - current issues:

water pollution in the form of heavy metals, organic compounds, and

nutrients such as nitrates and phosphates; air pollution from

vehicles and refining activities; acid rain

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air

Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85,

Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds,

Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources,

Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto

Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental

Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Kyoto Protocol, Law of the Sea,

Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection,

Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands,

Whaling

Geography - note:

located at mouths of three major European rivers (Rhine, Maas or

Meuse, and Schelde)

People Netherlands

Population:

16,407,491 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 18.1% (male 1,523,316/female 1,453,232)

15-64 years: 67.8% (male 5,627,007/female 5,491,802)

65 years and over: 14.1% (male 974,037/female 1,338,097) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 39.04 years

male: 38.22 years

female: 39.9 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

0.53% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

11.14 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

8.68 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

2.8 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.73 male(s)/female

total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 5.04 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 5.62 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 4.44 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 78.81 years

male: 76.25 years

female: 81.51 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

1.66 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

0.2% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

19,000 (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

less than 100 (2003 est.)

Nationality:

noun: Dutchman(men), Dutchwoman(women)

adjective: Dutch

Ethnic groups:

Dutch 83%, other 17% (of which 9% are non-Western origin mainly

Turks, Moroccans, Antilleans, Surinamese, and Indonesians) (1999

est.)

Religions:

Roman Catholic 31%, Dutch Reformed 13%, Calvinist 7%, Muslim 5.5%,

other 2.5%, none 41% (2002)

Languages:

Dutch (official), Frisian (official)

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 99% (2000 est.)

male: NA%

female: NA%

Government Netherlands

Country name:

conventional long form: Kingdom of the Netherlands

conventional short form: Netherlands

local long form: Koninkrijk der Nederlanden

local short form: Nederland

Government type:

constitutional monarchy

Capital:

Amsterdam; The Hague is the seat of government

Administrative divisions:

12 provinces (provincies, singular - provincie); Drenthe,

Flevoland, Friesland (Fryslan), Gelderland, Groningen, Limburg,

Noord-Brabant, Noord-Holland, Overijssel, Utrecht, Zeeland,

Zuid-Holland

Dependent areas:

Aruba, Netherlands Antilles

Independence:

23 January 1579 (the northern provinces of the Low Countries

conclude the Union of Utrecht breaking with Spain; it was not until

1648 that Spain recognized their independence)

National holiday:

Queen's Day (Birthday of Queen-Mother JULIANA in 1909 and accession

to the throne of her oldest daughter BEATRIX in 1980), 30 April

Constitution:

adopted 1815; amended many times, last time 2002

Legal system:

civil law system incorporating French penal theory; constitution

does not permit judicial review of acts of the States General;

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: Queen BEATRIX (since 30 April 1980); Heir Apparent

WILLEM-ALEXANDER (born 27 April 1967), son of the monarch

head of government: Prime Minister Jan Peter BALKENENDE (since 22

July 2002) and Deputy Prime Ministers Gerrit ZALM (since 27 May

2003) and Laurens Jan BRINKHORST (since 31 March 2005)

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the monarch

elections: none; the monarchy is hereditary; following Second

Chamber elections, the leader of the majority party or leader of a

majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the

monarch; vice prime ministers appointed by the monarch

note: there is also a Council of State composed of the monarch, heir

apparent, and councilors that provides consultations to the cabinet

on legislative and administrative policy

Legislative branch:

bicameral States General or Staten Generaal consists of the First

Chamber or Eerste Kamer (75 seats; members indirectly elected by the

country's 12 provincial councils for four-year terms) and the Second

Chamber or Tweede Kamer (150 seats; members directly elected by

popular vote to serve four-year terms)

elections: First Chamber - last held 25 May 2003 (next to be held

May 2007); Second Chamber - last held 22 January 2003 (next to be

held May 2007)

election results: First Chamber - percent of vote by party - NA%;

seats by party - CDA 23, PvdA 19, VVD 15, Green Party 5, Socialist

Party 4, D66 3, other 6; Second Chamber - percent of vote by party -

CDA 28.6%, PvdA 27.3%, VVD 12.9%, Socialist Party 6.3%, List Pim

Fortuyn 5.7%, Green Party 5.1%, D66 4.1%; seats by party - CDA 44,

PvdA 42, VVD 28, Socialist Party 9, List Pim Fortuyn 8, Green Party

8, D66 6, other 5

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court or Hoge Raad (justices are nominated for life by the

monarch)

Political parties and leaders:

Christian Democratic Appeal or CDA [Maxime Jacques Marcel

VERHAGEN]; Christian Union Party [Andre ROUVOET]; Democrats 66 or

D66 [Boris DITTRICH]; Green Party [Femke HALSEMA]; Labor Party or

PvdA [Wouter BOS]; List Pim Fortuyn [Gerard van AS]; People's Party

for Freedom and Democracy (Liberal) or VVD [Jozias VAN AARTSEN];

Socialist Party [Jan MARIJNISSEN]; plus a few minor parties

Political pressure groups and leaders:

Netherlands Trade Union Federation (FNV) (consisting of a merger of

Socialist and Catholic trade unions); Christian Trade Union

Federation (CNV); Trade Union Federation of Middle and High

Personnel (MHP); Federation of Catholic and Protestant Employers

Associations; Interchurch Peace Council or IKV; large multinational

firms; the nondenominational Federation of Netherlands Enterprises

International organization participation:

AfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, Benelux, BIS, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD,

EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt,

ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO,

Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MIGA, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS

(observer), OECD, ONUB, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, UN, UNCTAD,

UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNTSO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WEU, WHO, WIPO,

WMO, WToO, WTO, ZC

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Boudewijn J. VAN EENENNAAM

chancery: 4200 Linnean Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 244-5300

FAX: [1] (202) 362-3430

consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York

consulate(s): Boston

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Clifford M. SOBEL

embassy: Lange Voorhout 102, 2514 EJ, The Hague

mailing address: PSC 71, Box 1000, APO AE 09715

telephone: [31] (70) 310-9209

FAX: [31] (70) 361-4688

consulate(s) general: Amsterdam

Flag description:

three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and blue; similar

to the flag of Luxembourg, which uses a lighter blue and is longer;

one of the oldest flags in constant use, originating with WILLIAM I,

Prince of Orange, in the latter half of the 16th century

Economy Netherlands

Economy - overview:

The Netherlands has a prosperous and open economy, which depends

heavily on foreign trade. The economy is noted for stable industrial

relations, moderate unemployment and inflation, a sizable current

account surplus, and an important role as a European transportation

hub. Industrial activity is predominantly in food processing,

chemicals, petroleum refining, and electrical machinery. A highly

mechanized agricultural sector employs no more than 4% of the labor

force but provides large surpluses for the food-processing industry

and for exports. The Netherlands, along with 11 of its EU partners,

began circulating the euro currency on 1 January 2002. The country

continues to be one of the leading European nations for attracting

foreign direct investment. Economic growth slowed considerably in

2001-04, as part of the global economic slowdown, but for the four

years before that, annual growth averaged nearly 4%, well above the

EU average.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$481.1 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

1.2% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $29,500 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 2.4% industry: 24.5% services: 73.1% (2004 est.)

Labor force:

7.53 million (2004 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 4%, industry 23%, services 73% (1998 est.)

Unemployment rate:

6% (2004 est.)

Population below poverty line:

NA

Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.8% highest 10%: 25.1% (1994)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

32.6 (1994)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

1.4% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

19.9% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $256.9 billion

expenditures: $274.4 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Public debt:

55.8% of GDP (2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

grains, potatoes, sugar beets, fruits, vegetables; livestock

Industries:

agroindustries, metal and engineering products, electrical

machinery and equipment, chemicals, petroleum, construction,

microelectronics, fishing

Industrial production growth rate:

0.8% (2004 est.)

Electricity - production:

90.61 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 89.9% hydro: 0.1% nuclear: 4.3% other: 5.7% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

100.7 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

4.5 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

20.9 billion kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

46,200 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

895,300 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

1.418 million bbl/day (2001)

Oil - imports:

2.284 million bbl/day (2001)

Oil - proved reserves:

88.06 million bbl (1 January 2002)

Natural gas - production:

77.75 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - consumption:

49.72 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - exports:

49.28 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - imports:

20.78 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves:

1.693 trillion cu m (1 January 2002)

Current account balance:

$19.9 billion (2004 est.)

Exports:

$293.1 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

machinery and equipment, chemicals, fuels; foodstuffs

Exports - partners:

Germany 25%, Belgium 12.4%, UK 10.1%, France 9.9%, Italy 6%, US

4.3% (2004)

Imports:

$252.7 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

machinery and transport equipment, chemicals, fuels; foodstuffs,

clothing

Imports - partners:

Germany 17.9%, Belgium 9.9%, US 7.9%, China 7.4%, UK 6.4%, France

4.8% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$21.44 billion (2003)

Economic aid - donor:

ODA, $4 billion (2003 est.)

Currency (code):

euro (EUR)

note: on 1 January 1999, the European Monetary Union introduced the

euro as a common currency to be used by financial institutions of

member countries; on 1 January 2002, the euro became the sole

currency for everyday transactions within the member countries

Currency code:

EUR

Exchange rates:

euros per US dollar - 0.8054 (2004), 0.886 (2003), 1.0626 (2002),

1.1175 (2001), 1.0854 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Netherlands

Telephones - main lines in use:

10.004 million (2002)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

12.5 million (2003)

Telephone system:

general assessment: highly developed and well maintained

domestic: extensive fixed-line fiber-optic network; cellular

telephone system is one of the largest in Europe with five major

network operators utilizing the third generation of the Global

System for Mobile Communications (GSM)

international: country code - 31; 9 submarine cables; satellite

earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 2 Atlantic Ocean), 1

Eutelsat, and 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic and Indian Ocean regions) (2004)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 4, FM 246, shortwave 3 (2004)

Radios:

15.3 million (1996)

Television broadcast stations:

21 (plus 26 repeaters) (1995)

Televisions:

8.1 million (1997)

Internet country code:

.nl

Internet hosts:

4,518,226 (2004)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

52 (2000)

Internet users:

8.5 million (2003)

Transportation Netherlands

Railways: total: 2,808 km standard gauge: 2,808 km 1.435-m gauge (2,061 km electrified) (2004)

Highways:

total: 116,500 km

paved: 104,850 km (including 2,235 km of expressways)

unpaved: 11,650 km (1999)

Waterways:

5,046 km (navigable for ships of 50 tons) (2004)

Pipelines:

condensate 325 km; gas 6,998 km; oil 590 km; refined products 716

km (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Amsterdam, Groningen, Ijmuiden, Rotterdam, Terneuzen, Vlissingen,

Zaanstad

Merchant marine:

total: 558 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 4,796,460 GRT/5,212,557 DWT

by type: bulk carrier 14, cargo 361, chemical tanker 32, container

48, liquefied gas 13, passenger 11, passenger/cargo 14, petroleum

tanker 14, refrigerated cargo 32, roll on/roll off 15, specialized

tanker 4

foreign-owned: 139 (Bahamas 5, Belgium 2, Canada 1, Denmark 4,

Finland 7, Germany 62, Ireland 13, Norway 9, Sweden 19, United

Kingdom 6, United States 11)

registered in other countries: 223 (2005)

Airports:

27 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 20 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 8 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 2 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 7

914 to 1,523 m: 2

under 914 m: 5 (2004 est.)

Heliports:

1 (2004 est.)

Military Netherlands

Military branches:

Royal Netherlands Army, Royal Netherlands Navy (includes Naval Air

Service and Marine Corps), Royal Netherlands Air Force (Koninklijke

Luchtmacht, KLu), Royal Constabulary, Defense Interservice Command

(DICO) (2004)

Military service age and obligation:

20 years of age for an all-volunteer force (2004)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 20-49: 3,557,918 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 20-49: 2,856,691 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:

males: 99,934 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$9.408 billion (2004)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

1.6% (2004)

Transnational Issues Netherlands

Disputes - international:

none

Illicit drugs:

major European producer of ecstasy, illicit amphetamines, and other

synthetic drugs; important gateway for cocaine, heroin, and hashish

entering Europe; major source of US-bound ecstasy; large financial

sector vulnerable to money laundering

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Netherlands Antilles

Introduction Netherlands Antilles

Background:

Once the center of the Caribbean slave trade, the island of Curacao

was hard hit by the abolition of slavery in 1863. Its prosperity

(and that of neighboring Aruba) was restored in the early 20th

century with the construction of oil refineries to service the newly

discovered Venezuelan oil fields. The island of Saint Martin is

shared with France; its southern portion is named Sint Maarten and

is part of the Netherlands Antilles; its northern portion is called

Saint-Martin and is part of Guadeloupe (France).

Geography Netherlands Antilles

Location:

Caribbean, two island groups in the Caribbean Sea - composed of

five islands, Curacao and Bonaire located off the coast of

Venezuela, and St. Maarten, Saba, and St. Eustatius lie east of the

US Virgin Islands

Geographic coordinates:

12 15 N, 68 45 W

Map references:

Central America and the Caribbean

Area:

total: 960 sq km

land: 960 sq km

water: 0 sq km

note: includes Bonaire, Curacao, Saba, Sint Eustatius, and Sint

Maarten (Dutch part of the island of Saint Martin)

Area - comparative:

more than five times the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries: total: 10.2 km border countries: Guadeloupe (Saint-Martin) 10.2 km

Coastline: 364 km

Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive fishing zone: 12 nm

Climate:

tropical; ameliorated by northeast trade winds

Terrain:

generally hilly, volcanic interiors

Elevation extremes: lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Mount Scenery 862 m

Natural resources: phosphates (Curacao only), salt (Bonaire only)

Land use: arable land: 10% permanent crops: 0% other: 90% (2001)

Irrigated land:

NA sq km

Natural hazards:

Curacao and Bonaire are south of Caribbean hurricane belt and are

rarely threatened; Sint Maarten, Saba, and Sint Eustatius are

subject to hurricanes from July to October

Environment - current issues:

NA

Geography - note:

the five islands of the Netherlands Antilles are divided

geographically into the Leeward Islands (northern) group (Saba, Sint

Eustatius, and Sint Maarten) and the Windward Islands (southern)

group (Bonaire and Curacao)

People Netherlands Antilles

Population:

219,958 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 24.2% (male 27,302/female 26,002)

15-64 years: 67.3% (male 70,838/female 77,148)

65 years and over: 8.5% (male 7,673/female 10,995) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 32.46 years

male: 30.86 years

female: 34.01 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

0.82% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

15 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

6.41 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

-0.4 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female

total population: 0.93 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 10.03 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 10.82 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 9.19 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 75.83 years

male: 73.58 years

female: 78.2 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

2 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

NA

Nationality: noun: Dutch Antillean(s) adjective: Dutch Antillean

Ethnic groups:

mixed black 85%, Carib Amerindian, white, East Asian

Religions:

Roman Catholic 72%, Pentecostal 4.9%, Protestant 3.5%, Seventh-Day

Adventist 3.1%, Methodist 2.9%, Jehovah's Witnesses 1.7%, other

Christian 4.2%, Jewish 1.3%, other or unspecified 1.2%, none 5.2%

(2001 census)

Languages:

Papiamento 65.4% (a Spanish-Portuguese-Dutch-English dialect),

English 15.9% (widely spoken), Dutch 7.3% (official), Spanish 6.1%,

Creole 1.6%, other 1.9%, unspecified 1.8% (2001 census)

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 96.7%

male: 96.7%

female: 96.8% (2003 est.)

Government Netherlands Antilles

Country name:

conventional long form: none

conventional short form: Netherlands Antilles

local long form: none

local short form: Nederlandse Antillen

former: Curacao and Dependencies

Dependency status:

an autonomous country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands; full

autonomy in internal affairs granted in 1954; Dutch Government

responsible for defense and foreign affairs

Government type:

parliamentary

Capital:

Willemstad; note - located on Curacao, the largest of the islands

Administrative divisions: none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands) note: each island has its own government

Independence:

none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands)

National holiday:

Queen's Day (Birthday of Queen-Mother JULIANA in 1909 and accession

to the throne of her oldest daughter BEATRIX in 1980), 30 April

Constitution:

29 December 1954, Statute of the Realm of the Netherlands, as

amended

Legal system:

based on Dutch civil law system with some English common law

influence

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: Queen BEATRIX of the Netherlands (since 30 April

1980), represented by Governor General Frits GOEDGEDRAG (since 1

July 2002)

head of government: Prime Minister Etienne YS (since 3 June 2004)

cabinet: Council of Ministers elected by the Staten (legislature)

elections: the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by

the monarch for a six-year term; following legislative elections,

the leader of the majority party is usually elected prime minister

by the Staten; election last held 18 January 2002 (next to be held

by NA 2006)

note: government coalition - PAR, PNP, PLKP, DP St. Maarten, UP

Bonaire, WIPM Saba, DP Statia

Legislative branch:

unicameral States or Staten (22 seats - Curacao 14, Bonaire 3, St.

Maarten 3, St. Eustatius 1, Saba 1; members are elected by popular

vote to serve four-year terms)

elections: last held 18 January 2002 (next to be held in 2006)

election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -

PAR 4, PNP 3, PLKP 2, DP St. M 2, UP Bonaire 2, WIPM 1, DP

note: the government of Prime Minister Etienne YS is a coalition of

several parties; current government formed after collapse of FOL led

government on 4 April 2004

Judicial branch:

Joint High Court of Justice (judges appointed by the monarch)

Political parties and leaders:

Antillean Restructuring Party or PAR [Etienne YS]; C 93 [Stanley

BROWN]; Democratic Party of Bonaire or PDB [Jopi ABRAHAM];

Democratic Party of Curacao or DP [Errol HERNANDEZ]; Democratic

Party of Sint Eustatius or DP-St. E [Julian WOODLEY]; Democratic

Party of Sint Maarten or DP-St. M [Sarah WESCOTT-WILLIAMS];

Foundation Energetic Management Anti-Narcotics or FAME [Eric

LODEWIJKS]; Labor Party People's Crusade or PLKP [Errol COVA];

National Alliance [William MARLIN]; National People's Party or PNP

[Susanne F. C. CAMELIA-ROMER]; New Antilles Movement or MAN [Kenneth

GIJSBERTHA]; Patriotic Union of Bonaire or UP Bonaire [Ramonsito

BOOI]; Patriotic Movement of Sint Maarten or SPA [Vance JAMES, Jr.];

People's Party or PAPU [Richard HODI]; Pro Curacao Party or PPK

[Winston LOURENS]; Saba Democratic Labor Movement [Steve HASSELL];

Saba Unity Party [Carmen SIMMONDS]; St. Eustatius Alliance or SEA

[Kenneth VAN PUTTEN]; Serious Alternative People's Party or Sapp

[Julian ROLLOCKS]; Social Action Cause or KAS [Benny DEMEI];

Windward Islands People's Movement or WIPM [Will JOHNSTON]; Workers'

Liberation Front or FOL [Anthony GODETT, Rignald LAK, Editha WRIGHT]

note: political parties are indigenous to each island

Political pressure groups and leaders:

NA

International organization participation:

ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, UNESCO (associate), UPU, WCL, WCO, WMO,

WToO (associate)

Diplomatic representation in the US:

none (represented by the Kingdom of the Netherlands)

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Consul General Robert E. SORENSON

consulate(s) general: J. B. Gorsiraweg #1, Willemstad AN, Curacao

mailing address: P. O. Box 158, Willemstad, Curacao

telephone: [599] (9) 4613066

FAX: [599] (9) 4616489

Flag description:

white, with a horizontal blue stripe in the center superimposed on

a vertical red band, also centered; five white, five-pointed stars

are arranged in an oval pattern in the center of the blue band; the

five stars represent the five main islands of Bonaire, Curacao,

Saba, Sint Eustatius, and Sint Maarten

Economy Netherlands Antilles

Economy - overview:

Tourism, petroleum refining, and offshore finance are the mainstays

of this small economy, which is closely tied to the outside world.

Although GDP has declined or grown slightly in each of the past

eight years, the islands enjoy a high per capita income and a

well-developed infrastructure compared with other countries in the

region. Almost all consumer and capital goods are imported, the US

and Mexico being the major suppliers. Poor soils and inadequate

water supplies hamper the development of agriculture. Budgetary

problems hamper reform of the health and pension systems of an aging

population.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$2.45 billion (2003 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

0.5% (2003 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $11,400 (2003 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 1% industry: 15% services: 84% (2000 est.)

Labor force:

89,000 (2000)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 1%, industry 13%, services 86% (2000 est.)

Unemployment rate:

15.6% (2002 est.)

Population below poverty line:

NA

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

2.1% (2003 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $710.8 million

expenditures: $741.6 million, including capital expenditures of NA

(1997 est.)

Agriculture - products:

aloes, sorghum, peanuts, vegetables, tropical fruit

Industries:

tourism (Curacao, Sint Maarten, and Bonaire), petroleum refining

(Curacao), petroleum transshipment facilities (Curacao and Bonaire),

light manufacturing (Curacao)

Industrial production growth rate:

NA%

Electricity - production:

1.005 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

934.3 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

72,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Exports:

$1.579 billion f.o.b. (2002)

Exports - commodities:

petroleum products

Exports - partners:

US 20.4%, Panama 11.2%, Guatemala 8.8%, Haiti 7.1%, Bahamas, The

5.6%, Honduras 4.2% (2004)

Imports:

$2.233 billion f.o.b. (2002)

Imports - commodities:

crude petroleum, food, manufactures

Imports - partners:

Venezuela 51.1%, US 21.9%, Netherlands 5% (2004)

Debt - external:

$1.35 billion (1996)

Economic aid - recipient:

IMF provided $61 million in 2000, and the Netherlands continued its

support with $40 million (2000)

Currency (code):

Netherlands Antillean guilder (ANG)

Currency code:

ANG

Exchange rates:

Netherlands Antillean guilders per US dollar - 1.79 (2004), 1.79

(2003), 1.79 (2002), 1.79 (2001), 1.79 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Netherlands Antilles

Telephones - main lines in use:

81,000 (2001)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

81,000 (2001)

Telephone system:

general assessment: generally adequate facilities

domestic: extensive interisland microwave radio relay links

international: country code - 599; submarine cables - 2; satellite

earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 8, FM 19, shortwave 0 (2004)

Radios:

217,000 (1997)

Television broadcast stations: 3 (there is also a cable service, which supplies programs received from various US satellite networks and two Venezuelan channels) (2004)

Televisions:

69,000 (1997)

Internet country code:

.an

Internet hosts:

119 (2001)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

6

Internet users:

2,000 (2000)

Transportation Netherlands Antilles

Highways: total: 600 km paved: 300 km unpaved: 300 km

Ports and harbors:

Bopec Terminal, Fuik Bay, Kralendijk, Willemstad

Merchant marine:

total: 168 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 1,317,007 GRT/1,668,499 DWT

by type: barge carrier 3, bulk carrier 23, cargo 72, chemical tanker

2, container 21, liquefied gas 6, passenger 2, petroleum tanker 3,

refrigerated cargo 30, roll on/roll off 4, specialized tanker 2

foreign-owned: 158 (Belgium 5, Cyprus 1, Denmark 1, Germany 57, Hong

Kong 3, Netherlands 71, Peru 1, Sweden 9, Turkey 7, United Kingdom

2, United States 1) (2005)

Airports:

5 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 5 over 3,047 m: 1 2038 to 3047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Military Netherlands Antilles

Military branches:

National Guard, Police Force

Military service age and obligation: 16 years of age for military recruitment; no conscription (July 2002)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 16-49: 54,200 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 16-49: 45,273 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:

males: 1,720 (2005 est.)

Military - note:

defense is the responsibility of the Kingdom of the Netherlands

Transnational Issues Netherlands Antilles

Disputes - international:

none

Illicit drugs:

transshipment point for South American drugs bound for the US and

Europe; money-laundering center

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@New Caledonia

Introduction New Caledonia

Background:

Settled by both Britain and France during the first half of the

19th century, the island was made a French possession in 1853. It

served as a penal colony for four decades after 1864. Agitation for

independence during the 1980s and early 1990s has dissipated.

Geography New Caledonia

Location:

Oceania, islands in the South Pacific Ocean, east of Australia

Geographic coordinates:

21 30 S, 165 30 E

Map references:

Oceania

Area:

total: 19,060 sq km

land: 18,575 sq km

water: 485 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly smaller than New Jersey

Land boundaries:

0 km

Coastline:

2,254 km

Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Climate:

tropical; modified by southeast trade winds; hot, humid

Terrain:

coastal plains with interior mountains

Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Mont Panie 1,628 m

Natural resources: nickel, chrome, iron, cobalt, manganese, silver, gold, lead, copper

Land use: arable land: 0.38% permanent crops: 0.33% other: 99.29% (2001)

Irrigated land:

160 sq km (1991)

Natural hazards:

cyclones, most frequent from November to March

Environment - current issues:

erosion caused by mining exploitation and forest fires

Geography - note:

consists of the main island of New Caledonia (one of the largest in

the Pacific Ocean), the archipelago of Iles Loyaute, and numerous

small, sparsely populated islands and atolls

People New Caledonia

Population:

216,494 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 29% (male 32,030/female 30,714)

15-64 years: 64.6% (male 70,294/female 69,506)

65 years and over: 6.4% (male 6,513/female 7,437) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 27.5 years

male: 27.16 years

female: 27.84 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

1.28% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

18.49 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

5.65 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.88 male(s)/female

total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 7.72 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 8.42 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 6.97 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 74.04 years

male: 71.07 years

female: 77.16 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

2.31 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

NA%

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

NA

Nationality:

noun: New Caledonian(s)

adjective: New Caledonian

Ethnic groups:

Melanesian 42.5%, European 37.1%, Wallisian 8.4%, Polynesian 3.8%,

Indonesian 3.6%, Vietnamese 1.6%, other 3%

Religions:

Roman Catholic 60%, Protestant 30%, other 10%

Languages:

French (official), 33 Melanesian-Polynesian dialects

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 91%

male: 92%

female: 90% (1976 est.)

Government New Caledonia

Country name:

conventional long form: Territory of New Caledonia and Dependencies

conventional short form: New Caledonia

local long form: Territoire des Nouvelle-Caledonie et Dependances

local short form: Nouvelle-Caledonie

Dependency status:

overseas territory of France since 1956

Government type:

NA

Capital:

Noumea

Administrative divisions:

none (overseas territory of France); there are no first-order

administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there

are 3 provinces named Iles Loyaute, Nord, and Sud

Independence:

none (overseas territory of France); note - a referendum on

independence was held in 1998 but did not pass; a new referendum is

scheduled for 2014

National holiday:

Bastille Day, 14 July (1789)

Constitution:

4 October 1958 (French Constitution)

Legal system:

the 1988 Matignon Accords grant substantial autonomy to the

islands; formerly under French law

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President of France Jacques CHIRAC (since 17 May

1995), represented by High Commissioner Michel MATHIEU (since 15

July 2005)

head of government: President of the Government Marie-Noelle

THEMEREAU (since 10 June 2004)

cabinet: Consultative Committee

elections: French president elected by popular vote for a five-year

term; high commissioner appointed by the French president on the

advice of the French Ministry of Interior; president of the

government elected by the members of the Territorial Congress; note

- last election held 29 June 2004 when Marie-Noelle THEMEREAU was

elected on the third vote with 8 votes for and 3 abstentions

Legislative branch:

unicameral Territorial Congress or Congres Territorial (54 seats;

members belong to the three Provincial Assemblies or Assemblees

Provinciales elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)

elections: last held 9 May 2004 (next to be held NA 2009)

election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -

RPCR-UMP 16, AE 16, UNI-FLNKS 8, UC 7, FN 4, others 3

note: New Caledonia currently holds 1 seat in the French Senate;

elections last held 24 September 2001 (next to be held not later

than September 2007; between now and 2010 New Caledonia will gain a

second seat in the French Senate); results - percent of vote by

party - NA%; seats by party - NA; New Caledonia also elects 2 seats

to the French National Assembly; elections last held 9 and 16 June

2002 (next to be held by June 2007); results - percent of vote by

party - NA%; seats by party - UMP 2

Judicial branch:

Court of Appeal or Cour d'Appel; County Courts; Joint Commerce

Tribunal Court; Children's Court

Political parties and leaders:

Alliance pour la Caledonie or APLC [Didier LE ROUX]; Caleonian

Union or UC [leader NA]; Federation des Comites de Coordination des

Independantistes or FCCI [Francois BURCK]; Front National or FN [Guy

GEORGE]; Front Uni de Liberation Kanak or FULK [Ernest UNE]; Kanak

Socialist Front for National Liberation or FLNKS [leader NA]

(includes PALIKA, UNI, UC, and UPM); Parti de Liberation Kanak or

PALIKA [Paul NEAOUTYINE and Elie POIGOUNE]; Rally for Caledonia in

the Republic (anti independent) or RPCR-UMP [Jacques LAFLEUR]; The

Future Together or AE [Harold MARTIN]; Union Nationale pour

l'Independance or UNI [Paul NEAOUTYINE]; note - may no longer exist,

but Paul NEAOUTYINE has since become a president of Parti de

Liberation Kanak or PALIKA; Union Progressiste Melanesienne or UPM

[Victor TUTUGORO]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

NA

International organization participation:

FZ, ICFTU, PIF (observer), UPU, WFTU, WMO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

none (overseas territory of France)

Diplomatic representation from the US:

none (overseas territory of France)

Flag description:

the flag of France is used

Economy New Caledonia

Economy - overview:

New Caledonia has about 25% of the world's known nickel resources.

Only a small amount of the land is suitable for cultivation, and

food accounts for about 20% of imports. In addition to nickel,

substantial financial support from France - equal to more than

one-fourth of GDP - and tourism are keys to the health of the

economy. Substantial new investment in the nickel industry, combined

with the recovery of global nickel prices, brightens the economic

outlook for the next several years.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$3.158 billion (2003 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

NA%

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $15,000 (2003 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 5% industry: 30% services: 65% (1997 est.)

Labor force:

79,400 (including 15,018 unemployed) (1996)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 7%, industry 23%, services 70% (1999 est.)

Unemployment rate:

19% (1996)

Population below poverty line:

NA%

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA%

highest 10%: NA%

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

-0.6% (2000 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $861.3 million

expenditures: $735.3 million, including capital expenditures of $52

million (1996 est.)

Agriculture - products:

vegetables; beef, deer, other livestock products

Industries:

nickel mining and smelting

Industrial production growth rate:

-0.6% (1996)

Electricity - production:

1.581 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 76.3% hydro: 23.7% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

1.471 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

8,750 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Exports:

$448 million f.o.b. (2002)

Exports - commodities:

ferronickels, nickel ore, fish

Exports - partners:

Japan 22%, France 16.5%, Taiwan 12.3%, South Korea 12%, Spain 6.3%,

Australia 6.1%, China 4.8%, South Africa 4.5% (2004)

Imports:

$1.007 billion f.o.b. (2002)

Imports - commodities:

machinery and equipment, fuels, chemicals, foodstuffs

Imports - partners:

France 40.3%, Singapore 10.9%, Australia 9.1%, New Zealand 4.9%

(2004)

Debt - external:

$79 million (1998 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:

$880 million annual subsidy from France (1998)

Currency (code):

Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique franc (XPF)

Currency code:

XPF

Exchange rates:

Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique francs (XPF) per US dollar - 96.04

(2004), 105.66 (2003), 126.71 (2002), 133.26 (2001), 129.43 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications New Caledonia

Telephones - main lines in use:

52,000 (2002)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

80,000 (2002)

Telephone system:

general assessment: NA

domestic: NA

international: country code - 687; satellite earth station - 1

Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 1, FM 5, shortwave 0 (1998)

Radios:

107,000 (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

6 (plus 25 low-power repeaters) (1997)

Televisions:

52,000 (1997)

Internet country code:

.nc

Internet hosts:

4,449 (2003)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

1 (2000)

Internet users:

60,000 (2003)

Transportation New Caledonia

Highways:

total: 5,432 km (2000)

Ports and harbors:

Noumea

Merchant marine:

total: 2 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 1,261 GRT/1,600 DWT

by type: cargo 1, passenger/cargo 1 (2005)

Airports:

25 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 11 over 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 8 under 914 m: 2 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 14 914 to 1,523 m: 8 under 914 m: 6 (2004 est.)

Heliports: 6 (2004 est.)

Military New Caledonia

Military branches:

no regular indigenous military forces; French Armed Forces

(includes Army, Navy, Air Force, Gendarmerie); Police Force

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$NA

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

NA

Military - note:

defense is the responsibility of France

Transnational Issues New Caledonia

Disputes - international: Matthew and Hunter Islands east of New Caledonia claimed by France and Vanuatu

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@New Zealand

Introduction New Zealand

Background:

The Polynesian Maori reached New Zealand in about A.D. 800. In

1840, their chieftains entered into a compact with Britain, the

Treaty of Waitangi, in which they ceded sovereignty to Queen

Victoria while retaining territorial rights. In that same year, the

British began the first organized colonial settlement. A series of

land wars between 1843 and 1872 ended with the defeat of the native

peoples. The British colony of New Zealand became an independent

dominion in 1907 and supported the UK militarily in both World Wars.

New Zealand's full participation in a number of defense alliances

lapsed by the 1980s. In recent years, the government has sought to

address longstanding Maori grievances.

Geography New Zealand

Location:

Oceania, islands in the South Pacific Ocean, southeast of Australia

Geographic coordinates:

41 00 S, 174 00 E

Map references:

Oceania

Area:

total: 268,680 sq km

land: 268,021 sq km

water: NA

note: includes Antipodes Islands, Auckland Islands, Bounty Islands,

Campbell Island, Chatham Islands, and Kermadec Islands

Area - comparative:

about the size of Colorado

Land boundaries:

0 km

Coastline:

15,134 km

Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin

Climate:

temperate with sharp regional contrasts

Terrain:

predominately mountainous with some large coastal plains

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

highest point: Aoraki-Mount Cook 3,754 m

Natural resources:

natural gas, iron ore, sand, coal, timber, hydropower, gold,

limestone

Land use: arable land: 5.6% permanent crops: 6.99% other: 87.41% (2001)

Irrigated land:

2,850 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

earthquakes are common, though usually not severe; volcanic activity

Environment - current issues:

deforestation; soil erosion; native flora and fauna hard-hit by

species introduced from outside

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living

Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate

Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species,

Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine

Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83,

Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: Antarctic Seals, Marine Life Conservation

Geography - note:

about 80% of the population lives in cities; Wellington is the

southernmost national capital in the world

People New Zealand

Population:

4,035,461 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 21.4% (male 441,836/female 421,065)

15-64 years: 66.9% (male 1,356,095/female 1,343,728)

65 years and over: 11.7% (male 206,650/female 266,087) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 33.65 years

male: 32.92 years

female: 34.4 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

1.02% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

13.9 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

7.53 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

3.83 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female

total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 5.85 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 6.7 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 4.96 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 78.66 years

male: 75.67 years

female: 81.78 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

1.79 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

0.1% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

1,400 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

less than 200 (2003 est.)

Nationality:

noun: New Zealander(s)

adjective: New Zealand

Ethnic groups:

European 69.8%, Maori 7.9%, Asian 5.7%, Pacific islander 4.4%,

other 0.5%, mixed 7.8%, unspecified 3.8% (2001 census)

Religions:

Anglican 14.9%, Roman Catholic 12.4%, Presbyterian 10.9%, Methodist

2.9%, Pentecostal 1.7%, Baptist 1.3%, other Christian 9.4%, other

3.3%, unspecified 17.2%, none 26% (2001 census)

Languages:

English (official), Maori (official)

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 99% (1980 est.)

male: NA%

female: NA%

Government New Zealand

Country name:

conventional long form: none

conventional short form: New Zealand

abbreviation: NZ

Government type:

parliamentary democracy

Capital:

Wellington

Administrative divisions:

16 regions and 1 territory*; Auckland, Bay of Plenty, Canterbury,

Chatham Islands*, Gisborne, Hawke's Bay, Manawatu-Wanganui,

Marlborough, Nelson, Northland, Otago, Southland, Taranaki, Tasman,

Waikato, Wellington, West Coast

Dependent areas:

Cook Islands, Niue, Tokelau

Independence:

26 September 1907 (from UK)

National holiday:

Waitangi Day (Treaty of Waitangi established British sovereignty

over New Zealand), 6 February (1840)

Constitution:

consists of a series of legal documents, including certain acts of

the UK and New Zealand Parliaments, as well as The Constitution Act

1986, which is the principal formal charter; adopted 1 January 1987,

effective 1 January 1987

Legal system:

based on English law, with special land legislation and land courts

for the Maori; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952),

represented by Governor General Dame Silvia CARTWRIGHT (since 4

April 2001)

head of government: Prime Minister Helen CLARK (since 10 December

1999) and Deputy Prime Minister Michael CULLEN (since NA July 2002)

cabinet: Executive Council appointed by the governor general on the

recommendation of the prime minister

elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor general

appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the

leader of the majority party or the leader of a majority coalition

is usually appointed prime minister by the governor general; deputy

prime minister appointed by the governor general

Legislative branch:

unicameral House of Representatives - commonly called Parliament

(120 seats; 69 members elected by popular vote in single-member

constituencies including 7 Maori constituencies, and 51 proportional

seats chosen from party lists, all to serve three-year terms)

elections: last held 17 September 2005 (next to be held not later

than 15 November 2008)

election results: percent of vote by party - NZLP 41.1%, NP 39.1%,

NZFP 5.72%, Green Party 5.3%, Maori 2.12%, UF 2.67%, ACT New Zealand

1.51%, Progressive 1.16%; seats by party - NZLP 50, NP 48, NZFP 7,

Green Party 6, Maori 4, UF 3, ACT New Zealand 2, Progressive 1

note: results of 2005 election saw the total number of seats

increase to 121 because the Maori Party won one more electorate seat

than its entitlement under the party vote

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court; Court of Appeal; High Court; note - Judges appointed

by the Governor-General

Political parties and leaders:

ACT New Zealand [Rodney HIDE]; Green Party [Jeanette FITZSIMONS and

Rod DONALD]; Maori Party [Whatarangi WINIATA]; National Party or NP

[Don BRASH]; New Zealand First Party or NZFP [Winston PETERS]; New

Zealand Labor Party or NZLP [Helen CLARK]; Progressive Party [James

(Jim) ANDERTON]; United Future or UF [Peter DUNNE]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

NA

International organization participation:

ANZUS (US suspended security obligations to NZ on 11 August 1986),

APEC, ARF, AsDB, ASEAN (dialogue partner), Australia Group, BIS, C,

CP, EBRD, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA,

IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU,

NAM (guest), NSG, OECD, OPCW, PCA, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNAMSIL,

UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIK, UNMISET, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WFTU,

WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador L. John WOOD chancery: 37 Observatory Circle NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 328-4800 FAX: [1] (202) 667-5227 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, New York

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Charles J. SWINDELLS

embassy: 29 Fitzherbert Terrace, Thorndon, Wellington

mailing address: P. O. Box 1190, Wellington; PSC 467, Box 1, APO AP

96531-1034

telephone: [64] (4) 462-6000

FAX: [64] (4) 499-0490

consulate(s) general: Auckland

Flag description:

blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant with

four red five-pointed stars edged in white centered in the outer

half of the flag; the stars represent the Southern Cross

constellation

Economy New Zealand

Economy - overview:

Over the past 20 years the government has transformed New Zealand

from an agrarian economy dependent on concessionary British market

access to a more industrialized, free market economy that can

compete globally. This dynamic growth has boosted real incomes (but

left behind many at the bottom of the ladder), broadened and

deepened the technological capabilities of the industrial sector,

and contained inflationary pressures. Per capita income has risen

for six consecutive years and is now more than $23,000 in purchasing

power parity terms. New Zealand is heavily dependent on trade -

particularly in agricultural products - to drive growth. Exports are

equal to about 20% of GDP. Thus far the economy has been resilient,

and the Labor Government promises that expenditures on health,

education, and pensions will increase proportionately to output.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$92.51 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

4.8% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $23,200 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 4.6% industry: 27.4% services: 68% (2004 est.)

Labor force:

2.05 million (2004 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 10%, industry 25%, services 65% (1995)

Unemployment rate:

4.2% (2004 est.)

Population below poverty line:

NA

Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 0.3% highest 10%: 29.8% (1991 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

2.4% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

22.4% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $38.29 billion

expenditures: $36.12 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Public debt:

22.1% of GDP (2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

wheat, barley, potatoes, pulses, fruits, vegetables; wool, beef,

lamb and mutton, dairy products; fish

Industries:

food processing, wood and paper products, textiles, machinery,

transportation equipment, banking and insurance, tourism, mining

Industrial production growth rate:

5.9% (2004 est.)

Electricity - production:

38.39 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 31.6% hydro: 57.8% nuclear: 0% other: 10.7% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

35.71 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

42,160 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

132,700 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

30,220 bbl/day (2001)

Oil - imports:

119,700 bbl/day (2001)

Oil - proved reserves:

89.62 million bbl (1 January 2002)

Natural gas - production:

6.504 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - consumption:

6.504 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - exports:

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - imports:

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves:

58.94 billion cu m (1 January 2002)

Current account balance:

$-3.647 billion (2004 est.)

Exports:

$19.85 billion (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

dairy products, meat, wood and wood products, fish, machinery

Exports - partners:

Australia 21%, US 14.4%, Japan 11.3%, China 5.7%, UK 4.7% (2004)

Imports:

$19.77 billion (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

machinery and equipment, vehicles and aircraft, petroleum,

electronics, textiles, plastics

Imports - partners:

Australia 22.4%, US 11.3%, Japan 11.2%, China 9.7%, Germany 5.2%

(2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$4.805 billion (2004 est.)

Debt - external:

$47.34 billion (2004 est.)

Economic aid - donor:

ODA, $99.7 million

Currency (code):

New Zealand dollar (NZD)

Currency code:

NZD

Exchange rates:

New Zealand dollars per US dollar - 1.5087 (2004), 1.7221 (2003),

2.1622 (2002), 2.3788 (2001), 2.2012 (2000)

Fiscal year:

1 July - 30 June

Communications New Zealand

Telephones - main lines in use:

1.765 million (2002)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

2.599 million (2003)

Telephone system:

general assessment: excellent domestic and international systems

domestic: NA

international: country code - 64; submarine cables to Australia and

Fiji; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 124, FM 290, shortwave 4 (1998)

Radios:

3.75 million (1997)

Television broadcast stations: 41 (plus 52 medium-power repeaters and over 650 low-power repeaters) (1997)

Televisions:

1.926 million (1997)

Internet country code:

.nz

Internet hosts:

474,395 (2003)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

36 (2000)

Internet users:

2.11 million (2003)

Transportation New Zealand

Railways: total: 3,898 km narrow gauge: 3,898 km 1.067-m gauge (506 km electrified) (2004)

Highways:

total: 92,382 km

paved: 59,124 km (including at least 169 km of expressways)

unpaved: 33,258 km (2002)

Pipelines:

gas 2,213 km; liquid petroleum gas 79 km; oil 160 km; refined

products 304 km (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Auckland, Lyttelton, Tauranga, Wellington, Whangarei

Merchant marine:

total: 13 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 77,523 GRT/108,352 DWT

by type: cargo 3, passenger/cargo 4, petroleum tanker 2, roll

on/roll off 1, bulk carrier 3

foreign-owned: 2 (Germany 1, Isle of Man 1)

registered in other countries: 5 (2005)

Airports:

116 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 46 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 11 914 to 1,523 m: 27 under 914 m: 5 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 70 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 29 under 914 m: 39 (2004 est.)

Military New Zealand

Military branches:

New Zealand Army, Royal New Zealand Navy, Royal New Zealand Air

Force

Military service age and obligation:

17 years of age for voluntary military service; soldiers cannot be

deployed until the age of 18 (2001)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 17-49: 984,700 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 17-49: 809,519 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:

males: 29,738 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$1.147 billion (FY03/04)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

1% (FY02)

Transnational Issues New Zealand

Disputes - international: asserts a territorial claim in Antarctica (Ross Dependency) [see Antarctica]

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Nicaragua

Introduction Nicaragua

Background:

The Pacific Coast of Nicaragua was settled as a Spanish colony from

Panama in the early 16th century. Independence from Spain was

declared in 1821 and the country became an independent republic in

1838. Britain occupied the Caribbean Coast in the first half of the

19th century, but gradually ceded control of the region in

subsequent decades. Violent opposition to governmental manipulation

and corruption spread to all classes by 1978 and resulted in a

short-lived civil war that brought the Marxist Sandinista guerrillas

to power in 1979. Nicaraguan aid to leftist rebels in El Salvador

caused the US to sponsor anti-Sandinista contra guerrillas through

much of the 1980s. Free elections in 1990, 1996, and again in 2001

saw the Sandinistas defeated. The country has slowly rebuilt its

economy during the 1990s, but was hard hit by Hurricane Mitch in

1998.

Geography Nicaragua

Location:

Central America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the North

Pacific Ocean, between Costa Rica and Honduras

Geographic coordinates:

13 00 N, 85 00 W

Map references:

Central America and the Caribbean

Area:

total: 129,494 sq km

land: 120,254 sq km

water: 9,240 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly smaller than the state of New York

Land boundaries: total: 1,231 km border countries: Costa Rica 309 km, Honduras 922 km

Coastline: 910 km

Maritime claims: territorial sea: 200 nm continental shelf: natural prolongation

Climate:

tropical in lowlands, cooler in highlands

Terrain:

extensive Atlantic coastal plains rising to central interior

mountains; narrow Pacific coastal plain interrupted by volcanoes

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

highest point: Mogoton 2,438 m

Natural resources:

gold, silver, copper, tungsten, lead, zinc, timber, fish

Land use: arable land: 15.94% permanent crops: 1.94% other: 82.12% (2001)

Irrigated land:

880 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

destructive earthquakes, volcanoes, landslides; extremely

susceptible to hurricanes

Environment - current issues:

deforestation; soil erosion; water pollution

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto

Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law

of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification

Geography - note:

largest country in Central America; contains the largest freshwater

body in Central America, Lago de Nicaragua

People Nicaragua

Population:

5,465,100 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 37.2% (male 1,036,487/female 999,226)

15-64 years: 59.7% (male 1,623,065/female 1,638,017)

65 years and over: 3.1% (male 73,935/female 94,370) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 20.56 years

male: 20.15 years

female: 20.98 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

1.92% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

24.88 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

4.49 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

-1.19 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female

total population: 1 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 29.11 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 32.6 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 25.44 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 70.33 years

male: 68.27 years

female: 72.49 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

2.81 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

0.2% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

6,400 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

less than 500 (2003 est.)

Nationality:

noun: Nicaraguan(s)

adjective: Nicaraguan

Ethnic groups:

mestizo (mixed Amerindian and white) 69%, white 17%, black 9%,

Amerindian 5%

Religions:

Roman Catholic 72.9%, Evangelical 15.1%, Moravian 1.5%, Episcopal

0.1%, other 1.9%, none 8.5% (1995 census)

Languages:

Spanish 97.5% (official), Miskito 1.7%, other 0.8% (1995 census)

note: English and indigenous languages on Atlantic coast

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 67.5%

male: 67.2%

female: 67.8% (2003 est.)

Government Nicaragua

Country name:

conventional long form: Republic of Nicaragua

conventional short form: Nicaragua

local long form: Republica de Nicaragua

local short form: Nicaragua

Government type:

republic

Capital:

Managua

Administrative divisions:

15 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento) and 2

autonomous regions* (regiones autonomistas, singular - region

autonomista); Atlantico Norte*, Atlantico Sur*, Boaco, Carazo,

Chinandega, Chontales, Esteli, Granada, Jinotega, Leon, Madriz,

Managua, Masaya, Matagalpa, Nueva Segovia, Rio San Juan, Rivas

Independence:

15 September 1821 (from Spain)

National holiday:

Independence Day, 15 September (1821)

Constitution:

9 January 1987; reforms in 1995 and 2000

Legal system:

civil law system; Supreme Court may review administrative acts

Suffrage:

16 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Enrique BOLANOS Geyer (since 10 January

2002); Vice President Jose RIZO Castellon (since 10 January 2002);

note - the president is both chief of state and head of government

head of government: President Enrique BOLANOS Geyer (since 10

January 2002); Vice President Jose RIZO Castellon (since 10 January

2002); note - the president is both chief of state and head of

government

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president

elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket

by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 4 November

2001 (next to be held by November 2006)

election results: Enrique BOLANOS Geyer (PLC) elected president -

56.3%, Daniel ORTEGA Saavedra (FSLN) 42.3%, Alberto SABORIO (PCN)

1.4%; Jose RIZO Castellon elected vice president

Legislative branch:

unicameral National Assembly or Asamblea Nacional (92 seats;

members are elected by proportional representation and party lists

to serve five-year terms; one seat for previous President, one seat

for runner-up in previous Presidential election

elections: last held 4 November 2001 (next to be held by November

2006)

election results: percent of vote by party - Liberal Alliance

(ruling party - includes PCCN, PLC, PALI, PLIUN, and PUCA) 46.03%,

FSLN 36.55%, PCN 2.12%; seats by party - Liberal Alliance 53, FSLN

38, PCN 1

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (16 judges elected for five-year

terms by the National Assembly)

Political parties and leaders:

Alliance for the Republic or APRE [Miguel LOPEZ Baldizon, Oscar

WENDOLYN Vargas, Karla WHITE]; Central American Unionist Party or

PUCA [leader NA]; Christian Alternative Party or AC [Orlando

TARDENCILLA Espinoza]; Conservative Party of Nicaragua or PCN [Mario

RAPPACCIOLI]; Independent Liberal Party or PLI [Anibal MARTINEZ

Nunez, Pedro REYES Vallejos]; Independent Liberal Party for National

Unity or PLIUN [leader NA]; Liberal Constitutional Party or PLC

[Jorge CASTILLO Quant]; Liberal Salvation Movement or MSL [Eliseo

NUNEZ Hernandez]; New Liberal Party or PALI [leader NA]; Nicaraguan

Party of the Christian Path or PCCN [Guillermo OSORNO Molina];

Nicaraguan Resistance Party or PRN [Salvador TALAVERA]; Sandinista

National Liberation Front or FSLN [Daniel ORTEGA Saavedra];

Sandinista Renovation Movement or MRS [leader NA]; Unity Alliance or

AU [leader NA]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

National Workers Front or FNT is a Sandinista umbrella group of

eight labor unions including - Farm Workers Association or ATC,

Health Workers Federation or FETASALUD, Heroes and Martyrs

Confederation of Professional Associations or CONAPRO, National

Association of Educators of Nicaragua or ANDEN, National Union of

Employees or UNE, National Union of Farmers and Ranchers or UNAG,

Sandinista Workers Central or CST, and Union of Journalists of

Nicaragua or UPN; Permanent Congress of Workers or CPT is an

umbrella group of four non-Sandinista labor unions including -

Autonomous Nicaraguan Workers Central or CTN-A, Confederation of

Labor Unification or CUS, Independent General Confederation of Labor

or CGT-I, and Labor Action and Unity Central or CAUS; Nicaraguan

Workers' Central or CTN is an independent labor union; Superior

Council of Private Enterprise or COSEP is a confederation of

business groups

International organization participation:

BCIE, CACM, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA,

IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO

(correspondent), ITU, LAES, LAIA (observer), MIGA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL,

OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WHO,

WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Salvador STADTHAGEN (since 5 December

2003)

chancery: 1627 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009

telephone: [1] (202) 939-6570, [1] (202) 939-6573

FAX: [1] (202) 939-6545

consulate(s) general: Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San

Francisco

Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Barbara Calandra MOORE embassy: Kilometer 4.5 Carretera Sur, Managua mailing address: APO AA 34021 telephone: [505] 266-6010 FAX: [505] 266-9074

Flag description:

three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, and blue with

the national coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of

arms features a triangle encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE

NICARAGUA on the top and AMERICA CENTRAL on the bottom; similar to

the flag of El Salvador, which features a round emblem encircled by

the words REPUBLICA DE EL SALVADOR EN LA AMERICA CENTRAL centered in

the white band; also similar to the flag of Honduras, which has five

blue stars arranged in an X pattern centered in the white band

Economy Nicaragua

Economy - overview:

Nicaragua, one of the hemisphere's poorest countries, faces low per

capita income, massive unemployment, and huge external debt.

Distribution of income is one of the most unequal on the globe.

While the country has made progress toward macroeconomic stability

over the past few years, GDP annual growth has been far too low to

meet the country's needs. As a result of successful performance

under its International Monetary Fund policy program and other

efforts, Nicaragua qualified in early 2004 for some $4 billion in

foreign debt reduction under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries

(HIPC) initiative. Even after this reduction, however, the

government continues to bear a significant foreign and domestic debt

burden. If ratified, the US-Central America Free Trade Agreement

(CAFTA) will provide an opportunity for Nicaragua to attract

investment, create jobs, and deepen economic development. While

President BOLANOS enjoys the support of the international financial

bodies, his internal political base is meager.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$12.34 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

4% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $2,300 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 20.7% industry: 24.7% services: 54.6% (2004 est.)

Labor force:

1.93 million (2004 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 30.5%, industry 17.3%, services 52.2% (2003 est.)

Unemployment rate:

7.8% plus underemployment of 46.5% (2003 est.)

Population below poverty line:

50% (2001 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.2% highest 10%: 45% (2001)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

55.1 (2001)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

9.3% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

28% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $725.5 million

expenditures: $1.039 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Public debt:

69.5% of GDP (2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

coffee, bananas, sugarcane, cotton, rice, corn, tobacco, sesame,

soya, beans; beef, veal, pork, poultry, dairy products

Industries:

food processing, chemicals, machinery and metal products, textiles,

clothing, petroleum refining and distribution, beverages, footwear,

wood

Industrial production growth rate:

4.4% (2000 est.)

Electricity - production:

2.553 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 83.9% hydro: 7.7% nuclear: 0% other: 8.4% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

2.318 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

6.8 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

15.3 million kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2003 est.)

Oil - consumption:

25,770 bbl/day (2003 est.)

Oil - exports:

738 bbl/day (2003)

Oil - imports:

27,950 bbl/day (2003)

Current account balance:

$-843.1 million (2004 est.)

Exports:

$750 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

coffee, beef, shrimp and lobster, tobacco, sugar, gold, peanuts

Exports - partners:

US 64.8%, El Salvador 7%, Mexico 3.6% (2004)

Imports:

$2.02 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

consumer goods, machinery and equipment, raw materials, petroleum

products

Imports - partners:

US 22.6%, Costa Rica 8.5%, Venezuela 8.4%, Guatemala 6.8%, Mexico

5.8%, El Salvador 4.9%, South Korea 4.5% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$670 million (2004 est.)

Debt - external:

$4.573 billion (2004 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:

$541.8 million (2003)

Currency (code):

gold cordoba (NIO)

Currency code:

NIO

Exchange rates:

gold cordobas per US dollar - 15.937 (2004), 15.105 (2003), 14.251

(2002), 13.372 (2001), 12.684 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Nicaragua

Telephones - main lines in use:

171,600 (2002)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

202,800 (2002)

Telephone system:

general assessment: inadequate system being upgraded by foreign

investment

domestic: low-capacity microwave radio relay and wire system being

expanded; connected to Central American Microwave System

international: country code - 505; satellite earth stations - 1

Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region) and 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 63, FM 32, shortwave 1 (1998)

Radios:

1.24 million (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

3 (plus seven low-power repeaters) (1997)

Televisions:

320,000 (1997)

Internet country code:

.ni

Internet hosts:

7,094 (2003)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

3 (2000)

Internet users:

90,000 (2002)

Transportation Nicaragua

Railways: total: 6 km narrow gauge: 6 km 1.067-m gauge (2004)

Highways: total: 18,712 km paved: 2,126 km unpaved: 16,586 km (2002)

Waterways:

2,220 km (including lakes Managua and Nicaragua) (1997)

Pipelines:

oil 54 km (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Bluefields, Corinto, El Bluff

Airports:

176 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 11 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 3 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 165 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 23 under 914 m: 141 (2004 est.)

Military Nicaragua

Military branches:

Army (includes Navy, Air Force)

Military service age and obligation:

17 years of age for voluntary military service (2001)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 17-49: 1,309,970 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 17-49: 1,051,425 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:

males: 65,170 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$32.8 million (2004)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

0.7% (2004)

Transnational Issues Nicaragua

Disputes - international:

Nicaragua filed a claim against Honduras in 1999 and against

Colombia in 2001 at the ICJ over disputed maritime boundary

involving 50,000 sq km in the Caribbean Sea, including the

Archipelago de San Andres y Providencia and Quita Sueno Bank; the

1992 ICJ ruling for El Salvador and Honduras advised a tripartite

resolution to establish a maritime boundary in the Gulf of Fonseca,

which considers Honduran access to the Pacific; legal dispute over

navigational rights of San Juan River on border with Costa Rica

Illicit drugs:

transshipment point for cocaine destined for the US and

transshipment point for arms-for-drugs dealing

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Niger

Introduction Niger

Background:

Not until 1993, 33 years after independence from France, did Niger

hold its first free and open elections. A 1995 peace accord ended a

five-year Tuareg insurgency in the north. Coups in 1996 and 1999

were followed by the creation of a National Reconciliation Council

that effected a transition to civilian rule by December 1999. Niger

is one of the poorest countries in the world with minimal government

services and insufficient funds to develop its resource base. The

largely agrarian and subsistence-based economy is frequently

disrupted by extended droughts common to the Sahel region of Africa.

Geography Niger

Location:

Western Africa, southeast of Algeria

Geographic coordinates:

16 00 N, 8 00 E

Map references:

Africa

Area:

total: 1.267 million sq km

land: 1,266,700 sq km

water: 300 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly less than twice the size of Texas

Land boundaries:

total: 5,697 km

border countries: Algeria 956 km, Benin 266 km, Burkina Faso 628 km,

Chad 1,175 km, Libya 354 km, Mali 821 km, Nigeria 1,497 km

Coastline:

0 km (landlocked)

Maritime claims:

none (landlocked)

Climate:

desert; mostly hot, dry, dusty; tropical in extreme south

Terrain:

predominately desert plains and sand dunes; flat to rolling plains

in south; hills in north

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Niger River 200 m

highest point: Mont Bagzane 2,022 m

Natural resources:

uranium, coal, iron ore, tin, phosphates, gold, molybdenum, gypsum,

salt, petroleum

Land use: arable land: 3.54% permanent crops: 0.01% other: 96.45% (2001)

Irrigated land:

660 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

recurring droughts

Environment - current issues: overgrazing; soil erosion; deforestation; desertification; wildlife populations (such as elephant, hippopotamus, giraffe, and lion) threatened because of poaching and habitat destruction

Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea

Geography - note:

landlocked; one of the hottest countries in the world: northern

four-fifths is desert, southern one-fifth is savanna, suitable for

livestock and limited agriculture

People Niger

Population:

11,665,937 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 47.3% (male 2,811,539/female 2,704,498)

15-64 years: 50.6% (male 2,890,119/female 3,009,281)

65 years and over: 2.1% (male 130,953/female 119,547) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 16.25 years

male: 15.8 years

female: 16.72 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

2.63% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

48.3 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

21.33 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

-0.65 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 1.1 male(s)/female

total population: 1 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 121.69 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 125.93 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 117.33 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 43.5 years

male: 43.54 years

female: 43.45 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

6.75 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

1.2% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

70,000 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

4,800 (2003 est.)

Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne disease: malaria is a high risk in some locations respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis (2004)

Nationality: noun: Nigerien(s) adjective: Nigerien

Ethnic groups:

Hausa 56%, Djerma 22%, Fula 8.5%, Tuareg 8%, Beri Beri (Kanouri)

4.3%, Arab, Toubou, and Gourmantche 1.2%, about 1,200 French

expatriates

Religions:

Muslim 80%, remainder indigenous beliefs and Christian

Languages:

French (official), Hausa, Djerma

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 17.6%

male: 25.8%

female: 9.7% (2003 est.)

Government Niger

Country name:

conventional long form: Republic of Niger

conventional short form: Niger

local long form: Republique du Niger

local short form: Niger

Government type:

republic

Capital:

Niamey

Administrative divisions:

8 regions (regions, singular - region) includes 1 capital district*

(commune urbaine); Agadez, Diffa, Dosso, Maradi, Niamey*, Tahoua,

Tillaberi, Zinder

Independence:

3 August 1960 (from France)

National holiday:

Republic Day, 18 December (1958)

Constitution:

new constitution adopted 18 July 1999

Legal system:

based on French civil law system and customary law; has not

accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President TANDJA Mamadou (since 22 December 1999);

note - the president is both chief of state and head of government

head of government: President TANDJA Mamadou (since 22 December

1999); note - the president is both chief of state and head of

government; Prime Minister Hama AMADOU (since 31 December 1999) was

appointed by the president and shares some executive

responsibilities with the president

cabinet: 27-member Cabinet appointed by the president

elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;

second round last held 4 December 2004 (next to be held December

2009); prime minister appointed by the president

election results: TANDJA Mamadou reelected president; percent of

vote - TANDJA Mamadou 65.5%, Mahamadou ISSOUFOU 34.5%

Legislative branch:

unicameral National Assembly (113 seats; note - expanded from 83

seats; members elected by popular vote for five-year terms)

elections: last held 4 December 2004 (next to be held December 2009)

election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -

MNSD 47, CDS 22, PNDS 17, RSD 7, RDP 6, ANDP 5, Party for Socialism

and Democracy in Niger 1, other 8

Judicial branch:

State Court or Cour d'Etat; Court of Appeal or Cour d'Appel

Political parties and leaders:

Alliance for Democracy and Progress or ANDP [leader NA]; Democratic

Rally of the People-Jama'a or RDP-Jama'a [Hamid ALGABID]; Democratic

and Social Convention-Rahama or CDS-Rahama [Mahamane OUSMANE];

National Movement for a Developing Society-Nassara or MNSD-Nassara

[TANDJA Mamadou, chairman]; Nigerien Alliance for Democracy and

Social Progress-Zaman Lahiya or ANDPS-Zaman Lahiya [Moumouni Adamou

DJERMAKOYE]; Nigerien Party for Democracy and Socialism-Tarayya or

PNDS-Tarayya [Mahamadou ISSOUFOU]; Party for Socialism and Democracy

in Niger [leader NA]; Rally for Social Democracy or RSD [Cheiffou

AMADOU]; Union of Democratic Patriots and Progressives-Chamoua or

UPDP-Chamoua [Professor Andre' SALIFOU, chairman]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

NA

International organization participation:

ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD,

ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF,

Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (subscriber), ITU, MONUC, NAM, OIC, ONUB,

OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNOCI, UPU, WADB (regional),

WAEMU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Joseph DIATTA chancery: 2204 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 483-4224 through 4227 FAX: [1] (202)483-3169

Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Gail Dennise Thomas MATHIEU embassy: Rue Des Ambassades, Niamey mailing address: B. P. 11201, Niamey telephone: [227] 72 26 61 through 72 26 64 FAX: [227] 73 31 67, 72-31-46

Flag description:

three equal horizontal bands of orange (top), white, and green with

a small orange disk (representing the sun) centered in the white

band; similar to the flag of India, which has a blue spoked wheel

centered in the white band

Economy Niger

Economy - overview:

Niger is one of the poorest countries in the world, a landlocked

Sub-Saharan nation, whose economy centers on subsistence crops,

livestock, and some of the world's largest uranium deposits. Drought

cycles, desertification, a 3.3% population growth rate, and the drop

in world demand for uranium have undercut the economy. Niger shares

a common currency, the CFA franc, and a common central bank, the

Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO), with seven other

members of the West African Monetary Union. In December 2000, Niger

qualified for enhanced debt relief under the International Monetary

Fund program for Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) and concluded

an agreement with the Fund on a Poverty Reduction and Growth

Facility (PRGF). Debt relief provided under the enhanced HIPC

initiative significantly reduces Niger's annual debt service

obligations, freeing funds for expenditures on basic health care,

primary education, HIV/AIDS prevention, rural infrastructure, and

other programs geared at poverty reduction. Nearly half of the

government's budget is derived from foreign donor resources. Future

growth may be sustained by exploitation of oil, gold, coal, and

other mineral resources.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$9.716 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

3.5% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $900 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 39% industry: 17% services: 44% (2001)

Labor force:

70,000 receive regular wages or salaries (2002 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 90%, industry and commerce 6%, government 4%

Unemployment rate:

NA (2002 est.)

Population below poverty line:

63% (1993 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 0.8% highest 10%: 35.4% (1995)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

50.5 (1995)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

3% (2002 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $320 million - including $134 million from foreign sources

expenditures: $320 million, including capital expenditures of $178

million (2002 est.)

Agriculture - products:

cowpeas, cotton, peanuts, millet, sorghum, cassava (tapioca), rice;

cattle, sheep, goats, camels, donkeys, horses, poultry

Industries:

uranium mining, cement, brick, soap, textiles, food processing,

chemicals, slaughterhouses

Industrial production growth rate:

NA (2001 est.)

Electricity - production:

266.2 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

327.6 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

80 million kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

5,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Exports:

$280 million f.o.b. (2002 est.)

Exports - commodities:

uranium ore, livestock, cowpeas, onions

Exports - partners:

France 41%, Nigeria 22.4%, Japan 15.3%, Switzerland 6%, Spain 4.1%,

Ghana 4% (2004)

Imports:

$400 million f.o.b. (2002 est.)

Imports - commodities:

foodstuffs, machinery, vehicles and parts, petroleum, cereals

Imports - partners:

France 14.4%, US 10.3%, French Polynesia 9.4%, Nigeria 7.8%, Cote

d'Ivoire 7.5%, Japan 5.2%, China 5.1%, Thailand 4.1% (2004)

Debt - external:

$1.6 billion (1999 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:

$341 million (1997)

Currency (code):

Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XOF); note - responsible

authority is the Central Bank of the West African States

Currency code:

XOF

Exchange rates:

Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar - 528.29

(2004), 581.2 (2003), 696.99 (2002), 733.04 (2001), 711.98 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Niger

Telephones - main lines in use:

22,400 (2002)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

24,000 (2003)

Telephone system:

general assessment: small system of wire, radio telephone

communications, and microwave radio relay links concentrated in the

southwestern area of Niger

domestic: wire, radiotelephone communications, and microwave radio

relay; domestic satellite system with 3 earth stations and 1 planned

international: country code - 227; satellite earth stations - 2

Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 5, FM 6, shortwave 4 (2001)

Radios:

680,000 (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

3 (plus seven low-power repeaters) (2002)

Televisions:

125,000 (1997)

Internet country code:

.ne

Internet hosts:

134 (2003)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

1 (2002)

Internet users:

15,000 (2002)

Transportation Niger

Highways:

total: 10,100 km

paved: 798 km

unpaved: 9,302 km (1999 est.)

Waterways:

300 km

note: Niger River is navigable to Gaya between September and March

(2004)

Ports and harbors:

none

Airports:

27 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 9

2,438 to 3,047 m: 2

1,524 to 2,437 m: 6

under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 18

1,524 to 2,437 m: 2

914 to 1,523 m: 14

under 914 m: 2 (2004 est.)

Military Niger

Military branches:

Niger Armed Forces (Forces Armees Nigeriennes, FAN): Army, National

Air Force (2005)

Military service age and obligation:

18 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript service

obligation - 2 years (2004)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 18-49: 2,135,680 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: 1,180,027 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:

males: 126,719 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$33.3 million (2004)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

1.1% (2004)

Transnational Issues Niger

Disputes - international:

Libya claims about 25,000 sq km in a currently dormant dispute;

much of Benin-Niger boundary, including tripoint with Nigeria,

remains undemarcated, and states expect a ruling in 2005 from the

ICJ over the disputed Niger and Mekrou River islands; only Nigeria

and Cameroon have heeded the Lake Chad Commission's admonition to

ratify the delimitation treaty which also includes Chad and Niger

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Nigeria

Introduction Nigeria

Background:

Following nearly 16 years of military rule, a new constitution was

adopted in 1999, and a peaceful transition to civilian government

was completed. The president faces the daunting task of rebuilding a

petroleum-based economy, whose revenues have been squandered through

corruption and mismanagement, and institutionalizing democracy. In

addition, the OBASANJO administration must defuse longstanding

ethnic and religious tensions, if it is to build a sound foundation

for economic growth and political stability. Despite some

irregularities, the April 2003 elections marked the first civilian

transfer of power in Nigeria's history.

Geography Nigeria

Location:

Western Africa, bordering the Gulf of Guinea, between Benin and

Cameroon

Geographic coordinates:

10 00 N, 8 00 E

Map references:

Africa

Area:

total: 923,768 sq km

land: 910,768 sq km

water: 13,000 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly more than twice the size of California

Land boundaries:

total: 4,047 km

border countries: Benin 773 km, Cameroon 1,690 km, Chad 87 km, Niger

1,497 km

Coastline:

853 km

Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

Climate:

varies; equatorial in south, tropical in center, arid in north

Terrain:

southern lowlands merge into central hills and plateaus; mountains

in southeast, plains in north

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

highest point: Chappal Waddi 2,419 m

Natural resources:

natural gas, petroleum, tin, iron ore, coal, limestone, niobium,

lead, zinc, arable land

Land use: arable land: 31.29% permanent crops: 2.96% other: 65.75% (2001)

Irrigated land:

2,330 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

periodic droughts; flooding

Environment - current issues: soil degradation; rapid deforestation; urban air and water pollution; desertification; oil pollution - water, air, and soil; has suffered serious damage from oil spills; loss of arable land; rapid urbanization

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto

Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law

of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer

Protection, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

the Niger enters the country in the northwest and flows southward

through tropical rain forests and swamps to its delta in the Gulf of

Guinea

People Nigeria

Population:

128,771,988

note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the

effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower

life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower

population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of

population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July

2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 42.3% (male 27,466,766/female 27,045,092)

15-64 years: 54.6% (male 35,770,593/female 34,559,414)

65 years and over: 3.1% (male 1,874,157/female 2,055,966) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 18.63 years

male: 18.71 years

female: 18.55 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

2.37% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

40.65 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

17.18 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

0.27 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.91 male(s)/female

total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 98.8 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 105.69 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 91.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 46.74 years

male: 46.21 years

female: 47.29 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

5.53 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

5.4% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

3.6 million (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

310,000 (2003 est.)

Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne disease: malaria respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis aerosolized dust or soil contact disease: one of the most highly endemic areas for Lassa fever (2004)

Nationality: noun: Nigerian(s) adjective: Nigerian

Ethnic groups:

Nigeria, Africa's most populous country, is composed of more than

250 ethnic groups; the following are the most populous and

politically influential: Hausa and Fulani 29%, Yoruba 21%, Igbo

(Ibo) 18%, Ijaw 10%, Kanuri 4%, Ibibio 3.5%, Tiv 2.5%

Religions:

Muslim 50%, Christian 40%, indigenous beliefs 10%

Languages:

English (official), Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo (Ibo), Fulani

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 68%

male: 75.7%

female: 60.6% (2003 est.)

Government Nigeria

Country name:

conventional long form: Federal Republic of Nigeria

conventional short form: Nigeria

Government type:

federal republic

Capital:

Abuja; note - on 12 December 1991 the capital was officially

transferred from Lagos to Abuja; most federal government offices

have now moved to Abuja

Administrative divisions:

36 states and 1 territory*; Abia, Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Anambra,

Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo,

Ekiti, Enugu, Federal Capital Territory*, Gombe, Imo, Jigawa,

Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Nassarawa, Niger,

Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, Zamfara

Independence:

1 October 1960 (from UK)

National holiday:

Independence Day (National Day), 1 October (1960)

Constitution:

new constitution adopted May 1999

Legal system:

based on English common law, Islamic Shariah law (in 12 northern

states), and traditional law

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Olusegun OBASANJO (since 29 May 1999);

note - the president is both the chief of state and head of

government

head of government: President Olusegun OBASANJO (since 29 May 1999);

note - the president is both the chief of state and head of

government

cabinet: Federal Executive Council

elections: president is elected by popular vote for no more than two

four-year terms; election last held 19 April 2003 (next to be held

NA 2007)

election results: Olusegun OBASANJO elected president; percent of

vote - Olusegun OBASANJO (PDP) 61.9%, Muhammadu BUHARI (ANPP) 31.2%,

Chukwuemeka Odumegwu OJUKWU (APGA) 3.3%, other 3.6%

Legislative branch:

bicameral National Assembly consists of Senate (109 seats - 3 from

each state plus one from Abuja, members elected by popular vote to

serve four-year terms) and House of Representatives (346 seats,

members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)

elections: Senate - last held 12 April 2003 (next to be held NA

2007); House of Representatives - last held 12 April 2003 (next to

be held NA 2007)

election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - PDP 53.7%,

ANPP 27.9%, AD 9.7%; seats by party - PDP 76, ANPP 27, AD 6; House

of Representatives - percent of vote by party - PDP 54.5%, ANPP

27.4%, AD 8.8%, other 9.3%; seats by party - PDP 223, ANPP 96, AD

34, other 6; note - one seat is vacant

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court (judges appointed by the President); Federal Court of

Appeal (judges are appointed by the federal government on the advice

of the Advisory Judicial Committee)

Political parties and leaders:

Alliance for Democracy or AD [Alhaji Adamu ABDULKADIR]; All Nigeria

Peoples' Party or ANPP [Don ETIEBET]; All Progressives Grand

Alliance or APGA [Chekwas OKORIE]; National Democratic Party or NDP

[Aliyu Habu FARI]; Peoples Democratic Party or PDP [Dr. Ahmadu ALI];

Peoples Redemption Party or PRP [Abdulkadir Balarabe MUSA]; Peoples

Salvation Party or PSP [Lawal MAITURARE]; United Nigeria Peoples

Party or UNPP [Saleh JAMBO]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

Niger Delta People's Volunteer Force or NDPVF [Mujahid Dokubo

ASARI]; Nigerian Labor Congress or NLC [Adams OSHIOMOLE]

International organization participation:

ACP, AfDB, AU, C, ECOWAS, FAO, G-15, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO,

ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO,

Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MIGA, MINURSO, MONUC, NAM, OIC, ONUB,

OPCW, OPEC, PCA, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR,

UNMEE, UNMIK, UNMIL, UNMOVIC, UNOCI, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO,

WToO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Professor George A. OBIOZOR

chancery: 3519 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 986-8400

FAX: [1] (202) 775-1385

consulate(s) general: Atlanta and New York

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador John CAMPBELL

embassy: 7 Mambilla Drive, Abuja

mailing address: P. O. Box 554, Lagos

telephone: [234] (9) 523-0916/0906/5857/2235/2205

FAX: [234] (9) 523-0353

Flag description:

three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and green

Economy Nigeria

Economy - overview:

Oil-rich Nigeria, long hobbled by political instability,

corruption, inadequate infrastructure, and poor macroeconomic

management, is undertaking some reforms under the new civilian

administration. Nigeria's former military rulers failed to diversify

the economy away from overdependence on the capital-intensive oil

sector, which provides 20% of GDP, 95% of foreign exchange earnings,

and about 65% of budgetary revenues. The largely subsistence

agricultural sector has failed to keep up with rapid population

growth - Nigeria is Africa's most populous country - and the

country, once a large net exporter of food, now must import food.

Following the signing of an IMF stand-by agreement in August 2000,

Nigeria received a debt-restructuring deal from the Paris Club and a

$1 billion credit from the IMF, both contingent on economic reforms.

Nigeria pulled out of its IMF program in April 2002, after failing

to meet spending and exchange rate targets, making it ineligible for

additional debt forgiveness from the Paris Club. In the last year

the government has begun showing the political will to implement the

market-oriented reforms urged by the IMF, such as to modernize the

banking system, to curb inflation by blocking excessive wage

demands, and to resolve regional disputes over the distribution of

earnings from the oil industry. During 2003 the government began

deregulating fuel prices, announced the privatization of the

country's four oil refineries, and instituted the National Economic

Empowerment Development Strategy, a domestically designed and run

program modeled on the IMF's Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility

for fiscal and monetary management. GDP rose strongly in 2004.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$125.7 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

6.2% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $1,000 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 36.3% industry: 30.5% services: 33.3% (2004 est.)

Labor force:

55.67 million (2004 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 70%, industry 10%, services 20% (1999 est.)

Unemployment rate:

NA

Population below poverty line:

60% (2000 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.6% highest 10%: 40.8% (1996-97)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

50.6 (1996-97)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

16.5% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

18% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $11.78 billion

expenditures: $11.47 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Public debt:

20% of GDP (2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

cocoa, peanuts, palm oil, corn, rice, sorghum, millet, cassava

(tapioca), yams, rubber; cattle, sheep, goats, pigs; timber; fish

Industries:

crude oil, coal, tin, columbite, palm oil, peanuts, cotton, rubber,

wood, hides and skins, textiles, cement and other construction

materials, food products, footwear, chemicals, fertilizer, printing,

ceramics, steel, small commercial ship construction and repair

Industrial production growth rate:

1.8% (2004 est.)

Electricity - production:

19.85 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 61.9% hydro: 38.1% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

18.43 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

30 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

2.356 million bbl/day (2004 est.)

Oil - consumption:

275,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Oil - proved reserves:

34 billion bbl (2004 est.)

Natural gas - production:

15.68 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - consumption:

7.85 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - exports:

7.83 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - imports:

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves:

4.007 trillion cu m (2004)

Current account balance:

$5.228 billion (2004 est.)

Exports:

$33.99 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

petroleum and petroleum products 95%, cocoa, rubber

Exports - partners:

US 47.5%, Brazil 10.7%, Spain 7.1% (2004)

Imports:

$17.14 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

machinery, chemicals, transport equipment, manufactured goods, food

and live animals

Imports - partners:

China 9.4%, US 8.4%, UK 7.8%, Netherlands 5.9%, France 5.4%,

Germany 4.9%, Italy 4% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$14.71 billion (2004 est.)

Debt - external:

$30.55 billion (2004 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:

IMF $250 million (1998)

Currency (code):

naira (NGN)

Currency code:

NGN

Exchange rates:

nairas per US dollar - 132.89 (2004), 129.22 (2003), 120.58 (2002),

111.23 (2001), 101.7 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Nigeria

Telephones - main lines in use:

853,100 (2003)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

3,149,500 (2003)

Telephone system:

general assessment: an inadequate system, further limited by poor

maintenance; major expansion is required and a start has been made

domestic: intercity traffic is carried by coaxial cable, microwave

radio relay, a domestic communications satellite system with 19

earth stations, and a coastal submarine cable; mobile cellular

facilities and the Internet are available

international: country code - 234; satellite earth stations - 3

Intelsat (2 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean); fiber optic

submarine cable (SAT-3/WASC) provides connectivity to Europe and Asia

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 83, FM 36, shortwave 11 (2001)

Radios:

23.5 million (1997)

Television broadcast stations: 3 (the government controls 2 of the broadcasting stations and 15 repeater stations) (2002)

Televisions:

6.9 million (1997)

Internet country code:

.ng

Internet hosts:

1,142 (2004)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

11 (2000)

Internet users:

750,000 (2003)

Transportation Nigeria

Railways:

total: 3,557 km

narrow gauge: 3,505 km 1.067-m gauge

standard gauge: 52 km 1.435-m gauge (2004)

Highways:

total: 194,394 km

paved: 60,068 km (including 1,194 km of expressways)

unpaved: 134,326 km (1999 est.)

Waterways:

8,600 km (Niger and Benue rivers and smaller rivers and creeks)

(2004)

Pipelines:

condensate 105 km; gas 1,896 km; oil 3,638 km; refined products

3,626 km (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Calabar, Lagos, Onne, Port Harcourt

Merchant marine:

total: 46 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 327,808 GRT/608,076 DWT

by type: cargo 5, chemical tanker 6, combination ore/oil 1,

liquefied gas 1, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 31,

refrigerated cargo 1

foreign-owned: 3 (Norway 2, Pakistan 1)

registered in other countries: 25 (2005)

Airports:

70 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 36 over 3,047 m: 7 2,438 to 3,047 m: 11 1,524 to 2,437 m: 9 914 to 1,523 m: 6 under 914 m: 3 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 34 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 13 under 914 m: 18 (2004 est.)

Heliports: 1 (2004 est.)

Military Nigeria

Military branches:

Army, Navy, Air Force

Military service age and obligation:

18 years of age for voluntary military service (2001)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 18-49: 26,804,314 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: 15,053,936 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:

males: 1,353,161 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$544.6 million (2004)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

0.8% (2004)

Transnational Issues Nigeria

Disputes - international:

ICJ ruled in 2002 on the entire Cameroon-Nigeria land and maritime

boundary but the parties formed a Joint Border Commission to resolve

differences bilaterally and have commenced with demarcation in

less-contested sections of the boundary, starting in Lake Chad in

the north; Nigeria initially rejected cession of the Bakassi

Peninsula, then agreed, but has yet to withdraw its forces while

much of the indigenous population opposes cession; in 2004, some

17,000 Nigerian refugees fleeing ethnic conflicts between

pastoralists and farmers in 2002 still reside in Cameroon; the ICJ

ruled on an equidistance settlement of Cameroon-Equatorial

Guinea-Nigeria maritime boundary in the Gulf of Guinea, but

imprecisely defined coordinates in the ICJ decision, the unresolved

Bakasi allocation, and a sovereignty dispute between Equatorial

Guinea and Cameroon over an island at the mouth of the Ntem River

all contribute to the delay in implementation; a joint task force

was established in 2004 that resolved disputes over and redrew the

maritime and the 870-km land boundary with Benin on the Okpara

River; only Nigeria and Cameroon have heeded the Lake Chad

Commission's admonition to ratify the delimitation treaty which also

includes Chad and Niger

Refugees and internally displaced persons:

IDPs: 250,000 (communal violence between Christians and Muslims

since President OBASANJO's election in 1999) (2004)

Illicit drugs:

a transit point for heroin and cocaine intended for European, East

Asian, and North American markets; safehaven for Nigerian

narcotraffickers operating worldwide; major money-laundering center;

massive corruption and criminal activity; remains on Financial

Action Task Force Non-Cooperative Countries and Territories List for

continued failure to address deficiencies in money-laundering

control regime

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Niue

Introduction Niue

Background:

Niue's remoteness, as well as cultural and linguistic differences

between its Polynesian inhabitants and those of the rest of the Cook

Islands, have caused it to be separately administered. The

population of the island continues to drop (from a peak of 5,200 in

1966 to about 2,150 in 2005), with substantial emigration to New

Zealand, 2,400 km to the southwest.

Geography Niue

Location:

Oceania, island in the South Pacific Ocean, east of Tonga

Geographic coordinates:

19 02 S, 169 52 W

Map references:

Oceania

Area:

total: 260 sq km

land: 260 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative:

1.5 times the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries:

0 km

Coastline:

64 km

Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Climate:

tropical; modified by southeast trade winds

Terrain:

steep limestone cliffs along coast, central plateau

Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location near Mutalau settlement 68 m

Natural resources:

fish, arable land

Land use:

arable land: 15.38%

permanent crops: 11.54%

other: 73.08% (2001)

Irrigated land:

NA

Natural hazards:

typhoons

Environment - current issues: increasing attention to conservationist practices to counter loss of soil fertility from traditional slash and burn agriculture

Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea

Geography - note: one of world's largest coral islands

People Niue

Population: 2,166 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA

Population growth rate:

0% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

NA births/1,000 population

Death rate:

NA deaths/1,000 population

Net migration rate:

NA migrant(s)/1,000 population

Sex ratio:

NA

Infant mortality rate:

total: NA

male: NA

female: NA

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: NA

male: NA

female: NA

Total fertility rate:

NA

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

NA

Nationality:

noun: Niuean(s)

adjective: Niuean

Ethnic groups:

Niuen 78.2%, Pacific islander 10.2%, European 4.5%, mixed 3.9%,

Asian 0.2%, unspecified 3% (2001 census)

Religions:

Ekalesia Niue (Niuean Church - a Protestant church closely related

to the London Missionary Society) 61.1%, Latter-Day Saints 8.8%,

Roman Catholic 7.2%, Jehovah's Witnesses 2.4%, Seventh-Day Adventist

1.4%, other 8.4%, unspecified 8.7%, none 1.9% (2001 census)

Languages:

Niuean, a Polynesian language closely related to Tongan and Samoan;

English

Literacy: definition: NA total population: 95% male: NA% female: NA%

Government Niue

Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Niue former: Savage Island

Dependency status:

self-governing in free association with New Zealand since 1974;

Niue fully responsible for internal affairs; New Zealand retains

responsibility for external affairs and defense; however, these

responsibilities confer no rights of control and are only exercised

at the request of the Government of Niue

Government type:

self-governing parliamentary democracy

Capital:

Alofi

Administrative divisions:

none; note - there are no first-order administrative divisions as

defined by the US Government, but there are 14 villages at the

second order

Independence:

on 19 October 1974, Niue became a self-governing parliamentary

government in free association with New Zealand

National holiday:

Waitangi Day (Treaty of Waitangi established British sovereignty

over New Zealand), 6 February (1840)

Constitution:

19 October 1974 (Niue Constitution Act)

Legal system:

English common law

note: Niue is self-governing, with the power to make its own laws

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); the UK

and New Zealand are represented by New Zealand High Commissioner

John BRYAN (since NA May 2000)

head of government: Premier Young VIVIAN (since 1 May 2002)

cabinet: Cabinet consists of the premier and three ministers

elections: the monarch is hereditary; premier elected by the

Legislative Assembly for a three-year term; election last held 12

May 2005 (next to be held May 2008)

election results: Young VIVIAN reelected premier; percent of

Legislative Assembly vote - Young VIVIAN (NPP) 85%, O'Love JACOBSEN

(independent) 15%

Legislative branch:

unicameral Legislative Assembly (20 seats; members elected by

popular vote to serve three-year terms; six elected from a common

roll and 14 are village representatives)

elections: last held 30 April 2005 (next to be held April 2008)

election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NA

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court of New Zealand; High Court of Niue

Political parties and leaders:

Niue People's Action Party or NPP [Young VIVIAN]; Alliance of

Independents or AI [leader NA]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

NA

International organization participation:

ACP, FAO, PIF, Sparteca, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WMO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

none (self-governing territory in free association with New Zealand)

Diplomatic representation from the US:

none (self-governing territory in free association with New Zealand)

Flag description:

yellow with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant;

the flag of the UK bears five yellow five-pointed stars - a large

one on a blue disk in the center and a smaller one on each arm of

the bold red cross

Economy Niue

Economy - overview:

The economy suffers from the typical Pacific island problems of

geographic isolation, few resources, and a small population.

Government expenditures regularly exceed revenues, and the shortfall

is made up by critically needed grants from New Zealand that are

used to pay wages to public employees. Niue has cut government

expenditures by reducing the public service by almost half. The

agricultural sector consists mainly of subsistence gardening,

although some cash crops are grown for export. Industry consists

primarily of small factories to process passion fruit, lime oil,

honey, and coconut cream. The sale of postage stamps to foreign

collectors is an important source of revenue. The island in recent

years has suffered a serious loss of population because of migration

of Niueans to New Zealand. Efforts to increase GDP include the

promotion of tourism and a financial services industry, although

former Premier LAKATANI announced in February 2002 that Niue will

shut down the offshore banking industry. Economic aid from New

Zealand in 2002 was about $2.6 million. Niue suffered a devastating

hurricane in January 2004, which decimated nascent economic

programs. While in the process of rebuilding, Niue has been

dependent on foreign aid.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$7.6 million (2000 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

-0.3% (2000 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $3,600 (2000 est.)

GDP - composition by sector:

agriculture: NA

industry: NA

services: 55%

Labor force:

NA

Labor force - by occupation:

most work on family plantations; paid work exists only in

government service, small industry, and the Niue Development Board

Unemployment rate:

NA

Population below poverty line:

NA

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

1% (1995)

Budget:

revenues: NA

expenditures: NA

Agriculture - products:

coconuts, passion fruit, honey, limes, taro, yams, cassava

(tapioca), sweet potatoes; pigs, poultry, beef cattle

Industries:

tourism, handicrafts, food processing

Industrial production growth rate:

NA

Electricity - production:

3 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

2.79 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

20 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Exports:

$137,200 (1999)

Exports - commodities:

canned coconut cream, copra, honey, vanilla, passion fruit

products, pawpaws, root crops, limes, footballs, stamps, handicrafts

Exports - partners:

New Zealand mainly, Fiji, Cook Islands, Australia (2000)

Imports:

$2.38 million (1999)

Imports - commodities:

food, live animals, manufactured goods, machinery, fuels,

lubricants, chemicals, drugs

Imports - partners:

New Zealand mainly, Fiji, Japan, Samoa, Australia, US (2000)

Debt - external:

$418,000 (2002 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:

$2.6 million from New Zealand (2002)

Currency (code):

New Zealand dollar (NZD)

Currency code:

NZD

Exchange rates:

New Zealand dollars per US dollar - 1.5087 (2004), 1.7221 (2003),

2.1622 (2002), 2.3788 (2001), 2.2012 (2000)

Fiscal year:

1 April - 31 March

Communications Niue

Telephones - main lines in use:

1,100 est (2002)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

400 (2002)

Telephone system:

domestic: single-line telephone system connects all villages on

island

international: country code - 683

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0 (1998)

Radios:

1,000 (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

1 (1997)

Televisions:

NA

Internet country code:

.nu

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

1 (2000)

Internet users:

NA

Transportation Niue

Highways: total: 234 km paved: 86 km unpaved: 148 km (2001)

Ports and harbors:

none; offshore anchorage only

Airports:

1 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Military Niue

Military branches:

no regular indigenous military forces; Police Force

Military - note:

defense is the responsibility of New Zealand

Transnational Issues Niue

Disputes - international: none

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Norfolk Island

Introduction Norfolk Island

Background:

Two British attempts at establishing the island as a penal colony

(1788-1814 and 1825-55) were ultimately abandoned. In 1856, the

island was resettled by Pitcairn Islanders, descendants of the

Bounty mutineers and their Tahitian companions.

Geography Norfolk Island

Location:

Oceania, island in the South Pacific Ocean, east of Australia

Geographic coordinates:

29 02 S, 167 57 E

Map references:

Oceania

Area:

total: 34.6 sq km

land: 34.6 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative:

about 0.2 times the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries:

0 km

Coastline:

32 km

Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm

Climate:

subtropical; mild, little seasonal temperature variation

Terrain:

volcanic formation with mostly rolling plains

Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Bates 319 m

Natural resources: fish

Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (2001)

Irrigated land:

NA

Natural hazards:

typhoons (especially May to July)

Environment - current issues:

NA

Geography - note:

most of the 32-km coastline consists of almost inaccessible cliffs,

but the land slopes down to the sea in one small southern area on

Sydney Bay, where the capital of Kingston is situated

People Norfolk Island

Population: 1,828 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure: 0-14 years: 20.2% 15-64 years: 63.9% 65 years and over: 15.9% (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

-0.01% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

NA

Death rate:

NA

Net migration rate:

NA

Sex ratio:

NA

Infant mortality rate:

total: NA

male: NA

female: NA

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: NA

male: NA

female: NA

Total fertility rate:

NA

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

NA

Nationality:

noun: Norfolk Islander(s)

adjective: Norfolk Islander(s)

Ethnic groups:

descendants of the Bounty mutineers, Australian, New Zealander,

Polynesians

Religions:

Anglican 34.9%, Roman Catholic 11.7%, Uniting Church in Australia

11.2%, Seventh-Day Adventist 2.8%, Australian Christian 2.4%,

Jehovah's Witness 0.9%, other 2.7%, unspecified 15.3%, none 18.1%

(2001 census)

Languages:

English (official), Norfolk a mixture of 18th century English and

ancient Tahitian

Literacy:

NA

Government Norfolk Island

Country name:

conventional long form: Territory of Norfolk Island

conventional short form: Norfolk Island

Dependency status:

territory of Australia; Canberra administers Commonwealth

responsibilities on Norfolk Island through the Department of

Environment, Sport, and Territories

Government type:

NA

Capital:

Kingston

Administrative divisions:

none (territory of Australia)

Independence:

none (territory of Australia)

National holiday:

Bounty Day (commemorates the arrival of Pitcairn Islanders), 8 June

(1856)

Constitution:

Norfolk Island Act of 1979

Legal system:

based on the laws of Australia, local ordinances and acts; English

common law applies in matters not covered by either Australian or

Norfolk Island law

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); the UK

and Australia are represented by Administrator Grant TAMBLING (since

1 November 2003)

head of government: Assembly President and Chief Minister Geoffrey

Robert GARDNER (since 5 December 2001)

cabinet: Executive Council is made up of four of the nine members of

the Legislative Assembly; the council devises government policy and

acts as an advisor to the administrator

elections: the monarch is hereditary; administrator appointed by the

governor general of Australia; chief minister elected by the

Legislative Assembly for a term of not more than three years;

election last held 20 Ocotber 2004 (next to be held by December 2007)

election results: Geoffrey Robert GARDNER elected chief minister;

percent of Legislative Assembly vote - 17.2%

Legislative branch:

unicameral Legislative Assembly (9 seats; members elected by

electors who have nine equal votes each but only four votes can be

given to any one candidate; members serve three-year terms)

elections: last held 20 October 2004 (next to be held by December

2007)

election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats - independents 9

(note - no political parties)

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court; Court of Petty Sessions

Political parties and leaders:

none

Political pressure groups and leaders:

none

International organization participation:

UPU

Diplomatic representation in the US:

none (territory of Australia)

Diplomatic representation from the US:

none (territory of Australia)

Flag description:

three vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and green with a

large green Norfolk Island pine tree centered in the slightly wider

white band

Economy Norfolk Island

Economy - overview:

Tourism, the primary economic activity, has steadily increased over

the years and has brought a level of prosperity unusual among

inhabitants of the Pacific islands. The agricultural sector has

become self-sufficient in the production of beef, poultry, and eggs.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

NA

GDP - real growth rate:

NA

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - NA

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: NA industry: NA services: NA

Labor force:

1,345

Labor force - by occupation:

tourism 90%, subsistence agriculture 10%

Unemployment rate:

0%

Population below poverty line:

NA

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

NA

Budget:

revenues: $20 million

expenditures: $20 million, including capital expenditures of $2

million (FY99/00)

Agriculture - products:

Norfolk Island pine seed, Kentia palm seed, cereals, vegetables,

fruit; cattle, poultry

Industries:

tourism, light industry, ready mixed concrete

Industrial production growth rate:

NA

Electricity - production:

NA kWh

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 0% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2002)

Electricity - consumption:

NA kWh

Exports:

$1.5 million f.o.b. (FY99/00)

Exports - commodities:

postage stamps, seeds of the Norfolk Island pine and Kentia palm,

small quantities of avocados

Exports - partners:

Australia, other Pacific island countries, NZ, Asia, Europe

Imports:

$17.9 million c.i.f. (FY91/92)

Imports - commodities:

NA

Imports - partners:

Australia, other Pacific island countries, NZ, Asia, Europe

Debt - external:

NA

Economic aid - recipient:

NA

Currency (code):

Australian dollar (AUD)

Currency code:

AUD

Exchange rates:

Australian dollars per US dollar - 1.3598 (2004), 1.5419 (2003),

1.8406 (2002), 1.9334 (2001), 1.7248 (2000)

Fiscal year:

1 July - 30 June

Communications Norfolk Island

Telephones - main lines in use:

2,532; note - a mix of analog (2500) and digital (32) circuits

(2004)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

0 (proposed cellular service disallowed in August 2002 island

referendum) (2002)

Telephone system:

general assessment: adequate

domestic: free local calls

international: country code - 672; undersea coaxial cable links with

Australia, New Zealand, and Canada; satellite earth station

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 1, FM 3, shortwave 0 (2005)

Radios:

2,500 (1996)

Television broadcast stations:

1 (local programming station plus two repeaters that bring in

Australian programs by satellite) (2005)

Televisions:

1,200 (1996)

Internet country code:

.nf

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

2 (2000)

Internet users:

700

Transportation Norfolk Island

Highways: total: 80 km paved: 53 km unpaved: 27 km (2001)

Ports and harbors:

none; loading jetties at Kingston and Cascade

Airports:

1 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Military Norfolk Island

Military - note: defense is the responsibility of Australia

Transnational Issues Norfolk Island

Disputes - international: none

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Northern Mariana Islands

Introduction Northern Mariana Islands

Background:

Under US administration as part of the UN Trust Territory of the

Pacific, the people of the Northern Mariana Islands decided in the

1970s not to seek independence but instead to forge closer links

with the US. Negotiations for territorial status began in 1972. A

covenant to establish a commonwealth in political union with the US

was approved in 1975. A new government and constitution went into

effect in 1978.

Geography Northern Mariana Islands

Location:

Oceania, islands in the North Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters

of the way from Hawaii to the Philippines

Geographic coordinates:

15 12 N, 145 45 E

Map references:

Oceania

Area:

total: 477 sq km

land: 477 sq km

water: 0 sq km

note: includes 14 islands including Saipan, Rota, and Tinian

Area - comparative:

2.5 times the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries:

0 km

Coastline:

1,482 km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Climate:

tropical marine; moderated by northeast trade winds, little

seasonal temperature variation; dry season December to June, rainy

season July to October

Terrain:

southern islands are limestone with level terraces and fringing

coral reefs; northern islands are volcanic

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

highest point: unnamed location on Agrihan 965 m

Natural resources:

arable land, fish

Land use:

arable land: 13.04%

permanent crops: 4.35%

other: 82.61% (2001)

Irrigated land:

NA

Natural hazards:

active volcanoes on Pagan and Agrihan; typhoons (especially August

to November)

Environment - current issues: contamination of groundwater on Saipan may contribute to disease; clean-up of landfill; protection of endangered species conflicts with development

Geography - note: strategic location in the North Pacific Ocean

People Northern Mariana Islands

Population:

80,362 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 19.9% (male 8,332/female 7,646)

15-64 years: 78.5% (male 26,121/female 36,982)

65 years and over: 1.6% (male 646/female 635) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 29.33 years

male: 31.54 years

female: 28.33 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

2.61% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

19.51 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

2.3 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

8.92 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.09 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.71 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 1.02 male(s)/female

total population: 0.78 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 7.11 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 7.05 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 7.17 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 75.88 years

male: 73.31 years

female: 78.61 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

1.27 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

NA

Nationality:

noun: NA

adjective: NA

Ethnic groups:

Asian 56.3%, Pacific islander 36.3%, Caucasian 1.8%, other 0.8%,

mixed 4.8% (2000 census)

Religions:

Christian (Roman Catholic majority, although traditional beliefs

and taboos may still be found)

Languages:

Philippine languages 24.4%, Chinese 23.4%, Chamorro 22.4%, English

10.8%, other Pacific island languages 9.5%, other 9.6% (2000 census)

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 97%

male: 97%

female: 96% (1980 est.)

Government Northern Mariana Islands

Country name:

conventional long form: Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands

conventional short form: Northern Mariana Islands

former: Mariana Islands District (Trust Territory of the Pacific

Islands)

Dependency status:

commonwealth in political union with the US; federal funds to the

Commonwealth administered by the US Department of the Interior,

Office of Insular Affairs

Government type:

commonwealth; self-governing with locally elected governor,

lieutenant governor, and legislature

Capital:

Saipan

Administrative divisions:

none (commonwealth in political union with the US); there are no

first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US

Government, but there are four municipalities at the second order:

Northern Islands, Rota, Saipan, Tinian

Independence:

none (commonwealth in political union with the US)

National holiday:

Commonwealth Day, 8 January (1978)

Constitution:

Constitution of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands

effective 1 January 1978; Covenant Agreement effective 4 November

1986

Legal system:

based on US system, except for customs, wages, immigration laws,

and taxation

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal; indigenous inhabitants are US citizens

but do not vote in US presidential elections

Executive branch:

chief of state: President George W. BUSH of the US (since 20

January 2001); Vice President Richard B. CHENEY (since 20 January

2001)

head of government: Governor Juan N. BABAUTA (since 14 January

2002); Lieutenant Governor Diego T. BENAVENTE (since 14 January 2002)

cabinet: NA

elections: US president and vice president elected on the same

ticket for four-year terms; governor and lieutenant governor elected

on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms; election

last held 3 November 2001 (next to be held November 2005)

election results: Juan N. BABAUTA elected governor in a four-way

race; percent of vote - Juan N. BABAUTA (Republican Party) 42.8%

Legislative branch:

bicameral Legislature consists of the Senate (9 seats; members are

elected by popular vote to serve four-year staggered terms) and the

House of Representatives (18 seats; members are elected by popular

vote to serve two-year terms)

elections: Senate - last held 1 November 2003 (next to be held 5

November 2005); House of Representatives - last held 1 November 2003

(next to be held 5 November 2005)

election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by

party - NA; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party -

NA%; seats by party - Covenant Party 9, Republican Party 7,

Democratic Party 1, independent 1

note: the Northern Mariana Islands does not have a nonvoting

delegate in the US Congress; instead, it has an elected official or

"resident representative" located in Washington, DC; seats by party

- Republican Party 1 (Pedro A. TENORIO)

Judicial branch:

Commonwealth Supreme Court; Superior Court; Federal District Court

Political parties and leaders:

Democratic Party [Dr. Carlos S. CAMACHO]; Republican Party [NA];

Covenant Party [Benigno R. FITIAL]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

NA

International organization participation:

Interpol (subbureau)

Flag description:

blue, with a white, five-pointed star superimposed on the gray

silhouette of a latte stone (a traditional foundation stone used in

building) in the center, surrounded by a wreath

Economy Northern Mariana Islands

Economy - overview:

The economy benefits substantially from financial assistance from

the US. The rate of funding has declined as locally generated

government revenues have grown. The key tourist industry employs

about 50% of the work force and accounts for roughly one-fourth of

GDP. Japanese tourists predominate. Annual tourist entries have

exceeded one-half million in recent years, but financial

difficulties in Japan have caused a temporary slowdown. The

agricultural sector is made up of cattle ranches and small farms

producing coconuts, breadfruit, tomatoes, and melons. Garment

production is by far the most important industry with employment of

17,500 mostly Chinese workers and sizable shipments to the US under

duty and quota exemptions.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$900 million

note: GDP estimate includes US subsidy (2000 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

NA

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $12,500 (2000 est.)

GDP - composition by sector:

agriculture: NA

industry: NA

services: NA

Labor force:

6,006 total indigenous labor force; 2,699 unemployed; 28,717

foreign workers (June 1995)

Labor force - by occupation:

NA

Unemployment rate:

NA

Population below poverty line:

NA

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

1.2% (1997 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $193 million

expenditures: $223 million, including capital expenditures of NA

(FY01/02 est.)

Agriculture - products:

coconuts, fruits, vegetables; cattle

Industries:

tourism, construction, garments, handicrafts

Industrial production growth rate:

NA

Electricity - production:

NA kWh

Electricity - consumption:

NA kWh

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh

Exports:

NA

Exports - commodities:

garments

Exports - partners:

US (2000)

Imports:

NA

Imports - commodities:

food, construction equipment and materials, petroleum products

Imports - partners:

US, Japan (2000)

Debt - external:

NA

Economic aid - recipient:

extensive funding from US

Currency (code):

US dollar (USD)

Currency code:

USD

Exchange rates:

the US dollar is used

Fiscal year:

1 October - 30 September

Communications Northern Mariana Islands

Telephones - main lines in use:

21,000 (2000)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

3,000 (2000)

Telephone system:

general assessment: NA

domestic: NA

international: country code - 1-670; satellite earth stations - 2

Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 2, FM 3, shortwave 1 (1998)

Radios:

NA

Television broadcast stations:

1 (on Saipan and one station planned for Rota; in addition, two

cable services on Saipan provide varied programming from satellite

networks) (1997)

Televisions:

NA

Internet country code:

.mp

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

1 (2001)

Internet users:

NA

Transportation Northern Mariana Islands

Highways: total: 362 km paved: NA km unpaved: NA km (1991)

Ports and harbors:

Saipan, Tinian

Airports:

5 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 3

2,438 to 3,047 m: 2

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 2

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1

under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Heliports:

1 (2004 est.)

Military Northern Mariana Islands

Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the US

Transnational Issues Northern Mariana Islands

Disputes - international: none

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Norway

Introduction Norway

Background:

Two centuries of Viking raids into Europe tapered off following the

adoption of Christianity by King Olav TRYGGVASON in 994. Conversion

of the Norwegian kingdom occurred over the next several decades. In

1397, Norway was absorbed into a union with Denmark that was to last

for more than four centuries. In 1814, Norwegians resisted the

cession of their country to Sweden and adopted a new constitution.

Sweden then invaded Norway but agreed to let Norway keep its

constitution in return for accepting the union under a Swedish king.

Rising nationalism throughout the 19th century led to a 1905

referendum granting Norway independence. Although Norway remained

neutral in World War I, it suffered heavy losses to its shipping.

Norway proclaimed its neutrality at the outset of World War II, but

was nonetheless occupied for five years by Nazi Germany (1940-45).

In 1949, neutrality was abandoned and Norway became a member of

NATO. Discovery of oil and gas in adjacent waters in the late 1960s

boosted Norway's economic fortunes. The current focus is on

containing spending on the extensive welfare system and planning for

the time when petroleum reserves are depleted. In referenda held in

1972 and 1994, Norway rejected joining the EU.

Geography Norway

Location:

Northern Europe, bordering the North Sea and the North Atlantic

Ocean, west of Sweden

Geographic coordinates:

62 00 N, 10 00 E

Map references:

Europe

Area:

total: 324,220 sq km

land: 307,860 sq km

water: 16,360 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly larger than New Mexico

Land boundaries:

total: 2,542 km

border countries: Finland 727 km, Sweden 1,619 km, Russia 196 km

Coastline:

25,148 km (includes mainland 2,650 km, as well as long fjords,

numerous small islands, and minor indentations 22,498 km; length of

island coastlines 58,133 km)

Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 10 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm

Climate:

temperate along coast, modified by North Atlantic Current; colder

interior with increased precipitation and colder summers; rainy

year-round on west coast

Terrain:

glaciated; mostly high plateaus and rugged mountains broken by

fertile valleys; small, scattered plains; coastline deeply indented

by fjords; arctic tundra in north

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Norwegian Sea 0 m

highest point: Galdhopiggen 2,469 m

Natural resources:

petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, copper, lead, zinc, titanium,

pyrites, nickel, fish, timber, hydropower

Land use: arable land: 2.87% permanent crops: 0% other: 97.13% (2001)

Irrigated land:

1,270 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

rockslides, avalanches

Environment - current issues:

water pollution; acid rain damaging forests and adversely affecting

lakes, threatening fish stocks; air pollution from vehicle emissions

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air

Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85,

Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds,

Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources,

Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change,

Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species,

Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine

Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83,

Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

about two-thirds mountains; some 50,000 islands off its much

indented coastline; strategic location adjacent to sea lanes and air

routes in North Atlantic; one of most rugged and longest coastlines

in world

People Norway

Population:

4,593,041 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 19.5% (male 459,418/female 437,734)

15-64 years: 65.7% (male 1,531,249/female 1,484,656)

65 years and over: 14.8% (male 286,343/female 393,641) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 38.17 years

male: 37.29 years

female: 39.07 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

0.4% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

11.67 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

9.45 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

1.73 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.73 male(s)/female

total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 3.7 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 4.07 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 3.32 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 79.4 years

male: 76.78 years

female: 82.17 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

1.78 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

0.1% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

2,100 (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

less than 100 (2003 est.)

Nationality:

noun: Norwegian(s)

adjective: Norwegian

Ethnic groups:

Norwegian, Sami 20,000

Religions:

Church of Norway 85.7%, Pentecostal 1%, Roman Catholic 1%, other

Christian 2.4%, Muslim 1.8%, other 8.1% (2004)

Languages:

Bokmal Norwegian (official), Nynorsk Norwegian (official), small

Sami- and Finnish-speaking minorities

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 100%

male: 100%

female: 100%

Government Norway

Country name:

conventional long form: Kingdom of Norway

conventional short form: Norway

local long form: Kongeriket Norge

local short form: Norge

Government type:

constitutional monarchy

Capital:

Oslo

Administrative divisions:

19 counties (fylker, singular - fylke); Akershus, Aust-Agder,

Buskerud, Finnmark, Hedmark, Hordaland, More og Romsdal, Nordland,

Nord-Trondelag, Oppland, Oslo, Ostfold, Rogaland, Sogn og Fjordane,

Sor-Trondelag, Telemark, Troms, Vest-Agder, Vestfold

Dependent areas:

Bouvet Island, Jan Mayen, Svalbard

Independence:

7 June 1905 (Norway declared the union with Sweden dissolved); 26

October 1905 (Sweden agreed to the repeal of the union)

National holiday:

Constitution Day, 17 May (1814)

Constitution:

17 May 1814; amended many times

Legal system:

mixture of customary law, civil law system, and common law

traditions; Supreme Court renders advisory opinions to legislature

when asked; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: King HARALD V (since 17 January 1991); Heir

Apparent Crown Prince HAAKON MAGNUS, son of the monarch (born 20

July 1973)

head of government: Prime Minister Jens STOLTENBERG (since 17

October 2005)

cabinet: State Council appointed by the monarch with the approval of

parliament

elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; following parliamentary

elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the

majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the

monarch with the approval of the parliament

Legislative branch:

modified unicameral Parliament or Storting (169 seats; members are

elected by popular vote by proportional representation to serve

four-year terms)

elections: last held 12 September 2005 (next to be held September

2009)

election results: percent of vote by party - Labor Party 32.7%,

Progress Party 22.1%, Conservative Party 14.1%, Socialist Left Party

8.8%, Christian People's Party 6.8%, Center Party 6.5%, Liberal

Party 5.9%, Red Electoral Alliance 1.2%, other 1.9%; seats by party

- Labor Party 61, Progress Party 38, Conservative Party 23,

Socialist Left Party 15, Christian People's Party 11, Center Party

11, Liberal Party 10

note: for certain purposes, the parliament divides itself into two

chambers and elects one-fourth of its membership to an upper house

or Lagting

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court or Hoyesterett (justices appointed by the monarch)

Political parties and leaders:

Center Party [Aslaug Marie HAGA]; Christian People's Party [Dagfinn

HOYBRATEN]; Coastal Party [Roy WAAGE]; Conservative Party [Erna

SOLBERG]; Labor Party [Jens STOLTENBERG]; Liberal Party [Lars

SPONHEIM]; Progress Party [Carl I. HAGEN]; Socialist Left Party

[Kristin HALVORSEN]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

NA

International organization participation:

AfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EFTA,

ESA, FAO, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA,

IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU,

MIGA, NAM (guest), NATO, NC, NEA, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD,

OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO,

UNMEE, UNMIK, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WEU (associate), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO,

ZC

Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Knut VOLLEBAEK chancery: 2720 34th Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 333-6000 FAX: [1] (202) 337-0870 consulate(s) general: Houston, Minneapolis, New York, and San Francisco

Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador John D. ONG embassy: Drammensveien 18, 0244 Oslo mailing address: PSC 69, Box 1000, APO AE 09707 telephone: [47] (22) 44 85 50 FAX: [47] (22) 44 33 63

Flag description:

red with a blue cross outlined in white that extends to the edges

of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist

side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag)

Economy Norway

Economy - overview:

The Norwegian economy is a prosperous bastion of welfare

capitalism, featuring a combination of free market activity and

government intervention. The government controls key areas, such as

the vital petroleum sector (through large-scale state enterprises).

The country is richly endowed with natural resources - petroleum,

hydropower, fish, forests, and minerals - and is highly dependent on

its oil production and international oil prices, with oil and gas

accounting for one-third of exports. Only Saudi Arabia and Russia

export more oil than Norway. Norway opted to stay out of the EU

during a referendum in November 1994; nonetheless, it contributes

sizably to the EU budget. The government has moved ahead with

privatization. With arguably the highest quality of life worldwide,

Norwegians still worry about that time in the next two decades when

the oil and gas will begin to run out. Accordingly, Norway has been

saving its oil-boosted budget surpluses in a Government Petroleum

Fund, which is invested abroad and now is valued at more than $150

billion. After lackluster growth of 1% in 2002 and 0.5% in 2003, GDP

growth picked up to 3.3% in 2004.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$183 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

3.3% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $40,000 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 2.2% industry: 36.3% services: 61.6% (2004 est.)

Labor force: 2.38 million (2004 est.)

Labor force - by occupation: agriculture, forestry, and fishing 4%, industry 22%, services 74% (1995)

Unemployment rate:

4.3% (2004 est.)

Population below poverty line:

NA

Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 4.1% highest 10%: 21.8% (1995)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

25.8 (1995)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

1% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

17.5% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $134 billion

expenditures: $116.8 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Public debt:

33.1% of GDP (2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

barley, wheat, potatoes; pork, beef, veal, milk; fish

Industries:

petroleum and gas, food processing, shipbuilding, pulp and paper

products, metals, chemicals, timber, mining, textiles, fishing

Industrial production growth rate:

5.2% (2004 est.)

Electricity - production:

125.9 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 0.4% hydro: 99.3% nuclear: 0% other: 0.4% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

107.4 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

15 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

5.3 billion kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

3.31 million bbl/day (2004 est.)

Oil - consumption:

171,100 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

3.466 million bbl/day (2001)

Oil - imports:

88,870 bbl/day (2001)

Oil - proved reserves:

9.859 billion bbl (1 January 2002)

Natural gas - production:

54.6 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - consumption:

4.1 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - exports:

50.5 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - imports:

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves:

1.716 trillion cu m (1 January 2002)

Current account balance:

$30.52 billion (2004 est.)

Exports:

$76.64 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

petroleum and petroleum products, machinery and equipment, metals,

chemicals, ships, fish

Exports - partners:

UK 22.4%, Germany 12.9%, Netherlands 9.9%, France 9.6%, US 8.4%,

Sweden 6.7% (2004)

Imports:

$45.96 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

machinery and equipment, chemicals, metals, foodstuffs

Imports - partners:

Sweden 15.7%, Germany 13.6%, Denmark 7.3%, UK 6.5%, China 5%, US

4.9%, Netherlands 4.4%, France 4.3%, Finland 4.1% (2004)

Debt - external:

$0 (Norway is a net external creditor) (2003 est.)

Economic aid - donor:

ODA, $1.4 billion (1998)

Currency (code):

Norwegian krone (NOK)

Currency code:

NOK

Exchange rates:

Norwegian kroner per US dollar - 6.7408 (2004), 7.0802 (2003),

7.9838 (2002), 8.9917 (2001), 8.8018 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Norway

Telephones - main lines in use:

3.343 million (2002)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

4,163,400 (2003)

Telephone system:

general assessment: modern in all respects; one of the most

advanced telecommunications networks in Europe

domestic: Norway has a domestic satellite system; moreover, the

prevalence of rural areas encourages the wide use of cellular mobile

systems instead of fixed-wire systems

international: country code - 47; 2 buried coaxial cable systems; 4

coaxial submarine cables; satellite earth stations - NA Eutelsat, NA

Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean), and 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic and Indian Ocean

regions); note - Norway shares the Inmarsat earth station with the

other Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, and Sweden) (1999)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 5, FM at least 650, shortwave 1 (1998)

Radios:

4.03 million (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

360 (plus 2,729 repeaters) (1995)

Televisions:

2.03 million (1997)

Internet country code:

.no

Internet hosts:

593,850 (2004)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

13 (2000)

Internet users:

2.288 million (2002)

Transportation Norway

Railways: total: 4,077 km standard gauge: 4,077 km 1.435-m gauge (2,518 km electrified) (2004)

Highways:

total: 91,852 km

paved: 71,185 km (including 178 km of expressways)

unpaved: 20,667 km (2002)

Pipelines:

condensate 411 km; gas 6,199 km; oil 2,213 km; oil/gas/water 746

km; unknown (oil/water) 38 km (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Borg Havn, Bergen, Mo i Rana, Molde, Mongstad, Narvik, Oslo, Sture

Merchant marine:

total: 740 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 18,820,495 GRT/27,449,456 DWT

by type: bulk carrier 51, cargo 168, chemical tanker 142,

combination ore/oil 20, container 3, liquefied gas 81, passenger 5,

passenger/cargo 113, petroleum tanker 79, refrigerated cargo 6, roll

on/roll off 30, vehicle carrier 42

foreign-owned: 174 (Belgium 1, China 3, Cyprus 5, Denmark 28,

Estonia 2, Finland 5, Germany 4, Hong Kong 52, Iceland 3, Italy 3,

Japan 3, Lithuania 1, Monaco 1, Netherlands 4, Poland 2, Saudi

Arabia 7, Singapore 10, Sweden 24, United States 16)

registered in other countries: 1,117 (2005)

Airports:

101 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 65 2,438 to 3,047 m: 13 1,524 to 2,437 m: 12 914 to 1,523 m: 14 under 914 m: 26 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 36 914 to 1,523 m: 7 under 914 m: 29 (2004 est.)

Heliports: 1 (2004 est.)

Military Norway

Military branches:

Norwegian Army, Royal Norwegian Navy (includes Coastal Rangers and

Coast Guard (Kystvakt)), Royal Norwegian Air Force (Kongelige Norske

Luftforsvaret, RNoAF), Home Guard

Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for compulsory military service; 16 years of age in wartime; 17 years of age for male volunteers; 18 years of age for women; 16 years of age for volunteers to the Home Guard; conscript service obligation - 12 months (2004)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 18-49: 1,014,592 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: 827,016 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:

males: 29,179 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$4,033.5 million (2003)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

1.9% (2003)

Transnational Issues Norway

Disputes - international:

Norway asserts a territorial claim in Antarctica (Queen Maud Land

and its continental shelf); despite recent discussions, Russia and

Norway continue to dispute their maritime limits in the Barents Sea

and Russia's fishing rights beyond Svalbard's territorial limits

within the Svalbard Treaty zone

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Oman

Introduction Oman

Background:

In 1970, QABOOS bin Said Al Said ousted his father and has ruled as

sultan ever since. His extensive modernization program has opened

the country to the outside world and has preserved a long-standing

political and military relationship with the UK. Oman's moderate,

independent foreign policy has sought to maintain good relations

with all Middle Eastern countries.

Geography Oman

Location:

Middle East, bordering the Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman, and Persian

Gulf, between Yemen and UAE

Geographic coordinates:

21 00 N, 57 00 E

Map references:

Middle East

Area:

total: 212,460 sq km

land: 212,460 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly smaller than Kansas

Land boundaries: total: 1,374 km border countries: Saudi Arabia 676 km, UAE 410 km, Yemen 288 km

Coastline: 2,092 km

Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Climate:

dry desert; hot, humid along coast; hot, dry interior; strong

southwest summer monsoon (May to September) in far south

Terrain:

central desert plain, rugged mountains in north and south

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Arabian Sea 0 m

highest point: Jabal Shams 2,980 m

Natural resources:

petroleum, copper, asbestos, some marble, limestone, chromium,

gypsum, natural gas

Land use: arable land: 0.12% permanent crops: 0.14% other: 99.74% (2001)

Irrigated land:

620 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

summer winds often raise large sandstorms and dust storms in

interior; periodic droughts

Environment - current issues:

rising soil salinity; beach pollution from oil spills; very limited

natural fresh water resources

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto

Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine

Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

strategic location on Musandam Peninsula adjacent to Strait of

Hormuz, a vital transit point for world crude oil

People Oman

Population: 3,001,583 note: includes 577,293 non-nationals (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 42.6% (male 652,028/female 626,698)

15-64 years: 54.9% (male 978,183/female 668,814)

65 years and over: 2.5% (male 41,366/female 34,494) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 19.13 years

male: 21.88 years

female: 16.45 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

3.32% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

36.73 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

3.86 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

0.31 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.46 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 1.2 male(s)/female

total population: 1.26 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 19.51 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 22.35 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 16.53 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 73.13 years

male: 70.92 years

female: 75.46 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

5.84 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

0.1% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

1,300 (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

less than 200 (2003 est.)

Nationality:

noun: Omani(s)

adjective: Omani

Ethnic groups:

Arab, Baluchi, South Asian (Indian, Pakistani, Sri Lankan,

Bangladeshi), African

Religions:

Ibadhi Muslim 75%, Sunni Muslim, Shi'a Muslim, Hindu

Languages:

Arabic (official), English, Baluchi, Urdu, Indian dialects

Literacy: definition: NA total population: 75.8% male: 83.1% female: 67.2% (2003 est.)

Government Oman

Country name:

conventional long form: Sultanate of Oman

conventional short form: Oman

local long form: Saltanat Uman

local short form: Uman

former: Muscat and Oman

Government type:

monarchy

Capital:

Muscat

Administrative divisions:

5 regions (manaatiq, singular - mintaqat) and 3 governorates*

(muhaafazaat, singular - muhaafaza) Ad Dakhiliyah, Al Batinah, Al

Wusta, Ash Sharqiyah, Az Zahirah, Masqat*, Musandam*, Zufar*

Independence:

1650 (expulsion of the Portuguese)

National holiday:

Birthday of Sultan QABOOS, 18 November (1940)

Constitution:

none; note - on 6 November 1996, Sultan QABOOS issued a royal

decree promulgating a basic law considered by the government to be a

constitution which, among other things, clarifies the royal

succession, provides for a prime minister, bars ministers from

holding interests in companies doing business with the government,

establishes a bicameral legislature, and guarantees basic civil

liberties for Omani citizens

Legal system:

based on English common law and Islamic law; ultimate appeal to the

monarch; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage:

in Oman's most recent Majlis al-Shura elections in 2003, suffrage

was universal for all Omanis over age 21 except for members of the

military and security forces; the next Majlis al-Shura elections are

scheduled for 2007

Executive branch:

chief of state: Sultan and Prime Minister QABOOS bin Said al-Said

(since 23 July 1970); note - the monarch is both the chief of state

and head of government

head of government: Sultan and Prime Minister QABOOS bin Said

al-Said (since 23 July 1970); note - the monarch is both the chief

of state and head of government

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the monarch

elections: none; the monarch is hereditary

Legislative branch:

bicameral Majlis Oman consists of an upper chamber or Majlis

al-Dawla (58 seats; members appointed by the monarch; has advisory

powers only) and a lower chamber or Majlis al-Shura (83 seats;

members elected by universal suffrage for four-year term; body has

some limited power to propose legislation, but otherwise has only

advisory powers)

elections: last held 4 October 2003 (next to be held NA 2007)

election results: NA

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court

note: the nascent civil court system, administered by region, has

judges who practice secular and Sharia (Islamic) law

Political parties and leaders:

none

Political pressure groups and leaders:

none

International organization participation:

ABEDA, AFESD, AMF, FAO, G-77, GCC, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory),

IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU,

LAS, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO,

WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, WToO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Muhammad bin Ali bin Thani al-KHUSSAIBY

chancery: 2535 Belmont Road, NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 387-1980 through 1981, 1988

FAX: [1] (202) 745-4933

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Richard Lewis BALTIMORE III

embassy: Jameat A'Duwal Al Arabiya Street, Al Khuwair area, Muscat

mailing address: P. O. Box 202, P.C. 115, Madinat Al-Sultan Qaboos,

Muscat

telephone: [968] 24-698989

FAX: [968] 24-699771

Flag description:

three horizontal bands of white, red, and green of equal width with

a broad, vertical, red band on the hoist side; the national emblem

(a khanjar dagger in its sheath superimposed on two crossed swords

in scabbards) in white is centered near the top of the vertical band

Economy Oman

Economy - overview:

Oman is a middle-income economy in the Middle East with notable oil

and gas resources, a substantial trade surplus, and low inflation.

The government is privatizing its utilities and diversifying its

economy to attract foreign investment. Oman continues to liberalize

its markets and joined the World Trade Organization (WTO) in

November 2000. To reduce unemployment and limit dependence on

foreign countries, the government is encouraging the replacement of

expatriate workers with local people, i.e., Omanization. Training in

information technology, business management, and English support

this objective. Industrial development plans focus on gas resources,

metal manufacturing, petrochemicals, and international transshipment

ports.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$38.09 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

1.2% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $13,100 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 3.1% industry: 41.1% services: 55.8% (2004 est.)

Labor force:

920,000 (2002 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture NA, industry NA, services NA

Unemployment rate:

15% (2004 est.)

Population below poverty line:

NA

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

0.2% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

13.5% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $9.291 billion

expenditures: $8.747 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Public debt:

10.3% of GDP (2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

dates, limes, bananas, alfalfa, vegetables; camels, cattle; fish

Industries:

crude oil production and refining, natural and liquefied natural

gas (LNG) production, construction, cement, copper, steel,

chemicals, optic fiber

Industrial production growth rate:

-1.2% (2004 est.)

Electricity - production:

9.896 billion kWh (2003)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

9.792 billion kWh (2003)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

775,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Oil - consumption:

54,000 bbl/day (2003 est.)

Oil - exports:

721,000 bbl/day (2004)

Oil - imports:

NA

Oil - proved reserves:

5.5 billion bbl (2003 est.)

Natural gas - production:

13.77 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - consumption:

6.34 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - exports:

7.43 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - imports:

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves:

829.7 billion cu m (2003)

Current account balance:

$2.674 billion (2004 est.)

Exports:

$13.14 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

petroleum, reexports, fish, metals, textiles

Exports - partners:

China 29.5%, South Korea 17.5%, Japan 11.5%, Thailand 10.6%, UAE

7.2% (2004)

Imports:

$6.373 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, food,

livestock, lubricants

Imports - partners:

UAE 21.2%, Japan 16.6%, UK 8.4%, Italy 6%, Germany 5.1%, US 4.7%

(2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$4.144 billion (2004 est.)

Debt - external:

$4.814 billion (2004 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:

$76.4 million (1995)

Currency (code):

Omani rial (OMR)

Currency code:

OMR

Exchange rates:

Omani rials per US dollar - 0.3845 (2004), 0.3845 (2003), 0.3845

(2002), 0.3845 (2001), 0.3845 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Oman

Telephones - main lines in use:

233,900 (2002)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

464,900 (2002)

Telephone system:

general assessment: modern system consisting of open-wire,

microwave, and radiotelephone communication stations; limited

coaxial cable

domestic: open-wire, microwave, radiotelephone communications, and a

domestic satellite system with 8 earth stations

international: country code - 968; satellite earth stations - 2

Intelsat (Indian Ocean) and 1 Arabsat

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 3, FM 9, shortwave 2 (1999)

Radios:

1.4 million (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

13 (plus 25 low-power repeaters) (1999)

Televisions:

1.6 million (1997)

Internet country code:

.om

Internet hosts:

726 (2003)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

1 (2000)

Internet users:

180,000 (2002)

Transportation Oman

Highways:

total: 34,965 km

paved: 9,673 km (including 550 km of expressways)

unpaved: 25,292 km (2001)

Pipelines:

gas 3,754 km; oil 3,212 km (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Mina' Qabus, Salalah

Merchant marine:

total: 1 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 15,430 GRT/6,360 DWT

by type: passenger 1 (2005)

Airports:

136 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 6 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 130 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 7 1,524 to 2,437 m: 52 914 to 1,523 m: 34 under 914 m: 35 (2004 est.)

Heliports: 1 (2004 est.)

Military Oman

Military branches:

Royal Omani Armed Forces: Royal Army of Oman, Royal Navy of Oman,

Royal Air Force of Oman (2005)

Military service age and obligation:

18 years of age for voluntary military service (2001)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 18-49: 719,871 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: 581,444 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:

males: 26,391 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$252.99 million (2004)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

11.4% (2003)

Transnational Issues Oman

Disputes - international:

boundary agreement reportedly signed and ratified with UAE in 2003

for entire border, including Oman's Musandam Peninsula and Al Madhah

exclave, but details have not been made public

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Pacific Ocean

Introduction Pacific Ocean

Background:

The Pacific Ocean is the largest of the world's five oceans

(followed by the Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, Southern Ocean, and

Arctic Ocean). Strategically important access waterways include the

La Perouse, Tsugaru, Tsushima, Taiwan, Singapore, and Torres

Straits. The decision by the International Hydrographic Organization

in the spring of 2000 to delimit a fifth ocean, the Southern Ocean,

removed the portion of the Pacific Ocean south of 60 degrees south.

Geography Pacific Ocean

Location:

body of water between the Southern Ocean, Asia, Australia, and the

Western Hemisphere

Geographic coordinates:

0 00 N, 160 00 W

Map references:

Political Map of the World

Area:

total: 155.557 million sq km

note: includes Bali Sea, Bering Sea, Bering Strait, Coral Sea, East

China Sea, Gulf of Alaska, Gulf of Tonkin, Philippine Sea, Sea of

Japan, Sea of Okhotsk, South China Sea, Tasman Sea, and other

tributary water bodies

Area - comparative:

about 15 times the size of the US; covers about 28% of the global

surface; larger than the total land area of the world

Coastline:

135,663 km

Climate:

planetary air pressure systems and resultant wind patterns exhibit

remarkable uniformity in the south and east; trade winds and

westerly winds are well-developed patterns, modified by seasonal

fluctuations; tropical cyclones (hurricanes) may form south of

Mexico from June to October and affect Mexico and Central America;

continental influences cause climatic uniformity to be much less

pronounced in the eastern and western regions at the same latitude

in the North Pacific Ocean; the western Pacific is monsoonal - a

rainy season occurs during the summer months, when moisture-laden

winds blow from the ocean over the land, and a dry season during the

winter months, when dry winds blow from the Asian landmass back to

the ocean; tropical cyclones (typhoons) may strike southeast and

east Asia from May to December

Terrain:

surface currents in the northern Pacific are dominated by a

clockwise, warm-water gyre (broad circular system of currents) and

in the southern Pacific by a counterclockwise, cool-water gyre; in

the northern Pacific, sea ice forms in the Bering Sea and Sea of

Okhotsk in winter; in the southern Pacific, sea ice from Antarctica

reaches its northernmost extent in October; the ocean floor in the

eastern Pacific is dominated by the East Pacific Rise, while the

western Pacific is dissected by deep trenches, including the Mariana

Trench, which is the world's deepest

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Challenger Deep in the Mariana Trench -10,924 m

highest point: sea level 0 m

Natural resources:

oil and gas fields, polymetallic nodules, sand and gravel

aggregates, placer deposits, fish

Natural hazards:

surrounded by a zone of violent volcanic and earthquake activity

sometimes referred to as the "Pacific Ring of Fire"; subject to

tropical cyclones (typhoons) in southeast and east Asia from May to

December (most frequent from July to October); tropical cyclones

(hurricanes) may form south of Mexico and strike Central America and

Mexico from June to October (most common in August and September);

cyclical El Nino/La Nina phenomenon occurs in the equatorial

Pacific, influencing weather in the Western Hemisphere and the

western Pacific; ships subject to superstructure icing in extreme

north from October to May; persistent fog in the northern Pacific

can be a maritime hazard from June to December

Environment - current issues:

endangered marine species include the dugong, sea lion, sea otter,

seals, turtles, and whales; oil pollution in Philippine Sea and

South China Sea

Geography - note:

the major chokepoints are the Bering Strait, Panama Canal, Luzon

Strait, and the Singapore Strait; the Equator divides the Pacific

Ocean into the North Pacific Ocean and the South Pacific Ocean;

dotted with low coral islands and rugged volcanic islands in the

southwestern Pacific Ocean

Economy Pacific Ocean

Economy - overview:

The Pacific Ocean is a major contributor to the world economy and

particularly to those nations its waters directly touch. It provides

low-cost sea transportation between East and West, extensive fishing

grounds, offshore oil and gas fields, minerals, and sand and gravel

for the construction industry. In 1996, over 60% of the world's fish

catch came from the Pacific Ocean. Exploitation of offshore oil and

gas reserves is playing an ever-increasing role in the energy

supplies of the US, Australia, NZ, China, and Peru. The high cost of

recovering offshore oil and gas, combined with the wide swings in

world prices for oil since 1985, has led to fluctuations in new

drillings.

Transportation Pacific Ocean

Ports and harbors:

Bangkok (Thailand), Hong Kong (China), Kao-hsiung (Taiwan), Los

Angeles (US), Manila (Philippines), Pusan (South Korea), San

Francisco (US), Seattle (US), Shanghai (China), Singapore, Sydney

(Australia), Vladivostok (Russia), Wellington (NZ), Yokohama (Japan)

Transportation - note:

Inside Passage offers protected waters from southeast Alaska to

Puget Sound (Washington state)

Transnational Issues Pacific Ocean

Disputes - international: some maritime disputes (see littoral states)

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Pakistan

Introduction Pakistan

Background:

The separation in 1947 of British India into the Muslim state of

Pakistan (with two sections West and East) and largely Hindu India

was never satisfactorily resolved, and India and Pakistan have

fought two wars - in 1947-48 and 1965 - over the disputed Kashmir

territory. A third war between these countries in 1971 - in which

India capitalized on Islamabad's marginalization of Bengalis in

Pakistani politics - resulted in East Pakistan becoming the separate

nation of Bangladesh. In response to Indian nuclear weapons testing,

Pakistan conducted its own tests in 1998. The dispute over the state

of Kashmir is ongoing, but recent discussions and

confidence-building measures may be a start toward lessened tensions.

Geography Pakistan

Location:

Southern Asia, bordering the Arabian Sea, between India on the east

and Iran and Afghanistan on the west and China in the north

Geographic coordinates:

30 00 N, 70 00 E

Map references:

Asia

Area:

total: 803,940 sq km

land: 778,720 sq km

water: 25,220 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly less than twice the size of California

Land boundaries:

total: 6,774 km

border countries: Afghanistan 2,430 km, China 523 km, India 2,912

km, Iran 909 km

Coastline:

1,046 km

Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin

Climate:

mostly hot, dry desert; temperate in northwest; arctic in north

Terrain:

flat Indus plain in east; mountains in north and northwest;

Balochistan plateau in west

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m

highest point: K2 (Mt. Godwin-Austen) 8,611 m

Natural resources:

land, extensive natural gas reserves, limited petroleum, poor

quality coal, iron ore, copper, salt, limestone

Land use: arable land: 27.87% permanent crops: 0.87% other: 71.26% (2001)

Irrigated land:

180,000 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

frequent earthquakes, occasionally severe especially in north and

west; flooding along the Indus after heavy rains (July and August)

Environment - current issues: water pollution from raw sewage, industrial wastes, and agricultural runoff; limited natural fresh water resources; a majority of the population does not have access to potable water; deforestation; soil erosion; desertification

Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation

Geography - note:

controls Khyber Pass and Bolan Pass, traditional invasion routes

between Central Asia and the Indian Subcontinent

People Pakistan

Population:

162,419,946 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 39.6% (male 33,104,311/female 31,244,297)

15-64 years: 56.3% (male 46,759,333/female 44,685,828)

65 years and over: 4.1% (male 3,189,122/female 3,437,055) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 19.58 years

male: 19.44 years

female: 19.74 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

2.03% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

30.42 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

8.45 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

-1.67 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.93 male(s)/female

total population: 1.05 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 72.44 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 72.84 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 72.03 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 63 years

male: 62.04 years

female: 64.01 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

4.14 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

0.1% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

74,000 (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

4,900 (2003 est.)

Major infectious diseases:

degree of risk: high

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A and E,

and typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases: dengue fever, malaria, and cutaneous

leishmaniasis are high risks depending on location

animal contact disease: rabies (2004)

Nationality:

noun: Pakistani(s)

adjective: Pakistani

Ethnic groups:

Punjabi, Sindhi, Pashtun (Pathan), Baloch, Muhajir (immigrants from

India at the time of partition and their descendants)

Religions:

Muslim 97% (Sunni 77%, Shi'a 20%), Christian, Hindu, and other 3%

Languages:

Punjabi 48%, Sindhi 12%, Siraiki (a Punjabi variant) 10%, Pashtu

8%, Urdu (official) 8%, Balochi 3%, Hindko 2%, Brahui 1%, English

(official and lingua franca of Pakistani elite and most government

ministries), Burushaski, and other 8%

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 48.7%

male: 61.7%

female: 35.2% (2004 est.)

Government Pakistan

Country name:

conventional long form: Islamic Republic of Pakistan

conventional short form: Pakistan

former: West Pakistan

Government type:

federal republic

Capital:

Islamabad

Administrative divisions:

4 provinces, 1 territory*, and 1 capital territory**; Balochistan,

Federally Administered Tribal Areas*, Islamabad Capital Territory**,

North-West Frontier Province, Punjab, Sindh

note: the Pakistani-administered portion of the disputed Jammu and

Kashmir region includes Azad Kashmir and the Northern Areas

Independence:

14 August 1947 (from UK)

National holiday:

Republic Day, 23 March (1956)

Constitution:

12 April 1973; suspended 5 July 1977, restored with amendments 30

December 1985; suspended 15 October 1999, restored 31 December 2002;

amended 31 December 2003

Legal system:

based on English common law with provisions to accommodate

Pakistan's status as an Islamic state; accepts compulsory ICJ

jurisdiction, with reservations

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal; joint electorates and reserved

parliamentary seats for women and non-Muslims

Executive branch:

note: following a military takeover on 12 October 1999, Chief of

Army Staff and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee,

General Pervez MUSHARRAF, suspended Pakistan's constitution and

assumed the additional title of Chief Executive; on 12 May 2000,

Pakistan's Supreme Court unanimously validated the October 1999 coup

and granted MUSHARRAF executive and legislative authority for three

years from the coup date; on 20 June 2001, MUSHARRAF named himself

as president and was sworn in, replacing Mohammad Rafiq TARAR; in a

referendum held on 30 April 2002, MUSHARRAF's presidency was

extended by five more years; on 1 January 2004, MUSHARRAF won a vote

of confidence in the Senate, National Assembly, and four provincial

assemblies

chief of state: President General Pervez MUSHARRAF (since 20 June

2001)

head of government: Prime Minister Shaukat AZIZ (since 28 August

2004)

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister

elections: the president is elected by Parliament for a five-year

term; note - in a referendum held on 30 April 2002, MUSHARRAF's

presidency was extended by five more years (next to be held NA

2007); the prime minister is selected by the National Assembly for a

five-year term (next to be held NA 2007)

election results: AZIZ elected by the National Assembly on 27 August

2004 with 191 of the votes

Legislative branch:

bicameral Parliament or Majlis-e-Shoora consists of the Senate (100

seats - formerly 87; members indirectly elected by provincial

assemblies to serve four-year terms; and the National Assembly (342

seats - formerly 217; 60 seats represent women; 10 seats represent

minorities; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)

elections: Senate - last held 24 and 27 February 2003 (next to be

held by February 2007); National Assembly - last held 10 October

2002 (next to be held by October 2006)

election results: Senate results - percent of vote by party - NA%;

seats by party - PML/Q 40, PPPP 11, MMA 21, MQM/A 6, PML/N 4, NA 3,

PML/F 1, PkMAP 2, ANP 2, PPP/S 2, JWP 1, BNP-Awami 1, BNP-Mengal 1,

BNM/H 1, independents 4; National Assembly results - percent of

votes by party - NA%; seats by party - PML/Q 126, PPPP 81, MMA 63,

PML/N 19, MQM/A 17, NA 16, PML/F 5, PML/J 3, PPP/S 2, BNP 1, JWP 1,

PAT 1, PML/Z 1, PTI 1, MQM/H 1, PkMAP 1, independents 3

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court (justices appointed by the president); Federal

Islamic or Shari'a Court

Political parties and leaders:

Awami National Party or ANP [Wali KHAN]; Balochistan National

Movement/Hayee Group or BNM/H [Dr. Hayee BALUCH]; Baluch National

Party/Awami or BNP/Awami [Moheem Khan BALOCH]; Baluch National

Party-Mengal or BNP/M [Sardar Ataullah MENGAL]; Jamhoori Watan Party

or JWP [Akbar Khan BUGTI]; Jamiat-al-Hadith or JAH [Sajid MIR];

Jamiat-i-Islami or JI [Qazi Hussain AHMED]; Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam,

Fazlur Rehman faction or JUI/F [Fazlur REHMAN]; Jamiat

Ulema-i-Islam, Sami ul-HAQ faction or JUI/S [Sami ul-HAQ]; Jamiat

Ulema-i-Pakistan or JUP [Shah Faridul HAQ]; Millat Party or MP

[Farooq LEGHARI]; Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal Pakistan or MMA [Qazi

Hussain AHMED]; Muttahida Qaumi Movement, Altaf faction or MQM/A

[Altaf HUSSAIN]; Muttahida Quami Movement, Haqiqi faction or MQM/H

[Afaq AHMAD]; National People's Party or NPP [Ghulam Mustapha

JATOI]; Pakhtun Khwa Milli Awami Party or PkMAP [Mahmood Khan

ACHAKZAI]; Pakhtun Quami Party or PQP [Mohammed Afzal KHAN];

Pakistan Awami Tehrik or PAT [Tahir ul QADRI]; Pakistan Democratic

Party or PDP [Mehbooba Mufti SAYEED]; Pakistan Muslim League,

Functional Group or PML/F [Pir PAGARO]; Pakistan Muslim League,

Nawaz Sharif faction or PML/N [Nawaz SHARIF]; Pakistan Muslim League

or PML [Chaudhry Shujaat HUSSAIN]; note - as of May 2004, the PML/Q

changed its name to PML and absorbed the PML/J, PML/Z, and NA;

Pakistan National Party or PNP [Hasil BIZENJO]; Pakistan People's

Party or PPP [Aftab Ahmed Khan SHERPAO]; Pakistan People's Party

Parliamentarians or PPPP [Benazir BHUTTO]; Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaaf

or PTI [Imran KHAN]; Tehrik-i-Islami [Allama Sajid NAQVI]

note: political alliances in Pakistan can shift frequently

Political pressure groups and leaders:

military remains most important political force; ulema (clergy),

landowners, industrialists, and small merchants also influential

International organization participation:

ARF, AsDB, C (reinstated 2004), CP, ECO, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA,

IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO,

IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MIGA, MINURSO, MONUC, NAM,

OAS (observer), OIC, ONUB, OPCW, PCA, SAARC, SACEP, UN, UNAMSIL,

UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNMIK, UNMIL, UNMISET, UNOCI,

UNOMIG, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Jehangir KARAMAT

chancery: 3517 International Court, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 243-3277

FAX: [1] (202) 686-1534

consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, New York, Sunnyvale (California)

consulate(s): Chicago, Houston

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Ryan CROCKER

embassy: Diplomatic Enclave, Ramna 5, Islamabad

mailing address: P. O. Box 1048, Unit 62200, APO AE 09812-2200

telephone: [92] (51) 2080-0000

FAX: [92] (51) 2276427

consulate(s): Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar

Flag description:

green with a vertical white band (symbolizing the role of religious

minorities) on the hoist side; a large white crescent and star are

centered in the green field; the crescent, star, and color green are

traditional symbols of Islam

Economy Pakistan

Economy - overview:

Pakistan, an impoverished and underdeveloped country, has suffered

from decades of internal political disputes, low levels of foreign

investment, and a costly, ongoing confrontation with neighboring

India. However, IMF-approved government policies, bolstered by

generous foreign assistance and renewed access to global markets

since 2001, have generated solid macroeconomic recovery the last

three years. The government has made substantial macroeconomic

reforms since 2000, although progress on more politically sensitive

reforms has slowed. For example, in the third and final year of its

$1.3 billion IMF Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility, Islamabad

has continued to require waivers for energy sector reforms. While

long-term prospects remain uncertain, given Pakistan's low level of

development, medium-term prospects for job creation and poverty

reduction are the best in nearly a decade. Islamabad has raised

development spending from about 2% of GDP in the 1990s to 4% in

2003, a necessary step towards reversing the broad underdevelopment

of its social sector. GDP growth, spurred by double-digit gains in

industrial production over the past year, has become less dependent

on agriculture. Foreign exchange reserves continued to reach new

levels in 2004, supported by robust export growth and steady worker

remittances.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$347.3 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

6.1% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $2,200 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector:

agriculture: 22.6%

industry: 24.1%

services: 53.3% (2004 est.)

Labor force:

45.43 million

note: extensive export of labor, mostly to the Middle East, and use

of child labor (2004 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 42%, industry 20%, services 38% (2004 est.)

Unemployment rate:

8.3% plus substantial underemployment (2004 est.)

Population below poverty line:

32% (FY00/01 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 4.1% highest 10%: 27.6% (FY96/97)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

41 (FY98/99)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

4.8% (FY03/04 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

16.4% of GDP (FY03/04 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $13.45 billion

expenditures: $16.51 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Public debt:

71.4% of GDP (2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

cotton, wheat, rice, sugarcane, fruits, vegetables; milk, beef,

mutton, eggs

Industries:

textiles and apparel, food processing, pharmaceuticals,

construction materials, paper products, fertilizer, shrimp

Industrial production growth rate:

13.1% (2004 est.)

Electricity - production:

75.27 billion kWh (2003)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 68.8% hydro: 28.2% nuclear: 3% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

52.66 billion kWh (2003)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2003)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2003)

Oil - production:

61,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Oil - consumption:

365,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Oil - proved reserves:

325.5 million bbl (2004 est.)

Natural gas - production:

23.4 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - consumption:

23.4 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - exports:

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - imports:

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves:

695.6 billion cu m (2004)

Current account balance:

$1.4 billion (2004 est.)

Exports:

$15.07 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

textiles (garments, bed linen, cotton cloth, and yarn), rice,

leather goods, sports goods, chemicals, manufactures, carpets and

rugs

Exports - partners:

US 23.5%, UAE 7.4%, UK 7.3%, Germany 5%, Hong Kong 4.4% (2004)

Imports:

$14.01 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

petroleum, petroleum products, machinery, plastics, transportation

equipment, edible oils, paper and paperboard, iron and steel, tea

Imports - partners:

Saudi Arabia 11.6%, UAE 10%, US 9.7%, China 8.4%, Japan 6.5%,

Kuwait 5.6% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$12.58 billion (2004 est.)

Debt - external:

$33.97 billion (2004 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:

$2.4 billion (FY01/02)

Currency (code):

Pakistani rupee (PKR)

Currency code:

PKR

Exchange rates:

Pakistani rupees per US dollar - 58.258 (2004), 57.752 (2003),

59.724 (2002), 61.927 (2001), 53.648 (2000)

Fiscal year:

1 July - 30 June

Communications Pakistan

Telephones - main lines in use:

3,982,800 (2003)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

2,624,800 (2003)

Telephone system:

general assessment: the domestic system is mediocre, but improving;

service is adequate for government and business use, in part because

major businesses have established their own private systems; since

1988, the government has promoted investment in the national

telecommunications system on a priority basis, significantly

increasing network capacity; despite major improvements in trunk and

urban systems, telecommunication services are still not readily

available to the majority of the rural population

domestic: microwave radio relay, coaxial cable, fiber-optic cable,

cellular, and satellite networks

international: country code - 92; satellite earth stations - 3

Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Indian Ocean); 3 operational

international gateway exchanges (1 at Karachi and 2 at Islamabad);

microwave radio relay to neighboring countries (1999)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 27, FM 1, shortwave 21 (1998)

Radios:

13.5 million (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

22 (plus seven low-power repeaters) (1997)

Televisions:

3.1 million (1997)

Internet country code:

.pk

Internet hosts:

15,124 (2003)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

30 (2000)

Internet users:

1.5 million (2002)

Transportation Pakistan

Railways:

total: 8,163 km

broad gauge: 7,718 km 1.676-m gauge (293 km electrified)

narrow gauge: 445 km 1.000-m gauge (2004)

Highways:

total: 257,683 km

paved: 152,033 km (including 339 km of expressways)

unpaved: 105,650 km (2001)

Pipelines:

gas 9,945 km; oil 1,821 km (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Karachi, Port Muhammad bin Qasim

Merchant marine:

total: 13 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 329,486 GRT/512,506 DWT

by type: cargo 10, petroleum tanker 3

registered in other countries: 14 (2005)

Airports:

131 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 92 over 3,047 m: 14 2,438 to 3,047 m: 22 1,524 to 2,437 m: 32 914 to 1,523 m: 18 under 914 m: 6 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 39 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 8 914 to 1,523 m: 9 under 914 m: 21 (2004 est.)

Heliports: 15 (2004 est.)

Military Pakistan

Military branches:

Army, Navy, Air Force

Military service age and obligation: 16 years of age for voluntary military service; soldiers cannot be deployed for combat until age of 18 (2001)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 16-49: 39,028,014 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 16-49: 29,428,747 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:

males: 1,969,055 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$3.848 billion (2004)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

4.9% (2004)

Transnational Issues Pakistan

Disputes - international:

recent talks and confidence-building measures have begun to defuse

tensions over Kashmir, site of the world's largest and most

militarized territorial dispute with portions under the de facto

administration of China (Aksai Chin), India (Jammu and Kashmir), and

Pakistan (Azad Kashmir and Northern Areas); UN Military Observer

Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) has maintained a small group

of peacekeepers since 1949; India does not recognize Pakistan's

ceding historic Kashmir lands to China in 1964; in 2004, India and

Pakistan instituted a cease fire in the Kashmir, and in 2005

restored bus service across the highly militarized Line of Control;

Pakistan has taken its dispute on the impact and benefits of India's

building the Baglihar dam on the Chenab River in Jammu and Kashmir

to the World Bank for arbitration and in general the two states

still dispute Indus River water sharing; to defuse tensions and

prepare for discussions on a maritime boundary, India and Pakistan

resurveyed a portion of the disputed Sir Creek estuary at the mouth

of the Rann of Kutch in 2004; Pakistani maps continue to show

Junagadh in India's Gujarat State; by 2005, Pakistan with UN

assistance had repatriated 2.3 million Afghan refugees and has

undertaken a census to count the remaining million or more, many of

whom remain at their own choosing; Pakistan maintains troops in

remote tribal areas to control the border with Afghanistan and root

out organized terrorist and other illegal cross-border activities;

regular meetings with Afghan and Coalition allies aim to resolve

periodic claims of boundary encroachments

Refugees and internally displaced persons:

refugees (country of origin): 1,064,230 (Afghanistan)

IDPs: undetermined (government strikes on Islamic militants in South

Waziristan) (2004)

Illicit drugs:

opium poppy in Federally Administered Tribal Areas, North-West

Frontier Province, and Balochistan Province has rebounded since it

was nearly eliminated in 2001; key transit point for Afghan drugs,

including heroin, opium, morphine, and hashish, bound for Western

markets, the Gulf States, and Africa; financial crimes related to

drug trafficking, terrorism, corruption, and smuggling remain

problems

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Palau

Introduction Palau

Background:

After three decades as part of the UN Trust Territory of the

Pacific under US administration, this westernmost cluster of the

Caroline Islands opted for independence in 1978 rather than join the

Federated States of Micronesia. A Compact of Free Association with

the US was approved in 1986, but not ratified until 1993. It entered

into force the following year, when the islands gained independence.

Geography Palau

Location:

Oceania, group of islands in the North Pacific Ocean, southeast of

the Philippines

Geographic coordinates:

7 30 N, 134 30 E

Map references:

Oceania

Area:

total: 458 sq km

land: 458 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly more than 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries:

0 km

Coastline:

1,519 km

Maritime claims: territorial sea: 3 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm

Climate:

tropical; hot and humid; wet season May to November

Terrain:

varying geologically from the high, mountainous main island of

Babelthuap to low, coral islands usually fringed by large barrier

reefs

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

highest point: Mount Ngerchelchuus 242 m

Natural resources:

forests, minerals (especially gold), marine products, deep-seabed

minerals

Land use:

arable land: 8.7%

permanent crops: 4.35%

other: 86.95% (2001)

Irrigated land:

NA

Natural hazards:

typhoons (June to December)

Environment - current issues:

inadequate facilities for disposal of solid waste; threats to the

marine ecosystem from sand and coral dredging, illegal fishing

practices, and overfishing

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto

Protocol, Desertification, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

westernmost archipelago in the Caroline chain, consists of six

island groups totaling more than 300 islands; includes World War II

battleground of Beliliou (Peleliu) and world-famous rock islands

People Palau

Population:

20,303 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 26.4% (male 2,768/female 2,601)

15-64 years: 69% (male 7,565/female 6,436)

65 years and over: 4.6% (male 443/female 490) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 31.43 years

male: 32.4 years

female: 30.36 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

1.39% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

18.37 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

6.85 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

2.36 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.18 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.9 male(s)/female

total population: 1.13 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 14.84 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 16.6 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 12.99 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 70.14 years

male: 66.98 years

female: 73.48 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

2.46 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

NA

Nationality:

noun: Palauan(s)

adjective: Palauan

Ethnic groups:

Palauan (Micronesian with Malayan and Melanesian admixtures) 69.9%,

Carolinian 1.4%, other Micronesian 1.1%, Filipino 15.3%, Chinese

4.9%, other Asian 2.4%, white 1.9%, other or unspecified 3.2% (2000

census)

Religions:

Roman Catholic 41.6%, Protestant 23.3%, Modekngei 8.8% (indigenous

to Palau), Seventh-Day Adventist 5.3%, Jehovah's Witness 0.9%,

Latter-Day Saints 0.6%, other religion 3.1%, unspecified or none

16.4% (2000 census)

Languages:

Palauan 64.7% official in all islands except Sonsoral (Sonsoralese

and English are official), Tobi (Tobi and English are official), and

Angaur (Angaur, Japanese, and English are official), Filipino 13.5%,

English 9.4%, Chinese 5.7%, Carolinian 1.5%, Japanese 1.5%, other

Asian 2.3%, other languages 1.5% (2000 census)

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 92%

male: 93%

female: 90% (1980 est.)

Government Palau

Country name:

conventional long form: Republic of Palau

conventional short form: Palau

local long form: Beluu er a Belau

local short form: Belau

former: Palau District (Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands)

Government type:

constitutional government in free association with the US; the

Compact of Free Association entered into force 1 October 1994

Capital:

Koror; note - a new capital is being built about 20 km northeast of

Koror

Administrative divisions:

16 states; Aimeliik, Airai, Angaur, Hatohobei, Kayangel, Koror,

Melekeok, Ngaraard, Ngarchelong, Ngardmau, Ngatpang, Ngchesar,

Ngeremlengui, Ngiwal, Peleliu, Sonsorol

Independence:

1 October 1994 (from the US-administered UN Trusteeship)

National holiday:

Constitution Day, 9 July (1979)

Constitution:

1 January 1981

Legal system:

based on Trust Territory laws, acts of the legislature, municipal,

common, and customary laws

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Tommy Esang REMENGESAU, Jr. (since 19

January 2001) and Vice President Camsek CHIN (since 1 January 2005);

note - the president is both the chief of state and head of

government

head of government: President Tommy Esang REMENGESAU, Jr. (since 19

January 2001) and Vice President Camsek CHIN (since 1 January 2005);

note - the president is both the chief of state and head of

government

cabinet: Cabinet

elections: president and vice president elected on separate tickets

by popular vote for four-year terms; election last held 2 November

2004 (next to be held November 2008)

election results: Tommy Esang REMENGESAU, Jr. reelected president;

percent of vote - Tommy Esang REMENGESAU, Jr. 64%, Polycarp BASILIUS

33%; Elias Camsek CHIN elected vice president; percent of vote -

Elias Camsek CHIN 70%, Sandra PIERANTOZZI 29%

Legislative branch:

bicameral Parliament or Olbiil Era Kelulau (OEK) consists of the

Senate (9 seats; members elected by popular vote on a population

basis to serve four-year terms) and the House of Delegates (16

seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)

elections: Senate - last held 2 November 2004 (next to be held

November 2008); House of Delegates - last held 2 November 2004 (next

to be held November 2008)

election results: Senate - percent of vote - NA%; seats -

independents 9 (four new members elected); House of Delegates -

percent of vote - NA%; seats - independents 16 (one new member

elected)

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court; National Court; Court of Common Pleas

Political parties and leaders:

none

Political pressure groups and leaders:

NA

International organization participation:

ACP, AsDB, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IMF, IOC,

MIGA, OPCW, PIF, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, WHO

Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Hersey KYOTA chancery: 1800 K Street NW, Suite 714, Washington, DC 20006 telephone: [1] (202) 452-6814 FAX: [1] (202) 452-6281 consulate(s): Tamuning (Guam)

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: US ambassador to the Philippines is accredited to

Palau

embassy: Koror (no street address)

mailing address: P. O. Box 6028, Republic of Palau 96940

telephone: [680] 488-2920, 2990

FAX: [680] 488-2911

Flag description:

light blue with a large yellow disk (representing the moon) shifted

slightly to the hoist side

Economy Palau

Economy - overview:

The economy consists primarily of tourism, subsistence agriculture,

and fishing. The government is the major employer of the work force,

relying heavily on financial assistance from the US. Business and

tourist arrivals numbered 63,000 in 2003. The population enjoys a

per capita income twice that of the Philippines and much of

Micronesia. Long-run prospects for the key tourist sector have been

greatly bolstered by the expansion of air travel in the Pacific, the

rising prosperity of leading East Asian countries, and the

willingness of foreigners to finance infrastructure development.

GDP (purchasing power parity): $174 million note: GDP estimate includes US subsidy (2001 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

1% (2001 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $9,000 (2001 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: NA industry: NA services: NA

Labor force:

9,845 (2000)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 20%, industry NA, services NA (1990)

Unemployment rate:

2.3% (2000 est.)

Population below poverty line:

NA

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

3.4% (2000 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $57.7 million

expenditures: $80.8 million, including capital expenditures of $17.1

million (FY98/99 est.)

Agriculture - products:

coconuts, copra, cassava (tapioca), sweet potatoes

Industries:

tourism, craft items (from shell, wood, pearls), construction,

garment making

Industrial production growth rate:

NA

Electricity - production by source:

NA

Exports:

$18 million f.o.b. (2001 est.)

Exports - commodities:

shellfish, tuna, copra, garments

Exports - partners:

US, Japan, Singapore (2000)

Imports:

$99 million f.o.b. (2001 est.)

Imports - commodities:

machinery and equipment, fuels, metals; foodstuffs

Imports - partners:

US, Guam, Japan, Singapore, South Korea (2000)

Debt - external:

$0 (FY99/00)

Economic aid - recipient:

$155.8 million ; note - the Compact of Free Association with the

US, entered into after the end of the UN trusteeship on 1 October

1994, provides Palau with up to $700 million in US aid over 15 years

in return for furnishing military facilities

Currency (code):

US dollar (USD)

Currency code:

USD

Exchange rates:

the US dollar is used

Fiscal year:

1 October - 30 September

Communications Palau

Telephones - main lines in use:

6,700 (2002)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

1,000 (2002)

Telephone system:

general assessment: NA

domestic: NA

international: country code - 680; satellite earth station - 1

Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 1, FM 4, shortwave 1 (2002)

Radios:

12,000 (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

1 (cable) (2005)

Televisions:

11,000 (1997)

Internet country code:

.pw

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

1 (2002)

Transportation Palau

Highways: total: 61 km paved: 36 km unpaved: 25 km

Ports and harbors:

Koror

Airports:

3 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 2

1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (2004 est.)

Military Palau

Military branches:

no regular military forces; Police Force

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

NA

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

NA

Military - note:

defense is the responsibility of the US; under a Compact of Free

Association between Palau and the US, the US military is granted

access to the islands for 50 years

Transnational Issues Palau

Disputes - international: border delineation disputes being negotiated with Philippines, Indonesia

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Palmyra Atoll

Introduction Palmyra Atoll

Background:

The Kingdom of Hawaii claimed the atoll in 1862, and the US

included it among the Hawaiian Islands when it annexed the

archipelago in 1898. The Hawaii Statehood Act of 1959 did not

include Palmyra Atoll, which is now privately owned by the Nature

Conservancy. This organization is managing the atoll as a nature

preserve. The lagoons and surrounding waters within the 12 nautical

mile US territorial seas were transferred to the US Fish and

Wildlife Service and were designated a National Wildlife Refuge in

January 2001.

Geography Palmyra Atoll

Location:

Oceania, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, about half way between

Hawaii and American Samoa

Geographic coordinates:

5 52 N, 162 06 W

Map references:

Oceania

Area:

total: 11.9 sq km

land: 11.9 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative:

about 20 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC

Land boundaries:

0 km

Coastline:

14.5 km

Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Climate:

equatorial, hot, and very rainy

Terrain:

very low

Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 2 m

Natural resources: terrestrial and aquatic wildlife

Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (forests and woodlands) (2005)

Irrigated land:

0 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

NA

Environment - current issues:

NA

Geography - note:

about 50 islets covered with dense vegetation, coconut trees, and

balsa-like trees up to 30 meters tall

People Palmyra Atoll

Population:

no indigenous inhabitants; 4 to 20 Nature Conservancy staff, US

Fish and Wildlife staff (July 2005 est.)

Government Palmyra Atoll

Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Palmyra Atoll

Dependency status:

incorporated territory of the US; privately owned, but administered

from Washington, DC, by the Fish and Wildlife Service of the US

Department of the Interior; the Office of Insular Affairs of the US

Department of the Interior continues to administer nine excluded

areas comprising certain tidal and submerged lands within the 12 nm

territorial sea or within the lagoon

Legal system:

the laws of the US, where applicable, apply

Flag description:

the flag of the US is used

Economy Palmyra Atoll

Economy - overview: no economic activity

Transportation Palmyra Atoll

Highways:

most of the roads and many causeways built during World War II are

unserviceable and overgrown (2001)

Ports and harbors:

West Lagoon

Airports:

1 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Military Palmyra Atoll

Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the US

Transnational Issues Palmyra Atoll

Disputes - international: none

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Panama

Introduction Panama

Background:

With US backing, Panama seceded from Colombia in 1903 and promptly

signed a treaty with the US allowing for the construction of a canal

and US sovereignty over a strip of land on either side of the

structure (the Panama Canal Zone). The Panama Canal was built by the

US Army Corps of Engineers between 1904 and 1914. On 7 September

1977, an agreement was signed for the complete transfer of the Canal

from the US to Panama by the end of 1999. Certain portions of the

Zone and increasing responsibility over the Canal were turned over

in the intervening years. With US help, dictator Manuel NORIEGA was

deposed in 1989. The entire Panama Canal, the area supporting the

Canal, and remaining US military bases were turned over to Panama by

or on 31 December 1999.

Geography Panama

Location:

Central America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the North

Pacific Ocean, between Colombia and Costa Rica

Geographic coordinates:

9 00 N, 80 00 W

Map references:

Central America and the Caribbean

Area:

total: 78,200 sq km

land: 75,990 sq km

water: 2,210 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly smaller than South Carolina

Land boundaries: total: 555 km border countries: Colombia 225 km, Costa Rica 330 km

Coastline: 2,490 km

Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Climate:

tropical maritime; hot, humid, cloudy; prolonged rainy season (May

to January), short dry season (January to May)

Terrain:

interior mostly steep, rugged mountains and dissected, upland

plains; coastal areas largely plains and rolling hills

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

highest point: Volcan de Chiriqui 3,475 m

Natural resources:

copper, mahogany forests, shrimp, hydropower

Land use: arable land: 7.36% permanent crops: 1.98% other: 90.66% (2001)

Irrigated land:

320 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

occasional severe storms and forest fires in the Darien area

Environment - current issues: water pollution from agricultural runoff threatens fishery resources; deforestation of tropical rain forest; land degradation and soil erosion threatens siltation of Panama Canal; air pollution in urban areas; mining threatens natural resources

Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation

Geography - note:

strategic location on eastern end of isthmus forming land bridge

connecting North and South America; controls Panama Canal that links

North Atlantic Ocean via Caribbean Sea with North Pacific Ocean

People Panama

Population:

3,039,150 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 29.8% (male 460,840/female 443,359)

15-64 years: 63.9% (male 984,558/female 956,748)

65 years and over: 6.4% (male 91,383/female 102,262) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 26.18 years

male: 25.89 years

female: 26.48 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

1.26% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

19.96 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

6.54 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

-0.86 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.89 male(s)/female

total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 20.47 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 22.59 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 18.26 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 75.25 years

male: 72.68 years

female: 77.93 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

2.45 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

0.9% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

16,000 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

less than 500 (2003 est.)

Nationality:

noun: Panamanian(s)

adjective: Panamanian

Ethnic groups:

mestizo (mixed Amerindian and white) 70%, Amerindian and mixed

(West Indian) 14%, white 10%, Amerindian 6%

Religions:

Roman Catholic 85%, Protestant 15%

Languages:

Spanish (official), English 14%; note - many Panamanians bilingual

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 92.6%

male: 93.2%

female: 91.9% (2003 est.)

Government Panama

Country name:

conventional long form: Republic of Panama

conventional short form: Panama

local long form: Republica de Panama

local short form: Panama

Government type:

constitutional democracy

Capital:

Panama

Administrative divisions:

9 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia) and 1 territory*

(comarca); Bocas del Toro, Chiriqui, Cocle, Colon, Darien, Herrera,

Los Santos, Panama, San Blas*(Kuna Yala), and Veraguas

Independence:

3 November 1903 (from Colombia; became independent from Spain 28

November 1821)

National holiday:

Independence Day, 3 November (1903)

Constitution:

11 October 1972; major reforms adopted 1978, 1983, 1994, and 2004

Legal system:

based on civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts in

the Supreme Court of Justice; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction,

with reservations

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal and compulsory

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Martin TORRIJOS Espino (since 1 September

2004); First Vice President Samuel LEWIS Navarro (since 1 September

2004); Second Vice President Ruben AROSEMENA Valdes (since 1

September 2004); note - the president is both the chief of state and

head of government

head of government: President Martin TORRIJOS Espino (since 1

September 2004); First Vice President Samuel LEWIS Navarro (since 1

September 2004); Second Vice President Ruben AROSEMENA Valdes (since

1 September 2004); note - the president is both the chief of state

and head of government

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president

elections: president and vice presidents elected on the same ticket

by popular vote for five-year terms; election last held 2 May 2004

(next to be held 3 May 2009); note - beginning in 2009, Panama will

have only one vice president.

election results: Martin TORRIJOS Espino elected president; percent

of vote - Martin TORRIJOS Espino 47.5%, Guillermo ENDARA Galimany

30.6%, Jose Miguel ALEMAN 17%, Ricardo MARTINELLI 4.9%

note: government coalition - PRD (Democratic Revolutionary Party),

PP (Popular Party)

Legislative branch:

unicameral National Assembly (formerly called Legislative Assembly)

or Asamblea Nacional (78 seats; members are elected by popular vote

to serve five-year terms; note - in 2009, the number of seats will

change to 71)

elections: last held 2 May 2004 (next to be held 3 May 2009)

election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -

PRD 40, PA 17, PS 8, MOLIRENA 3, CD 2, PP 2, PLN 1, other 5

note: legislators from outlying rural districts are chosen on a

plurality basis while districts located in more populous towns and

cities elect multiple legislators by means of a proportion-based

formula

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia (nine judges

appointed for 10-year terms); five superior courts; three courts of

appeal

Political parties and leaders:

Democratic Change or CD [Ricardo MARTINELLI]; Democratic

Revolutionary Party or PRD [Martin TORRIJOS]; National Liberal Party

or PLN [Anibal GALINDO]; Nationalist Republican Liberal Movement or

MOLIRENA [Jesus ROSAS]; Panamenista Party or PA (formerly the

Arnulfista Party) [Mireya Elisa MOSCOSO Rodriguez]; Popular Party or

PP (formerly Christian Democratic Party or PDC) [Ruben AROSEMENA];

Solidarity Party or PS [Jose Raul MULINO]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

Chamber of Commerce; National Civic Crusade; National Council of

Organized Workers or CONATO; National Council of Private Enterprise

or CONEP; National Union of Construction and Similar Workers

(SUNTRACS); Panamanian Association of Business Executives or APEDE;

Panamanian Industrialists Society or SIP; Workers Confederation of

the Republic of Panama or CTRP

International organization participation:

FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA,

IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAES,

LAIA (observer), MIGA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD,

UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Federico HUMBERT Arias

chancery: 2862 McGill Terrace NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 483-1407

FAX: [1] (202) 483-8416

consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Houston, Miami, New Orleans, New

York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, San Juan (Puerto Rico), Tampa

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Linda Ellen WATT

embassy: Avenida Balboa and Calle 37, Apartado Postal 0816-02561,

Zona 5, Panama City 5

mailing address: American Embassy Panama, Unit 0945, APO AA 34002

telephone: [507] 207-7000

FAX: [507] 227-1964

Flag description:

divided into four, equal rectangles; the top quadrants are white

(hoist side) with a blue five-pointed star in the center and plain

red; the bottom quadrants are plain blue (hoist side) and white with

a red five-pointed star in the center

Economy Panama

Economy - overview:

Panama's dollarised economy rests primarily on a well-developed

services sector that accounts for four-fifths of GDP. Services

include operating the Panama Canal, banking, the Colon Free Zone,

insurance, container ports, flagship registry, and tourism. A slump

in Colon Free Zone and agricultural exports, the global slowdown,

and the withdrawal of US military forces held back economic growth

in 2000-03; growth picked up in 2004 led by export-oriented services

and a construction boom stimulated by tax incentives. The government

has been backing tax reforms, reform of the social security program,

new regional trade agreements, and development of tourism.

Unemployment remains high.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$20.57 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

6% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $6,900 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector:

agriculture: 7.2%

industry: 13%

services: 79.8% (2004 est.)

Labor force:

1.32 million

note: shortage of skilled labor, but an oversupply of unskilled

labor (2004 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 20.8%, industry 18%, services 61.2% (1995 est.)

Unemployment rate:

12.6% (2004 est.)

Population below poverty line:

37% (1999 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.2% highest 10%: 35.7% (1997)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

48.5 (1997)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

2% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

25% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $3.095 billion

expenditures: $3.737 billion, including capital expenditures of $471

million (2004 est.)

Public debt:

69.2% of GDP (2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

bananas, rice, corn, coffee, sugarcane, vegetables; livestock;

shrimp

Industries:

construction, brewing, cement and other construction materials,

sugar milling

Industrial production growth rate:

5.4% (2004 est.)

Electricity - production:

4.873 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 37% hydro: 61.3% nuclear: 0% other: 1.7% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

4.473 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

120 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

61 million kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Oil - consumption:

40,520 bbl/day (2003 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Current account balance:

$-469.6 million (2004 est.)

Exports:

$5.699 billion f.o.b. (includes the Colon Free Zone) (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

bananas, shrimp, sugar, coffee, clothing (1999)

Exports - partners:

US 50.5%, Sweden 6.6%, Spain 5.1%, Netherlands 4.4%, Costa Rica

4.2% (2004)

Imports:

$7.164 billion f.o.b. (includes the Colon Free Zone) (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

capital goods, foodstuffs, consumer goods, chemicals

Imports - partners:

US 33.3%, Netherlands Antilles 8.1%, Japan 6%, Costa Rica 5.7%,

Mexico 4.6%, Colombia 4.2% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$1.076 billion (2004 est.)

Debt - external:

$8.78 billion (2004 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:

$197.1 million (1995)

Currency (code):

balboa (PAB); US dollar (USD)

Currency code:

PAB; USD

Exchange rates:

balboas per US dollar - 1 (2004), 1 (2003), 1 (2002), 1 (2001), 1

(2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Panama

Telephones - main lines in use:

386,900 (2002)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

834,000 (2003)

Telephone system:

general assessment: domestic and international facilities well

developed

domestic: NA

international: country code - 507; 1 coaxial submarine cable;

satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); connected to

the Central American Microwave System

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 101, FM 134, shortwave 0 (1998)

Radios:

815,000 (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

38 (including repeaters) (1998)

Televisions:

510,000 (1997)

Internet country code:

.pa

Internet hosts:

7,129 (2003)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

6 (2000)

Internet users:

120,000 (2002)

Transportation Panama

Railways:

total: 355 km

standard gauge: 76 km 1.435-m gauge

narrow gauge: 279 km 0.914-m gauge (2004)

Highways:

total: 11,643 km

paved: 4,028 km (including 30 km of expressways)

unpaved: 7,615 km (2000 est.)

Waterways:

800 km (includes 82 km Panama Canal) (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Balboa, Colon, Cristobal

Merchant marine:

total: 5,005 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 122,960,929 GRT/183,615,337

DWT

by type: barge carrier 1, bulk carrier 1,548, cargo 886, chemical

tanker 465, combination ore/oil 13, container 605, liquefied gas

183, livestock carrier 8, passenger 42, passenger/cargo 77,

petroleum tanker 521, refrigerated cargo 298, roll on/roll off 97,

specialized tanker 5, vehicle carrier 256

foreign-owned: 4,388 (Andorra 1, Argentina 9, Australia 3, Bahamas

1, Belgium 14, Brazil 1, Canada 1, Chile 14, China 310, Colombia 5,

Croatia 1, Cuba 9, Cyprus 7, Denmark 13, Egypt 15, France 7, Germany

23, Greece 546, Hong Kong 159, India 8, Indonesia 46, Ireland 1,

Isle of Man 2, Israel 3, Italy 8, Japan 1814, Jordan 9, Latvia 2,

Lithuania 5, Malaysia 11, Maldives 1, Malta 1, Mexico 4, Monaco 8,

Netherlands 22, New Zealand 1, Nigeria 6, Norway 66, Pakistan 1,

Peru 13, Philippines 15, Poland 19, Portugal 8, Romania 13, Russia

4, Saudi Arabia 4, Singapore 54, South Africa 3, South Korea 292,

Spain 41, Sri Lanka 1, Sudan 1, Sweden 4, Switzerland 188, Syria 7,

Taiwan 301, Thailand 10, Trinidad & Tobago 1, Tunisia 1, Turkey 18,

Ukraine 9, UAE 83, United Kingdom 29, United States 88, Venezuela

20, Vietnam 2, Yemen 1) (2005)

Airports:

105 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 44 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 15 under 914 m: 22 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 61 914 to 1,523 m: 12 under 914 m: 49 (2004 est.)

Military Panama

Military branches:

an amendment to the Constitution abolished the armed forces, but

there are security forces (Panamanian Public Forces or PPF includes

the Panamanian National Police, National Maritime Service, and

National Air Service)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 18-49: 733,031 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: 511,905 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$147 million (2004)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

1.1% (2004)

Military - note:

on 10 February 1990, the government of then President ENDARA

abolished Panama's military and reformed the security apparatus by

creating the Panamanian Public Forces; in October 1994, Panama's

Legislative Assembly approved a constitutional amendment prohibiting

the creation of a standing military force, but allowing the

temporary establishment of special police units to counter acts of

"external aggression"

Transnational Issues Panama

Disputes - international: organized illegal narcotics operations in Colombia operate within the border region with Panama

Illicit drugs:

major cocaine transshipment point and primary money-laundering

center for narcotics revenue; money-laundering activity is

especially heavy in the Colon Free Zone; offshore financial center;

negligible signs of coca cultivation; monitoring of financial

transactions is improving; official corruption remains a major

problem

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Papua New Guinea

Introduction Papua New Guinea

Background:

The eastern half of the island of New Guinea - second largest in

the world - was divided between Germany (north) and the UK (south)

in 1885. The latter area was transferred to Australia in 1902, which

occupied the northern portion during World War I and continued to

administer the combined areas until independence in 1975. A

nine-year secessionist revolt on the island of Bougainville ended in

1997 after claiming some 20,000 lives.

Geography Papua New Guinea

Location:

Oceania, group of islands including the eastern half of the island

of New Guinea between the Coral Sea and the South Pacific Ocean,

east of Indonesia

Geographic coordinates:

6 00 S, 147 00 E

Map references:

Oceania

Area:

total: 462,840 sq km

land: 452,860 sq km

water: 9,980 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly larger than California

Land boundaries: total: 820 km border countries: Indonesia 820 km

Coastline:

5,152 km

Maritime claims:

measured from claimed archipelagic baselines

territorial sea: 12 nm

continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm

Climate:

tropical; northwest monsoon (December to March), southeast monsoon

(May to October); slight seasonal temperature variation

Terrain:

mostly mountains with coastal lowlands and rolling foothills

Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Wilhelm 4,509 m

Natural resources: gold, copper, silver, natural gas, timber, oil, fisheries

Land use: arable land: 0.46% permanent crops: 1.44% other: 98.1% (2001)

Irrigated land:

NA sq km

Natural hazards:

active volcanism; situated along the Pacific "Ring of Fire"; the

country is subject to frequent and sometimes severe earthquakes; mud

slides; tsunamis

Environment - current issues:

rain forest subject to deforestation as a result of growing

commercial demand for tropical timber; pollution from mining

projects; severe drought

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate

Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species,

Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine

Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83,

Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

shares island of New Guinea with Indonesia; one of world's largest

swamps along southwest coast

People Papua New Guinea

Population:

5,545,268 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 38.1% (male 1,072,910/female 1,037,635)

15-64 years: 58.1% (male 1,662,166/female 1,559,685)

65 years and over: 3.8% (male 99,777/female 113,095) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 21.09 years

male: 21.25 years

female: 20.93 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

2.26% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

29.95 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

7.37 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.07 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.88 male(s)/female

total population: 1.05 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 51.45 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 55.63 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 47.07 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 64.93 years

male: 62.76 years

female: 67.21 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

3.96 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

0.6% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

16,000 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

600 (2003 est.)

Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria are high risks in some locations (2004)

Nationality: noun: Papua New Guinean(s) adjective: Papua New Guinean

Ethnic groups:

Melanesian, Papuan, Negrito, Micronesian, Polynesian

Religions:

Roman Catholic 22%, Lutheran 16%, Presbyterian/Methodist/London

Missionary Society 8%, Anglican 5%, Evangelical Alliance 4%,

Seventh-Day Adventist 1%, other Protestant 10%, indigenous beliefs

34%

Languages:

Melanesian Pidgin serves as the lingua franca, English spoken by

1%-2%, Motu spoken in Papua region

note: 715 indigenous languages - many unrelated

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 64.6%

male: 71.1%

female: 57.7% (2002)

Government Papua New Guinea

Country name:

conventional long form: Independent State of Papua New Guinea

conventional short form: Papua New Guinea

former: Territory of Papua and New Guinea

abbreviation: PNG

Government type:

constitutional monarchy with parliamentary democracy

Capital:

Port Moresby

Administrative divisions:

20 provinces; Bougainville, Central, Chimbu, Eastern Highlands,

East New Britain, East Sepik, Enga, Gulf, Madang, Manus, Milne Bay,

Morobe, National Capital, New Ireland, Northern, Sandaun, Southern

Highlands, Western, Western Highlands, West New Britain

Independence:

16 September 1975 (from the Australian-administered UN trusteeship)

National holiday:

Independence Day, 16 September (1975)

Constitution:

16 September 1975

Legal system:

based on English common law

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952),

represented by governor general Sir Paulius MATANE (since 29 June

2004)

head of government: Prime Minister Sir Michael SOMARE (since 2

August 2002); deputy prime minister (vacant)

cabinet: National Executive Council appointed by the governor

general on the recommendation of the prime minister

elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor general

appointed by the National Executive Council; following legislative

elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the

majority coalition usually is appointed prime minister by the

governor general

Legislative branch:

unicameral National Parliament - sometimes referred to as the House

of Assembly (109 seats, 89 elected from open electorates and 20 from

provincial electorates; members elected by popular vote to serve

five-year terms)

elections: last held 15-29 June 2002 and April and May 2003;

completed in May 2003 (voting in the Southern Highlands was not

completed during the June 2002 election period); next to be held not

later than June 2007

election results: percent of vote by party - National Alliance 18%,

URP 13%, PDM 12%, PPP 8%, Pangu 6%, PAP 5%, PLP 4%, others 34%;

seats by party - National Alliance 19, URP 14, PDM 13, PPP 8, PANGU

6, PAP 5, PLP 4, others 40; note - association with political

parties is fluid (2003)

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court (the chief justice is appointed by the governor

general on the proposal of the National Executive Council after

consultation with the minister responsible for justice; other judges

are appointed by the Judicial and Legal Services Commission)

Political parties and leaders:

Christian Democratic Party [Dr. Banare BUN, party leader];

Melanesian Alliance Party or MAP [Sir Moi AVEL, party leader];

National Alliance Party or NA [Michael SOMARE, party leader; George

MANOA, party president]; National Party [Melchior PEP, party

leader]; Papua and Niugini Union Party or PANGU [Chris HAIVETA,

party leader]; Papua New Guinea First Party [Cecilking DORUBA, party

leader]; Papua New Guinea Labor Party [Bob DANAYA, party leader];

Papua New Guinea Party (was People's Democratic Movement or PDM)

[Sir Mekere MORAUTA, party leader]; People's Action Party or PAP

[Moses MALADINA, party leader]; People's Labor Party or PLP [Ekis

ROPENU, party leader]; People's National Congress or PNC [Peter

O'NEILL, party leader]; People's Progressive Party or PPP [Andrew

BAING, party leader]; Pipol First Party [Luther WENGE, party

leader]; Rural People's Party [Peter NAMUS, party leader]; United

Party [Bire KIMASOPA, party leader]; United Resources Party or URP

[Tim NEVILLE, party leader] (2004)

Political pressure groups and leaders:

NA

International organization participation:

ACP, APEC, ARF, AsDB, C, CP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM,

IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM

(observer), ISO (correspondent), ITU, MIGA, NAM, OPCW, PIF,

Sparteca, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO,

WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Evan Jeremy PAKI

chancery: 1779 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Suite 805, Washington, DC

20036

telephone: [1] (202) 745-3680

FAX: [1] (202) 745-3679

Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Robert W. FITTS embassy: Douglas Street, Port Moresby mailing address: 4240 Port Moresby PI, US Department of State, Washington DC 20521-4240 telephone: [675] 321-1455 FAX: [675] 321-3423

Flag description:

divided diagonally from upper hoist-side corner; the upper triangle

is red with a soaring yellow bird of paradise centered; the lower

triangle is black with five, white, five-pointed stars of the

Southern Cross constellation centered

Economy Papua New Guinea

Economy - overview:

Papua New Guinea is richly endowed with natural resources, but

exploitation has been hampered by rugged terrain and the high cost

of developing infrastructure. Agriculture provides a subsistence

livelihood for 85% of the population. Mineral deposits, including

oil, copper, and gold, account for 72% of export earnings. The

economy has improved over the past two years, following a prolonged

period of instability. Former Prime Minister Mekere MORAUTA had

tried to restore integrity to state institutions, to stabilize the

kina, restore stability to the national budget, to privatize public

enterprises where appropriate, and to ensure ongoing peace on

Bougainville. Australia annually supplies $240 million in aid, which

accounts for 20% of the national budget. Challenges face Prime

Minister Michael SOMARE, including gaining further investor

confidence, continuing efforts to privatize government assets,

maintaining the support of members of Parliament, and balancing

relations with Australia, the former colonial ruler.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$11.99 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

0.9% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $2,200 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 34.5% industry: 34.7% services: 30.8% (2004 est.)

Labor force:

3.32 million (2004 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 85%, industry NA, services NA

Unemployment rate:

NA

Population below poverty line:

37% (2002 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.7% highest 10%: 40.5% (1996)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

50.9 (1996)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

4.2% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

13.6% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $1.174 billion

expenditures: $1.232 billion, including capital expenditures of $344

million (2004 est.)

Public debt:

59.3% of GDP (2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

coffee, cocoa, coconuts, palm kernels, tea, rubber, sweet potatoes,

fruit, vegetables, poultry, pork

Industries:

copra crushing, palm oil processing, plywood production, wood chip

production; mining of gold, silver, and copper; crude oil

production; construction, tourism

Industrial production growth rate:

NA

Electricity - production:

1.679 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 54.1% hydro: 45.9% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

1.561 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

46,200 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Oil - consumption:

15,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Oil - proved reserves:

170 million bbl (2004 est.)

Natural gas - production:

110 million cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - consumption:

110 million cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - exports:

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - imports:

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves:

385.5 billion cu m (2004)

Current account balance:

$29.15 million (2004 est.)

Exports:

$2.437 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

oil, gold, copper ore, logs, palm oil, coffee, cocoa, crayfish,

prawns

Exports - partners:

Australia 28%, Japan 5.8%, Germany 4.7%, China 4.6% (2004)

Imports:

$1.353 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, food, fuels,

chemicals

Imports - partners:

Australia 46.4%, Singapore 21.6%, Japan 4.3%, New Zealand 4.2%

(2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$635.8 million (2004 est.)

Debt - external:

$2.463 billion (2004 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:

$400 million (1999 est.)

Currency (code):

kina (PGK)

Currency code:

PGK

Exchange rates:

kina per US dollar - 3.2225 (2004), 3.5635 (2003), 3.8952 (2002),

3.3887 (2001), 2.7822 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Papua New Guinea

Telephones - main lines in use:

62,000 (2002)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

15,000 (2002)

Telephone system:

general assessment: services are adequate; facilities provide

radiotelephone and telegraph, coastal radio, aeronautical radio, and

international radio communication services

domestic: mostly radiotelephone

international: country code - 675; submarine cables to Australia and

Guam; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean);

international radio communication service

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 8, FM 19, shortwave 28 (1998)

Radios:

410,000 (1997)

Television broadcast stations: 3 (all in the Port Moresby area) note: additional stations at Mt. Hagen, Goroka, Lae, and Rabaul are planned (2004)

Televisions:

59,841 (1999)

Internet country code:

.pg

Internet hosts:

389 (2003)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

3 (2000)

Internet users:

75,000 (2002)

Transportation Papua New Guinea

Highways: total: 19,600 km paved: 686 km unpaved: 18,914 km (1999 est.)

Waterways:

10,940 km (2003)

Pipelines:

oil 264 km (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Kimbe, Lae, Rabaul

Merchant marine:

total: 22 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 47,586 GRT/60,934 DWT

by type: bulk carrier 2, cargo 17, chemical tanker 1, petroleum

tanker 2

foreign-owned: 8 (Singapore 2, United Kingdom 6) (2005)

Airports:

571 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 21 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 14 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 550 1,524 to 2,437 m: 10 914 to 1,523 m: 62 under 914 m: 478 (2004 est.)

Heliports: 2 (2004 est.)

Military Papua New Guinea

Military branches:

Papua New Guinea Defense Force (includes Maritime Operations

Element, Air Operations Element)

Military service age and obligation:

18 years of age (est.); no conscription (2001)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 18-49: 1,264,728 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: 902,432 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$16.9 million (2003)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

1.4% (FY02)

Transnational Issues Papua New Guinea

Disputes - international:

relies on assistance from Australia to keep out illegal

cross-border activities from primarily Indonesia, including goods

smuggling, illegal narcotics trafficking, and squatters and

secessionists

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Paracel Islands

Introduction Paracel Islands

Background:

The Paracel Islands are surrounded by productive fishing grounds

and by potential oil and gas reserves. In 1932, French Indochina

annexed the islands and set up a weather station on Pattle Island;

maintenance was continued by its successor, Vietnam. China has

occupied the Paracel Islands since 1974, when its troops seized a

South Vietnamese garrison occupying the western islands. The islands

are claimed by Taiwan and Vietnam.

Geography Paracel Islands

Location:

Southeastern Asia, group of small islands and reefs in the South

China Sea, about one-third of the way from central Vietnam to the

northern Philippines

Geographic coordinates:

16 30 N, 112 00 E

Map references:

Southeast Asia

Area:

total: NA sq km

land: NA sq km

water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative:

NA

Land boundaries:

0 km

Coastline:

518 km

Maritime claims:

NA

Climate:

tropical

Terrain:

mostly low and flat

Elevation extremes: lowest point: South China Sea 0 m highest point: unnamed location on Rocky Island 14 m

Natural resources: none

Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (2001)

Irrigated land:

0 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

typhoons

Environment - current issues:

NA

Geography - note:

composed of 130 small coral islands and reefs divided into the

northeast Amphitrite Group and the western Crescent Group

People Paracel Islands

Population: no indigenous inhabitants note: there are scattered Chinese garrisons

Government Paracel Islands

Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Paracel Islands

Economy Paracel Islands

Economy - overview:

China announced plans in 1997 to open the islands for tourism.

Transportation Paracel Islands

Ports and harbors:

small Chinese port facilities on Woody Island and Duncan Island

being expanded

Airports:

1 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Military Paracel Islands

Military - note: occupied by China

Transnational Issues Paracel Islands

Disputes - international: occupied by China, also claimed by Taiwan and Vietnam

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Paraguay

Introduction Paraguay

Background:

In the disastrous War of the Triple Alliance (1865-70), Paraguay

lost two-thirds of all adult males and much of its territory. It

stagnated economically for the next half century. In the Chaco War

of 1932-35, large, economically important areas were won from

Bolivia. The 35-year military dictatorship of Alfredo STROESSNER was

overthrown in 1989, and, despite a marked increase in political

infighting in recent years, relatively free and regular presidential

elections have been held since then.

Geography Paraguay

Location:

Central South America, northeast of Argentina

Geographic coordinates:

23 00 S, 58 00 W

Map references:

South America

Area:

total: 406,750 sq km

land: 397,300 sq km

water: 9,450 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly smaller than California

Land boundaries: total: 3,920 km border countries: Argentina 1,880 km, Bolivia 750 km, Brazil 1,290 km

Coastline:

0 km (landlocked)

Maritime claims:

none (landlocked)

Climate:

subtropical to temperate; substantial rainfall in the eastern

portions, becoming semiarid in the far west

Terrain:

grassy plains and wooded hills east of Rio Paraguay; Gran Chaco

region west of Rio Paraguay mostly low, marshy plain near the river,

and dry forest and thorny scrub elsewhere

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: junction of Rio Paraguay and Rio Parana 46 m

highest point: Cerro Pero (Cerro Tres Kandu) 842 m

Natural resources:

hydropower, timber, iron ore, manganese, limestone

Land use: arable land: 7.6% permanent crops: 0.23% other: 92.17% (2001)

Irrigated land:

670 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

local flooding in southeast (early September to June); poorly

drained plains may become boggy (early October to June)

Environment - current issues:

deforestation; water pollution; inadequate means for waste disposal

pose health risks for many urban residents; loss of wetlands

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto

Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law

of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

landlocked; lies between Argentina, Bolivia, and Brazil; population

concentrated in southern part of country

People Paraguay

Population:

6,347,884 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 37.9% (male 1,223,479/female 1,184,134)

15-64 years: 57.3% (male 1,825,473/female 1,809,810)

65 years and over: 4.8% (male 140,935/female 164,053) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 21.2 years

male: 20.94 years

female: 21.46 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

2.48% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

29.43 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

4.53 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

-0.08 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.86 male(s)/female

total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 25.63 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 30.37 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 20.66 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 74.89 years

male: 72.35 years

female: 77.55 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

3.93 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

0.5% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

15,000 (1999 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

600 (2003 est.)

Nationality: noun: Paraguayan(s) adjective: Paraguayan

Ethnic groups:

mestizo (mixed Spanish and Amerindian) 95%, other 5%

Religions:

Roman Catholic 90%, Mennonite and other Protestant 10%

Languages:

Spanish (official), Guarani (official)

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 94%

male: 94.9%

female: 93% (2003 est.)

Government Paraguay

Country name:

conventional long form: Republic of Paraguay

conventional short form: Paraguay

local long form: Republica del Paraguay

local short form: Paraguay

Government type:

constitutional republic

Capital:

Asuncion

Administrative divisions:

17 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento) and 1

capital city*; Alto Paraguay, Alto Parana, Amambay, Asuncion*,

Boqueron, Caaguazu, Caazapa, Canindeyu, Central, Concepcion,

Cordillera, Guaira, Itapua, Misiones, Neembucu, Paraguari,

Presidente Hayes, San Pedro

Independence:

14 May 1811 (from Spain)

National holiday:

Independence Day, 14 May 1811 (observed 15 May annually)

Constitution:

promulgated 20 June 1992

Legal system:

based on Argentine codes, Roman law, and French codes; judicial

review of legislative acts in Supreme Court of Justice

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal and compulsory up to age 75

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Nicanor DUARTE Frutos (since 15 August

2003); Vice President Luis CASTIGLIONI Joria (since 15 August 2003);

note - the president is both the chief of state and head of

government

head of government: President Nicanor DUARTE Frutos (since 15 August

2003); Vice President Luis CASTIGLIONI Joria (since 15 August 2003);

note - the president is both the chief of state and head of

government

cabinet: Council of Ministers nominated by the president

elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket

by popular vote for five-year terms; election last held 27 April

2003 (next to be held April 2008)

election results: Nicanor DUARTE Frutos elected president; percent

of vote - Nicanor DUARTE Frutos 37.1%, Julio Cesar Ramon FRANCO

Gomez 23.9%, Pedro Nicolas Maraa FADUL Niella 21.3%, Guillermo

SANCHEZ Guffanti 13.5%, other 4.2%

Legislative branch:

bicameral Congress or Congreso consists of the Chamber of Senators

or Camara de Senadores (45 seats; members are elected by popular

vote to serve five-year terms) and the Chamber of Deputies or Camara

de Diputados (80 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve

five-year terms)

elections: Chamber of Senators - last held 27 April 2003 (next to be

held April 2008); Chamber of Deputies - last held 27 April 2003

(next to be held April 2008)

election results: Chamber of Senators - percent of vote by party -

NA%; seats by party - ANR 16, PLRA 12, UNACE 7, PQ 7, PPS 2, PEN 1;

Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party

- ANR 37, PLRA 21, UNACE 10, PQ 10, PPS 2

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia (judges

appointed on the proposal of the Council of Magistrates or Consejo

de la Magistratura)

Political parties and leaders:

Asociacion Nacional Republicana - Colorado Party or ANR [Herminio

CACERES, interim president]; Movimiento Union Nacional de Ciudadanos

Eticos or UNACE [Enrique GONZALEZ Quintana, acting chairman]; Patria

Querida (Beloved Fatherland Party) or PQ [Pedro Nicolas Maraa FADUL

Niella]; Partido Encuentro Nacional or PEN [Luis TORALES Kenney];

Partido Liberal Radical Autentico or PLRA [Julio Cesar FRANCO];

Partido Pais Solidario or PPS [Carlos Alberto FILIZZOLA Pallares]

note: Nicanor DUARTE Frutos on leave as party leader of the Colorado

Party or ANR while serving as President of Paraguay; Lino Cesar

OVIEDO Silva, leader of UNACE, is currently serving a ten-year

prison term

Political pressure groups and leaders:

Ahorristas Estafados or AE; Coordinating Table of National

Campesino Organizations or MCNOC; National Federation of Campesinos

or FNC; National Workers Central or CNT; Paraguayan Workers

Confederation or CPT; Roman Catholic Church; Unitary Workers Central

or CUT

International organization participation:

CSN, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA,

IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO

(correspondent), ITU, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur, MIGA, MINUSTAH, MONUC,

NAM (observer), OAS, ONUB, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD,

UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMEE, UNMIL, UNOCI, UPU, WCL, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO,

WToO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador James SPALDING Hellmers

chancery: 2400 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 483-6960 through 6962

FAX: [1] (202) 234-4508

consulate(s) general: Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador John F. KEANE

embassy: 1776 Avenida Mariscal Lopez, Casilla Postal 402, Asuncion

mailing address: Unit 4711, APO AA 34036-0001

telephone: [595] (21) 213-715

FAX: [595] (21) 213-728

Flag description:

three equal, horizontal bands of red (top), white, and blue with an

emblem centered in the white band; unusual flag in that the emblem

is different on each side; the obverse (hoist side at the left)

bears the national coat of arms (a yellow five-pointed star within a

green wreath capped by the words REPUBLICA DEL PARAGUAY, all within

two circles); the reverse (hoist side at the right) bears the seal

of the treasury (a yellow lion below a red Cap of Liberty and the

words Paz y Justicia (Peace and Justice) capped by the words

REPUBLICA DEL PARAGUAY, all within two circles)

Economy Paraguay

Economy - overview:

Landlocked Paraguay has a market economy marked by a large informal

sector. This sector features both reexport of imported consumer

goods to neighboring countries as well as the activities of

thousands of microenterprises and urban street vendors. Because of

the importance of the informal sector, accurate economic measures

are difficult to obtain. A large percentage of the population

derives their living from agricultural activity, often on a

subsistence basis. The formal economy grew by an average of about 3%

annually in 1995-97, but averaged near-zero growth in 1998-2001 and

contracted by 2.3 percent in 2002, in response to regional contagion

and an outbreak of hoof-and-mouth desease. On a per capita basis,

real income has stagnated at 1980 levels. Most observers attribute

Paraguay's poor economic performance to political uncertainty,

corruption, lack of progress on structural reform, substantial

internal and external debt, and deficient infrastructure. Aided by a

firmer exchange rate and perhaps a greater confidence in the

economic policy of the Duarte FRUTOS administration, the economy

rebounded in 2003 and 2004, posting modest growth each year.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$29.93 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

2.8% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $4,800 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 25.3% industry: 24.9% services: 49.8% (2004 est.)

Labor force:

2.66 million (2004 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 45%

Unemployment rate:

15.1% (2004 est.)

Population below poverty line:

36% (2001 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 0.5% highest 10%: 43.8% (1998)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

57.7 (1998)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

5.1% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

18.1% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $1.123 billion

expenditures: $1.129 billion, including capital expenditures of $700

million (2004 est.)

Public debt:

39.2% of GDP (2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

cotton, sugarcane, soybeans, corn, wheat, tobacco, cassava

(tapioca), fruits, vegetables; beef, pork, eggs, milk; timber

Industries:

sugar, cement, textiles, beverages, wood products, steel,

metallurgic, electric power

Industrial production growth rate:

0% (2000 est.)

Electricity - production:

48.36 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 0% hydro: 99.9% nuclear: 0% other: 0.1% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

2.469 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

42.51 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

25,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Current account balance:

$-36.11 million (2004 est.)

Exports:

$2.936 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

soybeans, feed, cotton, meat, edible oils, electricity, wood,

leather

Exports - partners:

Uruguay 27.8%, Brazil 19.2%, Argentina 6.3%, Switzerland 4.1% (2004)

Imports:

$3.33 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

road vehicles, consumer goods, tobacco, petroleum products,

electrical machinery

Imports - partners:

Brazil 30.9%, Argentina 23.3%, China 16.6%, US 4% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$1.164 billion (2004 est.)

Debt - external:

$3.239 billion (2004 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:

NA

Currency (code):

guarani (PYG)

Currency code:

PYG

Exchange rates:

guarani per US dollar - 5,974.6 (2004), 6,424.3 (2003), 5,716.3

(2002), 4,105.9 (2001), 3,486.4 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Paraguay

Telephones - main lines in use:

273,200 (2002)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

1,770,300 (2003)

Telephone system:

general assessment: meager telephone service; principal switching

center is Asuncion

domestic: fair microwave radio relay network

international: country code - 595; satellite earth station - 1

Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 46, FM 27, shortwave 6 (three inactive) (1998)

Radios:

925,000 (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

5 (2003)

Televisions:

990,000 (2001)

Internet country code:

.py

Internet hosts:

9,243 (2003)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

4 (2000)

Internet users:

120,000 (2003)

Transportation Paraguay

Railways: total: 441 km standard gauge: 441 km 1.435-m gauge (2004)

Highways: total: 29,500 km paved: 14,986 km unpaved: 14,514 km (1999 est)

Waterways:

3,100 km (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Asuncion, Villeta, San Antonio, Encarnacion

Merchant marine:

total: 21 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 31,667 GRT/30,826 DWT

by type: cargo 15, livestock carrier 1, passenger 1, petroleum

tanker 2, roll on/roll off 2

foreign-owned: 2 (Argentina 2)

registered in other countries: 1 (2005)

Airports:

878 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 12

over 3,047 m: 3

1,524 to 2,437 m: 5

914 to 1,523 m: 4 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 866

1,524 to 2,437 m: 26

914 to 1,523 m: 323

under 914 m: 517 (2004 est.)

Military Paraguay

Military branches:

Army, Navy (includes Naval Aviation, River Defense Corps, Coast

Guard), Air Force

Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service; conscript service obligation - 12 months for Army, 24 months for Navy (2004)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 18-49: 1,345,022 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: 1,109,166 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:

males: 63,058 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$53.1 million (2004)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

0.9% (2003)

Transnational Issues Paraguay

Disputes - international:

unruly region at convergence of Argentina-Brazil-Paraguay borders

is locus of money laundering, smuggling, arms and illegal narcotics

trafficking, and fundraising for extremist organizations

Illicit drugs:

major illicit producer of cannabis, most or all of which is

consumed in Brazil, Argentina, and Chile; transshipment country for

Andean cocaine headed for Brazil, other Southern Cone markets,

Europe, and US; corruption and some money-laundering activity,

especially in the Tri-Border Area

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Peru

Introduction Peru

Background:

Ancient Peru was the seat of several prominent Andean

civilizations, most notably that of the Incas whose empire was

captured by the Spanish conquistadors in 1533. Peruvian independence

was declared in 1821, and remaining Spanish forces defeated in 1824.

After a dozen years of military rule, Peru returned to democratic

leadership in 1980, but experienced economic problems and the growth

of a violent insurgency. President Alberto FUJIMORI's election in

1990 ushered in a decade that saw a dramatic turnaround in the

economy and significant progress in curtailing guerrilla activity.

Nevertheless, the president's increasing reliance on authoritarian

measures and an economic slump in the late 1990s generated mounting

dissatisfaction with his regime. FUJIMORI won reelection to a third

term in the spring of 2000, but international pressure and

corruption scandals led to his ouster by Congress in November of

that year. A caretaker government oversaw new elections in the

spring of 2001, which ushered in Alejandro TOLEDO as the new head of

government; his presidency has been hampered by allegations of

corruption.

Geography Peru

Location:

Western South America, bordering the South Pacific Ocean, between

Chile and Ecuador

Geographic coordinates:

10 00 S, 76 00 W

Map references:

South America

Area:

total: 1,285,220 sq km

land: 1.28 million sq km

water: 5,220 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly smaller than Alaska

Land boundaries:

total: 5,536 km

border countries: Bolivia 900 km, Brazil 1,560 km, Chile 160 km,

Colombia 1,496 km (est.), Ecuador 1,420 km

Coastline:

2,414 km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 200 nm

continental shelf: 200 nm

Climate:

varies from tropical in east to dry desert in west; temperate to

frigid in Andes

Terrain:

western coastal plain (costa), high and rugged Andes in center

(sierra), eastern lowland jungle of Amazon Basin (selva)

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

highest point: Nevado Huascaran 6,768 m

Natural resources:

copper, silver, gold, petroleum, timber, fish, iron ore, coal,

phosphate, potash, hydropower, natural gas

Land use: arable land: 2.89% permanent crops: 0.4% other: 96.71% (2001)

Irrigated land:

11,950 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

earthquakes, tsunamis, flooding, landslides, mild volcanic activity

Environment - current issues: deforestation (some the result of illegal logging); overgrazing of the slopes of the costa and sierra leading to soil erosion; desertification; air pollution in Lima; pollution of rivers and coastal waters from municipal and mining wastes

Environment - international agreements: party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

shares control of Lago Titicaca, world's highest navigable lake,

with Bolivia; a remote slope of Nevado Mismi, a 5,316 m peak, is the

ultimate source of the Amazon River

People Peru

Population:

27,925,628 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 31.5% (male 4,479,278/female 4,323,356)

15-64 years: 63.3% (male 8,891,785/female 8,776,343)

65 years and over: 5.2% (male 685,179/female 769,687) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 24.95 years

male: 24.69 years

female: 25.21 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

1.36% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

20.87 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

6.26 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

-1.03 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.89 male(s)/female

total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 31.94 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 34.53 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 29.24 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 69.53 years

male: 67.77 years

female: 71.37 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

2.56 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

0.5% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

82,000 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

4,200 (2003 est.)

Nationality:

noun: Peruvian(s)

adjective: Peruvian

Ethnic groups:

Amerindian 45%, mestizo (mixed Amerindian and white) 37%, white

15%, black, Japanese, Chinese, and other 3%

Religions:

Roman Catholic 81%, Seventh Day Adventist 1.4%, other Christian

0.7%, other 0.6%, unspecified or none 16.3% (2003 est.)

Languages:

Spanish (official), Quechua (official), Aymara, and a large number

of minor Amazonian languages

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 87.7%

male: 93.5%

female: 82.1% (2004 est.)

Government Peru

Country name:

conventional long form: Republic of Peru

conventional short form: Peru

local long form: Republica del Peru

local short form: Peru

Government type:

constitutional republic

Capital:

Lima

Administrative divisions:

25 regions (regiones, singular - region) and 1 province*

(provincia); Amazonas, Ancash, Apurimac, Arequipa, Ayacucho,

Cajamarca, Callao, Cusco, Huancavelica, Huanuco, Ica, Junin, La

Libertad, Lambayeque, Lima, Lima*, Loreto, Madre de Dios, Moquegua,

Pasco, Piura, Puno, San Martin, Tacna, Tumbes, Ucayali

Independence:

28 July 1821 (from Spain)

National holiday:

Independence Day, 28 July (1821)

Constitution:

31 December 1993

Legal system:

based on civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ

jurisdiction

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal and compulsory until the age of 70; note

- members of the military and national police may not vote

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Alejandro TOLEDO Manrique (since 28 July

2001); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of

government; additionally, the constitution provides for two vice

presidents, First Vice President (vacant) and Second Vice President

David WAISMAN Rjavinsthi (since 28 July 2001)

head of government: President Alejandro TOLEDO Manrique (since 28

July 2001); note - the president is both the chief of state and head

of government; additionally, the constitution provides for two vice

presidents, First Vice President (vacant) and Second Vice President

David WAISMAN Rjavinsthi (since 28 July 2001)

note: Prime Minister Pedro Pablo KUCZYNSKI (since 25 August 2005)

does not exercise executive power; this power is in the hands of the

president

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president

elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;

special presidential and congressional elections held 8 April 2001,

with runoff election held 3 June 2001; next to be held 9 April 2006

election results: President Alejandro TOLEDO Manrique elected

president in runoff election; percent of vote - Alejandro TOLEDO

Manrique 53.1%, Alan GARCIA 46.9%

Legislative branch:

unicameral Congress of the Republic of Peru or Congreso de la

Republica del Peru (120 seats; members are elected by popular vote

to serve five-year terms)

elections: last held 8 April 2001 (next to be held 9 April 2006)

election results: percent of vote by party - PP 26.3%, APRA 19.7%,

UN 13.8%, FIM 11.0%, others 29.2%; seats by party - PP 47, APRA 28,

UN 17, FIM 11, others 17

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia (judges are

appointed by the National Council of the Judiciary)

Political parties and leaders:

Independent Moralizing Front or FIM [Fernando OLIVERA Vega];

National Unity (Unidad Nacional) or UN [Lourdes FLORES Nano]; Peru

Posible or PP [David WAISMAN]; Peruvian Aprista Party or PAP (also

referred to by its original name Alianza Popular Revolucionaria

Americana or APRA) [Alan GARCIA]; Popular Action or AP [Javier DIAZ

Orihuela]; Solucion Popular [Carlos BOLANA]; Somos Peru or SP

[Alberto ANDRADE]; Union for Peru or UPP [Roger GUERRA Garcia]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

leftist guerrilla groups include Shining Path [Abimael GUZMAN

Reynoso (imprisoned), Gabriel MACARIO (top leader at-large)]; Tupac

Amaru Revolutionary Movement or MRTA [Victor POLAY (imprisoned),

Hugo AVALLENEDA Valdez (top leader at-large)]

International organization participation:

APEC, CAN, CSN, FAO, G-15, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC,

ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO,

Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur

(associate), MIGA, MINUSTAH, MONUC, NAM, OAS, ONUB, OPANAL, OPCW,

PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMEE, UNMIL, UNOCI, UPU, WCL,

WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Eduardo FERRERO Costa

chancery: 1700 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036

telephone: [1] (202) 833-9860 through 9869

FAX: [1] (202) 659-8124

consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Denver, Hartford, Houston,

Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Paterson (New Jersey), San Francisco,

Washington, DC

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador J. Curtis STRUBLE

embassy: Avenida La Encalada, Cuadra 17s/n, Surco, Lima 33

mailing address: P. O. Box 1995, Lima 1; American Embassy (Lima),

APO AA 34031-5000

telephone: [51] (1) 434-3000

FAX: [51] (1) 434-3037

Flag description:

three equal, vertical bands of red (hoist side), white, and red

with the coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms

features a shield bearing a vicuna, cinchona tree (the source of

quinine), and a yellow cornucopia spilling out gold coins, all

framed by a green wreath

Economy Peru

Economy - overview:

Peru's economy reflects its varied geography - an arid coastal

region, the Andes further inland, and tropical lands bordering

Colombia and Brazil. Abundant mineral resources are found in the

mountainous areas, and Peru's coastal waters provide excellent

fishing grounds. However, overdependence on minerals and metals

subjects the economy to fluctuations in world prices, and a lack of

infrastructure deters trade and investment. After several years of

inconsistent economic performance, the Peruvian economy grew by an

average 4 percent per year during the period 2002-2004, with a

stable exchange rate and low inflation. Risk premiums on Peruvian

bonds on secondary markets reached historically low levels in late

2004, reflecting investor optimism regarding the government's

prudent fiscal policies and openness to trade and investment.

Despite the strong macroeconomic performance, the TOLEDO

administration remained unpopular in 2004, and unemployment and

poverty have stayed persistently high.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$155.3 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

4.5% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $5,600 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 8% industry: 27% services: 65% (2003 est.)

Labor force:

11 million (2004 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 9%, industry 18%, services 73% (2001)

Unemployment rate:

9.6% in metropolitan Lima; widespread underemployment (2004 est.)

Population below poverty line:

54% (2003 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 0.8% highest 10%: 37.2% (2000)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

49.8 (2000)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

3.8% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

17.8% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $13.6 billion

expenditures: $14.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $1.8

billion, for general government, excluding private enterprises (2004

est.)

Public debt:

44.1% of GDP (2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

coffee, cotton, sugarcane, rice, potatoes, corn, plantains, grapes,

oranges, coca; poultry, beef, dairy products; fish

Industries:

mining and refining of minerals and metals, petroleum extraction

and refining, natural gas, fishing and fish processing, textiles,

clothing, food processing, steel, metal fabrication

Industrial production growth rate:

5.2% (2004 est.)

Electricity - production:

22.88 billion kWh (2004 est.)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 14.5% hydro: 84.7% nuclear: 0% other: 0.8% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

20.22 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2003)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2003)

Oil - production:

95,500 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Oil - consumption:

161,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

49,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Oil - imports:

NA

Oil - proved reserves:

408.8 million bbl (2004 est.)

Natural gas - production:

910 million cu m (2004 est.)

Natural gas - consumption:

910 million cu m (2004 est.)

Natural gas - exports:

0 cu m (2004 est.)

Natural gas - imports:

0 cu m (2004 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves:

245.1 billion cu m (2004)

Current account balance:

$-30 million (2004 est.)

Exports:

$12.3 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

copper, gold, zinc, crude petroleum and petroleum products, coffee

Exports - partners:

US 29.5%, China 9.9%, UK 9%, Chile 5.1%, Japan 4.4% (2004)

Imports:

$9.6 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

petroleum and petroleum products, plastics, machinery, vehicles,

iron and steel, wheat, paper

Imports - partners:

US 30.3%, Spain 11.5%, Chile 7.2%, Brazil 5.4%, Colombia 5.2% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$12.7 billion (2004 est.)

Debt - external:

$29.79 billion (2004 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:

$491 million (2002)

Currency (code):

nuevo sol (PEN)

Currency code:

PEN

Exchange rates:

nuevo sol per US dollar - 3.4132 (2004), 3.4785 (2003), 3.5165

(2002), 3.5068 (2001), 3.49 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Peru

Telephones - main lines in use:

1,839,200 (2003)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

2,908,800 (2003)

Telephone system:

general assessment: adequate for most requirements

domestic: nationwide microwave radio relay system and a domestic

satellite system with 12 earth stations

international: country code - 51; satellite earth stations - 2

Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); Pan American submarine cable

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 472, FM 198, shortwave 189 (1999)

Radios:

6.65 million (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

13 (plus 112 repeaters) (1997)

Televisions:

3.06 million (1997)

Internet country code:

.pe

Internet hosts:

65,868 (2003)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

10 (2000)

Internet users:

2.85 million (2003)

Transportation Peru

Railways:

total: 3,462 km

standard gauge: 2,962 km 1.435-m gauge

narrow gauge: 500 km 0.914-m gauge (2004)

Highways:

total: 78,230 km

paved: 10,452 km

unpaved: 67,778 km (2001)

Waterways:

8,808 km

note: 8,600 km of navigable tributaries of Amazon system and 208 km

of Lago Titicaca (2004)

Pipelines:

gas 388 km; oil 1,557 km; refined products 13 km (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Callao, Iquitos, Matarani, Pucallpa, Yurimaguas

note: Iquitos, Pucallpa, and Yurimaguas are on the upper reaches of

the Amazon and its tributaries

Merchant marine:

total: 4 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 13,666 GRT/17,611 DWT

by type: cargo 3, petroleum tanker 1

foreign-owned: 1 (United States 1)

registered in other countries: 14 (2005)

Airports:

234 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 52 over 3,047 m: 5 2,438 to 3,047 m: 20 1,524 to 2,437 m: 16 914 to 1,523 m: 9 under 914 m: 2 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 182 1,524 to 2,437 m: 21 914 to 1,523 m: 62 under 914 m: 99 (2004 est.)

Heliports: 1 (2004 est.)

Military Peru

Military branches:

Army (Ejercito Peruano), Navy (Marina de Guerra del Peru; includes

Naval Air, Naval Infantry, and Coast Guard), Air Force (Fuerza Aerea

del Peru; FAP)

Military service age and obligation:

18 years of age for compulsory military service (1999)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 18-49: 6,647,874 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: 4,938,417 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:

males: 277,105 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$829.3 million (2003)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

1.4% (2004)

Transnational Issues Peru

Disputes - international:

Peru proposes changing its latitudinal maritime boundary with Chile

to an equidistance line with a southwestern axis; organized illegal

narcotics operations in Colombia have penetrated Peru's shared

border; Peru does not support Bolivia's claim to restore maritime

access through a sovereign corridor through Chile along the Peruvian

border

Refugees and internally displaced persons:

IDPs: 60,000 (civil war from 1980-2000; most IDPs are indigenous

peasants in Andean and Amazonian regions) (2004)

Illicit drugs:

until 1996 the world's largest coca leaf producer; emerging opium

producer; cultivation of coca in Peru fell 15 percent to 31,150

hectares between 2002 and the end of 2003; much of the cocaine base

is shipped to neighboring Colombia for processing into cocaine,

while finished cocaine is shipped out from Pacific ports to the

international drug market; increasing amounts of base and finished

cocaine, however, are being moved to Brazil and Bolivia for use in

the Southern Cone or transshipped to Europe and Africa

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Philippines

Introduction Philippines

Background:

The Philippine Islands became a Spanish colony during the 16th

century; they were ceded to the US in 1898 following the

Spanish-American War. In 1935 the Philippines became a

self-governing commonwealth. Manuel QUEZON was elected President and

was tasked with preparing the country for independence after a

10-year transition. In 1942 the islands fell under Japanese

occupation during WWII, and US forces and Filipinos fought together

during 1944-45 to regain control. On 4 July 1946 the Philippines

attained their independence. The 21-year rule of Ferdinand MARCOS

ended in 1986, when a widespread popular rebellion forced him into

exile and installed Corazon AQUINO as president. Her presidency was

hampered by several coup attempts, which prevented a return to full

political stability and economic development. Fidel RAMOS was

elected president in 1992 and his administration was marked by

greater stability and progress on economic reforms. In 1992, the US

closed its last military bases on the islands. Joseph ESTRADA was

elected president in 1998, but was succeeded by his vice-president,

Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, in January 2001 after ESTRADA's stormy

impeachment trial on corruption charges broke down and widespread

demonstrations led to his ouster. MACAPAGAL-ARROYO was elected to a

six-year term in May 2004. The Philippine Government faces threats

from armed communist insurgencies and from Muslim separatists in the

south.

Geography Philippines

Location:

Southeastern Asia, archipelago between the Philippine Sea and the

South China Sea, east of Vietnam

Geographic coordinates:

13 00 N, 122 00 E

Map references:

Southeast Asia

Area:

total: 300,000 sq km

land: 298,170 sq km

water: 1,830 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly larger than Arizona

Land boundaries:

0 km

Coastline:

36,289 km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: irregular polygon extending up to 100 nm from

coastline as defined by 1898 treaty; since late 1970s has also

claimed polygonal-shaped area in South China Sea up to 285 nm in

breadth

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

continental shelf: to depth of exploitation

Climate:

tropical marine; northeast monsoon (November to April); southwest

monsoon (May to October)

Terrain:

mostly mountains with narrow to extensive coastal lowlands

Elevation extremes: lowest point: Philippine Sea 0 m highest point: Mount Apo 2,954 m

Natural resources:

timber, petroleum, nickel, cobalt, silver, gold, salt, copper

Land use:

arable land: 18.95%

permanent crops: 16.77%

other: 64.28% (2001)

Irrigated land:

15,500 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

astride typhoon belt, usually affected by 15 and struck by five to

six cyclonic storms per year; landslides; active volcanoes;

destructive earthquakes; tsunamis

Environment - current issues: uncontrolled deforestation especially in watershed areas; soil erosion; air and water pollution in major urban centers; coral reef degradation; increasing pollution of coastal mangrove swamps that are important fish breeding grounds

Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants

Geography - note:

the Philippine archipelago is made up of 7,107 islands; favorably

located in relation to many of Southeast Asia's main water bodies:

the South China Sea, Philippine Sea, Sulu Sea, Celebes Sea, and

Luzon Strait

People Philippines

Population:

87,857,473 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 35.4% (male 15,869,636/female 15,255,588)

15-64 years: 60.6% (male 26,503,785/female 26,722,511)

65 years and over: 4% (male 1,523,213/female 1,982,740) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 22.27 years

male: 21.77 years

female: 22.8 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

1.84% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

25.31 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

5.47 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

-1.49 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female

total population: 1 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 23.51 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 26.34 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 20.54 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 69.91 years

male: 67.03 years

female: 72.92 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

3.16 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

less than 0.1% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

9,000 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

less than 500 (2003 est.)

Major infectious diseases:

degree of risk: high

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and

typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria are high risks in

some locations

animal contact disease: rabies (2004)

Nationality:

noun: Filipino(s)

adjective: Philippine

Ethnic groups:

Tagalog 28.1%, Cebuano 13.1%, Llocano 9%, Bisaya/Binisaya 7.6%,

Hiligaynon Ilonggo 7.5%, Bikol 6%, Waray 3.4%, other 25.3% (2000

census)

Religions:

Roman Catholic 80.9%, Evangelical 2.8%, Iglesia ni Kristo 2.3%,

Aglipayan 2%, other Christian 4.5%, Muslim 5%, other 1.8%,

unspecified 0.6%, none 0.1% (2000 census)

Languages:

two official languages - Filipino (based on Tagalog) and English;

eight major dialects - Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocano, Hiligaynon or

Ilonggo, Bicol, Waray, Pampango, and Pangasinan

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 92.6%

male: 92.5%

female: 92.7% (2002)

Government Philippines

Country name:

conventional long form: Republic of the Philippines

conventional short form: Philippines

local long form: Republika ng Pilipinas

local short form: Pilipinas

Government type:

republic

Capital:

Manila

Administrative divisions:

79 provinces and 116 chartered cities

: provinces: Abra, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Aklan, Albay,

Antique, Apayao, Aurora, Basilan, Bataan, Batanes, Batangas,

Biliran, Benguet, Bohol, Bukidnon, Bulacan, Cagayan, Camarines

Norte, Camarines Sur, Camiguin, Capiz, Catanduanes, Cavite, Cebu,

Compostela, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Davao Oriental, Eastern

Samar, Guimaras, Ifugao, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Iloilo, Isabela,

Kalinga, Laguna, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, La Union, Leyte,

Maguindanao, Marinduque, Masbate, Mindoro Occidental, Mindoro

Oriental, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Mountain Province,

Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, North Cotabato, Northern Samar,

Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Palawan, Pampanga, Pangasinan, Quezon,

Quirino, Rizal, Romblon, Samar, Sarangani, Siquijor, Sorsogon, South

Cotabato, Southern Leyte, Sultan Kudarat, Sulu, Surigao del Norte,

Surigao del Sur, Tarlac, Tawi-Tawi, Zambales, Zamboanga del Norte,

Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay

: chartered cities: Alaminos, Angeles, Antipolo, Bacolod, Bago,

Baguio, Bais, Balanga, Batangas, Bayawan, Bislig, Butuan,

Cabanatuan, Cadiz, Cagayan de Oro, Calamba, Calapan, Calbayog,

Candon, Canlaon, Cauayan, Cavite, Cebu, Cotabato, Dagupan, Danao,

Dapitan, Davao, Digos, Dipolog, Dumaguete, Escalante, Gapan, General

Santos, Gingoog, Himamaylan, Iligan, Iloilo, Isabela, Iriga,

Kabankalan, Kalookan, Kidapawan, Koronadal, La Carlota, Laoag,

Lapu-Lapu, Las Pinas, Legazpi, Ligao, Lipa, Lucena, Maasin, Makati,

Malabon, Malaybalay, Malolos, Mandaluyong, Mandaue, Manila, Marawi,

Markina, Masbate, Muntinlupa, Munoz, Naga, Olongapo, Ormoc,

Oroquieta, Ozamis, Pagadian, Palayan, Panabo, Paranaque, Pasay,

Pasig, Passi, Puerto Princesa, Quezon, Roxas, Sagay, Samal, San

Carlos (in Negros Occidental), San Carlos (in Pangasinan), San

Fernando (in La Union), San Fernando (in Pampanga), San Jose, San

Jose del Monte, San Pablo, Santa Rosa, Santiago, Silay, Sipalay,

Sorsogon, Surigao, Tabaco, Tacloban, Tacurong, Tagaytay, Tagbilaran,

Tagum, Talisay (in Cebu), Talisay (in Negros Oriental), Tanauan,

Tangub, Tanjay, Tarlac, Toledo, Tuguegarao, Trece Martires,

Urdaneta, Valencia, Valenzuela, Victorias, Vigan, Zamboanga

Independence:

12 June 1898 (from Spain)

National holiday:

Independence Day, 12 June (1898)

note: 12 June 1898 was date of declaration of independence from

Spain; 4 July 1946 was date of independence from US

Constitution:

2 February 1987, effective 11 February 1987

Legal system:

based on Spanish and Anglo-American law; accepts compulsory ICJ

jurisdiction, with reservations

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO (since 20 January

2001); note - president is both chief of state and head of government

head of government: President Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO (since 20

January 2001)

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president with consent of

Commission of Appointments

elections: president and vice president (Manuel "Noli" DE CASTRO)

elected on separate tickets by popular vote for six-year terms;

election last held 10 May 2004 (next to be held in May 2010)

election results: results of the election - Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO

elected president; percent of vote - Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO 40%,

Fernando POE 37%, three others 23%

Legislative branch:

bicameral Congress or Kongreso consists of the Senate or Senado (24

seats - one-half elected every three years; members elected at large

by popular vote to serve six-year terms) and the House of

Representatives or Kapulungan Ng Mga Kinatawan (212 members

representing districts plus 24 sectoral party-list members; members

elected by popular vote to serve three-year terms; note - the

Constitution prohibits the House of Representatives from having more

than 250 members)

elections: Senate - last held 10 May 2004 (next to be held in May

2007); House of Representatives - elections last held 10 May 2004

(next to be held in May 2007)

election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - Lakas 30%, LP

13%, KNP 13%, independents 17%, others 27%; seats by party - Lakas

7, LP 3, KNP (coalition) 3, independents 4, others 6; note - there

are 23 rather than 24 sitting senators because one senator was

elected Vice President; 14 senators are pro-government, 9 are in

opposition; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party -

NA%; seats by party - Lakas 93, NPC 53, LP 34, LDP 11, others 20;

party-listers 24; note - there are 211 rather than 212 sitting

representatives because one was appointed Secretary of Tourism (2004)

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court (15 justices are appointed by the president on the

recommendation of the Judicial and Bar Council and serve until 70

years of age); Court of Appeals; Sandigan-bayan (special court for

hearing corruption cases of government officials)

Political parties and leaders:

Laban Ng Demokratikong Pilipino (Struggle of Filipino Democrats) or

LDP [Edgardo ANGARA, president]; Lakas Ng Edsa (National Union of

Christian Democrats) or Lakas [Jose DE VENECIA, president; Gloria

MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, chairperson]; Liberal Party or LP [Franklin

DRILON, president; Jose ATIENZA, JR., chairman]; National People's

Coalition or NPC [Eduardo COJUANGCO, chairman emeritus; Frisco SAN

JUAN, president]; PDP-Laban [Aquilino PIMENTEL, president]; Pwersa

ng Masang Pilipino (Party of the Philippine Masses) or PMP [Joseph

ESTRADA, president; Juan Ponce ENRILE, chairman]; Aksyon Demokratiko

Party [Raul ROCO, president]; Reporma [Renato DE VILLA, chairman];

PROMDI [Emilio OSMENA, president]; Nacionalista [Manuel VILLAR,

president]; People's Reform Party [Miriam Defensor SANTIAGO,

president}

Political pressure groups and leaders:

AKBAYAN [Reps. Etta ROSALES, Mario AGUJA, and Risa

HONTIVEROS-BARAQUIEL]; ANAKPAWIS [Reps. Crispin BELTRAN and Rafael

MARIANO]; Association of Philippine Electric Cooperatives (APEC)

[Reps. Edgar VALDEZ, Ernesto PABLO, and Sunny Rose MADAMBA]; Bayan

Muna [Reps. Satur OCAMPO, Joel VIRADOR, and Teodoro CASINO, Jr.];

BUHAY [Reps. Rene VELARDE and Hans Christian SENERES]; BUTIL [Rep.

Benjamin CRUZ]; CIBAC [Rep. Emmanuel Joel VILLANUEVA]; GABRIELA

[Rep. Liza MAZA]; PARTIDO NG MANGGAGAWA [Rep. Renato MAGTUBO] (2003)

International organization participation:

APEC, APT, ARF, AsDB, ASEAN, BIS, CP, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD,

ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS,

IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MIGA, MINUSTAH,

NAM, OAS (observer), ONUB, OPCW, UN, UN Security Council

(temporary), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIK, UNMIL, UNMISET,

UNOCI, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Albert DEL ROSARIO

chancery: 1600 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036

telephone: [1] (202) 467-9300

FAX: [1] (202) 328-7614

consulate(s) general: Chicago, Honolulu, Los Angeles, New York, San

Francisco, San Jose (Northern Mariana Islands), Tamuning (Guam)

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Charge d'Affaires Darryl N. JOHNSON

(Ambassador-designate Michael MICHALAK)

embassy: 1201 Roxas Boulevard, Manila

mailing address: PSC 500, FPO AP 96515-1000

telephone: [63] (2) 523-6300

FAX: [63] (2) 522-4361

Flag description:

two equal horizontal bands of blue (top; representing peace and

justice) and red (representing courage); a white equilateral

triangle based on the hoist side represents equality; the center of

the triangle displays a yellow sun with eight primary rays, each

representing one of the first eight provinces that sought

independence from Spain; each corner of the triangle contains a

small, yellow, five-pointed star representing the three major

geographical divisions of the country: Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao;

the design of the flag dates to 1897; in wartime the flag is flown

upside down with the red band at the top

Economy Philippines

Economy - overview:

The Philippines was less severely affected by the Asian financial

crisis of 1998 than its neighbors, aided in part by annual

remittances of $7-8 billion from overseas workers and no sustained

runup in asset prices or foreign borrowing prior to the crisis. From

a 0.6% decline in 1998, GDP expanded by 2.4% in 1999, and 4.4% in

2000, but slowed to 3.2% in 2001 in the context of a global economic

slowdown, an export slump, and political and security concerns. GDP

growth accelerated to 4.3% in 2002, 4.7% in 2003, and about 6% in

2004, reflecting the continued resilience of the service sector, and

improved exports and agricultural output. Nonetheless, it will take

a higher, sustained growth path to make appreciable progress in

poverty alleviation given the Philippines' high annual population

growth rate and unequal distribution of income. The Philippines also

faces higher oil prices, higher interest rates on its dollar

borrowings, and higher inflation. Fiscal constraints limit Manila's

ability to finance infrastructure and social spending. The

Philippines' consistently large budget deficit has produced a high

debt level and has forced Manila to spend a large portion of the

national government budget on debt service. Large, unprofitable

public enterprises, especially in the energy sector, contribute to

the government's debt because of slow progress on privatization.

Credit rating agencies are increasingly concerned about the

Philippines' ability to sustain the debt; legislative progress on

new revenue measures will weigh heavily on credit rating decisions.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$430.6 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

5.9% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $5,000 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 14.8% industry: 31.9% services: 53.2% (2004 est.)

Labor force:

35.86 million (2004 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 36%, industry 16%, services 48% (2004 est.)

Unemployment rate:

11.7% (2004 est.)

Population below poverty line:

40% (2001 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.3% highest 10%: 31.9% (2003)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

46.6 (2003)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

5.5% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

17% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $12.22 billion

expenditures: $15.84 billion, including capital expenditures of $2.4

million (2004 est.)

Public debt:

74.2% of GDP (September 2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

sugarcane, coconuts, rice, corn, bananas, casavas, pineapples,

fish, mangoes, pork, eggs, beef

Industries:

electronics assembly, garments, footwear, pharmaceuticals,

chemicals, wood products, food processing, petroleum refining,

fishing

Industrial production growth rate:

5% (2004 est.)

Electricity - production:

52.86 billion kWh (2003)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 55.6% hydro: 17.5% nuclear: 0% other: 26.9% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

46.05 billion kWh (2003)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2003)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2003)

Oil - production:

26,000 bbl/day (2003 est.)

Oil - consumption:

338,000 bbl/day (2003 est.)

Oil - exports:

0 bbl/day (2001)

Oil - imports:

312,000 bbl/day (2003)

Oil - proved reserves:

152 million bbl (1 January 2004)

Natural gas - production:

2.5 million cu m (2004 est.)

Natural gas - consumption:

25 million cu m (2004 est.)

Natural gas - exports:

0 cu m (2004 est.)

Natural gas - imports:

0 cu m (2004 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves:

107.6 billion cu m (1 January 2004)

Current account balance:

$3.6 billion (2004 est.)

Exports:

$38.63 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

electronic equipment, machinery and transport equipment, garments,

optical instruments, coconut products, fruits and nuts, copper

products, chemicals

Exports - partners:

Japan 20.1%, US 18.2%, Netherlands 9%, Hong Kong 7.9%, China 6.7%,

Singapore 6.6%, Taiwan 5.6%, Malaysia 5.2% (2004)

Imports:

$37.5 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

raw materials, machinery and equipment, fuels, vehicles and vehicle

parts, plastic, chemicals, grains

Imports - partners:

US 18.8%, Japan 17.4%, Singapore 7.8%, Taiwan 7.3%, South Korea

6.2%, China 6%, Malaysia 4.5% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$16.05 billion (2004)

Debt - external:

$55.6 billion (September 2004 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:

ODA commitments, $2 billion (2004)

Currency (code):

Philippine peso (PHP)

Currency code:

PHP

Exchange rates:

Philippine pesos per US dollar - 56.04 (2004), 54.203 (2003),

51.604 (2002), 50.993 (2001), 44.192 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Philippines

Telephones - main lines in use:

3,310,900 (2002)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

15.201 million (2002)

Telephone system:

general assessment: good international radiotelephone and submarine

cable services; domestic and inter-island service adequate

domestic: domestic satellite system with 11 earth stations

international: country code - 63; 9 international gateways;

satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 2 Pacific

Ocean); submarine cables to Hong Kong, Guam, Singapore, Taiwan, and

Japan

Radio broadcast stations: AM 369, FM 583, shortwave 5 note: each shortwave station operates on multiple frequencies in the language of the target audience (2004)

Radios:

11.5 million (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

225; note - 1373 CATV networks (2004)

Televisions:

3.7 million (1997)

Internet country code:

.ph

Internet hosts:

38,440 (2002)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

33 (2000)

Internet users:

3.5 million (2002)

Transportation Philippines

Railways: total: 897 km narrow gauge: 897 km 1.067-m gauge (492 km are in operation) (2004)

Highways: total: 202,124 km paved: 19,202 km unpaved: 182,922 km (2002)

Waterways: 3,219 km note: limited to vessels with draft less than 1.5 m (2004)

Pipelines:

gas 565 km; oil 135 km; refined products 100 km (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Iligan, Iloilo, Manila, Surigao

Merchant marine:

total: 419 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 4,524,259 GRT/6,437,171 DWT

by type: bulk carrier 85, cargo 109, chemical tanker 13, container

5, liquefied gas 7, livestock carrier 15, passenger 11,

passenger/cargo 73, petroleum tanker 47, refrigerated cargo 23, roll

on/roll off 17, vehicle carrier 14

foreign-owned: 69 (Canada 1, China 2, Germany 2, Greece 5, Hong Kong

2, Japan 31, Malaysia 2, Netherlands 20, Norway 1, UAE 1, United

States 2)

registered in other countries: 40 (2005)

Airports:

255 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 82 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 6 1,524 to 2,437 m: 26 914 to 1,523 m: 35 under 914 m: 11 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 173 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 68 under 914 m: 100 (2004 est.)

Heliports: 2 (2004 est.)

Military Philippines

Military branches:

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP): Army, Navy (includes Coast

Guard, Marine Corps), Air Force

Military service age and obligation:

18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service (2001)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 18-49: 20,131,179 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: 15,170,096 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:

males: 907,542 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$805.5 million (2004)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

1% (2004)

Transnational Issues Philippines

Disputes - international:

The Philippines claims sovereignty over certain of the Spratly

Islands, known locally as the Kalayaan (Freedom) Islands, also

claimed by China, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Vietnam; the 2002

"Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea," has

eased tensions in the Spratly Islands but falls short of a legally

binding "code of conduct" desired by several of the disputants; in

March 2005, the national oil companies of China, the Philippines,

and Vietnam signed a joint accord to conduct marine seismic

activities in the Spratly Islands; Philippines retains a dormant

claim to Malaysia's Sabah State in northern Borneo based on the

Sultanate of Sulu's granting the Philippines Government power of

attorney to pursue a sovereignty claim on his behalf

Refugees and internally displaced persons:

IDPs: 150,000 (fighting between government troops and MILF and Abu

Sayyaf groups) (2004)

Illicit drugs:

exports locally-produced marijuana and hashish to East Asia, the

US, and other Western markets; serves as a transit point for heroin

and crystal methamphetamine; domestic methamphetamine production is

a growing problem; remains on Financial Action Task Force

Non-Cooperative Countries and Territories List for continued failure

to address deficiencies in money-laundering control regime

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Pitcairn Islands

Introduction Pitcairn Islands

Background:

Pitcairn Island was discovered in 1767 by the British and settled

in 1790 by the Bounty mutineers and their Tahitian companions.

Pitcairn was the first Pacific island to become a British colony (in

1838) and today remains the last vestige of that empire in the South

Pacific. Outmigration, primarily to New Zealand, has thinned the

population from a peak of 233 in 1937 to less than 50 today.

Geography Pitcairn Islands

Location:

Oceania, islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about midway between

Peru and New Zealand

Geographic coordinates:

25 04 S, 130 06 W

Map references:

Oceania

Area:

total: 47 sq km

land: 47 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative:

about 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries:

0 km

Coastline:

51 km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 3 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Climate:

tropical; hot and humid; modified by southeast trade winds; rainy

season (November to March)

Terrain:

rugged volcanic formation; rocky coastline with cliffs

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

highest point: Pawala Valley Ridge 347 m

Natural resources:

miro trees (used for handicrafts), fish

note: manganese, iron, copper, gold, silver, and zinc have been

discovered offshore

Land use:

arable land: NA%

permanent crops: NA%

other: NA%

Irrigated land:

NA

Natural hazards:

typhoons (especially November to March)

Environment - current issues:

deforestation (only a small portion of the original forest remains

because of burning and clearing for settlement)

Geography - note:

Britain's most isolated dependency; only the larger island of

Pitcairn is inhabited but it has no port or natural harbor; supplies

must be transported by rowed longboat from larger ships stationed

offshore

People Pitcairn Islands

Population: 46 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA

Population growth rate:

-0.01% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

NA

Death rate:

NA

Net migration rate:

NA

Sex ratio:

NA

Infant mortality rate:

total: NA

male: NA

female: NA

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: NA

male: NA

female: NA

Total fertility rate:

NA

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

NA

Nationality: noun: Pitcairn Islander(s) adjective: Pitcairn Islander

Ethnic groups:

descendants of the Bounty mutineers and their Tahitian wives

Religions:

Seventh-Day Adventist 100%

Languages:

English (official), Pitcairnese (mixture of an 18th century English

dialect and a Tahitian dialect)

Literacy:

NA

Government Pitcairn Islands

Country name:

conventional long form: Pitcairn, Henderson, Ducie, and Oeno Islands

conventional short form: Pitcairn Islands

Dependency status:

overseas territory of the UK

Government type:

NA

Capital:

Adamstown

Administrative divisions:

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Independence:

none (overseas territory of the UK)

National holiday:

Birthday of Queen ELIZABETH II, second Saturday in June (1926)

Constitution:

30 November 1838; reformed 1904 with additional reforms in 1940;

further refined by the Local Government Ordinance of 1964

Legal system:

local island by-laws

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal with three years residency

Executive branch:

chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952),

represented by UK High Commissioner to New Zealand and Governor

(nonresident) of the Pitcairn Islands Richard FELL (since NA

December 2001); Commissioner (nonresident) Leslie JAQUES (since

September 2003); serves as liaison between the governor and the

Island Council

head of government: Governor Richard FELL; mayor and chairman of the

Island Council Jay WARREN (since 15 December 2004)

cabinet: NA

elections: the monarchy is hereditary; high commissioner and

commissioner appointed by the monarch; island mayor elected by

popular vote for a three-year term; election last held December 2004

(next to be held December 2007)

election results: Jay WARREN elected mayor and chairman of the

Island Council

Legislative branch:

unicameral Island Council (10 seats - 5 elected by popular vote, 1

nominated by the 5 elected members, 2 appointed by the governor

including 1 seat for the Island Secretary, the Island Mayor, and a

commissioner liaising between the governor and council; elected

members serve one-year terms)

elections: last held 15 December 2004 (next to be held December 2005)

election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats - all independents

Judicial branch:

Magistrate's Court; Supreme Court; Court of Appeal; Judicial

Officers are appointed by the Governor

Political parties and leaders:

none

Political pressure groups and leaders:

none

International organization participation:

UPU

Diplomatic representation in the US:

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Diplomatic representation from the US:

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Flag description:

blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and

the Pitcairn Islander coat of arms centered on the outer half of the

flag; the coat of arms is yellow, green, and light blue with a

shield featuring a yellow anchor

Economy Pitcairn Islands

Economy - overview:

The inhabitants of this tiny isolated economy exist on fishing,

subsistence farming, handicrafts, and postage stamps. The fertile

soil of the valleys produces a wide variety of fruits and

vegetables, including citrus, sugarcane, watermelons, bananas, yams,

and beans. Bartering is an important part of the economy. The major

sources of revenue are the sale of postage stamps to collectors and

the sale of handicrafts to passing ships. In October 2004, more than

one-quarter of Pitcairn's labor force was arrested, putting the

economy in a bind, since their services were required as lighter

crew to load or unload passing ships.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

NA

GDP - real growth rate:

NA

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - NA

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA%

Labor force: 15 able-bodied men (2004)

Labor force - by occupation: no business community in the usual sense; some public works; subsistence farming and fishing

Unemployment rate:

NA

Population below poverty line:

NA

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

NA

Budget:

revenues: $746,000

expenditures: $1.028 million, including capital expenditures of NA

(FY04/05)

Agriculture - products:

wide variety of fruits and vegetables, goats, chickens

Industries:

postage stamps, handicrafts, beekeeping, honey

Industrial production growth rate:

NA

Electricity - production:

NA kWh; note - electric power is provided by a small diesel-powered

generator

Electricity - consumption:

NA kWh

Exports:

NA

Exports - commodities:

fruits, vegetables, curios, stamps

Exports - partners:

NA

Imports:

NA

Imports - commodities:

fuel oil, machinery, building materials, flour, sugar, other

foodstuffs

Imports - partners:

NA

Debt - external:

NA

Economic aid - recipient:

$3.465 million (2004)

Currency (code):

New Zealand dollar (NZD)

Currency code:

NZD

Exchange rates:

New Zealand dollars per US dollar - 1.5087 (2004), 1.7221 (2003),

2.1622 (2002), 2.3788 (2001), 2.2012 (2000)

Fiscal year:

1 April - 31 March

Communications Pitcairn Islands

Telephones - main lines in use:

1 (there are 17 telephones on one party line); (2004)

Telephone system:

general assessment: satellite phone services

domestic: domestic communication via radio (CB)

international: country code - 872; satellite earth station (Inmarsat)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 1, FM 0, shortwave 0, note - 15 Ham radio operators (VP6) (2004)

Radios:

NA

Televisions:

NA

Internet country code:

.pn

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

NA

Internet users:

NA

Transportation Pitcairn Islands

Highways: total: 6.4 km paved: 0 km unpaved: 6.4 km

Ports and harbors:

Adamstown (on Bounty Bay)

Airports:

none (2004 est.)

Military Pitcairn Islands

Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the UK

Transnational Issues Pitcairn Islands

Disputes - international: none

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Poland

Introduction Poland

Background:

Poland is an ancient nation that was conceived near the middle of

the 10th century. Its golden age occurred in the 16th century.

During the following century, the strengthening of the gentry and

internal disorders weakened the nation. In a series of agreements

between 1772 and 1795, Russia, Prussia, and Austria partitioned

Poland amongst themselves. Poland regained its independence in 1918

only to be overrun by Germany and the Soviet Union in World War II.

It became a Soviet satellite state following the war, but its

government was comparatively tolerant and progressive. Labor turmoil

in 1980 led to the formation of the independent trade union

"Solidarity" that over time became a political force and by 1990 had

swept parliamentary elections and the presidency. A "shock therapy"

program during the early 1990s enabled the country to transform its

economy into one of the most robust in Central Europe, but Poland

currently suffers low GDP growth and high unemployment. Solidarity

suffered a major defeat in the 2001 parliamentary elections when it

failed to elect a single deputy to the lower house of Parliament,

and the new leaders of the Solidarity Trade Union subsequently

pledged to reduce the Trade Union's political role. Poland joined

NATO in 1999 and the European Union in 2004.

Geography Poland

Location:

Central Europe, east of Germany

Geographic coordinates:

52 00 N, 20 00 E

Map references:

Europe

Area:

total: 312,685 sq km

land: 304,465 sq km

water: 8,220 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly smaller than New Mexico

Land boundaries:

total: 2,788 km

border countries: Belarus 407 km, Czech Republic 658 km, Germany 456

km, Lithuania 91 km, Russia (Kaliningrad Oblast) 206 km, Slovakia

444 km, Ukraine 526 km

Coastline:

491 km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: defined by international treaties

Climate:

temperate with cold, cloudy, moderately severe winters with

frequent precipitation; mild summers with frequent showers and

thundershowers

Terrain:

mostly flat plain; mountains along southern border

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: near Raczki Elblaskie -2 m

highest point: Rysy 2,499 m

Natural resources:

coal, sulfur, copper, natural gas, silver, lead, salt, amber,

arable land

Land use: arable land: 45.91% permanent crops: 1.12% other: 52.97% (2001)

Irrigated land:

1,000 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

flooding

Environment - current issues:

situation has improved since 1989 due to decline in heavy industry

and increased environmental concern by post-Communist governments;

air pollution nonetheless remains serious because of sulfur dioxide

emissions from coal-fired power plants, and the resulting acid rain

has caused forest damage; water pollution from industrial and

municipal sources is also a problem, as is disposal of hazardous

wastes; pollution levels should continue to decrease as industrial

establishments bring their facilities up to European Union code, but

at substantial cost to business and the government

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Air Pollution, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol,

Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic

Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol,

Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification,

Hazardous Wastes, Kyoto Protocol, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping,

Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air

Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94

Geography - note:

historically, an area of conflict because of flat terrain and the

lack of natural barriers on the North European Plain

People Poland

Population:

38,635,144 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 16.7% (male 3,319,176/female 3,150,859)

15-64 years: 70.3% (male 13,506,153/female 13,638,265)

65 years and over: 13% (male 1,912,431/female 3,108,260) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 36.43 years

male: 34.52 years

female: 38.49 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

0.03% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

10.78 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

10.01 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

-0.49 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.62 male(s)/female

total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 8.51 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 9.59 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 7.37 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 74.74 years

male: 70.71 years

female: 79.03 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

1.39 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

0.1% ; note - no country specific models provided (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

14,000 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

100 (2001 est.)

Nationality:

noun: Pole(s)

adjective: Polish

Ethnic groups:

Polish 96.7%, German 0.4%, Belarusian 0.1%, Ukrainian 0.1%, other

and unspecified 2.7% (2002 census)

Religions:

Roman Catholic 89.8% (about 75% practicing), Eastern Orthodox 1.3%,

Protestant 0.3%, other 0.3%, unspecified 8.3% (2002)

Languages:

Polish 97.8%, other and unspecified 2.2% (2002 census)

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 99.8%

male: 99.8%

female: 99.7% (2003 est.)

Government Poland

Country name:

conventional long form: Republic of Poland

conventional short form: Poland

local long form: Rzeczpospolita Polska

local short form: Polska

Government type:

republic

Capital:

Warsaw

Administrative divisions:

16 provinces (wojewodztwa, singular - wojewodztwo); Dolnoslaskie,

Kujawsko-Pomorskie, Lodzkie, Lubelskie, Lubuskie, Malopolskie,

Mazowieckie, Opolskie, Podkarpackie, Podlaskie, Pomorskie, Slaskie,

Swietokrzyskie, Warminsko-Mazurskie, Wielkopolskie,

Zachodniopomorskie

Independence:

11 November 1918 (independent republic proclaimed)

National holiday:

Constitution Day, 3 May (1791)

Constitution:

adopted by the National Assembly 2 April 1997, passed by national

referendum 25 May 1997, effective 17 October 1997

Legal system:

mixture of Continental (Napoleonic) civil law and holdover

Communist legal theory; changes being gradually introduced as part

of broader democratization process; limited judicial review of

legislative acts, but rulings of the Constitutional Tribunal are

final; court decisions can be appealed to the European Court of

Justice in Strasbourg

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Aleksander KWASNIEWSKI (since 23 December

1995)

head of government: Prime Minister Marek BELKA (since 24 June 2004);

Deputy Prime Minister Izabela JARUGA-NOWACKA (since 24 June 2004)

cabinet: Council of Ministers responsible to the prime minister and

the Sejm; the prime minister proposes, the president appoints, and

the Sejm approves the Council of Ministers

elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;

election last held 8 October 2000 (next to be held October 2005);

prime minister and deputy prime ministers appointed by the president

and confirmed by the Sejm

election results: Aleksander KWASNIEWSKI reelected president;

percent of popular vote - Aleksander KWASNIEWSKI 53.9%, Andrzej

OLECHOWSKI 17.3%, Marian KRZAKLEWSKI 15.6%, Lech WALESA 1%

Legislative branch:

bicameral legislature consisting of an upper house, the Senate or

Senat (100 seats; members are elected by a majority vote on a

provincial basis to serve four-year terms), and a lower house, the

Sejm (460 seats; members are elected under a complex system of

proportional representation to serve four-year terms); the

designation of National Assembly or Zgromadzenie Narodowe is only

used on those rare occasions when the two houses meet jointly

elections: Senate - last held 25 September 2005 (next to be held by

September 2009); Sejm elections last held September 25 2005 (next to

be held by September 2009)

election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by

party - PiS 49, PO 34, LPR 7, SO 3, PSL 2, independents 5; Sejm -

percent of vote by party - PiS 27%, PO 24.1%, SO 11.4%, SLD 11.3%,

LPR 8%, PSL 7%, other 11.2%; seats by party - PiS 155, PO 133, SO

56, SLD 55, LPR 34, PSL 25, German minorities 2

note: two seats are assigned to ethnic minority parties in the Sejm

only

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the president on the

recommendation of the National Council of the Judiciary for an

indefinite period); Constitutional Tribunal (judges are chosen by

the Sejm for nine-year terms)

Political parties and leaders:

Catholic-National Movement or RKN [Antoni MACIEREWICZ]; Civic

Platform or PO [Donald TUSK]; Conservative Peasants Party or KL

[Artur BALAZS]; Democratic Left Alliance or SLD [Jozef OLEKSY]; Dom

Ojczysty (Fatherland Home); Freedom Union or UW [Wladyslaw

FRASYNIUK]; German Minority of Lower Silesia or MNSO [Henryk KROLL];

Law and Justice or PiS [Jaroslaw KACZYNSKI]; League of Polish

Families or LPR [Marek KOTLINOWSKI]; Movement for the Reconstruction

of Poland or ROP [Jan OLSZEWSKI]; Peasant-Democratic Party or PLD

[Roman JAGIELINSKI]; Polish Accord or PP [Jan LOPUSZANSKI]; Polish

Peasant Party or PSL [Waldemar PAWLAK]; Samoobrona or SO [Andrzej

LEPPER]; Social Democratic Party of Poland or SDPL [Marek BOROWSKI];

Social Movement or RS [Krzysztof PIESIEWICZ]; Union of Labor or UP

[Izabela JARUGA-NOWACKA]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

All Poland Trade Union Alliance or OPZZ (trade union) [Jan GUZ];

Roman Catholic Church [Cardinal Jozef GLEMP]; Solidarity Trade Union

[Janusz SNIADEK]

International organization participation:

ACCT (observer), Australia Group, BIS, BSEC (observer), CBSS, CE,

CEI, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EU (new member), FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO,

ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO,

Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MIGA, MINURSO, MONUC, NAM (guest),

NATO, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNDOF,

UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNMEE, UNMIK, UNMIL, UNOCI, UNOMIG,

UPU, WCL, WCO, WEU (member affiliate), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO,

WTO, ZC

Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Przemyslaw GRUDZINSKI chancery: 2640 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 234-3800 through 3802 FAX: [1] (202) 328-6270 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York

Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Victor ASHE embassy: Aleje Ujazdowskie 29/31 00-540 Warsaw mailing address: American Embassy Warsaw, US Department of State, 5010 Warsaw Place, Washington, DC 20521-5010 (pouch) telephone: [48] (22) 504-2000 FAX: [48] (22) 504-2688 consulate(s) general: Krakow

Flag description:

two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red; similar to the

flags of Indonesia and Monaco which are red (top) and white

Economy Poland

Economy - overview:

Poland has steadfastly pursued a policy of economic liberalization

throughout the 1990s and today stands out as a success story among

transition economies. Even so, much remains to be done, especially

in bringing down unemployment. The privatization of small and

medium-sized state-owned companies and a liberal law on establishing

new firms has encouraged the development of the private business

sector, but legal and bureaucratic obstacles alongside persistent

corruption are hampering its further development. Poland's

agricultural sector remains handicapped by surplus labor,

inefficient small farms, and lack of investment. Restructuring and

privatization of "sensitive sectors" (e.g., coal, steel, railroads,

and energy), while recently initiated, have stalled. Reforms in

health care, education, the pension system, and state administration

have resulted in larger-than-expected fiscal pressures. Further

progress in public finance depends mainly on reducing losses in

Polish state enterprises, restraining entitlements, and overhauling

the tax code to incorporate the growing gray economy and farmers,

most of whom pay no tax. The government has introduced a package of

social and administrative spending cuts to reduce public spending by

about $17 billion through 2007. Additional reductions are under

discussion in the legislature but could be trumped by election-year

politics in 2005. Poland joined the EU in May 2004, and surging

exports to the EU contributed to Poland's strong growth in 2004,

though its competitiveness could be threatened by the zloty's

appreciation. GDP per capita roughly equals that of the three Baltic

states. Poland stands to benefit from nearly $13.5 billion in EU

funds, available through 2006. Farmers have already begun to reap

the rewards of membership via higher food prices and EU agricultural

subsidies.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$463 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

5.6% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $12,000 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 2.9% industry: 31.3% services: 65.9% (2004 est.)

Labor force:

17.02 million (2004 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 16.1%, industry 29%, services 54.9% (2002)

Unemployment rate:

19.5% (2004 est.)

Population below poverty line:

18.4% (2000 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.2% highest 10%: 24.7% (1998)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

31.6 (1998)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

3.4% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

18.4% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $44.52 billion

expenditures: $54.93 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Public debt:

49.9% of GDP (2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

potatoes, fruits, vegetables, wheat; poultry, eggs, pork

Industries:

machine building, iron and steel, coal mining, chemicals,

shipbuilding, food processing, glass, beverages, textiles

Industrial production growth rate:

10% (2004 est.)

Electricity - production:

133.8 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 98.1% hydro: 1.5% nuclear: 0% other: 0.4% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

117.4 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

11.5 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

4.5 billion kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

17,180 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

424,100 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

53,000 bbl/day (2001)

Oil - imports:

413,700 bbl/day (2001)

Oil - proved reserves:

116.4 million bbl (1 January 2002)

Natural gas - production:

5.471 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - consumption:

13.85 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - exports:

41 million cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - imports:

8.782 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves:

154.4 billion cu m (1 January 2002)

Current account balance:

$-3.831 billion (2004 est.)

Exports:

$75.98 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

machinery and transport equipment 37.8%, intermediate manufactured

goods 23.7%, miscellaneous manufactured goods 17.1%, food and live

animals 7.6% (2003)

Exports - partners:

Germany 30%, Italy 6.1%, France 6%, UK 5.4%, Czech Republic 4.3%,

Netherlands 4.3% (2004)

Imports:

$81.61 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

machinery and transport equipment 38%, intermediate manufactured

goods 21%, chemicals 14.8%, minerals, fuels, lubricants, and related

materials 9.1% (2003)

Imports - partners:

Germany 24.4%, Italy 7.9%, Russia 7.3%, France 6.7%, China 4.6%

(2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$41.88 billion (2004 est.)

Debt - external:

$99.15 billion (2004 est.)

Economic aid - recipient: $17 billion in available EU structural adjustment and cohesion funds (2004-06)

Currency (code):

zloty (PLN)

Currency code:

PLN

Exchange rates:

zlotych per US dollar - 3.6576 (2004), 3.8891 (2003), 4.08 (2002),

4.0939 (2001), 4.3461 (2000)

note: zlotych is the plural form of zloty

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Poland

Telephones - main lines in use:

12.3 million (2003)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

17.401 million (2003)

Telephone system:

general assessment: underdeveloped and outmoded system in the

process of being overhauled; partial privatization of the

state-owned telephone monopoly is underway; the long waiting list

for main line telephone service has resulted in a boom in mobile

cellular telephone use

domestic: cable, open-wire, and microwave radio relay; 3 cellular

networks; local exchanges 56.6% digital

international: country code - 48; satellite earth stations - 2

Intelsat, NA Eutelsat, 2 Inmarsat (Atlantic and Indian Ocean

regions), and 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 14, FM 777, shortwave 1 (1998)

Radios:

20.2 million (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

179 (plus 256 repeaters) (September 1995)

Televisions:

13.05 million (1997)

Internet country code:

.pl

Internet hosts:

804,915 (2004)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

19 (2000)

Internet users:

8.97 million (2003)

Transportation Poland

Railways:

total: 23,852 km

broad gauge: 629 km 1.524-m gauge

standard gauge: 23,223 km 1.435-m gauge (20,555 km operational)

(11,962 km electrified) (2004)

Highways:

total: 364,697 km

paved: 249,088 km (including 399 km of expressways)

unpaved: 115,609 km (2001)

Waterways:

3,997 km (navigable rivers and canals) (2003)

Pipelines:

gas 13,552 km; oil 1,772 km (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Gdansk, Gdynia, Swinoujscie, Szczecin

Merchant marine:

total: 7 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 154,710 GRT/228,132 DWT

by type: cargo 3, chemical tanker 2, passenger/cargo 1, roll on/roll

off 1

registered in other countries: 107 (2005)

Airports:

123 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 84 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 30 1,524 to 2,437 m: 40 914 to 1,523 m: 8 under 914 m: 3 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 39 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 13 under 914 m: 21 (2004 est.)

Heliports: 3 (2004 est.)

Military Poland

Military branches:

Land Forces, Navy, Polish Air Force (PSP)

Military service age and obligation: 17 years of age for compulsory military service after January 1st of the year of 18th birthday; 17 years of age for voluntary military service; in 2005 Poland plans to shorten the length of conscript service obligation from 12 to 9 months; by 2008, plans call for at least 60% of military personnel to be volunteers; only soldiers who have completed their conscript service are allowed to volunteer for professional service; as of April 2004 women are only allowed to serve as officers and non-commissioned officers (April 2004)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 17-49: 9,673,712 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 17-49: 7,740,164 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:

males: 275,521 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$3.5 billion (2002)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

1.71% (2002)

Transnational Issues Poland

Disputes - international:

as a member state that forms part of the EU's external border,

Poland must implement the strict Schengen border rules

Illicit drugs:

major illicit producer of synthetic drugs for the international

market; minor transshipment point for Asian and Latin American

illicit drugs to Western Europe

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Portugal

Introduction Portugal

Background:

Following its heyday as a world power during the 15th and 16th

centuries, Portugal lost much of its wealth and status with the

destruction of Lisbon in a 1755 earthquake, occupation during the

Napoleonic Wars, and the independence in 1822 of Brazil as a colony.

A 1910 revolution deposed the monarchy; for most of the next six

decades, repressive governments ran the country. In 1974, a

left-wing military coup installed broad democratic reforms. The

following year, Portugal granted independence to all of its African

colonies. Portugal is a founding member of NATO and entered the EC

(now the EU) in 1986.

Geography Portugal

Location:

Southwestern Europe, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, west of

Spain

Geographic coordinates:

39 30 N, 8 00 W

Map references:

Europe

Area:

total: 92,391 sq km

land: 91,951 sq km

water: 440 sq km

note: includes Azores and Madeira Islands

Area - comparative:

slightly smaller than Indiana

Land boundaries: total: 1,214 km border countries: Spain 1,214 km

Coastline: 1,793 km

Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

Climate:

maritime temperate; cool and rainy in north, warmer and drier in

south

Terrain:

mountainous north of the Tagus River, rolling plains in south

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

highest point: Ponta do Pico (Pico or Pico Alto) on Ilha do Pico in

the Azores 2,351 m

Natural resources:

fish, forests (cork), iron ore, copper, zinc, tin, tungsten,

silver, gold, uranium, marble, clay, gypsum, salt, arable land,

hydropower

Land use:

arable land: 21.75%

permanent crops: 7.81%

other: 70.44% (2001)

Irrigated land:

6,320 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

Azores subject to severe earthquakes

Environment - current issues:

soil erosion; air pollution caused by industrial and vehicle

emissions; water pollution, especially in coastal areas

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate

Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species,

Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life

Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical

Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic

Pollutants, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Environmental

Modification

Geography - note:

Azores and Madeira Islands occupy strategic locations along western

sea approaches to Strait of Gibraltar

People Portugal

Population:

10,566,212 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 16.6% (male 916,234/female 839,935)

15-64 years: 66.3% (male 3,468,844/female 3,538,779)

65 years and over: 17.1% (male 744,787/female 1,057,633) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 38.2 years

male: 36.06 years

female: 40.33 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

0.39% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

10.82 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

10.43 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

3.49 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.09 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female

total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 5.05 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 5.53 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 4.55 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 77.53 years

male: 74.25 years

female: 81.03 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

1.47 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

0.4% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

22,000 (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

less than 1,000 (2003 est.)

Nationality:

noun: Portuguese (singular and plural)

adjective: Portuguese

Ethnic groups:

homogeneous Mediterranean stock; citizens of black African descent

who immigrated to mainland during decolonization number less than

100,000; since 1990 East Europeans have entered Portugal

Religions:

Roman Catholic 94%, Protestant (1995)

Languages:

Portuguese (official), Mirandese (official - but locally used)

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 93.3%

male: 95.5%

female: 91.3% (2003 est.)

Government Portugal

Country name:

conventional long form: Portuguese Republic

conventional short form: Portugal

local long form: Republica Portuguesa

local short form: Portugal

Government type:

parliamentary democracy

Capital:

Lisbon

Administrative divisions:

18 districts (distritos, singular - distrito) and 2 autonomous

regions* (regioes autonomas, singular - regiao autonoma); Aveiro,

Acores (Azores)*, Beja, Braga, Braganca, Castelo Branco, Coimbra,

Evora, Faro, Guarda, Leiria, Lisboa, Madeira*, Portalegre, Porto,

Santarem, Setubal, Viana do Castelo, Vila Real, Viseu

Independence:

1143 (Kingdom of Portugal recognized); 5 October 1910 (independent

republic proclaimed)

National holiday:

Portugal Day, 10 June (1580); note - also called Camoes Day, the

day that revered national poet Luis de Camoes (1524-80) died

Constitution:

25 April 1976; revised many times

Legal system:

civil law system; the Constitutional Tribunal reviews the

constitutionality of legislation; accepts compulsory ICJ

jurisdiction, with reservations

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Jorge SAMPAIO (since 9 March 1996)

head of government: Prime Minister Jose SOCRATES (since 12 March

2005)

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the

recommendation of the prime minister

note: there is also a Council of State that acts as a consultative

body to the president

elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;

election last held 14 January 2001 (next to be held January 2006);

following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or

leader of a majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister

by the president

election results: Jorge SAMPAIO reelected president; percent of vote

- Jorge SAMPAIO (Socialist) 55.8%, Joaquim FERREIRA Do Amaral

(Social Democrat) 34.5%, Antonio ABREU (Communist) 5.1%

Legislative branch:

unicameral Assembly of the Republic or Assembleia da Republica (230

seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)

elections: last held 20 February 2005 (next to be held February

2009); note - President SAMPAIO called for early elections after

dissolving parliament on 10 December 2004 because he lacked

confidence in the four-month center-right government

election results: percent of vote by party - PS 45.1%, PSD 28.7%,

CDU 7.6%, PP 7.3%, BE 6.4%; seats by party - PS 121, PSD 75, CDU 14,

PP 12, BE 8

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court or Supremo Tribunal de Justica (judges appointed for

life by the Conselho Superior da Magistratura)

Political parties and leaders:

Green Ecologist Party or PEV [Heloisa APOLONIA]; Popular Party or

PP [Jose Ribeiro e CASTRO]; Portuguese Communist Party or PCP

[Jeronimo de SOUSA]; Portuguese Socialist Party or PS [Jose SOCRATES

Carvalho Pinto de Sousa]; Social Democratic Party or PSD [Luis

Marques MENDES]; The Left Bloc or BE [Franciso Anacleto LOUCA];

Unitarian Democratic Coalition or UDC [Jeronimo de SOUSA]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

NA

International organization participation:

AfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EMU,

ESA, EU, FAO, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA,

IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO,

ITU, LAIA (observer), MIGA, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS

(observer), OECD, ONUB, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO,

UNMIK, UNMISET, UPU, WCL, WCO, WEU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO,

ZC

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Pedro Manuel Dos Reis Alves CATARINO

chancery: 2125 Kalorama Road NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 328-8610

FAX: [1] (202) 462-3726

consulate(s) general: Boston, New York, Newark (New Jersey), and San

Francisco

consulate(s): New Bedford (Massachusetts), Providence (Rhode Island)

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Adrienne

S. O'NEAL

embassy: Avenida das Forcas Armadas, 1600-081 Lisbon

mailing address: Apartado 4258, 1507 Lisboa Codex; PSC 83, APO AE

09726

telephone: [351] (21) 727-3300

FAX: [351] (21) 726-9109

consulate(s): Ponta Delgada (Azores)

Flag description:

two vertical bands of green (hoist side, two-fifths) and red

(three-fifths) with the Portuguese coat of arms centered on the

dividing line

Economy Portugal

Economy - overview:

Portugal has become a diversified and increasingly service-based

economy since joining the European Community in 1986. Over the past

decade, successive governments have privatized many state-controlled

firms and liberalized key areas of the economy, including the

financial and telecommunications sectors. The country qualified for

the European Monetary Union (EMU) in 1998 and began circulating the

euro on 1 January 2002 along with 11 other EU member economies.

Economic growth had been above the EU average for much of the past

decade, but fell back in 2001-04. GDP per capita stands at

two-thirds that of the Big Four EU economies. A poor educational

system, in particular, has been an obstacle to greater productivity

and growth. Portugal has been increasingly overshadowed by

lower-cost producers in Central Europe and Asia as a target for

foreign direct investment. The government faces tough choices in its

attempts to boost Portugal's economic competitiveness while keeping

the budget deficit within the eurozone's 3%-of-GDP ceiling.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$188.7 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

1.1% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $17,900 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 5.9% industry: 30.2% services: 63.9% (2004 est.)

Labor force:

5.48 million (2004 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 10%, industry 30%, services 60% (1999 est.)

Unemployment rate:

6.5% (2004 est.)

Population below poverty line:

NA

Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.1% highest 10%: 28.4% (1995 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

35.6 (1994-95)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

2.1% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

22.3% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $74.38 billion

expenditures: $79.86 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Public debt:

61.5% of GDP (2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

grain, potatoes, olives, grapes; sheep, cattle, goats, poultry,

beef, dairy products

Industries:

textiles and footwear; wood pulp, paper, and cork; metals and

metalworking; oil refining; chemicals; fish canning; rubber and

plastic products; ceramics; electronics and communications

equipment; rail transportation equipment; aerospace equipment; ship

construction and refurbishment; wine; tourism

Industrial production growth rate:

1.1% (2004 est.)

Electricity - production:

43.28 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 64.5% hydro: 31.3% nuclear: 0% other: 4.1% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

42.15 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

3.4 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

5.3 billion kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

339,800 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

28,830 bbl/day (2001)

Oil - imports:

357,300 bbl/day (2001)

Natural gas - production:

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - consumption:

2.542 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - exports:

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - imports:

2.553 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Current account balance:

$-8.12 billion (2004 est.)

Exports:

$37.68 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

clothing and footwear, machinery, chemicals, cork and paper

products, hides

Exports - partners:

Spain 25%, France 14%, Germany 13.5%, UK 9.6%, US 6%, Italy 4.3%,

Netherlands 4% (2004)

Imports:

$52.1 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

machinery and transport equipment, chemicals, petroleum, textiles,

agricultural products

Imports - partners:

Spain 29.3%, Germany 14.3%, France 9.3%, Italy 6.1%, UK 4.6%,

Netherlands 4.6% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$12.3 billion (2004 est.)

Debt - external:

$274.7 billion (2004 est.)

Economic aid - donor:

ODA, $271 million (1995)

Currency (code):

euro (EUR)

note: on 1 January 1999, the European Monetary Union introduced the

euro as a common currency to be used by financial institutions of

member countries; on 1 January 2002, the euro became the sole

currency for everyday transactions within the member countries

Currency code:

EUR

Exchange rates:

euros per US dollar - 0.8054 (2004), 0.886 (2003), 1.0626 (2002),

1.1175 (2001), 1.0854 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Portugal

Telephones - main lines in use:

4,278,800 (2003)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

9,341,400 (2003)

Telephone system:

general assessment: Portugal's telephone system has achieved a

state-of-the-art network with broadband, high-speed capabilities and

a main line telephone density of 53%

domestic: integrated network of coaxial cables, open-wire, microwave

radio relay, and domestic satellite earth stations

international: country code - 351; 6 submarine cables; satellite

earth stations - 3 Intelsat (2 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean),

NA Eutelsat; tropospheric scatter to Azores; note - an earth station

for Inmarsat (Atlantic Ocean region) is planned

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 47, FM 172 (many are repeaters), shortwave 2 (1998)

Radios:

3.02 million (1997)

Television broadcast stations: 62 (plus 166 repeaters) note: includes Azores and Madeira Islands (1995)

Televisions:

3.31 million (1997)

Internet country code:

.pt

Internet hosts:

346,078 (2004)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

16 (2000)

Internet users:

3.6 million (2002)

Transportation Portugal

Railways:

total: 2,850 km

broad gauge: 2,576 km 1.668-m gauge (623 km electrified)

narrow gauge: 274 km 1.000-m gauge (2004)

Highways:

total: 17,135 km

paved: 14,736 km (including 1,659 km of expressways)

unpaved: 2,399 km (2002)

Waterways:

210 km (on Douro River from Porto) (2003)

Pipelines:

gas 1,099 km; oil 8 km; refined products 174 km (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Leixoes, Lisbon, Setubal, Sines

Merchant marine:

total: 114 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 872,557 GRT/1,236,025 DWT

by type: bulk carrier 10, cargo 38, chemical tanker 14, container 7,

liquefied gas 9, passenger 8, passenger/cargo 7, petroleum tanker 9,

roll on/roll off 4, vehicle carrier 8

foreign-owned: 97 (Australia 1, Belgium 6, Denmark 5, Germany 18,

Greece 4, Iceland 1, Italy 11, Japan 8, Lebanon 1, Malta 1, Norway

4, Spain 19, Switzerland 4)

registered in other countries: 28 (2005)

Airports:

65 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 42 over 3,047 m: 5 2,438 to 3,047 m: 9 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 15 under 914 m: 10 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 23 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 22 (2004 est.)

Military Portugal

Military branches:

Army, Navy (Marinha Portuguesa; includes Marine Corps), Air Force

(Forca Aerea Portuguesa, FAP), National Republican Guard (Guarda

Nacional Republicana) (2005)

Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for voluntary military service; compulsory military service was ended in 2004 (January 2005)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 18-49: 2,435,042 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: 1,952,819 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:

males: 67,189 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$3,497.8 million (2003)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

2.3% (2003)

Transnational Issues Portugal

Disputes - international:

none

Illicit drugs:

gateway country for Latin American cocaine and Southwest Asian

heroin entering the European market (especially from Brazil);

transshipment point for hashish from North Africa to Europe;

consumer of Southwest Asian heroin

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Puerto Rico

Introduction Puerto Rico

Background:

Populated for centuries by aboriginal peoples, the island was

claimed by the Spanish Crown in 1493 following Columbus' second

voyage to the Americas. In 1898, after 400 years of colonial rule

that saw the indigenous population nearly exterminated and African

slave labor introduced, Puerto Rico was ceded to the US as a result

of the Spanish-American War. Puerto Ricans were granted US

citizenship in 1917. Popularly-elected governors have served since

1948. In 1952, a constitution was enacted providing for internal

self government. In plebiscites held in 1967, 1993, and 1998, voters

chose to retain commonwealth status.

Geography Puerto Rico

Location:

Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic

Ocean, east of the Dominican Republic

Geographic coordinates:

18 15 N, 66 30 W

Map references:

Central America and the Caribbean

Area:

total: 9,104 sq km

land: 8,959 sq km

water: 145 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly less than three times the size of Rhode Island

Land boundaries:

0 km

Coastline:

501 km

Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Climate:

tropical marine, mild; little seasonal temperature variation

Terrain:

mostly mountains with coastal plain belt in north; mountains

precipitous to sea on west coast; sandy beaches along most coastal

areas

Elevation extremes: lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Cerro de Punta 1,338 m

Natural resources: some copper and nickel; potential for onshore and offshore oil

Land use: arable land: 3.95% permanent crops: 5.52% other: 90.53% (2001)

Irrigated land:

400 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

periodic droughts; hurricanes

Environment - current issues:

erosion; occasional drought causing water shortages

Geography - note:

important location along the Mona Passage - a key shipping lane to

the Panama Canal; San Juan is one of the biggest and best natural

harbors in the Caribbean; many small rivers and high central

mountains ensure land is well watered; south coast relatively dry;

fertile coastal plain belt in north

People Puerto Rico

Population:

3,916,632 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 22% (male 441,594/female 421,986)

15-64 years: 65.5% (male 1,228,583/female 1,337,066)

65 years and over: 12.4% (male 211,283/female 276,120) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 34.23 years

male: 32.5 years

female: 35.87 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

0.47% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

13.93 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

7.86 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

-1.38 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/female

total population: 0.92 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 8.24 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 9.52 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 6.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 78.29 years

male: 74.35 years

female: 82.43 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

1.91 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

7,397 (1997)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

NA

Nationality:

noun: Puerto Rican(s) (US citizens)

adjective: Puerto Rican

Ethnic groups:

white (mostly Spanish origin) 80.5%, black 8%, Amerindian 0.4%,

Asian 0.2%, mixed and other 10.9%

Religions:

Roman Catholic 85%, Protestant and other 15%

Languages:

Spanish, English

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 94.1%

male: 93.9%

female: 94.4% (2002 est.)

Government Puerto Rico

Country name:

conventional long form: Commonwealth of Puerto Rico

conventional short form: Puerto Rico

Dependency status:

commonwealth associated with the US

Government type:

commonwealth

Capital:

San Juan

Administrative divisions:

none (commonwealth associated with the US); there are no

first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US

Government, but there are 78 municipalities (municipios, singular -

municipio) at the second order; Adjuntas, Aguada, Aguadilla, Aguas

Buenas, Aibonito, Anasco, Arecibo, Arroyo, Barceloneta,

Barranquitas, Bayamon, Cabo Rojo, Caguas, Camuy, Canovanas,

Carolina, Catano, Cayey, Ceiba, Ciales, Cidra, Coamo, Comerio,

Corozal, Culebra, Dorado, Fajardo, Florida, Guanica, Guayama,

Guayanilla, Guaynabo, Gurabo, Hatillo, Hormigueros, Humacao,

Isabela, Jayuya, Juana Diaz, Juncos, Lajas, Lares, Las Marias, Las

Piedras, Loiza, Luquillo, Manati, Maricao, Maunabo, Mayaguez, Moca,

Morovis, Naguabo, Naranjito, Orocovis, Patillas, Penuelas, Ponce,

Quebradillas, Rincon, Rio Grande, Sabana Grande, Salinas, San

German, San Juan, San Lorenzo, San Sebastian, Santa Isabel, Toa

Alta, Toa Baja, Trujillo Alto, Utuado, Vega Alta, Vega Baja,

Vieques, Villalba, Yabucoa, Yauco

Independence:

none (commonwealth associated with the US)

National holiday:

US Independence Day, 4 July (1776); Puerto Rico Constitution Day,

25 July (1952)

Constitution:

ratified 3 March 1952, approved by US Congress 3 July 1952,

effective 25 July 1952

Legal system:

based on Spanish civil code and within the US Federal system of

justice

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal; island residents are US citizens but do

not vote in US presidential elections

Executive branch:

chief of state: President George W. BUSH of the US (since 20

January 2001)

head of government: Governor Anibal ACEVEDO-VILA (since 2 January

2005)

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor with the consent of the

legislature

elections: US president and vice president elected on the same

ticket for four-year terms; governor elected by popular vote for a

four-year term; election last held 2 November 2004 (next to be held

November 2008)

election results: Anibal ACEVEDO-VILA (PPD) elected governor;

percent of vote - 48.4%

Legislative branch:

bicameral Legislative Assembly consists of the Senate (at least 27

seats - currently 29; members are directly elected by popular vote

to serve four-year terms) and the House of Representatives (51

seats; members are directly elected by popular vote to serve

four-year terms)

elections: Senate - last held 2 November 2004 (next to be held

November 2008); House of Representatives - last held 2 November 2004

(next to be held November 2008)

election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - PNP 43.4%, PPD

40.3%, PIP 9.4%; seats by party - PNP 17, PPD 9, PIP 1; House of

Representatives - percent of vote by party - PNP 46.3%, PPD 43.1%,

PIP 9.7%; seats by party - PNP 32, PPD 18, PIP 1

note: Puerto Rico elects, by popular vote, a resident commissioner

to serve a four-year term as a nonvoting representative in the US

House of Representatives; aside from not voting on the House floor,

he enjoys all the rights of a member of Congress; elections last

held 2 November 2004 (next to be held November 2008); results -

percent of vote by party - PNP 48.6%; seats by party - PNP 1; Luis

FORTUNO elected resident commissioner

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court; Appellate Court; Court of First Instance composed of

two sections: a Superior Court and a Municipal Court (justices for

all these courts appointed by the governor with the consent of the

Senate)

Political parties and leaders:

National Democratic Party [Celeste BENITEZ]; National Republican

Party of Puerto Rico [Dr. Tiody FERRE]; New Progressive Party or PNP

(pro-US statehood) [Pedro ROSSELLO]; Popular Democratic Party or PPD

(pro-commonwealth) [Anibal ACEVEDO-VILA]; Puerto Rican Independence

Party or PIP (pro-independence) [Ruben BERRIOS Martinez]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

Armed Forces for National Liberation or FALN; Armed Forces of

Popular Resistance; Boricua Popular Army (also known as the

Macheteros); Volunteers of the Puerto Rican Revolution

International organization participation:

ICFTU, Interpol (subbureau), IOC, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WToO (associate)

Diplomatic representation in the US:

none (commonwealth associated with the US)

Diplomatic representation from the US:

none (commonwealth associated with the US)

Flag description:

five equal horizontal bands of red (top and bottom) alternating

with white; a blue isosceles triangle based on the hoist side bears

a large, white, five-pointed star in the center; design initially

influenced by the US flag, but similar to the Cuban flag, with the

colors of the bands and triangle reversed

Economy Puerto Rico

Economy - overview:

Puerto Rico has one of the most dynamic economies in the Caribbean

region. A diverse industrial sector has far surpassed agriculture as

the primary locus of economic activity and income. Encouraged by

duty-free access to the US and by tax incentives, US firms have

invested heavily in Puerto Rico since the 1950s. US minimum wage

laws apply. Sugar production has lost out to dairy production and

other livestock products as the main source of income in the

agricultural sector. Tourism has traditionally been an important

source of income, with estimated arrivals of nearly 5 million

tourists in 1999. Growth fell off in 2001-03, largely due to the

slowdown in the US economy, and has recovered in 2004.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$68.95 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

2.7% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $17,700 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 1% industry: 45% services: 54% (2002 est.)

Labor force:

1.3 million (2000)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 3%, industry 20%, services 77% (2000 est.)

Unemployment rate:

12% (2002)

Population below poverty line:

NA

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

6.5% (2003 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $6.7 billion

expenditures: $9.6 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(FY99/00)

Agriculture - products: sugarcane, coffee, pineapples, plantains, bananas, livestock products, chickens

Industries:

pharmaceuticals, electronics, apparel, food products, tourism

Industrial production growth rate:

NA%

Electricity - production:

22.09 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 99.2% hydro: 0.8% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

20.54 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

190,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Natural gas - production:

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - consumption:

630 million cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - exports:

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - imports:

630 million cu m (2001 est.)

Exports:

$46.9 billion f.o.b. (2001)

Exports - commodities:

chemicals, electronics, apparel, canned tuna, rum, beverage

concentrates, medical equipment

Exports - partners:

US 90.3%, UK 1.6%, Netherlands 1.4%, Dominican Republic 1.4% (2002

est.)

Imports:

$29.1 billion c.i.f. (2001)

Imports - commodities:

chemicals, machinery and equipment, clothing, food, fish, petroleum

products

Imports - partners:

US 55.0%, Ireland 23.7%, Japan 5.4% (2002 est.)

Debt - external:

NA

Economic aid - recipient:

NA (2001)

Currency (code):

US dollar (USD)

Currency code:

USD

Exchange rates:

the US dollar is used

Fiscal year:

1 July - 30 June

Communications Puerto Rico

Telephones - main lines in use:

1,329,500 (2002)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

1,211,111 (2001)

Telephone system:

general assessment: modern system integrated with that of the US by

high-capacity submarine cable and Intelsat with high-speed data

capability

domestic: digital telephone system; cellular telephone service

international: country code - 1-787, 939; satellite earth station -

1 Intelsat; submarine cable to US

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 72, FM 17, shortwave 0 (1998)

Radios:

2.7 million (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

6 (19 relay stations) (2004)

Televisions:

1.021 million (1997)

Internet country code:

.pr

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

76 (2000)

Internet users:

600,000 (2002)

Transportation Puerto Rico

Railways: total: 96 km narrow gauge: 96 km 1.000-m gauge (2004)

Highways:

total: 25,328 km

paved: 23,665 km (including 426 km of expressways)

unpaved: 1,363 km (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Las Mareas, Mayaguez, San Juan

Merchant marine:

total: 2 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 36,728 GRT/37,048 DWT

by type: roll on/roll off 2

foreign-owned: 2 (United States 2)

registered in other countries: 1 (2005)

Airports:

30 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 17 over 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 7 under 914 m: 5 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 13 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 10 (2004 est.)

Military Puerto Rico

Military branches:

no regular indigenous military forces; paramilitary National Guard,

Police Force

Military - note:

defense is the responsibility of the US

Transnational Issues Puerto Rico

Disputes - international: increasing numbers of illegal migrants from the Dominican Republic cross the Mona Passage to Puerto Rico each year looking for work

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Qatar

Introduction Qatar

Background:

Ruled by the Al Thani family since the mid-1800s, Qatar transformed

itself from a poor British protectorate noted mainly for pearling

into an independent state with significant oil and natural gas

revenues. During the late 1980s and early 1990s, the Qatari economy

was crippled by a continuous siphoning off of petroleum revenues by

the amir, who had ruled the country since 1972. His son, the current

Amir HAMAD bin Khalifa Al Thani, overthrew him in a bloodless coup

in 1995. In 2001, Qatar resolved its longstanding border disputes

with both Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. Oil and natural gas revenues

enable Qatar to have one of the highest per capita incomes in the

world.

Geography Qatar

Location:

Middle East, peninsula bordering the Persian Gulf and Saudi Arabia

Geographic coordinates:

25 30 N, 51 15 E

Map references:

Middle East

Area:

total: 11,437 sq km

land: 11,437 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly smaller than Connecticut

Land boundaries: total: 60 km border countries: Saudi Arabia 60 km

Coastline:

563 km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 24 nm

exclusive economic zone: as determined by bilateral agreements or

the median line

Climate:

arid; mild, pleasant winters; very hot, humid summers

Terrain:

mostly flat and barren desert covered with loose sand and gravel

Elevation extremes: lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m highest point: Qurayn Abu al Bawl 103 m

Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, fish

Land use: arable land: 1.64% permanent crops: 0.27% other: 98.09% (2001)

Irrigated land:

130 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

haze, dust storms, sandstorms common

Environment - current issues: limited natural fresh water resources are increasing dependence on large-scale desalination facilities

Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

strategic location in central Persian Gulf near major petroleum

deposits

People Qatar

Population:

863,051 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 23.7% (male 104,453/female 100,295)

15-64 years: 72.9% (male 437,118/female 191,830)

65 years and over: 3.4% (male 21,599/female 7,756) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 31.57 years

male: 36.87 years

female: 22.33 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

2.61% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

15.54 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

4.61 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

15.17 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 2.28 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 2.78 male(s)/female

total population: 1.88 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 18.61 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 21.95 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 15.11 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 73.67 years

male: 71.15 years

female: 76.32 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

2.87 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

0.09% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

NA

Nationality:

noun: Qatari(s)

adjective: Qatari

Ethnic groups:

Arab 40%, Pakistani 18%, Indian 18%, Iranian 10%, other 14%

Religions:

Muslim 95%

Languages:

Arabic (official), English commonly used as a second language

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 89%

male: 89.1%

female: 88.6% (2004 est.)

Government Qatar

Country name:

conventional long form: State of Qatar

conventional short form: Qatar

local long form: Dawlat Qatar

local short form: Qatar

note: closest approximation of the native pronunciation falls

between cutter and gutter, but not like guitar

Government type:

traditional monarchy

Capital:

Doha

Administrative divisions:

10 municipalities (baladiyat, singular - baladiyah); Ad Dawhah, Al

Ghuwayriyah, Al Jumayliyah, Al Khawr, Al Wakrah, Ar Rayyan, Jarayan

al Batinah, Madinat ash Shamal, Umm Sa'id, Umm Salal

Independence:

3 September 1971 (from UK)

National holiday:

Independence Day, 3 September (1971)

Constitution:

ratified by public referendum on 29 April 2003, endorsed by the

Emir on 8 June 2004, effective on 9 June 2005

Legal system:

discretionary system of law controlled by the amir, although civil

codes are being implemented; Islamic law dominates family and

personal matters

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: Amir HAMAD bin Khalifa al-Thani (since 27 June 1995

when, as crown prince, he ousted his father, Amir KHALIFA bin Hamad

al-Thani, in a bloodless coup); Crown Prince TAMIM bin Hamad bin

Khalifa al-Thani, third son of the monarch (selected Heir Apparent

by the monarch on 5 August 2003); note - Amir HAMAD also holds the

positions of Minister of Defense and Commander-in-chief of the Armed

Forces

head of government: Prime Minister ABDALLAH bin Khalifa al-Thani,

brother of the monarch (since 30 October 1996); Deputy Prime

Minister MUHAMMAD bin Khalifa al-Thani, brother of the monarch

(since 20 January 1998); First Deputy Prime Minister HAMAD bin JASIM

bin JABIR al-Thani (since 16 September 2003; also Foreign Minister

since 1992); Second Deputy Prime Minister Abdallah bin Hamad

al-ATTIYAH (since 16 September 2003; also Energy Minister since NA

1992)

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the monarch

elections: none; the monarch is hereditary

note: in April 2003, Qatar held nationwide elections for a 29-member

Central Municipal Council (CMC), which has consultative powers aimed

at improving the provision of municipal services; the first election

for the CMC was held in March 1999

Legislative branch:

unicameral Advisory Council or Majlis al-Shura (35 seats; members

appointed)

note: no legislative elections have been held since 1970 when there

were partial elections to the body; Council members have had their

terms extended every four years since; the new constitution, which

came into force on 8 June 2004, provides for a 45-member

Consultative Council, or Majlis al-Shura; the public would elect

two-thirds of the Majlis al-Shura; the amir would appoint the

remaining members

Judicial branch:

Court of Appeal

note: under the new judiciary law issued in 2003, the former two

court systems, civil and Islamic law, were merged under a higher

court, the Court of Cassation, established for appeals

Political parties and leaders:

none

Political pressure groups and leaders:

none

International organization participation:

ABEDA, AFESD, AMF, FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM,

IDB, IFAD, IFRCS, IHO (pending member), ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol,

IOC, ISO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAPEC, OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW,

OPEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, WToO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Nasir bin Hamad bin Mubarak al-KHALIFA

chancery: 4200 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20016

telephone: [1] (202) 274-1600 and 274-1603

FAX: [1] (202) 237-0061

consulate(s) general: Houston

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Chase UNTERMEYER

embassy: Al-Luqta District, 22 February Road, Doha

mailing address: P. O. Box 2399, Doha

telephone: [974] 488 4101

FAX: [974] 488 4298

Flag description:

maroon with a broad white serrated band (nine white points) on the

hoist side

Economy Qatar

Economy - overview:

Oil and gas account for more than 55% of GDP, roughly 85% of export

earnings, and 70% of government revenues. Oil and gas have given

Qatar a per capita GDP about 80% of that of the leading West

European industrial countries. Proved oil reserves of 16 billion

barrels should ensure continued output at current levels for 23

years. Qatar's proved reserves of natural gas exceed 14 trillion

cubic meters, more than 5% of the world total and third largest in

the world. Long-term goals feature the development of offshore

natural gas reserves to offset the ultimate decline in oil

production. In recent years, Qatar has consistently posted trade

surpluses largely because of high oil prices and increased natural

gas exports, becoming one of the world's fastest growing and highest

per-capita income countries.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$19.49 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

8.7% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $23,200 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 0.3% industry: 58.2% services: 41.5% (2004 est.)

Labor force:

140,000 (2004 est.)

Unemployment rate:

2.7% (2001)

Population below poverty line:

NA

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

3% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

22.9% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $10.17 billion

expenditures: $7.61 billion, including capital expenditures of $2.2

billion (2004 est.)

Public debt:

NA

Agriculture - products:

fruits, vegetables; poultry, dairy products, beef; fish

Industries:

crude oil production and refining, ammonia, fertilizers,

petrochemicals, steel reinforcing bars, cement, commercial ship

repair

Industrial production growth rate:

10% (2003 est.)

Electricity - production:

9.727 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

9.046 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

790,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Oil - consumption:

30,000 bbl/day (2003 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Oil - proved reserves:

16 billion bbl (2004 est.)

Natural gas - production:

32.4 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - consumption:

15.86 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - exports:

18.2 billion cu m (2004 est.)

Natural gas - imports:

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves:

14.41 trillion cu m (2004)

Current account balance:

$5.187 billion (2004 est.)

Exports:

$15 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

liquefied natural gas (LNG), petroleum products, fertilizers, steel

Exports - partners:

Japan 41.9%, South Korea 15.8%, Singapore 9.1%, India 5.4% (2004)

Imports:

$6.15 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

machinery and transport equipment, food, chemicals

Imports - partners:

France 26.6%, US 9.5%, Saudi Arabia 9.4%, UAE 6.3%, Germany 5.2%,

Japan 5.2%, UK 5.1% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$3.351 billion (2004 est.)

Debt - external:

$18.62 billion (2004 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:

NA

Currency (code):

Qatari rial (QAR)

Currency code:

QAR

Exchange rates:

Qatari rials per US dollar - 3.64 (2004), 3.64 (2003), 3.64 (2002),

3.64 (2001), 3.64 (2000)

Fiscal year:

1 April - 31 March

Communications Qatar

Telephones - main lines in use:

184,500 (2003)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

376,500 (2003)

Telephone system:

general assessment: modern system centered in Doha

domestic: NA

international: country code - 974; tropospheric scatter to Bahrain;

microwave radio relay to Saudi Arabia and UAE; submarine cable to

Bahrain and UAE; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic

Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean) and 1 Arabsat

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 6, FM 5, shortwave 1 (1998)

Radios:

256,000 (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

1 (plus three repeaters) (2001)

Televisions:

230,000 (1997)

Internet country code:

.qa

Internet hosts:

221 (2004)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

1 (2000)

Internet users:

126,000 (2003)

Transportation Qatar

Highways: total: 1,230 km paved: 1,107 km unpaved: 123 km (1999 est.)

Pipelines:

condensate 319 km; condensate/gas 209 km; gas 1,024 km; liquid

petroleum gas 87 km; oil 702 km; oil/gas/water 41 km (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Doha

Merchant marine:

total: 22 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 525,051 GRT/772,635 DWT

by type: cargo 3, chemical tanker 5, container 8, liquefied gas 2,

petroleum tanker 3, roll on/roll off 1

foreign-owned: 6 (Kuwait 6) (2005)

Airports:

4 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 2

over 3,047 m: 2 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 2

914 to 1,523 m: 1

under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Heliports:

1 (2004 est.)

Military Qatar

Military branches:

Qatari Amiri Land Force (QALF), Qatari Amiri Navy (QAN), Qatari

Amiri Air Force (QAAF)

Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for voluntary military service; Land Force's enlisted personnel are largely nonprofessional foreign nationals (2005)

Manpower available for military service: males age 18-49: 302,873 note: includes non-nationals (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: 238,566 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:

males: 7,851 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$723 million (FY00)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

10% (FY00)

Transnational Issues Qatar

Disputes - international: none

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Reunion

Introduction Reunion

Background:

The Portuguese discovered the uninhabited island in 1513. From the

17th to the 19th centuries, French immigration, supplemented by

influxes of Africans, Chinese, Malays, and Malabar Indians, gave the

island its ethnic mix. The opening of the Suez Canal in 1869 cost

the island its importance as a stopover on the East Indies trade

route.

Geography Reunion

Location:

Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar

Geographic coordinates:

21 06 S, 55 36 E

Map references:

World

Area:

total: 2,517 sq km

land: 2,507 sq km

water: 10 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly smaller than Rhode Island

Land boundaries:

0 km

Coastline:

207 km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Climate:

tropical, but temperature moderates with elevation; cool and dry

from May to November, hot and rainy from November to April

Terrain:

mostly rugged and mountainous; fertile lowlands along coast

Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Piton des Neiges 3,069 m

Natural resources: fish, arable land, hydropower

Land use: arable land: 13.6% permanent crops: 1.2% other: 85.2% (2001)

Irrigated land:

120 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

periodic, devastating cyclones (December to April); Piton de la

Fournaise on the southeastern coast is an active volcano

Environment - current issues:

NA

Geography - note:

this mountainous, volcanic island has an active volcano, Piton de

la Fournaise; there is a tropical cyclone center at Saint-Denis,

which is the monitoring station for the whole of the Indian Ocean

People Reunion

Population:

776,948 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 30.4% (male 120,698/female 115,108)

15-64 years: 63.6% (male 243,668/female 250,143)

65 years and over: 6.1% (male 19,234/female 28,097) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 26.72 years

male: 25.53 years

female: 27.92 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

1.38% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

19.26 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

5.48 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.68 male(s)/female

total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 7.78 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 8.52 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 6.99 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 73.95 years

male: 70.55 years

female: 77.52 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

2.47 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

NA%

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

NA

Nationality:

noun: Reunionese (singular and plural)

adjective: Reunionese

Ethnic groups:

French, African, Malagasy, Chinese, Pakistani, Indian

Religions:

Roman Catholic 86%, Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist (1995)

Languages:

French (official), Creole widely used

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 88.9%

male: 87%

female: 90.8% (2003 est.)

Government Reunion

Country name:

conventional long form: Department of Reunion

conventional short form: Reunion

local long form: none

local short form: Ile de la Reunion

former: Bourbon Island

Dependency status:

overseas department of France

Government type:

NA

Capital:

Saint-Denis

Administrative divisions:

none (overseas department of France); there are no first-order

administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there

are 4 arrondissements, 24 communes, and 47 cantons

Independence:

none (overseas department of France)

National holiday:

Bastille Day, 14 July (1789)

Constitution:

4 October 1958 (French Constitution)

Legal system:

French law

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Jacques CHIRAC of France (since 17 May

1995), represented by Prefect Laurent CAYREL (since 16 July 2005)

head of government: President of the General Council Jean-Luc

POUDROUX (since NA March 1998) and President of the Regional Council

Paul VERGES (since NA March 1993)

cabinet: NA

elections: French president elected by popular vote for a five-year

term; prefect appointed by the French president on the advice of the

French Ministry of the Interior; the presidents of the General and

Regional Councils are elected by the members of those councils

Legislative branch:

unicameral General Council (49 seats; members are elected by

direct, popular vote to serve six-year terms) and a unicameral

Regional Council (45 seats; members are elected by direct, popular

vote to serve six-year terms)

elections: General Council - last held 15 and 22 March 1998 (next to

be held NA); Regional Council - last held 28 March 2004 (next to be

held NA 2010)

election results: General Council - percent of vote by party - NA%;

seats by party - various right-wing candidates 13, PCR 10, PS 10,

UDF 8, RPR 6, other left-wing candidates 2; Regional Council (second

round) - percent of vote by party - PCR 44.9%, UMP 32.8%, PS-Greens

22.3%; seats by party - PCR 27, UMP 11, PS-Greens 7

note: Reunion elects three representatives to the French Senate;

elections last held NA 2001 (next to be held NA 2006); results -

percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NA; Reunion also

elects five deputies to the French National Assembly; elections last

held 9 June-16 June 2002 (next to be held NA 2007); results -

percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - UMP-RPR 1, UMP 1,

PCR 1

Judicial branch:

Court of Appeals or Cour d'Appel

Political parties and leaders:

Communist Party of Reunion or PCR [Paul VERGES]; Rally for the

Republic or RPR [Andre Maurice PIHOUEE]; Socialist Party or PS

[Jean-Claude FRUTEAU]; Union for French Democracy or UDF [Gilbert

GERARD]; Union for a Popular Movement or UMP [leader NA]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

NA

International organization participation:

InOC, UPU, WFTU

Diplomatic representation in the US:

none (overseas department of France)

Diplomatic representation from the US:

none (overseas department of France)

Flag description:

the flag of France is used

Economy Reunion

Economy - overview:

The economy has traditionally been based on agriculture, but

services now dominate. Sugarcane has been the primary crop for more

than a century, and in some years it accounts for 85% of exports.

The government has been pushing the development of a tourist

industry to relieve high unemployment, which amounts to one-third of

the labor force. The gap in Reunion between the well-off and the

poor is extraordinary and accounts for the persistent social

tensions. The white and Indian communities are substantially better

off than other segments of the population, often approaching

European standards, whereas minority groups suffer the poverty and

unemployment typical of the poorer nations of the African continent.

The outbreak of severe rioting in February 1991 illustrates the

seriousness of socioeconomic tensions. The economic well-being of

Reunion depends heavily on continued financial assistance from

France.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$4.57 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

2.5% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $6,000 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 8% industry: 19% services: 73% (2000 est.)

Labor force:

309,900 (2000)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 13%, industry 12%, services 75% (2000)

Unemployment rate:

36% (1999 est.)

Population below poverty line:

NA%

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA%

highest 10%: NA%

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

NA%

Budget:

revenues: $1.26 billion

expenditures: $2.62 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(1998)

Agriculture - products:

sugarcane, vanilla, tobacco, tropical fruits, vegetables, corn

Industries:

sugar, rum, cigarettes, handicraft items, flower oil extraction

Industrial production growth rate:

NA%

Electricity - production:

1.166 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 55.5% hydro: 44.5% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

1.084 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

18,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Exports:

$214 million f.o.b. (1997)

Exports - commodities:

sugar 63%, rum and molasses 4%, perfume essences 2%, lobster 3%,

(1993)

Exports - partners:

France 74%, Japan 6%, Comoros 4% (2000)

Imports:

$2.5 billion c.i.f. (1997)

Imports - commodities:

manufactured goods, food, beverages, tobacco, machinery and

transportation equipment, raw materials, and petroleum products

Imports - partners:

France 64%, Bahrain 3%, Germany 3%, Italy 3% (2000)

Debt - external:

$NA

Economic aid - recipient:

NA; note - substantial annual subsidies from France (2001 est.)

Currency (code):

euro (EUR)

Currency code:

EUR

Exchange rates:

euros per US dollar - 0.8054 (2004), 0.886 (2003), 1.0626 (2002),

1.1175 (2001), 1.0854 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Reunion

Telephones - main lines in use:

300,000 est (2001)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

489,800 (2002)

Telephone system:

general assessment: adequate system; principal center is Saint-Denis

domestic: modern open-wire and microwave radio relay network

international: country code - 262; radiotelephone communication to

Comoros, France, Madagascar; new microwave route to Mauritius;

satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean); fiber optic

submarine cable (SAT-3/WASC/SAFE) provides connectivity to Europe

and Asia

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 2, FM 55, shortwave 0 (2001)

Radios:

173,000 (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

35 (plus 18 low-power repeaters) (2001)

Televisions:

127,000 (1997)

Internet country code:

.re

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

1 (2000)

Internet users:

150,000 (2002)

Transportation Reunion

Highways:

total: 1,214 km (including 88 km of four-lane roads) (2001)

Ports and harbors:

Le Port

Merchant marine:

total: 1 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 28,264 GRT/44,885 DWT

by type: chemical tanker 1

foreign-owned: 1 (France 1)

registered in other countries: 1 (2005)

Airports:

2 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 2

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Military Reunion

Military branches:

no regular indigenous military forces; French forces (includes

Army, Navy, Air Force, and Gendarmerie)

Military service age and obligation:

18 years of age (2004)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 18-49: 183,421 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: 142,578 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:

males: 7,339 (2005 est.)

Military - note:

defense is the responsibility of France

Transnational Issues Reunion

Disputes - international: none

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Romania

Introduction Romania

Background:

The principalities of Wallachia and Moldavia - for centuries under

the suzerainty of the Turkish Ottoman Empire - secured their

autonomy in 1856; they united in 1859 and a few years later adopted

the new name of Romania. The country gained recognition of its

independence in 1878. It joined the Allied Powers in World War I and

acquired new territories following the conflict. In 1940, it allied

with the Axis powers and participated in the 1941 German invasion of

the USSR. Three years later, overrun by the Soviets, Romania signed

an armistice. The post-war Soviet occupation led to the formation of

a Communist "people's republic" in 1947 and the abdication of the

king. The decades-long rule of dictator Nicolae CEAUSESCU, who took

power in 1965, and his Securitate police state became increasingly

oppressive and draconian through the 1980s. CEAUSESCU was overthrown

and executed in late 1989. Former Communists dominated the

government until 1996, when they were swept from power by a

fractious coalition of centrist parties. In 2000, the center-left

Social Democratic Party (PSD) became Romania's leading party,

governing with the support of the Democratic Union of Hungarians in

Romania (UDMR). The opposition center-right alliance formed by the

National Liberal Party (PNL) and the Democratic Party (PD) scored a

surprise victory over the ruling PSD in December 2004 presidential

elections. The PNL-PD alliance maintains a parliamentary majority

with the support of the UDMR, the Humanist Party (PUR), and various

ethnic minority groups. Although Romania completed accession talks

with the European Union (EU) in December 2004, it must continue to

address rampant corruption - while invigorating lagging economic and

democratic reforms - before it can achieve its hope of joining the

EU, tentatively set for 2007. Romania joined NATO in March of 2004.

Geography Romania

Location:

Southeastern Europe, bordering the Black Sea, between Bulgaria and

Ukraine

Geographic coordinates:

46 00 N, 25 00 E

Map references:

Europe

Area:

total: 237,500 sq km

land: 230,340 sq km

water: 7,160 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly smaller than Oregon

Land boundaries:

total: 2,508 km

border countries: Bulgaria 608 km, Hungary 443 km, Moldova 450 km,

Serbia and Montenegro 476 km, Ukraine (north) 362 km, Ukraine (east)

169 km

Coastline:

225 km

Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

Climate:

temperate; cold, cloudy winters with frequent snow and fog; sunny

summers with frequent showers and thunderstorms

Terrain:

central Transylvanian Basin is separated from the Plain of Moldavia

on the east by the Carpathian Mountains and separated from the

Walachian Plain on the south by the Transylvanian Alps

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Black Sea 0 m

highest point: Moldoveanu 2,544 m

Natural resources:

petroleum (reserves declining), timber, natural gas, coal, iron

ore, salt, arable land, hydropower

Land use: arable land: 40.82% permanent crops: 2.25% other: 56.93% (2001)

Irrigated land:

28,800 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

earthquakes, most severe in south and southwest; geologic structure

and climate promote landslides

Environment - current issues: soil erosion and degradation; water pollution; air pollution in south from industrial effluents; contamination of Danube delta wetlands

Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

controls most easily traversable land route between the Balkans,

Moldova, and Ukraine

People Romania

Population:

22,329,977 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 15.9% (male 1,818,488/female 1,727,598)

15-64 years: 69.5% (male 7,726,903/female 7,801,441)

65 years and over: 14.6% (male 1,342,827/female 1,912,720) (2005

est.)

Median age: total: 36.39 years male: 35.04 years female: 37.77 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

-0.12% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

10.7 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

11.74 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

-0.13 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female

total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 26.43 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 29.6 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 23.06 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 71.35 years

male: 67.86 years

female: 75.06 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

1.36 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

less than 0.1% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

6,500 (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

350 (2001 est.)

Nationality:

noun: Romanian(s)

adjective: Romanian

Ethnic groups:

Romanian 89.5%, Hungarian 6.6%, Roma 2.5%, Ukrainian 0.3%, German

0.3%, Russian 0.2%, Turkish 0.2%, other 0.4% (2002 census)

Religions:

Eastern Orthodox (including all sub-denominations) 86.8%,

Protestant (various denominations including Reformate and

Pentecostal) 7.5%, Roman Catholic 4.7%, other (mostly Muslim) and

unspecified 0.9%, none 0.1% (2002 census)

Languages:

Romanian (official), Hungarian, German

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 98.4%

male: 99.1%

female: 97.7% (2003 est.)

Government Romania

Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Romania local long form: none local short form: Romania

Government type:

republic

Capital:

Bucharest

Administrative divisions:

41 counties (judete, singular - judet) and 1 municipality*

(municipiu); Alba, Arad, Arges, Bacau, Bihor, Bistrita-Nasaud,

Botosani, Braila, Brasov, Bucuresti (Bucharest)*, Buzau, Calarasi,

Caras-Severin, Cluj, Constanta, Covasna, Dimbovita, Dolj, Galati,

Gorj, Giurgiu, Harghita, Hunedoara, Ialomita, Iasi, Ilfov,

Maramures, Mehedinti, Mures, Neamt, Olt, Prahova, Salaj, Satu Mare,

Sibiu, Suceava, Teleorman, Timis, Tulcea, Vaslui, Vilcea, Vrancea

Independence:

9 May 1877 (independence proclaimed from the Ottoman Empire;

independence recognized 13 July 1878 by the Treaty of Berlin;

kingdom proclaimed 26 March 1881); 30 December 1947 (republic

proclaimed)

National holiday:

Unification Day (of Romania and Transylvania), 1 December (1918)

Constitution:

8 December 1991; revision effective 29 October 2003

Legal system:

former mixture of civil law system and communist legal theory; is

now based on the constitution of France's Fifth Republic

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Traian BASESCU (since 20 December 2004)

head of government: Prime Minister Calin Popescu-TARICEANU (since 29

December 2004)

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister

elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;

election last held 28 November 2004, with runoff between the top two

candidates held 12 December 2004 (next to be held 28 November 2009

and 12 December 2009); prime minister appointed by the president

election results: percent of vote - Traian BASESCU 51.23%, Adrian

NASTASE 48.77%

Legislative branch:

bicameral Parliament or Parlament consists of the Senate or Senat

(137 seats; members are elected by direct, popular vote on a

proportional representation basis to serve four-year terms) and the

Chamber of Deputies or Adunarea Deputatilor (332 seats; members are

elected by direct, popular vote on a proportional representation

basis to serve four-year terms)

elections: Senate - last held 28 November 2004 (next to be held 28

November 2008); Chamber of Deputies - last held 28 November 2004

(next to be held 28 November 2008)

election results: Senate - percent of vote by alliance/party -

PSD-PUR 37.1%, PNL-PD 31.8%, PRM 13.6%, UDMR 6.2%; seats by party -

PSD 46, PNL 28, PD 21, PRM 21, PUR 11, UMDR 10; Chamber of Deputies

- percent of vote by alliance/party - PSD-PUR 36.6%, PNL-PD 31.3%%,

PRM 12.9%, UDMR 6.2%; seats by party - PSD 113, PNL 64, PD 48, PRM

48, UDMR 22, PUR 19, ethnic minorities 18

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court of Justice (judges are appointed by the president on

the recommendation of the Superior Council of Magistrates, a board

of eleven judges and six prosecutors elected by parliament)

Political parties and leaders:

Conservative Party [Dan VOICULESCU], formerly Humanist Party or

PUR; Democratic Party or PD [Emil BOC]; Democratic Union of

Hungarians in Romania or UDMR [Bela MARKO]; National Liberal Party

or PNL [Calin Popescu TARICEANU]; Romania Mare Party (Greater

Romanian Party) or PRM [Corneliu Vadim TUDOR]; Social Democratic

Party or PSD [Mircea Dan GEOANA], formerly Party of Social Democracy

in Romania or PDSR

Political pressure groups and leaders:

various human rights and professional associations

International organization participation: ACCT, Australia Group, BIS, BSEC, CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, EU (applicant), FAO, G- 9, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAIA (observer), MIGA, MONUC, NAM (guest), NATO, NSG, OAS (observer), ONUB, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMEE, UNMIK, UNMIL, UNOCI, UPU, WCL, WCO, WEU (associate affiliate), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO, ZC

Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Sorin Dumitru DUCARU chancery: 1607 23rd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 332-4846, 4848, 4851 FAX: [1] (202) 232-4748 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York

Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Dr. Jack Dyer CROUCH II embassy: Strada Tudor Arghezi 7-9, Bucharest mailing address: American Embassy Bucharest, Department of State, 5260 Bucharest Place, Washington, DC 20521-5260 (pouch) telephone: [40] (21) 210-4042 FAX: [40] (21) 210-0395 branch office(s): Cluj-Napoca

Flag description:

three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, and red;

the national coat of arms that used to be centered in the yellow

band has been removed; now similar to the flag of Chad, also

resembles the flags of Andorra and Moldova

Economy Romania

Economy - overview:

Romania began the transition from Communism in 1989 with a largely

obsolete industrial base and a pattern of output unsuited to the

country's needs. The country emerged in 2000 from a punishing

three-year recession thanks to strong demand in EU export markets.

Despite the global slowdown in 2001-02, strong domestic activity in

construction, agriculture, and consumption have kept growth above

4%. An IMF standby agreement, signed in 2001, has been accompanied

by slow but palpable gains in privatization, deficit reduction, and

the curbing of inflation. The IMF Board approved Romania's

completion of the standby agreement in October 2003, the first time

Romania has successfully concluded an IMF agreement since the 1989

revolution. In July 2004, the executive board of the IMF approved a

24-month standby agreement for $367 million. The Romanian

authorities do not intend to draw on this agreement, however,

viewing it simply as a precaution. Meanwhile, recent macroeconomic

gains have done little to address Romania's widespread poverty,

while corruption and red tape continue to handicap the business

environment.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$171.5 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

8.1% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $7,700 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 13.1% industry: 33.7% services: 53.2% (2004 est.)

Labor force:

9.66 million (2004 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 31.6%, industry 30.7%, services 37.7% (2004)

Unemployment rate:

6.3% (2004 est.)

Population below poverty line:

28.9% (2002)

Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.4% highest 10%: 27.6% (2003)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

28.8 (2003)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

9.6% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

23.3% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $22.1 billion

expenditures: $23.2 billion, including capital expenditures of $2.2

billion (2004 est.)

Public debt:

23.6% of GDP (2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

wheat, corn, barley, sugar beets, sunflower seed, potatoes, grapes;

eggs, sheep

Industries:

textiles and footwear, light machinery and auto assembly, mining,

timber, construction materials, metallurgy, chemicals, food

processing, petroleum refining

Industrial production growth rate:

4% (2004 est.)

Electricity - production:

56.53 billion kWh (2003)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 62.5% hydro: 27.6% nuclear: 9.9% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

57.5 billion kWh (2003)

Electricity - exports:

3.046 billion kWh (2003)

Electricity - imports:

962 million kWh (2003)

Oil - production:

128,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Oil - consumption:

253,800 bbl/day (2003 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Oil - proved reserves:

1.055 billion bbl (1 January 2002)

Natural gas - production:

12.6 billion cu m (2003 est.)

Natural gas - consumption:

18.5 billion cu m (2003 est.)

Natural gas - exports:

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - imports:

5.4 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves:

111.1 billion cu m (1 January 2002)

Current account balance:

$-3.631 billion (2004 est.)

Exports:

$23.54 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

textiles and footwear, metals and metal products, machinery and

equipment, minerals and fuels, chemicals, agricultural products

Exports - partners:

Italy 21.4%, Germany 15%, France 8.5%, Turkey 7%, UK 6.6% (2004)

Imports:

$28.43 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

machinery and equipment, fuels and minerals, chemicals, textile and

products, basic metals, agricultural products

Imports - partners:

Italy 17.2%, Germany 14.9%, France 7.1%, Russia 6.8%, Turkey 4.2%

(2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$16.21 billion (2004)

Debt - external:

$24.59 billion (2004 est.)

Currency (code):

leu (ROL)

Currency code:

ROL

Exchange rates:

lei per US dollar - 32,637 (2004), 33,200 (2003), 33,055 (2002),

29,061 (2001), 21,709 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Romania

Telephones - main lines in use:

4.3 million (2003)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

6.9 million (2003)

Telephone system:

general assessment: poor domestic service, but improving

domestic: 90% of telephone network is automatic; trunk network is

mostly microwave radio relay, with some fiber-optic cable; about

one-third of exchange capacity is digital; roughly 3,300 villages

have no service

international: country code - 40; satellite earth station - 1

Intelsat; new digital, international, direct-dial exchanges operate

in Bucharest; note - Romania is an active participant in several

international telecommunication network projects (1999)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 40, FM 202, shortwave 3 (1998)

Radios:

7.2 million (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

48 (plus 392 repeaters) (1995)

Televisions:

5.25 million (1997)

Internet country code:

.ro

Internet hosts:

50,807 (2004)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

38 (2000)

Internet users:

4 million (2003)

Transportation Romania

Railways:

total: 11,385 km (3,888 km electrified)

standard gauge: 10,898 km 1.435-m gauge

broad gauge: 60 km 1.524-m gauge

narrow gauge: 427 km 0.760-m gauge (2004)

Highways:

total: 198,755 km

paved: 100,173 km (including 113 km of expressways)

unpaved: 98,582 km (2002)

Waterways:

1,731 km (2004)

Pipelines:

gas 3,508 km; oil 2,427 km (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Braila, Constanta, Galati, Tulcea

Merchant marine:

total: 34 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 395,350 GRT/510,232 DWT

by type: bulk carrier 5, cargo 20, passenger 1, passenger/cargo 2,

petroleum tanker 2, roll on/roll off 4

foreign-owned: 2 (Italy 2)

registered in other countries: 39 (2005)

Airports:

61 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 25

over 3,047 m: 4

2,438 to 3,047 m: 9

1,524 to 2,437 m: 12 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 36

1,524 to 2,437 m: 2

914 to 1,523 m: 10

under 914 m: 24 (2004 est.)

Heliports:

1 (2004 est.)

Military Romania

Military branches:

Land Forces, Naval Forces, Air and Air Defense Forces (AMR),

Special Operations, Civil Defense (2005)

Military service age and obligation: 20 years of age for compulsory military service, 18 in wartime; conscript service obligation - 12 months; 18 years of age for voluntary military service (2004)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 20-49: 5,061,984 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 20-49: 3,932,579 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:

males: 172,093 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$985 million (2002)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

2.47% (2002)

Transnational Issues Romania

Disputes - international:

Romania and Ukraine have taken their dispute over

Ukrainian-administered Zmiyinyy (Snake) Island and Black Sea

maritime boundary to the ICJ for adjudication; Romania also opposes

Ukraine's reopening of a navigation canal from the Danube border

through Ukraine to the Black Sea; Hungary amended the status law

extending special social and cultural benefits to ethnic Hungarians

in Romania, to which Romania had objected

Illicit drugs:

major transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin transiting the

Balkan route and small amounts of Latin American cocaine bound for

Western Europe; although not a significant financial center, role as

a narcotics conduit leaves it vulnerable to laundering which occurs

via the banking system, currency exchange houses, and casinos

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Russia

Introduction Russia

Background:

Founded in the 12th century, the Principality of Muscovy, was able

to emerge from over 200 years of Mongol domination (13th-15th

centuries) and to gradually conquer and absorb surrounding

principalities. In the early 17th century, a new Romanov Dynasty

continued this policy of expansion across Siberia to the Pacific.

Under PETER I (ruled 1682-1725), hegemony was extended to the Baltic

Sea and the country was renamed the Russian Empire. During the 19th

century, more territorial acquisitions were made in Europe and Asia.

Repeated devastating defeats of the Russian army in World War I led

to widespread rioting in the major cities of the Russian Empire and

to the overthrow in 1917 of the imperial household. The Communists

under Vladimir LENIN seized power soon after and formed the USSR.

The brutal rule of Josef STALIN (1928-53) strengthened Russian

dominance of the Soviet Union at a cost of tens of millions of

lives. The Soviet economy and society stagnated in the following

decades until General Secretary Mikhail GORBACHEV (1985-91)

introduced glasnost (openness) and perestroika (restructuring) in an

attempt to modernize Communism, but his initiatives inadvertently

released forces that by December 1991 splintered the USSR into 15

independent republics. Since then, Russia has struggled in its

efforts to build a democratic political system and market economy to

replace the strict social, political, and economic controls of the

Communist period. While some progress has been made on the economic

front, recent years have seen a recentralization of power under

Vladimir PUTIN and an erosion in nascent democratic institutions. A

determined guerrilla conflict still plagues Russia in Chechnya.

Geography Russia

Location:

Northern Asia (that part west of the Urals is included with

Europe), bordering the Arctic Ocean, between Europe and the North

Pacific Ocean

Geographic coordinates:

60 00 N, 100 00 E

Map references:

Asia

Area:

total: 17,075,200 sq km

land: 16,995,800 sq km

water: 79,400 sq km

Area - comparative:

approximately 1.8 times the size of the US

Land boundaries:

total: 20,017 km

border countries: Azerbaijan 284 km, Belarus 959 km, China

(southeast) 3,605 km, China (south) 40 km, Estonia 294 km, Finland

1,340 km, Georgia 723 km, Kazakhstan 6,846 km, North Korea 19 km,

Latvia 217 km, Lithuania (Kaliningrad Oblast) 227 km, Mongolia 3,485

km, Norway 196 km, Poland (Kaliningrad Oblast) 206 km, Ukraine 1,576

km

Coastline:

37,653 km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

Climate:

ranges from steppes in the south through humid continental in much

of European Russia; subarctic in Siberia to tundra climate in the

polar north; winters vary from cool along Black Sea coast to frigid

in Siberia; summers vary from warm in the steppes to cool along

Arctic coast

Terrain:

broad plain with low hills west of Urals; vast coniferous forest

and tundra in Siberia; uplands and mountains along southern border

regions

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Caspian Sea -28 m

highest point: Gora El'brus 5,633 m

Natural resources:

wide natural resource base including major deposits of oil, natural

gas, coal, and many strategic minerals, timber

note: formidable obstacles of climate, terrain, and distance hinder

exploitation of natural resources

Land use: arable land: 7.33% permanent crops: 0.11% other: 92.56% (2001)

Irrigated land:

46,630 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

permafrost over much of Siberia is a major impediment to

development; volcanic activity in the Kuril Islands; volcanoes and

earthquakes on the Kamchatka Peninsula; spring floods and

summer/autumn forest fires throughout Siberia and parts of European

Russia

Environment - current issues:

air pollution from heavy industry, emissions of coal-fired electric

plants, and transportation in major cities; industrial, municipal,

and agricultural pollution of inland waterways and seacoasts;

deforestation; soil erosion; soil contamination from improper

application of agricultural chemicals; scattered areas of sometimes

intense radioactive contamination; groundwater contamination from

toxic waste; urban solid waste management; abandoned stocks of

obsolete pesticides

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air

Pollution-Sulfur 85, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol,

Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic

Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol,

Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes,

Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship

Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Sulfur 94

Geography - note:

largest country in the world in terms of area but unfavorably

located in relation to major sea lanes of the world; despite its

size, much of the country lacks proper soils and climates (either

too cold or too dry) for agriculture; Mount El'brus is Europe's

tallest peak

People Russia

Population:

143,420,309 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 14.6% (male 10,704,617/female 10,173,313)

15-64 years: 71.3% (male 49,429,716/female 52,799,740)

65 years and over: 14.2% (male 6,405,027/female 13,907,896) (2005

est.)

Median age: total: 38.15 years male: 34.99 years female: 41.03 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

-0.37% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

9.8 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

14.52 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

1.03 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.46 male(s)/female

total population: 0.86 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 15.39 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 17.7 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 12.94 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 67.1 years

male: 60.55 years

female: 74.04 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

1.27 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

1.1% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

860,000 (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

9,000 (2001 est.)

Nationality:

noun: Russian(s)

adjective: Russian

Ethnic groups:

Russian 79.8%, Tatar 3.8%, Ukrainian 2%, Bashkir 1.2%, Chuvash

1.1%, other or unspecified 12.1% (2002 census)

Religions:

Russian Orthodox, Muslim, other

Languages:

Russian, many minority languages

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 99.6%

male: 99.7%

female: 99.5% (2003 est.)

Government Russia

Country name:

conventional long form: Russian Federation

conventional short form: Russia

local long form: Rossiyskaya Federatsiya

local short form: Rossiya

former: Russian Empire, Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic

Government type:

federation

Capital:

Moscow

Administrative divisions:

49 oblasts (oblastey, singular - oblast), 21 republics (respublik,

singular - respublika), 10 autonomous okrugs (avtonomnykh okrugov,

singular - avtonomnyy okrug), 6 krays (krayev, singular - kray), 2

federal cities (singular - gorod), and 1 autonomous oblast

(avtonomnaya oblast')

: oblasts: Amur (Blagoveshchensk), Arkhangel'sk, Astrakhan',

Belgorod, Bryansk, Chelyabinsk, Chita, Irkutsk, Ivanovo,

Kaliningrad, Kaluga, Kamchatka (Petropavlovsk-Kamchatskiy),

Kemerovo, Kirov, Kostroma, Kurgan, Kursk, Leningrad, Lipetsk,

Magadan, Moscow, Murmansk, Nizhniy Novgorod, Novgorod, Novosibirsk,

Omsk, Orenburg, Orel, Penza, Perm', Pskov, Rostov, Ryazan', Sakhalin

(Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk), Samara, Saratov, Smolensk, Sverdlovsk

(Yekaterinburg), Tambov, Tomsk, Tula, Tver', Tyumen', Ul'yanovsk,

Vladimir, Volgograd, Vologda, Voronezh, Yaroslavl'

: republics: Adygeya (Maykop), Altay (Gorno-Altaysk), Bashkortostan

(Ufa), Buryatiya (Ulan-Ude), Chechnya (Groznyy), Chuvashiya

(Cheboksary), Dagestan (Makhachkala), Ingushetiya (Magas),

Kabardino-Balkariya (Nal'chik), Kalmykiya (Elista),

Karachayevo-Cherkesiya (Cherkessk), Kareliya (Petrozavodsk),

Khakasiya (Abakan), Komi (Syktyvkar), Mariy-El (Yoshkar-Ola),

Mordoviya (Saransk), Sakha [Yakutiya] (Yakutsk), North Ossetia

(Vladikavkaz), Tatarstan (Kazan'), Tyva (Kyzyl), Udmurtiya (Izhevsk)

: autonomous okrugs: Aga Buryat (Aginskoye), Chukotka (Anadyr'),

Evenk (Tura), Khanty-Mansi, Komi-Permyak (Kudymkar), Koryak

(Palana), Nenets (Nar'yan-Mar), Taymyr [Dolgano-Nenets] (Dudinka),

Ust'-Orda Buryat (Ust'-Ordynskiy), Yamalo-Nenets (Salekhard)

: krays: Altay (Barnaul), Khabarovsk, Krasnodar, Krasnoyarsk,

Primorskiy (Vladivostok), Stavropol'

: federal cities: Moscow (Moskva), Saint Petersburg (Sankt-Peterburg)

: autonomous oblast: Yevrey [Jewish] (Birobidzhan)

note: administrative divisions have the same names as their

administrative centers (exceptions have the administrative center

name following in parentheses)

Independence:

24 August 1991 (from Soviet Union)

National holiday:

Russia Day, 12 June (1990)

Constitution:

adopted 12 December 1993

Legal system:

based on civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Vladimir Vladimirovich PUTIN (acting

president since 31 December 1999, president since 7 May 2000)

head of government: Premier Mikhail Yefimovich FRADKOV (since 5

March 2004); Deputy Premier Aleksandr Dmitriyevich ZHUKOV (since 9

March 2004)

cabinet: Ministries of the Government or "Government" composed of

the premier and his deputy, ministers, and selected other

individuals; all are appointed by the president

note: there is also a Presidential Administration (PA) that provides

staff and policy support to the president, drafts presidential

decrees, and coordinates policy among government agencies; a

Security Council also reports directly to the president

elections: president elected by popular vote for a four-year term;

election last held 14 March 2004 (next to be held March 2008); note

- no vice president; if the president dies in office, cannot

exercise his powers because of ill health, is impeached, or resigns,

the premier succeeds him; the premier serves as acting president

until a new presidential election is held, which must be within

three months; premier appointed by the president with the approval

of the Duma

election results: Vladimir Vladimirovich PUTIN reelected president;

percent of vote - Vladimir Vladimirovich PUTIN 71.2%, Nikolay

KHARITONOV 13.7%, other (no candidate above 5%) 15.1%

Legislative branch:

bicameral Federal Assembly or Federalnoye Sobraniye consists of the

Federation Council or Sovet Federatsii (178 seats; as of July 2000,

members appointed by the top executive and legislative officials in

each of the 89 federal administrative units - oblasts, krays,

republics, autonomous okrugs and oblasts, and the federal cities of

Moscow and Saint Petersburg; members serve four-year terms) and the

State Duma or Gosudarstvennaya Duma (450 seats; currently 225 seats

elected by proportional representation from party lists winning at

least 5% of the vote, and 225 seats from single-member

constituencies; members are elected by direct, popular vote to serve

four-year terms)

elections: State Duma - last held 7 December 2003 (next to be held

NA December 2007)

election results: State Duma - percent of vote received by parties

clearing the 5% threshold entitling them to a proportional share of

the 225 party list seats - United Russia 37.1%, CPRF 12.7%, LDPR

11.6%, Motherland 9.1%; seats by party - United Russia 222, CPRF 53,

LDPR 38, Motherland 37, People's Party 19, Yabloko 4, SPS 2, other

7, independents 65, repeat election required 3

Judicial branch:

Constitutional Court; Supreme Court; Superior Court of Arbitration;

judges for all courts are appointed for life by the Federation

Council on the recommendation of the president

Political parties and leaders:

Communist Party of the Russian Federation or CPRF [Gennadiy

Andreyevich ZYUGANOV]; Liberal Democratic Party of Russia or LDPR

[Vladimir Volfovich ZHIRINOVSKIY]; Motherland Bloc (Rodina) [Dmitriy

ROGOZIN]; People's Party [Gennadiy RAYKOV]; Union of Right Forces or

SPS [Anatoliy Borisovich CHUBAYS, Yegor Timurovich GAYDAR, Irina

Mutsuovna KHAKAMADA, Boris Yefimovich NEMTSOV]; United Russia [Boris

Vyacheslavovich GRYZLOV]; Yabloko Party [Grigoriy Alekseyevich

YAVLINSKIY]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

NA

International organization participation:

APEC, ARF, ASEAN (dialogue partner), BIS, BSEC, CBSS, CE, CERN

(observer), CIS, EAPC, EBRD, G- 8, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt

(signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO,

Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, LAIA (observer), MIGA,

MINURSO, MONUC, NAM (guest), NSG, OAS (observer), ONUB, OPCW, OSCE,

Paris Club, PCA, PFP, SCO, UN, UN Security Council, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD,

UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNMEE, UNMIK, UNMIL, UNMISET, UNMOVIC, UNOCI,

UNOMIG, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO (observer),

ZC

Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Yuriy Viktorovich USHAKOV chancery: 2650 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 298-5700, 5701, 5704, 5708 FAX: [1] (202) 298-5735 consulate(s) general: Houston, New York, San Francisco, and Seattle

Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Alexander VERSHBOW embassy: Bolshoy Devyatinskiy Pereulok No. 8, 121099 Moscow mailing address: PSC-77, APO AE 09721 telephone: [7] (095) 728-5000 FAX: [7] (095) 728-5090 consulate(s) general: Saint Petersburg, Vladivostok, Yekaterinburg

Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of white (top), blue, and red

Economy Russia

Economy - overview:

Russia ended 2004 with its sixth straight year of growth, averaging

6.5% annually since the financial crisis of 1998. Although high oil

prices and a relatively cheap ruble are important drivers of this

economic rebound, since 2000 investment and consumer-driven demand

have played a noticeably increasing role. Real fixed capital

investments have averaged gains greater than 10% over the last five

years, and real personal incomes have realized average increases

over 12%. Russia has also improved its international financial

position since the 1998 financial crisis, with its foreign debt

declining from 90% of GDP to around 28%. Strong oil export earnings

have allowed Russia to increase its foreign reserves from only $12

billion to some $120 billion at yearend 2004. These achievements,

along with a renewed government effort to advance structural

reforms, have raised business and investor confidence in Russia's

economic prospects. Nevertheless, serious problems persist. Economic

growth slowed down in the second half of 2004 and the Russian

government forecasts growth of only 4.5% to 6.2% for 2005. Oil,

natural gas, metals, and timber account for more than 80% of

exports, leaving the country vulnerable to swings in world prices.

Russia's manufacturing base is dilapidated and must be replaced or

modernized if the country is to achieve broad-based economic growth.

Other problems include a weak banking system, a poor business

climate that discourages both domestic and foreign investors,

corruption, and widespread lack of trust in institutions. In

addition, a string of investigations launched against a major

Russian oil company, culminating with the arrest of its CEO in the

fall of 2003, have raised concerns by some observers that President

PUTIN is granting more influence to forces within his government

that desire to reassert state control over the economy.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$1.408 trillion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

6.7% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $9,800 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 4.9% industry: 33.9% services: 61.2% (2004 est.)

Labor force:

71.83 million (2004 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 12.3%, industry 22.7%, services 65% (2002 est.)

Unemployment rate:

8.3% plus considerable underemployment (2004 est.)

Population below poverty line:

25% (January 2003 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 5.9% highest 10%: 47% (2001)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

39.9 (2001)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

11.5% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

19.1% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $106.4 billion

expenditures: $93.33 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Public debt:

28.2% of GDP (2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

grain, sugar beets, sunflower seed, vegetables, fruits; beef, milk

Industries:

complete range of mining and extractive industries producing coal,

oil, gas, chemicals, and metals; all forms of machine building from

rolling mills to high-performance aircraft and space vehicles;

defense industries including radar, missile production, and advanced

electronic components, shipbuilding; road and rail transportation

equipment; communications equipment; agricultural machinery,

tractors, and construction equipment; electric power generating and

transmitting equipment; medical and scientific instruments; consumer

durables, textiles, foodstuffs, handicrafts

Industrial production growth rate:

6.4% (2004 est.)

Electricity - production:

915 billion kWh (2003)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 66.3% hydro: 17.2% nuclear: 16.4% other: 0.1% (2003)

Electricity - consumption:

894.3 billion kWh (2003)

Electricity - exports:

20.7 billion kWh (2003)

Electricity - imports:

12.65 billion kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

8.42 million bbl/day (2003 est.)

Oil - consumption:

2.31 million bbl/day (2003 est.)

Oil - exports:

6.11 million bbl/day (2003)

Oil - imports:

NA

Oil - proved reserves:

69 billion bbl (2003 est.)

Natural gas - production:

578.6 billion cu m (2003 est.)

Natural gas - consumption:

405.8 billion cu m (2003 est.)

Natural gas - exports:

171 billion cu m (2003 est.)

Natural gas - imports:

32.7 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves:

47 trillion cu m (2003)

Current account balance:

$46.04 billion (2004 est.)

Exports:

$162.5 billion (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

petroleum and petroleum products, natural gas, wood and wood

products, metals, chemicals, and a wide variety of civilian and

military manufactures

Exports - partners:

Netherlands 9.1%, Germany 8%, Ukraine 6.4%, Italy 6.2%, China 6%,

US 5%, Switzerland 4.7%, Turkey 4.3% (2004)

Imports:

$92.91 billion (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

machinery and equipment, consumer goods, medicines, meat, sugar,

semifinished metal products

Imports - partners:

Germany 15.3%, Ukraine 8.8%, China 6.9%, Japan 5.7%, Kazakhstan 5%,

US 4.6%, Italy 4.6%, France 4.4% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$124.5 billion (3 December 2004 e)

Debt - external:

$169.6 billion (2004 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:

in FY01 from US, $979 million (including $750 million in

non-proliferation subsidies); in 2001 from EU, $200 million (2000

est.)

Currency (code):

Russian ruble (RUR)

Currency code:

RUR

Exchange rates:

Russian rubles per US dollar - 28.814 (2004), 30.692 (2003), 31.349

(2002), 29.169 (2001), 28.129 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Russia

Telephones - main lines in use:

35.5 million (2002)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

17,608,800 (2002)

Telephone system:

general assessment: the telephone system underwent significant

changes in the 1990s; there are more than 1,000 companies licensed

to offer communication services; access to digital lines has

improved, particularly in urban centers; Internet and e-mail

services are improving; Russia has made progress toward building the

telecommunications infrastructure necessary for a market economy;

however, a large demand for main line service remains unsatisfied

domestic: cross-country digital trunk lines run from Saint

Petersburg to Khabarovsk, and from Moscow to Novorossiysk; the

telephone systems in 60 regional capitals have modern digital

infrastructures; cellular services, both analog and digital, are

available in many areas; in rural areas, the telephone services are

still outdated, inadequate, and low density

international: country code - 7; Russia is connected internationally

by three undersea fiber-optic cables; digital switches in several

cities provide more than 50,000 lines for international calls;

satellite earth stations provide access to Intelsat, Intersputnik,

Eutelsat, Inmarsat, and Orbita systems

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 420, FM 447, shortwave 56 (1998)

Radios:

61.5 million (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

7,306 (1998)

Televisions:

60.5 million (1997)

Internet country code:

.ru; Russia also has responsibility for a legacy domain ".su" that

was allocated to the Soviet Union, and whose legal status and

ownership are contested by the Russian Government, ICANN, and

several Russian commercial entities

Internet hosts:

560,874 (2004)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

300 (June 2000)

Internet users:

6 million (2002)

Transportation Russia

Railways:

total: 87,157 km

broad gauge: 86,200 km 1.520-m gauge (40,300 km electrified)

narrow gauge: 957 km 1.067-m gauge (on Sakhalin Island)

note: an additional 30,000 km of non-common carrier lines serve

industries (2004)

Highways:

total: 537,289 km

paved: 362,133 km

unpaved: 175,156 km (2001)

Waterways:

96,000 km

note: 72,000 km system in European Russia links Baltic Sea, White

Sea, Caspian Sea, Sea of Azov, and Black Sea (2004)

Pipelines:

condensate 122 km; gas 150,007 km; oil 75,539 km; refined products

13,771 km (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Anapa, Kaliningrad, Murmansk, Nakhodka, Novorossiysk,

Rostov-na-Donu, Saint Petersburg, Taganrog, Vanino, Vostochnyy

Merchant marine:

total: 1,194 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 4,521,472 GRT/5,505,118 DWT

by type: barge carrier 1, bulk carrier 45, cargo 767, chemical

tanker 20, combination ore/oil 48, container 21, passenger 11,

passenger/cargo 8, petroleum tanker 213, refrigerated cargo 46, roll

on/roll off 12, specialized tanker 2

foreign-owned: 56 (Belgium 2, Cyprus 1, Estonia 2, Germany 1, Hong

Kong 1, Latvia 3, Norway 1, Sweden 1, Turkey 28, Ukraine 10, United

Kingdom 2, United States 4)

registered in other countries: 326 (2005)

Airports:

2,586 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 577

over 3,047 m: 55

2,438 to 3,047 m: 197

1,524 to 2,437 m: 128

914 to 1,523 m: 98

under 914 m: 99 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 2,009

over 3,047 m: 14

2,438 to 3,047 m: 30

1,524 to 2,437 m: 111

914 to 1,523 m: 257

under 914 m: 1,597 (2004 est.)

Heliports:

36 (2004 est.)

Military Russia

Military branches:

Ground Forces (SV), Navy (VMF), Air Forces (VVS); Airborne Troops

(VDV), Strategic Rocket Troops (RVSN), and Space Troops (KV) are

independent "combat arms," not subordinate to any of the three

branches

Military service age and obligation: 18-27 years of age; males are registered for the draft at 17 years of age; 200,000 conscripts were inducted into the armed forces in 2003; length of compulsory military service is 2 years; plans as of August 2004 call for reduction in mandatory service to 1 year by 2008; 2003 planning calls for volunteer servicemen to compose 70% of armed forces by 2010, with the remaining servicemen consisting of conscripts (August 2004)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 18-49: 35,247,049 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: 21,049,651 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:

males: 1,286,069 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

NA

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

NA

Transnational Issues Russia

Disputes - international:

in 2004, China and Russia divided up the islands in the Amur,

Ussuri, and Argun Rivers, ending a century-old border dispute; the

sovereignty dispute over the islands of Etorofu, Kunashiri,

Shikotan, and the Habomai group, known in Japan as the "Northern

Territories" and in Russia as the "Southern Kurils," occupied by the

Soviet Union in 1945, now administered by Russia, and claimed by

Japan, remains the primary sticking point to signing a peace treaty

formally ending World War II hostilities; Russia and Georgia agree

on delimiting 80% of their common border, leaving certain small,

strategic segments and the maritime boundary unresolved; OSCE

observers monitor volatile areas such as the Pankisi Gorge in the

Akhmeti region and the Kodori Gorge in Abkhazia; equidistant seabed

treaties were signed and ratified with Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan in

the Caspian Sea but no consensus exists on dividing the water column

among the littoral states; Russia and Norway dispute their maritime

limits in the Barents Sea and Russia's fishing rights beyond

Svalbard's territorial limits within the Svalbard Treaty zone;

various groups in Finland advocate restoration of Karelia and other

areas ceded to the Soviet Union following the Second World War but

the Finnish Government asserts no territorial demands; in 1996, the

Estonia-Russia technical border agreement was initialed but both

have been hesitant to sign and ratify it, with Russia asserting that

Estonia needs to better assimilate Russian-speakers and Estonian

groups advocating realignment of the boundary based more closely on

the 1920 Tartu Peace Treaty that would bring the now divided ethnic

Setu people and parts of the Narva region within Estonia; the

Latvian-Russian boundary treaty of 1997 remains unsigned and

unratified with Russia linking it to better Latvian treatment of

ethnic Russians and Latvian politicians demanding Russian agreement

to a declaration that admits Soviet aggression during the Second

World War and other issues; in 2003, the Lithuania-Russia land and

maritime boundary treaty was ratified and a transit regime

established through Lithuania linking Russia and its Kaliningrad

coastal exclave, leaving only improvements to the border demarcation

in 2005; delimitation of land boundary with Ukraine is complete, but

states have agreed to defer demarcation; Russia and Ukraine continue

talks but still dispute the alignment of a maritime boundary through

the Kerch Strait and Sea of Azov; Kazakhstan and Russia continue

demarcation of their long border; Russian Duma has not yet ratified

1990 Maritime Boundary Agreement with the US in the Bering Sea

Refugees and internally displaced persons:

IDPs: 368,000 (displacement from Chechnya and North Ossetia) (2004)

Illicit drugs:

limited cultivation of illicit cannabis and opium poppy and

producer of methamphetamine, mostly for domestic consumption;

government has active illicit crop eradication program; used as

transshipment point for Asian opiates, cannabis, and Latin American

cocaine bound for growing domestic markets, to a lesser extent

Western and Central Europe, and occasionally to the US; major source

of heroin precursor chemicals; corruption and organized crime are

key concerns; heroin increasingly popular in domestic market

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Rwanda

Introduction Rwanda

Background:

In 1959, three years before independence from Belgium, the majority

ethnic group, the Hutus, overthrew the ruling Tutsi king. Over the

next several years, thousands of Tutsis were killed, and some

150,000 driven into exile in neighboring countries. The children of

these exiles later formed a rebel group, the Rwandan Patriotic Front

(RPF), and began a civil war in 1990. The war, along with several

political and economic upheavals, exacerbated ethnic tensions,

culminating in April 1994 in the genocide of roughly 800,000 Tutsis

and moderate Hutus. The Tutsi rebels defeated the Hutu regime and

ended the killing in July 1994, but approximately 2 million Hutu

refugees - many fearing Tutsi retribution - fled to neighboring

Burundi, Tanzania, Uganda, and the former Zaire. Since then, most of

the refugees have returned to Rwanda, but about 10,000 that remain

in the neighboring Democratic Republic of the Congo have formed an

extremist insurgency bent on retaking Rwanda, much as the RPF tried

in 1990. Despite substantial international assistance and political

reforms - including Rwanda's first local elections in March 1999 and

its first post-genocide presidential and legislative elections in

August and September 2003, respectively - the country continues to

struggle to boost investment and agricultural output, and ethnic

reconciliation is complicated by the real and perceived Tutsi

political dominance. Kigali's increasing centralization and

intolerance of dissent, the nagging Hutu extremist insurgency across

the border, and Rwandan involvement in two wars in recent years in

the neighboring Democratic Republic of the Congo continue to hinder

Rwanda's efforts to escape its bloody legacy.

Geography Rwanda

Location:

Central Africa, east of Democratic Republic of the Congo

Geographic coordinates:

2 00 S, 30 00 E

Map references:

Africa

Area:

total: 26,338 sq km

land: 24,948 sq km

water: 1,390 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly smaller than Maryland

Land boundaries:

total: 893 km

border countries: Burundi 290 km, Democratic Republic of the Congo

217 km, Tanzania 217 km, Uganda 169 km

Coastline:

0 km (landlocked)

Maritime claims:

none (landlocked)

Climate:

temperate; two rainy seasons (February to April, November to

January); mild in mountains with frost and snow possible

Terrain:

mostly grassy uplands and hills; relief is mountainous with

altitude declining from west to east

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Rusizi River 950 m

highest point: Volcan Karisimbi 4,519 m

Natural resources:

gold, cassiterite (tin ore), wolframite (tungsten ore), methane,

hydropower, arable land

Land use:

arable land: 40.54%

permanent crops: 12.16%

other: 47.3% (2001)

Irrigated land:

40 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

periodic droughts; the volcanic Virunga mountains are in the

northwest along the border with Democratic Republic of the Congo

Environment - current issues:

deforestation results from uncontrolled cutting of trees for fuel;

overgrazing; soil exhaustion; soil erosion; widespread poaching

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto

Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes,

Ozone Layer Protection

signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea

Geography - note:

landlocked; most of the country is savanna grassland with the

population predominantly rural

People Rwanda

Population:

8,440,820

note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the

effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower

life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower

population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of

population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July

2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 41.9% (male 1,777,178/female 1,762,252)

15-64 years: 55.5% (male 2,328,686/female 2,356,572)

65 years and over: 2.6% (male 87,155/female 128,977) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 18.48 years

male: 18.26 years

female: 18.7 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

2.43% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

40.6 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

16.32 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.68 male(s)/female

total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 91.23 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 96.37 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 85.93 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 46.96 years

male: 45.92 years

female: 48.03 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

5.49 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

5.1% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

250,000 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

22,000 (2003 est.)

Major infectious diseases:

degree of risk: very high

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and

typhoid fever

vectorborne disease: malaria (2004)

Nationality:

noun: Rwandan(s)

adjective: Rwandan

Ethnic groups:

Hutu 84%, Tutsi 15%, Twa (Pygmoid) 1%

Religions:

Roman Catholic 56.5%, Protestant 26%, Adventist 11.1%, Muslim 4.6%,

indigenous beliefs 0.1%, none 1.7% (2001)

Languages:

Kinyarwanda (official) universal Bantu vernacular, French

(official), English (official), Kiswahili (Swahili) used in

commercial centers

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 70.4%

male: 76.3%

female: 64.7% (2003 est.)

People - note:

Rwanda is the most densely populated country in Africa

Government Rwanda

Country name:

conventional long form: Republic of Rwanda

conventional short form: Rwanda

local long form: Republika y'u Rwanda

local short form: Rwanda

former: Ruanda

Government type:

republic; presidential, multiparty system

Capital:

Kigali

Administrative divisions:

12 provinces (in French - provinces, singular - province; in

Kinyarwanda - prefigintara for singular and plural); Butare, Byumba,

Cyangugu, Gikongoro, Gisenyi, Gitarama, Kibungo, Kibuye, Kigali

Rurale, Kigali-ville, Umutara, Ruhengeri

Independence:

1 July 1962 (from Belgium-administered UN trusteeship)

National holiday:

Independence Day, 1 July (1962)

Constitution:

new constitution adopted 4 June 2003

Legal system:

based on German and Belgian civil law systems and customary law;

judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court; has not

accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal adult

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Paul KAGAME (since 22 April 2000)

head of government: Prime Minister Bernard MAKUZA (since 8 March

2000)

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president

elections: last held 25 August 2003 (next to be held NA 2008)

election results: Paul KAGAME elected president in first direct

popular vote; Paul KAGAME 95.05%, Faustin TWAGIRAMUNGU 3.62%,

Jean-Nepomuscene NAYINZIRA 1.33%

Legislative branch:

unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (53 seats;

members elected by direct vote)

elections: last held 29 September 2003 (next to be held Chamber of

Deputies - NA 2008; Senate - NA 2011)

election results: seats by party under the 2003 Constitution - RPF

40, PSD 7, PL 6

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court; High Courts of the Republic; Provincial Courts;

District Courts; mediation committees

Political parties and leaders:

Centrist Democratic Party or PDC [Alfred MUKEZAMFURA]; Democratic

Popular Union of Rwanda or UDPR [Adrien RANGIRA]; Democratic

Republican Movement or MDR (officially banned) [Celestin KABANDA];

Islamic Democratic Party or PDI [Andre BUMAYA]; Liberal Party or PL

[Prosper HIGIRO]; Party for Democratic Renewal (officially banned)

[Pasteur BIZIMUNGU and Charles NTAKARUTINKA]; Rwandan Patriotic

Front or RPF [Paul KAGAME]; Social Democratic Party or PSD [Vincent

BIRUTA]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

IBUKA - association of genocide survivors

International organization participation:

ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, CEPGL, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM,

IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO

(correspondent), ITU, MIGA, NAM, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO,

UPU, WCL, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Zac NSENGA

chancery: 1714 New Hampshire Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20009

telephone: [1] (202) 232-2882

FAX: [1] (202) 232-4544

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Henderson

PATRICK

embassy: 337 Boulevard de la Revolution, Kigali

mailing address: B. P. 28, Kigali

telephone: [250] 50 56 01 through 03

FAX: [250] 57 2128

Flag description:

three horizontal bands of sky blue (top, double width), yellow, and

green, with a golden sun with 24 rays near the fly end of the blue

band

Economy Rwanda

Economy - overview:

Rwanda is a poor rural country with about 90% of the population

engaged in (mainly subsistence) agriculture. It is the most densely

populated country in Africa; landlocked with few natural resources

and minimal industry. Primary foreign exchange earners are coffee

and tea. The 1994 genocide decimated Rwanda's fragile economic base,

severely impoverished the population, particularly women, and eroded

the country's ability to attract private and external investment.

However, Rwanda has made substantial progress in stabilizing and

rehabilitating its economy to pre-1994 levels, although poverty

levels are higher now. GDP has rebounded and inflation has been

curbed. Export earnings, however, have been hindered by low beverage

prices, depriving the country of much needed hard currency. Despite

Rwanda's fertile ecosystem, food production often does not keep pace

with population growth, requiring food imports. Rwanda continues to

receive substantial aid money and was approved for IMF-World Bank

Heavily Indebted Poor Country (HIPC) initiative debt relief in late

2000. Kigali's high defense expenditures have caused tension between

the government and international donors and lending agencies. An

energy shortage and instability in neighboring states may slow

growth in 2005, while the lack of adequate transportation linkages

to other countries continues to handicap export growth.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$10.43 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

0.9% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $1,300 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 41.1% industry: 21.2% services: 37.7% (2004 est.)

Labor force:

4.6 million (2000)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 90%

Unemployment rate:

NA

Population below poverty line:

60% (2001 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 4.2% highest 10%: 24.2% (1985)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

28.9 (1985)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

7% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

20% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $354.5 million

expenditures: $385 million, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

coffee, tea, pyrethrum (insecticide made from chrysanthemums),

bananas, beans, sorghum, potatoes; livestock

Industries:

cement, agricultural products, small-scale beverages, soap,

furniture, shoes, plastic goods, textiles, cigarettes

Industrial production growth rate:

7% (2001 est.)

Electricity - production:

166.7 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 2.3% hydro: 97.7% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

195 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

40 million kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

5,300 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Oil - proved reserves:

0 bbl (1 January 2002)

Natural gas - proved reserves:

28.32 billion cu m (1 January 2002)

Current account balance:

$-212.5 million (2004 est.)

Exports:

$69.78 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

coffee, tea, hides, tin ore

Exports - partners:

Indonesia 64.2%, China 3.6%, Germany 2.7% (2004)

Imports:

$260 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

foodstuffs, machinery and equipment, steel, petroleum products,

cement and construction material

Imports - partners:

Kenya 24.4%, Germany 7.4%, Belgium 6.6%, Uganda 6.3%, France 5.1%

(2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$210.9 million (2004 est.)

Debt - external:

$1.3 billion (2000 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:

$372.9 million (1999)

Currency (code):

Rwandan franc (RWF)

Currency code:

RWF

Exchange rates:

Rwandan francs per US dollar - 574.62 (2004), 537.66 (2003), 476.33

(2002), 442.8 (2001), 393.44 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Rwanda

Telephones - main lines in use:

23,200 (2002)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

134,000

note: Rwanda has mobile cellular service between Kigali and several

provincial capitals (2003)

Telephone system:

general assessment: telephone system primarily serves business and

government

domestic: the capital, Kigali, is connected to the centers of the

provinces by microwave radio relay and, recently, by cellular

telephone service; much of the network depends on wire and HF

radiotelephone

international: country code - 250; international connections employ

microwave radio relay to neighboring countries and satellite

communications to more distant countries; satellite earth stations -

1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) in Kigali (includes telex and telefax

service)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 0, FM 8 (two main FM programs are broadcast through a system of

repeaters, three international FM programs include the BBC, VOA, and

Deutchewelle), shortwave 1 (2005)

Radios:

601,000 (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

2 (2004)

Televisions:

NA; probably less than 1,000 (1997)

Internet country code:

.rw

Internet hosts:

1,495 (2003)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

2 (2002)

Internet users:

25,000 (2002)

Transportation Rwanda

Highways: total: 12,000 km paved: 996 km unpaved: 11,004 km (1999 est.)

Waterways:

Lac Kivu navigable by shallow-draft barges and native craft (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Cyangugu, Gisenyi, Kibuye

Airports:

9 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 4 over 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 5

914 to 1,523 m: 2

under 914 m: 3 (2004 est.)

Military Rwanda

Military branches:

Rwandan Defense Forces: Army, Air Force

Military service age and obligation: 16 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2001)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 16-49: 2,004,750 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 16-49: 1,103,823 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$50.1 million (2004)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

3.2% (2004)

Transnational Issues Rwanda

Disputes - international:

Tutsi, Hutu, Hema, Lendu, and other conflicting ethnic groups,

associated political rebels, armed gangs, and various government

forces continue fighting in Great Lakes region, transcending the

boundaries of Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, and

Uganda to gain control over populated areas and natural resources -

government heads pledge to end conflicts, but localized violence

continues despite UN peacekeeping efforts; DROC and Rwanda

established a border verification mechanism in 2005 to address

accusations of Rwandan military supporting Congolese rebels and the

Congo providing rebel Rwandan "Interhamwe" forces the means and

bases to attack Rwandan forces; as of 2004, Rwandan refugees lived

in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, and Zambia

Refugees and internally displaced persons:

refugees (country of origin): 37,691 (Democratic Republic of the

Congo)

IDPs: 4,158 (incursions by Hutu rebels from Democratic Republic of

the Congo, 1997-99; most IDPs in northwest) (2004)

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Saint Helena

Introduction Saint Helena

Background:

Uninhabited when first discovered by the Portuguese in 1502, Saint

Helena was garrisoned by the British during the 17th century. It

acquired fame as the place of Napoleon BONAPARTE's exile, from 1815

until his death in 1821, but its importance as a port of call

declined after the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869. Ascension

Island is the site of a US Air Force auxiliary airfield; Gough

Island has a meteorological station.

Geography Saint Helena

Location:

islands in the South Atlantic Ocean, about midway between South

America and Africa

Geographic coordinates:

15 56 S, 5 42 W

Map references:

Africa

Area:

total: 410 sq km

land: 410 sq km

water: 0 sq km

note: includes Saint Helena Island, Ascension, and the island group

of Tristan da Cunha, which consists of Tristan da Cunha Island,

Gough Island, Inaccessible Island, and the three Nightingale Islands

Area - comparative:

slightly more than twice the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries:

0 km

Coastline:

60 km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm

Climate:

Saint Helena - tropical; marine; mild, tempered by trade winds;

Tristan da Cunha - temperate; marine, mild, tempered by trade winds

(tends to be cooler than Saint Helena)

Terrain:

Saint Helena - rugged, volcanic; small scattered plateaus and plains

note: the other islands of the group have a volcanic origin

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

highest point: Queen Mary's Peak on Tristan da Cunha 2,060 m

Natural resources:

fish

Land use:

arable land: 12.9%

permanent crops: 0%

other: 87.1% (2001)

Irrigated land:

NA sq km

Natural hazards:

active volcanism on Tristan da Cunha

Environment - current issues:

NA

Geography - note:

harbors at least 40 species of plants unknown anywhere else in the

world; Ascension is a breeding ground for sea turtles and sooty terns

People Saint Helena

Population:

7,460 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 18.8% (male 715/female 691)

15-64 years: 71.3% (male 2,745/female 2,575)

65 years and over: 9.8% (male 330/female 404) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 35.4 years

male: 35.61 years

female: 35.21 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

0.59% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

12.33 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

6.43 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.07 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.82 male(s)/female

total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 19 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 22.74 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 15.08 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 77.76 years

male: 74.86 years

female: 80.81 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

1.54 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

NA

Nationality:

noun: Saint Helenian(s)

adjective: Saint Helenian

Ethnic groups:

African descent 50%, white 25%, Chinese 25%

Religions:

Anglican (majority), Baptist, Seventh-Day Adventist, Roman Catholic

Languages:

English

Literacy:

definition: age 20 and over can read and write

total population: 97%

male: 97%

female: 98% (1987 est.)

Government Saint Helena

Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Saint Helena

Dependency status:

overseas territory of the UK

Government type:

NA

Capital:

Jamestown

Administrative divisions:

1 administrative area and 2 dependencies*; Ascension*, Saint

Helena, Tristan da Cunha*

Independence:

none (overseas territory of the UK)

National holiday:

Birthday of Queen ELIZABETH II, second Saturday in June (1926)

Constitution:

1 January 1989

Legal system:

NA

Suffrage:

NA years of age

Executive branch:

chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952)

head of government: Governor and Commander in Chief Michael CLANCY

(since 15 October 2004)

cabinet: Executive Council consists of the governor, two ex officio

officers, and six elected members of the Legislative Council

elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor is appointed by

the monarch

Legislative branch:

unicameral Legislative Council (16 seats, including the speaker, 3

ex officio and 12 elected members; members are elected by popular

vote to serve four-year terms)

elections: last held 27 June 2001 (next to be held June 2005)

election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats - independents 15

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court; Magistrate's Court; Small Debts Court; Juvenile Court

Political parties and leaders:

none

Political pressure groups and leaders:

none

International organization participation:

ICFTU, UPU

Diplomatic representation in the US:

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Diplomatic representation from the US:

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Flag description:

blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and

the Saint Helenian shield centered on the outer half of the flag;

the shield features a rocky coastline and three-masted sailing ship

Economy Saint Helena

Economy - overview:

The economy depends largely on financial assistance from the UK,

which amounted to about $5 million in 1997 or almost one-half of

annual budgetary revenues. The local population earns income from

fishing, raising livestock, and sales of handicrafts. Because there

are few jobs, 25% of the work force has left to seek employment on

Ascension Island, on the Falklands, and in the UK.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$18 million (1998 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

NA

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $2,500 (1998 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: NA industry: NA services: NA

Labor force:

3,500

note: 1,200 work offshore (1998 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture and fishing 6%, industry (mainly construction) 48%,

services 46% (1987 est.)

Unemployment rate:

14% (1998 est.)

Population below poverty line:

NA

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

3.2% (1997 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $11.2 million

expenditures: $11 million, including capital expenditures of NA

(FY92/93)

Agriculture - products:

corn, potatoes, vegetables; timber; fish, crawfish (on Tristan da

Cunha)

Industries:

construction, crafts (furniture, lacework, fancy woodwork), fishing

Industrial production growth rate:

NA

Electricity - production:

5 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

4.65 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

200 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Exports:

$17 million f.o.b. (2002)

Exports - commodities:

fish (frozen, canned, and salt-dried skipjack, tuna), coffee,

handicrafts

Exports - partners:

Tanzania 30.3%, US 23.8%, Japan 10.4%, UK 7.1%, Spain 6.3% (2004)

Imports:

$42 million c.i.f. (2002)

Imports - commodities:

food, beverages, tobacco, fuel oils, animal feed, building

materials, motor vehicles and parts, machinery and parts

Imports - partners:

UK 35.7%, US 17.6%, South Africa 17.5%, Tanzania 10.4%, Australia

5.5%, Spain 4.1% (2004)

Debt - external:

NA (1996)

Economic aid - recipient:

$12.6 million (1995); note - $5.3 million from UK (1997)

Currency (code):

Saint Helenian pound (SHP)

Currency code:

SHP

Exchange rates:

Saint Helenian pounds per US dollar - 0.5462 (2004), 0.6125 (2003),

0.6672 (2002), 0.6947 (2001), 0.6609 (2000)

note: the Saint Helenian pound is on par with the British pound

Fiscal year:

1 April - 31 March

Communications Saint Helena

Telephones - main lines in use:

2,200 (2002)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

0 (1997)

Telephone system:

general assessment: can communicate worldwide

domestic: automatic network

international: country code - 290; HF radiotelephone from Saint

Helena to Ascension Island, which is a major coaxial submarine cable

relay point between South Africa, Portugal, and UK; satellite earth

stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 1, FM 0, shortwave 0 (1998)

Radios:

3,000 (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

0

note: television programs are received in Saint Helena via satellite

and distributed by cable (2002)

Televisions:

2,000 (1997)

Internet country code:

.sh

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

1 (2000)

Internet users:

500 (2002)

Communications - note:

Gough Island has a meteorological station

Transportation Saint Helena

Highways:

total: 198 km (Saint Helena 138 km, Ascension 40 km, Tristan da

Cunha 20 km)

paved: 168 km (Saint Helena 118km, Ascension 40 km, Tristan da Cunha

10 km)

unpaved: 30 km (Saint Helena 20 km, Ascension 0 km, Tristan da Cunha

10 km) (2000)

Ports and harbors:

Georgetown (on Ascension), Jamestown

Airports:

1 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Military Saint Helena

Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the UK

Transnational Issues Saint Helena

Disputes - international: none

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Saint Kitts and Nevis

Introduction Saint Kitts and Nevis

Background:

First settled by the British in 1623, the islands became an

associated state with full internal autonomy in 1967. The island of

Anguilla rebelled and was allowed to secede in 1971. Saint Kitts and

Nevis achieved independence in 1983. In 1998, a vote in Nevis on a

referendum to separate from Saint Kitts fell short of the two-thirds

majority needed. Nevis is once more trying to separate from the

Saint Kitts.

Geography Saint Kitts and Nevis

Location:

Caribbean, islands in the Caribbean Sea, about one-third of the way

from Puerto Rico to Trinidad and Tobago

Geographic coordinates:

17 20 N, 62 45 W

Map references:

Central America and the Caribbean

Area:

total: 261 sq km (Saint Kitts 168 sq km; Nevis 93 sq km)

land: 261 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative:

1.5 times the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries:

0 km

Coastline:

135 km

Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin

Climate:

tropical tempered by constant sea breezes; little seasonal

temperature variation; rainy season (May to November)

Terrain:

volcanic with mountainous interiors

Elevation extremes: lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Mount Liamuiga 1,156 m

Natural resources: arable land

Land use: arable land: 19.44% permanent crops: 2.78% other: 77.78% (2001)

Irrigated land:

NA sq km

Natural hazards:

hurricanes (July to October)

Environment - current issues:

NA

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered

Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection,

Ship Pollution, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

with coastlines in the shape of a baseball bat and ball, the two

volcanic islands are separated by a three-km-wide channel called The

Narrows; on the southern tip of long, baseball bat-shaped Saint

Kitts lies the Great Salt Pond; Nevis Peak sits in the center of its

almost circular namesake island and its ball shape complements that

of its sister island

People Saint Kitts and Nevis

Population:

38,958 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 28% (male 5,586/female 5,330)

15-64 years: 63.7% (male 12,424/female 12,403)

65 years and over: 8.3% (male 1,328/female 1,887) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 27.6 years

male: 26.78 years

female: 28.38 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

0.38% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

18.12 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

8.47 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

-5.9 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female

total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 14.49 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 16.25 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 12.63 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 72.15 years

male: 69.31 years

female: 75.16 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

2.33 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

NA

Nationality: noun: Kittitian(s), Nevisian(s) adjective: Kittitian, Nevisian

Ethnic groups:

predominantly black; some British, Portuguese, and Lebanese

Religions:

Anglican, other Protestant, Roman Catholic

Languages:

English

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school

total population: 97%

male: 97%

female: 98% (1980 est.)

Government Saint Kitts and Nevis

Country name:

conventional long form: Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis

conventional short form: Saint Kitts and Nevis

former: Federation of Saint Christopher and Nevis

Government type:

constitutional monarchy with Westminster-style parliament

Capital:

Basseterre

Administrative divisions:

14 parishes; Christ Church Nichola Town, Saint Anne Sandy Point,

Saint George Basseterre, Saint George Gingerland, Saint James

Windward, Saint John Capesterre, Saint John Figtree, Saint Mary

Cayon, Saint Paul Capesterre, Saint Paul Charlestown, Saint Peter

Basseterre, Saint Thomas Lowland, Saint Thomas Middle Island,

Trinity Palmetto Point

Independence:

19 September 1983 (from UK)

National holiday:

Independence Day, 19 September (1983)

Constitution:

19 September 1983

Legal system:

based on English common law

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952),

represented by Governor General Cuthbert Montraville SEBASTIAN

(since 1 January 1996)

head of government: Prime Minister Dr. Denzil DOUGLAS (since 6 July

1995) and Deputy Prime Minister Sam CONDOR (since 6 July 1995)

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general in consultation

with the prime minister

elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; the governor general is

appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the

leader of the majority party or leader of a majority coalition is

usually appointed prime minister by the governor general; deputy

prime minister appointed by the governor general

Legislative branch:

unicameral National Assembly (14 seats, 3 appointed and 11

popularly elected from single-member constituencies; members serve

five-year terms)

elections: last held 25 October 2004 (next to be held by 2009)

election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -

SKNLP 7, CCM 2, NRP 1, PAM 1

Judicial branch:

Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (based on Saint Lucia; one judge of

the Supreme Court resides in Saint Kitts and Nevis)

Political parties and leaders:

Concerned Citizens Movement or CCM [Vance AMORY]; Nevis Reformation

Party or NRP [Joseph PARRY]; People's Action Movement or PAM

[Lindsey GRANT]; Saint Kitts and Nevis Labor Party or SKNLP [Dr.

Denzil DOUGLAS]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

NA

International organization participation:

ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA,

IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, MIGA, OAS, OECS,

OPANAL, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Dr. Izben Cordinal WILLIAMS chancery: 3216 New Mexico Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016 telephone: [1] (202) 686-2636 FAX: [1] (202) 686-5740 consulate(s) general: New York

Diplomatic representation from the US:

the US does not have an embassy in Saint Kitts and Nevis; the US

Ambassador to Barbados is accredited to Saint Kitts and Nevis

Flag description:

divided diagonally from the lower hoist side by a broad black band

bearing two white, five-pointed stars; the black band is edged in

yellow; the upper triangle is green, the lower triangle is red

Economy Saint Kitts and Nevis

Economy - overview:

Sugar was the traditional mainstay of the Saint Kitts economy until

the 1970s. Although the crop still dominates the agricultural

sector, activities such as tourism, export-oriented manufacturing,

and offshore banking have assumed larger roles in the economy.

Tourism revenues are now the chief source of the islands' foreign

exchange. The opening of a 470-room resort in February 2003 was

expected to bring in much-needed revenue.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$339 million (2002 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

-1.9% (2002 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $8,800 (2002 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 3.5% industry: 25.8% services: 70.7% (2001)

Labor force:

18,170 (June 1995)

Labor force - by occupation:

NA

Unemployment rate:

4.5% (1997)

Population below poverty line:

NA%

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

1.7% (2001 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $89.7 million

expenditures: $128.2 million, including capital expenditures of

$19.5 million (2003 est.)

Agriculture - products:

sugarcane, rice, yams, vegetables, bananas; fish

Industries:

sugar processing, tourism, cotton, salt, copra, clothing, footwear,

beverages

Industrial production growth rate:

NA%

Electricity - production:

105.8 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

98.44 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

710 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Exports:

$70 million (2002 est.)

Exports - commodities:

machinery, food, electronics, beverages, tobacco

Exports - partners:

US 57.5%, Canada 9%, Portugal 8.3%, UK 6.7% (2004)

Imports:

$195 million (2002 est.)

Imports - commodities:

machinery, manufactures, food, fuels

Imports - partners:

Ukraine 44.7%, US 22.1%, Trinidad and Tobago 8.8%, UK 6.2% (2004)

Debt - external:

$171 million (2001)

Economic aid - recipient:

$8 million (2001)

Currency (code):

East Caribbean dollar (XCD)

Currency code:

XCD

Exchange rates:

East Caribbean dollars per US dollar - 2.7 (2004), 2.7 (2003), 2.7

(2002), 2.7 (2001), 2.7 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Saint Kitts and Nevis

Telephones - main lines in use:

23,500 (2002)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

5,000 (2002)

Telephone system:

general assessment: good interisland and international connections

domestic: inter-island links via Eastern Caribbean Fiber Optic

cable; construction of enhanced wireless infrastructure launched in

November 2004

international: country code - 1-869; international calls are carried

by submarine cable or Intelsat

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 3, FM 3, shortwave 0 (2004)

Radios:

28,000 (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

1 (plus three repeaters) (2004)

Televisions:

10,000 (1997)

Internet country code:

.kn

Internet hosts:

51 (2003)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

16 (2000)

Internet users:

10,000 (2002)

Transportation Saint Kitts and Nevis

Railways:

total: 50 km

narrow gauge: 50 km 0.762-m gauge on Saint Kitts to serve sugarcane

plantations during harvest season (2003)

Highways:

total: 320 km

paved: 136 km

unpaved: 184 km (1999 est)

Ports and harbors:

Basseterre, Charlestown

Airports:

2 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 2

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Military Saint Kitts and Nevis

Military branches:

Saint Kitts and Nevis Defense Force (includes Coast Guard), Royal

Saint Kitts and Nevis Police Force

Military service age and obligation:

18 years of age (est.) (2004)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

NA

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

NA

Transnational Issues Saint Kitts and Nevis

Disputes - international:

joins other Caribbean states to counter Venezuela's claim that Aves

Island sustains human habitation, a criterion under UNCLOS, which

permits Venezuela to extend its EEZ/continental shelf over a large

portion of the Caribbean Sea

Illicit drugs:

transshipment point for South American drugs destined for the US

and Europe; some money-laundering activity

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Saint Lucia

Introduction Saint Lucia

Background:

The island, with its fine natural harbor at Castries, was contested

between England and France throughout the 17th and early 18th

centuries (changing possession 14 times); it was finally ceded to

the UK in 1814. Self-government was granted in 1967 and independence

in 1979.

Geography Saint Lucia

Location:

Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and North Atlantic

Ocean, north of Trinidad and Tobago

Geographic coordinates:

13 53 N, 60 68 W

Map references:

Central America and the Caribbean

Area:

total: 616 sq km

land: 606 sq km

water: 10 sq km

Area - comparative:

3.5 times the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries:

0 km

Coastline:

158 km

Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin

Climate:

tropical, moderated by northeast trade winds; dry season from

January to April, rainy season from May to August

Terrain:

volcanic and mountainous with some broad, fertile valleys

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m

highest point: Mount Gimie 950 m

Natural resources:

forests, sandy beaches, minerals (pumice), mineral springs,

geothermal potential

Land use: arable land: 6.56% permanent crops: 22.95% other: 70.49% (2001)

Irrigated land:

30 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

hurricanes and volcanic activity

Environment - current issues:

deforestation; soil erosion, particularly in the northern region

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto

Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental

Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping,

Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

the twin Pitons (Gros Piton and Petit Piton), striking cone-shaped

peaks south of Soufriere, are one of the scenic natural highlights

of the Caribbean

People Saint Lucia

Population:

166,312 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 30.3% (male 25,937/female 24,391)

15-64 years: 64.6% (male 52,813/female 54,544)

65 years and over: 5.2% (male 3,172/female 5,455) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 24.81 years

male: 24.03 years

female: 25.66 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

1.28% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

20.05 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

5.12 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

-2.19 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.58 male(s)/female

total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 13.53 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 14.66 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 12.32 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 73.61 years

male: 70.05 years

female: 77.42 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

2.21 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

NA

Nationality: noun: Saint Lucian(s) adjective: Saint Lucian

Ethnic groups:

black 90%, mixed 6%, East Indian 3%, white 1%

Religions:

Roman Catholic 67.5%, Seventh Day Adventist 8.5%, Pentecostal 5.7%,

Anglican 2%, Evangelical 2%, other Christian 5.1%, Rastafarian 2.1%,

other 1.1%, unspecified 1.5%, none 4.5% (2001 census)

Languages:

English (official), French patois

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school

total population: 90.1%

male: 89.5%

female: 90.6% (2001 est.)

Government Saint Lucia

Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Saint Lucia

Government type:

Westminster-style parliamentary democracy

Capital:

Castries

Administrative divisions:

11 quarters; Anse-la-Raye, Castries, Choiseul, Dauphin, Dennery,

Gros-Islet, Laborie, Micoud, Praslin, Soufriere, Vieux-Fort

Independence:

22 February 1979 (from UK)

National holiday:

Independence Day, 22 February (1979)

Constitution:

22 February 1979

Legal system:

based on English common law

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952),

represented by Governor General Dame Pearlette LOUISY (since

September 1997)

head of government: Prime Minister Kenneth Davis ANTHONY (since 24

May 1997) and Deputy Prime Minister Mario MICHEL (since 24 May 1997)

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of

the prime minister

elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; the governor general is

appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the

leader of the majority party or the leader of a majority coalition

is usually appointed prime minister by the governor general; deputy

prime minister appointed by the governor general

Legislative branch:

bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (11 seats; six members

appointed on the advice of the prime minister, three on the advice

of the leader of the opposition, and two after consultation with

religious, economic, and social groups) and the House of Assembly

(17 seats; members are elected by popular vote from single-member

constituencies to serve five-year terms)

elections: House of Assembly - last held 3 December 2001 (next to be

held in December 2006)

election results: House of Assembly - percent of vote by party - SLP

55%, UWP 37%, NA 3.5%; seats by party - SLP 14, UWP 3

Judicial branch:

Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (jurisdiction extends to Anguilla,

Antigua and Barbuda, the British Virgin Islands, Dominica, Grenada,

Montserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent

and the Grenadines)

Political parties and leaders:

National Alliance or NA [George ODLUM]; Saint Lucia Freedom Party

or SFP [Martinus FRANCOIS]; Saint Lucia Labor Party or SLP [Kenneth

ANTHONY]; Sou Tout Apwe Fete Fini or STAFF [Christopher HUNTE];

United Workers Party or UWP [Dr. Morella JOSEPH]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

NA

International organization participation:

ACCT, ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt

(signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO,

Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OECS, OPANAL, OPCW, UN,

UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Sonia Merlyn JOHNNY chancery: 3216 New Mexico Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016 telephone: [1] (202) 364-6792 through 6795 FAX: [1] (202) 364-6723 consulate(s) general: Miami and New York

Diplomatic representation from the US:

the US does not have an embassy in Saint Lucia; the US Ambassador

to Barbados is accredited to Saint Lucia

Flag description:

blue, with a gold isosceles triangle below a black arrowhead; the

upper edges of the arrowhead have a white border

Economy Saint Lucia

Economy - overview:

Changes in the EU import preference regime and the increased

competition from Latin American bananas have made economic

diversification increasingly important in Saint Lucia. The island

nation has been able to attract foreign business and investment,

especially in its offshore banking and tourism industries. The

manufacturing sector is the most diverse in the Eastern Caribbean

area, and the government is trying to revitalize the banana

industry. Economic fundamentals remain solid, even though

unemployment needs to be cut.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$866 million (2002 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

3.3% (2002 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $5,400 (2002 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 7% industry: 20% services: 73% (2002 est.)

Labor force: 43,800 (2001 est.)

Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 21.7%, industry, commerce, and manufacturing 24.7%, services 53.6% (2002 est.)

Unemployment rate:

20% (2003 est.)

Population below poverty line:

NA

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

3% (2001 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $141.2 million

expenditures: $146.7 million, including capital expenditures of

$25.1 million (2000 est.)

Agriculture - products:

bananas, coconuts, vegetables, citrus, root crops, cocoa

Industries:

clothing, assembly of electronic components, beverages, corrugated

cardboard boxes, tourism, lime processing, coconut processing

Industrial production growth rate:

-8.9% (1997 est.)

Electricity - production:

270.3 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

251.3 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

2,400 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Exports:

$66 million (2002 est.)

Exports - commodities:

bananas 41%, clothing, cocoa, vegetables, fruits, coconut oil

Exports - partners:

UK 41.4%, US 16.5%, Brazil 11.6%, Barbados 5.8%, Antigua and

Barbuda 4.6%, Dominica 4.5% (2004)

Imports:

$267 million (2002 est.)

Imports - commodities:

food 23%, manufactured goods 21%, machinery and transportation

equipment 19%, chemicals, fuels

Imports - partners:

US 27.8%, Trinidad and Tobago 20.4%, UK 8%, Venezuela 7.6%, Finland

7% (2004)

Debt - external:

$214 million (2000)

Economic aid - recipient:

$51.8 million (1995)

Currency (code):

East Caribbean dollar (XCD)

Currency code:

XCD

Exchange rates:

East Caribbean dollars per US dollar - 2.7 (2004), 2.7 (2003), 2.7

(2002), 2.7 (2001), 2.7 (2000)

Fiscal year:

1 April - 31 March

Communications Saint Lucia

Telephones - main lines in use:

51,100 (2002)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

14,300 (2002)

Telephone system:

general assessment: adequate system

domestic: system is automatically switched

international: country code - 1-758; direct microwave radio relay

link with Martinique and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines;

tropospheric scatter to Barbados; international calls beyond these

countries are carried by Intelsat from Martinique

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 2, FM 7, shortwave 0 (2004)

Radios:

111,000 (1997)

Television broadcast stations: 2 (of which one is a commercial broadcast station and one is a community antenna television or CATV channel) (2004)

Televisions:

32,000 (1997)

Internet country code:

.lc

Internet hosts:

41 (2003)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

15 (2000)

Internet users:

13,000 (2002)

Transportation Saint Lucia

Highways: total: 1,210 km paved: 63 km unpaved: 1,147 km (1999 est.)

Ports and harbors:

Castries, Cul-de-Sac, Vieux-Fort

Airports:

2 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 2

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Military Saint Lucia

Military branches:

Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (includes Special Service Unit,

Coast Guard)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

NA

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

NA

Transnational Issues Saint Lucia

Disputes - international:

joins other Caribbean states to counter Venezuela's claim that Aves

Island sustains human habitation, a criterion under UNCLOS, which

permits Venezuela to extend its EEZ/continental shelf over a large

portion of the Caribbean Sea

Illicit drugs:

transit point for South American drugs destined for the US and

Europe

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Saint Pierre and Miquelon

Introduction Saint Pierre and Miquelon

Background:

First settled by the French in the early 17th century, the islands

represent the sole remaining vestige of France's once vast North

American possessions.

Geography Saint Pierre and Miquelon

Location:

Northern North America, islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, south

of Newfoundland (Canada)

Geographic coordinates:

46 50 N, 56 20 W

Map references:

North America

Area:

total: 242 sq km

land: 242 sq km

water: 0 sq km

note: includes eight small islands in the Saint Pierre and the

Miquelon groups

Area - comparative:

1.5 times the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries:

0 km

Coastline:

120 km

Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Climate:

cold and wet, with much mist and fog; spring and autumn are windy

Terrain:

mostly barren rock

Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Morne de la Grande Montagne 240 m

Natural resources: fish, deepwater ports

Land use: arable land: 13.04% permanent crops: 0% other: 86.96% (2001)

Irrigated land:

NA sq km

Natural hazards:

persistent fog throughout the year can be a maritime hazard

Environment - current issues: recent test drilling for oil in waters around Saint Pierre and Miquelon may bring future development that would impact the environment

Geography - note: vegetation scanty

People Saint Pierre and Miquelon

Population:

7,012 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 24% (male 861/female 825)

15-64 years: 65.3% (male 2,330/female 2,251)

65 years and over: 10.6% (male 335/female 410) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 33.7 years

male: 33.39 years

female: 33.96 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

0.21% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

13.83 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

6.7 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

-4.99 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.82 male(s)/female

total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 7.54 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 8.66 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 6.38 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 78.46 years

male: 76.13 years

female: 80.9 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

2.03 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

NA%

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

NA

Nationality:

noun: Frenchman(men), Frenchwoman(women)

adjective: French

Ethnic groups:

Basques and Bretons (French fishermen)

Religions:

Roman Catholic 99%

Languages:

French (official)

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 99%

male: 99%

female: 99% (1982 est.)

Government Saint Pierre and Miquelon

Country name:

conventional long form: Territorial Collectivity of Saint Pierre

and Miquelon

conventional short form: Saint Pierre and Miquelon

local long form: Departement de Saint-Pierre et Miquelon

local short form: Saint-Pierre et Miquelon

Dependency status:

self-governing territorial collectivity of France

Government type:

NA

Capital:

Saint-Pierre

Administrative divisions:

none (territorial collectivity of France); note - there are no

first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US

Government, but there are two communes - Saint Pierre, Miquelon at

the second order

Independence:

none (territorial collectivity of France; has been under French

control since 1763)

National holiday:

Bastille Day, 14 July (1789)

Constitution:

4 October 1958 (French Constitution)

Legal system:

French law with special adaptations for local conditions, such as

housing and taxation

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Jacques CHIRAC of France (since 17 May

1995), represented by Prefect Albert DUPUY (since 10 January 2005)

head of government: President of the General Council Marc

PLANTAGENEST (since NA)

cabinet: NA

elections: French president elected by popular vote for a five-year

term; election last held, first round - 21 April 2002, second round

- 5 May 2002 (next to be held NA 2007); prefect appointed by the

French president on the advice of the French Ministry of Interior;

president of the General Council is elected by the members of the

council

Legislative branch:

unicameral General Council or Conseil General (19 seats - 15 from

Saint Pierre and 4 from Miquelon; members are elected by popular

vote to serve six-year terms)

elections: elections last held 19 and 26 March 2000 (next to be held

NA April 2006)

election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -

PS 12, PRG 2, UDF-RPR 5

note: Saint Pierre and Miquelon elect 1 seat to the French Senate;

elections last held NA September 1995 (next to be held NA September

2004); results - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -

RPR 1; Saint Pierre and Miquelon also elects 1 seat to the French

National Assembly; elections last held, first round - 9 June 2002,

second round - 16 June 2002 (next to be held NA 2007); results -

percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - UDF 1

Judicial branch:

Superior Tribunal of Appeals or Tribunal Superieur d'Appel

Political parties and leaders:

Left Radical Party or PRG [leader NA]; Rassemblement pour la

Republique or RPR (now UMP) [leader NA]; Socialist Party or PS

[leader NA]; Union pour la Democratie Francaise or UDF [leader NA]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

NA

International organization participation:

UPU, WFTU

Diplomatic representation in the US:

none (territorial collectivity of France)

Diplomatic representation from the US:

none (territorial collectivity of France)

Flag description:

a yellow sailing ship facing the hoist side rides on a dark blue

background with yellow wavy lines under the ship; on the hoist side,

a vertical band is divided into three parts: the top part (called

ikkurina) is red with a green diagonal cross extending to the

corners overlaid by a white cross dividing the rectangle into four

sections; the middle part has a white background with an ermine

pattern; the third part has a red background with two stylized

yellow lions outlined in black, one above the other; these three

heraldic arms represent settlement by colonists from the Basque

Country (top), Brittany, and Normandy; the flag of France is used

for official occasions

Economy Saint Pierre and Miquelon

Economy - overview:

The inhabitants have traditionally earned their livelihood by

fishing and by servicing fishing fleets operating off the coast of

Newfoundland. The economy has been declining, however, because of

disputes with Canada over fishing quotas and a steady decline in the

number of ships stopping at Saint Pierre. In 1992, an arbitration

panel awarded the islands an exclusive economic zone of 12,348 sq km

to settle a longstanding territorial dispute with Canada, although

it represents only 25% of what France had sought. The islands are

heavily subsidized by France to the great betterment of living

standards. The government hopes an expansion of tourism will boost

economic prospects. Recent test drilling for oil may pave the way

for development of the energy sector.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$48.3 million - supplemented by annual payments from France of

about $60 million (2003 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

NA%

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $7,000 (2001 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA%

Labor force: 3,261 (1999)

Labor force - by occupation: fishing 18%, industry (mainly fish-processing) 41%, services 41% (1996 est.)

Unemployment rate:

9.8% (1997)

Population below poverty line:

NA%

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA%

highest 10%: NA%

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

2.1% (1991-96 average)

Budget:

revenues: $70 million

expenditures: $60 million, including capital expenditures of $24

million (1996 est.)

Agriculture - products:

vegetables; poultry, cattle, sheep, pigs; fish

Industries:

fish processing and supply base for fishing fleets; tourism

Industrial production growth rate:

NA%

Electricity - production:

43.08 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

40.06 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

600 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Exports:

$10 million f.o.b. (2002)

Exports - commodities:

fish and fish products, soybeans, animal feed, mollusks and

crustaceans, fox and mink pelts

Exports - partners:

Belgium 41.3%, US 19.9%, Spain 14.9%, France 10%, Germany 4.1%

(2004)

Imports:

$106 million f.o.b. (2002)

Imports - commodities:

meat, clothing, fuel, electrical equipment, machinery, building

materials

Imports - partners:

France 37.6%, Canada 25.3%, Ireland 25.2%, Italy 5.1% (2004)

Debt - external:

$NA

Economic aid - recipient:

approximately $60 million in annual grants from France

Currency (code):

euro (EUR)

Currency code:

EUR

Exchange rates:

euros per US dollar - 0.8054 (2004), 0.886 (2003), 1.0626 (2002),

1.1175 (2001), 1.0854 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Saint Pierre and Miquelon

Telephones - main lines in use:

4,800 (2002)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

0 (1994)

Telephone system:

general assessment: adequate

domestic: NA

international: country code - 508; radiotelephone communication with

most countries in the world; 1 earth station in French domestic

satellite system

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 1, FM 4, shortwave 0 (1998)

Radios:

4,000 (1997)

Television broadcast stations: 0 (there are, however, two repeaters which rebroadcast programs from France, Canada, and the US) (1997)

Televisions:

4,000 (1997)

Internet country code:

.pm

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

1 (2000)

Internet users:

NA

Transportation Saint Pierre and Miquelon

Highways: total: 114 km paved: 69 km unpaved: 45 km

Ports and harbors:

Saint-Pierre

Airports:

2 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 2

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Military Saint Pierre and Miquelon

Military - note: defense is the responsibility of France

Transnational Issues Saint Pierre and Miquelon

Disputes - international: none

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Introduction Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Background:

Disputed between France and the United Kingdom in the 18th century,

Saint Vincent was ceded to the latter in 1783. Autonomy was granted

in 1969 and independence in 1979.

Geography Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Location:

Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and North Atlantic

Ocean, north of Trinidad and Tobago

Geographic coordinates:

13 15 N, 61 12 W

Map references:

Central America and the Caribbean

Area:

total: 389 sq km (Saint Vincent 344 sq km)

land: 389 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative:

twice the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries:

0 km

Coastline:

84 km

Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm

Climate:

tropical; little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season (May

to November)

Terrain:

volcanic, mountainous

Elevation extremes: lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Soufriere 1,234 m

Natural resources:

hydropower, cropland

Land use:

arable land: 17.95%

permanent crops: 17.95%

other: 64.1% (2001)

Irrigated land:

10 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

hurricanes; Soufriere volcano on the island of Saint Vincent is a

constant threat

Environment - current issues: pollution of coastal waters and shorelines from discharges by pleasure yachts and other effluents; in some areas, pollution is severe enough to make swimming prohibitive

Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

the administration of the islands of the Grenadines group is

divided between Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Grenada; Saint

Vincent and the Grenadines is comprised of 32 islands and cays

People Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Population:

117,534 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 27.1% (male 16,208/female 15,621)

15-64 years: 66.5% (male 40,287/female 37,883)

65 years and over: 6.4% (male 3,280/female 4,255) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 26.36 years

male: 26.21 years

female: 26.53 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

0.27% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

16.34 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

6 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

-7.61 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.06 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female

total population: 1.04 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 14.78 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 16.09 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 13.44 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 73.62 years

male: 71.78 years

female: 75.51 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

1.85 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

NA

Nationality:

noun: Saint Vincentian(s) or Vincentian(s)

adjective: Saint Vincentian or Vincentian

Ethnic groups:

black 66%, mixed 19%, East Indian 6%, Carib Amerindian 2%, other 7%

Religions:

Anglican 47%, Methodist 28%, Roman Catholic 13%, Hindu, Seventh-Day

Adventist, other Protestant

Languages:

English, French patois

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school

total population: 96%

male: 96%

female: 96% (1970 est.)

Government Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Country name:

conventional long form: none

conventional short form: Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Government type:

parliamentary democracy; independent sovereign state within the

Commonwealth

Capital:

Kingstown

Administrative divisions:

6 parishes; Charlotte, Grenadines, Saint Andrew, Saint David, Saint

George, Saint Patrick

Independence:

27 October 1979 (from UK)

National holiday:

Independence Day, 27 October (1979)

Constitution:

27 October 1979

Legal system:

based on English common law

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952),

represented by Governor General Sir Fredrick Nathaniel BALLANTYNE

(since 2 September 2002)

head of government: Prime Minister Ralph E. GONSALVES (since 29

March 2001)

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of

the prime minister

elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; the governor general is

appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the

leader of the majority party is usually appointed prime minister by

the governor general; deputy prime minister appointed by the

governor general on the advice of the prime minister

Legislative branch:

unicameral House of Assembly (21 seats, 15 elected representatives

and 6 appointed senators; representatives are elected by popular

vote from single-member constituencies to serve five-year terms)

elections: last held 28 March 2001 (next to be held by July 2006)

election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -

ULP 12, NDP 3

Judicial branch:

Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (based on Saint Lucia; one judge of

the Supreme Court resides in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines)

Political parties and leaders:

National Reform Party or NRP [Joel MIGUEL]; New Democratic Party or

NDP [Arnhim EUSTACE]; People's Progressive Movement or PPM [Ken

BOYEA]; Progressive Labor Party or PLP [leader NA]; United People's

Movement or UPM [Adrian SAUNDERS]; Unity Labor Party or ULP [Ralph

GONSALVES] (formed by the coalition of Saint Vincent Labor Party or

SVLP and the Movement for National Unity or MNU)

Political pressure groups and leaders:

NA

International organization participation:

ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM,

IDA, IFAD, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ITU, MIGA, OAS,

OECS, OPANAL, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO,

WIPO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Ellsworth I. A. JOHN chancery: 3216 New Mexico Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016 telephone: [1] (202) 364-6730 FAX: [1] (202) 364-6736 consulate(s) general: New York

Diplomatic representation from the US:

the US does not have an embassy in Saint Vincent and the

Grenadines; the US Ambassador to Barbados is accredited to Saint

Vincent and the Grenadines

Flag description:

three vertical bands of blue (hoist side), gold (double width), and

green; the gold band bears three green diamonds arranged in a V

pattern

Economy Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Economy - overview:

Economic growth in this lower-middle-income country hinges upon

seasonal variations in the agricultural and tourism sectors.

Tropical storms wiped out substantial portions of crops in 1994,

1995, and 2002, and tourism in the Eastern Caribbean has suffered

low arrivals following 11 September 2001. Saint Vincent is home to a

small offshore banking sector and has moved to adopt international

regulatory standards. Saint Vincent is also a large producer of

marijuana and is being used as a transshipment point for illegal

narcotics from South America.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$342 million (2002 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

0.7% (2002 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $2,900 (2002 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 10% industry: 26% services: 64% (2001 est.)

Labor force:

67,000 (1984 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 26%, industry 17%, services 57% (1980 est.)

Unemployment rate:

15% (2001 est.)

Population below poverty line:

NA

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

-0.4% (2001 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $94.6 million

expenditures: $85.8 million, including capital expenditures of NA

(2000 est.)

Agriculture - products: bananas, coconuts, sweet potatoes, spices, small numbers of cattle, sheep, pigs, goats, fish

Industries:

food processing, cement, furniture, clothing, starch

Industrial production growth rate:

-0.9% (1997 est.)

Electricity - production:

91.2 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 69.3% hydro: 30.7% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

84.82 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

1,250 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Exports:

$38 million (2002 est.)

Exports - commodities:

bananas 39%, eddoes and dasheen (taro), arrowroot starch; tennis

racquets

Exports - partners:

UK 33.5%, Barbados 13.1%, Saint Lucia 11.5%, Trinidad and Tobago

9.9%, Antigua and Barbuda 8.3%, US 5.3%, Grenada 5.3%, Dominica 4.1%

(2004)

Imports:

$174 million (2002 est.)

Imports - commodities:

foodstuffs, machinery and equipment, chemicals and fertilizers,

minerals and fuels

Imports - partners:

US 37.5%, Trinidad and Tobago 21.3%, UK 10.5% (2004)

Debt - external:

$167.2 million (2000)

Economic aid - recipient:

$47.5 million (1995); note - EU $34.5 million (1998)

Currency (code):

East Caribbean dollar (XCD)

Currency code:

XCD

Exchange rates:

East Caribbean dollars per US dollar - 2.7 (2004), 2.7 (2003), 2.7

(2002), 2.7 (2001), 2.7 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Telephones - main lines in use:

27,300 (2002)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

10,000 (2002)

Telephone system:

general assessment: adequate system

domestic: islandwide, fully automatic telephone system; VHF/UHF

radiotelephone from Saint Vincent to the other islands of the

Grenadines

international: country code - 1-784; VHF/UHF radiotelephone from

Saint Vincent to Barbados; new SHF radiotelephone to Grenada and to

Saint Lucia; access to Intelsat earth station in Martinique through

Saint Lucia

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 1, FM 6, shortwave 0 (2004)

Radios:

77,000 (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

1 (plus three repeaters) (2004)

Televisions:

18,000 (1997)

Internet country code:

.vc

Internet hosts:

4 (2003)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

15 (2000)

Internet users:

7,000 (2002)

Transportation Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Highways: total: 829 km paved: 580 km unpaved: 249 km (2002)

Ports and harbors:

Kingstown

Merchant marine:

total: 657 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 5,967,418 GRT/9,041,023 DWT

by type: bulk carrier 112, cargo 366, chemical tanker 18,

combination ore/oil 1, container 24, liquefied gas 4, livestock

carrier 6, passenger 5, passenger/cargo 19, petroleum tanker 29,

refrigerated cargo 48, roll on/roll off 22, specialized tanker 2,

vehicle carrier 1

foreign-owned: 554 (Australia 2, Bangladesh 5, Barbados 1, Belgium

1, British 5, Bulgaria 17, China 115, Congo 1, Croatia 7, Cuba 1,

Czech Republic 1, Denmark 12, Egypt 2, Estonia 19, France 12,

Germany 8, Greece 99, Guyana 3, Hong Kong 10, Iceland 11, India 6,

Iran 1, Ireland 1, Israel 3, Italy 18, Kenya 4, Latvia 9, Lebanon 6,

Lithuania 3, Monaco 4, Netherlands 7, Nigeria 3, Norway 19, Pakistan

4, Poland 1, Puerto Rico 1, Romania 1, Russia 20, Saudi Arabia 3,

Serbia & Montenegro 1, Singapore 2, Slovenia 6, South Korea 3, Spain

2, Sweden 1, Switzerland 7, Syria 6, Trinidad & Tobago 1, Tunisia 2,

Turkey 16, Ukraine 6, UAE 21, United Kingdom 10, United States 24)

(2005)

Airports:

6 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 5

914 to 1,523 m: 4

under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 1

under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Military Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Military branches:

no regular military forces; Royal Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Police Force (includes Special Service Unit), Coast Guard

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

NA

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

NA

Transnational Issues Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Disputes - international:

joins other Caribbean states to counter Venezuela's claim that Aves

Island sustains human habitation, a criterion under UNCLOS, which

permits Venezuela to extend its EEZ/continental shelf over a large

portion of the Caribbean Sea

Illicit drugs:

transshipment point for South American drugs destined for the US

and Europe; small-scale cannabis cultivation

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Samoa

Introduction Samoa

Background:

New Zealand occupied the German protectorate of Western Samoa at

the outbreak of World War I in 1914. It continued to administer the

islands as a mandate and then as a trust territory until 1962, when

the islands became the first Polynesian nation to reestablish

independence in the 20th century. The country dropped the "Western"

from its name in 1997.

Geography Samoa

Location:

Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about

one-half of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand

Geographic coordinates:

13 35 S, 172 20 W

Map references:

Oceania

Area:

total: 2,944 sq km

land: 2,934 sq km

water: 10 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly smaller than Rhode Island

Land boundaries:

0 km

Coastline:

403 km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Climate:

tropical; rainy season (November to April), dry season (May to

October)

Terrain:

two main islands (Savaii, Upolu) and several smaller islands and

uninhabited islets; narrow coastal plain with volcanic, rocky,

rugged mountains in interior

Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Mauga Silisili (Savaii) 1,857 m

Natural resources: hardwood forests, fish, hydropower

Land use: arable land: 21.2% permanent crops: 24.38% other: 54.42% (2001)

Irrigated land:

NA

Natural hazards:

occasional typhoons; active volcanism

Environment - current issues:

soil erosion, deforestation, invasive species, overfishing

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto

Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone

Layer Protection

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

occupies an almost central position within Polynesia

People Samoa

Population:

177,287 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 27.2% (male 24,517/female 23,660)

15-64 years: 66.4% (male 73,495/female 44,208)

65 years and over: 6.4% (male 5,204/female 6,203) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 24.59 years

male: 27.42 years

female: 21.42 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

-0.23% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

15.95 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

6.54 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

-11.73 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.66 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.84 male(s)/female

total population: 1.39 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 27.71 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 32.68 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 22.48 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 70.72 years

male: 67.93 years

female: 73.65 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

3.01 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

12

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

3

Nationality:

noun: Samoan(s)

adjective: Samoan

Ethnic groups:

Samoan 92.6%, Euronesians 7% (persons of European and Polynesian

blood), Europeans 0.4%

Religions:

Congregationalist 34.8%, Roman Catholic 19.6%, Methodist 15%,

Latter-Day Saints 12.7%, Assembly of God 6.6%, Seventh-Day Adventist

3.5%, other Christian 4.5%, Worship Centre 1.3%, other 1.7%,

unspecified 0.1% (2001 census)

Languages:

Samoan (Polynesian), English

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 99.7%

male: 99.6%

female: 99.7% (2003 est.)

Government Samoa

Country name:

conventional long form: Independent State of Samoa

conventional short form: Samoa

former: Western Samoa

Government type:

mix of parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy

Capital:

Apia

Administrative divisions:

11 districts; A'ana, Aiga-i-le-Tai, Atua, Fa'asaleleaga,

Gaga'emauga, Gagaifomauga, Palauli, Satupa'itea, Tuamasaga,

Va'a-o-Fonoti, Vaisigano

Independence:

1 January 1962 (from New Zealand-administered UN trusteeship)

National holiday:

Independence Day Celebration, 1 June (1962); note - 1 January 1962

is the date of independence from the New Zealand-administered UN

trusteeship, 1 June 1962 is the date that independence is celebrated

Constitution:

1 January 1962

Legal system:

based on English common law and local customs; judicial review of

legislative acts with respect to fundamental rights of the citizen;

has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage:

21 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: Chief Tanumafili II MALIETOA (cochief of state from

1 January 1962 until becoming sole chief of state 5 April 1963)

head of government: Prime Minister Sailele Malielegaoi TUILA'EPA

(since 1996); note - TUILA'EPA served as deputy prime minister from

1992 and assumed the duties of acting prime minister in 1996, when

former Prime Minister TOFILAU Eti Alesana resigned in poor health;

TUILA'EPA was confirmed as prime minister (November 1998) after

TOFILAU died; Deputy Prime Minister MISA Telefoni (since 2001)

cabinet: Cabinet consists of 12 members, appointed by the chief of

state on the prime minister's advice

elections: upon the death of Chief Tanumafili II MALIETOA, a new

chief of state will be elected by the Legislative Assembly to serve

a five-year term; following legislative elections, the leader of the

majority party is usually appointed prime minister by the chief of

state with the approval of the Legislative Assembly

Legislative branch:

unicameral Legislative Assembly or Fono (49 seats - 47 elected by

voters affiliated with traditional village-based electoral

districts, 2 elected by independent, mostly non-Samoan or

part-Samoan, voters who cannot, (or choose not to) establish a

village affiliation; only chiefs (matai) may stand for election to

the Fono from the 47 village-based electorates; members serve

five-year terms)

elections: election last held 3 March 2001 (next election to be held

not later than March 2006)

election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -

HRPP 30, SNDP 13, independents 6

Judicial branch:

Court of Appeal; Supreme Court; District Court; Land and Titles

Court

Political parties and leaders:

Christian Democratic Party [leader NA]; Human Rights Protection

Party or HRPP [Sailele Malielegaoi TUILA'EPA, chairman]; Samoan

Democratic United Party or SDUP [LE MAMEA Ropati, chairman]

(opposition)

Political pressure groups and leaders:

NA

International organization participation:

ACP, AsDB, C, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD,

IFC, IFRCS, IMF, IMO, IOC, ITU, MIGA, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, UN,

UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Aliioaiga Feturi ELISAIA

chancery: 800 Second Avenue, Suite 400D, New York, NY 10017

telephone: [1] (212) 599-6196, 6197

FAX: [1] (212) 599-0797

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: US Ambassador to New Zealand is accredited to

Samoa

embassy: Accident Compensation Board (ACB) Building, 5th Floor, Apia

mailing address: P. O. Box 3430, Apia

telephone: [685] 21631/22696

FAX: [685] 22030

Flag description:

red with a blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side quadrant bearing

five white five-pointed stars representing the Southern Cross

constellation

Economy Samoa

Economy - overview:

The economy of Samoa has traditionally been dependent on

development aid, family remittances from overseas, agriculture, and

fishing. The country is vulnerable to devastating storms.

Agriculture employs two-thirds of the labor force, and furnishes 90%

of exports, featuring coconut cream, coconut oil, and copra. The

manufacturing sector mainly processes agricultural products. The

decline of fish stocks in the area is a continuing problem. Tourism

is an expanding sector, accounting for 25% of GDP; about 88,000

tourists visited the islands in 2001. One factory in the Foreign

Trade Zone employs 3,000 people to make automobile electrical

harnesses for an assembly plant in Australia. The Samoan Government

has called for deregulation of the financial sector, encouragement

of investment, and continued fiscal discipline, meantime protecting

the environment. Observers point to the flexibility of the labor

market as a basic strength for future economic advances. Foreign

reserves are in a relatively healthy state, the external debt is

stable, and inflation is low.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$1 billion (2002 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

5% (2002 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $5,600 (2002 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 14% industry: 23% services: 63% (2001 est.)

Labor force:

90,000 (2000 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

NA

Unemployment rate:

NA; note - substantial underemployment

Population below poverty line:

NA

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

4% (2001 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $105 million

expenditures: $119 million, including capital expenditures of NA

(2001-02)

Agriculture - products:

coconuts, bananas, taro, yams, coffee, cocoa

Industries:

food processing, building materials, auto parts

Industrial production growth rate:

2.8% (2000)

Electricity - production:

122 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 58% hydro: 42% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

113.5 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

1,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Exports:

$14 million f.o.b. (2002)

Exports - commodities:

fish, coconut oil and cream, copra, taro, automotive parts,

garments, beer

Exports - partners:

Australia 67.2%, US 5.7%, Indonesia 5.3% (2004)

Imports:

$113 million f.o.b. (2002)

Imports - commodities:

machinery and equipment, industrial supplies, foodstuffs

Imports - partners:

New Zealand 25.1%, Fiji 21.5%, Taiwan 9.1%, Australia 8.9%,

Singapore 8.5%, Japan 7.5%, US 4.7% (2004)

Debt - external:

$197 million (2000)

Economic aid - recipient:

$42.9 million (1995)

Currency (code):

tala (SAT)

Currency code:

SAT (former WST code is still in wide use)

Exchange rates:

tala per US dollar - 2.7807 (2004), 2.9732 (2003), 3.3763 (2002),

3.478 (2001), 3.2864 (2000)

Fiscal year:

June 1 - May 31

Communications Samoa

Telephones - main lines in use:

11,800 (2002)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

2,700 (2002)

Telephone system:

general assessment: adequate

domestic: NA

international: country code - 685; satellite earth station - 1

Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 2, FM 5, shortwave 0 (2004)

Radios:

174,849 (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

2 (2002)

Televisions:

8,634 (1999)

Internet country code:

.ws

Internet hosts:

8,225 (2003)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

2 (2000)

Internet users:

4,000 (2002)

Transportation Samoa

Highways: total: 790 km paved: 332 km unpaved: 458 km (1999 est.)

Ports and harbors:

Apia

Merchant marine: total: 1 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 7,091 GRT/8,127 DWT by type: cargo 1 foreign-owned: 1 (Germany 1) (2005)

Airports:

4 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 3

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1

under 914 m: 2 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 1

under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Military Samoa

Military branches:

no regular armed services; Samoa Police Force

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

NA

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

NA

Military - note:

Samoa has no formal defense structure or regular armed forces;

informal defense ties exist with NZ, which is required to consider

any Samoan request for assistance under the 1962 Treaty of Friendship

Transnational Issues Samoa

Disputes - international: none

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@San Marino

Introduction San Marino

Background:

The third smallest state in Europe (after the Holy See and Monaco)

also claims to be the world's oldest republic. According to

tradition, it was founded by a Christian stonemason named Marino in

301 A.D. San Marino's foreign policy is aligned with that of Italy.

Social and political trends in the republic also track closely with

those of its larger neighbor.

Geography San Marino

Location:

Southern Europe, an enclave in central Italy

Geographic coordinates:

43 46 N, 12 25 E

Map references:

Europe

Area:

total: 61.2 sq km

land: 61.2 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative:

about 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries: total: 39 km border countries: Italy 39 km

Coastline:

0 km (landlocked)

Maritime claims:

none (landlocked)

Climate:

Mediterranean; mild to cool winters; warm, sunny summers

Terrain:

rugged mountains

Elevation extremes: lowest point: Torrente Ausa 55 m highest point: Monte Titano 755 m

Natural resources: building stone

Land use: arable land: 16.67% permanent crops: 0% other: 83.33% (2001)

Irrigated land:

NA sq km

Natural hazards:

NA

Environment - current issues:

NA

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification

signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution

Geography - note:

landlocked; smallest independent state in Europe after the Holy See

and Monaco; dominated by the Apennines

People San Marino

Population:

28,880 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 16.7% (male 2,482/female 2,328)

15-64 years: 66.5% (male 9,255/female 9,943)

65 years and over: 16.9% (male 2,106/female 2,766) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 40.29 years

male: 39.91 years

female: 40.65 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

1.3% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

10.18 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

8.07 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

10.84 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.09 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.07 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.93 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/female

total population: 0.92 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 5.73 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 6.16 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 5.26 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 81.62 years

male: 78.13 years

female: 85.43 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

1.33 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

NA%

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

NA

Nationality:

noun: Sammarinese (singular and plural)

adjective: Sammarinese

Ethnic groups:

Sammarinese, Italian

Religions:

Roman Catholic

Languages:

Italian

Literacy:

definition: age 10 and over can read and write

total population: 96%

male: 97%

female: 95% (1976 est.)

Government San Marino

Country name:

conventional long form: Republic of San Marino

conventional short form: San Marino

local long form: Repubblica di San Marino

local short form: San Marino

Government type:

independent republic

Capital:

San Marino

Administrative divisions:

9 municipalities (castelli, singular - castello); Acquaviva, Borgo

Maggiore, Chiesanuova, Domagnano, Faetano, Fiorentino,

Montegiardino, San Marino Citta, Serravalle

Independence:

3 September 301

National holiday:

Founding of the Republic, 3 September (301)

Constitution:

8 October 1600; electoral law of 1926 serves some of the functions

of a constitution

Legal system:

based on civil law system with Italian law influences; has not

accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: cochiefs of state Captain Regent Claudio MUCCIOLI

and Captain Regent Antonello BACCIOCHI (for the period 1 October

2005 - 31 March 2006)

head of government: Secretary of State for Foreign and Political

Affairs Fabio BERARDI (15 December 2003)

cabinet: Congress of State elected by the Great and General Council

for a five-year term

elections: cochiefs of state (captains regent) elected by the Great

and General Council for a six-month term; election last held NA

September 2005 (next to be held March 2006); secretary of state for

foreign and political affairs elected by the Great and General

Council for a five-year term; election last held 13 December 2003

(next to be held June 2006 when general elections are scheduled)

election results: Claudio MUCCIOLI and Antonello BACCIOCHI elected

captains regent; percent of legislative vote - NA%; Fabio BERARDI

elected secretary of state for foreign and political affairs;

percent of legislative vote - NA%

note: the popularly elected parliament (Grand and General Council)

selects two of its members to serve as the Captains Regent (cochiefs

of state) for a six-month period; they preside over meetings of the

Grand and General Council and its cabinet (Congress of State), which

has 10 other members, all selected by the Grand and General Council;

assisting the captains regent are 10 secretaries of state; the

secretary of state for Foreign Affairs has assumed some of the

prerogatives of a prime minister

Legislative branch:

unicameral Grand and General Council or Consiglio Grande e Generale

(60 seats; members are elected by direct, popular vote to serve

five-year terms)

elections: last held 10 June 2001 (next to be held by June 2006)

election results: percent of vote by party - PDCS 41.4%, PSS 24.2%,

PD 20.8%, APDS 8.2%, RC 3.4%, AN 1.9%; seats by party - PDCS 25, PSS

15, PD 12, APDS 5, RC 2, AN 1

Judicial branch:

Council of Twelve or Consiglio dei XII

Political parties and leaders:

Communist Refoundation or RC [Ivan FOSHI]; Ideas in Movement or IM

[Alessandro ROSSI]; National Alliance or AN [leader NA]; Party of

Democrats or PD [Claudio FELICI]; San Marino Christian Democratic

Party or PDCS [Giovanni LONFERNINI]; San Marino Popular Alliance of

Democrats or APDS [Roberto GIORGETTI]; San Marino Socialist Party or

PSS [Alberto CECCHETTI]; Socialists for Reform or SR [Renzo GIARDI]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

NA

International organization participation:

CE, FAO, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IOC,

IOM (observer), ITU, OPCW, OSCE, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WIPO,

WToO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

San Marino does not have an embassy in the US

honorary consulate(s) general: Washington, DC and New York

honorary consulate(s): Detroit and Honolulu

Diplomatic representation from the US:

the US does not have an embassy in San Marino; the US Consul

General in Florence (Italy) is accredited to San Marino

Flag description:

two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and light blue with the

national coat of arms superimposed in the center; the coat of arms

has a shield (featuring three towers on three peaks) flanked by a

wreath, below a crown and above a scroll bearing the word LIBERTAS

(Liberty)

Economy San Marino

Economy - overview:

The tourist sector contributes over 50% of GDP. In 2000 more than 3

million tourists visited San Marino. The key industries are banking,

wearing apparel, electronics, and ceramics. Main agricultural

products are wine and cheeses. The per capita level of output and

standard of living are comparable to those of the most prosperous

regions of Italy, which supplies much of its food.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$940 million (2001 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

7.5% (2001 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $34,600 (2001 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA%

Labor force:

18,500 (1999)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 1%, industry 42%, services 57% (2000 est.)

Unemployment rate:

2.6% (2001)

Population below poverty line:

NA%

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA%

highest 10%: NA%

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

3.3% (2001)

Budget:

revenues: $400 million

expenditures: $400 million, including capital expenditures of NA

(2000 est.)

Agriculture - products: wheat, grapes, corn, olives; cattle, pigs, horses, beef, cheese, hides

Industries:

tourism, banking, textiles, electronics, ceramics, cement, wine

Industrial production growth rate:

6% (1997 est.)

Exports:

trade data are included with the statistics for Italy

Exports - commodities: building stone, lime, wood, chestnuts, wheat, wine, baked goods, hides, ceramics

Imports:

trade data are included with the statistics for Italy

Imports - commodities:

wide variety of consumer manufactures, food

Debt - external:

$NA

Economic aid - recipient:

$NA

Currency (code):

euro (EUR)

Currency code:

EUR

Exchange rates:

euros per US dollar - 0.8054 (2004), 0.886 (2003), 1.0626 (2002),

1.1175 (2001), 1.0854 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications San Marino

Telephones - main lines in use:

20,600 (2002)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

16,800 (2002)

Telephone system:

general assessment: adequate connections

domestic: automatic telephone system completely integrated into

Italian system

international: country code - 378; connected to Italian

international network

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 0, FM 3, shortwave 0 (1998)

Radios:

16,000 (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

1 (San Marino residents also receive broadcasts from Italy) (1997)

Televisions:

9,000 (1997)

Internet country code:

.sm

Internet hosts:

1,763 (2004)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

2 (2000)

Internet users:

14,300 (2002)

Transportation San Marino

Highways: total: 220 km paved: 220 km unpaved: 0 km (2001)

Airports: none (2004 est.)

Military San Marino

Military branches:

Voluntary Military Force (Corpi Militari Voluntar); note - performs

ceremonial duties and limited police assistance

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$700,000 (FY00/01)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

NA

Military - note:

defense is the responsibility of Italy

Transnational Issues San Marino

Disputes - international: none

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Sao Tome and Principe

Introduction Sao Tome and Principe

Background:

Discovered and claimed by Portugal in the late 15th century, the

islands' sugar-based economy gave way to coffee and cocoa in the

19th century - all grown with plantation slave labor, a form of

which lingered into the 20th century. Although independence was

achieved in 1975, democratic reforms were not instituted until the

late 1980s. Though the first free elections were held in 1991, the

political environment has been one of continued instability with

frequent changes in leadership and coup attempts in 1995 and 2003.

The recent discovery of oil in the Gulf of Guinea is likely to have

a significant impact on the country's economy.

Geography Sao Tome and Principe

Location:

Western Africa, islands in the Gulf of Guinea, straddling the

Equator, west of Gabon

Geographic coordinates:

1 00 N, 7 00 E

Map references:

Africa

Area:

total: 1,001 sq km

land: 1,001 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative:

more than five times the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries:

0 km

Coastline:

209 km

Maritime claims: measured from claimed archipelagic baselines territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Climate:

tropical; hot, humid; one rainy season (October to May)

Terrain:

volcanic, mountainous

Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Pico de Sao Tome 2,024 m

Natural resources: fish, hydropower

Land use: arable land: 6.25% permanent crops: 48.96% other: 44.79% (2001)

Irrigated land:

100 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

NA

Environment - current issues:

deforestation; soil erosion and exhaustion

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered

Species, Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer

Protection, Ship Pollution

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

the smallest country in Africa; the two main islands form part of a

chain of extinct volcanoes and both are fairly mountainous

People Sao Tome and Principe

Population:

187,410 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 47.6% (male 45,145/female 44,007)

15-64 years: 48.6% (male 43,996/female 47,011)

65 years and over: 3.9% (male 3,333/female 3,918) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 16.12 years

male: 15.53 years

female: 16.71 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

3.16% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

40.8 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

6.68 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

-2.51 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.85 male(s)/female

total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 43.11 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 45.06 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 41.11 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 66.99 years

male: 65.43 years

female: 68.59 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

5.71 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

NA

Major infectious diseases:

degree of risk: high

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and

typhoid fever

vectorborne disease: malaria (2004)

Nationality:

noun: Sao Tomean(s)

adjective: Sao Tomean

Ethnic groups:

mestico, angolares (descendants of Angolan slaves), forros

(descendants of freed slaves), servicais (contract laborers from

Angola, Mozambique, and Cape Verde), tongas (children of servicais

born on the islands), Europeans (primarily Portuguese)

Religions:

Catholic 70.3%, Evangelical 3.4%, New Apostolic 2%, Adventist 1.8%,

other 3.1%, none 19.4% (2001 census)

Languages:

Portuguese (official)

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 79.3%

male: 85%

female: 62% (1991 est.)

Government Sao Tome and Principe

Country name:

conventional long form: Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe

conventional short form: Sao Tome and Principe

local long form: Republica Democratica de Sao Tome e Principe

local short form: Sao Tome e Principe

Government type:

republic

Capital:

Sao Tome

Administrative divisions: 2 provinces; Principe, Sao Tome note: Principe has had self-government since 29 April 1995

Independence:

12 July 1975 (from Portugal)

National holiday:

Independence Day, 12 July (1975)

Constitution:

approved March 1990, effective 10 September 1990

Legal system:

based on Portuguese legal system and customary law; has not

accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Fradique DE MENEZES (since 3 September

2001)

head of government: Prime Minister Maria do Carmo SILVEIRA (since 7

June 2005); Damiao Vaz DE ALMEIDA resigned 2 June 2005

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the

proposal of the prime minister

elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;

election last held 29 July 2001 (next to be held July 2006); prime

minister chosen by the National Assembly and approved by the

president

election results: Fradique DE MENEZES elected president in Sao

Tome's third multiparty presidential election; percent of vote - NA%

Legislative branch:

unicameral National Assembly or Assembleia Nacional (55 seats;

members are elected by direct, popular vote to serve four-year terms)

elections: last held 3 March 2002 (next to be held March 2006)

election results: percent of vote by party - MLSTP 39.6%, Force for

Change Democratic Movement 39.4%, Ue-Kedadji coalition 16.2%; seats

by party - MLSTP 24, Force for Change Democratic Movement 23,

Ue-Kedadji coalition 8

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the National Assembly)

Political parties and leaders:

Democratic Renovation Party [Armindo GRACA]; Force for Change

Democratic Movement [leader NA]; Independent Democratic Action or

ADI [Carlos NEVES]; Movement for the Liberation of Sao Tome and

Principe-Social Democratic Party or MLSTP-PSD [Manuel Pinto Da

COSTA]; Party for Democratic Convergence or PCD [Aldo BANDEIRA];

Ue-Kedadji coalition [leader NA]; other small parties

Political pressure groups and leaders:

NA

International organization participation:

ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory),

ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM

(observer), ITU, NAM, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL,

WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO (observer)

Diplomatic representation in the US:

Sao Tome and Principe does not have an embassy in the US, but does

have a Permanent Mission to the UN, headed by First Secretary

Domingos Augusto FERREIRA, located at 400 Park Avenue, 7th Floor,

New York, NY 10022, telephone [1] (212) 317-0580

Diplomatic representation from the US:

the US does not have an embassy in Sao Tome and Principe; the

Ambassador to Gabon is accredited to Sao Tome and Principe on a

nonresident basis and makes periodic visits to the islands

Flag description:

three horizontal bands of green (top), yellow (double width), and

green with two black five-pointed stars placed side by side in the

center of the yellow band and a red isosceles triangle based on the

hoist side; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia

Economy Sao Tome and Principe

Economy - overview:

This small poor island economy has become increasingly dependent on

cocoa since independence in 1975. Cocoa production has substantially

declined in recent years because of drought and mismanagement, but

strengthening prices helped boost export earnings in 2003. Sao Tome

has to import all fuels, most manufactured goods, consumer goods,

and a substantial amount of food. Over the years, it has had

difficulty servicing its external debt and has relied heavily on

concessional aid and debt rescheduling. Sao Tome benefited from $200

million in debt relief in December 2000 under the Highly Indebted

Poor Countries (HIPC) program, but lacking a formal poverty

reduction program with the IMF, it has not benefited from subsequent

HIPC debt reductions. Sao Tome's external debt stands at over $300

million. Considerable potential exists for development of a tourist

industry, and the government has taken steps to expand facilities in

recent years. The government also has attempted to reduce price

controls and subsidies. Sao Tome is optimistic about the development

of petroleum resources in its territorial waters in the oil-rich

Gulf of Guinea. The first production license was sold to a

consortium led by US-based oil firms. Much of the 2005 budget is

dependent upon the sale of additional production licenses.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$214 million (2003 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

6% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $1,200 (2003 est.)

GDP - composition by sector:

agriculture: 16.5%

industry: 15.4%

services: 68.1% (2004 est.)

Labor force:

NA

Labor force - by occupation:

population mainly engaged in subsistence agriculture and fishing

note: shortages of skilled workers

Unemployment rate:

NA

Population below poverty line:

54% (2004 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

14% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

31.5% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $27.94 million

expenditures: $43.91 million, including capital expenditures of $54

million (2004 est.)

Agriculture - products: cocoa, coconuts, palm kernels, copra, cinnamon, pepper, coffee, bananas, papayas, beans; poultry; fish

Industries:

light construction, textiles, soap, beer; fish processing; timber

Industrial production growth rate:

NA

Electricity - production:

17 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 41.2% hydro: 58.8% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

15.81 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

700 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Current account balance:

$-31.5 million (2004 est.)

Exports:

$6.7 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

cocoa 80%, copra, coffee, palm oil

Exports - partners:

Netherlands 35.9%, China 12.3%, Belgium 7.4%, Germany 6.3%, Poland

5.1%, France 4.8%, Thailand 4.1% (2004)

Imports:

$41 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

machinery and electrical equipment, food products, petroleum

products

Imports - partners:

Portugal 52.3%, Germany 9.5%, US 6%, Netherlands 4.8%, South Africa

4.3%, Belgium 4.1% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$29.78 million (2004 est.)

Debt - external:

$318 million (2002)

Economic aid - recipient:

$200 million in December 2000 under the HIPC program

Currency (code):

dobra (STD)

Currency code:

STD

Exchange rates:

dobras per US dollar - 9,900.4 (2004), 9,347.6 (2003), 9,088.3

(2002), 8,842.1 (2001), 7,978.2 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Sao Tome and Principe

Telephones - main lines in use:

7,000 (2003)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

4,800 (2003)

Telephone system:

general assessment: adequate facilities

domestic: minimal system

international: country code - 239; satellite earth station - 1

Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 1, FM 5, shortwave 1 (2002)

Radios:

38,000 (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

2 (2002)

Televisions:

23,000 (1997)

Internet country code:

.st

Internet hosts:

1,069 (2003)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

1 (2002)

Internet users:

15,000 (2003)

Transportation Sao Tome and Principe

Highways: total: 320 km paved: 218 km unpaved: 102 km (1999 est.)

Ports and harbors:

Sao Tome

Merchant marine:

total: 15 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 79,490 GRT/97,077 DWT

by type: bulk carrier 2, cargo 11, chemical tanker 2

foreign-owned: 2 (Egypt 1, Greece 1) (2005)

Airports:

2 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 2

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Military Sao Tome and Principe

Military branches:

Armed Forces of Sao Tome and Principe (FASTP): Army, Coast Guard,

Presidential Guard (2004)

Military service age and obligation:

18 years of age (est.) (2004)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 18-49: 33,438 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: 25,950 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$700,000 (2004)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

0.8% (2004)

Military - note:

Sao Tome and Principe's army is a tiny force with almost no

resouces at its disposal and would be wholly ineffective operating

unilaterally; infantry equipment is considered simple to operate and

maintain but may require refurbishment or replacement after 25 years

in tropical climates; poor pay and conditions have been a problem in

the past, as has alleged nepotism in the promotion of officers, as

reflected in the 1995 and 2003 coups; these issues are being

addressed with foreign assistance as intial steps towards the

improvement of the army and its focus on realistic security

concerns; command is excersized from the president, through the

Minister of Defense, to the Chief of the Armed Forces staff (2005)

Transnational Issues Sao Tome and Principe

Disputes - international: none

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Saudi Arabia

Introduction Saudi Arabia

Background:

In 1902, ABD AL-AZIZ bin Abd al-Rahman Al Saud captured Riyadh and

set out on a 30-year campaign to unify the Arabian Peninsula. A son

of ABD AL-AZIZ rules the country today, and the country's Basic Law

stipulates that the throne shall remain in the hands of the aging

sons and grandsons of the kingdom's founder. Following Iraq's

invasion of Kuwait in 1990, Saudi Arabia accepted the Kuwaiti royal

family and 400,000 refugees while allowing Western and Arab troops

to deploy on its soil for the liberation of Kuwait the following

year. The continuing presence of foreign troops on Saudi soil after

Operation Desert Storm remained a source of tension between the

royal family and the public until the US military's near-complete

withdrawal to neighboring Qatar in 2003. The first major terrorist

attacks in Saudi Arabia in several years, which occurred in May and

November 2003, prompted renewed efforts on the part of the Saudi

government to counter domestic terrorism and extremism, which also

coincided with a slight upsurge in media freedom and announcement of

government plans to phase in partial political representation. A

burgeoning population, aquifer depletion, and an economy largely

dependent on petroleum output and prices are all ongoing

governmental concerns.

Geography Saudi Arabia

Location:

Middle East, bordering the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea, north of

Yemen

Geographic coordinates:

25 00 N, 45 00 E

Map references:

Middle East

Area:

total: 1,960,582 sq km

land: 1,960,582 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly more than one-fifth the size of the US

Land boundaries:

total: 4,431 km

border countries: Iraq 814 km, Jordan 744 km, Kuwait 222 km, Oman

676 km, Qatar 60 km, UAE 457 km, Yemen 1,458 km

Coastline:

2,640 km

Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 18 nm continental shelf: not specified

Climate:

harsh, dry desert with great temperature extremes

Terrain:

mostly uninhabited, sandy desert

Elevation extremes: lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m highest point: Jabal Sawda' 3,133 m

Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, gold, copper

Land use: arable land: 1.67% permanent crops: 0.09% other: 98.24% (2001)

Irrigated land:

16,200 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

frequent sand and dust storms

Environment - current issues:

desertification; depletion of underground water resources; the lack

of perennial rivers or permanent water bodies has prompted the

development of extensive seawater desalination facilities; coastal

pollution from oil spills

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto

Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law

of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

extensive coastlines on Persian Gulf and Red Sea provide great

leverage on shipping (especially crude oil) through Persian Gulf and

Suez Canal

People Saudi Arabia

Population: 26,417,599 note: includes 5,576,076 non-nationals (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 38.2% (male 5,149,960/female 4,952,138)

15-64 years: 59.4% (male 8,992,348/female 6,698,633)

65 years and over: 2.4% (male 334,694/female 289,826) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 21.28 years

male: 22.84 years

female: 19.28 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

2.31% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

29.56 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

2.62 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

-3.85 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.34 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 1.16 male(s)/female

total population: 1.21 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 13.24 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 15.19 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 11.18 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 75.46 years

male: 73.46 years

female: 77.55 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

4.05 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

0.01% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

NA

Nationality:

noun: Saudi(s)

adjective: Saudi or Saudi Arabian

Ethnic groups:

Arab 90%, Afro-Asian 10%

Religions:

Muslim 100%

Languages:

Arabic

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 78.8%

male: 84.7%

female: 70.8% (2003 est.)

Government Saudi Arabia

Country name:

conventional long form: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

conventional short form: Saudi Arabia

local long form: Al Mamlakah al Arabiyah as Suudiyah

local short form: Al Arabiyah as Suudiyah

Government type:

monarchy

Capital:

Riyadh

Administrative divisions:

13 provinces (mintaqat, singular - mintaqah); Al Bahah, Al Hudud

ash Shamaliyah, Al Jawf, Al Madinah, Al Qasim, Ar Riyad, Ash

Sharqiyah (Eastern Province), 'Asir, Ha'il, Jizan, Makkah, Najran,

Tabuk

Independence:

23 September 1932 (unification of the kingdom)

National holiday:

Unification of the Kingdom, 23 September (1932)

Constitution:

governed according to Shari'a (Islamic law); the Basic Law that

articulates the government's rights and responsibilities was

introduced in 1993

Legal system:

based on Islamic law, several secular codes have been introduced;

commercial disputes handled by special committees; has not accepted

compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage:

adult male citizens age 21 or older

note: voter registration began in November 2004 for partial

municipal council elections scheduled nationwide for February

through April 2005

Executive branch:

chief of state: King and Prime Minister ABDALLAH bin Abd al-Aziz Al

Saud (since 1 August 2005); Heir Apparent Crown Prince SULTAN bin

Abd al- Aziz Al Saud (half brother of the monarch, born 5 January

1928) note - the monarch is both the chief of state and head of

government

head of government: King and Prime Minister ABDALLAH bin Abd al-Aziz

Al Saud (since 1 August 2005); Heir Apparent Crown Prince SULTAN bin

Abd al- Aziz Al Saud (half brother of the monarch, born 5 January

1928) note - the monarch is both the chief of state and head of

government

cabinet: Council of Ministers is appointed by the monarch and

includes many royal family members

elections: note - in October 2003, Council of Ministers announced

its intent to introduce elections for half of the members of local

and provincial assemblies and a third of the members of the national

Consultative Council or Majlis al-Shura, incrementally over a period

of four to five years; in November 2004, the Ministry of Municipal

and Rural Affairs initiated voter registration for partial municipal

council elections scheduled nationwide for February through April

2005

Legislative branch:

Consultative Council or Majlis al-Shura (120 members and a chairman

appointed by the monarch for four-year terms)

Judicial branch:

Supreme Council of Justice

Political parties and leaders:

none

Political pressure groups and leaders:

none

International organization participation:

ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AMF, BIS, FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO,

ICC, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC,

ISO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAPEC, OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, OPEC,

PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO,

WToO, WTO (observer)

Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Turki al-Faysal bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud chancery: 601 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20037 telephone: [1] (202) 342-3800 consulate(s) general: Houston, Los Angeles, and New York

Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador James Curtis OBERWETTER embassy: Collector Road M, Diplomatic Quarter, Riyadh mailing address: American Embassy Riyadh, Unit 61307, APO AE 09803-1307; International Mail: P. O. Box 94309, Riyadh 11693 telephone: [966] (1) 488-3800 FAX: [966] (1) 488-3989 consulate(s) general: Dhahran, Jiddah (Jeddah)

Flag description:

green, a traditional color in Islamic flags, with the Shahada or

Muslim creed in large white Arabic script (translated as "There is

no god but God; Muhammad is the Messenger of God") above a white

horizontal saber (the tip points to the hoist side); design dates to

the early twentieth century and is closely associated with the Al

Saud family which established the kingdom in 1932

Economy Saudi Arabia

Economy - overview:

This is an oil-based economy with strong government controls over

major economic activities. Saudi Arabia possesses 25% of the world's

proven petroleum reserves, ranks as the largest exporter of

petroleum, and plays a leading role in OPEC. The petroleum sector

accounts for roughly 75% of budget revenues, 45% of GDP, and 90% of

export earnings. About 40% of GDP comes from the private sector.

Roughly five and a half million foreign workers play an important

role in the Saudi economy, for example, in the oil and service

sectors. The government in 1999 announced plans to begin privatizing

the electricity companies, which follows the ongoing privatization

of the telecommunications company. The government is encouraging

private sector growth to lessen the kingdom's dependence on oil and

increase employment opportunities for the swelling Saudi population.

Priorities for government spending in the short term include

additional funds for education and for the water and sewage systems.

Economic reforms proceed cautiously because of deep-rooted political

and social conservatism.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$310.2 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

5% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $12,000 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector:

agriculture: 4.2%

industry: 67.2%

services: 28.6% (2004 est.)

Labor force:

6.62 million

note: more than 35% of the population in the 15-64 age group is

non-national (2004 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 12%, industry 25%, services 63% (1999 est.)

Unemployment rate:

25% (unofficial estimate) (2004 est.)

Population below poverty line:

NA

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

0.8% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

17.2% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $104.8 billion

expenditures: $78.66 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Public debt:

75% of GDP (2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

wheat, barley, tomatoes, melons, dates, citrus; mutton, chickens,

eggs, milk

Industries:

crude oil production, petroleum refining, basic petrochemicals,

ammonia, industrial gases, sodium hydroxide (caustic soda), cement,

construction, fertilizer, plastics, commercial ship repair,

commercial aircraft repair

Industrial production growth rate:

2.8% (2004 est.)

Electricity - production:

138.2 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

128.5 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

9.021 million bbl/day (2004 est.)

Oil - consumption:

1.55 million bbl/day (2003)

Oil - exports:

7.92 million bbl/day (2003)

Oil - imports:

0 bbl/day (2003)

Oil - proved reserves:

261.7 billion bbl (2004 est.)

Natural gas - production:

56.4 billion cu m (2002)

Natural gas - consumption:

56.4 billion cu m (2002)

Natural gas - exports:

0 cu m (2002)

Natural gas - imports:

0 cu m (2002)

Natural gas - proved reserves:

6.339 trillion cu m (2004)

Current account balance:

$51.5 billion (2004 est.)

Exports:

$113 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

petroleum and petroleum products 90%

Exports - partners:

US 18.2%, Japan 14.9%, South Korea 9.5%, China 6.1%, Taiwan 4.5%,

Singapore 4.1% (2004)

Imports:

$36.21 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, chemicals, motor vehicles,

textiles

Imports - partners:

US 15.3%, Japan 9.8%, Germany 8.1%, China 6.6%, UK 5.7% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$23.62 billion (2004 est.)

Debt - external:

$34.35 billion (2004 est.)

Economic aid - donor:

pledged $100 million in 1993 to fund reconstruction of Lebanon;

since 2000, Saudi Arabia has committed $307 million for assistance

to the Palestinians; pledged $240 million to development in

Afghanistan; pledged $1 billion in export guarantees and soft loans

to Iraq

Currency (code):

Saudi riyal (SAR)

Currency code:

SAR

Exchange rates:

Saudi riyals per US dollar - 3.745 (2004), 3.745 (2003), 3.745

(2002), 3.745 (2001), 3.745 (2000)

Fiscal year:

1 March - 28 February

Communications Saudi Arabia

Telephones - main lines in use:

3,502,600 (2003)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

7,238,200 (2003)

Telephone system:

general assessment: modern system

domestic: extensive microwave radio relay, coaxial cable, and

fiber-optic cable systems

international: country code - 966; microwave radio relay to Bahrain,

Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, UAE, Yemen, and Sudan; coaxial cable to

Kuwait and Jordan; submarine cable to Djibouti, Egypt and Bahrain;

satellite earth stations - 5 Intelsat (3 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Indian

Ocean), 1 Arabsat, and 1 Inmarsat (Indian Ocean region)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 43, FM 31, shortwave 2 (1998)

Radios:

6.25 million (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

117 (1997)

Televisions:

5.1 million (1997)

Internet country code:

.sa

Internet hosts:

15,931 (2004)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

22 (2003)

Internet users:

1.5 million (2003)

Transportation Saudi Arabia

Railways:

total: 1,392 km

standard gauge: 1,392 km 1.435-m gauge (with branch lines and

sidings) (2004)

Highways:

total: 152,044 km

paved: 45,461 km

unpaved: 106,583 km (2000)

Pipelines:

condensate 212 km; gas 1,780 km; liquid petroleum gas 1,191 km; oil

5,068 km; refined products 1,162 km (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Ad Dammam, Al Jubayl, Jiddah, Yanbu' al Sinaiyah

Merchant marine:

total: 64 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 1,306,706 GRT/1,963,191 DWT

by type: cargo 5, chemical tanker 12, container 4, passenger/cargo

8, petroleum tanker 23, refrigerated cargo 3, roll on/roll off 9

foreign-owned: 14 (Egypt 2, Hong Kong 1, Kuwait 5, Singapore 1,

Sudan 1, UAE 1, United Kingdom 3)

registered in other countries: 54 (2005)

Airports:

201 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 72

over 3,047 m: 32

2,438 to 3,047 m: 13

1,524 to 2,437 m: 23

914 to 1,523 m: 2

under 914 m: 2 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 129

over 3047 m: 1

2,438 to 3,047 m: 5

1,524 to 2,437 m: 72

914 to 1,523 m: 39

under 914 m: 12 (2004 est.)

Heliports:

5 (2004 est.)

Military Saudi Arabia

Military branches:

Land Force (Army), Navy, Air Force, Air Defense Force, National

Guard, Ministry of Interior Forces (paramilitary)

Military service age and obligation:

18 years of age (est.); no conscription (2004)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 18-49: 7,648,999 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: 6,592,709 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:

males: 247,334 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$18 billion (2002)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

10% (2002)

Transnational Issues Saudi Arabia

Disputes - international:

despite resistance from nomadic groups, the demarcation of the

Saudi Arabia-Yemen boundary established under the 2000 Jeddah Treaty

is almost complete; Yemen protests Saudi erection of a

concrete-filled pipe as a security barrier in 2004 to stem illegal

cross-border activities in sections of the boundary; Kuwait and

Saudi Arabia continue discussions on a maritime boundary with Iran;

because the treaties have not been made public, the exact alignment

of the boundary with the UAE is still unknown

Refugees and internally displaced persons:

refugees (country of origin): 240,000 (Palestinian Territories)

(2004)

Illicit drugs:

death penalty for traffickers; increasing consumption of heroin,

cocaine, and hashish; not a major money-laundering center, improving

anti-money-laundering legislation

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Senegal

Introduction Senegal

Background:

Independent from France in 1960, Senegal joined with The Gambia to

form the nominal confederation of Senegambia in 1982. However, the

envisaged integration of the two countries was never carried out,

and the union was dissolved in 1989. Despite peace talks, a southern

separatist group sporadically has clashed with government forces

since 1982. Senegal has a long history of participating in

international peacekeeping.

Geography Senegal

Location:

Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between

Guinea-Bissau and Mauritania

Geographic coordinates:

14 00 N, 14 00 W

Map references:

Africa

Area:

total: 196,190 sq km

land: 192,000 sq km

water: 4,190 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly smaller than South Dakota

Land boundaries:

total: 2,640 km

border countries: The Gambia 740 km, Guinea 330 km, Guinea-Bissau

338 km, Mali 419 km, Mauritania 813 km

Coastline:

531 km

Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin

Climate:

tropical; hot, humid; rainy season (May to November) has strong

southeast winds; dry season (December to April) dominated by hot,

dry, harmattan wind

Terrain:

generally low, rolling, plains rising to foothills in southeast

Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed feature near Nepen Diakha 581 m

Natural resources: fish, phosphates, iron ore

Land use: arable land: 12.78% permanent crops: 0.21% other: 87.01% (2001)

Irrigated land:

710 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

lowlands seasonally flooded; periodic droughts

Environment - current issues: wildlife populations threatened by poaching; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification; overfishing

Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling

Geography - note:

westernmost country on the African continent; The Gambia is almost

an enclave within Senegal

People Senegal

Population:

11,126,832 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 42.8% (male 2,404,461/female 2,360,167)

15-64 years: 54.1% (male 2,901,689/female 3,122,854)

65 years and over: 3% (male 161,173/female 176,488) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 18.15 years

male: 17.6 years

female: 18.7 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

2.48% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

35.21 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

10.6 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

0.2 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.93 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.91 male(s)/female

total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 55.51 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 59.17 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 51.75 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 58.9 years

male: 57.37 years

female: 60.47 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

4.75 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

0.8% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

44,000 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

3,500 (2003 est.)

Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: dengue fever, malaria, yellow fever, Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, and Rift Valley fever are high risks in some locations water contact disease: schistosomiasis respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis (2004)

Nationality:

noun: Senegalese (singular and plural)

adjective: Senegalese

Ethnic groups:

Wolof 43.3%, Pular 23.8%, Serer 14.7%, Jola 3.7%, Mandinka 3%,

Soninke 1.1%, European and Lebanese 1%, other 9.4%

Religions:

Muslim 94%, indigenous beliefs 1%, Christian 5% (mostly Roman

Catholic)

Languages:

French (official), Wolof, Pulaar, Jola, Mandinka

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 40.2%

male: 50%

female: 30.7% (2003 est.)

Government Senegal

Country name:

conventional long form: Republic of Senegal

conventional short form: Senegal

local long form: Republique du Senegal

local short form: Senegal

Government type:

republic under multiparty democratic rule

Capital:

Dakar

Administrative divisions:

11 regions (regions, singular - region); Dakar, Diourbel, Fatick,

Kaolack, Kolda, Louga, Matam, Saint-Louis, Tambacounda, Thies,

Ziguinchor

Independence:

4 April 1960 (from France); note - complete independence was

achieved upon dissolution of federation with Mali on 20 August 1960

National holiday:

Independence Day, 4 April (1960)

Constitution:

new constitution adopted 7 January 2001

Legal system:

based on French civil law system; judicial review of legislative

acts in Constitutional Court; the Council of State audits the

government's accounting office; has not accepted compulsory ICJ

jurisdiction

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Abdoulaye WADE (since 1 April 2000)

head of government: Prime Minister Macky SALL (since 21 April 2004)

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister in

consultation with the president

elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term

under new constitution; election last held under prior constitution

(seven-year terms) 27 February and 19 March 2000 (next to be held

February 2007); prime minister appointed by the president

election results: Abdoulaye WADE elected president; percent of vote

in the second round of voting - Abdoulaye WADE (PDS) 58.49%, Abdou

DIOUF (PS) 41.51%

Legislative branch:

unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (120 seats;

members are elected by direct, popular vote to serve five-year terms)

note: the former National Assembly, dissolved in the spring of 2001,

had 140 seats

elections: last held 29 April 2001 (next to be held NA 2006)

election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -

SOPI Coalition 89, AFP 11, PS 10, other 10

Judicial branch:

Constitutional Court; Council of State; Court of Final Appeals or

Cour de Cassation; Court of Appeals; note - the judicial system was

reformed in 1992

Political parties and leaders:

African Party for Democracy and Socialism or And Jef (also known as

PADS/AJ) [Landing SAVANE, secretary general]; African Party of

Independence [Majhemout DIOP]; Alliance of Forces of Progress or AFP

[Moustapha NIASSE]; Democratic and Patriotic Convention or CDP (also

known as Garab-Gi) [Dr. Iba Der THIAM]; Democratic League-Labor

Party Movement or LD-MPT [Dr. Abdoulaye BATHILY]; Front for

Socialism and Democracy or FSD [Cheikh Abdoulaye DIEYE]; Gainde

Centrist Bloc or BGC [Jean-Paul DIAS]; Independence and Labor Party

or PIT [Amath DANSOKHO]; National Democratic Rally or RND [Madier

DIOUF]; Senegalese Democratic Party or PDS [Abdoulaye WADE];

Socialist Party or PS [Ousmane Tanor DIENG]; SOPI Coalition (a

coalition led by the PDS) [Abdoulaye WADE]; Union for Democratic

Renewal or URD [Djibo Leyti KA]; other small parties

Political pressure groups and leaders:

labor; Muslim brotherhoods; students; teachers

International organization participation:

ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, ECOWAS, FAO, FZ, G-15, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO,

ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO,

Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, MIGA, MONUC, NAM, OIC,

ONUB, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIK, UNMIL, UNMOVIC,

UNOCI, UPU, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO,

WToO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Amadou Lamine BA

chancery: 2112 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 234-0540

FAX: [1] (202) 332-6315

consulate(s) general: New York

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Richard Alan ROTH

embassy: Avenue Jean XXIII at the corner of Rue Kleber, Dakar

mailing address: B. P. 49, Dakar

telephone: [221] 823-4296

FAX: [221] 822-2991

Flag description:

three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), yellow, and red

with a small green five-pointed star centered in the yellow band;

uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia

Economy Senegal

Economy - overview:

In January 1994, Senegal undertook a bold and ambitious economic

reform program with the support of the international donor

community. This reform began with a 50% devaluation of Senegal's

currency, the CFA franc, which was linked at a fixed rate to the

French franc. Government price controls and subsidies have been

steadily dismantled. After seeing its economy contract by 2.1% in

1993, Senegal made an important turnaround, thanks to the reform

program, with real growth in GDP averaging 5% annually during

1995-2003. Annual inflation had been pushed down to the low single

digits. As a member of the West African Economic and Monetary Union

(WAEMU), Senegal is working toward greater regional integration with

a unified external tariff and a more stable monetary policy. Senegal

still relies heavily upon outside donor assistance, however. Under

the IMF's Highly Indebted Poor Countries debt relief program,

Senegal will benefit from eradication of two-thirds of its

bilateral, multilateral, and private sector debt.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$18.36 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

3.2% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $1,700 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 15.9% industry: 21.4% services: 62.7% (2004 est.)

Labor force:

4.65 million (2004 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 70%

Unemployment rate:

48% (urban youth 40%) (2001 est.)

Population below poverty line:

54% (2001 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.6% highest 10%: 33.5% (1995)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

41.3 (1995)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

0.8% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

20.1% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $1.572 billion

expenditures: $1.627 billion, including capital expenditures of $357

million (2004 est.)

Public debt:

55.2% of GDP (2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

peanuts, millet, corn, sorghum, rice, cotton, tomatoes, green

vegetables; cattle, poultry, pigs; fish

Industries:

agricultural and fish processing, phosphate mining, fertilizer

production, petroleum refining, construction materials, ship

construction and repair

Industrial production growth rate:

4.7% (2004 est.)

Electricity - production:

1.737 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

1.615 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

31,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Natural gas - production:

50 million cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - consumption:

50 million cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - exports:

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - imports:

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Current account balance:

$-518.8 million (2004 est.)

Exports:

$1.374 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

fish, groundnuts (peanuts), petroleum products, phosphates, cotton

Exports - partners:

India 14.4%, Mali 13.1%, France 9.8%, Italy 7.3%, Spain 6.6%,

Guinea-Bissau 5.6%, Gambia, The 4.8% (2004)

Imports:

$2.128 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

food and beverages, capital goods, fuels

Imports - partners:

France 24.8%, Nigeria 11.9%, Thailand 6.1% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$820 million (2004 est.)

Debt - external:

$3.476 billion (2004 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:

$362.6 million (2002 est.)

Currency (code):

Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XOF); note - responsible

authority is the Central Bank of the West African States

Currency code:

XOF

Exchange rates:

Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar - 528.29

(2004), 581.2 (2003), 696.99 (2002), 733.04 (2001), 711.98 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Senegal

Telephones - main lines in use:

228,800 (2003)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

575,900 (2003)

Telephone system:

general assessment: good system

domestic: above-average urban system; microwave radio relay, coaxial

cable and fiber-optic cable in trunk system

international: country code - 221; 4 submarine cables; satellite

earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 8, FM 20, shortwave 1 (2001)

Radios:

1.24 million (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

1 (1997)

Televisions:

361,000 (1997)

Internet country code:

.sn

Internet hosts:

672 (2003)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

1 (2002)

Internet users:

225,000 (2003)

Transportation Senegal

Railways: total: 906 km narrow gauge: 906 km 1.000-meter gauge (2004)

Highways:

total: 14,576 km

paved: 4,271 km including 7 km of expressways

unpaved: 10,305 km (2000)

Waterways:

1,000 km (primarily on Senegal, Saloum, and Casamance rivers) (2003)

Pipelines:

gas 564 km (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Dakar

Airports:

20 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 9

over 3,047 m: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 6

914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 11

1,524 to 2,437 m: 6

914 to 1,523 m: 4

under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Military Senegal

Military branches:

Army, Navy (Marine Senegalaise), Air Force (2005)

Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service; conscript service obligation - 2 years (2004)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 18-49: 2,183,343 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: 1,300,502 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:

males: 124,096 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$107.3 million (2004)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

1.5% (2004)

Transnational Issues Senegal

Disputes - international:

The Gambia and Guinea-Bissau attempt to stem Senegalese citizens

from the Casamance region fleeing separatist violence, cross border

raids, and arms smuggling

Refugees and internally displaced persons:

IDPs: 17,000 (clashes between government troops and separatists in

Casamance region) (2004)

Illicit drugs:

transshipment point for Southwest and Southeast Asian heroin and

South American cocaine moving to Europe and North America; illicit

cultivator of cannabis

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Serbia and Montenegro

Introduction Serbia and Montenegro

Background:

The Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes was formed in 1918; its

name was changed to Yugoslavia in 1929. Occupation by Nazi Germany

in 1941 was resisted by various paramilitary bands that fought each

other as well as the invaders. The group headed by Marshal TITO took

full control upon German expulsion in 1945. Although Communist, his

new government and its successors (he died in 1980) managed to steer

their own path between the Warsaw Pact nations and the West for the

next four and a half decades. In the early 1990s, post-TITO

Yugoslavia began to unravel along ethnic lines: Slovenia, Croatia,

Macedonia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina were recognized as independent

states in 1992. The remaining republics of Serbia and Montenegro

declared a new "Federal Republic of Yugoslavia" (FRY) in April 1992

and, under President Slobodan MILOSEVIC, Serbia led various military

intervention efforts to unite ethnic Serbs in neighboring republics

into a "Greater Serbia." All of these efforts were ultimately

unsuccessful and led to Yugoslavia being ousted from the UN in 1992.

In 1998-99, massive expulsions by FRY forces and Serb paramilitaries

of ethnic Albanians living in Kosovo provoked an international

response, including the NATO bombing of Serbia and the stationing of

a NATO-led force (KFOR), in Kosovo. Federal elections in the fall of

2000, brought about the ouster of MILOSEVIC and installed Vojislav

KOSTUNICA as president. The arrest of MILOSEVIC in 2001 allowed for

his subsequent transfer to the International Criminal Tribunal for

the Former Yugoslavia in The Hague to be tried for crimes against

humanity. In 2001, the country's suspension from the UN was lifted,

and it was once more accepted into UN organizations under the name

of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. Kosovo has been governed by

the UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) since June

1999, under the authority of UN Security Council Resolution 1244,

pending a determination by the international community of its future

status. In 2002, the Serbian and Montenegrin components of

Yugoslavia began negotiations to forge a looser relationship. These

talks became a reality in February 2003 when lawmakers restructured

the country into a loose federation of two republics called Serbia

and Montenegro. The Constitutional Charter of Serbia and Montenegro

includes a provision that allows either republic to hold a

referendum after three years that would allow for their independence

from the state union.

Geography Serbia and Montenegro

Location:

Southeastern Europe, bordering the Adriatic Sea, between Albania

and Bosnia and Herzegovina

Geographic coordinates:

44 00 N, 21 00 E

Map references:

Europe

Area:

total: 102,350 sq km

land: 102,136 sq km

water: 214 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly smaller than Kentucky

Land boundaries:

total: 2,246 km

border countries: Albania 287 km, Bosnia and Herzegovina 527 km,

Bulgaria 318 km, Croatia (north) 241 km, Croatia (south) 25 km,

Hungary 151 km, Macedonia 221 km, Romania 476 km

Coastline:

199 km

Maritime claims:

NA

Climate:

in the north, continental climate (cold winters and hot, humid

summers with well distributed rainfall); central portion,

continental and Mediterranean climate; to the south, Adriatic

climate along the coast, hot, dry summers and autumns and relatively

cold winters with heavy snowfall inland

Terrain:

extremely varied; to the north, rich fertile plains; to the east,

limestone ranges and basins; to the southeast, ancient mountains and

hills; to the southwest, extremely high shoreline with no islands

off the coast

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Adriatic Sea 0 m

highest point: Daravica 2,656 m

Natural resources:

oil, gas, coal, iron ore, bauxite, copper, lead, zinc, antimony,

chromite, nickel, gold, silver, magnesium, pyrite, limestone,

marble, salt, hydropower, arable land

Land use:

arable land: 33.35%

permanent crops: 3.2%

other: 63.45% (2001)

Irrigated land:

570 sq km

Natural hazards:

destructive earthquakes

Environment - current issues:

pollution of coastal waters from sewage outlets, especially in

tourist-related areas such as Kotor; air pollution around Belgrade

and other industrial cities; water pollution from industrial wastes

dumped into the Sava which flows into the Danube

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered

Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine

Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

controls one of the major land routes from Western Europe to Turkey

and the Near East; strategic location along the Adriatic coast

People Serbia and Montenegro

Population:

10,829,175 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 18.1% (male 1,014,443/female 943,702)

15-64 years: 66.9% (male 3,610,646/female 3,632,365)

65 years and over: 15% (male 699,446/female 928,573) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 36.79 years

male: 35.3 years

female: 38.29 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

0.03% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

12.12 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

10.49 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

-1.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.08 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.08 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.75 male(s)/female

total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 12.89 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 14.54 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 11.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 74.73 years

male: 72.15 years

female: 77.51 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

1.67 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

0.2% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

10,000 (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

less than 100 (2003 est.)

Nationality:

noun: Serb(s); Montenegrin(s)

adjective: Serbian; Montenegrin

Ethnic groups:

Serb 62.6%, Albanian 16.5%, Montenegrin 5%, Hungarian 3.3%, other

12.6% (1991)

Religions:

Orthodox 65%, Muslim 19%, Roman Catholic 4%, Protestant 1%, other

11%

Languages:

Serbian 95%, Albanian 5%

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 96.4%

male: 98.9%

female: 94.1% (2002 est.)

Government Serbia and Montenegro

Country name:

conventional long form: Serbia and Montenegro

conventional short form: none

local long form: Srbija i Crna Gora

local short form: none

former: Federal Republic of Yugoslavia

abbreviation: SCG

Government type:

republic

Capital:

Belgrade

Administrative divisions:

2 republics (republike, singular - republika); and 2 nominally

autonomous provinces* (autonomn pokrajine, singular - autonomna

pokrajina); Kosovo* (temporarily under UN administration, per UN

Security Council Resolution 1244), Montenegro, Serbia, Vojvodina*

Independence:

27 April 1992 (Federal Republic of Yugoslavia or FRY - now Serbia

and Montenegro - formed as self-proclaimed successor to the

Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia or SFRY)

National holiday:

National Day, 27 April

Constitution:

4 February 2003

Legal system:

based on civil law system

Suffrage:

16 years of age, if employed; 18 years of age, universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Svetozar MAROVIC (since 7 March 2003);

note - the president is both the chief of state and head of

government

head of government: President Svetozar MAROVIC (since 7 March 2003);

note - the president is both the chief of state and head of

government

cabinet: Federal Ministries act as Cabinet

elections: president elected by the parliament for a four-year term;

election last held 7 March 2003 (next to be held 2007)

election results: Svetozar MAROVIC elected president by the

parliament; vote was Svetozar MAROVIC 65, other 47

Legislative branch:

unicameral Parliament (126 seats - 91 Serbian, 35 Montenegrin -

filled by nominees of the two state parliaments for the first two

years, after which the Constitutional Charter calls for direct

elections

elections: last held 25 February 2003 (next to be held 2005)

election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -

Serbian parties: SRS 30, DSS 20, DS 13, G17 Plus 12, SPO-NS 8, SPS

8; Montenegrin parties: DPS 15, SNP 9, SDP 4, DSS 3, NS 2, LSCG 2

Judicial branch:

The Court of Serbia and Montenegro; judges are elected by the

Serbia and Montenegro Parliament for six-year terms

note: since the promulgation of the 2003 Constitution, the Federal

Court has constitutional and administrative functions; it has an

equal number of judges from each republic

Political parties and leaders:

Democratic Party or DS [Boris TADIC]; Democratic Party of Serbia or

DSS [Vojislav KOSTUNICA]; Democratic Party of Socialists of

Montenegro or DPS [Milo DJUKANOVIC]; Democratic Serbian Party of

Montenegro or DSS [Bozidar BOJOVIC]; G17 Plus [Miroljub LABUS]; New

Serbia or NS [Velimir ILIC]; Liberal Party of Montenegro or LSCG

[Miodrag ZIVKOVIC]; People's Party of Montenegro or NS [Dragan SOC];

Power of Serbia Movement or PSS [Bogoljub KARIC]; Serbian Radical

Party or SRS [Tomislav NIKOLIC]; Serbian Renewal Movement or SPO

[Vuk DRASKOVIC]; Serbian Socialist Party or SPS (former Communist

Party and party of Slobodan MILOSEVIC) [Ivica DACIC, president of

Main Board]; Social Democratic Party of Montenegro or SDP [Ranko

KRIVOKAPIC]; Socialist People's Party of Montenegro or SNP [Predrag

BULATOVIC]

note: the following political parties participate in elections and

institutions only in Kosovo, which has been governed by the UN under

UNSCR 1244 since 1999: Albanian Christian Democratic Party or PSHDK

[Mark KRASNIQI]; Alliance for the Future of Kosovo or AAK [Ramush

HARADINAJ]; Citizens' Initiative of Serbia or GIS [Slavisa

PETKOVIC]; Democratic Ashkali Party of Kosovo or PDAK [Sabit

RRAHMANI]; Democratic League of Kosovo or LDK [Ibrahim RUGOVA];

Democratic Party of Kosovo or PDK [Hashim THACI]; Justice Party of

PD [Sylejman CERKEZI]; Kosovo Democratic Turkish Party of KDTP

[Mahir YAGCILAR]; Liberal Party of Kosovo or PLK [Gjergj DEDAJ]; Ora

[Veton SURROI]; New Democratic Initiative of Kosovo or IRDK [Bislim

HOTI]; Party of Democratic Action or SDA [Numan BALIC]; Popular

Movement of Kosovo or LPK [Emrush XHEMAJLI]; Prizren-Dragas

Initiative or PDI [Ismajl KARADOLAMI]; Serb List for Kosovo and

Metohija or SLKM [Oliver IVANOVIC]; United Roma Party of Kosovo or

PREBK [Haxhi Zylfi MERXHA]; Vakat [leader NA]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

Political Council for Presevo, Medvedja and Bujanovac or PCPMB

[leader NA]; Group for Changes of Montenegro or GZP [Nebojsa

MEDOJEVIC]

International organization participation:

BSEC, CE, CEI, EBRD, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM,

IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO,

ITU, MIGA, MONUC, NAM, OAS (observer), ONUB, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN,

UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNOCI, UPU, WCL, WCO, WHO,

WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO (observer)

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Ivan VUJACIC

chancery: 2134 Kalorama Road NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 332-0333

FAX: [1] (202) 332-3933

consulate(s) general: Chicago

Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Michael C. POLT embassy: Kneza Milosa 50, 11000 Belgrade mailing address: 5070 Belgrade Place, Washington, DC 20521-5070 telephone: [381] (11) 361-9344 FAX: [381] (11) 361-8230 consulate(s): Podgorica note: there is a branch office in Pristina at 30 Nazim Hikmet 38000 Pristina, Kosovo; telephone: [381](38)549-516; FAX: [381](38)549-890

Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, and red

Economy Serbia and Montenegro

Economy - overview:

MILOSEVIC-era mismanagement of the economy, an extended period of

economic sanctions, and the damage to Yugoslavia's infrastructure

and industry during the NATO airstrikes in 1999 left the economy

only half the size it was in 1990. After the ousting of former

Federal Yugoslav President MILOSEVIC in October 2000, the Democratic

Opposition of Serbia (DOS) coalition government implemented

stabilization measures and embarked on an aggressive market reform

program. After renewing its membership in the IMF in December 2000,

a down-sized Yugoslavia continued to reintegrate into the

international community by rejoining the World Bank (IBRD) and the

European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). A World

Bank-European Commission sponsored Donors' Conference held in June

2001 raised $1.3 billion for economic restructuring. An agreement

rescheduling the country's $4.5 billion Paris Club government debts

was concluded in November 2001 - it wrote off 66% of the debt - and

the London Club of private creditors forgave $1.7 billion of debt,

just over half the total owed, in July 2004. The smaller republic of

Montenegro severed its economy from federal control and from Serbia

during the MILOSEVIC era and continues to maintain its own central

bank, uses the euro instead of the Yugoslav dinar as official

currency, collects customs tariffs, and manages its own budget.

Kosovo's economy continues to transition to a market-based system,

and is largely dependent on the international community and the

diaspora for financial and technical assistance. The euro and the

Yugoslav dinar are both accepted currencies in Kosovo. While

maintaining ultimate oversight, UNMIK continues to work with the

European Union and Kosovo's local provisional government to

accelerate economic growth, lower unemployment, and attract foreign

investment to help Kosovo integrate into regional economic

structures. The complexity of Serbia and Montenegro political

relationships, slow progress in privatization, legal uncertainty

over property rights, scarcity of foreign-investment and a

substantial foreign trade deficit are holding back the economy.

Arrangements with the IMF, especially requirements for fiscal

discipline, are an important element in policy formation. Severe

unemployment remains a key political economic problem for this

entire region.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$26.27 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

6.5% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $2,400 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 15.5% industry: 27.6% services: 56.8% (2004 est.)

Labor force:

3.2 million (2004 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture NA, industry NA, services NA

Unemployment rate:

30%

note: unemployment is approximately 50% in Kosovo (2004 est.)

Population below poverty line:

30% (1999 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA%

highest 10%: NA%

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

8.8% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

14.4% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $9.773 billion

expenditures: $10.46 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Public debt:

80% of GDP (2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

cereals, fruits, vegetables, tobacco, olives; cattle, sheep, goats

Industries:

machine building (aircraft, trucks, and automobiles; tanks and

weapons; electrical equipment; agricultural machinery); metallurgy

(steel, aluminum, copper, lead, zinc, chromium, antimony, bismuth,

cadmium); mining (coal, bauxite, nonferrous ore, iron ore,

limestone); consumer goods (textiles, footwear, foodstuffs,

appliances); electronics, petroleum products, chemicals, and

pharmaceuticals

Industrial production growth rate:

1.7% (2002 est.)

Electricity - production:

31.64 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 62.9% hydro: 37.1% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

32.33 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

400 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

3.3 billion kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

15,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

64,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Oil - proved reserves:

38.75 million bbl (1 January 2002)

Natural gas - production:

602 million cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - consumption:

602 million cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - exports:

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - imports:

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves:

24.07 billion cu m (1 January 2002)

Current account balance:

$-3.008 billion (2004 est.)

Exports:

$3.245 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

manufactured goods, food and live animals, raw materials

Exports - partners:

Italy 29%, Germany 16.6%, Austria 7%, Greece 6.7%, France 4.9%,

Slovenia 4.1% (2004)

Imports:

$9.538 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

machinery and transport equipment, fuels and lubricants,

manufactured goods, chemicals, food and live animals, raw materials

Imports - partners:

Germany 18.5%, Italy 16.5%, Austria 8.3%, Slovenia 6.7%, Bulgaria

4.7%, France 4.5% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$3.55 billion (2004 est.)

Debt - external:

$12.97 billion (2004 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:

$2 billion pledged in 2001 (disbursements to follow for several

years)

Currency (code):

new Yugoslav dinar (YUM); note - in Montenegro the euro is legal

tender; in Kosovo both the euro and the Yugoslav dinar are legal

Currency code:

CSD, EUR

Exchange rates:

new Yugoslav dinars per US dollar - 64.1915 (official rate: 65)

(2002)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Serbia and Montenegro

Telephones - main lines in use:

2,611,700 (2003)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

3,634,600 (2003)

Telephone system:

general assessment: NA

domestic: NA

international: country code - 381; satellite earth station - 1

Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 113, FM 194, shortwave 2 (1998)

Radios:

3.15 million (1997)

Television broadcast stations: more than 771 (including 86 strong stations and 685 low-power stations, plus 20 repeaters in the principal networks; also numerous local or private stations in Serbia and Vojvodina) (1997)

Televisions:

2.75 million (1997)

Internet country code:

.cs

Internet hosts:

20,207 (2004)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

9 (2000)

Internet users:

847,000 (2003)

Transportation Serbia and Montenegro

Railways: total: 4,380 km standard gauge: 4,380 km 1.435-m gauge (1,364 km electrified) (2004)

Highways:

total: 45,290 km

paved: 28,261 km (including 374 km of expressways)

unpaved: 17,029 km (2002)

Waterways:

587 km

note: Danube River traffic delayed by pontoon bridge at Novi Sad;

plan to replace by summer of 2005 (2004)

Pipelines:

gas 3,177 km; oil 393 km (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Bar

Merchant marine:

total: 2

by type: cargo 1, chemical tanker 1

foreign-owned: 2 (Finland 1, Turkey 1)

registered in other countries: 3 (2005)

Airports:

44 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 19 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 5 1,524 to 2,437 m: 6 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 4 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 25 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 10 under 914 m: 13 (2004 est.)

Heliports: 4 (2004 est.)

Military Serbia and Montenegro

Military branches:

Serbian and Montenegrin Armed Forces (Vojska Srbije i Crne Gore,

VSCG): Ground Forces, Air and Air Defense Forces, Naval Forces (2005)

Military service age and obligation:

19 years of age (nine months compulsory service) (2004)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 19-49: 2,389,729 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 19-49: 1,959,166 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:

males: 81,033 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$654 million (2002)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

NA

Transnational Issues Serbia and Montenegro

Disputes - international:

Kosovo remains unresolved administered by several thousand

peacekeepers from the UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo

(UNMIK) since 1999, with Kosovar Albanians overwhelmingly supporting

and Serbian officials opposing Kosovo independence; the

international community had agreed to begin a process to determine

final status but contingency of solidifying multi-ethnic democracy

in Kosovo has not been satisfied; ethnic Albanians in Kosovo refuse

demarcation of the boundary with Macedonia in accordance with the

2000 Macedonia-Serbia and Montenegro delimitation agreement; Serbia

and Montenegro have delimited about half of the boundary with Bosnia

and Herzegovina, but sections along the Drina River remain in dispute

Refugees and internally displaced persons:

refugees (country of origin): 99,170 (Bosnia) 188,656 (Croatia)

IDPs: 225,000 (mostly ethnic Serbs and Roma who fled Kosovo in 1999)

(2004)

Illicit drugs:

transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin moving to Western

Europe on the Balkan route; economy vulnerable to money laundering

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Seychelles

Introduction Seychelles

Background:

A lengthy struggle between France and Great Britain for the islands

ended in 1814, when they were ceded to the latter. Independence came

in 1976. Socialist rule was brought to a close with a new

constitution and free elections in 1993. The most recent

presidential elections were held in 2001; President RENE, who had

served since 1977, was re-elected. In April 2004 RENE stepped down

and Vice President James MICHEL was sworn in as president.

Geography Seychelles

Location:

archipelago in the Indian Ocean, northeast of Madagascar

Geographic coordinates:

4 35 S, 55 40 E

Map references:

Africa

Area:

total: 455 sq km

land: 455 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative:

2.5 times the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries:

0 km

Coastline:

491 km

Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin

Climate:

tropical marine; humid; cooler season during southeast monsoon

(late May to September); warmer season during northwest monsoon

(March to May)

Terrain:

Mahe Group is granitic, narrow coastal strip, rocky, hilly; others

are coral, flat, elevated reefs

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m

highest point: Morne Seychellois 905 m

Natural resources:

fish, copra, cinnamon trees

Land use:

arable land: 2.22%

permanent crops: 13.33%

other: 84.45% (2001)

Irrigated land:

NA sq km

Natural hazards:

lies outside the cyclone belt, so severe storms are rare; short

droughts possible

Environment - current issues:

water supply depends on catchments to collect rainwater

Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note: 41 granitic and about 75 coralline islands

People Seychelles

Population:

81,188 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 26.4% (male 10,839/female 10,601)

15-64 years: 67.4% (male 26,709/female 28,025)

65 years and over: 6.2% (male 1,622/female 3,392) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 27.7 years

male: 26.62 years

female: 28.76 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

0.43% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

16.22 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

6.34 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

-5.54 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.48 male(s)/female

total population: 0.93 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 15.53 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 19.65 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 11.28 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 71.82 years

male: 66.41 years

female: 77.4 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

1.75 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

NA

Nationality:

noun: Seychellois (singular and plural)

adjective: Seychellois

Ethnic groups:

mixed French, African, Indian, Chinese, and Arab

Religions:

Roman Catholic 82.3%, Anglican 6.4%, Seventh Day Adventist 1.1%,

other Christian 3.4%, Hindu 2.1%, Muslim 1.1%, other non-Christian

1.5%, unspecified 1.5%, none 0.6% (2002 census)

Languages:

Creole 91.8%, English 4.9% (official), other 3.1%, unspecified 0.2%

(2002 census)

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 91.9%

male: 91.4%

female: 92.3% (2003 est.)

Government Seychelles

Country name:

conventional long form: Republic of Seychelles

conventional short form: Seychelles

Government type:

republic

Capital:

Victoria

Administrative divisions:

23 administrative districts; Anse aux Pins, Anse Boileau, Anse

Etoile, Anse Louis, Anse Royale, Baie Lazare, Baie Sainte Anne, Beau

Vallon, Bel Air, Bel Ombre, Cascade, Glacis, Grand' Anse (on Mahe),

Grand' Anse (on Praslin), La Digue, La Riviere Anglaise, Mont

Buxton, Mont Fleuri, Plaisance, Pointe La Rue, Port Glaud, Saint

Louis, Takamaka

Independence:

29 June 1976 (from UK)

National holiday:

Constitution Day (National Day), 18 June (1993)

Constitution:

18 June 1993

Legal system:

based on English common law, French civil law, and customary law

Suffrage:

17 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President James MICHEL (since 14 April 2004); note

- the president is both the chief of state and head of government

head of government: President James MICHEL (since 14 April 2004);

note - the president is both the chief of state and head of

government

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president

elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;

election last held 31 August-2 September 2001 (next to be held NA

2006)

election results: France Albert RENE re-elected president; percent

of vote - France Albert RENE (SPPF) 54.19%, Wavel RAMKALAWAN (UO)

44.95%, Philippe BOULLE 0.86%; note - the first time that

presidential elections have been held separately from legislative

elections; France Albert RENE stepped down 14 April 2004 and Vice

President James MICHEL was sworn in as president

Legislative branch:

unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (34 seats - 25

elected by popular vote, 9 allocated on a proportional basis to

parties winning at least 10% of the vote; members serve five-year

terms)

elections: last held 4-6 December 2002 (next to be held by 2007)

election results: percent of vote by party - SPPF 54.3%, SNP 42.6%,

DP 3.1%; seats by party - SPPF 23, SNP 11

note: the 9 awarded seats are apportioned according to the

percentage that each party won of the total vote

Judicial branch:

Court of Appeal; Supreme Court; judges for both courts are

appointed by the president

Political parties and leaders:

Democratic Party or DP [James MANCHAM, Daniel BELLE]; Mouvement

Seychellois pour la Democratie [Jacques HODOUL]; Seychelles National

Party or SNP (formerly the United Opposition or UO) [Wavel

RAMKALAWAN]; Seychelles People's Progressive Front or SPPF [France

Albert RENE, James MICHEL] - the governing party

Political pressure groups and leaders:

Roman Catholic Church; trade unions

International organization participation:

ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, C, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt

(signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, InOC,

Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, MIGA, NAM, OPCW, SADC, UN,

UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO (observer)

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Claude Sylvestre MOREL

chancery: 800 Second Avenue, Suite 400C, New York, NY 10017

telephone: [1] (212) 972-1785

FAX: [1] (212) 972-1786

Diplomatic representation from the US:

the US does not have an embassy in Seychelles; the ambassador to

Mauritius is accredited to the Seychelles

Flag description:

five oblique bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, red, white, and

green (bottom) radiating from the bottom of the hoist side

Economy Seychelles

Economy - overview:

Since independence in 1976, per capita output in this Indian Ocean

archipelago has expanded to roughly seven times the old

near-subsistence level. Growth has been led by the tourist sector,

which employs about 30% of the labor force and provides more than

70% of hard currency earnings, and by tuna fishing. In recent years

the government has encouraged foreign investment in order to upgrade

hotels and other services. At the same time, the government has

moved to reduce the dependence on tourism by promoting the

development of farming, fishing, and small-scale manufacturing. A

sharp drop illustrated the vulnerability of the tourist sector in

1991-92 due largely to the Gulf war, and once again following the 11

September 2001 terrorist attacks on the US. Growth slowed in

1998-2002, and fell in 2003, due to sluggish tourist and tuna

sectors, but resumed in 2004, erasing a persistent budget deficit.

Tight controls on exchange rates and the scarcity of foreign

exchange have impaired short-term economic prospects. The black

market value of the Seychelles rupee is half the official exchange

rate; without a devaluation of the currency the tourist sector may

remain sluggish as vacationers seek cheaper destinations such as

Comoros, Mauritius, and Madagascar.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$626 million (2002 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

1.5% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $7,800 (2002 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 2.8% industry: 28.7% services: 68.9% (2004 est.)

Labor force:

30,900 (1996)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 10%, industry 19%, services 71% (1989)

Unemployment rate:

NA

Population below poverty line:

NA

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

5% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

39.5% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $318.3 million

expenditures: $298.5 million, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Public debt:

122.8% of GDP (2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

coconuts, cinnamon, vanilla, sweet potatoes, cassava (tapioca),

bananas; broiler chickens; tuna fish

Industries:

fishing; tourism; processing of coconuts and vanilla, coir (coconut

fiber) rope, boat building, printing, furniture; beverages

Industrial production growth rate:

NA

Electricity - production:

218 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

202.8 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

4,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Current account balance:

$-98.42 million (2004 est.)

Exports:

$256.2 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

canned tuna, frozen fish, cinnamon bark, copra, petroleum products

(reexports)

Exports - partners:

UK 27.7%, France 15.8%, Spain 12.6%, Japan 8.6%, Italy 7.5%,

Germany 5.6% (2004)

Imports:

$393.4 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, petroleum products, chemicals

Imports - partners:

Saudi Arabia 15.5%, Spain 13.3%, France 10.3%, Singapore 7%, South

Africa 6.8%, Italy 6.7%, UK 4.7% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$70.94 million (2004 est.)

Debt - external:

$218.1 million (2004 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:

$16.4 million (1995)

Currency (code):

Seychelles rupee (SCR)

Currency code:

SCR

Exchange rates:

Seychelles rupees per US dollar - 5.5 (2004), 5.4007 (2003), 5.48

(2002), 5.8575 (2001), 5.7138 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Seychelles

Telephones - main lines in use:

21,700 (2002)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

54,500 (2003)

Telephone system:

general assessment: effective system

domestic: radiotelephone communications between islands in the

archipelago

international: country code - 248; direct radiotelephone

communications with adjacent island countries and African coastal

countries; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 2 (1998)

Radios:

42,000 (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

2 (plus 9 repeaters) (1997)

Televisions:

11,000 (1997)

Internet country code:

.sc

Internet hosts:

264 (2003)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

1 (2000)

Internet users:

11,700 (2002)

Transportation Seychelles

Highways: total: 373 km paved: 315 km unpaved: 58 km (1997 est.)

Ports and harbors:

Victoria

Merchant marine:

total: 5 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 42,223 GRT/63,538 DWT

by type: cargo 1, chemical tanker 3, refrigerated cargo 1

foreign-owned: 1 (Nigeria 1) (2005)

Airports:

15 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 8 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 3 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 7

914 to 1,523 m: 3

under 914 m: 4 (2004 est.)

Military Seychelles

Military branches:

Seychelles Defense Force: Army, Coast Guard (includes Navy Wing,

Air Wing), National Guard (2005)

Military service age and obligation:

18 years of age (est.); no conscription (2001)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 18-49: 21,612 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: 16,122 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$12.3 million (2004)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

1.8% (2004)

Transnational Issues Seychelles

Disputes - international: together with Mauritius, Seychelles claims the Chagos Archipelago (UK-administered British Indian Ocean Territory)

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Sierra Leone

Introduction Sierra Leone

Background:

The 1991 to 2002 civil war between the government and the

Revolutionary United Front (RUF) resulted in tens of thousands of

deaths and the displacement of more than 2 million people (about

one-third of the population), many of whom are now refugees in

neighboring countries. With the support of the UN peacekeeping force

and contributions from the World Bank and international community,

demobilization and disarmament of the RUF and Civil Defense Forces

(CDF) combatants has been completed. National elections were held in

May 2002 and the government continues to slowly reestablish its

authority. However, the gradual withdrawal of most UN Mission in

Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL) peacekeepers in 2004 and early 2005,

deteriorating political and economic conditions in Guinea, and the

tenuous security situation in neighboring Liberia may present

challenges to the continuation of Sierra Leone's stability.

Geography Sierra Leone

Location:

Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea

and Liberia

Geographic coordinates:

8 30 N, 11 30 W

Map references:

Africa

Area:

total: 71,740 sq km

land: 71,620 sq km

water: 120 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly smaller than South Carolina

Land boundaries: total: 958 km border countries: Guinea 652 km, Liberia 306 km

Coastline: 402 km

Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm

Climate:

tropical; hot, humid; summer rainy season (May to December); winter

dry season (December to April)

Terrain:

coastal belt of mangrove swamps, wooded hill country, upland

plateau, mountains in east

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

highest point: Loma Mansa (Bintimani) 1,948 m

Natural resources:

diamonds, titanium ore, bauxite, iron ore, gold, chromite

Land use: arable land: 6.98% permanent crops: 0.89% other: 92.13% (2001)

Irrigated land:

290 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

dry, sand-laden harmattan winds blow from the Sahara (December to

February); sandstorms, dust storms

Environment - current issues:

rapid population growth pressuring the environment; overharvesting

of timber, expansion of cattle grazing, and slash-and-burn

agriculture have resulted in deforestation and soil exhaustion;

civil war depleting natural resources; overfishing

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered

Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer

Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification

Geography - note:

rainfall along the coast can reach 495 cm (195 inches) a year,

making it one of the wettest places along coastal, western Africa

People Sierra Leone

Population:

6,017,643 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 44.7% (male 1,318,508/female 1,371,164)

15-64 years: 52% (male 1,494,068/female 1,637,276)

65 years and over: 3.3% (male 93,047/female 103,580) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 17.53 years

male: 17.2 years

female: 17.84 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

2.22% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

42.84 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

20.61 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population

note: refugees currently in surrounding countries are slowly

returning (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 0.96 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.91 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.9 male(s)/female

total population: 0.93 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 143.64 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 161.06 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 125.69 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 39.87 years

male: 37.74 years

female: 42.06 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

5.72 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

7% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

170,000 (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

11,000 (2001 est.)

Major infectious diseases:

degree of risk: very high

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea,

hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases: malaria and yellow fever are high risks in

some locations

water contact disease: schistosomiasis

aerosolized dust or soil contact disease: Lassa fever (2004)

Nationality:

noun: Sierra Leonean(s)

adjective: Sierra Leonean

Ethnic groups:

20 native African tribes 90% (Temne 30%, Mende 30%, other 30%),

Creole (Krio) 10% (descendants of freed Jamaican slaves who were

settled in the Freetown area in the late-18th century), refugees

from Liberia's recent civil war, small numbers of Europeans,

Lebanese, Pakistanis, and Indians

Religions:

Muslim 60%, indigenous beliefs 30%, Christian 10%

Languages:

English (official, regular use limited to literate minority), Mende

(principal vernacular in the south), Temne (principal vernacular in

the north), Krio (English-based Creole, spoken by the descendants of

freed Jamaican slaves who were settled in the Freetown area, a

lingua franca and a first language for 10% of the population but

understood by 95%)

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write English, Mende,

Temne, or Arabic

total population: 29.6%

male: 39.8%

female: 20.5% (2000 est.)

Government Sierra Leone

Country name:

conventional long form: Republic of Sierra Leone

conventional short form: Sierra Leone

Government type:

constitutional democracy

Capital:

Freetown

Administrative divisions:

3 provinces and 1 area*; Eastern, Northern, Southern, Western*

Independence:

27 April 1961 (from UK)

National holiday:

Independence Day, 27 April (1961)

Constitution:

1 October 1991; subsequently amended several times

Legal system:

based on English law and customary laws indigenous to local tribes;

has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Ahmad Tejan KABBAH (since 29 March 1996,

reinstated 10 March 1998); note - the president is both the chief of

state and head of government

head of government: President Ahmad Tejan KABBAH (since 29 March

1996, reinstated 10 March 1998); note - the president is both the

chief of state and head of government

cabinet: Ministers of State appointed by the president with the

approval of the House of Representatives; the cabinet is responsible

to the president

elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;

election last held 14 May 2002 (next to be held May 2007); note -

president's tenure of office is limited to two five-year terms

election results: Ahmad Tejan KABBAH reelected president; percent of

vote - Ahmad Tejan KABBAH (SLPP) 70.6%, Ernest KOROMA (APC) 22.4%

Legislative branch:

unicameral Parliament (124 seats - 112 elected by popular vote, 12

filled by paramount chiefs elected in separate elections; members

serve five-year terms)

elections: last held 14 May 2002 (next to be held May 2007)

election results: percent of vote by party - SLPP 70.06%, APC

22.35%, PLP 3%, others 4.59%; seats by party - SLPP 83, APC 27, PLP 2

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court; Appeals Court; High Court

Political parties and leaders:

All People's Congress or APC [Ben KANU]; Peace and Liberation Party

or PLP [Darlington MORRISON, interim chairman]; Sierra Leone

People's Party or SLPP [Sama BANYA]; numerous others

Political pressure groups and leaders:

trade unions and student unions

International organization participation:

ACP, AfDB, AU, C, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU,

ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM,

ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO,

WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Ibrahim M. KAMARA

chancery: 1701 19th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009

telephone: [1] (202) 939-9261 through 9263

FAX: [1] (202) 483-1793

Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Thomas N. HULL embassy: Corner of Walpole and Siaka Stevens Streets, Freetown mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [232] (22) 226481 through 226485 FAX: [232] (22) 225471

Flag description:

three equal horizontal bands of light green (top), white, and light

blue

Economy Sierra Leone

Economy - overview:

Sierra Leone is an extremely poor African nation with tremendous

inequality in income distribution. While it possesses substantial

mineral, agricultural, and fishery resources, its economic and

social infrastructure is not well developed, and serious social

disorders continue to hamper economic development. About two-thirds

of the working-age population engages in subsistence agriculture.

Manufacturing consists mainly of the processing of raw materials and

of light manufacturing for the domestic market. Plans to reopen

bauxite and rutile mines shut down during an 11 year civil war have

not been implemented due to lack of foreign investment. Alluvial

diamond mining remains the major source of hard currency earnings.

The fate of the economy depends upon the maintenance of domestic

peace and the continued receipt of substantial aid from abroad,

which is essential to offset the severe trade imbalance and

supplement government revenues. International financial institutions

contributed over $600 million in development aid and budgetary

support in 2003.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$3.335 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

6% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $600 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 49% industry: 30% services: 21% (2001 est.)

Labor force:

1.369 million (1981 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture NA, industry NA, services NA

Unemployment rate:

NA

Population below poverty line:

68% (1989 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 0.5% highest 10%: 43.6% (1989)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

62.9 (1989)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

1% (2002 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $96 million

expenditures: $351 million, including capital expenditures of NA

(2000 est.)

Agriculture - products:

rice, coffee, cocoa, palm kernels, palm oil, peanuts; poultry,

cattle, sheep, pigs; fish

Industries:

diamonds mining; small-scale manufacturing (beverages, textiles,

cigarettes, footwear); petroleum refining, small commercial ship

repair

Industrial production growth rate:

NA

Electricity - production:

255.3 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

237.4 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

6,500 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Exports:

$49 million f.o.b. (2002 est.)

Exports - commodities:

diamonds, rutile, cocoa, coffee, fish (1999)

Exports - partners:

Belgium 61.6%, Germany 11.8%, US 5.4% (2004)

Imports:

$264 million f.o.b. (2002 est.)

Imports - commodities:

foodstuffs, machinery and equipment, fuels and lubricants,

chemicals (1995)

Imports - partners:

Germany 14%, Cote d'Ivoire 10.7%, UK 9.1%, US 8.4%, China 5.6%,

Netherlands 5%, South Africa 4.1% (2004)

Debt - external:

$1.5 billion (2002 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:

$103 million (2001 est.)

Currency (code):

leone (SLL)

Currency code:

SLL

Exchange rates:

leones per US dollar - 2,701.3 (2004), 2,347.9 (2003), 2,099

(2002), 1,986.2 (2001), 2,092.1 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Sierra Leone

Telephones - main lines in use:

24,000 (2002)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

67,000 (2002)

Telephone system:

general assessment: marginal telephone and telegraph service

domestic: the national microwave radio relay trunk system connects

Freetown to Bo and Kenema

international: country code - 232; satellite earth station - 1

Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 1, FM 9, shortwave 1 (1999)

Radios:

1.12 million (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

2 (1999)

Televisions:

53,000 (1997)

Internet country code:

.sl

Internet hosts:

277 (2004)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

1 (2001)

Internet users:

8,000 (2002)

Transportation Sierra Leone

Highways: total: 11,300 km paved: 904 km unpaved: 10,396 km (2002)

Waterways:

800 km (2003)

Ports and harbors:

Freetown, Pepel, Sherbro Islands

Merchant marine:

total: 2 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 7,435 GRT/8,750 DWT

by type: petroleum tanker 2 (2005)

Airports:

10 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 1

over 3,047 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 9

914 to 1,523 m: 7

under 914 m: 2 (2004 est.)

Heliports:

2 (2004 est.)

Military Sierra Leone

Military branches:

Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF): Army (includes Air

Wing, Maritime Wing)

Military service age and obligation:

18 years of age (est.); no conscription (2001)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 18-49: 1,110,077 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: 552,785 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$13.2 million (2004)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

1.7% (2004)

Transnational Issues Sierra Leone

Disputes - international:

domestic fighting among disparate rebel groups, warlords, and youth

gangs in Cote d'Ivoire, Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone perpetuate

insurgencies, street violence, looting, arms trafficking, ethnic

conflicts, and refugees in border areas; UN Mission in Sierra Leone

(UNAMSIL) has maintained over 4,000 peacekeepers in Sierra Leone

since 1999; Sierra Leone pressures Guinea to remove its forces from

the town of Yenga occupied since 1998

Refugees and internally displaced persons:

refugees (country of origin): 67,000 (Liberia) (2004)

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Singapore

Introduction Singapore

Background:

Singapore was founded as a British trading colony in 1819. It

joined the Malaysian Federation in 1963 but separated two years

later and became independent. It subsequently became one of the

world's most prosperous countries with strong international trading

links (its port is one of the world's busiest in terms of tonnage

handled) and with per capita GDP equal to that of the leading

nations of Western Europe.

Geography Singapore

Location:

Southeastern Asia, islands between Malaysia and Indonesia

Geographic coordinates:

1 22 N, 103 48 E

Map references:

Southeast Asia

Area:

total: 692.7 sq km

land: 682.7 sq km

water: 10 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly more than 3.5 times the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries:

0 km

Coastline:

193 km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 3 nm

exclusive fishing zone: within and beyond territorial sea, as

defined in treaties and practice

Climate:

tropical; hot, humid, rainy; two distinct monsoon seasons -

Northeastern monsoon from December to March and Southwestern monsoon

from June to September; inter-monsoon - frequent afternoon and early

evening thunderstorms

Terrain:

lowland; gently undulating central plateau contains water catchment

area and nature preserve

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Singapore Strait 0 m

highest point: Bukit Timah 166 m

Natural resources:

fish, deepwater ports

Land use:

arable land: 1.64%

permanent crops: 0%

other: 98.36% (2001)

Irrigated land:

NA sq km

Natural hazards:

NA

Environment - current issues:

industrial pollution; limited natural fresh water resources;

limited land availability presents waste disposal problems; seasonal

smoke/haze resulting from forest fires in Indonesia

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered

Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection,

Ship Pollution

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

focal point for Southeast Asian sea routes

People Singapore

Population:

4,425,720 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 16% (male 366,971/female 342,295)

15-64 years: 75.9% (male 1,639,842/female 1,719,829)

65 years and over: 8.1% (male 157,636/female 199,147) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 36.76 years

male: 36.4 years

female: 37.07 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

1.56% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

9.49 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

4.16 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

10.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.08 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.07 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.79 male(s)/female

total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 2.29 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 2.5 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 2.06 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 81.62 years

male: 79.05 years

female: 84.39 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

1.05 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

0.2% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

4,100 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

less than 200 (2003 est.)

Nationality:

noun: Singaporean(s)

adjective: Singapore

Ethnic groups:

Chinese 76.8%, Malay 13.9%, Indian 7.9%, other 1.4% (2000 census)

Religions:

Buddhist 42.5%, Muslim 14.9%, Taoist 8.5%, Hindu 4%, Catholic 4.8%,

other Christian 9.8%, other 0.7%, none 14.8% (2000 census)

Languages:

Mandarin 35%, English 23%, Malay 14.1%, Hokkien 11.4%, Cantonese

5.7%, Teochew 4.9%, Tamil 3.2%, other Chinese dialects 1.8%, other

0.9% (2000 census)

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 92.5%

male: 96.6%

female: 88.6% (2002)

Government Singapore

Country name:

conventional long form: Republic of Singapore

conventional short form: Singapore

Government type:

parliamentary republic

Capital:

Singapore

Administrative divisions:

none

Independence:

9 August 1965 (from Malaysian Federation)

National holiday:

National Day, 9 August (1965)

Constitution:

3 June 1959; amended 1965 (based on preindependence State of

Singapore Constitution)

Legal system:

based on English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ

jurisdiction

Suffrage:

21 years of age; universal and compulsory

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Sellapan Rama (S. R.) NATHAN (since 1

September 1999)

head of government: Prime Minister LEE Hsien Loong (since 12 August

2004); Senior Minister GOH Chok Tong (since 12 August 2004);

Minister Mentor LEE Kuan Yew (since 12 August 2004); Deputy Prime

Ministers Shunmugan JAYAKUMAR (since 12 August 2004) and Tony TAN

Keng Yam (since 1 August 1995)

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by president, responsible to Parliament

elections: president elected by popular vote for six-year term; last

appointed 17 August 2005 (next election to be held by August 2011);

following legislative elections, leader of majority party or leader

of majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by

president; deputy prime ministers appointed by president

election results: Sellapan Rama (S. R.) NATHAN appointed president

in August 2005 after Presidential Elections Committee disqualified

three other would-be candidates

Legislative branch:

unicameral Parliament (84 seats; members elected by popular vote to

serve five-year terms); note - in addition, there are up to nine

nominated members; the losing opposition candidate who came closest

to winning a seat may be appointed as a "nonconstituency" member

elections: last held 3 November 2001 (next to be held not later than

25 June 2007)

election results: percent of vote by party - PAP 75.3% (in contested

constituencies), other 24.7%; seats by party - PAP 82, WP 1, SPP 1

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court (chief justice is appointed by the president with the

advice of the prime minister, other judges are appointed by the

president with the advice of the chief justice); Court of Appeals

Political parties and leaders:

governing party: People's Action Party or PAP [LEE Hsien Loong];

opposition parties: Democratic Progressive Party or DPP [LING How

Dong]; National Solidarity Party or NSP [vacant] (SDA group);

Singapore Democratic Alliance or SDA [CHIAM See Tong] (includes SPP,

PKMS, NSP, SJP); Singapore Democratic Party or SDP [CHEE Soon Juan];

Singapore Justice Party or SJP [Desmond LIM] (SDA group); Singapore

National Malay Organization or PKMS [Malik ISMAIL] (SDA group);

Singapore People's Party or SPP [CHIAM See Tong] (SDA group);

Workers' Party or WP [Sylvia Lim Swee LIAN]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

NA

International organization participation:

APEC, APT, ARF, AsDB, ASEAN, BIS, C, CP, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO,

ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol,

IOC, ISO, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UPU, WCL, WCO, WHO,

WIPO, WMO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador CHAN Heng Chee chancery: 3501 International Place NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 537-3100 FAX: [1] (202) 537-0876 consulate(s) general: San Francisco consulate(s): New York

Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Franklin L. LAVIN embassy: 27 Napier Road, Singapore 258508 mailing address: FPO AP 96507-0001 telephone: [65] 6476-9100 FAX: [65] 6476-9340

Flag description:

two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and white; near the hoist

side of the red band, there is a vertical, white crescent (closed

portion is toward the hoist side) partially enclosing five white

five-pointed stars arranged in a circle

Economy Singapore

Economy - overview:

Singapore, a highly developed and successful free market economy,

enjoys a remarkably open and corruption-free environment, stable

prices, and a per capita GDP equal to that of the Big 4 West

European countries. The economy depends heavily on exports,

particularly in electronics and manufacturing. It was hard hit in

2001-03 by the global recession, by the slump in the technology

sector, and by an outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome in

2003, which curbed tourism and consumer spending. The government

hopes to establish a new growth path that will be less vulnerable to

the external business cycle and will continue efforts to establish

Singapore as Southeast Asia's financial and high-tech hub. Fiscal

stimulus, low interest rates, a surge in exports, and internal

flexibility led to vigorous growth in 2004, with real GDP rising by

8 percent, by far the economy's best performance since 2000.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$120.9 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

8.1% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $27,800 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 0% negligible industry: 32.6% services: 67.4% (2004 est.)

Labor force: 2.18 million (2004 est.)

Labor force - by occupation: manufacturing 18%, construction 6%, transportation and communication 11%, financial, business, and other services 49%, other 16% (2003)

Unemployment rate:

3.4% (2004 est.)

Population below poverty line:

NA

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

1.7% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

27.4% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $17.05 billion

expenditures: $18.45 billion, including capital expenditures of $5.8

billion (2004 est.)

Public debt:

102.5% of GDP (2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

rubber, copra, fruit, orchids, vegetables, poultry, eggs, fish,

ornamental fish

Industries:

electronics, chemicals, financial services, oil drilling equipment,

petroleum refining, rubber processing and rubber products, processed

food and beverages, ship repair, offshore platform construction,

life sciences, entrepot trade

Industrial production growth rate:

11.1% (2004 est.)

Electricity - production:

35.33 billion kWh (2003)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

32 billion kWh (2003)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2003)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2003)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

700,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Natural gas - production:

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - consumption:

2.5 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - exports:

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - imports: 2.5 billion cu m note: from Indonesia and Malaysia (2001 est.)

Current account balance:

$8.8 billion (2004 est.)

Exports:

$174 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

machinery and equipment (including electronics), consumer goods,

chemicals, mineral fuels

Exports - partners:

Malaysia 15.2%, US 13%, Hong Kong 9.8%, China 8.6%, Japan 6.4%,

Taiwan 4.6%, Thailand 4.3%, South Korea 4.1% (2004)

Imports:

$155.2 billion (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

machinery and equipment, mineral fuels, chemicals, foodstuffs

Imports - partners:

Malaysia 15.3%, US 12.7%, Japan 11.7%, China 9.9%, Taiwan 5.7%,

South Korea 4.3%, Thailand 4.1% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$112.8 billion (2004 est.)

Debt - external:

$19.4 billion (2004 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:

NA

Currency (code):

Singapore dollar (SGD)

Currency code:

SGD

Exchange rates:

Singapore dollars per US dollar - 1.6902 (2004), 1.7422 (2003),

1.7906 (2002), 1.7917 (2001), 1.724 (2000)

Fiscal year:

1 April - 31 March

Communications Singapore

Telephones - main lines in use:

1,896,100 (2004)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

3,521,800 (2004)

Telephone system:

general assessment: excellent service

domestic: excellent domestic facilities

international: country code - 65; submarine cables to Malaysia

(Sabah and Peninsular Malaysia), Indonesia, and the Philippines;

satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Pacific

Ocean), and 1 Inmarsat (Pacific Ocean region)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 0, FM 17, shortwave 2 (2003)

Radios:

2.6 million (2000)

Television broadcast stations:

7 (2003)

Televisions:

1.33 million (1997)

Internet country code:

.sg

Internet hosts:

484,825 (2003)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

9 (2000)

Internet users:

2.31 million (2002)

Transportation Singapore

Highways:

total: 3,130 km

paved: 3,130 km (including 150 km of expressways)

unpaved: 0 km (2002)

Pipelines:

gas 139 km (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Singapore

Merchant marine:

total: 923 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 23,065,290 GRT/36,393,317 DWT

by type: bulk carrier 138, cargo 86, chemical tanker 115,

combination ore/oil 5, container 180, liquefied gas 42, livestock

carrier 1, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 316, refrigerated

cargo 3, vehicle carrier 36

foreign-owned: 487 (Australia 5, Bangladesh 1, Belgium 10, China 15,

Denmark 34, Germany 7, Greece 5, Hong Kong 43, India 3, Indonesia

54, Japan 83, Malaysia 31, Norway 83, Philippines 3, Russia 1,

Slovenia 1, South Korea 12, Sweden 12, Taiwan 44, Thailand 17, UAE

6, United Kingdom 12, United States 5)

registered in other countries: 276 (2005)

Airports:

10 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 10 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Military Singapore

Military branches:

Singapore Armed Forces: Army, Navy, Air Force, Air Defense (2005)

Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for compulsory military service; 16 years of age for volunteers; conscript service obligation reduced to 24 months beginning December 2004 (December 2004)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 18-49: 1,215,568 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: 982,368 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$4.47 billion (FY01 est.)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

4.9% (FY01)

Transnational Issues Singapore

Disputes - international:

disputes persist with Malaysia over deliveries of fresh water to

Singapore, Singapore's extensive land reclamation works, bridge

construction, maritime boundaries, and Pedra Branca Island/Pulau

Batu Putih - parties agree to ICJ arbitration on island dispute

within three years; Indonesia and Singapore pledged in 2005 to

finalize their 1973 maritime boundary agreement by defining

unresolved areas north of Batam Island; piracy remains a problem in

the Malacca Strait

Illicit drugs:

as a transportation and financial services hub, Singapore is

vulnerable, despite strict laws and enforcement, to be used as a

transit point for Golden Triangle heroin and as a venue for money

laundering

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Slovakia

Introduction Slovakia

Background:

In 1918 the Slovaks joined the closely related Czechs to form

Czechoslovakia. Following the chaos of World War II, Czechoslovakia

became a Communist nation within Soviet-ruled Eastern Europe. Soviet

influence collapsed in 1989 and Czechoslovakia once more became

free. The Slovaks and the Czechs agreed to separate peacefully on 1

January 1993. Slovakia joined both NATO and the EU in the spring of

2004.

Geography Slovakia

Location:

Central Europe, south of Poland

Geographic coordinates:

48 40 N, 19 30 E

Map references:

Europe

Area:

total: 48,845 sq km

land: 48,800 sq km

water: 45 sq km

Area - comparative:

about twice the size of New Hampshire

Land boundaries:

total: 1,524 km

border countries: Austria 91 km, Czech Republic 215 km, Hungary 677

km, Poland 444 km, Ukraine 97 km

Coastline:

0 km (landlocked)

Maritime claims:

none (landlocked)

Climate:

temperate; cool summers; cold, cloudy, humid winters

Terrain:

rugged mountains in the central and northern part and lowlands in

the south

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Bodrok River 94 m

highest point: Gerlachovsky Stit 2,655 m

Natural resources:

brown coal and lignite; small amounts of iron ore, copper and

manganese ore; salt; arable land

Land use: arable land: 30.16% permanent crops: 2.62% other: 67.22% (2001)

Irrigated land:

1,740 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

NA

Environment - current issues:

air pollution from metallurgical plants presents human health

risks; acid rain damaging forests

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air

Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85,

Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds,

Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto

Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental

Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer

Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

landlocked; most of the country is rugged and mountainous; the

Tatra Mountains in the north are interspersed with many scenic lakes

and valleys

People Slovakia

Population:

5,431,363 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 17.1% (male 475,263/female 453,340)

15-64 years: 71% (male 1,919,222/female 1,939,097)

65 years and over: 11.9% (male 241,610/female 402,831) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 35.43 years

male: 33.85 years

female: 37.25 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

0.15% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

10.62 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

9.43 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

0.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.6 male(s)/female

total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 7.41 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 8.65 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 6.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 74.5 years

male: 70.52 years

female: 78.68 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

1.32 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

less than 0.1% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

less than 200 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

less than 100 (2001 est.)

Nationality:

noun: Slovak(s)

adjective: Slovak

Ethnic groups:

Slovak 85.8%, Hungarian 9.7%, Roma 1.7%, Ruthenian/Ukrainian 1%,

other and unspecified 1.8% (2001 census)

Religions:

Roman Catholic 68.9%, Protestant 10.8%, Greek Catholic 4.1%, other

or unspecified 3.2%, none 13% (2001 census)

Languages:

Slovak (official) 83.9%, Hungarian 10.7%, Roma 1.8%, Ukrainian 1%,

other or unspecified 2.6% (2001 census)

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 99.6%

male: 99.7%

female: 99.6% (2001 est.)

Government Slovakia

Country name:

conventional long form: Slovak Republic

conventional short form: Slovakia

local long form: Slovenska Republika

local short form: Slovensko

Government type:

parliamentary democracy

Capital:

Bratislava

Administrative divisions:

8 regions (kraje, singular - kraj); Banskobystricky, Bratislavsky,

Kosicky, Nitriansky, Presovsky, Trenciansky, Trnavsky, Zilinsky

Independence:

1 January 1993 (Czechoslovakia split into the Czech Republic and

Slovakia)

National holiday:

Constitution Day, 1 September (1992)

Constitution:

ratified 1 September 1992, effective 1 January 1993; changed in

September 1998 to allow direct election of the president; amended

February 2001 to allow Slovakia to apply for NATO and EU membership

Legal system:

civil law system based on Austro-Hungarian codes; has not accepted

compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; legal code modified to comply with the

obligations of Organization on Security and Cooperation in Europe

(OSCE) and to expunge Marxist-Leninist legal theory

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Ivan GASPAROVIC (since 15 June 2004)

head of government: Prime Minister Mikulas DZURINDA (since 30

October 1998); Deputy Prime Minister Ivan MIKLOS (since 30 October

1998); Deputy Prime Minister Pal CSAKY (since 30 October 1998);

Deputy Prime Minister Pavol RUSKO (since May 2004)

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president on the recommendation of

the prime minister

elections: president elected by direct, popular vote for a five-year

term; election last held 3 April and 17 April 2004 (next to be held

April 2009); following National Council elections, the leader of the

majority party or the leader of a majority coalition is usually

appointed prime minister by the president

election results: Ivan GASPAROVIC elected president in runoff;

percent of vote - Ivan GASPAROVIC 59.9%, Vladimir MECIAR 40.1%;

Mikulas DZURINDA reelected prime minister October 2002

note: government coalition - SDKU, SMK, KDH, ANO

Legislative branch:

unicameral National Council of the Slovak Republic or Narodna Rada

Slovenskej Republiky (150 seats; members are elected on the basis of

proportional representation to serve four-year terms)

elections: last held 20-21 September 2002 (next to be held September

2006)

election results: percent of vote by party - HZDS-LS 19.5%, SDKU

15.1%, Smer 13.5%, SMK 11.2%, KDH 8.3%, ANO 8%, KSS 6.3%; seats by

party - governing coalition 69 (SDKU 22, SMK 20, KDH 15, ANO 12),

opposition 81 (HZDS 26, Smer 25, KSS 9, Free Forum 6, People's Union

5, and independents 10)

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court (judges are elected by the National Council);

Constitutional Court (judges appointed by president from group of

nominees approved by the National Council)

Political parties and leaders:

Christian Democratic Movement or KDH [Pavol HRUSOVSKY]; Direction

(Smer) [Robert FICO]; Free Forum [Zuzana MARTINAKOVA]; Movement for

Democracy or HZD [Jozef GRAPA]; Movement for a Democratic

Slovakia-People's Party or HZDS-LS [Vladimir MECIAR]; New Citizens

Alliance or ANO [Pavol RUSKO]; Party of the Hungarian Coalition or

SMK [Bela BUGAR]; People's Union or LU [Gustav KRAJCI]; Slovak

Communist Party or KSS [Jozef SEVC]; Slovak Democratic and Christian

Union or SDKU [Mikulas DZURINDA]; Slovak National Party or SNS

[Peter SULOVSKY]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

Association of Employers of Slovakia; Association of Towns and

Villages or ZMOS; Confederation of Trade Unions or KOZ; Metal

Workers Unions or KOVO and METALURG

International organization participation: Australia Group, BIS, CE, CEI, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EU (new member), FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MIGA, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNDOF, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNIDO, UNTSO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WEU (member affiliate), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO, ZC

Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Rastislav KACER chancery: 3523 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 237-1054 FAX: [1] (202) 237-6438 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles and New York

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Scott N.

THAYER

embassy: Hviezdoslavovo Namestie 4, 81102 Bratislava

mailing address: P.O. Box 309, 814 99 Bratislava

telephone: [421] (2) 5443-3338

FAX: [421] (2) 5443-0096

Flag description:

three equal horizontal bands of white (top), blue, and red

superimposed with the Slovak cross in a shield centered on the hoist

side; the cross is white centered on a background of red and blue

Economy Slovakia

Economy - overview:

Slovakia has mastered much of the difficult transition from a

centrally planned economy to a modern market economy. The DZURINDA

government made excellent progress during 2001-04 in macroeconomic

stabilization and structural reform. Major privatizations are nearly

complete, the banking sector is almost completely in foreign hands,

and the government has helped facilitate a foreign investment boom

with business-friendly policies, such as labor market liberalization

and a 19% flat tax. Slovakia's economic growth exceeded expectations

in 2001-04, despite the general European slowdown. Unemployment, at

an unacceptable 15% in 2003-04, remains the economy's Achilles heel.

Slovakia joined the EU on 1 May 2004.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$78.89 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

5.3% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $14,500 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 3.5% industry: 30.1% services: 66.4% (2004 est.)

Labor force: 2.2 million (3rd quarter, 2004 est.)

Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 5.8%, industry 29.3%, construction 9%, services 55.9% (2003)

Unemployment rate:

13.1% (31 December 2004 est.)

Population below poverty line:

NA

Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 5.1% highest 10%: 18.2% (1992)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

26.3 (1996)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

7.5% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

24% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $15.44 billion

expenditures: $16.7 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Public debt:

46.6% of GDP (2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

grains, potatoes, sugar beets, hops, fruit; pigs, cattle, poultry;

forest products

Industries:

metal and metal products; food and beverages; electricity, gas,

coke, oil, nuclear fuel; chemicals and manmade fibers; machinery;

paper and printing; earthenware and ceramics; transport vehicles;

textiles; electrical and optical apparatus; rubber products

Industrial production growth rate:

5.1% (2004 est.)

Electricity - production:

31.15 billion kWh (2003)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 30.3% hydro: 16% nuclear: 53.6% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

28.89 billion kWh (2003)

Electricity - exports:

8 billion kWh (2003)

Electricity - imports:

6 billion kWh (2003)

Oil - production:

1,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

82,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Oil - proved reserves:

4.5 million bbl (1 January 2002)

Natural gas - production:

190 million cu m (2003 est.)

Natural gas - consumption:

6.8 billion cu m (2003 est.)

Natural gas - exports:

0 cu m (2003 est.)

Natural gas - imports:

6.6 billion cu m (2003 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves:

7.504 billion cu m (1 January 2002)

Current account balance:

$-1.4 billion (2004 est.)

Exports:

$29.24 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

vehicles 25.9%, machinery and electrical equipment 21.3%, base

metals 14.6%, chemicals and minerals 10.1%, plastics 5.4%% (2004

est.)

Exports - partners:

Germany 34.4%, Czech Republic 14.7%, Austria 8.2%, Italy 5.8%,

Poland 5.3%, US 4.5%, Hungary 4.3% (2004)

Imports:

$29.67 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

machinery and transport equipment 41.1%, intermediate manufactured

goods 19.3%, fuels 12.3%, chemicals 9.8%, miscellaneous manufactured

goods 10.2% (2003)

Imports - partners:

Germany 26.1%, Czech Republic 21.3%, Russia 9.1%, Austria 6.6%,

Poland 4.9%, Italy 4.9% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$14.91 billion (2004 est.)

Debt - external:

$19.54 billion (2004 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:

$2.2 billion in available EU structural adjustment and cohesion

funds (2004-06)

Currency (code):

Slovak koruna (SKK)

Currency code:

SKK

Exchange rates:

koruny per US dollar - 32.257 (2004), 36.773 (2003), 45.327 (2002),

48.355 (2001), 46.035 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Slovakia

Telephones - main lines in use:

1,294,700 (2003)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

3,678,800 (2003)

Telephone system:

general assessment: a modernization and privatization program is

increasing accessibility to telephone service, reducing the waiting

time for new subscribers, and generally improving service quality

domestic: predominantly an analog system that is now receiving

digital equipment and is being enlarged with fiber-optic cable,

especially in the larger cities; mobile cellular capability has been

added

international: country code - 421; three international exchanges

(one in Bratislava and two in Banska Bystrica) are available;

Slovakia is participating in several international

telecommunications projects that will increase the availability of

external services

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 15, FM 78, shortwave 2 (1998)

Radios:

3.12 million (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

6 national broadcasting, 7 regional, 67 local (2004)

Televisions:

2.62 million (1997)

Internet country code:

.sk

Internet hosts:

89,592 (2004)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

6 (2000)

Internet users:

1,375,800 (2003)

Transportation Slovakia

Railways:

total: 3,662 km

broad gauge: 100 km 1.520-m gauge

standard gauge: 3,512 km 1.435-m gauge (1,588 km electrified)

narrow gauge: 50 km (1.000-m or 0.750-m gauge) (2004)

Highways:

total: 42,970 km

paved: 37,698 km (including 302 km of expressways)

unpaved: 5,272 km (2002)

Waterways:

172 km (on Danube River) (2004)

Pipelines:

gas 6,769 km; oil 449 km (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Bratislava, Komarno

Merchant marine:

total: 24 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 41,891 GRT/63,185 DWT

by type: bulk carrier 5, cargo 18, chemical tanker 1

foreign-owned: 18 (Bulgaria 8, Estonia 1, Greece 1, Syria 1, Turkey

6, United Kingdom 1) (2005)

Airports:

34 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 17 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 7 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 17 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 9 under 914 m: 7 (2004 est.)

Heliports: 1 (2004 est.)

Military Slovakia

Military branches:

Army of the Slovak Republic (Armady Slovenskej Republika): Land

Command, Air Forces (Vozdushne Sily), Training and Support Command,

Logistics Command (2005)

Military service age and obligation: complete transition to an all-volunteer professional force is planned for 1 January 2007; 82% of Slovak armed forces were volunteers as of January 2005; volunteers include women, with minimum age of 17 years; 18 years of age for compulsory military service (January 2005)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 18-49: 1,351,848 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: 1,089,645 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:

males: 41,544 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$406 million (2002)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

1.89% (2002)

Transnational Issues Slovakia

Disputes - international:

Hungary amended its status law extending special social and

cultural benefits to ethnic Hungarians in Slovakia, to which

Slovakia had protested; consultations continue between Slovakia and

Hungary over Hungary's completion of its portion of the

Gabcikovo-Nagymaros hydroelectric dam project along the Danube; as a

member state that forms part of the EU's external border, Slovakia

must implement the strict Schengen border rules

Illicit drugs:

transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin bound for Western

Europe; producer of synthetic drugs for regional market

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Slovenia

Introduction Slovenia

Background:

The Slovene lands were part of the Holy Roman Empire and Austria

until 1918 when the Slovenes joined the Serbs and Croats in forming

a new multinational state, renamed Yugoslavia in 1929. After World

War II, Slovenia became a republic of the renewed Yugoslavia, which

though Communist, distanced itself from Moscow's rule. Dissatisfied

with the exercise of power by the majority Serbs, the Slovenes

succeeded in establishing their independence in 1991 after a short

10-day war. Historical ties to Western Europe, a strong economy, and

a stable democracy have assisted in Slovenia's transformation to a

modern state. Slovenia acceded to both NATO and the EU in the spring

of 2004.

Geography Slovenia

Location:

Central Europe, eastern Alps bordering the Adriatic Sea, between

Austria and Croatia

Geographic coordinates:

46 07 N, 14 49 E

Map references:

Europe

Area:

total: 20,273 sq km

land: 20,151 sq km

water: 122 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly smaller than New Jersey

Land boundaries:

total: 1,334 km

border countries: Austria 330 km, Croatia 670 km, Italy 232 km,

Hungary 102 km

Coastline:

46.6 km

Maritime claims:

NA

Climate:

Mediterranean climate on the coast, continental climate with mild

to hot summers and cold winters in the plateaus and valleys to the

east

Terrain:

a short coastal strip on the Adriatic, an alpine mountain region

adjacent to Italy and Austria, mixed mountains and valleys with

numerous rivers to the east

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Adriatic Sea 0 m

highest point: Triglav 2,864 m

Natural resources:

lignite coal, lead, zinc, mercury, uranium, silver, hydropower,

forests

Land use: arable land: 8.6% permanent crops: 1.49% other: 89.91% (2001)

Irrigated land:

20 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

flooding and earthquakes

Environment - current issues: Sava River polluted with domestic and industrial waste; pollution of coastal waters with heavy metals and toxic chemicals; forest damage near Koper from air pollution (originating at metallurgical and chemical plants) and resulting acid rain

Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants

Geography - note:

despite its small size, this eastern Alpine country controls some

of Europe's major transit routes

People Slovenia

Population:

2,011,070 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 14% (male 145,016/female 137,012)

15-64 years: 70.6% (male 715,629/female 704,079)

65 years and over: 15.4% (male 118,298/female 191,036) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 40.23 years

male: 38.65 years

female: 41.75 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

-0.03% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

8.95 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

10.22 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

1 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.62 male(s)/female

total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 4.45 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 5.05 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 3.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 76.14 years

male: 72.42 years

female: 80.1 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

1.24 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

less than 0.1% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

280 (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

less than 100 (2003 est.)

Nationality:

noun: Slovene(s)

adjective: Slovenian

Ethnic groups:

Slovene 83.1%, Serb 2%, Croat 1.8%, Bosniak 1.1%, other or

unspecified 12% (2002 census)

Religions:

Catholic 57.8%, Orthodox 2.3%, other Christian 0.9%, Muslim 2.4%,

unaffiliated 3.5%, other or unspecified 23%, none 10.1% (2002 census)

Languages:

Slovenian 91.1%, Serbo-Croatian 4.5%, other or unspecified 4.4%

(2002 census)

Literacy: definition: NA total population: 99.7% male: 99.7% female: 99.6% (2003 est.)

Government Slovenia

Country name:

conventional long form: Republic of Slovenia

conventional short form: Slovenia

local long form: Republika Slovenija

local short form: Slovenija

former: People's Republic of Slovenia, Socialist Republic of Slovenia

Government type:

parliamentary democratic republic

Capital:

Ljubljana

Administrative divisions:

182 municipalities (obcine, singular - obcina) and 11 urban

municipalities* (mestne obcine , singular - mestna obcina )

Ajdovscina, Beltinci, Benedikt, Bistrica ob Sotli, Bled, Bloke,

Bohinj, Borovnica, Bovec, Braslovce, Brda, Brezice, Brezovica,

Cankova, Celje*, Cerklje na Gorenjskem, Cerknica, Cerkno,

Cerkvenjak, Crensovci, Crna na Koroskem, Crnomelj, Destrnik, Divaca,

Dobje, Dobrepolje, Dobrna, Dobrova-Horjul-Polhov Gradec,

Dobrovnik-Dobronak, Dolenjske Toplice, Dol pri Ljubljani, Domzale,

Dornava, Dravograd, Duplek, Gorenja Vas-Poljane, Gorisnica, Gornja

Radgona, Gornji Grad, Gornji Petrovci, Grad, Grosuplje, Hajdina,

Hoce-Slivnica, Hodos-Hodos, Horjul, Hrastnik, Hrpelje-Kozina,

Idrija, Ig, Ilirska Bistrica, Ivancna Gorica, Izola-Isola, Jesenice,

Jezersko, Jursinci, Kamnik, Kanal, Kidricevo, Kobarid, Kobilje,

Kocevje, Komen, Komenda, Koper-Capodistria*, Kostel, Kozje, Kranj*,

Kranjska Gora, Krizevci, Krsko, Kungota, Kuzma, Lasko, Lenart,

Lendava-Lendva, Litija, Ljubljana*, Ljubno, Ljutomer, Logatec, Loska

Dolina, Loski Potok, Lovrenc na Pohorju, Luce, Lukovica, Majsperk,

Maribor*, Markovci, Medvode, Menges, Metlika, Mezica, Miklavz na

Dravskem Polju, Miren-Kostanjevica, Mirna Pec, Mislinja, Moravce,

Moravske Toplice, Mozirje, Murska Sobota*, Muta, Naklo, Nazarje,

Nova Gorica*, Novo Mesto*, Odranci, Oplotnica, Ormoz, Osilnica,

Pesnica, Piran-Pirano, Pivka, Podcetrtek, Podlehnik, Podvelka,

Polzela, Postojna, Prebold, Preddvor, Prevalje, Ptuj*, Puconci,

Race-Fram, Radece, Radenci, Radlje ob Dravi, Radovljica, Ravne na

Koroskem, Razkrizje, Ribnica, Ribnica na Pohorju, Rogasovci, Rogaska

Slatina, Rogatec, Ruse, Salovci, Selnica ob Dravi, Semic,

Sempeter-Vrtojba, Sencur, Sentilj, Sentjernej, Sentjur pri Celju,

Sevnica, Sezana, Skocjan, Skofja Loka, Skofljica, Slovenj Gradec*,

Slovenska Bistrica, Slovenske Konjice, Smarje pri Jelsah, Smartno ob

Paki, Smartno pri Litiji, Sodrazica, Solcava, Sostanj, Starse,

Store, Sveta Ana, Sveti Andraz v Slovenskih Goricah, Sveti Jurij,

Tabor, Tisina, Tolmin, Trbovlje, Trebnje, Trnovska Vas, Trzic,

Trzin, Turnisce, Velenje*, Velika Polana, Velike Lasce, Verzej,

Videm, Vipava, Vitanje, Vodice, Vojnik, Vransko, Vrhnika, Vuzenica,

Zagorje ob Savi, Zalec, Zavrc, Zelezniki, Zetale, Ziri, Zirovnica,

Zuzemberk, Zrece

note: there may be 45 more municipalities

Independence:

25 June 1991 (from Yugoslavia)

National holiday:

Independence Day/Statehood Day, 25 June (1991)

Constitution:

adopted 23 December 1991, effective 23 December 1991

Legal system:

based on civil law system

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal (16 years of age, if employed)

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Janez DRNOVSEK (since 22 December 2002)

head of government: Prime Minister Janez JANSA (since 9 November

2004)

cabinet: Council of Ministers nominated by the prime minister and

elected by the National Assembly

elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;

election last held 10 November and 1 December 2002 (next to be held

in the fall of 2007); following National Assembly elections, the

leader of the majority party or the leader of a majority coalition

is usually nominated to become prime minister by the president and

elected by the National Assembly; election last held 9 November 2004

(next National Assembly elections to be held October 2008)

election results: Janez DRNOVSEK elected president; percent of vote

- Janez DRNOVSEK 56.5%, Barbara BREZIGAR 43.5%; Janez JANSA elected

prime minister; National Assembly vote - 57 to 27

Legislative branch:

bicameral Parliament consisting of a National Assembly or Drzavni

Zbor (90 seats; 40 are directly elected and 50 are selected on a

proportional basis; note - the numbers of directly elected and

proportionally elected seats varies with each election; members are

elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) and the National

Council or Drzavni Svet (this is primarily an advisory body

organized on corporatist principles with limited legislative powers;

it may propose laws, ask to review any National Assembly decisions,

and call national referenda; members are indirectly elected to

five-year terms by an electoral college)

elections: National Assembly - last held 3 October 2004 (next to be

held October 2008)

election results: percent of vote by party - SDS 29.1%, LDS 22.8%,

ZLSD 10.2%, NSi 9%, SLS 6.8%, SNS 6.3%, DeSUS 4.1%, other 11.7%;

seats by party - SDS 29, LDS 23, ZLSD 10, NSi 9, SLS 7, SNS 6, DeSUS

4, Hungarian and Italian minorities 1 each

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court (judges are elected by the National Assembly on the

recommendation of the Judicial Council); Constitutional Court

(judges elected for nine-year terms by the National Assembly and

nominated by the president)

Political parties and leaders:

Democratic Party of Retired (Persons) of Slovenia or DeSUS [Anton

ROUS]; Liberal Democratic Party or LDS [Anton ROP]; New Slovenia or

NSi [Andrej BAJUK]; Slovene Democratic Party or SDS [Janez JANSA];

Slovene National Party or SNS [Zmago JELINCIC]; Slovene People's

Party or SLS [Janez PODOBNIK]; Slovene Youth Party or SMS [Darko

KRANJC]; United List of Social Democrats or ZLSD [Borut PAHOR]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

NA

International organization participation:

Australia Group, BIS, CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EU (new member),

FAO, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IHO,

ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MIGA, NAM (guest),

NATO, NSG, OAS (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,

UNIDO, UNMIK, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WEU (member affiliate), WHO, WIPO,

WMO, WToO, WTO, ZC

Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Samuel ZBOGAR chancery: 1525 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 667-5363 FAX: [1] (202) 667-4563 consulate(s) general: New York and Cleveland

Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Thomas B. ROBERTSON embassy: Presernova 31, 1000 Ljubljana mailing address: American Embassy Ljubljana, Department of State, 7140 Ljubljana Place, Washington, DC 20521-7140 telephone: [386] (1) 200-5500 FAX: [386] (1) 200-5555

Flag description:

three equal horizontal bands of white (top), blue, and red, with

the Slovenian seal (a shield with the image of Triglav, Slovenia's

highest peak, in white against a blue background at the center;

beneath it are two wavy blue lines depicting seas and rivers, and

above it are three six-pointed stars arranged in an inverted

triangle, which are taken from the coat of arms of the Counts of

Celje, the great Slovene dynastic house of the late 14th and early

15th centuries); the seal is located in the upper hoist side of the

flag centered in the white and blue bands

Economy Slovenia

Economy - overview:

Slovenia, with its historical ties to Western Europe, enjoys a GDP

per capita substantially higher than that of the other transitioning

economies of Central Europe. In March 2004, Slovenia became the

first transition country to graduate from borrower status to donor

partner at the World Bank. Privatization of the economy proceeded at

an accelerated pace in 2002-04. Despite lackluster performance in

Europe in 2001-04, Slovenia maintained moderate growth. Structural

reforms to improve the business environment have allowed for greater

foreign participation in Slovenia's economy and have helped to lower

unemployment. Further measures to curb inflation are still needed.

Corruption and the high degree of coordination between government,

business, and central bank policy were issues of concern in the

run-up to Slovenia's 1 May 2004 accession to the European Union. In

mid-2004 Slovenia agreed to adopt the euro by 2007 and, therefore,

must keep its debt levels, budget deficits, interest rates, and

inflation levels within the EU's Maastrict criteria.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$39.41 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

3.9% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $19,600 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 3% industry: 36% services: 60% (2004 est.)

Labor force:

870,000 (2004 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 6%, industry 40%, services 55% (2002)

Unemployment rate:

6.4% (2004 est.)

Population below poverty line:

NA

Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.9% highest 10%: 23% (1998)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

28.4 (1998)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

3.3% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

24.9% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $13.36 billion

expenditures: $13.99 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Public debt:

31.5% of GDP (2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

potatoes, hops, wheat, sugar beets, corn, grapes; cattle, sheep,

poultry

Industries:

ferrous metallurgy and aluminum products, lead and zinc smelting,

electronics (including military electronics), trucks, electric power

equipment, wood products, textiles, chemicals, machine tools

Industrial production growth rate:

3.9% (2004 est.)

Electricity - production:

12.49 billion kWh (2003)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 35.2% hydro: 27.3% nuclear: 36.8% other: 0.7% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

11.8 billion kWh (2003)

Electricity - exports:

7.448 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

5.194 billion kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

20 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

53,300 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Natural gas - production:

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - consumption:

1.04 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - exports:

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - imports:

1.04 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Current account balance:

$-51.64 million (2004 est.)

Exports:

$14.97 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

manufactured goods, machinery and transport equipment, chemicals,

food

Exports - partners:

Germany 18.3%, Italy 11.6%, Austria 11.5%, France 7.4%, Croatia

7.4%, Bosnia and Herzegovina 4.8% (2004)

Imports:

$16.07 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, chemicals,

fuels and lubricants, food

Imports - partners:

Germany 19.9%, Italy 17%, Austria 14.9%, France 10.2% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$8.493 billion (2004 est.)

Debt - external:

$14.65 billion (2004 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:

ODA, $62 million (2000 est.)

Currency (code):

tolar (SIT)

Currency code:

SIT

Exchange rates:

tolars per US dollar - 192.38 (2004), 207.11 (2003), 240.25 (2002),

242.75 (2001), 222.66 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Slovenia

Telephones - main lines in use:

812,300 (2003)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

1,739,100 (2003)

Telephone system:

general assessment: NA

domestic: 100% digital (2000)

international: country code - 386

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 17, FM 160, shortwave 0 (1998)

Radios:

805,000 (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

48 (2001)

Televisions:

710,000 (1997)

Internet country code:

.si

Internet hosts:

45,491 (2004)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

11 (2000)

Internet users:

750,000 (2002)

Transportation Slovenia

Railways: total: 1,201 km standard gauge: 1,201 km 1.435-m gauge (499 km electrified) (2004)

Highways:

total: 20,250 km

paved: 20,250 km (including 456 km of expressways)

unpaved: 0 km (2002)

Pipelines:

gas 2,526 km; oil 11 km (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Koper

Merchant marine:

registered in other countries: 23

Airports:

14 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 6 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 8

1,524 to 2,437 m: 2

914 to 1,523 m: 2

under 914 m: 4 (2004 est.)

Military Slovenia

Military branches:

Slovenian Army (includes Air and Naval Forces)

Military service age and obligation: 17 years of age for voluntary military service; conscription abolished in 2003 (2004)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 17-49: 496,929 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 17-49: 405,593 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:

males: 12,816 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$370 million (FY00)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

1.7% (FY00)

Transnational Issues Slovenia

Disputes - international:

the Croatia-Slovenia land and maritime boundary agreement, which

would have ceded most of Piran Bay and maritime access to Slovenia

and several villages to Croatia, remains unratified and in dispute;

as a member state that forms part of the EU's external border,

Slovenia must implement the strict Schengen border rules to curb

illegal migration and commerce through southeastern Europe while

encouraging close cross-border ties with Croatia

Illicit drugs:

minor transit point for cocaine and Southwest Asian heroin bound

for Western Europe, and for precursor chemicals

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Solomon Islands

Introduction Solomon Islands

Background:

The UK established a protectorate over the Solomon Islands in the

1890s. Some of the bitterest fighting of World War II occurred on

these islands. Self-government was achieved in 1976 and independence

two years later. Ethnic violence, government malfeasance, and

endemic crime have undermined stability and civil society. In June

2003, Prime Minister Sir Allen KEMAKEZA sought the assistance of

Australia in reestablishing law and order; the following month, an

Australian-led multinational force arrived to restore peace and

disarm ethnic militias. The Regional Assistance Mission to the

Solomon Islands (RAMSI) has been very effective in restoring law and

order and rebuilding government institutions.

Geography Solomon Islands

Location:

Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, east of Papua

New Guinea

Geographic coordinates:

8 00 S, 159 00 E

Map references:

Oceania

Area:

total: 28,450 sq km

land: 27,540 sq km

water: 910 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly smaller than Maryland

Land boundaries:

0 km

Coastline:

5,313 km

Maritime claims: measured from claimed archipelagic baselines territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm

Climate:

tropical monsoon; few extremes of temperature and weather

Terrain:

mostly rugged mountains with some low coral atolls

Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Makarakomburu 2,447 m

Natural resources: fish, forests, gold, bauxite, phosphates, lead, zinc, nickel

Land use: arable land: 0.64% permanent crops: 2% other: 97.36% (2001)

Irrigated land:

NA

Natural hazards:

typhoons, but rarely destructive; geologically active region with

frequent earth tremors; volcanic activity

Environment - current issues:

deforestation; soil erosion; many of the surrounding coral reefs

are dead or dying

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto

Protocol, Desertification, Environmental Modification, Law of the

Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer

Protection, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

strategic location on sea routes between the South Pacific Ocean,

the Solomon Sea, and the Coral Sea

People Solomon Islands

Population:

538,032 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 41.9% (male 114,860/female 110,404)

15-64 years: 54.9% (male 149,400/female 145,970)

65 years and over: 3.2% (male 8,371/female 9,027) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 18.63 years

male: 18.5 years

female: 18.76 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

2.68% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

30.74 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

3.98 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.93 male(s)/female

total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 21.29 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 24.27 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 18.17 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 72.66 years

male: 70.16 years

female: 75.28 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

4.04 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

NA

Nationality:

noun: Solomon Islander(s)

adjective: Solomon Islander

Ethnic groups:

Melanesian 94.5%, Polynesian 3%, Micronesian 1.2%, other 1.1%,

unspecified 0.2% (1999 census)

Religions:

Church of Melanesia 32.8%, Roman Catholic 19%, South Seas

Evangelical 17%, Seventh-Day Adventist 11.2%, United Church 10.3%,

Christian Fellowship Church 2.4%, other Christian 4.4%, other 2.4%,

unspecified 0.3%, none 0.2% (1999 census)

Languages:

Melanesian pidgin in much of the country is lingua franca; English

is official but spoken by only 1%-2% of the population

note: 120 indigenous languages

Literacy: definition: NA total population: NA% male: NA% female: NA%

Government Solomon Islands

Country name:

conventional long form: none

conventional short form: Solomon Islands

former: British Solomon Islands

Government type:

parliamentary democracy

Capital:

Honiara

Administrative divisions:

9 provinces and 1 capital territory*; Central, Choiseul,

Guadalcanal, Honiara*, Isabel, Makira, Malaita, Rennell and Bellona,

Temotu, Western

Independence:

7 July 1978 (from UK)

National holiday:

Independence Day, 7 July (1978)

Constitution:

7 July 1978

Legal system:

English common law, which is widely disregarded

Suffrage:

21 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952),

represented by Governor General Nathaniel WAENA (since 7 July 2004)

head of government: Prime Minister Sir Allan KEMAKEZA (since 17

December 2001); Deputy Prime Minister Snyder RINI (since 17 December

2001)

cabinet: Cabinet consists of 20 members appointed by the governor

general on the advice of the prime minister from among the members

of Parliament

elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor general

appointed by the monarch on the advice of Parliament for up to five

years; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority

party or the leader of a majority coalition is usually elected prime

minister by Parliament; deputy prime minister appointed by the

governor general on the advice of the prime minister from among the

members of Parliament

Legislative branch:

unicameral National Parliament (50 seats; members elected from

single-member constituencies by popular vote to serve four-year

terms)

elections: last held 5 December 2001 (next to be held not later than

December 2005)

election results: percent of vote by party - PAP 40%, SIACC 40%, PPP

20%; seats by party - PAP 16, SIACC 13, PPP 2, SILP 1, independents

18

Judicial branch:

Court of Appeal

Political parties and leaders:

Association of Independents [Snyder RINI]; People's Alliance Party

or PAP [Allan KEMAKEZA]; People's Progressive Party or PPP [Mannaseh

Damukana SOGAVARE]; Solomon Islands Alliance for Change Coalition or

SIACC [Bartholomew ULUFA'ALU]; Solomon Islands Labor Party or SILP

[Joses TUHANUKU]

note: in general, Solomon Islands politics is characterized by fluid

coalitions

Political pressure groups and leaders:

NA

International organization participation:

ACP, AsDB, C, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM,

IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IOC, ITU, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca,

UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Collin David BECK

chancery: 800 Second Avenue, Suite 400L, New York, NY 10017

telephone: [1] (212) 599-6192, 6193

FAX: [1] (212) 661-8925

Diplomatic representation from the US:

the US does not have an embassy in Solomon Islands (embassy closed

July 1993); the ambassador to Papua New Guinea is accredited to the

Solomon Islands

Flag description:

divided diagonally by a thin yellow stripe from the lower

hoist-side corner; the upper triangle (hoist side) is blue with five

white five-pointed stars arranged in an X pattern; the lower

triangle is green

Government - note:

June 2003 Prime Minister Sir Allan KEMAKEZA sought the intervention

of Australia to aid in restoring order; parliament approved the

request for intervention in July 2003; troops from Australia, New

Zealand, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, and Tonga arrived 24 July 2003. By

the end of 2004 the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon

Islands (RAMSI) had been scaled back to 302 police officers and 120

military in addition to civilian technical advisors.

Economy Solomon Islands

Economy - overview:

The bulk of the population depends on agriculture, fishing, and

forestry for at least part of their livelihood. Most manufactured

goods and petroleum products must be imported. The islands are rich

in undeveloped mineral resources such as lead, zinc, nickel, and

gold. Prior to the arrival of the Regional Assistance Mission to the

Solomon Islands (RAMSI), severe ethnic violence, the closing of key

businesses, and an empty government treasury culminated in economic

collapse. RAMSI has enabled a return to law and order, a new period

of economic stability, and modest growth as the economy rebuilds.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$800 million (2002 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

5.8% (2003 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $1,700 (2002 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 42% industry: 11% services: 47% (2000 est.)

Labor force:

26,840 (1999)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 75%, industry 5%, services 20% (2000 est.)

Unemployment rate:

NA%

Population below poverty line:

NA

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

10% (2003 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $49.7 million

expenditures: $75.1 million, including capital expenditures of $0

(2003)

Agriculture - products: cocoa beans, coconuts, palm kernels, rice, potatoes, vegetables, fruit; cattle, pigs; timber; fish

Industries:

fish (tuna), mining, timber

Industrial production growth rate:

NA

Electricity - production:

32 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

29.76 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

1,250 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Exports:

$74 million f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Exports - commodities:

timber, fish, copra, palm oil, cocoa

Exports - partners:

China 27.8%, South Korea 17.1%, Thailand 15.7%, Japan 9.7%,

Philippines 4.8% (2004)

Imports:

$67 million f.o.b. (2003)

Imports - commodities:

food, plant and equipment, manufactured goods, fuels, chemicals

Imports - partners:

Australia 24.6%, Singapore 23.1%, New Zealand 7.7%, Fiji 4.8%,

Papua New Guinea 4.7% (2004)

Debt - external:

$180.4 million (2002)

Economic aid - recipient:

$28 million annually, mainly from Australia (2003 est.)

Currency (code):

Solomon Islands dollar (SBD)

Currency code:

SBD

Exchange rates:

Solomon Islands dollars per US dollar - 7.4847 (2004), 7.5059

(2003), 6.7488 (2002), 5.278 (2001), 5.0889 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Solomon Islands

Telephones - main lines in use:

6,600 (2002)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

1,000 (2002)

Telephone system:

general assessment: NA

domestic: NA

international: country code - 677; satellite earth station - 1

Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 1 (2004)

Radios:

57,000 (1997)

Televisions:

3,000 (1997)

Internet country code:

.sb

Internet hosts:

398 (2003)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

1 (2000)

Internet users:

2,200 (2002)

Transportation Solomon Islands

Highways: total: 1,360 km paved: 34 km unpaved: 1,326 km (1999 est.)

Ports and harbors:

Honiara, Malloco Bay, Shortland Harbor, Viru Harbor, Yandina

Airports:

33 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 2

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 31 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 9 under 914 m: 21 (2004 est.)

Military Solomon Islands

Military branches:

no regular military forces; Royal Solomon Islands Police (RSIP)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

NA

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

NA

Transnational Issues Solomon Islands

Disputes - international:

Australian Defense Force leads the Regional Assistance Mission to

the Solomon Islands (RAMSI) at the invitation of the Solomon

Islands' Government to maintain civil and political order and

reinforce regional security

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Somalia

Introduction Somalia

Background:

The regime of Mohamed SIAD Barre was ousted in January 1991;

turmoil, factional fighting, and anarchy have followed in the years

since. In May of 1991, northern clans declared an independent

Republic of Somaliland that now includes the administrative regions

of Awdal, Woqooyi Galbeed, Togdheer, Sanaag, and Sool. Although not

recognized by any government, this entity has maintained a stable

existence, aided by the overwhelming dominance of a ruling clan and

economic infrastructure left behind by British, Russian, and

American military assistance programs. The regions of Bari and

Nugaal and northern Mudug comprise a neighboring self-declared

autonomous state of Puntland, which has been self-governing since

1998, but does not aim at independence; it has also made strides

towards reconstructing a legitimate, representative government, but

has suffered some civil strife. Puntland disputes its border with

Somaliland as it also claims portions of eastern Sool and Sanaag.

Beginning in 1993, a two-year UN humanitarian effort (primarily in

the south) was able to alleviate famine conditions, but when the UN

withdrew in 1995, having suffered significant casualties, order

still had not been restored. The mandate of the Transitional

National Government (TNG), created in August 2000 in Arta, Djibouti,

expired in August 2003. New Somali President Abdullahi YUSUF Ahmed

has formed a new Transitional Federal Government (TFG) consisting of

a 275-member parliament. It was established in October 2004 to

replace the TNG but has not yet moved to Mogadishu. Discussions

regarding the establishment of a new government in Mogadishu are

ongoing in Kenya. Numerous warlords and factions are still fighting

for control of the capital city as well as for other southern

regions. Suspicion of Somali links with global terrorism further

complicates the picture.

Geography Somalia

Location:

Eastern Africa, bordering the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean,

east of Ethiopia

Geographic coordinates:

10 00 N, 49 00 E

Map references:

Africa

Area:

total: 637,657 sq km

land: 627,337 sq km

water: 10,320 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly smaller than Texas

Land boundaries: total: 2,340 km border countries: Djibouti 58 km, Ethiopia 1,600 km, Kenya 682 km

Coastline:

3,025 km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 200 nm

Climate:

principally desert; December to February - northeast monsoon,

moderate temperatures in north and very hot in south; May to October

- southwest monsoon, torrid in the north and hot in the south,

irregular rainfall, hot and humid periods (tangambili) between

monsoons

Terrain:

mostly flat to undulating plateau rising to hills in north

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m

highest point: Shimbiris 2,416 m

Natural resources:

uranium and largely unexploited reserves of iron ore, tin, gypsum,

bauxite, copper, salt, natural gas, likely oil reserves

Land use: arable land: 1.67% permanent crops: 0.04% other: 98.29% (2001)

Irrigated land:

2,000 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

recurring droughts; frequent dust storms over eastern plains in

summer; floods during rainy season

Environment - current issues:

famine; use of contaminated water contributes to human health

problems; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection

Geography - note:

strategic location on Horn of Africa along southern approaches to

Bab el Mandeb and route through Red Sea and Suez Canal

People Somalia

Population:

8,591,629

note: this estimate was derived from an official census taken in

1975 by the Somali Government; population counting in Somalia is

complicated by the large number of nomads and by refugee movements

in response to famine and clan warfare (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 44.5% (male 1,918,209/female 1,905,974)

15-64 years: 52.9% (male 2,278,406/female 2,263,602)

65 years and over: 2.6% (male 96,256/female 129,182) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 17.59 years

male: 17.53 years

female: 17.65 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

3.38% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

45.62 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

16.97 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

5.19 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.74 male(s)/female

total population: 1 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 116.7 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 126.06 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 107.06 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 48.09 years

male: 46.36 years

female: 49.87 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

6.84 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

1% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

43,000 (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

NA

Major infectious diseases:

degree of risk: very high

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea,

hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases: malaria and dengue fever are high risks in

some locations

water contact disease: schistosomiasis

animal contact disease: rabies (2004)

Nationality:

noun: Somali(s)

adjective: Somali

Ethnic groups:

Somali 85%, Bantu and other non-Somali 15% (including Arabs 30,000)

Religions:

Sunni Muslim

Languages:

Somali (official), Arabic, Italian, English

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 37.8%

male: 49.7%

female: 25.8% (2001 est.)

Government Somalia

Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Somalia former: Somali Republic, Somali Democratic Republic

Government type:

no permanent national government; transitional, parliamentary

federal government

Capital:

Mogadishu

Administrative divisions:

18 regions (plural - NA, singular - gobolka); Awdal, Bakool,

Banaadir, Bari, Bay, Galguduud, Gedo, Hiiraan, Jubbada Dhexe,

Jubbada Hoose, Mudug, Nugaal, Sanaag, Shabeellaha Dhexe, Shabeellaha

Hoose, Sool, Togdheer, Woqooyi Galbeed

Independence:

1 July 1960 (from a merger of British Somaliland, which became

independent from the UK on 26 June 1960, and Italian Somaliland,

which became independent from the Italian-administered UN

trusteeship on 1 July 1960, to form the Somali Republic)

National holiday:

Foundation of the Somali Republic, 1 July (1960); note - 26 June

(1960) in Somaliland

Constitution:

25 August 1979, presidential approval 23 September 1979

note: the formation of transitional governing institutions, known as

the Transitional Federal Government, is currently ongoing

Legal system:

no national system; Shari'a and secular courts are in some

localities

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: Abdullahi YUSUF Ahmed (since 14 October 2004); note

- a new Transitional Federal Government consisting of a 275-member

parliament was established in October 2004 but remains resident in

Nairobi, Kenya, and has not extablished effective governance inside

Somalia

head of government: Prime Minister Ali Muhammad GHEDI (since 24

December 2004)

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister and approved by the

Transitional Federal Assembly

election results: Abdullahi YUSUF Ahmed, the leader of the Puntland

region of Somalia, was elected president by the Transitional Federal

Assembly

Legislative branch:

unicameral National Assembly

note: fledgling parliament; a 275-member Transitional Federal

Assembly; the new parliament consists of 61 seats assigned to each

of four large clan groups (Darod, Digil-Mirifle, Dir, and Hawiye)

with the remaining 31 seats divided between minority clans

Judicial branch:

following the breakdown of the central government, most regions

have reverted to local forms of conflict resolution, either secular,

traditional clan-based arbitration, or Islamic (Shari'a) law with a

provision for appeal of all sentences

Political parties and leaders:

none

Political pressure groups and leaders:

numerous clan and subclan factions are currently vying for power

International organization participation:

ACP, AfDB, AFESD, AMF, AU, CAEU, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA,

IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM

(observer), ITU, LAS, NAM, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO,

UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

Somalia does not have an embassy in the US (ceased operations on 8

May 1991); note - the TNG and other factions have representatives in

Washington and at the United Nations

Diplomatic representation from the US:

the US does not have an embassy in Somalia; US interests are

represented by the US Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya at United Nations

Avenue, Gigira, Nairobi; mailing address: Unit 64100, Nairobi; APO

AE 09831; telephone: [254] (20) 363-6000; FAX [254] (20) 363-6157

Flag description:

light blue with a large white five-pointed star in the center; blue

field influenced by the flag of the UN

Government - note:

although an interim government was created in 2004 other governing

bodies continue to exist and control various cities and regions of

the country, including the self-declared Republic of Somaliland, and

traditional clan and faction strongholds

Economy Somalia

Economy - overview:

Somalia's economic fortunes are driven by its deep political

divisions. The northwestern area has declared its independence as

the "Republic of Somaliland"; the northeastern region of Puntland is

a semi-autonomous state; and the remaining southern portion is

riddled with the struggles of rival factions. Economic life

continues, in part because much activity is local and relatively

easily protected. Agriculture is the most important sector, with

livestock normally accounting for about 40% of GDP and about 65% of

export earnings, but Saudi Arabia's recent ban on Somali livestock,

because of Rift Valley Fever concerns, has severely hampered the

sector. Nomads and semi-nomads, who are dependent upon livestock for

their livelihood, make up a large portion of the population.

Livestock, hides, fish, charcoal, and bananas are Somalia's

principal exports, while sugar, sorghum, corn, qat, and machined

goods are the principal imports. Somalia's small industrial sector,

based on the processing of agricultural products, has largely been

looted and sold as scrap metal. Despite the seeming anarchy,

Somalia's service sector has managed to survive and grow.

Telecommunication firms provide wireless services in most major

cities and offer the lowest international call rates on the

continent. In the absence of a formal banking sector, money exchange

services have sprouted throughout the country, handling between $500

million and $1 billion in remittances annually. Mogadishu's main

market offers a variety of goods from food to the newest electronic

gadgets. Hotels continue to operate, and militias provide security.

The ongoing civil disturbances and clan rivalries, however, have

interfered with any broad-based economic development and

international aid arrangements. In 2004 Somalia's overdue financial

obligations to the IMF continued to grow. Statistics on Somalia's

GDP, growth, per capita income, and inflation should be viewed

skeptically. In late December 2004, a major tsunami took an

estimated 150 lives and caused destruction of properity in coastal

areas.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$4.597 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

2.8% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $600 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 65% industry: 10% services: 25% (2000 est.)

Labor force: 3.7 million (very few are skilled laborers)

Labor force - by occupation: agriculture (mostly pastoral nomadism) 71%, industry and services 29%

Unemployment rate:

NA

Population below poverty line:

NA

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

note - businesses print their own money, so inflation rates cannot

be sensibly determined (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: NA

expenditures: NA, including capital expenditures of NA

Agriculture - products:

cattle, sheep, goats; bananas, sorghum, corn, coconuts, rice,

sugarcane, mangoes, sesame seeds, beans; fish

Industries:

a few light industries, including sugar refining, textiles,

wireless communication

Industrial production growth rate:

NA

Electricity - production:

240.3 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

223.5 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

4,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Oil - proved reserves:

0 bbl (1 January 2002)

Natural gas - proved reserves:

2.832 billion cu m (1 January 2002)

Exports:

$79 million f.o.b. (2002 est.)

Exports - commodities:

livestock, bananas, hides, fish, charcoal, scrap metal

Exports - partners:

UAE 39.3%, Thailand 24.3%, Yemen 12.2%, Oman 4.7% (2004)

Imports:

$344 million f.o.b. (2002 est.)

Imports - commodities:

manufactures, petroleum products, foodstuffs, construction

materials, qat

Imports - partners:

Djibouti 30.1%, Kenya 13.7%, India 8.6%, Brazil 8.5%, Oman 4.4%,

UAE 4.2% (2004)

Debt - external:

$3 billion (2001 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:

$60 million (1999 est.)

Currency (code):

Somali shilling (SOS)

Currency code:

SOS

Exchange rates:

Somali shillings per US dollar - 11,000 (November 2000), 2,620

(January 1999), 7,500 (November 1997 est.), 7,000 (January 1996

est.), 5,000 (1 January 1995)

note: the Republic of Somaliland, a self-declared independent

country not recognized by any foreign government, issues its own

currency, the Somaliland shilling

Fiscal year:

NA

Communications Somalia

Telephones - main lines in use:

100,000 (2002 est.)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

35,000 (2002)

Telephone system:

general assessment: the public telecommunications system was almost

completely destroyed or dismantled by the civil war factions;

private wireless companies offer service in most major cities and

charge the lowest international rates on the continent

domestic: local cellular telephone systems have been established in

Mogadishu and in several other population centers

international: country code - 252; international connections are

available from Mogadishu by satellite

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 0, FM 11, shortwave 1 in Mogadishu; 1 FM in Puntland, 1 FM in

Somaliland (2001)

Radios:

470,000 (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

4

note: two in Mogadishu; two in Hargeisa (2001)

Televisions:

135,000 (1997)

Internet country code:

.so

Internet hosts:

4 (2004)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

3 (one each in Boosaaso, Hargeisa, and Mogadishu) (2000)

Internet users:

89,000 (2002)

Transportation Somalia

Highways: total: 22,100 km paved: 2,608 km unpaved: 19,492 km (1999 est.)

Ports and harbors:

Boosaaso, Berbera, Chisimayu (Kismaayo), Merca, Mogadishu

Airports:

60 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 6 over 3,047 m: 4 2438 to 3047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 54 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 19 914 to 1,523 m: 29 under 914 m: 2 (2004 est.)

Military Somalia

Military branches:

A Somali National Army was attempted under the interim government;

numerous factions and clans maintain independent militias, and the

Somaliland and Puntland regional governments maintain their own

security and police forces

Military service age and obligation:

18 years of age (est.) (2001)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 18-49: 1,787,727 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: 1,022,360 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$18.9 million (2003)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

0.9% (2003)

Transnational Issues Somalia

Disputes - international:

"Somaliland" secessionists provide port facilities to land-locked

Ethiopia and establish commercial ties with regional states;

"Puntland" and "Somaliland" "governments" seek support from

neighboring states in their secessionist aspirations and in

conflicts with each other; Ethiopia has only an administrative line

with the Oromo region of southern Somalia and maintains alliances

with local Somali clans opposed to the unrecognized Somali Interim

Government, which plans eventual relocation from Kenya to Mogadishu;

rival militia and clan fighting in southern Somalia periodically

spills over into Kenya; most of the remaining 23,000 Somali refuges

in Ethiopia are expected to be repatriated in 2005

Refugees and internally displaced persons:

IDPs: 375,000 (civil war since 1988, clan-based competition for

resources) (2004)

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@South Africa

Introduction South Africa

Background:

After the British seized the Cape of Good Hope area in 1806, many

of the Dutch settlers (the Boers) trekked north to found their own

republics. The discovery of diamonds (1867) and gold (1886) spurred

wealth and immigration and intensified the subjugation of the native

inhabitants. The Boers resisted British encroachments, but were

defeated in the Boer War (1899-1902). The resulting Union of South

Africa operated under a policy of apartheid - the separate

development of the races. The 1990s brought an end to apartheid

politically and ushered in black majority rule.

Geography South Africa

Location:

Southern Africa, at the southern tip of the continent of Africa

Geographic coordinates:

29 00 S, 24 00 E

Map references:

Africa

Area:

total: 1,219,912 sq km

land: 1,219,912 sq km

water: 0 sq km

note: includes Prince Edward Islands (Marion Island and Prince

Edward Island)

Area - comparative:

slightly less than twice the size of Texas

Land boundaries:

total: 4,862 km

border countries: Botswana 1,840 km, Lesotho 909 km, Mozambique 491

km, Namibia 967 km, Swaziland 430 km, Zimbabwe 225 km

Coastline:

2,798 km

Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to edge of the continental margin

Climate:

mostly semiarid; subtropical along east coast; sunny days, cool

nights

Terrain:

vast interior plateau rimmed by rugged hills and narrow coastal

plain

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

highest point: Njesuthi 3,408 m

Natural resources:

gold, chromium, antimony, coal, iron ore, manganese, nickel,

phosphates, tin, uranium, gem diamonds, platinum, copper, vanadium,

salt, natural gas

Land use:

arable land: 12.08%

permanent crops: 0.79%

other: 87.13% (2001)

Irrigated land:

13,500 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

prolonged droughts

Environment - current issues:

lack of important arterial rivers or lakes requires extensive water

conservation and control measures; growth in water usage outpacing

supply; pollution of rivers from agricultural runoff and urban

discharge; air pollution resulting in acid rain; soil erosion;

desertification

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living

Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate

Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered

Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine

Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands,

Whaling

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

South Africa completely surrounds Lesotho and almost completely

surrounds Swaziland

People South Africa

Population:

44,344,136

note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the

effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower

life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower

population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of

population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July

2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 30.3% (male 6,760,137/female 6,682,013)

15-64 years: 64.5% (male 13,860,727/female 14,750,496)

65 years and over: 5.2% (male 893,360/female 1,397,403) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 23.98 years

male: 23.12 years

female: 24.86 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

-0.31% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

18.48 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

21.32 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

-0.22 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.64 male(s)/female

total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 61.81 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 65.6 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 57.93 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 43.27 years

male: 43.47 years

female: 43.06 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

2.24 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

21.5% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

5.3 million (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

370,000 (2003 est.)

Nationality:

noun: South African(s)

adjective: South African

Ethnic groups:

black African 79%, white 9.6%, colored 8.9%, Indian/Asian 2.5%

(2001 census)

Religions:

Zion Christian 11.1%, Pentecostal/Charismatic 8.2%, Catholic 7.1%,

Methodist 6.8%, Dutch Reformed 6.7%, Anglican 3.8%, other Christian

36%, Islam 1.5%, other 2.3%, unspecified 1.4%, none 15.1% (2001

census)

Languages:

IsiZulu 23.8%, IsiXhosa 17.6%, Afrikaans 13.3%, Sepedi 9.4%,

English 8.2%, Setswana 8.2%, Sesotho 7.9%, Xitsonga 4.4%, other 7.2%

(2001 census)

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 86.4%

male: 87%

female: 85.7% (2003 est.)

Government South Africa

Country name:

conventional long form: Republic of South Africa

conventional short form: South Africa

former: Union of South Africa

abbreviation: RSA

Government type:

republic

Capital:

Pretoria; note - Cape Town is the legislative center and

Bloemfontein the judicial center

Administrative divisions:

9 provinces; Eastern Cape, Free State, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal,

Limpopo, Mpumalanga, North-West, Northern Cape, Western Cape

Independence:

31 May 1910 (from UK); note - South Africa became a republic in

1961 following an October 1960 referendum

National holiday:

Freedom Day, 27 April (1994)

Constitution:

10 December 1996; this new constitution was certified by the

Constitutional Court on 4 December 1996, was signed by then

President MANDELA on 10 December 1996, and entered into effect on 3

February 1997; it is being implemented in phases

Legal system:

based on Roman-Dutch law and English common law; accepts compulsory

ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Thabo MBEKI (since 16 June 1999);

Executive Deputy President Phumzile MLAMBO-NGCUKA (since 23 June

2005); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of

government

head of government: President Thabo MBEKI (since 16 June 1999);

Executive Deputy President Phumzile MLAMBO-NGCUKA (since 23 June

2005); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of

government

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president

elections: president elected by the National Assembly for a

five-year term; election last held 24 April 2004 (next to be held

April 2009)

election results: Thabo MBEKI elected president; percent of National

Assembly vote - 100% (by acclamation)

note: ANC-IFP is the governing coalition

Legislative branch:

bicameral Parliament consisting of the National Assembly (400

seats; members are elected by popular vote under a system of

proportional representation to serve five-year terms) and the

National Council of Provinces (90 seats, 10 members elected by each

of the nine provincial legislatures for five-year terms; has special

powers to protect regional interests, including the safeguarding of

cultural and linguistic traditions among ethnic minorities); note -

following the implementation of the new constitution on 3 February

1997 the former Senate was disbanded and replaced by the National

Council of Provinces with essentially no change in membership and

party affiliations, although the new institution's responsibilities

have been changed somewhat by the new constitution

elections: National Assembly and National Council of Provinces -

last held 14 April 2004 (next to be held NA 2009)

election results: National Assembly - percent of vote by party - ANC

69.7%, DA 12.4%, IFP 7%, UDM 2.3%, NNP 1.7%, ACDP 1.6%, other 5.3%;

seats by party - ANC 279, DA 50, IFP 28, UDM 9, NNP 7, ACDP 6, other

21; National Council of Provinces - percent of vote by party - NA%;

seats by party - NA

Judicial branch:

Constitutional Court; Supreme Court of Appeals; High Courts;

Magistrate Courts

Political parties and leaders: African Christian Democratic Party or ACDP [Kenneth MESHOE, president]; African National Congress or ANC [Thabo MBEKI, president]; Democratic Alliance or DA (formed from the merger of the Democratic Party or DP and the Freedom Alliance or FA) [Anthony LEON]; Inkatha Freedom Party or IFP [Mangosuthu BUTHELEZI, president]; Pan-Africanist Congress or PAC [Stanley MOGOBA, president]; United Democratic Movement or UDM [Bantu HOLOMISA]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

Congress of South African Trade Unions or COSATU [Zwelinzima VAVI,

general secretary]; South African Communist Party or SACP [Blade

NZIMANDE, general secretary]; South African National Civics

Organization or SANCO [Mlungisi HLONGWANE, national president]; note

- COSATU and SACP are in a formal alliance with the ANC

International organization participation:

ACP, AfDB, AU, BIS, C, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC,

ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO,

Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MIGA, MONUC, NAM, NSG, ONUB, OPCW,

PCA, SACU, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNMEE,

UNMIL, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO, ZC

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Barbara Joyce Mosima MASEKELA

chancery: 3051 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 232-4400

FAX: [1] (202) 265-1607

consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Jendayi E. FRAZER

embassy: 877 Pretorius Street, Pretoria

mailing address: P. O. Box 9536, Pretoria 0001

telephone: [27] (12) 342-1048

FAX: [27] (12) 342-2244

consulate(s) general: Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg

Flag description:

two equal width horizontal bands of red (top) and blue separated by

a central green band which splits into a horizontal Y, the arms of

which end at the corners of the hoist side; the Y embraces a black

isosceles triangle from which the arms are separated by narrow

yellow bands; the red and blue bands are separated from the green

band and its arms by narrow white stripes

Economy South Africa

Economy - overview:

South Africa is a middle-income, emerging market with an abundant

supply of natural resources; well-developed financial, legal,

communications, energy, and transport sectors; a stock exchange that

ranks among the 10 largest in the world; and a modern infrastructure

supporting an efficient distribution of goods to major urban centers

throughout the region. However, growth has not been strong enough to

lower South Africa's high unemployment rate; and daunting economic

problems remain from the apartheid era, especially poverty and lack

of economic empowerment among the disadvantaged groups. South

African economic policy is fiscally conservative, but pragmatic,

focusing on targeting inflation and liberalizing trade as means to

increase job growth and household income.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$491.4 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

3.5% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $11,100 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 3.6% industry: 31.2% services: 65.2% (2004 est.)

Labor force:

16.63 million economically active (2004 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 30%, industry 25%, services 45% (1999 est.)

Unemployment rate:

26.2% (2004 est.)

Population below poverty line:

50% (2000 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.1% highest 10%: 45.9% (1994)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

59.3 (1993-94)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

4.5% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

16.7% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $47.43 billion

expenditures: $52.54 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Public debt:

45.9% of GDP (2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

corn, wheat, sugarcane, fruits, vegetables; beef, poultry, mutton,

wool, dairy products

Industries:

mining (world's largest producer of platinum, gold, chromium),

automobile assembly, metalworking, machinery, textile, iron and

steel, chemicals, fertilizer, foodstuffs, commercial ship repair

Industrial production growth rate:

5.5% (2004 est.)

Electricity - production:

202.6 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 93.5% hydro: 1.1% nuclear: 5.5% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

189.4 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

6.95 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

7.873 billion kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

196,200 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

460,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Oil - proved reserves:

7.84 million bbl (1 January 2002)

Natural gas - production:

1.8 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - consumption:

1.8 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - exports:

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - imports:

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves:

14.16 billion cu m (1 January 2002)

Current account balance:

$-2.48 billion (2004 est.)

Exports:

$41.97 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

gold, diamonds, platinum, other metals and minerals, machinery and

equipment (1998 est.)

Exports - partners:

US 10.2%, UK 9.2%, Japan 9%, Germany 7.1%, Netherlands 4% (2004)

Imports:

$39.42 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

machinery and equipment, chemicals, petroleum products, scientific

instruments, foodstuffs (2000 est.)

Imports - partners:

Germany 14.2%, US 8.5%, China 7.5%, Japan 6.9%, UK 6.9%, France 6%,

Saudi Arabia 5.6%, Iran 5% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$11.68 billion (2004 est.)

Debt - external:

$27.01 billion (2004 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:

$487.5 million (2000)

Currency (code):

rand (ZAR)

Currency code:

ZAR

Exchange rates:

rand per US dollar - 6.4597 (2004), 7.5648 (2003), 10.5407 (2002),

8.6092 (2001), 6.9398 (2000)

Fiscal year:

1 April - 31 March

Communications South Africa

Telephones - main lines in use:

4.844 million (2002)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

16.86 million (2003)

Telephone system:

general assessment: the system is the best developed and most

modern in Africa

domestic: consists of carrier-equipped open-wire lines, coaxial

cables, microwave radio relay links, fiber-optic cable,

radiotelephone communication stations, and wireless local loops; key

centers are Bloemfontein, Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg, Port

Elizabeth, and Pretoria

international: country code - 27; 2 submarine cables; satellite

earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 2 Atlantic Ocean)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 14, FM 347 (plus 243 repeaters), shortwave 1 (1998)

Radios:

17 million (2001)

Television broadcast stations:

556 (plus 144 network repeaters) (1997)

Televisions:

6 million (2000)

Internet country code:

.za

Internet hosts:

288,633 (2003)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

150 (2001)

Internet users:

3.1 million (2002)

Transportation South Africa

Railways:

total: 20,872 km

narrow gauge: 20,436 km 1.065-m gauge (10,436 km electrified); 436

km 0.610-m gauge

note: includes a 1,210 km commuter rail system (2004)

Highways:

total: 275,971 km

paved: 57,568 km (including 2,032 km of expressways)

unpaved: 218,403 km (2002)

Pipelines:

condensate 100 km; gas 1,052 km; oil 847 km; refined products 1,354

km (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Cape Town, Durban, East London, Port Elizabeth, Richards Bay,

Saldanha Bay

Merchant marine:

total: 2 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 31,505 GRT/37,091 DWT

by type: container 1, petroleum tanker 1

foreign-owned: 1 (Denmark 1)

registered in other countries: 7 (2005)

Airports:

728 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 144 over 3,047 m: 10 2,438 to 3,047 m: 5 1,524 to 2,437 m: 51 914 to 1,523 m: 67 under 914 m: 11 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 584 1,524 to 2,437 m: 34 914 to 1,523 m: 300 under 914 m: 250 (2004 est.)

Military South Africa

Military branches:

South African National Defense Force (SANDF): Army, Navy, Air

Force, Joint Operations, Joint Support, Military Intelligence,

Military Health Service (2004)

Military service age and obligation:

18 years of age for voluntary military service; women have a long

history of military service in non-combat roles - dating back to

World War I (2004)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 18-49: 10,354,769 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: 4,927,757 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:

males: 512,407 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$3.172 billion (2004)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

1.5% (2004)

Military - note:

with the end of apartheid and the establishment of majority rule,

former military, black homelands forces, and ex-opposition forces

were integrated into the South African National Defense Force

(SANDF); as of 2003 the integration process was considered complete

Transnational Issues South Africa

Disputes - international:

South Africa has placed military along the border to stem the

thousands of Zimbabweans fleeing to find work and escape political

persecution; managed dispute with Namibia over the location of the

boundary in the Orange River

Illicit drugs:

transshipment center for heroin, hashish, marijuana, and cocaine;

cocaine consumption on the rise; world's largest market for illicit

methaqualone, usually imported illegally from India through various

east African countries; illicit cultivation of marijuana; attractive

venue for money launderers given the increasing level of organized

criminal and narcotics activity in the region

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Southern Ocean

Introduction Southern Ocean

Background:

A decision by the International Hydrographic Organization in the

spring of 2000 delimited a fifth world ocean - the Southern Ocean -

from the southern portions of the Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, and

Pacific Ocean. The Southern Ocean extends from the coast of

Antarctica north to 60 degrees south latitude, which coincides with

the Antarctic Treaty Limit. The Southern Ocean is now the fourth

largest of the world's five oceans (after the Pacific Ocean,

Atlantic Ocean, and Indian Ocean, but larger than the Arctic Ocean).

Geography Southern Ocean

Location:

body of water between 60 degrees south latitude and Antarctica

Geographic coordinates:

65 00 S, 0 00 E (nominally), but the Southern Ocean has the unique

distinction of being a large circumpolar body of water totally

encircling the continent of Antarctica; this ring of water lies

between 60 degrees south latitude and the coast of Antarctica and

encompasses 360 degrees of longitude

Map references:

Antarctic Region

Area:

total: 20.327 million sq km

note: includes Amundsen Sea, Bellingshausen Sea, part of the Drake

Passage, Ross Sea, a small part of the Scotia Sea, Weddell Sea, and

other tributary water bodies

Area - comparative:

slightly more than twice the size of the US

Coastline:

17,968 km

Climate:

sea temperatures vary from about 10 degrees Celsius to -2 degrees

Celsius; cyclonic storms travel eastward around the continent and

frequently are intense because of the temperature contrast between

ice and open ocean; the ocean area from about latitude 40 south to

the Antarctic Circle has the strongest average winds found anywhere

on Earth; in winter the ocean freezes outward to 65 degrees south

latitude in the Pacific sector and 55 degrees south latitude in the

Atlantic sector, lowering surface temperatures well below 0 degrees

Celsius; at some coastal points intense persistent drainage winds

from the interior keep the shoreline ice-free throughout the winter

Terrain:

the Southern Ocean is deep, 4,000 to 5,000 meters over most of its

extent with only limited areas of shallow water; the Antarctic

continental shelf is generally narrow and unusually deep, its edge

lying at depths of 400 to 800 meters (the global mean is 133

meters); the Antarctic icepack grows from an average minimum of 2.6

million square kilometers in March to about 18.8 million square

kilometers in September, better than a sixfold increase in area; the

Antarctic Circumpolar Current (21,000 km in length) moves

perpetually eastward; it is the world's largest ocean current,

transporting 130 million cubic meters of water per second - 100

times the flow of all the world's rivers

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: -7,235 m at the southern end of the South Sandwich

Trench

highest point: sea level 0 m

Natural resources:

probable large and possible giant oil and gas fields on the

continental margin, manganese nodules, possible placer deposits,

sand and gravel, fresh water as icebergs; squid, whales, and seals -

none exploited; krill, fishes

Natural hazards:

huge icebergs with drafts up to several hundred meters; smaller

bergs and iceberg fragments; sea ice (generally 0.5 to 1 meter

thick) with sometimes dynamic short-term variations and with large

annual and interannual variations; deep continental shelf floored by

glacial deposits varying widely over short distances; high winds and

large waves much of the year; ship icing, especially May-October;

most of region is remote from sources of search and rescue

Environment - current issues:

increased solar ultraviolet radiation resulting from the Antarctic

ozone hole in recent years, reducing marine primary productivity

(phytoplankton) by as much as 15% and damaging the DNA of some fish;

illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing in recent years,

especially the landing of an estimated five to six times more

Patagonian toothfish than the regulated fishery, which is likely to

affect the sustainability of the stock; large amount of incidental

mortality of seabirds resulting from long-line fishing for toothfish

note: the now-protected fur seal population is making a strong

comeback after severe overexploitation in the 18th and 19th centuries

Environment - international agreements:

the Southern Ocean is subject to all international agreements

regarding the world's oceans; in addition, it is subject to these

agreements specific to the Antarctic region: International Whaling

Commission (prohibits commercial whaling south of 40 degrees south

[south of 60 degrees south between 50 degrees and 130 degrees

west]); Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Seals (limits

sealing); Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living

Resources (regulates fishing)

note: many nations (including the US) prohibit mineral resource

exploration and exploitation south of the fluctuating Polar Front

(Antarctic Convergence) which is in the middle of the Antarctic

Circumpolar Current and serves as the dividing line between the very

cold polar surface waters to the south and the warmer waters to the

north

Geography - note:

the major chokepoint is the Drake Passage between South America and

Antarctica; the Polar Front (Antarctic Convergence) is the best

natural definition of the northern extent of the Southern Ocean; it

is a distinct region at the middle of the Antarctic Circumpolar

Current that separates the very cold polar surface waters to the

south from the warmer waters to the north; the Front and the Current

extend entirely around Antarctica, reaching south of 60 degrees

south near New Zealand and near 48 degrees south in the far South

Atlantic coinciding with the path of the maximum westerly winds

Economy Southern Ocean

Economy - overview:

Fisheries in 2000-01 (1 July to 30 June) landed 112,934 metric

tons, of which 87% was krill and 11% Patagonian toothfish.

International agreements were adopted in late 1999 to reduce

illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, which in the 2000-01

season landed, by one estimate, 8,376 metric tons of Patagonian and

antarctic toothfish. In the 2000-01 antarctic summer 12,248

tourists, most of them seaborne, visited the Southern Ocean and

Antarctica, compared to 14,762 the previous year.

Transportation Southern Ocean

Ports and harbors:

McMurdo, Palmer, and offshore anchorages in Antarctica

note: few ports or harbors exist on the southern side of the

Southern Ocean; ice conditions limit use of most of them to short

periods in midsummer; even then some cannot be entered without

icebreaker escort; most antarctic ports are operated by government

research stations and, except in an emergency, are not open to

commercial or private vessels; vessels in any port south of 60

degrees south are subject to inspection by Antarctic Treaty

observers (see Article 7)

Transportation - note:

Drake Passage offers alternative to transit through the Panama Canal

Transnational Issues Southern Ocean

Disputes - international:

Antarctic Treaty defers claims (see Antarctica entry), but

Argentina, Australia, Chile, France, NZ, Norway, and UK assert

claims (some overlapping), including the continental shelf in the

Southern Ocean; several states have expressed an interest in

extending those continental shelf claims under the United Nations

Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) to include undersea

ridges; the US and most other states do not recognize the land or

maritime claims of other states and have made no claims themselves

(the US and Russia have reserved the right to do so); no formal

claims exist in the waters in the sector between 90 degrees west and

150 degrees west

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands

Introduction South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands

Background:

The islands lie approximately 1,000 km east of the Falkland Islands

and have been under British administration since 1908, except for a

brief period in 1982 when Argentina occupied them. Grytviken, on

South Georgia, was a 19th and early 20th century whaling station.

Famed explorer Ernest SHACKLETON stopped there in 1914 en route to

his ill-fated attempt to cross Antarctica on foot. He returned some

20 months later with a few companions in a small boat and arranged a

successful rescue for the rest of his crew, stranded off the

Antarctic Peninsula. He died in 1922 on a subsequent expedition and

is buried in Grytviken. Today, the station houses scientists from

the British Antarctic Survey. The islands have large bird and seal

populations, and, recognizing the importance of preserving the

marine stocks in adjacent waters, the UK, in 1993, extended the

exclusive fishing zone from 12 nm to 200 nm around each island.

Geography South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands

Location:

Southern South America, islands in the South Atlantic Ocean, east

of the tip of South America

Geographic coordinates:

54 30 S, 37 00 W

Map references:

Antarctic Region

Area:

total: 3,903 sq km

land: 3,903 sq km

water: 0 sq km

note: includes Shag Rocks, Black Rock, Clerke Rocks, South Georgia

Island, Bird Island, and the South Sandwich Islands, which consist

of some nine islands

Area - comparative:

slightly larger than Rhode Island

Land boundaries:

0 km

Coastline:

NA km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm

Climate:

variable, with mostly westerly winds throughout the year

interspersed with periods of calm; nearly all precipitation falls as

snow

Terrain:

most of the islands, rising steeply from the sea, are rugged and

mountainous; South Georgia is largely barren and has steep,

glacier-covered mountains; the South Sandwich Islands are of

volcanic origin with some active volcanoes

Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Paget (South Georgia) 2,934 m

Natural resources:

fish

Land use:

arable land: 0%

permanent crops: 0%

other: 100% (largely covered by permanent ice and snow with some

sparse vegetation consisting of grass, moss, and lichen) (2001)

Irrigated land:

0 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

the South Sandwich Islands have prevailing weather conditions that

generally make them difficult to approach by ship; they are also

subject to active volcanism

Environment - current issues:

NA

Geography - note:

the north coast of South Georgia has several large bays, which

provide good anchorage; reindeer, introduced early in the 20th

century, live on South Georgia

People South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands

Population:

no indigenous inhabitants

note: the small military garrison on South Georgia withdrew in March

2001, to be replaced by a permanent group of scientists of the

British Antarctic Survey, which also has a biological station on

Bird Island; the South Sandwich Islands are uninhabited (July 2005

est.)

Government South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands

Country name:

conventional long form: South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands

conventional short form: none

Dependency status:

overseas territory of the UK, also claimed by Argentina;

administered from the Falkland Islands by a commissioner, who is

concurrently governor of the Falkland Islands, representing Queen

ELIZABETH II; Grytviken, formerly a whaling station on South

Georgia, is a scientific base

Legal system:

the laws of the UK, where applicable, apply; the senior magistrate

from the Falkland Islands presides over the Magistrates Court

Diplomatic representation in the US:

none (overseas territory of the UK, also claimed by Argentina)

Diplomatic representation from the US:

none (overseas territory of the UK, also claimed by Argentina)

Flag description:

blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and

the South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands coat of arms

centered on the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms features a

shield with a golden lion centered; the shield is supported by a fur

seal on the left and a penguin on the right; a reindeer appears

above the shield, and below it on a scroll is the motto LEO TERRAM

PROPRIAM PROTEGAT (Let the Lion Protect its Own Land)

Economy South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands

Economy - overview:

Some fishing takes place in adjacent waters. There is a potential

source of income from harvesting finfish and krill. The islands

receive income from postage stamps produced in the UK, sale of

fishing licenses, and harbor and landing fees from tourist vessels.

Tourism from specialized cruise ships is increasing rapidly.

Communications South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands

Telephone system: general assessment: NA domestic: NA international: coastal radiotelephone station at Grytviken

Radio broadcast stations:

0 (2003)

Television broadcast stations:

0 (2003)

Internet country code:

.gs

Transportation South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands

Ports and harbors:

Grytviken

Airports:

none (2004 est.)

Military South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands

Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the UK

Transnational Issues South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands

Disputes - international:

Argentina, which claims the islands in its constitution and briefly

occupied the islands by force in 1982, agreed in 1995 to no longer

seek settlement by force

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Spain

Introduction Spain

Background:

Spain's powerful world empire of the 16th and 17th centuries

ultimately yielded command of the seas to England. Subsequent

failure to embrace the mercantile and industrial revolutions caused

the country to fall behind Britain, France, and Germany in economic

and political power. Spain remained neutral in World Wars I and II,

but suffered through a devastating civil war (1936-39). In the

second half of the 20th century, Spain has played a catch-up role in

the western international community; it joined the EU in 1986.

Continuing challenges include Basque Fatherland and Liberty (ETA)

terrorism and further reductions in unemployment.

Geography Spain

Location:

Southwestern Europe, bordering the Bay of Biscay, Mediterranean

Sea, North Atlantic Ocean, and Pyrenees Mountains, southwest of

France

Geographic coordinates:

40 00 N, 4 00 W

Map references:

Europe

Area:

total: 504,782 sq km

land: 499,542 sq km

water: 5,240 sq km

note: there are 19 autonomous communities including Balearic Islands

and Canary Islands, and three small Spanish possessions off the

coast of Morocco - Islas Chafarinas, Penon de Alhucemas, and Penon

de Velez de la Gomera

Area - comparative:

slightly more than twice the size of Oregon

Land boundaries:

total: 1,917.8 km

border countries: Andorra 63.7 km, France 623 km, Gibraltar 1.2 km,

Portugal 1,214 km, Morocco (Ceuta) 6.3 km, Morocco (Melilla) 9.6 km

Coastline:

4,964 km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 24 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm (applies only to the Atlantic Ocean)

Climate:

temperate; clear, hot summers in interior, more moderate and cloudy

along coast; cloudy, cold winters in interior, partly cloudy and

cool along coast

Terrain:

large, flat to dissected plateau surrounded by rugged hills;

Pyrenees in north

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

highest point: Pico de Teide (Tenerife) on Canary Islands 3,718 m

Natural resources:

coal, lignite, iron ore, copper, lead, zinc, uranium, tungsten,

mercury, pyrites, magnesite, fluorspar, gypsum, sepiolite, kaolin,

potash, hydropower, arable land

Land use:

arable land: 26.07%

permanent crops: 9.87%

other: 64.06% (2001)

Irrigated land:

36,400 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

periodic droughts

Environment - current issues:

pollution of the Mediterranean Sea from raw sewage and effluents

from the offshore production of oil and gas; water quality and

quantity nationwide; air pollution; deforestation; desertification

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air

Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds,

Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources,

Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto

Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental

Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping,

Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution,

Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants

Geography - note:

strategic location along approaches to Strait of Gibraltar

People Spain

Population:

40,341,462 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 14.4% (male 2,994,124/female 2,815,456)

15-64 years: 68% (male 13,762,281/female 13,664,762)

65 years and over: 17.6% (male 2,965,859/female 4,138,980) (2005

est.)

Median age: total: 39.51 years male: 38.18 years female: 40.93 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

0.15% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

10.1 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

9.63 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

0.99 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.72 male(s)/female

total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 4.42 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 4.82 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 4 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 79.52 years

male: 76.18 years

female: 83.08 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

1.28 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

0.7% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

140,000 (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

less than 1,000 (2003 est.)

Nationality: noun: Spaniard(s) adjective: Spanish

Ethnic groups:

composite of Mediterranean and Nordic types

Religions:

Roman Catholic 94%, other 6%

Languages:

Castilian Spanish 74%, Catalan 17%, Galician 7%, Basque 2%; note -

Castilian is the official language nationwide; the other languages

are official regionally

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 97.9%

male: 98.7%

female: 97.2% (2003 est.)

Government Spain

Country name:

conventional long form: Kingdom of Spain

conventional short form: Spain

local short form: Espana

Government type:

parliamentary monarchy

Capital:

Madrid

Administrative divisions:

17 autonomous communities (comunidades autonomas, singular -

comunidad autonoma)and 2 autonomous cities* (ciudades autonomas,

singular - ciudad autonoma); Andalucia, Aragon, Asturias, Baleares

(Balearic Islands), Ceuta*, Canarias (Canary Islands), Cantabria,

Castilla-La Mancha, Castilla y Leon, Cataluna, Comunidad Valenciana,

Extremadura, Galicia, La Rioja, Madrid, Melilla*, Murcia, Navarra,

Pais Vasco (Basque Country)

note: the autonomous cities of Ceuta and Melilla plus three small

islands of Islas Chafarinas, Penon de Alhucemas, and Penon de Velez

de la Gomera, administered directly by the Spanish central

government, are all located off the coast of Morocco and are

collectively referred to as Places of Sovereignty (Plazas de

Soberania)

Independence:

the Iberian peninsula was characterized by a variety of independent

kingdoms prior to the Moslem occupation that began in the early 8th

century A. D. and lasted nearly seven centuries; the small Christian

redoubts of the north began the reconquest almost immediately,

culminating in the seizure of Granada in 1492; this event completed

the unification of several kingdoms and is traditionally considered

the forging of present-day Spain

National holiday:

National Day, 12 October

Constitution:

6 December 1978, effective 29 December 1978

Legal system:

civil law system, with regional applications; has not accepted

compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: King JUAN CARLOS I (since 22 November 1975); Heir

Apparent Prince FELIPE, son of the monarch, born 30 January 1968

head of government: President of the Government and Prime Minister

Jose Luis RODRIGUEZ ZAPATERO (since 17 April 2004); First Vice

President and Deputy Prime Minister (and Minister of the Presidency)

Maria Teresa FERNANDEZ DE LA VEGA (since 18 April 2004) and Second

Vice President (and Minister of Economy and Finance) Pedro SOLBES

(since 18 April 2004)

cabinet: Council of Ministers designated by the president

note: there is also a Council of State that is the supreme

consultative organ of the government, but its recommendations are

non-binding

elections: the monarchy is hereditary; following legislative

elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the

majority coalition is usually proposed president by the monarch and

elected by the National Assembly; election last held 14 March 2004

(next to be held March 2008); vice presidents appointed by the

monarch on the proposal of the president

election results: Jose Luis RODRIGUEZ ZAPATERO (PSOE) elected

president; percent of National Assembly vote - 52.29%

Legislative branch:

bicameral; General Courts or National Assembly or Las Cortes

Generales consists of the Senate or Senado (259 seats - 208 members

directly elected by popular vote and the other 51 appointed by the

regional legislatures to serve four-year terms) and the Congress of

Deputies or Congreso de los Diputados (350 seats; members are

elected by popular vote on block lists by proportional

representation to serve four-year terms)

elections: Senate - last held 14 March 2004 (next to be held March

2008); Congress of Deputies - last held 14 March 2004 (next to be

held March 2008)

election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - PP 49%, PSOE

38.9%, Entesa Catalona de Progress 5.7%, CiU 1.99%, PNV 2.8%, CC

1.4%; seats by party - PP 102, PSOE 81, Entesa Catalona de Progress

12, CiU 4, PNV 6, CC 3; Congress of Deputies - percent of vote by

party - PSOE 43.3%, PP 37.8%, CiU 3.2%, ERC 2.5%, PNV 1.6%, IU 3.2%,

CC 0.9%; seats by party - PSOE 164, PP 148, CiU 10, ERC 8, PNV 7, IU

2, CC 3, other 8

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court or Tribunal Supremo

Political parties and leaders:

Basque Nationalist Party or PNV [Josu Jon IMAZ]; Canarian Coalition

or CC (a coalition of five parties) [Paulino RIVERO Baute];

Convergence and Union or CiU [Artur MAS i Gavarro] (a coalition of

the Democratic Convergence of Catalonia or CDC [Artur MAS i Gavarro]

and the Democratic Union of Catalonia or UDC [Josep Antoni DURAN y

LLEIDA]); Entesa Catalonia de Progress (a Senate coalition grouping

four Catalan parties - PSC, ERC, ICV, EUA) [leader NA]; Galician

Nationalist Bloc or BNG [Anxo Manuel QUINTANA]; Party of

Independents from Lanzarote or PIL [Dimas MARTIN Martin]; Popular

Party or PP [Mariano RAJOY]; Republican Left of Catalonia or ERC

[Josep-Lluis CAROD-ROVIRA]; Spanish Socialist Workers Party or PSOE

[Jose Luis RODRIGUEZ ZAPATERO]; United Left or IU (a coalition of

parties including the PCE and other small parties) [Gaspar

LLAMAZARES]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

business and landowning interests; Catholic Church; free labor

unions (authorized in April 1977); Socialist General Union of

Workers or UGT and the smaller independent Workers Syndical Union or

USO; university students; Trade Union Confederation of Workers'

Commissions or CC.OO.; Nunca Mas (Galician for "Never Again"; formed

in response to the oil tanker Prestige oil spill)

International organization participation:

AfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, BCIE, BIS, CE, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EMU,

ESA, EU, FAO, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA,

IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM

(observer), ISO, ITU, LAIA (observer), MIGA, MINUSTAH, MONUC, NATO,

NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, ONUB, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA,

UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMEE, UNMIK, UPU, WCL, WCO, WEU,

WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO, ZC

Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Carlos WESTENDORP chancery: 2375 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20037 telephone: [1] (202) 452-0100, 728-2340 FAX: [1] (202) 833-5670 consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, San Francisco, and San Juan (Puerto Rico)

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires J. Robert

MANZANARES

embassy: Serrano 75, 28006 Madrid

mailing address: PSC 61, APO AE 09642

telephone: [34] (91) 587-2200

FAX: [34] (91) 587-2303

consulate(s) general: Barcelona

Flag description:

three horizontal bands of red (top), yellow (double width), and red

with the national coat of arms on the hoist side of the yellow band;

the coat of arms includes the royal seal framed by the Pillars of

Hercules, which are the two promontories (Gibraltar and Ceuta) on

either side of the eastern end of the Strait of Gibraltar

Economy Spain

Economy - overview:

The Spanish economy boomed from 1986 to 1990, averaging five

percent annual growth. After a European-wide recession in the early

1990s, the Spanish economy resumed moderate growth starting in 1994.

Spain's mixed capitalist economy supports a GDP that on a per capita

basis is 80% that of the four leading West European economies. The

center-right government of former President AZNAR successfully

worked to gain admission to the first group of countries launching

the European single currency (the euro) on 1 January 1999. The AZNAR

administration continued to advocate liberalization, privatization,

and deregulation of the economy and introduced some tax reforms to

that end. Unemployment fell steadily under the AZNAR administration

but remains high at 10.4%. Growth of 2.5% in 2003 and 2.6% in 2004

was satisfactory given the background of a faltering European

economy. The socialist president, RODRIGUEZ ZAPATERO, has initiated

economic and social reforms that are generally popular among the

masses of people but that are anathema to religious and other

conservative elements. Adjusting to the monetary and other economic

policies of an integrated Europe, reducing unemployment, and

absorbing widespread social changes will pose challenges to Spain

over the next few years.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$937.6 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

2.6% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $23,300 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 3.5% industry: 28.5% services: 68% (2004 est.)

Labor force: 19.33 million (2004 est.)

Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 5.3%, manufacturing, mining, and construction 30.1%, services 64.6% (2004 est.)

Unemployment rate:

10.4% (2004 est.)

Population below poverty line:

NA

Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.8% highest 10%: 25.2% (1990)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

32.5 (1990)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

3.2% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

25.4% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $383.7 billion

expenditures: $386.4 billion, including capital expenditures of

$12.8 billion (2004 est.)

Public debt:

53.2% of GDP (2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

grain, vegetables, olives, wine grapes, sugar beets, citrus; beef,

pork, poultry, dairy products; fish

Industries:

textiles and apparel (including footwear), food and beverages,

metals and metal manufactures, chemicals, shipbuilding, automobiles,

machine tools, tourism, clay and refractory products, footwear,

pharmaceuticals, medical equipment

Industrial production growth rate:

3% (2004 est.)

Electricity - production:

229 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 50.4% hydro: 18.2% nuclear: 27.2% other: 4.1% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

218.4 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

4.4 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

9.8 billion kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

7,099 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

1.497 million bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

135,100 bbl/day (2001)

Oil - imports:

1.582 million bbl/day (2001)

Oil - proved reserves:

10.5 million bbl (1 January 2002)

Natural gas - production:

516 million cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - consumption:

17.96 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - exports:

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - imports:

17.26 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves:

254.9 million cu m (1 January 2002)

Current account balance:

$-30.89 billion (2004 est.)

Exports:

$172.5 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

machinery, motor vehicles; foodstuffs, pharmaceuticals, medicines,

other consumer goods

Exports - partners:

France 19.3%, Germany 11.7%, Portugal 9.6%, UK 9%, Italy 9%, US 4%

(2004)

Imports:

$222 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

machinery and equipment, fuels, chemicals, semifinished goods;

foodstuffs, consumer goods; measuring and medical control instruments

Imports - partners:

Germany 16.6%, France 15.8%, Italy 8.9%, UK 6.3%, Netherlands 4.8%

(2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$19.7 billion (2004 est.)

Debt - external:

$771.1 billion (2004 est.)

Economic aid - donor:

ODA, $1.33 billion (1999)

Currency (code):

euro (EUR)

note: on 1 January 1999, the European Monetary Union introduced the

euro as a common currency to be used by the financial institutions

of member countries; on 1 January 2002, the euro became the sole

currency for everyday transactions with the member countries

Currency code:

EUR

Exchange rates:

euros per US dollar - 0.8054 (2004), 0.886 (2003), 1.0626 (2002),

1.1175 (2001), 1.0854 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Spain

Telephones - main lines in use:

17,567,500 (2003)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

37,506,700 (2003)

Telephone system:

general assessment: generally adequate, modern facilities;

teledensity is 44 main lines for each 100 persons

domestic: NA

international: country code - 34; 22 coaxial submarine cables;

satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian

Ocean), NA Eutelsat; tropospheric scatter to adjacent countries

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 208, FM 715, shortwave 1 (1998)

Radios:

13.1 million (1997)

Television broadcast stations: 224 (plus 2,105 repeaters) note: these figures include 11 television broadcast stations and 88 repeaters in the Canary Islands (1995)

Televisions:

16.2 million (1997)

Internet country code:

.es

Internet hosts:

1,056,950 (2004)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

56 (2000)

Internet users:

9.789 million (2003)

Transportation Spain

Railways:

total: 14,781 km (7,718 km electrified)

broad gauge: 11,829 km 1.668-m gauge (6,950 km electrified)

standard gauge: 998 km 1.435-m gauge (998 km electrified)

narrow gauge: 1,926 km 1.000-m gauge (815 km electrified); 28 km

0.914-m gauge (28 km electrified) (2004)

Highways:

total: 664,852 km

paved: 658,203 km (including 11,152 km of expressways)

unpaved: 6,649 km (2001)

Waterways:

1,045 km (2003)

Pipelines:

gas 7,306 km; oil 730 km; refined products 3,512 km (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Algeciras, Barcelona, Cartagena, Gijon, Huelva, La Coruna,

Tarragona, Valencia

Merchant marine:

total: 182 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 1,740,974 GRT/2,157,551 DWT

by type: bulk carrier 10, cargo 22, chemical tanker 16, container

19, liquefied gas 8, passenger 2, passenger/cargo 47, petroleum

tanker 20, refrigerated cargo 6, roll on/roll off 25, vehicle

carrier 7

foreign-owned: 29 (Cuba 2, Denmark 1, Germany 9, Italy 2, Norway 6,

United States 7, Uruguay 2)

registered in other countries: 192 (2005)

Airports:

156 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 95 over 3,047 m: 15 2,438 to 3,047 m: 10 1,524 to 2,437 m: 19 914 to 1,523 m: 23 under 914 m: 28 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 61 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 15 under 914 m: 44 (2004 est.)

Heliports: 8 (2004 est.)

Military Spain

Military branches:

Army, Navy, Air Force (Ejercito del Aire, EdA), Naval Infantry

Military service age and obligation:

20 years of age (2004)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 20-49: 9,366,588 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 20-49: 7,623,356 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:

males: 233,384 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$9,906.5 million (2003)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

1.2% (2003)

Transnational Issues Spain

Disputes - international:

in 2003, Gibraltar residents voted overwhelmingly by referendum to

remain a British colony and against a "total shared sovereignty"

arrangement while demanding participation in talks between the UK

and Spain; Spain disapproves of UK plans to grant Gibraltar greater

autonomy; Morocco protests Spain's control over the coastal enclaves

of Ceuta, Melilla, and the islands of Penon de Velez de la Gomera,

Penon de Alhucemas and Islas Chafarinas, and surrounding waters;

Morocco serves as the primary launching site of illegal migration

into Spain from North Africa

Illicit drugs:

key European gateway country and consumer for Latin American

cocaine and North African hashish entering the European market;

destination and minor transshipment point for Southwest Asian

heroin; money-laundering site for European earnings of Colombian

narcotics trafficking organizations

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Spratly Islands

Introduction Spratly Islands

Background:

The Spratly Islands consist of more than 100 small islands or

reefs. They are surrounded by rich fishing grounds and potentially

by gas and oil deposits. They are claimed in their entirety by

China, Taiwan, and Vietnam, while portions are claimed by Malaysia

and the Philippines. About 45 islands are occupied by relatively

small numbers of military forces from China, Malaysia, the

Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam. Brunei has established a fishing

zone that overlaps a southern reef, but has not made any formal

claim.

Geography Spratly Islands

Location:

Southeastern Asia, group of reefs and islands in the South China

Sea, about two-thirds of the way from southern Vietnam to the

southern Philippines

Geographic coordinates:

8 38 N, 111 55 E

Map references:

Southeast Asia

Area:

total: less than 5 sq km

land: less than 5 sq km

water: 0 sq km

note: includes 100 or so islets, coral reefs, and sea mounts

scattered over an area of nearly 410,000 sq km of the central South

China Sea

Area - comparative:

NA

Land boundaries:

0 km

Coastline:

926 km

Maritime claims:

NA

Climate:

tropical

Terrain:

flat

Elevation extremes: lowest point: South China Sea 0 m highest point: unnamed location on Southwest Cay 4 m

Natural resources: fish, guano, undetermined oil and natural gas potential

Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (2001)

Irrigated land:

0 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

typhoons; serious maritime hazard because of numerous reefs and

shoals

Environment - current issues:

NA

Geography - note:

strategically located near several primary shipping lanes in the

central South China Sea; includes numerous small islands, atolls,

shoals, and coral reefs

People Spratly Islands

Population:

no indigenous inhabitants

note: there are scattered garrisons occupied by personnel of several

claimant states (2004)

Government Spratly Islands

Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Spratly Islands

Economy Spratly Islands

Economy - overview:

Economic activity is limited to commercial fishing. The proximity

to nearby oil- and gas-producing sedimentary basins suggests the

potential for oil and gas deposits, but the region is largely

unexplored; there are no reliable estimates of potential reserves;

commercial exploitation has yet to be developed.

Transportation Spratly Islands

Ports and harbors:

none; offshore anchorage only

Airports:

3 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 2

914 to 1,523 m: 1

less than 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Military Spratly Islands

Military - note:

Spratly Islands consist of more than 100 small islands or reefs, of

which about 45 are claimed and occupied by China, Malaysia, the

Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam

Transnational Issues Spratly Islands

Disputes - international:

all of the Spratly Islands are claimed by China, Taiwan, and

Vietnam; parts of them are claimed by Malaysia and the Philippines;

in 1984, Brunei established an exclusive fishing zone that

encompasses Louisa Reef in the southern Spratly Islands but has not

publicly claimed the reef; claimants in November 2002 signed the

"Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea,"

which has eased tensions but falls short of a legally binding "code

of conduct"; in March 2005, the national oil companies of China, the

Philippines, and Vietnam signed a joint accord to conduct marine

seismic activities in the Spratlys

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Sri Lanka

Introduction Sri Lanka

Background:

The Sinhalese arrived in Sri Lanka late in the 6th century B.C.,

probably from northern India. Buddhism was introduced beginning in

about the mid-third century B.C., and a great civilization developed

at the cities of Anuradhapura (kingdom from circa 200 B.C. to circa

A.D. 1000) and Polonnaruwa (from about 1070 to 1200). In the 14th

century, a south Indian dynasty seized power in the north and

established a Tamil kingdom. Occupied by the Portuguese in the 16th

century and by the Dutch in the 17th century, the island was ceded

to the British in 1796, became a crown colony in 1802, and was

united under British rule by 1815. As Ceylon, it became independent

in 1948; its name was changed to Sri Lanka in 1972. Tensions between

the Sinhalese majority and Tamil separatists erupted into war in

1983. Tens of thousands have died in an ethnic conflict that

continues to fester. After two decades of fighting, the government

and Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam formalized a cease-fire in

February 2002, with Norway brokering peace negotiations.

Geography Sri Lanka

Location:

Southern Asia, island in the Indian Ocean, south of India

Geographic coordinates:

7 00 N, 81 00 E

Map references:

Asia

Area:

total: 65,610 sq km

land: 64,740 sq km

water: 870 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly larger than West Virginia

Land boundaries:

0 km

Coastline:

1,340 km

Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin

Climate:

tropical monsoon; northeast monsoon (December to March); southwest

monsoon (June to October)

Terrain:

mostly low, flat to rolling plain; mountains in south-central

interior

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m

highest point: Pidurutalagala 2,524 m

Natural resources:

limestone, graphite, mineral sands, gems, phosphates, clay,

hydropower

Land use: arable land: 13.86% permanent crops: 15.7% other: 70.44% (2001)

Irrigated land:

6,510 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

occasional cyclones and tornadoes

Environment - current issues:

deforestation; soil erosion; wildlife populations threatened by

poaching and urbanization; coastal degradation from mining

activities and increased pollution; freshwater resources being

polluted by industrial wastes and sewage runoff; waste disposal; air

pollution in Colombo

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto

Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental

Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer

Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation

Geography - note:

strategic location near major Indian Ocean sea lanes

People Sri Lanka

Population:

20,064,776

note: since the outbreak of hostilities between the government and

armed Tamil separatists in the mid-1980s, several hundred thousand

Tamil civilians have fled the island and more than 200,000 Tamils

have sought refuge in the West (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 24.5% (male 2,508,384/female 2,397,986)

15-64 years: 68.4% (male 6,658,765/female 7,059,468)

65 years and over: 7.2% (male 670,813/female 769,360) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 29.44 years

male: 28.38 years

female: 30.51 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

0.79% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

15.63 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

6.49 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

-1.27 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.87 male(s)/female

total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 14.35 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 15.57 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 13.07 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 73.17 years

male: 70.6 years

female: 75.86 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

1.85 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

less than 0.1% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

3,500 (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

less than 200 (2003 est.)

Nationality:

noun: Sri Lankan(s)

adjective: Sri Lankan

Ethnic groups:

Sinhalese 73.8%, Sri Lankan Moors 7.2%, Indian Tamil 4.6%, Sri

Lankan Tamil 3.9%, other 0.5%, unspecified 10% (2001 census

provisional data)

Religions:

Buddhist 69.1%, Muslim 7.6%, Hindu 7.1%, Christian 6.2%,

unspecified 10% (2001 census provisional data)

Languages:

Sinhala (official and national language) 74%, Tamil (national

language) 18%, other 8%

note: English is commonly used in government and is spoken

competently by about 10% of the population

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 92.3%

male: 94.8%

female: 90% (2003 est.)

Government Sri Lanka

Country name:

conventional long form: Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka

conventional short form: Sri Lanka

former: Serendib, Ceylon

Government type:

republic

Capital:

Colombo; note - Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte is the legislative capital

Administrative divisions:

8 provinces; Central, North Central, North Eastern, North Western,

Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Uva, Western; note - North Eastern province

may have been divided in two - Northern and Eastern

Independence:

4 February 1948 (from UK)

National holiday:

Independence Day, 4 February (1948)

Constitution:

adopted 16 August 1978, certified 31 August 1978; new constitution

proposed in 2002

Legal system:

a highly complex mixture of English common law, Roman-Dutch,

Muslim, Sinhalese, and customary law; has not accepted compulsory

ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Chandrika Bandaranaike KUMARATUNGA (since

12 November 1994); note - Mahinda RAJAPAKSE (since 6 April 2004) is

the prime minister; the president is considered both the chief of

state and head of government

head of government: President Chandrika Bandaranaike KUMARATUNGA

(since 12 November 1994); note - Mahinda RAJAPAKSE is the prime

minister (since 6 April 2004); the president is considered both the

chief of state and head of government

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president in consultation with the

prime minister

elections: president elected by popular vote for a six-year term;

election last held 21 December 1999 (next to be held NA December

2005)

election results: Chandrika Bandaranaike KUMARATUNGA reelected

president; percent of vote - Chandrika Bandaranaike KUMARATUNGA 51%,

Ranil WICKREMASINGHE 42%, other 7%

Legislative branch:

unicameral Parliament (225 seats; members elected by popular vote

on the basis of a modified proportional representation system by

district to serve six-year terms)

elections: last held 2 April 2004 (next to be held by 2010)

election results: percent of vote by party or electoral alliance -

SLFP and JVP 45.6%, UNP 37.83%, TNA 6.84%, JHU 5.97%, SLMC 2.02%,

UPF 0.54%, EPDP 0.27%, others 0.93%; seats by party or electoral

alliance - SLFP and JVP 105, UNP 82, TNA 22, JHU 9, SLMC 5, UPF 1,

EPDP 1

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court; Court of Appeals; judges for both courts are

appointed by the president

Political parties and leaders:

All Ceylon Tamil Congress or ACTC [KUMARGURUPARAM]; Ceylon Workers

Congress or CWC [Arumugam THONDAMAN]; Communist Party or CP [D.

GUNASEKERA]; Democratic United National (Lalith) Front or DUNLF

[Shrimani ATULATHMUDALI]; Eelam People's Democratic Party or EPDP

[Douglas DEVANANDA]; Eelam People's Revolutionary Liberation Front

or EPRLF [Suresh PREMACHANDRAN]; Janatha Vimukthi Perumuna or JVP

[Tilvan SILVA]; National Heritage Party or JHU [Tilak KARUNARATNE];

National Unity Alliance or NUA [Ferial ASHRAFF]; People's Liberation

Organization of Tamil Eelam or PLOTE [leader NA]; Sihala Urumaya or

SU [leader NA]; Sri Lanka Freedom Party or SLFP [Chandrika

Bandaranaike KUMARATUNGA]; Sri Lanka Muslim Congress or SLMC [Rauff

HAKEEM]; Sri Lanka Progressive Front or SLPF [P. Nelson PERERA];

Tamil Eelam Liberation Organization or TELO [SABARATNAM]; Tamil

National Alliance or TNA [R. SAMPANTHAN]; Tamil United Liberation

Front or TULF [V. ANANDASANGAREE]; United National Party or UNP

[Ranil WICKREMASINGHE]; Up-country People's Front or UPF [P.

CHANDRASEKARAN]; several ethnic Tamil and Muslim parties,

represented in either Parliament or provincial councils

Political pressure groups and leaders:

Buddhist clergy; labor unions; Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam or

LTTE [Velupillai PRABHAKARAN](insurgent group fighting for a

separate state); radical chauvinist Sinhalese groups such as the

National Movement Against Terrorism; Sinhalese Buddhist lay groups

International organization participation:

AsDB, C, CP, FAO, G-15, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU,

ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM,

ISO, ITU, MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSTAH, MONUC, NAM, OAS (observer), ONUB,

OPCW, PCA, SAARC, SACEP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO,

WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Bernard GOONETILLEKE chancery: 2148 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 483-4025 (through 4028) FAX: [1] (202) 232-7181 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles consulate(s): New York

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Jeffrey J. LUNSTEAD

embassy: 210 Galle Road, Colombo 3

mailing address: P. O. Box 106, Colombo

telephone: [94] (11) 244-8007

FAX: [94] (11) 243-7345

Flag description:

yellow with two panels; the smaller hoist-side panel has two equal

vertical bands of green (hoist side) and orange; the other panel is

a large dark red rectangle with a yellow lion holding a sword, and

there is a yellow bo leaf in each corner; the yellow field appears

as a border around the entire flag and extends between the two panels

Economy Sri Lanka

Economy - overview:

In 1977, Colombo abandoned statist economic policies and its import

substitution trade policy for market-oriented policies and

export-oriented trade. Sri Lanka's most dynamic sectors now are food

processing, textiles and apparel, food and beverages,

telecommunications, and insurance and banking. In 2003, plantation

crops made up only 15% of exports (compared with 93% in 1970), while

textiles and garments accounted for 63%. GDP grew at an average

annual rate of 5.5% in the early 1990s until a drought and a

deteriorating security situation lowered growth to 3.8% in 1996. The

economy rebounded in 1997-2000 with average growth of 5.3%, but 2001

saw the first contraction in the country's history, -1.4%, due to a

combination of power shortages, severe budgetary problems, the

global slowdown, and continuing civil strife. Growth recovered to

4.0% in 2002 and to 5.2% in both 2003 and 2004. About 800,000 Sri

Lankans work abroad, 90% in the Middle East. They send home about $1

billion a year. The struggle by the Tamil Tigers of the north and

east for a largely independent homeland continues to cast a shadow

over the economy. In late December 2004, a major tsunami took about

31,000 lives, left more than 6,300 missing and 443,000 displaced,

and destroyed an estimated $1.5 billion worth of property.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$80.58 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

5.2% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $4,000 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 19.1% industry: 26.2% services: 54.7% (2004 est.)

Labor force:

7.26 million (2004 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 38%, industry 17%, services 45% (1998 est.)

Unemployment rate:

7.8% (2004 est.)

Population below poverty line:

22% (1997 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.5% highest 10%: 28% (1995)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

34.4 (1995)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

5.8% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

22.4% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $3.34 billion

expenditures: $4.686 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Public debt:

104.3% of GDP (2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

rice, sugarcane, grains, pulses, oilseed, spices, tea, rubber,

coconuts; milk, eggs, hides, beef

Industries:

rubber processing, tea, coconuts, and other agricultural

commodities; telecommunications, insurance, and banking; clothing,

cement, petroleum refining, textiles, tobacco

Industrial production growth rate:

7.1% (2004 est.)

Electricity - production:

6.697 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 51.7% hydro: 48.3% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

6.228 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

75,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Current account balance:

$-587.3 million (2004 est.)

Exports:

$5.306 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

textiles and apparel; tea and spices; diamonds, emeralds, rubies;

coconut products; rubber manufactures, fish

Exports - partners:

US 32.4%, UK 13.5%, India 6.8%, Germany 4.8% (2004)

Imports:

$7.265 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

textile fabrics, mineral products, petroleum, foodstuffs, machinery

and transportation equipment

Imports - partners:

India 18%, Singapore 8.7%, Hong Kong 7.7%, China 5.7%, Iran 5.2%,

Japan 5.1%, Malaysia 4.1% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$2.475 billion (2004 est.)

Debt - external:

$10.85 billion (2004 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:

$577 million (1998)

Currency (code):

Sri Lankan rupee (LKR)

Currency code:

LKR

Exchange rates:

Sri Lankan rupees per US dollar - 101.194 (2004), 96.521 (2003),

95.662 (2002), 89.383 (2001), 77.005 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Sri Lanka

Telephones - main lines in use:

881,400 (2002)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

931,600 (2002)

Telephone system:

general assessment: very inadequate domestic service, particularly

in rural areas; likely improvement with privatization of national

telephone company and encouragement to private investment; good

international service (1999)

domestic: national trunk network consists mostly of digital

microwave radio relay; fiber-optic links now in use in Colombo area

and two fixed wireless local loops have been installed; competition

is strong in mobile cellular systems; telephone density remains low

at 2.6 main lines per 100 persons (1999)

international: country code - 94; submarine cables to Indonesia and

Djibouti; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (1999)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 26, FM 45, shortwave 1 (1998)

Radios:

3.85 million (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

21 (1997)

Televisions:

1.53 million (1997)

Internet country code:

.lk

Internet hosts:

1,882 (2003)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

5 (2000)

Internet users:

200,000 (2002)

Transportation Sri Lanka

Railways: total: 1,449 km broad gauge: 1,449 km 1.676-m gauge (2004)

Highways: total: 11,650 km paved: 11,068 km unpaved: 582 km (2002)

Waterways:

160 km (primarily on rivers in southwest) (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Colombo, Galle

Merchant marine:

total: 23 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 120,924 GRT/173,604 DWT

by type: cargo 18, container 2, passenger 1, petroleum tanker 2

foreign-owned: 10 (Germany 10)

registered in other countries: 1 (2005)

Airports:

14 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 13 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 6 914 to 1,523 m: 6 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 1

under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Military Sri Lanka

Military branches:

Army, Navy, Air Force, Police Force

Military service age and obligation:

18 years of age for voluntary military service (2001)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 18-49: 4,933,217 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: 3,789,627 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:

males: 174,049 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$514.8 million (2004)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

2.6% (2004)

Transnational Issues Sri Lanka

Disputes - international: none

Refugees and internally displaced persons: IDPs: 362,000 (both Tamils and non-Tamils displaced due to Tamil conflict); 555,000 (resulting from 26 December 2004 tsunami) (2004)

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Sudan

Introduction Sudan

Background:

Military regimes favoring Islamic-oriented governments have

dominated national politics since independence from the UK in 1956.

Sudan was embroiled in two prolonged civil wars during most of the

remainder of the 20th century. These conflicts were rooted in

northern economic, political, and social domination of non-Muslim,

non-Arab southern Sudanese. The first civil war ended in 1972, but

broke out again in 1983. The second war and famine-related effects

resulted in more than 2 million deaths and over 4 million people

displaced over a period of two decades. Peace talks gained momentum

in 2002-04 with the signing of several accords; a final Naivasha

peace treaty of January 2005 granted the southern rebels autonomy

for six years, after which a referendum for independence is

scheduled to be held. A separate conflict that broke out in the

western region of Darfur in 2003 resulted in tens of thousands of

deaths and over 1 million displaced, but by early 2005, peackeeping

troops had stabilized the situation.

Geography Sudan

Location:

Northern Africa, bordering the Red Sea, between Egypt and Eritrea

Geographic coordinates:

15 00 N, 30 00 E

Map references:

Africa

Area:

total: 2,505,810 sq km

land: 2.376 million sq km

water: 129,810 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly more than one-quarter the size of the US

Land boundaries:

total: 7,687 km

border countries: Central African Republic 1,165 km, Chad 1,360 km,

Democratic Republic of the Congo 628 km, Egypt 1,273 km, Eritrea 605

km, Ethiopia 1,606 km, Kenya 232 km, Libya 383 km, Uganda 435 km

Coastline:

853 km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 18 nm

continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

Climate:

tropical in south; arid desert in north; rainy season varies by

region (April to November)

Terrain:

generally flat, featureless plain; mountains in far south,

northeast and west; desert dominates the north

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Red Sea 0 m

highest point: Kinyeti 3,187 m

Natural resources:

petroleum; small reserves of iron ore, copper, chromium ore, zinc,

tungsten, mica, silver, gold, hydropower

Land use: arable land: 6.83% permanent crops: 0.18% other: 92.99% (2001)

Irrigated land:

19,500 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

dust storms and periodic persistent droughts

Environment - current issues:

inadequate supplies of potable water; wildlife populations

threatened by excessive hunting; soil erosion; desertification;

periodic drought

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto

Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone

Layer Protection

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

largest country in Africa; dominated by the Nile and its tributaries

People Sudan

Population:

40,187,486 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 43.2% (male 8,865,331/female 8,488,982)

15-64 years: 54.5% (male 10,952,566/female 10,930,218)

65 years and over: 2.4% (male 513,679/female 436,710) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 18.07 years

male: 17.86 years

female: 18.29 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

2.6% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

35.17 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

9.16 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

-0.02 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 1.18 male(s)/female

total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 62.5 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 63.29 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 61.67 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 58.54 years

male: 57.33 years

female: 59.8 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

4.85 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

2.3% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

400,000 (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

23,000 (2003 est.)

Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: malaria, dengue fever, African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness) are high risks in some locations water contact disease: schistosomiasis respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis (2004)

Nationality:

noun: Sudanese (singular and plural)

adjective: Sudanese

Ethnic groups:

black 52%, Arab 39%, Beja 6%, foreigners 2%, other 1%

Religions:

Sunni Muslim 70% (in north), indigenous beliefs 25%, Christian 5%

(mostly in south and Khartoum)

Languages:

Arabic (official), Nubian, Ta Bedawie, diverse dialects of Nilotic,

Nilo-Hamitic, Sudanic languages, English

note: program of "Arabization" in process

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 61.1%

male: 71.8%

female: 50.5% (2003 est.)

Government Sudan

Country name:

conventional long form: Republic of the Sudan

conventional short form: Sudan

local long form: Jumhuriyat as-Sudan

local short form: As-Sudan

former: Anglo-Egyptian Sudan

Government type:

authoritarian regime - ruling military junta took power in 1989;

government is run by an alliance of the military and the National

Congress Party (NCP), formerly the National Islamic Front (NIF),

which espouses an Islamist platform

Capital:

Khartoum

Administrative divisions:

26 states (wilayat, singular - wilayah); A'ali an Nil (Upper Nile),

Al Bahr al Ahmar (Red Sea), Al Buhayrat (Lakes), Al Jazirah (El

Gezira), Al Khartum (Khartoum), Al Qadarif (Gedaref), Al Wahdah

(Unity), An Nil al Abyad (White Nile), An Nil al Azraq (Blue Nile),

Ash Shamaliyah (Northern), Bahr al Jabal (Bahr al Jabal), Gharb al

Istiwa'iyah (Western Equatoria), Gharb Bahr al Ghazal (Western Bahr

al Ghazal), Gharb Darfur (Western Darfur), Gharb Kurdufan (Western

Kordofan), Janub Darfur (Southern Darfur), Janub Kurdufan (Southern

Kordofan), Junqali (Jonglei), Kassala (Kassala), Nahr an Nil (Nile),

Shamal Bahr al Ghazal (Northern Bahr al Ghazal), Shamal Darfur

(Northern Darfur), Shamal Kurdufan (Northern Kordofan), Sharq al

Istiwa'iyah (Eastern Equatoria), Sinnar (Sinnar), Warab (Warab)

Independence:

1 January 1956 (from Egypt and UK)

National holiday:

Independence Day, 1 January (1956)

Constitution:

12 April 1973; suspended following coup of 6 April 1985; interim

constitution of 10 October 1985 suspended following coup of 30 June

1989; new constitution implemented on 30 June 1998 partially

suspended 12 December 1999 by President BASHIR

Legal system:

based on English common law and Islamic law; as of 20 January 1991,

the now defunct Revolutionary Command Council imposed Islamic law in

the northern states; Islamic law applies to all residents of the

northern states regardless of their religion; some separate

religious courts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with

reservations

Suffrage:

17 years of age; universal, but noncompulsory

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Lt. Gen. Umar Hassan Ahmad al-BASHIR

(since 16 October 1993); First Vice President Salva KIIR (since 4

August 2005), Second Vice President Ali Osman TAHA (since 20

September 2005); note - the president is both the chief of state and

head of government

head of government: President Lt. Gen. Umar Hassan Ahmad al-BASHIR

(since 16 October 1993); First Vice President Salva KIIR (since 4

August 2005), Second Vice President Ali Osman TAHA (since 20

September 2005); note - the president is both the chief of state and

head of government

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president; note - the

National Congress Party or NCP (formerly the National Islamic Front

or NIF) dominates al-BASHIR's cabinet

elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;

election last held 13-23 December 2000 (next to be held NA)

election results: Field Marshall Umar Hassan Ahmad al-BASHIR

reelected president; percent of vote - Umar Hassan Ahmad al-BASHIR

86.5%, Ja'afar Muhammed NUMAYRI 9.6%, three other candidates

received a combined vote of 3.9%; election widely viewed as rigged;

all popular opposition parties boycotted elections because of a lack

of guarantees for a free and fair election

note: al-BASHIR assumed power as chairman of Sudan's Revolutionary

Command Council for National Salvation (RCC) in June 1989 and served

concurrently as chief of state, chairman of the RCC, prime minister,

and minister of defense until mid-October 1993 when he was appointed

president by the RCC; he was elected president by popular vote for

the first time in March 1996

Legislative branch:

unicameral National Assembly (360 seats; 270 popularly elected, 90

elected by supra assembly of interest groups known as National

Congress; members serve four-year terms)

elections: last held 13-22 December 2000 (next to be held NA)

election results: NCP 355, others 5

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court; Special Revolutionary Courts

Political parties and leaders:

the government allows political "associations" under a 1998 law

revised in 2000; to obtain government approval parties must accept

the constitution and refrain from advocating or using violence

against the regime; approved parties include the National Congress

Party or NCP [Ibrahim Ahmed UMAR], Popular National Congress or PNC

[Hassan al-TURABI], and over 20 minor, pro-government parties

Political pressure groups and leaders:

Democratic Unionist Party [Muhammed Uthman AL-MIRGHANI]; National

Democratic Alliance [Muhammed Uthman AL-MIRGHANI, chairman]; Sudan

People's Liberation Movement/Army [Dr. John GARANG]; Umma Party

[Sadiq al-MAHDI]

International organization participation:

ABEDA, ACP, AfDB, AFESD, AMF, AU, CAEU, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD,

ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD, ILO,

IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OPCW,

PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO,

WMO, WToO, WTO (observer)

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires, Ad

Interim Khidir Haroun AHMED (since April 2001)

chancery: 2210 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 338-8565

FAX: [1] (202) 667-2406

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Gerard M.

GALLUCCI

embassy: Sharia Abdul Latif Avenue, Khartoum

mailing address: P. O. Box 699, Khartoum; APO AE 09829

telephone: [249] (11) 774611 or 774700

FAX: [249] (11) 774137

note: US Consul in Cairo is providing backup service for Khartoum

Flag description:

three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black with a

green isosceles triangle based on the hoist side

Economy Sudan

Economy - overview:

Sudan has turned around a struggling economy with sound economic

policies and infrastructure investments, but it still faces

formidable economic problems, starting from its low level of per

capita output. From 1997 to date, Sudan has been implementing IMF

macroeconomic reforms. In 1999, Sudan began exporting crude oil and

in the last quarter of 1999 recorded its first trade surplus, which,

along with monetary policy, has stabilized the exchange rate.

Increased oil production, revived light industry, and expanded

export processing zones helped sustain GDP growth at 6.4% in 2004.

Agriculture production remains Sudan's most important sector,

employing 80% of the work force, contributing 39% of GDP, and

accounting for most of GDP growth, but most farms remain rain-fed

and susceptible to drought. Chronic instability - including the

long-standing civil war between the Muslim north and the

Christian/pagan south, adverse weather, and weak world agricultural

prices - ensure that much of the population will remain at or below

the poverty line for years.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$76.19 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

6.4% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $1,900 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 38.7% industry: 20.3% services: 41% (2003 est.)

Labor force: 11 million (1996 est.)

Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 80%, industry and commerce 7%, government 13% (1998 est.)

Unemployment rate:

18.7% (2002 est.)

Population below poverty line:

40% (2004 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

9% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

16% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $3.057 billion

expenditures: $2.965 billion, including capital expenditures of $304

million (2004 est.)

Public debt:

79.7% of GDP (2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

cotton, groundnuts (peanuts), sorghum, millet, wheat, gum arabic,

sugarcane, cassava (tapioca), mangos, papaya, bananas, sweet

potatoes, sesame; sheep, livestock

Industries:

oil, cotton ginning, textiles, cement, edible oils, sugar, soap

distilling, shoes, petroleum refining, pharmaceuticals, armaments,

automobile/light truck assembly

Industrial production growth rate:

8.5% (1999 est.)

Electricity - production:

2.581 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 52.1% hydro: 47.9% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

2.4 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

345,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Oil - consumption:

70,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Oil - exports:

275,000 bbl/day (2004)

Oil - imports:

0 bbl/day (2004)

Oil - proved reserves:

1.6 billion bbl (2004 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves:

99.11 billion cu m (2004)

Current account balance:

$-763.6 million (2004 est.)

Exports:

$3.395 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

oil and petroleum products; cotton, sesame, livestock, groundnuts,

gum arabic, sugar

Exports - partners:

China 66.9%, Japan 10.7%, Saudi Arabia 4.4% (2004)

Imports:

$3.496 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

foodstuffs, manufactured goods, refinery and transport equipment,

medicines and chemicals, textiles, wheat

Imports - partners:

China 13%, Saudi Arabia 11.5%, UAE 5.9%, Egypt 5.1%, India 4.8%,

Germany 4.5%, Australia 4.1%, Japan 4% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$1.652 billion (2004 est.)

Debt - external:

$21 billion (2004 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:

$172 million (2001)

Currency (code):

Sudanese dinar (SDD)

Currency code:

SDD

Exchange rates:

Sudanese dinars per US dollar - 257.91 (2004), 260.98 (2003),

263.31 (2002), 258.7 (2001), 257.12 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Sudan

Telephones - main lines in use:

900,000 (2003)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

650,000 (2003)

Telephone system:

general assessment: large, well-equipped system by regional

standards and being upgraded; cellular communications started in

1996 and have expanded substantially

domestic: consists of microwave radio relay, cable, radiotelephone

communications, tropospheric scatter, and a domestic satellite

system with 14 earth stations

international: country code - 249; satellite earth stations - 1

Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) and 1 Arabsat (2000)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 12, FM 1, shortwave 1 (1998)

Radios:

7.55 million (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

3 (1997)

Televisions:

2.38 million (1997)

Internet country code:

.sd

Internet hosts:

NA

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

2 (2002)

Internet users:

300,000 (2003)

Transportation Sudan

Railways:

total: 5,995 km

narrow gauge: 4,595 km 1.067-m gauge; 1,400 km .600-m gauge for

cotton plantations (2004)

Highways:

total: 11,900 km

paved: 4,320 km

unpaved: 7,580 km (1999 est.)

Waterways:

4,068 km (1,723 km open year round on White and Blue Nile rivers)

(2004)

Pipelines:

gas 156 km; oil 2,365 km; refined products 810 km (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Port Sudan

Merchant marine:

total: 2 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 20,466 GRT/26,973 DWT

by type: cargo 1, livestock carrier 1

registered in other countries: 2 (2005)

Airports:

75 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 12 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 8 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 63 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 17 914 to 1,523 m: 33 under 914 m: 11 (2004 est.)

Heliports: 2 (2004 est.)

Military Sudan

Military branches:

Sudanese People's Armed Forces (SPAF): Army, Navy, Air Force,

Popular Defense Force

Military service age and obligation:

18-30 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript

service obligation - 3 years (August 2004)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 18-49: 8,291,695 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: 5,427,474 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:

males: 442,915 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$587 million (2001 est.) (2004)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

3% (1999) (2004)

Transnational Issues Sudan

Disputes - international:

the effects of Sudan's almost constant ethnic and rebel militia

fighting since the mid-twentieth century have penetrated all of its

border states who provide shelter for fleeing refugees and cover to

disparate domestic and foreign conflicting elements; since 2003,

Janjawid armed militia and Sudanese military have driven about

200,000 Darfur region refugees into eastern Chad; large numbers of

Sudanese refugees have also fled to Uganda, Ethiopia, Kenya, the

Central African Republic, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo;

southern Sudan provides shelter to Ugandans seeking periodic

protection from soldiers of the Lord's Resistance Army; Sudan

accuses Eritrea of supporting Sudanese rebel groups; efforts to

demarcate the porous boundary with Ethiopia have been delayed by

civil and ethnic fighting in Sudan; Kenya's administrative boundary

extends into the southern Sudan, creating the "Ilemi Triangle";

Egypt and Sudan retain claims to administer triangular areas that

extend north and south of the 1899 Treaty boundary along the 22nd

Parallel, but have withdrawn their military presence; Egypt is

economically developing the "Hala'ib Triangle" north of the Treaty

Line; periodic violent skirmishes with Sudanese residents over water

and grazing rights persist among related pastoral populations from

the Central African Republic along the border

Refugees and internally displaced persons:

refugees (country of origin): 108,251 (Eritrea) 5,023 (Chad) 7,983

(Uganda)

IDPs: 4.367 million (internal conflict since 1980s; ongoing

genocide) (2004)

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Suriname

Introduction Suriname

Background:

Independence from the Netherlands was granted in 1975. Five years

later the civilian government was replaced by a military regime that

soon declared a socialist republic. It continued to rule through a

succession of nominally civilian administrations until 1987, when

international pressure finally forced a democratic election. In

1989, the military overthrew the civilian government, but a

democratically-elected government returned to power in 1991.

Geography Suriname

Location:

Northern South America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between

French Guiana and Guyana

Geographic coordinates:

4 00 N, 56 00 W

Map references:

South America

Area:

total: 163,270 sq km

land: 161,470 sq km

water: 1,800 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly larger than Georgia

Land boundaries: total: 1,707 km border countries: Brazil 597 km, French Guiana 510 km, Guyana 600 km

Coastline: 386 km

Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Climate:

tropical; moderated by trade winds

Terrain:

mostly rolling hills; narrow coastal plain with swamps

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: unnamed location in the coastal plain -2 m

highest point: Juliana Top 1,230 m

Natural resources:

timber, hydropower, fish, kaolin, shrimp, bauxite, gold, and small

amounts of nickel, copper, platinum, iron ore

Land use: arable land: 0.37% permanent crops: 0.06% other: 99.57% (2001)

Irrigated land:

490 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

NA

Environment - current issues: deforestation as timber is cut for export; pollution of inland waterways by small-scale mining activities

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered

Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection,

Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

smallest independent country on South American continent; mostly

tropical rain forest; great diversity of flora and fauna that, for

the most part, is increasingly threatened by new development;

relatively small population, mostly along the coast

People Suriname

Population:

438,144 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 29.6% (male 66,537/female 63,182)

15-64 years: 64.2% (male 144,285/female 136,942)

65 years and over: 6.2% (male 12,092/female 15,106) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 26.13 years

male: 25.72 years

female: 26.58 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

0.25% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

18.39 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

7.16 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

-8.78 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/female

total population: 1.04 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 23.57 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 27.57 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 19.37 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 68.96 years

male: 66.75 years

female: 71.27 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

2.34 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

1.7% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

5,200 (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

less than 500 (2003 est.)

Nationality:

noun: Surinamer(s)

adjective: Surinamese

Ethnic groups:

Hindustani (also known locally as "East Indians"; their ancestors

emigrated from northern India in the latter part of the 19th

century) 37%, Creole (mixed white and black) 31%, Javanese 15%,

"Maroons" (their African ancestors were brought to the country in

the 17th and 18th centuries as slaves and escaped to the interior)

10%, Amerindian 2%, Chinese 2%, white 1%, other 2%

Religions:

Hindu 27.4%, Protestant 25.2% (predominantly Moravian), Roman

Catholic 22.8%, Muslim 19.6%, indigenous beliefs 5%

Languages:

Dutch (official), English (widely spoken), Sranang Tongo

(Surinamese, sometimes called Taki-Taki, is native language of

Creoles and much of the younger population and is lingua franca

among others), Hindustani (a dialect of Hindi), Javanese

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 88%

male: 92.3%

female: 84.1% (2000 est.)

Government Suriname

Country name:

conventional long form: Republic of Suriname

conventional short form: Suriname

local long form: Republiek Suriname

local short form: Suriname

former: Netherlands Guiana, Dutch Guiana

Government type:

constitutional democracy

Capital:

Paramaribo

Administrative divisions:

10 districts (distrikten, singular - distrikt); Brokopondo,

Commewijne, Coronie, Marowijne, Nickerie, Para, Paramaribo,

Saramacca, Sipaliwini, Wanica

Independence:

25 November 1975 (from Netherlands)

National holiday:

Independence Day, 25 November (1975)

Constitution:

ratified 30 September 1987

Legal system:

based on Dutch legal system incorporating French penal theory

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Runaldo Ronald VENETIAAN (since 12 August

2000); Vice President Jules Rattankoemar AJODHIA (since 12 August

2000); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of

government

head of government: President Runaldo Ronald VENETIAAN (since 12

August 2000); Vice President Jules Rattankoemar AJODHIA (since 12

August 2000); note - the president is both the chief of state and

head of government

cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president from among

the members of the National Assembly

elections: president and vice president elected by the National

Assembly or, if no presidential or vice presidential candidate

receives a a two-thirds constitutional majority in the National

Assembly after two votes, by a simple majority in the larger

People's United Assembly (869 representatives from the national,

local, and regional councils), for five-year terms; election last

held 25 May 2005 (next to be held 25 May 2010)

Legislative branch:

unicameral National Assembly or Nationale Assemblee (51 seats;

members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)

elections: last held 25 May 2005 (next to be held May 2010)

election results: percent of vote by party - NF 41.2%, NDP 23.1%,

VVV 14.5%, A-Com 7.3%, A1 6.2%, other 5.9%; seats by party - NF 23,

NDP 15, VVV 5, A-Com 5, A1 3

Judicial branch:

Cantonal Courts and a Court of Justice as an appellate court

(justices are nominated for life)

Political parties and leaders:

A-Combinatie (coalition of Brotherhood and Unity in Politics or BEP

[Caprino ALENDY], General Interior Development Party or ABOP [Ronnie

BRUNSWIJK], Progressive Laborers and Farmers Union or PALU [Jim

HOK], Seeka [Paul ABENA]); Alternative-1 or A-1 (a coalition of

Democratic Alternative 1991 or DA-91 [Winston JESSURUN], Democrats

of the 21st Century or D-21 [Soewarto MOESTADJA], Nieuw Suriname or

NS [Radjen Nanan PANDAY], Political Wing of the FAL or PVF [Jiwan

SITAL], Trefpunt 2000 or T-2000 [Arti JESSURUN]); National

Democratic Party or NDP [Desire BOUTERSE]; New Front for Democracy

and Development or NF (a coalition includes National Party Suriname

or NPS (Ronald VENETIAAN], United Reform Party or VHP [Ram SARDJOE],

Pertjaja Luhur or PL [Salam Paul SOMOHARDJO], Surinamese Labor Party

or SPA [Siegfried GILDS]); Party for Democracy and Development in

Unity or DOE [Marten Schalkwijk]; People's Alliance for Progress or

VVV (a coalition of Democratic National Platform 2000 or DNP-2000

[Jules WIJDENBOSCH], Grassroots Party for Renewal and Democracy or

BVD [Tjan GOBARDHAN], Party for National Unity and Solidarity of the

Highest Order or KTPI [Willy SOEMITA], Party for Progression,

Justice, and Perserverance or PPRS [Renee KAIMAN], Pendawalima or PL

[Raymond SAPOEN]); Union of Progressive Surinamers or UPS [Sheoradj

PANDAY]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

Association of Indigenous Village Chiefs [Ricardo PANE];

Association of Saramaccan Authorities or Maroon [Head Captain WASE];

Women's Parliament Forum or PVF [Iris GILLIAD]

International organization participation:

ACP, Caricom, CSN, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDB,

IFAD, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ITU, LAES, MIGA,

NAM, OAS, OIC, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU,

WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Henry Lothar ILLES chancery: Suite 460, 4301 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 244-7488 FAX: [1] (202) 244-5878 consulate(s) general: Miami

Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Marsha E. BARNES embassy: Dr. Sophie Redmondstraat 129, Paramaribo mailing address: Department of State, 3390 Paramaribo Place, Washington, DC, 20521-3390 telephone: [597] 472900 FAX: [597] 420800

Flag description:

five horizontal bands of green (top, double width), white, red

(quadruple width), white, and green (double width); there is a

large, yellow, five-pointed star centered in the red band

Economy Suriname

Economy - overview:

The economy is dominated by the alumina industry, which accounts

for more than 15% of GDP and 70% of export earnings. Suriname's

economic prospects for the medium term will depend on continued

commitment to responsible monetary and fiscal policies and to the

introduction of structural reforms to liberalize markets and promote

competition. The government of Ronald VENETIAAN has begun an

austerity program, raised taxes, and attempted to control spending.

While - in 2002 - President VENETIAAN agreed to a large pay raise

for civil servants, threatening his earlier gains in stabilizing the

economy, he has not repeated this promise in the run-up to the May

2005 elections. The Dutch Government has agreed to restart the aid

flow, which will allow Suriname to access international development

financing, but plans to phase out funds over the next five years.

The short-term economic outlook depends on the government's ability

to control inflation and on the development of projects in the

bauxite and gold mining sectors. Prospects for local onshore oil

production are good, as a drilling program is underway. Offshore oil

drilling was given a boost in 2004 when the State Oil Company

(Staatsolie) signed exploration agreements with Repsol and Mearsk.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$1.885 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

4.2% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $4,300 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 13% industry: 22% services: 65% (2001 est.)

Labor force:

104,000 (2003)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture NA%, industry NA%, services NA%

Unemployment rate:

17% (2000)

Population below poverty line:

70% (2002 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA%

highest 10%: NA%

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

23% (2003 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $400 million

expenditures: $440 million, including capital expenditures of $34

million (2003)

Agriculture - products:

paddy rice, bananas, palm kernels, coconuts, plantains, peanuts;

beef, chickens; forest products; shrimp

Industries:

bauxite and gold mining, alumina production, oil, lumbering, food

processing, fishing

Industrial production growth rate:

6.5% (1994 est.)

Electricity - production:

1.984 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 25.2% hydro: 74.8% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

1.845 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

12,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Oil - consumption:

14,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Oil - exports:

1,370 bbl/day (2003)

Oil - imports:

1,644 bbl/day (2003)

Oil - proved reserves:

99 million bbl (2004)

Natural gas - proved reserves:

0 cu m (2004)

Exports:

$495 million f.o.b. (2002)

Exports - commodities:

alumina, crude oil, lumber, shrimp and fish, rice, bananas

Exports - partners:

Norway 29.3%, US 15.1%, Canada 12.5%, Belgium 10.2%, France 8.4%,

UAE 6.1%, Iceland 4.3% (2004)

Imports:

$604 million f.o.b. (2002)

Imports - commodities:

capital equipment, petroleum, foodstuffs, cotton, consumer goods

Imports - partners:

US 26.2%, Netherlands 19.3%, Trinidad and Tobago 13.5%, Japan 6.6%,

China 4.6%, Brazil 4.2% (2004)

Debt - external:

$321 million (2002 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:

Netherlands provided $37 million for project and program

assistance, European Development Fund $4 million, Belgium $2 million

(1998)

Currency (code):

Surinam dollar (SRD)

Currency code:

SRG

Exchange rates:

Surinamese dollars per US dollar - 2.7336 (2004), Surinamese

guilders per US dollar - 2.6013 (2003), 2.3468 (2002), 2.1785

(2001), 1.3225 (2000)

note: during 1998, the exchange rate splintered into four distinct

rates; in January 1999 the government floated the guilder, but

subsequently fixed it when the black-market rate plunged; in January

2004, the government introduced the Surinamese dollar as replacement

for the guilder, tied to a US dollar-dominated currency basket

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Suriname

Telephones - main lines in use:

79,800 (2003)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

168,100 (2003)

Telephone system:

general assessment: international facilities are good

domestic: microwave radio relay network

international: country code - 597; satellite earth stations - 2

Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 4, FM 13, shortwave 1 (1998)

Radios:

300,000 (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

3 (plus seven repeaters) (2000)

Televisions:

63,000 (1997)

Internet country code:

.sr

Internet hosts:

18 (2003)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

2 (2000)

Internet users:

20,000 (2002)

Transportation Suriname

Highways: total: 4,492 km paved: 1,168 km unpaved: 3,324 km (2002)

Waterways:

1,200 km (most navigable by ships with drafts up to 7 m) (2003)

Pipelines:

oil 51 km (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Paramaribo

Merchant marine:

total: 1 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 1,078 GRT/1,214 DWT

by type: cargo 1 (2005)

Airports:

46 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 5 over 3,047 m: 1 under 914 m: 4 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 41 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 35 (2004 est.)

Military Suriname

Military branches:

National Army (includes small Navy and Air Force elements)

Military service age and obligation:

18 years of age (est.); no conscription

Manpower available for military service:

males age 18-49: 111,582 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: 77,793 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$7.5 million (2003)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

0.7% (2003)

Transnational Issues Suriname

Disputes - international:

area claimed by French Guiana between Riviere Litani and Riviere

Marouini (both headwaters of the Lawa); Suriname claims a triangle

of land between the New and Kutari/Koetari rivers in a historic

dispute over the headwaters of the Courantyne; Guyana seeks UNCLOS

arbitration to resolve the long-standing dispute with Suriname over

the axis of the territorial sea boundary in potentially oil-rich

waters

Illicit drugs:

growing transshipment point for South American drugs destined for

Europe and Brazil; transshipment point for arms-for-drugs dealing

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Svalbard

Introduction Svalbard

Background:

First discovered by the Norwegians in the 12th century, the islands

served as an international whaling base during the 17th and 18th

centuries. Norway's sovereignty was recognized in 1920; five years

later it officially took over the territory.

Geography Svalbard

Location:

Northern Europe, islands between the Arctic Ocean, Barents Sea,

Greenland Sea, and Norwegian Sea, north of Norway

Geographic coordinates:

78 00 N, 20 00 E

Map references:

Arctic Region

Area:

total: 62,049 sq km

land: 62,049 sq km

water: 0 sq km

note: includes Spitsbergen and Bjornoya (Bear Island)

Area - comparative:

slightly smaller than West Virginia

Land boundaries:

0 km

Coastline:

3,587 km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 4 nm

exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm unilaterally claimed by Norway but

not recognized by Russia

Climate:

arctic, tempered by warm North Atlantic Current; cool summers, cold

winters; North Atlantic Current flows along west and north coasts of

Spitsbergen, keeping water open and navigable most of the year

Terrain:

wild, rugged mountains; much of high land ice covered; west coast

clear of ice about one-half of the year; fjords along west and north

coasts

Elevation extremes: lowest point: Arctic Ocean 0 m highest point: Newtontoppen 1,717 m

Natural resources:

coal, iron ore, copper, zinc, phosphate, wildlife, fish

Land use:

arable land: 0%

permanent crops: 0%

other: 100% (no trees, and the only bushes are crowberry and

cloudberry) (2001)

Irrigated land:

NA sq km

Natural hazards:

ice floes often block the entrance to Bellsund (a transit point for

coal export) on the west coast and occasionally make parts of the

northeastern coast inaccessible to maritime traffic

Environment - current issues:

NA

Geography - note:

northernmost part of the Kingdom of Norway; consists of nine main

islands; glaciers and snowfields cover 60% of the total area

People Svalbard

Population: 2,701 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA

Population growth rate:

-0.02% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

NA births/1,000 population

Death rate:

NA deaths/1,000 population

Net migration rate:

NA migrant(s)/1,000 population

Sex ratio:

NA%

Infant mortality rate:

total: NA

male: NA

female: NA

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: NA years

male: NA years

female: NA years

Total fertility rate:

NA children born/woman

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

0% (2001)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

0 (2001)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

0 (2001)

Ethnic groups:

Norwegian 55.4%, Russian and Ukrainian 44.3%, other 0.3% (1998)

Languages:

Norwegian, Russian

Literacy:

NA

Government Svalbard

Country name:

conventional long form: none

conventional short form: Svalbard (sometimes referred to as

Spitzbergen)

Dependency status:

territory of Norway; administered by the Polar Department of the

Ministry of Justice, through a governor (sysselmann) residing in

Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen; by treaty (9 February 1920) sovereignty

was awarded to Norway

Government type:

NA

Capital:

Longyearbyen

Independence:

none (territory of Norway)

National holiday:

NA

Legal system:

NA

Executive branch:

chief of state: King HARALD V of Norway (since 17 January 1991)

head of government: Governor Odd Olsen INGERO (since 8 June 2001)

and Assistant Governor Rune Baard HANSEN (since NA)

elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor and assistant

governor responsible to the Polar Department of the Ministry of

Justice

International organization participation:

none

Flag description:

the flag of Norway is used

Economy Svalbard

Economy - overview:

Coal mining is the major economic activity on Svalbard. The treaty

of 9 February 1920 gives the 41 signatories equal rights to exploit

mineral deposits, subject to Norwegian regulation. Although US, UK,

Dutch, and Swedish coal companies have mined in the past, the only

companies still mining are Norwegian and Russian. The settlements on

Svalbard are essentially company towns. The Norwegian state-owned

coal company employs nearly 60% of the Norwegian population on the

island, runs many of the local services, and provides most of the

local infrastructure. There is also some hunting of seal, reindeer,

and fox.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$NA

GDP - real growth rate:

NA%

Labor force:

NA

Budget:

revenues: $11.5 million

expenditures: $11.5 million, including capital expenditures of NA

(1998 est.)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 57.9984% hydro: 42.0016% nuclear: 0% other: 0%

Exports:

$NA

Imports:

$NA

Economic aid - recipient:

$8.2 million from Norway (1998)

Currency (code):

Norwegian krone (NOK)

Currency code:

NOK

Exchange rates:

Norwegian kroner per US dollar - 6.7408 (2004), 7.0802 (2003),

7.9838 (2002), 8.9917 (2001), 8.8018 (2000)

Communications Svalbard

Telephones - main lines in use:

NA

Telephones - mobile cellular:

NA

Telephone system:

general assessment: probably adequate

domestic: local telephone service

international: country code - 47-790; satellite earth station - 1 of

unknown type (for communication with Norwegian mainland only)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 1, FM 1 (plus 2 repeaters), shortwave 0 (1998)

Radios:

NA

Television broadcast stations:

NA

Televisions:

NA

Internet country code:

.sj

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

13 (Svalbard and Jan Mayen) (2000)

Internet users:

NA

Transportation Svalbard

Highways: total: NA km paved: NA km unpaved: NA km

Ports and harbors:

Barentsburg, Longyearbyen, Ny-Alesund, Pyramiden

Airports:

4 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 2

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

914 to 1523 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 2

under 914 m: 2 (2004 est.)

Military Svalbard

Military - note: demilitarized by treaty on 9 February 1920

Transnational Issues Svalbard

Disputes - international: despite recent discussions, Russia and Norway dispute their maritime limits in the Barents Sea and Russia's fishing rights beyond Svalbard's territorial limits within the Svalbard Treaty zone

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Swaziland

Introduction Swaziland

Background:

Autonomy for the Swazis of southern Africa was guaranteed by the

British in the late 19th century; independence was granted in 1968.

Student and labor unrest during the 1990s pressured the monarchy

(one of the oldest on the continent) to grudgingly allow political

reform and greater democracy. Swaziland recently surpassed Botswana

as the country with the world's highest known rates of HIV/AIDS

infection

Geography Swaziland

Location:

Southern Africa, between Mozambique and South Africa

Geographic coordinates:

26 30 S, 31 30 E

Map references:

Africa

Area:

total: 17,363 sq km

land: 17,203 sq km

water: 160 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly smaller than New Jersey

Land boundaries: total: 535 km border countries: Mozambique 105 km, South Africa 430 km

Coastline:

0 km (landlocked)

Maritime claims:

none (landlocked)

Climate:

varies from tropical to near temperate

Terrain:

mostly mountains and hills; some moderately sloping plains

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Great Usutu River 21 m

highest point: Emlembe 1,862 m

Natural resources:

asbestos, coal, clay, cassiterite, hydropower, forests, small gold

and diamond deposits, quarry stone, and talc

Land use: arable land: 10.35% permanent crops: 0.7% other: 88.95% (2001)

Irrigated land:

690 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

drought

Environment - current issues:

limited supplies of potable water; wildlife populations being

depleted because of excessive hunting; overgrazing; soil

degradation; soil erosion

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered

Species, Ozone Layer Protection

signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea

Geography - note:

landlocked; almost completely surrounded by South Africa

People Swaziland

Population:

1,173,900

note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the

effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower

life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower

population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of

population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July

2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 40.6% (male 240,643/female 235,895)

15-64 years: 55.6% (male 327,661/female 325,400)

65 years and over: 3.8% (male 19,273/female 25,028) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 18.72 years

male: 18.53 years

female: 18.92 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

0.25% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

27.72 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

25.26 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female

total population: 1 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 69.27 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 72.51 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 65.94 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 33.22 years

male: 32.49 years

female: 33.98 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

3.7 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

38.8% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

220,000 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

17,000 (2003 est.)

Nationality:

noun: Swazi(s)

adjective: Swazi

Ethnic groups:

African 97%, European 3%

Religions:

Zionist (a blend of Christianity and indigenous ancestral worship)

40%, Roman Catholic 20%, Muslim 10%, Anglican, Bahai, Methodist,

Mormon, Jewish and other 30%

Languages:

English (official, government business conducted in English),

siSwati (official)

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 81.6%

male: 82.6%

female: 80.8% (2003 est.)

Government Swaziland

Country name:

conventional long form: Kingdom of Swaziland

conventional short form: Swaziland

Government type:

monarchy; independent member of Commonwealth

Capital:

Mbabane; note - Lobamba is the royal and legislative capital

Administrative divisions:

4 districts; Hhohho, Lubombo, Manzini, Shiselweni

Independence:

6 September 1968 (from UK)

National holiday:

Independence Day, 6 September (1968)

Constitution:

a constitution was due to be adopted in November 2003 but was

delayed and scheduled for early 2005

Legal system:

based on South African Roman-Dutch law in statutory courts and

Swazi traditional law and custom in traditional courts; has not

accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage:

18 years of age

Executive branch:

chief of state: King MSWATI III (since 25 April 1986)

head of government: Prime Minister Absolom Themba DLAMINI (since 14

November 2003)

cabinet: Cabinet recommended by the prime minister and confirmed by

the monarch

elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; prime minister appointed

by the monarch

Legislative branch:

bicameral Parliament or Libandla, an advisory body, consists of the

Senate (30 seats - 10 appointed by the House of Assembly and 20

appointed by the monarch; members serve five-year terms) and the

House of Assembly (65 seats - 10 appointed by the monarch and 55

elected by popular vote; members serve five-year terms)

elections: House of Assembly - last held 18 October 2003 (next to be

held October 2008)

election results: House of Assembly - balloting is done on a

nonparty basis; candidates for election are nominated by the local

council of each constituency and for each constituency the three

candidates with the most votes in the first round of voting are

narrowed to a single winner by a second round

Judicial branch:

High Court; Court of Appeal; judges for both courts are appointed

by the monarch

Political parties and leaders:

political parties are banned by the government - the following are

considered political associations; Imbokodvo National Movement or

INM [leader NA]; Ngwane National Liberatory Congress or NNLC [Obed

DLAMINI, president]; People's United Democratic Movement or PUDEMO

[Mario MASUKU, president]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

NA

International organization participation:

ACP, AfDB, AU, C, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD,

IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, MIGA,

NAM, OPCW, PCA, SACU, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO,

WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Mary Madzandza KANYA

chancery: 1712 New Hampshire Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20009

telephone: [1] (202) 234-5002

FAX: [1] (202) 234-8254

Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Lewis LUCKE embassy: Central Bank Building, Warner Street, Mbabane mailing address: P. O. Box 199, Mbabane telephone: [268] 404-6441 through 404-6445 FAX: [268] 404-5959

Flag description:

three horizontal bands of blue (top), red (triple width), and blue;

the red band is edged in yellow; centered in the red band is a large

black and white shield covering two spears and a staff decorated

with feather tassels, all placed horizontally

Economy Swaziland

Economy - overview:

In this small, landlocked economy, subsistence agriculture occupies

more than 80% of the population. The manufacturing sector has

diversified since the mid-1980s. Sugar and wood pulp remain

important foreign exchange earners. Mining has declined in

importance in recent years with only coal and quarry stone mines

remaining active. Surrounded by South Africa, except for a short

border with Mozambique, Swaziland is heavily dependent on South

Africa from which it receives about nine-tenths of its imports and

to which it sends nearly three-quarters of its exports. Customs

duties from the Southern African Customs Union and worker

remittances from South Africa substantially supplement domestically

earned income. The government is trying to improve the atmosphere

for foreign investment. Overgrazing, soil depletion, drought, and

sometimes floods persist as problems for the future. More than

one-fourth of the population needed emergency food aid in 2004

because of drought, and more than one-third of the adult population

was infected by HIV/AIDS.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$6.018 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

2.5% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $5,100 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 16.1% industry: 43.4% services: 40.5% (2004 est.)

Labor force:

383,200 (2000)

Labor force - by occupation:

NA

Unemployment rate:

34% (2000 est.)

Population below poverty line:

40% (1995)

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: 1%

highest 10%: 50.2% (1995)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

5.4% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

23.6% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $494.6 million

expenditures: $552.7 million, including capital expenditures of $147

million (2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

sugarcane, cotton, corn, tobacco, rice, citrus, pineapples,

sorghum, peanuts; cattle, goats, sheep

Industries:

mining (coal, raw asbestos), wood pulp, sugar, soft drink

concentrates, textile and apparel

Industrial production growth rate:

3.7% (FY95/96)

Electricity - production:

402 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 58% hydro: 42% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

1.173 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

799 million kWh; note - electricity supplied by South Africa (2002)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

3,500 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Current account balance:

$-82.4 million (2004 est.)

Exports:

$900.1 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

soft drink concentrates, sugar, wood pulp, cotton yarn,

refrigerators, citrus and canned fruit

Exports - partners:

South Africa 59.7%, EU 8.8%, US 8.8%, Mozambique 6.2% (2004)

Imports:

$1.14 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

motor vehicles, machinery, transport equipment, foodstuffs,

petroleum products, chemicals

Imports - partners:

South Africa 95.6%, EU 0.9%, Japan 0.9%, Singapore 0.3% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$320.5 million (2004 est.)

Debt - external:

$320 million (2002 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:

$104 million (2001)

Currency (code):

lilangeni (SZL)

Currency code:

SZL

Exchange rates:

emalangeni per US dollar - 6.4597 (2004), 7.5648 (2003), 10.5407

(2002), 8.6092 (2001), 6.9398 (2000)

Fiscal year:

1 April - 31 March

Communications Swaziland

Telephones - main lines in use:

46,200 (2003)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

88,000 (2003)

Telephone system:

general assessment: a somewhat modern but not an advanced system

domestic: system consists of carrier-equipped, open-wire lines and

low-capacity, microwave radio relay

international: country code - 268; satellite earth station - 1

Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 3, FM 2 plus 4 repeaters, shortwave 3 (2004)

Radios:

170,000 (1999)

Television broadcast stations:

5 plus 7 relay stations (2004)

Televisions:

23,000 (2000)

Internet country code:

.sz

Internet hosts:

1,401 (2003)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

5 (2002)

Internet users:

27,000 (2003)

Transportation Swaziland

Railways: total: 301 km narrow gauge: 301 km 1.067-m gauge (2004)

Highways: total: 3,107 km paved: NA unpaved: NA (2000)

Airports: 18 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 17 914 to 1,523 m: 7 under 914 m: 10 (2004 est.)

Military Swaziland

Military branches:

Umbutfo Swaziland Defense Force (USDF): Ground Force (includes Air

Wing), Royal Swaziland Police Force (RSPF) (2005)

Military service age and obligation:

18 years of age for voluntary military service; both sexes are

eligible for military service (2005)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 18-49: 248,676 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: 98,530 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$40.5 million (2004)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

1.4% (2004)

Transnational Issues Swaziland

Disputes - international: none

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Sweden

Introduction Sweden

Background:

A military power during the 17th century, Sweden has not

participated in any war in almost two centuries. An armed neutrality

was preserved in both World Wars. Sweden's long-successful economic

formula of a capitalist system interlarded with substantial welfare

elements was challenged in the 1990s by high unemployment and in

2000-02 by the global economic downturn, but fiscal discipline over

the past several years has allowed the country to weather economic

vagaries. Indecision over the country's role in the political and

economic integration of Europe delayed Sweden's entry into the EU

until 1995, and waived the introduction of the euro in 1999.

Geography Sweden

Location:

Northern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, Gulf of Bothnia,

Kattegat, and Skagerrak, between Finland and Norway

Geographic coordinates:

62 00 N, 15 00 E

Map references:

Europe

Area:

total: 449,964 sq km

land: 410,934 sq km

water: 39,030 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly larger than California

Land boundaries: total: 2,233 km border countries: Finland 614 km, Norway 1,619 km

Coastline:

3,218 km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 12 nm (adjustments made to return a portion of

straits to high seas)

exclusive economic zone: agreed boundaries or midlines

continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

Climate:

temperate in south with cold, cloudy winters and cool, partly

cloudy summers; subarctic in north

Terrain:

mostly flat or gently rolling lowlands; mountains in west

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: reclaimed bay of Lake Hammarsjon, near Kristianstad

-2.41 m

highest point: Kebnekaise 2,111 m

Natural resources:

iron ore, copper, lead, zinc, gold, silver, tungsten, uranium,

arsenic, feldspar, timber, hydropower

Land use: arable land: 6.54% permanent crops: 0.01% other: 93.45% (2001)

Irrigated land:

1,150 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

ice floes in the surrounding waters, especially in the Gulf of

Bothnia, can interfere with maritime traffic

Environment - current issues:

acid rain damage to soils and lakes; pollution of the North Sea and

the Baltic Sea

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air

Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85,

Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds,

Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources,

Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto

Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental

Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping,

Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical

Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

strategic location along Danish Straits linking Baltic and North

Seas

People Sweden

Population:

9,001,774 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 17.1% (male 791,215/female 747,621)

15-64 years: 65.5% (male 2,990,436/female 2,904,873)

65 years and over: 17.4% (male 677,161/female 890,468) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 40.6 years

male: 39.49 years

female: 41.75 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

0.17% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

10.36 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

10.36 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

1.67 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/female

total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 2.77 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 2.93 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 2.59 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 80.4 years

male: 78.19 years

female: 82.74 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

1.66 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

0.1% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

3,600 (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

less than 100 (2003 est.)

Nationality:

noun: Swede(s)

adjective: Swedish

Ethnic groups:

indigenous population: Swedes and Finnish and Sami minorities;

foreign-born or first-generation immigrants: Finns, Yugoslavs,

Danes, Norwegians, Greeks, Turks

Religions:

Lutheran 87%, Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Baptist, Muslim, Jewish,

Buddhist

Languages:

Swedish, small Sami- and Finnish-speaking minorities

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 99% (1979 est.)

male: NA%

female: NA%

Government Sweden

Country name:

conventional long form: Kingdom of Sweden

conventional short form: Sweden

local long form: Konungariket Sverige

local short form: Sverige

Government type:

constitutional monarchy

Capital:

Stockholm

Administrative divisions:

21 counties (lan, singular and plural); Blekinge, Dalarnas,

Gavleborgs, Gotlands, Hallands, Jamtlands, Jonkopings, Kalmar,

Kronobergs, Norrbottens, Orebro, Ostergotlands, Skane,

Sodermanlands, Stockholms, Uppsala, Varmlands, Vasterbottens,

Vasternorrlands, Vastmanlands, Vastra Gotalands

Independence:

6 June 1523 (Gustav VASA elected king)

National holiday:

Flag Day, 6 June

Constitution:

1 January 1975

Legal system:

civil law system influenced by customary law; accepts compulsory

ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: King CARL XVI GUSTAF (since 19 September 1973);

Heir Apparent Princess VICTORIA Ingrid Alice Desiree, daughter of

the monarch (born 14 July 1977)

head of government: Prime Minister Goran PERSSON (since 21 March

1996)

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister

elections: the monarchy is hereditary; following legislative

elections, the prime minister is elected by the parliament; election

last held 15 September 2002 (next to be held NA September 2006)

election results: Goran PERSSON reelected prime minister with 131

out of 349 votes

Legislative branch:

unicameral Parliament or Riksdag (349 seats; members are elected by

popular vote on a proportional representation basis to serve

four-year terms)

elections: last held 15 September 2002 (next to be held September

2006)

election results: percent of vote by party - Social Democrats 39.8%,

Moderates 15.2%, Liberal Party 13.3%, Christian Democrats 9.1%, Left

Party 8.3%, Center Party 6.1%, Greens 4.6%; seats by party - Social

Democrats 144, Moderates 55, Liberal Party 48, Christian Democrats

33, Left Party 30, Center Party 22, Greens 17

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court or Hogsta Domstolen (judges are appointed by the

prime minister and the cabinet)

Political parties and leaders:

Center Party [Maud OLOFSSON]; Christian Democratic Party [Goran

HAGGLUND]; Green Party [no formal leader but party spokespersons are

Maria WETTERSTRAND and Peter ERIKSSON]; Left Party or V (formerly

Communist) [Lars OHLY]; Liberal People's Party [Lars LEIJONBORG];

Moderate Party (conservative) [Fredrik REINFELDT]; Social Democratic

Party [Goran PERSSON]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

NA

International organization participation:

AfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB,

ESA, EU, FAO, G- 6, G- 9, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt,

ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO,

Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MIGA, MONUC, NAM (guest), NC, NEA,

NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, PFP,

UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNMEE, UNMIK,

UNMIL, UNMISET, UNMOGIP, UNOMIG, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WEU (observer),

WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC

Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Jan ELIASSON chancery: 1501 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20005-1702 telephone: [1] (202) 467-2600 FAX: [1] (202) 467-2699 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles and New York

Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador M. Teel BIVINS embassy: Dag Hammarskjolds VAG 31, SE-11589 Stockholm mailing address: American Embassy Stockholm, Department of State, 5750 Stockholm Place, Washington, DC 20521-5750 (pouch) telephone: [46] (08) 783 53 00 FAX: [46] (08) 661 19 64

Flag description:

blue with a golden yellow cross extending to the edges of the flag;

the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in the

style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag)

Economy Sweden

Economy - overview:

Aided by peace and neutrality for the whole 20th century, Sweden

has achieved an enviable standard of living under a mixed system of

high-tech capitalism and extensive welfare benefits. It has a modern

distribution system, excellent internal and external communications,

and a skilled labor force. Timber, hydropower, and iron ore

constitute the resource base of an economy heavily oriented toward

foreign trade. Privately owned firms account for about 90% of

industrial output, of which the engineering sector accounts for 50%

of output and exports. Agriculture accounts for only 2% of GDP and

2% of the jobs. The government's commitment to fiscal discipline

resulted in a substantial budgetary surplus in 2001, which was cut

by more than half in 2002, due to the global economic slowdown,

declining revenue, and increased spending. The Swedish central bank

(the Riksbank) focuses on price stability with its inflation target

of 2%. Growth remained sluggish in 2003, but picked up in 2004.

Presumably because of generous sicktime benefits, Swedish workers

report in sick more often than other Europeans. On 14 September

2003, Swedish voters turned down entry into the euro system,

concerned about the impact on democracy and sovereignty.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$255.4 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

3.6% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $28,400 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 2% industry: 29% services: 69% (2001)

Labor force:

4.46 million (2004 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 2%, industry 24%, services 74% (2000 est.)

Unemployment rate:

5.6% (2004 est.)

Population below poverty line:

NA

Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.7% highest 10%: 20.1% (1992)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

25 (1992)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

0.7% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

15.8% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $201.3 billion

expenditures: $199.6 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Public debt:

51.6% of GDP (2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

barley, wheat, sugar beets; meat, milk

Industries:

iron and steel, precision equipment (bearings, radio and telephone

parts, armaments), wood pulp and paper products, processed foods,

motor vehicles

Industrial production growth rate:

5.5% (2004 est.)

Electricity - production:

142.8 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 4% hydro: 50.8% nuclear: 43% other: 2.3% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

138.1 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

14.8 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

20.1 billion kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

328,600 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

203,700 bbl/day (2001)

Oil - imports:

553,100 bbl/day (2001)

Natural gas - production:

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - consumption:

949 million cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - exports:

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - imports:

968 million cu m (2001 est.)

Current account balance:

$24.08 billion (2004 est.)

Exports:

$121.7 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

machinery 35%, motor vehicles, paper products, pulp and wood, iron

and steel products, chemicals

Exports - partners:

US 10.7%, Germany 10.2%, Norway 8.6%, UK 7.8%, Denmark 6.7%,

Finland 5.7%, France 4.8%, Netherlands 4.8%, Belgium 4.5% (2004)

Imports:

$97.97 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

machinery, petroleum and petroleum products, chemicals, motor

vehicles, iron and steel; foodstuffs, clothing

Imports - partners:

Germany 18.7%, Denmark 9.2%, Norway 7.6%, UK 7.5%, Netherlands

6.8%, Finland 6.4%, France 5.5%, Belgium 4% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$19.99 billion (2003)

Debt - external:

$66.5 billion (1994)

Economic aid - donor:

ODA, $1.7 billion (1997)

Currency (code):

Swedish krona (SEK)

Currency code:

SEK

Exchange rates:

Swedish kronor per US dollar - 7.3489 (2004), 8.0863 (2003), 9.7371

(2002), 10.3291 (2001), 9.1622 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Sweden

Telephones - main lines in use:

6,579,200 (2002)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

7.949 million (2002)

Telephone system:

general assessment: excellent domestic and international

facilities; automatic system

domestic: coaxial and multiconductor cables carry most of the voice

traffic; parallel microwave radio relay systems carry some

additional telephone channels

international: country code - 46; 5 submarine coaxial cables;

satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean), 1 Eutelsat,

and 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic and Indian Ocean regions); note - Sweden

shares the Inmarsat earth station with the other Nordic countries

(Denmark, Finland, Iceland, and Norway)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 1, FM 265, shortwave 1 (1998)

Radios:

8.25 million (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

169 (plus 1,299 repeaters) (1995)

Televisions:

4.6 million (1997)

Internet country code:

.se

Internet hosts:

945,221 (2004)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

29 (2000)

Internet users:

5.125 million (2002)

Transportation Sweden

Railways: total: 11,481 km standard gauge: 11,481 km 1.435-m gauge (9,400 km electrified) (2004)

Highways:

total: 213,237 km

paved: 167,604 km (including 1,542 km of expressways)

unpaved: 45,633 km (2002)

Pipelines:

gas 798 km (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Goteborg, Helsingborg, Karlshamn, Lulea, Malmo, Oxelosund,

Stenungsund, Stockholm, Trelleborg

Merchant marine:

total: 205 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 2,702,763 GRT/1,884,570 DWT

by type: bulk carrier 6, cargo 33, chemical tanker 51, passenger 4,

passenger/cargo 37, petroleum tanker 14, roll on/roll off 37,

specialized tanker 1, vehicle carrier 22

foreign-owned: 42 (Belgium 2, Denmark 4, Finland 11, Germany 6,

Italy 7, Japan 2, Netherlands 1, Norway 9)

registered in other countries: 155 (2005)

Airports:

254 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 154 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 12 1,524 to 2,437 m: 82 914 to 1,523 m: 22 under 914 m: 35 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 100 914 to 1,523 m: 10 under 914 m: 90 (2004 est.)

Heliports: 2 (2004 est.)

Military Sweden

Military branches:

Army, Royal Swedish Navy (RSwN), Air Force (Flygvapnet)

Military service age and obligation: 19 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript service obligation - 7-17 months depending on conscript role; after completing initial service soldiers have a reserve commitment until the age of 47 (2004)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 19-49: 1,838,427 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 19-49: 1,493,668 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:

males: 58,724 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$5.729 billion (2004)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

1.7% (2004)

Transnational Issues Sweden

Disputes - international: none

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Switzerland

Introduction Switzerland

Background:

The Swiss Confederation was founded in 1291 as a defensive alliance

among three cantons. In succeeding years, other localities joined

the original three. The Swiss Confederation secured its independence

from the Holy Roman Empire in 1499. Switzerland's sovreignty and

neutrality have long been honored by the major European powers, and

the country was not involved in either of the two World Wars. The

political and economic integration of Europe over the past half

century, as well as Switzerland's role in many UN and international

organizations, has strengthened Switzerland's ties with its

neighbors. However, the country did not officially become a UN

member until 2002. Switzerland remains active in many UN and

international organizations, but retains a strong commitment to

neutrality.

Geography Switzerland

Location:

Central Europe, east of France, north of Italy

Geographic coordinates:

47 00 N, 8 00 E

Map references:

Europe

Area:

total: 41,290 sq km

land: 39,770 sq km

water: 1,520 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly less than twice the size of New Jersey

Land boundaries:

total: 1,852 km

border countries: Austria 164 km, France 573 km, Italy 740 km,

Liechtenstein 41 km, Germany 334 km

Coastline:

0 km (landlocked)

Maritime claims:

none (landlocked)

Climate:

temperate, but varies with altitude; cold, cloudy, rainy/snowy

winters; cool to warm, cloudy, humid summers with occasional showers

Terrain:

mostly mountains (Alps in south, Jura in northwest) with a central

plateau of rolling hills, plains, and large lakes

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Lake Maggiore 195 m

highest point: Dufourspitze 4,634 m

Natural resources:

hydropower potential, timber, salt

Land use: arable land: 10.42% permanent crops: 0.61% other: 88.97% (2001)

Irrigated land:

250 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

avalanches, landslides, flash floods

Environment - current issues:

air pollution from vehicle emissions and open-air burning; acid

rain; water pollution from increased use of agricultural

fertilizers; loss of biodiversity

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air

Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85,

Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds,

Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto

Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental

Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Marine Life

Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical

Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea

Geography - note:

landlocked; crossroads of northern and southern Europe; along with

southeastern France, northern Italy, and southwestern Austria, has

the highest elevations in the Alps

People Switzerland

Population:

7,489,370 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 16.6% (male 643,497/female 597,565)

15-64 years: 68% (male 2,570,544/female 2,522,365)

65 years and over: 15.4% (male 472,769/female 682,630) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 39.77 years

male: 38.75 years

female: 40.81 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

0.49% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

9.77 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

8.48 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

3.58 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.08 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female

total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 4.39 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 4.9 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 3.86 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 80.39 years

male: 77.58 years

female: 83.36 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

1.42 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

0.4% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

13,000 (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

less than 100 (2003 est.)

Nationality:

noun: Swiss (singular and plural)

adjective: Swiss

Ethnic groups:

German 65%, French 18%, Italian 10%, Romansch 1%, other 6%

Religions:

Roman Catholic 41.8%, Protestant 35.3%, Orthodox 1.8%, other

Christian 0.4%, Muslim 4.3%, other 1%, unspecified 4.3%, none 11.1%

(2000 census)

Languages:

German (official) 63.7%, French (official) 20.4%, Italian

(official) 6.5%, Serbo-Croatian 1.5%, Albanian 1.3%, Portuguese

1.2%, Spanish 1.1%, English 1%, Romansch 0.5%, other 2.8% (2000

census)

note: German, French, Italian, and Romansch are all national

languages, but only the first three are official languages

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 99% (1980 est.)

male: NA%

female: NA%

Government Switzerland

Country name:

conventional long form: Swiss Confederation

conventional short form: Switzerland

local long form: Schweizerische Eidgenossenschaft (German),

Confederation Suisse (French), Confederazione Svizzera (Italian)

local short form: Schweiz (German), Suisse (French), Svizzera

(Italian)

Government type:

formally a confederation, but similar in structure to a federal

republic

Capital:

Bern

Administrative divisions:

26 cantons (cantons, singular - canton in French; cantoni, singular

- cantone in Italian; kantone, singular - kanton in German); Aargau,

Appenzell Ausser-Rhoden, Appenzell Inner-Rhoden, Basel-Landschaft,

Basel-Stadt, Bern, Fribourg, Geneve, Glarus, Graubunden, Jura,

Luzern, Neuchatel, Nidwalden, Obwalden, Sankt Gallen, Schaffhausen,

Schwyz, Solothurn, Thurgau, Ticino, Uri, Valais, Vaud, Zug, Zurich

Independence:

1 August 1291 (founding of the Swiss Confederation)

National holiday:

Founding of the Swiss Confederation, 1 August (1291)

Constitution:

revision of Constitution of 1874 approved by the Federal Parliament

18 December 1998, adopted by referendum 18 April 1999, officially

entered into force 1 January 2000

Legal system:

civil law system influenced by customary law; judicial review of

legislative acts, except with respect to federal decrees of general

obligatory character; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with

reservations

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Samuel SCHMID (since 1 January 2005);

Vice President Moritz LEUENBERGER (since 1 January 2005); note - the

president is both the chief of state and head of government

head of government: President Samuel SCHMID (since 1 January 2005);

Vice President Moritz LEUENBERGER (since 1 January 2005); note - the

president is both the chief of state and head of government

cabinet: Federal Council or Bundesrat (in German), Conseil Federal

(in French), Consiglio Federale (in Italian) elected by the Federal

Assembly usually from among its own members for a four-year term

elections: president and vice president elected by the Federal

Assembly from among the members of the Federal Council for one-year

terms that run concurrently; election last held 8 December 2004

(next to be held December 2005)

election results: Samuel SCHMID elected president; percent of

Federal Assembly vote - 70.7%; Moritz LEUENBERGER elected vice

president; percent of legislative vote - 64.8%

Legislative branch:

bicameral Federal Assembly or Bundesversammlung (in German),

Assemblee Federale (in French), Assemblea Federale (in Italian)

consists of the Council of States or Standerat (in German), Conseil

des Etats (in French), Consiglio degli Stati (in Italian) (46 seats

- members serve four-year terms) and the National Council or

Nationalrat (in German), Conseil National (in French), Consiglio

Nazionale (in Italian) (200 seats - members are elected by popular

vote on the basis of proportional representation to serve four-year

terms)

elections: Council of States - last held in most cantons 19 October

2003 (each canton determines when the next election will be held);

National Council - last held 19 October 2003 (next to be held

October 2007)

election results: Council of States - percent of vote by party -

NA%; seats by party - CVP 15, FDP 14, SVP 8, SPS 6, other 3;

National Council - percent of vote by party - SVP 26.6%, SPS 23.3%,

FDP 17.3%, CVP 14.4%, Greens 7.4%, other small parties all under 5%;

seats by party - SVP 55, SPS 54, FDP 36, CVP 28, Green Party 13,

other small parties 14

Judicial branch:

Federal Supreme Court (judges elected for six-year terms by the

Federal Assembly)

Political parties and leaders:

Green Party (Grune Partei der Schweiz or Grune, Parti Ecologiste

Suisse or Les Verts, Partito Ecologista Svizzero or I Verdi, Partida

Ecologica Svizra or La Verda) [Ruth GENNER]; Christian Democratic

People's Party (Christichdemokratische Volkspartei der Schweiz or

CVP, Parti Democrate-Chretien Suisse or PDC, Partito

Democratico-Cristiano Popolare Svizzero or PDC, Partida

Cristiandemocratica dalla Svizra or PCD) [Doris LEUTHARD,

president]; Radical Free Democratic Party (Freisinnig-Demokratische

Partei der Schweiz or FDP, Parti Radical-Democratique Suisse or PRD,

Partitio Liberal-Radicale Svizzero or PLR) [Marianne

KLEINER-SCHLAEPFER, president]; Social Democratic Party

(Sozialdemokratische Partei der Schweiz or SPS, Parti Socialist

Suisse or PSS, Partito Socialista Svizzero or PSS, Partida

Socialdemocratica de la Svizra or PSS) [Hans-Juerg FEHR, president];

Swiss People's Party (Schweizerische Volkspartei or SVP, Union

Democratique du Centre or UDC, Unione Democratica de Centro or UDC,

Uniun Democratica dal Center or UDC) [Ueli MAURER, president]; and

other minor parties

Political pressure groups and leaders:

NA

International organization participation:

ACCT, AfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EFTA,

ESA, FAO, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA,

IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU,

LAIA (observer), MIGA, MONUC, NAM (guest), NEA, NSG, OAS (observer),

OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR,

UNIDO, UNITAR, UNMEE, UNMIK, UNOMIG, UNTSO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WHO,

WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO, ZC

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Christian BLICKENSTORFER

chancery: 2900 Cathedral Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 745-7900

FAX: [1] (202) 387-2564

consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New

York, and San Francisco

consulate(s): Boston

Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Pamela P. WILLEFORD embassy: Jubilaumsstrasse 93, CH-3005 Bern mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [41] (031) 357 70 11 FAX: [41] (031) 357 73 44

Flag description:

red square with a bold, equilateral white cross in the center that

does not extend to the edges of the flag

Economy Switzerland

Economy - overview:

Switzerland is a peaceful, prosperous, and stable modern market

economy with low unemployment, a highly skilled labor force, and a

per capita GDP larger than that of the big Western European

economies. The Swiss in recent years have brought their economic

practices largely into conformity with the EU's to enhance their

international competitiveness. Switzerland remains a safe haven for

investors, because it has maintained a degree of bank secrecy and

has kept up the franc's long-term external value. Reflecting the

anemic economic conditions of Europe, GDP growth dropped in 2001 to

about 0.8%, to 0.2% in 2002, and to -0.3% in 2003, with a small rise

to 1.8% in 2004. Even so, unemployment has remained at less than

half the EU average.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$251.9 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

1.8% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $33,800 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 1.5% industry: 34% services: 64.5% (2003 est.)

Labor force:

3.77 million (2004 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 4.6%, industry 26.3%, services 69.1% (1998)

Unemployment rate:

3.4% (2004 est.)

Population below poverty line:

NA

Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.6% highest 10%: 25.2% (1992)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

33.1 (1992)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

0.9% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

20.4% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $131.5 billion

expenditures: $140.4 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Public debt:

57.2% of GDP (2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

grains, fruits, vegetables; meat, eggs

Industries:

machinery, chemicals, watches, textiles, precision instruments

Industrial production growth rate:

4.7% (2004 est.)

Electricity - production:

63.47 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 1.3% hydro: 59.5% nuclear: 37.1% other: 2% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

54.53 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

32.3 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

27.8 billion kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

290,400 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

10,420 bbl/day (2001)

Oil - imports:

289,500 bbl/day (2001)

Natural gas - production:

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - consumption:

3.093 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - exports:

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - imports:

3.093 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Current account balance:

$40.95 billion (2004 est.)

Exports:

$130.7 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

machinery, chemicals, metals, watches, agricultural products

Exports - partners:

Germany 20.2%, US 10.5%, France 8.7%, Italy 8.3%, UK 5.1%, Spain 4%

(2004)

Imports:

$121.1 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

machinery, chemicals, vehicles, metals; agricultural products,

textiles

Imports - partners:

Germany 32.8%, Italy 11.3%, France 9.9%, US 5.2%, Netherlands 5%,

Austria 4.3% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$69.58 billion (2003)

Debt - external:

$NA (2000)

Economic aid - donor:

ODA, $1.1 billion (1995)

Currency (code):

Swiss franc (CHF)

Currency code:

CHF

Exchange rates:

Swiss francs per US dollar - 1.2435 (2004), 1.3467 (2003), 1.5586

(2002), 1.6876 (2001), 1.6888 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Switzerland

Telephones - main lines in use:

5.419 million (2002)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

6.172 million (2003)

Telephone system:

general assessment: excellent domestic and international services

domestic: extensive cable and microwave radio relay networks

international: country code - 41; satellite earth stations - 2

Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean and Indian Ocean)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 4, FM 113 (plus many low power stations), shortwave 2 (1998)

Radios:

7.1 million (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

115 (plus 1,919 repeaters) (1995)

Televisions:

3.31 million (1997)

Internet country code:

.ch

Internet hosts:

667,275 (2004)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

44 (Switzerland and Liechtenstein) (2000)

Internet users:

2.556 million (2002)

Transportation Switzerland

Railways:

total: 4,527 km

standard gauge: 3,232 km 1.435-m gauge (3,211 km electrified)

narrow gauge: 1,285 km 1.000-m gauge (1,273 km electrified); 10 km

0.800-m gauge (10 km electrified) (2004)

Highways:

total: 71,212 km

paved: 71,212 km (including 1,706 of expressways)

unpaved: 0 km (2002)

Waterways:

65 km

note: Rhine River between Basel-Rheinfelden and

Schaffhausen-Bodensee, some canals, and 12 navigable lakes (2003)

Pipelines:

gas 1,831 km; oil 94 km; refined products 7 km (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Basel

Merchant marine:

total: 23 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 604,843 GRT/1,050,914 DWT

by type: bulk carrier 12, cargo 6, chemical tanker 2, container 3

foreign-owned: 6 (United Kingdom 6)

registered in other countries: 291 (2005)

Airports:

65 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 42 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 5 1,524 to 2,437 m: 10 914 to 1,523 m: 8 under 914 m: 16 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 23 under 914 m: 23 (2004 est.)

Heliports: 2 (2004 est.)

Military Switzerland

Military branches:

Land Forces, Swiss Air Force (Schweizer Luftwaffe)

Military service age and obligation: the Swiss Confederation states that "every Swiss male is obligated to do military service"; every Swiss male has to serve for at least 260 days in the armed forces; 19 years of age for compulsory military service; 17 years of age for voluntary military service; conscripts receive 15 weeks of compulsory training, followed by 10 intermittent recalls for training over the next 22 years; women are accepted on a voluntary basis, but are not drafted (2005)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 19-49: 1,707,694 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 19-49: 1,375,889 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:

males: 46,319 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$2.548 billion (FY01)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

1% (FY01)

Transnational Issues Switzerland

Disputes - international:

none

Illicit drugs:

a major international financial center vulnerable to the layering

and integration stages of money laundering; despite significant

legislation and reporting requirements, secrecy rules persist and

nonresidents are permitted to conduct business through offshore

entities and various intermediaries; transit country for and

consumer of South American cocaine and Southwest Asian heroin

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Syria

Introduction Syria

Background:

Following the breakup of the Ottoman Empire during World War I,

Syria was administered by the French until independence in 1946. In

the 1967 Arab-Israeli War, Syria lost the Golan Heights to Israel.

Syrian troops - stationed in Lebanon since 1976 in an ostensible

peacekeeping role - were withdrawn in April of 2005. Over the past

decade, Syria and Israel have held occasional peace talks over the

return of the Golan Heights.

Geography Syria

Location:

Middle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Lebanon and

Turkey

Geographic coordinates:

35 00 N, 38 00 E

Map references:

Middle East

Area:

total: 185,180 sq km

land: 184,050 sq km

water: 1,130 sq km

note: includes 1,295 sq km of Israeli-occupied territory

Area - comparative:

slightly larger than North Dakota

Land boundaries:

total: 2,253 km

border countries: Iraq 605 km, Israel 76 km, Jordan 375 km, Lebanon

375 km, Turkey 822 km

Coastline:

193 km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 41 nm

Climate:

mostly desert; hot, dry, sunny summers (June to August) and mild,

rainy winters (December to February) along coast; cold weather with

snow or sleet periodically in Damascus

Terrain:

primarily semiarid and desert plateau; narrow coastal plain;

mountains in west

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: unnamed location near Lake Tiberias -200 m

highest point: Mount Hermon 2,814 m

Natural resources:

petroleum, phosphates, chrome and manganese ores, asphalt, iron

ore, rock salt, marble, gypsum, hydropower

Land use: arable land: 25.22% permanent crops: 4.43% other: 70.35% (2001)

Irrigated land:

12,130 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

dust storms, sandstorms

Environment - current issues:

deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification; water

pollution from raw sewage and petroleum refining wastes; inadequate

potable water

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered

Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution,

Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification

Geography - note:

there are 42 Israeli settlements and civilian land use sites in the

Israeli-occupied Golan Heights (February 2002 est.)

People Syria

Population:

18,448,752

note: in addition, about 40,000 people live in the Israeli-occupied

Golan Heights - 20,000 Arabs (18,000 Druze and 2,000 Alawites) and

about 20,000 Israeli settlers (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 37.4% (male 3,556,795/female 3,350,267)

15-64 years: 59.3% (male 5,601,971/female 5,333,799)

65 years and over: 3.3% (male 288,868/female 317,052) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 20.37 years

male: 20.24 years

female: 20.51 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

2.34% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

28.29 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

4.88 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.91 male(s)/female

total population: 1.05 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 29.53 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 29.76 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 29.28 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 70.03 years

male: 68.75 years

female: 71.38 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

3.5 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

less than 0.1% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

less than 500 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

less than 200 (2003 est.)

Nationality:

noun: Syrian(s)

adjective: Syrian

Ethnic groups:

Arab 90.3%, Kurds, Armenians, and other 9.7%

Religions:

Sunni Muslim 74%, Alawite, Druze, and other Muslim sects 16%,

Christian (various sects) 10%, Jewish (tiny communities in Damascus,

Al Qamishli, and Aleppo)

Languages:

Arabic (official); Kurdish, Armenian, Aramaic, Circassian widely

understood; French, English somewhat understood

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 76.9%

male: 89.7%

female: 64% (2003 est.)

Government Syria

Country name:

conventional long form: Syrian Arab Republic

conventional short form: Syria

local long form: Al Jumhuriyah al Arabiyah as Suriyah

local short form: Suriyah

former: United Arab Republic (with Egypt)

Government type:

republic under military regime since March 1963

Capital:

Damascus

Administrative divisions:

14 provinces (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah); Al Hasakah, Al

Ladhiqiyah, Al Qunaytirah, Ar Raqqah, As Suwayda', Dar'a, Dayr az

Zawr, Dimashq, Halab, Hamah, Hims, Idlib, Rif Dimashq, Tartus

Independence:

17 April 1946 (from League of Nations mandate under French

administration)

National holiday:

Independence Day, 17 April (1946)

Constitution:

13 March 1973

Legal system:

based on Islamic law and civil law system; special religious

courts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Bashar al-ASAD (since 17 July 2000); Vice

Presidents Abd al-Halim ibn Said KHADDAM (since 11 March 1984) and

Muhammad Zuhayr MASHARIQA (since 11 March 1984)

head of government: Prime Minister Muhammad Naji al-UTRI (since 10

September 2003)

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president

elections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term;

referendum/election last held 10 July 2000 - after the death of

President Hafiz al-ASAD, father of Bashar al-ASAD - (next to be held

2007); vice presidents appointed by the president; prime minister

and deputy prime ministers appointed by the president

election results: Bashar al-ASAD elected president; percent of vote

- Bashar al-ASAD 97.29%

note: Hafiz al-ASAD died on 10 June 2000; on 20 June 2000, the Ba'th

Party nominated Bashar al-ASAD for president and presented his name

to the People's Council on 25 June 2000

Legislative branch:

unicameral People's Council or Majlis al-Shaab (250 seats; members

elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)

elections: last held 2-3 March 2003 (next to be held NA 2007)

election results: percent of vote by party - NPF 67%, independents

33%; seats by party - NPF 167, independents 83; note - the

constitution guarantees that the Ba'th Party (part of the NPF

alliance) receives one-half of the seats

Judicial branch:

Supreme Constitutional Court (justices are appointed for four-year

terms by the president); High Judicial Council; Court of Cassation;

State Security Courts

Political parties and leaders:

Arab Socialist Unionist Movement [Ahmed al-AHMED]; National

Progressive Front or NPF (includes Arab Socialist Renaissance

(Ba'th) Party; the governing party) [President Bashar al-ASAD,

secretary general]; Socialist Unionist Democratic Party [Fadlallal

Nasr Al-DIN]; Syrian Arab Socialist Party or ASP [Safwan QUDSI];

Syrian Communist Party (two branches) [Wissal Farha BAKDASH, Yuusuf

Rashid FAYSAL]; Syrian Social National Party [Jubran URAYJI];

Unionist Socialist Party [Fayez ISMAIL]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

conservative religious leaders; Kurdish Democratic Alliance [leader

NA]; Kurdish Democratic Front [leader NA]; Muslim Brotherhood

(operates in exile in London) [Ali Badr Eddine al-BAYANOUNI];

National Democratic Front [Hassan Abd al-AZIM]

International organization participation:

ABEDA, AFESD, AMF, CAEU, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC,

ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF,

IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, UN,

UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNRWA, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Imad MUSTAFA

chancery: 2215 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 232-6313

FAX: [1] (202) 234-9548

Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Margaret SCOBEY embassy: Abou Roumaneh, Al-Mansur Street, No. 2, Damascus mailing address: P. O. Box 29, Damascus telephone: [963] (11) 333-1342 FAX: [963] (11) 331-9678

Flag description:

three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black, colors

associated with the Arab Liberation flag; two small green

five-pointed stars in a horizontal line centered in the white band;

former flag of the United Arab Republic where the two stars

represented the constituent states of Syria and Egypt; similar to

the flag of Yemen, which has a plain white band, Iraq, which has

three green stars (plus an Arabic inscription) in a horizontal line

centered in the white band, and that of Egypt, which has a gold

Eagle of Saladin centered in the white band; the current design

dates to 1980

Economy Syria

Economy - overview:

Real GDP growth rose to 2.3 percent in 2004, a slight increase from

2003 when the predominantly statist economy suffered from

disruptions caused by the war in Iraq and other developments in the

region. Annual real GDP growth has averaged 2.3 percent for the last

seven years. The Government of Syria has implemented modest economic

reforms in the last few years, including cutting interest rates,

opening private banks, consolidating some of the multiple exchange

rates, and raising prices on some subsidized foodstuffs.

Nevertheless, the economy remains highly controlled by the

government. Long run economic constraints include declining oil

production and exports and pressure on water supplies caused by

rapid population growth, industrial expansion, and increased water

pollution.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$60.44 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

2.3% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $3,400 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 25% industry: 31% services: 44% (2003 est.)

Labor force:

5.12 million (2004 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 30%, industry 27%, services 43% (2002 est.)

Unemployment rate:

20% (2002 est.)

Population below poverty line:

20% (2004 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

2.1% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

16.3% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $6.58 billion

expenditures: $9.45 billion, including capital expenditures of $4.67

billion (2004 est.)

Public debt:

32% of GDP (2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

wheat, barley, cotton, lentils, chickpeas, olives, sugar beets;

beef, mutton, eggs, poultry, milk

Industries:

petroleum, textiles, food processing, beverages, tobacco, phosphate

rock mining

Industrial production growth rate:

7% (2002 est.)

Electricity - production:

26.15 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 57.6% hydro: 42.4% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

24.32 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

525,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Oil - consumption:

240,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Oil - exports:

285,000 bbl/day (2004)

Oil - imports:

NA

Oil - proved reserves:

2.5 billion bbl (2004 est.)

Natural gas - production:

5.84 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - consumption:

5.84 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - exports:

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - imports:

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves:

240.7 billion cu m (2004)

Current account balance:

$1.1 billion (2003)

Exports:

$6.086 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

crude oil, petroleum products, fruits and vegetables, cotton fiber,

clothing, meat and live animals, wheat

Exports - partners:

Italy 22.7%, France 18%, Turkey 12.9%, Iraq 9%, Saudi Arabia 6.2%

(2004)

Imports:

$5.042 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

machinery and transport equipment, electric power machinery, food

and livestock, metal and metal products, chemicals and chemical

products, plastics, yarn, paper

Imports - partners:

Turkey 9.4%, Ukraine 8.7%, China 7.8%, Russia 5.4%, Saudi Arabia

5.2%, US 4.7%, South Korea 4.6%, Italy 4.3% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$5 billion (2004 est.)

Debt - external:

$4 billion (excludes military debt and debt to Russia) (2004 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:

$180 million (2002 est.)

Currency (code):

Syrian pound (SYP)

Currency code:

SYP

Exchange rates:

Syrian pounds per US dollar - (official rate): 11.225 (2004),

11.225 (2003), 11.225 (2002), 11.225 (2001), 11.225 (2000),

(parallel market rate in Amman and Beirut) NA (2004), 52.8 (2003),

52.4 (2002), 50.4 (2002), 49.4 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Syria

Telephones - main lines in use:

2,099,300 (2002)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

400,000 (2002)

Telephone system:

general assessment: fair system currently undergoing significant

improvement and digital upgrades, including fiber-optic technology

domestic: coaxial cable and microwave radio relay network

international: country code - 963; satellite earth stations - 1

Intelsat (Indian Ocean) and 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region);

1 submarine cable; coaxial cable and microwave radio relay to Iraq,

Jordan, Lebanon, and Turkey; participant in Medarabtel

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 14, FM 2, shortwave 1 (1998)

Radios:

4.15 million (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

44 (plus 17 repeaters) (1995)

Televisions:

1.05 million (1997)

Internet country code:

.sy

Internet hosts:

11 (2004)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

1 (2000)

Internet users:

220,000 (2002)

Transportation Syria

Railways:

total: 2,711 km

standard gauge: 2,460 km 1.435-m gauge

narrow gauge: 251 km 1.050-m gauge (2004)

Highways:

total: 45,697 km

paved: 6,489 km (including 1,001 km of expressways)

unpaved: 39,208 km (2002)

Waterways:

900 km (not economically significant) (2002)

Pipelines:

gas 2,300 km; oil 2,183 km (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Baniyas, Latakia

Merchant marine:

total: 120 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 446,981 GRT/636,620 DWT

by type: bulk carrier 8, cargo 105, container 1, livestock carrier

4, petroleum tanker 1, roll on/roll off 1

foreign-owned: 12 (Egypt 1, Greece 1, Jordan 2, Lebanon 7, Romania 1)

registered in other countries: 73 (2005)

Airports:

92 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 26 over 3,047 m: 5 2,438 to 3,047 m: 16 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 2 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 66 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 10 under 914 m: 54 (2004 est.)

Heliports: 7 (2004 est.)

Military Syria

Military branches:

Syrian Arab Army, Syrian Arab Navy, Syrian Arab Air Force (includes

Air Defense Command), Police and Security Force

Military service age and obligation:

18 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript service

obligation - 30 months (2004)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 18-49: 4,356,413 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: 3,453,888 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:

males: 225,113 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure: $858 million (FY00 est.); note - based on official budget data that may understate actual spending

Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 5.9% (FY00)

Transnational Issues Syria

Disputes - international:

Golan Heights is Israeli-occupied with the almost 1,000-strong UN

Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) patrolling a buffer zone since

1964; Lebanon claims Shaba'a farms in Golan Heights; international

pressure prompts the removal of Syrian troops and intelligence

personel stationed in Lebanon since October 1976; Syria protests

Turkish hydrological projects regulating upper Euphrates waters;

2004 Agreement and pending demarcation settles border dispute with

Jordan

Refugees and internally displaced persons:

refugees (country of origin): 413,827 (Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA))

IDPs: 170,000 (most displaced from Golan Heights during 1967

Arab-Israeli War) (2004)

Illicit drugs:

a transit point for opiates and hashish bound for regional and

Western markets; weak anti-money-laundering controls, bank

privatization may leave it vulnerable to money-laundering

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Taiwan

Introduction Taiwan

Background:

In 1895, military defeat forced China to cede Taiwan to Japan.

Taiwan reverted to Chinese control after World War II. Following the

Communist victory on the mainland in 1949, 2 million Nationalists

fled to Taiwan and established a government using the 1946

constitution drawn up for all of China. Over the next five decades,

the ruling authorities gradually democratized and incorporated the

native population within the governing structure. In 2000, Taiwan

underwent its first peaceful transfer of power from the Nationalist

to the Democratic Progressive Party. Throughout this period, the

island prospered and became one of East Asia's economic "Tigers."

The dominant political issues continue to be the relationship

between Taiwan and China - specifically the question of eventual

unification - as well as domestic political and economic reform.

Geography Taiwan

Location:

Eastern Asia, islands bordering the East China Sea, Philippine Sea,

South China Sea, and Taiwan Strait, north of the Philippines, off

the southeastern coast of China

Geographic coordinates:

23 30 N, 121 00 E

Map references:

Southeast Asia

Area:

total: 35,980 sq km

land: 32,260 sq km

water: 3,720 sq km

note: includes the Pescadores, Matsu, and Quemoy

Area - comparative:

slightly smaller than Maryland and Delaware combined

Land boundaries:

0 km

Coastline:

1,566.3 km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Climate:

tropical; marine; rainy season during southwest monsoon (June to

August); cloudiness is persistent and extensive all year

Terrain:

eastern two-thirds mostly rugged mountains; flat to gently rolling

plains in west

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: South China Sea 0 m

highest point: Yu Shan 3,952 m

Natural resources:

small deposits of coal, natural gas, limestone, marble, and asbestos

Land use:

arable land: 24%

permanent crops: 1%

other: 75% (2001)

Irrigated land:

NA sq km

Natural hazards:

earthquakes and typhoons

Environment - current issues:

air pollution; water pollution from industrial emissions, raw

sewage; contamination of drinking water supplies; trade in

endangered species; low-level radioactive waste disposal

Environment - international agreements:

party to: none of the selected agreements because of Taiwan's

international status

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements because of

Taiwan's international status

Geography - note:

strategic location adjacent to both the Taiwan Strait and the Luzon

Strait

People Taiwan

Population:

22,894,384 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 19.7% (male 2,349,077/female 2,156,755)

15-64 years: 70.7% (male 8,205,933/female 7,980,056)

65 years and over: 9.6% (male 1,107,708/female 1,094,855) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 34.14 years

male: 33.71 years

female: 34.57 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

0.63% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

12.64 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

6.38 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.1 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.09 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 1.01 male(s)/female

total population: 1.04 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 6.4 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 7.09 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 5.65 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 77.26 years

male: 74.49 years

female: 80.28 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

1.57 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

NA

Nationality:

noun: Taiwan (singular and plural)

note: example: he or she is from Taiwan; they are from Taiwan

adjective: Taiwan

Ethnic groups:

Taiwanese (including Hakka) 84%, mainland Chinese 14%, aborigine 2%

Religions:

mixture of Buddhist, Confucian, and Taoist 93%, Christian 4.5%,

other 2.5%

Languages:

Mandarin Chinese (official), Taiwanese (Min), Hakka dialects

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 96.1% (2003)

Government Taiwan

Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Taiwan local long form: none local short form: T'ai-wan former: Formosa

Government type:

multiparty democratic regime headed by popularly-elected president

and unicameral legislature

Capital:

Taipei

Administrative divisions:

includes central island of Taiwan plus numerous smaller islands

near central island and off coast of China's Fujian Province; Taiwan

is divided into 18 counties (hsien, singular and plural), 5

municipalities (shih, singular and plural), and 2 special

municipalities (chuan-shih, singular and plural)

: counties: Chang-hua, Chia-i, Hsin-chu, Hua-lien, I-lan, Kao-hsiung

county, Kin-men, Lien-chiang, Miao-li, Nan-t'ou, P'eng-hu,

P'ing-tung, T'ai-chung, T'ai-nan, T'ai-pei county, T'ai-tung,

T'ao-yuan, and Yun-lin

: municipalities: Chia-i, Chi-lung, Hsin-chu, T'ai-chung, T'ai-nan

: special municipalities: Kao-hsiung city, T'ai-pei city

note: Taiwan generally uses Wade-Giles system for romanization;

special municipality of Taipei adopted standard pinyin romanization

for street and place names within city boundaries, other local

authorities have selected a variety of romanization systems

National holiday:

Republic Day (Anniversary of the Chinese Revolution), 10 October

(1911)

Constitution:

25 December 1946; amended in 1992, 1994, 1997, 1999, and 2000

Legal system:

based on civil law system; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction,

with reservations

Suffrage:

20 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President CHEN Shui-bian (since 20 May 2000) and

Vice President Annette LU (LU Hsiu-lien) (since 20 May 2000)

head of government: Premier (President of the Executive Yuan) Frank

HSIEH (since 1 February 2005) and Vice Premier (Vice President of

the Executive Yuan) - WU Rong-i) (since 18 February 2005)

cabinet: Executive Yuan appointed by the president

elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket

by popular vote for four-year terms; election last held 20 March

2004 (next to be held in March 2008); premier appointed by the

president; vice premiers appointed by the president on the

recommendation of the premier

election results: CHEN Shui-bian re-elected president; percent of

vote - CHEN Shui-bian (DPP) 50.1%, LIEN Chan (KMT) 49.9%

Legislative branch:

unicameral Legislative Yuan (225 seats - 168 elected by popular

vote, 41 elected on basis of proportion of islandwide votes received

by participating political parties, 8 elected from overseas Chinese

constituencies on basis of proportion of island-wide votes received

by participating political parties, 8 elected by popular vote among

aboriginal populations; members serve three-year terms) and

unicameral National Assembly (300 seat nonstanding body; delegates

nominated by parties and elected by proportional representation six

to nine months after Legislative Yuan calls to amend Constitution,

impeach president, or change national borders)

note: as a result of constitutional amendments approved by the

National Assembly on 7 June 2005, the number of seats in the

legislature will be reduced from 225 to 113 beginning with the

election in 2007; the amendments also eliminate the National

Assembly, thus giving Taiwan a unicameral legislature

elections: Legislative Yuan - last held 11 December 2004 (next to be

held in December 2007); National Assembly - last held 14 May 2005

election results: Legislative Yuan - percent of vote by party - DPP

38%, KMT 35%, PFP 15%, TSU 8%, other parties and independents 4%;

seats by party - DPP 89, KMT 79, PFP 34, TSU 12, other parties 7,

independents 4; National Assembly - percent of vote by party - DPP

42.5%, KMT 38.9%, TSU 7%, PFP 6%, others 6.6%; seats by party - DPP

127, KMT 117, TSU 21, PFP 18, others 17 (2005)

Judicial branch:

Judicial Yuan (justices appointed by the president with consent of

the Legislative Yuan)

Political parties and leaders:

Democratic Progressive Party or DPP [SU Tseng-chang, chairman];

Kuomintang or KMT (Nationalist Party) [MA Ying-jeou, chairman];

People First Party or PFP [James SOONG (SOONG Chu-yu), chairman];

Taiwan Solidarity Union or TSU [SU Chin-chiang, chairman]; other

minor parties including the Chinese New Party or CNP

Political pressure groups and leaders:

Taiwan independence movement, various business and environmental

groups

note: debate on Taiwan independence has become acceptable within the

mainstream of domestic politics on Taiwan; political liberalization

and the increased representation of opposition parties in Taiwan's

legislature have opened public debate on the island's national

identity; a broad popular consensus has developed that Taiwan

currently enjoys de facto independence and - whatever the ultimate

outcome regarding reunification or independence - that Taiwan's

people must have the deciding voice; advocates of Taiwan

independence oppose the stand that the island will eventually unify

with mainland China; goals of the Taiwan independence movement

include establishing a sovereign nation on Taiwan and entering the

UN; other organizations supporting Taiwan independence include the

World United Formosans for Independence and the Organization for

Taiwan Nation Building

International organization participation:

APEC, AsDB, BCIE, ICC, ICFTU, IOC, WCL, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US: none; unofficial commercial and cultural relations with the people of the US are maintained through an unofficial instrumentality, the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office (TECRO) in the US with headquarters in Taipei and field offices in Washington and 12 other US cities

Diplomatic representation from the US: none; unofficial commercial and cultural relations with the people on Taiwan are maintained through an unofficial instrumentality - the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) - which has offices in the US and Taiwan; US office at 1700 N. Moore St., Suite 1700, Arlington, VA 22209-1996, telephone: [1] (703) 525-8474, FAX: [1] (703) 841-1385); Taiwan offices at #7 Lane 134, Hsin Yi Road, Section 3, Taipei, Taiwan, telephone: [886] (2) 2162-2000, FAX: [886] (2) 2162-2251; #2 Chung Cheng 3rd Road, 5th Floor, Kao-hsiung, Taiwan, telephone: [886] (7) 238-7744, FAX: [886] (7) 238-5237; and the American Trade Center, Room 3208 International Trade Building, Taipei World Trade Center, 333 Keelung Road Section 1, Taipei, Taiwan 10548, telephone: [886] (2) 2720-1550, FAX: [886] (2) 2757-7162

Flag description:

red with a dark blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner

bearing a white sun with 12 triangular rays

Economy Taiwan

Economy - overview:

Taiwan has a dynamic capitalist economy with gradually decreasing

guidance of investment and foreign trade by government authorities.

In keeping with this trend, some large government-owned banks and

industrial firms are being privatized. Exports have provided the

primary impetus for industrialization. The trade surplus is

substantial, and foreign reserves are the world's third largest.

Agriculture contributes less than 2% to GDP, down from 32% in 1952.

Taiwan is a major investor throughout Southeast Asia. China has

overtaken the US to become Taiwan's largest export market. Because

of its conservative financial approach and its entrepreneurial

strengths, Taiwan suffered little compared with many of its

neighbors from the Asian financial crisis in 1998. The global

economic downturn, combined with problems in policy coordination by

the administration and bad debts in the banking system, pushed

Taiwan into recession in 2001, the first year of negative growth

ever recorded. Unemployment also reached record levels. Output

recovered moderately in 2002 in the face of continued global

slowdown, fragile consumer confidence, and bad bank loans; and the

essentially vibrant economy pushed ahead in 2003-04. Growing

economic ties with China are a dominant long-term factor, e.g.,

exports to China of parts and equipment for the assembly of goods

for export to developed countries.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$576.2 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

6% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $25,300 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 1.7% industry: 30.9% services: 67.4% (2004 est.)

Labor force:

10.22 million (2004 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 8%, industry 35%, services 57% (2001 est.)

Unemployment rate:

4.5% (2004 est.)

Population below poverty line:

1% (2000 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 6.7% highest 10%: 41.1% (2002 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

1.7% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

18% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $67.41 billion

expenditures: $76.7 billion, including capital expenditures of $14.4

billion (2004 est.)

Public debt:

32.4% of GDP (2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

rice, corn, vegetables, fruit, tea; pigs, poultry, beef, milk; fish

Industries:

electronics, petroleum refining, armaments, chemicals, textiles,

iron and steel, machinery, cement, food processing, vehicles,

consumer products, pharmaceuticals

Industrial production growth rate:

12.2% (2004 est.)

Electricity - production:

158.5 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 71.4% hydro: 6% nuclear: 22.6% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

147.4 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

500 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Oil - consumption:

988,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Oil - proved reserves:

2.9 million bbl (2004 est.)

Natural gas - production:

750 million cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - consumption:

6.64 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - exports:

410 million cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - imports:

6.3 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves:

38.23 billion cu m (2004)

Current account balance:

$21.16 billion (2004 est.)

Exports:

$170.5 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

computer products and electrical equipment, metals, textiles,

plastics and rubber products, chemicals (2002)

Exports - partners:

China, including Hong Kong 37%, US 16%, Japan 7.7% (2004)

Imports:

$165.4 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

machinery and electrical equipment 44.5%, minerals, precision

instruments (2002)

Imports - partners:

Japan 26%, US 13%, China, including Hong Kong 11%, South Korea 6.9%

(2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$246.5 billion (2004 est.)

Debt - external:

$55.5 billion (2004 est.)

Currency (code):

new Taiwan dollar (TWD)

Currency code:

TWD

Exchange rates:

new Taiwan dollars per US dollar - 33.422 (2004), 34.418 (2003),

34.575 (2002), 33.8 (2001), 33.09 (2000)

Fiscal year:

1 July - 30 June (up to FY98/99); 1 July 1999 - 31 December 2000

for FY00; calendar year (after FY00)

Communications Taiwan

Telephones - main lines in use:

13.355 million (2003)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

25,089,600 (2003)

Telephone system:

general assessment: provides telecommunications service for every

business and private need

domestic: thoroughly modern; completely digitalized

international: country code - 886; satellite earth stations - 2

Intelsat (1 Pacific Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean); submarine cables to

Japan (Okinawa), Philippines, Guam, Singapore, Hong Kong, Indonesia,

Australia, Middle East, and Western Europe (1999)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 218, FM 333, shortwave 50 (1999)

Radios:

16 million (1994)

Television broadcast stations:

29 (plus two repeaters) (1997)

Televisions:

8.8 million (1998)

Internet country code:

.tw

Internet hosts:

2,777,085 (2003)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

8 (2000)

Internet users:

13.8 million (2005)

Transportation Taiwan

Railways:

total: 2,497 km

narrow gauge: 1,097 km 1.067-m gauge (685 km electrified)

note: 1,400 km .762-m gauge (belonging to the Taiwan Sugar

Corporation and to the Taiwan Forestry Bureau used to haul products

and limited numbers of passengers (2004)

Highways:

total: 37,299 km

paved: 35,621 km (including 608 km of expressways)

unpaved: 1,678 km (2002)

Pipelines:

condensate 25 km; gas 435 km (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Chi-lung (Keelung), Hua-lien, Kao-hsiung, Su-ao, T'ai-chung

Merchant marine:

total: 126 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 3,417,768 GRT/5,617,318 DWT

by type: bulk carrier 36, cargo 23, chemical tanker 2, container 37,

passenger/cargo 3, petroleum tanker 15, refrigerated cargo 9, roll

on/roll off 1

foreign-owned: 3 (Hong Kong 3)

registered in other countries: 432 (2005)

Airports:

40 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 37 over 3,047 m: 8 2,438 to 3,047 m: 8 1,524 to 2,437 m: 12 914 to 1,523 m: 8 under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 3

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

under 914 m: 2 (2004 est.)

Heliports:

3 (2004 est.)

Military Taiwan

Military branches:

Army, Navy (includes Marine Corps), Air Force, Coast Guard

Administration, Armed Forces Reserve Command, Combined Service

Forces Command, Armed Forces Police Command

Military service age and obligation:

19-40 years of age for military service (being lowered to 35 years

of age in July 2005); service obligation 22 months (being shortened

to 18 months in July 2005 and 12 months in 2008) (2005)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 19-49: 5,883,828 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 19-49: 4,749,537 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:

males: 174,173 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$7.574 billion (2003)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

2.6% (2004)

Transnational Issues Taiwan

Disputes - international:

involved in complex dispute with China, Malaysia, Philippines,

Vietnam, and possibly Brunei over the Spratly Islands; the 2002

"Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea" has

eased tensions but falls short of a legally binding "code of

conduct" desired by several of the disputants; Paracel Islands are

occupied by China, but claimed by Taiwan and Vietnam; in 2003, China

and Taiwan became more vocal in rejecting both Japan's claims to the

uninhabited islands of the Senkaku-shoto (Diaoyu Tai) and Japan's

unilaterally declared exclusive economic zone in the East China Sea

where all parties engage in hydrocarbon prospecting

Illicit drugs:

regional transit point for heroin and methamphetamine; major

problem with domestic consumption of methamphetamine and heroin;

renewal of domestic methamphetamine production is a problem

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Tajikistan

Introduction Tajikistan

Background:

The Tajik people came under Russian rule in the 1860s and 1870s,

but Russia's hold on Central Asia weakened following the Revolution

of 1917. Bolshevik control of the area was fiercely contested and

not fully reestablished until 1925. Tajikistan became independent in

1991 following the breakup of the Soviet Union and has now completed

its transition from the civil war that plagued the country from 1992

to 1997. There have been no major security incidents in recent

years, although the country remains the poorest in the region.

Attention by the international community in the wake of the war in

Afghanistan has brought increased economic development assistance,

which could create jobs and increase stability in the long term.

Tajikistan is in the early stages of seeking World Trade

Organization membership and has joined NATO's Partnership for Peace.

Geography Tajikistan

Location:

Central Asia, west of China

Geographic coordinates:

39 00 N, 71 00 E

Map references:

Asia

Area:

total: 143,100 sq km

land: 142,700 sq km

water: 400 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly smaller than Wisconsin

Land boundaries:

total: 3,651 km

border countries: Afghanistan 1,206 km, China 414 km, Kyrgyzstan 870

km, Uzbekistan 1,161 km

Coastline:

0 km (landlocked)

Maritime claims:

none (landlocked)

Climate:

midlatitude continental, hot summers, mild winters; semiarid to

polar in Pamir Mountains

Terrain:

Pamir and Alay Mountains dominate landscape; western Fergana Valley

in north, Kofarnihon and Vakhsh Valleys in southwest

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Syr Darya (Sirdaryo) 300 m

highest point: Qullai Ismoili Somoni 7,495 m

Natural resources:

hydropower, some petroleum, uranium, mercury, brown coal, lead,

zinc, antimony, tungsten, silver, gold

Land use: arable land: 6.61% permanent crops: 0.92% other: 92.47% (2001)

Irrigated land:

7,200 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

earthquakes and floods

Environment - current issues: inadequate sanitation facilities; increasing levels of soil salinity; industrial pollution; excessive pesticides

Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Environmental Modification, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

landlocked; mountainous region dominated by the Trans-Alay Range in

the north and the Pamirs in the southeast; highest point, Qullai

Ismoili Somoni (formerly Communism Peak), was the tallest mountain

in the former USSR

People Tajikistan

Population:

7,163,506 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 38.5% (male 1,390,220/female 1,368,268)

15-64 years: 56.7% (male 2,022,764/female 2,040,524)

65 years and over: 4.8% (male 150,372/female 191,358) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 19.73 years

male: 19.45 years

female: 20.02 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

2.15% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

32.58 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

8.39 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

-2.67 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.79 male(s)/female

total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 110.76 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 122.35 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 98.6 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 64.56 years

male: 61.68 years

female: 67.59 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

4.05 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

less than 0.1% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

less than 200 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

less than 100 (2001 est.)

Nationality:

noun: Tajikistani(s)

adjective: Tajikistani

Ethnic groups:

Tajik 79.9%, Uzbek 15.3%, Russian 1.1%, Kyrgyz 1.1%, other 2.6%

(2000 census)

Religions:

Sunni Muslim 85%, Shi'a Muslim 5%, other 10% (2003 est.)

Languages:

Tajik (official), Russian widely used in government and business

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 99.4%

male: 99.6%

female: 99.1% (2003 est.)

Government Tajikistan

Country name:

conventional long form: Republic of Tajikistan

conventional short form: Tajikistan

local long form: Jumhurii Tojikiston

local short form: Tojikiston

former: Tajik Soviet Socialist Republic

Government type:

republic

Capital:

Dushanbe

Administrative divisions: 2 provinces (viloyatho, singular - viloyat) and 1 autonomous province* (viloyati mukhtor); Viloyati Mukhtori Kuhistoni Badakhshon* [Gorno-Badakhshan] (Khorugh), Viloyati Khatlon (Qurghonteppa), Viloyati Sughd (Khujand) note: the administrative center name follows in parentheses

Independence:

9 September 1991 (from Soviet Union)

National holiday:

Independence Day (or National Day), 9 September (1991)

Constitution:

6 November 1994

Legal system:

based on civil law system; no judicial review of legislative acts

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Emomali RAHMONOV (since 6 November 1994;

head of state and Supreme Assembly chairman since 19 November 1992)

head of government: Prime Minister Oqil OQILOV (since 20 January

1999)

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president, approved

by the Supreme Assembly

elections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term;

election last held 6 November 1999 (next to be held NA 2006); prime

minister appointed by the president; Tajikistan held a

constitutional referendum on 22 June 2003 that, among other things,

set a limit of two seven-year terms for the president

election results: Emomali RAHMONOV elected president; percent of

vote - Emomali RAHMONOV 97%, Davlat USMON 2%

Legislative branch:

bicameral Supreme Assembly or Majlisi Oli consists of the Assembly

of Representatives (lower chamber) or Majlisi Namoyandagon (63

seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)

and the National Assembly (upper chamber) or Majlisi Milliy (33

seats; members are indirectly elected, 25 selected by local

deputies, 8 appointed by the president; all serve five-year terms)

elections: last held 27 February and 13 March 2000 for the Assembly

of Representatives (next to be held NA 2010) and 23 March 2000 for

the National Assembly (next to be held NA 2005)

election results: Assembly of Representatives - percent of vote by

party - PDPT 74%, CPT 13%, Islamic Revival Party 8%, other 5%; seats

by party - PDPT 49, CPT 4, Islamic Revival Party 2, independents 5,

vacant 3; National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats

by party - NA

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the president)

Political parties and leaders:

Democratic Party or DPT [Mahmadruzi ISKANDAROV]; Islamic Revival

Party [Said Abdullo NURI]; People's Democratic Party of Tajikistan

or PDPT [Emomali RAHMONOV]; Social Democratic Party or SDPT

[Rahmatullo ZOIROV]; Socialist Party or SPT [Mirhuseyn NAZRIYEV];

Tajik Communist Party or CPT [Shodi SHABDOLOV]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

there are three unregistered political parties: Agrarian Party or

APT [Hikmatullo NASRIDDINOV]; Progressive Party [Sulton QUVVATOV];

Unity Party [Hikmatullo SAIDOV]

International organization participation:

AsDB, CIS, EAPC, EBRD, ECO, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA,

IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO

(subscriber), ITU, MIGA, OIC, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, SCO, UN, UNCTAD,

UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Hamrohon ZARIPOV

chancery: 1725 K Street NW, Suite 409, Washington, DC 20006

telephone: [1] (202) 223-6090

FAX: [1] (202) 223-6091

Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Richard E. HOAGLAND embassy: 10 Pavlova Street, Dushanbe, Tajikistan 734003; note - the embassy in Dushanbe is not yet fully operational; most business is still handled in Almaty at: 531 Sayfullin Street, Almaty, Kazakhstan, telephone 7-3272-58-79-61, FAX 7-3272-58-79-68 mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [992] (372) 21-03-48, 21-03-52, 24-15-60 FAX: [992] (372) 21-03-62, 51-00-28

Flag description:

three horizontal stripes of red (top), a wider stripe of white, and

green; a gold crown surmounted by seven gold, five-pointed stars is

located in the center of the white stripe

Economy Tajikistan

Economy - overview:

Tajikistan has one of the lowest per capita GDPs among the 15

former Soviet republics. Only 5% to 6% of the land area is arable.

Cotton is the most important crop. Mineral resources, varied but

limited in amount, include silver, gold, uranium, and tungsten.

Industry consists only of a large aluminum plant, hydropower

facilities, and small obsolete factories mostly in light industry

and food processing. The civil war (1992-97) severely damaged the

already weak economic infrastructure and caused a sharp decline in

industrial and agricultural production. Even though 60% of its

people continue to live in abject poverty, Tajikistan has

experienced steady economic growth since 1997. Continued

privatization of medium and large state-owned enterprises will

further increase productivity. Tajikistan's economic situation,

however, remains fragile due to uneven implementation of structural

reforms, weak governance, widespread unemployment, and the external

debt burden. A debt restructuring agreement was reached with Russia

in December 2002, including an interest rate of 4%, a 3-year grace

period, and a US $49.8 million credit to the Central Bank of

Tajikistan.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$7.95 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

10.5% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $1,100 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 23.7% industry: 24.3% services: 52% (2004 est.)

Labor force:

3.187 million (2000)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 67.2%, industry 7.5%, services 25.3% (2000 est.)

Unemployment rate:

40% (2002 est.)

Population below poverty line:

60% (2004 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.2% highest 10%: 25.2% (1998)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

34.7 (1998)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

8% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

22% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $311.2 million

expenditures: $321.5 million, including capital expenditures of $86

million (2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

cotton, grain, fruits, grapes, vegetables; cattle, sheep, goats

Industries:

aluminum, zinc, lead, chemicals and fertilizers, cement, vegetable

oil, metal-cutting machine tools, refrigerators and freezers

Industrial production growth rate:

8.2% (2002 est.)

Electricity - production:

15.08 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 1.9% hydro: 98.1% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

14.41 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

3.974 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

4.359 billion kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

250 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

20,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Natural gas - production:

50 million cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - consumption:

1.3 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - exports:

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - imports:

1.25 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Current account balance:

$-52 million (2004 est.)

Exports:

$1.13 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

aluminum, electricity, cotton, fruits, vegetable oil, textiles

Exports - partners:

Netherlands 41.4%, Turkey 15.3%, Uzbekistan 7.2%, Latvia 7.1%,

Switzerland 6.9%, Russia 6.6% (2004)

Imports:

$1.3 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

electricity, petroleum products, aluminum oxide, machinery and

equipment, foodstuffs

Imports - partners:

Russia 20.2%, Uzbekistan 14.2%, Kazakhstan 12.8%, Azerbaijan 7.2%,

US 6.7%, China 4.8%, Ukraine 4.5% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$145.3 million (2004 est.)

Debt - external:

$888 million (2004 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:

$60.7 million from US (2001)

Currency (code):

somoni

Currency code:

TJS

Exchange rates:

Tajikistani somoni per US dollar - 2.9705 (2004), 3.0614 (2003),

2.7641 (2002), 2.3722 (2001), 2.0763 (2000)

note: the new unit of exchange was introduced on 30 October 2000,

with one somoni equal to 1,000 of the old Tajikistani rubles

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Tajikistan

Telephones - main lines in use:

242,100 (2003)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

47,600 (2003)

Telephone system:

general assessment: poorly developed and not well maintained; many

towns are not linked to the national network

domestic: cable and microwave radio relay

international: country code - 992; linked by cable and microwave

radio relay to other CIS republics and by leased connections to the

Moscow international gateway switch; Dushanbe linked by Intelsat to

international gateway switch in Ankara (Turkey); satellite earth

stations - 1 Orbita and 2 Intelsat

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 8, FM 10, shortwave 2 (2002)

Radios:

1.291 million (1991)

Television broadcast stations:

13 (2001)

Televisions:

820,000 (1997)

Internet country code:

.tj

Internet hosts:

69 (2004)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

4 (2002)

Internet users:

4,100 (2003)

Transportation Tajikistan

Railways: total: 482 km broad gauge: 482 km 1.520-m gauge (2004)

Highways: total: 27,767 km paved: NA unpaved: NA (2000)

Waterways:

200 km (along Vakhsh River) (2003)

Pipelines:

gas 541 km; oil 38 km (2004)

Airports:

55 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 17 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 3 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 38 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 35 (2004 est.)

Military Tajikistan

Military branches:

Army, Air Force, Air Defense Force

Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript service obligation - 2 years (2004)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 18-49: 1,556,415 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: 1,244,941 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:

males: 87,846 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$35.4 million (FY01)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

3.9% (FY01)

Transnational Issues Tajikistan

Disputes - international:

boundary agreements signed in 2002 cede 1,000 sq km of Pamir

Mountain range to China in return for China relinquishing claims to

28,000 sq km of Tajikistani lands but neither state has published

maps of ceded areas and demarcation has not yet commenced; talks

continue with Uzbekistan to delimit border and remove minefields;

disputes in Isfara Valley delay delimitation with Kyrgyzstan

Illicit drugs:

major transit country for Afghan narcotics bound for Russian and,

to a lesser extent, Western European markets; limited illicit

cultivation of opium poppy for domestic consumption; Tajikistan

seizes roughly 80 percent of all drugs captured in Central Asia and

stands third worldwide in seizures of opiates (heroin and raw opium)

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Tanzania

Introduction Tanzania

Background:

Shortly after independence, Tanganyika and Zanzibar merged to form

the nation of Tanzania in 1964. One-party rule came to an end in

1995 with the first democratic elections held in the country since

the 1970s. Zanzibar's semi-autonomous status and popular opposition

have led to two contentious elections since 1995, which the ruling

party won despite international observers' claims of voting

irregularities.

Geography Tanzania

Location:

Eastern Africa, bordering the Indian Ocean, between Kenya and

Mozambique

Geographic coordinates:

6 00 S, 35 00 E

Map references:

Africa

Area:

total: 945,087 sq km

land: 886,037 sq km

water: 59,050 sq km

note: includes the islands of Mafia, Pemba, and Zanzibar

Area - comparative:

slightly larger than twice the size of California

Land boundaries:

total: 3,861 km

border countries: Burundi 451 km, Democratic Republic of the Congo

459 km, Kenya 769 km, Malawi 475 km, Mozambique 756 km, Rwanda 217

km, Uganda 396 km, Zambia 338 km

Coastline:

1,424 km

Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Climate:

varies from tropical along coast to temperate in highlands

Terrain:

plains along coast; central plateau; highlands in north, south

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m

highest point: Kilimanjaro 5,895 m

Natural resources:

hydropower, tin, phosphates, iron ore, coal, diamonds, gemstones,

gold, natural gas, nickel

Land use: arable land: 4.52% permanent crops: 1.08% other: 94.4% (2001)

Irrigated land:

1,550 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

flooding on the central plateau during the rainy season; drought

Environment - current issues:

soil degradation; deforestation; desertification; destruction of

coral reefs threatens marine habitats; recent droughts affected

marginal agriculture; wildlife threatened by illegal hunting and

trade, especially for ivory

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto

Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law

of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

Kilimanjaro is highest point in Africa; bordered by three of the

largest lakes on the continent: Lake Victoria (the world's

second-largest freshwater lake) in the north, Lake Tanganyika (the

world's second deepest) in the west, and Lake Nyasa in the southwest

People Tanzania

Population:

36,766,356

note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the

effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower

life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower

population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of

population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July

2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 44% (male 8,100,216/female 8,074,171)

15-64 years: 53.4% (male 9,665,957/female 9,963,772)

65 years and over: 2.6% (male 418,080/female 544,160) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 17.62 years

male: 17.36 years

female: 17.89 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

1.83% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

38.16 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

16.71 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

-3.11 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female

total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 98.54 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 107.85 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 88.95 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 45.24 years

male: 44.56 years

female: 45.94 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

5.06 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

8.8% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

1.6 million (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

160,000 (2003 est.)

Major infectious diseases:

degree of risk: very high

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and

typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases: malaria, Rift Valley fever and plague are high

risks in some locations

water contact disease: schistosomiasis (2004)

Nationality:

noun: Tanzanian(s)

adjective: Tanzanian

Ethnic groups:

mainland - native African 99% (of which 95% are Bantu consisting of

more than 130 tribes), other 1% (consisting of Asian, European, and

Arab); Zanzibar - Arab, native African, mixed Arab and native African

Religions:

mainland - Christian 30%, Muslim 35%, indigenous beliefs 35%;

Zanzibar - more than 99% Muslim

Languages:

Kiswahili or Swahili (official), Kiunguja (name for Swahili in

Zanzibar), English (official, primary language of commerce,

administration, and higher education), Arabic (widely spoken in

Zanzibar), many local languages

note: Kiswahili (Swahili) is the mother tongue of the Bantu people

living in Zanzibar and nearby coastal Tanzania; although Kiswahili

is Bantu in structure and origin, its vocabulary draws on a variety

of sources, including Arabic and English, and it has become the

lingua franca of central and eastern Africa; the first language of

most people is one of the local languages

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write Kiswahili (Swahili),

English, or Arabic

total population: 78.2%

male: 85.9%

female: 70.7% (2003 est.)

Government Tanzania

Country name:

conventional long form: United Republic of Tanzania

conventional short form: Tanzania

former: United Republic of Tanganyika and Zanzibar

Government type:

republic

Capital:

Dar es Salaam; note - legislative offices have been transferred to

Dodoma, which is planned as the new national capital; the National

Assembly now meets there on regular basis

Administrative divisions:

26 regions; Arusha, Dar es Salaam, Dodoma, Iringa, Kagera, Kigoma,

Kilimanjaro, Lindi, Manyara, Mara, Mbeya, Morogoro, Mtwara, Mwanza,

Pemba North, Pemba South, Pwani, Rukwa, Ruvuma, Shinyanga, Singida,

Tabora, Tanga, Zanzibar Central/South, Zanzibar North, Zanzibar

Urban/West

Independence:

26 April 1964; Tanganyika became independent 9 December 1961 (from

UK-administered UN trusteeship); Zanzibar became independent 19

December 1963 (from UK); Tanganyika united with Zanzibar 26 April

1964 to form the United Republic of Tanganyika and Zanzibar; renamed

United Republic of Tanzania 29 October 1964

National holiday:

Union Day (Tanganyika and Zanzibar), 26 April (1964)

Constitution:

25 April 1977; major revisions October 1984

Legal system:

based on English common law; judicial review of legislative acts

limited to matters of interpretation; has not accepted compulsory

ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Benjamin William MKAPA (since 23 November

1995); Vice President Dr. Ali Mohammed SHEIN (since 5 July 2001);

note - the president is both chief of state and head of government

head of government: President Benjamin William MKAPA (since 23

November 1995); Vice President Dr. Ali Mohammed SHEIN (since 5 July

2001); note - the president is both chief of state and head of

government

note: Zanzibar elects a president who is head of government for

matters internal to Zanzibar; Amani Abeid KARUME was elected to that

office on 29 October 2000

cabinet: Cabinet ministers, including the prime minister, are

appointed by the president from among the members of the National

Assembly

elections: president and vice president elected on the same ballot

by popular vote for five-year terms; election last held 29 October

2000 (next to be held 30 October 2005); prime minister appointed by

the president

election results: Benjamin William MKAPA reelected president;

percent of vote - Benjamin William MKAPA 71.7%, Ibrahim Haruna

LIPUMBA 16.3%, Augustine Lyatonga MREME 7.8%, John Momose CHEYO 4.2%

Legislative branch:

unicameral National Assembly or Bunge (274 seats - 232 elected by

popular vote, 37 allocated to women nominated by the president, five

to members of the Zanzibar House of Representatives; members serve

five-year terms); note - in addition to enacting laws that apply to

the entire United Republic of Tanzania, the Assembly enacts laws

that apply only to the mainland; Zanzibar has its own House of

Representatives to make laws especially for Zanzibar (the Zanzibar

House of Representatives has 50 seats, directly elected by universal

suffrage to serve five-year terms)

elections: last held 29 October 2000 (next to be held 30 October

2005)

election results: National Assembly - percent of vote by party -

NA%; seats by party - CCM 244, CUF 16, CHADEMA 4, TLP 3, UDP 2,

Zanzibar representatives 5; Zanzibar House of Representatives -

percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - CCM 34, CUF 16

Judicial branch:

Permanent Commission of Enquiry (official ombudsman); Court of

Appeal (consists of a chief justice and four judges); High Court

(consists of a Jaji Kiongozi and 29 judges appointed by the

president; holds regular sessions in all regions); District Courts;

Primary Courts (limited jurisdiction and appeals can be made to the

higher courts)

Political parties and leaders:

Chama Cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (Party of Democracy and

Development) or CHADEMA [Bob MAKANI]; Chama Cha Mapinduzi or CCM

(Revolutionary Party) [Benjamin William MKAPA]; Civic United Front

or CUF [Ibrahim LIPUMBA]; Democratic Party (unregistered)

[Christopher MTIKLA]; Tanzania Labor Party or TLP [Augustine

Lyatonga MREME]; United Democratic Party or UDP [John CHEYO]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

NA

International organization participation:

ACP, AfDB, AU, C, EADB, FAO, G- 6, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC,

ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol,

IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OPCW, SADC, UN, UN Security Council

(temporary), UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMEE, UPU, WCO,

WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Andrew Mhando DARAJA chancery: 2139 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 939-6125 FAX: [1] (202) 797-7408

Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Robert V. ROYALL embassy: 140 Msese Road, Kinondoni District, Dar es Salaam mailing address: P. O. Box 9123, Dar es Salaam telephone: [255] (22) 2666-010 through 2666-015 FAX: [255] (22) 2666-701, 2668-501

Flag description:

divided diagonally by a yellow-edged black band from the lower

hoist-side corner; the upper triangle (hoist side) is green and the

lower triangle is blue

Economy Tanzania

Economy - overview:

Tanzania is one of the poorest countries in the world. The economy

depends heavily on agriculture, which accounts for almost half of

GDP, provides 85% of exports, and employs 80% of the work force.

Topography and climatic conditions, however, limit cultivated crops

to only 4% of the land area. Industry traditionally featured the

processing of agricultural products and light consumer goods. The

World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, and bilateral donors

have provided funds to rehabilitate Tanzania's out-of-date economic

infrastructure and to alleviate poverty. Growth in 1991-2002

featured a pickup in industrial production and a substantial

increase in output of minerals, led by gold. Recent banking reforms

have helped increase private sector growth and investment. Continued

donor assistance and solid macroeconomic policies supported real GDP

growth of nearly 6% in 2004.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$23.71 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

5.8% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $700 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 43.2% industry: 17.2% services: 39.6% (2004 est.)

Labor force:

19 million (2004 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 80%, industry and services 20% (2002 est.)

Unemployment rate:

NA

Population below poverty line:

36% (2002 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.8% highest 10%: 30.1% (1993)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

38.2 (1993)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

5.4% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

16.2% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $1.985 billion

expenditures: $2.074 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Public debt:

5% of GDP (2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

coffee, sisal, tea, cotton, pyrethrum (insecticide made from

chrysanthemums), cashew nuts, tobacco, cloves, corn, wheat, cassava

(tapioca), bananas, fruits, vegetables; cattle, sheep, goats

Industries:

agricultural processing (sugar, beer, cigarettes, sisal twine),

diamond, gold and iron mining, soda ash, oil refining, shoes,

cement, apparel, wood products, fertilizer, salt

Industrial production growth rate:

8.4% (1999 est.)

Electricity - production:

2.727 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 18.9% hydro: 81.1% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

2.566 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

30 million kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

17,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Oil - proved reserves:

0 bbl (1 January 2002)

Natural gas - proved reserves:

11.33 billion cu m (1 January 2002)

Current account balance:

$-327.4 million (2004 est.)

Exports:

$1.248 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

gold, coffee, cashew nuts, manufactures, cotton

Exports - partners:

India 9.1%, Spain 8.3%, Netherlands 6.4%, Japan 5.8%, UK 5%, China

4.8%, Kenya 4.7% (2004)

Imports:

$1.972 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

consumer goods, machinery and transportation equipment, industrial

raw materials, crude oil

Imports - partners:

South Africa 13.1%, China 8.1%, India 6.6%, Kenya 5.6%, UAE 5.5%,

US 4.9%, UK 4.8%, Bahrain 4.1% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$2.175 billion (2004 est.)

Debt - external:

$7.321 billion (2004 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:

$1.2 billion (2001)

Currency (code):

Tanzanian shilling (TZS)

Currency code:

TZS

Exchange rates:

Tanzanian shillings per US dollar - 1,089.33 (2004), 1,038.42

(2003), 966.58 (2002), 876.41 (2001), 800.41 (2000)

Fiscal year:

1 July - 30 June

Communications Tanzania

Telephones - main lines in use:

149,100 (2003)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

891,200 (2003)

Telephone system:

general assessment: fair system operating below capacity and being

modernized for better service; VSAT (very small aperture terminal)

system under construction

domestic: trunk service provided by open-wire, microwave radio

relay, tropospheric scatter, and fiber-optic cable; some links being

made digital

international: country code - 255; satellite earth stations - 2

Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Atlantic Ocean)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 12, FM 11, shortwave 2 (1998)

Radios:

8.8 million (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

3 (1999)

Televisions:

103,000 (1997)

Internet country code:

.tz

Internet hosts:

5,534 (2003)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

6 (2000)

Internet users:

250,000 (2003)

Transportation Tanzania

Railways: total: 3,690 km narrow gauge: 969 km 1.067-m gauge; 2,721 km 1.000-m gauge (2004)

Highways: total: 88,200 km paved: 3,704 km unpaved: 84,496 km (1999 est.)

Waterways:

Lake Tanganyika, Lake Victoria, and Lake Nyasa principal avenues of

commerce with neighboring countries; rivers not navigable (2004)

Pipelines:

gas 29 km; oil 866 km (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Dar es Salaam, Mtwara, Zanzibar City

Merchant marine:

total: 11 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 25,481 GRT/31,011 DWT

by type: cargo 2, passenger/cargo 5, petroleum tanker 4

registered in other countries: 1 (2005)

Airports:

123 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 11 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 112 1,524 to 2,437 m: 19 914 to 1,523 m: 60 under 914 m: 33 (2004 est.)

Military Tanzania

Military branches:

Tanzanian People's Defense Force (JWTZ): Army, Naval Wing, Air

Defense Command (includes Air Wing), National Service

Military service age and obligation: 15 years of age for voluntary military service; 18 years of age for compulsory military service upon graduation from secondary school; conscript service obligation - 2 years (2004)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 18-49: 7,422,869 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: 3,879,630 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$20.6 million (2004)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

0.2% (2004)

Transnational Issues Tanzania

Disputes - international:

disputes with Malawi over the boundary in Lake Nyasa (Lake Malawi)

and the meandering Songwe River remain dormant

Refugees and internally displaced persons:

refugees (country of origin): 447,877 (Burundi) 153,155 (Democratic

Republic of the Congo) 3,036 (Somalia) (2004)

Illicit drugs:

growing role in transshipment of southwest and southeast Asian

heroin and south American cocaine destined for south African,

European, and US markets and of south Asian methaqualone bound for

southern Africa; money laundering remains a problem

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Thailand

Introduction Thailand

Background:

A unified Thai kingdom was established in the mid-14th century.

Known as Siam until 1939, Thailand is the only Southeast Asian

country never to have been taken over by a European power. A

bloodless revolution in 1932 led to a constitutional monarchy. In

alliance with Japan during World War II, Thailand became a US ally

following the conflict. Thailand is currently facing armed violence

in its three Muslim-majority southernmost provinces.

Geography Thailand

Location:

Southeastern Asia, bordering the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of

Thailand, southeast of Burma

Geographic coordinates:

15 00 N, 100 00 E

Map references:

Southeast Asia

Area:

total: 514,000 sq km

land: 511,770 sq km

water: 2,230 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly more than twice the size of Wyoming

Land boundaries:

total: 4,863 km

border countries: Burma 1,800 km, Cambodia 803 km, Laos 1,754 km,

Malaysia 506 km

Coastline:

3,219 km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

Climate:

tropical; rainy, warm, cloudy southwest monsoon (mid-May to

September); dry, cool northeast monsoon (November to mid-March);

southern isthmus always hot and humid

Terrain:

central plain; Khorat Plateau in the east; mountains elsewhere

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Gulf of Thailand 0 m

highest point: Doi Inthanon 2,576 m

Natural resources:

tin, rubber, natural gas, tungsten, tantalum, timber, lead, fish,

gypsum, lignite, fluorite, arable land

Land use: arable land: 29.36% permanent crops: 6.46% other: 64.18% (2001)

Irrigated land:

47,490 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

land subsidence in Bangkok area resulting from the depletion of the

water table; droughts

Environment - current issues: air pollution from vehicle emissions; water pollution from organic and factory wastes; deforestation; soil erosion; wildlife populations threatened by illegal hunting

Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea

Geography - note: controls only land route from Asia to Malaysia and Singapore

People Thailand

Population:

65,444,371

note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the

effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower

life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower

population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of

population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July

2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 23.9% (male 7,988,529/female 7,633,405)

15-64 years: 68.6% (male 22,195,625/female 22,731,767)

65 years and over: 7.5% (male 2,251,112/female 2,643,933) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 30.88 years

male: 30.11 years

female: 31.66 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

0.87% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

15.7 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

7.02 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.85 male(s)/female

total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 20.48 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 21.83 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 19.06 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 71.95 years

male: 69.65 years

female: 74.37 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

1.88 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

1.5% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

570,000 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

58,000 (2003 est.)

Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea and hepatitis A vectorborne diseases: dengue fever, malaria, Japanese encephalitis, and plague are high risks in some locations animal contact disease: rabies water contact disease: leptospirosis (2004)

Nationality: noun: Thai (singular and plural) adjective: Thai

Ethnic groups:

Thai 75%, Chinese 14%, other 11%

Religions:

Buddhist 94.6%, Muslim 4.6%, Christian 0.7%, other 0.1% (2000

census)

Languages:

Thai, English (secondary language of the elite), ethnic and

regional dialects

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 92.6%

male: 94.9%

female: 90.5% (2002)

Government Thailand

Country name:

conventional long form: Kingdom of Thailand

conventional short form: Thailand

former: Siam

Government type:

constitutional monarchy

Capital:

Bangkok

Administrative divisions:

76 provinces (changwat, singular and plural); Amnat Charoen, Ang

Thong, Buriram, Chachoengsao, Chai Nat, Chaiyaphum, Chanthaburi,

Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Chon Buri, Chumphon, Kalasin, Kamphaeng

Phet, Kanchanaburi, Khon Kaen, Krabi, Krung Thep Mahanakhon

(Bangkok), Lampang, Lamphun, Loei, Lop Buri, Mae Hong Son, Maha

Sarakham, Mukdahan, Nakhon Nayok, Nakhon Pathom, Nakhon Phanom,

Nakhon Ratchasima, Nakhon Sawan, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Nan,

Narathiwat, Nong Bua Lamphu, Nong Khai, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani,

Pattani, Phangnga, Phatthalung, Phayao, Phetchabun, Phetchaburi,

Phichit, Phitsanulok, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Phrae, Phuket,

Prachin Buri, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Ranong, Ratchaburi, Rayong, Roi

Et, Sa Kaeo, Sakon Nakhon, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon, Samut

Songkhram, Sara Buri, Satun, Sing Buri, Sisaket, Songkhla,

Sukhothai, Suphan Buri, Surat Thani, Surin, Tak, Trang, Trat, Ubon

Ratchathani, Udon Thani, Uthai Thani, Uttaradit, Yala, Yasothon

Independence:

1238 (traditional founding date; never colonized)

National holiday:

Birthday of King PHUMIPHON, 5 December (1927)

Constitution:

new constitution signed by King PHUMIPHON on 11 October 1997

Legal system:

based on civil law system, with influences of common law; has not

accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal and compulsory

Executive branch:

chief of state: King PHUMIPHON Adunyadet (since 9 June 1946)

head of government: Prime Minister THAKSIN Chinnawat (since 9

February 2001) and Deputy Prime Ministers CHITCHAI Wannasathi (since

11 March 2005), PHINIT Charusombat (since 6 October 2004), SOMKHIT

Chatusiphithak (since 11 March 2005), SURAKIAT Sathianthai (since 11

March 2005); SURIYA Chungrungruankit (since 3 August 2005), SUWAT

Liptapanlop (since 3 August 2005), WISANU Kruangam (since 8 November

2003)

cabinet: Council of Ministers

note: there is also a Privy Council

elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; prime minister is

designated from among the members of the House of Representatives;

following national elections for the House of Representatives, the

leader of the party that can organize a majority coalition usually

is appointed prime minister by the king

Legislative branch:

bicameral National Assembly or Rathasapha consists of the Senate or

Wuthisapha (200 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve

six-year terms) and the House of Representatives or Sapha Phuthaen

Ratsadon (500 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve

four-year terms)

elections: Senate - last held 4 March, 29 April, 4 June, 9 July, and

22 July 2000 (next to be held by March 2006); House of

Representatives - last held 6 February 2005 (next to be held in

February 2009)

election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by

party - NA; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party -

NA; seats by party - TRT 376, DP 97, TNP 25, PP 2

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court or Sandika (judges appointed by the monarch)

Political parties and leaders:

Democrat Party or DP (Prachathipat Party) [ABHISIT Wetchachiwa];

People's Party or PP (Mahachon Party) [ANEK Laothamatas]; Thai

Nation Party or TNP (Chat Thai Party) [BARNHARN SILPA-ARCHA]; Thai

Rak Thai Party or TRT [THAKSIN Chinnawat]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

NA

International organization participation:

APEC, APT, ARF, AsDB, ASEAN, BIS, CP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO,

ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO,

IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OAS (observer),

OIC (observer), OPCW, OSCE (partner), PCA, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD,

UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: KASIT Piromya

chancery: 1024 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Suite 401, Washington, DC

20007-3681

telephone: [1] (202) 944-3600

FAX: [1] (202) 944-3611

consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Ralph L. BOYCE

embassy: 120/22 Wireless Road, Bangkok

mailing address: APO AP 96546

telephone: [66] (2) 205-4000

FAX: [66] (2) 254-2990, 205-4131

consulate(s) general: Chiang Mai

Flag description:

five horizontal bands of red (top), white, blue (double width),

white, and red

Economy Thailand

Economy - overview:

Thailand has a well developed infrastructure, a free-enterprise

economy, and welcomes foreign investment. Thailand has fully

recovered from the 1997-98 Asian Financial Crisis and was one of

East Asia's best performers in 2002-04. Increased consumption and

investment spending and strong export growth pushed GDP growth up to

6.9% in 2003 and 6.1% in 2004 despite a sluggish global economy. The

highly popular government's expansionist policy, including major

support of village economic development, has raised concerns about

fiscal discipline and the health of financial institutions. Bangkok

has pursued preferential trade agreements with a variety of partners

in an effort to boost exports and maintain high growth, and in 2004

began negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement with the US. In late

December 2004, a major tsunami took 8,500 lives in Thailand and

caused massive destruction of property in the southern provinces of

Krabi, Phangnga, and Phuket.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$524.8 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

6.1% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $8,100 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 9% industry: 44.3% services: 46.7% (2004 est.)

Labor force:

36.43 million (November 2004 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 49%, industry 14%, services 37% (2000 est.)

Unemployment rate:

1.5% (November 2004 est.)

Population below poverty line:

10% (2004 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.8% highest 10%: 32.4% (1998)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

51.1 (2002)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

2.8% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

22.5% of GDP (Jan - Sep 2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $30.86 billion

expenditures: $31.94 billion, including capital expenditures of $5

billion (2004 est.)

Public debt:

47.6% of GDP (November 2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

rice, cassava (tapioca), rubber, corn, sugarcane, coconuts, soybeans

Industries:

tourism, textiles and garments, agricultural processing, beverages,

tobacco, cement, light manufacturing such as jewelry, electric

appliances and components, computers and parts, integrated circuits,

furniture, plastics, world's second-largest tungsten producer, and

third-largest tin producer

Industrial production growth rate:

8.5% (2004 est.)

Electricity - production:

118.9 billion kWh (2003)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 91.3% hydro: 6.4% nuclear: 0% other: 2.4% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

106.1 billion kWh (2003)

Electricity - exports:

188 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

600 million kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

225,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Oil - consumption:

785,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Oil - proved reserves:

600 million bbl (1 January 2003)

Natural gas - production:

18.73 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - consumption:

23.93 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - exports:

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - imports:

5.2 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves:

368.2 billion cu m (1 January 2003)

Current account balance:

$6.736 billion (2004 est.)

Exports:

$87.91 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

textiles and footwear, fishery products, rice, rubber, jewelry,

automobiles, computers and electrical appliances

Exports - partners:

US 15.9%, Japan 13.9%, China 7.3%, Singapore 7.2%, Malaysia 5.4%,

Hong Kong 5.1% (2004)

Imports:

$80.84 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

capital goods, intermediate goods and raw materials, consumer

goods, fuels

Imports - partners:

Japan 23.6%, China 8.6%, US 7.6%, Malaysia 5.8%, Singapore 4.4%,

Taiwan 4.1% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$48.3 billion (2004)

Debt - external:

$50.59 billion (2004 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:

$72 million (2002)

Currency (code):

baht (THB)

Currency code:

THB

Exchange rates:

baht per US dollar - 40.222 (2004), 41.485 (2003), 42.96 (2002),

44.432 (2001), 40.112 (2000)

Fiscal year:

1 October - 30 September

Communications Thailand

Telephones - main lines in use:

6,617,400 (2003)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

26.5 million (2005)

Telephone system:

general assessment: high quality system, especially in urban areas

like Bangkok; WTO requirement for privatization of telecom sector is

planned to be complete by 2006

domestic: fixed line system provided by both a government owned and

commercial provider; wireless service expanding rapidly and

outpacing fixed lines

international: country code - 66; satellite earth stations - 2

Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Pacific Ocean); landing country for

APCN submarine cable

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 204, FM 334, shortwave 6 (1999)

Radios:

13.96 million (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

5 (all in Bangkok; plus 131 repeaters) (1997)

Televisions:

15.19 million (1997)

Internet country code:

.th

Internet hosts:

103,700 (2003)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

15 (2000)

Internet users:

6,971,500 (2003)

Transportation Thailand

Railways: total: 4,071 km narrow gauge: 4,071 km 1.000-m gauge (2004)

Highways: total: 57,403 km paved: 56,542 km unpaved: 861 km (2000 est.)

Waterways: 4,000 km note: 3,701 km navigable by boats with drafts up to 0.9 m (2003)

Pipelines:

gas 3,112 km; refined products 265 km (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Bangkok, Laem Chabang, Prachuap Port, Si Racha

Merchant marine:

total: 386 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 2,038,597 GRT/3,104,712 DWT

by type: bulk carrier 57, cargo 142, chemical tanker 12, combination

ore/oil 1, container 21, liquefied gas 25, passenger 3,

passenger/cargo 4, petroleum tanker 89, refrigerated cargo 30, roll

on/roll off 1, specialized tanker 1

foreign-owned: 55 (Indonesia 1, Japan 3, Norway 45, Singapore 6)

registered in other countries: 35 (2005)

Airports:

109 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 65 over 3,047 m: 7 2,438 to 3,047 m: 10 1,524 to 2,437 m: 23 914 to 1,523 m: 19 under 914 m: 6 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 44 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 15 under 914 m: 28 (2004 est.)

Heliports: 3 (2004 est.)

Military Thailand

Military branches:

Royal Thai Army, Royal Thai Navy (includes Royal Thai Marine

Corps), Royal Thai Air Force

Military service age and obligation: 21 years of age for compulsory military service; males are registered at 18 years of age; conscript service obliation - 2 years; 18 years of age for voluntary military service (2004)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 21-49: 14.984 million (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 21-49: 10,342,337 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:

males: 530,493 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$1.775 billion (FY00)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

1.8% (2003)

Transnational Issues Thailand

Disputes - international:

separatist violence in Thailand's predominantly Muslim southern

provinces prompt border closures and controls with Malaysia to stem

terrorist activities; southeast Asian states have enhanced border

surveillance to check the spread of avian flu; Laos and Thailand

pledge to complete demarcation of their boundary in 2005; despite

continuing border committee talks, significant differences remain

with Burma over boundary alignment and the handling of ethnic

rebels, refugees, and illegal cross-border activities; Cambodia and

Thailand dispute sections of boundary with missing boundary markers;

Cambodia claims Thai encroachments into Cambodian territory and

obstructing access to Preah Vihear temple ruins awarded to Cambodia

by ICJ decision in 1962; ethnic Karens from Burma flee into Thailand

to escape fighting between Karen rebels and Burmese troops resulting

in Thailand sheltering about 118,000 Burmese refugees in 2004;

Karens also protest Thai support for a Burmese hydroelectric dam

construction on the Salween River near the border; environmentalists

in Burma and Thailand remain concerned about China's construction of

hydroelectric dams upstream on the Nujiang/Salween River in Yunnan

Province

Refugees and internally displaced persons:

refugees (country of origin): 118,407 (Burma) (2004)

Illicit drugs:

a minor producer of opium, heroin, and marijuana; illicit transit

point for heroin en route to the international drug market from

Burma and Laos; eradication efforts have reduced the area of

cannabis cultivation and shifted some production to neighboring

countries; opium poppy cultivation has been reduced by eradication

efforts; also a drug money-laundering center; minor role in

amphetamine production for regional consumption; increasing

indigenous abuse of methamphetamine

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Togo

Introduction Togo

Background:

French Togoland became Togo in 1960. Gen. Gnassingbe EYADEMA,

installed as military ruler in 1967, continued to rule well into the

21st century. Despite the facade of multiparty elections instituted

in the early 1990s, the government continued to be dominated by

President EYADEMA, whose Rally of the Togolese People (RPT) party

maintained power almost continually since 1967. Togo has come under

fire from international organizations for human rights abuses and is

plagued by political unrest. While most bilateral and multilateral

aid to Togo remains frozen, the European Union initiated a partial

resumption of cooperation and development aid to Togo in late 2004.

Upon his death in February 2005, President EYADEMA was succeeded by

his son Faure GNASSINGBE. The succession, supported by the military

and in contravention of the nation's constitution, was challenged by

popular protest and a threat of sanctions from regional leaders.

GNASSINGBE succumbed to pressure and agreed to hold elections in

late April 2005.

Geography Togo

Location:

Western Africa, bordering the Bight of Benin, between Benin and

Ghana

Geographic coordinates:

8 00 N, 1 10 E

Map references:

Africa

Area:

total: 56,785 sq km

land: 54,385 sq km

water: 2,400 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly smaller than West Virginia

Land boundaries: total: 1,647 km border countries: Benin 644 km, Burkina Faso 126 km, Ghana 877 km

Coastline: 56 km

Maritime claims: territorial sea: 30 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Climate:

tropical; hot, humid in south; semiarid in north

Terrain:

gently rolling savanna in north; central hills; southern plateau;

low coastal plain with extensive lagoons and marshes

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

highest point: Mont Agou 986 m

Natural resources:

phosphates, limestone, marble, arable land

Land use: arable land: 46.15% permanent crops: 2.21% other: 51.64% (2001)

Irrigated land:

70 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

hot, dry harmattan wind can reduce visibility in north during

winter; periodic droughts

Environment - current issues:

deforestation attributable to slash-and-burn agriculture and the

use of wood for fuel; water pollution presents health hazards and

hinders the fishing industry; air pollution increasing in urban areas

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto

Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone

Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical

Timber 94, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

the country's length allows it to stretch through six distinct

geographic regions; climate varies from tropical to savanna

People Togo

Population:

5,681,519

note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the

effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower

life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower

population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of

population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July

2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 43.2% (male 1,232,759/female 1,224,060)

15-64 years: 54.2% (male 1,505,737/female 1,571,201)

65 years and over: 2.6% (male 60,799/female 86,963) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 17.78 years

male: 17.42 years

female: 18.14 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

2.17% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

33.48 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

11.8 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female

total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 66.61 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 74.24 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 58.76 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 57.01 years

male: 55.02 years

female: 59.06 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

4.61 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

4.1% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

110,000 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

10,000 (2003 est.)

Major infectious diseases:

degree of risk: very high

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea,

hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases: malaria and yellow fever are high risks in

some locations

water contact disease: schistosomiasis

respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis (2004)

Nationality:

noun: Togolese (singular and plural)

adjective: Togolese

Ethnic groups:

native African (37 tribes; largest and most important are Ewe,

Mina, and Kabre) 99%, European and Syrian-Lebanese less than 1%

Religions:

indigenous beliefs 51%, Christian 29%, Muslim 20%

Languages:

French (official and the language of commerce), Ewe and Mina (the

two major African languages in the south), Kabye (sometimes spelled

Kabiye) and Dagomba (the two major African languages in the north)

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 60.9%

male: 75.4%

female: 46.9% (2003 est.)

Government Togo

Country name:

conventional long form: Togolese Republic

conventional short form: Togo

local long form: Republique Togolaise

local short form: none

former: French Togoland

Government type:

republic under transition to multiparty democratic rule

Capital:

Lome

Administrative divisions:

5 regions (regions, singular - region); Kara, Plateaux, Savanes,

Centrale, Maritime

Independence:

27 April 1960 (from French-administered UN trusteeship)

National holiday:

Independence Day, 27 April (1960)

Constitution:

multiparty draft constitution approved by High Council of the

Republic 1 July 1992, adopted by public referendum 27 September 1992

Legal system:

French-based court system

Suffrage:

NA years of age; universal adult

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Faure GNASSINGBE (since 6 February 2005);

note - Gnassingbe EYADEMA died on 5 February 2005 and was succeeded

by his son, Faure GNASSINGBE; popular elections in April 2005

validated the succession

head of government: Prime Minister Edem KODJO (since 8 June 2005)

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president and the

prime minister

elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;

election last held 24 April 2005 (next to be held NA); prime

minister appointed by the president

election results: Faure GNASSINGBE elected president; percent of

vote - Faure GNASSINGBE 60.2%, Emmanuel Akitani BOB 38.3%, Nicolas

LAWSON 1.0%, Harry OLYMPIO 0.6%

Legislative branch:

unicameral National Assembly (81 seats; members are elected by

popular vote to serve five-year terms)

elections: last held 27 October 2002 (next to be held NA 2007)

election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -

RPT 72, RSDD 3, UDPS 2, Juvento 2, MOCEP 1, independents 1

note: two opposition parties boycotted the election, the Union of

the Forces for Change, and the Action Committee for Renewal

Judicial branch:

Court of Appeal or Cour d'Appel; Supreme Court or Cour Supreme

Political parties and leaders:

Juvento [Monsilia DJATO]; Movement of the Believers of Peace and

Equality or MOCEP [leader NA]; Rally for the Support for Development

and Democracy or RSDD [Harry OLYMPIO]; Rally of the Togolese People

or RPT [Faure GNASSINGBE]; Union for Democracy and Social Progress

or UDPS [Gagou KOKOU]

note: Rally of the Togolese People or RPT, led by President

GNASSINGBE, was the only party until the formation of multiple

parties was legalized 12 April 1991

Political pressure groups and leaders:

NA

International organization participation:

ABEDA, ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD,

ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO,

Interpol, IOC, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIC, ONUB, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD,

UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNOCI, UPU, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WCL, WCO,

WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Akoussoulelou BODJONA chancery: 2208 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 234-4212 FAX: [1] (202) 232-3190

Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Gregory ENGLE embassy: Angle Rue Kouenou and Rue 15 Beniglato, Lome mailing address: B. P. 852, Lome telephone: [228] 221 29 91 through 221 29 94 FAX: [228] 221 79 52

Flag description:

five equal horizontal bands of green (top and bottom) alternating

with yellow; there is a white five-pointed star on a red square in

the upper hoist-side corner; uses the popular pan-African colors of

Ethiopia

Economy Togo

Economy - overview:

This small sub-Saharan economy is heavily dependent on both

commercial and subsistence agriculture, which provides employment

for 65% of the labor force. Some basic foodstuffs must still be

imported. Cocoa, coffee, and cotton generate about 40% of export

earnings, with cotton being the most important cash crop. Togo is

the world's fourth-largest producer of phosphate, but production

fell an estimated 22% in 2002 due to power shortages and the cost of

developing new deposits. The government's decade-long effort,

supported by the World Bank and the IMF, to implement economic

reform measures, encourage foreign investment, and bring revenues in

line with expenditures has moved slowly. Progress depends on

following through on privatization, increased openness in government

financial operations, progress toward legislative elections, and

continued support from foreign donors.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$8.684 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

3% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $1,600 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 39.5% industry: 20.4% services: 40.1% (2003 est.)

Labor force:

1.74 million (1996)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 65%, industry 5%, services 30% (1998 est.)

Unemployment rate:

NA (2003 est.)

Population below poverty line:

32% (1989 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

1% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

19.1% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $239.2 million

expenditures: $273.3 million, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

coffee, cocoa, cotton, yams, cassava (tapioca), corn, beans, rice,

millet, sorghum; livestock; fish

Industries:

phosphate mining, agricultural processing, cement; handicrafts,

textiles, beverages

Industrial production growth rate:

NA

Electricity - production:

108.8 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 98.7% hydro: 1.3% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

451.2 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

350 million kWh; note - electricity supplied by Ghana (2002)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

10,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Current account balance:

$-125.6 million (2004 est.)

Exports:

$663.1 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

reexports, cotton, phosphates, coffee, cocoa

Exports - partners:

Burkina Faso 16.4%, Ghana 15.1%, Benin 9.4%, Mali 7.6%, China 7.5%,

India 5.6% (2004)

Imports:

$824.9 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, petroleum products

Imports - partners:

China 25.5%, India 13.3%, France 11.5% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$267.4 million (2004 est.)

Debt - external:

$1.4 billion (2000)

Economic aid - recipient:

ODA $80 million (2000 est.)

Currency (code):

Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XOF); note - responsible

authority is the Central Bank of the West African States

Currency code:

XOF

Exchange rates:

Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar - 528.29

(2004), 581.2 (2003), 696.99 (2002), 733.04 (2001), 711.98 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Togo

Telephones - main lines in use:

60,600 (2003)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

220,000 (2003)

Telephone system:

general assessment: fair system based on a network of microwave

radio relay routes supplemented by open-wire lines and a mobile

cellular system

domestic: microwave radio relay and open-wire lines for conventional

system; cellular system has capacity of 10,000 telephones

international: country code - 228; satellite earth stations - 1

Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) and 1 Symphonie

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 2, FM 9, shortwave 4 (1998)

Radios:

940,000 (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

3 (plus two repeaters) (1997)

Televisions:

73,000 (1997)

Internet country code:

.tg

Internet hosts:

82 (2003)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

3 (2001)

Internet users:

210,000 (2003)

Transportation Togo

Railways: total: 568 km narrow gauge: 568 km 1.000-m gauge (2004)

Highways: total: 7,520 km paved: 2,376 km unpaved: 5,144 km (1999 est.)

Waterways:

50 km (seasonally on Mono River depending on rainfall) (2003)

Ports and harbors:

Kpeme, Lome

Merchant marine:

total: 2 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 3,918 GRT/3,852 DWT

by type: cargo 1, refrigerated cargo 1 (2005)

Airports:

9 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 2

2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 7

914 to 1,523 m: 5

under 914 m: 2 (2004 est.)

Military Togo

Military branches:

Togolese Armed Forces (FAT): Army, Navy, Air Force, Gendarmerie

(2005)

Military service age and obligation:

18 years of age for voluntary and compulsory military service (2001)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 18-49: 1,148,890 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: 629,933 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$35.5 million (2004)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

1.9% (2004)

Transnational Issues Togo

Disputes - international:

in 2001 Benin claimed Togo moved boundary monuments - joint

commission continues to resurvey the boundary

Illicit drugs:

transit hub for Nigerian heroin and cocaine traffickers; money

laundering not a significant problem

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Tokelau

Introduction Tokelau

Background:

Originally settled by Polynesian emigrants from surrounding island

groups, the Tokelau Islands were made a British protectorate in

1889. They were transferred to New Zealand administration in 1925.

Geography Tokelau

Location:

Oceania, group of three atolls in the South Pacific Ocean, about

one-half of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand

Geographic coordinates:

9 00 S, 172 00 W

Map references:

Oceania

Area:

total: 10 sq km

land: 10 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative:

about 17 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC

Land boundaries:

0 km

Coastline:

101 km

Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Climate:

tropical; moderated by trade winds (April to November)

Terrain:

low-lying coral atolls enclosing large lagoons

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

highest point: unnamed location 5 m

Natural resources:

NEGL

Land use:

arable land: 0% (soil is thin and infertile)

permanent crops: 0%

other: 100% (2001)

Irrigated land:

NA sq km

Natural hazards:

lies in Pacific typhoon belt

Environment - current issues:

very limited natural resources and overcrowding are contributing to

emigration to New Zealand

Geography - note:

consists of three atolls, each with a lagoon surrounded by a number

of reef-bound islets of varying length and rising to over three

meters above sea level

People Tokelau

Population: 1,405 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure: 0-14 years: 42% 15-64 years: 53% 65 years and over: 5% (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

-0.01% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

NA

Death rate:

NA

Net migration rate:

NA

Sex ratio:

NA

Infant mortality rate:

total: NA

male: NA

female: NA

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: NA

male: -9 years

female: -9 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

NA

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

NA

Nationality:

noun: Tokelauan(s)

adjective: Tokelauan

Ethnic groups:

Polynesian

Religions:

Congregational Christian Church 70%, Roman Catholic 28%, other 2%

note: on Atafu, all Congregational Christian Church of Samoa; on

Nukunonu, all Roman Catholic; on Fakaofo, both denominations, with

the Congregational Christian Church predominant

Languages:

Tokelauan (a Polynesian language), English

Literacy:

NA

Government Tokelau

Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Tokelau

Dependency status:

self-administering territory of New Zealand; note - Tokelauans are

drafting a constitution and developing institutions and patterns of

self-government as Tokelau moves toward free association with New

Zealand

Government type:

NA

Capital:

none; each atoll has its own administrative center

Administrative divisions:

none (territory of New Zealand)

Independence:

none (territory of New Zealand)

National holiday:

Waitangi Day (Treaty of Waitangi established British sovereignty

over New Zealand), 6 February (1840)

Constitution:

administered under the Tokelau Islands Act of 1948; amended in 1970

Legal system:

New Zealand and local statutes

Suffrage:

21 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952),

represented by Governor General of New Zealand Dame Silvia

CARTWRIGHT (since 4 April 2001); New Zealand is represented by

Administrator Neil WALTER (since 1 March 2003)

head of government: Pio TUIA (since February 2005); note - position

rotates annually among the three Faipule (village leaders)

cabinet: the Council for the Ongoing Government of Tokelau,

consisting of three Faipule (village leaders) and three Pulenuku

(village mayors) functions as a cabinet

elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; administrator appointed

by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade in New Zealand; the

head of government is chosen from the Council of Faipule and serves

a one-year term

Legislative branch:

unicameral General Fono (21 seats; based upon proportional

representation from the three islands elected by popular vote to

serve three-year terms; Nukunonu has 6 seats, Fakaofo has 7 seats,

Atafu has 8 seats); note - the Tokelau Amendment Act of 1996 confers

limited legislative power on the General Fono

elections: last held January 2002 (next to be held January 2005)

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court in New Zealand exercises civil and criminal

jurisdiction in Tokelau

Political parties and leaders:

none

Political pressure groups and leaders:

none

International organization participation:

UNESCO (associate), UPU

Diplomatic representation in the US:

none (territory of New Zealand)

Diplomatic representation from the US:

none (territory of New Zealand)

Flag description:

the flag of New Zealand is used

Economy Tokelau

Economy - overview:

Tokelau's small size (three villages), isolation, and lack of

resources greatly restrain economic development and confine

agriculture to the subsistence level. The people rely heavily on aid

from New Zealand - about $4 million annually - to maintain public

services, with annual aid being substantially greater than GDP. The

principal sources of revenue come from sales of copra, postage

stamps, souvenir coins, and handicrafts. Money is also remitted to

families from relatives in New Zealand.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$1.5 million (1993 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

NA

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $1,000 (1993 est.)

GDP - composition by sector:

agriculture: NA%

industry: NA%

services: NA%

Labor force:

NA

Unemployment rate:

NA%

Population below poverty line:

NA

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

NA%

Budget:

revenues: $430,800

expenditures: $2.8 million, including capital expenditures of

$37,300 (1987 est.)

Agriculture - products:

coconuts, copra, breadfruit, papayas, bananas; pigs, poultry, goats

Industries:

small-scale enterprises for copra production, woodworking, plaited

craft goods; stamps, coins; fishing

Industrial production growth rate:

NA%

Electricity - production:

NA kWh

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

NA kWh

Exports:

$98,000 f.o.b. (1983)

Exports - commodities:

stamps, copra, handicrafts

Exports - partners:

New Zealand (2000)

Imports:

$323,000 c.i.f. (1983)

Imports - commodities:

foodstuffs, building materials, fuel

Imports - partners:

New Zealand (2000)

Debt - external:

$0

Economic aid - recipient:

from New Zealand about $4 million annually

Currency (code):

New Zealand dollar (NZD)

Currency code:

NZD

Exchange rates:

New Zealand dollars per US dollar - 1.5087 (2004), 1.7221 (2003),

2.1622 (2002), 2.3788 (2001), 2.2012 (2000)

Fiscal year:

1 April - 31 March

Communications Tokelau

Telephones - main lines in use:

300 (2002)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

0 (2001)

Telephone system:

general assessment: modern satellite-based communications system;

domestic: radiotelephone service between islands

international: country code - 690; radiotelephone service to Samoa;

government-regulated telephone service (TeleTok), with 3 satellite

earth stations, established in 1997

Radio broadcast stations:

AM NA, FM NA, shortwave NA

note: 1 radio station provides service to all islands (2002)

Radios:

1,000 (1997)

Internet country code:

.tk

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

1 (2000)

Internet users:

NA

Transportation Tokelau

Highways: total: NA paved: NA unpaved: NA

Ports and harbors:

none; offshore anchorage only

Airports:

none; lagoon landings are possible by amphibious aircraft (2004

est.)

Military Tokelau

Military - note: defense is the responsibility of New Zealand

Transnational Issues Tokelau

Disputes - international: none

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Tonga

Introduction Tonga

Background:

The archipelago of "The Friendly Islands" was united into a

Polynesian kingdom in 1845. It became a constitutional monarchy in

1875 and a British protectorate in 1900. Tonga acquired its

independence in 1970 and became a member of the Commonwealth of

Nations. It remains the only monarchy in the Pacific.

Geography Tonga

Location:

Oceania, archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds

of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand

Geographic coordinates:

20 00 S, 175 00 W

Map references:

Oceania

Area:

total: 748 sq km

land: 718 sq km

water: 30 sq km

Area - comparative:

four times the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries:

0 km

Coastline:

419 km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

Climate:

tropical; modified by trade winds; warm season (December to May),

cool season (May to December)

Terrain:

most islands have limestone base formed from uplifted coral

formation; others have limestone overlying volcanic base

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

highest point: unnamed location on Kao Island 1,033 m

Natural resources:

fish, fertile soil

Land use:

arable land: 23.61%

permanent crops: 43.06%

other: 33.33% (2001)

Irrigated land:

NA

Natural hazards:

cyclones (October to April); earthquakes and volcanic activity on

Fonuafo'ou

Environment - current issues:

deforestation results as more and more land is being cleared for

agriculture and settlement; some damage to coral reefs from starfish

and indiscriminate coral and shell collectors; overhunting threatens

native sea turtle populations

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Law of the

Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer

Protection, Ship Pollution

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

archipelago of 169 islands (36 inhabited)

People Tonga

Population:

112,422 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 36.2% (male 20,738/female 19,907)

15-64 years: 59.7% (male 33,226/female 33,853)

65 years and over: 4.2% (male 2,031/female 2,667) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 20.46 years

male: 19.93 years

female: 21.02 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

1.98% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

25.18 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

5.35 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/female

total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 12.62 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 13.97 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 11.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 69.53 years

male: 67.05 years

female: 72.14 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

3 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

NA

Nationality:

noun: Tongan(s)

adjective: Tongan

Ethnic groups:

Polynesian, Europeans about 300

Religions:

Christian (Free Wesleyan Church claims over 30,000 adherents)

Languages:

Tongan, English

Literacy:

definition: can read and write Tongan and/or English

total population: 98.9%

male: 98.8%

female: 99% (1996 est.)

Government Tonga

Country name:

conventional long form: Kingdom of Tonga

conventional short form: Tonga

former: Friendly Islands

Government type:

hereditary constitutional monarchy

Capital:

Nuku'alofa

Administrative divisions:

3 island groups; Ha'apai, Tongatapu, Vava'u

Independence:

4 June 1970 (from UK protectorate)

National holiday:

Emancipation Day, 4 June (1970)

Constitution:

4 November 1875; revised 1 January 1967

Legal system:

based on English law

Suffrage:

21 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: King Taufa'ahau TUPOU IV (since 16 December 1965)

head of government: Prime Minister Prince Lavaka ata ULUKALALA

(since 3 January 2000) and Deputy Prime Minister James C. COCKER

(since NA January 2001)

cabinet: cabinet consists of 16 members, 12 appointed by the monarch

for life; 4 appointed from among the elected members of the

Legislative Assembly including 2 each from the Nobles and Peoples

representatives serving three year terms

note: there is also a Privy Council that consists of the monarch,

the Cabinet, and two governors

elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; prime minister and

deputy prime minister appointed for life by the monarch

Legislative branch:

unicameral Legislative Assembly or Fale Alea (30 seats - 12

reserved for cabinet ministers sitting ex officio, nine for nobles

selected by the country's 33 nobles, and nine elected by popular

vote; members serve three-year terms)

elections: last held 21 March 2005 (next to be held in 2008)

election results: Peoples Representatives: percent of vote - HRDMT

70%; seats - HRDMT 7, independents 2

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the monarch); Court of

Appeal (consists of the Privy Council with the addition of the chief

justice of the Supreme Court)

Political parties and leaders:

there are no political parties

Political pressure groups and leaders:

Human Rights and Democracy Movement Tonga or HRDMT [Rev. Simote

VEA, chairman]

International organization participation:

ACP, AsDB, C, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC,

IFRCS, IHO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ITU, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, UN,

UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)

Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Fekitamoeloa 'UTOIKAMANU chancery: 250 East 51st Street, New York, NY 10022 telephone: [1] (917) 369-1025 FAX: [1] (917) 369-1024 consulate(s) general: San Francisco

Diplomatic representation from the US:

the US does not have an embassy in Tonga; the ambassador to Fiji is

accredited to Tonga

Flag description:

red with a bold red cross on a white rectangle in the upper

hoist-side corner

Economy Tonga

Economy - overview:

Tonga, a small, open, South Pacific island economy, has a narrow

export base in agricultural goods. Squash, coconuts, bananas, and

vanilla beans are the main crops, and agricultural exports make up

two-thirds of total exports. The country must import a high

proportion of its food, mainly from New Zealand. Tourism is the

second largest source of hard currency earnings following

remittances. The country remains dependent on external aid and

remittances from Tongan communities overseas to offset its trade

deficit. The government is emphasizing the development of the

private sector, especially the encouragement of investment, and is

committing increased funds for health and education. Tonga has a

reasonably sound basic infrastructure and well-developed social

services. High unemployment among the young, a continuing upturn in

inflation, and rising civil service expenditures are major issues

facing the government.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$244 million (2002 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

1.5% (2002 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $2,300 (2002 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 23% industry: 13% services: 64% (2002 est.)

Labor force:

33,910 (1996)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 65% (1997 est.)

Unemployment rate:

13.3% (1996 est.)

Population below poverty line:

NA

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

10.3% (2002 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $39.9 million

expenditures: $52.4 million, including capital expenditures of $1.9

million (FY99/00 est.)

Agriculture - products: squash, coconuts, copra, bananas, vanilla beans, cocoa, coffee, ginger, black pepper; fish

Industries:

tourism, fishing

Industrial production growth rate:

8.6% (FY98/99)

Electricity - production:

24.79 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

23.06 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

1,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Exports:

$27 million f.o.b. (2002 est.)

Exports - commodities:

squash, fish, vanilla beans, root crops

Exports - partners:

Japan 37.1%, China 18.7%, US 17.7%, Taiwan 8.7%, New Zealand 7.4%

(2004)

Imports:

$86 million f.o.b. (2002 est.)

Imports - commodities:

foodstuffs, machinery and transport equipment, fuels, chemicals

Imports - partners:

New Zealand 37.1%, Fiji 24.3%, Australia 9.1%, China 8.9%, US 6.3%

(2004)

Debt - external:

$63.4 million (2001)

Economic aid - recipient:

Australia $5.5 million, New Zealand $2.3 million (FY01/02)

Currency (code):

pa'anga (TOP)

Currency code:

TOP

Exchange rates:

pa'anga per US dollar - 1.9716 (2004), 2.142 (2003), 2.1952 (2002),

2.1236 (2001), 1.7585 (2000)

Fiscal year:

1 July - 30 June

Communications Tonga

Telephones - main lines in use:

11,200 (2002)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

9,000 (2004)

Telephone system:

general assessment: competition between Tonga Telecommunications

Corporation (TCC) and Shoreline Communications Tonga (SCT) is

accelerating expansion of telecommunications; SCT recently granted

authority to develop high-speed digital service for telephone,

Internet, and television

domestic: fully automatic switched network

international: country code - 676; satellite earth station - 1

Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) (2004)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 1, FM 4, shortwave 1 (2004)

Radios:

61,000 (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

3 (2004)

Televisions:

2,000 (1997)

Internet country code:

.to

Internet hosts:

18,906 (2003)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

2 (2000)

Internet users:

2,900 (2002)

Transportation Tonga

Highways: total: 680 km paved: 184 km unpaved: 496 km (1999 est.)

Ports and harbors:

Nuku'alofa

Merchant marine:

total: 29 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 136,977 GRT/200,751 DWT

by type: cargo 21, chemical tanker 1, liquefied gas 2,

passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 1, refrigerated cargo 1, roll

on/roll off 1, vehicle carrier 1

foreign-owned: 7 (Cyprus 1, France 1, Greece 1, Norway 1, Romania 2,

United Kingdom 1) (2005)

Airports:

6 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 1

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 5

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 3

under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Military Tonga

Military branches:

Tonga Defense Services: Ground Forces (Royal Marines, Royal Guard),

Maritime Force (includes Air Wing)

Military service age and obligation:

18 years of age (est.) (2004)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

NA

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

NA

Transnational Issues Tonga

Disputes - international: none

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Trinidad and Tobago

Introduction Trinidad and Tobago

Background:

The islands came under British control in the 19th century;

independence was granted in 1962. The country is one of the most

prosperous in the Caribbean thanks largely to petroleum and natural

gas production and processing. Tourism, mostly in Tobago, is

targeted for expansion and is growing.

Geography Trinidad and Tobago

Location:

Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic

Ocean, northeast of Venezuela

Geographic coordinates:

11 00 N, 61 00 W

Map references:

Central America and the Caribbean

Area:

total: 5,128 sq km

land: 5,128 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly smaller than Delaware

Land boundaries:

0 km

Coastline:

362 km

Maritime claims:

measured from claimed archipelagic baselines

territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 24 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

continental shelf: 200 nm or to the outer edge of the continental

margin

Climate:

tropical; rainy season (June to December)

Terrain:

mostly plains with some hills and low mountains

Elevation extremes: lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: El Cerro del Aripo 940 m

Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, asphalt

Land use: arable land: 14.62% permanent crops: 9.16% other: 76.22% (2001)

Irrigated land:

30 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

outside usual path of hurricanes and other tropical storms

Environment - current issues: water pollution from agricultural chemicals, industrial wastes, and raw sewage; oil pollution of beaches; deforestation; soil erosion

Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

Pitch Lake, on Trinidad's southwestern coast, is the world's

largest natural reservoir of asphalt

People Trinidad and Tobago

Population:

1,088,644 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 20.7% (male 115,594/female 109,665)

15-64 years: 71% (male 403,301/female 369,664)

65 years and over: 8.3% (male 40,638/female 49,782) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 30.91 years

male: 30.46 years

female: 31.44 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

-0.74% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

12.81 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

9.37 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

-10.87 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.09 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.82 male(s)/female

total population: 1.06 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 24.31 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 26.23 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 22.31 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 66.73 years

male: 65.6 years

female: 67.91 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

1.75 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

3.2% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

29,000 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

1,900 (2003 est.)

Nationality:

noun: Trinidadian(s), Tobagonian(s)

adjective: Trinidadian, Tobagonian

Ethnic groups:

Indian (South Asian) 40%, African 37.5%, mixed 20.5%, other 1.2%,

unspecified 0.8% (2000 census)

Religions:

Roman Catholic 26%, Hindu 22.5%, Anglican 7.8%, Baptist 7.2%,

Pentecostal 6.8%, Seventh Day Adventist 4%, other Christian 5.8%,

Muslim 5.8%, other 10.8%, unspecified 1.4%, none 1.9% (2000 census)

Languages:

English (official), Hindi, French, Spanish, Chinese

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 98.6%

male: 99.1%

female: 98% (2003 est.)

Government Trinidad and Tobago

Country name:

conventional long form: Republic of Trinidad and Tobago

conventional short form: Trinidad and Tobago

Government type:

parliamentary democracy

Capital:

Port-of-Spain

Administrative divisions: 9 regional corporations, 2 city corporations, 3 borough corporations, and 1 ward : regional corporations: Couva/Tabaquite/Talparo, Diego Martin, Mayaro/Rio Claro, Penal/Debe, Princes Town, Sangre Grande, San Juan/Laventille, Siparia, Tunapuna/Piarco : city corporations: Port-of-Spain, San Fernando; : borough corporations: Arima, Point Fortin, Chaguanas : ward: Tobago

Independence:

31 August 1962 (from UK)

National holiday:

Independence Day, 31 August (1962)

Constitution:

1 August 1976

Legal system:

based on English common law; judicial review of legislative acts in

the Supreme Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President George Maxwell RICHARDS (since 17 March

2003)

head of government: Prime Minister Patrick MANNING (since 24

December 2001)

cabinet: Cabinet appointed from among the members of Parliament

elections: president elected by an electoral college, which consists

of the members of the Senate and House of Representatives, for a

five-year term; election last held 14 February 2003 (next to be held

in 2008); the president usually appoints as prime minister the

leader of the majority party in the House of Representatives

election results: George Maxwell RICHARDS elected president; percent

of electoral college vote - 43%

Legislative branch:

bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (31 seats; 16 members

appointed by the ruling party, 9 by the President, 6 by the

opposition party for a maximum term of five years) and the House of

Representatives (36 seats; members are elected by popular vote to

serve five-year terms)

elections: House of Representatives - last held 7 October 2002 (next

to be held by October 2007)

election results: House of Representatives - percent of vote - PNM

55.5%, UNC 44.5%; seats by party - PNM 20, UNC 16

note: Tobago has a unicameral House of Assembly with 12 members

serving four-year terms

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court of Judicature (comprised of the High Court of Justice

and the Court of Appeals; the chief justice is appointed by the

president after consultation with the prime minister and the leader

of the opposition; other justices are appointed by the president on

the advice of the Judicial and Legal Service Commission); High Court

of Justice; Court of Appeals; the highest court of appeal is the

Privy Council in London

Political parties and leaders:

National Alliance for Reconstruction or NAR [Lennox SANKERSINGH];

People's National Movement or PNM [Patrick MANNING]; Team Unity or

TU [Ramesh MAHARAJ]; United National Congress or UNC [Basdeo

PANDAY]; Democratic Action Committee or DAC [Hochoy CHARLES], note -

only active in Tobago

Political pressure groups and leaders:

Jamaat-al Muslimeen [Yasin BAKR]

International organization participation:

ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, FAO, G-24, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt,

ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol,

IOC, ISO, ITU, LAES, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD,

UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Marina Annette VALERE

chancery: 1708 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036

telephone: [1] (202) 467-6490

FAX: [1] (202) 785-3130

consulate(s) general: Miami and New York

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Roy L. AUSTIN

embassy: 15 Queen's Park West, Port-of-Spain

mailing address: P. O. Box 752, Port-of-Spain

telephone: [1] (868) 622-6372 through 6376, 622-6176

FAX: [1] (868) 628-5462

Flag description:

red with a white-edged black diagonal band from the upper hoist

side to the lower fly side

Economy Trinidad and Tobago

Economy - overview:

Trinidad and Tobago, the leading Caribbean producer of oil and gas,

has earned a reputation as an excellent investment site for

international businesses. Tourism is a growing sector, although not

proportionately as important as in many other Caribbean islands. The

economy benefits from low inflation and a growing trade surplus.

Prospects for growth in 2004 are good as prices for oil,

petrochemicals, and liquified natural gas are expected to remain

high, and foreign direct investment continues to grow to support

expanded capacity in the energy sector. The government is coping

with a rise in violent crime.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$11.48 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

5.7% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $10,500 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 2.7% industry: 47% services: 50.3% (2004 est.)

Labor force: 590,000 (2004 est.)

Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 9.5%, manufacturing, mining, and quarrying 14%, construction and utilities 12.4%, services 64.1% (1997 est.)

Unemployment rate:

10.4% (2004 est.)

Population below poverty line:

21% (1992 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

3.3% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

19.4% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $3.25 billion

expenditures: $3.193 billion, including capital expenditures of

$117.3 million (2004 est.)

Public debt:

54.4% of GDP (2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

cocoa, rice, citrus, coffee, vegetables; poultry

Industries:

petroleum, chemicals, tourism, food processing, cement, beverage,

cotton textiles

Industrial production growth rate:

7.2% (2004 est.)

Electricity - production:

5.743 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 99.8% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0.2% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

5.341 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

140,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Oil - consumption:

24,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Oil - proved reserves:

990 million bbl (1 January 2004)

Natural gas - production:

25 billion cu m (2003 est.)

Natural gas - consumption:

13.76 billion cu m (2003 est.)

Natural gas - exports:

11.79 billion cu m (2003 est.)

Natural gas - imports:

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves:

589 billion cu m (1 January 2004)

Current account balance:

$1.548 billion (2004 est.)

Exports:

$6.671 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

petroleum and petroleum products, chemicals, steel products,

fertilizer, sugar, cocoa, coffee, citrus, flowers

Exports - partners:

US 67.1%, Jamaica 5.7%, France 3.5% (2004)

Imports:

$4.65 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

machinery, transportation equipment, manufactured goods, food, live

animals

Imports - partners:

US 23.9%, Venezuela 11.5%, Germany 11.2%, Brazil 10.7%, Spain 6.4%,

Italy 5.1% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$2.927 billion (2004 est.)

Debt - external:

$2.94 billion (2004 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:

$24 million (1999 est.)

Currency (code):

Trinidad and Tobago dollar (TTD)

Currency code:

TTD

Exchange rates:

Trinidad and Tobago dollars per US dollar - 6.299 (2004), 6.2951

(2003), 6.2487 (2002), 6.2332 (2001), 6.2998 (2000)

Fiscal year:

1 October - 30 September

Communications Trinidad and Tobago

Telephones - main lines in use:

325,100 (2002)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

361,900 (2002)

Telephone system:

general assessment: excellent international service; good local

service

domestic: NA

international: country code - 1-868; satellite earth station - 1

Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); tropospheric scatter to Barbados and

Guyana

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 4, FM 18, shortwave 0 (2004)

Radios:

680,000 (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

4 (2004)

Televisions:

425,000 (1997)

Internet country code:

.tt

Internet hosts:

8,003 (2003)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

17 (2000)

Internet users:

138,000 (2002)

Transportation Trinidad and Tobago

Highways: total: 8,320 km paved: 4,252 km unpaved: 4,068 km (1999 est.)

Pipelines:

condensate 253 km; gas 1,117 km; oil 478 km (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Pointe-a-Pierre, Point Lisas, Port-of-Spain

Merchant marine:

total: 6 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 7,178 GRT/3,633 DWT

by type: passenger 2, passenger/cargo 3, petroleum tanker 1

foreign-owned: 1 (United States 1)

registered in other countries: 4 (2005)

Airports:

6 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 3 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 3

914 to 1,523 m: 1

under 914 m: 2 (2004 est.)

Military Trinidad and Tobago

Military branches:

Trinidad and Tobago Defense Force: Ground Force, Coast Guard

(includes Air Wing) (2004)

Military service age and obligation:

18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription

(2001)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 18-49: 293,094 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: 203,531 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$66.7 million (2003)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

0.6% (2003)

Transnational Issues Trinidad and Tobago

Disputes - international:

Barbados will assert its claim before UNCLOS that the northern

limit of Trinidad and Tobago's maritime boundary with Venezuela

extends into its waters; Guyana has also expressed its intention to

challenge this boundary as it may extend into its waters as well

Illicit drugs:

transshipment point for South American drugs destined for the US

and Europe; producer of cannabis

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Tromelin Island

Introduction Tromelin Island

Background:

First explored by the French in 1776, the island came under the

jurisdiction of Reunion in 1814. At present, it serves as a sea

turtle sanctuary and is the site of an important meteorological

station.

Geography Tromelin Island

Location:

Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar

Geographic coordinates:

15 52 S, 54 25 E

Map references:

Africa

Area:

total: 1 sq km

land: 1 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative:

about 1.7 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC

Land boundaries:

0 km

Coastline:

3.7 km

Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

Climate:

tropical

Terrain:

low, flat, and sandy; likely volcanic

Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 7 m

Natural resources: fish

Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (grasses; scattered bushes) (2001)

Irrigated land:

0 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

NA

Environment - current issues:

NA

Geography - note:

climatologically important location for forecasting cyclones;

wildlife sanctuary (seabirds, tortoises)

People Tromelin Island

Population: uninhabited, except for visits by scientists (July 2005 est.)

Government Tromelin Island

Country name:

conventional long form: none

conventional short form: Tromelin Island

local long form: none

local short form: Ile Tromelin

Dependency status:

possession of France; administered by the Administrateur Superieur

of the French Southern and Antarctic Lands

Legal system:

the laws of France, where applicable, apply

Flag description:

the flag of France is used

Economy Tromelin Island

Economy - overview: no economic activity

Communications Tromelin Island

Communications - note: important meteorological station

Transportation Tromelin Island

Ports and harbors:

none; offshore anchorage only

Airports:

1 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 1

under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Military Tromelin Island

Military - note: defense is the responsibility of France

Transnational Issues Tromelin Island

Disputes - international: claimed by Mauritius

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Tunisia

Introduction Tunisia

Background:

Following independence from France in 1956, President Habib

BOURGUIBA established a strict one-party state. He dominated the

country for 31 years, repressing Islamic fundamentalism and

establishing rights for women unmatched by any other Arab nation. In

recent years, Tunisia has taken a moderate, non-aligned stance in

its foreign relations. Domestically, it has sought to defuse rising

pressure for a more open political society.

Geography Tunisia

Location:

Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Algeria

and Libya

Geographic coordinates:

34 00 N, 9 00 E

Map references:

Africa

Area:

total: 163,610 sq km

land: 155,360 sq km

water: 8,250 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly larger than Georgia

Land boundaries: total: 1,424 km border countries: Algeria 965 km, Libya 459 km

Coastline: 1,148 km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 24 nm

Climate:

temperate in north with mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers;

desert in south

Terrain:

mountains in north; hot, dry central plain; semiarid south merges

into the Sahara

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Shatt al Gharsah -17 m

highest point: Jebel ech Chambi 1,544 m

Natural resources:

petroleum, phosphates, iron ore, lead, zinc, salt

Land use:

arable land: 17.86%

permanent crops: 13.74%

other: 68.4% (2001)

Irrigated land:

3,800 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

NA

Environment - current issues: toxic and hazardous waste disposal is ineffective and poses health risks; water pollution from raw sewage; limited natural fresh water resources; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification

Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation

Geography - note:

strategic location in central Mediterranean; Malta and Tunisia are

discussing the commercial exploitation of the continental shelf

between their countries, particularly for oil exploration

People Tunisia

Population:

10,074,951 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 25.3% (male 1,316,308/female 1,234,309)

15-64 years: 68.1% (male 3,437,880/female 3,418,591)

65 years and over: 6.6% (male 321,287/female 346,576) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 27.29 years

male: 26.78 years

female: 27.82 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

0.99% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

15.5 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

5.09 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

-0.54 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.07 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.93 male(s)/female

total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 24.77 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 27.68 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 21.65 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 74.89 years

male: 73.2 years

female: 76.71 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

1.75 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

less than 0.1% (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

1,000 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

less than 200 (2003 est.)

Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: intermediate food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, and hepatitis A vectorborne diseases: may be a significant risk in some locations during the transmission season (typically April through November) (2004)

Nationality: noun: Tunisian(s) adjective: Tunisian

Ethnic groups:

Arab 98%, European 1%, Jewish and other 1%

Religions:

Muslim 98%, Christian 1%, Jewish and other 1%

Languages:

Arabic (official and one of the languages of commerce), French

(commerce)

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 74.3%

male: 83.4%

female: 65.3% (2004 est.)

Government Tunisia

Country name:

conventional long form: Tunisian Republic

conventional short form: Tunisia

local long form: Al Jumhuriyah at Tunisiyah

local short form: Tunis

Government type:

republic

Capital:

Tunis

Administrative divisions:

24 governorates; Ariana (Aryanah), Beja (Bajah), Ben Arous (Bin

'Arus), Bizerte (Banzart), Gabes (Qabis), Gafsa (Qafsah), Jendouba

(Jundubah), Kairouan (Al Qayrawan), Kasserine (Al Qasrayn), Kebili

(Qibili), Kef (Al Kaf), Mahdia (Al Mahdiyah), Manouba (Manubah),

Medenine (Madanin), Monastir (Al Munastir), Nabeul (Nabul), Sfax

(Safaqis), Sidi Bou Zid (Sidi Bu Zayd), Siliana (Silyanah), Sousse

(Susah), Tataouine (Tatawin), Tozeur (Tawzar), Tunis, Zaghouan

(Zaghwan)

Independence:

20 March 1956 (from France)

National holiday:

Independence Day, 20 March (1956)

Constitution:

1 June 1959; amended 1988, 2002

Legal system:

based on French civil law system and Islamic law; some judicial

review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court in joint session

Suffrage:

20 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Zine El Abidine BEN ALI (since 7 November

1987)

head of government: Prime Minister Mohamed GHANNOUCHI (since 17

November 1999)

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president

elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;

election last held 24 October 2004 (next to be held October 2009);

prime minister appointed by the president

election results: President Zine El Abidine BEN ALI reelected for a

fourth term; percent of vote - Zine El Abidine BEN ALI 94.5%,

Mohamed BOUCHIHA 3.8%, Mohamed Ali HALOUANI 1%

Legislative branch:

unicameral Chamber of Deputies or Majlis al-Nuwaab (189 seats;

members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)

elections: last held 24 October 2004 (next to be held October 2009)

election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party -

RCD 152, MDS 14, PUP 11, UDU 7, Al-Tajdid 3, PSL 2

Judicial branch:

Court of Cassation or Cour de Cassation

Political parties and leaders:

Al-Tajdid Movement [Ali HALOUANI]; Constitutional Democratic Rally

Party (Rassemblement Constitutionnel Democratique) or RCD [President

Zine El Abidine BEN ALI (official ruling party)]; Liberal Social

Party or PSL [Mounir BEJI]; Movement of Socialist Democrats or MDS

[Ismail BOULAHYA]; Popular Unity Party or PUP [Mohamed BOUCHIHA];

Progressive Democratic Party [Nejib CHEBBI]; Unionist Democratic

Union or UDU [Abderrahmane TLILI]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

the Islamic fundamentalist party, Al Nahda (Renaissance), is

outlawed

International organization participation:

ABEDA, ACCT, AfDB, AFESD, AMF, AMU, AU, BSEC (observer), FAO, G-77,

IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO,

ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, MONUC, NAM,

OAPEC, OAS (observer), OIC, ONUB, OPCW, OSCE (partner), UN, UNCTAD,

UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMEE, UNOCI, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO,

WToO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Mohamed Nejib HACHANA

chancery: 1515 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20005

telephone: [1] (202) 862-1850

FAX: [1] (202) 862-1858

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador William J. HUDSON

embassy: Zone Nord-Est des Berges du Lac Nord de Tunis, 2045 La

Goulette, Tunisia

mailing address: use embassy street address

telephone: [216] 71 107-000

FAX: [216] 71 962-115

Flag description:

red with a white disk in the center bearing a red crescent nearly

encircling a red five-pointed star; the crescent and star are

traditional symbols of Islam

Economy Tunisia

Economy - overview:

Tunisia has a diverse economy, with important agricultural, mining,

energy, tourism, and manufacturing sectors. Governmental control of

economic affairs while still heavy has gradually lessened over the

past decade with increasing privatization, simplification of the tax

structure, and a prudent approach to debt. Progressive social

policies also have helped raise living conditions in Tunisia

relative to the region. Real growth slowed to a 15-year low of 1.9%

in 2002 because of agricultural drought and lackluster tourism.

Better rains in 2003 and 2004, however, helped push GDP growth above

5% for these years. Tourism also recovered after the end of combat

operations in Iraq. Tunisia is gradually removing barriers to trade

with the European Union. Broader privatization, further

liberalization of the investment code to increase foreign

investment, improvements in government efficiency, and reduction of

the trade deficit are among the challenges ahead.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$70.88 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

5.1% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $7,100 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 13.8% industry: 31.8% services: 54.4% (2004 est.)

Labor force: 3.55 million note: shortage of skilled labor (2004 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

services 55%, industry 23%, agriculture 22% (1995 est.)

Unemployment rate:

13.8% (2004 est.)

Population below poverty line:

7.6% (2001 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.3% highest 10%: 31.8% (1995)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

41.7 (1995)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

4.1% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

24.5% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $6.799 billion

expenditures: $7.573 billion, including capital expenditures of $1.6

billion (2004 est.)

Public debt:

59.2% of GDP (2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

olives, olive oil, grain, dairy products, tomatoes, citrus fruit,

beef, sugar beets, dates, almonds

Industries:

petroleum, mining (particularly phosphate and iron ore), tourism,

textiles, footwear, agribusiness, beverages

Industrial production growth rate:

4.4% (2004 est.)

Electricity - production:

10.72 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 99.5% hydro: 0.5% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

10.05 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

10 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

90 million kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

72,580 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

87,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Oil - proved reserves:

1.7 billion bbl (2004 est.)

Natural gas - production:

2.25 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - consumption:

3.83 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - exports:

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - imports:

1.58 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves:

77.16 billion cu m (2004)

Current account balance:

$71.85 million (2004 est.)

Exports:

$9.926 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

textiles, mechanical goods, phosphates and chemicals, agricultural

products, hydrocarbons

Exports - partners:

France 33.1%, Italy 25.3%, Germany 9.2%, Spain 6.1% (2004)

Imports:

$11.52 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

textiles, machinery and equipment, hydrocarbons, chemicals, food

Imports - partners:

France 25.1%, Italy 19%, Germany 8.5%, Spain 5.3% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$3.509 billion (2004 est.)

Debt - external:

$14.71 billion (2004 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:

$114.6 million (2002)

Currency (code):

Tunisian dinar (TND)

Currency code:

TND

Exchange rates:

Tunisian dinars per US dollar - 1.2455 (2004), 1.2885 (2003),

1.4217 (2002), 1.4387 (2001), 1.3707 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Tunisia

Telephones - main lines in use:

1,163,800 (2003)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

1,899,900 (2003)

Telephone system:

general assessment: above the African average and continuing to be

upgraded; key centers are Sfax, Sousse, Bizerte, and Tunis; Internet

access available

domestic: trunk facilities consist of open-wire lines, coaxial

cable, and microwave radio relay

international: country code - 216; 5 submarine cables; satellite

earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) and 1 Arabsat; coaxial

cable and microwave radio relay to Algeria and Libya; participant in

Medarabtel; two international gateway digital switches

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 7, FM 20, shortwave 2 (1998)

Radios:

2.06 million (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

26 (plus 76 repeaters) (1995)

Televisions:

920,000 (1997)

Internet country code:

.tn

Internet hosts:

281 (2004)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

1 (2000)

Internet users:

630,000 (2003)

Transportation Tunisia

Railways:

total: 2,152 km

standard gauge: 468 km 1.435-m gauge

narrow gauge: 1,674 km 1.000-m gauge (65 km electrified)

dual gauge: 10 km 1.435-m and 1.000-m gauges (three rails) (2004)

Highways:

total: 18,997 km

paved: 12,424 km (including 142 km of expressways)

unpaved: 6,573 km (2001)

Pipelines:

gas 3,059 km; oil 1,203 km; refined products 345 km (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Bizerte, Gabes, La Goulette, Skhira

Merchant marine:

total: 12 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 124,733 GRT/122,664 DWT

by type: bulk carrier 1, cargo 1, chemical tanker 5, passenger/cargo

4, petroleum tanker 1

registered in other countries: 3 (2005)

Airports:

30 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 14 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 6 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 3 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 16 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 7 under 914 m: 7 (2004 est.)

Military Tunisia

Military branches:

Army, Navy, Air Force (2003)

Military service age and obligation: 20 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript service obligation - 12 months; 18 years of age for voluntary military service (2004)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 20-49: 2,441,741 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 20-49: 2,035,431 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:

males: 108,817 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$356 million (FY99)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

1.5% (FY99)

Transnational Issues Tunisia

Disputes - international: none

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Turkey

Introduction Turkey

Background:

Modern Turkey was founded in 1923 from the Anatolian remnants of

the defeated Ottoman Empire by national hero Mustafa KEMAL, who was

later honored with the title Ataturk, or "Father of the Turks."

Under his authoritarian leadership, the country adopted wide-ranging

social, legal, and political reforms. After a period of one-party

rule, an experiment with multi-party politics led to the 1950

election victory of the opposition Democratic Party and the peaceful

transfer of power. Since then, Turkish political parties have

multiplied, but democracy has been fractured by periods of

instability and intermittent military coups (1960, 1971, 1980),

which in each case eventually resulted in a return of political

power to civilians. In 1997, the military again helped engineer the

ouster - popularly dubbed a "post-modern coup" - of the then

Islamic-oriented government. Turkey intervened militarily on Cyprus

in 1974 to prevent a Greek takeover of the island and has since

acted as patron state to the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus,"

which only Turkey recognizes. A separatist insurgency begun in 1984

by the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) - now known as the People's

Congress of Kurdistan or Kongra-Gel (KGK) - has dominated the

Turkish military's attention and claimed more than 30,000 lives, but

after the capture of the group's leader in 1999, the insurgents

largely withdrew from Turkey, mainly to northern Iraq. In 2004, KGK

announced an end to its ceasefire and attacks attributed to the KGK

increased. Turkey joined the UN in 1945 and in 1952 it became a

member of NATO. In 1964, Turkey became an associate member of the

European Community; over the past decade, it has undertaken many

reforms to strengthen its democracy and economy, enabling it to

begin accession membership talks with the European Union.

Geography Turkey

Location:

southeastern Europe and southwestern Asia (that portion of Turkey

west of the Bosporus is geographically part of Europe), bordering

the Black Sea, between Bulgaria and Georgia, and bordering the

Aegean Sea and the Mediterranean Sea, between Greece and Syria

Geographic coordinates:

39 00 N, 35 00 E

Map references:

Middle East

Area:

total: 780,580 sq km

land: 770,760 sq km

water: 9,820 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly larger than Texas

Land boundaries:

total: 2,648 km

border countries: Armenia 268 km, Azerbaijan 9 km, Bulgaria 240 km,

Georgia 252 km, Greece 206 km, Iran 499 km, Iraq 352 km, Syria 822 km

Coastline:

7,200 km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 6 nm in the Aegean Sea; 12 nm in Black Sea and in

Mediterranean Sea

exclusive economic zone: in Black Sea only: to the maritime boundary

agreed upon with the former USSR

Climate:

temperate; hot, dry summers with mild, wet winters; harsher in

interior

Terrain:

high central plateau (Anatolia); narrow coastal plain; several

mountain ranges

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m

highest point: Mount Ararat 5,166 m

Natural resources:

coal, iron ore, copper, chromium, antimony, mercury, gold, barite,

borate, celestite (strontium), emery, feldspar, limestone,

magnesite, marble, perlite, pumice, pyrites (sulfur), clay, arable

land, hydropower

Land use: arable land: 30.93% permanent crops: 3.31% other: 65.76% (2001)

Irrigated land:

42,000 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

very severe earthquakes, especially in northern Turkey, along an

arc extending from the Sea of Marmara to Lake Van

Environment - current issues: water pollution from dumping of chemicals and detergents; air pollution, particularly in urban areas; deforestation; concern for oil spills from increasing Bosporus ship traffic

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Air Pollution, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate

Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone

Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification

Geography - note:

strategic location controlling the Turkish Straits (Bosporus, Sea

of Marmara, Dardanelles) that link Black and Aegean Seas; Mount

Ararat, the legendary landing place of Noah's Ark, is in the far

eastern portion of the country

People Turkey

Population:

69,660,559 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 26% (male 9,232,439/female 8,897,135)

15-64 years: 67.3% (male 23,806,367/female 23,053,536)

65 years and over: 6.7% (male 2,140,242/female 2,530,840) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 27.7 years

male: 27.52 years

female: 27.89 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

1.09% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

16.83 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

5.96 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.85 male(s)/female

total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 41.04 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 44.68 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 37.22 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 72.36 years

male: 69.94 years

female: 74.91 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

1.94 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

less than 0.1% - note - no country specific models provided (2001

est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

NA

Nationality:

noun: Turk(s)

adjective: Turkish

Ethnic groups:

Turkish 80%, Kurdish 20% (estimated)

Religions:

Muslim 99.8% (mostly Sunni), other 0.2% (mostly Christians and Jews)

Languages:

Turkish (official), Kurdish, Arabic, Armenian, Greek

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 86.5%

male: 94.3%

female: 78.7% (2003 est.)

Government Turkey

Country name:

conventional long form: Republic of Turkey

conventional short form: Turkey

local long form: Turkiye Cumhuriyeti

local short form: Turkiye

Government type:

republican parliamentary democracy

Capital:

Ankara

Administrative divisions:

81 provinces (iller, singular - il); Adana, Adiyaman,

Afyonkarahisar, Agri, Aksaray, Amasya, Ankara, Antalya, Ardahan,

Artvin, Aydin, Balikesir, Bartin, Batman, Bayburt, Bilecik, Bingol,

Bitlis, Bolu, Burdur, Bursa, Canakkale, Cankiri, Corum, Denizli,

Diyarbakir, Duzce, Edirne, Elazig, Erzincan, Erzurum, Eskisehir,

Gaziantep, Giresun, Gumushane, Hakkari, Hatay, Igdir, Isparta,

Istanbul, Izmir, Kahramanmaras, Karabuk, Karaman, Kars, Kastamonu,

Kayseri, Kilis, Kirikkale, Kirklareli, Kirsehir, Kocaeli, Konya,

Kutahya, Malatya, Manisa, Mardin, Mersin, Mugla, Mus, Nevsehir,

Nigde, Ordu, Osmaniye, Rize, Sakarya, Samsun, Sanliurfa, Siirt,

Sinop, Sirnak, Sivas, Tekirdag, Tokat, Trabzon, Tunceli, Usak, Van,

Yalova, Yozgat, Zonguldak

Independence:

29 October 1923 (successor state to the Ottoman Empire)

National holiday:

Republic Day, 29 October (1923)

Constitution:

7 November 1982

Legal system:

civil law system derived from various European continental legal

systems; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations;

note - member of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), although

Turkey claims limited derogations on the ratified European

Convention on Human Rights

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Ahmet Necdet SEZER (since 16 May 2000)

head of government: Prime Minister Recep Tayyip ERDOGAN (14 March

2003)

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the

nomination of the prime minister

elections: president elected by the National Assembly for a

seven-year term; election last held 5 May 2000 (next to be held May

2007); prime minister appointed by the president from among members

of parliament

election results: Ahmed Necdet SEZER elected president on the third

ballot; percent of National Assembly vote - 60%

note: president must have a two-thirds majority of the National

Assembly on the first two ballots and a simple majority on the third

ballot

Legislative branch:

unicameral Grand National Assembly of Turkey or Turkiye Buyuk

Millet Meclisi (550 seats; members are elected by popular vote to

serve five-year terms)

elections: last held 3 November 2002 (next to be held NA 2007); note

- a special rerun of the General Election in the province of Siirt

on 9 March 2003 resulted in the election of Recep Tayyip ERDOGAN to

a seat in parliament, a prerequisite for becoming prime minister, on

14 March 2003

election results: percent of vote by party - AKP 34.3%, CHP 19.4%,

DYP 9.6%, MHP 8.3%, ANAP 5.1%, DSP 1.1%, and others; seats by party

- AKP 363, CHP 178, independents 9; note - parties surpassing the

10% threshold are entitled to parliamentary seats; seats by party as

of 1 December 2004 - AKP 368, CHP 171, DYP 4, LDP 1, independents 5,

vacant 1

Judicial branch:

Constitutional Court; High Court of Appeals (Yargitay); Council of

State (Danistay); Court of Accounts (Sayistay); Military High Court

of Appeals; Military High Administrative Court

Political parties and leaders:

Democratic Left Party or DSP [Mehmet Zeki SEZER]; Democratic

People's Party or DEHAP [Tuncer BAKIRHAN]; Justice and Development

Party or AKP [Recep Tayyip ERDOGAN]; Liberal Democratic Party or LDP

[Emin SIRIN]; Motherland Party or ANAP [Ali Talip OZDEMIR];

Nationalist Action Party or MHP [Devlet BAHCELI]; Republican

People's Party or CHP (includes the New Turkey Party) [Deniz

BAYKAL]; Felicity Party (sometimes translated as Contentment Party)

or SP [Necmettin ERBEKAN]; Social Democratic People's Party or SHP

[Murat KARAYALCIN]; True Path Party (sometimes translated as Correct

Way Party) or DYP [Mehmet AGAR]

note: the parties listed above are some of the more significant of

the 49 parties that Turkey had on 1 December 2004

Political pressure groups and leaders:

Confederation of Public Sector Unions or KESK [Sami EVREN];

Confederation of Revolutionary Workers Unions or DISK [Suleyman

CELEBI]; Independent Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association

or MUSIAD [Omer BOLAT]; Moral Rights Workers Union or Hak-Is [Salim

USLU]; Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association or

TUSIAD [Omer SABANCI]; Turkish Confederation of Employers' Unions or

TISK [Refik BAYDUR]; Turkish Confederation of Labor or Turk-Is

[Salih KILIC]; Turkish Confederation of Tradesmen and Craftsmen or

TESK [Dervis GUNDAY]; Turkish Union of Chambers of Commerce and

Commodity Exchanges or TOBB [M. Rifat HISARCIKLIOGLU]

International organization participation:

AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, BSEC, CE, CERN (observer), EAPC, EBRD,

ECO, EU (applicant), FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA,

IDB, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM,

ISO, ITU, MIGA, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIC, OPCW,

OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIK, UNOMIG, UNRWA,

UPU, WCO, WEU (associate), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO, ZC

Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Dr. Osman Faruk LOGOGLU chancery: 2525 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 612-6700 FAX: [1] (202) 612-6744 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, and New York

Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Eric S. EDELMAN embassy: 110 Ataturk Boulevard, Kavaklidere, 06100 Ankara mailing address: PSC 93, Box 5000, APO AE 09823 telephone: [90] (312) 455-5555 FAX: [90] (312) 467-0019 consulate(s) general: Istanbul consulate(s): Adana; note - there is a Consular Agent in Izmir

Flag description:

red with a vertical white crescent (the closed portion is toward

the hoist side) and white five-pointed star centered just outside

the crescent opening

Economy Turkey

Economy - overview:

Turkey's dynamic economy is a complex mix of modern industry and

commerce along with a traditional agriculture sector that in 2004

still accounted for more than 35% of employment. It has a strong and

rapidly growing private sector, yet the state still plays a major

role in basic industry, banking, transport, and communication. The

largest industrial sector is textiles and clothing, which accounts

for one-third of industrial employment; it faces stiff competition

in international markets with the end of the global quota system.

However, other sectors, notably the automotive and electronics

industries, are rising in importance within Turkey's export mix. In

recent years the economic situation has been marked by erratic

economic growth and serious imbalances. Real GNP growth has exceeded

6% in many years, but this strong expansion has been interrupted by

sharp declines in output in 1994, 1999, and 2001. Inflation, in

recent years in the high double-digit range, fell to 9.3% by 2004 -

a 30-year low. Despite these strong economic gains in 2002-04, which

were largely due to renewed investor interest in emerging markets,

IMF backing, and tighter fiscal policy, the economy is still plagued

with high debt and deficits. The public sector fiscal deficit

exceeds 6% of GDP - due in large part to the huge burden of interest

payments, which accounted for more than 40% of central government

spending in 2004, and to populist spending. Foreign direct

investment (FDI) in Turkey remains low - averaging less than $1

billion annually, but further economic and judicial reforms and

prospective EU membership are expected to boost FDI. A major

political and economic issue over the next decade is whether or not

Turkey will become a member of the EU.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$508.7 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

8.2% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $7,400 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 11.7% industry: 29.8% services: 58.5% (2003 est.)

Labor force:

25.3 million

note: about 1.2 million Turks work abroad (2003 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 35.9%, industry 22.8%, services 41.2% (3rd quarter,

2004)

Unemployment rate:

9.3% (plus underemployment of 4.0%) (2004 est.)

Population below poverty line:

20% (2002)

Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.3% highest 10%: 30.7% (2000)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

42 (2003)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

9.3% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

17.3% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $78.53 billion

expenditures: $110.9 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Public debt:

74.3% of GDP (2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

tobacco, cotton, grain, olives, sugar beets, pulse, citrus;

livestock

Industries:

textiles, food processing, autos, mining (coal, chromite, copper,

boron), steel, petroleum, construction, lumber, paper

Industrial production growth rate:

16.5% (2004 est.)

Electricity - production:

139.7 billion kWh (2003)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 79.3% hydro: 20.4% nuclear: 0% other: 0.3% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

117.9 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

433 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

3.6 billion kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

48,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

619,500 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

46,110 bbl/day (2001)

Oil - imports:

616,500 bbl/day (2001)

Oil - proved reserves:

288.4 million bbl (1 January 2002)

Natural gas - production:

312 million cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - consumption:

15.94 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - exports:

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - imports:

15.75 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves:

8.685 billion cu m (1 January 2002)

Current account balance:

$-15.3 billion (2004 est.)

Exports:

$69.46 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

apparel, foodstuffs, textiles, metal manufactures, transport

equipment

Exports - partners:

Germany 13.9%, UK 8.8%, US 7.7%, Italy 7.4%, France 5.8%, Spain

4.2% (2004)

Imports:

$94.5 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

machinery, chemicals, semi-finished goods, fuels, transport

equipment

Imports - partners:

Germany 12.9%, Russia 9.3%, Italy 7.1%, France 6.4%, US 4.8%, China

4.6%, UK 4.4% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$37.1 billion (2004 est.)

Debt - external:

$16.9 billion (2004 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:

ODA, $635.8 million (2002)

Currency (code):

Turkish lira (TRL), New Turkish lira (YTL) after 1 January 2005

Currency code:

TRL, YTL

Exchange rates:

Turkish liras per US dollar - 1,425,500 (2004), 1,500,900 (2003),

1,507,200 (2002), 1,225,600 (2001), 625,200 (2000)

Note: on 1 January 2005 the old Turkish Lira (TRL)was converted to

New Turkish Lira (YTL) at a rate of 1,000,000 old to 1 New Turkish

Lira

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Turkey

Telephones - main lines in use:

18,916,700 (2003)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

27,887,500 (2003)

Telephone system:

general assessment: undergoing rapid modernization and expansion,

especially with cellular telephones

domestic: additional digital exchanges are permitting a rapid

increase in subscribers; the construction of a network of

technologically advanced intercity trunk lines, using both

fiber-optic cable and digital microwave radio relay is facilitating

communication between urban centers; remote areas are reached by a

domestic satellite system; the number of subscribers to mobile

cellular telephone service is growing rapidly

international: country code - 90; international service is provided

by three submarine fiber-optic cables in the Mediterranean and Black

Seas, linking Turkey with Italy, Greece, Israel, Bulgaria, Romania,

and Russia; also by 12 Intelsat earth stations, and by 328 mobile

satellite terminals in the Inmarsat and Eutelsat systems (2002)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 16, FM 107, shortwave 6 (2001)

Radios:

11.3 million (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

635 (plus 2,934 repeaters) (1995)

Televisions:

20.9 million (1997)

Internet country code:

.tr

Internet hosts:

355,215 (2004)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

50 (2001)

Internet users:

5.5 million (2003)

Transportation Turkey

Railways: total: 8,697 km standard gauge: 8,697 km 1.435-m gauge (2,122 km electrified) (2004)

Highways:

total: 354,421 km

paved: 147,404 km (including 1,851 km of expressways)

unpaved: 207,017 km (2002)

Waterways:

1,200 km (2003)

Pipelines:

gas 3,177 km; oil 3,562 km (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Aliaga, Ambarli, Eregli, Haydarpasa, Istanbul, Kocaeli (Izmit),

Skhira, Toros

Merchant marine:

total: 526 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 4,666,895 GRT/7,311,504 DWT

by type: bulk carrier 108, cargo 228, chemical tanker 45,

combination ore/oil 1, container 25, liquefied gas 6, passenger 5,

passenger/cargo 50, petroleum tanker 33, refrigerated cargo 2, roll

on/roll off 22, specialized tanker 1

foreign-owned: 8 (Cyprus 3, Denmark 2, Greece 1, Italy 1,

Switzerland 1)

registered in other countries: 231 (2005)

Airports:

119 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 87

over 3,047 m: 16

2,438 to 3,047 m: 30

1,524 to 2,437 m: 20

914 to 1,523 m: 17

under 914 m: 4 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 32

over 3,047 m: 1

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 2

914 to 1,523 m: 8

under 914 m: 20 (2004 est.)

Heliports:

14 (2004 est.)

Military Turkey

Military branches:

Turkish Armed Forces (TSK): Land Forces, Naval Forces (includes

Naval Air and Naval Infantry), Air Force

Military service age and obligation:

20 years of age (2004)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 20-49: 16,756,323 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 20-49: 13,905,901 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:

males: 679,734 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$12.155 billion (2003)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

5.3% (2003)

Military - note:

in the early 1990s, the Turkish Land Force was a large but badly

equipped infantry force; there were 14 infantry divisions, but only

one was mechanized, and out of 16 infantry brigades, only six were

mechanized; the overhaul that has taken place since has produced

highly moblie forces with greatly enhanced firepower in accordance

with NATO's new strategic concept (2005)

Transnational Issues Turkey

Disputes - international:

complex maritime, air, and territorial disputes with Greece in the

Aegean Sea; status of north Cyprus question remains; Syria and Iraq

protest Turkish hydrological projects to control upper Euphrates

waters; Turkey has expressed concern over the status of Kurds in

Iraq; border with Armenia remains closed over Nagorno-Karabakh

Refugees and internally displaced persons:

IDPs: 350,000-1,000,000 (fighting from 1984-99 between Kurdish PKK

and Turkish military; most IDPs in southeastern provinces) (2004)

Illicit drugs:

key transit route for Southwest Asian heroin to Western Europe and

- to a far lesser extent the US - via air, land, and sea routes;

major Turkish, Iranian, and other international trafficking

organizations operate out of Istanbul; laboratories to convert

imported morphine base into heroin are in remote regions of Turkey

as well as near Istanbul; government maintains strict controls over

areas of legal opium poppy cultivation and output of poppy straw

concentrate

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Turkmenistan

Introduction Turkmenistan

Background:

Annexed by Russia between 1865 and 1885, Turkmenistan became a

Soviet republic in 1924. It achieved its independence upon the

dissolution of the USSR in 1991. President NIYAZOV retains absolute

control over the country and opposition is not tolerated. Extensive

hydrocarbon/natural gas reserves could prove a boon to this

underdeveloped country if extraction and delivery projects were to

be expanded. The Turkmenistan Government is actively seeking to

develop alternative petroleum transportation routes in order to

break Russia's pipeline monopoly.

Geography Turkmenistan

Location:

Central Asia, bordering the Caspian Sea, between Iran and Kazakhstan

Geographic coordinates:

40 00 N, 60 00 E

Map references:

Asia

Area:

total: 488,100 sq km

land: 488,100 sq km

water: negl.

Area - comparative:

slightly larger than California

Land boundaries:

total: 3,736 km

border countries: Afghanistan 744 km, Iran 992 km, Kazakhstan 379

km, Uzbekistan 1,621 km

Coastline:

0 km; note - Turkmenistan borders the Caspian Sea (1,768 km)

Maritime claims:

none (landlocked)

Climate:

subtropical desert

Terrain:

flat-to-rolling sandy desert with dunes rising to mountains in the

south; low mountains along border with Iran; borders Caspian Sea in

west

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Vpadina Akchanaya -81 m; note - Sarygamysh Koli is a

lake in northern Turkmenistan with a water level that fluctuates

above and below the elevation of Vpadina Akchanaya (the lake has

dropped as low as -110 m)

highest point: Gora Ayribaba 3,139 m

Natural resources:

petroleum, natural gas, sulfur, salt

Land use: arable land: 3.72% permanent crops: 0.14% other: 96.14% (2001)

Irrigated land:

17,500 sq km (2003 est.)

Natural hazards:

NA

Environment - current issues:

contamination of soil and groundwater with agricultural chemicals,

pesticides; salination, water-logging of soil due to poor irrigation

methods; Caspian Sea pollution; diversion of a large share of the

flow of the Amu Darya into irrigation contributes to that river's

inability to replenish the Aral Sea; desertification

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto

Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

landlocked; the western and central low-lying, desolate portions of

the country make up the great Garagum (Kara-Kum) desert, which

occupies over 80% of the country; eastern part is plateau

People Turkmenistan

Population:

4,952,081 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 35.7% (male 909,113/female 860,128)

15-64 years: 60.2% (male 1,462,198/female 1,516,836)

65 years and over: 4.1% (male 78,119/female 125,687) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 21.56 years

male: 20.68 years

female: 22.44 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

1.81% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

27.68 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

8.78 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

-0.81 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.62 male(s)/female

total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 73.08 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 76.9 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 69.07 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 61.39 years

male: 58.02 years

female: 64.93 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

3.41 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

less than 0.1% (2004 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

less than 200 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

less than 100 (2004 est.)

Nationality:

noun: Turkmen(s)

adjective: Turkmen

Ethnic groups:

Turkmen 85%, Uzbek 5%, Russian 4%, other 6% (2003)

Religions:

Muslim 89%, Eastern Orthodox 9%, unknown 2%

Languages:

Turkmen 72%, Russian 12%, Uzbek 9%, other 7%

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 98.8%

male: 99.3%

female: 98.3% (1995 est.)

Government Turkmenistan

Country name:

conventional long form: none

conventional short form: Turkmenistan

local long form: none

local short form: Turkmenistan

former: Turkmen Soviet Socialist Republic

Government type:

republic; authoritarian presidential rule, with little power

outside the executive branch

Capital:

Ashgabat

Administrative divisions:

5 provinces (welayatlar, singular - welayat): Ahal Welayaty

(Ashgabat), Balkan Welayaty (Balkanabat), Dashoguz Welayaty, Lebap

Welayaty (Turkmenabat), Mary Welayaty

note: administrative divisions have the same names as their

administrative centers (exceptions have the administrative center

name following in parentheses)

Independence:

27 October 1991 (from the Soviet Union)

National holiday:

Independence Day, 27 October (1991)

Constitution:

adopted 18 May 1992

Legal system:

based on civil law system

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President and Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers

Saparmurat NIYAZOV (since 27 October 1990, when the first direct

presidential election occurred); note - the president is both the

chief of state and head of government

head of government: President and Chairman of the Cabinet of

Ministers Saparmurat NIYAZOV (since 27 October 1990, when the first

direct presidential election occurred); note - the president is both

the chief of state and head of government

cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president

note: NIYAZOV's term in office was extended indefinitely on 28

December 1999 during a session of the People's Council (Halk

Maslahaty)

elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;

election last held 21 June 1992 (next to be held in 2008 when

NIYAZOV turns 70 and is constitutionally ineligible to run); note -

President NIYAZOV was unanimously approved as president for life by

the People's Council on 28 December 1999; deputy chairmen of the

cabinet of ministers are appointed by the president

election results: Saparmurat NIYAZOV elected president without

opposition; percent of vote - Saparmurat NIYAZOV 99.5%

Legislative branch:

under the 1992 constitution, there are two parliamentary bodies, a

unicameral People's Council or Halk Maslahaty (supreme legislative

body of up to 2,500 delegates, some of whom are elected by popular

vote and some of whom are appointed; meets at least yearly) and a

unicameral Parliament or Mejlis (50 seats; members are elected by

popular vote to serve five-year terms)

elections: People's Council - last held in April 2003; Mejlis - last

held 19 December 2004 (next to be held December 2009)

election results: Mejlis - DPT 100%; seats by party - DPT 50; note -

all 50 elected officials are members of the Democratic Party of

Turkmenistan and are preapproved by President NIYAZOV

note: in late 2003, a new law was adopted, reducing the powers of

the Mejlis and making the Halk Maslahaty the supreme legislative

organ; the Halk Maslahaty can now legally dissolve the Mejlis, and

the president is now able to participate in the Mejlis as its

supreme leader; the Mejlis can no longer adopt or amend the

constitution, or announce referendums or its elections; since the

president is both the "Chairman for Life" of the Halk Maslahaty and

the supreme leader of the Mejlis, the 2003 law has the effect of

making him the sole authority of both the executive and legislative

branches of government

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the president)

Political parties and leaders:

Democratic Party of Turkmenistan or DPT [Saparmurat NIYAZOV]

note: formal opposition parties are outlawed; unofficial, small

opposition movements exist underground or in foreign countries; the

two most prominent opposition groups-in-exile have been Gundogar and

Erkin; Gundogar was led by former Foreign Minister Boris

SHIKHMURADOV until his arrest and imprisonment in the wake of the 25

November 2002 assassination attempt on President NIYAZOV; Erkin is

led by former Foreign Minister Abdy KULIEV and is based out of

Moscow; the Union of Democratic Forces, a coalition of

opposition-in-exile groups, is based in Europe

Political pressure groups and leaders:

NA

International organization participation:

AsDB, CIS, EAPC, EBRD, ECO, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDB, IFC,

IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO (correspondent), ITU,

MIGA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU,

WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Mered Bairamovich ORAZOV

chancery: 2207 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 588-1500

FAX: [1] (202) 588-0697

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Tracey A. JACOBSON

embassy: 9 Pushkin (1984) Street, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan 774000

mailing address: 7070 Ashgabat Place, Washington, D.C. 20521-7070

telephone: [9] (9312) 35-00-45

FAX: [9] (9312) 39-26-14

Flag description:

green field with a vertical red stripe near the hoist side,

containing five carpet guls (designs used in producing rugs) stacked

above two crossed olive branches similar to the olive branches on

the UN flag; a white crescent moon and five white stars appear in

the upper corner of the field just to the fly side of the red stripe

Economy Turkmenistan

Economy - overview:

Turkmenistan is largely desert country with intensive agriculture

in irrigated oases and large gas and oil resources. One-half of its

irrigated land is planted in cotton; formerly it was the world's

tenth-largest producer. Poor harvests in recent years have led to a

nearly 46% decline in cotton exports. With an authoritarian

ex-Communist regime in power and a tribally based social structure,

Turkmenistan has taken a cautious approach to economic reform,

hoping to use gas and cotton sales to sustain its inefficient

economy. Privatization goals remain limited. In 1998-2004,

Turkmenistan suffered from the continued lack of adequate export

routes for natural gas and from obligations on extensive short-term

external debt. At the same time, however, total exports rose by

perhaps 30% in 2003 and 19% in 2004, largely because of higher

international oil and gas prices. Overall prospects in the near

future are discouraging because of widespread internal poverty, the

burden of foreign debt, the government's irrational use of oil and

gas revenues, and its unwillingness to adopt market-oriented

reforms. Turkmenistan's economic statistics are state secrets, and

GDP and other figures are subject to wide margins of error. In

particular, the rate of GDP growth is uncertain.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$27.6 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate: IMF estimate: 7.5% note: official government statistics show 21.4% growth, but these estimates are notoriously unreliable (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $5,700 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 28.5% industry: 42.7% services: 28.8% (2004 est.)

Labor force:

2.32 million (2003 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 48.2%, industry 13.8%, services 37% (2003 est.)

Unemployment rate:

60% (2004 est.)

Population below poverty line:

58% (2003 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.6% highest 10%: 31.7% (1998)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

40.8 (1998)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

9% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

29% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $3.05 billion

expenditures: $3.05 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

cotton, grain; livestock

Industries:

natural gas, oil, petroleum products, textiles, food processing

Industrial production growth rate:

official government estimate: 22% (2003 est.)

Electricity - production:

11.41 billion kWh (2004 est.)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 99.9% hydro: 0.1% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

8.908 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

1.136 billion kWh (2004)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

162,500 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

63,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Oil - proved reserves:

273 million bbl (1 January 2002)

Natural gas - production:

58.57 billion cu m (2004 est.)

Natural gas - consumption:

9.6 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - exports:

43.5 billion cu m (2004 est.)

Natural gas - imports:

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves:

1.43 trillion cu m (1 January 2002)

Current account balance:

$114 million (2004 est.)

Exports:

$4 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

gas, crude oil, petrochemicals, cotton fiber, textiles

Exports - partners:

Ukraine 46.6%, Iran 17.3%, Turkey 4.2%, Italy 4.1% (2004)

Imports:

$2.85 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

machinery and equipment, chemicals, foodstuffs

Imports - partners:

US 11.8%, Russia 9.7%, UAE 9.2%, Ukraine 9%, Turkey 8.6%, Germany

8%, France 5%, Georgia 4.6%, Iran 4.5% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$3.034 billion (2004 est.)

Debt - external:

$2.4 billion to $5 billion (2001 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:

$16 million from the US (2001)

Currency (code):

Turkmen manat (TMM)

Currency code:

TMM

Exchange rates:

Turkmen manats per US dollar - 10,100 (2004), 10,034 (2003), 10,098

(2002), 5,200 (2001)

note: in recent years the unofficial rate has hovered around 21,000

manats to the dollar

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Turkmenistan

Telephones - main lines in use:

374,000 (2002)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

52,000 (2004)

Telephone system:

general assessment: poorly developed

domestic: NA

international: country code - 993; linked by cable and microwave

radio relay to other CIS republics and to other countries by leased

connections to the Moscow international gateway switch; a new

telephone link from Ashgabat to Iran has been established; a new

exchange in Ashgabat switches international traffic through Turkey

via Intelsat; satellite earth stations - 1 Orbita and 1 Intelsat

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 16, FM 8, shortwave 2 (1998)

Radios:

1.225 million (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

4 (government owned and programmed) (2004)

Televisions:

820,000 (1997)

Internet country code:

.tm

Internet hosts:

524 (2004)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

1

Internet users:

8,000 (2002)

Transportation Turkmenistan

Railways: total: 2,440 km broad gauge: 2,440 km 1.520-m gauge (2004)

Highways: total: 24,000 km paved: 19,488 km unpaved: 4,512 km (1999 est.)

Waterways:

1,300 km (Amu Darya and Kara Kum canal important inland waterways)

(2003)

Pipelines:

gas 6,549 km; oil 1,395 km (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Turkmenbasy

Merchant marine:

total: 7 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 6,873 GRT/8,345 DWT

by type: cargo 3, combination ore/oil 1, petroleum tanker 2,

refrigerated cargo 1 (2005)

Airports:

53 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 23 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 10 1,524 to 2,437 m: 9 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 30 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 26 (2004 est.)

Heliports: 1 (2004 est.)

Military Turkmenistan

Military branches:

Ground Forces, Air and Air Defense Forces (2004)

Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript service obligation - 2 years (2004)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 18-49: 1,132,833 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: 759,978 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:

males: 56,532 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$90 million (FY99)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

3.4% (FY99)

Transnational Issues Turkmenistan

Disputes - international:

cotton monoculture in Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan creates

water-sharing difficulties for Amu Darya river states; bilateral

talks continue with Azerbaijan on dividing the seabed and contested

oilfields in the middle of the Caspian; demarcation of land boundary

with Kazakhstan has started but Caspian seabed delimitation remains

stalled

Illicit drugs:

transit country for Afghan narcotics bound for Russian and Western

European markets; transit point for heroin precursor chemicals bound

for Afghanistan

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Turks and Caicos Islands

Introduction Turks and Caicos Islands

Background:

The islands were part of the UK's Jamaican colony until 1962, when

they assumed the status of a separate crown colony upon Jamaica's

independence. The governor of The Bahamas oversaw affairs from 1965

to 1973. With Bahamian independence, the islands received a separate

governor in 1973. Although independence was agreed upon for 1982,

the policy was reversed and the islands remain a British overseas

territory.

Geography Turks and Caicos Islands

Location:

Caribbean, two island groups in the North Atlantic Ocean, southeast

of The Bahamas, north of Haiti

Geographic coordinates:

21 45 N, 71 35 W

Map references:

Central America and the Caribbean

Area:

total: 430 sq km

land: 430 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative:

2.5 times the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries:

0 km

Coastline:

389 km

Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm

Climate:

tropical; marine; moderated by trade winds; sunny and relatively dry

Terrain:

low, flat limestone; extensive marshes and mangrove swamps

Elevation extremes: lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Blue Hills 49 m

Natural resources: spiny lobster, conch

Land use: arable land: 2.33% permanent crops: 0% other: 97.67% (2001)

Irrigated land:

NA sq km

Natural hazards:

frequent hurricanes

Environment - current issues: limited natural fresh water resources, private cisterns collect rainwater

Geography - note: about 40 islands (eight inhabited)

People Turks and Caicos Islands

Population:

20,556 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 32.5% (male 3,396/female 3,277)

15-64 years: 63.8% (male 6,900/female 6,220)

65 years and over: 3.7% (male 342/female 421) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 27.35 years

male: 28.08 years

female: 26.62 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

2.9% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

22.23 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

4.28 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

11.09 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.11 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.81 male(s)/female

total population: 1.07 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 15.67 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 18.11 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 13.11 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 74.51 years

male: 72.28 years

female: 76.84 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

3.08 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

NA

Nationality: noun: none adjective: none

Ethnic groups:

black 90%, mixed, European, or North American 10%

Religions:

Baptist 40%, Methodist 16%, Anglican 18%, Church of God 12%, other

14% (1990)

Languages:

English (official)

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school

total population: 98%

male: 99%

female: 98% (1970 est.)

People - note:

destination and transit point for illegal Haitian immigrants bound

for the Turks and Caicos Islands, Bahamas, and US

Government Turks and Caicos Islands

Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Turks and Caicos Islands

Dependency status:

overseas territory of the UK

Government type:

NA

Capital:

Grand Turk

Administrative divisions:

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Independence:

none (overseas territory of the UK)

National holiday:

Constitution Day, 30 August (1976)

Constitution:

introduced 30 August 1976; suspended in 1986; restored and revised

5 March 1988

Legal system:

based on laws of England and Wales, with a few adopted from Jamaica

and The Bahamas

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1953),

represented by Governor Richard TAUWHARE (since 11 July 2005)

head of government: Chief Minister Michael Eugene MISICK (since 15

August 2003)

cabinet: Executive Council consists of three ex officio members and

five appointed by the governor from among the members of the

Legislative Council

elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed by

the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the

majority party is appointed chief minister by the governor

Legislative branch:

unicameral Legislative Council (19 seats of which 13 are popularly

elected; members serve four-year terms)

elections: last held 24 April 2003 (next to be held in 2007)

election results: percent of vote by party - PDM 53.8%, PNP 46.2%;

seats by party - PDM 7, PNP 6; note - in by-elections held 7 August

2003, the PNP gained two seats for a majority of 8 seats; PDM now

has 5

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court

Political parties and leaders:

People's Democratic Movement or PDM [Derek H. TAYLOR]; Progressive

National Party or PNP [Michael Eugene MISICK]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

NA

International organization participation:

Caricom (associate), CDB, Interpol (subbureau), UPU

Diplomatic representation in the US:

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Diplomatic representation from the US:

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Flag description:

blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and

the colonial shield centered on the outer half of the flag; the

shield is yellow and contains a conch shell, lobster, and cactus

Economy Turks and Caicos Islands

Economy - overview:

The Turks and Caicos economy is based on tourism, fishing, and

offshore financial services. Most capital goods and food for

domestic consumption are imported. The US is the leading source of

tourists, accounting for more than half of the annual 93,000

visitors in the late 1990s. Major sources of government revenue also

include fees from offshore financial activities and customs receipts.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$216 million (2002 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

4.9% (2000 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $11,500 (2002 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA%

Labor force: 4,848 (1990 est.)

Labor force - by occupation: about 33% in government and 20% in agriculture and fishing; significant numbers in tourism, financial, and other services

Unemployment rate:

10% (1997 est.)

Population below poverty line:

NA%

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

4% (1995)

Budget:

revenues: $47 million

expenditures: $33.6 million, including capital expenditures of NA

(1997-98 est.)

Agriculture - products:

corn, beans, cassava (tapioca), citrus fruits; fish

Industries:

tourism, offshore financial services

Industrial production growth rate:

NA%

Electricity - production:

5 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

4.65 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day

Oil - consumption:

0 bbl/day

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Exports:

$169.2 million (2000)

Exports - commodities:

lobster, dried and fresh conch, conch shells

Exports - partners:

US, UK

Imports:

$175.6 million (2000)

Imports - commodities:

food and beverages, tobacco, clothing, manufactures, construction

materials

Imports - partners:

US, UK

Debt - external:

NA

Economic aid - recipient:

$4.1 million (1997)

Currency (code):

US dollar (USD)

Currency code:

USD

Exchange rates:

the US dollar is used

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Turks and Caicos Islands

Telephones - main lines in use:

5,700 (2002)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

1,700 (1999)

Telephone system:

general assessment: fully digital system with international direct

dialing

domestic: full range of services available

international: country code - 1-649; 2 submarine cables; satellite

earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 2, FM 7, shortwave 0 (2004)

Radios:

8,000 (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

0 (broadcasts from The Bahamas are received; 2 cable television

networks) (2004)

Televisions:

NA

Internet country code:

.tc

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

14 (2000)

Internet users:

NA

Transportation Turks and Caicos Islands

Highways: total: 121 km paved: 24 km unpaved: 97 km (2000)

Ports and harbors:

Grand Turk, Providenciales

Airports:

8 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 6 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 2 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 2

under 914 m: 2 (2004 est.)

Military Turks and Caicos Islands

Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the UK

Transnational Issues Turks and Caicos Islands

Disputes - international:

have received Haitians fleeing economic and civil disorder

Illicit drugs:

transshipment point for South American narcotics destined for the

US and Europe

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Tuvalu

Introduction Tuvalu

Background:

In 1974, ethnic differences within the British colony of the

Gilbert and Ellice Islands caused the Polynesians of the Ellice

Islands to vote for separation from the Micronesians of the Gilbert

Islands. The following year, the Ellice Islands became the separate

British colony of Tuvalu. Independence was granted in 1978. In 2000,

Tuvalu negotiated a contract leasing its Internet domain name ".tv"

for $50 million in royalties over the next dozen years.

Geography Tuvalu

Location:

Oceania, island group consisting of nine coral atolls in the South

Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to Australia

Geographic coordinates:

8 00 S, 178 00 E

Map references:

Oceania

Area:

total: 26 sq km

land: 26 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative:

0.1 times the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries:

0 km

Coastline:

24 km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 24 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Climate:

tropical; moderated by easterly trade winds (March to November);

westerly gales and heavy rain (November to March)

Terrain:

very low-lying and narrow coral atolls

Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 5 m

Natural resources: fish

Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (2001)

Irrigated land:

NA

Natural hazards:

severe tropical storms are usually rare, but, in 1997, there were

three cyclones; low level of islands make them very sensitive to

changes in sea level

Environment - current issues:

since there are no streams or rivers and groundwater is not

potable, most water needs must be met by catchment systems with

storage facilities (the Japanese Government has built one

desalination plant and plans to build one other); beachhead erosion

because of the use of sand for building materials; excessive

clearance of forest undergrowth for use as fuel; damage to coral

reefs from the spread of the Crown of Thorns starfish; Tuvalu is

very concerned about global increases in greenhouse gas emissions

and their effect on rising sea levels, which threaten the country's

underground water table; in 2000, the government appealed to

Australia and New Zealand to take in Tuvaluans if rising sea levels

should make evacuation necessary

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto

Protocol, Desertification, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection,

Ship Pollution

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

one of the smallest and most remote countries on Earth; six of the

coral atolls - Nanumea, Nui, Vaitupu, Nukufetau, Funafuti, and

Nukulaelae - have lagoons open to the ocean; Nanumaya and Niutao

have landlocked lagoons; Niulakita does not have a lagoon

People Tuvalu

Population:

11,636 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 30.8% (male 1,823/female 1,756)

15-64 years: 64.2% (male 3,620/female 3,847)

65 years and over: 5.1% (male 229/female 361) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 24.45 years

male: 23.36 years

female: 25.85 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

1.47% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

21.91 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

7.22 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.63 male(s)/female

total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 20.03 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 22.9 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 17.02 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 68.01 years

male: 65.79 years

female: 70.33 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

3 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

NA

Nationality:

noun: Tuvaluan(s)

adjective: Tuvaluan

Ethnic groups:

Polynesian 96%, Micronesian 4%

Religions:

Church of Tuvalu (Congregationalist) 97%, Seventh-Day Adventist

1.4%, Baha'i 1%, other 0.6%

Languages:

Tuvaluan, English, Samoan, Kiribati (on the island of Nui)

Literacy: definition: NA total population: NA% male: NA% female: NA%

Government Tuvalu

Country name:

conventional long form: none

conventional short form: Tuvalu

former: Ellice Islands

note: "Tuvalu" means "group of eight," referring to the country's

eight traditionally inhabited islands

Government type:

constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary democracy; began

debating republic status in 1992

Capital:

Funafuti; note - administrative offices are located in Vaiaku

Village on Fongafale Islet

Administrative divisions:

none

Independence:

1 October 1978 (from UK)

National holiday:

Independence Day, 1 October (1978)

Constitution:

1 October 1978

Legal system:

NA

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952),

represented by Governor General Filoimea TELITO (since 15 April 2005)

head of government: Prime Minister Maatia TOAFA (since 11 October

2004)

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the

recommendation of the prime minister

elections: the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by

the monarch on the recommendation of the prime minister; prime

minister and deputy prime minister elected by and from the members

of Parliament; election last held 11 October 2004 (next to be held

following parliamentary elections in 2006)

election results: Saufatu SOPOANGA resigned parliamentary seat on 27

August 2004 following no-confidence vote on 25 August 2004;

succeeded by Deputy Prime Minister Maatia TOAFA in an acting

capacity on 27 August 2004; Maatia TOAFA confirmed Prime Minister in

a Parliamentary election (8-7 vote) on 11 October 2004

Legislative branch:

unicameral Parliament or Fale I Fono, also called House of Assembly

(15 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)

elections: last held 25 July 2002 (next to be held NA 2006)

election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats - independents 15

Judicial branch:

High Court (a chief justice visits twice a year to preside over its

sessions; its rulings can be appealed to the Court of Appeal in

Fiji); eight Island Courts (with limited jurisdiction)

Political parties and leaders: there are no political parties but members of Parliament usually align themselves in informal groupings

Political pressure groups and leaders:

none

International organization participation:

ACP, AsDB, C, FAO, IFRCS (observer), IMO, ITU, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca,

UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WHO

Diplomatic representation in the US: Tuvalu does not have an embassy in the US - the country's only diplomatic post is in Fiji - Tuvalu does, however, have a UN office located at 800 2nd Avenue, Suite 400D, New York, New York 10017, telephone: [1] (212) 490-0534

Diplomatic representation from the US:

the US does not have an embassy in Tuvalu; the US ambassador to

Fiji is accredited to Tuvalu

Flag description:

light blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side

quadrant; the outer half of the flag represents a map of the country

with nine yellow five-pointed stars symbolizing the nine islands

Economy Tuvalu

Economy - overview:

Tuvalu consists of a densely populated, scattered group of nine

coral atolls with poor soil. The country has no known mineral

resources and few exports. Subsistence farming and fishing are the

primary economic activities. Fewer than 1,000 tourists, on average,

visit Tuvalu annually. Government revenues largely come from the

sale of stamps and coins and worker remittances. About 1,000

Tuvaluans work in Nauru in the phosphate mining industry. Nauru has

begun repatriating Tuvaluans, however, as phosphate resources

decline. Substantial income is received annually from an

international trust fund established in 1987 by Australia, NZ, and

the UK and supported also by Japan and South Korea. Thanks to wise

investments and conservative withdrawals, this fund has grown from

an initial $17 million to over $35 million in 1999. The US

government is also a major revenue source for Tuvalu because of

payments from a 1988 treaty on fisheries. In an effort to reduce its

dependence on foreign aid, the government is pursuing public sector

reforms, including privatization of some government functions and

personnel cuts of up to 7%. In 1998, Tuvalu began deriving revenue

from use of its area code for "900" lines and in 2000, from the

lease of its ".tv" Internet domain name. Royalties from these new

technology sources could increase substantially over the next

decade. With merchandise exports only a fraction of merchandise

imports, continued reliance must be placed on fishing and

telecommunications license fees, remittances from overseas workers,

official transfers, and income from overseas investments.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$12.2 million (2000 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

3% (2000 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $1,100 (2000 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA%

Labor force: 7,000 (2001 est.)

Labor force - by occupation: people make a living mainly through exploitation of the sea, reefs, and atolls and from wages sent home by those abroad (mostly workers in the phosphate industry and sailors)

Unemployment rate:

NA%

Population below poverty line:

NA

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

5% (2000 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $22.5 million

expenditures: $11.2 million, including capital expenditures of $4.2

million (2000 est.)

Agriculture - products:

coconuts; fish

Industries:

fishing, tourism, copra

Industrial production growth rate:

NA%

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: NA hydro: NA nuclear: NA other: NA

Exports:

$1 million f.o.b. (2002)

Exports - commodities:

copra, fish

Exports - partners:

Germany 56.5%, Fiji 14.3%, Italy 10.9%, UK 7.7%, Poland 4.9% (2004)

Imports:

$79 million c.i.f. (2002)

Imports - commodities:

food, animals, mineral fuels, machinery, manufactured goods

Imports - partners:

Fiji 50.2%, Japan 18.1%, Australia 9.6%, China 8%, New Zealand 5.5%

(2004)

Debt - external:

NA

Economic aid - recipient:

$13 million; note - major donors are Australia, Japan, and the US

(1999 est.)

Currency (code):

Australian dollar (AUD); note - there is also a Tuvaluan dollar

Currency code:

AUD

Exchange rates:

Tuvaluan dollars or Australian dollars per US dollar - 1.3598

(2004), 1.5419 (2003), 1.8406 (2002), 1.9334 (2001), 1.7248 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Tuvalu

Telephones - main lines in use:

700 (2002)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

0 (2004)

Telephone system:

general assessment: serves particular needs for internal

communications

domestic: radiotelephone communications between islands

international: country code - 688; international calls can be made

by satellite

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0 (2004)

Radios:

4,000 (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

0 (2004)

Televisions:

800

Internet country code:

.tv

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

1 (2000)

Internet users:

1,300 (2002)

Transportation Tuvalu

Highways: total: 8 km paved: 0 km unpaved: 8 km (1999 est.)

Ports and harbors:

Funafuti

Merchant marine:

total: 23 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 54,993 GRT/86,048 DWT

by type: cargo 20, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 2

foreign-owned: 16 (China 9, Germany 2, Hong Kong 4, Thailand 1)

(2005)

Airports:

1 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Military Tuvalu

Military branches:

no regular military forces; national police force

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

NA

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

NA

Transnational Issues Tuvalu

Disputes - international: none

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Uganda

Introduction Uganda

Background:

Uganda achieved independence from the UK in 1962. The dictatorial

regime of Idi AMIN (1971-79) was responsible for the deaths of some

300,000 opponents; guerrilla war and human rights abuses under

Milton OBOTE (1980-85) claimed at least another 100,000 lives.

During the 1990s, the government promulgated non-party presidential

and legislative elections.

Geography Uganda

Location:

Eastern Africa, west of Kenya

Geographic coordinates:

1 00 N, 32 00 E

Map references:

Africa

Area:

total: 236,040 sq km

land: 199,710 sq km

water: 36,330 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly smaller than Oregon

Land boundaries:

total: 2,698 km

border countries: Democratic Republic of the Congo 765 km, Kenya 933

km, Rwanda 169 km, Sudan 435 km, Tanzania 396 km

Coastline:

0 km (landlocked)

Maritime claims:

none (landlocked)

Climate:

tropical; generally rainy with two dry seasons (December to

February, June to August); semiarid in northeast

Terrain:

mostly plateau with rim of mountains

Elevation extremes: lowest point: Lake Albert 621 m highest point: Margherita Peak on Mount Stanley 5,110 m

Natural resources:

copper, cobalt, hydropower, limestone, salt, arable land

Land use:

arable land: 25.88%

permanent crops: 10.65%

other: 63.47% (2001)

Irrigated land:

90 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

NA

Environment - current issues:

draining of wetlands for agricultural use; deforestation;

overgrazing; soil erosion; water hyacinth infestation in Lake

Victoria; poaching is widespread

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto

Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law

of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection,

Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification

Geography - note:

landlocked; fertile, well-watered country with many lakes and rivers

People Uganda

Population:

27,269,482

note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the

effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower

life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower

population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of

population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July

2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 50.1% (male 6,875,663/female 6,784,378)

15-64 years: 47.7% (male 6,511,867/female 6,494,859)

65 years and over: 2.2% (male 263,790/female 338,925) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 14.97 years

male: 14.87 years

female: 15.08 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

3.31% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

47.39 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

12.8 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

-1.49 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female

total population: 1 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 67.83 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 71.18 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 64.37 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 51.59 years

male: 50.74 years

female: 52.46 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

6.74 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

4.1% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

530,000 (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

78,000 (2003 est.)

Major infectious diseases:

degree of risk: very high

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and

typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases: malaria and African trypanosomiasis (sleeping

sickness) are high risks in some locations

water contact disease: schistosomiasis (2004)

Nationality:

noun: Ugandan(s)

adjective: Ugandan

Ethnic groups:

Baganda 17%, Ankole 8%, Basoga 8%, Iteso 8%, Bakiga 7%, Langi 6%,

Rwanda 6%, Bagisu 5%, Acholi 4%, Lugbara 4%, Batoro 3%, Bunyoro 3%,

Alur 2%, Bagwere 2%, Bakonjo 2%, Jopodhola 2%, Karamojong 2%, Rundi

2%, non-African (European, Asian, Arab) 1%, other 8%

Religions:

Roman Catholic 33%, Protestant 33%, Muslim 16%, indigenous beliefs

18%

Languages:

English (official national language, taught in grade schools, used

in courts of law and by most newspapers and some radio broadcasts),

Ganda or Luganda (most widely used of the Niger-Congo languages,

preferred for native language publications in the capital and may be

taught in school), other Niger-Congo languages, Nilo-Saharan

languages, Swahili, Arabic

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 69.9%

male: 79.5%

female: 60.4% (2003 est.)

Government Uganda

Country name:

conventional long form: Republic of Uganda

conventional short form: Uganda

Government type:

republic

Capital:

Kampala

Administrative divisions:

56 districts; Adjumani, Apac, Arua, Bugiri, Bundibugyo, Bushenyi,

Busia, Gulu, Hoima, Iganga, Jinja, Kabale, Kabarole, Kaberamaido,

Kalangala, Kampala, Kamuli, Kamwenge, Kanungu, Kapchorwa, Kasese,

Katakwi, Kayunga, Kibale, Kiboga, Kisoro, Kitgum, Kotido, Kumi,

Kyenjojo, Lira, Luwero, Masaka, Masindi, Mayuge, Mbale, Mbarara,

Moroto, Moyo, Mpigi, Mubende, Mukono, Nakapiripirit, Nakasongola,

Nebbi, Ntungamo, Pader, Pallisa, Rakai, Rukungiri, Sembabule,

Sironko, Soroti, Tororo, Wakiso, Yumbe

Independence:

9 October 1962 (from UK)

National holiday:

Independence Day, 9 October (1962)

Constitution:

8 October 1995

Legal system:

in 1995, the government restored the legal system to one based on

English common law and customary law; accepts compulsory ICJ

jurisdiction, with reservations

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Lt. Gen. Yoweri Kaguta MUSEVENI (since

seizing power 26 January 1986); note - the president is both chief

of state and head of government

head of government: President Lt. Gen. Yoweri Kaguta MUSEVENI (since

seizing power 29 January 1986); Prime Minister Apollo NSIBAMBI

(since 5 April 1999); note - the president is both chief of state

and head of government; the prime minister assists the president in

the supervision of the cabinet

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president from among elected

legislators

elections: president reelected by popular vote for a five-year term;

election last held 12 March 2001 (next to be held NA 2006); note -

first popular election for president since independence in 1962 was

held in 1996; prime minister appointed by the president

election results: Lt. Gen. Yoweri Kaguta MUSEVENI elected president;

percent of vote - Lt. Gen. Yoweri Kaguta MUSEVENI 69.3%, Kizza

BESIGYE 27.8%

Legislative branch:

unicameral National Assembly (303 members - 214 directly elected by

popular vote, 81 nominated by legally established special interest

groups [women 56, army 10, disabled 5, youth 5, labor 5], 8 ex

officio members; members serve five-year terms)

elections: last held 26 June 2001 (next to be held by June 2006);

election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -

NA; note - election campaigning by party was not permitted

Judicial branch:

Court of Appeal (judges are appointed by the president and approved

by the legislature); High Court (judges are appointed by the

president)

Political parties and leaders:

only one political organization, the Movement (formerly the NRM)

[President MUSEVENI, chairman] is allowed to operate unfettered;

note - the president maintains that the Movement is not a political

party, but a mass organization, which claims the loyalty of all

Ugandans

note: the constitution requires the suspension of political parties

while the Movement organization is in governance; of the political

parties that exist but are prohibited from sponsoring candidates,

the most important are the Ugandan People's Congress or UPC [Milton

OBOTE]; Democratic Party or DP [Paul SSEMOGERERE]; Conservative

Party or CP [Ken LUKYAMUZI]; Justice Forum [Muhammad Kibirige

MAYANJA]; and National Democrats Forum [Chapaa KARUHANGA]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

Popular Resistance Against a Life President or PRALP

International organization participation:

ACP, AfDB, AU, C, EADB, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU,

ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC,

IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, PCA, UN,

UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO,

WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Edith Grace SSEMPALA chancery: 5911 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20011 telephone: [1] (202) 726-7100 through 7102, 0416 FAX: [1] (202) 726-1727

Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Jimmy KOLKER embassy: 1577 Ggaba Rd., Kampala mailing address: P. O. Box 7007, Kampala telephone: [256] (41) 234-142 FAX: [256] (41) 258-451

Flag description:

six equal horizontal bands of black (top), yellow, red, black,

yellow, and red; a white disk is superimposed at the center and

depicts a red-crested crane (the national symbol) facing the hoist

side

Economy Uganda

Economy - overview:

Uganda has substantial natural resources, including fertile soils,

regular rainfall, and sizable mineral deposits of copper and cobalt.

Agriculture is the most important sector of the economy, employing

over 80% of the work force. Coffee accounts for the bulk of export

revenues. Since 1986, the government - with the support of foreign

countries and international agencies - has acted to rehabilitate and

stabilize the economy by undertaking currency reform, raising

producer prices on export crops, increasing prices of petroleum

products, and improving civil service wages. The policy changes are

especially aimed at dampening inflation and boosting production and

export earnings. During 1990-2001, the economy turned in a solid

performance based on continued investment in the rehabilitation of

infrastructure, improved incentives for production and exports,

reduced inflation, gradually improved domestic security, and the

return of exiled Indian-Ugandan entrepreneurs. Corruption within the

government and slippage in the government's determination to press

reforms raise doubts about the continuation of strong growth. In

2000, Uganda qualified for enhanced Highly Indebted Poor Countries

(HIPC) debt relief worth $1.3 billion and Paris Club debt relief

worth $145 million. These amounts combined with the original HIPC

debt relief added up to about $2 billion. Growth for 2001-02 was

solid despite continued decline in the price of coffee, Uganda's

principal export. Solid growth in 2003-04 reflected an upturn in

Uganda's export markets.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$39.39 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

5% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $1,500 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 35.8% industry: 20.8% services: 43.6% (2004 est.)

Labor force:

12.41 million (2004 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 82%, industry 5%, services 13% (1999 est.)

Unemployment rate:

NA (2002 est.)

Population below poverty line:

35% (2001 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: 4%

highest 10%: 21% (2000)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

37.4 (1996)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

3.5% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

22.4% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $1.491 billion

expenditures: $1.727 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Public debt:

73.9% of GDP (2004 est.)

Agriculture - products: coffee, tea, cotton, tobacco, cassava (tapioca), potatoes, corn, millet, pulses; beef, goat meat, milk, poultry, cut flowers

Industries:

sugar, brewing, tobacco, cotton textiles, cement, steel production

Industrial production growth rate:

5.6% (2004 est.)

Electricity - production:

1.775 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 0.9% hydro: 99.1% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

1.401 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

250 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

8,750 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Current account balance:

$-590.8 million (2004 est.)

Exports:

$621.7 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

coffee, fish and fish products, tea; gold, cotton, flowers,

horticultural products

Exports - partners:

Kenya 15%, Netherlands 10.7%, Belgium 9%, France 4.4%, Germany 4.4%

(2004)

Imports:

$1.306 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

capital equipment, vehicles, petroleum, medical supplies; cereals

Imports - partners:

Kenya 32.3%, UAE 7.3%, South Africa 6.5%, India 5.8%, China 5.6%,

UK 5.1%, US 4.8%, Japan 4.8% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$1.2 billion (2004 est.)

Debt - external:

$3.865 billion (2004 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:

$1.4 billion (2000)

Currency (code):

Ugandan shilling (UGX)

Currency code:

UGX

Exchange rates:

Ugandan shillings per US dollar - 1,810.3 (2004), 1,963.7 (2003),

1,797.6 (2002), 1,755.7 (2001), 1,644.5 (2000)

Fiscal year:

1 July - 30 June

Communications Uganda

Telephones - main lines in use:

61,000 (2003)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

776,200 (2003)

Telephone system:

general assessment: seriously inadequate; two cellular systems have

been introduced, but a sharp increase in the number of main lines is

essential; e-mail and Internet services are available

domestic: intercity traffic by wire, microwave radio relay, and

radiotelephone communication stations, fixed and mobile cellular

systems for short-range traffic

international: country code - 256; satellite earth stations - 1

Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) and 1 Inmarsat; analog links to Kenya and

Tanzania

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 7, FM 33, shortwave 2 (2001)

Radios:

5 million (2001)

Television broadcast stations:

8 (plus one low-power repeater) (2001)

Televisions:

500,000 (2001)

Internet country code:

.ug

Internet hosts:

2,692 (2004)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

2 (2000)

Internet users:

125,000 (2003)

Transportation Uganda

Railways: total: 1,241 km narrow gauge: 1,241 km 1.000-m gauge (2004)

Highways: total: 27,000 km paved: 1,809 km unpaved: 25,191 km (1999 est.)

Waterways:

300 km (on Lake Victoria, 200 km on Lake Albert, Lake Kyoga, and

parts of Albert Nile) (2004 est.)

Ports and harbors:

Entebbe, Jinja, Port Bell

Airports:

29 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 4 over 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 25 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 6 914 to 1,523 m: 11 under 914 m: 7 (2004 est.)

Military Uganda

Military branches:

Ugandan Peoples' Defense Force (UPDF): Army, Marine Unit, Air Wing

Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military duty; the government has stated that recruitment below that age could occur with proper consent and that "no person under the apparent age of 13 years shall be enrolled in the armed forces"

Manpower available for military service:

males age 18-49: 5,012,620 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: 2,889,808 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$170.3 million (2004)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

2.2% (2004)

Transnational Issues Uganda

Disputes - international:

Uganda is subject to armed fighting among hostile ethnic groups,

rebels, armed gangs, militias, and various government forces;

Ugandan refugees have fled the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) into the

southern Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo; LRA forces

have also attacked Kenyan villages across the border

Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 184,731 (Sudan) 18,000 (Rwanda) IDPs: 1.4 million note - ongoing Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) rebellion, mainly in the north; LRA frequently attacks IDP camps (2004)

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Ukraine

Introduction Ukraine

Background:

Ukraine was the center of the first Slavic state, Kievan Rus, which

during the 10th and 11th centuries was the largest and most powerful

state in Europe. Weakened by internecine quarrels and Mongol

invasions, Kievan Rus was incorporated into the Grand Duchy of

Lithuania and eventually into the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth.

The cultural and religious legacy of Kievan Rus laid the foundation

for Ukrainian nationalism through subsequent centuries. A new

Ukrainian state, the Cossack Hetmanate, was established during the

mid-17th century after an uprising against the Poles. Despite

continuous Muscovite pressure, the Hetmanate managed to remain

autonomous for well over 100 years. During the latter part of the

18th century, most Ukrainian ethnographic territory was absorbed by

the Russian Empire. Following the collapse of czarist Russia in

1917, Ukraine was able to bring about a short-lived period of

independence (1917-20), but was reconquered and forced to endure a

brutal Soviet rule that engineered two artificial famines (1921-22

and 1932-33) in which over 8 million died. In World War II, German

and Soviet armies were responsible for some 7 to 8 million more

deaths. Although final independence for Ukraine was achieved in 1991

with the dissolution of the USSR, democracy remained elusive as the

legacy of state control and endemic corruption stalled efforts at

economic reform, privatization, and civil liberties. A peaceful mass

protest "Orange Revolution" in the closing months of 2004 forced the

authorities to overturn a rigged presidential election and to allow

a new internationally monitored vote that swept into power a

reformist slate under Viktor YUSHCHENKO. The new government presents

its citizens with hope that the country may at last attain true

freedom and prosperity.

Geography Ukraine

Location:

Eastern Europe, bordering the Black Sea, between Poland, Romania,

and Moldova in the west and Russia in the east

Geographic coordinates:

49 00 N, 32 00 E

Map references:

Asia, Europe

Area:

total: 603,700 sq km

land: 603,700 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly smaller than Texas

Land boundaries:

total: 4,663 km

border countries: Belarus 891 km, Hungary 103 km, Moldova 939 km,

Poland 526 km, Romania (south) 169 km, Romania (west) 362 km, Russia

1,576 km, Slovakia 97 km

Coastline:

2,782 km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

continental shelf: 200-m or to the depth of exploitation

Climate:

temperate continental; Mediterranean only on the southern Crimean

coast; precipitation disproportionately distributed, highest in west

and north, lesser in east and southeast; winters vary from cool

along the Black Sea to cold farther inland; summers are warm across

the greater part of the country, hot in the south

Terrain:

most of Ukraine consists of fertile plains (steppes) and plateaus,

mountains being found only in the west (the Carpathians), and in the

Crimean Peninsula in the extreme south

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Black Sea 0 m

highest point: Hora Hoverla 2,061 m

Natural resources:

iron ore, coal, manganese, natural gas, oil, salt, sulfur,

graphite, titanium, magnesium, kaolin, nickel, mercury, timber,

arable land

Land use:

arable land: 56.21%

permanent crops: 1.61%

other: 42.18% (2001)

Irrigated land:

24,540 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

NA

Environment - current issues:

inadequate supplies of potable water; air and water pollution;

deforestation; radiation contamination in the northeast from 1986

accident at Chornobyl' Nuclear Power Plant

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air

Pollution-Sulfur 85, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol,

Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity,

Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Endangered Species,

Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine

Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic

Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic

Compounds

Geography - note:

strategic position at the crossroads between Europe and Asia;

second-largest country in Europe

People Ukraine

Population:

47,425,336 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 15.6% (male 3,783,725/female 3,619,754)

15-64 years: 68.8% (male 15,619,989/female 16,992,628)

65 years and over: 15.6% (male 2,497,851/female 4,911,389) (2005

est.)

Median age: total: 38.22 years male: 34.91 years female: 41.21 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

-0.63% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

10.49 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

16.42 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

-0.38 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.51 male(s)/female

total population: 0.86 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 20.34 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 21.55 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 19.07 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 69.68 years

male: 64.39 years

female: 75.31 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

1.4 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

1.4% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

360,000 (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

20,000 (2003 est.)

Nationality:

noun: Ukrainian(s)

adjective: Ukrainian

Ethnic groups:

Ukrainian 77.8%, Russian 17.3%, Belarusian 0.6%, Moldovan 0.5%,

Crimean Tatar 0.5%, Bulgarian 0.4%, Hungarian 0.3%, Romanian 0.3%,

Polish 0.3%, Jewish 0.2%, other 1.8% (2001 census)

Religions:

Ukrainian Orthodox - Kiev Patriarchate 19%, Orthodox (no particular

jurisdiction) 16%, Ukrainian Orthodox - Moscow Patriarchate 9%,

Ukrainian Greek Catholic 6%, Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox 1.7%,

Protestant, Jewish, none 38% (2004 est.)

Languages:

Ukrainian (official) 67%, Russian 24%; small Romanian-, Polish-,

and Hungarian-speaking minorities

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 99.7%

male: 99.8%

female: 99.6% (2003 est.)

People - note:

the sex trafficking of Ukrainian women is a serious problem that

has only recently been addressed

Government Ukraine

Country name:

conventional long form: none

conventional short form: Ukraine

local long form: none

local short form: Ukrayina

former: Ukrainian National Republic, Ukrainian State, Ukrainian

Soviet Socialist Republic

Government type:

republic

Capital:

Kiev (Kyyiv)

Administrative divisions:

24 provinces (oblasti, singular - oblast'), 1 autonomous republic*

(avtonomna respublika), and 2 municipalities (mista, singular -

misto) with oblast status**; Cherkasy, Chernihiv, Chernivtsi, Crimea

or Avtonomna Respublika Krym* (Simferopol'), Dnipropetrovs'k,

Donets'k, Ivano-Frankivs'k, Kharkiv, Kherson, Khmel'nyts'kyy,

Kirovohrad, Kiev (Kyyiv)**, Kyyiv, Luhans'k, L'viv, Mykolayiv,

Odesa, Poltava, Rivne, Sevastopol'**, Sumy, Ternopil', Vinnytsya,

Volyn' (Luts'k), Zakarpattya (Uzhhorod), Zaporizhzhya, Zhytomyr

note: administrative divisions have the same names as their

administrative centers (exceptions have the administrative center

name following in parentheses)

Independence:

24 August 1991 (from the Soviet Union)

National holiday:

Independence Day, 24 August (1991); the date of 22 January (1918),

the day Ukraine first declared its independence (from Soviet

Russia), is now celebrated as Unity Day

Constitution:

adopted 28 June 1996

Legal system:

based on civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Viktor A. YUSHCHENKO (since 23 January

2005)

head of government: Prime Minister Yuriy YEKHANUROV (since 22

September 2005); First Deputy Prime Minister - Stanislav STASHEVSKYY

(since 27 September 2005)

cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president and

approved by the Supreme Council

note: there is also a National Security and Defense Council or NSDC

originally created in 1992 as the National Security Council, but

significantly revamped and strengthened under former-President

KUCHMA; the NSDC staff is tasked with developing national security

policy on domestic and international matters and advising the

president; a Presidential Administration that helps draft

presidential edicts and provides policy support to the president;

and a Council of Regions that serves as an advisory body

elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;

note - a special repeat runoff presidential election between Viktor

YUSHCHENKO and Viktor YANUKOVYCH took place on 26 December 2004

after the earlier 21 November 2004 contest - won by Mr. YANUKOVYCH -

was invalidated by the Ukrainian Supreme Court because of widespread

and significant violations; prime minister and deputy prime

ministers appointed by the president and approved by the Supreme

Council

election results: Viktor YUSHCHENKO elected president; percent of

vote - Viktor YUSHCHENKO 51.99%, Viktor YANUKOVYCH 44.2%

Legislative branch:

unicameral Supreme Council or Verkhovna Rada (450 seats; under

recent amendments to Ukraine's election law, the Rada's seats are

allocated on a proportional basis to those parties that gain 3% or

more of the national electoral vote; members serve five-year terms

beginning with the next election in 2006)

elections: last held 31 March 2002 (next to be held March 2006)

election results: percent of vote by party/bloc - Our Ukraine 24%,

CPU 20%, United Ukraine 12%, SPU 7%, Yuliya Tymoshenko Bloc 7%,

United Social Democratic Party 6%, other 24%; seats by party/bloc -

Our Ukraine 101, Regions of Ukraine 61, CPU 59, Working Ukraine 14,

United Social Democratic Party 33, Agrarian Party 22, SPU 20, Yuliya

Tymoshenko Bloc 19, United Ukraine 19, People's Democratic

Party-Party of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs 16, Center Group 15,

Democratic Initiatives 14, unaffiliated 57 (December 2004)

note: following the election, United Ukraine splintered into the

Agrarian Party, European Choice, People's Choice, People's

Democratic Party, Regions of Ukraine, and Working

Ukraine-Industrialists and Entrepreneurs; these factions have since

undergone a number of changes

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court; Constitutional Court

Political parties and leaders:

Agrarian Party [Volodymyr LYTVYN]; Communist Party of Ukraine or

CPU [Petro SYMONENKO]; Democratic Initiatives [Stepan HAVRYSH];

Industrialists and Entrepreneurs [Anatoliy KINAKH]; Our Ukraine bloc

(comprised of several parties the most prominent of which are Rukh,

the Ukrainian People's Party, Reforms and Order, and Solidarity)

[Viktor YUSHCHENKO]; People's Democratic Party or PDP [Valeriy

PUSTOVOYTENKO]; Regions of Ukraine [Viktor YANUKOVYCH]; Socialist

Party of Ukraine or SPU [Oleksandr MOROZ, chairman]; United Social

Democratic Party [Viktor MEDVEDCHUK]; Working Ukraine [Serhiy

TYHYPKO]; Yuliya Tymoshenko Bloc [Yuliya TYMOSHENKO]

note: as well as numerous smaller parties; United Ukraine and Center

Group are not actual political parties, but rather deputy groups

(factions not based on a party)

Political pressure groups and leaders:

NA

International organization participation:

BSEC, CE, CEI, CIS, EAPC, EBRD, FAO, GUUAM, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC,

ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO,

Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MIGA, MONUC, NAM (observer), NSG, OAS

(observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO,

UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNMEE, UNMIK, UNMIL, UNMOVIC, UNOMIG, UPU, WCL, WCO,

WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO (observer), ZC

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Mykhailo B. REZNIK

chancery: 3350 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20007

telephone: [1] (202) 349-2920

FAX: [1] (202) 333-0817

consulate(s) general: Chicago, New York, San Francisco

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador John E. HERBST

embassy: 10 Yuriia Kotsiubynskoho Street, 04053 Kiev

mailing address: 5850 Kiev Place, Washington, DC 20521-5850

telephone: [380] (44) 490-4000

FAX: [380] (44) 490-4085

Flag description:

two equal horizontal bands of azure (top) and golden yellow

represent grainfields under a blue sky

Economy Ukraine

Economy - overview: After Russia, the Ukrainian republic was far and away the most important economic component of the former Soviet Union, producing about four times the output of the next-ranking republic. Its fertile black soil generated more than one-fourth of Soviet agricultural output, and its farms provided substantial quantities of meat, milk, grain, and vegetables to other republics. Likewise, its diversified heavy industry supplied the unique equipment (for example, large diameter pipes) and raw materials to industrial and mining sites (vertical drilling apparatus) in other regions of the former USSR. Ukraine depends on imports of energy, especially natural gas, to meet some 85% of its annual energy requirements. Shortly after independence in December 1991, the Ukrainian Government liberalized most prices and erected a legal framework for privatization, but widespread resistance to reform within the government and the legislature soon stalled reform efforts and led to some backtracking. Output by 1999 had fallen to less than 40% of the 1991 level. Loose monetary policies pushed inflation to hyperinflationary levels in late 1993. Ukraine's dependence on Russia for energy supplies and the lack of significant structural reform have made the Ukrainian economy vulnerable to external shocks. Ukrainian government officials have taken some steps to reform the country's Byzantine tax code, such as the implementation of lower tax rates aimed at bringing more economic activity out of Ukraine's large shadow economy, but more improvements are needed, including closing tax loopholes and eliminating tax privileges and exemptions. Reforms in the more politically sensitive areas of structural reform and land privatization are still lagging. Outside institutions - particularly the IMF - have encouraged Ukraine to quicken the pace and scope of reforms. GDP in 2000 showed strong export-based growth of 6% - the first growth since independence - and industrial production grew 12.9%. The economy continued to expand in 2001 as real GDP rose 9% and industrial output grew by over 14%. Growth of 4.6% in 2002 was more moderate, in part a reflection of faltering growth in the developed world. In general, growth has been undergirded by strong domestic demand, low inflation, and solid consumer and investor confidence. Growth was a sturdy 9.3% in 2003 and a remarkable 12% in 2004, despite a loss of momentum in needed economic reforms.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$299.1 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

12% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $6,300 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 18% industry: 45.1% services: 36.9% (2004 est.)

Labor force:

21.11 million (2004 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 24%, industry 32%, services 44% (1996)

Unemployment rate:

3.5% officially registered; large number of unregistered or

underemployed workers; the International Labor Organization

calculates that Ukraine's real unemployment level is around 9-10

percent (2004 est.)

Population below poverty line:

29% (2003 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.7% highest 10%: 23.2% (1999)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

29 (1999)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

12% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

18.8% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $13.57 billion

expenditures: $12.26 billion, including capital expenditures of NA;

note - these estimates probably do not include the government's

doubling of pensions in September of 2004 (2004 est.)

Public debt:

24.7% of GDP (2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

grain, sugar beets, sunflower seeds, vegetables; beef, milk

Industries:

coal, electric power, ferrous and nonferrous metals, machinery and

transport equipment, chemicals, food processing (especially sugar)

Industrial production growth rate:

16.5% (2004 est.)

Electricity - production:

180 billion kWh (2003)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 48.6% hydro: 7.9% nuclear: 43.5% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

132 billion kWh (2003)

Electricity - exports:

1.2 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

72,000 bbl/day (2003 est.)

Oil - consumption:

303,000 bbl/day (2003 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Oil - proved reserves:

395 million bbl (9 November 2004)

Natural gas - production:

19.6 billion cu m (2003 est.)

Natural gas - consumption:

79.86 billion cu m (2003 est.)

Natural gas - exports:

5.8 billion cu m (2003 est.)

Natural gas - imports:

60.4 billion cu m (2003 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves:

560.7 billion cu m (9 November 2004)

Current account balance:

$4.584 billion (2004 est.)

Exports:

$32.91 billion (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

ferrous and nonferrous metals, fuel and petroleum products,

chemicals, machinery and transport equipment, food products

Exports - partners:

Russia 18%, Germany 5.8%, Turkey 5.7%, Italy 5%, US 4.6% (2004)

Imports:

$31.45 billion (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

energy, machinery and equipment, chemicals

Imports - partners:

Russia 41.8%, Germany 9.6%, Turkmenistan 6.7% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$11.33 billion (2004 est.)

Debt - external:

$16.37 billion (2004 est.)

Economic aid - recipient: $637.7 million (1995); IMF Extended Funds Facility $2.2 billion (1998)

Currency (code):

hryvnia (UAH)

Currency code:

UAH

Exchange rates:

hryvnia per US dollar - 5.3192 (2004), 5.3327 (2003), 5.3266

(2002), 5.3722 (2001), 5.4402 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Ukraine

Telephones - main lines in use:

10,833,300 (2002)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

4.2 million (2002)

Telephone system:

general assessment: Ukraine's telecommunication development plan,

running through 2005, emphasizes improving domestic trunk lines,

international connections, and the mobile cellular system

domestic: at independence in December 1991, Ukraine inherited a

telephone system that was antiquated, inefficient, and in disrepair;

more than 3.5 million applications for telephones could not be

satisfied; telephone density is now rising slowly and the domestic

trunk system is being improved; the mobile cellular telephone system

is expanding at a high rate

international: country code - 380; two new domestic trunk lines are

a part of the fiber-optic Trans-Asia-Europe (TAE) system and three

Ukrainian links have been installed in the fiber-optic

Trans-European Lines (TEL) project that connects 18 countries;

additional international service is provided by the

Italy-Turkey-Ukraine-Russia (ITUR) fiber-optic submarine cable and

by earth stations in the Intelsat, Inmarsat, and Intersputnik

satellite systems

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 134, FM 289, shortwave 4 (1998)

Radios:

45.05 million (1997)

Television broadcast stations: at least 33 (plus 21 repeaters that relay broadcasts from Russia) (1997)

Televisions:

18.05 million (1997)

Internet country code:

.ua

Internet hosts:

94,345 (2004)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

260 (2001)

Internet users:

3.8 million (2003)

Transportation Ukraine

Railways: total: 22,473 km broad gauge: 22,473 km 1.524-m gauge (9,250 km electrified) (2004)

Highways: total: 169,679 km paved: 164,249 km unpaved: 5,430 km (2002)

Waterways:

1,672 km (most on Dnieper River) (2004)

Pipelines:

gas 20,069 km; oil 4,540 km; refined products 4,169 km (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Feodosiya, Kerch, Kherson, Mariupol', Mykolayiv, Odesa, Reni,

Yuzhnyy

Merchant marine:

total: 201 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 675,904 GRT/709,802 DWT

by type: bulk carrier 6, cargo 148, container 4, passenger 7,

passenger/cargo 6, petroleum tanker 10, refrigerated cargo 11, roll

on/roll off 7, specialized tanker 2

foreign-owned: 1 (Russia 1)

registered in other countries: 113 (2005)

Airports:

656 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 174

over 3,047 m: 13

2,438 to 3,047 m: 57

1,524 to 2,437 m: 30

914 to 1,523 m: 4

under 914 m: 70 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 482

over 3,047 m: 3

2,438 to 3,047 m: 3

1,524 to 2,437 m: 14

914 to 1,523 m: 34

under 914 m: 428 (2004 est.)

Heliports:

8 (2004 est.)

Military Ukraine

Military branches:

Ground Forces, Naval Forces, Air Forces (Viyskovo-Povitryani Syly),

Air Defense Forces (2002)

Military service age and obligation: 18-27 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service; conscript service obligation - 18 months for Army and Air Force, 24 months for Navy (2004)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 18-49: 11,067,239 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: 7,114,337 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:

males: 378,176 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$617.9 million (FY02)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

1.4% (FY02)

Transnational Issues Ukraine

Disputes - international:

1997 boundary treaty with Belarus remains un-ratified due to

unresolved financial claims, stalling demarcation and reducing

border security; delimitation of land boundary with Russia is

complete but the parties have agreed to defer demarcation; maritime

boundary through the Sea of Azov and Kerch Strait remains unresolved

despite a December 2003 framework agreement and on-going

expert-level discussions; Moldova and Ukraine have established joint

customs posts to monitor transit through Moldova's break-away

Transnistria Region which remains under OSCE supervision; Ukraine

and Romania have taken their dispute over Ukrainian-administered

Zmiyinyy (Snake) Island and Black Sea maritime boundary to the ICJ

for adjudication; Romania opposes Ukraine's reopening of a

navigation canal from the Danube border through the Ukraine to the

Black Sea

Illicit drugs:

limited cultivation of cannabis and opium poppy, mostly for CIS

consumption; some synthetic drug production for export to the West;

limited government eradication program; used as transshipment point

for opiates and other illicit drugs from Africa, Latin America, and

Turkey to Europe and Russia; Ukraine has improved

anti-money-laundering controls, resulting in its removal from the

Financial Action Task Force's (FATF's) Noncooperative Countries and

Territories List in February 2004; Ukraine's anti-money-laundering

regime continues to be monitored by FATF

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@United Arab Emirates

Introduction United Arab Emirates

Background:

The Trucial States of the Persian Gulf coast granted the UK control

of their defense and foreign affairs in 19th century treaties. In

1971, six of these states - Abu Zaby, 'Ajman, Al Fujayrah, Ash

Shariqah, Dubayy, and Umm al Qaywayn - merged to form the United

Arab Emirates (UAE). They were joined in 1972 by Ra's al Khaymah.

The UAE's per capita GDP is on par with those of leading West

European nations. Its generosity with oil revenues and its moderate

foreign policy stance have allowed the UAE to play a vital role in

the affairs of the region.

Geography United Arab Emirates

Location:

Middle East, bordering the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf,

between Oman and Saudi Arabia

Geographic coordinates:

24 00 N, 54 00 E

Map references:

Middle East

Area:

total: 82,880 sq km

land: 82,880 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly smaller than Maine

Land boundaries: total: 867 km border countries: Oman 410 km, Saudi Arabia 457 km

Coastline: 1,318 km

Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin

Climate:

desert; cooler in eastern mountains

Terrain:

flat, barren coastal plain merging into rolling sand dunes of vast

desert wasteland; mountains in east

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m

highest point: Jabal Yibir 1,527 m

Natural resources:

petroleum, natural gas

Land use: arable land: 0.6% permanent crops: 2.25% other: 97.15% (2001)

Irrigated land:

720 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

frequent sand and dust storms

Environment - current issues: lack of natural freshwater resources compensated by desalination plants; desertification; beach pollution from oil spills

Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea

Geography - note:

strategic location along southern approaches to Strait of Hormuz, a

vital transit point for world crude oil

People United Arab Emirates

Population:

2,563,212

note: includes an estimated 1,606,079 non-nationals; the 17 December

1995 census presents a total population figure of 2,377,453, and

there are estimates of 3.44 million for 2002 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 25.3% (male 331,269; female 317,977)

15-64 years: 71.1% (male 1,115,826; female 707,058)

65 years and over: 3.6% (male 66,404; female 24,678) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 27.9 years

male: 35.2 years

female: 22.9 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

1.54% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

18.78 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

4.26 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

0.84 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.58 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 2.691 male(s)/female

total population: 1.442 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 14.51 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 17.05 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 11.84 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 75.24 years

male: 72.73 years

female: 77.87 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

2.94 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

0.18% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

NA

Nationality:

noun: Emirati(s)

adjective: Emirati

Ethnic groups:

Emirati 19%, other Arab and Iranian 23%, South Asian 50%, other

expatriates (includes Westerners and East Asians) 8% (1982)

note: less than 20% are UAE citizens (1982)

Religions:

Muslim 96% (Shi'a 16%), Christian, Hindu, and other 4%

Languages:

Arabic (official), Persian, English, Hindi, Urdu

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 77.9%

male: 76.1%

female: 81.7% (2003 est.)

Government United Arab Emirates

Country name:

conventional long form: United Arab Emirates

conventional short form: none

local long form: Al Imarat al Arabiyah al Muttahidah

local short form: none

former: Trucial Oman, Trucial States

abbreviation: UAE

Government type:

federation with specified powers delegated to the UAE federal

government and other powers reserved to member emirates

Capital:

Abu Dhabi

Administrative divisions:

7 emirates (imarat, singular - imarah); Abu Zaby (Abu Dhabi),

'Ajman, Al Fujayrah, Ash Shariqah (Sharjah), Dubayy (Dubai), Ra's al

Khaymah, Umm al Qaywayn

Independence:

2 December 1971 (from UK)

National holiday:

Independence Day, 2 December (1971)

Constitution:

2 December 1971 (made permanent in 1996)

Legal system:

federal court system introduced in 1971; applies to all emirates

except Dubayy (Dubai) and Ra's al Khaymah, which are not fully

integrated into the federal system; all emirates have secular courts

to adjudicate criminal, civil, and commercial matters and Islamic

courts to review family and religious disputes

Suffrage:

none

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Sheikh KHALIFA bin Zayid al-Nuhayyan

(since 3 November 2004), ruler of Abu Zaby (Abu Dhabi) (since 4

November 2004) and Vice President MAKTUM bin Rashid al-Maktum (since

8 October 1990), ruler of Dubayy (Dubai)

head of government: Prime Minister MAKTUM bin Rashid al-Maktum

(since 8 October 1990), ruler of Dubayy (Dubai); Deputy Prime

Minister SULTAN bin Zayid al-Nuhayyan (since 20 November 1990);

Deputy Prime Minister HAMDAN bin Zayid al-Nuhayyan (since 20 October

2003)

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president

note: there is also a Federal Supreme Council (FSC) composed of the

seven emirate rulers; the FSC is the highest constitutional

authority in the UAE; establishes general policies and sanctions

federal legislation; meets four times a year; Abu Zaby (Abu Dhabi)

and Dubayy (Dubai) rulers have effective veto power

elections: president and vice president elected by the Federal

Supreme Council (composed of rulers of the seven emirates) for

five-year terms; election last held 3 November 2004 upon the death

of the UAE's Founding Father and first President ZAYID bin Sultan Al

Nuhayyan (next to be held 2009); prime minister and deputy prime

minister appointed by the president

election results: Sheikh KHALIFA bin Zayid Al Nuhayyan elected

president by a unanimous vote of the FSC; MAKTUM bin Rashid

al-Maktum unanimously reaffirmed vice president

Legislative branch:

unicameral Federal National Council (FNC) or Majlis al-Ittihad

al-Watani (40 seats; members appointed by the rulers of the

constituent states to serve two-year terms)

elections: none

note: reviews legislation, but cannot change or veto

Judicial branch:

Union Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the president)

Political parties and leaders:

none

Political pressure groups and leaders:

NA

International organization participation:

ABEDA, AFESD, AMF, FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt

(signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO,

Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPCW, OPEC, UN,

UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Asri Said Ahmad al-DHAHIRI chancery: 3522 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 243-2400 FAX: [1] (202) 243-2432 note: consulates in New York and Houston

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Michele SISON

embassy: Embassies District, Plot 38 Sector W59-02, Street No. 4,

Abu Dhabi

mailing address: P. O. Box 4009, Abu Dhabi

telephone: [971] (2) 414-2200

FAX: [971] (2) 414-2469

consulate(s) general: Dubai

Flag description:

three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and black with

a wider vertical red band on the hoist side

Economy United Arab Emirates

Economy - overview:

The UAE has an open economy with a high per capita income and a

sizable annual trade surplus. Its wealth is based on oil and gas

output (about 30% of GDP), and the fortunes of the economy fluctuate

with the prices of those commodities. Since the discovery of oil in

the UAE more than 30 years ago, the UAE has undergone a profound

transformation from an impoverished region of small desert

principalities to a modern state with a high standard of living. At

present levels of production, oil and gas reserves should last for

more than 100 years. The government has increased spending on job

creation and infrastructure expansion and is opening up its

utilities to greater private sector involvement. In April 2004, the

UAE signed a Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) with

Washington and in November 2004 agreed to undertake negotiations

toward a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the US.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$63.67 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

5.7% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $25,200 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector:

agriculture: 4%

industry: 58.5%

services: 37.5% (2002 est.)

Labor force:

2.36 million

note: 73.9% of the population in the 15-64 age group is non-national

(2004 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 7%, industry 15%, services 78% (2000 est.)

Unemployment rate:

2.4% (2001)

Population below poverty line:

NA

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

3.2% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

20.8% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $23.68 billion

expenditures: $25.45 billion, including capital expenditures of $3.4

billion (2004 est.)

Public debt:

17.6% of GDP (2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

dates, vegetables, watermelons; poultry, eggs, dairy products; fish

Industries:

petroleum, fishing, aluminum, cement, fertilizers, commercial ship

repair, petrochemicals, construction materials, some boat building,

handicrafts, textiles

Industrial production growth rate:

4% (2000)

Electricity - production:

45.12 billion kWh (2004)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

36.51 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2004)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2004)

Oil - production:

2.335 million bbl/day (2004 est.)

Oil - consumption:

310,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Oil - exports:

2.5 million bbl/day (2004 est.)

Oil - imports:

0 bbl/day (2004)

Oil - proved reserves:

97.8 billion bbl (2004 est.)

Natural gas - production:

44.4 billion cu m (2003 est.)

Natural gas - consumption:

33.7 billion cu m (2003 est.)

Natural gas - exports:

7.19 billion cu m (2003 est.)

Natural gas - imports:

0 cu m (2003 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves:

6.06 trillion cu m (2004)

Current account balance:

$6.3 billion (2004 est.)

Exports:

$69.48 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

crude oil 45%, natural gas, reexports, dried fish, dates

Exports - partners:

Japan 24.9%, South Korea 9.9%, India 5.4%, Thailand 5.2% (2004)

Imports:

$45.66 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

machinery and transport equipment, chemicals, food

Imports - partners:

China 10%, India 9.8%, Japan 6.8%, Germany 6.5%, UK 6.2%, France

6.1%, US 6% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$18.64 billion (2004 est.)

Debt - external:

$5.9 billion (2004 est.)

Economic aid - donor:

since its founding in 1971, the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development has

given about $5.2 billion in aid to 56 countries (2004)

Currency (code):

Emirati dirham (AED)

Currency code:

AED

Exchange rates:

Emirati dirhams per US dollar - 3.6725 (2004), 3.6725 (2003),

3.6725 (2002), 3.6725 (2001), 3.6725 (2000)

note: officially pegged to the US dollar since February 2002

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications United Arab Emirates

Telephones - main lines in use:

1,135,800 (2003)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

2,972,300 (2003)

Telephone system:

general assessment: modern fiber-optic integrated services; digital

network with rapidly growing use of mobile cellular telephones; key

centers are Abu Dhabi and Dubai

domestic: microwave radio relay, fiber optic and coaxial cable

international: country code - 971; satellite earth stations - 3

Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Indian Ocean) and 1 Arabsat;

submarine cables to Qatar, Bahrain, India, and Pakistan;

tropospheric scatter to Bahrain; microwave radio relay to Saudi

Arabia

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 13, FM 8, shortwave 2 (2004)

Radios:

820,000 (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

15 (2004)

Televisions:

310,000 (1997)

Internet country code:

.ae

Internet hosts:

56,283 (2004)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

1 (2000)

Internet users:

1,110,200 (2003)

Transportation United Arab Emirates

Highways:

total: 1,088 km

paved: 1,088 km (including 253 km of expressways)

unpaved: 0 km (1999 est.)

Pipelines:

condensate 469 km; gas 2,655 km; liquid petroleum gas 300 km; oil

2,936 km; oil/gas/water 5 km (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Al Fujayrah, Khawr Fakkan, Mina' Jabal 'Ali, Mina' Rashid, Mina'

Saqr, Mina' Zayid, Sharjan

Merchant marine:

total: 56 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 578,477 GRT/739,823 DWT

by type: bulk carrier 1, cargo 11, chemical tanker 5, container 6,

liquefied gas 1, passenger/cargo 4, petroleum tanker 21, roll

on/roll off 7

foreign-owned: 14 (Greece 2, Kuwait 6)

registered in other countries: 200 (2005)

Airports:

35 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 22

over 3,047 m: 8

2,438 to 3,047 m: 3

1,524 to 2,437 m: 4

914 to 1,523 m: 4

under 914 m: 3 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 13

over 3,047 m: 1

2,438 to 3,047 m: 2

1,524 to 2,437 m: 3

914 to 1,523 m: 3

under 914 m: 4 (2004 est.)

Heliports:

2 (2004 est.)

Military United Arab Emirates

Military branches:

Army, Navy (includes Marines and Coast Guard), Air and Air Defense

Force, paramilitary forces (includes Federal Police Force)

Military service age and obligation:

18 years of age (est.); no conscription (2001)

Manpower available for military service: males age 18-49: 653,181 note: includes non-nationals (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: 526,671 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:

males: 30,706 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$1.6 billion (FY00)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

3.1% (FY00)

Transnational Issues United Arab Emirates

Disputes - international:

because the treaties have not been made public, the exact alignment

of the boundary with Saudi Arabia is still unknown; boundary

agreement was signed and ratified with Oman in 2003 for entire

border, including Oman's Musandam Peninsula and Al Madhah enclaves,

but contents of the agreement and maps showing the alignment have

not been published; UAE engage in direct talks and solicit Arab

League support to resolve disputes over Iran's occupation of Lesser

and Greater Tunb Islands and Abu Musa Island

Illicit drugs:

the UAE is a drug transshipment point for traffickers given its

proximity to southwest Asian drug producing countries; the UAE's

position as a major financial center makes it vulnerable to money

laundering; anti-money-laundering controls improving

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@United Kingdom

Introduction United Kingdom

Background:

Great Britain, the dominant industrial and maritime power of the

19th century, played a leading role in developing parliamentary

democracy and in advancing literature and science. At its zenith,

the British Empire stretched over one-fourth of the earth's surface.

The first half of the 20th century saw the UK's strength seriously

depleted in two World Wars. The second half witnessed the

dismantling of the Empire and the UK rebuilding itself into a modern

and prosperous European nation. As one of five permanent members of

the UN Security Council, a founding member of NATO, and of the

Commonwealth, the UK pursues a global approach to foreign policy; it

currently is weighing the degree of its integration with continental

Europe. A member of the EU, it chose to remain outside the Economic

and Monetary Union for the time being. Constitutional reform is also

a significant issue in the UK. The Scottish Parliament, the National

Assembly for Wales, and the Northern Ireland Assembly were

established in 1999, but the latter is suspended due to bickering

over the peace process.

Geography United Kingdom

Location:

Western Europe, islands including the northern one-sixth of the

island of Ireland between the North Atlantic Ocean and the North

Sea, northwest of France

Geographic coordinates:

54 00 N, 2 00 W

Map references:

Europe

Area:

total: 244,820 sq km

land: 241,590 sq km

water: 3,230 sq km

note: includes Rockall and Shetland Islands

Area - comparative:

slightly smaller than Oregon

Land boundaries: total: 360 km border countries: Ireland 360 km

Coastline:

12,429 km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm

continental shelf: as defined in continental shelf orders or in

accordance with agreed upon boundaries

Climate:

temperate; moderated by prevailing southwest winds over the North

Atlantic Current; more than one-half of the days are overcast

Terrain:

mostly rugged hills and low mountains; level to rolling plains in

east and southeast

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: The Fens -4 m

highest point: Ben Nevis 1,343 m

Natural resources:

coal, petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, lead, zinc, gold, tin,

limestone, salt, clay, chalk, gypsum, potash, silica sand, slate,

arable land

Land use:

arable land: 23.46%

permanent crops: 0.21%

other: 76.33% (2001)

Irrigated land:

1,080 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

winter windstorms; floods

Environment - current issues:

continues to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (has met Kyoto

Protocol target of a 12.5% reduction from 1990 levels and intends to

meet the legally binding target and move towards a domestic goal of

a 20% cut in emissions by 2010); by 2005 the government aims to

reduce the amount of industrial and commercial waste disposed of in

landfill sites to 85% of 1998 levels and to recycle or compost at

least 25% of household waste, increasing to 33% by 2015; between

1998-99 and 1999-2000, household recycling increased from 8.8% to

10.3%

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air

Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds,

Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources,

Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change,

Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species,

Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine

Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship

Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants

Geography - note:

lies near vital North Atlantic sea lanes; only 35 km from France

and now linked by tunnel under the English Channel; because of

heavily indented coastline, no location is more than 125 km from

tidal waters

People United Kingdom

Population:

60,441,457 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 17.7% (male 5,490,592/female 5,229,691)

15-64 years: 66.5% (male 20,329,272/female 19,855,862)

65 years and over: 15.8% (male 4,063,357/female 5,472,683) (2005

est.)

Median age: total: 38.99 years male: 37.89 years female: 40.13 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

0.28% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

10.78 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

10.18 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

2.18 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.74 male(s)/female

total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 5.16 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 5.76 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 4.53 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 78.38 years

male: 75.94 years

female: 80.96 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

1.66 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

0.2% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

51,000 (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

less than 500 (2003 est.)

Nationality:

noun: Briton(s), British (collective plural)

adjective: British

Ethnic groups:

white (English 83.6%, Scottish 8.6%, Welsh 4.9%, Northern Irish

2.9%) 92.1%, black 2%, Indian 1.8%, Pakistani 1.3%, mixed 1.2%,

other 1.6% (2001 census)

Religions:

Christian (Anglican, Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, Methodist)

71.6%, Muslim 2.7%, Hindu 1%, other 1.6%, unspecified or none 23.1%

(2001 census)

Languages:

English, Welsh (about 26% of the population of Wales), Scottish

form of Gaelic (about 60,000 in Scotland)

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over has completed five or more years of

schooling

total population: 99% (2000 est.)

male: NA%

female: NA%

Government United Kingdom

Country name:

conventional long form: United Kingdom of Great Britain and

Northern Ireland; note - Great Britain includes England, Scotland,

and Wales

conventional short form: United Kingdom

abbreviation: UK

Government type:

constitutional monarchy

Capital:

London

Administrative divisions:

England - 47 boroughs, 36 counties, 29 London boroughs, 12 cities

and boroughs, 10 districts, 12 cities, 3 royal boroughs

: boroughs: Barnsley, Blackburn with Darwen, Blackpool, Bolton,

Bournemouth, Bracknell Forest, Brighton and Hove, Bury, Calderdale,

Darlington, Doncaster, Dudley, Gateshead, Halton, Hartlepool,

Kirklees, Knowsley, Luton, Medway, Middlesbrough, Milton Keynes,

North Tyneside, Oldham, Poole, Reading, Redcar and Cleveland,

Rochdale, Rotherham, Sandwell, Sefton, Slough, Solihull,

Southend-on-Sea, South Tyneside, St. Helens, Stockport,

Stockton-on-Tees, Swindon, Tameside, Thurrock, Torbay, Trafford,

Walsall, Warrington, Wigan, Wirral, Wolverhampton

: counties: Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, Cheshire,

Cornwall, Cumbria, Derbyshire, Devon, Dorset, Durham, East Sussex,

Essex, Gloucestershire, Hampshire, Herefordshire, Hertfordshire,

Isle of Wight, Kent, Lancashire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire,

Norfolk, Northamptonshire, Northumberland, North Yorkshire,

Nottinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Shropshire, Somerset, Staffordshire,

Suffolk, Surrey, Warwickshire, West Sussex, Wiltshire, Worcestershire

: London boroughs: Barking and Dagenham, Barnet, Bexley, Brent,

Bromley, Camden, Croydon, Ealing, Enfield, Greenwich, Hackney,

Hammersmith and Fulham, Haringey, Harrow, Havering, Hillingdon,

Hounslow, Islington, Lambeth, Lewisham, Merton, Newham, Redbridge,

Richmond upon Thames, Southwark, Sutton, Tower Hamlets, Waltham

Forest, Wandsworth

: cities and boroughs: Birmingham, Bradford, Coventry, Leeds,

Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle upon Tyne, Salford, Sheffield,

Sunderland, Wakefield, Westminster

: districts: Bath and North East Somerset, East Riding of Yorkshire,

North East Lincolnshire, North Lincolnshire, North Somerset,

Rutland, South Gloucestershire, Telford and Wrekin, West Berkshire,

Wokingham

: cities: City of Bristol, Derby, City of Kingston upon Hull,

Leicester, City of London, Nottingham, Peterborough, Plymouth,

Portsmouth, Southampton, Stoke-on-Trent, York

: royal boroughs: Kensington and Chelsea, Kingston upon Thames,

Windsor and Maidenhead

: Northern Ireland - 24 districts, 2 cities, 6 counties

: districts: Antrim, Ards, Armagh, Ballymena, Ballymoney, Banbridge,

Carrickfergus, Castlereagh, Coleraine, Cookstown, Craigavon, Down,

Dungannon, Fermanagh, Larne, Limavady, Lisburn, Magherafelt, Moyle,

Newry and Mourne, Newtownabbey, North Down, Omagh, Strabane

: cities: Belfast, Derry

: counties: County Antrim, County Armagh, County Down, County

Fermanagh, County Londonderry, County Tyrone

: Scotland - 32 council areas: Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire, Angus,

Argyll and Bute, The Scottish Borders, Clackmannanshire, Dumfries

and Galloway, Dundee City, East Ayrshire, East Dunbartonshire, East

Lothian, East Renfrewshire, City of Edinburgh, Falkirk, Fife,

Glasgow City, Highland, Inverclyde, Midlothian, Moray, North

Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire, Orkney Islands, Perth and Kinross,

Renfrewshire, Shetland Islands, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire,

Stirling, West Dunbartonshire, Eilean Siar (Western Isles), West

Lothian;

: Wales - 11 county boroughs, 9 counties, 2 cities and counties

: county boroughs: Blaenau Gwent, Bridgend, Caerphilly, Conwy,

Gwynedd, Merthyr Tydfil, Neath Port Talbot, Newport, Rhondda Cynon

Taff, Torfaen, Wrexham

: counties: Isle of Anglesey, Ceredigion, Carmarthenshire,

Denbighshire, Flintshire, Monmouthshire, Pembrokeshire, Powys, The

Vale of Glamorgan

: cities and counties: Cardiff, Swansea

Dependent areas:

Anguilla, Bermuda, British Indian Ocean Territory, British Virgin

Islands, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, Guernsey,

Jersey, Isle of Man, Montserrat, Pitcairn Islands, Saint Helena and

Ascension, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, Turks and

Caicos Islands

Independence:

England has existed as a unified entity since the 10th century; the

union between England and Wales, begun in 1284 with the Statute of

Rhuddlan, was not formalized until 1536 with an Act of Union; in

another Act of Union in 1707, England and Scotland agreed to

permanently join as Great Britain; the legislative union of Great

Britain and Ireland was implemented in 1801, with the adoption of

the name the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland; the

Anglo-Irish treaty of 1921 formalized a partition of Ireland; six

northern Irish counties remained part of the United Kingdom as

Northern Ireland and the current name of the country, the United

Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, was adopted in 1927

National holiday:

the UK does not celebrate one particular national holiday

Constitution:

unwritten; partly statutes, partly common law and practice

Legal system:

common law tradition with early Roman and modern continental

influences; has judicial review of Acts of Parliament under the

Human Rights Act of 1998; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with

reservations

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); Heir

Apparent Prince CHARLES (son of the queen, born 14 November 1948)

head of government: Prime Minister Anthony (Tony) BLAIR (since 2 May

1997)

cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the prime minister

elections: none; the monarchy is hereditary; following legislative

elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the

majority coalition is usually the prime minister

Legislative branch:

bicameral Parliament comprised of House of Lords (consists of

approximately 500 life peers, 92 hereditary peers and 26 clergy) and

House of Commons (646 seats since 2005 elections; members are

elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms unless the House is

dissolved earlier)

elections: House of Lords - no elections (note - in 1999, as

provided by the House of Lords Act, elections were held in the House

of Lords to determine the 92 hereditary peers who would remain

there; pending further reforms, elections are held only as vacancies

in the hereditary peerage arise); House of Commons - last held 5 May

2005 (next to be held by May 2010)

election results: House of Commons - percent of vote by party -

Labor 35.2%, Conservative 32.3%, Liberal Democrats 22%, other 10.5%;

seats by party - Labor 356, Conservative 197, Liberal Democrat 62,

other 31; note - as of 30 September 2005 the seats by party - Labor

354, Conservative 196, Liberal Democrat 62, other 34

note: in 1998 elections were held for a Northern Ireland Assembly

(because of unresolved disputes among existing parties, the transfer

of power from London to Northern Ireland came only at the end of

1999 and has been suspended four times the latest occurring in

October 2002); in 1999 there were elections for a new Scottish

Parliament and a new Welsh Assembly

Judicial branch:

House of Lords (highest court of appeal; several Lords of Appeal in

Ordinary are appointed by the monarch for life); Supreme Courts of

England, Wales, and Northern Ireland (comprising the Courts of

Appeal, the High Courts of Justice, and the Crown Courts);

Scotland's Court of Session and Court of the Justiciary

Political parties and leaders:

Conservative and Unionist Party [Michael HOWARD]; Democratic

Unionist Party (Northern Ireland) [Rev. Ian PAISLEY]; Labor Party

[Anthony (Tony) BLAIR]; Liberal Democrats [Charles KENNEDY]; Party

of Wales (Plaid Cymru) [Dafydd IWAN]; Scottish National Party or SNP

[Alex SALMOND]; Sinn Fein (Northern Ireland) [Gerry ADAMS]; Social

Democratic and Labor Party or SDLP (Northern Ireland) [Mark DURKAN];

Ulster Unionist Party (Northern Ireland) [Sir Reg EMPEY]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament; Confederation of British

Industry; National Farmers' Union; Trades Union Congress

International organization participation:

AfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, C, CDB, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD,

EIB, ESA, EU, FAO, G- 5, G- 7, G- 8, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO,

ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF,

IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MIGA, MONUC, NAM (guest), NATO,

NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, UN, UN

Security Council, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO,

UNITAR, UNMIK, UNMIL, UNMOVIC, UNOMIG, UNRWA, UPU, WCO, WEU, WHO,

WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador David G. MANNING

chancery: 3100 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 588-6500

FAX: [1] (202) 588-7870

consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los

Angeles, New York, and San Francisco

consulate(s): Dallas, Denver, Miami, and Seattle

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires David T.

JOHNSON

embassy: 24/31 Grosvenor Square, London, W1A 1AE

mailing address: PSC 801, Box 40, FPO AE 09498-4040

telephone: [44] (0) 20 7499-9000

FAX: [44] (0) 20 7629-9124

consulate(s) general: Belfast, Edinburgh

Flag description:

blue field with the red cross of Saint George (patron saint of

England) edged in white superimposed on the diagonal red cross of

Saint Patrick (patron saint of Ireland), which is superimposed on

the diagonal white cross of Saint Andrew (patron saint of Scotland);

properly known as the Union Flag, but commonly called the Union

Jack; the design and colors (especially the Blue Ensign) have been

the basis for a number of other flags including other Commonwealth

countries and their constituent states or provinces, as well as

British overseas territories

Economy United Kingdom

Economy - overview:

The UK, a leading trading power and financial center, is one of the

quartet of trillion dollar economies of Western Europe. Over the

past two decades the government has greatly reduced public ownership

and contained the growth of social welfare programs. Agriculture is

intensive, highly mechanized, and efficient by European standards,

producing about 60% of food needs with less than 2% of the labor

force. The UK has large coal, natural gas, and oil reserves; primary

energy production accounts for 10% of GDP, one of the highest shares

of any industrial nation. Services, particularly banking, insurance,

and business services, account by far for the largest proportion of

GDP while industry continues to decline in importance. GDP growth

slipped in 2001-03 as the global downturn, the high value of the

pound, and the bursting of the "new economy" bubble hurt

manufacturing and exports. Output recovered in 2004, to 3.2% growth.

The economy is one of the strongest in Europe; inflation, interest

rates, and unemployment remain low. The relatively good economic

performance has complicated the BLAIR government's efforts to make a

case for Britain to join the European Economic and Monetary Union

(EMU). Critics point out that the economy is doing well outside of

EMU, and they cite public opinion polls that continue to show a

majority of Britons opposed to the euro. Meantime, the government

has been speeding up the improvement of education, transport, and

health services, at a cost in higher taxes.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$1.782 trillion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

3.2% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $29,600 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 1% industry: 26.3% services: 72.7% (2004 est.)

Labor force:

29.78 million (2004 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 1.5%, industry 19.1%, services 79.5% (2004)

Unemployment rate:

4.8% (2004 est.)

Population below poverty line:

17% (2002 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.1% highest 10%: 28.5% (1999)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

36.8 (1999)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

1.4% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

16.2% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $834.9 billion

expenditures: $896.7 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Public debt:

39.6% of GDP (2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

cereals, oilseed, potatoes, vegetables; cattle, sheep, poultry; fish

Industries:

machine tools, electric power equipment, automation equipment,

railroad equipment, shipbuilding, aircraft, motor vehicles and

parts, electronics and communications equipment, metals, chemicals,

coal, petroleum, paper and paper products, food processing,

textiles, clothing, and other consumer goods

Industrial production growth rate:

0.9% (2004 est.)

Electricity - production:

395.9 billion kWh (2003)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 73.8% hydro: 0.9% nuclear: 23.7% other: 1.6% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

337.4 billion kWh (2003)

Electricity - exports:

2.959 billion kWh (2003)

Electricity - imports:

5.119 billion kWh (2003)

Oil - production:

1.957 million bbl/day (2003 est.)

Oil - consumption:

1.692 million bbl/day (2003 est.)

Oil - exports:

1.498 million bbl/day (2001)

Oil - imports:

1.084 million bbl/day (2003)

Oil - proved reserves:

25.41 billion bbl (2003)

Natural gas - production:

105.9 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - consumption:

92.85 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - exports:

15.75 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - imports:

2.7 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves:

714.9 billion cu m (2003)

Current account balance:

$-33.46 billion (2004 est.)

Exports:

$347.2 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

manufactured goods, fuels, chemicals; food, beverages, tobacco

Exports - partners:

US 15.3%, Germany 10.8%, France 9.2%, Ireland 6.8%, Netherlands 6%,

Belgium 5.1%, Spain 4.5%, Italy 4.2% (2004)

Imports:

$439.4 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

manufactured goods, machinery, fuels; foodstuffs

Imports - partners:

Germany 13%, US 9.3%, France 7.4%, Netherlands 6.6%, Belgium 4.9%,

China 4.3%, Italy 4.3% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$48.73 billion (2004)

Debt - external:

$4.71 trillion (2003)

Economic aid - donor:

ODA, $4.2 billion (2004)

Currency (code):

British pound (GBP)

Currency code:

GBP

Exchange rates:

British pounds per US dollar - 0.5462 (2004), 0.6125 (2003), 0.6672

(2002), 0.6947 (2001), 0.6609 (2000)

Fiscal year:

6 April - 5 April

Communications United Kingdom

Telephones - main lines in use:

34.898 million (2002)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

49.677 million (2002)

Telephone system:

general assessment: technologically advanced domestic and

international system

domestic: equal mix of buried cables, microwave radio relay, and

fiber-optic systems

international: country code - 44; 40 coaxial submarine cables;

satellite earth stations - 10 Intelsat (7 Atlantic Ocean and 3

Indian Ocean), 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic Ocean region), and 1 Eutelsat;

at least 8 large international switching centers

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 219, FM 431, shortwave 3 (1998)

Radios:

84.5 million (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

228 (plus 3,523 repeaters) (1995)

Televisions:

30.5 million (1997)

Internet country code:

.uk

Internet hosts:

3,398,708 (2004)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

more than 400 (2000)

Internet users:

25 million (2002)

Transportation United Kingdom

Railways:

total: 17,274 km

standard gauge: 16,814 km 1.435-m gauge (5,296 km electrified)

broad gauge: 460 km 1.600-m gauge (in Northern Ireland) (2004)

Highways:

total: 392,931 km

paved: 392,931 km (including 3,431 km of expressways)

unpaved: 0 km (2003)

Waterways:

3,200 km (620 km used for commerce) (2004)

Pipelines:

condensate 370 km; gas 21,446 km; liquid petroleum gas 59 km; oil

6,420 km; oil/gas/water 63 km; refined products 4,474 km (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Hound Point, Immingham, Milford Haven, Liverpool, London,

Southampton, Sullom Voe, Teesport

Merchant marine:

total: 429 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 9,181,284 GRT/9,566,275 DWT

by type: bulk carrier 18, cargo 55, chemical tanker 48, container

134, liquefied gas 11, passenger 12, passenger/cargo 64, petroleum

tanker 40, refrigerated cargo 19, roll on/roll off 25, vehicle

carrier 3

foreign-owned: 202 (Australia 3, Canada 15, Denmark 38, Finland 2,

Germany 56, Greece 4, Ireland 1, Italy 9, Netherlands 12, Norway 28,

South Africa 4, Sweden 15, Taiwan 7, United States 8)

registered in other countries: 446 (2005)

Airports:

471 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 334 over 3,047 m: 8 2,438 to 3,047 m: 33 1,524 to 2,437 m: 150 914 to 1,523 m: 86 under 914 m: 57 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 137 2438 to 3047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 23 under 914 m: 112 (2004 est.)

Heliports: 11 (2004 est.)

Military United Kingdom

Military branches:

Army, Royal Navy (includes Royal Marines), Royal Air Force

Military service age and obligation:

16 years of age for voluntary military service (January 2004)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 16-49: 14,607,724 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 16-49: 12,046,268 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$42,836.5 million (2003)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

2.4% (2003)

Transnational Issues United Kingdom

Disputes - international:

in 2003, Gibraltar residents voted overwhelmingly by referendum to

remain a British colony and against a "total shared sovereignty"

arrangement while demanding participation in talks between the UK

and Spain; Spain disapproves of UK plans to grant Gibraltar greater

autonomy; Mauritius and Seychelles claim the Chagos Archipelago

(British Indian Ocean Territory), and its former inhabitants since

their eviction in 1965; most Chagosians reside in Mauritius, and in

2001 were granted UK citizenship but no right to patriation in the

UK; UK rejects sovereignty talks requested by Argentina, which still

claims the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) and South Georgia and

the South Sandwich Islands; territorial claim in Antarctica (British

Antarctic Territory) overlaps Argentine claim and partially overlaps

Chilean claim; Iceland, the UK, and Ireland dispute Denmark's claim

that the Faroe Islands' continental shelf extends beyond 200 nm

Illicit drugs:

producer of limited amounts of synthetic drugs and synthetic

precursor chemicals; major consumer of Southwest Asian heroin, Latin

American cocaine, and synthetic drugs; money-laundering center

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@United States

Introduction United States

Background:

Britain's American colonies broke with the mother country in 1776

and were recognized as the new nation of the United States of

America following the Treaty of Paris in 1783. During the 19th and

20th centuries, 37 new states were added to the original 13 as the

nation expanded across the North American continent and acquired a

number of overseas possessions. The two most traumatic experiences

in the nation's history were the Civil War (1861-65) and the Great

Depression of the 1930s. Buoyed by victories in World Wars I and II

and the end of the Cold War in 1991, the US remains the world's most

powerful nation state. The economy is marked by steady growth, low

unemployment and inflation, and rapid advances in technology.

Geography United States

Location:

North America, bordering both the North Atlantic Ocean and the

North Pacific Ocean, between Canada and Mexico

Geographic coordinates:

38 00 N, 97 00 W

Map references:

North America

Area:

total: 9,631,418 sq km

land: 9,161,923 sq km

water: 469,495 sq km

note: includes only the 50 states and District of Columbia

Area - comparative:

about half the size of Russia; about three-tenths the size of

Africa; about half the size of South America (or slightly larger

than Brazil); slightly larger than China; almost two and a half

times the size of the European Union

Land boundaries:

total: 12,034 km

border countries: Canada 8,893 km (including 2,477 km with Alaska),

Mexico 3,141 km

note: US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba is leased by the US and

is part of Cuba; the base boundary is 29 km

Coastline:

19,924 km

Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: not specified

Climate:

mostly temperate, but tropical in Hawaii and Florida, arctic in

Alaska, semiarid in the great plains west of the Mississippi River,

and arid in the Great Basin of the southwest; low winter

temperatures in the northwest are ameliorated occasionally in

January and February by warm chinook winds from the eastern slopes

of the Rocky Mountains

Terrain:

vast central plain, mountains in west, hills and low mountains in

east; rugged mountains and broad river valleys in Alaska; rugged,

volcanic topography in Hawaii

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Death Valley -86 m

highest point: Mount McKinley 6,194 m

Natural resources:

coal, copper, lead, molybdenum, phosphates, uranium, bauxite, gold,

iron, mercury, nickel, potash, silver, tungsten, zinc, petroleum,

natural gas, timber

Land use:

arable land: 19.13%

permanent crops: 0.22%

other: 80.65% (2001)

Irrigated land:

214,000 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

tsunamis, volcanoes, and earthquake activity around Pacific Basin;

hurricanes along the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coasts; tornadoes

in the midwest and southeast; mud slides in California; forest fires

in the west; flooding; permafrost in northern Alaska, a major

impediment to development

Environment - current issues:

air pollution resulting in acid rain in both the US and Canada; the

US is the largest single emitter of carbon dioxide from the burning

of fossil fuels; water pollution from runoff of pesticides and

fertilizers; limited natural fresh water resources in much of the

western part of the country require careful management;

desertification

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides,

Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources,

Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Climate Change, Desertification,

Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Marine Dumping,

Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution,

Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic

Pollutants, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Biodiversity,

Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Hazardous Wastes

Geography - note:

world's third-largest country by size (after Russia and Canada) and

by population (after China and India); Mt. McKinley is highest point

in North America and Death Valley the lowest point on the continent

People United States

Population:

295,734,134 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 20.6% (male 31,095,725/female 29,703,997)

15-64 years: 67% (male 98,914,382/female 99,324,126)

65 years and over: 12.4% (male 15,298,676/female 21,397,228) (2005

est.)

Median age: total: 36.27 years male: 34.94 years female: 37.6 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

0.92% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

14.14 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

8.25 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

3.31 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.72 male(s)/female

total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 6.5 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 7.17 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 5.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 77.71 years

male: 74.89 years

female: 80.67 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

2.08 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

0.6% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

950,000 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

14,000 (2003 est.)

Nationality:

noun: American(s)

adjective: American

Ethnic groups:

white 81.7%, black 12.9%, Asian 4.2%, Amerindian and Alaska native

1%, native Hawaiian and other Pacific islander 0.2% (2003 est.)

note: a separate listing for Hispanic is not included because the US

Census Bureau considers Hispanic to mean a person of Latin American

descent (including persons of Cuban, Mexican, or Puerto Rican

origin) living in the US who may be of any race or ethnic group

(white, black, Asian, etc.)

Religions:

Protestant 52%, Roman Catholic 24%, Mormon 2%, Jewish 1%, Muslim

1%, other 10%, none 10% (2002 est.)

Languages:

English 82.1%, Spanish 10.7%, other Indo-European 3.8%, Asian and

Pacific island 2.7%, other 0.7% (2000 census)

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 97%

male: 97%

female: 97% (1999 est.)

Government United States

Country name:

conventional long form: United States of America

conventional short form: United States

abbreviation: US or USA

Government type:

Constitution-based federal republic; strong democratic tradition

Capital:

Washington, DC

Administrative divisions:

50 states and 1 district*; Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas,

California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia*,

Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas,

Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan,

Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New

Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North

Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South

Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia,

Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming

Dependent areas:

American Samoa, Baker Island, Guam, Howland Island, Jarvis Island,

Johnston Atoll, Kingman Reef, Midway Islands, Navassa Island,

Northern Mariana Islands, Palmyra Atoll, Puerto Rico, Virgin

Islands, Wake Island

note: from 18 July 1947 until 1 October 1994, the US administered

the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands; it entered into a

political relationship with all four political units: the Northern

Mariana Islands is a commonwealth in political union with the US

(effective 3 November 1986); the Republic of the Marshall Islands

signed a Compact of Free Association with the US (effective 21

October 1986); the Federated States of Micronesia signed a Compact

of Free Association with the US (effective 3 November 1986); Palau

concluded a Compact of Free Association with the US (effective 1

October 1994)

Independence:

4 July 1776 (from Great Britain)

National holiday:

Independence Day, 4 July (1776)

Constitution:

17 September 1787, effective 4 March 1789

Legal system:

federal court system based on English common law; each state has

its own unique legal system, of which all but one (Louisiana's) is

based on English common law; judicial review of legislative acts;

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President George W. BUSH (since 20 January 2001);

note - the president is both the chief of state and head of

government

head of government: President George W. BUSH (since 20 January

2001); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of

government

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president with Senate approval

elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket

by a college of representatives who are elected directly from each

state; president and vice president serve four-year terms; election

last held 2 November 2004 (next to be held November 2008)

election results: George W. BUSH reelected president; percent of

popular vote - George W. BUSH (Republican Party) 50.9%, John KERRY

(Democratic Party) 48.1%, other 1.0%

Legislative branch:

bicameral Congress consists of the Senate (100 seats, one-third are

renewed every two years; two members are elected from each state by

popular vote to serve six-year terms) and the House of

Representatives (435 seats; members are directly elected by popular

vote to serve two-year terms)

elections: Senate - last held 2 November 2004 (next to be held

November 2006); House of Representatives - last held 2 November 2004

(next to be held November 2006)

election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by

party - Republican Party 55, Democratic Party 44, independent 1;

House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by

party - Republican Party 231, Democratic Party 200, undecided 4

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court (its nine justices are appointed for life on

condition of good behavior by the president with confirmation by the

Senate); United States Courts of Appeal; United States District

Courts; State and County Courts

Political parties and leaders:

Democratic Party [Howard DEAN]; Green Party [leader NA];

Libertarian Party [Steve DAMERELL]; Republican Party [Ken MEHLMAN]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

NA

International organization participation:

AfDB, ANZUS, APEC, ARF, AsDB, ASEAN (dialogue partner), Australia

Group, BIS, CE (observer), CERN (observer), CP, EAPC, EBRD, FAO,

G-5, G-7, G- 8, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory),

ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO,

Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MIGA, MINUSTAH, NAM (guest), NATO,

NEA, NSG, OAS, OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, UN, UN Security

Council, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNITAR, UNMEE, UNMIK, UNMIL,

UNMOVIC, UNOMIG, UNRWA, UNTSO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC

Flag description:

13 equal horizontal stripes of red (top and bottom) alternating

with white; there is a blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner

bearing 50 small, white, five-pointed stars arranged in nine offset

horizontal rows of six stars (top and bottom) alternating with rows

of five stars; the 50 stars represent the 50 states, the 13 stripes

represent the 13 original colonies; known as Old Glory; the design

and colors have been the basis for a number of other flags,

including Chile, Liberia, Malaysia, and Puerto Rico

Economy United States

Economy - overview:

The US has the largest and most technologically powerful economy in

the world, with a per capita GDP of $40,100. In this market-oriented

economy, private individuals and business firms make most of the

decisions, and the federal and state governments buy needed goods

and services predominantly in the private marketplace. US business

firms enjoy considerably greater flexibility than their counterparts

in Western Europe and Japan in decisions to expand capital plant, to

lay off surplus workers, and to develop new products. At the same

time, they face higher barriers to entry in their rivals' home

markets than the barriers to entry of foreign firms in US markets.

US firms are at or near the forefront in technological advances,

especially in computers and in medical, aerospace, and military

equipment; their advantage has narrowed since the end of World War

II. The onrush of technology largely explains the gradual

development of a "two-tier labor market" in which those at the

bottom lack the education and the professional/technical skills of

those at the top and, more and more, fail to get comparable pay

raises, health insurance coverage, and other benefits. Since 1975,

practically all the gains in household income have gone to the top

20% of households. The response to the terrorist attacks of 11

September 2001 showed the remarkable resilience of the economy. The

war in March/April 2003 between a US-led coalition and Iraq, and the

subsequent occupation of Iraq, required major shifts in national

resources to the military. The rise in GDP in 2004 was undergirded

by substantial gains in labor productivity. The economy suffered

from a sharp increase in energy prices in the second half of 2004.

Long-term problems include inadequate investment in economic

infrastructure, rapidly rising medical and pension costs of an aging

population, sizable trade and budget deficits, and stagnation of

family income in the lower economic groups.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$11.75 trillion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

4.4% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $40,100 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 0.9% industry: 19.7% services: 79.4% (2004 est.)

Labor force: 147.4 million (includes unemployed) (2004 est.)

Labor force - by occupation: farming, forestry, and fishing 0.7%, manufacturing, extraction, transportation, and crafts 22.7%, managerial, professional, and technical 34.9%, sales and office 25.5%, other services 16.3% note: figures exclude the unemployed (2004)

Unemployment rate:

5.5% (2004 est.)

Population below poverty line:

12% (2004 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.8% highest 10%: 30.5% (1997)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

45 (2004)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

2.5% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

15.7% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $1.862 trillion

expenditures: $2.338 trillion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Public debt:

65% of GDP (2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

wheat, corn, other grains, fruits, vegetables, cotton; beef, pork,

poultry, dairy products; forest products; fish

Industries:

leading industrial power in the world, highly diversified and

technologically advanced; petroleum, steel, motor vehicles,

aerospace, telecommunications, chemicals, electronics, food

processing, consumer goods, lumber, mining

Industrial production growth rate:

4.4% (2004 est.)

Electricity - production:

3.839 trillion kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 71.4% hydro: 5.6% nuclear: 20.7% other: 2.3% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

3.66 trillion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

13.36 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

36.23 billion kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

7.8 million bbl/day (2004 est.)

Oil - consumption:

19.65 million bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Oil - proved reserves:

22.45 billion bbl (1 January 2002)

Natural gas - production:

548.1 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - consumption:

640.9 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - exports:

11.16 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - imports:

114.1 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves:

5.195 trillion cu m (1 January 2002)

Current account balance:

$-646.5 billion (2004 est.)

Exports:

$795 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

agricultural products (soybeans, fruit, corn) 9.2%, industrial

supplies (organic chemicals) 26.8%, capital goods (transistors,

aircraft, motor vehicle parts, computers, telecommunications

equipment) 49.0%, consumer goods (automobiles, medicines) 15.0%

(2003)

Exports - partners:

Canada 23%, Mexico 13.6%, Japan 6.7%, UK 4.4%, China 4.3% (2004)

Imports:

$1.476 trillion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

agricultural products 4.9%, industrial supplies 32.9% (crude oil

8.2%), capital goods 30.4% (computers, telecommunications equipment,

motor vehicle parts, office machines, electric power machinery),

consumer goods 31.8% (automobiles, clothing, medicines, furniture,

toys) (2003)

Imports - partners:

Canada 17%, China 13.8%, Mexico 10.3%, Japan 8.7%, Germany 5.2%

(2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$85.94 billion (2003)

Debt - external:

$1.4 trillion (2001 est.)

Economic aid - donor:

ODA, $6.9 billion (1997)

Currency (code):

US dollar (USD)

Currency code:

USD

Exchange rates:

British pounds per US dollar - 0.5457 (2004), 0.6139 (2003), 0.6661

(2002), 0.6944 (2001), 0.6596 (2000); Canadian dollars per US dollar

- 1.3014 (2004), 1.4045 (2003), 1.5693 (2002), 1.5488 (2001), 1.4851

(2000); Japanese yen per US dollar - 108.13 (2004), 116.08 (2003),

125.39 (2002), 121.53 (2001), 107.77 (2000); euros per US dollar -

0.8048 (2004), 0.8866 (2003), 1.0626 (2002), 1.1175 (2001), 1.08540

(2000)

Fiscal year:

1 October - 30 September

Communications United States

Telephones - main lines in use:

181,599,900 (2003)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

158.722 million (2003)

Telephone system:

general assessment: a large, technologically advanced, multipurpose

communications system

domestic: a large system of fiber-optic cable, microwave radio

relay, coaxial cable, and domestic satellites carries every form of

telephone traffic; a rapidly growing cellular system carries mobile

telephone traffic throughout the country

international: country code - 1; 24 ocean cable systems in use;

satellite earth stations - 61 Intelsat (45 Atlantic Ocean and 16

Pacific Ocean), 5 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region), and 4

Inmarsat (Pacific and Atlantic Ocean regions) (2000)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 4,854, FM 8,950, shortwave 18 (2004)

Radios:

575 million (1997)

Television broadcast stations: more than 1,500 (including nearly 1,000 stations affiliated with the five major networks - NBC, ABC, CBS, FOX, and PBS; in addition, there are about 9,000 cable TV systems) (1997)

Televisions:

219 million (1997)

Internet country code:

.us

Internet hosts:

115,311,958 (2002)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

7,000 (2002 est.)

Internet users:

159 million (2002)

Transportation United States

Railways: total: 227,736 km standard gauge: 227,736 km 1.435-m gauge (2003)

Highways:

total: 6,393,603 km

paved: 4,180,053 km (including 74,406 km of expressways)

unpaved: 2,213,550 km (2003)

Waterways:

41,009 km (19,312 km used for commerce)

note: Saint Lawrence Seaway of 3,769 km, including the Saint

Lawrence River of 3,058 km, shared with Canada (2004)

Pipelines:

petroleum products 244,620 km; natural gas 548,665 km (2003)

Ports and harbors:

Corpus Christi, Duluth, Hampton Roads, Houston, Long Beach, Los

Angeles, New Orleans, New York, Philadelphia, Tampa, Texas City

note: 13 ports north of New Orleans (South Louisiana Ports) on the

Mississippi River handle 290,000,000 tons of cargo annually.

Merchant marine:

total: 486 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 12,436,658 GRT/14,630,116 DWT

by type: barge carrier 7, bulk carrier 19, cargo 152, chemical

tanker 19, container 92, passenger 17, passenger/cargo 57, petroleum

tanker 79, refrigerated cargo 2, roll on/roll off 28, vehicle

carrier 14

foreign-owned: 49 (Australia 2, Canada 8, China 1, Denmark 20,

Malaysia 2, Netherlands 1, Norway 2, Singapore 11, Sweden 1, United

Kingdom 1)

registered in other countries: 680 (2005)

Airports:

14,857 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 5,128

over 3,047 m: 188

2,438 to 3,047 m: 221

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1,375

914 to 1,523 m: 2,383

under 914 m: 961 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 9,729

over 3,047 m: 1

2,438 to 3,047 m: 7

1,524 to 2,437 m: 160

914 to 1,523 m: 1,718

under 914 m: 7,843 (2004 est.)

Heliports:

155 (2004 est.)

Military United States

Military branches:

Army, Navy and Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard (Coast

Guard administered in peacetime by the Department of Homeland

Security, but in wartime reports to the Department of the Navy)

Military service age and obligation:

18 years of age (2004)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 18-49: 67,742,879

females age 18-49: 67,070,144 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: 54,609,050

females age 18-49: 54,696,706 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:

males: 2,143,873

females: 2,036,201 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$370.7 billion (FY04 est.) (March 2003)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

3.3% (FY03 est.) (February 2004)

Transnational Issues United States

Disputes - international:

prolonged drought, population growth, and outmoded practices and

infrastructure in the border region strains water-sharing

arrangements with Mexico; the US has stepped up efforts to stem

nationals from Mexico, Central America, and other parts of the world

from crossing illegally into the United States from Mexico; illegal

immigrants from the Caribbean, notably Haiti and the Dominican

Republic, attempt to enter the US through Florida by sea; 1990

Maritime Boundary Agreement in the Bering Sea still awaits Russian

Duma ratification; managed maritime boundary disputes with Canada at

Dixon Entrance, Beaufort Sea, Strait of Juan de Fuca, and around the

disputed Machias Seal Island and North Rock; US and Canada seek

greater cooperation in monitoring people and commodities crossing

the border; The Bahamas and US have not been able to agree on a

maritime boundary; US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay is leased from

Cuba and only mutual agreement or US abandonment of the area can

terminate the lease; Haiti claims US-administered Navassa Island; US

has made no territorial claim in Antarctica (but has reserved the

right to do so) and does not recognize the claims of any other

state; Marshall Islands claims Wake Island

Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): the United States admitted 52,868 refugees during FY03/04 including: 13,331 (Somalia), 6,000 (Laos), 3,482 (Ukraine), 2,959 (Cuba), 1,787 (Iran); note - 27,239 refugees have been admitted as of 31 May 2005

Illicit drugs:

consumer of cocaine shipped from Colombia through Mexico and the

Caribbean; consumer of heroin, marijuana, and increasingly

methamphetamine from Mexico; consumer of high-quality Southeast

Asian heroin; illicit producer of cannabis, marijuana, depressants,

stimulants, hallucinogens, and methamphetamine; money-laundering

center

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Uruguay

Introduction Uruguay

Background:

Montevideo, founded by the Spanish in 1726 as a military

stronghold, soon took advantage of its natural harbor to became an

important commercial center. Annexed by Brazil as a separate

province in 1821, Uruguay declared its independence four years later

and secured its freedom in 1828 after a three-year struggle. The

administrations of President BATLLE in the early 20th century

established widespread political, social, and economic reforms. A

violent Marxist urban guerrilla movement, the Tupamaros, launched in

the late 1960s, led Uruguay's president to agree to military control

of his administration in 1973. By yearend, the rebels had been

crushed, but the military continued to expand its hold throughout

the government. Civilian rule was not restored until 1985. Uruguay's

political and labor conditions are among the freest on the continent.

Geography Uruguay

Location:

Southern South America, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between

Argentina and Brazil

Geographic coordinates:

33 00 S, 56 00 W

Map references:

South America

Area:

total: 176,220 sq km

land: 173,620 sq km

water: 2,600 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly smaller than the state of Washington

Land boundaries: total: 1,564 km border countries: Argentina 579 km, Brazil 985 km

Coastline: 660 km

Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

Climate:

warm temperate; freezing temperatures almost unknown

Terrain:

mostly rolling plains and low hills; fertile coastal lowland

Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Cerro Catedral 514 m

Natural resources: arable land, hydropower, minor minerals, fisheries

Land use: arable land: 7.43% permanent crops: 0.23% other: 92.34% (2001)

Irrigated land:

1,800 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

seasonally high winds (the pampero is a chilly and occasional

violent wind which blows north from the Argentine pampas), droughts,

floods; because of the absence of mountains, which act as weather

barriers, all locations are particularly vulnerable to rapid changes

from weather fronts

Environment - current issues: water pollution from meat packing/tannery industry; inadequate solid/hazardous waste disposal

Environment - international agreements: party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation

Geography - note:

second-smallest South American country (after Suriname); most of

the low-lying landscape (three-quarters of the country) is

grassland, ideal for cattle and sheep raising

People Uruguay

Population:

3,415,920 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 23.2% (male 403,041/female 389,427)

15-64 years: 63.6% (male 1,076,960/female 1,095,833)

65 years and over: 13.2% (male 183,877/female 266,782) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 32.46 years

male: 31.02 years

female: 33.95 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

0.47% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

14.09 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

9.06 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

-0.28 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female

total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 11.95 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 13.27 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 10.58 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 76.13 years

male: 72.92 years

female: 79.45 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

1.91 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

0.3% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

6,000 (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

less than 500 (2003 est.)

Nationality:

noun: Uruguayan(s)

adjective: Uruguayan

Ethnic groups:

white 88%, mestizo 8%, black 4%, Amerindian (practically

nonexistent)

Religions:

Roman Catholic 66% (less than half of the adult population attends

church regularly), Protestant 2%, Jewish 1%, nonprofessing or other

31%

Languages:

Spanish, Portunol, or Brazilero (Portuguese-Spanish mix on the

Brazilian frontier)

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 98%

male: 97.6%

female: 98.4% (2003 est.)

Government Uruguay

Country name:

conventional long form: Oriental Republic of Uruguay

conventional short form: Uruguay

local long form: Republica Oriental del Uruguay

local short form: Uruguay

former: Banda Oriental, Cisplatine Province

Government type:

constitutional republic

Capital:

Montevideo

Administrative divisions:

19 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento); Artigas,

Canelones, Cerro Largo, Colonia, Durazno, Flores, Florida,

Lavalleja, Maldonado, Montevideo, Paysandu, Rio Negro, Rivera,

Rocha, Salto, San Jose, Soriano, Tacuarembo, Treinta y Tres

Independence:

25 August 1825 (from Brazil)

National holiday:

Independence Day, 25 August (1825)

Constitution:

27 November 1966, effective February 1967; suspended 27 June 1973,

new constitution rejected by referendum 30 November 1980; two

constitutional reforms approved by plebiscite 26 November 1989 and 7

January 1997

Legal system:

based on Spanish civil law system; accepts compulsory ICJ

jurisdiction

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal and compulsory

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Tabare VAZQUEZ (since 1 March 2005) and

Vice President Rodolfo NIN NOVA (since 1 March 2005); note - the

president is both the chief of state and head of government

head of government: President Tabare VAZQUEZ (since 1 March 2005)

and Vice President Rodolfo NIN NOVA (since 1 March 2005); note - the

president is both the chief of state and head of government

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president with

parliamentary approval

elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket

by popular vote for five-year terms; election last held 31 October

2004 (next to be held October 2009)

election results: Tabare VAZQUEZ elected president; percent of vote

- Tabare VAZQUEZ 50.5%, Jorge LARRANAGA 35.1%, Guillermo STIRLING

10.3%

Legislative branch:

bicameral General Assembly or Asamblea General consists of Chamber

of Senators or Camara de Senadores (30 seats; members are elected by

popular vote to serve five-year terms) and Chamber of

Representatives or Camara de Representantes (99 seats; members are

elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)

elections: Chamber of Senators - last held 31 October 2004 (next to

be held October 2009); Chamber of Representatives - last held 31

October 2004 (next to be held October 2009)

election results: Chamber of Senators - percent of vote by party -

NA%; seats by party - EP-FA 16, Blanco 11, Colorado Party 3; Chamber

of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party

- EP-FA 52, Blanco 36, Colorado Party 10, Independent Party 1

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court (judges are nominated by the president and elected

for 10-year terms by the General Assembly)

Political parties and leaders:

Colorado Party [Jorge BATLLE Ibanez]; National Party or Blanco

[Luis Alberto LACALLE Herrera]; New Sector/Space Coalition (Nuevo

Espacio) [Rafael MICHELINI]; Progressive Encounter/Broad Front

Coalition (Encuentro Progresista/Frente Amplio) or EP-FA [Tabare

VAZQUEZ]; Independent Party (Partido Independiente) [leader NA]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

Agrupacion UTE (powerful state worker's union), Rural Association

of Uruguay (rancher's association), Uruguayan Construction League,

Chamber of Uruguayan Industries (manufacturer's association),

Chemist and Pharmaceutical Association (professional organization),

Architect's Society of Uruguay (professional organization), the

Catholic Church, students

International organization participation:

CSN, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IFAD, IFC,

IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA,

Mercosur, MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSTAH, MONUC, NAM (observer), OAS, ONUB,

OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNIDO,

UNMEE, UNMOGIP, UNMOT, UNOCI, UNOMIG, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO,

WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Carlos GIANELLI Derois

chancery: 1913 I Street NW, Washington, DC 20006

telephone: [1] (202) 331-1313 through 1316

FAX: [1] (202) 331-8142

consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, and New York

consulate(s): San Juan (Puerto Rico)

Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Martin J. SILVERSTEIN embassy: Lauro Muller 1776, Montevideo 11200 mailing address: APO AA 34035 telephone: [598] (2) 418-7777 FAX: [598] (2) 418-8611

Flag description:

nine equal horizontal stripes of white (top and bottom) alternating

with blue; there is a white square in the upper hoist-side corner

with a yellow sun bearing a human face known as the Sun of May and

16 rays alternately triangular and wavy

Economy Uruguay

Economy - overview:

Uruguay's well-to-do economy is characterized by an export-oriented

agricultural sector, a well-educated workforce, and high levels of

social spending. After averaging growth of 5% annually during

1996-98, in 1999-2002 the economy suffered a major downturn,

stemming largely from the spillover effects of the economic problems

of its large neighbors, Argentina and Brazil. For instance, in

2001-02 massive withdrawals by Argentina of dollars deposited in

Uruguayan banks led to a plunge in the Uruguyan peso and a massive

rise in unemployment. Total GDP in these four years dropped by

nearly 20%, with 2002 the worst year due to the serious banking

crisis. Unemployment rose to nearly 20% in 2002, inflation surged,

and the burden of external debt doubled. Cooperation with the IMF

limited the damage. The debt swap with private creditors carried out

in 2003, which extended the maturity dates on nearly half of

Uruguay's $11.3 billion in public debt, substantially alleviated the

country's amortization burden in the coming years and restored

public confidence. The economy grew about 10% in 2004 as a result of

high commodity prices for Uruguayan exports, the weakness of the

dollar against the euro, growth in the region, low international

interest rates, and greater export competitiveness.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$49.27 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

10.2% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $14,500 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 7.9% industry: 27.4% services: 64.8% (2004 est.)

Labor force:

1.56 million (2004 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 14%, industry 16%, services 70%

Unemployment rate:

13% (2004 est.)

Population below poverty line:

21% of households (2003)

Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.7% highest 10%: 25.8% (1997)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

44.8 (1999)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

7.6% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

9.6% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $3.332 billion

expenditures: $3.787 billion, including capital expenditures of $193

million (2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

rice, wheat, corn, barley; livestock; fish

Industries:

food processing, electrical machinery, transportation equipment,

petroleum products, textiles, chemicals, beverages

Industrial production growth rate:

22% (2004 est.)

Electricity - production:

8.536 billion kWh (2003)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 0.7% hydro: 99.1% nuclear: 0% other: 0.3% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

5.878 billion kWh (2003)

Electricity - exports:

954 million kWh (2003)

Electricity - imports:

434.2 million kWh (2003)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

41,500 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Natural gas - production:

0 cu m (2003 est.)

Natural gas - consumption:

64.5 million cu m (2003 est.)

Natural gas - exports:

0 cu m (2003 est.)

Natural gas - imports:

65 million cu m (2003 est.)

Current account balance:

$181.8 million (2004 est.)

Exports:

$2.2 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Exports - commodities:

meat, rice, leather products, wool, fish, dairy products

Exports - partners:

US 17.3%, Brazil 16%, Germany 6.3%, Argentina 6.2%, Mexico 4.2%

(2004)

Imports:

$2.071 billion f.o.b. (2003)

Imports - commodities:

machinery, chemicals, road vehicles, crude petroleum

Imports - partners:

Argentina 19.5%, Brazil 19%, Paraguay 12.9%, US 9.2%, China 6%

(2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$2.362 billion (2004 est.)

Debt - external:

$12.8 billion (March 2004)

Economic aid - recipient:

NA

Currency (code):

Uruguayan peso (UYU)

Currency code:

UYU

Exchange rates:

Uruguayan pesos per US dollar - 28.704 (2004), 28.209 (2003),

21.257 (2002), 13.319 (2001), 12.1 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Uruguay

Telephones - main lines in use:

946,500 (2002)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

652,000 (2002)

Telephone system:

general assessment: fully digitalized

domestic: most modern facilities concentrated in Montevideo; new

nationwide microwave radio relay network

international: country code - 598; satellite earth stations - 2

Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2002)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 91, FM 149, shortwave 7 (2001)

Radios:

1.97 million (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

23 (2002)

Televisions:

782,000 (1997)

Internet country code:

.uy

Internet hosts:

87,630 (2003)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

14 (2001)

Internet users:

400,000 (2002)

Transportation Uruguay

Railways:

total: 2,073 km

standard gauge: 2,073 km 1.435-m gauge

note: 461 km have been taken out of service and 460 km are in

partial use (2004)

Highways: total: 8,983 km paved: 8,081 km unpaved: 902 km (1999 est.)

Waterways:

1,600 km (2002)

Pipelines:

gas 192 km (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Montevideo

Merchant marine:

total: 11 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 10,918 GRT/10,342 DWT

by type: cargo 1, chemical tanker 1, passenger/cargo 6, petroleum

tanker 2, roll on/roll off 1

foreign-owned: 4 (Argentina 3, Greece 1)

registered in other countries: 8 (2005)

Airports:

64 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 14 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 6 under 914 m: 2 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 50 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 17 under 914 m: 31 (2004 est.)

Military Uruguay

Military branches:

Army, Navy (includes Naval Air Arm, Marines, Maritime Prefecture in

wartime), Air Force

Military service age and obligation:

18 years of age for voluntary and compulsory military service (2001)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 18-49: 764,408 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: 637,445 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$257.5 million (2004)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

2% (2004)

Transnational Issues Uruguay

Disputes - international:

uncontested dispute with Brazil over certain islands in the

Quarai/Cuareim and Invernada streams and the resulting tripoint with

Argentina

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Uzbekistan

Introduction Uzbekistan

Background:

Russia conquered Uzbekistan in the late 19th century. Stiff

resistance to the Red Army after World War I was eventually

suppressed and a socialist republic set up in 1924. During the

Soviet era, intensive production of "white gold" (cotton) and grain

led to overuse of agrochemicals and the depletion of water supplies,

which have left the land poisoned and the Aral Sea and certain

rivers half dry. Independent since 1991, the country seeks to

gradually lessen its dependence on agriculture while developing its

mineral and petroleum reserves. Current concerns include terrorism

by Islamic militants, economic stagnation, and the curtailment of

human rights and democratization.

Geography Uzbekistan

Location:

Central Asia, north of Afghanistan

Geographic coordinates:

41 00 N, 64 00 E

Map references:

Asia

Area:

total: 447,400 sq km

land: 425,400 sq km

water: 22,000 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly larger than California

Land boundaries:

total: 6,221 km

border countries: Afghanistan 137 km, Kazakhstan 2,203 km,

Kyrgyzstan 1,099 km, Tajikistan 1,161 km, Turkmenistan 1,621 km

Coastline:

0 km (doubly landlocked); note - Uzbekistan includes the southern

portion of the Aral Sea with a 420 km shoreline

Maritime claims:

none (doubly landlocked)

Climate:

mostly midlatitude desert, long, hot summers, mild winters;

semiarid grassland in east

Terrain:

mostly flat-to-rolling sandy desert with dunes; broad, flat

intensely irrigated river valleys along course of Amu Darya, Syr

Darya (Sirdaryo), and Zarafshon; Fergana Valley in east surrounded

by mountainous Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan; shrinking Aral Sea in west

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Sariqarnish Kuli -12 m

highest point: Adelunga Toghi 4,301 m

Natural resources:

natural gas, petroleum, coal, gold, uranium, silver, copper, lead

and zinc, tungsten, molybdenum

Land use: arable land: 10.83% permanent crops: 0.83% other: 88.34% (2001)

Irrigated land:

42,810 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

NA

Environment - current issues:

shrinkage of the Aral Sea is resulting in growing concentrations of

chemical pesticides and natural salts; these substances are then

blown from the increasingly exposed lake bed and contribute to

desertification; water pollution from industrial wastes and the

heavy use of fertilizers and pesticides is the cause of many human

health disorders; increasing soil salination; soil contamination

from buried nuclear processing and agricultural chemicals, including

DDT

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto

Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental

Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

along with Liechtenstein, one of the only two doubly landlocked

countries in the world

People Uzbekistan

Population:

26,851,195 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 33.5% (male 4,575,443/female 4,408,146)

15-64 years: 61.7% (male 8,201,993/female 8,371,933)

65 years and over: 4.8% (male 528,334/female 765,346) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 22.36 years

male: 21.74 years

female: 23 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

1.67% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

26.22 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

7.95 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

-1.61 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female

total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 71.1 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 74.78 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 67.22 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 64.19 years

male: 60.82 years

female: 67.73 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

2.94 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

less than 0.1% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

11,000 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

less than 500 (2003 est.)

Nationality:

noun: Uzbekistani

adjective: Uzbekistani

Ethnic groups:

Uzbek 80%, Russian 5.5%, Tajik 5%, Kazakh 3%, Karakalpak 2.5%,

Tatar 1.5%, other 2.5% (1996 est.)

Religions:

Muslim 88% (mostly Sunnis), Eastern Orthodox 9%, other 3%

Languages:

Uzbek 74.3%, Russian 14.2%, Tajik 4.4%, other 7.1%

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 99.3%

male: 99.6%

female: 99% (2003 est.)

Government Uzbekistan

Country name:

conventional long form: Republic of Uzbekistan

conventional short form: Uzbekistan

local long form: Ozbekiston Respublikasi

local short form: Ozbekiston

former: Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic

Government type:

republic; authoritarian presidential rule, with little power

outside the executive branch

Capital:

Tashkent (Toshkent)

Administrative divisions:

12 provinces (viloyatlar, singular - viloyat), 1 autonomous

republic* (respublika), and 1 city** (shahar); Andijon Viloyati,

Buxoro Viloyati, Farg'ona Viloyati, Jizzax Viloyati, Namangan

Viloyati, Navoiy Viloyati, Qashqadaryo Viloyati (Qarshi),

Qaraqalpog'iston Respublikasi* (Nukus), Samarqand Viloyati, Sirdaryo

Viloyati (Guliston), Surxondaryo Viloyati (Termiz), Toshkent

Shahri**, Toshkent Viloyati, Xorazm Viloyati (Urganch)

note: administrative divisions have the same names as their

administrative centers (exceptions have the administrative center

name following in parentheses)

Independence:

1 September 1991 (from Soviet Union)

National holiday:

Independence Day, 1 September (1991)

Constitution:

new constitution adopted 8 December 1992

Legal system:

evolution of Soviet civil law; still lacks independent judicial

system

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Islom KARIMOV (since 24 March 1990, when

he was elected president by the then Supreme Soviet)

head of government: Prime Minister Shavkat MIRZIYAYEV (since 11

December 2003)

cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president with

approval of the Supreme Assembly

elections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term

(previously was a five-year term, extended by constitutional

amendment in 2002); election last held 9 January 2000 (next to be

held December 2007); prime minister and deputy ministers appointed

by the president

election results: Islom KARIMOV reelected president; percent of vote

- Islom KARIMOV 91.9%, Abdulkhafiz JALALOV 4.2%

Legislative branch:

bicameral Supreme Assembly or Oliy Majlis consists of an Upper

House or Senate (100 seats; 84 members are elected by regional

governing councils to serve five-year terms and 16 are appointed by

the president) and a Lower House or Legislative Chamber (120 seats;

elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)

elections: last held 26 December 2004 and 9 January 2005 (next to be

held December 2009)

election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by

party - NA; Legislative Chamber - percent of vote by party - NA%;

seats by party - LDPU 41, NDP 32, Fidokorlar 17, MTP 11, Adolat 9,

unaffiliated 10

note: all parties in the Supreme Assembly support President KARIMOV

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court (judges are nominated by the president and confirmed

by the Supreme Assembly)

Political parties and leaders:

Adolat (Justice) Social Democratic Party [Dilorom TOSHMUHAMMADOVA,

chairman]; Democratic National Rebirth Party (Milly Tiklanish) or

MTP [Xurshid DOSTMUHAMMADOV, chief]; Liberal Democratic Party of

Uzbekistan or LDPU [Adham SHODMONOV, chairman]; People's Democratic

Party or NDP (formerly Communist Party) [Asliddin RUSTAMOV, first

secretary]; Self-Sacrificers Party or Fidokorlar National Democratic

Party [Ahtam TURSUNOV, chief]; note - Fatherland Progress Party

merged with Self-Sacrificers Party

Political pressure groups and leaders:

Agrarian and Entrepreneurs' Party [Marat ZAHIDOV]; Birlik (Unity)

Movement [Abdurakhim POLAT, chairman]; Erk (Freedom) Democratic

Party [Muhammad SOLIH, chairman] was banned 9 December 1992; Ezgulik

Human Rights Society [Vasilia INOYATOVA]; Free Farmers' Party or

Ozod Dehqonlar [Nigara KHIDOYATOVA]; Human Rights Society of

Uzbekistan [Tolib YAKUBOV, chairman]; Independent Human Rights

Society of Uzbekistan [Mikhail ARDZINOV, chairman]; Mazlum [leader

NA]

International organization participation:

AsDB, CIS, EAPC, EBRD, ECO, FAO, GUUAM, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt

(signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC,

ISO, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, SCO, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,

UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO (observer)

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Abdulaziz KAMILOV

chancery: 1746 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036

telephone: [1] (202) 293-6803

FAX: [1] (202) 293-6804

consulate(s) general: New York

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Jon PURNELL

embassy: 82 Chilanzarskaya, Tashkent 700115

mailing address: use embassy street address

telephone: [998] (71) 120-5450

FAX: [998] (71) 120-6335

Flag description:

three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, and green

separated by red fimbriations with a white crescent moon and 12

white stars in the upper hoist-side quadrant

Economy Uzbekistan

Economy - overview:

Uzbekistan is a dry, landlocked country of which 11% consists of

intensely cultivated, irrigated river valleys. More than 60% of its

population lives in densely populated rural communities. Uzbekistan

is now the world's second-largest cotton exporter, a large producer

of gold and oil, and a regionally significant producer of chemicals

and machinery. Following independence in December 1991, the

government sought to prop up its Soviet-style command economy with

subsidies and tight controls on production and prices. Uzbekistan

responded to the negative external conditions generated by the Asian

and Russian financial crises by emphasizing import substitute

industrialization and by tightening export and currency controls

within its already largely closed economy. The government, while

aware of the need to improve the investment climate, sponsors

measures that often increase, not decrease, the government's control

over business decisions. A sharp increase in the inequality of

income distribution has hurt the lower ranks of society since

independence. In 2003, the government accepted the obligations of

Article VIII under the International Monetary Fund (IMF), providing

for full currency convertibility. However, strict currency controls

and tightening of borders have lessened the effects of

convertibility and have also led to some shortages that have further

stifled economic activity.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$47.59 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

4.4% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $1,800 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 38% industry: 26.3% services: 35.7% (2003 est.)

Labor force:

14.64 million (2004 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 44%, industry 20%, services 36% (1995)

Unemployment rate:

0.6% officially, plus another 20% underemployed (2004 est.)

Population below poverty line:

28% (2004 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.6% highest 10%: 22% (2000)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

44.7 (1998)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

3% (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $2.457 billion

expenditures: $2.482 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Public debt:

41.5% of GDP (2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

cotton, vegetables, fruits, grain; livestock

Industries:

textiles, food processing, machine building, metallurgy, gold

petroleum, natural gas, chemicals

Industrial production growth rate:

6.2% (2003 est.)

Electricity - production:

47.7 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 88.2% hydro: 11.8% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

46.66 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

4.5 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

6.8 billion kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

143,300 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Oil - consumption:

142,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Oil - proved reserves:

297 million bbl (1 January 2002)

Natural gas - production:

63.1 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - consumption:

45.2 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - exports:

17.9 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - imports:

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves:

937.3 billion cu m (1 January 2002)

Current account balance:

$461.9 million (2004 est.)

Exports:

$3.7 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

cotton 41.5%, gold 9.6%, energy products 9.6%, mineral fertilizers,

ferrous metals, textiles, food products, automobiles (1998 est.)

Exports - partners:

Russia 22%, China 14.7%, Turkey 6.4%, Tajikistan 6.1%, Kazakhstan

4.2%, Bangladesh 4% (2004)

Imports:

$2.82 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

machinery and equipment 49.8%, foodstuffs 16.4%, chemicals, metals

(1998 est.)

Imports - partners:

Russia 26.8%, South Korea 12.6%, US 8%, Germany 7.7%, Kazakhstan

6.3%, China 5.8%, Turkey 5.1%, Ukraine 4.5% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$1.603 billion (2004 est.)

Debt - external:

$4.351 billion (2004 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:

$87.4 million from the US (2003)

Currency (code):

Uzbekistani sum (UZS)

Currency code:

UZS

Exchange rates:

Uzbekistani sums per US dollar - 1,020 (2004), 971.265 (2003),

771.03 (2001), 423.832 (2001), 236.61 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Uzbekistan

Telephones - main lines in use:

1,717,100 (2003)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

320,800 (2003)

Telephone system:

general assessment: antiquated and inadequate; in serious need of

modernization

domestic: the domestic telephone system is being expanded and

technologically improved, particularly in Tashkent (Toshkent) and

Samarqand, under contracts with prominent companies in

industrialized countries; moreover, by 1998, six cellular networks

had been placed in operation - four of the GSM type (Global System

for Mobile Communication), one D-AMPS type (Digital Advanced Mobile

Phone System), and one AMPS type (Advanced Mobile Phone System)

international: country code - 998; linked by landline or microwave

radio relay with CIS member states and to other countries by leased

connection via the Moscow international gateway switch; after the

completion of the Uzbek link to the Trans-Asia-Europe (TAE)

fiber-optic cable, Uzbekistan will be independent of Russian

facilities for international communications; Inmarsat also provides

an international connection, albeit an expensive one; satellite

earth stations - NA (1998)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 20, FM 7, shortwave 10 (1998)

Radios:

10.8 million (1997)

Television broadcast stations: 4 (plus two repeaters that relay Russian programs), 1 cable rebroadcaster in Tashkent; approximately 20 stations in regional capitals (2003)

Televisions:

6.4 million (1997)

Internet country code:

.uz

Internet hosts:

1,040 (2003)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

42 (2000)

Internet users:

492,000 (2003)

Transportation Uzbekistan

Railways: total: 3,950 km broad gauge: 3,950 km 1.520-m gauge (620 km electrified) (2004)

Highways: total: 81,600 km paved: 71,237 km unpaved: 10,363 km (1999 est.)

Waterways:

1,100 km (2004)

Pipelines:

gas 9,149 km; oil 869 km; refined products 33 km (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Termiz (Amu Darya)

Airports:

226 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 33 over 3,047 m: 5 2,438 to 3,047 m: 14 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 4 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 193 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 187 (2004 est.)

Military Uzbekistan

Military branches:

Army, Air and Air Defense Forces, National Guard

Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript service obligation - 12 months (2004)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 18-49: 6,340,220 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: 4,609,621 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:

males: 324,722 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$200 million (FY97)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

2% (FY97)

Transnational Issues Uzbekistan

Disputes - international:

cotton monoculture in Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan creates

water-sharing difficulties for Amu Darya river states; delimitation

with Kazakhstan complete with demarcation underway; delimitation is

underway with Kyrgyzstan but serious disputes around enclaves and

elsewhere continue to mar progress for some 130 km of border; talks

continue with Tajikistan to delimit border and remove minefields

Refugees and internally displaced persons:

IDPs: 3,000 (forced population transfers by government from

villages near Tajikistan border) (2004)

Illicit drugs:

transit country for Afghan narcotics bound for Russian and, to a

lesser extent, Western European markets; limited illicit cultivation

of cannabis and small amounts of opium poppy for domestic

consumption; poppy cultivation almost wiped out by government crop

eradication program; transit point for heroin precursor chemicals

bound for Afghanistan

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Vanuatu

Introduction Vanuatu

Background:

The British and French, who settled the New Hebrides in the 19th

century, agreed in 1906 to an Anglo-French Condominium, which

administered the islands until independence in 1980.

Geography Vanuatu

Location:

Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about

three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to Australia

Geographic coordinates:

16 00 S, 167 00 E

Map references:

Oceania

Area:

total: 12,200 sq km

land: 12,200 sq km

water: 0 sq km

note: includes more than 80 islands, about 65 of which are inhabited

Area - comparative:

slightly larger than Connecticut

Land boundaries:

0 km

Coastline:

2,528 km

Maritime claims: measured from claimed archipelagic baselines territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin

Climate:

tropical; moderated by southeast trade winds from May to October;

moderate rainfall from November to April; may be affected by

cyclones from December to April

Terrain:

mostly mountainous islands of volcanic origin; narrow coastal plains

Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Tabwemasana 1,877 m

Natural resources: manganese, hardwood forests, fish

Land use: arable land: 2.46% permanent crops: 7.38% other: 90.16% (2001)

Irrigated land:

NA

Natural hazards:

tropical cyclones or typhoons (January to April); volcanism causes

minor earthquakes; tsunamis

Environment - current issues:

a majority of the population does not have access to a reliable

supply of potable water; deforestation

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Biodiversity, Climate

Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered

Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection,

Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 94

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

a Y-shaped chain of four main islands and 80 smaller islands;

several of the islands have active volcanoes

People Vanuatu

Population:

205,754 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 33.3% (male 35,039/female 33,553)

15-64 years: 63.1% (male 66,311/female 63,502)

65 years and over: 3.6% (male 3,878/female 3,471) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 22.64 years

male: 22.68 years

female: 22.59 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

1.52% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

23.06 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

7.9 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 1.12 male(s)/female

total population: 1.05 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 55.16 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 57.73 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 52.45 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 62.49 years

male: 61 years

female: 64.05 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

2.77 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

NA

Nationality:

noun: Ni-Vanuatu (singular and plural)

adjective: Ni-Vanuatu

Ethnic groups:

Ni-Vanuatu 98.5%, other 1.5% (1999 Census)

Religions:

Presbyterian 31.4%, Anglican 13.4%, Roman Catholic 13.1%,

Seventh-Day Adventist 10.8%, other Christian 13.8%, indigenous

beliefs 5.6% (including Jon Frum cargo cult), other 9.6%, none 1%,

unspecified 1.3% (1999 Census)

Languages:

local languages (more than 100) 72.6%, pidgin (known as Bislama or

Bichelama) 23.1%, English 1.9%, French 1.4%, other 0.3%, unspecified

0.7% (1999 Census)

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 74%

male: NA%

female: NA% (1999 est.)

Government Vanuatu

Country name:

conventional long form: Republic of Vanuatu

conventional short form: Vanuatu

former: New Hebrides

Government type:

parliamentary republic

Capital:

Port-Vila (Efate)

Administrative divisions:

6 provinces; Malampa, Penama, Sanma, Shefa, Tafea, Torba

Independence:

30 July 1980 (from France and UK)

National holiday:

Independence Day, 30 July (1980)

Constitution:

30 July 1980

Legal system:

unified system being created from former dual French and British

systems

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Kalkot Matas KELEKELE (since 16 August

2004)

head of government: Prime Minister Ham LINI (since 11 December

2004); Deputy Prime Minister Sato KILMAN (since 11 December 2004);

Prime Minister Serge VOHOR ousted in no-confidence vote on 11

December 2004

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister,

responsible to Parliament

elections: president elected for a five-year term by an electoral

college consisting of Parliament and the presidents of the regional

councils; election for president last held 16 August 2004 (next to

be held in 2009); following legislative elections, the leader of the

majority party or majority coalition is usually elected prime

minister by Parliament from among its members; election for prime

minister last held 29 July 2004 (next to be held following general

elections in 2008)

election results: Kalkot Matas KELEKELE elected president, with 49

votes out of 56, after several ballots on 16 August 2004

Legislative branch:

unicameral Parliament (52 seats; members elected by popular vote to

serve four-year terms)

elections: last held 6 July 2004 (next to be held 2008)

election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -

UMP 8, VP 8, NUP 10, VRP 4, MPP 3, VGP 3, other and independent 16;

note - political party associations are fluid

note: the National Council of Chiefs advises on matters of culture

and language

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court (chief justice is appointed by the president after

consultation with the prime minister and the leader of the

opposition, three other justices are appointed by the president on

the advice of the Judicial Service Commission)

Political parties and leaders:

Jon Frum Movement [Song KEASPAI]; Melanesian Progressive Party or

MPP [Barak SOPE]; National United Party or NUP [leader NA]; Union of

Moderate Parties or UMP [Serge VOHOR]; Vanua'aku Pati (Our Land

Party) or VP [Edward NATAPEI]; Vanuatu Republican Party or VRP

[Maxime Carlot KORMAN]; Vanuatu Greens Party or VGP [Moana CARCASSES]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

NA

International organization participation:

ACCT, ACP, AsDB, C, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFC,

IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IOC, ITU, MIGA, NAM, PIF, Sparteca, UN,

UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WTO (observer)

Diplomatic representation in the US:

Vanuatu does not have an embassy in the US; it does, however, have

a Permanent Mission to the UN

Diplomatic representation from the US:

the US does not have an embassy in Vanuatu; the ambassador to Papua

New Guinea is accredited to Vanuatu

Flag description:

two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green with a black

isosceles triangle (based on the hoist side) all separated by a

black-edged yellow stripe in the shape of a horizontal Y (the two

points of the Y face the hoist side and enclose the triangle);

centered in the triangle is a boar's tusk encircling two crossed

namele leaves, all in yellow

Economy Vanuatu

Economy - overview:

This South Pacific island economy is based primarily on small-scale

agriculture, which provides a living for 65% of the population.

Fishing, offshore financial services, and tourism, with about 50,000

visitors in 2004, are other mainstays of the economy. Mineral

deposits are negligible; the country has no known petroleum

deposits. A small light industry sector caters to the local market.

Tax revenues come mainly from import duties. Economic development is

hindered by dependence on relatively few commodity exports,

vulnerability to natural disasters, and long distances from main

markets and between constituent islands. GDP growth rose less than

3% on average in the 1990s. In response to foreign concerns, the

government has promised to tighten regulation of its offshore

financial center. In mid-2002 the government stepped up efforts to

boost tourism. Agriculture, especially livestock farming, is a

second target for growth. Australia and New Zealand are the main

suppliers of tourists and foreign aid.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$580 million (2003 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

1.1% (2003 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $2,900 (2003 est.)

GDP - composition by sector:

agriculture: 26%

industry: 12%

services: 62% (2000 est.)

Labor force:

NA

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 65%, industry 5%, services 30% (2000 est.)

Unemployment rate:

NA%

Population below poverty line:

NA

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

3.1% (2003 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $52.6 million

expenditures: $54.3 million, including capital expenditures of

$700,000 (2003 est.)

Agriculture - products: copra, coconuts, cocoa, coffee, taro, yams, coconuts, fruits, vegetables; fish, beef

Industries:

food and fish freezing, wood processing, meat canning

Industrial production growth rate:

1% (1997 est.)

Electricity - production:

48.42 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

45.03 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

600 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Exports:

$26.6 million f.o.b. (2003)

Exports - commodities:

copra, beef, cocoa, timber, kava, coffee

Exports - partners:

Thailand 47%, Malaysia 18.4%, Japan 7.5%, Belgium 5.4%, China 4.9%

(2004)

Imports:

$138 million c.i.f. (2002)

Imports - commodities:

machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, fuels

Imports - partners:

Taiwan 24%, Australia 16.5%, Japan 11.4%, Singapore 8.5%, New

Zealand 7.2%, Fiji 6.3%, US 4.4% (2004)

Debt - external:

$83.7 million (2002)

Economic aid - recipient:

$27.5 million (2002)

Currency (code):

vatu (VUV)

Currency code:

VUV

Exchange rates:

vatu per US dollar - 111.79 (2004), 122.19 (2003), 139.2 (2002),

145.31 (2001), 137.64 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Vanuatu

Telephones - main lines in use:

6,500 (2003)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

7,800 (2003)

Telephone system:

general assessment: NA

domestic: NA

international: country code - 678; satellite earth station - 1

Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 2, FM 4, shortwave 1 (2004)

Radios:

67,000 (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

1 (2004)

Televisions:

2,300 (1999)

Internet country code:

.vu

Internet hosts:

512 (2003)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

1 (2000)

Internet users:

7,500 (2003)

Transportation Vanuatu

Highways: total: 1,070 km paved: 256 km unpaved: 814 km (1999 est.)

Ports and harbors:

Forari, Port-Vila, Santo (Espiritu Santo)

Merchant marine:

total: 52 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 1,192,474 GRT/1,560,828 DWT

by type: bulk carrier 22, cargo 16, container 1, liquefied gas 2,

refrigerated cargo 4, roll on/roll off 2, vehicle carrier 5

foreign-owned: 52 (Australia 2, Canada 5, Estonia 1, Greece 1,

Israel 1, Japan 25, New Zealand 1, Poland 11, Russia 1, Switzerland

2, Thailand 1, United States 1)

registered in other countries: 1 (2005)

Airports:

30 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1524 to 2437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 27 914 to 1,523 m: 10 under 914 m: 17 (2004 est.)

Military Vanuatu

Military branches:

no regular military forces; security forces comprise the Vanuatu

Police Force (VPF) and paramilitary Vanuatu Mobile Force (VMF),

which includes Vanuatu's naval force, known as the Police Maritime

Wing (PMW); border security in Vanuatu is the joint responsibility

of the Customs and Inland Revenue Service, VPF, VMF, and PMW (2003)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

NA

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

NA

Transnational Issues Vanuatu

Disputes - international: Matthew and Hunter Islands east of New Caledonia claimed by Vanuatu and France

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Venezuela

Introduction Venezuela

Background:

Venezuela was one of three countries that emerged from the collapse

of Gran Colombia in 1830 (the others being Colombia and Ecuador).

For most of the first half of the 20th century, Venezuela was ruled

by generally benevolent military strongmen, who promoted the oil

industry and allowed for some social reforms. Democratically elected

governments have held sway since 1959. Current concerns include: a

polarized political environment, a politicized military,

drug-related violence along the Colombian border, increasing

internal drug consumption, overdependence on the petroleum industry

with its price fluctuations, and irresponsible mining operations

that are endangering the rain forest and indigenous peoples.

Geography Venezuela

Location:

Northern South America, bordering the Caribbean Sea and the North

Atlantic Ocean, between Colombia and Guyana

Geographic coordinates:

8 00 N, 66 00 W

Map references:

South America

Area:

total: 912,050 sq km

land: 882,050 sq km

water: 30,000 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly more than twice the size of California

Land boundaries: total: 4,993 km border countries: Brazil 2,200 km, Colombia 2,050 km, Guyana 743 km

Coastline: 2,800 km

Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 15 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

Climate:

tropical; hot, humid; more moderate in highlands

Terrain:

Andes Mountains and Maracaibo Lowlands in northwest; central plains

(llanos); Guiana Highlands in southeast

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m

highest point: Pico Bolivar (La Columna) 5,007 m

Natural resources:

petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, gold, bauxite, other minerals,

hydropower, diamonds

Land use: arable land: 2.95% permanent crops: 0.92% other: 96.13% (2001)

Irrigated land:

540 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

subject to floods, rockslides, mudslides; periodic droughts

Environment - current issues: sewage pollution of Lago de Valencia; oil and urban pollution of Lago de Maracaibo; deforestation; soil degradation; urban and industrial pollution, especially along the Caribbean coast; threat to the rainforest ecosystem from irresponsible mining operations

Environment - international agreements: party to: Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed but not ratified:: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

on major sea and air routes linking North and South America; Angel

Falls in the Guiana Highlands is the world's highest waterfall

People Venezuela

Population:

25,375,281 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 29.9% (male 3,909,876/female 3,667,958)

15-64 years: 65% (male 8,287,255/female 8,209,599)

65 years and over: 5.1% (male 590,236/female 710,357) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 25.6 years

male: 24.98 years

female: 26.24 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

1.4% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

18.91 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

4.9 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.07 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.83 male(s)/female

total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 22.2 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 25.31 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 18.85 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 74.31 years

male: 71.27 years

female: 77.58 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

2.26 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

0.7% - note - no country specific models provided (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

110,000 (1999 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

4,100 (2003 est.)

Nationality:

noun: Venezuelan(s)

adjective: Venezuelan

Ethnic groups:

Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Arab, German, African, indigenous

people

Religions:

nominally Roman Catholic 96%, Protestant 2%, other 2%

Languages:

Spanish (official), numerous indigenous dialects

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 93.4%

male: 93.8%

female: 93.1% (2003 est.)

Government Venezuela

Country name:

conventional long form: Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela

conventional short form: Venezuela

local long form: Republica Bolivariana de Venezuela

local short form: Venezuela

Government type:

federal republic

Capital:

Caracas

Administrative divisions:

23 states (estados, singular - estado), 1 federal district*

(distrito federal), and 1 federal dependency** (dependencia

federal); Amazonas, Anzoategui, Apure, Aragua, Barinas, Bolivar,

Carabobo, Cojedes, Delta Amacuro, Dependencias Federales**, Distrito

Federal*, Falcon, Guarico, Lara, Merida, Miranda, Monagas, Nueva

Esparta, Portuguesa, Sucre, Tachira, Trujillo, Vargas, Yaracuy, Zulia

note: the federal dependency consists of 11 federally controlled

island groups with a total of 72 individual islands

Independence:

5 July 1811 (from Spain)

National holiday:

Independence Day, 5 July (1811)

Constitution:

30 December 1999

Legal system:

open, adversarial court system

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Hugo CHAVEZ Frias (since 3 February

1999); Vice President Jose Vicente RANGEL Vale (since 28 April

2002); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of

government

head of government: President Hugo CHAVEZ Frias (since 3 February

1999); Vice President Jose Vicente RANGEL Vale (since 28 April

2002); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of

government

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president

elections: president elected by popular vote for a six-year term;

election last held 30 July 2000 (next to be held NA 2006)

election results: Hugo CHAVEZ Frias reelected president; percent of

vote - 60%

note: a special presidential recall vote on 15 August 2004 resulted

in a victory for CHAVEZ; percent of vote - 58% in favor of CHAVEZ

fulfilling the remaining two years of his term, 42% in favor of

terminating his presidency immediately

Legislative branch:

unicameral National Assembly or Asamblea Nacional (165 seats;

members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms; three

seats reserved for the indigenous peoples of Venezuela)

elections: last held 30 July 2000 (next to be held July 2005)

election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -

pro-government 108 (MVR 92, MAS 6, indigenous 3, other 7),

opposition 57 (AD 33, COPEI 6, Justice First 5, other 13)

Judicial branch:

Supreme Tribunal of Justice or Tribuna Suprema de Justicia

(magistrates are elected by the National Assembly for a single

12-year term)

Political parties and leaders:

Democratic Action or AD [Jesus MENDEZ Quijada]; Fifth Republic

Movement or MVR [Hugo CHAVEZ]; Homeland for All or PPT [Jose

ALBORNOZ]; Justice First [Julio BORGES]; Movement Toward Socialism

or MAS [Hector MUJICA]; National Convergence or Convergencia [Juan

Jose CALDERA]; Radical Cause or La Causa R [Andres VELASQUEZ];

Social Christian Party or COPEI [Eduardo FERNANDEZ]; Venezuela

Project or PV [Henrique SALAS Romer]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

FEDECAMARAS, a conservative business group; VECINOS groups;

Venezuelan Confederation of Workers or CTV (labor organization

dominated by the Democratic Action)

International organization participation:

CAN, CDB, CSN, FAO, G-3, G-15, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO,

ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO,

Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur (associate),

MIGA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,

UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Bernardo ALVAREZ Herrera

chancery: 1099 30th Street NW, Washington, DC 20007

telephone: [1] (202) 342-2214

FAX: [1] (202) 342-6820

consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Houston, Miami, New Orleans,

New York, San Francisco, and San Juan (Puerto Rico)

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador William R. BROWNFIELD

embassy: Calle F con Calle Suapure, Urbanizacion Colinas de Valle

Arriba, Caracas 1080

mailing address: P. O. Box 62291, Caracas 1060-A; APO AA 34037

telephone: [58] (212) 975-9234, 975-6411

FAX: [58] (212) 975-8991

Flag description:

three equal horizontal bands of yellow (top), blue, and red with

the coat of arms on the hoist side of the yellow band and an arc of

seven white five-pointed stars centered in the blue band

Economy Venezuela

Economy - overview:

Venezuela continues to be highly dependent on the petroleum sector,

accounting for roughly one-third of GDP, around 80% of export

earnings, and over half of government operating revenues. A

disastrous two-month national oil strike from December 2002 to

February 2003, temporarily halted economic activity. The economy

remained in depression in 2003, declining by 9.2% after an 8.9% fall

in 2002. Despite continued domestic instability, output recovered

strongly in 2004, aided by high oil prices. Both inflation and

unemployment remain fundamental problems.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$145.2 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

16.8% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $5,800 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 0.1% industry: 46.5% services: 53.4% (2004 est.)

Labor force:

12.25 million (2004 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 13%, industry 23%, services 64% (1997 est.)

Unemployment rate:

17.1% (2004 est.)

Population below poverty line:

47% (1998 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 0.8% highest 10%: 36.5% (1998)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

49.5 (1998)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

22.4% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

12.9% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $26.91 billion

expenditures: $30.7 billion, including capital expenditures of $2.6

billion (2004 est.)

Public debt:

43.1% of GDP (2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

corn, sorghum, sugarcane, rice, bananas, vegetables, coffee; beef,

pork, milk, eggs; fish

Industries:

petroleum, iron ore mining, construction materials, food

processing, textiles, steel, aluminum, motor vehicle assembly

Industrial production growth rate:

12.3% (2004 est.)

Electricity - production:

89.7 billion kWh (2003)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 31.7% hydro: 68.3% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

89.3 billion kWh (2003)

Electricity - exports:

450 million kWh (2003)

Electricity - imports:

30 million kWh (2003)

Oil - production:

2.6 million bbl/day (2004 est.)

Oil - consumption:

500,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Oil - exports:

2.1 million bbl/day (2004 est.)

Oil - imports:

NA

Oil - proved reserves:

78 billion bbl (2004 est.)

Natural gas - production:

29.4 billion cu m (2003 est.)

Natural gas - consumption:

29.4 billion cu m (2003 est.)

Natural gas - exports:

0 cu m (2004 est.)

Natural gas - imports:

0 cu m (2004 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves:

4.19 trillion cu m (2004)

Current account balance:

$14.59 billion (2004 est.)

Exports:

$35.84 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

petroleum, bauxite and aluminum, steel, chemicals, agricultural

products, basic manufactures

Exports - partners:

US 55.6%, Netherlands Antilles 4.7%, Dominican Republic 2.8% (2004)

Imports:

$14.98 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

raw materials, machinery and equipment, transport equipment,

construction materials

Imports - partners:

US 28.8%, Colombia 9.9%, Brazil 7%, Mexico 4.1% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$25.75 billion (2004 est.)

Debt - external:

$33.29 billion (2004 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:

$74 million (2000)

Currency (code):

bolivar (VEB)

Currency code:

VEB

Exchange rates:

bolivares per US dollar - 1,891.3 (2004), 1,607 (2003), 1,161

(2002), 723.7 (2001), 680 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Venezuela

Telephones - main lines in use:

2,841,800 (2002)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

6,463,600 (2002)

Telephone system:

general assessment: modern and expanding

domestic: domestic satellite system with 3 earth stations; recent

substantial improvement in telephone service in rural areas;

substantial increase in digitalization of exchanges and trunk lines;

installation of a national interurban fiber-optic network capable of

digital multimedia services

international: country code - 58; 3 submarine coaxial cables;

satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) and 1

PanAmSat; participating with Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia in

the construction of an international fiber-optic network

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 201, FM NA (20 in Caracas), shortwave 11 (1998)

Radios:

10.75 million (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

66 (plus 45 repeaters) (1997)

Televisions:

4.1 million (1997)

Internet country code:

.ve

Internet hosts:

35,301 (2003)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

16 (2000)

Internet users:

1,274,400 (2002)

Transportation Venezuela

Railways: total: 682 km standard gauge: 682 km 1.435-m gauge (2004)

Highways:

total: 96,155 km

paved: 32,308 km

unpaved: 63,847 km (1999 est.)

Waterways:

7,100 km

note: Orinoco River and Lake de Maracaibo navigable by oceangoing

vessels, Orinoco for 400 km (2004)

Pipelines:

extra heavy crude 992 km; gas 5,262 km; oil 7,360 km; refined

products 1,681 km; unknown (oil/water) 141 km (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Amuay, La Guaira, Maracaibo, Puerto Cabello, Punta Cardon

Merchant marine:

total: 56 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 740,919 GRT/1,191,483 DWT

by type: bulk carrier 4, cargo 16, chemical tanker 1, container 1,

liquefied gas 5, passenger/cargo 9, petroleum tanker 19, roll

on/roll off 1

foreign-owned: 9 (Denmark 2, Greece 1, Hong Kong 2, Mexico 1, Russia

2, Spain 1)

registered in other countries: 20 (2005)

Airports:

369 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 127 over 3,047 m: 5 2,438 to 3,047 m: 11 1,524 to 2,437 m: 31 914 to 1,523 m: 61 under 914 m: 19 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 242 1,524 to 2,437 m: 10 914 to 1,523 m: 88 under 914 m: 144 (2004 est.)

Military Venezuela

Military branches:

National Armed Forces (Fuerzas Armadas Nacionales, FAN): Ground

Forces or Army (Fuerzas Terrestres or Ejercito), Naval Forces

(Fuerzas Navales or Armada - includes Marines, Coast Guard), Air

Force (Fuerzas Aereas or Aviacion), Armed Forces of Cooperation or

National Guard (Fuerzas Armadas de Cooperacion or Guardia Nacional)

Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service; conscript service obligation - 30 months (2004)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 18-49: 6,236,012 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: 4,907,947 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:

males: 252,396 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$1.687 billion (2004)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

1.5% (2004)

Transnational Issues Venezuela

Disputes - international:

claims all of the area west of the Essequibo River in Guyana,

preventing any discussion of a maritime boundary; Guyana has

expressed its intention to join Barbados in asserting claims before

UNCLOS that the Trinidad and Tobago's maritime boundary with

Venezuela extends into their waters; dispute with Colombia over Los

Monjes islands and maritime boundary near the Gulf of Venezuela;

Colombian-organized illegal narcotics and paramilitary activities

penetrate Venezuela's shared border region resulting in several

thousand residents migrating away from the border; US, France and

the Netherlands recognize Venezuela's claim to give full effect to

Aves Island, which creates a Venezuelan EEZ/continental shelf

extending over a large portion of the Caribbean Sea; Dominica, Saint

Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

protest Venezuela's claim that Aves Island sustains human habitation

and other states' recognition of it

Illicit drugs:

small-scale illicit producer of opium and coca for the processing

of opiates and coca derivatives; however, large quantities of

cocaine, heroin, and marijuana transit the country from Colombia

bound for US and Europe; significant narcotics-related

money-laundering activity, especially along the border with Colombia

and on Margarita Island; active eradication program primarily

targeting opium; increasing signs of drug-related activities by

Colombian insurgents on border

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Vietnam

Introduction Vietnam

Background:

The conquest of Vietnam by France began in 1858 and was completed

by 1884. It became part of French Indochina in 1887. Independence

was declared after World War II, but the French continued to rule

until 1954 when they were defeated by Communist forces under Ho Chi

MINH, who took control of the North. US economic and military aid to

South Vietnam grew through the 1960s in an attempt to bolster the

government, but US armed forces were withdrawn following a

cease-fire agreement in 1973. Two years later, North Vietnamese

forces overran the South. Despite the return of peace, for over two

decades the country experienced little economic growth because of

conservative leadership policies. Since 2001, Vietnamese authorities

have committed to economic liberalization and enacted structural

reforms needed to modernize the economy and to produce more

competitive, export-driven industries. The country continues to

experience protests from the Montagnard ethnic minority population

of the Central Highlands over loss of land to Vietnamese settlers

and religious persecution.

Geography Vietnam

Location:

Southeastern Asia, bordering the Gulf of Thailand, Gulf of Tonkin,

and South China Sea, alongside China, Laos, and Cambodia

Geographic coordinates:

16 00 N, 106 00 E

Map references:

Southeast Asia

Area:

total: 329,560 sq km

land: 325,360 sq km

water: 4,200 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly larger than New Mexico

Land boundaries: total: 4,639 km border countries: Cambodia 1,228 km, China 1,281 km, Laos 2,130 km

Coastline: 3,444 km (excludes islands)

Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin

Climate:

tropical in south; monsoonal in north with hot, rainy season

(mid-May to mid-September) and warm, dry season (mid-October to

mid-March)

Terrain:

low, flat delta in south and north; central highlands; hilly,

mountainous in far north and northwest

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: South China Sea 0 m

highest point: Fan Si Pan 3,144 m

Natural resources:

phosphates, coal, manganese, bauxite, chromate, offshore oil and

gas deposits, forests, hydropower

Land use: arable land: 19.97% permanent crops: 5.95% other: 74.08% (2001)

Irrigated land:

30,000 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

occasional typhoons (May to January) with extensive flooding,

especially in the Mekong River delta

Environment - current issues:

logging and slash-and-burn agricultural practices contribute to

deforestation and soil degradation; water pollution and overfishing

threaten marine life populations; groundwater contamination limits

potable water supply; growing urban industrialization and population

migration are rapidly degrading environment in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh

City

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto

Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental

Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer

Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

extending 1,650 km north to south, the country is only 50 km across

at its narrowest point

People Vietnam

Population:

83,535,576 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 27.9% (male 12,065,777/female 11,212,299)

15-64 years: 66.4% (male 27,406,456/female 28,024,250)

65 years and over: 5.8% (male 1,889,585/female 2,937,209) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 25.51 years

male: 24.47 years

female: 26.68 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

1.04% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

17.07 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

6.2 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

-0.43 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.08 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.08 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.64 male(s)/female

total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 25.95 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 26.35 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 25.52 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 70.61 years

male: 67.82 years

female: 73.6 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

1.94 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

0.4% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

220,000 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

9,000 (2003 est.)

Major infectious diseases:

degree of risk: high

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and

typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases: dengue fever, malaria, Japanese encephalitis,

and plague are high risks in some locations

animal contact disease: rabies

water contact disease: leptospirosis (2004)

Nationality:

noun: Vietnamese (singular and plural)

adjective: Vietnamese

Ethnic groups:

Kinh (Viet) 86.2%, Tay 1.9%, Thai 1.7%, Muong 1.5%, Khome 1.4%, Hoa

1.1%, Nun 1.1%, Hmong 1%, others 4.1% (1999 census)

Religions:

Buddhist 9.3%, Catholic 6.7%, Hoa Hao 1.5%, Cao Dai 1.1%,

Protestant 0.5%, Muslim 0.1%, none 80.8% (1999 census)

Languages:

Vietnamese (official), English (increasingly favored as a second

language), some French, Chinese, and Khmer; mountain area languages

(Mon-Khmer and Malayo-Polynesian)

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 90.3%

male: 93.9%

female: 86.9% (2002)

Government Vietnam

Country name:

conventional long form: Socialist Republic of Vietnam

conventional short form: Vietnam

local long form: Cong Hoa Xa Hoi Chu Nghia Viet Nam

local short form: Viet Nam

abbreviation: SRV

Government type:

Communist state

Capital:

Hanoi

Administrative divisions:

59 provinces (tinh, singular and plural) and 5 municipalities (thu

do, singular and plural)

: provinces: An Giang, Bac Giang, Bac Kan, Bac Lieu, Bac Ninh, Ba

Ria-Vung Tau, Ben Tre, Binh Dinh, Binh Duong, Binh Phuoc, Binh

Thuan, Ca Mau, Cao Bang, Dac Lak, Dac Nong, Dien Bien, Dong Nai,

Dong Thap, Gia Lai, Ha Giang, Hai Duong, Ha Nam, Ha Tay, Ha Tinh,

Hau Giang, Hoa Binh, Hung Yen, Khanh Hoa, Kien Giang, Kon Tum, Lai

Chau, Lam Dong, Lang Son, Lao Cai, Long An, Nam Dinh, Nghe An, Ninh

Binh, Ninh Thuan, Phu Tho, Phu Yen, Quang Binh, Quang Nam, Quang

Ngai, Quang Ninh, Quang Tri, Soc Trang, Son La, Tay Ninh, Thai Binh,

Thai Nguyen, Thanh Hoa, Thua Thien-Hue, Tien Giang, Tra Vinh, Tuyen

Quang, Vinh Long, Vinh Phuc, Yen Bai

: municipalities: Can Tho, Da Nang, Hai Phong, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh

Independence:

2 September 1945 (from France)

National holiday:

Independence Day, 2 September (1945)

Constitution:

15 April 1992

Legal system:

based on communist legal theory and French civil law system

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Tran Duc LUONG (since 24 September 1997)

head of government: Prime Minister Phan Van KHAI (since 25 September

1997); First Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Tan DUNG (since 29

September 1997); Deputy Prime Ministers Vu KHOAN (8 August 2002) and

Pham Gia KHIEM (since 29 September 1997)

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by president based on proposal of prime

minister and ratification of National Assembly

elections: president elected by the National Assembly from among its

members for a five-year term; election last held 25 July 2002 (next

to be held when National Assembly meets following legislative

elections in 2007); prime minister appointed by the president from

among the members of the National Assembly; deputy prime ministers

appointed by the prime minister

election results: Tran Duc LUONG elected president; percent of

National Assembly vote - NA%

Legislative branch:

unicameral National Assembly or Quoc-Hoi (498 seats; members

elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)

elections: last held 19 May 2002 (next to be held 2007)

election results: percent of vote by party - CPV 90%, other 10% (the

10% are not CPV members but are approved by the CPV to stand for

election); seats by party - CPV 447, CPV-approved 51

Judicial branch:

Supreme People's Court (chief justice is elected for a five-year

term by the National Assembly on the recommendation of the president)

Political parties and leaders:

only party - Communist Party of Vietnam or CPV [Nong Duc MANH,

general secretary]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

none

International organization participation:

ACCT (observer), APEC, APT, ARF, AsDB, ASEAN, CP, FAO, G-77, IAEA,

IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol,

IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,

UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO (observer)

Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Nguyen Tam CHIEN chancery: 1233 20th Street NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 861-0737 FAX: [1] (202) 861-0917 consulate(s) general: San Francisco

Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Michael W. MARINE embassy: 7 Lang Ha Road, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi mailing address: PSC 461, Box 400, FPO AP 96521-0002 telephone: [84] (4) 772-1500 FAX: [84] (4) 772-1510 consulate(s) general: Ho Chi Minh City

Flag description: red with a large yellow five-pointed star in the center

Economy Vietnam

Economy - overview:

Vietnam is a densely-populated, developing country that in the last

30 years has had to recover from the ravages of war, the loss of

financial support from the old Soviet Bloc, and the rigidities of a

centrally planned economy. Substantial progress was achieved from

1986 to 1997 in moving forward from an extremely low level of

development and significantly reducing poverty. Growth averaged

around 9% per year from 1993 to 1997. The 1997 Asian financial

crisis highlighted the problems in the Vietnamese economy and

temporarily allowed opponents of reform to slow progress towards a

market oriented economy. GDP growth of 8.5% in 1997 fell to 6% in

1998 and 5% in 1999. Growth then rose to 7% in 2000-04 even against

the background of global recession. Since 2001, however, Vietnamese

authorities have reaffirmed their commitment to economic

liberalization and international integration. They have moved to

implement the structural reforms needed to modernize the economy and

to produce more competitive, export-driven industries. However,

equitization of state-owned enterprises and reduction in the

proportion of non-performing loans has fallen behind schedule.

Vietnam's membership in the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA) and entry

into force of the US-Vietnam Bilateral Trade in December 2001 have

led to even more rapid changes in Vietnam's trade and economic

regime. Vietnam's exports to the US doubled in 2002 and again in

2003. Vietnam is working toward accession to the WTO in 2005. Among

other benefits, accession will allow Vietnam to take advantage of

the phase out of the Agreement on Textiles and Clothing, which

eliminated quotas on textiles and clothing for WTO partners on 1

January 2005. Vietnam is working to promote job creation to keep up

with the country's high population growth rate. However, in 2004,

high levels of inflation prompted Vietnamese authorities to tighten

monetary and fiscal policies.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$227.2 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

7.7% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $2,700 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 21.8% industry: 40.1% services: 38.1% (2004 est.)

Labor force:

42.98 million (2004 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 63%, industry and services 37% (2000 est.)

Unemployment rate:

1.9% (2004 est.)

Population below poverty line:

28.9% (2002 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.6% highest 10%: 29.9% (1998)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

36.1 (1998)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

9.5% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

36.6% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $10.66 billion

expenditures: $13.09 billion, including capital expenditures of $1.8

billion (2004 est.)

Public debt:

65.9% of GDP (2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

paddy rice, coffee, fish and seafood, rubber, cotton, tea, pepper,

soybeans, cashews, sugar cane, peanuts, bananas, poultry

Industries:

food processing, garments, shoes, machine-building, mining, cement,

chemical fertilizer, glass, tires, oil, coal, steel, paper

Industrial production growth rate:

16% (2004 est.)

Electricity - production:

34.48 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 43.7% hydro: 56.3% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

32.06 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

359,400 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Oil - consumption:

185,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Oil - proved reserves:

650 million bbl (2004 est.)

Natural gas - production:

1.3 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - consumption:

1.3 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - exports:

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - imports:

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves:

192.6 billion cu m (2004)

Current account balance:

$-2.061 billion (2004 est.)

Exports:

$23.72 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

crude oil, marine products, rice, coffee, rubber, tea, garments,

shoes

Exports - partners:

US 20.2%, Japan 13.6%, China 9%, Australia 7%, Germany 5.9%,

Singapore 4.8%, UK 4.6% (2004)

Imports:

$26.31 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

machinery and equipment, petroleum products, fertilizer, steel

products, raw cotton, grain, cement, motorcycles

Imports - partners:

China 13.7%, Taiwan 11.3%, South Korea 10.8%, Japan 10.5%,

Singapore 10.5%, Thailand 6.2%, Hong Kong 4% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$6.51 billion (2004 est.)

Debt - external:

$16.55 billion (2004 est.)

Economic aid - recipient: $2.8 billion in credits and grants pledged by international donors for 2000 (2004)

Currency (code):

dong (VND)

Currency code:

VND

Exchange rates:

dong per US dollar - 15,746 (2004), 15,510 (2003), 15,280 (2002),

14,725 (2001), 14,168 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Vietnam

Telephones - main lines in use:

4.402 million (2003)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

2.742 million (2003)

Telephone system:

general assessment: Vietnam is putting considerable effort into

modernization and expansion of its telecommunication system, but its

performance continues to lag behind that of its more modern neighbors

domestic: all provincial exchanges are digitalized and connected to

Hanoi, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City by fiber-optic cable or

microwave radio relay networks; main lines have been substantially

increased, and the use of mobile telephones is growing rapidly

international: country code - 84; satellite earth stations - 2

Intersputnik (Indian Ocean region)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 65, FM 7, shortwave 29 (1999)

Radios:

8.2 million (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

at least 7 (plus 13 repeaters) (1998)

Televisions:

3.57 million (1997)

Internet country code:

.vn

Internet hosts:

340 (2003)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

5 (2000)

Internet users:

3.5 million (2003)

Transportation Vietnam

Railways:

total: 2,600 km

standard gauge: 178 km 1.435-m gauge

narrow gauge: 2,169 km 1.000-m gauge

dual gauge: 253 km three-rail track combining 1.435-m and 1.000-m

gauges (2004)

Highways: total: 93,300 km paved: 23,418 km unpaved: 69,882 km (1999 est.)

Waterways:

17,702 km (5,000 km navigable by vessels up to 1.8 m draft) (2004)

Pipelines:

condensate/gas 432 km; gas 210 km; oil 3 km; refined products 206

km (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Hai Phong, Ho Chi Minh City

Merchant marine:

total: 194 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 1,170,621 GRT/1,798,376 DWT

by type: bulk carrier 18, cargo 142, chemical tanker 3, container 2,

liquefied gas 4, petroleum tanker 22, refrigerated cargo 2, roll

on/roll off 1

registered in other countries: 11 (2005)

Airports:

24 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 21 over 3,047 m: 6 2,438 to 3,047 m: 5 1,524 to 2,437 m: 9 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 3

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 1

under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Military Vietnam

Military branches:

People's Army of Vietnam: Ground Forces, People's Navy Command

(includes Naval Infantry), Air and Air Defense Force, Coast Guard

Military service age and obligation:

18 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript service

obligation - 2 years (2004)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 18-49: 21,341,813 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: 16,032,358 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:

males: 915,572 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$650 million (FY98)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

2.5% (FY98)

Transnational Issues Vietnam

Disputes - international:

southeast Asian states have enhanced border surveillance to check

the spread of avian flu; Cambodia and Laos protest Vietnamese

squatters and armed encroachments along border; in 2004

Laotian-Vietnamese boundary commission agrees to erect missing

markers in two adjoining provinces; demarcation of the China-Vietnam

boundary proceeds slowly and although the maritime boundary

delimitation and fisheries agreements were ratified in June 2004,

implementation has been delayed; China occupies Paracel Islands also

claimed by Vietnam and Taiwan; involved in complex dispute with

China, Malaysia, Philippines, Taiwan, and possibly Brunei over the

Spratly Islands; the 2002 "Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in

the South China Sea" has eased tensions but falls short of a legally

binding "code of conduct" desired by several of the disputants;

Vietnam continues to expand construction of facilities in the

Spratly Islands; in March 2005, the national oil companies of China,

the Philippines, and Vietnam signed a joint accord to conduct marine

seismic activities in the Spratly Islands

Illicit drugs:

minor producer of opium poppy; probable minor transit point for

Southeast Asian heroin; domestic opium/heroin/methamphetamine

addiction problems

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Virgin Islands

Introduction Virgin Islands

Background: During the 17th century, the archipelago was divided into two territorial units, one English and the other Danish. Sugarcane, produced by slave labor, drove the islands' economy during the 18th and early 19th centuries. In 1917, the US purchased the Danish portion, which had been in economic decline since the abolition of slavery in 1848.

Geography Virgin Islands

Location:

Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic

Ocean, east of Puerto Rico

Geographic coordinates:

18 20 N, 64 50 W

Map references:

Central America and the Caribbean

Area:

total: 352 sq km

land: 349 sq km

water: 3 sq km

Area - comparative:

twice the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries:

0 km

Coastline:

188 km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Climate:

subtropical, tempered by easterly trade winds, relatively low

humidity, little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season

September to November

Terrain:

mostly hilly to rugged and mountainous with little level land

Elevation extremes: lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Crown Mountain 474 m

Natural resources: sun, sand, sea, surf

Land use: arable land: 11.76% permanent crops: 2.94% other: 85.3% (2001)

Irrigated land:

NA

Natural hazards:

several hurricanes in recent years; frequent and severe droughts

and floods; occasional earthquakes

Environment - current issues:

lack of natural freshwater resources

Geography - note:

important location along the Anegada Passage - a key shipping lane

for the Panama Canal; Saint Thomas has one of the best natural

deepwater harbors in the Caribbean

People Virgin Islands

Population:

108,708 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 23.1% (male 12,676/female 12,421)

15-64 years: 66.2% (male 34,069/female 37,918)

65 years and over: 10.7% (male 5,125/female 6,499) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 36.52 years

male: 35.6 years

female: 37.33 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

-0.07% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

14.2 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

6.26 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

-8.64 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.9 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.79 male(s)/female

total population: 0.91 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 8.03 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 9.11 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 6.88 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 78.91 years

male: 75.08 years

female: 82.96 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

2.19 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

NA

Nationality:

noun: Virgin Islander(s)

adjective: Virgin Islander

Ethnic groups:

black 76.2%, white 13.1%, Asian 1.1%, other 6.1%, mixed 3.5% (2000

census)

Religions:

Baptist 42%, Roman Catholic 34%, Episcopalian 17%, other 7%

Languages:

English 74.7%, Spanish or Spanish Creole 16.8%, French or French

Creole 6.6%, other 1.9% (2000 census)

Literacy: definition: NA total population: NA% male: NA% female: NA%

Government Virgin Islands

Country name:

conventional long form: United States Virgin Islands

conventional short form: Virgin Islands

former: Danish West Indies

Dependency status:

organized, unincorporated territory of the US with policy relations

between the Virgin Islands and the US under the jurisdiction of the

Office of Insular Affairs, US Department of the Interior

Government type:

NA

Capital:

Charlotte Amalie

Administrative divisions:

none (territory of the US); there are no first-order administrative

divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are three

islands at the second order; Saint Croix, Saint John, Saint Thomas

National holiday:

Transfer Day (from Denmark to the US), 27 March (1917)

Constitution:

Revised Organic Act of 22 July 1954

Legal system:

based on US laws

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal; note - island residents are US citizens

but do not vote in US presidential elections

Executive branch:

chief of state: President George W. BUSH of the US (since 20

January 2001)

head of government: Governor Dr. Charles Wesley TURNBULL (since 5

January 1999)

cabinet: NA

elections: US president and vice president elected on the same

ticket for four-year terms; governor and lieutenant governor elected

on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms; election

last held 5 November 2002 (next to be held November 2006)

election results: Dr. Charles Wesley TURNBULL reelected governor;

percent of vote - Dr. Charles Wesley TURNBULL (Democrat) 50.5%, John

de JONGH 24.4%

Legislative branch:

unicameral Senate (15 seats; members are elected by popular vote to

serve two-year terms)

elections: last held 6 November 2002 (next to be held 2 November

2004)

election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -

Democratic Party 10, ICM 2, independent 3

note: the Virgin Islands elects one non-voting representative to the

US House of Representatives; election last held 6 November 2002

(next to be held 2 November 2004); results - Donna M.

CHRISTIAN-CHRISTENSON (Democrat) reelected

Judicial branch:

US District Court of the Virgin Islands (under Third Circuit

jurisdiction); Territorial Court (judges appointed by the governor

for 10-year terms)

Political parties and leaders:

Democratic Party [Arturo WATLINGTON]; Independent Citizens'

Movement or ICM [Usie RICHARDS]; Republican Party [Gary SPRAUVE]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

NA

International organization participation:

Interpol (subbureau), IOC, UPU

Diplomatic representation in the US:

none (territory of the US)

Diplomatic representation from the US:

none (territory of the US)

Flag description:

white, with a modified US coat of arms in the center between the

large blue initials V and I; the coat of arms shows a yellow eagle

holding an olive branch in one talon and three arrows in the other

with a superimposed shield of vertical red and white stripes below a

blue panel

Economy Virgin Islands

Economy - overview:

Tourism is the primary economic activity, accounting for 80% of GDP

and employment. The islands normally host 2 million visitors a year.

The manufacturing sector consists of petroleum refining, textiles,

electronics, pharmaceuticals, and watch assembly. The agricultural

sector is small, with most food being imported. International

business and financial services are a small but growing component of

the economy. One of the world's largest petroleum refineries is at

Saint Croix. The islands are subject to substantial damage from

storms. The government is working to improve fiscal discipline, to

support construction projects in the private sector, to expand

tourist facilities, to reduce crime, and to protect the environment.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$2.5 billion (2002 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

2% (2002 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $17,200 (2002 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 1% industry: 19% services: 80% (2003 est.)

Labor force:

48,900 (2003 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 1%, industry 19%, services 80% (2003 est.)

Unemployment rate:

9.3% (2003 est.)

Population below poverty line:

NA%

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

2.2% (2003)

Budget: revenues: $560 expenditures: NA (2003)

Agriculture - products:

fruit, vegetables, sorghum; Senepol cattle

Industries:

tourism, petroleum refining, watch assembly, rum distilling,

construction, pharmaceuticals, textiles, electronics

Industrial production growth rate:

NA%

Electricity - production:

1.035 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

962.6 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

66,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Exports:

NA

Exports - commodities:

refined petroleum products

Exports - partners:

US, Puerto Rico

Imports:

NA

Imports - commodities:

crude oil, foodstuffs, consumer goods, building materials

Imports - partners:

US, Puerto Rico

Debt - external:

NA

Economic aid - recipient:

NA

Currency (code):

US dollar (USD)

Currency code:

USD

Exchange rates:

the US dollar is used

Fiscal year:

1 October - 30 September

Communications Virgin Islands

Telephones - main lines in use:

69,400 (2002)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

41,000 (2002)

Telephone system:

general assessment: modern system with total digital switching,

uses fiber-optic cable and microwave radio relay

domestic: full range of services available

international: country code - 1-340; 2 submarine cable connections

(Taino Carib, Americas-1); satellite earth stations - NA

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 6, FM 17, shortwave 0 (2004)

Radios:

107,000 (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

16 (2004)

Televisions:

68,000 (1997)

Internet country code:

.vi

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

50 (2000)

Internet users:

30,000 (2002)

Transportation Virgin Islands

Highways:

total: 1,257 km

paved: 1,192 km

unpaved: 65 km

note: the only US possession where driving on the left side of the

road is practiced (2003)

Ports and harbors:

Charlotte Amalie, Limetree Bay

Airports:

2 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (2004 est.)

Military Virgin Islands

Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the US

Transnational Issues Virgin Islands

Disputes - international: none

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Wake Island

Introduction Wake Island

Background:

The US annexed Wake Island in 1899 for a cable station. An

important air and naval base was constructed in 1940-41. In December

1941, the island was captured by the Japanese and held until the end

of World War II. In subsequent years, Wake was developed as a

stopover and refueling site for military and commercial aircraft

transiting the Pacific. Since 1974, the island's airstrip has been

used by the US military and some commercial cargo planes, as well as

for emergency landings. There are over 700 landings a year on the

island.

Geography Wake Island

Location:

Oceania, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the

way from Hawaii to the Northern Mariana Islands

Geographic coordinates:

19 17 N, 166 36 E

Map references:

Oceania

Area:

total: 6.5 sq km

land: 6.5 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative:

about 11 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC

Land boundaries:

0 km

Coastline:

19.3 km

Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Climate:

tropical

Terrain:

atoll of three coral islands built up on an underwater volcano;

central lagoon is former crater, islands are part of the rim

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

highest point: unnamed location 6 m

Natural resources:

none

Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (2001)

Irrigated land:

0 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

occasional typhoons

Environment - current issues:

NA

Geography - note:

strategic location in the North Pacific Ocean; emergency landing

location for transpacific flights

People Wake Island

Population:

no indigenous inhabitants

note: US military personnel have left the island, but contractor

personnel remain; as of October 2001, 200 contractor personnel were

present (July 2005 est.)

Government Wake Island

Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Wake Island

Dependency status:

unincorporated territory of the US; administered from Washington,

DC, by the Department of the Interior; activities on the island are

conducted by the US Air Force

Legal system:

the laws of the US, where applicable, apply

Flag description:

the flag of the US is used

Economy Wake Island

Economy - overview:

Economic activity is limited to providing services to contractors

located on the island. All food and manufactured goods must be

imported.

Electricity - production:

NA

Communications Wake Island

Telephone system:

general assessment: satellite communications; 1 DSN circuit off the

Overseas Telephone System (OTS)

domestic: NA

international: NA

Radio broadcast stations: AM 0, FM NA, shortwave NA note: Armed Forces Radio/Television Service (AFRTS) radio service provided by satellite (1998)

Television broadcast stations: 0 (1997)

Transportation Wake Island

Ports and harbors:

none; two offshore anchorages for large ships

Airports:

1 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 1

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Transportation - note:

formerly an important commercial aviation base, now used by US

military, some commercial cargo planes, and for emergency landings

Military Wake Island

Military - note:

defense is the responsibility of the US; launch support facility is

part of the Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site (RTS)

administered by US Army Space and Missile Defense Command (SMDC)

Transnational Issues Wake Island

Disputes - international: claimed by Marshall Islands

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Wallis and Futuna

Introduction Wallis and Futuna

Background:

Although discovered by the Dutch and the British in the 17th and

18th centuries, it was the French who declared a protectorate over

the islands in 1842. In 1959, the inhabitants of the islands voted

to become a French overseas territory.

Geography Wallis and Futuna

Location:

Oceania, islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of

the way from Hawaii to New Zealand

Geographic coordinates:

13 18 S, 176 12 W

Map references:

Oceania

Area:

total: 274 sq km

land: 274 sq km

water: 0 sq km

note: includes Ile Uvea (Wallis Island), Ile Futuna (Futuna Island),

Ile Alofi, and 20 islets

Area - comparative:

1.5 times the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries:

0 km

Coastline:

129 km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Climate:

tropical; hot, rainy season (November to April); cool, dry season

(May to October); rains 2,500-3,000 mm per year (80% humidity);

average temperature 26.6 degrees C

Terrain:

volcanic origin; low hills

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

highest point: Mont Singavi 765 m

Natural resources:

NEGL

Land use:

arable land: 5%

permanent crops: 25%

other: 70% (2001)

Irrigated land:

NA sq km

Natural hazards:

NA

Environment - current issues:

deforestation (only small portions of the original forests remain)

largely as a result of the continued use of wood as the main fuel

source; as a consequence of cutting down the forests, the

mountainous terrain of Futuna is particularly prone to erosion;

there are no permanent settlements on Alofi because of the lack of

natural fresh water resources

Geography - note:

both island groups have fringing reefs

People Wallis and Futuna

Population: 16,025 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA

Population growth rate:

NA%

Birth rate:

NA births/1,000 population

Death rate:

NA deaths/1,000 population

Net migration rate:

NA migrant(s)/1,000 population

note: there has been steady emigration from Wallis and Futuna to New

Caledonia (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: NA

male: NA

female: NA

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: NA years

male: NA years

female: NA years

Total fertility rate:

NA children born/woman

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

NA%

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

NA

Nationality:

noun: Wallisian(s), Futunan(s), or Wallis and Futuna Islanders

adjective: Wallisian, Futunan, or Wallis and Futuna Islander

Ethnic groups:

Polynesian

Religions:

Roman Catholic 99%, other 1%

Languages:

Wallisian 58.9% (indigenous Polynesian language), Futunian 30.1%,

French 10.8%, other 0.2% (2003 census)

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 50%

male: 50%

female: 50% (1969 est.)

Government Wallis and Futuna

Country name:

conventional long form: Territory of the Wallis and Futuna Islands

conventional short form: Wallis and Futuna

local long form: Territoire des Iles Wallis et Futuna

local short form: Wallis et Futuna

Dependency status:

overseas territory of France

Government type:

NA

Capital:

Mata-Utu (on Ile Uvea)

Administrative divisions:

none (overseas territory of France); there are no first-order

administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there

are three kingdoms at the second order named Alo, Sigave, Wallis

Independence:

none (overseas territory of France)

National holiday:

Bastille Day, 14 July (1789)

Constitution:

4 October 1958 (French Constitution)

Legal system:

French legal system

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Jacques CHIRAC of France (since 17 May

1995), represented by High Administrator Xavier DE FURST (since 18

January 2005)

head of government: President of the Territorial Assembly Patalione

KANIMOA (since NA January 2001)

cabinet: Council of the Territory consists of three kings and three

members appointed by the high administrator on the advice of the

Territorial Assembly

note: there are three traditional kings with limited powers

elections: French president elected by popular vote for a five-year

term; high administrator appointed by the French president on the

advice of the French Ministry of the Interior; the presidents of the

Territorial Government and the Territorial Assembly are elected by

the members of the assembly

Legislative branch:

unicameral Territorial Assembly or Assemblee Territoriale (20

seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)

elections: last held 11 March 2002 (next to be held March 2007)

election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -

RPR and affiliates 13, Socialists and affiliates 7

note: Wallis and Futuna elects one senator to the French Senate and

one deputy to the French National Assembly; French Senate -

elections last held 27 September 1998 (next to be held by September

2007); results - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats - RPR (now

UMP) 1; French National Assembly - elections last held 16 June 2002

(next to be held by NA 2007); results - percent of vote by party -

NA%; seats - RPR (UMP) 1

Judicial branch:

none; justice generally administered under French law by the high

administrator, but the three traditional kings administer customary

law and there is a magistrate in Mata-Utu

Political parties and leaders:

Lua Kae Tahi (Giscardians) [leader NA]; Mouvement des Radicaux de

Gauche or MRG [leader NA]; Rally for the Republic or RPR [Clovis

LOGOLOGOFOLAU]; Taumu'a Lelei [Soane Muni UHILA]; Union Populaire

Locale or UPL [Falakiko GATA]; Union Pour la Democratie Francaise or

UDF [leader NA]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

NA

International organization participation:

FZ, UPU

Diplomatic representation in the US:

none (overseas territory of France)

Diplomatic representation from the US:

none (overseas territory of France)

Flag description:

a large white modified Maltese cross - shifted a little off center

toward the fly and slightly downward - on a red background; the flag

of France outlined in white on two sides is in the upper hoist

quadrant; the flag of France is used for official occasions

Economy Wallis and Futuna

Economy - overview:

The economy is limited to traditional subsistence agriculture, with

about 80% labor force earnings from agriculture (coconuts and

vegetables), livestock (mostly pigs), and fishing. About 4% of the

population is employed in government. Revenues come from French

Government subsidies, licensing of fishing rights to Japan and South

Korea, import taxes, and remittances from expatriate workers in New

Caledonia.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$60 million (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

NA%

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $3,800 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector:

agriculture: NA%

industry: NA%

services: NA%

Labor force:

NA

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture, livestock, and fishing 80%, government 4% (2001 est.)

Unemployment rate:

NA%

Population below poverty line:

NA%

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA%

highest 10%: NA%

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

NA%

Budget:

revenues: $20 million

expenditures: $17 million, including capital expenditures of NA

(1998 est.)

Agriculture - products:

breadfruit, yams, taro, bananas; pigs, goats

Industries:

copra, handicrafts, fishing, lumber

Industrial production growth rate:

NA%

Electricity - production:

NA kWh

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 0% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0%

Electricity - consumption:

NA kWh

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2002)

Exports:

$250,000 f.o.b. (1999)

Exports - commodities:

copra, chemicals, construction materials

Exports - partners:

Italy 40%, Croatia 15%, US 14%, Denmark 13%

Imports:

$300,000 f.o.b. (1999)

Imports - commodities:

chemicals, machinery, passenger ships, consumer goods

Imports - partners:

France 97%, Australia 2%, New Zealand 1%

Debt - external:

$NA

Economic aid - recipient:

assistance from France

Currency (code):

Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique franc (XPF)

Currency code:

XPF

Exchange rates:

Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique francs (XPF) per US dollar - 96.04

(2004), 105.66 (2003), 126.71 (2002), 133.26 (2001), 129.43 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Wallis and Futuna

Telephones - main lines in use:

1,900 (2002)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

0 (1994)

Telephone system:

general assessment: NA

domestic: NA

international: country code - 681

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 1, FM 0, shortwave 0 (2000)

Radios:

NA

Television broadcast stations:

2 (2000)

Televisions:

NA

Internet country code:

.wf

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

1 (2000)

Internet users:

900 (2002)

Transportation Wallis and Futuna

Highways:

total: 120 km (Ile Uvea 100 km, Ile Futuna 20 km)

paved: 16 km (all on Ile Uvea)

unpaved: 104 km (Ile Uvea 84 km, Ile Futuna 20 km)

Ports and harbors:

Leava, Mata-Utu

Merchant marine: total: 4 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 74,754 GRT/1,187 DWT by type: passenger 4 foreign-owned: 4 (France 3, United States 1) (2005)

Airports: 2 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Military Wallis and Futuna

Military - note: defense is the responsibility of France

Transnational Issues Wallis and Futuna

Disputes - international: none

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@West Bank

Introduction West Bank

Background:

The Israel-PLO Declaration of Principles on Interim Self-Government

Arrangements (the DOP), signed in Washington on 13 September 1993,

provided for a transitional period not exceeding five years of

Palestinian interim self-government in the Gaza Strip and the West

Bank. Under the DOP, Israel agreed to transfer certain powers and

responsibilities to the Palestinian Authority, which includes the

Palestinian Legislative Council elected in January 1996, as part of

the interim self-governing arrangements in the West Bank and Gaza

Strip. A transfer of powers and responsibilities for the Gaza Strip

and Jericho took place pursuant to the Israel-PLO 4 May 1994 Cairo

Agreement on the Gaza Strip and the Jericho Area and in additional

areas of the West Bank pursuant to the Israel-PLO 28 September 1995

Interim Agreement, the Israel-PLO 15 January 1997 Protocol

Concerning Redeployment in Hebron, the Israel-PLO 23 October 1998

Wye River Memorandum, and the 4 September 1999 Sharm el-Sheikh

Agreement. The DOP provides that Israel will retain responsibility

during the transitional period for external and internal security

and for public order of settlements and Israeli citizens. Direct

negotiations to determine the permanent status of Gaza and West Bank

that began in September 1999 after a three-year hiatus, were

derailed by a second intifadah that broke out in September 2000. The

resulting widespread violence in the West Bank and Gaza Strip,

Israel's military response, and instability within the Palestinian

Authority continue to undermine progress toward a permanent

agreement. Following the death of longtime Palestinian leader Yasir

ARAFAT in November 2004, the election of his successor Mahmud ABBAS

in January 2005 could bring a turning point in the conflict.

Geography West Bank

Location:

Middle East, west of Jordan

Geographic coordinates:

32 00 N, 35 15 E

Map references:

Middle East

Area:

total: 5,860 sq km

land: 5,640 sq km

water: 220 sq km

note: includes West Bank, Latrun Salient, and the northwest quarter

of the Dead Sea, but excludes Mt. Scopus; East Jerusalem and

Jerusalem No Man's Land are also included only as a means of

depicting the entire area occupied by Israel in 1967

Area - comparative:

slightly smaller than Delaware

Land boundaries: total: 404 km border countries: Israel 307 km, Jordan 97 km

Coastline:

0 km (landlocked)

Maritime claims:

none (landlocked)

Climate:

temperate; temperature and precipitation vary with altitude, warm

to hot summers, cool to mild winters

Terrain:

mostly rugged dissected upland, some vegetation in west, but barren

in east

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Dead Sea -408 m

highest point: Tall Asur 1,022 m

Natural resources:

arable land

Land use:

arable land: 16.9%

permanent crops: 18.97%

other: 64.13% (2001)

Irrigated land:

NA sq km

Natural hazards:

droughts

Environment - current issues:

adequacy of fresh water supply; sewage treatment

Geography - note:

landlocked; highlands are main recharge area for Israel's coastal

aquifers; there are 244 West Bank settlements and 29 East Jerusalem

settlements in addition to at least 20 occupied outposts (August

2003 est.)

People West Bank

Population:

2,385,615

note: in addition, there are about 187,000 Israeli settlers in the

West Bank and fewer than 177,000 in East Jerusalem (July 2004 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 43.4% (male 530,197/female 504,794)

15-64 years: 53.2% (male 649,610/female 619,335)

65 years and over: 3.4% (male 34,803/female 46,876) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 18.14 years

male: 17.99 years

female: 18.3 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

3.13% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

32.37 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

3.99 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

2.88 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.74 male(s)/female

total population: 1.04 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 19.62 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 21.66 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 17.45 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 73.08 years

male: 71.33 years

female: 74.95 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

4.4 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

NA

Nationality:

noun: NA

adjective: NA

Ethnic groups:

Palestinian Arab and other 83%, Jewish 17%

Religions:

Muslim 75% (predominantly Sunni), Jewish 17%, Christian and other 8%

Languages:

Arabic, Hebrew (spoken by Israeli settlers and many Palestinians),

English (widely understood)

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 91.9%

male: 96.3%

female: 87.4% (2003 est.)

Government West Bank

Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: West Bank

Economy West Bank

Economy - overview:

The West Bank - the larger of the two areas under the Palestine

Authority - has experienced a general decline in economic growth and

a degradation in economic conditions made worse since the second

intifadah began in September 2000. The downturn has been largely the

result of the Israeli closure policies - the imposition of border

closures in response to security incidents in Israel - which

disrupted labor and commodity market relationships. In 2001, and

even more severely in 2002, Israeli military measures in Palestine

Authority areas resulted in the destruction of much capital plant,

the disruption of administrative structure, and widespread business

closures. Including the Gaza Strip, the UN estimates that more than

100,000 Palestinians out of the 125,000 who used to work in Israeli

settlements, or in joint industrial zones, have lost their jobs.

International aid of $2 billion to the West Bank and Gaza strip in

2004 prevented the complete collapse of the economy and allowed some

reforms in the government's financial operations. Meanwhile,

unemployment has continued at more than half the labor force.

ARAFAT's death in 2004 leaves open more political options that could

affect the economy.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$1.8 billion (2003 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

6% (2003 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $800 (2003 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 9% industry: 28% services: 63% note: includes Gaza Strip (2002 est.)

Labor force:

364,000 (2004)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 15%, industry 25%, services 60% (2004 est.)

Unemployment rate:

27.2% (includes Gaza Strip) (2004 est.)

Population below poverty line:

59% (2004 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

2.2% (includes Gaza Strip) (2001 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $676.6 million

expenditures: $1.155 billion, including capital expenditures of NA;

note - these budget data include Gaza Strip (2003)

Agriculture - products:

olives, citrus, vegetables; beef, dairy products

Industries:

generally small family businesses that produce cement, textiles,

soap, olive-wood carvings, and mother-of-pearl souvenirs; the

Israelis have established some small-scale, modern industries in the

settlements and industrial centers

Industrial production growth rate:

NA

Electricity - production:

NA kWh; note - most electricity imported from Israel; East

Jerusalem Electric Company buys and distributes electricity to

Palestinians in East Jerusalem and its concession in the West Bank;

the Israel Electric Company directly supplies electricity to most

Jewish residents and military facilities; some Palestinian

municipalities, such as Nablus and Janin, generate their own

electricity from small power plants

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

NA kWh

Electricity - imports:

NA kWh

Exports:

$205 million f.o.b., includes Gaza Strip (2002)

Exports - commodities:

olives, fruit, vegetables, limestone

Exports - partners:

Israel, Jordan, Gaza Strip (2000)

Imports:

$1.5 billion c.i.f., includes Gaza Strip (2002)

Imports - commodities:

food, consumer goods, construction materials

Imports - partners:

Israel, Jordan, Gaza Strip (2000)

Debt - external:

$108 million (includes Gaza Strip) (1997 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:

$2 billion (includes Gaza Strip) (2004 est.)

Currency (code):

new Israeli shekel (ILS); Jordanian dinar (JOD)

Currency code:

ILS; JOD

Exchange rates:

new Israeli shekels per US dollar - 4.482 (2004), 4.5541 (2003),

4.7378 (2002), 4.2057 (2001), 4.0773 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year (since 1 January 1992)

Communications West Bank

Telephones - main lines in use: 301,600 (total for West Bank and Gaza Strip) (2002)

Telephones - mobile cellular: 480,000 (cellular subscribers in both West Bank and Gaza Strip) (2003)

Telephone system:

general assessment: NA

domestic: NA

international: NA

note: Israeli company BEZEK and the Palestinian company PALTEL are

responsible for communication services in the West Bank

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 1, FM 0, shortwave 0

note: the Palestinian Broadcasting Corporation broadcasts from an AM

station in Ramallah on 675 kHz; numerous local, private stations are

reported to be in operation (2000)

Radios:

NA; note - most Palestinian households have radios (1999)

Television broadcast stations:

NA

Televisions:

NA; note - many Palestinian households have televisions (1999)

Internet country code:

.ps

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

8 (1999)

Internet users:

145,000 (includes Gaza Strip) (2003)

Transportation West Bank

Highways:

total: 4,500 km

paved: 2,700 km

unpaved: 1,800 km

note: Israelis have developed many highways to service Jewish

settlements (1997 est.)

Airports:

3 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 3

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Military West Bank

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

NA

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

NA

Transnational Issues West Bank

Disputes - international:

West Bank and Gaza Strip are Israeli-occupied with current status

subject to the Israeli-Palestinian Interim Agreement - permanent

status to be determined through further negotiation; Israel

continues construction of a "seam line" separation barrier along

parts of the Green Line and within the West Bank; Israel announced

its intention to pull out settlers and withdraw from four

settlements in the northern West Bank in 2005; since 1948, about 350

peacekeepers from the UN Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO),

headquartered in Jerusalem, monitor ceasefires, supervise armistice

agreements, prevent isolated incidents from escalating, and assist

other UN personnel in the region

Refugees and internally displaced persons:

refugees (country of origin): 665,246 (Palestinian Refugees

(UNRWA)) (2004)

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Western Sahara

Introduction Western Sahara

Background:

Morocco virtually annexed the northern two-thirds of Western Sahara

(formerly Spanish Sahara) in 1976, and the rest of the territory in

1979, following Mauritania's withdrawal. A guerrilla war with the

Polisario Front contesting Rabat's sovereignty ended in a 1991

UN-brokered cease-fire; a UN-organized referendum on final status

has been repeatedly postponed.

Geography Western Sahara

Location:

Northern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between

Mauritania and Morocco

Geographic coordinates:

24 30 N, 13 00 W

Map references:

Africa

Area:

total: 266,000 sq km

land: 266,000 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative:

about the size of Colorado

Land boundaries: total: 2,046 km border countries: Algeria 42 km, Mauritania 1,561 km, Morocco 443 km

Coastline:

1,110 km

Maritime claims:

contingent upon resolution of sovereignty issue

Climate:

hot, dry desert; rain is rare; cold offshore air currents produce

fog and heavy dew

Terrain:

mostly low, flat desert with large areas of rocky or sandy surfaces

rising to small mountains in south and northeast

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Sebjet Tah -55 m

highest point: unnamed location 463 m

Natural resources:

phosphates, iron ore

Land use:

arable land: 0.02%

permanent crops: 0%

other: 99.98% (2001)

Irrigated land:

NA sq km

Natural hazards:

hot, dry, dust/sand-laden sirocco wind can occur during winter and

spring; widespread harmattan haze exists 60% of time, often severely

restricting visibility

Environment - current issues:

sparse water and lack of arable land

Environment - international agreements: party to: none of the selected agreements signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note: the waters off the coast are particularly rich fishing areas

People Western Sahara

Population: 273,008 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA

Population growth rate:

NA

Birth rate:

NA births/1,000 population

Death rate:

NA deaths/1,000 population

Sex ratio:

NA

Infant mortality rate:

total: NA

male: NA

female: NA

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: NA years

male: NA years

female: NA years

Total fertility rate:

NA children born/woman

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

NA

Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: intermediate food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: may be a significant risk in some locations during the transmission season (typically April through November) (2004)

Nationality: noun: Sahrawi(s), Sahraoui(s) adjective: Sahrawi, Sahrawian, Sahraouian

Ethnic groups:

Arab, Berber

Religions:

Muslim

Languages:

Hassaniya Arabic, Moroccan Arabic

Literacy: definition: NA total population: NA% male: NA% female: NA%

Government Western Sahara

Country name:

conventional long form: none

conventional short form: Western Sahara

former: Spanish Sahara

Government type:

legal status of territory and issue of sovereignty unresolved;

territory contested by Morocco and Polisario Front (Popular Front

for the Liberation of the Saguia el Hamra and Rio de Oro), which in

February 1976 formally proclaimed a government-in-exile of the

Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR), led by President Mohamed

ABDELAZIZ; territory partitioned between Morocco and Mauritania in

April 1976, with Morocco acquiring northern two-thirds; Mauritania,

under pressure from Polisario guerrillas, abandoned all claims to

its portion in August 1979; Morocco moved to occupy that sector

shortly thereafter and has since asserted administrative control;

the Polisario's government-in-exile was seated as an OAU member in

1984; guerrilla activities continued sporadically, until a

UN-monitored cease-fire was implemented 6 September 1991

Capital:

none

Administrative divisions:

none (under de facto control of Morocco)

Suffrage:

none; a UN-sponsored voter identification campaign not yet completed

Executive branch:

none

Political pressure groups and leaders:

none

International organization participation:

none

Diplomatic representation in the US:

none

Diplomatic representation from the US:

none

Economy Western Sahara

Economy - overview:

Western Sahara depends on pastoral nomadism, fishing, and phosphate

mining as the principal sources of income for the population. The

territory lacks sufficient rainfall for sustainable agricultural

production, and most of the food for the urban population must be

imported. All trade and other economic activities are controlled by

the Moroccan Government. Moroccan energy interests in 2001 signed

contracts to explore for oil off the coast of Western Sahara, which

has angered the Polisario. Incomes and standards of living in

Western Sahara are substantially below the Moroccan level.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

NA

GDP - real growth rate:

NA

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - NA

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: NA industry: NA services: 40% (1996 est.)

Labor force:

12,000

Labor force - by occupation:

animal husbandry and subsistence farming 50%

Unemployment rate:

NA

Population below poverty line:

NA

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

NA

Budget:

revenues: NA

expenditures: NA, including capital expenditures of NA

Agriculture - products:

fruits and vegetables (grown in the few oases); camels, sheep,

goats (kept by nomads)

Industries:

phosphate mining, handicrafts

Industrial production growth rate:

NA

Electricity - production:

90 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

83.7 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

1,800 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Exports:

NA

Exports - commodities:

phosphates 62%

Exports - partners:

Morocco claims and administers Western Sahara, so trade partners

are included in overall Moroccan accounts

Imports:

NA

Imports - commodities:

fuel for fishing fleet, foodstuffs

Imports - partners:

Morocco claims and administers Western Sahara, so trade partners

are included in overall Moroccan accounts

Debt - external:

NA

Economic aid - recipient:

NA

Currency (code):

Moroccan dirham (MAD)

Currency code:

MAD

Exchange rates:

Moroccan dirhams per US dollar - 8.868 (2004), 9.5744 (2003),

11.0206 (2002), 11.303 (2001), 10.6256 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Western Sahara

Telephones - main lines in use:

about 2,000 (1999 est.)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

0 (1999)

Telephone system:

general assessment: sparse and limited system

domestic: NA

international: country code - 212; tied into Morocco's system by

microwave radio relay, tropospheric scatter, and satellite;

satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) linked to

Rabat, Morocco

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 2, FM 0, shortwave 0 (1998)

Radios:

56,000 (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

NA

Televisions:

6,000 (1997)

Internet country code:

.eh

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

1 (2000)

Internet users:

NA

Transportation Western Sahara

Highways: total: 6,200 km paved: 1,350 km unpaved: 4,850 km (1991 est)

Ports and harbors:

Ad Dakhla, Cabo Bojador, Laayoune (El Aaiun)

Airports:

11 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 3

2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 8

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 4

under 914 m: 3 (2004 est.)

Transnational Issues Western Sahara

Disputes - international:

Morocco claims and administers Western Sahara, whose sovereignty

remains unresolved - UN-administered cease-fire has remained in

effect since September 1991, administered by the UN Mission for the

Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO), but attempts to hold a

referendum have failed and parties thus far have rejected all

brokered proposals

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@World

Introduction World

Background:

Globally, the 20th century was marked by: (a) two devastating world

wars; (b) the Great Depression of the 1930s; (c) the end of vast

colonial empires; (d) rapid advances in science and technology, from

the first airplane flight at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina (US) to the

landing on the moon; (e) the Cold War between the Western alliance

and the Warsaw Pact nations; (f) a sharp rise in living standards in

North America, Europe, and Japan; (g) increased concerns about the

environment, including loss of forests, shortages of energy and

water, the decline in biological diversity, and air pollution; (h)

the onset of the AIDS epidemic; and (i) the ultimate emergence of

the US as the only world superpower. The planet's population

continues to explode: from 1 billion in 1820, to 2 billion in 1930,

3 billion in 1960, 4 billion in 1974, 5 billion in 1988, and 6

billion in 2000. For the 21st century, the continued exponential

growth in science and technology raises both hopes (e.g., advances

in medicine) and fears (e.g., development of even more lethal

weapons of war).

Geography World

Map references:

Physical Map of the World, Political Map of the World, Standard

Time Zones of the World

Area:

total: 510.072 million sq km

land: 148.94 million sq km

water: 361.132 million sq km

note: 70.8% of the world's surface is water, 29.2% is land

Area - comparative:

land area about 16 times the size of the US

Land boundaries:

the land boundaries in the world total 250,472 km (not counting

shared boundaries twice); two nations, China and Russia, each border

14 other countries

note: 43 nations and other areas are landlocked, these include:

Afghanistan, Andorra, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bhutan,

Bolivia, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Central African Republic,

Chad, Czech Republic, Ethiopia, Holy See (Vatican City), Hungary,

Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg,

Macedonia, Malawi, Mali, Moldova, Mongolia, Nepal, Niger, Paraguay,

Rwanda, San Marino, Slovakia, Swaziland, Switzerland, Tajikistan,

Turkmenistan, Uganda, Uzbekistan, West Bank, Zambia, Zimbabwe; two

of these, Liechtenstein and Uzbekistan, are doubly landlocked

Coastline:

356,000 km

note: 98 nations and other entities are islands that border no other

countries, they include: American Samoa, Anguilla, Antigua and

Barbuda, Aruba, Ashmore and Cartier Islands, The Bahamas, Bahrain,

Baker Island, Barbados, Bassas da India, Bermuda, Bouvet Island,

British Indian Ocean Territory, British Virgin Islands, Cape Verde,

Cayman Islands, Christmas Island, Clipperton Island, Cocos (Keeling)

Islands, Comoros, Cook Islands, Coral Sea Islands, Cuba, Cyprus,

Dominica, Europa Island, Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), Faroe

Islands, Fiji, French Polynesia, French Southern and Antarctic

Lands, Glorioso Islands, Greenland, Grenada, Guam, Guernsey, Heard

Island and McDonald Islands, Howland Island, Iceland, Jamaica, Jan

Mayen, Japan, Jarvis Island, Jersey, Johnston Atoll, Juan de Nova

Island, Kingman Reef, Kiribati, Madagascar, Maldives, Malta, Isle of

Man, Marshall Islands, Martinique, Mauritius, Mayotte, Federated

States of Micronesia, Midway Islands, Montserrat, Nauru, Navassa

Island, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Niue, Norfolk Island, Northern

Mariana Islands, Palau, Palmyra Atoll, Paracel Islands, Philippines,

Pitcairn Islands, Puerto Rico, Reunion, Saint Helena, Saint Kitts

and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Saint Vincent and

the Grenadines, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Seychelles, Singapore,

Solomon Islands, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands,

Spratly Islands, Sri Lanka, Svalbard, Tokelau, Tonga, Trinidad and

Tobago, Tromelin Island, Turks and Caicos Islands, Tuvalu, Vanuatu,

Virgin Islands, Wake Island, Wallis and Futuna, Taiwan

Maritime claims:

a variety of situations exist, but in general, most countries make

the following claims measured from the mean low-tide baseline as

described in the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea:

territorial sea - 12 nm , contiguous zone - 24 nm , and exclusive

economic zone - 200 nm ; additional zones provide for exploitation

of continental shelf resources and an exclusive fishing zone;

boundary situations with neighboring states prevent many countries

from extending their fishing or economic zones to a full 200 nm

Climate:

two large areas of polar climates separated by two rather narrow

temperate zones form a wide equatorial band of tropical to

subtropical climates

Terrain:

the greatest ocean depth is the Mariana Trench at 10,924 m in the

Pacific Ocean

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Bentley Subglacial Trench -2,540 m

note: in the oceanic realm, Challenger Deep in the Mariana Trench is

the lowest point, lying -10,924 m below the surface of the Pacific

Ocean

highest point: Mount Everest 8,850 m

Natural resources:

the rapid depletion of nonrenewable mineral resources, the

depletion of forest areas and wetlands, the extinction of animal and

plant species, and the deterioration in air and water quality

(especially in Eastern Europe, the former USSR, and China) pose

serious long-term problems that governments and peoples are only

beginning to address

Land use: arable land: 10.73% permanent crops: 1% other: 88.27% (2001)

Irrigated land:

2,714,320 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

large areas subject to severe weather (tropical cyclones), natural

disasters (earthquakes, landslides, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions)

Environment - current issues: large areas subject to overpopulation, industrial disasters, pollution (air, water, acid rain, toxic substances), loss of vegetation (overgrazing, deforestation, desertification), loss of wildlife, soil degradation, soil depletion, erosion

Geography - note:

the world is now thought to be about 4.55 billion years old, just

about one-third of the 13-billion-year age estimated for the universe

People World

Population:

6,446,131,400 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 27.8% (male 919,726,623; female 870,468,158)

15-64 years: 64.9% (male 2,117,230,183; female 2,066,864,970)

65 years and over: 7.3% (male 207,903,775; female 263,627,270)

note: some countries do not maintain age structure information, thus

a slight discrepancy exists between the total world population and

the total for world age structure (2005 est.)

Median age: total: 27.6 years male: 27 years female: 28.2 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

1.14% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

20.15 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

8.78 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.79 male(s)/female

total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 50.11 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 52.1 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 48.01 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 64.33 years

male: 62.73 years

female: 66.04 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

2.6 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

NA%

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

NA

Religions:

Christians 32.84% (of which Roman Catholics 17.34%, Protestants

5.78%, Orthodox 3.44%, Anglicans 1.27%), Muslims 19.9%, Hindus

13.29%, Buddhists 5.92%, Sikhs 0.39%, Jews 0.23%, other religions

12.63%, non-religious 12.44%, atheists 2.36% (2003 est.)

Languages:

Chinese, Mandarin 13.69%, Spanish 5.05%, English 4.84%, Hindi

2.82%, Portuguese 2.77%, Bengali 2.68%, Russian 2.27%, Japanese

1.99%, German, Standard 1.49%, Chinese, Wu 1.21% (2004 est.)

note: percents are for "first language" speakers only

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 82%

male: 87%

female: 77%

note: over two-thirds of the world's 785 million illiterate adults

are found in only eight countries (India, China, Bangladesh,

Pakistan, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Indonesia, and Egypt); of all the

illiterate adults in the world, two-thirds are women; extremely low

literacy rates are concentrated in three regions, South and West

Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, and the Arab states, where around

one-third of the men and half of all women are illiterate (2005 est.)

Government World

Administrative divisions:

271 nations, dependent areas, and other entities

Legal system:

all members of the UN are parties to the statute that established

the International Court of Justice (ICJ) or World Court

Economy World

Economy - overview: Global output rose by 4.9% in 2004, led by China (9.1%), Russia (6.7%), and India (6.2%). The other 14 successor nations of the USSR and the other old Warsaw Pact nations again experienced widely divergent growth rates; the three Baltic nations continued as strong performers, in the 7% range of growth. Growth results posted by the major industrial countries varied from a small gain in Italy (1.3%) to a strong gain by the United States (4.4%). The developing nations also varied in their growth results, with many countries facing population increases that erode gains in output. Externally, the nation-state, as a bedrock economic-political institution, is steadily losing control over international flows of people, goods, funds, and technology. Internally, the central government often finds its control over resources slipping as separatist regional movements - typically based on ethnicity - gain momentum, e.g., in many of the successor states of the former Soviet Union, in the former Yugoslavia, in India, in Iraq, in Indonesia, and in Canada. Externally, the central government is losing decisionmaking powers to international bodies, notably the European Union. In Western Europe, governments face the difficult political problem of channeling resources away from welfare programs in order to increase investment and strengthen incentives to seek employment. The addition of 75 million people each year to an already overcrowded globe is exacerbating the problems of pollution, desertification, underemployment, epidemics, and famine. Because of their own internal problems and priorities, the industrialized countries devote insufficient resources to deal effectively with the poorer areas of the world, which, at least from an economic point of view, are becoming further marginalized. The introduction of the euro as the common currency of much of Western Europe in January 1999, while paving the way for an integrated economic powerhouse, poses economic risks because of varying levels of income and cultural and political differences among the participating nations. The terrorist attacks on the US on 11 September 2001 accentuate a further growing risk to global prosperity, illustrated, for example, by the reallocation of resources away from investment to anti-terrorist programs. The opening of war in March 2003 between a US-led coalition and Iraq added new uncertainties to global economic prospects. After the coalition victory, the complex political difficulties and the high economic cost of establishing domestic order in Iraq became major global problems that continued into 2005.

GDP (purchasing power parity): GWP (gross world product) - purchasing power parity - $55.5 trillion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

4.9% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $8,800 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector:

agriculture: 4%

industry: 32%

services: 64% (2004 est.)

Labor force:

NA

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture NA%, industry NA%, services NA%

Unemployment rate:

30% combined unemployment and underemployment in many

non-industrialized countries; developed countries typically 4%-12%

unemployment

Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA % highest 10%: NA %

Inflation rate (consumer prices): developed countries 1% to 4% typically; developing countries 5% to 60% typically; national inflation rates vary widely in individual cases, from declining prices in Japan to hyperinflation in several Third World countries (2004 est.)

Industries:

dominated by the onrush of technology, especially in computers,

robotics, telecommunications, and medicines and medical equipment;

most of these advances take place in OECD nations; only a small

portion of non-OECD countries have succeeded in rapidly adjusting to

these technological forces; the accelerated development of new

industrial (and agricultural) technology is complicating already

grim environmental problems

Industrial production growth rate:

3% (2003 est.)

Electricity - production:

15.29 trillion kWh (2002 est.)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: NA hydro: NA nuclear: NA other: NA (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

14.28 trillion kWh (2002 est.)

Electricity - exports:

500.8 billion kWh (2002 est.)

Electricity - imports:

497.6 billion kWh (2002 est.)

Oil - production:

76.01 million bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

77.04 million bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - proved reserves:

1.025 trillion bbl (1 January 2002 est.)

Natural gas - production:

2.637 trillion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - consumption:

2.599 trillion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - exports:

693.7 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - imports:

718.7 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves:

161.2 trillion cu m (1 January 2002)

Exports:

$8.819 trillion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Exports - commodities:

the whole range of industrial and agricultural goods and services

Exports - partners:

US 15.7%, Germany 7.7%, China 5.4%, France 5.1%, UK 5.1%, Japan

4.5% (2004)

Imports:

$8.754 trillion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Imports - commodities:

the whole range of industrial and agricultural goods and services

Imports - partners:

Germany 9.4%, US 9.3%, China 8.5%, Japan 6.5%, France 4.5% (2004)

Debt - external:

$12.7 trillion (2004 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:

$154 billion official development assistance (ODA) (2004)

Communications World

Telephones - main lines in use:

843,923,500 (2003)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

NA

Telephone system:

general assessment: NA

domestic: NA

international: NA

Radio broadcast stations:

AM NA, FM NA, shortwave NA

Radios:

NA

Television broadcast stations:

NA

Televisions:

NA

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

10,350 (2000 est.)

Internet users:

604,111,719 (2002 est.)

Transportation World

Railways:

total: 1,115,205 km

broad gauge: 257,481 km

standard gauge: 671,413 km

narrow gauge: 186,311 km (2003)

Highways: total: 32,345,165 km paved: 19,403,061 km unpaved: 12,942,104 km (2002)

Waterways:

671,886 km (2004)

Merchant marine:

total ships: 30,936 (2005)

Airports:

49,973 (2004)

Military World

Military expenditures - dollar figure: aggregate real expenditure on arms worldwide in 1999 remained at approximately the 1998 level, about three-quarters of a trillion dollars (1999 est.)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP: roughly 2% of gross world product (1999 est.)

Transnational Issues World

Disputes - international:

stretching over 250,000 km, the world's 325 international land

boundaries separate the 192 independent states and 73 dependencies,

areas of special sovereignty, and other miscellaneous entities;

ethnicity, culture, race, religion, and language have divided states

into separate political entities as much as history, physical

terrain, political fiat, or conquest, resulting in sometimes

arbitrary and imposed boundaries; maritime states have claimed

limits and have so far established over 130 maritime boundaries and

joint development zones to allocate ocean resources and to provide

for national security at sea; boundary, borderland/resource, and

territorial disputes vary in intensity from managed or dormant to

violent or militarized; most disputes over the alignment of

political boundaries are confined to short segments and are today

less common and less hostile than borderland, resource, and

territorial disputes; undemarcated, indefinite, porous, and

unmanaged boundaries, however, encourage illegal cross-border

activities, uncontrolled migration, and confrontation; territorial

disputes may evolve from historical and/or cultural claims, or they

may be brought on by resource competition; ethnic clashes continue

to be responsible for much of the territorial fragmentation around

the world; disputes over islands at sea or in rivers frequently form

the source of territorial and boundary conflict; other sources of

contention include access to water and mineral (especially

petroleum) resources, fisheries, and arable land; nonetheless, most

nations cooperate to clarify their international boundaries and to

resolve territorial and resource disputes peacefully; regional

discord directly affects the sustenance and welfare of local

populations, often leaving the world community to cope with

resultant refugees, hunger, disease, impoverishment, deforestation,

and desertification

Refugees and internally displaced persons:

the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) estimated

that in December 2003 there was a global population of 9.7 million

refugees and as many as 25 million IDPs

Illicit drugs:

cocaine: worldwide, coca is grown on an estimated 173,450 hectares

- almost exclusively in South America with 70% in Colombia;

potential cocaine production during 2003 is estimated at 728 metric

tons (or 835 metric tons of export quality cocaine); coca

eradication programs continue in Bolivia, Colombia, and Peru; 376

metric tons of export quality cocaine are documented to have been

seized in 2003, and 26 metric tons disrupted (jettisoned or

destroyed); consumption of export quality cocaine is estimated to

have been 800 metric tons

opiates: cultivation of opium poppy occurred on an estimated 137,944

hectares in 2003 - mostly in Southwest and Southeast Asia - with 44%

in Afghanistan, potentially produced 3,775 metric tons of opium,

which conceivably could be converted to the equivalent of 429 metric

tons of pure heroin; opium eradication programs have been undertaken

in Afghanistan, Burma, Colombia, Mexico, Pakistan, Thailand, and

Vietnam

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Yemen

Introduction Yemen

Background:

North Yemen became independent of the Ottoman Empire in 1918. The

British, who had set up a protectorate area around the southern port

of Aden in the 19th century, withdrew in 1967 from what became South

Yemen. Three years later, the southern government adopted a Marxist

orientation. The massive exodus of hundreds of thousands of Yemenis

from the south to the north contributed to two decades of hostility

between the states. The two countries were formally unified as the

Republic of Yemen in 1990. A southern secessionist movement in 1994

was quickly subdued. In 2000, Saudi Arabia and Yemen agreed to a

delimitation of their border.

Geography Yemen

Location:

Middle East, bordering the Arabian Sea, Gulf of Aden, and Red Sea,

between Oman and Saudi Arabia

Geographic coordinates:

15 00 N, 48 00 E

Map references:

Middle East

Area:

total: 527,970 sq km

land: 527,970 sq km

water: 0 sq km

note: includes Perim, Socotra, the former Yemen Arab Republic (YAR

or North Yemen), and the former People's Democratic Republic of

Yemen (PDRY or South Yemen)

Area - comparative:

slightly larger than twice the size of Wyoming

Land boundaries: total: 1,746 km border countries: Oman 288 km, Saudi Arabia 1,458 km

Coastline: 1,906 km

Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin

Climate:

mostly desert; hot and humid along west coast; temperate in western

mountains affected by seasonal monsoon; extraordinarily hot, dry,

harsh desert in east

Terrain:

narrow coastal plain backed by flat-topped hills and rugged

mountains; dissected upland desert plains in center slope into the

desert interior of the Arabian Peninsula

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Arabian Sea 0 m

highest point: Jabal an Nabi Shu'ayb 3,760 m

Natural resources:

petroleum, fish, rock salt, marble, small deposits of coal, gold,

lead, nickel, and copper, fertile soil in west

Land use: arable land: 2.78% permanent crops: 0.24% other: 96.98% (2001)

Irrigated land:

4,900 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

sandstorms and dust storms in summer

Environment - current issues:

very limited natural fresh water resources; inadequate supplies of

potable water; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto

Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental

Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer

Protection

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

strategic location on Bab el Mandeb, the strait linking the Red Sea

and the Gulf of Aden, one of world's most active shipping lanes

People Yemen

Population:

20,727,063 (July 2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 46.5% (male 4,905,831/female 4,727,177)

15-64 years: 50.8% (male 5,364,711/female 5,172,811)

65 years and over: 2.7% (male 274,166/female 282,367) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 16.54 years

male: 16.53 years

female: 16.56 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

3.45% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

43.07 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

8.53 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.97 male(s)/female

total population: 1.04 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 61.5 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 66.26 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 56.49 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 61.75 years

male: 59.89 years

female: 63.71 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

6.67 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

0.1% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

12,000 (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

NA

Nationality: noun: Yemeni(s) adjective: Yemeni

Ethnic groups:

predominantly Arab; but also Afro-Arab, South Asians, Europeans

Religions:

Muslim including Shaf'i (Sunni) and Zaydi (Shi'a), small numbers of

Jewish, Christian, and Hindu

Languages:

Arabic

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 50.2%

male: 70.5%

female: 30% (2003 est.)

Government Yemen

Country name:

conventional long form: Republic of Yemen

conventional short form: Yemen

local long form: Al Jumhuriyah al Yamaniyah

local short form: Al Yaman

former: Yemen Arab Republic [Yemen (Sanaa) or North Yemen] and

People's Democratic Republic of Yemen [Yemen (Aden) or South Yemen]

Government type:

republic

Capital:

Sanaa

Administrative divisions:

19 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah); Abyan, 'Adan, Ad

Dali', Al Bayda', Al Hudaydah, Al Jawf, Al Mahrah, Al Mahwit,

'Amran, Dhamar, Hadramawt, Hajjah, Ibb, Lahij, Ma'rib, Sa'dah,

San'a', Shabwah, Ta'izz

note: for electoral and administrative purposes, the capital city of

Sanaa is treated as an additional governorate

Independence:

22 May 1990 (Republic of Yemen established with the merger of the

Yemen Arab Republic [Yemen (Sanaa) or North Yemen] and the

Marxist-dominated People's Democratic Republic of Yemen [Yemen

(Aden) or South Yemen]); note - previously North Yemen had become

independent in November of 1918 (from the Ottoman Empire) and South

Yemen had become independent on 30 November 1967 (from the UK)

National holiday:

Unification Day, 22 May (1990)

Constitution:

16 May 1991; amended 29 September 1994 and February 2001

Legal system:

based on Islamic law, Turkish law, English common law, and local

tribal customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Ali Abdallah SALIH (since 22 May 1990,

the former president of North Yemen, assumed office upon the merger

of North and South Yemen); Vice President Maj. Gen. Abd al-Rab

Mansur al-HADI (since 3 October 1994)

head of government: Prime Minister Abd al-Qadir BA JAMAL (since 4

April 2001)

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the

advice of the prime minister

elections: president elected by direct, popular vote for a

seven-year term (recently extended from a five-year term by

constitutional amendment); election last held 23 September 1999

(next to be held NA 2006); vice president appointed by the

president; prime minister and deputy prime ministers appointed by

the president

election results: Ali Abdallah SALIH elected president; percent of

vote - Ali Abdallah SALIH 96.3%, Najib Qahtan AL-SHAABI 3.7%

Legislative branch:

a new constitutional amendment ratified on 20 February 2001 created

a bicameral legislature consisting of a Shura Council (111 seats;

members appointed by the president) and a House of Representatives

(301 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve six-year terms)

elections: last held 27 April 2003 (next to be held NA April 2009)

election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -

GPC 228, Islah 47, YSP 7, Nasserite Unionist Party 3, National Arab

Socialist Ba'th Party 2, independents 14

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court

Political parties and leaders:

there are more than 12 political parties active in Yemen, some of

the more prominent are: General People's Congress or GPC [President

Ali Abdallah SALIH]; Islamic Reform Grouping or Islah [Shaykh

Abdallah bin Husayn al-AHMAR]; Nasserite Unionist Party [Abdel Malik

al-MAKHLAFI]; National Arab Socialist Ba'th Party [Dr. Qassim

SALAAM]; Yemeni Socialist Party or YSP [Ali Salih MUQBIL]

note: President SALIH's General People's Congress or GPC won a

landslide victory in the April 1997 legislative election and no

longer governs in coalition with Shaykh Abdallah bin Husayn

al-AHMAR's Islamic Reform Grouping or Islah - the two parties had

been in coalition since the end of the civil war in 1994; the YSP, a

loyal opposition party, represents the remnants of the former South

Yemeni leadership; leaders of the 1994 secessionist movement have

been pardoned by President SALIH and some are now returning to Yemen

from exile

Political pressure groups and leaders:

NA

International organization participation:

AFESD, AMF, CAEU, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory),

ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol,

IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAS (observer),

OIC, ONUB, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNOCI, UPU, WCO,

WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO (observer)

Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Abd al-Wahab Abdallah al-HAJRI chancery: Suite 705, 2600 Virginia Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20037 telephone: [1] (202) 965-4760 FAX: [1] (202) 337-2017

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Thomas C. KRAJESKI

embassy: Saawan Street, Sanaa

mailing address: P. O. Box 22347, Sanaa

telephone: [967] (1) 303-151 through 159

FAX: [967] (1) 303-160/161/162/164/165

Flag description:

three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black;

similar to the flag of Syria, which has two green stars and of Iraq

which has three green stars (plus an Arabic inscription) in a

horizontal line centered in the white band; also similar to the flag

of Egypt, which has a heraldic eagle centered in the white band

Economy Yemen

Economy - overview:

Yemen, one of the poorest countries in the Arab world, has reported

strong growth since 2000, but its economic fortunes depend mostly on

oil. Yemen has embarked on an IMF-supported structural adjustment

program designed to modernize and streamline the economy, which has

led to substantial foreign debt relief and restructuring. Yemen has

worked to maintain tight control over spending and to implement

additional components of the IMF program, but a high population

growth rate and internal political dissension complicate the

government's task. Plans include a diversification of the economy,

encouragement of tourism, and more efficient use of scarce water

resources.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$16.25 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

1.9% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $800 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 15.5% industry: 44.7% services: 39.7% (2004 est.)

Labor force: 5.98 million (2004 est.)

Labor force - by occupation: most people are employed in agriculture and herding; services, construction, industry, and commerce account for less than one-fourth of the labor force

Unemployment rate:

35% (2003 est.)

Population below poverty line:

45.2% (2003)

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: 3%

highest 10%: 25.9% (2003)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

33.4 (1998)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

12.2% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

16.1% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $4.251 billion

expenditures: $4.568 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Public debt:

46.4% of GDP (2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

grain, fruits, vegetables, pulses, qat (mildly narcotic shrub),

coffee, cotton; dairy products, livestock (sheep, goats, cattle,

camels), poultry; fish

Industries:

crude oil production and petroleum refining; small-scale production

of cotton textiles and leather goods; food processing; handicrafts;

small aluminum products factory; cement; commercial ship repair

Industrial production growth rate:

3% (2003 est.)

Electricity - production:

3.04 billion kWh (2002 est.)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

2.827 billion kWh (2002 est.)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

417,500 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Oil - consumption:

78,000 bbl/day (2003 est.)

Oil - exports:

370,300 bbl/day (2003)

Oil - imports:

NA

Oil - proved reserves:

4 billion bbl (2004 est.)

Natural gas - production:

0 cu m (2003 est.)

Natural gas - consumption:

0 cu m (2003 est.)

Natural gas - exports:

0 cu m (2003 est.)

Natural gas - imports:

0 cu m (2003 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves:

480 billion cu m (2004)

Current account balance:

$369.9 million (2004 est.)

Exports:

$4.468 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

crude oil, coffee, dried and salted fish

Exports - partners:

Thailand 33.8%, China 30.3%, Singapore 7.8% (2004)

Imports:

$3.734 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

food and live animals, machinery and equipment, chemicals

Imports - partners:

UAE 12.2%, Saudi Arabia 9.7%, China 8.8%, France 7.3%, India 4.4%,

US 4.4%, Kuwait 4.2% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$5.3 billion (2004 est.)

Debt - external:

$5.4 billion (2004 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:

$2.3 billion (2003-07 disbursements) (2003-07 disbursements)

Currency (code):

Yemeni rial (YER)

Currency code:

YER

Exchange rates:

Yemeni rials per US dollar - 184.78 (2004), 183.45 (2003), 175.63

(2002), 168.67 (2001), 161.72 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Yemen

Telephones - main lines in use:

542,200 (2002)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

411,100 (2002)

Telephone system:

general assessment: since unification in 1990, efforts have been

made to create a national telecommunications network

domestic: the national network consists of microwave radio relay,

cable, tropospheric scatter, and GSM cellular mobile telephone

systems

international: country code - 967; satellite earth stations - 3

Intelsat (2 Indian Ocean and 1 Atlantic Ocean), 1 Intersputnik

(Atlantic Ocean region), and 2 Arabsat; microwave radio relay to

Saudi Arabia and Djibouti

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 6, FM 1, shortwave 2 (1998)

Radios:

1.05 million (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

7 (plus several low-power repeaters) (1997)

Televisions:

470,000 (1997)

Internet country code:

.ye

Internet hosts:

138 (2004)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

1 (2000)

Internet users:

100,000 (2002)

Transportation Yemen

Highways: total: 67,000 km paved: 7,705 km unpaved: 59,295 km (1999 est.)

Pipelines:

gas 88 km; oil 1,174 km (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Aden, Nishtun

Merchant marine:

total: 5 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 19,766 GRT/24,794 DWT

by type: cargo 1, chemical tanker 1, petroleum tanker 2, roll

on/roll off 1

registered in other countries: 2 (2005)

Airports:

44 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 16

over 3,047 m: 3

2,438 to 3,047 m: 9

1,524 to 2,437 m: 2

914 to 1,523 m: 1

under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 28

over 3,047 m: 2

2,438 to 3,047 m: 7

1,524 to 2,437 m: 4

914 to 1,523 m: 11

under 914 m: 4 (2004 est.)

Military Yemen

Military branches:

Army (includes Special Forces), Naval Forces and Coastal Defenses

(includes Marines), Air Force (includes Air Defense Forces),

Republican Guard (2002)

Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript service obligation - 2 years (2004)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 18-49: 4,058,223 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: 2,790,705 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually:

males: 236,517 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$885.5 million (2003)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

7.8% (2003)

Military - note:

a Coast Guard was established in 2002

Transnational Issues Yemen

Disputes - international:

Yemen protests Eritrea fishing around the Hanish Islands awarded to

Yemen by the ICJ in 1999; despite resistance from nomadic groups,

the demarcation of the Saudi Arabia-Yemen boundary established under

the 2000 Jeddah Treaty is almost complete; Yemen protests Saudi

erection of a concrete-filled pipe as a security barrier in 2004 to

stem illegal cross-border activities in sections of the boundary

Refugees and internally displaced persons:

refugees (country of origin): 60,901 (Somalia) (2004)

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Zambia

Introduction Zambia

Background:

The territory of Northern Rhodesia was administered by the South

Africa Company from 1891 until it was taken over by the UK in 1923.

During the 1920s and 1930s, advances in mining spurred development

and immigration. The name was changed to Zambia upon independence in

1964. In the 1980s and 1990s, declining copper prices and a

prolonged drought hurt the economy. Elections in 1991 brought an end

to one-party rule, but the subsequent vote in 1996 saw blatant

harassment of opposition parties. The election in 2001 was marked by

administrative problems with three parties filing a legal petition

challenging the election of ruling party candidate Levy MWANAWASA.

The new president launched a far-reaching anti-corruption campaign

in 2002, which resulted in the prosecution of former President

Frederick CHILUBA and many of his supporters in late 2003.

Opposition parties currently hold a majority of seats in the

National Assembly.

Geography Zambia

Location:

Southern Africa, east of Angola

Geographic coordinates:

15 00 S, 30 00 E

Map references:

Africa

Area:

total: 752,614 sq km

land: 740,724 sq km

water: 11,890 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly larger than Texas

Land boundaries:

total: 5,664 km

border countries: Angola 1,110 km, Democratic Republic of the Congo

1,930 km, Malawi 837 km, Mozambique 419 km, Namibia 233 km, Tanzania

338 km, Zimbabwe 797 km

Coastline:

0 km (landlocked)

Maritime claims:

none (landlocked)

Climate:

tropical; modified by altitude; rainy season (October to April)

Terrain:

mostly high plateau with some hills and mountains

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Zambezi river 329 m

highest point: unnamed location in Mafinga Hills 2,301 m

Natural resources:

copper, cobalt, zinc, lead, coal, emeralds, gold, silver, uranium,

hydropower

Land use: arable land: 7.08% permanent crops: 0.03% other: 92.9% (2001)

Irrigated land:

460 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

periodic drought, tropical storms (November to April)

Environment - current issues:

air pollution and resulting acid rain in the mineral extraction and

refining region; chemical runoff into watersheds; poaching seriously

threatens rhinoceros, elephant, antelope, and large cat populations;

deforestation; soil erosion; desertification; lack of adequate water

treatment presents human health risks

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered

Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection,

Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol

Geography - note:

landlocked; the Zambezi forms a natural riverine boundary with

Zimbabwe

People Zambia

Population:

11,261,795

note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the

effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower

life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower

population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of

population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July

2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 46.5% (male 2,626,911/female 2,609,857)

15-64 years: 51.1% (male 2,848,402/female 2,904,376)

65 years and over: 2.4% (male 118,043/female 154,206) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 16.46 years

male: 16.26 years

female: 16.67 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

2.12% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

41.38 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

20.23 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/female

total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 88.29 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 95.63 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 80.72 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 39.7 years

male: 39.43 years

female: 39.98 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

5.47 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

16.5% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

920,000 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

89,000 (2003 est.)

Major infectious diseases:

degree of risk: very high

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and

typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases: malaria and plague are high risks in some

locations

water contact disease: schistosomiasis (2004)

Nationality:

noun: Zambian(s)

adjective: Zambian

Ethnic groups:

African 98.7%, European 1.1%, other 0.2%

Religions:

Christian 50%-75%, Muslim and Hindu 24%-49%, indigenous beliefs 1%

Languages:

English (official), major vernaculars - Bemba, Kaonda, Lozi, Lunda,

Luvale, Nyanja, Tonga, and about 70 other indigenous languages

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write English

total population: 80.6%

male: 86.8%

female: 74.8% (2003 est.)

Government Zambia

Country name:

conventional long form: Republic of Zambia

conventional short form: Zambia

former: Northern Rhodesia

Government type:

republic

Capital:

Lusaka

Administrative divisions:

9 provinces; Central, Copperbelt, Eastern, Luapula, Lusaka,

Northern, North-Western, Southern, Western

Independence:

24 October 1964 (from UK)

National holiday:

Independence Day, 24 October (1964)

Constitution:

24 August 1991

Legal system:

based on English common law and customary law; judicial review of

legislative acts in an ad hoc constitutional council; has not

accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Levy MWANAWASA (since 2 January 2002);

Vice President Lupando MWAPE (since 4 October 2004); note - the

president is both the chief of state and head of government

head of government: President Levy MWANAWASA (since 2 January 2002);

Vice President Lupando MWAPE (since 4 October 2004); note - the

president is both the chief of state and head of government

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president from among the members

of the National Assembly

elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;

election last held 27 December 2001 (next to be held December 2006);

vice president appointed by the president

election results: Levy MWANAWASA elected president; percent of vote

- Levy MWANAWASA 29%, Anderson MAZOKA 27%, Christon TEMBO 13%,

Tilyenji KAUNDA 10%, Godfrey MIYANDA 8%, Benjamin MWILA 5%, Michael

SATA 3%, other 5%

Legislative branch:

unicameral National Assembly (150 seats; members are elected by

popular vote to serve five-year terms)

elections: last held 27 December 2001 (next to be held December 2006)

election results: percent of vote by party - MMD 45.9%, UPND 32.4%,

UNIP 8.8%, FDD 8.1%, HP 2.7%, PF 0.7%, ZRP 0.7%, independents 0.7%;

seats by party - MMD 68, UPND 48, UNIP 13, FDD 12, HP 4, PF 1, ZRP

1, independents 1; seats not determined 2

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court (the final court of appeal; justices are appointed by

the president); High Court (has unlimited jurisdiction to hear civil

and criminal cases)

Political parties and leaders:

Agenda for Zambia or AZ [Inonge MBIKUSITA-LEWANIKA]; Forum for

Democracy and Development or FDD [Christon TEMBO]; Heritage Party or

HP [Godfrey MIYANDA]; Liberal Progressive Front or LPF [Roger

CHONGWE, president]; Movement for Multiparty Democracy or MMD [Levy

MWANAWASA, acting president]; National Leadership for Development or

NLD [Yobert SHAMAPANDE]; National Party or NP [Dr. Sam CHIPUNGU];

Patriotic Front or PF [Michael SATA]; Zambian Republican Party or

ZRP [Benjamin MWILA]; Social Democratic Party or SDP [Gwendoline

KONIE]; United National Independence Party or UNIP [Francis NKHOMA,

president]; United Party for National Development or UPND [Anderson

MAZOKA]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

NA

International organization participation:

ACP, AfDB, AU, C, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM,

IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO

(correspondent), ITU, MIGA, MONUC, NAM, ONUB, OPCW, PCA, SADC, UN,

UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMEE, UNMIK, UNMIL, UNOCI,

UPU, WCL, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Inonge MBIKUSITA-LEWANIKA chancery: 2419 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 265-9717 through 9719 FAX: [1] (202) 332-0826

Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Martin George BRENNAN embassy: corner of Independence and United Nations Avenues mailing address: P. O. Box 31617, Lusaka telephone: [260] (1) 250-955 FAX: [260] (1) 252-225

Flag description:

green with a panel of three vertical bands of red (hoist side),

black, and orange below a soaring orange eagle, on the outer edge of

the flag

Economy Zambia

Economy - overview:

Despite progress in privatization and budgetary reform, Zambia's

economic growth remains somewhat below the 5% to 7% needed to reduce

poverty significantly. Privatization of government-owned copper

mines relieved the government from covering mammoth losses generated

by the industry and greatly improved the chances for copper mining

to return to profitability and spur economic growth. Copper output

increased in 2004 and is expected to increase again in 2005, due to

higher copper prices and the opening of new mines. The maize harvest

was again good in 2004, helping boost GDP and agricultural exports.

Cooperation continues with international bodies on programs to

reduce poverty, including a new lending arrangement with the IMF in

the second quarter, 2004. A tighter monetary policy will help cut

inflation, but Zambia still has a serious problem with fiscal

discipline.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$9.409 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

4.6% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $900 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 14.9% industry: 28.9% services: 56.1% (2004 est.)

Labor force:

4.63 million (2004 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 85%, industry 6%, services 9%

Unemployment rate:

50% (2000 est.)

Population below poverty line:

86% (1993)

Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.1% highest 10%: 41% (1998)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

52.6 (1998)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

18.3% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

41.4% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $1.129 billion

expenditures: $1.307 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Public debt:

127.5% of GDP (2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

corn, sorghum, rice, peanuts, sunflower seed, vegetables, flowers,

tobacco, cotton, sugarcane, cassava (tapioca); cattle, goats, pigs,

poultry, milk, eggs, hides; coffee

Industries:

copper mining and processing, construction, foodstuffs, beverages,

chemicals, textiles, fertilizer, horticulture

Industrial production growth rate:

6.9% (2004 est.)

Electricity - production:

8.167 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 0.5% hydro: 99.5% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

5.345 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

2.25 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

11,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Current account balance:

$-181.4 million (2004 est.)

Exports:

$1.548 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

copper/cobalt 64%, cobalt, electricity, tobacco, flowers, cotton

Exports - partners:

South Africa 25.6%, UK 17%, Switzerland 16%, Tanzania 7.4%,

Democratic Republic of the Congo 7%, Zimbabwe 5.8% (2004)

Imports:

$1.519 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

machinery, transportation equipment, petroleum products,

electricity, fertilizer; foodstuffs, clothing

Imports - partners:

South Africa 46.2%, UK 14.2%, UAE 7.1%, Zimbabwe 6% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$345 million (2004 est.)

Debt - external:

$5.353 billion (2004 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:

$651 million (2000 est.)

Currency (code):

Zambian kwacha (ZMK)

Currency code:

ZMK

Exchange rates:

Zambian kwacha per US dollar - 4,778.9 (2004), 4,733.3 (2003),

4,398.6 (2002), 3,610.9 (2001), 3,110.8 (2000)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Zambia

Telephones - main lines in use:

88,400 (2003)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

241,000 (2003)

Telephone system:

general assessment: facilities are aging but still among the best

in Sub-Saharan Africa

domestic: high-capacity microwave radio relay connects most larger

towns and cities; several cellular telephone services in operation;

Internet service is widely available; very small aperture terminal

(VSAT) networks are operated by private firms

international: country code - 260; satellite earth stations - 2

Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Atlantic Ocean)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 19, FM 5, shortwave 4 (2001)

Radios:

1.2 million (2001)

Television broadcast stations:

9 (2002)

Televisions:

277,000 (1997)

Internet country code:

.zm

Internet hosts:

1,880 (2003)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

5 (2001)

Internet users:

68,200 (2003)

Transportation Zambia

Railways:

total: 2,173 km

narrow gauge: 2,173 km 1.067-m gauge

note: includes 891 km of the Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority

(TAZARA) (2004)

Highways:

total: 91,440 km

paved: 20,117 km

unpaved: 71,323 km (2001)

Waterways:

2,250 km

note: includes Lake Tanganyika and the Zambezi and Luapula rivers

(2003)

Pipelines:

oil 771 km (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Mpulungu

Airports:

109 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 10

over 3,047 m: 1

2,438 to 3,047 m: 3

1,524 to 2,437 m: 4

914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 99

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 4

914 to 1,523 m: 62

under 914 m: 32 (2004 est.)

Military Zambia

Military branches:

Zambian National Defense Force (ZNDF): Army, Air Force, Police,

National Service

Military service age and obligation:

18 years of age (est.) (2004)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 18-49: 2,219,739 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: 1,043,702 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$106.8 million (2004)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

1.8% (2004)

Transnational Issues Zambia

Disputes - international:

in 2004 Zimbabwe dropped objections and joined Namibia in

supporting plans between Botswana and Zambia to build a bridge over

the Zambezi River, thereby de facto recognizing a short, but not

clearly delimited Botswana-Zambia boundary in the river; 90,000

Angolan refugees were repatriated from Zambia by 2004, the remaining

160,000 are expected to return in 2005

Refugees and internally displaced persons:

refugees (country of origin): 158,894 (Angola) 58,405 (Democratic

Republic of the Congo) 5,767 (Rwanda) (2004)

Illicit drugs:

transshipment point for moderate amounts of methaqualone, small

amounts of heroin, and cocaine bound for Southern Africa and

possibly Europe; a poorly developed financial infrastructure coupled

with a government commitment to combating money laundering make it

an unattractive venue for money launderers

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@Zimbabwe

Introduction Zimbabwe

Background:

The UK annexed Southern Rhodesia from the South Africa Company in

1923. A 1961 constitution was formulated that favored whites in

power. In 1965 the government unilaterally declared its

independence, but the UK did not recognize the act and demanded more

complete voting rights for the black African majority in the country

(then called Rhodesia). UN sanctions and a guerrilla uprising

finally led to free elections in 1979 and independence (as Zimbabwe)

in 1980. Robert MUGABE, the nation's first prime minister, has been

the country's only ruler (as president since 1987) and has dominated

the country's political system since independence. His chaotic land

redistribution campaign begun in 2000 caused an exodus of white

farmers, crippled the economy, and ushered in widespread shortages

of basic commodities. Ignoring international condemnation, MUGABE

rigged the 2002 presidential election to ensure his reelection.

Opposition and labor groups launched general strikes in 2003 to

pressure MUGABE to retire early; security forces continued their

brutal repression of regime opponents.

Geography Zimbabwe

Location:

Southern Africa, between South Africa and Zambia

Geographic coordinates:

20 00 S, 30 00 E

Map references:

Africa

Area:

total: 390,580 sq km

land: 386,670 sq km

water: 3,910 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly larger than Montana

Land boundaries:

total: 3,066 km

border countries: Botswana 813 km, Mozambique 1,231 km, South Africa

225 km, Zambia 797 km

Coastline:

0 km (landlocked)

Maritime claims:

none (landlocked)

Climate:

tropical; moderated by altitude; rainy season (November to March)

Terrain:

mostly high plateau with higher central plateau (high veld);

mountains in east

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: junction of the Runde and Save rivers 162 m

highest point: Inyangani 2,592 m

Natural resources:

coal, chromium ore, asbestos, gold, nickel, copper, iron ore,

vanadium, lithium, tin, platinum group metals

Land use: arable land: 8.32% permanent crops: 0.34% other: 91.34% (2001)

Irrigated land:

1,170 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:

recurring droughts; floods and severe storms are rare

Environment - current issues: deforestation; soil erosion; land degradation; air and water pollution; the black rhinoceros herd - once the largest concentration of the species in the world - has been significantly reduced by poaching; poor mining practices have led to toxic waste and heavy metal pollution

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered

Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

landlocked; the Zambezi forms a natural riverine boundary with

Zambia; in full flood (February-April) the massive Victoria Falls on

the river forms the world's largest curtain of falling water

People Zimbabwe

Population:

12,746,990

note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the

effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower

life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower

population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of

population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July

2005 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 39.2% (male 2,522,609/female 2,474,131)

15-64 years: 57.1% (male 3,686,354/female 3,592,662)

65 years and over: 3.7% (male 235,478/female 235,756) (2005 est.)

Median age:

total: 19.26 years

male: 19.28 years

female: 19.24 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate:

0.51% (2005 est.)

Birth rate:

29.74 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate:

24.66 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate:

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population negligible migrant(s)/1,000 population

note: there is an increasing flow of Zimbabweans into South Africa

and Botswana in search of better economic opportunities (2005 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 1 male(s)/female

total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 67.69 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 70.32 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 64.98 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 39.13 years

male: 40.2 years

female: 38.03 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate:

3.54 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

24.6% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

1.8 million (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

170,000 (2003 est.)

Major infectious diseases:

degree of risk: high

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and

typhoid

vectorborne disease: malaria

water contact disease: schistosomiasis (2004)

Nationality:

noun: Zimbabwean(s)

adjective: Zimbabwean

Ethnic groups:

African 98% (Shona 82%, Ndebele 14%, other 2%), mixed and Asian 1%,

white less than 1%

Religions:

syncretic (part Christian, part indigenous beliefs) 50%, Christian

25%, indigenous beliefs 24%, Muslim and other 1%

Languages:

English (official), Shona, Sindebele (the language of the Ndebele,

sometimes called Ndebele), numerous but minor tribal dialects

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write English

total population: 90.7%

male: 94.2%

female: 87.2% (2003 est.)

Government Zimbabwe

Country name:

conventional long form: Republic of Zimbabwe

conventional short form: Zimbabwe

former: Southern Rhodesia, Rhodesia

Government type:

parliamentary democracy

Capital:

Harare

Administrative divisions:

8 provinces and 2 cities* with provincial status; Bulawayo*,

Harare*, Manicaland, Mashonaland Central, Mashonaland East,

Mashonaland West, Masvingo, Matabeleland North, Matabeleland South,

Midlands

Independence:

18 April 1980 (from UK)

National holiday:

Independence Day, 18 April (1980)

Constitution:

21 December 1979

Legal system:

mixture of Roman-Dutch and English common law

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: Executive President Robert Gabriel MUGABE (since 31

December 1987); Vice President Joyce MUJURU (since 6 December 2004);

note - the president is both the chief of state and head of

government

head of government: Executive President Robert Gabriel MUGABE (since

31 December 1987); Vice President Joyce MUJURU (since 6 December

2004); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of

government

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president; responsible to the

House of Assembly

elections: presidential candidates nominated with a nomination paper

signed by at least 10 registered voters (at least one from each

province) and elected by popular vote for a 6-year term; election

last held 9-11 March 2002 (next to be held March 2008); co-vice

presidents appointed by the president

election results: Robert Gabriel MUGABE reelected president; percent

of vote - Robert Gabriel MUGABE 56.2%, Morgan TSVANGIRAI 41.9%

Legislative branch:

unicameral House of Assembly (150 seats - 120 elected by popular

vote for five-year terms, 12 nominated by the president, 10 occupied

by traditional chiefs chosen by their peers, and 8 occupied by

provincial governors appointed by the president)

elections: last held 31 March 2005 (next to be held NA 2010)

election results: percent of vote by party - ZANU-PF 59.6%, MDC

39.5%, other 0.9%; seats by party - ZANU-PF 78, MDC 41, Independents

1

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court; High Court

Political parties and leaders:

Movement for Democratic Change or MDC [Morgan TSVANGIRAI]; National

Alliance for Good Governance or NAGG [Shakespeare MAYA]; United

Parties [Abel MUZOREWA]; Zimbabwe African National Union-Ndonga or

ZANU-Ndonga [Wilson KUMBULA]; Zimbabwe African National

Union-Patriotic Front or ZANU-PF [Robert Gabriel MUGABE]; Zimbabwe

African Peoples Union or ZAPU [Agrippa MADLELA]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

National Constitutional Assembly or NCA [Lovemore MADHUKU]; Crisis

in Zimbabwe Coalition [Brian KAGORO]; Zimbabwe Congress of Trade

Unions or ZCTU [Lovemore MATOMBO]

International organization participation:

ACP, AfDB, AU, FAO, G-15, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory),

ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM,

ISO, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OPCW, PCA, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO,

UNMIK, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Simbi Veke MUBAKO

chancery: 1608 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009

telephone: [1] (202) 332-7100

FAX: [1] (202) 483-9326

Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Joseph G. SULLIVAN embassy: 172 Herbert Chitepo Avenue, Harare mailing address: P. O. Box 3340, Harare telephone: [263] (4) 250-593 and 250-594 FAX: [263] (4) 796488

Flag description:

seven equal horizontal bands of green, yellow, red, black, red,

yellow, and green with a white isosceles triangle edged in black

with its base on the hoist side; a yellow Zimbabwe bird representing

the long history of the country is superimposed on a red

five-pointed star in the center of the triangle, which symbolizes

peace; green symbolizes agriculture, yellow - mineral wealth, red -

blood shed to achieve independence, and black stands for the native

people

Economy Zimbabwe

Economy - overview:

The government of Zimbabwe faces a wide variety of difficult

economic problems as it struggles with an unsustainable fiscal

deficit, an overvalued exchange rate, soaring inflation, and bare

shelves. Its 1998-2002 involvement in the war in the Democratic

Republic of the Congo, for example, drained hundreds of millions of

dollars from the economy. Badly needed support from the IMF has been

suspended because of the country's failure to meet budgetary goals.

Inflation rose from an annual rate of 32% in 1998 to 133% at the end

of 2004, while the exchange rate fell from 24 Zimbabwean dollars per

US dollar to 6,200 in the same time period. The government's land

reform program, characterized by chaos and violence, has badly

damaged the commercial farming sector, the traditional source of

exports and foreign exchange and the provider of 400,000 jobs.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$24.37 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

-8.2% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:

purchasing power parity - $1,900 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 18.1% industry: 24.3% services: 57.7% (2004 est.)

Labor force:

4.23 million (2004 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture 66%, industry 10%, services 24% (1996)

Unemployment rate:

70% (2002 est.)

Population below poverty line:

70% (2002 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.97% highest 10%: 40.42% (1995)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

50.1 (1995)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

133% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):

9.9% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $1.325 billion

expenditures: $1.593 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Public debt:

52.3% of GDP (2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:

corn, cotton, tobacco, wheat, coffee, sugarcane, peanuts; sheep,

goats, pigs

Industries:

mining (coal, gold, platinum, copper, nickel, tin, clay, numerous

metallic and nonmetallic ores), steel, wood products, cement,

chemicals, fertilizer, clothing and footwear, foodstuffs, beverages

Industrial production growth rate:

-7.8% (2004 est.)

Electricity - production:

8.839 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 47% hydro: 53% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Electricity - consumption:

11.22 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports:

3 billion kWh (2002)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:

23,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:

NA

Oil - imports:

NA

Current account balance:

$-230.3 million (2004 est.)

Exports:

$1.409 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

cotton, tobacco, gold, ferroalloys, textiles/clothing

Exports - partners:

South Africa 31.5%, Switzerland 7.4%, UK 7.3%, China 6.1%, Germany

4.3% (2004)

Imports:

$1.599 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

machinery and transport equipment, other manufactures, chemicals,

fuels

Imports - partners:

South Africa 46.9%, Botswana 3.6%, UK 3.4% (2004)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$57 million (2004 est.)

Debt - external:

$4.086 billion (2004 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:

$178 million; note - the EU and the US provide food aid on

humanitarian grounds (2000 est.)

Currency (code):

Zimbabwean dollar (ZWD)

Currency code:

ZWD

Exchange rates:

Zimbabwean dollars per US dollar - 4,303.28 (2004), 697.424 (2003),

55.036 (2002), 55.052 (2001), 44.418 (2000)

note: these are official exchange rates, non-official rates vary

significantly

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Communications Zimbabwe

Telephones - main lines in use:

300,900 (2003)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

379,100 (2003)

Telephone system:

general assessment: system was once one of the best in Africa, but

now suffers from poor maintenance; more than 100,000 outstanding

requests for connection despite an equally large number of installed

but unused main lines

domestic: consists of microwave radio relay links, open-wire lines,

radiotelephone communication stations, fixed wireless local loop

installations, and a substantial mobile cellular network; Internet

connection is available in Harare and planned for all major towns

and for some of the smaller ones

international: country code - 263; satellite earth stations - 2

Intelsat; two international digital gateway exchanges (in Harare and

Gweru)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 7, FM 20 (plus 17 repeater stations), shortwave 1 (1998)

Radios:

1.14 million (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

16 (1997)

Televisions:

370,000 (1997)

Internet country code:

.zw

Internet hosts:

4,501 (2003)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

6 (2000)

Internet users:

500,000 (2002)

Transportation Zimbabwe

Railways: total: 3,077 km narrow gauge: 3,077 km 1.067-m gauge (313 km electrified) (2004)

Highways: total: 18,338 km paved: 8,692 km unpaved: 9,646 km (1999 est.)

Waterways:

on Lake Kariba, length small (2003)

Pipelines:

refined products 261 km (2004)

Ports and harbors:

Binga, Kariba

Airports:

404 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 17 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 8 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 387 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 186 under 914 m: 196 (2004 est.)

Military Zimbabwe

Military branches:

Zimbabwe Defense Forces (ZDF): Zimbabwe National Army, Air Force of

Zimbabwe (AFZ), Zimbabwe Republic Police (2005)

Military service age and obligation:

18 years of age (est.) (2004)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 18-49: 2,840,053 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 18-49: 1,148,590 (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:

$217 million (2004)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:

4.3% (2004)

Transnational Issues Zimbabwe

Disputes - international:

Botswana has built electric fences and South Africa has placed

military along the border to stem the flow of thousands of

Zimbabweans fleeing to find work and escape political persecution;

Namibia has supported and in 2004 Zimbabwe dropped objections to

plans between Botswana and Zambia to build a bridge over the Zambezi

River, thereby de facto recognizing a short, but not clearly

delimited Botswana-Zambia boundary in the river

Refugees and internally displaced persons:

IDPs: 100,000-150,000 (MUGABE-led political violence, human rights

violations, land reform, and economic collapse) (2004)

Illicit drugs:

transit point for African cannabis and South Asian heroin, mandrax,

and methamphetamines destined for the South African and European

markets

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2001 GDP (purchasing power parity)

Afghanistan

$21.5 billion (2003 est.)

Albania

$17.46 billion (2004 est.)

Algeria

$212.3 billion (2004 est.)

American Samoa

$500 million (2000 est.)

Andorra

$1.9 billion (2003 est.)

Angola

$23.17 billion (2004 est.)

Anguilla

$112 million (2002 est.)

Antigua and Barbuda

$750 million (2002 est.)

Argentina

$483.5 billion (2004 est.)

Armenia

$13.65 billion (2004 est.)

Aruba

$1.94 billion (2002 est.)

Australia

$611.7 billion (2004 est.)

Austria

$255.9 billion (2004 est.)

Azerbaijan

$30.01 billion (2004 est.)

Bahamas, The

$5.295 billion (2004 est.)

Bahrain

$13.01 billion (2004 est.)

Bangladesh

$275.7 billion (2004 est.)

Barbados

$4.569 billion (2004 est.)

Belarus

$70.5 billion (2004 est.)

Belgium

$316.2 billion (2004 est.)

Belize

$1.778 billion (2004 est.)

Benin

$8.338 billion (2004 est.)

Bermuda

$2.33 billion (2003 est.)

Bhutan

$2.9 billion (2003 est.)

Bolivia

$22.33 billion (2004 est.)

Bosnia and Herzegovina

$26.21 billion (2004 est.)

Botswana

$15.05 billion (2004 est.)

Brazil

$1.492 trillion (2004 est.)

British Virgin Islands

$2.498 billion (2004 est.)

Brunei

$6.842 billion (2003 est.)

Bulgaria

$61.63 billion (2004 est.)

Burkina Faso

$15.74 billion (2004 est.)

Burma

$74.3 billion (2004 est.)

Burundi

$4.001 billion (2004 est.)

Cambodia

$26.99 billion (2004 est.)

Cameroon

$30.17 billion (2004 est.)

Canada

$1.023 trillion (2004 est.)

Cape Verde

$600 million (2002 est.)

Cayman Islands

$1.391 billion (2004 est.)

Central African Republic

$4.248 billion (2004 est.)

Chad

$15.66 billion (2004 est.)

Chile

$169.1 billion (2004 est.)

China

$7.262 trillion (2004 est.)

Christmas Island

NA

Cocos (Keeling) Islands

NA

Colombia

$281.1 billion (2004 est.)

Comoros

$441 million (2002 est.)

Congo, Democratic Republic of the

$42.74 billion (2004 est.)

Congo, Republic of the

$2.324 billion (2004 est.)

Cook Islands

$105 million (2001 est.)

Costa Rica

$37.97 billion (2004 est.)

Cote d'Ivoire

$24.78 billion (2004 est.)

Croatia

$50.33 billion (2004 est.)

Cuba

$33.92 billion (2004 est.)

Cyprus

Republic of Cyprus: purchasing power parity - $15.71 billion

north Cyprus: purchasing power parity - $4.54 billion (2004 est.)

Czech Republic

$172.2 billion (2004 est.)

Denmark

$174.4 billion (2004 est.)

Djibouti

$619 million (2002 est.)

Dominica

$384 million (2003 est.)

Dominican Republic

$55.68 billion (2004 est.)

East Timor

$370 million (2004 est.)

Ecuador

$49.51 billion (2004 est.)

Egypt

$316.3 billion (2004 est.)

El Salvador

$32.35 billion (2004 est.)

Equatorial Guinea

$1.27 billion (2002 est.)

Eritrea

$4.154 billion (2004 est.)

Estonia

$19.23 billion (2004 est.)

Ethiopia

$54.89 billion (2004 est.)

European Union

$11.65 trillion (2004 est.)

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

$75 million (2002 est.)

Faroe Islands

$1 billion (2001 est.)

Fiji

$5.173 billion (2004 est.)

Finland

$151.2 billion (2004 est.)

France

$1.737 trillion (2004 est.)

French Guiana

$1.551 billion (2003 est.)

French Polynesia

$4.58 billion (2003 est.)

Gabon

$7.966 billion (2004 est.)

Gambia, The

$2.799 billion (2004 est.)

Gaza Strip

$768 million (2003 est.)

Georgia

$14.45 billion (2004 est.)

Germany

$2.362 trillion (2004 est.)

Ghana

$48.27 billion (2004 est.)

Gibraltar

$769 million (2000 est.)

Greece

$226.4 billion (2004 est.)

Greenland

$1.1 billion (2001 est.)

Grenada

$440 million (2002 est.)

Guadeloupe

$3.513 billion (2003 est.)

Guam

$3.2 billion (2000 est.)

Guatemala

$59.47 billion (2004 est.)

Guernsey

$2.59 billion (2003 est.)

Guinea

$19.5 billion (2004 est.)

Guinea-Bissau

$1.008 billion (2004 est.)

Guyana

$2.899 billion (2004 est.)

Haiti

$12.05 billion (2004 est.)

Honduras

$18.79 billion (2004 est.)

Hong Kong

$234.5 billion (2004 est.)

Hungary

$149.3 billion (2004 est.)

Iceland

$9.373 billion (2004 est.)

India

$3.319 trillion (2004 est.)

Indonesia

$827.4 billion (2004 est.)

Iran

$516.7 billion (2004 est.)

Iraq

$54.4 billion (2004 est.)

Ireland

$126.4 billion (2004 est.)

Israel

$129 billion (2004 est.)

Italy

$1.609 trillion (2004 est.)

Jamaica

$11.13 billion (2004 est.)

Japan

$3.745 trillion (2004 est.)

Jersey

$3.6 billion (2003 est.)

Jordan

$25.5 billion (2004 est.)

Kazakhstan

$118.4 billion (2004 est.)

Kenya

$34.68 billion (2004 est.)

Kiribati

$79 million - supplemented by a nearly equal amount from

external sources (2001 est.)

Korea, North

$40 billion (2004 est.)

Korea, South

$925.1 billion (2004 est.)

Kuwait

$48 billion (2004 est.)

Kyrgyzstan

$8.495 billion (2004 est.)

Laos

$11.28 billion (2004 est.)

Latvia

$26.53 billion (2004 est.)

Lebanon

$18.83 billion (2004 est.)

Lesotho

$5.892 billion (2004 est.)

Liberia

$2.903 billion (2004 est.)

Libya

$37.48 billion (2004 est.)

Liechtenstein

$825 million (1999 est.)

Lithuania

$45.23 billion (2004 est.)

Luxembourg

$27.27 billion (2004 est.)

Macau

$9.1 billion (2003)

Macedonia

$14.4 billion (2004 est.)

Madagascar

$14.56 billion (2004 est.)

Malawi

$7.41 billion (2004 est.)

Malaysia

$229.3 billion (2004 est.)

Maldives

$1.25 billion (2002 est.)

Mali

$11 billion (2004 est.)

Malta

$7.223 billion (2004 est.)

Man, Isle of

$2.113 billion (2003 est.)

Marshall Islands

$115 million (2001 est.)

Martinique

$6.117 billion (2003 est.)

Mauritania

$5.534 billion (2004 est.)

Mauritius

$15.68 billion (2004 est.)

Mayotte

$466.8 million (2003 est.)

Mexico

$1.006 trillion (2004 est.)

Micronesia, Federated States of

$277 million

note: GDP is supplemented by grant aid, averaging perhaps $100

million annually (2002 est.)

Moldova

$8.581 billion (2004 est.)

Monaco

$870 million (2000 est.)

Mongolia

$5.332 billion (2004 est.)

Montserrat

$29 million (2002 est.)

Morocco

$134.6 billion (2004 est.)

Mozambique

$23.38 billion (2004 est.)

Namibia

$14.76 billion (2004 est.)

Nauru

$60 million (2001 est.)

Nepal

$39.53 billion (2004 est.)

Netherlands

$481.1 billion (2004 est.)

Netherlands Antilles

$2.45 billion (2003 est.)

New Caledonia

$3.158 billion (2003 est.)

New Zealand

$92.51 billion (2004 est.)

Nicaragua

$12.34 billion (2004 est.)

Niger

$9.716 billion (2004 est.)

Nigeria

$125.7 billion (2004 est.)

Niue

$7.6 million (2000 est.)

Norfolk Island

NA

Northern Mariana Islands $900 million note: GDP estimate includes US subsidy (2000 est.)

Norway

$183 billion (2004 est.)

Oman

$38.09 billion (2004 est.)

Pakistan

$347.3 billion (2004 est.)

Palau $174 million note: GDP estimate includes US subsidy (2001 est.)

Panama

$20.57 billion (2004 est.)

Papua New Guinea

$11.99 billion (2004 est.)

Paraguay

$29.93 billion (2004 est.)

Peru

$155.3 billion (2004 est.)

Philippines

$430.6 billion (2004 est.)

Pitcairn Islands

NA

Poland

$463 billion (2004 est.)

Portugal

$188.7 billion (2004 est.)

Puerto Rico

$68.95 billion (2004 est.)

Qatar

$19.49 billion (2004 est.)

Reunion

$4.57 billion (2004 est.)

Romania

$171.5 billion (2004 est.)

Russia

$1.408 trillion (2004 est.)

Rwanda

$10.43 billion (2004 est.)

Saint Helena

$18 million (1998 est.)

Saint Kitts and Nevis

$339 million (2002 est.)

Saint Lucia

$866 million (2002 est.)

Saint Pierre and Miquelon $48.3 million - supplemented by annual payments from France of about $60 million (2003 est.)

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

$342 million (2002 est.)

Samoa

$1 billion (2002 est.)

San Marino

$940 million (2001 est.)

Sao Tome and Principe

$214 million (2003 est.)

Saudi Arabia

$310.2 billion (2004 est.)

Senegal

$18.36 billion (2004 est.)

Serbia and Montenegro

$26.27 billion (2004 est.)

Seychelles

$626 million (2002 est.)

Sierra Leone

$3.335 billion (2004 est.)

Singapore

$120.9 billion (2004 est.)

Slovakia

$78.89 billion (2004 est.)

Slovenia

$39.41 billion (2004 est.)

Solomon Islands

$800 million (2002 est.)

Somalia

$4.597 billion (2004 est.)

South Africa

$491.4 billion (2004 est.)

Spain

$937.6 billion (2004 est.)

Sri Lanka

$80.58 billion (2004 est.)

Sudan

$76.19 billion (2004 est.)

Suriname

$1.885 billion (2004 est.)

Svalbard

$NA

Swaziland

$6.018 billion (2004 est.)

Sweden

$255.4 billion (2004 est.)

Switzerland

$251.9 billion (2004 est.)

Syria

$60.44 billion (2004 est.)

Taiwan

$576.2 billion (2004 est.)

Tajikistan

$7.95 billion (2004 est.)

Tanzania

$23.71 billion (2004 est.)

Thailand

$524.8 billion (2004 est.)

Togo

$8.684 billion (2004 est.)

Tokelau

$1.5 million (1993 est.)

Tonga

$244 million (2002 est.)

Trinidad and Tobago

$11.48 billion (2004 est.)

Tunisia

$70.88 billion (2004 est.)

Turkey

$508.7 billion (2004 est.)

Turkmenistan

$27.6 billion (2004 est.)

Turks and Caicos Islands

$216 million (2002 est.)

Tuvalu

$12.2 million (2000 est.)

Uganda

$39.39 billion (2004 est.)

Ukraine

$299.1 billion (2004 est.)

United Arab Emirates

$63.67 billion (2004 est.)

United Kingdom

$1.782 trillion (2004 est.)

United States

$11.75 trillion (2004 est.)

Uruguay

$49.27 billion (2004 est.)

Uzbekistan

$47.59 billion (2004 est.)

Vanuatu

$580 million (2003 est.)

Venezuela

$145.2 billion (2004 est.)

Vietnam

$227.2 billion (2004 est.)

Virgin Islands

$2.5 billion (2002 est.)

Wallis and Futuna

$60 million (2004 est.)

West Bank

$1.8 billion (2003 est.)

Western Sahara

NA

World

GWP (gross world product) - purchasing power parity - $55.5

trillion (2004 est.)

Yemen

$16.25 billion (2004 est.)

Zambia

$9.409 billion (2004 est.)

Zimbabwe

$24.37 billion (2004 est.)

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2002 Population growth rate (%)

Afghanistan

4.77%

note: this rate does not take into consideration the recent war and

its continuing impact (2005 est.)

Albania

0.52% (2005 est.)

Algeria

1.22% (2005 est.)

American Samoa

-0.11% (2005 est.)

Andorra

0.95% (2005 est.)

Angola

1.9% (2005 est.)

Anguilla

1.77% (2005 est.)

Antigua and Barbuda

0.57% (2005 est.)

Argentina

0.98% (2005 est.)

Armenia

-0.25% (2005 est.)

Aruba

0.47% (2005 est.)

Australia

0.87% (2005 est.)

Austria

0.11% (2005 est.)

Azerbaijan

0.59% (2005 est.)

Bahamas, The

0.67% (2005 est.)

Bahrain

1.51% (2005 est.)

Bangladesh

2.09% (2005 est.)

Barbados

0.33% (2005 est.)

Belarus

-0.09% (2005 est.)

Belgium

0.15% (2005 est.)

Belize

2.33% (2005 est.)

Benin

2.82% (2005 est.)

Bermuda

0.64% (2005 est.)

Bhutan

2.11% (2005 est.)

Bolivia

1.49% (2005 est.)

Bosnia and Herzegovina

0.44% (2005 est.)

Botswana

0% (2005 est.)

Brazil

1.06% (2005 est.)

British Virgin Islands

2.06% (2005 est.)

Brunei

1.9% (2005 est.)

Bulgaria

-0.89% (2005 est.)

Burkina Faso

2.53% (2005 est.)

Burma

0.42% (2005 est.)

Burundi

2.22% (2005 est.)

Cambodia

1.81% (2005 est.)

Cameroon

1.93% (2005 est.)

Canada

0.9% (2005 est.)

Cape Verde

0.67% (2005 est.)

Cayman Islands

2.64% (2005 est.)

Central African Republic

1.49% (2005 est.)

Chad

2.95% (2005 est.)

Chile

0.97% (2005 est.)

China

0.58% (2005 est.)

Christmas Island

0% (2005 est.)

Cocos (Keeling) Islands

0% (2005 est.)

Colombia

1.49% (2005 est.)

Comoros

2.91% (2005 est.)

Congo, Democratic Republic of the

2.98% (2005 est.)

Congo, Republic of the

1.31% (2005 est.)

Cook Islands

NA

Costa Rica

1.48% (2005 est.)

Cote d'Ivoire

2.06% (2005 est.)

Croatia

-0.02% (2005 est.)

Cuba

0.33% (2005 est.)

Cyprus

0.54% (2005 est.)

Czech Republic

-0.05% (2005 est.)

Denmark

0.34% (2005 est.)

Djibouti

2.06% (2005 est.)

Dominica

-0.27% (2005 est.)

Dominican Republic

1.29% (2005 est.)

East Timor

2.09% (2005 est.)

Ecuador

1.24% (2005 est.)

Egypt

1.78% (2005 est.)

El Salvador

1.75% (2005 est.)

Equatorial Guinea

2.42% (2005 est.)

Eritrea

2.51% (2005 est.)

Estonia

-0.65% (2005 est.)

Ethiopia

2.36% (2005 est.)

European Union

0.15% (July 2005 est.)

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

2.44% (2005 est.)

Faroe Islands

0.62% (2005 est.)

Fiji

1.4% (2005 est.)

Finland

0.16% (2005 est.)

France

0.37% (2005 est.)

French Guiana

2.1% (2005 est.)

French Polynesia

1.52% (2005 est.)

Gabon

2.45% (2005 est.)

Gambia, The

2.93% (2005 est.)

Gaza Strip

3.77% (2005 est.)

Georgia

-0.35% (2005 est.)

Germany

0% (2005 est.)

Ghana

1.25% (2005 est.)

Gibraltar

0.17% (2005 est.)

Greece

0.19% (2005 est.)

Greenland

-0.02% (2005 est.)

Grenada

0.19% (2005 est.)

Guadeloupe

0.92% (2005 est.)

Guam

1.46% (2005 est.)

Guatemala

2.57% (2005 est.)

Guernsey

0.29% (2005 est.)

Guinea

2.37% (2005 est.)

Guinea-Bissau

1.96% (2005 est.)

Guyana

0.26% (2005 est.)

Haiti

2.26% (2005 est.)

Holy See (Vatican City)

0.01% (2005 est.)

Honduras

2.16% (2005 est.)

Hong Kong

0.65% (2005 est.)

Hungary

-0.26% (2005 est.)

Iceland

0.91% (2005 est.)

India

1.4% (2005 est.)

Indonesia

1.45% (2005 est.)

Iran

0.86% (2005 est.)

Iraq

2.7% (2005 est.)

Ireland

1.16% (2005 est.)

Israel

1.2% (2005 est.)

Italy

0.07% (2005 est.)

Jamaica

0.71% (2005 est.)

Japan

0.05% (2005 est.)

Jersey

0.32% (2005 est.)

Jordan

2.56% (2005 est.)

Kazakhstan

0.3% (2005 est.)

Kenya

2.56% (2005 est.)

Kiribati

2.25% (2005 est.)

Korea, North

0.9% (2005 est.)

Korea, South

0.38% (2005 est.)

Kuwait

3.44%

note: this rate reflects a return to pre-Gulf crisis immigration of

expatriates (2005 est.)

Kyrgyzstan

1.29% (2005 est.)

Laos

2.42% (2005 est.)

Latvia

-0.69% (2005 est.)

Lebanon

1.26% (2005 est.)

Lesotho

0.08% (2005 est.)

Liberia

2.64% (2005 est.)

Libya

2.33% (2005 est.)

Liechtenstein

0.82% (2005 est.)

Lithuania

-0.3% (2005 est.)

Luxembourg

1.25% (2005 est.)

Macau

0.87% (2005 est.)

Macedonia

0.26% (2005 est.)

Madagascar

3.03% (2005 est.)

Malawi

2.06% (2005 est.)

Malaysia

1.8% (2005 est.)

Maldives

2.82% (2005 est.)

Mali

2.74% (2005 est.)

Malta

0.42% (2005 est.)

Man, Isle of

0.52% (2005 est.)

Marshall Islands

2.27% (2005 est.)

Martinique

0.76% (2005 est.)

Mauritania

2.9% (2005 est.)

Mauritius

0.84% (2005 est.)

Mayotte

3.93% (2005 est.)

Mexico

1.17% (2005 est.)

Micronesia, Federated States of

-0.08% (2005 est.)

Moldova

0.22% (2005 est.)

Monaco

0.43% (2005 est.)

Mongolia

1.45% (2005 est.)

Montserrat

1.04% (2005 est.)

Morocco

1.57% (2005 est.)

Mozambique

1.48% (2005 est.)

Namibia

0.73% (2005 est.)

Nauru

1.83% (2005 est.)

Nepal

2.2% (2005 est.)

Netherlands

0.53% (2005 est.)

Netherlands Antilles

0.82% (2005 est.)

New Caledonia

1.28% (2005 est.)

New Zealand

1.02% (2005 est.)

Nicaragua

1.92% (2005 est.)

Niger

2.63% (2005 est.)

Nigeria

2.37% (2005 est.)

Niue

0% (2005 est.)

Norfolk Island

-0.01% (2005 est.)

Northern Mariana Islands

2.61% (2005 est.)

Norway

0.4% (2005 est.)

Oman

3.32% (2005 est.)

Pakistan

2.03% (2005 est.)

Palau

1.39% (2005 est.)

Panama

1.26% (2005 est.)

Papua New Guinea

2.26% (2005 est.)

Paraguay

2.48% (2005 est.)

Peru

1.36% (2005 est.)

Philippines

1.84% (2005 est.)

Pitcairn Islands

-0.01% (2005 est.)

Poland

0.03% (2005 est.)

Portugal

0.39% (2005 est.)

Puerto Rico

0.47% (2005 est.)

Qatar

2.61% (2005 est.)

Reunion

1.38% (2005 est.)

Romania

-0.12% (2005 est.)

Russia

-0.37% (2005 est.)

Rwanda

2.43% (2005 est.)

Saint Helena

0.59% (2005 est.)

Saint Kitts and Nevis

0.38% (2005 est.)

Saint Lucia

1.28% (2005 est.)

Saint Pierre and Miquelon

0.21% (2005 est.)

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

0.27% (2005 est.)

Samoa

-0.23% (2005 est.)

San Marino

1.3% (2005 est.)

Sao Tome and Principe

3.16% (2005 est.)

Saudi Arabia

2.31% (2005 est.)

Senegal

2.48% (2005 est.)

Serbia and Montenegro

0.03% (2005 est.)

Seychelles

0.43% (2005 est.)

Sierra Leone

2.22% (2005 est.)

Singapore

1.56% (2005 est.)

Slovakia

0.15% (2005 est.)

Slovenia

-0.03% (2005 est.)

Solomon Islands

2.68% (2005 est.)

Somalia

3.38% (2005 est.)

South Africa

-0.31% (2005 est.)

Spain

0.15% (2005 est.)

Sri Lanka

0.79% (2005 est.)

Sudan

2.6% (2005 est.)

Suriname

0.25% (2005 est.)

Svalbard

-0.02% (2005 est.)

Swaziland

0.25% (2005 est.)

Sweden

0.17% (2005 est.)

Switzerland

0.49% (2005 est.)

Syria

2.34% (2005 est.)

Taiwan

0.63% (2005 est.)

Tajikistan

2.15% (2005 est.)

Tanzania

1.83% (2005 est.)

Thailand

0.87% (2005 est.)

Togo

2.17% (2005 est.)

Tokelau

-0.01% (2005 est.)

Tonga

1.98% (2005 est.)

Trinidad and Tobago

-0.74% (2005 est.)

Tunisia

0.99% (2005 est.)

Turkey

1.09% (2005 est.)

Turkmenistan

1.81% (2005 est.)

Turks and Caicos Islands

2.9% (2005 est.)

Tuvalu

1.47% (2005 est.)

Uganda

3.31% (2005 est.)

Ukraine

-0.63% (2005 est.)

United Arab Emirates

1.54% (2005 est.)

United Kingdom

0.28% (2005 est.)

United States

0.92% (2005 est.)

Uruguay

0.47% (2005 est.)

Uzbekistan

1.67% (2005 est.)

Vanuatu

1.52% (2005 est.)

Venezuela

1.4% (2005 est.)

Vietnam

1.04% (2005 est.)

Virgin Islands

-0.07% (2005 est.)

Wallis and Futuna

NA%

West Bank

3.13% (2005 est.)

Western Sahara

NA

World

1.14% (2005 est.)

Yemen

3.45% (2005 est.)

Zambia

2.12% (2005 est.)

Zimbabwe

0.51% (2005 est.)

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2003 GDP - real growth rate (%)

Afghanistan

7.5% (2004 est.)

Albania

5.6% (2004 est.)

Algeria

6.1% (2004 est.)

American Samoa

NA

Andorra

2% (2003 est.)

Angola

11.7% (2004 est.)

Anguilla

2.8% (2001 est.)

Antigua and Barbuda

3% (2002 est.)

Argentina

8.3% (2004 est.)

Armenia

9% (2004 est.)

Aruba

-1.5% (2002 est.)

Australia

3.5% (2004 est.)

Austria

1.9% (2004 est.)

Azerbaijan

9.8% (2004 est.)

Bahamas, The

3% (2004 est.)

Bahrain

5.6% (2004 est.)

Bangladesh

4.9% (2004 est.)

Barbados

2.3% (2004 est.)

Belarus

6.4% (2004 est.)

Belgium

2.6% (2004 est.)

Belize

3.5% (2004 est.)

Benin

5% (2004 est.)

Bermuda

2% (2003 est.)

Bhutan

5.3% (2003 est.)

Bolivia

3.7% (2004 est.)

Bosnia and Herzegovina

5% (2004 est.)

Botswana

3.5% (2004 est.)

Brazil

5.1% (2004 est.)

British Virgin Islands

1% (2002 est.)

Brunei

3.2% (2003 est.)

Bulgaria

5.3% (2004 est.)

Burkina Faso

4.8% (2004 est.)

Burma

-1.3% (2004 est.)

Burundi

3% (2004 est.)

Cambodia

5.4% (2004 est.)

Cameroon

4.9% (2004 est.)

Canada

2.4% (2004 est.)

Cape Verde

5% (2004 est.)

Cayman Islands

1.7% (2002 est.)

Central African Republic

0.5% (2004 est.)

Chad

38% (2004 est.)

Chile

5.8% (2004 est.)

China

9.1% (official data) (2004 est.)

Christmas Island

NA

Cocos (Keeling) Islands

NA%

Colombia

3.6% (2004 est.)

Comoros

2% (2002 est.)

Congo, Democratic Republic of the

7.5% (2004 est.)

Congo, Republic of the

3.7% (2004 est.)

Cook Islands

7.1% (2001 est.)

Costa Rica

3.9% (2004 est.)

Cote d'Ivoire

-1% (2004 est.)

Croatia

3.7% (2004 est.)

Cuba

3% (2004 est.)

Cyprus

Republic of Cyprus: 3.2% north Cyprus: 2.6% (2004 est.)

Czech Republic

3.7% (2004 est.)

Denmark

2.1% (2004 est.)

Djibouti

3.5% (2002 est.)

Dominica

-1% (2003 est.)

Dominican Republic

1.7% (2004 est.)

East Timor

1% (2004 est.)

Ecuador

5.8% (2004 est.)

Egypt

4.5% (2004 est.)

El Salvador

1.8% (2004 est.)

Equatorial Guinea

20% (2002 est.)

Eritrea

2.5% (2004 est.)

Estonia

6% (2004 est.)

Ethiopia

11.6% (2004 est.)

European Union

2.4% (2004 est.)

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

NA%

Faroe Islands

10% (2001 est.)

Fiji

3.6% (2004 est.)

Finland

3% (2004 est.)

France

2.1% (2004 est.)

French Guiana

NA%

French Polynesia

NA% (2001 est.)

Gabon

1.9% (2004 est.)

Gambia, The

6% (2004 est.)

Gaza Strip

4.5% (2003 est.)

Georgia

9.5% (2004 est.)

Germany

1.7% (2004 est.)

Ghana

5.4% (2004 est.)

Gibraltar

NA%

Greece

3.7% (2004 est.)

Greenland

1.8% (2001 est.)

Grenada

2.5% (2002 est.)

Guadeloupe

NA%

Guam

NA

Guatemala

2.6% (2004 est.)

Guernsey

3% (2003 est.)

Guinea

1% (2004 est.)

Guinea-Bissau

2.6% (2004 est.)

Guyana

1.9% (2004 est.)

Haiti

-3.5% (2004 est.)

Honduras

4.2% (2004 est.)

Hong Kong

7.9% (2004 est.)

Hungary

3.9% (2004 est.)

Iceland

1.8% (2004 est.)

India

6.2% (2004 est.)

Indonesia

4.9% (2004 est.)

Iran

6.3% (2004 est.)

Iraq

52.3% (2004 est.)

Ireland

5.1% (2004 est.)

Israel

3.9% (2004 est.)

Italy

1.3% (2004 est.)

Jamaica

1.9% (2004 est.)

Japan

2.9% (2004 est.)

Jersey

NA%

Jordan

5.1% (2004 est.)

Kazakhstan

9.1% (2004 est.)

Kenya

2.2% (2004 est.)

Kiribati

1.5% (2001 est.)

Korea, North

1% (2004 est.)

Korea, South

4.6% (2004 est.)

Kuwait

6.8% (2004 est.)

Kyrgyzstan

6% (2004 est.)

Laos

6% (2004 est.)

Latvia

7.6% (2004 est.)

Lebanon

4% (2004 est.)

Lesotho

3.3% (2004 est.)

Liberia

21.8% (2004 est.)

Libya

4.9% (2004 est.)

Liechtenstein

11% (1999 est.)

Lithuania

6.6% (2004 est.)

Luxembourg

2.3% (2004 est.)

Macau

15.6% (2003)

Macedonia

1.3% (2004 est.)

Madagascar

5.5% (2004 est.)

Malawi

4% (2004 est.)

Malaysia

7.1% (2004 est.)

Maldives

2.3% (2002 est.)

Mali

4% (2004 est.)

Malta

1% (2004 est.)

Man, Isle of

NA%

Marshall Islands

1% (2001 est.)

Martinique

NA%

Mauritania

3% (2004 est.)

Mauritius

4.7% (2004 est.)

Mayotte

NA%

Mexico

4.1% (2004 est.)

Micronesia, Federated States of

1% (2002 est.)

Moldova

6.8% (2004 est.)

Monaco

0.9% (2000 est.)

Mongolia

10.6% according to official estimate (2004 est.)

Montserrat

-1% (2002 est.)

Morocco

4.4% (2004 est.)

Mozambique

8.2% (2004 est.)

Namibia

4.8% (2004 est.)

Nauru

NA

Nepal

3% (2004 est.)

Netherlands

1.2% (2004 est.)

Netherlands Antilles

0.5% (2003 est.)

New Caledonia

NA%

New Zealand

4.8% (2004 est.)

Nicaragua

4% (2004 est.)

Niger

3.5% (2004 est.)

Nigeria

6.2% (2004 est.)

Niue

-0.3% (2000 est.)

Norfolk Island

NA

Northern Mariana Islands

NA

Norway

3.3% (2004 est.)

Oman

1.2% (2004 est.)

Pakistan

6.1% (2004 est.)

Palau

1% (2001 est.)

Panama

6% (2004 est.)

Papua New Guinea

0.9% (2004 est.)

Paraguay

2.8% (2004 est.)

Peru

4.5% (2004 est.)

Philippines

5.9% (2004 est.)

Pitcairn Islands

NA

Poland

5.6% (2004 est.)

Portugal

1.1% (2004 est.)

Puerto Rico

2.7% (2004 est.)

Qatar

8.7% (2004 est.)

Reunion

2.5% (2004 est.)

Romania

8.1% (2004 est.)

Russia

6.7% (2004 est.)

Rwanda

0.9% (2004 est.)

Saint Helena

NA

Saint Kitts and Nevis

-1.9% (2002 est.)

Saint Lucia

3.3% (2002 est.)

Saint Pierre and Miquelon

NA%

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

0.7% (2002 est.)

Samoa

5% (2002 est.)

San Marino

7.5% (2001 est.)

Sao Tome and Principe

6% (2004 est.)

Saudi Arabia

5% (2004 est.)

Senegal

3.2% (2004 est.)

Serbia and Montenegro

6.5% (2004 est.)

Seychelles

1.5% (2004 est.)

Sierra Leone

6% (2004 est.)

Singapore

8.1% (2004 est.)

Slovakia

5.3% (2004 est.)

Slovenia

3.9% (2004 est.)

Solomon Islands

5.8% (2003 est.)

Somalia

2.8% (2004 est.)

South Africa

3.5% (2004 est.)

Spain

2.6% (2004 est.)

Sri Lanka

5.2% (2004 est.)

Sudan

6.4% (2004 est.)

Suriname

4.2% (2004 est.)

Svalbard

NA%

Swaziland

2.5% (2004 est.)

Sweden

3.6% (2004 est.)

Switzerland

1.8% (2004 est.)

Syria

2.3% (2004 est.)

Taiwan

6% (2004 est.)

Tajikistan

10.5% (2004 est.)

Tanzania

5.8% (2004 est.)

Thailand

6.1% (2004 est.)

Togo

3% (2004 est.)

Tokelau

NA

Tonga

1.5% (2002 est.)

Trinidad and Tobago

5.7% (2004 est.)

Tunisia

5.1% (2004 est.)

Turkey

8.2% (2004 est.)

Turkmenistan

IMF estimate: 7.5%

note: official government statistics show 21.4% growth, but these

estimates are notoriously unreliable (2004 est.)

Turks and Caicos Islands

4.9% (2000 est.)

Tuvalu

3% (2000 est.)

Uganda

5% (2004 est.)

Ukraine

12% (2004 est.)

United Arab Emirates

5.7% (2004 est.)

United Kingdom

3.2% (2004 est.)

United States

4.4% (2004 est.)

Uruguay

10.2% (2004 est.)

Uzbekistan

4.4% (2004 est.)

Vanuatu

1.1% (2003 est.)

Venezuela

16.8% (2004 est.)

Vietnam

7.7% (2004 est.)

Virgin Islands

2% (2002 est.)

Wallis and Futuna

NA%

West Bank

6% (2003 est.)

Western Sahara

NA

World

4.9% (2004 est.)

Yemen

1.9% (2004 est.)

Zambia

4.6% (2004 est.)

Zimbabwe

-8.2% (2004 est.)

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2004 GDP - per capita

Afghanistan

purchasing power parity - $800 (2003 est.)

Albania

purchasing power parity - $4,900 (2004 est.)

Algeria

purchasing power parity - $6,600 (2004 est.)

American Samoa

purchasing power parity - $8,000 (2000 est.)

Andorra

purchasing power parity - $26,800 (2003 est.)

Angola

purchasing power parity - $2,100 (2004 est.)

Anguilla

purchasing power parity - $7,500 (2002 est.)

Antigua and Barbuda

purchasing power parity - $11,000 (2002 est.)

Argentina

purchasing power parity - $12,400 (2004 est.)

Armenia

purchasing power parity - $4,600 (2004 est.)

Aruba

purchasing power parity - $28,000 (2002 est.)

Australia

purchasing power parity - $30,700 (2004 est.)

Austria

purchasing power parity - $31,300 (2004 est.)

Azerbaijan

purchasing power parity - $3,800 (2004 est.)

Bahamas, The

purchasing power parity - $17,700 (2004 est.)

Bahrain

purchasing power parity - $19,200 (2004 est.)

Bangladesh

purchasing power parity - $2,000 (2004 est.)

Barbados

purchasing power parity - $16,400 (2004 est.)

Belarus

purchasing power parity - $6,800 (2004 est.)

Belgium

purchasing power parity - $30,600 (2004 est.)

Belize

purchasing power parity - $6,500 (2004 est.)

Benin

purchasing power parity - $1,200 (2004 est.)

Bermuda

purchasing power parity - $36,000 (2003 est.)

Bhutan

purchasing power parity - $1,400 (2003 est.)

Bolivia

purchasing power parity - $2,600 (2004 est.)

Bosnia and Herzegovina

purchasing power parity - $6,500 (2004 est.)

Botswana

purchasing power parity - $9,200 (2004 est.)

Brazil

purchasing power parity - $8,100 (2004 est.)

British Virgin Islands

purchasing power parity - $38,500 (2004 est.)

Brunei

purchasing power parity - $23,600 (2003 est.)

Bulgaria

purchasing power parity - $8,200 (2004 est.)

Burkina Faso

purchasing power parity - $1,200 (2004 est.)

Burma

purchasing power parity - $1,700 (2004 est.)

Burundi

purchasing power parity - $600 (2004 est.)

Cambodia

purchasing power parity - $2,000 (2004 est.)

Cameroon

purchasing power parity - $1,900 (2004 est.)

Canada

purchasing power parity - $31,500 (2004 est.)

Cape Verde

purchasing power parity - $1,400 (2002 est.)

Cayman Islands

purchasing power parity - $32,300 (2004 est.)

Central African Republic

purchasing power parity - $1,100 (2004 est.)

Chad

purchasing power parity - $1,600 (2004 est.)

Chile

purchasing power parity - $10,700 (2004 est.)

China

purchasing power parity - $5,600 (2004 est.)

Colombia

purchasing power parity - $6,600 (2004 est.)

Comoros

purchasing power parity - $700 (2002 est.)

Congo, Democratic Republic of the purchasing power parity - $700 (2004 est.)

Congo, Republic of the

purchasing power parity - $800 (2004 est.)

Cook Islands

purchasing power parity - $5,000 (2001 est.)

Costa Rica

purchasing power parity - $9,600 (2004 est.)

Cote d'Ivoire

purchasing power parity - $1,500 (2004 est.)

Croatia

purchasing power parity - $11,200 (2004 est.)

Cuba

purchasing power parity - $3,000 (2004 est.)

Cyprus

Republic of Cyprus: purchasing power parity - $20,300 (2004

est.); north Cyprus: purchasing power parity - $7,135 (2004 est.)

Czech Republic

purchasing power parity - $16,800 (2004 est.)

Denmark

purchasing power parity - $32,200 (2004 est.)

Djibouti

purchasing power parity - $1,300 (2002 est.)

Dominica

purchasing power parity - $5,500 (2003 est.)

Dominican Republic

purchasing power parity - $6,300 (2004 est.)

East Timor

purchasing power parity - $400 (2004 est.)

Ecuador

purchasing power parity - $3,700 (2004 est.)

Egypt

purchasing power parity - $4,200 (2004 est.)

El Salvador

purchasing power parity - $4,900 (2004 est.)

Equatorial Guinea

purchasing power parity - $2,700 (2002 est.)

Eritrea

purchasing power parity - $900 (2004 est.)

Estonia

purchasing power parity - $14,300 (2004 est.)

Ethiopia

purchasing power parity - $800 (2004 est.)

European Union

purchasing power parity - $26,900 (2004 est.)

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) purchasing power parity - $25,000 (2002 est.)

Faroe Islands

purchasing power parity - $22,000 (2001 est.)

Fiji

purchasing power parity - $5,900 (2004 est.)

Finland

purchasing power parity - $29,000 (2004 est.)

France

purchasing power parity - $28,700 (2004 est.)

French Guiana

purchasing power parity - $8,300 (2003 est.)

French Polynesia

purchasing power parity - $17,500 (2003 est.)

Gabon

purchasing power parity - $5,900 (2004 est.)

Gambia, The

purchasing power parity - $1,800 (2004 est.)

Gaza Strip

purchasing power parity - $600 (2003 est.)

Georgia

purchasing power parity - $3,100 (2004 est.)

Germany

purchasing power parity - $28,700 (2004 est.)

Ghana

purchasing power parity - $2,300 (2004 est.)

Gibraltar

purchasing power parity - $27,900 (2000 est.)

Greece

purchasing power parity - $21,300 (2004 est.)

Greenland

purchasing power parity - $20,000 (2001 est.)

Grenada

purchasing power parity - $5,000 (2002 est.)

Guadeloupe

purchasing power parity - $7,900 (2003 est.)

Guam

purchasing power parity - $21,000 (2000 est.)

Guatemala

purchasing power parity - $4,200 (2004 est.)

Guernsey

purchasing power parity - $40,000 (2003 est.)

Guinea

purchasing power parity - $2,100 (2004 est.)

Guinea-Bissau

purchasing power parity - $700 (2004 est.)

Guyana

purchasing power parity - $3,800 (2004 est.)

Haiti

purchasing power parity - $1,500 (2004 est.)

Honduras

purchasing power parity - $2,800 (2004 est.)

Hong Kong

purchasing power parity - $34,200 (2004 est.)

Hungary

purchasing power parity - $14,900 (2004 est.)

Iceland

purchasing power parity - $31,900 (2004 est.)

India

purchasing power parity - $3,100 (2004 est.)

Indonesia

purchasing power parity - $3,500 (2004 est.)

Iran

purchasing power parity - $7,700 (2004 est.)

Iraq

purchasing power parity - $2,100 (2004 est.)

Ireland

purchasing power parity - $31,900 (2004 est.)

Israel

purchasing power parity - $20,800 (2004 est.)

Italy

purchasing power parity - $27,700 (2004 est.)

Jamaica

purchasing power parity - $4,100 (2004 est.)

Japan

purchasing power parity - $29,400 (2004 est.)

Jersey

purchasing power parity - $40,000 (2003 est.)

Jordan

purchasing power parity - $4,500 (2004 est.)

Kazakhstan

purchasing power parity - $7,800 (2004 est.)

Kenya

purchasing power parity - $1,100 (2004 est.)

Kiribati

purchasing power parity - $800 (2001 est.)

Korea, North

purchasing power parity - $1,700 (2004 est.)

Korea, South

purchasing power parity - $19,200 (2004 est.)

Kuwait

purchasing power parity - $21,300 (2004 est.)

Kyrgyzstan

purchasing power parity - $1,700 (2004 est.)

Laos

purchasing power parity - $1,900 (2004 est.)

Latvia

purchasing power parity - $11,500 (2004 est.)

Lebanon

purchasing power parity - $5,000 (2004 est.)

Lesotho

purchasing power parity - $3,200 (2004 est.)

Liberia

purchasing power parity - $900 (2004 est.)

Libya

purchasing power parity - $6,700 (2004 est.)

Liechtenstein

purchasing power parity - $25,000 (1999 est.)

Lithuania

purchasing power parity - $12,500 (2004 est.)

Luxembourg

purchasing power parity - $58,900 (2004 est.)

Macau

purchasing power parity - $19,400 (2003)

Macedonia

purchasing power parity - $7,100 (2004 est.)

Madagascar

purchasing power parity - $800 (2004 est.)

Malawi

purchasing power parity - $600 (2004 est.)

Malaysia

purchasing power parity - $9,700 (2004 est.)

Maldives

purchasing power parity - $3,900 (2002 est.)

Mali

purchasing power parity - $900 (2004 est.)

Malta

purchasing power parity - $18,200 (2004 est.)

Man, Isle of

purchasing power parity - $28,500 (2003 est.)

Marshall Islands

purchasing power parity - $1,600 (2001 est.)

Martinique

purchasing power parity - $14,400 (2003 est.)

Mauritania

purchasing power parity - $1,800 (2004 est.)

Mauritius

purchasing power parity - $12,800 (2004 est.)

Mayotte

purchasing power parity - $2,600 (2003 est.)

Mexico

purchasing power parity - $9,600 (2004 est.)

Micronesia, Federated States of purchasing power parity - $2,000 (2002 est.)

Moldova

purchasing power parity - $1,900 (2004 est.)

Monaco

purchasing power parity - $27,000 (2000 est.)

Mongolia

purchasing power parity - $1,900 (2004 est.)

Montserrat

purchasing power parity - $3,400 (2002 est.)

Morocco

purchasing power parity - $4,200 (2004 est.)

Mozambique

purchasing power parity - $1,200 (2004 est.)

Namibia

purchasing power parity - $7,300 (2004 est.)

Nauru

purchasing power parity - $5,000 (2001 est.)

Nepal

purchasing power parity - $1,500 (2004 est.)

Netherlands

purchasing power parity - $29,500 (2004 est.)

Netherlands Antilles

purchasing power parity - $11,400 (2003 est.)

New Caledonia

purchasing power parity - $15,000 (2003 est.)

New Zealand

purchasing power parity - $23,200 (2004 est.)

Nicaragua

purchasing power parity - $2,300 (2004 est.)

Niger

purchasing power parity - $900 (2004 est.)

Nigeria

purchasing power parity - $1,000 (2004 est.)

Niue

purchasing power parity - $3,600 (2000 est.)

Norfolk Island

purchasing power parity - NA

Northern Mariana Islands purchasing power parity - $12,500 (2000 est.)

Norway

purchasing power parity - $40,000 (2004 est.)

Oman

purchasing power parity - $13,100 (2004 est.)

Pakistan

purchasing power parity - $2,200 (2004 est.)

Palau

purchasing power parity - $9,000 (2001 est.)

Panama

purchasing power parity - $6,900 (2004 est.)

Papua New Guinea

purchasing power parity - $2,200 (2004 est.)

Paraguay

purchasing power parity - $4,800 (2004 est.)

Peru

purchasing power parity - $5,600 (2004 est.)

Philippines

purchasing power parity - $5,000 (2004 est.)

Pitcairn Islands

purchasing power parity - NA

Poland

purchasing power parity - $12,000 (2004 est.)

Portugal

purchasing power parity - $17,900 (2004 est.)

Puerto Rico

purchasing power parity - $17,700 (2004 est.)

Qatar

purchasing power parity - $23,200 (2004 est.)

Reunion

purchasing power parity - $6,000 (2004 est.)

Romania

purchasing power parity - $7,700 (2004 est.)

Russia

purchasing power parity - $9,800 (2004 est.)

Rwanda

purchasing power parity - $1,300 (2004 est.)

Saint Helena

purchasing power parity - $2,500 (1998 est.)

Saint Kitts and Nevis

purchasing power parity - $8,800 (2002 est.)

Saint Lucia

purchasing power parity - $5,400 (2002 est.)

Saint Pierre and Miquelon

purchasing power parity - $7,000 (2001

est.)

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

purchasing power parity - $2,900

(2002 est.)

Samoa

purchasing power parity - $5,600 (2002 est.)

San Marino

purchasing power parity - $34,600 (2001 est.)

Sao Tome and Principe

purchasing power parity - $1,200 (2003 est.)

Saudi Arabia

purchasing power parity - $12,000 (2004 est.)

Senegal

purchasing power parity - $1,700 (2004 est.)

Serbia and Montenegro

purchasing power parity - $2,400 (2004 est.)

Seychelles

purchasing power parity - $7,800 (2002 est.)

Sierra Leone

purchasing power parity - $600 (2004 est.)

Singapore

purchasing power parity - $27,800 (2004 est.)

Slovakia

purchasing power parity - $14,500 (2004 est.)

Slovenia

purchasing power parity - $19,600 (2004 est.)

Solomon Islands

purchasing power parity - $1,700 (2002 est.)

Somalia

purchasing power parity - $600 (2004 est.)

South Africa

purchasing power parity - $11,100 (2004 est.)

Spain

purchasing power parity - $23,300 (2004 est.)

Sri Lanka

purchasing power parity - $4,000 (2004 est.)

Sudan

purchasing power parity - $1,900 (2004 est.)

Suriname

purchasing power parity - $4,300 (2004 est.)

Swaziland

purchasing power parity - $5,100 (2004 est.)

Sweden

purchasing power parity - $28,400 (2004 est.)

Switzerland

purchasing power parity - $33,800 (2004 est.)

Syria

purchasing power parity - $3,400 (2004 est.)

Taiwan

purchasing power parity - $25,300 (2004 est.)

Tajikistan

purchasing power parity - $1,100 (2004 est.)

Tanzania

purchasing power parity - $700 (2004 est.)

Thailand

purchasing power parity - $8,100 (2004 est.)

Togo

purchasing power parity - $1,600 (2004 est.)

Tokelau

purchasing power parity - $1,000 (1993 est.)

Tonga

purchasing power parity - $2,300 (2002 est.)

Trinidad and Tobago

purchasing power parity - $10,500 (2004 est.)

Tunisia

purchasing power parity - $7,100 (2004 est.)

Turkey

purchasing power parity - $7,400 (2004 est.)

Turkmenistan

purchasing power parity - $5,700 (2004 est.)

Turks and Caicos Islands purchasing power parity - $11,500 (2002 est.)

Tuvalu

purchasing power parity - $1,100 (2000 est.)

Uganda

purchasing power parity - $1,500 (2004 est.)

Ukraine

purchasing power parity - $6,300 (2004 est.)

United Arab Emirates

purchasing power parity - $25,200 (2004 est.)

United Kingdom

purchasing power parity - $29,600 (2004 est.)

United States

purchasing power parity - $40,100 (2004 est.)

Uruguay

purchasing power parity - $14,500 (2004 est.)

Uzbekistan

purchasing power parity - $1,800 (2004 est.)

Vanuatu

purchasing power parity - $2,900 (2003 est.)

Venezuela

purchasing power parity - $5,800 (2004 est.)

Vietnam

purchasing power parity - $2,700 (2004 est.)

Virgin Islands

purchasing power parity - $17,200 (2002 est.)

Wallis and Futuna

purchasing power parity - $3,800 (2004 est.)

West Bank

purchasing power parity - $800 (2003 est.)

Western Sahara

purchasing power parity - NA

World

purchasing power parity - $8,800 (2004 est.)

Yemen

purchasing power parity - $800 (2004 est.)

Zambia

purchasing power parity - $900 (2004 est.)

Zimbabwe

purchasing power parity - $1,900 (2004 est.)

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2006 Dependency status

Akrotiri

overseas territory of UK; administered by an administrator

who is also the Commander, British Forces Cyprus

American Samoa

unincorporated and unorganized territory of the US;

administered by the Office of Insular Affairs, US Department of the

Interior

Anguilla

overseas territory of the UK

Aruba

part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands; full autonomy in

internal affairs obtained in 1986 upon separation from the

Netherlands Antilles; Dutch Government responsible for defense and

foreign affairs

Ashmore and Cartier Islands

territory of Australia; administered by

the Australian Department of Transport and Regional Services

Baker Island

unincorporated territory of the US; administered from

Washington, DC, by the Fish and Wildlife Service of the US

Department of the Interior as part of the National Wildlife Refuge

system

Bassas da India

possession of France; administered by the

Administrateur Superieur of the French Southern and Antarctic Lands

Bermuda

overseas territory of the UK

Bouvet Island

territory of Norway; administered by the Polar

Department of the Ministry of Justice and Police from Oslo

British Indian Ocean Territory overseas territory of the UK; administered by a commissioner, resident in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London

British Virgin Islands overseas territory of the UK; internal self-governing

Cayman Islands overseas territory of the UK

Christmas Island

territory of Australia; administered by the

Australian Department of Transport and Regional Services

Clipperton Island

possession of France; administered by France from

French Polynesia by a high commissioner of the Republic

Cocos (Keeling) Islands

territory of Australia; administered from

Canberra by the Australian Department of Transport and Regional

Services

Cook Islands

self-governing in free association with New Zealand;

Cook Islands is fully responsible for internal affairs; New Zealand

retains responsibility for external affairs and defense, in

consultation with the Cook Islands

Coral Sea Islands

territory of Australia; administered from Canberra

by the Department of the Environment, Sport, and Territories

Dhekelia

overseas territory of UK; administered by an administrator

who is also the Commander, British Forces Cyprus

Europa Island

possession of France; administered by the

Administrateur Superieur of the French Southern and Antarctic Lands

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

overseas territory of the UK; also

claimed by Argentina

Faroe Islands

part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing

overseas administrative division of Denmark since 1948

French Guiana

overseas department of France

French Polynesia

overseas lands of France; overseas territory of

France from 1946-2004

French Southern and Antarctic Lands overseas territory of France since 1955; administered from Paris by Administrateur Superieur Michel CHAMPON (since 20 December 2004), assisted by Secretary General Jean-Yves HERMOSO (since NA)

Gibraltar overseas territory of the UK

Glorioso Islands

possession of France; administered by the

Administrateur Superieur of the French Southern and Antarctic Lands

Greenland

part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas

administrative division of Denmark since 1979

Guadeloupe

overseas department of France

Guam

organized, unincorporated territory of the US with policy

relations between Guam and the US under the jurisdiction of the

Office of Insular Affairs, US Department of the Interior

Guernsey

British crown dependency

Heard Island and McDonald Islands territory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Australian Antarctic Division of the Department of the Environment and Heritage

Hong Kong

special administrative region of China

Howland Island

unincorporated territory of the US; administered from

Washington, DC, by the Fish and Wildlife Service of the US

Department of the Interior as part of the National Wildlife Refuge

system

Jan Mayen

territory of Norway; since August 1994, administered from

Oslo through the county governor (fylkesmann) of Nordland; however,

authority has been delegated to a station commander of the Norwegian

Defense Communication Service

Jarvis Island

unincorporated territory of the US; administered from

Washington, DC, by the Fish and Wildlife Service of the US

Department of the Interior as part of the National Wildlife Refuge

system

Jersey

British crown dependency

Johnston Atoll

unincorporated territory of the US; administered from

Honolulu, HI, by Pacific Air Forces, Hickam Air Force Base, and the

Fish and Wildlife Service of the US Department of the Interior as

part of the National Wildlife Refuge system

Juan de Nova Island

possession of France; administered by the

Administrateur Superieur of the French Southern and Antarctic Lands

Kingman Reef

unincorporated territory of the US; administered from

Washington, DC, by the US Fish and Wildlife Service of the

Department of the Interior

note: on 1 September 2000, the Department of the Interior accepted

restoration of its administrative jurisdiction over Kingman Reef

from the Department of the Navy; Executive Order 3223 signed 18

January 2001 established Kingman Reef National Wildlife Refuge to be

administered by the Director, US Fish and Wildlife Service; this

refuge is managed to protect the terrestrial and aquatic wildlife of

Kingman Reef out to the 12-nautical-mile territorial sea limit

Macau

special administrative region of China

Man, Isle of

British crown dependency

Martinique

overseas department of France

Mayotte

territorial collectivity of France

Midway Islands

unincorporated territory of the US; formerly

administered from Washington, DC, by the US Navy; on 31 October

1996, through a presidential executive order, the jurisdiction and

control of the atoll was transferred to the Fish and Wildlife

Service of the US Department of the Interior as part of the National

Wildlife Refuge system

Montserrat

overseas territory of the UK

Navassa Island

unincorporated territory of the US; administered by

the Fish and Wildlife Service, US Department of the Interior, from

the Caribbean Islands National Wildlife Refuge in Boqueron, Puerto

Rico; in September 1996, the Coast Guard ceased operations and

maintenance of Navassa Island Light, a 46-meter-tall lighthouse on

the southern side of the island; there has also been a private claim

advanced against the island

Netherlands Antilles

an autonomous country within the Kingdom of the

Netherlands; full autonomy in internal affairs granted in 1954;

Dutch Government responsible for defense and foreign affairs

New Caledonia

overseas territory of France since 1956

Niue

self-governing in free association with New Zealand since 1974;

Niue fully responsible for internal affairs; New Zealand retains

responsibility for external affairs and defense; however, these

responsibilities confer no rights of control and are only exercised

at the request of the Government of Niue

Norfolk Island

territory of Australia; Canberra administers

Commonwealth responsibilities on Norfolk Island through the

Department of Environment, Sport, and Territories

Northern Mariana Islands

commonwealth in political union with the

US; federal funds to the Commonwealth administered by the US

Department of the Interior, Office of Insular Affairs

Palmyra Atoll

incorporated territory of the US; privately owned, but

administered from Washington, DC, by the Fish and Wildlife Service

of the US Department of the Interior; the Office of Insular Affairs

of the US Department of the Interior continues to administer nine

excluded areas comprising certain tidal and submerged lands within

the 12 nm territorial sea or within the lagoon

Pitcairn Islands

overseas territory of the UK

Puerto Rico

commonwealth associated with the US

Reunion

overseas department of France

Saint Helena

overseas territory of the UK

Saint Pierre and Miquelon

self-governing territorial collectivity of

France

South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands

overseas territory of

the UK, also claimed by Argentina; administered from the Falkland

Islands by a commissioner, who is concurrently governor of the

Falkland Islands, representing Queen ELIZABETH II; Grytviken,

formerly a whaling station on South Georgia, is a scientific base

Svalbard

territory of Norway; administered by the Polar Department

of the Ministry of Justice, through a governor (sysselmann) residing

in Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen; by treaty (9 February 1920)

sovereignty was awarded to Norway

Tokelau

self-administering territory of New Zealand; note -

Tokelauans are drafting a constitution and developing institutions

and patterns of self-government as Tokelau moves toward free

association with New Zealand

Tromelin Island

possession of France; administered by the

Administrateur Superieur of the French Southern and Antarctic Lands

Turks and Caicos Islands

overseas territory of the UK

Virgin Islands

organized, unincorporated territory of the US with

policy relations between the Virgin Islands and the US under the

jurisdiction of the Office of Insular Affairs, US Department of the

Interior

Wake Island

unincorporated territory of the US; administered from

Washington, DC, by the Department of the Interior; activities on the

island are conducted by the US Air Force

Wallis and Futuna

overseas territory of France

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2007 Diplomatic representation from the US

Afghanistan

chief of mission: Ambassador Zalmay KHALILZAD

embassy: The Great Masood Road, Kabul

mailing address: 6180 Kabul Place, Dulles, VA 20189-6180

telephone: [00] (2) 230-0436

FAX: [0093] (2) 230-1364

Akrotiri

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Albania

chief of mission: Ambassador Marcie B. RIES

embassy: Rruga Elbasanit, Labinoti #103, Tirana

mailing address: U. S. Department of State, 9510 Tirana Place,

Dulles, VA 20189-9510

telephone: [355] (4) 247285

FAX: [355] (4) 374957 and [355] (4) 232222

Algeria

chief of mission: Ambassador Richard W. ERDMAN

embassy: 4 Chemin Cheikh Bachir El-Ibrahimi, Algiers

mailing address: B. P. 408, Alger-Gare, 16030 Algiers

telephone: [213] (21) 691-425/255/186

FAX: [213] (21) 69-39-79

American Samoa

none (territory of the US)

Andorra

the US does not have an embassy in Andorra; the US

Ambassador to Spain is accredited to Andorra; US interests in

Andorra are represented by the Consulate General's office in

Barcelona (Spain); mailing address: Paseo Reina Elisenda, 23, 08034

Barcelona, Spain; telephone: [34] (93) 280-2227; FAX: [34] (93)

280-6175

Angola

chief of mission: Ambassador Cynthia EFFIRD

embassy: number 32 Rua Houari Boumedienne (in the Miramar area of

Luanda), Luanda

mailing address: international mail: Caixa Postal 6468, Luanda;

pouch: American Embassy Luanda, Department of State, Washington, DC

20521-2550

telephone: [244] (2) 445-481, 447-028, 446-224

FAX: [244] (2) 446-924

Anguilla

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Antigua and Barbuda

the US does not have an embassy in Antigua and

Barbuda (embassy closed 30 June 1994); the US Ambassador to Barbados

is accredited to Antigua and Barbuda

Argentina

chief of mission: Ambassador Lino GUTIERREZ

embassy: Avenida Colombia 4300, C1425GMN Buenos Aires

mailing address: international mail: use street address; APO

address: Unit 4334, APO AA 34034

telephone: [54] (11) 5777-4533

FAX: [54] (11) 5777-4240

Armenia

chief of mission: Ambassador John M. EVANS

embassy: 18 Baghramyan Ave., Yerevan 375019

mailing address: American Embassy Yerevan, Department of State, 7020

Yerevan Place, Washington, DC 20521-7020

telephone: [374](1) 521-611, 520-791, 542-117, 542-132, 524-661,

527-001, 524-840

FAX: [374](1) 520-800

Aruba

the US does not have an embassy in Aruba; the Consul General

to Netherlands Antilles is accredited to Aruba

Ashmore and Cartier Islands

none (territory of Australia)

Australia

chief of mission: William A. STANTON, Charge d'Affaires ad

interim

embassy: Moonah Place, Yarralumla, Canberra, Australian Capital

Territory 2600

mailing address: APO AP 96549

telephone: [61] (02) 6214-5600

FAX: [61] (02) 6214-5970

consulate(s) general: Melbourne, Perth, Sydney

Austria

chief of mission: Ambassador William Lee LYONS BROWN, Jr.

embassy: Boltzmanngasse 16, A-1090, Vienna

mailing address: use embassy street address

telephone: [43] (1) 31339-0, 31375, 31335

FAX: [43] (1) 3100682

Azerbaijan

chief of mission: Ambassador Reno L. HARNISH III

embassy: 83 Azadlyg Prospecti, Baku AZ1007

mailing address: American Embassy Baku, Department of State, 7050

Baku Place, Washington, DC 20521-7050

telephone: [9] (9412) 98-03-35, 36, 37

FAX: [9] (9412) 656-671

Bahamas, The

chief of mission: Ambassador John D. ROOD

embassy: 42 Queen Street, Nassau

mailing address: local or express mail address: P. O. Box N-8197,

Nassau; Department of State, 3370 Nassau Place, Washington, DC

20521-3370

telephone: [1] (242) 322-1181, 328-2206 (after hours)

FAX: [1] (242) 356-0222

Bahrain

chief of mission: Ambassador William T. MONROE

embassy: Building #979, Road 3119 (next to Al-Ahli Sports Club),

Block 331, Zinj District, Manama

mailing address: American Embassy Manama, PSC 451, FPO AE

09834-5100; international mail: American Embassy, Box 26431, Manama

telephone: [973] 1724-2700

FAX: [973] 1725-6242 (consular)

Bangladesh

chief of mission: Ambassador Harry K. THOMAS, Jr.

embassy: Madani Avenue, Baridhara, Dhaka 1212

mailing address: G. P. O. Box 323, Dhaka 1000

telephone: [880] (2) 885-5500

FAX: [880] (2) 882-3744

Barbados

chief of mission: Ambassador Mary E. KRAMER

embassy: Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce Building, Broad Street,

Bridgetown; (courier) ALICO Building-Cheapside, Bridgetown

mailing address: P. O. Box 302, Bridgetown; CMR 1014, APO AA 34055

telephone: [1] (246) 436-4950

FAX: [1] (246) 429-5246, 429-3379

Belarus

chief of mission: Ambassador George A. KROL

embassy: 46 Starovilenskaya St., Minsk 220002

mailing address: PSC 78, Box B Minsk, APO 09723

telephone: [375] (17) 210-12-83, 217-7347, 217-7348

FAX: [375] (17) 234-7853

Belgium

chief of mission: Ambassador Tom C. KOROLOGOS

embassy: Regentlaan 27 Boulevard du Regent, B-1000 Brussels

mailing address: PSC 82, Box 002, APO AE 09710

telephone: [32] (2) 508-2111

FAX: [32] (2) 511-2725

Belize

chief of mission: Ambassador Russell F. FREEMAN

embassy: 29 Gabourel Lane, Belize City

mailing address: P. O. Box 286, Belize City

telephone: [501] 227-7161 through 7163

FAX: [501] 2-30802

Benin

chief of mission: Ambassador Wayne NEILL

embassy: Rue Caporal Bernard Anani, Cotonou

mailing address: 01 B. P. 2012, Cotonou

telephone: [229] 30-06-50

FAX: [229] 30-06-70

Bermuda

chief of mission: Deputy Chief of Mission Antoinette BOECKER

consulate(s) general: Crown Hill, 16 Middle Road, Devonshire DVO3

mailing address: P. O. Box HM325, Hamilton HMBX; American Consulate

General Hamilton, Department of State, 5300 Hamilton Place,

Washington, DC 20520-5300

telephone: [1] (441) 295-1342

FAX: [1] (441) 295-1592, [1] (441) 296-9233

Bhutan

the US and Bhutan have no formal diplomatic relations,

although informal contact is maintained between the Bhutanese and US

Embassy in New Delhi (India)

Bolivia

chief of mission: Ambassador David N. GREENLEE

embassy: Avenida Arce 2780, San Jorge, La Paz

mailing address: P. O. Box 425, La Paz; APO AA 34032

telephone: [591] (2) 2430120, 2430251

FAX: [591] (2) 2433900

Bosnia and Herzegovina

chief of mission: Ambassador Douglas L.

McELHANEY

embassy: Alipasina 43, 71000 Sarajevo

mailing address: use street address

telephone: [387] (33) 445-700

FAX: [387] (33) 659-722

branch office(s): Banja Luka, Mostar

Botswana

chief of mission: Ambassador Joseph HUGGINS

embassy: address NA, Gaborone

mailing address: Embassy Enclave, P. O. Box 90, Gaborone

telephone: [267] 353982

FAX: [267] 312782

Brazil

chief of mission: Ambassador John DANILOVICH

embassy: Avenida das Nacoes, Quadra 801, Lote 3, Distrito Federal

Cep 70403-900, Brasilia

mailing address: Unit 3500, APO AA 34030

telephone: [55] (61) 312-7000

FAX: [55] (61) 225-9136

consulate(s) general: Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo

consulate(s): Recife

British Indian Ocean Territory

none (overseas territory of the UK)

British Virgin Islands

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Brunei

chief of mission: Ambassador Emil SKODON

embassy: Third Floor, Teck Guan Plaza, Jalan Sultan, Bandar Seri

Begawan

mailing address: PSC 470 (BSB), FPO AP 96507

telephone: [673] (2) 229670

FAX: [673] (2) 225293

Bulgaria

chief of mission: Ambassador James William PARDEW

embassy: 16 Kozyak Street, Sofia 1407

mailing address: American Embassy Sofia, Department of State, 5740

Sofia Place, Washington, DC 20521-5740

telephone: [359] (2) 937-5100

FAX: [359] (2) 937-5230

Burkina Faso

chief of mission: Ambassador Anthony HOLMES

embassy: 602 Avenue Raoul Follereau, Koulouba, Secteur 4

mailing address: 01 B. P. 35, Ouagadougou 01; pouch mail - U. S.

Department of State, 2440 Ouagadougou Place, Washington, DC

20521-2440

telephone: [226] 306723

FAX: [226] 303890

Burma

chief of mission: Charge d'Affaires Carmen M. MARTINEZ

embassy: 581 Merchant Street, Rangoon (GPO 521)

mailing address: Box B, APO AP 96546

telephone: [95] (1) 379 880, 379 881

FAX: [95] (1) 256 018

Burundi

chief of mission: Ambassador James Howard YELLIN

embassy: Avenue des Etats-Unis, Bujumbura

mailing address: B. P. 1720, Bujumbura

telephone: [257] 223454

FAX: [257] 222926

Cambodia

chief of mission: Ambassador Joseph A. MUSSOMELI

embassy: 27 EO Street 240, Phnom Penh

mailing address: Box P, APO AP 96546

telephone: [855] (23) 216-436/438

FAX: [855] (23) 216-437/811

Cameroon

chief of mission: Ambassador George McDade STAPLES

embassy: Rue Nachtigal, Yaounde

mailing address: P. O. Box 817, Yaounde; pouch: American Embassy,

Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-2520

telephone: [237] 223-05-12, 222-25-89, 222-17-94, 223-40-14

FAX: [237] 223-07-53

branch office(s): Douala

Canada

chief of mission: Ambassador David H. WILKINS

embassy: 490 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 1G8

mailing address: P. O. Box 5000, Ogdensburgh, NY 13669-0430

telephone: [1] (613) 238-5335, 4470

FAX: [1] (613) 688-3082

consulate(s) general: Calgary, Halifax, Montreal, Quebec, Toronto,

Vancouver, Winnipeg

Cape Verde

chief of mission: Ambassador Donald C. JOHNSON

embassy: Rua Abilio m. Macedo 81, Praia

mailing address: C. P. 201, Praia

telephone: [238] 261 56 16, 261 56 17

FAX: [238] 261 13 55

Cayman Islands

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Central African Republic

chief of mission: Charge d'Affaires James

PANOS

embassy: Avenue David Dacko, Bangui

mailing address: B. P. 924, Bangui

telephone: [236] 61 02 00

FAX: [236] 61 44 94

note: the embassy is currently operating with a minimal staff

Chad

chief of mission: Ambassador Marc WALL

embassy: Avenue Felix Eboue, N'Djamena

mailing address: B. P. 413, N'Djamena

telephone: [235] (51) 70-09

FAX: [235] (51) 56-54

Chile

chief of mission: Ambassador Craig A. KELLY

embassy: Avenida Andres Bello 2800, Las Condes, Santiago

mailing address: APO AA 34033

telephone: [56] (2) 232-2600

FAX: [56] (2) 330-3710

China

chief of mission: Ambassador Clark T. RANDT, Jr.

embassy: Xiu Shui Bei Jie 3, 100600 Beijing

mailing address: PSC 461, Box 50, FPO AP 96521-0002

telephone: [86] (10) 6532-3831

FAX: [86] (10) 6532-6929

consulate(s) general: Chengdu, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Shanghai,

Shenyang

Christmas Island

none (territory of Australia)

Cocos (Keeling) Islands

none (territory of Australia)

Colombia

chief of mission: Ambassador William B. WOOD

embassy: Calle 22D-BIS, numbers 47-51, Apartado Aereo 3831

mailing address: Carrera 45 #22D-45, Bogota, D.C., APO AA 34038

telephone: [57] (1) 315-0811

FAX: [57] (1) 315-2197

Comoros

the US does not have an embassy in Comoros; the ambassador

to Mauritius is accredited to Comoros

Congo, Democratic Republic of the

chief of mission: Ambassador

Aubrey HOOKS

embassy: 310 Avenue des Aviateurs, Kinshasa

mailing address: Unit 31550, APO AE 09828

telephone: [243] (88) 43608

FAX: [243] (88) 43467

Congo, Republic of the

chief of mission: Ambassador Roger A. MEECE

embassy: NA

mailing address: NA

telephone: [243] (88) 43608

note: the embassy is temporarily collocated with the US Embassy in

the Democratic Republic of the Congo (US Embassy Kinshasa, 310

Avenue des Aviateurs, Kinshasa)

Cook Islands

none (self-governing in free association with New

Zealand)

Coral Sea Islands

none (territory of Australia)

Costa Rica

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires

Douglas M. BARNES

embassy: Calle 120 Avenida O, Pavas, San Jose

mailing address: APO AA 34020

telephone: [506] 220-3939

FAX: [506] 519-2305

Cote d'Ivoire

chief of mission: Ambassador Aubrey HOOKS

embassy: 5 Rue Jesse Owens, Abidjan

mailing address: B. P. 1712, Abidjan 01

telephone: [225] 20 21 09 79

FAX: [225] 20 22 32 59

Croatia

chief of mission: Ambassador Ralph FRANK

embassy: 2 Thomas Jefferson, 10010 Zagreb

mailing address: use street address

telephone: [385] (1) 661-2200

FAX: [385] (1) 661-2373

Cuba

none; note - the US has an Interests Section in the Swiss

Embassy, headed by Principal Officer James C. CASON; address: USINT,

Swiss Embassy, Calzada between L and M Streets, Vedado, Havana;

telephone: [53] (7) 833-3551 through 3559 (operator assistance

required); FAX: [53] (7) 833-3700; protecting power in Cuba is

Switzerland

Cyprus

chief of mission: Ambassador Michael KLOSSON

embassy: corner of Metochiou and Ploutarchou Streets, Engomi, 2407

Nicosia

mailing address: P. O. Box 24536, 1385 Nikosia

telephone: [357] (22) 393939

FAX: [357] (22) 780944

Czech Republic

chief of mission: Ambassador William J. CABANISS

embassy: Trziste 15, 11801 Prague 1

mailing address: use embassy street address

telephone: [420] (2) 5753-0663

FAX: [420] (2) 5753-0583

Denmark

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires

Sally M. LIGHT

embassy: Dag Hammarskjolds Alle 24, 2100 Copenhagen

mailing address: PSC 73, APO AE 09716

telephone: [45] 35 55 31 44

FAX: [45] 35 43 02 23

Dhekelia

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Djibouti

chief of mission: Ambassador Marguerita RAGSDALE

embassy: Plateau du Serpent, Boulevard Marechal Joffre, Djibouti

mailing address: B. P. 185, Djibouti

telephone: [253] 35 39 95

FAX: [253] 35 39 40

Dominica

the US does not have an embassy in Dominica; the US

Ambassador to Barbados is accredited to Dominica

Dominican Republic

chief of mission: Ambassador Hans H. HERTELL

embassy: corner of Calle Cesar Nicolas Penson and Calle Leopoldo

Navarro, Santo Domingo

mailing address: Unit 5500, APO AA 34041-5500

telephone: [1] (809) 221-2171

FAX: [1] (809) 686-7437

East Timor

chief of mission: Ambassador Grover Joseph REES

embassy: Avenida de Portugal, Praia dos Conqueiros, Dili

mailing address: Department of State, 8250 Dili Place, Washington,

DC 20521-8250

telephone: (670) 332-4684

FAX: (670) 331-3206

Ecuador

chief of mission: Ambassador Kristie Anne KENNEY

embassy: Avenida 12 de Octubre y Avenida Patria, Quito

mailing address: APO AA 34039

telephone: [593] (2) 256-2890

FAX: [593] (2) 250-2052

consulate(s) general: Guayaquil

Egypt

chief of mission: Ambassador designate Francis J. RICCIARDONE,

Jr

embassy: 8 Kamal El Din Salah St., Garden City, Cairo

mailing address: Unit 64900, Box 15, APO AE 09839-4900

telephone: [20] (2) 797-3300

FAX: [20] (2) 797-3200

El Salvador

chief of mission: Ambassador H. Douglas BARCLAY

embassy: Final Boulevard Santa Elena Sur, Antiguo Cuscatlan, La

Libertad, San Salvador

mailing address: Unit 3116, APO AA 34023

telephone: [503] 278-4444

FAX: [503] 278-5522

Equatorial Guinea

the US does not have an embassy in Equatorial

Guinea (embassy closed September 1995); the US ambassador to

Cameroon is accredited to Equatorial Guinea; the US State Department

is considering opening a Consulate Agency in Malabo

Eritrea

chief of mission: Ambassador Scott H. DELISI

embassy: Franklin D. Roosevelt Street, Asmara

mailing address: P. O. Box 211, Asmara

telephone: [291] (1) 120004

FAX: [291] (1) 127584

Estonia

chief of mission: Ambassador Aldona Zofia WOS

embassy: Kentmanni 20, 15099 Tallinn

mailing address: use embassy street address

telephone: [372] 668-8100

FAX: [372] 668-8134

Ethiopia

chief of mission: Ambassador Aurelia A. BRAZEAL

embassy: Entoto Street, Addis Ababa

mailing address: P. O. Box 1014, Addis Ababa

telephone: [251] (1) 550666

FAX: [251] (1) 551328

European Union

chief of mission: Ambassador Rockwell SCHNABEL

embassy: 13 Zinnerstraat/Rue Zinner, B-1000 Brussels

mailing address: same as above

telephone: [32] (2) 508-2222

FAX: [32] (2) 512-5720

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

none (overseas territory of the

UK; also claimed by Argentina)

Faroe Islands

none (self-governing overseas administrative division

of Denmark)

Fiji

chief of mission: Ambassador David L. LYON

embassy: 31 Loftus Street, Suva

mailing address: P. O. Box 218, Suva

telephone: [679] 331-4466

FAX: [679] 330-0081

Finland

chief of mission: Ambassador Earle I. MACK

embassy: Itainen Puistotie 14B, 00140 Helsinki

mailing address: APO AE 09723

telephone: [358] (9) 616250

FAX: [358] (9) 6162 5800

France

chief of mission: Ambassador Howard H. LEACH

embassy: 2 Avenue Gabriel, 75008 Paris Cedex 08

mailing address: PSC 116, APO AE 09777

telephone: [33] (1) 43-12-22-22

FAX: [33] (1) 42 66 97 83

consulate(s) general: Marseille, Strasbourg

French Guiana

none (overseas department of France)

French Polynesia

none (overseas lands of France)

French Southern and Antarctic Lands

none (overseas territory of

France)

Gabon

chief of mission: Ambassador Barrie R. WALKLEY

embassy: Boulevard du Bord de Mer, Libreville

mailing address: Centre Ville, B. P. 4000, Libreville

telephone: [241] 76 20 03 through 76 20 04, after hours - 74 34 92

FAX: [241] 74 55 07

Gambia, The

chief of mission: Ambassador Joseph D. STAFFORD, III

embassy: Kairaba Avenue, Fajara, Banjul

mailing address: P. M. B. No. 19, Banjul

telephone: [220] 392856, 392858, 391971

FAX: [220] 392475

Georgia

chief of mission: Ambassador Richard M. MILES

embassy: #25 Atoneli Street, T'bilisi 0105

mailing address: 7060 Tbilisi Place, Washington, DC 20521-7060

telephone: [995] (32) 989-967/68

FAX: [995] (32) 933-759

Germany

chief of mission: Ambassador Daniel R. COATS

embassy: Neustaedtische Kirchstrasse 4-5, 10117 Berlin; note - a new

embassy will be built near the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin; ground

was broken in October 2004 and completion is scheduled for 2008

mailing address: PSC 120, Box 1000, APO AE 09265

telephone: [49] (030) 8305-0

FAX: [49] (030) 8305-1215

consulate(s) general: Duesseldorf, Frankfurt am Main, Hamburg,

Leipzig, Munich

Ghana

chief of mission: Ambassador Mary Carlin YATES

embassy: 6th and 10th Lanes, 798/1 Osu, Accra

mailing address: P. O. Box 194, Accra

telephone: [233] (21) 775-347, 775-348

FAX: [233] (21) 701-813

Gibraltar

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Glorioso Islands

none (possession of France)

Greece

chief of mission: Ambassador Charles RIES

embassy: 91 Vasilissis Sophias Avenue, 10160 Athens

mailing address: PSC 108, APO AE 09842-0108

telephone: [30] (210) 721-2951

FAX: [30] (210) 645-6282

consulate(s) general: Thessaloniki

Greenland

none (self-governing overseas administrative division of

Denmark)

Grenada

chief of mission: the US Ambassador to Barbados is

accredited to Grenada

embassy: Lance-aux-Epines Stretch, Saint George's

mailing address: P. O. Box 54, Saint George's, Grenada, West Indies

telephone: [1] (473) 444-1173 through 1176

FAX: [1] (473) 444-4820

Guadeloupe

none (overseas department of France)

Guam

none (territory of the US)

Guatemala

chief of mission: Ambassador John R. HAMILTON

embassy: 7-01 Avenida Reforma, Zone 10, Guatemala City

mailing address: APO AA 34024

telephone: [502] 2331-1541/55

FAX: [502] 2334-8477

Guernsey

none (British crown dependency)

Guinea

chief of mission: Ambassador Jackson MCDONALD

embassy: Rue Ka 038, Conakry

mailing address: B. P. 603, Conakry

telephone: [224] 41 15 20, 41 15 21, 41 15 23

FAX: [224] 41 15 22

Guinea-Bissau

the US Embassy suspended operations on 14 June 1998 in

the midst of violent conflict between forces loyal to then President

VIEIRA and military-led junta; US embassy Dakar is responsible for

covering Guinea-Bissau: telephone - [221] 823-4296; FAX - [221]

822-5903

Guyana

chief of mission: Ambassador Roland BULLEN

embassy: 100 Young and Duke Streets, Kingston, Georgetown

mailing address: P. O. Box 10507, Georgetown

telephone: [592] 225-4900 through 4909

FAX: [592] 225-8497

Haiti

chief of mission: Ambassador James B. FOLEY

embassy: 5 Harry S Truman Boulevard, Port-au-Prince

mailing address: P. O. Box 1761, Port-au-Prince

telephone: [509] 222-0354, 222-0269, 222-0200, 222-0327

FAX: [509] 223-1641 or 222-0200 ext 460

Heard Island and McDonald Islands

none (territory of Australia)

Holy See (Vatican City)

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant)

embassy: Villa Domiziana, Via delle Terme Deciane 26, 00153 Rome

mailing address: PSC 59, Box 66, APO AE 09624

telephone: [39] (06) 4674-3428

FAX: [39] (06) 575-8346

Honduras

chief of mission: Ambassador Larry Leon PALMER

embassy: Avenida La Paz, Apartado Postal No. 3453, Tegucigalpa

mailing address: American Embassy, APO AA 34022, Tegucigalpa

telephone: [504] 238-5114, 236-9320

FAX: [504] 236-9037

Hong Kong

chief of mission: Consul General James B. CUNNINGHAM

consulate(s) general: 26 Garden Road, Hong Kong

mailing address: PSC 461, Box 1, FPO AP 96521-0006

telephone: [852] 2523-9011

FAX: [852] 2524-0860

Hungary

chief of mission: Ambassador George Herbert WALKER

embassy: Szabadsag ter 12, H-1054 Budapest

mailing address: pouch: American Embassy Budapest, 5270 Budapest

Place, Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-5270

telephone: [36] (1) 475-4400

FAX: [36] (1) 475-4764

Iceland

chief of mission: Ambassador James I. GADSDEN

embassy: Laufasvegur 21, 101 Reykjavik

mailing address: US Embassy, PSC 1003, Box 40, FPO AE 09728-0340

telephone: [354] 562-9100

FAX: [354] 562-9118

India

chief of mission: Ambassador David C. MULFORD

embassy: Shantipath, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi 110021

mailing address: use embassy street address

telephone: [91] (11) 2419-8000

FAX: [91] (11) 2419-0017

consulate(s) general: Chennai (Madras), Kolkata (Calcutta), Mumbai

(Bombay)

Indonesia

chief of mission: Ambassador B. Lynn PASCOE

embassy: Jalan 1 Medan Merdeka Selatan 3-5, Jakarta 10110

mailing address: Unit 8129, Box 1, FPO AP 96520

telephone: [62] (21) 3435-9000

FAX: [62] (21) 385-7189

consulate(s) general: Surabaya

Iran

none; note - protecting power in Iran is Switzerland

Iraq

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires James

F. JEFFREY

embassy: Baghdad

mailing address: APO AE 09316

telephone: 00-1-240-553-0584 ext. 4354; note - Consular Section

FAX: NA

Ireland

chief of mission: Ambassador James C. KENNY

embassy: 42 Elgin Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4

mailing address: use embassy street address

telephone: [353] (1) 668-8777

FAX: [353] (1) 668-9946

Israel

chief of mission: Ambassador Daniel C. KURTZER

embassy: 71 Hayarkon Street, Tel Aviv 63903

mailing address: PSC 98, Box 29, APO AE 09830

telephone: [972] (3) 519-7369/7453/7454/7457/7458/7551/7575

FAX: [972] (3) 516-4390

consulate(s) general: Jerusalem; note - an independent US mission,

established in 1928, whose members are not accredited to a foreign

government

Italy

chief of mission: Ambassador Melvin F. SEMBLER

embassy: Via Vittorio Veneto 119/A, 00187-Rome

mailing address: PSC 59, Box 100, APO AE 09624

telephone: [39] (06) 46741

FAX: [39] (06) 488-2672, 4674-2356

consulate(s) general: Florence, Milan, Naples

Jamaica

chief of mission: Ambassador Sue McCourt COBB

embassy: Jamaica Mutual Life Center, 2 Oxford Road, 3rd floor,

Kingston 5

mailing address: use embassy street address

telephone: [1] (876) 929-4850 through 4859

FAX: [1] (876) 935-6001

Japan

chief of mission: Ambassador J. Thomas SCHIEFFER

embassy: 10-5 Akasaka 1-chome, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-8420

mailing address: Unit 45004, Box 258, APO AP 96337-5004

telephone: [81] (03) 3224-5000

FAX: [81] (03) 3505-1862

consulate(s) general: Naha (Okinawa), Osaka-Kobe, Sapporo

consulate(s): Fukuoka, Nagoya

Jersey

none (British crown dependency)

Jordan

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires

David M. HALE

embassy: Abdoun, Amman

mailing address: P. O. Box 354, Amman 11118 Jordan; Unit 70200, Box

5, APO AE 09892-0200

telephone: [962] (6) 592-0101

FAX: [962] (6) 592-4102

Juan de Nova Island

none (possession of France)

Kazakhstan

chief of mission: Ambassador John M. ORDWAY

embassy: 99/97A Fumanova, Samal-2, Almaty, 480099

mailing address: use embassy street address

telephone: [7] (3272) 50-48-02

FAX: [7] (3272) 50-48-84

Kenya

chief of mission: Ambassador William M. BELLAMY

embassy: US Embassy, United Nations Ave., Gigiri; P. O. Box 606

Village Market Nairobi

mailing address: Box 21A, Unit 64100, APO AE 09831

telephone: [254] (20) 537-800

FAX: [254] (20) 537-810

Kiribati

the US does not have an embassy in Kiribati; the ambassador

to Fiji is accredited to Kiribati

Korea, North

none (Swedish Embassy in Pyongyang represents the US as

consular protecting power)

Korea, South

chief of mission: Ambassador Christopher R. HILL

embassy: 82 Sejong-no, Jongno-gu, Seoul 110-710

mailing address: American Embassy, Unit 15550, APO AP 96205-5550

telephone: [82] (2) 397-4114

FAX: [82] (2) 738-8845

Kuwait

chief of mission: Ambassador Richard LEBARON

embassy: Bayan, Area 14, Al-Masjed Al-Aqsa Street (near the Bayan

palace), Kuwait City

mailing address: P. O. Box 77 Safat 13001 Kuwait; or PSC 1280 APO AE

09880-9000

telephone: [965] 539-5307, 5308

FAX: [965] 538-0282

Kyrgyzstan

chief of mission: Ambassador Stephen M. YOUNG

embassy: 171 Prospect Mira, Bishkek 720016

mailing address: use embassy street address

telephone: [996] (312) 551-241, (517) 777-217

FAX: [996] (312) 551-264

Laos

chief of mission: Ambassador Patricia M. HASLACH

embassy: 19 Rue Bartholonie, B. P. 114, Vientiane

mailing address: American Embassy, Box V, APO AP 96546

telephone: [856] (21) 212581, 212582, 212585

FAX: [856] (21) 212584

Latvia

chief of mission: Ambassador Catherine TODD-BAILEY

embassy: 7 Raina Boulevard, Riga LV-1510

mailing address: American Embassy Riga, PSC 78, Box Riga, APO AE

09723

telephone: [371] 703-6200

FAX: [371] 782-0047

Lebanon

chief of mission: Ambassador Jeffrey D. FELTMAN

embassy: Awkar, Lebanon

mailing address: P. O. Box 70-840, Antelias, Lebanon; PSC 815, Box

2, FPO AE 09836-0002

telephone: [961] (4) 542600, 543600

FAX: [961] (4) 544136

Lesotho

chief of mission: Ambassador June Carter PERRY

embassy: 254 Kingsway, Maseru West (Consular Section)

mailing address: P. O. Box 333, Maseru 100, Lesotho

telephone: [266] 22 312666

FAX: [266] 22 310116

Liberia

chief of mission: Ambassador John William BLANEY III

embassy: 111 United Nations Drive, P. O. Box 10-0098, Mamba Point,

1000 Monrovia, 10 Liberia

mailing address: use embassy street address

telephone: [231] 226-370 through 226-380

FAX: [231] 226-148

Libya

the US suspended all embassy activities in Tripoli in May

1980, resumed embassy activities in February 2004 under the

protective power of the US interests section of the Belgian Embassy

in Tripoli, then opened a Liaison Office in Tripoli in June 2004

Liechtenstein

the US does not have an embassy in Liechtenstein, but

the US Ambassador to Switzerland is also accredited to Liechtenstein

Lithuania

chief of mission: Ambassador Stephen D. MULL

embassy: 2600 Akmenu 6, Vilnius

mailing address: American Embassy, Vilnius, PSC 78, Box V, APO AE

09723

telephone: [370] (5) 266 5500

FAX: [370] (5) 266 5510

Luxembourg

chief of mission: Ambassador Peter TERPELUK, Jr.

embassy: 22 Boulevard Emmanuel Servais, L-2535 Luxembourg City

mailing address: American Embassy Luxembourg, Unit 1410, APO AE

09126-1410 (official mail); American Embassy Luxembourg, PSC 9, Box

9500, APO AE 09123 (personal mail)

telephone: [352] 46 01 23

FAX: [352] 46 14 01

Macau

the US has no offices in Macau; US interests are monitored by

the US Consulate General in Hong Kong

Macedonia

chief of mission: Ambassador Lawrence Edward BUTLER

embassy: Bul. Ilindenska bb, 1000 Skopje

mailing address: American Embassy Skopje, Department of State, 7120

Skopje Place, Washington, DC 20521-7120 (pouch)

telephone: [389] 2 311-6180

FAX: [389] 2 311-7103

Madagascar

chief of mission: Ambassador Wanda L. NESBITT

embassy: 14-16 Rue Rainitovo, Antsahavola, Antananarivo 101

mailing address: B. P. 620, Antsahavola, Antananarivo

telephone: [261] (20) 22-212-57, 22-212-73, 22-209-56

FAX: [261] (20) 22-345-39

Malawi

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires

David GILMOUR

embassy: Area 40, Plot 24, Kenyatta Road

mailing address: P. O. Box 30016, Lilongwe 3, Malawi

telephone: [265] (1) 773 166

FAX: [265] (1) 770 471

Malaysia

chief of mission: Ambassador Christopher J. LAFLEUR

embassy: 376 Jalan Tun Razak, 50400 Kuala Lumpur

mailing address: P. O. Box No. 10035, 50700 Kuala Lumpur; American

Embassy Kuala Lumpur, APO AP 96535-8152

telephone: [60] (3) 2168-5000

FAX: [60] (3) 2142-2207

Maldives

the US does not have an embassy in Maldives; the US

Ambassador to Sri Lanka is accredited to Maldives and makes periodic

visits there

Mali

chief of mission: Ambassador Vicki HUDDLESTONE

embassy: Rue Rochester NY and Rue Mohamed V, Bamako

mailing address: B. P. 34, Bamako

telephone: [223] (2) 223-833

FAX: [223] (2) 223-712

Malta

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires

William GRANT

embassy: 3rd Floor, Development House, Saint Anne Street, Floriana,

Malta VLT 01

mailing address: P. O. Box 535, Valletta, Malta, CMR01

telephone: [356] 2561 4000

FAX: [356] 21 243229

Man, Isle of

none (British crown dependency)

Marshall Islands

chief of mission: Ambassador Greta N. MORRIS

embassy: Oceanside, Mejen Weto, Long Island, Majuro

mailing address: P. O. Box 1379, Majuro, Republic of the Marshall

Islands 96960-1379

telephone: [692] 247-4011

FAX: [692] 247-4012

Martinique

none (overseas department of France)

Mauritania

chief of mission: Ambassador Joseph E. LEBARON

embassy: 288 Rue Abdallaye (between Presidency building and Spanish

Embassy), Nouakchott

mailing address: BP 222, Nouakchott

telephone: [222] 525-2660/525-2663

FAX: [222] 25-25-92

Mauritius

chief of mission: Ambassador John PRICE

embassy: 4th Floor, Rogers House, John Kennedy Street, Port Louis

mailing address: international mail: P. O. Box 544, Port Louis; US

mail: American Embassy, Port Louis, Department of State, Washington,

DC 20521-2450

telephone: [230] 202-4400

FAX: [230] 208-9534

Mayotte

none (territorial collectivity of France)

Mexico

chief of mission: Ambassador Antonio O. GARZA

embassy: Paseo de la Reforma 305, Colonia Cuauhtemoc, 06500 Mexico,

Distrito Federal

mailing address: P. O. Box 9000, Brownsville, TX 78520-0900

telephone: [52] (55) 5080-2000

FAX: [52] (55) 5525-5040

consulate(s) general: Ciudad Juarez, Guadalajara, Monterrey, Tijuana

consulate(s): Hermosillo, Matamoros, Merida, Nogales, Nuevo, Laredo

Micronesia, Federated States of

chief of mission: Ambassador Suzanne

K. HALE

embassy: 101 Upper Pics Road, Kolonia

mailing address: P. O. Box 1286, Kolonia, Pohnpei, Federated States

of Micronesia 96941

telephone: [691] 320-2187

FAX: [691] 320-2186

Moldova

chief of mission: Ambassador Heather M. HODGES

embassy: 103 Mateevici Street, Chisinau MD-2009

mailing address: use embassy street address

telephone: [373] (22) 408-300

FAX: [373] (22) 23-30-44

Monaco

the US does not have an embassy in Monaco; the US Consul

General in Marseille (France) is accredited to Monaco

Mongolia

chief of mission: Ambassador Pamela J. SLUTZ

embassy: Micro Region 11, Big Ring Road, C.P.O. 1021, Ulaanbaatar 13

mailing address: PSC 461, Box 300, FPO AP 96521-0002

telephone: [976] (11) 329095

FAX: [976] (11) 320776

Montserrat

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Morocco

chief of mission: Ambassador Thomas T. RILEY

embassy: 2 Avenue de Mohamed El Fassi, Rabat

mailing address: PSC 74, Box 021, APO AE 09718

telephone: [212] (37) 76 22 65

FAX: [212] (37) 76 56 61

consulate(s) general: Casablanca

Mozambique

chief of mission: Ambassador Helen LA LIME

embassy: Avenida Kenneth Kuanda 193, Maputo

mailing address: P. O. Box 783, Maputo

telephone: [258] (1) 492797

FAX: [258] (1) 490448

Namibia

chief of mission: Ambassador Joyce BARR

embassy: Ausplan Building, 14 Lossen Street, Windhoek

mailing address: Private Bag 12029 Ausspannplatz, Windhoek

telephone: [264] (61) 221601

FAX: [264] (61) 229792

Nauru

the US does not have an embassy in Nauru; the US Ambassador to

Fiji is accredited to Nauru

Nepal

chief of mission: Ambassador James F. MORIARTY

embassy: Panipokhari, Kathmandu

mailing address: use embassy street address

telephone: [977] (1) 411179

FAX: [977] (1) 419963

Netherlands

chief of mission: Ambassador Clifford M. SOBEL

embassy: Lange Voorhout 102, 2514 EJ, The Hague

mailing address: PSC 71, Box 1000, APO AE 09715

telephone: [31] (70) 310-9209

FAX: [31] (70) 361-4688

consulate(s) general: Amsterdam

Netherlands Antilles

chief of mission: Consul General Robert E.

SORENSON

consulate(s) general: J. B. Gorsiraweg #1, Willemstad AN, Curacao

mailing address: P. O. Box 158, Willemstad, Curacao

telephone: [599] (9) 4613066

FAX: [599] (9) 4616489

New Caledonia

none (overseas territory of France)

New Zealand

chief of mission: Ambassador Charles J. SWINDELLS

embassy: 29 Fitzherbert Terrace, Thorndon, Wellington

mailing address: P. O. Box 1190, Wellington; PSC 467, Box 1, APO AP

96531-1034

telephone: [64] (4) 462-6000

FAX: [64] (4) 499-0490

consulate(s) general: Auckland

Nicaragua

chief of mission: Ambassador Barbara Calandra MOORE

embassy: Kilometer 4.5 Carretera Sur, Managua

mailing address: APO AA 34021

telephone: [505] 266-6010

FAX: [505] 266-9074

Niger

chief of mission: Ambassador Gail Dennise Thomas MATHIEU

embassy: Rue Des Ambassades, Niamey

mailing address: B. P. 11201, Niamey

telephone: [227] 72 26 61 through 72 26 64

FAX: [227] 73 31 67, 72-31-46

Nigeria

chief of mission: Ambassador John CAMPBELL

embassy: 7 Mambilla Drive, Abuja

mailing address: P. O. Box 554, Lagos

telephone: [234] (9) 523-0916/0906/5857/2235/2205

FAX: [234] (9) 523-0353

Niue

none (self-governing territory in free association with New

Zealand)

Norfolk Island

none (territory of Australia)

Norway

chief of mission: Ambassador John D. ONG

embassy: Drammensveien 18, 0244 Oslo

mailing address: PSC 69, Box 1000, APO AE 09707

telephone: [47] (22) 44 85 50

FAX: [47] (22) 44 33 63

Oman

chief of mission: Ambassador Richard Lewis BALTIMORE III

embassy: Jameat A'Duwal Al Arabiya Street, Al Khuwair area, Muscat

mailing address: P. O. Box 202, P.C. 115, Madinat Al-Sultan Qaboos,

Muscat

telephone: [968] 24-698989

FAX: [968] 24-699771

Pakistan

chief of mission: Ambassador Ryan CROCKER

embassy: Diplomatic Enclave, Ramna 5, Islamabad

mailing address: P. O. Box 1048, Unit 62200, APO AE 09812-2200

telephone: [92] (51) 2080-0000

FAX: [92] (51) 2276427

consulate(s): Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar

Palau

chief of mission: US ambassador to the Philippines is

accredited to Palau

embassy: Koror (no street address)

mailing address: P. O. Box 6028, Republic of Palau 96940

telephone: [680] 488-2920, 2990

FAX: [680] 488-2911

Panama

chief of mission: Ambassador Linda Ellen WATT

embassy: Avenida Balboa and Calle 37, Apartado Postal 0816-02561,

Zona 5, Panama City 5

mailing address: American Embassy Panama, Unit 0945, APO AA 34002

telephone: [507] 207-7000

FAX: [507] 227-1964

Papua New Guinea

chief of mission: Ambassador Robert W. FITTS

embassy: Douglas Street, Port Moresby

mailing address: 4240 Port Moresby PI, US Department of State,

Washington DC 20521-4240

telephone: [675] 321-1455

FAX: [675] 321-3423

Paraguay

chief of mission: Ambassador John F. KEANE

embassy: 1776 Avenida Mariscal Lopez, Casilla Postal 402, Asuncion

mailing address: Unit 4711, APO AA 34036-0001

telephone: [595] (21) 213-715

FAX: [595] (21) 213-728

Peru

chief of mission: Ambassador J. Curtis STRUBLE

embassy: Avenida La Encalada, Cuadra 17s/n, Surco, Lima 33

mailing address: P. O. Box 1995, Lima 1; American Embassy (Lima),

APO AA 34031-5000

telephone: [51] (1) 434-3000

FAX: [51] (1) 434-3037

Philippines

chief of mission: Charge d'Affaires Darryl N. JOHNSON

(Ambassador-designate Michael MICHALAK)

embassy: 1201 Roxas Boulevard, Manila

mailing address: PSC 500, FPO AP 96515-1000

telephone: [63] (2) 523-6300

FAX: [63] (2) 522-4361

Pitcairn Islands

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Poland

chief of mission: Ambassador Victor ASHE

embassy: Aleje Ujazdowskie 29/31 00-540 Warsaw

mailing address: American Embassy Warsaw, US Department of State,

5010 Warsaw Place, Washington, DC 20521-5010 (pouch)

telephone: [48] (22) 504-2000

FAX: [48] (22) 504-2688

consulate(s) general: Krakow

Portugal

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires

Adrienne S. O'NEAL

embassy: Avenida das Forcas Armadas, 1600-081 Lisbon

mailing address: Apartado 4258, 1507 Lisboa Codex; PSC 83, APO AE

09726

telephone: [351] (21) 727-3300

FAX: [351] (21) 726-9109

consulate(s): Ponta Delgada (Azores)

Puerto Rico

none (commonwealth associated with the US)

Qatar

chief of mission: Ambassador Chase UNTERMEYER

embassy: Al-Luqta District, 22 February Road, Doha

mailing address: P. O. Box 2399, Doha

telephone: [974] 488 4101

FAX: [974] 488 4298

Reunion

none (overseas department of France)

Romania

chief of mission: Ambassador Dr. Jack Dyer CROUCH II

embassy: Strada Tudor Arghezi 7-9, Bucharest

mailing address: American Embassy Bucharest, Department of State,

5260 Bucharest Place, Washington, DC 20521-5260 (pouch)

telephone: [40] (21) 210-4042

FAX: [40] (21) 210-0395

branch office(s): Cluj-Napoca

Russia

chief of mission: Ambassador Alexander VERSHBOW

embassy: Bolshoy Devyatinskiy Pereulok No. 8, 121099 Moscow

mailing address: PSC-77, APO AE 09721

telephone: [7] (095) 728-5000

FAX: [7] (095) 728-5090

consulate(s) general: Saint Petersburg, Vladivostok, Yekaterinburg

Rwanda

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires

Henderson PATRICK

embassy: 337 Boulevard de la Revolution, Kigali

mailing address: B. P. 28, Kigali

telephone: [250] 50 56 01 through 03

FAX: [250] 57 2128

Saint Helena

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Saint Kitts and Nevis

the US does not have an embassy in Saint Kitts

and Nevis; the US Ambassador to Barbados is accredited to Saint

Kitts and Nevis

Saint Lucia

the US does not have an embassy in Saint Lucia; the US

Ambassador to Barbados is accredited to Saint Lucia

Saint Pierre and Miquelon

none (territorial collectivity of France)

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

the US does not have an embassy in

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; the US Ambassador to Barbados is

accredited to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Samoa

chief of mission: US Ambassador to New Zealand is accredited

to Samoa

embassy: Accident Compensation Board (ACB) Building, 5th Floor, Apia

mailing address: P. O. Box 3430, Apia

telephone: [685] 21631/22696

FAX: [685] 22030

San Marino

the US does not have an embassy in San Marino; the US

Consul General in Florence (Italy) is accredited to San Marino

Sao Tome and Principe

the US does not have an embassy in Sao Tome

and Principe; the Ambassador to Gabon is accredited to Sao Tome and

Principe on a nonresident basis and makes periodic visits to the

islands

Saudi Arabia

chief of mission: Ambassador James Curtis OBERWETTER

embassy: Collector Road M, Diplomatic Quarter, Riyadh

mailing address: American Embassy Riyadh, Unit 61307, APO AE

09803-1307; International Mail: P. O. Box 94309, Riyadh 11693

telephone: [966] (1) 488-3800

FAX: [966] (1) 488-3989

consulate(s) general: Dhahran, Jiddah (Jeddah)

Senegal

chief of mission: Ambassador Richard Alan ROTH

embassy: Avenue Jean XXIII at the corner of Rue Kleber, Dakar

mailing address: B. P. 49, Dakar

telephone: [221] 823-4296

FAX: [221] 822-2991

Serbia and Montenegro chief of mission: Ambassador Michael C. POLT embassy: Kneza Milosa 50, 11000 Belgrade mailing address: 5070 Belgrade Place, Washington, DC 20521-5070 telephone: [381] (11) 361-9344 FAX: [381] (11) 361-8230 consulate(s): Podgorica note: there is a branch office in Pristina at 30 Nazim Hikmet 38000 Pristina, Kosovo; telephone: [381](38)549-516; FAX: [381](38)549-890

Seychelles

the US does not have an embassy in Seychelles; the

ambassador to Mauritius is accredited to the Seychelles

Sierra Leone

chief of mission: Ambassador Thomas N. HULL

embassy: Corner of Walpole and Siaka Stevens Streets, Freetown

mailing address: use embassy street address

telephone: [232] (22) 226481 through 226485

FAX: [232] (22) 225471

Singapore

chief of mission: Ambassador Franklin L. LAVIN

embassy: 27 Napier Road, Singapore 258508

mailing address: FPO AP 96507-0001

telephone: [65] 6476-9100

FAX: [65] 6476-9340

Slovakia

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires

Scott N. THAYER

embassy: Hviezdoslavovo Namestie 4, 81102 Bratislava

mailing address: P.O. Box 309, 814 99 Bratislava

telephone: [421] (2) 5443-3338

FAX: [421] (2) 5443-0096

Slovenia

chief of mission: Ambassador Thomas B. ROBERTSON

embassy: Presernova 31, 1000 Ljubljana

mailing address: American Embassy Ljubljana, Department of State,

7140 Ljubljana Place, Washington, DC 20521-7140

telephone: [386] (1) 200-5500

FAX: [386] (1) 200-5555

Solomon Islands

the US does not have an embassy in Solomon Islands

(embassy closed July 1993); the ambassador to Papua New Guinea is

accredited to the Solomon Islands

Somalia

the US does not have an embassy in Somalia; US interests are

represented by the US Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya at United Nations

Avenue, Gigira, Nairobi; mailing address: Unit 64100, Nairobi; APO

AE 09831; telephone: [254] (20) 363-6000; FAX [254] (20) 363-6157

South Africa

chief of mission: Ambassador Jendayi E. FRAZER

embassy: 877 Pretorius Street, Pretoria

mailing address: P. O. Box 9536, Pretoria 0001

telephone: [27] (12) 342-1048

FAX: [27] (12) 342-2244

consulate(s) general: Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg

South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands

none (overseas

territory of the UK, also claimed by Argentina)

Spain

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires J.

Robert MANZANARES

embassy: Serrano 75, 28006 Madrid

mailing address: PSC 61, APO AE 09642

telephone: [34] (91) 587-2200

FAX: [34] (91) 587-2303

consulate(s) general: Barcelona

Sri Lanka

chief of mission: Ambassador Jeffrey J. LUNSTEAD

embassy: 210 Galle Road, Colombo 3

mailing address: P. O. Box 106, Colombo

telephone: [94] (11) 244-8007

FAX: [94] (11) 243-7345

Sudan

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires

Gerard M. GALLUCCI

embassy: Sharia Abdul Latif Avenue, Khartoum

mailing address: P. O. Box 699, Khartoum; APO AE 09829

telephone: [249] (11) 774611 or 774700

FAX: [249] (11) 774137

note: US Consul in Cairo is providing backup service for Khartoum

Suriname

chief of mission: Ambassador Marsha E. BARNES

embassy: Dr. Sophie Redmondstraat 129, Paramaribo

mailing address: Department of State, 3390 Paramaribo Place,

Washington, DC, 20521-3390

telephone: [597] 472900

FAX: [597] 420800

Swaziland

chief of mission: Ambassador Lewis LUCKE

embassy: Central Bank Building, Warner Street, Mbabane

mailing address: P. O. Box 199, Mbabane

telephone: [268] 404-6441 through 404-6445

FAX: [268] 404-5959

Sweden

chief of mission: Ambassador M. Teel BIVINS

embassy: Dag Hammarskjolds VAG 31, SE-11589 Stockholm

mailing address: American Embassy Stockholm, Department of State,

5750 Stockholm Place, Washington, DC 20521-5750 (pouch)

telephone: [46] (08) 783 53 00

FAX: [46] (08) 661 19 64

Switzerland

chief of mission: Ambassador Pamela P. WILLEFORD

embassy: Jubilaumsstrasse 93, CH-3005 Bern

mailing address: use embassy street address

telephone: [41] (031) 357 70 11

FAX: [41] (031) 357 73 44

Syria

chief of mission: Ambassador Margaret SCOBEY

embassy: Abou Roumaneh, Al-Mansur Street, No. 2, Damascus

mailing address: P. O. Box 29, Damascus

telephone: [963] (11) 333-1342

FAX: [963] (11) 331-9678

Taiwan

none; unofficial commercial and cultural relations with the

people on Taiwan are maintained through an unofficial

instrumentality - the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) - which has

offices in the US and Taiwan; US office at 1700 N. Moore St., Suite

1700, Arlington, VA 22209-1996, telephone: [1] (703) 525-8474, FAX:

[1] (703) 841-1385); Taiwan offices at #7 Lane 134, Hsin Yi Road,

Section 3, Taipei, Taiwan, telephone: [886] (2) 2162-2000, FAX:

[886] (2) 2162-2251; #2 Chung Cheng 3rd Road, 5th Floor, Kao-hsiung,

Taiwan, telephone: [886] (7) 238-7744, FAX: [886] (7) 238-5237; and

the American Trade Center, Room 3208 International Trade Building,

Taipei World Trade Center, 333 Keelung Road Section 1, Taipei,

Taiwan 10548, telephone: [886] (2) 2720-1550, FAX: [886] (2)

2757-7162

Tajikistan

chief of mission: Ambassador Richard E. HOAGLAND

embassy: 10 Pavlova Street, Dushanbe, Tajikistan 734003; note - the

embassy in Dushanbe is not yet fully operational; most business is

still handled in Almaty at: 531 Sayfullin Street, Almaty,

Kazakhstan, telephone 7-3272-58-79-61, FAX 7-3272-58-79-68

mailing address: use embassy street address

telephone: [992] (372) 21-03-48, 21-03-52, 24-15-60

FAX: [992] (372) 21-03-62, 51-00-28

Tanzania

chief of mission: Ambassador Robert V. ROYALL

embassy: 140 Msese Road, Kinondoni District, Dar es Salaam

mailing address: P. O. Box 9123, Dar es Salaam

telephone: [255] (22) 2666-010 through 2666-015

FAX: [255] (22) 2666-701, 2668-501

Thailand

chief of mission: Ambassador Ralph L. BOYCE

embassy: 120/22 Wireless Road, Bangkok

mailing address: APO AP 96546

telephone: [66] (2) 205-4000

FAX: [66] (2) 254-2990, 205-4131

consulate(s) general: Chiang Mai

Togo

chief of mission: Ambassador Gregory ENGLE

embassy: Angle Rue Kouenou and Rue 15 Beniglato, Lome

mailing address: B. P. 852, Lome

telephone: [228] 221 29 91 through 221 29 94

FAX: [228] 221 79 52

Tokelau

none (territory of New Zealand)

Tonga

the US does not have an embassy in Tonga; the ambassador to

Fiji is accredited to Tonga

Trinidad and Tobago

chief of mission: Ambassador Roy L. AUSTIN

embassy: 15 Queen's Park West, Port-of-Spain

mailing address: P. O. Box 752, Port-of-Spain

telephone: [1] (868) 622-6372 through 6376, 622-6176

FAX: [1] (868) 628-5462

Tunisia

chief of mission: Ambassador William J. HUDSON

embassy: Zone Nord-Est des Berges du Lac Nord de Tunis, 2045 La

Goulette, Tunisia

mailing address: use embassy street address

telephone: [216] 71 107-000

FAX: [216] 71 962-115

Turkey

chief of mission: Ambassador Eric S. EDELMAN

embassy: 110 Ataturk Boulevard, Kavaklidere, 06100 Ankara

mailing address: PSC 93, Box 5000, APO AE 09823

telephone: [90] (312) 455-5555

FAX: [90] (312) 467-0019

consulate(s) general: Istanbul

consulate(s): Adana; note - there is a Consular Agent in Izmir

Turkmenistan

chief of mission: Ambassador Tracey A. JACOBSON

embassy: 9 Pushkin (1984) Street, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan 774000

mailing address: 7070 Ashgabat Place, Washington, D.C. 20521-7070

telephone: [9] (9312) 35-00-45

FAX: [9] (9312) 39-26-14

Turks and Caicos Islands

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Tuvalu

the US does not have an embassy in Tuvalu; the US ambassador

to Fiji is accredited to Tuvalu

Uganda

chief of mission: Ambassador Jimmy KOLKER

embassy: 1577 Ggaba Rd., Kampala

mailing address: P. O. Box 7007, Kampala

telephone: [256] (41) 234-142

FAX: [256] (41) 258-451

Ukraine

chief of mission: Ambassador John E. HERBST

embassy: 10 Yuriia Kotsiubynskoho Street, 04053 Kiev

mailing address: 5850 Kiev Place, Washington, DC 20521-5850

telephone: [380] (44) 490-4000

FAX: [380] (44) 490-4085

United Arab Emirates

chief of mission: Ambassador Michele SISON

embassy: Embassies District, Plot 38 Sector W59-02, Street No. 4,

Abu Dhabi

mailing address: P. O. Box 4009, Abu Dhabi

telephone: [971] (2) 414-2200

FAX: [971] (2) 414-2469

consulate(s) general: Dubai

United Kingdom

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge

d'Affaires David T. JOHNSON

embassy: 24/31 Grosvenor Square, London, W1A 1AE

mailing address: PSC 801, Box 40, FPO AE 09498-4040

telephone: [44] (0) 20 7499-9000

FAX: [44] (0) 20 7629-9124

consulate(s) general: Belfast, Edinburgh

Uruguay

chief of mission: Ambassador Martin J. SILVERSTEIN

embassy: Lauro Muller 1776, Montevideo 11200

mailing address: APO AA 34035

telephone: [598] (2) 418-7777

FAX: [598] (2) 418-8611

Uzbekistan

chief of mission: Ambassador Jon PURNELL

embassy: 82 Chilanzarskaya, Tashkent 700115

mailing address: use embassy street address

telephone: [998] (71) 120-5450

FAX: [998] (71) 120-6335

Vanuatu

the US does not have an embassy in Vanuatu; the ambassador

to Papua New Guinea is accredited to Vanuatu

Venezuela

chief of mission: Ambassador William R. BROWNFIELD

embassy: Calle F con Calle Suapure, Urbanizacion Colinas de Valle

Arriba, Caracas 1080

mailing address: P. O. Box 62291, Caracas 1060-A; APO AA 34037

telephone: [58] (212) 975-9234, 975-6411

FAX: [58] (212) 975-8991

Vietnam

chief of mission: Ambassador Michael W. MARINE

embassy: 7 Lang Ha Road, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi

mailing address: PSC 461, Box 400, FPO AP 96521-0002

telephone: [84] (4) 772-1500

FAX: [84] (4) 772-1510

consulate(s) general: Ho Chi Minh City

Virgin Islands

none (territory of the US)

Wallis and Futuna

none (overseas territory of France)

Western Sahara

none

Yemen

chief of mission: Ambassador Thomas C. KRAJESKI

embassy: Saawan Street, Sanaa

mailing address: P. O. Box 22347, Sanaa

telephone: [967] (1) 303-151 through 159

FAX: [967] (1) 303-160/161/162/164/165

Zambia

chief of mission: Ambassador Martin George BRENNAN

embassy: corner of Independence and United Nations Avenues

mailing address: P. O. Box 31617, Lusaka

telephone: [260] (1) 250-955

FAX: [260] (1) 252-225

Zimbabwe

chief of mission: Ambassador Joseph G. SULLIVAN

embassy: 172 Herbert Chitepo Avenue, Harare

mailing address: P. O. Box 3340, Harare

telephone: [263] (4) 250-593 and 250-594

FAX: [263] (4) 796488

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2008 Transportation - note

Arctic Ocean

sparse network of air, ocean, river, and land routes;

the Northwest Passage (North America) and Northern Sea Route

(Eurasia) are important seasonal waterways

Atlantic Ocean

Kiel Canal and Saint Lawrence Seaway are two

important waterways; significant domestic commercial and

recreational use of Intracoastal Waterway on central and south

Atlantic seaboard and Gulf of Mexico coast of US

Baker Island

there is a day beacon near the middle of the west coast

Georgia

transportation network is in poor condition resulting from

ethnic conflict, criminal activities, and fuel shortages; network

lacks maintenance and repair

Howland Island

Earhart Light is a day beacon near the middle of the

west coast that was partially destroyed during World War II, but has

since been rebuilt; named in memory of famed aviatrix Amelia EARHART

Jarvis Island

there is a day beacon near the middle of the west coast

Midway Islands

airfield serves as an emergency landing site for

commercial aircraft crossing the Pacific Ocean

Pacific Ocean

Inside Passage offers protected waters from southeast

Alaska to Puget Sound (Washington state)

Southern Ocean

Drake Passage offers alternative to transit through

the Panama Canal

Wake Island

formerly an important commercial aviation base, now used

by US military, some commercial cargo planes, and for emergency

landings

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2010 Age structure (%)

Afghanistan

0-14 years: 44.7% (male 6,842,857/female 6,524,485)

15-64 years: 52.9% (male 8,124,077/female 7,713,603)

65 years and over: 2.4% (male 353,193/female 370,772) (2005 est.)

Albania

0-14 years: 25.6% (male 476,989/female 434,298)

15-64 years: 65.8% (male 1,199,964/female 1,144,886)

65 years and over: 8.6% (male 141,559/female 165,416) (2005 est.)

Algeria

0-14 years: 29% (male 4,811,086/female 4,626,271)

15-64 years: 66.3% (male 10,861,862/female 10,701,459)

65 years and over: 4.7% (male 719,460/female 811,715) (2005 est.)

American Samoa

0-14 years: 35.7% (male 10,705/female 9,956)

15-64 years: 61.3% (male 18,351/female 17,125)

65 years and over: 3% (male 664/female 1,080) (2005 est.)

Andorra

0-14 years: 14.8% (male 5,471/female 4,995)

15-64 years: 71.5% (male 26,463/female 23,977)

65 years and over: 13.7% (male 4,780/female 4,863) (2005 est.)

Angola

0-14 years: 43.4% (male 2,454,209/female 2,407,083)

15-64 years: 53.7% (male 3,059,339/female 2,955,060)

65 years and over: 2.8% (male 139,961/female 175,134) (2005 est.)

Anguilla

0-14 years: 23.2% (male 1,561/female 1,517)

15-64 years: 69.9% (male 4,767/female 4,501)

65 years and over: 6.9% (male 405/female 503) (2005 est.)

Antigua and Barbuda

0-14 years: 27.9% (male 9,767/female 9,427)

15-64 years: 68% (male 23,466/female 23,250)

65 years and over: 4.1% (male 1,085/female 1,727) (2005 est.)

Argentina

0-14 years: 25.6% (male 5,170,721/female 4,938,171)

15-64 years: 63.9% (male 12,626,711/female 12,627,026)

65 years and over: 10.6% (male 1,712,117/female 2,463,197) (2005

est.)

Armenia

0-14 years: 21.6% (male 339,453/female 305,214)

15-64 years: 67.5% (male 938,734/female 1,074,240)

65 years and over: 10.9% (male 131,519/female 193,744) (2005 est.)

Aruba

0-14 years: 19.9% (male 7,308/female 6,960)

15-64 years: 68.2% (male 23,736/female 25,068)

65 years and over: 11.9% (male 3,486/female 5,008) (2005 est.)

Australia

0-14 years: 19.8% (male 2,038,809/female 1,943,563)

15-64 years: 67.2% (male 6,815,600/female 6,695,189)

65 years and over: 12.9% (male 1,145,274/female 1,452,002) (2005

est.)

Austria

0-14 years: 15.6% (male 656,058/female 624,574)

15-64 years: 67.8% (male 2,790,673/female 2,756,612)

65 years and over: 16.6% (male 543,626/female 813,148) (2005 est.)

Azerbaijan

0-14 years: 26.4% (male 1,063,731/female 1,028,684)

15-64 years: 65.7% (male 2,533,762/female 2,665,381)

65 years and over: 7.8% (male 245,758/female 374,658) (2005 est.)

Bahamas, The

0-14 years: 27.9% (male 42,142/female 42,096)

15-64 years: 65.9% (male 97,865/female 101,047)

65 years and over: 6.2% (male 7,616/female 11,024) (2005 est.)

Bahrain

0-14 years: 27.8% (male 96,807/female 94,863)

15-64 years: 68.7% (male 275,792/female 197,424)

65 years and over: 3.4% (male 12,078/female 11,381) (2005 est.)

Bangladesh

0-14 years: 33.1% (male 24,590,207/female 23,162,420)

15-64 years: 63.5% (male 46,764,824/female 44,868,733)

65 years and over: 3.4% (male 2,650,683/female 2,282,761) (2005 est.)

Barbados

0-14 years: 20.6% (male 28,813/female 28,634)

15-64 years: 70.6% (male 96,590/female 100,622)

65 years and over: 8.8% (male 9,432/female 15,163) (2005 est.)

Belarus

0-14 years: 16% (male 839,292/female 804,738)

15-64 years: 69.5% (male 3,481,432/female 3,672,991)

65 years and over: 14.6% (male 498,717/female 1,003,313) (2005 est.)

Belgium

0-14 years: 16.9% (male 892,995/female 855,177)

15-64 years: 65.7% (male 3,435,282/female 3,373,917)

65 years and over: 17.4% (male 745,178/female 1,061,839) (2005 est.)

Belize

0-14 years: 40.1% (male 57,114/female 54,877)

15-64 years: 56.4% (male 79,694/female 77,881)

65 years and over: 3.5% (male 4,768/female 5,123) (2005 est.)

Benin

0-14 years: 46.5% (male 1,752,243/female 1,719,458)

15-64 years: 51.2% (male 1,868,630/female 1,948,610)

65 years and over: 2.3% (male 70,367/female 100,717) (2005 est.)

Bermuda

0-14 years: 18.9% (male 6,177/female 6,154)

15-64 years: 69.2% (male 22,422/female 22,828)

65 years and over: 11.9% (male 3,378/female 4,406) (2005 est.)

Bhutan

0-14 years: 39.1% (male 452,213/female 420,675)

15-64 years: 56.9% (male 654,109/female 615,431)

65 years and over: 4% (male 45,281/female 44,582) (2005 est.)

Bolivia

0-14 years: 35.7% (male 1,613,049/female 1,551,023)

15-64 years: 59.8% (male 2,591,328/female 2,701,892)

65 years and over: 4.5% (male 178,486/female 222,092) (2005 est.)

Bosnia and Herzegovina

0-14 years: 18.3% (male 378,784/female

358,784)

15-64 years: 70.7% (male 1,458,405/female 1,388,793)

65 years and over: 10.9% (male 188,741/female 251,969) (2005 est.)

Botswana

0-14 years: 38.8% (male 322,916/female 312,735)

15-64 years: 57.5% (male 455,183/female 487,236)

65 years and over: 3.8% (male 23,914/female 38,131) (2005 est.)

Brazil

0-14 years: 26.1% (male 24,789,495/female 23,842,715)

15-64 years: 67.9% (male 62,669,392/female 63,719,631)

65 years and over: 6% (male 4,549,552/female 6,542,009) (2005 est.)

British Virgin Islands

0-14 years: 21% (male 2,400/female 2,358)

15-64 years: 73.9% (male 8,607/female 8,115)

65 years and over: 5.1% (male 614/female 549) (2005 est.)

Brunei

0-14 years: 28.6% (male 54,342/female 52,084)

15-64 years: 68.4% (male 134,908/female 119,814)

65 years and over: 3% (male 5,301/female 5,912) (2005 est.)

Bulgaria

0-14 years: 14.1% (male 539,005/female 512,762)

15-64 years: 68.7% (male 2,516,368/female 2,599,524)

65 years and over: 17.2% (male 531,008/female 751,682) (2005 est.)

Burkina Faso

0-14 years: 46% (male 3,213,436/female 3,193,253)

15-64 years: 51.2% (male 3,487,201/female 3,635,673)

65 years and over: 2.8% (male 164,418/female 231,332) (2005 est.)

Burma

0-14 years: 27.2% (male 5,967,487/female 5,717,795)

15-64 years: 67.8% (male 14,448,887/female 14,641,419)

65 years and over: 5% (male 939,092/female 1,194,784) (2005 est.)

Burundi

0-14 years: 46% (male 1,479,941/female 1,450,808)

15-64 years: 51.3% (male 1,617,864/female 1,653,331)

65 years and over: 2.6% (male 66,199/female 102,466) (2005 est.)

Cambodia

0-14 years: 37.3% (male 2,559,734/female 2,510,235)

15-64 years: 59.7% (male 3,887,642/female 4,232,313)

65 years and over: 3.1% (male 150,862/female 266,283) (2005 est.)

Cameroon

0-14 years: 41.7% (male 3,457,180/female 3,375,668)

15-64 years: 55% (male 4,537,281/female 4,477,163)

65 years and over: 3.3% (male 239,634/female 293,079) (2005 est.)

Canada

0-14 years: 17.9% (male 3,016,032/female 2,869,244)

15-64 years: 68.9% (male 11,357,425/female 11,244,356)

65 years and over: 13.2% (male 1,842,496/female 2,475,488) (2005

est.)

Cape Verde

0-14 years: 39% (male 82,249/female 80,752)

15-64 years: 54.3% (male 110,119/female 116,816)

65 years and over: 6.8% (male 10,599/female 17,689) (2005 est.)

Cayman Islands

0-14 years: 21.1% (male 4,658/female 4,662)

15-64 years: 70.8% (male 15,284/female 16,050)

65 years and over: 8.2% (male 1,699/female 1,917) (2005 est.)

Central African Republic

0-14 years: 42.5% (male 813,596/female

802,728)

15-64 years: 54% (male 1,010,696/female 1,041,903)

65 years and over: 3.4% (male 54,345/female 76,629) (2005 est.)

Chad

0-14 years: 47.9% (male 2,365,277/female 2,337,388)

15-64 years: 49.4% (male 2,323,110/female 2,528,086)

65 years and over: 2.8% (male 109,535/female 163,023) (2005 est.)

Chile

0-14 years: 25.2% (male 2,062,735/female 1,970,913)

15-64 years: 66.7% (male 5,320,870/female 5,342,771)

65 years and over: 8% (male 534,737/female 748,886) (2005 est.)

China

0-14 years: 21.4% (male 148,134,928/female 131,045,415)

15-64 years: 71% (male 477,182,072/female 450,664,933)

65 years and over: 7.6% (male 47,400,282/female 51,886,182) (2005

est.)

Christmas Island

0-14 years: NA

15-64 years: NA

65 years and over: NA

Cocos (Keeling) Islands

0-14 years: NA

15-64 years: NA

65 years and over: NA

Colombia

0-14 years: 30.7% (male 6,670,950/female 6,516,371)

15-64 years: 64.2% (male 13,424,433/female 14,142,825)

65 years and over: 5.1% (male 968,127/female 1,231,573) (2005 est.)

Comoros

0-14 years: 42.8% (male 144,075/female 143,175)

15-64 years: 54.2% (male 179,541/female 184,488)

65 years and over: 3% (male 9,407/female 10,561) (2005 est.)

Congo, Democratic Republic of the

0-14 years: 48.1% (male

14,513,779/female 14,396,952)

15-64 years: 49.4% (male 14,579,101/female 15,121,297)

65 years and over: 2.5% (male 597,776/female 876,099) (2005 est.)

Congo, Republic of the

0-14 years: 37.3% (male 571,011/female

563,414)

15-64 years: 59% (male 886,297/female 907,348)

65 years and over: 3.7% (male 45,799/female 65,257) (2005 est.)

Cook Islands

0-14 years: NA

15-64 years: NA

65 years and over: NA

Costa Rica

0-14 years: 28.9% (male 593,540/female 566,361)

15-64 years: 65.5% (male 1,330,481/female 1,300,664)

65 years and over: 5.6% (male 104,564/female 120,563) (2005 est.)

Cote d'Ivoire

0-14 years: 41% (male 3,490,536/female 3,596,208)

15-64 years: 56.3% (male 4,920,726/female 4,820,326)

65 years and over: 2.7% (male 231,514/female 238,730) (2005 est.)

Croatia

0-14 years: 16.4% (male 378,615/female 359,231)

15-64 years: 67% (male 1,497,355/female 1,514,993)

65 years and over: 16.6% (male 283,460/female 462,250) (2005 est.)

Cuba

0-14 years: 19.6% (male 1,139,644/female 1,079,412)

15-64 years: 70.1% (male 3,977,110/female 3,975,818)

65 years and over: 10.4% (male 540,720/female 633,966) (2005 est.)

Cyprus

0-14 years: 20.9% (male 83,256/female 79,701)

15-64 years: 67.7% (male 267,446/female 260,846)

65 years and over: 11.4% (male 38,766/female 50,118) (2005 est.)

Czech Republic

0-14 years: 14.7% (male 773,028/female 731,833)

15-64 years: 71.1% (male 3,651,018/female 3,627,006)

65 years and over: 14.2% (male 565,374/female 892,879) (2005 est.)

Denmark

0-14 years: 18.8% (male 524,250/female 497,683)

15-64 years: 66.1% (male 1,811,787/female 1,780,907)

65 years and over: 15.1% (male 349,458/female 468,250) (2005 est.)

Djibouti

0-14 years: 43.3% (male 103,516/female 102,860)

15-64 years: 53.5% (male 133,168/female 121,823)

65 years and over: 3.2% (male 7,748/female 7,588) (2005 est.)

Dominica

0-14 years: 26.7% (male 9,328/female 9,125)

15-64 years: 65.4% (male 23,225/female 21,900)

65 years and over: 7.9% (male 2,193/female 3,258) (2005 est.)

Dominican Republic

0-14 years: 32.9% (male 1,505,964/female

1,438,809)

15-64 years: 61.7% (male 2,815,544/female 2,703,012)

65 years and over: 5.4% (male 226,372/female 260,333) (2005 est.)

East Timor

0-14 years: 37.1% (male 196,108/female 189,753)

15-64 years: 59.9% (male 318,173/female 305,479)

65 years and over: 3% (male 15,353/female 16,014) (2005 est.)

Ecuador

0-14 years: 33.5% (male 2,282,252/female 2,195,942)

15-64 years: 61.5% (male 4,094,146/female 4,130,096)

65 years and over: 4.9% (male 310,336/female 350,821) (2005 est.)

Egypt

0-14 years: 33% (male 13,106,043/female 12,483,899)

15-64 years: 62.6% (male 24,531,266/female 23,972,216)

65 years and over: 4.4% (male 1,457,097/female 1,955,235) (2005 est.)

El Salvador

0-14 years: 36.5% (male 1,250,901/female 1,198,589)

15-64 years: 58.3% (male 1,860,084/female 2,051,140)

65 years and over: 5.1% (male 153,133/female 191,085) (2005 est.)

Equatorial Guinea

0-14 years: 41.7% (male 112,326/female 111,244)

15-64 years: 54.5% (male 140,568/female 151,500)

65 years and over: 3.8% (male 8,900/female 11,343) (2005 est.)

Eritrea

0-14 years: 44.8% (male 1,023,898/female 1,019,389)

15-64 years: 51.9% (male 1,170,823/female 1,194,741)

65 years and over: 3.3% (male 74,312/female 78,436) (2005 est.)

Estonia

0-14 years: 15.5% (male 106,300/female 100,446)

15-64 years: 67.7% (male 429,843/female 472,034)

65 years and over: 16.8% (male 74,037/female 150,233) (2005 est.)

Ethiopia

0-14 years: 43.9% (male 16,082,504/female 15,999,602)

15-64 years: 53.4% (male 19,452,737/female 19,525,746)

65 years and over: 2.7% (male 905,648/female 1,087,049) (2005 est.)

European Union

0-14 years: 16.03% (male 37,608,010/female 35,632,351)

15-64 years: 67.17% (male 154,439,536/female 152,479,619)

65 years and over: 16.81% (male 31,515,921/female 45,277,821) (2005

est.)

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

0-14 years: NA

15-64 years: NA

65 years and over: NA (2005 est.)

Faroe Islands

0-14 years: 21.3% (male 4,997/female 4,999)

15-64 years: 64.9% (male 16,120/female 14,360)

65 years and over: 13.8% (male 2,923/female 3,563) (2005 est.)

Fiji

0-14 years: 31.4% (male 143,066/female 137,346)

15-64 years: 64.5% (male 288,434/female 287,720)

65 years and over: 4.1% (male 16,797/female 19,991) (2005 est.)

Finland

0-14 years: 17.3% (male 460,977/female 443,859)

15-64 years: 66.8% (male 1,764,874/female 1,723,385)

65 years and over: 15.9% (male 328,952/female 501,395) (2005 est.)

France

0-14 years: 18.4% (male 5,717,761/female 5,440,060)

15-64 years: 65.2% (male 19,784,749/female 19,752,432)

65 years and over: 16.4% (male 4,084,193/female 5,876,983) (2005

est.)

French Guiana

0-14 years: 29.3% (male 29,262/female 27,947)

15-64 years: 64.7% (male 67,895/female 58,534)

65 years and over: 6.1% (male 6,038/female 5,830) (2005 est.)

French Polynesia

0-14 years: 26.7% (male 36,947/female 35,403)

15-64 years: 67.4% (male 94,710/female 87,546)

65 years and over: 5.9% (male 8,018/female 7,861) (2005 est.)

Gabon

0-14 years: 42.1% (male 293,668/female 291,816)

15-64 years: 53.8% (male 372,134/female 374,850)

65 years and over: 4.1% (male 23,551/female 33,182) (2005 est.)

Gambia, The

0-14 years: 44.5% (male 356,079/female 352,894)

15-64 years: 52.8% (male 416,809/female 424,429)

65 years and over: 2.7% (male 22,111/female 20,934) (2005 est.)

Gaza Strip

0-14 years: 48.5% (male 342,186/female 325,899)

15-64 years: 48.8% (male 342,927/female 329,354)

65 years and over: 2.6% (male 15,036/female 20,887) (2005 est.)

Georgia

0-14 years: 18% (male 444,779/female 398,162)

15-64 years: 65.9% (male 1,480,557/female 1,603,743)

65 years and over: 16% (male 300,859/female 449,301) (2005 est.)

Germany

0-14 years: 14.4% (male 6,078,885/female 5,766,065)

15-64 years: 66.7% (male 28,006,268/female 27,003,958)

65 years and over: 18.9% (male 6,359,776/female 9,216,438) (2005

est.)

Ghana

0-14 years: 37.1% (male 3,946,326/female 3,862,390)

15-64 years: 59.1% (male 6,203,035/female 6,235,107)

65 years and over: 3.7% (male 366,472/female 416,523) (2005 est.)

Gibraltar

0-14 years: 17.8% (male 2,529/female 2,426)

15-64 years: 66% (male 9,442/female 8,970)

65 years and over: 16.2% (male 2,008/female 2,509) (2005 est.)

Greece

0-14 years: 14.4% (male 791,227/female 744,178)

15-64 years: 66.8% (male 3,561,689/female 3,564,675)

65 years and over: 18.8% (male 884,497/female 1,122,088) (2005 est.)

Greenland

0-14 years: 25% (male 7,216/female 6,888)

15-64 years: 68.7% (male 20,897/female 17,823)

65 years and over: 6.3% (male 1,672/female 1,879) (2005 est.)

Grenada

0-14 years: 33.9% (male 15,329/female 14,997)

15-64 years: 62.7% (male 29,711/female 26,436)

65 years and over: 3.4% (male 1,431/female 1,598) (2005 est.)

Guadeloupe

0-14 years: 24% (male 55,072/female 52,677)

15-64 years: 66.9% (male 148,880/female 151,238)

65 years and over: 9.1% (male 17,032/female 23,814) (2005 est.)

Guam

0-14 years: 29.4% (male 25,645/female 23,887)

15-64 years: 64.1% (male 55,115/female 52,935)

65 years and over: 6.5% (male 5,157/female 5,825) (2005 est.)

Guatemala

0-14 years: 42.4% (male 3,185,037/female 3,033,947)

15-64 years: 54.2% (male 4,019,052/female 3,928,984)

65 years and over: 3.3% (male 226,745/female 261,424) (2005 est.)

Guernsey

0-14 years: 15.4% (male 5,084/female 4,937)

15-64 years: 66.9% (male 21,611/female 22,002)

65 years and over: 17.8% (male 4,882/female 6,712) (2005 est.)

Guinea

0-14 years: 44.4% (male 2,123,207/female 2,079,475)

15-64 years: 52.4% (male 2,478,820/female 2,486,300)

65 years and over: 3.2% (male 131,130/female 168,934) (2005 est.)

Guinea-Bissau

0-14 years: 41.5% (male 293,280/female 294,483)

15-64 years: 55.5% (male 376,719/female 409,402)

65 years and over: 3% (male 17,865/female 24,278) (2005 est.)

Guyana

0-14 years: 26.4% (male 103,054/female 99,279)

15-64 years: 68.5% (male 263,953/female 260,000)

65 years and over: 5.1% (male 16,801/female 22,196) (2005 est.)

Haiti

0-14 years: 42.6% (male 1,741,622/female 1,721,436)

15-64 years: 53.9% (male 2,137,225/female 2,242,639)

65 years and over: 3.4% (male 124,383/female 154,317) (2005 est.)

Honduras

0-14 years: 40.8% (male 1,452,646/female 1,393,271)

15-64 years: 55.5% (male 1,921,432/female 1,948,656)

65 years and over: 3.7% (male 122,146/female 137,053) (2005 est.)

Hong Kong

0-14 years: 13.8% (male 498,771/female 454,252)

15-64 years: 73.5% (male 2,479,656/female 2,591,170)

65 years and over: 12.7% (male 404,308/female 470,529) (2005 est.)

Hungary

0-14 years: 15.8% (male 813,203/female 769,687)

15-64 years: 69.1% (male 3,405,559/female 3,511,141)

65 years and over: 15.1% (male 547,323/female 959,922) (2005 est.)

Iceland

0-14 years: 22.1% (male 33,302/female 32,257)

15-64 years: 66.2% (male 99,513/female 96,886)

65 years and over: 11.7% (male 15,723/female 19,056) (2005 est.)

India

0-14 years: 31.2% (male 173,634,432/female 163,932,475)

15-64 years: 63.9% (male 356,932,082/female 333,283,590)

65 years and over: 4.9% (male 26,542,025/female 25,939,784) (2005

est.)

Indonesia

0-14 years: 29.1% (male 35,823,456/female 34,590,631)

15-64 years: 65.7% (male 79,447,560/female 79,449,399)

65 years and over: 5.2% (male 5,526,389/female 7,136,444) (2005 est.)

Iran

0-14 years: 27.1% (male 9,465,475/female 8,973,828)

15-64 years: 68% (male 23,556,970/female 22,701,065)

65 years and over: 4.9% (male 1,637,512/female 1,683,010) (2005 est.)

Iraq

0-14 years: 40% (male 5,293,709/female 5,130,826)

15-64 years: 57% (male 7,530,619/female 7,338,109)

65 years and over: 3% (male 367,832/female 413,811) (2005 est.)

Ireland

0-14 years: 20.9% (male 434,225/female 406,730)

15-64 years: 67.5% (male 1,358,086/female 1,354,148)

65 years and over: 11.5% (male 203,614/female 258,873) (2005 est.)

Israel

0-14 years: 26.5% (male 851,415/female 812,095)

15-64 years: 63.7% (male 2,010,888/female 1,986,256)

65 years and over: 9.8% (male 264,708/female 351,521) (2005 est.)

Italy

0-14 years: 13.9% (male 4,166,213/female 3,919,288)

15-64 years: 66.7% (male 19,554,416/female 19,174,629)

65 years and over: 19.4% (male 4,698,441/female 6,590,046) (2005

est.)

Jamaica

0-14 years: 27.5% (male 385,099/female 367,398)

15-64 years: 65.6% (male 897,953/female 893,509)

65 years and over: 6.9% (male 83,632/female 104,241) (2005 est.)

Japan

0-14 years: 14.3% (male 9,328,584/female 8,866,772)

15-64 years: 66.2% (male 42,462,533/female 41,942,835)

65 years and over: 19.5% (male 10,435,284/female 14,381,236) (2005

est.)

Jersey

0-14 years: 17.5% (male 8,222/female 7,658)

15-64 years: 67% (male 30,296/female 30,561)

65 years and over: 15.5% (male 6,176/female 7,899) (2005 est.)

Jordan

0-14 years: 34.5% (male 1,015,084/female 973,220)

15-64 years: 61.7% (male 1,897,643/female 1,656,570)

65 years and over: 3.8% (male 106,168/female 111,047) (2005 est.)

Kazakhstan

0-14 years: 23.7% (male 1,834,535/female 1,758,988)

15-64 years: 68.4% (male 5,075,243/female 5,312,536)

65 years and over: 7.9% (male 424,341/female 780,201) (2005 est.)

Kenya

0-14 years: 42.5% (male 7,252,075/female 7,124,034)

15-64 years: 55.2% (male 9,378,428/female 9,295,471)

65 years and over: 2.3% (male 356,116/female 423,466) (2005 est.)

Kiribati

0-14 years: 38.9% (male 20,342/female 19,806)

15-64 years: 57.7% (male 29,362/female 30,136)

65 years and over: 3.3% (male 1,477/female 1,969) (2005 est.)

Korea, North

0-14 years: 24.2% (male 2,816,844/female 2,735,478)

15-64 years: 67.9% (male 7,668,581/female 7,883,267)

65 years and over: 7.9% (male 625,819/female 1,182,188) (2005 est.)

Korea, South

0-14 years: 19.4% (male 4,952,177/female 4,450,821)

15-64 years: 72% (male 17,715,267/female 17,147,808)

65 years and over: 8.6% (male 1,670,971/female 2,485,600) (2005 est.)

Kuwait

0-14 years: 27.2% (male 323,382/female 311,700)

15-64 years: 70.1% (male 1,045,589/female 591,243)

65 years and over: 2.7% (male 40,439/female 23,295) (2005 est.)

Kyrgyzstan

0-14 years: 31.6% (male 827,751/female 796,029)

15-64 years: 62.3% (male 1,571,476/female 1,632,506)

65 years and over: 6.2% (male 123,992/female 194,527) (2005 est.)

Laos

0-14 years: 41.6% (male 1,300,094/female 1,289,227)

15-64 years: 55.2% (male 1,693,494/female 1,737,196)

65 years and over: 3.2% (male 88,744/female 108,386) (2005 est.)

Latvia

0-14 years: 14.4% (male 169,284/female 161,648)

15-64 years: 69.4% (male 770,839/female 819,309)

65 years and over: 16.1% (male 120,306/female 248,851) (2005 est.)

Lebanon

0-14 years: 26.7% (male 520,270/female 499,609)

15-64 years: 66.4% (male 1,216,738/female 1,324,031)

65 years and over: 6.9% (male 120,176/female 145,194) (2005 est.)

Lesotho

0-14 years: 36.9% (male 346,930/female 342,459)

15-64 years: 57.6% (male 526,642/female 548,096)

65 years and over: 5.5% (male 42,003/female 60,905) (2005 est.)

Liberia

0-14 years: 43.6% (male 765,662/female 751,134)

15-64 years: 52.8% (male 896,206/female 940,985)

65 years and over: 3.7% (male 64,547/female 63,677) (2005 est.)

Libya

0-14 years: 33.9% (male 997,364/female 955,272)

15-64 years: 62% (male 1,842,775/female 1,729,235)

65 years and over: 4.2% (male 117,967/female 122,950) (2005 est.)

Liechtenstein

0-14 years: 17.6% (male 2,938/female 3,009)

15-64 years: 70.4% (male 11,795/female 11,927)

65 years and over: 12% (male 1,685/female 2,363) (2005 est.)

Lithuania

0-14 years: 16.1% (male 297,271/female 282,269)

15-64 years: 68.7% (male 1,206,731/female 1,264,359)

65 years and over: 15.2% (male 186,979/female 359,008) (2005 est.)

Luxembourg

0-14 years: 18.9% (male 45,768/female 42,980)

15-64 years: 66.5% (male 157,453/female 153,927)

65 years and over: 14.6% (male 27,573/female 40,870) (2005 est.)

Macau

0-14 years: 17% (male 39,564/female 36,947)

15-64 years: 75.1% (male 160,957/female 176,386)

65 years and over: 7.9% (male 14,713/female 20,631) (2005 est.)

Macedonia

0-14 years: 20.5% (male 217,057/female 202,465)

15-64 years: 68.7% (male 707,489/female 697,150)

65 years and over: 10.8% (male 97,117/female 123,984) (2005 est.)

Madagascar

0-14 years: 44.8% (male 4,051,832/female 4,038,837)

15-64 years: 52.1% (male 4,657,346/female 4,745,971)

65 years and over: 3% (male 247,146/female 299,209) (2005 est.)

Malawi

0-14 years: 46.9% (male 2,877,568/female 2,823,296)

15-64 years: 50.4% (male 3,041,352/female 3,081,762)

65 years and over: 2.8% (male 132,175/female 202,771) (2005 est.)

Malaysia

0-14 years: 33% (male 4,067,006/female 3,837,758)

15-64 years: 62.4% (male 7,488,367/female 7,447,047)

65 years and over: 4.6% (male 490,334/female 622,624) (2005 est.)

Maldives

0-14 years: 43.9% (male 78,794/female 74,505)

15-64 years: 53% (male 94,488/female 90,624)

65 years and over: 3.1% (male 5,339/female 5,356) (2005 est.)

Mali

0-14 years: 47.1% (male 2,910,944/female 2,876,010)

15-64 years: 50% (male 2,955,496/female 3,185,666)

65 years and over: 3% (male 165,867/female 197,546) (2005 est.)

Malta

0-14 years: 17.6% (male 36,056/female 34,097)

15-64 years: 68.8% (male 138,537/female 135,666)

65 years and over: 13.6% (male 23,184/female 30,994) (2005 est.)

Man, Isle of

0-14 years: 17.4% (male 6,681/female 6,365)

15-64 years: 65.5% (male 24,693/female 24,482)

65 years and over: 17.1% (male 5,163/female 7,665) (2005 est.)

Marshall Islands

0-14 years: 38.2% (male 11,488/female 11,071)

15-64 years: 59.1% (male 17,887/female 17,023)

65 years and over: 2.7% (male 771/female 831) (2005 est.)

Martinique

0-14 years: 22.4% (male 49,112/female 47,697)

15-64 years: 67.2% (male 145,531/female 145,250)

65 years and over: 10.5% (male 20,423/female 24,887) (2005 est.)

Mauritania

0-14 years: 45.8% (male 707,728/female 704,616)

15-64 years: 52% (male 792,589/female 813,763)

65 years and over: 2.2% (male 27,560/female 40,603) (2005 est.)

Mauritius

0-14 years: 24.4% (male 151,043/female 148,847)

15-64 years: 69.1% (male 424,472/female 425,974)

65 years and over: 6.5% (male 31,506/female 48,760) (2005 est.)

Mayotte

0-14 years: 46.2% (male 44,926/female 44,521)

15-64 years: 52.1% (male 54,713/female 46,156)

65 years and over: 1.7% (male 1,666/female 1,651) (2005 est.)

Mexico

0-14 years: 31.1% (male 16,844,400/female 16,159,511)

15-64 years: 63.3% (male 32,521,043/female 34,704,093)

65 years and over: 5.6% (male 2,715,010/female 3,258,846) (2005 est.)

Micronesia, Federated States of 0-14 years: 37.1% (male 20,439/female 19,674) 15-64 years: 59.8% (male 32,382/female 32,313) 65 years and over: 3% (male 1,461/female 1,836) (2005 est.)

Moldova

0-14 years: 20.2% (male 459,452/female 442,725)

15-64 years: 69.5% (male 1,489,813/female 1,606,202)

65 years and over: 10.3% (male 169,038/female 288,191) (2005 est.)

Monaco

0-14 years: 15.5% (male 2,563/female 2,445)

15-64 years: 62.1% (male 9,909/female 10,217)

65 years and over: 22.4% (male 2,972/female 4,303) (2005 est.)

Mongolia

0-14 years: 28.7% (male 407,547/female 392,440)

15-64 years: 67.7% (male 943,418/female 945,063)

65 years and over: 3.7% (male 44,413/female 58,391) (2005 est.)

Montserrat

0-14 years: 23.3% (male 1,109/female 1,072)

15-64 years: 65.6% (male 2,923/female 3,201)

65 years and over: 11.1% (male 536/female 500) (2005 est.)

Morocco

0-14 years: 32.1% (male 5,349,247/female 5,150,497)

15-64 years: 63% (male 10,259,808/female 10,346,608)

65 years and over: 4.9% (male 708,921/female 910,766) (2005 est.)

Mozambique

0-14 years: 43.1% (male 4,206,654/female 4,157,898)

15-64 years: 54.1% (male 5,088,250/female 5,416,573)

65 years and over: 2.8% (male 224,682/female 312,646) (2005 est.)

Namibia

0-14 years: 38.7% (male 396,247/female 389,543)

15-64 years: 57.7% (male 586,900/female 584,779)

65 years and over: 3.6% (male 33,524/female 39,699) (2005 est.)

Nauru

0-14 years: 37.5% (male 2,511/female 2,379)

15-64 years: 60.6% (male 3,895/female 4,012)

65 years and over: 1.9% (male 132/female 119) (2005 est.)

Nepal

0-14 years: 39% (male 5,575,157/female 5,221,794)

15-64 years: 57.3% (male 8,137,410/female 7,720,691)

65 years and over: 3.7% (male 499,039/female 522,456) (2005 est.)

Netherlands

0-14 years: 18.1% (male 1,523,316/female 1,453,232)

15-64 years: 67.8% (male 5,627,007/female 5,491,802)

65 years and over: 14.1% (male 974,037/female 1,338,097) (2005 est.)

Netherlands Antilles

0-14 years: 24.2% (male 27,302/female 26,002)

15-64 years: 67.3% (male 70,838/female 77,148)

65 years and over: 8.5% (male 7,673/female 10,995) (2005 est.)

New Caledonia

0-14 years: 29% (male 32,030/female 30,714)

15-64 years: 64.6% (male 70,294/female 69,506)

65 years and over: 6.4% (male 6,513/female 7,437) (2005 est.)

New Zealand

0-14 years: 21.4% (male 441,836/female 421,065)

15-64 years: 66.9% (male 1,356,095/female 1,343,728)

65 years and over: 11.7% (male 206,650/female 266,087) (2005 est.)

Nicaragua

0-14 years: 37.2% (male 1,036,487/female 999,226)

15-64 years: 59.7% (male 1,623,065/female 1,638,017)

65 years and over: 3.1% (male 73,935/female 94,370) (2005 est.)

Niger

0-14 years: 47.3% (male 2,811,539/female 2,704,498)

15-64 years: 50.6% (male 2,890,119/female 3,009,281)

65 years and over: 2.1% (male 130,953/female 119,547) (2005 est.)

Nigeria

0-14 years: 42.3% (male 27,466,766/female 27,045,092)

15-64 years: 54.6% (male 35,770,593/female 34,559,414)

65 years and over: 3.1% (male 1,874,157/female 2,055,966) (2005 est.)

Niue

0-14 years: NA

15-64 years: NA

65 years and over: NA

Norfolk Island

0-14 years: 20.2%

15-64 years: 63.9%

65 years and over: 15.9% (2005 est.)

Northern Mariana Islands

0-14 years: 19.9% (male 8,332/female 7,646)

15-64 years: 78.5% (male 26,121/female 36,982)

65 years and over: 1.6% (male 646/female 635) (2005 est.)

Norway

0-14 years: 19.5% (male 459,418/female 437,734)

15-64 years: 65.7% (male 1,531,249/female 1,484,656)

65 years and over: 14.8% (male 286,343/female 393,641) (2005 est.)

Oman

0-14 years: 42.6% (male 652,028/female 626,698)

15-64 years: 54.9% (male 978,183/female 668,814)

65 years and over: 2.5% (male 41,366/female 34,494) (2005 est.)

Pakistan

0-14 years: 39.6% (male 33,104,311/female 31,244,297)

15-64 years: 56.3% (male 46,759,333/female 44,685,828)

65 years and over: 4.1% (male 3,189,122/female 3,437,055) (2005 est.)

Palau

0-14 years: 26.4% (male 2,768/female 2,601)

15-64 years: 69% (male 7,565/female 6,436)

65 years and over: 4.6% (male 443/female 490) (2005 est.)

Panama

0-14 years: 29.8% (male 460,840/female 443,359)

15-64 years: 63.9% (male 984,558/female 956,748)

65 years and over: 6.4% (male 91,383/female 102,262) (2005 est.)

Papua New Guinea

0-14 years: 38.1% (male 1,072,910/female 1,037,635)

15-64 years: 58.1% (male 1,662,166/female 1,559,685)

65 years and over: 3.8% (male 99,777/female 113,095) (2005 est.)

Paraguay

0-14 years: 37.9% (male 1,223,479/female 1,184,134)

15-64 years: 57.3% (male 1,825,473/female 1,809,810)

65 years and over: 4.8% (male 140,935/female 164,053) (2005 est.)

Peru

0-14 years: 31.5% (male 4,479,278/female 4,323,356)

15-64 years: 63.3% (male 8,891,785/female 8,776,343)

65 years and over: 5.2% (male 685,179/female 769,687) (2005 est.)

Philippines

0-14 years: 35.4% (male 15,869,636/female 15,255,588)

15-64 years: 60.6% (male 26,503,785/female 26,722,511)

65 years and over: 4% (male 1,523,213/female 1,982,740) (2005 est.)

Pitcairn Islands

0-14 years: NA

15-64 years: NA

65 years and over: NA

Poland

0-14 years: 16.7% (male 3,319,176/female 3,150,859)

15-64 years: 70.3% (male 13,506,153/female 13,638,265)

65 years and over: 13% (male 1,912,431/female 3,108,260) (2005 est.)

Portugal

0-14 years: 16.6% (male 916,234/female 839,935)

15-64 years: 66.3% (male 3,468,844/female 3,538,779)

65 years and over: 17.1% (male 744,787/female 1,057,633) (2005 est.)

Puerto Rico

0-14 years: 22% (male 441,594/female 421,986)

15-64 years: 65.5% (male 1,228,583/female 1,337,066)

65 years and over: 12.4% (male 211,283/female 276,120) (2005 est.)

Qatar

0-14 years: 23.7% (male 104,453/female 100,295)

15-64 years: 72.9% (male 437,118/female 191,830)

65 years and over: 3.4% (male 21,599/female 7,756) (2005 est.)

Reunion

0-14 years: 30.4% (male 120,698/female 115,108)

15-64 years: 63.6% (male 243,668/female 250,143)

65 years and over: 6.1% (male 19,234/female 28,097) (2005 est.)

Romania

0-14 years: 15.9% (male 1,818,488/female 1,727,598)

15-64 years: 69.5% (male 7,726,903/female 7,801,441)

65 years and over: 14.6% (male 1,342,827/female 1,912,720) (2005

est.)

Russia

0-14 years: 14.6% (male 10,704,617/female 10,173,313)

15-64 years: 71.3% (male 49,429,716/female 52,799,740)

65 years and over: 14.2% (male 6,405,027/female 13,907,896) (2005

est.)

Rwanda

0-14 years: 41.9% (male 1,777,178/female 1,762,252)

15-64 years: 55.5% (male 2,328,686/female 2,356,572)

65 years and over: 2.6% (male 87,155/female 128,977) (2005 est.)

Saint Helena

0-14 years: 18.8% (male 715/female 691)

15-64 years: 71.3% (male 2,745/female 2,575)

65 years and over: 9.8% (male 330/female 404) (2005 est.)

Saint Kitts and Nevis

0-14 years: 28% (male 5,586/female 5,330)

15-64 years: 63.7% (male 12,424/female 12,403)

65 years and over: 8.3% (male 1,328/female 1,887) (2005 est.)

Saint Lucia

0-14 years: 30.3% (male 25,937/female 24,391)

15-64 years: 64.6% (male 52,813/female 54,544)

65 years and over: 5.2% (male 3,172/female 5,455) (2005 est.)

Saint Pierre and Miquelon

0-14 years: 24% (male 861/female 825)

15-64 years: 65.3% (male 2,330/female 2,251)

65 years and over: 10.6% (male 335/female 410) (2005 est.)

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 0-14 years: 27.1% (male 16,208/female 15,621) 15-64 years: 66.5% (male 40,287/female 37,883) 65 years and over: 6.4% (male 3,280/female 4,255) (2005 est.)

Samoa

0-14 years: 27.2% (male 24,517/female 23,660)

15-64 years: 66.4% (male 73,495/female 44,208)

65 years and over: 6.4% (male 5,204/female 6,203) (2005 est.)

San Marino

0-14 years: 16.7% (male 2,482/female 2,328)

15-64 years: 66.5% (male 9,255/female 9,943)

65 years and over: 16.9% (male 2,106/female 2,766) (2005 est.)

Sao Tome and Principe

0-14 years: 47.6% (male 45,145/female 44,007)

15-64 years: 48.6% (male 43,996/female 47,011)

65 years and over: 3.9% (male 3,333/female 3,918) (2005 est.)

Saudi Arabia

0-14 years: 38.2% (male 5,149,960/female 4,952,138)

15-64 years: 59.4% (male 8,992,348/female 6,698,633)

65 years and over: 2.4% (male 334,694/female 289,826) (2005 est.)

Senegal

0-14 years: 42.8% (male 2,404,461/female 2,360,167)

15-64 years: 54.1% (male 2,901,689/female 3,122,854)

65 years and over: 3% (male 161,173/female 176,488) (2005 est.)

Serbia and Montenegro

0-14 years: 18.1% (male 1,014,443/female

943,702)

15-64 years: 66.9% (male 3,610,646/female 3,632,365)

65 years and over: 15% (male 699,446/female 928,573) (2005 est.)

Seychelles

0-14 years: 26.4% (male 10,839/female 10,601)

15-64 years: 67.4% (male 26,709/female 28,025)

65 years and over: 6.2% (male 1,622/female 3,392) (2005 est.)

Sierra Leone

0-14 years: 44.7% (male 1,318,508/female 1,371,164)

15-64 years: 52% (male 1,494,068/female 1,637,276)

65 years and over: 3.3% (male 93,047/female 103,580) (2005 est.)

Singapore

0-14 years: 16% (male 366,971/female 342,295)

15-64 years: 75.9% (male 1,639,842/female 1,719,829)

65 years and over: 8.1% (male 157,636/female 199,147) (2005 est.)

Slovakia

0-14 years: 17.1% (male 475,263/female 453,340)

15-64 years: 71% (male 1,919,222/female 1,939,097)

65 years and over: 11.9% (male 241,610/female 402,831) (2005 est.)

Slovenia

0-14 years: 14% (male 145,016/female 137,012)

15-64 years: 70.6% (male 715,629/female 704,079)

65 years and over: 15.4% (male 118,298/female 191,036) (2005 est.)

Solomon Islands

0-14 years: 41.9% (male 114,860/female 110,404)

15-64 years: 54.9% (male 149,400/female 145,970)

65 years and over: 3.2% (male 8,371/female 9,027) (2005 est.)

Somalia

0-14 years: 44.5% (male 1,918,209/female 1,905,974)

15-64 years: 52.9% (male 2,278,406/female 2,263,602)

65 years and over: 2.6% (male 96,256/female 129,182) (2005 est.)

South Africa

0-14 years: 30.3% (male 6,760,137/female 6,682,013)

15-64 years: 64.5% (male 13,860,727/female 14,750,496)

65 years and over: 5.2% (male 893,360/female 1,397,403) (2005 est.)

Spain

0-14 years: 14.4% (male 2,994,124/female 2,815,456)

15-64 years: 68% (male 13,762,281/female 13,664,762)

65 years and over: 17.6% (male 2,965,859/female 4,138,980) (2005

est.)

Sri Lanka

0-14 years: 24.5% (male 2,508,384/female 2,397,986)

15-64 years: 68.4% (male 6,658,765/female 7,059,468)

65 years and over: 7.2% (male 670,813/female 769,360) (2005 est.)

Sudan

0-14 years: 43.2% (male 8,865,331/female 8,488,982)

15-64 years: 54.5% (male 10,952,566/female 10,930,218)

65 years and over: 2.4% (male 513,679/female 436,710) (2005 est.)

Suriname

0-14 years: 29.6% (male 66,537/female 63,182)

15-64 years: 64.2% (male 144,285/female 136,942)

65 years and over: 6.2% (male 12,092/female 15,106) (2005 est.)

Svalbard

0-14 years: NA

15-64 years: NA

65 years and over: NA

Swaziland

0-14 years: 40.6% (male 240,643/female 235,895)

15-64 years: 55.6% (male 327,661/female 325,400)

65 years and over: 3.8% (male 19,273/female 25,028) (2005 est.)

Sweden

0-14 years: 17.1% (male 791,215/female 747,621)

15-64 years: 65.5% (male 2,990,436/female 2,904,873)

65 years and over: 17.4% (male 677,161/female 890,468) (2005 est.)

Switzerland

0-14 years: 16.6% (male 643,497/female 597,565)

15-64 years: 68% (male 2,570,544/female 2,522,365)

65 years and over: 15.4% (male 472,769/female 682,630) (2005 est.)

Syria

0-14 years: 37.4% (male 3,556,795/female 3,350,267)

15-64 years: 59.3% (male 5,601,971/female 5,333,799)

65 years and over: 3.3% (male 288,868/female 317,052) (2005 est.)

Taiwan

0-14 years: 19.7% (male 2,349,077/female 2,156,755)

15-64 years: 70.7% (male 8,205,933/female 7,980,056)

65 years and over: 9.6% (male 1,107,708/female 1,094,855) (2005 est.)

Tajikistan

0-14 years: 38.5% (male 1,390,220/female 1,368,268)

15-64 years: 56.7% (male 2,022,764/female 2,040,524)

65 years and over: 4.8% (male 150,372/female 191,358) (2005 est.)

Tanzania

0-14 years: 44% (male 8,100,216/female 8,074,171)

15-64 years: 53.4% (male 9,665,957/female 9,963,772)

65 years and over: 2.6% (male 418,080/female 544,160) (2005 est.)

Thailand

0-14 years: 23.9% (male 7,988,529/female 7,633,405)

15-64 years: 68.6% (male 22,195,625/female 22,731,767)

65 years and over: 7.5% (male 2,251,112/female 2,643,933) (2005 est.)

Togo

0-14 years: 43.2% (male 1,232,759/female 1,224,060)

15-64 years: 54.2% (male 1,505,737/female 1,571,201)

65 years and over: 2.6% (male 60,799/female 86,963) (2005 est.)

Tokelau

0-14 years: 42%

15-64 years: 53%

65 years and over: 5% (2005 est.)

Tonga

0-14 years: 36.2% (male 20,738/female 19,907)

15-64 years: 59.7% (male 33,226/female 33,853)

65 years and over: 4.2% (male 2,031/female 2,667) (2005 est.)

Trinidad and Tobago

0-14 years: 20.7% (male 115,594/female 109,665)

15-64 years: 71% (male 403,301/female 369,664)

65 years and over: 8.3% (male 40,638/female 49,782) (2005 est.)

Tunisia

0-14 years: 25.3% (male 1,316,308/female 1,234,309)

15-64 years: 68.1% (male 3,437,880/female 3,418,591)

65 years and over: 6.6% (male 321,287/female 346,576) (2005 est.)

Turkey

0-14 years: 26% (male 9,232,439/female 8,897,135)

15-64 years: 67.3% (male 23,806,367/female 23,053,536)

65 years and over: 6.7% (male 2,140,242/female 2,530,840) (2005 est.)

Turkmenistan

0-14 years: 35.7% (male 909,113/female 860,128)

15-64 years: 60.2% (male 1,462,198/female 1,516,836)

65 years and over: 4.1% (male 78,119/female 125,687) (2005 est.)

Turks and Caicos Islands

0-14 years: 32.5% (male 3,396/female 3,277)

15-64 years: 63.8% (male 6,900/female 6,220)

65 years and over: 3.7% (male 342/female 421) (2005 est.)

Tuvalu

0-14 years: 30.8% (male 1,823/female 1,756)

15-64 years: 64.2% (male 3,620/female 3,847)

65 years and over: 5.1% (male 229/female 361) (2005 est.)

Uganda

0-14 years: 50.1% (male 6,875,663/female 6,784,378)

15-64 years: 47.7% (male 6,511,867/female 6,494,859)

65 years and over: 2.2% (male 263,790/female 338,925) (2005 est.)

Ukraine

0-14 years: 15.6% (male 3,783,725/female 3,619,754)

15-64 years: 68.8% (male 15,619,989/female 16,992,628)

65 years and over: 15.6% (male 2,497,851/female 4,911,389) (2005

est.)

United Arab Emirates

0-14 years: 25.3% (male 331,269; female 317,977)

15-64 years: 71.1% (male 1,115,826; female 707,058)

65 years and over: 3.6% (male 66,404; female 24,678) (2005 est.)

United Kingdom

0-14 years: 17.7% (male 5,490,592/female 5,229,691)

15-64 years: 66.5% (male 20,329,272/female 19,855,862)

65 years and over: 15.8% (male 4,063,357/female 5,472,683) (2005

est.)

United States

0-14 years: 20.6% (male 31,095,725/female 29,703,997)

15-64 years: 67% (male 98,914,382/female 99,324,126)

65 years and over: 12.4% (male 15,298,676/female 21,397,228) (2005

est.)

Uruguay

0-14 years: 23.2% (male 403,041/female 389,427)

15-64 years: 63.6% (male 1,076,960/female 1,095,833)

65 years and over: 13.2% (male 183,877/female 266,782) (2005 est.)

Uzbekistan

0-14 years: 33.5% (male 4,575,443/female 4,408,146)

15-64 years: 61.7% (male 8,201,993/female 8,371,933)

65 years and over: 4.8% (male 528,334/female 765,346) (2005 est.)

Vanuatu

0-14 years: 33.3% (male 35,039/female 33,553)

15-64 years: 63.1% (male 66,311/female 63,502)

65 years and over: 3.6% (male 3,878/female 3,471) (2005 est.)

Venezuela

0-14 years: 29.9% (male 3,909,876/female 3,667,958)

15-64 years: 65% (male 8,287,255/female 8,209,599)

65 years and over: 5.1% (male 590,236/female 710,357) (2005 est.)

Vietnam

0-14 years: 27.9% (male 12,065,777/female 11,212,299)

15-64 years: 66.4% (male 27,406,456/female 28,024,250)

65 years and over: 5.8% (male 1,889,585/female 2,937,209) (2005 est.)

Virgin Islands

0-14 years: 23.1% (male 12,676/female 12,421)

15-64 years: 66.2% (male 34,069/female 37,918)

65 years and over: 10.7% (male 5,125/female 6,499) (2005 est.)

Wallis and Futuna

0-14 years: NA

15-64 years: NA

65 years and over: NA

West Bank

0-14 years: 43.4% (male 530,197/female 504,794)

15-64 years: 53.2% (male 649,610/female 619,335)

65 years and over: 3.4% (male 34,803/female 46,876) (2005 est.)

Western Sahara

0-14 years: NA

15-64 years: NA

65 years and over: NA

World

0-14 years: 27.8% (male 919,726,623; female 870,468,158)

15-64 years: 64.9% (male 2,117,230,183; female 2,066,864,970)

65 years and over: 7.3% (male 207,903,775; female 263,627,270)

note: some countries do not maintain age structure information, thus

a slight discrepancy exists between the total world population and

the total for world age structure (2005 est.)

Yemen

0-14 years: 46.5% (male 4,905,831/female 4,727,177)

15-64 years: 50.8% (male 5,364,711/female 5,172,811)

65 years and over: 2.7% (male 274,166/female 282,367) (2005 est.)

Zambia

0-14 years: 46.5% (male 2,626,911/female 2,609,857)

15-64 years: 51.1% (male 2,848,402/female 2,904,376)

65 years and over: 2.4% (male 118,043/female 154,206) (2005 est.)

Zimbabwe

0-14 years: 39.2% (male 2,522,609/female 2,474,131)

15-64 years: 57.1% (male 3,686,354/female 3,592,662)

65 years and over: 3.7% (male 235,478/female 235,756) (2005 est.)

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2011 Geographic coordinates

Afghanistan

33 00 N, 65 00 E

Akrotiri

34 37 N, 32 58 E

Albania

41 00 N, 20 00 E

Algeria

28 00 N, 3 00 E

American Samoa

14 20 S, 170 00 W

Andorra

42 30 N, 1 30 E

Angola

12 30 S, 18 30 E

Anguilla

18 15 N, 63 10 W

Antarctica

90 00 S, 0 00 E

Antigua and Barbuda

17 03 N, 61 48 W

Arctic Ocean

90 00 N, 0 00 E

Argentina

34 00 S, 64 00 W

Armenia

40 00 N, 45 00 E

Aruba

12 30 N, 69 58 W

Ashmore and Cartier Islands

12 14 S, 123 05 E

Atlantic Ocean

0 00 N, 25 00 W

Australia

27 00 S, 133 00 E

Austria

47 20 N, 13 20 E

Azerbaijan

40 30 N, 47 30 E

Bahamas, The

24 15 N, 76 00 W

Bahrain

26 00 N, 50 33 E

Baker Island

0 13 N, 176 31 W

Bangladesh

24 00 N, 90 00 E

Barbados

13 10 N, 59 32 W

Bassas da India

21 30 S, 39 50 E

Belarus

53 00 N, 28 00 E

Belgium

50 50 N, 4 00 E

Belize

17 15 N, 88 45 W

Benin

9 30 N, 2 15 E

Bermuda

32 20 N, 64 45 W

Bhutan

27 30 N, 90 30 E

Bolivia

17 00 S, 65 00 W

Bosnia and Herzegovina

44 00 N, 18 00 E

Botswana

22 00 S, 24 00 E

Bouvet Island

54 26 S, 3 24 E

Brazil

10 00 S, 55 00 W

British Indian Ocean Territory

6 00 S, 71 30 E

British Virgin Islands

18 30 N, 64 30 W

Brunei

4 30 N, 114 40 E

Bulgaria

43 00 N, 25 00 E

Burkina Faso

13 00 N, 2 00 W

Burma

22 00 N, 98 00 E

Burundi

3 30 S, 30 00 E

Cambodia

13 00 N, 105 00 E

Cameroon

6 00 N, 12 00 E

Canada

60 00 N, 95 00 W

Cape Verde

16 00 N, 24 00 W

Cayman Islands

19 30 N, 80 30 W

Central African Republic

7 00 N, 21 00 E

Chad

15 00 N, 19 00 E

Chile

30 00 S, 71 00 W

China

35 00 N, 105 00 E

Christmas Island

10 30 S, 105 40 E

Clipperton Island

10 17 N, 109 13 W

Cocos (Keeling) Islands

12 30 S, 96 50 E

Colombia

4 00 N, 72 00 W

Comoros

12 10 S, 44 15 E

Congo, Democratic Republic of the

0 00 N, 25 00 E

Congo, Republic of the

1 00 S, 15 00 E

Cook Islands

21 14 S, 159 46 W

Coral Sea Islands

18 00 S, 152 00 E

Costa Rica

10 00 N, 84 00 W

Cote d'Ivoire

8 00 N, 5 00 W

Croatia

45 10 N, 15 30 E

Cuba

21 30 N, 80 00 W

Cyprus

35 00 N, 33 00 E

Czech Republic

49 45 N, 15 30 E

Denmark

56 00 N, 10 00 E

Dhekelia

34 59 N, 33 45 E

Djibouti

11 30 N, 43 00 E

Dominica

15 25 N, 61 20 W

Dominican Republic

19 00 N, 70 40 W

East Timor

8 50 S, 125 55 E

Ecuador

2 00 S, 77 30 W

Egypt

27 00 N, 30 00 E

El Salvador

13 50 N, 88 55 W

Equatorial Guinea

2 00 N, 10 00 E

Eritrea

15 00 N, 39 00 E

Estonia

59 00 N, 26 00 E

Ethiopia

8 00 N, 38 00 E

Europa Island

22 20 S, 40 22 E

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

51 45 S, 59 00 W

Faroe Islands

62 00 N, 7 00 W

Fiji

18 00 S, 175 00 E

Finland

64 00 N, 26 00 E

France

46 00 N, 2 00 E

French Guiana

4 00 N, 53 00 W

French Polynesia

15 00 S, 140 00 W

French Southern and Antarctic Lands

43 00 S, 67 00 E

Gabon

1 00 S, 11 45 E

Gambia, The

13 28 N, 16 34 W

Gaza Strip

31 25 N, 34 20 E

Georgia

42 00 N, 43 30 E

Germany

51 00 N, 9 00 E

Ghana

8 00 N, 2 00 W

Gibraltar

36 8 N, 5 21 W

Glorioso Islands

11 30 S, 47 20 E

Greece

39 00 N, 22 00 E

Greenland

72 00 N, 40 00 W

Grenada

12 07 N, 61 40 W

Guadeloupe

16 15 N, 61 35 W

Guam

13 28 N, 144 47 E

Guatemala

15 30 N, 90 15 W

Guernsey

49 28 N, 2 35 W

Guinea

11 00 N, 10 00 W

Guinea-Bissau

12 00 N, 15 00 W

Guyana

5 00 N, 59 00 W

Haiti

19 00 N, 72 25 W

Heard Island and McDonald Islands

53 06 S, 72 31 E

Holy See (Vatican City)

41 54 N, 12 27 E

Honduras

15 00 N, 86 30 W

Hong Kong

22 15 N, 114 10 E

Howland Island

0 48 N, 176 38 W

Hungary

47 00 N, 20 00 E

Iceland

65 00 N, 18 00 W

India

20 00 N, 77 00 E

Indian Ocean

20 00 S, 80 00 E

Indonesia

5 00 S, 120 00 E

Iran

32 00 N, 53 00 E

Iraq

33 00 N, 44 00 E

Ireland

53 00 N, 8 00 W

Israel

31 30 N, 34 45 E

Italy

42 50 N, 12 50 E

Jamaica

18 15 N, 77 30 W

Jan Mayen

71 00 N, 8 00 W

Japan

36 00 N, 138 00 E

Jarvis Island

0 22 S, 160 03 W

Jersey

49 15 N, 2 10 W

Johnston Atoll

16 45 N, 169 31 W

Jordan

31 00 N, 36 00 E

Juan de Nova Island

17 03 S, 42 45 E

Kazakhstan

48 00 N, 68 00 E

Kenya

1 00 N, 38 00 E

Kingman Reef

6 24 N, 162 24 W

Kiribati

1 25 N, 173 00 E

Korea, North

40 00 N, 127 00 E

Korea, South

37 00 N, 127 30 E

Kuwait

29 30 N, 45 45 E

Kyrgyzstan

41 00 N, 75 00 E

Laos

18 00 N, 105 00 E

Latvia

57 00 N, 25 00 E

Lebanon

33 50 N, 35 50 E

Lesotho

29 30 S, 28 30 E

Liberia

6 30 N, 9 30 W

Libya

25 00 N, 17 00 E

Liechtenstein

47 16 N, 9 32 E

Lithuania

56 00 N, 24 00 E

Luxembourg

49 45 N, 6 10 E

Macau

22 10 N, 113 33 E

Macedonia

41 50 N, 22 00 E

Madagascar

20 00 S, 47 00 E

Malawi

13 30 S, 34 00 E

Malaysia

2 30 N, 112 30 E

Maldives

3 15 N, 73 00 E

Mali

17 00 N, 4 00 W

Malta

35 50 N, 14 35 E

Man, Isle of

54 15 N, 4 30 W

Marshall Islands

9 00 N, 168 00 E

Martinique

14 40 N, 61 00 W

Mauritania

20 00 N, 12 00 W

Mauritius

20 17 S, 57 33 E

Mayotte

12 50 S, 45 10 E

Mexico

23 00 N, 102 00 W

Micronesia, Federated States of

6 55 N, 158 15 E

Midway Islands

28 13 N, 177 22 W

Moldova

47 00 N, 29 00 E

Monaco

43 44 N, 7 24 E

Mongolia

46 00 N, 105 00 E

Montserrat

16 45 N, 62 12 W

Morocco

32 00 N, 5 00 W

Mozambique

18 15 S, 35 00 E

Namibia

22 00 S, 17 00 E

Nauru

0 32 S, 166 55 E

Navassa Island

18 25 N, 75 02 W

Nepal

28 00 N, 84 00 E

Netherlands

52 30 N, 5 45 E

Netherlands Antilles

12 15 N, 68 45 W

New Caledonia

21 30 S, 165 30 E

New Zealand

41 00 S, 174 00 E

Nicaragua

13 00 N, 85 00 W

Niger

16 00 N, 8 00 E

Nigeria

10 00 N, 8 00 E

Niue

19 02 S, 169 52 W

Norfolk Island

29 02 S, 167 57 E

Northern Mariana Islands

15 12 N, 145 45 E

Norway

62 00 N, 10 00 E

Oman

21 00 N, 57 00 E

Pacific Ocean

0 00 N, 160 00 W

Pakistan

30 00 N, 70 00 E

Palau

7 30 N, 134 30 E

Palmyra Atoll

5 52 N, 162 06 W

Panama

9 00 N, 80 00 W

Papua New Guinea

6 00 S, 147 00 E

Paracel Islands

16 30 N, 112 00 E

Paraguay

23 00 S, 58 00 W

Peru

10 00 S, 76 00 W

Philippines

13 00 N, 122 00 E

Pitcairn Islands

25 04 S, 130 06 W

Poland

52 00 N, 20 00 E

Portugal

39 30 N, 8 00 W

Puerto Rico

18 15 N, 66 30 W

Qatar

25 30 N, 51 15 E

Reunion

21 06 S, 55 36 E

Romania

46 00 N, 25 00 E

Russia

60 00 N, 100 00 E

Rwanda

2 00 S, 30 00 E

Saint Helena

15 56 S, 5 42 W

Saint Kitts and Nevis

17 20 N, 62 45 W

Saint Lucia

13 53 N, 60 68 W

Saint Pierre and Miquelon

46 50 N, 56 20 W

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

13 15 N, 61 12 W

Samoa

13 35 S, 172 20 W

San Marino

43 46 N, 12 25 E

Sao Tome and Principe

1 00 N, 7 00 E

Saudi Arabia

25 00 N, 45 00 E

Senegal

14 00 N, 14 00 W

Serbia and Montenegro

44 00 N, 21 00 E

Seychelles

4 35 S, 55 40 E

Sierra Leone

8 30 N, 11 30 W

Singapore

1 22 N, 103 48 E

Slovakia

48 40 N, 19 30 E

Slovenia

46 07 N, 14 49 E

Solomon Islands

8 00 S, 159 00 E

Somalia

10 00 N, 49 00 E

South Africa

29 00 S, 24 00 E

South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands

54 30 S, 37 00 W

Southern Ocean

65 00 S, 0 00 E (nominally), but the Southern Ocean

has the unique distinction of being a large circumpolar body of

water totally encircling the continent of Antarctica; this ring of

water lies between 60 degrees south latitude and the coast of

Antarctica and encompasses 360 degrees of longitude

Spain

40 00 N, 4 00 W

Spratly Islands

8 38 N, 111 55 E

Sri Lanka

7 00 N, 81 00 E

Sudan

15 00 N, 30 00 E

Suriname

4 00 N, 56 00 W

Svalbard

78 00 N, 20 00 E

Swaziland

26 30 S, 31 30 E

Sweden

62 00 N, 15 00 E

Switzerland

47 00 N, 8 00 E

Syria

35 00 N, 38 00 E

Taiwan

23 30 N, 121 00 E

Tajikistan

39 00 N, 71 00 E

Tanzania

6 00 S, 35 00 E

Thailand

15 00 N, 100 00 E

Togo

8 00 N, 1 10 E

Tokelau

9 00 S, 172 00 W

Tonga

20 00 S, 175 00 W

Trinidad and Tobago

11 00 N, 61 00 W

Tromelin Island

15 52 S, 54 25 E

Tunisia

34 00 N, 9 00 E

Turkey

39 00 N, 35 00 E

Turkmenistan

40 00 N, 60 00 E

Turks and Caicos Islands

21 45 N, 71 35 W

Tuvalu

8 00 S, 178 00 E

Uganda

1 00 N, 32 00 E

Ukraine

49 00 N, 32 00 E

United Arab Emirates

24 00 N, 54 00 E

United Kingdom

54 00 N, 2 00 W

United States

38 00 N, 97 00 W

Uruguay

33 00 S, 56 00 W

Uzbekistan

41 00 N, 64 00 E

Vanuatu

16 00 S, 167 00 E

Venezuela

8 00 N, 66 00 W

Vietnam

16 00 N, 106 00 E

Virgin Islands

18 20 N, 64 50 W

Wake Island

19 17 N, 166 36 E

Wallis and Futuna

13 18 S, 176 12 W

West Bank

32 00 N, 35 15 E

Western Sahara

24 30 N, 13 00 W

Yemen

15 00 N, 48 00 E

Zambia

15 00 S, 30 00 E

Zimbabwe

20 00 S, 30 00 E

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2012 GDP - composition by sector (%)

Afghanistan

agriculture: 60%

industry: 20%

services: 20% (1990 est.)

Albania

agriculture: 46.2%

industry: 25.4%

services: 28.4% (2004 est.)

Algeria

agriculture: 10.3%

industry: 57.4%

services: 32.3% (2004 est.)

American Samoa

agriculture: NA%

industry: NA%

services: NA%

Andorra

agriculture: NA%

industry: NA%

services: NA%

Angola

agriculture: 8%

industry: 67%

services: 25% (2001 est.)

Anguilla

agriculture: 4%

industry: 18%

services: 78% (2002 est.)

Antigua and Barbuda

agriculture: 3.9%

industry: 19.2%

services: 76.8% (2002)

Argentina

agriculture: 10.6%

industry: 35.9%

services: 53.5% (2004 est.)

Armenia

agriculture: 22.9%

industry: 36.1%

services: 41.1% (2004 est.)

Aruba

agriculture: NA%

industry: NA%

services: NA%

Australia

agriculture: 3.4%

industry: 28.2%

services: 68.4% (2004 est.)

Austria

agriculture: 2.3%

industry: 30.8%

services: 66.9% (2004 est.)

Azerbaijan

agriculture: 14.1%

industry: 45.7%

services: 40.2% (2002 est.)

Bahamas, The

agriculture: 3%

industry: 7%

services: 90% (2001 est.)

Bahrain

agriculture: 0.7%

industry: 41%

services: 58.4% (2004 est.)

Bangladesh

agriculture: 21.2%

industry: 27.1%

services: 51.7% (2004 est.)

Barbados

agriculture: 6%

industry: 16%

services: 78% (2000 est.)

Belarus

agriculture: 11%

industry: 36.4%

services: 52.6% (2004 est.)

Belgium

agriculture: 1.3%

industry: 25.7%

services: 73% (2004 est.)

Belize

agriculture: 17.7%

industry: 15%

services: 67.3% (2003 est.)

Benin

agriculture: 36.3%

industry: 14.3%

services: 49.4% (2004 est.)

Bermuda

agriculture: 1%

industry: 10%

services: 89% (2002 est.)

Bhutan

agriculture: 45%

industry: 10%

services: 45% (2002 est.)

Bolivia

agriculture: 13%

industry: 28%

services: 59% (2004 est.)

Bosnia and Herzegovina

agriculture: 14.2%

industry: 30.8%

services: 55% (2002)

Botswana

agriculture: 4%

industry: 44% (including 36% mining)

services: 52% (2003 est.)

Brazil

agriculture: 10.1%

industry: 38.6%

services: 51.3% (2004 est.)

British Virgin Islands

agriculture: 1.8%

industry: 6.2%

services: 92% (1996 est.)

Brunei

agriculture: 5%

industry: 45%

services: 50% (2001 est.)

Bulgaria

agriculture: 11.5%

industry: 30.1%

services: 58.4% (2004 est.)

Burkina Faso

agriculture: 39.5%

industry: 19.3%

services: 41.3% (2004 est.)

Burma

agriculture: 56.6%

industry: 8.8%

services: 34.5% (2004 est.)

Burundi

agriculture: 48.1%

industry: 19%

services: 32.9% (2004 est.)

Cambodia

agriculture: 35%

industry: 30%

services: 35% (2004 est.)

Cameroon

agriculture: 43.7%

industry: 20.1%

services: 36.2% (2004 est.)

Canada

agriculture: 2.3%

industry: 26.4%

services: 71.3% (2004 est.)

Cape Verde

agriculture: 12.1%

industry: 21.9%

services: 66% (2004 est.)

Cayman Islands

agriculture: 1.4%

industry: 3.2%

services: 95.4% (1994 est.)

Central African Republic

agriculture: 55%

industry: 20%

services: 25% (2001 est.)

Chad

agriculture: 22.6%

industry: 35.6%

services: 41.7% (2004 est.)

Chile

agriculture: 6.3%

industry: 38.2%

services: 55.5% (2004 est.)

China

agriculture: 13.8%

industry and construction: 52.9%

services: 33.3% (2004 est.)

Christmas Island

agriculture: NA

industry: NA

services: NA

Cocos (Keeling) Islands

agriculture: NA%

industry: NA%

services: NA%

Colombia

agriculture: 13.4%

industry: 32.1%

services: 54.5% (2004 est.)

Comoros

agriculture: 40%

industry: 4%

services: 56% (2001 est.)

Congo, Democratic Republic of the

agriculture: 55%

industry: 11%

services: 34% (2000 est.)

Congo, Republic of the

agriculture: 7.4%

industry: 52%

services: 40.6% (2004 est.)

Cook Islands

agriculture: 17%

industry: 7.8%

services: 75.2% (2000 est.)

Costa Rica

agriculture: 8.5%

industry: 29.7%

services: 61.8% (2004 est.)

Cote d'Ivoire

agriculture: 27.8%

industry: 19.4%

services: 52.8% (2004 est.)

Croatia

agriculture: 8.2%

industry: 30.1%

services: 61.7% (2004 est.)

Cuba

agriculture: 6.6%

industry: 25.5%

services: 67.9% (2004 est.)

Cyprus

Republic of Cyprus: agriculture 4.1%; industry 19.9%;

services 76%

north Cyprus: agriculture 10.6%; industry 20.5%; services 68.9%

(2004)

Czech Republic

agriculture: 3.4%

industry: 39.3%

services: 57.3% (2004 est.)

Denmark

agriculture: 2.2%

industry: 25.5%

services: 72.3% (2004 est.)

Djibouti

agriculture: 3.5%

industry: 15.8%

services: 80.7% (2001 est.)

Dominica

agriculture: 18%

industry: 24%

services: 58% (2002 est.)

Dominican Republic

agriculture: 10.7%

industry: 31.5%

services: 57.8% (2003)

East Timor

agriculture: 25.4%

industry: 17.2%

services: 57.4% (2001)

Ecuador

agriculture: 8.7%

industry: 30.5%

services: 60.9% (2004 est.)

Egypt

agriculture: 17.2%

industry: 33%

services: 49.8% (2004 est.)

El Salvador

agriculture: 9.2%

industry: 31.1%

services: 59.7% (2004 est.)

Equatorial Guinea

agriculture: 3%

industry: 95.7%

services: 1.3% (2004 est.)

Eritrea

agriculture: 12.4%

industry: 25.9%

services: 61.7% (2004 est.)

Estonia

agriculture: 4.1%

industry: 28.9%

services: 67% (2004 est.)

Ethiopia

agriculture: 47%

industry: 12.4%

services: 40.6% (2004 est.)

European Union

agriculture: 2.2%

industry: 28.3%

services: 69.4% (2004 est.)

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

agriculture: NA%

industry: NA%

services: NA%

Faroe Islands

agriculture: 27%

industry: 11%

services: 62% (1999)

Fiji

agriculture: 16.6%

industry: 22.4%

services: 61% (2001 est.)

Finland

agriculture: 3.3%

industry: 30.2%

services: 66.5% (2004 est.)

France

agriculture: 2.7%

industry: 24.3%

services: 73% (2004 est.)

French Guiana

agriculture: NA%

industry: NA%

services: NA% (2001 est.)

French Polynesia

agriculture: 4%

industry: 18%

services: 78% (2002)

Gabon

agriculture: 7.4%

industry: 46.7%

services: 45.9% (2004 est.)

Gambia, The

agriculture: 26.8%

industry: 14.5%

services: 58.7% (2004 est.)

Gaza Strip

agriculture: 9%

industry: 28%

services: 63% (includes West Bank) (2002 est.)

Georgia

agriculture: 20.5%

industry: 22.6%

services: 56.9% (2004 est.)

Germany

agriculture: 1%

industry: 31%

services: 68% (2002 est.)

Ghana

agriculture: 34.3%

industry: 24.2%

services: 41.4% (2004 est.)

Gibraltar

agriculture: NA%

industry: NA%

services: NA% (2002 est.)

Greece

agriculture: 7%

industry: 22%

services: 71% (2004 est.)

Greenland

agriculture: NA%

industry: NA%

services: NA%

Grenada

agriculture: 7.7%

industry: 23.9%

services: 68.4% (2000)

Guadeloupe

agriculture: 15%

industry: 17%

services: 68% (1997 est.)

Guam

agriculture: 7%

industry: 15%

services: 78% (2002 est.)

Guatemala

agriculture: 22.7%

industry: 19.5%

services: 57.9% (2004 est.)

Guernsey

agriculture: 3%

industry: 10%

services: 87% (2000)

Guinea

agriculture: 25%

industry: 38.2%

services: 36.8% (2004 est.)

Guinea-Bissau

agriculture: 62%

industry: 12%

services: 26% (1999 est.)

Guyana

agriculture: 38.3%

industry: 19.9%

services: 41.8% (2004 est.)

Haiti

agriculture: 30%

industry: 20%

services: 50% (2001 est.)

Honduras

agriculture: 12.7%

industry: 32.1%

services: 55.3% (2004 est.)

Hong Kong

agriculture: 0.1%

industry: 11.3%

services: 88.6% (2004 est.)

Hungary

agriculture: 3.3%

industry: 31.4%

services: 65.3% (2004 est.)

Iceland

agriculture: 11.2%

industry: 9.6%

services: 79.2% (2004 est.)

India

agriculture: 23.6%

industry: 28.4%

services: 48% (2002 est.)

Indonesia

agriculture: 14.6%

industry: 45%

services: 40.4% (2004 est.)

Iran

agriculture: 11.2%

industry: 40.9%

services: 48.7% (2004 est.)

Iraq

agriculture: 13.6%

industry: 58.6%

services: 27.8% (2004 est.)

Ireland

agriculture: 5%

industry: 46%

services: 49% (2002 est.)

Israel

agriculture: 2.8%

industry: 37.7%

services: 59.5% (2003 est.)

Italy

agriculture: 2.3%

industry: 28.8%

services: 68.9% (2004 est.)

Jamaica

agriculture: 6.1%

industry: 32.7%

services: 61.3% (2004 est.)

Japan

agriculture: 1.3%

industry: 24.7%

services: 74.1% (2004 est.)

Jersey

agriculture: 5%

industry: 2%

services: 93% (1996)

Jordan

agriculture: 2.4%

industry: 26%

services: 71.5% (2004 est.)

Kazakhstan

agriculture: 7.4%

industry: 37.8%

services: 54.8% (2004 est.)

Kenya

agriculture: 19.3%

industry: 18.5%

services: 62.4% (2004 est.)

Kiribati

agriculture: 30%

industry: 7%

services: 63% (1998 est.)

Korea, North

agriculture: 30.2%

industry: 33.8%

services: 36% (2002 est.)

Korea, South

agriculture: 3.2%

industry: 40.4%

services: 56.3% (2004 est.)

Kuwait

agriculture: 0.4%

industry: 60.5%

services: 39.1% (2004 est.)

Kyrgyzstan

agriculture: 38.5%

industry: 22.8%

services: 38.7% (2004 est.)

Laos

agriculture: 49.5%

industry: 27.5%

services: 23% (2004 est.)

Latvia

agriculture: 4.4%

industry: 24.8%

services: 70.8% (2004 est.)

Lebanon

agriculture: 12%

industry: 21%

services: 67% (2000)

Lesotho

agriculture: 15.2%

industry: 43.9%

services: 40.9% (2004 est.)

Liberia

agriculture: 76.9%

industry: 5.4%

services: 17.7% (2002 est.)

Libya

agriculture: 8.7%

industry: 45.7%

services: 45.6% (2004 est.)

Liechtenstein

agriculture: NA%

industry: 40%

services: NA% (1999)

Lithuania

agriculture: 6.1%

industry: 33.4%

services: 60.5% (2004 est.)

Luxembourg

agriculture: 0.5%

industry: 16.3%

services: 83.1% (2004 est.)

Macau

agriculture: 0.1%

industry: 7.2%

services: 92.7% (2002 est.)

Macedonia

agriculture: 11.2%

industry: 26%

services: 62.8% (2004 est.)

Madagascar

agriculture: 29.3%

industry: 16.7%

services: 54% (2004 est.)

Malawi

agriculture: 54.8%

industry: 19.2%

services: 26% (2004 est.)

Malaysia

agriculture: 7.2%

industry: 33.6%

services: 59.1% (2004 est.)

Maldives

agriculture: 20%

industry: 18%

services: 62% (2000 est.)

Mali

agriculture: 45%

industry: 17%

services: 38% (2001 est.)

Malta

agriculture: 3%

industry: 23%

services: 74% (2003 est.)

Man, Isle of

agriculture: 1%

industry: 13%

services: 86% (2000 est.)

Marshall Islands

agriculture: 14%

industry: 16%

services: 70% (2000 est.)

Martinique

agriculture: 6%

industry: 11%

services: 83% (1997 est.)

Mauritania

agriculture: 25%

industry: 29%

services: 46% (2001 est.)

Mauritius

agriculture: 7.6%

industry: 30%

services: 62.4% (2004 est.)

Mayotte

agriculture: NA%

industry: NA%

services: NA%

Mexico

agriculture: 4%

industry: 27.2%

services: 68.9% (2004 est.)

Micronesia, Federated States of

agriculture: 50%

industry: 4%

services: 46% (2000 est.)

Moldova

agriculture: 22.4%

industry: 24.8%

services: 52.8% (2004 est.)

Monaco

agriculture: 17%

industry: NA%

services: NA% (2001 est.)

Mongolia

agriculture: 20.6%

industry: 21.4%

services: 58% (2003 est.)

Montserrat

agriculture: 5.4%

industry: 13.6%

services: 81% (1996 est.)

Morocco

agriculture: 21.2%

industry: 35.8%

services: 43% (2004 est.)

Mozambique

agriculture: 21.1%

industry: 32.1%

services: 46.9% (2004 est.)

Namibia

agriculture: 11.3%

industry: 30.8%

services: 57.9% (2004 est.)

Nauru

agriculture: NA

industry: NA

services: NA

Nepal

agriculture: 40%

industry: 20%

services: 40% (2002 est.)

Netherlands

agriculture: 2.4%

industry: 24.5%

services: 73.1% (2004 est.)

Netherlands Antilles

agriculture: 1%

industry: 15%

services: 84% (2000 est.)

New Caledonia

agriculture: 5%

industry: 30%

services: 65% (1997 est.)

New Zealand

agriculture: 4.6%

industry: 27.4%

services: 68% (2004 est.)

Nicaragua

agriculture: 20.7%

industry: 24.7%

services: 54.6% (2004 est.)

Niger

agriculture: 39%

industry: 17%

services: 44% (2001)

Nigeria

agriculture: 36.3%

industry: 30.5%

services: 33.3% (2004 est.)

Niue

agriculture: NA

industry: NA

services: 55%

Norfolk Island

agriculture: NA

industry: NA

services: NA

Northern Mariana Islands

agriculture: NA

industry: NA

services: NA

Norway

agriculture: 2.2%

industry: 36.3%

services: 61.6% (2004 est.)

Oman

agriculture: 3.1%

industry: 41.1%

services: 55.8% (2004 est.)

Pakistan

agriculture: 22.6%

industry: 24.1%

services: 53.3% (2004 est.)

Palau

agriculture: NA

industry: NA

services: NA

Panama

agriculture: 7.2%

industry: 13%

services: 79.8% (2004 est.)

Papua New Guinea

agriculture: 34.5%

industry: 34.7%

services: 30.8% (2004 est.)

Paraguay

agriculture: 25.3%

industry: 24.9%

services: 49.8% (2004 est.)

Peru

agriculture: 8%

industry: 27%

services: 65% (2003 est.)

Philippines

agriculture: 14.8%

industry: 31.9%

services: 53.2% (2004 est.)

Pitcairn Islands

agriculture: NA%

industry: NA%

services: NA%

Poland

agriculture: 2.9%

industry: 31.3%

services: 65.9% (2004 est.)

Portugal

agriculture: 5.9%

industry: 30.2%

services: 63.9% (2004 est.)

Puerto Rico

agriculture: 1%

industry: 45%

services: 54% (2002 est.)

Qatar

agriculture: 0.3%

industry: 58.2%

services: 41.5% (2004 est.)

Reunion

agriculture: 8%

industry: 19%

services: 73% (2000 est.)

Romania

agriculture: 13.1%

industry: 33.7%

services: 53.2% (2004 est.)

Russia

agriculture: 4.9%

industry: 33.9%

services: 61.2% (2004 est.)

Rwanda

agriculture: 41.1%

industry: 21.2%

services: 37.7% (2004 est.)

Saint Helena

agriculture: NA

industry: NA

services: NA

Saint Kitts and Nevis

agriculture: 3.5%

industry: 25.8%

services: 70.7% (2001)

Saint Lucia

agriculture: 7%

industry: 20%

services: 73% (2002 est.)

Saint Pierre and Miquelon

agriculture: NA%

industry: NA%

services: NA%

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

agriculture: 10%

industry: 26%

services: 64% (2001 est.)

Samoa

agriculture: 14%

industry: 23%

services: 63% (2001 est.)

San Marino

agriculture: NA%

industry: NA%

services: NA%

Sao Tome and Principe

agriculture: 16.5%

industry: 15.4%

services: 68.1% (2004 est.)

Saudi Arabia

agriculture: 4.2%

industry: 67.2%

services: 28.6% (2004 est.)

Senegal

agriculture: 15.9%

industry: 21.4%

services: 62.7% (2004 est.)

Serbia and Montenegro

agriculture: 15.5%

industry: 27.6%

services: 56.8% (2004 est.)

Seychelles

agriculture: 2.8%

industry: 28.7%

services: 68.9% (2004 est.)

Sierra Leone

agriculture: 49%

industry: 30%

services: 21% (2001 est.)

Singapore

agriculture: 0% negligible

industry: 32.6%

services: 67.4% (2004 est.)

Slovakia

agriculture: 3.5%

industry: 30.1%

services: 66.4% (2004 est.)

Slovenia

agriculture: 3%

industry: 36%

services: 60% (2004 est.)

Solomon Islands

agriculture: 42%

industry: 11%

services: 47% (2000 est.)

Somalia

agriculture: 65%

industry: 10%

services: 25% (2000 est.)

South Africa

agriculture: 3.6%

industry: 31.2%

services: 65.2% (2004 est.)

Spain

agriculture: 3.5%

industry: 28.5%

services: 68% (2004 est.)

Sri Lanka

agriculture: 19.1%

industry: 26.2%

services: 54.7% (2004 est.)

Sudan

agriculture: 38.7%

industry: 20.3%

services: 41% (2003 est.)

Suriname

agriculture: 13%

industry: 22%

services: 65% (2001 est.)

Swaziland

agriculture: 16.1%

industry: 43.4%

services: 40.5% (2004 est.)

Sweden

agriculture: 2%

industry: 29%

services: 69% (2001)

Switzerland

agriculture: 1.5%

industry: 34%

services: 64.5% (2003 est.)

Syria

agriculture: 25%

industry: 31%

services: 44% (2003 est.)

Taiwan

agriculture: 1.7%

industry: 30.9%

services: 67.4% (2004 est.)

Tajikistan

agriculture: 23.7%

industry: 24.3%

services: 52% (2004 est.)

Tanzania

agriculture: 43.2%

industry: 17.2%

services: 39.6% (2004 est.)

Thailand

agriculture: 9%

industry: 44.3%

services: 46.7% (2004 est.)

Togo

agriculture: 39.5%

industry: 20.4%

services: 40.1% (2003 est.)

Tokelau

agriculture: NA%

industry: NA%

services: NA%

Tonga

agriculture: 23%

industry: 13%

services: 64% (2002 est.)

Trinidad and Tobago

agriculture: 2.7%

industry: 47%

services: 50.3% (2004 est.)

Tunisia

agriculture: 13.8%

industry: 31.8%

services: 54.4% (2004 est.)

Turkey

agriculture: 11.7%

industry: 29.8%

services: 58.5% (2003 est.)

Turkmenistan

agriculture: 28.5%

industry: 42.7%

services: 28.8% (2004 est.)

Turks and Caicos Islands

agriculture: NA%

industry: NA%

services: NA%

Tuvalu

agriculture: NA%

industry: NA%

services: NA%

Uganda

agriculture: 35.8%

industry: 20.8%

services: 43.6% (2004 est.)

Ukraine

agriculture: 18%

industry: 45.1%

services: 36.9% (2004 est.)

United Arab Emirates

agriculture: 4%

industry: 58.5%

services: 37.5% (2002 est.)

United Kingdom

agriculture: 1%

industry: 26.3%

services: 72.7% (2004 est.)

United States

agriculture: 0.9%

industry: 19.7%

services: 79.4% (2004 est.)

Uruguay

agriculture: 7.9%

industry: 27.4%

services: 64.8% (2004 est.)

Uzbekistan

agriculture: 38%

industry: 26.3%

services: 35.7% (2003 est.)

Vanuatu

agriculture: 26%

industry: 12%

services: 62% (2000 est.)

Venezuela

agriculture: 0.1%

industry: 46.5%

services: 53.4% (2004 est.)

Vietnam

agriculture: 21.8%

industry: 40.1%

services: 38.1% (2004 est.)

Virgin Islands

agriculture: 1%

industry: 19%

services: 80% (2003 est.)

Wallis and Futuna

agriculture: NA%

industry: NA%

services: NA%

West Bank agriculture: 9% industry: 28% services: 63% note: includes Gaza Strip (2002 est.)

Western Sahara

agriculture: NA

industry: NA

services: 40% (1996 est.)

World

agriculture: 4%

industry: 32%

services: 64% (2004 est.)

Yemen

agriculture: 15.5%

industry: 44.7%

services: 39.7% (2004 est.)

Zambia

agriculture: 14.9%

industry: 28.9%

services: 56.1% (2004 est.)

Zimbabwe

agriculture: 18.1%

industry: 24.3%

services: 57.7% (2004 est.)

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2013 Radio broadcast stations

Afghanistan

AM 21, FM 23, shortwave 1 (broadcasts in Pashtu, Afghan

Persian (Dari), Urdu, and English) (2003)

Albania

AM 13, FM 4, shortwave 2 (2001)

Algeria

AM 25, FM 1, shortwave 8 (1999)

American Samoa

AM 3, FM 4, shortwave 1 (2004)

Andorra

AM 0, FM 15, shortwave 0 (1998)

Angola

AM 21, FM 6, shortwave 7 (2000)

Anguilla

AM 2, FM 7, shortwave 0 (2004)

Antarctica

AM NA, FM 2, shortwave 1

note: information for US bases only (2002)

Antigua and Barbuda

AM 4, FM 2, shortwave 0 (1998)

Argentina

AM 260 (including 10 inactive stations), FM NA (probably

more than 1,000, mostly unlicensed), shortwave 6 (1998)

Armenia

AM 9, FM 6, shortwave 1 (1998)

Aruba

AM 2, FM 16, shortwave 0 (2004)

Australia

AM 262, FM 345, shortwave 1 (1998)

Austria

AM 2, FM 65 (plus several hundred repeaters), shortwave 1

(2001)

Azerbaijan

AM 10, FM 17, shortwave 1 (1998)

Bahamas, The

AM 3, FM 5, shortwave 0 (2004)

Bahrain

AM 2, FM 3, shortwave 0 (1998)

Bangladesh

AM 12, FM 12, shortwave 2 (1999)

Barbados

AM 2, FM 6, shortwave 0 (2004)

Belarus

AM 28, FM 37, shortwave 11 (1998)

Belgium

FM 79, AM 7, shortwave 1 (1998)

Belize

AM 1, FM 12, shortwave 0 (1998)

Benin

AM 2, FM 9, shortwave 4 (2000)

Bermuda

AM 5, FM 3, shortwave 0 (2004)

Bhutan

AM 0, FM 1, shortwave 1 (2004)

Bolivia

AM 171, FM 73, shortwave 77 (1999)

Bosnia and Herzegovina

AM 8, FM 16, shortwave 1 (1998)

Botswana

AM 8, FM 13, shortwave 4 (2001)

Brazil

AM 1,365, FM 296, shortwave 161 (of which 91 are collocated

with AM stations) (1999)

British Indian Ocean Territory

AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 0 (1998)

British Virgin Islands

AM 1, FM 5, shortwave 0 (2004)

Brunei

AM 3, FM 10, shortwave 0 (1998)

Bulgaria

AM 31, FM 63, shortwave 2 (2001)

Burkina Faso

AM 3, FM 17, shortwave 3 (2002)

Burma

AM 1, FM 1 (2004)

Burundi

AM 0, FM 4, shortwave 1 (2001)

Cambodia

AM 2, FM 17, (2003)

Cameroon

AM 2, FM 9, shortwave 3 (2002)

Canada

AM 245, FM 582, shortwave 6 (2004)

Cape Verde

AM 0, FM 22 (and 12 low power repeaters), shortwave 0

(2002)

Cayman Islands

AM 1, FM 4, shortwave 0 (2004)

Central African Republic

AM 1, FM 5, shortwave 1 (2002)

Chad

AM 2, FM 4, shortwave 5 (2002)

Chile

AM 180 (eight inactive), FM 64, shortwave 17 (one inactive)

(1998)

China

AM 369, FM 259, shortwave 45 (1998)

Christmas Island

AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0 (2004)

Cocos (Keeling) Islands

AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 0 (2004)

Colombia

AM 454, FM 34, shortwave 27 (1999)

Comoros

AM 1, FM 4, shortwave 1 (2001)

Congo, Democratic Republic of the

AM 3, FM 11, shortwave 2 (2001)

Congo, Republic of the

AM 1, FM 5, shortwave 3 (2001)

Cook Islands

AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0 (2004)

Costa Rica

AM 65, FM 51, shortwave 19 (2002)

Cote d'Ivoire

AM 2, FM 9, shortwave 3 (1998)

Croatia

AM 16, FM 98, shortwave 5 (1999)

Cuba

AM 169, FM 55, shortwave 1 (1998)

Cyprus

Republic of Cyprus: AM 7, FM 60, shortwave 1 (1998); north

Cyprus: AM 3, FM 11, shortwave 1 (1998)

Czech Republic

AM 31, FM 304, shortwave 17 (2000)

Denmark

AM 2, FM 355, shortwave 0 (1998)

Djibouti

AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 0 (2001)

Dominica

AM 2, FM 4, shortwave 0 (2004)

Dominican Republic

AM 120, FM 56, shortwave 4 (1998)

East Timor

AM NA, FM NA, shortwave NA

Ecuador

AM 392, FM 35, shortwave 29 (2001)

Egypt

AM 42 (plus 15 repeaters), FM 14, shortwave 3 (1999)

El Salvador

AM 61 (plus 24 repeaters), FM 30, shortwave 0 (1998)

Equatorial Guinea

AM 0, FM 3, shortwave 5 (2002)

Eritrea

AM 2, FM NA, shortwave 2 (2000)

Estonia

AM 0, FM 98, shortwave 0 (2001)

Ethiopia

AM 8, FM 0, shortwave 1 (2001)

European Union

AM 866, FM 13,396, shortwave 73 (1998); note - sum of

individual country radio broadcast stations; there is also a

European-wide station (Euroradio)

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

AM 1, FM 7, shortwave 0 (1998)

Faroe Islands

AM 1, FM 13, shortwave 0 (1998)

Fiji

AM 13, FM 40, shortwave 0 (1998)

Finland

AM 2, FM 186, shortwave 1 (1998)

France

AM 41, FM about 3,500 (this figure is an approximation and

includes many repeaters), shortwave 2 (1998)

French Guiana

AM 2, FM 14 (including 6 repeaters), shortwave 6

(including 5 repeaters) (1998)

French Polynesia

AM 2, FM 14, shortwave 2 (1998)

Gabon

AM 6, FM 7 (and 11 repeaters), shortwave 4 (2001)

Gambia, The

AM 3, FM 2, shortwave 0 (2001)

Gaza Strip

AM 0, FM 0, shortwave 0 (1998)

Georgia

AM 7, FM 12, shortwave 4 (1998)

Germany

AM 51, FM 787, shortwave 4 (1998)

Ghana

AM 0, FM 49, shortwave 3 (2001)

Gibraltar

AM 1, FM 5, shortwave 0 (1998)

Greece

AM 26, FM 88, shortwave 4 (1998)

Greenland

AM 5, FM 12, shortwave 0 (1998)

Grenada

AM 2, FM 13, shortwave 0 (1998)

Guadeloupe

AM 1, FM 17, shortwave 0 (1998)

Guam

AM 4, FM 7, shortwave 2 (2003)

Guatemala

AM 130, FM 487, shortwave 15 (2000)

Guernsey

AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0 (1998)

Guinea

AM 4 (one station is inactive), FM 1 (plus 7 repeaters),

shortwave 3 (2001)

Guinea-Bissau

AM 1 (transmitter out of service), FM 4, shortwave 0

(2002)

Guyana

AM 3, FM 3, shortwave 1 (1998)

Haiti

AM 41, FM 26, shortwave 0 (1999)

Holy See (Vatican City)

AM 3, FM 4, shortwave 2 (1998)

Honduras

AM 241, FM 53, shortwave 12 (1998)

Hong Kong

AM 5, FM 9, shortwave 0 (2004)

Hungary

AM 17, FM 57, shortwave 3 (1998)

Iceland

AM 3, FM about 70 (including repeaters), shortwave 1 (1998)

India

AM 153, FM 91, shortwave 68 (1998)

Indonesia

AM 678, FM 43, shortwave 82 (1998)

Iran

AM 72, FM 5, shortwave 5 (1998)

Iraq

after 17 months of unregulated media growth, there are

approximately 80 radio stations on the air inside Iraq (2004)

Ireland

AM 9, FM 106, shortwave 0 (1998)

Israel

AM 23, FM 15, shortwave 2 (1998)

Italy

AM about 100, FM about 4,600, shortwave 9 (1998)

Jamaica

AM 10, FM 13, shortwave 0 (1998)

Jan Mayen

AM NA, FM NA, shortwave NA

note: there is one radio and meteorological station (1998)

Japan

AM 215 plus 370 repeaters, FM 89 plus 485 repeaters, shortwave

21 (2001)

Jersey

AM NA, FM 1, shortwave 0 (1998)

Jordan

AM 6, FM 5, shortwave 1 (1999)

Kazakhstan

AM 60, FM 17, shortwave 9 (1998)

Kenya

AM 24, FM 18, shortwave 6 (2001)

Kiribati

AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 1

note: the shortwave station may be inactive (2002)

Korea, North

AM 17 (including 11 stations of Korean Central

Broadcasting Station), FM 14, shortwave 14 (2003)

Korea, South

AM 58, FM 150, shortwave 2 (2004)

Kuwait

AM 6, FM 11, shortwave 1 (1998)

Kyrgyzstan

AM 12 (plus 10 repeater stations), FM 14, shortwave 2

(1998)

Laos

AM 12, FM 1, shortwave 4 (1998)

Latvia

AM 8, FM 56, shortwave 1 (1998)

Lebanon

AM 20, FM 22, shortwave 4 (1998)

Lesotho

AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 1 (1998)

Liberia

AM 0, FM 7, shortwave 2 (2001)

Libya

AM 16, FM 3, shortwave 3 (2002)

Liechtenstein

AM 0, FM 4, shortwave 0 (1998)

Lithuania

AM 29, FM 142, shortwave 1 (2001)

Luxembourg

AM 2, FM 9, shortwave 2 (1999)

Macau

AM 0, FM 2, shortwave 0 (1998)

Macedonia

AM 29, FM 20, shortwave 0 (1998)

Madagascar

AM 2 (plus a number of repeater stations), FM 9,

shortwave 6 (2001)

Malawi

AM 9, FM 5 (plus 15 repeater stations), shortwave 2 (plus a

third station held in standby status) (2001)

Malaysia

AM 35, FM 391, shortwave 15 (2001)

Maldives

AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 1 (1998)

Mali

AM 1, FM 28, shortwave 1

note: the shortwave station in Bamako has seven frequencies and five

transmitters and relays broadcasts for China Radio International

(2001)

Malta

AM 1, FM 18, shortwave 6 (1999)

Man, Isle of

AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0 (1998)

Marshall Islands

AM 2, FM 1, shortwave 0

note: additionally, the US Armed Forces Radio and Television

Services (Central Pacific Network) operate one FM and one AM station

on Kwajalein (2002)

Martinique

AM 0, FM 14, shortwave 0 (1998)

Mauritania

AM 1, FM 14, shortwave 1 (2001)

Mauritius

AM 4, FM 9, shortwave 0 (2002)

Mayotte

AM 1, FM 5, shortwave 0 (2001)

Mexico

AM 850, FM 545, shortwave 15 (2003)

Micronesia, Federated States of

AM 5, FM 1, shortwave 0 (2004)

Moldova

AM 7, FM 50, shortwave 3 (1998)

Monaco

AM 1, FM NA, shortwave 8 (1998)

Mongolia

AM 7, FM 62, shortwave 3 (2004)

Montserrat

AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 0 (1998)

Morocco

AM 27, FM 25, shortwave 6 (1998)

Mozambique

AM 13, FM 17, shortwave 11 (2001)

Namibia

AM 2, FM 39, shortwave 4 (2001)

Nauru

AM 1, FM 0, shortwave 0 (1998)

Nepal

AM 6, FM 5, shortwave 1 (January 2000)

Netherlands

AM 4, FM 246, shortwave 3 (2004)

Netherlands Antilles

AM 8, FM 19, shortwave 0 (2004)

New Caledonia

AM 1, FM 5, shortwave 0 (1998)

New Zealand

AM 124, FM 290, shortwave 4 (1998)

Nicaragua

AM 63, FM 32, shortwave 1 (1998)

Niger

AM 5, FM 6, shortwave 4 (2001)

Nigeria

AM 83, FM 36, shortwave 11 (2001)

Niue

AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0 (1998)

Norfolk Island

AM 1, FM 3, shortwave 0 (2005)

Northern Mariana Islands

AM 2, FM 3, shortwave 1 (1998)

Norway

AM 5, FM at least 650, shortwave 1 (1998)

Oman

AM 3, FM 9, shortwave 2 (1999)

Pakistan

AM 27, FM 1, shortwave 21 (1998)

Palau

AM 1, FM 4, shortwave 1 (2002)

Panama

AM 101, FM 134, shortwave 0 (1998)

Papua New Guinea

AM 8, FM 19, shortwave 28 (1998)

Paraguay

AM 46, FM 27, shortwave 6 (three inactive) (1998)

Peru

AM 472, FM 198, shortwave 189 (1999)

Philippines

AM 369, FM 583, shortwave 5

note: each shortwave station operates on multiple frequencies in the

language of the target audience (2004)

Pitcairn Islands

AM 1, FM 0, shortwave 0, note - 15 Ham radio

operators (VP6) (2004)

Poland

AM 14, FM 777, shortwave 1 (1998)

Portugal

AM 47, FM 172 (many are repeaters), shortwave 2 (1998)

Puerto Rico

AM 72, FM 17, shortwave 0 (1998)

Qatar

AM 6, FM 5, shortwave 1 (1998)

Reunion

AM 2, FM 55, shortwave 0 (2001)

Romania

AM 40, FM 202, shortwave 3 (1998)

Russia

AM 420, FM 447, shortwave 56 (1998)

Rwanda

AM 0, FM 8 (two main FM programs are broadcast through a

system of repeaters, three international FM programs include the

BBC, VOA, and Deutchewelle), shortwave 1 (2005)

Saint Helena

AM 1, FM 0, shortwave 0 (1998)

Saint Kitts and Nevis

AM 3, FM 3, shortwave 0 (2004)

Saint Lucia

AM 2, FM 7, shortwave 0 (2004)

Saint Pierre and Miquelon

AM 1, FM 4, shortwave 0 (1998)

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

AM 1, FM 6, shortwave 0 (2004)

Samoa

AM 2, FM 5, shortwave 0 (2004)

San Marino

AM 0, FM 3, shortwave 0 (1998)

Sao Tome and Principe

AM 1, FM 5, shortwave 1 (2002)

Saudi Arabia

AM 43, FM 31, shortwave 2 (1998)

Senegal

AM 8, FM 20, shortwave 1 (2001)

Serbia and Montenegro

AM 113, FM 194, shortwave 2 (1998)

Seychelles

AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 2 (1998)

Sierra Leone

AM 1, FM 9, shortwave 1 (1999)

Singapore

AM 0, FM 17, shortwave 2 (2003)

Slovakia

AM 15, FM 78, shortwave 2 (1998)

Slovenia

AM 17, FM 160, shortwave 0 (1998)

Solomon Islands

AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 1 (2004)

Somalia

AM 0, FM 11, shortwave 1 in Mogadishu; 1 FM in Puntland, 1

FM in Somaliland (2001)

South Africa

AM 14, FM 347 (plus 243 repeaters), shortwave 1 (1998)

South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands

0 (2003)

Spain

AM 208, FM 715, shortwave 1 (1998)

Sri Lanka

AM 26, FM 45, shortwave 1 (1998)

Sudan

AM 12, FM 1, shortwave 1 (1998)

Suriname

AM 4, FM 13, shortwave 1 (1998)

Svalbard

AM 1, FM 1 (plus 2 repeaters), shortwave 0 (1998)

Swaziland

AM 3, FM 2 plus 4 repeaters, shortwave 3 (2004)

Sweden

AM 1, FM 265, shortwave 1 (1998)

Switzerland

AM 4, FM 113 (plus many low power stations), shortwave 2

(1998)

Syria

AM 14, FM 2, shortwave 1 (1998)

Taiwan

AM 218, FM 333, shortwave 50 (1999)

Tajikistan

AM 8, FM 10, shortwave 2 (2002)

Tanzania

AM 12, FM 11, shortwave 2 (1998)

Thailand

AM 204, FM 334, shortwave 6 (1999)

Togo

AM 2, FM 9, shortwave 4 (1998)

Tokelau

AM NA, FM NA, shortwave NA

note: 1 radio station provides service to all islands (2002)

Tonga

AM 1, FM 4, shortwave 1 (2004)

Trinidad and Tobago

AM 4, FM 18, shortwave 0 (2004)

Tunisia

AM 7, FM 20, shortwave 2 (1998)

Turkey

AM 16, FM 107, shortwave 6 (2001)

Turkmenistan

AM 16, FM 8, shortwave 2 (1998)

Turks and Caicos Islands

AM 2, FM 7, shortwave 0 (2004)

Tuvalu

AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0 (2004)

Uganda

AM 7, FM 33, shortwave 2 (2001)

Ukraine

AM 134, FM 289, shortwave 4 (1998)

United Arab Emirates

AM 13, FM 8, shortwave 2 (2004)

United Kingdom

AM 219, FM 431, shortwave 3 (1998)

United States

AM 4,854, FM 8,950, shortwave 18 (2004)

Uruguay

AM 91, FM 149, shortwave 7 (2001)

Uzbekistan

AM 20, FM 7, shortwave 10 (1998)

Vanuatu

AM 2, FM 4, shortwave 1 (2004)

Venezuela

AM 201, FM NA (20 in Caracas), shortwave 11 (1998)

Vietnam

AM 65, FM 7, shortwave 29 (1999)

Virgin Islands

AM 6, FM 17, shortwave 0 (2004)

Wake Island

AM 0, FM NA, shortwave NA

note: Armed Forces Radio/Television Service (AFRTS) radio service

provided by satellite (1998)

Wallis and Futuna

AM 1, FM 0, shortwave 0 (2000)

West Bank

AM 1, FM 0, shortwave 0

note: the Palestinian Broadcasting Corporation broadcasts from an AM

station in Ramallah on 675 kHz; numerous local, private stations are

reported to be in operation (2000)

Western Sahara

AM 2, FM 0, shortwave 0 (1998)

World

AM NA, FM NA, shortwave NA

Yemen

AM 6, FM 1, shortwave 2 (1998)

Zambia

AM 19, FM 5, shortwave 4 (2001)

Zimbabwe

AM 7, FM 20 (plus 17 repeater stations), shortwave 1 (1998)

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2015 Television broadcast stations

Afghanistan

at least 10 (one government-run central television

station in Kabul and regional stations in nine of the 32 provinces;

the regional stations operate on a reduced schedule; also, in 1997,

there was a station in Mazar-e Sharif reaching four northern

Afghanistan provinces) (1998)

Albania

3 (plus 58 repeaters) (2001)

Algeria

46 (plus 216 repeaters) (1995)

American Samoa

1; note - one cable TV station (2004)

Andorra

0 (1997)

Angola

6 (2000)

Anguilla

1 (1997)

Antarctica

1 (cable system with six channels; American Forces

Antarctic Network-McMurdo)

note: information for US bases only (2002)

Antigua and Barbuda

2 (1997)

Argentina

42 (plus 444 repeaters) (1997)

Armenia

3 (plus an unknown number of repeaters); (1998)

Aruba

1 (1997)

Australia

104 (1997)

Austria

10 (plus more than 1,000 repeaters) (2001)

Azerbaijan

2 (1997)

Bahamas, The

2 (2004)

Bahrain

4 (1997)

Bangladesh

15 (1999)

Barbados

1 (plus two cable channels) (2004)

Belarus

47 (plus 27 repeaters) (1995)

Belgium

25 (plus 10 repeaters) (1997)

Belize

2 (1997)

Benin

1 (2001)

Bermuda

4 (2004)

Bhutan

1 (2005)

Bolivia

48 (1997)

Bosnia and Herzegovina

33 (plus 277 repeaters) (September 1995)

Botswana

1 (2001)

Brazil

138 (1997)

British Indian Ocean Territory

1 (1997)

British Virgin Islands

1 (plus one cable company) (1997)

Brunei

2 (1997)

Bulgaria

39 (plus 1,242 repeaters) (2001)

Burkina Faso

1 (2002)

Burma

2 (2004)

Burundi

1 (2001)

Cambodia

7 (2003)

Cameroon

1 (2002)

Canada

80 (plus many repeaters) (1997)

Cape Verde

1 (and 7 repeaters) (2002)

Cayman Islands

4 with cable system (2004)

Central African Republic

1 (2001)

Chad

1 (2002)

Chile

63 (plus 121 repeaters) (1997)

China

3,240 (of which 209 are operated by China Central Television,

31 are provincial TV stations and nearly 3,000 are local city

stations) (1997)

Christmas Island

NA

Cocos (Keeling) Islands

NA

Colombia

60 (includes seven low-power stations) (1997)

Comoros

NA

Congo, Democratic Republic of the

4 (2001)

Congo, Republic of the

1 (2002)

Cook Islands

1 (outer islands receive satellite broadcasts) (2004)

Costa Rica

20 (plus 43 repeaters) (2002)

Cote d'Ivoire

14 (1999)

Croatia

36 (plus 321 repeaters) (September 1995)

Cuba

58 (1997)

Cyprus

Republic of Cyprus: 4 (plus 225 low-power repeaters)

(September 1995); north Cyprus: 4 (plus 5 repeaters) (September 1995)

Czech Republic

150 (plus 1,434 repeaters) (2000)

Denmark

26 (plus 51 repeaters) (1998)

Djibouti

1 (2002)

Dominica

1 (2004)

Dominican Republic

25 (2003)

East Timor

NA

Ecuador

7 (plus 14 repeaters) (2001)

Egypt

98 (September 1995)

El Salvador

5 (1997)

Equatorial Guinea

1 (2002)

Eritrea

1 (2000)

Estonia

3 (2001)

Ethiopia

1 plus 24 repeaters (2002)

European Union

2,791 (1995); note - does not include repeaters; sum

of individual country television broadcast stations; there is also a

European-wide station (Eurovision)

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

2 (operated by the British Forces

Broadcasting Service)

note: cable television is available in Stanley (2002)

Faroe Islands

3 (plus 43 low-power repeaters) (September 1995)

Fiji

NA

Finland

120 (plus 431 repeaters) (1999)

France

584 (plus 9,676 repeaters) (1995)

French Guiana

3 (plus eight low-power repeaters) (1997)

French Polynesia

7 (plus 17 low-power repeaters) (1997)

Gabon

4 (plus four low-power repeaters) (2001)

Gambia, The

1 (government-owned) (1997)

Gaza Strip

2 (operated by the Palestinian Broadcasting Corporation)

(1997)

Georgia

12 (plus repeaters) (1998)

Germany

373 (plus 8,042 repeaters) (1995)

Ghana

10 (2001)

Gibraltar

1 (plus three low-power repeaters) (1997)

Greece

36 (plus 1,341 low-power repeaters); also two stations in the

US Armed Forces Radio and Television Service (1995)

Greenland

1 publicly-owned station, some local low-power stations,

and three AFRTS (US Air Force) stations (1997)

Grenada

2 (1997)

Guadeloupe

5 (plus several low-power repeaters) (1997)

Guam

5 (1997)

Guatemala

26 (plus 27 repeaters) (1997)

Guernsey

1 (1997)

Guinea

6 low-power stations (2001)

Guinea-Bissau

NA (1997)

Guyana

3 (one public station; two private stations which relay US

satellite services) (1997)

Haiti

2 (plus a cable TV service) (1997)

Holy See (Vatican City)

1 (1996)

Honduras

11 (plus 17 repeaters) (1997)

Hong Kong

4 (2004)

Hungary

35 (plus 161 low-power repeaters) (1995)

Iceland

14 (plus 156 low-power repeaters) (1997)

India

562 (of which 82 stations have 1 kW or greater power and 480

stations have less than 1 kW of power) (1997)

Indonesia

41 (1999)

Iran

28 (plus 450 low-power repeaters) (1997)

Iraq

21 (2004)

Ireland

4 (many low-power repeaters) (2001)

Israel

17 (plus 36 low-power repeaters) (1995)

Italy

358 (plus 4,728 repeaters) (1995)

Jamaica

7 (1997)

Japan

211 plus 7,341 repeaters

note: in addition, US Forces are served by 3 TV stations and 2 TV

cable services (1999)

Jersey

2 (1997)

Jordan

20 (plus 96 repeaters) (1995)

Kazakhstan

12 (plus nine repeaters) (1998)

Kenya

8 (2002)

Kiribati

1 (not reported to be active) (2002)

Korea, North

4 (includes Korean Central Television, Mansudae

Television, Korean Educational and Cultural Network, and Kaesong

Television targeting South Korea) (2003)

Korea, South

64 (additionally 119 Cable Operators; 239 Relay Cable

Operators) (2004)

Kuwait

13 (plus several satellite channels) (1997)

Kyrgyzstan

NA (repeater stations throughout the country relay

programs from Russia, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Turkey) (1997)

Laos

4 (1999)

Latvia

44 (plus 31 repeaters) (1995)

Lebanon

15 (plus 5 repeaters) (1995)

Lesotho

1 (2000)

Liberia

1 (plus four low-power repeaters) (2001)

Libya

12 (plus one low-power repeater) (1999)

Liechtenstein

NA (linked to Swiss networks) (1997)

Lithuania

27

note: Lithuania has approximately 27 broadcasting stations, but may

have as many as 100 transmitters, including repeater stations (2001)

Luxembourg

5 (1999)

Macau

1 (2003)

Macedonia

31 (plus 166 repeaters) (1995)

Madagascar

1 (plus 36 repeaters) (2001)

Malawi

1 (2001)

Malaysia

1 (plus 15 high-power repeaters) (2001)

Maldives

1 (1997)

Mali

1 (plus repeaters) (2001)

Malta

6 (2000)

Man, Isle of

0 (receives broadcasts from the UK and satellite) (1999)

Marshall Islands

2 (both are US military stations) (2002)

Martinique

11 (plus nine repeaters) (1997)

Mauritania

1 (2002)

Mauritius

2 (plus several repeaters) (1997)

Mayotte

3 (2001)

Mexico

236 (plus repeaters) (1997)

Micronesia, Federated States of 3; note - cable TV also available (2004)

Moldova

1 (plus 30 repeaters) (1995)

Monaco

5 (1998)

Mongolia

52 (plus 21 provincial repeaters and many low power

repeaters) (2004)

Montserrat

1 (1997)

Morocco

35 (plus 66 repeaters) (1995)

Mozambique

1 (2001)

Namibia

8 (plus about 20 low-power repeaters) (1997)

Nauru

1 (1997)

Nepal

1 (plus 9 repeaters) (1998)

Netherlands

21 (plus 26 repeaters) (1995)

Netherlands Antilles

3 (there is also a cable service, which

supplies programs received from various US satellite networks and

two Venezuelan channels) (2004)

New Caledonia

6 (plus 25 low-power repeaters) (1997)

New Zealand

41 (plus 52 medium-power repeaters and over 650

low-power repeaters) (1997)

Nicaragua

3 (plus seven low-power repeaters) (1997)

Niger

3 (plus seven low-power repeaters) (2002)

Nigeria

3 (the government controls 2 of the broadcasting stations

and 15 repeater stations) (2002)

Niue

1 (1997)

Norfolk Island

1 (local programming station plus two repeaters that

bring in Australian programs by satellite) (2005)

Northern Mariana Islands 1 (on Saipan and one station planned for Rota; in addition, two cable services on Saipan provide varied programming from satellite networks) (1997)

Norway

360 (plus 2,729 repeaters) (1995)

Oman

13 (plus 25 low-power repeaters) (1999)

Pakistan

22 (plus seven low-power repeaters) (1997)

Palau

1 (cable) (2005)

Panama

38 (including repeaters) (1998)

Papua New Guinea

3 (all in the Port Moresby area)

note: additional stations at Mt. Hagen, Goroka, Lae, and Rabaul are

planned (2004)

Paraguay

5 (2003)

Peru

13 (plus 112 repeaters) (1997)

Philippines

225; note - 1373 CATV networks (2004)

Poland

179 (plus 256 repeaters) (September 1995)

Portugal

62 (plus 166 repeaters)

note: includes Azores and Madeira Islands (1995)

Puerto Rico

6 (19 relay stations) (2004)

Qatar

1 (plus three repeaters) (2001)

Reunion

35 (plus 18 low-power repeaters) (2001)

Romania

48 (plus 392 repeaters) (1995)

Russia

7,306 (1998)

Rwanda

2 (2004)

Saint Helena

0

note: television programs are received in Saint Helena via satellite

and distributed by cable (2002)

Saint Kitts and Nevis

1 (plus three repeaters) (2004)

Saint Lucia

2 (of which one is a commercial broadcast station and

one is a community antenna television or CATV channel) (2004)

Saint Pierre and Miquelon

0 (there are, however, two repeaters which

rebroadcast programs from France, Canada, and the US) (1997)

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

1 (plus three repeaters) (2004)

Samoa

2 (2002)

San Marino

1 (San Marino residents also receive broadcasts from

Italy) (1997)

Sao Tome and Principe

2 (2002)

Saudi Arabia

117 (1997)

Senegal

1 (1997)

Serbia and Montenegro

more than 771 (including 86 strong stations

and 685 low-power stations, plus 20 repeaters in the principal

networks; also numerous local or private stations in Serbia and

Vojvodina) (1997)

Seychelles

2 (plus 9 repeaters) (1997)

Sierra Leone

2 (1999)

Singapore

7 (2003)

Slovakia

6 national broadcasting, 7 regional, 67 local (2004)

Slovenia

48 (2001)

Somalia 4 note: two in Mogadishu; two in Hargeisa (2001)

South Africa

556 (plus 144 network repeaters) (1997)

South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands

0 (2003)

Spain

224 (plus 2,105 repeaters)

note: these figures include 11 television broadcast stations and 88

repeaters in the Canary Islands (1995)

Sri Lanka

21 (1997)

Sudan

3 (1997)

Suriname

3 (plus seven repeaters) (2000)

Svalbard

NA

Swaziland

5 plus 7 relay stations (2004)

Sweden

169 (plus 1,299 repeaters) (1995)

Switzerland

115 (plus 1,919 repeaters) (1995)

Syria

44 (plus 17 repeaters) (1995)

Taiwan

29 (plus two repeaters) (1997)

Tajikistan

13 (2001)

Tanzania

3 (1999)

Thailand

5 (all in Bangkok; plus 131 repeaters) (1997)

Togo

3 (plus two repeaters) (1997)

Tonga

3 (2004)

Trinidad and Tobago

4 (2004)

Tunisia

26 (plus 76 repeaters) (1995)

Turkey

635 (plus 2,934 repeaters) (1995)

Turkmenistan

4 (government owned and programmed) (2004)

Turks and Caicos Islands 0 (broadcasts from The Bahamas are received; 2 cable television networks) (2004)

Tuvalu

0 (2004)

Uganda

8 (plus one low-power repeater) (2001)

Ukraine

at least 33 (plus 21 repeaters that relay broadcasts from

Russia) (1997)

United Arab Emirates

15 (2004)

United Kingdom

228 (plus 3,523 repeaters) (1995)

United States

more than 1,500 (including nearly 1,000 stations

affiliated with the five major networks - NBC, ABC, CBS, FOX, and

PBS; in addition, there are about 9,000 cable TV systems) (1997)

Uruguay

23 (2002)

Uzbekistan

4 (plus two repeaters that relay Russian programs), 1

cable rebroadcaster in Tashkent; approximately 20 stations in

regional capitals (2003)

Vanuatu

1 (2004)

Venezuela

66 (plus 45 repeaters) (1997)

Vietnam

at least 7 (plus 13 repeaters) (1998)

Virgin Islands

16 (2004)

Wake Island

0 (1997)

Wallis and Futuna

2 (2000)

West Bank

NA

Western Sahara

NA

World

NA

Yemen

7 (plus several low-power repeaters) (1997)

Zambia

9 (2002)

Zimbabwe

16 (1997)

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2018 Sex ratio (male(s)/female)

Afghanistan

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.95 male(s)/female

total population: 1.05 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Albania

at birth: 1.1 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.1 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.86 male(s)/female

total population: 1.04 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Algeria

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.89 male(s)/female

total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

American Samoa

at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.08 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.07 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.62 male(s)/female

total population: 1.06 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Andorra

at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.1 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.1 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.98 male(s)/female

total population: 1.08 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Angola

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/female

total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Anguilla

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.06 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/female

total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Antigua and Barbuda

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.63 male(s)/female

total population: 1 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Argentina

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female

total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Armenia

at birth: 1.17 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.11 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.87 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.68 male(s)/female

total population: 0.9 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Aruba

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female

total population: 0.93 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Australia

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.79 male(s)/female

total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Austria

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.67 male(s)/female

total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Azerbaijan

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.66 male(s)/female

total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Bahamas, The

at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female

total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Bahrain

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.4 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 1.06 male(s)/female

total population: 1.27 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Bangladesh

at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 1.16 male(s)/female

total population: 1.05 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Barbados

at birth: 1.01 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.62 male(s)/female

total population: 0.93 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Belarus

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.5 male(s)/female

total population: 0.88 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Belgium

at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female

total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Belize

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.93 male(s)/female

total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Benin

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female

total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Bermuda

at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female

total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Bhutan

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.08 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.06 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 1.02 male(s)/female

total population: 1.07 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Bolivia

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/female

total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Bosnia and Herzegovina

at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.75 male(s)/female

total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Botswana

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.93 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.63 male(s)/female

total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Brazil

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female

total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

British Virgin Islands

at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.06 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 1.12 male(s)/female

total population: 1.05 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Brunei

at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.13 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.9 male(s)/female

total population: 1.09 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Bulgaria

at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female

total population: 0.93 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Burkina Faso

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female

total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Burma

at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.79 male(s)/female

total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Burundi

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.65 male(s)/female

total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Cambodia

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.57 male(s)/female

total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Cameroon

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.82 male(s)/female

total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Canada

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.74 male(s)/female

total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Cape Verde

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.6 male(s)/female

total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Cayman Islands

at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.89 male(s)/female

total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Central African Republic

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female

total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Chad

at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.67 male(s)/female

total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Chile

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female

total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

China

at birth: 1.12 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.13 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.06 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.91 male(s)/female

total population: 1.06 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Christmas Island

NA

Colombia

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.79 male(s)/female

total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Comoros

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.89 male(s)/female

total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Congo, Democratic Republic of the

at birth: 1.01 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.68 male(s)/female

total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Congo, Republic of the

at birth: 1.01 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female

total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Cook Islands

NA

Costa Rica

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.87 male(s)/female

total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Cote d'Ivoire

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 0.97 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.97 male(s)/female

total population: 1 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Croatia

at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.61 male(s)/female

total population: 0.92 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Cuba

at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.85 male(s)/female

total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Cyprus

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female

total population: 1 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Czech Republic

at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.63 male(s)/female

total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Denmark

at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.75 male(s)/female

total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Djibouti

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.09 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 1.02 male(s)/female

total population: 1.05 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Dominica

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.06 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.67 male(s)/female

total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Dominican Republic

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.87 male(s)/female

total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

East Timor

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.96 male(s)/female

total population: 1.04 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Ecuador

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.88 male(s)/female

total population: 1 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Egypt

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.74 male(s)/female

total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

El Salvador

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.91 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/female

total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Equatorial Guinea

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.93 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female

total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Eritrea

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.95 male(s)/female

total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Estonia

at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.91 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.49 male(s)/female

total population: 0.84 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Ethiopia

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.83 male(s)/female

total population: 1 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

European Union

at birth: NA

under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female

65 years and older: 0.69 male(s)/female

total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (July 2004 est.)

Faroe Islands

at birth: 1 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.12 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.82 male(s)/female

total population: 1.05 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Fiji

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.84 male(s)/female

total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Finland

at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.66 male(s)/female

total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

France

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female

total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

French Guiana

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.16 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 1.04 male(s)/female

total population: 1.12 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

French Polynesia

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.08 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 1.02 male(s)/female

total population: 1.07 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Gabon

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female

total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Gambia, The

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 1.06 male(s)/female

total population: 1 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Gaza Strip

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.72 male(s)/female

total population: 1.04 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Georgia

at birth: 1.16 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.12 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.67 male(s)/female

total population: 0.91 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Germany

at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female

total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Ghana

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.88 male(s)/female

total population: 1 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Gibraltar

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/female

total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Greece

at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.79 male(s)/female

total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Greenland

at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.17 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.89 male(s)/female

total population: 1.12 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Grenada

at birth: 1 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.12 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.9 male(s)/female

total population: 1.08 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Guadeloupe

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.72 male(s)/female

total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Guam

at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.07 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.88 male(s)/female

total population: 1.04 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Guatemala

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.87 male(s)/female

total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Guernsey

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.73 male(s)/female

total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Guinea

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female

total population: 1 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Guinea-Bissau

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.74 male(s)/female

total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Guyana

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/female

total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Haiti

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.81 male(s)/female

total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Honduras

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.89 male(s)/female

total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Hong Kong

at birth: 1.1 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.1 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.86 male(s)/female

total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Hungary

at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.57 male(s)/female

total population: 0.91 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Iceland

at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.82 male(s)/female

total population: 1 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

India

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.07 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 1.02 male(s)/female

total population: 1.06 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Indonesia

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female

total population: 1 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Iran

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.97 male(s)/female

total population: 1.04 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Iraq

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.89 male(s)/female

total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Ireland

at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.07 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.79 male(s)/female

total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Israel

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.75 male(s)/female

total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Italy

at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female

total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Jamaica

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/female

total population: 1 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Japan

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.73 male(s)/female

total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Jersey

at birth: 1.08 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.07 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female

total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Jordan

at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.15 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.96 male(s)/female

total population: 1.1 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Kazakhstan

at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.54 male(s)/female

total population: 0.93 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Kenya

at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.84 male(s)/female

total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Kiribati

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.75 male(s)/female

total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Korea, North

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.53 male(s)/female

total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Korea, South

at birth: 1.08 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.11 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.67 male(s)/female

total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Kuwait

at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.77 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 1.74 male(s)/female

total population: 1.52 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Kyrgyzstan

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.64 male(s)/female

total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Laos

at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.82 male(s)/female

total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Latvia

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.48 male(s)/female

total population: 0.86 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Lebanon

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.83 male(s)/female

total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Lesotho

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female

total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Liberia

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 1.01 male(s)/female

total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Libya

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.07 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.96 male(s)/female

total population: 1.05 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Liechtenstein

at birth: 1.01 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 0.98 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female

total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Lithuania

at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.52 male(s)/female

total population: 0.89 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Luxembourg

at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.68 male(s)/female

total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Macau

at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.07 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.91 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female

total population: 0.92 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Macedonia

at birth: 1.08 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.07 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female

total population: 1 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Madagascar

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.83 male(s)/female

total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Malawi

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.65 male(s)/female

total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Malaysia

at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.79 male(s)/female

total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Maldives

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 1 male(s)/female

total population: 1.05 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Mali

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.93 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.84 male(s)/female

total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Malta

at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.75 male(s)/female

total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Man, Isle of

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.67 male(s)/female

total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Marshall Islands

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.93 male(s)/female

total population: 1.04 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Martinique

at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.82 male(s)/female

total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Mauritania

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.68 male(s)/female

total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Mauritius

at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.65 male(s)/female

total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Mayotte

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.18 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 1.01 male(s)/female

total population: 1.1 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Mexico

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.83 male(s)/female

total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Micronesia, Federated States of

NA

Moldova

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.93 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.59 male(s)/female

total population: 0.91 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Monaco

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female

total population: 0.91 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Mongolia

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/female

total population: 1 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Montserrat

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.91 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 1.07 male(s)/female

total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Morocco

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female

total population: 1 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Mozambique

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.72 male(s)/female

total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Namibia

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.84 male(s)/female

total population: 1 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Nauru

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 1.11 male(s)/female

total population: 1 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Nepal

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.07 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.96 male(s)/female

total population: 1.06 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Netherlands

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.73 male(s)/female

total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Netherlands Antilles

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female

total population: 0.93 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

New Caledonia

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.88 male(s)/female

total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

New Zealand

at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female

total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Nicaragua

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female

total population: 1 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Niger

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 1.1 male(s)/female

total population: 1 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Nigeria

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.91 male(s)/female

total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Niue

NA

Norfolk Island

NA

Northern Mariana Islands

at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.09 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.71 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 1.02 male(s)/female

total population: 0.78 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Norway

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.73 male(s)/female

total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Oman

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.46 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 1.2 male(s)/female

total population: 1.26 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Pakistan

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.93 male(s)/female

total population: 1.05 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Palau

at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.18 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.9 male(s)/female

total population: 1.13 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Panama

at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.89 male(s)/female

total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Papua New Guinea

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.07 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.88 male(s)/female

total population: 1.05 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Paraguay

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.86 male(s)/female

total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Peru

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.89 male(s)/female

total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Philippines

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female

total population: 1 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Pitcairn Islands

NA

Poland

at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.62 male(s)/female

total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Portugal

at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.09 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female

total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Puerto Rico

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/female

total population: 0.92 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Qatar

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 2.28 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 2.78 male(s)/female

total population: 1.88 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Reunion

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.68 male(s)/female

total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Romania

at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female

total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Russia

at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.46 male(s)/female

total population: 0.86 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Rwanda

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.68 male(s)/female

total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Saint Helena

at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.07 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.82 male(s)/female

total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Saint Kitts and Nevis

at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female

total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Saint Lucia

at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.58 male(s)/female

total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Saint Pierre and Miquelon

at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.82 male(s)/female

total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.06 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female

total population: 1.04 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Samoa

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.66 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.84 male(s)/female

total population: 1.39 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

San Marino

at birth: 1.09 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.07 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.93 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/female

total population: 0.92 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Sao Tome and Principe

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.85 male(s)/female

total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Saudi Arabia

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.34 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 1.16 male(s)/female

total population: 1.21 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Senegal

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.93 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.91 male(s)/female

total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Serbia and Montenegro

at birth: 1.08 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.08 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.75 male(s)/female

total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Seychelles

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.48 male(s)/female

total population: 0.93 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Sierra Leone

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 0.96 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.91 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.9 male(s)/female

total population: 0.93 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Singapore

at birth: 1.08 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.07 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.79 male(s)/female

total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Slovakia

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.6 male(s)/female

total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Slovenia

at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.62 male(s)/female

total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Solomon Islands

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.93 male(s)/female

total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Somalia

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.74 male(s)/female

total population: 1 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

South Africa

at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.64 male(s)/female

total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Spain

at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.72 male(s)/female

total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Sri Lanka

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.87 male(s)/female

total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Sudan

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 1.18 male(s)/female

total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Suriname

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/female

total population: 1.04 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Svalbard

NA%

Swaziland

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female

total population: 1 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Sweden

at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/female

total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Switzerland

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.08 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female

total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Syria

at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.91 male(s)/female

total population: 1.05 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Taiwan

at birth: 1.1 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.09 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 1.01 male(s)/female

total population: 1.04 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Tajikistan

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.79 male(s)/female

total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Tanzania

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female

total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Thailand

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.85 male(s)/female

total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Togo

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female

total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Tokelau

NA

Tonga

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/female

total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Trinidad and Tobago

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.09 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.82 male(s)/female

total population: 1.06 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Tunisia

at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.07 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.93 male(s)/female

total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Turkey

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.85 male(s)/female

total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Turkmenistan

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.62 male(s)/female

total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Turks and Caicos Islands

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.11 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.81 male(s)/female

total population: 1.07 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Tuvalu

at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.63 male(s)/female

total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Uganda

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female

total population: 1 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Ukraine

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.51 male(s)/female

total population: 0.86 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

United Arab Emirates

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.58 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 2.691 male(s)/female

total population: 1.442 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

United Kingdom

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.74 male(s)/female

total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

United States

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.72 male(s)/female

total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Uruguay

at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female

total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Uzbekistan

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female

total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Vanuatu

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 1.12 male(s)/female

total population: 1.05 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Venezuela

at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.07 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.83 male(s)/female

total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Vietnam

at birth: 1.08 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.08 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.64 male(s)/female

total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Virgin Islands

at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.9 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.79 male(s)/female

total population: 0.91 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

West Bank

at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.74 male(s)/female

total population: 1.04 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Western Sahara

NA

World

at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.79 male(s)/female

total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Yemen

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.97 male(s)/female

total population: 1.04 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Zambia

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/female

total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Zimbabwe

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 1 male(s)/female

total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2019 Heliports

Afghanistan

5 (2004 est.)

Albania

1 (2004 est.)

Algeria

1 (2004 est.)

Antarctica

27 stations have restricted helicopter landing facilities

(helipads) (2004 est.)

Austria

1 (2004 est.)

Azerbaijan

2 (2004 est.)

Bahamas, The

1 (2004 est.)

Bahrain

1 (2004 est.)

Belarus

1 (2004 est.)

Belgium

1 (2004 est.)

Bosnia and Herzegovina

5 (2004 est.)

Brazil

417 (2004 est.)

Brunei

3 (2004 est.)

Bulgaria

1 (2004 est.)

Burma

1 (2004 est.)

Cambodia

2 (2004 est.)

Canada

319 (2004)

China

15 (2004 est.)

Colombia

1 (2004 est.)

Croatia

1 (2004 est.)

Cyprus

10 (2004 est.)

Czech Republic

2 (2004 est.)

East Timor

1 (2004 est.)

Ecuador

1 (2004 est.)

Egypt

2 (2004 est.)

El Salvador

1 (2004 est.)

European Union

94 (2004)

France

3 (2004 est.)

French Polynesia

1 (2004 est.)

Gaza Strip

1 (2004 est.)

Georgia

2 (2004 est.)

Germany

34 (2004 est.)

Greece

7 (2004 est.)

Hong Kong

2 (2004 est.)

Hungary

5 (2004 est.)

India

20 (2004 est.)

Indonesia

22 (2004 est.)

Iran

13 (2004 est.)

Iraq

6 (2004 est.)

Israel

3 (2004 est.)

Italy

4 (2004 est.)

Japan

15 (2004 est.)

Jordan

1 (2004 est.)

Kazakhstan

1 (2004 est.)

Korea, North

19 (2004 est.)

Korea, South

206 (2004 est.)

Kuwait

3 (2004 est.)

Libya

1 (2004 est.)

Luxembourg

1 (2004 est.)

Malaysia

1 (2004 est.)

Mexico

2 (2004 est.)

Monaco

1 (shuttle service between the international airport at Nice,

France, and Monaco's heliport at Fontvieille) (2004 est.)

Mongolia

2 (2004 est.)

Morocco

1 (2004 est.)

Netherlands

1 (2004 est.)

New Caledonia

6 (2004 est.)

Nigeria

1 (2004 est.)

Northern Mariana Islands

1 (2004 est.)

Norway

1 (2004 est.)

Oman

1 (2004 est.)

Pakistan

15 (2004 est.)

Papua New Guinea

2 (2004 est.)

Peru

1 (2004 est.)

Philippines

2 (2004 est.)

Poland

3 (2004 est.)

Qatar

1 (2004 est.)

Romania

1 (2004 est.)

Russia

36 (2004 est.)

Saudi Arabia

5 (2004 est.)

Serbia and Montenegro

4 (2004 est.)

Sierra Leone

2 (2004 est.)

Slovakia

1 (2004 est.)

Spain

8 (2004 est.)

Sudan

2 (2004 est.)

Sweden

2 (2004 est.)

Switzerland

2 (2004 est.)

Syria

7 (2004 est.)

Taiwan

3 (2004 est.)

Thailand

3 (2004 est.)

Turkey

14 (2004 est.)

Turkmenistan

1 (2004 est.)

Ukraine

8 (2004 est.)

United Arab Emirates

2 (2004 est.)

United Kingdom

11 (2004 est.)

United States

155 (2004 est.)

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2020 Elevation extremes (m)

Afghanistan

lowest point: Amu Darya 258 m

highest point: Nowshak 7,485 m

Albania

lowest point: Adriatic Sea 0 m

highest point: Maja e Korabit (Golem Korab) 2,764 m

Algeria

lowest point: Chott Melrhir -40 m

highest point: Tahat 3,003 m

American Samoa

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

highest point: Lata 966 m

Andorra

lowest point: Riu Runer 840 m

highest point: Coma Pedrosa 2,946 m

Angola

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

highest point: Morro de Moco 2,620 m

Anguilla

lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m

highest point: Crocus Hill 65 m

Antarctica

lowest point: Bentley Subglacial Trench -2,555 m

highest point: Vinson Massif 4,897 m

note: the lowest known land point in Antarctica is hidden in the

Bentley Subglacial Trench; at its surface is the deepest ice yet

discovered and the world's lowest elevation not under seawater

Antigua and Barbuda

lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m

highest point: Boggy Peak 402 m

Arctic Ocean

lowest point: Fram Basin -4,665 m

highest point: sea level 0 m

Argentina

lowest point: Laguna del Carbon -105 m (located between

Puerto San Julian and Comandante Luis Piedra Buena in the province

of Santa Cruz)

highest point: Cerro Aconcagua 6,960 m (located in the northwestern

corner of the province of Mendoza)

Armenia

lowest point: Debed River 400 m

highest point: Aragats Lerrnagagat' 4,090 m

Aruba

lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m

highest point: Mount Jamanota 188 m

Ashmore and Cartier Islands

lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m

highest point: unnamed location 3 m

Atlantic Ocean

lowest point: Milwaukee Deep in the Puerto Rico

Trench -8,605 m

highest point: sea level 0 m

Australia

lowest point: Lake Eyre -15 m

highest point: Mount Kosciuszko 2,229 m

Austria

lowest point: Neusiedler See 115 m

highest point: Grossglockner 3,798 m

Azerbaijan

lowest point: Caspian Sea -28 m

highest point: Bazarduzu Dagi 4,485 m

Bahamas, The

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

highest point: Mount Alvernia, on Cat Island 63 m

Bahrain

lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m

highest point: Jabal ad Dukhan 122 m

Baker Island

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

highest point: unnamed location 8 m

Bangladesh

lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m

highest point: Keokradong 1,230 m

Barbados

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

highest point: Mount Hillaby 336 m

Bassas da India

lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m

highest point: unnamed location 2.4 m

Belarus

lowest point: Nyoman River 90 m

highest point: Dzyarzhynskaya Hara 346 m

Belgium

lowest point: North Sea 0 m

highest point: Signal de Botrange 694 m

Belize

lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m

highest point: Victoria Peak 1,160 m

Benin

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

highest point: Mont Sokbaro 658 m

Bermuda

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

highest point: Town Hill 76 m

Bhutan

lowest point: Drangme Chhu 97 m

highest point: Kula Kangri 7,553 m

Bolivia

lowest point: Rio Paraguay 90 m

highest point: Nevado Sajama 6,542 m

Bosnia and Herzegovina

lowest point: Adriatic Sea 0 m

highest point: Maglic 2,386 m

Botswana

lowest point: junction of the Limpopo and Shashe Rivers 513

m

highest point: Tsodilo Hills 1,489 m

Bouvet Island

lowest point: South Atlantic Ocean 0 m

highest point: Olav Peak 935 m

Brazil

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

highest point: Pico da Neblina 3,014 m

British Indian Ocean Territory

lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m

highest point: unnamed location on Diego Garcia 15 m

British Virgin Islands

lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m

highest point: Mount Sage 521 m

Brunei

lowest point: South China Sea 0 m

highest point: Bukit Pagon 1,850 m

Bulgaria

lowest point: Black Sea 0 m

highest point: Musala 2,925 m

Burkina Faso

lowest point: Mouhoun (Black Volta) River 200 m

highest point: Tena Kourou 749 m

Burma

lowest point: Andaman Sea 0 m

highest point: Hkakabo Razi 5,881 m

Burundi

lowest point: Lake Tanganyika 772 m

highest point: Heha 2,670 m

Cambodia

lowest point: Gulf of Thailand 0 m

highest point: Phnum Aoral 1,810 m

Cameroon

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

highest point: Fako (on Mount Cameroon) 4,095 m

Canada

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

highest point: Mount Logan 5,959 m

Cape Verde

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

highest point: Mt. Fogo 2,829 m (a volcano on Fogo Island)

Cayman Islands

lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m

highest point: The Bluff 43 m

Central African Republic

lowest point: Oubangui River 335 m

highest point: Mont Ngaoui 1,420 m

Chad

lowest point: Djourab Depression 160 m

highest point: Emi Koussi 3,415 m

Chile

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

highest point: Nevado Ojos del Salado 6,880 m

China

lowest point: Turpan Pendi -154 m

highest point: Mount Everest 8,850 m

Christmas Island

lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m

highest point: Murray Hill 361 m

Clipperton Island

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

highest point: Rocher Clipperton 29 m

Cocos (Keeling) Islands

lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m

highest point: unnamed location 5 m

Colombia

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

highest point: Pico Cristobal Colon 5,775 m

note: nearby Pico Simon Bolivar also has the same elevation

Comoros

lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m

highest point: Le Kartala 2,360 m

Congo, Democratic Republic of the lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Pic Marguerite on Mont Ngaliema (Mount Stanley) 5,110 m

Congo, Republic of the

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

highest point: Mount Berongou 903 m

Cook Islands

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

highest point: Te Manga 652 m

Coral Sea Islands

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

highest point: unnamed location on Cato Island 6 m

Costa Rica

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

highest point: Cerro Chirripo 3,810 m

Cote d'Ivoire

lowest point: Gulf of Guinea 0 m

highest point: Mont Nimba 1,752 m

Croatia

lowest point: Adriatic Sea 0 m

highest point: Dinara 1,830 m

Cuba

lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m

highest point: Pico Turquino 2,005 m

Cyprus

lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m

highest point: Mount Olympus 1,951 m

Czech Republic

lowest point: Elbe River 115 m

highest point: Snezka 1,602 m

Denmark

lowest point: Lammefjord -7 m

highest point: Yding Skovhoej 173 m

Djibouti

lowest point: Lac Assal -155 m

highest point: Moussa Ali 2,028 m

Dominica

lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m

highest point: Morne Diablatins 1,447 m

Dominican Republic

lowest point: Lago Enriquillo -46 m

highest point: Pico Duarte 3,175 m

East Timor

lowest point: Timor Sea, Savu Sea, and Banda Sea 0 m

highest point: Foho Tatamailau 2,963 m

Ecuador

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

highest point: Chimborazo 6,267 m

Egypt

lowest point: Qattara Depression -133 m

highest point: Mount Catherine 2,629 m

El Salvador

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

highest point: Cerro El Pital 2,730 m

Equatorial Guinea

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

highest point: Pico Basile 3,008 m

Eritrea

lowest point: near Kulul within the Denakil depression -75 m

highest point: Soira 3,018 m

Estonia

lowest point: Baltic Sea 0 m

highest point: Suur Munamagi 318 m

Ethiopia

lowest point: Denakil Depression -125 m

highest point: Ras Dejen 4,620 m

Europa Island

lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m

highest point: unnamed location 24 m

European Union

lowest point: Lammefjord, Denmark -7 m;

Zuidplaspolder, Netherlands -7 m

highest point: Mount Blanc, France/Italy 4,807 m

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

highest point: Mount Usborne 705 m

Faroe Islands

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

highest point: Slaettaratindur 882 m

Fiji

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

highest point: Tomanivi 1,324 m

Finland

lowest point: Baltic Sea 0 m

highest point: Haltiatunturi 1,328 m

France

lowest point: Rhone River delta -2 m

highest point: Mont Blanc 4,807 m

French Guiana

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

highest point: Bellevue de l'Inini 851 m

French Polynesia

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

highest point: Mont Orohena 2,241 m

French Southern and Antarctic Lands

lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m

highest point: Mont Ross on Iles Kerguelen 1,850 m

Gabon

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

highest point: Mont Iboundji 1,575 m

Gambia, The

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

highest point: unnamed location 53 m

Gaza Strip

lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m

highest point: Abu 'Awdah (Joz Abu 'Auda) 105 m

Georgia

lowest point: Black Sea 0 m

highest point: Mt'a Shkhara 5,201 m

Germany

lowest point: Neuendorf bei Wilster -3.54 m

highest point: Zugspitze 2,963 m

Ghana

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

highest point: Mount Afadjato 880 m

Gibraltar

lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m

highest point: Rock of Gibraltar 426 m

Glorioso Islands

lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m

highest point: unnamed location 12 m

Greece

lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m

highest point: Mount Olympus 2,917 m

Greenland

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

highest point: Gunnbjorn 3,700 m

Grenada

lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m

highest point: Mount Saint Catherine 840 m

Guadeloupe

lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m

highest point: Soufriere 1,484 m

Guam

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

highest point: Mount Lamlam 406 m

Guatemala

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

highest point: Volcan Tajumulco 4,211 m

Guernsey

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

highest point: unnamed location on Sark 114 m

Guinea

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

highest point: Mont Nimba 1,752 m

Guinea-Bissau

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

highest point: unnamed location in the northeast corner of the

country 300 m

Guyana

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

highest point: Mount Roraima 2,835 m

Haiti

lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m

highest point: Chaine de la Selle 2,680 m

Heard Island and McDonald Islands

lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m

highest point: Mawson Peak, on Big Ben 2,745 m

Holy See (Vatican City)

lowest point: unnamed location 19 m

highest point: unnamed location 75 m

Honduras

lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m

highest point: Cerro Las Minas 2,870 m

Hong Kong

lowest point: South China Sea 0 m

highest point: Tai Mo Shan 958 m

Howland Island

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

highest point: unnamed location 3 m

Hungary

lowest point: Tisza River 78 m

highest point: Kekes 1,014 m

Iceland

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

highest point: Hvannadalshnukur 2,119 m (at Vatnajokull glacier)

India

lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m

highest point: Kanchenjunga 8,598 m

Indian Ocean

lowest point: Java Trench -7,258 m

highest point: sea level 0 m

Indonesia

lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m

highest point: Puncak Jaya 5,030 m

Iran

lowest point: Caspian Sea -28 m

highest point: Kuh-e Damavand 5,671 m

Iraq

lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m

highest point: unnamed peak; 3,611 m; note - this peak is not Gundah

Zhur 3,607 m or Kuh-e Hajji-Ebrahim 3,595 m

Ireland

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

highest point: Carrauntoohil 1,041 m

Israel

lowest point: Dead Sea -408 m

highest point: Har Meron 1,208 m

Italy

lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m

highest point: Mont Blanc (Monte Bianco) de Courmayeur 4,748 m (a

secondary peak of Mont Blanc)

Jamaica

lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m

highest point: Blue Mountain Peak 2,256 m

Jan Mayen

lowest point: Norwegian Sea 0 m

highest point: Haakon VII Toppen/Beerenberg 2,277 m

Japan

lowest point: Hachiro-gata -4 m

highest point: Mount Fuji 3,776 m

Jarvis Island

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

highest point: unnamed location 7 m

Jersey

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

highest point: unnamed location 143 m

Johnston Atoll

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

highest point: Summit Peak 5 m

Jordan

lowest point: Dead Sea -408 m

highest point: Jabal Ram 1,734 m

Juan de Nova Island

lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m

highest point: unnamed location 10 m

Kazakhstan

lowest point: Vpadina Kaundy -132 m

highest point: Khan Tangiri Shyngy (Pik Khan-Tengri) 6,995 m

Kenya

lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m

highest point: Mount Kenya 5,199 m

Kingman Reef

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

highest point: unnamed location 1 m

Kiribati

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

highest point: unnamed location on Banaba 81 m

Korea, North

lowest point: Sea of Japan 0 m

highest point: Paektu-san 2,744 m

Korea, South

lowest point: Sea of Japan 0 m

highest point: Halla-san 1,950 m

Kuwait

lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m

highest point: unnamed location 306 m

Kyrgyzstan

lowest point: Kara-Daryya (Karadar'ya) 132 m

highest point: Jengish Chokusu (Pik Pobedy) 7,439 m

Laos

lowest point: Mekong River 70 m

highest point: Phou Bia 2,817 m

Latvia

lowest point: Baltic Sea 0 m

highest point: Gaizinkalns 312 m

Lebanon

lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m

highest point: Qurnat as Sawda' 3,088 m

Lesotho

lowest point: junction of the Orange and Makhaleng Rivers

1,400 m

highest point: Thabana Ntlenyana 3,482 m

Liberia

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

highest point: Mount Wuteve 1,380 m

Libya

lowest point: Sabkhat Ghuzayyil -47 m

highest point: Bikku Bitti 2,267 m

Liechtenstein

lowest point: Ruggeller Riet 430 m

highest point: Grauspitz 2,599 m

Lithuania

lowest point: Baltic Sea 0 m

highest point: Juozapines/Kalnas 292 m

Luxembourg

lowest point: Moselle River 133 m

highest point: Buurgplaatz 559 m

Macau

lowest point: South China Sea 0 m

highest point: Coloane Alto 172.4 m

Macedonia

lowest point: Vardar River 50 m

highest point: Golem Korab (Maja e Korabit) 2,764 m

Madagascar

lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m

highest point: Maromokotro 2,876 m

Malawi

lowest point: junction of the Shire River and international

boundary with Mozambique 37 m

highest point: Sapitwa (Mount Mlanje) 3,002 m

Malaysia

lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m

highest point: Gunung Kinabalu 4,100 m

Maldives

lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m

highest point: unnamed location on Wilingili island in the Addu

Atoll 2.4 m

Mali

lowest point: Senegal River 23 m

highest point: Hombori Tondo 1,155 m

Malta

lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m

highest point: Ta'Dmejrek 253 m (near Dingli)

Man, Isle of

lowest point: Irish Sea 0 m

highest point: Snaefell 621 m

Marshall Islands

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

highest point: unnamed location on Likiep 10 m

Martinique

lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m

highest point: Montagne Pelee 1,397 m

Mauritania

lowest point: Sebkhet Te-n-Dghamcha -5 m

highest point: Kediet Ijill 915 m

Mauritius

lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m

highest point: Mont Piton 828 m

Mayotte

lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m

highest point: Benara 660 m

Mexico

lowest point: Laguna Salada -10 m

highest point: Volcan Pico de Orizaba 5,700 m

Micronesia, Federated States of

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

highest point: Dolohmwar (Totolom) 791 m

Midway Islands

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

highest point: unnamed location 13 m

Moldova

lowest point: Dniester River 2 m

highest point: Dealul Balanesti 430 m

Monaco

lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m

highest point: Mont Agel 140 m

Mongolia

lowest point: Hoh Nuur 518 m

highest point: Nayramadlin Orgil (Huyten Orgil) 4,374 m

Montserrat

lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m

highest point: Chances Peak (in the Soufriere Hills volcanic

complex) 914 m

Morocco

lowest point: Sebkha Tah -55 m

highest point: Jebel Toubkal 4,165 m

Mozambique

lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m

highest point: Monte Binga 2,436 m

Namibia

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

highest point: Konigstein 2,606 m

Nauru

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

highest point: unnamed location along plateau rim 61 m

Navassa Island

lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m

highest point: unnamed location on southwest side 77 m

Nepal

lowest point: Kanchan Kalan 70 m

highest point: Mount Everest 8,850 m

Netherlands

lowest point: Zuidplaspolder -7 m

highest point: Vaalserberg 322 m

Netherlands Antilles

lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m

highest point: Mount Scenery 862 m

New Caledonia

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

highest point: Mont Panie 1,628 m

New Zealand

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

highest point: Aoraki-Mount Cook 3,754 m

Nicaragua

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

highest point: Mogoton 2,438 m

Niger

lowest point: Niger River 200 m

highest point: Mont Bagzane 2,022 m

Nigeria

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

highest point: Chappal Waddi 2,419 m

Niue

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

highest point: unnamed location near Mutalau settlement 68 m

Norfolk Island

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

highest point: Mount Bates 319 m

Northern Mariana Islands

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

highest point: unnamed location on Agrihan 965 m

Norway

lowest point: Norwegian Sea 0 m

highest point: Galdhopiggen 2,469 m

Oman

lowest point: Arabian Sea 0 m

highest point: Jabal Shams 2,980 m

Pacific Ocean

lowest point: Challenger Deep in the Mariana Trench

-10,924 m

highest point: sea level 0 m

Pakistan

lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m

highest point: K2 (Mt. Godwin-Austen) 8,611 m

Palau

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

highest point: Mount Ngerchelchuus 242 m

Palmyra Atoll

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

highest point: unnamed location 2 m

Panama

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

highest point: Volcan de Chiriqui 3,475 m

Papua New Guinea

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

highest point: Mount Wilhelm 4,509 m

Paracel Islands

lowest point: South China Sea 0 m

highest point: unnamed location on Rocky Island 14 m

Paraguay

lowest point: junction of Rio Paraguay and Rio Parana 46 m

highest point: Cerro Pero (Cerro Tres Kandu) 842 m

Peru

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

highest point: Nevado Huascaran 6,768 m

Philippines

lowest point: Philippine Sea 0 m

highest point: Mount Apo 2,954 m

Pitcairn Islands

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

highest point: Pawala Valley Ridge 347 m

Poland

lowest point: near Raczki Elblaskie -2 m

highest point: Rysy 2,499 m

Portugal

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

highest point: Ponta do Pico (Pico or Pico Alto) on Ilha do Pico in

the Azores 2,351 m

Puerto Rico

lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m

highest point: Cerro de Punta 1,338 m

Qatar

lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m

highest point: Qurayn Abu al Bawl 103 m

Reunion

lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m

highest point: Piton des Neiges 3,069 m

Romania

lowest point: Black Sea 0 m

highest point: Moldoveanu 2,544 m

Russia

lowest point: Caspian Sea -28 m

highest point: Gora El'brus 5,633 m

Rwanda

lowest point: Rusizi River 950 m

highest point: Volcan Karisimbi 4,519 m

Saint Helena

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

highest point: Queen Mary's Peak on Tristan da Cunha 2,060 m

Saint Kitts and Nevis

lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m

highest point: Mount Liamuiga 1,156 m

Saint Lucia

lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m

highest point: Mount Gimie 950 m

Saint Pierre and Miquelon

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

highest point: Morne de la Grande Montagne 240 m

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m

highest point: Soufriere 1,234 m

Samoa

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

highest point: Mauga Silisili (Savaii) 1,857 m

San Marino

lowest point: Torrente Ausa 55 m

highest point: Monte Titano 755 m

Sao Tome and Principe

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

highest point: Pico de Sao Tome 2,024 m

Saudi Arabia

lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m

highest point: Jabal Sawda' 3,133 m

Senegal

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

highest point: unnamed feature near Nepen Diakha 581 m

Serbia and Montenegro

lowest point: Adriatic Sea 0 m

highest point: Daravica 2,656 m

Seychelles

lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m

highest point: Morne Seychellois 905 m

Sierra Leone

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

highest point: Loma Mansa (Bintimani) 1,948 m

Singapore

lowest point: Singapore Strait 0 m

highest point: Bukit Timah 166 m

Slovakia

lowest point: Bodrok River 94 m

highest point: Gerlachovsky Stit 2,655 m

Slovenia

lowest point: Adriatic Sea 0 m

highest point: Triglav 2,864 m

Solomon Islands

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

highest point: Mount Makarakomburu 2,447 m

Somalia

lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m

highest point: Shimbiris 2,416 m

South Africa

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

highest point: Njesuthi 3,408 m

South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands

lowest point: Atlantic

Ocean 0 m

highest point: Mount Paget (South Georgia) 2,934 m

Southern Ocean

lowest point: -7,235 m at the southern end of the

South Sandwich Trench

highest point: sea level 0 m

Spain

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

highest point: Pico de Teide (Tenerife) on Canary Islands 3,718 m

Spratly Islands

lowest point: South China Sea 0 m

highest point: unnamed location on Southwest Cay 4 m

Sri Lanka

lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m

highest point: Pidurutalagala 2,524 m

Sudan

lowest point: Red Sea 0 m

highest point: Kinyeti 3,187 m

Suriname

lowest point: unnamed location in the coastal plain -2 m

highest point: Juliana Top 1,230 m

Svalbard

lowest point: Arctic Ocean 0 m

highest point: Newtontoppen 1,717 m

Swaziland

lowest point: Great Usutu River 21 m

highest point: Emlembe 1,862 m

Sweden

lowest point: reclaimed bay of Lake Hammarsjon, near

Kristianstad -2.41 m

highest point: Kebnekaise 2,111 m

Switzerland

lowest point: Lake Maggiore 195 m

highest point: Dufourspitze 4,634 m

Syria

lowest point: unnamed location near Lake Tiberias -200 m

highest point: Mount Hermon 2,814 m

Taiwan

lowest point: South China Sea 0 m

highest point: Yu Shan 3,952 m

Tajikistan

lowest point: Syr Darya (Sirdaryo) 300 m

highest point: Qullai Ismoili Somoni 7,495 m

Tanzania

lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m

highest point: Kilimanjaro 5,895 m

Thailand

lowest point: Gulf of Thailand 0 m

highest point: Doi Inthanon 2,576 m

Togo

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

highest point: Mont Agou 986 m

Tokelau

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

highest point: unnamed location 5 m

Tonga

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

highest point: unnamed location on Kao Island 1,033 m

Trinidad and Tobago

lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m

highest point: El Cerro del Aripo 940 m

Tromelin Island

lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m

highest point: unnamed location 7 m

Tunisia

lowest point: Shatt al Gharsah -17 m

highest point: Jebel ech Chambi 1,544 m

Turkey

lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m

highest point: Mount Ararat 5,166 m

Turkmenistan

lowest point: Vpadina Akchanaya -81 m; note -

Sarygamysh Koli is a lake in northern Turkmenistan with a water

level that fluctuates above and below the elevation of Vpadina

Akchanaya (the lake has dropped as low as -110 m)

highest point: Gora Ayribaba 3,139 m

Turks and Caicos Islands

lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m

highest point: Blue Hills 49 m

Tuvalu

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

highest point: unnamed location 5 m

Uganda

lowest point: Lake Albert 621 m

highest point: Margherita Peak on Mount Stanley 5,110 m

Ukraine

lowest point: Black Sea 0 m

highest point: Hora Hoverla 2,061 m

United Arab Emirates

lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m

highest point: Jabal Yibir 1,527 m

United Kingdom

lowest point: The Fens -4 m

highest point: Ben Nevis 1,343 m

United States

lowest point: Death Valley -86 m

highest point: Mount McKinley 6,194 m

Uruguay

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

highest point: Cerro Catedral 514 m

Uzbekistan

lowest point: Sariqarnish Kuli -12 m

highest point: Adelunga Toghi 4,301 m

Vanuatu

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

highest point: Tabwemasana 1,877 m

Venezuela

lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m

highest point: Pico Bolivar (La Columna) 5,007 m

Vietnam

lowest point: South China Sea 0 m

highest point: Fan Si Pan 3,144 m

Virgin Islands

lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m

highest point: Crown Mountain 474 m

Wake Island

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

highest point: unnamed location 6 m

Wallis and Futuna

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

highest point: Mont Singavi 765 m

West Bank

lowest point: Dead Sea -408 m

highest point: Tall Asur 1,022 m

Western Sahara

lowest point: Sebjet Tah -55 m

highest point: unnamed location 463 m

World

lowest point: Bentley Subglacial Trench -2,540 m

note: in the oceanic realm, Challenger Deep in the Mariana Trench is

the lowest point, lying -10,924 m below the surface of the Pacific

Ocean

highest point: Mount Everest 8,850 m

Yemen

lowest point: Arabian Sea 0 m

highest point: Jabal an Nabi Shu'ayb 3,760 m

Zambia

lowest point: Zambezi river 329 m

highest point: unnamed location in Mafinga Hills 2,301 m

Zimbabwe

lowest point: junction of the Runde and Save rivers 162 m

highest point: Inyangani 2,592 m

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2021 Natural hazards

Afghanistan

damaging earthquakes occur in Hindu Kush mountains;

flooding; droughts

Albania

destructive earthquakes; tsunamis occur along southwestern

coast; floods; drought

Algeria

mountainous areas subject to severe earthquakes; mudslides

and floods in rainy season

American Samoa

typhoons common from December to March

Andorra

avalanches

Angola

locally heavy rainfall causes periodic flooding on the plateau

Anguilla

frequent hurricanes and other tropical storms (July to

October)

Antarctica

katabatic (gravity-driven) winds blow coastward from the

high interior; frequent blizzards form near the foot of the plateau;

cyclonic storms form over the ocean and move clockwise along the

coast; volcanism on Deception Island and isolated areas of West

Antarctica; other seismic activity rare and weak; large icebergs may

calve from ice shelf

Antigua and Barbuda

hurricanes and tropical storms (July to

October); periodic droughts

Arctic Ocean

ice islands occasionally break away from northern

Ellesmere Island; icebergs calved from glaciers in western Greenland

and extreme northeastern Canada; permafrost in islands; virtually

ice locked from October to June; ships subject to superstructure

icing from October to May

Argentina

San Miguel de Tucuman and Mendoza areas in the Andes

subject to earthquakes; pamperos are violent windstorms that can

strike the pampas and northeast; heavy flooding

Armenia

occasionally severe earthquakes; droughts

Aruba

lies outside the Caribbean hurricane belt

Ashmore and Cartier Islands

surrounded by shoals and reefs that can

pose maritime hazards

Atlantic Ocean

icebergs common in Davis Strait, Denmark Strait, and

the northwestern Atlantic Ocean from February to August and have

been spotted as far south as Bermuda and the Madeira Islands; ships

subject to superstructure icing in extreme northern Atlantic from

October to May; persistent fog can be a maritime hazard from May to

September; hurricanes (May to December)

Australia

cyclones along the coast; severe droughts; forest fires

Austria

landslides; avalanches; earthquakes

Azerbaijan

droughts

Bahamas, The

hurricanes and other tropical storms cause extensive

flood and wind damage

Bahrain

periodic droughts; dust storms

Baker Island

the narrow fringing reef surrounding the island can be

a maritime hazard

Bangladesh

droughts, cyclones; much of the country routinely

inundated during the summer monsoon season

Barbados

infrequent hurricanes; periodic landslides

Bassas da India

maritime hazard since it is usually under water

during high tide and surrounded by reefs; subject to periodic

cyclones

Belarus

NA

Belgium

flooding is a threat along rivers and in areas of reclaimed

coastal land, protected from the sea by concrete dikes

Belize

frequent, devastating hurricanes (June to November) and

coastal flooding (especially in south)

Benin

hot, dry, dusty harmattan wind may affect north from December

to March

Bermuda

hurricanes (June to November)

Bhutan

violent storms from the Himalayas are the source of the

country's name which translates as Land of the Thunder Dragon;

frequent landslides during the rainy season

Bolivia

flooding in the northeast (March-April)

Bosnia and Herzegovina

destructive earthquakes

Botswana

periodic droughts; seasonal August winds blow from the

west, carrying sand and dust across the country, which can obscure

visibility

Bouvet Island

NA

Brazil

recurring droughts in northeast; floods and occasional frost

in south

British Indian Ocean Territory

NA

British Virgin Islands

hurricanes and tropical storms (July to

October)

Brunei

typhoons, earthquakes, and severe flooding are rare

Bulgaria

earthquakes, landslides

Burkina Faso

recurring droughts

Burma

destructive earthquakes and cyclones; flooding and landslides

common during rainy season (June to September); periodic droughts

Burundi

flooding, landslides, drought

Cambodia

monsoonal rains (June to November); flooding; occasional

droughts

Cameroon

volcanic activity with periodic releases of poisonous gases

from Lake Nyos and Lake Monoun volcanoes

Canada

continuous permafrost in north is a serious obstacle to

development; cyclonic storms form east of the Rocky Mountains, a

result of the mixing of air masses from the Arctic, Pacific, and

North American interior, and produce most of the country's rain and

snow east of the mountains

Cape Verde

prolonged droughts; seasonal harmattan wind produces

obscuring dust; volcanically and seismically active

Cayman Islands

hurricanes (July to November)

Central African Republic

hot, dry, dusty harmattan winds affect

northern areas; floods are common

Chad

hot, dry, dusty harmattan winds occur in north; periodic

droughts; locust plagues

Chile

severe earthquakes; active volcanism; tsunamis

China

frequent typhoons (about five per year along southern and

eastern coasts); damaging floods; tsunamis; earthquakes; droughts;

land subsidence

Christmas Island

the narrow fringing reef surrounding the island can

be a maritime hazard

Clipperton Island

NA

Cocos (Keeling) Islands

cyclone season is October to April

Colombia

highlands subject to volcanic eruptions; occasional

earthquakes; periodic droughts

Comoros

cyclones possible during rainy season (December to April);

Le Kartala on Grand Comore is an active volcano

Congo, Democratic Republic of the periodic droughts in south; Congo River floods (seasonal); in the east, in the Great Rift Valley, there are active volcanoes

Congo, Republic of the

seasonal flooding

Cook Islands

typhoons (November to March)

Coral Sea Islands

occasional tropical cyclones

Costa Rica

occasional earthquakes, hurricanes along Atlantic coast;

frequent flooding of lowlands at onset of rainy season and

landslides; active volcanoes

Cote d'Ivoire

coast has heavy surf and no natural harbors; during

the rainy season torrential flooding is possible

Croatia

destructive earthquakes

Cuba

the east coast is subject to hurricanes from August to November

(in general, the country averages about one hurricane every other

year); droughts are common

Cyprus

moderate earthquake activity; droughts

Czech Republic

flooding

Denmark

flooding is a threat in some areas of the country (e.g.,

parts of Jutland, along the southern coast of the island of Lolland)

that are protected from the sea by a system of dikes

Djibouti

earthquakes; droughts; occasional cyclonic disturbances

from the Indian Ocean bring heavy rains and flash floods

Dominica

flash floods are a constant threat; destructive hurricanes

can be expected during the late summer months

Dominican Republic

lies in the middle of the hurricane belt and

subject to severe storms from June to October; occasional flooding;

periodic droughts

East Timor

floods and landslides are common; earthquakes, tsunamis,

tropical cyclones

Ecuador

frequent earthquakes, landslides, volcanic activity; floods;

periodic droughts

Egypt

periodic droughts; frequent earthquakes, flash floods,

landslides; hot, driving windstorm called khamsin occurs in spring;

dust storms, sandstorms

El Salvador

known as the Land of Volcanoes; frequent and sometimes

very destructive earthquakes and volcanic activity; extremely

susceptible to hurricanes

Equatorial Guinea

violent windstorms, flash floods

Eritrea

frequent droughts; locust swarms

Estonia

sometimes flooding occurs in the spring

Ethiopia

geologically active Great Rift Valley susceptible to

earthquakes, volcanic eruptions; frequent droughts

Europa Island

NA

European Union

flooding along coasts; avalanches in mountainous

area; earthquakes in the south; volcanic eruptions in Italy;

periodic droughts in Spain; ice floes in the Baltic

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

strong winds persist throughout

the year

Faroe Islands

NA

Fiji

cyclonic storms can occur from November to January

Finland

NA

France

flooding; avalanches; midwinter windstorms; drought; forest

fires in south near the Mediterranean

French Guiana

high frequency of heavy showers and severe

thunderstorms; flooding

French Polynesia

occasional cyclonic storms in January

French Southern and Antarctic Lands

Ile Amsterdam and Ile Saint-Paul

are extinct volcanoes

Gabon

NA

Gambia, The

drought (rainfall has dropped by 30% in the last 30

years)

Gaza Strip

droughts

Georgia

earthquakes

Germany

flooding

Ghana

dry, dusty, northeastern harmattan winds occur from January to

March; droughts

Gibraltar

NA

Glorioso Islands

periodic cyclones

Greece

severe earthquakes

Greenland

continuous permafrost over northern two-thirds of the

island

Grenada

lies on edge of hurricane belt; hurricane season lasts from

June to November

Guadeloupe

hurricanes (June to October); Soufriere de Guadeloupe is

an active volcano

Guam

frequent squalls during rainy season; relatively rare, but

potentially very destructive typhoons (June - December)

Guatemala

numerous volcanoes in mountains, with occasional violent

earthquakes; Caribbean coast extremely susceptible to hurricanes and

other tropical storms

Guernsey

NA

Guinea

hot, dry, dusty harmattan haze may reduce visibility during

dry season

Guinea-Bissau

hot, dry, dusty harmattan haze may reduce visibility

during dry season; brush fires

Guyana

flash floods are a constant threat during rainy seasons

Haiti

lies in the middle of the hurricane belt and subject to severe

storms from June to October; occasional flooding and earthquakes;

periodic droughts

Heard Island and McDonald Islands

Mawson Peak, an active volcano, is

on Heard Island

Holy See (Vatican City)

NA

Honduras

frequent, but generally mild, earthquakes; extremely

susceptible to damaging hurricanes and floods along the Caribbean

coast

Hong Kong

occasional typhoons

Howland Island

the narrow fringing reef surrounding the island can

be a maritime hazard

Iceland

earthquakes and volcanic activity

India

droughts; flash floods, as well as widespread and destructive

flooding from monsoonal rains; severe thunderstorms; earthquakes

Indian Ocean

occasional icebergs pose navigational hazard in

southern reaches

Indonesia

occasional floods, severe droughts, tsunamis, earthquakes,

volcanoes, forest fires

Iran

periodic droughts, floods; dust storms, sandstorms; earthquakes

Iraq

dust storms, sandstorms, floods

Ireland

NA

Israel

sandstorms may occur during spring and summer; droughts;

periodic earthquakes

Italy

regional risks include landslides, mudflows, avalanches,

earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, flooding; land subsidence in Venice

Jamaica

hurricanes (especially July to November)

Jan Mayen

dominated by the volcano Haakon VII Toppen/Beerenberg;

volcanic activity resumed in 1970

Japan

many dormant and some active volcanoes; about 1,500 seismic

occurrences (mostly tremors) every year; tsunamis; typhoons

Jarvis Island

the narrow fringing reef surrounding the island poses

a maritime hazard

Jersey

NA

Johnston Atoll

NA

Jordan

droughts; periodic earthquakes

Juan de Nova Island

periodic cyclones

Kazakhstan

earthquakes in the south, mudslides around Almaty

Kenya

recurring drought; flooding during rainy seasons

Kingman Reef

wet or awash most of the time, maximum elevation of

about 1 meter makes Kingman Reef a maritime hazard

Kiribati

typhoons can occur any time, but usually November to March;

occasional tornadoes; low level of some of the islands make them

very sensitive to changes in sea level

Korea, North

late spring droughts often followed by severe flooding;

occasional typhoons during the early fall

Korea, South

occasional typhoons bring high winds and floods;

low-level seismic activity common in southwest

Kuwait

sudden cloudbursts are common from October to April and bring

heavy rain, which can damage roads and houses; sandstorms and dust

storms occur throughout the year, but are most common between March

and August

Kyrgyzstan

NA

Laos

floods, droughts

Latvia

NA

Lebanon

dust storms, sandstorms

Lesotho

periodic droughts

Liberia

dust-laden harmattan winds blow from the Sahara (December to

March)

Libya

hot, dry, dust-laden ghibli is a southern wind lasting one to

four days in spring and fall; dust storms, sandstorms

Liechtenstein

NA

Lithuania

NA

Luxembourg

NA

Macau

typhoons

Macedonia

high seismic risks

Madagascar

periodic cyclones, drought, and locust infestation

Malawi

NA

Malaysia

flooding, landslides, forest fires

Maldives

low level of islands makes them very sensitive to sea level

rise

Mali

hot, dust-laden harmattan haze common during dry seasons;

recurring droughts; occasional Niger River flooding

Malta

NA

Man, Isle of

NA

Marshall Islands

infrequent typhoons

Martinique

hurricanes, flooding, and volcanic activity (an average

of one major natural disaster every five years)

Mauritania

hot, dry, dust/sand-laden sirocco wind blows primarily in

March and April; periodic droughts

Mauritius

cyclones (November to April); almost completely surrounded

by reefs that may pose maritime hazards

Mayotte

cyclones during rainy season

Mexico

tsunamis along the Pacific coast, volcanoes and destructive

earthquakes in the center and south, and hurricanes on the Pacific,

Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean coasts

Micronesia, Federated States of

typhoons (June to December)

Midway Islands

NA

Moldova

landslides (57 cases in 1998)

Monaco

NA

Mongolia

dust storms, grassland and forest fires, drought, and

"zud," which is harsh winter conditions

Montserrat

severe hurricanes (June to November); volcanic eruptions

(Soufriere Hills volcano has erupted continuously since 1995)

Morocco

northern mountains geologically unstable and subject to

earthquakes; periodic droughts

Mozambique

severe droughts; devastating cyclones and floods in

central and southern provinces

Namibia

prolonged periods of drought

Nauru

periodic droughts

Navassa Island

NA

Nepal

severe thunderstorms, flooding, landslides, drought, and

famine depending on the timing, intensity, and duration of the

summer monsoons

Netherlands

flooding

Netherlands Antilles

Curacao and Bonaire are south of Caribbean

hurricane belt and are rarely threatened; Sint Maarten, Saba, and

Sint Eustatius are subject to hurricanes from July to October

New Caledonia

cyclones, most frequent from November to March

New Zealand

earthquakes are common, though usually not severe;

volcanic activity

Nicaragua

destructive earthquakes, volcanoes, landslides; extremely

susceptible to hurricanes

Niger

recurring droughts

Nigeria

periodic droughts; flooding

Niue

typhoons

Norfolk Island

typhoons (especially May to July)

Northern Mariana Islands active volcanoes on Pagan and Agrihan; typhoons (especially August to November)

Norway

rockslides, avalanches

Oman

summer winds often raise large sandstorms and dust storms in

interior; periodic droughts

Pacific Ocean

surrounded by a zone of violent volcanic and

earthquake activity sometimes referred to as the "Pacific Ring of

Fire"; subject to tropical cyclones (typhoons) in southeast and east

Asia from May to December (most frequent from July to October);

tropical cyclones (hurricanes) may form south of Mexico and strike

Central America and Mexico from June to October (most common in

August and September); cyclical El Nino/La Nina phenomenon occurs in

the equatorial Pacific, influencing weather in the Western

Hemisphere and the western Pacific; ships subject to superstructure

icing in extreme north from October to May; persistent fog in the

northern Pacific can be a maritime hazard from June to December

Pakistan

frequent earthquakes, occasionally severe especially in

north and west; flooding along the Indus after heavy rains (July and

August)

Palau

typhoons (June to December)

Palmyra Atoll

NA

Panama

occasional severe storms and forest fires in the Darien area

Papua New Guinea

active volcanism; situated along the Pacific "Ring

of Fire"; the country is subject to frequent and sometimes severe

earthquakes; mud slides; tsunamis

Paracel Islands

typhoons

Paraguay

local flooding in southeast (early September to June);

poorly drained plains may become boggy (early October to June)

Peru

earthquakes, tsunamis, flooding, landslides, mild volcanic

activity

Philippines

astride typhoon belt, usually affected by 15 and struck

by five to six cyclonic storms per year; landslides; active

volcanoes; destructive earthquakes; tsunamis

Pitcairn Islands

typhoons (especially November to March)

Poland

flooding

Portugal

Azores subject to severe earthquakes

Puerto Rico

periodic droughts; hurricanes

Qatar

haze, dust storms, sandstorms common

Reunion

periodic, devastating cyclones (December to April); Piton de

la Fournaise on the southeastern coast is an active volcano

Romania

earthquakes, most severe in south and southwest; geologic

structure and climate promote landslides

Russia

permafrost over much of Siberia is a major impediment to

development; volcanic activity in the Kuril Islands; volcanoes and

earthquakes on the Kamchatka Peninsula; spring floods and

summer/autumn forest fires throughout Siberia and parts of European

Russia

Rwanda

periodic droughts; the volcanic Virunga mountains are in the

northwest along the border with Democratic Republic of the Congo

Saint Helena

active volcanism on Tristan da Cunha

Saint Kitts and Nevis

hurricanes (July to October)

Saint Lucia

hurricanes and volcanic activity

Saint Pierre and Miquelon

persistent fog throughout the year can be

a maritime hazard

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

hurricanes; Soufriere volcano on

the island of Saint Vincent is a constant threat

Samoa

occasional typhoons; active volcanism

San Marino

NA

Sao Tome and Principe

NA

Saudi Arabia

frequent sand and dust storms

Senegal

lowlands seasonally flooded; periodic droughts

Serbia and Montenegro

destructive earthquakes

Seychelles

lies outside the cyclone belt, so severe storms are rare;

short droughts possible

Sierra Leone

dry, sand-laden harmattan winds blow from the Sahara

(December to February); sandstorms, dust storms

Singapore

NA

Slovakia

NA

Slovenia

flooding and earthquakes

Solomon Islands

typhoons, but rarely destructive; geologically

active region with frequent earth tremors; volcanic activity

Somalia

recurring droughts; frequent dust storms over eastern plains

in summer; floods during rainy season

South Africa

prolonged droughts

South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands

the South Sandwich

Islands have prevailing weather conditions that generally make them

difficult to approach by ship; they are also subject to active

volcanism

Southern Ocean

huge icebergs with drafts up to several hundred

meters; smaller bergs and iceberg fragments; sea ice (generally 0.5

to 1 meter thick) with sometimes dynamic short-term variations and

with large annual and interannual variations; deep continental shelf

floored by glacial deposits varying widely over short distances;

high winds and large waves much of the year; ship icing, especially

May-October; most of region is remote from sources of search and

rescue

Spain

periodic droughts

Spratly Islands

typhoons; serious maritime hazard because of

numerous reefs and shoals

Sri Lanka

occasional cyclones and tornadoes

Sudan

dust storms and periodic persistent droughts

Suriname

NA

Svalbard

ice floes often block the entrance to Bellsund (a transit

point for coal export) on the west coast and occasionally make parts

of the northeastern coast inaccessible to maritime traffic

Swaziland

drought

Sweden

ice floes in the surrounding waters, especially in the Gulf

of Bothnia, can interfere with maritime traffic

Switzerland

avalanches, landslides, flash floods

Syria

dust storms, sandstorms

Taiwan

earthquakes and typhoons

Tajikistan

earthquakes and floods

Tanzania

flooding on the central plateau during the rainy season;

drought

Thailand

land subsidence in Bangkok area resulting from the

depletion of the water table; droughts

Togo

hot, dry harmattan wind can reduce visibility in north during

winter; periodic droughts

Tokelau

lies in Pacific typhoon belt

Tonga

cyclones (October to April); earthquakes and volcanic activity

on Fonuafo'ou

Trinidad and Tobago

outside usual path of hurricanes and other

tropical storms

Tromelin Island

NA

Tunisia

NA

Turkey

very severe earthquakes, especially in northern Turkey, along

an arc extending from the Sea of Marmara to Lake Van

Turkmenistan

NA

Turks and Caicos Islands

frequent hurricanes

Tuvalu

severe tropical storms are usually rare, but, in 1997, there

were three cyclones; low level of islands make them very sensitive

to changes in sea level

Uganda

NA

Ukraine

NA

United Arab Emirates

frequent sand and dust storms

United Kingdom

winter windstorms; floods

United States

tsunamis, volcanoes, and earthquake activity around

Pacific Basin; hurricanes along the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico

coasts; tornadoes in the midwest and southeast; mud slides in

California; forest fires in the west; flooding; permafrost in

northern Alaska, a major impediment to development

Uruguay

seasonally high winds (the pampero is a chilly and

occasional violent wind which blows north from the Argentine

pampas), droughts, floods; because of the absence of mountains,

which act as weather barriers, all locations are particularly

vulnerable to rapid changes from weather fronts

Uzbekistan

NA

Vanuatu

tropical cyclones or typhoons (January to April); volcanism

causes minor earthquakes; tsunamis

Venezuela

subject to floods, rockslides, mudslides; periodic droughts

Vietnam

occasional typhoons (May to January) with extensive

flooding, especially in the Mekong River delta

Virgin Islands

several hurricanes in recent years; frequent and

severe droughts and floods; occasional earthquakes

Wake Island

occasional typhoons

Wallis and Futuna

NA

West Bank

droughts

Western Sahara

hot, dry, dust/sand-laden sirocco wind can occur

during winter and spring; widespread harmattan haze exists 60% of

time, often severely restricting visibility

World

large areas subject to severe weather (tropical cyclones),

natural disasters (earthquakes, landslides, tsunamis, volcanic

eruptions)

Yemen

sandstorms and dust storms in summer

Zambia

periodic drought, tropical storms (November to April)

Zimbabwe

recurring droughts; floods and severe storms are rare

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2022 People - note

Afghanistan

of the estimated 4 million refugees in October 2001, 2.3

million have returned

Ashmore and Cartier Islands

the landing of illegal immigrants from

Indonesia's Rote Island has become an ongoing problem

Christmas Island

the Australian Bureau of Statistics reports a

population of 1,508 as of the 2001 Census

Cuba

illicit migration is a continuing problem; Cubans attempt to

depart the island and enter the US using homemade rafts, alien

smugglers, direct flights, or falsified visas; Cubans also use

non-maritime routes to enter the US including direct flights to

Miami and overland via the southwest border

Greece

women, men, and children are trafficked to and within Greece

for the purposes of sexual exploitation and forced labor

Rwanda

Rwanda is the most densely populated country in Africa

Turks and Caicos Islands

destination and transit point for illegal

Haitian immigrants bound for the Turks and Caicos Islands, Bahamas,

and US

Ukraine

the sex trafficking of Ukrainian women is a serious problem

that has only recently been addressed

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2023 Area - comparative

Afghanistan

slightly smaller than Texas

Akrotiri

about 0.7 times the size of Washington, DC

Albania

slightly smaller than Maryland

Algeria

slightly less than 3.5 times the size of Texas

American Samoa

slightly larger than Washington, DC

Andorra

2.5 times the size of Washington, DC

Angola

slightly less than twice the size of Texas

Anguilla

about half the size of Washington, DC

Antarctica

slightly less than 1.5 times the size of the US

Antigua and Barbuda

2.5 times the size of Washington, DC

Arctic Ocean

slightly less than 1.5 times the size of the US

Argentina

slightly less than three-tenths the size of the US

Armenia

slightly smaller than Maryland

Aruba

slightly larger than Washington, DC

Ashmore and Cartier Islands about eight times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC

Atlantic Ocean

slightly less than 6.5 times the size of the US

Australia

slightly smaller than the US contiguous 48 states

Austria

slightly smaller than Maine

Azerbaijan

slightly smaller than Maine

Bahamas, The

slightly smaller than Connecticut

Bahrain

3.5 times the size of Washington, DC

Baker Island

about 2.5 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC

Bangladesh

slightly smaller than Iowa

Barbados

2.5 times the size of Washington, DC

Bassas da India

about one-third the size of The Mall in Washington,

DC

Belarus

slightly smaller than Kansas

Belgium

about the size of Maryland

Belize

slightly smaller than Massachusetts

Benin

slightly smaller than Pennsylvania

Bermuda

about one-third the size of Washington, DC

Bhutan

about half the size of Indiana

Bolivia

slightly less than three times the size of Montana

Bosnia and Herzegovina

slightly smaller than West Virginia

Botswana

slightly smaller than Texas

Bouvet Island

about 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC

Brazil

slightly smaller than the US

British Indian Ocean Territory

about 0.3 times the size of

Washington, DC

British Virgin Islands

about 0.9 times the size of Washington, DC

Brunei

slightly smaller than Delaware

Bulgaria

slightly larger than Tennessee

Burkina Faso

slightly larger than Colorado

Burma

slightly smaller than Texas

Burundi

slightly smaller than Maryland

Cambodia

slightly smaller than Oklahoma

Cameroon

slightly larger than California

Canada

somewhat larger than the US

Cape Verde

slightly larger than Rhode Island

Cayman Islands

1.5 times the size of Washington, DC

Central African Republic

slightly smaller than Texas

Chad

slightly more than three times the size of California

Chile

slightly smaller than twice the size of Montana

China

slightly smaller than the US

Christmas Island

about three-quarters the size of Washington, DC

Clipperton Island

about 12 times the size of The Mall in Washington,

DC

Cocos (Keeling) Islands

about 24 times the size of The Mall in

Washington, DC

Colombia

slightly less than three times the size of Montana

Comoros

slightly more than 12 times the size of Washington, DC

Congo, Democratic Republic of the slightly less than one-fourth the size of the US

Congo, Republic of the

slightly smaller than Montana

Cook Islands

1.3 times the size of Washington, DC

Coral Sea Islands

NA

Costa Rica

slightly smaller than West Virginia

Cote d'Ivoire

slightly larger than New Mexico

Croatia

slightly smaller than West Virginia

Cuba

slightly smaller than Pennsylvania

Cyprus

about 0.6 times the size of Connecticut

Czech Republic

slightly smaller than South Carolina

Denmark

slightly less than twice the size of Massachusetts

Dhekelia

about three-quarters the size of Washington, DC

Djibouti

slightly smaller than Massachusetts

Dominica

slightly more than four times the size of Washington, DC

Dominican Republic

slightly more than twice the size of New Hampshire

East Timor

slightly larger than Connecticut

Ecuador

slightly smaller than Nevada

Egypt

slightly more than three times the size of New Mexico

El Salvador

slightly smaller than Massachusetts

Equatorial Guinea

slightly smaller than Maryland

Eritrea

slightly larger than Pennsylvania

Estonia

slightly smaller than New Hampshire and Vermont combined

Ethiopia

slightly less than twice the size of Texas

Europa Island

about 0.16 times the size of Washington, DC

European Union

less than one-half the size of the US

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

slightly smaller than Connecticut

Faroe Islands

eight times the size of Washington, DC

Fiji

slightly smaller than New Jersey

Finland

slightly smaller than Montana

France

slightly less than twice the size of Colorado

French Guiana

slightly smaller than Indiana

French Polynesia

slightly less than one-third the size of Connecticut

French Southern and Antarctic Lands slightly less than 1.3 times the size of Delaware

Gabon

slightly smaller than Colorado

Gambia, The

slightly less than twice the size of Delaware

Gaza Strip

slightly more than twice the size of Washington, DC

Georgia

slightly smaller than South Carolina

Germany

slightly smaller than Montana

Ghana

slightly smaller than Oregon

Gibraltar

about 11 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC

Glorioso Islands

about eight times the size of The Mall in

Washington, DC

Greece

slightly smaller than Alabama

Greenland

slightly more than three times the size of Texas

Grenada

twice the size of Washington, DC

Guadeloupe

10 times the size of Washington, DC

Guam

three times the size of Washington, DC

Guatemala

slightly smaller than Tennessee

Guernsey

about one-half the size of Washington, DC

Guinea

slightly smaller than Oregon

Guinea-Bissau

slightly less than three times the size of Connecticut

Guyana

slightly smaller than Idaho

Haiti

slightly smaller than Maryland

Heard Island and McDonald Islands

slightly more than two times the

size of Washington, DC

Holy See (Vatican City)

about 0.7 times the size of The Mall in

Washington, DC

Honduras

slightly larger than Tennessee

Hong Kong

six times the size of Washington, DC

Howland Island

about three times the size of The Mall in Washington,

DC

Hungary

slightly smaller than Indiana

Iceland

slightly smaller than Kentucky

India

slightly more than one-third the size of the US

Indian Ocean

about 5.5 times the size of the US

Indonesia

slightly less than three times the size of Texas

Iran

slightly larger than Alaska

Iraq

slightly more than twice the size of Idaho

Ireland

slightly larger than West Virginia

Israel

slightly smaller than New Jersey

Italy

slightly larger than Arizona

Jamaica

slightly smaller than Connecticut

Jan Mayen

slightly more than twice the size of Washington, DC

Japan

slightly smaller than California

Jarvis Island

about eight times the size of The Mall in Washington,

DC

Jersey

about two-thirds the size of Washington, DC

Johnston Atoll

about 4.7 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC

Jordan

slightly smaller than Indiana

Juan de Nova Island

about seven times the size of The Mall in

Washington, DC

Kazakhstan

slightly less than four times the size of Texas

Kenya

slightly more than twice the size of Nevada

Kingman Reef

about 1.7 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC

Kiribati

four times the size of Washington, DC

Korea, North

slightly smaller than Mississippi

Korea, South

slightly larger than Indiana

Kuwait

slightly smaller than New Jersey

Kyrgyzstan

slightly smaller than South Dakota

Laos

slightly larger than Utah

Latvia

slightly larger than West Virginia

Lebanon

about 0.7 times the size of Connecticut

Lesotho

slightly smaller than Maryland

Liberia

slightly larger than Tennessee

Libya

slightly larger than Alaska

Liechtenstein

about 0.9 times the size of Washington, DC

Lithuania

slightly larger than West Virginia

Luxembourg

slightly smaller than Rhode Island

Macau

about 0.1 times the size of Washington, DC

Macedonia

slightly larger than Vermont

Madagascar

slightly less than twice the size of Arizona

Malawi

slightly smaller than Pennsylvania

Malaysia

slightly larger than New Mexico

Maldives

about 1.7 times the size of Washington, DC

Mali

slightly less than twice the size of Texas

Malta

slightly less than twice the size of Washington, DC

Man, Isle of

slightly more than three times the size of Washington,

DC

Marshall Islands

about the size of Washington, DC

Martinique

slightly more than six times the size of Washington, DC

Mauritania

slightly larger than three times the size of New Mexico

Mauritius

almost 11 times the size of Washington, DC

Mayotte

slightly more than twice the size of Washington, DC

Mexico

slightly less than three times the size of Texas

Micronesia, Federated States of

four times the size of Washington,

DC (land area only)

Midway Islands

about nine times the size of The Mall in Washington,

DC

Moldova

slightly larger than Maryland

Monaco

about three times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC

Mongolia

slightly smaller than Alaska

Montserrat

about 0.6 times the size of Washington, DC

Morocco

slightly larger than California

Mozambique

slightly less than twice the size of California

Namibia

slightly more than half the size of Alaska

Nauru

about 0.1 times the size of Washington, DC

Navassa Island

about nine times the size of The Mall in Washington,

DC

Nepal

slightly larger than Arkansas

Netherlands

slightly less than twice the size of New Jersey

Netherlands Antilles

more than five times the size of Washington, DC

New Caledonia

slightly smaller than New Jersey

New Zealand

about the size of Colorado

Nicaragua

slightly smaller than the state of New York

Niger

slightly less than twice the size of Texas

Nigeria

slightly more than twice the size of California

Niue

1.5 times the size of Washington, DC

Norfolk Island

about 0.2 times the size of Washington, DC

Northern Mariana Islands

2.5 times the size of Washington, DC

Norway

slightly larger than New Mexico

Oman

slightly smaller than Kansas

Pacific Ocean

about 15 times the size of the US; covers about 28% of

the global surface; larger than the total land area of the world

Pakistan

slightly less than twice the size of California

Palau

slightly more than 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC

Palmyra Atoll

about 20 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC

Panama

slightly smaller than South Carolina

Papua New Guinea

slightly larger than California

Paracel Islands

NA

Paraguay

slightly smaller than California

Peru

slightly smaller than Alaska

Philippines

slightly larger than Arizona

Pitcairn Islands

about 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC

Poland

slightly smaller than New Mexico

Portugal

slightly smaller than Indiana

Puerto Rico

slightly less than three times the size of Rhode Island

Qatar

slightly smaller than Connecticut

Reunion

slightly smaller than Rhode Island

Romania

slightly smaller than Oregon

Russia

approximately 1.8 times the size of the US

Rwanda

slightly smaller than Maryland

Saint Helena

slightly more than twice the size of Washington, DC

Saint Kitts and Nevis

1.5 times the size of Washington, DC

Saint Lucia

3.5 times the size of Washington, DC

Saint Pierre and Miquelon

1.5 times the size of Washington, DC

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

twice the size of Washington, DC

Samoa

slightly smaller than Rhode Island

San Marino

about 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC

Sao Tome and Principe

more than five times the size of Washington, DC

Saudi Arabia

slightly more than one-fifth the size of the US

Senegal

slightly smaller than South Dakota

Serbia and Montenegro

slightly smaller than Kentucky

Seychelles

2.5 times the size of Washington, DC

Sierra Leone

slightly smaller than South Carolina

Singapore

slightly more than 3.5 times the size of Washington, DC

Slovakia

about twice the size of New Hampshire

Slovenia

slightly smaller than New Jersey

Solomon Islands

slightly smaller than Maryland

Somalia

slightly smaller than Texas

South Africa

slightly less than twice the size of Texas

South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands

slightly larger than

Rhode Island

Southern Ocean

slightly more than twice the size of the US

Spain

slightly more than twice the size of Oregon

Spratly Islands

NA

Sri Lanka

slightly larger than West Virginia

Sudan

slightly more than one-quarter the size of the US

Suriname

slightly larger than Georgia

Svalbard

slightly smaller than West Virginia

Swaziland

slightly smaller than New Jersey

Sweden

slightly larger than California

Switzerland

slightly less than twice the size of New Jersey

Syria

slightly larger than North Dakota

Taiwan

slightly smaller than Maryland and Delaware combined

Tajikistan

slightly smaller than Wisconsin

Tanzania

slightly larger than twice the size of California

Thailand

slightly more than twice the size of Wyoming

Togo

slightly smaller than West Virginia

Tokelau

about 17 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC

Tonga

four times the size of Washington, DC

Trinidad and Tobago

slightly smaller than Delaware

Tromelin Island

about 1.7 times the size of The Mall in Washington,

DC

Tunisia

slightly larger than Georgia

Turkey

slightly larger than Texas

Turkmenistan

slightly larger than California

Turks and Caicos Islands

2.5 times the size of Washington, DC

Tuvalu

0.1 times the size of Washington, DC

Uganda

slightly smaller than Oregon

Ukraine

slightly smaller than Texas

United Arab Emirates

slightly smaller than Maine

United Kingdom

slightly smaller than Oregon

United States

about half the size of Russia; about three-tenths the

size of Africa; about half the size of South America (or slightly

larger than Brazil); slightly larger than China; almost two and a

half times the size of the European Union

Uruguay

slightly smaller than the state of Washington

Uzbekistan

slightly larger than California

Vanuatu

slightly larger than Connecticut

Venezuela

slightly more than twice the size of California

Vietnam

slightly larger than New Mexico

Virgin Islands

twice the size of Washington, DC

Wake Island

about 11 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC

Wallis and Futuna

1.5 times the size of Washington, DC

West Bank

slightly smaller than Delaware

Western Sahara

about the size of Colorado

World

land area about 16 times the size of the US

Yemen

slightly larger than twice the size of Wyoming

Zambia

slightly larger than Texas

Zimbabwe

slightly larger than Montana

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2024 Military service age and obligation (years of age)

Afghanistan

22 years of age; inductees are contracted into service

for a 4-year term (2005)

Albania

19 years of age (2004)

Algeria

19-30 years of age for compulsory military service;

conscript service obligation - 18 months (October 2003)

Angola

17 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript

service obligation - 2 years plus time for training (2001)

Antigua and Barbuda

18 years of age (est.); no conscript military

service (2001)

Argentina

18 years of age for voluntary military service; no

conscription (2001)

Armenia

18-27 years of age for compulsory military service,

conscript service obligation - 12 months; 18 years of age for

voluntary military service (May 2004)

Australia

16 years of age for voluntary service (2001)

Austria

18 years of age for compulsory military service; 16 years of

age for voluntary service; from 2007, at the earliest, compulsory

military service obligation will be reduced from 8 months to 6 (June

2004)

Azerbaijan

18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military

service; law passed December 2001 raises maximum conscription age

from 28 to 35 (December 2001)

Bahamas, The

18 years of age (est.); no conscription (2001)

Bahrain

18 years of age for voluntary military service (2001)

Bangladesh

18 years of age for voluntary military service; no

conscription (2005)

Barbados

18 years of age for voluntary military service; volunteers

at earlier age with parental consent; no conscription (2001)

Belarus

18-27 years of age for compulsory military service;

conscript service obligation - 18 months (May 2004)

Belgium

16 years of age for voluntary military service; women

comprise some 7% of the Belgian armed forces (2001)

Belize

18 years of age for voluntary military service; laws allow

for conscription only if volunteers are insufficient; conscription

has never been implemented; volunteers typically outnumber available

positions by 3:1 (2001)

Benin

21 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service;

in practice, volunteers may be taken at the age of 18; both sexes

are eligible for military service; conscript tour of duty - 18

months (2004)

Bhutan

18 years of age for voluntary military service; no

conscription (2001)

Bolivia

18 years of age for voluntary military service; when annual

number of volunteers falls short of goal, compulsory recruitment is

effected, including conscription of boys as young as 14; one

estimate holds that 40% of the armed forces are under the age of 18,

with 50% of those under the age of 16; conscript tour of duty - 12

months (2002)

Bosnia and Herzegovina

18 years of age for compulsory military

service in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina; 16 years of age

in times of war; 18 years of age for Republika Srpska; 17 years of

age for voluntary military service in the Federation and in the

Republika Srpska; by law, military obligations cover all healthy men

between the ages of 18 and 60, and all women between the ages of 18

and 55; service obligation is 4 months (July 2004)

Botswana

18 is the apparent age of voluntary military service; the

official qualifications for determining minimum age are unknown

(2001)

Brazil

19 years of age for compulsory military service, conscript

service obligation - 12 months; 17 years of age for voluntary

service (2001)

Brunei

18 years of age (est.) (2004)

Bulgaria

18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military

service; conscript service obligation - 9 months (2004)

Burkina Faso

18 years of age for compulsory military service; 20

years of age for voluntary military service (2001)

Burma

18 years of age for voluntary military service for both sexes

(May 2002)

Burundi

16 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military

service (2001)

Cambodia

18-30 years of age for compulsory military service for all

males; conscription law passed September 2004; service obligation is

18 months (September 2004)

Cameroon

18 years of age for voluntary military service; no

conscription (1999)

Canada

16 years of age for voluntary military service; women

comprise some 11% of Canada's armed forces (2001)

Central African Republic

18 years of age for voluntary and

compulsory military service; conscript service obligation is two

years (2005)

Chad

20 years of age for conscripts, with 3-year service obligation;

18 years of age for volunteers; no minimum age restriction for

volunteers with consent from a guardian (2004)

Chile

18 years of age for compulsory military service; all citizens

18-45 are obligated to perform military service; conscript service

obligation - 12 months for Army, 24 months for Navy and Air Force

(2004)

China

18-22 years of age for compulsory military service, with

24-month service obligation; no minimum age for voluntary service;

17 years of age for women who meet requirements for specific

military jobs (2004)

Colombia

18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military

service; conscript service obligation - 24 months (2004)

Congo, Republic of the

18 years of age for voluntary military

service (2001)

Costa Rica

18 years of age (2004)

Cote d'Ivoire

18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military

service; conscript service obligation - 18 months (2004)

Croatia

18 years of age for compulsory military service, with

6-month service obligation; 16 years of age with consent for

voluntary service; Croatian Military Police planning to end

conscription in 2005 (December 2004)

Cuba

17 years of age; both sexes are eligible for military service

(2004)

Cyprus

18 years of age (2004)

Czech Republic

18-50 years of age for voluntary military service;

military service transformed into a fully professional,

all-volunteer force no longer dependent on conscription beginning in

January 2004 (2005)

Denmark

18 years of age for compulsory and volunteer military

service; conscripts serve an initial training period that varies

from 4 to 12 months according to specialization; reservists are

assigned to mobilization units following completion of their

conscript service (2004)

Djibouti

18 years of age (est.); no conscription (2001)

Dominican Republic 18 years of age for voluntary military service (2001)

East Timor

18 years of age for voluntary military service (2001)

Ecuador

20 years of age for conscript military service; 12-month

service obligation (2004)

Egypt

18 years of age for conscript military service; 3-year service

obligation (2001)

El Salvador

18 years of age for compulsory military service, with

12-month service obligation; 16 years of age for volunteers (2002)

Equatorial Guinea

18 years of age (est.) (2004)

Eritrea

18 years of age for voluntary and compulsory military

service; conscript service obligation - 16 months (2004)

Estonia

18 years of age for compulsory military service, with

11-month service obligation; Estonia has committed to retaining

conscription for men and women up to 2010; 17 years of age for

volunteers (2004)

Ethiopia

18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military

service (2001)

Fiji

18 years of age for voluntary military service (2001)

Finland

18 years of age for voluntary and compulsory military

service (October 2004)

France

17 years of age with consent for voluntary military service

(2001)

Gabon

18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service

(2001)

Gambia, The

18 years of age for voluntary military service; no

conscription (2001)

Georgia

18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military

service; conscript service obligation - 18 months (2004)

Germany

18 years of age (conscripts serve a nine-month tour of

compulsory military service) (2004)

Ghana

18 years of age for compulsory and volunteer military service

(2001)

Greece

18 years of age for compulsory military service; during

wartime the law allows for recruitment after reaching January of the

year of inductee's 18th birthday, thus including 17 year olds; 17

years of age for volunteers; conscript service obligation - 12

months for the Army and Air Force, 15 months for Navy (2005)

Guatemala

18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military

service; conscript service obligation - 30 months (2004)

Guinea

18 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript

service obligation - 2 years (2004)

Guinea-Bissau

18 years of age for compulsory military service (2001)

Haiti

18 years of age for voluntary recruitment into the police

force (2001)

Honduras

18 years of age for voluntary 2-3 year military service

(2004)

Hong Kong

18 years of age (2004)

Hungary

18 years of age for voluntary military service; conscription

abolished in June 2004 (June 2004)

India

16 years of age for voluntary military service (2001)

Indonesia

18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military

service; conscript service obligation - 2 years (2002)

Iran

18 years of age for compulsory military service; 16 years of

age for volunteers; soldiers as young as 9 were recruited

extensively during the Iran-Iraq War; conscript service obligation -

18 months (2004)

Iraq

18 years of age; the Iraqi Interim Government is creating a new

professional Iraqi military force of men aged 18 to 40 to defend

Iraq from external threats and the current insurgency (2004)

Ireland

17 years of age for voluntary military service; enlistees

under the age of 17 can be recruited for specialist positions (2001)

Israel

17 years of age for compulsory (Jews, Druzes) and voluntary

(Christians, Muslims, Circassians) military service; both sexes are

eligible for military service; conscript service obligation - 36

months for men, 21 months for women (2004)

Italy

18 years of age (2004)

Jamaica

18 years of age for voluntary military service; younger

recruits may be conscripted with parental consent (2001)

Japan

18 years of age for voluntary military service (2001)

Jordan

17 years of age for voluntary military service; conscription

at age 18 was suspended in 1999, although all males under age 37 are

required to register (2004)

Kazakhstan

18 years of age for compulsory military service;

conscript service obligation - 2 years; minimum age for volunteers

NA (2004)

Kenya

18 years of age (est.) (2004)

Korea, North

17 years of age (2004)

Korea, South

20-30 years of age for compulsory military service;

conscript service obligation - 24-28 months, depending on the

military branch involved; 18 years of age for voluntary military

service; some 4,000 women serve as commissioned and noncommissioned

officers, approx. 2.3% of all officers; women, in service since

1950, are admitted to seven service branches, including infantry;

excluded from artillery, armor, anti-air, and chaplaincy corps (2005)

Kuwait

18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service

(2001)

Kyrgyzstan

18 years of age for compulsory military service (2001)

Laos

15 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript

service obligation - minimum 18 months (2004)

Latvia

19 years of age for compulsory military service, conscript

service obligation - 12 months; 18 years of age for volunteers;

Latvia plans to phase out conscription, tentatively moving to an

all-professional force by 2007 (August 2004)

Lebanon

18-30 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military

service; conscript service obligation - 12 months (2004)

Lesotho

18 years of age (est.); no conscription (2001)

Liberia

18 years of age for voluntary military service; no

conscription (2001)

Libya

17 years of age (2004)

Lithuania

19-45 years of age for compulsory military service,

conscript service obligation - 12 months; 18 years of age for

volunteers (2004)

Luxembourg

a 1967 law made the Army an all-volunteer force; 17 years

of age for voluntary military service; soldiers under 18 are not

deployed into combat or with peacekeeping missions (2004)

Macedonia

conscription to be phased out by 2007; current tour of

conscript duty is 6 months; 18 years of age for voluntary military

service (January 2005)

Madagascar

18 years of age (est.); conscript service obligation - 18

months (2004)

Malawi

18 years of age for voluntary military service; no

conscription (2001)

Malaysia

18 years of age for voluntary military service (2005)

Maldives

18 years of age (est.) (2004)

Mali

18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service;

conscript service obligation - 2 years (2004)

Malta

18 years of age for voluntary military service; no

conscription (2001)

Mauritania

18 years of age (est.); conscript service obligation - 2

years; majority of servicemen believed to be volunteers; service in

Air Force and Navy is voluntary (April 2005)

Mexico

18 years of age for compulsory military service, conscript

service obligation - 12 months; 16 years of age with consent for

voluntary enlistment (2004)

Moldova

18 years of age for compulsory military service; national

service obligation - 12 months (2004)

Mongolia

18-25 years of age for compulsory military service;

conscript service obligation - 12 months (2004)

Morocco

18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military

service; conscript service obligation - 18 months (2004)

Namibia

18 years of age for voluntary military service (2001)

Nepal

18 years of age for voluntary military service (2001)

Netherlands

20 years of age for an all-volunteer force (2004)

Netherlands Antilles

16 years of age for military recruitment; no

conscription (July 2002)

New Zealand

17 years of age for voluntary military service; soldiers

cannot be deployed until the age of 18 (2001)

Nicaragua

17 years of age for voluntary military service (2001)

Niger

18 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript

service obligation - 2 years (2004)

Nigeria

18 years of age for voluntary military service (2001)

Norway

18 years of age for compulsory military service; 16 years of

age in wartime; 17 years of age for male volunteers; 18 years of age

for women; 16 years of age for volunteers to the Home Guard;

conscript service obligation - 12 months (2004)

Oman

18 years of age for voluntary military service (2001)

Pakistan

16 years of age for voluntary military service; soldiers

cannot be deployed for combat until age of 18 (2001)

Papua New Guinea

18 years of age (est.); no conscription (2001)

Paraguay

18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military

service; conscript service obligation - 12 months for Army, 24

months for Navy (2004)

Peru

18 years of age for compulsory military service (1999)

Philippines

18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military

service (2001)

Poland

17 years of age for compulsory military service after January

1st of the year of 18th birthday; 17 years of age for voluntary

military service; in 2005 Poland plans to shorten the length of

conscript service obligation from 12 to 9 months; by 2008, plans

call for at least 60% of military personnel to be volunteers; only

soldiers who have completed their conscript service are allowed to

volunteer for professional service; as of April 2004 women are only

allowed to serve as officers and non-commissioned officers (April

2004)

Portugal

18 years of age for voluntary military service; compulsory

military service was ended in 2004 (January 2005)

Qatar

18 years of age for voluntary military service; Land Force's

enlisted personnel are largely nonprofessional foreign nationals

(2005)

Reunion

18 years of age (2004)

Romania

20 years of age for compulsory military service, 18 in

wartime; conscript service obligation - 12 months; 18 years of age

for voluntary military service (2004)

Russia

18-27 years of age; males are registered for the draft at 17

years of age; 200,000 conscripts were inducted into the armed forces

in 2003; length of compulsory military service is 2 years; plans as

of August 2004 call for reduction in mandatory service to 1 year by

2008; 2003 planning calls for volunteer servicemen to compose 70% of

armed forces by 2010, with the remaining servicemen consisting of

conscripts (August 2004)

Rwanda

16 years of age for voluntary military service; no

conscription (2001)

Saint Kitts and Nevis

18 years of age (est.) (2004)

Sao Tome and Principe

18 years of age (est.) (2004)

Saudi Arabia

18 years of age (est.); no conscription (2004)

Senegal

18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military

service; conscript service obligation - 2 years (2004)

Serbia and Montenegro

19 years of age (nine months compulsory

service) (2004)

Seychelles

18 years of age (est.); no conscription (2001)

Sierra Leone

18 years of age (est.); no conscription (2001)

Singapore

18 years of age for compulsory military service; 16 years

of age for volunteers; conscript service obligation reduced to 24

months beginning December 2004 (December 2004)

Slovakia

complete transition to an all-volunteer professional force

is planned for 1 January 2007; 82% of Slovak armed forces were

volunteers as of January 2005; volunteers include women, with

minimum age of 17 years; 18 years of age for compulsory military

service (January 2005)

Slovenia

17 years of age for voluntary military service;

conscription abolished in 2003 (2004)

Somalia

18 years of age (est.) (2001)

South Africa

18 years of age for voluntary military service; women

have a long history of military service in non-combat roles - dating

back to World War I (2004)

Spain

20 years of age (2004)

Sri Lanka

18 years of age for voluntary military service (2001)

Sudan

18-30 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript

service obligation - 3 years (August 2004)

Suriname

18 years of age (est.); no conscription

Swaziland

18 years of age for voluntary military service; both sexes

are eligible for military service (2005)

Sweden

19 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript

service obligation - 7-17 months depending on conscript role; after

completing initial service soldiers have a reserve commitment until

the age of 47 (2004)

Switzerland

the Swiss Confederation states that "every Swiss male is

obligated to do military service"; every Swiss male has to serve for

at least 260 days in the armed forces; 19 years of age for

compulsory military service; 17 years of age for voluntary military

service; conscripts receive 15 weeks of compulsory training,

followed by 10 intermittent recalls for training over the next 22

years; women are accepted on a voluntary basis, but are not drafted

(2005)

Syria

18 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript

service obligation - 30 months (2004)

Taiwan

19-40 years of age for military service (being lowered to 35

years of age in July 2005); service obligation 22 months (being

shortened to 18 months in July 2005 and 12 months in 2008) (2005)

Tajikistan

18 years of age for compulsory military service;

conscript service obligation - 2 years (2004)

Tanzania

15 years of age for voluntary military service; 18 years of

age for compulsory military service upon graduation from secondary

school; conscript service obligation - 2 years (2004)

Thailand

21 years of age for compulsory military service; males are

registered at 18 years of age; conscript service obliation - 2

years; 18 years of age for voluntary military service (2004)

Togo

18 years of age for voluntary and compulsory military service

(2001)

Tonga

18 years of age (est.) (2004)

Trinidad and Tobago

18 years of age for voluntary military service;

no conscription (2001)

Tunisia

20 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript

service obligation - 12 months; 18 years of age for voluntary

military service (2004)

Turkey

20 years of age (2004)

Turkmenistan

18 years of age for compulsory military service;

conscript service obligation - 2 years (2004)

Uganda

18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military duty;

the government has stated that recruitment below that age could

occur with proper consent and that "no person under the apparent age

of 13 years shall be enrolled in the armed forces"

Ukraine

18-27 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military

service; conscript service obligation - 18 months for Army and Air

Force, 24 months for Navy (2004)

United Arab Emirates

18 years of age (est.); no conscription (2001)

United Kingdom

16 years of age for voluntary military service

(January 2004)

United States

18 years of age (2004)

Uruguay

18 years of age for voluntary and compulsory military

service (2001)

Uzbekistan

18 years of age for compulsory military service;

conscript service obligation - 12 months (2004)

Venezuela

18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military

service; conscript service obligation - 30 months (2004)

Vietnam

18 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript

service obligation - 2 years (2004)

Yemen

18 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript

service obligation - 2 years (2004)

Zambia

18 years of age (est.) (2004)

Zimbabwe

18 years of age (est.) (2004)

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2025 Manpower fit for military service

Afghanistan

males age 22-49: 2,662,946 (2005 est.)

Albania

males age 19-49: 668,526 (2005 est.)

Algeria

males age 19-49: 6,590,079 (2005 est.)

Angola

males age 17-49: 1,174,548 (2005 est.)

Argentina

males age 18-49: 7,316,038 (2005 est.)

Armenia

males age 18-49: 551,938 (2005 est.)

Australia

males age 16-49: 4,092,717 (2005 est.)

Austria

males age 18-49: 1,550,441 (2005 est.)

Azerbaijan

males age 18-49: 1,314,955 (2005 est.)

Bahrain

males age 18-49: 161,372 (2005 est.)

Bangladesh

males age 18-49: 26,841,255 (2005 est.)

Barbados

males age 18-49: 51,298 (2005 est.)

Belarus

males age 18-49: 1,657,984 (2005 est.)

Belgium

males age 16-49: 1,998,003 (2005 est.)

Belize

males age 18-49: 41,368 (2005 est.)

Benin

males age 21-49: 670,170

females age 21-49: 630,078 (2005 est.)

Bhutan

males age 18-49: 314,975 (2005 est.)

Bolivia

males age 18-49: 1,311,414 (2005 est.)

Bosnia and Herzegovina

males age 18-49: 829,530 (2005 est.)

Botswana

males age 18-49: 136,322 (2005 est.)

Brazil

males age 19-49: 33,119,098 (2005 est.)

Brunei

males age 18-49: approx. 85,045 (2005 est.)

Bulgaria

males age 18-49: 1,302,037 (2005 est.)

Burkina Faso

males age 18-49: 1,323,548 (2005 est.)

Burma

males age 18-49: 6,512,923

females age 18-49: 6,789,720 (2005 est.)

Burundi

males age 16-49: 693,956 (2005 est.)

Cambodia

males age 18-49: 1,844,144 (2005 est.)

Cameroon

males age 18-49: 1,720,385 (2005 est.)

Canada

males age 16-49: 6,740,490 (2005 est.)

Cape Verde

males age 18-49: 65,614 (2005 est.)

Central African Republic

males age 18-49: 330,255 (2005 est.)

Chad

males age 20-49: 834,695 (2005 est.)

Chile

males age 18-49: 3,123,281 (2005 est.)

China

males age 18-49: 281,240,272 (2005 est.)

Colombia

males age 18-49: 6,986,228 (2005 est.)

Comoros

males age 18-49: 98,792 (2005 est.)

Congo, Democratic Republic of the males age 18-49: 5,851,292 (2005 est.)

Congo, Republic of the

males age 18-49: 360,492 (2005 est.)

Costa Rica

males age 18-49: 829,874 (2005 est.)

Cote d'Ivoire

males age 18-49: 1,973,265 (2005 est.)

Croatia

males age 18-49: 725,914 (2005 est.)

Cuba

males age 17-49: 2,441,927

females age 17-49: 2,396,741 (2005 est.)

Cyprus

males age 18-49: 150,750 (2005 est.)

Czech Republic

males age 18-49: 1,996,631 (2005 est.)

Denmark

males age 18-49: 955,168 (2005 est.)

Djibouti

males age 18-49: 46,020 (2005 est.)

Dominican Republic

males age 18-49: 1,420,693 (2005 est.)

East Timor

males age 18-49: NA

Ecuador

males age 20-49: 2,338,428 (2005 est.)

Egypt

males age 18-49: 15,540,234 (2005 est.)

El Salvador

males age 18-49: 960,315 (2005 est.)

Equatorial Guinea

males age 18-49: 66,379 (2005 est.)

Eritrea

males age 18-49: NA (2005)

Estonia

males age 18-49: 200,382 (2005 est.)

note - in 2004, 51% of the young men called up for service were

determined to be unfit; main obstacles to conscription were

psychiatric and behavioral

Ethiopia

males age 18-49: 8,072,755 (2005 est.)

Fiji

males age 18-49: 163,960 (2005 est.)

Finland

males age 18-49: 913,617 (2005 est.)

France

males age 17-49: 11,262,661 (2005 est.)

French Guiana

males age 18-49: 38,676 (2005 est.)

Gabon

males age 18-49: 156,632 (2005 est.)

Gambia, The

males age 18-49: 188,117 (2005 est.)

Georgia

males age 18-49: 827,281 (2005 est.)

Germany

males age 18-49: 15,258,931 (2005 est.)

Ghana

males age 18-49: 2,721,239 (2005 est.)

Greece

males age 18-49: 2,018,557 (2005 est.)

Guatemala

males age 18-49: 2,106,847 (2005 est.)

Guinea

males age 18-49: 1,038,036 (2005 est.)

Guinea-Bissau

males age 18-49: 152,760 (2005 est.)

Guyana

males age 18-49: 137,964 (2005 est.)

Haiti

males age 18-49: 948,320 (2005 est.)

Honduras

males age 18-49: 955,019 (2005 est.)

Hong Kong

males age 18-49: 1,403,088 (2005 est.)

Hungary

males age 18-49: 1,780,513 (2005 est.)

Iceland

males age 18-49: 56,777 (2005 est.)

India

males age 16-49: 219,471,999 (2005 est.)

Indonesia

males age 18-49: 48,687,234 (2005 est.)

Iran

males age 18-49: 15,665,725 (2005 est.)

Iraq

males age 18-49: 4,930,074 (2005 est.)

Ireland

males age 17-49: 814,768 (2005 est.)

Israel

males age 17-49: 1,255,902

females age 17-49: 1,212,394 (2005 est.)

Italy

males age 18-49: 10,963,513 (2005 est.)

Jamaica

males age 18-49: 587,006 (2005 est.)

Japan

males age 18-49: 22,234,663 (2005 est.)

Jordan

males age 17-49: 1,348,076 (2005 est.)

Kazakhstan

males age 18-49: 2,473,529 (2005 est.)

Kenya

males age 18-49: 3,963,532 (2005 est.)

Korea, North

males age 17-49: 4,810,831 (2005 est.)

Korea, South

males age 20-49: 9,932,026 (2005 est.)

Kuwait

males age 18-49: 737,292 (2005 est.)

Kyrgyzstan

males age 18-49: 871,493 (2005 est.)

Laos

males age 15-49: 954,816 (2005 est.)

Latvia

males age 19-49: 361,098 (2005 est.)

Lebanon

males age 18-49: 821,762 (2005 est.)

Lesotho

males age 18-49: 162,857 (2005 est.)

Liberia

males age 18-49: 360,373 (2005 est.)

Libya

males age 17-49: 1,291,624 (2005 est.)

Lithuania

males age 19-49: 590,606 (2005 est.)

Luxembourg

males age 17-49: 90,279 (2005 est.)

Macau

males age 18-49: 91,299 (2005 est.)

Macedonia

males age 18-49: 411,156 (2005 est.)

Madagascar

males age 18-49: 2,218,662 (2005 est.)

Malawi

males age 18-49: 995,084 (2005 est.)

Malaysia

males age 18-49: 4,574,854 (2005 est.)

Maldives

males age 18-49: 56,687 (2005 est.)

Mali

males age 18-49: 1,231,930 (2005 est.)

Malta

males age 18-49: 74,525 (2005 est.)

Mauritania

males age 18-49: 370,513 (2005 est.)

Mauritius

males age 18-49: 248,659 (2005 est.)

Mexico

males age 18-49: 19,058,337 (2005 est.)

Moldova

males age 18-49: 693,913 (2005 est.)

Mongolia

males age 18-49: 570,435 (2005 est.)

Morocco

males age 18-49: 6,484,787 (2005 est.)

Mozambique

males age 18-49: 1,751,223 (2005 est.)

Namibia

males age 18-49: 217,118 (2005 est.)

Nauru

males age 18-49: 1,963 (2005 est.)

Nepal

males age 18-49: 4.193 million (2005 est.)

Netherlands

males age 20-49: 2,856,691 (2005 est.)

Netherlands Antilles

males age 16-49: 45,273 (2005 est.)

New Zealand

males age 17-49: 809,519 (2005 est.)

Nicaragua

males age 17-49: 1,051,425 (2005 est.)

Niger

males age 18-49: 1,180,027 (2005 est.)

Nigeria

males age 18-49: 15,053,936 (2005 est.)

Norway

males age 18-49: 827,016 (2005 est.)

Oman

males age 18-49: 581,444 (2005 est.)

Pakistan

males age 16-49: 29,428,747 (2005 est.)

Panama

males age 18-49: 511,905 (2005 est.)

Papua New Guinea

males age 18-49: 902,432 (2005 est.)

Paraguay

males age 18-49: 1,109,166 (2005 est.)

Peru

males age 18-49: 4,938,417 (2005 est.)

Philippines

males age 18-49: 15,170,096 (2005 est.)

Poland

males age 17-49: 7,740,164 (2005 est.)

Portugal

males age 18-49: 1,952,819 (2005 est.)

Qatar

males age 18-49: 238,566 (2005 est.)

Reunion

males age 18-49: 142,578 (2005 est.)

Romania

males age 20-49: 3,932,579 (2005 est.)

Russia

males age 18-49: 21,049,651 (2005 est.)

Rwanda

males age 16-49: 1,103,823 (2005 est.)

Sao Tome and Principe

males age 18-49: 25,950 (2005 est.)

Saudi Arabia

males age 18-49: 6,592,709 (2005 est.)

Senegal

males age 18-49: 1,300,502 (2005 est.)

Serbia and Montenegro

males age 19-49: 1,959,166 (2005 est.)

Seychelles

males age 18-49: 16,122 (2005 est.)

Sierra Leone

males age 18-49: 552,785 (2005 est.)

Singapore

males age 18-49: 982,368 (2005 est.)

Slovakia

males age 18-49: 1,089,645 (2005 est.)

Slovenia

males age 17-49: 405,593 (2005 est.)

Somalia

males age 18-49: 1,022,360 (2005 est.)

South Africa

males age 18-49: 4,927,757 (2005 est.)

Spain

males age 20-49: 7,623,356 (2005 est.)

Sri Lanka

males age 18-49: 3,789,627 (2005 est.)

Sudan

males age 18-49: 5,427,474 (2005 est.)

Suriname

males age 18-49: 77,793 (2005 est.)

Swaziland

males age 18-49: 98,530 (2005 est.)

Sweden

males age 19-49: 1,493,668 (2005 est.)

Switzerland

males age 19-49: 1,375,889 (2005 est.)

Syria

males age 18-49: 3,453,888 (2005 est.)

Taiwan

males age 19-49: 4,749,537 (2005 est.)

Tajikistan

males age 18-49: 1,244,941 (2005 est.)

Tanzania

males age 18-49: 3,879,630 (2005 est.)

Thailand

males age 21-49: 10,342,337 (2005 est.)

Togo

males age 18-49: 629,933 (2005 est.)

Trinidad and Tobago

males age 18-49: 203,531 (2005 est.)

Tunisia

males age 20-49: 2,035,431 (2005 est.)

Turkey

males age 20-49: 13,905,901 (2005 est.)

Turkmenistan

males age 18-49: 759,978 (2005 est.)

Uganda

males age 18-49: 2,889,808 (2005 est.)

Ukraine

males age 18-49: 7,114,337 (2005 est.)

United Arab Emirates

males age 18-49: 526,671 (2005 est.)

United Kingdom

males age 16-49: 12,046,268 (2005 est.)

United States males age 18-49: 54,609,050 females age 18-49: 54,696,706 (2005 est.)

Uruguay

males age 18-49: 637,445 (2005 est.)

Uzbekistan

males age 18-49: 4,609,621 (2005 est.)

Venezuela

males age 18-49: 4,907,947 (2005 est.)

Vietnam

males age 18-49: 16,032,358 (2005 est.)

Yemen

males age 18-49: 2,790,705 (2005 est.)

Zambia

males age 18-49: 1,043,702 (2005 est.)

Zimbabwe

males age 18-49: 1,148,590 (2005 est.)

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2026 Manpower reaching military service age annually

Afghanistan

males: 275,362 (2005 est.)

Albania

males: 37,407 (2005 est.)

Algeria

males: 374,639 (2005 est.)

Angola

males: 121,254 (2005 est.)

Argentina

males: 344,575 (2005 est.)

Armenia

males: 31,774 (2005 est.)

Australia

males: 142,158 (2005 est.)

Austria

males: 48,967 (2005 est.)

Azerbaijan

males: 82,358 (2005 est.)

Bahrain

males: 6,013 (2005 est.)

Belarus

males: 85,202 (2005 est.)

Belgium

males: 64,263 (2005 est.)

Belize

males: 3,209 (2005 est.)

Benin males: 72,841 females: 71,428 (2005 est.)

Bhutan

males: 23,939 (2005 est.)

Bolivia

males: 101,101 (2005 est.)

Bosnia and Herzegovina

males: 31,264 (2005 est.)

Botswana

males: 21,103 (2005 est.)

Brazil

males: 1,785,930 (2005 est.)

Brunei

males: 3,478 (2005 est.)

Bulgaria

males: 51,023 (2005 est.)

Burma

males: 440,914

females: 427,382 (2005 est.)

Burundi

males: 84,597 (2005 est.)

Cambodia

males: 175,305 (2005 est.)

Cameroon

males: 188,662 (2005 est.)

Canada

males: 223,821 (2005 est.)

Chad

males: 95,228 (2005 est.)

Chile

males: 140,084 (2005 est.)

China

males: 13,186,433 (2005 est.)

Colombia

males: 389,735 (2005 est.)

Congo, Republic of the

males: 34,281 (2005 est.)

Costa Rica

males: 41,097 (2005 est.)

Cote d'Ivoire

males: 189,354 (2005 est.)

Croatia

males: 29,020 (2005 est.)

Cuba

males: 91,901

females: 87,500 (2005 est.)

Cyprus

males: 6,578 (2005 est.)

Czech Republic

males: 66,583 (2005 est.)

Denmark

males: 31,317 (2005 est.)

Dominican Republic

males: 91,597 (2005 est.)

East Timor

NA

Ecuador

males: 133,922 (2005 est.)

Egypt

males: 802,920 (2005 est.)

El Salvador

males: 70,286 (2005 est.)

Estonia

males: 11,146 (2005 est.)

Ethiopia

males: 803,777 (2005 est.)

Fiji

males: 9,266 (2005 est.)

Finland

males: 32,040 (2005 est.)

France

males: 389,204 (2005 est.)

Gabon

males: 15,150 (2005 est.)

Georgia

males: 38,857 (2005 est.)

Germany

males: 497,048 (2005 est.)

Ghana

males: 250,782 (2005 est.)

Greece

males: 58,399 (2005 est.)

Guatemala

males: 161,964 (2005 est.)

Haiti

males: 98,554 (2005 est.)

Honduras

males: 77,399 (2005 est.)

Hong Kong

males: 40,343 (2005 est.)

Hungary

males: 63,847 (2005 est.)

India

males: 11,446,452 (2005 est.)

Indonesia

males: 2,201,047 (2005 est.)

Iran

males: 862,056 (2005 est.)

Iraq

males: 298,518 (2005 est.)

Ireland

males: 29,327 (2005 est.)

Israel males: 53,760 females: 51,293 (2005 est.)

Italy

males: 286,344 (2005 est.)

Jamaica

males: 26,080 (2005 est.)

Japan

males: 683,147 (2005 est.)

Jordan

males: 60,625 (2005 est.)

Kazakhstan

males: 173,129 (2005 est.)

Korea, North

males: 194,605 (2005 est.)

Korea, South

males: 344,723 (2005 est.)

Kuwait

males: 18,743 (2005 est.)

Kyrgyzstan

males: 61,091 (2005 est.)

Laos

males: 73,167 (2005 est.)

Latvia

males: 19,137 (2005 est.)

Libya

males: 62,034 (2005 est.)

Lithuania

males: 29,689 (2005 est.)

Luxembourg

males: 2,775 (2005 est.)

Macedonia

males: 16,686 (2005 est.)

Madagascar

males: 187,000 (2005 est.)

Malaysia

males: 244,418 (2005 est.)

Mexico

males: 1,063,233 (2005 est.)

Moldova

males: 43,729 (2005 est.)

Mongolia

males: 34,674 (2005 est.)

Morocco

males: 353,377 (2005 est.)

Nepal

males: 308,031 (2005 est.)

Netherlands

males: 99,934 (2005 est.)

Netherlands Antilles

males: 1,720 (2005 est.)

New Zealand

males: 29,738 (2005 est.)

Nicaragua

males: 65,170 (2005 est.)

Niger

males: 126,719 (2005 est.)

Nigeria

males: 1,353,161 (2005 est.)

Norway

males: 29,179 (2005 est.)

Oman

males: 26,391 (2005 est.)

Pakistan

males: 1,969,055 (2005 est.)

Paraguay

males: 63,058 (2005 est.)

Peru

males: 277,105 (2005 est.)

Philippines

males: 907,542 (2005 est.)

Poland

males: 275,521 (2005 est.)

Portugal

males: 67,189 (2005 est.)

Qatar

males: 7,851 (2005 est.)

Reunion

males: 7,339 (2005 est.)

Romania

males: 172,093 (2005 est.)

Russia

males: 1,286,069 (2005 est.)

Saudi Arabia

males: 247,334 (2005 est.)

Senegal

males: 124,096 (2005 est.)

Serbia and Montenegro

males: 81,033 (2005 est.)

Slovakia

males: 41,544 (2005 est.)

Slovenia

males: 12,816 (2005 est.)

South Africa

males: 512,407 (2005 est.)

Spain

males: 233,384 (2005 est.)

Sri Lanka

males: 174,049 (2005 est.)

Sudan

males: 442,915 (2005 est.)

Sweden

males: 58,724 (2005 est.)

Switzerland

males: 46,319 (2005 est.)

Syria

males: 225,113 (2005 est.)

Taiwan

males: 174,173 (2005 est.)

Tajikistan

males: 87,846 (2005 est.)

Thailand

males: 530,493 (2005 est.)

Tunisia

males: 108,817 (2005 est.)

Turkey

males: 679,734 (2005 est.)

Turkmenistan

males: 56,532 (2005 est.)

Ukraine

males: 378,176 (2005 est.)

United Arab Emirates

males: 30,706 (2005 est.)

United States males: 2,143,873 females: 2,036,201 (2005 est.)

Uzbekistan

males: 324,722 (2005 est.)

Venezuela

males: 252,396 (2005 est.)

Vietnam

males: 915,572 (2005 est.)

Yemen

males: 236,517 (2005 est.)

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2028 Background

Afghanistan

Afghanistan's recent history is a story of war and civil

unrest. The Soviet Union invaded in 1979, but was forced to withdraw

10 years later by anti-Communist mujahidin forces. The Communist

regime in Kabul collapsed in 1992. Fighting that subsequently

erupted among the various mujahidin factions eventually helped to

spawn the Taliban, a hardline Pakistani-sponsored movement that

fought to end the warlordism and civil war that gripped the country.

The Taliban seized Kabul in 1996 and were able to capture most of

the country outside of Northern Alliance strongholds primarily in

the northeast. Following the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks, a

US, Allied, and Northern Alliance military action toppled the

Taliban for sheltering Osama BIN LADIN. In late 2001, a conference

in Bonn, Germany, established a process for political reconstruction

that ultimately resulted in the adoption of a new constitution and

presidential election in 2004. On 9 October 2004, Hamid KARZAI

became the first democratically elected president of Afghanistan.

The new Afghan government's next task is to hold National Assembly

elections, tentatively scheduled for April 2005.

Akrotiri

By terms of the 1960 Treaty of Establishment that created

the independent Republic of Cyprus, the UK retained full sovereignty

and jurisdiction over two areas of almost 254 square kilometers in

total: Akrotiri and Dhekelia. The southernmost and smallest of these

is the Akrotiri Sovereign Base Area, which is also referred to as

the Western Sovereign Base Area.

Albania

Between 1990 and 1992 Albania ended 46 years of xenophobic

Communist rule and established a multiparty democracy. The

transition has proven difficult as successive governments have tried

to deal with high unemployment, widespread corruption, a dilapidated

infrastructure, powerful organized crime networks with links to

government officials, and disruptive political opponents. Albania

has made incremental progress in its democratic development since

first holding multiiparty elections in 1991, but deficiencies remain

- particularly in regard to the rule of law. Despite some lingering

problems, international observers have judged elections to be

largely free and fair since the restoration of political stability

following the collapse of pyramid schemes in 1997. In the 2005

general elections, the Democratic Party and its allies won a

decisive victory on pledges of reducing crime and corruption,

promoting economic growth, and decreasing the size of government.

Although Albania's economy continues to grow, the country is still

one of the poorest in Europe, hampered by a large informal economy,

large public debt, and an inadequate energy and tranportation

infrastructure. Albania has played a largely helpful role in

managing inter-ethnic tensions in southeastern Europe, and is

continuing to work toward joining NATO and the EU.

Algeria

After more than a century of rule by France, Algerians

fought through much of the 1950s to achieve independence in 1962.

Algeria's primary political party, the National Liberation Front

(FLN), has dominated politics ever since. Many Algerians in the

subsequent generation were not satisfied, however, and moved to

counter the FLN's centrality in Algerian politics. The surprising

first round success of the Islamic Salvation Front (FIS) in the

December 1991 balloting spurred the Algerian army to intervene and

postpone the second round of elections to prevent what the secular

elite feared would be an extremist-led government from assuming

power. The army began a crack down on the FIS that spurred FIS

supporters to begin attacking government targets. The government

later allowed elections featuring pro-government and moderate

religious-based parties, but did not appease the activists who

progressively widened their attacks. The fighting escalated into an

insurgency, which saw intense fighting between 1992-98 and which

resulted in over 100,000 deaths - many attributed to indiscriminate

massacres of villagers by extremists. The government gained the

upper hand by the late-1990s and FIS's armed wing, the Islamic

Salvation Army, disbanded in January 2000. However, small numbers of

armed militants persist in confronting government forces and

conducting ambushes and occasional attacks on villages. The army

placed Abdelaziz BOUTEFLIKA in the presidency in 1999 in a

fraudulent election but claimed neutrality in his 2004 landslide

reelection victory. Longstanding problems continue to face

BOUTEFLIKA in his second term, including the ethnic minority

Berbers' ongoing autonomy campaign, large-scale unemployment, a

shortage of housing, unreliable electrical and water supplies,

government inefficiencies and corruption, and the continuing -

although significantly degraded - activities of extremist militants.

Algeria must also diversify its petroleum-based economy, which has

yielded a large cash reserve but which has not been used to redress

Algeria's many social and infrastructure problems. Algeria assumed a

two-year seat on the UN Security Council in January 2004.

American Samoa

Settled as early as 1000 B.C., Samoa was "discovered"

by European explorers in the 18th century. International rivalries

in the latter half of the 19th century were settled by an 1899

treaty in which Germany and the US divided the Samoan archipelago.

The US formally occupied its portion - a smaller group of eastern

islands with the excellent harbor of Pago Pago - the following year.

Andorra

For 715 years, from 1278 to 1993, Andorrans lived under a

unique co-principality, ruled by French and Spanish leaders (from

1607 onward, the French chief of state and the Spanish bishop of

Urgel). In 1993, this feudal system was modified with the titular

heads of state retained, but the government transformed into a

parliamentary democracy. Long isolated and impoverished, mountainous

Andorra achieved considerable prosperity since World War II through

its tourist industry. Many immigrants (legal and illegal) are

attracted to the thriving economy with its lack of income taxes.

Angola

Angola has begun to enjoy the fruits of peace since the end

of a 27-year civil war in 2002. Fighting between the Popular

Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA), led by Jose Eduardo

DOS SANTOS, and the National Union for the Total Independence of

Angola (UNITA), led by Jonas SAVIMBI, followed independence from

Portugal in 1975. Peace seemed imminent in 1992 when Angola held

national elections, but UNITA renewed fighting after being beaten by

the MPLA at the polls. Up to 1.5 million lives may have been lost -

and 4 million people displaced - in the quarter century of fighting.

SAVIMBI's death in 2002 ended UNITA's insurgency and strengthened

the MPLA's hold on power. DOS SANTOS has pledged to hold national

elections in 2006.

Anguilla

Colonized by English settlers from Saint Kitts in 1650,

Anguilla was administered by Great Britain until the early 19th

century, when the island - against the wishes of the inhabitants -

was incorporated into a single British dependency, along with Saint

Kitts and Nevis. Several attempts at separation failed. In 1971, two

years after a revolt, Anguilla was finally allowed to secede; this

arrangement was formally recognized in 1980, with Anguilla becoming

a separate British dependency.

Antarctica

Speculation over the existence of a "southern land" was

not confirmed until the early 1820s when British and American

commercial operators and British and Russian national expeditions

began exploring the Antarctic Peninsula region and other areas south

of the Antarctic Circle. Not until 1840 was it established that

Antarctica was indeed a continent and not just a group of islands.

Several exploration "firsts" were achieved in the early 20th

century. Following World War II, there was an upsurge in scientific

research on the continent. A number of countries have set up

year-round research stations on Antarctica. Seven have made

territorial claims, but not all countries recognize these claims. In

order to form a legal framework for the activities of nations on the

continent, an Antarctic Treaty was negotiated that neither denies

nor gives recognition to existing territorial claims; signed in

1959, it entered into force in 1961.

Antigua and Barbuda

The Siboney were the first to inhabit the

islands of Antigua and Barbuda in 2400 B.C., but Arawak and Carib

Indians populated the islands when Columbus landed on his second

voyage in 1493. Early settlements by the Spanish and French were

succeeded by the English who formed a colony in 1667. Slavery,

established to run the sugar plantations on Antigua, was abolished

in 1834. The islands became an independent state within the British

Commonwealth of Nations in 1981.

Arctic Ocean

The Arctic Ocean is the smallest of the world's five

oceans (after the Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, and

the recently delimited Southern Ocean). The Northwest Passage (US

and Canada) and Northern Sea Route (Norway and Russia) are two

important seasonal waterways. A sparse network of air, ocean, river,

and land routes circumscribes the Arctic Ocean.

Argentina

Following independence from Spain in 1816, Argentina

experienced periods of internal political conflict between

conservatives and liberals and between civilian and military

factions. After World War II, a long period of Peronist

authoritarian rule and interference in subsequent governments was

followed by a military junta that took power in 1976. Democracy

returned in 1983, and numerous elections since then have underscored

Argentina's progress in democratic consolidation.

Armenia

Armenia prides itself on being the first nation to formally

adopt Christianity (early 4th century). Despite periods of autonomy,

over the centuries Armenia came under the sway of various empires

including the Roman, Byzantine, Arab, Persian, and Ottoman. It was

incorporated into Russia in 1828 and the USSR in 1920. Armenian

leaders remain preoccupied by the long conflict with Muslim

Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh, a primarily Armenian-populated

region, assigned to Soviet Azerbaijan in the 1920s by Moscow.

Armenia and Azerbaijan began fighting over the area in 1988; the

struggle escalated after both countries attained independence from

the Soviet Union in 1991. By May 1994, when a cease-fire took hold,

Armenian forces held not only Nagorno-Karabakh but also a

significant portion of Azerbaijan proper. The economies of both

sides have been hurt by their inability to make substantial progress

toward a peaceful resolution. Turkey imposed an economic blockade on

Armenia and closed the common border because of the Armenian

occupation of Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding areas.

Aruba

Discovered and claimed for Spain in 1499, Aruba was acquired

by the Dutch in 1636. The island's economy has been dominated by

three main industries. A 19th century gold rush was followed by

prosperity brought on by the opening in 1924 of an oil refinery. The

last decades of the 20th century saw a boom in the tourism industry.

Aruba seceded from the Netherlands Antilles in 1986 and became a

separate, autonomous member of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

Movement toward full independence was halted at Aruba's request in

1990.

Ashmore and Cartier Islands

These uninhabited islands came under

Australian authority in 1931; formal administration began two years

later. Ashmore Reef supports a rich and diverse avian and marine

habitat; in 1983, it became a National Nature Reserve. Cartier

Island, a former bombing range, is now a marine reserve.

Atlantic Ocean

The Atlantic Ocean is the second largest of the

world's five oceans (after the Pacific Ocean, but larger than the

Indian Ocean, Southern Ocean, and Arctic Ocean). The Kiel Canal

(Germany), Oresund (Denmark-Sweden), Bosporus (Turkey), Strait of

Gibraltar (Morocco-Spain), and the Saint Lawrence Seaway (Canada-US)

are important strategic access waterways. The decision by the

International Hydrographic Organization in the spring of 2000 to

delimit a fifth world ocean, the Southern Ocean, removed the portion

of the Atlantic Ocean south of 60 degrees south.

Australia

Aboriginal settlers arrived on the continent from

Southeast Asia about 40,000 years before the first Europeans began

exploration in the 17th century. No formal territorial claims were

made until 1770, when Capt. James COOK took possession in the name

of Great Britain. Six colonies were created in the late 18th and

19th centuries; they federated and became the Commonwealth of

Australia in 1901. The new country took advantage of its natural

resources to rapidly develop its agricultural and manufacturing

industries and to make a major contribution to the British effort in

World Wars I and II. In recent decades, Australia has transformed

itself into an internationally competitive, advanced market economy.

It boasted one of the OECD's fastest growing economies during the

1990's, a performance due in large part to economic reforms adopted

in the 1980's. Long-term concerns include pollution, particularly

depletion of the ozone layer, and management and conservation of

coastal areas, especially the Great Barrier Reef.

Austria

Once the center of power for the large Austro-Hungarian

Empire, Austria was reduced to a small republic after its defeat in

World War I. Following annexation by Nazi Germany in 1938 and

subsequent occupation by the victorious Allies in 1945, Austria's

status remained unclear for a decade. A State Treaty signed in 1955

ended the occupation, recognized Austria's independence, and forbade

unification with Germany. A constitutional law that same year

declared the country's "perpetual neutrality" as a condition for

Soviet military withdrawal. Following the Soviet Union's collapse in

1991 and Austria's entry into the European Union in 1995, some

Austrians have called into question this neutrality. A prosperous,

democratic country, Austria entered the Economic and Monetary Union

in 1999.

Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan - a nation with a Turkic and majority-Muslim

population - regained its independence after the collapse of the

Soviet Union in 1991. Despite a 1994 cease-fire, Azerbaijan has yet

to resolve its conflict with Armenia over the Azerbaijani

Nagorno-Karabakh enclave (largely Armenian populated). Azerbaijan

has lost 16% of its territory and must support some 571,000

internally displaced persons as a result of the conflict. Corruption

is ubiquitous and the promise of widespread wealth from Azerbaijan's

undeveloped petroleum resources remains largely unfulfilled.

Bahamas, The

Arawak Indians inhabited the islands when Christopher

Columbus first set foot in the New World on San Salvador in 1492.

British settlement of the islands began in 1647; the islands became

a colony in 1783. Since attaining independence from the UK in 1973,

The Bahamas have prospered through tourism and international banking

and investment management. Because of its geography, the country is

a major transshipment point for illegal drugs, particularly

shipments to the US, and its territory is used for smuggling illegal

migrants into the US.

Bahrain

Bahrain's small size and central location among Persian Gulf

countries require it to play a delicate balancing act in foreign

affairs among its larger neighbors. Facing declining oil reserves,

Bahrain has turned to petroleum processing and refining and has

transformed itself into an international banking center. The new

amir, installed in 1999, has pushed economic and political reforms

and has worked to improve relations with the Shi'a community. In

February 2001, Bahraini voters approved a referendum on the National

Action Charter - the centerpiece of the amir's political

liberalization program. In February 2002, Amir HAMAD bin Isa Al

Khalifa proclaimed himself king. In October 2002, Bahrainis elected

members of the lower house of Bahrain's reconstituted bicameral

legislature, the National Assembly.

Baker Island

The US took possession of the island in 1857, and its

guano deposits were mined by US and British companies during the

second half of the 19th century. In 1935, a short-lived attempt at

colonization was begun on this island - as well as on nearby Howland

Island - but was disrupted by World War II and thereafter abandoned.

Presently the island is a National Wildlife Refuge run by the US

Department of the Interior; a day beacon is situated near the middle

of the west coast.

Bangladesh

Bangladesh came into existence in 1971 when Bengali East

Pakistan seceded from its union with West Pakistan. About a third of

this extremely poor country floods annually during the monsoon rainy

season, hampering economic development.

Barbados

The island was uninhabited when first settled by the

British in 1627. Slaves worked the sugar plantations established on

the island until 1834 when slavery was abolished. The economy

remained heavily dependent on sugar, rum, and molasses production

through most of the 20th century. The gradual introduction of social

and political reforms in the 1940s and 1950s led to complete

independence from the UK in 1966. In the 1990s, tourism and

manufacturing surpassed the sugar industry in economic importance.

Bassas da India

This atoll is a volcanic rock surrounded by reefs

and is awash at high tide. A French possession since 1897, it was

placed under the administration of a commissioner residing in

Reunion in 1968.

Belarus

After seven decades as a constituent republic of the USSR,

Belarus attained its independence in 1991. It has retained closer

political and economic ties to Russia than any of the other former

Soviet republics. Belarus and Russia signed a treaty on a two-state

union on 8 December 1999 envisioning greater political and economic

integration. Although Belarus agreed to a framework to carry out the

accord, serious implementation has yet to take place. Since his

election in July 1995 as the country's first president, Alexander

LUKASHENKO has steadily consolidated his power through authoritarian

means. Government restrictions on freedom of speech and the press,

peaceful assembly, and religion continue.

Belgium

Belgium became independent from the Netherlands in 1830 and

was occupied by Germany during World Wars I and II. It has prospered

in the past half century as a modern, technologically advanced

European state and member of NATO and the EU. Tensions between the

Dutch-speaking Flemings of the north and the French-speaking

Walloons of the south have led in recent years to constitutional

amendments granting these regions formal recognition and autonomy.

Belize

Territorial disputes between the UK and Guatemala delayed the

independence of Belize (formerly British Honduras) until 1981.

Guatemala refused to recognize the new nation until 1992. Tourism

has become the mainstay of the economy. The country remains plagued

by high unemployment, growing involvement in the South American drug

trade, and increasing urban crime.

Benin

Present day Benin was the site of Dahomey, a prominent West

African kingdom that rose in the 15th century. The territory became

a French Colony in 1872 and achieved independence on 1 August 1960,

as the Republic of Benin. A succession of military governments ended

in 1972 with the rise to power of Mathieu KEREKOU and the

establishment of a government based on Marxist-Leninist principles.

A move to representative government began in 1989. Two years later,

free elections ushered in former Prime Minister Nicephore SOGLO as

president, marking the first successful transfer of power in Africa

from a dictatorship to a democracy. KEREKOU was returned to power by

elections held in 1996 and 2001, though some irregularities were

alleged.

Bermuda

Bermuda was first settled in 1609 by shipwrecked English

colonists headed for Virginia. Tourism to the island to escape North

American winters first developed in Victorian times. Tourism

continues to be important to the island's economy, although

international business has overtaken it in recent years. Bermuda has

developed into a highly successful offshore financial center. A

referendum on independence was soundly defeated in 1995.

Bhutan

In 1865, Britain and Bhutan signed the Treaty of Sinchulu,

under which Bhutan would receive an annual subsidy in exchange for

ceding some border land. Under British influence, a monarchy was set

up in 1907; three years later, a treaty was signed whereby the

British agreed not to interfere in Bhutanese internal affairs and

Bhutan allowed Britain to direct its foreign affairs. This role was

assumed by independent India after 1947. Two years later, a formal

Indo-Bhutanese accord returned the areas of Bhutan annexed by the

British, formalized the annual subsidies the country received, and

defined India's responsibilities in defense and foreign relations. A

refugee issue of some 100,000 Bhutanese in Nepal remains unresolved;

90% of the refugees are housed in seven United Nations Office of the

High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) camps.

Bolivia

Bolivia, named after independence fighter Simon BOLIVAR,

broke away from Spanish rule in 1825; much of its subsequent history

has consisted of a series of nearly 200 coups and counter-coups.

Comparatively democratic civilian rule was established in 1982, but

leaders have faced difficult problems of deep-seated poverty, social

unrest, and illegal drug production. Current goals include

attracting foreign investment, strengthening the educational system,

resolving disputes with coca growers over Bolivia's counterdrug

efforts, and waging an anticorruption campaign.

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Bosnia and Herzegovina's declaration of

sovereignty in October 1991, was followed by a declaration of

independence from the former Yugoslavia on 3 March 1992 after a

referendum boycotted by ethnic Serbs. The Bosnian Serbs - supported

by neighboring Serbia and Montenegro - responded with armed

resistance aimed at partitioning the republic along ethnic lines and

joining Serb-held areas to form a "Greater Serbia." In March 1994,

Bosniaks and Croats reduced the number of warring factions from

three to two by signing an agreement creating a joint Bosniak/Croat

Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. On 21 November 1995, in

Dayton, Ohio, the warring parties initialed a peace agreement that

brought to a halt three years of interethnic civil strife (the final

agreement was signed in Paris on 14 December 1995). The Dayton

Agreement retained Bosnia and Herzegovina's international boundaries

and created a joint multi-ethnic and democratic government. This

national government was charged with conducting foreign, diplomatic,

and fiscal policy. Also recognized was a second tier of government

comprised of two entities roughly equal in size: the Bosniak/Croat

Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Bosnian Serb-led

Republika Srpska (RS). The Federation and RS governments were

charged with overseeing most government functions. The Office of the

High Representative (OHR) was established to oversee the

implementation of the civilian aspects of the agreement. In 1995-96,

a NATO-led international peacekeeping force (IFOR) of 60,000 troops

served in Bosnia to implement and monitor the military aspects of

the agreement. IFOR was succeeded by a smaller, NATO-led

Stabilization Force (SFOR) whose mission was to deter renewed

hostilities. European Union peacekeeping troops (EUFOR) replaced

SFOR in December 2004; their mission was to maintain peace and

stability throughout the country.

Botswana

Formerly the British protectorate of Bechuanaland, Botswana

adopted its new name upon independence in 1966. Four decades of

uninterrupted civilian leadership, progressive social policies, and

significant capital investment have created one of the most dynamic

economies in Africa. Mineral extraction, principally diamond mining,

dominates economic activity, though tourism is a growing sector due

to the country's conservation practices and extensive nature

preserves. Botswana has one of the world's highest known rates of

HIV/AIDS infection, but also one of Africa's most progressive and

comprehensive programs for dealing with the disease.

Bouvet Island

This uninhabited volcanic island is almost entirely

covered by glaciers and is difficult to approach. It was discovered

in 1739 by a French naval officer after whom the island was named.

No claim was made until 1825, when the British flag was raised. In

1928, the UK waived its claim in favor of Norway, which had occupied

the island the previous year. In 1971, Bouvet Island and the

adjacent territorial waters were designated a nature reserve. Since

1977, Norway has run an automated meteorological station on the

island.

Brazil

Following three centuries under the rule of Portugal, Brazil

became an independent nation in 1822. By far the largest and most

populous country in South America, Brazil overcame more than half a

century of military intervention in the governance of the country

when in 1985 the military regime peacefully ceded power to civilian

rulers. Brazil continues to pursue industrial and agricultural

growth and development of its interior. Exploiting vast natural

resources and a large labor pool, it is today South America's

leading economic power and a regional leader. Highly unequal income

distribution remains a pressing problem.

British Indian Ocean Territory

Established as a territory of the UK

in 1965, a number of the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT)

islands were transferred to the Seychelles when it attained

independence in 1976. Subsequently, BIOT has consisted only of the

six main island groups comprising the Chagos Archipelago. The

largest and most southerly of the islands, Diego Garcia, contains a

joint UK-US naval support facility. All of the remaining islands are

uninhabited. Former agricultural workers, earlier residents in the

islands, were relocated primarily to Mauritius but also to the

Seychelles, between 1967 and 1973. In 2000, a British High Court

ruling invalidated the local immigration order that had excluded

them from the archipelago, but upheld the special military status of

Diego Garcia.

British Virgin Islands

First settled by the Dutch in 1648, the

islands were annexed in 1672 by the English. The economy is closely

tied to the larger and more populous US Virgin Islands to the west;

the US dollar is the legal currency.

Brunei

The Sultanate of Brunei's influence peaked between the 15th

and 17th centuries when its control extended over coastal areas of

northwest Borneo and the southern Philippines. Brunei subsequently

entered a period of decline brought on by internal strife over royal

succession, colonial expansion of European powers, and piracy. In

1888, Brunei became a British protectorate; independence was

achieved in 1984. The same family has ruled Brunei for over six

centuries. Brunei benefits from extensive petroleum and natural gas

fields, the source of one of the highest per capita GDPs in the

developing world.

Bulgaria

The Bulgars, a Central Asian Turkic tribe, merged with the

local Slavic inhabitants in the late 7th century to form the first

Bulgarian state. In succeeding centuries, Bulgaria struggled with

the Byzantine Empire to assert its place in the Balkans, but by the

end of the 14th century the country was overrun by the Ottoman

Turks. Northern Bulgaria attained autonomy in 1878 and all of

Bulgaria became independent in 1908. Having fought on the losing

side in both World Wars, Bulgaria fell within the Soviet sphere of

influence and became a People's Republic in 1946. Communist

domination ended in 1990, when Bulgaria held its first multiparty

election since World War II and began the contentious process of

moving toward political democracy and a market economy while

combating inflation, unemployment, corruption, and crime. Today,

reforms and democratization keep Bulgaria on a path toward eventual

integration into the EU. The country joined NATO in 2004.

Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso (formerly Upper Volta) achieved

independence from France in 1960. Repeated military coups during the

1970s and 1980s were followed by multiparty elections in the early

1990s. Burkina Faso's high population density and limited natural

resources result in poor economic prospects for the majority of its

citizens. Recent unrest in Cote d'Ivoire and northern Ghana has

hindered the ability of several hundred thousand seasonal Burkinabe

farm workers to find employment in neighboring countries.

Burma

Britain conquered Burma over a period of 62 years (1824-1886)

and incorporated it into its Indian Empire. Burma was administered

as a province of India until 1937 when it became a separate,

self-governing colony; independence from the Commonwealth was

attained in 1948. Gen. NE WIN dominated the government from 1962 to

1988, first as military ruler, then as self-appointed president, and

later as political kingpin. Despite multiparty legislative elections

in 1990 that resulted in the main opposition party - the National

League for Democracy (NLD) - winning a landslide victory, the ruling

junta refused to hand over power. NLD leader and Nobel Peace Prize

recipient AUNG SAN SUU KYI, who was under house arrest from 1989 to

1995 and 2000 to 2002, was imprisoned in May 2003 and is currently

under house arrest. In December 2004, the junta announced it was

extending her detention for at least an additional year. Her

supporters, as well as all those who promote democracy and improved

human rights, are routinely harassed or jailed.

Burundi

Burundi's first democratically elected president was

assassinated in October 1993 after only one hundred days in office.

Since then, some 200,000 Burundians have perished in widespread,

often intense ethnic violence between Hutu and Tutsi factions.

Hundreds of thousands have been internally displaced or have become

refugees in neighboring countries. Burundi troops, seeking to secure

their borders, briefly intervened in the conflict in the Democratic

Republic of the Congo in 1998. A new transitional government,

inaugurated on 1 November 2001, signed a power-sharing agreement

with the largest rebel faction in December 2003 and set in place a

provisional constitution in October 2004. Implementation of the

agreement has been problematic, however, as one remaining rebel

group refuses to sign on and elections have been repeatedly delayed,

clouding prospects for a sustainable peace.

Cambodia

Most Cambodians consider themselves to be Khmers, whose

Angkor Empire extended over much of Southeast Asia and reached its

zenith between the 10th and 13th centuries. Subsequently, attacks by

the Thai and Cham (from present-day Vietnam) weakened the empire

ushering in a long period of decline. In 1863, the king of Cambodia

placed the country under French protection; it became part of French

Indochina in 1887. Following Japanese occupation in World War II,

Cambodia became independent within the French Union in 1949 and

fully independent in 1953. After a five-year struggle, Communist

Khmer Rouge forces captured Phnom Penh in April 1975 and ordered the

evacuation of all cities and towns; at least 1.5 million Cambodians

died from execution, enforced hardships, or starvation during the

Khmer Rouge regime under POL POT. A December 1978 Vietnamese

invasion drove the Khmer Rouge into the countryside, led to a

10-year Vietnamese occupation, and touched off almost 13 years of

civil war. The 1991 Paris Peace Accords mandated democratic

elections and a ceasefire, which was not fully respected by the

Khmer Rouge. UN-sponsored elections in 1993 helped restore some

semblance of normalcy and the final elements of the Khmer Rouge

surrendered in early 1999. Factional fighting in 1997 ended the

first coalition government, but a second round of national elections

in 1998 led to the formation of another coalition government and

renewed political stability. The July 2003 elections were relatively

peaceful, but it took one year of negotiations between contending

political parties before a coalition government was formed.

Nation-wide local elections are scheduled for 2007 and national

elections for 2008.

Cameroon

The former French Cameroon and part of British Cameroon

merged in 1961 to form the present country. Cameroon has generally

enjoyed stability, which has permitted the development of

agriculture, roads, and railways, as well as a petroleum industry.

Despite movement toward democratic reform, political power remains

firmly in the hands of an ethnic oligarchy.

Canada

A land of vast distances and rich natural resources, Canada

became a self-governing dominion in 1867 while retaining ties to the

British crown. Economically and technologically the nation has

developed in parallel with the US, its neighbor to the south across

an unfortified border. Canada's paramount political problem is

meeting public demands for quality improvements in health care and

education services after a decade of budget cuts. The issue of

reconciling Quebec's francophone heritage with the majority

anglophone Canadian population has moved to the back burner in

recent years; support for separatism abated after the Quebec

government's referendum on independence failed to pass in October of

1995.

Cape Verde

The uninhabited islands were discovered and colonized by

the Portuguese in the 15th century; Cape Verde subsequently became a

trading center for African slaves and later an important coaling and

resupply stop for whaling and transatlantic shipping. Following

independence in 1975, and a tentative interest in unification with

Guinea-Bissau, a one-party system was established and maintained

until multi-party elections were held in 1990. Cape Verde continues

to exhibit one of Africa's most stable democratic governments.

Repeated droughts during the second half of the 20th century caused

significant hardship and prompted heavy emigration. As a result,

Cape Verde's expatriate population is greater than its domestic one.

Most Cape Verdeans have both African and Portuguese antecedents.

Cayman Islands

The Cayman Islands were colonized from Jamaica by the

British during the 18th and 19th centuries. Administered by Jamaica

since 1863, they remained a British dependency after 1962 when the

former became independent.

Central African Republic

The former French colony of Ubangi-Shari

became the Central African Republic upon independence in 1960. After

three tumultuous decades of misrule - mostly by military governments

- civilian rule was established in 1993 and lasted for one decade.

President Ange-Felix PATASSE's civilian government was plagued by

unrest, and in March 2003 he was deposed in a military coup led by

General Francois BOZIZE, who has since established a transitional

government. Though the government has the tacit support of civil

society groups and the main parties, a wide field of affiliated and

independent candidates will contest the municipal, legislative, and

presidential elections scheduled for February 2005. The government

still does not fully control the countryside, where pockets of

lawlessness persist.

Chad

Chad, part of France's African holdings until 1960, endured

three decades of civil warfare as well as invasions by Libya before

a semblance of peace was finally restored in 1990. The government

eventually suppressed or came to terms with most political-military

groups, settled a territorial dispute with Libya on terms favorable

to Chad, drafted a democratic constitution, and held multiparty

presidential elections in 1996 and 1997. In 1998, a new rebellion

broke out in northern Chad, which sporadically flares up despite two

peace agreements signed in 2002 and 2003 between the government and

the rebels. Despite movement toward democratic reform, power remains

in the hands of an ethnic minority.

Chile

Prior to the coming of the Spanish in the 16th century,

northern Chile was under Inca rule while Araucanian Indians

inhabited central and southern Chile; the latter were not completely

subjugated until the early 1880s. Although Chile declared its

independence in 1810, decisive victory over the Spanish was not

achieved until 1818. In the War of the Pacific (1879-84), Chile

defeated Peru and Bolivia and won its present northern lands. A

three-year-old Marxist government of Salvador ALLENDE was overthrown

in 1973 by a dictatorial military regime led by Augusto PINOCHET,

who ruled until a freely elected president was installed in 1990.

Sound economic policies, maintained consistently since the 1980s,

have contributed to steady growth and have helped secure the

country's commitment to democratic and representative government.

Chile has increasingly assumed regional and international leadership

roles befitting its status as a stable, democratic nation.

China

For centuries China stood as a leading civilization, outpacing

the rest of the world in the arts and sciences, but in the 19th and

early 20th centuries, the country was beset by civil unrest, major

famines, military defeats, and foreign occupation. After World War

II, the Communists under MAO Zedong established an autocratic

socialist system that, while ensuring China's sovereignty, imposed

strict controls over everyday life and cost the lives of tens of

millions of people. After 1978, his successor DENG Xiaoping and

other leaders focused on market-oriented economic development and by

2000 output had quadrupled. For much of the population, living

standards have improved dramatically and the room for personal

choice has expanded, yet political controls remain tight.

Christmas Island

Named in 1643 for the day of its discovery, the

island was annexed and settlement was begun by the UK in 1888.

Phosphate mining began in the 1890s. The UK transferred sovereignty

to Australia in 1958. Almost two-thirds of the island has been

declared a national park.

Clipperton Island

This isolated island was named for John

CLIPPERTON, a pirate who made it his hideout early in the 18th

century. Annexed by France in 1855, it was seized by Mexico in 1897.

Arbitration eventually awarded the island to France, which took

possession in 1935.

Cocos (Keeling) Islands

There are 27 coral islands in the group.

Captain William KEELING discovered the islands in 1609, but they

remained uninhabited until the 19th century. Annexed by the UK in

1857, they were transferred to the Australian Government in 1955.

The population on the two inhabited islands generally is split

between the ethnic Europeans on West Island and the ethnic Malays on

Home Island.

Colombia

Colombia was one of the three countries that emerged from

the collapse of Gran Colombia in 1830 (the others are Ecuador and

Venezuela). A 40-year insurgent campaign to overthrow the Colombian

Government escalated during the 1990s, undergirded in part by funds

from the drug trade. Although the violence is deadly and large

swaths of the countryside are under guerrilla influence, the

movement lacks the military strength or popular support necessary to

overthrow the government. An anti-insurgent army of paramilitaries

has grown to several thousand strong in recent years, challenging

the insurgents for control of territory and the drug trade, and also

the government's ability to exert its dominion over rural areas.

While Bogota steps up efforts to reassert government control

throughout the country, neighboring countries worry about the

violence spilling over their borders.

Comoros

Unstable Comoros has endured 19 coups or attempted coups

since gaining independence from France in 1975. In 1997, the islands

of Anjouan and Moheli declared their independence from Comoros. In

1999, military chief Col. AZALI seized power. He pledged to resolve

the secessionist crisis through a confederal arrangement named the

2000 Fomboni Accord. In December 2001, voters approved a new

constitution and presidential elections took place in the spring of

2002. Each island in the archipelago elected its own president and a

new union president took office in May of 2002.

Congo, Democratic Republic of the Established as a Belgian colony in 1908, the Republic of the Congo gained its independence in 1960, but its early years were marred by political and social instability. Col. Joseph MOBUTU seized power and declared himself president in a November 1965 coup. He subsequently changed his name - to MOBUTU Sese Seko - as well as that of the country - to Zaire. MOBUTU retained his position for 32 years through several subsequent sham elections as well as through the use of brutal force. Ethnic strife and civil war, touched off by a massive inflow of refugees in 1994 from fighting in Rwanda and Burundi, led in May 1997 to the toppling of the MOBUTU regime by a rebellion led by Laurent KABILA. He renamed the country the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DROC), but in August 1998 his regime was itself challenged by an insurrection backed by Rwanda and Uganda. Troops from Zimbabwe, Angola, Namibia, Chad, and Sudan intervened to support the Kinshasa regime. A cease-fire was signed in July 1999 by the DROC, Zimbabwe, Angola, Uganda, Namibia, Rwanda, and Congolese armed rebel groups, but sporadic fighting continued. Laurent KABILA was assassinated in January 2001 and his son Joseph KABILA was named head of state. In October 2002, the new president was successful in negotiating the withdrawal of Rwandan forces occupying eastern Congo; two months later, the Pretoria Accord was signed by all remaining warring parties to end the fighting and establish a government of national unity. A transitional government was set up in July 2003; Joseph KABILA remains as president and is joined by four vice presidents representing the former government, former rebel groups, and the political opposition.

Congo, Republic of the

Upon independence in 1960, the former French

region of Middle Congo became the Republic of the Congo. A quarter

century of experimentation with Marxism was abandoned in 1990 and a

democratically elected government installed in 1992. A brief civil

war in 1997 restored former Marxist President SASSOU-NGUESSO, but

ushered in a period of ethnic unrest. Southern-based rebel groups

agreed to a final peace accord in March 2003, but the calm is

tenuous and refugees continue to present a humanitarian crisis. The

Republic of Congo is one of Africa's largest petroleum producers

with significant potential for offshore development.

Cook Islands

Named after Captain COOK, who sighted them in 1770, the

islands became a British protectorate in 1888. By 1900,

administrative control was transferred to New Zealand; in 1965

residents chose self-government in free association with New

Zealand. The emigration of skilled workers to New Zealand and

government deficits are continuing problems.

Coral Sea Islands

Scattered over some 1 million square kilometers of

ocean, the Coral Sea Islands were declared a territory of Australia

in 1969. They are uninhabited except for a small meteorological

staff on the Willis Islets. Automated weather stations, beacons, and

a lighthouse occupy many other islands and reefs.

Costa Rica

Costa Rica is a Central American success story: since the

late 19th century, only two brief periods of violence have marred

its democratic development. Although still a largely agricultural

country, it has expanded its economy to include strong technology

and tourism sectors. The standard of living is relatively high. Land

ownership is widespread.

Cote d'Ivoire

Close ties to France since independence in 1960, the

development of cocoa production for export, and foreign investment

made Cote d'Ivoire one of the most prosperous of the tropical

African states, but did not protect it from political turmoil. On 25

December 1999, a military coup - the first ever in Cote d'Ivoire's

history - overthrew the government led by President Henri Konan

BEDIE. Junta leader Robert GUEI held elections in late 2000, but

excluded prominent opposition leader Alassane OUATTARA, blatantly

rigged the polling results, and declared himself winner. Popular

protest forced GUEI to step aside and brought runner-up Laurent

GBAGBO into power. Ivorian dissidents and disaffected members of the

military launched a failed coup attempt in September 2002. Rebel

forces claimed the northern half of the country and in January 2003

were granted ministerial positions in a unity government under the

auspices of the Linas-Marcoussis Peace Accord. President GBAGBO and

rebel forces resumed implementation of the peace accord in December

2003 after a three-month stalemate, but issues that sparked the

civil war, such as land reform and grounds for nationality remain

unresolved. The central government has yet to exert control over the

northern regions and tensions remain high between GBAGBO and rebel

leaders. Several thousand French and West African troops remain in

Cote d'Ivoire to maintain peace and facilitate the disarmament,

demobilization, and rehabilitation process.

Croatia

The lands that today comprise Croatia were part of the

Austro-Hungarian Empire until the close of World War I. In 1918, the

Croats, Serbs, and Slovenes formed a kingdom known after 1929 as

Yugoslavia. Following World War II, Yugoslavia became a federal

independent Communist state under the strong hand of Marshal TITO.

Although Croatia declared its independence from Yugoslavia in 1991,

it took four years of sporadic, but often bitter, fighting before

occupying Serb armies were mostly cleared from Croatian lands. Under

UN supervision, the last Serb-held enclave in eastern Slavonia was

returned to Croatia in 1998.

Cuba

The native Amerindian population of Cuba began to decline after

the European discovery of the island by Christopher COLUMBUS in 1492

and following its development as a Spanish colony during the next

several centuries. Large numbers of African slaves were imported to

work the coffee and sugar plantations and Havana became the

launching point for the annual treasure fleets bound for Spain from

Mexico and Peru. Spanish rule was severe and exploitative and

occasional rebellions were harshly suppressed. It was US

intervention during the Spanish-American War in 1898 that finally

overthrew Spanish rule. The subsequent Treaty of Paris established

Cuban independence, which was granted in 1902 after a three-year

transition period. Fidel CASTRO led a rebel army to victory in 1959;

his iron rule has held the regime together since then. Cuba's

Communist revolution, with Soviet support, was exported throughout

Latin America and Africa during the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s. The

country is now slowly recovering from a severe economic recession in

1990, following the withdrawal of former Soviet subsidies, worth $4

billion to $6 billion annually. Cuba portrays its difficulties as

the result of the US embargo in place since 1961. Illicit migration

to the US - using homemade rafts, alien smugglers, air flights, or

via the southwest border - is a continuing problem. The US Coast

Guard intercepted 1,498 individuals attempting to cross the Straits

of Florida in 2004.

Cyprus

A former British colony, Cyprus received independence in 1960

following years of resistance to British rule. Tensions between the

Greek Cypriot majority and Turkish Cypriot minority came to a head

in December 1963, when violence broke out in the capital of Nicosia.

Despite the deployment of UN peacekeepers in 1964, sporadic

intercommunal violence continued forcing most Turkish Cypriots into

enclaves throughout the island. In 1974, a Greek-sponsored attempt

to seize the government was met by military intervention from

Turkey, which soon controlled more than a third of the island. In

1983, the Turkish-held area declared itself the "Turkish Republic of

Northern Cyprus," but it is recognized only by Turkey. The latest

two-year round of UN-brokered direct talks - between the leaders of

the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities to reach an

agreement to reunite the divided island - ended when the Greek

Cypriots rejected the UN settlement plan in an April 2004

referendum. Although only the internationally recognized Greek

Cypriot-controlled Republic of Cyprus joined the EU on 1 May 2004,

every Cypriot carrying a Cyprus passport will have the status of a

European citizen. EU laws, however, will not apply to north Cyprus.

Nicosia continues to oppose EU efforts to establish direct trade and

economic links to north Cyprus as a way of encouraging the Turkish

Cypriot community to continue to support reunification.

Czech Republic

Following the First World War, the closely related

Czechs and Slovaks of the former Austro-Hungarian Empire merged to

form Czechoslovakia. During the interwar years, the new country's

leaders were frequently preoccupied with meeting the demands of

other ethnic minorities within the republic, most notably the

Sudeten Germans and the Ruthenians (Ukrainians). After World War II,

a truncated Czechoslovakia fell within the Soviet sphere of

influence. In 1968, an invasion by Warsaw Pact troops ended the

efforts of the country's leaders to liberalize Communist party rule

and create "socialism with a human face." Anti-Soviet demonstrations

the following year ushered in a period of harsh repression. With the

collapse of Soviet authority in 1989, Czechoslovakia regained its

freedom through a peaceful "Velvet Revolution." On 1 January 1993,

the country underwent a "velvet divorce" into its two national

components, the Czech Republic and Slovakia. The Czech Republic

joined NATO in 1999 and the European Union in 2004.

Denmark

Once the seat of Viking raiders and later a major north

European power, Denmark has evolved into a modern, prosperous nation

that is participating in the general political and economic

integration of Europe. It joined NATO in 1949 and the EEC (now the

EU) in 1973. However, the country has opted out of certain elements

of the European Union's Maastricht Treaty, including the European

Economic and Monetary Union (EMU), European defense cooperation, and

issues concerning certain justice and home affairs.

Dhekelia

By terms of the 1960 Treaty of Establishment that created

the independent Republic of Cyprus, the UK retained full sovereignty

and jurisdiction over two areas of almost 254 square kilometers in

total: Akrotiri and Dhekelia. The larger of these is the Dhekelia

Sovereign Base Area, which is also referred to as the Eastern

Sovereign Base Area.

Djibouti

The French Territory of the Afars and the Issas became

Djibouti in 1977. Hassan Gouled APTIDON installed an authoritarian

one-party state and proceeded to serve as president until 1999.

Unrest among the Afars minority during the 1990s led to a civil war

that ended in 2001 following the conclusion of a peace accord

between Afar rebels and the Issa-dominated government. Djibouti's

first multi-party presidential elections in 1999 resulted in the

election of Ismail Omar GUELLEH. Djibouti occupies a very strategic

geographic location at the mouth of the Red Sea and serves as an

important transshipment location for goods entering and leaving the

east African highlands. The present leadership favors close ties to

France, which maintains a significant military presence in the

country, but has also developed increasingly stronger ties with the

United States in recent years. Djibouti currently hosts the only

United States military base in sub-Saharan Africa and is a

front-line state in the global war on terrorism.

Dominica

Dominica was the last of the Caribbean islands to be

colonized by Europeans, due chiefly to the fierce resistance of the

native Caribs. France ceded possession to Great Britain in 1763,

which made the island a colony in 1805. In 1980, two years after

independence, Dominica's fortunes improved when a corrupt and

tyrannical administration was replaced by that of Mary Eugenia

CHARLES, the first female prime minister in the Caribbean, who

remained in office for 15 years. Some 3,000 Carib Indians still

living on Dominica are the only pre-Columbian population remaining

in the eastern Caribbean.

Dominican Republic

Explored and claimed by Columbus on his first

voyage in 1492, the island of Hispaniola became a springboard for

Spanish conquest of the Caribbean and the American mainland. In

1697, Spain recognized French dominion over the western third of the

island, which in 1804 became Haiti. The remainder of the island, by

then known as Santo Domingo, sought to gain its own independence in

1821, but was conquered and ruled by the Haitians for 22 years; it

finally attained independence as the Dominican Republic in 1844. In

1861, the Dominicans voluntarily returned to the Spanish Empire, but

two years later they launched a war that restored independence in

1865. A legacy of unsettled, mostly non-representative, rule for

much of its subsequent history was brought to an end in 1966 when

Joaquin BALAGUER became president. He maintained a tight grip on

power for most of the next 30 years when international reaction to

flawed elections forced him to curtail his term in 1996. Since then,

regular competitive elections have been held in which opposition

candidates have won the presidency. The Dominican economy has had

one of the fastest growth rates in the hemisphere over the past

decade.

East Timor

The Portuguese began to trade with the island of Timor in

the early 16th century and colonized it in mid-century. Skirmishing

with the Dutch in the region eventually resulted in an 1859 treaty

in which Portugal ceded the western portion of the island. Imperial

Japan occupied East Timor from 1942 to 1945, but Portugal resumed

colonial authority after the Japanese defeat in World War II. East

Timor declared itself independent from Portugal on 28 November 1975

and was invaded and occupied by Indonesian forces nine days later.

It was incorporated into Indonesia in July 1976 as the province of

East Timor. An unsuccessful campaign of pacification followed over

the next two decades, during which an estimated 100,000 to 250,000

individuals lost their lives. On 30 August 1999, in a UN-supervised

popular referendum, an overwhelming majority of the people of East

Timor voted for independence from Indonesia. Between the referendum

and the arrival of a multinational peacekeeping force in late

September 1999, anti-independence Timorese militias - organized and

supported by the Indonesian military - commenced a large-scale,

scorched-earth campaign of retribution. The militias killed

approximately 1,300 Timorese and forcibly pushed 300,000 people into

West Timor as refugees. The majority of the country's

infrastructure, including homes, irrigation systems, water supply

systems, and schools, and nearly 100% of the country's electrical

grid were destroyed. On 20 September 1999 the Australian-led

peacekeeping troops of the International Force for East Timor

(INTERFET) deployed to the country and brought the violence to an

end. On 20 May 2002, East Timor was internationally recognized as an

independent state.

Ecuador

The "Republic of the Equator" was one of three countries

that emerged from the collapse of Gran Colombia in 1830 (the others

are Colombia and Venezuela). Between 1904 and 1942, Ecuador lost

territories in a series of conflicts with its neighbors. A border

war with Peru that flared in 1995 was resolved in 1999. Although

Ecuador marked 25 years of civilian governance in 2004, the period

has been marred by political instability. Seven presidents have

governed Ecuador since 1996.

Egypt

The regularity and richness of the annual Nile River flood,

coupled with semi-isolation provided by deserts to the east and

west, allowed for the development of one of the world's great

civilizations. A unified kingdom arose circa 3200 B.C. and a series

of dynasties ruled in Egypt for the next three millennia. The last

native dynasty fell to the Persians in 341 B.C., who in turn were

replaced by the Greeks, Romans, and Byzantines. It was the Arabs who

introduced Islam and the Arabic language in the 7th century and who

ruled for the next six centuries. A local military caste, the

Mamluks took control about 1250 and continued to govern after the

conquest of Egypt by the Ottoman Turks in 1517. Following the

completion of the Suez Canal in 1869, Egypt became an important

world transportation hub, but also fell heavily into debt.

Ostensibly to protect its investments, Britain seized control of

Egypt's government in 1882, but nominal allegiance to the Ottoman

Empire continued until 1914. Partially independent from the UK in

1922, Egypt acquired full sovereignty following World War II. The

completion of the Aswan High Dam in 1971 and the resultant Lake

Nasser have altered the time-honored place of the Nile River in the

agriculture and ecology of Egypt. A rapidly growing population (the

largest in the Arab world), limited arable land, and dependence on

the Nile all continue to overtax resources and stress society. The

government has struggled to ready the economy for the new millennium

through economic reform and massive investment in communications and

physical infrastructure.

El Salvador

El Salvador achieved independence from Spain in 1821 and

from the Central American Federation in 1839. A 12-year civil war,

which cost about 75,000 lives, was brought to a close in 1992 when

the government and leftist rebels signed a treaty that provided for

military and political reforms.

Equatorial Guinea

Equatorial Guinea gained independence in 1968

after 190 years of Spanish rule. This tiny country, composed of a

mainland portion plus five inhabited islands, is one of the smallest

on the African continent. President OBIANG NGUEMA MBASOGO has ruled

the country for over two decades since seizing power from his uncle,

then President MACIAS, in a 1979 coup. Although nominally a

constitutional democracy since 1991, the 1996 and 2002 presidential

elections - as well as the 1999 legislative elections - were widely

seen as being flawed. The president controls most opposition parties

through the judicious use of patronage. Despite the country's

economic windfall from oil production resulting in a massive

increase in government revenue in recent years, there have been few

improvements in the country's living standards.

Eritrea

Eritrea was awarded to Ethiopia in 1952 as part of a

federation. Ethiopia's annexation of Eritrea as a province 10 years

later sparked a 30-year struggle for independence that ended in 1991

with Eritrean rebels defeating governmental forces; independence was

overwhelmingly approved in a 1993 referendum. A two-and-a-half-year

border war with Ethiopia that erupted in 1998 ended under UN

auspices on 12 December 2000. Eritrea currently hosts a UN

peacekeeping operation that is monitoring a 25 km-wide Temporary

Security Zone on the border with Ethiopia. An international

commission, organized to resolve the border dispute, posted its

findings in 2002 but final demarcation is on hold due to Ethiopian

objections.

Estonia

After centuries of Danish, Swedish, German, and Russian

rule, Estonia attained independence in 1918. Forcibly incorporated

into the USSR in 1940, it regained its freedom in 1991, with the

collapse of the Soviet Union. Since the last Russian troops left in

1994, Estonia has been free to promote economic and political ties

with Western Europe. It joined both NATO and the EU in the spring of

2004.

Ethiopia

Unique among African countries, the ancient Ethiopian

monarchy maintained its freedom from colonial rule, with the

exception of the 1936-41 Italian occupation during World War II. In

1974 a military junta, the Derg, deposed Emperor Haile SELASSIE (who

had ruled since 1930) and established a socialist state. Torn by

bloody coups, uprisings, wide-scale drought, and massive refugee

problems, the regime was finally toppled in 1991 by a coalition of

rebel forces, the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front

(EPRDF). A constitution was adopted in 1994 and Ethiopia's first

multiparty elections were held in 1995. A two and a half year border

war with Eritrea ended with a peace treaty on 12 December 2000.

Final demarcation of the boundary is currently on hold due to

Ethiopian objections to an international commission's finding

requiring it to surrender sensitive territory.

Europa Island

A French possession since 1897, the island is heavily

wooded; it is the site of a small military garrison that staffs a

weather station.

European Union Following the two devastating World Wars of the first half of the 20th century, a number of European leaders in the late 1940s became convinced that the only way to establish a lasting peace was to unite the two chief belligerent nations - France and Germany - both economically and politically. In 1950, the French Foreign Minister Robert SCHUMAN proposed an eventual union of all Europe, the first step of which would be the integration of the coal and steel industries of Western Europe. The following year the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) was set up when six members, Belgium, France, West Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands, signed the Treaty of Paris. The ECSC was so successful that within a few years the decision was made to integrate other parts of the countries' economies. In 1957, the Treaties of Rome created the European Economic Community (EEC) and the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom), and the six member states undertook to eliminate trade barriers among themselves by forming a common market. In 1967, the institutions of all three communities were formally merged into the European Community (EC), creating a single Commission, a single Council of Ministers, and the European Parliament. Members of the European Parliament were initially selected by national parliaments, but in 1979 the first direct elections were undertaken and they have been held every five years since. In 1973, the first enlargement of the EC took place with the addition of Denmark, Ireland, and the United Kingdom. The 1980s saw further membership expansion with Greece joining in 1981 and Spain and Portugal in 1986. The 1992 Treaty of Maastricht laid the basis for further forms of cooperation in foreign and defense policy, in judicial and internal affairs, and in the creation of an economic and monetary union - including a common currency. This further integration created the European Union (EU). In 1995, Austria, Finland, and Sweden joined the EU, raising the membership total to 15. A new currency, the euro, was launched in world money markets on 1 January 1999; it become the unit of exchange for all of the EU states except the United Kingdom, Sweden, and Denmark. In 2002, citizens of the 12 euro-area countries began using the euro banknotes and coins. Ten new countries joined the EU in 2004 - Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, and Slovenia - bringing the current membership to 25. In order to ensure that the EU can continue to function efficiently with an expanded membership, the 2003 Treaty of Nice set forth rules streamlining the size and procedures of EU institutions. An EU Constitutional Treaty, signed in Rome on 29 October 2004, gave member states two years to ratify the document before it was scheduled to take effect on 1 November 2006. Referenda held in France and the Netherlands in May-June 2005 that rejected the constitution suspended the ratification effort. Despite the expansion of membership and functions, "Eurosceptics" in various countries have raised questions about the erosion of national cultures and the imposition of a flood of regulations from the EU capital in Brussels. Failure by all member states to ratify the constitution or the inability of newcomer countries to meet euro currency standards might force a loosening of some EU agreements and perhaps lead to several levels of EU participation. These "tiers" might eventually range from an "inner" core of politically integrated countries to a looser "outer" economic association of members.

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

Although first sighted by an

English navigator in 1592, the first landing (English) did not occur

until almost a century later in 1690, and the first settlement

(French) was not established until 1764. The colony was turned over

to Spain two years later and the islands have since been the subject

of a territorial dispute, first between Britain and Spain, then

between Britain and Argentina. The UK asserted its claim to the

islands by establishing a naval garrison there in 1833. Argentina

invaded the islands on 2 April 1982. The British responded with an

expeditionary force that landed seven weeks later and after fierce

fighting forced Argentine surrender on 14 June 1982.

Faroe Islands

The population of the Faroe Islands is largely

descended from Viking settlers who arrived in the 9th century. The

islands have been connected politically to Denmark since the 14th

century. A high degree of self-government was attained in 1948.

Fiji

Fiji became independent in 1970, after nearly a century as a

British colony. Democratic rule was interrupted by two military

coups in 1987, caused by concern over a government perceived as

dominated by the Indian community (descendants of contract laborers

brought to the islands by the British in the 19th century). A 1990

constitution favored native Melanesian control of Fiji, but led to

heavy Indian emigration; the population loss resulted in economic

difficulties, but ensured that Melanesians became the majority.

Amendments enacted in 1997 made the constitution more equitable.

Free and peaceful elections in 1999 resulted in a government led by

an Indo-Fijian, but a coup in May 2000 ushered in a prolonged period

of political turmoil. Parliamentary elections held in August 2001

provided Fiji with a democratically elected government and gave a

mandate to the government of Prime Minister Laisenia QARASE.

Finland

Finland was a province and then a grand duchy under Sweden

from the 12th to the 19th centuries and an autonomous grand duchy of

Russia after 1809. It won its complete independence in 1917. During

World War II, it was able to successfully defend its freedom and

resist invasions by the Soviet Union - albeit with some loss of

territory. In the subsequent half century, the Finns made a

remarkable transformation from a farm/forest economy to a

diversified modern industrial economy; per capita income is now on

par with Western Europe. As a member of the European Union, Finland

was the only Nordic state to join the euro system at its initiation

in January 1999.

France

Although ultimately a victor in World Wars I and II, France

suffered extensive losses in its empire, wealth, manpower, and rank

as a dominant nation-state. Nevertheless, France today is one of the

most modern countries in the world and is a leader among European

nations. Since 1958, it has constructed a presidential democracy

resistant to the instabilities experienced in earlier parliamentary

democracies. In recent years, its reconciliation and cooperation

with Germany have proved central to the economic integration of

Europe, including the introduction of a common exchange currency,

the euro, in January 1999. At present, France is at the forefront of

efforts to develop the EU's military capabilities to supplement

progress toward an EU foreign policy.

French Guiana

First settled by the French in 1604, French Guiana was

the site of notorious penal settlements until 1951. The European

Space Agency launches its communication satellites from Kourou.

French Polynesia

The French annexed various Polynesian island groups

during the 19th century. In September 1995, France stirred up

widespread protests by resuming nuclear testing on the Mururoa atoll

after a three-year moratorium. The tests were suspended in January

1996.

French Southern and Antarctic Lands The Southern Lands consist of two archipelagos, Iles Crozet and Iles Kerguelen, and two volcanic islands, Ile Amsterdam and Ile Saint-Paul. They contain no permanent inhabitants and are visited only by researchers studying the native fauna. The Antarctic portion consists of "Adelie Land," a thin slice of the Antarctic continent discovered and claimed by the French in 1840.

Gabon

Only two autocratic presidents have ruled Gabon since

independence from France in 1960. Gabon's current President, El Hadj

Omar BONGO Ondimba - one of the longest-serving heads of state in

the world - has dominated Gabon's political scene for almost four

decades. President BONGO introduced a nominal multiparty system and

a new constitution in the early 1990s. However, the low turnout and

allegations of electoral fraud during the most recent local

elections in 2002-03 have exposed the weaknesses of formal political

structures in Gabon. Presidential elections scheduled for 2005 are

unlikely to bring change since the opposition remains weak, divided,

and financially dependent on the current regime. Despite political

conditions, a small population, abundant natural resources, and

considerable foreign support have helped make Gabon one of the more

prosperous and stable African countries.

Gambia, The

The Gambia gained its independence from the UK in 1965;

it formed a short-lived federation of Senegambia with Senegal

between 1982 and 1989. In 1991 the two nations signed a friendship

and cooperation treaty. A military coup in 1994 overthrew the

president and banned political activity, but a 1996 constitution and

presidential elections, followed by parliamentary balloting in 1997,

completed a nominal return to civilian rule. The country undertook

another round of presidential and legislative elections in late 2001

and early 2002. Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH, the leader of the coup, has

been elected president in all subsequent elections.

Gaza Strip

The Israel-PLO Declaration of Principles on Interim

Self-Government Arrangements (the DOP), signed in Washington on 13

September 1993, provided for a transitional period not exceeding

five years of Palestinian interim self-government in the Gaza Strip

and the West Bank. Under the DOP, Israel agreed to transfer certain

powers and responsibilities to the Palestinian Authority, which

includes the Palestinian Legislative Council elected in January

1996, as part of the interim self-governing arrangements in the West

Bank and Gaza Strip. A transfer of powers and responsibilities for

the Gaza Strip and Jericho took place pursuant to the Israel-PLO 4

May 1994 Cairo Agreement on the Gaza Strip and the Jericho Area and

in additional areas of the West Bank pursuant to the Israel-PLO 28

September 1995 Interim Agreement, the Israel-PLO 15 January 1997

Protocol Concerning Redeployment in Hebron, the Israel-PLO 23

October 1998 Wye River Memorandum, and the 4 September 1999 Sharm

el-Sheikh Agreement. The DOP provides that Israel will retain

responsibility during the transitional period for external and

internal security and for public order of settlements and Israeli

citizens. Direct negotiations to determine the permanent status of

Gaza and West Bank began in September 1999 after a three-year

hiatus, but were derailed by a second intifadah that broke out in

September 2000. The resulting widespread violence in the West Bank

and Gaza Strip, Israel's military response, and instability within

the Palestinian Authority continued to undermine progress toward a

permanent agreement. Following the death of longtime Palestinian

leader Yasir ARAFAT in November 2004, the election of his successor

Mahmud ABBAS in January 2005 brought about a turning point in the

conflict. In February 2005 the Israeli Government voted to disengage

from the Gaza Strip by dismantling all Israeli settlements and

removing all Israeli settlers. This process was completed in

September 2005. Nonetheless, Israel maintains offshore maritime

control as well as airspace control. The future political status of

the Gaza Strip has yet to be determined.

Georgia

The region of present-day Georgia contained the ancient

kingdoms of Colchis and Kartli-Iberia. The area came under Roman

influence in the first centuries AD and Christianity became the

state religion in the 330s. Domination by Persians, Arabs, and Turks

was followed by a Georgian golden age (11th to the 13th centuries)

that was cut short by the Mongol invasion of 1236. Subsequently, the

Ottoman and Persian empires competed for influence in the region.

Georgia was absorbed into the Russian Empire in the 19th century.

Independent for three years (1918-1921) following the Russian

revolution, it was forcibly incorporated into the USSR until the

Soviet Union dissolved in 1991. Despite myriad problems, some

progress on market reforms and democratization has been made since

then. An attempt by the government to manipulate legislative

elections in November 2003 touched off widespread protests that led

to the resignation of Eduard SHEVARDNADZE, president since 1995. New

elections in early 2004 swept Mikheil SAAKASHVILI into power along

with his National Movement Party.

Germany

As Europe's largest economy and most populous nation,

Germany remains a key member of the continent's economic, political,

and defense organizations. European power struggles immersed Germany

in two devastating World Wars in the first half of the 20th century

and left the country occupied by the victorious Allied powers of the

US, UK, France, and the Soviet Union in 1945. With the advent of the

Cold War, two German states were formed in 1949: the western Federal

Republic of Germany (FRG) and the eastern German Democratic Republic

(GDR). The democratic FRG embedded itself in key Western economic

and security organizations, the EC, which became the EU, and NATO,

while the Communist GDR was on the front line of the Soviet-led

Warsaw Pact. The decline of the USSR and the end of the Cold War

allowed for German unification in 1990. Since then, Germany has

expended considerable funds to bring Eastern productivity and wages

up to Western standards. In January 1999, Germany and 10 other EU

countries introduced a common European exchange currency, the euro.

Ghana

Formed from the merger of the British colony of the Gold Coast

and the Togoland trust territory, Ghana in 1957 became the first

sub-Saharan country in colonial Africa to gain its independence. A

long series of coups resulted in the suspension of the constitution

in 1981 and a ban on political parties. A new constitution,

restoring multiparty politics, was approved in 1992. Lt. Jerry

RAWLINGS, head of state since 1981, won presidential elections in

1992 and 1996, but was constitutionally prevented from running for a

third term in 2000. John KUFUOR, who defeated former Vice President

Atta MILLS in a free and fair election, succeeded him.

Gibraltar

Strategically important, Gibraltar was ceded to Great

Britain by Spain in the 1713 Treaty of Utrecht; the British garrison

was formally declared a colony in 1830. In referendums held in 1967

and 2002, Gibraltarians ignored Spanish pressure and voted

overwhelmingly to remain a British dependency.

Glorioso Islands

A French possession since 1892, the Glorioso

Islands are composed of two lushly vegetated coral islands (Ile

Glorieuse and Ile du Lys) and three rock islets. A military garrison

operates a weather and radio station on Ile Glorieuse.

Greece

Greece achieved its independence from the Ottoman Empire in

1829. During the second half of the 19th century and the first half

of the 20th century, it gradually added neighboring islands and

territories, most with Greek-speaking populations. In World War II,

Greece was first invaded by Italy (1940) and subsequently occupied

by Germany (1941-44); fighting endured in a protracted civil war

between royalist supporters of the king and communist rebels.

Following the latter's defeat in 1949, Greece was able to join NATO

in 1952. A military dictatorship, which in 1967 suspended many

political liberties and forced the king to flee the country, lasted

seven years. The 1974 democratic elections and a referendum created

a parliamentary republic and abolished the monarchy. Greece joined

the European Community or EC in 1981 (which became the EU in 1992);

it became the 12th member of the euro zone in 2001.

Greenland

The world's largest island, Greenland is about 81%

ice-capped. Vikings reached the island in the 10th century from

Iceland; Danish colonization began in the 18th century and Greenland

was made an integral part of Denmark in 1953. It joined the European

Community (now the European Union) with Denmark in 1973 but withdrew

in 1985 over a dispute over stringent fishing quotas. Greenland was

granted self-government in 1979 by the Danish parliament. The law

went into effect the following year. Denmark continues to exercise

control of Greenland's foreign affairs.

Grenada

One of the smallest independent countries in the western

hemisphere, Grenada was seized by a Marxist military council on 19

October 1983. Six days later the island was invaded by US forces and

those of six other Caribbean nations, which quickly captured the

ringleaders and their hundreds of Cuban advisers. Free elections

were reinstituted the following year.

Guadeloupe

Guadeloupe has been a French possession since 1635. The

island of Saint Martin is shared with the Netherlands; its southern

portion is named Sint Maarten and is part of the Netherlands

Antilles and its northern portion is named Saint-Martin and is part

of Guadeloupe

Guam

Guam was ceded to the US by Spain in 1898. Captured by the

Japanese in 1941, it was retaken by the US three years later. The

military installation on the island is one of the most strategically

important US bases in the Pacific.

Guatemala

The Maya civilization flourished in Guatemala and

surrounding regions during the first millennium A.D. After almost

three centuries as a Spanish colony, Guatemala won its independence

in 1821. During the second half of the 20th century, it experienced

a variety of military and civilian governments as well as a 36-year

guerrilla war. In 1996, the government signed a peace agreement

formally ending the conflict, which had left more than 100,000

people dead and had created some 1 million refugees.

Guernsey

The island of Guernsey and the other Channel Islands

represent the last remnants of the medieval Dukedom of Normandy,

which held sway in both France and England. The islands were the

only British soil occupied by German troops in World War II.

Guinea

Guinea has had only two presidents since gaining its

independence from France in 1958. Lansana CONTE came to power in

1984, when the military seized the government after the death of the

first president, Sekou TOURE. Guinea did not hold democratic

elections until 1993 when Gen. CONTE (head of the military

government) was elected president of the civilian government. He was

reelected in 1998 and again in 2003. Unrest in Sierra Leone and

Liberia has spilled over into Guinea on several occasions over the

past decade, threatening stability and creating humanitarian

emergencies.

Guinea-Bissau

Since independence from Portugal in 1974,

Guinea-Bissau has experienced considerable upheaval. The founding

government consisted of a single party system and command economy.

In 1980, a military coup established Joao VIEIRA as president and a

path to a market economy and multiparty system was implemented. A

number of coup attempts through the 1980s and early 1990s failed to

unseat him and in 1994 he was elected president in the country's

first free elections. A military coup attempt and civil war in 1998

eventually led to VIEIRA's ouster in 1999. In February 2000, an

interim government turned over power when opposition leader Kumba

YALA took office following two rounds of transparent presidential

elections. YALA was ousted in a bloodless coup in September 2003,

and Henrique ROSA was sworn in as President. Guinea-Bissau's

transition back to democracy will be complicated by its crippled

economy, devastated in the civil war.

Guyana

Originally a Dutch colony in the 17th century, by 1815 Guyana

had become a British possession. The abolition of slavery led to

black settlement of urban areas and the importation of indentured

servants from India to work the sugar plantations. This

ethnocultural divide has persisted and has led to turbulent

politics. Guyana achieved independence from the UK in 1966, but

until the early 1990s it was ruled mostly by socialist-oriented

governments. In 1992, Cheddi JAGAN was elected president, in what is

considered the country's first free and fair election since

independence. Upon his death five years later, he was succeeded by

his wife Janet, who resigned in 1999 due to poor health. Her

successor, Bharrat JAGDEO, was reelected in 2001.

Haiti

The native Arawak Amerindians - who inhabited the island of

Hispaniola when it was discovered by Columbus in 1492 - were

virtually annihilated by Spanish settlers within 25 years. In the

early 17th century, the French established a presence on Hispaniola,

and in 1697, Spain ceded to the French the western third of the

island - Haiti. The French colony, based on forestry and

sugar-related industries, became one of the wealthiest in the

Caribbean, but only through the heavy importation of African slaves

and considerable environmental degradation. In the late 18th

century, Haiti's nearly half million slaves revolted under Toussaint

L'OUVERTURE and after a prolonged struggle, became the first black

republic to declare its independence in 1804. Haiti has been plagued

by political violence for most of its history. It is the poorest

country in the Western Hemisphere.

Heard Island and McDonald Islands

These uninhabited, barren,

sub-Antarctic islands were transferred from the UK to Australia in

1947. Populated by large numbers of seal and bird species, the

islands have been designated a nature preserve.

Holy See (Vatican City)

Popes in their secular role ruled portions

of the Italian peninsula for more than a thousand years until the

mid 19th century, when many of the Papal States were seized by the

newly united Kingdom of Italy. In 1870, the pope's holdings were

further circumscribed when Rome itself was annexed. Disputes between

a series of "prisoner" popes and Italy were resolved in 1929 by

three Lateran Treaties, which established the independent state of

Vatican City and granted Roman Catholicism special status in Italy.

In 1984, a concordat between the Holy See and Italy modified certain

of the earlier treaty provisions, including the primacy of Roman

Catholicism as the Italian state religion. Present concerns of the

Holy See include religious freedom, international development, the

Middle East, terrorism, interreligious dialogue and reconciliation,

and the application of church doctrine in an era of rapid change and

globalization. About 1 billion people worldwide profess the Catholic

faith.

Honduras

Once part of Spain's vast empire in the New World, Honduras

became an independent nation in 1821. After two and a half decades

of mostly military rule, a freely elected civilian government came

to power in 1982. During the 1980s, Honduras proved a haven for

anti-Sandinista contras fighting the Marxist Nicaraguan Government

and an ally to Salvadoran Government forces fighting leftist

guerrillas. The country was devastated by Hurricane Mitch in 1998,

which killed about 5,600 people and caused approximately $2 billion

in damage.

Hong Kong

Occupied by the UK in 1841, Hong Kong was formally ceded

by China the following year; various adjacent lands were added later

in the 19th century. Pursuant to an agreement signed by China and

the UK on 19 December 1984, Hong Kong became the Hong Kong Special

Administrative Region (SAR) of China on 1 July 1997. In this

agreement, China has promised that, under its "one country, two

systems" formula, China's socialist economic system will not be

imposed on Hong Kong and that Hong Kong will enjoy a high degree of

autonomy in all matters except foreign and defense affairs for the

next 50 years.

Howland Island

Discovered by the US early in the 19th century, the

island was officially claimed by the US in 1857. Both US and British

companies mined for guano until about 1890. Earhart Light is a day

beacon near the middle of the west coast that was partially

destroyed during World War II, but has since been rebuilt; it is

named in memory of the famed aviatrix Amelia EARHART. The island is

administered by the US Department of the Interior as a National

Wildlife Refuge.

Hungary

Hungary was part of the polyglot Austro-Hungarian Empire,

which collapsed during World War I. The country fell under Communist

rule following World War II. In 1956, a revolt and announced

withdrawal from the Warsaw Pact were met with a massive military

intervention by Moscow. Under the leadership of Janos KADAR in 1968,

Hungary began liberalizing its economy, introducing so-called

"Goulash Communism." Hungary held its first multiparty elections in

1990 and initiated a free market economy. It joined NATO in 1999 and

the EU in 2004.

Iceland

Settled by Norwegian and Celtic (Scottish and Irish)

immigrants during the late 9th and 10th centuries A.D., Iceland

boasts the world's oldest functioning legislative assembly, the

Althing, established in 930. Independent for over 300 years, Iceland

was subsequently ruled by Norway and Denmark. Fallout from the Askja

volcano of 1875 devastated the Icelandic economy and caused

widespread famine. Over the next quarter century, 20% of the

island's population emigrated, mostly to Canada and the US. Limited

home rule from Denmark was granted in 1874 and complete independence

attained in 1944. Literacy, longevity, income, and social cohesion

are first-rate by world standards.

India

The Indus Valley civilization, one of the oldest in the world,

dates back at least 5,000 years. Aryan tribes from the northwest

invaded about 1500 B.C.; their merger with the earlier Dravidian

inhabitants created the classical Indian culture. Arab incursions

starting in the 8th century and Turkish in the 12th were followed by

those of European traders, beginning in the late 15th century. By

the 19th century, Britain had assumed political control of virtually

all Indian lands. Indian armed forces in the British army played a

vital role in both World Wars. Nonviolent resistance to British

colonialism led by Mohandas GANDHI and Jawaharlal NEHRU brought

independence in 1947. The subcontinent was divided into the secular

state of India and the smaller Muslim state of Pakistan. A third war

between the two countries in 1971 resulted in East Pakistan becoming

the separate nation of Bangladesh. Despite impressive gains in

economic investment and output, India faces pressing problems such

as the ongoing dispute with Pakistan over Kashmir, massive

overpopulation, environmental degradation, extensive poverty, and

ethnic and religious strife.

Indian Ocean

The Indian Ocean is the third largest of the world's

five oceans (after the Pacific Ocean and Atlantic Ocean, but larger

than the Southern Ocean and Arctic Ocean). Four critically important

access waterways are the Suez Canal (Egypt), Bab el Mandeb

(Djibouti-Yemen), Strait of Hormuz (Iran-Oman), and Strait of

Malacca (Indonesia-Malaysia). The decision by the International

Hydrographic Organization in the spring of 2000 to delimit a fifth

ocean, the Southern Ocean, removed the portion of the Indian Ocean

south of 60 degrees south.

Indonesia

The Dutch began to colonize Indonesia in the early 17th

century; the islands were occupied by Japan from 1942 to 1945.

Indonesia declared its independence after Japan's surrender, but it

required four years of intermittent negotiations, recurring

hostilities, and UN mediation before the Netherlands agreed to

relinquish its colony. Indonesia is the world's largest archipelagic

state. Current issues include: alleviating widespread poverty,

preventing terrorism, continuing the transition to popularly-elected

governments after four decades of authoritarianism, implementing

reforms of the banking sector, addressing charges of cronyism and

corruption, and holding the military and police accountable for

human rights violations. Indonesia has been dealing with armed

separatist movements in Aceh and in Papua.

Iran

Known as Persia until 1935, Iran became an Islamic republic in

1979 after the ruling monarchy was overthrown and the shah was

forced into exile. Conservative clerical forces established a

theocratic system of government with ultimate political authority

nominally vested in a learned religious scholar. Iranian-US

relations have been strained since a group of Iranian students

seized the US Embassy in Tehran on 4 November 1979 and held it until

20 January 1981. During 1980-88, Iran fought a bloody, indecisive

war with Iraq that eventually expanded into the Persian Gulf and led

to clashes between US Navy and Iranian military forces between

1987-1988. Iran has been designated a state sponsor of terrorism for

its activities in Lebanon and elsewhere in the world and remains

subject to US economic sanctions and export controls because of its

continued involvement. Following the elections of a reformist

president and Majlis in the late 1990s, attempts to foster political

reform in response to popular dissatisfaction have floundered as

conservative politicians have prevented reform measures from being

enacted, increased repressive measures, and consolidated their

control over the government.

Iraq

Formerly part of the Ottoman Empire, Iraq was occupied by

Britain during the course of World War I; in 1920, it was declared a

League of Nations mandate under UK administration. In stages over

the next dozen years, Iraq attained its independence as a kingdom in

1932. A "republic" was proclaimed in 1958, but in actuality a series

of military strongmen ruled the country, the latest was SADDAM

Husayn. Territorial disputes with Iran led to an inconclusive and

costly eight-year war (1980-88). In August 1990, Iraq seized Kuwait,

but was expelled by US-led, UN coalition forces during the Gulf War

of January-February 1991. Following Kuwait's liberation, the UN

Security Council (UNSC) required Iraq to scrap all weapons of mass

destruction and long-range missiles and to allow UN verification

inspections. Continued Iraqi noncompliance with UNSC resolutions

over a period of 12 years resulted in the US-led invasion of Iraq in

March 2003 and the ouster of the SADDAM Husayn regime. Coalition

forces remain in Iraq, helping to restore degraded infrastructure

and facilitating the establishment of a freely elected government,

while simultaneously dealing with a robust insurgency. The Coalition

Provisional Authority transferred sovereignty to the Iraqi Interim

Government (IG) in June 2004. Iraqis voted on 30 January 2005 to

elect a 275-member Transitional National Assembly that will draft a

permanent constitution and pave the way for new national elections

at the end of 2005.

Ireland

Celtic tribes arrived on the island between 600-150 B.C.

Invasions by Norsemen that began in the late 8th century were

finally ended when King Brian BORU defeated the Danes in 1014.

English invasions began in the 12th century and set off more than

seven centuries of Anglo-Irish struggle marked by fierce rebellions

and harsh repressions. A failed 1916 Easter Monday Rebellion touched

off several years of guerrilla warfare that in 1921 resulted in

independence from the UK for 26 southern counties; six northern

(Ulster) counties remained part of the United Kingdom. In 1948

Ireland withdrew from the British Commonwealth; it joined the

European Community in 1973. Irish governments have sought the

peaceful unification of Ireland and have cooperated with Britain

against terrorist groups. A peace settlement for Northern Ireland,

known as the Good Friday Agreement and approved in 1998, is being

implemented with some difficulties.

Israel

Following World War II, the British withdrew from their

mandate of Palestine, and the UN partitioned the area into Arab and

Jewish states, an arrangement rejected by the Arabs. Subsequently,

the Israelis defeated the Arabs in a series of wars without ending

the deep tensions between the two sides. The territories occupied by

Israel since the 1967 war are not included in the Israel country

profile, unless otherwise noted. On 25 April 1982, Israel withdrew

from the Sinai pursuant to the 1979 Israel-Egypt Peace Treaty.

Israel and Palestinian officials signed on 13 September 1993 a

Declaration of Principles (also known as the "Oslo accords") guiding

an interim period of Palestinian self-rule. Outstanding territorial

and other disputes with Jordan were resolved in the 26 October 1994

Israel-Jordan Treaty of Peace. In addition, on 25 May 2000, Israel

withdrew unilaterally from southern Lebanon, which it had occupied

since 1982. In keeping with the framework established at the Madrid

Conference in October 1991, bilateral negotiations were conducted

between Israel and Palestinian representatives and Syria to achieve

a permanent settlement. On 24 June 2002, US President BUSH laid out

a "road map" for resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which

envisions a two-state solution. However, progress toward a permanent

status agreement has been undermined by Palestinian-Israeli violence

ongoing since September 2000. The conflict may have reached a

turning point with the election in January 2005 of Mahmud ABBAS as

the new Palestinian leader following the November 2004 death of

Yasir ARAFAT.

Italy

Italy became a nation-state in 1861 when the city-states of

the peninsula, along with Sardinia and Sicily, were united under

King Victor EMMANUEL II. An era of parliamentary government came to

a close in the early 1920s when Benito MUSSOLINI established a

Fascist dictatorship. His disastrous alliance with Nazi Germany led

to Italy's defeat in World War II. A democratic republic replaced

the monarchy in 1946 and economic revival followed. Italy was a

charter member of NATO and the European Economic Community (EEC). It

has been at the forefront of European economic and political

unification, joining the Economic and Monetary Union in 1999.

Persistent problems include illegal immigration, organized crime,

corruption, high unemployment, sluggish economic growth, and the low

incomes and technical standards of southern Italy compared with the

prosperous north.

Jamaica

Jamaica gained full independence within the British

Commonwealth in 1962. Deteriorating economic conditions during the

1970s led to recurrent violence and a drop off in tourism. Elections

in 1980 saw the democratic socialists voted out of office. Political

violence marred elections during the 1990s.

Jan Mayen

This desolate, mountainous island was named after a Dutch

whaling captain who indisputably discovered it in 1614 (earlier

claims are inconclusive). Visited only occasionally by seal hunters

and trappers over the following centuries, the island came under

Norwegian sovereignty in 1929. The long dormant Haakon VII

Toppen/Beerenberg volcano resumed activity in 1970; it is the

northernmost active volcano on earth.

Japan

In 1603, a Tokugawa shogunate (military dictatorship) ushered

in a long period of isolation from foreign influence in order to

secure its power. For 250 years this policy enabled Japan to enjoy

stability and a flowering of its indigenous culture. Following the

Treaty of Kanagawa with the United States in 1854, Japan opened its

ports and began to intensively modernize and industrialize. During

the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Japan became a regional

power that was able to defeat the forces of both China and Russia.

It occupied Korea, Formosa (Taiwan), and southern Sakhalin Island.

In 1933 Japan occupied Manchuria and in 1937 it launched a

full-scale invasion of China. Japan attacked US forces in 1941 -

triggering America's entry into World War II - and soon occupied

much of East and Southeast Asia. After its defeat in World War II,

Japan recovered to become an economic power and a staunch ally of

the US. While the emperor retains his throne as a symbol of national

unity, actual power rests in networks of powerful politicians,

bureaucrats, and business executives. The economy experienced a

major slowdown starting in the 1990s following three decades of

unprecedented growth, but Japan still remains a major economic

power, both in Asia and globally. In 2005, Japan began a two-year

term as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council.

Jarvis Island

First discovered by the British in 1821, the

uninhabited island was annexed by the US in 1858, but abandoned in

1879 after tons of guano had been removed. The UK annexed the island

in 1889, but never carried out plans for further exploitation. The

US occupied and reclaimed the island in 1935. Abandoned after World

War II, the island is currently a National Wildlife Refuge

administered by the US Department of the Interior; a day beacon is

situated near the middle of the west coast.

Jersey

The island of Jersey and the other Channel Islands represent

the last remnants of the medieval Dukedom of Normandy that held sway

in both France and England. These islands were the only British soil

occupied by German troops in World War II.

Johnston Atoll

Both the US and the Kingdom of Hawaii annexed

Johnston Atoll in 1858, but it was the US that mined the guano

deposits until the late 1880s. Johnston and Sand Islands were

designated wildlife refuges in 1926. The US Navy took over the atoll

in 1934, and subsequently the US Air Force assumed control in 1948.

The site was used for high-altitude nuclear tests in the 1950s and

1960s, and until late in 2000 the atoll was maintained as a storage

and disposal site for chemical weapons. Munitions destruction is now

complete. Cleanup and closure of the facility was completed in 2004.

Jordan

For most of its history since independence from British

administration in 1946, Jordan was ruled by King HUSSEIN (1953-99).

A pragmatic ruler, he successfully navigated competing pressures

from the major powers (US, USSR, and UK), various Arab states,

Israel, and a large internal Palestinian population, despite several

wars and coup attempts. In 1989 he reinstituted parliamentary

elections and gradual political liberalization; in 1994 he signed a

formal peace treaty with Israel. King ABDALLAH II - the eldest son

of King HUSSEIN and Princess MUNA - assumed the throne following his

father's death in February 1999. Since then, he has consolidated his

power and undertaken an aggressive economic reform program. Jordan

acceded to the World Trade Organization in 2000, and began to

participate in the European Free Trade Association in 2001. After a

two-year delay, parliamentary and municipal elections took place in

the summer of 2003. The Prime Minister and government appointed in

April 2005 declared they would build upon the previous government's

achievements to respect political and human rights and improve

living standards.

Juan de Nova Island

Named after a famous 15th century Spanish

navigator and explorer, the island has been a French possession

since 1897. It has been exploited for its guano and phosphate.

Presently a small military garrison oversees a meteorological

station.

Kazakhstan

Native Kazakhs, a mix of Turkic and Mongol nomadic tribes

who migrated into the region in the 13th century, were rarely united

as a single nation. The area was conquered by Russia in the 18th

century and Kazakhstan became a Soviet Republic in 1936. During the

1950s and 1960s agricultural "Virgin Lands" program, Soviet citizens

were encouraged to help cultivate Kazakhstan's northern pastures.

This influx of immigrants (mostly Russians, but also some other

deported nationalities) skewed the ethnic mixture and enabled

non-Kazakhs to outnumber natives. Independence in 1991 caused many

of these newcomers to emigrate. Current issues include: developing a

cohesive national identity; expanding the development of the

country's vast energy resources and exporting them to world markets;

achieving a sustainable economic growth outside the oil, gas, and

mining sectors; and strengthening relations with neighboring states

and other foreign powers.

Kenya

Founding president and liberation struggle icon Jomo KENYATTA

led Kenya from independence until his death in 1978, when President

Daniel Toroitich arap MOI took power in a constitutional succession.

The country was a de facto one-party state from 1969 until 1982 when

the ruling Kenya African National Union (KANU) made itself the sole

legal party in Kenya. MOI acceded to internal and external pressure

for political liberalization in late 1991. The ethnically fractured

opposition failed to dislodge KANU from power in elections in 1992

and 1997, which were marred by violence and fraud, but are viewed as

having generally reflected the will of the Kenyan people. President

MOI stepped down in December of 2002 following fair and peaceful

elections. Mwai KIBAKI, running as the candidate of the multiethnic,

united opposition group, the National Rainbow Coalition, defeated

KANU candidate Uhuru KENYATTA and assumed the presidency following a

campaign centered on an anticorruption platform.

Kingman Reef

The US annexed the reef in 1922. Its sheltered lagoon

served as a way station for flying boats on Hawaii-to-American Samoa

flights during the late 1930s. There are no terrestrial plants on

the reef, which is frequently awash, but it does support abundant

and diverse marine fauna and flora. In 2001, the waters surrounding

the reef out to 12 nm were designated a US National Wildlife Refuge.

Kiribati

The Gilbert Islands were granted self-rule by the UK in

1971 and complete independence in 1979 under the new name of

Kiribati. The US relinquished all claims to the sparsely inhabited

Phoenix and Line Island groups in a 1979 treaty of friendship with

Kiribati.

Korea, North

An independent kingdom under Chinese suzerainty for

most of the past millennium, Korea was occupied by Japan in 1905

following the Russo-Japanese War; five years later, Japan formally

annexed the entire peninsula. Following World War II, Korea was

split with the northern half coming under Soviet-sponsored Communist

domination. After failing in the Korean War (1950-53) to conquer the

US-backed republic in the southern portion by force, North Korea,

under its founder President KIM Il Sung, adopted a policy of

ostensible diplomatic and economic "self-reliance" as a check

against excessive Soviet or Communist Chinese influence. It molded

political, economic, and military policies around the core

ideological objective of eventual unification of Korea under

Pyongyang's control. KIM's son, the current ruler KIM Jong Il, was

officially designated as KIM's successor in 1980 and assumed a

growing political and managerial role until his father's death in

1994. He assumed full power without opposition. After decades of

economic mismanagement and resource misallocation, the North since

the mid-1990s has relied heavily on international aid to feed its

population while continuing to expend resources to maintain an army

of about 1 million. North Korea's long-range missile development and

research into nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons and massive

conventional armed forces are of major concern to the international

community. In December 2002, following revelations it was pursuing a

nuclear weapons program based on enriched uranium in violation of a

1994 agreement with the United States to freeze and ultimately

dismantle its existing plutonium-based program, North Korea expelled

monitors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). In

January 2003, it declared its withdrawal from the international

Non-Proliferation Treaty. In mid-2003 Pyongyang announced it had

completed the reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel rods (to extract

weapons-grade plutonium) and was developing a "nuclear deterrent."

From August 2003, North Korea has participated on and off in

six-party talks with the China, Japan, Russia, South Korea, and the

United States to resolve the stalemate over its nuclear programs.

Korea, South

Korea was an independent kingdom under Chinese

suzerainty for most of the past millennium. Following its victory in

the Russo-Japanese War in 1905, Japan occupied Korea; five years

later it formally annexed the entire peninsula. After World War II,

a republic was set up in the southern half of the Korean Peninsula

while a Communist-style government was installed in the north.

During the Korean War (1950-53), US and other UN forces intervened

to defend South Korea from North Korean attacks supported by the

Chinese. An armistice was signed in 1953, splitting the peninsula

along a demilitarized zone at about the 38th parallel. Thereafter,

South Korea achieved rapid economic growth with per capita income

rising to roughly 14 times the level of North Korea. In 1987, South

Korean voters elected ROH Tae-woo to the presidency, ending 26 years

of military dictatorships. South Korea today is a fully functioning

modern democracy. In June 2000, a historic first North-South summit

took place between the South's President KIM Tae-chung and the

North's leader KIM Jong Il.

Kuwait

Britain oversaw foreign relations and defense for the ruling

Kuwaiti AL-SABAH dynasty from 1899 until independence in 1961.

Kuwait was attacked and overrun by Iraq on 2 August 1990. Following

several weeks of aerial bombardment, a US-led, UN coalition began a

ground assault on 23 February 1991 that liberated Kuwait in four

days. Kuwait spent more than $5 billion to repair oil infrastructure

damaged during 1990-91.

Kyrgyzstan

A Central Asian country of incredible natural beauty and

proud nomadic traditions, Kyrgyzstan was annexed by Russia in 1864;

it achieved independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. Nation-wide

demonstrations in the spring of 2005 resulted in the ouster of

President Askar AKAYEV, who had run the country since 1990.

Subsequent presidential elections in July of 2005 were won

overwhelmingly by former prime minister Kurmanbek BAKIYEV. Current

concerns include: privatization of state-owned enterprises,

expansion of democracy and political freedoms, interethnic

relations, and combating terrorism.

Laos

Laos was under the control of Siam (Thailand) from the late

18th century until the late 19th century when it became part of

French Indochina. The Franco-Siamese Treaty of 1907 defined the

current Lao border with Thailand. In 1975, the Communist Pathet Lao

took control of the government, ending a six-century-old monarchy.

Initial closer ties to Vietnam and socialization were replaced with

a gradual return to private enterprise, a liberalization of foreign

investment laws, and the admission into ASEAN in 1997.

Latvia

After a brief period of independence between the two World

Wars, Latvia was annexed by the USSR in 1940. It reestablished its

independence in 1991 following the breakup of the Soviet Union.

Although the last Russian troops left in 1994, the status of the

Russian minority (some 30% of the population) remains of concern to

Moscow. Latvia joined both NATO and the EU in the spring of 2004.

Lebanon

Lebanon has made progress toward rebuilding its political

institutions since 1991 and the end of the devastating 15-year civil

war. Under the Ta'if Accord - the blueprint for national

reconciliation - the Lebanese have established a more equitable

political system, particularly by giving Muslims a greater say in

the political process while institutionalizing sectarian divisions

in the government. Since the end of the war, the Lebanese have

conducted several successful elections, most of the militias have

been weakened or disbanded, and the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) have

extended central government authority over about two-thirds of the

country. Hizballah, a radical Shia organization, retains its

weapons. During Lebanon's civil war, the Arab League legitimized in

the Ta'if Accord Syria's troop deployment, numbering about 16,000

based mainly east of Beirut and in the Bekaa Valley. Damascus

justified its continued military presence in Lebanon by citing

Beirut's requests and the failure of the Lebanese Government to

implement all of the constitutional reforms in the Ta'if Accord.

Israel's withdrawal from southern Lebanon in May 2000, however,

encouraged some Lebanese groups to demand that Syria withdraw its

forces as well. The passage of UNSCR 1559 in early October 2004 - a

resolution calling for Syria to withdraw from Lebanon and end its

interference in Lebanese affairs - further emboldened Lebanese

groups opposed to Syria's presence in Lebanon. Syria finally

withdrew the remainder of its forces from Lebanon in April of 2005.

Lesotho

Basutoland was renamed the Kingdom of Lesotho upon

independence from the UK in 1966. King MOSHOESHOE was exiled in

1990, but returned to Lesotho in 1992 and reinstated in 1995.

Constitutional government was restored in 1993 after 23 years of

military rule. In 1998, violent protests and a military mutiny

following a contentious election prompted a brief but bloody

intervention by South African and Botswanan military forces under

the aegis of the Southern African Development Community.

Constitutional reforms have since restored political stability;

peaceful parliamentary elections were held in 2002.

Liberia

In August 2003, a comprehensive peace agreement ended 14

years of civil war and prompted the resignation of former president

Charles TAYLOR, who was exiled to Nigeria. The National Transitional

Government of Liberia (NTGL) - composed of rebel, government, and

civil society groups - assumed control in October 2003. Chairman

Gyude BRYANT, who was given a two-year mandate to oversee efforts to

rebuild Liberia, heads the new government. The United Nations

Mission in Liberia (UNMIL), which maintains a strong presence

throughout the country, completed a disarmament program for former

combatants in late 2004, but the security situation is still

volatile and the process of rebuilding the social and economic

structure of this war-torn country remains sluggish.

Libya

From the earliest days of his rule following his 1969 military

coup, Col. Muammar Abu Minyar al-QADHAFI has espoused his own

political system, the Third Universal Theory. The system is a

combination of socialism and Islam derived in part from tribal

practices and is supposed to be implemented by the Libyan people

themselves in a unique form of "direct democracy." QADHAFI has

always seen himself as a revolutionary and visionary leader. He used

oil funds during the 1970s and 1980s to promote his ideology outside

Libya, supporting subversives and terrorists abroad to hasten the

end of Marxism and capitalism. In addition, beginning in 1973, he

engaged in military operations in northern Chad's Aozou Strip - to

gain access to minerals and to use as a base of influence in Chadian

politics - but was forced to retreat in 1987. UN sanctions in 1992

isolated QADHAFI politically following the downing of Pan AM Flight

103 over Lockerbie, Scotland. Libyan support for terrorism appeared

to have decreased after the imposition of sanctions. During the

1990s, QADHAFI also began to rebuild his relationships with Europe.

UN sanctions were suspended in April 1999 and finally lifted in

September 2003 after Libya resolved the Lockerbie case. In December

2003, Libya announced that it had agreed to reveal and end its

programs to develop weapons of mass destruction, and QADHAFI has

made significant strides in normalizing relations with western

nations since then. He has received various Western European leaders

as well as many working-level and commercial delegations, and made

his first trip to Western Europe in 15 years when he traveled to

Brussels in April 2004. QADHAFI also finally resolved in 2004

several outstanding cases against his government for terrorist

activities in the 1980s by paying compensation to the families of

victims of the UTA and La Belle disco bombings.

Liechtenstein

The Principality of Liechtenstein was established

within the Holy Roman Empire in 1719; it became a sovereign state in

1806. Until the end of World War I, it was closely tied to Austria,

but the economic devastation caused by that conflict forced

Liechtenstein to enter into a customs and monetary union with

Switzerland. Since World War II (in which Liechtenstein remained

neutral), the country's low taxes have spurred outstanding economic

growth. Shortcomings in banking regulatory oversight have resulted

in concerns about the use of the financial institutions for money

laundering. Liechtenstein has, however, implemented new

anti-money-laundering legislation and recently concluded a Mutual

Legal Assistance Treaty with the US.

Lithuania

Independent between the two World Wars, Lithuania was

annexed by the USSR in 1940. On 11 March 1990, Lithuania became the

first of the Soviet republics to declare its independence, but

Moscow did not recognize this proclamation until September of 1991

(following the abortive coup in Moscow). The last Russian troops

withdrew in 1993. Lithuania subsequently restructured its economy

for integration into Western European institutions; it joined both

NATO and the EU in the spring of 2004.

Luxembourg

Founded in 963, Luxembourg became a grand duchy in 1815

and an independent state under the Netherlands. It lost more than

half of its territory to Belgium in 1839, but gained a larger

measure of autonomy. Full independence was attained in 1867. Overrun

by Germany in both World Wars, it ended its neutrality in 1948 when

it entered into the Benelux Customs Union and when it joined NATO

the following year. In 1957, Luxembourg became one of the six

founding countries of the European Economic Community (later the

European Union), and in 1999 it joined the euro currency area.

Macau

Colonized by the Portuguese in the 16th century, Macau was the

first European settlement in the Far East. Pursuant to an agreement

signed by China and Portugal on 13 April 1987, Macau became the

Macau Special Administrative Region (SAR) of China on 20 December

1999. China has promised that, under its "one country, two systems"

formula, China's socialist economic system will not be practiced in

Macau, and that Macau will enjoy a high degree of autonomy in all

matters except foreign and defense affairs for the next 50 years.

Macedonia

International recognition of Macedonia's independence from

Yugoslavia in 1991 was delayed by Greece's objection to the new

state's use of what it considered a Hellenic name and symbols.

Greece finally lifted its trade blockade in 1995 and the two

countries agreed to normalize relations, although differences over

Macedonia's name remain. The undetermined status of neighboring

Kosovo, implementation of the Framework Agreement - which ended the

2001 ethnic Albanian armed insurgency - and a weak economy continue

to be challenges for Macedonia.

Madagascar

Formerly an independent kingdom, Madagascar became a

French colony in 1896, but regained its independence in 1960. During

1992-93, free presidential and National Assembly elections were

held, ending 17 years of single-party rule. In 1997, in the second

presidential race, Didier RATSIRAKA, the leader during the 1970s and

1980s, was returned to the presidency. The 2001 presidential

election was contested between the followers of Didier RATSIRAKA and

Marc RAVALOMANANA, nearly causing secession of half of the country.

In April 2002, the High Constitutional Court announced RAVALOMANANA

the winner.

Malawi

Established in 1891, the British protectorate of Nyasaland

became the independent nation of Malawi in 1964. After three decades

of one-party rule under President Hastings Kamuzu BANDA the country

held multiparty elections in 1994, under a provisional constitution,

which came into full effect the following year. Current President

Bingu wa MUTHARIKA, elected in May 2004 after the previous president

failed to amend the constitution to permit another term, has

struggled to assert his authority against his predecessor, who still

leads their shared political party. MATHARIKA's anti-corruption

efforts have led to several high-level arrests but no convictions.

Increasing corruption, population growth, increasing pressure on

agricultural lands, and HIV/AIDS pose major problems for the country.

Malaysia

During the late 18th and 19th centuries, Great Britain

established colonies and protectorates in the area of current

Malaysia; these were occupied by Japan from 1942 to 1945. In 1948,

the British-ruled territories on the Malay Peninsula formed the

Federation of Malaya, which became independent in 1957. Malaysia was

formed in 1963 when the former British colonies of Singapore and the

East Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak on the northern coast of

Borneo joined the Federation. The first several years of the

country's history were marred by Indonesian efforts to control

Malaysia, Philippine claims to Sabah, and Singapore's secession from

the Federation in 1965.

Maldives

The Maldives was long a sultanate, first under Dutch and

then under British protection. It became a republic in 1968, three

years after independence. Since 1978, President Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM

- currently in his sixth term in office - has dominated the islands'

political scene. Following riots in the capital Male in August 2004,

the president and his government have pledged to embark upon

democratic reforms, including a more representative political system

and expanded political freedoms. Tourism and fishing are being

developed on the archipelago.

Mali

The Sudanese Republic and Senegal became independent of France

in 1960 as the Mali Federation. When Senegal withdrew after only a

few months, what formerly made up the Sudanese Republic was renamed

Mali. Rule by dictatorship was brought to a close in 1991 with a

transitional government and in 1992 when Mali's first democratic

presidential election was held. After his reelection in 1997,

President Alpha KONARE continued to push through political and

economic reforms and to fight corruption. In keeping with Mali's

two-term constitutional limit, he stepped down in 2002 and was

succeeded by Amadou TOURE.

Malta

Great Britain formally acquired possession of Malta in 1814.

The island staunchly supported the UK through both World Wars and

remained in the Commonwealth when it became independent in 1964. A

decade later Malta became a republic. Since about the mid-1980s, the

island has transformed itself into a freight transshipment point, a

financial center, and a tourist destination. Malta became an EU

member in May of 2004.

Man, Isle of

Part of the Norwegian Kingdom of the Hebrides until the

13th century when it was ceded to Scotland, the isle came under the

British crown in 1765. Current concerns include reviving the almost

extinct Manx Gaelic language.

Marshall Islands

After almost four decades under US administration

as the easternmost part of the UN Trust Territory of the Pacific

Islands, the Marshall Islands attained independence in 1986 under a

Compact of Free Association. Compensation claims continue as a

result of US nuclear testing on some of the atolls between 1947 and

1962. The Marshall Islands hosts the US Army Kwajalein Atoll (USAKA)

Reagan Missile Test Site, a key installation in the US missile

defense network.

Martinique

Colonized by France in 1635, the island has subsequently

remained a French possession except for three brief periods of

foreign occupation.

Mauritania

Independent from France in 1960, Mauritania annexed the

southern third of the former Spanish Sahara (now Western Sahara) in

1976, but relinquished it after three years of raids by the

Polisario guerrilla front seeking independence for the territory.

Maaouya Ould Sid Ahmed TAYA siezed power in a coup in 1984.

Opposition parties were legalized and a new constitution approved in

1991. Two multiparty presidential elections since then were widely

seen as flawed, but October 2001 legislative and municipal elections

were generally free and open. A bloodless coup in August 2005

deposed President TAYA and ushered in a military council headed by

Col. Ely Ould Mohamed VALL, which declared it would remain in power

for up to two years while it created conditions for genuine

democratic institutions. For now, however, Mauritania remains, a

one-party state. The country continues to experience ethnic tensions

between its black population and the Maur (Arab-Berber) populace.

Mauritius

Discovered by the Portuguese in 1505, Mauritius was

subsequently held by the Dutch, French, and British before

independence was attained in 1968. A stable democracy with regular

free elections and a positive human rights record, the country has

attracted considerable foreign investment and has earned one of

Africa's highest per capita incomes. Recent poor weather and

declining sugar prices have slowed economic growth, leading to some

protests over standards of living in the Creole community.

Mayotte

Mayotte was ceded to France along with the other islands of

the Comoros group in 1843. It was the only island in the archipelago

that voted in 1974 to retain its link with France and forego

independence.

Mexico

The site of advanced Amerindian civilizations, Mexico came

under Spanish rule for three centuries before achieving independence

early in the 19th century. A devaluation of the peso in late 1994

threw Mexico into economic turmoil, triggering the worst recession

in over half a century. The nation continues to make an impressive

recovery. Ongoing economic and social concerns include low real

wages, underemployment for a large segment of the population,

inequitable income distribution, and few advancement opportunities

for the largely Amerindian population in the impoverished southern

states. Elections held in July 2000 marked the first time since the

1910 Mexican Revolution that the opposition defeated the party in

government, the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI). Vicente FOX

of the National Action Party (PAN) was sworn in on 1 December 2000

as the first chief executive elected in free and fair elections.

Micronesia, Federated States of

In 1979 the Federated States of

Micronesia, a UN Trust Territory under US administration, adopted a

constitution. In 1986 independence was attained under a Compact of

Free Association with the US, which was amended and renewed in 2004.

Present concerns include large-scale unemployment, overfishing, and

overdependence on US aid.

Midway Islands

The US took formal possession of the islands in 1867.

The laying of the trans-Pacific cable, which passed through the

islands, brought the first residents in 1903. Between 1935 and 1947,

Midway was used as a refueling stop for trans-Pacific flights. The

US naval victory over a Japanese fleet off Midway in 1942 was one of

the turning points of World War II. The islands continued to serve

as a naval station until closed in 1993. Today the islands are a

national wildlife refuge. From 1996 to 2001 the refuge was open to

the public; it is now temporarily closed.

Moldova

Formerly part of Romania, Moldova was incorporated into the

Soviet Union at the close of World War II. Although independent from

the USSR since 1991, Russian forces have remained on Moldovan

territory east of the Dniester River supporting the Slavic majority

population, mostly Ukrainians and Russians, who have proclaimed a

"Transnistria" republic. The poorest nation in Europe, Moldova

became the first former Soviet state to elect a Communist as its

president in 2001.

Monaco

Economic development was spurred in the late 19th century

with a railroad linkup to France and the opening of a casino. Since

then, the principality's mild climate, splendid scenery, and

gambling facilities have made Monaco world famous as a tourist and

recreation center.

Mongolia

The Mongols gained fame in the 13th century when under

Chinggis KHAN they conquered a huge Eurasian empire. After his death

the empire was divided into several powerful Mongol states, but

these broke apart in the 14th century. The Mongols eventually

retired to their original steppe homelands and later came under

Chinese rule. Mongolia won its independence in 1921 with Soviet

backing. A Communist regime was installed in 1924. During the early

1990s, the ex-Communist Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party

(MPRP) gradually yielded its monopoly on power to the Democratic

Union Coalition (DUC), which defeated the MPRP in a national

election in 1996. Since then, parliamentary elections returned the

MPRP overwhelmingly to power in 2000 and produced a coalition

government in 2004.

Montserrat

Much of this island was devastated and two-thirds of the

population fled abroad because of the eruption of the Soufriere

Hills Volcano that began on 18 July 1995. Montserrat has endured

volcanic activity since, with the last eruption occurring in July

2003.

Morocco

In 788, about a century after the Arab conquest of North

Africa, successive Moorish dynasties began to rule in Morocco. In

the 16th century, the Sa'adi monarchy, particularly under Ahmad

AL-MANSUR (1578-1603), repelled foreign invaders and inaugurated a

golden age. In 1860, Spain occupied northern Morocco and ushered in

a half century of trade rivalry among European powers that saw

Morocco's sovereignty steadily eroded; in 1912, the French imposed a

protectorate over the country. A protracted independence struggle

with France ended successfully in 1956. The internationalized city

of Tangier and most Spanish possessions were turned over to the new

country that same year. Morocco virtually annexed Western Sahara

during the late 1970s, but final resolution on the status of the

territory remains unresolved. Gradual political reforms in the 1990s

resulted in the establishment of a bicameral legislature in 1997.

Parliamentary elections were held for the second time in September

2002 and municipal elections were held in September 2003.

Mozambique

Almost five centuries as a Portuguese colony came to a

close with independence in 1975. Large-scale emigration by whites,

economic dependence on South Africa, a severe drought, and a

prolonged civil war hindered the country's development. The ruling

Front for the Liberation of Mozambique (FRELIMO) party formally

abandoned Marxism in 1989, and a new constitution the following year

provided for multiparty elections and a free market economy. A

UN-negotiated peace agreement between FRELIMO and rebel Mozambique

National Resistance (RENAMO) forces ended the fighting in 1992. In

December 2004, Mozambique underwent a delicate transition as Joaquim

CHISSANO stepped down after 18 years in office. His newly elected

successor, Armando Emilio GUEBUZA, has promised to continue the

sound economic policies that have encouraged foreign investment.

Namibia

South Africa occupied the German colony of South-West Africa

during World War I and administered it as a mandate until after

World War II, when it annexed the territory. In 1966 the Marxist

South-West Africa People's Organization (SWAPO) guerrilla group

launched a war of independence for the area that was soon named

Namibia, but it was not until 1988 that South Africa agreed to end

its administration in accordance with a UN peace plan for the entire

region. Namibia won its independence in 1990 and has been governed

by SWAPO since. Hifikepunye POHAMBA was elected president in

November 2004 in a landslide victory replacing Sam NUJOMA who led

the country during its first 14 years of self rule.

Nauru

Nauru's phosphate deposits began to be mined early in the 20th

century by a German-British consortium; the island was occupied by

Australian forces in World War I. Nauru achieved independence in

1968 and joined the UN in 1999. Nauru is the world's smallest

independent republic.

Navassa Island

This uninhabited island was claimed by the US in 1857

for its guano. Mining took place between 1865 and 1898. The

lighthouse, built in 1917, was shut down in 1996 and administration

of Navassa Island transferred from the Coast Guard to the Department

of the Interior. A 1998 scientific expedition to the island

described it as a unique preserve of Caribbean biodiversity; the

following year it became a National Wildlife Refuge and annual

scientific expeditions have continued.

Nepal

In 1951, the Nepalese monarch ended the century-old system of

rule by hereditary premiers and instituted a cabinet system of

government. Reforms in 1990 established a multiparty democracy

within the framework of a constitutional monarchy. A Maoist

insurgency, launched in 1996, has gained traction and is threatening

to bring down the regime, especially after a negotiated cease-fire

between the Maoists and government forces broke down in August 2003.

In 2001, the crown prince massacred ten members of the royal family,

including the king and queen, and then took his own life. In October

2002, the new king dismissed the prime minister and his cabinet for

"incompetence" after they dissolved the parliament and were

subsequently unable to hold elections because of the ongoing

insurgency. While stopping short of reestablishing parliament, the

king in June 2004 reinstated the most recently elected prime

minister who formed a four-party coalition government, which the

king subsequently tasked with paving the way for elections to be

held in spring of 2005. Citing dissatisfaction with the government's

lack of progress in addressing the Maoist insurgency, the king in

February 2005 dissolved the government and assumed power.

Netherlands

The Kingdom of the Netherlands was formed in 1815. In

1830 Belgium seceded and formed a separate kingdom. The Netherlands

remained neutral in World War I, but suffered invasion and

occupation by Germany in World War II. A modern, industrialized

nation, the Netherlands is also a large exporter of agricultural

products. The country was a founding member of NATO and the EEC (now

the EU), and participated in the introduction of the euro in 1999.

Netherlands Antilles

Once the center of the Caribbean slave trade,

the island of Curacao was hard hit by the abolition of slavery in

1863. Its prosperity (and that of neighboring Aruba) was restored in

the early 20th century with the construction of oil refineries to

service the newly discovered Venezuelan oil fields. The island of

Saint Martin is shared with France; its southern portion is named

Sint Maarten and is part of the Netherlands Antilles; its northern

portion is called Saint-Martin and is part of Guadeloupe (France).

New Caledonia

Settled by both Britain and France during the first

half of the 19th century, the island was made a French possession in

1853. It served as a penal colony for four decades after 1864.

Agitation for independence during the 1980s and early 1990s has

dissipated.

New Zealand

The Polynesian Maori reached New Zealand in about A.D.

800. In 1840, their chieftains entered into a compact with Britain,

the Treaty of Waitangi, in which they ceded sovereignty to Queen

Victoria while retaining territorial rights. In that same year, the

British began the first organized colonial settlement. A series of

land wars between 1843 and 1872 ended with the defeat of the native

peoples. The British colony of New Zealand became an independent

dominion in 1907 and supported the UK militarily in both World Wars.

New Zealand's full participation in a number of defense alliances

lapsed by the 1980s. In recent years, the government has sought to

address longstanding Maori grievances.

Nicaragua

The Pacific Coast of Nicaragua was settled as a Spanish

colony from Panama in the early 16th century. Independence from

Spain was declared in 1821 and the country became an independent

republic in 1838. Britain occupied the Caribbean Coast in the first

half of the 19th century, but gradually ceded control of the region

in subsequent decades. Violent opposition to governmental

manipulation and corruption spread to all classes by 1978 and

resulted in a short-lived civil war that brought the Marxist

Sandinista guerrillas to power in 1979. Nicaraguan aid to leftist

rebels in El Salvador caused the US to sponsor anti-Sandinista

contra guerrillas through much of the 1980s. Free elections in 1990,

1996, and again in 2001 saw the Sandinistas defeated. The country

has slowly rebuilt its economy during the 1990s, but was hard hit by

Hurricane Mitch in 1998.

Niger

Not until 1993, 33 years after independence from France, did

Niger hold its first free and open elections. A 1995 peace accord

ended a five-year Tuareg insurgency in the north. Coups in 1996 and

1999 were followed by the creation of a National Reconciliation

Council that effected a transition to civilian rule by December

1999. Niger is one of the poorest countries in the world with

minimal government services and insufficient funds to develop its

resource base. The largely agrarian and subsistence-based economy is

frequently disrupted by extended droughts common to the Sahel region

of Africa.

Nigeria

Following nearly 16 years of military rule, a new

constitution was adopted in 1999, and a peaceful transition to

civilian government was completed. The president faces the daunting

task of rebuilding a petroleum-based economy, whose revenues have

been squandered through corruption and mismanagement, and

institutionalizing democracy. In addition, the OBASANJO

administration must defuse longstanding ethnic and religious

tensions, if it is to build a sound foundation for economic growth

and political stability. Despite some irregularities, the April 2003

elections marked the first civilian transfer of power in Nigeria's

history.

Niue

Niue's remoteness, as well as cultural and linguistic

differences between its Polynesian inhabitants and those of the rest

of the Cook Islands, have caused it to be separately administered.

The population of the island continues to drop (from a peak of 5,200

in 1966 to about 2,150 in 2005), with substantial emigration to New

Zealand, 2,400 km to the southwest.

Norfolk Island

Two British attempts at establishing the island as a

penal colony (1788-1814 and 1825-55) were ultimately abandoned. In

1856, the island was resettled by Pitcairn Islanders, descendants of

the Bounty mutineers and their Tahitian companions.

Northern Mariana Islands

Under US administration as part of the UN

Trust Territory of the Pacific, the people of the Northern Mariana

Islands decided in the 1970s not to seek independence but instead to

forge closer links with the US. Negotiations for territorial status

began in 1972. A covenant to establish a commonwealth in political

union with the US was approved in 1975. A new government and

constitution went into effect in 1978.

Norway

Two centuries of Viking raids into Europe tapered off

following the adoption of Christianity by King Olav TRYGGVASON in

994. Conversion of the Norwegian kingdom occurred over the next

several decades. In 1397, Norway was absorbed into a union with

Denmark that was to last for more than four centuries. In 1814,

Norwegians resisted the cession of their country to Sweden and

adopted a new constitution. Sweden then invaded Norway but agreed to

let Norway keep its constitution in return for accepting the union

under a Swedish king. Rising nationalism throughout the 19th century

led to a 1905 referendum granting Norway independence. Although

Norway remained neutral in World War I, it suffered heavy losses to

its shipping. Norway proclaimed its neutrality at the outset of

World War II, but was nonetheless occupied for five years by Nazi

Germany (1940-45). In 1949, neutrality was abandoned and Norway

became a member of NATO. Discovery of oil and gas in adjacent waters

in the late 1960s boosted Norway's economic fortunes. The current

focus is on containing spending on the extensive welfare system and

planning for the time when petroleum reserves are depleted. In

referenda held in 1972 and 1994, Norway rejected joining the EU.

Oman

In 1970, QABOOS bin Said Al Said ousted his father and has

ruled as sultan ever since. His extensive modernization program has

opened the country to the outside world and has preserved a

long-standing political and military relationship with the UK.

Oman's moderate, independent foreign policy has sought to maintain

good relations with all Middle Eastern countries.

Pacific Ocean

The Pacific Ocean is the largest of the world's five

oceans (followed by the Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, Southern

Ocean, and Arctic Ocean). Strategically important access waterways

include the La Perouse, Tsugaru, Tsushima, Taiwan, Singapore, and

Torres Straits. The decision by the International Hydrographic

Organization in the spring of 2000 to delimit a fifth ocean, the

Southern Ocean, removed the portion of the Pacific Ocean south of 60

degrees south.

Pakistan

The separation in 1947 of British India into the Muslim

state of Pakistan (with two sections West and East) and largely

Hindu India was never satisfactorily resolved, and India and

Pakistan have fought two wars - in 1947-48 and 1965 - over the

disputed Kashmir territory. A third war between these countries in

1971 - in which India capitalized on Islamabad's marginalization of

Bengalis in Pakistani politics - resulted in East Pakistan becoming

the separate nation of Bangladesh. In response to Indian nuclear

weapons testing, Pakistan conducted its own tests in 1998. The

dispute over the state of Kashmir is ongoing, but recent discussions

and confidence-building measures may be a start toward lessened

tensions.

Palau

After three decades as part of the UN Trust Territory of the

Pacific under US administration, this westernmost cluster of the

Caroline Islands opted for independence in 1978 rather than join the

Federated States of Micronesia. A Compact of Free Association with

the US was approved in 1986, but not ratified until 1993. It entered

into force the following year, when the islands gained independence.

Palmyra Atoll

The Kingdom of Hawaii claimed the atoll in 1862, and

the US included it among the Hawaiian Islands when it annexed the

archipelago in 1898. The Hawaii Statehood Act of 1959 did not

include Palmyra Atoll, which is now privately owned by the Nature

Conservancy. This organization is managing the atoll as a nature

preserve. The lagoons and surrounding waters within the 12 nautical

mile US territorial seas were transferred to the US Fish and

Wildlife Service and were designated a National Wildlife Refuge in

January 2001.

Panama

With US backing, Panama seceded from Colombia in 1903 and

promptly signed a treaty with the US allowing for the construction

of a canal and US sovereignty over a strip of land on either side of

the structure (the Panama Canal Zone). The Panama Canal was built by

the US Army Corps of Engineers between 1904 and 1914. On 7 September

1977, an agreement was signed for the complete transfer of the Canal

from the US to Panama by the end of 1999. Certain portions of the

Zone and increasing responsibility over the Canal were turned over

in the intervening years. With US help, dictator Manuel NORIEGA was

deposed in 1989. The entire Panama Canal, the area supporting the

Canal, and remaining US military bases were turned over to Panama by

or on 31 December 1999.

Papua New Guinea

The eastern half of the island of New Guinea -

second largest in the world - was divided between Germany (north)

and the UK (south) in 1885. The latter area was transferred to

Australia in 1902, which occupied the northern portion during World

War I and continued to administer the combined areas until

independence in 1975. A nine-year secessionist revolt on the island

of Bougainville ended in 1997 after claiming some 20,000 lives.

Paracel Islands

The Paracel Islands are surrounded by productive

fishing grounds and by potential oil and gas reserves. In 1932,

French Indochina annexed the islands and set up a weather station on

Pattle Island; maintenance was continued by its successor, Vietnam.

China has occupied the Paracel Islands since 1974, when its troops

seized a South Vietnamese garrison occupying the western islands.

The islands are claimed by Taiwan and Vietnam.

Paraguay

In the disastrous War of the Triple Alliance (1865-70),

Paraguay lost two-thirds of all adult males and much of its

territory. It stagnated economically for the next half century. In

the Chaco War of 1932-35, large, economically important areas were

won from Bolivia. The 35-year military dictatorship of Alfredo

STROESSNER was overthrown in 1989, and, despite a marked increase in

political infighting in recent years, relatively free and regular

presidential elections have been held since then.

Peru

Ancient Peru was the seat of several prominent Andean

civilizations, most notably that of the Incas whose empire was

captured by the Spanish conquistadors in 1533. Peruvian independence

was declared in 1821, and remaining Spanish forces defeated in 1824.

After a dozen years of military rule, Peru returned to democratic

leadership in 1980, but experienced economic problems and the growth

of a violent insurgency. President Alberto FUJIMORI's election in

1990 ushered in a decade that saw a dramatic turnaround in the

economy and significant progress in curtailing guerrilla activity.

Nevertheless, the president's increasing reliance on authoritarian

measures and an economic slump in the late 1990s generated mounting

dissatisfaction with his regime. FUJIMORI won reelection to a third

term in the spring of 2000, but international pressure and

corruption scandals led to his ouster by Congress in November of

that year. A caretaker government oversaw new elections in the

spring of 2001, which ushered in Alejandro TOLEDO as the new head of

government; his presidency has been hampered by allegations of

corruption.

Philippines

The Philippine Islands became a Spanish colony during

the 16th century; they were ceded to the US in 1898 following the

Spanish-American War. In 1935 the Philippines became a

self-governing commonwealth. Manuel QUEZON was elected President and

was tasked with preparing the country for independence after a

10-year transition. In 1942 the islands fell under Japanese

occupation during WWII, and US forces and Filipinos fought together

during 1944-45 to regain control. On 4 July 1946 the Philippines

attained their independence. The 21-year rule of Ferdinand MARCOS

ended in 1986, when a widespread popular rebellion forced him into

exile and installed Corazon AQUINO as president. Her presidency was

hampered by several coup attempts, which prevented a return to full

political stability and economic development. Fidel RAMOS was

elected president in 1992 and his administration was marked by

greater stability and progress on economic reforms. In 1992, the US

closed its last military bases on the islands. Joseph ESTRADA was

elected president in 1998, but was succeeded by his vice-president,

Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, in January 2001 after ESTRADA's stormy

impeachment trial on corruption charges broke down and widespread

demonstrations led to his ouster. MACAPAGAL-ARROYO was elected to a

six-year term in May 2004. The Philippine Government faces threats

from armed communist insurgencies and from Muslim separatists in the

south.

Pitcairn Islands

Pitcairn Island was discovered in 1767 by the

British and settled in 1790 by the Bounty mutineers and their

Tahitian companions. Pitcairn was the first Pacific island to become

a British colony (in 1838) and today remains the last vestige of

that empire in the South Pacific. Outmigration, primarily to New

Zealand, has thinned the population from a peak of 233 in 1937 to

less than 50 today.

Poland

Poland is an ancient nation that was conceived near the

middle of the 10th century. Its golden age occurred in the 16th

century. During the following century, the strengthening of the

gentry and internal disorders weakened the nation. In a series of

agreements between 1772 and 1795, Russia, Prussia, and Austria

partitioned Poland amongst themselves. Poland regained its

independence in 1918 only to be overrun by Germany and the Soviet

Union in World War II. It became a Soviet satellite state following

the war, but its government was comparatively tolerant and

progressive. Labor turmoil in 1980 led to the formation of the

independent trade union "Solidarity" that over time became a

political force and by 1990 had swept parliamentary elections and

the presidency. A "shock therapy" program during the early 1990s

enabled the country to transform its economy into one of the most

robust in Central Europe, but Poland currently suffers low GDP

growth and high unemployment. Solidarity suffered a major defeat in

the 2001 parliamentary elections when it failed to elect a single

deputy to the lower house of Parliament, and the new leaders of the

Solidarity Trade Union subsequently pledged to reduce the Trade

Union's political role. Poland joined NATO in 1999 and the European

Union in 2004.

Portugal

Following its heyday as a world power during the 15th and

16th centuries, Portugal lost much of its wealth and status with the

destruction of Lisbon in a 1755 earthquake, occupation during the

Napoleonic Wars, and the independence in 1822 of Brazil as a colony.

A 1910 revolution deposed the monarchy; for most of the next six

decades, repressive governments ran the country. In 1974, a

left-wing military coup installed broad democratic reforms. The

following year, Portugal granted independence to all of its African

colonies. Portugal is a founding member of NATO and entered the EC

(now the EU) in 1986.

Puerto Rico

Populated for centuries by aboriginal peoples, the

island was claimed by the Spanish Crown in 1493 following Columbus'

second voyage to the Americas. In 1898, after 400 years of colonial

rule that saw the indigenous population nearly exterminated and

African slave labor introduced, Puerto Rico was ceded to the US as a

result of the Spanish-American War. Puerto Ricans were granted US

citizenship in 1917. Popularly-elected governors have served since

1948. In 1952, a constitution was enacted providing for internal

self government. In plebiscites held in 1967, 1993, and 1998, voters

chose to retain commonwealth status.

Qatar

Ruled by the Al Thani family since the mid-1800s, Qatar

transformed itself from a poor British protectorate noted mainly for

pearling into an independent state with significant oil and natural

gas revenues. During the late 1980s and early 1990s, the Qatari

economy was crippled by a continuous siphoning off of petroleum

revenues by the amir, who had ruled the country since 1972. His son,

the current Amir HAMAD bin Khalifa Al Thani, overthrew him in a

bloodless coup in 1995. In 2001, Qatar resolved its longstanding

border disputes with both Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. Oil and natural

gas revenues enable Qatar to have one of the highest per capita

incomes in the world.

Reunion

The Portuguese discovered the uninhabited island in 1513.

From the 17th to the 19th centuries, French immigration,

supplemented by influxes of Africans, Chinese, Malays, and Malabar

Indians, gave the island its ethnic mix. The opening of the Suez

Canal in 1869 cost the island its importance as a stopover on the

East Indies trade route.

Romania

The principalities of Wallachia and Moldavia - for centuries

under the suzerainty of the Turkish Ottoman Empire - secured their

autonomy in 1856; they united in 1859 and a few years later adopted

the new name of Romania. The country gained recognition of its

independence in 1878. It joined the Allied Powers in World War I and

acquired new territories following the conflict. In 1940, it allied

with the Axis powers and participated in the 1941 German invasion of

the USSR. Three years later, overrun by the Soviets, Romania signed

an armistice. The post-war Soviet occupation led to the formation of

a Communist "people's republic" in 1947 and the abdication of the

king. The decades-long rule of dictator Nicolae CEAUSESCU, who took

power in 1965, and his Securitate police state became increasingly

oppressive and draconian through the 1980s. CEAUSESCU was overthrown

and executed in late 1989. Former Communists dominated the

government until 1996, when they were swept from power by a

fractious coalition of centrist parties. In 2000, the center-left

Social Democratic Party (PSD) became Romania's leading party,

governing with the support of the Democratic Union of Hungarians in

Romania (UDMR). The opposition center-right alliance formed by the

National Liberal Party (PNL) and the Democratic Party (PD) scored a

surprise victory over the ruling PSD in December 2004 presidential

elections. The PNL-PD alliance maintains a parliamentary majority

with the support of the UDMR, the Humanist Party (PUR), and various

ethnic minority groups. Although Romania completed accession talks

with the European Union (EU) in December 2004, it must continue to

address rampant corruption - while invigorating lagging economic and

democratic reforms - before it can achieve its hope of joining the

EU, tentatively set for 2007. Romania joined NATO in March of 2004.

Russia

Founded in the 12th century, the Principality of Muscovy, was

able to emerge from over 200 years of Mongol domination (13th-15th

centuries) and to gradually conquer and absorb surrounding

principalities. In the early 17th century, a new Romanov Dynasty

continued this policy of expansion across Siberia to the Pacific.

Under PETER I (ruled 1682-1725), hegemony was extended to the Baltic

Sea and the country was renamed the Russian Empire. During the 19th

century, more territorial acquisitions were made in Europe and Asia.

Repeated devastating defeats of the Russian army in World War I led

to widespread rioting in the major cities of the Russian Empire and

to the overthrow in 1917 of the imperial household. The Communists

under Vladimir LENIN seized power soon after and formed the USSR.

The brutal rule of Josef STALIN (1928-53) strengthened Russian

dominance of the Soviet Union at a cost of tens of millions of

lives. The Soviet economy and society stagnated in the following

decades until General Secretary Mikhail GORBACHEV (1985-91)

introduced glasnost (openness) and perestroika (restructuring) in an

attempt to modernize Communism, but his initiatives inadvertently

released forces that by December 1991 splintered the USSR into 15

independent republics. Since then, Russia has struggled in its

efforts to build a democratic political system and market economy to

replace the strict social, political, and economic controls of the

Communist period. While some progress has been made on the economic

front, recent years have seen a recentralization of power under

Vladimir PUTIN and an erosion in nascent democratic institutions. A

determined guerrilla conflict still plagues Russia in Chechnya.

Rwanda

In 1959, three years before independence from Belgium, the

majority ethnic group, the Hutus, overthrew the ruling Tutsi king.

Over the next several years, thousands of Tutsis were killed, and

some 150,000 driven into exile in neighboring countries. The

children of these exiles later formed a rebel group, the Rwandan

Patriotic Front (RPF), and began a civil war in 1990. The war, along

with several political and economic upheavals, exacerbated ethnic

tensions, culminating in April 1994 in the genocide of roughly

800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus. The Tutsi rebels defeated the

Hutu regime and ended the killing in July 1994, but approximately 2

million Hutu refugees - many fearing Tutsi retribution - fled to

neighboring Burundi, Tanzania, Uganda, and the former Zaire. Since

then, most of the refugees have returned to Rwanda, but about 10,000

that remain in the neighboring Democratic Republic of the Congo have

formed an extremist insurgency bent on retaking Rwanda, much as the

RPF tried in 1990. Despite substantial international assistance and

political reforms - including Rwanda's first local elections in

March 1999 and its first post-genocide presidential and legislative

elections in August and September 2003, respectively - the country

continues to struggle to boost investment and agricultural output,

and ethnic reconciliation is complicated by the real and perceived

Tutsi political dominance. Kigali's increasing centralization and

intolerance of dissent, the nagging Hutu extremist insurgency across

the border, and Rwandan involvement in two wars in recent years in

the neighboring Democratic Republic of the Congo continue to hinder

Rwanda's efforts to escape its bloody legacy.

Saint Helena

Uninhabited when first discovered by the Portuguese in

1502, Saint Helena was garrisoned by the British during the 17th

century. It acquired fame as the place of Napoleon BONAPARTE's

exile, from 1815 until his death in 1821, but its importance as a

port of call declined after the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869.

Ascension Island is the site of a US Air Force auxiliary airfield;

Gough Island has a meteorological station.

Saint Kitts and Nevis

First settled by the British in 1623, the

islands became an associated state with full internal autonomy in

1967. The island of Anguilla rebelled and was allowed to secede in

1971. Saint Kitts and Nevis achieved independence in 1983. In 1998,

a vote in Nevis on a referendum to separate from Saint Kitts fell

short of the two-thirds majority needed. Nevis is once more trying

to separate from the Saint Kitts.

Saint Lucia

The island, with its fine natural harbor at Castries,

was contested between England and France throughout the 17th and

early 18th centuries (changing possession 14 times); it was finally

ceded to the UK in 1814. Self-government was granted in 1967 and

independence in 1979.

Saint Pierre and Miquelon

First settled by the French in the early

17th century, the islands represent the sole remaining vestige of

France's once vast North American possessions.

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Disputed between France and the

United Kingdom in the 18th century, Saint Vincent was ceded to the

latter in 1783. Autonomy was granted in 1969 and independence in

1979.

Samoa

New Zealand occupied the German protectorate of Western Samoa

at the outbreak of World War I in 1914. It continued to administer

the islands as a mandate and then as a trust territory until 1962,

when the islands became the first Polynesian nation to reestablish

independence in the 20th century. The country dropped the "Western"

from its name in 1997.

San Marino

The third smallest state in Europe (after the Holy See

and Monaco) also claims to be the world's oldest republic. According

to tradition, it was founded by a Christian stonemason named Marino

in 301 A.D. San Marino's foreign policy is aligned with that of

Italy. Social and political trends in the republic also track

closely with those of its larger neighbor.

Sao Tome and Principe

Discovered and claimed by Portugal in the late

15th century, the islands' sugar-based economy gave way to coffee

and cocoa in the 19th century - all grown with plantation slave

labor, a form of which lingered into the 20th century. Although

independence was achieved in 1975, democratic reforms were not

instituted until the late 1980s. Though the first free elections

were held in 1991, the political environment has been one of

continued instability with frequent changes in leadership and coup

attempts in 1995 and 2003. The recent discovery of oil in the Gulf

of Guinea is likely to have a significant impact on the country's

economy.

Saudi Arabia

In 1902, ABD AL-AZIZ bin Abd al-Rahman Al Saud captured

Riyadh and set out on a 30-year campaign to unify the Arabian

Peninsula. A son of ABD AL-AZIZ rules the country today, and the

country's Basic Law stipulates that the throne shall remain in the

hands of the aging sons and grandsons of the kingdom's founder.

Following Iraq's invasion of Kuwait in 1990, Saudi Arabia accepted

the Kuwaiti royal family and 400,000 refugees while allowing Western

and Arab troops to deploy on its soil for the liberation of Kuwait

the following year. The continuing presence of foreign troops on

Saudi soil after Operation Desert Storm remained a source of tension

between the royal family and the public until the US military's

near-complete withdrawal to neighboring Qatar in 2003. The first

major terrorist attacks in Saudi Arabia in several years, which

occurred in May and November 2003, prompted renewed efforts on the

part of the Saudi government to counter domestic terrorism and

extremism, which also coincided with a slight upsurge in media

freedom and announcement of government plans to phase in partial

political representation. A burgeoning population, aquifer

depletion, and an economy largely dependent on petroleum output and

prices are all ongoing governmental concerns.

Senegal

Independent from France in 1960, Senegal joined with The

Gambia to form the nominal confederation of Senegambia in 1982.

However, the envisaged integration of the two countries was never

carried out, and the union was dissolved in 1989. Despite peace

talks, a southern separatist group sporadically has clashed with

government forces since 1982. Senegal has a long history of

participating in international peacekeeping.

Serbia and Montenegro

The Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes was

formed in 1918; its name was changed to Yugoslavia in 1929.

Occupation by Nazi Germany in 1941 was resisted by various

paramilitary bands that fought each other as well as the invaders.

The group headed by Marshal TITO took full control upon German

expulsion in 1945. Although Communist, his new government and its

successors (he died in 1980) managed to steer their own path between

the Warsaw Pact nations and the West for the next four and a half

decades. In the early 1990s, post-TITO Yugoslavia began to unravel

along ethnic lines: Slovenia, Croatia, Macedonia, and Bosnia and

Herzegovina were recognized as independent states in 1992. The

remaining republics of Serbia and Montenegro declared a new "Federal

Republic of Yugoslavia" (FRY) in April 1992 and, under President

Slobodan MILOSEVIC, Serbia led various military intervention efforts

to unite ethnic Serbs in neighboring republics into a "Greater

Serbia." All of these efforts were ultimately unsuccessful and led

to Yugoslavia being ousted from the UN in 1992. In 1998-99, massive

expulsions by FRY forces and Serb paramilitaries of ethnic Albanians

living in Kosovo provoked an international response, including the

NATO bombing of Serbia and the stationing of a NATO-led force

(KFOR), in Kosovo. Federal elections in the fall of 2000, brought

about the ouster of MILOSEVIC and installed Vojislav KOSTUNICA as

president. The arrest of MILOSEVIC in 2001 allowed for his

subsequent transfer to the International Criminal Tribunal for the

Former Yugoslavia in The Hague to be tried for crimes against

humanity. In 2001, the country's suspension from the UN was lifted,

and it was once more accepted into UN organizations under the name

of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. Kosovo has been governed by

the UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) since June

1999, under the authority of UN Security Council Resolution 1244,

pending a determination by the international community of its future

status. In 2002, the Serbian and Montenegrin components of

Yugoslavia began negotiations to forge a looser relationship. These

talks became a reality in February 2003 when lawmakers restructured

the country into a loose federation of two republics called Serbia

and Montenegro. The Constitutional Charter of Serbia and Montenegro

includes a provision that allows either republic to hold a

referendum after three years that would allow for their independence

from the state union.

Seychelles

A lengthy struggle between France and Great Britain for

the islands ended in 1814, when they were ceded to the latter.

Independence came in 1976. Socialist rule was brought to a close

with a new constitution and free elections in 1993. The most recent

presidential elections were held in 2001; President RENE, who had

served since 1977, was re-elected. In April 2004 RENE stepped down

and Vice President James MICHEL was sworn in as president.

Sierra Leone

The 1991 to 2002 civil war between the government and

the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) resulted in tens of thousands

of deaths and the displacement of more than 2 million people (about

one-third of the population), many of whom are now refugees in

neighboring countries. With the support of the UN peacekeeping force

and contributions from the World Bank and international community,

demobilization and disarmament of the RUF and Civil Defense Forces

(CDF) combatants has been completed. National elections were held in

May 2002 and the government continues to slowly reestablish its

authority. However, the gradual withdrawal of most UN Mission in

Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL) peacekeepers in 2004 and early 2005,

deteriorating political and economic conditions in Guinea, and the

tenuous security situation in neighboring Liberia may present

challenges to the continuation of Sierra Leone's stability.

Singapore

Singapore was founded as a British trading colony in 1819.

It joined the Malaysian Federation in 1963 but separated two years

later and became independent. It subsequently became one of the

world's most prosperous countries with strong international trading

links (its port is one of the world's busiest in terms of tonnage

handled) and with per capita GDP equal to that of the leading

nations of Western Europe.

Slovakia

In 1918 the Slovaks joined the closely related Czechs to

form Czechoslovakia. Following the chaos of World War II,

Czechoslovakia became a Communist nation within Soviet-ruled Eastern

Europe. Soviet influence collapsed in 1989 and Czechoslovakia once

more became free. The Slovaks and the Czechs agreed to separate

peacefully on 1 January 1993. Slovakia joined both NATO and the EU

in the spring of 2004.

Slovenia

The Slovene lands were part of the Holy Roman Empire and

Austria until 1918 when the Slovenes joined the Serbs and Croats in

forming a new multinational state, renamed Yugoslavia in 1929. After

World War II, Slovenia became a republic of the renewed Yugoslavia,

which though Communist, distanced itself from Moscow's rule.

Dissatisfied with the exercise of power by the majority Serbs, the

Slovenes succeeded in establishing their independence in 1991 after

a short 10-day war. Historical ties to Western Europe, a strong

economy, and a stable democracy have assisted in Slovenia's

transformation to a modern state. Slovenia acceded to both NATO and

the EU in the spring of 2004.

Solomon Islands

The UK established a protectorate over the Solomon

Islands in the 1890s. Some of the bitterest fighting of World War II

occurred on these islands. Self-government was achieved in 1976 and

independence two years later. Ethnic violence, government

malfeasance, and endemic crime have undermined stability and civil

society. In June 2003, Prime Minister Sir Allen KEMAKEZA sought the

assistance of Australia in reestablishing law and order; the

following month, an Australian-led multinational force arrived to

restore peace and disarm ethnic militias. The Regional Assistance

Mission to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI) has been very effective in

restoring law and order and rebuilding government institutions.

Somalia

The regime of Mohamed SIAD Barre was ousted in January 1991;

turmoil, factional fighting, and anarchy have followed in the years

since. In May of 1991, northern clans declared an independent

Republic of Somaliland that now includes the administrative regions

of Awdal, Woqooyi Galbeed, Togdheer, Sanaag, and Sool. Although not

recognized by any government, this entity has maintained a stable

existence, aided by the overwhelming dominance of a ruling clan and

economic infrastructure left behind by British, Russian, and

American military assistance programs. The regions of Bari and

Nugaal and northern Mudug comprise a neighboring self-declared

autonomous state of Puntland, which has been self-governing since

1998, but does not aim at independence; it has also made strides

towards reconstructing a legitimate, representative government, but

has suffered some civil strife. Puntland disputes its border with

Somaliland as it also claims portions of eastern Sool and Sanaag.

Beginning in 1993, a two-year UN humanitarian effort (primarily in

the south) was able to alleviate famine conditions, but when the UN

withdrew in 1995, having suffered significant casualties, order

still had not been restored. The mandate of the Transitional

National Government (TNG), created in August 2000 in Arta, Djibouti,

expired in August 2003. New Somali President Abdullahi YUSUF Ahmed

has formed a new Transitional Federal Government (TFG) consisting of

a 275-member parliament. It was established in October 2004 to

replace the TNG but has not yet moved to Mogadishu. Discussions

regarding the establishment of a new government in Mogadishu are

ongoing in Kenya. Numerous warlords and factions are still fighting

for control of the capital city as well as for other southern

regions. Suspicion of Somali links with global terrorism further

complicates the picture.

South Africa

After the British seized the Cape of Good Hope area in

1806, many of the Dutch settlers (the Boers) trekked north to found

their own republics. The discovery of diamonds (1867) and gold

(1886) spurred wealth and immigration and intensified the

subjugation of the native inhabitants. The Boers resisted British

encroachments, but were defeated in the Boer War (1899-1902). The

resulting Union of South Africa operated under a policy of apartheid

- the separate development of the races. The 1990s brought an end to

apartheid politically and ushered in black majority rule.

South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands

The islands lie

approximately 1,000 km east of the Falkland Islands and have been

under British administration since 1908, except for a brief period

in 1982 when Argentina occupied them. Grytviken, on South Georgia,

was a 19th and early 20th century whaling station. Famed explorer

Ernest SHACKLETON stopped there in 1914 en route to his ill-fated

attempt to cross Antarctica on foot. He returned some 20 months

later with a few companions in a small boat and arranged a

successful rescue for the rest of his crew, stranded off the

Antarctic Peninsula. He died in 1922 on a subsequent expedition and

is buried in Grytviken. Today, the station houses scientists from

the British Antarctic Survey. The islands have large bird and seal

populations, and, recognizing the importance of preserving the

marine stocks in adjacent waters, the UK, in 1993, extended the

exclusive fishing zone from 12 nm to 200 nm around each island.

Southern Ocean

A decision by the International Hydrographic

Organization in the spring of 2000 delimited a fifth world ocean -

the Southern Ocean - from the southern portions of the Atlantic

Ocean, Indian Ocean, and Pacific Ocean. The Southern Ocean extends

from the coast of Antarctica north to 60 degrees south latitude,

which coincides with the Antarctic Treaty Limit. The Southern Ocean

is now the fourth largest of the world's five oceans (after the

Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, and Indian Ocean, but larger than the

Arctic Ocean).

Spain

Spain's powerful world empire of the 16th and 17th centuries

ultimately yielded command of the seas to England. Subsequent

failure to embrace the mercantile and industrial revolutions caused

the country to fall behind Britain, France, and Germany in economic

and political power. Spain remained neutral in World Wars I and II,

but suffered through a devastating civil war (1936-39). In the

second half of the 20th century, Spain has played a catch-up role in

the western international community; it joined the EU in 1986.

Continuing challenges include Basque Fatherland and Liberty (ETA)

terrorism and further reductions in unemployment.

Spratly Islands

The Spratly Islands consist of more than 100 small

islands or reefs. They are surrounded by rich fishing grounds and

potentially by gas and oil deposits. They are claimed in their

entirety by China, Taiwan, and Vietnam, while portions are claimed

by Malaysia and the Philippines. About 45 islands are occupied by

relatively small numbers of military forces from China, Malaysia,

the Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam. Brunei has established a

fishing zone that overlaps a southern reef, but has not made any

formal claim.

Sri Lanka

The Sinhalese arrived in Sri Lanka late in the 6th century

B.C., probably from northern India. Buddhism was introduced

beginning in about the mid-third century B.C., and a great

civilization developed at the cities of Anuradhapura (kingdom from

circa 200 B.C. to circa A.D. 1000) and Polonnaruwa (from about 1070

to 1200). In the 14th century, a south Indian dynasty seized power

in the north and established a Tamil kingdom. Occupied by the

Portuguese in the 16th century and by the Dutch in the 17th century,

the island was ceded to the British in 1796, became a crown colony

in 1802, and was united under British rule by 1815. As Ceylon, it

became independent in 1948; its name was changed to Sri Lanka in

1972. Tensions between the Sinhalese majority and Tamil separatists

erupted into war in 1983. Tens of thousands have died in an ethnic

conflict that continues to fester. After two decades of fighting,

the government and Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam formalized a

cease-fire in February 2002, with Norway brokering peace

negotiations.

Sudan

Military regimes favoring Islamic-oriented governments have

dominated national politics since independence from the UK in 1956.

Sudan was embroiled in two prolonged civil wars during most of the

remainder of the 20th century. These conflicts were rooted in

northern economic, political, and social domination of non-Muslim,

non-Arab southern Sudanese. The first civil war ended in 1972, but

broke out again in 1983. The second war and famine-related effects

resulted in more than 2 million deaths and over 4 million people

displaced over a period of two decades. Peace talks gained momentum

in 2002-04 with the signing of several accords; a final Naivasha

peace treaty of January 2005 granted the southern rebels autonomy

for six years, after which a referendum for independence is

scheduled to be held. A separate conflict that broke out in the

western region of Darfur in 2003 resulted in tens of thousands of

deaths and over 1 million displaced, but by early 2005, peackeeping

troops had stabilized the situation.

Suriname

Independence from the Netherlands was granted in 1975. Five

years later the civilian government was replaced by a military

regime that soon declared a socialist republic. It continued to rule

through a succession of nominally civilian administrations until

1987, when international pressure finally forced a democratic

election. In 1989, the military overthrew the civilian government,

but a democratically-elected government returned to power in 1991.

Svalbard

First discovered by the Norwegians in the 12th century, the

islands served as an international whaling base during the 17th and

18th centuries. Norway's sovereignty was recognized in 1920; five

years later it officially took over the territory.

Swaziland

Autonomy for the Swazis of southern Africa was guaranteed

by the British in the late 19th century; independence was granted in

1968. Student and labor unrest during the 1990s pressured the

monarchy (one of the oldest on the continent) to grudgingly allow

political reform and greater democracy. Swaziland recently surpassed

Botswana as the country with the world's highest known rates of

HIV/AIDS infection

Sweden

A military power during the 17th century, Sweden has not

participated in any war in almost two centuries. An armed neutrality

was preserved in both World Wars. Sweden's long-successful economic

formula of a capitalist system interlarded with substantial welfare

elements was challenged in the 1990s by high unemployment and in

2000-02 by the global economic downturn, but fiscal discipline over

the past several years has allowed the country to weather economic

vagaries. Indecision over the country's role in the political and

economic integration of Europe delayed Sweden's entry into the EU

until 1995, and waived the introduction of the euro in 1999.

Switzerland

The Swiss Confederation was founded in 1291 as a

defensive alliance among three cantons. In succeeding years, other

localities joined the original three. The Swiss Confederation

secured its independence from the Holy Roman Empire in 1499.

Switzerland's sovreignty and neutrality have long been honored by

the major European powers, and the country was not involved in

either of the two World Wars. The political and economic integration

of Europe over the past half century, as well as Switzerland's role

in many UN and international organizations, has strengthened

Switzerland's ties with its neighbors. However, the country did not

officially become a UN member until 2002. Switzerland remains active

in many UN and international organizations, but retains a strong

commitment to neutrality.

Syria

Following the breakup of the Ottoman Empire during World War

I, Syria was administered by the French until independence in 1946.

In the 1967 Arab-Israeli War, Syria lost the Golan Heights to

Israel. Syrian troops - stationed in Lebanon since 1976 in an

ostensible peacekeeping role - were withdrawn in April of 2005. Over

the past decade, Syria and Israel have held occasional peace talks

over the return of the Golan Heights.

Taiwan

In 1895, military defeat forced China to cede Taiwan to

Japan. Taiwan reverted to Chinese control after World War II.

Following the Communist victory on the mainland in 1949, 2 million

Nationalists fled to Taiwan and established a government using the

1946 constitution drawn up for all of China. Over the next five

decades, the ruling authorities gradually democratized and

incorporated the native population within the governing structure.

In 2000, Taiwan underwent its first peaceful transfer of power from

the Nationalist to the Democratic Progressive Party. Throughout this

period, the island prospered and became one of East Asia's economic

"Tigers." The dominant political issues continue to be the

relationship between Taiwan and China - specifically the question of

eventual unification - as well as domestic political and economic

reform.

Tajikistan

The Tajik people came under Russian rule in the 1860s and

1870s, but Russia's hold on Central Asia weakened following the

Revolution of 1917. Bolshevik control of the area was fiercely

contested and not fully reestablished until 1925. Tajikistan became

independent in 1991 following the breakup of the Soviet Union and

has now completed its transition from the civil war that plagued the

country from 1992 to 1997. There have been no major security

incidents in recent years, although the country remains the poorest

in the region. Attention by the international community in the wake

of the war in Afghanistan has brought increased economic development

assistance, which could create jobs and increase stability in the

long term. Tajikistan is in the early stages of seeking World Trade

Organization membership and has joined NATO's Partnership for Peace.

Tanzania

Shortly after independence, Tanganyika and Zanzibar merged

to form the nation of Tanzania in 1964. One-party rule came to an

end in 1995 with the first democratic elections held in the country

since the 1970s. Zanzibar's semi-autonomous status and popular

opposition have led to two contentious elections since 1995, which

the ruling party won despite international observers' claims of

voting irregularities.

Thailand

A unified Thai kingdom was established in the mid-14th

century. Known as Siam until 1939, Thailand is the only Southeast

Asian country never to have been taken over by a European power. A

bloodless revolution in 1932 led to a constitutional monarchy. In

alliance with Japan during World War II, Thailand became a US ally

following the conflict. Thailand is currently facing armed violence

in its three Muslim-majority southernmost provinces.

Togo

French Togoland became Togo in 1960. Gen. Gnassingbe EYADEMA,

installed as military ruler in 1967, continued to rule well into the

21st century. Despite the facade of multiparty elections instituted

in the early 1990s, the government continued to be dominated by

President EYADEMA, whose Rally of the Togolese People (RPT) party

maintained power almost continually since 1967. Togo has come under

fire from international organizations for human rights abuses and is

plagued by political unrest. While most bilateral and multilateral

aid to Togo remains frozen, the European Union initiated a partial

resumption of cooperation and development aid to Togo in late 2004.

Upon his death in February 2005, President EYADEMA was succeeded by

his son Faure GNASSINGBE. The succession, supported by the military

and in contravention of the nation's constitution, was challenged by

popular protest and a threat of sanctions from regional leaders.

GNASSINGBE succumbed to pressure and agreed to hold elections in

late April 2005.

Tokelau

Originally settled by Polynesian emigrants from surrounding

island groups, the Tokelau Islands were made a British protectorate

in 1889. They were transferred to New Zealand administration in 1925.

Tonga

The archipelago of "The Friendly Islands" was united into a

Polynesian kingdom in 1845. It became a constitutional monarchy in

1875 and a British protectorate in 1900. Tonga acquired its

independence in 1970 and became a member of the Commonwealth of

Nations. It remains the only monarchy in the Pacific.

Trinidad and Tobago

The islands came under British control in the

19th century; independence was granted in 1962. The country is one

of the most prosperous in the Caribbean thanks largely to petroleum

and natural gas production and processing. Tourism, mostly in

Tobago, is targeted for expansion and is growing.

Tromelin Island

First explored by the French in 1776, the island

came under the jurisdiction of Reunion in 1814. At present, it

serves as a sea turtle sanctuary and is the site of an important

meteorological station.

Tunisia

Following independence from France in 1956, President Habib

BOURGUIBA established a strict one-party state. He dominated the

country for 31 years, repressing Islamic fundamentalism and

establishing rights for women unmatched by any other Arab nation. In

recent years, Tunisia has taken a moderate, non-aligned stance in

its foreign relations. Domestically, it has sought to defuse rising

pressure for a more open political society.

Turkey

Modern Turkey was founded in 1923 from the Anatolian remnants

of the defeated Ottoman Empire by national hero Mustafa KEMAL, who

was later honored with the title Ataturk, or "Father of the Turks."

Under his authoritarian leadership, the country adopted wide-ranging

social, legal, and political reforms. After a period of one-party

rule, an experiment with multi-party politics led to the 1950

election victory of the opposition Democratic Party and the peaceful

transfer of power. Since then, Turkish political parties have

multiplied, but democracy has been fractured by periods of

instability and intermittent military coups (1960, 1971, 1980),

which in each case eventually resulted in a return of political

power to civilians. In 1997, the military again helped engineer the

ouster - popularly dubbed a "post-modern coup" - of the then

Islamic-oriented government. Turkey intervened militarily on Cyprus

in 1974 to prevent a Greek takeover of the island and has since

acted as patron state to the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus,"

which only Turkey recognizes. A separatist insurgency begun in 1984

by the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) - now known as the People's

Congress of Kurdistan or Kongra-Gel (KGK) - has dominated the

Turkish military's attention and claimed more than 30,000 lives, but

after the capture of the group's leader in 1999, the insurgents

largely withdrew from Turkey, mainly to northern Iraq. In 2004, KGK

announced an end to its ceasefire and attacks attributed to the KGK

increased. Turkey joined the UN in 1945 and in 1952 it became a

member of NATO. In 1964, Turkey became an associate member of the

European Community; over the past decade, it has undertaken many

reforms to strengthen its democracy and economy, enabling it to

begin accession membership talks with the European Union.

Turkmenistan

Annexed by Russia between 1865 and 1885, Turkmenistan

became a Soviet republic in 1924. It achieved its independence upon

the dissolution of the USSR in 1991. President NIYAZOV retains

absolute control over the country and opposition is not tolerated.

Extensive hydrocarbon/natural gas reserves could prove a boon to

this underdeveloped country if extraction and delivery projects were

to be expanded. The Turkmenistan Government is actively seeking to

develop alternative petroleum transportation routes in order to

break Russia's pipeline monopoly.

Turks and Caicos Islands

The islands were part of the UK's Jamaican

colony until 1962, when they assumed the status of a separate crown

colony upon Jamaica's independence. The governor of The Bahamas

oversaw affairs from 1965 to 1973. With Bahamian independence, the

islands received a separate governor in 1973. Although independence

was agreed upon for 1982, the policy was reversed and the islands

remain a British overseas territory.

Tuvalu

In 1974, ethnic differences within the British colony of the

Gilbert and Ellice Islands caused the Polynesians of the Ellice

Islands to vote for separation from the Micronesians of the Gilbert

Islands. The following year, the Ellice Islands became the separate

British colony of Tuvalu. Independence was granted in 1978. In 2000,

Tuvalu negotiated a contract leasing its Internet domain name ".tv"

for $50 million in royalties over the next dozen years.

Uganda

Uganda achieved independence from the UK in 1962. The

dictatorial regime of Idi AMIN (1971-79) was responsible for the

deaths of some 300,000 opponents; guerrilla war and human rights

abuses under Milton OBOTE (1980-85) claimed at least another 100,000

lives. During the 1990s, the government promulgated non-party

presidential and legislative elections.

Ukraine

Ukraine was the center of the first Slavic state, Kievan

Rus, which during the 10th and 11th centuries was the largest and

most powerful state in Europe. Weakened by internecine quarrels and

Mongol invasions, Kievan Rus was incorporated into the Grand Duchy

of Lithuania and eventually into the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth.

The cultural and religious legacy of Kievan Rus laid the foundation

for Ukrainian nationalism through subsequent centuries. A new

Ukrainian state, the Cossack Hetmanate, was established during the

mid-17th century after an uprising against the Poles. Despite

continuous Muscovite pressure, the Hetmanate managed to remain

autonomous for well over 100 years. During the latter part of the

18th century, most Ukrainian ethnographic territory was absorbed by

the Russian Empire. Following the collapse of czarist Russia in

1917, Ukraine was able to bring about a short-lived period of

independence (1917-20), but was reconquered and forced to endure a

brutal Soviet rule that engineered two artificial famines (1921-22

and 1932-33) in which over 8 million died. In World War II, German

and Soviet armies were responsible for some 7 to 8 million more

deaths. Although final independence for Ukraine was achieved in 1991

with the dissolution of the USSR, democracy remained elusive as the

legacy of state control and endemic corruption stalled efforts at

economic reform, privatization, and civil liberties. A peaceful mass

protest "Orange Revolution" in the closing months of 2004 forced the

authorities to overturn a rigged presidential election and to allow

a new internationally monitored vote that swept into power a

reformist slate under Viktor YUSHCHENKO. The new government presents

its citizens with hope that the country may at last attain true

freedom and prosperity.

United Arab Emirates

The Trucial States of the Persian Gulf coast

granted the UK control of their defense and foreign affairs in 19th

century treaties. In 1971, six of these states - Abu Zaby, 'Ajman,

Al Fujayrah, Ash Shariqah, Dubayy, and Umm al Qaywayn - merged to

form the United Arab Emirates (UAE). They were joined in 1972 by

Ra's al Khaymah. The UAE's per capita GDP is on par with those of

leading West European nations. Its generosity with oil revenues and

its moderate foreign policy stance have allowed the UAE to play a

vital role in the affairs of the region.

United Kingdom

Great Britain, the dominant industrial and maritime

power of the 19th century, played a leading role in developing

parliamentary democracy and in advancing literature and science. At

its zenith, the British Empire stretched over one-fourth of the

earth's surface. The first half of the 20th century saw the UK's

strength seriously depleted in two World Wars. The second half

witnessed the dismantling of the Empire and the UK rebuilding itself

into a modern and prosperous European nation. As one of five

permanent members of the UN Security Council, a founding member of

NATO, and of the Commonwealth, the UK pursues a global approach to

foreign policy; it currently is weighing the degree of its

integration with continental Europe. A member of the EU, it chose to

remain outside the Economic and Monetary Union for the time being.

Constitutional reform is also a significant issue in the UK. The

Scottish Parliament, the National Assembly for Wales, and the

Northern Ireland Assembly were established in 1999, but the latter

is suspended due to bickering over the peace process.

United States

Britain's American colonies broke with the mother

country in 1776 and were recognized as the new nation of the United

States of America following the Treaty of Paris in 1783. During the

19th and 20th centuries, 37 new states were added to the original 13

as the nation expanded across the North American continent and

acquired a number of overseas possessions. The two most traumatic

experiences in the nation's history were the Civil War (1861-65) and

the Great Depression of the 1930s. Buoyed by victories in World Wars

I and II and the end of the Cold War in 1991, the US remains the

world's most powerful nation state. The economy is marked by steady

growth, low unemployment and inflation, and rapid advances in

technology.

Uruguay

Montevideo, founded by the Spanish in 1726 as a military

stronghold, soon took advantage of its natural harbor to became an

important commercial center. Annexed by Brazil as a separate

province in 1821, Uruguay declared its independence four years later

and secured its freedom in 1828 after a three-year struggle. The

administrations of President BATLLE in the early 20th century

established widespread political, social, and economic reforms. A

violent Marxist urban guerrilla movement, the Tupamaros, launched in

the late 1960s, led Uruguay's president to agree to military control

of his administration in 1973. By yearend, the rebels had been

crushed, but the military continued to expand its hold throughout

the government. Civilian rule was not restored until 1985. Uruguay's

political and labor conditions are among the freest on the continent.

Uzbekistan

Russia conquered Uzbekistan in the late 19th century.

Stiff resistance to the Red Army after World War I was eventually

suppressed and a socialist republic set up in 1924. During the

Soviet era, intensive production of "white gold" (cotton) and grain

led to overuse of agrochemicals and the depletion of water supplies,

which have left the land poisoned and the Aral Sea and certain

rivers half dry. Independent since 1991, the country seeks to

gradually lessen its dependence on agriculture while developing its

mineral and petroleum reserves. Current concerns include terrorism

by Islamic militants, economic stagnation, and the curtailment of

human rights and democratization.

Vanuatu

The British and French, who settled the New Hebrides in the

19th century, agreed in 1906 to an Anglo-French Condominium, which

administered the islands until independence in 1980.

Venezuela

Venezuela was one of three countries that emerged from the

collapse of Gran Colombia in 1830 (the others being Colombia and

Ecuador). For most of the first half of the 20th century, Venezuela

was ruled by generally benevolent military strongmen, who promoted

the oil industry and allowed for some social reforms. Democratically

elected governments have held sway since 1959. Current concerns

include: a polarized political environment, a politicized military,

drug-related violence along the Colombian border, increasing

internal drug consumption, overdependence on the petroleum industry

with its price fluctuations, and irresponsible mining operations

that are endangering the rain forest and indigenous peoples.

Vietnam

The conquest of Vietnam by France began in 1858 and was

completed by 1884. It became part of French Indochina in 1887.

Independence was declared after World War II, but the French

continued to rule until 1954 when they were defeated by Communist

forces under Ho Chi MINH, who took control of the North. US economic

and military aid to South Vietnam grew through the 1960s in an

attempt to bolster the government, but US armed forces were

withdrawn following a cease-fire agreement in 1973. Two years later,

North Vietnamese forces overran the South. Despite the return of

peace, for over two decades the country experienced little economic

growth because of conservative leadership policies. Since 2001,

Vietnamese authorities have committed to economic liberalization and

enacted structural reforms needed to modernize the economy and to

produce more competitive, export-driven industries. The country

continues to experience protests from the Montagnard ethnic minority

population of the Central Highlands over loss of land to Vietnamese

settlers and religious persecution.

Virgin Islands During the 17th century, the archipelago was divided into two territorial units, one English and the other Danish. Sugarcane, produced by slave labor, drove the islands' economy during the 18th and early 19th centuries. In 1917, the US purchased the Danish portion, which had been in economic decline since the abolition of slavery in 1848.

Wake Island

The US annexed Wake Island in 1899 for a cable station.

An important air and naval base was constructed in 1940-41. In

December 1941, the island was captured by the Japanese and held

until the end of World War II. In subsequent years, Wake was

developed as a stopover and refueling site for military and

commercial aircraft transiting the Pacific. Since 1974, the island's

airstrip has been used by the US military and some commercial cargo

planes, as well as for emergency landings. There are over 700

landings a year on the island.

Wallis and Futuna

Although discovered by the Dutch and the British

in the 17th and 18th centuries, it was the French who declared a

protectorate over the islands in 1842. In 1959, the inhabitants of

the islands voted to become a French overseas territory.

West Bank

The Israel-PLO Declaration of Principles on Interim

Self-Government Arrangements (the DOP), signed in Washington on 13

September 1993, provided for a transitional period not exceeding

five years of Palestinian interim self-government in the Gaza Strip

and the West Bank. Under the DOP, Israel agreed to transfer certain

powers and responsibilities to the Palestinian Authority, which

includes the Palestinian Legislative Council elected in January

1996, as part of the interim self-governing arrangements in the West

Bank and Gaza Strip. A transfer of powers and responsibilities for

the Gaza Strip and Jericho took place pursuant to the Israel-PLO 4

May 1994 Cairo Agreement on the Gaza Strip and the Jericho Area and

in additional areas of the West Bank pursuant to the Israel-PLO 28

September 1995 Interim Agreement, the Israel-PLO 15 January 1997

Protocol Concerning Redeployment in Hebron, the Israel-PLO 23

October 1998 Wye River Memorandum, and the 4 September 1999 Sharm

el-Sheikh Agreement. The DOP provides that Israel will retain

responsibility during the transitional period for external and

internal security and for public order of settlements and Israeli

citizens. Direct negotiations to determine the permanent status of

Gaza and West Bank that began in September 1999 after a three-year

hiatus, were derailed by a second intifadah that broke out in

September 2000. The resulting widespread violence in the West Bank

and Gaza Strip, Israel's military response, and instability within

the Palestinian Authority continue to undermine progress toward a

permanent agreement. Following the death of longtime Palestinian

leader Yasir ARAFAT in November 2004, the election of his successor

Mahmud ABBAS in January 2005 could bring a turning point in the

conflict.

Western Sahara

Morocco virtually annexed the northern two-thirds of

Western Sahara (formerly Spanish Sahara) in 1976, and the rest of

the territory in 1979, following Mauritania's withdrawal. A

guerrilla war with the Polisario Front contesting Rabat's

sovereignty ended in a 1991 UN-brokered cease-fire; a UN-organized

referendum on final status has been repeatedly postponed.

World

Globally, the 20th century was marked by: (a) two devastating

world wars; (b) the Great Depression of the 1930s; (c) the end of

vast colonial empires; (d) rapid advances in science and technology,

from the first airplane flight at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina (US) to

the landing on the moon; (e) the Cold War between the Western

alliance and the Warsaw Pact nations; (f) a sharp rise in living

standards in North America, Europe, and Japan; (g) increased

concerns about the environment, including loss of forests, shortages

of energy and water, the decline in biological diversity, and air

pollution; (h) the onset of the AIDS epidemic; and (i) the ultimate

emergence of the US as the only world superpower. The planet's

population continues to explode: from 1 billion in 1820, to 2

billion in 1930, 3 billion in 1960, 4 billion in 1974, 5 billion in

1988, and 6 billion in 2000. For the 21st century, the continued

exponential growth in science and technology raises both hopes

(e.g., advances in medicine) and fears (e.g., development of even

more lethal weapons of war).

Yemen

North Yemen became independent of the Ottoman Empire in 1918.

The British, who had set up a protectorate area around the southern

port of Aden in the 19th century, withdrew in 1967 from what became

South Yemen. Three years later, the southern government adopted a

Marxist orientation. The massive exodus of hundreds of thousands of

Yemenis from the south to the north contributed to two decades of

hostility between the states. The two countries were formally

unified as the Republic of Yemen in 1990. A southern secessionist

movement in 1994 was quickly subdued. In 2000, Saudi Arabia and

Yemen agreed to a delimitation of their border.

Zambia

The territory of Northern Rhodesia was administered by the

South Africa Company from 1891 until it was taken over by the UK in

1923. During the 1920s and 1930s, advances in mining spurred

development and immigration. The name was changed to Zambia upon

independence in 1964. In the 1980s and 1990s, declining copper

prices and a prolonged drought hurt the economy. Elections in 1991

brought an end to one-party rule, but the subsequent vote in 1996

saw blatant harassment of opposition parties. The election in 2001

was marked by administrative problems with three parties filing a

legal petition challenging the election of ruling party candidate

Levy MWANAWASA. The new president launched a far-reaching

anti-corruption campaign in 2002, which resulted in the prosecution

of former President Frederick CHILUBA and many of his supporters in

late 2003. Opposition parties currently hold a majority of seats in

the National Assembly.

Zimbabwe

The UK annexed Southern Rhodesia from the South Africa

Company in 1923. A 1961 constitution was formulated that favored

whites in power. In 1965 the government unilaterally declared its

independence, but the UK did not recognize the act and demanded more

complete voting rights for the black African majority in the country

(then called Rhodesia). UN sanctions and a guerrilla uprising

finally led to free elections in 1979 and independence (as Zimbabwe)

in 1980. Robert MUGABE, the nation's first prime minister, has been

the country's only ruler (as president since 1987) and has dominated

the country's political system since independence. His chaotic land

redistribution campaign begun in 2000 caused an exodus of white

farmers, crippled the economy, and ushered in widespread shortages

of basic commodities. Ignoring international condemnation, MUGABE

rigged the 2002 presidential election to ensure his reelection.

Opposition and labor groups launched general strikes in 2003 to

pressure MUGABE to retire early; security forces continued their

brutal repression of regime opponents.

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2030 Airports - with paved runways

Afghanistan total: 10 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Albania total: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 (2004 est.)

Algeria

total: 52

over 3,047 m: 10

2,438 to 3,047 m: 27

1,524 to 2,437 m: 10

914 to 1,523 m: 4

under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

American Samoa

total: 2

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1

under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Angola

total: 32

over 3,047 m: 4

2,438 to 3,047 m: 8

1,524 to 2,437 m: 14

914 to 1,523 m: 5

under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Anguilla total: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Antigua and Barbuda total: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Argentina total: 144 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 26 1,524 to 2,437 m: 62 914 to 1,523 m: 44 under 914 m: 8 (2004 est.)

Armenia

total: 11

over 3,047 m: 2

2,438 to 3,047: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 5

914 to 1,523 m: 3 (2004 est.)

Aruba total: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Australia

total: 305

over 3,047 m: 10

2,438 to 3,047 m: 12

1,524 to 2,437 m: 131

914 to 1,523 m: 139

under 914 m: 13 (2004 est.)

Austria

total: 24

over 3,047 m: 1

2,438 to 3,047 m: 5

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 3

under 914 m: 14 (2004 est.)

Azerbaijan

total: 27

over 3,047 m: 2

2,438 to 3,047 m: 6

1,524 to 2,437 m: 15

914 to 1,523 m: 3

under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Bahamas, The

total: 29

over 3,047 m: 2

2,438 to 3,047 m: 3

1,524 to 2,437 m: 14

914 to 1,523 m: 9

under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Bahrain total: 3 over 3,047 m: 2 1524 to 2437 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Bangladesh total: 15 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 6 (2004 est.)

Barbados total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Belarus

total: 50

over 3,047 m: 2

2,438 to 3,047 m: 22

1,524 to 2,437 m: 4

914 to 1,523 m: 1

under 914 m: 21 (2004 est.)

Belgium

total: 25

over 3,047 m: 6

2,438 to 3,047 m: 8

1,524 to 2,437 m: 3

914 to 1,523 m: 1

under 914 m: 7 (2004 est.)

Belize

total: 5

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 2

under 914 m: 2 (2004 est.)

Benin

total: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Bermuda

total: 1

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Bhutan

total: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Bolivia

total: 16

over 3,047 m: 4

2,438 to 3,047 m: 4

1,524 to 2,437 m: 5

914 to 1,523 m: 3 (2004 est.)

Bosnia and Herzegovina

total: 8

2,438 to 3,047 m: 4

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

under 914 m: 3 (2004 est.)

Botswana

total: 10

2,438 to 3,047 m: 2

1,524 to 2,437 m: 7

914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Brazil

total: 698

over 3,047 m: 7

2,438 to 3,047 m: 23

1,524 to 2,437 m: 158

914 to 1,523 m: 461

under 914 m: 49 (2004 est.)

British Indian Ocean Territory total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (2004 est.)

British Virgin Islands total: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Brunei total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Bulgaria

total: 128

over 3,047 m: 1

2,438 to 3,047 m: 19

1,524 to 2,437 m: 15

914 to 1,523 m: 1

under 914 m: 92 (2004 est.)

Burkina Faso

total: 2

over 3,047 m: 1

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Burma

total: 9

over 3,047 m: 2

2,438 to 3,047 m: 5

1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (2004 est.)

Burundi total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Cambodia total: 6 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2004 est.)

Cameroon

total: 11

over 3,047 m: 2

2,438 to 3,047 m: 4

1,524 to 2,437 m: 3

914 to 1,523 m: 1

under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Canada

total: 503

over 3,047 m: 18

2,438 to 3,047 m: 15

1,524 to 2,437 m: 150

914 to 1,523 m: 245

under 914 m: 75 (2004 est.)

Cape Verde total: 6 over 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 5 (2004 est.)

Cayman Islands total: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (2004 est.)

Central African Republic total: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (2004 est.)

Chad

total: 7

over 3,047 m: 2

2,438 to 3,047 m: 3

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Chile

total: 71

over 3,047 m: 6

2,438 to 3,047 m: 6

1,524 to 2,437 m: 21

914 to 1,523 m: 23

under 914 m: 15 (2004 est.)

China

total: 383

over 3,047 m: 53

2,438 to 3,047 m: 116

1,524 to 2,437 m: 141

914 to 1,523 m: 23

under 914 m: 50 (2004 est.)

Christmas Island

total: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Cocos (Keeling) Islands

total: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Colombia

total: 101

over 3,047 m: 2

2,438 to 3,047 m: 9

1,524 to 2,437 m: 39

914 to 1,523 m: 39

under 914 m: 12 (2004 est.)

Comoros total: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 3 (2004 est.)

Congo, Democratic Republic of the total: 24 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 16 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2004 est.)

Congo, Republic of the total: 4 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 (2004 est.)

Cook Islands total: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (2004 est.)

Costa Rica total: 30 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 18 under 914 m: 8 (2004 est.)

Cote d'Ivoire total: 7 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 (2004 est.)

Croatia

total: 23

over 3,047 m: 2

2,438 to 3,047 m: 6

1,524 to 2,437 m: 2

914 to 1,523 m: 4

under 914 m: 9 (2004 est.)

Cuba

total: 79

over 3,047 m: 7

2,438 to 3,047 m: 9

1,524 to 2,437 m: 20

914 to 1,523 m: 6

under 914 m: 37 (2004 est.)

Cyprus

total: 13

2,438 to 3,047 m: 7

1,524 to 2,437 m: 2

914 to 1,523 m: 3

under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Czech Republic

total: 44

over 3,047 m: 2

2,438 to 3,047 m: 9

1,524 to 2,437 m: 14

914 to 1,523 m: 2

under 914 m: 17 (2004 est.)

Denmark

total: 28

over 3,047 m: 2

2,438 to 3,047 m: 7

1,524 to 2,437 m: 4

914 to 1,523 m: 12

under 914 m: 3 (2004 est.)

Djibouti total: 3 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1524 to 2437 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Dominica total: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2004 est.)

Dominican Republic total: 13 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

East Timor total: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Ecuador

total: 62

over 3,047 m: 3

2,438 to 3,047 m: 4

1,524 to 2,437 m: 18

914 to 1,523 m: 19

under 914 m: 18 (2004 est.)

Egypt

total: 72

over 3,047 m: 13

2,438 to 3,047 m: 38

1,524 to 2,437 m: 17

under 914 m: 4 (2004 est.)

El Salvador

total: 4

over 3,047 m: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2004 est.)

Equatorial Guinea

total: 3

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

less than 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Eritrea

total: 4

over 3,047 m: 2

2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 (2004 est.)

Estonia

total: 14

over 3,047 m: 1

2,438 to 3,047 m: 8

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 3

under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Ethiopia total: 14 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 5 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2004 est.)

European Union

total: 1,834

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

total: 2

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1

under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Faroe Islands

total: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Fiji

total: 3

over 3,047 m: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Finland

total: 75

over 3,047 m: 2

2,438 to 3,047 m: 27

1,524 to 2,437 m: 10

914 to 1,523 m: 23

under 914 m: 13 (2004 est.)

France

total: 283

over 3,047 m: 13

2,438 to 3,047 m: 28

1,524 to 2,437 m: 95

914 to 1,523 m: 82

under 914 m: 65 (2004 est.)

French Guiana total: 4 over 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

French Polynesia

total: 37

over 3,047 m: 2

1,524 to 2,437 m: 5

914 to 1,523 m: 23

under 914 m: 7 (2004 est.)

Gabon

total: 11

over 3,047 m: 1

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 8

914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Gambia, The

total: 1

over 3,047 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Gaza Strip

total: 1

over 3,047 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Georgia

total: 17

over 3,047 m: 1

2,438 to 3,047 m: 7

1,524 to 2,437 m: 5

914 to 1,523 m: 3

under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Germany

total: 331

over 3,047 m: 13

2,438 to 3,047 m: 51

1,524 to 2,437 m: 62

914 to 1,523 m: 71

under 914 m: 134 (2004 est.)

Ghana

total: 7

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 4

914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2004 est.)

Gibraltar

total: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Greece

total: 66

over 3,047 m: 5

2,438 to 3,047 m: 16

1,524 to 2,437 m: 20

914 to 1,523 m: 16

under 914 m: 9 (2004 est.)

Greenland

total: 9

over 3,047 m: 1

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 1

under 914 m: 5 (2004 est.)

Grenada

total: 3

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Guadeloupe

total: 8

over 3,047 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 2

under 914 m: 5 (2004 est.)

Guam

total: 4

over 3,047 m: 2

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Guatemala total: 11 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 2 (2004 est.)

Guernsey total: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Guinea

total: 5

over 3,047 m: 1

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 (2004 est.)

Guinea-Bissau

total: 3

over 3,047 m: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Guyana

total: 8

1,524 to 2,437 m: 3

under 914 m: 5 (2004 est.)

Haiti

total: 4

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 3 (2004 est.)

Honduras

total: 11

2,438 to 3,047 m: 3

1,524 to 2,437 m: 2

914 to 1,523 m: 3

under 914 m: 3 (2004 est.)

Hong Kong

total: 4

over 3,047 m: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

914 to 1523 m: 1

under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Hungary

total: 18

over 3,047 m: 2

2,438 to 3,047 m: 8

1,524 to 2,437 m: 4

914 to 1,523 m: 3

under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Iceland total: 5 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2004 est.)

India

total: 234

over 3,047 m: 14

2,438 to 3,047 m: 47

1,524 to 2,437 m: 78

914 to 1,523 m: 74

under 914 m: 21 (2004 est.)

Indonesia

total: 154

over 3,047 m: 4

2,438 to 3,047 m: 13

1,524 to 2,437 m: 44

914 to 1,523 m: 49

under 914 m: 44 (2004 est.)

Iran

total: 127

over 3,047 m: 39

2,438 to 3,047 m: 25

1,524 to 2,437 m: 26

914 to 1,523 m: 32

under 914 m: 5 (2004 est.)

Iraq

total: 79

over 3,047 m: 21

2,438 to 3,047 m: 36

1,524 to 2,437 m: 5

914 to 1,523 m: 7

under 914 m: 10 (2004 est.)

Ireland

total: 15

over 3,047 m: 1

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 4

914 to 1,523 m: 3

under 914 m: 6 (2004 est.)

Israel

total: 28

over 3,047 m: 2

2,438 to 3,047 m: 4

1,524 to 2,437 m: 8

914 to 1,523 m: 10

under 914 m: 4 (2004 est.)

Italy

total: 96

over 3,047 m: 6

2,438 to 3,047 m: 32

1,524 to 2,437 m: 16

914 to 1,523 m: 30

under 914 m: 12 (2004 est.)

Jamaica

total: 11

2,438 to 3,047 m: 2

914 to 1,523 m: 4

under 914 m: 5 (2004 est.)

Japan

total: 143

over 3,047 m: 7

2,438 to 3,047 m: 37

1,524 to 2,437 m: 39

914 to 1,523 m: 28

under 914 m: 32 (2004 est.)

Jersey

total: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Johnston Atoll

total: 1

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Jordan

total: 15

over 3,047 m: 7

2,438 to 3,047 m: 6

914 to 1,523 m: 1

under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Kazakhstan

total: 67

over 3,047 m: 9

2,438 to 3,047 m: 26

1,524 to 2,437 m: 17

914 to 1,523 m: 4

under 914 m: 11 (2004 est.)

Kenya

total: 15

over 3,047 m: 4

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 3

914 to 1,523 m: 6

under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Kiribati total: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 (2004 est.)

Korea, North

total: 35

over 3,047 m: 2

2,438 to 3,047 m: 23

1,524 to 2,437 m: 6

914 to 1,523 m: 1

under 914 m: 3 (2004 est.)

Korea, South

total: 88

over 3,047 m: 3

2,438 to 3,047 m: 21

1,524 to 2,437 m: 14

914 to 1,523 m: 12

under 914 m: 38 (2004 est.)

Kuwait

total: 4

over 3,047 m: 1

2,438 to 3,047 m: 2

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Kyrgyzstan total: 16 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 10 under 914 m: 2 (2004 est.)

Laos

total: 9

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 5

914 to 1,523 m: 3 (2004 est.)

Latvia

total: 26

2,438 to 3,047 m: 7

1,524 to 2,437 m: 2

914 to 1,523 m: 1

under 914 m: 16 (2004 est.)

Lebanon

total: 5

over 3,047 m: 1

2,438 to 3,047 m: 2

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Lesotho total: 3 over 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Liberia total: 2 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Libya

total: 59

over 3,047 m: 23

2,438 to 3,047 m: 6

1,524 to 2,437 m: 23

914 to 1,523 m: 5

under 914 m: 2 (2004 est.)

Lithuania

total: 28

over 3,047 m: 4

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 7

914 to 1,523 m: 2

under 914 m: 14 (2004 est.)

Luxembourg

total: 1

over 3,047 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Macau

total: 1

over 3,047 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Macedonia total: 10 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 under 914 m: 8 (2004 est.)

Madagascar total: 29 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 20 under 914 m: 2 (2004 est.)

Malawi

total: 6

over 3,047 m: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 4 (2004 est.)

Malaysia

total: 38

over 3,047 m: 5

2,438 to 3,047 m: 7

1,524 to 2,437 m: 10

914 to 1,523 m: 9

under 914 m: 7 (2004 est.)

Maldives

total: 2

over 3,047 m: 1

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Mali

total: 9

2,438 to 3,047 m: 4

1,524 to 2,437 m: 4

914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Malta

total: 1

over 3,047 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Man, Isle of

total: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Marshall Islands total: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Martinique total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Mauritania

total: 8

2,438 to 3,047 m: 3

1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 (2004 est.)

Mauritius

total: 2

over 3,047 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Mayotte

total: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Mexico

total: 233

over 3,047 m: 12

2,438 to 3,047 m: 28

1,524 to 2,437 m: 84

914 to 1,523 m: 80

under 914 m: 29 (2004 est.)

Micronesia, Federated States of

total: 6

1,524 to 2,437 m: 4

914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2004 est.)

Midway Islands

total: 2

1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (2004 est.)

Moldova

total: 6

over 3,047 m: 1

2,438 to 3,047 m: 2

1,524 to 2,437 m: 2

under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Mongolia total: 15 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 11 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 (2004 est.)

Montserrat total: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Morocco

total: 25

over 3,047 m: 11

2,438 to 3,047 m: 4

1,524 to 2,437 m: 8

914 to 1,523 m: 1

under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Mozambique

total: 22

over 3,047 m: 1

2,438 to 3,047 m: 3

1,524 to 2,437 m: 10

914 to 1,523 m: 3

under 914 m: 5 (2004 est.)

Namibia

total: 21

over 3,047 m: 2

2,438 to 3,047 m: 2

1,524 to 2,437 m: 13

914 to 1,523 m: 4 (2004 est.)

Nauru

total: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Nepal

total: 9

over 3,047 m: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 7 (2004 est.)

Netherlands

total: 20

over 3,047 m: 2

2,438 to 3,047 m: 8

1,524 to 2,437 m: 4

914 to 1,523 m: 4

under 914 m: 2 (2004 est.)

Netherlands Antilles

total: 5

over 3,047 m: 1

2038 to 3047 m: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 1

under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

New Caledonia total: 11 over 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 8 under 914 m: 2 (2004 est.)

New Zealand total: 46 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 11 914 to 1,523 m: 27 under 914 m: 5 (2004 est.)

Nicaragua total: 11 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 3 (2004 est.)

Niger

total: 9

2,438 to 3,047 m: 2

1,524 to 2,437 m: 6

under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Nigeria

total: 36

over 3,047 m: 7

2,438 to 3,047 m: 11

1,524 to 2,437 m: 9

914 to 1,523 m: 6

under 914 m: 3 (2004 est.)

Niue

total: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Norfolk Island

total: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Northern Mariana Islands

total: 3

2,438 to 3,047 m: 2

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Norway

total: 65

2,438 to 3,047 m: 13

1,524 to 2,437 m: 12

914 to 1,523 m: 14

under 914 m: 26 (2004 est.)

Oman

total: 6

over 3,047 m: 4

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Pakistan

total: 92

over 3,047 m: 14

2,438 to 3,047 m: 22

1,524 to 2,437 m: 32

914 to 1,523 m: 18

under 914 m: 6 (2004 est.)

Palau

total: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Panama

total: 44

over 3,047 m: 1

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 5

914 to 1,523 m: 15

under 914 m: 22 (2004 est.)

Papua New Guinea total: 21 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 14 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Paracel Islands total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Paraguay total: 12 over 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 4 (2004 est.)

Peru

total: 52

over 3,047 m: 5

2,438 to 3,047 m: 20

1,524 to 2,437 m: 16

914 to 1,523 m: 9

under 914 m: 2 (2004 est.)

Philippines

total: 82

over 3,047 m: 4

2,438 to 3,047 m: 6

1,524 to 2,437 m: 26

914 to 1,523 m: 35

under 914 m: 11 (2004 est.)

Poland

total: 84

over 3,047 m: 3

2,438 to 3,047 m: 30

1,524 to 2,437 m: 40

914 to 1,523 m: 8

under 914 m: 3 (2004 est.)

Portugal

total: 42

over 3,047 m: 5

2,438 to 3,047 m: 9

1,524 to 2,437 m: 3

914 to 1,523 m: 15

under 914 m: 10 (2004 est.)

Puerto Rico total: 17 over 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 7 under 914 m: 5 (2004 est.)

Qatar total: 2 over 3,047 m: 2 (2004 est.)

Reunion total: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Romania total: 25 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 9 1,524 to 2,437 m: 12 (2004 est.)

Russia

total: 577

over 3,047 m: 55

2,438 to 3,047 m: 197

1,524 to 2,437 m: 128

914 to 1,523 m: 98

under 914 m: 99 (2004 est.)

Rwanda

total: 4

over 3,047 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 2

under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Saint Helena total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Saint Kitts and Nevis

total: 2

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Saint Lucia

total: 2

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Saint Pierre and Miquelon

total: 2

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

total: 5

914 to 1,523 m: 4

under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Samoa

total: 3

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1

under 914 m: 2 (2004 est.)

Sao Tome and Principe

total: 2

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Saudi Arabia total: 72 over 3,047 m: 32 2,438 to 3,047 m: 13 1,524 to 2,437 m: 23 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 2 (2004 est.)

Senegal total: 9 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 6 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2004 est.)

Serbia and Montenegro total: 19 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 5 1,524 to 2,437 m: 6 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 4 (2004 est.)

Seychelles total: 8 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 3 (2004 est.)

Sierra Leone total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Singapore

total: 10

over 3,047 m: 2

2,438 to 3,047 m: 2

1,524 to 2,437 m: 4

914 to 1,523 m: 1

under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Slovakia

total: 17

over 3,047 m: 2

2,438 to 3,047 m: 2

1,524 to 2,437 m: 3

914 to 1,523 m: 3

under 914 m: 7 (2004 est.)

Slovenia

total: 6

over 3,047 m: 1

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 2

under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Solomon Islands total: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Somalia total: 6 over 3,047 m: 4 2438 to 3047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2004 est.)

South Africa

total: 144

over 3,047 m: 10

2,438 to 3,047 m: 5

1,524 to 2,437 m: 51

914 to 1,523 m: 67

under 914 m: 11 (2004 est.)

Spain

total: 95

over 3,047 m: 15

2,438 to 3,047 m: 10

1,524 to 2,437 m: 19

914 to 1,523 m: 23

under 914 m: 28 (2004 est.)

Spratly Islands total: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 1 less than 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Sri Lanka

total: 13

over 3,047 m: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 6

914 to 1,523 m: 6 (2004 est.)

Sudan

total: 12

over 3,047 m: 1

2,438 to 3,047 m: 8

1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 (2004 est.)

Suriname

total: 5

over 3,047 m: 1

under 914 m: 4 (2004 est.)

Svalbard

total: 2

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

914 to 1523 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Swaziland

total: 1

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Sweden

total: 154

over 3,047 m: 3

2,438 to 3,047 m: 12

1,524 to 2,437 m: 82

914 to 1,523 m: 22

under 914 m: 35 (2004 est.)

Switzerland

total: 42

over 3,047 m: 3

2,438 to 3,047 m: 5

1,524 to 2,437 m: 10

914 to 1,523 m: 8

under 914 m: 16 (2004 est.)

Syria

total: 26

over 3,047 m: 5

2,438 to 3,047 m: 16

914 to 1,523 m: 3

under 914 m: 2 (2004 est.)

Taiwan

total: 37

over 3,047 m: 8

2,438 to 3,047 m: 8

1,524 to 2,437 m: 12

914 to 1,523 m: 8

under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Tajikistan

total: 17

over 3,047 m: 2

2,438 to 3,047 m: 4

1,524 to 2,437 m: 5

914 to 1,523 m: 3

under 914 m: 3 (2004 est.)

Tanzania

total: 11

over 3,047 m: 2

2,438 to 3,047 m: 2

1,524 to 2,437 m: 5

914 to 1,523 m: 1

under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Thailand

total: 65

over 3,047 m: 7

2,438 to 3,047 m: 10

1,524 to 2,437 m: 23

914 to 1,523 m: 19

under 914 m: 6 (2004 est.)

Togo

total: 2

2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 (2004 est.)

Tonga

total: 1

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Trinidad and Tobago total: 3 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Tunisia

total: 14

over 3,047 m: 3

2,438 to 3,047 m: 6

1,524 to 2,437 m: 2

914 to 1,523 m: 3 (2004 est.)

Turkey

total: 87

over 3,047 m: 16

2,438 to 3,047 m: 30

1,524 to 2,437 m: 20

914 to 1,523 m: 17

under 914 m: 4 (2004 est.)

Turkmenistan

total: 23

over 3,047 m: 1

2,438 to 3,047 m: 10

1,524 to 2,437 m: 9

914 to 1,523 m: 2

under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Turks and Caicos Islands total: 6 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 2 (2004 est.)

Uganda total: 4 over 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Ukraine

total: 174

over 3,047 m: 13

2,438 to 3,047 m: 57

1,524 to 2,437 m: 30

914 to 1,523 m: 4

under 914 m: 70 (2004 est.)

United Arab Emirates

total: 22

over 3,047 m: 8

2,438 to 3,047 m: 3

1,524 to 2,437 m: 4

914 to 1,523 m: 4

under 914 m: 3 (2004 est.)

United Kingdom

total: 334

over 3,047 m: 8

2,438 to 3,047 m: 33

1,524 to 2,437 m: 150

914 to 1,523 m: 86

under 914 m: 57 (2004 est.)

United States

total: 5,128

over 3,047 m: 188

2,438 to 3,047 m: 221

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1,375

914 to 1,523 m: 2,383

under 914 m: 961 (2004 est.)

Uruguay

total: 14

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 5

914 to 1,523 m: 6

under 914 m: 2 (2004 est.)

Uzbekistan total: 33 over 3,047 m: 5 2,438 to 3,047 m: 14 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 4 (2004 est.)

Vanuatu

total: 3

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1

1524 to 2437 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Venezuela total: 127 over 3,047 m: 5 2,438 to 3,047 m: 11 1,524 to 2,437 m: 31 914 to 1,523 m: 61 under 914 m: 19 (2004 est.)

Vietnam

total: 21

over 3,047 m: 6

2,438 to 3,047 m: 5

1,524 to 2,437 m: 9

914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Virgin Islands

total: 2

1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (2004 est.)

Wake Island

total: 1

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Wallis and Futuna

total: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2004 est.)

West Bank total: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Western Sahara total: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 (2004 est.)

Yemen

total: 16

over 3,047 m: 3

2,438 to 3,047 m: 9

1,524 to 2,437 m: 2

914 to 1,523 m: 1

under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Zambia

total: 10

over 3,047 m: 1

2,438 to 3,047 m: 3

1,524 to 2,437 m: 4

914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2004 est.)

Zimbabwe

total: 17

over 3,047 m: 3

2,438 to 3,047 m: 2

1,524 to 2,437 m: 4

914 to 1,523 m: 8 (2004 est.)

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2031 Airports - with unpaved runways

Afghanistan total: 37 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 7 1,524 to 2,437 m: 14 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 11 (2004 est.)

Albania

total: 8

over 3,047 m: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 2

under 914 m: 4 (2004 est.)

Algeria

total: 85

2,438 to 3,047 m: 2

1,524 to 2,437 m: 26

914 to 1,523 m: 38

under 914 m: 19 (2004 est.)

American Samoa

total: 1

under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Angola

total: 211

over 3,047 m: 2

2,438 to 3,047 m: 4

1,524 to 2,437 m: 30

914 to 1,523 m: 95

under 914 m: 80 (2004 est.)

Anguilla total: 2 under 914 m: 2 (2004 est.)

Antarctica total: 20 over 3,047 m: 6 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 6 (2004 est.)

Antigua and Barbuda total: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Argentina total: 1,190 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 50 914 to 1,523 m: 569 under 914 m: 567 (2004 est.)

Armenia

total: 5

1,524 to 2,437 m: 2

914 to 1,523 m: 2

under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Australia

total: 143

1,524 to 2,437 m: 17

914 to 1,523 m: 112

under 914 m: 14 (2004 est.)

Austria

total: 31

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 3

under 914 m: 27 (2004 est.)

Azerbaijan total: 23 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 6 under 914 m: 15 (2004 est.)

Bahamas, The total: 34 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 10 under 914 m: 21 (2004 est.)

Bahrain

total: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Bangladesh

total: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Belarus

total: 83

over 3,047 m: 2

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 5

914 to 1,523 m: 11

under 914 m: 64 (2004 est.)

Belgium

total: 18

914 to 1,523 m: 2

under 914 m: 16 (2004 est.)

Belize

total: 38

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 11

under 914 m: 26 (2004 est.)

Benin

total: 4

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2004 est.)

Bhutan

total: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Bolivia

total: 1,049

over 3,047 m: 1

2,438 to 3,047 m: 3

1,524 to 2,437 m: 60

914 to 1,523 m: 207

under 914 m: 778 (2004 est.)

Bosnia and Herzegovina

total: 19

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 7

under 914 m: 11 (2004 est.)

Botswana

total: 75

1,524 to 2,437 m: 3

914 to 1,523 m: 54

under 914 m: 18 (2004 est.)

Brazil

total: 3,438

over 3,047 m: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 78

914 to 1,523 m: 1,579

under 914 m: 1,780 (2004 est.)

British Virgin Islands

total: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Brunei

total: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Bulgaria

total: 85

1,524 to 2,437 m: 2

914 to 1,523 m: 11

under 914 m: 72 (2004 est.)

Burkina Faso

total: 31

1,524 to 2,437 m: 3

914 to 1,523 m: 11

under 914 m: 17 (2004 est.)

Burma

total: 69

over 3,047 m: 2

1,524 to 2,437 m: 16

914 to 1,523 m: 20

under 914 m: 31 (2004 est.)

Burundi total: 7 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 3 (2004 est.)

Cambodia

total: 14

1,524 to 2,437 m: 2

914 to 1,523 m: 11

under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Cameroon

total: 36

1,524 to 2,437 m: 7

914 to 1,523 m: 20

under 914 m: 9 (2004 est.)

Canada

total: 823

1,524 to 2,437 m: 67

914 to 1,523 m: 347

under 914 m: 409 (2004 est.)

Cape Verde

total: 1

under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Cayman Islands

total: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Central African Republic total: 47 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 10 914 to 1,523 m: 23 under 914 m: 13 (2004 est.)

Chad

total: 44

1,524 to 2,437 m: 14

914 to 1,523 m: 20

under 914 m: 10 (2004 est.)

Chile

total: 293

over 3,047 m: 1

2,438 to 3,047 m: 4

1,524 to 2,437 m: 11

914 to 1,523 m: 60

under 914 m: 217 (2004 est.)

China

total: 89

over 3,047 m: 5

2,438 to 3,047 m: 4

1,524 to 2,437 m: 13

914 to 1,523 m: 32

under 914 m: 35 (2004 est.)

Colombia

total: 879

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 34

914 to 1,523 m: 272

under 914 m: 572 (2004 est.)

Congo, Democratic Republic of the

total: 206

1,524 to 2,437 m: 17

914 to 1,523 m: 92

under 914 m: 97 (2004 est.)

Congo, Republic of the

total: 28

1,524 to 2,437 m: 6

914 to 1,523 m: 11

under 914 m: 11 (2004 est.)

Cook Islands

total: 7

1,524 to 2,437 m: 2

914 to 1,523 m: 4

under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Costa Rica total: 119 914 to 1,523 m: 24 under 914 m: 95 (2004 est.)

Cote d'Ivoire

total: 30

1,524 to 2,437 m: 7

914 to 1,523 m: 15

under 914 m: 8 (2004 est.)

Croatia

total: 45

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 7

under 914 m: 37 (2004 est.)

Cuba

total: 91

914 to 1,523 m: 29

under 914 m: 62 (2004 est.)

Cyprus

total: 4

914 to 1,523 m: 2

under 914 m: 2 (2004 est.)

Czech Republic total: 76 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 27 under 914 m: 48 (2004 est.)

Denmark total: 69 914 to 1,523 m: 6 under 914 m: 63 (2004 est.)

Djibouti

total: 10

1,524 to 2,437 m: 2

914 to 1,523 m: 5

under 914 m: 3 (2004 est.)

Dominican Republic

total: 18

1,524 to 2,437 m: 3

914 to 1,523 m: 5

under 914 m: 10 (2004 est.)

East Timor

total: 5

914 to 1,523 m: 3

under 914 m: 2 (2004 est.)

Ecuador

total: 143

914 to 1,523 m: 30

under 914 m: 113 (2004 est.)

Egypt

total: 15

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 2

914 to 1,523 m: 5

under 914 m: 7 (2004 est.)

El Salvador total: 69 914 to 1,523 m: 15 under 914 m: 54 (2004 est.)

Equatorial Guinea total: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Eritrea

total: 13

over 3,047 m: 1

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 5

914 to 1,523 m: 4

under 914 m: 2 (2004 est.)

Estonia

total: 15

over 3,047 m: 1

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 3

914 to 1,523 m: 4

under 914 m: 6 (2004 est.)

Ethiopia

total: 69

over 3,047 m: 3

2,438 to 3,047 m: 3

1,524 to 2,437 m: 13

914 to 1,523 m: 27

under 914 m: 23 (2004 est.)

Europa Island total: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2004 est.)

European Union

total: 1,296

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

total: 3

under 914 m: 3 (2004 est.)

Fiji

total: 25

914 to 1,523 m: 6

under 914 m: 19 (2004 est.)

Finland

total: 73

914 to 1,523 m: 4

under 914 m: 69 (2004 est.)

France

total: 195

1,524 to 2,437 m: 3

914 to 1,523 m: 72

under 914 m: 120 (2004 est.)

French Guiana

total: 7

914 to 1,523 m: 2

under 914 m: 5 (2004 est.)

French Polynesia

total: 13

914 to 1,523 m: 5

under 914 m: 8 (2004 est.)

Gabon

total: 45

1,524 to 2,437 m: 7

914 to 1,523 m: 15

under 914 m: 23 (2004 est.)

Gaza Strip total: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Georgia total: 13 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 10 (2004 est.)

Germany

total: 219

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 2

914 to 1,523 m: 31

under 914 m: 185 (2004 est.)

Ghana

total: 5

914 to 1,523 m: 3

under 914 m: 2 (2004 est.)

Glorioso Islands total: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Greece total: 14 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 11 (2004 est.)

Greenland total: 5 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 2 (2004 est.)

Guadeloupe

total: 1

under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Guam

total: 1

under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Guatemala total: 441 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 8 914 to 1,523 m: 109 under 914 m: 323 (2004 est.)

Guinea

total: 11

1,524 to 2,437 m: 6

914 to 1,523 m: 3

under 914 m: 2 (2004 est.)

Guinea-Bissau

total: 25

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 4

under 914 m: 20 (2004 est.)

Guyana

total: 41

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 8

under 914 m: 32 (2004 est.)

Haiti

total: 9

914 to 1,523 m: 4

under 914 m: 5 (2004 est.)

Honduras total: 104 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 18 under 914 m: 84 (2004 est.)

Hungary

total: 26

2,438 to 3,047 m: 2

1,524 to 2,437 m: 4

914 to 1,523 m: 11

under 914 m: 9 (2004 est.)

Iceland

total: 93

1,524 to 2,437 m: 3

914 to 1,523 m: 29

under 914 m: 61 (2004 est.)

India

total: 99

2,438 to 3,047 m: 3

1,524 to 2,437 m: 9

914 to 1,523 m: 42

under 914 m: 45 (2004 est.)

Indonesia

total: 513

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 5

914 to 1,523 m: 27

under 914 m: 480 (2004 est.)

Iran

total: 178

over 3,047 m: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 9

914 to 1,523 m: 129

under 914 m: 39 (2004 est.)

Iraq

total: 32

over 3,047 m: 2

2,438 to 3,047 m: 4

1,524 to 2,437 m: 5

914 to 1,523 m: 12

under 914 m: 9 (2004 est.)

Ireland

total: 21

914 to 1,523 m: 4

under 914 m: 17 (2004 est.)

Israel

total: 23

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 2

under 914 m: 20 (2004 est.)

Italy

total: 38

1,524 to 2,437 m: 2

914 to 1,523 m: 18

under 914 m: 18 (2004 est.)

Jamaica total: 24 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 22 (2004 est.)

Jan Mayen total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Japan

total: 31

over 3047 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 4

under 914 m: 26 (2004 est.)

Jordan

total: 2

under 914 m: 2 (2004 est.)

Juan de Nova Island

total: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Kazakhstan total: 247 over 3,047 m: 6 2,438 to 3,047 m: 6 1,524 to 2,437 m: 11 914 to 1,523 m: 27 under 914 m: 197 (2004 est.)

Kenya

total: 206

1,524 to 2,437 m: 12

914 to 1,523 m: 110

under 914 m: 84 (2004 est.)

Kiribati

total: 17

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 12

under 914 m: 4 (2004 est.)

Korea, North total: 43 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 20 914 to 1,523 m: 14 under 914 m: 8 (2004 est.)

Korea, South

total: 91

914 to 1,523 m: 3

under 914 m: 88 (2004 est.)

Kuwait

total: 3

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

under 914 m: 2 (2004 est.)

Kyrgyzstan

total: 36

1,524 to 2,437 m: 4

914 to 1,523 m: 1

under 914 m: 31 (2004 est.)

Laos

total: 35

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 13

under 914 m: 21 (2004 est.)

Latvia

total: 24

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 2

914 to 1,523 m: 1

under 914 m: 20 (2004 est.)

Lebanon

total: 3

914 to 1,523 m: 2

under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Lesotho

total: 25

914 to 1,523 m: 4

under 914 m: 21 (2004 est.)

Liberia

total: 51

1,524 to 2,437 m: 5

914 to 1,523 m: 8

under 914 m: 38 (2004 est.)

Libya

total: 80

over 3,047 m: 5

2,438 to 3,047 m: 2

1,524 to 2,437 m: 14

914 to 1,523 m: 41

under 914 m: 18 (2004 est.)

Lithuania total: 74 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 68 (2004 est.)

Luxembourg total: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Macedonia total: 7 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 4 (2004 est.)

Madagascar

total: 87

1,524 to 2,437 m: 2

914 to 1,523 m: 42

under 914 m: 43 (2004 est.)

Malawi

total: 36

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 15

under 914 m: 20 (2004 est.)

Malaysia

total: 79

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 6

under 914 m: 72 (2004 est.)

Maldives

total: 3

914 to 1,523 m: 3 (2004 est.)

Mali

total: 19

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 5

914 to 1,523 m: 5

under 914 m: 8 (2004 est.)

Marshall Islands total: 11 914 to 1,523 m: 10 under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Martinique total: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Mauritania total: 16 1,524 to 2,437 m: 9 914 to 1,523 m: 6 under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Mauritius total: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 2 (2004 est.)

Mexico

total: 1,600

over 3,047 m: 1

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 69

914 to 1,523 m: 454

under 914 m: 1,075 (2004 est.)

Midway Islands

total: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Moldova

total: 17

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 5

under 914 m: 11 (2004 est.)

Mongolia

total: 31

over 3,047 m: 1

2,438 to 3,047 m: 5

1,524 to 2,437 m: 18

914 to 1,523 m: 4

under 914 m: 3 (2004 est.)

Morocco

total: 38

2,438 to 3,047 m: 2

1,524 to 2,437 m: 10

914 to 1,523 m: 15

under 914 m: 11 (2004 est.)

Mozambique

total: 136

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 14

914 to 1,523 m: 34

under 914 m: 87 (2004 est.)

Namibia

total: 115

2,438 to 3,047 m: 2

1,524 to 2,437 m: 22

914 to 1,523 m: 71

under 914 m: 20 (2004 est.)

Nepal

total: 37

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 7

under 914 m: 29 (2004 est.)

Netherlands

total: 7

914 to 1,523 m: 2

under 914 m: 5 (2004 est.)

New Caledonia

total: 14

914 to 1,523 m: 8

under 914 m: 6 (2004 est.)

New Zealand

total: 70

1,524 to 2,437 m: 2

914 to 1,523 m: 29

under 914 m: 39 (2004 est.)

Nicaragua

total: 165

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 23

under 914 m: 141 (2004 est.)

Niger

total: 18

1,524 to 2,437 m: 2

914 to 1,523 m: 14

under 914 m: 2 (2004 est.)

Nigeria

total: 34

1,524 to 2,437 m: 3

914 to 1,523 m: 13

under 914 m: 18 (2004 est.)

Northern Mariana Islands

total: 2

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1

under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Norway

total: 36

914 to 1,523 m: 7

under 914 m: 29 (2004 est.)

Oman

total: 130

over 3,047 m: 2

2,438 to 3,047 m: 7

1,524 to 2,437 m: 52

914 to 1,523 m: 34

under 914 m: 35 (2004 est.)

Pakistan total: 39 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 8 914 to 1,523 m: 9 under 914 m: 21 (2004 est.)

Palau

total: 2

1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (2004 est.)

Palmyra Atoll

total: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Panama

total: 61

914 to 1,523 m: 12

under 914 m: 49 (2004 est.)

Papua New Guinea

total: 550

1,524 to 2,437 m: 10

914 to 1,523 m: 62

under 914 m: 478 (2004 est.)

Paraguay

total: 866

1,524 to 2,437 m: 26

914 to 1,523 m: 323

under 914 m: 517 (2004 est.)

Peru

total: 182

1,524 to 2,437 m: 21

914 to 1,523 m: 62

under 914 m: 99 (2004 est.)

Philippines

total: 173

1,524 to 2,437 m: 5

914 to 1,523 m: 68

under 914 m: 100 (2004 est.)

Poland

total: 39

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 4

914 to 1,523 m: 13

under 914 m: 21 (2004 est.)

Portugal total: 23 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 22 (2004 est.)

Puerto Rico total: 13 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 10 (2004 est.)

Qatar

total: 2

914 to 1,523 m: 1

under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Romania

total: 36

1,524 to 2,437 m: 2

914 to 1,523 m: 10

under 914 m: 24 (2004 est.)

Russia

total: 2,009

over 3,047 m: 14

2,438 to 3,047 m: 30

1,524 to 2,437 m: 111

914 to 1,523 m: 257

under 914 m: 1,597 (2004 est.)

Rwanda

total: 5

914 to 1,523 m: 2

under 914 m: 3 (2004 est.)

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

total: 1

under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Samoa

total: 1

under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Saudi Arabia total: 129 over 3047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 5 1,524 to 2,437 m: 72 914 to 1,523 m: 39 under 914 m: 12 (2004 est.)

Senegal

total: 11

1,524 to 2,437 m: 6

914 to 1,523 m: 4

under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Serbia and Montenegro

total: 25

1,524 to 2,437 m: 2

914 to 1,523 m: 10

under 914 m: 13 (2004 est.)

Seychelles

total: 7

914 to 1,523 m: 3

under 914 m: 4 (2004 est.)

Sierra Leone

total: 9

914 to 1,523 m: 7

under 914 m: 2 (2004 est.)

Slovakia

total: 17

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 9

under 914 m: 7 (2004 est.)

Slovenia

total: 8

1,524 to 2,437 m: 2

914 to 1,523 m: 2

under 914 m: 4 (2004 est.)

Solomon Islands

total: 31

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 9

under 914 m: 21 (2004 est.)

Somalia

total: 54

2,438 to 3,047 m: 4

1,524 to 2,437 m: 19

914 to 1,523 m: 29

under 914 m: 2 (2004 est.)

South Africa

total: 584

1,524 to 2,437 m: 34

914 to 1,523 m: 300

under 914 m: 250 (2004 est.)

Spain

total: 61

1,524 to 2,437 m: 2

914 to 1,523 m: 15

under 914 m: 44 (2004 est.)

Spratly Islands

total: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Sri Lanka

total: 1

under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Sudan

total: 63

over 3,047 m: 1

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 17

914 to 1,523 m: 33

under 914 m: 11 (2004 est.)

Suriname total: 41 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 35 (2004 est.)

Svalbard total: 2 under 914 m: 2 (2004 est.)

Swaziland

total: 17

914 to 1,523 m: 7

under 914 m: 10 (2004 est.)

Sweden

total: 100

914 to 1,523 m: 10

under 914 m: 90 (2004 est.)

Switzerland

total: 23

under 914 m: 23 (2004 est.)

Syria

total: 66

1,524 to 2,437 m: 2

914 to 1,523 m: 10

under 914 m: 54 (2004 est.)

Taiwan

total: 3

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

under 914 m: 2 (2004 est.)

Tajikistan

total: 38

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 2

under 914 m: 35 (2004 est.)

Tanzania

total: 112

1,524 to 2,437 m: 19

914 to 1,523 m: 60

under 914 m: 33 (2004 est.)

Thailand

total: 44

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 15

under 914 m: 28 (2004 est.)

Togo

total: 7

914 to 1,523 m: 5

under 914 m: 2 (2004 est.)

Tonga

total: 5

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 3

under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Trinidad and Tobago total: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 2 (2004 est.)

Tromelin Island total: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Tunisia

total: 16

1,524 to 2,437 m: 2

914 to 1,523 m: 7

under 914 m: 7 (2004 est.)

Turkey

total: 32

over 3,047 m: 1

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 2

914 to 1,523 m: 8

under 914 m: 20 (2004 est.)

Turkmenistan total: 30 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 26 (2004 est.)

Turks and Caicos Islands

total: 2

under 914 m: 2 (2004 est.)

Tuvalu

total: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Uganda

total: 25

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 6

914 to 1,523 m: 11

under 914 m: 7 (2004 est.)

Ukraine

total: 482

over 3,047 m: 3

2,438 to 3,047 m: 3

1,524 to 2,437 m: 14

914 to 1,523 m: 34

under 914 m: 428 (2004 est.)

United Arab Emirates

total: 13

over 3,047 m: 1

2,438 to 3,047 m: 2

1,524 to 2,437 m: 3

914 to 1,523 m: 3

under 914 m: 4 (2004 est.)

United Kingdom total: 137 2438 to 3047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 23 under 914 m: 112 (2004 est.)

United States total: 9,729 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 7 1,524 to 2,437 m: 160 914 to 1,523 m: 1,718 under 914 m: 7,843 (2004 est.)

Uruguay

total: 50

1,524 to 2,437 m: 2

914 to 1,523 m: 17

under 914 m: 31 (2004 est.)

Uzbekistan total: 193 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 187 (2004 est.)

Vanuatu total: 27 914 to 1,523 m: 10 under 914 m: 17 (2004 est.)

Venezuela

total: 242

1,524 to 2,437 m: 10

914 to 1,523 m: 88

under 914 m: 144 (2004 est.)

Vietnam

total: 3

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 1

under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Wallis and Futuna total: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Western Sahara total: 8 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 3 (2004 est.)

Yemen

total: 28

over 3,047 m: 2

2,438 to 3,047 m: 7

1,524 to 2,437 m: 4

914 to 1,523 m: 11

under 914 m: 4 (2004 est.)

Zambia

total: 99

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 4

914 to 1,523 m: 62

under 914 m: 32 (2004 est.)

Zimbabwe total: 387 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 186 under 914 m: 196 (2004 est.)

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2032 Environment - current issues

Afghanistan

limited natural fresh water resources; inadequate

supplies of potable water; soil degradation; overgrazing;

deforestation (much of the remaining forests are being cut down for

fuel and building materials); desertification; air and water

pollution

Akrotiri

shooting around the salt lake; note - breeding place for

loggerhead and green turtles; only remaining colony of griffon

vultures is on the base

Albania

deforestation; soil erosion; water pollution from industrial

and domestic effluents

Algeria

soil erosion from overgrazing and other poor farming

practices; desertification; dumping of raw sewage, petroleum

refining wastes, and other industrial effluents is leading to the

pollution of rivers and coastal waters; Mediterranean Sea, in

particular, becoming polluted from oil wastes, soil erosion, and

fertilizer runoff; inadequate supplies of potable water

American Samoa

limited natural fresh water resources; the water

division of the government has spent substantial funds in the past

few years to improve water catchments and pipelines

Andorra

deforestation; overgrazing of mountain meadows contributes

to soil erosion; air pollution; wastewater treatment and solid waste

disposal

Angola

overuse of pastures and subsequent soil erosion attributable

to population pressures; desertification; deforestation of tropical

rain forest, in response to both international demand for tropical

timber and to domestic use as fuel, resulting in loss of

biodiversity; soil erosion contributing to water pollution and

siltation of rivers and dams; inadequate supplies of potable water

Anguilla

supplies of potable water sometimes cannot meet increasing

demand largely because of poor distribution system

Antarctica

in 1998, NASA satellite data showed that the antarctic

ozone hole was the largest on record, covering 27 million square

kilometers; researchers in 1997 found that increased ultraviolet

light passing through the hole damages the DNA of icefish, an

antarctic fish lacking hemoglobin; ozone depletion earlier was shown

to harm one-celled antarctic marine plants; in 2002, significant

areas of ice shelves disintegrated in response to regional warming

Antigua and Barbuda

water management - a major concern because of

limited natural fresh water resources - is further hampered by the

clearing of trees to increase crop production, causing rainfall to

run off quickly

Arctic Ocean

endangered marine species include walruses and whales;

fragile ecosystem slow to change and slow to recover from

disruptions or damage; thinning polar icepack

Argentina

environmental problems (urban and rural) typical of an

industrializing economy such as deforestation, soil degradation,

desertification, air pollution, and water pollution

note: Argentina is a world leader in setting voluntary greenhouse

gas targets

Armenia

soil pollution from toxic chemicals such as DDT; the energy

crisis of the 1990s led to deforestation when citizens scavenged for

firewood; pollution of Hrazdan (Razdan) and Aras Rivers; the

draining of Sevana Lich (Lake Sevan), a result of its use as a

source for hydropower, threatens drinking water supplies; restart of

Metsamor nuclear power plant in spite of its location in a

seismically active zone

Aruba

NA

Ashmore and Cartier Islands

NA

Atlantic Ocean

endangered marine species include the manatee, seals,

sea lions, turtles, and whales; drift net fishing is hastening the

decline of fish stocks and contributing to international disputes;

municipal sludge pollution off eastern US, southern Brazil, and

eastern Argentina; oil pollution in Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico,

Lake Maracaibo, Mediterranean Sea, and North Sea; industrial waste

and municipal sewage pollution in Baltic Sea, North Sea, and

Mediterranean Sea

Australia

soil erosion from overgrazing, industrial development,

urbanization, and poor farming practices; soil salinity rising due

to the use of poor quality water; desertification; clearing for

agricultural purposes threatens the natural habitat of many unique

animal and plant species; the Great Barrier Reef off the northeast

coast, the largest coral reef in the world, is threatened by

increased shipping and its popularity as a tourist site; limited

natural fresh water resources

Austria

some forest degradation caused by air and soil pollution;

soil pollution results from the use of agricultural chemicals; air

pollution results from emissions by coal- and oil-fired power

stations and industrial plants and from trucks transiting Austria

between northern and southern Europe

Azerbaijan

local scientists consider the Abseron Yasaqligi (Apsheron

Peninsula) (including Baku and Sumqayit) and the Caspian Sea to be

the ecologically most devastated area in the world because of severe

air, soil, and water pollution; soil pollution results from oil

spills, from the use of DDT as a pesticide, and from toxic

defoliants used in the production of cotton

Bahamas, The

coral reef decay; solid waste disposal

Bahrain

desertification resulting from the degradation of limited

arable land, periods of drought, and dust storms; coastal

degradation (damage to coastlines, coral reefs, and sea vegetation)

resulting from oil spills and other discharges from large tankers,

oil refineries, and distribution stations; lack of freshwater

resources, groundwater and seawater are the only sources for all

water needs

Baker Island

no natural fresh water resources

Bangladesh

many people are landless and forced to live on and

cultivate flood-prone land; water-borne diseases prevalent in

surface water; water pollution, especially of fishing areas, results

from the use of commercial pesticides; ground water contaminated by

naturally occurring arsenic; intermittent water shortages because of

falling water tables in the northern and central parts of the

country; soil degradation and erosion; deforestation; severe

overpopulation

Barbados

pollution of coastal waters from waste disposal by ships;

soil erosion; illegal solid waste disposal threatens contamination

of aquifers

Bassas da India

NA

Belarus

soil pollution from pesticide use; southern part of the

country contaminated with fallout from 1986 nuclear reactor accident

at Chornobyl' in northern Ukraine

Belgium

the environment is exposed to intense pressures from human

activities: urbanization, dense transportation network, industry,

extensive animal breeding and crop cultivation; air and water

pollution also have repercussions for neighboring countries;

uncertainties regarding federal and regional responsibilities (now

resolved) have slowed progress in tackling environmental challenges

Belize

deforestation; water pollution from sewage, industrial

effluents, agricultural runoff; solid and sewage waste disposal

Benin

inadequate supplies of potable water; poaching threatens

wildlife populations; deforestation; desertification

Bermuda

asbestos disposal; water pollution; preservation of open

space; sustainable development

Bhutan

soil erosion; limited access to potable water

Bolivia

the clearing of land for agricultural purposes and the

international demand for tropical timber are contributing to

deforestation; soil erosion from overgrazing and poor cultivation

methods (including slash-and-burn agriculture); desertification;

loss of biodiversity; industrial pollution of water supplies used

for drinking and irrigation

Bosnia and Herzegovina

air pollution from metallurgical plants;

sites for disposing of urban waste are limited; water shortages and

destruction of infrastructure because of the 1992-95 civil strife;

deforestation

Botswana

overgrazing; desertification; limited fresh water resources

Bouvet Island

NA

Brazil

deforestation in Amazon Basin destroys the habitat and

endangers a multitude of plant and animal species indigenous to the

area; there is a lucrative illegal wildlife trade; air and water

pollution in Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, and several other large

cities; land degradation and water pollution caused by improper

mining activities; wetland degradation; severe oil spills

British Indian Ocean Territory

NA

British Virgin Islands

limited natural fresh water resources (except

for a few seasonal streams and springs on Tortola, most of the

islands' water supply comes from wells and rainwater catchments)

Brunei

seasonal smoke/haze resulting from forest fires in Indonesia

Bulgaria

air pollution from industrial emissions; rivers polluted

from raw sewage, heavy metals, detergents; deforestation; forest

damage from air pollution and resulting acid rain; soil

contamination from heavy metals from metallurgical plants and

industrial wastes

Burkina Faso

recent droughts and desertification severely affecting

agricultural activities, population distribution, and the economy;

overgrazing; soil degradation; deforestation

Burma

deforestation; industrial pollution of air, soil, and water;

inadequate sanitation and water treatment contribute to disease

Burundi

soil erosion as a result of overgrazing and the expansion of

agriculture into marginal lands; deforestation (little forested land

remains because of uncontrolled cutting of trees for fuel); habitat

loss threatens wildlife populations

Cambodia

illegal logging activities throughout the country and strip

mining for gems in the western region along the border with Thailand

have resulted in habitat loss and declining biodiversity (in

particular, destruction of mangrove swamps threatens natural

fisheries); soil erosion; in rural areas, most of the population

does not have access to potable water; declining fish stocks because

of illegal fishing and overfishing

Cameroon

waterborne diseases are prevalent; deforestation;

overgrazing; desertification; poaching; overfishing

Canada

air pollution and resulting acid rain severely affecting

lakes and damaging forests; metal smelting, coal-burning utilities,

and vehicle emissions impacting on agricultural and forest

productivity; ocean waters becoming contaminated due to

agricultural, industrial, mining, and forestry activities

Cape Verde

soil erosion; deforestation due to demand for wood used

as fuel; desertification; environmental damage has threatened

several species of birds and reptiles; illegal beach sand

extraction; overfishing

Cayman Islands

no natural fresh water resources; drinking water

supplies must be met by rainwater catchments

Central African Republic

tap water is not potable; poaching has

diminished the country's reputation as one of the last great

wildlife refuges; desertification; deforestation

Chad

inadequate supplies of potable water; improper waste disposal

in rural areas contributes to soil and water pollution;

desertification

Chile

widespread deforestation and mining threaten natural

resources; air pollution from industrial and vehicle emissions;

water pollution from raw sewage

China

air pollution (greenhouse gases, sulfur dioxide particulates)

from reliance on coal produces acid rain; water shortages,

particularly in the north; water pollution from untreated wastes;

deforestation; estimated loss of one-fifth of agricultural land

since 1949 to soil erosion and economic development;

desertification; trade in endangered species

Christmas Island

NA

Clipperton Island

NA

Cocos (Keeling) Islands

fresh water resources are limited to

rainwater accumulations in natural underground reservoirs

Colombia

deforestation; soil and water quality damage from overuse

of pesticides; air pollution, especially in Bogota, from vehicle

emissions

Comoros

soil degradation and erosion results from crop cultivation

on slopes without proper terracing; deforestation

Congo, Democratic Republic of the poaching threatens wildlife populations; water pollution; deforestation; refugees responsible for significant deforestation, soil erosion, and wildlife poaching; mining of minerals (coltan - a mineral used in creating capacitors, diamonds, and gold) causing environmental damage

Congo, Republic of the

air pollution from vehicle emissions; water

pollution from the dumping of raw sewage; tap water is not potable;

deforestation

Cook Islands

NA

Coral Sea Islands

no permanent fresh water resources

Costa Rica

deforestation and land use change, largely a result of

the clearing of land for cattle ranching and agriculture; soil

erosion; coastal marine pollution; fisheries protection; solid waste

management; air pollution

Cote d'Ivoire

deforestation (most of the country's forests - once

the largest in West Africa - have been heavily logged); water

pollution from sewage and industrial and agricultural effluents

Croatia

air pollution (from metallurgical plants) and resulting acid

rain is damaging the forests; coastal pollution from industrial and

domestic waste; landmine removal and reconstruction of

infrastructure consequent to 1992-95 civil strife

Cuba

air and water pollution; biodiversity loss; deforestation

Cyprus

water resource problems (no natural reservoir catchments,

seasonal disparity in rainfall, sea water intrusion to island's

largest aquifer, increased salination in the north); water pollution

from sewage and industrial wastes; coastal degradation; loss of

wildlife habitats from urbanization

Czech Republic

air and water pollution in areas of northwest Bohemia

and in northern Moravia around Ostrava present health risks; acid

rain damaging forests; efforts to bring industry up to EU code

should improve domestic pollution

Denmark

air pollution, principally from vehicle and power plant

emissions; nitrogen and phosphorus pollution of the North Sea;

drinking and surface water becoming polluted from animal wastes and

pesticides

Dhekelia

netting and trapping of small migrant songbirds in the

spring and autumn

Djibouti

inadequate supplies of potable water; limited arable land;

desertification; endangered species

Dominica

NA

Dominican Republic

water shortages; soil eroding into the sea

damages coral reefs; deforestation

East Timor

widespread use of slash and burn agriculture has led to

deforestation and soil erosion

Ecuador

deforestation; soil erosion; desertification; water

pollution; pollution from oil production wastes in ecologically

sensitive areas of the Amazon Basin and Galapagos Islands

Egypt

agricultural land being lost to urbanization and windblown

sands; increasing soil salination below Aswan High Dam;

desertification; oil pollution threatening coral reefs, beaches, and

marine habitats; other water pollution from agricultural pesticides,

raw sewage, and industrial effluents; very limited natural fresh

water resources away from the Nile which is the only perennial water

source; rapid growth in population overstraining the Nile and

natural resources

El Salvador

deforestation; soil erosion; water pollution;

contamination of soils from disposal of toxic wastes

Equatorial Guinea

tap water is not potable; deforestation

Eritrea

deforestation; desertification; soil erosion; overgrazing;

loss of infrastructure from civil warfare

Estonia

air polluted with sulfur dioxide from oil-shale burning

power plants in northeast; however, the amount of pollutants emitted

to the air have fallen steadily, the emissions of 2000 were 80% less

than in 1980; the amount of unpurified wastewater discharged to

water bodies in 2000 was one twentieth the level of 1980; in

connection with the start-up of new water purification plants, the

pollution load of wastewater decreased; Estonia has more than 1,400

natural and manmade lakes, the smaller of which in agricultural

areas need to be monitored; coastal seawater is polluted in certain

locations

Ethiopia

deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification;

water shortages in some areas from water-intensive farming and poor

management

Europa Island

NA

European Union

NA

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) overfishing by unlicensed vessels is a problem; reindeer were introduced to the islands in 2001 for commercial reasons; this is the only commercial reindeer herd in the world unaffected by the Chornobyl disaster

Faroe Islands

NA

Fiji

deforestation; soil erosion

Finland

air pollution from manufacturing and power plants

contributing to acid rain; water pollution from industrial wastes,

agricultural chemicals; habitat loss threatens wildlife populations

France

some forest damage from acid rain; air pollution from

industrial and vehicle emissions; water pollution from urban wastes,

agricultural runoff

French Guiana

NA

French Polynesia

NA

French Southern and Antarctic Lands

NA

Gabon

deforestation; poaching

Gambia, The

deforestation; desertification; water-borne diseases

prevalent

Gaza Strip

desertification; salination of fresh water; sewage

treatment; water-borne disease; soil degradation; depletion and

contamination of underground water resources

Georgia

air pollution, particularly in Rust'avi; heavy pollution of

Mtkvari River and the Black Sea; inadequate supplies of potable

water; soil pollution from toxic chemicals

Germany

emissions from coal-burning utilities and industries

contribute to air pollution; acid rain, resulting from sulfur

dioxide emissions, is damaging forests; pollution in the Baltic Sea

from raw sewage and industrial effluents from rivers in eastern

Germany; hazardous waste disposal; government established a

mechanism for ending the use of nuclear power over the next 15

years; government working to meet EU commitment to identify nature

preservation areas in line with the EU's Flora, Fauna, and Habitat

directive

Ghana

recurrent drought in north severely affects agricultural

activities; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; poaching and

habitat destruction threatens wildlife populations; water pollution;

inadequate supplies of potable water

Gibraltar

limited natural freshwater resources: large concrete or

natural rock water catchments collect rainwater (no longer used for

drinking water) and adequate desalination plant

Glorioso Islands

NA

Greece

air pollution; water pollution

Greenland

protection of the arctic environment; preservation of the

Inuit traditional way of life, including whaling and seal hunting

Grenada

NA

Guadeloupe

NA

Guam

extirpation of native bird population by the rapid

proliferation of the brown tree snake, an exotic, invasive species

Guatemala

deforestation in the Peten rainforest; soil erosion; water

pollution

Guernsey

NA

Guinea

deforestation; inadequate supplies of potable water;

desertification; soil contamination and erosion; overfishing,

overpopulation in forest region; poor mining practices have led to

environmental damage

Guinea-Bissau

deforestation; soil erosion; overgrazing; overfishing

Guyana

water pollution from sewage and agricultural and industrial

chemicals; deforestation

Haiti

extensive deforestation (much of the remaining forested land

is being cleared for agriculture and used as fuel); soil erosion;

inadequate supplies of potable water

Heard Island and McDonald Islands

NA

Holy See (Vatican City)

NA

Honduras

urban population expanding; deforestation results from

logging and the clearing of land for agricultural purposes; further

land degradation and soil erosion hastened by uncontrolled

development and improper land use practices such as farming of

marginal lands; mining activities polluting Lago de Yojoa (the

country's largest source of fresh water), as well as several rivers

and streams, with heavy metals

Hong Kong

air and water pollution from rapid urbanization

Howland Island

no natural fresh water resources

Hungary

the upgrading of Hungary's standards in waste management,

energy efficiency, and air, soil, and water pollution to meet EU

requirements will require large investments

Iceland

water pollution from fertilizer runoff; inadequate

wastewater treatment

India

deforestation; soil erosion; overgrazing; desertification; air

pollution from industrial effluents and vehicle emissions; water

pollution from raw sewage and runoff of agricultural pesticides; tap

water is not potable throughout the country; huge and growing

population is overstraining natural resources

Indian Ocean

endangered marine species include the dugong, seals,

turtles, and whales; oil pollution in the Arabian Sea, Persian Gulf,

and Red Sea

Indonesia

deforestation; water pollution from industrial wastes,

sewage; air pollution in urban areas; smoke and haze from forest

fires

Iran

air pollution, especially in urban areas, from vehicle

emissions, refinery operations, and industrial effluents;

deforestation; overgrazing; desertification; oil pollution in the

Persian Gulf; wetland losses from drought; soil degradation

(salination); inadequate supplies of potable water; water pollution

from raw sewage and industrial waste; urbanization

Iraq

government water control projects have drained most of the

inhabited marsh areas east of An Nasiriyah by drying up or diverting

the feeder streams and rivers; a once sizable population of Marsh

Arabs, who inhabited these areas for thousands of years, has been

displaced; furthermore, the destruction of the natural habitat poses

serious threats to the area's wildlife populations; inadequate

supplies of potable water; development of the Tigris and Euphrates

rivers system contingent upon agreements with upstream riparian

Turkey; air and water pollution; soil degradation (salination) and

erosion; desertification

Ireland

water pollution, especially of lakes, from agricultural

runoff

Israel

limited arable land and natural fresh water resources pose

serious constraints; desertification; air pollution from industrial

and vehicle emissions; groundwater pollution from industrial and

domestic waste, chemical fertilizers, and pesticides

Italy

air pollution from industrial emissions such as sulfur

dioxide; coastal and inland rivers polluted from industrial and

agricultural effluents; acid rain damaging lakes; inadequate

industrial waste treatment and disposal facilities

Jamaica

heavy rates of deforestation; coastal waters polluted by

industrial waste, sewage, and oil spills; damage to coral reefs; air

pollution in Kingston results from vehicle emissions

Jan Mayen

NA

Japan

air pollution from power plant emissions results in acid rain;

acidification of lakes and reservoirs degrading water quality and

threatening aquatic life; Japan is one of the largest consumers of

fish and tropical timber, contributing to the depletion of these

resources in Asia and elsewhere

Jarvis Island

no natural fresh water resources

Jersey

NA

Johnston Atoll

no natural fresh water resources

Jordan

limited natural fresh water resources; deforestation;

overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification

Juan de Nova Island

NA

Kazakhstan

radioactive or toxic chemical sites associated with

former defense industries and test ranges scattered throughout the

country pose health risks for humans and animals; industrial

pollution is severe in some cities; because the two main rivers

which flowed into the Aral Sea have been diverted for irrigation, it

is drying up and leaving behind a harmful layer of chemical

pesticides and natural salts; these substances are then picked up by

the wind and blown into noxious dust storms; pollution in the

Caspian Sea; soil pollution from overuse of agricultural chemicals

and salination from poor infrastructure and wasteful irrigation

practices

Kenya

water pollution from urban and industrial wastes; degradation

of water quality from increased use of pesticides and fertilizers;

water hyacinth infestation in Lake Victoria; deforestation; soil

erosion; desertification; poaching

Kingman Reef

none

Kiribati

heavy pollution in lagoon of south Tarawa atoll due to

heavy migration mixed with traditional practices such as lagoon

latrines and open-pit dumping; ground water at risk

Korea, North

water pollution; inadequate supplies of potable water;

waterborne disease; deforestation; soil erosion and degradation

Korea, South

air pollution in large cities; acid rain; water

pollution from the discharge of sewage and industrial effluents;

drift net fishing

Kuwait

limited natural fresh water resources; some of world's

largest and most sophisticated desalination facilities provide much

of the water; air and water pollution; desertification

Kyrgyzstan

water pollution; many people get their water directly

from contaminated streams and wells; as a result, water-borne

diseases are prevalent; increasing soil salinity from faulty

irrigation practices

Laos

unexploded ordnance; deforestation; soil erosion; most of the

population does not have access to potable water

Latvia

Latvia's environment has benefited from a shift to service

industries after the country regained independence; the main

environmental priorities are improvement of drinking water quality

and sewage system, household, and hazardous waste management, as

well as reduction of air pollution; in 2001, Latvia closed the EU

accession negotiation chapter on environment committing to full

enforcement of EU environmental directives by 2010

Lebanon

deforestation; soil erosion; desertification; air pollution

in Beirut from vehicular traffic and the burning of industrial

wastes; pollution of coastal waters from raw sewage and oil spills

Lesotho

population pressure forcing settlement in marginal areas

results in overgrazing, severe soil erosion, and soil exhaustion;

desertification; Highlands Water Project controls, stores, and

redirects water to South Africa

Liberia

tropical rain forest deforestation; soil erosion; loss of

biodiversity; pollution of coastal waters from oil residue and raw

sewage

Libya

desertification; very limited natural fresh water resources;

the Great Manmade River Project, the largest water development

scheme in the world, is being built to bring water from large

aquifers under the Sahara to coastal cities

Liechtenstein

NA

Lithuania

contamination of soil and groundwater with petroleum

products and chemicals at military bases

Luxembourg

air and water pollution in urban areas, soil pollution of

farmland

Macau

NA

Macedonia

air pollution from metallurgical plants

Madagascar

soil erosion results from deforestation and overgrazing;

desertification; surface water contaminated with raw sewage and

other organic wastes; several species of flora and fauna unique to

the island are endangered

Malawi

deforestation; land degradation; water pollution from

agricultural runoff, sewage, industrial wastes; siltation of

spawning grounds endangers fish populations

Malaysia

air pollution from industrial and vehicular emissions;

water pollution from raw sewage; deforestation; smoke/haze from

Indonesian forest fires

Maldives

depletion of freshwater aquifers threatens water supplies;

global warming and sea level rise; coral reef bleaching

Mali

deforestation; soil erosion; desertification; inadequate

supplies of potable water; poaching

Malta

very limited natural fresh water resources; increasing

reliance on desalination

Man, Isle of

waste disposal (both household and industrial);

transboundary air pollution

Marshall Islands

inadequate supplies of potable water; pollution of

Majuro lagoon from household waste and discharges from fishing

vessels

Martinique

NA

Mauritania

overgrazing, deforestation, and soil erosion aggravated

by drought are contributing to desertification; very limited natural

fresh water resources away from the Senegal, which is the only

perennial river; locust infestation

Mauritius

water pollution, degradation of coral reefs

Mayotte

NA

Mexico

scarcity of hazardous waste disposal facilities; rural to

urban migration; natural fresh water resources scarce and polluted

in north, inaccessible and poor quality in center and extreme

southeast; raw sewage and industrial effluents polluting rivers in

urban areas; deforestation; widespread erosion; desertification;

deteriorating agricultural lands; serious air and water pollution in

the national capital and urban centers along US-Mexico border; land

subsidence in Valley of Mexico caused by groundwater depletion

note: the government considers the lack of clean water and

deforestation national security issues

Micronesia, Federated States of

overfishing, climate change,

pollution

Midway Islands

NA

Moldova

heavy use of agricultural chemicals, including banned

pesticides such as DDT, has contaminated soil and groundwater;

extensive soil erosion from poor farming methods

Monaco

NA

Mongolia

limited natural fresh water resources in some areas; the

policies of former Communist regimes promoted rapid urbanization and

industrial growth that had negative effects on the environment; the

burning of soft coal in power plants and the lack of enforcement of

environmental laws severely polluted the air in Ulaanbaatar;

deforestation, overgrazing, and the converting of virgin land to

agricultural production increased soil erosion from wind and rain;

desertification and mining activities had a deleterious effect on

the environment

Montserrat

land erosion occurs on slopes that have been cleared for

cultivation

Morocco

land degradation/desertification (soil erosion resulting

from farming of marginal areas, overgrazing, destruction of

vegetation); water supplies contaminated by raw sewage; siltation of

reservoirs; oil pollution of coastal waters

Mozambique

a long civil war and recurrent drought in the hinterlands

have resulted in increased migration of the population to urban and

coastal areas with adverse environmental consequences;

desertification; pollution of surface and coastal waters; elephant

poaching for ivory is a problem

Namibia

very limited natural fresh water resources; desertification;

wildlife poaching; land degradation has led to few conservation areas

Nauru

limited natural fresh water resources, roof storage tanks

collect rainwater, but mostly dependent on a single, aging

desalination plant; intensive phosphate mining during the past 90

years - mainly by a UK, Australia, and NZ consortium - has left the

central 90% of Nauru a wasteland and threatens limited remaining

land resources

Navassa Island

NA

Nepal

deforestation (overuse of wood for fuel and lack of

alternatives); contaminated water (with human and animal wastes,

agricultural runoff, and industrial effluents); wildlife

conservation; vehicular emissions

Netherlands

water pollution in the form of heavy metals, organic

compounds, and nutrients such as nitrates and phosphates; air

pollution from vehicles and refining activities; acid rain

Netherlands Antilles

NA

New Caledonia

erosion caused by mining exploitation and forest fires

New Zealand

deforestation; soil erosion; native flora and fauna

hard-hit by species introduced from outside

Nicaragua

deforestation; soil erosion; water pollution

Niger

overgrazing; soil erosion; deforestation; desertification;

wildlife populations (such as elephant, hippopotamus, giraffe, and

lion) threatened because of poaching and habitat destruction

Nigeria

soil degradation; rapid deforestation; urban air and water

pollution; desertification; oil pollution - water, air, and soil;

has suffered serious damage from oil spills; loss of arable land;

rapid urbanization

Niue

increasing attention to conservationist practices to counter

loss of soil fertility from traditional slash and burn agriculture

Norfolk Island

NA

Northern Mariana Islands

contamination of groundwater on Saipan may

contribute to disease; clean-up of landfill; protection of

endangered species conflicts with development

Norway

water pollution; acid rain damaging forests and adversely

affecting lakes, threatening fish stocks; air pollution from vehicle

emissions

Oman

rising soil salinity; beach pollution from oil spills; very

limited natural fresh water resources

Pacific Ocean

endangered marine species include the dugong, sea

lion, sea otter, seals, turtles, and whales; oil pollution in

Philippine Sea and South China Sea

Pakistan

water pollution from raw sewage, industrial wastes, and

agricultural runoff; limited natural fresh water resources; a

majority of the population does not have access to potable water;

deforestation; soil erosion; desertification

Palau

inadequate facilities for disposal of solid waste; threats to

the marine ecosystem from sand and coral dredging, illegal fishing

practices, and overfishing

Palmyra Atoll

NA

Panama

water pollution from agricultural runoff threatens fishery

resources; deforestation of tropical rain forest; land degradation

and soil erosion threatens siltation of Panama Canal; air pollution

in urban areas; mining threatens natural resources

Papua New Guinea

rain forest subject to deforestation as a result of

growing commercial demand for tropical timber; pollution from mining

projects; severe drought

Paracel Islands

NA

Paraguay

deforestation; water pollution; inadequate means for waste

disposal pose health risks for many urban residents; loss of wetlands

Peru

deforestation (some the result of illegal logging); overgrazing

of the slopes of the costa and sierra leading to soil erosion;

desertification; air pollution in Lima; pollution of rivers and

coastal waters from municipal and mining wastes

Philippines

uncontrolled deforestation especially in watershed

areas; soil erosion; air and water pollution in major urban centers;

coral reef degradation; increasing pollution of coastal mangrove

swamps that are important fish breeding grounds

Pitcairn Islands

deforestation (only a small portion of the original

forest remains because of burning and clearing for settlement)

Poland

situation has improved since 1989 due to decline in heavy

industry and increased environmental concern by post-Communist

governments; air pollution nonetheless remains serious because of

sulfur dioxide emissions from coal-fired power plants, and the

resulting acid rain has caused forest damage; water pollution from

industrial and municipal sources is also a problem, as is disposal

of hazardous wastes; pollution levels should continue to decrease as

industrial establishments bring their facilities up to European

Union code, but at substantial cost to business and the government

Portugal

soil erosion; air pollution caused by industrial and

vehicle emissions; water pollution, especially in coastal areas

Puerto Rico

erosion; occasional drought causing water shortages

Qatar

limited natural fresh water resources are increasing

dependence on large-scale desalination facilities

Reunion

NA

Romania

soil erosion and degradation; water pollution; air pollution

in south from industrial effluents; contamination of Danube delta

wetlands

Russia

air pollution from heavy industry, emissions of coal-fired

electric plants, and transportation in major cities; industrial,

municipal, and agricultural pollution of inland waterways and

seacoasts; deforestation; soil erosion; soil contamination from

improper application of agricultural chemicals; scattered areas of

sometimes intense radioactive contamination; groundwater

contamination from toxic waste; urban solid waste management;

abandoned stocks of obsolete pesticides

Rwanda

deforestation results from uncontrolled cutting of trees for

fuel; overgrazing; soil exhaustion; soil erosion; widespread poaching

Saint Helena

NA

Saint Kitts and Nevis

NA

Saint Lucia

deforestation; soil erosion, particularly in the

northern region

Saint Pierre and Miquelon recent test drilling for oil in waters around Saint Pierre and Miquelon may bring future development that would impact the environment

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines pollution of coastal waters and shorelines from discharges by pleasure yachts and other effluents; in some areas, pollution is severe enough to make swimming prohibitive

Samoa

soil erosion, deforestation, invasive species, overfishing

San Marino

NA

Sao Tome and Principe

deforestation; soil erosion and exhaustion

Saudi Arabia

desertification; depletion of underground water

resources; the lack of perennial rivers or permanent water bodies

has prompted the development of extensive seawater desalination

facilities; coastal pollution from oil spills

Senegal

wildlife populations threatened by poaching; deforestation;

overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification; overfishing

Serbia and Montenegro

pollution of coastal waters from sewage

outlets, especially in tourist-related areas such as Kotor; air

pollution around Belgrade and other industrial cities; water

pollution from industrial wastes dumped into the Sava which flows

into the Danube

Seychelles

water supply depends on catchments to collect rainwater

Sierra Leone

rapid population growth pressuring the environment;

overharvesting of timber, expansion of cattle grazing, and

slash-and-burn agriculture have resulted in deforestation and soil

exhaustion; civil war depleting natural resources; overfishing

Singapore

industrial pollution; limited natural fresh water

resources; limited land availability presents waste disposal

problems; seasonal smoke/haze resulting from forest fires in

Indonesia

Slovakia

air pollution from metallurgical plants presents human

health risks; acid rain damaging forests

Slovenia

Sava River polluted with domestic and industrial waste;

pollution of coastal waters with heavy metals and toxic chemicals;

forest damage near Koper from air pollution (originating at

metallurgical and chemical plants) and resulting acid rain

Solomon Islands

deforestation; soil erosion; many of the surrounding

coral reefs are dead or dying

Somalia

famine; use of contaminated water contributes to human

health problems; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion;

desertification

South Africa

lack of important arterial rivers or lakes requires

extensive water conservation and control measures; growth in water

usage outpacing supply; pollution of rivers from agricultural runoff

and urban discharge; air pollution resulting in acid rain; soil

erosion; desertification

South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands

NA

Southern Ocean

increased solar ultraviolet radiation resulting from

the Antarctic ozone hole in recent years, reducing marine primary

productivity (phytoplankton) by as much as 15% and damaging the DNA

of some fish; illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing in recent

years, especially the landing of an estimated five to six times more

Patagonian toothfish than the regulated fishery, which is likely to

affect the sustainability of the stock; large amount of incidental

mortality of seabirds resulting from long-line fishing for toothfish

note: the now-protected fur seal population is making a strong

comeback after severe overexploitation in the 18th and 19th centuries

Spain

pollution of the Mediterranean Sea from raw sewage and

effluents from the offshore production of oil and gas; water quality

and quantity nationwide; air pollution; deforestation;

desertification

Spratly Islands

NA

Sri Lanka

deforestation; soil erosion; wildlife populations

threatened by poaching and urbanization; coastal degradation from

mining activities and increased pollution; freshwater resources

being polluted by industrial wastes and sewage runoff; waste

disposal; air pollution in Colombo

Sudan

inadequate supplies of potable water; wildlife populations

threatened by excessive hunting; soil erosion; desertification;

periodic drought

Suriname

deforestation as timber is cut for export; pollution of

inland waterways by small-scale mining activities

Svalbard

NA

Swaziland

limited supplies of potable water; wildlife populations

being depleted because of excessive hunting; overgrazing; soil

degradation; soil erosion

Sweden

acid rain damage to soils and lakes; pollution of the North

Sea and the Baltic Sea

Switzerland

air pollution from vehicle emissions and open-air

burning; acid rain; water pollution from increased use of

agricultural fertilizers; loss of biodiversity

Syria

deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification;

water pollution from raw sewage and petroleum refining wastes;

inadequate potable water

Taiwan

air pollution; water pollution from industrial emissions, raw

sewage; contamination of drinking water supplies; trade in

endangered species; low-level radioactive waste disposal

Tajikistan

inadequate sanitation facilities; increasing levels of

soil salinity; industrial pollution; excessive pesticides

Tanzania

soil degradation; deforestation; desertification;

destruction of coral reefs threatens marine habitats; recent

droughts affected marginal agriculture; wildlife threatened by

illegal hunting and trade, especially for ivory

Thailand

air pollution from vehicle emissions; water pollution from

organic and factory wastes; deforestation; soil erosion; wildlife

populations threatened by illegal hunting

Togo

deforestation attributable to slash-and-burn agriculture and

the use of wood for fuel; water pollution presents health hazards

and hinders the fishing industry; air pollution increasing in urban

areas

Tokelau

very limited natural resources and overcrowding are

contributing to emigration to New Zealand

Tonga

deforestation results as more and more land is being cleared

for agriculture and settlement; some damage to coral reefs from

starfish and indiscriminate coral and shell collectors; overhunting

threatens native sea turtle populations

Trinidad and Tobago

water pollution from agricultural chemicals,

industrial wastes, and raw sewage; oil pollution of beaches;

deforestation; soil erosion

Tromelin Island

NA

Tunisia

toxic and hazardous waste disposal is ineffective and poses

health risks; water pollution from raw sewage; limited natural fresh

water resources; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion;

desertification

Turkey

water pollution from dumping of chemicals and detergents; air

pollution, particularly in urban areas; deforestation; concern for

oil spills from increasing Bosporus ship traffic

Turkmenistan

contamination of soil and groundwater with agricultural

chemicals, pesticides; salination, water-logging of soil due to poor

irrigation methods; Caspian Sea pollution; diversion of a large

share of the flow of the Amu Darya into irrigation contributes to

that river's inability to replenish the Aral Sea; desertification

Turks and Caicos Islands

limited natural fresh water resources,

private cisterns collect rainwater

Tuvalu

since there are no streams or rivers and groundwater is not

potable, most water needs must be met by catchment systems with

storage facilities (the Japanese Government has built one

desalination plant and plans to build one other); beachhead erosion

because of the use of sand for building materials; excessive

clearance of forest undergrowth for use as fuel; damage to coral

reefs from the spread of the Crown of Thorns starfish; Tuvalu is

very concerned about global increases in greenhouse gas emissions

and their effect on rising sea levels, which threaten the country's

underground water table; in 2000, the government appealed to

Australia and New Zealand to take in Tuvaluans if rising sea levels

should make evacuation necessary

Uganda

draining of wetlands for agricultural use; deforestation;

overgrazing; soil erosion; water hyacinth infestation in Lake

Victoria; poaching is widespread

Ukraine

inadequate supplies of potable water; air and water

pollution; deforestation; radiation contamination in the northeast

from 1986 accident at Chornobyl' Nuclear Power Plant

United Arab Emirates

lack of natural freshwater resources

compensated by desalination plants; desertification; beach pollution

from oil spills

United Kingdom

continues to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (has met

Kyoto Protocol target of a 12.5% reduction from 1990 levels and

intends to meet the legally binding target and move towards a

domestic goal of a 20% cut in emissions by 2010); by 2005 the

government aims to reduce the amount of industrial and commercial

waste disposed of in landfill sites to 85% of 1998 levels and to

recycle or compost at least 25% of household waste, increasing to

33% by 2015; between 1998-99 and 1999-2000, household recycling

increased from 8.8% to 10.3%

United States

air pollution resulting in acid rain in both the US

and Canada; the US is the largest single emitter of carbon dioxide

from the burning of fossil fuels; water pollution from runoff of

pesticides and fertilizers; limited natural fresh water resources in

much of the western part of the country require careful management;

desertification

Uruguay

water pollution from meat packing/tannery industry;

inadequate solid/hazardous waste disposal

Uzbekistan

shrinkage of the Aral Sea is resulting in growing

concentrations of chemical pesticides and natural salts; these

substances are then blown from the increasingly exposed lake bed and

contribute to desertification; water pollution from industrial

wastes and the heavy use of fertilizers and pesticides is the cause

of many human health disorders; increasing soil salination; soil

contamination from buried nuclear processing and agricultural

chemicals, including DDT

Vanuatu

a majority of the population does not have access to a

reliable supply of potable water; deforestation

Venezuela

sewage pollution of Lago de Valencia; oil and urban

pollution of Lago de Maracaibo; deforestation; soil degradation;

urban and industrial pollution, especially along the Caribbean

coast; threat to the rainforest ecosystem from irresponsible mining

operations

Vietnam

logging and slash-and-burn agricultural practices contribute

to deforestation and soil degradation; water pollution and

overfishing threaten marine life populations; groundwater

contamination limits potable water supply; growing urban

industrialization and population migration are rapidly degrading

environment in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City

Virgin Islands

lack of natural freshwater resources

Wake Island

NA

Wallis and Futuna

deforestation (only small portions of the original

forests remain) largely as a result of the continued use of wood as

the main fuel source; as a consequence of cutting down the forests,

the mountainous terrain of Futuna is particularly prone to erosion;

there are no permanent settlements on Alofi because of the lack of

natural fresh water resources

West Bank

adequacy of fresh water supply; sewage treatment

Western Sahara

sparse water and lack of arable land

World

large areas subject to overpopulation, industrial disasters,

pollution (air, water, acid rain, toxic substances), loss of

vegetation (overgrazing, deforestation, desertification), loss of

wildlife, soil degradation, soil depletion, erosion

Yemen

very limited natural fresh water resources; inadequate

supplies of potable water; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification

Zambia

air pollution and resulting acid rain in the mineral

extraction and refining region; chemical runoff into watersheds;

poaching seriously threatens rhinoceros, elephant, antelope, and

large cat populations; deforestation; soil erosion; desertification;

lack of adequate water treatment presents human health risks

Zimbabwe

deforestation; soil erosion; land degradation; air and

water pollution; the black rhinoceros herd - once the largest

concentration of the species in the world - has been significantly

reduced by poaching; poor mining practices have led to toxic waste

and heavy metal pollution

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2033 Environment - international agreements

Afghanistan

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification,

Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Marine Dumping

signed, but not ratified: Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine

Life Conservation

Albania

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification,

Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer

Protection, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Algeria

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto

Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental

Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer

Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Andorra

party to: Hazardous Wastes

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Angola

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Law

of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Antigua and Barbuda

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate

Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species,

Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine

Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Argentina

party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol,

Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic

Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol,

Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification,

Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer

Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation

Armenia

party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change,

Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes,

Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants

Australia

party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol,

Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic

Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered

Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the

Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer

Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94,

Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol

Austria

party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air

Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85,

Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds,

Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto

Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental

Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer

Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94,

Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Azerbaijan

party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change,

Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species,

Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Bahamas, The

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate

Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species,

Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship

Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Bahrain

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification,

Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Bangladesh

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate

Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species,

Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone

Layer Protection, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Barbados

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate

Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species,

Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer

Protection, Ship Pollution

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Belarus

party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air

Pollution-Sulfur 85, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification,

Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes,

Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea

Belgium

party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air

Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile

Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol,

Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic

Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol,

Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification,

Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life

Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical

Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants

Belize

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto

Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law

of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Benin

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto

Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental

Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer

Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Bhutan

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto

Protocol, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes

signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea

Bolivia

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto

Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law

of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution,

Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification, Marine Life

Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection

Bosnia and Herzegovina

party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity,

Climate Change, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life

Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Botswana

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate

Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species,

Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Brazil

party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine

Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity,

Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification,

Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes,

Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship

Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Brunei

party to: Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the

Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Bulgaria

party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air

Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85,

Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental

Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty,

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol,

Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification,

Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship

Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Sulfur 94

Burkina Faso

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change,

Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the

Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Burma

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto

Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone

Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical

Timber 94

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Burundi

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto

Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes,

Ozone Layer Protection

signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea

Cambodia

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate

Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species,

Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection,

Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea

Cameroon

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate

Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species,

Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical

Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Canada

party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air

Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85,

Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol,

Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic

Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol,

Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification,

Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer

Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94,

Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds,

Marine Life Conservation

Cape Verde

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification,

Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine

Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Central African Republic

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change,

Desertification, Endangered Species, Ozone Layer Protection,

Tropical Timber 94

signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea

Chad

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification,

Endangered Species, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping

Chile

party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine

Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity,

Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification,

Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes,

Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship

Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

China

party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty,

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol,

Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the

Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution,

Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Colombia

party to: Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change,

Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species,

Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection,

Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea

Comoros

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification,

Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer

Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Congo, Democratic Republic of the party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification

Congo, Republic of the party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea

Cook Islands

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate

Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Law of the Sea

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Costa Rica

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate

Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species,

Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine

Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation

Cote d'Ivoire

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change,

Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the

Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution,

Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Croatia

party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94,

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species,

Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer

Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic

Pollutants, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol

Cuba

party to: Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change,

Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species,

Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine

Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation

Cyprus

party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic

Pollutants, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto

Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental

Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping,

Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Czech Republic

party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen

Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air

Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile

Organic Compounds, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change,

Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species,

Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone

Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Denmark

party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air

Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85,

Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds,

Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto

Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental

Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping,

Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution,

Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Djibouti

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate

Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species,

Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship

Pollution

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Dominica

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate

Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species,

Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone

Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Dominican Republic

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate

Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species,

Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone

Layer Protection, Ship Pollution

signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea

East Timor

NA

Ecuador

party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic

Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol,

Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer

Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94,

Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Egypt

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto

Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental

Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping,

Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical

Timber 94, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

El Salvador

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate

Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species,

Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea

Equatorial Guinea

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate

Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species,

Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ship Pollution

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Eritrea

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification,

Endangered Species

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Estonia

party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air

Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds,

Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto

Protocol, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ship Pollution,

Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Ethiopia

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification,

Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection

signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea

European Union

party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen

Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air

Pollution-Sulphur 94, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources,

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol,

Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer

Protection, Tropical Timber 82, Tropical Timber 94

signed but not ratified: Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds

Fiji

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto

Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea,

Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber

83, Tropical Timber 94

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Finland

party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air

Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85,

Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds,

Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources,

Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto

Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental

Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping,

Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution,

Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

France

party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air

Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85,

Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds,

Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources,

Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change,

Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species,

Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life

Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical

Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Gabon

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification,

Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer

Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94,

Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Gambia, The

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate

Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species,

Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship

Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Georgia

party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change,

Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species,

Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship

Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Germany

party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air

Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85,

Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds,

Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources,

Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change,

Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species,

Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine

Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83,

Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Ghana

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto

Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental

Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer

Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94,

Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation

Greece

party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air

Pollution-Sulfur 94, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol,

Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity,

Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification,

Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes,

Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship

Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic

Pollutants, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds

Grenada

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto

Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone

Layer Protection, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Guatemala

party to: Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change,

Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species,

Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine

Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Guinea

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto

Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law

of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Guinea-Bissau

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change,

Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Guyana

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto

Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law

of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber

83, Tropical Timber 94

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Haiti

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Law

of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer

Protection

signed, but not ratified: Hazardous Wastes

Holy See (Vatican City)

party to: none of the selected agreements

signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution, Environmental Modification

Honduras

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate

Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species,

Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer

Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94,

Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Hong Kong

party to: Marine Dumping (associate member)

Hungary

party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air

Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85,

Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic Treaty,

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol,

Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification,

Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer

Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Sulfur 94

Iceland

party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic

Pollutants, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto

Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes,

Kyoto Protocol, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer

Protection, Ship Pollution, Transboundary Air Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification, Marine Life

Conservation

India

party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine

Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change,

Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species,

Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone

Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical

Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Indonesia

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate

Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species,

Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship

Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation

Iran

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification,

Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer

Protection, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification, Law of the

Sea, Marine Life Conservation

Iraq

party to: Law of the Sea

signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification

Ireland

party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air

Pollution-Sulfur 94, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate

Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species,

Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine

Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83,

Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic

Pollutants, Marine Life Conservation

Israel

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto

Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes,

Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation

Italy

party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air

Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile

Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol,

Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic

Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol,

Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification,

Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer

Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94,

Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants

Jamaica

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto

Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law

of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer

Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Japan

party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine

Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity,

Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification,

Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes,

Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship

Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling

Jordan

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto

Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law

of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Kazakhstan

party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change,

Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer

Protection, Ship Pollution

signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol

Kenya

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto

Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law

of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer

Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Kiribati

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate

Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the

Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Korea, North

party to: Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate

Change, Environmental Modification, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship

Pollution

signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea

Korea, South

party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol,

Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity,

Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification,

Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes,

Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship

Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Kuwait

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification,

Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes,

Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection

signed, but not ratified: Marine Dumping

Kyrgyzstan

party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change,

Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes,

Ozone Layer Protection

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Laos

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto

Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental

Modification, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Latvia

party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic

Pollutants, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto

Protocol, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea,

Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Lebanon

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification,

Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship

Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification, Marine Life

Conservation

Lesotho

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto

Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes,

Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection

signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea

Liberia

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto

Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Ozone Layer

Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94

signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification, Law of the

Sea, Marine Life Conservation

Libya

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification,

Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer

Protection

signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea

Liechtenstein

party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen

Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air

Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile

Organic Compounds, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate

Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species,

Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea

Lithuania

party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change,

Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes,

Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants

Luxembourg

party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides,

Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur

85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic

Compounds, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto

Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law

of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution,

Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification

Macedonia

party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change,

Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes,

Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Madagascar

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate

Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species,

Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone

Layer Protection, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Malawi

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto

Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental

Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone

Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea

Malaysia

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate

Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species,

Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone

Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical

Timber 94, Wetlands

Maldives

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate

Change-Kyoto Protocol, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer

Protection

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Mali

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto

Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law

of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Malta

party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate

Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species,

Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer

Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Marshall Islands

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate

Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the

Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Mauritania

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification,

Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer

Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Mauritius

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate

Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species,

Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine

Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Mexico

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto

Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law

of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer

Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Micronesia, Federated States of

party to: Biodiversity, Climate

Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous

Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Moldova

party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic

Pollutants, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto

Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes,

Ozone Layer Protection

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Monaco

party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic

Compounds, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered

Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone

Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol

Mongolia

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate

Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species,

Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone

Layer Protection, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Morocco

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto

Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes,

Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands,

Whaling

signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea

Mozambique

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate

Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species,

Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Namibia

party to: Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Biodiversity,

Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification,

Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer

Protection, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Nauru

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto

Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine

Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Nepal

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification,

Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer

Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation

Netherlands

party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides,

Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur

85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic

Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living

Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate

Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species,

Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Kyoto Protocol, Law of

the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer

Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94,

Wetlands, Whaling

New Zealand

party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol,

Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity,

Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification,

Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes,

Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship

Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: Antarctic Seals, Marine Life Conservation

Nicaragua

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate

Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species,

Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship

Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification

Niger

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto

Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental

Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea

Nigeria

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto

Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law

of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer

Protection, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Niue

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto

Protocol, Desertification

signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea

Norway

party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air

Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85,

Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds,

Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources,

Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change,

Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species,

Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine

Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83,

Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Oman

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto

Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine

Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Pakistan

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate

Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species,

Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine

Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation

Palau

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto

Protocol, Desertification, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Panama

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto

Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law

of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution,

Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation

Papua New Guinea

party to: Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate

Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered

Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the

Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution,

Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Paraguay

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate

Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species,

Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Peru

party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine

Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change,

Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species,

Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship

Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Philippines

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate

Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species,

Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer

Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94,

Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants

Poland

party to: Air Pollution, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol,

Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic

Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol,

Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification,

Hazardous Wastes, Kyoto Protocol, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping,

Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air

Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94

Portugal

party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change,

Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species,

Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life

Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical

Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic

Pollutants, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Environmental

Modification

Qatar

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto

Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law

of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Romania

party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic

Pollutants, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate

Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species,

Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone

Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Russia

party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air

Pollution-Sulfur 85, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol,

Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic

Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol,

Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes,

Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship

Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Sulfur 94

Rwanda

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto

Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes,

Ozone Layer Protection

signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea

Saint Kitts and Nevis

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change,

Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the

Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Saint Lucia

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate

Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species,

Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine

Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

party to: Biodiversity, Climate

Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered

Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the

Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Samoa

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto

Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone

Layer Protection

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

San Marino

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification

signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution

Sao Tome and Principe

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change,

Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Law

of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Saudi Arabia

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate

Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species,

Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Senegal

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto

Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law

of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship

Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling

Serbia and Montenegro

party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate

Change, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine

Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship

Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Seychelles

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate

Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species,

Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer

Protection, Ship Pollution

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Sierra Leone

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change,

Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Life

Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification

Singapore

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification,

Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer

Protection, Ship Pollution

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Slovakia

party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air

Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85,

Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds,

Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto

Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental

Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer

Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Slovenia

party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94,

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol,

Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the

Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants

Solomon Islands

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate

Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Environmental Modification,

Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone

Layer Protection, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Somalia

party to: Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer

Protection

South Africa

party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol,

Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic

Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol,

Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the

Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer

Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Southern Ocean

the Southern Ocean is subject to all international

agreements regarding the world's oceans; in addition, it is subject

to these agreements specific to the Antarctic region: International

Whaling Commission (prohibits commercial whaling south of 40 degrees

south [south of 60 degrees south between 50 degrees and 130 degrees

west]); Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Seals (limits

sealing); Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living

Resources (regulates fishing)

note: many nations (including the US) prohibit mineral resource

exploration and exploitation south of the fluctuating Polar Front

(Antarctic Convergence) which is in the middle of the Antarctic

Circumpolar Current and serves as the dividing line between the very

cold polar surface waters to the south and the warmer waters to the

north

Spain

party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air

Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds,

Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources,

Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto

Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental

Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping,

Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution,

Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants

Sri Lanka

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate

Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species,

Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone

Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation

Sudan

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto

Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone

Layer Protection

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Suriname

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification,

Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer

Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Swaziland

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification,

Endangered Species, Ozone Layer Protection

signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea

Sweden

party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air

Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85,

Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds,

Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources,

Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto

Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental

Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping,

Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical

Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Switzerland

party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides,

Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur

85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic

Compounds, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate

Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species,

Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Marine

Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical

Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea

Syria

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification,

Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship

Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification

Taiwan

party to: none of the selected agreements because of Taiwan's

international status

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements because of

Taiwan's international status

Tajikistan

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification,

Environmental Modification, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Tanzania

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate

Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species,

Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Thailand

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate

Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species,

Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection,

Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea

Togo

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto

Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone

Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical

Timber 94, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Tonga

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Law

of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer

Protection, Ship Pollution

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Trinidad and Tobago

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate

Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species,

Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone

Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical

Timber 94, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Tunisia

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto

Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental

Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping,

Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation

Turkey

party to: Air Pollution, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity,

Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous

Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification

Turkmenistan

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate

Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone

Layer Protection

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Tuvalu

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto

Protocol, Desertification, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection,

Ship Pollution

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Uganda

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto

Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law

of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection,

Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification

Ukraine

party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air

Pollution-Sulfur 85, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol,

Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity,

Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Endangered Species,

Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine

Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic

Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic

Compounds

United Arab Emirates

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate

Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species,

Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection

signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea

United Kingdom

party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen

Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic

Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living

Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate

Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered

Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the

Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer

Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94,

Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants

United States

party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen

Oxides, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living

Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Climate Change,

Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification,

Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection,

Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands,

Whaling

signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic

Pollutants, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Biodiversity,

Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Hazardous Wastes

Uruguay

party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine

Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change,

Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species,

Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone

Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation

Uzbekistan

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate

Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species,

Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer

Protection, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Vanuatu

party to: Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Biodiversity,

Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification,

Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer

Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 94

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Venezuela

party to: Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change,

Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species,

Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection,

Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands

signed but not ratified:: none of the selected agreements

Vietnam

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto

Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental

Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer

Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Western Sahara

party to: none of the selected agreements

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Yemen

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto

Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental

Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer

Protection

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Zambia

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification,

Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer

Protection, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol

Zimbabwe

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification,

Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2034 Military expenditures - percent of GDP (%)

Afghanistan

2.6% (2004)

Albania

1.49% (FY02)

Algeria

3.2% (2004)

Angola

10.6% (2004)

Antigua and Barbuda

NA

Argentina

1.3% (FY00)

Armenia

6.5% (FY01)

Australia

2.7% (2004)

Austria

0.9% (2004)

Azerbaijan

2.6% (FY99)

Bahamas, The

NA

Bahrain

6.3% (2004)

Bangladesh

1.8% (2004)

Barbados

NA

Belarus

1.4% (FY02)

Belgium

1.3% (2003)

Belize

2% (2003)

Benin

2.4% (2004)

Bermuda

0.11% (FY00/01)

Bhutan

1.8% (2004)

Bolivia

1.6% (2004)

Bosnia and Herzegovina

4.5% (FY02)

Botswana

3.9% (2004)

Brazil

1.8% (2004)

Brunei

5.1% (2004)

Bulgaria

2.6% (2003)

Burkina Faso

1.3% (2004)

Burma

2.1% (FY97)

Burundi

6% (2004)

Cambodia

3% (FY01 est.)

Cameroon

1.6% (2004)

Canada

1.1% (2003)

Cape Verde

1.5% (2004)

Central African Republic

1% (2004)

Chad

2.1% (2004)

Chile

3.8% (2004)

China

4.3% (2004)

Colombia

3.4% (FY01)

Comoros

3% (2004)

Congo, Democratic Republic of the

1.5% (2004)

Congo, Republic of the

2.8% (2004)

Costa Rica

0.4% (2003)

Cote d'Ivoire

1.2% (2004)

Croatia

2.39% (2002 est.)

Cuba

1.8% (2003)

Cyprus

3.8% (FY02)

Czech Republic

2.02% (2004)

Denmark

1.5% (2004)

Djibouti

4.4% (2004)

Dominica

NA

Dominican Republic

1.1% (1998)

East Timor

NA

Ecuador

2.2% (2004)

Egypt

3.4% (2004)

El Salvador

1.1% (2003)

Equatorial Guinea

2.5% (2004)

Eritrea

13.4% (2004)

Estonia

2% (2002 est.)

Ethiopia

4.6% (2004)

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

NA

Faroe Islands

NA

Fiji

2.2% (FY02)

Finland

2% (FY98/99)

France

2.6% (2003)

French Guiana

NA

Gabon

2% (2004)

Gambia, The

0.3% (2004)

Gaza Strip

NA

Georgia

0.59% (FY00)

Germany

1.5% (2003)

Ghana

0.6% (2004)

Greece

4.3% (2003)

Grenada

NA

Guatemala

0.8% (2003)

Guinea

1.7% (2004)

Guinea-Bissau

3.1% (2004)

Guyana

0.9% (2004)

Haiti

0.9% (2003)

Honduras

1.4% (2004)

Hong Kong

NA

Hungary

1.75% (2002 est.)

India

2.93% (2005/06)

Indonesia

3% (2004)

Iran

3.3% (2003 est.)

Iraq

NA

Ireland

0.9% (FY00/01)

Israel

8.7% (FY02)

Italy

1.8% (2004)

Jamaica

0.4% (2003)

Japan

1% (2004)

Jordan

14.6% (2004)

Kazakhstan

0.9% (Ministry of Defense expenditures) (FY02)

Kenya

1.3% (2004)

Kiribati

NA

Korea, North

NA

Korea, South

2.8% (2004)

Kuwait

5.3% (2004)

Kyrgyzstan

1.4% (FY01)

Laos

0.5% (2004)

Latvia

1.2% (FY01)

Lebanon

3.1% (FY99) (2004)

Lesotho

2.3% (2004)

Liberia

0.2% (2004)

Libya

3.9% (FY99)

Lithuania

1.9% (FY01)

Luxembourg

0.9% (2003)

Macedonia

6% (FY01/02 est.)

Madagascar

1.2% (2004)

Malawi

0.7% (2004)

Malaysia

2.03% (FY00)

Maldives

5.5% (2004)

Mali

0.4% (2004)

Malta

0.7% (2004)

Marshall Islands

NA

Mauritania

1.7% (2004)

Mauritius

0.2% (2004)

Mexico

0.9% (2004)

Moldova

0.4% (FY02)

Mongolia

2.2% (FY02)

Morocco

5% (2004)

Mozambique

2.2% (2004)

Namibia

3.1% (2004)

Nauru

NA

Nepal

1.5% (2004)

Netherlands

1.6% (2004)

New Caledonia

NA

New Zealand

1% (FY02)

Nicaragua

0.7% (2004)

Niger

1.1% (2004)

Nigeria

0.8% (2004)

Norway

1.9% (2003)

Oman

11.4% (2003)

Pakistan

4.9% (2004)

Palau

NA

Panama

1.1% (2004)

Papua New Guinea

1.4% (FY02)

Paraguay

0.9% (2003)

Peru

1.4% (2004)

Philippines

1% (2004)

Poland

1.71% (2002)

Portugal

2.3% (2003)

Qatar

10% (FY00)

Romania

2.47% (2002)

Russia

NA

Rwanda

3.2% (2004)

Saint Kitts and Nevis

NA

Saint Lucia

NA

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

NA

Samoa

NA

San Marino

NA

Sao Tome and Principe

0.8% (2004)

Saudi Arabia

10% (2002)

Senegal

1.5% (2004)

Serbia and Montenegro

NA

Seychelles

1.8% (2004)

Sierra Leone

1.7% (2004)

Singapore

4.9% (FY01)

Slovakia

1.89% (2002)

Slovenia

1.7% (FY00)

Solomon Islands

NA

Somalia

0.9% (2003)

South Africa

1.5% (2004)

Spain

1.2% (2003)

Sri Lanka

2.6% (2004)

Sudan

3% (1999) (2004)

Suriname

0.7% (2003)

Swaziland

1.4% (2004)

Sweden

1.7% (2004)

Switzerland

1% (FY01)

Syria

5.9% (FY00)

Taiwan

2.6% (2004)

Tajikistan

3.9% (FY01)

Tanzania

0.2% (2004)

Thailand

1.8% (2003)

Togo

1.9% (2004)

Tonga

NA

Trinidad and Tobago

0.6% (2003)

Tunisia

1.5% (FY99)

Turkey

5.3% (2003)

Turkmenistan

3.4% (FY99)

Tuvalu

NA

Uganda

2.2% (2004)

Ukraine

1.4% (FY02)

United Arab Emirates

3.1% (FY00)

United Kingdom

2.4% (2003)

United States

3.3% (FY03 est.) (February 2004)

Uruguay

2% (2004)

Uzbekistan

2% (FY97)

Vanuatu

NA

Venezuela

1.5% (2004)

Vietnam

2.5% (FY98)

West Bank

NA

World

roughly 2% of gross world product (1999 est.)

Yemen

7.8% (2003)

Zambia

1.8% (2004)

Zimbabwe

4.3% (2004)

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2038 Electricity - production (kWh)

Afghanistan

540 million kWh (2002)

Albania

5.68 billion kWh (2004)

Algeria

25.76 billion kWh (2002)

American Samoa

130 million kWh (2002)

Andorra

NA kWh

Angola

1.707 billion kWh (2002)

Anguilla

NA

Antigua and Barbuda

110.8 million kWh (2002)

Argentina

81.39 billion kWh (2002)

Armenia

6.492 billion kWh (2002)

Aruba

807.7 million kWh (2002)

Australia

210.3 billion kWh (2002)

Austria

58.49 billion kWh (2002)

Azerbaijan

17.55 billion kWh (2002)

Bahamas, The

1.716 billion kWh (2002)

Bahrain

6.86 billion kWh (2002)

Bangladesh

16.45 billion kWh (2002)

Barbados

800 million kWh (2002)

Belarus

30 billion kWh (2004)

Belgium

76.58 billion kWh (2002)

Belize

117 million kWh (2002)

Benin

285.2 million kWh (2002)

Bermuda

643 million kWh (2002)

Bhutan

2.001 billion kWh (2002)

Bolivia

4.132 billion kWh (2002)

Bosnia and Herzegovina

10.04 billion kWh (2002)

Botswana

930 million kWh (2002)

Brazil

339 billion kWh (2002)

British Indian Ocean Territory

NA kWh; note - electricity supplied

by the US military

British Virgin Islands

36.28 million kWh (2002)

Brunei

2.458 billion kWh (2002)

Bulgaria

43.07 billion kWh (2002)

Burkina Faso

361 million kWh (2002)

Burma

5.068 billion kWh (2003)

Burundi

132 million kWh (2002)

Cambodia

122 million kWh (2003)

Cameroon

3.571 billion kWh (2002)

Canada

548.9 billion kWh (2002)

Cape Verde

43.08 million kWh (2002)

Cayman Islands

410.8 million kWh (2002)

Central African Republic

106 million kWh (2002)

Chad

96.13 million kWh (2002)

Chile

48.6 billion kWh (2004)

China

1.91 trillion kWh (2003)

Colombia

44.87 billion kWh (2002)

Comoros

23.84 million kWh (2002)

Congo, Democratic Republic of the

6.086 billion kWh (2002)

Congo, Republic of the

348 million kWh (2002)

Cook Islands

27 million kWh (2002)

Costa Rica

6.614 billion kWh (2002)

Cote d'Ivoire

4.759 billion kWh (2002)

Croatia

12.51 billion kWh (2002)

Cuba

14.41 billion kWh (2002)

Cyprus

4 billion kWh; north Cyprus: NA kWh (2003)

Czech Republic

71.75 billion kWh (2002)

Denmark

36.38 billion kWh (2002)

Djibouti

180 million kWh (2002)

Dominica

68.41 million kWh (2002)

Dominican Republic

9.583 billion kWh (2002)

East Timor

NA kWh (2002)

Ecuador

11.54 billion kWh (2002)

Egypt

81.27 billion kWh (2002)

El Salvador

4.158 billion kWh (2004)

Equatorial Guinea

26.69 million kWh (2002)

Eritrea

246.6 million kWh (2002)

Estonia

8.301 billion kWh (2002)

Ethiopia

2.149 billion kWh (2002)

European Union

2.888 trillion kWh (2002 est.)

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

19.06 million kWh (2002)

Faroe Islands

220 million kWh (2002)

Fiji

750 million kWh (2002)

Finland

71.59 billion kWh (2002)

France

528.6 billion kWh (2002)

French Guiana

460.1 million kWh (2002)

French Polynesia

380 million kWh (2002)

Gabon

1.161 billion kWh (2002)

Gambia, The

90.31 million kWh (2002)

Gaza Strip

NA kWh; note - electricity supplied by Israel

Georgia

6.732 billion kWh (2002)

Germany

560 billion kWh (2003)

Ghana

6.922 billion kWh (2002)

Gibraltar

104 million kWh (2002)

Greece

47.22 billion kWh (2002)

Greenland

245 million kWh (2002)

Grenada

149 million kWh (2002)

Guadeloupe

1.16 billion kWh (2002)

Guam

835 million kWh (2002)

Guatemala

6.608 billion kWh (2002)

Guernsey

NA kWh

Guinea

855 million kWh (2002)

Guinea-Bissau

55 million kWh (2002)

Guyana

808 million kWh (2002)

Haiti

618 million kWh (2002)

Holy See (Vatican City)

NA kWh

Honduras

3.626 billion kWh (2002)

Hong Kong

35.51 billion kWh (2003)

Hungary

34.07 billion kWh (2002)

Iceland

8.271 billion kWh (2002)

India

547.2 billion kWh (2002)

Indonesia

110.2 billion kWh (2003)

Iran

129 billion kWh (2002)

Iraq

32.6 billion kWh (2004)

Ireland

22.88 billion kWh (2002)

Israel

42.67 billion kWh (2002)

Italy

261.6 billion kWh (2002)

Jamaica

6.289 billion kWh (2002)

Japan

1.044 trillion kWh (2002)

Jordan

7.307 billion kWh (2002)

Kazakhstan

66.82 billion kWh (2003)

Kenya

4.475 billion kWh (2002)

Kiribati

7 million kWh (2002)

Korea, North

33.62 billion kWh (2002)

Korea, South

322.5 billion kWh (2003)

Kuwait

32.43 billion kWh (2002)

Kyrgyzstan

11.72 billion kWh (2002)

Laos

3.56 billion kWh (2002)

Latvia

4.547 billion kWh (2002)

Lebanon

8.066 billion kWh (2002)

Lesotho

314 million kWh; note - electricity supplied by South Africa

(2002)

Liberia

488.8 million kWh (2002)

Libya

20.89 billion kWh (2002)

Lithuania

17.93 billion kWh (2002)

Luxembourg

2.511 billion kWh (2002)

Macau

1.719 billion kWh (2003)

Macedonia

6.273 billion kWh (2003)

Madagascar

840.2 million kWh (2002)

Malawi

1.088 billion kWh (2002)

Malaysia

75.33 billion kWh (2002)

Maldives

124.4 million kWh (2002)

Mali

700 million kWh (2002)

Malta

2.15 billion kWh (2002)

Martinique

1.178 billion kWh (2002)

Mauritania

190.2 million kWh (2002)

Mauritius

1.836 billion kWh (2002)

Mayotte

NA kWh

Mexico

203.6 billion kWh (2002)

Micronesia, Federated States of

192 million kWh (2002)

Moldova

3.876 billion kWh (2002)

Mongolia

2.692 billion kWh (2004 est.)

Montserrat

1.8 million kWh (2002)

Morocco

13.91 billion kWh (2002)

Mozambique

8.859 billion kWh (2002)

Namibia

1.167 billion kWh (2002)

Nauru

30 million kWh (2002)

Nepal

2.054 billion kWh (2002)

Netherlands

90.61 billion kWh (2002)

Netherlands Antilles

1.005 billion kWh (2002)

New Caledonia

1.581 billion kWh (2002)

New Zealand

38.39 billion kWh (2002)

Nicaragua

2.553 billion kWh (2002)

Niger

266.2 million kWh (2002)

Nigeria

19.85 billion kWh (2002)

Niue

3 million kWh (2002)

Norfolk Island

NA kWh

Northern Mariana Islands

NA kWh

Norway

125.9 billion kWh (2002)

Oman

9.896 billion kWh (2003)

Pakistan

75.27 billion kWh (2003)

Panama

4.873 billion kWh (2002)

Papua New Guinea

1.679 billion kWh (2002)

Paraguay

48.36 billion kWh (2002)

Peru

22.88 billion kWh (2004 est.)

Philippines

52.86 billion kWh (2003)

Pitcairn Islands

NA kWh; note - electric power is provided by a

small diesel-powered generator

Poland

133.8 billion kWh (2002)

Portugal

43.28 billion kWh (2002)

Puerto Rico

22.09 billion kWh (2002)

Qatar

9.727 billion kWh (2002)

Reunion

1.166 billion kWh (2002)

Romania

56.53 billion kWh (2003)

Russia

915 billion kWh (2003)

Rwanda

166.7 million kWh (2002)

Saint Helena

5 million kWh (2002)

Saint Kitts and Nevis

105.8 million kWh (2002)

Saint Lucia

270.3 million kWh (2002)

Saint Pierre and Miquelon

43.08 million kWh (2002)

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

91.2 million kWh (2002)

Samoa

122 million kWh (2002)

Sao Tome and Principe

17 million kWh (2002)

Saudi Arabia

138.2 billion kWh (2002)

Senegal

1.737 billion kWh (2002)

Serbia and Montenegro

31.64 billion kWh (2002)

Seychelles

218 million kWh (2002)

Sierra Leone

255.3 million kWh (2002)

Singapore

35.33 billion kWh (2003)

Slovakia

31.15 billion kWh (2003)

Slovenia

12.49 billion kWh (2003)

Solomon Islands

32 million kWh (2002)

Somalia

240.3 million kWh (2002)

South Africa

202.6 billion kWh (2002)

Spain

229 billion kWh (2002)

Sri Lanka

6.697 billion kWh (2002)

Sudan

2.581 billion kWh (2002)

Suriname

1.984 billion kWh (2002)

Swaziland

402 million kWh (2002)

Sweden

142.8 billion kWh (2002)

Switzerland

63.47 billion kWh (2002)

Syria

26.15 billion kWh (2002)

Taiwan

158.5 billion kWh (2002)

Tajikistan

15.08 billion kWh (2002)

Tanzania

2.727 billion kWh (2002)

Thailand

118.9 billion kWh (2003)

Togo

108.8 million kWh (2002)

Tokelau

NA kWh

Tonga

24.79 million kWh (2002)

Trinidad and Tobago

5.743 billion kWh (2002)

Tunisia

10.72 billion kWh (2002)

Turkey

139.7 billion kWh (2003)

Turkmenistan

11.41 billion kWh (2004 est.)

Turks and Caicos Islands

5 million kWh (2002)

Uganda

1.775 billion kWh (2002)

Ukraine

180 billion kWh (2003)

United Arab Emirates

45.12 billion kWh (2004)

United Kingdom

395.9 billion kWh (2003)

United States

3.839 trillion kWh (2002)

Uruguay

8.536 billion kWh (2003)

Uzbekistan

47.7 billion kWh (2002)

Vanuatu

48.42 million kWh (2002)

Venezuela

89.7 billion kWh (2003)

Vietnam

34.48 billion kWh (2002)

Virgin Islands

1.035 billion kWh (2002)

Wake Island

NA

Wallis and Futuna

NA kWh

West Bank

NA kWh; note - most electricity imported from Israel; East

Jerusalem Electric Company buys and distributes electricity to

Palestinians in East Jerusalem and its concession in the West Bank;

the Israel Electric Company directly supplies electricity to most

Jewish residents and military facilities; some Palestinian

municipalities, such as Nablus and Janin, generate their own

electricity from small power plants

Western Sahara

90 million kWh (2002)

World

15.29 trillion kWh (2002 est.)

Yemen

3.04 billion kWh (2002 est.)

Zambia

8.167 billion kWh (2002)

Zimbabwe

8.839 billion kWh (2002)

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2042 Electricity - consumption (kWh)

Afghanistan

652.2 million kWh (2002)

Albania

6.76 billion kWh (2004)

Algeria

23.61 billion kWh (2002)

American Samoa

120.9 million kWh (2002)

Andorra

NA kWh

Angola

1.587 billion kWh (2002)

Anguilla

42.6 million kWh

Antigua and Barbuda

103 million kWh (2002)

Argentina

81.65 billion kWh (2002)

Armenia

5.797 billion kWh (2002)

Aruba

751.2 million kWh (2002)

Australia

195.6 billion kWh (2002)

Austria

55.09 billion kWh (2002)

Azerbaijan

17.37 billion kWh (2002)

Bahamas, The

1.596 billion kWh (2002)

Bahrain

6.379 billion kWh (2002)

Bangladesh

15.3 billion kWh (2002)

Barbados

744 million kWh (2002)

Belarus

34.3 billion kWh (2004)

Belgium

78.82 billion kWh (2002)

Belize

108.8 million kWh (2002)

Benin

565.2 million kWh (2002)

Bermuda

598 million kWh (2002)

Bhutan

312.9 million kWh (2002)

Bolivia

3.848 billion kWh (2002)

Bosnia and Herzegovina

8.318 billion kWh (2002)

Botswana

1.89 billion kWh (2002)

Brazil

351.9 billion kWh (2002)

British Indian Ocean Territory

NA kWh

British Virgin Islands

33.74 million kWh (2002)

Brunei

2.286 billion kWh (2002)

Bulgaria

32.71 billion kWh (2002)

Burkina Faso

335.7 million kWh (2002)

Burma

3.484 billion kWh (2003)

Burundi

137.8 million kWh (2002)

Cambodia

100.6 million kWh (2002)

Cameroon

3.321 billion kWh (2002)

Canada

487.3 billion kWh (2002)

Cape Verde

40.06 million kWh (2002)

Cayman Islands

382.1 million kWh (2002)

Central African Republic

98.58 million kWh (2002)

Chad

89.4 million kWh (2002)

Chile

41.8 billion kWh (2002)

China

1.63 trillion kWh (2003)

Colombia

41.14 billion kWh (2002)

Comoros

22.17 million kWh (2002)

Congo, Democratic Republic of the

4.168 billion kWh (2002)

Congo, Republic of the

573.6 million kWh (2002)

Cook Islands

25.11 million kWh (2002)

Costa Rica

5.733 billion kWh (2002)

Cote d'Ivoire

2.976 billion kWh (2002)

Croatia

15.2 billion kWh (2002)

Cuba

13.4 billion kWh (2002)

Cyprus

Republic of Cyprus: 3.663 billion kWh (2003); north Cyprus:

602 million kWh (2003)

Czech Republic

55.33 billion kWh (2002)

Denmark

31.63 billion kWh (2002)

Djibouti

167.4 million kWh (2002)

Dominica

63.62 million kWh (2002)

Dominican Republic

8.912 billion kWh (2002)

East Timor

NA kWh (2002)

Ecuador

10.79 billion kWh (2002)

Egypt

75.58 billion kWh (2002)

El Salvador

4.45 billion kWh (2004)

Equatorial Guinea

24.82 million kWh (2002)

Eritrea

229.4 million kWh (2002)

Estonia

6.358 billion kWh (2002)

Ethiopia

1.998 billion kWh (2002)

European Union

2.661 trillion kWh (2002 est.)

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

17.72 million kWh (2002)

Faroe Islands

204.6 million kWh (2002)

Fiji

697.5 million kWh (2002)

Finland

78.58 billion kWh (2002)

France

414.7 billion kWh (2002)

French Guiana

427.9 million kWh (2002)

French Polynesia

353.4 million kWh (2002)

Gabon

1.08 billion kWh (2002)

Gambia, The

83.99 million kWh (2002)

Gaza Strip

NA kWh

Georgia

6.811 billion kWh (2002)

Germany

519.5 billion kWh (2003)

Ghana

6.137 billion kWh (2002)

Gibraltar

96.76 million kWh (2002)

Greece

47.42 billion kWh (2002)

Greenland

227.9 million kWh (2002)

Grenada

138.6 million kWh (2002)

Guadeloupe

1.079 billion kWh (2002)

Guam

776.6 million kWh (2002)

Guatemala

5.76 billion kWh (2002)

Guernsey

NA kWh

Guinea

795.2 million kWh (2002)

Guinea-Bissau

51.15 million kWh (2002)

Guyana

751.4 million kWh (2002)

Haiti

574.7 million kWh (2002)

Holy See (Vatican City)

NA kWh

Honduras

3.771 billion kWh (2002)

Hong Kong

38.45 billion kWh (2003)

Hungary

35.99 billion kWh (2002)

Iceland

7.692 billion kWh (2002)

India

510.1 billion kWh (2002)

Indonesia

92.35 billion kWh (2003)

Iran

119.9 billion kWh (2002)

Iraq

33.7 billion kWh (2004)

Ireland

21.78 billion kWh (2002)

Israel

38.3 billion kWh (2002)

Italy

293.9 billion kWh (2002)

Jamaica

5.849 billion kWh (2002)

Japan

971 billion kWh (2002)

Jersey

630.1 million kWh (2004 est.)

Jordan

7.094 billion kWh (2002)

Kazakhstan

62.21 billion kWh (203)

Kenya

4.337 billion kWh (2002)

Kiribati

6.51 million kWh (2002)

Korea, North

31.26 billion kWh (2002)

Korea, South

293.6 billion kWh (2003)

Kuwait

30.16 billion kWh (2002)

Kyrgyzstan

10.21 billion kWh (2002)

Laos

3.036 billion kWh (2002)

Latvia

5.829 billion kWh (2002)

Lebanon

8.591 billion kWh (2002)

Lesotho

308 million kWh (2002)

Liberia

454.6 million kWh (2002)

Libya

19.43 billion kWh (2002)

Lithuania

10.17 billion kWh (2002)

Luxembourg

5.735 billion kWh (2002)

Macau

1.772 billion kWh (2003)

Macedonia

7.216 billion kWh (2003)

Madagascar

781.4 million kWh (2002)

Malawi

1.012 billion kWh (2002)

Malaysia

68.4 billion kWh (2002)

Maldives

115.7 million kWh (2002)

Mali

651 million kWh (2002)

Malta

2 billion kWh (2002)

Martinique

1.095 billion kWh (2002)

Mauritania

176.9 million kWh (2002)

Mauritius

1.707 billion kWh (2002)

Mayotte

NA kWh

Mexico

189.7 billion kWh (2002)

Micronesia, Federated States of

178.6 million kWh (2002)

Moldova

4.605 billion kWh (2002)

Monaco

NA kWh

Mongolia

2.209 billion kWh (2004 est.)

Montserrat

1.674 million kWh (2002)

Morocco

14.24 billion kWh (2002)

Mozambique

5.046 billion kWh (2002)

Namibia

1.92 billion kWh (2002)

Nauru

27.9 million kWh (2002)

Nepal

2.005 billion kWh (2002)

Netherlands

100.7 billion kWh (2002)

Netherlands Antilles

934.3 million kWh (2002)

New Caledonia

1.471 billion kWh (2002)

New Zealand

35.71 billion kWh (2002)

Nicaragua

2.318 billion kWh (2002)

Niger

327.6 million kWh (2002)

Nigeria

18.43 billion kWh (2002)

Niue

2.79 million kWh (2002)

Norfolk Island

NA kWh

Northern Mariana Islands

NA kWh

Norway

107.4 billion kWh (2002)

Oman

9.792 billion kWh (2003)

Pakistan

52.66 billion kWh (2003)

Panama

4.473 billion kWh (2002)

Papua New Guinea

1.561 billion kWh (2002)

Paraguay

2.469 billion kWh (2002)

Peru

20.22 billion kWh (2002)

Philippines

46.05 billion kWh (2003)

Pitcairn Islands

NA kWh

Poland

117.4 billion kWh (2002)

Portugal

42.15 billion kWh (2002)

Puerto Rico

20.54 billion kWh (2002)

Qatar

9.046 billion kWh (2002)

Reunion

1.084 billion kWh (2002)

Romania

57.5 billion kWh (2003)

Russia

894.3 billion kWh (2003)

Rwanda

195 million kWh (2002)

Saint Helena

4.65 million kWh (2002)

Saint Kitts and Nevis

98.44 million kWh (2002)

Saint Lucia

251.3 million kWh (2002)

Saint Pierre and Miquelon

40.06 million kWh (2002)

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

84.82 million kWh (2002)

Samoa

113.5 million kWh (2002)

Sao Tome and Principe

15.81 million kWh (2002)

Saudi Arabia

128.5 billion kWh (2002)

Senegal

1.615 billion kWh (2002)

Serbia and Montenegro

32.33 billion kWh (2002)

Seychelles

202.8 million kWh (2002)

Sierra Leone

237.4 million kWh (2002)

Singapore

32 billion kWh (2003)

Slovakia

28.89 billion kWh (2003)

Slovenia

11.8 billion kWh (2003)

Solomon Islands

29.76 million kWh (2002)

Somalia

223.5 million kWh (2002)

South Africa

189.4 billion kWh (2002)

Spain

218.4 billion kWh (2002)

Sri Lanka

6.228 billion kWh (2002)

Sudan

2.4 billion kWh (2002)

Suriname

1.845 billion kWh (2002)

Swaziland

1.173 billion kWh (2002)

Sweden

138.1 billion kWh (2002)

Switzerland

54.53 billion kWh (2002)

Syria

24.32 billion kWh (2002)

Taiwan

147.4 billion kWh (2002)

Tajikistan

14.41 billion kWh (2002)

Tanzania

2.566 billion kWh (2002)

Thailand

106.1 billion kWh (2003)

Togo

451.2 million kWh (2002)

Tokelau

NA kWh

Tonga

23.06 million kWh (2002)

Trinidad and Tobago

5.341 billion kWh (2002)

Tunisia

10.05 billion kWh (2002)

Turkey

117.9 billion kWh (2002)

Turkmenistan

8.908 billion kWh (2002)

Turks and Caicos Islands

4.65 million kWh (2002)

Uganda

1.401 billion kWh (2002)

Ukraine

132 billion kWh (2003)

United Arab Emirates

36.51 billion kWh (2002)

United Kingdom

337.4 billion kWh (2003)

United States

3.66 trillion kWh (2002)

Uruguay

5.878 billion kWh (2003)

Uzbekistan

46.66 billion kWh (2002)

Vanuatu

45.03 million kWh (2002)

Venezuela

89.3 billion kWh (2003)

Vietnam

32.06 billion kWh (2002)

Virgin Islands

962.6 million kWh (2002)

Wallis and Futuna

NA kWh

West Bank

NA kWh

Western Sahara

83.7 million kWh (2002)

World

14.28 trillion kWh (2002 est.)

Yemen

2.827 billion kWh (2002 est.)

Zambia

5.345 billion kWh (2002)

Zimbabwe

11.22 billion kWh (2002)

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2043 Electricity - imports (kWh)

Afghanistan

150 million kWh (2002)

Albania

1.08 billion kWh (2004 est.)

Algeria

150 million kWh (2002)

American Samoa

0 kWh (2002)

Andorra

NA kWh; note - most electricity supplied by Spain and

France; Andorra generates a small amount of hydropower

Angola

0 kWh (2002)

Antigua and Barbuda

0 kWh (2002)

Argentina

8.775 billion kWh (2002)

Armenia

463 million kWh; note - imports an unknown quantity from

Iran (2002)

Aruba

0 kWh (2002)

Australia

0 kWh (2002)

Austria

15.4 billion kWh (2002)

Azerbaijan

1.558 billion kWh (2002)

Bahamas, The

0 kWh (2002)

Bahrain

0 kWh (2002)

Bangladesh

0 kWh (2002)

Barbados

0 kWh (2002)

Belarus

3.2 billion kWh (2003)

Belgium

16.7 billion kWh (2002)

Belize

0 kWh (2002)

Benin

300 million kWh (2002)

Bermuda

0 kWh (2002)

Bhutan

12 million kWh (2002)

Bolivia

9 million kWh (2002)

Bosnia and Herzegovina

2.271 billion kWh (2002)

Botswana

1.025 billion kWh (2002)

Brazil

36.58 billion kWh; note - supplied by Paraguay (2002)

British Virgin Islands

0 kWh (2002)

Brunei

0 kWh (2002)

Bulgaria

960 million kWh (2002)

Burkina Faso

0 kWh (2002)

Burma

0 kWh (2004)

Burundi

15 million kWh; note - supplied by the Democratic Republic

of the Congo (2002)

Cambodia

0 kWh (2002)

Cameroon

0 kWh (2002)

Canada

13 billion kWh (2002)

Cape Verde

0 kWh (2002)

Cayman Islands

0 kWh (2002)

Central African Republic

0 kWh (2002)

Chad

0 kWh (2002)

Chile

1.813 billion kWh (2002)

China

2.3 billion kWh (2002)

Colombia

23 million kWh (2002)

Comoros

0 kWh (2002)

Congo, Democratic Republic of the

8 million kWh (2002)

Congo, Republic of the

250 million kWh (2002)

Cook Islands

0 kWh (2002)

Costa Rica

59 million kWh (2002)

Cote d'Ivoire

0 kWh (2002)

Croatia

3.966 billion kWh (2002)

Cuba

0 kWh (2002)

Cyprus

0 kWh (2002)

Czech Republic

9.5 billion kWh (2002)

Denmark

8.9 billion kWh (2002)

Djibouti

0 kWh (2002)

Dominica

0 kWh (2002)

Dominican Republic

0 kWh (2002)

East Timor

0 kWh (2002)

Ecuador

57 million kWh (2002)

Egypt

0 kWh (2002)

El Salvador

473 million kWh (2004)

Equatorial Guinea

0 kWh (2002)

Eritrea

0 kWh (2002)

Estonia

200 million kWh (2002)

Ethiopia

0 kWh (2002)

European Union

268.5 billion kWh (2002 est.)

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

0 kWh (2002)

Faroe Islands

0 kWh (2002)

Fiji

0 kWh (2002)

Finland

13.5 billion kWh (2002)

France

3 billion kWh (2002)

French Guiana

0 kWh (2002)

French Polynesia

0 kWh (2002)

Gabon

0 kWh (2002)

Gambia, The

0 kWh (2002)

Gaza Strip

NA kWh; note - electricity supplied by Israel (2001)

Georgia

850 million kWh (2002)

Germany

45.8 billion kWh (2003)

Ghana

200 million kWh (2002)

Gibraltar

0 kWh (2002)

Greece

4.6 billion kWh (2002)

Greenland

0 kWh (2002)

Grenada

0 kWh (2002)

Guadeloupe

0 kWh (2002)

Guam

0 kWh (2002)

Guatemala

55 million kWh (2002)

Guernsey

0 kWh (2002)

Guinea

0 kWh (2002)

Guinea-Bissau

0 kWh (2002)

Guyana

0 kWh (2002)

Haiti

0 kWh (2002)

Holy See (Vatican City)

NA kWh; note - electricity supplied by Italy

Honduras

415 million kWh (2002)

Hong Kong

10.4 billion kWh (2003)

Hungary

12.6 billion kWh (2002)

Iceland

0 kWh (2002)

India

1.54 billion kWh (2002)

Indonesia

0 kWh (2002)

Iran

0 kWh (2002)

Iraq

1.1 billion kWh (2004)

Ireland

600 million kWh (2002)

Israel

0 kWh (2002)

Italy

51.5 billion kWh (2002)

Jamaica

0 kWh (2002)

Japan

0 kWh (2002)

Jersey

NA kWh; note - electricity supplied by France

Jordan

300 million kWh (2002)

Kazakhstan

2.506 billion kWh (2003)

Kenya

175 million kWh (2002)

Kiribati

0 kWh (2002)

Korea, North

0 kWh (2002)

Korea, South

0 kWh (2003)

Kuwait

0 kWh (2002)

Kyrgyzstan

375 million kWh (2002)

Laos

125 million kWh (2002)

Latvia

2.7 billion kWh (2002)

Lebanon

1.09 billion kWh (2002)

Lesotho

16 million kWh; note - electricity supplied by South Africa

(2002)

Liberia

0 kWh (2002)

Libya

0 kWh (2002)

Lithuania

300 million kWh (2002)

Luxembourg

6.3 billion kWh (2002)

Macau

179.7 million kWh (2003)

Macedonia

953 million kWh (2003)

Madagascar

0 kWh (2002)

Malawi

0 kWh (2002)

Malaysia

0 kWh (2002)

Maldives

0 kWh (2002)

Mali

0 kWh (2002)

Malta

0 kWh (2002)

Martinique

0 kWh (2002)

Mauritania

0 kWh (2002)

Mauritius

0 kWh (2002)

Mexico

367.7 million kWh (2002)

Micronesia, Federated States of

0 kWh (2002)

Moldova

1 billion kWh (2002)

Monaco

NA kWh

note: electricity supplied by France

Mongolia

130.5 million kWh (2004 est.)

Montserrat

0 kWh (2002)

Morocco

1.3 billion kWh (2002)

Mozambique

3.907 billion kWh (2002)

Namibia

900 million kWh; note - electricity supplied by South Africa

(2002)

Nauru

0 kWh (2002)

Nepal

237 million kWh (2002)

Netherlands

20.9 billion kWh (2002)

Netherlands Antilles

0 kWh (2002)

New Caledonia

0 kWh (2002)

New Zealand

0 kWh (2002)

Nicaragua

15.3 million kWh (2002)

Niger

80 million kWh (2002)

Nigeria

0 kWh (2002)

Niue

0 kWh (2002)

Northern Mariana Islands

0 kWh

Norway

5.3 billion kWh (2002)

Oman

0 kWh (2002)

Pakistan

0 kWh (2003)

Panama

61 million kWh (2002)

Papua New Guinea

0 kWh (2002)

Paraguay

0 kWh (2002)

Peru

0 kWh (2003)

Philippines

0 kWh (2003)

Poland

4.5 billion kWh (2002)

Portugal

5.3 billion kWh (2002)

Puerto Rico

0 kWh (2002)

Qatar

0 kWh (2002)

Reunion

0 kWh (2002)

Romania

962 million kWh (2003)

Russia

12.65 billion kWh (2002)

Rwanda

40 million kWh (2002)

Saint Helena

0 kWh (2002)

Saint Kitts and Nevis

0 kWh (2002)

Saint Lucia

0 kWh (2002)

Saint Pierre and Miquelon

0 kWh (2002)

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

0 kWh (2002)

Samoa

0 kWh (2002)

Sao Tome and Principe

0 kWh (2002)

Saudi Arabia

0 kWh (2002)

Senegal

0 kWh (2002)

Serbia and Montenegro

3.3 billion kWh (2002)

Seychelles

0 kWh (2002)

Sierra Leone

0 kWh (2002)

Singapore

0 kWh (2003)

Slovakia

6 billion kWh (2003)

Slovenia

5.194 billion kWh (2002)

Solomon Islands

0 kWh (2002)

Somalia

0 kWh (2002)

South Africa

7.873 billion kWh (2002)

Spain

9.8 billion kWh (2002)

Sri Lanka

0 kWh (2002)

Sudan

0 kWh (2002)

Suriname

0 kWh (2002)

Swaziland

799 million kWh; note - electricity supplied by South

Africa (2002)

Sweden

20.1 billion kWh (2002)

Switzerland

27.8 billion kWh (2002)

Syria

0 kWh (2002)

Taiwan

0 kWh (2002)

Tajikistan

4.359 billion kWh (2002)

Tanzania

30 million kWh (2002)

Thailand

600 million kWh (2002)

Togo

350 million kWh; note - electricity supplied by Ghana (2002)

Tonga

0 kWh (2002)

Trinidad and Tobago

0 kWh (2002)

Tunisia

90 million kWh (2002)

Turkey

3.6 billion kWh (2002)

Turkmenistan

0 kWh (2002)

Turks and Caicos Islands

0 kWh (2002)

Uganda

0 kWh (2002)

Ukraine

0 kWh (2002)

United Arab Emirates

0 kWh (2004)

United Kingdom

5.119 billion kWh (2003)

United States

36.23 billion kWh (2002)

Uruguay

434.2 million kWh (2003)

Uzbekistan

6.8 billion kWh (2002)

Vanuatu

0 kWh (2002)

Venezuela

30 million kWh (2003)

Vietnam

0 kWh (2002)

Virgin Islands

0 kWh (2002)

Wallis and Futuna

0 kWh (2002)

West Bank

NA kWh

Western Sahara

0 kWh (2002)

World

497.6 billion kWh (2002 est.)

Yemen

0 kWh (2002)

Zambia

0 kWh (2002)

Zimbabwe

3 billion kWh (2002)

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2044 Electricity - exports (kWh)

Afghanistan

0 kWh (2002)

Albania

100 million kWh (2002)

Algeria

500 million kWh (2002)

American Samoa

0 kWh (2002)

Andorra

0 kWh (2002)

Angola

0 kWh (2002)

Antigua and Barbuda

0 kWh (2002)

Argentina

2.818 billion kWh (2002)

Armenia

704 million kWh; note - exports an unknown quantity to

Georgia; includes exports to Nagorno-Karabakh region in Azerbaijan

(2002)

Aruba

0 kWh (2002)

Australia

0 kWh (2002)

Austria

14.7 billion kWh (2002)

Azerbaijan

505 million kWh (2002)

Bahamas, The

0 kWh (2002)

Bahrain

0 kWh (2002)

Bangladesh

0 kWh (2002)

Barbados

0 kWh (2002)

Belarus

800 million kWh (2004)

Belgium

9.1 billion kWh (2002)

Belize

0 kWh (2002)

Benin

0 kWh (2002)

Bermuda

0 kWh (2002)

Bhutan

1.56 billion kWh (2002)

Bolivia

3 million kWh (2002)

Bosnia and Herzegovina

3.288 billion kWh (2002)

Botswana

0 kWh (2002)

Brazil

7 million kWh (2002)

British Virgin Islands

0 kWh (2002)

Brunei

0 kWh (2002)

Bulgaria

8.3 billion kWh (2002)

Burkina Faso

0 kWh (2002)

Burma

0 kWh (2002)

Burundi

0 kWh (2002)

Cambodia

0 kWh (2002)

Cameroon

0 kWh (2002)

Canada

36.13 billion kWh (2002)

Cape Verde

0 kWh (2002)

Cayman Islands

0 kWh (2002)

Central African Republic

0 kWh (2002)

Chad

0 kWh (2002)

Chile

0 kWh (2002)

China

10.38 billion kWh (2002)

Colombia

618 million kWh (2002)

Comoros

0 kWh (2002)

Congo, Democratic Republic of the

1.5 billion kWh (2002)

Congo, Republic of the

0 kWh (2002)

Cook Islands

0 kWh (2002)

Costa Rica

477 million kWh (2002)

Cote d'Ivoire

1.45 billion kWh (2002)

Croatia

406 million kWh (2002)

Cuba

0 kWh (2002)

Cyprus

0 kWh (2002)

Czech Republic

20.9 billion kWh (2002)

Denmark

11.1 billion kWh (2002)

Djibouti

0 kWh (2002)

Dominica

0 kWh (2002)

Dominican Republic

0 kWh (2002)

East Timor

0 kWh (2002)

Ecuador

0 kWh (2002)

Egypt

0 kWh (2002)

El Salvador

91 million kWh (2004)

Equatorial Guinea

0 kWh (2002)

Eritrea

0 kWh (2002)

Estonia

1.562 billion kWh (2002)

Ethiopia

0 kWh (2002)

European Union

270.8 billion kWh (2002)

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

0 kWh (2002)

Faroe Islands

0 kWh (2002)

Fiji

0 kWh (2002)

Finland

1.5 billion kWh (2002)

France

79.9 billion kWh (2002)

French Guiana

0 kWh (2002)

French Polynesia

0 kWh (2002)

Gabon

0 kWh (2002)

Gambia, The

0 kWh (2002)

Gaza Strip

0 kWh (2001)

Georgia

300 million kWh (2002)

Germany

53.8 billion kWh (2003)

Ghana

500 million kWh (2002)

Gibraltar

0 kWh (2002)

Greece

1.1 billion kWh (2002)

Greenland

0 kWh (2002)

Grenada

0 kWh (2002)

Guadeloupe

0 kWh (2002)

Guam

0 kWh (2002)

Guatemala

440 million kWh (2002)

Guernsey

0 kWh (2002)

Guinea

0 kWh (2002)

Guinea-Bissau

0 kWh (2002)

Guyana

0 kWh (2002)

Haiti

0 kWh (2002)

Holy See (Vatican City)

0 kWh

Honduras

16 million kWh (2002)

Hong Kong

3 billion kWh (2003)

Hungary

8.3 billion kWh (2002)

Iceland

0 kWh (2002)

India

350 million kWh (2002)

Indonesia

0 kWh (2002)

Iran

0 kWh (2002)

Iraq

0 kWh (2004)

Ireland

100 million kWh (2002)

Israel

1.387 billion kWh (2002)

Italy

900 million kWh (2002)

Jamaica

0 kWh (2002)

Japan

0 kWh (2002)

Jordan

2 million kWh (2002)

Kazakhstan

4.975 billion kWh (2003)

Kenya

0 kWh (2002)

Kiribati

0 kWh (2002)

Korea, North

0 kWh (2002)

Korea, South

0 kWh (2003)

Kuwait

0 kWh (2002)

Kyrgyzstan

1.062 billion kWh (2002)

Laos

400 million kWh (2002)

Latvia

1.1 billion kWh (2002)

Lebanon

0 kWh (2002)

Lesotho

0 kWh (2002)

Liberia

0 kWh (2002)

Libya

0 kWh (2002)

Lithuania

6.8 billion kWh (2002)

Luxembourg

2.9 billion kWh (2002)

Macau

1 million kWh (2003)

Macedonia

0 kWh (2003)

Madagascar

0 kWh (2002)

Malawi

0 kWh (2002)

Malaysia

70 million kWh (2002)

Maldives

0 kWh (2002)

Mali

0 kWh; note - recent hydropower developments may be providing

electricity to Senegal and Mauritania (2002)

Malta

0 kWh (2002)

Martinique

0 kWh (2002)

Mauritania

0 kWh (2002)

Mauritius

0 kWh (2002)

Mexico

98.65 million kWh (2002)

Micronesia, Federated States of

0 kWh (2002)

Moldova

0 kWh (2002)

Mongolia

8.2 million kWh (2004 est.)

Montserrat

0 kWh (2002)

Morocco

0 kWh (2002)

Mozambique

7.1 billion kWh (2002)

Namibia

65 million kWh (2002)

Nauru

0 kWh (2002)

Nepal

142 million kWh (2002)

Netherlands

4.5 billion kWh (2002)

Netherlands Antilles

0 kWh (2002)

New Caledonia

0 kWh (2002)

New Zealand

0 kWh (2002)

Nicaragua

6.8 million kWh (2002)

Niger

0 kWh (2002)

Nigeria

30 million kWh (2002)

Niue

0 kWh (2002)

Northern Mariana Islands

0 kWh

Norway

15 billion kWh (2002)

Oman

0 kWh (2002)

Pakistan

0 kWh (2003)

Panama

120 million kWh (2002)

Papua New Guinea

0 kWh (2002)

Paraguay

42.51 billion kWh (2002)

Peru

0 kWh (2003)

Philippines

0 kWh (2003)

Poland

11.5 billion kWh (2002)

Portugal

3.4 billion kWh (2002)

Puerto Rico

0 kWh (2002)

Qatar

0 kWh (2002)

Reunion

0 kWh (2002)

Romania

3.046 billion kWh (2003)

Russia

20.7 billion kWh (2003)

Rwanda

0 kWh (2002)

Saint Helena

0 kWh (2002)

Saint Kitts and Nevis

0 kWh (2002)

Saint Lucia

0 kWh (2002)

Saint Pierre and Miquelon

0 kWh (2002)

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

0 kWh (2002)

Samoa

0 kWh (2002)

Sao Tome and Principe

0 kWh (2002)

Saudi Arabia

0 kWh (2002)

Senegal

0 kWh (2002)

Serbia and Montenegro

400 million kWh (2002)

Seychelles

0 kWh (2002)

Sierra Leone

0 kWh (2002)

Singapore

0 kWh (2003)

Slovakia

8 billion kWh (2003)

Slovenia

7.448 billion kWh (2002)

Solomon Islands

0 kWh (2002)

Somalia

0 kWh (2002)

South Africa

6.95 billion kWh (2002)

Spain

4.4 billion kWh (2002)

Sri Lanka

0 kWh (2002)

Sudan

0 kWh (2002)

Suriname

0 kWh (2002)

Swaziland

0 kWh (2002)

Sweden

14.8 billion kWh (2002)

Switzerland

32.3 billion kWh (2002)

Syria

0 kWh (2002)

Taiwan

0 kWh (2002)

Tajikistan

3.974 billion kWh (2002)

Tanzania

0 kWh (2002)

Thailand

188 million kWh (2002)

Togo

0 kWh (2002)

Tonga

0 kWh (2002)

Trinidad and Tobago

0 kWh (2002)

Tunisia

10 million kWh (2002)

Turkey

433 million kWh (2002)

Turkmenistan

1.136 billion kWh (2004)

Turks and Caicos Islands

0 kWh (2002)

Uganda

250 million kWh (2002)

Ukraine

1.2 billion kWh (2002)

United Arab Emirates

0 kWh (2004)

United Kingdom

2.959 billion kWh (2003)

United States

13.36 billion kWh (2002)

Uruguay

954 million kWh (2003)

Uzbekistan

4.5 billion kWh (2002)

Vanuatu

0 kWh (2002)

Venezuela

450 million kWh (2003)

Vietnam

0 kWh (2002)

Virgin Islands

0 kWh (2002)

Wallis and Futuna

0 kWh (2002)

Western Sahara

0 kWh (2002)

World

500.8 billion kWh (2002 est.)

Yemen

0 kWh (2002)

Zambia

2.25 billion kWh (2002)

Zimbabwe

0 kWh (2002)

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2046 Population below poverty line (%)

Afghanistan

53% (2003)

Albania

25% (2004 est.)

Algeria

23% (1999 est.)

American Samoa

NA

Andorra

NA%

Angola

70% (2003 est.)

Anguilla

23% (2002)

Antigua and Barbuda

NA

Argentina

44.3% (June 2004)

Armenia

50% (2002 est.)

Aruba

NA

Australia

NA

Austria

3.9% (1999)

Azerbaijan

49% (2002 est.)

Bahamas, The

NA

Bahrain

NA

Bangladesh

45% (2004 est.)

Barbados

NA

Belarus

27.1% (2003 est.)

Belgium

4% (1989 est.)

Belize

33% (1999 est.)

Benin

33% (2001 est.)

Bermuda

19% (2000)

Bhutan

NA

Bolivia

64% (2004 est.)

Bosnia and Herzegovina

25% (2004 est.)

Botswana

47% (2002 est.)

Brazil

22% (1998 est.)

British Virgin Islands

NA

Brunei

NA

Bulgaria

13.4% (2002 est.)

Burkina Faso

45% (2003 est.)

Burma

25% (2000 est.)

Burundi

68% (2002 est.)

Cambodia

40% (2004 est.)

Cameroon

48% (2000 est.)

Canada

NA

Cape Verde

30% (2000)

Cayman Islands

NA (2002 est.)

Central African Republic

NA (1993)

Chad

80% (2001 est.)

Chile

20.6% (2000)

China

10% (2001 est.)

Colombia

55% (2001)

Comoros

60% (2002 est.)

Congo, Democratic Republic of the

NA

Congo, Republic of the

NA

Cook Islands

NA

Costa Rica

18% (2004 est.)

Cote d'Ivoire

37% (1995)

Croatia

11% (2003)

Cuba

NA

Cyprus

NA%

Czech Republic

NA

Denmark

NA

Djibouti

50% (2001 est.)

Dominica

30% (2002 est.)

Dominican Republic

25%

East Timor

42% (2003 est.)

Ecuador

45% (2001 est.)

Egypt

16.7% (2000 est.)

El Salvador

36.1% (2003 est.)

Equatorial Guinea

NA

Eritrea

50% (2004 est.)

Estonia

NA (2000)

Ethiopia

50% (2004 est.)

European Union

See individual country listings

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

NA

Faroe Islands

NA%

Fiji

25.5% (1990-91)

Finland

NA

France

6.5% (2000)

French Guiana

NA%

French Polynesia

NA%

Gabon

NA

Gambia, The

NA

Gaza Strip

81% (2004 est.)

Georgia

54% (2001 est.)

Germany

NA

Ghana

31.4% (1992 est.)

Gibraltar

NA%

Greece

NA

Greenland

NA%

Grenada

32% (2000)

Guadeloupe

NA%

Guam

23% (2001 est.)

Guatemala

75% (2004 est.)

Guernsey

NA%

Guinea

40% (2003 est.)

Guinea-Bissau

NA

Guyana

NA

Haiti

80% (2003 est.)

Holy See (Vatican City)

NA%

Honduras

53% (1993 est.)

Hong Kong

NA

Hungary

8.6% (1993 est.)

Iceland

NA%

India

25% (2002 est.)

Indonesia

27% (1999)

Iran

40% (2002 est.)

Iraq

NA

Ireland

10% (1997 est.)

Israel

18% (2001 est.)

Italy

NA

Jamaica

19.7% (2002 est.)

Japan

NA

Jersey

NA%

Jordan

30% (2001 est.)

Kazakhstan

19% (2004 est.)

Kenya

50% (2000 est.)

Kiribati

NA

Korea, North

NA

Korea, South

4% (2001 est.)

Kuwait

NA

Kyrgyzstan

40% (2004 est.)

Laos

40% (2002 est.)

Latvia

NA

Lebanon

28% (1999 est.)

Lesotho

49% (1999)

Liberia

80%

Libya

NA

Liechtenstein

NA%

Lithuania

NA

Luxembourg

NA%

Macau

NA

Macedonia

30.2% (2003 est.)

Madagascar

50% (2004 est.)

Malawi

55% (2004 est.)

Malaysia

8% (1998 est.)

Maldives

NA

Mali

64% average; 30% of the total population living in urban areas;

70% of the total population living in rural areas) (2001 est.)

Malta

NA%

Man, Isle of

NA

Marshall Islands

NA

Martinique

NA%

Mauritania

40% (2004 est.)

Mauritius

10% (2001 est.)

Mayotte

NA%

Mexico

40% (2003 est.)

Micronesia, Federated States of

26.7%

Moldova

80% (2001 est.)

Monaco

NA%

Mongolia

36.1% (2004 est.)

Montserrat

NA

Morocco

19% (1999 est.)

Mozambique

70% (2001 est.)

Namibia

50% (2002 est.)

Nauru

NA

Nepal

42% (1995-96)

Netherlands

NA

Netherlands Antilles

NA

New Caledonia

NA%

New Zealand

NA

Nicaragua

50% (2001 est.)

Niger

63% (1993 est.)

Nigeria

60% (2000 est.)

Niue

NA

Norfolk Island

NA

Northern Mariana Islands

NA

Norway

NA

Oman

NA

Pakistan

32% (FY00/01 est.)

Palau

NA

Panama

37% (1999 est.)

Papua New Guinea

37% (2002 est.)

Paraguay

36% (2001 est.)

Peru

54% (2003 est.)

Philippines

40% (2001 est.)

Pitcairn Islands

NA

Poland

18.4% (2000 est.)

Portugal

NA

Puerto Rico

NA

Qatar

NA

Reunion

NA%

Romania

28.9% (2002)

Russia

25% (January 2003 est.)

Rwanda

60% (2001 est.)

Saint Helena

NA

Saint Kitts and Nevis

NA%

Saint Lucia

NA

Saint Pierre and Miquelon

NA%

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

NA

Samoa

NA

San Marino

NA%

Sao Tome and Principe

54% (2004 est.)

Saudi Arabia

NA

Senegal

54% (2001 est.)

Serbia and Montenegro

30% (1999 est.)

Seychelles

NA

Sierra Leone

68% (1989 est.)

Singapore

NA

Slovakia

NA

Slovenia

NA

Solomon Islands

NA

Somalia

NA

South Africa

50% (2000 est.)

Spain

NA

Sri Lanka

22% (1997 est.)

Sudan

40% (2004 est.)

Suriname

70% (2002 est.)

Swaziland

40% (1995)

Sweden

NA

Switzerland

NA

Syria

20% (2004 est.)

Taiwan

1% (2000 est.)

Tajikistan

60% (2004 est.)

Tanzania

36% (2002 est.)

Thailand

10% (2004 est.)

Togo

32% (1989 est.)

Tokelau

NA

Tonga

NA

Trinidad and Tobago

21% (1992 est.)

Tunisia

7.6% (2001 est.)

Turkey

20% (2002)

Turkmenistan

58% (2003 est.)

Turks and Caicos Islands

NA%

Tuvalu

NA

Uganda

35% (2001 est.)

Ukraine

29% (2003 est.)

United Arab Emirates

NA

United Kingdom

17% (2002 est.)

United States

12% (2004 est.)

Uruguay

21% of households (2003)

Uzbekistan

28% (2004 est.)

Vanuatu

NA

Venezuela

47% (1998 est.)

Vietnam

28.9% (2002 est.)

Virgin Islands

NA%

Wallis and Futuna

NA%

West Bank

59% (2004 est.)

Western Sahara

NA

Yemen

45.2% (2003)

Zambia

86% (1993)

Zimbabwe

70% (2002 est.)

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2047 Household income or consumption by percentage share (%)

Afghanistan

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Albania

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Algeria

lowest 10%: 2.8%

highest 10%: 26.8% (1995)

American Samoa

lowest 10%: NA%

highest 10%: NA%

Andorra

lowest 10%: NA%

highest 10%: NA%

Angola

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Anguilla

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Antigua and Barbuda

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Argentina

lowest 10%: NA%

highest 10%: NA%

Armenia

lowest 10%: 2.3%

highest 10%: 46.2% (1999)

Aruba

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Australia

lowest 10%: 2%

highest 10%: 25.4% (1994)

Austria

lowest 10%: 2.5%

highest 10%: 22.5% (1995)

Azerbaijan

lowest 10%: 2.8%

highest 10%: 27.8% (1995)

Bahamas, The

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: 27% (2000)

Bahrain

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Bangladesh

lowest 10%: 3.9%

highest 10%: 28.6% (1995-96 est.)

Barbados

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Belarus

lowest 10%: 5.1%

highest 10%: 20% (1998)

Belgium

lowest 10%: 3.2%

highest 10%: 23% (1996)

Belize

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Benin

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Bermuda

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Bhutan

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Bolivia

lowest 10%: 1.3%

highest 10%: 32% (1999)

Bosnia and Herzegovina

lowest 10%: NA%

highest 10%: NA%

Botswana

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Brazil

lowest 10%: 0.7%

highest 10%: 48% (1998)

British Virgin Islands

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Brunei

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Bulgaria

lowest 10%: 4.5%

highest 10%: 22.8% (1997)

Burkina Faso

lowest 10%: 2%

highest 10%: 46.8% (1994)

Burma

lowest 10%: 2.8%

highest 10%: 32.4% (1998)

Burundi

lowest 10%: 1.8%

highest 10%: 32.9% (1998)

Cambodia

lowest 10%: 2.9%

highest 10%: 33.8% (1997)

Cameroon

lowest 10%: 1.9%

highest 10%: 36.6% (1996)

Canada

lowest 10%: 2.8%

highest 10%: 23.8% (1994)

Cape Verde

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Cayman Islands

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Central African Republic

lowest 10%: 0.7%

highest 10%: 47.7% (1993)

Chad

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Chile

lowest 10%: 1.2%

highest 10%: 47% (2000)

China

lowest 10%: 2.4%

highest 10%: 30.4% (1998)

Colombia

lowest 10%: 1%

highest 10%: 44% (1999)

Comoros

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Congo, Democratic Republic of the

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Congo, Republic of the

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Cook Islands

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Costa Rica

lowest 10%: 1.1%

highest 10%: 36.8% (2002)

Cote d'Ivoire

lowest 10%: 3.1%

highest 10%: 28.8% (1995)

Croatia

lowest 10%: 3.4%

highest 10%: 24.5% (2003 est.)

Cuba

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Cyprus

lowest 10%: NA%

highest 10%: NA%

Czech Republic

lowest 10%: 4.3%

highest 10%: 22.4% (1996)

Denmark

lowest 10%: 2%

highest 10%: 24% (2000 est.)

Djibouti

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Dominica

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Dominican Republic

lowest 10%: 2.1%

highest 10%: 37.9% (1998)

East Timor

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Ecuador

lowest 10%: 2%

highest 10%: 32%

note: data for urban households only (October 2003)

Egypt

lowest 10%: 4.4%

highest 10%: 25% (1995)

El Salvador

lowest 10%: 1.4%

highest 10%: 39.3% (2001)

Equatorial Guinea

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Eritrea

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Estonia

lowest 10%: 3%

highest 10%: 29.8% (1998)

Ethiopia

lowest 10%: 3%

highest 10%: 33.7% (1995)

European Union

lowest 10%: 2.9%

highest 10%: 25.4% (1995 est.)

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

lowest 10%: NA%

highest 10%: NA%

Faroe Islands

lowest 10%: NA%

highest 10%: NA%

Fiji

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Finland

lowest 10%: 4.2%

highest 10%: 21.6% (1991)

France

lowest 10%: 2.8%

highest 10%: 25.1% (1995)

French Guiana

lowest 10%: NA%

highest 10%: NA%

French Polynesia

lowest 10%: NA%

highest 10%: NA%

Gabon

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Gambia, The

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Gaza Strip

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Georgia

lowest 10%: 2.3%

highest 10%: 27.9% (1996)

Germany

lowest 10%: 3.6%

highest 10%: 25.1% (1997)

Ghana

lowest 10%: 2.2%

highest 10%: 30.1% (1999)

Gibraltar

lowest 10%: NA%

highest 10%: NA%

Greece

lowest 10%: 3%

highest 10%: 28.3% (1998 est.)

Greenland

lowest 10%: NA%

highest 10%: NA%

Grenada

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Guadeloupe

lowest 10%: NA%

highest 10%: NA%

Guam

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Guatemala

lowest 10%: 1.6%

highest 10%: 46% (1998)

Guernsey

lowest 10%: NA%

highest 10%: NA%

Guinea

lowest 10%: 2.6%

highest 10%: 32% (1994)

Guinea-Bissau

lowest 10%: 0.5%

highest 10%: 42.4% (1991)

Guyana

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Haiti

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Holy See (Vatican City)

lowest 10%: NA%

highest 10%: NA%

Honduras

lowest 10%: 0.6%

highest 10%: 42.7% (1998)

Hong Kong

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Hungary

lowest 10%: 4.1%

highest 10%: 20.5% (1998)

Iceland

lowest 10%: NA%

highest 10%: NA%

India

lowest 10%: 3.5%

highest 10%: 33.5% (1997)

Indonesia

lowest 10%: 4%

highest 10%: 26.7% (1999)

Iran

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Iraq

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Ireland

lowest 10%: 2%

highest 10%: 27.3% (1997)

Israel

lowest 10%: 2.4%

highest 10%: 28.3% (1997)

Italy

lowest 10%: 2.1%

highest 10%: 26.6% (2000)

Jamaica

lowest 10%: 2.7%

highest 10%: 30.3% (2000)

Japan

lowest 10%: 4.8%

highest 10%: 21.7% (1993)

Jersey

lowest 10%: NA%

highest 10%: NA%

Jordan

lowest 10%: 3.3%

highest 10%: 29.8% (1997)

Kazakhstan

lowest 10%: 3.3%

highest 10%: 26.5% (2004 est.)

Kenya

lowest 10%: 2%

highest 10%: 37.2% (2000)

Kiribati

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Korea, North

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Korea, South

lowest 10%: 2.9%

highest 10%: 22.5% (1999 est.)

Kuwait

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Kyrgyzstan

lowest 10%: 3.9%

highest 10%: 23.3% (2001)

Laos

lowest 10%: 3.2%

highest 10%: 30.6% (1997)

Latvia

lowest 10%: 2.9%

highest 10%: 25.9% (1998)

Lebanon

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Lesotho

lowest 10%: 0.9%

highest 10%: 43.4%

Liberia

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Libya

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Liechtenstein

lowest 10%: NA%

highest 10%: NA%

Lithuania

lowest 10%: 3.1%

highest 10%: 25.6% (1996)

Luxembourg

lowest 10%: NA%

highest 10%: NA%

Macau

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Macedonia

lowest 10%: NA%

highest 10%: NA%

Madagascar

lowest 10%: 3%

highest 10%: 29% (1999)

Malawi

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Malaysia

lowest 10%: 1.4%

highest 10%: 39.2% (2003 est.)

Maldives

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Mali

lowest 10%: 1.8%

highest 10%: 40.4% (1994)

Malta

lowest 10%: NA%

highest 10%: NA%

Man, Isle of

lowest 10%: NA%

highest 10%: NA%

Marshall Islands

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Martinique

lowest 10%: NA%

highest 10%: NA%

Mauritania

lowest 10%: 2.5%

highest 10%: 30.2% (2000)

Mauritius

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Mayotte

lowest 10%: NA%

highest 10%: NA%

Mexico

lowest 10%: 1.6%

highest 10%: 35.6% (2002)

Micronesia, Federated States of

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Moldova

lowest 10%: 2.2%

highest 10%: 30.7% (1997)

Monaco

lowest 10%: NA%

highest 10%: NA%

Mongolia

lowest 10%: 2.1%

highest 10%: 37% (1995)

Montserrat

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Morocco

lowest 10%: 2.6%

highest 10%: 30.9% (1998-99)

Mozambique

lowest 10%: 2.5%

highest 10%: 31.7% (1997)

Namibia

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Nauru

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Nepal

lowest 10%: 3.2%

highest 10%: 29.8% (1995-96)

Netherlands

lowest 10%: 2.8%

highest 10%: 25.1% (1994)

Netherlands Antilles

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

New Caledonia

lowest 10%: NA%

highest 10%: NA%

New Zealand

lowest 10%: 0.3%

highest 10%: 29.8% (1991 est.)

Nicaragua

lowest 10%: 1.2%

highest 10%: 45% (2001)

Niger

lowest 10%: 0.8%

highest 10%: 35.4% (1995)

Nigeria

lowest 10%: 1.6%

highest 10%: 40.8% (1996-97)

Niue

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Norfolk Island

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Northern Mariana Islands

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Norway

lowest 10%: 4.1%

highest 10%: 21.8% (1995)

Oman

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Pakistan

lowest 10%: 4.1%

highest 10%: 27.6% (FY96/97)

Palau

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Panama

lowest 10%: 1.2%

highest 10%: 35.7% (1997)

Papua New Guinea

lowest 10%: 1.7%

highest 10%: 40.5% (1996)

Paraguay

lowest 10%: 0.5%

highest 10%: 43.8% (1998)

Peru

lowest 10%: 0.8%

highest 10%: 37.2% (2000)

Philippines

lowest 10%: 2.3%

highest 10%: 31.9% (2003)

Pitcairn Islands

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Poland

lowest 10%: 3.2%

highest 10%: 24.7% (1998)

Portugal

lowest 10%: 3.1%

highest 10%: 28.4% (1995 est.)

Puerto Rico

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Qatar

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Reunion

lowest 10%: NA%

highest 10%: NA%

Romania

lowest 10%: 2.4%

highest 10%: 27.6% (2003)

Russia

lowest 10%: 5.9%

highest 10%: 47% (2001)

Rwanda

lowest 10%: 4.2%

highest 10%: 24.2% (1985)

Saint Helena

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Saint Kitts and Nevis

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Saint Lucia

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Saint Pierre and Miquelon

lowest 10%: NA%

highest 10%: NA%

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Samoa

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

San Marino

lowest 10%: NA%

highest 10%: NA%

Sao Tome and Principe

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Saudi Arabia

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Senegal

lowest 10%: 2.6%

highest 10%: 33.5% (1995)

Serbia and Montenegro

lowest 10%: NA%

highest 10%: NA%

Seychelles

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Sierra Leone

lowest 10%: 0.5%

highest 10%: 43.6% (1989)

Singapore

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Slovakia

lowest 10%: 5.1%

highest 10%: 18.2% (1992)

Slovenia

lowest 10%: 3.9%

highest 10%: 23% (1998)

Solomon Islands

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Somalia

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

South Africa

lowest 10%: 1.1%

highest 10%: 45.9% (1994)

Spain

lowest 10%: 2.8%

highest 10%: 25.2% (1990)

Sri Lanka

lowest 10%: 3.5%

highest 10%: 28% (1995)

Sudan

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Suriname

lowest 10%: NA%

highest 10%: NA%

Swaziland

lowest 10%: 1%

highest 10%: 50.2% (1995)

Sweden

lowest 10%: 3.7%

highest 10%: 20.1% (1992)

Switzerland

lowest 10%: 2.6%

highest 10%: 25.2% (1992)

Syria

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Taiwan

lowest 10%: 6.7%

highest 10%: 41.1% (2002 est.)

Tajikistan

lowest 10%: 3.2%

highest 10%: 25.2% (1998)

Tanzania

lowest 10%: 2.8%

highest 10%: 30.1% (1993)

Thailand

lowest 10%: 2.8%

highest 10%: 32.4% (1998)

Togo

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Tokelau

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Tonga

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Trinidad and Tobago

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Tunisia

lowest 10%: 2.3%

highest 10%: 31.8% (1995)

Turkey

lowest 10%: 2.3%

highest 10%: 30.7% (2000)

Turkmenistan

lowest 10%: 2.6%

highest 10%: 31.7% (1998)

Turks and Caicos Islands

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Tuvalu

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Uganda

lowest 10%: 4%

highest 10%: 21% (2000)

Ukraine

lowest 10%: 3.7%

highest 10%: 23.2% (1999)

United Arab Emirates

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

United Kingdom

lowest 10%: 2.1%

highest 10%: 28.5% (1999)

United States

lowest 10%: 1.8%

highest 10%: 30.5% (1997)

Uruguay

lowest 10%: 3.7%

highest 10%: 25.8% (1997)

Uzbekistan

lowest 10%: 3.6%

highest 10%: 22% (2000)

Vanuatu

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Venezuela

lowest 10%: 0.8%

highest 10%: 36.5% (1998)

Vietnam

lowest 10%: 3.6%

highest 10%: 29.9% (1998)

Virgin Islands

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Wallis and Futuna

lowest 10%: NA%

highest 10%: NA%

West Bank

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Western Sahara

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

World

lowest 10%: NA %

highest 10%: NA %

Yemen

lowest 10%: 3%

highest 10%: 25.9% (2003)

Zambia

lowest 10%: 1.1%

highest 10%: 41% (1998)

Zimbabwe

lowest 10%: 1.97%

highest 10%: 40.42% (1995)

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2048 Labor force - by occupation (%)

Afghanistan

agriculture 80%, industry 10%, services 10% (2004 est.)

Albania

agriculture 57%, non-agricultural private sector 20%, public

sector 23% (2004 est.)

Algeria

agriculture 14%, industry 13.4%, construction and public

works 10%, trade 14.6%, government 32%, other 16% (2003 est.)

American Samoa

tuna canneries 34%, government 33%, other 33% (1990)

Andorra

agriculture 1%, industry 21%, services 78% (2000 est.)

Angola

agriculture 85%, industry and services 15% (2003 est.)

Anguilla

agriculture/fishing/forestry/mining 4%, manufacturing 3%,

construction 18%, transportation and utilities 10%, commerce 36%,

services 29% (2000 est.)

Antigua and Barbuda

agriculture 7%, industry 11%, services 82% (1983)

Argentina

agriculture NA%, industry NA%, services NA%

Armenia

agriculture 45%, industry 25%, services 30% (2002 est.)

Aruba

most employment is in wholesale and retail trade and repair,

followed by hotels and restaurants; oil refining

Australia

agriculture 3.6%, industry 26.4%, services 70% (2004 est.)

Austria

agriculture and forestry 4%, industry and crafts 29%,

services 67% (2001 est.)

Azerbaijan

agriculture and forestry 41%, industry 7%, services 52%

(2001)

Bahamas, The

agriculture 5%, industry 5%, tourism 50%, other

services 40% (1999 est.)

Bahrain

agriculture 1%, industry, commerce, and services 79%,

government 20% (1997 est.)

Bangladesh

agriculture 63%, industry 11%, services 26% (FY95/96)

Barbados

agriculture 10%, industry 15%, services 75% (1996 est.)

Belarus

agriculture 14%, industry 34.7%, services 51.3% (2003 est.)

Belgium

agriculture 1.3%, industry 24.5%, services 74.2% (2003 est.)

Belize

agriculture 27%, industry 18%, services 55% (2001 est.)

Bermuda

agriculture and fishing 3%, laborers 17%, clerical 22%,

professional and technical 17%, administrative and managerial 13%,

sales 8%, services 20% (2000 est.)

Bhutan

agriculture 93%, industry and commerce 2%, services 5%

Bolivia

agriculture NA%, industry NA%, services NA%

Bosnia and Herzegovina

agriculture NA, industry NA, services NA

Botswana

NA

Brazil

agriculture 20%, industry 14%, services 66% (2003 est.)

British Virgin Islands

agriculture NA%, industry NA%, services NA%

Brunei

agriculture, forestry, and fishing 10%, production of oil,

natural gas, services, and construction 42%, government 48% (1999

est.)

Bulgaria

agriculture 11%, industry 32.7%, services 56.3% (3rd

quarter 2004 est.)

Burkina Faso

agriculture 90% (2000 est.)

Burma

agriculture 70%, industry 7%, services 23% (2001 est.)

Burundi

agriculture 93.6%, industry 2.3%, services 4.1% (2002 est.)

Cambodia

agriculture 75% (2004 est.)

Cameroon

agriculture 70%, industry and commerce 13%, other 17%

Canada

agriculture 3%, manufacturing 15%, construction 5%, services

74%, other 3% (2000)

Cayman Islands

agriculture 1.4%, industry 12.6%, services 86% (1995)

Chad

agriculture more than 80% (subsistence farming, herding, and

fishing)

Chile

agriculture 13.6%, industry 23.4%, services 63% (2003)

China

agriculture 49%, industry 22%, services 29% (2003 est.)

Christmas Island

NA

Cocos (Keeling) Islands the Cocos Islands Cooperative Society Ltd. employs construction workers, stevedores, and lighterage workers; tourism employs others

Colombia

agriculture 30%, industry 24%, services 46% (1990)

Comoros

agriculture 80%

Congo, Democratic Republic of the

NA

Cook Islands

agriculture 29%, industry 15%, services 56%

note: shortage of skilled labor (1995)

Costa Rica

agriculture 20%, industry 22%, services 58% (1999 est.)

Croatia

agriculture 2.7%, industry 32.8%, services 64.5% (2004)

Cuba

agriculture 24%, industry 25%, services 51% (1999)

Cyprus

Republic of Cyprus: agriculture 4.9%, industry 19.4%,

services 75.6%

north Cyprus: agriculture 15.1%, industry 27%, services 57.9% (2003

est.)

Czech Republic

agriculture 4%, industry 38%, services 58% (2002 est.)

Denmark

agriculture 4%, industry 17%, services 79% (2002 est.)

Djibouti

NA

Dominica

agriculture 40%, industry and commerce 32%, services 28%

Dominican Republic

agriculture 17%, industry 24.3%, services and

government 58.7% (1998 est.)

East Timor

NA

Ecuador

agriculture 8%, industry 24%, services 68% (2001)

Egypt

agriculture 32%, industry 17%, services 51% (2001 est.)

El Salvador

agriculture 17.1%, industry 17.1%, services 65.8% (2003

est.)

Eritrea

agriculture 80%, industry and services 20%

Estonia

agriculture 11%, industry 20%, services 69% (1999 est.)

Ethiopia

agriculture and animal husbandry 80%, industry and

construction 8%, government and services 12% (1985)

European Union

agriculture 4.5%, industry 27.4%, services 66.9%

note: the remainder is in miscellaneous public and private sector

industries and services (2004)

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

agriculture 95% (mostly

sheepherding and fishing)

Faroe Islands

fishing, fish processing, and manufacturing 33%,

construction and private services 33%, public services 34%

Fiji

agriculture, including subsistence agriculture 70% (2001 est.)

Finland

agriculture and forestry 8%, industry 22%, construction 6%,

commerce 14%, finance, insurance, and business services 10%,

transport and communications 8%, public services 32%

France

agriculture 4.1%, industry 24.4%, services 71.5% (1999)

French Guiana

agriculture 18.2%, industry 21.2%, services,

government, and commerce 60.6% (1980)

French Polynesia

agriculture 13%, industry 19%, services 68% (2002)

Gabon

agriculture 60%, industry 15%, services 25%

Gambia, The

agriculture 75%, industry, commerce, and services 19%,

government 6%

Gaza Strip

agriculture 14%, industry 19%, services 66% (2004)

Georgia

agriculture 40%, industry 20%, services 40% (1999 est.)

Germany

agriculture 2.8%, industry 33.4%, services 63.8% (1999)

Ghana

agriculture 60%, industry 15%, services 25% (1999 est.)

Gibraltar

agriculture negligible, industry 40%, services 60%

Greece

agriculture 12%, industry 20%, services 68% (2004 est.)

Grenada

agriculture 24%, industry 14%, services 62% (1999 est.)

Guadeloupe

NA

Guam

private 74% (industry 10%, trade 24%, other services 40%),

federal and territorial government 26% (2000 est.)

Guatemala

agriculture 50%, industry 15%, services 35% (1999 est.)

Guinea

agriculture 80%, industry and services 20% (2000 est.)

Guinea-Bissau

agriculture 82% (2000 est.)

Guyana

agriculture NA%, industry NA%, services NA%

Haiti

agriculture 66%, industry 9%, services 25%

Holy See (Vatican City) essentially services with a small amount of industry; note - dignitaries, priests, nuns, guards, and 3,000 lay workers live outside the Vatican

Honduras

agriculture 34%, industry 21%, services 45% (2001 est.)

Hong Kong

manufacturing 7.5%, construction 2.9%, wholesale and

retail trade, restaurants, and hotels 43.7%, financing, insurance,

and real estate 19.2%, transport and communications 7.9%, community

and social services 18.5%

note: above data exclude public sector (2004 est.)

Hungary

agriculture 6.2%, industry 27.1%, services 66.7% (2002)

Iceland

agriculture, fishing and fish processing 10.3%, industry

18.3%, services 71.4% (2003)

India

agriculture 60%, industry 17%, services 23% (1999)

Indonesia

agriculture 45%, industry 16%, services 39% (1999 est.)

Iran

agriculture 30%, industry 25%, services 45% (2001 est.)

Iraq

agriculture NA, industry NA, services NA

Ireland

agriculture 8%, industry 29%, services 63% (2002 est.)

Israel

agriculture, forestry, and fishing 2.6%, manufacturing 20.2%,

construction 7.5%, commerce 12.8%, transport, storage, and

communications 6.2%, finance and business 13.1%, personal and other

services 6.4%, public services 31.2% (1996)

Italy

agriculture 5%, industry 32%, services 63% (2001)

Jamaica

agriculture 20.1%, industry 16.6%, services 63.4% (2003)

Japan

agriculture 5%, industry 25%, services 70% (2002 est.)

Jordan

agriculture 5%, industry 12.5%, services 82.5% (2001 est.)

Kazakhstan

agriculture 20%, industry 30%, services 50% (2002 est.)

Kenya

agriculture 75% (2003 est.)

Korea, North

agricultural 36%, nonagricultural 64%

Korea, South

agriculture 8%, industry 19%, services 73% (2004 est.)

Kuwait

agriculture NA, industries NA, services NA

Kyrgyzstan

agriculture 55%, industry 15%, services 30% (2000 est.)

Laos

agriculture 80% (1997 est.)

Latvia

agriculture 15%, industry 25%, services 60% (2000 est.)

Lebanon

agriculture NA, industry NA, services NA

Lesotho

86% of resident population engaged in subsistence

agriculture; roughly 35% of the active male wage earners work in

South Africa

Liberia

agriculture 70%, industry 8%, services 22% (2000 est.)

Libya

agriculture 17%, industry 29%, services 54% (1997 est.)

Liechtenstein

agriculture 1.3%, industry 47.4%, services 51.3% (31

December 2001 est.)

Lithuania

agriculture 20%, industry 30%, services 50% (1997 est.)

Luxembourg

agriculture 1%, industry 13%, services 86% (2004 est.)

Macau

manufacturing 18.3%, construction 8%, transport and

communications 7%, wholesale and retail trade 16.2%, restaurants and

hotels 10.9%, gambling 11.6%, public sector 8.8%, other services and

agriculture 19.2% (2003 est.)

Macedonia

agriculture NA%, industry NA%, services NA%

Malawi

agriculture 90% (2003 est.)

Malaysia

agriculture 14.5%, industry 36%, services 49.5% (2000 est.)

Maldives

agriculture 22%, industry 18%, services 60% (1995)

Mali

agriculture and fishing 80% (2001 est.)

Malta

agriculture 5%, industry 24%, services 71% (1999 est.)

Man, Isle of

agriculture, forestry and fishing 3%, manufacturing

11%, construction 10%, transport and communication 8%, wholesale and

retail distribution 11%, professional and scientific services 18%,

public administration 6%, banking and finance 18%, tourism 2%,

entertainment and catering 3%, miscellaneous services 10%

Marshall Islands

agriculture 21.4%, industry 20.9%, services 57.7%

Martinique

agriculture 10%, industry 17%, services 73% (1997)

Mauritania

agriculture 50%, industry 10%, services 40% (2001 est.)

Mauritius

agriculture and fishing 14%, construction and industry

36%, transportation and communication 7%, trade, restaurants, hotels

16%, finance 3%, other services 24% (1995)

Mexico

agriculture 18%, industry 24%, services 58% (2003)

Micronesia, Federated States of

two-thirds are government employees

Moldova

agriculture 40%, industry 14%, services 46% (1998)

Mongolia

herding/agriculture 42%, mining 4%, manufacturing 6%, trade

14%, services 29%, public sector 5%, other 3.7% (2003)

Montserrat

agriculture NA%, industry NA%, services NA%

Morocco

agriculture 40%, industry 15%, services 45% (2003 est.)

Mozambique

agriculture 81%, industry 6%, services 13% (1997 est.)

Namibia

agriculture 47%, industry 20%, services 33% (1999 est.)

Nauru

employed in mining phosphates, public administration,

education, and transportation

Nepal

agriculture 81%, industry 3%, services 16%

Netherlands

agriculture 4%, industry 23%, services 73% (1998 est.)

Netherlands Antilles agriculture 1%, industry 13%, services 86% (2000 est.)

New Caledonia

agriculture 7%, industry 23%, services 70% (1999 est.)

New Zealand

agriculture 10%, industry 25%, services 65% (1995)

Nicaragua

agriculture 30.5%, industry 17.3%, services 52.2% (2003

est.)

Niger

agriculture 90%, industry and commerce 6%, government 4%

Nigeria

agriculture 70%, industry 10%, services 20% (1999 est.)

Niue

most work on family plantations; paid work exists only in

government service, small industry, and the Niue Development Board

Norfolk Island

tourism 90%, subsistence agriculture 10%

Northern Mariana Islands

NA

Norway

agriculture, forestry, and fishing 4%, industry 22%, services

74% (1995)

Oman

agriculture NA, industry NA, services NA

Pakistan

agriculture 42%, industry 20%, services 38% (2004 est.)

Palau

agriculture 20%, industry NA, services NA (1990)

Panama

agriculture 20.8%, industry 18%, services 61.2% (1995 est.)

Papua New Guinea

agriculture 85%, industry NA, services NA

Paraguay

agriculture 45%

Peru

agriculture 9%, industry 18%, services 73% (2001)

Philippines

agriculture 36%, industry 16%, services 48% (2004 est.)

Pitcairn Islands no business community in the usual sense; some public works; subsistence farming and fishing

Poland

agriculture 16.1%, industry 29%, services 54.9% (2002)

Portugal

agriculture 10%, industry 30%, services 60% (1999 est.)

Puerto Rico

agriculture 3%, industry 20%, services 77% (2000 est.)

Reunion

agriculture 13%, industry 12%, services 75% (2000)

Romania

agriculture 31.6%, industry 30.7%, services 37.7% (2004)

Russia

agriculture 12.3%, industry 22.7%, services 65% (2002 est.)

Rwanda

agriculture 90%

Saint Helena

agriculture and fishing 6%, industry (mainly

construction) 48%, services 46% (1987 est.)

Saint Kitts and Nevis

NA

Saint Lucia

agriculture 21.7%, industry, commerce, and manufacturing

24.7%, services 53.6% (2002 est.)

Saint Pierre and Miquelon

fishing 18%, industry (mainly

fish-processing) 41%, services 41% (1996 est.)

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

agriculture 26%, industry 17%,

services 57% (1980 est.)

Samoa

NA

San Marino

agriculture 1%, industry 42%, services 57% (2000 est.)

Sao Tome and Principe population mainly engaged in subsistence agriculture and fishing note: shortages of skilled workers

Saudi Arabia

agriculture 12%, industry 25%, services 63% (1999 est.)

Senegal

agriculture 70%

Serbia and Montenegro

agriculture NA, industry NA, services NA

Seychelles

agriculture 10%, industry 19%, services 71% (1989)

Sierra Leone

agriculture NA, industry NA, services NA

Singapore

manufacturing 18%, construction 6%, transportation and

communication 11%, financial, business, and other services 49%,

other 16% (2003)

Slovakia

agriculture 5.8%, industry 29.3%, construction 9%, services

55.9% (2003)

Slovenia

agriculture 6%, industry 40%, services 55% (2002)

Solomon Islands

agriculture 75%, industry 5%, services 20% (2000

est.)

Somalia

agriculture (mostly pastoral nomadism) 71%, industry and

services 29%

South Africa

agriculture 30%, industry 25%, services 45% (1999 est.)

Spain

agriculture 5.3%, manufacturing, mining, and construction

30.1%, services 64.6% (2004 est.)

Sri Lanka

agriculture 38%, industry 17%, services 45% (1998 est.)

Sudan

agriculture 80%, industry and commerce 7%, government 13%

(1998 est.)

Suriname

agriculture NA%, industry NA%, services NA%

Swaziland

NA

Sweden

agriculture 2%, industry 24%, services 74% (2000 est.)

Switzerland

agriculture 4.6%, industry 26.3%, services 69.1% (1998)

Syria

agriculture 30%, industry 27%, services 43% (2002 est.)

Taiwan

agriculture 8%, industry 35%, services 57% (2001 est.)

Tajikistan

agriculture 67.2%, industry 7.5%, services 25.3% (2000

est.)

Tanzania

agriculture 80%, industry and services 20% (2002 est.)

Thailand

agriculture 49%, industry 14%, services 37% (2000 est.)

Togo

agriculture 65%, industry 5%, services 30% (1998 est.)

Tonga

agriculture 65% (1997 est.)

Trinidad and Tobago

agriculture 9.5%, manufacturing, mining, and

quarrying 14%, construction and utilities 12.4%, services 64.1%

(1997 est.)

Tunisia

services 55%, industry 23%, agriculture 22% (1995 est.)

Turkey

agriculture 35.9%, industry 22.8%, services 41.2% (3rd

quarter, 2004)

Turkmenistan

agriculture 48.2%, industry 13.8%, services 37% (2003

est.)

Turks and Caicos Islands

about 33% in government and 20% in

agriculture and fishing; significant numbers in tourism, financial,

and other services

Tuvalu

people make a living mainly through exploitation of the sea,

reefs, and atolls and from wages sent home by those abroad (mostly

workers in the phosphate industry and sailors)

Uganda

agriculture 82%, industry 5%, services 13% (1999 est.)

Ukraine

agriculture 24%, industry 32%, services 44% (1996)

United Arab Emirates

agriculture 7%, industry 15%, services 78%

(2000 est.)

United Kingdom

agriculture 1.5%, industry 19.1%, services 79.5%

(2004)

United States

farming, forestry, and fishing 0.7%, manufacturing,

extraction, transportation, and crafts 22.7%, managerial,

professional, and technical 34.9%, sales and office 25.5%, other

services 16.3%

note: figures exclude the unemployed (2004)

Uruguay

agriculture 14%, industry 16%, services 70%

Uzbekistan

agriculture 44%, industry 20%, services 36% (1995)

Vanuatu

agriculture 65%, industry 5%, services 30% (2000 est.)

Venezuela

agriculture 13%, industry 23%, services 64% (1997 est.)

Vietnam

agriculture 63%, industry and services 37% (2000 est.)

Virgin Islands

agriculture 1%, industry 19%, services 80% (2003 est.)

Wallis and Futuna agriculture, livestock, and fishing 80%, government 4% (2001 est.)

West Bank

agriculture 15%, industry 25%, services 60% (2004 est.)

Western Sahara

animal husbandry and subsistence farming 50%

World

agriculture NA%, industry NA%, services NA%

Yemen

most people are employed in agriculture and herding; services,

construction, industry, and commerce account for less than

one-fourth of the labor force

Zambia

agriculture 85%, industry 6%, services 9%

Zimbabwe

agriculture 66%, industry 10%, services 24% (1996)

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2049 Exports - commodities

Afghanistan

opium, fruits and nuts, handwoven carpets, wool, cotton,

hides and pelts, precious and semi-precious gems

Albania

textiles and footwear; asphalt, metals and metallic ores,

crude oil; vegetables, fruits, tobacco

Algeria

petroleum, natural gas, and petroleum products 97%

American Samoa

canned tuna 93%

Andorra

tobacco products, furniture

Angola

crude oil, diamonds, refined petroleum products, gas, coffee,

sisal, fish and fish products, timber, cotton

Anguilla

lobster, fish, livestock, salt, concrete blocks, rum

Antigua and Barbuda

petroleum products 48%, manufactures 23%,

machinery and transport equipment 17%, food and live animals 4%,

other 8%

Argentina

edible oils, fuels and energy, cereals, feed, motor

vehicles

Armenia

diamonds, mineral products, foodstuffs, energy

Aruba

live animals and animal products, art and collectibles,

machinery and electrical equipment, transport equipment

Australia

coal, gold, meat, wool, alumina, iron ore, wheat,

machinery and transport equipment

Austria

machinery and equipment, motor vehicles and parts, paper and

paperboard, metal goods, chemicals, iron and steel; textiles,

foodstuffs

Azerbaijan

oil and gas 90%, machinery, cotton, foodstuffs

Bahamas, The

mineral products and salt, animal products, rum,

chemicals; fruit and vegetables

Bahrain

petroleum and petroleum products, aluminum, textiles

Bangladesh

garments, jute and jute goods, leather, frozen fish and

seafood (2001)

Barbados

sugar and molasses, rum, other foods and beverages,

chemicals, electrical components

Belarus

machinery and equipment, mineral products, chemicals,

metals; textiles, foodstuffs

Belgium

machinery and equipment, chemicals, diamonds, metals and

metal products, foodstuffs

Belize

sugar, bananas, citrus, clothing, fish products, molasses,

wood

Benin

cotton, crude oil, palm products, cocoa

Bermuda

reexports of pharmaceuticals

Bhutan

electricity (to India), cardamom, gypsum, timber,

handicrafts, cement, fruit, precious stones, spices

Bolivia

natural gas, soybeans and soy products, crude petroleum,

zinc ore, tin

Bosnia and Herzegovina

metals, clothing, wood products

Botswana

diamonds, copper, nickel, soda ash, meat, textiles

Brazil

transport equipment, iron ore, soybeans, footwear, coffee,

autos

British Virgin Islands

rum, fresh fish, fruits, animals; gravel, sand

Brunei

crude oil, natural gas, refined products

Bulgaria

clothing, footwear, iron and steel, machinery and

equipment, fuels

Burkina Faso

cotton, livestock, gold

Burma

clothing, gas, wood products, pulses, beans, fish, rice

Burundi

coffee, tea, sugar, cotton, hides

Cambodia

Clothing, timber, rubber, rice, fish, tobacco, footwear

Cameroon

crude oil and petroleum products, lumber, cocoa beans,

aluminum, coffee, cotton

Canada

motor vehicles and parts, industrial machinery, aircraft,

telecommunications equipment; chemicals, plastics, fertilizers; wood

pulp, timber, crude petroleum, natural gas, electricity, aluminum

Cape Verde

fuel, shoes, garments, fish, hides

Cayman Islands

turtle products, manufactured consumer goods

Central African Republic

diamonds, timber, cotton, coffee, tobacco

Chad

cotton, cattle, gum arabic

Chile

copper, fruit, fish products, paper and pulp, chemicals, wine

China

machinery and equipment, plastics, optical and medical

equipment, iron and steel

Christmas Island

phosphate

Cocos (Keeling) Islands

copra

Colombia

petroleum, coffee, coal, apparel, bananas, cut flowers

Comoros

vanilla, ylang-ylang, cloves, perfume oil, copra

Congo, Democratic Republic of the

diamonds, copper, crude oil,

coffee, cobalt

Congo, Republic of the

petroleum, lumber, plywood, sugar, cocoa,

coffee, diamonds

Cook Islands

copra, papayas, fresh and canned citrus fruit, coffee;

fish; pearls and pearl shells; clothing

Costa Rica

coffee, bananas, sugar; pineapples; textiles, electronic

components, medical equipment

Cote d'Ivoire

cocoa, coffee, timber, petroleum, cotton, bananas,

pineapples, palm oil, fish

Croatia

transport equipment, textiles, chemicals, foodstuffs, fuels

Cuba

sugar, nickel, tobacco, fish, medical products, citrus, coffee

Cyprus

Republic of Cyprus: citrus, potatoes, pharmaceuticals,

cement, clothing and cigarettes; north Cyprus: citrus, potatoes,

textiles

Czech Republic

machinery and transport equipment 52%, chemicals 5%,

raw materials and fuel 9% (2003)

Denmark

machinery and instruments, meat and meat products, dairy

products, fish, chemicals, furniture, ships, windmills

Djibouti

reexports, hides and skins, coffee (in transit)

Dominica

bananas, soap, bay oil, vegetables, grapefruit, oranges

Dominican Republic

ferronickel, sugar, gold, silver, coffee, cocoa,

tobacco, meats, consumer goods

East Timor

coffee, sandalwood, marble; note - the potential for oil

and vanilla exports

Ecuador

petroleum, bananas, cut flowers, shrimp

Egypt

crude oil and petroleum products, cotton, textiles, metal

products, chemicals

El Salvador

offshore assembly exports, coffee, sugar, shrimp,

textiles, chemicals, electricity

Equatorial Guinea

petroleum, methanol, timber, cocoa

Eritrea

livestock, sorghum, textiles, food, small manufactures (2000)

Estonia

machinery and equipment 33%, wood and paper 15%, textiles

14%, food products 8%, furniture 7%, metals, chemical products (2001)

Ethiopia

coffee, qat, gold, leather products, live animals, oilseeds

European Union

machinery, motor vehicles, aircraft, plastics,

pharmaceuticals and other chemicals, fuels, iron and steel,

nonferrous metals, wood pulp and paper products, textiles, meat,

dairy products, fish, alcoholic beverages.

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

wool, hides, meat

Faroe Islands

fish and fish products 94%, stamps, ships (1999)

Fiji

sugar, garments, gold, timber, fish, molasses, coconut oil

Finland

machinery and equipment, chemicals, metals; timber, paper,

pulp (1999)

France

machinery and transportation equipment, aircraft, plastics,

chemicals, pharmaceutical products, iron and steel, beverages

French Guiana

shrimp, timber, gold, rum, rosewood essence, clothing

French Polynesia

cultured pearls, coconut products, mother-of-pearl,

vanilla, shark meat

Gabon

crude oil 77%, timber, manganese, uranium (2001)

Gambia, The

peanut products, fish, cotton lint, palm kernels,

re-exports

Gaza Strip

citrus, flowers

Georgia

scrap metal, machinery, chemicals; fuel reexports; citrus

fruits, tea, wine

Germany

machinery, vehicles, chemicals, metals and manufactures,

foodstuffs, textiles

Ghana

gold, cocoa, timber, tuna, bauxite, aluminum, manganese ore,

diamonds

Gibraltar

(principally reexports) petroleum 51%, manufactured goods

41%, other 8%

Greece

food and beverages, manufactured goods, petroleum products,

chemicals, textiles

Greenland

fish and fish products 94% (prawns 63%)

Grenada

bananas, cocoa, nutmeg, fruit and vegetables, clothing, mace

Guadeloupe

bananas, sugar, rum

Guam

mostly transshipments of refined petroleum products;

construction materials, fish, food and beverage products

Guatemala

coffee, sugar, petroleum, apparel, bananas, fruits and

vegetables, cardamom

Guernsey

tomatoes, flowers and ferns, sweet peppers, eggplant, other

vegetables

Guinea

bauxite, alumina, gold, diamonds, coffee, fish, agricultural

products

Guinea-Bissau

cashew nuts, shrimp, peanuts, palm kernels, sawn lumber

Guyana

sugar, gold, bauxite/alumina, rice, shrimp, molasses, rum,

timber

Haiti

manufactures, coffee, oils, cocoa, mangoes

Honduras

coffee, shrimp, bananas, gold, palm oil, fruit, lobster,

lumber

Hong Kong

electrical machinery and appliances, textiles, apparel,

footwear, watches and clocks, toys, plastics, precious stones,

printed material

Hungary

machinery and equipment 61.1%, other manufactures 28.7%,

food products 6.5%, raw materials 2%, fuels and electricity 1.6%

(2003)

Iceland

fish and fish products 70%, aluminum, animal products,

ferrosilicon, diatomite

India

textile goods, gems and jewelry, engineering goods, chemicals,

leather manufactures

Indonesia

oil and gas, electrical appliances, plywood, textiles,

rubber

Iran

petroleum 80%, chemical and petrochemical products, fruits and

nuts, carpets

Iraq

crude oil (83.9%), crude materials excluding fuels (8.0%), food

and live animals (5.0%)

Ireland

machinery and equipment, computers, chemicals,

pharmaceuticals; live animals, animal products

Israel

machinery and equipment, software, cut diamonds, agricultural

products, chemicals, textiles and apparel

Italy

engineering products, textiles and clothing, production

machinery, motor vehicles, transport equipment, chemicals; food,

beverages and tobacco; minerals and nonferrous metals

Jamaica

alumina, bauxite, sugar, bananas, rum, coffee, yams,

beverages, chemicals, wearing apparel, mineral fuels

Japan

transport equipment, motor vehicles, semiconductors,

electrical machinery, chemicals

Jersey

light industrial and electrical goods, foodstuffs, textiles

Jordan

clothing, phosphates, fertilizers, potash, vegetables,

manufactures, pharmaceuticals

Kazakhstan

oil and oil products 58%, ferrous metals 24%, chemicals

5%, machinery 3%, grain, wool, meat, coal (2001)

Kenya

tea, horticultural products, coffee, petroleum products, fish,

cement

Kiribati

copra 62%, coconuts, seaweed, fish

Korea, North

minerals, metallurgical products, manufactures

(including armaments); textiles and fishery products

Korea, South

semiconductors, wireless telecommunications equipment,

motor vehicles, computers, steel, ships, petrochemicals

Kuwait

oil and refined products, fertilizers

Kyrgyzstan

cotton, wool, meat, tobacco; gold, mercury, uranium,

natural gas, hydropower; machinery; shoes

Laos

garments, wood products, coffee, electricity, tin

Latvia

wood and wood products, machinery and equipment, metals,

textiles, foodstuffs

Lebanon

authentic jewelry, inorganic chemicals, miscellaneous

consumer goods, fruit, tobacco, construction minerals, electric

power machinery and switchgear, textile fibers, paper

Lesotho

manufactures 75% (clothing, footwear, road vehicles), wool

and mohair, food and live animals (2000)

Liberia

rubber, timber, iron, diamonds, cocoa, coffee

Libya

crude oil, refined petroleum products, natural gas

Liechtenstein

small specialty machinery, connectors for audio and

video, parts for motor vehicles, dental products, hardware, prepared

foodstuffs, electronic equipment, optical products

Lithuania

mineral products 23%, textiles and clothing 16%, machinery

and equipment 11%, chemicals 6%, wood and wood products 5%,

foodstuffs 5% (2001)

Luxembourg

machinery and equipment, steel products, chemicals,

rubber products, glass

Macau

clothing, textiles, footwear, toys, electronics, machinery and

parts

Macedonia

food, beverages, tobacco; miscellaneous manufactures, iron

and steel

Madagascar

coffee, vanilla, shellfish, sugar; cotton cloth,

chromite, petroleum products

Malawi

tobacco 60%, tea, sugar, cotton, coffee, peanuts, wood

products, apparel

Malaysia

electronic equipment, petroleum and liquefied natural gas,

wood and wood products, palm oil, rubber, textiles, chemicals

Maldives

fish, clothing

Mali

cotton, gold, livestock

Malta

machinery and transport equipment, manufactures

Man, Isle of

tweeds, herring, processed shellfish, beef, lamb

Marshall Islands

copra cake, coconut oil, handicrafts, fish

Martinique

refined petroleum products, bananas, rum, pineapples

(2001 est.)

Mauritania

iron ore, fish and fish products, gold

Mauritius

clothing and textiles, sugar, cut flowers, molasses

Mayotte

ylang-ylang (perfume essence), vanilla, copra, coconuts,

coffee, cinnamon

Mexico

manufactured goods, oil and oil products, silver, fruits,

vegetables, coffee, cotton

Micronesia, Federated States of

fish, garments, bananas, black pepper

Moldova

foodstuffs, textiles, machinery

Mongolia

copper, apparel, livestock, animal products, cashmere,

wool, hides, fluorspar, other nonferrous metals

Montserrat

electronic components, plastic bags, apparel, hot

peppers, live plants, cattle

Morocco

clothing, fish, inorganic chemicals, transistors, crude

minerals, fertilizers (including phosphates), petroleum products,

fruits, vegetables

Mozambique

aluminum, prawns, cashews, cotton, sugar, citrus, timber;

bulk electricity

Namibia

diamonds, copper, gold, zinc, lead, uranium; cattle,

processed fish, karakul skins

Nauru

phosphates

Nepal

carpets, clothing, leather goods, jute goods, grain

Netherlands

machinery and equipment, chemicals, fuels; foodstuffs

Netherlands Antilles

petroleum products

New Caledonia

ferronickels, nickel ore, fish

New Zealand

dairy products, meat, wood and wood products, fish,

machinery

Nicaragua

coffee, beef, shrimp and lobster, tobacco, sugar, gold,

peanuts

Niger

uranium ore, livestock, cowpeas, onions

Nigeria

petroleum and petroleum products 95%, cocoa, rubber

Niue

canned coconut cream, copra, honey, vanilla, passion fruit

products, pawpaws, root crops, limes, footballs, stamps, handicrafts

Norfolk Island

postage stamps, seeds of the Norfolk Island pine and

Kentia palm, small quantities of avocados

Northern Mariana Islands

garments

Norway

petroleum and petroleum products, machinery and equipment,

metals, chemicals, ships, fish

Oman

petroleum, reexports, fish, metals, textiles

Pakistan

textiles (garments, bed linen, cotton cloth, and yarn),

rice, leather goods, sports goods, chemicals, manufactures, carpets

and rugs

Palau

shellfish, tuna, copra, garments

Panama

bananas, shrimp, sugar, coffee, clothing (1999)

Papua New Guinea

oil, gold, copper ore, logs, palm oil, coffee,

cocoa, crayfish, prawns

Paraguay

soybeans, feed, cotton, meat, edible oils, electricity,

wood, leather

Peru

copper, gold, zinc, crude petroleum and petroleum products,

coffee

Philippines

electronic equipment, machinery and transport equipment,

garments, optical instruments, coconut products, fruits and nuts,

copper products, chemicals

Pitcairn Islands

fruits, vegetables, curios, stamps

Poland

machinery and transport equipment 37.8%, intermediate

manufactured goods 23.7%, miscellaneous manufactured goods 17.1%,

food and live animals 7.6% (2003)

Portugal

clothing and footwear, machinery, chemicals, cork and paper

products, hides

Puerto Rico

chemicals, electronics, apparel, canned tuna, rum,

beverage concentrates, medical equipment

Qatar

liquefied natural gas (LNG), petroleum products, fertilizers,

steel

Reunion

sugar 63%, rum and molasses 4%, perfume essences 2%, lobster

3%, (1993)

Romania

textiles and footwear, metals and metal products, machinery

and equipment, minerals and fuels, chemicals, agricultural products

Russia

petroleum and petroleum products, natural gas, wood and wood

products, metals, chemicals, and a wide variety of civilian and

military manufactures

Rwanda

coffee, tea, hides, tin ore

Saint Helena

fish (frozen, canned, and salt-dried skipjack, tuna),

coffee, handicrafts

Saint Kitts and Nevis

machinery, food, electronics, beverages,

tobacco

Saint Lucia

bananas 41%, clothing, cocoa, vegetables, fruits,

coconut oil

Saint Pierre and Miquelon

fish and fish products, soybeans, animal

feed, mollusks and crustaceans, fox and mink pelts

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

bananas 39%, eddoes and dasheen

(taro), arrowroot starch; tennis racquets

Samoa

fish, coconut oil and cream, copra, taro, automotive parts,

garments, beer

San Marino

building stone, lime, wood, chestnuts, wheat, wine, baked

goods, hides, ceramics

Sao Tome and Principe

cocoa 80%, copra, coffee, palm oil

Saudi Arabia

petroleum and petroleum products 90%

Senegal

fish, groundnuts (peanuts), petroleum products, phosphates,

cotton

Serbia and Montenegro

manufactured goods, food and live animals, raw

materials

Seychelles

canned tuna, frozen fish, cinnamon bark, copra, petroleum

products (reexports)

Sierra Leone

diamonds, rutile, cocoa, coffee, fish (1999)

Singapore

machinery and equipment (including electronics), consumer

goods, chemicals, mineral fuels

Slovakia

vehicles 25.9%, machinery and electrical equipment 21.3%,

base metals 14.6%, chemicals and minerals 10.1%, plastics 5.4%%

(2004 est.)

Slovenia

manufactured goods, machinery and transport equipment,

chemicals, food

Solomon Islands

timber, fish, copra, palm oil, cocoa

Somalia

livestock, bananas, hides, fish, charcoal, scrap metal

South Africa

gold, diamonds, platinum, other metals and minerals,

machinery and equipment (1998 est.)

Spain

machinery, motor vehicles; foodstuffs, pharmaceuticals,

medicines, other consumer goods

Sri Lanka

textiles and apparel; tea and spices; diamonds, emeralds,

rubies; coconut products; rubber manufactures, fish

Sudan

oil and petroleum products; cotton, sesame, livestock,

groundnuts, gum arabic, sugar

Suriname

alumina, crude oil, lumber, shrimp and fish, rice, bananas

Swaziland

soft drink concentrates, sugar, wood pulp, cotton yarn,

refrigerators, citrus and canned fruit

Sweden

machinery 35%, motor vehicles, paper products, pulp and wood,

iron and steel products, chemicals

Switzerland

machinery, chemicals, metals, watches, agricultural

products

Syria

crude oil, petroleum products, fruits and vegetables, cotton

fiber, clothing, meat and live animals, wheat

Taiwan

computer products and electrical equipment, metals, textiles,

plastics and rubber products, chemicals (2002)

Tajikistan

aluminum, electricity, cotton, fruits, vegetable oil,

textiles

Tanzania

gold, coffee, cashew nuts, manufactures, cotton

Thailand

textiles and footwear, fishery products, rice, rubber,

jewelry, automobiles, computers and electrical appliances

Togo

reexports, cotton, phosphates, coffee, cocoa

Tokelau

stamps, copra, handicrafts

Tonga

squash, fish, vanilla beans, root crops

Trinidad and Tobago

petroleum and petroleum products, chemicals,

steel products, fertilizer, sugar, cocoa, coffee, citrus, flowers

Tunisia

textiles, mechanical goods, phosphates and chemicals,

agricultural products, hydrocarbons

Turkey

apparel, foodstuffs, textiles, metal manufactures, transport

equipment

Turkmenistan

gas, crude oil, petrochemicals, cotton fiber, textiles

Turks and Caicos Islands

lobster, dried and fresh conch, conch shells

Tuvalu

copra, fish

Uganda

coffee, fish and fish products, tea; gold, cotton, flowers,

horticultural products

Ukraine

ferrous and nonferrous metals, fuel and petroleum products,

chemicals, machinery and transport equipment, food products

United Arab Emirates

crude oil 45%, natural gas, reexports, dried

fish, dates

United Kingdom

manufactured goods, fuels, chemicals; food,

beverages, tobacco

United States

agricultural products (soybeans, fruit, corn) 9.2%,

industrial supplies (organic chemicals) 26.8%, capital goods

(transistors, aircraft, motor vehicle parts, computers,

telecommunications equipment) 49.0%, consumer goods (automobiles,

medicines) 15.0% (2003)

Uruguay

meat, rice, leather products, wool, fish, dairy products

Uzbekistan

cotton 41.5%, gold 9.6%, energy products 9.6%, mineral

fertilizers, ferrous metals, textiles, food products, automobiles

(1998 est.)

Vanuatu

copra, beef, cocoa, timber, kava, coffee

Venezuela

petroleum, bauxite and aluminum, steel, chemicals,

agricultural products, basic manufactures

Vietnam

crude oil, marine products, rice, coffee, rubber, tea,

garments, shoes

Virgin Islands

refined petroleum products

Wallis and Futuna

copra, chemicals, construction materials

West Bank

olives, fruit, vegetables, limestone

Western Sahara

phosphates 62%

World

the whole range of industrial and agricultural goods and

services

Yemen

crude oil, coffee, dried and salted fish

Zambia

copper/cobalt 64%, cobalt, electricity, tobacco, flowers,

cotton

Zimbabwe

cotton, tobacco, gold, ferroalloys, textiles/clothing

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2050 Exports - partners (%)

Afghanistan

Pakistan 24%, India 21.3%, US 12.4%, Germany 5.5% (2004)

Albania

Italy 71.7%, Canada 4.3%, Germany 4.3% (2004)

Algeria

US 22.6%, Italy 17.2%, France 11.4%, Spain 10.1%, Canada

7.5%, Brazil 6.1%, Belgium 4.6% (2004)

American Samoa

Samoa 39.8%, Australia 19.9%, Japan 15.1%, New

Zealand 10.5% (2004)

Andorra

Spain 58%, France 34% (2000)

Angola

US 38%, China 35.9%, Taiwan 6.8%, France 6.5% (2004)

Anguilla

UK, US, Puerto Rico, Saint-Martin (2000)

Antigua and Barbuda

Poland 47.8%, UK 24.6%, Germany 8.7% (2004)

Argentina

Brazil 15.3%, Chile 10.7%, US 10.2%, China 8.7%, Spain

4.4% (2004)

Armenia

Belgium 18%, Israel 15.3%, Germany 13.3%, Russia 12.5%, US

8.1%, Netherlands 7.2%, Iran 5.5%, Georgia 4.3%, UAE 4% (2004)

Aruba

Netherlands 28.5%, Panama 17.5%, Venezuela 14.7%, Netherlands

Antilles 11.2%, Colombia 10.7%, US 10.4% (2004)

Australia

Japan 18.6%, China 9.2%, US 8.1%, South Korea 7.7%, New

Zealand 7.4%, India 4.6%, UK 4.2% (2004)

Austria

Germany 32%, Italy 8.9%, US 6%, Switzerland 4.8%, France

4.2%, UK 4.2% (2004)

Azerbaijan

Italy 26.6%, Czech Republic 11.9%, Germany 8.1%,

Indonesia 6.4%, Romania 6.2%, Georgia 6%, Russia 5.3%, Turkey 5.2%,

France 4.1% (2004)

Bahamas, The

US 40.2%, Poland 13.3%, Spain 11.6%, Germany 5.9%,

France 4.3% (2004)

Bahrain

Saudi Arabia 3%, US 2.9%, UAE 2.2% (2004)

Bangladesh

US 22.4%, Germany 14.5%, UK 11.2%, France 6.9%, Italy 4%

(2004)

Barbados

US 20.6%, UK 14.5%, Trinidad and Tobago 13.9%, Saint Lucia

6.9%, Jamaica 6.6%, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 5.1% (2004)

Belarus

Russia 47%, UK 8.3%, Netherlands 6.7%, Poland 5.3% (2004)

Belgium

Germany 19.9%, France 17.2%, Netherlands 11.8%, UK 8.6%, US

6.5%, Italy 5.2% (2004)

Belize

US 37.2%, UK 26.8%, Jamaica 4.6% (2004)

Benin

China 28.7%, India 18.4%, Ghana 6.3%, Thailand 6%, Niger 5.8%,

Indonesia 4.2%, Nigeria 4.2% (2004)

Bermuda

France 73.2%, UK 6.2%, Spain 2.4% (2004)

Bhutan

Bangladesh 47.4%, Japan 30.2%, France 3.4% (2004)

Bolivia

Brazil 40%, US 13.9%, Colombia 8.7%, Peru 6.3%, Japan 4.5%

(2004)

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Italy 22.3%, Croatia 21.1%, Germany 20.8%,

Austria 7.4%, Slovenia 7.1%, Hungary 4.8% (2004)

Botswana

European Free Trade Association (EFTA) 87%, Southern

African Customs Union (SACU) 7%, Zimbabwe 4% (2000)

Brazil

US 20.8%, Argentina 7.5%, Netherlands 6.1%, China 5.6%,

Germany 4.1%, Mexico 4% (2004)

British Virgin Islands

Virgin Islands (US), Puerto Rico, US

Brunei

Japan 38.1%, South Korea 14%, Australia 11.2%, US 8.6%,

Thailand 7.9%, Indonesia 5.9%, China 4.5% (2004)

Bulgaria

Italy 13.1%, Germany 11.6%, Turkey 9.3%, Belgium 6.1%,

Greece 5.6%, US 5.3%, France 4.9% (2004)

Burkina Faso

China 32.1%, Singapore 11.5%, Ghana 4.7%, Bangladesh

4.3% (2004)

Burma

Thailand 37.8%, India 11.7%, China 6%, Japan 5.3% (2004)

Burundi

Germany 19.6%, Belgium 8.2%, Pakistan 6.7%, US 5.6%, Rwanda

5.6%, Thailand 5.4% (2004)

Cambodia

US 55.9%, Germany 11.7%, UK 6.9%, Vietnam 4.4%, Canada 4.2%

(2004)

Cameroon

Spain 15.2%, Italy 12.3%, UK 10.2%, France 9.2%, US 8.8%,

South Korea 7.1%, Netherlands 4.3% (2004)

Canada

US 85.2%, Japan 2.1%, UK 1.6% (2004)

Cape Verde

Portugal 59.4%, US 17.2%, UK 11.4% (2004)

Cayman Islands

mostly US

Central African Republic

Belgium 39.2%, Italy 8.6%, Spain 7.9%, US

6.2%, France 6.1%, Indonesia 5.8%, China 4.9% (2004)

Chad

US 67.8%, China 21.5%, Portugal 4.3% (2004)

Chile

US 14%, Japan 11.4%, China 9.9%, South Korea 5.5%, Netherlands

5.1%, Brazil 4.3%, Italy 4.1%, Mexico 4% (2004)

China

US 21.1%, Hong Kong 17%, Japan 12.4%, South Korea 4.7%,

Germany 4% (2004)

Christmas Island

Australia, NZ

Cocos (Keeling) Islands

Australia

Colombia

US 42.1%, Venezuela 9.7%, Ecuador 6% (2004)

Comoros

US 43.8%, France 18.6%, Singapore 16.5%, Turkey 4.8%,

Germany 4.5% (2004)

Congo, Democratic Republic of the

Belgium 47.8%, Finland 21%, US

10.9%, China 7.6% (2004)

Congo, Republic of the

China 26.8%, Taiwan 19.2%, North Korea 8.4%,

US 7.3%, France 5.5%, South Korea 4.8% (2004)

Cook Islands

Australia 34%, Japan 27%, New Zealand 25%, US 8% (2000)

Costa Rica

US 46.9%, Netherlands 5.3%, Guatemala 4.4% (2004)

Cote d'Ivoire

US 11.6%, Netherlands 10.3%, France 9.5%, Italy 5.5%,

Belgium 4.7%, Germany 4.7% (2004)

Croatia

Italy 23%, Bosnia and Herzegovina 13.4%, Germany 11.4%,

Austria 9.6%, Slovenia 7.6% (2004)

Cuba

Netherlands 22.7%, Canada 20.6%, China 7.7%, Russia 7.5%, Spain

6.4%, Venezuela 4.4% (2004)

Cyprus

UK 27.2%, Greece 11.9%, Germany 5%, UAE 4.8% (2004)

Czech Republic

Germany 36.1%, Slovakia 8.4%, Austria 6%, Poland

5.3%, UK 4.7%, France 4.7%, Italy 4.3%, Netherlands 4.3% (2004)

Denmark

Germany 18%, Sweden 13.2%, UK 8.7%, US 5.8%, Netherlands

5.5%, Norway 5.4%, France 5% (2004)

Djibouti

Somalia 63.8%, Yemen 22.6%, Ethiopia 5% (2004)

Dominica

UK 21.6%, Jamaica 14.8%, Antigua and Barbuda 8.8%, Guyana

7.5%, Japan 5.4%, Trinidad and Tobago 4.8%, US 4.3%, Saint Lucia 4%

(2004)

Dominican Republic

US 80%, South Korea 2.1%, Canada 1.9% (2004)

East Timor

Indonesia 100%

Ecuador

US 42.9%, Panama 14.3%, Peru 7.9%, Italy 4.6% (2004)

Egypt

Italy 11.9%, US 10.8%, UK 7%, Syria 6.2%, Germany 4.7%, Spain

4.2% (2004)

El Salvador

US 65.6%, Guatemala 11.8%, Honduras 6.3% (2004)

Equatorial Guinea

US 29.3%, China 22.8%, Spain 16%, Taiwan 14.9%,

Canada 6.8% (2004)

Eritrea

Malaysia 26.6%, Italy 17.1%, Japan 8%, Germany 6.6%, China

5%, UK 4.9%, US 4.7%, France 4.4%, Poland 4.2% (2004)

Estonia

Finland 23.1%, Sweden 15.3%, Germany 8.4%, Latvia 7.9%,

Russia 5.7%, Lithuania 4.4% (2004)

Ethiopia

Djibouti 13.3%, Germany 10%, Japan 8.4%, Saudi Arabia 5.6%,

US 5.2%, UAE 5%, Italy 4.6% (2004)

European Union

US 22.9%, Switzerland 6.9%, China 4.1%, Japan 4%

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

Spain 77.4%, UK 9.4%, US 4.9%

(2004)

Faroe Islands

Denmark 33.5%, UK 29.7%, Norway 8.4%, Nigeria 7.2%

(2004)

Fiji

US 24%, Australia 19%, UK 12.6%, Samoa 6.5%, Japan 4.1% (2004)

Finland

Sweden 11.1%, Germany 10.7%, Russia 8.9%, UK 7%, US 6.4%,

Netherlands 5.1% (2004)

France

Germany 15%, Spain 9.5%, UK 9.3%, Italy 9%, Belgium 7.2%, US

6.7% (2004)

French Guiana

France 62%, Switzerland 7%, US 2% (2001)

French Polynesia

France 36.6%, Japan 22.7%, US 16.1%, Niger 13%,

Thailand 4.1% (2004)

Gabon

US 53.3%, China 8.5%, France 7.4% (2004)

Gambia, The

India 21.4%, Thailand 15.1%, UK 13.7%, France 12.9%,

Germany 8.7%, Italy 7.5% (2004)

Gaza Strip

Israel, Egypt, West Bank

Georgia

Turkey 18.3%, Turkmenistan 17.8%, Russia 16.2%, Armenia

8.4%, UK 4.9% (2004)

Germany

France 10.3%, US 8.8%, UK 8.3%, Italy 7.2%, Netherlands

6.2%, Belgium 5.6%, Austria 5.4%, Spain 5% (2004)

Ghana

Mexico 69.8%, Netherlands 3.7%, UK 3% (2004)

Gibraltar

France 19.4%, Spain 14.1%, Turkmenistan 12.1%, Switzerland

11.7%, Germany 10.1%, UK 9.1%, Greece 6.8% (2004)

Greece

Germany 13.2%, Italy 10.3%, UK 7.5%, Bulgaria 6.3%, US 5.3%,

Cyprus 4.6%, Turkey 4.5%, France 4.2% (2004)

Greenland

Denmark 63.8%, Japan 12.6%, China 3.9% (2004)

Grenada

Saint Lucia 12.7%, US 12.2%, Antigua and Barbuda 8.7%,

Netherlands 7.9%, Saint Kitts and Nevis 7.8%, Dominica 7.8%, Germany

7.1%, France 4.6% (2004)

Guadeloupe

France 60%, Martinique 18%, US 4% (1999)

Guam

Japan 66.1%, South Korea 9.9%, Singapore 8.4% (2004)

Guatemala

US 53%, El Salvador 11.4%, Honduras 7.1%, Mexico 4.1%

(2004)

Guernsey

UK (regarded as internal trade)

Guinea

France 17.7%, Belgium 14.7%, UK 14.7%, Switzerland 12.8%,

Ukraine 4.2% (2004)

Guinea-Bissau

India 52.1%, US 22.2%, Nigeria 13.2% (2004)

Guyana

Canada 23.2%, US 19.2%, UK 10.9%, Portugal 9%, Belgium 6.4%,

Jamaica 5.2% (2004)

Haiti

US 81.2%, Dominican Republic 7.3%, Canada 4.1% (2004)

Honduras

US 54.4%, El Salvador 8.1%, Germany 5.9%, Guatemala 5.4%

(2004)

Hong Kong

China 44%, US 17%, Japan 5.3% (2004)

Hungary

Germany 31.4%, Austria 6.8%, France 5.7%, Italy 5.6%, UK

5.1% (2004)

Iceland

UK 19.1%, Germany 17.2%, Netherlands 11.5%, US 9.8%, Spain

6.8%, Denmark 4.6% (2004)

India

US 17%, UAE 8.8%, China 5.5%, Hong Kong 4.7%, UK 4.5%,

Singapore 4.5% (2004)

Indonesia

Japan 22.3%, US 12.3%, Singapore 8.4%, South Korea 6.8%,

China 6.4%, Malaysia 4.2% (2004)

Iran

Japan 18.4%, China 9.7%, Italy 6%, South Africa 5.8%, South

Korea 5.4%, Taiwan 4.6%, Turkey 4.4%, Netherlands 4% (2004)

Iraq

US 51.9%, Spain 7.3%, Japan 6.6%, Italy 5.7%, Canada 5.2% (2004)

Ireland

US 19.7%, UK 17.7%, Belgium 14.7%, Germany 7.7%, France 6%,

Netherlands 4.6%, Italy 4.5% (2004)

Israel

US 36.8%, Belgium 7.5%, Hong Kong 4.9% (2004)

Italy

Germany 13.6%, France 12.3%, US 8%, Spain 7.2%, UK 6.9%,

Switzerland 4.2% (2004)

Jamaica

US 17.4%, Canada 14.8%, France 13%, China 10.5%, UK 8.7%,

Netherlands 7.5%, Norway 6%, Germany 5.9% (2004)

Japan

US 22.7%, China 13.1%, South Korea 7.8%, Taiwan 7.4%, Hong

Kong 6.3% (2004)

Jersey

UK

Jordan

US 28.9%, Iraq 17.6%, India 7.1%, Saudi Arabia 5.6% (2004)

Kazakhstan

Russia 15.1%, Bermuda 13.8%, Germany 11%, China 9.9%,

France 6.6%, Italy 4% (2004)

Kenya

Uganda 13.3%, UK 11.4%, US 10.6%, Netherlands 8.2%, Egypt

4.9%, Tanzania 4.5%, Pakistan 4.3% (2004)

Kiribati

France 45.7%, Japan 29.2%, US 9.1%, Thailand 5.4% (2004)

Korea, North

China 29.9%, South Korea 24.1%, Japan 13.2% (2004)

Korea, South

China 19.7%, US 17%, Japan 8.6%, Hong Kong 7.2% (2004)

Kuwait

Japan 20.5%, South Korea 13.7%, US 12.4%, Singapore 11.3%,

Taiwan 9.9% (2004)

Kyrgyzstan

UAE 28.2%, Russia 19.1%, China 12%, Kazakhstan 11.1%,

Switzerland 6.3% (2004)

Laos

Thailand 19.3%, Vietnam 13.4%, France 8%, Germany 5.3%, UK 5%

(2004)

Latvia

UK 12.8%, Germany 12%, Sweden 10%, Lithuania 9.1%, Estonia

8%, Russia 6.4%, Denmark 5.4% (2004)

Lebanon

Syria 24.9%, UAE 10%, Turkey 6.9%, Switzerland 6.7%, Saudi

Arabia 5.3% (2004)

Lesotho

US 97%, Canada 2.1%, UK 0.3% (2004)

Liberia

Denmark 29.5%, Germany 18.9%, Poland 14.3%, US 8.9%, Greece

8% (2004)

Libya

Italy 37%, Germany 16.6%, Spain 11.9%, Turkey 7.1%, France

6.2% (2004)

Liechtenstein

EU 62.6% (Germany 24.3%, Austria 9.5%, France 8.9%,

Italy 6.6%, UK 4.6%), US 18.9%, Switzerland 15.7%

Lithuania

Germany 10.2%, Latvia 10.2%, Russia 9.3%, France 6.3%, UK

5.3%, Sweden 5.1%, Estonia 5%, Poland 4.8%, Netherlands 4.8%,

Denmark 4.8%, US 4.7%, Switzerland 4.6% (2004)

Luxembourg

Germany 22.1%, France 20.1%, Belgium 10.2%, UK 8.4%,

Italy 7.3%, Spain 5.9%, Netherlands 4.3% (2004)

Macau

US 48.7%, China 13.9%, Germany 8.3%, Hong Kong 7.6%, UK 4.4%

(2004)

Macedonia

Serbia and Montenegro 31.4%, Germany 19.9%, Greece 8.9%,

Croatia 6.9%, US 4.9% (2004)

Madagascar

US 35.8%, France 30.8%, Germany 7.7% (2004)

Malawi

South Africa 13.5%, US 12%, Germany 11.6%, Egypt 8.4%, UK

6.6%, Mozambique 4.5% (2004)

Malaysia

US 18.8%, Singapore 15%, Japan 10.1%, China 6.7%, Hong Kong

6%, Thailand 4.8% (2004)

Maldives

US 26.5%, Thailand 23.5%, Sri Lanka 12.3%, Japan 11.7%, UK

9.8%, Germany 4.9% (2004)

Mali

China 31.6%, Pakistan 10%, Italy 6.9%, Thailand 5.8%, Germany

5.1%, India 4.8%, Bangladesh 4.5%, Taiwan 4% (2004)

Malta

US 15.7%, France 15.5%, Singapore 14.5%, UK 11.2%, Germany

10.8% (2004)

Man, Isle of

UK (2000)

Marshall Islands

US, Japan, Australia, China (2000)

Martinique

France 45%, Guadeloupe 28% (2000)

Mauritania

Japan 13.1%, France 11%, Spain 9.7%, Germany 9.7%, Italy

9.6%, Belgium 7.5%, China 6.1%, Russia 4.6%, Cote d'Ivoire 4.1%

(2004)

Mauritius

UK 33.1%, France 20.4%, US 14.8%, Madagascar 5.1%, Italy

4.1% (2004)

Mayotte

France 80%, Comoros 15%, Reunion (2000)

Mexico

US 87.6%, Canada 1.8%, Spain 1.1% (2004)

Micronesia, Federated States of

Japan, US, Guam (2000)

Moldova

Russia 35.8%, Italy 13.9%, Romania 10%, Germany 7.3%,

Ukraine 6.6%, Belarus 6%, US 4.6% (2004)

Mongolia

China 47.8%, US 17.9%, UK 15.7% (2004)

Montserrat

US, Antigua and Barbuda

Morocco

France 33.6%, Spain 17.4%, UK 7.7%, Italy 4.7%, US 4.1%

(2004)

Mozambique

Netherlands 60.9%, South Africa 12.9%, Malawi 3.3% (2004)

Namibia

EU 79%, US 4% (2001)

Nauru

South Africa 43.4%, Germany 20.7%, India 11.8%, Japan 7.2%,

Poland 4% (2004)

Nepal

India 47.4%, US 22.7%, Germany 8.4% (2004)

Netherlands

Germany 25%, Belgium 12.4%, UK 10.1%, France 9.9%, Italy

6%, US 4.3% (2004)

Netherlands Antilles

US 20.4%, Panama 11.2%, Guatemala 8.8%, Haiti

7.1%, Bahamas, The 5.6%, Honduras 4.2% (2004)

New Caledonia

Japan 22%, France 16.5%, Taiwan 12.3%, South Korea

12%, Spain 6.3%, Australia 6.1%, China 4.8%, South Africa 4.5% (2004)

New Zealand

Australia 21%, US 14.4%, Japan 11.3%, China 5.7%, UK

4.7% (2004)

Nicaragua

US 64.8%, El Salvador 7%, Mexico 3.6% (2004)

Niger

France 41%, Nigeria 22.4%, Japan 15.3%, Switzerland 6%, Spain

4.1%, Ghana 4% (2004)

Nigeria

US 47.5%, Brazil 10.7%, Spain 7.1% (2004)

Niue

New Zealand mainly, Fiji, Cook Islands, Australia (2000)

Norfolk Island

Australia, other Pacific island countries, NZ, Asia,

Europe

Northern Mariana Islands

US (2000)

Norway

UK 22.4%, Germany 12.9%, Netherlands 9.9%, France 9.6%, US

8.4%, Sweden 6.7% (2004)

Oman

China 29.5%, South Korea 17.5%, Japan 11.5%, Thailand 10.6%,

UAE 7.2% (2004)

Pakistan

US 23.5%, UAE 7.4%, UK 7.3%, Germany 5%, Hong Kong 4.4%

(2004)

Palau

US, Japan, Singapore (2000)

Panama

US 50.5%, Sweden 6.6%, Spain 5.1%, Netherlands 4.4%, Costa

Rica 4.2% (2004)

Papua New Guinea

Australia 28%, Japan 5.8%, Germany 4.7%, China 4.6%

(2004)

Paraguay

Uruguay 27.8%, Brazil 19.2%, Argentina 6.3%, Switzerland

4.1% (2004)

Peru

US 29.5%, China 9.9%, UK 9%, Chile 5.1%, Japan 4.4% (2004)

Philippines

Japan 20.1%, US 18.2%, Netherlands 9%, Hong Kong 7.9%,

China 6.7%, Singapore 6.6%, Taiwan 5.6%, Malaysia 5.2% (2004)

Pitcairn Islands

NA

Poland

Germany 30%, Italy 6.1%, France 6%, UK 5.4%, Czech Republic

4.3%, Netherlands 4.3% (2004)

Portugal

Spain 25%, France 14%, Germany 13.5%, UK 9.6%, US 6%, Italy

4.3%, Netherlands 4% (2004)

Puerto Rico

US 90.3%, UK 1.6%, Netherlands 1.4%, Dominican Republic

1.4% (2002 est.)

Qatar

Japan 41.9%, South Korea 15.8%, Singapore 9.1%, India 5.4%

(2004)

Reunion

France 74%, Japan 6%, Comoros 4% (2000)

Romania

Italy 21.4%, Germany 15%, France 8.5%, Turkey 7%, UK 6.6%

(2004)

Russia

Netherlands 9.1%, Germany 8%, Ukraine 6.4%, Italy 6.2%, China

6%, US 5%, Switzerland 4.7%, Turkey 4.3% (2004)

Rwanda

Indonesia 64.2%, China 3.6%, Germany 2.7% (2004)

Saint Helena

Tanzania 30.3%, US 23.8%, Japan 10.4%, UK 7.1%, Spain

6.3% (2004)

Saint Kitts and Nevis

US 57.5%, Canada 9%, Portugal 8.3%, UK 6.7%

(2004)

Saint Lucia

UK 41.4%, US 16.5%, Brazil 11.6%, Barbados 5.8%, Antigua

and Barbuda 4.6%, Dominica 4.5% (2004)

Saint Pierre and Miquelon

Belgium 41.3%, US 19.9%, Spain 14.9%,

France 10%, Germany 4.1% (2004)

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

UK 33.5%, Barbados 13.1%, Saint

Lucia 11.5%, Trinidad and Tobago 9.9%, Antigua and Barbuda 8.3%, US

5.3%, Grenada 5.3%, Dominica 4.1% (2004)

Samoa

Australia 67.2%, US 5.7%, Indonesia 5.3% (2004)

Sao Tome and Principe

Netherlands 35.9%, China 12.3%, Belgium 7.4%,

Germany 6.3%, Poland 5.1%, France 4.8%, Thailand 4.1% (2004)

Saudi Arabia

US 18.2%, Japan 14.9%, South Korea 9.5%, China 6.1%,

Taiwan 4.5%, Singapore 4.1% (2004)

Senegal

India 14.4%, Mali 13.1%, France 9.8%, Italy 7.3%, Spain

6.6%, Guinea-Bissau 5.6%, Gambia, The 4.8% (2004)

Serbia and Montenegro

Italy 29%, Germany 16.6%, Austria 7%, Greece

6.7%, France 4.9%, Slovenia 4.1% (2004)

Seychelles

UK 27.7%, France 15.8%, Spain 12.6%, Japan 8.6%, Italy

7.5%, Germany 5.6% (2004)

Sierra Leone

Belgium 61.6%, Germany 11.8%, US 5.4% (2004)

Singapore

Malaysia 15.2%, US 13%, Hong Kong 9.8%, China 8.6%, Japan

6.4%, Taiwan 4.6%, Thailand 4.3%, South Korea 4.1% (2004)

Slovakia

Germany 34.4%, Czech Republic 14.7%, Austria 8.2%, Italy

5.8%, Poland 5.3%, US 4.5%, Hungary 4.3% (2004)

Slovenia

Germany 18.3%, Italy 11.6%, Austria 11.5%, France 7.4%,

Croatia 7.4%, Bosnia and Herzegovina 4.8% (2004)

Solomon Islands

China 27.8%, South Korea 17.1%, Thailand 15.7%,

Japan 9.7%, Philippines 4.8% (2004)

Somalia

UAE 39.3%, Thailand 24.3%, Yemen 12.2%, Oman 4.7% (2004)

South Africa

US 10.2%, UK 9.2%, Japan 9%, Germany 7.1%, Netherlands

4% (2004)

Spain

France 19.3%, Germany 11.7%, Portugal 9.6%, UK 9%, Italy 9%,

US 4% (2004)

Sri Lanka

US 32.4%, UK 13.5%, India 6.8%, Germany 4.8% (2004)

Sudan

China 66.9%, Japan 10.7%, Saudi Arabia 4.4% (2004)

Suriname

Norway 29.3%, US 15.1%, Canada 12.5%, Belgium 10.2%, France

8.4%, UAE 6.1%, Iceland 4.3% (2004)

Swaziland

South Africa 59.7%, EU 8.8%, US 8.8%, Mozambique 6.2%

(2004)

Sweden

US 10.7%, Germany 10.2%, Norway 8.6%, UK 7.8%, Denmark 6.7%,

Finland 5.7%, France 4.8%, Netherlands 4.8%, Belgium 4.5% (2004)

Switzerland

Germany 20.2%, US 10.5%, France 8.7%, Italy 8.3%, UK

5.1%, Spain 4% (2004)

Syria

Italy 22.7%, France 18%, Turkey 12.9%, Iraq 9%, Saudi Arabia

6.2% (2004)

Taiwan

China, including Hong Kong 37%, US 16%, Japan 7.7% (2004)

Tajikistan

Netherlands 41.4%, Turkey 15.3%, Uzbekistan 7.2%, Latvia

7.1%, Switzerland 6.9%, Russia 6.6% (2004)

Tanzania

India 9.1%, Spain 8.3%, Netherlands 6.4%, Japan 5.8%, UK

5%, China 4.8%, Kenya 4.7% (2004)

Thailand

US 15.9%, Japan 13.9%, China 7.3%, Singapore 7.2%, Malaysia

5.4%, Hong Kong 5.1% (2004)

Togo

Burkina Faso 16.4%, Ghana 15.1%, Benin 9.4%, Mali 7.6%, China

7.5%, India 5.6% (2004)

Tokelau

New Zealand (2000)

Tonga

Japan 37.1%, China 18.7%, US 17.7%, Taiwan 8.7%, New Zealand

7.4% (2004)

Trinidad and Tobago

US 67.1%, Jamaica 5.7%, France 3.5% (2004)

Tunisia

France 33.1%, Italy 25.3%, Germany 9.2%, Spain 6.1% (2004)

Turkey

Germany 13.9%, UK 8.8%, US 7.7%, Italy 7.4%, France 5.8%,

Spain 4.2% (2004)

Turkmenistan

Ukraine 46.6%, Iran 17.3%, Turkey 4.2%, Italy 4.1%

(2004)

Turks and Caicos Islands

US, UK

Tuvalu

Germany 56.5%, Fiji 14.3%, Italy 10.9%, UK 7.7%, Poland 4.9%

(2004)

Uganda

Kenya 15%, Netherlands 10.7%, Belgium 9%, France 4.4%,

Germany 4.4% (2004)

Ukraine

Russia 18%, Germany 5.8%, Turkey 5.7%, Italy 5%, US 4.6%

(2004)

United Arab Emirates

Japan 24.9%, South Korea 9.9%, India 5.4%,

Thailand 5.2% (2004)

United Kingdom

US 15.3%, Germany 10.8%, France 9.2%, Ireland 6.8%,

Netherlands 6%, Belgium 5.1%, Spain 4.5%, Italy 4.2% (2004)

United States

Canada 23%, Mexico 13.6%, Japan 6.7%, UK 4.4%, China

4.3% (2004)

Uruguay

US 17.3%, Brazil 16%, Germany 6.3%, Argentina 6.2%, Mexico

4.2% (2004)

Uzbekistan

Russia 22%, China 14.7%, Turkey 6.4%, Tajikistan 6.1%,

Kazakhstan 4.2%, Bangladesh 4% (2004)

Vanuatu

Thailand 47%, Malaysia 18.4%, Japan 7.5%, Belgium 5.4%,

China 4.9% (2004)

Venezuela

US 55.6%, Netherlands Antilles 4.7%, Dominican Republic

2.8% (2004)

Vietnam

US 20.2%, Japan 13.6%, China 9%, Australia 7%, Germany 5.9%,

Singapore 4.8%, UK 4.6% (2004)

Virgin Islands

US, Puerto Rico

Wallis and Futuna

Italy 40%, Croatia 15%, US 14%, Denmark 13%

West Bank

Israel, Jordan, Gaza Strip (2000)

Western Sahara

Morocco claims and administers Western Sahara, so

trade partners are included in overall Moroccan accounts

World

US 15.7%, Germany 7.7%, China 5.4%, France 5.1%, UK 5.1%,

Japan 4.5% (2004)

Yemen

Thailand 33.8%, China 30.3%, Singapore 7.8% (2004)

Zambia

South Africa 25.6%, UK 17%, Switzerland 16%, Tanzania 7.4%,

Democratic Republic of the Congo 7%, Zimbabwe 5.8% (2004)

Zimbabwe

South Africa 31.5%, Switzerland 7.4%, UK 7.3%, China 6.1%,

Germany 4.3% (2004)

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2051 Administrative divisions

Afghanistan

34 provinces (velayat, singular - velayat); Badakhshan,

Badghis, Baghlan, Balkh, Bamian, Daykondi, Farah, Faryab, Ghazni,

Ghowr, Helmand, Herat, Jowzjan, Kabol, Kandahar, Kapisa, Khowst,

Konar, Kondoz, Laghman, Lowgar, Nangarhar, Nimruz, Nurestan,

Oruzgan, Paktia, Paktika, Panjshir, Parvan, Samangan, Sar-e Pol,

Takhar, Vardak, and Zabol

Albania

12 counties (qarqe, singular - qark); Qarku i Beratit, Qarku

i Dibres, Qarku i Durresit, Qarku i Elbasanit, Qarku i Fierit, Qarku

i Gjirokastres, Qarku i Korces, Qarku i Kukesit, Qarku i Lezhes,

Qarku i Shkodres, Qarku i Tiranes, Qarku i Vlores

Algeria

48 provinces (wilayas, singular - wilaya); Adrar, Ain Defla,

Ain Temouchent, Alger, Annaba, Batna, Bechar, Bejaia, Biskra, Blida,

Bordj Bou Arreridj, Bouira, Boumerdes, Chlef, Constantine, Djelfa,

El Bayadh, El Oued, El Tarf, Ghardaia, Guelma, Illizi, Jijel,

Khenchela, Laghouat, Mascara, Medea, Mila, Mostaganem, M'Sila,

Naama, Oran, Ouargla, Oum el Bouaghi, Relizane, Saida, Setif, Sidi

Bel Abbes, Skikda, Souk Ahras, Tamanghasset, Tebessa, Tiaret,

Tindouf, Tipaza, Tissemsilt, Tizi Ouzou, Tlemcen

American Samoa

none (territory of the US); there are no first-order

administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there

are three districts and two islands* at the second order; Eastern,

Manu'a, Rose Island*, Swains Island*, Western

Andorra

7 parishes (parroquies, singular - parroquia); Andorra la

Vella, Canillo, Encamp, La Massana, Escaldes-Engordany, Ordino, Sant

Julia de Loria

Angola

18 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Bengo,

Benguela, Bie, Cabinda, Cuando Cubango, Cuanza Norte, Cuanza Sul,

Cunene, Huambo, Huila, Luanda, Lunda Norte, Lunda Sul, Malanje,

Moxico, Namibe, Uige, Zaire

Anguilla

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Antigua and Barbuda

6 parishes and 2 dependencies*; Barbuda*,

Redonda*, Saint George, Saint John, Saint Mary, Saint Paul, Saint

Peter, Saint Philip

Argentina

23 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia), and 1

autonomous city* (distrito federal); Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires

Capital Federal*, Catamarca, Chaco, Chubut, Cordoba, Corrientes,

Entre Rios, Formosa, Jujuy, La Pampa, La Rioja, Mendoza, Misiones,

Neuquen, Rio Negro, Salta, San Juan, San Luis, Santa Cruz, Santa Fe,

Santiago del Estero, Tierra del Fuego - Antartida e Islas del

Atlantico Sur, Tucuman

note: the US does not recognize any claims to Antarctica

Armenia

11 provinces (marzer, singular - marz); Aragatsotn, Ararat,

Armavir, Geghark'unik', Kotayk', Lorri, Shirak, Syunik', Tavush,

Vayots' Dzor, Yerevan

Aruba

none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands)

Australia

6 states and 2 territories*; Australian Capital

Territory*, New South Wales, Northern Territory*, Queensland, South

Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia

Austria

9 states (Bundeslaender, singular - Bundesland); Burgenland,

Kaernten, Niederoesterreich, Oberoesterreich, Salzburg, Steiermark,

Tirol, Vorarlberg, Wien (Vienna)

Azerbaijan

59 rayons (rayonlar; rayon - singular), 11 cities*

(saharlar; sahar - singular), 1 autonomous republic** (muxtar

respublika)

rayons: Abseron Rayonu, Agcabadi Rayonu, Agdam Rayonu, Agdas Rayonu,

Agstafa Rayonu, Agsu Rayonu, Astara Rayonu, Balakan Rayonu, Barda

Rayonu, Beylaqan Rayonu, Bilasuvar Rayonu, Cabrayil Rayonu,

Calilabad Rayonu, Daskasan Rayonu, Davaci Rayonu, Fuzuli Rayonu,

Gadabay Rayonu, Goranboy Rayonu, Goycay Rayonu, Haciqabul Rayonu,

Imisli Rayonu, Ismayilli Rayonu, Kalbacar Rayonu, Kurdamir Rayonu,

Lacin Rayonu, Lankaran Rayonu, Lerik Rayonu, Masalli Rayonu,

Neftcala Rayonu, Oguz Rayonu, Qabala Rayonu, Qax Rayonu, Qazax

Rayonu, Qobustan Rayonu, Quba Rayonu, Qubadli Rayonu, Qusar Rayonu,

Saatli Rayonu, Sabirabad Rayonu, Saki Rayonu, Salyan Rayonu, Samaxi

Rayonu, Samkir Rayonu, Samux Rayonu, Siyazan Rayonu, Susa Rayonu,

Tartar Rayonu, Tovuz Rayonu, Ucar Rayonu, Xacmaz Rayonu, Xanlar

Rayonu, Xizi Rayonu, Xocali Rayonu, Xocavand Rayonu, Yardimli

Rayonu, Yevlax Rayonu, Zangilan Rayonu, Zaqatala Rayonu, Zardab

Rayonu

cities: Ali Bayramli Sahari, Baki Sahari, Ganca Sahari, Lankaran

Sahari, Mingacevir Sahari, Naftalan Sahari, Saki Sahari, Sumqayit

Sahari, Susa Sahari, Xankandi Sahari, Yevlax Sahari

autonomous republic: Naxcivan Muxtar Respublikasi

Bahamas, The

21 districts; Acklins and Crooked Islands, Bimini, Cat

Island, Exuma, Freeport, Fresh Creek, Governor's Harbour, Green

Turtle Cay, Harbour Island, High Rock, Inagua, Kemps Bay, Long

Island, Marsh Harbour, Mayaguana, New Providence, Nichollstown and

Berry Islands, Ragged Island, Rock Sound, Sandy Point, San Salvador

and Rum Cay

Bahrain

12 municipalities (manatiq, singular - mintaqah); Al Hadd,

Al Manamah, Al Mintaqah al Gharbiyah, Al Mintaqah al Wusta, Al

Mintaqah ash Shamaliyah, Al Muharraq, Ar Rifa' wa al Mintaqah al

Janubiyah, Jidd Hafs, Madinat Hamad, Madinat 'Isa, Juzur Hawar,

Sitrah

note: all municipalities administered from Manama

Bangladesh

6 divisions; Barisal, Chittagong, Dhaka, Khulna,

Rajshahi, and Sylhet

Barbados

11 parishes; Christ Church, Saint Andrew, Saint George,

Saint James, Saint John, Saint Joseph, Saint Lucy, Saint Michael,

Saint Peter, Saint Philip, Saint Thomas; note - the city of

Bridgetown may be given parish status

Belarus

6 provinces (voblastsi, singular - voblasts') and 1

municipality* (horad); Brest, Homyel', Horad Minsk*, Hrodna,

Mahilyow, Minsk, Vitsyebsk

note: administrative divisions have the same names as their

administrative centers

Belgium

10 provinces (French: provinces, singular - province; Dutch:

provincies, singular - provincie) and 3 regions* (French: regions;

Dutch: gewesten); Antwerpen, Brabant Wallon, Brussels* (Bruxelles),

Flanders*, Hainaut, Liege, Limburg, Luxembourg, Namur,

Oost-Vlaanderen, Vlaams-Brabant, Wallonia*, West-Vlaanderen

note: as a result of the 1993 constitutional revision that furthered

devolution into a federal state, there are now three levels of

government (federal, regional, and linguistic community) with a

complex division of responsibilities

Belize

6 districts; Belize, Cayo, Corozal, Orange Walk, Stann Creek,

Toledo

Benin

12 departments; Alibori, Atakora, Atlantique, Borgou,

Collines, Kouffo, Donga, Littoral, Mono, Oueme, Plateau, Zou

Bermuda

9 parishes and 2 municipalities*; Devonshire, Hamilton,

Hamilton*, Paget, Pembroke, Saint George*, Saint George's, Sandys,

Smith's, Southampton, Warwick

Bhutan

18 districts (dzongkhag, singular and plural); Bumthang,

Chhukha, Chirang, Dagana, Geylegphug, Ha, Lhuntshi, Mongar, Paro,

Pemagatsel, Punakha, Samchi, Samdrup Jongkhar, Shemgang, Tashigang,

Thimphu, Tongsa, Wangdi Phodrang

note: there may be two new districts named Gasa and Yangtse

Bolivia

9 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento);

Chuquisaca, Cochabamba, Beni, La Paz, Oruro, Pando, Potosi, Santa

Cruz, Tarija

Bosnia and Herzegovina

2 first-order administrative divisions and 1

internationally supervised district* - Brcko district (Brcko

Distrikt)*, the Bosniak/Croat Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina

(Federacija Bosna i Hercegovina) and the Bosnian Serb-led Republika

Srpska; note - Brcko district is in northeastern Bosnia and is an

administrative unit under the sovereignty of Bosnia and Herzegovina;

the district remains under international supervision

Botswana

9 districts and 5 town councils*; Central, Francistown*,

Gaborone*, Ghanzi, Jwaneng*, Kgalagadi, Kgatleng, Kweneng, Lobatse*,

Northwest, Northeast, Selebi-Pikwe*, Southeast, Southern

Brazil

26 states (estados, singular - estado) and 1 federal

district* (distrito federal); Acre, Alagoas, Amapa, Amazonas, Bahia,

Ceara, Distrito Federal*, Espirito Santo, Goias, Maranhao, Mato

Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, Minas Gerais, Para, Paraiba, Parana,

Pernambuco, Piaui, Rio de Janeiro, Rio Grande do Norte, Rio Grande

do Sul, Rondonia, Roraima, Santa Catarina, Sao Paulo, Sergipe,

Tocantins

British Virgin Islands

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Brunei

4 districts (daerah-daerah, singular - daerah); Belait,

Brunei and Muara, Temburong, Tutong

Bulgaria

28 provinces (oblasti, singular - oblast); Blagoevgrad,

Burgas, Dobrich, Gabrovo, Khaskovo, Kurdzhali, Kyustendil, Lovech,

Montana, Pazardzhik, Pernik, Pleven, Plovdiv, Razgrad, Ruse, Shumen,

Silistra, Sliven, Smolyan, Sofiya, Sofiya-Grad, Stara Zagora,

Turgovishte, Varna, Veliko Turnovo, Vidin, Vratsa, Yambol

Burkina Faso

45 provinces; Bale, Bam, Banwa, Bazega, Bougouriba,

Boulgou, Boulkiemde, Comoe, Ganzourgou, Gnagna, Gourma, Houet, Ioba,

Kadiogo, Kenedougou, Komondjari, Kompienga, Kossi, Koulpelogo,

Kouritenga, Kourweogo, Leraba, Loroum, Mouhoun, Namentenga, Nahouri,

Nayala, Noumbiel, Oubritenga, Oudalan, Passore, Poni, Sanguie,

Sanmatenga, Seno, Sissili, Soum, Sourou, Tapoa, Tuy, Yagha, Yatenga,

Ziro, Zondoma, Zoundweogo

Burma

7 divisions (taing-myar, singular - taing) and 7 states (pyi

ne-myar, singular - pyi ne)

divisions: Ayeyarwady, Bago, Magway, Mandalay, Sagaing, Tanintharyi,

Yangon

states: Chin State, Kachin State, Kayin State, Kayah State, Mon

State, Rakhine State, Shan State

Burundi

16 provinces; Bubanza, Bujumbura, Bururi, Cankuzo, Cibitoke,

Gitega, Karuzi, Kayanza, Kirundo, Makamba, Muramvya, Muyinga, Mwaro,

Ngozi, Rutana, Ruyigi

Cambodia

20 provinces (khaitt, singular and plural) and 4

municipalities (krong, singular and plural)

provinces: Banteay Mean Chey, Batdambang, Kampong Cham, Kampong

Chhnang, Kampong Spoe, Kampong Thum, Kampot, Kandal, Koh Kong,

Kracheh, Mondol Kiri, Otdar Mean Chey, Pouthisat, Preah Vihear, Prey

Veng, Rotanakir, Siem Reab, Stoeng Treng, Svay Rieng, Takao

municipalities: Keb, Pailin, Phnom Penh, Preah Seihanu

Cameroon

10 provinces; Adamaoua, Centre, Est, Extreme-Nord,

Littoral, Nord, Nord-Ouest, Ouest, Sud, Sud-Ouest

Canada

10 provinces and 3 territories*; Alberta, British Columbia,

Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest

Territories*, Nova Scotia, Nunavut*, Ontario, Prince Edward Island,

Quebec, Saskatchewan, Yukon Territory*

Cape Verde

17 municipalities (concelhos, singular - concelho); Boa

Vista, Brava, Maio, Mosteiros, Paul, Praia, Porto Novo, Ribeira

Grande, Sal, Santa Catarina, Santa Cruz, Sao Domingos, Sao Filipe,

Sao Miguel, Sao Nicolau, Sao Vicente, Tarrafal

Cayman Islands

8 districts; Creek, Eastern, Midland, South Town,

Spot Bay, Stake Bay, West End, Western

Central African Republic

14 prefectures (prefectures, singular -

prefecture), 2 economic prefectures* (prefectures economiques,

singular - prefecture economique), and 1 commune**;

Bamingui-Bangoran, Bangui**, Basse-Kotto, Haute-Kotto, Haut-Mbomou,

Kemo, Lobaye, Mambere-Kadei, Mbomou, Nana-Grebizi*, Nana-Mambere,

Ombella-Mpoko, Ouaka, Ouham, Ouham-Pende, Sangha-Mbaere*, Vakaga

Chad

14 prefectures (prefectures, singular - prefecture); Batha,

Biltine, Borkou-Ennedi-Tibesti, Chari-Baguirmi, Guera, Kanem, Lac,

Logone Occidental, Logone Oriental, Mayo-Kebbi, Moyen-Chari,

Ouaddai, Salamat, Tandjile

note: instead of 14 prefectures, there may be a new administrative

structure of 28 departments (departments, singular - department),

and 1 city*; Assongha, Baguirmi, Bahr El Gazal, Bahr Koh, Batha

Oriental, Batha Occidental, Biltine, Borkou, Dababa, Ennedi, Guera,

Hadjer Lamis, Kabia, Kanem, Lac, Lac Iro, Logone Occidental, Logone

Oriental, Mandoul, Mayo-Boneye, Mayo-Dallah, Monts de Lam,

N'Djamena*, Ouaddai, Salamat, Sila, Tandjile Oriental, Tandjile

Occidental, Tibesti

Chile

13 regions (regiones, singular - region); Aisen del General

Carlos Ibanez del Campo, Antofagasta, Araucania, Atacama, Bio-Bio,

Coquimbo, Libertador General Bernardo O'Higgins, Los Lagos,

Magallanes y de la Antartica Chilena, Maule, Region Metropolitana

(Santiago), Tarapaca, Valparaiso

note: the US does not recognize claims to Antarctica

China

23 provinces (sheng, singular and plural), 5 autonomous

regions (zizhiqu, singular and plural), and 4 municipalities (shi,

singular and plural)

provinces: Anhui, Fujian, Gansu, Guangdong, Guizhou, Hainan, Hebei,

Heilongjiang, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Jilin,

Liaoning, Qinghai, Shaanxi, Shandong, Shanxi, Sichuan, Yunnan,

Zhejiang

autonomous regions: Guangxi, Nei Mongol, Ningxia, Xinjiang, Xizang

(Tibet)

municipalities: Beijing, Chongqing, Shanghai, Tianjin

note: China considers Taiwan its 23rd province; see separate entries

for the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau

Christmas Island

none (territory of Australia)

Cocos (Keeling) Islands

none (territory of Australia)

Colombia

32 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento) and

1 capital district* (distrito capital); Amazonas, Antioquia, Arauca,

Atlantico, Distrito Capital de Bogota*, Bolivar, Boyaca, Caldas,

Caqueta, Casanare, Cauca, Cesar, Choco, Cordoba, Cundinamarca,

Guainia, Guaviare, Huila, La Guajira, Magdalena, Meta, Narino, Norte

de Santander, Putumayo, Quindio, Risaralda, San Andres y

Providencia, Santander, Sucre, Tolima, Valle del Cauca, Vaupes,

Vichada

Comoros

3 islands; Grande Comore (Njazidja), Anjouan (Nzwani), and

Moheli (Mwali); note - there are also four municipalities named

Domoni, Fomboni, Moroni, and Moutsamoudou

Congo, Democratic Republic of the

10 provinces (provinces, singular

- province) and 1 city* (ville); Bandundu, Bas-Congo, Equateur,

Kasai-Occidental, Kasai-Oriental, Katanga, Kinshasa*, Maniema,

Nord-Kivu, Orientale, Sud-Kivu

Congo, Republic of the

10 regions (regions, singular - region) and 1

commune*; Bouenza, Brazzaville*, Cuvette, Cuvette-Ouest, Kouilou,

Lekoumou, Likouala, Niari, Plateaux, Pool, Sangha

Cook Islands

none

Costa Rica

7 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Alajuela,

Cartago, Guanacaste, Heredia, Limon, Puntarenas, San Jose

Cote d'Ivoire

19 regions; Agneby, Bafing, Bas-Sassandra, Denguele,

Dix-Huit Montagnes, Fromager, Haut-Sassandra, Lacs, Lagunes,

Marahoue, Moyen-Cavally, Moyen-Comoe, N'zi-Comoe, Savanes,

Sud-Bandama, Sud-Comoe, Vallee du Bandama, Worodougou, Zanzan

Croatia

20 counties (zupanije, zupanija - singular) and 1 city*

(grad - singular); Bjelovarsko-Bilogorska Zupanija, Brodsko-Posavska

Zupanija, Dubrovacko-Neretvanska Zupanija, Istarska Zupanija,

Karlovacka Zupanija, Koprivnicko-Krizevacka Zupanija,

Krapinsko-Zagorska Zupanija, Licko-Senjska Zupanija, Medimurska

Zupanija, Osjecko-Baranjska Zupanija, Pozesko-Slavonska Zupanija,

Primorsko-Goranska Zupanija, Sibensko-Kninska Zupanija,

Sisacko-Moslavacka Zupanija, Splitsko-Dalmatinska Zupanija,

Varazdinska Zupanija, Viroviticko-Podravska Zupanija,

Vukovarsko-Srijemska Zupanija, Zadarska Zupanija, Zagreb*,

Zagrebacka Zupanija

Cuba

14 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia) and 1 special

municipality* (municipio especial); Camaguey, Ciego de Avila,

Cienfuegos, Ciudad de La Habana, Granma, Guantanamo, Holguin, Isla

de la Juventud*, La Habana, Las Tunas, Matanzas, Pinar del Rio,

Sancti Spiritus, Santiago de Cuba, Villa Clara

Cyprus

6 districts; Famagusta, Kyrenia, Larnaca, Limassol, Nicosia,

Paphos; note - Turkish Cypriot area's administrative divisions

include Kyrenia, all but a small part of Famagusta, and small parts

of Lefkosia (Nicosia) and Larnaca

Czech Republic

13 regions (kraje, singular - kraj) and 1 capital

city* (hlavni mesto); Jihocesky Kraj, Jihomoravsky Kraj, Karlovarsky

Kraj, Kralovehradecky Kraj, Liberecky Kraj, Moravskoslezsky Kraj,

Olomoucky Kraj, Pardubicky Kraj, Plzensky Kraj, Praha (Prague)*,

Stredocesky Kraj, Ustecky Kraj, Vysocina, Zlinsky Kraj

Denmark

metropolitan Denmark - 14 counties (amter, singular - amt)

and 2 boroughs* (amtskommuner, singular - amtskommune); Arhus,

Bornholm, Frederiksberg*, Frederiksborg, Fyn, Kobenhavn, Kobenhavn

(Copenhagen)*, Nordjylland, Ribe, Ringkobing, Roskilde,

Sonderjylland, Storstrom, Vejle, Vestsjalland, Viborg

note: since 2005 Bornholm may have become a borough; in the future

the counties may be replaced by regions; see separate entries for

the Faroe Islands and Greenland, which are part of the Kingdom of

Denmark and are self-governing overseas administrative divisions

Djibouti

5 districts (cercles, singular - cercle); 'Ali Sabih,

Dikhil, Djibouti, Obock, Tadjoura

Dominica

10 parishes; Saint Andrew, Saint David, Saint George, Saint

John, Saint Joseph, Saint Luke, Saint Mark, Saint Patrick, Saint

Paul, Saint Peter

Dominican Republic

31 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia)

and 1 district* (distrito); Azua, Baoruco, Barahona, Dajabon,

Distrito Nacional*, Duarte, Elias Pina, El Seibo, Espaillat, Hato

Mayor, Independencia, La Altagracia, La Romana, La Vega, Maria

Trinidad Sanchez, Monsenor Nouel, Monte Cristi, Monte Plata,

Pedernales, Peravia, Puerto Plata, Salcedo, Samana, Sanchez Ramirez,

San Cristobal, San Jose de Ocoa, San Juan, San Pedro de Macoris,

Santiago, Santiago Rodriguez, Santo Domingo, Valverde

East Timor

13 administrative districts; Aileu, Ainaro, Baucau,

Bobonaro (Maliana), Cova-Lima (Suai), Dili, Ermera, Lautem (Los

Palos), Liquica, Manatuto, Manufahi (Same), Oecussi (Ambeno),

Viqueque

Ecuador

22 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Azuay,

Bolivar, Canar, Carchi, Chimborazo, Cotopaxi, El Oro, Esmeraldas,

Galapagos, Guayas, Imbabura, Loja, Los Rios, Manabi,

Morona-Santiago, Napo, Orellana, Pastaza, Pichincha, Sucumbios,

Tungurahua, Zamora-Chinchipe

Egypt

26 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah); Ad

Daqahliyah, Al Bahr al Ahmar, Al Buhayrah, Al Fayyum, Al Gharbiyah,

Al Iskandariyah, Al Isma'iliyah, Al Jizah, Al Minufiyah, Al Minya,

Al Qahirah, Al Qalyubiyah, Al Wadi al Jadid, Ash Sharqiyah, As

Suways, Aswan, Asyut, Bani Suwayf, Bur Sa'id, Dumyat, Janub Sina',

Kafr ash Shaykh, Matruh, Qina, Shamal Sina', Suhaj

El Salvador

14 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento);

Ahuachapan, Cabanas, Chalatenango, Cuscatlan, La Libertad, La Paz,

La Union, Morazan, San Miguel, San Salvador, Santa Ana, San Vicente,

Sonsonate, Usulutan

Equatorial Guinea

7 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia);

Annobon, Bioko Norte, Bioko Sur, Centro Sur, Kie-Ntem, Litoral,

Wele-Nzas

Eritrea

6 regions (zobatat, singular - zoba); Anseba, Debub

(Southern), Debubawi K'eyih Bahri (Southern Red Sea), Gash Barka,

Ma'akel (Central), Semenawi Keyih Bahri (Northern Red Sea)

Estonia

15 counties (maakonnad, singular - maakond): Harjumaa

(Tallinn), Hiiumaa (Kardla), Ida-Virumaa (Johvi), Jarvamaa (Paide),

Jogevamaa (Jogeva), Laanemaa (Haapsalu), Laane-Virumaa (Rakvere),

Parnumaa (Parnu), Polvamaa (Polva), Raplamaa (Rapla), Saaremaa

(Kuressaare), Tartumaa (Tartu), Valgamaa (Valga), Viljandimaa

(Viljandi), Vorumaa (Voru)

note: counties have the administrative center name following in

parentheses

Ethiopia

9 ethnically-based states (kililoch, singular - kilil) and

2 self-governing administrations* (astedaderoch, singular -

astedader); Adis Abeba* (Addis Ababa), Afar, Amara (Amhara),

Binshangul Gumuz, Dire Dawa*, Gambela Hizboch (Gambela Peoples),

Hareri Hizb (Harari People), Oromiya (Oromia), Sumale (Somali),

Tigray, Ye Debub Biheroch Bihereseboch na Hizboch (Southern Nations,

Nationalities and Peoples)

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

none (overseas territory of the

UK; also claimed by Argentina)

Faroe Islands

none (part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing

overseas administrative division of Denmark); there are no

first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US

Government, but there are 49 municipalities

Fiji

4 divisions and 1 dependency*; Central, Eastern, Northern,

Rotuma*, Western

Finland

6 provinces (laanit, singular - laani); Aland, Etela-Suomen

Laani, Ita-Suomen Laani, Lansi-Suomen Laani, Lappi, Oulun Laani

France

22 regions (regions, singular - region); Alsace, Aquitaine,

Auvergne, Basse-Normandie, Bourgogne, Bretagne, Centre,

Champagne-Ardenne, Corse, Franche-Comte, Haute-Normandie,

Ile-de-France, Languedoc-Roussillon, Limousin, Lorraine,

Midi-Pyrenees, Nord-Pas-de-Calais, Pays de la Loire, Picardie,

Poitou-Charentes, Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur, Rhone-Alpes

note: metropolitan France is divided into 22 regions (including the

"territorial collectivity" of Corse or Corsica) and is subdivided

into 96 departments; see separate entries for the overseas

departments (French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Reunion) and the

overseas territorial collectivities (Mayotte, Saint Pierre and

Miquelon)

French Guiana

none (overseas department of France)

French Polynesia

none (overseas lands of France); there are no

first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US

Government, but there are 5 archipelagic divisions named Archipel

des Marquises, Archipel des Tuamotu, Archipel des Tubuai, Iles du

Vent, and Iles Sous-le-Vent

note: Clipperton Island is administered by France from French

Polynesia

French Southern and Antarctic Lands

none (overseas territory of

France); there are no first-order administrative divisions as

defined by the US Government, but there are 3 districts named Ile

Crozet, Iles Kerguelen, and Iles Saint-Paul et Amsterdam; excludes

"Adelie Land" claim in Antarctica that is not recognized by the US

Gabon

9 provinces; Estuaire, Haut-Ogooue, Moyen-Ogooue, Ngounie,

Nyanga, Ogooue-Ivindo, Ogooue-Lolo, Ogooue-Maritime, Woleu-Ntem

Gambia, The

5 divisions and 1 city*; Banjul*, Central River, Lower

River, North Bank, Upper River, Western

Georgia

9 regions (mkharebi, singular - mkhare), 9 cities

(k'alak'ebi, singular - k'alak'i), and 2 autonomous republics

(avtomnoy respubliki, singular - avtom respublika)

regions: Guria, Imereti, Kakheti, Kvemo Kartli, Mtskheta-Mtianeti,

Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti, Samegrelo and Zemo Svaneti,

Samtskhe-Javakheti, Shida Kartli

cities: Chiat'ura, Gori, K'ut'aisi, P'ot'i, Rust'avi, T'bilisi,

Tqibuli, Tsqaltubo, Zugdidi

autonomous republics: Abkhazia or Ap'khazet'is Avtonomiuri

Respublika (Sokhumi), Ajaria or Acharis Avtonomiuri Respublika

(Bat'umi)

note: the administrative centers of the 2 autonomous republics are

shown in parentheses

Germany

13 states (Laender, singular - Land) and 3 free states*

(Freistaaten, singular - Freistaat); Baden-Wuerttemberg, Bayern*,

Berlin, Brandenburg, Bremen, Hamburg, Hessen,

Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Niedersachsen, Nordrhein-Westfalen,

Rheinland-Pfalz, Saarland, Sachsen*, Sachsen-Anhalt,

Schleswig-Holstein, Thueringen*

Ghana

10 regions; Ashanti, Brong-Ahafo, Central, Eastern, Greater

Accra, Northern, Upper East, Upper West, Volta, Western

Gibraltar

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Greece

51 prefectures (nomoi, singular - nomos) and 1 autonomous

region*; Agion Oros* (Mt. Athos), Achaia, Aitolia kai Akarmania,

Argolis, Arkadia, Arta, Attiki, Chalkidiki, Chanion, Chios,

Dodekanisos, Drama, Evros, Evrytania, Evvoia, Florina, Fokidos,

Fthiotis, Grevena, Ileia, Imathia, Ioannina, Irakleion, Karditsa,

Kastoria, Kavala, Kefallinia, Kerkyra, Kilkis, Korinthia, Kozani,

Kyklades, Lakonia, Larisa, Lasithi, Lefkas, Lesvos, Magnisia,

Messinia, Pella, Pieria, Preveza, Rethynnis, Rodopi, Samos, Serrai,

Thesprotia, Thessaloniki, Trikala, Voiotia, Xanthi, Zakynthos

Greenland

3 districts (landsdele); Avannaa (Nordgronland), Tunu

(Ostgronland), Kitaa (Vestgronland)

note: there are 18 municipalities in Greenland

Grenada

6 parishes and 1 dependency*; Carriacou and Petit

Martinique*, Saint Andrew, Saint David, Saint George, Saint John,

Saint Mark, Saint Patrick

Guadeloupe

none (overseas department of France)

Guam

none (territory of the US)

Guatemala

22 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento);

Alta Verapaz, Baja Verapaz, Chimaltenango, Chiquimula, El Progreso,

Escuintla, Guatemala, Huehuetenango, Izabal, Jalapa, Jutiapa, Peten,

Quetzaltenango, Quiche, Retalhuleu, Sacatepequez, San Marcos, Santa

Rosa, Solola, Suchitepequez, Totonicapan, Zacapa

Guernsey

none (British crown dependency); there are no first-order

administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there

are 10 parishes including Saint Peter Port, Saint Sampson, Vale,

Castel, Saint Saviour, Saint Pierre du Bois, Torteval, Forest, Saint

Martin, Saint Andrew

Guinea

33 prefectures and 1 special zone (zone special)*; Beyla,

Boffa, Boke, Conakry*, Coyah, Dabola, Dalaba, Dinguiraye, Dubreka,

Faranah, Forecariah, Fria, Gaoual, Gueckedou, Kankan, Kerouane,

Kindia, Kissidougou, Koubia, Koundara, Kouroussa, Labe, Lelouma,

Lola, Macenta, Mali, Mamou, Mandiana, Nzerekore, Pita, Siguiri,

Telimele, Tougue, Yomou

Guinea-Bissau

9 regions (regioes, singular - regiao); Bafata,

Biombo, Bissau, Bolama, Cacheu, Gabu, Oio, Quinara, Tombali; note -

Bolama may have been renamed Bolama/Bijagos

Guyana

10 regions; Barima-Waini, Cuyuni-Mazaruni, Demerara-Mahaica,

East Berbice-Corentyne, Essequibo Islands-West Demerara,

Mahaica-Berbice, Pomeroon-Supenaam, Potaro-Siparuni, Upper

Demerara-Berbice, Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo

Haiti

9 departments (departements, singular - departement);

Artibonite, Centre, Grand 'Anse, Nord, Nord-Est, Nord-Ouest, Ouest,

Sud, Sud-Est

Holy See (Vatican City)

none

Honduras

18 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento);

Atlantida, Choluteca, Colon, Comayagua, Copan, Cortes, El Paraiso,

Francisco Morazan, Gracias a Dios, Intibuca, Islas de la Bahia, La

Paz, Lempira, Ocotepeque, Olancho, Santa Barbara, Valle, Yoro

Hong Kong

none (special administrative region of China)

Hungary

19 counties (megyek, singular - megye), 20 urban counties

(singular - megyei varos), and 1 capital city (fovaros)

counties: Bacs-Kiskun, Baranya, Bekes, Borsod-Abauj-Zemplen,

Csongrad, Fejer, Gyor-Moson-Sopron, Hajdu-Bihar, Heves,

Jasz-Nagykun-Szolnok, Komarom-Esztergom, Nograd, Pest, Somogy,

Szabolcs-Szatmar-Bereg, Tolna, Vas, Veszprem, Zala

urban counties: Bekescsaba, Debrecen, Dunaujvaros, Eger, Gyor,

Hodmezovasarhely, Kaposvar, Kecskemet, Miskolc, Nagykanizsa,

Nyiregyhaza, Pecs, Sopron, Szeged, Szekesfehervar, Szolnok,

Szombathely, Tatabanya, Veszprem, Zalaegerszeg

capital city: Budapest

Iceland

8 regions; Austurland, Hofudhborgarsvaedhi, Nordhurland

Eystra, Nordhurland Vestra, Sudhurland, Sudhurnes, Vestfirdhir,

Vesturland

India

28 states and 7 union territories*; Andaman and Nicobar

Islands*, Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar,

Chandigarh*, Chhattisgarh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli*, Daman and Diu*,

Delhi*, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir,

Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Lakshadweep*, Madhya Pradesh,

Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Orissa,

Pondicherry*, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Tripura,

Uttaranchal, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal

Indonesia

30 provinces (propinsi-propinsi, singular - propinsi), 2

special regions* (daerah-daerah istimewa, singular - daerah

istimewa), and 1 special capital city district** (daerah khusus

ibukota); Aceh*, Bali, Banten, Bengkulu, Gorontalo, Irian Jaya

Barat, Jakarta Raya**, Jambi, Jawa Barat, Jawa Tengah, Jawa Timur,

Kalimantan Barat, Kalimantan Selatan, Kalimantan Tengah, Kalimantan

Timur, Kepulauan Bangka Belitung, Kepulauan Riau, Lampung, Maluku,

Maluku Utara, Nusa Tenggara Barat, Nusa Tenggara Timur, Papua, Riau,

Sulawesi Barat, Sulawesi Selatan, Sulawesi Tengah, Sulawesi

Tenggara, Sulawesi Utara, Sumatera Barat, Sumatera Selatan, Sumatera

Utara, Yogyakarta*; note - with the implementation of

decentralization on 1 January 2001, the 357 districts or regencies

became the key administrative units responsible for providing most

government services

Iran

30 provinces (ostanha, singular - ostan); Ardabil, Azarbayjan-e

Gharbi, Azarbayjan-e Sharqi, Bushehr, Chahar Mahall va Bakhtiari,

Esfahan, Fars, Gilan, Golestan, Hamadan, Hormozgan, Ilam, Kerman,

Kermanshah, Khorasan-e Janubi, Khorasan-e Razavi, Khorasan-e

Shemali, Khuzestan, Kohgiluyeh va Buyer Ahmad, Kordestan, Lorestan,

Markazi, Mazandaran, Qazvin, Qom, Semnan, Sistan va Baluchestan,

Tehran, Yazd, Zanjan

Iraq

18 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah); Al Anbar, Al

Basrah, Al Muthanna, Al Qadisiyah, An Najaf, Arbil, As Sulaymaniyah,

At Ta'mim, Babil, Baghdad, Dahuk, Dhi Qar, Diyala, Karbala', Maysan,

Ninawa, Salah ad Din, Wasit

Ireland

26 counties; Carlow, Cavan, Clare, Cork, Donegal, Dublin,

Galway, Kerry, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Leitrim, Limerick,

Longford, Louth, Mayo, Meath, Monaghan, Offaly, Roscommon, Sligo,

Tipperary, Waterford, Westmeath, Wexford, Wicklow

note: Cavan, Donegal, and Monaghan are part of Ulster Province

Israel

6 districts (mehozot, singular - mehoz); Central, Haifa,

Jerusalem, Northern, Southern, Tel Aviv

Italy

16 regions (regioni, singular - regione) and 4 autonomous

regions* (regioni autonome, singular - regione autonoma); Abruzzo,

Basilicata, Calabria, Campania, Emilia-Romagna, Friuli-Venezia

Giulia*, Lazio, Liguria, Lombardia, Marche, Molise, Piemonte,

Puglia, Sardegna*, Sicilia, Toscana, Trentino-Alto Adige*, Umbria,

Valle d'Aosta*, Veneto

Jamaica

14 parishes; Clarendon, Hanover, Kingston, Manchester,

Portland, Saint Andrew, Saint Ann, Saint Catherine, Saint Elizabeth,

Saint James, Saint Mary, Saint Thomas, Trelawny, Westmoreland

note: for local government purposes, Kingston and Saint Andrew were

amalgamated in 1923 into the present single corporate body known as

the Kingston and Saint Andrew Corporation

Japan

47 prefectures; Aichi, Akita, Aomori, Chiba, Ehime, Fukui,

Fukuoka, Fukushima, Gifu, Gumma, Hiroshima, Hokkaido, Hyogo,

Ibaraki, Ishikawa, Iwate, Kagawa, Kagoshima, Kanagawa, Kochi,

Kumamoto, Kyoto, Mie, Miyagi, Miyazaki, Nagano, Nagasaki, Nara,

Niigata, Oita, Okayama, Okinawa, Osaka, Saga, Saitama, Shiga,

Shimane, Shizuoka, Tochigi, Tokushima, Tokyo, Tottori, Toyama,

Wakayama, Yamagata, Yamaguchi, Yamanashi

Jersey

none (British crown dependency)

Jordan

12 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah); Ajlun, Al

'Aqabah, Al Balqa', Al Karak, Al Mafraq, 'Amman, At Tafilah, Az

Zarqa', Irbid, Jarash, Ma'an, Madaba

Kazakhstan

14 provinces (oblystar, singular - oblys) and 3 cities*

(qala, singular - qalasy); Almaty Oblysy, Almaty Qalasy*, Aqmola

Oblysy (Astana), Aqtobe Oblysy, Astana Qalasy*, Atyrau Oblysy, Batys

Qazaqstan Oblysy (Oral), Bayqongyr Qalasy*, Mangghystau Oblysy

(Aqtau), Ongtustik Qazaqstan Oblysy (Shymkent), Pavlodar Oblysy,

Qaraghandy Oblysy, Qostanay Oblysy, Qyzylorda Oblysy, Shyghys

Qazaqstan Oblysy (Oskemen), Soltustik Qazaqstan Oblysy

(Petropavlovsk), Zhambyl Oblysy (Taraz)

note: administrative divisions have the same names as their

administrative centers (exceptions have the administrative center

name following in parentheses); in 1995, the Governments of

Kazakhstan and Russia entered into an agreement whereby Russia would

lease for a period of 20 years an area of 6,000 sq km enclosing the

Baykonur space launch facilities and the city of Bayqongyr

(Baykonur, formerly Leninsk); in 2004, a new agreement extended the

lease to 2050

Kenya

7 provinces and 1 area*; Central, Coast, Eastern, Nairobi

Area*, North Eastern, Nyanza, Rift Valley, Western

Kiribati

3 units; Gilbert Islands, Line Islands, Phoenix Islands;

note - in addition, there are 6 districts (Banaba, Central Gilberts,

Line Islands, Northern Gilberts, Southern Gilberts, Tarawa) and 21

island councils - one for each of the inhabited islands (Abaiang,

Abemama, Aranuka, Arorae, Banaba, Beru, Butaritari, Kanton,

Kiritimati, Kuria, Maiana, Makin, Marakei, Nikunau, Nonouti, Onotoa,

Tabiteuea, Tabuaeran, Tamana, Tarawa, Teraina)

Korea, North

9 provinces (do, singular and plural) and 4

municipalities (si, singular and plural)

provinces: Chagang-do (Chagang), Hamgyong-bukto (North Hamgyong),

Hamgyong-namdo (South Hamgyong), Hwanghae-bukto (North Hwanghae),

Hwanghae-namdo (South Hwanghae), Kangwon-do (Kangwon),

P'yongan-bukto (North P'yongan), P'yongan-namdo (South P'yongan),

Yanggang-do (Yanggang)

municipalites: Kaesong-si (Kaesong), Najin Sonbong-si (Najin),

Namp'o-si (Namp'o), P'yongyang-si (Pyongyang)

Korea, South

9 provinces (do, singular and plural) and 7

metropolitan cities (gwangyoksi, singular and plural)

provinces: Cheju-do, Cholla-bukto (North Cholla), Cholla-namdo

(South Cholla), Ch'ungch'ong-bukto (North Ch'ungch'ong),

Ch'ungch'ong-namdo (South Ch'ungch'ong), Kangwon-do, Kyonggi-do,

Kyongsang-bukto (North Kyongsang), Kyongsang-namdo (South Kyongsang)

metropolitan cities: Inch'on-gwangyoksi (Inch'on),

Kwangju-gwangyoksi (Kwangju), Pusan-gwangyoksi (Pusan),

Soul-t'ukpyolsi (Seoul), Taegu-gwangyoksi (Taegu), Taejon-gwangyoksi

(Taejon), Ulsan-gwangyoksi (Ulsan)

Kuwait

5 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah); Al Ahmadi,

Al Farwaniyah, Al 'Asimah, Al Jahra', Hawalli

Kyrgyzstan

7 provinces (oblastlar, singular - oblasty) and 1 city*

(shaar); Batken Oblasty, Bishkek Shaary*, Chuy Oblasty (Bishkek),

Jalal-Abad Oblasty, Naryn Oblasty, Osh Oblasty, Talas Oblasty,

Ysyk-Kol Oblasty (Karakol)

note: administrative divisions have the same names as their

administrative centers (exceptions have the administrative center

name following in parentheses)

Laos

16 provinces (khoueng, singular and plural), 1 municipality*

(kampheng nakhon, singular and plural), and 1 special zone**

(khetphiset, singular and plural); Attapu, Bokeo, Bolikhamxai,

Champasak, Houaphan, Khammouan, Louangnamtha, Louangphrabang,

Oudomxai, Phongsali, Salavan, Savannakhet, Viangchan (Vientiane)*,

Viangchan, Xaignabouli, Xaisomboun**, Xekong, Xiangkhoang

Latvia

26 counties (singular - rajons) and 7 municipalities*:

Aizkraukles Rajons, Aluksnes Rajons, Balvu Rajons, Bauskas Rajons,

Cesu Rajons, Daugavpils*, Daugavpils Rajons, Dobeles Rajons,

Gulbenes Rajons, Jekabpils Rajons, Jelgava*, Jelgavas Rajons,

Jurmala*, Kraslavas Rajons, Kuldigas Rajons, Liepaja*, Liepajas

Rajons, Limbazu Rajons, Ludzas Rajons, Madonas Rajons, Ogres Rajons,

Preilu Rajons, Rezekne*, Rezeknes Rajons, Riga*, Rigas Rajons,

Saldus Rajons, Talsu Rajons, Tukuma Rajons, Valkas Rajons, Valmieras

Rajons, Ventspils*, Ventspils Rajons

Lebanon

6 governorates (mohafazat, singular - mohafazah); Beyrouth,

Beqaa, Liban-Nord, Liban-Sud, Mont-Liban, Nabatiye

Lesotho

10 districts; Berea, Butha-Buthe, Leribe, Mafeteng, Maseru,

Mohale's Hoek, Mokhotlong, Qacha's Nek, Quthing, Thaba-Tseka

Liberia

15 counties; Bomi, Bong, Gbarpolu, Grand Bassa, Grand Cape

Mount, Grand Gedeh, Grand Kru, Lofa, Margibi, Maryland, Montserrado,

Nimba, River Cess, River Gee, Sinoe

Libya

25 municipalities (baladiyat, singular - baladiyah); Ajdabiya,

Al 'Aziziyah, Al Fatih, Al Jabal al Akhdar, Al Jufrah, Al Khums, Al

Kufrah, An Nuqat al Khams, Ash Shati', Awbari, Az Zawiyah, Banghazi,

Darnah, Ghadamis, Gharyan, Misratah, Murzuq, Sabha, Sawfajjin, Surt,

Tarabulus, Tarhunah, Tubruq, Yafran, Zlitan; note - the 25

municipalities may have been replaced by 13 regions

Liechtenstein

11 communes (Gemeinden, singular - Gemeinde); Balzers,

Eschen, Gamprin, Mauren, Planken, Ruggell, Schaan, Schellenberg,

Triesen, Triesenberg, Vaduz

Lithuania

10 counties (apskritys, singular - apskritis); Alytaus,

Kauno, Klaipedos, Marijampoles, Panevezio, Siauliu, Taurages,

Telsiu, Utenos, Vilniaus

Luxembourg

3 districts; Diekirch, Grevenmacher, Luxembourg

Macau

none (special administrative region of China)

Macedonia

85 municipalities (opstini, singular - opstina); Aerodrom

(Skopje), Aracinovo, Berovo, Bitola, Bogdanci, Bogovinje, Bosilovo,

Brvenica, Butel (Skopje), Cair (Skopje), Caska, Centar (Skopje),

Centar Zupa, Cesinovo, Cucer-Sandevo, Debar, Debartsa, Delcevo,

Demir Hisar, Demir Kapija, Dojran, Dolneni, Drugovo, Gazi Baba

(Skopje), Gevgelija, Gjorce Petrov (Skopje), Gostivar, Gradsko,

Ilinden, Jegunovce, Karbinci, Karpos (Skopje), Kavadarci, Kicevo,

Kisela Voda (Skopje), Kocani, Konce, Kratovo, Kriva Palanka,

Krivogastani, Krusevo, Kumanovo, Lipkovo, Lozovo, Makedonska

Kamenica, Makedonski Brod, Mavrovo i Rastusa, Mogila, Negotino,

Novaci, Novo Selo, Ohrid, Oslomej, Pehcevo, Petrovec, Plasnica,

Prilep, Probistip, Radovis, Rankovce, Resen, Rosoman, Saraj

(Skopje), Skopje, Sopiste, Staro Nagoricane, Stip, Struga, Strumica,

Studenicani, Suto Orizari (Skopje), Sveti Nikole, Tearce, Tetovo,

Valandovo, Vasilevo, Veles, Vevcani, Vinica, Vranestica, Vrapciste,

Zajas, Zelenikovo, Zelino, Zrnovci

note: the ten municipalities followed by Skopje in parentheses

collectively constitute "greater Skopje"

Madagascar

6 provinces (faritany); Antananarivo, Antsiranana,

Fianarantsoa, Mahajanga, Toamasina, Toliara

Malawi

27 districts; Balaka, Blantyre, Chikwawa, Chiradzulu,

Chitipa, Dedza, Dowa, Karonga, Kasungu, Likoma, Lilongwe, Machinga

(Kasupe), Mangochi, Mchinji, Mulanje, Mwanza, Mzimba, Ntcheu, Nkhata

Bay, Nkhotakota, Nsanje, Ntchisi, Phalombe, Rumphi, Salima, Thyolo,

Zomba

Malaysia

13 states (negeri-negeri, singular - negeri) Johor, Kedah,

Kelantan, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Perak, Perlis, Pulau

Pinang, Sabah, Sarawak, Selangor, and Terengganu; and one federal

territory (wilayah persekutuan) with three components, city of Kuala

Lumpur, Labuan, and Putrajaya

Maldives

19 atolls (atholhu, singular and plural) and 1 other

first-order administrative division*; Alifu, Baa, Dhaalu, Faafu,

Gaafu Alifu, Gaafu Dhaalu, Gnaviyani, Haa Alifu, Haa Dhaalu, Kaafu,

Laamu, Lhaviyani, Maale*, Meemu, Noonu, Raa, Seenu, Shaviyani, Thaa,

Vaavu

Mali

8 regions (regions, singular - region); Gao, Kayes, Kidal,

Koulikoro, Mopti, Segou, Sikasso, Tombouctou

Malta

none (administered directly from Valletta); note - Local

Councils carry out administrative orders

Man, Isle of

none; there are no first-order administrative divisions

as defined by the US Government, but there are 24 local authorities

each with its own elections

Marshall Islands

33 municipalities; Ailinginae, Ailinglaplap, Ailuk,

Arno, Aur, Bikar, Bikini, Bokak, Ebon, Enewetak, Erikub, Jabat,

Jaluit, Jemo, Kili, Kwajalein, Lae, Lib, Likiep, Majuro, Maloelap,

Mejit, Mili, Namorik, Namu, Rongelap, Rongrik, Toke, Ujae, Ujelang,

Utirik, Wotho, Wotje

Martinique

none (overseas department of France)

Mauritania

12 regions (regions, singular - region) and 1 capital

district*; Adrar, Assaba, Brakna, Dakhlet Nouadhibou, Gorgol,

Guidimaka, Hodh Ech Chargui, Hodh El Gharbi, Inchiri, Nouakchott*,

Tagant, Tiris Zemmour, Trarza

Mauritius

9 districts and 3 dependencies*; Agalega Islands*, Black

River, Cargados Carajos Shoals*, Flacq, Grand Port, Moka,

Pamplemousses, Plaines Wilhems, Port Louis, Riviere du Rempart,

Rodrigues*, Savanne

Mayotte

none (territorial collectivity of France)

Mexico

31 states (estados, singular - estado) and 1 federal

district* (distrito federal); Aguascalientes, Baja California, Baja

California Sur, Campeche, Chiapas, Chihuahua, Coahuila de Zaragoza,

Colima, Distrito Federal*, Durango, Guanajuato, Guerrero, Hidalgo,

Jalisco, Mexico, Michoacan de Ocampo, Morelos, Nayarit, Nuevo Leon,

Oaxaca, Puebla, Queretaro de Arteaga, Quintana Roo, San Luis Potosi,

Sinaloa, Sonora, Tabasco, Tamaulipas, Tlaxcala, Veracruz-Llave,

Yucatan, Zacatecas

Micronesia, Federated States of

4 states; Chuuk (Truk), Kosrae

(Kosaie), Pohnpei (Ponape), Yap

Moldova

32 raions (raioane, singular - raionul), 3 municipalities

(municipiul), 1 autonomous territorial unit (unitatea teritoriala

autonoma), and 1 territorial unit (unitatea teritoriala)

counties: Anenii Noi, Basarabeasca, Briceni, Cahul, Cantemir,

Calarasi, Causeni, Cimislia, Criuleni, Donduseni, Drochia, Dubasari,

Edinet, Falesti, Floresti, Glodeni, Hincesti, Ialoveni, Leova,

Nisporeni, Ocnita, Orhei, Rezina, Riscani, Singerei, Soldanesti,

Soroca, Stefan-Voda, Straseni, Taraclia, Telenesti, Ungheni

municipalities: Balti, Bender, Chisinau

autonomous territorial unit: Gagauzia

territorial unit: Stinga Nistrului

Monaco

none; there are no first-order administrative divisions as

defined by the US Government, but there are four quarters

(quartiers, singular - quartier); Fontvieille, La Condamine,

Monaco-Ville, Monte-Carlo

Mongolia

21 provinces (aymguud, singular - aymag) and 1

municipality* (singular - hot); Arhangay, Bayanhongor, Bayan-Olgiy,

Bulgan, Darhan Uul, Dornod, Dornogovi, Dundgovi, Dzavhan,

Govi-Altay, Govi-Sumber, Hentiy, Hovd, Hovsgol, Omnogovi, Orhon,

Ovorhangay, Selenge, Suhbaatar, Tov, Ulaanbaatar*, Uvs

Montserrat

3 parishes; Saint Anthony, Saint Georges, Saint Peter

Morocco

14 regions: Grand Casablanca, Chaouia-Ouardigha,

Doukkala-Abda, Fes-Boulemane, Gharb-Chrarda-Beni Hssen, Guelmim-Es

Smara, Marrakech-Tensift-Al Haouz, Meknes-Tafilalet, Oriental,

Rabat-Sale-Zemmour-Zaer, Souss-Massa-Draa, Tadla-Azilal,

Tanger-Tetouan, Taza-Al Hoceima-Taounate

note: Morocco claims the territory of Western Sahara, the political

status of which is considered undetermined by the United States

Government; one additional region, Oued Eddahab-Lagouira, falls

entirely within Western Sahara; another region,

Laayoune-Boujdour-Sahia El Hamra, falls mostly within Western

Sahara; a small portion of this region, in the southwestern part of

the country, falls within Moroccan-administered territory as

recognized by the United States; the province of Guelmim-Es Smara

lies in both entities

Mozambique

10 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia), 1 city

(cidade)*; Cabo Delgado, Gaza, Inhambane, Manica, Maputo, Cidade de

Maputo*, Nampula, Niassa, Sofala, Tete, Zambezia

Namibia

13 regions; Caprivi, Erongo, Hardap, Karas, Khomas, Kunene,

Ohangwena, Okavango, Omaheke, Omusati, Oshana, Oshikoto, Otjozondjupa

Nauru

14 districts; Aiwo, Anabar, Anetan, Anibare, Baiti, Boe,

Buada, Denigomodu, Ewa, Ijuw, Meneng, Nibok, Uaboe, Yaren

Nepal

14 zones (anchal, singular and plural); Bagmati, Bheri,

Dhawalagiri, Gandaki, Janakpur, Karnali, Kosi, Lumbini, Mahakali,

Mechi, Narayani, Rapti, Sagarmatha, Seti

Netherlands

12 provinces (provincies, singular - provincie);

Drenthe, Flevoland, Friesland (Fryslan), Gelderland, Groningen,

Limburg, Noord-Brabant, Noord-Holland, Overijssel, Utrecht, Zeeland,

Zuid-Holland

Netherlands Antilles

none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands)

note: each island has its own government

New Caledonia

none (overseas territory of France); there are no

first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US

Government, but there are 3 provinces named Iles Loyaute, Nord, and

Sud

New Zealand

16 regions and 1 territory*; Auckland, Bay of Plenty,

Canterbury, Chatham Islands*, Gisborne, Hawke's Bay,

Manawatu-Wanganui, Marlborough, Nelson, Northland, Otago, Southland,

Taranaki, Tasman, Waikato, Wellington, West Coast

Nicaragua

15 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento)

and 2 autonomous regions* (regiones autonomistas, singular - region

autonomista); Atlantico Norte*, Atlantico Sur*, Boaco, Carazo,

Chinandega, Chontales, Esteli, Granada, Jinotega, Leon, Madriz,

Managua, Masaya, Matagalpa, Nueva Segovia, Rio San Juan, Rivas

Niger

8 regions (regions, singular - region) includes 1 capital

district* (commune urbaine); Agadez, Diffa, Dosso, Maradi, Niamey*,

Tahoua, Tillaberi, Zinder

Nigeria

36 states and 1 territory*; Abia, Adamawa, Akwa Ibom,

Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi,

Edo, Ekiti, Enugu, Federal Capital Territory*, Gombe, Imo, Jigawa,

Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Nassarawa, Niger,

Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, Zamfara

Niue

none; note - there are no first-order administrative divisions

as defined by the US Government, but there are 14 villages at the

second order

Norfolk Island

none (territory of Australia)

Northern Mariana Islands

none (commonwealth in political union with

the US); there are no first-order administrative divisions as

defined by the US Government, but there are four municipalities at

the second order: Northern Islands, Rota, Saipan, Tinian

Norway

19 counties (fylker, singular - fylke); Akershus, Aust-Agder,

Buskerud, Finnmark, Hedmark, Hordaland, More og Romsdal, Nordland,

Nord-Trondelag, Oppland, Oslo, Ostfold, Rogaland, Sogn og Fjordane,

Sor-Trondelag, Telemark, Troms, Vest-Agder, Vestfold

Oman

5 regions (manaatiq, singular - mintaqat) and 3 governorates*

(muhaafazaat, singular - muhaafaza) Ad Dakhiliyah, Al Batinah, Al

Wusta, Ash Sharqiyah, Az Zahirah, Masqat*, Musandam*, Zufar*

Pakistan

4 provinces, 1 territory*, and 1 capital territory**;

Balochistan, Federally Administered Tribal Areas*, Islamabad Capital

Territory**, North-West Frontier Province, Punjab, Sindh

note: the Pakistani-administered portion of the disputed Jammu and

Kashmir region includes Azad Kashmir and the Northern Areas

Palau

16 states; Aimeliik, Airai, Angaur, Hatohobei, Kayangel,

Koror, Melekeok, Ngaraard, Ngarchelong, Ngardmau, Ngatpang,

Ngchesar, Ngeremlengui, Ngiwal, Peleliu, Sonsorol

Panama

9 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia) and 1

territory* (comarca); Bocas del Toro, Chiriqui, Cocle, Colon,

Darien, Herrera, Los Santos, Panama, San Blas*(Kuna Yala), and

Veraguas

Papua New Guinea

20 provinces; Bougainville, Central, Chimbu,

Eastern Highlands, East New Britain, East Sepik, Enga, Gulf, Madang,

Manus, Milne Bay, Morobe, National Capital, New Ireland, Northern,

Sandaun, Southern Highlands, Western, Western Highlands, West New

Britain

Paraguay

17 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento) and

1 capital city*; Alto Paraguay, Alto Parana, Amambay, Asuncion*,

Boqueron, Caaguazu, Caazapa, Canindeyu, Central, Concepcion,

Cordillera, Guaira, Itapua, Misiones, Neembucu, Paraguari,

Presidente Hayes, San Pedro

Peru

25 regions (regiones, singular - region) and 1 province*

(provincia); Amazonas, Ancash, Apurimac, Arequipa, Ayacucho,

Cajamarca, Callao, Cusco, Huancavelica, Huanuco, Ica, Junin, La

Libertad, Lambayeque, Lima, Lima*, Loreto, Madre de Dios, Moquegua,

Pasco, Piura, Puno, San Martin, Tacna, Tumbes, Ucayali

Philippines

79 provinces and 116 chartered cities

provinces: Abra, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Aklan, Albay,

Antique, Apayao, Aurora, Basilan, Bataan, Batanes, Batangas,

Biliran, Benguet, Bohol, Bukidnon, Bulacan, Cagayan, Camarines

Norte, Camarines Sur, Camiguin, Capiz, Catanduanes, Cavite, Cebu,

Compostela, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Davao Oriental, Eastern

Samar, Guimaras, Ifugao, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Iloilo, Isabela,

Kalinga, Laguna, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, La Union, Leyte,

Maguindanao, Marinduque, Masbate, Mindoro Occidental, Mindoro

Oriental, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Mountain Province,

Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, North Cotabato, Northern Samar,

Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Palawan, Pampanga, Pangasinan, Quezon,

Quirino, Rizal, Romblon, Samar, Sarangani, Siquijor, Sorsogon, South

Cotabato, Southern Leyte, Sultan Kudarat, Sulu, Surigao del Norte,

Surigao del Sur, Tarlac, Tawi-Tawi, Zambales, Zamboanga del Norte,

Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay

chartered cities: Alaminos, Angeles, Antipolo, Bacolod, Bago,

Baguio, Bais, Balanga, Batangas, Bayawan, Bislig, Butuan,

Cabanatuan, Cadiz, Cagayan de Oro, Calamba, Calapan, Calbayog,

Candon, Canlaon, Cauayan, Cavite, Cebu, Cotabato, Dagupan, Danao,

Dapitan, Davao, Digos, Dipolog, Dumaguete, Escalante, Gapan, General

Santos, Gingoog, Himamaylan, Iligan, Iloilo, Isabela, Iriga,

Kabankalan, Kalookan, Kidapawan, Koronadal, La Carlota, Laoag,

Lapu-Lapu, Las Pinas, Legazpi, Ligao, Lipa, Lucena, Maasin, Makati,

Malabon, Malaybalay, Malolos, Mandaluyong, Mandaue, Manila, Marawi,

Markina, Masbate, Muntinlupa, Munoz, Naga, Olongapo, Ormoc,

Oroquieta, Ozamis, Pagadian, Palayan, Panabo, Paranaque, Pasay,

Pasig, Passi, Puerto Princesa, Quezon, Roxas, Sagay, Samal, San

Carlos (in Negros Occidental), San Carlos (in Pangasinan), San

Fernando (in La Union), San Fernando (in Pampanga), San Jose, San

Jose del Monte, San Pablo, Santa Rosa, Santiago, Silay, Sipalay,

Sorsogon, Surigao, Tabaco, Tacloban, Tacurong, Tagaytay, Tagbilaran,

Tagum, Talisay (in Cebu), Talisay (in Negros Oriental), Tanauan,

Tangub, Tanjay, Tarlac, Toledo, Tuguegarao, Trece Martires,

Urdaneta, Valencia, Valenzuela, Victorias, Vigan, Zamboanga

Pitcairn Islands

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Poland

16 provinces (wojewodztwa, singular - wojewodztwo);

Dolnoslaskie, Kujawsko-Pomorskie, Lodzkie, Lubelskie, Lubuskie,

Malopolskie, Mazowieckie, Opolskie, Podkarpackie, Podlaskie,

Pomorskie, Slaskie, Swietokrzyskie, Warminsko-Mazurskie,

Wielkopolskie, Zachodniopomorskie

Portugal

18 districts (distritos, singular - distrito) and 2

autonomous regions* (regioes autonomas, singular - regiao autonoma);

Aveiro, Acores (Azores)*, Beja, Braga, Braganca, Castelo Branco,

Coimbra, Evora, Faro, Guarda, Leiria, Lisboa, Madeira*, Portalegre,

Porto, Santarem, Setubal, Viana do Castelo, Vila Real, Viseu

Puerto Rico

none (commonwealth associated with the US); there are no

first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US

Government, but there are 78 municipalities (municipios, singular -

municipio) at the second order; Adjuntas, Aguada, Aguadilla, Aguas

Buenas, Aibonito, Anasco, Arecibo, Arroyo, Barceloneta,

Barranquitas, Bayamon, Cabo Rojo, Caguas, Camuy, Canovanas,

Carolina, Catano, Cayey, Ceiba, Ciales, Cidra, Coamo, Comerio,

Corozal, Culebra, Dorado, Fajardo, Florida, Guanica, Guayama,

Guayanilla, Guaynabo, Gurabo, Hatillo, Hormigueros, Humacao,

Isabela, Jayuya, Juana Diaz, Juncos, Lajas, Lares, Las Marias, Las

Piedras, Loiza, Luquillo, Manati, Maricao, Maunabo, Mayaguez, Moca,

Morovis, Naguabo, Naranjito, Orocovis, Patillas, Penuelas, Ponce,

Quebradillas, Rincon, Rio Grande, Sabana Grande, Salinas, San

German, San Juan, San Lorenzo, San Sebastian, Santa Isabel, Toa

Alta, Toa Baja, Trujillo Alto, Utuado, Vega Alta, Vega Baja,

Vieques, Villalba, Yabucoa, Yauco

Qatar

10 municipalities (baladiyat, singular - baladiyah); Ad

Dawhah, Al Ghuwayriyah, Al Jumayliyah, Al Khawr, Al Wakrah, Ar

Rayyan, Jarayan al Batinah, Madinat ash Shamal, Umm Sa'id, Umm Salal

Reunion

none (overseas department of France); there are no

first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US

Government, but there are 4 arrondissements, 24 communes, and 47

cantons

Romania

41 counties (judete, singular - judet) and 1 municipality*

(municipiu); Alba, Arad, Arges, Bacau, Bihor, Bistrita-Nasaud,

Botosani, Braila, Brasov, Bucuresti (Bucharest)*, Buzau, Calarasi,

Caras-Severin, Cluj, Constanta, Covasna, Dimbovita, Dolj, Galati,

Gorj, Giurgiu, Harghita, Hunedoara, Ialomita, Iasi, Ilfov,

Maramures, Mehedinti, Mures, Neamt, Olt, Prahova, Salaj, Satu Mare,

Sibiu, Suceava, Teleorman, Timis, Tulcea, Vaslui, Vilcea, Vrancea

Russia

49 oblasts (oblastey, singular - oblast), 21 republics

(respublik, singular - respublika), 10 autonomous okrugs

(avtonomnykh okrugov, singular - avtonomnyy okrug), 6 krays (krayev,

singular - kray), 2 federal cities (singular - gorod), and 1

autonomous oblast (avtonomnaya oblast')

oblasts: Amur (Blagoveshchensk), Arkhangel'sk, Astrakhan', Belgorod,

Bryansk, Chelyabinsk, Chita, Irkutsk, Ivanovo, Kaliningrad, Kaluga,

Kamchatka (Petropavlovsk-Kamchatskiy), Kemerovo, Kirov, Kostroma,

Kurgan, Kursk, Leningrad, Lipetsk, Magadan, Moscow, Murmansk,

Nizhniy Novgorod, Novgorod, Novosibirsk, Omsk, Orenburg, Orel,

Penza, Perm', Pskov, Rostov, Ryazan', Sakhalin (Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk),

Samara, Saratov, Smolensk, Sverdlovsk (Yekaterinburg), Tambov,

Tomsk, Tula, Tver', Tyumen', Ul'yanovsk, Vladimir, Volgograd,

Vologda, Voronezh, Yaroslavl'

republics: Adygeya (Maykop), Altay (Gorno-Altaysk), Bashkortostan

(Ufa), Buryatiya (Ulan-Ude), Chechnya (Groznyy), Chuvashiya

(Cheboksary), Dagestan (Makhachkala), Ingushetiya (Magas),

Kabardino-Balkariya (Nal'chik), Kalmykiya (Elista),

Karachayevo-Cherkesiya (Cherkessk), Kareliya (Petrozavodsk),

Khakasiya (Abakan), Komi (Syktyvkar), Mariy-El (Yoshkar-Ola),

Mordoviya (Saransk), Sakha [Yakutiya] (Yakutsk), North Ossetia

(Vladikavkaz), Tatarstan (Kazan'), Tyva (Kyzyl), Udmurtiya (Izhevsk)

autonomous okrugs: Aga Buryat (Aginskoye), Chukotka (Anadyr'), Evenk

(Tura), Khanty-Mansi, Komi-Permyak (Kudymkar), Koryak (Palana),

Nenets (Nar'yan-Mar), Taymyr [Dolgano-Nenets] (Dudinka), Ust'-Orda

Buryat (Ust'-Ordynskiy), Yamalo-Nenets (Salekhard)

krays: Altay (Barnaul), Khabarovsk, Krasnodar, Krasnoyarsk,

Primorskiy (Vladivostok), Stavropol'

federal cities: Moscow (Moskva), Saint Petersburg (Sankt-Peterburg)

autonomous oblast: Yevrey [Jewish] (Birobidzhan)

note: administrative divisions have the same names as their

administrative centers (exceptions have the administrative center

name following in parentheses)

Rwanda

12 provinces (in French - provinces, singular - province; in

Kinyarwanda - prefigintara for singular and plural); Butare, Byumba,

Cyangugu, Gikongoro, Gisenyi, Gitarama, Kibungo, Kibuye, Kigali

Rurale, Kigali-ville, Umutara, Ruhengeri

Saint Helena

1 administrative area and 2 dependencies*; Ascension*,

Saint Helena, Tristan da Cunha*

Saint Kitts and Nevis

14 parishes; Christ Church Nichola Town, Saint

Anne Sandy Point, Saint George Basseterre, Saint George Gingerland,

Saint James Windward, Saint John Capesterre, Saint John Figtree,

Saint Mary Cayon, Saint Paul Capesterre, Saint Paul Charlestown,

Saint Peter Basseterre, Saint Thomas Lowland, Saint Thomas Middle

Island, Trinity Palmetto Point

Saint Lucia

11 quarters; Anse-la-Raye, Castries, Choiseul, Dauphin,

Dennery, Gros-Islet, Laborie, Micoud, Praslin, Soufriere, Vieux-Fort

Saint Pierre and Miquelon

none (territorial collectivity of France);

note - there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined

by the US Government, but there are two communes - Saint Pierre,

Miquelon at the second order

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

6 parishes; Charlotte, Grenadines,

Saint Andrew, Saint David, Saint George, Saint Patrick

Samoa

11 districts; A'ana, Aiga-i-le-Tai, Atua, Fa'asaleleaga,

Gaga'emauga, Gagaifomauga, Palauli, Satupa'itea, Tuamasaga,

Va'a-o-Fonoti, Vaisigano

San Marino

9 municipalities (castelli, singular - castello);

Acquaviva, Borgo Maggiore, Chiesanuova, Domagnano, Faetano,

Fiorentino, Montegiardino, San Marino Citta, Serravalle

Sao Tome and Principe

2 provinces; Principe, Sao Tome

note: Principe has had self-government since 29 April 1995

Saudi Arabia

13 provinces (mintaqat, singular - mintaqah); Al Bahah,

Al Hudud ash Shamaliyah, Al Jawf, Al Madinah, Al Qasim, Ar Riyad,

Ash Sharqiyah (Eastern Province), 'Asir, Ha'il, Jizan, Makkah,

Najran, Tabuk

Senegal

11 regions (regions, singular - region); Dakar, Diourbel,

Fatick, Kaolack, Kolda, Louga, Matam, Saint-Louis, Tambacounda,

Thies, Ziguinchor

Serbia and Montenegro

2 republics (republike, singular - republika);

and 2 nominally autonomous provinces* (autonomn pokrajine, singular

- autonomna pokrajina); Kosovo* (temporarily under UN

administration, per UN Security Council Resolution 1244),

Montenegro, Serbia, Vojvodina*

Seychelles

23 administrative districts; Anse aux Pins, Anse Boileau,

Anse Etoile, Anse Louis, Anse Royale, Baie Lazare, Baie Sainte Anne,

Beau Vallon, Bel Air, Bel Ombre, Cascade, Glacis, Grand' Anse (on

Mahe), Grand' Anse (on Praslin), La Digue, La Riviere Anglaise, Mont

Buxton, Mont Fleuri, Plaisance, Pointe La Rue, Port Glaud, Saint

Louis, Takamaka

Sierra Leone

3 provinces and 1 area*; Eastern, Northern, Southern,

Western*

Singapore

none

Slovakia

8 regions (kraje, singular - kraj); Banskobystricky,

Bratislavsky, Kosicky, Nitriansky, Presovsky, Trenciansky, Trnavsky,

Zilinsky

Slovenia

182 municipalities (obcine, singular - obcina) and 11 urban

municipalities* (mestne obcine , singular - mestna obcina )

Ajdovscina, Beltinci, Benedikt, Bistrica ob Sotli, Bled, Bloke,

Bohinj, Borovnica, Bovec, Braslovce, Brda, Brezice, Brezovica,

Cankova, Celje*, Cerklje na Gorenjskem, Cerknica, Cerkno,

Cerkvenjak, Crensovci, Crna na Koroskem, Crnomelj, Destrnik, Divaca,

Dobje, Dobrepolje, Dobrna, Dobrova-Horjul-Polhov Gradec,

Dobrovnik-Dobronak, Dolenjske Toplice, Dol pri Ljubljani, Domzale,

Dornava, Dravograd, Duplek, Gorenja Vas-Poljane, Gorisnica, Gornja

Radgona, Gornji Grad, Gornji Petrovci, Grad, Grosuplje, Hajdina,

Hoce-Slivnica, Hodos-Hodos, Horjul, Hrastnik, Hrpelje-Kozina,

Idrija, Ig, Ilirska Bistrica, Ivancna Gorica, Izola-Isola, Jesenice,

Jezersko, Jursinci, Kamnik, Kanal, Kidricevo, Kobarid, Kobilje,

Kocevje, Komen, Komenda, Koper-Capodistria*, Kostel, Kozje, Kranj*,

Kranjska Gora, Krizevci, Krsko, Kungota, Kuzma, Lasko, Lenart,

Lendava-Lendva, Litija, Ljubljana*, Ljubno, Ljutomer, Logatec, Loska

Dolina, Loski Potok, Lovrenc na Pohorju, Luce, Lukovica, Majsperk,

Maribor*, Markovci, Medvode, Menges, Metlika, Mezica, Miklavz na

Dravskem Polju, Miren-Kostanjevica, Mirna Pec, Mislinja, Moravce,

Moravske Toplice, Mozirje, Murska Sobota*, Muta, Naklo, Nazarje,

Nova Gorica*, Novo Mesto*, Odranci, Oplotnica, Ormoz, Osilnica,

Pesnica, Piran-Pirano, Pivka, Podcetrtek, Podlehnik, Podvelka,

Polzela, Postojna, Prebold, Preddvor, Prevalje, Ptuj*, Puconci,

Race-Fram, Radece, Radenci, Radlje ob Dravi, Radovljica, Ravne na

Koroskem, Razkrizje, Ribnica, Ribnica na Pohorju, Rogasovci, Rogaska

Slatina, Rogatec, Ruse, Salovci, Selnica ob Dravi, Semic,

Sempeter-Vrtojba, Sencur, Sentilj, Sentjernej, Sentjur pri Celju,

Sevnica, Sezana, Skocjan, Skofja Loka, Skofljica, Slovenj Gradec*,

Slovenska Bistrica, Slovenske Konjice, Smarje pri Jelsah, Smartno ob

Paki, Smartno pri Litiji, Sodrazica, Solcava, Sostanj, Starse,

Store, Sveta Ana, Sveti Andraz v Slovenskih Goricah, Sveti Jurij,

Tabor, Tisina, Tolmin, Trbovlje, Trebnje, Trnovska Vas, Trzic,

Trzin, Turnisce, Velenje*, Velika Polana, Velike Lasce, Verzej,

Videm, Vipava, Vitanje, Vodice, Vojnik, Vransko, Vrhnika, Vuzenica,

Zagorje ob Savi, Zalec, Zavrc, Zelezniki, Zetale, Ziri, Zirovnica,

Zuzemberk, Zrece

note: there may be 45 more municipalities

Solomon Islands

9 provinces and 1 capital territory*; Central,

Choiseul, Guadalcanal, Honiara*, Isabel, Makira, Malaita, Rennell

and Bellona, Temotu, Western

Somalia

18 regions (plural - NA, singular - gobolka); Awdal, Bakool,

Banaadir, Bari, Bay, Galguduud, Gedo, Hiiraan, Jubbada Dhexe,

Jubbada Hoose, Mudug, Nugaal, Sanaag, Shabeellaha Dhexe, Shabeellaha

Hoose, Sool, Togdheer, Woqooyi Galbeed

South Africa

9 provinces; Eastern Cape, Free State, Gauteng,

KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, North-West, Northern Cape,

Western Cape

Spain

17 autonomous communities (comunidades autonomas, singular -

comunidad autonoma)and 2 autonomous cities* (ciudades autonomas,

singular - ciudad autonoma); Andalucia, Aragon, Asturias, Baleares

(Balearic Islands), Ceuta*, Canarias (Canary Islands), Cantabria,

Castilla-La Mancha, Castilla y Leon, Cataluna, Comunidad Valenciana,

Extremadura, Galicia, La Rioja, Madrid, Melilla*, Murcia, Navarra,

Pais Vasco (Basque Country)

note: the autonomous cities of Ceuta and Melilla plus three small

islands of Islas Chafarinas, Penon de Alhucemas, and Penon de Velez

de la Gomera, administered directly by the Spanish central

government, are all located off the coast of Morocco and are

collectively referred to as Places of Sovereignty (Plazas de

Soberania)

Sri Lanka

8 provinces; Central, North Central, North Eastern, North

Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Uva, Western; note - North Eastern

province may have been divided in two - Northern and Eastern

Sudan

26 states (wilayat, singular - wilayah); A'ali an Nil (Upper

Nile), Al Bahr al Ahmar (Red Sea), Al Buhayrat (Lakes), Al Jazirah

(El Gezira), Al Khartum (Khartoum), Al Qadarif (Gedaref), Al Wahdah

(Unity), An Nil al Abyad (White Nile), An Nil al Azraq (Blue Nile),

Ash Shamaliyah (Northern), Bahr al Jabal (Bahr al Jabal), Gharb al

Istiwa'iyah (Western Equatoria), Gharb Bahr al Ghazal (Western Bahr

al Ghazal), Gharb Darfur (Western Darfur), Gharb Kurdufan (Western

Kordofan), Janub Darfur (Southern Darfur), Janub Kurdufan (Southern

Kordofan), Junqali (Jonglei), Kassala (Kassala), Nahr an Nil (Nile),

Shamal Bahr al Ghazal (Northern Bahr al Ghazal), Shamal Darfur

(Northern Darfur), Shamal Kurdufan (Northern Kordofan), Sharq al

Istiwa'iyah (Eastern Equatoria), Sinnar (Sinnar), Warab (Warab)

Suriname

10 districts (distrikten, singular - distrikt); Brokopondo,

Commewijne, Coronie, Marowijne, Nickerie, Para, Paramaribo,

Saramacca, Sipaliwini, Wanica

Swaziland

4 districts; Hhohho, Lubombo, Manzini, Shiselweni

Sweden

21 counties (lan, singular and plural); Blekinge, Dalarnas,

Gavleborgs, Gotlands, Hallands, Jamtlands, Jonkopings, Kalmar,

Kronobergs, Norrbottens, Orebro, Ostergotlands, Skane,

Sodermanlands, Stockholms, Uppsala, Varmlands, Vasterbottens,

Vasternorrlands, Vastmanlands, Vastra Gotalands

Switzerland

26 cantons (cantons, singular - canton in French;

cantoni, singular - cantone in Italian; kantone, singular - kanton

in German); Aargau, Appenzell Ausser-Rhoden, Appenzell Inner-Rhoden,

Basel-Landschaft, Basel-Stadt, Bern, Fribourg, Geneve, Glarus,

Graubunden, Jura, Luzern, Neuchatel, Nidwalden, Obwalden, Sankt

Gallen, Schaffhausen, Schwyz, Solothurn, Thurgau, Ticino, Uri,

Valais, Vaud, Zug, Zurich

Syria

14 provinces (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah); Al Hasakah, Al

Ladhiqiyah, Al Qunaytirah, Ar Raqqah, As Suwayda', Dar'a, Dayr az

Zawr, Dimashq, Halab, Hamah, Hims, Idlib, Rif Dimashq, Tartus

Taiwan

includes central island of Taiwan plus numerous smaller

islands near central island and off coast of China's Fujian

Province; Taiwan is divided into 18 counties (hsien, singular and

plural), 5 municipalities (shih, singular and plural), and 2 special

municipalities (chuan-shih, singular and plural)

counties: Chang-hua, Chia-i, Hsin-chu, Hua-lien, I-lan, Kao-hsiung

county, Kin-men, Lien-chiang, Miao-li, Nan-t'ou, P'eng-hu,

P'ing-tung, T'ai-chung, T'ai-nan, T'ai-pei county, T'ai-tung,

T'ao-yuan, and Yun-lin

municipalities: Chia-i, Chi-lung, Hsin-chu, T'ai-chung, T'ai-nan

special municipalities: Kao-hsiung city, T'ai-pei city

note: Taiwan generally uses Wade-Giles system for romanization;

special municipality of Taipei adopted standard pinyin romanization

for street and place names within city boundaries, other local

authorities have selected a variety of romanization systems

Tajikistan

2 provinces (viloyatho, singular - viloyat) and 1

autonomous province* (viloyati mukhtor); Viloyati Mukhtori Kuhistoni

Badakhshon* [Gorno-Badakhshan] (Khorugh), Viloyati Khatlon

(Qurghonteppa), Viloyati Sughd (Khujand)

note: the administrative center name follows in parentheses

Tanzania

26 regions; Arusha, Dar es Salaam, Dodoma, Iringa, Kagera,

Kigoma, Kilimanjaro, Lindi, Manyara, Mara, Mbeya, Morogoro, Mtwara,

Mwanza, Pemba North, Pemba South, Pwani, Rukwa, Ruvuma, Shinyanga,

Singida, Tabora, Tanga, Zanzibar Central/South, Zanzibar North,

Zanzibar Urban/West

Thailand

76 provinces (changwat, singular and plural); Amnat

Charoen, Ang Thong, Buriram, Chachoengsao, Chai Nat, Chaiyaphum,

Chanthaburi, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Chon Buri, Chumphon, Kalasin,

Kamphaeng Phet, Kanchanaburi, Khon Kaen, Krabi, Krung Thep

Mahanakhon (Bangkok), Lampang, Lamphun, Loei, Lop Buri, Mae Hong

Son, Maha Sarakham, Mukdahan, Nakhon Nayok, Nakhon Pathom, Nakhon

Phanom, Nakhon Ratchasima, Nakhon Sawan, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Nan,

Narathiwat, Nong Bua Lamphu, Nong Khai, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani,

Pattani, Phangnga, Phatthalung, Phayao, Phetchabun, Phetchaburi,

Phichit, Phitsanulok, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Phrae, Phuket,

Prachin Buri, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Ranong, Ratchaburi, Rayong, Roi

Et, Sa Kaeo, Sakon Nakhon, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon, Samut

Songkhram, Sara Buri, Satun, Sing Buri, Sisaket, Songkhla,

Sukhothai, Suphan Buri, Surat Thani, Surin, Tak, Trang, Trat, Ubon

Ratchathani, Udon Thani, Uthai Thani, Uttaradit, Yala, Yasothon

Togo

5 regions (regions, singular - region); Kara, Plateaux,

Savanes, Centrale, Maritime

Tokelau

none (territory of New Zealand)

Tonga

3 island groups; Ha'apai, Tongatapu, Vava'u

Trinidad and Tobago

9 regional corporations, 2 city corporations, 3

borough corporations, and 1 ward

regional corporations: Couva/Tabaquite/Talparo, Diego Martin,

Mayaro/Rio Claro, Penal/Debe, Princes Town, Sangre Grande, San

Juan/Laventille, Siparia, Tunapuna/Piarco

city corporations: Port-of-Spain, San Fernando;

borough corporations: Arima, Point Fortin, Chaguanas

ward: Tobago

Tunisia

24 governorates; Ariana (Aryanah), Beja (Bajah), Ben Arous

(Bin 'Arus), Bizerte (Banzart), Gabes (Qabis), Gafsa (Qafsah),

Jendouba (Jundubah), Kairouan (Al Qayrawan), Kasserine (Al Qasrayn),

Kebili (Qibili), Kef (Al Kaf), Mahdia (Al Mahdiyah), Manouba

(Manubah), Medenine (Madanin), Monastir (Al Munastir), Nabeul

(Nabul), Sfax (Safaqis), Sidi Bou Zid (Sidi Bu Zayd), Siliana

(Silyanah), Sousse (Susah), Tataouine (Tatawin), Tozeur (Tawzar),

Tunis, Zaghouan (Zaghwan)

Turkey

81 provinces (iller, singular - il); Adana, Adiyaman,

Afyonkarahisar, Agri, Aksaray, Amasya, Ankara, Antalya, Ardahan,

Artvin, Aydin, Balikesir, Bartin, Batman, Bayburt, Bilecik, Bingol,

Bitlis, Bolu, Burdur, Bursa, Canakkale, Cankiri, Corum, Denizli,

Diyarbakir, Duzce, Edirne, Elazig, Erzincan, Erzurum, Eskisehir,

Gaziantep, Giresun, Gumushane, Hakkari, Hatay, Igdir, Isparta,

Istanbul, Izmir, Kahramanmaras, Karabuk, Karaman, Kars, Kastamonu,

Kayseri, Kilis, Kirikkale, Kirklareli, Kirsehir, Kocaeli, Konya,

Kutahya, Malatya, Manisa, Mardin, Mersin, Mugla, Mus, Nevsehir,

Nigde, Ordu, Osmaniye, Rize, Sakarya, Samsun, Sanliurfa, Siirt,

Sinop, Sirnak, Sivas, Tekirdag, Tokat, Trabzon, Tunceli, Usak, Van,

Yalova, Yozgat, Zonguldak

Turkmenistan

5 provinces (welayatlar, singular - welayat): Ahal

Welayaty (Ashgabat), Balkan Welayaty (Balkanabat), Dashoguz

Welayaty, Lebap Welayaty (Turkmenabat), Mary Welayaty

note: administrative divisions have the same names as their

administrative centers (exceptions have the administrative center

name following in parentheses)

Turks and Caicos Islands

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Tuvalu

none

Uganda

56 districts; Adjumani, Apac, Arua, Bugiri, Bundibugyo,

Bushenyi, Busia, Gulu, Hoima, Iganga, Jinja, Kabale, Kabarole,

Kaberamaido, Kalangala, Kampala, Kamuli, Kamwenge, Kanungu,

Kapchorwa, Kasese, Katakwi, Kayunga, Kibale, Kiboga, Kisoro, Kitgum,

Kotido, Kumi, Kyenjojo, Lira, Luwero, Masaka, Masindi, Mayuge,

Mbale, Mbarara, Moroto, Moyo, Mpigi, Mubende, Mukono, Nakapiripirit,

Nakasongola, Nebbi, Ntungamo, Pader, Pallisa, Rakai, Rukungiri,

Sembabule, Sironko, Soroti, Tororo, Wakiso, Yumbe

Ukraine

24 provinces (oblasti, singular - oblast'), 1 autonomous

republic* (avtonomna respublika), and 2 municipalities (mista,

singular - misto) with oblast status**; Cherkasy, Chernihiv,

Chernivtsi, Crimea or Avtonomna Respublika Krym* (Simferopol'),

Dnipropetrovs'k, Donets'k, Ivano-Frankivs'k, Kharkiv, Kherson,

Khmel'nyts'kyy, Kirovohrad, Kiev (Kyyiv)**, Kyyiv, Luhans'k, L'viv,

Mykolayiv, Odesa, Poltava, Rivne, Sevastopol'**, Sumy, Ternopil',

Vinnytsya, Volyn' (Luts'k), Zakarpattya (Uzhhorod), Zaporizhzhya,

Zhytomyr

note: administrative divisions have the same names as their

administrative centers (exceptions have the administrative center

name following in parentheses)

United Arab Emirates

7 emirates (imarat, singular - imarah); Abu

Zaby (Abu Dhabi), 'Ajman, Al Fujayrah, Ash Shariqah (Sharjah),

Dubayy (Dubai), Ra's al Khaymah, Umm al Qaywayn

United Kingdom

England - 47 boroughs, 36 counties, 29 London

boroughs, 12 cities and boroughs, 10 districts, 12 cities, 3 royal

boroughs

boroughs: Barnsley, Blackburn with Darwen, Blackpool, Bolton,

Bournemouth, Bracknell Forest, Brighton and Hove, Bury, Calderdale,

Darlington, Doncaster, Dudley, Gateshead, Halton, Hartlepool,

Kirklees, Knowsley, Luton, Medway, Middlesbrough, Milton Keynes,

North Tyneside, Oldham, Poole, Reading, Redcar and Cleveland,

Rochdale, Rotherham, Sandwell, Sefton, Slough, Solihull,

Southend-on-Sea, South Tyneside, St. Helens, Stockport,

Stockton-on-Tees, Swindon, Tameside, Thurrock, Torbay, Trafford,

Walsall, Warrington, Wigan, Wirral, Wolverhampton

counties: Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, Cheshire,

Cornwall, Cumbria, Derbyshire, Devon, Dorset, Durham, East Sussex,

Essex, Gloucestershire, Hampshire, Herefordshire, Hertfordshire,

Isle of Wight, Kent, Lancashire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire,

Norfolk, Northamptonshire, Northumberland, North Yorkshire,

Nottinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Shropshire, Somerset, Staffordshire,

Suffolk, Surrey, Warwickshire, West Sussex, Wiltshire, Worcestershire

London boroughs: Barking and Dagenham, Barnet, Bexley, Brent,

Bromley, Camden, Croydon, Ealing, Enfield, Greenwich, Hackney,

Hammersmith and Fulham, Haringey, Harrow, Havering, Hillingdon,

Hounslow, Islington, Lambeth, Lewisham, Merton, Newham, Redbridge,

Richmond upon Thames, Southwark, Sutton, Tower Hamlets, Waltham

Forest, Wandsworth

cities and boroughs: Birmingham, Bradford, Coventry, Leeds,

Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle upon Tyne, Salford, Sheffield,

Sunderland, Wakefield, Westminster

districts: Bath and North East Somerset, East Riding of Yorkshire,

North East Lincolnshire, North Lincolnshire, North Somerset,

Rutland, South Gloucestershire, Telford and Wrekin, West Berkshire,

Wokingham

cities: City of Bristol, Derby, City of Kingston upon Hull,

Leicester, City of London, Nottingham, Peterborough, Plymouth,

Portsmouth, Southampton, Stoke-on-Trent, York

royal boroughs: Kensington and Chelsea, Kingston upon Thames,

Windsor and Maidenhead

Northern Ireland - 24 districts, 2 cities, 6 counties

districts: Antrim, Ards, Armagh, Ballymena, Ballymoney, Banbridge,

Carrickfergus, Castlereagh, Coleraine, Cookstown, Craigavon, Down,

Dungannon, Fermanagh, Larne, Limavady, Lisburn, Magherafelt, Moyle,

Newry and Mourne, Newtownabbey, North Down, Omagh, Strabane

cities: Belfast, Derry

counties: County Antrim, County Armagh, County Down, County

Fermanagh, County Londonderry, County Tyrone

Scotland - 32 council areas: Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire, Angus,

Argyll and Bute, The Scottish Borders, Clackmannanshire, Dumfries

and Galloway, Dundee City, East Ayrshire, East Dunbartonshire, East

Lothian, East Renfrewshire, City of Edinburgh, Falkirk, Fife,

Glasgow City, Highland, Inverclyde, Midlothian, Moray, North

Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire, Orkney Islands, Perth and Kinross,

Renfrewshire, Shetland Islands, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire,

Stirling, West Dunbartonshire, Eilean Siar (Western Isles), West

Lothian;

Wales - 11 county boroughs, 9 counties, 2 cities and counties

county boroughs: Blaenau Gwent, Bridgend, Caerphilly, Conwy,

Gwynedd, Merthyr Tydfil, Neath Port Talbot, Newport, Rhondda Cynon

Taff, Torfaen, Wrexham

counties: Isle of Anglesey, Ceredigion, Carmarthenshire,

Denbighshire, Flintshire, Monmouthshire, Pembrokeshire, Powys, The

Vale of Glamorgan

cities and counties: Cardiff, Swansea

United States

50 states and 1 district*; Alabama, Alaska, Arizona,

Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of

Columbia*, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa,

Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts,

Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska,

Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North

Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode

Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah,

Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming

Uruguay

19 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento);

Artigas, Canelones, Cerro Largo, Colonia, Durazno, Flores, Florida,

Lavalleja, Maldonado, Montevideo, Paysandu, Rio Negro, Rivera,

Rocha, Salto, San Jose, Soriano, Tacuarembo, Treinta y Tres

Uzbekistan

12 provinces (viloyatlar, singular - viloyat), 1

autonomous republic* (respublika), and 1 city** (shahar); Andijon

Viloyati, Buxoro Viloyati, Farg'ona Viloyati, Jizzax Viloyati,

Namangan Viloyati, Navoiy Viloyati, Qashqadaryo Viloyati (Qarshi),

Qaraqalpog'iston Respublikasi* (Nukus), Samarqand Viloyati, Sirdaryo

Viloyati (Guliston), Surxondaryo Viloyati (Termiz), Toshkent

Shahri**, Toshkent Viloyati, Xorazm Viloyati (Urganch)

note: administrative divisions have the same names as their

administrative centers (exceptions have the administrative center

name following in parentheses)

Vanuatu

6 provinces; Malampa, Penama, Sanma, Shefa, Tafea, Torba

Venezuela

23 states (estados, singular - estado), 1 federal

district* (distrito federal), and 1 federal dependency**

(dependencia federal); Amazonas, Anzoategui, Apure, Aragua, Barinas,

Bolivar, Carabobo, Cojedes, Delta Amacuro, Dependencias Federales**,

Distrito Federal*, Falcon, Guarico, Lara, Merida, Miranda, Monagas,

Nueva Esparta, Portuguesa, Sucre, Tachira, Trujillo, Vargas,

Yaracuy, Zulia

note: the federal dependency consists of 11 federally controlled

island groups with a total of 72 individual islands

Vietnam

59 provinces (tinh, singular and plural) and 5

municipalities (thu do, singular and plural)

provinces: An Giang, Bac Giang, Bac Kan, Bac Lieu, Bac Ninh, Ba

Ria-Vung Tau, Ben Tre, Binh Dinh, Binh Duong, Binh Phuoc, Binh

Thuan, Ca Mau, Cao Bang, Dac Lak, Dac Nong, Dien Bien, Dong Nai,

Dong Thap, Gia Lai, Ha Giang, Hai Duong, Ha Nam, Ha Tay, Ha Tinh,

Hau Giang, Hoa Binh, Hung Yen, Khanh Hoa, Kien Giang, Kon Tum, Lai

Chau, Lam Dong, Lang Son, Lao Cai, Long An, Nam Dinh, Nghe An, Ninh

Binh, Ninh Thuan, Phu Tho, Phu Yen, Quang Binh, Quang Nam, Quang

Ngai, Quang Ninh, Quang Tri, Soc Trang, Son La, Tay Ninh, Thai Binh,

Thai Nguyen, Thanh Hoa, Thua Thien-Hue, Tien Giang, Tra Vinh, Tuyen

Quang, Vinh Long, Vinh Phuc, Yen Bai

municipalities: Can Tho, Da Nang, Hai Phong, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh

Virgin Islands

none (territory of the US); there are no first-order

administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there

are three islands at the second order; Saint Croix, Saint John,

Saint Thomas

Wallis and Futuna

none (overseas territory of France); there are no

first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US

Government, but there are three kingdoms at the second order named

Alo, Sigave, Wallis

Western Sahara

none (under de facto control of Morocco)

World

271 nations, dependent areas, and other entities

Yemen

19 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah); Abyan,

'Adan, Ad Dali', Al Bayda', Al Hudaydah, Al Jawf, Al Mahrah, Al

Mahwit, 'Amran, Dhamar, Hadramawt, Hajjah, Ibb, Lahij, Ma'rib,

Sa'dah, San'a', Shabwah, Ta'izz

note: for electoral and administrative purposes, the capital city of

Sanaa is treated as an additional governorate

Zambia

9 provinces; Central, Copperbelt, Eastern, Luapula, Lusaka,

Northern, North-Western, Southern, Western

Zimbabwe

8 provinces and 2 cities* with provincial status;

Bulawayo*, Harare*, Manicaland, Mashonaland Central, Mashonaland

East, Mashonaland West, Masvingo, Matabeleland North, Matabeleland

South, Midlands

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2052 Agriculture - products

Afghanistan

opium, wheat, fruits, nuts, wool, mutton, sheepskins,

lambskins

Albania

wheat, corn, potatoes, vegetables, fruits, sugar beets,

grapes; meat, dairy products

Algeria

wheat, barley, oats, grapes, olives, citrus, fruits; sheep,

cattle

American Samoa

bananas, coconuts, vegetables, taro, breadfruit,

yams, copra, pineapples, papayas; dairy products, livestock

Andorra

small quantities of rye, wheat, barley, oats, vegetables;

sheep

Angola

bananas, sugarcane, coffee, sisal, corn, cotton, manioc

(tapioca), tobacco, vegetables, plantains; livestock; forest

products; fish

Anguilla

small quantities of tobacco, vegetables; cattle raising

Antigua and Barbuda

cotton, fruits, vegetables, bananas, coconuts,

cucumbers, mangoes, sugarcane; livestock

Argentina

sunflower seeds, lemons, soybeans, grapes, corn, tobacco,

peanuts, tea, wheat; livestock

Armenia

fruit (especially grapes), vegetables; livestock

Aruba

aloes; livestock; fish

Australia

wheat, barley, sugarcane, fruits; cattle, sheep, poultry

Austria

grains, potatoes, sugar beets, wine, fruit; dairy products,

cattle, pigs, poultry; lumber

Azerbaijan

cotton, grain, rice, grapes, fruit, vegetables, tea,

tobacco; cattle, pigs, sheep, goats

Bahamas, The

citrus, vegetables; poultry

Bahrain

fruit, vegetables; poultry, dairy products; shrimp, fish

Bangladesh

rice, jute, tea, wheat, sugarcane, potatoes, tobacco,

pulses, oilseeds, spices, fruit; beef, milk, poultry

Barbados

sugarcane, vegetables, cotton

Belarus

grain, potatoes, vegetables, sugar beets, flax; beef, milk

Belgium

sugar beets, fresh vegetables, fruits, grain, tobacco; beef,

veal, pork, milk

Belize

bananas, coca, citrus, sugar; fish, cultured shrimp; lumber;

garments

Benin

cotton, corn, cassava (tapioca), yams, beans, palm oil,

peanuts, livestock (2001)

Bermuda

bananas, vegetables, citrus, flowers; dairy products

Bhutan

rice, corn, root crops, citrus, foodgrains; dairy products,

eggs

Bolivia

soybeans, coffee, coca, cotton, corn, sugarcane, rice,

potatoes; timber

Bosnia and Herzegovina

wheat, corn, fruits, vegetables; livestock

Botswana

livestock, sorghum, maize, millet, beans, sunflowers,

groundnuts

Brazil

coffee, soybeans, wheat, rice, corn, sugarcane, cocoa,

citrus; beef

British Virgin Islands

fruits, vegetables; livestock, poultry; fish

Brunei

rice, vegetables, fruits, chickens, water buffalo

Bulgaria

vegetables, fruits, tobacco, livestock, wine, wheat,

barley, sunflowers, sugar beets

Burkina Faso

cotton, peanuts, shea nuts, sesame, sorghum, millet,

corn, rice; livestock

Burma

rice, pulses, beans, sesame, groundnuts, sugarcane; hardwood;

fish and fish products

Burundi

coffee, cotton, tea, corn, sorghum, sweet potatoes, bananas,

manioc (tapioca); beef, milk, hides

Cambodia

rice, rubber, corn, vegetables, cashews, tapioca

Cameroon

coffee, cocoa, cotton, rubber, bananas, oilseed, grains,

root starches; livestock; timber

Canada

wheat, barley, oilseed, tobacco, fruits, vegetables; dairy

products; forest products; fish

Cape Verde

bananas, corn, beans, sweet potatoes, sugarcane, coffee,

peanuts; fish

Cayman Islands

vegetables, fruit; livestock, turtle farming

Central African Republic

cotton, coffee, tobacco, manioc (tapioca),

yams, millet, corn, bananas; timber

Chad

cotton, sorghum, millet, peanuts, rice, potatoes, manioc

(tapioca); cattle, sheep, goats, camels

Chile

grapes, apples, pears, onions, wheat, corn, oats, peaches,

garlic, asparagus, beans, beef, poultry, wool; fish; timber

China

rice, wheat, potatoes, corn, peanuts, tea, millet, barley,

apples, cotton, oilseed, pork, fish

Christmas Island

NA

Cocos (Keeling) Islands

vegetables, bananas, pawpaws, coconuts

Colombia

coffee, cut flowers, bananas, rice, tobacco, corn,

sugarcane, cocoa beans, oilseed, vegetables; forest products; shrimp

Comoros

vanilla, cloves, perfume essences, copra, coconuts, bananas,

cassava (tapioca)

Congo, Democratic Republic of the coffee, sugar, palm oil, rubber, tea, quinine, cassava (tapioca), palm oil, bananas, root crops, corn, fruits; wood products

Congo, Republic of the

cassava (tapioca), sugar, rice, corn,

peanuts, vegetables, coffee, cocoa; forest products

Cook Islands

copra, citrus, pineapples, tomatoes, beans, pawpaws,

bananas, yams, taro, coffee; pigs, poultry

Costa Rica

coffee, pineapples, bananas, sugar, corn, rice, beans,

potatoes; beef; timber

Cote d'Ivoire

coffee, cocoa beans, bananas, palm kernels, corn,

rice, manioc (tapioca), sweet potatoes, sugar, cotton, rubber; timber

Croatia

wheat, corn, sugar beets, sunflower seed, barley, alfalfa,

clover, olives, citrus, grapes, soybeans, potatoes; livestock, dairy

products

Cuba

sugar, tobacco, citrus, coffee, rice, potatoes, beans; livestock

Cyprus

citrus, vegetables, barley, grapes, olives, vegetables,

poultry, pork, lamb, kids, dairy, cheese

Czech Republic

wheat, potatoes, sugar beets, hops, fruit; pigs,

poultry

Denmark

barley, wheat, potatoes, sugar beets; pork, dairy products;

fish

Djibouti

fruits, vegetables; goats, sheep, camels, animal hides

Dominica

bananas, citrus, mangoes, root crops, coconuts, cocoa;

forest and fishery potential not exploited

Dominican Republic

sugarcane, coffee, cotton, cocoa, tobacco, rice,

beans, potatoes, corn, bananas; cattle, pigs, dairy products, beef,

eggs

East Timor

coffee, rice, maize, cassava, sweet potatoes, soybeans,

cabbage, mangoes, bananas, vanilla

Ecuador

bananas, coffee, cocoa, rice, potatoes, manioc (tapioca),

plantains, sugarcane; cattle, sheep, pigs, beef, pork, dairy

products; balsa wood; fish, shrimp

Egypt

cotton, rice, corn, wheat, beans, fruits, vegetables; cattle,

water buffalo, sheep, goats

El Salvador

coffee, sugar, corn, rice, beans, oilseed, cotton,

sorghum; shrimp; beef, dairy products

Equatorial Guinea

coffee, cocoa, rice, yams, cassava (tapioca),

bananas, palm oil nuts; livestock; timber

Eritrea

sorghum, lentils, vegetables, corn, cotton, tobacco, coffee,

sisal; livestock, goats; fish

Estonia

potatoes, vegetables; livestock and dairy products; fish

Ethiopia

cereals, pulses, coffee, oilseed, sugarcane, potatoes, qat;

hides, cattle, sheep, goats

European Union

wheat, barley, oilseeds, sugar beets, wine, grapes,

dairy products, cattle, sheep, pigs, poultry, fish

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

fodder and vegetable crops; sheep,

dairy products

Faroe Islands

milk, potatoes, vegetables; sheep; salmon, other fish

Fiji

sugarcane, coconuts, cassava (tapioca), rice, sweet potatoes,

bananas; cattle, pigs, horses, goats; fish

Finland

barley, wheat, sugar beets, potatoes; dairy cattle; fish

France

wheat, cereals, sugar beets, potatoes, wine grapes; beef,

dairy products; fish

French Guiana

corn, rice, manioc (tapioca), sugar, cocoa,

vegetables, bananas; cattle, pigs, poultry

French Polynesia

coconuts, vanilla, vegetables, fruits; poultry,

beef, dairy products, coffee

Gabon

cocoa, coffee, sugar, palm oil, rubber; cattle; okoume (a

tropical softwood); fish

Gambia, The

rice, millet, sorghum, peanuts, corn, sesame, cassava

(tapioca), palm kernels; cattle, sheep, goats

Gaza Strip

olives, citrus, vegetables; beef, dairy products

Georgia

citrus, grapes, tea, hazelnuts, vegetables; livestock

Germany

potatoes, wheat, barley, sugar beets, fruit, cabbages;

cattle, pigs, poultry

Ghana

cocoa, rice, coffee, cassava (tapioca), peanuts, corn, shea

nuts, bananas; timber

Gibraltar

none

Greece

wheat, corn, barley, sugar beets, olives, tomatoes, wine,

tobacco, potatoes; beef, dairy products

Greenland

forage crops, garden and greenhouse vegetables; sheep,

reindeer; fish

Grenada

bananas, cocoa, nutmeg, mace, citrus, avocados, root crops,

sugarcane, corn, vegetables

Guadeloupe

bananas, sugarcane, tropical fruits and vegetables;

cattle, pigs, goats

Guam

fruits, copra, vegetables; eggs, pork, poultry, beef

Guatemala

sugarcane, corn, bananas, coffee, beans, cardamom; cattle,

sheep, pigs, chickens

Guernsey

tomatoes, greenhouse flowers, sweet peppers, eggplant,

fruit; Guernsey cattle

Guinea

rice, coffee, pineapples, palm kernels, cassava (tapioca),

bananas, sweet potatoes; cattle, sheep, goats; timber

Guinea-Bissau

rice, corn, beans, cassava (tapioca), cashew nuts,

peanuts, palm kernels, cotton; timber; fish

Guyana

sugarcane, rice, wheat, vegetable oils; beef, pork, poultry,

dairy products; fish, shrimp

Haiti

coffee, mangoes, sugarcane, rice, corn, sorghum, wood

Honduras

bananas, coffee, citrus; beef; timber; shrimp

Hong Kong

fresh vegetables, poultry, fish, pork

Hungary

wheat, corn, sunflower seed, potatoes, sugar beets; pigs,

cattle, poultry, dairy products

Iceland

potatoes, green vegetables, mutton, dairy products, fish

India

rice, wheat, oilseed, cotton, jute, tea, sugarcane, potatoes;

cattle, water buffalo, sheep, goats, poultry; fish

Indonesia

rice, cassava (tapioca), peanuts, rubber, cocoa, coffee,

palm oil, copra, poultry, beef, pork, eggs

Iran

wheat, rice, other grains, sugar beets, fruits, nuts, cotton;

dairy products, wool; caviar

Iraq

wheat, barley, rice, vegetables, dates, cotton; cattle, sheep,

poultry

Ireland

turnips, barley, potatoes, sugar beets, wheat; beef, dairy

products

Israel

citrus, vegetables, cotton; beef, poultry, dairy products

Italy

fruits, vegetables, grapes, potatoes, sugar beets, soybeans,

grain, olives; beef, dairy products; fish

Jamaica

sugarcane, bananas, coffee, citrus, yams, vegetables,

poultry, goats, milk, crustaceans, and mollusks

Japan

rice, sugar beets, vegetables, fruit, pork, poultry, dairy

products, eggs, fish

Jersey

potatoes, cauliflower, tomatoes; beef, dairy products

Jordan

wheat, barley, citrus, tomatoes, melons, olives; sheep,

goats, poultry

Kazakhstan

grain (mostly spring wheat), cotton; livestock

Kenya

tea, coffee, corn, wheat, sugarcane, fruit, vegetables; dairy

products, beef, pork, poultry, eggs

Kiribati

copra, taro, breadfruit, sweet potatoes, vegetables; fish

Korea, North

rice, corn, potatoes, soybeans, pulses; cattle, pigs,

pork, eggs

Korea, South

rice, root crops, barley, vegetables, fruit; cattle,

pigs, chickens, milk, eggs; fish

Kuwait

practically no crops; fish

Kyrgyzstan

tobacco, cotton, potatoes, vegetables, grapes, fruits and

berries; sheep, goats, cattle, wool

Laos

sweet potatoes, vegetables, corn, coffee, sugarcane, tobacco,

cotton, tea, peanuts, rice, water buffalo, pigs, cattle, poultry

Latvia

grain, sugar beets, potatoes, vegetables; beef, pork, milk,

eggs; fish

Lebanon

citrus, grapes, tomatoes, apples, vegetables, potatoes,

olives, tobacco; sheep, goats

Lesotho

corn, wheat, pulses, sorghum, barley; livestock

Liberia

rubber, coffee, cocoa, rice, cassava (tapioca), palm oil,

sugarcane, bananas; sheep, goats; timber

Libya

wheat, barley, olives, dates, citrus, vegetables, peanuts,

soybeans; cattle

Liechtenstein

wheat, barley, corn, potatoes; livestock, dairy

products

Lithuania

grain, potatoes, sugar beets, flax, vegetables; beef,

milk, eggs; fish

Luxembourg

barley, oats, potatoes, wheat, fruits, wine grapes;

livestock products

Macau

only 2% of land area is cultivated, mainly by vegetable

growers; fishing, mostly for crustaceans, is important, some of

catch is exported to Hong Kong; most food requirements are met by

imports, primarily from China

Macedonia

wheat, grapes, rice, tobacco, corn, millet, cotton,

sesame, mulberry leaves, citrus, vegetables; beef, pork, poultry,

mutton

Madagascar

coffee, vanilla, sugarcane, cloves, cocoa, rice, cassava

(tapioca), beans, bananas, peanuts; livestock products

Malawi

tobacco, sugarcane, cotton, tea, corn, potatoes, cassava

(tapioca), sorghum, pulses; groundnuts, Macadamia nuts; cattle, goats

Malaysia

Peninsular Malaysia - rubber, palm oil, cocoa, rice; Sabah

- subsistence crops, rubber, timber, coconuts, rice; Sarawak -

rubber, pepper, timber

Maldives

coconuts, corn, sweet potatoes; fish

Mali

cotton, millet, rice, corn, vegetables, peanuts; cattle, sheep,

goats

Malta

potatoes, cauliflower, grapes, wheat, barley, tomatoes,

citrus, cut flowers, green peppers; pork, milk, poultry, eggs

Man, Isle of

cereals, vegetables; cattle, sheep, pigs, poultry

Marshall Islands

coconuts, tomatoes, melons, taro, breadfruit,

fruits; pigs, chickens

Martinique

pineapples, avocados, bananas, flowers, vegetables,

sugarcane

Mauritania

dates, millet, sorghum, rice, corn, dates; cattle, sheep

Mauritius

sugarcane, tea, corn, potatoes, bananas, pulses; cattle,

goats; fish

Mayotte

vanilla, ylang-ylang (perfume essence), coffee, copra

Mexico

corn, wheat, soybeans, rice, beans, cotton, coffee, fruit,

tomatoes; beef, poultry, dairy products; wood products

Micronesia, Federated States of

black pepper, tropical fruits and

vegetables, coconuts, cassava (tapioca), betel nuts, sweet potatoes;

pigs, chickens

Moldova

vegetables, fruits, wine, grain, sugar beets, sunflower

seed, tobacco; beef, milk

Monaco

none

Mongolia

wheat, barley, vegetables, forage crops, sheep, goats,

cattle, camels, horses

Montserrat

cabbages, carrots, cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, peppers,

livestock products

Morocco

barley, wheat, citrus, wine, vegetables, olives; livestock

Mozambique

cotton, cashew nuts, sugarcane, tea, cassava (tapioca),

corn, coconuts, sisal, citrus and tropical fruits, potatoes,

sunflowers; beef, poultry

Namibia

millet, sorghum, peanuts; livestock; fish

Nauru

coconuts

Nepal

rice, corn, wheat, sugarcane, root crops; milk, water buffalo

meat

Netherlands

grains, potatoes, sugar beets, fruits, vegetables;

livestock

Netherlands Antilles

aloes, sorghum, peanuts, vegetables, tropical

fruit

New Caledonia

vegetables; beef, deer, other livestock products

New Zealand

wheat, barley, potatoes, pulses, fruits, vegetables;

wool, beef, lamb and mutton, dairy products; fish

Nicaragua

coffee, bananas, sugarcane, cotton, rice, corn, tobacco,

sesame, soya, beans; beef, veal, pork, poultry, dairy products

Niger

cowpeas, cotton, peanuts, millet, sorghum, cassava (tapioca),

rice; cattle, sheep, goats, camels, donkeys, horses, poultry

Nigeria

cocoa, peanuts, palm oil, corn, rice, sorghum, millet,

cassava (tapioca), yams, rubber; cattle, sheep, goats, pigs; timber;

fish

Niue

coconuts, passion fruit, honey, limes, taro, yams, cassava

(tapioca), sweet potatoes; pigs, poultry, beef cattle

Norfolk Island

Norfolk Island pine seed, Kentia palm seed, cereals,

vegetables, fruit; cattle, poultry

Northern Mariana Islands

coconuts, fruits, vegetables; cattle

Norway

barley, wheat, potatoes; pork, beef, veal, milk; fish

Oman

dates, limes, bananas, alfalfa, vegetables; camels, cattle; fish

Pakistan

cotton, wheat, rice, sugarcane, fruits, vegetables; milk,

beef, mutton, eggs

Palau

coconuts, copra, cassava (tapioca), sweet potatoes

Panama

bananas, rice, corn, coffee, sugarcane, vegetables;

livestock; shrimp

Papua New Guinea

coffee, cocoa, coconuts, palm kernels, tea, rubber,

sweet potatoes, fruit, vegetables, poultry, pork

Paraguay

cotton, sugarcane, soybeans, corn, wheat, tobacco, cassava

(tapioca), fruits, vegetables; beef, pork, eggs, milk; timber

Peru

coffee, cotton, sugarcane, rice, potatoes, corn, plantains,

grapes, oranges, coca; poultry, beef, dairy products; fish

Philippines

sugarcane, coconuts, rice, corn, bananas, casavas,

pineapples, fish, mangoes, pork, eggs, beef

Pitcairn Islands

wide variety of fruits and vegetables, goats,

chickens

Poland

potatoes, fruits, vegetables, wheat; poultry, eggs, pork

Portugal

grain, potatoes, olives, grapes; sheep, cattle, goats,

poultry, beef, dairy products

Puerto Rico

sugarcane, coffee, pineapples, plantains, bananas,

livestock products, chickens

Qatar

fruits, vegetables; poultry, dairy products, beef; fish

Reunion

sugarcane, vanilla, tobacco, tropical fruits, vegetables,

corn

Romania

wheat, corn, barley, sugar beets, sunflower seed, potatoes,

grapes; eggs, sheep

Russia

grain, sugar beets, sunflower seed, vegetables, fruits; beef,

milk

Rwanda

coffee, tea, pyrethrum (insecticide made from

chrysanthemums), bananas, beans, sorghum, potatoes; livestock

Saint Helena

corn, potatoes, vegetables; timber; fish, crawfish (on

Tristan da Cunha)

Saint Kitts and Nevis

sugarcane, rice, yams, vegetables, bananas;

fish

Saint Lucia

bananas, coconuts, vegetables, citrus, root crops, cocoa

Saint Pierre and Miquelon

vegetables; poultry, cattle, sheep, pigs;

fish

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

bananas, coconuts, sweet potatoes,

spices, small numbers of cattle, sheep, pigs, goats, fish

Samoa

coconuts, bananas, taro, yams, coffee, cocoa

San Marino

wheat, grapes, corn, olives; cattle, pigs, horses, beef,

cheese, hides

Sao Tome and Principe

cocoa, coconuts, palm kernels, copra,

cinnamon, pepper, coffee, bananas, papayas, beans; poultry; fish

Saudi Arabia

wheat, barley, tomatoes, melons, dates, citrus; mutton,

chickens, eggs, milk

Senegal

peanuts, millet, corn, sorghum, rice, cotton, tomatoes,

green vegetables; cattle, poultry, pigs; fish

Serbia and Montenegro

cereals, fruits, vegetables, tobacco, olives;

cattle, sheep, goats

Seychelles

coconuts, cinnamon, vanilla, sweet potatoes, cassava

(tapioca), bananas; broiler chickens; tuna fish

Sierra Leone

rice, coffee, cocoa, palm kernels, palm oil, peanuts;

poultry, cattle, sheep, pigs; fish

Singapore

rubber, copra, fruit, orchids, vegetables, poultry, eggs,

fish, ornamental fish

Slovakia

grains, potatoes, sugar beets, hops, fruit; pigs, cattle,

poultry; forest products

Slovenia

potatoes, hops, wheat, sugar beets, corn, grapes; cattle,

sheep, poultry

Solomon Islands

cocoa beans, coconuts, palm kernels, rice, potatoes,

vegetables, fruit; cattle, pigs; timber; fish

Somalia

cattle, sheep, goats; bananas, sorghum, corn, coconuts,

rice, sugarcane, mangoes, sesame seeds, beans; fish

South Africa

corn, wheat, sugarcane, fruits, vegetables; beef,

poultry, mutton, wool, dairy products

Spain

grain, vegetables, olives, wine grapes, sugar beets, citrus;

beef, pork, poultry, dairy products; fish

Sri Lanka

rice, sugarcane, grains, pulses, oilseed, spices, tea,

rubber, coconuts; milk, eggs, hides, beef

Sudan

cotton, groundnuts (peanuts), sorghum, millet, wheat, gum

arabic, sugarcane, cassava (tapioca), mangos, papaya, bananas, sweet

potatoes, sesame; sheep, livestock

Suriname

paddy rice, bananas, palm kernels, coconuts, plantains,

peanuts; beef, chickens; forest products; shrimp

Swaziland

sugarcane, cotton, corn, tobacco, rice, citrus,

pineapples, sorghum, peanuts; cattle, goats, sheep

Sweden

barley, wheat, sugar beets; meat, milk

Switzerland

grains, fruits, vegetables; meat, eggs

Syria

wheat, barley, cotton, lentils, chickpeas, olives, sugar

beets; beef, mutton, eggs, poultry, milk

Taiwan

rice, corn, vegetables, fruit, tea; pigs, poultry, beef,

milk; fish

Tajikistan

cotton, grain, fruits, grapes, vegetables; cattle, sheep,

goats

Tanzania

coffee, sisal, tea, cotton, pyrethrum (insecticide made

from chrysanthemums), cashew nuts, tobacco, cloves, corn, wheat,

cassava (tapioca), bananas, fruits, vegetables; cattle, sheep, goats

Thailand

rice, cassava (tapioca), rubber, corn, sugarcane, coconuts,

soybeans

Togo

coffee, cocoa, cotton, yams, cassava (tapioca), corn, beans,

rice, millet, sorghum; livestock; fish

Tokelau

coconuts, copra, breadfruit, papayas, bananas; pigs,

poultry, goats

Tonga

squash, coconuts, copra, bananas, vanilla beans, cocoa,

coffee, ginger, black pepper; fish

Trinidad and Tobago

cocoa, rice, citrus, coffee, vegetables; poultry

Tunisia

olives, olive oil, grain, dairy products, tomatoes, citrus

fruit, beef, sugar beets, dates, almonds

Turkey

tobacco, cotton, grain, olives, sugar beets, pulse, citrus;

livestock

Turkmenistan

cotton, grain; livestock

Turks and Caicos Islands corn, beans, cassava (tapioca), citrus fruits; fish

Tuvalu

coconuts; fish

Uganda

coffee, tea, cotton, tobacco, cassava (tapioca), potatoes,

corn, millet, pulses; beef, goat meat, milk, poultry, cut flowers

Ukraine

grain, sugar beets, sunflower seeds, vegetables; beef, milk

United Arab Emirates

dates, vegetables, watermelons; poultry, eggs,

dairy products; fish

United Kingdom

cereals, oilseed, potatoes, vegetables; cattle,

sheep, poultry; fish

United States

wheat, corn, other grains, fruits, vegetables, cotton;

beef, pork, poultry, dairy products; forest products; fish

Uruguay

rice, wheat, corn, barley; livestock; fish

Uzbekistan

cotton, vegetables, fruits, grain; livestock

Vanuatu

copra, coconuts, cocoa, coffee, taro, yams, coconuts,

fruits, vegetables; fish, beef

Venezuela

corn, sorghum, sugarcane, rice, bananas, vegetables,

coffee; beef, pork, milk, eggs; fish

Vietnam

paddy rice, coffee, fish and seafood, rubber, cotton, tea,

pepper, soybeans, cashews, sugar cane, peanuts, bananas, poultry

Virgin Islands

fruit, vegetables, sorghum; Senepol cattle

Wallis and Futuna

breadfruit, yams, taro, bananas; pigs, goats

West Bank

olives, citrus, vegetables; beef, dairy products

Western Sahara

fruits and vegetables (grown in the few oases);

camels, sheep, goats (kept by nomads)

Yemen

grain, fruits, vegetables, pulses, qat (mildly narcotic

shrub), coffee, cotton; dairy products, livestock (sheep, goats,

cattle, camels), poultry; fish

Zambia

corn, sorghum, rice, peanuts, sunflower seed, vegetables,

flowers, tobacco, cotton, sugarcane, cassava (tapioca); cattle,

goats, pigs, poultry, milk, eggs, hides; coffee

Zimbabwe

corn, cotton, tobacco, wheat, coffee, sugarcane, peanuts;

sheep, goats, pigs

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2053 Airports

Afghanistan

47 (2004 est.)

Albania

11 (2004 est.)

Algeria

137 (2004 est.)

American Samoa

3 (2004 est.)

Andorra

none (2004 est.)

Angola

243 (2004 est.)

Anguilla

3 (2004 est.)

Antarctica

there are no developed public access airports or landing

facilities; 30 stations, operated by 16 national governments party

to the Antarctic Treaty, have restricted aircraft landing facilities

for either helicopters or fixed-wing aircraft; commercial

enterprises operate two additional aircraft landing facilities;

helicopter pads are available at 27 stations; runways at 15

locations are gravel, sea-ice, blue-ice, or compacted snow suitable

for landing wheeled, fixed-wing aircraft; of these, one is greater

than 3 km in length, six are between 2 km and 3 km in length, three

are between 1 km and 2 km in length, three are less than 1 km in

length, and two are of unknown length; snow surface skiways, limited

to use by ski-equipped, fixed-wing aircraft, are available at

another 15 locations; of these, four are greater than 3 km in

length, three are between 2 km and 3 km in length, two are between 1

km and 2 km in length, two are less than 1 km in length, and four

are of unknown length; aircraft landing facilities generally subject

to severe restrictions and limitations resulting from extreme

seasonal and geographic conditions; aircraft landing facilities do

not meet ICAO standards; advance approval from the respective

governmental or nongovernmental operating organization required for

using their facilities; landed aircraft are subject to inspection in

accordance with Article 7, Antarctic Treaty; guidelines for the

operation of aircraft near concentrations of birds in Antarctica

were adopted in 2004; relevant legal instruments and authorization

procedures adopted by states party to the Antarctic Treaty

regulating access to the Antarctic Treaty area, that is to all areas

between 60 and 90 degrees of latitude South, have to be complied

with (see information under "Legal System"); an Antarctic Flight

Information Manual (AFIM) providing up-to-date details of Antarctic

air facilities and procedures is maintained and published by the

Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs (2004 est.)

Antigua and Barbuda

3 (2004 est.)

Argentina

1,334 (2004 est.)

Armenia

16 (2004 est.)

Aruba

1 (2004 est.)

Australia

448 (2004 est.)

Austria

55 (2004 est.)

Azerbaijan

50 (2004 est.)

Bahamas, The

63 (2004 est.)

Bahrain

4 (2004 est.)

Baker Island

1 abandoned World War II runway of 1,665 m, completely

covered with vegetation and unusable (2004 est.)

Bangladesh

16 (2004 est.)

Barbados

1 (2004 est.)

Belarus

133 (2004 est.)

Belgium

43 (2004 est.)

Belize

43 (2004 est.)

Benin

5 (2004 est.)

Bermuda

1 (2004 est.)

Bhutan

2 (2004 est.)

Bolivia

1,065 (2004 est.)

Bosnia and Herzegovina

27 (2004 est.)

Botswana

85 (2004 est.)

Brazil

4,136 (2004 est.)

British Indian Ocean Territory

1 (2004 est.)

British Virgin Islands

3 (2004 est.)

Brunei

2 (2004 est.)

Bulgaria

213 (2004 est.)

Burkina Faso

33 (2004 est.)

Burma

78 (2004 est.)

Burundi

8 (2004 est.)

Cambodia

20 (2004 est.)

Cameroon

47 (2004 est.)

Canada

1,326 (2004 est.)

Cape Verde

7

note: 3 airports are reported to be nonoperational (2004 est.)

Cayman Islands

3 (2004 est.)

Central African Republic

50 (2004 est.)

Chad

50 (2004 est.)

Chile

364 (2004 est.)

China

472 (2004 est.)

Christmas Island

1 (2004 est.)

Cocos (Keeling) Islands

1 (2004 est.)

Colombia

980 (2004 est.)

Comoros

4 (2004 est.)

Congo, Democratic Republic of the

230 (2004 est.)

Congo, Republic of the

32 (2004 est.)

Cook Islands

9 (2004 est.)

Costa Rica

149 (2004 est.)

Cote d'Ivoire

37 (2004 est.)

Croatia

68 (2004 est.)

Cuba

170 (2004 est.)

Cyprus

17 (2004 est.)

Czech Republic

120 (2004 est.)

Denmark

97 (2004 est.)

Djibouti

13 (2004 est.)

Dominica

2 (2004 est.)

Dominican Republic

31 (2004 est.)

East Timor

8 (2004 est.)

Ecuador

205 (2004 est.)

Egypt

87 (2004 est.)

El Salvador

73 (2004 est.)

Equatorial Guinea

4 (2004 est.)

Eritrea

17 (2004 est.)

Estonia

29 (2004 est.)

Ethiopia

83 (2004 est.)

Europa Island

1 (2004 est.)

European Union

3,130 (2004 est.)

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

5 (2004 est.)

Faroe Islands

1 (2004 est.)

Fiji

28 (2004 est.)

Finland

148 (2004 est.)

France

478 (2004 est.)

French Guiana

11 (2004 est.)

French Polynesia

50 (2004 est.)

French Southern and Antarctic Lands

none (2004 est.)

Gabon

56 (2004 est.)

Gambia, The

1 (2004 est.)

Gaza Strip

2 (2001)

note: includes Gaza International Airport (GIA), inaugurated on 24

November 1998 as part of agreements stipulated in the September 1995

Oslo II Accord and the 23 October 1998 Wye River Memorandum; GIA has

been largely closed since October 2000 by Israeli orders and its

runway was destroyed by the Israeli Defense Forces in December 2001

(2004 est.)

Georgia

30 (2004 est.)

Germany

550 (2004 est.)

Ghana

12 (2004 est.)

Gibraltar

1 (2004 est.)

Glorioso Islands

1 (2004 est.)

Greece

80 (2004 est.)

Greenland

14 (2004 est.)

Grenada

3 (2004 est.)

Guadeloupe

9 (2004 est.)

Guam

5 (2004 est.)

Guatemala

452 (2004 est.)

Guernsey

2 (2004 est.)

Guinea

16 (2004 est.)

Guinea-Bissau

28 (2004 est.)

Guyana

49 (2004 est.)

Haiti

13 (2004 est.)

Holy See (Vatican City)

none (2004 est.)

Honduras

115 (2004 est.)

Hong Kong

4 (2004 est.)

Howland Island

airstrip constructed in 1937 for scheduled refueling

stop on the round-the-world flight of Amelia EARHART and Fred NOONAN

- they left Lae, New Guinea, for Howland Island, but were never seen

again; the airstrip is no longer serviceable (2004 est.)

Hungary

44 (2004 est.)

Iceland

98 (2004 est.)

India

333 (2004 est.)

Indonesia

667 (2004 est.)

Iran

305 (2004 est.)

Iraq

111; note - unknown number were damaged during the March-April

2003 war (2004 est.)

Ireland

36 (2004 est.)

Israel

51 (2004 est.)

Italy

134 (2004 est.)

Jamaica

35 (2004 est.)

Jan Mayen

1 (2004 est.)

Japan

174 (2004 est.)

Jersey

1 (2004 est.)

Johnston Atoll

1 (2004 est.)

Jordan

17 (2004 est.)

Juan de Nova Island

1 (2004 est.)

Kazakhstan

314 (2004 est.)

Kenya

221 (2004 est.)

Kingman Reef

lagoon was used as a halfway station between Hawaii and

American Samoa by Pan American Airways for flying boats in 1937 and

1938 (2004 est.)

Kiribati

20 (2004 est.)

Korea, North

78 (2004 est.)

Korea, South

179 (2004 est.)

Kuwait

7 (2004 est.)

Kyrgyzstan

52 (2004 est.)

Laos

44 (2004 est.)

Latvia

50 (2004 est.)

Lebanon

8 (2004 est.)

Lesotho

28 (2004 est.)

Liberia

53 (2004 est.)

Libya

139 (2004 est.)

Liechtenstein

none (2004 est.)

Lithuania

102 (2004 est.)

Luxembourg

2 (2004 est.)

Macau

1 (2004 est.)

Macedonia

17 (2004 est.)

Madagascar

116 (2004 est.)

Malawi

42 (2004 est.)

Malaysia

117 (2004 est.)

Maldives

5 (2004 est.)

Mali

28 (2004 est.)

Malta

1 (2004 est.)

Man, Isle of

1 (2004 est.)

Marshall Islands

15 (2004 est.)

Martinique

2 (2004 est.)

Mauritania

24 (2004 est.)

Mauritius

6 (2004 est.)

Mayotte

1 (2004 est.)

Mexico

1,833 (2004 est.)

Micronesia, Federated States of

6 (2004 est.)

Midway Islands

3 (2004 est.)

Moldova

23 (2004 est.)

Monaco

none; linked to the airport at Nice, France by helicopter

service (2004 est.)

Mongolia

46 (2004 est.)

Montserrat

1 (2004 est.)

Morocco

63 (2004 est.)

Mozambique

158 (2004 est.)

Namibia

136 (2004 est.)

Nauru

1 (2004 est.)

Nepal

46 (2004 est.)

Netherlands

27 (2004 est.)

Netherlands Antilles

5 (2004 est.)

New Caledonia

25 (2004 est.)

New Zealand

116 (2004 est.)

Nicaragua

176 (2004 est.)

Niger

27 (2004 est.)

Nigeria

70 (2004 est.)

Niue

1 (2004 est.)

Norfolk Island

1 (2004 est.)

Northern Mariana Islands

5 (2004 est.)

Norway

101 (2004 est.)

Oman

136 (2004 est.)

Pakistan

131 (2004 est.)

Palau

3 (2004 est.)

Palmyra Atoll

1 (2004 est.)

Panama

105 (2004 est.)

Papua New Guinea

571 (2004 est.)

Paracel Islands

1 (2004 est.)

Paraguay

878 (2004 est.)

Peru

234 (2004 est.)

Philippines

255 (2004 est.)

Pitcairn Islands

none (2004 est.)

Poland

123 (2004 est.)

Portugal

65 (2004 est.)

Puerto Rico

30 (2004 est.)

Qatar

4 (2004 est.)

Reunion

2 (2004 est.)

Romania

61 (2004 est.)

Russia

2,586 (2004 est.)

Rwanda

9 (2004 est.)

Saint Helena

1 (2004 est.)

Saint Kitts and Nevis

2 (2004 est.)

Saint Lucia

2 (2004 est.)

Saint Pierre and Miquelon

2 (2004 est.)

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

6 (2004 est.)

Samoa

4 (2004 est.)

San Marino

none (2004 est.)

Sao Tome and Principe

2 (2004 est.)

Saudi Arabia

201 (2004 est.)

Senegal

20 (2004 est.)

Serbia and Montenegro

44 (2004 est.)

Seychelles

15 (2004 est.)

Sierra Leone

10 (2004 est.)

Singapore

10 (2004 est.)

Slovakia

34 (2004 est.)

Slovenia

14 (2004 est.)

Solomon Islands

33 (2004 est.)

Somalia

60 (2004 est.)

South Africa

728 (2004 est.)

South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands

none (2004 est.)

Spain

156 (2004 est.)

Spratly Islands

3 (2004 est.)

Sri Lanka

14 (2004 est.)

Sudan

75 (2004 est.)

Suriname

46 (2004 est.)

Svalbard

4 (2004 est.)

Swaziland

18 (2004 est.)

Sweden

254 (2004 est.)

Switzerland

65 (2004 est.)

Syria

92 (2004 est.)

Taiwan

40 (2004 est.)

Tajikistan

55 (2004 est.)

Tanzania

123 (2004 est.)

Thailand

109 (2004 est.)

Togo

9 (2004 est.)

Tokelau

none; lagoon landings are possible by amphibious aircraft

(2004 est.)

Tonga

6 (2004 est.)

Trinidad and Tobago

6 (2004 est.)

Tromelin Island

1 (2004 est.)

Tunisia

30 (2004 est.)

Turkey

119 (2004 est.)

Turkmenistan

53 (2004 est.)

Turks and Caicos Islands

8 (2004 est.)

Tuvalu

1 (2004 est.)

Uganda

29 (2004 est.)

Ukraine

656 (2004 est.)

United Arab Emirates

35 (2004 est.)

United Kingdom

471 (2004 est.)

United States

14,857 (2004 est.)

Uruguay

64 (2004 est.)

Uzbekistan

226 (2004 est.)

Vanuatu

30 (2004 est.)

Venezuela

369 (2004 est.)

Vietnam

24 (2004 est.)

Virgin Islands

2 (2004 est.)

Wake Island

1 (2004 est.)

Wallis and Futuna

2 (2004 est.)

West Bank

3 (2004 est.)

Western Sahara

11 (2004 est.)

World

49,973 (2004)

Yemen

44 (2004 est.)

Zambia

109 (2004 est.)

Zimbabwe

404 (2004 est.)

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2054 Birth rate (births/1,000 population)

Afghanistan

47.02 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Albania

15.08 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Algeria

17.13 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

American Samoa

23.13 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Andorra

9 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Angola

44.64 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Anguilla

14.26 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Antigua and Barbuda

17.26 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Argentina

16.9 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Armenia

11.76 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Aruba

11.26 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Australia

12.26 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Austria

8.81 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Azerbaijan

20.4 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Bahamas, The

17.87 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Bahrain

18.1 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Bangladesh

30.01 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Barbados

12.83 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Belarus

10.83 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Belgium

10.48 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Belize

29.34 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Benin

41.99 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Bermuda

11.6 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Bhutan

34.03 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Bolivia

23.76 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Bosnia and Herzegovina

12.49 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Botswana

23.33 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Brazil

16.83 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

British Virgin Islands

14.96 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Brunei

19.01 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Bulgaria

9.66 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Burkina Faso

44.17 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Burma

18.11 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Burundi

39.66 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Cambodia

27.08 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Cameroon

34.67 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Canada

10.84 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Cape Verde

25.33 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Cayman Islands

12.92 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Central African Republic

35.17 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Chad

45.98 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Chile

15.44 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

China

13.14 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Christmas Island

NA

Cocos (Keeling) Islands

NA

Colombia

20.82 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Comoros

37.52 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Congo, Democratic Republic of the 44.38 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Congo, Republic of the

27.88 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Cook Islands

NA

Costa Rica

18.6 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Cote d'Ivoire

35.51 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Croatia

9.57 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Cuba

12.03 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Cyprus

12.57 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Czech Republic

9.07 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Denmark

11.36 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Djibouti

39.98 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Dominica

15.73 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Dominican Republic

23.28 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

East Timor

27.19 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Ecuador

22.67 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Egypt

23.32 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

El Salvador

27.04 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Equatorial Guinea

36.18 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Eritrea

38.62 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Estonia

9.91 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Ethiopia

38.61 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

European Union

10 births/1,000 population (July 2005 est.)

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

NA births/1,000 population (2005

est.)

Faroe Islands

13.97 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Fiji

22.73 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Finland

10.5 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

France

12.15 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

French Guiana

20.7 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

French Polynesia

16.93 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Gabon

36.24 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Gambia, The

39.86 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Gaza Strip

40.03 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Georgia

10.25 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Germany

8.33 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Ghana

23.97 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Gibraltar

10.87 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Greece

9.72 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Greenland

15.93 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Grenada

22.3 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Guadeloupe

15.42 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Guam

19.03 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Guatemala

34.11 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Guernsey

9.01 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Guinea

42.03 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Guinea-Bissau

37.65 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Guyana

18.45 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Haiti

36.59 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Honduras

30.38 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Hong Kong

7.23 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Hungary

9.76 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Iceland

13.73 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

India

22.32 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Indonesia

20.71 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Iran

16.83 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Iraq

32.5 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Ireland

14.47 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Israel

18.21 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Italy

8.89 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Jamaica

16.56 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Japan

9.47 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Jersey

9.66 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Jordan

21.76 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Kazakhstan

15.78 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Kenya

40.13 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Kiribati

30.86 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Korea, North

16.09 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Korea, South

10.08 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Kuwait

21.88 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Kyrgyzstan

22.48 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Laos

35.99 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Latvia

9.04 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Lebanon

18.88 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Lesotho

26.53 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Liberia

44.22 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Libya

26.82 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Liechtenstein

10.41 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Lithuania

8.62 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Luxembourg

12.06 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Macau

8.04 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Macedonia

12 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Madagascar

41.66 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Malawi

43.95 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Malaysia

23.07 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Maldives

35.43 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Mali

46.77 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Malta

10.17 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Man, Isle of

11.18 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Marshall Islands

33.52 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Martinique

14.14 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Mauritania

41.43 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Mauritius

15.62 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Mayotte

41.58 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Mexico

21.01 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Micronesia, Federated States of 25.11 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Moldova

15.27 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Monaco

9.26 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Mongolia

21.52 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Montserrat

17.56 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Morocco

22.29 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Mozambique

35.79 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Namibia

25.16 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Nauru

25.14 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Nepal

31.45 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Netherlands

11.14 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Netherlands Antilles

15 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

New Caledonia

18.49 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

New Zealand

13.9 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Nicaragua

24.88 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Niger

48.3 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Nigeria

40.65 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Niue

NA births/1,000 population

Norfolk Island

NA

Northern Mariana Islands

19.51 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Norway

11.67 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Oman

36.73 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Pakistan

30.42 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Palau

18.37 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Panama

19.96 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Papua New Guinea

29.95 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Paraguay

29.43 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Peru

20.87 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Philippines

25.31 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Pitcairn Islands

NA

Poland

10.78 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Portugal

10.82 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Puerto Rico

13.93 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Qatar

15.54 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Reunion

19.26 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Romania

10.7 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Russia

9.8 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Rwanda

40.6 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Saint Helena

12.33 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Saint Kitts and Nevis

18.12 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Saint Lucia

20.05 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Saint Pierre and Miquelon

13.83 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 16.34 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Samoa

15.95 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

San Marino

10.18 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sao Tome and Principe

40.8 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Saudi Arabia

29.56 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Senegal

35.21 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Serbia and Montenegro

12.12 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Seychelles

16.22 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sierra Leone

42.84 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Singapore

9.49 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Slovakia

10.62 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Slovenia

8.95 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Solomon Islands

30.74 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Somalia

45.62 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

South Africa

18.48 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Spain

10.1 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sri Lanka

15.63 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sudan

35.17 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Suriname

18.39 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Svalbard

NA births/1,000 population

Swaziland

27.72 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sweden

10.36 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Switzerland

9.77 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Syria

28.29 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Taiwan

12.64 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Tajikistan

32.58 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Tanzania

38.16 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Thailand

15.7 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Togo

33.48 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Tokelau

NA

Tonga

25.18 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Trinidad and Tobago

12.81 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Tunisia

15.5 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Turkey

16.83 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Turkmenistan

27.68 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Turks and Caicos Islands

22.23 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Tuvalu

21.91 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Uganda

47.39 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Ukraine

10.49 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

United Arab Emirates

18.78 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

United Kingdom

10.78 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

United States

14.14 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Uruguay

14.09 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Uzbekistan

26.22 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Vanuatu

23.06 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Venezuela

18.91 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Vietnam

17.07 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Virgin Islands

14.2 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Wallis and Futuna

NA births/1,000 population

West Bank

32.37 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Western Sahara

NA births/1,000 population

World

20.15 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Yemen

43.07 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Zambia

41.38 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Zimbabwe

29.74 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2055 Military branches

Afghanistan

Afghan National Army (includes Afghan Air Force), Afghan

Militia Force (AMF) (2005)

Albania

General Staff Headquarters, Land Forces Command (Army),

Naval Forces Command, Air Defense Command, Logistics Command,

Training and Doctrine Command

Algeria

People's National Army (ANP; includes Land Forces), Algerian

National Navy (MRA), Air Force (QJJ), Territorial Air Defense Force

(2005)

Andorra

no regular military forces, Police Service of Andorra

Angola

Army, Navy (Marinha de Guerra, MdG), Air and Air Defense

Forces (FANA)

Antigua and Barbuda

Royal Antigua and Barbuda Defense Force:

Infantry, Coast Guard (2004)

Argentina

Argentine Army, Navy of the Argentine Republic (includes

Naval Aviation and Marines), Argentine Air Force (Fuerza Aerea

Argentina, FAA)

Armenia

Army, Air Force, Air Defense Force

Aruba

no regular indigenous military forces; Royal Dutch Navy and

Marines, Coast Guard

Australia

Australian Defense Force (ADF): Australian Army, Royal

Australian Navy, Royal Australian Air Force, Special Operations

Command

Austria

Land Forces (KdoLdSK), Air Forces (KdoLuSK)

Azerbaijan

Army, Navy, Air and Air Defense Forces

Bahamas, The

Royal Bahamaian Defense Force (naval forces) (2004)

Bahrain

Bahrain Defense Forces (BDF): Ground Force (includes Air

Defense), Navy, Air Force, National Guard

Bangladesh

Army, Navy, Air Force

Barbados

Royal Barbados Defense Force: Troops Command and Coast

Guard (2005)

Belarus

Army, Air and Air Defense Force

Belgium

Land, Naval, and Air Components (2005)

Belize

Belize Defense Force (BDF): Army, Maritime Wing, Air Wing,

and Volunteer Guard

Benin

Army, Navy, Air Force

Bermuda

Bermuda Regiment

Bhutan

Royal Bhutan Army (includes Royal Bodyguard and Royal Bhutan

Police) (2005)

Bolivia

Army (Ejercito Boliviano), Navy (Fuerza Naval; includes

Marines), Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Boliviana) (2004)

Bosnia and Herzegovina

VF Army (the air and air defense forces are

subordinate commands within the Army), VRS Army (the air and air

defense forces are subordinate commands within the Army)

Botswana

Botswana Defense Force (includes an Air Wing)

Brazil

Brazilian Army, Brazilian Navy (includes Naval Air and

Marines), Brazilian Air Force (FAB)

Brunei

Royal Brunei Armed Forces: Royal Brunei Land Forces, Royal

Brunei Navy, Royal Brunei Air Force

Bulgaria

Ground Forces, Naval Forces, Air and Air Defense Forces

Burkina Faso

Army, Air Force, National Gendarmerie (2005)

Burma

Myanmar Armed Forces (Tatmadaw): Army, Navy, Air Force (2005)

Burundi

National Defense Force (Forces de Defense Nationales, FDN):

Army (includes Naval Detachment and Air Wing), National Gendarmerie

(2005)

Cambodia

Royal Cambodian Armed Forces: Army, Navy, Air Force

Cameroon

Cameroon Armed Forces: Army, Navy (includes Naval

Infantry), Air Force

Canada

Canadian Armed Forces: Land Forces Command, Maritime Command,

Air Command, Canada Command (homeland security) to be operational in

early 2006 (2005)

Cape Verde

People's Revolutionary Armed Forces (FARP): Army, Coast

Guard (includes maritime air wing)

Cayman Islands

no regular military forces; Royal Cayman Islands

Police Force

Central African Republic

Central African Armed Forces (FACA): Ground

Forces, Air Force; General Directorate of Gendarmerie Inspection

(DGIG), Republican Guard (2004)

Chad

Chadian National Army (Armee Nationale Tchadienne, ANT), Air

Force, Gendarmerie (2004)

Chile

Army of the Nation, National Navy (includes naval air, Coast

Guard, and Marine Corps), Chilean Air Force, Chilean Carabineros

(National Police)

China

People's Liberation Army (PLA): Ground Forces, Navy (includes

marines and naval aviation), Air Force (includes Airborne Forces),

and II Artillery Corps (strategic missile force); People's Armed

Police Force (internal security troops considered to be an adjunct

to the PLA); Militia (2003)

Colombia

Army (Ejercito Nacional), Navy (Armada Nacional, includes

Naval Aviation, Marines, and Coast Guard), Air Force (Fuerza Aerea

Colombiana)

Comoros

Comoran Security Force

Congo, Democratic Republic of the

Army, Navy, Air Force

Congo, Republic of the

Congolese Armed Forces (FAC): Army, Air Force

(Armee de l'Air Congolaise), Navy, Gendarmerie, Republican Guard

(2005)

Cook Islands

no regular military forces; Ministry of Police and

Disaster Management (2004)

Costa Rica

no regular military forces; Ministry of Public Security,

Government, and Police

Cote d'Ivoire

Army, Navy, Air Force

Croatia

Ground Forces (Hrvatska Vojska, HKoV), Naval Forces

(Hrvatska Ratna Mornarica, HRM), Air and Air Defense Forces

(Hrvatsko Ratno Zrakoplovstvo i Protuzrakoplovna Obrana, HRZiPZO)

Cuba

Revolutionary Armed Forces (FAR): Revolutionary Army (ER),

Revolutionary Navy (MGR), Air and Air Defense Force (DAAFAR),

Territorial Militia Troops (MTT), Youth Labor Army (EJT)

Cyprus

Republic of Cyprus: Greek Cypriot National Guard (GCNG;

includes air and naval elements)

north Cyprus: Turkish Cypriot Security Force (GKK)

Czech Republic

Army of the Czech Republic (ACR): Joint Forces

Command, Support and Training Forces Command (2005)

Denmark

Royal Danish Army, Royal Danish Navy, Royal Danish Air

Force, Home Guard (Hjemmevaernet)

Djibouti

Djibouti National Army (includes Navy and Air Force)

Dominica

no regular military forces; Commonwealth of Dominica Police

Force (includes Coast Guard)

Dominican Republic

Army, Navy, Air Force

East Timor

East Timor Defense Force (Forcas de Defesa de

Timor-L'este, FDTL): Army, Navy (Armada) (2005)

Ecuador

Army, Navy (includes Naval Infantry, Naval Aviation, Coast

Guard), Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Ecuatoriana, FAE)

Egypt

Army, Navy, Air Force, Air Defense Command

El Salvador

Army, Navy (FNES), Air Force (FAS)

Equatorial Guinea

Army, Navy, Air Force (2005)

Eritrea

Army, Navy, Air Force

Estonia

Estonian Defense Forces: Ground Forces, Navy, Air Force and

Air Defense Staff, Republic Security Forces (internal and border

troops), Volunteer Defense League (Kaitseliit), Maritime Border

Guard, Coast Guard

note: Border Guards and Ministry of Internal Affairs become part of

the Estonian Defense Forces in wartime; the Coast Guard is

subordinate to the Ministry of Defense in peacetime and the Estonian

Navy in wartime

Ethiopia

Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF): Ground Forces, Air

Force

note: Ethiopia is landlocked and has no navy; following the

secession of Eritrea, Ethiopian naval facilities remained in

Eritrean possession (2003)

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

no regular military forces

Faroe Islands

no regular military forces

Fiji

Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF): Land Forces, Naval

Division (2005)

Finland

Finnish Defense Forces: Army, Navy (includes Coastal Defense

Forces), Air Force (2003)

France

Army (includes Marines, Foreign Legion, Army Light Aviation),

Navy (includes naval air), Air Force (includes Air Defense),

National Gendarmerie

French Guiana

no regular military forces; Gendarmerie

French Polynesia

no regular military forces; Gendarmerie and

National Police Force

Gabon

Army, Navy, Air Force, National Gendarmerie, National Police

Gambia, The

Gambian National Army (GNA), Gambian Navy (GN),

Presidential Guard, National Guard

Gaza Strip

in accordance with the peace agreement, the Palestinian

Authority is not permitted conventional military forces; there are,

however, public security forces (2002)

Georgia

Ground Forces (includes National Guard), Air and Air Defense

Forces, Maritime Defense Force, Interior Forces

Germany

Federal Armed Forces (Bundeswehr): Army (Heer), Navy

(Deutsche Marine, includes naval air arm), Air Force (Luftwaffe),

Joint Support Service, Central Medical Service

Ghana

Army, Navy, Air Force

Gibraltar

Royal Gibraltar Regiment

Greece

Hellenic Army, Hellenic Navy, Hellenic Air Force (Polemiki

Aeroporia, EPA)

Grenada

no regular military forces; Royal Grenada Police Force

Guadeloupe

no regular military forces

Guatemala

Army, Navy (includes Marines), Air Force

Guinea

Army (includes Presidential Guard, Republican Guard), Navy,

Air Force, National Gendarmerie, General Directorate of National

Police

Guinea-Bissau

People's Revolutionary Armed Force (FARP; includes

Army, Navy, and Air Force), paramilitary force

Guyana

Guyana Defense Force: Ground Forces, Coast Guard, Air Corps,

Guyana People's Militia

Haiti

the regular Haitian Armed Forces (FAdH) - Army, Navy, and Air

Force - have been demobilized but still exist on paper until or

unless they are constitutionally abolished

Holy See (Vatican City)

Pontifical Swiss Guard (Corpo della Guardia

Svizzera Pontificia)

Honduras

Army, Navy (includes Naval Infantry), Air Force

Hong Kong

no regular indigenous military forces; Hong Kong garrison

of China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) includes elements of the

PLA Ground Forces, PLA Navy, and PLA Air Force; these forces are

under the direct leadership of the Central Military Commission in

Beijing and under administrative control of the adjacent Guangzhou

Military Region

Hungary

Ground Forces, Air Forces

Iceland

no regular armed forces; Icelandic National Police,

Icelandic Coast Guard (Islenska Landhelgisgaeslan)

India

Army, Navy (includes naval air arm), Air Force, Coast Guard,

various security or paramilitary forces (includes Border Security

Force, Assam Rifles, National Security Guards, Indo-Tibetan Border

Police, Special Frontier Force, Central Reserve Police Force,

Central Industrial Security Force, Railway Protection Force, and

Defense Security Corps)

Indonesia

Indonesia Armed Forces (TNI): Army (TNI-AD), Navy (TNI-AL,

includes Marines, Naval Air arm), Air Force (TNI-AU)

Iran

Islamic Republic of Iran Regular Forces (Artesh): Ground

Forces, Navy, Air Force (includes Air Defense)

Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (Sepah-e Pasdaran-e Enqelab-e

Eslami, IRGC): Ground Forces, Navy, Air Force, Qods Force (special

operations), and Basij Force (Popular Mobilization Army)

Law Enforcement Forces: (2004)

Iraq

Iraqi Armed Forces: Iraqi Regular Army (includes Iraqi Special

Operations Force, Iraqi Intervention Force), Iraqi Navy (former

Iraqi Coastal Defense Force), Iraqi Air Force (former Iraqi Army Air

Corps) (2005)

Ireland

Army (includes Naval Service and Air Corps)

Israel

Israel Defense Forces (IDF): Ground Corps, Navy, Air and

Space Force (includes Air Defense Forces); historically there have

been no separate Israeli military services

Italy

Army (Esercito Italiano, EI), Navy (Marina Militare Italiana,

MMI), Air Force (Aeronautica Militare Italiana, AMI), Carabinieri

Corps (Corpo dei Carabinieri, CC) (2005)

Jamaica

Jamaica Defense Force: Ground Forces, Coast Guard, Air Wing

Japan

Ground Self-Defense Force (Army), Maritime Self-Defense Force

(Navy), Air Self-Defense Force (Air Force)

Jordan

Jordanian Armed Forces (JAF): Royal Jordanian Land Force,

Royal Jordanian Navy, Royal Jordanian Air Force, and Special

Operations Command (SOCOM); note - Public Security Directorate

normally falls under Ministry of Interior but comes under JAF in

wartime or crisis situations

Kazakhstan

Ground Forces, Air and Air Defense Forces, Naval Force,

Republican Guard

Kenya

Army, Navy, Air Force

Kiribati

no regular military forces; Police Force (carries out law

enforcement functions and paramilitary duties; small police posts

are on all islands)

Korea, North

North Korean People's Army: Ground Force, Navy, Air

Force; Civil Security Forces (2005)

Korea, South

Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, National Maritime

Police (Coast Guard)

Kuwait

Land Forces, Navy, Air Force (includes Air Defense Force),

National Guard (2002)

Kyrgyzstan

Army, Air Force, National Guard (2004)

Laos

Lao People's Army (LPA; includes Riverine Force), Air Force

Latvia

Ground Forces, Navy, Air Force, Border Guard, Home Guard

(Zemessardze)

Lebanon

Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF): Army, Navy, and Air Force

Lesotho

Lesotho Defense Force (LDF): Army and Air Wing

Liberia

Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL): Army, Navy, Air Force

Libya

Armed Peoples on Duty (Army), Navy, Air Force, Air Defense

Command

Lithuania

Ground Forces, Navy, Air Force, National Defense Volunteer

Forces (SKAT)

Luxembourg

Army

Macau

China's People's Revolutionary Army (PLA) constitutes the only

armed force in Macau; several police forces constitute the Security

Forces of Macau (SFM) that are subordinate to the General

Secretariat of Security, a body comparable to a ministry of interior

(2004)

Macedonia

Army of the Republic of Macedonia (ARM; includes Air and

Air Defense Command)

Madagascar

People's Armed Forces: Intervention Force, Development

Force, and Aeronaval (Navy and Air) Force; National Gendarmerie

Malawi

Malawi Armed Forces: Army (includes Air Wing and Naval

Detachment), Police (includes Mobile Force Unit)

Malaysia

Malaysian Army (Tentera Darat Malaysia), Royal Malaysian

Navy (Tentera Laut Diraja Malaysia, TLDM), Royal Malaysian Air Force

(Tentera Udara Diraja Malaysia, TUDM) (2005)

Maldives

National Security Service includes Security Branch (ground

forces), Air Element, Coast Guard

Mali

Army, Air Force, National Guard

Malta

Armed Forces of Malta (AFM; includes air and maritime

elements) (2005)

Marshall Islands

no regular military forces; Marshall Islands Police

Martinique

no regular military forces; Gendarmerie

Mauritania

Mauritanian Armed Forces: Army, Navy (Marine

Mauritanienne; includes Naval Infantry), Air Force (Force Aerienne

Islamique de Mauritanie, FAIM) (2005)

Mauritius

National Police Force (includes the paramilitary Special

Mobile Force or SMF and National Coast Guard)

Mexico

Secretariat of National Defense (Sedena): Army and Air Force

(FAM)

Secretariat of the Navy (Semar): Naval Air and Marines (2004)

Micronesia, Federated States of no ministry of defense and no standing armed forces; the paramilitary Maritime Wing, a small maritime law enforcement unit, is responsible to the Division of Maritime Surveillance within the Office of the Attorney General (2003)

Moldova

National Army: Ground Forces, Air Force

Mongolia

Mongolian Armed Forces: Mongolian People's Army (MPA),

Mongolian People's Air Force (MPAF) (2005)

Montserrat

no regular military forces; Royal Montserrat Police Force

(2005)

Morocco

Royal Armed Forces: Army, Navy, Air Force (Force Aerienne

Royale Marocaine)

Mozambique

Mozambique Armed Defense Forces: Army, Navy, Air and Air

Defense Forces, Logistics Command

Namibia

Namibian Defense Force: Army (includes Air Wing), Navy,

Police

Nauru

no regular military forces; Nauru Police Force

Nepal

Royal Nepalese Army (includes Royal Nepalese Army Air

Service), Nepalese Police Force

Netherlands

Royal Netherlands Army, Royal Netherlands Navy (includes

Naval Air Service and Marine Corps), Royal Netherlands Air Force

(Koninklijke Luchtmacht, KLu), Royal Constabulary, Defense

Interservice Command (DICO) (2004)

Netherlands Antilles

National Guard, Police Force

New Caledonia

no regular indigenous military forces; French Armed

Forces (includes Army, Navy, Air Force, Gendarmerie); Police Force

New Zealand

New Zealand Army, Royal New Zealand Navy, Royal New

Zealand Air Force

Nicaragua

Army (includes Navy, Air Force)

Niger

Niger Armed Forces (Forces Armees Nigeriennes, FAN): Army,

National Air Force (2005)

Nigeria

Army, Navy, Air Force

Niue

no regular indigenous military forces; Police Force

Norway

Norwegian Army, Royal Norwegian Navy (includes Coastal

Rangers and Coast Guard (Kystvakt)), Royal Norwegian Air Force

(Kongelige Norske Luftforsvaret, RNoAF), Home Guard

Oman

Royal Omani Armed Forces: Royal Army of Oman, Royal Navy of

Oman, Royal Air Force of Oman (2005)

Pakistan

Army, Navy, Air Force

Palau

no regular military forces; Police Force

Panama

an amendment to the Constitution abolished the armed forces,

but there are security forces (Panamanian Public Forces or PPF

includes the Panamanian National Police, National Maritime Service,

and National Air Service)

Papua New Guinea

Papua New Guinea Defense Force (includes Maritime

Operations Element, Air Operations Element)

Paraguay

Army, Navy (includes Naval Aviation, River Defense Corps,

Coast Guard), Air Force

Peru

Army (Ejercito Peruano), Navy (Marina de Guerra del Peru;

includes Naval Air, Naval Infantry, and Coast Guard), Air Force

(Fuerza Aerea del Peru; FAP)

Philippines

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP): Army, Navy

(includes Coast Guard, Marine Corps), Air Force

Poland

Land Forces, Navy, Polish Air Force (PSP)

Portugal

Army, Navy (Marinha Portuguesa; includes Marine Corps), Air

Force (Forca Aerea Portuguesa, FAP), National Republican Guard

(Guarda Nacional Republicana) (2005)

Puerto Rico

no regular indigenous military forces; paramilitary

National Guard, Police Force

Qatar

Qatari Amiri Land Force (QALF), Qatari Amiri Navy (QAN),

Qatari Amiri Air Force (QAAF)

Reunion

no regular indigenous military forces; French forces

(includes Army, Navy, Air Force, and Gendarmerie)

Romania

Land Forces, Naval Forces, Air and Air Defense Forces (AMR),

Special Operations, Civil Defense (2005)

Russia

Ground Forces (SV), Navy (VMF), Air Forces (VVS); Airborne

Troops (VDV), Strategic Rocket Troops (RVSN), and Space Troops (KV)

are independent "combat arms," not subordinate to any of the three

branches

Rwanda

Rwandan Defense Forces: Army, Air Force

Saint Kitts and Nevis

Saint Kitts and Nevis Defense Force (includes

Coast Guard), Royal Saint Kitts and Nevis Police Force

Saint Lucia

Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (includes Special Service

Unit, Coast Guard)

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

no regular military forces; Royal

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force (includes Special

Service Unit), Coast Guard

Samoa

no regular armed services; Samoa Police Force

San Marino

Voluntary Military Force (Corpi Militari Voluntar); note

- performs ceremonial duties and limited police assistance

Sao Tome and Principe

Armed Forces of Sao Tome and Principe (FASTP):

Army, Coast Guard, Presidential Guard (2004)

Saudi Arabia

Land Force (Army), Navy, Air Force, Air Defense Force,

National Guard, Ministry of Interior Forces (paramilitary)

Senegal

Army, Navy (Marine Senegalaise), Air Force (2005)

Serbia and Montenegro

Serbian and Montenegrin Armed Forces (Vojska

Srbije i Crne Gore, VSCG): Ground Forces, Air and Air Defense

Forces, Naval Forces (2005)

Seychelles

Seychelles Defense Force: Army, Coast Guard (includes

Navy Wing, Air Wing), National Guard (2005)

Sierra Leone

Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF): Army

(includes Air Wing, Maritime Wing)

Singapore

Singapore Armed Forces: Army, Navy, Air Force, Air Defense

(2005)

Slovakia

Army of the Slovak Republic (Armady Slovenskej Republika):

Land Command, Air Forces (Vozdushne Sily), Training and Support

Command, Logistics Command (2005)

Slovenia

Slovenian Army (includes Air and Naval Forces)

Solomon Islands

no regular military forces; Royal Solomon Islands

Police (RSIP)

Somalia

A Somali National Army was attempted under the interim

government; numerous factions and clans maintain independent

militias, and the Somaliland and Puntland regional governments

maintain their own security and police forces

South Africa

South African National Defense Force (SANDF): Army,

Navy, Air Force, Joint Operations, Joint Support, Military

Intelligence, Military Health Service (2004)

Spain

Army, Navy, Air Force (Ejercito del Aire, EdA), Naval Infantry

Sri Lanka

Army, Navy, Air Force, Police Force

Sudan

Sudanese People's Armed Forces (SPAF): Army, Navy, Air Force,

Popular Defense Force

Suriname

National Army (includes small Navy and Air Force elements)

Swaziland

Umbutfo Swaziland Defense Force (USDF): Ground Force

(includes Air Wing), Royal Swaziland Police Force (RSPF) (2005)

Sweden

Army, Royal Swedish Navy (RSwN), Air Force (Flygvapnet)

Switzerland

Land Forces, Swiss Air Force (Schweizer Luftwaffe)

Syria

Syrian Arab Army, Syrian Arab Navy, Syrian Arab Air Force

(includes Air Defense Command), Police and Security Force

Taiwan

Army, Navy (includes Marine Corps), Air Force, Coast Guard

Administration, Armed Forces Reserve Command, Combined Service

Forces Command, Armed Forces Police Command

Tajikistan

Army, Air Force, Air Defense Force

Tanzania

Tanzanian People's Defense Force (JWTZ): Army, Naval Wing,

Air Defense Command (includes Air Wing), National Service

Thailand

Royal Thai Army, Royal Thai Navy (includes Royal Thai

Marine Corps), Royal Thai Air Force

Togo

Togolese Armed Forces (FAT): Army, Navy, Air Force, Gendarmerie

(2005)

Tonga

Tonga Defense Services: Ground Forces (Royal Marines, Royal

Guard), Maritime Force (includes Air Wing)

Trinidad and Tobago

Trinidad and Tobago Defense Force: Ground Force,

Coast Guard (includes Air Wing) (2004)

Tunisia

Army, Navy, Air Force (2003)

Turkey

Turkish Armed Forces (TSK): Land Forces, Naval Forces

(includes Naval Air and Naval Infantry), Air Force

Turkmenistan

Ground Forces, Air and Air Defense Forces (2004)

Tuvalu

no regular military forces; national police force

Uganda

Ugandan Peoples' Defense Force (UPDF): Army, Marine Unit, Air

Wing

Ukraine

Ground Forces, Naval Forces, Air Forces (Viyskovo-Povitryani

Syly), Air Defense Forces (2002)

United Arab Emirates

Army, Navy (includes Marines and Coast Guard),

Air and Air Defense Force, paramilitary forces (includes Federal

Police Force)

United Kingdom

Army, Royal Navy (includes Royal Marines), Royal Air

Force

United States

Army, Navy and Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast

Guard (Coast Guard administered in peacetime by the Department of

Homeland Security, but in wartime reports to the Department of the

Navy)

Uruguay

Army, Navy (includes Naval Air Arm, Marines, Maritime

Prefecture in wartime), Air Force

Uzbekistan

Army, Air and Air Defense Forces, National Guard

Vanuatu

no regular military forces; security forces comprise the

Vanuatu Police Force (VPF) and paramilitary Vanuatu Mobile Force

(VMF), which includes Vanuatu's naval force, known as the Police

Maritime Wing (PMW); border security in Vanuatu is the joint

responsibility of the Customs and Inland Revenue Service, VPF, VMF,

and PMW (2003)

Venezuela

National Armed Forces (Fuerzas Armadas Nacionales, FAN):

Ground Forces or Army (Fuerzas Terrestres or Ejercito), Naval Forces

(Fuerzas Navales or Armada - includes Marines, Coast Guard), Air

Force (Fuerzas Aereas or Aviacion), Armed Forces of Cooperation or

National Guard (Fuerzas Armadas de Cooperacion or Guardia Nacional)

Vietnam

People's Army of Vietnam: Ground Forces, People's Navy

Command (includes Naval Infantry), Air and Air Defense Force, Coast

Guard

Yemen

Army (includes Special Forces), Naval Forces and Coastal

Defenses (includes Marines), Air Force (includes Air Defense

Forces), Republican Guard (2002)

Zambia

Zambian National Defense Force (ZNDF): Army, Air Force,

Police, National Service

Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe Defense Forces (ZDF): Zimbabwe National Army, Air

Force of Zimbabwe (AFZ), Zimbabwe Republic Police (2005)

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2056 Budget

Afghanistan

revenues: $300 million

expenditures: $609 million, including capital expenditures of NA

(FY04-05 budget)

Albania

revenues: $2.05 billion

expenditures: $2.46 billion, including capital expenditures of $500

million (2004 est.)

Algeria

revenues: $31.47 billion

expenditures: $29.3 billion, including capital expenditures of $5.8

billion (2004 est.)

American Samoa

revenues: $121 million (37% in local revenue and 63%

in US grants)

expenditures: $127 million, including capital expenditures of NA

(FY96/97)

Andorra

revenues: $385 million

expenditures: $342 million, including capital expenditures of NA

(1997)

Angola

revenues: $9.013 billion

expenditures: $9.562 billion, including capital expenditures of $963

million (2004 est.)

Anguilla

revenues: $22.8 million

expenditures: $22.5 million, including capital expenditures of NA

(2000 est.)

Antigua and Barbuda

revenues: $123.7 million

expenditures: $145.9 million, including capital expenditures of NA

(2000 est.)

Argentina

revenues: $29.15 billion

expenditures: $26.84 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Armenia

revenues: $428.1 million

expenditures: $491.2 million, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Aruba

revenues: $135.8 million

expenditures: $147 million, including capital expenditures of NA

(2000)

Australia

revenues: $222.7 billion

expenditures: $221.7 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Austria

revenues: $142.5 billion

expenditures: $146.4 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Azerbaijan

revenues: $2.715 billion

expenditures: $2.801 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Bahamas, The

revenues: $1 billion

expenditures: $1 billion, including capital expenditures of $106.7

million (FY03/04)

Bahrain

revenues: $3.825 billion

expenditures: $3.262 billion, including capital expenditures of $700

million (2004 est.)

Bangladesh

revenues: $5.921 billion

expenditures: $8.262 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Barbados

revenues: $847 million (including grants)

expenditures: $886 million, including capital expenditures of NA

(2000 est.)

Belarus

revenues: $3.326 billion

expenditures: $3.564 billion, including capital expenditures of $180

million (2004 est.)

Belgium

revenues: $173.7 billion

expenditures: $174.8 billion, including capital expenditures of

$1.56 billion (2004 est.)

Belize

revenues: $244.5 million

expenditures: $300 million, including capital expenditures of $70

million (2004 est.)

Benin

revenues: $869.4 million

expenditures: $720.4 million, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Bermuda

revenues: $671.1 million

expenditures: $594.6 million, including capital expenditures of $55

million (FY03/04)

Bhutan

revenues: $146 million

expenditures: $152 million, including capital expenditures of NA

note: the government of India finances nearly three-fifths of

Bhutan's budget expenditures (FY95/96 est.)

Bolivia

revenues: $2.264 billion

expenditures: $2.769 billion, including capital expenditures of $741

million (2004 est.)

Bosnia and Herzegovina

revenues: $3.618 billion

expenditures: $3.642 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Botswana

revenues: $3.735 billion

expenditures: $3.743 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Brazil

revenues: $140.6 billion

expenditures: $172.4 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004)

British Virgin Islands

revenues: $121.5 million

expenditures: $115.5 million, including capital expenditures of NA

(1997)

Brunei

revenues: $4.9 billion

expenditures: $4.2 billion, including capital expenditures of $1.35

billion (2003 est.)

Bulgaria

revenues: $9.67 billion

expenditures: $9.619 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Burkina Faso

revenues: $695.2 million

expenditures: $876.3 million, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Burma

revenues: $474.9 million

expenditures: $955.5 million, including capital expenditures of $5.7

billion (2004 est.)

Burundi

revenues: $152.5 million

expenditures: $187.7 million, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Cambodia

revenues: $548.2 million

expenditures: $836.7 million, including capital expenditures of $291

million of which 75% was financed by external assistance (2004 est.)

Cameroon

revenues: $2.493 billion

expenditures: $2.248 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Canada

revenues: $151 billion

expenditures: $144 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Cape Verde

revenues: $260.6 million

expenditures: $305.3 million, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Cayman Islands

revenues: $265.2 million

expenditures: $248.9 million, including capital expenditures of NA

(1997)

Central African Republic

revenues: NA

expenditures: NA, including capital expenditures of NA

Chad

revenues: $1.131 billion

expenditures: $957.7 million, including capital expenditures of $146

million (2004 est.)

Chile

revenues: $21.53 billion

expenditures: $19.95 billion, including capital expenditures of

$3.33 billion (2004 est.)

China

revenues: $317.9 billion

expenditures: $348.9 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Christmas Island

revenues: NA

expenditures: NA, including capital expenditures of NA

Cocos (Keeling) Islands

revenues: NA

expenditures: NA

Colombia

revenues: $15.33 billion

expenditures: $21.03 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Comoros

revenues: $27.6 million

expenditures: NA, including capital expenditures of NA (2001 est.)

Congo, Democratic Republic of the

revenues: $269 million

expenditures: $244 million, including capital expenditures of $24

million (1996 est.)

Congo, Republic of the

revenues: $870.1 million

expenditures: $1.102 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Cook Islands

revenues: $28 million

expenditures: $27 million, including capital expenditures of $3.3

million (FY00/01 est.)

Costa Rica

revenues: $2.497 billion

expenditures: $3.094 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Cote d'Ivoire

revenues: $2.412 billion

expenditures: $2.767 billion, including capital expenditures of $420

million (2004 est.)

Croatia

revenues: $14.14 billion

expenditures: $15.65 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Cuba

revenues: $18.01 billion

expenditures: $19.06 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Cyprus

revenues: Republic of Cyprus - $5.616 billion (2004 est.),

north Cyprus - $404.3 million (2003 est.)

expenditures: Republic of Cyprus - $685.7 million, including capital

expenditures of $685.7 million, north Cyprus - $775.7 million,

including capital expenditures of $91.4 million (2004 est.)

Czech Republic

revenues: $39.31 billion

expenditures: $45.8 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Denmark

revenues: $136.1 billion

expenditures: $133.4 billion, including capital expenditures of $500

million (2004 est.)

Djibouti

revenues: $135 million

expenditures: $182 million, including capital expenditures of NA

(1999 est.)

Dominica

revenues: $73.9 million

expenditures: $84.4 million, including capital expenditures of NA

(2001)

Dominican Republic

revenues: $2.625 billion

expenditures: $3.382 billion, including capital expenditures of $1.1

billion (2004 est.)

East Timor

revenues: $107.7 million

expenditures: $73 million, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Ecuador

revenues: $7.9 billion

expenditures: planned $7.3 billion, including capital expenditures

of $1.6 billion (2004 est.)

Egypt

revenues: $15.42 billion

expenditures: $20.76 billion, including capital expenditures of $2.7

billion (2004 est.)

El Salvador

revenues: $2.491 billion

expenditures: $2.782 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Equatorial Guinea

revenues: $813.2 million

expenditures: $375.3 million, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Eritrea

revenues: $235.2 million

expenditures: $373.2 million, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Estonia

revenues: $4.622 billion

expenditures: $4.601 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Ethiopia

revenues: $1.887 billion

expenditures: $2.388 billion, including capital expenditures of $788

million (2004 est.)

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

revenues: $66.2 million

expenditures: $67.9 million, including capital expenditures of $23.2

million (FY98/99 est.)

Faroe Islands

revenues: $488 million

expenditures: $484 million, including capital expenditures of $21

million (1999)

Fiji

revenues: $427.9 million

expenditures: $531.4 million, including capital expenditures of NA

(2000 est.)

Finland

revenues: $96.43 billion

expenditures: $91.95 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

France

revenues: $1.005 trillion

expenditures: $1.08 trillion, including capital expenditures of $23

billion (2004 est.)

French Guiana

revenues: $225 million

expenditures: $390 million, including capital expenditures of $105

million (1996)

French Polynesia

revenues: $1 billion

expenditures: $900 million, including capital expenditures of $185

million (1996)

Gabon

revenues: $2.129 billion

expenditures: $1.64 billion, including capital expenditures of $310

million (2004 est.)

Gambia, The

revenues: $44.85 million

expenditures: $59.94 million, including capital expenditures of $4.1

million (2004 est.)

Gaza Strip

revenues: $676.6 million

expenditures: $1.155 billion, including capital expenditures of NA;

note - these budget data include West Bank (2003)

Georgia

revenues: $671.7 million

expenditures: $804.7 million, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Germany

revenues: $1.2 trillion

expenditures: $1.3 trillion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Ghana

revenues: $2.17 billion

expenditures: $2.56 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Gibraltar

revenues: $307 million

expenditures: $284 million, including capital expenditures of NA

(FY00/01 est.)

Greece

revenues: $54.39 billion

expenditures: $64.4 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Greenland

revenues: $646 million

expenditures: $629 million, including capital expenditures of $85

million (1999)

Grenada

revenues: $85.8 million

expenditures: $102.1 million, including capital expenditures of $28

million (1997)

Guadeloupe

revenues: $225 million

expenditures: $390 million, including capital expenditures of $105

million (1996)

Guam

revenues: $340 million

expenditures: $445 million, including capital expenditures of NA

(2000 est.)

Guatemala

revenues: $2.878 billion

expenditures: $3.411 billion, including capital expenditures of $750

million (2004 est.)

Guernsey

revenues: $539.2 million

expenditures: $448.3 million, including capital expenditures of NA

(2002 est.)

Guinea

revenues: $382.7 million

expenditures: $711.4 million, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Guinea-Bissau

revenues: NA

expenditures: NA, including capital expenditures of NA

Guyana

revenues: $287.6 million

expenditures: $371.6 million, including capital expenditures of

$93.4 million (2004 est.)

Haiti

revenues: $330.2 million

expenditures: $529.6 million, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Holy See (Vatican City)

revenues: $245.2 million

expenditures: $260.4 million, including capital expenditures of NA

(2002)

Honduras

revenues: $1.467 billion

expenditures: $1.722 billion, including capital expenditures of $106

million (2004 est.)

Hong Kong

revenues: $26.6 billion

expenditures: $31.7 billion, including capital expenditures of $5.9

billion (2004 est.)

Hungary

revenues: $46.07 billion

expenditures: $51.36 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Iceland

revenues: $4.154 billion

expenditures: $4.058 billion, including capital expenditures of $467

million (2004 est.)

India

revenues: $67.3 billion

expenditures: $104 billion, including capital expenditures of $13.5

billion (2004 est.)

Indonesia

revenues: $52.13 billion

expenditures: $55.88 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Iran

revenues: $43.34 billion

expenditures: $47.7 billion, including capital expenditures of $7.6

billion (2004 est.)

Iraq

revenues: $17.1 billion

expenditures: $28.2 billion, including capital expenditures of $5.6

billion (2004 budget)

Ireland

revenues: $62.51 billion

expenditures: $63.52 billion, including capital expenditures of $5.5

billion (2004 est.)

Israel

revenues: $48.09 billion

expenditures: $52.11 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Italy

revenues: $768.9 billion

expenditures: $820.1 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Jamaica

revenues: $2.793 billion

expenditures: $3.157 billion, including capital expenditures of $236

million (2004 est.)

Japan

revenues: $1.401 trillion

expenditures: $1.748 trillion, including capital expenditures

(public works only) of about $71 billion (2004 est.)

Jersey

revenues: $601 million

expenditures: $588 million, including capital expenditures of $98

million (2000 est.)

Jordan

revenues: $3.483 billion

expenditures: $3.616 billion, including capital expenditures of $782

million (2004 est.)

Kazakhstan

revenues: $8.67 billion

expenditures: $8.968 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Kenya

revenues: $2.89 billion

expenditures: $3.443 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Kiribati

revenues: $28.4 million

expenditures: $37.2 million, including capital expenditures of NA

(2000 est.)

Korea, North

revenues: NA

expenditures: NA, including capital expenditures of NA

Korea, South

revenues: $150.5 billion

expenditures: $155.8 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Kuwait

revenues: $35.82 billion

expenditures: $19.53 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Kyrgyzstan

revenues: $431.3 million

expenditures: $445.4 million, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Laos

revenues: $284.3 million

expenditures: $416.5 million, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Latvia

revenues: $4.231 billion

expenditures: $4.504 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Lebanon

revenues: $4.895 billion

expenditures: $6.642 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Lesotho

revenues: $698.5 million

expenditures: $697.6 million, including capital expenditures of $15

million (2004 est.)

Liberia

revenues: $85.4 million

expenditures: $90.5 million, including capital expenditures of NA

(2000 est.)

Libya

revenues: $13.52 billion

expenditures: $12.23 billion, including capital expenditures of $5.6

billion (2004 est.)

Liechtenstein

revenues: $424.2 million

expenditures: $414.1 million, including capital expenditures of NA

(1998 est.)

Lithuania

revenues: $6.542 billion

expenditures: $7.121 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Luxembourg

revenues: $13.74 billion

expenditures: $14.49 billion, including capital expenditures of $760

million (2004 est.)

Macau

revenues: $1.84 billion

expenditures: $1.57 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2003)

Macedonia

revenues: $1.198 billion

expenditures: $1.245 billion, including capital expenditures of $114

million (2004 est.)

Madagascar

revenues: $783.7 million

expenditures: $1.079 billion, including capital expenditures of $331

million (2004 est.)

Malawi

revenues: $536 million

expenditures: $635.6 million, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Malaysia

revenues: $25.33 billion

expenditures: $29.33 billion, including capital expenditures of $9.4

billion (2004 est.)

Maldives

revenues: $224 million (excluding foreign grants)

expenditures: $282 million, including capital expenditures of $80

million (2002 est.)

Mali

revenues: $764 million

expenditures: $828 million, including capital expenditures of NA

(2002 est.)

Malta

revenues: $2.27 billion

expenditures: $2.549 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Man, Isle of

revenues: $485 million

expenditures: $463 million, including capital expenditures of NA

(FY00/01 est.)

Marshall Islands

revenues: $42 million

expenditures: $40 million, including capital expenditures of NA

(1999)

Martinique

revenues: $900 million

expenditures: $2.5 billion, including capital expenditures of $140

million (1996)

Mauritania

revenues: $421 million

expenditures: $378 million, including capital expenditures of $154

million (2002 est.)

Mauritius

revenues: $1.231 billion

expenditures: $1.582 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Mayotte

revenues: NA

expenditures: $73 million, including capital expenditures of NA

(1991 est.)

Mexico

revenues: $160 billion

expenditures: $158 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Micronesia, Federated States of

revenues: $161 million ($69 million

less grants)

expenditures: $160 million, including capital expenditures of NA

(1998 est.)

Moldova

revenues: $648.1 million

expenditures: $634.8 million, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Monaco

revenues: $518 million

expenditures: $531 million, including capital expenditures of NA

(1995)

Mongolia

revenues: $582 million

expenditures: $602 million, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Montserrat

revenues: $31.4 million

expenditures: $31.6 million, including capital expenditures of $8.4

million (1997 est.)

Morocco

revenues: $12.86 billion

expenditures: $15.4 billion, including capital expenditures of $2.19

billion (2004 est.)

Mozambique

revenues: $1.186 billion

expenditures: $1.398 billion, including capital expenditures of

$479.4 million (2004 est.)

Namibia

revenues: $1.788 billion

expenditures: $1.956 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Nauru

revenues: $23.4 million

expenditures: $64.8 million, including capital expenditures of NA

(FY95/96)

Nepal

revenues: $665 million

expenditures: $1.1 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(FY99/00 est.)

Netherlands

revenues: $256.9 billion

expenditures: $274.4 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Netherlands Antilles

revenues: $710.8 million

expenditures: $741.6 million, including capital expenditures of NA

(1997 est.)

New Caledonia

revenues: $861.3 million

expenditures: $735.3 million, including capital expenditures of $52

million (1996 est.)

New Zealand

revenues: $38.29 billion

expenditures: $36.12 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Nicaragua

revenues: $725.5 million

expenditures: $1.039 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Niger

revenues: $320 million - including $134 million from foreign

sources

expenditures: $320 million, including capital expenditures of $178

million (2002 est.)

Nigeria

revenues: $11.78 billion

expenditures: $11.47 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Niue

revenues: NA

expenditures: NA

Norfolk Island

revenues: $20 million

expenditures: $20 million, including capital expenditures of $2

million (FY99/00)

Northern Mariana Islands

revenues: $193 million

expenditures: $223 million, including capital expenditures of NA

(FY01/02 est.)

Norway

revenues: $134 billion

expenditures: $116.8 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Oman

revenues: $9.291 billion

expenditures: $8.747 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Pakistan

revenues: $13.45 billion

expenditures: $16.51 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Palau

revenues: $57.7 million

expenditures: $80.8 million, including capital expenditures of $17.1

million (FY98/99 est.)

Panama

revenues: $3.095 billion

expenditures: $3.737 billion, including capital expenditures of $471

million (2004 est.)

Papua New Guinea

revenues: $1.174 billion

expenditures: $1.232 billion, including capital expenditures of $344

million (2004 est.)

Paraguay

revenues: $1.123 billion

expenditures: $1.129 billion, including capital expenditures of $700

million (2004 est.)

Peru

revenues: $13.6 billion

expenditures: $14.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $1.8

billion, for general government, excluding private enterprises (2004

est.)

Philippines

revenues: $12.22 billion

expenditures: $15.84 billion, including capital expenditures of $2.4

million (2004 est.)

Pitcairn Islands

revenues: $746,000

expenditures: $1.028 million, including capital expenditures of NA

(FY04/05)

Poland

revenues: $44.52 billion

expenditures: $54.93 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Portugal

revenues: $74.38 billion

expenditures: $79.86 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Puerto Rico

revenues: $6.7 billion

expenditures: $9.6 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(FY99/00)

Qatar

revenues: $10.17 billion

expenditures: $7.61 billion, including capital expenditures of $2.2

billion (2004 est.)

Reunion

revenues: $1.26 billion

expenditures: $2.62 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(1998)

Romania

revenues: $22.1 billion

expenditures: $23.2 billion, including capital expenditures of $2.2

billion (2004 est.)

Russia

revenues: $106.4 billion

expenditures: $93.33 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Rwanda

revenues: $354.5 million

expenditures: $385 million, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Saint Helena

revenues: $11.2 million

expenditures: $11 million, including capital expenditures of NA

(FY92/93)

Saint Kitts and Nevis

revenues: $89.7 million

expenditures: $128.2 million, including capital expenditures of

$19.5 million (2003 est.)

Saint Lucia

revenues: $141.2 million

expenditures: $146.7 million, including capital expenditures of

$25.1 million (2000 est.)

Saint Pierre and Miquelon

revenues: $70 million

expenditures: $60 million, including capital expenditures of $24

million (1996 est.)

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

revenues: $94.6 million

expenditures: $85.8 million, including capital expenditures of NA

(2000 est.)

Samoa

revenues: $105 million

expenditures: $119 million, including capital expenditures of NA

(2001-02)

San Marino

revenues: $400 million

expenditures: $400 million, including capital expenditures of NA

(2000 est.)

Sao Tome and Principe

revenues: $27.94 million

expenditures: $43.91 million, including capital expenditures of $54

million (2004 est.)

Saudi Arabia

revenues: $104.8 billion

expenditures: $78.66 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Senegal

revenues: $1.572 billion

expenditures: $1.627 billion, including capital expenditures of $357

million (2004 est.)

Serbia and Montenegro

revenues: $9.773 billion

expenditures: $10.46 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Seychelles

revenues: $318.3 million

expenditures: $298.5 million, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Sierra Leone

revenues: $96 million

expenditures: $351 million, including capital expenditures of NA

(2000 est.)

Singapore

revenues: $17.05 billion

expenditures: $18.45 billion, including capital expenditures of $5.8

billion (2004 est.)

Slovakia

revenues: $15.44 billion

expenditures: $16.7 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Slovenia

revenues: $13.36 billion

expenditures: $13.99 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Solomon Islands

revenues: $49.7 million

expenditures: $75.1 million, including capital expenditures of $0

(2003)

Somalia

revenues: NA

expenditures: NA, including capital expenditures of NA

South Africa

revenues: $47.43 billion

expenditures: $52.54 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Spain

revenues: $383.7 billion

expenditures: $386.4 billion, including capital expenditures of

$12.8 billion (2004 est.)

Sri Lanka

revenues: $3.34 billion

expenditures: $4.686 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Sudan

revenues: $3.057 billion

expenditures: $2.965 billion, including capital expenditures of $304

million (2004 est.)

Suriname

revenues: $400 million

expenditures: $440 million, including capital expenditures of $34

million (2003)

Svalbard

revenues: $11.5 million

expenditures: $11.5 million, including capital expenditures of NA

(1998 est.)

Swaziland

revenues: $494.6 million

expenditures: $552.7 million, including capital expenditures of $147

million (2004 est.)

Sweden

revenues: $201.3 billion

expenditures: $199.6 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Switzerland

revenues: $131.5 billion

expenditures: $140.4 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Syria

revenues: $6.58 billion

expenditures: $9.45 billion, including capital expenditures of $4.67

billion (2004 est.)

Taiwan

revenues: $67.41 billion

expenditures: $76.7 billion, including capital expenditures of $14.4

billion (2004 est.)

Tajikistan

revenues: $311.2 million

expenditures: $321.5 million, including capital expenditures of $86

million (2004 est.)

Tanzania

revenues: $1.985 billion

expenditures: $2.074 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Thailand

revenues: $30.86 billion

expenditures: $31.94 billion, including capital expenditures of $5

billion (2004 est.)

Togo

revenues: $239.2 million

expenditures: $273.3 million, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Tokelau

revenues: $430,800

expenditures: $2.8 million, including capital expenditures of

$37,300 (1987 est.)

Tonga

revenues: $39.9 million

expenditures: $52.4 million, including capital expenditures of $1.9

million (FY99/00 est.)

Trinidad and Tobago

revenues: $3.25 billion

expenditures: $3.193 billion, including capital expenditures of

$117.3 million (2004 est.)

Tunisia

revenues: $6.799 billion

expenditures: $7.573 billion, including capital expenditures of $1.6

billion (2004 est.)

Turkey

revenues: $78.53 billion

expenditures: $110.9 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Turkmenistan

revenues: $3.05 billion

expenditures: $3.05 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Turks and Caicos Islands

revenues: $47 million

expenditures: $33.6 million, including capital expenditures of NA

(1997-98 est.)

Tuvalu

revenues: $22.5 million

expenditures: $11.2 million, including capital expenditures of $4.2

million (2000 est.)

Uganda

revenues: $1.491 billion

expenditures: $1.727 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Ukraine

revenues: $13.57 billion

expenditures: $12.26 billion, including capital expenditures of NA;

note - these estimates probably do not include the government's

doubling of pensions in September of 2004 (2004 est.)

United Arab Emirates

revenues: $23.68 billion

expenditures: $25.45 billion, including capital expenditures of $3.4

billion (2004 est.)

United Kingdom

revenues: $834.9 billion

expenditures: $896.7 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

United States

revenues: $1.862 trillion

expenditures: $2.338 trillion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Uruguay

revenues: $3.332 billion

expenditures: $3.787 billion, including capital expenditures of $193

million (2004 est.)

Uzbekistan

revenues: $2.457 billion

expenditures: $2.482 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Vanuatu

revenues: $52.6 million

expenditures: $54.3 million, including capital expenditures of

$700,000 (2003 est.)

Venezuela

revenues: $26.91 billion

expenditures: $30.7 billion, including capital expenditures of $2.6

billion (2004 est.)

Vietnam

revenues: $10.66 billion

expenditures: $13.09 billion, including capital expenditures of $1.8

billion (2004 est.)

Virgin Islands

revenues: $560

expenditures: NA (2003)

Wallis and Futuna

revenues: $20 million

expenditures: $17 million, including capital expenditures of NA

(1998 est.)

West Bank

revenues: $676.6 million

expenditures: $1.155 billion, including capital expenditures of NA;

note - these budget data include Gaza Strip (2003)

Western Sahara

revenues: NA

expenditures: NA, including capital expenditures of NA

Yemen

revenues: $4.251 billion

expenditures: $4.568 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Zambia

revenues: $1.129 billion

expenditures: $1.307 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

Zimbabwe

revenues: $1.325 billion

expenditures: $1.593 billion, including capital expenditures of NA

(2004 est.)

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2057 Capital

Afghanistan

Kabul

Akrotiri

Episkopi Cantonment; also serves as capital of Dhekelia

Albania

Tirana

Algeria

Algiers

American Samoa

Pago Pago

Andorra

Andorra la Vella

Angola

Luanda

Anguilla

The Valley

Antigua and Barbuda

Saint John's (Antigua)

Argentina

Buenos Aires

Armenia

Yerevan

Aruba

Oranjestad

Australia

Canberra

Austria

Vienna

Azerbaijan

Baku (Baki)

Bahamas, The

Nassau

Bahrain

Manama

Bangladesh

Dhaka

Barbados

Bridgetown

Belarus

Minsk

Belgium

Brussels

Belize

Belmopan

Benin

Porto-Novo is the official capital; Cotonou is the seat of

government

Bermuda

Hamilton

Bhutan

Thimphu

Bolivia

La Paz (seat of government); Sucre (legal capital and seat

of judiciary)

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Sarajevo

Botswana

Gaborone

Brazil

Brasilia

British Virgin Islands

Road Town

Brunei

Bandar Seri Begawan

Bulgaria

Sofia

Burkina Faso

Ouagadougou

Burma

Rangoon (government refers to the capital as Yangon)

Burundi

Bujumbura

Cambodia

Phnom Penh

Cameroon

Yaounde

Canada

Ottawa

Cape Verde

Praia

Cayman Islands

George Town

Central African Republic

Bangui

Chad

N'Djamena

Chile

Santiago

China

Beijing

Christmas Island

The Settlement

Cocos (Keeling) Islands

West Island

Colombia

Bogota

Comoros

Moroni

Congo, Democratic Republic of the

Kinshasa

Congo, Republic of the

Brazzaville

Cook Islands

Avarua

Costa Rica

San Jose

Cote d'Ivoire

Yamoussoukro; note - although Yamoussoukro has been

the official capital since 1983, Abidjan remains the commercial and

administrative center; the US, like other countries, maintains its

Embassy in Abidjan

Croatia

Zagreb

Cuba

Havana

Cyprus

Nicosia

Czech Republic

Prague

Denmark

Copenhagen

Dhekelia

Episkopi Cantonment; located in Akrotiri

Djibouti

Djibouti

Dominica

Roseau

Dominican Republic

Santo Domingo

East Timor

Dili

Ecuador

Quito

Egypt

Cairo

El Salvador

San Salvador

Equatorial Guinea

Malabo

Eritrea

Asmara

Estonia

Tallinn

Ethiopia

Addis Ababa

European Union

Brussels, Belgium

note: the Council of the European Union meets in Brussels, the

European Parliament meets in Strasbourg, France, and the Court of

Justice of the European Communities meets in Luxembourg

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

Stanley

Faroe Islands

Torshavn

Fiji

Suva (Viti Levu)

Finland

Helsinki

France

Paris

French Guiana

Cayenne

French Polynesia

Papeete

Gabon

Libreville

Gambia, The

Banjul

Georgia

T'bilisi

Germany

Berlin

Ghana

Accra

Gibraltar

Gibraltar

Greece

Athens

Greenland

Nuuk (Godthab)

Grenada

Saint George's

Guadeloupe

Basse-Terre

Guam

Hagatna (Agana)

Guatemala

Guatemala

Guernsey

Saint Peter Port

Guinea

Conakry

Guinea-Bissau

Bissau

Guyana

Georgetown

Haiti

Port-au-Prince

Holy See (Vatican City)

Vatican City

Honduras

Tegucigalpa

Hungary

Budapest

Iceland

Reykjavik

India

New Delhi

Indonesia

Jakarta

Iran

Tehran

Iraq

Baghdad

Ireland

Dublin

Israel

Jerusalem; note - Israel proclaimed Jerusalem as its capital

in 1950, but the US, like nearly all other countries, maintains its

Embassy in Tel Aviv

Italy

Rome

Jamaica

Kingston

Japan

Tokyo

Jersey

Saint Helier

Jordan

'Amman

Kazakhstan

Astana; note - the government moved from Almaty to Astana

in December 1998

Kenya

Nairobi

Kiribati

Tarawa

Korea, North

Pyongyang

Korea, South

Seoul

Kuwait

Kuwait

Kyrgyzstan

Bishkek

Laos

Vientiane

Latvia

Riga

Lebanon

Beirut

Lesotho

Maseru

Liberia

Monrovia

Libya

Tripoli

Liechtenstein

Vaduz

Lithuania

Vilnius

Luxembourg

Luxembourg

Macedonia

Skopje

Madagascar

Antananarivo

Malawi

Lilongwe

Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur

note: Putrajaya is referred to as administrative center not capital;

Parliament meets in Kuala Lumpur

Maldives

Male

Mali

Bamako

Malta

Valletta

Man, Isle of

Douglas

Marshall Islands

Majuro

Martinique

Fort-de-France

Mauritania

Nouakchott

Mauritius

Port Louis

Mayotte

Mamoutzou

Mexico

Mexico (Distrito Federal)

Micronesia, Federated States of

Palikir

Moldova

Chisinau

Monaco

Monaco

Mongolia

Ulaanbaatar

Montserrat

Plymouth (abandoned in 1997 due to volcanic activity;

interim government buildings have been built at Brades Estate, in

the Carr's Bay/Little Bay vicinity at the northwest end of

Montserrat)

Morocco

Rabat

Mozambique

Maputo

Namibia

Windhoek

Nauru

no official capital; government offices in Yaren District

Nepal

Kathmandu

Netherlands

Amsterdam; The Hague is the seat of government

Netherlands Antilles

Willemstad; note - located on Curacao, the

largest of the islands

New Caledonia

Noumea

New Zealand

Wellington

Nicaragua

Managua

Niger

Niamey

Nigeria

Abuja; note - on 12 December 1991 the capital was officially

transferred from Lagos to Abuja; most federal government offices

have now moved to Abuja

Niue

Alofi

Norfolk Island

Kingston

Northern Mariana Islands

Saipan

Norway

Oslo

Oman

Muscat

Pakistan

Islamabad

Palau

Koror; note - a new capital is being built about 20 km

northeast of Koror

Panama

Panama

Papua New Guinea

Port Moresby

Paraguay

Asuncion

Peru

Lima

Philippines

Manila

Pitcairn Islands

Adamstown

Poland

Warsaw

Portugal

Lisbon

Puerto Rico

San Juan

Qatar

Doha

Reunion

Saint-Denis

Romania

Bucharest

Russia

Moscow

Rwanda

Kigali

Saint Helena

Jamestown

Saint Kitts and Nevis

Basseterre

Saint Lucia

Castries

Saint Pierre and Miquelon

Saint-Pierre

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Kingstown

Samoa

Apia

San Marino

San Marino

Sao Tome and Principe

Sao Tome

Saudi Arabia

Riyadh

Senegal

Dakar

Serbia and Montenegro

Belgrade

Seychelles

Victoria

Sierra Leone

Freetown

Singapore

Singapore

Slovakia

Bratislava

Slovenia

Ljubljana

Solomon Islands

Honiara

Somalia

Mogadishu

South Africa

Pretoria; note - Cape Town is the legislative center

and Bloemfontein the judicial center

Spain

Madrid

Sri Lanka

Colombo; note - Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte is the

legislative capital

Sudan

Khartoum

Suriname

Paramaribo

Svalbard

Longyearbyen

Swaziland

Mbabane; note - Lobamba is the royal and legislative

capital

Sweden

Stockholm

Switzerland

Bern

Syria

Damascus

Taiwan

Taipei

Tajikistan

Dushanbe

Tanzania

Dar es Salaam; note - legislative offices have been

transferred to Dodoma, which is planned as the new national capital;

the National Assembly now meets there on regular basis

Thailand

Bangkok

Togo

Lome

Tokelau

none; each atoll has its own administrative center

Tonga

Nuku'alofa

Trinidad and Tobago

Port-of-Spain

Tunisia

Tunis

Turkey

Ankara

Turkmenistan

Ashgabat

Turks and Caicos Islands

Grand Turk

Tuvalu

Funafuti; note - administrative offices are located in Vaiaku

Village on Fongafale Islet

Uganda

Kampala

Ukraine

Kiev (Kyyiv)

United Arab Emirates

Abu Dhabi

United Kingdom

London

United States

Washington, DC

Uruguay

Montevideo

Uzbekistan

Tashkent (Toshkent)

Vanuatu

Port-Vila (Efate)

Venezuela

Caracas

Vietnam

Hanoi

Virgin Islands

Charlotte Amalie

Wallis and Futuna

Mata-Utu (on Ile Uvea)

Western Sahara

none

Yemen

Sanaa

Zambia

Lusaka

Zimbabwe

Harare

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2058 Imports - commodities

Afghanistan

capital goods, food, textiles, petroleum products

Albania

machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, textiles, chemicals

Algeria

capital goods, foodstuffs, consumer goods

American Samoa

materials for canneries 56%, food 8%, petroleum

products 7%, machinery and parts 6%

Andorra

consumer goods, food, electricity

Angola

machinery and electrical equipment, vehicles and spare parts;

medicines, food, textiles, military goods

Anguilla

fuels, foodstuffs, manufactures, chemicals, trucks, textiles

Antigua and Barbuda

food and live animals, machinery and transport

equipment, manufactures, chemicals, oil

Argentina

machinery and equipment, motor vehicles, chemicals, metal

manufactures, plastics

Armenia

natural gas, petroleum, tobacco products, foodstuffs,

diamonds

Aruba

machinery and electrical equipment, crude oil for refining and

reexport, chemicals; foodstuffs

Australia

machinery and transport equipment, computers and office

machines, telecommunication equipment and parts; crude oil and

petroleum products

Austria

machinery and equipment, motor vehicles, chemicals, metal

goods, oil and oil products; foodstuffs

Azerbaijan

machinery and equipment, oil products, foodstuffs,

metals, chemicals

Bahamas, The

machinery and transport equipment, manufactures,

chemicals, mineral fuels; food and live animals

Bahrain

crude oil, machinery, chemicals

Bangladesh

machinery and equipment, chemicals, iron and steel,

textiles, foodstuffs, petroleum products, cement (2000)

Barbados

consumer goods, machinery, foodstuffs, construction

materials, chemicals, fuel, electrical components

Belarus

mineral products, machinery and equipment, chemicals,

foodstuffs, metals

Belgium

machinery and equipment, chemicals, diamonds,

pharmaceuticals, foodstuffs, transportation equipment, oil products

Belize

machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods; fuels,

chemicals, pharmaceuticals; food, beverages, tobacco

Benin

foodstuffs, capital goods, petroleum products

Bermuda

machinery and transport equipment, construction materials,

chemicals, food and live animals

Bhutan

fuel and lubricants, grain, machinery and parts, vehicles,

fabrics, rice

Bolivia

petroleum products, plastics, paper, aircraft and aircraft

parts, prepared foods, automobiles, insecticides, soybeans

Bosnia and Herzegovina

machinery and equipment, chemicals, fuels,

foodstuffs

Botswana

foodstuffs, machinery, electrical goods, transport

equipment, textiles, fuel and petroleum products, wood and paper

products, metal and metal products

Brazil

machinery, electrical and transport equipment, chemical

products, oil

British Virgin Islands

building materials, automobiles, foodstuffs,

machinery

Brunei

machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, food,

chemicals

Bulgaria

machinery and equipment; metals and ores; chemicals and

plastics; fuels, minerals, and raw materials

Burkina Faso

capital goods, foodstuffs, petroleum

Burma

fabric, petroleum products, plastics, machinery, transport

equipment, construction materials, crude oil; food products

Burundi

capital goods, petroleum products, foodstuffs

Cambodia

petroleum products, cigarettes, gold, construction

materials, machinery, motor vehicles, pharmaceutical products

Cameroon

machinery, electrical equipment, transport equipment, fuel,

food

Canada

machinery and equipment, motor vehicles and parts, crude oil,

chemicals, electricity, durable consumer goods

Cape Verde

foodstuffs, industrial products, transport equipment,

fuels

Cayman Islands

foodstuffs, manufactured goods

Central African Republic

food, textiles, petroleum products,

machinery, electrical equipment, motor vehicles, chemicals,

pharmaceuticals

Chad

machinery and transportation equipment, industrial goods,

petroleum products, foodstuffs, textiles

Chile

petroleum and petroleum products, chemicals, electrical and

telecommunications equipment, industrial machinery, vehicles,

natural gas

China

machinery and equipment, oil and mineral fuels, plastics,

optical and medical equipment, organic chemicals, iron and steel

Christmas Island

consumer goods

Cocos (Keeling) Islands

foodstuffs

Colombia

industrial equipment, transportation equipment, consumer

goods, chemicals, paper products, fuels, electricity

Comoros

rice and other foodstuffs, consumer goods; petroleum

products, cement, transport equipment

Congo, Democratic Republic of the

foodstuffs, mining and other

machinery, transport equipment, fuels

Congo, Republic of the

capital equipment, construction materials,

foodstuffs

Cook Islands

foodstuffs, textiles, fuels, timber, capital goods

Costa Rica

raw materials, consumer goods, capital equipment,

petroleum

Cote d'Ivoire

fuel, capital equipment, foodstuffs

Croatia

machinery, transport and electrical equipment, chemicals,

fuels and lubricants, foodstuffs

Cuba

petroleum, food, machinery and equipment, chemicals

Cyprus

Republic of Cyprus: consumer goods, petroleum and lubricants,

intermediate goods, machinery, transport equipment; north Cyprus:

vehicles, fuel, cigarettes, food, minerals, chemicals, machinery

Czech Republic

machinery and transport equipment 46%, raw materials

and fuels 15%, chemicals 10% (2003)

Denmark

machinery and equipment, raw materials and semimanufactures

for industry, chemicals, grain and foodstuffs, consumer goods

Djibouti

foods, beverages, transport equipment, chemicals, petroleum

products

Dominica

manufactured goods, machinery and equipment, food, chemicals

Dominican Republic foodstuffs, petroleum, cotton and fabrics, chemicals and pharmaceuticals

East Timor

food, gasoline, kerosene, machinery

Ecuador

vehicles, medicinal products, telecommunications equipment,

electricity

Egypt

machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, chemicals, wood products,

fuels

El Salvador

raw materials, consumer goods, capital goods, fuels,

foodstuffs, petroleum, electricity

Equatorial Guinea

petroleum sector equipment, other equipment

Eritrea

machinery, petroleum products, food, manufactured goods

(2000)

Estonia

machinery and equipment 33.5%, chemical products 11.6%,

textiles 10.3%, foodstuffs 9.4%, transportation equipment 8.9% (2001)

Ethiopia

food and live animals, petroleum and petroleum products,

chemicals, machinery, motor vehicles, cereals, textiles

European Union

machinery, vehicles, aircraft, plastics, crude oil,

chemicals, textiles, metals, foodstuffs, clothing

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

fuel, food and drink, building

materials, clothing

Faroe Islands

machinery and transport equipment 29%, consumer goods

36%, raw materials and semi-manufactures 32%, fuels, fish and salt

(1999)

Fiji

manufactured goods, machinery and transport equipment,

petroleum products, food, chemicals

Finland

foodstuffs, petroleum and petroleum products, chemicals,

transport equipment, iron and steel, machinery, textile yarn and

fabrics, grains (1999)

France

machinery and equipment, vehicles, crude oil, aircraft,

plastics, chemicals

French Guiana

food (grains, processed meat), machinery and transport

equipment, fuels and chemicals

French Polynesia

fuels, foodstuffs, machinery and equipment

Gabon

machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, chemicals, construction

materials

Gambia, The

foodstuffs, manufactures, fuel, machinery and transport

equipment

Gaza Strip

food, consumer goods, construction materials

Georgia

fuels, machinery and parts, transport equipment, grain and

other foods, pharmaceuticals

Germany

machinery, vehicles, chemicals, foodstuffs, textiles, metals

Ghana

capital equipment, petroleum, foodstuffs

Gibraltar

fuels, manufactured goods, and foodstuffs

Greece

machinery, transport equipment, fuels, chemicals

Greenland

machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods,

food, petroleum products

Grenada

food, manufactured goods, machinery, chemicals, fuel

Guadeloupe

foodstuffs, fuels, vehicles, clothing and other consumer

goods, construction materials

Guam

petroleum and petroleum products, food, manufactured goods

Guatemala

fuels, machinery and transport equipment, construction

materials, grain, fertilizers, electricity

Guernsey

coal, gasoline, oil, machinery and equipment

Guinea

petroleum products, metals, machinery, transport equipment,

textiles, grain and other foodstuffs

Guinea-Bissau

foodstuffs, machinery and transport equipment,

petroleum products

Guyana

manufactures, machinery, petroleum, food

Haiti

food, manufactured goods, machinery and transport equipment,

fuels, raw materials

Honduras

machinery and transport equipment, industrial raw

materials, chemical products, fuels, foodstuffs (2000)

Hong Kong

raw materials and semi-manufactures, consumer goods,

capital goods, foodstuffs, fuel (most is re-exported)

Hungary

machinery and equipment 51.6%, other manufactures 35.7%,

fuels and electricity 7.7%, food products 3.1%, raw materials 2.0%

(2003)

Iceland

machinery and equipment, petroleum products; foodstuffs,

textiles

India

crude oil, machinery, gems, fertilizer, chemicals

Indonesia

machinery and equipment, chemicals, fuels, foodstuffs

Iran

industrial raw materials and intermediate goods, capital goods,

foodstuffs and other consumer goods, technical services, military

supplies

Iraq

food, medicine, manufactures

Ireland

data processing equipment, other machinery and equipment,

chemicals, petroleum and petroleum products, textiles, clothing

Israel

raw materials, military equipment, investment goods, rough

diamonds, fuels, grain, consumer goods

Italy

engineering products, chemicals, transport equipment, energy

products, minerals and nonferrous metals, textiles and clothing;

food, beverages and tobacco

Jamaica

food and other consumer goods, industrial supplies, fuel,

parts and accessories of capital goods, machinery and transport

equipment, construction materials

Japan

machinery and equipment, fuels, foodstuffs, chemicals,

textiles, raw materials (2001)

Jersey

machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods,

foodstuffs, mineral fuels, chemicals

Jordan

crude oil, textile fabrics, machinery, transport equipment,

manufactured goods

Kazakhstan

machinery and equipment 41%, metal products 28%,

foodstuffs 8% (2001)

Kenya

machinery and transportation equipment, petroleum products,

motor vehicles, iron and steel, resins and plastics

Kiribati

foodstuffs, machinery and equipment, miscellaneous

manufactured goods, fuel

Korea, North

petroleum, coking coal, machinery and equipment;

textiles, grain

Korea, South

machinery, electronics and electronic equipment, oil,

steel, transport equipment, organic chemicals, plastics

Kuwait

food, construction materials, vehicles and parts, clothing

Kyrgyzstan

oil and gas, machinery and equipment, chemicals,

foodstuffs

Laos

machinery and equipment, vehicles, fuel, consumer goods

Latvia

machinery and equipment, chemicals, fuels, vehicles

Lebanon

petroleum products, cars, medicinal products, clothing, meat

and live animals, consumer goods, paper, textile fabrics, tobacco

Lesotho

food; building materials, vehicles, machinery, medicines,

petroleum products (2000)

Liberia

fuels, chemicals, machinery, transportation equipment,

manufactured goods; foodstuffs

Libya

machinery, transport equipment, semi-finished goods, food,

consumer products (1999)

Liechtenstein

agricultural products, raw materials, machinery, metal

goods, textiles, foodstuffs, motor vehicles

Lithuania

mineral products 21%, machinery and equipment 17%,

transport equipment 11%, chemicals 9%, textiles and clothing 9%,

metals 5% (2001)

Luxembourg

minerals, metals, foodstuffs, quality consumer goods

Macau

raw materials and semi-manufactured goods, consumer goods

(foodstuffs, beverages, tobacco), capital goods, mineral fuels and

oils

Macedonia

machinery and equipment, chemicals, fuels; food products,

automobiles

Madagascar

capital goods, petroleum, consumer goods, food

Malawi

food, petroleum products, semimanufactures, consumer goods,

transportation equipment

Malaysia

electronics, machinery, petroleum products, plastics,

vehicles, iron and steel products, chemicals

Maldives

petroleum products, ships, foodstuffs, textiles, clothing,

intermediate and capital goods

Mali

petroleum, machinery and equipment, construction materials,

foodstuffs, textiles

Malta

machinery and transport equipment, manufactured and

semi-manufactured goods; food, drink, and tobacco

Man, Isle of

timber, fertilizers, fish

Marshall Islands

foodstuffs, machinery and equipment, fuels,

beverages and tobacco

Martinique

petroleum products, crude oil, foodstuffs, construction

materials, vehicles, clothing and other consumer goods

Mauritania

machinery and equipment, petroleum products, capital

goods, foodstuffs, consumer goods

Mauritius

manufactured goods, capital equipment, foodstuffs,

petroleum products, chemicals

Mayotte

food, machinery and equipment, transportation equipment,

metals, chemicals

Mexico

metalworking machines, steel mill products, agricultural

machinery, electrical equipment, car parts for assembly, repair

parts for motor vehicles, aircraft, and aircraft parts

Micronesia, Federated States of

food, manufactured goods, machinery

and equipment, beverages

Moldova

mineral products and fuel, machinery and equipment,

chemicals, textiles (2000)

Mongolia

machinery and equipment, fuel, cars, food products,

industrial consumer goods, chemicals, building materials, sugar, tea

Montserrat

machinery and transportation equipment, foodstuffs,

manufactured goods, fuels, lubricants, and related materials

Morocco

crude petroleum, textile fabric, telecommunications

equipment, wheat, gas and electricity, transistors, plastics

Mozambique

machinery and equipment, vehicles, fuel, chemicals, metal

products, foodstuffs, textiles

Namibia

foodstuffs; petroleum products and fuel, machinery and

equipment, chemicals

Nauru

food, fuel, manufactures, building materials, machinery

Nepal

gold, machinery and equipment, petroleum products, fertilizer

Netherlands

machinery and transport equipment, chemicals, fuels;

foodstuffs, clothing

Netherlands Antilles

crude petroleum, food, manufactures

New Caledonia

machinery and equipment, fuels, chemicals, foodstuffs

New Zealand

machinery and equipment, vehicles and aircraft,

petroleum, electronics, textiles, plastics

Nicaragua

consumer goods, machinery and equipment, raw materials,

petroleum products

Niger

foodstuffs, machinery, vehicles and parts, petroleum, cereals

Nigeria

machinery, chemicals, transport equipment, manufactured

goods, food and live animals

Niue

food, live animals, manufactured goods, machinery, fuels,

lubricants, chemicals, drugs

Norfolk Island

NA

Northern Mariana Islands food, construction equipment and materials, petroleum products

Norway

machinery and equipment, chemicals, metals, foodstuffs

Oman

machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, food,

livestock, lubricants

Pakistan

petroleum, petroleum products, machinery, plastics,

transportation equipment, edible oils, paper and paperboard, iron

and steel, tea

Palau

machinery and equipment, fuels, metals; foodstuffs

Panama

capital goods, foodstuffs, consumer goods, chemicals

Papua New Guinea

machinery and transport equipment, manufactured

goods, food, fuels, chemicals

Paraguay

road vehicles, consumer goods, tobacco, petroleum products,

electrical machinery

Peru

petroleum and petroleum products, plastics, machinery,

vehicles, iron and steel, wheat, paper

Philippines

raw materials, machinery and equipment, fuels, vehicles

and vehicle parts, plastic, chemicals, grains

Pitcairn Islands

fuel oil, machinery, building materials, flour,

sugar, other foodstuffs

Poland

machinery and transport equipment 38%, intermediate

manufactured goods 21%, chemicals 14.8%, minerals, fuels,

lubricants, and related materials 9.1% (2003)

Portugal

machinery and transport equipment, chemicals, petroleum,

textiles, agricultural products

Puerto Rico

chemicals, machinery and equipment, clothing, food,

fish, petroleum products

Qatar

machinery and transport equipment, food, chemicals

Reunion

manufactured goods, food, beverages, tobacco, machinery and

transportation equipment, raw materials, and petroleum products

Romania

machinery and equipment, fuels and minerals, chemicals,

textile and products, basic metals, agricultural products

Russia

machinery and equipment, consumer goods, medicines, meat,

sugar, semifinished metal products

Rwanda

foodstuffs, machinery and equipment, steel, petroleum

products, cement and construction material

Saint Helena

food, beverages, tobacco, fuel oils, animal feed,

building materials, motor vehicles and parts, machinery and parts

Saint Kitts and Nevis

machinery, manufactures, food, fuels

Saint Lucia

food 23%, manufactured goods 21%, machinery and

transportation equipment 19%, chemicals, fuels

Saint Pierre and Miquelon

meat, clothing, fuel, electrical

equipment, machinery, building materials

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

foodstuffs, machinery and

equipment, chemicals and fertilizers, minerals and fuels

Samoa

machinery and equipment, industrial supplies, foodstuffs

San Marino

wide variety of consumer manufactures, food

Sao Tome and Principe

machinery and electrical equipment, food

products, petroleum products

Saudi Arabia

machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, chemicals, motor

vehicles, textiles

Senegal

food and beverages, capital goods, fuels

Serbia and Montenegro

machinery and transport equipment, fuels and

lubricants, manufactured goods, chemicals, food and live animals,

raw materials

Seychelles

machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, petroleum products,

chemicals

Sierra Leone

foodstuffs, machinery and equipment, fuels and

lubricants, chemicals (1995)

Singapore

machinery and equipment, mineral fuels, chemicals,

foodstuffs

Slovakia

machinery and transport equipment 41.1%, intermediate

manufactured goods 19.3%, fuels 12.3%, chemicals 9.8%, miscellaneous

manufactured goods 10.2% (2003)

Slovenia

machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods,

chemicals, fuels and lubricants, food

Solomon Islands

food, plant and equipment, manufactured goods,

fuels, chemicals

Somalia

manufactures, petroleum products, foodstuffs, construction

materials, qat

South Africa

machinery and equipment, chemicals, petroleum products,

scientific instruments, foodstuffs (2000 est.)

Spain

machinery and equipment, fuels, chemicals, semifinished goods;

foodstuffs, consumer goods; measuring and medical control instruments

Sri Lanka

textile fabrics, mineral products, petroleum, foodstuffs,

machinery and transportation equipment

Sudan

foodstuffs, manufactured goods, refinery and transport

equipment, medicines and chemicals, textiles, wheat

Suriname

capital equipment, petroleum, foodstuffs, cotton, consumer

goods

Swaziland

motor vehicles, machinery, transport equipment,

foodstuffs, petroleum products, chemicals

Sweden

machinery, petroleum and petroleum products, chemicals, motor

vehicles, iron and steel; foodstuffs, clothing

Switzerland

machinery, chemicals, vehicles, metals; agricultural

products, textiles

Syria

machinery and transport equipment, electric power machinery,

food and livestock, metal and metal products, chemicals and chemical

products, plastics, yarn, paper

Taiwan

machinery and electrical equipment 44.5%, minerals, precision

instruments (2002)

Tajikistan

electricity, petroleum products, aluminum oxide,

machinery and equipment, foodstuffs

Tanzania

consumer goods, machinery and transportation equipment,

industrial raw materials, crude oil

Thailand

capital goods, intermediate goods and raw materials,

consumer goods, fuels

Togo

machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, petroleum products

Tokelau

foodstuffs, building materials, fuel

Tonga

foodstuffs, machinery and transport equipment, fuels, chemicals

Trinidad and Tobago

machinery, transportation equipment,

manufactured goods, food, live animals

Tunisia

textiles, machinery and equipment, hydrocarbons, chemicals,

food

Turkey

machinery, chemicals, semi-finished goods, fuels, transport

equipment

Turkmenistan

machinery and equipment, chemicals, foodstuffs

Turks and Caicos Islands food and beverages, tobacco, clothing, manufactures, construction materials

Tuvalu

food, animals, mineral fuels, machinery, manufactured goods

Uganda

capital equipment, vehicles, petroleum, medical supplies;

cereals

Ukraine

energy, machinery and equipment, chemicals

United Arab Emirates machinery and transport equipment, chemicals, food

United Kingdom

manufactured goods, machinery, fuels; foodstuffs

United States

agricultural products 4.9%, industrial supplies 32.9%

(crude oil 8.2%), capital goods 30.4% (computers, telecommunications

equipment, motor vehicle parts, office machines, electric power

machinery), consumer goods 31.8% (automobiles, clothing, medicines,

furniture, toys) (2003)

Uruguay

machinery, chemicals, road vehicles, crude petroleum

Uzbekistan

machinery and equipment 49.8%, foodstuffs 16.4%,

chemicals, metals (1998 est.)

Vanuatu

machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, fuels

Venezuela

raw materials, machinery and equipment, transport

equipment, construction materials

Vietnam

machinery and equipment, petroleum products, fertilizer,

steel products, raw cotton, grain, cement, motorcycles

Virgin Islands

crude oil, foodstuffs, consumer goods, building

materials

Wallis and Futuna

chemicals, machinery, passenger ships, consumer

goods

West Bank

food, consumer goods, construction materials

Western Sahara

fuel for fishing fleet, foodstuffs

World

the whole range of industrial and agricultural goods and

services

Yemen

food and live animals, machinery and equipment, chemicals

Zambia

machinery, transportation equipment, petroleum products,

electricity, fertilizer; foodstuffs, clothing

Zimbabwe

machinery and transport equipment, other manufactures,

chemicals, fuels

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2059 Climate

Afghanistan

arid to semiarid; cold winters and hot summers

Akrotiri

temperate; Mediterranean with hot, dry summers and cool

winters

Albania

mild temperate; cool, cloudy, wet winters; hot, clear, dry

summers; interior is cooler and wetter

Algeria

arid to semiarid; mild, wet winters with hot, dry summers

along coast; drier with cold winters and hot summers on high

plateau; sirocco is a hot, dust/sand-laden wind especially common in

summer

American Samoa

tropical marine, moderated by southeast trade winds;

annual rainfall averages about 3 m; rainy season from November to

April, dry season from May to October; little seasonal temperature

variation

Andorra

temperate; snowy, cold winters and warm, dry summers

Angola

semiarid in south and along coast to Luanda; north has cool,

dry season (May to October) and hot, rainy season (November to April)

Anguilla

tropical; moderated by northeast trade winds

Antarctica

severe low temperatures vary with latitude, elevation,

and distance from the ocean; East Antarctica is colder than West

Antarctica because of its higher elevation; Antarctic Peninsula has

the most moderate climate; higher temperatures occur in January

along the coast and average slightly below freezing

Antigua and Barbuda

tropical maritime; little seasonal temperature

variation

Arctic Ocean

polar climate characterized by persistent cold and

relatively narrow annual temperature ranges; winters characterized

by continuous darkness, cold and stable weather conditions, and

clear skies; summers characterized by continuous daylight, damp and

foggy weather, and weak cyclones with rain or snow

Argentina

mostly temperate; arid in southeast; subantarctic in

southwest

Armenia

highland continental, hot summers, cold winters

Aruba

tropical marine; little seasonal temperature variation

Ashmore and Cartier Islands

tropical

Atlantic Ocean

tropical cyclones (hurricanes) develop off the coast

of Africa near Cape Verde and move westward into the Caribbean Sea;

hurricanes can occur from May to December, but are most frequent

from August to November

Australia

generally arid to semiarid; temperate in south and east;

tropical in north

Austria

temperate; continental, cloudy; cold winters with frequent

rain and some snow in lowlands and snow in mountains; moderate

summers with occasional showers

Azerbaijan

dry, semiarid steppe

Bahamas, The

tropical marine; moderated by warm waters of Gulf Stream

Bahrain

arid; mild, pleasant winters; very hot, humid summers

Baker Island

equatorial; scant rainfall, constant wind, burning sun

Bangladesh

tropical; mild winter (October to March); hot, humid

summer (March to June); humid, warm rainy monsoon (June to October)

Barbados

tropical; rainy season (June to October)

Bassas da India

tropical

Belarus

cold winters, cool and moist summers; transitional between

continental and maritime

Belgium

temperate; mild winters, cool summers; rainy, humid, cloudy

Belize

tropical; very hot and humid; rainy season (May to November);

dry season (February to May)

Benin

tropical; hot, humid in south; semiarid in north

Bermuda

subtropical; mild, humid; gales, strong winds common in

winter

Bhutan

varies; tropical in southern plains; cool winters and hot

summers in central valleys; severe winters and cool summers in

Himalayas

Bolivia

varies with altitude; humid and tropical to cold and semiarid

Bosnia and Herzegovina

hot summers and cold winters; areas of high

elevation have short, cool summers and long, severe winters; mild,

rainy winters along coast

Botswana

semiarid; warm winters and hot summers

Bouvet Island

antarctic

Brazil

mostly tropical, but temperate in south

British Indian Ocean Territory

tropical marine; hot, humid,

moderated by trade winds

British Virgin Islands

subtropical; humid; temperatures moderated by

trade winds

Brunei

tropical; hot, humid, rainy

Bulgaria

temperate; cold, damp winters; hot, dry summers

Burkina Faso

tropical; warm, dry winters; hot, wet summers

Burma

tropical monsoon; cloudy, rainy, hot, humid summers (southwest

monsoon, June to September); less cloudy, scant rainfall, mild

temperatures, lower humidity during winter (northeast monsoon,

December to April)

Burundi

equatorial; high plateau with considerable altitude

variation (772 m to 2,670 m above sea level); average annual

temperature varies with altitude from 23 to 17 degrees centigrade

but is generally moderate as the average altitude is about 1,700 m;

average annual rainfall is about 150 cm; wet seasons from February

to May and September to November, and dry seasons from June to

August and December to January

Cambodia

tropical; rainy, monsoon season (May to November); dry

season (December to April); little seasonal temperature variation

Cameroon

varies with terrain, from tropical along coast to semiarid

and hot in north

Canada

varies from temperate in south to subarctic and arctic in

north

Cape Verde

temperate; warm, dry summer; precipitation meager and

very erratic

Cayman Islands

tropical marine; warm, rainy summers (May to October)

and cool, relatively dry winters (November to April)

Central African Republic

tropical; hot, dry winters; mild to hot,

wet summers

Chad

tropical in south, desert in north

Chile

temperate; desert in north; Mediterranean in central region;

cool and damp in south

China

extremely diverse; tropical in south to subarctic in north

Christmas Island

tropical with a wet and dry season; heat and

humidity moderated by trade winds; wet season December to April

Clipperton Island

tropical; humid, average temperature 20-32 degrees

C, rains May-October

Cocos (Keeling) Islands

tropical with high humidity, moderated by

the southeast trade winds for about nine months of the year

Colombia

tropical along coast and eastern plains; cooler in highlands

Comoros

tropical marine; rainy season (November to May)

Congo, Democratic Republic of the tropical; hot and humid in equatorial river basin; cooler and drier in southern highlands; cooler and wetter in eastern highlands; north of Equator - wet season April to October, dry season December to February; south of Equator - wet season November to March, dry season April to October

Congo, Republic of the

tropical; rainy season (March to June); dry

season (June to October); constantly high temperatures and humidity;

particularly enervating climate astride the Equator

Cook Islands

tropical; moderated by trade winds

Coral Sea Islands

tropical

Costa Rica

tropical and subtropical; dry season (December to April);

rainy season (May to November); cooler in highlands

Cote d'Ivoire

tropical along coast, semiarid in far north; three

seasons - warm and dry (November to March), hot and dry (March to

May), hot and wet (June to October)

Croatia

Mediterranean and continental; continental climate

predominant with hot summers and cold winters; mild winters, dry

summers along coast

Cuba

tropical; moderated by trade winds; dry season (November to

April); rainy season (May to October)

Cyprus

temperate; Mediterranean with hot, dry summers and cool

winters

Czech Republic

temperate; cool summers; cold, cloudy, humid winters

Denmark

temperate; humid and overcast; mild, windy winters and cool

summers

Dhekelia

temperate; Mediterranean with hot, dry summers and cool

winters

Djibouti

desert; torrid, dry

Dominica

tropical; moderated by northeast trade winds; heavy rainfall

Dominican Republic tropical maritime; little seasonal temperature variation; seasonal variation in rainfall

East Timor

tropical; hot, humid; distinct rainy and dry seasons

Ecuador

tropical along coast, becoming cooler inland at higher

elevations; tropical in Amazonian jungle lowlands

Egypt

desert; hot, dry summers with moderate winters

El Salvador

tropical; rainy season (May to October); dry season

(November to April); tropical on coast; temperate in uplands

Equatorial Guinea

tropical; always hot, humid

Eritrea

hot, dry desert strip along Red Sea coast; cooler and wetter

in the central highlands (up to 61 cm of rainfall annually);

semiarid in western hills and lowlands; rainfall heaviest during

June-September except in coastal desert

Estonia

maritime, wet, moderate winters, cool summers

Ethiopia

tropical monsoon with wide topographic-induced variation

Europa Island

tropical

European Union

cold temperate; potentially subarctic in the north to

temperate; mild wet winters; hot dry summers in the south

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) cold marine; strong westerly winds, cloudy, humid; rain occurs on more than half of days in year; average annual rainfall is 24 inches in Stanley; occasional snow all year, except in January and February, but does not accumulate

Faroe Islands

mild winters, cool summers; usually overcast; foggy,

windy

Fiji

tropical marine; only slight seasonal temperature variation

Finland

cold temperate; potentially subarctic but comparatively mild

because of moderating influence of the North Atlantic Current,

Baltic Sea, and more than 60,000 lakes

France

generally cool winters and mild summers, but mild winters and

hot summers along the Mediterranean; occasional strong, cold, dry,

north-to-northwesterly wind known as mistral

French Guiana

tropical; hot, humid; little seasonal temperature

variation

French Polynesia

tropical, but moderate

French Southern and Antarctic Lands

antarctic

Gabon

tropical; always hot, humid

Gambia, The

tropical; hot, rainy season (June to November); cooler,

dry season (November to May)

Gaza Strip

temperate, mild winters, dry and warm to hot summers

Georgia

warm and pleasant; Mediterranean-like on Black Sea coast

Germany

temperate and marine; cool, cloudy, wet winters and summers;

occasional warm mountain (foehn) wind

Ghana

tropical; warm and comparatively dry along southeast coast;

hot and humid in southwest; hot and dry in north

Gibraltar

Mediterranean with mild winters and warm summers

Glorioso Islands

tropical

Greece

temperate; mild, wet winters; hot, dry summers

Greenland

arctic to subarctic; cool summers, cold winters

Grenada

tropical; tempered by northeast trade winds

Guadeloupe

subtropical tempered by trade winds; moderately high

humidity

Guam

tropical marine; generally warm and humid, moderated by

northeast trade winds; dry season from January to June, rainy season

from July to December; little seasonal temperature variation

Guatemala

tropical; hot, humid in lowlands; cooler in highlands

Guernsey

temperate with mild winters and cool summers; about 50% of

days are overcast

Guinea

generally hot and humid; monsoonal-type rainy season (June to

November) with southwesterly winds; dry season (December to May)

with northeasterly harmattan winds

Guinea-Bissau

tropical; generally hot and humid; monsoonal-type

rainy season (June to November) with southwesterly winds; dry season

(December to May) with northeasterly harmattan winds

Guyana

tropical; hot, humid, moderated by northeast trade winds; two

rainy seasons (May to mid-August, mid-November to mid-January)

Haiti

tropical; semiarid where mountains in east cut off trade winds

Heard Island and McDonald Islands

antarctic

Holy See (Vatican City) temperate; mild, rainy winters (September to mid-May) with hot, dry summers (May to September)

Honduras

subtropical in lowlands, temperate in mountains

Hong Kong

tropical monsoon; cool and humid in winter, hot and rainy

from spring through summer, warm and sunny in fall

Howland Island

equatorial; scant rainfall, constant wind, burning sun

Hungary

temperate; cold, cloudy, humid winters; warm summers

Iceland

temperate; moderated by North Atlantic Current; mild, windy

winters; damp, cool summers

India

varies from tropical monsoon in south to temperate in north

Indian Ocean

northeast monsoon (December to April), southwest

monsoon (June to October); tropical cyclones occur during May/June

and October/November in the northern Indian Ocean and

January/February in the southern Indian Ocean

Indonesia

tropical; hot, humid; more moderate in highlands

Iran

mostly arid or semiarid, subtropical along Caspian coast

Iraq

mostly desert; mild to cool winters with dry, hot, cloudless

summers; northern mountainous regions along Iranian and Turkish

borders experience cold winters with occasionally heavy snows that

melt in early spring, sometimes causing extensive flooding in

central and southern Iraq

Ireland

temperate maritime; modified by North Atlantic Current; mild

winters, cool summers; consistently humid; overcast about half the

time

Israel

temperate; hot and dry in southern and eastern desert areas

Italy

predominantly Mediterranean; Alpine in far north; hot, dry in

south

Jamaica

tropical; hot, humid; temperate interior

Jan Mayen

arctic maritime with frequent storms and persistent fog

Japan

varies from tropical in south to cool temperate in north

Jarvis Island

tropical; scant rainfall, constant wind, burning sun

Jersey

temperate; mild winters and cool summers

Johnston Atoll

tropical, but generally dry; consistent northeast

trade winds with little seasonal temperature variation

Jordan

mostly arid desert; rainy season in west (November to April)

Juan de Nova Island

tropical

Kazakhstan

continental, cold winters and hot summers, arid and

semiarid

Kenya

varies from tropical along coast to arid in interior

Kingman Reef

tropical; moderated by prevailing winds

Kiribati

tropical; marine, hot and humid, moderated by trade winds

Korea, North

temperate with rainfall concentrated in summer

Korea, South

temperate, with rainfall heavier in summer than winter

Kuwait

dry desert; intensely hot summers; short, cool winters

Kyrgyzstan

dry continental to polar in high Tien Shan; subtropical

in southwest (Fergana Valley); temperate in northern foothill zone

Laos

tropical monsoon; rainy season (May to November); dry season

(December to April)

Latvia

maritime; wet, moderate winters

Lebanon

Mediterranean; mild to cool, wet winters with hot, dry

summers; Lebanon mountains experience heavy winter snows

Lesotho

temperate; cool to cold, dry winters; hot, wet summers

Liberia

tropical; hot, humid; dry winters with hot days and cool to

cold nights; wet, cloudy summers with frequent heavy showers

Libya

Mediterranean along coast; dry, extreme desert interior

Liechtenstein

continental; cold, cloudy winters with frequent snow

or rain; cool to moderately warm, cloudy, humid summers

Lithuania

transitional, between maritime and continental; wet,

moderate winters and summers

Luxembourg

modified continental with mild winters, cool summers

Macau

subtropical; marine with cool winters, warm summers

Macedonia

warm, dry summers and autumns and relatively cold winters

with heavy snowfall

Madagascar

tropical along coast, temperate inland, arid in south

Malawi

sub-tropical; rainy season (November to May); dry season (May

to November)

Malaysia

tropical; annual southwest (April to October) and northeast

(October to February) monsoons

Maldives

tropical; hot, humid; dry, northeast monsoon (November to

March); rainy, southwest monsoon (June to August)

Mali

subtropical to arid; hot and dry February to June; rainy,

humid, and mild June to November; cool and dry November to February

Malta

Mediterranean with mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers

Man, Isle of

temperate; cool summers and mild winters; overcast

about one-third of the time

Marshall Islands

tropical; hot and humid; wet season from May to

November; islands border typhoon belt

Martinique

tropical; moderated by trade winds; rainy season (June to

October); vulnerable to devastating cyclones (hurricanes) every

eight years on average; average temperature 17.3 degrees C; humid

Mauritania

desert; constantly hot, dry, dusty

Mauritius

tropical, modified by southeast trade winds; warm, dry

winter (May to November); hot, wet, humid summer (November to May)

Mayotte

tropical; marine; hot, humid, rainy season during

northeastern monsoon (November to May); dry season is cooler (May to

November)

Mexico

varies from tropical to desert

Micronesia, Federated States of tropical; heavy year-round rainfall, especially in the eastern islands; located on southern edge of the typhoon belt with occasionally severe damage

Midway Islands

subtropical; moderated by prevailing easterly winds

Moldova

moderate winters, warm summers

Monaco

Mediterranean with mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers

Mongolia

desert; continental (large daily and seasonal temperature

ranges)

Montserrat

tropical; little daily or seasonal temperature variation

Morocco

Mediterranean, becoming more extreme in the interior

Mozambique

tropical to subtropical

Namibia

desert; hot, dry; rainfall sparse and erratic

Nauru

tropical with a monsoonal pattern; rainy season (November to

February)

Navassa Island

marine, tropical

Nepal

varies from cool summers and severe winters in north to

subtropical summers and mild winters in south

Netherlands

temperate; marine; cool summers and mild winters

Netherlands Antilles

tropical; ameliorated by northeast trade winds

New Caledonia

tropical; modified by southeast trade winds; hot, humid

New Zealand

temperate with sharp regional contrasts

Nicaragua

tropical in lowlands, cooler in highlands

Niger

desert; mostly hot, dry, dusty; tropical in extreme south

Nigeria

varies; equatorial in south, tropical in center, arid in

north

Niue

tropical; modified by southeast trade winds

Norfolk Island

subtropical; mild, little seasonal temperature

variation

Northern Mariana Islands

tropical marine; moderated by northeast

trade winds, little seasonal temperature variation; dry season

December to June, rainy season July to October

Norway

temperate along coast, modified by North Atlantic Current;

colder interior with increased precipitation and colder summers;

rainy year-round on west coast

Oman

dry desert; hot, humid along coast; hot, dry interior; strong

southwest summer monsoon (May to September) in far south

Pacific Ocean

planetary air pressure systems and resultant wind

patterns exhibit remarkable uniformity in the south and east; trade

winds and westerly winds are well-developed patterns, modified by

seasonal fluctuations; tropical cyclones (hurricanes) may form south

of Mexico from June to October and affect Mexico and Central

America; continental influences cause climatic uniformity to be much

less pronounced in the eastern and western regions at the same

latitude in the North Pacific Ocean; the western Pacific is

monsoonal - a rainy season occurs during the summer months, when

moisture-laden winds blow from the ocean over the land, and a dry

season during the winter months, when dry winds blow from the Asian

landmass back to the ocean; tropical cyclones (typhoons) may strike

southeast and east Asia from May to December

Pakistan

mostly hot, dry desert; temperate in northwest; arctic in

north

Palau

tropical; hot and humid; wet season May to November

Palmyra Atoll

equatorial, hot, and very rainy

Panama

tropical maritime; hot, humid, cloudy; prolonged rainy season

(May to January), short dry season (January to May)

Papua New Guinea

tropical; northwest monsoon (December to March),

southeast monsoon (May to October); slight seasonal temperature

variation

Paracel Islands

tropical

Paraguay

subtropical to temperate; substantial rainfall in the

eastern portions, becoming semiarid in the far west

Peru

varies from tropical in east to dry desert in west; temperate

to frigid in Andes

Philippines

tropical marine; northeast monsoon (November to April);

southwest monsoon (May to October)

Pitcairn Islands

tropical; hot and humid; modified by southeast

trade winds; rainy season (November to March)

Poland

temperate with cold, cloudy, moderately severe winters with

frequent precipitation; mild summers with frequent showers and

thundershowers

Portugal

maritime temperate; cool and rainy in north, warmer and

drier in south

Puerto Rico

tropical marine, mild; little seasonal temperature

variation

Qatar

arid; mild, pleasant winters; very hot, humid summers

Reunion

tropical, but temperature moderates with elevation; cool and

dry from May to November, hot and rainy from November to April

Romania

temperate; cold, cloudy winters with frequent snow and fog;

sunny summers with frequent showers and thunderstorms

Russia

ranges from steppes in the south through humid continental in

much of European Russia; subarctic in Siberia to tundra climate in

the polar north; winters vary from cool along Black Sea coast to

frigid in Siberia; summers vary from warm in the steppes to cool

along Arctic coast

Rwanda

temperate; two rainy seasons (February to April, November to

January); mild in mountains with frost and snow possible

Saint Helena

Saint Helena - tropical; marine; mild, tempered by

trade winds; Tristan da Cunha - temperate; marine, mild, tempered by

trade winds (tends to be cooler than Saint Helena)

Saint Kitts and Nevis

tropical tempered by constant sea breezes;

little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season (May to November)

Saint Lucia

tropical, moderated by northeast trade winds; dry season

from January to April, rainy season from May to August

Saint Pierre and Miquelon

cold and wet, with much mist and fog;

spring and autumn are windy

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

tropical; little seasonal

temperature variation; rainy season (May to November)

Samoa

tropical; rainy season (November to April), dry season (May to

October)

San Marino

Mediterranean; mild to cool winters; warm, sunny summers

Sao Tome and Principe

tropical; hot, humid; one rainy season

(October to May)

Saudi Arabia

harsh, dry desert with great temperature extremes

Senegal

tropical; hot, humid; rainy season (May to November) has

strong southeast winds; dry season (December to April) dominated by

hot, dry, harmattan wind

Serbia and Montenegro

in the north, continental climate (cold

winters and hot, humid summers with well distributed rainfall);

central portion, continental and Mediterranean climate; to the

south, Adriatic climate along the coast, hot, dry summers and

autumns and relatively cold winters with heavy snowfall inland

Seychelles

tropical marine; humid; cooler season during southeast

monsoon (late May to September); warmer season during northwest

monsoon (March to May)

Sierra Leone

tropical; hot, humid; summer rainy season (May to

December); winter dry season (December to April)

Singapore

tropical; hot, humid, rainy; two distinct monsoon seasons

- Northeastern monsoon from December to March and Southwestern

monsoon from June to September; inter-monsoon - frequent afternoon

and early evening thunderstorms

Slovakia

temperate; cool summers; cold, cloudy, humid winters

Slovenia

Mediterranean climate on the coast, continental climate

with mild to hot summers and cold winters in the plateaus and

valleys to the east

Solomon Islands

tropical monsoon; few extremes of temperature and

weather

Somalia

principally desert; December to February - northeast

monsoon, moderate temperatures in north and very hot in south; May

to October - southwest monsoon, torrid in the north and hot in the

south, irregular rainfall, hot and humid periods (tangambili)

between monsoons

South Africa

mostly semiarid; subtropical along east coast; sunny

days, cool nights

South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands

variable, with mostly

westerly winds throughout the year interspersed with periods of

calm; nearly all precipitation falls as snow

Southern Ocean

sea temperatures vary from about 10 degrees Celsius

to -2 degrees Celsius; cyclonic storms travel eastward around the

continent and frequently are intense because of the temperature

contrast between ice and open ocean; the ocean area from about

latitude 40 south to the Antarctic Circle has the strongest average

winds found anywhere on Earth; in winter the ocean freezes outward

to 65 degrees south latitude in the Pacific sector and 55 degrees

south latitude in the Atlantic sector, lowering surface temperatures

well below 0 degrees Celsius; at some coastal points intense

persistent drainage winds from the interior keep the shoreline

ice-free throughout the winter

Spain

temperate; clear, hot summers in interior, more moderate and

cloudy along coast; cloudy, cold winters in interior, partly cloudy

and cool along coast

Spratly Islands

tropical

Sri Lanka

tropical monsoon; northeast monsoon (December to March);

southwest monsoon (June to October)

Sudan

tropical in south; arid desert in north; rainy season varies

by region (April to November)

Suriname

tropical; moderated by trade winds

Svalbard

arctic, tempered by warm North Atlantic Current; cool

summers, cold winters; North Atlantic Current flows along west and

north coasts of Spitsbergen, keeping water open and navigable most

of the year

Swaziland

varies from tropical to near temperate

Sweden

temperate in south with cold, cloudy winters and cool, partly

cloudy summers; subarctic in north

Switzerland

temperate, but varies with altitude; cold, cloudy,

rainy/snowy winters; cool to warm, cloudy, humid summers with

occasional showers

Syria

mostly desert; hot, dry, sunny summers (June to August) and

mild, rainy winters (December to February) along coast; cold weather

with snow or sleet periodically in Damascus

Taiwan

tropical; marine; rainy season during southwest monsoon (June

to August); cloudiness is persistent and extensive all year

Tajikistan

midlatitude continental, hot summers, mild winters;

semiarid to polar in Pamir Mountains

Tanzania

varies from tropical along coast to temperate in highlands

Thailand

tropical; rainy, warm, cloudy southwest monsoon (mid-May to

September); dry, cool northeast monsoon (November to mid-March);

southern isthmus always hot and humid

Togo

tropical; hot, humid in south; semiarid in north

Tokelau

tropical; moderated by trade winds (April to November)

Tonga

tropical; modified by trade winds; warm season (December to

May), cool season (May to December)

Trinidad and Tobago

tropical; rainy season (June to December)

Tromelin Island

tropical

Tunisia

temperate in north with mild, rainy winters and hot, dry

summers; desert in south

Turkey

temperate; hot, dry summers with mild, wet winters; harsher

in interior

Turkmenistan

subtropical desert

Turks and Caicos Islands

tropical; marine; moderated by trade winds;

sunny and relatively dry

Tuvalu

tropical; moderated by easterly trade winds (March to

November); westerly gales and heavy rain (November to March)

Uganda

tropical; generally rainy with two dry seasons (December to

February, June to August); semiarid in northeast

Ukraine

temperate continental; Mediterranean only on the southern

Crimean coast; precipitation disproportionately distributed, highest

in west and north, lesser in east and southeast; winters vary from

cool along the Black Sea to cold farther inland; summers are warm

across the greater part of the country, hot in the south

United Arab Emirates

desert; cooler in eastern mountains

United Kingdom

temperate; moderated by prevailing southwest winds

over the North Atlantic Current; more than one-half of the days are

overcast

United States

mostly temperate, but tropical in Hawaii and Florida,

arctic in Alaska, semiarid in the great plains west of the

Mississippi River, and arid in the Great Basin of the southwest; low

winter temperatures in the northwest are ameliorated occasionally in

January and February by warm chinook winds from the eastern slopes

of the Rocky Mountains

Uruguay

warm temperate; freezing temperatures almost unknown

Uzbekistan

mostly midlatitude desert, long, hot summers, mild

winters; semiarid grassland in east

Vanuatu

tropical; moderated by southeast trade winds from May to

October; moderate rainfall from November to April; may be affected

by cyclones from December to April

Venezuela

tropical; hot, humid; more moderate in highlands

Vietnam

tropical in south; monsoonal in north with hot, rainy season

(mid-May to mid-September) and warm, dry season (mid-October to

mid-March)

Virgin Islands

subtropical, tempered by easterly trade winds,

relatively low humidity, little seasonal temperature variation;

rainy season September to November

Wake Island

tropical

Wallis and Futuna

tropical; hot, rainy season (November to April);

cool, dry season (May to October); rains 2,500-3,000 mm per year

(80% humidity); average temperature 26.6 degrees C

West Bank

temperate; temperature and precipitation vary with

altitude, warm to hot summers, cool to mild winters

Western Sahara

hot, dry desert; rain is rare; cold offshore air

currents produce fog and heavy dew

World

two large areas of polar climates separated by two rather

narrow temperate zones form a wide equatorial band of tropical to

subtropical climates

Yemen

mostly desert; hot and humid along west coast; temperate in

western mountains affected by seasonal monsoon; extraordinarily hot,

dry, harsh desert in east

Zambia

tropical; modified by altitude; rainy season (October to

April)

Zimbabwe

tropical; moderated by altitude; rainy season (November to

March)

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2060 Coastline (km)

Afghanistan

0 km (landlocked)

Akrotiri

56.3 km

Albania

362 km

Algeria

998 km

American Samoa

116 km

Andorra

0 km (landlocked)

Angola

1,600 km

Anguilla

61 km

Antarctica

17,968 km

Antigua and Barbuda

153 km

Arctic Ocean

45,389 km

Argentina

4,989 km

Armenia

0 km (landlocked)

Aruba

68.5 km

Ashmore and Cartier Islands

74.1 km

Atlantic Ocean

111,866 km

Australia

25,760 km

Austria

0 km (landlocked)

Azerbaijan

0 km (landlocked); note - Azerbaijan borders the Caspian

Sea (800 km, est.)

Bahamas, The

3,542 km

Bahrain

161 km

Baker Island

4.8 km

Bangladesh

580 km

Barbados

97 km

Bassas da India

35.2 km

Belarus

0 km (landlocked)

Belgium

66.5 km

Belize

386 km

Benin

121 km

Bermuda

103 km

Bhutan

0 km (landlocked)

Bolivia

0 km (landlocked)

Bosnia and Herzegovina

20 km

Botswana

0 km (landlocked)

Bouvet Island

29.6 km

Brazil

7,491 km

British Indian Ocean Territory

698 km

British Virgin Islands

80 km

Brunei

161 km

Bulgaria

354 km

Burkina Faso

0 km (landlocked)

Burma

1,930 km

Burundi

0 km (landlocked)

Cambodia

443 km

Cameroon

402 km

Canada

202,080 km

Cape Verde

965 km

Cayman Islands

160 km

Central African Republic

0 km (landlocked)

Chad

0 km (landlocked)

Chile

6,435 km

China

14,500 km

Christmas Island

138.9 km

Clipperton Island

11.1 km

Cocos (Keeling) Islands

26 km

Colombia

3,208 km (Caribbean Sea 1,760 km, North Pacific Ocean 1,448

km)

Comoros

340 km

Congo, Democratic Republic of the

37 km

Congo, Republic of the

169 km

Cook Islands

120 km

Coral Sea Islands

3,095 km

Costa Rica

1,290 km

Cote d'Ivoire

515 km

Croatia

5,835 km (mainland 1,777 km, islands 4,058 km)

Cuba

3,735 km

Cyprus

648 km

Czech Republic

0 km (landlocked)

Denmark

7,314 km

Dhekelia

27.5 km

Djibouti

314 km

Dominica

148 km

Dominican Republic

1,288 km

East Timor

706 km

Ecuador

2,237 km

Egypt

2,450 km

El Salvador

307 km

Equatorial Guinea

296 km

Eritrea

2,234 km total; mainland on Red Sea 1,151 km, islands in Red

Sea 1,083 km

Estonia

3,794 km

Ethiopia

0 km (landlocked)

Europa Island

22.2 km

European Union

65,413.9 km

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

1,288 km

Faroe Islands

1,117 km

Fiji

1,129 km

Finland

1,250 km

France

3,427 km

French Guiana

378 km

French Polynesia

2,525 km

French Southern and Antarctic Lands

1,232 km

Gabon

885 km

Gambia, The

80 km

Gaza Strip

40 km

Georgia

310 km

Germany

2,389 km

Ghana

539 km

Gibraltar

12 km

Glorioso Islands

35.2 km

Greece

13,676 km

Greenland

44,087 km

Grenada

121 km

Guadeloupe

306 km

Guam

125.5 km

Guatemala

400 km

Guernsey

50 km

Guinea

320 km

Guinea-Bissau

350 km

Guyana

459 km

Haiti

1,771 km

Heard Island and McDonald Islands

101.9 km

Holy See (Vatican City)

0 km (landlocked)

Honduras

820 km

Hong Kong

733 km

Howland Island

6.4 km

Hungary

0 km (landlocked)

Iceland

4,988 km

India

7,000 km

Indian Ocean

66,526 km

Indonesia

54,716 km

Iran

2,440 km; note - Iran also borders the Caspian Sea (740 km)

Iraq

58 km

Ireland

1,448 km

Israel

273 km

Italy

7,600 km

Jamaica

1,022 km

Jan Mayen

124.1 km

Japan

29,751 km

Jarvis Island

8 km

Jersey

70 km

Johnston Atoll

34 km

Jordan

26 km

Juan de Nova Island

24.1 km

Kazakhstan

0 km (landlocked); note - Kazakhstan borders the Aral

Sea, now split into two bodies of water (1,070 km), and the Caspian

Sea (1,894 km)

Kenya

536 km

Kingman Reef

3 km

Kiribati

1,143 km

Korea, North

2,495 km

Korea, South

2,413 km

Kuwait

499 km

Kyrgyzstan

0 km (landlocked)

Laos

0 km (landlocked)

Latvia

531 km

Lebanon

225 km

Lesotho

0 km (landlocked)

Liberia

579 km

Libya

1,770 km

Liechtenstein

0 km (doubly landlocked)

Lithuania

99 km

Luxembourg

0 km (landlocked)

Macau

41 km

Macedonia

0 km (landlocked)

Madagascar

4,828 km

Malawi

0 km (landlocked)

Malaysia

4,675 km (Peninsular Malaysia 2,068 km, East Malaysia 2,607

km)

Maldives

644 km

Mali

0 km (landlocked)

Malta

196.8 km (does not include 56.01 km for the island of Gozo)

Man, Isle of

160 km

Marshall Islands

370.4 km

Martinique

350 km

Mauritania

754 km

Mauritius

177 km

Mayotte

185.2 km

Mexico

9,330 km

Micronesia, Federated States of

6,112 km

Midway Islands

15 km

Moldova

0 km (landlocked)

Monaco

4.1 km

Mongolia

0 km (landlocked)

Montserrat

40 km

Morocco

1,835 km

Mozambique

2,470 km

Namibia

1,572 km

Nauru

30 km

Navassa Island

8 km

Nepal

0 km (landlocked)

Netherlands

451 km

Netherlands Antilles

364 km

New Caledonia

2,254 km

New Zealand

15,134 km

Nicaragua

910 km

Niger

0 km (landlocked)

Nigeria

853 km

Niue

64 km

Norfolk Island

32 km

Northern Mariana Islands

1,482 km

Norway

25,148 km (includes mainland 2,650 km, as well as long

fjords, numerous small islands, and minor indentations 22,498 km;

length of island coastlines 58,133 km)

Oman

2,092 km

Pacific Ocean

135,663 km

Pakistan

1,046 km

Palau

1,519 km

Palmyra Atoll

14.5 km

Panama

2,490 km

Papua New Guinea

5,152 km

Paracel Islands

518 km

Paraguay

0 km (landlocked)

Peru

2,414 km

Philippines

36,289 km

Pitcairn Islands

51 km

Poland

491 km

Portugal

1,793 km

Puerto Rico

501 km

Qatar

563 km

Reunion

207 km

Romania

225 km

Russia

37,653 km

Rwanda

0 km (landlocked)

Saint Helena

60 km

Saint Kitts and Nevis

135 km

Saint Lucia

158 km

Saint Pierre and Miquelon

120 km

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

84 km

Samoa

403 km

San Marino

0 km (landlocked)

Sao Tome and Principe

209 km

Saudi Arabia

2,640 km

Senegal

531 km

Serbia and Montenegro

199 km

Seychelles

491 km

Sierra Leone

402 km

Singapore

193 km

Slovakia

0 km (landlocked)

Slovenia

46.6 km

Solomon Islands

5,313 km

Somalia

3,025 km

South Africa

2,798 km

South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands

NA km

Southern Ocean

17,968 km

Spain

4,964 km

Spratly Islands

926 km

Sri Lanka

1,340 km

Sudan

853 km

Suriname

386 km

Svalbard

3,587 km

Swaziland

0 km (landlocked)

Sweden

3,218 km

Switzerland

0 km (landlocked)

Syria

193 km

Taiwan

1,566.3 km

Tajikistan

0 km (landlocked)

Tanzania

1,424 km

Thailand

3,219 km

Togo

56 km

Tokelau

101 km

Tonga

419 km

Trinidad and Tobago

362 km

Tromelin Island

3.7 km

Tunisia

1,148 km

Turkey

7,200 km

Turkmenistan

0 km; note - Turkmenistan borders the Caspian Sea

(1,768 km)

Turks and Caicos Islands

389 km

Tuvalu

24 km

Uganda

0 km (landlocked)

Ukraine

2,782 km

United Arab Emirates

1,318 km

United Kingdom

12,429 km

United States

19,924 km

Uruguay

660 km

Uzbekistan

0 km (doubly landlocked); note - Uzbekistan includes the

southern portion of the Aral Sea with a 420 km shoreline

Vanuatu

2,528 km

Venezuela

2,800 km

Vietnam

3,444 km (excludes islands)

Virgin Islands

188 km

Wake Island

19.3 km

Wallis and Futuna

129 km

West Bank

0 km (landlocked)

Western Sahara

1,110 km

World

356,000 km

note: 98 nations and other entities are islands that border no other

countries, they include: American Samoa, Anguilla, Antigua and

Barbuda, Aruba, Ashmore and Cartier Islands, The Bahamas, Bahrain,

Baker Island, Barbados, Bassas da India, Bermuda, Bouvet Island,

British Indian Ocean Territory, British Virgin Islands, Cape Verde,

Cayman Islands, Christmas Island, Clipperton Island, Cocos (Keeling)

Islands, Comoros, Cook Islands, Coral Sea Islands, Cuba, Cyprus,

Dominica, Europa Island, Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), Faroe

Islands, Fiji, French Polynesia, French Southern and Antarctic

Lands, Glorioso Islands, Greenland, Grenada, Guam, Guernsey, Heard

Island and McDonald Islands, Howland Island, Iceland, Jamaica, Jan

Mayen, Japan, Jarvis Island, Jersey, Johnston Atoll, Juan de Nova

Island, Kingman Reef, Kiribati, Madagascar, Maldives, Malta, Isle of

Man, Marshall Islands, Martinique, Mauritius, Mayotte, Federated

States of Micronesia, Midway Islands, Montserrat, Nauru, Navassa

Island, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Niue, Norfolk Island, Northern

Mariana Islands, Palau, Palmyra Atoll, Paracel Islands, Philippines,

Pitcairn Islands, Puerto Rico, Reunion, Saint Helena, Saint Kitts

and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Saint Vincent and

the Grenadines, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Seychelles, Singapore,

Solomon Islands, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands,

Spratly Islands, Sri Lanka, Svalbard, Tokelau, Tonga, Trinidad and

Tobago, Tromelin Island, Turks and Caicos Islands, Tuvalu, Vanuatu,

Virgin Islands, Wake Island, Wallis and Futuna, Taiwan

Yemen

1,906 km

Zambia

0 km (landlocked)

Zimbabwe

0 km (landlocked)

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2061 Imports - partners (%)

Afghanistan

Pakistan 25.5%, US 8.7%, India 8.5%, Germany 6.5%,

Turkmenistan 5.3%, Kenya 4.7%, South Korea 4.2%, Russia 4.2% (2004)

Albania

Italy 34.8%, Greece 19.8%, Turkey 7.7%, Germany 5.3% (2004)

Algeria

France 30.3%, Italy 8.2%, Germany 6.5%, Spain 5.5%, US 5.2%,

China 5.1%, Turkey 4.3% (2004)

American Samoa

Japan 31.4%, New Zealand 27.9%, Germany 17.1%,

Australia 8.9% (2004)

Andorra

Spain 48%, France 35%, US 2.3% (2000)

Angola

South Korea 28.3%, Portugal 13.1%, US 9.3%, South Africa

7.4%, Brazil 5.6%, Japan 4.8%, France 4.4% (2004)

Anguilla

US, Puerto Rico, UK (2000)

Antigua and Barbuda

China 19.5%, US 18.7%, Singapore 14.8%, Poland

8.5%, Trinidad and Tobago 4.7% (2004)

Argentina

Brazil 36.2%, US 16.6%, Germany 5.7%, China 4.3% (2004)

Armenia

Russia 11.3%, Belgium 10.1%, Israel 8.4%, US 7.6%, Iran

7.1%, UAE 6.1%, Ukraine 5.9%, Italy 5.5%, Germany 5.2%, Georgia

4.6%, France 4.5% (2004)

Aruba

US 55.5%, Netherlands 14.1%, Venezuela 3.3% (2004)

Australia

US 14.8%, China 12.7%, Japan 11.8%, Germany 5.8%,

Singapore 4.4%, UK 4.1% (2004)

Austria

Germany 46.3%, Italy 6.8%, Switzerland 4.3% (2004)

Azerbaijan

Russia 16.1%, UK 12.5%, Turkey 10.5%, Germany 7.8%,

Ukraine 5.6%, Netherlands 4.9%, US 4.1%, Italy 4% (2004)

Bahamas, The

US 22.4%, South Korea 18.9%, Brazil 9.2%, Japan 7.9%,

Italy 7.8%, Venezuela 6.6% (2004)

Bahrain

Saudi Arabia 32.4%, Japan 7.3%, Germany 6.1%, US 5.6%, UK

5.4%, France 4.8% (2004)

Bangladesh

India 15.1%, China 12.5%, Singapore 7.5%, Kuwait 5.5%,

Japan 5.3%, Hong Kong 4.5% (2004)

Barbados

US 35.2%, Trinidad and Tobago 20%, UK 5.6%, Japan 4.3%

(2004)

Belarus

Russia 68.2%, Germany 6.6%, Ukraine 3.3% (2004)

Belgium

Germany 18.4%, Netherlands 17%, France 12.5%, UK 6.8%,

Ireland 6.3%, US 5.5% (2004)

Belize

US 30.1%, Mexico 12%, Guatemala 7.4%, Cuba 7.2%, China 4.2%,

Japan 4.1% (2004)

Benin

China 32.2%, France 13%, Thailand 6.7%, Cote d'Ivoire 5.3%

(2004)

Bermuda

Kazakhstan 39.2%, France 16.2%, Japan 13.1%, Italy 9.2%,

South Korea 8.8%, US 6.4% (2004)

Bhutan

Germany 65.4%, Japan 14.3%, Austria 6.8%, UK 4.5% (2004)

Bolivia

Brazil 29.7%, Argentina 17.6%, US 10.8%, Chile 7.7%, Peru

7.3% (2004)

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Croatia 23.8%, Slovenia 15.8%, Germany 14.8%,

Italy 11.4%, Austria 6.6%, Hungary 6.1% (2004)

Botswana

Southern African Customs Union (SACU) 74%, EFTA 17%,

Zimbabwe 4% (2000)

Brazil

US 18.3%, Argentina 8.9%, Germany 8.1%, China 5.9%, Nigeria

5.6%, Japan 4.6% (2004)

British Virgin Islands

Virgin Islands (US), Puerto Rico, US

Brunei

Singapore 32.7%, Malaysia 21.2%, UK 8.3%, Japan 7.2% (2004)

Bulgaria

Germany 15.1%, Italy 10.2%, Russia 7.9%, Greece 7.5%,

Turkey 6.9%, France 4.4% (2004)

Burkina Faso

France 29.3%, Cote d'Ivoire 16%, Togo 9.8% (2004)

Burma

China 29.8%, Singapore 20.8%, Thailand 19.3%, South Korea

5.2%, Malaysia 4.8% (2004)

Burundi

Kenya 13.7%, Tanzania 11.2%, US 8.9%, Belgium 8.5%, France

8.4%, Italy 6%, Uganda 5.6%, Japan 4.6%, Germany 4.5% (2004)

Cambodia

Thailand 22.5%, Hong Kong 14.1%, China 13.6%, Vietnam

10.9%, Singapore 10.8%, Taiwan 8.4% (2004)

Cameroon

France 28.2%, Nigeria 9.9%, Belgium 7.6%, US 4.9%, China

4.8%, Germany 4.6%, Italy 4.1% (2004)

Canada

US 58.9%, China 6.8%, Mexico 3.8% (2004)

Cape Verde

Portugal 41.8%, US 12.3%, Netherlands 8.4%, Spain 5.2%,

Italy 4.2%, Brazil 4% (2004)

Cayman Islands

US, Trinidad and Tobago, UK, Netherlands Antilles,

Japan

Central African Republic

France 17.6%, US 16.3%, Cameroon 9.3%,

Belgium 5% (2004)

Chad

France 21.9%, Cameroon 16.1%, US 10.8%, Portugal 10.4%, Germany

6.4%, Belgium 4.6% (2004)

Chile

Argentina 17%, US 14%, Brazil 11.2%, China 7.4% (2004)

China

Japan 16.8%, Taiwan 11.4%, South Korea 11.1%, US 8%, Germany

5.4% (2004)

Christmas Island

principally Australia

Cocos (Keeling) Islands

Australia

Colombia

US 29.1%, Venezuela 6.5%, China 6.4%, Mexico 6.2%, Brazil

5.8% (2004)

Comoros

France 23.5%, South Africa 11.1%, Kenya 7.5%, UAE 7.2%,

Italy 4.9%, Pakistan 4.7%, Mauritius 4.2%, Singapore 4.1% (2004)

Congo, Democratic Republic of the

South Africa 18.5%, Belgium 15.5%,

France 10.8%, Kenya 6.3%, US 6%, Germany 5.8% (2004)

Congo, Republic of the

France 32.7%, US 10.1%, Germany 6.2%, Italy

6%, China 5.2%, Netherlands 4.5% (2004)

Cook Islands

New Zealand 61%, Fiji 19%, US 9%, Australia 6%, Japan

2% (2000)

Costa Rica

US 46.1%, Japan 5.9%, Mexico 5.1%, Brazil 4.2% (2004)

Cote d'Ivoire

France 24.3%, Nigeria 19.2%, UK 4% (2004)

Croatia

Italy 17.1%, Germany 15.5%, Russia 7.3%, Slovenia 7.1%,

Austria 6.9%, France 4.4% (2004)

Cuba

Spain 14.7%, Venezuela 13.5%, US 11%, China 8.9%, Canada 6.4%,

Italy 6.2%, Mexico 4.9% (2004)

Cyprus

Greece 15.2%, Italy 10.5%, Germany 8.9%, UK 8.6%, France

6.3%, Japan 4.7%, Israel 4.4%, China 4% (2004)

Czech Republic

Germany 31.7%, Slovakia 5.4%, Italy 5.3%, China 5.2%,

Poland 4.8%, France 4.8%, Russia 4.1% (2004)

Denmark

Germany 22.3%, Sweden 13.5%, Netherlands 6.8%, UK 6.1%,

France 4.5%, Norway 4.5%, Italy 4.1%, China 4% (2004)

Djibouti

Saudi Arabia 19.7%, India 12.4%, Ethiopia 11.8%, China

8.1%, France 5.6%, US 4.8% (2004)

Dominica

China 20.4%, US 16.8%, Trinidad and Tobago 12.3%, UK 6.9%,

South Korea 4.6%, Japan 4.3% (2004)

Dominican Republic

US 48.1%, Venezuela 13.5%, Colombia 4.8%, Mexico

4.8% (2004)

East Timor

NA

Ecuador

US 16.5%, Colombia 14.1%, China 9.2%, Venezuela 7.1%, Brazil

6.5%, Chile 4.6%, Japan 4.5%, Mexico 4.3% (2004)

Egypt

US 12.2%, Germany 7%, Italy 6.6%, France 5.7%, China 5.4%, UK

4.7%, Saudi Arabia 4.1% (2004)

El Salvador

US 46.3%, Guatemala 8.1%, Mexico 6% (2004)

Equatorial Guinea

US 26.8%, Cote d'Ivoire 21.4%, Spain 13.6%, France

8.8%, UK 7.8%, Italy 4.4% (2004)

Eritrea

Ireland 26.6%, US 18.6%, Italy 16.6%, Turkey 6.4% (2004)

Estonia

Finland 22.1%, Germany 12.9%, Sweden 9.7%, Russia 9.2%,

Lithuania 5.3%, Latvia 4.7% (2004)

Ethiopia

Saudi Arabia 25.3%, US 15.8%, China 6.6% (2004)

European Union

US 15.1%, China 9.7%, Japan 6.7%, Switzerland 5.6%

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

UK 63.2%, Spain 30.3%, France 3.6%

(2004)

Faroe Islands

Denmark 52.8%, Norway 18.3%, Iceland 4.4%, Sweden 4.2%

(2004)

Fiji

Australia 25.9%, Singapore 23.1%, New Zealand 21.1% (2004)

Finland

Germany 16.2%, Sweden 14.3%, Russia 12.8%, Netherlands 6.3%,

Denmark 5.2%, UK 4.6%, France 4.3% (2004)

France

Germany 19.2%, Belgium 9.9%, Italy 8.8%, Spain 7.4%, UK 7%,

Netherlands 6.7%, US 5.1% (2004)

French Guiana

France 63%, US, Trinidad and Tobago, Italy (2002 est.)

French Polynesia

France 47.6%, New Zealand 8.8%, Singapore 8.4%,

Australia 8.3%, US 7.1% (2004)

Gabon

France 43.8%, US 6.3%, UK 5.9%, Netherlands 4% (2004)

Gambia, The

China 23.7%, Senegal 11.6%, Brazil 5.9%, UK 5.5%,

Netherlands 4.5%, US 4.4% (2004)

Gaza Strip

Israel, Egypt, West Bank

Georgia

Russia 14%, Turkey 11%, UK 9.3%, Azerbaijan 8.5%, Germany

8.2%, Ukraine 7.7%, US 6% (2004)

Germany

France 9%, Netherlands 8.3%, US 7%, Italy 6.1%, UK 5.9%,

China 5.6%, Belgium 4.9%, Austria 4.2% (2004)

Ghana

Nigeria 12.6%, China 11.4%, UK 6.6%, US 6.4%, France 4.9%,

Netherlands 4.2% (2004)

Gibraltar

Spain 19.9%, Russia 18.4%, UK 10.8%, Italy 8.8%, Germany

7.5%, US 5.1%, Sweden 4.7%, France 4.2% (2004)

Greece

Germany 13.3%, Italy 12.8%, France 6.4%, Netherlands 5.5%,

Russia 5.5%, US 4.4%, UK 4.2%, South Korea 4.1% (2004)

Greenland

Denmark 78.7%, Sweden 11.9%, Norway 2.7% (2004)

Grenada

Trinidad and Tobago 29.6%, US 27.8%, UK 4.8% (2004)

Guadeloupe

France 63%, Germany 4%, US 3%, Japan 2%, Netherlands

Antilles 2% (1999)

Guam

Singapore 39.5%, South Korea 20.8%, Japan 19%, Hong Kong 9%,

Philippines 4.3% (2004)

Guatemala

US 34%, Mexico 8.1%, South Korea 6.8%, China 6.6%, Japan

4.4% (2004)

Guernsey

UK (regarded as internal trade)

Guinea

Cote d'Ivoire 15.5%, France 9%, Belgium 6.1%, China 6%, South

Africa 4.8% (2004)

Guinea-Bissau

Senegal 44.6%, Portugal 13.8%, China 4.2% (2004)

Guyana

Trinidad and Tobago 24.8%, US 24.5%, Cuba 6.8%, UK 5.4% (2004)

Haiti

US 34.8%, Netherlands Antilles 18%, Malaysia 5.1%, Colombia

4.7% (2004)

Honduras

US 37.5%, Guatemala 6.9%, Mexico 5.4%, Costa Rica 4.3%, El

Salvador 4% (2004)

Hong Kong

China 43.5%, Japan 12.1%, Taiwan 7.3%, US 5.3%, Singapore

5.3%, South Korea 4.8% (2004)

Hungary

Germany 29.2%, Austria 8.3%, Russia 5.7%, Italy 5.5%,

Netherlands 4.9%, China 4.8%, France 4.7% (2004)

Iceland

Germany 12.3%, US 9.9%, Norway 9.7%, Denmark 7.9%, UK 7.2%,

Sweden 6.7%, Netherlands 6% (2004)

India

China 6.1%, US 6%, Switzerland 5.2%, Belgium 4.4% (2004)

Indonesia

Singapore 13.1%, Japan 13.1%, China 8.8%, US 7%, Thailand

6%, Australia 4.8%, Saudi Arabia 4.2%, South Korea 4.2% (2004)

Iran

Germany 12.8%, France 8.3%, Italy 7.7%, China 7.2%, UAE 7.2%,

South Korea 6.1%, Russia 5.4% (2004)

Iraq

Syria 22.9%, Turkey 19.5%, US 9.2%, Jordan 6.7%, Germany 4.9%

(2004)

Ireland

UK 35.6%, US 13.8%, Germany 8.9%, Netherlands 4.3%, France

4.2% (2004)

Israel

US 15%, Belgium 10.1%, Germany 7.5%, Switzerland 6.5%, UK

6.1% (2004)

Italy

Germany 18%, France 10.9%, Netherlands 5.9%, Spain 4.6%,

Belgium 4.4%, UK 4.3%, China 4.2% (2004)

Jamaica

US 38.7%, Trinidad and Tobago 13.2%, France 5.6%, Japan 4.7%

(2004)

Japan

China 20.7%, US 14%, South Korea 4.9%, Australia 4.3%,

Indonesia 4.1%, Saudi Arabia 4.1%, UAE 4% (2004)

Jersey

UK

Jordan

Saudi Arabia 19.8%, China 8.4%, Germany 6.8%, US 6.8% (2004)

Kazakhstan

Russia 34.6%, China 15.4%, Germany 8.2%, France 5.7%,

Ukraine 4.6% (2004)

Kenya

UAE 12.6%, Saudi Arabia 9.1%, South Africa 8.8%, US 7.7%,

India 7.2%, UK 6.7%, China 6.4%, Japan 5% (2004)

Kiribati

Australia 33.6%, Fiji 29.8%, Japan 10.3%, New Zealand 6.9%,

France 4.1% (2004)

Korea, North

China 32.9%, Thailand 10.7%, Japan 4.8% (2004)

Korea, South

Japan 20.6%, China 13.2%, US 12.9%, Saudi Arabia 5.3%

(2004)

Kuwait

US 12.9%, Germany 11.9%, Japan 7.9%, UK 5.5%, Saudi Arabia

5.5%, Italy 5%, France 4.5%, China 4.1% (2004)

Kyrgyzstan

China 26.3%, Russia 22.3%, Kazakhstan 17.1%, Turkey 5.4%

(2004)

Laos

Thailand 60.5%, China 10.3%, Vietnam 7.1%, Singapore 4% (2004)

Latvia

Germany 13.9%, Lithuania 12.2%, Russia 8.7%, Estonia 7%,

Finland 6.3%, Sweden 6.1%, Poland 5.4%, Belarus 4.8% (2004)

Lebanon

Italy 11.2%, France 10.3%, Syria 9.8%, Germany 8.6%, China

5.8%, US 5.5%, UK 4.6% (2004)

Lesotho

Hong Kong 46.8%, China 25.5%, South Korea 5.6%, Germany 4.8%

(2004)

Liberia

South Korea 38.8%, Japan 21.2%, Singapore 12.2%, Croatia

5.3%, Germany 4.2% (2004)

Libya

Italy 25.5%, Germany 11%, South Korea 6.1%, UK 5.4%, Tunisia

4.7%, Turkey 4.6% (2004)

Liechtenstein

EU, Switzerland

Lithuania

Russia 23.1%, Germany 16.7%, Poland 7.7%, Netherlands 4%

(2004)

Luxembourg

Belgium 29.8%, Germany 22.6%, China 12.6%, France 12%,

Netherlands 4.2% (2004)

Macau

China 44.4%, Hong Kong 10.6%, Japan 9.6%, Taiwan 4.9%,

Singapore 4.1%, US 4.1% (2004)

Macedonia

Greece 15.4%, Germany 13.1%, Serbia and Montenegro 10.4%,

Slovenia 8.6%, Bulgaria 8.1%, Turkey 6%, Romania 4.7% (2004)

Madagascar

France 17.2%, China 9.7%, Hong Kong 6.6%, Iran 6.4%,

Mauritius 6.2%, South Africa 5.6% (2004)

Malawi

South Africa 37.3%, India 8.1%, Mozambique 7.7%, Zimbabwe

7.2%, Tanzania 4.6%, Germany 4.1% (2004)

Malaysia

Japan 16.1%, US 14.6%, Singapore 11.2%, China 9.9%,

Thailand 5.6%, Taiwan 5.5%, South Korea 5%, Germany 4.5%, Indonesia

4% (2004)

Maldives

Singapore 24.9%, Sri Lanka 10.6%, UAE 10.3%, India 10.2%,

Malaysia 7.6%, Bahrain 5.4% (2004)

Mali

France 14.5%, Senegal 9.8%, Cote d'Ivoire 7.6% (2004)

Malta

Italy 25.4%, France 13.1%, UK 12%, Germany 8.9%, US 5.2%,

Singapore 4.1% (2004)

Man, Isle of

UK (2000)

Marshall Islands

US, Japan, Australia, NZ, Singapore, Fiji, China,

Philippines (2000)

Martinique

France 62%, Venezuela 6%, Germany 4%, Italy 4%, US 3%

(2000)

Mauritania

France 14.1%, US 7.6%, China 6.4%, Spain 5.8%, UK 4.6%,

Germany 4.3%, Belgium 4.2% (2004)

Mauritius

South Africa 11.3%, China 9.4%, India 9.3%, France 9.2%,

Bahrain 5.3%, Japan 4.1% (2004)

Mayotte

France 66%, Africa 14%, Southeast Asia 11% (2000 est.)

Mexico

US 53.7%, China 7%, Japan 5.1% (2004)

Micronesia, Federated States of

US, Australia, Japan (2000)

Moldova

Ukraine 24.6%, Russia 12.2%, Romania 9.3%, Germany 8.5%,

Italy 7.4% (2004)

Mongolia

Russia 33.3%, China 23.6%, Japan 7.4%, South Korea 6%, US

4.6% (2004)

Montserrat

US, UK, Trinidad and Tobago, Japan, Canada

Morocco

France 18.2%, Spain 12.1%, Italy 6.6%, Germany 6%, Russia

5.7%, Saudi Arabia 5.4%, China 4.2%, US 4.1% (2004)

Mozambique

South Africa 41.4%, Netherlands 11%, Portugal 3.3% (2004)

Namibia

US 50%, EU 31% (2001)

Nauru

Australia 65.6%, Indonesia 5.4%, Germany 5.3%, UK 4.4% (2004)

Nepal

India 46.3%, China 10.8%, UAE 9.3%, Saudi Arabia 4.1% (2004)

Netherlands

Germany 17.9%, Belgium 9.9%, US 7.9%, China 7.4%, UK

6.4%, France 4.8% (2004)

Netherlands Antilles

Venezuela 51.1%, US 21.9%, Netherlands 5% (2004)

New Caledonia

France 40.3%, Singapore 10.9%, Australia 9.1%, New

Zealand 4.9% (2004)

New Zealand

Australia 22.4%, US 11.3%, Japan 11.2%, China 9.7%,

Germany 5.2% (2004)

Nicaragua

US 22.6%, Costa Rica 8.5%, Venezuela 8.4%, Guatemala 6.8%,

Mexico 5.8%, El Salvador 4.9%, South Korea 4.5% (2004)

Niger

France 14.4%, US 10.3%, French Polynesia 9.4%, Nigeria 7.8%,

Cote d'Ivoire 7.5%, Japan 5.2%, China 5.1%, Thailand 4.1% (2004)

Nigeria

China 9.4%, US 8.4%, UK 7.8%, Netherlands 5.9%, France 5.4%,

Germany 4.9%, Italy 4% (2004)

Niue

New Zealand mainly, Fiji, Japan, Samoa, Australia, US (2000)

Norfolk Island

Australia, other Pacific island countries, NZ, Asia,

Europe

Northern Mariana Islands

US, Japan (2000)

Norway

Sweden 15.7%, Germany 13.6%, Denmark 7.3%, UK 6.5%, China 5%,

US 4.9%, Netherlands 4.4%, France 4.3%, Finland 4.1% (2004)

Oman

UAE 21.2%, Japan 16.6%, UK 8.4%, Italy 6%, Germany 5.1%, US

4.7% (2004)

Pakistan

Saudi Arabia 11.6%, UAE 10%, US 9.7%, China 8.4%, Japan

6.5%, Kuwait 5.6% (2004)

Palau

US, Guam, Japan, Singapore, South Korea (2000)

Panama

US 33.3%, Netherlands Antilles 8.1%, Japan 6%, Costa Rica

5.7%, Mexico 4.6%, Colombia 4.2% (2004)

Papua New Guinea

Australia 46.4%, Singapore 21.6%, Japan 4.3%, New

Zealand 4.2% (2004)

Paraguay

Brazil 30.9%, Argentina 23.3%, China 16.6%, US 4% (2004)

Peru

US 30.3%, Spain 11.5%, Chile 7.2%, Brazil 5.4%, Colombia 5.2%

(2004)

Philippines

US 18.8%, Japan 17.4%, Singapore 7.8%, Taiwan 7.3%,

South Korea 6.2%, China 6%, Malaysia 4.5% (2004)

Pitcairn Islands

NA

Poland

Germany 24.4%, Italy 7.9%, Russia 7.3%, France 6.7%, China

4.6% (2004)

Portugal

Spain 29.3%, Germany 14.3%, France 9.3%, Italy 6.1%, UK

4.6%, Netherlands 4.6% (2004)

Puerto Rico

US 55.0%, Ireland 23.7%, Japan 5.4% (2002 est.)

Qatar

France 26.6%, US 9.5%, Saudi Arabia 9.4%, UAE 6.3%, Germany

5.2%, Japan 5.2%, UK 5.1% (2004)

Reunion

France 64%, Bahrain 3%, Germany 3%, Italy 3% (2000)

Romania

Italy 17.2%, Germany 14.9%, France 7.1%, Russia 6.8%, Turkey

4.2% (2004)

Russia

Germany 15.3%, Ukraine 8.8%, China 6.9%, Japan 5.7%,

Kazakhstan 5%, US 4.6%, Italy 4.6%, France 4.4% (2004)

Rwanda

Kenya 24.4%, Germany 7.4%, Belgium 6.6%, Uganda 6.3%, France

5.1% (2004)

Saint Helena

UK 35.7%, US 17.6%, South Africa 17.5%, Tanzania 10.4%,

Australia 5.5%, Spain 4.1% (2004)

Saint Kitts and Nevis

Ukraine 44.7%, US 22.1%, Trinidad and Tobago

8.8%, UK 6.2% (2004)

Saint Lucia

US 27.8%, Trinidad and Tobago 20.4%, UK 8%, Venezuela

7.6%, Finland 7% (2004)

Saint Pierre and Miquelon

France 37.6%, Canada 25.3%, Ireland 25.2%,

Italy 5.1% (2004)

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

US 37.5%, Trinidad and Tobago

21.3%, UK 10.5% (2004)

Samoa

New Zealand 25.1%, Fiji 21.5%, Taiwan 9.1%, Australia 8.9%,

Singapore 8.5%, Japan 7.5%, US 4.7% (2004)

Sao Tome and Principe

Portugal 52.3%, Germany 9.5%, US 6%,

Netherlands 4.8%, South Africa 4.3%, Belgium 4.1% (2004)

Saudi Arabia

US 15.3%, Japan 9.8%, Germany 8.1%, China 6.6%, UK 5.7%

(2004)

Senegal

France 24.8%, Nigeria 11.9%, Thailand 6.1% (2004)

Serbia and Montenegro

Germany 18.5%, Italy 16.5%, Austria 8.3%,

Slovenia 6.7%, Bulgaria 4.7%, France 4.5% (2004)

Seychelles

Saudi Arabia 15.5%, Spain 13.3%, France 10.3%, Singapore

7%, South Africa 6.8%, Italy 6.7%, UK 4.7% (2004)

Sierra Leone

Germany 14%, Cote d'Ivoire 10.7%, UK 9.1%, US 8.4%,

China 5.6%, Netherlands 5%, South Africa 4.1% (2004)

Singapore

Malaysia 15.3%, US 12.7%, Japan 11.7%, China 9.9%, Taiwan

5.7%, South Korea 4.3%, Thailand 4.1% (2004)

Slovakia

Germany 26.1%, Czech Republic 21.3%, Russia 9.1%, Austria

6.6%, Poland 4.9%, Italy 4.9% (2004)

Slovenia

Germany 19.9%, Italy 17%, Austria 14.9%, France 10.2% (2004)

Solomon Islands

Australia 24.6%, Singapore 23.1%, New Zealand 7.7%,

Fiji 4.8%, Papua New Guinea 4.7% (2004)

Somalia

Djibouti 30.1%, Kenya 13.7%, India 8.6%, Brazil 8.5%, Oman

4.4%, UAE 4.2% (2004)

South Africa

Germany 14.2%, US 8.5%, China 7.5%, Japan 6.9%, UK

6.9%, France 6%, Saudi Arabia 5.6%, Iran 5% (2004)

Spain

Germany 16.6%, France 15.8%, Italy 8.9%, UK 6.3%, Netherlands

4.8% (2004)

Sri Lanka

India 18%, Singapore 8.7%, Hong Kong 7.7%, China 5.7%,

Iran 5.2%, Japan 5.1%, Malaysia 4.1% (2004)

Sudan

China 13%, Saudi Arabia 11.5%, UAE 5.9%, Egypt 5.1%, India

4.8%, Germany 4.5%, Australia 4.1%, Japan 4% (2004)

Suriname

US 26.2%, Netherlands 19.3%, Trinidad and Tobago 13.5%,

Japan 6.6%, China 4.6%, Brazil 4.2% (2004)

Swaziland

South Africa 95.6%, EU 0.9%, Japan 0.9%, Singapore 0.3%

(2004)

Sweden

Germany 18.7%, Denmark 9.2%, Norway 7.6%, UK 7.5%,

Netherlands 6.8%, Finland 6.4%, France 5.5%, Belgium 4% (2004)

Switzerland

Germany 32.8%, Italy 11.3%, France 9.9%, US 5.2%,

Netherlands 5%, Austria 4.3% (2004)

Syria

Turkey 9.4%, Ukraine 8.7%, China 7.8%, Russia 5.4%, Saudi

Arabia 5.2%, US 4.7%, South Korea 4.6%, Italy 4.3% (2004)

Taiwan

Japan 26%, US 13%, China, including Hong Kong 11%, South

Korea 6.9% (2004)

Tajikistan

Russia 20.2%, Uzbekistan 14.2%, Kazakhstan 12.8%,

Azerbaijan 7.2%, US 6.7%, China 4.8%, Ukraine 4.5% (2004)

Tanzania

South Africa 13.1%, China 8.1%, India 6.6%, Kenya 5.6%, UAE

5.5%, US 4.9%, UK 4.8%, Bahrain 4.1% (2004)

Thailand

Japan 23.6%, China 8.6%, US 7.6%, Malaysia 5.8%, Singapore

4.4%, Taiwan 4.1% (2004)

Togo

China 25.5%, India 13.3%, France 11.5% (2004)

Tokelau

New Zealand (2000)

Tonga

New Zealand 37.1%, Fiji 24.3%, Australia 9.1%, China 8.9%, US

6.3% (2004)

Trinidad and Tobago

US 23.9%, Venezuela 11.5%, Germany 11.2%, Brazil

10.7%, Spain 6.4%, Italy 5.1% (2004)

Tunisia

France 25.1%, Italy 19%, Germany 8.5%, Spain 5.3% (2004)

Turkey

Germany 12.9%, Russia 9.3%, Italy 7.1%, France 6.4%, US 4.8%,

China 4.6%, UK 4.4% (2004)

Turkmenistan

US 11.8%, Russia 9.7%, UAE 9.2%, Ukraine 9%, Turkey

8.6%, Germany 8%, France 5%, Georgia 4.6%, Iran 4.5% (2004)

Turks and Caicos Islands

US, UK

Tuvalu

Fiji 50.2%, Japan 18.1%, Australia 9.6%, China 8%, New

Zealand 5.5% (2004)

Uganda

Kenya 32.3%, UAE 7.3%, South Africa 6.5%, India 5.8%, China

5.6%, UK 5.1%, US 4.8%, Japan 4.8% (2004)

Ukraine

Russia 41.8%, Germany 9.6%, Turkmenistan 6.7% (2004)

United Arab Emirates

China 10%, India 9.8%, Japan 6.8%, Germany

6.5%, UK 6.2%, France 6.1%, US 6% (2004)

United Kingdom

Germany 13%, US 9.3%, France 7.4%, Netherlands 6.6%,

Belgium 4.9%, China 4.3%, Italy 4.3% (2004)

United States

Canada 17%, China 13.8%, Mexico 10.3%, Japan 8.7%,

Germany 5.2% (2004)

Uruguay

Argentina 19.5%, Brazil 19%, Paraguay 12.9%, US 9.2%, China

6% (2004)

Uzbekistan

Russia 26.8%, South Korea 12.6%, US 8%, Germany 7.7%,

Kazakhstan 6.3%, China 5.8%, Turkey 5.1%, Ukraine 4.5% (2004)

Vanuatu

Taiwan 24%, Australia 16.5%, Japan 11.4%, Singapore 8.5%,

New Zealand 7.2%, Fiji 6.3%, US 4.4% (2004)

Venezuela

US 28.8%, Colombia 9.9%, Brazil 7%, Mexico 4.1% (2004)

Vietnam

China 13.7%, Taiwan 11.3%, South Korea 10.8%, Japan 10.5%,

Singapore 10.5%, Thailand 6.2%, Hong Kong 4% (2004)

Virgin Islands

US, Puerto Rico

Wallis and Futuna

France 97%, Australia 2%, New Zealand 1%

West Bank

Israel, Jordan, Gaza Strip (2000)

Western Sahara

Morocco claims and administers Western Sahara, so

trade partners are included in overall Moroccan accounts

World

Germany 9.4%, US 9.3%, China 8.5%, Japan 6.5%, France 4.5%

(2004)

Yemen

UAE 12.2%, Saudi Arabia 9.7%, China 8.8%, France 7.3%, India

4.4%, US 4.4%, Kuwait 4.2% (2004)

Zambia

South Africa 46.2%, UK 14.2%, UAE 7.1%, Zimbabwe 6% (2004)

Zimbabwe

South Africa 46.9%, Botswana 3.6%, UK 3.4% (2004)

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2062 Economic aid - donor

Australia

ODA, $894 million (FY99/00)

Austria

ODA, $520 million (2002)

Belgium

ODA, $1.072 billion (2002)

Canada

ODA, $2 billion (2004)

Denmark

ODA, $1.63 billion (1999)

Finland

ODA, $379 million (2001)

France

ODA, $5.4 billion (2002)

Germany

ODA, $5.6 billion (1998)

Iceland

$NA

Ireland

ODA, $283 million (2001)

Italy

ODA, $1 billion (2002 est.)

Japan

ODA, $7.9 billion (FY03/04)

Korea, South

ODA $334 million (2003)

Lesotho

ODA $4.4 million

Luxembourg

ODA, $147 million (2002)

Netherlands

ODA, $4 billion (2003 est.)

New Zealand

ODA, $99.7 million

Norway

ODA, $1.4 billion (1998)

Portugal

ODA, $271 million (1995)

Saudi Arabia

pledged $100 million in 1993 to fund reconstruction of

Lebanon; since 2000, Saudi Arabia has committed $307 million for

assistance to the Palestinians; pledged $240 million to development

in Afghanistan; pledged $1 billion in export guarantees and soft

loans to Iraq

Spain

ODA, $1.33 billion (1999)

Sweden

ODA, $1.7 billion (1997)

Switzerland

ODA, $1.1 billion (1995)

United Arab Emirates

since its founding in 1971, the Abu Dhabi Fund

for Development has given about $5.2 billion in aid to 56 countries

(2004)

United Kingdom

ODA, $4.2 billion (2004)

United States

ODA, $6.9 billion (1997)

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2063 Constitution

Afghanistan

new constitution drafted 14 December 2003 - 4 January

2004; signed 16 January 2004

Albania

adopted by popular referendum on 28 November 1998

Algeria

19 November 1976, effective 22 November 1976; revised 3

November 1988, 23 February 1989, and 28 November 1996

American Samoa

ratified 2 June 1966, effective 1 July 1967

Andorra

Andorra's first written constitution was drafted in 1991,

approved by referendum 14 March 1993, effective 4 May 1993

Angola

11 November 1975; revised 7 January 1978, 11 August 1980, 6

March 1991, and 26 August 1992; note - new constitution has not yet

been approved

Anguilla

Anguilla Constitutional Order 1 April 1982; amended 1990

Antigua and Barbuda

1 November 1981

Argentina

1 May 1853; revised August 1994

Armenia

adopted by nationwide referendum 5 July 1995

Aruba

1 January 1986

Australia

9 July 1900, effective 1 January 1901

Austria

1920; revised 1929 (reinstated 1 May 1945)

Azerbaijan

adopted 12 November 1995

Bahamas, The

10 July 1973

Bahrain

new constitution 14 February 2002

Bangladesh

4 November 1972, effective 16 December 1972; suspended

following coup of 24 March 1982, restored 10 November 1986; amended

many times

Barbados

30 November 1966

Belarus

15 March 1994; revised by national referendum of 24 November

1996 giving the presidency greatly expanded powers and became

effective 27 November 1996; revised again 17 October 2004 removing

presidential term limits

Belgium

7 February 1831; amended many times; revised 14 July 1993 to

create a federal state

Belize

21 September 1981

Benin

December 1990

Bermuda

8 June 1968; amended 1989 and 2003

Bhutan

no written constitution or bill of rights; note - in 2001 the

King commissioned the drafting of a constitution, and in November

2004 presented a draft to the Council of Ministers; now awaiting

referendum

Bolivia

2 February 1967; revised in August 1994

Bosnia and Herzegovina

the Dayton Agreement, signed 14 December

1995, included a new constitution now in force; note - each of the

entities also has its own constitution

Botswana

March 1965, effective 30 September 1966

Brazil

5 October 1988

British Virgin Islands

1 June 1977

Brunei

29 September 1959 (some provisions suspended under a State of

Emergency since December 1962, others since independence on 1

January 1984)

Bulgaria

adopted 12 July 1991

Burkina Faso

2 June 1991 approved by referendum, 11 June 1991

formally adopted; amended April 2000

Burma

3 January 1974; suspended since 18 September 1988; national

convention convened in 1993 to draft a new constitution but

collapsed in 1996; reconvened in 2004 but does not include

participation of democratic opposition

Burundi

13 March 1992; provided for establishment of a plural

political system; supplanted on 20 October 2004 by a provisional

constitution approved by the parliament which extended the

transition; a 28 February 2005 popular referendum ratified the new

constitution which set ethnic quotas for government positions, and

tentatively scheduled general elections for April 2005

Cambodia

promulgated 21 September 1993

Cameroon

20 May 1972 approved by referendum, 2 June 1972 formally

adopted; revised January 1996

Canada

made up of unwritten and written acts, customs, judicial

decisions, and traditions; the written part of the constitution

consists of the Constitution Act of 29 March 1867, which created a

federation of four provinces, and the Constitution Act of 17 April

1982, which transferred formal control over the constitution from

Britain to Canada, and added a Canadian Charter of Rights and

Freedoms as well as procedures for constitutional amendments

Cape Verde

new constitution came into force 25 September 1992;

underwent a major revision on 23 November 1995, substantially

increasing the powers of the president, and a further revision in

1999, to create the position of national ombudsman (Provedor de

Justica)

Cayman Islands

1959; revised 1972 and 1992

Central African Republic

passed by referendum 5 December 2004

Chad

passed by referendum 31 March 1996

Chile

11 September 1980, effective 11 March 1981; amended 30 July

1989, 1993, and 1997

China

most recent promulgation 4 December 1982

Christmas Island

Christmas Island Act of 1958-59 (1 October 1958)

Cocos (Keeling) Islands

Cocos (Keeling) Islands Act of 1955 (23

November 1953)

Colombia

5 July 1991

Comoros

23 December 2001

Congo, Democratic Republic of the new constitution adopted 17 July 2003

Congo, Republic of the

approved by referendum 20 January 2002

Cook Islands

4 August 1965

Costa Rica

7 November 1949

Cote d'Ivoire

new constitution adopted 4 August 2000

Croatia

adopted on 22 December 1990; revised 2000, 2001

Cuba

24 February 1976; amended July 1992 and June 2002

Cyprus

16 August 1960; from December 1963, the Turkish Cypriots no

longer participated in the government; negotiations to create the

basis for a new or revised constitution to govern the island and for

better relations between Greek and Turkish Cypriots have been held

intermittently since the mid-1960s; in 1975, following the 1974

Turkish intervention, Turkish Cypriots created their own

constitution and governing bodies within the "Turkish Federated

State of Cyprus," which became the "Turkish Republic of Northern

Cyprus" when the Turkish Cypriots declared their independence in

1983; a new constitution for the "TRNC" passed by referendum on 5

May 1985

Czech Republic

ratified 16 December 1992, effective 1 January 1993

Denmark

5 June 1849 adoption of original constitution; a major

overhaul of 5 June 1953 allowed for a unicameral legislature and a

female chief of state

Djibouti

multiparty constitution approved by referendum 4 September

1992

Dominica

3 November 1978

Dominican Republic

28 November 1966; amended 25 July 2002

East Timor

22 March 2002 (based on the Portuguese model)

Ecuador

10 August 1998

Egypt

11 September 1971; amended 22 May 1980

El Salvador

23 December 1983

Equatorial Guinea

approved by national referendum 17 November 1991;

amended January 1995

Eritrea

a transitional constitution, decreed on 19 May 1993, was

replaced by a new constitution adopted on 23 May 1997, but not yet

implemented

Estonia

adopted 28 June 1992

Ethiopia

ratified December 1994, effective 22 August 1995

European Union

based on a series of treaties: the Treaty of Paris,

which set up the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) in 1951;

the Treaties of Rome, which set up the European Economic Community

(EEC) and the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom) in 1957;

the Single European Act in 1986; the Treaty on European Union

(Maastricht) in 1992; the Treaty of Amsterdam in 1997; and the

Treaty of Nice in 2001; note - a new draft Constitutional Treaty,

signed on 29 October 2004 in Rome, gave member states two years for

ratification either by parliamentary vote or national referendum

before it was scheduled to take effect on 1 November 2006; defeat in

French and Dutch referenda in May-June 2005 caused a suspension of

the ratification process

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 3 October 1985; amended 1997 and 1998

Faroe Islands

5 June 1953 (Danish constitution)

Fiji

promulgated on 25 July 1990; amended on 25 July 1997 to allow

nonethnic Fijians greater say in government and to make multiparty

government mandatory; effective 28 July 1998

Finland

1 March 2000

France

adopted by referendum 28 September 1958, effective 4 October

1958; amended concerning election of president in 1962; amended to

comply with provisions of 1992 EC Maastricht Treaty, 1996 Amsterdam

Treaty, 2000 Treaty of Nice; amended to tighten immigration laws in

1993; amended in 2000 to change the seven-year presidential term to

a five-year term

French Guiana

4 October 1958 (French Constitution)

French Polynesia

4 October 1958 (French Constitution)

Gabon

adopted 14 March 1991

Gambia, The

24 April 1970; suspended July 1994; rewritten and

approved by national referendum 8 August 1996; reestablished January

1997

Georgia

adopted 24 August 1995

Germany

23 May 1949, known as Basic Law; became constitution of the

united German people 3 October 1990

Ghana

approved 28 April 1992

Gibraltar

30 May 1969

Greece

11 June 1975; amended March 1986 and April 2001

Greenland

5 June 1953 (Danish constitution)

Grenada

19 December 1973

Guadeloupe

4 October 1958 (French Constitution)

Guam

Organic Act of 1 August 1950

Guatemala

31 May 1985, effective 14 January 1986; note - suspended

25 May 1993 by former President SERRANO; reinstated 5 June 1993

following ouster of president; amended November 1993

Guernsey

unwritten; partly statutes, partly common law and practice

Guinea

23 December 1990 (Loi Fundamentale)

Guinea-Bissau

16 May 1984; amended 4 May 1991, 4 December 1991, 26

February 1993, 9 June 1993, and 1996

Guyana

6 October 1980

Haiti

approved March 1987; suspended June 1988 with most articles

reinstated March 1989; in October 1991 government claimed to be

observing the constitution; returned to constitutional rule in

October 1994

Holy See (Vatican City) new Fundamental Law promulgated by Pope JOHN PAUL II on 26 November 2000, effective 22 February 2001 (replaces the first Fundamental Law of 1929)

Honduras

11 January 1982, effective 20 January 1982; amended 1995

Hong Kong

Basic Law, approved in March 1990 by China's National

People's Congress, is Hong Kong's "mini-constitution"

Hungary

18 August 1949, effective 20 August 1949; revised 19 April

1972; 18 October 1989 revision ensured legal rights for individuals

and constitutional checks on the authority of the prime minister and

also established the principle of parliamentary oversight; 1997

amendment streamlined the judicial system

Iceland

16 June 1944, effective 17 June 1944; amended many times

India

26 January 1950; amended many times

Indonesia

August 1945; abrogated by Federal Constitution of 1949 and

Provisional Constitution of 1950, restored 5 July 1959

Iran

2-3 December 1979; revised 1989 to expand powers of the

presidency and eliminate the prime ministership

Iraq

interim constitution signed 8 March 2004; note - the

Transitional Administrative Law (TAL) was enacted 8 March 2004 to

govern the country until an elected Iraqi Government can draft and

ratify a new constitution in 2005

Ireland

adopted 1 July 1937 by plebiscite; effective 29 December 1937

Israel

no formal constitution; some of the functions of a

constitution are filled by the Declaration of Establishment (1948),

the Basic Laws of the parliament (Knesset), and the Israeli

citizenship law

Italy

passed 11 December 1947, effective 1 January 1948; amended

many times

Jamaica

6 August 1962

Japan

3 May 1947

Jersey

unwritten; partly statutes, partly common law and practice

Jordan

1 January 1952; amended 1974, 1976, 1984

Kazakhstan

first post-independence constitution adopted 28 January

1993; new constitution adopted by national referendum 30 August 1995

Kenya

12 December 1963; amended as a republic 1964; reissued with

amendments 1979, 1982, 1986, 1988, 1991, 1992, 1997, and 2001

Kiribati

12 July 1979

Korea, North

adopted 1948; completely revised 27 December 1972,

revised again in April 1992, and September 1998

Korea, South

17 July 1948

Kuwait

approved and promulgated 11 November 1962

Kyrgyzstan

adopted 5 May 1993; note - amendment proposed by

President AKAYEV and passed in a national referendum on 2 February

2003 significantly expands the powers of the president at the

expense of the legislature

Laos

promulgated 14 August 1991

Latvia

15 February 1922; an October 1998 amendment on Fundamental

Human Rights replaced the 1991 Constitutional Law, which had

supplemented the constitution

Lebanon

23 May 1926; amended a number of times, most recently

Charter of Lebanese National Reconciliation (Ta'if Accord) of

October 1989

Lesotho

2 April 1993

Liberia

6 January 1986

Libya

11 December 1969; amended 2 March 1977

Liechtenstein

5 October 1921

Lithuania

adopted 25 October 1992

Luxembourg

17 October 1868; occasional revisions

Macau

Basic Law, approved in March 1993 by China's National People's

Congress, is Macau's "mini-constitution"

Macedonia

adopted 17 November 1991, effective 20 November 1991;

amended November 2001 by a series of new constitutional amendments

strengthening minority rights

Madagascar

19 August 1992 by national referendum

Malawi

18 May 1994

Malaysia

31 August 1957; amended 16 September 1963

Maldives

adopted 1 January 1998

Mali

adopted 12 January 1992

Malta

1964 constitution; amended many times

Man, Isle of

unwritten; note - The Isle of Man Constitution Act of

1961 does not embody the unwritten Manx Constitution

Marshall Islands

1 May 1979

Martinique

4 October 1958 (French Constitution)

Mauritania

12 July 1991

Mauritius

12 March 1968; amended 12 March 1992

Mayotte

4 October 1958 (French Constitution)

Mexico

5 February 1917

Micronesia, Federated States of

10 May 1979

Moldova

new constitution adopted 29 July 1994, effective 27 August

1994; replaced old Soviet constitution of 1979

Monaco

17 December 1962

Mongolia

12 February 1992

Montserrat

effective 19 December 1989

Morocco

10 March 1972; revised 4 September 1992, amended (to create

bicameral legislature) September 1996

Mozambique

30 November 1990

Namibia

ratified 9 February 1990, effective 12 March 1990

Nauru

29 January 1968; amended 17 May 1968 (Constitution Day)

Nepal

9 November 1990

Netherlands

adopted 1815; amended many times, last time 2002

Netherlands Antilles

29 December 1954, Statute of the Realm of the

Netherlands, as amended

New Caledonia

4 October 1958 (French Constitution)

New Zealand

consists of a series of legal documents, including

certain acts of the UK and New Zealand Parliaments, as well as The

Constitution Act 1986, which is the principal formal charter;

adopted 1 January 1987, effective 1 January 1987

Nicaragua

9 January 1987; reforms in 1995 and 2000

Niger

new constitution adopted 18 July 1999

Nigeria

new constitution adopted May 1999

Niue

19 October 1974 (Niue Constitution Act)

Norfolk Island

Norfolk Island Act of 1979

Northern Mariana Islands

Constitution of the Commonwealth of the

Northern Mariana Islands effective 1 January 1978; Covenant

Agreement effective 4 November 1986

Norway

17 May 1814; amended many times

Oman

none; note - on 6 November 1996, Sultan QABOOS issued a royal

decree promulgating a basic law considered by the government to be a

constitution which, among other things, clarifies the royal

succession, provides for a prime minister, bars ministers from

holding interests in companies doing business with the government,

establishes a bicameral legislature, and guarantees basic civil

liberties for Omani citizens

Pakistan

12 April 1973; suspended 5 July 1977, restored with

amendments 30 December 1985; suspended 15 October 1999, restored 31

December 2002; amended 31 December 2003

Palau

1 January 1981

Panama

11 October 1972; major reforms adopted 1978, 1983, 1994, and

2004

Papua New Guinea

16 September 1975

Paraguay

promulgated 20 June 1992

Peru

31 December 1993

Philippines

2 February 1987, effective 11 February 1987

Pitcairn Islands

30 November 1838; reformed 1904 with additional

reforms in 1940; further refined by the Local Government Ordinance

of 1964

Poland

adopted by the National Assembly 2 April 1997, passed by

national referendum 25 May 1997, effective 17 October 1997

Portugal

25 April 1976; revised many times

Puerto Rico

ratified 3 March 1952, approved by US Congress 3 July

1952, effective 25 July 1952

Qatar

ratified by public referendum on 29 April 2003, endorsed by

the Emir on 8 June 2004, effective on 9 June 2005

Reunion

4 October 1958 (French Constitution)

Romania

8 December 1991; revision effective 29 October 2003

Russia

adopted 12 December 1993

Rwanda

new constitution adopted 4 June 2003

Saint Helena

1 January 1989

Saint Kitts and Nevis

19 September 1983

Saint Lucia

22 February 1979

Saint Pierre and Miquelon

4 October 1958 (French Constitution)

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

27 October 1979

Samoa

1 January 1962

San Marino

8 October 1600; electoral law of 1926 serves some of the

functions of a constitution

Sao Tome and Principe

approved March 1990, effective 10 September

1990

Saudi Arabia

governed according to Shari'a (Islamic law); the Basic

Law that articulates the government's rights and responsibilities

was introduced in 1993

Senegal

new constitution adopted 7 January 2001

Serbia and Montenegro

4 February 2003

Seychelles

18 June 1993

Sierra Leone

1 October 1991; subsequently amended several times

Singapore

3 June 1959; amended 1965 (based on preindependence State

of Singapore Constitution)

Slovakia

ratified 1 September 1992, effective 1 January 1993;

changed in September 1998 to allow direct election of the president;

amended February 2001 to allow Slovakia to apply for NATO and EU

membership

Slovenia

adopted 23 December 1991, effective 23 December 1991

Solomon Islands

7 July 1978

Somalia

25 August 1979, presidential approval 23 September 1979

note: the formation of transitional governing institutions, known as

the Transitional Federal Government, is currently ongoing

South Africa

10 December 1996; this new constitution was certified

by the Constitutional Court on 4 December 1996, was signed by then

President MANDELA on 10 December 1996, and entered into effect on 3

February 1997; it is being implemented in phases

Spain

6 December 1978, effective 29 December 1978

Sri Lanka

adopted 16 August 1978, certified 31 August 1978; new

constitution proposed in 2002

Sudan

12 April 1973; suspended following coup of 6 April 1985;

interim constitution of 10 October 1985 suspended following coup of

30 June 1989; new constitution implemented on 30 June 1998 partially

suspended 12 December 1999 by President BASHIR

Suriname

ratified 30 September 1987

Swaziland

a constitution was due to be adopted in November 2003 but

was delayed and scheduled for early 2005

Sweden

1 January 1975

Switzerland

revision of Constitution of 1874 approved by the Federal

Parliament 18 December 1998, adopted by referendum 18 April 1999,

officially entered into force 1 January 2000

Syria

13 March 1973

Taiwan

25 December 1946; amended in 1992, 1994, 1997, 1999, and 2000

Tajikistan

6 November 1994

Tanzania

25 April 1977; major revisions October 1984

Thailand

new constitution signed by King PHUMIPHON on 11 October 1997

Togo

multiparty draft constitution approved by High Council of the

Republic 1 July 1992, adopted by public referendum 27 September 1992

Tokelau

administered under the Tokelau Islands Act of 1948; amended

in 1970

Tonga

4 November 1875; revised 1 January 1967

Trinidad and Tobago

1 August 1976

Tunisia

1 June 1959; amended 1988, 2002

Turkey

7 November 1982

Turkmenistan

adopted 18 May 1992

Turks and Caicos Islands introduced 30 August 1976; suspended in 1986; restored and revised 5 March 1988

Tuvalu

1 October 1978

Uganda

8 October 1995

Ukraine

adopted 28 June 1996

United Arab Emirates

2 December 1971 (made permanent in 1996)

United Kingdom

unwritten; partly statutes, partly common law and

practice

United States

17 September 1787, effective 4 March 1789

Uruguay

27 November 1966, effective February 1967; suspended 27 June

1973, new constitution rejected by referendum 30 November 1980; two

constitutional reforms approved by plebiscite 26 November 1989 and 7

January 1997

Uzbekistan

new constitution adopted 8 December 1992

Vanuatu

30 July 1980

Venezuela

30 December 1999

Vietnam

15 April 1992

Virgin Islands

Revised Organic Act of 22 July 1954

Wallis and Futuna

4 October 1958 (French Constitution)

Yemen

16 May 1991; amended 29 September 1994 and February 2001

Zambia

24 August 1991

Zimbabwe

21 December 1979

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2064 Economic aid - recipient

Afghanistan

international pledges made by more than 60 countries and

international financial institutions at the Berlin Donors Conference

for Afghan reconstruction in March 2004 reached $8.9 billion for

2004-09

Albania

ODA: $315 million (top donors were Italy, EU, Germany) (2000

est.)

Algeria

$122.8 million (2002 est.)

American Samoa

important financial support from the US, more than

$40 million in 1994

Andorra

none

Angola

$383.5 million (1999)

Anguilla

$9 million (2004 est.)

Antigua and Barbuda

$2.3 million (1995)

Argentina

$10 billion (2001 est.)

Armenia

ODA $170 million (2000)

Aruba

$26 million (1995); note - the Netherlands provided a $127

million aid package to Aruba and Suriname in 1996

Azerbaijan

ODA, $140 million (2000 est.)

Bahamas, The

$9.8 million (1995)

Bahrain

$150 million; note - $50 million annually since 1992 from

each of Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Kuwait (2002)

Bangladesh

$1.575 billion (2000 est.)

Barbados

$9.1 million (1995)

Belarus

$194.3 million (1995)

Belize

NA

Benin

$342.6 million (2000)

Bermuda

NA

Bhutan

substantial aid from India and other nations

Bolivia

$681 million (2002)

Bosnia and Herzegovina

$650 million (2001 est.)

Botswana

$73 million (1995)

Brazil

$30 billion (2002)

British Virgin Islands

NA

Brunei

NA

Bulgaria

$300 million (2000 est.)

Burkina Faso

$484.1 million (1995)

Burma

$127 million (2001 est.)

Burundi

$92.7 million (2000)

Cambodia

$504 million pledged in grants and concessional loans for

2005 by international donors

Cameroon

on 23 January 2001, the Paris Club agreed to reduce

Cameroon's debt of $1.3 billion by $900 million; debt relief now

totals $1.26 billion

Cape Verde

$136 million (1999)

Cayman Islands

NA

Central African Republic

ODA $73 million; note - traditional budget

subsidies from France (2000 est.)

Chad

$238.3 million received; note - $125 million committed by

Taiwan (August 1997); $30 million committed by African Development

Bank; ODA $150 million (2001 est.)

Chile

ODA, $0 (2002)

China

NA

Christmas Island

NA

Cocos (Keeling) Islands

NA

Colombia

NA

Comoros

$10 million (2001 est.)

Congo, Democratic Republic of the

$195.3 million (1995)

Congo, Republic of the

$159.1 million (1995)

Cook Islands

$13.1 million; note - New Zealand continues to furnish

the greater part (1995)

Cote d'Ivoire

ODA, $1 billion (1996 est.)

Croatia

ODA $166.5 million (2002)

Cuba

$68.2 million (1997 est.)

Cyprus

Republic of Cyprus - $17 million (1998); north Cyprus - $700

million from Turkey in grants and loans, which are usually forgiven

(2003)

Czech Republic

$2.4 billion in available EU structural adjustment

and cohesion funds (2004-06)

Djibouti

$36 million (2001)

Dominica

$22.8 million (2003 est.)

Dominican Republic

$239.6 million (1995)

East Timor

$2.2 billion (1999-2002 est.)

Ecuador

$216 million (2002)

Egypt

ODA, $1.12 billion (2002)

El Salvador

$125 million of which, $53 million from US (2003)

Equatorial Guinea

$33.8 million (1995)

Eritrea

$77 million (1999)

Estonia

$108 million (2000)

Ethiopia

$308 million (FY00/01)

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

$0 (1997 est.)

Faroe Islands

$135 million (annual subsidy from Denmark) (1998)

Fiji

$40.3 million (1995)

French Guiana

NA

French Polynesia

$367 million (1997)

Gabon

$331 million (1995)

Gambia, The

$45.4 million (1995)

Gaza Strip

$2 billion (includes West Bank) (2004 est.)

Georgia

ODA $150 million (2000 est.)

Ghana

$6.9 billion (1999)

Gibraltar

$NA

Greece

$8 billion from EU (2000-06)

Greenland

$380 million subsidy from Denmark (1997)

Grenada

$8.3 million (1995)

Guadeloupe

NA; note - substantial annual French subsidies (2004)

Guam

Guam receives large transfer payments from the US Federal

Treasury ($143 million in 1997) into which Guamanians pay no income

or excise taxes; under the provisions of a special law of Congress,

the Guam Treasury, rather than the US Treasury, receives federal

income taxes paid by military and civilian Federal employees

stationed in Guam (2001 est.)

Guatemala

$250 million (2000 est.)

Guernsey

NA

Guinea

$359.2 million (1998)

Guinea-Bissau

$115.4 million (1995)

Guyana

$84 million (1995), Heavily Indebted Poor Country Initiative

(HIPC) $253 million (1997)

Haiti

$150 million (FY04 est.)

Holy See (Vatican City)

none

Honduras

$557.8 million (1999)

Hungary

$4.2 billion in available EU structural adjustment and

cohesion funds (2004-06)

India

$2.9 billion (FY98/99)

Indonesia

$43 billion

note: Indonesia finished its IMF program in December 2003 but still

receives bilateral aid through the Consultative Group on Indonesia

(CGI), which pledged $2.8 billion in grants and loans for 2004 and

again in 2005; nearly $4 billion in aid money pledged by a variety

of foreign governments and other groups following the 2004 tsunami;

money is slated for use in relief and rebuilding efforts in Aceh.

Iran

$408 million (2002 est.)

Iraq

more than $33 billion in foreign aid pledged for 2004-07 (2004)

Israel

$662 million from US (2003 est.)

Jamaica

$16 million (2003)

Jersey

none

Jordan

ODA, $500 million (2004 est.)

Kazakhstan

$74.2 million in US assistance programs, 1992-2000

(FY2004)

Kenya

$453 million (1997)

Kiribati

$15.5 million largely from UK and Japan (2001 est.)

Korea, North

NA; note - over $117 million in food aid through the

World Food Program in 2003 plus additional aid from bilateral donors

and non-governmental organizations

Kuwait

NA (2001)

Kyrgyzstan

$50 million from the US (2001)

Laos

$243 million (2001 est.)

Latvia

$96.2 million (1995)

Lebanon

$2.2 billion received (2003), out of the $4.2 billion in

soft loans pledged at the November 2002 Paris II Aid Conference

Lesotho

$41.5 million (2000)

Liberia

$94 million (1999)

Libya

$4.4 million ODA (2002)

Liechtenstein

none

Lithuania

$228.5 million (1995)

Macau

NA

Macedonia

$250 million (2003 est.)

Madagascar

$354 million (2001)

Malawi

$540 million (1999)

Maldives

NA (1995)

Mali

$596.4 million (2001)

Malta

NA

Man, Isle of

NA

Marshall Islands

more than $1 billion from the US, 1986-2002

Martinique

NA; note - substantial annual aid from France (1998)

Mauritania

$220 million (2000)

Mauritius

$42 million (1997)

Mayotte

$107.7 million; note - extensive French financial assistance

(1995)

Mexico

$1.166 billion (1995)

Micronesia, Federated States of under terms of the Compact of Free Association, the US pledged $1.3 billion in grant aid during the period 1986-2001; the level of aid has been subsequently reduced

Moldova

$100 million (2000)

Monaco

NA

Mongolia

$215 million (2003)

Montserrat

Country Policy Plan (2001) is a three-year program for

spending $122.8 million in British budgetary assistance (2002 est.)

Morocco

ODA $218 million (2002)

Mozambique

$632.8 million (2001)

Namibia

ODA $160 million (2000 est.)

Nauru

$2.25 million from Australia (FY96/97 est.)

Nepal

$424 million (FY00/01)

Netherlands Antilles

IMF provided $61 million in 2000, and the

Netherlands continued its support with $40 million (2000)

New Caledonia

$880 million annual subsidy from France (1998)

Nicaragua

$541.8 million (2003)

Niger

$341 million (1997)

Nigeria

IMF $250 million (1998)

Niue

$2.6 million from New Zealand (2002)

Norfolk Island

NA

Northern Mariana Islands

extensive funding from US

Oman

$76.4 million (1995)

Pakistan

$2.4 billion (FY01/02)

Palau

$155.8 million ; note - the Compact of Free Association with

the US, entered into after the end of the UN trusteeship on 1

October 1994, provides Palau with up to $700 million in US aid over

15 years in return for furnishing military facilities

Panama

$197.1 million (1995)

Papua New Guinea

$400 million (1999 est.)

Paraguay

NA

Peru

$491 million (2002)

Philippines

ODA commitments, $2 billion (2004)

Pitcairn Islands

$3.465 million (2004)

Poland

$17 billion in available EU structural adjustment and

cohesion funds (2004-06)

Puerto Rico

NA (2001)

Qatar

NA

Reunion

NA; note - substantial annual subsidies from France (2001

est.)

Russia

in FY01 from US, $979 million (including $750 million in

non-proliferation subsidies); in 2001 from EU, $200 million (2000

est.)

Rwanda

$372.9 million (1999)

Saint Helena

$12.6 million (1995); note - $5.3 million from UK (1997)

Saint Kitts and Nevis

$8 million (2001)

Saint Lucia

$51.8 million (1995)

Saint Pierre and Miquelon

approximately $60 million in annual grants

from France

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

$47.5 million (1995); note - EU

$34.5 million (1998)

Samoa

$42.9 million (1995)

San Marino

$NA

Sao Tome and Principe $200 million in December 2000 under the HIPC program

Senegal $362.6 million (2002 est.)

Serbia and Montenegro $2 billion pledged in 2001 (disbursements to follow for several years)

Seychelles

$16.4 million (1995)

Sierra Leone

$103 million (2001 est.)

Singapore

NA

Slovakia

$2.2 billion in available EU structural adjustment and

cohesion funds (2004-06)

Slovenia

ODA, $62 million (2000 est.)

Solomon Islands

$28 million annually, mainly from Australia (2003

est.)

Somalia

$60 million (1999 est.)

South Africa

$487.5 million (2000)

Sri Lanka

$577 million (1998)

Sudan

$172 million (2001)

Suriname

Netherlands provided $37 million for project and program

assistance, European Development Fund $4 million, Belgium $2 million

(1998)

Svalbard

$8.2 million from Norway (1998)

Swaziland

$104 million (2001)

Syria

$180 million (2002 est.)

Tajikistan

$60.7 million from US (2001)

Tanzania

$1.2 billion (2001)

Thailand

$72 million (2002)

Togo

ODA $80 million (2000 est.)

Tokelau

from New Zealand about $4 million annually

Tonga

Australia $5.5 million, New Zealand $2.3 million (FY01/02)

Trinidad and Tobago

$24 million (1999 est.)

Tunisia

$114.6 million (2002)

Turkey

ODA, $635.8 million (2002)

Turkmenistan

$16 million from the US (2001)

Turks and Caicos Islands

$4.1 million (1997)

Tuvalu

$13 million; note - major donors are Australia, Japan, and

the US (1999 est.)

Uganda

$1.4 billion (2000)

Ukraine

$637.7 million (1995); IMF Extended Funds Facility $2.2

billion (1998)

Uruguay

NA

Uzbekistan

$87.4 million from the US (2003)

Vanuatu

$27.5 million (2002)

Venezuela

$74 million (2000)

Vietnam

$2.8 billion in credits and grants pledged by international

donors for 2000 (2004)

Virgin Islands

NA

Wallis and Futuna

assistance from France

West Bank

$2 billion (includes Gaza Strip) (2004 est.)

Western Sahara

NA

World

$154 billion official development assistance (ODA) (2004)

Yemen

$2.3 billion (2003-07 disbursements) (2003-07 disbursements)

Zambia

$651 million (2000 est.)

Zimbabwe

$178 million; note - the EU and the US provide food aid on

humanitarian grounds (2000 est.)

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2065 Currency (code)

Afghanistan

afghani (AFA)

Albania

lek (ALL)

Algeria

Algerian dinar (DZD)

American Samoa

US dollar (USD)

Andorra

euro (EUR)

Angola

kwanza (AOA)

Anguilla

East Caribbean dollar (XCD)

Antigua and Barbuda

East Caribbean dollar (XCD)

Argentina

Argentine peso (ARS)

Armenia

dram (AMD)

Aruba

Aruban guilder/florin (AWG)

Australia

Australian dollar (AUD)

Austria

euro (EUR)

note: on 1 January 1999, the European Monetary Union introduced the

euro as a common currency to be used by the financial institutions

of member countries; as of 1 January 2002, the euro became the only

legal tender in EMU member countries, including Austria

Azerbaijan

Azerbaijani manat (AZM)

Bahamas, The

Bahamian dollar (BSD)

Bahrain

Bahraini dinar (BHD)

Bangladesh

taka (BDT)

Barbados

Barbadian dollar (BBD)

Belarus

Belarusian ruble (BYB/BYR)

Belgium

euro (EUR)

note: on 1 January 1999, the European Monetary Union introduced the

euro as a common currency to be used by financial institutions of

member countries; on 1 January 2002, the euro became the sole

currency for everyday transactions within the member countries

Belize

Belizean dollar (BZD)

Benin

Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XOF); note -

responsible authority is the Central Bank of the West African States

Bermuda

Bermudian dollar (BMD)

Bhutan

ngultrum (BTN); Indian rupee (INR)

Bolivia

boliviano (BOB)

Bosnia and Herzegovina

marka (BAM)

Botswana

pula (BWP)

Brazil

real (BRL)

British Virgin Islands

US dollar (USD)

Brunei

Bruneian dollar (BND)

Bulgaria

lev (BGL)

Burkina Faso

Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XOF); note -

responsible authority is the Central Bank of the West African States

Burma

kyat (MMK)

Burundi

Burundi franc (BIF)

Cambodia

riel (KHR)

Cameroon

Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XAF); note -

responsible authority is the Bank of the Central African States

Canada

Canadian dollar (CAD)

Cape Verde

Cape Verdean escudo (CVE)

Cayman Islands

Caymanian dollar (KYD)

Central African Republic

Communaute Financiere Africaine franc

(XAF); note - responsible authority is the Bank of the Central

African States

Chad

Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XAF); note - responsible

authority is the Bank of the Central African States

Chile

Chilean peso (CLP)

China

yuan (CNY)

note:: also referred to as the Renminbi (RMB)

Christmas Island

Australian dollar (AUD)

Cocos (Keeling) Islands

Australian dollar (AUD)

Colombia

Colombian peso (COP)

Comoros

Comoran franc (KMF)

Congo, Democratic Republic of the

Congolese franc (CDF)

Congo, Republic of the

Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XAF);

note - responsible authority is the Bank of the Central African

States

Cook Islands

New Zealand dollar (NZD)

Costa Rica

Costa Rican colon (CRC)

Cote d'Ivoire

Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XOF); note -

responsible authority is the Central Bank of the West African States

Croatia

kuna (HRK)

Cuba

Cuban peso (CUP) and Convertible peso (CUC)

Cyprus

Greek Cypriot area: Cypriot pound (CYP); Turkish Cypriot

area: Turkish lira (TRL)

Czech Republic

Czech koruna (CZK)

Denmark

Danish krone (DKK)

Djibouti

Djiboutian franc (DJF)

Dominica

East Caribbean dollar (XCD)

Dominican Republic

Dominican peso (DOP)

East Timor

US dollar (USD)

Ecuador

US dollar (USD)

Egypt

Egyptian pound (EGP)

El Salvador

US dollar (USD)

Equatorial Guinea

Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XAF); note

- responsible authority is the Bank of the Central African States

Eritrea

nakfa (ERN)

Estonia

Estonian kroon (EEK)

Ethiopia

birr (ETB)

European Union

euro, British pound, Danish kroner, Swedish kroner,

Cypriot pound, koruny (Czech Republic), krooni (Estonia), forint

(Hungary), lati (Latvia), litai (Lithuania), Maltese liri, zloty

(Poland), koruny (Slovakia), tolar (Slovenia)

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

Falkland pound (FKP)

Faroe Islands

Danish krone (DKK)

Fiji

Fijian dollar (FJD)

Finland

euro (EUR)

note: on 1 January 1999, the European Monetary Union introduced the

euro as a common currency to be used by financial institutions of

member countries; on 1 January 2002, the euro became the sole

currency for everyday transactions within the member countries

France

euro (EUR)

note: on 1 January 1999, the European Monetary Union introduced the

euro as a common currency to be used by financial institutions of

member countries; on 1 January 2002, the euro became the sole

currency for everyday transactions within the member countries

French Guiana

euro (EUR)

French Polynesia

Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique franc (XPF)

Gabon

Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XAF); note -

responsible authority is the Bank of the Central African States

Gambia, The

dalasi (GMD)

Gaza Strip

new Israeli shekel (ILS)

Georgia

lari (GEL)

Germany

euro (EUR)

note: on 1 January 1999, the European Monetary Union introduced the

euro as a common currency to be used by financial institutions of

member countries; on 1 January 2002, the euro became the sole

currency for everyday transactions within the member countries

Ghana

cedi (GHC)

Gibraltar

Gibraltar pound (GIP)

Greece

euro (EUR)

note: on 1 January 1999, the European Monetary Union introduced the

euro as a common currency to be used by financial institutions of

member countries; on 1 January 2002, the euro became the sole

currency for everyday transactions within the member countries

Greenland

Danish krone (DKK)

Grenada

East Caribbean dollar (XCD)

Guadeloupe

euro (EUR)

Guam

US dollar (USD)

Guatemala

quetzal (GTQ), US dollar (USD), others allowed

Guernsey

British pound (GBP); note - there is also a Guernsey pound

Guinea

Guinean franc (GNF)

Guinea-Bissau

Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XOF); note -

responsible authority is the Central Bank of the West African

States; previously the Guinea-Bissau peso (GWP) was used

Guyana

Guyanese dollar (GYD)

Haiti

gourde (HTG)

Holy See (Vatican City)

euro (EUR)

Honduras

lempira (HNL)

Hong Kong

Hong Kong dollar (HKD)

Hungary

forint (HUF)

Iceland

Icelandic krona (ISK)

India

Indian rupee (INR)

Indonesia

Indonesian rupiah (IDR)

Iran

Iranian rial (IRR)

Iraq

New Iraqi dinar (NID) as of 22 January 2004

Ireland

euro (EUR)

note: on 1 January 1999, the European Monetary Union introduced the

euro as a common currency to be used by financial institutions of

member countries; on 1 January 2002, the euro became the sole

currency for everyday transactions within the member countries

Israel

new Israeli shekel (ILS); note - NIS is the currency

abbreviation; ILS is the International Organization for

Standarization (ISO) code for the NIS

Italy

euro (EUR)

note: on 1 January 1999, the European Monetary Union introduced the

euro as a common currency to be used by financial institutions of

member countries; on 1 January 2002, the euro became the sole

currency for everyday transactions within the member countries

Jamaica

Jamaican dollar (JMD)

Japan

yen (JPY)

Jersey

British pound (GBP); note - there is also a Jersey pound

Jordan

Jordanian dinar (JOD)

Kazakhstan

tenge (KZT)

Kenya

Kenyan shilling (KES)

Kiribati

Australian dollar (AUD)

Korea, North

North Korean won (KPW)

Korea, South

South Korean won (KRW)

Kuwait

Kuwaiti dinar (KD)

Kyrgyzstan

Laos

kip (LAK)

Latvia

Latvian lat (LVL)

Lebanon

Lebanese pound (LBP)

Lesotho

loti (LSL); South African rand (ZAR)

Liberia

Liberian dollar (LRD)

Libya

Libyan dinar (LYD)

Liechtenstein

Swiss franc (CHF)

Lithuania

litas (LTL)

Luxembourg

euro (EUR)

note: on 1 January 1999, the European Monetary Union introduced the

euro as a common currency to be used by financial institutions of

member countries; on 1 January 2002, the euro became the sole

currency for everyday transactions within the member countries

Macau

pataca (MOP)

Macedonia

Macedonian denar (MKD)

Madagascar

Madagascar ariary (MGA)

Malawi

Malawian kwacha (MWK)

Malaysia

ringgit (MYR)

Maldives

rufiyaa (MVR)

Mali

Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XOF); note - responsible

authority is the Central Bank of the West African States

Malta

Maltese lira (MTL)

Man, Isle of

British pound (GBP); note - there is also a Manx pound

Marshall Islands

US dollar (USD)

Martinique

euro (EUR)

Mauritania

ouguiya (MRO)

Mauritius

Mauritian rupee (MUR)

Mayotte

euro (EUR)

Mexico

Mexican peso (MXN)

Micronesia, Federated States of

US dollar (USD)

Moldova

Moldovan leu (MDL)

Monaco

euro (EUR)

Mongolia

togrog/tugrik (MNT)

Montserrat

East Caribbean dollar (XCD)

Morocco

Moroccan dirham (MAD)

Mozambique

metical (MZM)

Namibia

Namibian dollar (NAD); South African rand (ZAR)

Nauru

Australian dollar (AUD)

Nepal

Nepalese rupee (NPR)

Netherlands

euro (EUR)

note: on 1 January 1999, the European Monetary Union introduced the

euro as a common currency to be used by financial institutions of

member countries; on 1 January 2002, the euro became the sole

currency for everyday transactions within the member countries

Netherlands Antilles

Netherlands Antillean guilder (ANG)

New Caledonia

Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique franc (XPF)

New Zealand

New Zealand dollar (NZD)

Nicaragua

gold cordoba (NIO)

Niger

Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XOF); note -

responsible authority is the Central Bank of the West African States

Nigeria

naira (NGN)

Niue

New Zealand dollar (NZD)

Norfolk Island

Australian dollar (AUD)

Northern Mariana Islands

US dollar (USD)

Norway

Norwegian krone (NOK)

Oman

Omani rial (OMR)

Pakistan

Pakistani rupee (PKR)

Palau

US dollar (USD)

Panama

balboa (PAB); US dollar (USD)

Papua New Guinea

kina (PGK)

Paraguay

guarani (PYG)

Peru

nuevo sol (PEN)

Philippines

Philippine peso (PHP)

Pitcairn Islands

New Zealand dollar (NZD)

Poland

zloty (PLN)

Portugal

euro (EUR)

note: on 1 January 1999, the European Monetary Union introduced the

euro as a common currency to be used by financial institutions of

member countries; on 1 January 2002, the euro became the sole

currency for everyday transactions within the member countries

Puerto Rico

US dollar (USD)

Qatar

Qatari rial (QAR)

Reunion

euro (EUR)

Romania

leu (ROL)

Russia

Russian ruble (RUR)

Rwanda

Rwandan franc (RWF)

Saint Helena

Saint Helenian pound (SHP)

Saint Kitts and Nevis

East Caribbean dollar (XCD)

Saint Lucia

East Caribbean dollar (XCD)

Saint Pierre and Miquelon

euro (EUR)

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

East Caribbean dollar (XCD)

Samoa

tala (SAT)

San Marino

euro (EUR)

Sao Tome and Principe

dobra (STD)

Saudi Arabia

Saudi riyal (SAR)

Senegal

Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XOF); note -

responsible authority is the Central Bank of the West African States

Serbia and Montenegro

new Yugoslav dinar (YUM); note - in Montenegro

the euro is legal tender; in Kosovo both the euro and the Yugoslav

dinar are legal

Seychelles

Seychelles rupee (SCR)

Sierra Leone

leone (SLL)

Singapore

Singapore dollar (SGD)

Slovakia

Slovak koruna (SKK)

Slovenia

tolar (SIT)

Solomon Islands

Solomon Islands dollar (SBD)

Somalia

Somali shilling (SOS)

South Africa

rand (ZAR)

Spain

euro (EUR)

note: on 1 January 1999, the European Monetary Union introduced the

euro as a common currency to be used by the financial institutions

of member countries; on 1 January 2002, the euro became the sole

currency for everyday transactions with the member countries

Sri Lanka

Sri Lankan rupee (LKR)

Sudan

Sudanese dinar (SDD)

Suriname

Surinam dollar (SRD)

Svalbard

Norwegian krone (NOK)

Swaziland

lilangeni (SZL)

Sweden

Swedish krona (SEK)

Switzerland

Swiss franc (CHF)

Syria

Syrian pound (SYP)

Taiwan

new Taiwan dollar (TWD)

Tajikistan

somoni

Tanzania

Tanzanian shilling (TZS)

Thailand

baht (THB)

Togo

Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XOF); note - responsible

authority is the Central Bank of the West African States

Tokelau

New Zealand dollar (NZD)

Tonga

pa'anga (TOP)

Trinidad and Tobago

Trinidad and Tobago dollar (TTD)

Tunisia

Tunisian dinar (TND)

Turkey

Turkish lira (TRL), New Turkish lira (YTL) after 1 January

2005

Turkmenistan

Turkmen manat (TMM)

Turks and Caicos Islands

US dollar (USD)

Tuvalu

Australian dollar (AUD); note - there is also a Tuvaluan

dollar

Uganda

Ugandan shilling (UGX)

Ukraine

hryvnia (UAH)

United Arab Emirates

Emirati dirham (AED)

United Kingdom

British pound (GBP)

United States

US dollar (USD)

Uruguay

Uruguayan peso (UYU)

Uzbekistan

Uzbekistani sum (UZS)

Vanuatu

vatu (VUV)

Venezuela

bolivar (VEB)

Vietnam

dong (VND)

Virgin Islands

US dollar (USD)

Wallis and Futuna

Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique franc (XPF)

West Bank

new Israeli shekel (ILS); Jordanian dinar (JOD)

Western Sahara

Moroccan dirham (MAD)

Yemen

Yemeni rial (YER)

Zambia

Zambian kwacha (ZMK)

Zimbabwe

Zimbabwean dollar (ZWD)

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2066 Death rate (deaths/1,000 population)

Afghanistan

20.75 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Albania

5.12 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Algeria

4.6 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

American Samoa

3.33 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Andorra

6.07 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Angola

25.9 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Anguilla

5.43 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Antigua and Barbuda

5.44 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Argentina

7.56 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Armenia

8.16 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Aruba

6.57 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Australia

7.44 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Austria

9.7 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Azerbaijan

9.86 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Bahamas, The

8.97 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Bahrain

4.08 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Bangladesh

8.4 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Barbados

9.17 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Belarus

14.15 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Belgium

10.22 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Belize

6.04 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Benin

13.76 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Bermuda

7.63 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Bhutan

12.94 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Bolivia

7.64 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Bosnia and Herzegovina

8.44 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Botswana

29.36 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Brazil

6.15 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

British Virgin Islands

4.42 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Brunei

3.42 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Bulgaria

14.26 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Burkina Faso

18.86 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Burma

12.15 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Burundi

17.43 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Cambodia

8.97 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Cameroon

15.4 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Canada

7.73 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Cape Verde

6.62 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Cayman Islands

4.81 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Central African Republic

20.27 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Chad

16.41 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Chile

5.76 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

China

6.94 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Christmas Island

NA

Cocos (Keeling) Islands

NA

Colombia

5.59 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Comoros

8.4 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Congo, Democratic Republic of the 14.43 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Congo, Republic of the

14.82 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Cook Islands

NA

Costa Rica

4.33 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Cote d'Ivoire

14.94 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Croatia

11.38 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Cuba

7.19 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Cyprus

7.64 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Czech Republic

10.54 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Denmark

10.43 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Djibouti

19.39 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Dominica

6.81 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Dominican Republic

7.35 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

East Timor

6.3 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Ecuador

4.24 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Egypt

5.26 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

El Salvador

5.85 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Equatorial Guinea

12 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Eritrea

13.53 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Estonia

13.21 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Ethiopia

15.06 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

European Union

10.1 deaths/1,000 population (July 2005 est.)

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

NA deaths/1,000 population (2005

est.)

Faroe Islands

8.69 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Fiji

5.65 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Finland

9.79 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

France

9.08 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

French Guiana

4.85 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

French Polynesia

4.63 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Gabon

11.72 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Gambia, The

11.81 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Gaza Strip

3.87 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Georgia

9.09 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Germany

10.55 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Ghana

10.84 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Gibraltar

9.18 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Greece

10.15 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Greenland

7.77 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Grenada

7.17 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Guadeloupe

6.06 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Guam

4.41 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Guatemala

6.81 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Guernsey

9.95 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Guinea

15.38 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Guinea-Bissau

16.53 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Guyana

8.32 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Haiti

12.34 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Honduras

6.87 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Hong Kong

5.98 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Hungary

13.19 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Iceland

6.68 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

India

8.28 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Indonesia

6.25 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Iran

5.55 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Iraq

5.49 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Ireland

7.85 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Israel

6.18 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Italy

10.3 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Jamaica

5.37 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Japan

8.95 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Jersey

9.19 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Jordan

2.63 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Kazakhstan

9.46 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Kenya

14.65 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Kiribati

8.37 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Korea, North

7.05 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Korea, South

6.26 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Kuwait

2.42 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Kyrgyzstan

7.13 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Laos

11.83 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Latvia

13.7 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Lebanon

6.24 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Lesotho

25.03 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Liberia

17.87 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Libya

3.48 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Liechtenstein

7.06 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Lithuania

10.92 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Luxembourg

8.41 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Macau

4.23 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Macedonia

8.73 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Madagascar

11.35 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Malawi

23.39 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Malaysia

5.06 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Maldives

7.24 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Mali

19.05 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Malta

8 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Man, Isle of

11.26 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Marshall Islands

4.88 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Martinique

6.44 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Mauritania

12.44 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Mauritius

6.83 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Mayotte

7.9 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Mexico

4.73 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Micronesia, Federated States of 4.87 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Moldova

12.79 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Monaco

12.71 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Mongolia

7.03 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Montserrat

7.17 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Morocco

5.64 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Mozambique

20.99 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Namibia

18.36 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Nauru

6.82 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Nepal

9.47 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Netherlands

8.68 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Netherlands Antilles

6.41 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

New Caledonia

5.65 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

New Zealand

7.53 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Nicaragua

4.49 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Niger

21.33 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Nigeria

17.18 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Niue

NA deaths/1,000 population

Norfolk Island

NA

Northern Mariana Islands

2.3 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Norway

9.45 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Oman

3.86 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Pakistan

8.45 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Palau

6.85 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Panama

6.54 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Papua New Guinea

7.37 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Paraguay

4.53 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Peru

6.26 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Philippines

5.47 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Pitcairn Islands

NA

Poland

10.01 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Portugal

10.43 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Puerto Rico

7.86 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Qatar

4.61 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Reunion

5.48 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Romania

11.74 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Russia

14.52 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Rwanda

16.32 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Saint Helena

6.43 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Saint Kitts and Nevis

8.47 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Saint Lucia

5.12 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Saint Pierre and Miquelon

6.7 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 6 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Samoa

6.54 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

San Marino

8.07 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sao Tome and Principe

6.68 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Saudi Arabia

2.62 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Senegal

10.6 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Serbia and Montenegro

10.49 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Seychelles

6.34 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sierra Leone

20.61 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Singapore

4.16 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Slovakia

9.43 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Slovenia

10.22 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Solomon Islands

3.98 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Somalia

16.97 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

South Africa

21.32 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Spain

9.63 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sri Lanka

6.49 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sudan

9.16 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Suriname

7.16 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Svalbard

NA deaths/1,000 population

Swaziland

25.26 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sweden

10.36 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Switzerland

8.48 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Syria

4.88 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Taiwan

6.38 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Tajikistan

8.39 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Tanzania

16.71 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Thailand

7.02 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Togo

11.8 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Tokelau

NA

Tonga

5.35 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Trinidad and Tobago

9.37 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Tunisia

5.09 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Turkey

5.96 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Turkmenistan

8.78 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Turks and Caicos Islands

4.28 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Tuvalu

7.22 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Uganda

12.8 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Ukraine

16.42 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

United Arab Emirates

4.26 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

United Kingdom

10.18 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

United States

8.25 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Uruguay

9.06 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Uzbekistan

7.95 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Vanuatu

7.9 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Venezuela

4.9 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Vietnam

6.2 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Virgin Islands

6.26 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Wallis and Futuna

NA deaths/1,000 population

West Bank

3.99 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Western Sahara

NA deaths/1,000 population

World

8.78 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Yemen

8.53 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Zambia

20.23 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Zimbabwe

24.66 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2067 Military expenditures - dollar figure

Afghanistan

$188.4 million (2004)

Albania

$56.5 million (FY02)

Algeria

$2.48 billion (2004)

Angola

$183.58 million (2004)

Antigua and Barbuda

NA

Argentina

$4.3 billion (FY99)

Armenia

$135 million (FY01)

Australia

$16.65 billion (2004)

Austria

$1.497 billion (FY01/02)

Azerbaijan

$121 million (FY99)

Bahamas, The

NA

Bahrain

$628.9 million (2004)

Bangladesh

$995.3 million (2004)

Barbados

NA

Belarus

$176.1 million (FY02)

Belgium

$3.999 billion (2003)

Belize

$18 million (2003)

Benin

$96.5 million (2004)

Bermuda

$4.03 million (2001)

Bhutan

$13.7 million (2004)

Bolivia

$132.2 million (2004)

Bosnia and Herzegovina

$234.3 million (FY02)

Botswana

$338.5 million (2004)

Brazil

$11 billion (2004)

Brunei

$290.7 million (2004)

Bulgaria

$356 million (FY02)

Burkina Faso

$64.2 million (2004)

Burma

$39 million (FY97)

Burundi

$38.7 million (2004)

Cambodia

$112 million (FY01 est.)

Cameroon

$221.1 million (2004)

Canada

$9,801.7 million (2003)

Cape Verde

$14.1 million (2004)

Central African Republic

$15.5 million (2004)

Chad

$101.3 million (2004)

Chile

$3.42 billion (2004)

China

$67.49 billion (2004)

Colombia

$3.3 billion (FY01)

Comoros

$11.6 million (2004)

Congo, Democratic Republic of the

$93.5 million (2004)

Congo, Republic of the

$126.5 million (2004)

Costa Rica

$64.2 million (2004)

Cote d'Ivoire

$180.2 million (2004)

Croatia

$620 million (2004)

Cuba

$572.3 million (2003)

Cyprus

$384 million (FY02)

Czech Republic

$2.17 billion (2004)

Denmark

$3,271.6 million (2003)

Djibouti

$28.6 million (2004)

Dominica

NA

Dominican Republic

$180 million (1998)

East Timor

$4.4 million (FY03)

Ecuador

$655 million (2004)

Egypt

$2.44 billion (2003)

El Salvador

$157 million (2003)

Equatorial Guinea

$126.2 million (2004)

Eritrea

$151 million (2004)

Estonia

$155 million (2002 est.)

Ethiopia

$337.1 million (2004)

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

NA

Faroe Islands

$NA

Fiji

$36 million (2004)

Finland

$1.8 billion (FY98/99)

France

$45,238.1 million (2003)

French Guiana

$NA

Gabon

$184.8 million (2004)

Gambia, The

$1 million (2004)

Gaza Strip

NA

Georgia

$23 million (FY00)

Germany

$35.063 billion (2003)

Ghana

$49.2 million (2004)

Greece

$5.89 billion (2004)

Grenada

NA

Guatemala

$201.9 million (2004)

Guinea

$56.7 million (2004)

Guinea-Bissau

$8.9 million (2004)

Guyana

$6.5 million (2003)

Haiti

$26 million (2003)

Honduras

$100.6 million (2004)

Hong Kong

Hong Kong garrison is funded by China; figures are NA

Hungary

$1.08 billion (2002 est.)

Iceland

0

India

$18.86 billion (2005)

Indonesia

$1.3 billion (2004)

Iran

$4.3 billion (2003 est.)

Iraq

$1.3 billion (FY00)

Ireland

$700 million (FY00/01)

Israel

$9.11 billion (FY03)

Italy

$28,182.8 million (2003)

Jamaica

$31.2 million (2003)

Japan

$45.841 billion (2004)

Jordan

$1.46 billion (2004)

Kazakhstan

$221.8 million (Ministry of Defense expenditures) (FY02)

Kenya

$177.1 million (2004)

Kiribati

NA

Korea, North

$5,217.4 million (FY02)

Korea, South

$16.18 billion (2004)

Kuwait

$2,584.5 million (2004)

Kyrgyzstan

$19.2 million (FY01)

Laos

$10.7 million (2004)

Latvia

$87 million (FY01)

Lebanon

$540.6 million (2002) (2004)

Lesotho

$32.3 million (2004)

Liberia

$1.5 million (2004)

Libya

$1.3 billion (FY99)

Lithuania

$230.8 million (FY01)

Luxembourg

$231.6 million (2003)

Macedonia

$200 million (FY01/02 est.)

Madagascar

$44.6 million (2004)

Malawi

$11.1 million (2004)

Malaysia

$1.69 billion (FY00 est.)

Maldives

$41.1 million (2004)

Mali

$22.4 million (2004)

Malta

$31.1 million (2004)

Marshall Islands

NA

Mauritania

$20.8 million (2004)

Mauritius

$12.5 million (2004)

Mexico

$6.043 billion (2004)

Moldova

$8.7 million (2004)

Mongolia

$23.1 million (FY02)

Morocco

$2,305.6 million (2003)

Mozambique

$117.3 million (2004)

Namibia

$168.4 million (2004)

Nauru

NA

Nepal

$99.2 million (2004)

Netherlands

$9.408 billion (2004)

New Caledonia

$NA

New Zealand

$1.147 billion (FY03/04)

Nicaragua

$32.8 million (2004)

Niger

$33.3 million (2004)

Nigeria

$544.6 million (2004)

Norway

$4,033.5 million (2003)

Oman

$252.99 million (2004)

Pakistan

$3.848 billion (2004)

Palau

NA

Panama

$147 million (2004)

Papua New Guinea

$16.9 million (2003)

Paraguay

$53.1 million (2004)

Peru

$829.3 million (2003)

Philippines

$805.5 million (2004)

Poland

$3.5 billion (2002)

Portugal

$3,497.8 million (2003)

Qatar

$723 million (FY00)

Romania

$985 million (2002)

Russia

NA

Rwanda

$50.1 million (2004)

Saint Kitts and Nevis

NA

Saint Lucia

NA

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

NA

Samoa

NA

San Marino

$700,000 (FY00/01)

Sao Tome and Principe

$700,000 (2004)

Saudi Arabia

$18 billion (2002)

Senegal

$107.3 million (2004)

Serbia and Montenegro

$654 million (2002)

Seychelles

$12.3 million (2004)

Sierra Leone

$13.2 million (2004)

Singapore

$4.47 billion (FY01 est.)

Slovakia

$406 million (2002)

Slovenia

$370 million (FY00)

Solomon Islands

NA

Somalia

$18.9 million (2003)

South Africa

$3.172 billion (2004)

Spain

$9,906.5 million (2003)

Sri Lanka

$514.8 million (2004)

Sudan

$587 million (2001 est.) (2004)

Suriname

$7.5 million (2003)

Swaziland

$40.5 million (2004)

Sweden

$5.729 billion (2004)

Switzerland

$2.548 billion (FY01)

Syria

$858 million (FY00 est.); note - based on official budget data

that may understate actual spending

Taiwan

$7.574 billion (2003)

Tajikistan

$35.4 million (FY01)

Tanzania

$20.6 million (2004)

Thailand

$1.775 billion (FY00)

Togo

$35.5 million (2004)

Tonga

NA

Trinidad and Tobago

$66.7 million (2003)

Tunisia

$356 million (FY99)

Turkey

$12.155 billion (2003)

Turkmenistan

$90 million (FY99)

Tuvalu

NA

Uganda

$170.3 million (2004)

Ukraine

$617.9 million (FY02)

United Arab Emirates

$1.6 billion (FY00)

United Kingdom

$42,836.5 million (2003)

United States

$370.7 billion (FY04 est.) (March 2003)

Uruguay

$257.5 million (2004)

Uzbekistan

$200 million (FY97)

Vanuatu

NA

Venezuela

$1.687 billion (2004)

Vietnam

$650 million (FY98)

West Bank

NA

World

aggregate real expenditure on arms worldwide in 1999 remained

at approximately the 1998 level, about three-quarters of a trillion

dollars (1999 est.)

Yemen

$885.5 million (2003)

Zambia

$106.8 million (2004)

Zimbabwe

$217 million (2004)

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2068 Dependent areas

Australia

Ashmore and Cartier Islands, Christmas Island, Cocos

(Keeling) Islands, Coral Sea Islands, Heard Island and McDonald

Islands, Norfolk Island, Macquarie Island

France

Bassas da India, Clipperton Island, Europa Island, French

Polynesia, French Southern and Antarctic Lands, Glorioso Islands,

Juan de Nova Island, New Caledonia, Tromelin Island, Wallis and

Futuna

note: the US does not recognize claims to Antarctica

Netherlands

Aruba, Netherlands Antilles

New Zealand

Cook Islands, Niue, Tokelau

Norway

Bouvet Island, Jan Mayen, Svalbard

United Kingdom

Anguilla, Bermuda, British Indian Ocean Territory,

British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands, Gibraltar,

Guernsey, Jersey, Isle of Man, Montserrat, Pitcairn Islands, Saint

Helena and Ascension, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands,

Turks and Caicos Islands

United States

American Samoa, Baker Island, Guam, Howland Island,

Jarvis Island, Johnston Atoll, Kingman Reef, Midway Islands, Navassa

Island, Northern Mariana Islands, Palmyra Atoll, Puerto Rico, Virgin

Islands, Wake Island

note: from 18 July 1947 until 1 October 1994, the US administered

the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands; it entered into a

political relationship with all four political units: the Northern

Mariana Islands is a commonwealth in political union with the US

(effective 3 November 1986); the Republic of the Marshall Islands

signed a Compact of Free Association with the US (effective 21

October 1986); the Federated States of Micronesia signed a Compact

of Free Association with the US (effective 3 November 1986); Palau

concluded a Compact of Free Association with the US (effective 1

October 1994)

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2070 Disputes - international

Afghanistan

the UN has been able to repatriate over two million

Afghan refugees but several million more continue to reside in Iran

and Pakistan in camps and elsewhere, many at their own choosing;

Coalition and Pakistani forces continue to patrol remote tribal

areas to control the borders and stem organized terrorist and other

illegal cross-border activities; regular meetings between Pakistani

and Coalition allies aim to resolve periodic claims of boundary

encroachments; occasional conflicts over water-sharing arrangements

with Amu Darya and Helmand River states

Albania

the Albanian Government calls for the protection of the

rights of ethnic Albanians in neighboring countries, and the

peaceful resolution of interethnic disputes; some ethnic Albanian

groups in neighboring countries advocate for a "greater Albania,"

but the idea has little appeal among Albanian nationals; thousands

of unemployed Albanians emigrate annually to nearby Italy and other

developed countries

Algeria

Algeria supports the exiled Sahrawi Polisario Front and

rejects Moroccan administration of Western Sahara; Algeria's border

with Morocco remains an irritant to bilateral relations, each nation

has accused the other of harboring militants and arms smuggling; in

an attempt to improve relations after unilaterally imposing a visa

requirement on Algerians in the early 1990s, Morocco lifted the

requirement in mid-2004 - a gesture not reciprocated by Algeria;

Algeria remains concerned about armed bandits operating throughout

the Sahel who sometimes destabilize southern Algerian towns; dormant

disputes include Libyan claims of about 32,000 sq km still reflected

on its maps of southeastern Algeria and the FLN's assertions of a

claim to Chirac Pastures in southeastern Morocco

American Samoa

none

Andorra

none

Angola

90,000 Angolan refugees were repatriated by 2004, the

remaining refugees in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and

Zambia are expected to return in 2005; many Cabinda exclave

secessionists have sought shelter in neighboring states

Anguilla

none

Antarctica

Antarctic Treaty freezes claims (see Antarctic Treaty

Summary in Government type entry); Argentina, Australia, Chile,

France, NZ, Norway, and UK claim land and maritime sectors (some

overlapping) for a large portion of the continent; the US and many

other states do not recognize these territorial claims and have made

no claims themselves (the US and Russia reserve the right to do so);

no claims have been made in the sector between 90 degrees west and

150 degrees west; several states with territorial claims in

Antarctica have expressed their intention to submit data to the UN

Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf to extend their

continental shelf claims to adjoining undersea ridges

Antigua and Barbuda

none

Arctic Ocean

some maritime disputes (see littoral states)

Argentina

Argentina claims the UK-administered Falkland Islands

(Islas Malvinas) and South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands in

its constitution; it briefly occupied the Falklands in 1982, but in

1995 agreed no longer to seek settlement by force; territorial claim

in Antarctica partially overlaps UK and Chilean claims (see

Antarctic disputes); unruly region at convergence of

Argentina-Brazil-Paraguay borders is locus of money laundering,

smuggling, arms and illegal narcotics trafficking, and fundraising

for extremist organizations; uncontested dispute between Brazil and

Uruguay over Braziliera Island in the Quarai/Cuareim River leaves

the tripoint with Argentina in question

Armenia

Armenia supports ethnic Armenian secessionists in

Nagorno-Karabakh and since the early 1990s, has militarily occupied

16% of Azerbaijan - Organization for Security and Cooperation in

Europe (OSCE) continues to mediate dispute; over 800,000 mostly

ethnic Azerbaijanis were driven from the occupied lands and Armenia;

about 230,000 ethnic Armenians were driven from their homes in

Azerbaijan into Armenia; Azerbaijan seeks transit route through

Armenia to connect to Naxcivan exclave; border with Turkey remains

closed over Nagorno-Karabakh dispute; ethnic Armenian groups in

Javakheti region of Georgia seek greater autonomy; tens of thousands

of Armenians emigrate, primarily to Russia, to seek employment

Aruba

none

Ashmore and Cartier Islands Indonesian groups challenge Australia's claim to Ashmore Reef; Australia closed the surrounding waters to Indonesian traditional fishing and created a national park in the region while continuing to prospect for hydrocarbons in the vicinity

Atlantic Ocean

some maritime disputes (see littoral states)

Australia

East Timor and Australia continue to meet but disagree

over how to delimit a permanent maritime boundary and share

unexploited petroleum resources that fall outside the Joint

Petroleum Development Area covered by the 2002 Timor Sea Treaty;

East Timor dispute hampers creation of a revised maritime boundary

with Indonesia (see also Ashmore and Cartier Islands dispute);

regional states express concern over Australia's 2004 declaration of

a 1,000-nautical mile-wide maritime indentification zone; Australia

asserts land and maritime claims to Antarctica (see Antarctica); in

2004 Australia submitted claims to UNCLOS to extend its continental

margin from both its mainland and Antarctic claims

Austria

none

Azerbaijan

Armenia supports ethnic Armenian secessionists in

Nagorno-Karabakh and since the early 1990s has militarily occupied

16% of Azerbaijan - Organization for Security and Cooperation in

Europe (OSCE) continues to mediate dispute; over 800,000 mostly

ethnic Azerbaijanis were driven from the occupied lands and Armenia;

about 230,000 ethnic Armenians were driven from their homes in

Azerbaijan into Armenia; Azerbaijan seeks transit route through

Armenia to connect to Naxcivan exclave; Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and

Russia ratify Caspian seabed delimitation treaties based on

equidistance, while Iran continues to insist on an even one-fifth

allocation and challenges Azerbaijan's hydrocarbon exploration in

disputed waters; bilateral talks continue with Turkmenistan on

dividing the seabed and contested oilfields in the middle of the

Caspian; Azerbaijan and Georgia cannot resolve the alignment of

their boundary at certain crossing areas

Bahamas, The

have not been able to agree on the alignment of a

maritime boundary with the US; continues to monitor and interdict

Haitian refugees fleeing economic privation and political instability

Bahrain

none

Baker Island

none

Bangladesh

discussions with India remain stalled to delimit a small

section of river boundary, exchange 162 miniscule enclaves in both

countries, allocate divided villages, and stop illegal cross-border

trade, migration, violence, and transit of terrorists through the

porous border; Bangladesh protests India's attempts to fence off

high-traffic sections of the porous boundary; a joint

Bangladesh-India boundary inspection in 2005 revealed 92 pillars are

missing; dispute with India over New Moore/South Talpatty/Purbasha

Island in the Bay of Bengal deters maritime boundary delimitation;

Burmese Muslim refugees strain Bangladesh's meager resources

Barbados

in 2005, Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago agreed to

compulsory international arbitration that will result in a binding

award challenging whether the northern limit of Trinidad and

Tobago's and Venezuela's maritime boundary extends into Barbadian

waters and the southern limit of Barbadian traditional fishing;

joins other Caribbean states to counter Venezuela's claim that Aves

Island sustains human habitation, a criterion under UNCLOS, which

permits Venezuela to extend its EEZ/continental shelf over a large

portion of the Caribbean Sea

Bassas da India

claimed by Madagascar

Belarus

1997 boundary treaty with Ukraine remains unratified over

unresolved financial claims, preventing demarcation and diminishing

border security; boundary with Latvia remains undemarcated but a

third of the border with Lithuania was demarcated in 2004

Belgium

none

Belize

Guatemalan squatters continue to settle in the largely

uninhabited rain forests of Belize's border region; OAS is

attempting to revive the 2002 failed Differendum that created a

small adjustment to land boundary, a Guatemalan maritime corridor in

Caribbean, joint ecological park for disputed Sapodilla Cays, and

substantial US-UK financial package

Benin

two villages remain in dispute along the border with Burkina

Faso; accuses Burkina Faso of moving boundary pillars; much of

Benin-Niger boundary, including tripoint with Nigeria, remains

undemarcated, and the states expect a ruling in 2005 from the ICJ

over the disputed Niger and Mekrou River islands; a joint task force

was established in 2004 that resolved disputes over and redrew the

maritime and the 870-km land boundary with Nigeria, including the

sovereignty over seven villages along the Okpara River; a joint

boundary commission continues to resurvey the boundary with Togo to

verify Benin's claim that Togo moved boundary stones

Bermuda

none

Bhutan

approximately 104,000 Bhutanese refugees live in Nepal, 90%

of whom reside in seven UN Office of the High Commissioner for

Refugees camps; Bhutan cooperates with India to expel Indian

separatists

Bolivia

Chile rebuffs Bolivia's reactivated claim to restore the

Atacama corridor, ceded to Chile in 1884, offering instead

unrestricted but not sovereign maritime access through Chile for

Bolivian natural gas and other commodities

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia and

Montenegro have delimited most of their boundary, but sections along

the Drina River remain in dispute; discussions continue with Croatia

on several small disputed sections of the boundary

Botswana

commission established with Namibia has yet to resolve

small residual disputes along the Caprivi Strip, including the

Situngu marshlands along the Linyanti River; downstream Botswana

residents protest Namibia's planned construction of the Okavango

hydroelectric dam at Popavalle (Popa Falls); Botswana has built

electric fences to stem the thousands of Zimbabweans who flee to

find work and escape political persecution; Namibia has long

supported and in 2004 Zimbabwe dropped objections to plans between

Botswana and Zambia to build a bridge over the Zambezi River,

thereby de facto recognizing their short, but not clearly delimited

Botswana-Zambia boundary

Bouvet Island

none

Brazil

unruly region at convergence of Argentina-Brazil-Paraguay

borders is locus of money laundering, smuggling, arms and illegal

narcotics trafficking, and fundraising for extremist organizations;

uncontested dispute with Uruguay over certain islands in the

Quarai/Cuareim and Invernada boundary streams and the resulting

tripoint with Argentina; in 2004 Brazil submitted its claims to

UNCLOS to extend its maritime continental margin

British Indian Ocean Territory

Mauritius and Seychelles claim the

Chagos Archipelago and its former inhabitants, who reside chiefly in

Mauritius, but in 2001 were granted UK citizenship and the right to

repatriation since eviction in 1965; the UK resists the Chagossians'

demand for an immediate return to the islands; repatriation is

complicated by the exclusive US military lease of Diego Garcia that

restricts access to the largest island in the chain

British Virgin Islands

none

Brunei

in 2003 Brunei and Malaysia ceased gas and oil exploration in

their disputed offshore and deepwater seabeds and negotiations have

stalemated prompting consideration of international legal

adjudication; Malaysia's land boundary with Brunei around Limbang is

in dispute; Brunei established an exclusive economic fishing zone

encompassing Louisa Reef in southern Spratly Islands in 1984 but

makes no public territorial claim to the offshore reefs; the 2002

"Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea" has

eased tensions in the Spratly Islands but falls short of a legally

binding "code of conduct" desired by several of the disputants

Bulgaria

none

Burkina Faso

two villages are in dispute along the border with

Benin; Benin accuses Burkina Faso of moving boundary pillars;

Burkina Faso border regions remain a staging area for Liberia and

Cote d'Ivoire rebels and an asylum for refugees caught in local

fighting; the Ivoirian Government accuses Burkina Faso of sheltering

Ivoirian rebels

Burma

over half of Burma's population consists of diverse ethnic

groups with substantial numbers of kin beyond its borders; despite

continuing border committee talks, significant differences remain

with Thailand over boundary alignment and the handling of ethnic

rebels, refugees, and illegal cross-border activities; ethnic Karens

flee into Thailand to escape fighting between Karen rebels and

Burmese troops, in 2004 Thailand sheltered about 118,000 Burmese

refugees; Karens also protest Thai support for a Burmese

hydroelectric dam on the Salween River near the border;

environmentalists in Burma and Thailand continue to voice concern

over China's construction of hydroelectric dams upstream on the

Nujiang/Salween River in Yunnan Province; India seeks cooperation

from Burma to keep Indian Nagaland separatists from hiding in remote

Burmese uplands

Burundi

Tutsi, Hutu, other conflicting ethnic groups, associated

political rebels, armed gangs, and various government forces

continue fighting in the Great Lakes region, transcending the

boundaries of Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, and

Uganda in an effort to gain control over populated and natural

resource areas; government heads pledge to end conflict, but

localized violence continues despite the presence of about 6,000

peacekeepers from the UN Operation in Burundi (ONUB) since 2004;

although some 150,000 Burundian refugees have been repatriated, as

of February 2005, Burundian refugees still reside in camps in

western Tanzania as well as the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Cambodia

Southeast Asian states have enhanced border surveillance to

check the spread of avian flu; Cambodia and Thailand dispute

sections of boundary with missing boundary markers and Thai

encroachments into Cambodian territory; maritime boundary with

Vietnam is hampered by unresolved dispute over offshore islands;

Cambodia accuses Thailand of obstructing access to Preah Vihear

temple ruins awarded to Cambodia by ICJ decision in 1962; in 2004

Cambodian-Laotian and Laotian-Vietnamese boundary commissions

reerect missing markers completing most of their demarcations

Cameroon

ICJ ruled in 2002 on the entire Cameroon-Nigeria land and

maritime boundary but the parties formed a Joint Border Commission,

which continues to meet regularly to resolve differences bilaterally

and have commenced with demarcation in less-contested sections of

the boundary, starting in Lake Chad in the north; implementation of

the ICJ ruling on the Cameroon-Equatorial Guinea-Nigeria maritime

boundary in the Gulf of Guinea is impeded by imprecisely defined

coordinates, the unresolved Bakassi allocation, and a sovereignty

dispute between Equatorial Guinea and Cameroon over an island at the

mouth of the Ntem River; Nigeria initially rejected cession of the

Bakasi Peninsula, then agreed, but has yet to withdraw its forces

while much of the indigenous population opposes cession; only

Nigeria and Cameroon have heeded the Lake Chad Commission's

admonition to ratify the delimitation treaty which also includes

Chad and Niger

Canada

managed maritime boundary disputes with the US at Dixon

Entrance, Beaufort Sea, Strait of Juan de Fuca, and around the

disputed Machias Seal Island and North Rock; working toward greater

cooperation with US in monitoring people and commodities crossing

the border; uncontested sovereignty dispute with Denmark over Hans

Island in the Kennedy Channel between Ellesmere Island and Greenland

Cape Verde

none

Cayman Islands

none

Central African Republic

about 30,000 refugees fleeing the 2002

civil conflict in the CAR still reside in southern Chad; periodic

skirmishes over water and grazing rights among related pastoral

populations along the border with southern Sudan persist

Chad

since 2003, Janjawid armed militia and Sudanese military have

driven about 200,000 Darfur region refugees into eastern Chad; Chad

remains an important mediator in the Sudanese civil conflict;

Chadian Aozou rebels reside in southern Libya; only Nigeria and

Cameroon have heeded the Lake Chad Commission's admonition to ratify

the delimitation treaty which also includes Chad and Niger

Chile

Chile rebuffs Bolivia's reactivated claim to restore the

Atacama corridor, ceded to Chile in 1884, offering instead

unrestricted but not sovereign maritime access through Chile to

Bolivian gas and other commodities; Peru proposes changing its

latitudinal maritime boundary with Chile to an equidistance line

with a southwestern axis; territorial claim in Antarctica (Chilean

Antarctic Territory) partially overlaps Argentine and British claims

China

in 2005, China and India initiate drafting principles to

resolve all aspects of their extensive boundary and territorial

disputes together with a security and foreign policy dialogue to

consolidate discussions related to the boundary, regional nuclear

proliferation, and other matters; recent talks and

confidence-building measures have begun to defuse tensions over

Kashmir, site of the world's largest and most militarized

territorial dispute with portions under the de facto administration

of China (Aksai Chin), India (Jammu and Kashmir), and Pakistan (Azad

Kashmir and Northern Areas); India does not recognize Pakistan's

ceding historic Kashmir lands to China in 1964; about 90,000 ethnic

Tibetan exiles reside primarily in India as well as Nepal and

Bhutan; China asserts sovereignty over the Spratly Islands together

with Malaysia, Philippines, Taiwan, Vietnam, and possibly Brunei;

the 2002 "Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China

Sea" has eased tensions in the Spratlys but is not the legally

binding "code of conduct" sought by some parties; in March 2005, the

national oil companies of China, the Philippines, and Vietnam signed

a joint accord on marine seismic activities in the Spratly Islands;

China occupies some of the Paracel Islands also claimed by Vietnam

and Taiwan; China and Taiwan have become more vocal in rejecting

both Japan's claims to the uninhabited islands of Senkaku-shoto

(Diaoyu Tai) and Japan's unilaterally declared exclusive economic

zone in the East China Sea, the site of intensive hydrocarbon

prospecting; certain islands in the Yalu and Tumen rivers are in an

uncontested dispute with North Korea and a section of boundary

around Mount Paektu is considered indefinite; China seeks to stem

illegal migration of tens of thousands of North Koreans; in 2004,

China and Russia divided up the islands in the Amur, Ussuri, and

Argun Rivers, ending a century-old border dispute; demarcation of

the China-Vietnam boundary proceeds slowly and although the maritime

boundary delimitation and fisheries agreements were ratified in June

2004, implementation has been delayed; environmentalists in Burma

and Thailand remain concerned about China's construction of

hydroelectric dams upstream on the Nujiang/Salween River in Yunnan

Province

Christmas Island

none

Clipperton Island

none

Cocos (Keeling) Islands

none

Colombia

Nicaragua filed a claim against Honduras in 1999 and

against Colombia in 2001 at the ICJ over disputed maritime boundary

involving 50,000 sq km in the Caribbean Sea, including the

Archipelago de San Andres y Providencia and Quita Sueno Bank;

dispute with Venezuela over maritime boundary and Los Monjes Islands

near the Gulf of Venezuela; Colombian-organized illegal narcotics,

guerrilla, and paramilitary activities penetrate all of its

neighbors' borders and have created a serious refugee crisis with

over 300,000 persons having fled the country, mostly into

neighboring states

Comoros

claims French-administered Mayotte

Congo, Democratic Republic of the heads of the Great Lakes states and UN pledge to end conflict but unchecked tribal, rebel, and militia fighting continues unabated in the northeastern region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, drawing in the neighboring states of Burundi, Rwanda and Uganda; the UN Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC) has maintained over 14,000 peacekeepers in the region since 1999; thousands of Ituri refugees from the Congo continue to flee the fighting primarily into Uganda; 90,000 Angolan refugees were repatriated by 2004 with the remainder in the Democratic Republic of the Congo expected to return in 2005; in 2005, DROC and Rwanda established a border verification mechanism to address accusations of Rwandan military supporting Congolese rebels and the DROC providing rebel Rwandan "Interhamwe" forces the means and bases to attack Rwandan forces; the location of the boundary in the broad Congo River with the Republic of the Congo is indefinite except in the Pool Malebo/Stanley Pool area

Congo, Republic of the

about 7,000 Congolese refugees fleeing

internal civil conflicts since the mid-1990s still reside in the

Democratic Republic of the Congo; the location of the boundary in

the broad Congo River with the Democratic Republic of the Congo is

indefinite except in the Pool Malebo/Stanley Pool area

Cook Islands

none

Coral Sea Islands

none

Costa Rica

legal dispute over navigational rights of Rio San Juan on

the border with Nicaragua remains unresolved

Cote d'Ivoire

rebel and ethnic fighting against the central

government in 2002 has spilled into neighboring states, driven out

foreign cocoa workers from nearby countries, and, in 2004, resulted

in 6,000 peacekeepers deployed as part of UN Operation in Cote

d'Ivoire (UNOCI) assisting 4,000 French troops already in-country;

the Ivorian Government accuses Burkina Faso and Liberia of

supporting Ivorian rebels

Croatia

discussions continue with Bosnia and Herzegovina over

several small disputed sections of the boundary; the

Croatia-Slovenia land and maritime boundary agreement, which would

have ceded most of Pirin Bay and maritime access to Slovenia and

several villages to Croatia, remains un-ratified and in dispute; as

a European Union peripheral state, neighboring Slovenia must conform

to the strict Schengen border rules to curb illegal migration and

commerce through southeastern Europe while encouraging close

cross-border ties with Croatia

Cuba

US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay is leased to US and only mutual

agreement or US abandonment of the area can terminate the lease

Cyprus

hostilities in 1974 divided the island into two de facto

autonomous entities, the internationally recognized Cypriot

Government and a Turkish-Cypriot community (north Cyprus); the

1,000-strong UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) has served in

Cyprus since 1964 and maintains the buffer zone between north and

south; March 2003 reunification talks failed, but Turkish-Cypriots

later opened their borders to temporary visits by Greek Cypriots; on

24 April 2004, the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities

voted in simultaneous and parallel referenda on whether to approve

the UN-brokered Annan Plan that would have ended the thirty-year

division of the island by establishing a new "United Cyprus

Republic," a majority of Greek Cypriots voted "no"; on 1 May 2004,

Cyprus entered the European Union still divided, with the EU's body

of legislation and standards (acquis communitaire) suspended in the

north

Czech Republic

in February 2005, the ICJ refused to rule on the

restitution of Liechtenstein's land and property assets in the Czech

Republic confiscated in 1945 as German property; individual Sudeten

Germans seek restitution for property confiscated in connection with

their expulsion after World War II

Denmark

Iceland disputes the Faroe Islands' fisheries median line;

Iceland, the UK, and Ireland dispute Denmark's claim that the Faroe

Islands' continental shelf extends beyond 200 nm; Faroese continue

to study proposals for full independence; uncontested sovereignty

dispute with Canada over Hans Island in the Kennedy Channel between

Ellesmere Island and Greenland

Djibouti

Djibouti maintains economic ties and border accords with

"Somaliland" leadership while maintaining some political ties to

various factions in Somalia; although most of the 26,000 Somali

refugees in Djibouti who fled civil unrest in the early 1990s have

returned, several thousand still await repatriation in UNHCR camps

Dominica

joins other Caribbean states to counter Venezuela's claim

that Aves Island sustains human habitation, a criterion under

UNCLOS, which permits Venezuela to extend its EEZ/continental shelf

over a large portion of the Caribbean Sea

Dominican Republic

increasing numbers of illegal migrants from the

Dominican Republic cross the Mona Passage each year to Puerto Rico

to find work

East Timor

UN Mission of Support in East Timor (UNMISET) has

maintained about a thousand peacekeepers in East Timor since 2002;

East Timor-Indonesia Boundary Committee continues to meet, survey,

and delimit the land boundary, but several sections of the boundary

especially around the Oekussi enclave remain unresolved; Indonesia

and East Timor contest the sovereignty of the uninhabited coral

island of Palau Batek/Fatu Sinai, which prevents delimitation of the

northern maritime boundaries; many of 28,000 East Timorese refugees

still residing in Indonesia in 2003 have returned, but many continue

to refuse repatriation; East Timor and Australia continue to meet

but disagree over how to delimit a permanent maritime boundary and

share unexploited potential petroleum resources that fall outside

the Joint Petroleum Development Area covered by the 2002 Timor Sea

Treaty; dispute with Australia also hampers creation of a southern

maritime boundary with Indonesia

Ecuador

organized illegal narcotics operations in Colombia penetrate

across Ecuador's shared border and caused over 20,000 refugees to

flee into Ecuador in 2004

Egypt

Egypt and Sudan retain claims to administer the two triangular

areas that extend north and south of the 1899 Treaty boundary along

the 22nd Parallel, but have withdrawn their military presence; Egypt

is developing the Hala'ib Triangle north of the Treaty line; since

the attack on Taba and other Egyptian resort towns on the Red Sea in

October 2004, Egypt vigilantly monitors the Sinai and borders with

Israel and the Gaza Strip; Egypt does not extend domestic asylum to

some 70,000 persons who identify as Palestinians but who largely

lack UNRWA assistance and, until recently, UNHCR recognition as

refugees

El Salvador

in 1992, the ICJ ruled on the delimitation of "bolsones"

(disputed areas) along the El Salvador-Honduras boundary, but

despite OAS intervention and a further ICJ ruling in 2003, full

demarcation of the border remains stalled; the 1992 ICJ ruling

advised a tripartite resolution to a maritime boundary in the Gulf

of Fonseca advocating Honduran access to the Pacific; El Salvador

continues to claim tiny Conejo Island, not identified in the ICJ

decision, off Honduras in the Gulf of Fonseca

Equatorial Guinea

in 2002, ICJ ruled on an equidistance settlement

of Cameroon-Equatorial Guinea-Nigeria maritime boundary in the Gulf

of Guinea, but a dispute between Equatorial Guinea and Cameroon over

an island at the mouth of the Ntem River, imprecisely defined

maritime coordinates in the ICJ decision, and the unresolved Bakasi

allocation contribute to the delay in implementation; UN has been

pressing Equatorial Guinea and Gabon to pledge to resolve the

sovereignty dispute over Gabon-occupied Mbane Island and create a

maritime boundary in the hydrocarbon-rich Corisco Bay

Eritrea

Eritrea and Ethiopia agreed to abide by 2002

Ethiopia-Eritrea Boundary Commission's (EEBC) delimitation decision,

but despite international intervention, mutual animosities,

accusations and armed posturing prevail, preventing demarcation;

Ethiopia refuses to withdraw to the delimited boundary until

technical errors made by the EEBC that ignored "human geography" are

addressed, including the award of Badme, the focus of the 1998-2000

war; Eritrea insists that the EEBC decision be implemented

immediately without modifications; since 2000, the UN Peacekeeping

Mission to Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE) monitors the 25km-wide

Temporary Security Zone in Eritrea until the demarcation; Sudan

accuses Eritrea of supporting Sudanese rebel groups; Eritrea

protests Yemeni fishing around the Hanish Islands awarded to Eritrea

by the ICJ in 1999

Estonia

in 1996, the Estonia-Russia technical border agreement was

initialed but both states have been hesitant to sign and ratify it,

with Russia asserting that Estonia needs to better assimilate

Russian-speakers and Estonian groups pressing for realignment of the

boundary based more closely on the 1920 Tartu Peace Treaty that

would bring the now divided ethnic Setu people and parts of the

Narva region within Estonia; as a member state that forms part of

the EU's external border, Estonia must implement the strict Schengen

border rules

Ethiopia

Eritrea and Ethiopia agreed to abide by the 2002

Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary Commission's (EEBC) delimitation decision,

but despite international intervention, mutual animosities,

accusations and armed posturing prevail, preventing demarcation;

Ethiopia refuses to withdraw to the delimited boundary until

technical errors made by the EEBC that ignored "human geography" are

addressed, including the award of Badme, the focus of the 1998-2000

war; Eritrea insists that the EEBC decision be implemented

immediately without modifications; Ethiopia has only an

administrative line and no international border with the Oromo

region of southern Somalia where it maintains alliances with local

clans in opposition to the unrecognized Somali Interim Government in

Mogadishu; "Somaliland" secessionists provide port facilities and

trade ties to landlocked Ethiopia; the UNHCR expects most of the

remaining 23,000 Somali refugees in Ethiopia to be repatriated in

2005; efforts to demarcate the porous boundary with Sudan have been

delayed by civil war

Europa Island

claimed by Madagascar

European Union

the EU has no border disputes with neighboring

countries; it has set up a Schengen area - consisting of 13 EU

member states that have signed the convention implementing the

Schengen agreements (1985 and 1990) on the free movement of persons

and the harmonization of border controls in Europe; the Schengen

agreements ("acquis") became incorporated into EU law with the

implementation of the 1997 Treaty of Amsterdam on 1 May 1999; member

states are: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany,

Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, and Sweden;

in addition, non-EU states Iceland and Norway (as part of the Nordic

Union) have been included in the Schengen area since 1996 (full

members in 2001), bringing the total current membership to 15; the

UK (since 2000) and Ireland (since 2002) take part in some aspects

of the Schengen area, especially with respect to police and criminal

matters; the 10 new member states that joined the EU in 2004

eventually are expected to participate in Schengen, following a

transition period to upgrade their border controls and procedures

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

Argentina, which claims the

islands in its constitution and briefly occupied the islands by

force in 1982, agreed in 1995 to no longer seek settlement by force;

UK continues to reject Argentine requests for sovereignty talks

Faroe Islands

because anticipated offshore hydrocarbon resources

have not been realized, earlier Faroese proposals for full

independence have been deferred; Iceland disputes the Faroe Islands'

fisheries median line boundary; Iceland, the UK, and Ireland dispute

Denmark's claim that the Faroe Islands' continental shelf extends

beyond 200 nm

Fiji

none

Finland

various groups in Finland advocate restoration of Karelia

and other areas ceded to the Soviet Union, but the Finnish

Government asserts no territorial demands

France

Madagascar claims Bassas da India, Europa Island, Glorioso

Islands, and Juan de Nova Island; Comoros claims Mayotte; Mauritius

claims Tromelin Island; territorial dispute between Suriname and the

French overseas department of French Guiana; France asserts a

territorial claim in Antarctica (Adelie Land); France and Vanuatu

claim Matthew and Hunter Islands, east of New Caledonia

French Guiana

Suriname claims area between Riviere Litani and

Riviere Marouini (both headwaters of the Lawa) in French Guiana

French Polynesia

none

French Southern and Antarctic Lands

French claim to "Adelie Land" in

Antarctica is not recognized by the United States

Gabon

UN presses Equatorial Guinea and Gabon to resolve the

sovereignty dispute over Gabon-occupied Mbane Island and to

establish a maritime boundary in hydrocarbon-rich Corisco Bay; only

a few hundred out of the 20,000 Republic of the Congo refugees who

fled militia fighting in 2000 remain in Gabon

Gambia, The

attempts to stem refugees, cross-border raids, arms

smuggling, and other illegal activities by separatists from southern

Senegal's Casamance region as well as from conflicts in other west

African states

Gaza Strip

West Bank and Gaza Strip are Israeli-occupied with

current status subject to the Israeli-Palestinian Interim Agreement

- permanent status to be determined through further negotiation;

Israel announced its intention to pull out settlers and withdraw

from the Gaza Strip in 2005

Georgia

Russia and Georgia agree on delimiting 80% of their common

border, leaving certain small, strategic segments and the maritime

boundary unresolved; OSCE observers monitor volatile areas such as

the Pankisi Gorge in the Akhmeti region and the Argun Gorge in

Abkhazia; UN Observer Mission in Georgia has maintained a

peacekeeping force in Georgia since 1993; Meshkheti Turks scattered

throughout the former Soviet Union seek to return to Georgia;

boundary with Armenia remains undemarcated; ethnic Armenian groups

in Javakheti region of Georgia seek greater autonomy from the

Georgian government; Azerbaijan and Georgia cannot resolve the

alignment of their boundary at certain crossing areas

Germany

none

Ghana

Ghana struggles to accommodate returning nationals who worked

in the cocoa plantations and escaped rebel fighting in Cote d'Ivoire

Gibraltar

in 2003, Gibraltar residents voted overwhelmingly by

referendum to remain a British colony and against a "total shared

sovereignty" arrangement while demanding participation in talks

between the UK and Spain; Spain disapproves of UK plans to grant

Gibraltar even greater autonomy

Glorioso Islands

claimed by Madagascar

Greece

Greece and Turkey continue discussions to resolve their

complex maritime, air, territorial, and boundary disputes in the

Aegean Sea; Cyprus question with Turkey; Greece rejects the use of

the name Macedonia or Republic of Macedonia

Greenland

uncontested dispute between Canada and Denmark over Hans

Island in the Kennedy Channel between Canada's Ellesmere Island and

Greenland

Grenada

none

Guadeloupe

none

Guam

none

Guatemala

Guatemalan squatters continue to settle in the rain

forests of Belize's border region; OAS is attempting to revive the

2002 failed Differendum that created a small adjustment to land

boundary, a Guatemalan maritime corridor in Caribbean, a joint

ecological park for the disputed Sapodilla Cays, and a substantial

US-UK financial package; Guatemalans enter Mexico illegally seeking

work or transit to the US

Guernsey

none

Guinea

conflicts among rebel groups, warlords, and youth gangs in

neighboring states has spilled over into Guinea, resulting in

domestic instability; Sierra Leone pressures Guinea to remove its

forces from the town of Yenga occupied since 1998

Guinea-Bissau

attempts to stem refugees and cross-border raids, arms

smuggling, and political instability from a separatist movement in

Senegal's Casamance region

Guyana

all of the area west of the Essequibo (river) is claimed by

Venezuela preventing any discussion of a maritime boundary; Guyana

has expressed its intention to join Barbados in asserting claims

before UNCLOS that Trinidad and Tobago's maritime boundary with

Venezuela extends into their waters; Suriname claims a triangle of

land between the New and Kutari/Koetari rivers in a historic dispute

over the headwaters of the Courantyne; Guyana seeks UNCLOS

arbitration to resolve the long-standing dispute with Suriname over

the axis of the territorial sea boundary in potentially oil-rich

waters

Haiti

since 2004, about 8,000 peacekeepers from the UN Stabilization

Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) maintain civil order in Haiti; despite

efforts to control illegal migration, Haitians fleeing economic

privation and civil unrest continue to cross into Dominican Republic

and to sail to neighboring countries; Haiti claims US-administered

Navassa Island

Heard Island and McDonald Islands

none

Holy See (Vatican City)

none

Honduras

in 1992, ICJ ruled on the delimitation of "bolsones"

(disputed areas) along the El Salvador-Honduras border, but despite

OAS intervention and a further ICJ ruling in 2003, full demarcation

of the border remains stalled; the 1992 ICJ ruling advised a

tripartite resolution to a maritime boundary in the Gulf of Fonseca

with consideration of Honduran access to the Pacific; El Salvador

continues to claim tiny Conejo Island, not mentioned in the ICJ

ruling, off Honduras in the Gulf of Fonseca; Honduras claims

Sapodilla Cays off the coast of Belize, but agreed to creation of a

joint ecological park and Guatemalan corridor in the Caribbean in

the failed 2002 Belize-Guatemala Differendum, which the OAS is

attempting to revive; Nicaragua filed a claim against Honduras in

1999 and against Colombia in 2001 at the ICJ over a complex dispute

over islands and maritime boundaries in the Caribbean Sea

Hong Kong

none

Howland Island

none

Hungary

in 2004, Hungary amended the status law extending special

social and cultural benefits and voted down a referendum to extend

dual citizenship to ethnic Hungarians living in neighboring states,

which have objected to such measures; consultations continue between

Slovakia and Hungary over Hungary's completion of its portion the

Gabcikovo-Nagymaros hydroelectric dam project along the Danube; as a

member state that forms part of the EU's external border, Hungary

must implement the strict Schengen border rules

Iceland

Iceland disputes Denmark's alignment of the Faroe Islands'

fisheries median line; Iceland, the UK, and Ireland dispute

Denmark's claim that the Faroe Islands' continental shelf extends

beyond 200 nm

India

China and India launched a security and foreign policy

dialogue in 2005, consolidating discussions related to the dispute

over most of their rugged, militarized boundary, regional nuclear

proliferation, Indian claims that China transferred missiles to

Pakistan, and other matters; recent talks and confidence-building

measures have begun to defuse tensions over Kashmir, site of the

world's largest and most militarized territorial dispute with

portions under the de facto administration of China (Aksai Chin),

India (Jammu and Kashmir), and Pakistan (Azad Kashmir and Northern

Areas); in 2004, India and Pakistan instituted a cease fire in the

Kashmir and in 2005, restored bus service across the highly

militarized Line of Control; Pakistan has taken its dispute on the

impact and benefits of India's building the Baglihar dam on the

Chenab River in Jammu and Kashmir to the World Bank for arbitration;

UN Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) has

maintained a small group of peacekeepers since 1949; India does not

recognize Pakistan's ceding historic Kashmir lands to China in 1964;

disputes persist with Pakistan over Indus River water sharing; to

defuse tensions and prepare for discussions on a maritime boundary,

in 2004, India and Pakistan resurveyed a portion of the disputed

boundary in Sir Creek estuary at the mouth of the Rann of Kutch;

Pakistani maps continue to show Junagadh claim in Indian Gujarat

State; discussions with Bangladesh remain stalled to delimit a small

section of river boundary, to exchange 162 miniscule enclaves in

both countries, to allocate divided villages, and to stop illegal

cross-border trade, migration, violence, and transit of terrorists

through the porous border; Bangladesh protests India's attempts to

fence off high-traffic sections; dispute with Bangladesh over New

Moore/South Talpatty/Purbasha Island in the Bay of Bengal deters

maritime boundary delimitation; India seeks cooperation from Bhutan

and Burma to keep Indian Nagaland and Assam separatists from hiding

in remote areas along the borders; Joint Border Committee with Nepal

continues to demarcate minor disputed boundary sections; India has

instituted a stricter border regime to keep out Maoist insurgents

and control illegal cross-border activities from Nepal

Indian Ocean

some maritime disputes (see littoral states)

Indonesia

East Timor-Indonesia Boundary Committee continues to meet,

survey and delimit land boundary, but several sections of the

boundary remain unresolved; Indonesia and East Timor contest the

sovereignty of the uninhabited coral island of Palau Batek/Fatu

Sinai, which hinders a decision on a northern maritime boundary; a

1997 treaty between Indonesia and Australia settled some parts of

their maritime boundary but outstanding issues remain; ICJ's award

of Sipadan and Ligitan islands to Malaysia in 2002 left maritime

boundary in the hydrocarbon-rich Celebes Sea in dispute, culminating

in hostile confrontations in March 2005 over concessions to the

Ambalat oil block; the ICJ decision has prompted Indonesia to assert

claims to and to establish a presence on its smaller outer islands;

Indonesia and Singapore pledged in 2005 to finalize their 1973

maritime boundary agreement by defining unresolved areas north of

Batam Island; Indonesian secessionists, squatters, and illegal

migrants create repatriation problems for Papua New Guinea; piracy

remains a problem in the Malacca Strait

Iran

Iran protests Afghanistan's limiting flow of dammed tributaries

to the Helmand River in periods of drought; Iraq's lack of a

maritime boundary with Iran prompts jurisdiction disputes beyond the

mouth of the Shatt al Arab in the Persian Gulf; Iran and UAE engage

in direct talks and solicit Arab League support to resolve disputes

over Iran's occupation of Tunb Islands and Abu Musa Island; Iran

stands alone among littoral states in insisting upon a division of

the Caspian Sea into five equal sectors

Iraq

coalition forces assist Iraqis in monitoring boundary security;

Iraq's lack of a maritime boundary with Iran prompts jurisdiction

disputes beyond the mouth of the Shatt al Arab in the Persian Gulf;

Turkey has expressed concern over the status of Kurds in Iraq

Ireland

Ireland, Iceland, and the UK dispute Denmark's claim that

the Faroe Islands' continental shelf extends beyond 200 nm

Israel

West Bank and Gaza Strip are Israeli-occupied with current

status subject to the Israeli-Palestinian Interim Agreement -

permanent status to be determined through further negotiation;

Israel continues construction of a "seam line" separation barrier

along parts of the Green Line and within the West Bank; Israel

announced its intention to pull out Israeli settlers and withdraw

from the Gaza Strip and four settlements in the northern West Bank

in 2005; Golan Heights is Israeli-occupied (Lebanon claims the

Shab'a Farms area of Golan Heights); since 1948, about 350

peacekeepers from the UN Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO)

headquartered in Jerusalem monitor ceasefires, supervise armistice

agreements, prevent isolated incidents from escalating, and assist

other UN personnel in the region

Italy

Italy's long coastline and developed economy entices tens of

thousands of illegal immigrants from southeastern Europe and

northern Africa

Jamaica

none

Jan Mayen

none

Japan

the sovereignty dispute over the islands of Etorofu,

Kunashiri, and Shikotan, and the Habomai group, known in Japan as

the "Northern Territories" and in Russia as the "Southern Kuril

Islands", occupied by the Soviet Union in 1945, now administered by

Russia and claimed by Japan, remains the primary sticking point to

signing a peace treaty formally ending World War II hostilities;

Japan and South Korea claim Liancourt Rocks (Take-shima/Tok-do),

occupied by South Korea since 1954; China and Taiwan dispute both

Japan's claims to the uninhabited islands of the Senkaku-shoto

(Diaoyu Tai) and Japan's unilaterally declared exclusive economic

zone in the East China Sea, the site of intensive hydrocarbon

prospecting

Jarvis Island

none

Jersey

none

Johnston Atoll

none

Jordan

2004 Agreement settles border dispute with Syria pending

demarcation

Juan de Nova Island

claimed by Madagascar

Kazakhstan

in 2005, Kazakhstan agreed with Russia, Turkmenistan, and

Uzbekistan to commence demarcating their boundaries; delimitation

with Kyrgyzstan is complete; creation of a seabed boundary with

Turkmenistan in the Caspian Sea remains unresolved; equidistant

seabed treaties have been ratified with Azerbaijan and Russia in the

Caspian Sea, but no resolution has been made on dividing the water

column among any of the littoral states

Kenya

Kenya served as an important mediator in brokering Sudan's

north-south separation in February 2005; Kenya provides shelter to

approximately a quarter of a million refugees including Ugandans who

flee across the border periodically to seek protection from Lord's

Resistance Army (LRA) rebels; Kenya's administrative limits extend

beyond the treaty border into the Sudan, creating the Ilemi Triangle

Kingman Reef

none

Kiribati

none

Korea, North

China seeks to stem illegal migration of tens of

thousands of North Koreans escaping famine, economic privation, and

political oppression; North Korea and China dispute the sovereignty

of certain islands in Yalu and Tumen rivers and a section of

boundary around Paektu-san (mountain) is indefinite; Military

Demarcation Line within the 4-km wide Demilitarized Zone has

separated North from South Korea since 1953; periodic maritime

disputes with South over the Northern Limit Line; North Korea

supports South Korea in rejecting Japan's claim to Liancourt Rocks

(Tok-do/Take-shima)

Korea, South

Military Demarcation Line within the 4-km wide

Demilitarized Zone has separated North from South Korea since 1953;

periodic maritime disputes with North Korea over the Northern Limit

Line; South Korea and Japan claim Liancourt Rocks

(Tok-do/Take-shima), occupied by South Korea since 1954

Kuwait

Kuwait and Saudi Arabia continue negotiating a joint maritime

boundary with Iran; no maritime boundary exists with Iraq in the

Persian Gulf

Kyrgyzstan

delimitation with Kazakhstan is complete; disputes in

Isfara Valley delay completion of delimitation with Tajikistan;

delimitation is underway with Uzbekistan but serious disputes around

enclaves and elsewhere continue to mar progress for some 130 km of

border

Laos

Southeast Asian states have enhanced border surveillance to

check the spread of avian flu; Laos and Thailand pledge to complete

demarcation of boundaries in 2005, while ongoing disputes over

squatters and boundary encroachment by Thailand including Mekong

River islets persist; in 2004 Cambodian-Laotian boundary commission

agrees to re-erect missing markers in two adjoining provinces;

concern among Mekong Commission members that China's construction of

dams on the Mekong River will affect water levels

Latvia

the Latvian-Russian boundary treaty of 1997 remains unsigned

and unratified with Russia linking it to better Latvian treatment of

ethnic Russians and Latvian politicians demanding Russian agreement

to a declaration that admits Soviet aggression during the Second

World War and other issues; the Latvian parliament has not ratified

its 1998 maritime boundary treaty with Lithuania, primarily due to

concerns over oil exploration rights; as a member state that forms

part of the EU's external border, Latvia must implement the strict

Schengen border rules

Lebanon

intense international pressure prompts the removal of Syrian

troops and intelligence personnel from Lebanon; Lebanese Government

claims Shab'a Farms area of Israeli-occupied Golan Heights; the

roughly 2,000-strong UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) has been

in place since 1978

Lesotho

none

Liberia

although Liberia's domestic fighting among disparate rebel

groups, warlords, and youth gangs was declared over in 2003, civil

unrest persists, and in 2004, 133,000 Liberian refugees remained in

Guinea, 72,000 in Cote d'Ivoire, 67,000 in Sierra Leone, and 43,000

in Ghana; Liberia, in turn, shelters refugees fleeing turmoil in

Cote d'Ivoire and Sierra Leone; since 2003, the UN Mission in

Liberia (UNMIL) has maintained about 18,000 peacekeepers in Liberia;

the Cote d'Ivoire Government accuses Liberia of supporting Ivoirian

rebels; UN sanctions ban Liberia from exporting diamonds and timber

Libya

Libya has claimed more than 32,000 sq km in southeastern

Algeria and about 25,000 sq km in Niger in currently dormant

disputes; various Chadian rebels from the Aozou region reside in

southern Libya

Liechtenstein

in February 2005, the ICJ refused to rule on the

restitution of Liechtenstein's land and property assets in the Czech

Republic confiscated in 1945 as German property

Lithuania

in 2003, the Lithuania-Russia land and maritime boundary

treaty was ratified and a transit regime established through

Lithuania linking Russia and its Kaliningrad coastal exclave,

leaving only improvements to the border demarcation in 2005; by

2004, a third of the Belarus-Lithuania boundary had been demarcated;

the Latvian parliament has not ratified its 1998 maritime boundary

treaty with Lithuania, primarily due to concerns over oil; as a

member state that forms part of the EU's external border, Lithuania

must implement the strict Schengen border rules

Luxembourg

none

Macau

none

Macedonia

ethnic Albanians in Kosovo object to demarcation of the

boundary with Macedonia in accordance with the 2000 Macedonia-Serbia

and Montenegro delimitation agreement; Greece continues to reject

the use of the name Macedonia or Republic of Macedonia

Madagascar

claims Bassas da India, Europa Island, Glorioso Islands,

and Juan de Nova Island (all administered by France)

Malawi

disputes with Tanzania over the boundary in Lake Nyasa (Lake

Malawi) and the meandering Songwe River remain dormant

Malaysia

Malaysia has asserted sovereignty over the Spratly Islands

together with China, Philippines, Taiwan, Vietnam, and possibly

Brunei; while the 2002 "Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the

South China Sea" has eased tensions over the Spratly Islands, it is

not the legally binding "code of conduct" sought by some parties;

Malaysia was not party to the March 2005 joint accord among the

national oil companies of China, the Philippines, and Vietnam on

conducting marine seismic activities in the Spratly Islands;

disputes continue over deliveries of fresh water to Singapore,

Singapore's land reclamation, bridge construction, maritime

boundaries, and Pedra Branca Island/Pulau Batu Putih - but parties

agree to ICJ arbitration on island dispute within three years; ICJ

awarded Ligitan and Sipadan islands, also claimed by Indonesia and

Philippines, to Malaysia but left maritime boundary in the

hydrocarbon-rich Celebes Sea in dispute, culminating in hostile

confrontations in March 2005 over concessions to the Ambalat oil

block; separatist violence in Thailand's predominantly Muslim

southern provinces prompts measures to close and monitor border with

Malaysia to stem terrorist activities; Philippines retains a now

dormant claim to Malaysia's Sabah State in northern Borneo; in 2003,

Brunei and Malaysia ceased gas and oil exploration in their disputed

offshore and deepwater seabeds and negotiations have stalemated

prompting consideration of international adjudication; Malaysia's

land boundary with Brunei around Limbang is in dispute; piracy

remains a problem in the Malacca Strait

Maldives

none

Mali

none

Malta

none

Man, Isle of

none

Marshall Islands

claims US territory of Wake Island

Martinique

none

Mauritania

Mauritanian claims to Western Sahara have been dormant in

recent years

Mauritius

Mauritius claims the Chagos Archipelago (UK-administered

British Indian Ocean Territory), and its former inhabitants, who

reside chiefly in Mauritius, were granted UK citizenship but no

right to patriation in the UK; claims French-administered Tromelin

Island

Mayotte

claimed by Comoros

Mexico

prolonged drought, population growth, and outmoded practices

and infrastructure in the border region have strained water-sharing

arrangements with the US; the US has stepped up efforts to stem

nationals from Mexico, Central America, and other parts of the world

from illegally crossing the border with Mexico

Micronesia, Federated States of

none

Midway Islands

none

Moldova

Moldova and Ukraine have established joint customs posts to

monitor transit through Moldova's break-away Transnistria Region

which remains under OSCE supervision

Monaco

none

Mongolia

none

Montserrat

none

Morocco

claims and administers Western Sahara whose sovereignty

remains unresolved - UN-administered cease-fire has remained in

effect since September 1991, but attempts to hold a referendum have

failed and parties thus far have rejected all brokered proposals;

Morocco protests Spain's control over the coastal enclaves of Ceuta,

Melilla, and Penon de Velez de la Gomera, the islands of Penon de

Alhucemas and Islas Chafarinas, and surrounding waters; discussions

have not progressed on a comprehensive maritime delimitation setting

limits on exploration and refugee interdiction since Morocco's 2002

rejection of Spain's unilateral designation of a median line from

the Canary Islands; Morocco serves as one of the primary launching

areas of illegal migration into Spain from North Africa

Mozambique

none

Namibia

border commission has yet to resolve small residual disputes

with Botswana along the Caprivi Strip, including the Situngu

marshlands along the Linyanti River; Botswana residents protest

Namibia's planned construction of the Okavango hydroelectric dam on

Popa Falls; managed dispute with South Africa over the location of

the boundary in the Orange River; Namibia has supported and in 2004

Zimbabwe dropped objections to plans between Botswana and Zambia to

build a bridge over the Zambezi River, thereby de facto recognizing

a short, but not clearly delimited Botswana-Zambia, boundary in the

river

Nauru

none

Navassa Island

claimed by Haiti, source of subsistence fishing

Nepal

joint border commission continues to work on small disputed

sections of boundary with India; India has instituted a stricter

border regime to restrict transit of Maoist insurgents and illegal

cross-border activities

Netherlands

none

Netherlands Antilles

none

New Caledonia

Matthew and Hunter Islands east of New Caledonia

claimed by France and Vanuatu

New Zealand

asserts a territorial claim in Antarctica (Ross

Dependency) [see Antarctica]

Nicaragua

Nicaragua filed a claim against Honduras in 1999 and

against Colombia in 2001 at the ICJ over disputed maritime boundary

involving 50,000 sq km in the Caribbean Sea, including the

Archipelago de San Andres y Providencia and Quita Sueno Bank; the

1992 ICJ ruling for El Salvador and Honduras advised a tripartite

resolution to establish a maritime boundary in the Gulf of Fonseca,

which considers Honduran access to the Pacific; legal dispute over

navigational rights of San Juan River on border with Costa Rica

Niger

Libya claims about 25,000 sq km in a currently dormant

dispute; much of Benin-Niger boundary, including tripoint with

Nigeria, remains undemarcated, and states expect a ruling in 2005

from the ICJ over the disputed Niger and Mekrou River islands; only

Nigeria and Cameroon have heeded the Lake Chad Commission's

admonition to ratify the delimitation treaty which also includes

Chad and Niger

Nigeria

ICJ ruled in 2002 on the entire Cameroon-Nigeria land and

maritime boundary but the parties formed a Joint Border Commission

to resolve differences bilaterally and have commenced with

demarcation in less-contested sections of the boundary, starting in

Lake Chad in the north; Nigeria initially rejected cession of the

Bakassi Peninsula, then agreed, but has yet to withdraw its forces

while much of the indigenous population opposes cession; in 2004,

some 17,000 Nigerian refugees fleeing ethnic conflicts between

pastoralists and farmers in 2002 still reside in Cameroon; the ICJ

ruled on an equidistance settlement of Cameroon-Equatorial

Guinea-Nigeria maritime boundary in the Gulf of Guinea, but

imprecisely defined coordinates in the ICJ decision, the unresolved

Bakasi allocation, and a sovereignty dispute between Equatorial

Guinea and Cameroon over an island at the mouth of the Ntem River

all contribute to the delay in implementation; a joint task force

was established in 2004 that resolved disputes over and redrew the

maritime and the 870-km land boundary with Benin on the Okpara

River; only Nigeria and Cameroon have heeded the Lake Chad

Commission's admonition to ratify the delimitation treaty which also

includes Chad and Niger

Niue

none

Norfolk Island

none

Northern Mariana Islands

none

Norway

Norway asserts a territorial claim in Antarctica (Queen Maud

Land and its continental shelf); despite recent discussions, Russia

and Norway continue to dispute their maritime limits in the Barents

Sea and Russia's fishing rights beyond Svalbard's territorial limits

within the Svalbard Treaty zone

Oman

boundary agreement reportedly signed and ratified with UAE in

2003 for entire border, including Oman's Musandam Peninsula and Al

Madhah exclave, but details have not been made public

Pacific Ocean

some maritime disputes (see littoral states)

Pakistan

recent talks and confidence-building measures have begun to

defuse tensions over Kashmir, site of the world's largest and most

militarized territorial dispute with portions under the de facto

administration of China (Aksai Chin), India (Jammu and Kashmir), and

Pakistan (Azad Kashmir and Northern Areas); UN Military Observer

Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) has maintained a small group

of peacekeepers since 1949; India does not recognize Pakistan's

ceding historic Kashmir lands to China in 1964; in 2004, India and

Pakistan instituted a cease fire in the Kashmir, and in 2005

restored bus service across the highly militarized Line of Control;

Pakistan has taken its dispute on the impact and benefits of India's

building the Baglihar dam on the Chenab River in Jammu and Kashmir

to the World Bank for arbitration and in general the two states

still dispute Indus River water sharing; to defuse tensions and

prepare for discussions on a maritime boundary, India and Pakistan

resurveyed a portion of the disputed Sir Creek estuary at the mouth

of the Rann of Kutch in 2004; Pakistani maps continue to show

Junagadh in India's Gujarat State; by 2005, Pakistan with UN

assistance had repatriated 2.3 million Afghan refugees and has

undertaken a census to count the remaining million or more, many of

whom remain at their own choosing; Pakistan maintains troops in

remote tribal areas to control the border with Afghanistan and root

out organized terrorist and other illegal cross-border activities;

regular meetings with Afghan and Coalition allies aim to resolve

periodic claims of boundary encroachments

Palau

border delineation disputes being negotiated with Philippines,

Indonesia

Palmyra Atoll

none

Panama

organized illegal narcotics operations in Colombia operate

within the border region with Panama

Papua New Guinea

relies on assistance from Australia to keep out

illegal cross-border activities from primarily Indonesia, including

goods smuggling, illegal narcotics trafficking, and squatters and

secessionists

Paracel Islands

occupied by China, also claimed by Taiwan and Vietnam

Paraguay

unruly region at convergence of Argentina-Brazil-Paraguay

borders is locus of money laundering, smuggling, arms and illegal

narcotics trafficking, and fundraising for extremist organizations

Peru

Peru proposes changing its latitudinal maritime boundary with

Chile to an equidistance line with a southwestern axis; organized

illegal narcotics operations in Colombia have penetrated Peru's

shared border; Peru does not support Bolivia's claim to restore

maritime access through a sovereign corridor through Chile along the

Peruvian border

Philippines

The Philippines claims sovereignty over certain of the

Spratly Islands, known locally as the Kalayaan (Freedom) Islands,

also claimed by China, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Vietnam; the 2002

"Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea," has

eased tensions in the Spratly Islands but falls short of a legally

binding "code of conduct" desired by several of the disputants; in

March 2005, the national oil companies of China, the Philippines,

and Vietnam signed a joint accord to conduct marine seismic

activities in the Spratly Islands; Philippines retains a dormant

claim to Malaysia's Sabah State in northern Borneo based on the

Sultanate of Sulu's granting the Philippines Government power of

attorney to pursue a sovereignty claim on his behalf

Pitcairn Islands

none

Poland

as a member state that forms part of the EU's external

border, Poland must implement the strict Schengen border rules

Portugal

none

Puerto Rico

increasing numbers of illegal migrants from the

Dominican Republic cross the Mona Passage to Puerto Rico each year

looking for work

Qatar

none

Reunion

none

Romania

Romania and Ukraine have taken their dispute over

Ukrainian-administered Zmiyinyy (Snake) Island and Black Sea

maritime boundary to the ICJ for adjudication; Romania also opposes

Ukraine's reopening of a navigation canal from the Danube border

through Ukraine to the Black Sea; Hungary amended the status law

extending special social and cultural benefits to ethnic Hungarians

in Romania, to which Romania had objected

Russia

in 2004, China and Russia divided up the islands in the Amur,

Ussuri, and Argun Rivers, ending a century-old border dispute; the

sovereignty dispute over the islands of Etorofu, Kunashiri,

Shikotan, and the Habomai group, known in Japan as the "Northern

Territories" and in Russia as the "Southern Kurils," occupied by the

Soviet Union in 1945, now administered by Russia, and claimed by

Japan, remains the primary sticking point to signing a peace treaty

formally ending World War II hostilities; Russia and Georgia agree

on delimiting 80% of their common border, leaving certain small,

strategic segments and the maritime boundary unresolved; OSCE

observers monitor volatile areas such as the Pankisi Gorge in the

Akhmeti region and the Kodori Gorge in Abkhazia; equidistant seabed

treaties were signed and ratified with Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan in

the Caspian Sea but no consensus exists on dividing the water column

among the littoral states; Russia and Norway dispute their maritime

limits in the Barents Sea and Russia's fishing rights beyond

Svalbard's territorial limits within the Svalbard Treaty zone;

various groups in Finland advocate restoration of Karelia and other

areas ceded to the Soviet Union following the Second World War but

the Finnish Government asserts no territorial demands; in 1996, the

Estonia-Russia technical border agreement was initialed but both

have been hesitant to sign and ratify it, with Russia asserting that

Estonia needs to better assimilate Russian-speakers and Estonian

groups advocating realignment of the boundary based more closely on

the 1920 Tartu Peace Treaty that would bring the now divided ethnic

Setu people and parts of the Narva region within Estonia; the

Latvian-Russian boundary treaty of 1997 remains unsigned and

unratified with Russia linking it to better Latvian treatment of

ethnic Russians and Latvian politicians demanding Russian agreement

to a declaration that admits Soviet aggression during the Second

World War and other issues; in 2003, the Lithuania-Russia land and

maritime boundary treaty was ratified and a transit regime

established through Lithuania linking Russia and its Kaliningrad

coastal exclave, leaving only improvements to the border demarcation

in 2005; delimitation of land boundary with Ukraine is complete, but

states have agreed to defer demarcation; Russia and Ukraine continue

talks but still dispute the alignment of a maritime boundary through

the Kerch Strait and Sea of Azov; Kazakhstan and Russia continue

demarcation of their long border; Russian Duma has not yet ratified

1990 Maritime Boundary Agreement with the US in the Bering Sea

Rwanda

Tutsi, Hutu, Hema, Lendu, and other conflicting ethnic

groups, associated political rebels, armed gangs, and various

government forces continue fighting in Great Lakes region,

transcending the boundaries of Burundi, Democratic Republic of the

Congo, Rwanda, and Uganda to gain control over populated areas and

natural resources - government heads pledge to end conflicts, but

localized violence continues despite UN peacekeeping efforts; DROC

and Rwanda established a border verification mechanism in 2005 to

address accusations of Rwandan military supporting Congolese rebels

and the Congo providing rebel Rwandan "Interhamwe" forces the means

and bases to attack Rwandan forces; as of 2004, Rwandan refugees

lived in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, and Zambia

Saint Helena

none

Saint Kitts and Nevis

joins other Caribbean states to counter

Venezuela's claim that Aves Island sustains human habitation, a

criterion under UNCLOS, which permits Venezuela to extend its

EEZ/continental shelf over a large portion of the Caribbean Sea

Saint Lucia

joins other Caribbean states to counter Venezuela's

claim that Aves Island sustains human habitation, a criterion under

UNCLOS, which permits Venezuela to extend its EEZ/continental shelf

over a large portion of the Caribbean Sea

Saint Pierre and Miquelon

none

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines joins other Caribbean states to counter Venezuela's claim that Aves Island sustains human habitation, a criterion under UNCLOS, which permits Venezuela to extend its EEZ/continental shelf over a large portion of the Caribbean Sea

Samoa

none

San Marino

none

Sao Tome and Principe

none

Saudi Arabia

despite resistance from nomadic groups, the demarcation

of the Saudi Arabia-Yemen boundary established under the 2000 Jeddah

Treaty is almost complete; Yemen protests Saudi erection of a

concrete-filled pipe as a security barrier in 2004 to stem illegal

cross-border activities in sections of the boundary; Kuwait and

Saudi Arabia continue discussions on a maritime boundary with Iran;

because the treaties have not been made public, the exact alignment

of the boundary with the UAE is still unknown

Senegal

The Gambia and Guinea-Bissau attempt to stem Senegalese

citizens from the Casamance region fleeing separatist violence,

cross border raids, and arms smuggling

Serbia and Montenegro

Kosovo remains unresolved administered by

several thousand peacekeepers from the UN Interim Administration

Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) since 1999, with Kosovar Albanians

overwhelmingly supporting and Serbian officials opposing Kosovo

independence; the international community had agreed to begin a

process to determine final status but contingency of solidifying

multi-ethnic democracy in Kosovo has not been satisfied; ethnic

Albanians in Kosovo refuse demarcation of the boundary with

Macedonia in accordance with the 2000 Macedonia-Serbia and

Montenegro delimitation agreement; Serbia and Montenegro have

delimited about half of the boundary with Bosnia and Herzegovina,

but sections along the Drina River remain in dispute

Seychelles

together with Mauritius, Seychelles claims the Chagos

Archipelago (UK-administered British Indian Ocean Territory)

Sierra Leone

domestic fighting among disparate rebel groups,

warlords, and youth gangs in Cote d'Ivoire, Guinea, Liberia, and

Sierra Leone perpetuate insurgencies, street violence, looting, arms

trafficking, ethnic conflicts, and refugees in border areas; UN

Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL) has maintained over 4,000

peacekeepers in Sierra Leone since 1999; Sierra Leone pressures

Guinea to remove its forces from the town of Yenga occupied since

1998

Singapore

disputes persist with Malaysia over deliveries of fresh

water to Singapore, Singapore's extensive land reclamation works,

bridge construction, maritime boundaries, and Pedra Branca

Island/Pulau Batu Putih - parties agree to ICJ arbitration on island

dispute within three years; Indonesia and Singapore pledged in 2005

to finalize their 1973 maritime boundary agreement by defining

unresolved areas north of Batam Island; piracy remains a problem in

the Malacca Strait

Slovakia

Hungary amended its status law extending special social and

cultural benefits to ethnic Hungarians in Slovakia, to which

Slovakia had protested; consultations continue between Slovakia and

Hungary over Hungary's completion of its portion of the

Gabcikovo-Nagymaros hydroelectric dam project along the Danube; as a

member state that forms part of the EU's external border, Slovakia

must implement the strict Schengen border rules

Slovenia

the Croatia-Slovenia land and maritime boundary agreement,

which would have ceded most of Piran Bay and maritime access to

Slovenia and several villages to Croatia, remains unratified and in

dispute; as a member state that forms part of the EU's external

border, Slovenia must implement the strict Schengen border rules to

curb illegal migration and commerce through southeastern Europe

while encouraging close cross-border ties with Croatia

Solomon Islands

Australian Defense Force leads the Regional

Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI) at the invitation

of the Solomon Islands' Government to maintain civil and political

order and reinforce regional security

Somalia

"Somaliland" secessionists provide port facilities to

land-locked Ethiopia and establish commercial ties with regional

states; "Puntland" and "Somaliland" "governments" seek support from

neighboring states in their secessionist aspirations and in

conflicts with each other; Ethiopia has only an administrative line

with the Oromo region of southern Somalia and maintains alliances

with local Somali clans opposed to the unrecognized Somali Interim

Government, which plans eventual relocation from Kenya to Mogadishu;

rival militia and clan fighting in southern Somalia periodically

spills over into Kenya; most of the remaining 23,000 Somali refuges

in Ethiopia are expected to be repatriated in 2005

South Africa

South Africa has placed military along the border to

stem the thousands of Zimbabweans fleeing to find work and escape

political persecution; managed dispute with Namibia over the

location of the boundary in the Orange River

South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands

Argentina, which claims

the islands in its constitution and briefly occupied the islands by

force in 1982, agreed in 1995 to no longer seek settlement by force

Southern Ocean

Antarctic Treaty defers claims (see Antarctica

entry), but Argentina, Australia, Chile, France, NZ, Norway, and UK

assert claims (some overlapping), including the continental shelf in

the Southern Ocean; several states have expressed an interest in

extending those continental shelf claims under the United Nations

Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) to include undersea

ridges; the US and most other states do not recognize the land or

maritime claims of other states and have made no claims themselves

(the US and Russia have reserved the right to do so); no formal

claims exist in the waters in the sector between 90 degrees west and

150 degrees west

Spain

in 2003, Gibraltar residents voted overwhelmingly by

referendum to remain a British colony and against a "total shared

sovereignty" arrangement while demanding participation in talks

between the UK and Spain; Spain disapproves of UK plans to grant

Gibraltar greater autonomy; Morocco protests Spain's control over

the coastal enclaves of Ceuta, Melilla, and the islands of Penon de

Velez de la Gomera, Penon de Alhucemas and Islas Chafarinas, and

surrounding waters; Morocco serves as the primary launching site of

illegal migration into Spain from North Africa

Spratly Islands

all of the Spratly Islands are claimed by China,

Taiwan, and Vietnam; parts of them are claimed by Malaysia and the

Philippines; in 1984, Brunei established an exclusive fishing zone

that encompasses Louisa Reef in the southern Spratly Islands but has

not publicly claimed the reef; claimants in November 2002 signed the

"Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea,"

which has eased tensions but falls short of a legally binding "code

of conduct"; in March 2005, the national oil companies of China, the

Philippines, and Vietnam signed a joint accord to conduct marine

seismic activities in the Spratlys

Sri Lanka

none

Sudan

the effects of Sudan's almost constant ethnic and rebel

militia fighting since the mid-twentieth century have penetrated all

of its border states who provide shelter for fleeing refugees and

cover to disparate domestic and foreign conflicting elements; since

2003, Janjawid armed militia and Sudanese military have driven about

200,000 Darfur region refugees into eastern Chad; large numbers of

Sudanese refugees have also fled to Uganda, Ethiopia, Kenya, the

Central African Republic, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo;

southern Sudan provides shelter to Ugandans seeking periodic

protection from soldiers of the Lord's Resistance Army; Sudan

accuses Eritrea of supporting Sudanese rebel groups; efforts to

demarcate the porous boundary with Ethiopia have been delayed by

civil and ethnic fighting in Sudan; Kenya's administrative boundary

extends into the southern Sudan, creating the "Ilemi Triangle";

Egypt and Sudan retain claims to administer triangular areas that

extend north and south of the 1899 Treaty boundary along the 22nd

Parallel, but have withdrawn their military presence; Egypt is

economically developing the "Hala'ib Triangle" north of the Treaty

Line; periodic violent skirmishes with Sudanese residents over water

and grazing rights persist among related pastoral populations from

the Central African Republic along the border

Suriname

area claimed by French Guiana between Riviere Litani and

Riviere Marouini (both headwaters of the Lawa); Suriname claims a

triangle of land between the New and Kutari/Koetari rivers in a

historic dispute over the headwaters of the Courantyne; Guyana seeks

UNCLOS arbitration to resolve the long-standing dispute with

Suriname over the axis of the territorial sea boundary in

potentially oil-rich waters

Svalbard

despite recent discussions, Russia and Norway dispute their

maritime limits in the Barents Sea and Russia's fishing rights

beyond Svalbard's territorial limits within the Svalbard Treaty zone

Swaziland

none

Sweden

none

Switzerland

none

Syria

Golan Heights is Israeli-occupied with the almost 1,000-strong

UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) patrolling a buffer zone

since 1964; Lebanon claims Shaba'a farms in Golan Heights;

international pressure prompts the removal of Syrian troops and

intelligence personel stationed in Lebanon since October 1976; Syria

protests Turkish hydrological projects regulating upper Euphrates

waters; 2004 Agreement and pending demarcation settles border

dispute with Jordan

Taiwan

involved in complex dispute with China, Malaysia,

Philippines, Vietnam, and possibly Brunei over the Spratly Islands;

the 2002 "Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China

Sea" has eased tensions but falls short of a legally binding "code

of conduct" desired by several of the disputants; Paracel Islands

are occupied by China, but claimed by Taiwan and Vietnam; in 2003,

China and Taiwan became more vocal in rejecting both Japan's claims

to the uninhabited islands of the Senkaku-shoto (Diaoyu Tai) and

Japan's unilaterally declared exclusive economic zone in the East

China Sea where all parties engage in hydrocarbon prospecting

Tajikistan

boundary agreements signed in 2002 cede 1,000 sq km of

Pamir Mountain range to China in return for China relinquishing

claims to 28,000 sq km of Tajikistani lands but neither state has

published maps of ceded areas and demarcation has not yet commenced;

talks continue with Uzbekistan to delimit border and remove

minefields; disputes in Isfara Valley delay delimitation with

Kyrgyzstan

Tanzania

disputes with Malawi over the boundary in Lake Nyasa (Lake

Malawi) and the meandering Songwe River remain dormant

Thailand

separatist violence in Thailand's predominantly Muslim

southern provinces prompt border closures and controls with Malaysia

to stem terrorist activities; southeast Asian states have enhanced

border surveillance to check the spread of avian flu; Laos and

Thailand pledge to complete demarcation of their boundary in 2005;

despite continuing border committee talks, significant differences

remain with Burma over boundary alignment and the handling of ethnic

rebels, refugees, and illegal cross-border activities; Cambodia and

Thailand dispute sections of boundary with missing boundary markers;

Cambodia claims Thai encroachments into Cambodian territory and

obstructing access to Preah Vihear temple ruins awarded to Cambodia

by ICJ decision in 1962; ethnic Karens from Burma flee into Thailand

to escape fighting between Karen rebels and Burmese troops resulting

in Thailand sheltering about 118,000 Burmese refugees in 2004;

Karens also protest Thai support for a Burmese hydroelectric dam

construction on the Salween River near the border; environmentalists

in Burma and Thailand remain concerned about China's construction of

hydroelectric dams upstream on the Nujiang/Salween River in Yunnan

Province

Togo

in 2001 Benin claimed Togo moved boundary monuments - joint

commission continues to resurvey the boundary

Tokelau

none

Tonga

none

Trinidad and Tobago

Barbados will assert its claim before UNCLOS

that the northern limit of Trinidad and Tobago's maritime boundary

with Venezuela extends into its waters; Guyana has also expressed

its intention to challenge this boundary as it may extend into its

waters as well

Tromelin Island

claimed by Mauritius

Tunisia

none

Turkey

complex maritime, air, and territorial disputes with Greece

in the Aegean Sea; status of north Cyprus question remains; Syria

and Iraq protest Turkish hydrological projects to control upper

Euphrates waters; Turkey has expressed concern over the status of

Kurds in Iraq; border with Armenia remains closed over

Nagorno-Karabakh

Turkmenistan

cotton monoculture in Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan

creates water-sharing difficulties for Amu Darya river states;

bilateral talks continue with Azerbaijan on dividing the seabed and

contested oilfields in the middle of the Caspian; demarcation of

land boundary with Kazakhstan has started but Caspian seabed

delimitation remains stalled

Turks and Caicos Islands have received Haitians fleeing economic and civil disorder

Tuvalu

none

Uganda

Uganda is subject to armed fighting among hostile ethnic

groups, rebels, armed gangs, militias, and various government

forces; Ugandan refugees have fled the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA)

into the southern Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo;

LRA forces have also attacked Kenyan villages across the border

Ukraine

1997 boundary treaty with Belarus remains un-ratified due to

unresolved financial claims, stalling demarcation and reducing

border security; delimitation of land boundary with Russia is

complete but the parties have agreed to defer demarcation; maritime

boundary through the Sea of Azov and Kerch Strait remains unresolved

despite a December 2003 framework agreement and on-going

expert-level discussions; Moldova and Ukraine have established joint

customs posts to monitor transit through Moldova's break-away

Transnistria Region which remains under OSCE supervision; Ukraine

and Romania have taken their dispute over Ukrainian-administered

Zmiyinyy (Snake) Island and Black Sea maritime boundary to the ICJ

for adjudication; Romania opposes Ukraine's reopening of a

navigation canal from the Danube border through the Ukraine to the

Black Sea

United Arab Emirates

because the treaties have not been made public,

the exact alignment of the boundary with Saudi Arabia is still

unknown; boundary agreement was signed and ratified with Oman in

2003 for entire border, including Oman's Musandam Peninsula and Al

Madhah enclaves, but contents of the agreement and maps showing the

alignment have not been published; UAE engage in direct talks and

solicit Arab League support to resolve disputes over Iran's

occupation of Lesser and Greater Tunb Islands and Abu Musa Island

United Kingdom

in 2003, Gibraltar residents voted overwhelmingly by

referendum to remain a British colony and against a "total shared

sovereignty" arrangement while demanding participation in talks

between the UK and Spain; Spain disapproves of UK plans to grant

Gibraltar greater autonomy; Mauritius and Seychelles claim the

Chagos Archipelago (British Indian Ocean Territory), and its former

inhabitants since their eviction in 1965; most Chagosians reside in

Mauritius, and in 2001 were granted UK citizenship but no right to

patriation in the UK; UK rejects sovereignty talks requested by

Argentina, which still claims the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

and South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands; territorial claim

in Antarctica (British Antarctic Territory) overlaps Argentine claim

and partially overlaps Chilean claim; Iceland, the UK, and Ireland

dispute Denmark's claim that the Faroe Islands' continental shelf

extends beyond 200 nm

United States

prolonged drought, population growth, and outmoded

practices and infrastructure in the border region strains

water-sharing arrangements with Mexico; the US has stepped up

efforts to stem nationals from Mexico, Central America, and other

parts of the world from crossing illegally into the United States

from Mexico; illegal immigrants from the Caribbean, notably Haiti

and the Dominican Republic, attempt to enter the US through Florida

by sea; 1990 Maritime Boundary Agreement in the Bering Sea still

awaits Russian Duma ratification; managed maritime boundary disputes

with Canada at Dixon Entrance, Beaufort Sea, Strait of Juan de Fuca,

and around the disputed Machias Seal Island and North Rock; US and

Canada seek greater cooperation in monitoring people and commodities

crossing the border; The Bahamas and US have not been able to agree

on a maritime boundary; US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay is leased

from Cuba and only mutual agreement or US abandonment of the area

can terminate the lease; Haiti claims US-administered Navassa

Island; US has made no territorial claim in Antarctica (but has

reserved the right to do so) and does not recognize the claims of

any other state; Marshall Islands claims Wake Island

Uruguay

uncontested dispute with Brazil over certain islands in the

Quarai/Cuareim and Invernada streams and the resulting tripoint with

Argentina

Uzbekistan

cotton monoculture in Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan creates

water-sharing difficulties for Amu Darya river states; delimitation

with Kazakhstan complete with demarcation underway; delimitation is

underway with Kyrgyzstan but serious disputes around enclaves and

elsewhere continue to mar progress for some 130 km of border; talks

continue with Tajikistan to delimit border and remove minefields

Vanuatu

Matthew and Hunter Islands east of New Caledonia claimed by

Vanuatu and France

Venezuela

claims all of the area west of the Essequibo River in

Guyana, preventing any discussion of a maritime boundary; Guyana has

expressed its intention to join Barbados in asserting claims before

UNCLOS that the Trinidad and Tobago's maritime boundary with

Venezuela extends into their waters; dispute with Colombia over Los

Monjes islands and maritime boundary near the Gulf of Venezuela;

Colombian-organized illegal narcotics and paramilitary activities

penetrate Venezuela's shared border region resulting in several

thousand residents migrating away from the border; US, France and

the Netherlands recognize Venezuela's claim to give full effect to

Aves Island, which creates a Venezuelan EEZ/continental shelf

extending over a large portion of the Caribbean Sea; Dominica, Saint

Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

protest Venezuela's claim that Aves Island sustains human habitation

and other states' recognition of it

Vietnam

southeast Asian states have enhanced border surveillance to

check the spread of avian flu; Cambodia and Laos protest Vietnamese

squatters and armed encroachments along border; in 2004

Laotian-Vietnamese boundary commission agrees to erect missing

markers in two adjoining provinces; demarcation of the China-Vietnam

boundary proceeds slowly and although the maritime boundary

delimitation and fisheries agreements were ratified in June 2004,

implementation has been delayed; China occupies Paracel Islands also

claimed by Vietnam and Taiwan; involved in complex dispute with

China, Malaysia, Philippines, Taiwan, and possibly Brunei over the

Spratly Islands; the 2002 "Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in

the South China Sea" has eased tensions but falls short of a legally

binding "code of conduct" desired by several of the disputants;

Vietnam continues to expand construction of facilities in the

Spratly Islands; in March 2005, the national oil companies of China,

the Philippines, and Vietnam signed a joint accord to conduct marine

seismic activities in the Spratly Islands

Virgin Islands

none

Wake Island

claimed by Marshall Islands

Wallis and Futuna

none

West Bank

West Bank and Gaza Strip are Israeli-occupied with current

status subject to the Israeli-Palestinian Interim Agreement -

permanent status to be determined through further negotiation;

Israel continues construction of a "seam line" separation barrier

along parts of the Green Line and within the West Bank; Israel

announced its intention to pull out settlers and withdraw from four

settlements in the northern West Bank in 2005; since 1948, about 350

peacekeepers from the UN Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO),

headquartered in Jerusalem, monitor ceasefires, supervise armistice

agreements, prevent isolated incidents from escalating, and assist

other UN personnel in the region

Western Sahara

Morocco claims and administers Western Sahara, whose

sovereignty remains unresolved - UN-administered cease-fire has

remained in effect since September 1991, administered by the UN

Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO), but attempts

to hold a referendum have failed and parties thus far have rejected

all brokered proposals

World

stretching over 250,000 km, the world's 325 international land

boundaries separate the 192 independent states and 73 dependencies,

areas of special sovereignty, and other miscellaneous entities;

ethnicity, culture, race, religion, and language have divided states

into separate political entities as much as history, physical

terrain, political fiat, or conquest, resulting in sometimes

arbitrary and imposed boundaries; maritime states have claimed

limits and have so far established over 130 maritime boundaries and

joint development zones to allocate ocean resources and to provide

for national security at sea; boundary, borderland/resource, and

territorial disputes vary in intensity from managed or dormant to

violent or militarized; most disputes over the alignment of

political boundaries are confined to short segments and are today

less common and less hostile than borderland, resource, and

territorial disputes; undemarcated, indefinite, porous, and

unmanaged boundaries, however, encourage illegal cross-border

activities, uncontrolled migration, and confrontation; territorial

disputes may evolve from historical and/or cultural claims, or they

may be brought on by resource competition; ethnic clashes continue

to be responsible for much of the territorial fragmentation around

the world; disputes over islands at sea or in rivers frequently form

the source of territorial and boundary conflict; other sources of

contention include access to water and mineral (especially

petroleum) resources, fisheries, and arable land; nonetheless, most

nations cooperate to clarify their international boundaries and to

resolve territorial and resource disputes peacefully; regional

discord directly affects the sustenance and welfare of local

populations, often leaving the world community to cope with

resultant refugees, hunger, disease, impoverishment, deforestation,

and desertification

Yemen

Yemen protests Eritrea fishing around the Hanish Islands

awarded to Yemen by the ICJ in 1999; despite resistance from nomadic

groups, the demarcation of the Saudi Arabia-Yemen boundary

established under the 2000 Jeddah Treaty is almost complete; Yemen

protests Saudi erection of a concrete-filled pipe as a security

barrier in 2004 to stem illegal cross-border activities in sections

of the boundary

Zambia

in 2004 Zimbabwe dropped objections and joined Namibia in

supporting plans between Botswana and Zambia to build a bridge over

the Zambezi River, thereby de facto recognizing a short, but not

clearly delimited Botswana-Zambia boundary in the river; 90,000

Angolan refugees were repatriated from Zambia by 2004, the remaining

160,000 are expected to return in 2005

Zimbabwe

Botswana has built electric fences and South Africa has

placed military along the border to stem the flow of thousands of

Zimbabweans fleeing to find work and escape political persecution;

Namibia has supported and in 2004 Zimbabwe dropped objections to

plans between Botswana and Zambia to build a bridge over the Zambezi

River, thereby de facto recognizing a short, but not clearly

delimited Botswana-Zambia boundary in the river

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2075 Ethnic groups (%)

Afghanistan

Pashtun 42%, Tajik 27%, Hazara 9%, Uzbek 9%, Aimak 4%,

Turkmen 3%, Baloch 2%, other 4%

Albania

Albanian 95%, Greek 3%, other 2% (Vlach, Roma (Gypsy), Serb,

Macedonian, Bulgarian) (1989 est.)

note: in 1989, other estimates of the Greek population ranged from

1% (official Albanian statistics) to 12% (from a Greek organization)

Algeria

Arab-Berber 99%, European less than 1%

note: almost all Algerians are Berber in origin, not Arab; the

minority who identify themselves as Berber live mostly in the

mountainous region of Kabylie east of Algiers; the Berbers are also

Muslim but identify with their Berber rather than Arab cultural

heritage; Berbers have long agitated, sometimes violently, for

autonomy; the government is unlikely to grant autonomy but has

offered to begin sponsoring teaching Berber language in schools

American Samoa

native Pacific islander 92.9%, Asian 2.9%, white

1.2%, mixed 2.8%, other 0.2% (2000 census)

Andorra

Spanish 43%, Andorran 33%, Portuguese 11%, French 7%, other

6% (1998)

Angola

Ovimbundu 37%, Kimbundu 25%, Bakongo 13%, mestico (mixed

European and native African) 2%, European 1%, other 22%

Anguilla

black (predominant) 90.1%, mixed, mulatto 4.6%, white 3.7%,

other 1.6% (2001 Census)

Antigua and Barbuda

black, British, Portuguese, Lebanese, Syrian

Argentina

white (mostly Spanish and Italian) 97%, mestizo (mixed

white and Amerindian ancestry), Amerindian, or other non-white

groups 3%

Armenia

Armenian 97.9%, Yezidi (Kurd) 1.3%, Russian 0.5%, other 0.3%

(2001 census)

Aruba

mixed white/Caribbean Amerindian 80%

Australia

Caucasian 92%, Asian 7%, aboriginal and other 1%

Austria

Austrians 91.1%, former Yugoslavs 4% (includes Croatians,

Slovenes, Serbs, and Bosniaks), Turks 1.6%, German 0.9%, other or

unspecified 2.4% (2001 census)

Azerbaijan

Azeri 90.6%, Dagestani 2.2%, Russian 1.8%, Armenian 1.5%,

other 3.9% (1999 census)

note: almost all Armenians live in the separatist Nagorno-Karabakh

region

Bahamas, The

black 85%, white 12%, Asian and Hispanic 3%

Bahrain

Bahraini 62.4%, non-Bahraini 37.6% (2001 census)

Bangladesh

Bengali 98%, tribal groups, non-Bengali Muslims (1998)

Barbados

black 90%, white 4%, Asian and mixed 6%

Belarus

Belarusian 81.2%, Russian 11.4%, Polish 3.9%, Ukrainian

2.4%, other 1.1% (1999 census)

Belgium

Fleming 58%, Walloon 31%, mixed or other 11%

Belize

mestizo 48.7%, Creole 24.9%, Maya 10.6%, Garifuna 6.1%, other

9.7%

Benin

African 99% (42 ethnic groups, most important being Fon, Adja,

Yoruba, Bariba), Europeans 5,500

Bermuda

black 54.8%, white 34.1%, mixed 6.4%, other races 4.3%,

unspecified 0.4% (2000 census)

Bhutan

Bhote 50%, ethnic Nepalese 35% (includes Lhotsampas - one of

several Nepalese ethnic groups), indigenous or migrant tribes 15%

Bolivia

Quechua 30%, mestizo (mixed white and Amerindian ancestry)

30%, Aymara 25%, white 15%

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Serb 37.1%, Bosniak 48%, Croat 14.3%, other

0.6% (2000)

note: Bosniak has replaced Muslim as an ethnic term in part to avoid

confusion with the religious term Muslim - an adherent of Islam

Botswana

Tswana (or Setswana) 79%, Kalanga 11%, Basarwa 3%, other,

including Kgalagadi and white 7%

Brazil

white 53.7%, mulatto (mixed white and black) 38.5%, black

6.2%, other (includes Japanese, Arab, Amerindian) 0.9%, unspecified

0.7% (2000 census)

British Virgin Islands

black 83%, white, Indian, Asian and mixed

Brunei

Malay 67%, Chinese 15%, indigenous 6%, other 12%

Bulgaria

Bulgarian 83.9%, Turk 9.4%, Roma 4.7%, other 2% (including

Macedonian, Armenian, Tatar, Circassian) (2001 census)

Burkina Faso

Mossi over 40%, Gurunsi, Senufo, Lobi, Bobo, Mande,

Fulani

Burma

Burman 68%, Shan 9%, Karen 7%, Rakhine 4%, Chinese 3%, Indian

2%, Mon 2%, other 5%

Burundi

Hutu (Bantu) 85%, Tutsi (Hamitic) 14%, Twa (Pygmy) 1%,

Europeans 3,000, South Asians 2,000

Cambodia

Khmer 90%, Vietnamese 5%, Chinese 1%, other 4%

Cameroon

Cameroon Highlanders 31%, Equatorial Bantu 19%, Kirdi 11%,

Fulani 10%, Northwestern Bantu 8%, Eastern Nigritic 7%, other

African 13%, non-African less than 1%

Canada

British Isles origin 28%, French origin 23%, other European

15%, Amerindian 2%, other, mostly Asian, African, Arab 6%, mixed

background 26%

Cape Verde

Creole (mulatto) 71%, African 28%, European 1%

Cayman Islands

mixed 40%, white 20%, black 20%, expatriates of

various ethnic groups 20%

Central African Republic

Baya 33%, Banda 27%, Mandjia 13%, Sara 10%,

Mboum 7%, M'Baka 4%, Yakoma 4%, other 2%

Chad

200 distinct groups; in the north and center: Arabs, Gorane

(Toubou, Daza, Kreda), Zaghawa, Kanembou, Ouaddai, Baguirmi,

Hadjerai, Fulbe, Kotoko, Hausa, Boulala, and Maba, most of whom are

Muslim; in the south: Sara (Ngambaye, Mbaye, Goulaye), Moundang,

Moussei, Massa, most of whom are Christian or animist; about 1,000

French citizens live in Chad

Chile

white and white-Amerindian 95%, Amerindian 3%, other 2%

China

Han Chinese 91.9%, Zhuang, Uygur, Hui, Yi, Tibetan, Miao,

Manchu, Mongol, Buyi, Korean, and other nationalities 8.1%

Christmas Island

Chinese 70%, European 20%, Malay 10%

note: no indigenous population (2001)

Cocos (Keeling) Islands

Europeans, Cocos Malays

Colombia

mestizo 58%, white 20%, mulatto 14%, black 4%, mixed

black-Amerindian 3%, Amerindian 1%

Comoros

Antalote, Cafre, Makoa, Oimatsaha, Sakalava

Congo, Democratic Republic of the

over 200 African ethnic groups of

which the majority are Bantu; the four largest tribes - Mongo, Luba,

Kongo (all Bantu), and the Mangbetu-Azande (Hamitic) make up about

45% of the population

Congo, Republic of the

Kongo 48%, Sangha 20%, M'Bochi 12%, Teke 17%,

Europeans and other 3%

note: Europeans estimated at 8,500, mostly French, before the 1997

civil war; may be half that in 1998, following the widespread

destruction of foreign businesses in 1997

Cook Islands

Cook Island Maori (Polynesian) 87.7%, part Cook Island

Maori 5.8%, other 6.5% (2001 census)

Costa Rica

white (including mestizo) 94%, black 3%, Amerindian 1%,

Chinese 1%, other 1%

Cote d'Ivoire

Akan 42.1%, Voltaiques or Gur 17.6%, Northern Mandes

16.5%, Krous 11%, Southern Mandes 10%, other 2.8% (includes 130,000

Lebanese and 14,000 French) (1998)

Croatia

Croat 89.6%, Serb 4.5%, other 5.9% (including Bosniak,

Hungarian, Slovene, Czech, and Roma) (2001 census)

Cuba

mulatto 51%, white 37%, black 11%, Chinese 1%

Cyprus

Greek 77%, Turkish 18%, other 5% (2001)

Czech Republic

Czech 90.4%, Moravian 3.7%, Slovak 1.9%, other 4%

(2001 census)

Denmark

Scandinavian, Inuit, Faroese, German, Turkish, Iranian,

Somali

Djibouti

Somali 60%, Afar 35%, French, Arab, Ethiopian, and Italian

5%

Dominica

black, mixed black and European, European, Syrian, Carib

Amerindian

Dominican Republic

white 16%, black 11%, mixed 73%

East Timor

Austronesian (Malayo-Polynesian), Papuan, small Chinese

minority

Ecuador

mestizo (mixed Amerindian and white) 65%, Amerindian 25%,

Spanish and others 7%, black 3%

Egypt

Eastern Hamitic stock (Egyptians, Bedouins, and Berbers) 99%,

Greek, Nubian, Armenian, other European (primarily Italian and

French) 1%

El Salvador

mestizo 90%, white 9%, Amerindian 1%

Equatorial Guinea

Bioko (primarily Bubi, some Fernandinos), Rio Muni

(primarily Fang), Europeans less than 1,000, mostly Spanish

Eritrea

ethnic Tigrinya 50%, Tigre and Kunama 40%, Afar 4%, Saho

(Red Sea coast dwellers) 3%, other 3%

Estonia

Estonian 67.9%, Russian 25.6%, Ukrainian 2.1%, Belarusian

1.3%, Finn 0.9%, other 2.2% (2000 census)

Ethiopia

Oromo 40%, Amhara and Tigre 32%, Sidamo 9%, Shankella 6%,

Somali 6%, Afar 4%, Gurage 2%, other 1%

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

British

Faroe Islands

Scandinavian

Fiji

Fijian 51% (predominantly Melanesian with a Polynesian

admixture), Indian 44%, European, other Pacific Islanders, overseas

Chinese, and other 5% (1998 est.)

Finland

Finn 93.4%, Swede 5.7%, Russian 0.4%, Estonian 0.2%, Roma

0.2%, Sami 0.1%

France

Celtic and Latin with Teutonic, Slavic, North African,

Indochinese, Basque minorities

French Guiana

black or mulatto 66%, white 12%, East Indian, Chinese,

Amerindian 12%, other 10%

French Polynesia

Polynesian 78%, Chinese 12%, local French 6%,

metropolitan French 4%

Gabon

Bantu tribes including four major tribal groupings (Fang,

Bapounou, Nzebi, Obamba), other Africans and Europeans 154,000,

including 10,700 French and 11,000 persons of dual nationality

Gambia, The

African 99% (Mandinka 42%, Fula 18%, Wolof 16%, Jola

10%, Serahuli 9%, other 4%), non-African 1%

Gaza Strip

Palestinian Arab and other 99.4%, Jewish 0.6%

Georgia

Georgian 83.8%, Azeri 6.5%, Armenian 5.7%, Russian 1.5%,

other 2.5% (2002 census)

Germany

German 91.5%, Turkish 2.4%, other 6.1% (made up largely of

Greek, Italian, Polish, Russian, Serbo-Croatian, Spanish)

Ghana

black African 98.5% (major tribes - Akan 44%, Moshi-Dagomba

16%, Ewe 13%, Ga 8%, Gurma 3%, Yoruba 1%), European and other 1.5%

(1998)

Gibraltar

Spanish, Italian, English, Maltese, Portuguese, German,

North Africans

Greece

Greek 98%, other 2%

note: the Greek Government states there are no ethnic divisions in

Greece

Greenland

Greenlander 88% (Inuit and Greenland-born whites), Danish

and others 12% (January 2000)

Grenada

black 82%, mixed black and European 13%, European and East

Indian 5%, and trace of Arawak/Carib Amerindian

Guadeloupe

black or mulatto 90%, white 5%, East Indian, Lebanese,

Chinese less than 5%

Guam

Chamorro 37.1%, Filipino 26.3%, other Pacific islander 11.3%,

white 6.9%, other Asian 6.3%, other ethnic origin or race 2.3%,

mixed 9.8% (2000 census)

Guatemala

Mestizo (mixed Amerindian-Spanish - in local Spanish

called Ladino) and European 59.4%, K'iche 9.1%, Kaqchikel 8.4%, Mam

7.9%, Q'eqchi 6.3%, other Mayan 8.6%, indigenous non-Mayan 0.2%,

other 0.1% (2001 census)

Guernsey

UK and Norman-French descent with small percentages from

other European countries

Guinea

Peuhl 40%, Malinke 30%, Soussou 20%, smaller ethnic groups 10%

Guinea-Bissau

African 99% (Balanta 30%, Fula 20%, Manjaca 14%,

Mandinga 13%, Papel 7%), European and mulatto less than 1%

Guyana

East Indian 50%, black 36%, Amerindian 7%, white, Chinese,

and mixed 7%

Haiti

black 95%, mulatto and white 5%

Holy See (Vatican City)

Italians, Swiss, other

Honduras

mestizo (mixed Amerindian and European) 90%, Amerindian 7%,

black 2%, white 1%

Hong Kong

Chinese 95%, other 5%

Hungary

Hungarian 92.3%, Roma 1.9%, other or unknown 5.8% (2001

census)

Iceland

homogeneous mixture of descendants of Norse and Celts 94%,

population of foreign origin 6%

India

Indo-Aryan 72%, Dravidian 25%, Mongoloid and other 3% (2000)

Indonesia

Javanese 45%, Sundanese 14%, Madurese 7.5%, coastal Malays

7.5%, other 26%

Iran

Persian 51%, Azeri 24%, Gilaki and Mazandarani 8%, Kurd 7%,

Arab 3%, Lur 2%, Baloch 2%, Turkmen 2%, other 1%

Iraq

Arab 75%-80%, Kurdish 15%-20%, Turkoman, Assyrian or other 5%

Ireland

Celtic, English

Israel

Jewish 80.1% (Europe/America-born 32.1%, Israel-born 20.8%,

Africa-born 14.6%, Asia-born 12.6%), non-Jewish 19.9% (mostly Arab)

(1996 est.)

Italy

Italian (includes small clusters of German-, French-, and

Slovene-Italians in the north and Albanian-Italians and

Greek-Italians in the south)

Jamaica

black 90.9%, East Indian 1.3%, white 0.2%, Chinese 0.2%,

mixed 7.3%, other 0.1%

Japan

Japanese 99%, others 1% (Korean 511,262, Chinese 244,241,

Brazilian 182,232, Filipino 89,851, other 237,914)

note: up to 230,000 Brazilians of Japanese origin migrated to Japan

in the 1990s to work in industries; some have returned to Brazil

(2004)

Jersey

Jersey 51.1%, British 34.8%, Irish, French, and other white

6.6%, Portuguese/Madeiran 6.4%, other 1.1% (2001 census)

Jordan

Arab 98%, Circassian 1%, Armenian 1%

Kazakhstan

Kazakh (Qazaq) 53.4%, Russian 30%, Ukrainian 3.7%, Uzbek

2.5%, German 2.4%, Tatar 1.7%, Uygur 1.4%, other 4.9% (1999 census)

Kenya

Kikuyu 22%, Luhya 14%, Luo 13%, Kalenjin 12%, Kamba 11%, Kisii

6%, Meru 6%, other African 15%, non-African (Asian, European, and

Arab) 1%

Kiribati

Micronesian 98.8%, other 1.2% (2000 census)

Korea, North

racially homogeneous; there is a small Chinese

community and a few ethnic Japanese

Korea, South

homogeneous (except for about 20,000 Chinese)

Kuwait

Kuwaiti 45%, other Arab 35%, South Asian 9%, Iranian 4%,

other 7%

Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyz 64.9%, Uzbek 13.8%, Russian 12.5%, Dungan 1.1%,

Ukrainian 1%, Uygur 1%, other 5.7% (1999 census)

Laos

Lao Loum (lowland) 68%, Lao Theung (upland) 22%, Lao Soung

(highland) including the Hmong and the Yao 9%, ethnic

Vietnamese/Chinese 1%

Latvia

Latvian 57.7%, Russian 29.6%, Belarusian 4.1%, Ukrainian

2.7%, Polish 2.5%, Lithuanian 1.4%, other 2% (2002)

Lebanon

Arab 95%, Armenian 4%, other 1%

Lesotho

Sotho 99.7%, Europeans, Asians, and other 0.3%,

Liberia

indigenous African tribes 95% (including Kpelle, Bassa, Gio,

Kru, Grebo, Mano, Krahn, Gola, Gbandi, Loma, Kissi, Vai, Dei, Bella,

Mandingo, and Mende), Americo-Liberians 2.5% (descendants of

immigrants from the US who had been slaves), Congo People 2.5%

(descendants of immigrants from the Caribbean who had been slaves)

Libya

Berber and Arab 97%, Greeks, Maltese, Italians, Egyptians,

Pakistanis, Turks, Indians, Tunisians

Liechtenstein

Alemannic 86%, Italian, Turkish, and other 14%

Lithuania

Lithuanian 83.4%, Polish 6.7%, Russian 6.3%, other or

unspecified 3.6% (2001 census)

Luxembourg

Celtic base (with French and German blend), Portuguese,

Italian, Slavs (from Montenegro, Albania, and Kosovo) and European

(guest and resident workers)

Macau

Chinese 95.7%, Macanese (mixed Portuguese and Asian ancestry)

1%, other 3.3% (2001 census)

Macedonia

Macedonian 64.2%, Albanian 25.2%, Turkish 3.9%, Roma 2.7%,

Serb 1.8%, other 2.2% (2002 census)

Madagascar

Malayo-Indonesian (Merina and related Betsileo), Cotiers

(mixed African, Malayo-Indonesian, and Arab ancestry -

Betsimisaraka, Tsimihety, Antaisaka, Sakalava), French, Indian,

Creole, Comoran

Malawi

Chewa, Nyanja, Tumbuka, Yao, Lomwe, Sena, Tonga, Ngoni,

Ngonde, Asian, European

Malaysia

Malay 50.4%, Chinese 23.7%, Indigenous 11%, Indian 7.1%,

others 7.8% (2004 est.)

Maldives

South Indians, Sinhalese, Arabs

Mali

Mande 50% (Bambara, Malinke, Soninke), Peul 17%, Voltaic 12%,

Songhai 6%, Tuareg and Moor 10%, other 5%

Malta

Maltese (descendants of ancient Carthaginians and Phoenicians,

with strong elements of Italian and other Mediterranean stock)

Man, Isle of

Manx (Norse-Celtic descent), Briton

Marshall Islands

Micronesian

Martinique

African and African-white-Indian mixture 90%, white 5%,

East Indian, Chinese less than 5%

Mauritania

mixed Maur/black 40%, Moor 30%, black 30%

Mauritius

Indo-Mauritian 68%, Creole 27%, Sino-Mauritian 3%,

Franco-Mauritian 2%

Mayotte

NA

Mexico

mestizo (Amerindian-Spanish) 60%, Amerindian or predominantly

Amerindian 30%, white 9%, other 1%

Micronesia, Federated States of

nine ethnic Micronesian and

Polynesian groups

Moldova

Moldovan/Romanian 64.5%, Ukrainian 13.8%, Russian 13%,

Jewish 1.5%, Bulgarian 2%, Gagauz and other 5.2% (1989 est.)

note: internal disputes with ethnic Slavs in the Transnistrian region

Monaco

French 47%, Monegasque 16%, Italian 16%, other 21%

Mongolia

Mongol (mostly Khalkha) 94.9%, Turkic (mostly Kazakh) 5%,

other (including Chinese and Russian) 0.1% (2000)

Montserrat

black, white

Morocco

Arab-Berber 99.1%, other 0.7%, Jewish 0.2%

Mozambique

indigenous tribal groups 99.66% (Makhuwa, Tsonga, Lomwe,

Sena, and others), Europeans 0.06%, Euro-Africans 0.2%, Indians 0.08%

Namibia

black 87.5%, white 6%, mixed 6.5%

note: about 50% of the population belong to the Ovambo tribe and 9%

to the Kavangos tribe; other ethnic groups are: Herero 7%, Damara

7%, Nama 5%, Caprivian 4%, Bushmen 3%, Baster 2%, Tswana 0.5%

Nauru

Nauruan 58%, other Pacific Islander 26%, Chinese 8%, European

8%

Nepal

Chhettri 15.5%, Brahman-Hill 12.5%, Magar 7%, Tharu 6.6%,

Tamang 5.5%, Newar 5.4%, Muslim 4.2%, Kami 3.9%, Yadav 3.9%, other

32.7%, unspecified 2.8% (2001 census)

Netherlands

Dutch 83%, other 17% (of which 9% are non-Western origin

mainly Turks, Moroccans, Antilleans, Surinamese, and Indonesians)

(1999 est.)

Netherlands Antilles

mixed black 85%, Carib Amerindian, white, East

Asian

New Caledonia

Melanesian 42.5%, European 37.1%, Wallisian 8.4%,

Polynesian 3.8%, Indonesian 3.6%, Vietnamese 1.6%, other 3%

New Zealand

European 69.8%, Maori 7.9%, Asian 5.7%, Pacific islander

4.4%, other 0.5%, mixed 7.8%, unspecified 3.8% (2001 census)

Nicaragua

mestizo (mixed Amerindian and white) 69%, white 17%, black

9%, Amerindian 5%

Niger

Hausa 56%, Djerma 22%, Fula 8.5%, Tuareg 8%, Beri Beri

(Kanouri) 4.3%, Arab, Toubou, and Gourmantche 1.2%, about 1,200

French expatriates

Nigeria

Nigeria, Africa's most populous country, is composed of more

than 250 ethnic groups; the following are the most populous and

politically influential: Hausa and Fulani 29%, Yoruba 21%, Igbo

(Ibo) 18%, Ijaw 10%, Kanuri 4%, Ibibio 3.5%, Tiv 2.5%

Niue

Niuen 78.2%, Pacific islander 10.2%, European 4.5%, mixed 3.9%,

Asian 0.2%, unspecified 3% (2001 census)

Norfolk Island

descendants of the Bounty mutineers, Australian, New

Zealander, Polynesians

Northern Mariana Islands

Asian 56.3%, Pacific islander 36.3%,

Caucasian 1.8%, other 0.8%, mixed 4.8% (2000 census)

Norway

Norwegian, Sami 20,000

Oman

Arab, Baluchi, South Asian (Indian, Pakistani, Sri Lankan,

Bangladeshi), African

Pakistan

Punjabi, Sindhi, Pashtun (Pathan), Baloch, Muhajir

(immigrants from India at the time of partition and their

descendants)

Palau

Palauan (Micronesian with Malayan and Melanesian admixtures)

69.9%, Carolinian 1.4%, other Micronesian 1.1%, Filipino 15.3%,

Chinese 4.9%, other Asian 2.4%, white 1.9%, other or unspecified

3.2% (2000 census)

Panama

mestizo (mixed Amerindian and white) 70%, Amerindian and

mixed (West Indian) 14%, white 10%, Amerindian 6%

Papua New Guinea

Melanesian, Papuan, Negrito, Micronesian, Polynesian

Paraguay

mestizo (mixed Spanish and Amerindian) 95%, other 5%

Peru

Amerindian 45%, mestizo (mixed Amerindian and white) 37%, white

15%, black, Japanese, Chinese, and other 3%

Philippines

Tagalog 28.1%, Cebuano 13.1%, Llocano 9%,

Bisaya/Binisaya 7.6%, Hiligaynon Ilonggo 7.5%, Bikol 6%, Waray 3.4%,

other 25.3% (2000 census)

Pitcairn Islands

descendants of the Bounty mutineers and their

Tahitian wives

Poland

Polish 96.7%, German 0.4%, Belarusian 0.1%, Ukrainian 0.1%,

other and unspecified 2.7% (2002 census)

Portugal

homogeneous Mediterranean stock; citizens of black African

descent who immigrated to mainland during decolonization number less

than 100,000; since 1990 East Europeans have entered Portugal

Puerto Rico

white (mostly Spanish origin) 80.5%, black 8%,

Amerindian 0.4%, Asian 0.2%, mixed and other 10.9%

Qatar

Arab 40%, Pakistani 18%, Indian 18%, Iranian 10%, other 14%

Reunion

French, African, Malagasy, Chinese, Pakistani, Indian

Romania

Romanian 89.5%, Hungarian 6.6%, Roma 2.5%, Ukrainian 0.3%,

German 0.3%, Russian 0.2%, Turkish 0.2%, other 0.4% (2002 census)

Russia

Russian 79.8%, Tatar 3.8%, Ukrainian 2%, Bashkir 1.2%,

Chuvash 1.1%, other or unspecified 12.1% (2002 census)

Rwanda

Hutu 84%, Tutsi 15%, Twa (Pygmoid) 1%

Saint Helena

African descent 50%, white 25%, Chinese 25%

Saint Kitts and Nevis predominantly black; some British, Portuguese, and Lebanese

Saint Lucia

black 90%, mixed 6%, East Indian 3%, white 1%

Saint Pierre and Miquelon

Basques and Bretons (French fishermen)

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

black 66%, mixed 19%, East Indian

6%, Carib Amerindian 2%, other 7%

Samoa

Samoan 92.6%, Euronesians 7% (persons of European and

Polynesian blood), Europeans 0.4%

San Marino

Sammarinese, Italian

Sao Tome and Principe

mestico, angolares (descendants of Angolan

slaves), forros (descendants of freed slaves), servicais (contract

laborers from Angola, Mozambique, and Cape Verde), tongas (children

of servicais born on the islands), Europeans (primarily Portuguese)

Saudi Arabia

Arab 90%, Afro-Asian 10%

Senegal

Wolof 43.3%, Pular 23.8%, Serer 14.7%, Jola 3.7%, Mandinka

3%, Soninke 1.1%, European and Lebanese 1%, other 9.4%

Serbia and Montenegro

Serb 62.6%, Albanian 16.5%, Montenegrin 5%,

Hungarian 3.3%, other 12.6% (1991)

Seychelles

mixed French, African, Indian, Chinese, and Arab

Sierra Leone

20 native African tribes 90% (Temne 30%, Mende 30%,

other 30%), Creole (Krio) 10% (descendants of freed Jamaican slaves

who were settled in the Freetown area in the late-18th century),

refugees from Liberia's recent civil war, small numbers of

Europeans, Lebanese, Pakistanis, and Indians

Singapore

Chinese 76.8%, Malay 13.9%, Indian 7.9%, other 1.4% (2000

census)

Slovakia

Slovak 85.8%, Hungarian 9.7%, Roma 1.7%,

Ruthenian/Ukrainian 1%, other and unspecified 1.8% (2001 census)

Slovenia

Slovene 83.1%, Serb 2%, Croat 1.8%, Bosniak 1.1%, other or

unspecified 12% (2002 census)

Solomon Islands

Melanesian 94.5%, Polynesian 3%, Micronesian 1.2%,

other 1.1%, unspecified 0.2% (1999 census)

Somalia

Somali 85%, Bantu and other non-Somali 15% (including Arabs

30,000)

South Africa

black African 79%, white 9.6%, colored 8.9%,

Indian/Asian 2.5% (2001 census)

Spain

composite of Mediterranean and Nordic types

Sri Lanka

Sinhalese 73.8%, Sri Lankan Moors 7.2%, Indian Tamil 4.6%,

Sri Lankan Tamil 3.9%, other 0.5%, unspecified 10% (2001 census

provisional data)

Sudan

black 52%, Arab 39%, Beja 6%, foreigners 2%, other 1%

Suriname

Hindustani (also known locally as "East Indians"; their

ancestors emigrated from northern India in the latter part of the

19th century) 37%, Creole (mixed white and black) 31%, Javanese 15%,

"Maroons" (their African ancestors were brought to the country in

the 17th and 18th centuries as slaves and escaped to the interior)

10%, Amerindian 2%, Chinese 2%, white 1%, other 2%

Svalbard

Norwegian 55.4%, Russian and Ukrainian 44.3%, other 0.3%

(1998)

Swaziland

African 97%, European 3%

Sweden

indigenous population: Swedes and Finnish and Sami

minorities; foreign-born or first-generation immigrants: Finns,

Yugoslavs, Danes, Norwegians, Greeks, Turks

Switzerland

German 65%, French 18%, Italian 10%, Romansch 1%, other

6%

Syria

Arab 90.3%, Kurds, Armenians, and other 9.7%

Taiwan

Taiwanese (including Hakka) 84%, mainland Chinese 14%,

aborigine 2%

Tajikistan

Tajik 79.9%, Uzbek 15.3%, Russian 1.1%, Kyrgyz 1.1%,

other 2.6% (2000 census)

Tanzania

mainland - native African 99% (of which 95% are Bantu

consisting of more than 130 tribes), other 1% (consisting of Asian,

European, and Arab); Zanzibar - Arab, native African, mixed Arab and

native African

Thailand

Thai 75%, Chinese 14%, other 11%

Togo

native African (37 tribes; largest and most important are Ewe,

Mina, and Kabre) 99%, European and Syrian-Lebanese less than 1%

Tokelau

Polynesian

Tonga

Polynesian, Europeans about 300

Trinidad and Tobago

Indian (South Asian) 40%, African 37.5%, mixed

20.5%, other 1.2%, unspecified 0.8% (2000 census)

Tunisia

Arab 98%, European 1%, Jewish and other 1%

Turkey

Turkish 80%, Kurdish 20% (estimated)

Turkmenistan

Turkmen 85%, Uzbek 5%, Russian 4%, other 6% (2003)

Turks and Caicos Islands

black 90%, mixed, European, or North

American 10%

Tuvalu

Polynesian 96%, Micronesian 4%

Uganda

Baganda 17%, Ankole 8%, Basoga 8%, Iteso 8%, Bakiga 7%, Langi

6%, Rwanda 6%, Bagisu 5%, Acholi 4%, Lugbara 4%, Batoro 3%, Bunyoro

3%, Alur 2%, Bagwere 2%, Bakonjo 2%, Jopodhola 2%, Karamojong 2%,

Rundi 2%, non-African (European, Asian, Arab) 1%, other 8%

Ukraine

Ukrainian 77.8%, Russian 17.3%, Belarusian 0.6%, Moldovan

0.5%, Crimean Tatar 0.5%, Bulgarian 0.4%, Hungarian 0.3%, Romanian

0.3%, Polish 0.3%, Jewish 0.2%, other 1.8% (2001 census)

United Arab Emirates

Emirati 19%, other Arab and Iranian 23%, South

Asian 50%, other expatriates (includes Westerners and East Asians)

8% (1982)

note: less than 20% are UAE citizens (1982)

United Kingdom

white (English 83.6%, Scottish 8.6%, Welsh 4.9%,

Northern Irish 2.9%) 92.1%, black 2%, Indian 1.8%, Pakistani 1.3%,

mixed 1.2%, other 1.6% (2001 census)

United States

white 81.7%, black 12.9%, Asian 4.2%, Amerindian and

Alaska native 1%, native Hawaiian and other Pacific islander 0.2%

(2003 est.)

note: a separate listing for Hispanic is not included because the US

Census Bureau considers Hispanic to mean a person of Latin American

descent (including persons of Cuban, Mexican, or Puerto Rican

origin) living in the US who may be of any race or ethnic group

(white, black, Asian, etc.)

Uruguay

white 88%, mestizo 8%, black 4%, Amerindian (practically

nonexistent)

Uzbekistan

Uzbek 80%, Russian 5.5%, Tajik 5%, Kazakh 3%, Karakalpak

2.5%, Tatar 1.5%, other 2.5% (1996 est.)

Vanuatu

Ni-Vanuatu 98.5%, other 1.5% (1999 Census)

Venezuela

Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Arab, German, African,

indigenous people

Vietnam

Kinh (Viet) 86.2%, Tay 1.9%, Thai 1.7%, Muong 1.5%, Khome

1.4%, Hoa 1.1%, Nun 1.1%, Hmong 1%, others 4.1% (1999 census)

Virgin Islands

black 76.2%, white 13.1%, Asian 1.1%, other 6.1%,

mixed 3.5% (2000 census)

Wallis and Futuna

Polynesian

West Bank

Palestinian Arab and other 83%, Jewish 17%

Western Sahara

Arab, Berber

Yemen

predominantly Arab; but also Afro-Arab, South Asians, Europeans

Zambia

African 98.7%, European 1.1%, other 0.2%

Zimbabwe

African 98% (Shona 82%, Ndebele 14%, other 2%), mixed and

Asian 1%, white less than 1%

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2076 Exchange rates

Afghanistan

afghanis per US dollar - 3,000 (2004), 3,000 (2003),

3,000 (2002), 3,000 (2001), 3,000 (2000)

note: in 2002, the afghani was revalued and the currency stabilized

at about 50 afghanis to the dollar; before 2002, the market rate

varied widely from the official rate

Albania

leke per US dollar - 102.649 (2004), 121.863 (2003), 140.155

(2002), 143.485 (2001), 143.709 (2000)

Algeria

Algerian dinars per US dollar - 72.061 (2004), 77.395

(2003), 79.682 (2002), 77.215 (2001), 75.26 (2000)

American Samoa

the US dollar is used

Andorra

euros per US dollar - 0.8054 (2004), 0.886 (2003), 1.0626

(2002), 1.1175 (2001), 1.0854 (2000)

Angola

kwanza per US dollar - 83.541 (2004), 74.606 (2003), 43.53

(2002), 22.058 (2001), 10.041 (2000)

Anguilla

East Caribbean dollars per US dollar - 2.7 (2004), 2.7

(2003), 2.7 (2002), 2.7 (2001), 2.7 (2000)

note: fixed rate since 1976

Antigua and Barbuda

East Caribbean dollars per US dollar - 2.7

(2004), 2.7 (2003), 2.7 (2002), 2.7 (2001), 2.7 (2000)

note: fixed rate since 1976

Argentina

Argentine pesos per US dollar - 2.9233 (2004), 2.9006

(2003), 3.0633 (2002), 0.9995 (2001), 0.9995 (2000)

Armenia

drams per US dollar - 533.45 (2004), 578.76 (2003), 573.35

(2002), 555.08 (2001), 539.53 (2000)

Aruba

Aruban guilders/florins per US dollar - 1.79 (2004), 1.79

(2003), 1.79 (2002), 1.79 (2001), 1.79 (2000)

Australia

Australian dollars per US dollar - 1.3598 (2004), 1.5419

(2003), 1.8406 (2002), 1.9334 (2001), 1.7248 (2000)

Austria

euros per US dollar - 0.8054 (2004), 0.886 (2003), 1.0626

(2002), 1.1175 (2001), 1.0854 (2000)

Azerbaijan

Azerbaijani manats per US dollar - 4,913.48 (2004),

4,910.73 (2003), 4,860.82 (2002), 4,656.58 (2001), 4,474.15 (2000)

Bahamas, The

Bahamian dollars per US dollar - 1 (2004), 1 (2003), 1

(2002), 1 (2001), 1 (2000)

Bahrain

Bahraini dinars per US dollar - 0.376 (2004), 0.376 (2003),

0.376 (2002), 0.376 (2001), 0.376 (2000)

Bangladesh

taka per US dollar - 59.513 (2004), 58.15 (2003), 57.888

(2002), 55.807 (2001), 52.142 (2000)

Barbados

Barbadian dollars per US dollar - 2 (2004), 2 (2003), 2

(2002), 2 (2001), 2 (2000)

Belarus

Belarusian rubles per US dollar - 2,160.26 (2004), 2,051.27

(2003), 1,790.92 (2002), 1,390 (2001), 876.75 (2000)

Belgium

euros per US dollar - 0.8054 (2004), 0.886 (2003), 1.0626

(2002), 1.1175 (2001), 1.0854 (2000)

Belize

Belizean dollars per US dollar - 2 (2004), 2 (2003), 2

(2002), 2 (2001), 2 (2000)

Benin

Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar -

528.29 (2004), 581.2 (2003), 696.99 (2002), 733.04 (2001), 711.98

(2000)

Bermuda

Bermudian dollar per US dollar - 1.0000 (fixed rate pegged

to the US dollar)

Bhutan

ngultrum per US dollar - 45.317 (2004), 46.583 (2003), 48.61

(2002), 47.186 (2001), 44.942 (2000)

Bolivia

bolivianos per US dollar - 7.9363 (2004), 7.6592 (2003),

7.17 (2002), 6.6069 (2001), 6.1835 (2000)

Bosnia and Herzegovina

marka per US dollar - 1.58 (2004), 1.73

(2003), 2.08 (2002), 2.19 (2001), 2.12 (2000)

note: the marka is pegged to the euro

Botswana

pulas per US dollar - 4.6929 (2004), 4.9499 (2003), 6.3278

(2002), 5.8412 (2001), 5.1018 (2000)

Brazil

reals per US dollar - 2.9251 (2004), 3.0771 (2003), 2.9208

(2002), 2.3577 (2001), 1.8301 (2000)

British Virgin Islands

the US dollar is used

Brunei

Bruneian dollars per US dollar - 1.6902 (2004), 1.7422

(2003), 1.7906 (2002), 1.7917 (2001), 1.724 (2000)

Bulgaria

leva per US dollar - 1.5751 (2004), 1.7327 (2003), 2.077

(2002), 2.1847 (2001), 2.1233 (2000)

note: on 5 July 1999, the lev was redenominated; the post-5 July

1999 lev is equal to 1,000 of the pre-5 July 1999 lev

Burkina Faso

Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US

dollar - 528.29 (2004), 581.2 (2003), 696.99 (2002), 733.04 (2001),

711.98 (2000)

Burma

kyats per US dollar - 5.7459 (2004), 6.0764 (2003), 6.5734

(2002), 6.6841 (2001), 6.4257 (2000)

note: these are official exchange rates; unofficial exchange rates

ranged in 2004 from 815 kyat/US dollar to nearly 970 kyat/US dollar

Burundi

Burundi francs per US dollar - 1,100.91 (2004), 1,082.62

(2003), 930.75 (2002), 830.35 (2001), 720.67 (2000)

Cambodia

riels per US dollar - 4,016.25 (2004), 3,973.33 (2003),

3,912.08 (2002), 3,916.33 (2001), 3,840.75 (2000)

Cameroon

Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XAF) per US dollar

- 528.29 (2004), 581.2 (2003), 696.99 (2002), 733.04 (2001), 711.98

(2000)

Canada

Canadian dollars per US dollar - 1.301 (2004), 1.4011 (2003),

1.5693 (2002), 1.5488 (2001), 1.4851 (2000)

Cape Verde

Cape Verdean escudos (CVE) per US dollar - 88.808 (2004),

97.703 (2003), 117.168 (2002), 123.228 (2001), 119.687 (2000)

Cayman Islands

Caymanian dollars per US dollar - 0.82 (29 October

2001), 0.83 (3 November 1995), 0.85 (22 November 1993)

Central African Republic

Communaute Financiere Africaine francs

(XAF) per US dollar - 528.29 (2004), 581.2 (2003), 696.99 (2002),

733.04 (2001), 711.98 (2000)

Chad

Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XAF) per US dollar -

528.29 (2004), 581.2 (2003), 696.99 (2002), 733.04 (2001), 711.98

(2000)

Chile

Chilean pesos per US dollar - 609.37 (2004), 691.43 (2003),

688.94 (2002), 634.94 (2001), 539.59 (2000)

China

yuan per US dollar - 8.2768 (2004), 8.277 (2003), 8.277

(2002), 8.2771 (2001), 8.2785 (2000)

Christmas Island

Australian dollars per US dollar - 1.3598 (2004),

1.5419 (2003), 1.8406 (2002), 1.9334 (2001), 1.7248 (2000)

Cocos (Keeling) Islands

Australian dollars per US dollar - 1.3598

(2004), 1.5419 (2003), 1.8406 (2002), 1.9334 (2001), 1.7248 (2000)

Colombia

Colombian pesos per US dollar - 2,628.61 (2004), 2,877.65

(2003), 2,504.24 (2002), 2,299.63 (2001), 2,087.9 (2000)

Comoros

Comoran francs (KMF) per US dollar - 396.21 (2004), 435.9

(2003), 522.74 (2002), 549.78 (2001), 533.98 (2000)

note: the Comoran franc is pegged to the euro at a rate of 491.9677

Comoran francs per euro

Congo, Democratic Republic of the

Congolese francs per US dollar -

401.04 (2004), 405.34 (2003), 346.49 (2002), 206.62 (2001), 21.82

(2000)

Congo, Republic of the

Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XAF)

per US dollar - 528.29 (2004), 581.2 (2003), 696.99 (2002), 733.04

(2001), 711.98 (2000)

Cook Islands

New Zealand dollars per US dollar - 1.5087 (2004),

1.7221 (2003), 2.1622 (2002), 2.3788 (2001), 2.2012 (2000)

Costa Rica

Costa Rican colones per US dollar - 437.91 (2004), 398.66

(2003), 359.82 (2002), 328.87 (2001), 308.19 (2000)

Cote d'Ivoire

Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US

dollar - 528.29 (2004), 581.2 (2003), 696.99 (2002), 733.04 (2001),

711.98 (2000)

Croatia

kuna per US dollar - 6.0358 (2004), 6.7035 (2003), 7.8687

(2002), 8.34 (2001), 8.2766 (2000)

Cuba

Convertible pesos per US dollar - 0.93

note: Cuba has three currencies in circulation: the Cuban peso

(CUP), the convertible peso (CUC), and the US dollar (USD), although

the dollar is being withdrawn from circulation; in April 2005 the

official exchange rate changed from $1 per CUC to $1.08 per CUC

(0.93 CUC per $1), both for individuals and enterprises; individuals

can buy 24 Cuban pesos (CUP) for each CUC sold, or sell 25 Cuban

pesos for each CUC bought; enterprises, however, must exchange CUP

and CUC at a 1:1 ratio.

Cyprus

Cypriot pounds per US dollar - 0.4686 (2004), 0.5174 (2003),

0.6107 (2002), 0.6431 (2001), 0.6224 (2000), Turkish lira per US

dollar 1.426 million (2004), 1.501 million (2003), 1.507 million

(2002), 1.226 million (2001), 625,200 (2000)

Czech Republic

koruny per US dollar - 25.7 (2004), 28.209 (2003),

32.739 (2002), 38.035 (2001), 38.598 (2000)

Denmark

Danish kroner per US dollar - 5.9911 (2004), 6.5877 (2003),

7.8947 (2002), 8.3228 (2001), 8.0831 (2000)

Djibouti

Djiboutian francs per US dollar - 177.72 (2004), 177.72

(2003), 177.72 (2002), 177.72 (2001), 177.72 (2000)

Dominica

East Caribbean dollars per US dollar - 2.7 (2004), 2.7

(2003), 2.7 (2002), 2.7 (2001), 2.7 (2000)

Dominican Republic

Dominican pesos per US dollar - 42.12 (2004),

30.831 (2003), 18.61 (2002), 16.952 (2001), 16.415 (2000)

East Timor

the US dollar is the legal tender

Ecuador

25,000 (2004), 25,000 (2003), 25,000 (2002), 25,000 (2001),

24,988 (2000)

Egypt

Egyptian pounds per US dollar - 6.1963 (2004), 5.8509 (2003),

4.4997 (2002), 3.973 (2001), 3.4721 (2000)

El Salvador

the US dollar became El Salvador's currency in 2001

Equatorial Guinea

Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XAF) per

US dollar - 528.29 (2004), 581.2 (2003), 696.99 (2002), 733.04

(2001), 711.98 (2000)

Eritrea

nakfa (ERN) per US dollar - 13.788 (2004), 13.878 (2003),

13.958 (2002), 11.31 (2001), 9.625 (2000)

Estonia

krooni per US dollar - 12.596 (2004), 13.856 (2003), 16.612

(2002), 17.478 (2001), 16.969 (2000)

Ethiopia

birr per US dollar - 8.68 (2004), 8.5997 (2003), 8.5678

(2002), 8.4575 (2001), 8.2173 (2000)

note: since 24 October 2001 exchange rates are determined on a daily

basis via interbank transactions regulated by the Central Bank

European Union

euros per US dollar - 0.81 (2004), 0.89 (2003), 1.06

(2002), 1.12 (2001), 1.09 (2000)

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

Falkland pounds per US dollar -

0.5462 (2004), 0.6125 (2003), 0.6672 (2002), 0.6947 (2001), 0.6609

(2000)

note: the Falkland pound is at par with the British pound

Faroe Islands

Danish kroner per US dollar - 5.9911 (2004), 6.5877

(2003), 7.8947 (2002), 8.3228 (2001), 8.0831 (2000)

Fiji

Fijian dollars per US dollar - 1.7331 (2004), 1.8958 (2003),

2.1869 (2002), 2.2766 (2001), 2.1286 (2000)

Finland

euros per US dollar - 0.81 (2004), 0.89 (2003), 1.06 (2002),

1.12 (2001), 1.09 (2000)

France

euros per US dollar - 0.8054 (2004), 0.886 (2003), 1.0626

(2002), 1.1175 (2001), 1.0854 (2000)

French Guiana

Euros per US dollar - 0.8054 (2004), 0.886 (2003),

1.0626 (2002), 1.1175 (2001), 1.0854 (2000)

French Polynesia

Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique francs (XPF) per US

dollar - 96.04 (2004), 105.66 (2003), 126.71 (2002), 133.26 (2001),

129.43 (2000)

note: pegged at the rate of 119.25 XPF to the euro

Gabon

Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XAF) per US dollar -

528.29 (2004), 581.2 (2003), 696.99 (2002), 733.04 (2001), 711.98

(2000)

Gambia, The

dalasi per US dollar - 27.306 (2003), 27.306 (2003),

19.918 (2002), 15.687 (2001), 12.788 (2000)

Gaza Strip

new Israeli shekels per US dollar - 4.482 (2004), 4.5541

(2003), 4.7378 (2002), 4.2057 (2001), 4.0773 (2000)

Georgia

lari per US dollar - 1.9167 (2004), 2.1457 (2003), 2.1957

(2002), 2.073 (2001), 1.9762 (2000)

Germany

euros per US dollar - 0.8054 (2004), 0.886 (2003), 1.0626

(2002), 1.1175 (2001), 1.0854 (2000)

Ghana

cedis per US dollar - 9,004.6 (2004), 8,677.4 (2003), 7,932.7

(2002), 7,170.8 (2001), 5,455.1 (2000)

Gibraltar

Gibraltar pounds per US dollar - 0.5462 (2004), 0.6125

(2003), 0.6672 (2002), 0.6947 (2001), 0.6609 (2000)

note: the Gibraltar pound is at par with the British pound

Greece

euros per US dollar - 0.8054 (2004), 0.886 (2003), 1.0626

(2002), 1.1175 (2001), 1.0854 (2000)

Greenland

Danish kroner per US dollar - 5.9911 (2004), 6.5877

(2003), 7.8947 (2002), 8.3228 (2001), 8.0831 (2000)

Grenada

East Caribbean dollars per US dollar - 2.7 (2004), 2.7

(2003), 2.7 (2002), 2.7 (2001), 2.7 (2000)

Guadeloupe

euros per US dollar - 0.8054 (2004), 0.886 (2003), 1.0626

(2002), 1.1175 j(2001), 1.0854 (2000)

Guam

the US dollar is used

Guatemala

quetzales per US dollar - 7.9465 (2004), 7.9409 (2003),

7.8216 (2002), 7.8586 (2001), 7.7632 (2000)

Guernsey

Guernsey pounds per US dollar - 0.5462 (2004), 0.6125

(2003), 0.6672 (2002), 0.6947 (2001), 0.6609 (2000)

note: the Guernsey pound is at par with the British pound

Guinea

Guinean francs per US dollar - 2,550 (2004), 1,984.9 (2003),

1,975.8 (2002), 1,950.6 (2001), 1,746.9 (2000)

Guinea-Bissau

Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US

dollar - 528.29 (2004), 581.2 (2003), 696.99 (2002), 733.04 (2001),

711.98 (2000)

note: since 1 January 1999, the XOF franc is pegged to the euro at a

rate of 655.957 XOF francs per euro

Guyana

Guyanese dollars per US dollar - 198.33 (2004), 193.88

(2003), 190.67 (2002), 187.32 (2001), 182.43 (2000)

Haiti

gourdes per US dollar - 38.352 (2004), 42.367 (2003), 29.251

(2002), 24.429 (2001), 21.171 (2000)

Holy See (Vatican City)

euros per US dollar - 0.8054 (2004), 0.886

(2003), 1.0626 (2002), 1.1175 (2001), 1.0854 (2000)

Honduras

lempiras per US dollar - 18.206 (2004), 17.345 (2003),

16.433 (2002), 15.474 (2001), 14.839 (2000)

Hong Kong

Hong Kong dollars per US dollar - 7.788 (2004), 7.7868

(2003), 7.7989 (2002), 7.7988 (2001), 7.7912 (2000)

Hungary

forints per US dollar - 202.75 (2004), 224.31 (2003), 257.89

(2002), 286.49 (2001), 282.18 (2000)

Iceland

Icelandic kronur per US dollar - 70.192 (2004), 76.709

(2003), 91.662 (2002), 97.425 (2001), 78.616 (2000)

India

Indian rupees per US dollar - 45.317 (2004), 46.583 (2003),

48.61 (2002), 47.186 (2001), 44.942 (2000)

Indonesia

Indonesian rupiahs per US dollar - 8,938.9 (2004), 8,577.1

(2003), 9,311.2 (2002), 10,260.8 (2001), 8,421.8 (2000)

Iran

rials per US dollar - 8,614 (2004), 8,193.9 (2003), 6,907

(2002), 1,753.6 (2001), 1,764.4 (2000)

note: Iran has been using a managed floating exchange rate regime

since unifying multiple exchange rates in March 2002

Iraq

New Iraqi dinars per US dollar - 1,890 (second half, 2003),

0.3109 (2002), 0.3109 (2001), 0.3109 (2000)

Ireland

euros per US dollar - 0.8054 (2004), 0.886 (2003), 1.0626

(2002), 1.1175 (2001), 1.0854 (2000)

Israel

new Israeli shekels per US dollar - 4.482 (2004), 4.5541

(2003), 4.7378 (2002), 4.2057 (2001), 4.0773 (2000)

Italy

euros per US dollar - 0.8054 (2004), 0.886 (2003), 1.0626

(2002), 1.1175 (2001), 1.0854 (2000)

Jamaica

Jamaican dollars per US dollar - 61.197 (2004), 57.741

(2003), 48.416 (2002), 45.996 (2001), 42.986 (2000)

Japan

yen per US dollar - 108.19 (2004), 115.93 (2003), 125.39

(2002), 121.53 (2001), 107.77 (2000)

Jersey

Jersey pounds per US dollar - 0.5462 (2004), 0.6125 (2003),

0.6672 (2002), 0.6947 (2001), 0.6609 (2000)

note: the Jersey pound is at par with the British pound

Jordan

Jordanian dinars per US dollar - 0.709 (2004), 0.709 (2003),

0.709 (2002), 0.709 (2001), 0.709 (2000)

Kazakhstan

tenge per US dollar - 136.04 (2004), 149.58 (2003),

153.28 (2002), 146.74 (2001), 142.13 (2000)

Kenya

Kenyan shillings per US dollar - 79.174 (2004), 75.936 (2003),

78.749 (2002), 78.563 (2001), 76.176 (2000)

Kiribati

Australian dollars per US dollar - 1.3598 (2004), 1.5419

(2003), 1.8406 (2002), 1.9334 (2001), 1.7248 (2000)

Korea, North

official: North Korean won per US dollar - 170

(December 2004), 150 (December 2002), 2.15 (December 2001); market:

North Korean won per US dollar - 300-600 (December 2002)

Korea, South

South Korean won per US dollar - 1,145.3 (2004),

1,191.6 (2003), 1,251.1 (2002), 1,291 (2001), 1,131 (2000)

Kuwait

Kuwaiti dinars per US dollar - 0.2947 (2004), 0.298 (2003),

0.3039 (2002), 0.3067 (2001), 0.3068 (2000)

Kyrgyzstan

soms per US dollar - 42.65 (2004), 43.648 (2003), 46.937

(2002), 48.378 (2001), 47.704 (2000)

Laos

kips per US dollar - 10,820 (2004), 10,569 (2003), 10,056.3

(2002), 8,954.6 (2001), 7,887.6 (2000)

Latvia

lati per US dollar - 0.5402 (2004), 0.5715 (2003), 0.6182

(2002), 0.6279 (2001), 0.6065 (2000)

Lebanon

Lebanese pounds per US dollar - 1,507.5 (2004), 1,507.5

(2003), 1,507.5 (2002), 1,507.5 (2001), 1,507.5 (2000)

Lesotho

maloti per US dollar - 6.4597 (2004), 7.5648 (2003), 10.5407

(2002), 8.6092 (2001), 6.9398 (2000)

Liberia

Liberian dollars per US dollar - 54.906 (2004), 59.379

(2003), 61.754 (2002), 48.583 (2001), 40.953 (2000)

Libya

Libyan dinars per US dollar - 1.305 (2004), 1.2929 (2003),

1.2707 (2002), 0.6051 (2001), 0.5122 (2000)

Liechtenstein

Swiss francs per US dollar - 1.2435 (2004), 1.3467

(2003), 1.5586 (2002), 1.6876 (2001), 1.6888 (2000)

Lithuania

litai per US dollar - 2.7806 (2004), 3.0609 (2003), 3.677

(2002), 4 (2001), 4 (2000)

Luxembourg

euros per US dollar - 0.8054 (2004), 0.886 (2003), 1.0626

(2002), 1.1175 (2001), 1.0854 (2000)

Macau

patacas per US dollar - 8.022 (2004), 8.021 (2003), 8.033

(2002), 8.034 (2001), 8.026 (2000)

Macedonia

Macedonian denars per US dollar - 49.41 (2004), 54.32

(2003), 64.35 (2002), 68.04 (2001), 65.9 (2000)

Madagascar

Malagasy francs per US dollar - 1,868.9 (2004), 1,238.3

(2003), 1,366.4 (2002), 1,317.7 (2001), 1,353.5 (2000)

Malawi

Malawian kwachas per US dollar - 108.894 (2004), 97.433

(2003), 76.687 (2002), 72.197 (2001), 59.544 (2000)

Malaysia

ringgits per US dollar - 3.8 (2004), 3.8 (2003), 3.8

(2002), 3.8 (2001), 3.8 (2000)

Maldives

rufiyaa per US dollar - 12.8 (2004), 12.8 (2003), 12.8

(2002), 12.24 (2001), 11.77 (2000)

Mali

Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar -

528.29 (2004), 581.2 (2003), 696.99 (2002), 733.04 (2001), 711.98

(2000)

Malta

Maltese liri per US dollar - 0.3444 (2004), 0.3773 (2003),

0.4337 (2002), 0.4501 (2001), 0.4382 (2000)

Man, Isle of

Manx pounds per US dollar - 0.5462 (2004), 0.6125

(2003), 0.6672 (2002), 0.6947 (2001), 0.6609 (2000)

Marshall Islands

the US dollar is the legal tender

Martinique

euros per US dollar - 0.8054 (2004), 0.886 (2003), 1.0626

(2002), 1.1175 (2001), 1.0854 (2000)

Mauritania

ouguiyas per US dollar - NA(2004), 263.03 (2003), 271.74

(2002), 255.63 (2001), 238.92 (2000)

Mauritius

Mauritian rupees per US dollar - 27.499 (2004), 27.902

(2003), 29.962 (2002), 29.129 (2001), 26.25 (2000)

Mayotte

euros per US dollar - 0.8054 (2004), 0.886 (2003), 1.0626

(2002), 1.1175 (2001), 1.0854 (2000)

Mexico

Mexican pesos per US dollar - 11.286 (2004), 10.789 (2003),

9.656 (2002), 9.342 (2001), 9.456 (2000)

Micronesia, Federated States of

the US dollar is used

Moldova

lei per US dollar - 12.33 (2004), 13.945 (2003), 13.571

(2002), 12.865 (2001), 12.434 (2000)

Monaco

euros per US dollar - 0.8054 (2004), 0.886 (2003), 1.0626

(2002), 1.1175 (2001), 1.0854 (2000)

Mongolia

togrogs/tugriks per US dollar - 1,185.3 (2004), 1,146.5

(2003), 1,110.3 (2002), 1,097.7 (2001), 1,076.7 (2000)

Montserrat

East Caribbean dollars per US dollar - 2.7 (2004), 2.7

(2003), 2.7 (2002), 2.7 (2001), 2.7 (2000)

note: fixed rate since 1976

Morocco

Moroccan dirhams per US dollar - 8.868 (2004), 9.574 (2003),

11.021 (2002), 11.303 (2001), 10.626 (2000)

Mozambique

meticais per US dollar - 22,581 (2004), 23,782 (2003),

23,678 (2002), 20,704 (2001), 15,227 (2000)

note: effective October 2000, the exchange rate is determined as the

weighted average of buying and selling exchange rates of all

transactions of commercial banks and stock exchanges with the public

Namibia

Namibian dollars per US dollar - 6.4597 (2004), 7.5648

(2003), 10.5407 (2002), 8.6092 (2001), 6.9398 (2000)

Nauru

Australian dollars per US dollar - 1.3598 (2004), 1.5419

(2003), 1.8406 (2002), 1.9334 (2001), 1.7248 (2000)

Nepal

Nepalese rupees per US dollar - 73.674 (2004), 76.141 (2003),

77.877 (2002), 74.949 (2001), 71.094 (2000)

Netherlands

euros per US dollar - 0.8054 (2004), 0.886 (2003),

1.0626 (2002), 1.1175 (2001), 1.0854 (2000)

Netherlands Antilles

Netherlands Antillean guilders per US dollar -

1.79 (2004), 1.79 (2003), 1.79 (2002), 1.79 (2001), 1.79 (2000)

New Caledonia

Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique francs (XPF) per US

dollar - 96.04 (2004), 105.66 (2003), 126.71 (2002), 133.26 (2001),

129.43 (2000)

New Zealand

New Zealand dollars per US dollar - 1.5087 (2004),

1.7221 (2003), 2.1622 (2002), 2.3788 (2001), 2.2012 (2000)

Nicaragua

gold cordobas per US dollar - 15.937 (2004), 15.105

(2003), 14.251 (2002), 13.372 (2001), 12.684 (2000)

Niger

Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar -

528.29 (2004), 581.2 (2003), 696.99 (2002), 733.04 (2001), 711.98

(2000)

Nigeria

nairas per US dollar - 132.89 (2004), 129.22 (2003), 120.58

(2002), 111.23 (2001), 101.7 (2000)

Niue

New Zealand dollars per US dollar - 1.5087 (2004), 1.7221

(2003), 2.1622 (2002), 2.3788 (2001), 2.2012 (2000)

Norfolk Island

Australian dollars per US dollar - 1.3598 (2004),

1.5419 (2003), 1.8406 (2002), 1.9334 (2001), 1.7248 (2000)

Northern Mariana Islands

the US dollar is used

Norway

Norwegian kroner per US dollar - 6.7408 (2004), 7.0802

(2003), 7.9838 (2002), 8.9917 (2001), 8.8018 (2000)

Oman

Omani rials per US dollar - 0.3845 (2004), 0.3845 (2003),

0.3845 (2002), 0.3845 (2001), 0.3845 (2000)

Pakistan

Pakistani rupees per US dollar - 58.258 (2004), 57.752

(2003), 59.724 (2002), 61.927 (2001), 53.648 (2000)

Palau

the US dollar is used

Panama

balboas per US dollar - 1 (2004), 1 (2003), 1 (2002), 1

(2001), 1 (2000)

Papua New Guinea

kina per US dollar - 3.2225 (2004), 3.5635 (2003),

3.8952 (2002), 3.3887 (2001), 2.7822 (2000)

Paraguay

guarani per US dollar - 5,974.6 (2004), 6,424.3 (2003),

5,716.3 (2002), 4,105.9 (2001), 3,486.4 (2000)

Peru

nuevo sol per US dollar - 3.4132 (2004), 3.4785 (2003), 3.5165

(2002), 3.5068 (2001), 3.49 (2000)

Philippines

Philippine pesos per US dollar - 56.04 (2004), 54.203

(2003), 51.604 (2002), 50.993 (2001), 44.192 (2000)

Pitcairn Islands

New Zealand dollars per US dollar - 1.5087 (2004),

1.7221 (2003), 2.1622 (2002), 2.3788 (2001), 2.2012 (2000)

Poland

zlotych per US dollar - 3.6576 (2004), 3.8891 (2003), 4.08

(2002), 4.0939 (2001), 4.3461 (2000)

note: zlotych is the plural form of zloty

Portugal

euros per US dollar - 0.8054 (2004), 0.886 (2003), 1.0626

(2002), 1.1175 (2001), 1.0854 (2000)

Puerto Rico

the US dollar is used

Qatar

Qatari rials per US dollar - 3.64 (2004), 3.64 (2003), 3.64

(2002), 3.64 (2001), 3.64 (2000)

Reunion

euros per US dollar - 0.8054 (2004), 0.886 (2003), 1.0626

(2002), 1.1175 (2001), 1.0854 (2000)

Romania

lei per US dollar - 32,637 (2004), 33,200 (2003), 33,055

(2002), 29,061 (2001), 21,709 (2000)

Russia

Russian rubles per US dollar - 28.814 (2004), 30.692 (2003),

31.349 (2002), 29.169 (2001), 28.129 (2000)

Rwanda

Rwandan francs per US dollar - 574.62 (2004), 537.66 (2003),

476.33 (2002), 442.8 (2001), 393.44 (2000)

Saint Helena

Saint Helenian pounds per US dollar - 0.5462 (2004),

0.6125 (2003), 0.6672 (2002), 0.6947 (2001), 0.6609 (2000)

note: the Saint Helenian pound is on par with the British pound

Saint Kitts and Nevis

East Caribbean dollars per US dollar - 2.7

(2004), 2.7 (2003), 2.7 (2002), 2.7 (2001), 2.7 (2000)

Saint Lucia

East Caribbean dollars per US dollar - 2.7 (2004), 2.7

(2003), 2.7 (2002), 2.7 (2001), 2.7 (2000)

Saint Pierre and Miquelon

euros per US dollar - 0.8054 (2004), 0.886

(2003), 1.0626 (2002), 1.1175 (2001), 1.0854 (2000)

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

East Caribbean dollars per US

dollar - 2.7 (2004), 2.7 (2003), 2.7 (2002), 2.7 (2001), 2.7 (2000)

Samoa

tala per US dollar - 2.7807 (2004), 2.9732 (2003), 3.3763

(2002), 3.478 (2001), 3.2864 (2000)

San Marino

euros per US dollar - 0.8054 (2004), 0.886 (2003), 1.0626

(2002), 1.1175 (2001), 1.0854 (2000)

Sao Tome and Principe

dobras per US dollar - 9,900.4 (2004), 9,347.6

(2003), 9,088.3 (2002), 8,842.1 (2001), 7,978.2 (2000)

Saudi Arabia

Saudi riyals per US dollar - 3.745 (2004), 3.745

(2003), 3.745 (2002), 3.745 (2001), 3.745 (2000)

Senegal

Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar -

528.29 (2004), 581.2 (2003), 696.99 (2002), 733.04 (2001), 711.98

(2000)

Serbia and Montenegro

new Yugoslav dinars per US dollar - 64.1915

(official rate: 65) (2002)

Seychelles

Seychelles rupees per US dollar - 5.5 (2004), 5.4007

(2003), 5.48 (2002), 5.8575 (2001), 5.7138 (2000)

Sierra Leone

leones per US dollar - 2,701.3 (2004), 2,347.9 (2003),

2,099 (2002), 1,986.2 (2001), 2,092.1 (2000)

Singapore

Singapore dollars per US dollar - 1.6902 (2004), 1.7422

(2003), 1.7906 (2002), 1.7917 (2001), 1.724 (2000)

Slovakia

koruny per US dollar - 32.257 (2004), 36.773 (2003), 45.327

(2002), 48.355 (2001), 46.035 (2000)

Slovenia

tolars per US dollar - 192.38 (2004), 207.11 (2003), 240.25

(2002), 242.75 (2001), 222.66 (2000)

Solomon Islands

Solomon Islands dollars per US dollar - 7.4847

(2004), 7.5059 (2003), 6.7488 (2002), 5.278 (2001), 5.0889 (2000)

Somalia

Somali shillings per US dollar - 11,000 (November 2000),

2,620 (January 1999), 7,500 (November 1997 est.), 7,000 (January

1996 est.), 5,000 (1 January 1995)

note: the Republic of Somaliland, a self-declared independent

country not recognized by any foreign government, issues its own

currency, the Somaliland shilling

South Africa

rand per US dollar - 6.4597 (2004), 7.5648 (2003),

10.5407 (2002), 8.6092 (2001), 6.9398 (2000)

Spain

euros per US dollar - 0.8054 (2004), 0.886 (2003), 1.0626

(2002), 1.1175 (2001), 1.0854 (2000)

Sri Lanka

Sri Lankan rupees per US dollar - 101.194 (2004), 96.521

(2003), 95.662 (2002), 89.383 (2001), 77.005 (2000)

Sudan

Sudanese dinars per US dollar - 257.91 (2004), 260.98 (2003),

263.31 (2002), 258.7 (2001), 257.12 (2000)

Suriname

Surinamese dollars per US dollar - 2.7336 (2004),

Surinamese guilders per US dollar - 2.6013 (2003), 2.3468 (2002),

2.1785 (2001), 1.3225 (2000)

note: during 1998, the exchange rate splintered into four distinct

rates; in January 1999 the government floated the guilder, but

subsequently fixed it when the black-market rate plunged; in January

2004, the government introduced the Surinamese dollar as replacement

for the guilder, tied to a US dollar-dominated currency basket

Svalbard

Norwegian kroner per US dollar - 6.7408 (2004), 7.0802

(2003), 7.9838 (2002), 8.9917 (2001), 8.8018 (2000)

Swaziland

emalangeni per US dollar - 6.4597 (2004), 7.5648 (2003),

10.5407 (2002), 8.6092 (2001), 6.9398 (2000)

Sweden

Swedish kronor per US dollar - 7.3489 (2004), 8.0863 (2003),

9.7371 (2002), 10.3291 (2001), 9.1622 (2000)

Switzerland

Swiss francs per US dollar - 1.2435 (2004), 1.3467

(2003), 1.5586 (2002), 1.6876 (2001), 1.6888 (2000)

Syria

Syrian pounds per US dollar - (official rate): 11.225 (2004),

11.225 (2003), 11.225 (2002), 11.225 (2001), 11.225 (2000),

(parallel market rate in Amman and Beirut) NA (2004), 52.8 (2003),

52.4 (2002), 50.4 (2002), 49.4 (2000)

Taiwan

new Taiwan dollars per US dollar - 33.422 (2004), 34.418

(2003), 34.575 (2002), 33.8 (2001), 33.09 (2000)

Tajikistan

Tajikistani somoni per US dollar - 2.9705 (2004), 3.0614

(2003), 2.7641 (2002), 2.3722 (2001), 2.0763 (2000)

note: the new unit of exchange was introduced on 30 October 2000,

with one somoni equal to 1,000 of the old Tajikistani rubles

Tanzania

Tanzanian shillings per US dollar - 1,089.33 (2004),

1,038.42 (2003), 966.58 (2002), 876.41 (2001), 800.41 (2000)

Thailand

baht per US dollar - 40.222 (2004), 41.485 (2003), 42.96

(2002), 44.432 (2001), 40.112 (2000)

Togo

Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar -

528.29 (2004), 581.2 (2003), 696.99 (2002), 733.04 (2001), 711.98

(2000)

Tokelau

New Zealand dollars per US dollar - 1.5087 (2004), 1.7221

(2003), 2.1622 (2002), 2.3788 (2001), 2.2012 (2000)

Tonga

pa'anga per US dollar - 1.9716 (2004), 2.142 (2003), 2.1952

(2002), 2.1236 (2001), 1.7585 (2000)

Trinidad and Tobago

Trinidad and Tobago dollars per US dollar -

6.299 (2004), 6.2951 (2003), 6.2487 (2002), 6.2332 (2001), 6.2998

(2000)

Tunisia

Tunisian dinars per US dollar - 1.2455 (2004), 1.2885

(2003), 1.4217 (2002), 1.4387 (2001), 1.3707 (2000)

Turkey

Turkish liras per US dollar - 1,425,500 (2004), 1,500,900

(2003), 1,507,200 (2002), 1,225,600 (2001), 625,200 (2000)

Note: on 1 January 2005 the old Turkish Lira (TRL)was converted to

New Turkish Lira (YTL) at a rate of 1,000,000 old to 1 New Turkish

Lira

Turkmenistan

Turkmen manats per US dollar - 10,100 (2004), 10,034

(2003), 10,098 (2002), 5,200 (2001)

note: in recent years the unofficial rate has hovered around 21,000

manats to the dollar

Turks and Caicos Islands

the US dollar is used

Tuvalu

Tuvaluan dollars or Australian dollars per US dollar - 1.3598

(2004), 1.5419 (2003), 1.8406 (2002), 1.9334 (2001), 1.7248 (2000)

Uganda

Ugandan shillings per US dollar - 1,810.3 (2004), 1,963.7

(2003), 1,797.6 (2002), 1,755.7 (2001), 1,644.5 (2000)

Ukraine

hryvnia per US dollar - 5.3192 (2004), 5.3327 (2003), 5.3266

(2002), 5.3722 (2001), 5.4402 (2000)

United Arab Emirates

Emirati dirhams per US dollar - 3.6725 (2004),

3.6725 (2003), 3.6725 (2002), 3.6725 (2001), 3.6725 (2000)

note: officially pegged to the US dollar since February 2002

United Kingdom

British pounds per US dollar - 0.5462 (2004), 0.6125

(2003), 0.6672 (2002), 0.6947 (2001), 0.6609 (2000)

United States

British pounds per US dollar - 0.5457 (2004), 0.6139

(2003), 0.6661 (2002), 0.6944 (2001), 0.6596 (2000); Canadian

dollars per US dollar - 1.3014 (2004), 1.4045 (2003), 1.5693 (2002),

1.5488 (2001), 1.4851 (2000); Japanese yen per US dollar - 108.13

(2004), 116.08 (2003), 125.39 (2002), 121.53 (2001), 107.77 (2000);

euros per US dollar - 0.8048 (2004), 0.8866 (2003), 1.0626 (2002),

1.1175 (2001), 1.08540 (2000)

Uruguay

Uruguayan pesos per US dollar - 28.704 (2004), 28.209

(2003), 21.257 (2002), 13.319 (2001), 12.1 (2000)

Uzbekistan

Uzbekistani sums per US dollar - 1,020 (2004), 971.265

(2003), 771.03 (2001), 423.832 (2001), 236.61 (2000)

Vanuatu

vatu per US dollar - 111.79 (2004), 122.19 (2003), 139.2

(2002), 145.31 (2001), 137.64 (2000)

Venezuela

bolivares per US dollar - 1,891.3 (2004), 1,607 (2003),

1,161 (2002), 723.7 (2001), 680 (2000)

Vietnam

dong per US dollar - 15,746 (2004), 15,510 (2003), 15,280

(2002), 14,725 (2001), 14,168 (2000)

Virgin Islands

the US dollar is used

Wallis and Futuna

Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique francs (XPF) per

US dollar - 96.04 (2004), 105.66 (2003), 126.71 (2002), 133.26

(2001), 129.43 (2000)

West Bank

new Israeli shekels per US dollar - 4.482 (2004), 4.5541

(2003), 4.7378 (2002), 4.2057 (2001), 4.0773 (2000)

Western Sahara

Moroccan dirhams per US dollar - 8.868 (2004), 9.5744

(2003), 11.0206 (2002), 11.303 (2001), 10.6256 (2000)

Yemen

Yemeni rials per US dollar - 184.78 (2004), 183.45 (2003),

175.63 (2002), 168.67 (2001), 161.72 (2000)

Zambia

Zambian kwacha per US dollar - 4,778.9 (2004), 4,733.3

(2003), 4,398.6 (2002), 3,610.9 (2001), 3,110.8 (2000)

Zimbabwe

Zimbabwean dollars per US dollar - 4,303.28 (2004), 697.424

(2003), 55.036 (2002), 55.052 (2001), 44.418 (2000)

note: these are official exchange rates, non-official rates vary

significantly

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2077 Executive branch

Afghanistan

chief of state: President of the Islamic Republic of

Afghanistan Hamid KARZAI (since 7 December 2004); note - the

president is both the chief of state and head of government; former

King ZAHIR Shah holds the honorific, "Father of the Country," and

presides symbolically over certain occasions, but lacks any

governing authority; the honorific is not hereditary

head of government: President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan

Hamid KARZAI (since 7 December 2004); note - the president is both

chief of state and head of government

cabinet: 27 ministers; note - under the new constitution, ministers

are appointed by the president and approved by the National Assembly

elections: the president and two vice presidents are elected by

direct vote for a five-year term; if no candidate receives 50% or

more of the vote in the first round of voting, the two candidates

with the most votes will participate in a second round; a president

can only be elected for two terms; election last held 9 October 2004

(next to be held in 2009)

election results: Hamid KARZAI elected president; percent of vote -

Hamid KARZAI 55.4%, Yunus QANOONI 16.3%, Ustad Mohammad MOHAQQEQ

11.6%, Abdul Rashid DOSTAM 10.0%, Abdul Latif PEDRAM 1.4%, Masooda

JALAL 1.2%

Akrotiri

chief of state: Queen Elizabeth II (since 6 February 1952)

head of government: Administrator Maj. Gen. Peter Thomas Clayton

PEARSON (since 9 May 2003); note - reports to the British Ministry

of Defence

elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; the administrator is

appointed by the monarch

Albania

chief of state: President of the Republic Alfred MOISIU

(since 24 July 2002)

head of government: Prime Minister Sali BERISHA (since 10 September

2005)

cabinet: Council of Ministers proposed by the prime minister,

nominated by the president, and approved by parliament

elections: president elected by the People's Assembly for a

five-year term; election last held 24 June 2002 (next to be held

June 2007); prime minister appointed by the president

election results: Alfred MOISIU elected president; People's Assembly

vote by number - total votes 116, for 97, against 19

Algeria

chief of state: President Abdelaziz BOUTEFLIKA (since 28

April 1999)

head of government: Prime Minister Ahmed OUYAHIA (since 9 May 2003)

cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president

elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;

election last held 8 April 2004 (next to be held NA April 2009);

prime minister appointed by the president

election results: Abdelaziz BOUTEFLIKA reelected president for

second term; percent of vote - Abdelaziz BOUTEFLIKA 85%, Ali BENFLIS

6.4%, Abdellah DJABALLAH 5%

American Samoa

chief of state: President George W. BUSH of the US

(since 20 January 2001) and Vice President Richard B. CHENEY (since

20 January 2001)

head of government: Governor Togiola TULAFONO (since 7 April 2003)

cabinet: cabinet made up of 12 department directors

elections: US president and vice president elected on the same

ticket for four-year terms; governor and lieutenant governor elected

on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms; election

last held 2 and 16 November 2004 (next to be held November 2008)

election results: Togiola TULAFONO elected governor; percent of vote

- Togiola TULAFONO 55.7%, Afoa Moega LUTU 44.3%

Andorra

chief of state: French Coprince Jacques CHIRAC (since 17 May

1995), represented by Philippe MASSONI (since 26 July 2002); Spanish

Coprince Bishop Joan Enric VIVES i SICILIA (since 12 May 2003),

represented by Nemesi MARQUES i OSTE (since NA)

head of government: Executive Council President Albert PINTAT

SANTOLARIA (since 27 May 2005)

cabinet: Executive Council or Govern designated by the Executive

Council president

elections: Executive Council president elected by the General

Council and formally appointed by the coprinces for a four-year

term; election last held 4 March 2001 (next to be held April-May

2005)

election results: Marc FORNE MOLNE elected executive council

president; percent of General Council vote - NA%

Angola

chief of state: President Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS (since 21

September 1979); note - the president is both chief of state and

head of government

head of government: President Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS (since 21

September 1979); note - the president is both chief of state and

head of government; Fernando de Piedade Dias DOS SANTOS was

appointed Prime Minister on 6 December 2002, but this is not a

position of real power

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president

elections: president elected by universal ballot for a five-year

term; President DOS SANTOS originally elected (in 1979) without

opposition under a one-party system and stood for reelection in

Angola's first multiparty elections 29-30 September 1992 (next to be

held September 2006)

election results: DOS SANTOS 49.6%, Jonas SAVIMBI 40.1%, making a

run-off election necessary; the run-off was not held and SAVIMBI's

National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA)

repudiated the results of the first election; the civil war resumed

Anguilla

chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952);

represented by Governor Alan Eden HUCKLE (since 28 May 2004)

head of government: Chief Minister Osbourne FLEMING (since 3 March

2000)

cabinet: Executive Council appointed by the governor from among the

elected members of the House of Assembly

elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed by

the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the

majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually

appointed chief minister by the governor

Antigua and Barbuda

chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6

February 1952), represented by Governor General Sir James B.

CARLISLE (since 10 June 1993)

head of government: Prime Minister Winston Baldwin SPENCER (since 24

March 2004)

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the governor general on

the advice of the prime minister

elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor general chosen

by the monarch on the advice of the prime minister; following

legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the

leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister

by the governor general

Argentina

chief of state: President Nestor KIRCHNER (since 25 May

2003); Vice President Daniel SCIOLI (since 25 May 2003); note - the

president is both the chief of state and head of government

head of government: President Nestor KIRCHNER (since 25 May 2003);

Vice President Daniel SCIOLI (since 25 May 2003); note - the

president is both the chief of state and head of government

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president

elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket

by popular vote for four-year terms; election last held 27 April

2003 (next election to be held NA 2007)

election results: results of the presidential election of 27 April

2003: Carlos Saul MENEM 24.3%, Nestor KIRCHNER 22%, Ricardo Lopez

MURPHY 16.4%, Adolfo Rodriguez SAA 14.4%, Elisa CARRIO 14.2%, other

8.7%; the subsequent runoff election slated for 25 May 2003 was

awarded to KIRCHNER by default after MENEM withdrew his candidacy on

the eve of the election

Armenia

chief of state: President Robert KOCHARIAN (since 30 March

1998)

head of government: Prime Minister Andranik MARGARYAN (since 12 May

2000)

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister

elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;

election last held 19 February and 5 March 2003 (next to be held NA

2008); prime minister appointed by the president; the prime minister

and Council of Ministers must resign if the National Assembly

refuses to accept their program

election results: Robert KOCHARIAN reelected president; percent of

vote - Robert KOCHARIAN 67.5%, Stepan DEMIRCHYAN 32.5%

Aruba

chief of state: Queen BEATRIX of the Netherlands (since 30

April 1980), represented by Governor General Fredis REFUNJOL (since

11 May 2004)

head of government: Prime Minister Nelson O. ODUBER (since 30

October 2001)

cabinet: Council of Ministers (elected by the Staten)

elections: the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed for

a six-year term by the monarch; prime minister and deputy prime

minister elected by the Staten for four-year terms; election last

held 28 September 2001 (next to be held by December 2005)

election results: Nelson O. ODUBER elected prime minister; percent

of legislative vote - NA

Australia

chief of state: Queen of Australia ELIZABETH II (since 6

February 1952), represented by Governor General Maj. Gen. (Ret.)

Michael JEFFERY (since 11 August 2003)

head of government: Prime Minister John Winston HOWARD (since 11

March 1996); Deputy Prime Minister Mark VAILE (since 6 July 2005)

cabinet: Prime Minister nominates, from among members of Parliament,

candidates who are subsequently sworn in by the Governor General to

serve as government ministers

elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor general

appointed by the monarch on the recommendation of the prime

minister; following legislative elections, the leader of the

majority party or leader of a majority coalition is sworn in as

prime minister by the governor general

note: government coalition - Liberal Party and National Party

Austria

chief of state: President Heinz FISCHER (since 8 July 2004)

head of government: Chancellor Wolfgang SCHUESSEL (OeVP)(since 4

February 2000); Vice Chancellor Hubert GORBACH (since 21 October

2003)

cabinet: Council of Ministers chosen by the president on the advice

of the chancellor

elections: president elected by direct popular vote for a six-year

term; presidential election last held 25 April 2004 (next to be held

April 2010); chancellor traditionally chosen by the president from

the plurality party in the National Council; vice chancellor chosen

by the president on the advice of the chancellor

election results: Heinz FISCHER elected president; percent of vote -

Heinz FISCHER (SPOe) 52.4%, Benita FERRERO-WALDNER (OeVP) 47.6%

note: government coalition - OeVP and FPOe

Azerbaijan

chief of state: President Ilham ALIYEV (since 31 October

2003)

head of government: Prime Minister Artur RASIZADE (since 4 November

2003); First Deputy Prime Minister Abbas ABBASOV (since 10 November

2003)

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president and

confirmed by the National Assembly

elections: president elected by popular vote to a five-year term;

election last held 15 October 2003 (next to be held October 2008);

prime minister and first deputy prime ministers appointed by the

president and confirmed by the National Assembly

election results: Ilham ALIYEV elected president; percent of vote -

Ilham ALIYEV 76.8%, Isa GAMBAR 14%

Bahamas, The

chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February

1952), represented by Governor General Dame Ivy DUMONT (since NA May

2002)

head of government: Prime Minister Perry CHRISTIE (since 3 May 2002)

and Deputy Prime Minister Cynthia PRATT (since 7 May 2002)

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the prime

minister's recommendation

elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor general

appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the

leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition

is usually appointed prime minister by the governor general; the

prime minister recommends the deputy prime minister

Bahrain

chief of state: King HAMAD bin Isa al-Khalifa (since 6 March

1999); Heir Apparent Crown Prince SALMAN bin Hamad (son of the

monarch, born 21 October 1969)

head of government: Prime Minister KHALIFA bin Salman al-Khalifa

(since NA 1971)

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the monarch

elections: none; the monarchy is hereditary; prime minister

appointed by the monarch

Bangladesh

chief of state: President Iajuddin AHMED (since 6

September 2002); note - the president's duties are normally

ceremonial, but with the 13th amendment to the constitution

("Caretaker Government Amendment"), the president's role becomes

significant at times when Parliament is dissolved and a caretaker

government is installed - at presidential direction - to supervise

the elections

head of government: Prime Minister Khaleda ZIA (since 10 October

2001)

cabinet: Cabinet selected by the prime minister and appointed by the

president

elections: president elected by National Parliament for a five-year

term; election scheduled for 16 September 2002 was not held since

Iajuddin AHMED was the only presidential candidate; he was sworn in

on 6 September 2002 (next election to be held by NA 2007); following

legislative elections, the leader of the party that wins the most

seats is usually appointed prime minister by the president

election results: Iajuddin AHMED declared by the Election Commission

elected unopposed as president; percent of National Parliament vote

- NA

Barbados

chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952),

represented by Governor General Sir Clifford Straughn HUSBANDS

(since 1 June 1996)

head of government: Prime Minister Owen Seymour ARTHUR (since 7

September 1994); Deputy Prime Minister Mia MOTTLEY (since 26 May

2003)

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of

the prime minister

elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor general

appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the

leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition

is usually appointed prime minister by the governor general; the

prime minister recommends the deputy prime minister

Belarus

chief of state: President Aleksandr LUKASHENKO (since 20

July 1994)

head of government: Prime Minister Sergei SIDORSKY (since 19

December 2003); First Deputy Prime Minister Vladimir SEMASHKO (since

December 2003)

cabinet: Council of Ministers

elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;

first election took place 23 June and 10 July 1994; according to the

1994 constitution, the next election should have been held in 1999,

however LUKASHENKO extended his term to 2001 via a November 1996

referendum; new election held 9 September 2001; October 2004

referendum ended presidential term limits allowing president to run

for a third term in September 2006; prime minister and deputy prime

ministers appointed by the president

election results: Aleksandr LUKASHENKO reelected president; percent

of vote - Aleksandr LUKASHENKO 75.6%, Vladimir GONCHARIK 15.4%

Belgium

chief of state: King ALBERT II (since 9 August 1993); Heir

Apparent Prince PHILIPPE, son of the monarch

head of government: Prime Minister Guy VERHOFSTADT (since 13 July

1999)

cabinet: Council of Ministers formally appointed by the monarch

elections: none; the monarchy is hereditary; following legislative

elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the

majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the

monarch and then approved by parliament

note: government coalition - VLD, MR, PS, SP.A-Spirit

Belize

chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952),

represented by Governor General Sir Colville YOUNG, Sr. (since 17

November 1993)

head of government: Prime Minister Said Wilbert MUSA (since 28

August 1998); Deputy Prime Minister John BRICENO (since 1 September

1998)

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of

the prime minister

elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor general

appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the

leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition

is usually appointed prime minister by the governor general; prime

minister recommends the deputy prime minister

Benin

chief of state: President Mathieu KEREKOU (since 4 April

1996); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of

government

head of government: President Mathieu KEREKOU (since 4 April 1996);

note - the president is both the chief of state and head of

government

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president

elections: president reelected by popular vote for a five-year term;

runoff election held 22 March 2001 (next to be held March 2006)

election results: Mathieu KEREKOU reelected president; percent of

vote - Mathieu KEREKOU 84.1%, Bruno AMOUSSOU 15.9%

note: the four top-ranking contenders following the first-round

presidential elections were: Mathieu KEREKOU (incumbent) 45.4%,

Nicephore SOGLO (former president) 27.1%, Adrien HOUNGBEDJI

(National Assembly Speaker) 12.6%, and Bruno AMOUSSOU (Minister of

State) 8.6%; the second-round balloting, originally scheduled for 18

March 2001, was postponed four days because both SOGLO and

HOUNGBEDJI withdrew alleging electoral fraud; this left KEREKOU to

run against his own Minister of State, AMOUSSOU, in what was termed

a "friendly match"

Bermuda

chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952),

represented by Governor Sir John VEREKER (since 11 April 2002)

head of government: Premier William Alexander SCOTT (since 24 July

2003); Deputy Premier Ewart BROWN

cabinet: Cabinet nominated by the premier, appointed by the governor

elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed by

the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the

majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually

appointed premier by the governor

Bhutan

chief of state: King Jigme Singye WANGCHUCK (since 24 July

1972)

head of government: Chairman of the Council of Ministers Lyonpo

Sangay NGEDUP (since 5 September 2005)

cabinet: Council of Ministers (Lhengye Shungtsog) nominated by the

monarch, approved by the National Assembly; members serve fixed,

five-year terms; note - there is also a Royal Advisory Council

(Lodoi Tsokde), members nominated by the monarch

elections: none; the monarch is hereditary, but democratic reforms

in July 1998 grant the National Assembly authority to remove the

monarch with two-thirds vote

Bolivia

chief of state: President Eduardo RODRIGUEZ Veltze (since 9

June 2005); Vice President (vacant); note - the president is both

chief of state and head of government

head of government: President Eduardo RODRIGUEZ Veltze (since 9 June

2005); Vice President (vacant); note - the president is both chief

of state and head of government

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president

elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket

by popular vote for five-year terms; election last held 30 June 2002

(next to be held June 2007)

election results: as a result of no candidate winning a majority in

the 30 June 2002 election, Gonzalo SANCHEZ DE LOZADA Bustamante was

chosen president by Congress; congressional votes - Gonzalo SANCHEZ

DE LOZADA Bustamante 84, Evo MORALES 43; note - following the

resignation of the elected president on 17 October 2003 and Vice

President Carlos Diego MESA Gisbert on 9 June 2005, Eduardo

RODRIGUEZ Veltze, President of the Supreme Court and constitutional

successor, became president.

Bosnia and Herzegovina

chief of state: Chairman of the Presidency

Ivo Miro JOVIC (since 28 June 2005; presidency member since 9 May

2005 - Croat; note - Dragan COVIC was sacked by High Representative

Paddy ASHDOWN on 29 Mar 2005); other members of the three-member

rotating (every eight months) presidency: Borislav PARAVAC (since 10

April 2003 - Serb); and Sulejman TIHIC (since 5 October 2002 -

Bosniak)

head of government: Chairman of the Council of Ministers Adnan

TERZIC (since 20 December 2002)

cabinet: Council of Ministers nominated by the council chairman;

approved by the National House of Representatives

elections: the three members of the presidency (one Bosniak, one

Croat, one Serb) are elected by popular vote for a four-year term;

the member with the most votes becomes the chairman unless he or she

was the incumbent chairman at the time of the election, but the

chairmanship rotates every eight months; election last held 5

October 2002 (next to be held NA 2006); the chairman of the Council

of Ministers is appointed by the presidency and confirmed by the

National House of Representatives

election results: percent of vote - Mirko SAROVIC with 35.5% of the

Serb vote was elected chairman of the collective presidency for the

first eight months; Dragan COVIC received 61.5% of the Croat vote;

Sulejman TIHIC received 37% of the Bosniak vote

note: President of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina: Niko

LOZANCIC (since 27 January 2003); Vice Presidents Sahbaz DZIHANOVIC

(since NA 2003) and Desnica RADIVOJEVIC (since NA 2003); President

of the Republika Srpska: Dragan CAVIC (since 28 November 2002)

Botswana

chief of state: President Festus G. MOGAE (since 1 April

1998) and Vice President Seretse Ian KHAMA (since 13 July 1998);

note - the president is both the chief of state and head of

government

head of government: President Festus G. MOGAE (since 1 April 1998)

and Vice President Seretse Ian KHAMA (since 13 July 1998); note -

the president is both the chief of state and head of government

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president

elections: president indirectly elected for a five-year term;

election last held 20 October 2004 (next to be held NA 2009); vice

president appointed by the president

election results: Festus G. MOGAE elected president; percent of

National Assembly vote - 52%

Brazil

chief of state: President Luiz Inacio LULA DA SILVA (since 1

January 2003); Vice President Jose ALENCAR (since 1 January 2003);

note - the president is both the chief of state and head of

government

head of government: President Luiz Inacio LULA DA SILVA (since 1

January 2003); Vice President Jose ALENCAR (since 1 January 2003);

note - the president is both the chief of state and head of

government

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president

elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket

by popular vote for four-year terms; election last held 6 October

2002 (next to be held 1 October 2006, with a runoff on 29 October

2006 if necessary); runoff election held 27 October 2002

election results: in runoff election 27 October 2002, Luiz Inacio

LULA DA SILVA (PT) elected with 61.3% of the vote; Jose SERRA (PSDB)

38.7%

British Indian Ocean Territory

chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II

(since 6 February 1952)

head of government: Commissioner Tony CROMBIE (since January 2004);

Administrator Tony HUMPHRIES (since February 2005); note - both

reside in the UK

cabinet: NA

elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; commissioner and

administrator appointed by the monarch

British Virgin Islands

chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6

February 1952), represented by Governor Tom MACAN (since 14 October

2002)

head of government: Chief Minister Orlando D. SMITH (since 17 June

2003)

cabinet: Executive Council appointed by the governor from members of

the Legislative Council

elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed by

the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the

majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually

appointed chief minister by the governor

Brunei

chief of state: Sultan and Prime Minister Sir HASSANAL

Bolkiah (since 5 October 1967); note - the monarch is both the chief

of state and head of government

head of government: Sultan and Prime Minister Sir HASSANAL Bolkiah

(since 5 October 1967); note - the monarch is both the chief of

state and head of government

cabinet: Council of Cabinet Ministers appointed and presided over by

the monarch; deals with executive matters; note - there is also a

Religious Council (members appointed by the monarch) that advises on

religious matters, a Privy Council (members appointed by the

monarch) that deals with constitutional matters, and the Council of

Succession (members appointed by the monarch) that determines the

succession to the throne if the need arises

elections: none; the monarch is hereditary

Bulgaria

chief of state: President Georgi PURVANOV (since 22 January

2002); Vice President Angel MARIN (since 22 January 2002)

head of government: Prime Minister Sergei STANISHEV (since 16 August

2005); Deputy Prime Minister Ivaylo KALFIN (since 16 August 2005)

cabinet: Council of Ministers nominated by the prime minister and

elected by the National Assembly

elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket

by popular vote for five-year terms; election last held 11 and 18

November 2001 (next to be held NA 2006); chairman of the Council of

Ministers (prime minister) nominated by the president and elected by

the National Assembly; deputy prime ministers nominated by the prime

minister and elected by the National Assembly

election results: Georgi PURVANOV elected president; percent of vote

- Georgi PURVANOV 54.13%, Petar STOYANOV 45.87%; Sergei STANISHEV

elected prime minister, result of legislative vote - 168 to 67

Burkina Faso

chief of state: President Blaise COMPAORE (since 15

October 1987)

head of government: Prime Minister Ernest Paramanga YONLI (since 6

November 2000)

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the

recommendation of the prime minister

elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;

election last held 15 November 1998 (next to be held NA 2005); in

April 2000, the constitution was amended reducing the presidential

term from seven to five years, enforceable as of 2005, and allowing

the president to be reelected only once; it is unclear whether this

amendment will be applied retroactively or not; prime minister

appointed by the president with the consent of the legislature

election results: Blaise COMPAORE reelected president with 87.5%

percent of the vote

Burma

chief of state: Chairman of the State Peace and Development

Council Sr. Gen. THAN SHWE (since 23 April 1992)

head of government: Prime Minister, Gen SOE WIN (since 19 October

2004)

cabinet: State Peace and Development Council (SPDC); military junta,

so named 15 November 1997, which initially assumed power 18

September 1988 under the name State Law and Order Restoration

Council (SLORC); the SPDC oversees the cabinet

elections: none

Burundi

chief of state: President Domitien NDAYIZEYE (since 30 April

2003); note - NDAYIZEYE, a Hutu, was sworn in as president for the

second half of the three-year transitional government inaugurated on

1 November 2001; Vice President Frederic NGENZEBUHORO (since 11

November 2004)

head of government: President Domitien NDAYIZEYE (since 30 April

2003); note - NDAYIZEYE, a Hutu, was sworn in as president for the

second half of the three-year transitional government inaugurated on

1 November 2001; Vice President Frederic NGENZEBUHORO (since 11

November 2004)

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by president

elections: NA; current president assumed power on 30 April 2003 as

part of the transitional government established by the 2000 Arusha

Accord; note - next presidential election is scheduled for 22 April

2005

Cambodia

chief of state: King Norodom SIHAMONI (since 29 October

2004)

head of government: Prime Minister HUN SEN (since 14 January 1985)

and Deputy Prime Ministers SAR KHENG (since 3 February 1992),

Norodom SIRIVUDH, SOK AN, LU LAY SRENG, TEA BANH, HOR NAMHONG, NHEK

BUNCHHAY (since 16 July 2004)

cabinet: Council of Ministers in theory appointed by the monarch; in

practice named by the prime minister

elections: none; the monarch is chosen by a Royal Throne Council;

following legislative elections, a member of the majority party or

majority coalition is named prime minister by the Chairman of the

National Assembly and appointed by the king

Cameroon

chief of state: President Paul BIYA (since 6 November 1982)

head of government: Prime Minister Ephraim INONI (since 8 Dec 2004)

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president from proposals submitted

by the prime minister

elections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term;

election last held 11 October 2004 (next to be held NA October

2011); prime minister appointed by the president

election results: President Paul BIYA reelected; percent of vote -

Paul BIYA 70.9%, John FRU NDI 17.4%, Adamou Ndam NJOYA 4.5%, Garga

Haman ADJI 3.7%

Canada

chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952),

represented by Governor General Michaelle Jean (since 27 October

2005)

head of government: Prime Minister Paul MARTIN (since 12 December

2003); Deputy Prime Minister Anne MCLELLAN (since 12 December 2003)

cabinet: Federal Ministry chosen by the prime minister from among

the members of his own party sitting in Parliament

elections: none; the monarchy is hereditary; governor general

appointed by the monarch on the advice of the prime minister for a

five-year term; following legislative elections, the leader of the

majority party or the leader of the majority coalition in the House

of Commons is automatically designated prime minister by the

governor general

Cape Verde

chief of state: President Pedro PIRES (since 22 March

2001)

head of government: Prime Minister Jose Maria Pereira NEVES (since 1

February 2001)

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the

recommendation of the prime minister

elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;

election last held 11 and 25 February 2001 (next to be held February

2006); prime minister nominated by the National Assembly and

appointed by the president

election results: Pedro PIRES elected president; percent of vote -

Pedro PIRES (PAICV) 49.43%, Carlos VIEGA (MPD) 49.42%; note - the

election was won by only twelve votes

Cayman Islands

chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February

1952); Governor Bruce DINWIDDY (since 29 May 2002)

head of government: Leader of Government Business Kurt TIBBETTS

(since 18 May 2005)

cabinet: Executive Council (three members appointed by the governor,

four members elected by the Legislative Assembly)

elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; the governor is

appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the

leader of the majority party or coalition is appointed by the

governor Leader of Government Business

Central African Republic

chief of state: President Francois BOZIZE

(since 15 March 2003 coup)

head of government: Prime Minister Elie DOTE (since 13 June 2005)

note - Celestin GAOMBALET resigned 11 June 2005

cabinet: Council of Ministers

elections: president elected to five year term with a two-term

limit; next presidential elections scheduled for 10 April 2005;

prime minister appointed by the political party with a parliamentary

majority

Chad

chief of state: President Lt. Gen. Idriss DEBY (since 4

December 1990)

head of government: Prime Minister Pascal YOADIMNADJI (since 3

February 2005)

cabinet: Council of State, members appointed by the president on the

recommendation of the prime minister

elections: president elected by popular vote to serve five-year

term; if no candidate receives at least 50% of the total vote, the

two candidates receiving the most votes must stand for a second

round of voting; last held 20 May 2001 (next to be held NA 2006);

prime minister appointed by the president

election results: Lt. Gen. Idriss DEBY reelected president; percent

of vote - Lt. Gen. Idriss DEBY 63%, Ngarlegy YORONGAR 16%, Saleh

KEBZABO 7%

Chile

chief of state: President Ricardo LAGOS Escobar (since 11

March 2000); note - the president is both the chief of state and

head of government

head of government: President Ricardo LAGOS Escobar (since 11 March

2000); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of

government

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president

elections: president elected by popular vote for a six-year term;

election last held 12 December 1999, with runoff election held 16

January 2000 (next to be held December 2005)

election results: Ricardo LAGOS Escobar elected president; percent

of vote - Ricardo LAGOS Escobar 51.32%, Joaquin LAVIN 48.68%

China

chief of state: President HU Jintao (since 15 March 2003) and

Vice President ZENG Qinghong (since 15 March 2003)

head of government: Premier WEN Jiabao (since 16 March 2003); Vice

Premiers HUANG Ju (since 17 March 2003), WU Yi (17 March 2003), ZENG

Peiyan (since 17 March 2003), and HUI Liangyu (since 17 March 2003)

cabinet: State Council appointed by the National People's Congress

(NPC)

elections: president and vice president elected by the National

People's Congress for five-year terms; elections last held 15-17

March 2003 (next to be held mid-March 2008); premier nominated by

the president, confirmed by the National People's Congress

election results: HU Jintao elected president by the Tenth National

People's Congress with a total of 2,937 votes (four delegates voted

against him, four abstained, and 38 did not vote); ZENG Qinghong

elected vice president by the Tenth National People's Congress with

a total of 2,578 votes (177 delegates voted against him, 190

abstained, and 38 did not vote); two seats were vacant

Christmas Island

chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6

February 1952), represented by the Australian governor general

head of government: Administrator Evan WILLIAMS (since 1 November

2003)

elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; administrator appointed

by the governor general of Australia and represents the monarch and

Australia

Cocos (Keeling) Islands

chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6

February 1952), represented by the Australian governor general

head of government: Administrator (nonresident) Evan WILLIAMS (since

1 November 2003)

cabinet: NA

elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; administrator appointed

by the governor general of Australia and represents the monarch and

Australia

Colombia

chief of state: President Alvaro URIBE Velez (since 7

August 2002); Vice President Francisco SANTOS (since 7 August 2002);

note - the president is both the chief of state and head of

government

head of government: President Alvaro URIBE Velez (since 7 August

2002); Vice President Francisco SANTOS (since 7 August 2002); note -

the president is both the chief of state and head of government

cabinet: Cabinet consists of a coalition of the two dominant parties

- the PL and PSC - and independents

elections: president and vice president elected by popular vote for

a four-year term; election last held 26 May 2002 (next to be held

May 2006)

election results: President Alvaro URIBE Velez received 53% of the

vote; Vice President Francisco SANTOS was elected on the same ticket

Comoros

chief of state: President AZALI Assoumani (since 26 May

2002); note - following a 1999 coup AZALI was appointed president;

in January 2002 he resigned his position to run in the 14 April 2002

presidential elections; Prime Minister Hamada Madi BOLERO was

appointed interim president until replaced again by AZALI in May

2002 when BOLERO was appointed Minister of External Defense and

Territorial Security; the president is both the chief of state and

the head of government

head of government: President AZALI Assoumani (since 26 May 2002);

note - following a 1999 coup AZALI was appointed president; in

January 2002 he resigned his position to run in the 14 April 2002

presidential elections; Prime Minister Hamada Madi BOLERO was

appointed interim president until replaced again by AZALI in May

2002 when BOLERO was appointed Minister of External Defense and

Territorial Security; the president is both the chief of state and

the head of government

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president

elections: as defined by the 2001 constitution, the presidency

rotates every four years among the elected presidents from the three

main islands in the Union; election last held 14 April 2002 (next to

be held April 2007); prime minister appointed by the president; note

- AZALI has not appointed a Prime Minister since he was sworn into

office in May 2002

election results: President AZALI Assoumani elected president with

75% of the vote

Congo, Democratic Republic of the

chief of state: President Joseph

KABILA (since 26 January 2001); note - following the assassination

of his father, Laurent Desire KABILA, on 16 January 2001, Joseph

KABILA succeeded to the presidency; the president is both the chief

of state and head of government

head of government: President Joseph KABILA (since 26 January 2001);

note - following the assassination of his father, Laurent Desire

KABILA, on 16 January 2001, Joseph KABILA succeeded to the

presidency; the president is both the chief of state and head of

government

cabinet: National Executive Council, appointed by the president

elections: prior to the overthrow of MOBUTU Sese Seko, the president

was elected by popular vote for a seven-year term; election last

held 29 July 1984 (next was scheduled to be held in May 1997);

formerly, there was also a prime minister who was elected by the

High Council of the Republic; note - a Transitional Government is

drafting a new constitution with free elections scheduled to be held

in NA 2005

election results: MOBUTU Sese Seko Kuku Ngbendu wa Za Banga

reelected president in 1984 without opposition

note: Joseph KABILA succeeded his father, Laurent Desire KABILA,

following the latter's assassination in January 2001, negotiations

with rebel leaders led to the establishment of a transitional

government in July 2003 with free elections scheduled to be held in

NA 2005

Congo, Republic of the

chief of state: President Denis

SASSOU-NGUESSO (since 25 October 1997, following the civil war in

which he toppled elected president Pascal LISSOUBA); note - the

president is both the chief of state and head of government

head of government: President Denis SASSOU-NGUESSO (since 25 October

1997, following the civil war in which he toppled elected president

Pascal LISSOUBA); note - the president is both the chief of state

and head of government

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president

elections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term

(eligible for a second seven-year term); election last held 10 March

2002 (next to be held NA 2009)

election results: Denis SASSOU-NGUESSO reelected president; percent

of vote - Denis SASSOU-NGUESSO 89.4%, Joseph Kignoumbi Kia MBOUNGOU

2.7%

Cook Islands

chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February

1952), represented by Frederick GOODWIN (since 9 February 2001); New

Zealand High Commissioner Kurt MEYER (since July 2001),

representative of New Zealand

head of government: Prime Minister Jim MARURAI (since 14 December

2004); Deputy Prime Minister Terepai MAOATE (since 9 August 2005)

cabinet: Cabinet chosen by the prime minister; collectively

responsible to Parliament

elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; the UK representative is

appointed by the monarch; the New Zealand high commissioner is

appointed by the New Zealand Government; following legislative

elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the

majority coalition usually becomes prime minister

Coral Sea Islands

administered from Canberra by the Department of

the Environment, Sport, and Territories

Costa Rica

chief of state: President Abel PACHECO (since 8 May

2002); First Vice President Lineth SABORIO (since 8 May 2002);

Second Vice President (vacant); note - the president is both the

chief of state and head of government

head of government: President Abel PACHECO (since 8 May 2002); First

Vice President Lineth SABORIO (since 8 May 2002); Second Vice

President (vacant); note - the president is both the chief of state

and head of government

cabinet: Cabinet selected by the president

elections: president and vice presidents elected on the same ticket

by popular vote for four-year terms; election last held 3 February

2002; run-off election held 7 April 2002 (next to be held February

2006)

election results: Abel PACHECO elected president; percent of vote -

Abel PACHECO (PUSC) 58%; Rolando ARAYA (PLN) 42%

Cote d'Ivoire

chief of state: President Laurent GBAGBO (since 26

October 2000);

head of government: Prime Minister Seydou DIARRA (since 25 January

2003); note - appointed as transitional Prime Minister by President

GBAGBO as part of a French brokered peace plan

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president

elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;

election last held 26 October 2000 (next to be held October 2005);

prime minister appointed by the president

election results: Laurent GBAGBO elected president; percent of vote

- Laurent GBAGBO 59.4%, Robert GUEI 32.7%, Francis WODIE 5.7%, other

2.2%

Croatia

chief of state: President Stjepan (Stipe) MESIC (since 18

February 2000)

head of government: Prime Minister Ivo SANADER (since 9 December

2003); Deputy Prime Ministers Jadranka KOSOR (since 23 December

2003) and Damir POLANEC (since NA February 2005)

cabinet: Council of Ministers named by the prime minister and

approved by the parliamentary Assembly

elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;

election last held 16 January 2005 (next to be held January 2010);

the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority

coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the president and

then approved by the Assembly

election results: Stjepan MESIC reelected president; percent of vote

- Stjepan MESIC (HNS) 66%, Jadranka KOSOR (HDZ) 34%

Cuba

chief of state: President of the Council of State and President

of the Council of Ministers Fidel CASTRO Ruz (prime minister from

February 1959 until 24 February 1976 when office was abolished;

president since 2 December 1976); First Vice President of the

Council of State and First Vice President of the Council of

Ministers Gen. Raul CASTRO Ruz (since 2 December 1976); note - the

president is both the chief of state and head of government

head of government: President of the Council of State and President

of the Council of Ministers Fidel CASTRO Ruz (prime minister from

February 1959 until 24 February 1976 when office was abolished;

president since 2 December 1976); First Vice President of the

Council of State and First Vice President of the Council of

Ministers Gen. Raul CASTRO Ruz (since 2 December 1976); note - the

president is both the chief of state and head of government

cabinet: Council of Ministers proposed by the president of the

Council of State and appointed by the National Assembly or the

31-member Council of State, elected by the Assembly to act on its

behalf when it is not in session

elections: president and vice presidents elected by the National

Assembly for a term of five years; election last held 6 March 2003

(next to be held in 2008)

election results: Fidel CASTRO Ruz reelected president; percent of

legislative vote - 100%; Raul CASTRO Ruz elected vice president;

percent of legislative vote - 100%

Cyprus

chief of state: President Tassos PAPADOPOULOS (since 1 March

2003); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of

government; post of vice president is currently vacant; under the

1960 constitution, the post is reserved for a Turkish Cypriot

head of government: President Tassos PAPADOPOULOS (since 1 March

2003); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of

government; post of vice president is currently vacant; under the

1960 constitution, the post is reserved for a Turkish Cypriot

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed jointly by the president and

vice president

elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;

election last held 16 February 2003 (next to be held February 2008)

election results: Tassos PAPADOPOULOS elected president; percent of

vote - Tassos PAPADOPOULOS 51.5%, Glafkos KLIRIDIS 38.8%, Alekos

MARKIDIS 6.6%

note: Mehmet Ali TALAT becomes "president" of north Cyprus, 24 April

2005, after "presidential" elections on 17 April 2005; results -

Mehmet Ali TALAT 55.6%, Dervis EROGLU 22.7%; Ferdi Sabit SOYER is

"prime minister"; there is a Council of Ministers (cabinet) in north

Cyprus, appointed by the "prime minister"

Czech Republic

chief of state: President Vaclav KLAUS (since 7 March

2003)

note: the Czech Republic's first president Vaclav HAVEL stepped down

from office on 2 February 2003 having served exactly 10 years;

parliament finally elected a successor on 28 February 2003 after two

inconclusive elections in January 2003

head of government: Prime Minister Jiri PAROUBEK (since 25 April

2005), Deputy Prime Ministers Zdenek SKROMACH (since 4 August 2004),

Martin JAHN (since 4 August 2004), Pavel NEMEC (since 4 August

2004), Milan SIMONOVSKY (since 4 August 2004)

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president on the recommendation of

the prime minister

elections: president elected by Parliament for a five-year term;

last successful election held 28 February 2003 (after earlier

elections held 15 and 24 January 2003 were inconclusive; next

election to be held January 2008); prime minister appointed by the

president

election results: Vaclav KLAUS elected president on 28 February

2003; Vaclav KLAUS 142 votes, Jan SOKOL 124 votes (third round;

combined votes of both chambers of parliament)

Denmark

chief of state: Queen MARGRETHE II (since 14 January 1972);

Heir Apparent Crown Prince FREDERIK, elder son of the monarch (born

26 May 1968)

head of government: Prime Minister Anders Fogh RASMUSSEN (since 27

November 2001)

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister and approved by

parliament

elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; following legislative

elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the

majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the monarch

Dhekelia

chief of state: Queen Elizabeth II (since 6 February 1952)

head of government: Administrator Maj. Gen. Peter Tomas Clayton

PEARSON (since 9 May 2003); note - reports to the British Ministry

of Defence

elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; the administrator is

appointed by the monarch

Djibouti

chief of state: President Ismail Omar GUELLEH (since 8 May

1999)

head of government: Prime Minister Mohamed Dileita DILEITA (since 4

March 2001)

cabinet: Council of Ministers responsible to the president

elections: president elected by popular vote for a six-year term;

election last held 8 April 2005 (next to be held by April 2011);

prime minister appointed by the president

election results: Ismail Omar GUELLEH reelected president; percent

of vote - Ismail Omar GUELLEH 100%

Dominica

chief of state: President Nicholas J. O. LIVERPOOL (since

October 2003)

head of government: Prime Minister Roosevelt SKERRIT (since 8

January 2004); note - assumed post after death of Prime Minister

Pierre CHARLES

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president on the advice of the

prime minister

elections: president elected by the House of Assembly for a

five-year term; election last held 1 October 2003 (next to be held

October 2008); prime minister appointed by the president

election results: Nicholas LIVERPOOL elected president; percent of

legislative vote - NA%

Dominican Republic

chief of state: President Leonel FERNANDEZ Reyna

(since 16 August 2004); Vice President Rafael ALBURQUERQUE de Castro

(since 16 August 2004); note - the president is both the chief of

state and head of government

head of government: President Leonel FERNANDEZ Reyna (since 16

August 2004); Vice President Rafael ALBURQUERQUE de Castro (since 16

August 2004); note - the president is both the chief of state and

head of government

cabinet: Cabinet nominated by the president

elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket

by popular vote for four-year terms; election last held 16 May 2004

(next to be held in May 2008)

election results: Leonel FERNANDEZ elected president; percent of

vote - Leonel FERNANDEZ (PLD) 57.1%, Rafael Hipolito MEJIA Dominguez

(PRD) 33.7%, Eduardo ESTRELLA (PRSC) 8.7%

East Timor

chief of state: President Kay Rala Xanana GUSMAO (since

20 May 2002); note - the president plays a largely symbolic role but

is able to veto some legislation; he formerly used the name Jose

Alexandre GUSMAO

head of government: Prime Minister Mari Bin Amude ALKATIRI (since 20

May 2002)

cabinet: Council of Ministers

elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;

election last held 14 April 2002 (next to be held in April 2007);

after the first legislative elections, the leader of the majority

party was appointed prime minister by the president, suggesting a

precedent for the future

election results: Kay Rala Xanana GUSMAO elected president; percent

of vote - Kay Rala Xanana GUSMAO 82.7%, Francisco Xavier do AMARAL

17.3%

Ecuador

chief of state: President Alfredo PALACIO (since 20 April

2005); Vice President Nicanor Alejandro SERRANO Aguilar (since 5 May

2005); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of

government; former President Lucio GUTIERREZ was removed from office

by congress effective 20 April 2005

head of government: President Alfredo PALACIO (since 20 April 2005);

Vice President Nicanor Alejandro SERRANO Aguilar (since 5 May 2005);

note - the president is both the chief of state and head of

government

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president

elections: the president and vice president are elected on the same

ticket by popular vote for a four-year term (no immediate

reelection); election last held 20 October 2002; runoff election

held 24 November 2002 (next to be held October 2006)

election results: results of the 24 November 2002 runoff election -

Lucio GUTIERREZ elected president; percent of vote - Lucio GUTIERREZ

54.3%; Alvaro NOBOA 45.7%; note - Vice President Alfredo PALACIO

assumed the presidency on 20 April 2005 after congress removed Lucio

GUTIERREZ from office

Egypt

chief of state: President Mohammed Hosni MUBARAK (since 14

October 1981)

head of government: Prime Minister Ahmed NAZIF (since 9 July 2004)

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president

elections: president elected by popular vote for six-year term; note

- a national referendum in May 2005 approved a constitutional

amendment that changed the presidential election to a multicandidate

popular vote; previously the president was nominated by the People's

Assembly and the nomination was validated by a national, popular

referendum; last referendum held 26 September 1999; first election

under terms of constitutional amendment held 7 September 2005; next

election scheduled for 2011

election results: Hosni MUBARAK reelected president; percent of vote

- Hosni MUBARAK 88.6%, Ayman NOUR 7.6%, Noman GOMAA 2.9%

El Salvador

chief of state: President Elias Antonio SACA Gonzalez

(since 1 June 2004); Vice President Ana Vilma DE ESCOBAR (since 1

June 2004); note - the president is both the chief of state and head

of government

head of government: President Elias Antonio SACA Gonzalez (since 1

June 2004); Vice President Ana Vilma DE ESCOBAR (since 1 June 2004);

note - the president is both the chief of state and head of

government

cabinet: Council of Ministers selected by the president

elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket

by popular vote for five-year terms; election last held 21 March

2004 (next to be held March 2009)

election results: Elias Antonio SACA Gonzalez elected president;

percent of vote - Elias Antonio SACA Gonzalez (ARENA) 57.7%, Schafik

HANDAL (FMLN) 35.6%, Hector SILVA (CDU-PDC) 3.9%, other 2.8%

Equatorial Guinea

chief of state: President Brig. Gen. (Ret.)

Teodoro OBIANG NGUEMA MBASOGO (since 3 August 1979 when he seized

power in a military coup)

head of government: Prime Minister Miguel Abia BITEO BORICO (since

14 June 2004); First Deputy Prime Minister Mercelino Oyono NTUTUMU

(since 15 June 2004); Deputy Prime Minister Ricardo Mangue Obama

NFUBEA (since 15 June 2004)

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president

elections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term;

election last held 15 December 2002 (next to be held December 2009);

prime minister and deputy prime ministers appointed by the president

election results: Teodoro OBIANG NGUEMA MBASOGO reelected president;

percent of vote - Teodoro OBIANG NGUEMA MBASOGO 97.1%, Celestino

Bonifacio BACALE 2.2%; elections marred by widespread fraud

Eritrea

chief of state: President ISAIAS Afworki (since 8 June

1993); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of

government and is head of the State Council and National Assembly

head of government: President ISAIAS Afworki (since 8 June 1993);

note - the president is both the chief of state and head of

government and is head of the State Council and National Assembly

cabinet: State Council is the collective executive authority;

members appointed by the president

elections: president elected by the National Assembly; election last

held 8 June 1993 (next election date uncertain as the National

Assembly did not hold a presidential election in December 2001 as

anticipated)

election results: ISAIAS Afworki elected president; percent of

National Assembly vote - ISAIAS Afworki 95%

Estonia

chief of state: President Arnold RUUTEL (since 8 October

2001)

head of government: Prime Minister Andrus ANSIP (since 12 April 2005)

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister,

approved by Parliament

elections: president elected by Parliament for a five-year term; if

a candidate does not secure two-thirds of the votes after three

rounds of balloting in the Parliament, then an electoral assembly

(made up of Parliament plus members of local governments) elects the

president, choosing between the two candidates with the largest

percentage of votes; election last held 21 September 2001 (next to

be held in the fall of 2006); prime minister nominated by the

president and approved by Parliament

election results: Arnold RUUTEL elected president on 21 September

2001 by a 367-member electoral assembly that convened following

Parliament's failure in August to elect then-President MERI's

successor; on the second ballot of voting, RUUTEL received 186 votes

to Parliament Speaker Toomas SAVI's 155; the remaining 26 ballots

were either left blank or invalid

Ethiopia

chief of state: President GIRMA Woldegiorgis (since 8

October 2001)

head of government: Prime Minister MELES Zenawi (since NA August

1995)

cabinet: Council of Ministers as provided for in the December 1994

constitution; ministers are selected by the prime minister and

approved by the House of People's Representatives

elections: president elected by the House of People's

Representatives for a six-year term; election last held 8 October

2001 (next to be held October 2007); prime minister designated by

the party in power following legislative elections

election results: GIRMA Woldegiorgis elected president; percent of

vote by the House of People's Representatives - 100%

European Union

chief of union: President of the European Commission

Jose DURAO BARROSO (since 22 November 2004)

cabinet: European Commission (composed of 25 members, one from each

member country; each commissioner responsible for one or more policy

areas)

elections: the president of the European Commission is designated by

member governments; the president-designate then chooses the other

Commission members; the European Parliament confirms the entire

Commission for a five-year term; election last held 18 November 2004

(next to be held 2009)

election results: European Parliament approved the European

Commission by an approval vote of 449 to 149 with 82 abstentions

note: the European Council brings together heads of state and

government and the president of the European Commission and meets at

least twice a year; its aim is to provide the impetus for the major

political issues relating to European integration and to issue

general policy guidelines

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II

(since 6 February 1952)

head of government: Governor Howard PEARCE (since 3 December 2002);

Chief Executive Chris SIMPKINS (since NA March 2003); Financial

Secretary Derek F. HOWATT (since NA)

cabinet: Executive Council; three members elected by the Legislative

Council, two ex officio members (chief executive and the financial

secretary), and the governor

elections: none; the monarchy is hereditary; governor appointed by

the monarch

Faroe Islands

chief of state: Queen MARGRETHE II of Denmark (since

14 January 1972), represented by High Commissioner Birgit KLEIS,

chief administrative officer (since 1 November 2001)

head of government: Prime Minister Joannes EIDESGAARD (since 3

February 2004)

cabinet: Landsstyri appointed by the prime minister

elections: the monarch is hereditary; high commissioner appointed by

the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the

majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually

elected prime minister by the Faroese Parliament; election last held

20 January 2004 (next to be held no later than January 2008)

election results: Joannes EIDESGAARD elected prime minister; percent

of parliamentary vote - NA%

note: coalition of Social Democrats, Union Party, and People's Party

Fiji

chief of state: President Ratu Josefa ILOILOVATU Uluivuda

(since 18 July 2000)

head of government: Prime Minister Laisenia QARASE (since 10

September 2000)

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister from among the

members of Parliament and is responsible to Parliament; note - there

is also a Presidential Council that advises the president on matters

of national importance and a Great Council of Chiefs, which consists

of the highest ranking members of the traditional chief system

elections: president elected by the Great Council of Chiefs for a

five-year term; prime minister appointed by the president

election results: Ratu Josefa ILOILOVATU Uluivuda elected president

by the Great Council of Chiefs; percent of vote - NA%

Finland

chief of state: President Tarja HALONEN (since 1 March 2000)

head of government: Prime Minister Matti VANHANEN (since 24 June

2003) and Deputy Prime Minister Eero HEINALUOMA (since 24 September

2005)

cabinet: Council of State or Valtioneuvosto appointed by the

president, responsible to parliament

elections: president elected by popular vote for a six-year term;

election last held 16 January 2000 and 6 February 2000 (next to be

held February 2006); the president appoints the prime minister and

deputy prime minister from the majority party or the majority

coalition after parliamentary elections and the parliament must

approve the appointment

election results: Tarja HALONEN elected president; percent of vote -

Tarja HALONEN (SDP) 51.6%, Esko AHO (Kesk) 48.4%

note: government coalition - Kesk, SDP, and SFP

France

chief of state: President Jacques CHIRAC (since 17 May 1995)

head of government: Prime Minister Dominique DE VILLEPIN (since 31

May 2005)

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the

suggestion of the prime minister

elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term

(changed from seven-year term in October 2000); election last held

21 April and 5 May 2002 (next to be held, first round April 2007,

second round May 2007); prime minister nominated by the National

Assembly majority and appointed by the president

election results: Jacques CHIRAC reelected president; percent of

vote, second ballot - Jacques CHIRAC (RPR) 81.96%, Jean-Marie LE PEN

(FN) 18.04%

French Guiana

chief of state: President Jacques CHIRAC of France

(since 17 May 1995), represented by Prefect Ange MANCINI (since 31

July 2002)

head of government: President of the General Council Joseph

HO-TEN-YOU (since 26 March 2001); President of the Regional Council

Antoine KARAM (since 22 March 1992)

cabinet: NA

elections: French president elected by popular vote for a five-year

term; prefect appointed by the French president on the advice of the

French Ministry of Interior; presidents of the General and Regional

Councils are appointed by the members of those councils

French Polynesia

chief of state: President Jacques CHIRAC of France

(since 17 May 1995), represented by High Commissioner of the

Republic Michel MATHIEU (since 24 October 2001); note - Michel

MATHIER leaves 30 July 2005, replaced by Jacques MICHAUT (acting

high commissioner), until the arrival of Anne BOQUET in early

September 2005

head of government: President of the Territorial Government of

French Polynesia Oscar TEMARU (since 3 March 2005); President of the

Territorial Assembly Antony GEROS (since 9 May 2004)

cabinet: Council of Ministers; president submits a list of members

of the Territorial Assembly for approval by them to serve as

ministers

elections: French president elected by popular vote for a five-year

term; high commissioner appointed by the French president on the

advice of the French Ministry of Interior; president of the

Territorial Government and the president of the Territorial Assembly

are elected by the members of the assembly

Gabon

chief of state: President El Hadj Omar BONGO Ondimba (since 2

December 1967)

head of government: Prime Minister Jean-Francois NTOUTOUME-EMANE

(since 23 January 1999)

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister in

consultation with the president

elections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term;

election last held 6 December 1998 (next to be held NA 2005); prime

minister appointed by the president

election results: President El Hadj Omar BONGO Ondimba reelected;

percent of vote - El Hadj Omar BONGO Ondimba 66.6%, Pierre

MAMBOUNDOU 16.5%, Fr. Paul M'BA-ABESSOLE 13.4%

Gambia, The

chief of state: President Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH (since

18 October 1996; note - from 1994 to 1996 he was Chairman of the

Junta); Vice President Isatou Njie SAIDY (since 20 March 1997); note

- the president is both the chief of state and head of government

head of government: President Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH (since 18

October 1996; note - from 1994 to 1996 was he Chairman of the

Junta); Vice President Isatou Njie SAIDY (since 20 March 1997); note

- the president is both the chief of state and head of government

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president

elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;

election last held 18 October 2001 (next to be held October 2006)

election results: Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH reelected president; percent

of vote - Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH 52.9%, Ousainou DARBOE 32.7%

Georgia

chief of state: President Mikheil SAAKASHVILI (since 25

January 2004); note - the president is both the chief of state and

head of government for the power ministries: state security

(includes interior) and defense

head of government: President Mikheil SAAKASHVILI (since 25 January

2004); Prime Minister Zurab NOGHAIDELI (since 17 February 2005);

note - the president is the chief of state and head of government

for the power ministries: state security (includes interior) and

defense; the prime minister is head of the remaining ministries of

government

cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers

elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;

election last held 4 January 2004 (next to be held NA 2009)

election results: Mikheil SAAKASHVILI elected president; percent of

vote - Mikheil SAAKASHVILI 96.3%, Temur SHASHIASHVILI 1.9%

Germany

chief of state: President Horst KOEHLER (since 1 July 2004)

head of government: Chancellor Gerhard SCHROEDER (since 27 October

1998); Vice Chancellor Joschka FISCHER (since 17 October 1998)

cabinet: Cabinet or Bundesminister (Federal Ministers) appointed by

the president on the recommendation of the chancellor

elections: president elected for a five-year term by a Federal

Convention including all members of the Federal Assembly and an

equal number of delegates elected by the state parliaments; election

last held 23 May 2004 (next to be held 23 May 2009); chancellor

elected by an absolute majority of the Federal Assembly for a

four-year term; election last held 22 September 2002 (next to be

held September 2006)

election results: Horst KOEHLER elected president; received 604

votes of the Federal Convention against 589 for Gesine SCHWAN;

Gerhard SCHROEDER elected chancellor; percent of Federal Assembly

vote 50.7%

Ghana

chief of state: President John Agyekum KUFUOR (since 7 January

2001); Vice President Alhaji Aliu MAHAMA (since 7 January 2001);

note - the president is both the chief of state and head of

government

head of government: President John Agyekum KUFUOR (since 7 January

2001); Vice President Alhaji Aliu MAHAMA (since 7 January 2001);

note - the president is both the chief of state and head of

government

cabinet: Council of Ministers; president nominates members subject

to approval by Parliament

elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket

by popular vote for four-year terms; election last held 7 December

2004 (next to be held December 2008)

election results: John Agyekum KUFUOR reelected president in

election; percent of vote - John KUFUOR 53.4%, John Atta MILLS 43.7%

Gibraltar

chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February

1952), represented by Governor and Commander-in-Chief Sir Francis

RICHARDS (since 27 May 2003)

head of government: Chief Minister Peter CARUANA (since 17 May 1996)

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed from among the 15 elected

members of the House of Assembly by the governor in consultation

with the chief minister

elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed by

the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the

majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually

appointed chief minister by the governor

Greece

chief of state: President Karolos PAPOULIAS (since 12 March

2005)

head of government: Prime Minister Konstandinos KARAMANLIS (since 7

March 2004)

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president on the recommendation of

the prime minister

elections: president elected by parliament for a five-year term;

election last held 8 February 2005 (next to be held by February

2010); according to the Greek Constitution, presidents may only

serve two terms; president appoints leader of the party securing

plurality of vote in election to become prime minister and form a

government

election results: Karolos PAPOULIAS elected president; number of

parlimentary votes, 279 out of 300

Greenland

chief of state: Queen MARGRETHE II of Denmark (since 14

January 1972), represented by High Commissioner Peter LAURITEEN

(since NA 2002)

head of government: Prime Minister Hans ENOKSEN (since 14 December

2002)

cabinet: Home Rule Government is elected by the parliament

(Landstinget) on the basis of the strength of parties

elections: the monarchy is hereditary; high commissioner appointed

by the monarch; prime minister is elected by parliament (usually the

leader of the majority party); election last held 3 December 2002

(next to be held December 2006)

election results: Hans ENOKSEN elected prime minister

note: government coalition - Siumut and Inuit Ataqatigiit

Grenada

chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952),

represented by Governor General Daniel WILLIAMS (since 9 August 1996)

head of government: Prime Minister Keith MITCHELL (since 22 June

1995)

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of

the prime minister

elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor general

appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the

leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition

is usually appointed prime minister by the governor general

Guadeloupe

chief of state: President Jacques CHIRAC of France (since

17 May 1995), represented by Prefect Paul GIROT DE LANGLADE (since

17 August 2004)

head of government: President of the General Council Jacques GILLOT

(since 26 March 2001); President of the Regional Council Victorin

LUREL (since 2 April 2004)

cabinet: NA

elections: French president elected by popular vote for a five-year

term; prefect appointed by the French president on the advice of the

French Ministry of Interior; the presidents of the General and

Regional Councils are elected by the members of those councils

election results: NA

Guam

chief of state: President George W. BUSH of the US (since 20

January 2001); Vice President Richard B. CHENEY (since 20 January

2001)

head of government: Governor Felix P. P. CAMACHO (since 6 January

2003) and Lieutenant Governor Kaleo MOYLAN (since 6 January 2003)

cabinet: executive departments; heads appointed by the governor with

the consent of the Guam legislature

elections: US president and vice president elected on the same

ticket for a four-year term; governor and lieutenant governor

elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year term;

election last held 5 November 2002 (next to be held November 2006)

election results: Felix P. P. CAMACHO elected governor; percent of

vote - Felix P. P. CAMACHO (Republican Party) 55.4%, Robert A.

UNDERWOOD (Democratic Party) 44.6%

Guatemala

chief of state: President Oscar Jose Rafael BERGER Perdomo

(since 14 January 2004); Vice President Eduardo STEIN Barillas

(since 14 January 2004); note - the president is both the chief of

state and head of government

head of government: President Oscar Jose Rafael BERGER Perdomo

(since 14 January 2004); Vice President Eduardo STEIN Barillas

(since 14 January 2004); note - the president is both the chief of

state and head of government

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president

elections: president elected by popular vote for a four-year term;

election last held 9 November 2003; runoff held 28 December 2003

(next to be held November 2007)

election results: Oscar BERGER Perdomo elected president; percent of

vote - Oscar BERGER Perdomo (GANA) 54.1%, Alvarado COLOM (UNE) 45.9%

Guernsey

chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952),

represented by Lieutenant Governor and Commander-in-Chief Lt. Gen.

Sir John FOLEY (since NA 2000)

head of government: Chief Minister Laurie MORGAN (since 1 May 2004)

cabinet: Policy Council elected by the States of Deliberation

elections: the monarch is hereditary; lieutenant governor appointed

by the monarch; chief minister is elected by States of Delibertion

election results: Laurie MORGAN elected chief minister, percent of

vote of the States of Deliberation NA%

Guinea

chief of state: President Lansana CONTE (head of military

government since 5 April 1984, elected president 19 December 1993)

head of government: Prime Minister Cellou Dalein DIALLO (since 4

December 2004)

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president

elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;

candidate must receive a majority of the votes cast to be elected

president; election last held 21 December 2003 (next to be held

December 2008); the prime minister is appointed by the president

election results: Lansana CONTE reelected president; percent of vote

- Lansana CONTE (PUP) 95.3%, Mamadou Boye BARRY (UPR) 4.6%

Guinea-Bissau

chief of state: President Henrique ROSA (interim;

since 28 September 2003); note - a September 2003 coup overthrew the

elected government of Kumba YALA; General Verissimo Correia SEABRA

served as interim president from 14 to 28 September 2003

head of government: Prime Minister Carlos GOMES Junior (since 9 May

2004)

cabinet: NA

elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;

election last held 28 November 1999 and 16 January 2000 (next to be

held May 2005); prime minister appointed by the president after

consultation with party leaders in the legislature

election results: Kumba YALA elected president; percent of vote,

second ballot - Kumba YALA (PRS) 72%, Malan Bacai SANHA (PAIGC) 28%

note: a bloodless coup led to the dissolution of the elected

government of Kumba YALA in September 2003; General Verissimo

Correia SEABRA served as interim president from 14 September 2003

until stepping aside on 28 September 2003 with the establishment of

a caretaker government

Guyana

chief of state: President Bharrat JAGDEO (since 11 August

1999); note - assumed presidency after resignation of President

Janet JAGAN

head of government: Prime Minister Samuel HINDS (since December 1997)

cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president,

responsible to the legislature

elections: president elected by the majority party in the National

Assembly following legislative elections, which must be held at

least every five years; elections last held 19 March 2001 (next to

be held by March 2006); prime minister appointed by the president

election results: President Bharrat JAGDEO reelected; percent of

legislative vote - NA%

Haiti

chief of state: Interim President Boniface ALEXANDRE (since 29

February 2004)

note: Jean-Bertrand ARISTIDE resigned as president on 29 February

2004; ALEXANDRE, as Chief of the Supreme Court, constitutionally

succeeded Aristide

head of government: Interim Prime Minister Gerald LATORTUE (since 12

March 2004), chosen by extraconstitutional Council of Eminent

Persons representing cross-section of political and civic interests

cabinet: Cabinet chosen by the prime minister in consultation with

the president

elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;

election last held 26 November 2000 (next to be held in November

2005); prime minister appointed by the president, ratified by the

National Assembly

election results: Jean-Bertrand ARISTIDE elected president; percent

of vote - Jean-Bertrand ARISTIDE 92%

Holy See (Vatican City)

chief of state: Pope BENEDICT XVI (since 19

April 2005)

head of government: Secretary of State Cardinal Angelo SODANO (since

1 December 1990)

cabinet: Pontifical Commission appointed by the pope

elections: pope elected for life by the College of Cardinals;

election last held 19 April 2005 (next to be held after the death of

the current pope); secretary of state appointed by the pope

election results: Joseph RATZINGER elected Pope BENEDICT XVI

Honduras

chief of state: President Ricardo (Joest) MADURO (since 27

January 2002); First Vice President Vicente WILLIAMS Agasse (since

27 January 2002); Second Vice President Armida Villela Maria DE

LOPEZ Contreras (since 27 January 2002); Third Vice President

Alberto DIAZ Lobo (since 27 January 2002); note - the president is

both the chief of state and head of government

head of government: President Ricardo (Joest) MADURO (since 27

January 2002); First Vice President Vicente WILLIAMS Agasse (since

27 January 2002); Second Vice President Armida Villela Maria DE

LOPEZ Contreras (since 27 January 2002); Third Vice President

Alberto DIAZ Lobo (since 27 January 2002); note - the president is

both the chief of state and head of government

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by president

elections: president elected by popular vote for a four-year term;

election last held 25 November 2001 (next to be held 27 November

2005)

election results: Ricardo (Joest) MADURO (PN) elected president -

52.2%, Raphael PINEDA Ponce (PL) 44.3%, others 3.5%

Hong Kong

chief of state: President of China HU Jintao (since 15

March 2003)

head of government: Chief Executive Donald TSANG (since 24 June 2005)

cabinet: Executive Council consists of seven non-official members

and 14 official members

elections: previous chief executive TUNG Chee-hwa was elected to

second five-year term in March 2002 by 800-member election committee

dominated by pro-Beijing forces, resignation accepted 12 March 2005;

Donald TSANG acted as chief executive between 12 March 2005 and 25

May 2005; Henry TANG acted as chief executive between 25 May 2005

and 24 June 2005; last election 16 June 2005 to fill final two years

of TUNG's term (next to be held in June 2007)

Hungary

chief of state: Laszlo SOLYOM (since 5 August 2005)

head of government: Prime Minister Ferenc GYURCSANY (since 29

September 2004)

cabinet: Council of Ministers elected by the National Assembly on

the recommendation of the president

elections: president elected by the National Assembly for a

five-year term; election last held 6-7 June 2005 (next to be held by

June 2010); prime minister elected by the National Assembly on the

recommendation of the president; election last held 29 September 2004

election results: Laszlo SOLYOM elected president by a simple

majority in the third round of voting, 185 to 182; Ferenc GYURCSANY

elected prime minister; result of legislative vote - 197 to 12

note: to be elected, the president must win two-thirds of

legislative vote in the first two rounds or a simple majority in the

third round

Iceland

chief of state: President Olafur Ragnar GRIMSSON (since 1

August 1996)

head of government: Prime Minister Halldor ASGRIMSSON (since 15

September 2004); note - Former Prime Minister David ODDSSON switched

positions with former Foreign Minister Halldor ASGRIMMSON

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister and approved by

parliament

elections: president, which is largely a ceremonial post, elected by

popular vote for a four-year term; election last held 26 June 2004

(next to be held June 2008); following legislative elections, the

leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition

is usually the prime minister

election results: Olafur Ragnar GRIMSSON wins with 85.6% of the

vote, Baldur AGUSTSSON 12.5%, Astthor MAGNUSSON 1.9%

India

chief of state: President A.P.J. Abdul KALAM (since 26 July

2002); Vice President Bhairon Singh SHEKHAWAT (since 19 August 2002)

head of government: Prime Minister Manmohan SINGH (since NA May 2004)

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the

recommendation of the prime minister

elections: president elected by an electoral college consisting of

elected members of both houses of Parliament and the legislatures of

the states for a five-year term; election last held July 2002 (next

to be held 18 July 2007); vice president elected by both houses of

Parliament for a five-year term; election last held 12 August 2002

(next to be held August 2007); prime minister chosen by

parliamentary members of the majority party following legislative

elections; election last held April - May 2004 (next to be held May

2009)

election results: Abdul KALAM elected president; percent of

electoral college vote - 89.6%; Bhairon Singh SHEKHAWAT elected vice

president; percent of Parliament vote - 59.8%

Indonesia

chief of state: President Susilo Bambang YUDHOYONO (since

20 October 2004) and Vice President Muhammad Yusuf KALLA (since 20

October 2004); note - the president is both the chief of state and

head of government

head of government: President Susilo Bambang YUDHOYONO (since 20

October 2004) and Vice President Muhammad Yusuf KALLA (since 20

October 2004);

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president

elections: president and vice president were elected for five-year

terms by direct vote of the citizenry; last held 20 September 2004

(next to be held in September 2009)

election results: Susilo Bambang YUDHOYONO elected president

receiving 60.6% of vote; MEGAWATI Sukarnoputri received 39.4%

Iran

chief of state: Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Hoseini-KHAMENEI

(since 4 June 1989)

head of government: President Mahmud AHMADI-NEJAD (since 3 August

2005) First Vice President Dr. Mohammad Reza AREF-Yazdi (since 26

August 2001)

cabinet: Council of Ministers selected by the president with

legislative approval; the Supreme Leader has some control over

appointments to the more sensitive ministries

elections: leader of the Islamic Revolution appointed for life by

the Assembly of Experts; president elected by popular vote for a

four-year term; election last held 17 June 2005 with a two-candidate

runoff on 24 June 2005 (next to be held NA 2009)

election results: Mahmud AHMADI-NEJAD elected president; percent of

vote - Mahmud AHMADI-NEJAD 62%, Ali Akbar Hashemi RAFSANJANI 36%;

note - 2% of ballots spoiled

Iraq

chief of state: Iraqi Transitional Government (ITG) President

Jalal TALABANI (since 6 April 2005); Deputy Presidents Adil Abd

AL-MAHDI and Ghazi al-Ujayl al-YAWR (since 6 April 2005); note - the

President and Deputy Presidents comprise the Presidency Council)

head of government: Iraqi Transitional Government (ITG) Prime

Minister Ibrahim al-JAFARI (since April 2005); Deputy Prime

Ministers Rowsch SHAWAYS, Ahmad CHALABI, and Abid al-Mutlaq

al-JABBURI (since May 2005)

cabinet: 32 ministers appointed by the Presidency Council, plus

Prime Minister Ibrahim al-JAFARI, Deputy Prime Ministers Rowsch

SHAWAYS, Ahmad CHALABI, and Abid al-Mutlaq al-JABBURI

elections: held 30 January 2005 to elect a 275-member Transitional

National Assembly that will draft a permanent constitution and pave

the way for new national elections at the end of 2005

Ireland

chief of state: President Mary MCALEESE (since 11 November

1997)

head of government: Prime Minister Bertie AHERN (since 26 June 1997)

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president with previous nomination

by the prime minister and approval of the House of Representatives

elections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term;

election last held 31 October 1997 (next scheduled for October

2011); note - Mary MCALEESE appointed to a second term when no other

candidate qualified for the 2004 presidential election; prime

minister nominated by the House of Representatives and appointed by

the president

election results: Mary MCALEESE elected president; percent of vote -

Mary MCALEESE 44.8%, Mary BANOTTI 29.6%

note: government coalition - Fianna Fail and the Progressive

Democrats

Israel

chief of state: President Moshe KATZAV (since 31 July 2000)

head of government: Prime Minister Ariel SHARON (since 7 March 2001)

cabinet: Cabinet selected by prime minister and approved by the

Knesset

elections: president is largely a ceremonial role and is elected by

the Knesset for a seven-year term; election last held 31 July 2000

(next to be held mid-2007); following legislative elections, the

president assigns a Knesset member - traditionally the leader of the

largest party - the task of forming a governing coalition; election

last held 28 January 2003 (next scheduled to be held fall of 2006)

election results: Moshe KATZAV elected president by the 120-member

Knesset with a total of 60 votes, other candidate, Shimon PERES,

received 57 votes (there were three abstentions); Ariel SHARON

continues as prime minister after Likud Party victory in January

2003 Knesset elections; Likud won 38 seats and then formed coalition

government with Shinui, the National Religious Party, and the

National Union

Italy

chief of state: President Carlo Azeglio CIAMPI (since 13 May

1999)

head of government: Prime Minister (referred to in Italy as the

president of the Council of Ministers) Silvio BERLUSCONI (since 10

June 2001)

cabinet: Council of Ministers nominated by the prime minister and

approved by the president

elections: president elected by an electoral college consisting of

both houses of parliament and 58 regional representatives for a

seven-year term; election last held 13 May 1999 (next to be held May

2006); prime minister appointed by the president and confirmed by

parliament

election results: Carlo Azeglio CIAMPI elected president; percent of

electoral college vote - 70%

note: a four-party government coalition includes Forza Italia,

National Alliance, Northern League, and Union of Christian Democrats

and Center Democrats

Jamaica

chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952),

represented by Governor General Sir Howard Felix COOKE (since 1

August 1991)

head of government: Prime Minister Percival James PATTERSON (since

30 March 1992)

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of

the prime minister

elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor general

appointed by the monarch on the recommendation of the prime

minister; following legislative elections, the leader of the

majority party or the leader of the majority coalition in the House

of Representatives is appointed prime minister by the governor

general; the deputy prime minister is recommended by the prime

minister

Japan

chief of state: Emperor AKIHITO (since 7 January 1989)

head of government: Prime Minister Junichiro KOIZUMI (since 26 April

2001)

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister

elections: Diet designates prime minister; constitution requires

that prime minister commands parliamentary majority; following

legislative elections, leader of majority party or leader of

majority coalition in House of Representatives usually becomes prime

minister; KOIZUMI's term as leader of the LDP is scheduled to end in

September 2006; a new prime minister may be chosen at that time;

monarch is hereditary

Jersey

chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952)

head of government: Lieutenant Governor and Commander in Chief Air

Chief Marshall Sir John CHESHIRE (since 24 January 2001) and Bailiff

Philip Martin BAILHACHE (since NA February 1995)

cabinet: committees appointed by the Assembly of the States

elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; lieutenant governor and

bailiff appointed by the monarch

Jordan

chief of state: King ABDALLAH II (since 7 February 1999);

Prince HUSSEIN (born 1994), son of King ABDALLAH, is first in line

to inherit the throne

head of government: Prime Minister Adnan BADRAN (since 7 April

2005); Deputy Prime Ministers Marwan al-MUASHER and Hisham al-TEL

(since 3 July 2005)

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister in consultation

with the monarch

elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; prime minister appointed

by the monarch

Kazakhstan

chief of state: President Nursultan A. NAZARBAYEV

(chairman of the Supreme Soviet from 22 February 1990, elected

president 1 December 1991)

head of government: Prime Minister Daniyal AKHMETOV (since 13 June

2003); First Deputy Prime Minister Akhmetzhan YESIMOV (since 14 May

2004)

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president

elections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term;

election last held 10 January 1999, a year before it was previously

scheduled (next to be held NA 2006); note - President NAZARBAYEV's

previous term was extended to 2000 by a nationwide referendum held

30 April 1995; prime minister and first deputy prime minister

appointed by the president

election results: Nursultan A. NAZARBAYEV reelected president;

percent of vote - Nursultan A. NAZARBAYEV 81.7%, Serikbolsyn

ABDILDIN 12.1%, Gani KASYMOV 4.7%, Engels GABBASSOV 1.5%

note: President NAZARBAYEV arranged a referendum in 1995 that

expanded his presidential powers: only he can initiate

constitutional amendments, appoint and dismiss the government,

dissolve Parliament, call referenda at his discretion, and appoint

administrative heads of regions and cities

Kenya

chief of state: President Mwai KIBAKI (since 30 December 2002)

and Vice President Moody AWORI (since 25 September 2003); note - the

president is both the chief of state and head of government

head of government: President Mwai KIBAKI (since 30 December 2002)

and Vice President Moody AWORI (since 25 September 2003); note - the

president is both the chief of state and head of government

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president

elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;

in addition to receiving the largest number of votes in absolute

terms, the presidential candidate must also win 25% or more of the

vote in at least five of Kenya's seven provinces and one area to

avoid a runoff; election last held 27 December 2002 (next to be held

December 2007); vice president appointed by the president

election results: President Mwai KIBAKI elected; percent of vote -

Mwai KIBAKI 63%, Uhuru KENYATTA 30%

Kiribati

chief of state: President Anote TONG (since 10 July 2003);

Vice President Teima ONORIO; note - the president is both the chief

of state and head of government

head of government: President Anote TONG (since 10 July 2003); Vice

President Teima ONORIO; note - the president is both the chief of

state and head of government

cabinet: 12-member Cabinet appointed by the president from among the

members of the House of Parliament

elections: the House of Parliament chooses the presidential

candidates from among its members and then those candidates compete

in a general election; president is elected by popular vote for a

four-year term; election last held 4 July 2003 (next to be held not

later than July 2007); vice president appointed by the president

election results: Anote TONG 47.4%, Harry TONG 43.5%, Banuera BERINA

9.1%

Korea, North

chief of state: KIM Jong Il (since July 1994); note -

on 3 September 2003, rubberstamp Supreme People's Assembly (SPA)

reelected KIM Jong Il Chairman of the National Defense Commission, a

position accorded nation's "highest administrative authority"; SPA

reelected KIM Yong Nam President of its Presidium also with

responsibility of representing state and receiving diplomatic

credentials; SPA appointed PAK Pong Ju Premier

head of government: Premier PAK Pong Ju (since 3 September 2003);

Vice Premiers KWAK Pom Gi (since 5 September 1998), JON Sung Hun

(since 3 September 2003), RO Tu Chol (since 3 September 2003)

cabinet: Cabinet (Naegak), members, except for the Minister of

People's Armed Forces, are appointed by the SPA

elections: election last held in September 2003 (next to be held in

September 2008)

election results: KIM Jong Il and KIM Yong Nam were only nominees

for positions and ran unopposed

Korea, South

chief of state: President ROH Moo-hyun (since 25

February 2003)

head of government: Prime Minister LEE Hae-chan (since 25 May 2004);

Deputy Prime Ministers HAN Duck-soo (14 March 2005), KIM Jin-pyo

(since 28 January 2005), and OH Myung (since 18 October 2004)

cabinet: State Council appointed by the president on the prime

minister's recommendation

elections: president elected by popular vote for single five-year

term; election last held 19 December 2002 (next to be held in

February 2008); prime minister appointed by president with consent

of National Assembly; deputy prime ministers appointed by president

on prime minister's recommendation

election results: results of the 19 December 2002 election - ROH

Moo-hyun elected president; percent of vote - ROH Moo-hyun (MDP)

48.9%; LEE Hoi-chang (GNP) 46.6%; other 4.5%

Kuwait

chief of state: Amir JABIR al-Ahmad al-Jabir al-Sabah (since

31 December 1977); Crown Prince SAAD al-Abdullah al-Salim al-Sabah

head of government: Prime Minister SABAH al-Ahmad al-Jabir al-Sabah

(since 13 July 2003); First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of

the Interior NAWWAF al-Ahmad al-Sabah (since 2003); Deputy Prime

Ministers JABIR MUBARAK al-Hamad al-Sabah (since 2001) and Muhammad

Dayfallah al-SHARAR (since 2003)

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister and

approved by the monarch

elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; prime minister and

deputy prime ministers appointed by the monarch

Kyrgyzstan

chief of state: President Kurmanbek BAKIYEV (since 14

August 2005); note - former President Askar AKAYEV resigned

effective 11 April 2005 following widespread protests that forced

him to flee the country on 24 March 2005

head of government: Prime Minister Feliks KULOV (since 1 September

2005)

cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president on the

recommendation of the prime minister

elections: Kurmanbek BAKIYEV elected by popular vote for a five-year

term; election last held 10 July 2005 (next scheduled for NA 2010);

prime minister nominated by the president for approval by Parliament

election results: Kurmanbek BAKIYEV elected president; percent of

vote - Kurmanbek BAKIYEV 88.6%, Tursunbai BAKIR-UULU 3.9%, other

candidates 7.5%; Feliks KULOV approved as prime minister 55-8

Laos

chief of state: President Gen. KHAMTAI Siphadon (since 26

February 1998) and Vice President Lt. Gen. CHOUMMALI Saignason

(since 27 March 2001)

head of government: Prime Minister BOUNGNANG Volachit (since 27

March 2001); First Deputy Prime Minister Bouasone BOUPHAVANH (since

3 October 2003) Deputy Prime Minister Maj. Gen. ASANG Laoli (since

May 2002), Deputy Prime Minister THONGLOUN Sisolit (since 27 March

2001), and Deputy Prime Minister SOMSAVAT Lengsavat (since 26

February 1998)

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president, approved

by the National Assembly

elections: president elected by the National Assembly for a

five-year term; election last held 24 February 2002 (next to be held

in 2007); prime minister appointed by the president with the

approval of the National Assembly for a five-year term

election results: KHAMTAI Siphadon elected president; percent of

National Assembly vote - NA%

Latvia

chief of state: President Vaira VIKE-FREIBERGA (since 8 July

1999)

head of government: Prime Minister Aigars KALVITIS (since 2 December

2004)

cabinet: Council of Ministers nominated by the prime minister and

appointed by the Parliament

elections: president reelected by Parliament for a four-year term;

election last held 20 June 2003 (next to be held by June 2007);

prime minister appointed by the president

election results: Vaira VIKE-FREIBERGA reelected president;

parliamentary vote - Vaira VIKE-FREIBERGA 88 of 94 votes cast

Lebanon

chief of state: President Emile LAHUD (since 24 November

1998)

head of government: Prime Minister Fuad SINIORA (since 30 June

2005); Deputy Prime Minister Elias MURR (since April 2005)

cabinet: Cabinet chosen by the prime minister in consultation with

the president and members of the National Assembly

elections: president elected by the National Assembly for a six-year

term; election last held 15 October 1998 (next election date NA);

note - on 3 September 2004 the National Assembly voted 96 to 29 to

extend Emile LAHUD's six-year term by three years; the prime

minister and deputy prime minister appointed by the president in

consultation with the National Assembly; by agreement, the president

is a Maronite Christian, the prime minister is a Sunni Muslim, and

the speaker of the legislature is a Shia Muslim

election results: for 15 October 1998 election: Emile LAHUD elected

president; National Assembly vote - 118 votes in favor, 0 against,

10 abstentions

Lesotho

chief of state: King LETSIE III (since 7 February 1996);

note - King LETSIE III formerly occupied the throne from November

1990 to February 1995, while his father was in exile

head of government: Prime Minister Pakalitha MOSISILI (since 23 May

1998)

cabinet: Cabinet

elections: none; according to the constitution, the leader of the

majority party in the Assembly automatically becomes prime minister;

the monarch is hereditary, but, under the terms of the constitution,

which came into effect after the March 1993 election, the monarch is

a "living symbol of national unity" with no executive or legislative

powers; under traditional law the college of chiefs has the power to

determine who is next in the line of succession, who shall serve as

regent in the event that the successor is not of mature age, and may

even depose the monarch

Liberia

chief of state: Chairman Gyude BRYANT (since 14 October

2003); note - this is an interim position until presidential

elections in 2005; the chairman is both the chief of state and head

of government

head of government: Chairman Gyude BRYANT (since 14 October 2003);

note - this is an interim position until presidential elections in

2005; the chairman is both the chief of state and head of government

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president and confirmed by the

Senate; note - current cabinet positions are divided among groups

participating in the Liberian peace process

elections: president elected by popular vote for a six-year term

(renewable); election last held 19 July 1997 (next to be held 11

October 2005)

election results: Charles Ghankay TAYLOR elected president; percent

of vote - Charles Ghankay TAYLOR (NPP) 75.3%, Ellen Johnson SIRLEAF

(UP) 9.6%, Alhaji KROMAH (ALCOP) 4%, other 11.1%; note - TAYLOR

stepped down in August 2003

note: a UN-brokered cease-fire among warring factions and the

Liberian government resulted in the August 2003 resignation of

former president Charles TAYLOR; a jointly agreed upon replacement,

Chairman Gyude BRYANT, assumed office as head of the National

Transitional Government on 14 October 2003

Libya

chief of state: Revolutionary Leader Col. Muammar Abu Minyar

al-QADHAFI (since 1 September 1969); note - holds no official title,

but is de facto chief of state

head of government: Secretary of the General People's Committee

(Prime Minister) Shukri Muhammad GHANIM (since 14 June 2003)

cabinet: General People's Committee established by the General

People's Congress

elections: national elections are indirect through a hierarchy of

people's committees; head of government elected by the General

People's Congress; election last held 2 March 2000 (next to be held

NA)

election results: NA

Liechtenstein

chief of state: Prince HANS ADAM II (since 13 November

1989, assumed executive powers 26 August 1984); Heir Apparent Prince

ALOIS, son of the monarch (born 11 June 1968); note - on 15 August

2004, HANS ADAM transferred the official duties of the ruling prince

to ALOIS, but HANS ADAM retains status of chief of state

head of government: Head of Government Ottmar HASLER (since 5 April

2001) and Deputy Head of Government Rita KIEBER-BECK (since 5 April

2001)

cabinet: Cabinet elected by the parliament, confirmed by the monarch

elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; following legislative

elections, the leader of the majority party in the Landtag is

usually appointed the head of government by the monarch and the

leader of the largest minority party in the Landtag is usually

appointed the deputy head of government by the monarch

Lithuania

chief of state: President Valdas ADAMKUS (since 12 July

2004)

head of government: Premier Algirdas Mykolas BRAZAUSKAS (since 3

July 2001)

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the

nomination of the premier

elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;

election last held 13 June 2004 and 27 June 2004 (next to be held

June 2009); premier appointed by the president on the approval of

the Parliament

election results: Valdas ADAMKUS elected president; percent of vote

- Valdas ADAMKUS 52.2%, Kazimiera PRUNSKIENE 47.8%

Luxembourg

chief of state: Grand Duke HENRI (since 7 October 2000);

Heir Apparent Prince GUILLAUME (son of the monarch, born 11 November

1981)

head of government: Prime Minister Jean-Claude JUNCKER (since 1

January 1995) and Vice Prime Minister Jean ASSELBORN (since 31 July

2004)

cabinet: Council of Ministers recommended by the prime minister and

appointed by the monarch

elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; following popular

elections to the Chamber of Deputies, the leader of the majority

party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed

prime minister by the monarch; the deputy prime minister is

appointed by the monarch; they are responsible to the Chamber of

Deputies

note: government coalition - CSV and LSAP

Macau

chief of state: President of China HU Jintao (since 15 March

2003)

head of government: Chief Executive Edmund HO Hau-wah (since 20

December 1999)

cabinet: Executive Council consists of one government secretary,

four legislators, four businessmen, and one pro-Beijing unionist

elections: chief executive chosen by a 300-member Election Committee

for up to two five-year terms

election results: Edmund HO Hau-wah reelected on 29 August 2004;

received 296 votes in Election Committee out of 300 possible; 3

members submitted blank ballots; 1 member was absent

Macedonia

chief of state: President Branko CRVENKOVSKI (since 12 May

2004)

head of government: Prime Minister Vlado BUCKOVSKI (since 17

December 2004)

cabinet: Council of Ministers elected by the majority vote of all

the deputies in the Assembly; note - current cabinet formed by the

government coalition parties SDSM, LDP, and BDI

elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;

two-round election last held 14 April and 28 April 2004 (next to be

held April 2009); prime minister elected by the Assembly; election

last held 1 November 2002 (next to be held NA 2006)

election results: Branko CRVENKOVSKI elected president on

second-round ballot; percent of vote - Branko CRVENKOVSKI 62.7%,

Sasko KEDEV 37.3%; Vlado BUCKOVSKI elected prime minister by the

Assembly

Madagascar

chief of state: President Marc RAVALOMANANA (since 6 May

2002)

head of government: Prime Minister Jacques SYLLA (27 May 2002)

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister

elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;

election last held 16 December 2001 (next to be held November 2006);

prime minister appointed by the president

election results: percent of vote - Didier RATSIRAKA (AREMA) 37.7%,

Marc RAVALOMANANA (TIM) 50.5%

Malawi

chief of state: President Bingu wa MUTHARIKA (since 24 May

2004); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of

government

head of government: President Bingu wa MUTHARIKA (since 24 May

2004); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of

government

cabinet: 46-member Cabinet named by the president

elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;

election last held 20 May 2004 (next to be held May 2009)

election results: Bingu wa MUTHARIKA elected president; percent of

vote - Bingu wa MUTHARIKA (UDF) 35.9%, John TEMBO (MCP) 27.1%,

Gwandaguluwe CHAKUAMBA (MC) 25.7%, Brown MPINGANJIRA (NDA) 8.7%,

Justin MALEWEZI (independent) 2.5%

Malaysia

chief of state: Paramount Ruler Tuanku SYED SIRAJUDDIN ibni

Almarhum Tuanku Syed Putra Jamalullail, the Raja of Perlis (since 12

December 2001)

head of government: Prime Minister ABDULLAH bin Ahmad Badawi (since

31 October 2003); Deputy Prime Minister Mohamed NAJIB bin Abdul

Razak (since 7 January 2004)

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister from among the

members of Parliament with consent of the paramount ruler

elections: paramount ruler elected by and from the hereditary rulers

of nine of the states for five-year terms; election last held 12

December 2001 (next to be held in 2006); prime minister designated

from among the members of the House of Representatives; following

legislative elections, the leader of the party that wins a plurality

of seats in the House of Representatives becomes prime minister

election results: Tuanku SYED SIRAJUDDIN ibni Almarhum Tuanku Syed

Putra Jamalullail elected paramount ruler

Maldives

chief of state: President Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM (since 11

November 1978); note - the president is both the chief of state and

head of government

head of government: President Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM (since 11

November 1978); note - the president is both the chief of state and

head of government

cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president

elections: president nominated by the Majlis and then the nomination

must be ratified by a national referendum (at least a 51% approval

margin is required); president elected for a five-year term;

election last held 17 October 2003 (next to be held NA 2008)

election results: President Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM reelected in

referendum held 17 October 2003; percent of popular vote - Maumoon

Abdul GAYOOM 90.3%

Mali

chief of state: President Amadou Toumani TOURE (since 8 June

2002)

head of government: Prime Minister Ousmane Issoufi MAIGA (since 30

April 2004)

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister

elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term

(two-term limit); election last held 12 May 2002 (next to be held

May 2007); prime minister appointed by the president

election results: Amadou Toumani TOURE elected president; percent of

vote - Amadou Toumani TOURE 64.4%, Soumaila CISSE 35.6%

Malta

chief of state: President Eddie FENECH ADAMI (since 4 April

2004)

head of government: Prime Minister Lawrence GONZI (since 23 March

2004)

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president on the advice of the

prime minister

elections: president elected by the House of Representatives for a

five-year term; election last held 29 March 2004 (next to be held by

April 2009); following legislative elections, the leader of the

majority party or leader of a majority coalition is usually

appointed prime minister by the president for a five-year term; the

deputy prime minister is appointed by the president on the advice of

the prime minister

election results: Eddie FENECH ADAMI elected president; percent of

House of Representatives vote - 33 out of 65 votes

Man, Isle of

chief of state: Lord of Mann Queen ELIZABETH II (since

6 February 1952), represented by Lieutenant Governor Ian MACFADYEN

(since 26 October 2002)

head of government: Chief Minister Donald GELLING (since 14 December

2004)

cabinet: Council of Ministers

elections: the monarch is hereditary; lieutenant governor appointed

by the monarch for a five-year term; the Chief Minister is elected

by the Tynwald; election last held 14 December 2004 (next to be held

December 2010)

election results: Donald GELLING elected chief minister by the

Tynwald; note - Richard CORKILL resigned 2 December 2004

Marshall Islands

chief of state: President Kessai Hesa NOTE (since 5

January 2004); note - the president is both the chief of state and

head of government

head of government: President Kessai Hesa NOTE (since 5 January

2004); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of

government

cabinet: Cabinet selected by the president from among the members of

Parliament

elections: president elected by Parliament from among its own

members for a four-year term; election last held 17 November 2003

(next to be held November 2007)

election results: Kessai Hesa NOTE elected president; percent of

Parliament vote - 100%

Martinique

chief of state: President Jacques CHIRAC of France (since

17 May 1995); Prefect Yves DASSONVILLE (since 14 January 2004); note

- took office 8 February 2004

head of government: President of the General Council Claude LISE

(since 22 March 1992); President of the Regional Council Alfred

MARIE-JEANNE (since NA March 1998)

cabinet: NA

elections: French president elected by popular vote for a five-year

term; prefect appointed by the French president on the advice of the

French Ministry of Interior; the presidents of the General and

Regional Councils are elected by the members of those councils

Mauritania

chief of state: President Maaouya Ould Sid Ahmed TAYA

(since 12 December 1984); note - President TAYA deposed in a coup by

the Military Council for Justice and Democracy led by Col. Ely Ould

Mohamed VALL on 3 August 2005

head of government: Prime Minister Sidi Mohamed Ould BOUBAKAR (since

8 August 2005)

cabinet: Council of Ministers

elections: president elected by popular vote for a six-year term;

election last held 7 November 2003 (next to be held NA 2009); prime

minister appointed by the president

election results: President Maaouya Ould Sid Ahmed TAYA reelected

for a third term with 60.8% of the vote

Mauritius

chief of state: President Sir Anerood JUGNAUTH (since 7

October 2003) and Vice President Abdool Raouf BUNDHUN (since 25

February 2002)

head of government: Prime Minister Paul BERENGER (since 30 September

2003)

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the

recommendation of the prime minister

elections: president and vice president elected by the National

Assembly for five-year terms; election last held 25 February 2002

(next to be held NA 2007); prime minister and deputy prime minister

appointed by the president, responsible to the National Assembly

election results: Karl OFFMANN elected president and Raouf BUNDHUN

elected vice president; percent of vote by the National Assembly -

NA%; note - Karl OFFMANN stepped down on 30 September 2003

Mayotte

chief of state: President Jacques CHIRAC of France (since 17

May 1995), represented by Prefect Jean-Paul KIHL (since 17 January

2005)

head of government: President of the General Council Said Omar OILI

(since NA 2004)

cabinet: NA

elections: French president elected by popular vote for a five-year

term; prefect appointed by the French president on the advice of the

French Ministry of the Interior; president of the General Council

elected by the members of the General Council for a six-year term

Mexico

chief of state: President Vicente FOX Quesada (since 1

December 2000); note - the president is both the chief of state and

head of government

head of government: President Vicente FOX Quesada (since 1 December

2000); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of

government

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president; note - appointment of

attorney general requires consent of the Senate

elections: president elected by popular vote for a six-year term;

election last held 2 July 2000 (next to be held 2 July 2006)

election results: Vicente FOX Quesada elected president; percent of

vote - Vicente FOX Quesada (PAN) 42.52%, Francisco LABASTIDA Ochoa

(PRI) 36.1%, Cuauhtemoc CARDENAS Solorzano (PRD) 16.64%, other 4.74%

Micronesia, Federated States of

chief of state: President Joseph J.

URUSEMAL (since 11 May 2003); Vice President Redley KILLION (11 May

2003); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of

government

head of government: President Joseph J. URUSEMAL (since 11 May

2003); Vice President Redley KILLION (11 May 2003); note - the

president is both the chief of state and head of government

cabinet: Cabinet

elections: president and vice president elected by Congress from

among the four senators at large for four-year terms; election last

held 11 May 2003 (next to be held May 2007); note - a proposed

constitutional amendment to establish popular elections for

president and vice president failed

election results: Joseph J. URUSEMAL elected president; percent of

Congress vote - NA%; Redley KILLION elected vice president; percent

of Congress vote - NA%

Moldova

chief of state: President Vladimir VORONIN (since 4 April

2001)

head of government: Prime Minister Vasile TARLEV (since 15 April

2001), First Deputy Prime Minister Vasile IOVV (since 29 January

2002)

cabinet: selected by president, subject to approval of Parliament

elections: president elected by Parliament for a four-year term;

election last held 4 April 2005 (next to be held NA 2009); note -

prime minister designated by the president, upon consultation with

Parliament; within 15 days from designation, the prime

minister-designate must request a vote of confidence from the

Parliament regarding his/her work program and entire cabinet; prime

minister designated 15 April 2001, cabinet received a vote of

confidence 19 April 2001

election results: Vladimir VORONIN reelected president;

parliamentary votes - Vladimir VORONIN 75, Gheorghe DUCA 1; Vasile

TARLEV designated prime minister; parliamentary votes of confidence

- 75 of 101

Monaco

chief of state: Prince ALBERT II (since 6 April 2005)

head of government: Minister of State Jean-Paul PROUST (since 1 June

2005)

cabinet: Council of Government is under the authority of the monarch

elections: none; the monarchy is hereditary; minister of state

appointed by the monarch from a list of three French national

candidates presented by the French Government

Mongolia

chief of state: President Nambaryn ENKHBAYAR (since 24 June

2005)

head of government: Prime Minister Tsakhi ELBEGDORJ (since 20 August

2004); Deputy Prime Minister Chultem ULAAN (since 28 September 2004)

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the State Great Hural (parliament) in

consultation with the president

elections: presidential candidates nominated by political parties

represented in State Great Hural and elected by popular vote for a

four-year term; presidential tenure limited to two four-year terms;

election last held 22 May 2005 (next to be held in May 2009);

following legislative elections, leader of majority party or

majority coalition is usually elected prime minister by State Great

Hural

election results: Nambaryn ENKHBAYAR elected president; percent of

vote - Nambaryn ENKHBAYAR (MPRP) 53.44%, Mendsaikhanin ENKHSAIKHAN

(DP) 20.05%, Bazarsadyn JARGALSAIKHAN (MRP) 13.92%, Badarchyn

ERDENEBAT (M-MNSDP) 12.59%; Tsakhi ELBEGDORJ elected prime minister

by the State Great Hural 74 to 0

Montserrat

chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February

1952), represented by Governor Deborah BARNES-JONES (since 10 May

2004)

head of government: Chief Minister John OSBORNE (since 5 April 2001)

cabinet: Executive Council consists of the governor, the chief

minister, three other ministers, the attorney general, and the

finance secretary

elections: the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed by the

monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority

party usually becomes chief minister

Morocco

chief of state: King MOHAMED VI (since 30 July 1999)

head of government: Prime Minister Driss JETTOU (since 9 October

2002)

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the monarch

elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; prime minister appointed

by the monarch following legislative elections

Mozambique

chief of state: President Armando GUEBUZA (since 2

February 2005)

head of government: Prime Minister Luisa DIOGO (since 17 February

2004)

cabinet: Cabinet

elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;

election last held 1-2 December 2004 (next to be held December

2009); prime minister appointed by the president

election results: Armando GUEBUZA elected president; percent of vote

- Armando GUEBUZA 63.7%, Afonso DHLAKAMA 31.7%

Namibia

chief of state: President Hifikepunye POHAMBA (since 15

November 2004)

head of government: Prime Minister Nahas ANGULA (since 21 March 2005)

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president from among the members

of the National Assembly

elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;

election last held 15 November 2004 (next to be held November 2009)

election results: Hifikepunye POHAMBA elected president; percent of

vote - NA%

Nauru

chief of state: President Ludwig SCOTTY (since 26 October

2004); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of

government

head of government: President Ludwig SCOTTY (since 26 October 2004);

note - the president is both the chief of state and head of

government

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president from among the members

of Parliament

elections: president elected by Parliament for a three-year term;

election last held 23 October 2004 (next to be held NA 2007)

election results: Ludwig SCOTTY was unopposed in the parliamentary

elections for president

Nepal

chief of state: King GYANENDRA Bir Bikram Shah (succeeded to

the throne 4 June 2001 following the death of his nephew, King

DIPENDRA Bir Bikram Shah)

head of government: Prime Minister Sher Bahadur DEUBA; note - the

Prime Minister resigned in Februrary 2005

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the monarch on the recommendation of

the prime minister; note - the King dissolved the Cabinet in

February 2005

elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; following legislative

elections, the leader of the majority party or leader of a majority

coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the monarch

note: King BIRENDRA Bir Bikram Shah Dev died in a bloody shooting at

the royal palace on 1 June 2001 that also claimed the lives of most

of the royal family; King BIRENDRA's son, Crown Price DIPENDRA, is

believed to have been responsible for the shootings before fatally

wounding himself; immediately following the shootings and while

still clinging to life, DIPENDRA was crowned king; he died three

days later and was succeeded by his uncle

Netherlands

chief of state: Queen BEATRIX (since 30 April 1980);

Heir Apparent WILLEM-ALEXANDER (born 27 April 1967), son of the

monarch

head of government: Prime Minister Jan Peter BALKENENDE (since 22

July 2002) and Deputy Prime Ministers Gerrit ZALM (since 27 May

2003) and Laurens Jan BRINKHORST (since 31 March 2005)

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the monarch

elections: none; the monarchy is hereditary; following Second

Chamber elections, the leader of the majority party or leader of a

majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the

monarch; vice prime ministers appointed by the monarch

note: there is also a Council of State composed of the monarch, heir

apparent, and councilors that provides consultations to the cabinet

on legislative and administrative policy

Netherlands Antilles

chief of state: Queen BEATRIX of the

Netherlands (since 30 April 1980), represented by Governor General

Frits GOEDGEDRAG (since 1 July 2002)

head of government: Prime Minister Etienne YS (since 3 June 2004)

cabinet: Council of Ministers elected by the Staten (legislature)

elections: the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by

the monarch for a six-year term; following legislative elections,

the leader of the majority party is usually elected prime minister

by the Staten; election last held 18 January 2002 (next to be held

by NA 2006)

note: government coalition - PAR, PNP, PLKP, DP St. Maarten, UP

Bonaire, WIPM Saba, DP Statia

New Caledonia

chief of state: President of France Jacques CHIRAC

(since 17 May 1995), represented by High Commissioner Michel MATHIEU

(since 15 July 2005)

head of government: President of the Government Marie-Noelle

THEMEREAU (since 10 June 2004)

cabinet: Consultative Committee

elections: French president elected by popular vote for a five-year

term; high commissioner appointed by the French president on the

advice of the French Ministry of Interior; president of the

government elected by the members of the Territorial Congress; note

- last election held 29 June 2004 when Marie-Noelle THEMEREAU was

elected on the third vote with 8 votes for and 3 abstentions

New Zealand

chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February

1952), represented by Governor General Dame Silvia CARTWRIGHT (since

4 April 2001)

head of government: Prime Minister Helen CLARK (since 10 December

1999) and Deputy Prime Minister Michael CULLEN (since NA July 2002)

cabinet: Executive Council appointed by the governor general on the

recommendation of the prime minister

elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor general

appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the

leader of the majority party or the leader of a majority coalition

is usually appointed prime minister by the governor general; deputy

prime minister appointed by the governor general

Nicaragua

chief of state: President Enrique BOLANOS Geyer (since 10

January 2002); Vice President Jose RIZO Castellon (since 10 January

2002); note - the president is both chief of state and head of

government

head of government: President Enrique BOLANOS Geyer (since 10

January 2002); Vice President Jose RIZO Castellon (since 10 January

2002); note - the president is both chief of state and head of

government

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president

elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket

by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 4 November

2001 (next to be held by November 2006)

election results: Enrique BOLANOS Geyer (PLC) elected president -

56.3%, Daniel ORTEGA Saavedra (FSLN) 42.3%, Alberto SABORIO (PCN)

1.4%; Jose RIZO Castellon elected vice president

Niger

chief of state: President TANDJA Mamadou (since 22 December

1999); note - the president is both chief of state and head of

government

head of government: President TANDJA Mamadou (since 22 December

1999); note - the president is both chief of state and head of

government; Prime Minister Hama AMADOU (since 31 December 1999) was

appointed by the president and shares some executive

responsibilities with the president

cabinet: 27-member Cabinet appointed by the president

elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;

second round last held 4 December 2004 (next to be held December

2009); prime minister appointed by the president

election results: TANDJA Mamadou reelected president; percent of

vote - TANDJA Mamadou 65.5%, Mahamadou ISSOUFOU 34.5%

Nigeria

chief of state: President Olusegun OBASANJO (since 29 May

1999); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of

government

head of government: President Olusegun OBASANJO (since 29 May 1999);

note - the president is both the chief of state and head of

government

cabinet: Federal Executive Council

elections: president is elected by popular vote for no more than two

four-year terms; election last held 19 April 2003 (next to be held

NA 2007)

election results: Olusegun OBASANJO elected president; percent of

vote - Olusegun OBASANJO (PDP) 61.9%, Muhammadu BUHARI (ANPP) 31.2%,

Chukwuemeka Odumegwu OJUKWU (APGA) 3.3%, other 3.6%

Niue

chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); the

UK and New Zealand are represented by New Zealand High Commissioner

John BRYAN (since NA May 2000)

head of government: Premier Young VIVIAN (since 1 May 2002)

cabinet: Cabinet consists of the premier and three ministers

elections: the monarch is hereditary; premier elected by the

Legislative Assembly for a three-year term; election last held 12

May 2005 (next to be held May 2008)

election results: Young VIVIAN reelected premier; percent of

Legislative Assembly vote - Young VIVIAN (NPP) 85%, O'Love JACOBSEN

(independent) 15%

Norfolk Island

chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February

1952); the UK and Australia are represented by Administrator Grant

TAMBLING (since 1 November 2003)

head of government: Assembly President and Chief Minister Geoffrey

Robert GARDNER (since 5 December 2001)

cabinet: Executive Council is made up of four of the nine members of

the Legislative Assembly; the council devises government policy and

acts as an advisor to the administrator

elections: the monarch is hereditary; administrator appointed by the

governor general of Australia; chief minister elected by the

Legislative Assembly for a term of not more than three years;

election last held 20 Ocotber 2004 (next to be held by December 2007)

election results: Geoffrey Robert GARDNER elected chief minister;

percent of Legislative Assembly vote - 17.2%

Northern Mariana Islands

chief of state: President George W. BUSH of

the US (since 20 January 2001); Vice President Richard B. CHENEY

(since 20 January 2001)

head of government: Governor Juan N. BABAUTA (since 14 January

2002); Lieutenant Governor Diego T. BENAVENTE (since 14 January 2002)

cabinet: NA

elections: US president and vice president elected on the same

ticket for four-year terms; governor and lieutenant governor elected

on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms; election

last held 3 November 2001 (next to be held November 2005)

election results: Juan N. BABAUTA elected governor in a four-way

race; percent of vote - Juan N. BABAUTA (Republican Party) 42.8%

Norway

chief of state: King HARALD V (since 17 January 1991); Heir

Apparent Crown Prince HAAKON MAGNUS, son of the monarch (born 20

July 1973)

head of government: Prime Minister Jens STOLTENBERG (since 17

October 2005)

cabinet: State Council appointed by the monarch with the approval of

parliament

elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; following parliamentary

elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the

majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the

monarch with the approval of the parliament

Oman

chief of state: Sultan and Prime Minister QABOOS bin Said

al-Said (since 23 July 1970); note - the monarch is both the chief

of state and head of government

head of government: Sultan and Prime Minister QABOOS bin Said

al-Said (since 23 July 1970); note - the monarch is both the chief

of state and head of government

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the monarch

elections: none; the monarch is hereditary

Pakistan

note: following a military takeover on 12 October 1999,

Chief of Army Staff and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

Committee, General Pervez MUSHARRAF, suspended Pakistan's

constitution and assumed the additional title of Chief Executive; on

12 May 2000, Pakistan's Supreme Court unanimously validated the

October 1999 coup and granted MUSHARRAF executive and legislative

authority for three years from the coup date; on 20 June 2001,

MUSHARRAF named himself as president and was sworn in, replacing

Mohammad Rafiq TARAR; in a referendum held on 30 April 2002,

MUSHARRAF's presidency was extended by five more years; on 1 January

2004, MUSHARRAF won a vote of confidence in the Senate, National

Assembly, and four provincial assemblies

chief of state: President General Pervez MUSHARRAF (since 20 June

2001)

head of government: Prime Minister Shaukat AZIZ (since 28 August

2004)

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister

elections: the president is elected by Parliament for a five-year

term; note - in a referendum held on 30 April 2002, MUSHARRAF's

presidency was extended by five more years (next to be held NA

2007); the prime minister is selected by the National Assembly for a

five-year term (next to be held NA 2007)

election results: AZIZ elected by the National Assembly on 27 August

2004 with 191 of the votes

Palau

chief of state: President Tommy Esang REMENGESAU, Jr. (since

19 January 2001) and Vice President Camsek CHIN (since 1 January

2005); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of

government

head of government: President Tommy Esang REMENGESAU, Jr. (since 19

January 2001) and Vice President Camsek CHIN (since 1 January 2005);

note - the president is both the chief of state and head of

government

cabinet: Cabinet

elections: president and vice president elected on separate tickets

by popular vote for four-year terms; election last held 2 November

2004 (next to be held November 2008)

election results: Tommy Esang REMENGESAU, Jr. reelected president;

percent of vote - Tommy Esang REMENGESAU, Jr. 64%, Polycarp BASILIUS

33%; Elias Camsek CHIN elected vice president; percent of vote -

Elias Camsek CHIN 70%, Sandra PIERANTOZZI 29%

Panama

chief of state: President Martin TORRIJOS Espino (since 1

September 2004); First Vice President Samuel LEWIS Navarro (since 1

September 2004); Second Vice President Ruben AROSEMENA Valdes (since

1 September 2004); note - the president is both the chief of state

and head of government

head of government: President Martin TORRIJOS Espino (since 1

September 2004); First Vice President Samuel LEWIS Navarro (since 1

September 2004); Second Vice President Ruben AROSEMENA Valdes (since

1 September 2004); note - the president is both the chief of state

and head of government

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president

elections: president and vice presidents elected on the same ticket

by popular vote for five-year terms; election last held 2 May 2004

(next to be held 3 May 2009); note - beginning in 2009, Panama will

have only one vice president.

election results: Martin TORRIJOS Espino elected president; percent

of vote - Martin TORRIJOS Espino 47.5%, Guillermo ENDARA Galimany

30.6%, Jose Miguel ALEMAN 17%, Ricardo MARTINELLI 4.9%

note: government coalition - PRD (Democratic Revolutionary Party),

PP (Popular Party)

Papua New Guinea

chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6

February 1952), represented by governor general Sir Paulius MATANE

(since 29 June 2004)

head of government: Prime Minister Sir Michael SOMARE (since 2

August 2002); deputy prime minister (vacant)

cabinet: National Executive Council appointed by the governor

general on the recommendation of the prime minister

elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor general

appointed by the National Executive Council; following legislative

elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the

majority coalition usually is appointed prime minister by the

governor general

Paraguay

chief of state: President Nicanor DUARTE Frutos (since 15

August 2003); Vice President Luis CASTIGLIONI Joria (since 15 August

2003); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of

government

head of government: President Nicanor DUARTE Frutos (since 15 August

2003); Vice President Luis CASTIGLIONI Joria (since 15 August 2003);

note - the president is both the chief of state and head of

government

cabinet: Council of Ministers nominated by the president

elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket

by popular vote for five-year terms; election last held 27 April

2003 (next to be held April 2008)

election results: Nicanor DUARTE Frutos elected president; percent

of vote - Nicanor DUARTE Frutos 37.1%, Julio Cesar Ramon FRANCO

Gomez 23.9%, Pedro Nicolas Maraa FADUL Niella 21.3%, Guillermo

SANCHEZ Guffanti 13.5%, other 4.2%

Peru

chief of state: President Alejandro TOLEDO Manrique (since 28

July 2001); note - the president is both the chief of state and head

of government; additionally, the constitution provides for two vice

presidents, First Vice President (vacant) and Second Vice President

David WAISMAN Rjavinsthi (since 28 July 2001)

head of government: President Alejandro TOLEDO Manrique (since 28

July 2001); note - the president is both the chief of state and head

of government; additionally, the constitution provides for two vice

presidents, First Vice President (vacant) and Second Vice President

David WAISMAN Rjavinsthi (since 28 July 2001)

note: Prime Minister Pedro Pablo KUCZYNSKI (since 25 August 2005)

does not exercise executive power; this power is in the hands of the

president

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president

elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;

special presidential and congressional elections held 8 April 2001,

with runoff election held 3 June 2001; next to be held 9 April 2006

election results: President Alejandro TOLEDO Manrique elected

president in runoff election; percent of vote - Alejandro TOLEDO

Manrique 53.1%, Alan GARCIA 46.9%

Philippines

chief of state: President Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO (since

20 January 2001); note - president is both chief of state and head

of government

head of government: President Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO (since 20

January 2001)

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president with consent of

Commission of Appointments

elections: president and vice president (Manuel "Noli" DE CASTRO)

elected on separate tickets by popular vote for six-year terms;

election last held 10 May 2004 (next to be held in May 2010)

election results: results of the election - Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO

elected president; percent of vote - Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO 40%,

Fernando POE 37%, three others 23%

Pitcairn Islands

chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6

February 1952), represented by UK High Commissioner to New Zealand

and Governor (nonresident) of the Pitcairn Islands Richard FELL

(since NA December 2001); Commissioner (nonresident) Leslie JAQUES

(since September 2003); serves as liaison between the governor and

the Island Council

head of government: Governor Richard FELL; mayor and chairman of the

Island Council Jay WARREN (since 15 December 2004)

cabinet: NA

elections: the monarchy is hereditary; high commissioner and

commissioner appointed by the monarch; island mayor elected by

popular vote for a three-year term; election last held December 2004

(next to be held December 2007)

election results: Jay WARREN elected mayor and chairman of the

Island Council

Poland

chief of state: President Aleksander KWASNIEWSKI (since 23

December 1995)

head of government: Prime Minister Marek BELKA (since 24 June 2004);

Deputy Prime Minister Izabela JARUGA-NOWACKA (since 24 June 2004)

cabinet: Council of Ministers responsible to the prime minister and

the Sejm; the prime minister proposes, the president appoints, and

the Sejm approves the Council of Ministers

elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;

election last held 8 October 2000 (next to be held October 2005);

prime minister and deputy prime ministers appointed by the president

and confirmed by the Sejm

election results: Aleksander KWASNIEWSKI reelected president;

percent of popular vote - Aleksander KWASNIEWSKI 53.9%, Andrzej

OLECHOWSKI 17.3%, Marian KRZAKLEWSKI 15.6%, Lech WALESA 1%

Portugal

chief of state: President Jorge SAMPAIO (since 9 March 1996)

head of government: Prime Minister Jose SOCRATES (since 12 March

2005)

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the

recommendation of the prime minister

note: there is also a Council of State that acts as a consultative

body to the president

elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;

election last held 14 January 2001 (next to be held January 2006);

following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or

leader of a majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister

by the president

election results: Jorge SAMPAIO reelected president; percent of vote

- Jorge SAMPAIO (Socialist) 55.8%, Joaquim FERREIRA Do Amaral

(Social Democrat) 34.5%, Antonio ABREU (Communist) 5.1%

Puerto Rico

chief of state: President George W. BUSH of the US

(since 20 January 2001)

head of government: Governor Anibal ACEVEDO-VILA (since 2 January

2005)

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor with the consent of the

legislature

elections: US president and vice president elected on the same

ticket for four-year terms; governor elected by popular vote for a

four-year term; election last held 2 November 2004 (next to be held

November 2008)

election results: Anibal ACEVEDO-VILA (PPD) elected governor;

percent of vote - 48.4%

Qatar

chief of state: Amir HAMAD bin Khalifa al-Thani (since 27 June

1995 when, as crown prince, he ousted his father, Amir KHALIFA bin

Hamad al-Thani, in a bloodless coup); Crown Prince TAMIM bin Hamad

bin Khalifa al-Thani, third son of the monarch (selected Heir

Apparent by the monarch on 5 August 2003); note - Amir HAMAD also

holds the positions of Minister of Defense and Commander-in-chief of

the Armed Forces

head of government: Prime Minister ABDALLAH bin Khalifa al-Thani,

brother of the monarch (since 30 October 1996); Deputy Prime

Minister MUHAMMAD bin Khalifa al-Thani, brother of the monarch

(since 20 January 1998); First Deputy Prime Minister HAMAD bin JASIM

bin JABIR al-Thani (since 16 September 2003; also Foreign Minister

since 1992); Second Deputy Prime Minister Abdallah bin Hamad

al-ATTIYAH (since 16 September 2003; also Energy Minister since NA

1992)

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the monarch

elections: none; the monarch is hereditary

note: in April 2003, Qatar held nationwide elections for a 29-member

Central Municipal Council (CMC), which has consultative powers aimed

at improving the provision of municipal services; the first election

for the CMC was held in March 1999

Reunion

chief of state: President Jacques CHIRAC of France (since 17

May 1995), represented by Prefect Laurent CAYREL (since 16 July 2005)

head of government: President of the General Council Jean-Luc

POUDROUX (since NA March 1998) and President of the Regional Council

Paul VERGES (since NA March 1993)

cabinet: NA

elections: French president elected by popular vote for a five-year

term; prefect appointed by the French president on the advice of the

French Ministry of the Interior; the presidents of the General and

Regional Councils are elected by the members of those councils

Romania

chief of state: President Traian BASESCU (since 20 December

2004)

head of government: Prime Minister Calin Popescu-TARICEANU (since 29

December 2004)

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister

elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;

election last held 28 November 2004, with runoff between the top two

candidates held 12 December 2004 (next to be held 28 November 2009

and 12 December 2009); prime minister appointed by the president

election results: percent of vote - Traian BASESCU 51.23%, Adrian

NASTASE 48.77%

Russia

chief of state: President Vladimir Vladimirovich PUTIN

(acting president since 31 December 1999, president since 7 May 2000)

head of government: Premier Mikhail Yefimovich FRADKOV (since 5

March 2004); Deputy Premier Aleksandr Dmitriyevich ZHUKOV (since 9

March 2004)

cabinet: Ministries of the Government or "Government" composed of

the premier and his deputy, ministers, and selected other

individuals; all are appointed by the president

note: there is also a Presidential Administration (PA) that provides

staff and policy support to the president, drafts presidential

decrees, and coordinates policy among government agencies; a

Security Council also reports directly to the president

elections: president elected by popular vote for a four-year term;

election last held 14 March 2004 (next to be held March 2008); note

- no vice president; if the president dies in office, cannot

exercise his powers because of ill health, is impeached, or resigns,

the premier succeeds him; the premier serves as acting president

until a new presidential election is held, which must be within

three months; premier appointed by the president with the approval

of the Duma

election results: Vladimir Vladimirovich PUTIN reelected president;

percent of vote - Vladimir Vladimirovich PUTIN 71.2%, Nikolay

KHARITONOV 13.7%, other (no candidate above 5%) 15.1%

Rwanda

chief of state: President Paul KAGAME (since 22 April 2000)

head of government: Prime Minister Bernard MAKUZA (since 8 March

2000)

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president

elections: last held 25 August 2003 (next to be held NA 2008)

election results: Paul KAGAME elected president in first direct

popular vote; Paul KAGAME 95.05%, Faustin TWAGIRAMUNGU 3.62%,

Jean-Nepomuscene NAYINZIRA 1.33%

Saint Helena

chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February

1952)

head of government: Governor and Commander in Chief Michael CLANCY

(since 15 October 2004)

cabinet: Executive Council consists of the governor, two ex officio

officers, and six elected members of the Legislative Council

elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor is appointed by

the monarch

Saint Kitts and Nevis

chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6

February 1952), represented by Governor General Cuthbert Montraville

SEBASTIAN (since 1 January 1996)

head of government: Prime Minister Dr. Denzil DOUGLAS (since 6 July

1995) and Deputy Prime Minister Sam CONDOR (since 6 July 1995)

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general in consultation

with the prime minister

elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; the governor general is

appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the

leader of the majority party or leader of a majority coalition is

usually appointed prime minister by the governor general; deputy

prime minister appointed by the governor general

Saint Lucia

chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February

1952), represented by Governor General Dame Pearlette LOUISY (since

September 1997)

head of government: Prime Minister Kenneth Davis ANTHONY (since 24

May 1997) and Deputy Prime Minister Mario MICHEL (since 24 May 1997)

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of

the prime minister

elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; the governor general is

appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the

leader of the majority party or the leader of a majority coalition

is usually appointed prime minister by the governor general; deputy

prime minister appointed by the governor general

Saint Pierre and Miquelon

chief of state: President Jacques CHIRAC

of France (since 17 May 1995), represented by Prefect Albert DUPUY

(since 10 January 2005)

head of government: President of the General Council Marc

PLANTAGENEST (since NA)

cabinet: NA

elections: French president elected by popular vote for a five-year

term; election last held, first round - 21 April 2002, second round

- 5 May 2002 (next to be held NA 2007); prefect appointed by the

French president on the advice of the French Ministry of Interior;

president of the General Council is elected by the members of the

council

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II

(since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Sir

Fredrick Nathaniel BALLANTYNE (since 2 September 2002)

head of government: Prime Minister Ralph E. GONSALVES (since 29

March 2001)

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of

the prime minister

elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; the governor general is

appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the

leader of the majority party is usually appointed prime minister by

the governor general; deputy prime minister appointed by the

governor general on the advice of the prime minister

Samoa

chief of state: Chief Tanumafili II MALIETOA (cochief of state

from 1 January 1962 until becoming sole chief of state 5 April 1963)

head of government: Prime Minister Sailele Malielegaoi TUILA'EPA

(since 1996); note - TUILA'EPA served as deputy prime minister from

1992 and assumed the duties of acting prime minister in 1996, when

former Prime Minister TOFILAU Eti Alesana resigned in poor health;

TUILA'EPA was confirmed as prime minister (November 1998) after

TOFILAU died; Deputy Prime Minister MISA Telefoni (since 2001)

cabinet: Cabinet consists of 12 members, appointed by the chief of

state on the prime minister's advice

elections: upon the death of Chief Tanumafili II MALIETOA, a new

chief of state will be elected by the Legislative Assembly to serve

a five-year term; following legislative elections, the leader of the

majority party is usually appointed prime minister by the chief of

state with the approval of the Legislative Assembly

San Marino

chief of state: cochiefs of state Captain Regent Claudio

MUCCIOLI and Captain Regent Antonello BACCIOCHI (for the period 1

October 2005 - 31 March 2006)

head of government: Secretary of State for Foreign and Political

Affairs Fabio BERARDI (15 December 2003)

cabinet: Congress of State elected by the Great and General Council

for a five-year term

elections: cochiefs of state (captains regent) elected by the Great

and General Council for a six-month term; election last held NA

September 2005 (next to be held March 2006); secretary of state for

foreign and political affairs elected by the Great and General

Council for a five-year term; election last held 13 December 2003

(next to be held June 2006 when general elections are scheduled)

election results: Claudio MUCCIOLI and Antonello BACCIOCHI elected

captains regent; percent of legislative vote - NA%; Fabio BERARDI

elected secretary of state for foreign and political affairs;

percent of legislative vote - NA%

note: the popularly elected parliament (Grand and General Council)

selects two of its members to serve as the Captains Regent (cochiefs

of state) for a six-month period; they preside over meetings of the

Grand and General Council and its cabinet (Congress of State), which

has 10 other members, all selected by the Grand and General Council;

assisting the captains regent are 10 secretaries of state; the

secretary of state for Foreign Affairs has assumed some of the

prerogatives of a prime minister

Sao Tome and Principe

chief of state: President Fradique DE MENEZES

(since 3 September 2001)

head of government: Prime Minister Maria do Carmo SILVEIRA (since 7

June 2005); Damiao Vaz DE ALMEIDA resigned 2 June 2005

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the

proposal of the prime minister

elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;

election last held 29 July 2001 (next to be held July 2006); prime

minister chosen by the National Assembly and approved by the

president

election results: Fradique DE MENEZES elected president in Sao

Tome's third multiparty presidential election; percent of vote - NA%

Saudi Arabia

chief of state: King and Prime Minister ABDALLAH bin

Abd al-Aziz Al Saud (since 1 August 2005); Heir Apparent Crown

Prince SULTAN bin Abd al- Aziz Al Saud (half brother of the monarch,

born 5 January 1928) note - the monarch is both the chief of state

and head of government

head of government: King and Prime Minister ABDALLAH bin Abd al-Aziz

Al Saud (since 1 August 2005); Heir Apparent Crown Prince SULTAN bin

Abd al- Aziz Al Saud (half brother of the monarch, born 5 January

1928) note - the monarch is both the chief of state and head of

government

cabinet: Council of Ministers is appointed by the monarch and

includes many royal family members

elections: note - in October 2003, Council of Ministers announced

its intent to introduce elections for half of the members of local

and provincial assemblies and a third of the members of the national

Consultative Council or Majlis al-Shura, incrementally over a period

of four to five years; in November 2004, the Ministry of Municipal

and Rural Affairs initiated voter registration for partial municipal

council elections scheduled nationwide for February through April

2005

Senegal

chief of state: President Abdoulaye WADE (since 1 April 2000)

head of government: Prime Minister Macky SALL (since 21 April 2004)

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister in

consultation with the president

elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term

under new constitution; election last held under prior constitution

(seven-year terms) 27 February and 19 March 2000 (next to be held

February 2007); prime minister appointed by the president

election results: Abdoulaye WADE elected president; percent of vote

in the second round of voting - Abdoulaye WADE (PDS) 58.49%, Abdou

DIOUF (PS) 41.51%

Serbia and Montenegro

chief of state: President Svetozar MAROVIC

(since 7 March 2003); note - the president is both the chief of

state and head of government

head of government: President Svetozar MAROVIC (since 7 March 2003);

note - the president is both the chief of state and head of

government

cabinet: Federal Ministries act as Cabinet

elections: president elected by the parliament for a four-year term;

election last held 7 March 2003 (next to be held 2007)

election results: Svetozar MAROVIC elected president by the

parliament; vote was Svetozar MAROVIC 65, other 47

Seychelles

chief of state: President James MICHEL (since 14 April

2004); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of

government

head of government: President James MICHEL (since 14 April 2004);

note - the president is both the chief of state and head of

government

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president

elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;

election last held 31 August-2 September 2001 (next to be held NA

2006)

election results: France Albert RENE re-elected president; percent

of vote - France Albert RENE (SPPF) 54.19%, Wavel RAMKALAWAN (UO)

44.95%, Philippe BOULLE 0.86%; note - the first time that

presidential elections have been held separately from legislative

elections; France Albert RENE stepped down 14 April 2004 and Vice

President James MICHEL was sworn in as president

Sierra Leone

chief of state: President Ahmad Tejan KABBAH (since 29

March 1996, reinstated 10 March 1998); note - the president is both

the chief of state and head of government

head of government: President Ahmad Tejan KABBAH (since 29 March

1996, reinstated 10 March 1998); note - the president is both the

chief of state and head of government

cabinet: Ministers of State appointed by the president with the

approval of the House of Representatives; the cabinet is responsible

to the president

elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;

election last held 14 May 2002 (next to be held May 2007); note -

president's tenure of office is limited to two five-year terms

election results: Ahmad Tejan KABBAH reelected president; percent of

vote - Ahmad Tejan KABBAH (SLPP) 70.6%, Ernest KOROMA (APC) 22.4%

Singapore

chief of state: President Sellapan Rama (S. R.) NATHAN

(since 1 September 1999)

head of government: Prime Minister LEE Hsien Loong (since 12 August

2004); Senior Minister GOH Chok Tong (since 12 August 2004);

Minister Mentor LEE Kuan Yew (since 12 August 2004); Deputy Prime

Ministers Shunmugan JAYAKUMAR (since 12 August 2004) and Tony TAN

Keng Yam (since 1 August 1995)

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by president, responsible to Parliament

elections: president elected by popular vote for six-year term; last

appointed 17 August 2005 (next election to be held by August 2011);

following legislative elections, leader of majority party or leader

of majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by

president; deputy prime ministers appointed by president

election results: Sellapan Rama (S. R.) NATHAN appointed president

in August 2005 after Presidential Elections Committee disqualified

three other would-be candidates

Slovakia

chief of state: President Ivan GASPAROVIC (since 15 June

2004)

head of government: Prime Minister Mikulas DZURINDA (since 30

October 1998); Deputy Prime Minister Ivan MIKLOS (since 30 October

1998); Deputy Prime Minister Pal CSAKY (since 30 October 1998);

Deputy Prime Minister Pavol RUSKO (since May 2004)

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president on the recommendation of

the prime minister

elections: president elected by direct, popular vote for a five-year

term; election last held 3 April and 17 April 2004 (next to be held

April 2009); following National Council elections, the leader of the

majority party or the leader of a majority coalition is usually

appointed prime minister by the president

election results: Ivan GASPAROVIC elected president in runoff;

percent of vote - Ivan GASPAROVIC 59.9%, Vladimir MECIAR 40.1%;

Mikulas DZURINDA reelected prime minister October 2002

note: government coalition - SDKU, SMK, KDH, ANO

Slovenia

chief of state: President Janez DRNOVSEK (since 22 December

2002)

head of government: Prime Minister Janez JANSA (since 9 November

2004)

cabinet: Council of Ministers nominated by the prime minister and

elected by the National Assembly

elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;

election last held 10 November and 1 December 2002 (next to be held

in the fall of 2007); following National Assembly elections, the

leader of the majority party or the leader of a majority coalition

is usually nominated to become prime minister by the president and

elected by the National Assembly; election last held 9 November 2004

(next National Assembly elections to be held October 2008)

election results: Janez DRNOVSEK elected president; percent of vote

- Janez DRNOVSEK 56.5%, Barbara BREZIGAR 43.5%; Janez JANSA elected

prime minister; National Assembly vote - 57 to 27

Solomon Islands

chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February

1952), represented by Governor General Nathaniel WAENA (since 7 July

2004)

head of government: Prime Minister Sir Allan KEMAKEZA (since 17

December 2001); Deputy Prime Minister Snyder RINI (since 17 December

2001)

cabinet: Cabinet consists of 20 members appointed by the governor

general on the advice of the prime minister from among the members

of Parliament

elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor general

appointed by the monarch on the advice of Parliament for up to five

years; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority

party or the leader of a majority coalition is usually elected prime

minister by Parliament; deputy prime minister appointed by the

governor general on the advice of the prime minister from among the

members of Parliament

Somalia

chief of state: Abdullahi YUSUF Ahmed (since 14 October

2004); note - a new Transitional Federal Government consisting of a

275-member parliament was established in October 2004 but remains

resident in Nairobi, Kenya, and has not extablished effective

governance inside Somalia

head of government: Prime Minister Ali Muhammad GHEDI (since 24

December 2004)

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister and approved by the

Transitional Federal Assembly

election results: Abdullahi YUSUF Ahmed, the leader of the Puntland

region of Somalia, was elected president by the Transitional Federal

Assembly

South Africa

chief of state: President Thabo MBEKI (since 16 June

1999); Executive Deputy President Phumzile MLAMBO-NGCUKA (since 23

June 2005); note - the president is both the chief of state and head

of government

head of government: President Thabo MBEKI (since 16 June 1999);

Executive Deputy President Phumzile MLAMBO-NGCUKA (since 23 June

2005); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of

government

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president

elections: president elected by the National Assembly for a

five-year term; election last held 24 April 2004 (next to be held

April 2009)

election results: Thabo MBEKI elected president; percent of National

Assembly vote - 100% (by acclamation)

note: ANC-IFP is the governing coalition

Spain

chief of state: King JUAN CARLOS I (since 22 November 1975);

Heir Apparent Prince FELIPE, son of the monarch, born 30 January 1968

head of government: President of the Government and Prime Minister

Jose Luis RODRIGUEZ ZAPATERO (since 17 April 2004); First Vice

President and Deputy Prime Minister (and Minister of the Presidency)

Maria Teresa FERNANDEZ DE LA VEGA (since 18 April 2004) and Second

Vice President (and Minister of Economy and Finance) Pedro SOLBES

(since 18 April 2004)

cabinet: Council of Ministers designated by the president

note: there is also a Council of State that is the supreme

consultative organ of the government, but its recommendations are

non-binding

elections: the monarchy is hereditary; following legislative

elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the

majority coalition is usually proposed president by the monarch and

elected by the National Assembly; election last held 14 March 2004

(next to be held March 2008); vice presidents appointed by the

monarch on the proposal of the president

election results: Jose Luis RODRIGUEZ ZAPATERO (PSOE) elected

president; percent of National Assembly vote - 52.29%

Sri Lanka

chief of state: President Chandrika Bandaranaike

KUMARATUNGA (since 12 November 1994); note - Mahinda RAJAPAKSE

(since 6 April 2004) is the prime minister; the president is

considered both the chief of state and head of government

head of government: President Chandrika Bandaranaike KUMARATUNGA

(since 12 November 1994); note - Mahinda RAJAPAKSE is the prime

minister (since 6 April 2004); the president is considered both the

chief of state and head of government

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president in consultation with the

prime minister

elections: president elected by popular vote for a six-year term;

election last held 21 December 1999 (next to be held NA December

2005)

election results: Chandrika Bandaranaike KUMARATUNGA reelected

president; percent of vote - Chandrika Bandaranaike KUMARATUNGA 51%,

Ranil WICKREMASINGHE 42%, other 7%

Sudan

chief of state: President Lt. Gen. Umar Hassan Ahmad al-BASHIR

(since 16 October 1993); First Vice President Salva KIIR (since 4

August 2005), Second Vice President Ali Osman TAHA (since 20

September 2005); note - the president is both the chief of state and

head of government

head of government: President Lt. Gen. Umar Hassan Ahmad al-BASHIR

(since 16 October 1993); First Vice President Salva KIIR (since 4

August 2005), Second Vice President Ali Osman TAHA (since 20

September 2005); note - the president is both the chief of state and

head of government

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president; note - the

National Congress Party or NCP (formerly the National Islamic Front

or NIF) dominates al-BASHIR's cabinet

elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;

election last held 13-23 December 2000 (next to be held NA)

election results: Field Marshall Umar Hassan Ahmad al-BASHIR

reelected president; percent of vote - Umar Hassan Ahmad al-BASHIR

86.5%, Ja'afar Muhammed NUMAYRI 9.6%, three other candidates

received a combined vote of 3.9%; election widely viewed as rigged;

all popular opposition parties boycotted elections because of a lack

of guarantees for a free and fair election

note: al-BASHIR assumed power as chairman of Sudan's Revolutionary

Command Council for National Salvation (RCC) in June 1989 and served

concurrently as chief of state, chairman of the RCC, prime minister,

and minister of defense until mid-October 1993 when he was appointed

president by the RCC; he was elected president by popular vote for

the first time in March 1996

Suriname

chief of state: President Runaldo Ronald VENETIAAN (since

12 August 2000); Vice President Jules Rattankoemar AJODHIA (since 12

August 2000); note - the president is both the chief of state and

head of government

head of government: President Runaldo Ronald VENETIAAN (since 12

August 2000); Vice President Jules Rattankoemar AJODHIA (since 12

August 2000); note - the president is both the chief of state and

head of government

cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president from among

the members of the National Assembly

elections: president and vice president elected by the National

Assembly or, if no presidential or vice presidential candidate

receives a a two-thirds constitutional majority in the National

Assembly after two votes, by a simple majority in the larger

People's United Assembly (869 representatives from the national,

local, and regional councils), for five-year terms; election last

held 25 May 2005 (next to be held 25 May 2010)

Svalbard

chief of state: King HARALD V of Norway (since 17 January

1991)

head of government: Governor Odd Olsen INGERO (since 8 June 2001)

and Assistant Governor Rune Baard HANSEN (since NA)

elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor and assistant

governor responsible to the Polar Department of the Ministry of

Justice

Swaziland

chief of state: King MSWATI III (since 25 April 1986)

head of government: Prime Minister Absolom Themba DLAMINI (since 14

November 2003)

cabinet: Cabinet recommended by the prime minister and confirmed by

the monarch

elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; prime minister appointed

by the monarch

Sweden

chief of state: King CARL XVI GUSTAF (since 19 September

1973); Heir Apparent Princess VICTORIA Ingrid Alice Desiree,

daughter of the monarch (born 14 July 1977)

head of government: Prime Minister Goran PERSSON (since 21 March

1996)

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister

elections: the monarchy is hereditary; following legislative

elections, the prime minister is elected by the parliament; election

last held 15 September 2002 (next to be held NA September 2006)

election results: Goran PERSSON reelected prime minister with 131

out of 349 votes

Switzerland

chief of state: President Samuel SCHMID (since 1 January

2005); Vice President Moritz LEUENBERGER (since 1 January 2005);

note - the president is both the chief of state and head of

government

head of government: President Samuel SCHMID (since 1 January 2005);

Vice President Moritz LEUENBERGER (since 1 January 2005); note - the

president is both the chief of state and head of government

cabinet: Federal Council or Bundesrat (in German), Conseil Federal

(in French), Consiglio Federale (in Italian) elected by the Federal

Assembly usually from among its own members for a four-year term

elections: president and vice president elected by the Federal

Assembly from among the members of the Federal Council for one-year

terms that run concurrently; election last held 8 December 2004

(next to be held December 2005)

election results: Samuel SCHMID elected president; percent of

Federal Assembly vote - 70.7%; Moritz LEUENBERGER elected vice

president; percent of legislative vote - 64.8%

Syria

chief of state: President Bashar al-ASAD (since 17 July 2000);

Vice Presidents Abd al-Halim ibn Said KHADDAM (since 11 March 1984)

and Muhammad Zuhayr MASHARIQA (since 11 March 1984)

head of government: Prime Minister Muhammad Naji al-UTRI (since 10

September 2003)

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president

elections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term;

referendum/election last held 10 July 2000 - after the death of

President Hafiz al-ASAD, father of Bashar al-ASAD - (next to be held

2007); vice presidents appointed by the president; prime minister

and deputy prime ministers appointed by the president

election results: Bashar al-ASAD elected president; percent of vote

- Bashar al-ASAD 97.29%

note: Hafiz al-ASAD died on 10 June 2000; on 20 June 2000, the Ba'th

Party nominated Bashar al-ASAD for president and presented his name

to the People's Council on 25 June 2000

Taiwan

chief of state: President CHEN Shui-bian (since 20 May 2000)

and Vice President Annette LU (LU Hsiu-lien) (since 20 May 2000)

head of government: Premier (President of the Executive Yuan) Frank

HSIEH (since 1 February 2005) and Vice Premier (Vice President of

the Executive Yuan) - WU Rong-i) (since 18 February 2005)

cabinet: Executive Yuan appointed by the president

elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket

by popular vote for four-year terms; election last held 20 March

2004 (next to be held in March 2008); premier appointed by the

president; vice premiers appointed by the president on the

recommendation of the premier

election results: CHEN Shui-bian re-elected president; percent of

vote - CHEN Shui-bian (DPP) 50.1%, LIEN Chan (KMT) 49.9%

Tajikistan

chief of state: President Emomali RAHMONOV (since 6

November 1994; head of state and Supreme Assembly chairman since 19

November 1992)

head of government: Prime Minister Oqil OQILOV (since 20 January

1999)

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president, approved

by the Supreme Assembly

elections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term;

election last held 6 November 1999 (next to be held NA 2006); prime

minister appointed by the president; Tajikistan held a

constitutional referendum on 22 June 2003 that, among other things,

set a limit of two seven-year terms for the president

election results: Emomali RAHMONOV elected president; percent of

vote - Emomali RAHMONOV 97%, Davlat USMON 2%

Tanzania

chief of state: President Benjamin William MKAPA (since 23

November 1995); Vice President Dr. Ali Mohammed SHEIN (since 5 July

2001); note - the president is both chief of state and head of

government

head of government: President Benjamin William MKAPA (since 23

November 1995); Vice President Dr. Ali Mohammed SHEIN (since 5 July

2001); note - the president is both chief of state and head of

government

note: Zanzibar elects a president who is head of government for

matters internal to Zanzibar; Amani Abeid KARUME was elected to that

office on 29 October 2000

cabinet: Cabinet ministers, including the prime minister, are

appointed by the president from among the members of the National

Assembly

elections: president and vice president elected on the same ballot

by popular vote for five-year terms; election last held 29 October

2000 (next to be held 30 October 2005); prime minister appointed by

the president

election results: Benjamin William MKAPA reelected president;

percent of vote - Benjamin William MKAPA 71.7%, Ibrahim Haruna

LIPUMBA 16.3%, Augustine Lyatonga MREME 7.8%, John Momose CHEYO 4.2%

Thailand

chief of state: King PHUMIPHON Adunyadet (since 9 June 1946)

head of government: Prime Minister THAKSIN Chinnawat (since 9

February 2001) and Deputy Prime Ministers CHITCHAI Wannasathi (since

11 March 2005), PHINIT Charusombat (since 6 October 2004), SOMKHIT

Chatusiphithak (since 11 March 2005), SURAKIAT Sathianthai (since 11

March 2005); SURIYA Chungrungruankit (since 3 August 2005), SUWAT

Liptapanlop (since 3 August 2005), WISANU Kruangam (since 8 November

2003)

cabinet: Council of Ministers

note: there is also a Privy Council

elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; prime minister is

designated from among the members of the House of Representatives;

following national elections for the House of Representatives, the

leader of the party that can organize a majority coalition usually

is appointed prime minister by the king

Togo

chief of state: President Faure GNASSINGBE (since 6 February

2005); note - Gnassingbe EYADEMA died on 5 February 2005 and was

succeeded by his son, Faure GNASSINGBE; popular elections in April

2005 validated the succession

head of government: Prime Minister Edem KODJO (since 8 June 2005)

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president and the

prime minister

elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;

election last held 24 April 2005 (next to be held NA); prime

minister appointed by the president

election results: Faure GNASSINGBE elected president; percent of

vote - Faure GNASSINGBE 60.2%, Emmanuel Akitani BOB 38.3%, Nicolas

LAWSON 1.0%, Harry OLYMPIO 0.6%

Tokelau

chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952),

represented by Governor General of New Zealand Dame Silvia

CARTWRIGHT (since 4 April 2001); New Zealand is represented by

Administrator Neil WALTER (since 1 March 2003)

head of government: Pio TUIA (since February 2005); note - position

rotates annually among the three Faipule (village leaders)

cabinet: the Council for the Ongoing Government of Tokelau,

consisting of three Faipule (village leaders) and three Pulenuku

(village mayors) functions as a cabinet

elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; administrator appointed

by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade in New Zealand; the

head of government is chosen from the Council of Faipule and serves

a one-year term

Tonga

chief of state: King Taufa'ahau TUPOU IV (since 16 December

1965)

head of government: Prime Minister Prince Lavaka ata ULUKALALA

(since 3 January 2000) and Deputy Prime Minister James C. COCKER

(since NA January 2001)

cabinet: cabinet consists of 16 members, 12 appointed by the monarch

for life; 4 appointed from among the elected members of the

Legislative Assembly including 2 each from the Nobles and Peoples

representatives serving three year terms

note: there is also a Privy Council that consists of the monarch,

the Cabinet, and two governors

elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; prime minister and

deputy prime minister appointed for life by the monarch

Trinidad and Tobago

chief of state: President George Maxwell

RICHARDS (since 17 March 2003)

head of government: Prime Minister Patrick MANNING (since 24

December 2001)

cabinet: Cabinet appointed from among the members of Parliament

elections: president elected by an electoral college, which consists

of the members of the Senate and House of Representatives, for a

five-year term; election last held 14 February 2003 (next to be held

in 2008); the president usually appoints as prime minister the

leader of the majority party in the House of Representatives

election results: George Maxwell RICHARDS elected president; percent

of electoral college vote - 43%

Tunisia

chief of state: President Zine El Abidine BEN ALI (since 7

November 1987)

head of government: Prime Minister Mohamed GHANNOUCHI (since 17

November 1999)

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president

elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;

election last held 24 October 2004 (next to be held October 2009);

prime minister appointed by the president

election results: President Zine El Abidine BEN ALI reelected for a

fourth term; percent of vote - Zine El Abidine BEN ALI 94.5%,

Mohamed BOUCHIHA 3.8%, Mohamed Ali HALOUANI 1%

Turkey

chief of state: President Ahmet Necdet SEZER (since 16 May

2000)

head of government: Prime Minister Recep Tayyip ERDOGAN (14 March

2003)

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the

nomination of the prime minister

elections: president elected by the National Assembly for a

seven-year term; election last held 5 May 2000 (next to be held May

2007); prime minister appointed by the president from among members

of parliament

election results: Ahmed Necdet SEZER elected president on the third

ballot; percent of National Assembly vote - 60%

note: president must have a two-thirds majority of the National

Assembly on the first two ballots and a simple majority on the third

ballot

Turkmenistan

chief of state: President and Chairman of the Cabinet

of Ministers Saparmurat NIYAZOV (since 27 October 1990, when the

first direct presidential election occurred); note - the president

is both the chief of state and head of government

head of government: President and Chairman of the Cabinet of

Ministers Saparmurat NIYAZOV (since 27 October 1990, when the first

direct presidential election occurred); note - the president is both

the chief of state and head of government

cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president

note: NIYAZOV's term in office was extended indefinitely on 28

December 1999 during a session of the People's Council (Halk

Maslahaty)

elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;

election last held 21 June 1992 (next to be held in 2008 when

NIYAZOV turns 70 and is constitutionally ineligible to run); note -

President NIYAZOV was unanimously approved as president for life by

the People's Council on 28 December 1999; deputy chairmen of the

cabinet of ministers are appointed by the president

election results: Saparmurat NIYAZOV elected president without

opposition; percent of vote - Saparmurat NIYAZOV 99.5%

Turks and Caicos Islands

chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6

February 1953), represented by Governor Richard TAUWHARE (since 11

July 2005)

head of government: Chief Minister Michael Eugene MISICK (since 15

August 2003)

cabinet: Executive Council consists of three ex officio members and

five appointed by the governor from among the members of the

Legislative Council

elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed by

the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the

majority party is appointed chief minister by the governor

Tuvalu

chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952),

represented by Governor General Filoimea TELITO (since 15 April 2005)

head of government: Prime Minister Maatia TOAFA (since 11 October

2004)

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the

recommendation of the prime minister

elections: the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by

the monarch on the recommendation of the prime minister; prime

minister and deputy prime minister elected by and from the members

of Parliament; election last held 11 October 2004 (next to be held

following parliamentary elections in 2006)

election results: Saufatu SOPOANGA resigned parliamentary seat on 27

August 2004 following no-confidence vote on 25 August 2004;

succeeded by Deputy Prime Minister Maatia TOAFA in an acting

capacity on 27 August 2004; Maatia TOAFA confirmed Prime Minister in

a Parliamentary election (8-7 vote) on 11 October 2004

Uganda

chief of state: President Lt. Gen. Yoweri Kaguta MUSEVENI

(since seizing power 26 January 1986); note - the president is both

chief of state and head of government

head of government: President Lt. Gen. Yoweri Kaguta MUSEVENI (since

seizing power 29 January 1986); Prime Minister Apollo NSIBAMBI

(since 5 April 1999); note - the president is both chief of state

and head of government; the prime minister assists the president in

the supervision of the cabinet

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president from among elected

legislators

elections: president reelected by popular vote for a five-year term;

election last held 12 March 2001 (next to be held NA 2006); note -

first popular election for president since independence in 1962 was

held in 1996; prime minister appointed by the president

election results: Lt. Gen. Yoweri Kaguta MUSEVENI elected president;

percent of vote - Lt. Gen. Yoweri Kaguta MUSEVENI 69.3%, Kizza

BESIGYE 27.8%

Ukraine

chief of state: President Viktor A. YUSHCHENKO (since 23

January 2005)

head of government: Prime Minister Yuriy YEKHANUROV (since 22

September 2005); First Deputy Prime Minister - Stanislav STASHEVSKYY

(since 27 September 2005)

cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president and

approved by the Supreme Council

note: there is also a National Security and Defense Council or NSDC

originally created in 1992 as the National Security Council, but

significantly revamped and strengthened under former-President

KUCHMA; the NSDC staff is tasked with developing national security

policy on domestic and international matters and advising the

president; a Presidential Administration that helps draft

presidential edicts and provides policy support to the president;

and a Council of Regions that serves as an advisory body

elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;

note - a special repeat runoff presidential election between Viktor

YUSHCHENKO and Viktor YANUKOVYCH took place on 26 December 2004

after the earlier 21 November 2004 contest - won by Mr. YANUKOVYCH -

was invalidated by the Ukrainian Supreme Court because of widespread

and significant violations; prime minister and deputy prime

ministers appointed by the president and approved by the Supreme

Council

election results: Viktor YUSHCHENKO elected president; percent of

vote - Viktor YUSHCHENKO 51.99%, Viktor YANUKOVYCH 44.2%

United Arab Emirates

chief of state: President Sheikh KHALIFA bin

Zayid al-Nuhayyan (since 3 November 2004), ruler of Abu Zaby (Abu

Dhabi) (since 4 November 2004) and Vice President MAKTUM bin Rashid

al-Maktum (since 8 October 1990), ruler of Dubayy (Dubai)

head of government: Prime Minister MAKTUM bin Rashid al-Maktum

(since 8 October 1990), ruler of Dubayy (Dubai); Deputy Prime

Minister SULTAN bin Zayid al-Nuhayyan (since 20 November 1990);

Deputy Prime Minister HAMDAN bin Zayid al-Nuhayyan (since 20 October

2003)

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president

note: there is also a Federal Supreme Council (FSC) composed of the

seven emirate rulers; the FSC is the highest constitutional

authority in the UAE; establishes general policies and sanctions

federal legislation; meets four times a year; Abu Zaby (Abu Dhabi)

and Dubayy (Dubai) rulers have effective veto power

elections: president and vice president elected by the Federal

Supreme Council (composed of rulers of the seven emirates) for

five-year terms; election last held 3 November 2004 upon the death

of the UAE's Founding Father and first President ZAYID bin Sultan Al

Nuhayyan (next to be held 2009); prime minister and deputy prime

minister appointed by the president

election results: Sheikh KHALIFA bin Zayid Al Nuhayyan elected

president by a unanimous vote of the FSC; MAKTUM bin Rashid

al-Maktum unanimously reaffirmed vice president

United Kingdom

chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February

1952); Heir Apparent Prince CHARLES (son of the queen, born 14

November 1948)

head of government: Prime Minister Anthony (Tony) BLAIR (since 2 May

1997)

cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the prime minister

elections: none; the monarchy is hereditary; following legislative

elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the

majority coalition is usually the prime minister

United States

chief of state: President George W. BUSH (since 20

January 2001); note - the president is both the chief of state and

head of government

head of government: President George W. BUSH (since 20 January

2001); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of

government

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president with Senate approval

elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket

by a college of representatives who are elected directly from each

state; president and vice president serve four-year terms; election

last held 2 November 2004 (next to be held November 2008)

election results: George W. BUSH reelected president; percent of

popular vote - George W. BUSH (Republican Party) 50.9%, John KERRY

(Democratic Party) 48.1%, other 1.0%

Uruguay

chief of state: President Tabare VAZQUEZ (since 1 March

2005) and Vice President Rodolfo NIN NOVA (since 1 March 2005); note

- the president is both the chief of state and head of government

head of government: President Tabare VAZQUEZ (since 1 March 2005)

and Vice President Rodolfo NIN NOVA (since 1 March 2005); note - the

president is both the chief of state and head of government

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president with

parliamentary approval

elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket

by popular vote for five-year terms; election last held 31 October

2004 (next to be held October 2009)

election results: Tabare VAZQUEZ elected president; percent of vote

- Tabare VAZQUEZ 50.5%, Jorge LARRANAGA 35.1%, Guillermo STIRLING

10.3%

Uzbekistan

chief of state: President Islom KARIMOV (since 24 March

1990, when he was elected president by the then Supreme Soviet)

head of government: Prime Minister Shavkat MIRZIYAYEV (since 11

December 2003)

cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president with

approval of the Supreme Assembly

elections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term

(previously was a five-year term, extended by constitutional

amendment in 2002); election last held 9 January 2000 (next to be

held December 2007); prime minister and deputy ministers appointed

by the president

election results: Islom KARIMOV reelected president; percent of vote

- Islom KARIMOV 91.9%, Abdulkhafiz JALALOV 4.2%

Vanuatu

chief of state: President Kalkot Matas KELEKELE (since 16

August 2004)

head of government: Prime Minister Ham LINI (since 11 December

2004); Deputy Prime Minister Sato KILMAN (since 11 December 2004);

Prime Minister Serge VOHOR ousted in no-confidence vote on 11

December 2004

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister,

responsible to Parliament

elections: president elected for a five-year term by an electoral

college consisting of Parliament and the presidents of the regional

councils; election for president last held 16 August 2004 (next to

be held in 2009); following legislative elections, the leader of the

majority party or majority coalition is usually elected prime

minister by Parliament from among its members; election for prime

minister last held 29 July 2004 (next to be held following general

elections in 2008)

election results: Kalkot Matas KELEKELE elected president, with 49

votes out of 56, after several ballots on 16 August 2004

Venezuela

chief of state: President Hugo CHAVEZ Frias (since 3

February 1999); Vice President Jose Vicente RANGEL Vale (since 28

April 2002); note - the president is both the chief of state and

head of government

head of government: President Hugo CHAVEZ Frias (since 3 February

1999); Vice President Jose Vicente RANGEL Vale (since 28 April

2002); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of

government

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president

elections: president elected by popular vote for a six-year term;

election last held 30 July 2000 (next to be held NA 2006)

election results: Hugo CHAVEZ Frias reelected president; percent of

vote - 60%

note: a special presidential recall vote on 15 August 2004 resulted

in a victory for CHAVEZ; percent of vote - 58% in favor of CHAVEZ

fulfilling the remaining two years of his term, 42% in favor of

terminating his presidency immediately

Vietnam

chief of state: President Tran Duc LUONG (since 24 September

1997)

head of government: Prime Minister Phan Van KHAI (since 25 September

1997); First Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Tan DUNG (since 29

September 1997); Deputy Prime Ministers Vu KHOAN (8 August 2002) and

Pham Gia KHIEM (since 29 September 1997)

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by president based on proposal of prime

minister and ratification of National Assembly

elections: president elected by the National Assembly from among its

members for a five-year term; election last held 25 July 2002 (next

to be held when National Assembly meets following legislative

elections in 2007); prime minister appointed by the president from

among the members of the National Assembly; deputy prime ministers

appointed by the prime minister

election results: Tran Duc LUONG elected president; percent of

National Assembly vote - NA%

Virgin Islands

chief of state: President George W. BUSH of the US

(since 20 January 2001)

head of government: Governor Dr. Charles Wesley TURNBULL (since 5

January 1999)

cabinet: NA

elections: US president and vice president elected on the same

ticket for four-year terms; governor and lieutenant governor elected

on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms; election

last held 5 November 2002 (next to be held November 2006)

election results: Dr. Charles Wesley TURNBULL reelected governor;

percent of vote - Dr. Charles Wesley TURNBULL (Democrat) 50.5%, John

de JONGH 24.4%

Wallis and Futuna

chief of state: President Jacques CHIRAC of France

(since 17 May 1995), represented by High Administrator Xavier DE

FURST (since 18 January 2005)

head of government: President of the Territorial Assembly Patalione

KANIMOA (since NA January 2001)

cabinet: Council of the Territory consists of three kings and three

members appointed by the high administrator on the advice of the

Territorial Assembly

note: there are three traditional kings with limited powers

elections: French president elected by popular vote for a five-year

term; high administrator appointed by the French president on the

advice of the French Ministry of the Interior; the presidents of the

Territorial Government and the Territorial Assembly are elected by

the members of the assembly

Western Sahara

none

Yemen

chief of state: President Ali Abdallah SALIH (since 22 May

1990, the former president of North Yemen, assumed office upon the

merger of North and South Yemen); Vice President Maj. Gen. Abd

al-Rab Mansur al-HADI (since 3 October 1994)

head of government: Prime Minister Abd al-Qadir BA JAMAL (since 4

April 2001)

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the

advice of the prime minister

elections: president elected by direct, popular vote for a

seven-year term (recently extended from a five-year term by

constitutional amendment); election last held 23 September 1999

(next to be held NA 2006); vice president appointed by the

president; prime minister and deputy prime ministers appointed by

the president

election results: Ali Abdallah SALIH elected president; percent of

vote - Ali Abdallah SALIH 96.3%, Najib Qahtan AL-SHAABI 3.7%

Zambia

chief of state: President Levy MWANAWASA (since 2 January

2002); Vice President Lupando MWAPE (since 4 October 2004); note -

the president is both the chief of state and head of government

head of government: President Levy MWANAWASA (since 2 January 2002);

Vice President Lupando MWAPE (since 4 October 2004); note - the

president is both the chief of state and head of government

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president from among the members

of the National Assembly

elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;

election last held 27 December 2001 (next to be held December 2006);

vice president appointed by the president

election results: Levy MWANAWASA elected president; percent of vote

- Levy MWANAWASA 29%, Anderson MAZOKA 27%, Christon TEMBO 13%,

Tilyenji KAUNDA 10%, Godfrey MIYANDA 8%, Benjamin MWILA 5%, Michael

SATA 3%, other 5%

Zimbabwe

chief of state: Executive President Robert Gabriel MUGABE

(since 31 December 1987); Vice President Joyce MUJURU (since 6

December 2004); note - the president is both the chief of state and

head of government

head of government: Executive President Robert Gabriel MUGABE (since

31 December 1987); Vice President Joyce MUJURU (since 6 December

2004); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of

government

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president; responsible to the

House of Assembly

elections: presidential candidates nominated with a nomination paper

signed by at least 10 registered voters (at least one from each

province) and elected by popular vote for a 6-year term; election

last held 9-11 March 2002 (next to be held March 2008); co-vice

presidents appointed by the president

election results: Robert Gabriel MUGABE reelected president; percent

of vote - Robert Gabriel MUGABE 56.2%, Morgan TSVANGIRAI 41.9%

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2078 Exports

Afghanistan

$446 million (not including illicit exports or

reexports) (FY03-04)

Albania

$552.4 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Algeria

$32.16 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

American Samoa

$30 million (2002)

Andorra

$58 million f.o.b. (1998)

Angola

$12.76 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Anguilla

$2.6 million (1999)

Antigua and Barbuda

$689 million (2002)

Argentina

$33.78 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Armenia

$850 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Aruba

$128 million f.o.b. (including oil reexports) (2002 est.)

Australia

$86.89 billion (2004 est.)

Austria

$102.7 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Azerbaijan

$3.168 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Bahamas, The

$636 million (2003 est.)

Bahrain

$8.205 billion (2004 est.)

Bangladesh

$7.478 billion (2004 est.)

Barbados

$206 million (2002)

Belarus

$11.47 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Belgium

$255.7 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Belize

$401.4 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Benin

$720.9 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Bermuda

$879 million (2002)

Bhutan

$154 million f.o.b. (2000 est.)

Bolivia

$1.986 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Bosnia and Herzegovina

$1.7 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Botswana

$2.94 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Brazil

$95 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

British Virgin Islands

$25.3 million (2002)

Brunei

$7.7 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Bulgaria

$9.134 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Burkina Faso

$418.6 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Burma

$2.137 billion f.o.b.

note: official export figures are grossly underestimated due to the

value of timber, gems, narcotics, rice, and other products smuggled

to Thailand, China, and Bangladesh (2004 est.)

Burundi

$31.84 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Cambodia

$2.311 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Cameroon

$2.445 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Canada

$315.6 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Cape Verde

$61.11 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Cayman Islands

$1.2 million (1999)

Central African Republic

$172 million f.o.b. (2002 est.)

Chad

$365 million f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Chile

$29.2 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

China

$583.1 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Christmas Island

NA

Cocos (Keeling) Islands

NA

Colombia

$15.5 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Comoros

$28 million f.o.b. (2002 est.)

Congo, Democratic Republic of the

$1.417 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.)

Congo, Republic of the

$2.224 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Cook Islands

$9.1 million (2000)

Costa Rica

$6.184 billion (2004 est.)

Cote d'Ivoire

$5.124 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Croatia

$7.845 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Cuba

$2.104 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Cyprus

Republic of Cyprus: $1.094 billion f.o.b. north Cyprus: $49.3

million f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Czech Republic

$66.51 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Denmark

$73.06 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Djibouti

$155 million f.o.b. (2002 est.)

Dominica

$39 million f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Dominican Republic

$5.446 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

East Timor

$8 million (2004 est.)

Ecuador

$7.56 billion (2004 est.)

Egypt

$11 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

El Salvador

$3.249 billion (2004 est.)

Equatorial Guinea

$2.771 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Eritrea

$64.44 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Estonia

$5.701 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Ethiopia

$562.8 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)

European Union $1.109 trillion note: external exports, excluding intra EU trade (2003)

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

$82 million (2002)

Faroe Islands

$408 million f.o.b. (2002)

Fiji

$609 million f.o.b. (2002)

Finland

$61.04 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

France

$419 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

French Guiana

$155 million f.o.b. (2002 est.)

French Polynesia

$244 million f.o.b. (2002)

Gabon

$3.71 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Gambia, The

$114.4 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Gaza Strip

$205 million f.o.b., includes West Bank (2002)

Georgia

$909.4 million (2004 est.)

Germany

$893.3 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Ghana

$3.01 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Gibraltar

$136 million f.o.b. (2002)

Greece

$15.5 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Greenland

$388 million f.o.b. (2002)

Grenada

$46 million (2002 est.)

Guadeloupe

$140 million f.o.b. (1997)

Guam

$38 million f.o.b. (2002 est.)

Guatemala

$2.911 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Guernsey

$NA

Guinea

$709.2 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Guinea-Bissau

$54 million f.o.b. (2002 est.)

Guyana

$570.2 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Haiti

$338.1 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Honduras

$1.457 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Hong Kong

$268.1 billion f.o.b., including reexports (2004 est.)

Hungary

$54.62 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Iceland

$2.902 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

India

$69.18 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Indonesia

$69.86 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Iran

$38.79 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Iraq

$10.1 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Ireland

$103.8 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Israel

$34.41 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Italy

$336.4 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Jamaica

$1.679 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Japan

$538.8 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Jersey

$NA

Jordan

$3.2 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Kazakhstan

$18.47 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Kenya

$2.589 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Kiribati

$35 million f.o.b. (2002)

Korea, North

$1.2 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Korea, South

$250.6 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Kuwait

$27.42 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Kyrgyzstan

$646.7 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Laos

$365.5 million (2004 est.)

Latvia

$3.569 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Lebanon

$1.783 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Lesotho

$484.5 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Liberia

$1.079 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.)

Libya

$18.65 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Liechtenstein

$2.47 billion (1996)

Lithuania

$8.88 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Luxembourg

$13.4 billion f.o.b. (2003)

Macau

$2.58 billion f.o.b., including reexports (2003)

Macedonia

$1.629 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Madagascar

$868.2 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Malawi

$503.4 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Malaysia

$123.5 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Maldives

$90 million f.o.b. (2002 est.)

Mali

$915 million f.o.b. (2002 est.)

Malta

$2.625 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Man, Isle of

$NA

Marshall Islands

$9 million f.o.b. (2000)

Martinique

$250 million f.o.b. (1997)

Mauritania

$541 million f.o.b. (2002)

Mauritius

$2.012 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Mayotte

$3.44 million f.o.b. (1997)

Mexico

$182.4 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Micronesia, Federated States of

$22 million (f.o.b.) (FY99/00 est.)

Moldova

$1.03 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Monaco

$NA; full customs integration with France, which collects and

rebates Monegasque trade duties; also participates in EU market

system through customs union with France

Mongolia

$853 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Montserrat

$700,000 (2001)

Morocco

$9.754 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Mozambique

$689.4 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Namibia

$1.356 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Nauru

$640,000 f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Nepal

$568 million f.o.b., but does not include unrecorded border

trade with India (2002 est.)

Netherlands

$293.1 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Netherlands Antilles

$1.579 billion f.o.b. (2002)

New Caledonia

$448 million f.o.b. (2002)

New Zealand

$19.85 billion (2004 est.)

Nicaragua

$750 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Niger

$280 million f.o.b. (2002 est.)

Nigeria

$33.99 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Niue

$137,200 (1999)

Norfolk Island

$1.5 million f.o.b. (FY99/00)

Northern Mariana Islands

NA

Norway

$76.64 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Oman

$13.14 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Pakistan

$15.07 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Palau

$18 million f.o.b. (2001 est.)

Panama

$5.699 billion f.o.b. (includes the Colon Free Zone) (2004

est.)

Papua New Guinea

$2.437 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Paraguay

$2.936 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Peru

$12.3 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Philippines

$38.63 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Pitcairn Islands

NA

Poland

$75.98 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Portugal

$37.68 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Puerto Rico

$46.9 billion f.o.b. (2001)

Qatar

$15 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Reunion

$214 million f.o.b. (1997)

Romania

$23.54 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Russia

$162.5 billion (2004 est.)

Rwanda

$69.78 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Saint Helena

$17 million f.o.b. (2002)

Saint Kitts and Nevis

$70 million (2002 est.)

Saint Lucia

$66 million (2002 est.)

Saint Pierre and Miquelon

$10 million f.o.b. (2002)

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

$38 million (2002 est.)

Samoa

$14 million f.o.b. (2002)

San Marino

trade data are included with the statistics for Italy

Sao Tome and Principe

$6.7 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Saudi Arabia

$113 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Senegal

$1.374 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Serbia and Montenegro

$3.245 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Seychelles

$256.2 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Sierra Leone

$49 million f.o.b. (2002 est.)

Singapore

$174 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Slovakia

$29.24 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Slovenia

$14.97 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Solomon Islands

$74 million f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Somalia

$79 million f.o.b. (2002 est.)

South Africa

$41.97 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Spain

$172.5 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Sri Lanka

$5.306 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Sudan

$3.395 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Suriname

$495 million f.o.b. (2002)

Svalbard

$NA

Swaziland

$900.1 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Sweden

$121.7 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Switzerland

$130.7 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Syria

$6.086 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Taiwan

$170.5 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Tajikistan

$1.13 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Tanzania

$1.248 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Thailand

$87.91 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Togo

$663.1 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Tokelau

$98,000 f.o.b. (1983)

Tonga

$27 million f.o.b. (2002 est.)

Trinidad and Tobago

$6.671 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Tunisia

$9.926 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Turkey

$69.46 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Turkmenistan

$4 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Turks and Caicos Islands

$169.2 million (2000)

Tuvalu

$1 million f.o.b. (2002)

Uganda

$621.7 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Ukraine

$32.91 billion (2004 est.)

United Arab Emirates

$69.48 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

United Kingdom

$347.2 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

United States

$795 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Uruguay

$2.2 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Uzbekistan

$3.7 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Vanuatu

$26.6 million f.o.b. (2003)

Venezuela

$35.84 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Vietnam

$23.72 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Virgin Islands

NA

Wallis and Futuna

$250,000 f.o.b. (1999)

West Bank

$205 million f.o.b., includes Gaza Strip (2002)

Western Sahara

NA

World

$8.819 trillion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Yemen

$4.468 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Zambia

$1.548 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Zimbabwe

$1.409 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2079 Debt - external

Afghanistan

$8 billion in bilateral debt, mostly to Russia;

Afghanistan has $500 million in debt to Multilateral Development

Banks (2004)

Albania

$1.41 billion (2003)

Algeria

$21.9 billion (2004 est.)

American Samoa

$NA

Andorra

$NA

Angola

$10.45 billion (2004 est.)

Anguilla

$8.8 million (1998)

Antigua and Barbuda

$231 million (1999)

Argentina

$157.7 billion (2004 est.)

Armenia

$905 million (June 2001)

Aruba

$285 million (1996)

Australia

$308.7 billion (3rd quarter, 2004 est.)

Austria

$15.5 billion (2003 est.)

Azerbaijan

$1.832 billion (2004 est.)

Bahamas, The

$308.5 million (2002)

Bahrain

$6.215 billion (2004 est.)

Bangladesh

$19.97 billion (2004 est.)

Barbados

$668 million (2003)

Belarus

$600 million (2004 est.)

Belgium

$28.3 billion (1999 est.)

Belize

$1.362 billion (June 2004 est.)

Benin

$1.6 billion (2000)

Bermuda

$160 million (FY99/00)

Bhutan

$245 million (2000)

Bolivia

$5.439 billion (June 2004 est.)

Bosnia and Herzegovina

$3 billion (2004 est.)

Botswana

$531 million (2004 est.)

Brazil

$219.8 billion (2004 est.)

British Virgin Islands

$36.1 million (1997)

Brunei

$0

Bulgaria

$16.1 billion (November 2004 est.)

Burkina Faso

$1.3 billion (2000)

Burma

$6.752 billion (2004 est.)

Burundi

$1.133 billion (2002)

Cambodia

$2.4 billion (2002 est.)

Cameroon

$8.46 billion (2004 est.)

Canada

$570 billion (2004)

Cape Verde

$325 million (2002)

Cayman Islands

$70 million (1996)

Central African Republic

$881.4 million (2000 est.)

Chad

$1.1 billion (2000 est.)

Chile

$44.6 billion (2004 est.)

China

$233.3 billion (3rd quarter 2004 est.)

Colombia

$38.7 billion (2004 est.)

Comoros

$232 million (2000 est.)

Congo, Democratic Republic of the

$11.6 billion (2000 est.)

Congo, Republic of the

$5 billion (2000 est.)

Cook Islands

$141 million (1996 est.)

Costa Rica

$5.962 billion (2004 est.)

Cote d'Ivoire

$11.81 billion (2004 est.)

Croatia

$26.4 billion (2004 est.)

Cuba

$12.09 billion (convertible currency); another $15-20 billion

owed to Russia (2004 est.)

Cyprus

Republic of Cyprus: $7.327 billion; north Cyprus: $NA (2004

est.)

Czech Republic

$36.28 billion (2004 est.)

Denmark

$21.7 billion (2000)

Djibouti

$366 million (2002 est.)

Dominica

$161.5 million (2001)

Dominican Republic

$7.745 billion (2004 est.)

East Timor

none

Ecuador

$16.81 billion (2004 est.)

Egypt

$33.75 billion (2004 est.)

El Salvador

$4.792 billion (September 2004 est.)

Equatorial Guinea

$248 million (2000 est.)

Eritrea

$311 million (2000 est.)

Estonia

$8.373 billion (2004 est.)

Ethiopia

$2.9 billion (2001 est.)

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

$NA

Faroe Islands

$64 million (1999)

Fiji

$188.1 million (2001 est.)

Finland

$30 billion (December 1993)

France

$NA

French Guiana

$1.2 billion (1988)

French Polynesia

NA

Gabon

$3.804 billion (2004 est.)

Gambia, The

$476 million (2001 est.)

Gaza Strip

$108 million (includes West Bank) (1997 est.)

Georgia

$1.8 billion (2002)

Germany

NA

Ghana

$7.396 billion (2004 est.)

Gibraltar

$NA (2000 est.)

Greece

$67.23 billion (2004 est.)

Greenland

$25 million (1999)

Grenada

$196 million (2000)

Guadeloupe

$NA (yearend 2003 est.)

Guam

NA

Guatemala

$5.969 billion (2004 est.)

Guernsey

$NA

Guinea

$3.25 billion (2001 est.)

Guinea-Bissau

$941.5 million (2000 est.)

Guyana

$1.2 billion (2002)

Haiti

$1.2 billion (2004 est.)

Honduras

$5.365 billion (September 2004 est.)

Hong Kong

$66.94 billion (2004 est.)

Hungary

$57 billion (2004 est.)

Iceland

$3.073 billion (2002)

India

$117.2 billion (2004 est.)

Indonesia

$141.5 billion (2004 est.)

Iran

$13.4 billion (2004 est.)

Iraq

$125 billion (2004 est.)

Ireland

$11 billion (1998)

Israel

$74.46 billion (2004 est.)

Italy

$913.9 billion (2004 est.)

Jamaica

$5.964 billion (2004 est.)

Japan

NA (2002 est.)

Jersey

none

Jordan

$7.32 billion (2004 est.)

Kazakhstan

$26.03 billion (2004 est.)

Kenya

$6.792 billion (2004 est.)

Kiribati

$10 million (1999 est.)

Korea, North

$12 billion (1996 est.)

Korea, South

$160 billion (2004 est.)

Kuwait

$15.02 billion (2004 est.)

Kyrgyzstan

$1.97 billion (2004 est.)

Laos

$2.49 billion (2001)

Latvia

$7.368 billion (2004 est.)

Lebanon

$15.84 billion (2004 est.)

Lesotho

$735 million (2002)

Liberia

$2.1 billion (2000 est.)

Libya

$4.069 billion (2004 est.)

Liechtenstein

$0 (2001)

Lithuania

$10.01 billion (2004 est.)

Luxembourg

$NA

Macau

$2.7 billion (2003)

Macedonia

$1.863 billion (2004 est.)

Madagascar

$4.6 billion (2002)

Malawi

$3.129 billion (2004 est.)

Malaysia

$53.36 billion (2004 est.)

Maldives

$281 million (2003 est.)

Mali

$3.3 billion (2000)

Malta

$130 million (1997)

Man, Isle of

$NA

Marshall Islands

$86.5 million (FY99/00 est.)

Martinique

$180 million (1994)

Mauritania

$2.5 billion (2000)

Mauritius

$1.78 billion (2004 est.)

Mayotte

$NA

Mexico

$149.9 billion (2004 est.)

Micronesia, Federated States of

$53.1 million (FY02/03 est.)

Moldova

$1.4 billion (2004 est.)

Monaco

$18 billion (2000 est.)

Mongolia

$1.191 billion (2004 est.)

Montserrat

$8.9 million (1997)

Morocco

$17.07 billion (2004 est.)

Mozambique

$966 million (2002 est.)

Namibia

$1.136 billion (2004 est.)

Nauru

$33.3 million (2002)

Nepal

$2.7 billion (2001)

Netherlands Antilles

$1.35 billion (1996)

New Caledonia

$79 million (1998 est.)

New Zealand

$47.34 billion (2004 est.)

Nicaragua

$4.573 billion (2004 est.)

Niger

$1.6 billion (1999 est.)

Nigeria

$30.55 billion (2004 est.)

Niue

$418,000 (2002 est.)

Norfolk Island

NA

Northern Mariana Islands

NA

Norway

$0 (Norway is a net external creditor) (2003 est.)

Oman

$4.814 billion (2004 est.)

Pakistan

$33.97 billion (2004 est.)

Palau

$0 (FY99/00)

Panama

$8.78 billion (2004 est.)

Papua New Guinea

$2.463 billion (2004 est.)

Paraguay

$3.239 billion (2004 est.)

Peru

$29.79 billion (2004 est.)

Philippines

$55.6 billion (September 2004 est.)

Pitcairn Islands

NA

Poland

$99.15 billion (2004 est.)

Portugal

$274.7 billion (2004 est.)

Puerto Rico

NA

Qatar

$18.62 billion (2004 est.)

Reunion

$NA

Romania

$24.59 billion (2004 est.)

Russia

$169.6 billion (2004 est.)

Rwanda

$1.3 billion (2000 est.)

Saint Helena

NA (1996)

Saint Kitts and Nevis

$171 million (2001)

Saint Lucia

$214 million (2000)

Saint Pierre and Miquelon

$NA

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

$167.2 million (2000)

Samoa

$197 million (2000)

San Marino

$NA

Sao Tome and Principe

$318 million (2002)

Saudi Arabia

$34.35 billion (2004 est.)

Senegal

$3.476 billion (2004 est.)

Serbia and Montenegro

$12.97 billion (2004 est.)

Seychelles

$218.1 million (2004 est.)

Sierra Leone

$1.5 billion (2002 est.)

Singapore

$19.4 billion (2004 est.)

Slovakia

$19.54 billion (2004 est.)

Slovenia

$14.65 billion (2004 est.)

Solomon Islands

$180.4 million (2002)

Somalia

$3 billion (2001 est.)

South Africa

$27.01 billion (2004 est.)

Spain

$771.1 billion (2004 est.)

Sri Lanka

$10.85 billion (2004 est.)

Sudan

$21 billion (2004 est.)

Suriname

$321 million (2002 est.)

Swaziland

$320 million (2002 est.)

Sweden

$66.5 billion (1994)

Switzerland

$NA (2000)

Syria

$4 billion (excludes military debt and debt to Russia) (2004

est.)

Taiwan

$55.5 billion (2004 est.)

Tajikistan

$888 million (2004 est.)

Tanzania

$7.321 billion (2004 est.)

Thailand

$50.59 billion (2004 est.)

Togo

$1.4 billion (2000)

Tokelau

$0

Tonga

$63.4 million (2001)

Trinidad and Tobago

$2.94 billion (2004 est.)

Tunisia

$14.71 billion (2004 est.)

Turkey

$16.9 billion (2004 est.)

Turkmenistan

$2.4 billion to $5 billion (2001 est.)

Turks and Caicos Islands

NA

Tuvalu

NA

Uganda

$3.865 billion (2004 est.)

Ukraine

$16.37 billion (2004 est.)

United Arab Emirates

$5.9 billion (2004 est.)

United Kingdom

$4.71 trillion (2003)

United States

$1.4 trillion (2001 est.)

Uruguay

$12.8 billion (March 2004)

Uzbekistan

$4.351 billion (2004 est.)

Vanuatu

$83.7 million (2002)

Venezuela

$33.29 billion (2004 est.)

Vietnam

$16.55 billion (2004 est.)

Virgin Islands

NA

Wallis and Futuna

$NA

West Bank

$108 million (includes Gaza Strip) (1997 est.)

Western Sahara

NA

World

$12.7 trillion (2004 est.)

Yemen

$5.4 billion (2004 est.)

Zambia

$5.353 billion (2004 est.)

Zimbabwe

$4.086 billion (2004 est.)

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2080 Fiscal year

Afghanistan

21 March - 20 March

Albania

calendar year

Algeria

calendar year

American Samoa

1 October - 30 September

Andorra

calendar year

Angola

calendar year

Anguilla

1 April - 31 March

Antigua and Barbuda

1 April - 31 March

Argentina

calendar year

Armenia

calendar year

Aruba

calendar year

Australia

1 July - 30 June

Austria

calendar year

Azerbaijan

calendar year

Bahamas, The

1 July - 30 June

Bahrain

calendar year

Bangladesh

1 July - 30 June

Barbados

1 April - 31 March

Belarus

calendar year

Belgium

calendar year

Belize

1 April - 31 March

Benin

calendar year

Bermuda

1 April - 31 March

Bhutan

1 July - 30 June

Bolivia

calendar year

Bosnia and Herzegovina

calendar year

Botswana

1 April - 31 March

Brazil

calendar year

British Virgin Islands

1 April - 31 March

Brunei

calendar year

Bulgaria

calendar year

Burkina Faso

calendar year

Burma

1 April - 31 March

Burundi

calendar year

Cambodia

calendar year

Cameroon

1 July - 30 June

Canada

1 April - 31 March

Cape Verde

calendar year

Cayman Islands

1 April - 31 March

Central African Republic

calendar year

Chad

calendar year

Chile

calendar year

China

calendar year

Christmas Island

1 July - 30 June

Cocos (Keeling) Islands

1 July - 30 June

Colombia

calendar year

Comoros

calendar year

Congo, Democratic Republic of the

calendar year

Congo, Republic of the

calendar year

Cook Islands

1 April - 31 March

Costa Rica

calendar year

Cote d'Ivoire

calendar year

Croatia

calendar year

Cuba

calendar year

Cyprus

calendar year

Czech Republic

calendar year

Denmark

calendar year

Djibouti

calendar year

Dominica

1 July - 30 June

Dominican Republic

calendar year

East Timor

1 July - 30 June

Ecuador

calendar year

Egypt

1 July - 30 June

El Salvador

calendar year

Equatorial Guinea

1 January - 31 December

Eritrea

calendar year

Estonia

calendar year

Ethiopia

8 July - 7 July

European Union

NA

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

1 April - 31 March

Faroe Islands

calendar year

Fiji

calendar year

Finland

calendar year

France

calendar year

French Guiana

calendar year

French Polynesia

calendar year

Gabon

calendar year

Gambia, The

calendar year

Gaza Strip

calendar year

Georgia

calendar year

Germany

calendar year

Ghana

calendar year

Gibraltar

1 July - 30 June

Greece

calendar year

Greenland

calendar year

Grenada

calendar year

Guadeloupe

calendar year

Guam

1 October - 30 September

Guatemala

calendar year

Guernsey

calendar year

Guinea

calendar year

Guinea-Bissau

calendar year

Guyana

calendar year

Haiti

1 October - 30 September

Holy See (Vatican City)

calendar year

Honduras

calendar year

Hong Kong

1 April - 31 March

Hungary

calendar year

Iceland

calendar year

India

1 April - 31 March

Indonesia

calendar year; note - previously was 1 April - 31 March,

but starting with 2001, has been changed to calendar year

Iran

21 March - 20 March

Iraq

calendar year

Ireland

calendar year

Israel

calendar year

Italy

calendar year

Jamaica

1 April - 31 March

Japan

1 April - 31 March

Jersey

1 April - 31 March

Jordan

calendar year

Kazakhstan

calendar year

Kenya

1 July - 30 June

Kiribati

NA

Korea, North

calendar year

Korea, South

calendar year

Kuwait

1 April - 31 March

Kyrgyzstan

calendar year

Laos

1 October - 30 September

Latvia

calendar year

Lebanon

calendar year

Lesotho

1 April - 31 March

Liberia

calendar year

Libya

calendar year

Liechtenstein

calendar year

Lithuania

calendar year

Luxembourg

calendar year

Macau

calendar year

Macedonia

calendar year

Madagascar

calendar year

Malawi

1 July - 30 June

Malaysia

calendar year

Maldives

calendar year

Mali

calendar year

Malta

1 April - 31 March

Man, Isle of

1 April - 31 March

Marshall Islands

1 October - 30 September

Martinique

calendar year

Mauritania

calendar year

Mauritius

1 July - 30 June

Mayotte

calendar year

Mexico

calendar year

Micronesia, Federated States of

1 October - 30 September

Moldova

calendar year

Monaco

calendar year

Mongolia

calendar year

Montserrat

1 April - 31 March

Morocco

calendar year

Mozambique

calendar year

Namibia

1 April - 31 March

Nauru

1 July - 30 June

Nepal

16 July - 15 July

Netherlands

calendar year

Netherlands Antilles

calendar year

New Caledonia

calendar year

New Zealand

1 July - 30 June

Nicaragua

calendar year

Niger

calendar year

Nigeria

calendar year

Niue

1 April - 31 March

Norfolk Island

1 July - 30 June

Northern Mariana Islands

1 October - 30 September

Norway

calendar year

Oman

calendar year

Pakistan

1 July - 30 June

Palau

1 October - 30 September

Panama

calendar year

Papua New Guinea

calendar year

Paraguay

calendar year

Peru

calendar year

Philippines

calendar year

Pitcairn Islands

1 April - 31 March

Poland

calendar year

Portugal

calendar year

Puerto Rico

1 July - 30 June

Qatar

1 April - 31 March

Reunion

calendar year

Romania

calendar year

Russia

calendar year

Rwanda

calendar year

Saint Helena

1 April - 31 March

Saint Kitts and Nevis

calendar year

Saint Lucia

1 April - 31 March

Saint Pierre and Miquelon

calendar year

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

calendar year

Samoa

June 1 - May 31

San Marino

calendar year

Sao Tome and Principe

calendar year

Saudi Arabia

1 March - 28 February

Senegal

calendar year

Serbia and Montenegro

calendar year

Seychelles

calendar year

Sierra Leone

calendar year

Singapore

1 April - 31 March

Slovakia

calendar year

Slovenia

calendar year

Solomon Islands

calendar year

Somalia

NA

South Africa

1 April - 31 March

Spain

calendar year

Sri Lanka

calendar year

Sudan

calendar year

Suriname

calendar year

Swaziland

1 April - 31 March

Sweden

calendar year

Switzerland

calendar year

Syria

calendar year

Taiwan

1 July - 30 June (up to FY98/99); 1 July 1999 - 31 December

2000 for FY00; calendar year (after FY00)

Tajikistan

calendar year

Tanzania

1 July - 30 June

Thailand

1 October - 30 September

Togo

calendar year

Tokelau

1 April - 31 March

Tonga

1 July - 30 June

Trinidad and Tobago

1 October - 30 September

Tunisia

calendar year

Turkey

calendar year

Turkmenistan

calendar year

Turks and Caicos Islands

calendar year

Tuvalu

calendar year

Uganda

1 July - 30 June

Ukraine

calendar year

United Arab Emirates

calendar year

United Kingdom

6 April - 5 April

United States

1 October - 30 September

Uruguay

calendar year

Uzbekistan

calendar year

Vanuatu

calendar year

Venezuela

calendar year

Vietnam

calendar year

Virgin Islands

1 October - 30 September

Wallis and Futuna

calendar year

West Bank

calendar year (since 1 January 1992)

Western Sahara

calendar year

Yemen

calendar year

Zambia

calendar year

Zimbabwe

calendar year

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2081 Flag description

Afghanistan

three equal vertical bands of black (hoist), red, and

green, with a gold emblem centered on the red band; the emblem

features a temple-like structure encircled by a wreath on the left

and right and by a bold Islamic inscription above

Akrotiri

the flag of the UK is used

Albania

red with a black two-headed eagle in the center

Algeria

two equal vertical bands of green (hoist side) and white; a

red, five-pointed star within a red crescent centered over the

two-color boundary; the crescent, star, and color green are

traditional symbols of Islam (the state religion)

American Samoa

blue, with a white triangle edged in red that is

based on the outer side and extends to the hoist side; a brown and

white American bald eagle flying toward the hoist side is carrying

two traditional Samoan symbols of authority, a staff and a war club

Andorra

three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, and

red with the national coat of arms centered in the yellow band; the

coat of arms features a quartered shield; similar to the flags of

Chad and Romania, which do not have a national coat of arms in the

center, and the flag of Moldova, which does bear a national emblem

Angola

two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and black with a

centered yellow emblem consisting of a five-pointed star within half

a cogwheel crossed by a machete (in the style of a hammer and sickle)

Anguilla

blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side

quadrant and the Anguillan coat of arms centered in the outer half

of the flag; the coat of arms depicts three orange dolphins in an

interlocking circular design on a white background with blue wavy

water below

Antigua and Barbuda

red, with an inverted isosceles triangle based

on the top edge of the flag; the triangle contains three horizontal

bands of black (top), light blue, and white, with a yellow rising

sun in the black band

Argentina

three equal horizontal bands of light blue (top), white,

and light blue; centered in the white band is a radiant yellow sun

with a human face known as the Sun of May

Armenia

three equal horizontal bands of red (top), blue, and orange

Aruba

blue, with two narrow, horizontal, yellow stripes across the

lower portion and a red, four-pointed star outlined in white in the

upper hoist-side corner

Ashmore and Cartier Islands

the flag of Australia is used

Australia

blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side

quadrant and a large seven-pointed star in the lower hoist-side

quadrant known as the Commonwealth Star, representing the federation

of the colonies of Australia in 1901; the star depicts one point for

each of the six original states and one representing all of

Australia's internal and external territories; the remaining half is

a representation of the Southern Cross constellation in white with

one small five-pointed star and four larger, seven-pointed stars

Austria

three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and red

Azerbaijan

three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), red, and

green; a crescent and eight-pointed star in white are centered in

red band

Bahamas, The

three equal horizontal bands of aquamarine (top), gold,

and aquamarine, with a black equilateral triangle based on the hoist

side

Bahrain

red, the traditional color for flags of Persian Gulf states,

with a white serrated band (five white points) on the hoist side;

the five points represent the five pillars of Islam

Baker Island

the flag of the US is used

Bangladesh

green with a large red disk slightly to the hoist side of

center; the red sun of freedom represents the blood shed to achieve

independence; the green field symbolizes the lush countryside, and

secondarily, the traditional color of Islam

Barbados

three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), gold, and

blue with the head of a black trident centered on the gold band; the

trident head represents independence and a break with the past (the

colonial coat of arms contained a complete trident)

Bassas da India

the flag of France is used

Belarus

red horizontal band (top) and green horizontal band one-half

the width of the red band; a white vertical stripe on the hoist side

bears Belarusian national ornamention in red

Belgium

three equal vertical bands of black (hoist side), yellow,

and red; the design was based on the flag of France

Belize

blue with a narrow red stripe along the top and the bottom

edges; centered is a large white disk bearing the coat of arms; the

coat of arms features a shield flanked by two workers in front of a

mahogany tree with the related motto SUB UMBRA FLOREO (I Flourish in

the Shade) on a scroll at the bottom, all encircled by a green

garland

Benin

two equal horizontal bands of yellow (top) and red (bottom)

with a vertical green band on the hoist side

Bermuda

red, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side

quadrant and the Bermudian coat of arms (white and green shield with

a red lion holding a scrolled shield showing the sinking of the ship

Sea Venture off Bermuda in 1609) centered on the outer half of the

flag

Bhutan

divided diagonally from the lower hoist side corner; the

upper triangle is yellow and the lower triangle is orange; centered

along the dividing line is a large black and white dragon facing

away from the hoist side

Bolivia

three equal horizontal bands of red (top), yellow, and green

with the coat of arms centered on the yellow band; similar to the

flag of Ghana, which has a large black five-pointed star centered in

the yellow band

Bosnia and Herzegovina

a wide medium blue vertical band on the fly

side with a yellow isosceles triangle abutting the band and the top

of the flag; the remainder of the flag is medium blue with seven

full five-pointed white stars and two half stars top and bottom

along the hypotenuse of the triangle

Botswana

light blue with a horizontal white-edged black stripe in

the center

Bouvet Island

the flag of Norway is used

Brazil

green with a large yellow diamond in the center bearing a

blue celestial globe with 27 white five-pointed stars (one for each

state and the Federal District) arranged in the same pattern as the

night sky over Brazil; the globe has a white equatorial band with

the motto ORDEM E PROGRESSO (Order and Progress)

British Indian Ocean Territory white with six blue wavy horizontal stripes; the flag of the UK is in the upper hoist-side quadrant; the striped section bears a palm tree and yellow crown centered on the outer half of the flag

British Virgin Islands

blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper

hoist-side quadrant and the Virgin Islander coat of arms centered in

the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms depicts a woman flanked

on either side by a vertical column of six oil lamps above a scroll

bearing the Latin word VIGILATE (Be Watchful)

Brunei

yellow with two diagonal bands of white (top, almost double

width) and black starting from the upper hoist side; the national

emblem in red is superimposed at the center; the emblem includes a

swallow-tailed flag on top of a winged column within an upturned

crescent above a scroll and flanked by two upraised hands

Bulgaria

three equal horizontal bands of white (top), green, and

red; note - the national emblem, formerly on the hoist side of the

white stripe, has been removed

Burkina Faso

two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green with

a yellow five-pointed star in the center; uses the popular

pan-African colors of Ethiopia

Burma

red with a blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner

bearing, 14 white five-pointed stars encircling a cogwheel

containing a stalk of rice; the 14 stars represent the 7

administrative divisions and 7 states

Burundi

divided by a white diagonal cross into red panels (top and

bottom) and green panels (hoist side and outer side) with a white

disk superimposed at the center bearing three red six-pointed stars

outlined in green arranged in a triangular design (one star above,

two stars below)

Cambodia

three horizontal bands of blue (top), red (double width),

and blue with a white three-towered temple representing Angkor Wat

outlined in black in the center of the red band; only national flag

to incorporate a building in its design

Cameroon

three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), red, and

yellow with a yellow five-pointed star centered in the red band;

uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia

Canada

two vertical bands of red (hoist and fly side, half width),

with white square between them; an 11-pointed red maple leaf is

centered in the white square; the official colors of Canada are red

and white

Cape Verde

three horizontal bands of light blue (top, double width),

white (with a horizontal red stripe in the middle third), and light

blue; a circle of 10 yellow five-pointed stars is centered on the

hoist end of the red stripe and extends into the upper and lower

blue bands

Cayman Islands

blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side

quadrant and the Caymanian coat of arms centered on the outer half

of the flag; the coat of arms includes a pineapple and turtle above

a shield with three stars (representing the three islands) and a

scroll at the bottom bearing the motto HE HATH FOUNDED IT UPON THE

SEAS

Central African Republic

four equal horizontal bands of blue (top),

white, green, and yellow with a vertical red band in center; there

is a yellow five-pointed star on the hoist side of the blue band

Chad

three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, and

red; similar to the flag of Romania; also similar to the flags of

Andorra and Moldova, both of which have a national coat of arms

centered in the yellow band; design was based on the flag of France

Chile

two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red; there is a

blue square the same height as the white band at the hoist-side end

of the white band; the square bears a white five-pointed star in the

center representing a guide to progress and honor; blue symbolizes

the sky, white is for the snow-covered Andes, and red stands for the

blood spilled to achieve independence; design was influenced by the

US flag

China

red with a large yellow five-pointed star and four smaller

yellow five-pointed stars (arranged in a vertical arc toward the

middle of the flag) in the upper hoist-side corner

Christmas Island

the flag of Australia is used; note - in early

1986, the Christmas Island Assembly held a design competition for an

island flag, however, the winning design has never been formally

adopted as the official flag of the territory

Clipperton Island

the flag of France is used

Cocos (Keeling) Islands

the flag of Australia is used

Colombia

three horizontal bands of yellow (top, double-width), blue,

and red; similar to the flag of Ecuador, which is longer and bears

the Ecuadorian coat of arms superimposed in the center

Comoros

four equal horizontal bands of yellow (top), white, red, and

blue with a green isosceles triangle based on the hoist; centered

within the triangle is a white crescent with the convex side facing

the hoist and four white, five-pointed stars placed vertically in a

line between the points of the crescent; the horizontal bands and

the four stars represent the four main islands of the archipelago -

Mwali, Njazidja, Nzwani, and Mayotte (a territorial collectivity of

France, but claimed by Comoros); the crescent, stars, and color

green are traditional symbols of Islam

Congo, Democratic Republic of the

light blue with a large yellow

five-pointed star in the center and a columnar arrangement of six

small yellow five-pointed stars along the hoist side

Congo, Republic of the

divided diagonally from the lower hoist side

by a yellow band; the upper triangle (hoist side) is green and the

lower triangle is red; uses the popular pan-African colors of

Ethiopia

Cook Islands

blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side

quadrant and a large circle of 15 white five-pointed stars (one for

every island) centered in the outer half of the flag

Coral Sea Islands

the flag of Australia is used

Costa Rica

five horizontal bands of blue (top), white, red (double

width), white, and blue, with the coat of arms in a white elliptical

disk on the hoist side of the red band; above the coat of arms a

light blue ribbon contains the words, AMERICA CENTRAL, and just

below it near the top of the coat of arms is a white ribbon with the

words, REPUBLICA COSTA RICA

Cote d'Ivoire

three equal vertical bands of orange (hoist side),

white, and green; similar to the flag of Ireland, which is longer

and has the colors reversed - green (hoist side), white, and orange;

also similar to the flag of Italy, which is green (hoist side),

white, and red; design was based on the flag of France

Croatia

red, white, and blue horizontal bands with Croatian coat of

arms (red and white checkered)

Cuba

five equal horizontal bands of blue (top and bottom)

alternating with white; a red equilateral triangle based on the

hoist side bears a white, five-pointed star in the center; design

influenced by the US flag

Cyprus

white with a copper-colored silhouette of the island (the

name Cyprus is derived from the Greek word for copper) above two

green crossed olive branches in the center of the flag; the branches

symbolize the hope for peace and reconciliation between the Greek

and Turkish communities

note: the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" flag has a

horizontal red stripe at the top and bottom between which is a red

crescent and red star on a white field

Czech Republic

two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red

with a blue isosceles triangle based on the hoist side (identical to

the flag of the former Czechoslovakia)

Denmark

red with a white cross that extends to the edges of the

flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side,

and that design element of the Dannebrog (Danish flag) was

subsequently adopted by the other Nordic countries of Finland,

Iceland, Norway, and Sweden

Dhekelia

the flag of the UK is used

Djibouti

two equal horizontal bands of light blue (top) and light

green with a white isosceles triangle based on the hoist side

bearing a red five-pointed star in the center

Dominica

green, with a centered cross of three equal bands - the

vertical part is yellow (hoist side), black, and white and the

horizontal part is yellow (top), black, and white; superimposed in

the center of the cross is a red disk bearing a sisserou parrot

encircled by 10 green, five-pointed stars edged in yellow; the 10

stars represent the 10 administrative divisions (parishes)

Dominican Republic

a centered white cross that extends to the edges

divides the flag into four rectangles - the top ones are blue (hoist

side) and red, and the bottom ones are red (hoist side) and blue; a

small coat of arms featuring a shield supported by an olive branch

(left) and a palm branch (right) is at the center of the cross;

above the shield a blue ribbon displays the motto, DIOS, PATRIA,

LIBERTAD (God, Fatherland, Liberty), and below the shield, REPUBLICA

DOMINICANA appears on a red ribbon

East Timor

red, with a black isosceles triangle (based on the hoist

side) superimposed on a slightly longer yellow arrowhead that

extends to the center of the flag; there is a white star in the

center of the black triangle

Ecuador

three horizontal bands of yellow (top, double width), blue,

and red with the coat of arms superimposed at the center of the

flag; similar to the flag of Colombia, which is shorter and does not

bear a coat of arms

Egypt

three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black;

the national emblem (a gold Eagle of Saladin facing the hoist side

with a shield superimposed on its chest above a scroll bearing the

name of the country in Arabic) centered in the white band; design is

based on the Arab Liberation flag and similar to the flag of Syria,

which has two green stars, Iraq, which has three green stars (plus

an Arabic inscription) in a horizontal line centered in the white

band, and Yemen, which has a plain white band

El Salvador

three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, and

blue with the national coat of arms centered in the white band; the

coat of arms features a round emblem encircled by the words

REPUBLICA DE EL SALVADOR EN LA AMERICA CENTRAL; similar to the flag

of Nicaragua, which has a different coat of arms centered in the

white band - it features a triangle encircled by the words REPUBLICA

DE NICARAGUA on top and AMERICA CENTRAL on the bottom; also similar

to the flag of Honduras, which has five blue stars arranged in an X

pattern centered in the white band

Equatorial Guinea

three equal horizontal bands of green (top),

white, and red with a blue isosceles triangle based on the hoist

side and the coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of

arms has six yellow six-pointed stars (representing the mainland and

five offshore islands) above a gray shield bearing a silk-cotton

tree and below which is a scroll with the motto UNIDAD, PAZ,

JUSTICIA (Unity, Peace, Justice)

Eritrea

red isosceles triangle (based on the hoist side) dividing

the flag into two right triangles; the upper triangle is green, the

lower one is blue; a gold wreath encircling a gold olive branch is

centered on the hoist side of the red triangle

Estonia

pre-1940 flag restored by Supreme Soviet in May 1990 - three

equal horizontal bands of blue (top), black, and white

Ethiopia

three equal horizontal bands of green (top), yellow, and

red with a yellow pentagram and single yellow rays emanating from

the angles between the points on a light blue disk centered on the

three bands; Ethiopia is the oldest independent country in Africa,

and the three main colors of her flag were so often adopted by other

African countries upon independence that they became known as the

pan-African colors

Europa Island

the flag of France is used

European Union

on a blue field, 12 five-pointed gold stars arranged

in a circle, representing the union of the peoples of Europe; the

number of stars is fixed

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Falkland Island coat of arms centered on the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms contains a white ram (sheep raising was once the major economic activity) above the sailing ship Desire (whose crew discovered the islands) with a scroll at the bottom bearing the motto DESIRE THE RIGHT

Faroe Islands

white with a red cross outlined in blue extending to

the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted

toward the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag)

Fiji

light blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side

quadrant and the Fijian shield centered on the outer half of the

flag; the shield depicts a yellow lion above a white field quartered

by the cross of Saint George featuring stalks of sugarcane, a palm

tree, bananas, and a white dove

Finland

white with a blue cross extending to the edges of the flag;

the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in the

style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag)

France

three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), white, and

red; known as the "Le drapeau tricolore" (French Tricolor), the

origin of the flag dates to 1790 and the French Revolution; the

design and/or colors are similar to a number of other flags,

including those of Belgium, Chad, Ireland, Cote d'Ivoire,

Luxembourg, and Netherlands; the official flag for all French

dependent areas

French Guiana

the flag of France is used

French Polynesia

two narrow red horizontal bands encase a wide white

band; centered on the white band is a disk with blue and white wave

pattern on the lower half and gold and white ray pattern on the

upper half; a stylized red, blue and white ship rides on the wave

pattern; the French flag is used for official occasions

French Southern and Antarctic Lands

the flag of France is used

Gabon

three equal horizontal bands of green (top), yellow, and blue

Gambia, The

three equal horizontal bands of red (top), blue with

white edges, and green

Georgia

white rectangle, in its central portion a red cross

connecting all four sides of the flag; in each of the four corners

is a small red bolnur-katskhuri cross; the five-cross flag appears

to date back to the 14th century

Germany

three equal horizontal bands of black (top), red, and gold

Ghana

three equal horizontal bands of red (top), yellow, and green

with a large black five-pointed star centered in the yellow band;

uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia; similar to the flag

of Bolivia, which has a coat of arms centered in the yellow band

Gibraltar

two horizontal bands of white (top, double width) and red

with a three-towered red castle in the center of the white band;

hanging from the castle gate is a gold key centered in the red band

Glorioso Islands

the flag of France is used

Greece

nine equal horizontal stripes of blue alternating with white;

there is a blue square in the upper hoist-side corner bearing a

white cross; the cross symbolizes Greek Orthodoxy, the established

religion of the country

Greenland

two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red with a

large disk slightly to the hoist side of center - the top half of

the disk is red, the bottom half is white

Grenada

a rectangle divided diagonally into yellow triangles (top

and bottom) and green triangles (hoist side and outer side), with a

red border around the flag; there are seven yellow, five-pointed

stars with three centered in the top red border, three centered in

the bottom red border, and one on a red disk superimposed at the

center of the flag; there is also a symbolic nutmeg pod on the

hoist-side triangle (Grenada is the world's second-largest producer

of nutmeg, after Indonesia); the seven stars represent the seven

administrative divisions

Guadeloupe

the flag of France is used

Guam

territorial flag is dark blue with a narrow red border on all

four sides; centered is a red-bordered, pointed, vertical ellipse

containing a beach scene, outrigger canoe with sail, and a palm tree

with the word GUAM superimposed in bold red letters; US flag is the

national flag

Guatemala

three equal vertical bands of light blue (hoist side),

white, and light blue with the coat of arms centered in the white

band; the coat of arms includes a green and red quetzal (the

national bird) and a scroll bearing the inscription LIBERTAD 15 DE

SEPTIEMBRE DE 1821 (the original date of independence from Spain)

all superimposed on a pair of crossed rifles and a pair of crossed

swords and framed by a wreath

Guernsey

white with the red cross of Saint George (patron saint of

England) extending to the edges of the flag and a yellow equal-armed

cross of William the Conqueror superimposed on the Saint George cross

Guinea

three equal vertical bands of red (hoist side), yellow, and

green; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia

Guinea-Bissau

two equal horizontal bands of yellow (top) and green

with a vertical red band on the hoist side; there is a black

five-pointed star centered in the red band; uses the popular

pan-African colors of Ethiopia

Guyana

green, with a red isosceles triangle (based on the hoist

side) superimposed on a long, yellow arrowhead; there is a narrow,

black border between the red and yellow, and a narrow, white border

between the yellow and the green

Haiti

two equal horizontal bands of blue (top) and red with a

centered white rectangle bearing the coat of arms, which contains a

palm tree flanked by flags and two cannons above a scroll bearing

the motto L'UNION FAIT LA FORCE (Union Makes Strength)

Heard Island and McDonald Islands

the flag of Australia is used

Holy See (Vatican City)

two vertical bands of yellow (hoist side)

and white with the crossed keys of Saint Peter and the papal miter

centered in the white band

Honduras

three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, and blue

with five blue, five-pointed stars arranged in an X pattern centered

in the white band; the stars represent the members of the former

Federal Republic of Central America - Costa Rica, El Salvador,

Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua; similar to the flag of El

Salvador, which features a round emblem encircled by the words

REPUBLICA DE EL SALVADOR EN LA AMERICA CENTRAL centered in the white

band; also similar to the flag of Nicaragua, which features a

triangle encircled by the word REPUBLICA DE NICARAGUA on top and

AMERICA CENTRAL on the bottom, centered in the white band

Hong Kong

red with a stylized, white, five-petal bauhinia flower in

the center

Howland Island

the flag of the US is used

Hungary

three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and green

Iceland

blue with a red cross outlined in white extending to the

edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the

hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag)

India

three equal horizontal bands of saffron (subdued orange)

(top), white, and green with a blue chakra (24-spoked wheel)

centered in the white band; similar to the flag of Niger, which has

a small orange disk centered in the white band

Indonesia

two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and white; similar

to the flag of Monaco, which is shorter; also similar to the flag of

Poland, which is white (top) and red

Iran

three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and red;

the national emblem (a stylized representation of the word Allah in

the shape of a tulip, a symbol of martyrdom) in red is centered in

the white band; ALLAH AKBAR (God is Great) in white Arabic script is

repeated 11 times along the bottom edge of the green band and 11

times along the top edge of the red band

Iraq

three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black

with three green five-pointed stars in a horizontal line centered in

the white band; the phrase ALLAHU AKBAR (God is Great) in green

Arabic script - Allahu to the right of the middle star and Akbar to

the left of the middle star - was added in January 1991 during the

Persian Gulf crisis; similar to the flag of Syria, which has two

stars but no script, Yemen, which has a plain white band, and that

of Egypt which has a gold Eagle of Saladin centered in the white

band; design is based upon the Arab Liberation colors

Ireland

three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and

orange; similar to the flag of Cote d'Ivoire, which is shorter and

has the colors reversed - orange (hoist side), white, and green;

also similar to the flag of Italy, which is shorter and has colors

of green (hoist side), white, and red

Israel

white with a blue hexagram (six-pointed linear star) known as

the Magen David (Shield of David) centered between two equal

horizontal blue bands near the top and bottom edges of the flag

Italy

three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and

red; similar to the flag of Ireland, which is longer and is green

(hoist side), white, and orange; also similar to the flag of the

Cote d'Ivoire, which has the colors reversed - orange (hoist side),

white, and green

note: inspired by the French flag brought to Italy by Napoleon in

1797

Jamaica

diagonal yellow cross divides the flag into four triangles -

green (top and bottom) and black (hoist side and outer side)

Jan Mayen

the flag of Norway is used

Japan

white with a large red disk (representing the sun without

rays) in the center

Jarvis Island

the flag of the US is used

Jersey

white with a diagonal red cross extending to the corners of

the flag; in the upper quadrant, surmounted by a yellow crown, a red

shield with the three lions of England in yellow

Johnston Atoll

the flag of the US is used

Jordan

three equal horizontal bands of black (top), representing the

Abbassid Caliphate, white, representing the Ummayyad Caliphate, and

green, representing the Fatimid Caliphate; a red isosceles triangle

on the hoist side, representing the Great Arab Revolt of 1916, and

bearing a small white seven-pointed star symbolizing the seven

verses of the opening Sura (Al-Fatiha) of the Holy Koran; the seven

points on the star represent faith in One God, humanity, national

spirit, humility, social justice, virtue, and aspirations; design is

based on the Arab Revolt flag of World War I

Juan de Nova Island

the flag of France is used

Kazakhstan

sky blue background representing the endless sky and a

gold sun with 32 rays soaring above a golden steppe eagle in the

center; on the hoist side is a "national ornamentation" in gold

Kenya

three equal horizontal bands of black (top), red, and green;

the red band is edged in white; a large warrior's shield covering

crossed spears is superimposed at the center

Kingman Reef

the flag of the US is used

Kiribati

the upper half is red with a yellow frigate bird flying

over a yellow rising sun, and the lower half is blue with three

horizontal wavy white stripes to represent the ocean

Korea, North

three horizontal bands of blue (top), red (triple

width), and blue; the red band is edged in white; on the hoist side

of the red band is a white disk with a red five-pointed star

Korea, South

white with a red (top) and blue yin-yang symbol in the

center; there is a different black trigram from the ancient I Ching

(Book of Changes) in each corner of the white field

Kuwait

three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and red

with a black trapezoid based on the hoist side; design, which dates

to 1961, based on the Arab revolt flag of World War I

Kyrgyzstan

red field with a yellow sun in the center having 40 rays

representing the 40 Kyrgyz tribes; on the obverse side the rays run

counterclockwise, on the reverse, clockwise; in the center of the

sun is a red ring crossed by two sets of three lines, a stylized

representation of the roof of the traditional Kyrgyz yurt

Laos

three horizontal bands of red (top), blue (double width), and

red with a large white disk centered in the blue band

Latvia

three horizontal bands of maroon (top), white (half-width),

and maroon

Lebanon

three horizontal bands consisting of red (top), white

(middle, double width), and red (bottom) with a green cedar tree

centered in the white band

Lesotho

divided diagonally from the lower hoist side corner; the

upper half is white, bearing the brown silhouette of a large shield

with crossed spear and club; the lower half is a diagonal blue band

with a green triangle in the corner

Liberia

11 equal horizontal stripes of red (top and bottom)

alternating with white; there is a white five-pointed star on a blue

square in the upper hoist-side corner; the design was based on the

US flag

Libya

plain green; green is the traditional color of Islam (the

state religion)

Liechtenstein

two equal horizontal bands of blue (top) and red with

a gold crown on the hoist side of the blue band

Lithuania

three equal horizontal bands of yellow (top), green, and

red

Luxembourg

three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and

light blue; similar to the flag of the Netherlands, which uses a

darker blue and is shorter; design was based on the flag of France

Macau

light green with a lotus flower above a stylized bridge and

water in white, beneath an arc of five gold, five-pointed stars: one

large in center of arc and four smaller

Macedonia

a yellow sun with eight broadening rays extending to the

edges of the red field

Madagascar

two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green with a

vertical white band of the same width on hoist side

Malawi

three equal horizontal bands of black (top), red, and green

with a radiant, rising, red sun centered in the black band

Malaysia

14 equal horizontal stripes of red (top) alternating with

white (bottom); there is a blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side

corner bearing a yellow crescent and a yellow 14-pointed star; the

crescent and the star are traditional symbols of Islam; the design

was based on the flag of the US

Maldives

red with a large green rectangle in the center bearing a

vertical white crescent; the closed side of the crescent is on the

hoist side of the flag

Mali

three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), yellow, and

red; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia

Malta

two equal vertical bands of white (hoist side) and red; in the

upper hoist-side corner is a representation of the George Cross,

edged in red

Man, Isle of

red with the Three Legs of Man emblem (Trinacria), in

the center; the three legs are joined at the thigh and bent at the

knee; in order to have the toes pointing clockwise on both sides of

the flag, a two-sided emblem is used

Marshall Islands

blue with two stripes radiating from the lower

hoist-side corner - orange (top) and white; there is a white star

with four large rays and 20 small rays on the hoist side above the

two stripes

Martinique

a light blue background is divided into four quadrants by

a white cross; in the center of each rectangle is a white snake; the

flag of France is used for official occasions

Mauritania

green with a yellow five-pointed star above a yellow,

horizontal crescent; the closed side of the crescent is down; the

crescent, star, and color green are traditional symbols of Islam

Mauritius

four equal horizontal bands of red (top), blue, yellow,

and green

Mayotte

the flag of France is used

Mexico

three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and

red; the coat of arms (an eagle perched on a cactus with a snake in

its beak) is centered in the white band

Micronesia, Federated States of

light blue with four white

five-pointed stars centered; the stars are arranged in a diamond

pattern

Midway Islands

the flag of the US is used

Moldova

same color scheme as Romania - three equal vertical bands of

blue (hoist side), yellow, and red; emblem in center of flag is of a

Roman eagle of gold outlined in black with a red beak and talons

carrying a yellow cross in its beak and a green olive branch in its

right talons and a yellow scepter in its left talons; on its breast

is a shield divided horizontally red over blue with a stylized ox

head, star, rose, and crescent all in black-outlined yellow

Monaco

two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and white; similar to

the flag of Indonesia which is longer and the flag of Poland which

is white (top) and red

Mongolia

three equal, vertical bands of red (hoist side), blue, and

red; centered on the hoist-side red band in yellow is the national

emblem ("soyombo" - a columnar arrangement of abstract and geometric

representation for fire, sun, moon, earth, water, and the yin-yang

symbol)

Montserrat

blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side

quadrant and the Montserratian coat of arms centered in the outer

half of the flag; the coat of arms features a woman standing beside

a yellow harp with her arm around a black cross

Morocco

red with a green pentacle (five-pointed, linear star) known

as Sulayman's (Solomon's) seal in the center of the flag; red and

green are traditional colors in Arab flags, although the use of red

is more commonly associated with the Arab states of the Persian

gulf; design dates to 1912

Mozambique

three equal horizontal bands of green (top), black, and

yellow with a red isosceles triangle based on the hoist side; the

black band is edged in white; centered in the triangle is a yellow

five-pointed star bearing a crossed rifle and hoe in black

superimposed on an open white book

Namibia

a large blue triangle with a yellow sunburst fills the upper

left section and an equal green triangle (solid) fills the lower

right section; the triangles are separated by a red stripe that is

contrasted by two narrow white-edge borders

Nauru

blue with a narrow, horizontal, yellow stripe across the

center and a large white 12-pointed star below the stripe on the

hoist side; the star indicates the country's location in relation to

the Equator (the yellow stripe) and the 12 points symbolize the 12

original tribes of Nauru

Navassa Island

the flag of the US is used

Nepal

red with a blue border around the unique shape of two

overlapping right triangles; the smaller, upper triangle bears a

white stylized moon and the larger, lower triangle bears a white

12-pointed sun

Netherlands

three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and

blue; similar to the flag of Luxembourg, which uses a lighter blue

and is longer; one of the oldest flags in constant use, originating

with WILLIAM I, Prince of Orange, in the latter half of the 16th

century

Netherlands Antilles

white, with a horizontal blue stripe in the

center superimposed on a vertical red band, also centered; five

white, five-pointed stars are arranged in an oval pattern in the

center of the blue band; the five stars represent the five main

islands of Bonaire, Curacao, Saba, Sint Eustatius, and Sint Maarten

New Caledonia

the flag of France is used

New Zealand

blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side

quadrant with four red five-pointed stars edged in white centered in

the outer half of the flag; the stars represent the Southern Cross

constellation

Nicaragua

three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, and

blue with the national coat of arms centered in the white band; the

coat of arms features a triangle encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE

NICARAGUA on the top and AMERICA CENTRAL on the bottom; similar to

the flag of El Salvador, which features a round emblem encircled by

the words REPUBLICA DE EL SALVADOR EN LA AMERICA CENTRAL centered in

the white band; also similar to the flag of Honduras, which has five

blue stars arranged in an X pattern centered in the white band

Niger

three equal horizontal bands of orange (top), white, and green

with a small orange disk (representing the sun) centered in the

white band; similar to the flag of India, which has a blue spoked

wheel centered in the white band

Nigeria

three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and

green

Niue

yellow with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side

quadrant; the flag of the UK bears five yellow five-pointed stars -

a large one on a blue disk in the center and a smaller one on each

arm of the bold red cross

Norfolk Island

three vertical bands of green (hoist side), white,

and green with a large green Norfolk Island pine tree centered in

the slightly wider white band

Northern Mariana Islands

blue, with a white, five-pointed star

superimposed on the gray silhouette of a latte stone (a traditional

foundation stone used in building) in the center, surrounded by a

wreath

Norway

red with a blue cross outlined in white that extends to the

edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the

hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag)

Oman

three horizontal bands of white, red, and green of equal width

with a broad, vertical, red band on the hoist side; the national

emblem (a khanjar dagger in its sheath superimposed on two crossed

swords in scabbards) in white is centered near the top of the

vertical band

Pakistan

green with a vertical white band (symbolizing the role of

religious minorities) on the hoist side; a large white crescent and

star are centered in the green field; the crescent, star, and color

green are traditional symbols of Islam

Palau

light blue with a large yellow disk (representing the moon)

shifted slightly to the hoist side

Palmyra Atoll

the flag of the US is used

Panama

divided into four, equal rectangles; the top quadrants are

white (hoist side) with a blue five-pointed star in the center and

plain red; the bottom quadrants are plain blue (hoist side) and

white with a red five-pointed star in the center

Papua New Guinea

divided diagonally from upper hoist-side corner;

the upper triangle is red with a soaring yellow bird of paradise

centered; the lower triangle is black with five, white, five-pointed

stars of the Southern Cross constellation centered

Paraguay

three equal, horizontal bands of red (top), white, and blue

with an emblem centered in the white band; unusual flag in that the

emblem is different on each side; the obverse (hoist side at the

left) bears the national coat of arms (a yellow five-pointed star

within a green wreath capped by the words REPUBLICA DEL PARAGUAY,

all within two circles); the reverse (hoist side at the right) bears

the seal of the treasury (a yellow lion below a red Cap of Liberty

and the words Paz y Justicia (Peace and Justice) capped by the words

REPUBLICA DEL PARAGUAY, all within two circles)

Peru

three equal, vertical bands of red (hoist side), white, and red

with the coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms

features a shield bearing a vicuna, cinchona tree (the source of

quinine), and a yellow cornucopia spilling out gold coins, all

framed by a green wreath

Philippines

two equal horizontal bands of blue (top; representing

peace and justice) and red (representing courage); a white

equilateral triangle based on the hoist side represents equality;

the center of the triangle displays a yellow sun with eight primary

rays, each representing one of the first eight provinces that sought

independence from Spain; each corner of the triangle contains a

small, yellow, five-pointed star representing the three major

geographical divisions of the country: Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao;

the design of the flag dates to 1897; in wartime the flag is flown

upside down with the red band at the top

Pitcairn Islands

blue with the flag of the UK in the upper

hoist-side quadrant and the Pitcairn Islander coat of arms centered

on the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms is yellow, green,

and light blue with a shield featuring a yellow anchor

Poland

two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red; similar to

the flags of Indonesia and Monaco which are red (top) and white

Portugal

two vertical bands of green (hoist side, two-fifths) and

red (three-fifths) with the Portuguese coat of arms centered on the

dividing line

Puerto Rico

five equal horizontal bands of red (top and bottom)

alternating with white; a blue isosceles triangle based on the hoist

side bears a large, white, five-pointed star in the center; design

initially influenced by the US flag, but similar to the Cuban flag,

with the colors of the bands and triangle reversed

Qatar

maroon with a broad white serrated band (nine white points) on

the hoist side

Reunion

the flag of France is used

Romania

three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, and

red; the national coat of arms that used to be centered in the

yellow band has been removed; now similar to the flag of Chad, also

resembles the flags of Andorra and Moldova

Russia

three equal horizontal bands of white (top), blue, and red

Rwanda

three horizontal bands of sky blue (top, double width),

yellow, and green, with a golden sun with 24 rays near the fly end

of the blue band

Saint Helena

blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side

quadrant and the Saint Helenian shield centered on the outer half of

the flag; the shield features a rocky coastline and three-masted

sailing ship

Saint Kitts and Nevis

divided diagonally from the lower hoist side

by a broad black band bearing two white, five-pointed stars; the

black band is edged in yellow; the upper triangle is green, the

lower triangle is red

Saint Lucia

blue, with a gold isosceles triangle below a black

arrowhead; the upper edges of the arrowhead have a white border

Saint Pierre and Miquelon

a yellow sailing ship facing the hoist

side rides on a dark blue background with yellow wavy lines under

the ship; on the hoist side, a vertical band is divided into three

parts: the top part (called ikkurina) is red with a green diagonal

cross extending to the corners overlaid by a white cross dividing

the rectangle into four sections; the middle part has a white

background with an ermine pattern; the third part has a red

background with two stylized yellow lions outlined in black, one

above the other; these three heraldic arms represent settlement by

colonists from the Basque Country (top), Brittany, and Normandy; the

flag of France is used for official occasions

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

three vertical bands of blue (hoist

side), gold (double width), and green; the gold band bears three

green diamonds arranged in a V pattern

Samoa

red with a blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side quadrant

bearing five white five-pointed stars representing the Southern

Cross constellation

San Marino

two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and light blue

with the national coat of arms superimposed in the center; the coat

of arms has a shield (featuring three towers on three peaks) flanked

by a wreath, below a crown and above a scroll bearing the word

LIBERTAS (Liberty)

Sao Tome and Principe

three horizontal bands of green (top), yellow

(double width), and green with two black five-pointed stars placed

side by side in the center of the yellow band and a red isosceles

triangle based on the hoist side; uses the popular pan-African

colors of Ethiopia

Saudi Arabia

green, a traditional color in Islamic flags, with the

Shahada or Muslim creed in large white Arabic script (translated as

"There is no god but God; Muhammad is the Messenger of God") above a

white horizontal saber (the tip points to the hoist side); design

dates to the early twentieth century and is closely associated with

the Al Saud family which established the kingdom in 1932

Senegal

three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), yellow,

and red with a small green five-pointed star centered in the yellow

band; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia

Serbia and Montenegro

three equal horizontal bands of blue (top),

white, and red

Seychelles

five oblique bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, red,

white, and green (bottom) radiating from the bottom of the hoist side

Sierra Leone

three equal horizontal bands of light green (top),

white, and light blue

Singapore

two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and white; near

the hoist side of the red band, there is a vertical, white crescent

(closed portion is toward the hoist side) partially enclosing five

white five-pointed stars arranged in a circle

Slovakia

three equal horizontal bands of white (top), blue, and red

superimposed with the Slovak cross in a shield centered on the hoist

side; the cross is white centered on a background of red and blue

Slovenia

three equal horizontal bands of white (top), blue, and red,

with the Slovenian seal (a shield with the image of Triglav,

Slovenia's highest peak, in white against a blue background at the

center; beneath it are two wavy blue lines depicting seas and

rivers, and above it are three six-pointed stars arranged in an

inverted triangle, which are taken from the coat of arms of the

Counts of Celje, the great Slovene dynastic house of the late 14th

and early 15th centuries); the seal is located in the upper hoist

side of the flag centered in the white and blue bands

Solomon Islands

divided diagonally by a thin yellow stripe from the

lower hoist-side corner; the upper triangle (hoist side) is blue

with five white five-pointed stars arranged in an X pattern; the

lower triangle is green

Somalia

light blue with a large white five-pointed star in the

center; blue field influenced by the flag of the UN

South Africa

two equal width horizontal bands of red (top) and blue

separated by a central green band which splits into a horizontal Y,

the arms of which end at the corners of the hoist side; the Y

embraces a black isosceles triangle from which the arms are

separated by narrow yellow bands; the red and blue bands are

separated from the green band and its arms by narrow white stripes

South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands

blue, with the flag of

the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the South Georgia and

the South Sandwich Islands coat of arms centered on the outer half

of the flag; the coat of arms features a shield with a golden lion

centered; the shield is supported by a fur seal on the left and a

penguin on the right; a reindeer appears above the shield, and below

it on a scroll is the motto LEO TERRAM PROPRIAM PROTEGAT (Let the

Lion Protect its Own Land)

Spain

three horizontal bands of red (top), yellow (double width),

and red with the national coat of arms on the hoist side of the

yellow band; the coat of arms includes the royal seal framed by the

Pillars of Hercules, which are the two promontories (Gibraltar and

Ceuta) on either side of the eastern end of the Strait of Gibraltar

Sri Lanka

yellow with two panels; the smaller hoist-side panel has

two equal vertical bands of green (hoist side) and orange; the other

panel is a large dark red rectangle with a yellow lion holding a

sword, and there is a yellow bo leaf in each corner; the yellow

field appears as a border around the entire flag and extends between

the two panels

Sudan

three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black

with a green isosceles triangle based on the hoist side

Suriname

five horizontal bands of green (top, double width), white,

red (quadruple width), white, and green (double width); there is a

large, yellow, five-pointed star centered in the red band

Svalbard

the flag of Norway is used

Swaziland

three horizontal bands of blue (top), red (triple width),

and blue; the red band is edged in yellow; centered in the red band

is a large black and white shield covering two spears and a staff

decorated with feather tassels, all placed horizontally

Sweden

blue with a golden yellow cross extending to the edges of the

flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in

the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag)

Switzerland

red square with a bold, equilateral white cross in the

center that does not extend to the edges of the flag

Syria

three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black,

colors associated with the Arab Liberation flag; two small green

five-pointed stars in a horizontal line centered in the white band;

former flag of the United Arab Republic where the two stars

represented the constituent states of Syria and Egypt; similar to

the flag of Yemen, which has a plain white band, Iraq, which has

three green stars (plus an Arabic inscription) in a horizontal line

centered in the white band, and that of Egypt, which has a gold

Eagle of Saladin centered in the white band; the current design

dates to 1980

Taiwan

red with a dark blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner

bearing a white sun with 12 triangular rays

Tajikistan

three horizontal stripes of red (top), a wider stripe of

white, and green; a gold crown surmounted by seven gold,

five-pointed stars is located in the center of the white stripe

Tanzania

divided diagonally by a yellow-edged black band from the

lower hoist-side corner; the upper triangle (hoist side) is green

and the lower triangle is blue

Thailand

five horizontal bands of red (top), white, blue (double

width), white, and red

Togo

five equal horizontal bands of green (top and bottom)

alternating with yellow; there is a white five-pointed star on a red

square in the upper hoist-side corner; uses the popular pan-African

colors of Ethiopia

Tokelau

the flag of New Zealand is used

Tonga

red with a bold red cross on a white rectangle in the upper

hoist-side corner

Trinidad and Tobago

red with a white-edged black diagonal band from

the upper hoist side to the lower fly side

Tromelin Island

the flag of France is used

Tunisia

red with a white disk in the center bearing a red crescent

nearly encircling a red five-pointed star; the crescent and star are

traditional symbols of Islam

Turkey

red with a vertical white crescent (the closed portion is

toward the hoist side) and white five-pointed star centered just

outside the crescent opening

Turkmenistan

green field with a vertical red stripe near the hoist

side, containing five carpet guls (designs used in producing rugs)

stacked above two crossed olive branches similar to the olive

branches on the UN flag; a white crescent moon and five white stars

appear in the upper corner of the field just to the fly side of the

red stripe

Turks and Caicos Islands

blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper

hoist-side quadrant and the colonial shield centered on the outer

half of the flag; the shield is yellow and contains a conch shell,

lobster, and cactus

Tuvalu

light blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side

quadrant; the outer half of the flag represents a map of the country

with nine yellow five-pointed stars symbolizing the nine islands

Uganda

six equal horizontal bands of black (top), yellow, red,

black, yellow, and red; a white disk is superimposed at the center

and depicts a red-crested crane (the national symbol) facing the

hoist side

Ukraine

two equal horizontal bands of azure (top) and golden yellow

represent grainfields under a blue sky

United Arab Emirates

three equal horizontal bands of green (top),

white, and black with a wider vertical red band on the hoist side

United Kingdom

blue field with the red cross of Saint George (patron

saint of England) edged in white superimposed on the diagonal red

cross of Saint Patrick (patron saint of Ireland), which is

superimposed on the diagonal white cross of Saint Andrew (patron

saint of Scotland); properly known as the Union Flag, but commonly

called the Union Jack; the design and colors (especially the Blue

Ensign) have been the basis for a number of other flags including

other Commonwealth countries and their constituent states or

provinces, as well as British overseas territories

United States

13 equal horizontal stripes of red (top and bottom)

alternating with white; there is a blue rectangle in the upper

hoist-side corner bearing 50 small, white, five-pointed stars

arranged in nine offset horizontal rows of six stars (top and

bottom) alternating with rows of five stars; the 50 stars represent

the 50 states, the 13 stripes represent the 13 original colonies;

known as Old Glory; the design and colors have been the basis for a

number of other flags, including Chile, Liberia, Malaysia, and

Puerto Rico

Uruguay

nine equal horizontal stripes of white (top and bottom)

alternating with blue; there is a white square in the upper

hoist-side corner with a yellow sun bearing a human face known as

the Sun of May and 16 rays alternately triangular and wavy

Uzbekistan

three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, and

green separated by red fimbriations with a white crescent moon and

12 white stars in the upper hoist-side quadrant

Vanuatu

two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green with a

black isosceles triangle (based on the hoist side) all separated by

a black-edged yellow stripe in the shape of a horizontal Y (the two

points of the Y face the hoist side and enclose the triangle);

centered in the triangle is a boar's tusk encircling two crossed

namele leaves, all in yellow

Venezuela

three equal horizontal bands of yellow (top), blue, and

red with the coat of arms on the hoist side of the yellow band and

an arc of seven white five-pointed stars centered in the blue band

Vietnam

red with a large yellow five-pointed star in the center

Virgin Islands

white, with a modified US coat of arms in the center

between the large blue initials V and I; the coat of arms shows a

yellow eagle holding an olive branch in one talon and three arrows

in the other with a superimposed shield of vertical red and white

stripes below a blue panel

Wake Island

the flag of the US is used

Wallis and Futuna

a large white modified Maltese cross - shifted a

little off center toward the fly and slightly downward - on a red

background; the flag of France outlined in white on two sides is in

the upper hoist quadrant; the flag of France is used for official

occasions

Yemen

three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black;

similar to the flag of Syria, which has two green stars and of Iraq

which has three green stars (plus an Arabic inscription) in a

horizontal line centered in the white band; also similar to the flag

of Egypt, which has a heraldic eagle centered in the white band

Zambia

green with a panel of three vertical bands of red (hoist

side), black, and orange below a soaring orange eagle, on the outer

edge of the flag

Zimbabwe

seven equal horizontal bands of green, yellow, red, black,

red, yellow, and green with a white isosceles triangle edged in

black with its base on the hoist side; a yellow Zimbabwe bird

representing the long history of the country is superimposed on a

red five-pointed star in the center of the triangle, which

symbolizes peace; green symbolizes agriculture, yellow - mineral

wealth, red - blood shed to achieve independence, and black stands

for the native people

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2085 Highways (km)

Afghanistan

total: 21,000 km

paved: 2,793 km

unpaved: 18,207 km (1999 est.)

Albania

total: 18,000 km

paved: 5,400 km

unpaved: 12,600 km (2002)

Algeria

total: 104,000 km

paved: 71,656 km (including 640 km of expressways)

unpaved: 32,344 km (1999)

American Samoa

total: 185 km

paved: 185 km

unpaved: 0 km (2004)

Andorra

total: 269 km

paved: 198 km

unpaved: 71 km

Angola

total: 51,429 km

paved: 5,328 km

unpaved: 46,101 km (2001)

Anguilla

total: 105 km

paved: 65 km

unpaved: 40 km (1997)

Antigua and Barbuda

total: 250 km (1999 est.)

Argentina

total: 215,471 km

paved: 63,348 km (including 734 km of expressways)

unpaved: 152,123 km (1999)

Armenia

total: 8,431 km

paved: 8,161 km (includes 7,567 km of expressways)

unpaved: 270 km (2002)

Aruba

total: 800 km

paved: 513 km

unpaved: 287 km

note: most coastal roads are paved, while unpaved roads serve large

tracts of the interior (1995)

Australia

total: 811,603 km

paved: 314,090 km (including 18,619 km of expressways)

unpaved: 497,513 km (1999 est.)

Austria

total: 200,000 km

paved: 200,000 km (including 1,645 km of expressways)

unpaved: 0 km (2002)

Azerbaijan

total: 28,030 km

paved: 25,890 km

unpaved: 2,130 km (2002)

Bahamas, The

total: 2,693 km

paved: 1,546 km

unpaved: 1,147 km (1999 est.)

Bahrain

total: 3,459 km

paved: 2,653 km

unpaved: 806 km (2002)

Bangladesh

total: 207,486 km

paved: 19,773 km

unpaved: 187,713 km (1999)

Barbados

total: 1,600 km

paved: 1,578 km

unpaved: 22 km (2002)

Belarus

total: 79,990 km

paved: 69,351 km

unpaved: 10,639 km (2002)

Belgium

total: 149,028 km

paved: 116,540 km (including 1,729 km of expressways)

unpaved: 32,488 km (2002)

Belize

total: 2,872 km

paved: 488 km

unpaved: 2,384 km (1999 est.)

Benin

total: 6,787 km

paved: 1,357 km (including 10 km of expressways)

unpaved: 5,430 km (1999 est.)

Bermuda total: 450 km paved: 450 km unpaved: 0 km note: public roads - 209 km; private roads - 241 km (2002)

Bhutan

total: 4,007 km

paved: 24 km

unpaved: 3,983 km (2002)

Bolivia

total: 60,282 km

paved: 3,979 km

unpaved: 56,303 km (2002)

Bosnia and Herzegovina

total: 21,846 km

paved: 11,424 km

unpaved: 10,422 km (1999 est.)

Botswana

total: 10,217 km

paved: 5,619 km

unpaved: 4,598 km (1999)

Brazil

total: 1,724,929 km

paved: 94,871 km

unpaved: 1,630,058 km (2000)

British Indian Ocean Territory

total: NA km

paved: short section of paved road between port and airfield on

Diego Garcia

unpaved: NA km

British Virgin Islands

total: 177 km

paved: 177 km

unpaved: 0 km (2000)

Brunei

total: 2,525 km

paved: 2,525 km

unpaved: 0 km (2000)

Bulgaria

total: 37,077 km

paved: 34,111 km (including 328 km of expressways)

unpaved: 2,966 km (2002)

Burkina Faso

total: 12,506 km

paved: 2,001 km

unpaved: 10,505 km (1999)

Burma

total: 28,200 km

paved: 3,440 km

unpaved: 24,760 km (1996 est.)

Burundi

total: 14,480 km

paved: 1,028 km

unpaved: 13,452 km (1999 est.)

Cambodia

total: 12,323 km

paved: 1,996 km

unpaved: 10,327 km (2000 est)

Cameroon

total: 34,300 km

paved: 4,288 km

unpaved: 30,012 km (1999 est.)

Canada

total: 1,408,800 km

paved: 497,306 km (including 16,900 km of expressways)

unpaved: 911,494 km (2002)

Cape Verde

total: 1,350 km

paved: 932 km

unpaved: 418 km (2000)

Cayman Islands total: 785 km paved: 785 km (2000)

Central African Republic

total: 23,810 km

paved: 643 km

unpaved: 23,167 km (1999 est.)

Chad

total: 33,400 km

paved: 267 km

unpaved: 33,133 km (1999 est.)

Chile

total: 79,605 km

paved: 16,080 km (including 407 km of expressways)

unpaved: 63,525 km (2001)

China

total: 1,765,222 km

paved: 395,410 km (with at least 25,130 km of expressways)

unpaved: 1,369,812 km (2002 est.)

Christmas Island

total: 240 km

paved: 30 km

unpaved: 210 km (2000)

Cocos (Keeling) Islands

total: 15 km

paved: NA km

unpaved: NA km (2003)

Colombia

total: 112,998 km

paved: 26,000 km

unpaved: 84,000 km (2000)

Comoros

total: 880 km

paved: 673 km

unpaved: 207 km (1999 est)

Congo, Democratic Republic of the total: 157,000 km (including 30 km of expressways) paved: NA km unpaved: NA km (1999 est.)

Congo, Republic of the

total: 12,800 km

paved: 1,242 km

unpaved: 11,558 km (1999 est.)

Cook Islands

total: 320 km

paved: 33 km

unpaved: 287 km (2000)

Costa Rica

total: 35,303 km

paved: 4,236 km

unpaved: 31,067 km (2002)

Cote d'Ivoire

total: 50,400 km

paved: 4,889 km

unpaved: 45,511 km (1999 est.)

Croatia

total: 28,344 km

paved: 23,979 km (including 455 km of expressways)

unpaved: 4,365 km (2002)

Cuba

total: 60,858 km

paved: 29,820 km (including 638 km of expressway)

unpaved: 31,038 km (1999 est.)

Cyprus

total: 13,943 km (Republic of Cyprus: 11,593 km; north

Cyprus: 2,350 km)

paved: Republic of Cyprus: 7,211 km; north Cyprus: 1,370 km

unpaved: Republic of Cyprus: 4,382 km; north Cyprus: 980 km

(2002/1996 est.)

Czech Republic

total: 127,204 km

paved: 127,204 km (including 518 km of expressways)

unpaved: 0 km (2002)

Denmark

total: 71,847 km

paved: 71,847 km (including 918 km of expressways)

unpaved: 0 km (2002)

Djibouti

total: 2,890 km

paved: 364 km

unpaved: 2,526 km (1999 est.)

Dominica

total: 780 km

paved: 393 km

unpaved: 387 km (1999 est.)

Dominican Republic

total: 12,600 km

paved: 6,224 km

unpaved: 6,376 km (1999)

East Timor

total: 3,800 km

paved: 428 km

unpaved: 3,372 km (1995)

Ecuador

total: 43,197 km

paved: 8,164 km

unpaved: 35,033 km (2002)

Egypt

total: 64,000 km

paved: 49,984 km

unpaved: 14,016 km (1999 est.)

El Salvador

total: 10,029 km

paved: 1,986 km (including 327 km of expressways)

unpaved: 8,043 km (1999 est.)

Equatorial Guinea

total: 2,880 km (1999 est.)

Eritrea

total: 4,010 km

paved: 874 km

unpaved: 3,136 km (1999 est.)

Estonia

total: 55,944 km

paved: 13,874 km (including 99 km of expressways)

unpaved: 42,070 km (2002)

Ethiopia

total: 33,297 km

paved: 3,996 km

unpaved: 29,301 km (2002)

European Union total: 4,634,810 km (including 56,704 km of expressways) paved: 4,161,318 km unpaved: 473,492 km (1999-2000)

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

total: 440 km

paved: 50 km

unpaved: 390 km (2002)

Faroe Islands

total: 463 km

paved: 454 km

unpaved: 9 km (1999)

Fiji

total: 3,440 km

paved: 1,692 km

unpaved: 1,748 km (1999 est.)

Finland

total: 78,197 km

paved: 50,539 km (including 794 km of expressways)

unpaved: 27,658 km (2004)

France

total: 893,100 km

paved: 893,100 km (including 12,000 km of expressways)

unpaved: 0 km (2002)

French Guiana

total: 817 km (1998)

French Polynesia

total: 2,590 km

paved: 1,735 km

unpaved: 855 km (1999)

Gabon

total: 8,464 km

paved: 838 km

unpaved: 7,626 km (2000 est.)

Gambia, The

total: 2,700 km

paved: 956 km

unpaved: 1,744 km (1999)

Gaza Strip total: NA km paved: NA km unpaved: NA km note: small, poorly developed road network

Georgia

total: 20,229 km

paved: 18,914 km

unpaved: 1,315 km (2002)

Germany

total: 230,735 km

paved: 230,735 km (including 11,515 km of expressways)

unpaved: 0 km (1999)

Ghana

total: 46,176 km

paved: 8,496 km

unpaved: 37,679 km (1999 est.)

Gibraltar

total: 29 km

paved: 29 km

unpaved: 0 km (2002)

Greece

total: 117,000 km

paved: 107,406 km (including 470 km of expressways)

unpaved: 9,594 km (1999 est.)

Greenland

total: NA (there are no roads between towns) (2003)

Grenada total: 1,040 km paved: 638 km unpaved: 402 km (1999 est.)

Guadeloupe

total: 947 km (2002)

Guam

total: 977 km

paved: 962 km

unpaved: 15 km (2004)

Guatemala

total: 14,118 km

paved: 4,871 km (including 74 km of expressways)

unpaved: 9,247 km (1999)

Guernsey

total: NA km

paved: NA km

unpaved: NA km

Guinea

total: 30,500 km

paved: 5,033 km

unpaved: 25,467 km (1999 est.)

Guinea-Bissau

total: 4,400 km

paved: 453 km

unpaved: 3,947 km (1999 est.)

Guyana

total: 7,970 km

paved: 590 km

unpaved: 7,380 km (1999 est.)

Haiti

total: 4,160 km

paved: 1,011 km

unpaved: 3,149 km (1999 est.)

Holy See (Vatican City)

none; all city streets

Honduras

total: 13,603 km

paved: 2,775 km

unpaved: 10,828 km (1999 est.)

Hong Kong

total: 1,831 km

paved: 1,831 km

unpaved: 0 km (1999 est.)

Hungary

total: 159,568 km

paved: 70,050 km (including 533 km of expressways)

unpaved: 89,518 km (2002)

Iceland

total: 13,004 km

paved/oiled gravel: 4,331 km

unpaved: 8,673 km (2004)

India

total: 2,525,989 km

paved: 1,448,655 km

unpaved: 1,077,334 km (1999)

Indonesia

total: 342,700 km

paved: 158,670 km

unpaved: 184,030 km (1999 est.)

Iran

total: 167,157 km

paved: 94,109 km (including 890 km of expressways)

unpaved: 73,048 km (1998)

Iraq

total: 45,550 km

paved: 38,399 km

unpaved: 7,151 km (1999)

Ireland

total: 95,736 km

paved: 95,736 km (including 125 km of expressways)

unpaved: 0 km (2002)

Israel

total: 16,903 km

paved: 16,903 km (including 56 km of expressways)

unpaved: 0 km (2002)

Italy

total: 479,688 km

paved: 479,688 km (including 6,621 km of expressways)

unpaved: 0 km (1999)

Jamaica

total: 18,700 km

paved: 13,109 km

unpaved: 5,591 km (1999 est.)

Japan

total: 1,171,647 km

paved: 903,340 km (including 6,851 km of expressways)

unpaved: 268,307 km (2001)

Jersey

total: 577 km

paved: NA km

unpaved: NA km

Jordan

total: 7,301 km

paved: 7,301 km

unpaved: 0 km (2002)

Kazakhstan

total: 82,980 km

paved: 77,918 km

unpaved: 5,062 km (2002)

Kenya

total: 63,942 km

paved: 7,737 km

unpaved: 56,205 km (2000)

Kiribati

total: 670 km

paved: NA km

unpaved: NA km (1999 est.)

Korea, North

total: 31,200 km

paved: 1,997 km

unpaved: 29,203 km (1999 est.)

Korea, South

total: 86,990 km

paved: 66,721 km (including 1,996 km of expressways)

unpaved: 20,269 km (2001)

Kuwait

total: 4,450 km

paved: 3,587 km

unpaved: 863 km (1999 est.)

Kyrgyzstan

total: 18,500 km

paved: 16,854 km (including 140 km of expressways)

unpaved: 1,646 km (1999 est.)

Laos

total: 21,716 km

paved: 9,664 km

unpaved: 12,052 km (1999 est.)

Latvia

total: 60,472 km

paved: 57,206 km

unpaved: 3,265 km (2002)

Lebanon

total: 7,300 km

paved: 6,198 km

unpaved: 1,102 km (1999 est.)

Lesotho

total: 5,940 km

paved: 1,087 km

unpaved: 4,853 km (1999)

Liberia

total: 10,600 km

paved: 657 km

unpaved: 9,943 km (1999 est.)

Libya

total: 83,200 km

paved: 47,590 km

unpaved: 35,610 km (1999 est.)

Liechtenstein

total: 250 km

paved: 250 km

unpaved: 0 km

Lithuania

total: 77,148 km

paved: 69,202 km (including 417 km of expressways)

unpaved: 7,946 km (2002)

Luxembourg

total: 5,210 km

paved: 5,210 km (including 126 km of expressways)

unpaved: 0 km (2002)

Macau

total: 341 km

paved: 341 km

unpaved: 0 km (2002)

Macedonia

total: 8,684 km

paved: 5,540 km (including 133 km of expressways)

unpaved: 3,144 km (1999 est.)

Madagascar

total: 49,827 km

paved: 5,780 km

unpaved: 44,047 km (1999 est.)

Malawi

total: 28,400 km

paved: 5,254 km

unpaved: 23,146 km (1999 est.)

Malaysia

total: 65,877 km

paved: 51,318 km

unpaved: 14,559 km (2001)

Maldives

total: NA km

paved: NA km

unpaved: NA km

Mali

total: 15,100 km

paved: 1,827 km

unpaved: 13,273 km (1999 est.)

Malta

total: 2,222 km

paved: 2,000 km

unpaved: 222 km (2002)

Man, Isle of

total: 800 km

paved: 800 km

unpaved: 0 km (1999)

Marshall Islands total: 64.5 km paved: 64.5 km unpaved: NA km note: paved roads on major islands (Majuro, Kwajalein), otherwise stone-, coral-, or laterite-surfaced roads and tracks (2002)

Martinique total: 2,105 km (2000)

Mauritania

total: 7,660 km

paved: 866 km

unpaved: 6,794 km (1999 est.)

Mauritius

total: 2,000 km

paved: 1,960 km (including 60 km of expressways)

unpaved: 40 km (2002)

Mayotte

total: 93 km

paved: 72 km

unpaved: 21 km

Mexico

total: 329,532 km

paved: 108,087 km (including 6,429 km of expressways)

unpaved: 221,445 km (1999 est.)

Micronesia, Federated States of

total: 240 km

paved: 42 km

unpaved: 198 km (1999 est.)

Midway Islands

total: NA km

paved: NA km

unpaved: NA km

Moldova

total: 12,719 km

paved: 10,977 km

unpaved: 1,742 km (2002)

Monaco

total: 50 km

paved: 50 km

unpaved: 0 km (1999 est.)

Mongolia

total: 49,256 km

paved: 8,874 km

unpaved: 40,376 km (2002)

Montserrat

total: 227 km

paved: NA km

unpaved: NA km

note: volcanic eruptions beginning in 1995 destroyed most of the

road system (2003)

Morocco

total: 57,694 km

paved: 32,551 km (including 481 km of expressways)

unpaved: 25,143 km (2002)

Mozambique

total: 30,400 km

paved: 5,685 km

unpaved: 24,715 km (1999 est.)

Namibia

total: 42,237 km

paved: 5,406 km

unpaved: 36,831 km (2002)

Nauru

total: 30 km

paved: 24 km

unpaved: 6 km (1999 est.)

Nepal

total: 13,223 km

paved: 4,073 km

unpaved: 9,150 km (1999 est.)

Netherlands

total: 116,500 km

paved: 104,850 km (including 2,235 km of expressways)

unpaved: 11,650 km (1999)

Netherlands Antilles

total: 600 km

paved: 300 km

unpaved: 300 km

New Caledonia

total: 5,432 km (2000)

New Zealand

total: 92,382 km

paved: 59,124 km (including at least 169 km of expressways)

unpaved: 33,258 km (2002)

Nicaragua

total: 18,712 km

paved: 2,126 km

unpaved: 16,586 km (2002)

Niger

total: 10,100 km

paved: 798 km

unpaved: 9,302 km (1999 est.)

Nigeria

total: 194,394 km

paved: 60,068 km (including 1,194 km of expressways)

unpaved: 134,326 km (1999 est.)

Niue

total: 234 km

paved: 86 km

unpaved: 148 km (2001)

Norfolk Island

total: 80 km

paved: 53 km

unpaved: 27 km (2001)

Northern Mariana Islands

total: 362 km

paved: NA km

unpaved: NA km (1991)

Norway

total: 91,852 km

paved: 71,185 km (including 178 km of expressways)

unpaved: 20,667 km (2002)

Oman

total: 34,965 km

paved: 9,673 km (including 550 km of expressways)

unpaved: 25,292 km (2001)

Pakistan

total: 257,683 km

paved: 152,033 km (including 339 km of expressways)

unpaved: 105,650 km (2001)

Palau

total: 61 km

paved: 36 km

unpaved: 25 km

Palmyra Atoll

most of the roads and many causeways built during

World War II are unserviceable and overgrown (2001)

Panama

total: 11,643 km

paved: 4,028 km (including 30 km of expressways)

unpaved: 7,615 km (2000 est.)

Papua New Guinea

total: 19,600 km

paved: 686 km

unpaved: 18,914 km (1999 est.)

Paraguay

total: 29,500 km

paved: 14,986 km

unpaved: 14,514 km (1999 est)

Peru

total: 78,230 km

paved: 10,452 km

unpaved: 67,778 km (2001)

Philippines

total: 202,124 km

paved: 19,202 km

unpaved: 182,922 km (2002)

Pitcairn Islands

total: 6.4 km

paved: 0 km

unpaved: 6.4 km

Poland

total: 364,697 km

paved: 249,088 km (including 399 km of expressways)

unpaved: 115,609 km (2001)

Portugal

total: 17,135 km

paved: 14,736 km (including 1,659 km of expressways)

unpaved: 2,399 km (2002)

Puerto Rico

total: 25,328 km

paved: 23,665 km (including 426 km of expressways)

unpaved: 1,363 km (2004)

Qatar

total: 1,230 km

paved: 1,107 km

unpaved: 123 km (1999 est.)

Reunion

total: 1,214 km (including 88 km of four-lane roads) (2001)

Romania

total: 198,755 km

paved: 100,173 km (including 113 km of expressways)

unpaved: 98,582 km (2002)

Russia

total: 537,289 km

paved: 362,133 km

unpaved: 175,156 km (2001)

Rwanda

total: 12,000 km

paved: 996 km

unpaved: 11,004 km (1999 est.)

Saint Helena

total: 198 km (Saint Helena 138 km, Ascension 40 km,

Tristan da Cunha 20 km)

paved: 168 km (Saint Helena 118km, Ascension 40 km, Tristan da Cunha

10 km)

unpaved: 30 km (Saint Helena 20 km, Ascension 0 km, Tristan da Cunha

10 km) (2000)

Saint Kitts and Nevis

total: 320 km

paved: 136 km

unpaved: 184 km (1999 est)

Saint Lucia

total: 1,210 km

paved: 63 km

unpaved: 1,147 km (1999 est.)

Saint Pierre and Miquelon

total: 114 km

paved: 69 km

unpaved: 45 km

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

total: 829 km

paved: 580 km

unpaved: 249 km (2002)

Samoa

total: 790 km

paved: 332 km

unpaved: 458 km (1999 est.)

San Marino

total: 220 km

paved: 220 km

unpaved: 0 km (2001)

Sao Tome and Principe

total: 320 km

paved: 218 km

unpaved: 102 km (1999 est.)

Saudi Arabia

total: 152,044 km

paved: 45,461 km

unpaved: 106,583 km (2000)

Senegal

total: 14,576 km

paved: 4,271 km including 7 km of expressways

unpaved: 10,305 km (2000)

Serbia and Montenegro

total: 45,290 km

paved: 28,261 km (including 374 km of expressways)

unpaved: 17,029 km (2002)

Seychelles

total: 373 km

paved: 315 km

unpaved: 58 km (1997 est.)

Sierra Leone

total: 11,300 km

paved: 904 km

unpaved: 10,396 km (2002)

Singapore

total: 3,130 km

paved: 3,130 km (including 150 km of expressways)

unpaved: 0 km (2002)

Slovakia

total: 42,970 km

paved: 37,698 km (including 302 km of expressways)

unpaved: 5,272 km (2002)

Slovenia

total: 20,250 km

paved: 20,250 km (including 456 km of expressways)

unpaved: 0 km (2002)

Solomon Islands

total: 1,360 km

paved: 34 km

unpaved: 1,326 km (1999 est.)

Somalia

total: 22,100 km

paved: 2,608 km

unpaved: 19,492 km (1999 est.)

South Africa

total: 275,971 km

paved: 57,568 km (including 2,032 km of expressways)

unpaved: 218,403 km (2002)

Spain

total: 664,852 km

paved: 658,203 km (including 11,152 km of expressways)

unpaved: 6,649 km (2001)

Sri Lanka

total: 11,650 km

paved: 11,068 km

unpaved: 582 km (2002)

Sudan

total: 11,900 km

paved: 4,320 km

unpaved: 7,580 km (1999 est.)

Suriname

total: 4,492 km

paved: 1,168 km

unpaved: 3,324 km (2002)

Svalbard

total: NA km

paved: NA km

unpaved: NA km

Swaziland

total: 3,107 km

paved: NA

unpaved: NA (2000)

Sweden

total: 213,237 km

paved: 167,604 km (including 1,542 km of expressways)

unpaved: 45,633 km (2002)

Switzerland

total: 71,212 km

paved: 71,212 km (including 1,706 of expressways)

unpaved: 0 km (2002)

Syria

total: 45,697 km

paved: 6,489 km (including 1,001 km of expressways)

unpaved: 39,208 km (2002)

Taiwan

total: 37,299 km

paved: 35,621 km (including 608 km of expressways)

unpaved: 1,678 km (2002)

Tajikistan

total: 27,767 km

paved: NA

unpaved: NA (2000)

Tanzania

total: 88,200 km

paved: 3,704 km

unpaved: 84,496 km (1999 est.)

Thailand

total: 57,403 km

paved: 56,542 km

unpaved: 861 km (2000 est.)

Togo

total: 7,520 km

paved: 2,376 km

unpaved: 5,144 km (1999 est.)

Tokelau

total: NA

paved: NA

unpaved: NA

Tonga

total: 680 km

paved: 184 km

unpaved: 496 km (1999 est.)

Trinidad and Tobago

total: 8,320 km

paved: 4,252 km

unpaved: 4,068 km (1999 est.)

Tunisia

total: 18,997 km

paved: 12,424 km (including 142 km of expressways)

unpaved: 6,573 km (2001)

Turkey

total: 354,421 km

paved: 147,404 km (including 1,851 km of expressways)

unpaved: 207,017 km (2002)

Turkmenistan

total: 24,000 km

paved: 19,488 km

unpaved: 4,512 km (1999 est.)

Turks and Caicos Islands

total: 121 km

paved: 24 km

unpaved: 97 km (2000)

Tuvalu

total: 8 km

paved: 0 km

unpaved: 8 km (1999 est.)

Uganda

total: 27,000 km

paved: 1,809 km

unpaved: 25,191 km (1999 est.)

Ukraine

total: 169,679 km

paved: 164,249 km

unpaved: 5,430 km (2002)

United Arab Emirates

total: 1,088 km

paved: 1,088 km (including 253 km of expressways)

unpaved: 0 km (1999 est.)

United Kingdom

total: 392,931 km

paved: 392,931 km (including 3,431 km of expressways)

unpaved: 0 km (2003)

United States

total: 6,393,603 km

paved: 4,180,053 km (including 74,406 km of expressways)

unpaved: 2,213,550 km (2003)

Uruguay

total: 8,983 km

paved: 8,081 km

unpaved: 902 km (1999 est.)

Uzbekistan

total: 81,600 km

paved: 71,237 km

unpaved: 10,363 km (1999 est.)

Vanuatu

total: 1,070 km

paved: 256 km

unpaved: 814 km (1999 est.)

Venezuela

total: 96,155 km

paved: 32,308 km

unpaved: 63,847 km (1999 est.)

Vietnam

total: 93,300 km

paved: 23,418 km

unpaved: 69,882 km (1999 est.)

Virgin Islands total: 1,257 km paved: 1,192 km unpaved: 65 km note: the only US possession where driving on the left side of the road is practiced (2003)

Wallis and Futuna total: 120 km (Ile Uvea 100 km, Ile Futuna 20 km) paved: 16 km (all on Ile Uvea) unpaved: 104 km (Ile Uvea 84 km, Ile Futuna 20 km)

West Bank

total: 4,500 km

paved: 2,700 km

unpaved: 1,800 km

note: Israelis have developed many highways to service Jewish

settlements (1997 est.)

Western Sahara

total: 6,200 km

paved: 1,350 km

unpaved: 4,850 km (1991 est)

World

total: 32,345,165 km

paved: 19,403,061 km

unpaved: 12,942,104 km (2002)

Yemen

total: 67,000 km

paved: 7,705 km

unpaved: 59,295 km (1999 est.)

Zambia

total: 91,440 km

paved: 20,117 km

unpaved: 71,323 km (2001)

Zimbabwe

total: 18,338 km

paved: 8,692 km

unpaved: 9,646 km (1999 est.)

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2086 Illicit drugs

Afghanistan

world's largest producer of opium; cultivation of opium

poppy reached unprecedented level of 206,700 hectares in 2004;

counterdrug efforts largely unsuccessful; potential opium production

of 4,950 metric tons; potential heroin production of 582 metric tons

if all opium was processed; source of hashish; many

narcotics-processing labs throughout the country; drug trade source

of instability and some antigovernment groups profit from the trade;

80-90% of the heroin consumed in Europe comes from Afghan opium;

vulnerable to narcotics money laundering through informal financial

networks

Albania

increasingly active transshipment point for Southwest Asian

opiates, hashish, and cannabis transiting the Balkan route and - to

a far lesser extent - cocaine from South America destined for

Western Europe; limited opium and growing cannabis production;

ethnic Albanian narcotrafficking organizations active and expanding

in Europe; vulnerable to money laundering associated with regional

trafficking in narcotics, arms, contraband, and illegal aliens

Angola

used as a transshipment point for cocaine destined for

Western Europe and other African states

Anguilla

transshipment point for South American narcotics destined

for the US and Europe

Antigua and Barbuda

considered a minor transshipment point for

narcotics bound for the US and Europe; more significant as an

offshore financial center

Argentina

used as a transshipment country for cocaine headed for

Europe and the US; some money-laundering activity, especially in the

Tri-Border Area; domestic consumption of drugs in urban centers is

increasing

Armenia

illicit cultivation of small amount of cannabis for domestic

consumption; used as a transit point for illicit drugs - mostly

opium and hashish - moving from Southwest Asia to Russia and to a

lesser extent the rest of Europe

Aruba

transit point for US- and Europe-bound narcotics with some

accompanying money-laundering activity

Australia

Tasmania is one of the world's major suppliers of licit

opiate products; government maintains strict controls over areas of

opium poppy cultivation and output of poppy straw concentrate

Austria

transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin and South

American cocaine destined for Western Europe

Azerbaijan

limited illicit cultivation of cannabis and opium poppy,

mostly for CIS consumption; small government eradication program;

transit point for Southwest Asian opiates bound for Russia and to a

lesser extent the rest of Europe

Bahamas, The

transshipment point for cocaine and marijuana bound for

US and Europe; offshore financial center

Bangladesh

transit country for illegal drugs produced in neighboring

countries

Barbados

one of many Caribbean transshipment points for narcotics

bound for Europe and the US; offshore financial center

Belarus

limited cultivation of opium poppy and cannabis, mostly for

the domestic market; transshipment point for illicit drugs to and

via Russia, and to the Baltics and Western Europe; a small and

lightly regulated financial center; new anti-money-laundering

legislation does not meet international standards; few

investigations or prosecutions of money-laundering activities

Belgium

growing producer of synthetic drugs; transit point for

US-bound ecstasy; source of precursor chemicals for South American

cocaine processors; transshipment point for cocaine, heroin,

hashish, and marijuana entering Western Europe; despite a

strengthening of legislation, the country remains vulnerable to

money laundering related to narcotics, automobiles, alcohol, and

tobacco

Belize

major transshipment point for cocaine; small-scale illicit

producer of cannabis for the international drug trade;

money-laundering activity related to narcotics trafficking and

offshore sector

Benin

transshipment point for narcotics associated with Nigerian

trafficking organizations and most commonly destined for Western

Europe and the US; vulnerable to money laundering due to a poorly

regulated financial infrastructure

Bolivia

world's third-largest cultivator of coca (after Colombia and

Peru) with an estimated 28,450 hectares under cultivation in June

2003, a 23% increase from June 2002; intermediate coca products and

cocaine exported mostly to or through Brazil, Argentina, and Chile

to European and US drug markets; eradication and alternative crop

programs under the MESA administration have been unable to keep pace

with farmers' attempts to increase cultivation; money-laundering

activity related to narcotics trade, especially along the borders

with Brazil and Paraguay

Bosnia and Herzegovina

minor transit point for marijuana and opiate

trafficking routes to Western Europe; remains highly vulnerable to

money-laundering activity given a primarily cash-based and

unregulated economy, weak law enforcement and instances of corruption

Brazil

illicit producer of cannabis; minor coca cultivation in the

Amazon region, used for domestic consumption; government has a

large-scale eradication program to control cannabis; important

transshipment country for Bolivian, Colombian, and Peruvian cocaine

headed for Europe and the US; also used by traffickers as a way

station for narcotics air transshipments between Peru and Colombia;

upsurge in drug-related violence and weapons smuggling; important

market for Colombian, Bolivian, and Peruvian cocaine; illicit

narcotics proceeds earned in Brazil are often laundered through the

financial system; significant illicit financial activity in the

Tri-Border Area

British Virgin Islands

transshipment point for South American

narcotics destined for the US and Europe; large offshore financial

center makes it vulnerable to money laundering

Brunei

drug trafficking and illegally importing controlled

substances are serious offenses in Brunei and carry a mandatory

death penalty

Bulgaria

major European transshipment point for Southwest Asian

heroin and, to a lesser degree, South American cocaine for the

European market; limited producer of precursor chemicals; some money

laundering of drug-related proceeds through financial institutions

Burma

remains world's second largest producer of illicit opium

(estimated production in 2004 - 292 metric tons, down 40% from 2003

due to eradication efforts and drought; cultivation in 2004 - 30,900

hectares, a 34% decline from 2003); lack of government will and

ability to take on major narcotrafficking groups and lack of serious

commitment against money laundering continues to hinder the overall

antidrug effort; major source of methamphetamine and heroin for

regional consumption; currently under Financial Action Task Force

countermeasures due to continued failure to address its inadequate

money-laundering controls (2005)

Cambodia

narcotics-related corruption reportedly involving some in

the government, military, and police; possible small-scale opium,

heroin, and amphetamine production; large producer of cannabis for

the international market; vulnerable to money laundering due to its

cash-based economy and porous borders

Canada

illicit producer of cannabis for the domestic drug market and

export to US; use of hydroponics technology permits growers to plant

large quantities of high-quality marijuana indoors; transit point

for heroin and cocaine entering the US market; vulnerable to

narcotics money laundering because of its mature financial services

sector

Cape Verde

used as a transshipment point for illicit drugs moving

from Latin America and Asia destined for Western Europe; the lack of

a well-developed financial system limits the country's utility as a

money-laundering center

Cayman Islands

offshore financial center; vulnerable to drug

transshipment to the US and Europe

Chile

important transshipment country for cocaine destined for

Europe and the US; economic prosperity and increasing trade have

made Chile more attractive to traffickers seeking to launder drug

profits, especially through the Iquique Free Trade Zone, but a new

anti-money-laundering law improves controls; imported precursors

passed on to Bolivia; domestic cocaine consumption is rising

China

major transshipment point for heroin produced in the Golden

Triangle; growing domestic drug abuse problem; source country for

chemical precursors and methamphetamine

Colombia

illicit producer of coca, opium poppy, and cannabis;

world's leading coca cultivator (cultivation of coca in 2002 was

144,450 hectares, a 15% decline since 2001); potential production of

opium between 2001 and 2002 declined by 25% to 91 metric tons;

potential production of heroin declined to 11.3 metric tons; the

world's largest processor of coca derivatives into cocaine; supplier

of about 90% of the cocaine to the US market and the great majority

of cocaine to other international drug markets; important supplier

of heroin to the US market; active aerial eradication program; a

significant portion of non-US narcotics proceeds are either

laundered or invested in Colombia through the black market peso

exchange

Congo, Democratic Republic of the illicit producer of cannabis, mostly for domestic consumption; while rampant corruption and inadequate supervision leaves the banking system vulnerable to money laundering, the lack of a well-developed financial system limits the country's utility as a money-laundering center

Costa Rica

transshipment country for cocaine and heroin from South

America; illicit production of cannabis on small, scattered plots;

domestic cocaine consumption, particularly crack cocaine, is rising

Cote d'Ivoire

illicit producer of cannabis, mostly for local

consumption; transshipment point for Southwest and Southeast Asian

heroin to Europe and occasionally to the US, and for Latin American

cocaine destined for Europe and South Africa; while rampant

corruption and inadequate supervision leave the banking system

vulnerable to money laundering, the lack of a developed financial

system limits the country's utility as a major money-laundering

center

Croatia

transit point along the Balkan route for Southwest Asian

heroin to Western Europe; has been used as a transit point for

maritime shipments of South American cocaine bound for Western Europe

Cuba

territorial waters and air space serve as transshipment zone

primarily for marijuana bound for North America; established the

death penalty for certain drug-related crimes in 1999

Cyprus

minor transit point for heroin and hashish via air routes and

container traffic to Europe, especially from Lebanon and Turkey;

some cocaine transits as well; despite a strengthening of

anti-money-laundering legislation, remains highly vulnerable to

money laundering; identification of benefiting owners and reporting

of suspicious transactions by nonresident-controlled companies in

offshore sector remains weak

Czech Republic

transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin and

minor transit point for Latin American cocaine to Western Europe;

producer of synthetic drugs for local and regional markets;

susceptible to money laundering related to drug trafficking,

organized crime

Dominica

transshipment point for narcotics bound for the US and

Europe; minor cannabis producer; anti-money-laundering enforcement

is weak, making the country particularly vulnerable to money

laundering

Dominican Republic

transshipment point for South American drugs

destined for the US and Europe; has become a transshipment point for

ecstasy from the Netherlands and Belgium destined for US and Canada;

substantial money-laundering activity; Colombian narcotics

traffickers favor the Dominican Republic for illicit financial

transactions

East Timor

NA

Ecuador

significant transit country for cocaine originating in

Colombia and Peru; importer of precursor chemicals used in

production of illicit narcotics; attractive location for

cash-placement by drug traffickers laundering money because of

dollarization and weak anti-money-laundering regime, especially

vulnerable along the border with Colombia; increased activity on the

northern frontier by trafficking groups and Colombian insurgents

Egypt

transit point for Southwest Asian and Southeast Asian heroin

and opium moving to Europe, Africa, and the US; transit stop for

Nigerian couriers; concern as money-laundering site due to lax

financial regulations and enforcement

El Salvador

transshipment point for cocaine; small amounts of

marijuana produced for local consumption; domestic cocaine abuse on

the rise

Estonia

transshipment point for opiates and cannabis from Southwest

Asia and the Caucasus via Russia, cocaine from Latin America to

Western Europe and Scandinavia, and synthetic drugs from Western

Europe to Scandinavia; increasing domestic drug abuse problem;

possible precursor manufacturing and/or trafficking; potential money

laundering related to organized crime and drug trafficking is a

concern as is possible use of the gambling sector to launder funds

Ethiopia

Transit hub for heroin originating in Southwest and

Southeast Asia and destined for Europe and North America as well as

cocaine destined for markets in southern Africa; cultivates qat

(khat) for local use and regional export, principally to Djibouti

and Somalia (legal in all three countries); the lack of a

well-developed financial system limits the country's utility as a

money-laundering center

France

transshipment point for and consumer of South American

cocaine, Southwest Asian heroin, and European synthetics

French Guiana

small amount of marijuana grown for local consumption;

minor transshipment point to Europe

Georgia

limited cultivation of cannabis and opium poppy, mostly for

domestic consumption; used as transshipment point for opiates via

Central Asia to Western Europe and Russia

Germany

source of precursor chemicals for South American cocaine

processors; transshipment point for and consumer of Southwest Asian

heroin, Latin American cocaine, and European-produced synthetic

drugs; major financial center

Ghana

illicit producer of cannabis for the international drug trade;

major transit hub for Southwest and Southeast Asian heroin and, to a

lesser extent, South American cocaine destined for Europe and the

US; widespread crime and money laundering problem, but the lack of a

well-developed financial infrastructure limits the country's utility

as a money-laundering center

Greece

a gateway to Europe for traffickers smuggling cannabis and

heroin from the Middle East and Southwest Asia to the West and

precursor chemicals to the East; some South American cocaine

transits or is consumed in Greece; money laundering related to drug

trafficking and organized crime

Grenada

small-scale cannabis cultivation; lesser transshipment point

for marijuana and cocaine to US

Guatemala

major transit country for cocaine and heroin; minor

producer of illicit opium poppy and cannabis for mostly domestic

consumption; proximity to Mexico makes Guatemala a major staging

area for drugs (particularly for cocaine); money laundering is a

serious problem; corruption is a major problem; remains on Financial

Action Task Force Non-Cooperative Countries and Territories List for

continued failure to address deficiencies in money-laundering

control regime

Guyana

transshipment point for narcotics from South America -

primarily Venezuela - to Europe and the US; producer of cannabis

Haiti

major Caribbean transshipment point for cocaine en route to

the US and Europe; substantial money-laundering activity; Colombian

narcotics traffickers favor Haiti for illicit financial

transactions; pervasive corruption

Honduras

transshipment point for drugs and narcotics; illicit

producer of cannabis, cultivated on small plots and used principally

for local consumption; corruption is a major problem; some

money-laundering activity

Hong Kong

makes strenuous law enforcement efforts, but faces

difficult challenges in controlling transit of heroin and

methamphetamine to regional and world markets; modern banking system

provides conduit for money laundering; rising indigenous use of

synthetic drugs, especially among young people

Hungary

transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin and cannabis

and for South American cocaine destined for Western Europe; limited

producer of precursor chemicals, particularly for amphetamine and

methamphetamine; improving, but remains vulnerable to money

laundering related to organized crime and drug trafficking

India

world's largest producer of licit opium for the pharmaceutical

trade, but an undetermined quantity of opium is diverted to illicit

international drug markets; transit point for illicit narcotics

produced in neighboring countries; illicit producer of methaqualone;

vulnerable to narcotics money laundering through the hawala system

Indonesia

illicit producer of cannabis largely for domestic use;

possible growing role as transshipment point for Golden Triangle

heroin

Iran

despite substantial interdiction efforts, Iran remains a key

transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin to Europe; domestic

narcotics consumption remains a persistent problem and according to

official Iranian statistics there are at least two million drug

users in the country; lax anti-money-laundering regulations

Ireland

transshipment point for and consumer of hashish from North

Africa to the UK and Netherlands and of European-produced synthetic

drugs; minor transshipment point for heroin and cocaine destined for

Western Europe; despite recent legislation, narcotics-related money

laundering using bureaux de change, trusts, and shell companies

involving the offshore financial community remains a concern

Israel

increasingly concerned about cocaine and heroin abuse; drugs

arrive in country from Lebanon and, increasingly, from Jordan;

money-laundering center

Italy

important gateway for and consumer of Latin American cocaine

and Southwest Asian heroin entering the European market; money

laundering by organized crime and from smuggling

Jamaica

major transshipment point for cocaine from South America to

North America and Europe; illicit cultivation of cannabis;

government has an active manual cannabis eradication program;

corruption is a major concern; substantial money-laundering

activity; Colombian narcotics traffickers favor Jamaica for illicit

financial transactions

Kazakhstan

significant illicit cultivation of cannabis for CIS

markets, as well as limited cultivation of opium poppy and ephedra

(for the drug ephedrine); limited government eradication of illicit

crops; transit point for Southwest Asian narcotics bound for Russia

and the rest of Europe

Kenya

widespread harvesting of small plots of marijuana; transit

country for South Asian heroin destined for Europe and North

America; Indian methaqualone also transits on way to South Africa;

significant potential for money-laundering activity given the

country's status as a regional financial center; massive corruption,

and relatively high levels of narcotics-associated activities

Korea, North

for years, from the 1970's into the 2000's, citizens of

the Democratic People's Republic of (North) Korea (DPRK), many of

them diplomatic employees of the government, were apprehended abroad

while trafficking in narcotics, including two in Turkey in December

2004; in recent years, police investigations in Taiwan and Japan

have linked North Korea to large illicit shipments of heroin and

methamphetamine, including an attempt by the North Korean merchant

ship Pong Su to deliver 150 kg of heroin to Australia in April 2003;

all indications point to North Korea emerging as an important

regional source of illicit drugs targeting markets in Japan, Taiwan,

the Russian Far East, and China

Kyrgyzstan

limited illicit cultivation of cannabis and opium poppy

for CIS markets; limited government eradication of illicit crops;

transit point for Southwest Asian narcotics bound for Russia and the

rest of Europe

Laos

estimated cultivation in 2004 - 10,000 hectares, a 45% decrease

from 2003; estimated potential production in 2004 - 49 metric tons,

a significant decrease from 200 metric tons in 2003 (2005)

Latvia

transshipment point for opiates and cannabis from Central and

Southwest Asia to Western Europe and Scandinavia and Latin American

cocaine and some synthetics from Western Europe to CIS; vulnerable

to money laundering despite improved legislation due to nascent

enforcement capabilities and comparatively weak regulation of

offshore companies and the gaming industry; organized crime

(including counterfeiting, corruption, extortion, stolen cars, and

prostitution) accounts for most laundered proceeds

Lebanon

cannabis cultivation dramatically reduced to 2,500 hectares

in 2002; opium poppy cultivation minimal; small amounts of Latin

American cocaine and Southwest Asian heroin transit country on way

to European markets and for Middle Eastern consumption

Liberia

transshipment point for Southeast and Southwest Asian heroin

and South American cocaine for the European and US markets;

corruption, criminal activity, arms-dealing, and diamond trade

provide significant potential for money laundering, but the lack of

well-developed financial system limits the country's utility as a

major money-laundering center

Liechtenstein

has strengthened money-laundering controls, but money

laundering remains a concern due to Liechtenstein sophisticated

offshore financial services sector

Lithuania

transshipment point for opiates and other illicit drugs

from Southwest Asia, Latin America, and Western Europe to Western

Europe and Scandinavia; limited production of methamphetamine and

ecstasy; susceptible to money laundering despite changes to banking

legislation

Macedonia

major transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin and

hashish; minor transit point for South American cocaine destined for

Europe; although most criminal activity is thought to be domestic

and not a financial center, money laundering is a problem due to a

mostly cash-based economy and weak enforcement (no arrests or

prosecutions for money laundering to date)

Madagascar

illicit producer of cannabis (cultivated and wild

varieties) used mostly for domestic consumption; transshipment point

for heroin

Malaysia

transit point for some illicit drugs; drug trafficking

prosecuted vigorously and carries severe penalties

Malta

minor transshipment point for hashish from North Africa to

Western Europe

Martinique

transshipment point for cocaine and marijuana bound for

the US and Europe

Mauritius

minor consumer and transshipment point for heroin from

South Asia; small amounts of cannabis produced and consumed locally;

significant offshore financial industry creates potential for money

laundering, but corruption levels are relatively low and the

government appears generally to be committed to regulating its

banking industry

Mexico

illicit cultivation of opium poppy (cultivation in 2001 -

4,400 hectares; potential heroin production - 7 metric tons) and of

cannabis (in 2001 - 4,100 hectares); government eradication efforts

have been key in keeping illicit crop levels low; major supplier of

heroin and largest foreign supplier of marijuana and methamphetamine

to the US market; continues as the primary transshipment country for

US-bound cocaine from South America, accounting for about 70 percent

of estimated annual cocaine movement to the US; major drug

syndicates control majority of drug trafficking throughout the

country; producer and distributor of ecstasy; significant

money-laundering center

Moldova

limited cultivation of opium poppy and cannabis, mostly for

CIS consumption; transshipment point for illicit drugs from

Southwest Asia via Central Asia to Russia, Western Europe, and

possibly the US; widespread crime and underground economic activity

Montserrat

transshipment point for South American narcotics destined

for the US and Europe

Morocco

illicit producer of hashish; shipments of hashish mostly

directed to Western Europe; transit point for cocaine from South

America destined for Western Europe

Mozambique

Southern African transit point for South Asian hashish

and heroin, and South American cocaine probably destined for the

European and South African markets; producer of cannabis (for local

consumption) and methaqualone (for export to South Africa);

corruption and poor regulatory capability makes the banking system

vulnerable to money laundering, but the lack of a well-developed

financial infrastructure limits the country's utility as a

money-laundering center

Nauru

offshore banking recently stopped, remains on Financial Action

Task Force Non-Cooperative Countries and Territories List for

continued failure to address deficiencies in money-laundering

control regime

Nepal

illicit producer of cannabis and hashish for the domestic and

international drug markets; transit point for opiates from Southeast

Asia to the West

Netherlands

major European producer of ecstasy, illicit

amphetamines, and other synthetic drugs; important gateway for

cocaine, heroin, and hashish entering Europe; major source of

US-bound ecstasy; large financial sector vulnerable to money

laundering

Netherlands Antilles

transshipment point for South American drugs

bound for the US and Europe; money-laundering center

Nicaragua

transshipment point for cocaine destined for the US and

transshipment point for arms-for-drugs dealing

Nigeria

a transit point for heroin and cocaine intended for

European, East Asian, and North American markets; safehaven for

Nigerian narcotraffickers operating worldwide; major

money-laundering center; massive corruption and criminal activity;

remains on Financial Action Task Force Non-Cooperative Countries and

Territories List for continued failure to address deficiencies in

money-laundering control regime

Pakistan

opium poppy in Federally Administered Tribal Areas,

North-West Frontier Province, and Balochistan Province has rebounded

since it was nearly eliminated in 2001; key transit point for Afghan

drugs, including heroin, opium, morphine, and hashish, bound for

Western markets, the Gulf States, and Africa; financial crimes

related to drug trafficking, terrorism, corruption, and smuggling

remain problems

Panama

major cocaine transshipment point and primary

money-laundering center for narcotics revenue; money-laundering

activity is especially heavy in the Colon Free Zone; offshore

financial center; negligible signs of coca cultivation; monitoring

of financial transactions is improving; official corruption remains

a major problem

Paraguay

major illicit producer of cannabis, most or all of which is

consumed in Brazil, Argentina, and Chile; transshipment country for

Andean cocaine headed for Brazil, other Southern Cone markets,

Europe, and US; corruption and some money-laundering activity,

especially in the Tri-Border Area

Peru

until 1996 the world's largest coca leaf producer; emerging

opium producer; cultivation of coca in Peru fell 15 percent to

31,150 hectares between 2002 and the end of 2003; much of the

cocaine base is shipped to neighboring Colombia for processing into

cocaine, while finished cocaine is shipped out from Pacific ports to

the international drug market; increasing amounts of base and

finished cocaine, however, are being moved to Brazil and Bolivia for

use in the Southern Cone or transshipped to Europe and Africa

Philippines

exports locally-produced marijuana and hashish to East

Asia, the US, and other Western markets; serves as a transit point

for heroin and crystal methamphetamine; domestic methamphetamine

production is a growing problem; remains on Financial Action Task

Force Non-Cooperative Countries and Territories List for continued

failure to address deficiencies in money-laundering control regime

Poland

major illicit producer of synthetic drugs for the

international market; minor transshipment point for Asian and Latin

American illicit drugs to Western Europe

Portugal

gateway country for Latin American cocaine and Southwest

Asian heroin entering the European market (especially from Brazil);

transshipment point for hashish from North Africa to Europe;

consumer of Southwest Asian heroin

Romania

major transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin

transiting the Balkan route and small amounts of Latin American

cocaine bound for Western Europe; although not a significant

financial center, role as a narcotics conduit leaves it vulnerable

to laundering which occurs via the banking system, currency exchange

houses, and casinos

Russia

limited cultivation of illicit cannabis and opium poppy and

producer of methamphetamine, mostly for domestic consumption;

government has active illicit crop eradication program; used as

transshipment point for Asian opiates, cannabis, and Latin American

cocaine bound for growing domestic markets, to a lesser extent

Western and Central Europe, and occasionally to the US; major source

of heroin precursor chemicals; corruption and organized crime are

key concerns; heroin increasingly popular in domestic market

Saint Kitts and Nevis

transshipment point for South American drugs

destined for the US and Europe; some money-laundering activity

Saint Lucia

transit point for South American drugs destined for the

US and Europe

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

transshipment point for South

American drugs destined for the US and Europe; small-scale cannabis

cultivation

Saudi Arabia

death penalty for traffickers; increasing consumption

of heroin, cocaine, and hashish; not a major money-laundering

center, improving anti-money-laundering legislation

Senegal

transshipment point for Southwest and Southeast Asian heroin

and South American cocaine moving to Europe and North America;

illicit cultivator of cannabis

Serbia and Montenegro

transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin

moving to Western Europe on the Balkan route; economy vulnerable to

money laundering

Singapore

as a transportation and financial services hub, Singapore

is vulnerable, despite strict laws and enforcement, to be used as a

transit point for Golden Triangle heroin and as a venue for money

laundering

Slovakia

transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin bound for

Western Europe; producer of synthetic drugs for regional market

Slovenia

minor transit point for cocaine and Southwest Asian heroin

bound for Western Europe, and for precursor chemicals

South Africa

transshipment center for heroin, hashish, marijuana,

and cocaine; cocaine consumption on the rise; world's largest market

for illicit methaqualone, usually imported illegally from India

through various east African countries; illicit cultivation of

marijuana; attractive venue for money launderers given the

increasing level of organized criminal and narcotics activity in the

region

Spain

key European gateway country and consumer for Latin American

cocaine and North African hashish entering the European market;

destination and minor transshipment point for Southwest Asian

heroin; money-laundering site for European earnings of Colombian

narcotics trafficking organizations

Suriname

growing transshipment point for South American drugs

destined for Europe and Brazil; transshipment point for

arms-for-drugs dealing

Switzerland

a major international financial center vulnerable to the

layering and integration stages of money laundering; despite

significant legislation and reporting requirements, secrecy rules

persist and nonresidents are permitted to conduct business through

offshore entities and various intermediaries; transit country for

and consumer of South American cocaine and Southwest Asian heroin

Syria

a transit point for opiates and hashish bound for regional and

Western markets; weak anti-money-laundering controls, bank

privatization may leave it vulnerable to money-laundering

Taiwan

regional transit point for heroin and methamphetamine; major

problem with domestic consumption of methamphetamine and heroin;

renewal of domestic methamphetamine production is a problem

Tajikistan

major transit country for Afghan narcotics bound for

Russian and, to a lesser extent, Western European markets; limited

illicit cultivation of opium poppy for domestic consumption;

Tajikistan seizes roughly 80 percent of all drugs captured in

Central Asia and stands third worldwide in seizures of opiates

(heroin and raw opium)

Tanzania

growing role in transshipment of southwest and southeast

Asian heroin and south American cocaine destined for south African,

European, and US markets and of south Asian methaqualone bound for

southern Africa; money laundering remains a problem

Thailand

a minor producer of opium, heroin, and marijuana; illicit

transit point for heroin en route to the international drug market

from Burma and Laos; eradication efforts have reduced the area of

cannabis cultivation and shifted some production to neighboring

countries; opium poppy cultivation has been reduced by eradication

efforts; also a drug money-laundering center; minor role in

amphetamine production for regional consumption; increasing

indigenous abuse of methamphetamine

Togo

transit hub for Nigerian heroin and cocaine traffickers; money

laundering not a significant problem

Trinidad and Tobago

transshipment point for South American drugs

destined for the US and Europe; producer of cannabis

Turkey

key transit route for Southwest Asian heroin to Western

Europe and - to a far lesser extent the US - via air, land, and sea

routes; major Turkish, Iranian, and other international trafficking

organizations operate out of Istanbul; laboratories to convert

imported morphine base into heroin are in remote regions of Turkey

as well as near Istanbul; government maintains strict controls over

areas of legal opium poppy cultivation and output of poppy straw

concentrate

Turkmenistan

transit country for Afghan narcotics bound for Russian

and Western European markets; transit point for heroin precursor

chemicals bound for Afghanistan

Turks and Caicos Islands

transshipment point for South American

narcotics destined for the US and Europe

Ukraine

limited cultivation of cannabis and opium poppy, mostly for

CIS consumption; some synthetic drug production for export to the

West; limited government eradication program; used as transshipment

point for opiates and other illicit drugs from Africa, Latin

America, and Turkey to Europe and Russia; Ukraine has improved

anti-money-laundering controls, resulting in its removal from the

Financial Action Task Force's (FATF's) Noncooperative Countries and

Territories List in February 2004; Ukraine's anti-money-laundering

regime continues to be monitored by FATF

United Arab Emirates

the UAE is a drug transshipment point for

traffickers given its proximity to southwest Asian drug producing

countries; the UAE's position as a major financial center makes it

vulnerable to money laundering; anti-money-laundering controls

improving

United Kingdom

producer of limited amounts of synthetic drugs and

synthetic precursor chemicals; major consumer of Southwest Asian

heroin, Latin American cocaine, and synthetic drugs;

money-laundering center

United States

consumer of cocaine shipped from Colombia through

Mexico and the Caribbean; consumer of heroin, marijuana, and

increasingly methamphetamine from Mexico; consumer of high-quality

Southeast Asian heroin; illicit producer of cannabis, marijuana,

depressants, stimulants, hallucinogens, and methamphetamine;

money-laundering center

Uzbekistan

transit country for Afghan narcotics bound for Russian

and, to a lesser extent, Western European markets; limited illicit

cultivation of cannabis and small amounts of opium poppy for

domestic consumption; poppy cultivation almost wiped out by

government crop eradication program; transit point for heroin

precursor chemicals bound for Afghanistan

Venezuela

small-scale illicit producer of opium and coca for the

processing of opiates and coca derivatives; however, large

quantities of cocaine, heroin, and marijuana transit the country

from Colombia bound for US and Europe; significant narcotics-related

money-laundering activity, especially along the border with Colombia

and on Margarita Island; active eradication program primarily

targeting opium; increasing signs of drug-related activities by

Colombian insurgents on border

Vietnam

minor producer of opium poppy; probable minor transit point

for Southeast Asian heroin; domestic opium/heroin/methamphetamine

addiction problems

World

cocaine: worldwide, coca is grown on an estimated 173,450

hectares - almost exclusively in South America with 70% in Colombia;

potential cocaine production during 2003 is estimated at 728 metric

tons (or 835 metric tons of export quality cocaine); coca

eradication programs continue in Bolivia, Colombia, and Peru; 376

metric tons of export quality cocaine are documented to have been

seized in 2003, and 26 metric tons disrupted (jettisoned or

destroyed); consumption of export quality cocaine is estimated to

have been 800 metric tons

opiates: cultivation of opium poppy occurred on an estimated 137,944

hectares in 2003 - mostly in Southwest and Southeast Asia - with 44%

in Afghanistan, potentially produced 3,775 metric tons of opium,

which conceivably could be converted to the equivalent of 429 metric

tons of pure heroin; opium eradication programs have been undertaken

in Afghanistan, Burma, Colombia, Mexico, Pakistan, Thailand, and

Vietnam

Zambia

transshipment point for moderate amounts of methaqualone,

small amounts of heroin, and cocaine bound for Southern Africa and

possibly Europe; a poorly developed financial infrastructure coupled

with a government commitment to combating money laundering make it

an unattractive venue for money launderers

Zimbabwe

transit point for African cannabis and South Asian heroin,

mandrax, and methamphetamines destined for the South African and

European markets

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2087 Imports

Afghanistan

$3.759 billion (FY03-04)

Albania

$2.076 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Algeria

$15.25 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

American Samoa

$123 million (2002)

Andorra

$1.077 billion (1998)

Angola

$4.896 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Anguilla

$80.9 million (1999)

Antigua and Barbuda

$692 million (2002 est.)

Argentina

$22.06 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Armenia

$1.3 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Aruba

$841 million f.o.b. (2002 est.)

Australia

$98.1 billion (2004 est.)

Austria

$101.2 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Azerbaijan

$3.622 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Bahamas, The

$1.63 billion (2003)

Bahrain

$5.87 billion (2004 est.)

Bangladesh

$10.03 billion (2004 est.)

Barbados

$1.039 billion (2002)

Belarus

$13.57 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Belgium

$235 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Belize

$579.9 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Benin

$934.5 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Bermuda

$5.523 billion (2002)

Bhutan

$196 million c.i.f. (2000 est.)

Bolivia

$1.595 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Bosnia and Herzegovina

$5.2 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Botswana

$2.255 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Brazil

$61 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

British Virgin Islands

$187 million (2002 est.)

Brunei

$5.2 billion c.i.f. (2003)

Bulgaria

$12.23 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Burkina Faso

$866.3 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Burma

$1.754 billion f.o.b.

note: import figures are grossly underestimated due to the value of

consumer goods, diesel fuel, and other products smuggled in from

Thailand, China, Malaysia, and India (2004 est.)

Burundi

$138.2 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Cambodia

$3.129 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Cameroon

$1.979 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Canada

$256.1 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Cape Verde

$387.3 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Cayman Islands

$457.4 million (1999)

Central African Republic

$136 million f.o.b. (2002 est.)

Chad

$500.7 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Chile

$22.53 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

China

$552.4 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Christmas Island

NA

Cocos (Keeling) Islands

NA

Colombia

$15.34 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Comoros

$88 million f.o.b. (2002 est.)

Congo, Democratic Republic of the

$933 million f.o.b. (2002 est.)

Congo, Republic of the

$749.3 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Cook Islands

$50.7 million (2000)

Costa Rica

$7.842 billion (2004 est.)

Cote d'Ivoire

$3.36 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Croatia

$16.7 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Cuba

$5.296 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Cyprus

Republic of Cyprus: $5.258 billion f.o.b. north Cyprus:

$415.2 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Czech Republic

$68.19 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Denmark

$63.45 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Djibouti

$665 million f.o.b. (2002 est.)

Dominica

$98.2 million f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Dominican Republic

$8.093 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

East Timor

$167 million (2004 est.)

Ecuador

$7.65 billion (2004 est.)

Egypt

$19.21 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

El Salvador

$5.968 billion (2004 est.)

Equatorial Guinea

$1.167 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Eritrea

$622 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Estonia

$7.318 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Ethiopia

$2.104 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

European Union $1.123 trillion note: external imports, excluding intra-EU trade (2003)

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

$53 million (2002)

Faroe Islands

$466 million c.i.f. (2002)

Fiji

$835 million c.i.f. (2002)

Finland

$45.17 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

France

$419.7 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

French Guiana

$625 million c.i.f. (2002 est.)

French Polynesia

$1.341 billion f.o.b. (2002)

Gabon

$1.225 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Gambia, The

$180.9 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Gaza Strip

$1.9 billion c.i.f., includes West Bank (2002)

Georgia

$1.806 billion (2004 est.)

Germany

$716.7 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Ghana

$3.699 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Gibraltar

$1.743 billion c.i.f. (2002)

Greece

$54.28 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Greenland

$445 million c.i.f. (2002)

Grenada

$208 million (2002 est.)

Guadeloupe

$1.7 billion c.i.f. (1997)

Guam

$462 million f.o.b. (2002 est.)

Guatemala

$7.77 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Guernsey

$NA

Guinea

$641.5 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Guinea-Bissau

$104 million f.o.b. (2002 est.)

Guyana

$650.1 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Haiti

$1.085 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Honduras

$3.332 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Hong Kong

$275.9 billion (2004 est.)

Hungary

$58.68 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Iceland

$3.307 billion (2004 est.)

India

$89.33 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Indonesia

$45.07 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Iran

$31.3 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Iraq

$9.9 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Ireland

$60.65 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Israel

$36.84 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Italy

$329.3 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Jamaica

$3.624 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Japan

$401.8 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Jersey

$NA

Jordan

$7.6 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Kazakhstan

$13.07 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Kenya

$4.19 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Kiribati

$83 million c.i.f. (2002)

Korea, North

$2.1 billion c.i.f. (2003)

Korea, South

$214.2 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Kuwait

$11.12 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Kyrgyzstan

$775.1 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Laos

$579.5 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Latvia

$5.97 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Lebanon

$8.162 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Lesotho

$730.9 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Liberia

$5.051 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.)

Libya

$7.224 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Liechtenstein

$917.3 million (1996)

Lithuania

$11.02 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Luxembourg

$16.3 billion c.i.f. (2003)

Macau

$2.76 billion c.i.f. (2003)

Macedonia

$2.677 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Madagascar

$1.147 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Malawi

$521.1 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Malaysia

$99.3 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Maldives

$392 million f.o.b. (2002 est.)

Mali

$927 million f.o.b. (2002 est.)

Malta

$3.407 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Man, Isle of

$NA

Marshall Islands

$54 million f.o.b. (2000)

Martinique

$2 billion c.i.f. (1997)

Mauritania

$860 million f.o.b. (2002)

Mauritius

$2.245 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Mayotte

$141.3 million f.o.b. (1997)

Mexico

$190.8 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Micronesia, Federated States of

$149 million f.o.b. (FY99/00 est.)

Moldova

$1.83 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Monaco

$NA; full customs integration with France, which collects and

rebates Monegasque trade duties; also participates in EU market

system through customs union with France

Mongolia

$1 billion c.i.f. (2004 est.)

Montserrat

$17 million (2001)

Morocco

$15.63 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Mozambique

$972.9 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Namibia

$1.473 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Nauru

$19.8 million c.i.f. (2004 est.)

Nepal

$1.419 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.)

Netherlands

$252.7 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Netherlands Antilles

$2.233 billion f.o.b. (2002)

New Caledonia

$1.007 billion f.o.b. (2002)

New Zealand

$19.77 billion (2004 est.)

Nicaragua

$2.02 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Niger

$400 million f.o.b. (2002 est.)

Nigeria

$17.14 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Niue

$2.38 million (1999)

Norfolk Island

$17.9 million c.i.f. (FY91/92)

Northern Mariana Islands

NA

Norway

$45.96 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Oman

$6.373 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Pakistan

$14.01 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Palau

$99 million f.o.b. (2001 est.)

Panama

$7.164 billion f.o.b. (includes the Colon Free Zone) (2004

est.)

Papua New Guinea

$1.353 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Paraguay

$3.33 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Peru

$9.6 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Philippines

$37.5 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Pitcairn Islands

NA

Poland

$81.61 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Portugal

$52.1 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Puerto Rico

$29.1 billion c.i.f. (2001)

Qatar

$6.15 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Reunion

$2.5 billion c.i.f. (1997)

Romania

$28.43 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Russia

$92.91 billion (2004 est.)

Rwanda

$260 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Saint Helena

$42 million c.i.f. (2002)

Saint Kitts and Nevis

$195 million (2002 est.)

Saint Lucia

$267 million (2002 est.)

Saint Pierre and Miquelon

$106 million f.o.b. (2002)

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

$174 million (2002 est.)

Samoa

$113 million f.o.b. (2002)

San Marino

trade data are included with the statistics for Italy

Sao Tome and Principe

$41 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Saudi Arabia

$36.21 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Senegal

$2.128 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Serbia and Montenegro

$9.538 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Seychelles

$393.4 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Sierra Leone

$264 million f.o.b. (2002 est.)

Singapore

$155.2 billion (2004 est.)

Slovakia

$29.67 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Slovenia

$16.07 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Solomon Islands

$67 million f.o.b. (2003)

Somalia

$344 million f.o.b. (2002 est.)

South Africa

$39.42 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Spain

$222 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Sri Lanka

$7.265 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Sudan

$3.496 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Suriname

$604 million f.o.b. (2002)

Svalbard

$NA

Swaziland

$1.14 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Sweden

$97.97 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Switzerland

$121.1 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Syria

$5.042 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Taiwan

$165.4 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Tajikistan

$1.3 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Tanzania

$1.972 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Thailand

$80.84 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Togo

$824.9 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Tokelau

$323,000 c.i.f. (1983)

Tonga

$86 million f.o.b. (2002 est.)

Trinidad and Tobago

$4.65 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Tunisia

$11.52 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Turkey

$94.5 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Turkmenistan

$2.85 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Turks and Caicos Islands

$175.6 million (2000)

Tuvalu

$79 million c.i.f. (2002)

Uganda

$1.306 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Ukraine

$31.45 billion (2004 est.)

United Arab Emirates

$45.66 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

United Kingdom

$439.4 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

United States

$1.476 trillion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Uruguay

$2.071 billion f.o.b. (2003)

Uzbekistan

$2.82 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Vanuatu

$138 million c.i.f. (2002)

Venezuela

$14.98 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Vietnam

$26.31 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Virgin Islands

NA

Wallis and Futuna

$300,000 f.o.b. (1999)

West Bank

$1.5 billion c.i.f., includes Gaza Strip (2002)

Western Sahara

NA

World

$8.754 trillion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Yemen

$3.734 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Zambia

$1.519 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Zimbabwe

$1.599 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2088 Independence

Afghanistan

19 August 1919 (from UK control over Afghan foreign

affairs)

Albania

28 November 1912 (from Ottoman Empire)

Algeria

5 July 1962 (from France)

American Samoa

none (territory of the US)

Andorra

1278 (was formed under the joint suzerainty of the French

count of Foix and the Spanish bishop of Urgel)

Angola

11 November 1975 (from Portugal)

Anguilla

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Antigua and Barbuda

1 November 1981 (from UK)

Argentina

9 July 1816 (from Spain)

Armenia

21 September 1991 (from Soviet Union)

Aruba

none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands)

Australia

1 January 1901 (federation of UK colonies)

Austria

1156 (Duchy of Austria founded); 12 November 1918 (republic

proclaimed)

Azerbaijan

30 August 1991 (from Soviet Union)

Bahamas, The

10 July 1973 (from UK)

Bahrain

15 August 1971 (from UK)

Bangladesh

16 December 1971 (from West Pakistan); note - 26 March

1971 is the date of independence from West Pakistan, 16 December

1971 is known as Victory Day and commemorates the official creation

of the state of Bangladesh

Barbados

30 November 1966 (from UK)

Belarus

25 August 1991 (from Soviet Union)

Belgium

4 October 1830 (a provisional government declares

independence from the Netherlands); 21 July 1831 (King Leopold I

ascends to the throne)

Belize

21 September 1981 (from UK)

Benin

1 August 1960 (from France)

Bermuda

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Bhutan

8 August 1949 (from India)

Bolivia

6 August 1825 (from Spain)

Bosnia and Herzegovina

1 March 1992 (from Yugoslavia; referendum for

independence was completed 1 March 1992; independence was declared 3

March 1992)

Botswana

30 September 1966 (from UK)

Brazil

7 September 1822 (from Portugal)

British Virgin Islands

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Brunei

1 January 1984 (from UK)

Bulgaria

3 March 1878 (as an autonomous principality within the

Ottoman Empire); 22 September 1908 (complete independence from the

Ottoman Empire)

Burkina Faso

5 August 1960 (from France)

Burma

4 January 1948 (from UK)

Burundi

1 July 1962 (from UN trusteeship under Belgian

administration)

Cambodia

9 November 1953 (from France)

Cameroon

1 January 1960 (from French-administered UN trusteeship)

Canada

1 July 1867 (union of British North American colonies); 11

December 1931 (independence recognized)

Cape Verde

5 July 1975 (from Portugal)

Cayman Islands

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Central African Republic

13 August 1960 (from France)

Chad

11 August 1960 (from France)

Chile

18 September 1810 (from Spain)

China

221 BC (unification under the Qin or Ch'in Dynasty); 1 January

1912 (Manchu Dynasty replaced by a Republic); 1 October 1949

(People's Republic established)

Christmas Island

none (territory of Australia)

Cocos (Keeling) Islands

none (territory of Australia)

Colombia

20 July 1810 (from Spain)

Comoros

6 July 1975 (from France)

Congo, Democratic Republic of the

30 June 1960 (from Belgium)

Congo, Republic of the

15 August 1960 (from France)

Cook Islands

none (became self-governing in free association with

New Zealand on 4 August 1965 and has the right at any time to move

to full independence by unilateral action)

Costa Rica

15 September 1821 (from Spain)

Cote d'Ivoire

7 August 1960 (from France)

Croatia

25 June 1991 (from Yugoslavia)

Cuba

20 May 1902 (from Spain 10 December 1898; administered by the

US from 1898 to 1902)

Cyprus

16 August 1960 (from UK); note - Turkish Cypriots proclaimed

self-rule on 13 February 1975 and independence in 1983, but these

proclamations are only recognized by Turkey

Czech Republic

1 January 1993 (Czechoslovakia split into the Czech

Republic and Slovakia)

Denmark

first organized as a unified state in 10th century; in 1849

became a constitutional monarchy

Djibouti

27 June 1977 (from France)

Dominica

3 November 1978 (from UK)

Dominican Republic

27 February 1844 (from Haiti)

East Timor

28 November 1975 (date of proclamation of independence

from Portugal); note - 20 May 2002 is the official date of

international recognition of East Timor's independence from Indonesia

Ecuador

24 May 1822 (from Spain)

Egypt

28 February 1922 (from UK)

El Salvador

15 September 1821 (from Spain)

Equatorial Guinea

12 October 1968 (from Spain)

Eritrea

24 May 1993 (from Ethiopia)

Estonia

20 August 1991 (from Soviet Union)

Ethiopia

oldest independent country in Africa and one of the oldest

in the world - at least 2,000 years

European Union

7 February 1992 (Maastricht Treaty signed

establishing the EU); 1 November 1993 (Maastricht Treaty entered

into force)

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

none (overseas territory of the

UK; also claimed by Argentina)

Faroe Islands

none (part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing

overseas administrative division of Denmark)

Fiji

10 October 1970 (from UK)

Finland

6 December 1917 (from Russia)

France

486 (unified by Clovis)

French Guiana

none (overseas department of France)

French Polynesia

none (overseas lands of France)

Gabon

17 August 1960 (from France)

Gambia, The

18 February 1965 (from UK)

Georgia

9 April 1991 (from Soviet Union)

Germany

18 January 1871 (German Empire unification); divided into

four zones of occupation (UK, US, USSR, and later, France) in 1945

following World War II; Federal Republic of Germany (FRG or West

Germany) proclaimed 23 May 1949 and included the former UK, US, and

French zones; German Democratic Republic (GDR or East Germany)

proclaimed 7 October 1949 and included the former USSR zone;

unification of West Germany and East Germany took place 3 October

1990; all four powers formally relinquished rights 15 March 1991

Ghana

6 March 1957 (from UK)

Gibraltar

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Greece

1829 (from the Ottoman Empire)

Greenland

none (part of the Kingdom of Denmark; foreign affairs is

the responsibility of Denmark, but Greenland actively participates

in international agreements relating to Greenland)

Grenada

7 February 1974 (from UK)

Guadeloupe

none (overseas department of France)

Guam

none (territory of the US)

Guatemala

15 September 1821 (from Spain)

Guernsey

none (British crown dependency)

Guinea

2 October 1958 (from France)

Guinea-Bissau

24 September 1973 (unilaterally declared by

Guinea-Bissau); 10 September 1974 (recognized by Portugal)

Guyana

26 May 1966 (from UK)

Haiti

1 January 1804 (from France)

Holy See (Vatican City)

11 February 1929 (from Italy); note - the

three treaties signed with Italy on 11 February 1929 acknowledged,

among other things, the full sovereignty of the Vatican and

established its territorial extent; however, the origin of the Papal

States, which over the years have varied considerably in extent, may

be traced back to the 8th century

Honduras

15 September 1821 (from Spain)

Hong Kong

none (special administrative region of China)

Hungary

1001 (unification by King Stephen I)

Iceland

1 December 1918 (became a sovereign state under the Danish

Crown); 17 June 1944 (from Denmark)

India

15 August 1947 (from UK)

Indonesia

17 August 1945 (independence proclaimed); 27 December 1949

(Netherlands recognizes Indonesian independence)

Iran

1 April 1979 (Islamic Republic of Iran proclaimed)

Iraq

3 October 1932 (from League of Nations mandate under British

administration); note - on 28 June 2004 the Coalition Provisional

Authority transferred sovereignty to the Iraqi Interim Government

Ireland

6 December 1921 (from UK by treaty)

Israel

14 May 1948 (from League of Nations mandate under British

administration)

Italy

17 March 1861 (Kingdom of Italy proclaimed; Italy was not

finally unified until 1870)

Jamaica

6 August 1962 (from UK)

Japan

660 BC (traditional founding by Emperor JIMMU)

Jersey

none (British crown dependency)

Jordan

25 May 1946 (from League of Nations mandate under British

administration)

Kazakhstan

16 December 1991 (from the Soviet Union)

Kenya

12 December 1963 (from UK)

Kiribati

12 July 1979 (from UK)

Korea, North

15 August 1945 (from Japan)

Korea, South

15 August 1945 (from Japan)

Kuwait

19 June 1961 (from UK)

Kyrgyzstan

31 August 1991 (from Soviet Union)

Laos

19 July 1949 (from France)

Latvia

21 August 1991 (from Soviet Union)

Lebanon

22 November 1943 (from League of Nations mandate under

French administration)

Lesotho

4 October 1966 (from UK)

Liberia

26 July 1847

Libya

24 December 1951 (from Italy)

Liechtenstein

23 January 1719 (Principality of Liechtenstein

established); 12 July 1806 (independence from the Holy Roman Empire)

Lithuania

11 March 1990 (independence declared from Soviet Union); 6

September 1991 (Soviet Union recognizes Lithuania's independence)

Luxembourg

1839 (from the Netherlands)

Macau

none (special administrative region of China)

Macedonia

8 September 1991 (referendum by registered voters

endorsing independence from Yugoslavia)

Madagascar

26 June 1960 (from France)

Malawi

6 July 1964 (from UK)

Malaysia

31 August 1957 (from UK)

Maldives

26 July 1965 (from UK)

Mali

22 September 1960 (from France)

Malta

21 September 1964 (from UK)

Man, Isle of

none (British crown dependency)

Marshall Islands 21 October 1986 (from the US-administered UN trusteeship)

Martinique

none (overseas department of France)

Mauritania

28 November 1960 (from France)

Mauritius

12 March 1968 (from UK)

Mayotte

none (territorial collectivity of France)

Mexico

16 September 1810 (from Spain)

Micronesia, Federated States of

3 November 1986 (from the

US-administered UN Trusteeship)

Moldova

27 August 1991 (from Soviet Union)

Monaco

1419 (beginning of the rule by the House of Grimaldi)

Mongolia

11 July 1921 (from China)

Montserrat

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Morocco

2 March 1956 (from France)

Mozambique

25 June 1975 (from Portugal)

Namibia

21 March 1990 (from South African mandate)

Nauru

31 January 1968 (from the Australia-, NZ-, and UK-administered

UN trusteeship)

Nepal

1768 (unified by Prithvi Narayan Shah)

Netherlands

23 January 1579 (the northern provinces of the Low

Countries conclude the Union of Utrecht breaking with Spain; it was

not until 1648 that Spain recognized their independence)

Netherlands Antilles

none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands)

New Caledonia

none (overseas territory of France); note - a

referendum on independence was held in 1998 but did not pass; a new

referendum is scheduled for 2014

New Zealand

26 September 1907 (from UK)

Nicaragua

15 September 1821 (from Spain)

Niger

3 August 1960 (from France)

Nigeria

1 October 1960 (from UK)

Niue

on 19 October 1974, Niue became a self-governing parliamentary

government in free association with New Zealand

Norfolk Island

none (territory of Australia)

Northern Mariana Islands

none (commonwealth in political union with

the US)

Norway

7 June 1905 (Norway declared the union with Sweden

dissolved); 26 October 1905 (Sweden agreed to the repeal of the

union)

Oman

1650 (expulsion of the Portuguese)

Pakistan

14 August 1947 (from UK)

Palau

1 October 1994 (from the US-administered UN Trusteeship)

Panama

3 November 1903 (from Colombia; became independent from Spain

28 November 1821)

Papua New Guinea

16 September 1975 (from the Australian-administered

UN trusteeship)

Paraguay

14 May 1811 (from Spain)

Peru

28 July 1821 (from Spain)

Philippines

12 June 1898 (from Spain)

Pitcairn Islands

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Poland

11 November 1918 (independent republic proclaimed)

Portugal

1143 (Kingdom of Portugal recognized); 5 October 1910

(independent republic proclaimed)

Puerto Rico

none (commonwealth associated with the US)

Qatar

3 September 1971 (from UK)

Reunion

none (overseas department of France)

Romania

9 May 1877 (independence proclaimed from the Ottoman Empire;

independence recognized 13 July 1878 by the Treaty of Berlin;

kingdom proclaimed 26 March 1881); 30 December 1947 (republic

proclaimed)

Russia

24 August 1991 (from Soviet Union)

Rwanda

1 July 1962 (from Belgium-administered UN trusteeship)

Saint Helena

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Saint Kitts and Nevis

19 September 1983 (from UK)

Saint Lucia

22 February 1979 (from UK)

Saint Pierre and Miquelon none (territorial collectivity of France; has been under French control since 1763)

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

27 October 1979 (from UK)

Samoa

1 January 1962 (from New Zealand-administered UN trusteeship)

San Marino

3 September 301

Sao Tome and Principe

12 July 1975 (from Portugal)

Saudi Arabia

23 September 1932 (unification of the kingdom)

Senegal

4 April 1960 (from France); note - complete independence was

achieved upon dissolution of federation with Mali on 20 August 1960

Serbia and Montenegro

27 April 1992 (Federal Republic of Yugoslavia

or FRY - now Serbia and Montenegro - formed as self-proclaimed

successor to the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia or SFRY)

Seychelles

29 June 1976 (from UK)

Sierra Leone

27 April 1961 (from UK)

Singapore

9 August 1965 (from Malaysian Federation)

Slovakia

1 January 1993 (Czechoslovakia split into the Czech

Republic and Slovakia)

Slovenia

25 June 1991 (from Yugoslavia)

Solomon Islands

7 July 1978 (from UK)

Somalia

1 July 1960 (from a merger of British Somaliland, which

became independent from the UK on 26 June 1960, and Italian

Somaliland, which became independent from the Italian-administered

UN trusteeship on 1 July 1960, to form the Somali Republic)

South Africa

31 May 1910 (from UK); note - South Africa became a

republic in 1961 following an October 1960 referendum

Spain

the Iberian peninsula was characterized by a variety of

independent kingdoms prior to the Moslem occupation that began in

the early 8th century A. D. and lasted nearly seven centuries; the

small Christian redoubts of the north began the reconquest almost

immediately, culminating in the seizure of Granada in 1492; this

event completed the unification of several kingdoms and is

traditionally considered the forging of present-day Spain

Sri Lanka

4 February 1948 (from UK)

Sudan

1 January 1956 (from Egypt and UK)

Suriname

25 November 1975 (from Netherlands)

Svalbard

none (territory of Norway)

Swaziland

6 September 1968 (from UK)

Sweden

6 June 1523 (Gustav VASA elected king)

Switzerland

1 August 1291 (founding of the Swiss Confederation)

Syria

17 April 1946 (from League of Nations mandate under French

administration)

Tajikistan

9 September 1991 (from Soviet Union)

Tanzania

26 April 1964; Tanganyika became independent 9 December

1961 (from UK-administered UN trusteeship); Zanzibar became

independent 19 December 1963 (from UK); Tanganyika united with

Zanzibar 26 April 1964 to form the United Republic of Tanganyika and

Zanzibar; renamed United Republic of Tanzania 29 October 1964

Thailand

1238 (traditional founding date; never colonized)

Togo

27 April 1960 (from French-administered UN trusteeship)

Tokelau

none (territory of New Zealand)

Tonga

4 June 1970 (from UK protectorate)

Trinidad and Tobago

31 August 1962 (from UK)

Tunisia

20 March 1956 (from France)

Turkey

29 October 1923 (successor state to the Ottoman Empire)

Turkmenistan

27 October 1991 (from the Soviet Union)

Turks and Caicos Islands

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Tuvalu

1 October 1978 (from UK)

Uganda

9 October 1962 (from UK)

Ukraine

24 August 1991 (from the Soviet Union)

United Arab Emirates

2 December 1971 (from UK)

United Kingdom

England has existed as a unified entity since the

10th century; the union between England and Wales, begun in 1284

with the Statute of Rhuddlan, was not formalized until 1536 with an

Act of Union; in another Act of Union in 1707, England and Scotland

agreed to permanently join as Great Britain; the legislative union

of Great Britain and Ireland was implemented in 1801, with the

adoption of the name the United Kingdom of Great Britain and

Ireland; the Anglo-Irish treaty of 1921 formalized a partition of

Ireland; six northern Irish counties remained part of the United

Kingdom as Northern Ireland and the current name of the country, the

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, was adopted in

1927

United States

4 July 1776 (from Great Britain)

Uruguay

25 August 1825 (from Brazil)

Uzbekistan

1 September 1991 (from Soviet Union)

Vanuatu

30 July 1980 (from France and UK)

Venezuela

5 July 1811 (from Spain)

Vietnam

2 September 1945 (from France)

Wallis and Futuna

none (overseas territory of France)

Yemen

22 May 1990 (Republic of Yemen established with the merger of

the Yemen Arab Republic [Yemen (Sanaa) or North Yemen] and the

Marxist-dominated People's Democratic Republic of Yemen [Yemen

(Aden) or South Yemen]); note - previously North Yemen had become

independent in November of 1918 (from the Ottoman Empire) and South

Yemen had become independent on 30 November 1967 (from the UK)

Zambia

24 October 1964 (from UK)

Zimbabwe

18 April 1980 (from UK)

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2089 Industrial production growth rate (%)

Afghanistan

NA

Albania

3.1% (2004 est.)

Algeria

6% (2004 est.)

American Samoa

NA%

Andorra

NA%

Angola

1% (2000)

Anguilla

3.1% (1997 est.)

Antigua and Barbuda

6% (1997 est.)

Argentina

12% (2004 est.)

Armenia

15% (2002 est.)

Aruba

NA%

Australia

1.9% (2004 est.)

Austria

3.3% (2004 est.)

Azerbaijan

4% (2004 est.)

Bahamas, The

NA

Bahrain

2% (2000 est.)

Bangladesh

6.5% (2004 est.)

Barbados

-3.2% (2000 est.)

Belarus

4% (2004 est.)

Belgium

3.5% (2004 est.)

Belize

4.6% (1999)

Benin

8.3% (2001 est.)

Bermuda

NA%

Bhutan

9.3% (1996 est.)

Bolivia

5.7% (2004 est.)

Bosnia and Herzegovina

5.5% (2003 est.)

Botswana

4.4% (2004 est.)

Brazil

6% (2004 est.)

British Virgin Islands

NA%

Brunei

5% (2002 est.)

Bulgaria

5.2% (2004 est.)

Burkina Faso

14% (2001 est.)

Burma

NA

Burundi

18% (2001)

Cambodia

22% (2002 est.)

Cameroon

4.2% (1999 est.)

Canada

2% (2004 est.)

Cape Verde

NA

Cayman Islands

NA%

Central African Republic

3% (2002)

Chad

5% (1995)

Chile

7.8% (2004 est.)

China

17.1% (2004 est.)

Colombia

4% (2004 est.)

Comoros

-2% (1999 est.)

Congo, Democratic Republic of the

NA

Congo, Republic of the

0% (2002 est.)

Cook Islands

1% (2002)

Costa Rica

3.1% (2004 est.)

Cote d'Ivoire

15% (1998 est.)

Croatia

2.7% (2004 est.)

Cuba

1.4% (2004 est.)

Cyprus

Republic of Cyprus: 0.4% (2002); north Cyprus: -0.3% (2002)

Czech Republic

4.7% (2004 est.)

Denmark

1.7% (2004 est.)

Djibouti

3% (1996 est.)

Dominica

-10% (1997 est.)

Dominican Republic

2% (2001 est.)

East Timor

8.5%

Ecuador

10% (2004 est.)

Egypt

2.5% (2004 est.)

El Salvador

0.7% (2004 est.)

Equatorial Guinea

30% (2002 est.)

Eritrea

NA

Estonia

5% (2000 est.)

Ethiopia

6.7% (2001 est.)

European Union

2.4% (2004 est.)

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

NA%

Faroe Islands

8% (1999 est.)

Fiji

NA

Finland

2% (2004 est.)

France

1.7% (2004 est.)

French Guiana

NA%

French Polynesia

NA%

Gabon

1.6% (2002 est.)

Gambia, The

NA

Gaza Strip

NA

Georgia

3% (2000)

Germany

2.2% (2004 est.)

Ghana

3.8% (2000 est.)

Gibraltar

NA%

Greece

4.1% (2004 est.)

Greenland

NA%

Grenada

0.7% (1997 est.)

Guadeloupe

NA%

Guam

NA

Guatemala

4.1% (1999)

Guernsey

NA%

Guinea

3.2% (1994)

Guinea-Bissau

2.6% (1997 est.)

Guyana

7.1% (1997 est.)

Haiti

NA

Honduras

7.7% (2003 est.)

Hong Kong

1% (2004 est.)

Hungary

9.6% (2004 est.)

Iceland

8.8% (2004 est.)

India

7.4% (2004 est.)

Indonesia

10.5% (2004 est.)

Iran

3.5% excluding oil (2004 est.)

Iraq

NA

Ireland

7% (2004 est.)

Israel

4.5% (2004 est.)

Italy

0.7% (2004 est.)

Jamaica

-2% (2000 est.)

Japan

6.6% (2004 est.)

Jersey

NA%

Jordan

5% (2004 est.)

Kazakhstan

10.6% (2004 est.)

Kenya

2.6% (2004 est.)

Kiribati

0.7% (1991 est.)

Korea, North

NA

Korea, South

10.1% (2004 est.)

Kuwait

-5% (2002 est.)

Kyrgyzstan

6% (2000 est.)

Laos

9.7% (2001 est.)

Latvia

8.5% (2004 est.)

Lebanon

NA

Lesotho

15.5% (1999)

Liberia

NA

Libya

NA

Liechtenstein

NA%

Lithuania

12% (2004 est.)

Luxembourg

2.9% (2004 est.)

Macau

NA

Macedonia

0% (2004 est.)

Madagascar

3% (2000 est.)

Malawi

1.4% (2004 est.)

Malaysia

10.2% (2004 est.)

Maldives

4.4% (1996 est.)

Mali

NA (FY96/97)

Malta

NA%

Man, Isle of

3.2% (FY96/97)

Marshall Islands

NA

Martinique

NA%

Mauritania

2% (2000 est.)

Mauritius

8% (2000 est.)

Mayotte

NA%

Mexico

3.8% (2004 est.)

Micronesia, Federated States of

NA

Moldova

17% (2003 est.)

Monaco

NA%

Mongolia

4.1% (2002 est.)

Montserrat

NA%

Morocco

NA

Mozambique

3.4% (2000)

Namibia

NA

Nauru

NA

Nepal

8.7% (FY99/00)

Netherlands

0.8% (2004 est.)

Netherlands Antilles

NA%

New Caledonia

-0.6% (1996)

New Zealand

5.9% (2004 est.)

Nicaragua

4.4% (2000 est.)

Niger

NA (2001 est.)

Nigeria

1.8% (2004 est.)

Niue

NA

Norfolk Island

NA

Northern Mariana Islands

NA

Norway

5.2% (2004 est.)

Oman

-1.2% (2004 est.)

Pakistan

13.1% (2004 est.)

Palau

NA

Panama

5.4% (2004 est.)

Papua New Guinea

NA

Paraguay

0% (2000 est.)

Peru

5.2% (2004 est.)

Philippines

5% (2004 est.)

Pitcairn Islands

NA

Poland

10% (2004 est.)

Portugal

1.1% (2004 est.)

Puerto Rico

NA%

Qatar

10% (2003 est.)

Reunion

NA%

Romania

4% (2004 est.)

Russia

6.4% (2004 est.)

Rwanda

7% (2001 est.)

Saint Helena

NA

Saint Kitts and Nevis

NA%

Saint Lucia

-8.9% (1997 est.)

Saint Pierre and Miquelon

NA%

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

-0.9% (1997 est.)

Samoa

2.8% (2000)

San Marino

6% (1997 est.)

Sao Tome and Principe

NA

Saudi Arabia

2.8% (2004 est.)

Senegal

4.7% (2004 est.)

Serbia and Montenegro

1.7% (2002 est.)

Seychelles

NA

Sierra Leone

NA

Singapore

11.1% (2004 est.)

Slovakia

5.1% (2004 est.)

Slovenia

3.9% (2004 est.)

Solomon Islands

NA

Somalia

NA

South Africa

5.5% (2004 est.)

Spain

3% (2004 est.)

Sri Lanka

7.1% (2004 est.)

Sudan

8.5% (1999 est.)

Suriname

6.5% (1994 est.)

Swaziland

3.7% (FY95/96)

Sweden

5.5% (2004 est.)

Switzerland

4.7% (2004 est.)

Syria

7% (2002 est.)

Taiwan

12.2% (2004 est.)

Tajikistan

8.2% (2002 est.)

Tanzania

8.4% (1999 est.)

Thailand

8.5% (2004 est.)

Togo

NA

Tokelau

NA%

Tonga

8.6% (FY98/99)

Trinidad and Tobago

7.2% (2004 est.)

Tunisia

4.4% (2004 est.)

Turkey

16.5% (2004 est.)

Turkmenistan

official government estimate: 22% (2003 est.)

Turks and Caicos Islands

NA%

Tuvalu

NA%

Uganda

5.6% (2004 est.)

Ukraine

16.5% (2004 est.)

United Arab Emirates

4% (2000)

United Kingdom

0.9% (2004 est.)

United States

4.4% (2004 est.)

Uruguay

22% (2004 est.)

Uzbekistan

6.2% (2003 est.)

Vanuatu

1% (1997 est.)

Venezuela

12.3% (2004 est.)

Vietnam

16% (2004 est.)

Virgin Islands

NA%

Wallis and Futuna

NA%

West Bank

NA

Western Sahara

NA

World

3% (2003 est.)

Yemen

3% (2003 est.)

Zambia

6.9% (2004 est.)

Zimbabwe

-7.8% (2004 est.)

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2090 Industries

Afghanistan

small-scale production of textiles, soap, furniture,

shoes, fertilizer, cement; handwoven carpets; natural gas, coal,

copper

Albania

food processing, textiles and clothing; lumber, oil, cement,

chemicals, mining, basic metals, hydropower

Algeria

petroleum, natural gas, light industries, mining,

electrical, petrochemical, food processing

American Samoa

tuna canneries (largely supplied by foreign fishing

vessels), handicrafts

Andorra

tourism (particularly skiing), cattle raising, timber,

banking

Angola

petroleum; diamonds, iron ore, phosphates, feldspar, bauxite,

uranium, and gold; cement; basic metal products; fish processing;

food processing; brewing; tobacco products; sugar; textiles, ship

repair

Anguilla

tourism, boat building, offshore financial services

Antigua and Barbuda

tourism, construction, light manufacturing

(clothing, alcohol, household appliances)

Argentina

food processing, motor vehicles, consumer durables,

textiles, chemicals and petrochemicals, printing, metallurgy, steel

Armenia

diamond-processing, metal-cutting machine tools,

forging-pressing machines, electric motors, tires, knitted wear,

hosiery, shoes, silk fabric, chemicals, trucks, instruments,

microelectronics, jewelry manufacturing, software development, food

processing, brandy

Aruba

tourism, transshipment facilities, oil refining

Australia

mining, industrial and transportation equipment, food

processing, chemicals, steel

Austria

construction, machinery, vehicles and parts, food, metals,

chemicals, lumber and wood processing, paper and paperboard,

communications equipment, tourism

Azerbaijan

petroleum and natural gas, petroleum products, oilfield

equipment; steel, iron ore, cement; chemicals and petrochemicals;

textiles

Bahamas, The

tourism, banking, cement, oil transshipment, salt, rum,

aragonite, pharmaceuticals, spiral-welded steel pipe

Bahrain

petroleum processing and refining, aluminum smelting, iron

pelletization, fertilizers, offshore banking, ship repairing; tourism

Bangladesh

cotton textiles, jute, garments, tea processing, paper

newsprint, cement, chemical fertilizer, light engineering, sugar

Barbados

tourism, sugar, light manufacturing, component assembly for

export

Belarus

metal-cutting machine tools, tractors, trucks, earthmovers,

motorcycles, televisions, chemical fibers, fertilizer, textiles,

radios, refrigerators

Belgium

engineering and metal products, motor vehicle assembly,

transportation equipment, scientific instruments, processed food and

beverages, chemicals, basic metals, textiles, glass, petroleum

Belize

garment production, food processing, tourism, construction

Benin

textiles, food processing, construction materials, cement

(2001)

Bermuda

tourism, international business, light manufacturing

Bhutan

cement, wood products, processed fruits, alcoholic beverages,

calcium carbide

Bolivia

mining, smelting, petroleum, food and beverages, tobacco,

handicrafts, clothing

Bosnia and Herzegovina

steel, coal, iron ore, lead, zinc, manganese,

bauxite, vehicle assembly, textiles, tobacco products, wooden

furniture, tank and aircraft assembly, domestic appliances, oil

refining (2001)

Botswana

diamonds, copper, nickel, salt, soda ash, potash; livestock

processing; textiles

Brazil

textiles, shoes, chemicals, cement, lumber, iron ore, tin,

steel, aircraft, motor vehicles and parts, other machinery and

equipment

British Virgin Islands

tourism, light industry, construction, rum,

concrete block, offshore financial center

Brunei

petroleum, petroleum refining, liquefied natural gas,

construction

Bulgaria

electricity, gas and water; food, beverages and tobacco;

machinery and equipment, base metals, chemical products, coke,

refined petroleum, nuclear fuel

Burkina Faso

cotton lint, beverages, agricultural processing, soap,

cigarettes, textiles, gold

Burma

agricultural processing; knit and woven apparel; wood and wood

products; copper, tin, tungsten, iron; construction materials;

pharmaceuticals; fertilizer; cement

Burundi

light consumer goods such as blankets, shoes, soap; assembly

of imported components; public works construction; food processing

Cambodia

tourism, garments, rice milling, fishing, wood and wood

products, rubber, cement, gem mining, textiles

Cameroon

petroleum production and refining, aluminum production,

food processing, light consumer goods, textiles, lumber, ship repair

Canada

transportation equipment, chemicals, processed and

unprocessed minerals, food products; wood and paper products; fish

products, petroleum and natural gas

Cape Verde

food and beverages, fish processing, shoes and garments,

salt mining, ship repair

Cayman Islands

tourism, banking, insurance and finance,

construction, construction materials, furniture

Central African Republic

gold and diamond mining, logging, brewing,

textiles, footwear, assembly of bicycles and motorcycles

Chad

oil, cotton textiles, meatpacking, beer brewing, natron (sodium

carbonate), soap, cigarettes, construction materials

Chile

copper, other minerals, foodstuffs, fish processing, iron and

steel, wood and wood products, transport equipment, cement, textiles

China

mining and ore processing, iron, steel, aluminum, and other

metals; coal; machine building; armaments; textiles and apparel;

petroleum; cement; chemicals; fertilizers; consumer products,

including footwear, toys, and electronics; food processing;

transportation equipment, including automobiles, rail cars and

locomotives, ships, and aircraft; telecommunications equipment,

commercial space launch vehicles and satellites

Christmas Island

tourism, phosphate extraction (near depletion)

Cocos (Keeling) Islands

copra products and tourism

Colombia

textiles, food processing, oil, clothing and footwear,

beverages, chemicals, cement; gold, coal, emeralds

Comoros

tourism, perfume distillation

Congo, Democratic Republic of the mining (diamonds, copper, zinc), mineral processing, consumer products (including textiles, footwear, cigarettes, processed foods and beverages), cement, commercial ship repair

Congo, Republic of the

petroleum extraction, cement, lumber,

brewing, sugar, palm oil, soap, flour, cigarettes

Cook Islands

fruit processing, tourism, fishing, clothing,

handicrafts

Costa Rica

microprocessors, food processing, textiles and clothing,

construction materials, fertilizer, plastic products

Cote d'Ivoire

foodstuffs, beverages; wood products, oil refining,

truck and bus assembly, textiles, fertilizer, building materials,

electricity, ship construction and repair

Croatia

chemicals and plastics, machine tools, fabricated metal,

electronics, pig iron and rolled steel products, aluminum, paper,

wood products, construction materials, textiles, shipbuilding,

petroleum and petroleum refining, food and beverages; tourism

Cuba

sugar, petroleum, tobacco, construction, nickel, steel, cement,

agricultural machinery, pharmaceuticals

Cyprus

tourism, food and beverage processing; cement and gypsum

production; ship repair and refurbishment; textiles; light

chemicals; metal products; wood, paper, stone, and clay products

Czech Republic

metallurgy, machinery and equipment, motor vehicles,

glass, armaments

Denmark

iron, steel, nonferrous metals, chemicals, food processing,

machinery and transportation equipment, textiles and clothing,

electronics, construction, furniture and other wood products,

shipbuilding and refurbishment, windmills

Dhekelia

none

Djibouti

construction, agricultural processing, salt

Dominica

soap, coconut oil, tourism, copra, furniture, cement

blocks, shoes

Dominican Republic

tourism, sugar processing, ferronickel and gold

mining, textiles, cement, tobacco

East Timor

printing, soap manufacturing, handicrafts, woven cloth

Ecuador

petroleum, food processing, textiles, wood products,

chemicals

Egypt

textiles, food processing, tourism, chemicals, hydrocarbons,

construction, cement, metals

El Salvador

food processing, beverages, petroleum, chemicals,

fertilizer, textiles, furniture, light metals

Equatorial Guinea

petroleum, fishing, sawmilling, natural gas

Eritrea

food processing, beverages, clothing and textiles, salt,

cement, commercial ship repair

Estonia

engineering, electronics, wood and wood products, textile;

information technology, telecommunications

Ethiopia

food processing, beverages, textiles, chemicals, metals

processing, cement

Europa Island

none

European Union

among the world's largest and most technologically

advanced, the European Union industrial base includes: ferrous and

non-ferrous metal production and processing, metal products,

petroleum, coal, cement, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, aerospace, rail

transportation equipment, passenger and commercial vehicles,

construction equipment, industrial equipment, shipbuilding,

electrical power equipment, machine tools and automated

manufacturing systems, electronics and telecommunications equipment,

fishing, food and beverage processing, furniture, paper, textiles,

tourism

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

fish and wool processing; tourism

Faroe Islands

fishing, fish processing, small ship repair and

refurbishment, handicrafts

Fiji

tourism, sugar, clothing, copra, gold, silver, lumber, small

cottage industries

Finland

metals and metal products, electronics, machinery and

scientific instruments, shipbuilding, pulp and paper, foodstuffs,

chemicals, textiles, clothing

France

machinery, chemicals, automobiles, metallurgy, aircraft,

electronics; textiles, food processing; tourism

French Guiana

construction, shrimp processing, forestry products,

rum, gold mining

French Polynesia

tourism, pearls, agricultural processing,

handicrafts, phosphates

Gabon

petroleum extraction and refining; manganese, and gold mining;

chemicals; ship repair; food and beverage; textile; lumbering and

plywood; cement

Gambia, The

processing peanuts, fish, and hides; tourism; beverages;

agricultural machinery assembly, woodworking, metalworking; clothing

Gaza Strip

generally small family businesses that produce textiles,

soap, olive-wood carvings, and mother-of-pearl souvenirs; the

Israelis have established some small-scale modern industries in an

industrial center

Georgia

steel, aircraft, machine tools, electrical appliances,

mining (manganese and copper), chemicals, wood products, wine

Germany

among the world's largest and most technologically advanced

producers of iron, steel, coal, cement, chemicals, machinery,

vehicles, machine tools, electronics, food and beverages;

shipbuilding; textiles

Ghana

mining, lumbering, light manufacturing, aluminum smelting,

food processing, cement, small commercial ship building

Gibraltar

tourism, banking and finance, ship repairing, tobacco

Greece

tourism; food and tobacco processing, textiles; chemicals,

metal products; mining, petroleum

Greenland

fish processing (mainly shrimp and Greenland halibut);

gold, niobium, tantalite, uranium, iron and diamond mining;

handicrafts, hides and skins, small shipyards

Grenada

food and beverages, textiles, light assembly operations,

tourism, construction

Guadeloupe

construction, cement, rum, sugar, tourism

Guam

US military, tourism, construction, transshipment services,

concrete products, printing and publishing, food processing, textiles

Guatemala

sugar, textiles and clothing, furniture, chemicals,

petroleum, metals, rubber, tourism

Guernsey

tourism, banking

Guinea

bauxite, gold, diamonds; alumina refining; light

manufacturing and agricultural processing industries

Guinea-Bissau

agricultural products processing, beer, soft drinks

Guyana

bauxite, sugar, rice milling, timber, textiles, gold mining

Haiti

sugar refining, flour milling, textiles, cement, light

assembly industries based on imported parts

Holy See (Vatican City) printing; production of coins, medals, postage stamps; a small amount of mosaics and staff uniforms; worldwide banking and financial activities

Honduras

sugar, coffee, textiles, clothing, wood products

Hong Kong

textiles, clothing, tourism, banking, shipping,

electronics, plastics, toys, watches, clocks

Hungary

mining, metallurgy, construction materials, processed foods,

textiles, chemicals (especially pharmaceuticals), motor vehicles

Iceland

fish processing; aluminum smelting, ferrosilicon production,

geothermal power; tourism

India

textiles, chemicals, food processing, steel, transportation

equipment, cement, mining, petroleum, machinery, software

Indonesia

petroleum and natural gas, textiles, apparel, footwear,

mining, cement, chemical fertilizers, plywood, rubber, food, tourism

Iran

petroleum, petrochemicals, textiles, cement and other

construction materials, food processing (particularly sugar refining

and vegetable oil production), metal fabrication, armaments

Iraq

petroleum, chemicals, textiles, construction materials, food

processing, fertilizer, metal fabrication/processing

Ireland

steel, lead, zinc, silver, aluminum, barite, and gypsum

mining processing; food products, brewing, textiles, clothing;

chemicals, pharmaceuticals; machinery, rail transportation

equipment, passenger and commercial vehicles, ship construction and

refurbishment; glass and crystal; software, tourism

Israel

high-technology projects (including aviation, communications,

computer-aided design and manufactures, medical electronics, fiber

optics), wood and paper products, potash and phosphates, food,

beverages, and tobacco, caustic soda, cement, construction, metals

products, chemical products, plastics, diamond cutting, textiles and

footwear

Italy

tourism, machinery, iron and steel, chemicals, food

processing, textiles, motor vehicles, clothing, footwear, ceramics

Jamaica

tourism, bauxite/alumina, textiles, agro processing, wearing

apparel, light manufactures, rum, cement, metal, paper, chemical

products, telecommunications

Japan

among world's largest and technologically advanced producers

of motor vehicles, electronic equipment, machine tools, steel and

nonferrous metals, ships, chemicals, textiles, processed foods

Jersey

tourism, banking and finance, dairy

Jordan

phosphate mining, pharmaceuticals, petroleum refining,

cement, potash, inorganic chemicals, light manufacturing, tourism

Kazakhstan

oil, coal, iron ore, manganese, chromite, lead, zinc,

copper, titanium, bauxite, gold, silver, phosphates, sulfur, iron

and steel; tractors and other agricultural machinery, electric

motors, construction materials

Kenya

small-scale consumer goods (plastic, furniture, batteries,

textiles, soap, cigarettes, flour), agricultural products; oil

refining, aluminum, steel, lead, cement; commercial ship repair,

tourism

Kiribati

fishing, handicrafts

Korea, North

military products; machine building, electric power,

chemicals; mining (coal, iron ore, magnesite, graphite, copper,

zinc, lead, and precious metals), metallurgy; textiles, food

processing; tourism

Korea, South

electronics, telecommunications, automobile production,

chemicals, shipbuilding, steel

Kuwait

petroleum, petrochemicals, cement, shipbuilding and repair,

desalination, food processing, construction materials

Kyrgyzstan

small machinery, textiles, food processing, cement,

shoes, sawn logs, refrigerators, furniture, electric motors, gold,

rare earth metals

Laos

tin and gypsum mining, timber, electric power, agricultural

processing, construction, garments, tourism

Latvia

buses, vans, street and railroad cars, synthetic fibers,

agricultural machinery, fertilizers, washing machines, radios,

electronics, pharmaceuticals, processed foods, textiles; note -

dependent on imports for energy and raw materials

Lebanon

banking, food processing, jewelry, cement, textiles, mineral

and chemical products, wood and furniture products, oil refining,

metal fabricating

Lesotho

food, beverages, textiles, apparel assembly, handicrafts;

construction; tourism

Liberia

rubber processing, palm oil processing, timber, diamonds

Libya

petroleum, iron and steel, food processing, textiles,

handicrafts, cement

Liechtenstein

electronics, metal manufacturing, dental products,

ceramics, pharmaceuticals, food products, precision instruments,

tourism, optical instruments

Lithuania

metal-cutting machine tools, electric motors, television

sets, refrigerators and freezers, petroleum refining, shipbuilding

(small ships), furniture making, textiles, food processing,

fertilizers, agricultural machinery, optical equipment, electronic

components, computers, amber

Luxembourg

banking, iron and steel, food processing, chemicals,

metal products, engineering, tires, glass, aluminum, information

technology, tourism and banking

Macau

tourism, gambling, clothing, textiles, electronics, footwear,

toys

Macedonia

coal, metallic chromium, lead, zinc, ferronickel,

textiles, wood products, tobacco, food processing, buses, steel

Madagascar

meat processing, soap, breweries, tanneries, sugar,

textiles, glassware, cement, automobile assembly plant, paper,

petroleum, tourism

Malawi

tobacco, tea, sugar, sawmill products, cement, consumer goods

Malaysia

Peninsular Malaysia - rubber and oil palm processing and

manufacturing, light manufacturing industry, electronics, tin mining

and smelting, logging and processing timber; Sabah - logging,

petroleum production; Sarawak - agriculture processing, petroleum

production and refining, logging

Maldives

fish processing, tourism, shipping, boat building, coconut

processing, garments, woven mats, rope, handicrafts, coral and sand

mining

Mali

food processing; construction; phosphate and gold mining

Malta

tourism; electronics, ship building and repair, construction;

food and beverages, textiles, footwear, clothing, tobacco

Man, Isle of

financial services, light manufacturing, tourism

Marshall Islands

copra, tuna processing, tourism, craft items from

shell, wood, and pearls

Martinique

construction, rum, cement, oil refining, sugar, tourism

Mauritania

fish processing, mining of iron ore and gypsum

Mauritius

food processing (largely sugar milling), textiles,

clothing; chemicals, metal products, transport equipment,

nonelectrical machinery; tourism

Mayotte

newly created lobster and shrimp industry, construction

Mexico

food and beverages, tobacco, chemicals, iron and steel,

petroleum, mining, textiles, clothing, motor vehicles, consumer

durables, tourism

Micronesia, Federated States of

tourism, construction, fish

processing, specialized aquaculture, craft items from shell, wood,

and pearls

Moldova

food processing, agricultural machinery, foundry equipment,

refrigerators and freezers, washing machines, hosiery, sugar,

vegetable oil, shoes, textiles

Monaco

tourism, construction, small-scale industrial and consumer

products

Mongolia

construction and construction materials; mining (coal,

copper, molybdenum, fluorspar, and gold); oil; food and beverages;

processing of animal products, cashmere and natural fiber

manufacturing

Montserrat

tourism, rum, textiles, electronic appliances

Morocco

phosphate rock mining and processing, food processing,

leather goods, textiles, construction, tourism

Mozambique

food, beverages, chemicals (fertilizer, soap, paints),

aluminum, petroleum products, textiles, cement, glass, asbestos,

tobacco

Namibia

meatpacking, fish processing, dairy products; mining

(diamond, lead, zinc, tin, silver, tungsten, uranium, copper)

Nauru

phosphate mining, offshore banking, coconut products

Nepal

tourism, carpet, textile; small rice, jute, sugar, and oilseed

mills; cigarette; cement and brick production

Netherlands

agroindustries, metal and engineering products,

electrical machinery and equipment, chemicals, petroleum,

construction, microelectronics, fishing

Netherlands Antilles

tourism (Curacao, Sint Maarten, and Bonaire),

petroleum refining (Curacao), petroleum transshipment facilities

(Curacao and Bonaire), light manufacturing (Curacao)

New Caledonia

nickel mining and smelting

New Zealand

food processing, wood and paper products, textiles,

machinery, transportation equipment, banking and insurance, tourism,

mining

Nicaragua

food processing, chemicals, machinery and metal products,

textiles, clothing, petroleum refining and distribution, beverages,

footwear, wood

Niger

uranium mining, cement, brick, soap, textiles, food

processing, chemicals, slaughterhouses

Nigeria

crude oil, coal, tin, columbite, palm oil, peanuts, cotton,

rubber, wood, hides and skins, textiles, cement and other

construction materials, food products, footwear, chemicals,

fertilizer, printing, ceramics, steel, small commercial ship

construction and repair

Niue

tourism, handicrafts, food processing

Norfolk Island

tourism, light industry, ready mixed concrete

Northern Mariana Islands

tourism, construction, garments, handicrafts

Norway

petroleum and gas, food processing, shipbuilding, pulp and

paper products, metals, chemicals, timber, mining, textiles, fishing

Oman

crude oil production and refining, natural and liquefied

natural gas (LNG) production, construction, cement, copper, steel,

chemicals, optic fiber

Pakistan

textiles and apparel, food processing, pharmaceuticals,

construction materials, paper products, fertilizer, shrimp

Palau

tourism, craft items (from shell, wood, pearls), construction,

garment making

Panama

construction, brewing, cement and other construction

materials, sugar milling

Papua New Guinea

copra crushing, palm oil processing, plywood

production, wood chip production; mining of gold, silver, and

copper; crude oil production; construction, tourism

Paraguay

sugar, cement, textiles, beverages, wood products, steel,

metallurgic, electric power

Peru

mining and refining of minerals and metals, petroleum

extraction and refining, natural gas, fishing and fish processing,

textiles, clothing, food processing, steel, metal fabrication

Philippines

electronics assembly, garments, footwear,

pharmaceuticals, chemicals, wood products, food processing,

petroleum refining, fishing

Pitcairn Islands

postage stamps, handicrafts, beekeeping, honey

Poland

machine building, iron and steel, coal mining, chemicals,

shipbuilding, food processing, glass, beverages, textiles

Portugal

textiles and footwear; wood pulp, paper, and cork; metals

and metalworking; oil refining; chemicals; fish canning; rubber and

plastic products; ceramics; electronics and communications

equipment; rail transportation equipment; aerospace equipment; ship

construction and refurbishment; wine; tourism

Puerto Rico

pharmaceuticals, electronics, apparel, food products,

tourism

Qatar

crude oil production and refining, ammonia, fertilizers,

petrochemicals, steel reinforcing bars, cement, commercial ship

repair

Reunion

sugar, rum, cigarettes, handicraft items, flower oil

extraction

Romania

textiles and footwear, light machinery and auto assembly,

mining, timber, construction materials, metallurgy, chemicals, food

processing, petroleum refining

Russia

complete range of mining and extractive industries producing

coal, oil, gas, chemicals, and metals; all forms of machine building

from rolling mills to high-performance aircraft and space vehicles;

defense industries including radar, missile production, and advanced

electronic components, shipbuilding; road and rail transportation

equipment; communications equipment; agricultural machinery,

tractors, and construction equipment; electric power generating and

transmitting equipment; medical and scientific instruments; consumer

durables, textiles, foodstuffs, handicrafts

Rwanda

cement, agricultural products, small-scale beverages, soap,

furniture, shoes, plastic goods, textiles, cigarettes

Saint Helena

construction, crafts (furniture, lacework, fancy

woodwork), fishing

Saint Kitts and Nevis

sugar processing, tourism, cotton, salt,

copra, clothing, footwear, beverages

Saint Lucia

clothing, assembly of electronic components, beverages,

corrugated cardboard boxes, tourism, lime processing, coconut

processing

Saint Pierre and Miquelon

fish processing and supply base for

fishing fleets; tourism

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

food processing, cement, furniture,

clothing, starch

Samoa

food processing, building materials, auto parts

San Marino

tourism, banking, textiles, electronics, ceramics,

cement, wine

Sao Tome and Principe

light construction, textiles, soap, beer; fish

processing; timber

Saudi Arabia

crude oil production, petroleum refining, basic

petrochemicals, ammonia, industrial gases, sodium hydroxide (caustic

soda), cement, construction, fertilizer, plastics, commercial ship

repair, commercial aircraft repair

Senegal

agricultural and fish processing, phosphate mining,

fertilizer production, petroleum refining, construction materials,

ship construction and repair

Serbia and Montenegro

machine building (aircraft, trucks, and

automobiles; tanks and weapons; electrical equipment; agricultural

machinery); metallurgy (steel, aluminum, copper, lead, zinc,

chromium, antimony, bismuth, cadmium); mining (coal, bauxite,

nonferrous ore, iron ore, limestone); consumer goods (textiles,

footwear, foodstuffs, appliances); electronics, petroleum products,

chemicals, and pharmaceuticals

Seychelles

fishing; tourism; processing of coconuts and vanilla,

coir (coconut fiber) rope, boat building, printing, furniture;

beverages

Sierra Leone

diamonds mining; small-scale manufacturing (beverages,

textiles, cigarettes, footwear); petroleum refining, small

commercial ship repair

Singapore

electronics, chemicals, financial services, oil drilling

equipment, petroleum refining, rubber processing and rubber

products, processed food and beverages, ship repair, offshore

platform construction, life sciences, entrepot trade

Slovakia

metal and metal products; food and beverages; electricity,

gas, coke, oil, nuclear fuel; chemicals and manmade fibers;

machinery; paper and printing; earthenware and ceramics; transport

vehicles; textiles; electrical and optical apparatus; rubber products

Slovenia

ferrous metallurgy and aluminum products, lead and zinc

smelting, electronics (including military electronics), trucks,

electric power equipment, wood products, textiles, chemicals,

machine tools

Solomon Islands

fish (tuna), mining, timber

Somalia

a few light industries, including sugar refining, textiles,

wireless communication

South Africa

mining (world's largest producer of platinum, gold,

chromium), automobile assembly, metalworking, machinery, textile,

iron and steel, chemicals, fertilizer, foodstuffs, commercial ship

repair

Spain

textiles and apparel (including footwear), food and beverages,

metals and metal manufactures, chemicals, shipbuilding, automobiles,

machine tools, tourism, clay and refractory products, footwear,

pharmaceuticals, medical equipment

Sri Lanka

rubber processing, tea, coconuts, and other agricultural

commodities; telecommunications, insurance, and banking; clothing,

cement, petroleum refining, textiles, tobacco

Sudan

oil, cotton ginning, textiles, cement, edible oils, sugar,

soap distilling, shoes, petroleum refining, pharmaceuticals,

armaments, automobile/light truck assembly

Suriname

bauxite and gold mining, alumina production, oil,

lumbering, food processing, fishing

Swaziland

mining (coal, raw asbestos), wood pulp, sugar, soft drink

concentrates, textile and apparel

Sweden

iron and steel, precision equipment (bearings, radio and

telephone parts, armaments), wood pulp and paper products, processed

foods, motor vehicles

Switzerland

machinery, chemicals, watches, textiles, precision

instruments

Syria

petroleum, textiles, food processing, beverages, tobacco,

phosphate rock mining

Taiwan

electronics, petroleum refining, armaments, chemicals,

textiles, iron and steel, machinery, cement, food processing,

vehicles, consumer products, pharmaceuticals

Tajikistan

aluminum, zinc, lead, chemicals and fertilizers, cement,

vegetable oil, metal-cutting machine tools, refrigerators and

freezers

Tanzania

agricultural processing (sugar, beer, cigarettes, sisal

twine), diamond, gold and iron mining, soda ash, oil refining,

shoes, cement, apparel, wood products, fertilizer, salt

Thailand

tourism, textiles and garments, agricultural processing,

beverages, tobacco, cement, light manufacturing such as jewelry,

electric appliances and components, computers and parts, integrated

circuits, furniture, plastics, world's second-largest tungsten

producer, and third-largest tin producer

Togo

phosphate mining, agricultural processing, cement; handicrafts,

textiles, beverages

Tokelau

small-scale enterprises for copra production, woodworking,

plaited craft goods; stamps, coins; fishing

Tonga

tourism, fishing

Trinidad and Tobago

petroleum, chemicals, tourism, food processing,

cement, beverage, cotton textiles

Tunisia

petroleum, mining (particularly phosphate and iron ore),

tourism, textiles, footwear, agribusiness, beverages

Turkey

textiles, food processing, autos, mining (coal, chromite,

copper, boron), steel, petroleum, construction, lumber, paper

Turkmenistan

natural gas, oil, petroleum products, textiles, food

processing

Turks and Caicos Islands

tourism, offshore financial services

Tuvalu

fishing, tourism, copra

Uganda

sugar, brewing, tobacco, cotton textiles, cement, steel

production

Ukraine

coal, electric power, ferrous and nonferrous metals,

machinery and transport equipment, chemicals, food processing

(especially sugar)

United Arab Emirates

petroleum, fishing, aluminum, cement,

fertilizers, commercial ship repair, petrochemicals, construction

materials, some boat building, handicrafts, textiles

United Kingdom

machine tools, electric power equipment, automation

equipment, railroad equipment, shipbuilding, aircraft, motor

vehicles and parts, electronics and communications equipment,

metals, chemicals, coal, petroleum, paper and paper products, food

processing, textiles, clothing, and other consumer goods

United States

leading industrial power in the world, highly

diversified and technologically advanced; petroleum, steel, motor

vehicles, aerospace, telecommunications, chemicals, electronics,

food processing, consumer goods, lumber, mining

Uruguay

food processing, electrical machinery, transportation

equipment, petroleum products, textiles, chemicals, beverages

Uzbekistan

textiles, food processing, machine building, metallurgy,

gold petroleum, natural gas, chemicals

Vanuatu

food and fish freezing, wood processing, meat canning

Venezuela

petroleum, iron ore mining, construction materials, food

processing, textiles, steel, aluminum, motor vehicle assembly

Vietnam

food processing, garments, shoes, machine-building, mining,

cement, chemical fertilizer, glass, tires, oil, coal, steel, paper

Virgin Islands

tourism, petroleum refining, watch assembly, rum

distilling, construction, pharmaceuticals, textiles, electronics

Wallis and Futuna

copra, handicrafts, fishing, lumber

West Bank

generally small family businesses that produce cement,

textiles, soap, olive-wood carvings, and mother-of-pearl souvenirs;

the Israelis have established some small-scale, modern industries in

the settlements and industrial centers

Western Sahara

phosphate mining, handicrafts

World

dominated by the onrush of technology, especially in

computers, robotics, telecommunications, and medicines and medical

equipment; most of these advances take place in OECD nations; only a

small portion of non-OECD countries have succeeded in rapidly

adjusting to these technological forces; the accelerated development

of new industrial (and agricultural) technology is complicating

already grim environmental problems

Yemen

crude oil production and petroleum refining; small-scale

production of cotton textiles and leather goods; food processing;

handicrafts; small aluminum products factory; cement; commercial

ship repair

Zambia

copper mining and processing, construction, foodstuffs,

beverages, chemicals, textiles, fertilizer, horticulture

Zimbabwe

mining (coal, gold, platinum, copper, nickel, tin, clay,

numerous metallic and nonmetallic ores), steel, wood products,

cement, chemicals, fertilizer, clothing and footwear, foodstuffs,

beverages

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2091 Infant mortality rate (deaths/1,000 live births)

Afghanistan

total: 163.07 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 167.79 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 158.12 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Albania

total: 21.52 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 21.96 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 21.03 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Algeria

total: 31 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 34.83 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 26.98 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

American Samoa

total: 9.27 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 9.85 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 8.65 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Andorra

total: 4.05 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 4.38 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 3.69 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Angola

total: 191.19 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 203.68 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 178.07 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Anguilla

total: 21.03 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 27.59 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 14.27 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Antigua and Barbuda

total: 19.46 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 23.43 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 15.29 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Argentina

total: 15.18 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 17.07 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 13.19 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Armenia

total: 23.28 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 28.51 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 17.13 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Aruba

total: 5.89 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 6.71 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 5.03 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Australia

total: 4.69 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 5.08 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 4.27 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Austria

total: 4.66 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 5.74 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 3.53 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Azerbaijan

total: 81.74 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 83.58 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 79.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Bahamas, The

total: 25.21 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 31.02 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 19.28 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Bahrain

total: 17.27 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 20.17 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 14.28 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Bangladesh

total: 62.6 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 63.65 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 61.48 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Barbados

total: 12.5 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 14.14 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 10.83 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Belarus

total: 13.37 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 14.3 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 12.39 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Belgium

total: 4.68 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 5.27 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 4.06 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Belize

total: 25.69 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 28.97 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 22.25 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Benin

total: 85 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 90 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 79.86 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Bermuda

total: 8.53 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 10.14 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 6.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Bhutan

total: 100.44 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 98.19 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 102.81 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Bolivia

total: 53.11 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 56.7 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 49.33 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Bosnia and Herzegovina

total: 21.05 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 23.62 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 18.31 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Botswana

total: 54.58 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 55.97 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 53.14 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Brazil

total: 29.61 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 33.37 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 25.66 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

British Virgin Islands

total: 18.05 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 21.02 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 14.95 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Brunei

total: 12.61 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 15.93 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 9.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Bulgaria

total: 20.55 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 24.31 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 16.56 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Burkina Faso

total: 97.57 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 105.55 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 89.34 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Burma

total: 67.24 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 73.11 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 61.03 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Burundi

total: 69.29 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 75.87 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 62.5 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Cambodia

total: 71.48 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 80.13 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 62.43 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Cameroon

total: 68.26 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 72.14 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 64.27 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Canada

total: 4.75 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 5.21 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 4.27 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Cape Verde

total: 47.77 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 52.95 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 42.44 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Cayman Islands

total: 8.19 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 9.39 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 6.97 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Central African Republic

total: 91 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 97.84 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 83.96 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Chad

total: 93.82 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 103.03 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 84.24 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Chile

total: 8.8 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 9.55 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 8.01 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

China

total: 24.18 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 21.21 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 27.5 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Christmas Island

total: NA

male: NA

female: NA

Cocos (Keeling) Islands

total: NA

male: NA

female: NA

Colombia

total: 20.97 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 24.92 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 16.89 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Comoros

total: 74.93 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 83.48 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 66.13 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Congo, Democratic Republic of the

total: 92.87 deaths/1,000 live

births

male: 101.25 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 84.23 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Congo, Republic of the

total: 92.41 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 98.48 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 86.16 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Cook Islands

total: NA

male: NA

female: NA

Costa Rica

total: 9.95 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 10.85 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 9 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Cote d'Ivoire

total: 90.83 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 107.64 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 73.52 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Croatia

total: 6.84 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 6.79 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 6.88 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Cuba

total: 6.33 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 7.11 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 5.5 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Cyprus

total: 7.18 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 8.94 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 5.33 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Czech Republic

total: 3.93 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 4.28 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 3.55 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Denmark

total: 4.56 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 4.59 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 4.53 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Djibouti

total: 104.13 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 111.82 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 96.21 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Dominica

total: 14.15 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 18.68 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 9.38 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Dominican Republic

total: 32.38 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 34.81 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 29.84 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

East Timor

total: 47.41 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 53.71 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 40.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Ecuador

total: 23.66 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 28.36 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 18.72 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Egypt

total: 32.59 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 33.31 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 31.83 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

El Salvador

total: 25.1 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 27.98 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 22.08 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Equatorial Guinea

total: 85.13 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 91.28 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 78.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Eritrea

total: 74.87 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 82.28 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 67.24 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Estonia

total: 7.87 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 9.06 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 6.6 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Ethiopia

total: 95.32 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 105.3 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 85.05 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

European Union

total: 5.1 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 5.6 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 4.5 deaths/1,000 live births (July 2005 est.)

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

total: NA

male: NA

female: NA (2005 est.)

Faroe Islands

total: 6.24 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 7.54 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 4.93 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Fiji

total: 12.62 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 13.97 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 11.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Finland

total: 3.57 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 3.89 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 3.24 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

France

total: 4.26 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 4.76 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 3.73 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

French Guiana

total: 12.07 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 12.91 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 11.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

French Polynesia

total: 8.44 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 9.73 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 7.09 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Gabon

total: 53.64 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 63.21 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 43.79 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Gambia, The

total: 72.02 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 78.6 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 65.24 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Gaza Strip

total: 22.93 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 24.05 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 21.76 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Georgia

total: 18.59 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 20.71 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 16.13 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Germany

total: 4.16 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 4.61 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 3.69 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Ghana

total: 51.43 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 54.25 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 48.53 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Gibraltar

total: 5.13 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 5.71 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 4.52 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Greece

total: 5.53 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 6.08 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 4.94 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Greenland

total: 15.82 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 17.15 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 14.45 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Grenada

total: 14.62 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 14.18 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 15.07 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Guadeloupe

total: 8.6 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 9.81 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 7.33 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Guam

total: 6.94 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 7.61 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 6.24 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Guatemala

total: 35.93 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 36.74 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 35.09 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Guernsey

total: 4.71 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 5.26 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 4.13 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Guinea

total: 90.37 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 95.82 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 84.76 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Guinea-Bissau

total: 107.17 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 117.78 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 96.25 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Guyana

total: 33.26 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 36.94 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 29.38 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Haiti

total: 73.45 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 79.92 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 66.79 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Honduras

total: 29.32 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 32.84 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 25.63 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Hong Kong

total: 2.97 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 3.16 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 2.77 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Hungary

total: 8.57 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 9.27 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 7.83 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Iceland

total: 3.31 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 3.45 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 3.16 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

India

total: 56.29 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 56.86 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 55.69 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Indonesia

total: 35.6 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 40.72 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 30.22 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Iran

total: 41.58 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 41.75 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 41.41 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Iraq

total: 50.25 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 56.06 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 44.14 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Ireland

total: 5.39 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 5.91 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 4.84 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Israel

total: 7.03 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 7.77 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 6.26 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Italy

total: 5.94 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 6.55 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 5.29 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Jamaica

total: 12.36 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 13.35 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 11.32 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Japan

total: 3.26 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 3.52 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 2.99 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Jersey

total: 5.24 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 5.6 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 4.85 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Jordan

total: 17.35 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 20.75 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 13.75 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Kazakhstan

total: 29.21 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 33.85 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 24.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Kenya

total: 61.47 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 64.26 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 58.62 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Kiribati

total: 48.52 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 53.64 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 43.16 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Korea, North

total: 24.04 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 25.77 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 22.23 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Korea, South

total: 7.05 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 7.5 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 6.57 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Kuwait

total: 9.95 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 10.96 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 8.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Kyrgyzstan

total: 35.64 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 40.97 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 30.03 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Laos

total: 85.22 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 95.04 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 75.01 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Latvia

total: 9.55 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 11.55 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 7.45 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Lebanon

total: 24.52 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 27.19 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 21.71 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Lesotho

total: 84.23 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 89.11 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 79.21 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Liberia

total: 128.87 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 135.64 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 121.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Libya

total: 24.6 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 26.92 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 22.17 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Liechtenstein

total: 4.7 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 6.34 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 3.05 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Lithuania

total: 6.89 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 8.25 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 5.45 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Luxembourg

total: 4.81 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 4.79 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 4.83 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Macau

total: 4.39 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 4.59 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 4.19 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Macedonia

total: 10.09 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 10.2 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 9.97 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Madagascar

total: 76.83 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 85.05 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 68.36 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Malawi

total: 103.32 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 107.44 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 99.07 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Malaysia

total: 17.7 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 20.49 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 14.71 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Maldives

total: 56.52 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 55.63 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 57.45 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Mali

total: 116.79 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 123.32 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 110.07 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Malta

total: 3.89 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 4.38 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 3.37 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Man, Isle of

total: 5.93 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 6.93 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 4.87 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Marshall Islands

total: 29.45 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 33.05 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 25.67 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Martinique

total: 7.09 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 4.73 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 9.51 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Mauritania

total: 70.89 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 73.81 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 67.89 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Mauritius

total: 15.03 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 17.74 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 12.27 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Mayotte

total: 62.4 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 68.51 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 56.11 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Mexico

total: 20.91 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 22.85 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 18.88 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Micronesia, Federated States of

total: 30.21 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 33.3 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 26.97 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Moldova

total: 40.42 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 43.11 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 37.58 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Monaco

total: 5.43 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 6.29 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 4.53 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Mongolia

total: 53.79 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 57.25 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 50.16 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Montserrat

total: 7.35 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 8.55 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 6.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Morocco

total: 41.62 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 45.42 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 37.63 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Mozambique

total: 130.79 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 135.91 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 125.51 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Namibia

total: 48.98 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 53 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 44.84 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Nauru

total: 9.95 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 12.51 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 7.26 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Nepal

total: 66.98 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 65.25 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 68.79 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Netherlands

total: 5.04 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 5.62 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 4.44 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Netherlands Antilles

total: 10.03 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 10.82 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 9.19 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

New Caledonia

total: 7.72 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 8.42 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 6.97 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

New Zealand

total: 5.85 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 6.7 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 4.96 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Nicaragua

total: 29.11 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 32.6 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 25.44 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Niger

total: 121.69 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 125.93 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 117.33 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Nigeria

total: 98.8 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 105.69 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 91.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Niue

total: NA

male: NA

female: NA

Norfolk Island

total: NA

male: NA

female: NA

Northern Mariana Islands

total: 7.11 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 7.05 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 7.17 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Norway

total: 3.7 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 4.07 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 3.32 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Oman

total: 19.51 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 22.35 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 16.53 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Pakistan

total: 72.44 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 72.84 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 72.03 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Palau

total: 14.84 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 16.6 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 12.99 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Panama

total: 20.47 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 22.59 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 18.26 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Papua New Guinea

total: 51.45 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 55.63 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 47.07 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Paraguay

total: 25.63 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 30.37 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 20.66 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Peru

total: 31.94 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 34.53 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 29.24 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Philippines

total: 23.51 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 26.34 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 20.54 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Pitcairn Islands

total: NA

male: NA

female: NA

Poland

total: 8.51 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 9.59 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 7.37 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Portugal

total: 5.05 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 5.53 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 4.55 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Puerto Rico

total: 8.24 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 9.52 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 6.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Qatar

total: 18.61 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 21.95 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 15.11 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Reunion

total: 7.78 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 8.52 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 6.99 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Romania

total: 26.43 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 29.6 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 23.06 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Russia

total: 15.39 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 17.7 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 12.94 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Rwanda

total: 91.23 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 96.37 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 85.93 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Saint Helena

total: 19 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 22.74 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 15.08 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Saint Kitts and Nevis

total: 14.49 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 16.25 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 12.63 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Saint Lucia

total: 13.53 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 14.66 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 12.32 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Saint Pierre and Miquelon

total: 7.54 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 8.66 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 6.38 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

total: 14.78 deaths/1,000 live

births

male: 16.09 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 13.44 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Samoa

total: 27.71 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 32.68 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 22.48 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

San Marino

total: 5.73 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 6.16 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 5.26 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Sao Tome and Principe

total: 43.11 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 45.06 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 41.11 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Saudi Arabia

total: 13.24 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 15.19 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 11.18 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Senegal

total: 55.51 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 59.17 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 51.75 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Serbia and Montenegro

total: 12.89 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 14.54 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 11.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Seychelles

total: 15.53 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 19.65 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 11.28 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Sierra Leone

total: 143.64 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 161.06 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 125.69 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Singapore

total: 2.29 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 2.5 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 2.06 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Slovakia

total: 7.41 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 8.65 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 6.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Slovenia

total: 4.45 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 5.05 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 3.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Solomon Islands

total: 21.29 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 24.27 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 18.17 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Somalia

total: 116.7 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 126.06 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 107.06 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

South Africa

total: 61.81 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 65.6 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 57.93 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Spain

total: 4.42 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 4.82 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 4 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Sri Lanka

total: 14.35 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 15.57 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 13.07 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Sudan

total: 62.5 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 63.29 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 61.67 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Suriname

total: 23.57 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 27.57 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 19.37 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Svalbard

total: NA

male: NA

female: NA

Swaziland

total: 69.27 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 72.51 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 65.94 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Sweden

total: 2.77 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 2.93 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 2.59 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Switzerland

total: 4.39 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 4.9 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 3.86 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Syria

total: 29.53 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 29.76 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 29.28 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Taiwan

total: 6.4 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 7.09 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 5.65 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Tajikistan

total: 110.76 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 122.35 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 98.6 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Tanzania

total: 98.54 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 107.85 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 88.95 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Thailand

total: 20.48 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 21.83 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 19.06 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Togo

total: 66.61 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 74.24 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 58.76 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Tokelau

total: NA

male: NA

female: NA

Tonga

total: 12.62 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 13.97 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 11.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Trinidad and Tobago

total: 24.31 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 26.23 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 22.31 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Tunisia

total: 24.77 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 27.68 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 21.65 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Turkey

total: 41.04 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 44.68 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 37.22 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Turkmenistan

total: 73.08 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 76.9 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 69.07 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Turks and Caicos Islands

total: 15.67 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 18.11 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 13.11 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Tuvalu

total: 20.03 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 22.9 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 17.02 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Uganda

total: 67.83 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 71.18 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 64.37 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Ukraine

total: 20.34 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 21.55 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 19.07 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

United Arab Emirates

total: 14.51 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 17.05 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 11.84 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

United Kingdom

total: 5.16 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 5.76 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 4.53 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

United States

total: 6.5 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 7.17 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 5.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Uruguay

total: 11.95 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 13.27 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 10.58 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Uzbekistan

total: 71.1 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 74.78 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 67.22 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Vanuatu

total: 55.16 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 57.73 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 52.45 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Venezuela

total: 22.2 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 25.31 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 18.85 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Vietnam

total: 25.95 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 26.35 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 25.52 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Virgin Islands

total: 8.03 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 9.11 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 6.88 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Wallis and Futuna

total: NA

male: NA

female: NA

West Bank

total: 19.62 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 21.66 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 17.45 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Western Sahara

total: NA

male: NA

female: NA

World

total: 50.11 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 52.1 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 48.01 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Yemen

total: 61.5 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 66.26 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 56.49 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Zambia

total: 88.29 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 95.63 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 80.72 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Zimbabwe

total: 67.69 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 70.32 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 64.98 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2092 Inflation rate (consumer prices) (%)

Afghanistan

10.3% (2003)

Albania

3.2% (2004 est.)

Algeria

3.1% (2004 est.)

American Samoa

NA%

Andorra

4.3% (2000)

Angola

43.8% (2004 est.)

Anguilla

2.3%

Antigua and Barbuda

0.4% (2000 est.)

Argentina

6.1% (2004 est.)

Armenia

3.5% (2004 est.)

Aruba

3.2% (2002 est.)

Australia

2.3% (2004 est.)

Austria

1.8% (2004 est.)

Azerbaijan

4.6% (2004 est.)

Bahamas, The

1.2% (year ending September 2004)

Bahrain

2.1% (2004 est.)

Bangladesh

6% (2004 est.)

Barbados

-0.5% (2003 est.)

Belarus

17.4% (2004 est.)

Belgium

1.9% (2004 est.)

Belize

2.9% (2004 est.)

Benin

2.8% (2004 est.)

Bermuda

3.3% (mid-2003 est.)

Bhutan

3% (2002 est.)

Bolivia

4.9% (2004 est.)

Bosnia and Herzegovina

1.1% (2004 est.)

Botswana

7% (2004 est.)

Brazil

7.6% (2004 est.)

British Virgin Islands

2.5% (2003)

Brunei

0.3% (2003 est.)

Bulgaria

6.1% (2004 est.)

Burkina Faso

2.4% (2004 est.)

Burma

17.2% (2004 est.)

Burundi

8.5% (2004 est.)

Cambodia

3.1% (2004 est.)

Cameroon

1% (2004 est.)

Canada

1.9% (2004 est.)

Cape Verde

1.5% (2004 est.)

Cayman Islands

2.8% (2002)

Central African Republic

3.6% (2001 est.)

Chad

8% (2004 est.)

Chile

2.4% (2004 est.)

China

4.1% (2004 est.)

Colombia

5.9% (2004 est.)

Comoros

3.5% (2001 est.)

Congo, Democratic Republic of the

14% (2003 est.)

Congo, Republic of the

1.8% (2004 est.)

Cook Islands

3.2% (2000 est.)

Costa Rica

11.5% (2004 est.)

Cote d'Ivoire

1.4% (2004 est.)

Croatia

2.5% (2004 est.)

Cuba

3.1% (2004 est.)

Cyprus

Republic of Cyprus: 2.4% (2003 est.); north Cyprus: 12.6%

(2003 est.)

Czech Republic

3.2% (2004 est.)

Denmark

1.4% (2004 est.)

Djibouti

2% (2002 est.)

Dominica

1% (2001 est.)

Dominican Republic

55% (2004 est.)

East Timor

4% (2003 est.)

Ecuador

2% (2004 est.)

Egypt

9.5% (2004 est.)

El Salvador

5.4% (2004 est.)

Equatorial Guinea

8.5% (2004 est.)

Eritrea

10% (2004 est.)

Estonia

3% (2004 est.)

Ethiopia

2.4% (2004 est.)

European Union

2.1% (2004 est.)

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

3.6% (1998)

Faroe Islands

5.1% (1999)

Fiji

1.6% (2002 est.)

Finland

0.7% (2004 est.)

France

2.3% (2004 est.)

French Guiana

1.5% (2002 est.)

French Polynesia

1.5% (2002 est.)

Gabon

1.5% (2004 est.)

Gambia, The

7% (2004 est.)

Gaza Strip

2.2% (includes West Bank) (2001 est.)

Georgia

5.5% (2004 est.)

Germany

1.6% (2004 est.)

Ghana

13% (2004 est.)

Gibraltar

1.5% (1998)

Greece

2.9% (2004 est.)

Greenland

1.6% (1999 est.)

Grenada

2.8% (2001 est.)

Guadeloupe

NA%

Guam

0% (1999 est.)

Guatemala

7.2% (2004 est.)

Guernsey

4.9% (2004 est.)

Guinea

18% (2004 est.)

Guinea-Bissau

4% (2002 est.)

Guyana

4.5% (2004 est.)

Haiti

22% (2004 est.)

Honduras

7% (2004 est.)

Hong Kong

-0.3% (2004 est.)

Hungary

7% (2004 est.)

Iceland

4% (2004 est.)

India

4.2% (2004 est.)

Indonesia

6.1% (2004 est.)

Iran

15.5% (2004 est.)

Iraq

25.4% (2004 est.)

Ireland

2.2% (2004 est.)

Israel

0% (2004 est.)

Italy

2.3% (2004 est.)

Jamaica

12.4% (2004 est.)

Japan

-0.1% (2004 est.)

Jersey

5.3% (2004)

Jordan

3.2% (2004 est.)

Kazakhstan

6.9% (2004 est.)

Kenya

9% (2004 est.)

Kiribati

2.5% (2001 est.)

Korea, North

NA (2003 est.)

Korea, South

3.6% (2004 est.)

Kuwait

2.3% (2004 est.)

Kyrgyzstan

3.2% (2004 est.)

Laos

12.3% (2004 est.)

Latvia

6% (2004 est.)

Lebanon

2% (2004 est.)

Lesotho

5.3% (2004 est.)

Liberia

15% (2003 est.)

Libya

2.9% (2004 est.)

Liechtenstein

1% (2001)

Lithuania

1.1% (2004 est.)

Luxembourg

2.4% (2004 est.)

Macau

2% (3rd quarter, 2004)

Macedonia

0.4% (2004 est.)

Madagascar

7.5% (2004 est.)

Malawi

12% (2004 est.)

Malaysia

1.3% (2004 est.)

Maldives

1% (2002 est.)

Mali

4.5% (2002 est.)

Malta

2.9% (2004 est.)

Man, Isle of

3.6% (March 2003 est.)

Marshall Islands

2% (2001 est.)

Martinique

3.9% (1990)

Mauritania

7% (2003 est.)

Mauritius

4.5% (2004 est.)

Mayotte

NA%

Mexico

5.4% (2004 est.)

Micronesia, Federated States of

1% (2002 est.)

Moldova

11.5% (2004 est.)

Monaco

1.9% (2000)

Mongolia

11% (2004 est.)

Montserrat

2.6% (2002 est.)

Morocco

2.1% (2004 est.)

Mozambique

12.8% (2004 est.)

Namibia

4.2% (2004 est.)

Nauru

-3.6% (1993)

Nepal

2.9% (2002 est.)

Netherlands

1.4% (2004 est.)

Netherlands Antilles

2.1% (2003 est.)

New Caledonia

-0.6% (2000 est.)

New Zealand

2.4% (2004 est.)

Nicaragua

9.3% (2004 est.)

Niger

3% (2002 est.)

Nigeria

16.5% (2004 est.)

Niue

1% (1995)

Norfolk Island

NA

Northern Mariana Islands

1.2% (1997 est.)

Norway

1% (2004 est.)

Oman

0.2% (2004 est.)

Pakistan

4.8% (FY03/04 est.)

Palau

3.4% (2000 est.)

Panama

2% (2004 est.)

Papua New Guinea

4.2% (2004 est.)

Paraguay

5.1% (2004 est.)

Peru

3.8% (2004 est.)

Philippines

5.5% (2004 est.)

Pitcairn Islands

NA

Poland

3.4% (2004 est.)

Portugal

2.1% (2004 est.)

Puerto Rico

6.5% (2003 est.)

Qatar

3% (2004 est.)

Reunion

NA%

Romania

9.6% (2004 est.)

Russia

11.5% (2004 est.)

Rwanda

7% (2004 est.)

Saint Helena

3.2% (1997 est.)

Saint Kitts and Nevis

1.7% (2001 est.)

Saint Lucia

3% (2001 est.)

Saint Pierre and Miquelon

2.1% (1991-96 average)

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

-0.4% (2001 est.)

Samoa

4% (2001 est.)

San Marino

3.3% (2001)

Sao Tome and Principe

14% (2004 est.)

Saudi Arabia

0.8% (2004 est.)

Senegal

0.8% (2004 est.)

Serbia and Montenegro

8.8% (2004 est.)

Seychelles

5% (2004 est.)

Sierra Leone

1% (2002 est.)

Singapore

1.7% (2004 est.)

Slovakia

7.5% (2004 est.)

Slovenia

3.3% (2004 est.)

Solomon Islands

10% (2003 est.)

Somalia

note - businesses print their own money, so inflation rates

cannot be sensibly determined (2004 est.)

South Africa

4.5% (2004 est.)

Spain

3.2% (2004 est.)

Sri Lanka

5.8% (2004 est.)

Sudan

9% (2004 est.)

Suriname

23% (2003 est.)

Swaziland

5.4% (2004 est.)

Sweden

0.7% (2004 est.)

Switzerland

0.9% (2004 est.)

Syria

2.1% (2004 est.)

Taiwan

1.7% (2004 est.)

Tajikistan

8% (2004 est.)

Tanzania

5.4% (2004 est.)

Thailand

2.8% (2004 est.)

Togo

1% (2004 est.)

Tokelau

NA%

Tonga

10.3% (2002 est.)

Trinidad and Tobago

3.3% (2004 est.)

Tunisia

4.1% (2004 est.)

Turkey

9.3% (2004 est.)

Turkmenistan

9% (2004 est.)

Turks and Caicos Islands

4% (1995)

Tuvalu

5% (2000 est.)

Uganda

3.5% (2004 est.)

Ukraine

12% (2004 est.)

United Arab Emirates

3.2% (2004 est.)

United Kingdom

1.4% (2004 est.)

United States

2.5% (2004 est.)

Uruguay

7.6% (2004 est.)

Uzbekistan

3% (2004 est.)

Vanuatu

3.1% (2003 est.)

Venezuela

22.4% (2004 est.)

Vietnam

9.5% (2004 est.)

Virgin Islands

2.2% (2003)

Wallis and Futuna

NA%

West Bank

2.2% (includes Gaza Strip) (2001 est.)

Western Sahara

NA

World

developed countries 1% to 4% typically; developing countries

5% to 60% typically; national inflation rates vary widely in

individual cases, from declining prices in Japan to hyperinflation

in several Third World countries (2004 est.)

Yemen

12.2% (2004 est.)

Zambia

18.3% (2004 est.)

Zimbabwe

133% (2004 est.)

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2093 Waterways (km)

Afghanistan 1,200 km note: chiefly Amu Darya, which handles vessels up to 500 DWT (2004)

Albania

43 km (2004)

Angola

1,300 km (2004)

Argentina

11,000 km (2004)

Australia

2,000 km (mainly used for recreation on Murray and

Murray-Darling river systems) (2004)

Austria

358 km (2003)

Bangladesh

8,372 km

note: includes 2,575 km main cargo routes (2004)

Belarus

2,500 km (use limited by location on perimeter of country

and by shallowness) (2003)

Belgium

2,043 km (1,528 km in regular commercial use) (2003)

Belize

825 km (navigable only by small craft) (2004)

Benin

150 km (on River Niger along northern border) (2004)

Bolivia

10,000 km (commercially navigable) (2004)

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Sava River (northern border) open to shipping

but use limited because of no agreement with neighboring countries

(2004)

Brazil

50,000 km (most in areas remote from industry and population)

(2004)

Brunei

209 km (navigable by craft drawing less than 1.2 m) (2004)

Bulgaria

470 km (2004)

Burma

12,800 km (2004)

Burundi

mainly on Lake Tanganyika (2004)

Cambodia

2,400 km (mainly on Mekong River) (2004)

Cameroon

navigation mainly on Benue River; limited during rainy

season (2004)

Canada

631 km

note: Saint Lawrence Seaway of 3,769 km, including the Saint

Lawrence River of 3,058 km, shared with United States (2003)

Central African Republic

2,800 km (primarily on the Oubangui and

Sangha rivers) (2004)

Chad

Chari and Legone rivers are navigable only in wet season (2002)

China

121,557 km (2002)

Colombia

9,187 km (2004)

Congo, Democratic Republic of the 15,000 km (navigation on the Congo curtailed by fighting) (2004)

Congo, Republic of the

4,385 km (on Congo and Oubanqui rivers) (2004)

Costa Rica

730 km (seasonally navigable by small craft) (2004)

Cote d'Ivoire

980 km (navigable rivers, canals, and numerous coastal

lagoons) (2003)

Croatia

785 km (2004)

Cuba

240 km (2004)

Czech Republic

664 km (on Elbe, Vltava, and Oder rivers) (2004)

Denmark

417 km (2001)

Ecuador

1,500 km (most inaccessible) (2003)

Egypt

3,500 km

note: includes Nile River, Lake Nasser, Alexandria-Cairo Waterway,

and numerous smaller canals in delta; Suez Canal (193.5 km including

approaches) navigable by oceangoing vessels drawing up to 17.68 m

(2004)

El Salvador

Rio Lempa partially navigable (2004)

Estonia

500 km (2003)

European Union

53,512 km

Fiji

203 km

note: 122 km navigable by motorized craft and 200-metric-ton barges

(2004)

Finland

7,842 km

note: includes Saimaa Canal system of 3,577 km; southern part leased

from Russia (2004)

France

8,500 km (1,686 km accessible to craft of 3,000 metric tons)

(2000)

French Guiana

3,760 km

note: 460 km navigable by small oceangoing vessels and coastal and

river steamers, 3,300 km by native craft (2004)

Gabon

1,600 km (310 km on Ogooue River) (2003)

Gambia, The

390 km (on River Gambia; small ocean-going vessels can

reach 190 km) (2004)

Germany

7,300 km

note: Rhine River carries most goods; Main-Danube Canal links North

Sea and Black Sea (2004)

Ghana

1,293 km

note: 168 km for launches and lighters on Volta, Ankobra, and Tano

rivers; 1,125 km of arterial and feeder waterways on Lake Volta

(2003)

Greece

6 km

note: Corinth Canal (6 km) crosses the Isthmus of Corinth; shortens

sea voyage by 325 km (2004)

Guatemala

990 km

note: 260 km navigable year round; additional 730 km navigable

during high-water season (2004)

Guinea

1,295 km (navigable by shallow-draft native craft) (2003)

Guinea-Bissau

4 largest rivers are navigable for some distance; many

inlets and creeks give shallow-water access to much of interior

(2004)

Guyana

1,077 km

note: Berbice, Demerara, and Essequibo rivers are navigable by

oceangoing vessels for 150 km, 100 km, and 80 km respectively (2004)

Honduras

465 km (most navigable only by small craft) (2004)

Hungary

1,622 km (most on Danube River) (2004)

India

14,500 km

note: 5,200 km on major rivers and 485 km on canals suitable for

mechanized vessels (2004)

Indonesia

21,579 km

note: Sumatra 5,471 km, Java and Madura 820 km, Kalimantan 10,460

km, Sulawesi (Celebes) 241 km, Irian Jaya 4,587 km (2004)

Iran

850 km (on Karun River and Lake Urmia) (2004)

Iraq

5,275 km (not all navigable)

note: Euphrates River (2,815 km), Tigris River (1,895 km), and Third

River (565 km) are principal waterways (2004)

Ireland

753 km (pleasure craft only) (2004)

Italy

2,400 km

note: used for commercial traffic; of limited overall value compared

to road and rail (2004)

Japan

1,770 km (seagoing vessels use inland seas) (2004)

Kazakhstan

4,000 km

note: on the Syr Darya (Syrdariya) and Ertis (Irtysh) rivers (2004)

Kenya

part of Lake Victoria system is within boundaries of Kenya

(2004)

Kiribati

5 km (small network of canals in Line Islands) (2003)

Korea, North

2,250 km

note: most navigable only by small craft (2004)

Korea, South

1,608 km

note: most navigable only by small craft (2004)

Kyrgyzstan

600 km (2004)

Laos

4,600 km

note: primarily Mekong and tributaries; 2,897 additional km are

intermittently navigable by craft drawing less than 0.5 m (2003)

Latvia

300 km (2004)

Liechtenstein

28 km (2004)

Lithuania

600 km (2004)

Luxembourg

37 km (on Moselle River) (2003)

Madagascar

600 km (2004)

Malawi

700 km

note: on Lake Nyasa (Lake Malawi) and Shire River (2003)

Malaysia

7,200 km

note: Peninsular Malaysia 3,200 km, Sabah 1,500 km, Sarawak 2,500 km

(2004)

Mali

1,815 km (2004)

Mauritania

some ferry traffic on Senegal River (2004)

Mexico 2,900 km note: navigable rivers and coastal canals (2004)

Moldova

424 km (2004)

Mongolia

580 km

note: only waterway in operation is Lake Khovsgol (135 km); Selenge

River (270 km) and Orkhon River (175 km) are navigable but carry

little traffic; lakes and rivers freeze in winter, are open from May

to September (2004)

Mozambique

460 km (Zambezi River navigable to Tete and along Cahora

Bassa Lake) (2004)

Netherlands

5,046 km (navigable for ships of 50 tons) (2004)

Nicaragua

2,220 km (including lakes Managua and Nicaragua) (1997)

Niger

300 km

note: Niger River is navigable to Gaya between September and March

(2004)

Nigeria

8,600 km (Niger and Benue rivers and smaller rivers and

creeks) (2004)

Panama

800 km (includes 82 km Panama Canal) (2004)

Papua New Guinea

10,940 km (2003)

Paraguay

3,100 km (2004)

Peru

8,808 km

note: 8,600 km of navigable tributaries of Amazon system and 208 km

of Lago Titicaca (2004)

Philippines 3,219 km note: limited to vessels with draft less than 1.5 m (2004)

Poland

3,997 km (navigable rivers and canals) (2003)

Portugal

210 km (on Douro River from Porto) (2003)

Romania

1,731 km (2004)

Russia

96,000 km

note: 72,000 km system in European Russia links Baltic Sea, White

Sea, Caspian Sea, Sea of Azov, and Black Sea (2004)

Rwanda

Lac Kivu navigable by shallow-draft barges and native craft

(2004)

Senegal

1,000 km (primarily on Senegal, Saloum, and Casamance

rivers) (2003)

Serbia and Montenegro

587 km

note: Danube River traffic delayed by pontoon bridge at Novi Sad;

plan to replace by summer of 2005 (2004)

Sierra Leone

800 km (2003)

Slovakia

172 km (on Danube River) (2004)

Spain

1,045 km (2003)

Sri Lanka

160 km (primarily on rivers in southwest) (2004)

Sudan

4,068 km (1,723 km open year round on White and Blue Nile

rivers) (2004)

Suriname

1,200 km (most navigable by ships with drafts up to 7 m)

(2003)

Switzerland

65 km

note: Rhine River between Basel-Rheinfelden and

Schaffhausen-Bodensee, some canals, and 12 navigable lakes (2003)

Syria

900 km (not economically significant) (2002)

Tajikistan

200 km (along Vakhsh River) (2003)

Tanzania

Lake Tanganyika, Lake Victoria, and Lake Nyasa principal

avenues of commerce with neighboring countries; rivers not navigable

(2004)

Thailand 4,000 km note: 3,701 km navigable by boats with drafts up to 0.9 m (2003)

Togo

50 km (seasonally on Mono River depending on rainfall) (2003)

Turkey

1,200 km (2003)

Turkmenistan

1,300 km (Amu Darya and Kara Kum canal important inland

waterways) (2003)

Uganda

300 km (on Lake Victoria, 200 km on Lake Albert, Lake Kyoga,

and parts of Albert Nile) (2004 est.)

Ukraine

1,672 km (most on Dnieper River) (2004)

United Kingdom

3,200 km (620 km used for commerce) (2004)

United States

41,009 km (19,312 km used for commerce)

note: Saint Lawrence Seaway of 3,769 km, including the Saint

Lawrence River of 3,058 km, shared with Canada (2004)

Uruguay

1,600 km (2002)

Uzbekistan

1,100 km (2004)

Venezuela

7,100 km

note: Orinoco River and Lake de Maracaibo navigable by oceangoing

vessels, Orinoco for 400 km (2004)

Vietnam

17,702 km (5,000 km navigable by vessels up to 1.8 m draft)

(2004)

World

671,886 km (2004)

Zambia

2,250 km

note: includes Lake Tanganyika and the Zambezi and Luapula rivers

(2003)

Zimbabwe

on Lake Kariba, length small (2003)

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2094 Judicial branch

Afghanistan

the new constitution establishes a nine-member Stera

Mahkama or Supreme Court (its nine justices are appointed for

10-year terms by the president with approval of the Wolesi Jirga)

and subordinate High Courts and Appeals Courts; there is also a

Minister of Justice; a separate Afghan Independent Human Rights

Commission established by the Bonn Agreement is charged with

investigating human rights abuses and war crimes

Albania

Constitutional Court, Supreme Court (chairman is elected by

the People's Assembly for a four-year term), and multiple appeals

and district courts

Algeria

Supreme Court or Court Supreme

American Samoa

High Court (chief justice and associate justices are

appointed by the US Secretary of the Interior)

Andorra

Tribunal of Judges or Tribunal de Batlles; Tribunal of the

Courts or Tribunal de Corts; Supreme Court of Justice of Andorra or

Tribunal Superior de Justicia d'Andorra; Supreme Council of Justice

or Consell Superior de la Justicia; Fiscal Ministry or Ministeri

Fiscal; Constitutional Tribunal or Tribunal Constitucional

Angola

Supreme Court or Tribunal da Relacao (judges are appointed by

the president)

Anguilla

High Court (judge provided by Eastern Caribbean Supreme

Court)

Antigua and Barbuda

Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (based in Saint

Lucia; one judge of the Supreme Court is a resident of the islands

and presides over the Court of Summary Jurisdiction)

Argentina

Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (the nine Supreme Court

judges are appointed by the president with approval by the Senate)

Armenia

Constitutional Court; Court of Cassation (Appeals Court)

Aruba

Common Court of Justice of Aruba (judges are appointed by the

monarch)

Australia

High Court (the chief justice and six other justices are

appointed by the governor general)

Austria

Supreme Judicial Court or Oberster Gerichtshof;

Administrative Court or Verwaltungsgerichtshof; Constitutional Court

or Verfassungsgerichtshof

Azerbaijan

Supreme Court

Bahamas, The

Supreme Court; Court of Appeal; magistrates courts

Bahrain

High Civil Appeals Court

Bangladesh

Supreme Court (the chief justices and other judges are

appointed by the president)

Barbados

Supreme Court of Judicature (judges are appointed by the

Service Commissions for the Judicial and Legal Services)

Belarus

Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the president);

Constitutional Court (half of the judges appointed by the president

and half appointed by the Chamber of Representatives)

Belgium

Supreme Court of Justice or Hof van Cassatie (in Dutch) or

Cour de Cassation (in French) (judges are appointed for life by the

Government; candidacies have to be submitted by the High Justice

Council)

Belize

Supreme Court (the chief justice is appointed by the governor

general on the advice of the prime minister)

Benin

Constitutional Court or Cour Constitutionnelle; Supreme Court

or Cour Supreme; High Court of Justice

Bermuda

Supreme Court; Court of Appeal; Magistrate Courts

Bhutan

Supreme Court of Appeal (the monarch); High Court (judges

appointed by the monarch)

Bolivia

Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (judges appointed for 10-year

terms by National Congress); District Courts (one in each

department); provincial and local courts (to try minor cases)

Bosnia and Herzegovina

BiH Constitutional Court (consists of nine

members: four members are selected by the Bosniak/Croat Federation's

House of Representatives, two members by the Republika Srpska's

National Assembly, and three non-Bosnian members by the president of

the European Court of Human Rights); BiH State Court (consists of

nine judges and three divisions - Administrative, Appellate and

Criminal - having jurisdiction over cases related to state-level law

and appellate jurisdiction over cases initiated in the entities;

note - a War Crimes Chamber may be added at a future date)

note: the entities each have a Supreme Court; each entity also has a

number of lower courts; there are 10 cantonal courts in the

Federation, plus a number of municipal courts; the Republika Srpska

has five municipal courts

Botswana

High Court; Court of Appeal; Magistrates' Courts (one in

each district)

Brazil

Supreme Federal Tribunal (11 ministers are appointed for life

by the president and confirmed by the Senate); Higher Tribunal of

Justice; Regional Federal Tribunals (judges are appointed for life);

note - though appointed "for life," judges, like all federal

employees, have a mandatory retirement age of 70

British Virgin Islands

Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, consisting

of the High Court of Justice and the Court of Appeal (one judge of

the Supreme Court is a resident of the islands and presides over the

High Court); Magistrate's Court; Juvenile Court; Court of Summary

Jurisdiction

Brunei

Supreme Court (chief justice and judges are sworn in by the

monarch for three-year terms)

Bulgaria

Supreme Administrative Court; Supreme Court of Cassation;

Constitutional Court (12 justices appointed or elected for nine-year

terms); Supreme Judicial Council (consists of the chairmen of the

two Supreme Courts, the Chief Prosecutor, and 22 other members;

responsible for appointing the justices, prosecutors, and

investigating magistrates in the justice system; members of the

Supreme Judicial Council elected for five-year terms, 11 elected by

the National Assembly and 11 by bodies of the judiciary)

Burkina Faso

Supreme Court; Appeals Court

Burma

remnants of the British-era legal system are in place, but

there is no guarantee of a fair public trial; the judiciary is not

independent of the executive

Burundi

Supreme Court or Cour Supreme; Constitutional Court; Courts

of Appeal (there are three in separate locations); Tribunals of

First Instance (17 at the province level and 123 small local

tribunals)

Cambodia

Supreme Council of the Magistracy (provided for in the

constitution and formed in December 1997); Supreme Court (and lower

courts) exercises judicial authority

Cameroon

Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the president); High

Court of Justice (consists of 9 judges and 6 substitute judges,

elected by the National Assembly)

Canada

Supreme Court of Canada (judges are appointed by the prime

minister through the governor general); Federal Court of Canada;

Federal Court of Appeal; Provincial Courts (these are named

variously Court of Appeal, Court of Queens Bench, Superior Court,

Supreme Court, and Court of Justice)

Cape Verde

Supreme Tribunal of Justice or Supremo Tribunal de Justia

Cayman Islands

Summary Court; Grand Court; Cayman Islands Court of

Appeal

Central African Republic

Supreme Court or Cour Supreme;

Constitutional Court (3 judges appointed by the president, 3 by the

president of the National Assembly, and 3 by fellow judges); Court

of Appeal; Criminal Courts; Inferior Courts

Chad

Supreme Court; Court of Appeal; Criminal Courts; Magistrate

Courts

Chile

Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (judges are appointed by the

president and ratified by the Senate from lists of candidates

provided by the court itself; the president of the Supreme Court is

elected by the 21-member court); Constitutional Tribunal

China

Supreme People's Court (judges appointed by the National

People's Congress); Local Peoples Courts (comprise higher,

intermediate and local courts); Special Peoples Courts (primarily

military, maritime, and railway transport courts)

Christmas Island

Supreme Court; District Court; Magistrate's Court

Cocos (Keeling) Islands

Supreme Court; Magistrate's Court

Colombia

four roughly coequal, supreme judicial organs; Supreme

Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia (highest court of

criminal law; judges are selected by their peers from the nominees

of the Superior Judicial Council for eight-year terms); Council of

State (highest court of administrative law; judges are selected from

the nominees of the Superior Judicial Council for eight-year terms);

Constitutional Court (guards integrity and supremacy of the

constitution; rules on constitutionality of laws, amendments to the

constitution, and international treaties); Superior Judicial Council

(administers and disciplines the civilian judiciary; resolves

jurisdictional conflicts arising between other courts; members are

elected by three sister courts and Congress for eight-year terms)

Comoros

Supreme Court or Cour Supremes (two members appointed by the

president, two members elected by the Federal Assembly, one elected

by the Council of each island, and others are former presidents of

the republic)

Congo, Democratic Republic of the

Supreme Court or Cour Supreme

Congo, Republic of the

Supreme Court or Cour Supreme

Cook Islands

High Court

Costa Rica

Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (22 justices are elected

for eight-year terms by the Legislative Assembly)

Cote d'Ivoire

Supreme Court or Cour Supreme consists of four

chambers: Judicial Chamber for criminal cases, Audit Chamber for

financial cases, Constitutional Chamber for judicial review cases,

and Administrative Chamber for civil cases; there is no legal limit

to the number of members

Croatia

Supreme Court; Constitutional Court; judges for both courts

appointed for eight-year terms by the Judicial Council of the

Republic, which is elected by the Assembly

Cuba

People's Supreme Court or Tribunal Supremo Popular (president,

vice president, and other judges are elected by the National

Assembly)

Cyprus

Supreme Court (judges are appointed jointly by the president

and vice president)

note: there is also a Supreme Court in north Cyprus

Czech Republic

Supreme Court; Constitutional Court; chairman and

deputy chairmen are appointed by the president for a 10-year term

Denmark

Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the monarch for life)

Djibouti

Supreme Court or Cour Supreme

Dominica

Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, consisting of the Court of

Appeal and the High Court (located in Saint Lucia; one of the six

judges must reside in Dominica and preside over the Court of Summary

Jurisdiction)

Dominican Republic

Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (judges are

appointed by a the National Judicial Council comprised of the

President, the leaders of both chambers of congress, the President

of the Supreme Court, and an opposition or non-governing party

member)

East Timor

Supreme Court of Justice - constitution calls for one

judge to be appointed by National Parliament and rest appointed by

Superior Council for Judiciary; note - until Supreme Court is

established, Court of Appeals is highest court

Ecuador

Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (according to the

Constitution, new justices are elected by the full Supreme Court; in

December 2004, however, Congress successfully replaced the entire

court via a simple-majority resolution)

Egypt

Supreme Constitutional Court

El Salvador

Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (judges are selected by

the Legislative Assembly)

Equatorial Guinea

Supreme Tribunal

Eritrea

High Court - regional, subregional, and village courts; also

have military and special courts

Estonia

National Court (chairman appointed by Parliament for life)

Ethiopia

Federal Supreme Court (the president and vice president of

the Federal Supreme Court are recommended by the prime minister and

appointed by the House of People's Representatives; for other

federal judges, the prime minister submits to the House of People's

Representatives for appointment candidates selected by the Federal

Judicial Administrative Council)

European Union

Court of Justice of the European Communities (ensures

that the treaties are interpreted and applied correctly) - 25

justices (one from each member state) appointed for a six-year term;

note - for the sake of efficiency, the court can sit with 11

justices known as the "Grand Chamber"; Court of First Instance - 25

justices appointed for a six-year term

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) Supreme Court (chief justice is a nonresident); Magistrates Court (senior magistrate presides over civil and criminal divisions); Court of Summary Jurisdiction

Faroe Islands

none

Fiji

Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the president); Court of

Appeal; High Court; Magistrates' Courts

Finland

Supreme Court or Korkein Oikeus (judges appointed by the

president)

France

Supreme Court of Appeals or Cour de Cassation (judges are

appointed by the president from nominations of the High Council of

the Judiciary); Constitutional Council or Conseil Constitutionnel

(three members appointed by the president, three appointed by the

president of the National Assembly, and three appointed by the

president of the Senate); Council of State or Conseil d'Etat

French Guiana

Court of Appeals or Cour d'Appel (highest local court

based in Martinique with jurisdiction over Martinique, Guadeloupe,

and French Guiana)

French Polynesia

Court of Appeal or Cour d'Appel; Court of the First

Instance or Tribunal de Premiere Instance; Court of Administrative

Law or Tribunal Administratif

Gabon

Supreme Court or Cour Supreme consisting of three chambers -

Judicial, Administrative, and Accounts; Constitutional Court; Courts

of Appeal; Court of State Security; County Courts

Gambia, The

Supreme Court

Georgia

Supreme Court (judges elected by the Supreme Council on the

president's recommendation); Constitutional Court; first and second

instance courts

Germany

Federal Constitutional Court or Bundesverfassungsgericht

(half the judges are elected by the Bundestag and half by the

Bundesrat)

Ghana

Supreme Court

Gibraltar

Supreme Court; Court of Appeal

Greece

Supreme Judicial Court; Special Supreme Tribunal; all judges

appointed for life by the president after consultation with a

judicial council

Greenland

High Court or Landsret (appeals can be made to the Ostre

Landsret or Eastern Division of the High Court or Supreme Court in

Copenhagen)

Grenada

West Indies Associate States Supreme Court (an associate

judge resides in Grenada)

Guadeloupe

Court of Appeal or Cour d'Appel with jurisdiction over

Guadeloupe, French Guiana, and Martinique

Guam

Federal District Court (judge is appointed by the president);

Territorial Superior Court (judges appointed for eight-year terms by

the governor)

Guatemala

Constitutional Court or Corte de Constitutcionalidad is

Guatemala's highest court (five judges are elected for concurrent

five-year terms by Congress, each serving one year as president of

the Constitutional Court; one is elected by Congress, one elected by

the Supreme Court of Justice, one appointed by the President, one

elected by Superior Counsel of Universidad San Carlos de Guatemala,

and one by Colegio de Abogados); Supreme Court of Justice or Corte

Suprema de Justicia (13 members serve concurrent five-year terms and

elect a president of the Court each year from among their number;

the president of the Supreme Court of Justice also supervises trial

judges around the country, who are named to five-year terms)

Guernsey

Royal Court

Guinea

Court of Appeal or Cour d'Appel

Guinea-Bissau

Supreme Court or Supremo Tribunal da Justica (consists

of nine justices appointed by the president and serve at his

pleasure; final court of appeals in criminal and civil cases);

Regional Courts (one in each of nine regions; first court of appeals

for Sectoral Court decisions; hear all felony cases and civil cases

valued at over $1,000); 24 Sectoral Courts (judges are not

necessarily trained lawyers; they hear civil cases under $1,000 and

misdemeanor criminal cases)

Guyana

Supreme Court of Judicature; Judicial Court of Appeal; High

Court

Haiti

Supreme Court or Cour de Cassation

Holy See (Vatican City)

there are three tribunals responsible for

civil and criminal matters within Vatican City; three other

tribunals rule on issues pertaining to the Holy See

note: judicial duties were established by the Motu Proprio of Pius

XII on 1 May 1946

Honduras

Supreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia

(judges are elected for seven-year terms by the National Congress)

Hong Kong

Court of Final Appeal in the Hong Kong Special

Administrative Region

Hungary

Constitutional Court (judges are elected by the National

Assembly for nine-year terms)

Iceland

Supreme Court or Haestirettur (justices are appointed for

life by the Minister of Justice); eight district courts (justices

are appointed for life by the Minister of Justice)

India

Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the president and

remain in office until they reach the age of 65)

Indonesia

Supreme Court or Mahkamah Agung (justices appointed by the

president from a list of candidates approved by the legislature); a

separate Constitutional Court or Makhama Konstitusi was invested by

the president on 16 August 2003; in March 2004 the Supreme Court

assumed administrative and financial responsibility for the lower

court system from the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights

Iran

Supreme Court - above a special clerical court, a revolutionary

court, and a special administrative court

Iraq

Supreme Court appointed by the Prime Minister, confirmed by the

Presidency Council

Ireland

Supreme Court (judges appointed by the president on the

advice of the prime minister and cabinet)

Israel

Supreme Court (justices appointed for life by the president)

Italy

Constitutional Court or Corte Costituzionale (composed of 15

judges: one-third appointed by the president, one-third elected by

parliament, one-third elected by the ordinary and administrative

Supreme Courts)

Jamaica

Supreme Court (judges appointed by the governor general on

the advice of the prime minister); Court of Appeal

Japan

Supreme Court (chief justice is appointed by the monarch after

designation by the cabinet; all other justices are appointed by the

cabinet)

Jersey

Royal Court (judges elected by an electoral college and the

bailiff)

Jordan

Court of Cassation; Supreme Court (court of final appeal)

Kazakhstan

Supreme Court (44 members); Constitutional Council (7

members)

Kenya

Court of Appeal (chief justice is appointed by the president);

High Court

Kiribati

Court of Appeal; High Court; 26 Magistrates' courts; judges

at all levels are appointed by the president

Korea, North

Central Court (judges are elected by the Supreme

People's Assembly)

Korea, South

Supreme Court (justices appointed by president with

consent of National Assembly); Constitutional Court (justices

appointed by president based partly on nominations by National

Assembly and Chief Justice of the court)

Kuwait

High Court of Appeal

Kyrgyzstan

Supreme Court (judges are appointed for 10-year terms by

the Supreme Council on the recommendation of the president);

Constitutional Court; Higher Court of Arbitration

Laos

People's Supreme Court (the president of the People's Supreme

Court is elected by the National Assembly on the recommendation of

the National Assembly Standing Committee; the vice president of the

People's Supreme Court and the judges are appointed by the National

Assembly Standing Committee)

Latvia

Supreme Court (judges' appointments are confirmed by

Parliament)

Lebanon

four Courts of Cassation (three courts for civil and

commercial cases and one court for criminal cases); Constitutional

Council (called for in Ta'if Accord - rules on constitutionality of

laws); Supreme Council (hears charges against the president and

prime minister as needed)

Lesotho

High Court (chief justice appointed by the monarch acting on

the advice of the Prime Minister); Court of Appeal; Magistrate's

Court; customary or traditional court

Liberia

Supreme Court

Libya

Supreme Court

Liechtenstein

Supreme Court or Oberster Gerichtshof; Court of Appeal

or Obergericht

Lithuania

Constitutional Court; Supreme Court; Court of Appeal;

judges for all courts appointed by the President

Luxembourg

judicial courts and tribunals (3 Justices of the Peace, 2

district courts, and 1 Supreme Court of Appeals); administrative

courts and tribunals (State Prosecutor's Office, administrative

courts and tribunals, and the Constitutional Court); judges for all

courts are appointed for life by the monarch

Macau

Court of Final Appeal in Macau Special Administrative Region

Macedonia

Supreme Court - the Assembly appoints the judges;

Constitutional Court - the Assembly appoints the judges; Republican

Judicial Council - the Assembly appoints the judges

Madagascar

Supreme Court or Cour Supreme; High Constitutional Court

or Haute Cour Constitutionnelle

Malawi

Supreme Court of Appeal; High Court (chief justice appointed

by the president, puisne judges appointed on the advice of the

Judicial Service Commission); magistrate's courts

Malaysia

Federal Court (judges appointed by the paramount ruler on

the advice of the prime minister)

Maldives

High Court

Mali

Supreme Court or Cour Supreme

Malta

Constitutional Court; Court of Appeal; judges for both courts

are appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister

Man, Isle of

High Court of Justice (justices are appointed by the

Lord Chancellor of England on the nomination of the lieutenant

governor)

Marshall Islands

Supreme Court; High Court

Martinique

Court of Appeal or Cour d'Appel

Mauritania

Supreme Court or Cour Supreme; Court of Appeals; lower

courts

Mauritius

Supreme Court

Mayotte

Supreme Court or Tribunal Superieur d'Appel

Mexico

Supreme Court of Justice or Suprema Corte de Justicia

Nacional (justices or ministros are appointed by the president with

consent of the Senate)

Micronesia, Federated States of

Supreme Court

Moldova

Supreme Court; Constitutional Court (the sole authority for

constitutional judicature)

Monaco

Supreme Court or Tribunal Supreme (judges appointed by the

monarch on the basis of nominations by the National Council)

Mongolia

Supreme Court (serves as appeals court for people's and

provincial courts but rarely overturns verdicts of lower courts;

judges are nominated by the General Council of Courts and approved

by the president)

Montserrat

Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (based in Saint Lucia,

one judge of the Supreme Court is a resident of the islands and

presides over the High Court)

Morocco

Supreme Court (judges are appointed on the recommendation of

the Supreme Council of the Judiciary, presided over by the monarch)

Mozambique

Supreme Court (the court of final appeal; some of its

professional judges are appointed by the president and some are

elected by the Assembly); other courts include an Administrative

Court, customs courts, maritime courts, courts marshal, labor courts

note: although the constitution provides for a separate

Constitutional Court, one has never been established; in its absence

the Supreme Court reviews constitutional cases

Namibia

Supreme Court (judges appointed by the president on the

recommendation of the Judicial Service Commission)

Nauru

Supreme Court

Nepal

Supreme Court or Sarbochha Adalat (chief justice is appointed

by the monarch on recommendation of the Constitutional Council; the

other judges are appointed by the monarch on the recommendation of

the Judicial Council)

Netherlands

Supreme Court or Hoge Raad (justices are nominated for

life by the monarch)

Netherlands Antilles

Joint High Court of Justice (judges appointed

by the monarch)

New Caledonia

Court of Appeal or Cour d'Appel; County Courts; Joint

Commerce Tribunal Court; Children's Court

New Zealand

Supreme Court; Court of Appeal; High Court; note -

Judges appointed by the Governor-General

Nicaragua

Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (16 judges elected for

five-year terms by the National Assembly)

Niger

State Court or Cour d'Etat; Court of Appeal or Cour d'Appel

Nigeria

Supreme Court (judges appointed by the President); Federal

Court of Appeal (judges are appointed by the federal government on

the advice of the Advisory Judicial Committee)

Niue

Supreme Court of New Zealand; High Court of Niue

Norfolk Island

Supreme Court; Court of Petty Sessions

Northern Mariana Islands

Commonwealth Supreme Court; Superior Court;

Federal District Court

Norway

Supreme Court or Hoyesterett (justices appointed by the

monarch)

Oman

Supreme Court

note: the nascent civil court system, administered by region, has

judges who practice secular and Sharia (Islamic) law

Pakistan

Supreme Court (justices appointed by the president);

Federal Islamic or Shari'a Court

Palau

Supreme Court; National Court; Court of Common Pleas

Panama

Supreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia (nine

judges appointed for 10-year terms); five superior courts; three

courts of appeal

Papua New Guinea

Supreme Court (the chief justice is appointed by

the governor general on the proposal of the National Executive

Council after consultation with the minister responsible for

justice; other judges are appointed by the Judicial and Legal

Services Commission)

Paraguay

Supreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia

(judges appointed on the proposal of the Council of Magistrates or

Consejo de la Magistratura)

Peru

Supreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia (judges

are appointed by the National Council of the Judiciary)

Philippines

Supreme Court (15 justices are appointed by the

president on the recommendation of the Judicial and Bar Council and

serve until 70 years of age); Court of Appeals; Sandigan-bayan

(special court for hearing corruption cases of government officials)

Pitcairn Islands

Magistrate's Court; Supreme Court; Court of Appeal;

Judicial Officers are appointed by the Governor

Poland

Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the president on the

recommendation of the National Council of the Judiciary for an

indefinite period); Constitutional Tribunal (judges are chosen by

the Sejm for nine-year terms)

Portugal

Supreme Court or Supremo Tribunal de Justica (judges

appointed for life by the Conselho Superior da Magistratura)

Puerto Rico

Supreme Court; Appellate Court; Court of First Instance

composed of two sections: a Superior Court and a Municipal Court

(justices for all these courts appointed by the governor with the

consent of the Senate)

Qatar

Court of Appeal

note: under the new judiciary law issued in 2003, the former two

court systems, civil and Islamic law, were merged under a higher

court, the Court of Cassation, established for appeals

Reunion

Court of Appeals or Cour d'Appel

Romania

Supreme Court of Justice (judges are appointed by the

president on the recommendation of the Superior Council of

Magistrates, a board of eleven judges and six prosecutors elected by

parliament)

Russia

Constitutional Court; Supreme Court; Superior Court of

Arbitration; judges for all courts are appointed for life by the

Federation Council on the recommendation of the president

Rwanda

Supreme Court; High Courts of the Republic; Provincial

Courts; District Courts; mediation committees

Saint Helena

Supreme Court; Magistrate's Court; Small Debts Court;

Juvenile Court

Saint Kitts and Nevis

Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (based on

Saint Lucia; one judge of the Supreme Court resides in Saint Kitts

and Nevis)

Saint Lucia

Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (jurisdiction extends to

Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, the British Virgin Islands, Dominica,

Grenada, Montserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint

Vincent and the Grenadines)

Saint Pierre and Miquelon

Superior Tribunal of Appeals or Tribunal

Superieur d'Appel

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court

(based on Saint Lucia; one judge of the Supreme Court resides in

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines)

Samoa

Court of Appeal; Supreme Court; District Court; Land and

Titles Court

San Marino

Council of Twelve or Consiglio dei XII

Sao Tome and Principe

Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the

National Assembly)

Saudi Arabia

Supreme Council of Justice

Senegal

Constitutional Court; Council of State; Court of Final

Appeals or Cour de Cassation; Court of Appeals; note - the judicial

system was reformed in 1992

Serbia and Montenegro

The Court of Serbia and Montenegro; judges are

elected by the Serbia and Montenegro Parliament for six-year terms

note: since the promulgation of the 2003 Constitution, the Federal

Court has constitutional and administrative functions; it has an

equal number of judges from each republic

Seychelles

Court of Appeal; Supreme Court; judges for both courts

are appointed by the president

Sierra Leone

Supreme Court; Appeals Court; High Court

Singapore

Supreme Court (chief justice is appointed by the president

with the advice of the prime minister, other judges are appointed by

the president with the advice of the chief justice); Court of Appeals

Slovakia

Supreme Court (judges are elected by the National Council);

Constitutional Court (judges appointed by president from group of

nominees approved by the National Council)

Slovenia

Supreme Court (judges are elected by the National Assembly

on the recommendation of the Judicial Council); Constitutional Court

(judges elected for nine-year terms by the National Assembly and

nominated by the president)

Solomon Islands

Court of Appeal

Somalia

following the breakdown of the central government, most

regions have reverted to local forms of conflict resolution, either

secular, traditional clan-based arbitration, or Islamic (Shari'a)

law with a provision for appeal of all sentences

South Africa

Constitutional Court; Supreme Court of Appeals; High

Courts; Magistrate Courts

Spain

Supreme Court or Tribunal Supremo

Sri Lanka

Supreme Court; Court of Appeals; judges for both courts

are appointed by the president

Sudan

Supreme Court; Special Revolutionary Courts

Suriname

Cantonal Courts and a Court of Justice as an appellate

court (justices are nominated for life)

Swaziland

High Court; Court of Appeal; judges for both courts are

appointed by the monarch

Sweden

Supreme Court or Hogsta Domstolen (judges are appointed by

the prime minister and the cabinet)

Switzerland

Federal Supreme Court (judges elected for six-year terms

by the Federal Assembly)

Syria

Supreme Constitutional Court (justices are appointed for

four-year terms by the president); High Judicial Council; Court of

Cassation; State Security Courts

Taiwan

Judicial Yuan (justices appointed by the president with

consent of the Legislative Yuan)

Tajikistan

Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the president)

Tanzania

Permanent Commission of Enquiry (official ombudsman); Court

of Appeal (consists of a chief justice and four judges); High Court

(consists of a Jaji Kiongozi and 29 judges appointed by the

president; holds regular sessions in all regions); District Courts;

Primary Courts (limited jurisdiction and appeals can be made to the

higher courts)

Thailand

Supreme Court or Sandika (judges appointed by the monarch)

Togo

Court of Appeal or Cour d'Appel; Supreme Court or Cour Supreme

Tokelau

Supreme Court in New Zealand exercises civil and criminal

jurisdiction in Tokelau

Tonga

Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the monarch); Court of

Appeal (consists of the Privy Council with the addition of the chief

justice of the Supreme Court)

Trinidad and Tobago

Supreme Court of Judicature (comprised of the

High Court of Justice and the Court of Appeals; the chief justice is

appointed by the president after consultation with the prime

minister and the leader of the opposition; other justices are

appointed by the president on the advice of the Judicial and Legal

Service Commission); High Court of Justice; Court of Appeals; the

highest court of appeal is the Privy Council in London

Tunisia

Court of Cassation or Cour de Cassation

Turkey

Constitutional Court; High Court of Appeals (Yargitay);

Council of State (Danistay); Court of Accounts (Sayistay); Military

High Court of Appeals; Military High Administrative Court

Turkmenistan

Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the president)

Turks and Caicos Islands

Supreme Court

Tuvalu

High Court (a chief justice visits twice a year to preside

over its sessions; its rulings can be appealed to the Court of

Appeal in Fiji); eight Island Courts (with limited jurisdiction)

Uganda

Court of Appeal (judges are appointed by the president and

approved by the legislature); High Court (judges are appointed by

the president)

Ukraine

Supreme Court; Constitutional Court

United Arab Emirates

Union Supreme Court (judges are appointed by

the president)

United Kingdom

House of Lords (highest court of appeal; several

Lords of Appeal in Ordinary are appointed by the monarch for life);

Supreme Courts of England, Wales, and Northern Ireland (comprising

the Courts of Appeal, the High Courts of Justice, and the Crown

Courts); Scotland's Court of Session and Court of the Justiciary

United States

Supreme Court (its nine justices are appointed for

life on condition of good behavior by the president with

confirmation by the Senate); United States Courts of Appeal; United

States District Courts; State and County Courts

Uruguay

Supreme Court (judges are nominated by the president and

elected for 10-year terms by the General Assembly)

Uzbekistan

Supreme Court (judges are nominated by the president and

confirmed by the Supreme Assembly)

Vanuatu

Supreme Court (chief justice is appointed by the president

after consultation with the prime minister and the leader of the

opposition, three other justices are appointed by the president on

the advice of the Judicial Service Commission)

Venezuela

Supreme Tribunal of Justice or Tribuna Suprema de Justicia

(magistrates are elected by the National Assembly for a single

12-year term)

Vietnam

Supreme People's Court (chief justice is elected for a

five-year term by the National Assembly on the recommendation of the

president)

Virgin Islands

US District Court of the Virgin Islands (under Third

Circuit jurisdiction); Territorial Court (judges appointed by the

governor for 10-year terms)

Wallis and Futuna

none; justice generally administered under French

law by the high administrator, but the three traditional kings

administer customary law and there is a magistrate in Mata-Utu

Yemen

Supreme Court

Zambia

Supreme Court (the final court of appeal; justices are

appointed by the president); High Court (has unlimited jurisdiction

to hear civil and criminal cases)

Zimbabwe

Supreme Court; High Court

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2095 Labor force

Afghanistan

11.8 million (2001 est.)

Albania

1.09 million (not including 352,000 emigrant workers) (2004

est.)

Algeria

9.91 million (2004 est.)

American Samoa

14,000 (1996)

Andorra

33,000 (2001 est.)

Angola

5.41 million (2004 est.)

Anguilla

6,049 (2001)

Antigua and Barbuda

30,000

Argentina

15.04 million (2004 est.)

Armenia

1.4 million (2001)

Aruba

41,500 (1997 est.)

Australia

10.35 million (2004 est.)

Austria

3.45 million (2004 est.)

Azerbaijan

5.09 million (2004 est.)

Bahamas, The

156,000 (1999)

Bahrain

370,000

note: 44% of the population in the 15-64 age group is non-national

(2004 est.)

Bangladesh

65.49 million

note: extensive export of labor to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, UAE, Oman,

Qatar, and Malaysia; workers' remittances estimated at $1.71 billion

in 1998-99 (2004 est.)

Barbados

128,500 (2001 est.)

Belarus

4.305 million (31 December 2003)

Belgium

4.75 million (2004 est.)

Belize

90,000

note: shortage of skilled labor and all types of technical personnel

(2001 est.)

Benin

NA (1996)

Bermuda

37,470 (2000)

Bhutan

NA

note: massive lack of skilled labor

Bolivia

3.8 million (2004 est.)

Bosnia and Herzegovina

1.026 million (2001)

Botswana

264,000 formal sector employees (2000)

Brazil

89 million (2004 est.)

British Virgin Islands

12,770 (2004)

Brunei

158,000

note: includes foreign workers and military personnel; temporary

residents make up about 40% of labor force (2002 est.)

Bulgaria

3.398 million (2004 est.)

Burkina Faso

5 million

note: a large part of the male labor force migrates annually to

neighboring countries for seasonal employment (2003)

Burma

27.01 million (2004 est.)

Burundi

2.99 million (2002)

Cambodia

7 million (2003 est.)

Cameroon

6.68 million (2004 est.)

Canada

17.37 million (2004)

Cape Verde

NA

Cayman Islands

19,820 (1995)

Central African Republic

NA

Chad

NA

Chile

6.2 million (2004 est.)

China

760.8 million (2003)

Christmas Island

NA

Cocos (Keeling) Islands

NA

Colombia

20.7 million (2004 est.)

Comoros

144,500 (1996 est.)

Congo, Democratic Republic of the

14.51 million (1993 est.)

Congo, Republic of the

NA

Cook Islands

8,000 (1996)

Costa Rica

1.81 million (2004 est.)

Cote d'Ivoire

6.7 million (68% agricultural) (2004 est.)

Croatia

1.71 million (2004 est.)

Cuba

4.55 million

note: state sector 78%, non-state sector 22% (2004 est.)

Cyprus

Republic of Cyprus: 330,000, north Cyprus: 95,025 (2004 est.)

Czech Republic

5.25 million (2004 est.)

Denmark

2.87 million (2004 est.)

Djibouti

282,000 (2000)

Dominica

25,000 (1999 est.)

Dominican Republic

2.3 million - 2.6 million (2000 est.)

East Timor

NA

Ecuador

4.53 million (urban) (2004 est.)

Egypt

20.71 million (2004 est.)

El Salvador

2.75 million (2004 est.)

Equatorial Guinea

NA

Eritrea

NA

Estonia

660,000 (2004 est.)

Ethiopia

NA (2001 est.)

European Union

215 million (various)

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

1,100 (est.)

Faroe Islands

24,250 (October 2000)

Fiji

137,000 (1999)

Finland

2.66 million (2004 est.)

France

27.7 million (2004 est.)

French Guiana

58,800 (1997)

French Polynesia

70,000 (1996)

Gabon

650,000 (2004 est.)

Gambia, The

400,000 (1996)

Gaza Strip

725,000 (2004)

Georgia

2.1 million (2001 est.)

Germany

42.63 million (2004 est.)

Ghana

10.24 million (2004 est.)

Gibraltar

14,800 (including non-Gibraltar laborers) (1999)

Greece

4.4 million (2004 est.)

Greenland

24,500 (1999 est.)

Grenada

42,300 (1996)

Guadeloupe

125,900 (1997)

Guam

60,000 (2000 est.)

Guatemala

3.68 million (2004 est.)

Guernsey

32,290 (2001)

Guinea

3 million (1999)

Guinea-Bissau

480,000 (1999)

Guyana

418,000 (2001 est.)

Haiti

3.6 million

note: shortage of skilled labor, unskilled labor abundant (1995)

Holy See (Vatican City)

NA

Honduras

2.47 million (2004 est.)

Hong Kong

3.54 million (October 2004 est.)

Hungary

4.17 million (2004 est.)

Iceland

158,100 (2004 est.)

India

482.2 million (2004 est.)

Indonesia

111.5 million (2004 est.)

Iran 23 million note: shortage of skilled labor (2004 est.)

Iraq

6.7 million (2004 est.)

Ireland

1.92 million (2004 est.)

Israel

2.68 million (2004 est.)

Italy

24.27 million (2004 est.)

Jamaica

1.14 million (2004 est.)

Japan

66.97 million (2004 est.)

Jersey

52,790 (2004)

Jordan

1.41 million (2004 est.)

Kazakhstan

7.95 million (2004 est.)

Kenya

11.4 million (2004 est.)

Kiribati

7,870 economically active, not including subsistence

farmers (2001 est.)

Korea, North

9.6 million

Korea, South

22.9 million (2004 est.)

Kuwait 1.42 million note: non-Kuwaitis represent about 80% of the labor force (2004 est.)

Kyrgyzstan

2.7 million (2000)

Laos

2.6 million (2001 est.)

Latvia

1.17 million (2004 est.)

Lebanon

2.6 million

note: in addition, there are as many as 1 million foreign workers

(2001 est.)

Lesotho

838,000 (2000)

Libya

1.59 million (2004 est.)

Liechtenstein

29,000 of whom 19,000 are foreigners; 13,000 commute

from Austria, Switzerland, and Germany to work each day (31 December

2001)

Lithuania

1.63 million (2004 est.)

Luxembourg

293,700 (of whom 105,000 are foreign cross-border workers

commuting primarily from France, Belgium, and Germany) (2004 est.)

Macau

231,500 (3rd Quarter, 2004)

Macedonia

855,000 (2004 est.)

Madagascar

7.3 million (2000)

Malawi

4.5 million (2001 est.)

Malaysia

10.49 million (2004 est.)

Maldives

88,000 (2000)

Mali

3.93 million (2001 est.)

Malta

160,000 (2002 est.)

Man, Isle of

39,690 (2001)

Marshall Islands

28,700 (1996 est.)

Martinique

165,900 (1998)

Mauritania

786,000 (2001)

Mauritius

560,000 (2004 est.)

Mayotte

48,800 (2000)

Mexico

34.73 million (2004 est.)

Micronesia, Federated States of

NA

Moldova

1.36 million (2004 est.)

Monaco

30,540 (January 1994)

Mongolia

1.488 million (2003)

Montserrat

4,521 (lowered by flight of people from volcanic

activity) (2000 est.)

Morocco

11.02 million (2004 est.)

Mozambique

9.2 million (2000 est.)

Namibia

840,000 (2004 est.)

Nepal 10 million note: severe lack of skilled labor (1996 est.)

Netherlands

7.53 million (2004 est.)

Netherlands Antilles

89,000 (2000)

New Caledonia

79,400 (including 15,018 unemployed) (1996)

New Zealand

2.05 million (2004 est.)

Nicaragua

1.93 million (2004 est.)

Niger

70,000 receive regular wages or salaries (2002 est.)

Nigeria

55.67 million (2004 est.)

Niue

NA

Norfolk Island

1,345

Northern Mariana Islands 6,006 total indigenous labor force; 2,699 unemployed; 28,717 foreign workers (June 1995)

Norway

2.38 million (2004 est.)

Oman

920,000 (2002 est.)

Pakistan

45.43 million

note: extensive export of labor, mostly to the Middle East, and use

of child labor (2004 est.)

Palau

9,845 (2000)

Panama

1.32 million

note: shortage of skilled labor, but an oversupply of unskilled

labor (2004 est.)

Papua New Guinea

3.32 million (2004 est.)

Paraguay

2.66 million (2004 est.)

Peru

11 million (2004 est.)

Philippines

35.86 million (2004 est.)

Pitcairn Islands

15 able-bodied men (2004)

Poland

17.02 million (2004 est.)

Portugal

5.48 million (2004 est.)

Puerto Rico

1.3 million (2000)

Qatar

140,000 (2004 est.)

Reunion

309,900 (2000)

Romania

9.66 million (2004 est.)

Russia

71.83 million (2004 est.)

Rwanda

4.6 million (2000)

Saint Helena 3,500 note: 1,200 work offshore (1998 est.)

Saint Kitts and Nevis

18,170 (June 1995)

Saint Lucia

43,800 (2001 est.)

Saint Pierre and Miquelon

3,261 (1999)

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

67,000 (1984 est.)

Samoa

90,000 (2000 est.)

San Marino

18,500 (1999)

Sao Tome and Principe

NA

Saudi Arabia

6.62 million

note: more than 35% of the population in the 15-64 age group is

non-national (2004 est.)

Senegal

4.65 million (2004 est.)

Serbia and Montenegro

3.2 million (2004 est.)

Seychelles

30,900 (1996)

Sierra Leone

1.369 million (1981 est.)

Singapore

2.18 million (2004 est.)

Slovakia

2.2 million (3rd quarter, 2004 est.)

Slovenia

870,000 (2004 est.)

Solomon Islands

26,840 (1999)

Somalia

3.7 million (very few are skilled laborers)

South Africa

16.63 million economically active (2004 est.)

Spain

19.33 million (2004 est.)

Sri Lanka

7.26 million (2004 est.)

Sudan

11 million (1996 est.)

Suriname

104,000 (2003)

Svalbard

NA

Swaziland

383,200 (2000)

Sweden

4.46 million (2004 est.)

Switzerland

3.77 million (2004 est.)

Syria

5.12 million (2004 est.)

Taiwan

10.22 million (2004 est.)

Tajikistan

3.187 million (2000)

Tanzania

19 million (2004 est.)

Thailand

36.43 million (November 2004 est.)

Togo

1.74 million (1996)

Tokelau

NA

Tonga

33,910 (1996)

Trinidad and Tobago

590,000 (2004 est.)

Tunisia

3.55 million

note: shortage of skilled labor (2004 est.)

Turkey

25.3 million

note: about 1.2 million Turks work abroad (2003 est.)

Turkmenistan

2.32 million (2003 est.)

Turks and Caicos Islands

4,848 (1990 est.)

Tuvalu

7,000 (2001 est.)

Uganda

12.41 million (2004 est.)

Ukraine

21.11 million (2004 est.)

United Arab Emirates

2.36 million

note: 73.9% of the population in the 15-64 age group is non-national

(2004 est.)

United Kingdom

29.78 million (2004 est.)

United States

147.4 million (includes unemployed) (2004 est.)

Uruguay

1.56 million (2004 est.)

Uzbekistan

14.64 million (2004 est.)

Vanuatu

NA

Venezuela

12.25 million (2004 est.)

Vietnam

42.98 million (2004 est.)

Virgin Islands

48,900 (2003 est.)

Wallis and Futuna

NA

West Bank

364,000 (2004)

Western Sahara

12,000

World

NA

Yemen

5.98 million (2004 est.)

Zambia

4.63 million (2004 est.)

Zimbabwe

4.23 million (2004 est.)

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2096 Land boundaries (km)

Afghanistan

total: 5,529 km

border countries: China 76 km, Iran 936 km, Pakistan 2,430 km,

Tajikistan 1,206 km, Turkmenistan 744 km, Uzbekistan 137 km

Akrotiri

total: 47.4 km

border countries: Cyprus 47.4 km

Albania

total: 720 km

border countries: Greece 282 km, Macedonia 151 km, Serbia and

Montenegro 287 km

Algeria

total: 6,343 km

border countries: Libya 982 km, Mali 1,376 km, Mauritania 463 km,

Morocco 1,559 km, Niger 956 km, Tunisia 965 km, Western Sahara 42 km

American Samoa

0 km

Andorra

total: 120.3 km

border countries: France 56.6 km, Spain 63.7 km

Angola

total: 5,198 km

border countries: Democratic Republic of the Congo 2,511 km (of

which 225 km is the boundary of discontiguous Cabinda Province),

Republic of the Congo 201 km, Namibia 1,376 km, Zambia 1,110 km

Anguilla

0 km

Antarctica 0 km note: see entry on Disputes - international

Antigua and Barbuda

0 km

Argentina

total: 9,665 km

border countries: Bolivia 832 km, Brazil 1,224 km, Chile 5,150 km,

Paraguay 1,880 km, Uruguay 579 km

Armenia

total: 1,254 km

border countries: Azerbaijan-proper 566 km, Azerbaijan-Naxcivan

exclave 221 km, Georgia 164 km, Iran 35 km, Turkey 268 km

Aruba

0 km

Ashmore and Cartier Islands

0 km

Australia

0 km

Austria

total: 2,562 km

border countries: Czech Republic 362 km, Germany 784 km, Hungary 366

km, Italy 430 km, Liechtenstein 35 km, Slovakia 91 km, Slovenia 330

km, Switzerland 164 km

Azerbaijan

total: 2,013 km

border countries: Armenia (with Azerbaijan-proper) 566 km, Armenia

(with Azerbaijan-Naxcivan exclave) 221 km, Georgia 322 km, Iran

(with Azerbaijan-proper) 432 km, Iran (with Azerbaijan-Naxcivan

exclave) 179 km, Russia 284 km, Turkey 9 km

Bahamas, The

0 km

Bahrain

0 km

Baker Island

0 km

Bangladesh total: 4,246 km border countries: Burma 193 km, India 4,053 km

Barbados

0 km

Bassas da India

0 km

Belarus

total: 2,900 km

border countries: Latvia 141 km, Lithuania 502 km, Poland 407 km,

Russia 959 km, Ukraine 891 km

Belgium

total: 1,385 km

border countries: France 620 km, Germany 167 km, Luxembourg 148 km,

Netherlands 450 km

Belize

total: 516 km

border countries: Guatemala 266 km, Mexico 250 km

Benin

total: 1,989 km

border countries: Burkina Faso 306 km, Niger 266 km, Nigeria 773 km,

Togo 644 km

Bermuda

0 km

Bhutan

total: 1,075 km

border countries: China 470 km, India 605 km

Bolivia

total: 6,743 km

border countries: Argentina 832 km, Brazil 3,400 km, Chile 861 km,

Paraguay 750 km, Peru 900 km

Bosnia and Herzegovina

total: 1,459 km

border countries: Croatia 932 km, Serbia and Montenegro 527 km

Botswana

total: 4,013 km

border countries: Namibia 1,360 km, South Africa 1,840 km, Zimbabwe

813 km

Bouvet Island

0 km

Brazil

total: 14,691 km

border countries: Argentina 1,224 km, Bolivia 3,400 km, Colombia

1,643 km, French Guiana 673 km, Guyana 1,119 km, Paraguay 1,290 km,

Peru 1,560 km, Suriname 597 km, Uruguay 985 km, Venezuela 2,200 km

British Indian Ocean Territory

0 km

British Virgin Islands

0 km

Brunei

total: 381 km

border countries: Malaysia 381 km

Bulgaria

total: 1,808 km

border countries: Greece 494 km, Macedonia 148 km, Romania 608 km,

Serbia and Montenegro 318 km, Turkey 240 km

Burkina Faso

total: 3,193 km

border countries: Benin 306 km, Cote d'Ivoire 584 km, Ghana 549 km,

Mali 1,000 km, Niger 628 km, Togo 126 km

Burma

total: 5,876 km

border countries: Bangladesh 193 km, China 2,185 km, India 1,463 km,

Laos 235 km, Thailand 1,800 km

Burundi

total: 974 km

border countries: Democratic Republic of the Congo 233 km, Rwanda

290 km, Tanzania 451 km

Cambodia

total: 2,572 km

border countries: Laos 541 km, Thailand 803 km, Vietnam 1,228 km

Cameroon

total: 4,591 km

border countries: Central African Republic 797 km, Chad 1,094 km,

Republic of the Congo 523 km, Equatorial Guinea 189 km, Gabon 298

km, Nigeria 1,690 km

Canada total: 8,893 km border countries: US 8,893 km (includes 2,477 km with Alaska)

Cape Verde

0 km

Cayman Islands

0 km

Central African Republic

total: 5,203 km

border countries: Cameroon 797 km, Chad 1,197 km, Democratic

Republic of the Congo 1,577 km, Republic of the Congo 467 km, Sudan

1,165 km

Chad

total: 5,968 km

border countries: Cameroon 1,094 km, Central African Republic 1,197

km, Libya 1,055 km, Niger 1,175 km, Nigeria 87 km, Sudan 1,360 km

Chile

total: 6,171 km

border countries: Argentina 5,150 km, Bolivia 861 km, Peru 160 km

China

total: 22,117 km

border countries: Afghanistan 76 km, Bhutan 470 km, Burma 2,185 km,

India 3,380 km, Kazakhstan 1,533 km, North Korea 1,416 km,

Kyrgyzstan 858 km, Laos 423 km, Mongolia 4,677 km, Nepal 1,236 km,

Pakistan 523 km, Russia (northeast) 3,605 km, Russia (northwest) 40

km, Tajikistan 414 km, Vietnam 1,281 km

regional borders: Hong Kong 30 km, Macau 0.34 km

Christmas Island

0 km

Clipperton Island

0 km

Cocos (Keeling) Islands

0 km

Colombia

total: 6,004 km

border countries: Brazil 1,643 km, Ecuador 590 km, Panama 225 km,

Peru 1,496 km (est.), Venezuela 2,050 km

Comoros

0 km

Congo, Democratic Republic of the

total: 10,730 km

border countries: Angola 2,511 km (of which 225 km is the boundary

of Angola's discontiguous Cabinda Province), Burundi 233 km, Central

African Republic 1,577 km, Republic of the Congo 2,410 km, Rwanda

217 km, Sudan 628 km, Tanzania 459 km, Uganda 765 km, Zambia 1,930 km

Congo, Republic of the

total: 5,504 km

border countries: Angola 201 km, Cameroon 523 km, Central African

Republic 467 km, Democratic Republic of the Congo 2,410 km, Gabon

1,903 km

Cook Islands

0 km

Coral Sea Islands

0 km

Costa Rica

total: 639 km

border countries: Nicaragua 309 km, Panama 330 km

Cote d'Ivoire

total: 3,110 km

border countries: Burkina Faso 584 km, Ghana 668 km, Guinea 610 km,

Liberia 716 km, Mali 532 km

Croatia

total: 2,197 km

border countries: Bosnia and Herzegovina 932 km, Hungary 329 km,

Serbia and Montenegro (north) 241 km, Serbia and Montenegro (south)

25 km, Slovenia 670 km

Cuba

total: 29 km

border countries: US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay 29 km

note: Guantanamo Naval Base is leased by the US and thus remains

part of Cuba

Cyprus

total: NA; note - boundary with Dhekelia is being resurveyed

border countries: Akrotiri 47.4 km, Dhekelia NA

Czech Republic

total: 1,881 km

border countries: Austria 362 km, Germany 646 km, Poland 658 km,

Slovakia 215 km

Denmark total: 68 km border countries: Germany 68 km

Dhekelia total: NA; note - boundary with Cyprus is being resurveyed

Djibouti total: 516 km border countries: Eritrea 109 km, Ethiopia 349 km, Somalia 58 km

Dominica 0 km

Dominican Republic

total: 360 km

border countries: Haiti 360 km

East Timor

total: 228 km

border countries: Indonesia 228 km

Ecuador

total: 2,010 km

border countries: Colombia 590 km, Peru 1,420 km

Egypt

total: 2,665 km

border countries: Gaza Strip 11 km, Israel 266 km, Libya 1,115 km,

Sudan 1,273 km

El Salvador

total: 545 km

border countries: Guatemala 203 km, Honduras 342 km

Equatorial Guinea

total: 539 km

border countries: Cameroon 189 km, Gabon 350 km

Eritrea

total: 1,626 km

border countries: Djibouti 109 km, Ethiopia 912 km, Sudan 605 km

Estonia

total: 633 km

border countries: Latvia 339 km, Russia 294 km

Ethiopia

total: 5,328 km

border countries: Djibouti 349 km, Eritrea 912 km, Kenya 861 km,

Somalia 1,600 km, Sudan 1,606 km

Europa Island

0 km

European Union

total: 11,214.8 km

border countries: Albania 282 km, Andorra 120.3 km, Belarus 1,050

km, Bulgaria 494 km, Croatia 999 km, Holy See 3.2 km, Liechtenstein

34.9 km, Macedonia 246 km, Monaco 4.4 km, Norway 2,348 km, Romania

443 km, Russia 2,257 km, San Marino 39 km, Serbia and Montenegro 151

km, Switzerland 1,811 km, Turkey 206 km, Ukraine 726 km

note: data for European Continent only

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

0 km

Faroe Islands

0 km

Fiji

0 km

Finland

total: 2,681 km

border countries: Norway 727 km, Sweden 614 km, Russia 1,340 km

France

total: 2,889 km

border countries: Andorra 56.6 km, Belgium 620 km, Germany 451 km,

Italy 488 km, Luxembourg 73 km, Monaco 4.4 km, Spain 623 km,

Switzerland 573 km

French Guiana total: 1,183 km border countries: Brazil 673 km, Suriname 510 km

French Polynesia

0 km

French Southern and Antarctic Lands

0 km

Gabon

total: 2,551 km

border countries: Cameroon 298 km, Republic of the Congo 1,903 km,

Equatorial Guinea 350 km

Gambia, The

total: 740 km

border countries: Senegal 740 km

Gaza Strip

total: 62 km

border countries: Egypt 11 km, Israel 51 km

Georgia

total: 1,461 km

border countries: Armenia 164 km, Azerbaijan 322 km, Russia 723 km,

Turkey 252 km

Germany

total: 3,621 km

border countries: Austria 784 km, Belgium 167 km, Czech Republic 646

km, Denmark 68 km, France 451 km, Luxembourg 138 km, Netherlands 577

km, Poland 456 km, Switzerland 334 km

Ghana

total: 2,094 km

border countries: Burkina Faso 549 km, Cote d'Ivoire 668 km, Togo

877 km

Gibraltar total: 1.2 km border countries: Spain 1.2 km

Glorioso Islands

0 km

Greece

total: 1,228 km

border countries: Albania 282 km, Bulgaria 494 km, Turkey 206 km,

Macedonia 246 km

Greenland

0 km

Grenada

0 km

Guadeloupe total: 10.2 km border countries: Netherlands Antilles (Sint Maarten) 10.2 km

Guam

0 km

Guatemala

total: 1,687 km

border countries: Belize 266 km, El Salvador 203 km, Honduras 256

km, Mexico 962 km

Guernsey

0 km

Guinea

total: 3,399 km

border countries: Cote d'Ivoire 610 km, Guinea-Bissau 386 km,

Liberia 563 km, Mali 858 km, Senegal 330 km, Sierra Leone 652 km

Guinea-Bissau

total: 724 km

border countries: Guinea 386 km, Senegal 338 km

Guyana

total: 2,462 km

border countries: Brazil 1,119 km, Suriname 600 km, Venezuela 743 km

Haiti

total: 360 km

border countries: Dominican Republic 360 km

Heard Island and McDonald Islands

0 km

Holy See (Vatican City)

total: 3.2 km

border countries: Italy 3.2 km

Honduras

total: 1,520 km

border countries: Guatemala 256 km, El Salvador 342 km, Nicaragua

922 km

Hong Kong total: 30 km regional border: China 30 km

Howland Island

0 km

Hungary

total: 2,171 km

border countries: Austria 366 km, Croatia 329 km, Romania 443 km,

Serbia and Montenegro 151 km, Slovakia 677 km, Slovenia 102 km,

Ukraine 103 km

Iceland

0 km

India

total: 14,103 km

border countries: Bangladesh 4,053 km, Bhutan 605 km, Burma 1,463

km, China 3,380 km, Nepal 1,690 km, Pakistan 2,912 km

Indonesia

total: 2,830 km

border countries: East Timor 228 km, Malaysia 1,782 km, Papua New

Guinea 820 km

Iran

total: 5,440 km

border countries: Afghanistan 936 km, Armenia 35 km,

Azerbaijan-proper 432 km, Azerbaijan-Naxcivan exclave 179 km, Iraq

1,458 km, Pakistan 909 km, Turkey 499 km, Turkmenistan 992 km

Iraq

total: 3,650 km

border countries: Iran 1,458 km, Jordan 181 km, Kuwait 240 km, Saudi

Arabia 814 km, Syria 605 km, Turkey 352 km

Ireland

total: 360 km

border countries: UK 360 km

Israel

total: 1,017 km

border countries: Egypt 266 km, Gaza Strip 51 km, Jordan 238 km,

Lebanon 79 km, Syria 76 km, West Bank 307 km

Italy

total: 1,932.2 km

border countries: Austria 430 km, France 488 km, Holy See (Vatican

City) 3.2 km, San Marino 39 km, Slovenia 232 km, Switzerland 740 km

Jamaica

0 km

Jan Mayen

0 km

Japan

0 km

Jarvis Island

0 km

Jersey

0 km

Johnston Atoll

0 km

Jordan

total: 1,635 km

border countries: Iraq 181 km, Israel 238 km, Saudi Arabia 744 km,

Syria 375 km, West Bank 97 km

Juan de Nova Island

0 km

Kazakhstan

total: 12,012 km

border countries: China 1,533 km, Kyrgyzstan 1,051 km, Russia 6,846

km, Turkmenistan 379 km, Uzbekistan 2,203 km

Kenya

total: 3,477 km

border countries: Ethiopia 861 km, Somalia 682 km, Sudan 232 km,

Tanzania 769 km, Uganda 933 km

Kingman Reef

0 km

Kiribati

0 km

Korea, North

total: 1,673 km

border countries: China 1,416 km, South Korea 238 km, Russia 19 km

Korea, South

total: 238 km

border countries: North Korea 238 km

Kuwait

total: 462 km

border countries: Iraq 240 km, Saudi Arabia 222 km

Kyrgyzstan

total: 3,878 km

border countries: China 858 km, Kazakhstan 1,051 km, Tajikistan 870

km, Uzbekistan 1,099 km

Laos

total: 5,083 km

border countries: Burma 235 km, Cambodia 541 km, China 423 km,

Thailand 1,754 km, Vietnam 2,130 km

Latvia

total: 1,150 km

border countries: Belarus 141 km, Estonia 339 km, Lithuania 453 km,

Russia 217 km

Lebanon

total: 454 km

border countries: Israel 79 km, Syria 375 km

Lesotho

total: 909 km

border countries: South Africa 909 km

Liberia

total: 1,585 km

border countries: Guinea 563 km, Cote d'Ivoire 716 km, Sierra Leone

306 km

Libya

total: 4,348 km

border countries: Algeria 982 km, Chad 1,055 km, Egypt 1,115 km,

Niger 354 km, Sudan 383 km, Tunisia 459 km

Liechtenstein

total: 76 km

border countries: Austria 34.9 km, Switzerland 41.1 km

Lithuania

total: 1,273 km

border countries: Belarus 502 km, Latvia 453 km, Poland 91 km,

Russia (Kaliningrad) 227 km

Luxembourg

total: 359 km

border countries: Belgium 148 km, France 73 km, Germany 138 km

Macau

total: 0.34 km

regional border: China 0.34 km

Macedonia

total: 766 km

border countries: Albania 151 km, Bulgaria 148 km, Greece 246 km,

Serbia and Montenegro 221 km

Madagascar

0 km

Malawi

total: 2,881 km

border countries: Mozambique 1,569 km, Tanzania 475 km, Zambia 837 km

Malaysia

total: 2,669 km

border countries: Brunei 381 km, Indonesia 1,782 km, Thailand 506 km

Maldives

0 km

Mali

total: 7,243 km

border countries: Algeria 1,376 km, Burkina Faso 1,000 km, Guinea

858 km, Cote d'Ivoire 532 km, Mauritania 2,237 km, Niger 821 km,

Senegal 419 km

Malta

0 km

Man, Isle of

0 km

Marshall Islands

0 km

Martinique

0 km

Mauritania

total: 5,074 km

border countries: Algeria 463 km, Mali 2,237 km, Senegal 813 km,

Western Sahara 1,561 km

Mauritius

0 km

Mayotte

0 km

Mexico total: 4,353 km border countries: Belize 250 km, Guatemala 962 km, US 3,141 km

Micronesia, Federated States of

0 km

Midway Islands

0 km

Moldova

total: 1,389 km

border countries: Romania 450 km, Ukraine 939 km

Monaco

total: 4.4 km

border countries: France 4.4 km

Mongolia

total: 8,220 km

border countries: China 4,677 km, Russia 3,543 km

Montserrat

0 km

Morocco

total: 2,017.9 km

border countries: Algeria 1,559 km, Western Sahara 443 km, Spain

(Ceuta) 6.3 km, Spain (Melilla) 9.6 km

Mozambique

total: 4,571 km

border countries: Malawi 1,569 km, South Africa 491 km, Swaziland

105 km, Tanzania 756 km, Zambia 419 km, Zimbabwe 1,231 km

Namibia

total: 3,936 km

border countries: Angola 1,376 km, Botswana 1,360 km, South Africa

967 km, Zambia 233 km

Nauru

0 km

Navassa Island

0 km

Nepal

total: 2,926 km

border countries: China 1,236 km, India 1,690 km

Netherlands

total: 1,027 km

border countries: Belgium 450 km, Germany 577 km

Netherlands Antilles

total: 10.2 km

border countries: Guadeloupe (Saint-Martin) 10.2 km

New Caledonia

0 km

New Zealand

0 km

Nicaragua

total: 1,231 km

border countries: Costa Rica 309 km, Honduras 922 km

Niger

total: 5,697 km

border countries: Algeria 956 km, Benin 266 km, Burkina Faso 628 km,

Chad 1,175 km, Libya 354 km, Mali 821 km, Nigeria 1,497 km

Nigeria

total: 4,047 km

border countries: Benin 773 km, Cameroon 1,690 km, Chad 87 km, Niger

1,497 km

Niue

0 km

Norfolk Island

0 km

Northern Mariana Islands

0 km

Norway

total: 2,542 km

border countries: Finland 727 km, Sweden 1,619 km, Russia 196 km

Oman

total: 1,374 km

border countries: Saudi Arabia 676 km, UAE 410 km, Yemen 288 km

Pakistan

total: 6,774 km

border countries: Afghanistan 2,430 km, China 523 km, India 2,912

km, Iran 909 km

Palau

0 km

Palmyra Atoll

0 km

Panama

total: 555 km

border countries: Colombia 225 km, Costa Rica 330 km

Papua New Guinea

total: 820 km

border countries: Indonesia 820 km

Paracel Islands

0 km

Paraguay

total: 3,920 km

border countries: Argentina 1,880 km, Bolivia 750 km, Brazil 1,290 km

Peru

total: 5,536 km

border countries: Bolivia 900 km, Brazil 1,560 km, Chile 160 km,

Colombia 1,496 km (est.), Ecuador 1,420 km

Philippines

0 km

Pitcairn Islands

0 km

Poland

total: 2,788 km

border countries: Belarus 407 km, Czech Republic 658 km, Germany 456

km, Lithuania 91 km, Russia (Kaliningrad Oblast) 206 km, Slovakia

444 km, Ukraine 526 km

Portugal total: 1,214 km border countries: Spain 1,214 km

Puerto Rico 0 km

Qatar total: 60 km border countries: Saudi Arabia 60 km

Reunion

0 km

Romania

total: 2,508 km

border countries: Bulgaria 608 km, Hungary 443 km, Moldova 450 km,

Serbia and Montenegro 476 km, Ukraine (north) 362 km, Ukraine (east)

169 km

Russia

total: 20,017 km

border countries: Azerbaijan 284 km, Belarus 959 km, China

(southeast) 3,605 km, China (south) 40 km, Estonia 294 km, Finland

1,340 km, Georgia 723 km, Kazakhstan 6,846 km, North Korea 19 km,

Latvia 217 km, Lithuania (Kaliningrad Oblast) 227 km, Mongolia 3,485

km, Norway 196 km, Poland (Kaliningrad Oblast) 206 km, Ukraine 1,576

km

Rwanda

total: 893 km

border countries: Burundi 290 km, Democratic Republic of the Congo

217 km, Tanzania 217 km, Uganda 169 km

Saint Helena

0 km

Saint Kitts and Nevis

0 km

Saint Lucia

0 km

Saint Pierre and Miquelon

0 km

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

0 km

Samoa

0 km

San Marino total: 39 km border countries: Italy 39 km

Sao Tome and Principe

0 km

Saudi Arabia

total: 4,431 km

border countries: Iraq 814 km, Jordan 744 km, Kuwait 222 km, Oman

676 km, Qatar 60 km, UAE 457 km, Yemen 1,458 km

Senegal

total: 2,640 km

border countries: The Gambia 740 km, Guinea 330 km, Guinea-Bissau

338 km, Mali 419 km, Mauritania 813 km

Serbia and Montenegro

total: 2,246 km

border countries: Albania 287 km, Bosnia and Herzegovina 527 km,

Bulgaria 318 km, Croatia (north) 241 km, Croatia (south) 25 km,

Hungary 151 km, Macedonia 221 km, Romania 476 km

Seychelles

0 km

Sierra Leone total: 958 km border countries: Guinea 652 km, Liberia 306 km

Singapore

0 km

Slovakia

total: 1,524 km

border countries: Austria 91 km, Czech Republic 215 km, Hungary 677

km, Poland 444 km, Ukraine 97 km

Slovenia

total: 1,334 km

border countries: Austria 330 km, Croatia 670 km, Italy 232 km,

Hungary 102 km

Solomon Islands

0 km

Somalia

total: 2,340 km

border countries: Djibouti 58 km, Ethiopia 1,600 km, Kenya 682 km

South Africa

total: 4,862 km

border countries: Botswana 1,840 km, Lesotho 909 km, Mozambique 491

km, Namibia 967 km, Swaziland 430 km, Zimbabwe 225 km

South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands

0 km

Spain

total: 1,917.8 km

border countries: Andorra 63.7 km, France 623 km, Gibraltar 1.2 km,

Portugal 1,214 km, Morocco (Ceuta) 6.3 km, Morocco (Melilla) 9.6 km

Spratly Islands

0 km

Sri Lanka

0 km

Sudan

total: 7,687 km

border countries: Central African Republic 1,165 km, Chad 1,360 km,

Democratic Republic of the Congo 628 km, Egypt 1,273 km, Eritrea 605

km, Ethiopia 1,606 km, Kenya 232 km, Libya 383 km, Uganda 435 km

Suriname total: 1,707 km border countries: Brazil 597 km, French Guiana 510 km, Guyana 600 km

Svalbard 0 km

Swaziland

total: 535 km

border countries: Mozambique 105 km, South Africa 430 km

Sweden

total: 2,233 km

border countries: Finland 614 km, Norway 1,619 km

Switzerland

total: 1,852 km

border countries: Austria 164 km, France 573 km, Italy 740 km,

Liechtenstein 41 km, Germany 334 km

Syria

total: 2,253 km

border countries: Iraq 605 km, Israel 76 km, Jordan 375 km, Lebanon

375 km, Turkey 822 km

Taiwan

0 km

Tajikistan

total: 3,651 km

border countries: Afghanistan 1,206 km, China 414 km, Kyrgyzstan 870

km, Uzbekistan 1,161 km

Tanzania

total: 3,861 km

border countries: Burundi 451 km, Democratic Republic of the Congo

459 km, Kenya 769 km, Malawi 475 km, Mozambique 756 km, Rwanda 217

km, Uganda 396 km, Zambia 338 km

Thailand

total: 4,863 km

border countries: Burma 1,800 km, Cambodia 803 km, Laos 1,754 km,

Malaysia 506 km

Togo

total: 1,647 km

border countries: Benin 644 km, Burkina Faso 126 km, Ghana 877 km

Tokelau

0 km

Tonga

0 km

Trinidad and Tobago

0 km

Tromelin Island

0 km

Tunisia

total: 1,424 km

border countries: Algeria 965 km, Libya 459 km

Turkey

total: 2,648 km

border countries: Armenia 268 km, Azerbaijan 9 km, Bulgaria 240 km,

Georgia 252 km, Greece 206 km, Iran 499 km, Iraq 352 km, Syria 822 km

Turkmenistan

total: 3,736 km

border countries: Afghanistan 744 km, Iran 992 km, Kazakhstan 379

km, Uzbekistan 1,621 km

Turks and Caicos Islands

0 km

Tuvalu

0 km

Uganda

total: 2,698 km

border countries: Democratic Republic of the Congo 765 km, Kenya 933

km, Rwanda 169 km, Sudan 435 km, Tanzania 396 km

Ukraine

total: 4,663 km

border countries: Belarus 891 km, Hungary 103 km, Moldova 939 km,

Poland 526 km, Romania (south) 169 km, Romania (west) 362 km, Russia

1,576 km, Slovakia 97 km

United Arab Emirates

total: 867 km

border countries: Oman 410 km, Saudi Arabia 457 km

United Kingdom

total: 360 km

border countries: Ireland 360 km

United States

total: 12,034 km

border countries: Canada 8,893 km (including 2,477 km with Alaska),

Mexico 3,141 km

note: US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba is leased by the US and

is part of Cuba; the base boundary is 29 km

Uruguay

total: 1,564 km

border countries: Argentina 579 km, Brazil 985 km

Uzbekistan

total: 6,221 km

border countries: Afghanistan 137 km, Kazakhstan 2,203 km,

Kyrgyzstan 1,099 km, Tajikistan 1,161 km, Turkmenistan 1,621 km

Vanuatu

0 km

Venezuela

total: 4,993 km

border countries: Brazil 2,200 km, Colombia 2,050 km, Guyana 743 km

Vietnam

total: 4,639 km

border countries: Cambodia 1,228 km, China 1,281 km, Laos 2,130 km

Virgin Islands

0 km

Wake Island

0 km

Wallis and Futuna

0 km

West Bank

total: 404 km

border countries: Israel 307 km, Jordan 97 km

Western Sahara

total: 2,046 km

border countries: Algeria 42 km, Mauritania 1,561 km, Morocco 443 km

World

the land boundaries in the world total 250,472 km (not

counting shared boundaries twice); two nations, China and Russia,

each border 14 other countries

note: 43 nations and other areas are landlocked, these include:

Afghanistan, Andorra, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bhutan,

Bolivia, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Central African Republic,

Chad, Czech Republic, Ethiopia, Holy See (Vatican City), Hungary,

Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg,

Macedonia, Malawi, Mali, Moldova, Mongolia, Nepal, Niger, Paraguay,

Rwanda, San Marino, Slovakia, Swaziland, Switzerland, Tajikistan,

Turkmenistan, Uganda, Uzbekistan, West Bank, Zambia, Zimbabwe; two

of these, Liechtenstein and Uzbekistan, are doubly landlocked

Yemen

total: 1,746 km

border countries: Oman 288 km, Saudi Arabia 1,458 km

Zambia

total: 5,664 km

border countries: Angola 1,110 km, Democratic Republic of the Congo

1,930 km, Malawi 837 km, Mozambique 419 km, Namibia 233 km, Tanzania

338 km, Zimbabwe 797 km

Zimbabwe

total: 3,066 km

border countries: Botswana 813 km, Mozambique 1,231 km, South Africa

225 km, Zambia 797 km

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2097 Land use (%)

Afghanistan

arable land: 12.13%

permanent crops: 0.22%

other: 87.65% (2001)

Albania

arable land: 21.09%

permanent crops: 4.42%

other: 74.49% (2001)

Algeria

arable land: 3.22%

permanent crops: 0.25%

other: 96.53% (2001)

American Samoa

arable land: 10%

permanent crops: 15%

other: 75% (2001)

Andorra

arable land: 2.22%

permanent crops: 0%

other: 97.78% (2001)

Angola

arable land: 2.41%

permanent crops: 0.24%

other: 97.35% (2001)

Anguilla

arable land: 0%

permanent crops: 0%

other: 100% (mostly rock with sparse scrub oak, few trees, some

commercial salt ponds) (2001)

Antarctica

arable land: 0%

permanent crops: 0%

other: 100% (ice 98%, barren rock 2%) (2001)

Antigua and Barbuda

arable land: 18.18%

permanent crops: 4.55%

other: 77.27% (2001)

Argentina

arable land: 12.31%

permanent crops: 0.48%

other: 87.21% (2001)

Armenia

arable land: 17.55%

permanent crops: 2.3%

other: 80.15% (2001)

Aruba

arable land: 10.53% (including aloe 0.01%)

permanent crops: 0%

other: 89.47% (2001)

Ashmore and Cartier Islands

arable land: 0%

permanent crops: 0%

other: 100% (all grass and sand) (2001)

Australia

arable land: 6.55% (includes about 27 million hectares of

cultivated grassland)

permanent crops: 0.04%

other: 93.41% (2001)

Austria

arable land: 16.91%

permanent crops: 0.86%

other: 82.23% (2001)

Azerbaijan

arable land: 19.63%

permanent crops: 2.71%

other: 77.66% (2001)

Bahamas, The

arable land: 0.8%

permanent crops: 0.4%

other: 98.8% (2001)

Bahrain

arable land: 2.82%

permanent crops: 5.63%

other: 91.55% (2001)

Baker Island

arable land: 0%

permanent crops: 0%

other: 100% (2001)

Bangladesh

arable land: 62.11%

permanent crops: 3.07%

other: 34.82% (2001)

Barbados

arable land: 37.21%

permanent crops: 2.33%

other: 60.46% (2001)

Bassas da India

arable land: 0%

permanent crops: 0%

other: 100% (all rock) (2001)

Belarus

arable land: 29.55%

permanent crops: 0.6%

other: 69.85% (2001)

Belgium

arable land: 23.28%

permanent crops: 0.4%

other: 76.32%

note: includes Luxembourg (2001)

Belize

arable land: 2.85%

permanent crops: 1.71%

other: 95.44% (2001)

Benin

arable land: 18.08%

permanent crops: 2.4%

other: 79.52% (2001)

Bermuda

arable land: 20%

permanent crops: 0%

other: 80% (55% developed, 45% rural/open space) (2001)

Bhutan

arable land: 3.09%

permanent crops: 0.43%

other: 96.48% (2001)

Bolivia

arable land: 2.67%

permanent crops: 0.19%

other: 97.14% (2001)

Bosnia and Herzegovina

arable land: 13.6%

permanent crops: 2.96%

other: 83.44% (2001)

Botswana

arable land: 0.65%

permanent crops: 0.01%

other: 99.34% (2001)

Bouvet Island

arable land: 0%

permanent crops: 0%

other: 100% (93% ice) (2001)

Brazil

arable land: 6.96%

permanent crops: 0.9%

other: 92.15% (2001)

British Indian Ocean Territory

arable land: 0%

permanent crops: 0%

other: 100% (2001)

British Virgin Islands

arable land: 20%

permanent crops: 6.67%

other: 73.33% (2001)

Brunei

arable land: 0.57%

permanent crops: 0.76%

other: 98.67% (2001)

Bulgaria

arable land: 40.02%

permanent crops: 1.92%

other: 58.06% (2001)

Burkina Faso

arable land: 14.43%

permanent crops: 0.19%

other: 85.38% (2001)

Burma

arable land: 15.19%

permanent crops: 0.97%

other: 83.84% (2001)

Burundi

arable land: 35.05%

permanent crops: 14.02%

other: 50.93% (2001)

Cambodia

arable land: 20.96%

permanent crops: 0.61%

other: 78.43% (2001)

Cameroon

arable land: 12.81%

permanent crops: 2.58%

other: 84.61% (2001)

Canada

arable land: 4.96%

permanent crops: 0.02%

other: 95.02% (2001)

Cape Verde

arable land: 9.68%

permanent crops: 0.5%

other: 89.82% (2001)

Cayman Islands

arable land: 3.85%

permanent crops: 0%

other: 96.15% (2001)

Central African Republic

arable land: 3.1%

permanent crops: 0.14%

other: 96.76% (2001)

Chad

arable land: 2.86%

permanent crops: 0.02%

other: 97.12% (2001)

Chile

arable land: 2.65%

permanent crops: 0.42%

other: 96.93% (2001)

China

arable land: 15.4%

permanent crops: 1.25%

other: 83.35% (2001)

Christmas Island

arable land: 0%

permanent crops: 0%

other: 100%

note: mainly tropical rainforest; 63% of the island is a national

park (2001)

Clipperton Island

arable land: 0%

permanent crops: 0%

other: 100% (all coral) (2001)

Cocos (Keeling) Islands

arable land: 0%

permanent crops: 0%

other: 100% (2001)

Colombia

arable land: 2.42%

permanent crops: 1.67%

other: 95.91% (2001)

Comoros

arable land: 35.87%

permanent crops: 23.32%

other: 40.81% (2001)

Congo, Democratic Republic of the

arable land: 2.96%

permanent crops: 0.52%

other: 96.52% (2001)

Congo, Republic of the

arable land: 0.51%

permanent crops: 0.13%

other: 99.36% (2001)

Cook Islands

arable land: 17.39%

permanent crops: 13.04%

other: 69.57% (2001)

Coral Sea Islands

arable land: 0%

permanent crops: 0%

other: 100% (mostly grass or scrub cover) (2001)

Costa Rica

arable land: 4.41%

permanent crops: 5.88%

other: 89.71% (2001)

Cote d'Ivoire

arable land: 9.75%

permanent crops: 13.84%

other: 76.41% (2001)

Croatia

arable land: 26.09%

permanent crops: 2.27%

other: 71.65% (2001)

Cuba

arable land: 33.05%

permanent crops: 7.6%

other: 59.35% (2001)

Cyprus

arable land: 7.79%

permanent crops: 4.44%

other: 87.77% (2001)

Czech Republic

arable land: 39.8%

permanent crops: 3.05%

other: 57.15% (2001)

Denmark

arable land: 54.02%

permanent crops: 0.19%

other: 45.79% (2001)

Djibouti

arable land: 0.04%

permanent crops: 0%

other: 99.96% (2001)

Dominica

arable land: 6.67%

permanent crops: 20%

other: 73.33% (2001)

Dominican Republic

arable land: 22.65%

permanent crops: 10.33%

other: 67.02% (2001)

East Timor

arable land: 4.71%

permanent crops: 0.67%

other: 94.62% (2001)

Ecuador

arable land: 5.85%

permanent crops: 4.93%

other: 89.22% (2001)

Egypt

arable land: 2.87%

permanent crops: 0.48%

other: 96.65% (2001)

El Salvador

arable land: 31.85%

permanent crops: 12.07%

other: 56.08% (2001)

Equatorial Guinea

arable land: 4.63%

permanent crops: 3.57%

other: 91.8% (2001)

Eritrea

arable land: 4.95%

permanent crops: 0.03%

other: 95.02% (2001)

Estonia

arable land: 16.04%

permanent crops: 0.45%

other: 83.51% (2001)

Ethiopia

arable land: 10.71%

permanent crops: 0.75%

other: 88.54% (2001)

Europa Island

arable land: 0%

permanent crops: 0%

other: 100% (mangrove forests and woodlands) (2001)

European Union

arable land: NA%

permanent crops: NA%

other: NA%

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

arable land: 0%

permanent crops: 0%

other: 100% (99% permanent pastures, 1% other) (2001)

Faroe Islands

arable land: 2.14%

permanent crops: 0%

other: 97.86% (2001)

Fiji

arable land: 10.95%

permanent crops: 4.65%

other: 84.4% (2001)

Finland

arable land: 7.19%

permanent crops: 0.03%

other: 92.78% (2001)

France

arable land: 33.53%

permanent crops: 2.07%

other: 64.4% (2001)

French Guiana

arable land: 0.14%

permanent crops: 0.05%

other: 99.81% (90% forest, 10% other) (2001)

French Polynesia

arable land: 0.82%

permanent crops: 5.46%

other: 93.72% (2001)

French Southern and Antarctic Lands

arable land: 0%

permanent crops: 0%

other: 100% (2001)

Gabon

arable land: 1.26%

permanent crops: 0.66%

other: 98.08% (2001)

Gambia, The

arable land: 25%

permanent crops: 0.5%

other: 74.5% (2001)

Gaza Strip

arable land: 28.95%

permanent crops: 21.05%

other: 50% (2001)

Georgia

arable land: 11.44%

permanent crops: 3.86%

other: 84.7% (2001)

Germany

arable land: 33.85%

permanent crops: 0.59%

other: 65.56% (2001)

Ghana

arable land: 16.26%

permanent crops: 9.67%

other: 74.07% (2001)

Gibraltar

arable land: 0%

permanent crops: 0%

other: 100% (2001)

Glorioso Islands

arable land: 0%

permanent crops: 0%

other: 100% (all lush vegetation and coconut palms) (2001)

Greece

arable land: 21.1%

permanent crops: 8.78%

other: 70.12% (2001)

Greenland

arable land: 0%

permanent crops: 0%

other: 100% (2001)

Grenada

arable land: 5.88%

permanent crops: 29.41%

other: 64.71% (2001)

Guadeloupe

arable land: 11.24%

permanent crops: 3.55%

other: 85.21% (2001)

Guam

arable land: 9.09%

permanent crops: 16.36%

other: 74.55% (2001)

Guatemala

arable land: 12.54%

permanent crops: 5.03%

other: 82.43% (2001)

Guernsey

arable land: NA%

permanent crops: NA%

other: NA%

Guinea

arable land: 3.63%

permanent crops: 2.58%

other: 93.79% (2001)

Guinea-Bissau

arable land: 10.67%

permanent crops: 8.82%

other: 80.51% (2001)

Guyana

arable land: 2.44%

permanent crops: 0.15%

other: 97.41% (2001)

Haiti

arable land: 28.3%

permanent crops: 11.61%

other: 60.09% (2001)

Heard Island and McDonald Islands

arable land: 0%

permanent crops: 0%

other: 100% (2001)

Holy See (Vatican City)

arable land: 0%

permanent crops: 0%

other: 100% (urban area) (2001)

Honduras

arable land: 9.55%

permanent crops: 3.22%

other: 87.23% (2001)

Hong Kong

arable land: 5.05%

permanent crops: 1.01%

other: 93.94% (2001)

Howland Island

arable land: 0%

permanent crops: 0%

other: 100% (2001)

Hungary

arable land: 50.09%

permanent crops: 2.06%

other: 47.85% (2001)

Iceland

arable land: 0.07%

permanent crops: 0%

other: 99.93% (2001)

India

arable land: 54.4%

permanent crops: 2.74%

other: 42.86% (2001)

Indonesia

arable land: 11.32%

permanent crops: 7.23%

other: 81.45% (2001)

Iran

arable land: 8.72%

permanent crops: 1.39%

other: 89.89% (2001)

Iraq

arable land: 13.15%

permanent crops: 0.78%

other: 86.07% (2001)

Ireland

arable land: 15.2%

permanent crops: 0.03%

other: 84.77% (2001)

Israel

arable land: 16.39%

permanent crops: 4.17%

other: 79.44% (2001)

Italy

arable land: 27.79%

permanent crops: 9.53%

other: 62.68% (2001)

Jamaica

arable land: 16.07%

permanent crops: 10.16%

other: 73.77% (2001)

Jan Mayen

arable land: 0%

permanent crops: 0%

other: 100% (2001)

Japan

arable land: 12.19%

permanent crops: 0.96%

other: 86.85% (2001)

Jarvis Island

arable land: 0%

permanent crops: 0%

other: 100% (2001)

Jersey

arable land: 0%

permanent crops: 0%

other: 100% (2001)

Johnston Atoll

arable land: 0%

permanent crops: 0%

other: 100% (2001)

Jordan

arable land: 2.67%

permanent crops: 1.83%

other: 95.5% (2001)

Juan de Nova Island

arable land: 0%

permanent crops: 0%

other: 100% (90% forest) (2001)

Kazakhstan

arable land: 7.98%

permanent crops: 0.05%

other: 91.97% (2001)

Kenya

arable land: 8.08%

permanent crops: 0.98%

other: 90.94% (2001)

Kingman Reef

arable land: 0%

permanent crops: 0%

other: 100% (2001)

Kiribati

arable land: 2.74%

permanent crops: 50.68%

other: 46.58% (2001)

Korea, North

arable land: 20.76%

permanent crops: 2.49%

other: 76.75% (2001)

Korea, South

arable land: 17.18%

permanent crops: 1.95%

other: 80.87% (2001)

Kuwait

arable land: 0.73%

permanent crops: 0.11%

other: 99.16% (2001)

Kyrgyzstan

arable land: 7.3%

permanent crops: 0.35%

other: 92.35%

note: Kyrgyzstan has the world's largest natural growth walnut

forest (2001)

Laos

arable land: 3.8%

permanent crops: 0.35%

other: 95.85% (2001)

Latvia

arable land: 29.67%

permanent crops: 0.47%

other: 69.86% (2001)

Lebanon

arable land: 16.62%

permanent crops: 13.98%

other: 69.4% (2001)

Lesotho

arable land: 10.87%

permanent crops: 0.13%

other: 89% (2001)

Liberia

arable land: 3.95%

permanent crops: 2.28%

other: 93.77% (2001)

Libya

arable land: 1.03%

permanent crops: 0.19%

other: 98.78% (2001)

Liechtenstein

arable land: 25%

permanent crops: 0%

other: 75% (2001)

Lithuania

arable land: 45.22%

permanent crops: 0.91%

other: 53.87% (2001)

Luxembourg

arable land: 23.28%

permanent crops: 0.4%

other: 76.32% (includes Belgium) (2001)

Macau

arable land: 0%

permanent crops: 0%

other: 100%

note: "green areas" represent 22.4% (2001)

Macedonia

arable land: 22.26%

permanent crops: 1.81%

other: 75.93% (2001)

Madagascar

arable land: 5.07%

permanent crops: 1.03%

other: 93.91% (2001)

Malawi

arable land: 23.38%

permanent crops: 1.49%

other: 75.13% (2001)

Malaysia

arable land: 5.48%

permanent crops: 17.61%

other: 76.91% (2001)

Maldives

arable land: 13.33%

permanent crops: 16.67%

other: 70% (2001)

Mali

arable land: 3.82%

permanent crops: 0.03%

other: 96.15% (2001)

Malta

arable land: 28.13%

permanent crops: 3.13%

other: 68.74% (2001)

Man, Isle of

arable land: 9%

permanent crops: 0%

other: 91% (permanent pastures, forests, mountain, and heathland)

(2002)

Marshall Islands

arable land: 16.67%

permanent crops: 38.89%

other: 44.44% (2001)

Martinique

arable land: 10.38%

permanent crops: 9.43%

other: 80.19% (2001)

Mauritania

arable land: 0.48%

permanent crops: 0.01%

other: 99.51% (2001)

Mauritius

arable land: 49.26%

permanent crops: 2.96%

other: 47.78% (2001)

Mayotte

arable land: NA%

permanent crops: NA%

other: NA%

Mexico

arable land: 12.99%

permanent crops: 1.31%

other: 85.7% (2001)

Micronesia, Federated States of

arable land: 5.71%

permanent crops: 45.71%

other: 48.58% (2001)

Midway Islands

arable land: 0%

permanent crops: 0%

other: 100% (2001)

Moldova

arable land: 55.3%

permanent crops: 10.79%

other: 33.91% (2001)

Monaco

arable land: 0%

permanent crops: 0%

other: 100% (urban area) (2001)

Mongolia

arable land: 0.77%

permanent crops: 0%

other: 99.23% (2001)

Montserrat

arable land: 20%

permanent crops: 0%

other: 80% (2001)

Morocco

arable land: 19.61%

permanent crops: 2.17%

other: 78.22% (2001)

Mozambique

arable land: 5.1%

permanent crops: 0.3%

other: 94.6% (2001)

Namibia

arable land: 0.99%

permanent crops: 0%

other: 99.01% (2001)

Nauru

arable land: 0%

permanent crops: 0%

other: 100% (2001)

Navassa Island

arable land: 0%

permanent crops: 0%

other: 100% (2001)

Nepal

arable land: 21.68%

permanent crops: 0.64%

other: 77.68% (2001)

Netherlands

arable land: 26.71%

permanent crops: 0.97%

other: 72.32% (2001)

Netherlands Antilles

arable land: 10%

permanent crops: 0%

other: 90% (2001)

New Caledonia

arable land: 0.38%

permanent crops: 0.33%

other: 99.29% (2001)

New Zealand

arable land: 5.6%

permanent crops: 6.99%

other: 87.41% (2001)

Nicaragua

arable land: 15.94%

permanent crops: 1.94%

other: 82.12% (2001)

Niger

arable land: 3.54%

permanent crops: 0.01%

other: 96.45% (2001)

Nigeria

arable land: 31.29%

permanent crops: 2.96%

other: 65.75% (2001)

Niue

arable land: 15.38%

permanent crops: 11.54%

other: 73.08% (2001)

Norfolk Island

arable land: 0%

permanent crops: 0%

other: 100% (2001)

Northern Mariana Islands

arable land: 13.04%

permanent crops: 4.35%

other: 82.61% (2001)

Norway

arable land: 2.87%

permanent crops: 0%

other: 97.13% (2001)

Oman

arable land: 0.12%

permanent crops: 0.14%

other: 99.74% (2001)

Pakistan

arable land: 27.87%

permanent crops: 0.87%

other: 71.26% (2001)

Palau

arable land: 8.7%

permanent crops: 4.35%

other: 86.95% (2001)

Palmyra Atoll

arable land: 0%

permanent crops: 0%

other: 100% (forests and woodlands) (2005)

Panama

arable land: 7.36%

permanent crops: 1.98%

other: 90.66% (2001)

Papua New Guinea

arable land: 0.46%

permanent crops: 1.44%

other: 98.1% (2001)

Paracel Islands

arable land: 0%

permanent crops: 0%

other: 100% (2001)

Paraguay

arable land: 7.6%

permanent crops: 0.23%

other: 92.17% (2001)

Peru

arable land: 2.89%

permanent crops: 0.4%

other: 96.71% (2001)

Philippines

arable land: 18.95%

permanent crops: 16.77%

other: 64.28% (2001)

Pitcairn Islands

arable land: NA%

permanent crops: NA%

other: NA%

Poland

arable land: 45.91%

permanent crops: 1.12%

other: 52.97% (2001)

Portugal

arable land: 21.75%

permanent crops: 7.81%

other: 70.44% (2001)

Puerto Rico

arable land: 3.95%

permanent crops: 5.52%

other: 90.53% (2001)

Qatar

arable land: 1.64%

permanent crops: 0.27%

other: 98.09% (2001)

Reunion

arable land: 13.6%

permanent crops: 1.2%

other: 85.2% (2001)

Romania

arable land: 40.82%

permanent crops: 2.25%

other: 56.93% (2001)

Russia

arable land: 7.33%

permanent crops: 0.11%

other: 92.56% (2001)

Rwanda

arable land: 40.54%

permanent crops: 12.16%

other: 47.3% (2001)

Saint Helena

arable land: 12.9%

permanent crops: 0%

other: 87.1% (2001)

Saint Kitts and Nevis

arable land: 19.44%

permanent crops: 2.78%

other: 77.78% (2001)

Saint Lucia

arable land: 6.56%

permanent crops: 22.95%

other: 70.49% (2001)

Saint Pierre and Miquelon

arable land: 13.04%

permanent crops: 0%

other: 86.96% (2001)

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

arable land: 17.95%

permanent crops: 17.95%

other: 64.1% (2001)

Samoa

arable land: 21.2%

permanent crops: 24.38%

other: 54.42% (2001)

San Marino

arable land: 16.67%

permanent crops: 0%

other: 83.33% (2001)

Sao Tome and Principe

arable land: 6.25%

permanent crops: 48.96%

other: 44.79% (2001)

Saudi Arabia

arable land: 1.67%

permanent crops: 0.09%

other: 98.24% (2001)

Senegal

arable land: 12.78%

permanent crops: 0.21%

other: 87.01% (2001)

Serbia and Montenegro

arable land: 33.35%

permanent crops: 3.2%

other: 63.45% (2001)

Seychelles

arable land: 2.22%

permanent crops: 13.33%

other: 84.45% (2001)

Sierra Leone

arable land: 6.98%

permanent crops: 0.89%

other: 92.13% (2001)

Singapore

arable land: 1.64%

permanent crops: 0%

other: 98.36% (2001)

Slovakia

arable land: 30.16%

permanent crops: 2.62%

other: 67.22% (2001)

Slovenia

arable land: 8.6%

permanent crops: 1.49%

other: 89.91% (2001)

Solomon Islands

arable land: 0.64%

permanent crops: 2%

other: 97.36% (2001)

Somalia

arable land: 1.67%

permanent crops: 0.04%

other: 98.29% (2001)

South Africa

arable land: 12.08%

permanent crops: 0.79%

other: 87.13% (2001)

South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands

arable land: 0%

permanent crops: 0%

other: 100% (largely covered by permanent ice and snow with some

sparse vegetation consisting of grass, moss, and lichen) (2001)

Spain

arable land: 26.07%

permanent crops: 9.87%

other: 64.06% (2001)

Spratly Islands

arable land: 0%

permanent crops: 0%

other: 100% (2001)

Sri Lanka

arable land: 13.86%

permanent crops: 15.7%

other: 70.44% (2001)

Sudan

arable land: 6.83%

permanent crops: 0.18%

other: 92.99% (2001)

Suriname

arable land: 0.37%

permanent crops: 0.06%

other: 99.57% (2001)

Svalbard

arable land: 0%

permanent crops: 0%

other: 100% (no trees, and the only bushes are crowberry and

cloudberry) (2001)

Swaziland

arable land: 10.35%

permanent crops: 0.7%

other: 88.95% (2001)

Sweden

arable land: 6.54%

permanent crops: 0.01%

other: 93.45% (2001)

Switzerland

arable land: 10.42%

permanent crops: 0.61%

other: 88.97% (2001)

Syria

arable land: 25.22%

permanent crops: 4.43%

other: 70.35% (2001)

Taiwan

arable land: 24%

permanent crops: 1%

other: 75% (2001)

Tajikistan

arable land: 6.61%

permanent crops: 0.92%

other: 92.47% (2001)

Tanzania

arable land: 4.52%

permanent crops: 1.08%

other: 94.4% (2001)

Thailand

arable land: 29.36%

permanent crops: 6.46%

other: 64.18% (2001)

Togo

arable land: 46.15%

permanent crops: 2.21%

other: 51.64% (2001)

Tokelau

arable land: 0% (soil is thin and infertile)

permanent crops: 0%

other: 100% (2001)

Tonga

arable land: 23.61%

permanent crops: 43.06%

other: 33.33% (2001)

Trinidad and Tobago

arable land: 14.62%

permanent crops: 9.16%

other: 76.22% (2001)

Tromelin Island

arable land: 0%

permanent crops: 0%

other: 100% (grasses; scattered bushes) (2001)

Tunisia

arable land: 17.86%

permanent crops: 13.74%

other: 68.4% (2001)

Turkey

arable land: 30.93%

permanent crops: 3.31%

other: 65.76% (2001)

Turkmenistan

arable land: 3.72%

permanent crops: 0.14%

other: 96.14% (2001)

Turks and Caicos Islands

arable land: 2.33%

permanent crops: 0%

other: 97.67% (2001)

Tuvalu

arable land: 0%

permanent crops: 0%

other: 100% (2001)

Uganda

arable land: 25.88%

permanent crops: 10.65%

other: 63.47% (2001)

Ukraine

arable land: 56.21%

permanent crops: 1.61%

other: 42.18% (2001)

United Arab Emirates

arable land: 0.6%

permanent crops: 2.25%

other: 97.15% (2001)

United Kingdom

arable land: 23.46%

permanent crops: 0.21%

other: 76.33% (2001)

United States

arable land: 19.13%

permanent crops: 0.22%

other: 80.65% (2001)

Uruguay

arable land: 7.43%

permanent crops: 0.23%

other: 92.34% (2001)

Uzbekistan

arable land: 10.83%

permanent crops: 0.83%

other: 88.34% (2001)

Vanuatu

arable land: 2.46%

permanent crops: 7.38%

other: 90.16% (2001)

Venezuela

arable land: 2.95%

permanent crops: 0.92%

other: 96.13% (2001)

Vietnam

arable land: 19.97%

permanent crops: 5.95%

other: 74.08% (2001)

Virgin Islands

arable land: 11.76%

permanent crops: 2.94%

other: 85.3% (2001)

Wake Island

arable land: 0%

permanent crops: 0%

other: 100% (2001)

Wallis and Futuna

arable land: 5%

permanent crops: 25%

other: 70% (2001)

West Bank

arable land: 16.9%

permanent crops: 18.97%

other: 64.13% (2001)

Western Sahara

arable land: 0.02%

permanent crops: 0%

other: 99.98% (2001)

World

arable land: 10.73%

permanent crops: 1%

other: 88.27% (2001)

Yemen

arable land: 2.78%

permanent crops: 0.24%

other: 96.98% (2001)

Zambia

arable land: 7.08%

permanent crops: 0.03%

other: 92.9% (2001)

Zimbabwe

arable land: 8.32%

permanent crops: 0.34%

other: 91.34% (2001)

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2098 Languages (%)

Afghanistan

Afghan Persian or Dari (official) 50%, Pashtu (official)

35%, Turkic languages (primarily Uzbek and Turkmen) 11%, 30 minor

languages (primarily Balochi and Pashai) 4%, much bilingualism

Akrotiri

English, Greek

Albania

Albanian (official - derived from Tosk dialect), Greek,

Vlach, Romani, Slavic dialects

Algeria

Arabic (official), French, Berber dialects

American Samoa

Samoan 90.6% (closely related to Hawaiian and other

Polynesian languages), English 2.9%, Tongan 2.4%, other Pacific

islander 2.1%, other 2%

note: most people are bilingual (2000 census)

Andorra

Catalan (official), French, Castilian, Portuguese

Angola

Portuguese (official), Bantu and other African languages

Anguilla

English (official)

Antigua and Barbuda

English (official), local dialects

Argentina

Spanish (official), English, Italian, German, French

Armenia

Armenian 97.7%, Yezidi 1%, Russian 0.9%, other 0.4% (2001

census)

Aruba

Dutch (official), Papiamento (a Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch,

English dialect), English (widely spoken), Spanish

Australia

English 79.1%, Chinese 2.1%, Italian 1.9%, other 11.1%,

unspecified 5.8% (2001 Census)

Austria

German (official nationwide), Slovene (official in

Carinthia), Croatian (official in Burgenland), Hungarian (official

in Burgenland)

Azerbaijan

Azerbaijani (Azeri) 89%, Russian 3%, Armenian 2%, other

6% (1995 est.)

Bahamas, The

English (official), Creole (among Haitian immigrants)

Bahrain

Arabic, English, Farsi, Urdu

Bangladesh

Bangla (official, also known as Bengali), English

Barbados

English

Belarus

Belarusian, Russian, other

Belgium

Dutch (official) 60%, French (official) 40%, German

(official) less than 1%, legally bilingual (Dutch and French)

Belize

English (official), Spanish, Mayan, Garifuna (Carib), Creole

Benin

French (official), Fon and Yoruba (most common vernaculars in

south), tribal languages (at least six major ones in north)

Bermuda

English (official), Portuguese

Bhutan

Dzongkha (official), Bhotes speak various Tibetan dialects,

Nepalese speak various Nepalese dialects

Bolivia

Spanish (official), Quechua (official), Aymara (official)

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Bosnian, Croatian, Serbian

Botswana

Setswana 78.2%, Kalanga 7.9%, Sekgalagadi 2.8%, English

2.1% (official), other 8.6%, unspecified 0.4% (2001 census)

Brazil

Portuguese (official), Spanish, English, French

British Virgin Islands

English (official)

Brunei

Malay (official), English, Chinese

Bulgaria

Bulgarian 84.5%, Turkish 9.6%, Roma 4.1%, other and

unspecified 1.8% (2001 census)

Burkina Faso

French (official), native African languages belonging

to Sudanic family spoken by 90% of the population

Burma

Burmese, minority ethnic groups have their own languages

Burundi

Kirundi (official), French (official), Swahili (along Lake

Tanganyika and in the Bujumbura area)

Cambodia

Khmer (official) 95%, French, English

Cameroon

24 major African language groups, English (official),

French (official)

Canada

English (official) 59.3%, French (official) 23.2%, other 17.5%

Cape Verde

Portuguese, Crioulo (a blend of Portuguese and West

African words)

Cayman Islands

English

Central African Republic

French (official), Sangho (lingua franca

and national language), tribal languages

Chad

French (official), Arabic (official), Sara (in south), more

than 120 different languages and dialects

Chile

Spanish

China

Standard Chinese or Mandarin (Putonghua, based on the Beijing

dialect), Yue (Cantonese), Wu (Shanghaiese), Minbei (Fuzhou), Minnan

(Hokkien-Taiwanese), Xiang, Gan, Hakka dialects, minority languages

(see Ethnic groups entry)

Christmas Island

English (official), Chinese, Malay

Cocos (Keeling) Islands

Malay (Cocos dialect), English

Colombia

Spanish

Comoros

Arabic (official), French (official), Shikomoro (a blend of

Swahili and Arabic)

Congo, Democratic Republic of the

French (official), Lingala (a

lingua franca trade language), Kingwana (a dialect of Kiswahili or

Swahili), Kikongo, Tshiluba

Congo, Republic of the

French (official), Lingala and Monokutuba

(lingua franca trade languages), many local languages and dialects

(of which Kikongo is the most widespread)

Cook Islands

English (official), Maori

Costa Rica

Spanish (official), English

Cote d'Ivoire

French (official), 60 native dialects with Dioula the

most widely spoken

Croatia

Croatian 96.1%, Serbian 1%, other and undesignated 2.9%

(including Italian, Hungarian, Czech, Slovak, and German) (2001

census)

Cuba

Spanish

Cyprus

Greek, Turkish, English

Czech Republic

Czech

Denmark

Danish, Faroese, Greenlandic (an Inuit dialect), German

(small minority)

note: English is the predominant second language

Dhekelia

English, Greek

Djibouti

French (official), Arabic (official), Somali, Afar

Dominica

English (official), French patois

Dominican Republic

Spanish

East Timor

Tetum (official), Portuguese (official), Indonesian,

English

note: there are about 16 indigenous languages; Tetum, Galole,

Mambae, and Kemak are spoken by significant numbers of people

Ecuador

Spanish (official), Amerindian languages (especially Quechua)

Egypt

Arabic (official), English and French widely understood by

educated classes

El Salvador

Spanish, Nahua (among some Amerindians)

Equatorial Guinea

Spanish (official), French (official), pidgin

English, Fang, Bubi, Ibo

Eritrea

Afar, Arabic, Tigre and Kunama, Tigrinya, other Cushitic

languages

Estonia

Estonian (official) 67.3%, Russian 29.7%, other 2.3%,

unknown 0.7% (2000 census)

Ethiopia

Amharic, Tigrinya, Oromigna, Guaragigna, Somali, Arabic,

other local languages, English (major foreign language taught in

schools)

European Union

Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Estonian, Finnish,

French, German, Greek, Hungarian, Italian, Latvian, Lithuanian,

Maltese, Polish, Portuguese, Slovak, Slovene, Spanish, Swedish; note

- only official languages are listed; Irish (Gaelic) will become the

twenty-first language on 1 January 2007

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

English

Faroe Islands

Faroese (derived from Old Norse), Danish

Fiji

English (official), Fijian, Hindustani

Finland

Finnish 92% (official), Swedish 5.6% (official), other 2.4%

(small Sami- and Russian-speaking minorities) (2003)

France

French 100%, rapidly declining regional dialects and

languages (Provencal, Breton, Alsatian, Corsican, Catalan, Basque,

Flemish)

French Guiana

French

French Polynesia

French 61.1% (official), Polynesian 31.4%

(official), Asian languages 1.2%, other 0.3%, unspecified 6% (2002

census)

Gabon

French (official), Fang, Myene, Nzebi, Bapounou/Eschira,

Bandjabi

Gambia, The

English (official), Mandinka, Wolof, Fula, other

indigenous vernaculars

Gaza Strip

Arabic, Hebrew (spoken by Israeli settlers and many

Palestinians), English (widely understood)

Georgia

Georgian 71% (official), Russian 9%, Armenian 7%, Azeri 6%,

other 7%

note: Abkhaz is the official language in Abkhazia

Germany

German

Ghana

English (official), African languages (including Akan,

Moshi-Dagomba, Ewe, and Ga)

Gibraltar

English (used in schools and for official purposes),

Spanish, Italian, Portuguese

Greece

Greek 99% (official), English, French

Greenland

Greenlandic (East Inuit), Danish, English

Grenada

English (official), French patois

Guadeloupe

French (official) 99%, Creole patois

Guam

English 38.3%, Chamorro 22.2%, Philippine languages 22.2%,

other Pacific island languages 6.8%, Asian languages 7%, other

languages 3.5% (2000 census)

Guatemala

Spanish 60%, Amerindian languages 40% (23 officially

recognized Amerindian languages, including Quiche, Cakchiquel,

Kekchi, Mam, Garifuna, and Xinca)

Guernsey

English, French, Norman-French dialect spoken in country

districts

Guinea

French (official), each ethnic group has its own language

Guinea-Bissau

Portuguese (official), Crioulo, African languages

Guyana

English, Amerindian dialects, Creole, Hindi, Urdu

Haiti

French (official), Creole (official)

Holy See (Vatican City)

Italian, Latin, French, various other

languages

Honduras

Spanish, Amerindian dialects

Hong Kong

Chinese (Cantonese), English; both are official

Hungary

Hungarian 93.6%, other or unspecified 6.4% (2001 census)

Iceland

Icelandic, English, Nordic languages, German widely spoken

India

English enjoys associate status but is the most important

language for national, political, and commercial communication;

Hindi is the national language and primary tongue of 30% of the

people; there are 14 other official languages: Bengali, Telugu,

Marathi, Tamil, Urdu, Gujarati, Malayalam, Kannada, Oriya, Punjabi,

Assamese, Kashmiri, Sindhi, and Sanskrit; Hindustani is a popular

variant of Hindi/Urdu spoken widely throughout northern India but is

not an official language

Indonesia

Bahasa Indonesia (official, modified form of Malay),

English, Dutch, local dialects, the most widely spoken of which is

Javanese

Iran

Persian and Persian dialects 58%, Turkic and Turkic dialects

26%, Kurdish 9%, Luri 2%, Balochi 1%, Arabic 1%, Turkish 1%, other 2%

Iraq

Arabic, Kurdish (official in Kurdish regions), Assyrian,

Armenian

Ireland

English (official) is the language generally used, Irish

(official) (Gaelic or Gaeilge) spoken mainly in areas located along

the western seaboard

Israel

Hebrew (official), Arabic used officially for Arab minority,

English most commonly used foreign language

Italy

Italian (official), German (parts of Trentino-Alto Adige

region are predominantly German speaking), French (small

French-speaking minority in Valle d'Aosta region), Slovene

(Slovene-speaking minority in the Trieste-Gorizia area)

Jamaica

English, patois English

Japan

Japanese

Jersey

English 94.5% (official), Portuguese 4.6%, other 0.9% (2001

census)

Jordan

Arabic (official), English widely understood among upper and

middle classes

Kazakhstan

Kazakh (Qazaq, state language) 64.4%, Russian (official,

used in everyday business, designated the "language of interethnic

communication") 95% (2001 est.)

Kenya

English (official), Kiswahili (official), numerous indigenous

languages

Kiribati

I-Kiribati, English (official)

Korea, North

Korean

Korea, South

Korean, English widely taught in junior high and high

school

Kuwait

Arabic (official), English widely spoken

Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyz (official), Russian (official)

Laos

Lao (official), French, English, and various ethnic languages

Latvia

Latvian (official) 58.2%, Russian 37.5%, Lithuanian and other

4.3% (2000 census)

Lebanon

Arabic (official), French, English, Armenian

Lesotho

Sesotho (southern Sotho), English (official), Zulu, Xhosa

Liberia

English 20% (official), some 20 ethnic group languages, of

which a few can be written and are used in correspondence

Libya

Arabic, Italian, English, all are widely understood in the

major cities

Liechtenstein

German (official), Alemannic dialect

Lithuania

Lithuanian (official) 82%, Russian 8%, Polish 5.6%, other

and unspecified 4.4% (2001 census)

Luxembourg

Luxembourgish (national language), German (administrative

language), French (administrative language)

Macau

Cantonese 87.9%, Hokkien 4.4%, Mandarin 1.6%, other Chinese

dialects 3.1%, other 3% (2001 census)

Macedonia

Macedonian 66.5%, Albanian 25.1%, Turkish 3.5%, Roma 1.9%,

Serbian 1.2%, other 1.8% (2002 census)

Madagascar

French (official), Malagasy (official)

Malawi

Chichewa 57.2% (official), Chinyanja 12.8%, Chiyao 10.1%,

Chitumbuka 9.5%, Chisena 2.7%, Chilomwe 2.4%, Chitonga 1.7%, other

3.6% (1998 census)

Malaysia

Bahasa Melayu (official), English, Chinese dialects

(Cantonese, Mandarin, Hokkien, Hakka, Hainan, Foochow), Tamil,

Telugu, Malayalam, Panjabi, Thai

note: in addition, in East Malaysia several indigenous languages are

spoken, the largest are Iban and Kadazan

Maldives

Maldivian Dhivehi (dialect of Sinhala, script derived from

Arabic), English spoken by most government officials

Mali

French (official), Bambara 80%, numerous African languages

Malta

Maltese (official), English (official)

Man, Isle of

English, Manx Gaelic

Marshall Islands

Marshallese 98.2%, other languages 1.8% (1999

census)

note: English widely spoken as a second language; both Marshallese

and English are official languages

Martinique

French, Creole patois

Mauritania

Arabic (official), Pulaar, Soninke, French, Hassaniya,

Wolof

Mauritius

Creole 80.5%, Bhojpuri 12.1%, French 3.4% (official),

other 3.7%, unspecified 0.3% (2000 census)

Mayotte

Mahorian (a Swahili dialect), French (official language)

spoken by 35% of the population

Mexico

Spanish, various Mayan, Nahuatl, and other regional

indigenous languages

Micronesia, Federated States of

English (official and common

language), Trukese, Pohnpeian, Yapese, Kosrean, Ulithian, Woleaian,

Nukuoro, Kapingamarangi

Moldova

Moldovan (official, virtually the same as the Romanian

language), Russian, Gagauz (a Turkish dialect)

Monaco

French (official), English, Italian, Monegasque

Mongolia

Khalkha Mongol 90%, Turkic, Russian (1999)

Montserrat

English

Morocco

Arabic (official), Berber dialects, French often the

language of business, government, and diplomacy

Mozambique

Emakhuwa 26.1%, Xichangana 11.3%, Portuguese 8.8%

(official; spoken by 27% of population as a second language), Elomwe

7.6%, Cisena 6.8%, Echuwabo 5.8%, other Mozambican languages 32%,

other foreign languages 0.3%, unspecified 1.3% (1997 census)

Namibia

English 7% (official), Afrikaans common language of most of

the population and about 60% of the white population, German 32%,

indigenous languages: Oshivambo, Herero, Nama

Nauru

Nauruan (official, a distinct Pacific Island language),

English widely understood, spoken, and used for most government and

commercial purposes

Nepal

Nepali 47.8%, Maithali 12.1%, Bhojpuri 7.4%, Tharu

(Dagaura/Rana) 5.8%, Tamang 5.1%, Newar 3.6%, Magar 3.3%, Awadhi

2.4%, other 10%, unspecified 2.5% (2001 census)

note: many in government and business also speak English

Netherlands

Dutch (official), Frisian (official)

Netherlands Antilles

Papiamento 65.4% (a

Spanish-Portuguese-Dutch-English dialect), English 15.9% (widely

spoken), Dutch 7.3% (official), Spanish 6.1%, Creole 1.6%, other

1.9%, unspecified 1.8% (2001 census)

New Caledonia

French (official), 33 Melanesian-Polynesian dialects

New Zealand

English (official), Maori (official)

Nicaragua

Spanish 97.5% (official), Miskito 1.7%, other 0.8% (1995

census)

note: English and indigenous languages on Atlantic coast

Niger

French (official), Hausa, Djerma

Nigeria

English (official), Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo (Ibo), Fulani

Niue

Niuean, a Polynesian language closely related to Tongan and

Samoan; English

Norfolk Island

English (official), Norfolk a mixture of 18th century

English and ancient Tahitian

Northern Mariana Islands

Philippine languages 24.4%, Chinese 23.4%,

Chamorro 22.4%, English 10.8%, other Pacific island languages 9.5%,

other 9.6% (2000 census)

Norway

Bokmal Norwegian (official), Nynorsk Norwegian (official),

small Sami- and Finnish-speaking minorities

Oman

Arabic (official), English, Baluchi, Urdu, Indian dialects

Pakistan

Punjabi 48%, Sindhi 12%, Siraiki (a Punjabi variant) 10%,

Pashtu 8%, Urdu (official) 8%, Balochi 3%, Hindko 2%, Brahui 1%,

English (official and lingua franca of Pakistani elite and most

government ministries), Burushaski, and other 8%

Palau

Palauan 64.7% official in all islands except Sonsoral

(Sonsoralese and English are official), Tobi (Tobi and English are

official), and Angaur (Angaur, Japanese, and English are official),

Filipino 13.5%, English 9.4%, Chinese 5.7%, Carolinian 1.5%,

Japanese 1.5%, other Asian 2.3%, other languages 1.5% (2000 census)

Panama

Spanish (official), English 14%; note - many Panamanians

bilingual

Papua New Guinea

Melanesian Pidgin serves as the lingua franca,

English spoken by 1%-2%, Motu spoken in Papua region

note: 715 indigenous languages - many unrelated

Paraguay

Spanish (official), Guarani (official)

Peru

Spanish (official), Quechua (official), Aymara, and a large

number of minor Amazonian languages

Philippines

two official languages - Filipino (based on Tagalog) and

English; eight major dialects - Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocano,

Hiligaynon or Ilonggo, Bicol, Waray, Pampango, and Pangasinan

Pitcairn Islands

English (official), Pitcairnese (mixture of an 18th

century English dialect and a Tahitian dialect)

Poland

Polish 97.8%, other and unspecified 2.2% (2002 census)

Portugal

Portuguese (official), Mirandese (official - but locally

used)

Puerto Rico

Spanish, English

Qatar

Arabic (official), English commonly used as a second language

Reunion

French (official), Creole widely used

Romania

Romanian (official), Hungarian, German

Russia

Russian, many minority languages

Rwanda

Kinyarwanda (official) universal Bantu vernacular, French

(official), English (official), Kiswahili (Swahili) used in

commercial centers

Saint Helena

English

Saint Kitts and Nevis

English

Saint Lucia

English (official), French patois

Saint Pierre and Miquelon

French (official)

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

English, French patois

Samoa

Samoan (Polynesian), English

San Marino

Italian

Sao Tome and Principe

Portuguese (official)

Saudi Arabia

Arabic

Senegal

French (official), Wolof, Pulaar, Jola, Mandinka

Serbia and Montenegro

Serbian 95%, Albanian 5%

Seychelles

Creole 91.8%, English 4.9% (official), other 3.1%,

unspecified 0.2% (2002 census)

Sierra Leone

English (official, regular use limited to literate

minority), Mende (principal vernacular in the south), Temne

(principal vernacular in the north), Krio (English-based Creole,

spoken by the descendants of freed Jamaican slaves who were settled

in the Freetown area, a lingua franca and a first language for 10%

of the population but understood by 95%)

Singapore

Mandarin 35%, English 23%, Malay 14.1%, Hokkien 11.4%,

Cantonese 5.7%, Teochew 4.9%, Tamil 3.2%, other Chinese dialects

1.8%, other 0.9% (2000 census)

Slovakia

Slovak (official) 83.9%, Hungarian 10.7%, Roma 1.8%,

Ukrainian 1%, other or unspecified 2.6% (2001 census)

Slovenia

Slovenian 91.1%, Serbo-Croatian 4.5%, other or unspecified

4.4% (2002 census)

Solomon Islands

Melanesian pidgin in much of the country is lingua

franca; English is official but spoken by only 1%-2% of the

population

note: 120 indigenous languages

Somalia

Somali (official), Arabic, Italian, English

South Africa

IsiZulu 23.8%, IsiXhosa 17.6%, Afrikaans 13.3%, Sepedi

9.4%, English 8.2%, Setswana 8.2%, Sesotho 7.9%, Xitsonga 4.4%,

other 7.2% (2001 census)

Spain

Castilian Spanish 74%, Catalan 17%, Galician 7%, Basque 2%;

note - Castilian is the official language nationwide; the other

languages are official regionally

Sri Lanka

Sinhala (official and national language) 74%, Tamil

(national language) 18%, other 8%

note: English is commonly used in government and is spoken

competently by about 10% of the population

Sudan

Arabic (official), Nubian, Ta Bedawie, diverse dialects of

Nilotic, Nilo-Hamitic, Sudanic languages, English

note: program of "Arabization" in process

Suriname

Dutch (official), English (widely spoken), Sranang Tongo

(Surinamese, sometimes called Taki-Taki, is native language of

Creoles and much of the younger population and is lingua franca

among others), Hindustani (a dialect of Hindi), Javanese

Svalbard

Norwegian, Russian

Swaziland

English (official, government business conducted in

English), siSwati (official)

Sweden

Swedish, small Sami- and Finnish-speaking minorities

Switzerland

German (official) 63.7%, French (official) 20.4%,

Italian (official) 6.5%, Serbo-Croatian 1.5%, Albanian 1.3%,

Portuguese 1.2%, Spanish 1.1%, English 1%, Romansch 0.5%, other 2.8%

(2000 census)

note: German, French, Italian, and Romansch are all national

languages, but only the first three are official languages

Syria

Arabic (official); Kurdish, Armenian, Aramaic, Circassian

widely understood; French, English somewhat understood

Taiwan

Mandarin Chinese (official), Taiwanese (Min), Hakka dialects

Tajikistan

Tajik (official), Russian widely used in government and

business

Tanzania

Kiswahili or Swahili (official), Kiunguja (name for Swahili

in Zanzibar), English (official, primary language of commerce,

administration, and higher education), Arabic (widely spoken in

Zanzibar), many local languages

note: Kiswahili (Swahili) is the mother tongue of the Bantu people

living in Zanzibar and nearby coastal Tanzania; although Kiswahili

is Bantu in structure and origin, its vocabulary draws on a variety

of sources, including Arabic and English, and it has become the

lingua franca of central and eastern Africa; the first language of

most people is one of the local languages

Thailand

Thai, English (secondary language of the elite), ethnic and

regional dialects

Togo

French (official and the language of commerce), Ewe and Mina

(the two major African languages in the south), Kabye (sometimes

spelled Kabiye) and Dagomba (the two major African languages in the

north)

Tokelau

Tokelauan (a Polynesian language), English

Tonga

Tongan, English

Trinidad and Tobago

English (official), Hindi, French, Spanish,

Chinese

Tunisia

Arabic (official and one of the languages of commerce),

French (commerce)

Turkey

Turkish (official), Kurdish, Arabic, Armenian, Greek

Turkmenistan

Turkmen 72%, Russian 12%, Uzbek 9%, other 7%

Turks and Caicos Islands

English (official)

Tuvalu

Tuvaluan, English, Samoan, Kiribati (on the island of Nui)

Uganda

English (official national language, taught in grade schools,

used in courts of law and by most newspapers and some radio

broadcasts), Ganda or Luganda (most widely used of the Niger-Congo

languages, preferred for native language publications in the capital

and may be taught in school), other Niger-Congo languages,

Nilo-Saharan languages, Swahili, Arabic

Ukraine

Ukrainian (official) 67%, Russian 24%; small Romanian-,

Polish-, and Hungarian-speaking minorities

United Arab Emirates

Arabic (official), Persian, English, Hindi, Urdu

United Kingdom

English, Welsh (about 26% of the population of

Wales), Scottish form of Gaelic (about 60,000 in Scotland)

United States

English 82.1%, Spanish 10.7%, other Indo-European

3.8%, Asian and Pacific island 2.7%, other 0.7% (2000 census)

Uruguay

Spanish, Portunol, or Brazilero (Portuguese-Spanish mix on

the Brazilian frontier)

Uzbekistan

Uzbek 74.3%, Russian 14.2%, Tajik 4.4%, other 7.1%

Vanuatu

local languages (more than 100) 72.6%, pidgin (known as

Bislama or Bichelama) 23.1%, English 1.9%, French 1.4%, other 0.3%,

unspecified 0.7% (1999 Census)

Venezuela

Spanish (official), numerous indigenous dialects

Vietnam

Vietnamese (official), English (increasingly favored as a

second language), some French, Chinese, and Khmer; mountain area

languages (Mon-Khmer and Malayo-Polynesian)

Virgin Islands

English 74.7%, Spanish or Spanish Creole 16.8%,

French or French Creole 6.6%, other 1.9% (2000 census)

Wallis and Futuna

Wallisian 58.9% (indigenous Polynesian language),

Futunian 30.1%, French 10.8%, other 0.2% (2003 census)

West Bank

Arabic, Hebrew (spoken by Israeli settlers and many

Palestinians), English (widely understood)

Western Sahara

Hassaniya Arabic, Moroccan Arabic

World

Chinese, Mandarin 13.69%, Spanish 5.05%, English 4.84%, Hindi

2.82%, Portuguese 2.77%, Bengali 2.68%, Russian 2.27%, Japanese

1.99%, German, Standard 1.49%, Chinese, Wu 1.21% (2004 est.)

note: percents are for "first language" speakers only

Yemen

Arabic

Zambia

English (official), major vernaculars - Bemba, Kaonda, Lozi,

Lunda, Luvale, Nyanja, Tonga, and about 70 other indigenous languages

Zimbabwe

English (official), Shona, Sindebele (the language of the

Ndebele, sometimes called Ndebele), numerous but minor tribal

dialects

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2100 Legal system

Afghanistan

according to the new constitution, no law should be

"contrary to Islam"; the state is obliged to create a prosperous and

progressive society based on social justice, protection of human

dignity, protection of human rights, realization of democracy, and

to ensure national unity and equality among all ethnic groups and

tribes; the state shall abide by the UN charter, international

treaties, international conventions that Afghanistan signed, and the

Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Akrotiri

the laws of the UK, where applicable, apply

Albania

has a civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ

jurisdiction; has accepted jurisdiction of the International

Criminal Court for its citizens

Algeria

socialist, based on French and Islamic law; judicial review

of legislative acts in ad hoc Constitutional Council composed of

various public officials, including several Supreme Court justices;

has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

American Samoa

NA

Andorra

based on French and Spanish civil codes; no judicial review

of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Angola

based on Portuguese civil law system and customary law;

recently modified to accommodate political pluralism and increased

use of free markets

Anguilla

based on English common law

Antarctica

Antarctica is administered through meetings of the

consultative member nations; decisions from these meetings are

carried out by these member nations (with respect to their own

nationals and operations) in accordance with their own national

laws; US law, including certain criminal offenses by or against US

nationals, such as murder, may apply extra-territorially; some US

laws directly apply to Antarctica; for example, the Antarctic

Conservation Act, 16 U.S.C. section 2401 et seq., provides civil and

criminal penalties for the following activities, unless authorized

by regulation of statute: the taking of native mammals or birds; the

introduction of nonindigenous plants and animals; entry into

specially protected areas; the discharge or disposal of pollutants;

and the importation into the US of certain items from Antarctica;

violation of the Antarctic Conservation Act carries penalties of up

to $10,000 in fines and one year in prison; the National Science

Foundation and Department of Justice share enforcement

responsibilities; Public Law 95-541, the US Antarctic Conservation

Act of 1978, as amended in 1996, requires expeditions from the US to

Antarctica to notify, in advance, the Office of Oceans, Room 5805,

Department of State, Washington, DC 20520, which reports such plans

to other nations as required by the Antarctic Treaty; for more

information, contact Permit Office, Office of Polar Programs,

National Science Foundation, Arlington, Virginia 22230; telephone:

(703) 292-8030, or visit their website at www.nsf.gov; more

generally, access to the Antarctic Treaty area, that is to all areas

between 60 and 90 degrees latitude South, is subject to a number of

relevant legal instruments and authorization procedures adopted by

the states party to the Antarctic Treaty.

Antigua and Barbuda

based on English common law

Argentina

mixture of US and West European legal systems; has not

accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Armenia

based on civil law system

Aruba

based on Dutch civil law system, with some English common law

influence

Ashmore and Cartier Islands

the laws of the Commonwealth of

Australia and the laws of the Northern Territory of Australia, where

applicable, apply

Australia

based on English common law; accepts compulsory ICJ

jurisdiction, with reservations

Austria

civil law system with Roman law origin; judicial review of

legislative acts by the Constitutional Court; separate

administrative and civil/penal supreme courts; accepts compulsory

ICJ jurisdiction

Azerbaijan

based on civil law system

Bahamas, The

based on English common law

Bahrain

based on Islamic law and English common law

Baker Island

the laws of the US, where applicable, apply

Bangladesh

based on English common law

Barbados

English common law; no judicial review of legislative acts

Bassas da India

the laws of France, where applicable, apply

Belarus

based on civil law system

Belgium

civil law system influenced by English constitutional

theory; judicial review of legislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ

jurisdiction, with reservations

Belize

English law

Benin

based on French civil law and customary law; has not accepted

compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Bermuda

English law

Bhutan

based on Indian law and English common law; has not accepted

compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Bolivia

based on Spanish law and Napoleonic Code; has not accepted

compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Bosnia and Herzegovina

based on civil law system

Botswana

based on Roman-Dutch law and local customary law; judicial

review limited to matters of interpretation; has not accepted

compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Bouvet Island

the laws of Norway, where applicable, apply

Brazil

based on Roman codes; has not accepted compulsory ICJ

jurisdiction

British Indian Ocean Territory

the laws of the UK, where applicable,

apply

British Virgin Islands

English law

Brunei

based on English common law; for Muslims, Islamic Shari'a law

supersedes civil law in a number of areas

Bulgaria

civil law and criminal law based on Roman law; accepts

compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Burkina Faso

based on French civil law system and customary law

Burma

has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Burundi

based on German and Belgian civil codes and customary law;

has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Cambodia

primarily a civil law mixture of French-influenced codes

from the United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC)

period, royal decrees, and acts of the legislature, with influences

of customary law and remnants of communist legal theory; increasing

influence of common law in recent years

Cameroon

based on French civil law system, with common law

influence; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Canada

based on English common law, except in Quebec, where civil

law system based on French law prevails; accepts compulsory ICJ

jurisdiction, with reservations

Cape Verde

derived from the legal system of Portugal

Cayman Islands

British common law and local statutes

Central African Republic

based on French law

Chad

based on French civil law system and Chadian customary law; has

not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Chile

based on Code of 1857 derived from Spanish law and subsequent

codes influenced by French and Austrian law; judicial review of

legislative acts in the Supreme Court; has not accepted compulsory

ICJ jurisdiction

note: Chile is in the process of completely overhauling its criminal

justice system; a new, US-style adversarial system is being

gradually implemented throughout the country with the final stage of

implementation in the Santiago metropolitan region expected in June

2005

China

a complex amalgam of custom and statute, largely criminal law;

rudimentary civil code in effect since 1 January 1987; new legal

codes in effect since 1 January 1980; continuing efforts are being

made to improve civil, administrative, criminal, and commercial law

Christmas Island

under the authority of the governor general of

Australia and Australian law

Clipperton Island

the laws of France, where applicable, apply

Cocos (Keeling) Islands

based upon the laws of Australia and local

laws

Colombia

based on Spanish law; a new criminal code modeled after US

procedures was enacted into law in 2004; judicial review of

executive and legislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction,

with reservations

Comoros

French and Sharia (Islamic) law in a new consolidated code

Congo, Democratic Republic of the

based on Belgian civil law system

and tribal law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Congo, Republic of the

based on French civil law system and

customary law

Cook Islands

based on New Zealand law and English common law

Coral Sea Islands

the laws of Australia, where applicable, apply

Costa Rica

based on Spanish civil law system; judicial review of

legislative acts in the Supreme Court; has accepted compulsory ICJ

jurisdiction

Cote d'Ivoire

based on French civil law system and customary law;

judicial review in the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court;

has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Croatia

based on civil law system

Cuba

based on Spanish and American law, with large elements of

Communist legal theory; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Cyprus

based on common law, with civil law modifications

Czech Republic

civil law system based on Austro-Hungarian codes; has

not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; legal code modified to

bring it in line with Organization on Security and Cooperation in

Europe (OSCE) obligations and to expunge Marxist-Leninist legal

theory

Denmark

civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts;

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations

Dhekelia

the laws of the UK, where applicable, apply

Djibouti

based on French civil law system, traditional practices,

and Islamic law

Dominica

based on English common law

Dominican Republic

based on French civil codes; undergoing

modification in 2004 towards an accusatory system

East Timor

UN-drafted legal system based on Indonesian law remains

in place but will be replaced by civil and penal codes based on

Portuguese law (2004)

Ecuador

based on civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ

jurisdiction

Egypt

based on English common law, Islamic law, and Napoleonic

codes; judicial review by Supreme Court and Council of State

(oversees validity of administrative decisions); accepts compulsory

ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations

El Salvador

based on civil and Roman law, with traces of common law;

judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court; accepts

compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations

Equatorial Guinea

partly based on Spanish civil law and tribal custom

Eritrea

primary basis is the Ethiopian legal code of 1957, with

revisions; new civil, commercial, and penal codes have not yet been

promulgated; also relies on customary and post-independence-enacted

laws and, for civil cases involving Muslims, Sharia law

Estonia

based on civil law system; no judicial review of legislative

acts

Ethiopia

currently transitional mix of national and regional courts

Europa Island

the laws of France, where applicable, apply

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

English common law

Faroe Islands

Danish

Fiji

based on British system

Finland

civil law system based on Swedish law; the president may

request the Supreme Court to review laws; accepts compulsory ICJ

jurisdiction, with reservations

France

civil law system with indigenous concepts; review of

administrative but not legislative acts

French Guiana

French legal system

French Polynesia

based on French system

French Southern and Antarctic Lands

the laws of France, where

applicable, apply

Gabon

based on French civil law system and customary law; judicial

review of legislative acts in Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme

Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Gambia, The

based on a composite of English common law, Koranic law,

and customary law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with

reservations

Georgia

based on civil law system

Germany

civil law system with indigenous concepts; judicial review

of legislative acts in the Federal Constitutional Court; has not

accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Ghana

based on English common law and customary law; has not

accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Gibraltar

English law

Glorioso Islands

the laws of France, where applicable, apply

Greece

based on codified Roman law; judiciary divided into civil,

criminal, and administrative courts

Greenland

Danish

Grenada

based on English common law

Guadeloupe

French legal system

Guam

modeled on US; US federal laws apply

Guatemala

civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts; has

not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Guernsey

English law and local statutes; justice is administered by

the Royal Court

Guinea

based on French civil law system, customary law, and decree;

legal codes currently being revised; has not accepted compulsory ICJ

jurisdiction

Guinea-Bissau

NA

Guyana

based on English common law with certain admixtures of

Roman-Dutch law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Haiti

based on Roman civil law system; accepts compulsory ICJ

jurisdiction

Heard Island and McDonald Islands

the laws of Australia, where

applicable, apply

Holy See (Vatican City)

based on Code of Canon Law and revisions to

it

Honduras

rooted in Roman and Spanish civil law with increasing

influence of English common law; recent judicial reforms include

abandoning Napoleonic legal codes in favor of the oral adversarial

system; accepts ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations

Hong Kong

based on English common law

Howland Island

the laws of the US, where applicable, apply

Hungary

rule of law based on Western model

Iceland

civil law system based on Danish law; has not accepted

compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

India

based on English common law; limited judicial review of

legislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with

reservations; separate personal law codes apply to Muslims,

Christians, and Hindus

Indonesia

based on Roman-Dutch law, substantially modified by

indigenous concepts and by new criminal procedures and election

codes; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Iran

the Constitution codifies Islamic principles of government

Iraq

based on civil and Islamic law under the Iraqi Interim

Government (IG) and Transitional Administrative Law (TAL)

Ireland

based on English common law, substantially modified by

indigenous concepts; judicial review of legislative acts in Supreme

Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Israel

mixture of English common law, British Mandate regulations,

and, in personal matters, Jewish, Christian, and Muslim legal

systems; in December 1985, Israel informed the UN Secretariat that

it would no longer accept compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Italy

based on civil law system; appeals treated as new trials;

judicial review under certain conditions in Constitutional Court;

has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Jamaica

based on English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ

jurisdiction

Jan Mayen

the laws of Norway, where applicable, apply

Japan

modeled after European civil law system with English-American

influence; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court;

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations

Jarvis Island

the laws of the US, where applicable, apply

Jersey

English law and local statute; justice is administered by the

Royal Court

Johnston Atoll

the laws of the US, where applicable, apply

Jordan

based on Islamic law and French codes; judicial review of

legislative acts in a specially provided High Tribunal; has not

accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Juan de Nova Island

the laws of France, where applicable, apply

Kazakhstan

based on civil law system

Kenya

based on Kenyan statutory law, Kenyan and English common law,

tribal law, and Islamic law; judicial review in High Court; accepts

compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations; constitutional

amendment of 1982 making Kenya a de jure one-party state repealed in

1991

Kingman Reef

the laws of the US, where applicable, apply

Kiribati

NA

Korea, North

based on German civil law system with Japanese

influences and Communist legal theory; no judicial review of

legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Korea, South

combines elements of continental European civil law

systems, Anglo-American law, and Chinese classical thought

Kuwait

civil law system with Islamic law significant in personal

matters; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Kyrgyzstan

based on civil law system

Laos

based on traditional customs, French legal norms and

procedures, and socialist practice

Latvia

based on civil law system

Lebanon

mixture of Ottoman law, canon law, Napoleonic code, and

civil law; no judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted

compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Lesotho

based on English common law and Roman-Dutch law; judicial

review of legislative acts in High Court and Court of Appeal; has

not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Liberia

dual system of statutory law based on Anglo-American common

law for the modern sector and customary law based on unwritten

tribal practices for indigenous sector

Libya

based on Italian civil law system and Islamic law; separate

religious courts; no constitutional provision for judicial review of

legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Liechtenstein

local civil and penal codes; accepts compulsory ICJ

jurisdiction, with reservations

Lithuania

based on civil law system; legislative acts can be

appealed to the constitutional court

Luxembourg

based on civil law system; accepts compulsory ICJ

jurisdiction

Macau

based on Portuguese civil law system

Macedonia

based on civil law system; judicial review of legislative

acts

Madagascar

based on French civil law system and traditional Malagasy

law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Malawi

based on English common law and customary law; judicial

review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court of Appeal; has not

accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Malaysia

based on English common law; judicial review of legislative

acts in the Supreme Court at request of supreme head of the

federation; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Maldives

based on Islamic law with admixtures of English common law

primarily in commercial matters; has not accepted compulsory ICJ

jurisdiction

Mali

based on French civil law system and customary law; judicial

review of legislative acts in Constitutional Court (which was

formally established on 9 March 1994); has not accepted compulsory

ICJ jurisdiction

Malta

based on English common law and Roman civil law; accepts

compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations

Man, Isle of

English common law and Manx statute

Marshall Islands

based on adapted Trust Territory laws, acts of the

legislature, municipal, common, and customary laws

Martinique

French legal system

Mauritania

a combination of Shari'a (Islamic law) and French civil

law

Mauritius

based on French civil law system with elements of English

common law in certain areas

Mayotte

French law

Mexico

mixture of US constitutional theory and civil law system;

judicial review of legislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ

jurisdiction, with reservations

Micronesia, Federated States of based on adapted Trust Territory laws, acts of the legislature, municipal, common, and customary laws

Midway Islands

the laws of the US, where applicable, apply

Moldova

based on civil law system; Constitutional Court reviews

legality of legislative acts and governmental decisions of

resolution; it is unclear if Moldova accepts compulsory ICJ

jurisdiction but accepts many UN and Organization for Security and

Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) documents

Monaco

based on French law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ

jurisdiction

Mongolia

blend of Soviet, German, and US systems that combine

"continental" or "civil" code and case-precedent; constitution

ambiguous on judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted

compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Montserrat

English common law and statutory law

Morocco

based on Islamic law and French and Spanish civil law

system; judicial review of legislative acts in Constitutional

Chamber of Supreme Court

Mozambique

based on Portuguese civil law system and customary law

Namibia

based on Roman-Dutch law and 1990 constitution

Nauru

acts of the Nauru Parliament and British common law

Navassa Island

the laws of the US, where applicable, apply

Nepal

based on Hindu legal concepts and English common law; has not

accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Netherlands

civil law system incorporating French penal theory;

constitution does not permit judicial review of acts of the States

General; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations

Netherlands Antilles

based on Dutch civil law system with some

English common law influence

New Caledonia

the 1988 Matignon Accords grant substantial autonomy

to the islands; formerly under French law

New Zealand

based on English law, with special land legislation and

land courts for the Maori; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with

reservations

Nicaragua

civil law system; Supreme Court may review administrative

acts

Niger

based on French civil law system and customary law; has not

accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Nigeria

based on English common law, Islamic Shariah law (in 12

northern states), and traditional law

Niue

English common law

note: Niue is self-governing, with the power to make its own laws

Norfolk Island

based on the laws of Australia, local ordinances and

acts; English common law applies in matters not covered by either

Australian or Norfolk Island law

Northern Mariana Islands

based on US system, except for customs,

wages, immigration laws, and taxation

Norway

mixture of customary law, civil law system, and common law

traditions; Supreme Court renders advisory opinions to legislature

when asked; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations

Oman

based on English common law and Islamic law; ultimate appeal to

the monarch; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Pakistan

based on English common law with provisions to accommodate

Pakistan's status as an Islamic state; accepts compulsory ICJ

jurisdiction, with reservations

Palau

based on Trust Territory laws, acts of the legislature,

municipal, common, and customary laws

Palmyra Atoll

the laws of the US, where applicable, apply

Panama

based on civil law system; judicial review of legislative

acts in the Supreme Court of Justice; accepts compulsory ICJ

jurisdiction, with reservations

Papua New Guinea

based on English common law

Paraguay

based on Argentine codes, Roman law, and French codes;

judicial review of legislative acts in Supreme Court of Justice

Peru

based on civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ

jurisdiction

Philippines

based on Spanish and Anglo-American law; accepts

compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations

Pitcairn Islands

local island by-laws

Poland

mixture of Continental (Napoleonic) civil law and holdover

Communist legal theory; changes being gradually introduced as part

of broader democratization process; limited judicial review of

legislative acts, but rulings of the Constitutional Tribunal are

final; court decisions can be appealed to the European Court of

Justice in Strasbourg

Portugal

civil law system; the Constitutional Tribunal reviews the

constitutionality of legislation; accepts compulsory ICJ

jurisdiction, with reservations

Puerto Rico

based on Spanish civil code and within the US Federal

system of justice

Qatar

discretionary system of law controlled by the amir, although

civil codes are being implemented; Islamic law dominates family and

personal matters

Reunion

French law

Romania

former mixture of civil law system and communist legal

theory; is now based on the constitution of France's Fifth Republic

Russia

based on civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts

Rwanda

based on German and Belgian civil law systems and customary

law; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court; has

not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Saint Helena

NA

Saint Kitts and Nevis

based on English common law

Saint Lucia

based on English common law

Saint Pierre and Miquelon

French law with special adaptations for

local conditions, such as housing and taxation

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

based on English common law

Samoa

based on English common law and local customs; judicial review

of legislative acts with respect to fundamental rights of the

citizen; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

San Marino

based on civil law system with Italian law influences;

has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Sao Tome and Principe

based on Portuguese legal system and customary

law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Saudi Arabia

based on Islamic law, several secular codes have been

introduced; commercial disputes handled by special committees; has

not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Senegal

based on French civil law system; judicial review of

legislative acts in Constitutional Court; the Council of State

audits the government's accounting office; has not accepted

compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Serbia and Montenegro

based on civil law system

Seychelles

based on English common law, French civil law, and

customary law

Sierra Leone

based on English law and customary laws indigenous to

local tribes; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Singapore

based on English common law; has not accepted compulsory

ICJ jurisdiction

Slovakia

civil law system based on Austro-Hungarian codes; has not

accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; legal code modified to comply

with the obligations of Organization on Security and Cooperation in

Europe (OSCE) and to expunge Marxist-Leninist legal theory

Slovenia

based on civil law system

Solomon Islands

English common law, which is widely disregarded

Somalia

no national system; Shari'a and secular courts are in some

localities

South Africa

based on Roman-Dutch law and English common law;

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations

South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands

the laws of the UK,

where applicable, apply; the senior magistrate from the Falkland

Islands presides over the Magistrates Court

Spain

civil law system, with regional applications; has not accepted

compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Sri Lanka

a highly complex mixture of English common law,

Roman-Dutch, Muslim, Sinhalese, and customary law; has not accepted

compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Sudan

based on English common law and Islamic law; as of 20 January

1991, the now defunct Revolutionary Command Council imposed Islamic

law in the northern states; Islamic law applies to all residents of

the northern states regardless of their religion; some separate

religious courts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with

reservations

Suriname

based on Dutch legal system incorporating French penal

theory

Svalbard

NA

Swaziland

based on South African Roman-Dutch law in statutory courts

and Swazi traditional law and custom in traditional courts; has not

accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Sweden

civil law system influenced by customary law; accepts

compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations

Switzerland

civil law system influenced by customary law; judicial

review of legislative acts, except with respect to federal decrees

of general obligatory character; accepts compulsory ICJ

jurisdiction, with reservations

Syria

based on Islamic law and civil law system; special religious

courts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Taiwan

based on civil law system; accepts compulsory ICJ

jurisdiction, with reservations

Tajikistan

based on civil law system; no judicial review of

legislative acts

Tanzania

based on English common law; judicial review of legislative

acts limited to matters of interpretation; has not accepted

compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Thailand

based on civil law system, with influences of common law;

has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Togo

French-based court system

Tokelau

New Zealand and local statutes

Tonga

based on English law

Trinidad and Tobago

based on English common law; judicial review of

legislative acts in the Supreme Court; has not accepted compulsory

ICJ jurisdiction

Tromelin Island

the laws of France, where applicable, apply

Tunisia

based on French civil law system and Islamic law; some

judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court in joint

session

Turkey

civil law system derived from various European continental

legal systems; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with

reservations; note - member of the European Court of Human Rights

(ECHR), although Turkey claims limited derogations on the ratified

European Convention on Human Rights

Turkmenistan

based on civil law system

Turks and Caicos Islands

based on laws of England and Wales, with a

few adopted from Jamaica and The Bahamas

Tuvalu

NA

Uganda

in 1995, the government restored the legal system to one

based on English common law and customary law; accepts compulsory

ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations

Ukraine

based on civil law system; judicial review of legislative

acts

United Arab Emirates

federal court system introduced in 1971;

applies to all emirates except Dubayy (Dubai) and Ra's al Khaymah,

which are not fully integrated into the federal system; all emirates

have secular courts to adjudicate criminal, civil, and commercial

matters and Islamic courts to review family and religious disputes

United Kingdom

common law tradition with early Roman and modern

continental influences; has judicial review of Acts of Parliament

under the Human Rights Act of 1998; accepts compulsory ICJ

jurisdiction, with reservations

United States

federal court system based on English common law; each

state has its own unique legal system, of which all but one

(Louisiana's) is based on English common law; judicial review of

legislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with

reservations

Uruguay

based on Spanish civil law system; accepts compulsory ICJ

jurisdiction

Uzbekistan

evolution of Soviet civil law; still lacks independent

judicial system

Vanuatu

unified system being created from former dual French and

British systems

Venezuela

open, adversarial court system

Vietnam

based on communist legal theory and French civil law system

Virgin Islands

based on US laws

Wake Island

the laws of the US, where applicable, apply

Wallis and Futuna

French legal system

World

all members of the UN are parties to the statute that

established the International Court of Justice (ICJ) or World Court

Yemen

based on Islamic law, Turkish law, English common law, and

local tribal customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ

jurisdiction

Zambia

based on English common law and customary law; judicial

review of legislative acts in an ad hoc constitutional council; has

not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Zimbabwe

mixture of Roman-Dutch and English common law

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2101 Legislative branch

Afghanistan

nonfunctioning as of January 2004; government is

empowered by the constitution to issue legislation by decree until

the new assembly is seated; under the new constitution, the

bicameral National Assembly will consist of the Wolesi Jirga or

House of People (no more than 249 seats), directly elected for a

five-year term, and the Meshrano Jirga or House of Elders (102

seats, one third elected from provincial councils for a four-year

term, one third elected from local district councils for a

three-year term, and one third presidential appointees for a

five-year term; the presidential appointees will include two

representatives of Kuchis and two representatives of the disabled;

half of the presidential appointees will be women)

note: on rare occasions the government may convene the Loya Jirga on

issues of independence, national sovereignty, and territorial

integrity; it can amend the provisions of the constitution and

prosecute the president; it is made up of members of the National

Assembly and chairpersons of the provincial and district councils

elections: scheduled for spring 2005

Albania

unicameral People's Assembly or Kuvendi Popullor (140 seats;

100 are elected by direct popular vote and 40 by proportional vote

for four-year terms)

elections: last held 4 July 2005 (next to be held July 2009)

election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -

PD 55, PS 40, PR 11, PSD 7, LSI 5, other 22

Algeria

bicameral Parliament consists of the National People's

Assembly or Al-Majlis Ech-Chaabi Al-Watani (389 seats - changed from

380 seats in the 2002 elections; members elected by popular vote to

serve five-year terms) and the Council of Nations (Senate) (144

seats; one-third of the members appointed by the president,

two-thirds elected by indirect vote; members serve six-year terms;

the constitution requires half the council to be renewed every three

years)

elections: National People's Assembly - last held 30 May 2002 (next

to be held NA 2007); Council of Nations (Senate) - last held 30

December 2003 (next to be held NA 2006)

election results: National People's Assembly - percent of vote by

party - NA%; seats by party - FLN 199, RND 48, Islah 43, MSP 38, PT

21, FNA 8, EnNahda 1, PRA 1, MEN 1, independents 29; Council of

Nations - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party NA%

American Samoa

bicameral Fono or Legislative Assembly consists of

the House of Representatives (21 seats - 20 of which are elected by

popular vote and 1 is an appointed, nonvoting delegate from Swains

Island; members serve two-year terms) and the Senate (18 seats;

members are elected from local chiefs and serve four-year terms)

elections: House of Representatives - last held 2 November 2004

(next to be held November 2006); Senate - last held 2 November 2004

(next to be held November 2008)

election results: House of Representatives - percent of vote by

party - NA%; seats by party - NA; Senate - percent of vote by party

- NA%; seats by party - independents 18

note: American Samoa elects one nonvoting representative to the US

House of Representatives; election last held 2 November 2004 (next

to be held November 2006); results - Eni F. H. FALEOMAVAEGA

(Democrat) reelected as delegate

Andorra

unicameral General Council of the Valleys or Consell General

de las Valls (28 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote,

14 from a single national constituency and 14 to represent each of

the 7 parishes; members serve four-year terms)

elections: last held 24 April 2005 (next to be held March-April 2009)

election results: percent of vote by party - PLA 41.2%, PS 38.1%,

CDA 11%, other 9.7%; seats by party - PLA 14, PS 12, CDA 2

Angola

unicameral National Assembly or Assembleia Nacional (220

seats; members elected by proportional vote to serve four-year terms)

elections: last held 29-30 September 1992 (next to be held September

2006)

election results: percent of vote by party - MPLA 54%, UNITA 34%,

others 12%; seats by party - MPLA 129, UNITA 70, PRS 6, FNLA 5, PLD

3, others 7

Anguilla

unicameral House of Assembly (11 seats total, 7 elected by

direct popular vote, 2 ex officio members, and 2 appointed; members

serve five-year terms)

elections: last held 21 February 2005 (next to be held 2010)

election results: percent of vote by party - AUF 38.9%, ANSA 19.2%,

AUM 19.4%, APP 9.5 %, independents 13%; seats by party - AUF 4, ANSA

2, AUM 1

Antigua and Barbuda

bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate

(17-member body appointed by the governor general) and the House of

Representatives (17 seats; members are elected by proportional

representation to serve five-year terms)

elections: House of Representatives - last held 23 March 2004 (next

to be held NA 2009)

election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -

ALP 4, UPP 13

Argentina

bicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional consists

of the Senate (72 seats; members are elected by direct vote;

presently one-third of the members elected every two years to a

six-year term) and the Chamber of Deputies (257 seats; members are

elected by direct vote; one-half of the members elected every two

years to a four-year term)

elections: Senate - last held intermittently by province during the

2nd half of 2003 (next to be held NA 2005); Chamber of Deputies -

last held intermittently by province during the 2nd half of 2003

(next to be held NA 2005)

election results: Senate - percent of vote by bloc or party - NA%;

seats by bloc or party - PJ 41, UCR 16, provincial parties 15;

Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by bloc or party - NA%; seats

by bloc or party - PJ 133, UCR 46, IF 23, ARI 11, Socialist 6,

other/provincial parties 38

Armenia

unicameral National Assembly (Parliament) or Azgayin Zhoghov

(131 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year

terms; 75 members elected by party list, 56 by direct vote)

elections: last held 25 May 2003 (next to be held in the spring of

2007)

note: percent of vote by party - Republican Party 23.5%, Justice

Bloc 13.6%, Rule of Law 12.3%, ARF (Dashnak) 11.4%, National Unity

Party 8.8%, United Labor Party 5.7%; seats by party - Republican

Party 23, Justice Bloc 14, Rule of Law 12, ARF (Dashnak) 11,

National Unity 9, United Labor 6; note - seats by party change

frequently as deputies switch parties or announce themselves

independent

Aruba

unicameral Legislature or Staten (21 seats; members elected by

direct, popular vote to serve four-year terms)

elections: last held 23 September 2005 (next to be held by NA 2009)

election results: percent of vote by party - MEP 43%, AVP 32%, MPA

7%, RED 7%, PDR 6%, OLA 4%, PPA 2%; seats by party - MEP 11, AVP 8,

MPA 1, RED 1

Australia

bicameral Federal Parliament consists of the Senate (76

seats - 12 from each of the six states and two from each of the two

mainland territories; one-half of state members are elected every

three years by popular vote to serve six-year terms while all

territory members are elected every three years) and the House of

Representatives (150 seats; members elected by popular preferential

voting to serve terms of up to three-years; no state can have fewer

than five representatives)

elections: Senate - last held 9 October 2004 (next to be held no

later than June 2008); House of Representatives - last held 9

October 2004 (next to be called no later than November 2007)

election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by

party (for session beginning on 1 July 2005) - Liberal

Party-National Party coalition 39, Australian Labor Party 28,

Democrats 4, Australian Greens 4, Family First Party 1; House of

Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -

Liberal Party-National Party coalition 87, Australian Labor Party

60, independents 3

Austria

bicameral Federal Assembly or Bundesversammlung consists of

Federal Council or Bundesrat (62 members; members represent each of

the states on the basis of population, but with each state having at

least three representatives; members serve a five- or six-year term)

and the National Council or Nationalrat (183 seats; members elected

by direct popular vote to serve four-year terms)

elections: National Council - last held 24 November 2002 (next to be

held in the fall of 2006)

election results: National Council - percent of vote by party - OeVP

42.3%, SPOe 36.5%, FPOe 10.0%, Greens 9.5%; seats by party - OeVP

79, SPOe 69, FPOe 18, Greens 17; seating as of May 2005 after split

within the Freedom Party: OeVP 79, SPOe 69, Greens 17, BZOe 11, FPOe

7

Azerbaijan

unicameral National Assembly or Milli Mejlis (125 seats;

members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)

elections: last held 4 November 2000 (next to be held NA November

2005)

note: 100 members of the current parliament were elected on the

basis of single mandate constituencies, while 25 were elected based

on proportional balloting; as a result of a 24 August 2002 national

referendum on changes to the constitution, all 125 members of the

next parliament will be elected from single mandate constituencies

election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -

NAP and allies 108, APF "Reform" 6, CSP 3, PNIA 2, Musavat Party 2,

CPA 2, APF "Classic" 1, Compatriot Party 1

note: PNIA, Musavat, and APF "Classic" parties refused to take their

seats

Bahamas, The

bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (16-member

body appointed by the governor general upon the advice of the prime

minister and the opposition leader for five-year terms) and the

House of Assembly (40 seats; members elected by direct popular vote

to serve five-year terms); the government may dissolve the

parliament and call elections at any time

elections: last held 1 May 2002 (next to be held by May 2007)

election results: percent of vote by party - PLP 50.8%, FNM 41.1%,

independents 5.2%; seats by party - PLP 29, FNM 7, independents 4

Bahrain

bicameral Parliament consists of Shura Council (40 members

appointed by the King) and House of Deputies (40 members directly

elected to serve four-year terms)

elections: House of Deputies - last held 31 October 2002 (next

election to be held NA 2006)

election results: House of Deputies - percent of vote by party -

NA%; seats by party - independents 21, Sunni Islamists 9, other 10

note: first elections since 7 December 1973; unicameral National

Assembly dissolved 26 August 1975; National Action Charter created

bicameral legislature on 23 December 2000; approved by referendum 14

February 2001; first legislative session of Parliament held on 25

December 2002

Bangladesh

unicameral National Parliament or Jatiya Sangsad; 300

seats elected by popular vote from single territorial constituencies

(the constitutional amendment reserving 30 seats for women over and

above the 300 regular parliament seats expired in May 2001); members

serve five-year terms

elections: last held 1 October 2001 (next to be held before October

2006)

election results: percent of vote by party - BNP and alliance

partners 47%, AL 40%; seats by party - BNP 195, AL 58, JI 17, JP

(Ershad faction) 14, IOJ 3, JP (Naziur) 4, other 9; note - the

election of October 2001 brought a majority BNP government aligned

with three other smaller parties - Jamaat-e-Islami, Islami Oikya

Jote, and Jatiya Party (Manzur)

Barbados

bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (21-member body

appointed by the governor general) and the House of Assembly (30

seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve five-year

terms)

elections: House of Assembly - last held 21 May 2003 (next to be

held by May 2008)

election results: House of Assembly - percent of vote by party -

NA%; seats by party - BLP 23, DLP 7

Belarus

bicameral National Assembly or Natsionalnoye Sobranie

consists of the Council of the Republic or Soviet Respubliki (64

seats; 56 members elected by regional councils and 8 members

appointed by the president, all for 4-year terms) and the Chamber of

Representatives or Palata Predstaviteley (110 seats; members elected

by universal adult suffrage to serve 4-year terms)

elections: last held 18 March and 1 April 2001 and 17 and 31 October

2004; international observers widely denounced the October 2004

elections as flawed and undemocratic, based on massive government

falsification; pro-Lukashenko candidates won every seat, after many

opposition candidates were disqualified for technical reasons

election results: Soviet Respubliki - percent of vote by party -

NA%; seats by party - NA; Palata Predstaviteley - percent of vote by

party - NA%; seats by party - NA

Belgium

bicameral Parliament consists of a Senate or Senaat in

Dutch, Senat in French (71 seats; 40 members are directly elected by

popular vote, 31 are indirectly elected; members serve four-year

terms) and a Chamber of Deputies or Kamer van

Volksvertegenwoordigers in Dutch, Chambre des Representants in

French (150 seats; members are directly elected by popular vote on

the basis of proportional representation to serve four-year terms)

elections: Senate and Chamber of Deputies - last held 18 May 2003

(next to be held no later than May 2007)

election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - SP.A-Spirit

15.5%, VLD 15.4%, CD & V 12.7%, PS 12.8%, MR 12.1%, VB 9.4%, CDH

5.6%; seats by party - SP.A-Spirit 7, VLD 7, CD & V 6, PS 6, MR 5,

VB 5, CDH 2, other 2 (note - there are also 31 indirectly elected

senators); Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - VLD

15.4%, SP.A-Spirit 14.9%, CD & V 13.3%, PS 13.0%, VB 11.6%, MR

11.4%, CDH 5.5%, Ecolo 3.1%; seats by party - VLD 25, SP.A-Spirit

23, CD & V 21, PS 25, VB 18, MR 24, CDH 8 Ecolo 4, other 2

note: as a result of the 1993 constitutional revision that furthered

devolution into a federal state, there are now three levels of

government (federal, regional, and linguistic community) with a

complex division of responsibilities; this reality leaves six

governments each with its own legislative assembly

Belize

bicameral National Assembly consists of the Senate (12

members appointed by the governor general - six on the advice of the

prime minister, three on the advice of the leader of the opposition,

and one each on the advice of the Belize Council of Churches and

Evangelical Association of Churches, the Belize Chamber of Commerce

and Industry and the Belize Better Business Bureau, and the National

Trade Union Congress and the Civil Society Steering Committee;

members are appointed for five-year terms) and the House of

Representatives (29 seats; members are elected by direct popular

vote to serve five-year terms)

elections: House of Representatives - last held 5 March 2003 (next

to be held March 2008)

election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -

PUP 21, UDP 8

Benin

unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (83 seats;

members are elected by direct popular vote to serve four-year terms)

elections: last held 30 March 2003 (next to be held March 2007)

election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -

Presidential Movement 52, opposition (PRB, PRD, E'toile, and 5 other

small parties) 31

Bermuda

bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (an 11-member

body appointed by the governor, the premier, and the opposition) and

the House of Assembly (36 seats; members are elected by popular vote

to serve up to five-year terms)

elections: last general election held 24 July 2003 (next to be held

July 2008)

election results: percent of vote by party - PLP 51.7%, UBP 48%;

seats by party - PLP 22, UBP 14

Bhutan

unicameral National Assembly or Tshogdu (150 seats; 105

elected from village constituencies, 10 represent religious bodies,

and 35 are designated by the monarch to represent government and

other secular interests; members serve three-year terms)

elections: local elections last held November 2002 (next to be held

NA 2005)

election results: NA

Bolivia

bicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional consists of

Chamber of Senators or Camara de Senadores (27 seats; members are

elected by proportional representation from party lists to serve

five-year terms) and Chamber of Deputies or Camara de Diputados (130

seats; 68 are directly elected from their districts and 62 are

elected by proportional representation from party lists to serve

five-year terms)

elections: Chamber of Senators and Chamber of Deputies - last held

30 June 2002 (next to be held June 2007)

election results: Chamber of Senators - percent of vote by party -

NA%; seats by party - MNR 11, MAS 8, MIR 5, NFR 2, other 1; Chamber

of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - MNR

36, MAS 27, MIR 26, NFR 25, others 16

Bosnia and Herzegovina

bicameral Parliamentary Assembly or Skupstina

consists of the National House of Representatives or Predstavnicki

Dom (42 seats - elected by proportional representation, 28 seats

allocated from the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and 14 seats

from the Republika Srpska; members elected by popular vote to serve

four-year terms); and the House of Peoples or Dom Naroda (15 seats -

5 Bosniak, 5 Croat, 5 Serb; members elected by the Bosniak/Croat

Federation's House of Representatives and the Republika Srpska's

National Assembly to serve four-year terms); note - Bosnia's

election law specifies four-year terms for the state and first-order

administrative division entity legislatures

elections: National House of Representatives - elections last held 5

October 2002 (next to be held in NA 2006); House of Peoples - last

constituted NA January 2003 (next to be constituted in 2007)

election results: National House of Representatives - percent of

vote by party/coalition - SDA 21.9%, SDS 14.0%, SBiH 10.5%, SDP

10.4%, SNSD 9.8%, HDZ 9.5%, PDP 4.6%, others 19.3%; seats by

party/coalition - SDA 10, SDS 5, SBiH 6, SDP 4, SNSD 3, HDZ 5, PDP

2, others 7; House of Peoples - percent of vote by party/coalition -

NA%; seats by party/coalition - NA

note: the Bosniak/Croat Federation has a bicameral legislature that

consists of a House of Representatives (98 seats; members elected by

popular vote to serve four-year terms); elections last held 5

October 2002 (next to be held NA October 2006); percent of vote by

party - NA%; seats by party/coalition - SDA 32, HDZ-BiH 16, SDP 15,

SBiH 15, other 20; and a House of Peoples (60 seats - 30 Bosniak, 30

Croat); last constituted December 2002; the Republika Srpska has a

National Assembly (83 seats; members elected by popular vote to

serve four-year terms); elections last held 5 October 2002 (next to

be held in the fall of 2006); percent of vote by party - NA%; seats

by party/coalition - SDS 26, SNSD 19, PDP 9, SDA 6, SRS 4, SPRS 3,

DNZ 3, SBiH 4, SDP 3, others 6; as a result of the 2002

constitutional reform process, a 28-member Republika Srpska Council

of Peoples (COP) was established in the Republika Srpska National

Assembly including 8 Croats, 8 Bosniaks, 8 Serbs, and 4 members of

the smaller communities

Botswana

bicameral Parliament consists of the House of Chiefs (a

largely advisory 15-member body consisting of the chiefs of the

eight principal tribes, four elected subchiefs, and three members

selected by the other 12 members) and the National Assembly (61

seats, 57 members are directly elected by popular vote and four are

appointed by the majority party; members serve five-year terms)

elections: National Assembly elections last held 30 October 2004

(next to be held October 2009)

election results: percent of vote by party - BDP 52%, BNF 26%, BCP

17%, other 5%; seats by party - BDP 44, BNF 12, BCP 1

Brazil

bicameral National Congress or Congresso Nacional consists of

the Federal Senate or Senado Federal (81 seats; three members from

each state and federal district elected according to the principle

of majority to serve eight-year terms; one-third elected after a

four-year period, two-thirds elected after the next four-year

period) and the Chamber of Deputies or Camara dos Deputados (513

seats; members are elected by proportional representation to serve

four-year terms)

elections: Federal Senate - last held 6 October 2002 for two-thirds

of the Senate (next to be held October 2006 for one-third of the

Senate); Chamber of Deputies - last held 6 October 2002 (next to be

held October 2006)

election results: Federal Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%;

seats by party - PMBD 19, PFL 19, PT 14, PSDB 11, PDT 5, PSB 4, PL

3, PTB 3, PPS 1, PSD 1, PP 1; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote

by party - NA%; seats by party - PT 91, PFL 84, PMDB 74, PSDB 71, PP

49, PL 26, PTB 26, PSB 22, PDT 21, PPS 15, PCdoB 12, PRONA 6, PV 5,

other 11; note - many congressmen have changed party affiliation

since the most recent election

British Virgin Islands

unicameral Legislative Council (13 seats;

members are elected by direct popular vote, one member from each of

9 electoral districts, four at-large members; members serve

four-year terms)

elections: last held 16 May 2003 (next to be held NA 2007)

election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -

NDP 8, VIP 5

Brunei

Legislative Council met on 25 September 2004 for first time

in 20 years with 21 members appointed by the Sultan; passed

constitutional amendments calling for a 45-seat council with 15

elected members; Sultan dissolved council on 1 September 2005 and

appointed a new council with 29 members as of 2 September 2005

elections: last held in March 1962 (date of next election NA)

Bulgaria

unicameral National Assembly or Narodno Sobranie (240

seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)

elections: last held 25 June 2005 (next to be held June 2009)

election results: percent of vote by party - CfB 31.1%, NMS2 19.9%,

MRF 12.7%, ATAKA 8.2%, UDF 7.7%, DSB 6.5%, BPU 5.2%; seats by party

- CfB 83, NMS2 53, MRF 33, ATAKA 21, UDF 20, DSB 17, BPU 13

Burkina Faso

unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale

(111 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year

terms)

elections: National Assembly election last held 5 May 2002 (next to

be held May 2007)

election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -

CDP 57, RDA-ADF 17, PDP/PS 10, CFD 5, PAI 5, others 17

Burma

unicameral People's Assembly or Pyithu Hluttaw (485 seats;

members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)

elections: last held 27 May 1990, but Assembly never allowed by

junta to convene

election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -

NLD 392 (opposition), SNLD 23 (opposition), NUP 10 (pro-government),

other 60

Burundi

bicameral, consists of a National Assembly or Assemblee

Nationale (expanded from 121 to approximately 140 seats under the

transitional government inaugurated 1 November 2001; members are

elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) and a Senate (54

seats; term length is undefined, the current senators will likely

serve out the three-year transition period)

elections: last held 29 June 1993 (next was scheduled to be held in

1998, but was suspended by presidential decree in 1996; elections

are currently planned to be held by April 2005)

election results: percent of vote by party - FRODEBU 71.04%, UPRONA

21.4%, other 7.56%; seats by party - FRODEBU 65, UPRONA 16,

civilians 27, other parties 13

Cambodia

bicameral, consists of the National Assembly (123 seats;

members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) and the

Senate (61 seats; two members appointed by the monarch, two elected

by the National Assembly, and 57 elected by "functional

constituencies"; members serve five-year terms)

elections: National Assembly - last held 27 July 2003 (next to be

held in July 2008); Senate - last held 2 March 1999 (scheduled to be

held in 2004 but delayed)

election results: National Assembly - percent of vote by party - CPP

47%, SRP 22%, FUNCINPEC 21%, other 10%; seats by party - CPP 73,

FUNCINPEC 26, SRP 24; Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats

by party - CPP 31, FUNCINPEC 21, SRP 7, other 2 (July 2003)

Cameroon

unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (180

seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve five-year

terms; note - the president can either lengthen or shorten the term

of the legislature)

elections: last held 23 June 2002 (next to be held NA 2007)

election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -

RDCP 133, SDF 21, UDC 5, other 21

note: the constitution calls for an upper chamber for the

legislature, to be called a Senate, but it has yet to be established

Canada

bicameral Parliament or Parlement consists of the Senate or

Senat (members appointed by the governor general with the advice of

the prime minister and serve until reaching 75 years of age; its

normal limit is 105 senators) and the House of Commons or Chambre

des Communes (308 seats; members elected by direct, popular vote to

serve for up to five-year terms)

elections: House of Commons - last held 28 June 2004 (next to be

held by NA 2009)

election results: House of Commons - percent of vote by party -

Liberal Party 36.7%, Conservative Party 29.6%, New Democratic Party

15.7%, Bloc Quebecois 12.4%, Greens 4.3%, independents 0.4%, other

0.9%; seats by party - Liberal Party 134, Conservative Party 99,

Bloc Quebecois 54, New Democratic Party 19, independent 2

Cape Verde

unicameral National Assembly or Assembleia Nacional (72

seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)

elections: last held 14 January 2001 (next to be held December 2005)

election results: percent of vote by party - PAICV 47.3%, MPD 39.8%,

ADM 6%, other 6.9%; seats by party - PAICV 40, MPD 30, ADM 2

Cayman Islands

unicameral Legislative Assembly (18 seats, three

appointed members from the Executive Council and 15 elected by

popular vote; members serve four-year terms)

elections: last held 11 May 2005 (next to be held 2009)

election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats - PPM 9, UDP 5,

independent 1

Central African Republic

unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee

Nationale (109 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve

five-year terms

elections: last held 22-23 November and 13 December 1998 (next to be

held 13 March 2005)

election results: percent of vote by party - MLPC 43%, RDC 18%, MDD

9%, FPP 6%, PSD 5%, ADP 4%, PUN 3%, FODEM 2%, PLD 2%, UPR 1%, FC 1%,

independents 6%; seats by party - MLPC 47, RDC 20, MDD 8, FPP 7, PSD

6, ADP 5, PUN 3, FODEM 2, PLD 2, UPR 1, FC 1, independents 7

Chad

bicameral according to constitution, consists of a National

Assembly (155 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve

four-year terms) and a Senate (not yet created and size unspecified,

members to serve six-year terms, one-third of membership renewable

every two years)

elections: National Assembly - last held 21 April 2002 (next to be

held in April 2006)

election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -

MPS 110, RDP 12, FAR 9, RNDP 5, URD 5, UNDR 3, others 11

Chile

bicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional consists of

the Senate or Senado (48 seats, 38 elected by popular vote, 9

designated members, and 1 former president who has served a full

six-year term and is senator for life); elected members serve

eight-year terms (one-half elected every four years) and the Chamber

of Deputies or Camara de Diputados (120 seats; members are elected

by popular vote to serve four-year terms)

elections: Senate - last held 16 December 2001 (next to be held

December 2005); Chamber of Deputies - last held 16 December 2001

(next to be held December 2005)

election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by

party - CPD 20 (PDC 12, PS 5, PPD 3), APC 16 (UDI 9, RN 7),

independents 2; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party -

NA%; seats by party - CPD 62 (PDC 24, PPD 21, PS 11, PRSD 6), UDI

35, RN 22, independent 1

China

unicameral National People's Congress or Quanguo Renmin

Daibiao Dahui (2,985 seats; members elected by municipal, regional,

and provincial people's congresses to serve five-year terms)

elections: last held December 2002-February 2003 (next to be held

late 2007-February 2008)

election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats - NA

Christmas Island

unicameral Christmas Island Shire Council (9 seats;

members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)

elections: held every two years with half the members standing for

election; last held 3 May 2003 (next to be held in 2005)

election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats - independents 9

Cocos (Keeling) Islands

unicameral Cocos (Keeling) Islands Shire

Council (7 seats)

elections: held every two years with half the members standing for

election; last held NA

Colombia

bicameral Congress or Congreso consists of the Senate or

Senado (102 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve

four-year terms) and the House of Representatives or Camara de

Representantes (166 seats; members are elected by popular vote to

serve four-year terms)

elections: Senate - last held 10 March 2002 (next to be held March

2006); House of Representatives - last held 10 March 2002 (next to

be held March 2006)

election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by

party - PL 28, PSC 13, independents and smaller parties (many

aligned with conservatives) 61; House of Representatives - percent

of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - PL 54, PSC 21, independents

and other parties 91

Comoros

unicameral Assembly of the Union (33 seats; 15 deputies are

selected by the individual islands' local assemblies and the 18 by

universal suffrage; deputies serve for five years);

elections: last held 18 and 25 April 2004 (next to be held NA 2009)

election results: NA

Congo, Democratic Republic of the

a 300-member Transitional

Constituent Assembly established in August 2000

elections: NA; members of the Transitional Constituent Assembly were

appointed by former President Laurent Desire KABILA

Congo, Republic of the

bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate

(66 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year

terms) and the National Assembly (137 seats; members are elected by

popular vote to serve five-year terms)

elections: Senate - last held 11 July 2002 (next to be held July

2007); National Assembly - last held 27 May and 26 June 2002 (next

to be held by NA May 2007)

election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by

party - FDP 56, other 10; National Assembly - percent of vote by

party - NA%; seats by party - FDP 83, UDR 6, UPADS 3, other 45

Cook Islands

unicameral Parliament (25 seats; members elected by

popular vote to serve five-year terms)

elections: last held 7 September 2004 (next to be held by 2009)

election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -

CIP 10, DAP 9, Demo Tumu 4, independent 1; note - one seat undecided

pending by-election

note: the House of Ariki (chiefs) advises on traditional matters and

maintains considerable influence, but has no legislative powers

Costa Rica

unicameral Legislative Assembly or Asamblea Legislativa

(57 seats; members are elected by direct, popular vote to serve

four-year terms)

elections: last held 3 February 2002 (next to be held 3 February

2006)

election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -

PUSC 19, PLN 17, PAC 14, PML 6, PRC 1; note - seats by party as of

January 2005 - PUSC 19, PLN 16, PAC 8, PML 5, PRC 1, Patriotic Union

3, Homeland First 1, Authentic Member from Heredia 1, Democratic

National Alliance 1, independent 2

Cote d'Ivoire

unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale

(225 seats; members are elected in single- and multi-district

elections by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms)

elections: elections last held 10 December 2000 with by-elections on

14 January 2001 (next to be held October 2005)

election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -

FPI 96, PDCI-RDA 94, RDR 5, PIT 4, other 2, independents 22, vacant 2

note: a Senate is scheduled to be created in the next full election

in 2005

Croatia

unicameral Assembly or Sabor (152 seats; note - one seat was

added in the November 2003 parliamentary elections; members elected

from party lists by popular vote to serve four-year terms)

elections: Assembly - last held 23 November 2003 (next to be held in

2007)

election results: Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA%; number

of seats by party - HDZ 66, SDP 34, HSS 10, HNS 10, HSP 8, IDS 4,

Libra 3, HSU 3, SDSS 3, other 11

note: minority government coalition - HDZ, DC, HSLS, HSU, SDSS

Cuba

unicameral National Assembly of People's Power or Asemblea

Nacional del Poder Popular (609 seats, elected directly from slates

approved by special candidacy commissions; members serve five-year

terms)

elections: last held 19 January 2003 (next to be held in NA 2008)

election results: percent of vote - PCC 97.6%; seats - PCC 609

Cyprus

unicameral - Republic of Cyprus: House of Representatives or

Vouli Antiprosopon (80 seats; 56 assigned to the Greek Cypriots, 24

to Turkish Cypriots; note - only those assigned to Greek Cypriots

are filled; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year

terms); north Cyprus: Assembly of the Republic or Cumhuriyet Meclisi

(50 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year

terms)

elections: Republic of Cyprus: last held 27 May 2001 (next to be

held May 2006); north Cyprus: last held 14 December 2003 (next to be

held NA 2008)

election results: Republic of Cyprus: House of Representatives -

percent of vote by party - AKEL 34.71%, DISY 34%, DIKO 14.84%, KISOS

6.51%, others 9.94%; seats by party - AKEL (Communist) 20, DISY 19,

DIKO 9, KISOS 4, others 4; north Cyprus: Assembly of the Republic -

percent of vote by party - CTP 35.8%, UBP 32.3%, Peace and

Democratic Movement 13.4%, DP 12.3%; seats by party - CTP 19, UBP

18, Peace and Democratic Movement 6, DP 7

Czech Republic

bicameral Parliament or Parlament consists of the

Senate or Senat (81 seats; members are elected by popular vote to

serve six-year terms; one-third elected every two years) and the

Chamber of Deputies or Poslanecka Snemovna (200 seats; members are

elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)

elections: Senate - last held in two rounds 5-6 November and 12-13

November 2004 (next to be held November 2006); Chamber of Deputies -

last held 14-15 June 2002 (next to be held by June 2006)

election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by

party - ODS 37, KDU-CSL 14, Open Democracy 13, CSSD 7, Caucus Open

Democracy 7, independents 3; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote

by party - CSSD 30.2%, ODS 24.5%, KSCM 18.5%, KDU-CSL & US-DEU

coalition 14.3%, other minor 12.5%; seats by party - CSSD 70, ODS

57, KSCM 41, KDU-CSL 21, US-DEU 10, independent 1

Denmark

unicameral People's Assembly or Folketinget (179 seats,

including 2 from Greenland and 2 from the Faroe Islands; members are

elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation

to serve four-year terms)

elections: last held 8 February 2005 (next to be held February 2009)

election results: percent of vote by party - Liberal Party 29%,

Social Democrats 25.9%, Danish People's Party 13.2%, Conservative

Party 10.3%, Social Liberal Party 9.2%, Socialist People's Party 6%,

Unity List 3.4%; seats by party - Liberal Party 52, Social Democrats

47, Danish People's Party 24, Conservative Party 18, Social Liberal

Party 17, Socialist People's Party 11, Unity List 6; note - does not

include the 2 seats from Greenland and the 2 seats from the Faroe

Islands

Djibouti

unicameral Chamber of Deputies or Chambre des Deputes (65

seats; members elected by popular vote for five-year terms)

elections: last held 10 January 2003 (next to be held January 2008)

election results: percent of vote - RPP 62.2%, FRUD 36.9%; seats -

RPP 65, FRUD 0; note - RPP (the ruling party) dominated the election

Dominica

unicameral House of Assembly (30 seats, 9 appointed

senators, 21 elected by popular vote; members serve five-year terms)

elections: last held 5 May 2005 (next to be held by 5 August 2010);

note - tradition dictates that the election will be held within five

years of the last election, but technically it is five years from

the first seating of parliament (12 May 2005) plus a 90-day grace

period

election results: percent of vote by party - DLP 52.08%, UWP 43.6%,

DFP 3.15%; seats by party - DLP 12, UWP 8, independent 1

Dominican Republic

bicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional

consists of the Senate or Senado (32 seats; members are elected by

popular vote to serve four-year terms) and the Chamber of Deputies

or Camara de Diputados (150 seats; members are elected by popular

vote to serve four-year terms)

elections: Senate - last held 16 May 2002 (next to be held May

2006); Chamber of Deputies - last held 16 May 2002 (next to be held

May 2006)

election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by

party - PRD 29, PLD 2, PRSC 1; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote

by party - NA%; seats by party - PRD 73, PLD 41, PRSC 36

East Timor

unicameral National Parliament (number of seats can vary,

minimum requirement of 52 and a maximum of 65 seats; members elected

by popular vote to serve five-year terms); note - for its first term

of office, the National Parliament is comprised of 88 members on an

exceptional basis

elections: (next to be held August 2006); direct elections for

national parliament were never held; elected delegates to the

national convention named themselves legislators instead of having

elections; hence the exceptional numbers for this term of the

national parliament.

election results: percent of vote by party - FRETILIN 57.37%, PD

8.72%, PSD 8.18%, ASDT 7.84%, UDT 2.36%, PNT 2.21%, KOTA 2.13%, PPT

2.01%, PDC 1.98%, PST 1.78%, independents/other 5.42%; seats by

party - FRETILIN 55, PD 7, PSD 6, ASDT 6, PDC 2, UDT 2, KOTA 2, PNT

2, PPT 2, UDC/PDC 1, PST 1, PL 1, independent 1

Ecuador

unicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional (100

seats; members are popularly elected by province to serve four-year

terms)

elections: last held 20 October 2002 (next to be held October 2006)

election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -

PSC 25, PRE 15, ID 16, PRIAN 10, PSP 9, Pachakutik Movement 6, MPD

5, DP 4, PS-FA 3, independents 7; note - defections by members of

National Congress are commonplace, resulting in frequent changes in

the numbers of seats held by the various parties

Egypt

bicameral system consists of the People's Assembly or Majlis

al-Sha'b (454 seats; 444 elected by popular vote, 10 appointed by

the president; members serve five-year terms) and the Advisory

Council or Majlis al-Shura - which functions only in a consultative

role (264 seats; 176 elected by popular vote, 88 appointed by the

president; members serve six-year terms; mid-term elections for half

the members)

elections: People's Assembly - three-phase voting - last held 19

October, 29 October, 8 November 2000 (next to be held

October-November 2005); Advisory Council - last held May-June 2004

(next to be held May-June 2007)

election results: People's Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA;

seats by party - NDP 388, Tagammu 6, NWP 7, Nasserists 3, Al-Ahrar

1, independents 37 (2 seats determined by a later byelection, 10

seats appointed by President); Advisory Council - percent of vote by

party - NA; seats by party - NA

El Salvador

unicameral Legislative Assembly or Asamblea Legislativa

(84 seats; members are elected by direct, popular vote to serve

three-year terms)

elections: last held 16 March 2003 (next to be held March 2006)

election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -

FMLN 31, ARENA 28, PCN 15, PDC 5, CD 5

Equatorial Guinea

unicameral House of People's Representatives or

Camara de Representantes del Pueblo (80 seats; members directly

elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)

elections: last held 25 April 2004 (next to be held NA 2009)

election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party -

PDGE 98, NA 2

note: Parliament has little power since the constitution vests all

executive authority in the president

Eritrea

unicameral National Assembly (150 seats; term limits not

established)

elections: in May 1997, following the adoption of the new

constitution, 75 members of the PFDJ Central Committee (the old

Central Committee of the EPLF), 60 members of the 527-member

Constituent Assembly, that had been established in 1997 to discuss

and ratify the new constitution, and 15 representatives of Eritreans

living abroad were formed into a Transitional National Assembly to

serve as the country's legislative body until countrywide elections

to a National Assembly were held; although only 75 of 150 members of

the Transitional National Assembly were elected, the constitution

stipulates that once past the transition stage, all members of the

National Assembly will be elected by secret ballot of all eligible

voters; National Assembly elections scheduled for December 2001 were

postponed indefinitely

Estonia

unicameral Parliament or Riigikogu (101 seats; members are

elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)

elections: last held 2 March 2003 (next to be held NA March 2007)

election results: percent of vote by party - Center Party 25.4%, Res

Publica 24.6%, Reform Party 17.7%, Estonian People's Union 13%, Pro

Patria Union (Fatherland League) 7.3% People's Party Moodukad 7%;

seats by party - Center Party 28, Res Publica 28, Reform Party 19,

Estonian People's Union 13, Pro Patria Union 7, People's Party

Moodukad 6

Ethiopia

bicameral Parliament consists of the House of Federation or

upper chamber (108 seats; members are chosen by state assemblies to

serve five-year terms) and the House of People's Representatives or

lower chamber (548 seats; members are directly elected by popular

vote from single-member districts to serve five-year terms)

elections: last held 15 May 2005 (next to be held NA 2010)

election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats by party - OPDO 177,

ANDM 134, TPLF 38, WGGPDO 27, EPRDF 19, SPDO 18, GNDM 15, KSPDO 10,

ANDP 8, GPRDF 7, SOPDM 7, BGPDUF 6, BMPDO 5, KAT 4, other regional

political groupings 22, independents 8; note - 43 seats unconfirmed

note: irregularities and violence at some polling stations

necessitated the rescheduling of voting in certain constituencies;

voting postponed in Somali regional state because of severe drought

European Union

Council of the European Union (25 member-state

ministers having 321 votes; the number of votes is roughly

proportional to member-states' population); note - the Council is

the main decision-making body of the EU; European Parliament (732

seats; seats allocated among member states by proportion to

population); members elected by direct universal suffrage for a

five-year term

elections: last held 10-13 June 2004 (next to be held June 2009)

election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats by party - EPP-ED

268, PES 202, ALDE 88, Greens/EFA 42, EUL/NGL 41, IND/DEM 36, UEN

27, independents 28

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) unicameral Legislative Council (10 seats - 2 ex officio, 8 elected by popular vote, members serve four-year terms); presided over by the governor elections: last held 22 November 2001 (next to be held November 2005) election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats - independents 8; note - 71% voter turnout

Faroe Islands

unicameral Faroese Parliament or Logting (32 seats;

members are elected by popular vote on a proportional basis from the

seven constituencies to serve four-year terms)

elections: last held 20 January 2004 (next to be held no later than

January 2008)

election results: percent of vote by party - Union Party 23.7%,

Social Democrats 21.8%, Republican Party 21.7%, People's Party

20.6%, Center Party 5.2%, Independence Party 4.6%; seats by party -

Union Party 7, Social Democrats 7, Republican Party 8, People's

Party 7, Center Party 2, Independence Party 1

note: election of 2 seats to the Danish Parliament was last held on

8 February 2005 (next to be held February 2009); results - percent

of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Republican Party 1, People's

Party 1

Fiji

bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (34 seats; 24

appointed by the President on the advice of the Great Council of

Chiefs, nine appointed by the president, and one appointed by the

council of Rotuma) and the House of Representatives (71 seats; 23

reserved for ethnic Fijians, 19 reserved for ethnic Indians, three

reserved for other ethnic groups, one reserved for the council of

Rotuma constituency encompassing the whole of Fiji, and 25 open

seats; members serve five-year terms)

elections: House of Representatives - last held 25 August through 1

September and 19 September 2001 (next to be held not later than

September 2006)

election results: House of Representatives - percent of vote by

party - FLP 26.5%, SDL 27.5%, NFP 1.2%, MV 4.2%, NLUP 1.3%, UGP .3%,

independents 1.4%; seats by party - FLP 27, SDL 32, MV 6, NFP 1,

NLUP 2, UGP 1, independents 2

Finland

unicameral Parliament or Eduskunta (200 seats; members are

elected by popular vote on a proportional basis to serve four-year

terms)

elections: last held 16 March 2003 (next to be held March 2007)

election results: percent of vote by party - Kesk 24.7%, SDP 24.5%,

Kok 18.5%, VAS 9.9%, VIHR 8%, KD 5.3%, SFP 4.6%; seats by party -

Kesk 55, SDP 53, Kok 40, VAS 19, VIHR 14, KD 7, SFP 8, others 4

France

bicameral Parliament or Parlement consists of the Senate or

Senat (321 seats - 296 for metropolitan France, 13 for overseas

departments and territories, and 12 for French nationals abroad;

members are indirectly elected by an electoral college to serve

nine-year terms; elected by thirds every three years); note -

between now and 2010, 25 new seats will be added to the Senate for a

total of 346 seats - 326 for metropolitan France and overseas

departments, 2 for New Caledonia, 2 for Mayotte, 1 for Saint-Pierre

and Miquelon, 3 for overseas territories, and 12 for French

nationals abroad; members will be indirectly elected by an electoral

college to serve six-year terms, with one-half the seats being

renewed every three years; and the National Assembly or Assemblee

Nationale (577 seats; members are elected by popular vote under a

single-member majority system to serve five-year terms)

elections: Senate - last held 26 September 2004 (next to be held

September 2007); National Assembly - last held 8-16 June 2002 (next

to be held not later than June 2007)

election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by

party - UMP 156, PS 97, UDF 33, PCF 23, RDSE 15, other 7; National

Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - UMP 355,

PS 140, UDF 29, PCF 21, Radical Party 7, Greens 3, other 22

French Guiana

unicameral General Council or Conseil General (19

seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve six-year terms)

and a unicameral Regional Council or Conseil Regional (31 seats;

members are elected by popular vote to serve six-year terms)

elections: General Council - last held NA March 2000 (next to be

held NA 2006); Regional Council - last held 15 March 1998 (next to

be held NA 2004)

election results: General Council - percent of vote by party - NA%;

seats by party - PSG 5, various left-wing parties 5, independents 7,

other 2; Regional Council - percent of vote by party - PS 28.28%,

various left parties 22.56%, RPR 15.91%, independents 8.6%, Walwari

Committee 6%; seats by party - PS 11, various left parties 9, RPR 6,

independents 3, Walwari Committee 2

note: one seat was elected to the French Senate on 27 September 1998

(next to be held September 2007); results - percent of vote by party

- NA%; seats by party - NA; 2 seats were elected to the French

National Assembly on 9 June-16 June 2002 (next to be held NA 2007);

results - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - UMP/RPR

1, Walwari Committee 1

French Polynesia

unicameral Territorial Assembly or Assemblee

Territoriale (57 seats - changed from 49 seats for May 2004

election; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year

terms)

elections: last held 23 May 2004 (next to be held May 2009)

election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -

People's Rally for the Republic (Gaullist) 28, Union for Democracy

27, New Star 1, This Country is Yours 1; after by-elections of 13

February 2005 seating was as follows: People's Rally for the

Republic 27, Union for Democracy 27, and Alliance for a New

Democracy 3

note: one seat was elected to the French Senate on 27 September 1998

(next to be held September 2007); results - percent of vote by party

- NA%; seats by party - NA; two seats were elected to the French

National Assembly on 9 June-16 June 2002 (next to be held NA 2007);

results - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - UMP/RPR

1, UMP 1

Gabon

bicameral legislature consists of the Senate (91 seats;

members elected by members of municipal councils and departmental

assemblies) and the National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (120

seats; members are elected by direct, popular vote to serve

five-year terms)

elections: National Assembly - last held 9 and 23 December 2001

(next to be held December 2006); Senate - last held 26 January and 9

February 2003 (next to be held by January 2009)

election results: National Assembly - percent of vote by party -

NA%; seats by party - PDG 86, RNB-RPG 8, PGP 3, ADERE 3, CLR 2, PUP

1, PSD 1, independents 13, others 3; Senate - percent of vote by

party - NA%; seats by party - PDG 53, RNB 20, PGP 4, ADERE 3, RDP 1,

CLR 1, independents 9

Gambia, The

unicameral National Assembly (53 seats; 48 elected by

popular vote, five appointed by the president; members serve

five-year terms)

elections: last held 17 January 2002 (next to be held February 2007)

election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -

APRC 45, PDOIS 2, NRP 1,

Georgia

unicameral Supreme Council (commonly referred to as

Parliament) or Umaghiesi Sabcho (235 seats - 150 elected by party

lists); members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)

elections: last held 28 March 2004 (next to be held spring 2008)

election results: percent of vote by party - National

Movement-Democrats 67.6%, Rightist Opposition 7.6%, all other

parties received less than 7% each; seats by party - National

Movement-Democrats 135, Rightist Opposition 15

Germany

bicameral Parliament or Parlament consists of the Federal

Assembly or Bundestag (613 seats; elected by popular vote under a

system combining direct and proportional representation; a party

must win 5% of the national vote or three direct mandates to gain

representation; members serve four-year terms) and the Federal

Council or Bundesrat (69 votes; state governments are directly

represented by votes; each has 3 to 6 votes depending on population

and are required to vote as a block)

elections: Federal Assembly - last held 18 September 2005 (next to

be held September 2009); note - there are no elections for the

Bundesrat; composition is determined by the composition of the

state-level governments; the composition of the Bundesrat has the

potential to change any time one of the 16 states holds an election

election results: Federal Assembly - percent of vote by party -

CDU/CSU 35.2%, SPD 34.3%, FDP 9.8%, Left 8.7%, Greens 8.1%; seats by

party - CDU/CSU 225, SPD 222, FDP 61, Left 54, Greens 51; Federal

Council - current composition - NA

Ghana

unicameral Parliament (230 seats; note - increased from 200

seats in last election; members are elected by direct, popular vote

to serve four-year terms)

elections: last held 7 December 2004 (next to be held December 2008)

election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -

NPP 128, NDC 92, other 10

Gibraltar

unicameral House of Assembly (18 seats - 15 elected by

popular vote, one appointed for the Speaker, and two ex officio

members; members serve four-year terms)

elections: last held 27 November 2003 (next to be held not later

than February 2008)

election results: percent of vote by party - GSD 58%, GSLP 41%;

seats by party - GSD 8, GSLP 7

Greece

unicameral Parliament or Vouli ton Ellinon (300 seats;

members are elected by direct popular vote to serve four-year terms)

elections: elections last held 7 March 2004 (next to be held by

March 2008)

election results: percent of vote by party - ND 45.4%, PASOK 40.6%,

KKE 5.9%, Synaspismos 3.3%; seats by party - ND 165, PASOK 117, KKE

12, Synaspismos 6

Greenland

unicameral Parliament or Landstinget (31 seats; members

are elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional

representation to serve four-year terms)

elections: last held on 3 December 2002 (next to be held by December

2006)

election results: percent of vote by party - Siumut 28.7%, Inuit

Ataqatigiit 25.5%, Atassut Party 20.4%, Demokratiit 15.6%,

Katusseqatigiit 5.3%; seats by party - Siumut 10, Inuit Ataqatigiit

8, Atassut 7, Demokratiit 5, Katusseqatigiit 1

note: two representatives were elected to the Danish Parliament or

Folketing on 8 February 2005 (next to be held February 2009);

percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - Siumut 1, Inuit

Ataqatigiit 1

Grenada

bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (a 13-member

body, 10 appointed by the government and three by the leader of the

opposition) and the House of Representatives (15 seats; members are

elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)

elections: last held on 27 November 2003 (next to be held by

November 2008)

election results: House of Representatives - percent of vote by

party - NA%; seats by party - NNP 8, NDC 7

Guadeloupe

unicameral General Council or Conseil General (42 seats;

members are elected by popular vote to serve six-year terms) and the

unicameral Regional Council or Conseil Regional (41 seats; members

are elected by popular vote to serve six-year terms)

elections: General Council - last held March 2004 (next to be held

by NA 2010); Regional Council - last held 28 March 2004 (next to be

held NA 2010)

election results: General Council - percent of vote by party - NA%;

seats by party - left-wing candidates 11, PS 8, RPR 8, PPDG 6,

right-wing candidates 5, PCG 3, UDF 1; Regional Council (second

round) - percent of vote by party - PS 58.4%, UMP 41.6%; seats by

party - PS 29, UMP 12

note: Guadeloupe elects two representatives to the French Senate;

elections last held September 2004 (next to be held September 2013);

percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NA, Guadeloupe

elects four representatives to the French National Assembly;

elections last held 9 June-16 June 2002 (next to be held NA 2007);

percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - RPR 2, PS 1,

different right parties 1

Guam

unicameral Legislature (15 seats; members are elected by

popular vote to serve two-year terms)

elections: last held 2 November 2004 (next to be held November 2006)

election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -

Democratic Party 6, Republican Party 9

note: Guam elects one nonvoting delegate to the US House of

Representatives; election last held 2 November 2004 (next to be held

November 2006); results - Madeleine BORDALLO (Democratic Party) was

elected as delegate; percent of vote by party - Democratic Party

64.6%, Republican Party 35.4%; seats by party - Democratic Party 1

Guatemala

unicameral Congress of the Republic or Congreso de la

Republica (158 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve

four-year terms)

elections: last held 9 November 2003 (next to be held November 2007)

election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -

GANA 49, FRG 41, UNE 33, PAN 17, other 18

note: for the 9 November 2003 election, the number of congressional

seats increased from 113 to 158

Guernsey

unicameral States of Deliberation (45 seats; members are

elected by popular vote for 4 years); note - Alderney and Sark have

their own parliaments

elections: last held 21 April 2004 (next to be held NA 2008)

election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats - all independents

Guinea

unicameral People's National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale

Populaire (114 seats; members are elected by direct, popular vote to

serve five-year terms)

elections: last held 30 June 2002 (next to be held NA 2007)

election results: percent of vote by party - PUP 61.6%, UPR 26.6%,

other 11.8%; seats by party - PUP 85, UPR 20, other 9

Guinea-Bissau

unicameral National People's Assembly or Assembleia

Nacional Popular (100 seats; members are elected by popular vote to

serve a maximum of four years)

elections: last held 28 March 2004 (next to be held NA 2008)

election results: percent of vote by party - PAIGC 31.5%, PRS 24.8%,

PUSD 16.1%, UE 4.1%, APU 1.3%, 13 other parties 22.2%; seats by

party - PAIGC 45, PRS 35, PUSD 17, UE 2, APU 1

Guyana

unicameral National Assembly (68 seats, 65 elected by popular

vote, 1 elected Speaker of the National Assembly, and 2 nonvoting

members appointed by the president; members serve five-year terms)

elections: last held 19 March 2001 (next to be held March 2006)

election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -

PPP/C 34, PNC 27, GAP and WPA 2, ROAR 1, TUF 1

Haiti

bicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale consists of

the Senate (27 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve

six-year terms; one-third elected every two years) and the Chamber

of Deputies (83 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve

four-year terms); note - the National Assembly stopped functioning

in January 2004 when the terms of all Deputies and two-thirds of

sitting Senators expired; no replacements have been elected; the

President is currently ruling by decree

elections: Senate - last held for two-thirds of seats 21 May 2000

with runoffs on 9 July boycotted by the opposition; seven seats

still disputed; election for remaining one-third held on 26 November

2000 (next to be held in 2005); Chamber of Deputies - last held 21

May 2000 with runoffs on 30 July boycotted by the opposition; one

vacant seat rerun 26 November 2000 (next to be held in November 2005)

election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by

party - FL 26, independent 1; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote

by party - NA%; seats by party - FL 73, MOCHRENA 3, PLB 2, OPL 1,

vacant 1, other minor parties and independents 3

Holy See (Vatican City)

unicameral Pontifical Commission

Honduras

unicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional (128

seats; members are elected proportionally to the number of votes

their party's presidential candidate receives to serve four-year

terms)

elections: last held 25 November 2001 (next to be held 27 November

2005)

election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -

PN 61, PL 55, PUD 5, PDC 4, PINU-SD 3

Hong Kong

unicameral Legislative Council or LEGCO (60 seats; in 2004

30 seats indirectly elected by functional constituencies, 30 elected

by popular vote; members serve four-year terms)

elections: last held 12 September 2004 (next to be held in September

2008)

election results: percent of vote by party - pro-democracy group

62%; seats by party - (pro-Beijing 34) DAB 12, Liberal Party 10,

independents 11, FTU 1; (pro-democracy 25) independents 11,

Democratic Party 9, CTU 2, ADPL 1, Frontier Party 1, NWSC 1; other 1

Hungary

unicameral National Assembly or Orszaggyules (386 seats;

members are elected by popular vote under a system of proportional

and direct representation to serve four-year terms)

elections: last held 7 and 21 April 2002 (next to be held NA April

2006)

election results: percent of vote by party (5% or more of the vote

required for parliamentary representation in the first round) -

Fidesz/MDF 48.70%, MSzP 46.11%, SzDSz 4.92%, other 0.27%; seats by

party - Fidesz 164, MSzP 178, MDF 24, SzDSz 20

Iceland

unicameral Parliament or Althing (63 seats; members are

elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)

elections: last held 10 May 2003 (next to be held by May 2007)

election results: percent of vote by party - Independence Party

33.7%, Social Democratic Alliance 31.0%, Progressive Party 17.7%,

Left-Green Alliance 8.8%, Liberal Party 7.4%; seats by party -

Independence Party 22, Social Democratic Alliance 20, Progressive

Party 12, Left-Green Alliance 5, Liberal Party 4

India

bicameral Parliament or Sansad consists of the Council of

States or Rajya Sabha (a body consisting of not more than 250

members, up to 12 of whom are appointed by the president, the

remainder are chosen by the elected members of the state and

territorial assemblies; members serve six-year terms) and the

People's Assembly or Lok Sabha (545 seats; 543 elected by popular

vote, 2 appointed by the president; members serve five-year terms)

elections: People's Assembly - last held 20 April through 10 May

2004 (next to be held 2009)

election results: People's Assembly - percent of vote by party -

NA%; seats by party - INC 145, BJP 138, CPI(M) 43, SP 36, RJD 24,

BSP 19, DMK 16, SS 12, BJD 11, CPI 10, NCP 9, JDU 8, SAD 8, PMK 6,

TDP 5, TRS 5, JMM 5, LJSP 4, MDMK 4, independents 5, other 30

Indonesia

unicameral House of Representatives or Dewan Perwakilan

Rakyat (DPR) (550 seats; members elected to serve five-year terms);

House of Regional Representatives (Dewan Perwakilan Daerah or DPD),

constitutionally mandated role includes providing legislative input

to DPR on issues affecting regions; People's Consultative Assembly

(Majelis Permusyawaratan Rakyat or MPR) has role in inaugurating and

impeaching President and in amending constitution; consists of

popularly-elected members in DPR and DPD; MPR does not formulate

national policy

elections: last held 5 April 2004 (next to be held in April 2009)

election results: percent of vote by party - Golkar 21.6%, PDI-P

18.5%, PKB 10.6%, PPP 8.2%, PD 7.5%, PKS 7.3%, PAN 6.4%, others

19.9%; seats by party - Golkar 128, PDI-P 109, PPP 58, PD 55, PAN

53, PKB 52, PKS 45, others 50

note: because of election rules, the number of seats won does not

always follow the number of votes received by parties

Iran

unicameral Islamic Consultative Assembly or

Majles-e-Shura-ye-Eslami (290 seats, note - changed from 270 seats

with the 18 February 2000 election; members elected by popular vote

to serve four-year terms)

elections: last held 20 February 2004 with a runoff held 7 May 2004

(next to be held February 2008)

election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats by party -

conservatives/Islamists 190, reformers 50, independents 43,

religious minorities 5, and 2 seats unaccounted for

Iraq

unicameral National Assembly or Mejlis Watani (consisting of

275 members elected by a closed-list, proportional-representation

system for the period between the National Assembly election and the

formation of a permanent Iraqi government pursuant to the

establishment of a permanent constitution)

elections: held 30 January 2005 to elect a 275-member Transitional

National Assembly that will draft a permanent constitution and pave

the way for new national elections at the end of 2005

election results: National Assembly - percent of vote by party -

United Iraqi Alliance 48.2%, Democratic Patriotic Alliance of

Kurdistan 25.7%, Iraqi List 13.8%, others 12.3%; number of seats by

party - United Iraqi Alliance 140, Democratic Patriotic Alliance of

Kurdistan 75, Iraqi List 40, others 20

Ireland

bicameral Parliament or Oireachtas consists of the Senate or

Seanad Eireann (60 seats - 49 elected by the universities and from

candidates put forward by five vocational panels, 11 are nominated

by the prime minister; members serve five-year terms) and the House

of Representatives or Dail Eireann (166 seats; members are elected

by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation to serve

five-year terms)

elections: Senate - last held 16 and 17 July 2002 (next to be held

by July 2007); House of Representatives - last held 17 May 2002

(next to be held by May 2007)

election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by

party - Fianna Fail 30, Fine Gael 15, Labor Party 5, Progressive

Democrats 4, independents and others 6; House of Representatives -

percent of vote by party - Fianna Fail 41.5%, Fine Gael 22.5%, Labor

Party 10.8%, Sinn Fein 6.5%, Progressive Democrats 4.0%, Green Party

3.8%, others 10.9%; seats by party - Fianna Fail 81, Fine Gael 31,

Labor Party 21, Progressive Democrats 8, Green Party 6, Sinn Fein 5,

others 14

Israel

unicameral Knesset (120 seats; members elected by popular

vote to serve four-year terms)

elections: last held 28 January 2003 (next scheduled to be held fall

of 2006)

election results: percent of vote by party - Likud Party 29.4%,

Labor 14.5%, Shinui 12.3%, Shas 8.2%, National Union 5.5%, Meretz

5.2%, United Torah Judaism 4.3%, National Religious Party 4.2%,

Democratic Front for Peace and Equality 3.0%, One Nation 2.8%,

National Democratic Assembly 2.3%, Yisra'el Ba'Aliya (YBA) 2.2%,

United Arab List 2.1%, Green Leaf Party 1.2%, Herut 1.2%, other

1.6%; seats by party - Likud 38, Labor 19, Shinui 15, Shas 11,

National Union 7, Meretz 6, National Religious Party 6, United Torah

Judaism 5, Democratic Front for Peace and Equality 3, One Nation 3,

National Democratic Assembly 3, YBA 2, United Arab List 2

Italy

bicameral Parliament or Parlamento consists of the Senate or

Senato della Repubblica (315 seats elected by popular vote of which

232 are directly elected and 83 are elected by regional proportional

representation; in addition, there are a small number of

senators-for-life including former presidents of the republic;

members serve five-year terms) and the Chamber of Deputies or Camera

dei Deputati (630 seats; 475 are directly elected, 155 by regional

proportional representation; members serve five-year terms)

elections: Senate - last held 13 May 2001 (next to be held 2006);

Chamber of Deputies - last held 13 May 2001 (next to be held May

2006)

election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by

party - House of Liberties 172 (Forza Italia 77, National Alliance

47, UDC 31, Lega Padana 17), Olive Tree 108 (Democrats of the Left

63, Daisy Alliance 35, Greens 10), Per le Autonomie 10, other 25;

Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party

- House of Liberties 337 (Forza Italia 176, National Alliance 97,

UDC 36, Northern League 28), Olive Tree 214 (Democrats of the Left

135, Daisy Alliance 79), Rifondazione Communista (Italian Communist

Party) 11, other 68

Jamaica

bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (a 21-member

body appointed by the governor general on the recommendations of the

prime minister and the leader of the opposition; ruling party is

allocated 13 seats, and the opposition is allocated eight seats) and

the House of Representatives (60 seats; members are elected by

popular vote to serve five-year terms)

elections: last held 16 October 2002 (next to be held in October

2007)

election results: percent of vote by party - PNP 52%, JLP 47.3%;

seats by party - PNP 34, JLP 26

Japan

bicameral Diet or Kokkai consists of the House of Councillors

or Sangi-in (242 seats - members elected for six-year terms; half

reelected every three years; 144 members in multi-seat

constituencies and 98 by proportional representation) and the House

of Representatives or Shugi-in (480 seats - members elected for

four-year terms; 300 in single-seat constituencies; 180 members by

proportional representation in 11 regional blocs)

elections: House of Councillors - last held 11 July 2004 (next to be

held in July 2007); House of Representatives - last held 11

September 2005 (next election by September 2009)

election results: House of Councillors - percent of vote by party -

NA; seats by party - LDP 115, DPJ 82, Komeito 24, JCP 9, SDP 5,

others 7; distribution of seats as of October 2004 - LDP 114, DPJ

84, Komeito 24, JCP 9, SDP 5, others 6

House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - LDP 47.8%, DPJ

36.4%, others 15.8%; seats by party - LDP 296, DPJ 113, Komeito 31,

JCP 9, SDP 7, others 24 (2005)

Jersey

unicameral Assembly of the States (55 voting members - 12

senators (elected for 6-year terms), 12 constables or heads of

parishes (elected for 3-year terms), 29 deputies (elected for 3-year

terms); the bailiff and the deputy bailiff; and 3 non-voting members

- the Dean of Jersey, the Attorney General, and the Solicitor

General all appointed by the monarch)

elections: last held NA (next to be held NA)

election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats - independents 53

Jordan

bicameral National Assembly or Majlis al-'Umma consists of

the Senate, also called the House of Notables (Majlis al-Ayan) (55

seats; members appointed by the monarch from designated categories

of public figures; members serve four-year terms) and the House of

Representatives, also called the House of Deputies (Majlis

al-Nuwaab) (110 seats; members elected by popular vote on the basis

of proportional representation to serve four-year terms; note - six

seats are reserved for women and are allocated by a special

electoral panel if no women are elected)

elections: House of Representatives - last held 17 June 2003 (next

to be held NA 2007)

election results: House of Representatives - percent of vote by

party - independents and others 89.6%, Islamic Action Front (IAF)

10.4%; seats by party - independents and others 92, Islamic Action

Front 18; note - one of the six quota seats was given to a female

IAF candidate

note: the House of Representatives has been convened and dissolved

by the monarch several times since 1974; in November 1989, the first

parliamentary elections in 22 years were held; political parties

were not legalized until 1992; King ABDALLAH delayed the 2001

elections until 2003

Kazakhstan

bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (39 seats; 7

senators are appointed by the president; other members are popularly

elected, two from each of the 14 oblasts, the capital of Astana, and

the city of Almaty, to serve six-year terms; note - formerly

composed of 47 seats) and the Majilis (77 seats; 10 out of the 77

Majilis members are elected from the winning party's lists; members

are popularly elected to serve five-year terms)

elections: Senate - (indirect) last held 17 September 1999 (next to

be held December 2005); Majilis - last held 19 September and 3

October 2004 (next to be held September 2009)

election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by

party - NA; candidates nominated by local councils; Majilis -

percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - Otan 42, AIST 11,

ASAR (All Together) 4, Ak Zhol (Bright Path) 1, Democratic Party 1,

independent 18; note - most independent candidates are affiliated

with parastatal enterprises and other pro-government institutions

Kenya

unicameral National Assembly or Bunge (224 seats; 210 members

elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms, 12 so-called

"nominated" members who are appointed by the president but selected

by the parties in proportion to their parliamentary vote totals, 2

ex-officio members)

elections: last held 27 December 2002 (next to be held by early 2007)

election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -

NARC 125, KANU 64, FORD-P 14, other 7; ex-officio 2; seats appointed

by the president - NARC 7, KANU 4, FORD-P 1

Kiribati

unicameral House of Parliament or Maneaba Ni Maungatabu (42

seats; 39 elected by popular vote, one ex officio member - the

attorney general, one appointed to represent Banaba, and one other;

members serve four-year terms)

elections: first round elections last held 29 November 2002; second

round elections held 6 December 2002 (next to be held by November

2006)

election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -

BTK 17, MTM 16, independents 7, other 2 (includes attorney general)

note: legislative elections were held in two rounds - the first

round on 9 May 2003 and the second round on 14 May 2003

Korea, North

unicameral Supreme People's Assembly or Ch'oego Inmin

Hoeui (687 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year

terms)

elections: last held 3 August 2003 (next to be held in August 2008)

election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party -

NA; ruling party approves a list of candidates who are elected

without opposition; some seats are held by minor parties

Korea, South

unicameral National Assembly or Kukhoe (299 seats -

members elected for four-year terms; 243 in single-seat

constituencies, 56 by proportional representation

elections: last held 15 April 2004 (next to be held in April 2008;

byelections held on 30 April 2005)

election results: percent of vote by party - Uri 51%, GNP 41%, DLP

3%, DP 3%, others 2%; seats by party - Uri 146, GNP 125, DLP 10, DP

9, ULD 3, independents 6

note: percent of vote is for 2004 general election; seats by party

reflect results of 2005 byelections involving six seats; MDP became

DP in May 2005 (2005)

Kuwait

unicameral National Assembly or Majlis al-Umma (50 seats;

members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)

elections: last held 6 July 2003 (next to be held NA 2007)

election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats - Islamists 21,

government supporters 14, liberals 3, and independents 12; note -

all cabinet ministers are also ex officio members of the National

Assembly

Kyrgyzstan

bicameral Supreme Council or Jorgorku Kenesh consists of

the Assembly of People's Representatives (70 seats; members are

elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) and the

Legislative Assembly (35 seats; members are elected by popular vote

to serve five-year terms); note - in accordance with a 2003

referendum, the Parliament is slated to become unicameral with 75

deputies after the 27 February 2005 elections

elections: Assembly of People's Representatives - last held 20

February and 12 March 2000; Legislative Assembly - last held 20

February and 12 March 2000; elections for the new unicameral body or

Jorgorku Kenesh were held 27 February 2005, but the vast majority of

positions remained undecided and were to be contested in a runoff

election scheduled for 13 March 2005; election irregularities caused

widespread protests that resulted in the president being forced to

flee the country; new legislative elections have not yet been

rescheduled

election results: Assembly of People's Representatives - percent of

vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NA; and Legislative Assembly -

percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NA; note - total

seats by party in the Supreme Council were as follows: Union of

Democratic Forces 12, Communists 6, My Country Party of Action 4,

independents 73, other 10

note: the legislature became bicameral for the 5 February 1995

elections; the 2000 election results include both the Assembly of

People's Representatives and the Legislative Assembly

Laos

unicameral National Assembly (109 seats; members elected by

popular vote to serve five-year terms; note - total number of seats

increased from 99 to 109 for the 2002 election)

elections: last held 24 February 2002 (next to be held in 2007)

election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -

LPRP or LPRP-approved (independent, non-party members) 109

Latvia

unicameral Parliament or Saeima (100 seats; members are

elected by direct, popular vote to serve four-year terms)

elections: last held 5 October 2002 (next to be held NA October 2006)

election results: percent of vote by party - JL 23.9%, PCTVL 18.9%,

TP 16.7%, ZZS 9.5%, First Party 7.6%, LNNK 5.4%; seats by party - JL

26, PCTVL 24, TP 21, ZZS 12, First Party 10, LNNK 7

Lebanon

unicameral National Assembly or Majlis Alnuwab (Arabic) or

Assemblee Nationale (French) (128 seats; members elected by popular

vote on the basis of sectarian proportional representation to serve

four-year terms)

elections: last held in four rounds on 29 May, 5, 12, 19 June 2005

(next to be held 2009)

election results: percent of vote by group - NA; seats by group -

Future Movement Bloc 36; Democratic Gathering 15; Development and

Resistance Bloc 15; Loyalty to the Resistance 14; Free Patriotic

Movement 14; Lebanese Forces 6; Qornet Shewan 5; Popular Bloc 4;

Tripoli Independent Bloc 3; Syrian National Socialist Party 2;

Kataeb Reform Movement 2; Tachnaq Party 2; Democratic Renewal

Movement 1; Democratic Left 1; Nasserite Popular Movement 1; Ba'th

Party 1; Kataeb Party 1; independent 5

Lesotho

bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (33 members - 22

principal chiefs and 11 other members appointed by the ruling party)

and the Assembly (120 seats, 80 by direct popular vote and 40 by

proportional vote; members elected by popular vote for five-year

terms); note - number of seats in the Assembly rose from 80 to 120

in the May 2002 election

elections: last held 25 May 2002 (next to be held May 2007)

election results: percent of vote by party - LCD 54%, BNP 21%, LPC

7%, other 18%; seats by party - LCD 76, BNP 21, LPC 5, other 18

Liberia

bicameral National Assembly consists of the Senate (26

seats; members elected by popular vote to serve nine-year terms) and

the House of Representatives (64 seats; members elected by popular

vote to serve six-year terms)

elections: Senate - last held 19 July 1997 (next to be held 11

October 2005); House of Representatives - last held 19 July 1997

(next to be held 11 October 2005)

election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by

party - NPP 21, UP 3, ALCOP 2; House of Representatives - percent of

vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NPP 49, UP 7, ALCOP 3,

Alliance of Political Parties 2, UPP 2, LPP 1

Libya

unicameral General People's Congress (NA seats; members

elected indirectly through a hierarchy of people's committees)

Liechtenstein

unicameral Parliament or Landtag (25 seats; members

are elected by direct, popular vote under proportional

representation to serve four-year terms)

elections: last held 11 and 13 March 2005 (next to be held by NA

2009)

election results: percent of vote by party - FBP 48.7%, VU 38.2%, FL

13%; seats by party - FBP 12, VU 10, FL 3

Lithuania

unicameral Parliament or Seimas (141 seats, 71 members are

directly elected by popular vote, 70 are elected by proportional

representation; members serve four-year terms)

elections: last held 10 and 24 October 2004 (next to be held October

2008)

election results: percent of vote by party - Labor 28.6%, Working

for Lithuania (Social Democrats and Social Liberals) 20.7%, Homeland

Union (Conservatives) 14.6%, For Order and Justice (Liberal

Democrats and Lithuanian People's Union) 11.4%, Liberal and Center

Union 9.1%, Union of Farmers and New Democracy 6.6%; seats by

faction - Labor 39, Homeland Union 25, Social Democrats 20, Liberal

and Center Union 18, Social Liberals 11, Union of Farmers and New

Democracy Parties 10, Liberal Democrats 10, Electoral Action 2,

independents 6

Luxembourg

unicameral Chamber of Deputies or Chambre des Deputes (60

seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve five-year

terms)

elections: last held 13 June 2004 (next to be held by June 2009)

election results: percent of vote by party - CSV 36.1%, LSAP 23.4%,

DP 16.1%, Green Party 11.6%, ADR 10%; seats by party - CSV 24, LSAP

14, DP 10, Green Party 7, ADR 5

note: there is also a Council of State that serves as an advisory

body to the Chamber of Deputies; the Council of State has 21 members

appointed by the Grand Duke on the advice of the prime minister

Macau

unicameral Legislative Council or LEGCO (29 seats; 12 elected

by popular vote, 10 by indirect vote, and seven appointed by the

chief executive; members serve four-year terms)

elections: last held 26 September 2005 (next in September 2009)

election results: percent of vote - Development Union 12.8%, Macau

Development Alliance 9%, Macau United Citizens' Association 16%, New

Democratic Macau Association 18.2%, others na; seats by political

group - Development Union 2, Macau Development Alliance 1, Macau

United Citizens' Association 2, New Democratic Macau Association 2,

New Hope 1, Union Forces 2, others 2; 10 seats filled by

professional and business groups; seven members appointed by chief

executive

Macedonia

unicameral Assembly or Sobranie (120 seats - members

elected by popular vote from party lists based on the percentage of

the overall vote the parties gain in each of six electoral

districts; all serve four-year terms)

elections: last held 15 September 2002 (next to be held NA 2006)

election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -

Together for Macedonia coalition 60 (SDSM 43, LDP 12, others 5),

VMRO-DPMNE 33 (VMRO 28 and LDT 5), Democratic Union for Integration

16, Democratic Party of Albanians 7, Party for Democratic Prosperity

2, National Democratic Party 1, Socialist Party of Macedonia 1

Madagascar

bicameral legislature consists of a National Assembly or

Assemblee Nationale (160 seats; members are directly elected by

popular vote to serve four-year terms) and a Senate or Senat (100

seats; two-thirds of the seats filled by regional assemblies whose

members will be elected by popular vote; the remaining one-third of

the seats appointed by the president; all members will serve

four-year terms)

elections: National Assembly - last held 15 December 2002 (next to

be held NA 2006)

election results: National Assembly - percent of vote by party -

NA%; seats by party - TIM 103, FP 22, AREMA 3, LEADER/Fanilo 2, RPSD

5, others 3, independents 22

Malawi

unicameral National Assembly (193 seats; members elected by

popular vote to serve five-year terms)

elections: last held 20 May 2004 (next to be held May 2009)

election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -

UDF 74, MCP 60, Independents 24, RP 16, others 18, vacancies 1

Malaysia

bicameral Parliament or Parlimen consists of the Senate or

Dewan Negara (70 seats; 44 appointed by the paramount ruler, 26

appointed by the state legislatures) and the House of

Representatives or Dewan Rakyat (219 seats; members elected by

popular vote to serve five-year terms)

elections: House of Representatives - last held 21 March 2004 (next

must be held by 2009)

election results: House of Representatives - percent of vote by

party - BN 91%, DAP 5%, PAS 3%, other 1%; seats by party - BN 199,

DAP 12, PAS 6, PKR 1, independent 1

Maldives

unicameral People's Council or Majlis (50 seats; 42 elected

by popular vote, 8 appointed by the president; members serve

five-year terms)

elections: last held 22 January 2005 (next to be held NA 2010)

election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats - independents 50

Mali

unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (147 seats;

members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)

elections: last held 14 July and 28 July 2002 (next to be held July

2007)

election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -

Hope 2002 coalition 66, ADEMA 51, other 30

Malta

unicameral House of Representatives (usually 65 seats; note -

additional seats are given to the party with the largest popular

vote to ensure a legislative majority; members are elected by

popular vote on the basis of proportional representation to serve

five-year terms)

elections: last held 12 April 2003 (next to be held by April 2008)

election results: percent of vote by party - PN 51.7%, MLP 47.6%, AD

0.7%; seats by party - PN 34, MLP 31

Man, Isle of

bicameral Tynwald consists of the Legislative Council

(an 11-member body composed of the President of Tynwald, the Lord

Bishop of Sodor and Man, a nonvoting attorney general, and 8 others

named by the House of Keys) and the House of Keys (24 seats; members

are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)

elections: House of Keys - last held 22 November 2001 (next to be

held November 2006)

election results: House of Keys - percent of vote by party - Man

Labor Party 17.3%, Alliance for Progressive Government 14.6%; seats

by party - Man Labor Party 2, Alliance for Progressive Government 3,

independents 19

Marshall Islands

unicameral Parliament or Nitijela (33 seats;

members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)

elections: last held 17 November 2003 (next to be held not later

than November 2007)

election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NA

note: the Council of Chiefs is a 12-member body that advises on

matters affecting customary law and practice

Martinique

unicameral General Council or Conseil General (45 seats;

members are elected by popular vote to serve six-year terms) and a

unicameral Regional Assembly or Conseil Regional (41 seats; members

are elected by popular vote to serve six-year terms)

elections: General Council - last held NA March 2000 (next to be

held NA 2006); Regional Assembly - last held on 28 March 2004 (next

to be held by March 2010)

election results: General Council - percent of vote by party - NA%;

seats by party - left-wing candidates 13, PPM 11, RPR 6, right-wing

candidates 5, PCM 3, UDF 3, PMS 2, independents 2; note - the PPM

won a plurality; Regional Assembly (second round) - percent of vote

by party - MIM 53.8%, PPM 30.6%; seats by party - MIM 28, PPM 9,

other 4

note: Martinique elects 2 seats to the French Senate; elections last

held NA September 2001 (next to be held September 2004); results -

percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - PPM 2; Martinique

also elects 4 seats to the French National Assembly; elections last

held, first round - 9 June 2002, second round - 16 June 2002 (next

to be held not later than June 2007); results - percent of vote by

party - NA%; seats by party - UMP-RPR 1, PS 1, MIM 1, left-wing

candidate 1 (candidacy of the left-wing candidate was found invalid

by the Constitutional Council; new elections will be called)

Mauritania

bicameral legislature consists of the Senate or Majlis

al-Shuyukh (56 seats, a part of the seats up for election every two

years; members elected by municipal leaders to serve six-year terms)

and the National Assembly or Majlis al-Watani (81 seats; members

elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)

elections: Senate - last held 9 and 16 April 2004 (next to be held

April 2006); National Assembly - last held 19 and 26 October 2001

(next to be held NA 2006)

election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by

party - NA; National Assembly - percent of vote by party - PRDS 79%,

RDU 3.5%, UDP 3.5%, AC 5%, UFP 3.5%, FP 1.5%; seats by party - PRDS

64, UDP 3, RDU 3, AC 4, RFD 3, UFP 3, and FP 1

Mauritius

unicameral National Assembly (66 seats; 62 elected by

popular vote, 4 appointed by the election commission from the losing

political parties to give representation to various ethnic

minorities; members serve five-year terms)

elections: last held on 11 September 2000 (next to be held September

2005)

election results: percent of vote by party - MSM/MMM 52.3%, MLP/PMSD

36.9%, OPR 10.8%; seats by party - MSM/MMM 54, MLP/PMSD 6, OPR 2

Mayotte

unicameral General Council or Conseil General (19 seats;

members are elected by popular vote to serve three-year terms)

elections: last held 21 and 28 March 2004 (next to be held NA 2007)

election results: percent of vote by party - MDM 23.3%, UMP 22.8%,

PS 10.2%, MRC 8.9%, FRAP 6.5%, MPM 1.2%; seats by party - MDM 6, UMP

9, MRC 2, MPM 1, diverse left 1

note: Mayotte elects one member of the French Senate; elections last

held 24 September 2001 (next to be held September 2007); results -

percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NA; Mayotte also

elects one member to the French National Assembly; elections last

held 16 June 2002 (next to be held as a special election in June

2005); results - percent of vote by party - UMP-RPR 55.08%, UDF

44.92%; seats by party - UMP-RPR 1

Mexico

bicameral National Congress or Congreso de la Union consists

of the Senate or Camara de Senadores (128 seats; 96 are elected by

popular vote to serve six-year terms, and 32 are allocated on the

basis of each party's popular vote) and the Federal Chamber of

Deputies or Camara Federal de Diputados (500 seats; 300 members are

directly elected by popular vote to serve three-year terms;

remaining 200 members are allocated on the basis of each party's

popular vote, also for three-year terms)

elections: Senate - last held 2 July 2000 for all of the seats (next

to be held 2 July 2006); Chamber of Deputies - last held 6 July 2003

(next to be held 2 July 2006)

election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by

party - PRI 60, PAN 46, PRD 16, PVEM 5, unassigned 1; Chamber of

Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - PRI 222,

PAN 151, PRD 95, PVEM 17, PT 6, CD 5, unassigned 4; note - special

elections were held in December 2003; the PRI and the PRD each won

one seat and were each assigned one additional proportional

representation seat

Micronesia, Federated States of unicameral Congress (14 seats; four - one elected from each state to serve four-year terms and 10 - elected from single-member districts delineated by population to serve two-year terms; members elected by popular vote) elections: elections for four-year term seats last held 4 March 2003 (next to be held March 2007); elections for two-year term seats last held 8 March 2005 (next to be held March 2007) election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats - independents 14

Moldova

unicameral Parliament or Parlamentul (101 seats; parties and

electoral blocs elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)

elections: last held 6 March 2005 (next to be held NA 2009)

election results: percent of vote by party - PCRM 46.1%, Democratic

Moldova Bloc 28.4%, PPCD 9.1%, other parties 16.4%; seats by party -

PCRM 56, Democratic Moldova Bloc 34, PPCD 11

Monaco

unicameral National Council or Conseil National (24 seats; 16

members elected by list majority system, 8 by proportional

representation; to serve five-year terms)

elections: last held 9 February 2003 (next to be held February 2008)

election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -

UNAM 21, UND 3

Mongolia

unicameral State Great Hural 76 seats; members elected by

popular vote to serve four-year terms

elections: last held 27 June 2004 (next to be held in June 2008)

election results: percent of vote by party - MPRP 48.78%, MDC 44.8%,

independents 3.5%, Republican Party 1.5%, others 1.42%; seats by

party - MPRP 36, MDC 34, others 4; note - following June 2004

election, two seats in dispute and unoccupied

Montserrat

unicameral Legislative Council (11 seats, 9 popularly

elected; members serve five-year terms)

note: expanded in 2001 from 7 to 9 elected members with attorney

general and financial secretary sitting as ex-officio members

elections: last held April 2001 (next to be held by November 2006)

election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -

NPLM 7, NPP 2

note: in 2001, the Elections Commission instituted a single

constituency/voter-at-large system whereby all eligible voters cast

ballots for all nine seats of the Legislative Council

Morocco

bicameral Parliament consists of an upper house or Chamber

of Counselors (270 seats; members elected indirectly by local

councils, professional organizations, and labor syndicates for

nine-year terms; one-third of the members are renewed every three

years) and a lower house or Chamber of Representatives (325 seats;

295 by multi-seat constituencies and 30 from national lists of

women; members elected by popular vote for five-year terms)

elections: Chamber of Counselors - last held 6 October 2003 (next to

be held NA 2006); Chamber of Representatives - last held 27

September 2002 (next to be held NA 2007)

election results: Chamber of Counselors - percent of vote by party -

NA%; seats by party - RNI 42, MDS 33, UC 28, MP 27, PND 21, PI 21,

USFP 16, MNP 15, PA 13, FFD 12, other 42; Chamber of Representatives

- percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - USFP 50, PI 48,

PJD 42, RNI 41, MP 27, MNP 18, UC 16, PND 12, PPS 11, UD 10, other 50

Mozambique

unicameral Assembly of the Republic or Assembleia da

Republica (250 seats; members are directly elected by popular vote

on a secret ballot to serve five-year terms)

elections: last held 1-2 December 2004 (next to be held December

2009)

election results: percent of vote by party - Frelimo 62%, Renamo

29.7%; seats by party - Frelimo 160, Renamo 90

Namibia

bicameral legislature consists of the National Council (26

seats; two members are chosen from each regional council to serve

six-year terms) and the National Assembly (72 seats; members are

elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)

elections: National Council - elections for regional councils, to

determine members of the National Council, held 15-16 November 2004

(next to be held November 2009); National Assembly - last held 15-16

November 2004 (next to be held November 2009)

election results: National Council - percent of vote by party - NA%;

seats by party - NA; National Assembly - percent of vote by party -

NA%; seats by party - SWAPO 55, COD 5, DTA 4, UDF 3, MAG 1, other 4

note: the National Council is primarily an advisory body

Nauru

unicameral Parliament (18 seats; members elected by popular

vote to serve three-year terms)

elections: last held 3 May 2003 (next to be held not later than May

2006)

election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats - Nauru First Party

3, independents 15

Nepal

bicameral Parliament consists of the National Council (60 seats; 35

appointed by the House of Representatives, 10 by the king, and 15

elected by an electoral college; one-third of the members elected

every two years to serve six-year terms) and the House of

Representatives (205 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve

five-year terms)

elections: House of Representatives - last held 3 and 17 May 1999

(next election NA); note - Nepal's Parliament was dissolved on 22

May 2002

election results: House of Representatives - percent of vote by

party - NC 37.3%, CPN/UML 31.6%, NDP 10.4%, NSP 3.2%, Rastriya Jana

Morcha 1.4%, Samyukta Janmorcha Nepal 0.8%, NWPP 0.5%, others 14.8%;

seats by party - NC 113, CPN/UML 69, NDP 11, NSP 5, Rastriya Jana

Morcha 5, Samyukta Janmorcha Nepal 1, NWPP 1

Netherlands

bicameral States General or Staten Generaal consists of

the First Chamber or Eerste Kamer (75 seats; members indirectly

elected by the country's 12 provincial councils for four-year terms)

and the Second Chamber or Tweede Kamer (150 seats; members directly

elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)

elections: First Chamber - last held 25 May 2003 (next to be held

May 2007); Second Chamber - last held 22 January 2003 (next to be

held May 2007)

election results: First Chamber - percent of vote by party - NA%;

seats by party - CDA 23, PvdA 19, VVD 15, Green Party 5, Socialist

Party 4, D66 3, other 6; Second Chamber - percent of vote by party -

CDA 28.6%, PvdA 27.3%, VVD 12.9%, Socialist Party 6.3%, List Pim

Fortuyn 5.7%, Green Party 5.1%, D66 4.1%; seats by party - CDA 44,

PvdA 42, VVD 28, Socialist Party 9, List Pim Fortuyn 8, Green Party

8, D66 6, other 5

Netherlands Antilles

unicameral States or Staten (22 seats - Curacao

14, Bonaire 3, St. Maarten 3, St. Eustatius 1, Saba 1; members are

elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)

elections: last held 18 January 2002 (next to be held in 2006)

election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -

PAR 4, PNP 3, PLKP 2, DP St. M 2, UP Bonaire 2, WIPM 1, DP

note: the government of Prime Minister Etienne YS is a coalition of

several parties; current government formed after collapse of FOL led

government on 4 April 2004

New Caledonia

unicameral Territorial Congress or Congres Territorial

(54 seats; members belong to the three Provincial Assemblies or

Assemblees Provinciales elected by popular vote to serve five-year

terms)

elections: last held 9 May 2004 (next to be held NA 2009)

election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -

RPCR-UMP 16, AE 16, UNI-FLNKS 8, UC 7, FN 4, others 3

note: New Caledonia currently holds 1 seat in the French Senate;

elections last held 24 September 2001 (next to be held not later

than September 2007; between now and 2010 New Caledonia will gain a

second seat in the French Senate); results - percent of vote by

party - NA%; seats by party - NA; New Caledonia also elects 2 seats

to the French National Assembly; elections last held 9 and 16 June

2002 (next to be held by June 2007); results - percent of vote by

party - NA%; seats by party - UMP 2

New Zealand

unicameral House of Representatives - commonly called

Parliament (120 seats; 69 members elected by popular vote in

single-member constituencies including 7 Maori constituencies, and

51 proportional seats chosen from party lists, all to serve

three-year terms)

elections: last held 17 September 2005 (next to be held not later

than 15 November 2008)

election results: percent of vote by party - NZLP 41.1%, NP 39.1%,

NZFP 5.72%, Green Party 5.3%, Maori 2.12%, UF 2.67%, ACT New Zealand

1.51%, Progressive 1.16%; seats by party - NZLP 50, NP 48, NZFP 7,

Green Party 6, Maori 4, UF 3, ACT New Zealand 2, Progressive 1

note: results of 2005 election saw the total number of seats

increase to 121 because the Maori Party won one more electorate seat

than its entitlement under the party vote

Nicaragua

unicameral National Assembly or Asamblea Nacional (92

seats; members are elected by proportional representation and party

lists to serve five-year terms; one seat for previous President, one

seat for runner-up in previous Presidential election

elections: last held 4 November 2001 (next to be held by November

2006)

election results: percent of vote by party - Liberal Alliance

(ruling party - includes PCCN, PLC, PALI, PLIUN, and PUCA) 46.03%,

FSLN 36.55%, PCN 2.12%; seats by party - Liberal Alliance 53, FSLN

38, PCN 1

Niger

unicameral National Assembly (113 seats; note - expanded from

83 seats; members elected by popular vote for five-year terms)

elections: last held 4 December 2004 (next to be held December 2009)

election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -

MNSD 47, CDS 22, PNDS 17, RSD 7, RDP 6, ANDP 5, Party for Socialism

and Democracy in Niger 1, other 8

Nigeria

bicameral National Assembly consists of Senate (109 seats -

3 from each state plus one from Abuja, members elected by popular

vote to serve four-year terms) and House of Representatives (346

seats, members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)

elections: Senate - last held 12 April 2003 (next to be held NA

2007); House of Representatives - last held 12 April 2003 (next to

be held NA 2007)

election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - PDP 53.7%,

ANPP 27.9%, AD 9.7%; seats by party - PDP 76, ANPP 27, AD 6; House

of Representatives - percent of vote by party - PDP 54.5%, ANPP

27.4%, AD 8.8%, other 9.3%; seats by party - PDP 223, ANPP 96, AD

34, other 6; note - one seat is vacant

Niue

unicameral Legislative Assembly (20 seats; members elected by

popular vote to serve three-year terms; six elected from a common

roll and 14 are village representatives)

elections: last held 30 April 2005 (next to be held April 2008)

election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NA

Norfolk Island

unicameral Legislative Assembly (9 seats; members

elected by electors who have nine equal votes each but only four

votes can be given to any one candidate; members serve three-year

terms)

elections: last held 20 October 2004 (next to be held by December

2007)

election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats - independents 9

(note - no political parties)

Northern Mariana Islands

bicameral Legislature consists of the

Senate (9 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve

four-year staggered terms) and the House of Representatives (18

seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve two-year terms)

elections: Senate - last held 1 November 2003 (next to be held 5

November 2005); House of Representatives - last held 1 November 2003

(next to be held 5 November 2005)

election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by

party - NA; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party -

NA%; seats by party - Covenant Party 9, Republican Party 7,

Democratic Party 1, independent 1

note: the Northern Mariana Islands does not have a nonvoting

delegate in the US Congress; instead, it has an elected official or

"resident representative" located in Washington, DC; seats by party

- Republican Party 1 (Pedro A. TENORIO)

Norway

modified unicameral Parliament or Storting (169 seats;

members are elected by popular vote by proportional representation

to serve four-year terms)

elections: last held 12 September 2005 (next to be held September

2009)

election results: percent of vote by party - Labor Party 32.7%,

Progress Party 22.1%, Conservative Party 14.1%, Socialist Left Party

8.8%, Christian People's Party 6.8%, Center Party 6.5%, Liberal

Party 5.9%, Red Electoral Alliance 1.2%, other 1.9%; seats by party

- Labor Party 61, Progress Party 38, Conservative Party 23,

Socialist Left Party 15, Christian People's Party 11, Center Party

11, Liberal Party 10

note: for certain purposes, the parliament divides itself into two

chambers and elects one-fourth of its membership to an upper house

or Lagting

Oman

bicameral Majlis Oman consists of an upper chamber or Majlis

al-Dawla (58 seats; members appointed by the monarch; has advisory

powers only) and a lower chamber or Majlis al-Shura (83 seats;

members elected by universal suffrage for four-year term; body has

some limited power to propose legislation, but otherwise has only

advisory powers)

elections: last held 4 October 2003 (next to be held NA 2007)

election results: NA

Pakistan

bicameral Parliament or Majlis-e-Shoora consists of the

Senate (100 seats - formerly 87; members indirectly elected by

provincial assemblies to serve four-year terms; and the National

Assembly (342 seats - formerly 217; 60 seats represent women; 10

seats represent minorities; members elected by popular vote to serve

four-year terms)

elections: Senate - last held 24 and 27 February 2003 (next to be

held by February 2007); National Assembly - last held 10 October

2002 (next to be held by October 2006)

election results: Senate results - percent of vote by party - NA%;

seats by party - PML/Q 40, PPPP 11, MMA 21, MQM/A 6, PML/N 4, NA 3,

PML/F 1, PkMAP 2, ANP 2, PPP/S 2, JWP 1, BNP-Awami 1, BNP-Mengal 1,

BNM/H 1, independents 4; National Assembly results - percent of

votes by party - NA%; seats by party - PML/Q 126, PPPP 81, MMA 63,

PML/N 19, MQM/A 17, NA 16, PML/F 5, PML/J 3, PPP/S 2, BNP 1, JWP 1,

PAT 1, PML/Z 1, PTI 1, MQM/H 1, PkMAP 1, independents 3

Palau

bicameral Parliament or Olbiil Era Kelulau (OEK) consists of

the Senate (9 seats; members elected by popular vote on a population

basis to serve four-year terms) and the House of Delegates (16

seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)

elections: Senate - last held 2 November 2004 (next to be held

November 2008); House of Delegates - last held 2 November 2004 (next

to be held November 2008)

election results: Senate - percent of vote - NA%; seats -

independents 9 (four new members elected); House of Delegates -

percent of vote - NA%; seats - independents 16 (one new member

elected)

Panama

unicameral National Assembly (formerly called Legislative

Assembly) or Asamblea Nacional (78 seats; members are elected by

popular vote to serve five-year terms; note - in 2009, the number of

seats will change to 71)

elections: last held 2 May 2004 (next to be held 3 May 2009)

election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -

PRD 40, PA 17, PS 8, MOLIRENA 3, CD 2, PP 2, PLN 1, other 5

note: legislators from outlying rural districts are chosen on a

plurality basis while districts located in more populous towns and

cities elect multiple legislators by means of a proportion-based

formula

Papua New Guinea

unicameral National Parliament - sometimes referred

to as the House of Assembly (109 seats, 89 elected from open

electorates and 20 from provincial electorates; members elected by

popular vote to serve five-year terms)

elections: last held 15-29 June 2002 and April and May 2003;

completed in May 2003 (voting in the Southern Highlands was not

completed during the June 2002 election period); next to be held not

later than June 2007

election results: percent of vote by party - National Alliance 18%,

URP 13%, PDM 12%, PPP 8%, Pangu 6%, PAP 5%, PLP 4%, others 34%;

seats by party - National Alliance 19, URP 14, PDM 13, PPP 8, PANGU

6, PAP 5, PLP 4, others 40; note - association with political

parties is fluid (2003)

Paraguay

bicameral Congress or Congreso consists of the Chamber of

Senators or Camara de Senadores (45 seats; members are elected by

popular vote to serve five-year terms) and the Chamber of Deputies

or Camara de Diputados (80 seats; members are elected by popular

vote to serve five-year terms)

elections: Chamber of Senators - last held 27 April 2003 (next to be

held April 2008); Chamber of Deputies - last held 27 April 2003

(next to be held April 2008)

election results: Chamber of Senators - percent of vote by party -

NA%; seats by party - ANR 16, PLRA 12, UNACE 7, PQ 7, PPS 2, PEN 1;

Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party

- ANR 37, PLRA 21, UNACE 10, PQ 10, PPS 2

Peru

unicameral Congress of the Republic of Peru or Congreso de la

Republica del Peru (120 seats; members are elected by popular vote

to serve five-year terms)

elections: last held 8 April 2001 (next to be held 9 April 2006)

election results: percent of vote by party - PP 26.3%, APRA 19.7%,

UN 13.8%, FIM 11.0%, others 29.2%; seats by party - PP 47, APRA 28,

UN 17, FIM 11, others 17

Philippines

bicameral Congress or Kongreso consists of the Senate or

Senado (24 seats - one-half elected every three years; members

elected at large by popular vote to serve six-year terms) and the

House of Representatives or Kapulungan Ng Mga Kinatawan (212 members

representing districts plus 24 sectoral party-list members; members

elected by popular vote to serve three-year terms; note - the

Constitution prohibits the House of Representatives from having more

than 250 members)

elections: Senate - last held 10 May 2004 (next to be held in May

2007); House of Representatives - elections last held 10 May 2004

(next to be held in May 2007)

election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - Lakas 30%, LP

13%, KNP 13%, independents 17%, others 27%; seats by party - Lakas

7, LP 3, KNP (coalition) 3, independents 4, others 6; note - there

are 23 rather than 24 sitting senators because one senator was

elected Vice President; 14 senators are pro-government, 9 are in

opposition; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party -

NA%; seats by party - Lakas 93, NPC 53, LP 34, LDP 11, others 20;

party-listers 24; note - there are 211 rather than 212 sitting

representatives because one was appointed Secretary of Tourism (2004)

Pitcairn Islands

unicameral Island Council (10 seats - 5 elected by

popular vote, 1 nominated by the 5 elected members, 2 appointed by

the governor including 1 seat for the Island Secretary, the Island

Mayor, and a commissioner liaising between the governor and council;

elected members serve one-year terms)

elections: last held 15 December 2004 (next to be held December 2005)

election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats - all independents

Poland

bicameral legislature consisting of an upper house, the

Senate or Senat (100 seats; members are elected by a majority vote

on a provincial basis to serve four-year terms), and a lower house,

the Sejm (460 seats; members are elected under a complex system of

proportional representation to serve four-year terms); the

designation of National Assembly or Zgromadzenie Narodowe is only

used on those rare occasions when the two houses meet jointly

elections: Senate - last held 25 September 2005 (next to be held by

September 2009); Sejm elections last held September 25 2005 (next to

be held by September 2009)

election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by

party - PiS 49, PO 34, LPR 7, SO 3, PSL 2, independents 5; Sejm -

percent of vote by party - PiS 27%, PO 24.1%, SO 11.4%, SLD 11.3%,

LPR 8%, PSL 7%, other 11.2%; seats by party - PiS 155, PO 133, SO

56, SLD 55, LPR 34, PSL 25, German minorities 2

note: two seats are assigned to ethnic minority parties in the Sejm

only

Portugal

unicameral Assembly of the Republic or Assembleia da

Republica (230 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve

four-year terms)

elections: last held 20 February 2005 (next to be held February

2009); note - President SAMPAIO called for early elections after

dissolving parliament on 10 December 2004 because he lacked

confidence in the four-month center-right government

election results: percent of vote by party - PS 45.1%, PSD 28.7%,

CDU 7.6%, PP 7.3%, BE 6.4%; seats by party - PS 121, PSD 75, CDU 14,

PP 12, BE 8

Puerto Rico

bicameral Legislative Assembly consists of the Senate

(at least 27 seats - currently 29; members are directly elected by

popular vote to serve four-year terms) and the House of

Representatives (51 seats; members are directly elected by popular

vote to serve four-year terms)

elections: Senate - last held 2 November 2004 (next to be held

November 2008); House of Representatives - last held 2 November 2004

(next to be held November 2008)

election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - PNP 43.4%, PPD

40.3%, PIP 9.4%; seats by party - PNP 17, PPD 9, PIP 1; House of

Representatives - percent of vote by party - PNP 46.3%, PPD 43.1%,

PIP 9.7%; seats by party - PNP 32, PPD 18, PIP 1

note: Puerto Rico elects, by popular vote, a resident commissioner

to serve a four-year term as a nonvoting representative in the US

House of Representatives; aside from not voting on the House floor,

he enjoys all the rights of a member of Congress; elections last

held 2 November 2004 (next to be held November 2008); results -

percent of vote by party - PNP 48.6%; seats by party - PNP 1; Luis

FORTUNO elected resident commissioner

Qatar

unicameral Advisory Council or Majlis al-Shura (35 seats;

members appointed)

note: no legislative elections have been held since 1970 when there

were partial elections to the body; Council members have had their

terms extended every four years since; the new constitution, which

came into force on 8 June 2004, provides for a 45-member

Consultative Council, or Majlis al-Shura; the public would elect

two-thirds of the Majlis al-Shura; the amir would appoint the

remaining members

Reunion

unicameral General Council (49 seats; members are elected by

direct, popular vote to serve six-year terms) and a unicameral

Regional Council (45 seats; members are elected by direct, popular

vote to serve six-year terms)

elections: General Council - last held 15 and 22 March 1998 (next to

be held NA); Regional Council - last held 28 March 2004 (next to be

held NA 2010)

election results: General Council - percent of vote by party - NA%;

seats by party - various right-wing candidates 13, PCR 10, PS 10,

UDF 8, RPR 6, other left-wing candidates 2; Regional Council (second

round) - percent of vote by party - PCR 44.9%, UMP 32.8%, PS-Greens

22.3%; seats by party - PCR 27, UMP 11, PS-Greens 7

note: Reunion elects three representatives to the French Senate;

elections last held NA 2001 (next to be held NA 2006); results -

percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NA; Reunion also

elects five deputies to the French National Assembly; elections last

held 9 June-16 June 2002 (next to be held NA 2007); results -

percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - UMP-RPR 1, UMP 1,

PCR 1

Romania

bicameral Parliament or Parlament consists of the Senate or

Senat (137 seats; members are elected by direct, popular vote on a

proportional representation basis to serve four-year terms) and the

Chamber of Deputies or Adunarea Deputatilor (332 seats; members are

elected by direct, popular vote on a proportional representation

basis to serve four-year terms)

elections: Senate - last held 28 November 2004 (next to be held 28

November 2008); Chamber of Deputies - last held 28 November 2004

(next to be held 28 November 2008)

election results: Senate - percent of vote by alliance/party -

PSD-PUR 37.1%, PNL-PD 31.8%, PRM 13.6%, UDMR 6.2%; seats by party -

PSD 46, PNL 28, PD 21, PRM 21, PUR 11, UMDR 10; Chamber of Deputies

- percent of vote by alliance/party - PSD-PUR 36.6%, PNL-PD 31.3%%,

PRM 12.9%, UDMR 6.2%; seats by party - PSD 113, PNL 64, PD 48, PRM

48, UDMR 22, PUR 19, ethnic minorities 18

Russia

bicameral Federal Assembly or Federalnoye Sobraniye consists

of the Federation Council or Sovet Federatsii (178 seats; as of July

2000, members appointed by the top executive and legislative

officials in each of the 89 federal administrative units - oblasts,

krays, republics, autonomous okrugs and oblasts, and the federal

cities of Moscow and Saint Petersburg; members serve four-year

terms) and the State Duma or Gosudarstvennaya Duma (450 seats;

currently 225 seats elected by proportional representation from

party lists winning at least 5% of the vote, and 225 seats from

single-member constituencies; members are elected by direct, popular

vote to serve four-year terms)

elections: State Duma - last held 7 December 2003 (next to be held

NA December 2007)

election results: State Duma - percent of vote received by parties

clearing the 5% threshold entitling them to a proportional share of

the 225 party list seats - United Russia 37.1%, CPRF 12.7%, LDPR

11.6%, Motherland 9.1%; seats by party - United Russia 222, CPRF 53,

LDPR 38, Motherland 37, People's Party 19, Yabloko 4, SPS 2, other

7, independents 65, repeat election required 3

Rwanda

unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (53

seats; members elected by direct vote)

elections: last held 29 September 2003 (next to be held Chamber of

Deputies - NA 2008; Senate - NA 2011)

election results: seats by party under the 2003 Constitution - RPF

40, PSD 7, PL 6

Saint Helena

unicameral Legislative Council (16 seats, including the

speaker, 3 ex officio and 12 elected members; members are elected by

popular vote to serve four-year terms)

elections: last held 27 June 2001 (next to be held June 2005)

election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats - independents 15

Saint Kitts and Nevis

unicameral National Assembly (14 seats, 3

appointed and 11 popularly elected from single-member

constituencies; members serve five-year terms)

elections: last held 25 October 2004 (next to be held by 2009)

election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -

SKNLP 7, CCM 2, NRP 1, PAM 1

Saint Lucia

bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (11 seats;

six members appointed on the advice of the prime minister, three on

the advice of the leader of the opposition, and two after

consultation with religious, economic, and social groups) and the

House of Assembly (17 seats; members are elected by popular vote

from single-member constituencies to serve five-year terms)

elections: House of Assembly - last held 3 December 2001 (next to be

held in December 2006)

election results: House of Assembly - percent of vote by party - SLP

55%, UWP 37%, NA 3.5%; seats by party - SLP 14, UWP 3

Saint Pierre and Miquelon

unicameral General Council or Conseil

General (19 seats - 15 from Saint Pierre and 4 from Miquelon;

members are elected by popular vote to serve six-year terms)

elections: elections last held 19 and 26 March 2000 (next to be held

NA April 2006)

election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -

PS 12, PRG 2, UDF-RPR 5

note: Saint Pierre and Miquelon elect 1 seat to the French Senate;

elections last held NA September 1995 (next to be held NA September

2004); results - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -

RPR 1; Saint Pierre and Miquelon also elects 1 seat to the French

National Assembly; elections last held, first round - 9 June 2002,

second round - 16 June 2002 (next to be held NA 2007); results -

percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - UDF 1

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines unicameral House of Assembly (21 seats, 15 elected representatives and 6 appointed senators; representatives are elected by popular vote from single-member constituencies to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 28 March 2001 (next to be held by July 2006) election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - ULP 12, NDP 3

Samoa

unicameral Legislative Assembly or Fono (49 seats - 47 elected

by voters affiliated with traditional village-based electoral

districts, 2 elected by independent, mostly non-Samoan or

part-Samoan, voters who cannot, (or choose not to) establish a

village affiliation; only chiefs (matai) may stand for election to

the Fono from the 47 village-based electorates; members serve

five-year terms)

elections: election last held 3 March 2001 (next election to be held

not later than March 2006)

election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -

HRPP 30, SNDP 13, independents 6

San Marino

unicameral Grand and General Council or Consiglio Grande

e Generale (60 seats; members are elected by direct, popular vote to

serve five-year terms)

elections: last held 10 June 2001 (next to be held by June 2006)

election results: percent of vote by party - PDCS 41.4%, PSS 24.2%,

PD 20.8%, APDS 8.2%, RC 3.4%, AN 1.9%; seats by party - PDCS 25, PSS

15, PD 12, APDS 5, RC 2, AN 1

Sao Tome and Principe

unicameral National Assembly or Assembleia

Nacional (55 seats; members are elected by direct, popular vote to

serve four-year terms)

elections: last held 3 March 2002 (next to be held March 2006)

election results: percent of vote by party - MLSTP 39.6%, Force for

Change Democratic Movement 39.4%, Ue-Kedadji coalition 16.2%; seats

by party - MLSTP 24, Force for Change Democratic Movement 23,

Ue-Kedadji coalition 8

Saudi Arabia

Consultative Council or Majlis al-Shura (120 members

and a chairman appointed by the monarch for four-year terms)

Senegal

unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (120

seats; members are elected by direct, popular vote to serve

five-year terms)

note: the former National Assembly, dissolved in the spring of 2001,

had 140 seats

elections: last held 29 April 2001 (next to be held NA 2006)

election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -

SOPI Coalition 89, AFP 11, PS 10, other 10

Serbia and Montenegro

unicameral Parliament (126 seats - 91 Serbian,

35 Montenegrin - filled by nominees of the two state parliaments for

the first two years, after which the Constitutional Charter calls

for direct elections

elections: last held 25 February 2003 (next to be held 2005)

election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -

Serbian parties: SRS 30, DSS 20, DS 13, G17 Plus 12, SPO-NS 8, SPS

8; Montenegrin parties: DPS 15, SNP 9, SDP 4, DSS 3, NS 2, LSCG 2

Seychelles

unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (34

seats - 25 elected by popular vote, 9 allocated on a proportional

basis to parties winning at least 10% of the vote; members serve

five-year terms)

elections: last held 4-6 December 2002 (next to be held by 2007)

election results: percent of vote by party - SPPF 54.3%, SNP 42.6%,

DP 3.1%; seats by party - SPPF 23, SNP 11

note: the 9 awarded seats are apportioned according to the

percentage that each party won of the total vote

Sierra Leone

unicameral Parliament (124 seats - 112 elected by

popular vote, 12 filled by paramount chiefs elected in separate

elections; members serve five-year terms)

elections: last held 14 May 2002 (next to be held May 2007)

election results: percent of vote by party - SLPP 70.06%, APC

22.35%, PLP 3%, others 4.59%; seats by party - SLPP 83, APC 27, PLP 2

Singapore

unicameral Parliament (84 seats; members elected by

popular vote to serve five-year terms); note - in addition, there

are up to nine nominated members; the losing opposition candidate

who came closest to winning a seat may be appointed as a

"nonconstituency" member

elections: last held 3 November 2001 (next to be held not later than

25 June 2007)

election results: percent of vote by party - PAP 75.3% (in contested

constituencies), other 24.7%; seats by party - PAP 82, WP 1, SPP 1

Slovakia

unicameral National Council of the Slovak Republic or

Narodna Rada Slovenskej Republiky (150 seats; members are elected on

the basis of proportional representation to serve four-year terms)

elections: last held 20-21 September 2002 (next to be held September

2006)

election results: percent of vote by party - HZDS-LS 19.5%, SDKU

15.1%, Smer 13.5%, SMK 11.2%, KDH 8.3%, ANO 8%, KSS 6.3%; seats by

party - governing coalition 69 (SDKU 22, SMK 20, KDH 15, ANO 12),

opposition 81 (HZDS 26, Smer 25, KSS 9, Free Forum 6, People's Union

5, and independents 10)

Slovenia

bicameral Parliament consisting of a National Assembly or

Drzavni Zbor (90 seats; 40 are directly elected and 50 are selected

on a proportional basis; note - the numbers of directly elected and

proportionally elected seats varies with each election; members are

elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) and the National

Council or Drzavni Svet (this is primarily an advisory body

organized on corporatist principles with limited legislative powers;

it may propose laws, ask to review any National Assembly decisions,

and call national referenda; members are indirectly elected to

five-year terms by an electoral college)

elections: National Assembly - last held 3 October 2004 (next to be

held October 2008)

election results: percent of vote by party - SDS 29.1%, LDS 22.8%,

ZLSD 10.2%, NSi 9%, SLS 6.8%, SNS 6.3%, DeSUS 4.1%, other 11.7%;

seats by party - SDS 29, LDS 23, ZLSD 10, NSi 9, SLS 7, SNS 6, DeSUS

4, Hungarian and Italian minorities 1 each

Solomon Islands

unicameral National Parliament (50 seats; members

elected from single-member constituencies by popular vote to serve

four-year terms)

elections: last held 5 December 2001 (next to be held not later than

December 2005)

election results: percent of vote by party - PAP 40%, SIACC 40%, PPP

20%; seats by party - PAP 16, SIACC 13, PPP 2, SILP 1, independents

18

Somalia

unicameral National Assembly

note: fledgling parliament; a 275-member Transitional Federal

Assembly; the new parliament consists of 61 seats assigned to each

of four large clan groups (Darod, Digil-Mirifle, Dir, and Hawiye)

with the remaining 31 seats divided between minority clans

South Africa

bicameral Parliament consisting of the National

Assembly (400 seats; members are elected by popular vote under a

system of proportional representation to serve five-year terms) and

the National Council of Provinces (90 seats, 10 members elected by

each of the nine provincial legislatures for five-year terms; has

special powers to protect regional interests, including the

safeguarding of cultural and linguistic traditions among ethnic

minorities); note - following the implementation of the new

constitution on 3 February 1997 the former Senate was disbanded and

replaced by the National Council of Provinces with essentially no

change in membership and party affiliations, although the new

institution's responsibilities have been changed somewhat by the new

constitution

elections: National Assembly and National Council of Provinces -

last held 14 April 2004 (next to be held NA 2009)

election results: National Assembly - percent of vote by party - ANC

69.7%, DA 12.4%, IFP 7%, UDM 2.3%, NNP 1.7%, ACDP 1.6%, other 5.3%;

seats by party - ANC 279, DA 50, IFP 28, UDM 9, NNP 7, ACDP 6, other

21; National Council of Provinces - percent of vote by party - NA%;

seats by party - NA

Spain

bicameral; General Courts or National Assembly or Las Cortes

Generales consists of the Senate or Senado (259 seats - 208 members

directly elected by popular vote and the other 51 appointed by the

regional legislatures to serve four-year terms) and the Congress of

Deputies or Congreso de los Diputados (350 seats; members are

elected by popular vote on block lists by proportional

representation to serve four-year terms)

elections: Senate - last held 14 March 2004 (next to be held March

2008); Congress of Deputies - last held 14 March 2004 (next to be

held March 2008)

election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - PP 49%, PSOE

38.9%, Entesa Catalona de Progress 5.7%, CiU 1.99%, PNV 2.8%, CC

1.4%; seats by party - PP 102, PSOE 81, Entesa Catalona de Progress

12, CiU 4, PNV 6, CC 3; Congress of Deputies - percent of vote by

party - PSOE 43.3%, PP 37.8%, CiU 3.2%, ERC 2.5%, PNV 1.6%, IU 3.2%,

CC 0.9%; seats by party - PSOE 164, PP 148, CiU 10, ERC 8, PNV 7, IU

2, CC 3, other 8

Sri Lanka

unicameral Parliament (225 seats; members elected by

popular vote on the basis of a modified proportional representation

system by district to serve six-year terms)

elections: last held 2 April 2004 (next to be held by 2010)

election results: percent of vote by party or electoral alliance -

SLFP and JVP 45.6%, UNP 37.83%, TNA 6.84%, JHU 5.97%, SLMC 2.02%,

UPF 0.54%, EPDP 0.27%, others 0.93%; seats by party or electoral

alliance - SLFP and JVP 105, UNP 82, TNA 22, JHU 9, SLMC 5, UPF 1,

EPDP 1

Sudan

unicameral National Assembly (360 seats; 270 popularly

elected, 90 elected by supra assembly of interest groups known as

National Congress; members serve four-year terms)

elections: last held 13-22 December 2000 (next to be held NA)

election results: NCP 355, others 5

Suriname

unicameral National Assembly or Nationale Assemblee (51

seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)

elections: last held 25 May 2005 (next to be held May 2010)

election results: percent of vote by party - NF 41.2%, NDP 23.1%,

VVV 14.5%, A-Com 7.3%, A1 6.2%, other 5.9%; seats by party - NF 23,

NDP 15, VVV 5, A-Com 5, A1 3

Swaziland

bicameral Parliament or Libandla, an advisory body,

consists of the Senate (30 seats - 10 appointed by the House of

Assembly and 20 appointed by the monarch; members serve five-year

terms) and the House of Assembly (65 seats - 10 appointed by the

monarch and 55 elected by popular vote; members serve five-year

terms)

elections: House of Assembly - last held 18 October 2003 (next to be

held October 2008)

election results: House of Assembly - balloting is done on a

nonparty basis; candidates for election are nominated by the local

council of each constituency and for each constituency the three

candidates with the most votes in the first round of voting are

narrowed to a single winner by a second round

Sweden

unicameral Parliament or Riksdag (349 seats; members are

elected by popular vote on a proportional representation basis to

serve four-year terms)

elections: last held 15 September 2002 (next to be held September

2006)

election results: percent of vote by party - Social Democrats 39.8%,

Moderates 15.2%, Liberal Party 13.3%, Christian Democrats 9.1%, Left

Party 8.3%, Center Party 6.1%, Greens 4.6%; seats by party - Social

Democrats 144, Moderates 55, Liberal Party 48, Christian Democrats

33, Left Party 30, Center Party 22, Greens 17

Switzerland

bicameral Federal Assembly or Bundesversammlung (in

German), Assemblee Federale (in French), Assemblea Federale (in

Italian) consists of the Council of States or Standerat (in German),

Conseil des Etats (in French), Consiglio degli Stati (in Italian)

(46 seats - members serve four-year terms) and the National Council

or Nationalrat (in German), Conseil National (in French), Consiglio

Nazionale (in Italian) (200 seats - members are elected by popular

vote on the basis of proportional representation to serve four-year

terms)

elections: Council of States - last held in most cantons 19 October

2003 (each canton determines when the next election will be held);

National Council - last held 19 October 2003 (next to be held

October 2007)

election results: Council of States - percent of vote by party -

NA%; seats by party - CVP 15, FDP 14, SVP 8, SPS 6, other 3;

National Council - percent of vote by party - SVP 26.6%, SPS 23.3%,

FDP 17.3%, CVP 14.4%, Greens 7.4%, other small parties all under 5%;

seats by party - SVP 55, SPS 54, FDP 36, CVP 28, Green Party 13,

other small parties 14

Syria

unicameral People's Council or Majlis al-Shaab (250 seats;

members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)

elections: last held 2-3 March 2003 (next to be held NA 2007)

election results: percent of vote by party - NPF 67%, independents

33%; seats by party - NPF 167, independents 83; note - the

constitution guarantees that the Ba'th Party (part of the NPF

alliance) receives one-half of the seats

Taiwan

unicameral Legislative Yuan (225 seats - 168 elected by

popular vote, 41 elected on basis of proportion of islandwide votes

received by participating political parties, 8 elected from overseas

Chinese constituencies on basis of proportion of island-wide votes

received by participating political parties, 8 elected by popular

vote among aboriginal populations; members serve three-year terms)

and unicameral National Assembly (300 seat nonstanding body;

delegates nominated by parties and elected by proportional

representation six to nine months after Legislative Yuan calls to

amend Constitution, impeach president, or change national borders)

note: as a result of constitutional amendments approved by the

National Assembly on 7 June 2005, the number of seats in the

legislature will be reduced from 225 to 113 beginning with the

election in 2007; the amendments also eliminate the National

Assembly, thus giving Taiwan a unicameral legislature

elections: Legislative Yuan - last held 11 December 2004 (next to be

held in December 2007); National Assembly - last held 14 May 2005

election results: Legislative Yuan - percent of vote by party - DPP

38%, KMT 35%, PFP 15%, TSU 8%, other parties and independents 4%;

seats by party - DPP 89, KMT 79, PFP 34, TSU 12, other parties 7,

independents 4; National Assembly - percent of vote by party - DPP

42.5%, KMT 38.9%, TSU 7%, PFP 6%, others 6.6%; seats by party - DPP

127, KMT 117, TSU 21, PFP 18, others 17 (2005)

Tajikistan

bicameral Supreme Assembly or Majlisi Oli consists of the

Assembly of Representatives (lower chamber) or Majlisi Namoyandagon

(63 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year

terms) and the National Assembly (upper chamber) or Majlisi Milliy

(33 seats; members are indirectly elected, 25 selected by local

deputies, 8 appointed by the president; all serve five-year terms)

elections: last held 27 February and 13 March 2000 for the Assembly

of Representatives (next to be held NA 2010) and 23 March 2000 for

the National Assembly (next to be held NA 2005)

election results: Assembly of Representatives - percent of vote by

party - PDPT 74%, CPT 13%, Islamic Revival Party 8%, other 5%; seats

by party - PDPT 49, CPT 4, Islamic Revival Party 2, independents 5,

vacant 3; National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats

by party - NA

Tanzania

unicameral National Assembly or Bunge (274 seats - 232

elected by popular vote, 37 allocated to women nominated by the

president, five to members of the Zanzibar House of Representatives;

members serve five-year terms); note - in addition to enacting laws

that apply to the entire United Republic of Tanzania, the Assembly

enacts laws that apply only to the mainland; Zanzibar has its own

House of Representatives to make laws especially for Zanzibar (the

Zanzibar House of Representatives has 50 seats, directly elected by

universal suffrage to serve five-year terms)

elections: last held 29 October 2000 (next to be held 30 October

2005)

election results: National Assembly - percent of vote by party -

NA%; seats by party - CCM 244, CUF 16, CHADEMA 4, TLP 3, UDP 2,

Zanzibar representatives 5; Zanzibar House of Representatives -

percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - CCM 34, CUF 16

Thailand

bicameral National Assembly or Rathasapha consists of the

Senate or Wuthisapha (200 seats; members elected by popular vote to

serve six-year terms) and the House of Representatives or Sapha

Phuthaen Ratsadon (500 seats; members elected by popular vote to

serve four-year terms)

elections: Senate - last held 4 March, 29 April, 4 June, 9 July, and

22 July 2000 (next to be held by March 2006); House of

Representatives - last held 6 February 2005 (next to be held in

February 2009)

election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by

party - NA; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party -

NA; seats by party - TRT 376, DP 97, TNP 25, PP 2

Togo

unicameral National Assembly (81 seats; members are elected by

popular vote to serve five-year terms)

elections: last held 27 October 2002 (next to be held NA 2007)

election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -

RPT 72, RSDD 3, UDPS 2, Juvento 2, MOCEP 1, independents 1

note: two opposition parties boycotted the election, the Union of

the Forces for Change, and the Action Committee for Renewal

Tokelau

unicameral General Fono (21 seats; based upon proportional

representation from the three islands elected by popular vote to

serve three-year terms; Nukunonu has 6 seats, Fakaofo has 7 seats,

Atafu has 8 seats); note - the Tokelau Amendment Act of 1996 confers

limited legislative power on the General Fono

elections: last held January 2002 (next to be held January 2005)

Tonga

unicameral Legislative Assembly or Fale Alea (30 seats - 12

reserved for cabinet ministers sitting ex officio, nine for nobles

selected by the country's 33 nobles, and nine elected by popular

vote; members serve three-year terms)

elections: last held 21 March 2005 (next to be held in 2008)

election results: Peoples Representatives: percent of vote - HRDMT

70%; seats - HRDMT 7, independents 2

Trinidad and Tobago

bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (31

seats; 16 members appointed by the ruling party, 9 by the President,

6 by the opposition party for a maximum term of five years) and the

House of Representatives (36 seats; members are elected by popular

vote to serve five-year terms)

elections: House of Representatives - last held 7 October 2002 (next

to be held by October 2007)

election results: House of Representatives - percent of vote - PNM

55.5%, UNC 44.5%; seats by party - PNM 20, UNC 16

note: Tobago has a unicameral House of Assembly with 12 members

serving four-year terms

Tunisia

unicameral Chamber of Deputies or Majlis al-Nuwaab (189

seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)

elections: last held 24 October 2004 (next to be held October 2009)

election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party -

RCD 152, MDS 14, PUP 11, UDU 7, Al-Tajdid 3, PSL 2

Turkey

unicameral Grand National Assembly of Turkey or Turkiye Buyuk

Millet Meclisi (550 seats; members are elected by popular vote to

serve five-year terms)

elections: last held 3 November 2002 (next to be held NA 2007); note

- a special rerun of the General Election in the province of Siirt

on 9 March 2003 resulted in the election of Recep Tayyip ERDOGAN to

a seat in parliament, a prerequisite for becoming prime minister, on

14 March 2003

election results: percent of vote by party - AKP 34.3%, CHP 19.4%,

DYP 9.6%, MHP 8.3%, ANAP 5.1%, DSP 1.1%, and others; seats by party

- AKP 363, CHP 178, independents 9; note - parties surpassing the

10% threshold are entitled to parliamentary seats; seats by party as

of 1 December 2004 - AKP 368, CHP 171, DYP 4, LDP 1, independents 5,

vacant 1

Turkmenistan

under the 1992 constitution, there are two

parliamentary bodies, a unicameral People's Council or Halk

Maslahaty (supreme legislative body of up to 2,500 delegates, some

of whom are elected by popular vote and some of whom are appointed;

meets at least yearly) and a unicameral Parliament or Mejlis (50

seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)

elections: People's Council - last held in April 2003; Mejlis - last

held 19 December 2004 (next to be held December 2009)

election results: Mejlis - DPT 100%; seats by party - DPT 50; note -

all 50 elected officials are members of the Democratic Party of

Turkmenistan and are preapproved by President NIYAZOV

note: in late 2003, a new law was adopted, reducing the powers of

the Mejlis and making the Halk Maslahaty the supreme legislative

organ; the Halk Maslahaty can now legally dissolve the Mejlis, and

the president is now able to participate in the Mejlis as its

supreme leader; the Mejlis can no longer adopt or amend the

constitution, or announce referendums or its elections; since the

president is both the "Chairman for Life" of the Halk Maslahaty and

the supreme leader of the Mejlis, the 2003 law has the effect of

making him the sole authority of both the executive and legislative

branches of government

Turks and Caicos Islands

unicameral Legislative Council (19 seats of

which 13 are popularly elected; members serve four-year terms)

elections: last held 24 April 2003 (next to be held in 2007)

election results: percent of vote by party - PDM 53.8%, PNP 46.2%;

seats by party - PDM 7, PNP 6; note - in by-elections held 7 August

2003, the PNP gained two seats for a majority of 8 seats; PDM now

has 5

Tuvalu

unicameral Parliament or Fale I Fono, also called House of

Assembly (15 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve

four-year terms)

elections: last held 25 July 2002 (next to be held NA 2006)

election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats - independents 15

Uganda

unicameral National Assembly (303 members - 214 directly

elected by popular vote, 81 nominated by legally established special

interest groups [women 56, army 10, disabled 5, youth 5, labor 5], 8

ex officio members; members serve five-year terms)

elections: last held 26 June 2001 (next to be held by June 2006);

election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -

NA; note - election campaigning by party was not permitted

Ukraine

unicameral Supreme Council or Verkhovna Rada (450 seats;

under recent amendments to Ukraine's election law, the Rada's seats

are allocated on a proportional basis to those parties that gain 3%

or more of the national electoral vote; members serve five-year

terms beginning with the next election in 2006)

elections: last held 31 March 2002 (next to be held March 2006)

election results: percent of vote by party/bloc - Our Ukraine 24%,

CPU 20%, United Ukraine 12%, SPU 7%, Yuliya Tymoshenko Bloc 7%,

United Social Democratic Party 6%, other 24%; seats by party/bloc -

Our Ukraine 101, Regions of Ukraine 61, CPU 59, Working Ukraine 14,

United Social Democratic Party 33, Agrarian Party 22, SPU 20, Yuliya

Tymoshenko Bloc 19, United Ukraine 19, People's Democratic

Party-Party of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs 16, Center Group 15,

Democratic Initiatives 14, unaffiliated 57 (December 2004)

note: following the election, United Ukraine splintered into the

Agrarian Party, European Choice, People's Choice, People's

Democratic Party, Regions of Ukraine, and Working

Ukraine-Industrialists and Entrepreneurs; these factions have since

undergone a number of changes

United Arab Emirates

unicameral Federal National Council (FNC) or

Majlis al-Ittihad al-Watani (40 seats; members appointed by the

rulers of the constituent states to serve two-year terms)

elections: none

note: reviews legislation, but cannot change or veto

United Kingdom

bicameral Parliament comprised of House of Lords

(consists of approximately 500 life peers, 92 hereditary peers and

26 clergy) and House of Commons (646 seats since 2005 elections;

members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms unless

the House is dissolved earlier)

elections: House of Lords - no elections (note - in 1999, as

provided by the House of Lords Act, elections were held in the House

of Lords to determine the 92 hereditary peers who would remain

there; pending further reforms, elections are held only as vacancies

in the hereditary peerage arise); House of Commons - last held 5 May

2005 (next to be held by May 2010)

election results: House of Commons - percent of vote by party -

Labor 35.2%, Conservative 32.3%, Liberal Democrats 22%, other 10.5%;

seats by party - Labor 356, Conservative 197, Liberal Democrat 62,

other 31; note - as of 30 September 2005 the seats by party - Labor

354, Conservative 196, Liberal Democrat 62, other 34

note: in 1998 elections were held for a Northern Ireland Assembly

(because of unresolved disputes among existing parties, the transfer

of power from London to Northern Ireland came only at the end of

1999 and has been suspended four times the latest occurring in

October 2002); in 1999 there were elections for a new Scottish

Parliament and a new Welsh Assembly

United States

bicameral Congress consists of the Senate (100 seats,

one-third are renewed every two years; two members are elected from

each state by popular vote to serve six-year terms) and the House of

Representatives (435 seats; members are directly elected by popular

vote to serve two-year terms)

elections: Senate - last held 2 November 2004 (next to be held

November 2006); House of Representatives - last held 2 November 2004

(next to be held November 2006)

election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by

party - Republican Party 55, Democratic Party 44, independent 1;

House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by

party - Republican Party 231, Democratic Party 200, undecided 4

Uruguay

bicameral General Assembly or Asamblea General consists of

Chamber of Senators or Camara de Senadores (30 seats; members are

elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) and Chamber of

Representatives or Camara de Representantes (99 seats; members are

elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)

elections: Chamber of Senators - last held 31 October 2004 (next to

be held October 2009); Chamber of Representatives - last held 31

October 2004 (next to be held October 2009)

election results: Chamber of Senators - percent of vote by party -

NA%; seats by party - EP-FA 16, Blanco 11, Colorado Party 3; Chamber

of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party

- EP-FA 52, Blanco 36, Colorado Party 10, Independent Party 1

Uzbekistan

bicameral Supreme Assembly or Oliy Majlis consists of an

Upper House or Senate (100 seats; 84 members are elected by regional

governing councils to serve five-year terms and 16 are appointed by

the president) and a Lower House or Legislative Chamber (120 seats;

elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)

elections: last held 26 December 2004 and 9 January 2005 (next to be

held December 2009)

election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by

party - NA; Legislative Chamber - percent of vote by party - NA%;

seats by party - LDPU 41, NDP 32, Fidokorlar 17, MTP 11, Adolat 9,

unaffiliated 10

note: all parties in the Supreme Assembly support President KARIMOV

Vanuatu

unicameral Parliament (52 seats; members elected by popular

vote to serve four-year terms)

elections: last held 6 July 2004 (next to be held 2008)

election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -

UMP 8, VP 8, NUP 10, VRP 4, MPP 3, VGP 3, other and independent 16;

note - political party associations are fluid

note: the National Council of Chiefs advises on matters of culture

and language

Venezuela

unicameral National Assembly or Asamblea Nacional (165

seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms;

three seats reserved for the indigenous peoples of Venezuela)

elections: last held 30 July 2000 (next to be held July 2005)

election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -

pro-government 108 (MVR 92, MAS 6, indigenous 3, other 7),

opposition 57 (AD 33, COPEI 6, Justice First 5, other 13)

Vietnam

unicameral National Assembly or Quoc-Hoi (498 seats; members

elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)

elections: last held 19 May 2002 (next to be held 2007)

election results: percent of vote by party - CPV 90%, other 10% (the

10% are not CPV members but are approved by the CPV to stand for

election); seats by party - CPV 447, CPV-approved 51

Virgin Islands

unicameral Senate (15 seats; members are elected by

popular vote to serve two-year terms)

elections: last held 6 November 2002 (next to be held 2 November

2004)

election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -

Democratic Party 10, ICM 2, independent 3

note: the Virgin Islands elects one non-voting representative to the

US House of Representatives; election last held 6 November 2002

(next to be held 2 November 2004); results - Donna M.

CHRISTIAN-CHRISTENSON (Democrat) reelected

Wallis and Futuna

unicameral Territorial Assembly or Assemblee

Territoriale (20 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve

five-year terms)

elections: last held 11 March 2002 (next to be held March 2007)

election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -

RPR and affiliates 13, Socialists and affiliates 7

note: Wallis and Futuna elects one senator to the French Senate and

one deputy to the French National Assembly; French Senate -

elections last held 27 September 1998 (next to be held by September

2007); results - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats - RPR (now

UMP) 1; French National Assembly - elections last held 16 June 2002

(next to be held by NA 2007); results - percent of vote by party -

NA%; seats - RPR (UMP) 1

Yemen

a new constitutional amendment ratified on 20 February 2001

created a bicameral legislature consisting of a Shura Council (111

seats; members appointed by the president) and a House of

Representatives (301 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve

six-year terms)

elections: last held 27 April 2003 (next to be held NA April 2009)

election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -

GPC 228, Islah 47, YSP 7, Nasserite Unionist Party 3, National Arab

Socialist Ba'th Party 2, independents 14

Zambia

unicameral National Assembly (150 seats; members are elected

by popular vote to serve five-year terms)

elections: last held 27 December 2001 (next to be held December 2006)

election results: percent of vote by party - MMD 45.9%, UPND 32.4%,

UNIP 8.8%, FDD 8.1%, HP 2.7%, PF 0.7%, ZRP 0.7%, independents 0.7%;

seats by party - MMD 68, UPND 48, UNIP 13, FDD 12, HP 4, PF 1, ZRP

1, independents 1; seats not determined 2

Zimbabwe

unicameral House of Assembly (150 seats - 120 elected by

popular vote for five-year terms, 12 nominated by the president, 10

occupied by traditional chiefs chosen by their peers, and 8 occupied

by provincial governors appointed by the president)

elections: last held 31 March 2005 (next to be held NA 2010)

election results: percent of vote by party - ZANU-PF 59.6%, MDC

39.5%, other 0.9%; seats by party - ZANU-PF 78, MDC 41, Independents

1

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2102 Life expectancy at birth (years)

Afghanistan

total population: 42.9 years

male: 42.71 years

female: 43.1 years (2005 est.)

Albania

total population: 77.24 years

male: 74.6 years

female: 80.15 years (2005 est.)

Algeria

total population: 73 years

male: 71.45 years

female: 74.63 years (2005 est.)

American Samoa

total population: 75.84 years

male: 72.27 years

female: 79.62 years (2005 est.)

Andorra

total population: 83.51 years

male: 80.6 years

female: 86.6 years (2005 est.)

Angola

total population: 38.43 years

male: 37.28 years

female: 39.64 years (2005 est.)

Anguilla

total population: 77.11 years

male: 74.18 years

female: 80.12 years (2005 est.)

Antigua and Barbuda

total population: 71.9 years

male: 69.53 years

female: 74.38 years (2005 est.)

Argentina

total population: 75.91 years

male: 72.17 years

female: 79.85 years (2005 est.)

Armenia

total population: 71.55 years

male: 67.97 years

female: 75.75 years (2005 est.)

Aruba

total population: 79.14 years

male: 75.8 years

female: 82.65 years (2005 est.)

Australia

total population: 80.39 years

male: 77.52 years

female: 83.4 years (2005 est.)

Austria

total population: 78.92 years

male: 76.03 years

female: 81.96 years (2005 est.)

Azerbaijan

total population: 63.35 years

male: 59.24 years

female: 67.66 years (2005 est.)

Bahamas, The

total population: 65.54 years

male: 62.11 years

female: 69.04 years (2005 est.)

Bahrain

total population: 74.23 years

male: 71.76 years

female: 76.78 years (2005 est.)

Bangladesh

total population: 62.08 years

male: 62.13 years

female: 62.02 years (2005 est.)

Barbados

total population: 72.59 years

male: 70.6 years

female: 74.6 years (2005 est.)

Belarus

total population: 68.72 years

male: 63.03 years

female: 74.69 years (2005 est.)

Belgium

total population: 78.62 years

male: 75.44 years

female: 81.94 years (2005 est.)

Belize

total population: 68.44 years

male: 66.54 years

female: 70.44 years (2005 est.)

Benin

total population: 52.66 years

male: 51.53 years

female: 53.82 years (2005 est.)

Bermuda

total population: 77.79 years

male: 75.7 years

female: 79.91 years (2005 est.)

Bhutan

total population: 54.39 years

male: 54.65 years

female: 54.11 years (2005 est.)

Bolivia

total population: 65.5 years

male: 62.89 years

female: 68.25 years (2005 est.)

Bosnia and Herzegovina

total population: 77.83 years

male: 74.21 years

female: 81.72 years (2005 est.)

Botswana

total population: 33.87 years

male: 33.89 years

female: 33.84 years (2005 est.)

Brazil

total population: 71.69 years

male: 67.74 years

female: 75.85 years (2005 est.)

British Virgin Islands

total population: 76.49 years

male: 75.41 years

female: 77.62 years (2005 est.)

Brunei

total population: 74.8 years

male: 72.36 years

female: 77.36 years (2005 est.)

Bulgaria

total population: 72.03 years

male: 68.41 years

female: 75.87 years (2005 est.)

Burkina Faso

total population: 48.45 years

male: 46.96 years

female: 49.99 years (2005 est.)

Burma

total population: 60.7 years

male: 57.8 years

female: 63.78 years (2005 est.)

Burundi

total population: 50.29 years

male: 49.61 years

female: 50.99 years (2005 est.)

Cambodia

total population: 58.92 years

male: 56.98 years

female: 60.95 years (2005 est.)

Cameroon

total population: 50.89 years

male: 50.71 years

female: 51.08 years (2005 est.)

Canada

total population: 80.1 years

male: 76.73 years

female: 83.63 years (2005 est.)

Cape Verde

total population: 70.45 years

male: 67.13 years

female: 73.86 years (2005 est.)

Cayman Islands

total population: 79.95 years

male: 77.33 years

female: 82.6 years (2005 est.)

Central African Republic

total population: 43.39 years

male: 43.27 years

female: 43.52 years (2005 est.)

Chad

total population: 47.18 years

male: 45.55 years

female: 48.87 years (2005 est.)

Chile

total population: 76.58 years

male: 73.3 years

female: 80.03 years (2005 est.)

China

total population: 72.27 years

male: 70.65 years

female: 74.09 years (2005 est.)

Christmas Island

total population: NA

male: NA

female: NA

Cocos (Keeling) Islands

total population: NA

male: NA

female: NA

Colombia

total population: 71.72 years

male: 67.88 years

female: 75.7 years (2005 est.)

Comoros

total population: 61.96 years

male: 59.65 years

female: 64.33 years (2005 est.)

Congo, Democratic Republic of the

total population: 51.1 years

male: 49.68 years

female: 52.56 years (2005 est.)

Congo, Republic of the

total population: 52.26 years

male: 51.17 years

female: 53.39 years (2005 est.)

Cook Islands

total population: NA

male: NA

female: NA

Costa Rica

total population: 76.84 years

male: 74.26 years

female: 79.55 years (2005 est.)

Cote d'Ivoire

total population: 48.62 years

male: 46.05 years

female: 51.27 years (2005 est.)

Croatia

total population: 74.45 years

male: 70.79 years

female: 78.31 years (2005 est.)

Cuba

total population: 77.23 years

male: 74.94 years

female: 79.65 years (2005 est.)

Cyprus

total population: 77.65 years

male: 75.29 years

female: 80.13 years (2005 est.)

Czech Republic

total population: 76.02 years

male: 72.74 years

female: 79.49 years (2005 est.)

Denmark

total population: 77.62 years

male: 75.34 years

female: 80.03 years (2005 est.)

Djibouti

total population: 43.1 years

male: 41.84 years

female: 44.39 years (2005 est.)

Dominica

total population: 74.65 years

male: 71.73 years

female: 77.71 years (2005 est.)

Dominican Republic

total population: 71.44 years

male: 69.94 years

female: 73.03 years (2005 est.)

East Timor

total population: 65.9 years

male: 63.63 years

female: 68.29 years (2005 est.)

Ecuador

total population: 76.21 years

male: 73.35 years

female: 79.22 years (2005 est.)

Egypt

total population: 71 years

male: 68.5 years

female: 73.62 years (2005 est.)

El Salvador

total population: 71.22 years

male: 67.61 years

female: 75.01 years (2005 est.)

Equatorial Guinea

total population: 49.7 years

male: 48.01 years

female: 51.44 years (2005 est.)

Eritrea

total population: 58.47 years

male: 56.96 years

female: 60.02 years (2005 est.)

Estonia

total population: 71.77 years

male: 66.28 years

female: 77.6 years (2005 est.)

Ethiopia

total population: 48.83 years

male: 47.67 years

female: 50.03 years (2005 est.)

European Union

total population: 78.3 years

male: 75.1 years

female: 81.6 years (July 2005 est.)

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

total population: NA years

male: NA years

female: NA years (2005 est.)

Faroe Islands

total population: 79.21 years

male: 75.77 years

female: 82.67 years (2005 est.)

Fiji

total population: 69.53 years

male: 67.05 years

female: 72.14 years (2005 est.)

Finland

total population: 78.35 years

male: 74.82 years

female: 82.02 years (2005 est.)

France

total population: 79.6 years

male: 75.96 years

female: 83.42 years (2005 est.)

French Guiana

total population: 77.09 years

male: 73.77 years

female: 80.58 years (2005 est.)

French Polynesia

total population: 75.9 years

male: 73.5 years

female: 78.42 years (2005 est.)

Gabon

total population: 55.02 years

male: 53.63 years

female: 56.45 years (2005 est.)

Gambia, The

total population: 53.75 years

male: 51.91 years

female: 55.64 years (2005 est.)

Gaza Strip

total population: 71.79 years

male: 70.5 years

female: 73.15 years (2005 est.)

Georgia

total population: 75.88 years

male: 72.59 years

female: 79.67 years (2005 est.)

Germany

total population: 78.65 years

male: 75.66 years

female: 81.81 years (2005 est.)

Ghana

total population: 58.47 years

male: 57.7 years

female: 59.26 years (2005 est.)

Gibraltar

total population: 79.67 years

male: 76.8 years

female: 82.7 years (2005 est.)

Greece

total population: 79.09 years

male: 76.59 years

female: 81.76 years (2005 est.)

Greenland

total population: 69.65 years

male: 66.07 years

female: 73.31 years (2005 est.)

Grenada

total population: 64.53 years

male: 62.74 years

female: 66.31 years (2005 est.)

Guadeloupe

total population: 77.9 years

male: 74.74 years

female: 81.21 years (2005 est.)

Guam

total population: 78.4 years

male: 75.34 years

female: 81.64 years (2005 est.)

Guatemala

total population: 69.06 years

male: 67.37 years

female: 70.84 years (2005 est.)

Guernsey

total population: 80.3 years

male: 77.3 years

female: 83.41 years (2005 est.)

Guinea

total population: 49.36 years

male: 48.19 years

female: 50.57 years (2005 est.)

Guinea-Bissau

total population: 46.61 years

male: 44.77 years

female: 48.52 years (2005 est.)

Guyana

total population: 65.5 years

male: 62.86 years

female: 68.28 years (2005 est.)

Haiti

total population: 52.92 years

male: 51.58 years

female: 54.31 years (2005 est.)

Honduras

total population: 69.3 years

male: 67.71 years

female: 70.97 years (2005 est.)

Hong Kong

total population: 81.5 years

male: 78.81 years

female: 84.41 years (2005 est.)

Hungary

total population: 72.4 years

male: 68.18 years

female: 76.89 years (2005 est.)

Iceland

total population: 80.19 years

male: 78.13 years

female: 82.34 years (2005 est.)

India

total population: 64.35 years

male: 63.57 years

female: 65.16 years (2005 est.)

Indonesia

total population: 69.57 years

male: 67.13 years

female: 72.13 years (2005 est.)

Iran

total population: 69.96 years

male: 68.58 years

female: 71.4 years (2005 est.)

Iraq

total population: 68.7 years

male: 67.49 years

female: 69.97 years (2005 est.)

Ireland

total population: 77.56 years

male: 74.95 years

female: 80.34 years (2005 est.)

Israel

total population: 79.32 years

male: 77.21 years

female: 81.55 years (2005 est.)

Italy

total population: 79.68 years

male: 76.75 years

female: 82.81 years (2005 est.)

Jamaica

total population: 73.33 years

male: 71.63 years

female: 75.12 years (2005 est.)

Japan

total population: 81.15 years

male: 77.86 years

female: 84.61 years (2005 est.)

Jersey

total population: 79.24 years

male: 76.77 years

female: 81.91 years (2005 est.)

Jordan

total population: 78.24 years

male: 75.75 years

female: 80.88 years (2005 est.)

Kazakhstan

total population: 66.55 years

male: 61.21 years

female: 72.2 years (2005 est.)

Kenya

total population: 47.99 years

male: 48.87 years

female: 47.09 years (2005 est.)

Kiribati

total population: 61.71 years

male: 58.71 years

female: 64.86 years (2005 est.)

Korea, North

total population: 71.37 years

male: 68.65 years

female: 74.22 years (2005 est.)

Korea, South

total population: 76.85 years

male: 73.42 years

female: 80.57 years (2005 est.)

Kuwait

total population: 77.03 years

male: 76.01 years

female: 78.1 years (2005 est.)

Kyrgyzstan

total population: 68.16 years

male: 64.16 years

female: 72.38 years (2005 est.)

Laos

total population: 55.08 years

male: 53.07 years

female: 57.17 years (2005 est.)

Latvia

total population: 71.05 years

male: 65.78 years

female: 76.6 years (2005 est.)

Lebanon

total population: 72.63 years

male: 70.17 years

female: 75.21 years (2005 est.)

Lesotho

total population: 34.47 years

male: 35.49 years

female: 33.42 years (2005 est.)

Liberia

total population: 38.89 years

male: 37.03 years

female: 40.81 years (2005 est.)

Libya

total population: 76.5 years

male: 74.29 years

female: 78.82 years (2005 est.)

Liechtenstein

total population: 79.55 years

male: 75.96 years

female: 83.16 years (2005 est.)

Lithuania

total population: 73.97 years

male: 68.94 years

female: 79.28 years (2005 est.)

Luxembourg

total population: 78.74 years

male: 75.45 years

female: 82.24 years (2005 est.)

Macau

total population: 82.12 years

male: 79.29 years

female: 85.09 years (2005 est.)

Macedonia

total population: 73.73 years

male: 71.28 years

female: 76.37 years (2005 est.)

Madagascar

total population: 56.95 years

male: 54.57 years

female: 59.4 years (2005 est.)

Malawi

total population: 41.43 years

male: 41.66 years

female: 41.2 years (2005 est.)

Malaysia

total population: 72.24 years

male: 69.56 years

female: 75.11 years (2005 est.)

Maldives

total population: 64.06 years

male: 62.76 years

female: 65.42 years (2005 est.)

Mali

total population: 48.64 years

male: 46.68 years

female: 50.66 years (2005 est.)

Malta

total population: 78.86 years

male: 76.7 years

female: 81.15 years (2005 est.)

Man, Isle of

total population: 78.34 years

male: 74.98 years

female: 81.87 years (2005 est.)

Marshall Islands

total population: 70.01 years

male: 68.05 years

female: 72.06 years (2005 est.)

Martinique

total population: 79.04 years

male: 79.43 years

female: 78.64 years (2005 est.)

Mauritania

total population: 52.73 years

male: 50.52 years

female: 55 years (2005 est.)

Mauritius

total population: 72.38 years

male: 68.4 years

female: 76.41 years (2005 est.)

Mayotte

total population: 61.39 years

male: 59.22 years

female: 63.62 years (2005 est.)

Mexico

total population: 75.19 years

male: 72.42 years

female: 78.1 years (2005 est.)

Micronesia, Federated States of

total population: 69.75 years

male: 67.96 years

female: 71.62 years (2005 est.)

Moldova

total population: 65.18 years

male: 61.12 years

female: 69.43 years (2005 est.)

Monaco

total population: 79.57 years

male: 75.7 years

female: 83.63 years (2005 est.)

Mongolia

total population: 64.52 years

male: 62.3 years

female: 66.86 years (2005 est.)

Montserrat

total population: 78.71 years

male: 76.54 years

female: 80.98 years (2005 est.)

Morocco

total population: 70.66 years

male: 68.35 years

female: 73.07 years (2005 est.)

Mozambique

total population: 40.32 years

male: 39.9 years

female: 40.75 years (2005 est.)

Namibia

total population: 43.93 years

male: 44.71 years

female: 43.13 years (2005 est.)

Nauru

total population: 62.73 years

male: 59.16 years

female: 66.48 years (2005 est.)

Nepal

total population: 59.8 years

male: 60.09 years

female: 59.5 years (2005 est.)

Netherlands

total population: 78.81 years

male: 76.25 years

female: 81.51 years (2005 est.)

Netherlands Antilles

total population: 75.83 years

male: 73.58 years

female: 78.2 years (2005 est.)

New Caledonia

total population: 74.04 years

male: 71.07 years

female: 77.16 years (2005 est.)

New Zealand

total population: 78.66 years

male: 75.67 years

female: 81.78 years (2005 est.)

Nicaragua

total population: 70.33 years

male: 68.27 years

female: 72.49 years (2005 est.)

Niger

total population: 43.5 years

male: 43.54 years

female: 43.45 years (2005 est.)

Nigeria

total population: 46.74 years

male: 46.21 years

female: 47.29 years (2005 est.)

Niue

total population: NA

male: NA

female: NA

Norfolk Island

total population: NA

male: NA

female: NA

Northern Mariana Islands

total population: 75.88 years

male: 73.31 years

female: 78.61 years (2005 est.)

Norway

total population: 79.4 years

male: 76.78 years

female: 82.17 years (2005 est.)

Oman

total population: 73.13 years

male: 70.92 years

female: 75.46 years (2005 est.)

Pakistan

total population: 63 years

male: 62.04 years

female: 64.01 years (2005 est.)

Palau

total population: 70.14 years

male: 66.98 years

female: 73.48 years (2005 est.)

Panama

total population: 75.25 years

male: 72.68 years

female: 77.93 years (2005 est.)

Papua New Guinea

total population: 64.93 years

male: 62.76 years

female: 67.21 years (2005 est.)

Paraguay

total population: 74.89 years

male: 72.35 years

female: 77.55 years (2005 est.)

Peru

total population: 69.53 years

male: 67.77 years

female: 71.37 years (2005 est.)

Philippines

total population: 69.91 years

male: 67.03 years

female: 72.92 years (2005 est.)

Pitcairn Islands

total population: NA

male: NA

female: NA

Poland

total population: 74.74 years

male: 70.71 years

female: 79.03 years (2005 est.)

Portugal

total population: 77.53 years

male: 74.25 years

female: 81.03 years (2005 est.)

Puerto Rico

total population: 78.29 years

male: 74.35 years

female: 82.43 years (2005 est.)

Qatar

total population: 73.67 years

male: 71.15 years

female: 76.32 years (2005 est.)

Reunion

total population: 73.95 years

male: 70.55 years

female: 77.52 years (2005 est.)

Romania

total population: 71.35 years

male: 67.86 years

female: 75.06 years (2005 est.)

Russia

total population: 67.1 years

male: 60.55 years

female: 74.04 years (2005 est.)

Rwanda

total population: 46.96 years

male: 45.92 years

female: 48.03 years (2005 est.)

Saint Helena

total population: 77.76 years

male: 74.86 years

female: 80.81 years (2005 est.)

Saint Kitts and Nevis

total population: 72.15 years

male: 69.31 years

female: 75.16 years (2005 est.)

Saint Lucia

total population: 73.61 years

male: 70.05 years

female: 77.42 years (2005 est.)

Saint Pierre and Miquelon

total population: 78.46 years

male: 76.13 years

female: 80.9 years (2005 est.)

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

total population: 73.62 years

male: 71.78 years

female: 75.51 years (2005 est.)

Samoa

total population: 70.72 years

male: 67.93 years

female: 73.65 years (2005 est.)

San Marino

total population: 81.62 years

male: 78.13 years

female: 85.43 years (2005 est.)

Sao Tome and Principe

total population: 66.99 years

male: 65.43 years

female: 68.59 years (2005 est.)

Saudi Arabia

total population: 75.46 years

male: 73.46 years

female: 77.55 years (2005 est.)

Senegal

total population: 58.9 years

male: 57.37 years

female: 60.47 years (2005 est.)

Serbia and Montenegro

total population: 74.73 years

male: 72.15 years

female: 77.51 years (2005 est.)

Seychelles

total population: 71.82 years

male: 66.41 years

female: 77.4 years (2005 est.)

Sierra Leone

total population: 39.87 years

male: 37.74 years

female: 42.06 years (2005 est.)

Singapore

total population: 81.62 years

male: 79.05 years

female: 84.39 years (2005 est.)

Slovakia

total population: 74.5 years

male: 70.52 years

female: 78.68 years (2005 est.)

Slovenia

total population: 76.14 years

male: 72.42 years

female: 80.1 years (2005 est.)

Solomon Islands

total population: 72.66 years

male: 70.16 years

female: 75.28 years (2005 est.)

Somalia

total population: 48.09 years

male: 46.36 years

female: 49.87 years (2005 est.)

South Africa

total population: 43.27 years

male: 43.47 years

female: 43.06 years (2005 est.)

Spain

total population: 79.52 years

male: 76.18 years

female: 83.08 years (2005 est.)

Sri Lanka

total population: 73.17 years

male: 70.6 years

female: 75.86 years (2005 est.)

Sudan

total population: 58.54 years

male: 57.33 years

female: 59.8 years (2005 est.)

Suriname

total population: 68.96 years

male: 66.75 years

female: 71.27 years (2005 est.)

Svalbard

total population: NA years

male: NA years

female: NA years

Swaziland

total population: 33.22 years

male: 32.49 years

female: 33.98 years (2005 est.)

Sweden

total population: 80.4 years

male: 78.19 years

female: 82.74 years (2005 est.)

Switzerland

total population: 80.39 years

male: 77.58 years

female: 83.36 years (2005 est.)

Syria

total population: 70.03 years

male: 68.75 years

female: 71.38 years (2005 est.)

Taiwan

total population: 77.26 years

male: 74.49 years

female: 80.28 years (2005 est.)

Tajikistan

total population: 64.56 years

male: 61.68 years

female: 67.59 years (2005 est.)

Tanzania

total population: 45.24 years

male: 44.56 years

female: 45.94 years (2005 est.)

Thailand

total population: 71.95 years

male: 69.65 years

female: 74.37 years (2005 est.)

Togo

total population: 57.01 years

male: 55.02 years

female: 59.06 years (2005 est.)

Tokelau

total population: NA

male: -9 years

female: -9 years (2005 est.)

Tonga

total population: 69.53 years

male: 67.05 years

female: 72.14 years (2005 est.)

Trinidad and Tobago

total population: 66.73 years

male: 65.6 years

female: 67.91 years (2005 est.)

Tunisia

total population: 74.89 years

male: 73.2 years

female: 76.71 years (2005 est.)

Turkey

total population: 72.36 years

male: 69.94 years

female: 74.91 years (2005 est.)

Turkmenistan

total population: 61.39 years

male: 58.02 years

female: 64.93 years (2005 est.)

Turks and Caicos Islands

total population: 74.51 years

male: 72.28 years

female: 76.84 years (2005 est.)

Tuvalu

total population: 68.01 years

male: 65.79 years

female: 70.33 years (2005 est.)

Uganda

total population: 51.59 years

male: 50.74 years

female: 52.46 years (2005 est.)

Ukraine

total population: 69.68 years

male: 64.39 years

female: 75.31 years (2005 est.)

United Arab Emirates

total population: 75.24 years

male: 72.73 years

female: 77.87 years (2005 est.)

United Kingdom

total population: 78.38 years

male: 75.94 years

female: 80.96 years (2005 est.)

United States

total population: 77.71 years

male: 74.89 years

female: 80.67 years (2005 est.)

Uruguay

total population: 76.13 years

male: 72.92 years

female: 79.45 years (2005 est.)

Uzbekistan

total population: 64.19 years

male: 60.82 years

female: 67.73 years (2005 est.)

Vanuatu

total population: 62.49 years

male: 61 years

female: 64.05 years (2005 est.)

Venezuela

total population: 74.31 years

male: 71.27 years

female: 77.58 years (2005 est.)

Vietnam

total population: 70.61 years

male: 67.82 years

female: 73.6 years (2005 est.)

Virgin Islands

total population: 78.91 years

male: 75.08 years

female: 82.96 years (2005 est.)

Wallis and Futuna

total population: NA years

male: NA years

female: NA years

West Bank

total population: 73.08 years

male: 71.33 years

female: 74.95 years (2005 est.)

Western Sahara

total population: NA years

male: NA years

female: NA years

World

total population: 64.33 years

male: 62.73 years

female: 66.04 years (2005 est.)

Yemen

total population: 61.75 years

male: 59.89 years

female: 63.71 years (2005 est.)

Zambia

total population: 39.7 years

male: 39.43 years

female: 39.98 years (2005 est.)

Zimbabwe

total population: 39.13 years

male: 40.2 years

female: 38.03 years (2005 est.)

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2103 Literacy (%)

Afghanistan

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 36%

male: 51%

female: 21% (1999 est.)

Albania

definition: age 9 and over can read and write

total population: 86.5%

male: 93.3%

female: 79.5% (2003 est.)

Algeria

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 70%

male: 78.8%

female: 61% (2003 est.)

American Samoa

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 97%

male: 98%

female: 97% (1980 est.)

Andorra

definition: NA

total population: 100%

male: NA%

female: NA%

Angola

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 66.8%

male: 82.1%

female: 53.8% (2001 est.)

Anguilla

definition: age 12 and over can read and write

total population: 95%

male: 95%

female: 95% (1984 est.)

Antigua and Barbuda

definition: age 15 and over has completed five

or more years of schooling

total population: 89%

male: 90%

female: 88% (1960 est.)

Argentina

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 97.1%

male: 97.1%

female: 97.1% (2003 est.)

Armenia

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 98.6%

male: 99.4%

female: 98% (2003 est.)

Aruba

definition:

total population: 97%

male: NA%

female: NA%

Australia

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 100%

male: 100%

female: 100% (1980 est.)

Austria

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 98%

male: NA%

female: NA%

Azerbaijan

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 98.8%

male: 99.5%

female: 98.2% (1999 est.)

Bahamas, The

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 95.6%

male: 94.7%

female: 96.5% (2003 est.)

Bahrain

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 89.1%

male: 91.9%

female: 85% (2003 est.)

Bangladesh

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 43.1%

male: 53.9%

female: 31.8% (2003 est.)

Barbados

definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school

total population: 99.7%

male: 99.7%

female: 99.7% (2002 est.)

Belarus

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 99.6%

male: 99.8%

female: 99.5% (2003 est.)

Belgium

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 98%

male: NA%

female: NA%

Belize

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 94.1%

male: 94.1%

female: 94.1% (2003 est.)

Benin

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 33.6%

male: 46.4%

female: 22.6% (2002 est.)

Bermuda

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 98%

male: 98%

female: 99% (1970 est.)

Bhutan

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 42.2%

male: 56.2%

female: 28.1% (1995 est.)

Bolivia

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 87.2%

male: 93.1%

female: 81.6% (2003 est.)

Bosnia and Herzegovina

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 94.6%

male: 98.4%

female: 91.1% (2000 est.)

Botswana

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 79.8%

male: 76.9%

female: 82.4% (2003 est.)

Brazil

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 86.4%

male: 86.1%

female: 86.6% (2003 est.)

British Virgin Islands

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 97.8% (1991 est.)

male: NA%

female: NA%

Brunei

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 93.9%

male: 96.3%

female: 91.4% (2002)

Bulgaria

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 98.6%

male: 99.1%

female: 98.2% (2003 est.)

Burkina Faso

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 26.6%

male: 36.9%

female: 16.6% (2003 est.)

Burma

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 85.3%

male: 89.2%

female: 81.4% (2002)

Burundi

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 51.6%

male: 58.5%

female: 45.2% (2003 est.)

Cambodia

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 73.6%

male: 84.7%

female: 64.1% (2004 est.)

Cameroon

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 79%

male: 84.7%

female: 73.4% (2003 est.)

Canada

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 97% (1986 est.)

male: NA%

female: NA%

Cape Verde

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 76.6%

male: 85.8%

female: 69.2% (2003 est.)

Cayman Islands

definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school

total population: 98%

male: 98%

female: 98% (1970 est.)

Central African Republic

definition: age 15 and over can read and

write

total population: 51%

male: 63.3%

female: 39.9% (2003 est.)

Chad

definition: age 15 and over can read and write French or Arabic

total population: 47.5%

male: 56%

female: 39.3% (2003 est.)

Chile

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 96.2%

male: 96.4%

female: 96.1% (2003 est.)

China

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 90.9%

male: 95.1%

female: 86.5% (2002)

Christmas Island

NA

Colombia

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 92.5%

male: 92.4%

female: 92.6% (2003 est.)

Comoros

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 56.5%

male: 63.6%

female: 49.3% (2003 est.)

Congo, Democratic Republic of the

definition: age 15 and over can

read and write French, Lingala, Kingwana, or Tshiluba

total population: 65.5%

male: 76.2%

female: 55.1% (2003 est.)

Congo, Republic of the

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 83.8%

male: 89.6%

female: 78.4% (2003 est.)

Cook Islands

definition: NA

total population: 95%

male: NA%

female: NA%

Costa Rica

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 96%

male: 95.9%

female: 96.1% (2003 est.)

Cote d'Ivoire

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 50.9%

male: 57.9%

female: 43.6% (2003 est.)

Croatia

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 98.5%

male: 99.4%

female: 97.8% (2003 est.)

Cuba

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 97%

male: 97.2%

female: 96.9% (2003 est.)

Cyprus

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 97.6%

male: 98.9%

female: 96.3% (2003 est.)

Czech Republic

definition: NA

total population: 99.9% (1999 est.)

male: NA%

female: NA%

Denmark

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 100%

male: 100%

female: 100%

Djibouti

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 67.9%

male: 78%

female: 58.4% (2003 est.)

Dominica

definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school

total population: 94%

male: 94%

female: 94% (2003 est.)

Dominican Republic

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 84.7%

male: 84.6%

female: 84.8% (2003 est.)

East Timor

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 58.6% (2002)

Ecuador

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 92.5%

male: 94%

female: 91% (2003 est.)

Egypt

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 57.7%

male: 68.3%

female: 46.9% (2003 est.)

El Salvador

definition: age 10 and over can read and write

total population: 80.2%

male: 82.8%

female: 77.7% (2003 est.)

Equatorial Guinea

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 85.7%

male: 93.3%

female: 78.4% (2003 est.)

Eritrea

definition: NA

total population: 58.6%

male: 69.9%

female: 47.6% (2003 est.)

Estonia

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 99.8%

male: 99.8%

female: 99.8% (2003 est.)

Ethiopia

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 42.7%

male: 50.3%

female: 35.1% (2003 est.)

Faroe Islands definition: NA total population: NA% male: NA% female: NA% note: probably the same as Denmark proper

Fiji

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 93.7%

male: 95.5%

female: 91.9% (2003 est.)

Finland

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 100% (2000 est.)

male: 100%

female: 100%

France

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 99%

male: 99%

female: 99% (1980 est.)

French Guiana

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 83%

male: 84%

female: 82% (1982 est.)

French Polynesia

definition: age 14 and over can read and write

total population: 98%

male: 98%

female: 98% (1977 est.)

Gabon

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 63.2%

male: 73.7%

female: 53.3% (1995 est.)

Gambia, The

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 40.1%

male: 47.8%

female: 32.8% (2003 est.)

Gaza Strip

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 91.9%

male: 96.3%

female: 87.4% (2003 est.)

Georgia

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 99%

male: 100%

female: 98% (1999 est.)

Germany

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 99% (1997 est.)

male: NA%

female: NA%

Ghana

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 74.8%

male: 82.7%

female: 67.1% (2003 est.)

Gibraltar

definition: NA

total population: above 80%

male: NA%

female: NA%

Greece

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 97.5%

male: 98.6%

female: 96.5% (2003 est.)

Greenland definition: NA total population: NA% male: NA% female: NA% note: similar to Denmark proper

Grenada

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 98%

male: 98%

female: 98% (1970 est.)

Guadeloupe

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 90%

male: 90%

female: 90% (1982 est.)

Guam

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 99%

male: 99%

female: 99% (1990 est.)

Guatemala

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 70.6%

male: 78%

female: 63.3% (2003 est.)

Guernsey

definition: NA

total population: NA%

male: NA%

female: NA%

Guinea

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 35.9%

male: 49.9%

female: 21.9% (1995 est.)

Guinea-Bissau

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 42.4%

male: 58.1%

female: 27.4% (2003 est.)

Guyana

definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school

total population: 98.8%

male: 99.1%

female: 98.5% (2003 est.)

Haiti

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 52.9%

male: 54.8%

female: 51.2% (2003 est.)

Holy See (Vatican City)

definition: NA

total population: 100%

male: 100%

female: 100%

Honduras

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 76.2%

male: 76.1%

female: 76.3% (2003 est.)

Hong Kong

definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school

total population: 93.5%

male: 96.9%

female: 89.6% (2002)

Hungary

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 99.4%

male: 99.5%

female: 99.3% (2003 est.)

Iceland

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 99.9% (1997 est.)

male: NA%

female: NA%

India

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 59.5%

male: 70.2%

female: 48.3% (2003 est.)

Indonesia

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 87.9%

male: 92.5%

female: 83.4% (2002 est.)

Iran

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 79.4%

male: 85.6%

female: 73% (2003 est.)

Iraq

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 40.4%

male: 55.9%

female: 24.4% (2003 est.)

Ireland

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 98% (1981 est.)

male: NA%

female: NA%

Israel

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 95.4%

male: 97.3%

female: 93.6% (2003 est.)

Italy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 98.6%

male: 99%

female: 98.3% (2003 est.)

Jamaica

definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school

total population: 87.9%

male: 84.1%

female: 91.6% (2003 est.)

Japan

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 99%

male: 99%

female: 99% (2002)

Jersey

definition: NA

total population: NA%

male: NA%

female: NA%

Jordan

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 91.3%

male: 95.9%

female: 86.3% (2003 est.)

Kazakhstan

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 98.4%

male: 99.1%

female: 97.7% (1999 est.)

Kenya

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 85.1%

male: 90.6%

female: 79.7% (2003 est.)

Kiribati

definition: NA

total population: NA%

male: NA%

female: NA%

Korea, North

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 99%

male: 99%

female: 99%

Korea, South

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 97.9%

male: 99.2%

female: 96.6% (2002)

Kuwait

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 83.5%

male: 85.1%

female: 81.7% (2003 est.)

Kyrgyzstan

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 98.7%

male: 99.3%

female: 98.1% (1999 est.)

Laos

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 66.4%

male: 77.4%

female: 55.5% (2002)

Latvia

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 99.8%

male: 99.8%

female: 99.8% (2003 est.)

Lebanon

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 87.4%

male: 93.1%

female: 82.2% (2003 est.)

Lesotho

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 84.8%

male: 74.5%

female: 94.5% (2003 est.)

Liberia

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 57.5%

male: 73.3%

female: 41.6% (2003 est.)

Libya

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 82.6%

male: 92.4%

female: 72% (2003 est.)

Liechtenstein

definition: age 10 and over can read and write

total population: 100%

male: 100%

female: 100%

Lithuania

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 99.6%

male: 99.7%

female: 99.6% (2003 est.)

Luxembourg

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 100%

male: 100%

female: 100% (2000 est.)

Macau

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 94.5%

male: 97.2%

female: 92% (2003 est.)

Macedonia

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 96.1%

male: 98.2%

female: 94.1% (2002 est.)

Madagascar

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 68.9%

male: 75.5%

female: 62.5% (2003 est.)

Malawi

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 62.7%

male: 76.1%

female: 49.8% (2003 est.)

Malaysia

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 88.7%

male: 92%

female: 85.4% (2002)

Maldives

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 97.2%

male: 97.1%

female: 97.3% (2003 est.)

Mali

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 46.4%

male: 53.5%

female: 39.6% (2003 est.)

Malta

definition: age 10 and over can read and write

total population: 92.8%

male: 92%

female: 93.6% (2003 est.)

Man, Isle of

definition: NA

total population: NA%

male: NA%

female: NA%

Marshall Islands

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 93.7%

male: 93.6%

female: 93.7% (1999)

Martinique

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 97.7%

male: 97.4%

female: 98.1% (2003 est.)

Mauritania

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 41.7%

male: 51.8%

female: 31.9% (2003 est.)

Mauritius

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 85.6%

male: 88.6%

female: 82.7% (2003 est.)

Mayotte

definition: NA

total population: NA%

male: NA%

female: NA%

Mexico

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 92.2%

male: 94%

female: 90.5% (2003 est.)

Micronesia, Federated States of

definition: age 15 and over can read

and write

total population: 89%

male: 91%

female: 88% (1980 est.)

Moldova

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 99.1%

male: 99.6%

female: 98.7% (2003 est.)

Monaco

definition: NA

total population: 99%

male: NA%

female: NA%

Mongolia

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 97.8%

male: 98%

female: 97.5% (2002)

Montserrat

definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school

total population: 97%

male: 97%

female: 97% (1970 est.)

Morocco

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 51.7%

male: 64.1%

female: 39.4% (2003 est.)

Mozambique

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 47.8%

male: 63.5%

female: 32.7% (2003 est.)

Namibia

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 84%

male: 84.4%

female: 83.7% (2003 est.)

Nauru

definition: NA

total population: NA%

male: NA%

female: NA%

Nepal

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 45.2%

male: 62.7%

female: 27.6% (2003 est.)

Netherlands

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 99% (2000 est.)

male: NA%

female: NA%

Netherlands Antilles

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 96.7%

male: 96.7%

female: 96.8% (2003 est.)

New Caledonia

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 91%

male: 92%

female: 90% (1976 est.)

New Zealand

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 99% (1980 est.)

male: NA%

female: NA%

Nicaragua

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 67.5%

male: 67.2%

female: 67.8% (2003 est.)

Niger

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 17.6%

male: 25.8%

female: 9.7% (2003 est.)

Nigeria

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 68%

male: 75.7%

female: 60.6% (2003 est.)

Niue

definition: NA

total population: 95%

male: NA%

female: NA%

Norfolk Island

NA

Northern Mariana Islands

definition: age 15 and over can read and

write

total population: 97%

male: 97%

female: 96% (1980 est.)

Norway

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 100%

male: 100%

female: 100%

Oman

definition: NA

total population: 75.8%

male: 83.1%

female: 67.2% (2003 est.)

Pakistan

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 48.7%

male: 61.7%

female: 35.2% (2004 est.)

Palau

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 92%

male: 93%

female: 90% (1980 est.)

Panama

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 92.6%

male: 93.2%

female: 91.9% (2003 est.)

Papua New Guinea

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 64.6%

male: 71.1%

female: 57.7% (2002)

Paraguay

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 94%

male: 94.9%

female: 93% (2003 est.)

Peru

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 87.7%

male: 93.5%

female: 82.1% (2004 est.)

Philippines

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 92.6%

male: 92.5%

female: 92.7% (2002)

Pitcairn Islands

NA

Poland

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 99.8%

male: 99.8%

female: 99.7% (2003 est.)

Portugal

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 93.3%

male: 95.5%

female: 91.3% (2003 est.)

Puerto Rico

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 94.1%

male: 93.9%

female: 94.4% (2002 est.)

Qatar

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 89%

male: 89.1%

female: 88.6% (2004 est.)

Reunion

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 88.9%

male: 87%

female: 90.8% (2003 est.)

Romania

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 98.4%

male: 99.1%

female: 97.7% (2003 est.)

Russia

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 99.6%

male: 99.7%

female: 99.5% (2003 est.)

Rwanda

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 70.4%

male: 76.3%

female: 64.7% (2003 est.)

Saint Helena

definition: age 20 and over can read and write

total population: 97%

male: 97%

female: 98% (1987 est.)

Saint Kitts and Nevis

definition: age 15 and over has ever attended

school

total population: 97%

male: 97%

female: 98% (1980 est.)

Saint Lucia

definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school

total population: 90.1%

male: 89.5%

female: 90.6% (2001 est.)

Saint Pierre and Miquelon

definition: age 15 and over can read and

write

total population: 99%

male: 99%

female: 99% (1982 est.)

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

definition: age 15 and over has

ever attended school

total population: 96%

male: 96%

female: 96% (1970 est.)

Samoa

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 99.7%

male: 99.6%

female: 99.7% (2003 est.)

San Marino

definition: age 10 and over can read and write

total population: 96%

male: 97%

female: 95% (1976 est.)

Sao Tome and Principe

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 79.3%

male: 85%

female: 62% (1991 est.)

Saudi Arabia

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 78.8%

male: 84.7%

female: 70.8% (2003 est.)

Senegal

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 40.2%

male: 50%

female: 30.7% (2003 est.)

Serbia and Montenegro

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 96.4%

male: 98.9%

female: 94.1% (2002 est.)

Seychelles

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 91.9%

male: 91.4%

female: 92.3% (2003 est.)

Sierra Leone

definition: age 15 and over can read and write English,

Mende, Temne, or Arabic

total population: 29.6%

male: 39.8%

female: 20.5% (2000 est.)

Singapore

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 92.5%

male: 96.6%

female: 88.6% (2002)

Slovakia

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 99.6%

male: 99.7%

female: 99.6% (2001 est.)

Slovenia

definition: NA

total population: 99.7%

male: 99.7%

female: 99.6% (2003 est.)

Solomon Islands

definition: NA

total population: NA%

male: NA%

female: NA%

Somalia

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 37.8%

male: 49.7%

female: 25.8% (2001 est.)

South Africa

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 86.4%

male: 87%

female: 85.7% (2003 est.)

Spain

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 97.9%

male: 98.7%

female: 97.2% (2003 est.)

Sri Lanka

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 92.3%

male: 94.8%

female: 90% (2003 est.)

Sudan

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 61.1%

male: 71.8%

female: 50.5% (2003 est.)

Suriname

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 88%

male: 92.3%

female: 84.1% (2000 est.)

Svalbard

NA

Swaziland

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 81.6%

male: 82.6%

female: 80.8% (2003 est.)

Sweden

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 99% (1979 est.)

male: NA%

female: NA%

Switzerland

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 99% (1980 est.)

male: NA%

female: NA%

Syria

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 76.9%

male: 89.7%

female: 64% (2003 est.)

Taiwan

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 96.1% (2003)

Tajikistan

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 99.4%

male: 99.6%

female: 99.1% (2003 est.)

Tanzania

definition: age 15 and over can read and write Kiswahili

(Swahili), English, or Arabic

total population: 78.2%

male: 85.9%

female: 70.7% (2003 est.)

Thailand

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 92.6%

male: 94.9%

female: 90.5% (2002)

Togo

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 60.9%

male: 75.4%

female: 46.9% (2003 est.)

Tokelau

NA

Tonga

definition: can read and write Tongan and/or English

total population: 98.9%

male: 98.8%

female: 99% (1996 est.)

Trinidad and Tobago

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 98.6%

male: 99.1%

female: 98% (2003 est.)

Tunisia

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 74.3%

male: 83.4%

female: 65.3% (2004 est.)

Turkey

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 86.5%

male: 94.3%

female: 78.7% (2003 est.)

Turkmenistan

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 98.8%

male: 99.3%

female: 98.3% (1995 est.)

Turks and Caicos Islands

definition: age 15 and over has ever

attended school

total population: 98%

male: 99%

female: 98% (1970 est.)

Tuvalu

definition: NA

total population: NA%

male: NA%

female: NA%

Uganda

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 69.9%

male: 79.5%

female: 60.4% (2003 est.)

Ukraine

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 99.7%

male: 99.8%

female: 99.6% (2003 est.)

United Arab Emirates

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 77.9%

male: 76.1%

female: 81.7% (2003 est.)

United Kingdom

definition: age 15 and over has completed five or

more years of schooling

total population: 99% (2000 est.)

male: NA%

female: NA%

United States

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 97%

male: 97%

female: 97% (1999 est.)

Uruguay

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 98%

male: 97.6%

female: 98.4% (2003 est.)

Uzbekistan

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 99.3%

male: 99.6%

female: 99% (2003 est.)

Vanuatu

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 74%

male: NA%

female: NA% (1999 est.)

Venezuela

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 93.4%

male: 93.8%

female: 93.1% (2003 est.)

Vietnam

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 90.3%

male: 93.9%

female: 86.9% (2002)

Virgin Islands

definition: NA

total population: NA%

male: NA%

female: NA%

Wallis and Futuna

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 50%

male: 50%

female: 50% (1969 est.)

West Bank

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 91.9%

male: 96.3%

female: 87.4% (2003 est.)

Western Sahara

definition: NA

total population: NA%

male: NA%

female: NA%

World

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 82%

male: 87%

female: 77%

note: over two-thirds of the world's 785 million illiterate adults

are found in only eight countries (India, China, Bangladesh,

Pakistan, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Indonesia, and Egypt); of all the

illiterate adults in the world, two-thirds are women; extremely low

literacy rates are concentrated in three regions, South and West

Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, and the Arab states, where around

one-third of the men and half of all women are illiterate (2005 est.)

Yemen

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 50.2%

male: 70.5%

female: 30% (2003 est.)

Zambia

definition: age 15 and over can read and write English

total population: 80.6%

male: 86.8%

female: 74.8% (2003 est.)

Zimbabwe

definition: age 15 and over can read and write English

total population: 90.7%

male: 94.2%

female: 87.2% (2003 est.)

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2105 Manpower available for military service

Afghanistan

males age 22-49: 4,952,812 (2005 est.)

Albania

males age 19-49: 809,524 (2005 est.)

Algeria

males age 19-49: 8,033,049 (2005 est.)

Angola

males age 17-49: 2,423,221 (2005 est.)

Argentina

males age 18-49: 8,981,886 (2005 est.)

Armenia

males age 18-49: 722,836 (2005 est.)

Australia

males age 16-49: 4,943,676 (2005 est.)

Austria

males age 18-49: 1,914,800 (2005 est.)

Azerbaijan

males age 18-49: 1,961,973 (2005 est.)

Bahrain

males age 18-49: 202,126 (2005 est.)

Bangladesh

males age 18-49: 35,170,019 (2005 est.)

Barbados

males age 18-49: 71,330 (2005 est.)

Belarus

males age 18-49: 2,520,644 (2005 est.)

Belgium

males age 16-49: 2,436,736 (2005 est.)

Belize

males age 18-49: 60,750 (2005 est.)

Benin

males age 21-49: 1,207,071

females age 21-49: 1,216,180 (2005 est.)

Bhutan

males age 18-49: 483,860 (2005 est.)

Bolivia

males age 18-49: 1,923,234 (2005 est.)

Bosnia and Herzegovina

males age 18-49: 1,034,367 (2005 est.)

Botswana

males age 18-49: 350,649 (2005 est.)

Brazil

males age 19-49: 45,586,036 (2005 est.)

Brunei

males age 18-49: 103,885 (2005 est.)

Bulgaria

males age 18-49: 1,661,211 (2005 est.)

Burkina Faso

males age 18-49: 2,664,572 (2005 est.)

Burma

males age 18-49: 11,254,374

females age 18-49: 11,303,100 (2005 est.)

Burundi

males age 16-49: 1,379,793 (2005 est.)

Cambodia

males age 18-49: 2,981,823 (2005 est.)

Cameroon

males age 18-49: 3,410,440 (2005 est.)

Canada

males age 16-49: 8,216,510 (2005 est.)

Cape Verde

males age 18-49: 84,641 (2005 est.)

Central African Republic

males age 18-49: 758,103 (2005 est.)

Chad

males age 20-49: 1,559,382 (2005 est.)

Chile

males age 18-49: 3,815,761 (2005 est.)

China

males age 18-49: 342,956,265 (2005 est.)

Colombia

males age 18-49: 10,212,456 (2005 est.)

Comoros

males age 18-49: 138,940 (2005 est.)

Congo, Democratic Republic of the males age 18-49: 11,052,696 (2005 est.)

Congo, Republic of the

males age 18-49: 686,123 (2005 est.)

Costa Rica

males age 18-49: 997,690 (2005 est.)

Cote d'Ivoire

males age 18-49: 3,696,106 (2005 est.)

Croatia

males age 18-49: 1,005,058 (2005 est.)

Cuba

males age 17-49: 2,967,865

females age 17-49: 2,913,559 (2005 est.)

Cyprus

males age 18-49: 184,352 (2005 est.)

Czech Republic

males age 18-49: 2,414,728 (2005 est.)

Denmark

males age 18-49: 1,175,108 (2005 est.)

Djibouti

males age 18-49: 95,328 (2005 est.)

Dominican Republic

males age 18-49: 2,108,197 (2005 est.)

East Timor

NA

Ecuador

males age 20-49: 2,792,770 (2005 est.)

Egypt

males age 18-49: 18,347,560 (2005 est.)

El Salvador

males age 18-49: 1,391,278 (2005 est.)

Equatorial Guinea

males age 18-49: 106,571 (2005 est.)

Estonia

males age 18-49: 291,696 (2005 est.)

Ethiopia

males age 18-49: 14,568,277 (2005 est.)

Fiji

males age 18-49: 215,104 (2005 est.)

Finland

males age 18-49: 1,121,275 (2005 est.)

France

males age 17-49: 13,676,509 (2005 est.)

French Guiana

males age 18-49: 47,809 (2005 est.)

Gabon

males age 18-49: 276,310 (2005 est.)

Gambia, The

males age 18-49: 309,279 (2005 est.)

Georgia

males age 18-49: 1,038,736 (2005 est.)

Germany

males age 18-49: 18,917,537 (2005 est.)

Ghana

males age 18-49: 4,761,226 (2005 est.)

Greece

males age 18-49: 2,459,988 (2005 est.)

Guatemala

males age 18-49: 3,020,292 (2005 est.)

Guinea

males age 18-49: 1,853,316 (2005 est.)

Guinea-Bissau

males age 18-49: 288,770 (2005 est.)

Guyana

males age 18-49: 206,098 (2005 est.)

Haiti

males age 18-49: 1,626,491 (2005 est.)

Honduras

males age 18-49: 1,448,369 (2005 est.)

Hong Kong

males age 18-49: 1,743,972 (2005 est.)

Hungary

males age 18-49: 2,303,116 (2005 est.)

Iceland

males age 18-49: 69,038 (2005 est.)

India

males age 16-49: 287,551,111 (2005 est.)

Indonesia

males age 18-49: 60,543,028 (2005 est.)

Iran

males age 18-49: 18,319,545 (2005 est.)

Iraq

males age 18-49: 5,870,640 (2005 est.)

Ireland

males age 17-49: 977,092 (2005 est.)

Israel

males age 17-49: 1,492,125

females age 17-49: 1,443,916 (2005 est.)

Italy

males age 18-49: 13,491,260 (2005 est.)

Jamaica

males age 18-49: 696,900 (2005 est.)

Japan

males age 18-49: 27,003,112 (2005 est.)

Jordan

males age 17-49: 1,573,995 (2005 est.)

Kazakhstan

males age 18-49: 3,758,255 (2005 est.)

Kenya

males age 18-49: 7,303,153 (2005 est.)

Korea, North

males age 17-49: 5,851,801 (2005 est.)

Korea, South

males age 20-49: 12,458,257 (2005 est.)

Kuwait

males age 18-49: 864,745 (2005 est.)

Kyrgyzstan

males age 18-49: 1,193,529 (2005 est.)

Laos

males age 15-49: 1,500,625 (2005 est.)

Latvia

males age 19-49: 517,713 (2005 est.)

Lebanon

males age 18-49: 974,363 (2005 est.)

Lesotho

males age 18-49: 400,457 (2005 est.)

Liberia

males age 18-49: 659,795 (2005 est.)

Libya

males age 17-49: 1,505,675 (2005 est.)

Lithuania

males age 19-49: 830,368 (2005 est.)

Luxembourg

males age 17-49: 110,867 (2005 est.)

Macau

males age 18-49: 112,744 (2005 est.)

Macedonia

males age 18-49: 498,259 (2005 est.)

Madagascar

males age 18-49: 3,542,797 (2005 est.)

Malawi

males age 18-49: 2,320,190 (2005 est.)

Malaysia

males age 18-49: 5,584,231 (2005 est.)

Maldives

males age 18-49: 71,774 (2005 est.)

Mali

males age 18-49: 2,206,728 (2005 est.)

Malta

males age 18-49: 90,651 (2005 est.)

Mauritania

males age 18-49: 606,463 (2005 est.)

Mauritius

males age 18-49: 313,271 (2005 est.)

Mexico

males age 18-49: 24,488,008 (2005 est.)

Moldova

males age 18-49: 1,066,459 (2005 est.)

Mongolia

males age 18-49: 736,182 (2005 est.)

Morocco

males age 18-49: 7,908,864 (2005 est.)

Mozambique

males age 18-49: 3,793,373 (2005 est.)

Namibia

males age 18-49: 441,293 (2005 est.)

Nauru

males age 18-49: 2,874 (2005 est.)

Nepal

males age 18-49: 6,107,091 (2005 est.)

Netherlands

males age 20-49: 3,557,918 (2005 est.)

Netherlands Antilles

males age 16-49: 54,200 (2005 est.)

New Zealand

males age 17-49: 984,700 (2005 est.)

Nicaragua

males age 17-49: 1,309,970 (2005 est.)

Niger

males age 18-49: 2,135,680 (2005 est.)

Nigeria

males age 18-49: 26,804,314 (2005 est.)

Norway

males age 18-49: 1,014,592 (2005 est.)

Oman

males age 18-49: 719,871 (2005 est.)

Pakistan

males age 16-49: 39,028,014 (2005 est.)

Panama

males age 18-49: 733,031 (2005 est.)

Papua New Guinea

males age 18-49: 1,264,728 (2005 est.)

Paraguay

males age 18-49: 1,345,022 (2005 est.)

Peru

males age 18-49: 6,647,874 (2005 est.)

Philippines

males age 18-49: 20,131,179 (2005 est.)

Poland

males age 17-49: 9,673,712 (2005 est.)

Portugal

males age 18-49: 2,435,042 (2005 est.)

Qatar

males age 18-49: 302,873

note: includes non-nationals (2005 est.)

Reunion

males age 18-49: 183,421 (2005 est.)

Romania

males age 20-49: 5,061,984 (2005 est.)

Russia

males age 18-49: 35,247,049 (2005 est.)

Rwanda

males age 16-49: 2,004,750 (2005 est.)

Sao Tome and Principe

males age 18-49: 33,438 (2005 est.)

Saudi Arabia

males age 18-49: 7,648,999 (2005 est.)

Senegal

males age 18-49: 2,183,343 (2005 est.)

Serbia and Montenegro

males age 19-49: 2,389,729 (2005 est.)

Seychelles

males age 18-49: 21,612 (2005 est.)

Sierra Leone

males age 18-49: 1,110,077 (2005 est.)

Singapore

males age 18-49: 1,215,568 (2005 est.)

Slovakia

males age 18-49: 1,351,848 (2005 est.)

Slovenia

males age 17-49: 496,929 (2005 est.)

Somalia

males age 18-49: 1,787,727 (2005 est.)

South Africa

males age 18-49: 10,354,769 (2005 est.)

Spain

males age 20-49: 9,366,588 (2005 est.)

Sri Lanka

males age 18-49: 4,933,217 (2005 est.)

Sudan

males age 18-49: 8,291,695 (2005 est.)

Suriname

males age 18-49: 111,582 (2005 est.)

Swaziland

males age 18-49: 248,676 (2005 est.)

Sweden

males age 19-49: 1,838,427 (2005 est.)

Switzerland

males age 19-49: 1,707,694 (2005 est.)

Syria

males age 18-49: 4,356,413 (2005 est.)

Taiwan

males age 19-49: 5,883,828 (2005 est.)

Tajikistan

males age 18-49: 1,556,415 (2005 est.)

Tanzania

males age 18-49: 7,422,869 (2005 est.)

Thailand

males age 21-49: 14.984 million (2005 est.)

Togo

males age 18-49: 1,148,890 (2005 est.)

Trinidad and Tobago

males age 18-49: 293,094 (2005 est.)

Tunisia

males age 20-49: 2,441,741 (2005 est.)

Turkey

males age 20-49: 16,756,323 (2005 est.)

Turkmenistan

males age 18-49: 1,132,833 (2005 est.)

Uganda

males age 18-49: 5,012,620 (2005 est.)

Ukraine

males age 18-49: 11,067,239 (2005 est.)

United Arab Emirates males age 18-49: 653,181 note: includes non-nationals (2005 est.)

United Kingdom males age 16-49: 14,607,724 (2005 est.)

United States males age 18-49: 67,742,879 females age 18-49: 67,070,144 (2005 est.)

Uruguay

males age 18-49: 764,408 (2005 est.)

Uzbekistan

males age 18-49: 6,340,220 (2005 est.)

Venezuela

males age 18-49: 6,236,012 (2005 est.)

Vietnam

males age 18-49: 21,341,813 (2005 est.)

Yemen

males age 18-49: 4,058,223 (2005 est.)

Zambia

males age 18-49: 2,219,739 (2005 est.)

Zimbabwe

males age 18-49: 2,840,053 (2005 est.)

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2106 Maritime claims

Afghanistan

none (landlocked)

Albania

territorial sea: 12 nm

continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

Algeria

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive fishing zone: 32-52 nm

American Samoa

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Andorra

none (landlocked)

Angola

territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 24 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Anguilla

territorial sea: 3 nm

exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm

Antarctica

Australia, Chile, and Argentina claim Exclusive Economic

Zone (EEZ) rights or similar over 200 nm extensions seaward from

their continental claims, but like the claims themselves, these

zones are not accepted by other countries; 20 of 27 Antarctic

consultative nations have made no claims to Antarctic territory

(although Russia and the US have reserved the right to do so) and do

not recognize the claims of the other nations; also see the Disputes

- international entry

Antigua and Barbuda

territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 24 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin

Argentina

territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 24 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin

Armenia

none (landlocked)

Aruba

territorial sea: 12 nm

Ashmore and Cartier Islands

territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 12 nm

continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm

Australia

territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 24 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin

Austria

none (landlocked)

Azerbaijan

none (landlocked)

Bahamas, The

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Bahrain

territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 24 nm

continental shelf: extending to boundaries to be determined

Baker Island

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Bangladesh

territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 18 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

continental shelf: up to the outer limits of the continental margin

Barbados

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Bassas da India

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Belarus

none (landlocked)

Belgium

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: geographic coordinates define outer limit

continental shelf: median line with neighbors

Belize

territorial sea: 12 nm in the north, 3 nm in the south; note

- from the mouth of the Sarstoon River to Ranguana Cay, Belize's

territorial sea is 3 nm; according to Belize's Maritime Areas Act,

1992, the purpose of this limitation is to provide a framework for

negotiating a definitive agreement on territorial differences with

Guatemala

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Benin

territorial sea: 200 nm

Bermuda

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm

Bhutan

none (landlocked)

Bolivia

none (landlocked)

Bosnia and Herzegovina

no data available

Botswana

none (landlocked)

Bouvet Island

territorial sea: 4 nm

Brazil

territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 24 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

continental shelf: 200 nm or to edge of the continental margin

British Indian Ocean Territory

territorial sea: 3 nm

exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm

British Virgin Islands

territorial sea: 3 nm

exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm

Brunei

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm or to median line

Bulgaria

territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 24 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Burkina Faso

none (landlocked)

Burma

territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 24 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin

Burundi

none (landlocked)

Cambodia

territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 24 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

continental shelf: 200 nm

Cameroon

territorial sea: 50 nm

Canada

territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 24 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin

Cape Verde

measured from claimed archipelagic baselines

territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 24 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Cayman Islands territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm

Central African Republic

none (landlocked)

Chad

none (landlocked)

Chile

territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 24 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

continental shelf: 200/350 nm

China

territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 24 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin

Christmas Island territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 12 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm

Clipperton Island

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Cocos (Keeling) Islands

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm

Colombia

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

Comoros

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Congo, Democratic Republic of the

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: boundaries with neighbors

Congo, Republic of the

territorial sea: 200 nm

Cook Islands territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin

Coral Sea Islands territorial sea: 3 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm

Costa Rica

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

continental shelf: 200 nm

Cote d'Ivoire

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

continental shelf: 200 nm

Croatia

territorial sea: 12 nm

continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

Cuba

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Cyprus

territorial sea: 12 nm

continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

Czech Republic

none (landlocked)

Denmark

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

Djibouti

territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 24 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Dominica

territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 24 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Dominican Republic

territorial sea: 6 nm

contiguous zone: 24 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin

East Timor

territorial sea: NA

exclusive economic zone: NA

continental shelf: NA

exclusive fishing zone: NA

Ecuador

territorial sea: 200 nm

continental shelf: 100 nm from 2,500 meter isobath

Egypt

territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 24 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

El Salvador

territorial sea: 200 nm

Equatorial Guinea territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Eritrea

territorial sea: 12 nm

Estonia

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: limits fixed in coordination with

neighboring states

Ethiopia

none (landlocked)

Europa Island

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

European Union

NA

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

territorial sea: 12 nm

continental shelf: 200 nm

exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm

Faroe Islands

territorial sea: 3 nm

continental shelf: 200 nm or agreed boundaries or median line

exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm or agreed boundaries or median line

Fiji

measured from claimed archipelagic straight baselines

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation;

rectilinear shelf claim added

Finland

territorial sea: 12 nm (in the Gulf of Finland - 3 nm)

continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

exclusive fishing zone: 12 nm; extends to continental shelf boundary

with Sweden

France

territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 24 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm (does not apply to the Mediterranean)

continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

French Guiana

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

French Polynesia

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

French Southern and Antarctic Lands

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm from Iles Kerguelen (does not

include the rest of French Southern and Antarctic Lands)

Gabon

territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 24 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Gambia, The

territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 18 nm

continental shelf: not specified

exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm

Gaza Strip

Israeli-occupied with current status subject to the

Israeli-Palestinian Interim Agreement - permanent status to be

determined through further negotiation

Georgia

NA

Germany

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

Ghana

territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 24 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

continental shelf: 200 nm

Gibraltar

territorial sea: 3 nm

Glorioso Islands

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Greece

territorial sea: 12 nm

continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

Greenland

territorial sea: 3 nm

continental shelf: 200 nm or agreed boundaries or median line

exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm or agreed boundaries or median line

Grenada

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Guadeloupe

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Guam

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Guatemala

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

Guernsey

territorial sea: 3 nm

exclusive fishing zone: 12 nm

Guinea

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Guinea-Bissau

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Guyana

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

continental shelf: 200 nm or to the outer edge of the continental

margin

Haiti

territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 24 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

continental shelf: to depth of exploitation

Heard Island and McDonald Islands territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm

Holy See (Vatican City)

none (landlocked)

Honduras

territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 24 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

continental shelf: natural extension of territory or to 200 nm

Hong Kong

territorial sea: 3 nm

Howland Island territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Hungary

none (landlocked)

Iceland

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin

India

territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 24 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin

Indonesia

measured from claimed archipelagic straight baselines

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Iran

territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 24 nm

exclusive economic zone: bilateral agreements or median lines in the

Persian Gulf

continental shelf: natural prolongation

Iraq

territorial sea: 12 nm

continental shelf: not specified

Ireland

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm

Israel

territorial sea: 12 nm

continental shelf: to depth of exploitation

Italy

territorial sea: 12 nm

continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

Jamaica

measured from claimed archipelagic straight baselines

territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 24 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

continental shelf: 200 nm or to edge of the continental margin

Jan Mayen

territorial sea: 4 nm

contiguous zone: 10 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

Japan

territorial sea: 12 nm; between 3 nm and 12 nm in the

international straits - La Perouse or Soya, Tsugaru, Osumi, and

Eastern and Western Channels of the Korea or Tsushima Strait

contiguous zone: 24 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Jarvis Island

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Jersey

territorial sea: 3 nm

exclusive fishing zone: 12 nm

Johnston Atoll

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Jordan

territorial sea: 3 nm

Juan de Nova Island territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

Kazakhstan

none (landlocked)

Kenya

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

Kingman Reef

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Kiribati

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Korea, North

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

note: military boundary line 50 nm in the Sea of Japan and the

exclusive economic zone limit in the Yellow Sea where all foreign

vessels and aircraft without permission are banned

Korea, South

territorial sea: 12 nm; between 3 nm and 12 nm in the

Korea Strait

contiguous zone: 24 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

continental shelf: not specified

Kuwait

territorial sea: 12 nm

Kyrgyzstan

none (landlocked)

Laos

none (landlocked)

Latvia

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

Lebanon

territorial sea: 12 nm

Lesotho

none (landlocked)

Liberia

territorial sea: 200 nm

Libya

territorial sea: 12 nm

note: Gulf of Sidra closing line - 32 degrees, 30 minutes north

Liechtenstein

none (landlocked)

Lithuania

territorial sea: 12 nm

Luxembourg

none (landlocked)

Macau

not specified

Macedonia

none (landlocked)

Madagascar

territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 24 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

continental shelf: 200 nm or 100 nm from the 2,500-m deep isobath

Malawi

none (landlocked)

Malaysia

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation;

specified boundary in the South China Sea

Maldives

measured from claimed archipelagic straight baselines

territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 24 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Mali

none (landlocked)

Malta

territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 24 nm

continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

exclusive fishing zone: 25 nm

Man, Isle of territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive fishing zone: 12 nm

Marshall Islands territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Martinique territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Mauritania

territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 24 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin

Mauritius

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin

Mayotte

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Mexico

territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 24 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin

Micronesia, Federated States of

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Midway Islands

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Moldova

none (landlocked)

Monaco

territorial sea: 12 nm

Mongolia

none (landlocked)

Montserrat

territorial sea: 3 nm

exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm

Morocco

territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 24 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

Mozambique

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Namibia

territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 24 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Nauru

territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 24 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Navassa Island territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Nepal none (landlocked)

Netherlands

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm

Netherlands Antilles

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive fishing zone: 12 nm

New Caledonia

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

New Zealand

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin

Nicaragua territorial sea: 200 nm continental shelf: natural prolongation

Niger

none (landlocked)

Nigeria

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

Niue

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Norfolk Island

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm

Northern Mariana Islands

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Norway

territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 10 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

continental shelf: 200 nm

Oman

territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 24 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Pakistan

territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 24 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin

Palau

territorial sea: 3 nm

exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm

Palmyra Atoll

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Panama

territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 24 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Papua New Guinea

measured from claimed archipelagic baselines

territorial sea: 12 nm

continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm

Paracel Islands

NA

Paraguay

none (landlocked)

Peru

territorial sea: 200 nm

continental shelf: 200 nm

Philippines

territorial sea: irregular polygon extending up to 100

nm from coastline as defined by 1898 treaty; since late 1970s has

also claimed polygonal-shaped area in South China Sea up to 285 nm

in breadth

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

continental shelf: to depth of exploitation

Pitcairn Islands

territorial sea: 3 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Poland

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: defined by international treaties

Portugal

territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 24 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

Puerto Rico

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Qatar

territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 24 nm

exclusive economic zone: as determined by bilateral agreements or

the median line

Reunion

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Romania

territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 24 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

Russia

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

Rwanda

none (landlocked)

Saint Helena territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm

Saint Kitts and Nevis

territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 24 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin

Saint Lucia

territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 24 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin

Saint Pierre and Miquelon territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm

Samoa

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

San Marino

none (landlocked)

Sao Tome and Principe

measured from claimed archipelagic baselines

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Saudi Arabia

territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 18 nm

continental shelf: not specified

Senegal

territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 24 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin

Serbia and Montenegro

NA

Seychelles

territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 24 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin

Sierra Leone

territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 24 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

continental shelf: 200 nm

Singapore

territorial sea: 3 nm

exclusive fishing zone: within and beyond territorial sea, as

defined in treaties and practice

Slovakia

none (landlocked)

Slovenia

NA

Solomon Islands measured from claimed archipelagic baselines territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm

Somalia territorial sea: 200 nm

South Africa territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to edge of the continental margin

South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm

Spain

territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 24 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm (applies only to the Atlantic Ocean)

Spratly Islands

NA

Sri Lanka

territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 24 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin

Sudan

territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 18 nm

continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

Suriname

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Svalbard

territorial sea: 4 nm

exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm unilaterally claimed by Norway but

not recognized by Russia

Swaziland

none (landlocked)

Sweden

territorial sea: 12 nm (adjustments made to return a portion

of straits to high seas)

exclusive economic zone: agreed boundaries or midlines

continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

Switzerland

none (landlocked)

Syria

territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 41 nm

Taiwan

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Tajikistan

none (landlocked)

Tanzania

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Thailand

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

Togo

territorial sea: 30 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Tokelau

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Tonga

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

Trinidad and Tobago measured from claimed archipelagic baselines territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the outer edge of the continental margin

Tromelin Island territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

Tunisia

territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 24 nm

Turkey

territorial sea: 6 nm in the Aegean Sea; 12 nm in Black Sea

and in Mediterranean Sea

exclusive economic zone: in Black Sea only: to the maritime boundary

agreed upon with the former USSR

Turkmenistan

none (landlocked)

Turks and Caicos Islands

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm

Tuvalu

territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 24 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Uganda

none (landlocked)

Ukraine

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

continental shelf: 200-m or to the depth of exploitation

United Arab Emirates

territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 24 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin

United Kingdom

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm

continental shelf: as defined in continental shelf orders or in

accordance with agreed upon boundaries

United States

territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 24 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

continental shelf: not specified

Uruguay

territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 24 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

Uzbekistan

none (doubly landlocked)

Vanuatu

measured from claimed archipelagic baselines

territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 24 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin

Venezuela

territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 15 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

Vietnam

territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin

Virgin Islands

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Wake Island

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Wallis and Futuna

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

West Bank

none (landlocked)

Western Sahara

contingent upon resolution of sovereignty issue

World

a variety of situations exist, but in general, most countries

make the following claims measured from the mean low-tide baseline

as described in the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea:

territorial sea - 12 nm , contiguous zone - 24 nm , and exclusive

economic zone - 200 nm ; additional zones provide for exploitation

of continental shelf resources and an exclusive fishing zone;

boundary situations with neighboring states prevent many countries

from extending their fishing or economic zones to a full 200 nm

Yemen

territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 24 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin

Zambia

none (landlocked)

Zimbabwe

none (landlocked)

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2107 International organization participation

Afghanistan

AsDB, CP, ECO, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM,

IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, MIGA,

NAM, OIC, OPCW, SACEP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU,

WHO, WMO, WTO (observer), WToO

Albania

ACCT, BSEC, CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO,

ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO,

Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, MIGA, OIC, OPCW, OSCE,

PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNOMIG, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO,

WMO, WToO, WTO

Algeria

ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AMF, AMU, AU, BIS, FAO, G-15, G-24,

G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA,

IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO,

ITU, LAS, MIGA, MONUC, NAM, OAPEC, OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, OPEC,

OSCE (partner), UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNCTAD, UNESCO,

UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMEE, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO (observer)

American Samoa

Interpol (subbureau), IOC, UPU

Andorra

CE, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IFRCS, Interpol, IOC, ITU, OPCW, OSCE,

UN, UNESCO, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WToO, WTO (observer)

Angola

ACP, AfDB, AU, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory),

ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC,

IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, MIGA, NAM, OAS (observer), SADC, UN,

UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Anguilla

Caricom (associate), CDB, Interpol (subbureau), OECS

(associate), UPU

Antigua and Barbuda

ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO,

ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC,

ISO (subscriber), ITU, OAS, OECS, OPANAL, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU,

WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Argentina

AfDB, Australia Group, BCIE, BIS, CSN, FAO, G-6, G-15,

G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA,

IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU,

LAES, LAIA, Mercosur, MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSTAH, NSG, OAS, OPANAL,

OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNCTAD, UNESCO,

UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIK, UNMOVIC, UNTSO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU,

WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO, ZC

Armenia

BSEC, CE, CIS, EAPC, EBRD, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt

(signatory), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC,

IOM, ISO, ITU, MIGA, NAM (observer), OAS (observer), OPCW, OSCE,

PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO,

WToO, WTO

Aruba

ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, UNESCO (associate), UPU, WCL, WToO

(associate)

Australia

ANZUS, APEC, ARF, AsDB, ASEAN (dialogue partner),

Australia Group, BIS, C, CP, EBRD, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt,

ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO,

Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MIGA, NAM (guest), NEA, NSG, OECD,

OPCW, Paris Club, PCA, PIF, Sparteca, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR,

UNMEE, UNMISET, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, WToO, ZC

Austria

AfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, BSEC (observer), CE, CEI,

CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, G- 9, IADB, IAEA, IBRD,

ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF,

IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MIGA, MINURSO, NAM (guest), NEA,

NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, PFP, UN,

UNCTAD, UNDOF, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNMEE, UNMIK,

UNOMIG, UNTSO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WEU (observer), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO,

WToO, WTO, ZC

Azerbaijan

AsDB, BSEC, CE, CIS, EAPC, EBRD, ECO, FAO, GUUAM, IAEA,

IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO,

Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MIGA, OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, OSCE,

PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO,

WToO, WTO (observer)

Bahamas, The

ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt

(signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOM,

IOC, ITU, LAES, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW (signatory), UN,

UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)

Bahrain

ABEDA, AFESD, AMF, ESCWA, FAO, G-77, GCC, IBRD, ICAO, ICC,

ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDB, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO,

Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPCW, UN,

UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Bangladesh

AsDB, C, CP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt

(signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF,

IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MIGA, MINURSO, MONUC, NAM, OIC,

ONUB, OPCW, SAARC, SACEP, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO,

UNMEE, UNMIK, UNMIL, UNMISET, UNOCI, UNOMIG, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU,

WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Barbados

ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt,

ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC,

ISO, ITU, LAES, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO,

UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Belarus

CEI, CIS, EAPC, EBRD, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IFC,

IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, MIGA, NAM,

NSG, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO,

WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)

Belgium

ACCT, AfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, Benelux, BIS, CE, CERN,

EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, G- 9, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD,

ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO,

IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MIGA, MONUC, NATO, NEA, NSG,

OAS (observer), OECD, ONUB, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, UN, UNCTAD,

UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIK, UNMOGIP, UNRWA, UNTSO, UPU, WADB

(nonregional), WCL, WCO, WEU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC

Belize

ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt,

ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC,

IOM, ITU, LAES, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD,

UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Benin

ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA,

IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF,

IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, MIGA, MINUSTAH,

MONUC, NAM, OIC, ONUB, OPCW, UN, UN Security Council (temporary),

UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNOCI, UPU, WADB (regional), WAEMU,

WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Bermuda

Caricom (associate), ICFTU, Interpol (subbureau), IOC, UPU,

WCO, Egmont Group, Caribbean Financial Action Task Force

Bhutan

AsDB, CP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IMF, IOC,

IOM (observer), ITU, NAM, OPCW (signatory), SAARC, SACEP, UN,

UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO (observer)

Bolivia

CAN, CSN, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM,

IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO

(correspondent), ITU, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur (associate), MIGA,

MINUSTAH, MONUC, NAM, OAS, ONUB, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNAMSIL,

UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIK, UNMIL, UNMISET, UNOCI, UPU, WCL, WCO,

WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Bosnia and Herzegovina

BIS, CE, CEI, EBRD, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD,

ICAO, ICCt, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM

(observer), ISO, ITU, MIGA, MONUC, NAM (guest), OAS (observer), OIC

(observer), OPCW, OSCE, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMEE, UPU, WHO,

WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO (observer)

Botswana

ACP, AfDB, AU, C, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU,

ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU,

MIGA, NAM, OPCW, SACU, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO,

WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Brazil

AfDB, BIS, CSN, FAO, G-15, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD,

ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF,

IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur, MIGA,

MINUSTAH, NAM (observer), NSG, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UN

Security Council (temporary), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR,

UNMIK, UNMIL, UNMISET, UNMOVIC, UNOCI, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO,

WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

British Virgin Islands

Caricom (associate), CDB, Interpol

(subbureau), IOC, OECS (associate), UNESCO (associate), UPU

Brunei

APEC, APT, ARF, ASEAN, C, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDB, IFRCS,

IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OIC, OPCW,

UN, UNCTAD, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Bulgaria

ACCT, Australia Group, BIS, BSEC, CE, CEI, CERN, EAPC,

EBRD, EU (applicant), FAO, G- 9, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU,

ICRM, IFC, IFRCS, IHO (pending member), ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol,

IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MIGA, NAM (guest), NATO, NSG, OAS (observer),

OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMEE, UNMIK, UNMIL,

UPU, WCL, WCO, WEU (associate affiliate), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO,

WToO, WTO, ZC

Burkina Faso

ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ, G-77,

IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC,

IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, MIGA, MONUC, NAM, OIC,

ONUB, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNOCI, UPU, WADB

(regional), WAEMU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Burma

APT, ARF, AsDB, ASEAN, CP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM,

IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM,

OPCW (signatory), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO,

WMO, WTO

Burundi

ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, CEPGL, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt,

ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM

(observer), ISO (subscriber), ITU, MIGA, NAM, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD,

UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Cambodia

ACCT, APT, ARF, AsDB, ASEAN, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt,

ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO

(subscriber), ITU, MIGA, NAM, OPCW (signatory), PCA, UN, UNCTAD,

UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Cameroon

ABEDA, ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, BDEAC, C, CEMAC, FAO, FZ, G-77,

IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB,

IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ITU, MIGA, MONUC,

NAM, OIC, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIK, UPU, WCL,

WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Canada

ACCT, AfDB, APEC, ARF, AsDB, ASEAN (dialogue partner),

Australia Group, BIS, C, CDB, CE (observer), EAPC, EBRD, ESA

(cooperating state), FAO, G-7, G-8, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO,

ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF,

IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MIGA, MINUSTAH, MONUC, NAM

(guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS, OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, UN,

UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNDOF, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNMOVIC, UNTSO, UPU,

WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO, ZC

Cape Verde

ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt

(signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO,

Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO,

UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO (observer)

Cayman Islands

Caricom (associate), CDB, Interpol (subbureau), IOC,

UNESCO (associate), UPU

Central African Republic

ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, BDEAC, CEMAC, FAO, FZ,

G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS,

ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIC (observer), OPCW

(signatory), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WHO, WIPO,

WMO, WToO, WTO

Chad

ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, BDEAC, CEMAC, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO,

ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF,

Interpol, IOC, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIC, ONUB, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,

UNIDO, UNOCI, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Chile

APEC, BIS, CSN, FAO, G-15, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC,

ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF,

IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur (associate),

MIGA, MINUSTAH, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,

UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIK, UNMOGIP, UNTSO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO,

WMO, WToO, WTO

China

AfDB, APEC, APT, ARF, AsDB, ASEAN (dialogue partner), BIS,

CDB, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS,

IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, LAIA

(observer), MIGA, MONUC, NAM (observer), NSG, OAS (observer), ONUB,

OPCW, PCA, SCO, UN, UN Security Council, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO,

UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNMEE, UNMIL, UNMOVIC, UNOCI, UNTSO, UPU, WCO,

WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO, ZC

Christmas Island

none

Cocos (Keeling) Islands

none

Colombia

BCIE, CAN, CDB, CSN, FAO, G-3, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA,

IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO,

IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur

(associate), MIGA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD,

UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Comoros

ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AMF, AU, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt

(signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS (observer), ILO, IMF,

IMO, InOC, Interpol, IOC, ITU, LAS, NAM, OIC, OPCW (signatory), UN,

UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WMO

Congo, Democratic Republic of the

ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, CEPGL, FAO,

G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC,

IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent),

ITU, MIGA, NAM, OPCW (signatory), PCA, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,

UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Congo, Republic of the

ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, BDEAC, CEMAC, FAO, FZ,

G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO,

IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OPCW (signatory), UN,

UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNOCI, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO,

WToO, WTO

Cook Islands

ACP, AsDB, FAO, ICAO, ICFTU, IFAD, IFRCS, IOC, OPCW,

PIF, Sparteca, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WMO

Costa Rica

BCIE, CACM, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt,

ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC,

IOM, ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA (observer), MIGA, NAM (observer), OAS,

OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO,

WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Cote d'Ivoire

ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ, G-24,

G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB,

IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, MIGA, NAM,

OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WADB (regional),

WAEMU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Croatia

ABEDA, BIS, CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, FAO, IADB, IAEA, IBRD,

ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF,

IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSTAH, NAM

(observer), OAS (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNAMSIL,

UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNIDO, UNMEE, UNMIL, UNMOGIP, UNOCI, UPU,

WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Cuba

ACP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IFAD, IFRCS, IHO, ILO,

IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, NAM, OAS

(excluded from formal participation since 1962), OPANAL, OPCW, PCA,

UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO,

WToO, WTO

Cyprus

Australia Group, C, CE, EBRD, EIB, EU (new member), FAO,

IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IHO, ILO, IMF,

IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MIGA, NAM, NSG, OAS (observer),

OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO,

WEU (observer affiliate), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Czech Republic

ACCT (observer), Australia Group, BIS, CE, CEI, CERN,

EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EU (new member), FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt

(signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO,

Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MIGA, MONUC, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS

(observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO,

UNIDO, UNITAR, UNMEE, UNMIK, UNMIL, UNOMIG, UPU, WCL, WCO, WEU

(member affiliate), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO, ZC

Denmark

AfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CE, CERN, EAPC,

EBRD, EIB, ESA, EU, FAO, G- 9, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt,

ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO,

Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MIGA, MONUC, NATO, NC, NEA, NIB, NSG,

OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, UN, UN Security

Council (temporary), UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMEE,

UNMIK, UNMIL, UNMISET, UNMOGIP, UNOMIG, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WEU

(observer), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC

Djibouti

ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AFESD, AMF, AU, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO,

ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD, ILO, IMF, IMO,

Interpol, IOC, ITU, LAS, NAM, OIC, OPCW (signatory), UN, UNCTAD,

UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Dominica

ACCT, ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICCt, ICFTU,

ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO

(subscriber), ITU, MIGA, NAM (observer), OAS, OECS, OPANAL, OPCW,

UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Dominican Republic

ACP, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt

(signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO,

Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (subscriber), ITU, LAES, LAIA (observer),

MIGA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW (signatory), PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD,

UNESCO, UNIDO, UNOCI, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

East Timor

ACP, AsDB, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICCt, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS

(observer), ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, MIGA, OPCW, PIF (observer), UN,

UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO

Ecuador

CAN, CSN, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt,

ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol,

IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur (associate), MIGA,

MINUSTAH, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,

UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNOCI, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO,

WToO, WTO

Egypt

ABEDA, ACCT, AfDB, AFESD, AMF, AU, BSEC (observer), CAEU,

EBRD, FAO, G-15, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt

(signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO,

Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, MINURSO, MONUC, NAM, OAPEC,

OAS (observer), OIC, ONUB, OSCE (partner), PCA, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD,

UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNMIK, UNMIL, UNOMIG, UNRWA, UPU, WCO,

WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

El Salvador

BCIE, CACM, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC,

ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC,

IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, MIGA, MINURSO, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW,

PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNOCI, UPU, WCL, WFTU,

WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Equatorial Guinea

ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, BDEAC, CEMAC, FAO, FZ, G-77,

IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol,

IOC, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OAS (observer), OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,

UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WToO, WTO (observer)

Eritrea

ACP, AfDB, AU, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt

(signatory), ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS (observer), IGAD, ILO,

IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, MIGA, NAM, OPCW,

PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO

Estonia

Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CE, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EU (new

member), FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IFC, IFRCS, IHO,

ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, MIGA,

NATO, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,

UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WEU (member affiliate), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Ethiopia

ACP, AfDB, AU, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM,

IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM

(observer), ISO, ITU, MIGA, NAM, ONUB, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD,

UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIL, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO,

WTO (observer)

European Union

European Union: ASEAN (dialogue member), ARF

(dialogue member), EBRD, IDA, OAS (observer), OECD, WTO

European Commission: Australian Group, CBSS, CERN, FAO, G-10, NSG

(observer), UN (observer)

European Central Bank: BIS

European Investment Bank: WADB (nonregional member)

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

ICFTU, UPU

Faroe Islands

IMO (associate), NC, NIB, UPU

Fiji

ACP, AsDB, C, CP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM,

IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO

(correspondent), ITU, MIGA, OPCW, PCA, PIF, Sparteca, UN, UNCTAD,

UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIK, UNMISET, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO,

WTO

Finland

AfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CE, CERN, EAPC,

EBRD, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, G- 9, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC,

ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO,

Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MIGA, NAM (guest), NC, NEA, NIB, NSG,

OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD,

UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMEE, UNMIK, UNMIL, UNMOGIP, UNTSO,

UPU, WCO, WEU (observer), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC

France

ABEDA, ACCT, AfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, BDEAC, BIS, BSEC

(observer), CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, FZ, G- 5,

G- 7, G- 8, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM,

IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, InOC, Interpol, IOC,

IOM, ISO, ITU, MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSTAH, MONUC, NAM (guest), NATO,

NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, UN, UN

Security Council, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNITAR,

UNMEE, UNMIK, UNMIL, UNMOVIC, UNOCI, UNOMIG, UNRWA, UNTSO, UPU, WADB

(nonregional), WCL, WCO, WEU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO, ZC

French Guiana

UPU, WCL, WFTU

French Polynesia

FZ, ICFTU, PIF (observer), UPU, WMO

Gabon

ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, BDEAC, CEMAC, FAO, FZ, G-24, G-77, IAEA,

IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO,

Interpol, IOC, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIC, ONUB, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,

UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Gambia, The

ACP, AfDB, AU, C, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt,

ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol,

IOC, IOM, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIC, ONUB, OPCW, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD,

UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMEE, UNMIL, UNOCI, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO,

WMO, WToO, WTO

Georgia

BSEC, CE, CIS, EAPC, EBRD, FAO, GUUAM, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO,

ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol,

IOC, IOM, ITU, MIGA, OAS (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD,

UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Germany

AfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, BSEC (observer), CBSS,

CDB, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, G- 5, G- 7, G- 8,

G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA,

IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU,

MIGA, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE,

Paris Club, PCA, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMEE,

UNMIK, UNMOVIC, UNOMIG, UPU, WADB (nonregional), WCO, WEU, WHO,

WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO, ZC

Ghana

ACP, AfDB, AU, C, ECOWAS, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO,

ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO,

Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, MIGA, MINURSO, MONUC, NAM,

OAS (observer), ONUB, OPCW, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO,

UNIFIL, UNITAR, UNMEE, UNMIK, UNMIL, UNOCI, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU,

WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Gibraltar

Interpol (subbureau), UPU

Greece

Australia Group, BIS, BSEC, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EMU,

EU, FAO, G- 6, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA,

IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU,

MIGA, MINURSO, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD,

OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNCTAD,

UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMEE, UNMIK, UNOMIG, UPU, WCO, WEU, WFTU,

WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO, ZC

Greenland

NC, NIB, UPU

Grenada

ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM,

IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO

(subscriber), ITU, LAES, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OECS, OPANAL, OPCW

(signatory), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WTO

Guadeloupe

WCL, WFTU

Guam

Interpol (subbureau), IOC, UPU

Guatemala

BCIE, CACM, FAO, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO,

ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol,

IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, LAES, LAIA (observer), MIGA,

MINUSTAH, NAM, OAS, ONUB, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,

UNIDO, UNOCI, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Guernsey

UPU

Guinea

ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt,

ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol,

IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, MIGA, MINURSO, NAM, OIC, ONUB,

OPCW, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNOCI, UPU, WCL,

WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Guinea-Bissau

ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, ECOWAS, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD,

ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS,

ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, NAM, OIC, OPCW (signatory),

UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WFTU, WHO,

WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Guyana

ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, CSN, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt,

ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC,

ISO (subscriber), ITU, LAES, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OIC, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA,

RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO,

WTO

Haiti

ACCT, ACP, Caricom (suspended), FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD,

ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO,

Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, LAES, MIGA, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW (signatory),

PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNDP, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO,

WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Holy See (Vatican City)

CE (observer), IAEA, ICFTU, IOM (observer),

ITU, NAM (guest), OAS (observer), OPCW, OSCE, UN (observer), UNCTAD,

UNHCR, UPU, WIPO, WToO (observer), WTO (observer)

Honduras

ABEDA, BCIE, CACM, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt,

ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC,

IOM, ISO (subscriber), ITU, LAES, LAIA (observer), MIGA, MINURSO,

NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW (signatory), PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,

UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Hong Kong

APEC, AsDB, BIS, ICC, ICFTU, IHO, IMF, IMO (associate),

Interpol (subbureau), IOC, ISO (correspondent), UPU, WCL, WCO, WMO,

WToO (associate), WTO

Hungary

Australia Group, BIS, CE, CEI, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, ESA

(cooperating state), EU (new member), FAO, G- 9, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO,

ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO,

Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MIGA, MINURSO, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA,

NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,

UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIK, UNOMIG, UPU, WCL, WCO, WEU (member

affiliate), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO, ZC

Iceland

Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CE, EAPC, EBRD, EFTA, FAO, IAEA,

IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO,

IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, MIGA, NATO, NC, NEA, NIB, OECD,

OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WCO, WEU (associate), WHO,

WIPO, WMO, WTO

India

AfDB, ARF, AsDB, ASEAN (dialogue partner), BIS, C, CERN

(observer), CP, FAO, G- 6, G-15, G-19, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO,

ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO,

Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, MIGA, MONUC, NAM, OAS

(observer), ONUB, OPCW, PCA, SAARC, SACEP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,

UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNMEE, UNMIK, UNMOVIC, UNOCI, UPU, WCL, WCO,

WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Indonesia

APEC, APT, ARF, AsDB, ASEAN, BIS, CP, FAO, G-15, G-77,

IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO,

ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, MIGA, MONUC,

NAM, OIC, OPCW, OPEC, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIL,

UNOMIG, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Iran

CP, ECO, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt

(signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO,

Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, UN,

UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMEE, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO,

WMO, WToO

Iraq

ABEDA, AFESD, AMF, CAEU, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM,

IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU,

LAS, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPEC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU,

WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer), WToO

Ireland

Australia Group, BIS, CE, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU,

FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC,

IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MIGA, MINURSO,

MONUC, NAM (guest), NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE,

Paris Club, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO,

UNIFIL, UNMIK, UNMIL, UNOCI, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WEU (observer), WHO,

WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC

Israel

BIS, BSEC (observer), CE (observer), CERN (observer), EBRD,

FAO, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, IDA,

IFAD, IFC, IFRCS (observer), ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO,

ITU, MIGA, OAS (observer), OPCW (signatory), OSCE (partner), PCA,

UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Italy

AfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, BSEC (observer), CDB, CE,

CEI, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, G- 7, G- 8, G-10,

IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC,

IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAIA

(observer), MIGA, MINURSO, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS

(observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,

UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNMEE, UNMIK, UNMOGIP, UNTSO, UPU, WCL, WCO,

WEU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO, ZC

Jamaica

ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, FAO, G-15, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD,

ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO,

IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, LAES, MIGA, NAM,

OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO,

WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Japan

AfDB, APEC, APT, ARF, AsDB, ASEAN (dialogue partner),

Australia Group, BIS, CE (observer), CERN (observer), CP, EBRD, FAO,

G-5, G-7, G-8, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA,

IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO,

ITU, LAIA, MIGA, NAM (guest), NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW,

OSCE (partner), Paris Club, PCA, UN, UN Security Council

(temporary), UNCTAD, UNDOF, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNMOVIC,

UNRWA, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO, ZC

Jordan

ABEDA, AFESD, AMF, CAEU, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC,

ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO,

Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, MINUSTAH, MONUC, NAM, OIC,

ONUB, OPCW, OSCE (partner), PCA, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO,

UNMEE, UNMIK, UNMIL, UNMISET, UNOCI, UNOMIG, UNRWA, UPU, WCO, WFTU,

WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Kazakhstan

AsDB, CIS, EAPC, EBRD, ECO, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA,

IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU,

MIGA, NAM (observer), NSG, OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, OSCE, PFP,

SCO, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO,

WToO, WTO (observer)

Kenya

ACP, AfDB, AU, C, EADB, FAO, G-15, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO,

ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD, ILO,

IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MIGA, MINURSO, MONUC, NAM,

ONUB, OPCW, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMEE, UNMIK,

UNMIL, UNOCI, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Kiribati

ACP, AsDB, C, FAO, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFC,

IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IOC, ITU, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, UN, UNESCO,

UPU, WHO, WMO

Korea, North

ARF, FAO, G-77, ICAO, ICRM, IFAD, IFRCS, IHO, IMO, IOC,

ISO, ITU, NAM, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO,

WToO

Korea, South

AfDB, APEC, APT, ARF, AsDB, ASEAN (dialogue partner),

Australia Group, BIS, CP, EBRD, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt,

ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO,

Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAIA, MIGA, MINURSO, NAM (guest), NEA,

NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, ONUB, OPCW, OSCE (partner), PCA, UN,

UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMOGIP, UNOMIG, UPU, WCL, WCO, WHO,

WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO, ZC

Kuwait

ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AMF, BDEAC, CAEU, FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA,

IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS,

IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAPEC,

OIC, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNITAR, UPU, WCO,

WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Kyrgyzstan

AsDB, CIS, EAPC, EBRD, ECO, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt

(signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol,

IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, MIGA, NAM (observer), OIC, OPCW,

OSCE, PCA, PFP, SCO, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIK,

UNMIL, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Laos

ACCT, APT, ARF, AsDB, ASEAN, CP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM,

IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, ITU, MIGA, NAM,

OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO,

WToO, WTO (observer)

Latvia

Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CE, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EU (new

member), FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS,

ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, MIGA,

NATO, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD,

UNESCO, UPU, WCO, WEU (member affiliate), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Lebanon

ABEDA, ACCT, AFESD, AMF, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO,

ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO,

Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAS

(observer), OIC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNRWA, UPU,

WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO (observer)

Lesotho

ACP, AfDB, AU, C, The Commonwealth, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO,

ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, ISO

(subscriber), ITU, MIGA, NAM, OPCW, SACU, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,

UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Liberia

ACP, AfDB, AU, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt,

ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC,

IOM, ITU, NAM, OPCW (signatory), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU,

WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO

Libya

ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AMF, AMU, AU, CAEU, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD,

ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol,

IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, UN,

UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

(observer), WToO

Liechtenstein

CE, EBRD, EFTA, IAEA, ICCt, ICRM, IFRCS, Interpol,

IOC, ITU, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UPU, WCL, WIPO, WTO

Lithuania

ACCT (observer), Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CE, EAPC,

EBRD, EIB, EU (new member), FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU,

ICRM, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO

(correspondent), ITU, MIGA, NATO, NIB, NSG, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP,

UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIK, UPU, WCL, WCO, WEU (member

affiliate), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Luxembourg

ACCT, AsDB, Australia Group, Benelux, CE, EAPC, EBRD,

EIB, EMU, EU, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA,

IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU,

MIGA, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN,

UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WEU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC

Macau

IMF, IMO (associate), Interpol (sub-bureau), ISO

(correspondent), UNESCO (associate), UPU, WCO, WMO, WToO

(associate), WTO

Macedonia

ACCT, BIS, CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO,

ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM

(observer), ISO, ITU, MIGA, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD,

UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Madagascar

ABEDA, ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO,

ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO,

InOC, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, MIGA, NAM, OPCW,

UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO,

WMO, WToO, WTO

Malawi

ACP, AfDB, AU, C, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM,

IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO

(correspondent), ITU, MIGA, MONUC, NAM, ONUB, OPCW, SADC, UN,

UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIK, UNMIL, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO,

WMO, WToO, WTO

Malaysia

ABEDA, APEC, APT, ARF, AsDB, ASEAN, BIS, C, CP, FAO, G-15,

G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC,

IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, MIGA, MINURSO,

MONUC, NAM, OIC, ONUB, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO,

UNIDO, UNMEE, UNMIK, UNMIL, UNMISET, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO,

WMO, WToO, WTO

Maldives

AsDB, C, CP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC,

IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OIC, OPCW, SAARC, SACEP, UN,

UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Mali

ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, ECOWAS, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO,

ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol,

IOC, IOM, ITU, MIGA, MONUC, NAM, OIC, ONUB, OPCW, UN, UNAMSIL,

UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIL, UPU, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WCO,

WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Malta

Australia Group, C, CE, EBRD, EIB, EU (new member), FAO, IAEA,

IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IFAD, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol,

IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MIGA, NAM, NSG, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD,

UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WEU (observer affiliate), WHO, WIPO,

WMO, WToO, WTO

Man, Isle of

UPU

Marshall Islands

ACP, AsDB, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, IDA,

IFC, IMF, IMO, Interpol, ITU, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, UN, UNCTAD,

UNESCO, WHO

Martinique

UPU, WCL, WFTU

Mauritania

ABEDA, ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AFESD, AMF, AMU, AU, CAEU, FAO,

G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO

(pending member), ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, LAS, MIGA,

NAM, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WHO, WIPO,

WMO, WToO, WTO

Mauritius

ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, C, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt,

ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, InOC, Interpol,

IOC, ISO, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OPCW, PCA, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,

UNIDO, UNMIK, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Mayotte

UPU

Mexico

APEC, BCIE, BIS, CDB, CE (observer), EBRD, FAO, G-3, G-6,

G-15, G-19, G-24, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory),

ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol,

IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, NAM (observer), NEA, OAS, OECD,

OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR,

UNMOVIC, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Micronesia, Federated States of

ACP, AsDB, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO,

IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IMF, IOC, ITU, MIGA, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, UN,

UNCTAD, UNESCO, WHO, WMO

Moldova

ACCT, BSEC, CE, CEI, CIS, EAPC, EBRD, FAO, GUUAM, IAEA,

IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO,

IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, MIGA, OPCW,

OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNOCI, UPU, WCO, WHO,

WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Monaco

ACCT, CE, FAO, IAEA, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICRM,

IFRCS, IHO, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ITU, OPCW, OSCE, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,

UNIDO, UNITAR, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO

Mongolia

ARF, AsDB, CP, EBRD, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC,

ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol,

IOC, ISO, ITU, MIGA, MINURSO, MONUC, NAM, OPCW, OSCE (partner), SCO

(observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO,

WToO, WTO

Montserrat

Caricom, CDB, ICFTU, Interpol (subbureau), OECS, UPU

Morocco

ABEDA, ACCT, AfDB, AFESD, AMF, AMU, EBRD, FAO, G-77, IAEA,

IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC,

IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAS, MIGA,

MINUSTAH, MONUC, NAM, OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, OSCE (partner),

PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNOCI, UPU, WCL, WCO,

WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Mozambique

ACP, AfDB, AU, C, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt

(signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF,

IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO (correspondent), ITU, MIGA,

MONUC, NAM, OIC, ONUB, OPCW, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO,

UNMISET, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Namibia

ACP, AfDB, AU, C, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU,

ICRM, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM

(observer), ISO (correspondent), ITU, MIGA, NAM, ONUB, OPCW, SACU,

SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMEE, UNMIL, UNOCI, UPU,

WCL, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Nauru

ACP, AsDB, C, FAO, ICAO, ICCt, Interpol, IOC, ITU, OPCW, PIF,

Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WHO

Nepal

AsDB, CP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD,

IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO

(correspondent), ITU, MICAH, MIGA, MONUC, NAM, ONUB, OPCW, SAARC,

SACEP, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNDOF, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMEE, UNMIK,

UNMIL, UNMISET, UNOCI, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO,

WToO, WTO (observer)

Netherlands

AfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, Benelux, BIS, CE, CERN,

EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO,

ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF,

IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MIGA, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA,

NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, ONUB, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, UN,

UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNTSO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WEU,

WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO, ZC

Netherlands Antilles

ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, UNESCO (associate),

UPU, WCL, WCO, WMO, WToO (associate)

New Caledonia

FZ, ICFTU, PIF (observer), UPU, WFTU, WMO

New Zealand

ANZUS (US suspended security obligations to NZ on 11

August 1986), APEC, ARF, AsDB, ASEAN (dialogue partner), Australia

Group, BIS, C, CP, EBRD, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU,

ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC,

IOM, ISO, ITU, NAM (guest), NSG, OECD, OPCW, PCA, PIF, Sparteca,

SPC, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIK, UNMISET,

UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Nicaragua

BCIE, CACM, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU,

ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO

(correspondent), ITU, LAES, LAIA (observer), MIGA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL,

OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WHO,

WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Niger

ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA,

IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF,

Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (subscriber), ITU, MONUC, NAM, OIC, ONUB,

OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNOCI, UPU, WADB (regional),

WAEMU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Nigeria

ACP, AfDB, AU, C, ECOWAS, FAO, G-15, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD,

ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF,

IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MIGA, MINURSO, MONUC, NAM, OIC,

ONUB, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO,

UNITAR, UNMEE, UNMIK, UNMIL, UNMOVIC, UNOCI, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO,

WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Niue

ACP, FAO, PIF, Sparteca, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WMO

Norfolk Island

UPU

Northern Mariana Islands

Interpol (subbureau)

Norway

AfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD,

EFTA, ESA, FAO, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA,

IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO,

ITU, MIGA, NAM (guest), NATO, NC, NEA, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer),

OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO,

UNMEE, UNMIK, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WEU (associate), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO,

ZC

Oman

ABEDA, AFESD, AMF, FAO, G-77, GCC, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt

(signatory), IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC,

ISO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU,

WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, WToO

Pakistan

ARF, AsDB, C (reinstated 2004), CP, ECO, FAO, G-24, G-77,

IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO,

ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MIGA, MINURSO, MONUC,

NAM, OAS (observer), OIC, ONUB, OPCW, PCA, SAARC, SACEP, UN,

UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNMIK, UNMIL,

UNMISET, UNOCI, UNOMIG, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO,

WTO

Palau

ACP, AsDB, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IMF,

IOC, MIGA, OPCW, PIF, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, WHO

Panama

FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM,

IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU,

LAES, LAIA (observer), MIGA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN,

UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Papua New Guinea

ACP, APEC, ARF, AsDB, C, CP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO,

ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol,

IOC, IOM (observer), ISO (correspondent), ITU, MIGA, NAM, OPCW, PIF,

Sparteca, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO,

WTO

Paraguay

CSN, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM,

IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO

(correspondent), ITU, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur, MIGA, MINUSTAH, MONUC,

NAM (observer), OAS, ONUB, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD,

UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMEE, UNMIL, UNOCI, UPU, WCL, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO,

WToO, WTO

Peru

APEC, CAN, CSN, FAO, G-15, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO,

ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO,

Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur

(associate), MIGA, MINUSTAH, MONUC, NAM, OAS, ONUB, OPANAL, OPCW,

PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMEE, UNMIL, UNOCI, UPU, WCL,

WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Philippines

APEC, APT, ARF, AsDB, ASEAN, BIS, CP, FAO, G-24, G-77,

IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD,

IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MIGA,

MINUSTAH, NAM, OAS (observer), ONUB, OPCW, UN, UN Security Council

(temporary), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIK, UNMIL, UNMISET,

UNOCI, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Pitcairn Islands

UPU

Poland

ACCT (observer), Australia Group, BIS, BSEC (observer), CBSS,

CE, CEI, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EU (new member), FAO, IAEA, IBRD,

ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO,

Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MIGA, MINURSO, MONUC, NAM (guest),

NATO, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNDOF,

UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNMEE, UNMIK, UNMIL, UNOCI, UNOMIG,

UPU, WCL, WCO, WEU (member affiliate), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO,

WTO, ZC

Portugal

AfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD,

EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU,

ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC,

IOM, ISO, ITU, LAIA (observer), MIGA, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG,

OAS (observer), OECD, ONUB, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,

UNIDO, UNMIK, UNMISET, UPU, WCL, WCO, WEU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO,

WToO, WTO, ZC

Puerto Rico

ICFTU, Interpol (subbureau), IOC, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WToO

(associate)

Qatar

ABEDA, AFESD, AMF, FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC,

ICRM, IDB, IFAD, IFRCS, IHO (pending member), ILO, IMF, IMO,

Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAPEC, OAS (observer), OIC,

OPCW, OPEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO,

WTO, WToO

Reunion

InOC, UPU, WFTU

Romania

ACCT, Australia Group, BIS, BSEC, CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, EU

(applicant), FAO, G- 9, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU,

ICRM, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU,

LAIA (observer), MIGA, MONUC, NAM (guest), NATO, NSG, OAS

(observer), ONUB, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UN Security Council

(temporary), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMEE, UNMIK, UNMIL, UNOCI, UPU,

WCL, WCO, WEU (associate affiliate), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO,

WTO, ZC

Russia

APEC, ARF, ASEAN (dialogue partner), BIS, BSEC, CBSS, CE,

CERN (observer), CIS, EAPC, EBRD, G- 8, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt

(signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO,

Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, LAIA (observer), MIGA,

MINURSO, MONUC, NAM (guest), NSG, OAS (observer), ONUB, OPCW, OSCE,

Paris Club, PCA, PFP, SCO, UN, UN Security Council, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD,

UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNMEE, UNMIK, UNMIL, UNMISET, UNMOVIC, UNOCI,

UNOMIG, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO (observer),

ZC

Rwanda

ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, CEPGL, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU,

ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO

(correspondent), ITU, MIGA, NAM, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO,

UPU, WCL, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Saint Helena

ICFTU, UPU

Saint Kitts and Nevis

ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO,

ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC,

MIGA, OAS, OECS, OPANAL, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO,

WIPO, WTO

Saint Lucia

ACCT, ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt

(signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO,

Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OECS, OPANAL, OPCW, UN,

UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Saint Pierre and Miquelon

UPU, WFTU

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, FAO, G-77,

IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO,

Interpol, IOC, ITU, MIGA, OAS, OECS, OPANAL, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD,

UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WTO

Samoa

ACP, AsDB, C, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA,

IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IMF, IMO, IOC, ITU, MIGA, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, UN,

UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)

San Marino

CE, FAO, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IFRCS, ILO, IMF,

IMO, IOC, IOM (observer), ITU, OPCW, OSCE, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU,

WHO, WIPO, WToO

Sao Tome and Principe

ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO,

ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO,

Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ITU, NAM, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,

UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO (observer)

Saudi Arabia

ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AMF, BIS, FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA,

IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO,

Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAPEC, OAS (observer), OIC,

OPCW, OPEC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO,

WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO (observer)

Senegal

ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, ECOWAS, FAO, FZ, G-15, G-77, IAEA,

IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO,

IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, MIGA, MONUC,

NAM, OIC, ONUB, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIK, UNMIL,

UNMOVIC, UNOCI, UPU, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO,

WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Serbia and Montenegro

BSEC, CE, CEI, EBRD, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO,

ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO,

Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MIGA, MONUC, NAM, OAS (observer),

ONUB, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIL,

UNOCI, UPU, WCL, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO (observer)

Seychelles

ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, C, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt

(signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, InOC,

Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, MIGA, NAM, OPCW, SADC, UN,

UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO (observer)

Sierra Leone

ACP, AfDB, AU, C, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO,

ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO,

Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,

UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Singapore

APEC, APT, ARF, AsDB, ASEAN, BIS, C, CP, G-77, IAEA, IBRD,

ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO,

Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UPU, WCL,

WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Slovakia

Australia Group, BIS, CE, CEI, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EU

(new member), FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA,

IEA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MIGA,

NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA,

UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNDOF, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNIDO, UNTSO, UPU, WCL,

WCO, WEU (member affiliate), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO, ZC

Slovenia

Australia Group, BIS, CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EU (new

member), FAO, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFC,

IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MIGA, NAM

(guest), NATO, NSG, OAS (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD,

UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIK, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WEU (member affiliate), WHO,

WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO, ZC

Solomon Islands

ACP, AsDB, C, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt

(signatory), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IOC, ITU,

OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WTO

Somalia

ACP, AfDB, AFESD, AMF, AU, CAEU, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO,

ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol,

IOC, IOM (observer), ITU, LAS, NAM, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR,

UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO

South Africa

ACP, AfDB, AU, BIS, C, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD,

ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF,

IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MIGA, MONUC, NAM, NSG, ONUB,

OPCW, PCA, SACU, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR,

UNMEE, UNMIL, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO, ZC

Spain

AfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, BCIE, BIS, CE, EAPC, EBRD, EIB,

EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM,

IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM

(observer), ISO, ITU, LAIA (observer), MIGA, MINUSTAH, MONUC, NATO,

NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, ONUB, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA,

UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMEE, UNMIK, UPU, WCL, WCO, WEU,

WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO, ZC

Sri Lanka

AsDB, C, CP, FAO, G-15, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC,

ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol,

IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSTAH, MONUC, NAM, OAS

(observer), ONUB, OPCW, PCA, SAARC, SACEP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,

UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Sudan

ABEDA, ACP, AfDB, AFESD, AMF, AU, CAEU, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD,

ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD, ILO,

IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OPCW,

PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO,

WMO, WToO, WTO (observer)

Suriname

ACP, Caricom, CSN, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU,

ICRM, IDB, IFAD, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ITU,

LAES, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OIC, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,

UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Svalbard

none

Swaziland

ACP, AfDB, AU, C, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA,

IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU,

MIGA, NAM, OPCW, PCA, SACU, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU,

WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Sweden

AfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD,

EIB, ESA, EU, FAO, G- 6, G- 9, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC,

ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO,

Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MIGA, MONUC, NAM (guest), NC, NEA,

NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, PFP,

UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNMEE, UNMIK,

UNMIL, UNMISET, UNMOGIP, UNOMIG, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WEU (observer),

WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC

Switzerland

ACCT, AfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, CE, CERN, EAPC,

EBRD, EFTA, ESA, FAO, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt,

ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol,

IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAIA (observer), MIGA, MONUC, NAM (guest), NEA,

NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, PFP, UN,

UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNMEE, UNMIK, UNOMIG, UNTSO,

UPU, WCL, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO, ZC

Syria

ABEDA, AFESD, AMF, CAEU, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO,

ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO,

IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, UN,

UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNRWA, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO

Taiwan

APEC, AsDB, BCIE, ICC, ICFTU, IOC, WCL, WTO

Tajikistan

AsDB, CIS, EAPC, EBRD, ECO, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt,

ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO

(subscriber), ITU, MIGA, OIC, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, SCO, UN, UNCTAD,

UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)

Tanzania

ACP, AfDB, AU, C, EADB, FAO, G- 6, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO,

ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO,

Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OPCW, SADC, UN, UN Security

Council (temporary), UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMEE,

UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Thailand

APEC, APT, ARF, AsDB, ASEAN, BIS, CP, FAO, G-77, IAEA,

IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC,

IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MIGA, NAM,

OAS (observer), OIC (observer), OPCW, OSCE (partner), PCA, UN,

UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO,

WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Togo

ABEDA, ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ, G-77,

IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF,

IMO, Interpol, IOC, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIC, ONUB, OPCW, PCA, UN,

UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNOCI, UPU, WADB (regional), WAEMU,

WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Tokelau

UNESCO (associate), UPU

Tonga

ACP, AsDB, C, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD,

IFC, IFRCS, IHO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ITU, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca,

UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)

Trinidad and Tobago

ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, FAO, G-24, G-77, IADB,

IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF,

IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, LAES, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW,

UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Tunisia

ABEDA, ACCT, AfDB, AFESD, AMF, AMU, AU, BSEC (observer),

FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC,

IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAS, MIGA,

MONUC, NAM, OAPEC, OAS (observer), OIC, ONUB, OPCW, OSCE (partner),

UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMEE, UNOCI, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO,

WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Turkey

AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, BSEC, CE, CERN (observer), EAPC,

EBRD, ECO, EU (applicant), FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM,

IDA, IDB, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC,

IOM, ISO, ITU, MIGA, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIC,

OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIK, UNOMIG,

UNRWA, UPU, WCO, WEU (associate), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO, ZC

Turkmenistan

AsDB, CIS, EAPC, EBRD, ECO, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO,

ICRM, IDB, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO

(correspondent), ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD,

UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO

Turks and Caicos Islands

Caricom (associate), CDB, Interpol

(subbureau), UPU

Tuvalu

ACP, AsDB, C, FAO, IFRCS (observer), IMO, ITU, OPCW, PIF,

Sparteca, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WHO

Uganda

ACP, AfDB, AU, C, EADB, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt,

ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD, ILO, IMF, Interpol,

IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, PCA, UN,

UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO,

WTO

Ukraine

BSEC, CE, CEI, CIS, EAPC, EBRD, FAO, GUUAM, IAEA, IBRD,

ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO,

IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MIGA, MONUC, NAM (observer),

NSG, OAS (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD,

UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNMEE, UNMIK, UNMIL, UNMOVIC, UNOMIG, UPU,

WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO (observer), ZC

United Arab Emirates

ABEDA, AFESD, AMF, FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD,

ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO,

ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAPEC, OIC,

OPCW, OPEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

United Kingdom

AfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, C, CDB, CE, CERN,

EAPC, EBRD, EIB, ESA, EU, FAO, G- 5, G- 7, G- 8, G-10, IADB, IAEA,

IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO,

ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MIGA, MONUC, NAM

(guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris

Club, PCA, UN, UN Security Council, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO,

UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNMIK, UNMIL, UNMOVIC, UNOMIG, UNRWA,

UPU, WCO, WEU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC

United States

AfDB, ANZUS, APEC, ARF, AsDB, ASEAN (dialogue

partner), Australia Group, BIS, CE (observer), CERN (observer), CP,

EAPC, EBRD, FAO, G-5, G-7, G- 8, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC,

ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO,

IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MIGA, MINUSTAH, NAM (guest),

NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS, OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, UN, UN

Security Council, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNITAR, UNMEE, UNMIK,

UNMIL, UNMOVIC, UNOMIG, UNRWA, UNTSO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO,

WTO, ZC

Uruguay

CSN, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM,

IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU,

LAES, LAIA, Mercosur, MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSTAH, MONUC, NAM

(observer), OAS, ONUB, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD,

UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNIDO, UNMEE, UNMOGIP, UNMOT, UNOCI, UNOMIG, UPU,

WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Uzbekistan

AsDB, CIS, EAPC, EBRD, ECO, FAO, GUUAM, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO,

ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol,

IOC, ISO, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, SCO, UN, UNCTAD,

UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO (observer)

Vanuatu

ACCT, ACP, AsDB, C, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA,

IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IOC, ITU, MIGA, NAM, PIF, Sparteca, UN,

UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WTO (observer)

Venezuela

CAN, CDB, CSN, FAO, G-3, G-15, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA,

IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF,

IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur (associate),

MIGA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,

UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Vietnam

ACCT (observer), APEC, APT, ARF, AsDB, ASEAN, CP, FAO, G-77,

IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO,

Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OPCW, UN,

UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO,

WTO (observer)

Virgin Islands

Interpol (subbureau), IOC, UPU

Wallis and Futuna

FZ, UPU

Western Sahara

none

Yemen

AFESD, AMF, CAEU, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt

(signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO,

Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAS

(observer), OIC, ONUB, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO,

UNOCI, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO (observer)

Zambia

ACP, AfDB, AU, C, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU,

ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO

(correspondent), ITU, MIGA, MONUC, NAM, ONUB, OPCW, PCA, SADC, UN,

UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMEE, UNMIK, UNMIL, UNOCI,

UPU, WCL, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Zimbabwe

ACP, AfDB, AU, FAO, G-15, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt

(signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol,

IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OPCW, PCA, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,

UNIDO, UNMIK, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2108 Merchant marine

Albania

total: 25 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 40,878 GRT/62,676 DWT

by type: cargo 24, roll on/roll off 1

foreign-owned: 2 (Denmark 1, Turkey 1)

registered in other countries: 1 (2005)

Algeria

total: 56 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 837,676 GRT/929,847 DWT

by type: bulk carrier 9, cargo 14, chemical tanker 4, liquefied gas

10, passenger/cargo 4, petroleum tanker 6, roll on/roll off 9

foreign-owned: 3 (United Kingdom 3)

registered in other countries: 1 (2005)

Andorra

registered in other countries: 1

Angola

total: 4 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 26,123 GRT/42,879 DWT

by type: cargo 1, passenger/cargo 2, petroleum tanker 1

registered in other countries: 4 (2005)

Antigua and Barbuda

total: 980 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 5,873,626

GRT/7,683,143 DWT

by type: bulk carrier 33, cargo 630, chemical tanker 9, container

272, liquefied gas 9, petroleum tanker 1, refrigerated cargo 8, roll

on/roll off 17, vehicle carrier 1

foreign-owned: 923 (Australia 2, Bangladesh 4, Belgium 4, Colombia

2, Denmark 8, Estonia 2, Germany 849, Iceland 5, Latvia 5, Lebanon

2, Lithuania 1, Netherlands 11, Norway 3, Philippines 1, Russia 1,

Slovenia 5, Sweden 1, Switzerland 5, Turkey 4, United Kingdom 1,

United States 7) (2005)

Argentina

total: 26 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 149,007 GRT/212,620 DWT

by type: bulk carrier 2, cargo 9, chemical tanker 1, passenger 1,

passenger/cargo 3, petroleum tanker 7, refrigerated cargo 2, roll

on/roll off 1

foreign-owned: 2 (Chile 1, Uruguay 1)

registered in other countries: 23 (2005)

Australia

total: 55 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 1,531,461

GRT/1,999,409 DWT

by type: bulk carrier 16, cargo 7, chemical tanker 3, container 1,

liquefied gas 4, passenger 5, passenger/cargo 6, petroleum tanker 8,

roll on/roll off 5

foreign-owned: 16 (France 1, Germany 3, Japan 1, Philippines 1,

Saudi Arabia 1, United Kingdom 2, United States 7)

registered in other countries: 35 (2005)

Austria

total: 8 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 29,624 GRT/37,425 DWT

by type: cargo 6, container 2

foreign-owned: 2 (Netherlands 2)

registered in other countries: 19 (2005)

Azerbaijan

total: 81 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 253,004 GRT/318,922

DWT

by type: cargo 26, passenger 2, passenger/cargo 8, petroleum tanker

41, roll on/roll off 2, specialized tanker 2

registered in other countries: 3 (2005)

Bahamas, The

total: 1,119

by type: barge carrier 2, bulk carrier 183, cargo 259, chemical

tanker 54, combination ore/oil 17, container 74, liquefied gas 28,

livestock carrier 2, passenger 116, passenger/cargo 40, petroleum

tanker 168, refrigerated cargo 130, roll on/roll off 20, specialized

tanker 2, vehicle carrier 24

foreign-owned: 968 (Angola 4, Australia 4, Belgium 17, Canada 9,

China 3, Croatia 1, Cuba 1, Cyprus 13, Denmark 18, Estonia 1,

Finland 7, France 28, Germany 15, Greece 194, Hong Kong 11,

Indonesia 2, Ireland 1, Israel 1, Italy 7, Japan 49, Jordan 2, Kenya

1, Latvia 1, Malaysia 12, Monaco 15, Netherlands 24, New Zealand 1,

Nigeria 2, Norway 229, Poland 13, Reunion 1, Russia 2, Saudi Arabia

12, Serbia & Montenegro 2, Singapore 11, Slovenia 1, South Korea 1,

Spain 6, Sweden 9, Switzerland 4, Thailand 1, Trinidad & Tobago 2,

Turkey 7, UAE 12, United Kingdom 55, United States 154, Uruguay 2)

registered in other countries: 35 (2005)

Bahrain

total: 8 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 219,083 GRT/312,638 DWT

by type: bulk carrier 3, cargo 2, container 2, petroleum tanker 1

foreign-owned: 2 (Kuwait 2) (2005)

Bangladesh

total: 41 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 319,897 GRT/440,575

DWT

by type: bulk carrier 2, cargo 28, container 6, passenger/cargo 1,

petroleum tanker 4

foreign-owned: 10 (China 1, Singapore 9)

registered in other countries: 14 (2005)

Barbados

total: 58 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 427,465 GRT/668,195 DWT

by type: bulk carrier 14, cargo 31, chemical tanker 6,

passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 3, roll on/roll off 2,

specialized tanker 1

foreign-owned: 53 (Bahamas 1, Bangladesh 1, Canada 12, Greece 11,

Lebanon 2, Netherlands 1, Norway 17, UAE 1, United Kingdom 7)

registered in other countries: 1 (2005)

Belgium

total: 53 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 1,146,301 GRT/1,588,184

DWT

by type: bulk carrier 15, cargo 2, chemical tanker 2, container 8,

liquefied gas 17, petroleum tanker 9

foreign-owned: 12 (Denmark 4, France 4, Greece 4)

registered in other countries: 101 (2005)

Belize

total: 295 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 1,015,270 GRT/1,336,890

DWT

by type: bulk carrier 25, cargo 207, chemical tanker 9, container 6,

passenger/cargo 6, petroleum tanker 20, refrigerated cargo 17, roll

on/roll off 5

foreign-owned: 142 (Australia 2, Belgium 1, China 50, Cuba 1, Cyprus

1, Estonia 9, Germany 4, Hong Kong 6, Indonesia 3, Italy 2, Japan 5,

Latvia 4, Malaysia 1, Nigeria 1, Pakistan 1, Poland 2, Russia 23,

Singapore 5, South Korea 6, Spain 3, Switzerland 1, Turkey 2,

Ukraine 4, UAE 3, United States 2) (2005)

Bermuda

total: 108 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 4,845,326 GRT/6,501,782

DWT

by type: bulk carrier 22, cargo 6, container 22, liquefied gas 13,

passenger 13, passenger/cargo 6, petroleum tanker 8, refrigerated

cargo 11, roll on/roll off 7

foreign-owned: 103 (Australia 2, Canada 20, Finland 2, Germany 1,

Greece 1, Hong Kong 5, Indonesia 1, Nigeria 8, Norway 5, Sweden 9,

Switzerland 2, United Kingdom 27, United States 20)

registered in other countries: 1 (2005)

Bolivia

total: 32 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 413,407 GRT/699,901 DWT

by type: bulk carrier 2, cargo 16, chemical tanker 1, container 1,

passenger/cargo 2, petroleum tanker 9, refrigerated cargo 1

foreign-owned: 11 (Argentina 1, Egypt 2, Eritrea 1, Germany 1, Iran

1, Singapore 2, United Kingdom 1, United States 2) (2005)

Brazil

total: 150 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 2,961,431 GRT/4,725,267

DWT

by type: bulk carrier 28, cargo 25, chemical tanker 7, combination

ore/oil 2, container 7, liquefied gas 12, passenger/cargo 12,

petroleum tanker 48, roll on/roll off 9

foreign-owned: 17 (Chile 2, Germany 7, Norway 1, Spain 7)

registered in other countries: 8 (2005)

British Virgin Islands

total: 1 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 83,825

GRT/155,909 DWT

by type: cargo 1

registered in other countries: 7 (2005)

Brunei

total: 8 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 465,937 GRT/413,393 DWT

by type: liquefied gas 8

foreign-owned: 8 (United Kingdom 8) (2005)

Bulgaria

total: 64 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 757,972 GRT/1,115,238

DWT

by type: bulk carrier 34, cargo 13, chemical tanker 4, container 6,

passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 3, roll on/roll off 3

registered in other countries: 45 (2005)

Burma

total: 37 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 429,144 GRT/659,622 DWT

by type: bulk carrier 8, cargo 19, passenger 3, passenger/cargo 3,

roll on'roll off 3, specialized tanker 1

foreign-owned: 10 (Germany 4, Japan 5, United Kingdom 1) (2005)

Cambodia

total: 479 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 1,913,910

GRT/2,713,967 DWT

by type: bulk carrier 34, cargo 396, chemical tanker 9, container 6,

livestock carrier 3, passenger/cargo 3, petroleum tanker 11,

refrigerated cargo 11, roll on/roll off 5, specialized tanker 1

foreign-owned: 193 (Canada 4, China 39, China 2, Cyprus 4, Egypt 5,

Estonia 2, France 1, Germany 1, Greece 6, Honduras 1, Hong Kong 3,

Indonesia 1, Isle of Man 1, Israel 1, Italy 1, Japan 1, Lebanon 1,

Nigeria 2, Norway 1, Russia 58, Singapore 5, South Korea 23, Syria

8, Turkey 7, Ukraine 6, UAE 1, United States 7, Yemen 1) (2005)

Cameroon

total: 1 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 169,593 GRT/357,023 DWT

by type: petroleum tanker 1 (2005)

Canada

total: 169 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 1,784,229 GRT/2,657,499

DWT

by type: bulk carrier 22, cargo 49, chemical tanker 6, combination

ore/oil 1, container 1, passenger 6, passenger/cargo 65, petroleum

tanker 13, roll on/roll off 6

foreign-owned: 6 (France 1, Germany 3, United States 2)

registered in other countries: 112 (2005)

Cape Verde

total: 5 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 5,395 GRT/6,614 DWT

by type: cargo 2, chemical tanker 1, passenger/cargo 2

foreign-owned: 1 (United Kingdom 1) (2005)

Cayman Islands

total: 129 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 2,827,837

GRT/4,555,974 DWT

by type: bulk carrier 29, cargo 12, chemical tanker 39, liquefied

gas 1, petroleum tanker 17, refrigerated cargo 28, roll on/roll off 3

foreign-owned: 126 (Denmark 1, Germany 14, Greece 20, Italy 12,

Norway 1, Philippines 1, Sweden 13, Switzerland 11, United Kingdom

9, United States 44) (2005)

Chile

total: 47 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 725,216 GRT/954,519 DWT

by type: bulk carrier 10, cargo 6, chemical tanker 9, container 1,

liquefied gas 3, passenger 3, passenger/cargo 2, petroleum tanker 8,

roll on/roll off 1, vehicle carrier 4

registered in other countries: 21 (2005)

China

total: 1,649 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 18,724,653

GRT/27,749,784 DWT

by type: barge carrier 2, bulk carrier 362, cargo 696, chemical

tanker 38, combination ore/oil 1, container 135, liquefied gas 30,

passenger 7, passenger/cargo 81, petroleum tanker 246, refrigerated

cargo 30, roll on/roll off 11, vehicle carrier 10

foreign-owned: 9 (Hong Kong 4, Japan 2, South Korea 2, United States

1)

registered in other countries: 872 (2005)

Colombia

total: 15 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 35,427 GRT/46,301 DWT

by type: bulk carrier 1, cargo 11, liquefied gas 1, petroleum tanker

2

registered in other countries: 7 (2005)

Comoros

total: 79 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 452,801 GRT/681,343 DWT

by type: bulk carrier 9, cargo 55, chemical tanker 1, container 1,

livestock carrier 1, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 5,

refrigerated cargo 5, roll on/roll off 1

foreign-owned: 35 (Bulgaria 1, Germany 1, Greece 7, India 1, Jordan

1, Kenya 1, Lebanon 3, Nigeria 1, Norway 1, Pakistan 1, Philippines

1, Russia 2, Syria 3, Turkey 6, Ukraine 4, United Kingdom 1) (2005)

Congo, Democratic Republic of the

registered in other countries: 1

Cook Islands

total: 1 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 4,074 GRT/7,520 DWT

by type: petroleum tanker 1 (2005)

Costa Rica

total: 2 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 1,716 GRT/ DWT

by type: passenger/cargo 2 (2005)

Croatia

total: 73 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 750,579 GRT/1,178,786 DWT

by type: bulk carrier 25, cargo 12, chemical tanker 2,

passenger/cargo 25, petroleum tanker 4, refrigerated cargo 1, roll

on/roll off 4

foreign-owned: 1 (Denmark 1)

registered in other countries: 31 (2005)

Cuba

total: 15 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 54,818 GRT/81,850 DWT

by type: bulk carrier 2, cargo 4, chemical tanker 1, passenger 2,

petroleum tanker 4, refrigerated cargo 2

foreign-owned: 1 (Spain 1)

registered in other countries: 20 (2005)

Cyprus

total: 972 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 22,016,374

GRT/35,760,004 DWT

by type: bulk carrier 384, cargo 248, chemical tanker 45, container

125, liquefied gas 4, passenger 8, passenger/cargo 19, petroleum

tanker 103, refrigerated cargo 19, roll on/roll off 12, vehicle

carrier 5

foreign-owned: 899 (Austria 2, Belgium 1, Canada 10, China 8,

Croatia 3, Cuba 5, Egypt 1, Estonia 3, France 1, Germany 236, Greece

396, Hong Kong 2, India 2, Iran 2, Israel 3, Japan 18, Latvia 7,

Monaco 1, Netherlands 12, Norway 14, Philippines 1, Poland 20,

Portugal 2, Russia 56, Singapore 2, Slovenia 4, South Korea 1, Spain

4, Sweden 6, Switzerland 4, Syria 2, Ukraine 3, UAE 11, United

Kingdom 24, United States 31, Vietnam 1)

registered in other countries: 54 (2005)

Czech Republic

registered in other countries: 3

Denmark

total: 287 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 6,952,473 GRT/9,030,444

DWT

by type: bulk carrier 2, cargo 67, chemical tanker 40, container 79,

liquefied gas 10, livestock carrier 2, passenger 1, passenger/cargo

42, petroleum tanker 25, refrigerated cargo 7, roll on/roll off 8,

specialized tanker 4

foreign-owned: 23 (Bahamas 14, France 1, Greece 1, Greenland 1,

Norway 2, Sweden 2, UAE 1, Vietnam 1)

registered in other countries: 487 (2005)

Djibouti

total: 1 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 1,369 GRT/3,030 DWT

by type: cargo 1 (2005)

Dominica

total: 32 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 13,771 GRT/19,736 DWT

by type: bulk carrier 2, cargo 19, chemical tanker 2, container 1,

passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 5, refrigerated cargo 1, roll

on/roll off 1

foreign-owned: 21 (Estonia 6, Greece 3, Pakistan 1, Russia 2,

Singapore 6, Syria 2, UAE 1) (2005)

Dominican Republic

total: 3 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 11,230

GRT/17,011 DWT

by type: cargo 3 (2005)

Ecuador

total: 31 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 241,403 GRT/391,898 DWT

by type: chemical tanker 2, liquefied gas 1, passenger 8, petroleum

tanker 20

foreign-owned: 3 (Germany 1, Greece 1, Paraguay 1) (2005)

Egypt

total: 77 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 1,194,696 GRT/1,754,815 DWT

by type: bulk carrier 14, cargo 34, container 2, passenger/cargo 5,

petroleum tanker 14, roll on/roll off 8

foreign-owned: 10 (Denmark 1, Greece 6, Lebanon 2, Turkey 1)

registered in other countries: 34 (2005)

Equatorial Guinea

total: 1 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 6,556 GRT/9,704

DWT

by type: cargo 1 (2005)

Eritrea

total: 6 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 16,069 GRT/19,549 DWT

by type: cargo 3, liquefied gas 1, petroleum tanker 1, roll on/roll

off 1

registered in other countries: 1 (2005)

Estonia

total: 43 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 212,998 GRT/177,488 DWT

by type: cargo 17, passenger/cargo 20, petroleum tanker 2, roll

on/roll off 4

foreign-owned: 6 (Norway 6)

registered in other countries: 51 (2005)

Ethiopia

total: 8 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 81,933 GRT/101,287 DWT

by type: cargo 6, roll on/roll off 2 (2005)

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

none

Faroe Islands

total: 14 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 24,051 GRT/11,998

DWT

by type: cargo 6, container 1, passenger/cargo 5, petroleum tanker 2

foreign-owned: 8 (Denmark 2, Germany 1, Iceland 2, Norway 2, United

Kingdom 1) (2005)

Fiji

total: 7 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 6,372 GRT/7,453 DWT

by type: passenger 3, passenger/cargo 2, roll on/roll off 2

foreign-owned: 1 (Australia 1) (2005)

Finland

total: 94 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 1,152,175 GRT/1,053,906

DWT

by type: bulk carrier 3, cargo 27, chemical tanker 6, container 1,

passenger 5, passenger/cargo 20, petroleum tanker 7, roll on/roll

off 25

foreign-owned: 2 (Norway 1, United States 1)

registered in other countries: 42 (2005)

France

total: 56 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 703,639 GRT/889,705 DWT

by type: cargo 4, chemical tanker 6, liquefied gas 4, passenger 3,

passenger/cargo 30, petroleum tanker 8, roll on/roll off 1

foreign-owned: 6 (Sweden 5, Switzerland 1)

registered in other countries: 139 (2005)

French Guiana

registered in other countries: 3

French Polynesia

total: 15 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 17,537

GRT/15,150 DWT

by type: cargo 4, passenger 4, passenger/cargo 5, refrigerated cargo

1, roll on/roll off 1

foreign-owned: 1 (France 1) (2005)

French Southern and Antarctic Lands

total: 75 ships (1,000 GRT or

over) 3,092,387 GRT/5,056,658 DWT

by type: bulk carrier 2, cargo 1, chemical tanker 21, container 19,

liquefied gas 7, petroleum tanker 15, roll on/roll off 6, vehicle

carrier 4

foreign-owned: 71 (Belgium 5, Denmark 2, France 45, Germany 2,

Greece 2, Hong Kong 5, Japan 4, Saudi Arabia 1, Sweden 5) (2005)

Gambia, The

total: 4 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 30,976 GRT/10,978 DWT

by type: passenger/cargo 3, petroleum tanker 1

foreign-owned: 1 (Switzerland 1) (2005)

Georgia

total: 175 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 855,908 GRT/1,288,812

DWT

by type: bulk carrier 22, cargo 133, container 3, liquefied gas 1,

passenger 1, passenger/cargo 3, petroleum tanker 6, refrigerated

cargo 4, roll on/roll off 1, specialized tanker 1

foreign-owned: 105 (Albania 1, Azerbaijan 2, Cyprus 2, Egypt 3,

Estonia 1, Germany 1, Greece 4, Israel 1, Lebanon 3, Romania 6,

Russia 8, Syria 27, Turkey 14, Ukraine 30, UAE 2)

registered in other countries: 1 (2005)

Germany

total: 332 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 5,721,495 GRT/6,810,631

DWT

by type: cargo 69, chemical tanker 13, container 208, liquefied gas

3, passenger 7, passenger/cargo 25, petroleum tanker 3, roll on/roll

off 4

foreign-owned: 5 (Finland 2, Netherlands 1, Switzerland 1, UAE 1)

registered in other countries: 2,289 (2005)

Ghana

total: 4 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 19,086 GRT/26,185 DWT

by type: petroleum tanker 1, refrigerated cargo 3

foreign-owned: 1 (Brazil 1) (2005)

Gibraltar

total: 161 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 980,636 GRT/1,254,661

DWT

by type: barge carrier 3, bulk carrier 2, cargo 96, chemical tanker

21, container 22, passenger 3, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker

11, roll on/roll off 2

foreign-owned: 142 (Belgium 1, Cyprus 1, Finland 1, France 1,

Germany 105, Greece 12, Iceland 1, Ireland 1, Italy 1, Latvia 1,

Norway 8, Sweden 2, Switzerland 1, Taiwan 1, United Kingdom 3,

United States 2) (2005)

Greece

total: 861 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 30,186,624

GRT/52,943,968 DWT

by type: bulk carrier 296, cargo 65, chemical tanker 47, combination

ore/oil 2, container 46, liquefied gas 2, passenger 13,

passenger/cargo 121, petroleum tanker 252, roll on/roll off 17

foreign-owned: 25 (Chile 1, China 1, Cyprus 5, Norway 6, Sweden 1,

United Kingdom 11)

registered in other countries: 2,208 (2005)

Greenland

total: 3 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 4,593 GRT/3,640 DWT

by type: cargo 1, passenger 2

foreign-owned: 1 (Denmark 1)

registered in other countries: 1 (2005)

Guadeloupe

total: 1 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 1,240 GRT/109 DWT

by type: passenger 1

foreign-owned: 1 (France 1) (2005)

Guyana

total: 6 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 7,475 GRT/8,758 DWT

by type: cargo 5, refrigerated cargo 1

registered in other countries: 3 (2005)

Honduras

total: 137 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 598,600 GRT/616,158 DWT

by type: bulk carrier 10, cargo 67, chemical tanker 6, container 2,

liquefied gas 1, livestock carrier 1, passenger 4, passenger/cargo

5, petroleum tanker 30, refrigerated cargo 9, roll on/roll off 1,

specialized tanker 1

foreign-owned: 44 (Canada 1, China 3, Egypt 1, Greece 4, Hong Kong

2, Israel 1, Japan 4, Lebanon 1, Mexico 1, Singapore 12, South Korea

6, Taiwan 2, Tanzania 1, Turkey 1, United States 2, Vanuatu 1,

Vietnam 1)

registered in other countries: 1 (2005)

Hong Kong

total: 837 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 20,478,042

GRT/34,554,455 DWT

by type: barge carrier 1, bulk carrier 446, cargo 119, chemical

tanker 44, combination ore/oil 2, container 105, liquefied gas 20,

passenger 6, passenger/cargo 6, petroleum tanker 75, roll on/roll

off 5, vehicle carrier 8

foreign-owned: 453 (Australia 1, Bahamas 1, Belgium 3, Canada 9,

China 246, Denmark 3, France 5, Germany 13, Greece 19, India 1,

Indonesia 1, Israel 1, Japan 51, Norway 16, Philippines 13,

Singapore 17, South Korea 8, Taiwan 5, Thailand 4, UAE 1, United

Kingdom 32, United States 3)

registered in other countries: 373 (2005)

Iceland

total: 3 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 4,341 GRT/6,019 DWT

by type: cargo 2, passenger/cargo 1

registered in other countries: 30 (2005)

India

total: 299 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 6,555,507 GRT/11,069,791

DWT

by type: bulk carrier 85, cargo 75, chemical tanker 13, combination

ore/oil 1, container 7, liquefied gas 14, passenger 3,

passenger/cargo 9, petroleum tanker 91, roll on/roll off 1

foreign-owned: 10 (Australia 1, China 1, Greece 1, UAE 6, United

Kingdom 1)

registered in other countries: 30 (2005)

Indonesia

total: 728 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 3,192,847

GRT/4,319,739 DWT

by type: bulk carrier 35, cargo 409, chemical tanker 19, container

36, liquefied gas 7, livestock carrier 1, passenger 41,

passenger/cargo 36, petroleum tanker 125, refrigerated cargo 2, roll

on/roll off 13, specialized tanker 2, vehicle carrier 2

foreign-owned: 19 (France 1, Japan 3, Philippines 1, Singapore 11,

Switzerland 1, United Kingdom 2)

registered in other countries: 113 (2005)

Iran

total: 144 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 4,715,242 GRT/8,240,069 DWT

by type: bulk carrier 38, cargo 49, chemical tanker 4, container 14,

liquefied gas 1, passenger 1, passenger/cargo 5, petroleum tanker

30, roll on/roll off 2

foreign-owned: 1 (UAE 1)

registered in other countries: 8 (2005)

Iraq

total: 14 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 83,221 GRT/125,255 DWT

by type: cargo 11, petroleum tanker 3 (2005)

Ireland

total: 39

by type: bulk carrier 4, cargo 27, chemical tanker 1, container 1,

passenger/cargo 4, roll on/roll off 2

foreign-owned: 11 (Germany 3, Italy 3, Norway 1, Switzerland 1,

United Kingdom 3)

registered in other countries: 18 (2005)

Israel

total: 17 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 752,873 GRT/881,711 DWT

by type: cargo 1, container 16

registered in other countries: 48 (2005)

Italy

total: 565 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 8,970,017 GRT/10,354,685

DWT

by type: bulk carrier 38, cargo 43, chemical tanker 128, combination

ore/oil 1, container 19, liquefied gas 38, livestock carrier 2,

passenger 16, passenger/cargo 152, petroleum tanker 53, refrigerated

cargo 4, roll on/roll off 34, specialized tanker 11, vehicle carrier

26

foreign-owned: 47 (France 3, Greece 7, Monaco 2, Switzerland 5,

Taiwan 8, Turkey 2, United Kingdom 5, United States 15)

registered in other countries: 125 (2005)

Jamaica

total: 9 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 74,881 GRT/100,682 DWT

by type: bulk carrier 5, petroleum tanker 1, roll on/roll off 3

foreign-owned: 8 (Germany 2, Greece 5, UAE 1) (2005)

Japan

total: 702 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 10,149,196 GRT/12,680,544

DWT

by type: bulk carrier 136, cargo 29, chemical tanker 23, container

13, liquefied gas 53, passenger 16, passenger/cargo 157, petroleum

tanker 160, refrigerated cargo 4, roll on/roll off 52, vehicle

carrier 59

registered in other countries: 2,233 (2005)

Jordan

total: 20 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 78,814 GRT/92,695 DWT

by type: bulk carrier 2, cargo 7, container 2, passenger/cargo 5,

roll on/roll off 4

foreign-owned: 12 (Greece 3, UAE 9)

registered in other countries: 14 (2005)

Kazakhstan

total: 3 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 1,064 GRT/646 DWT

by type: cargo 2, refrigerated cargo 1

foreign-owned: 2 (United Kingdom 2) (2005)

Kenya

total: 3 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 6,049 GRT/7,082 DWT

by type: cargo 2, petroleum tanker 1

registered in other countries: 6 (2005)

Kiribati

total: 1 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 1,291 GRT/1,295 DWT

by type: passenger/cargo 1 (2005)

Korea, North

total: 238 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 985,108

GRT/1,389,389 DWT

by type: bulk carrier 13, cargo 191, container 2, livestock carrier

4, passenger/cargo 5, petroleum tanker 13, refrigerated cargo 5,

roll on/roll off 5

foreign-owned: 52 (China 1, Denmark 2, France 1, Greece 4, Italy 1,

Lebanon 4, Lithuania 1, Netherlands 1, Pakistan 2, Romania 10,

Russia 2, Singapore 2, South Korea 2, Syria 9, Turkey 6, Ukraine 1,

UAE 3) (2005)

Korea, South

total: 601 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 6,992,656

GRT/11,081,142 DWT

by type: bulk carrier 125, cargo 196, chemical tanker 88, container

71, liquefied gas 20, passenger 5, passenger/cargo 22, petroleum

tanker 51, refrigerated cargo 15, roll on/roll off 5, vehicle

carrier 3

foreign-owned: 2 (Germany 1, United Kingdom 1)

registered in other countries: 366 (2005)

Kuwait

total: 39 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 2,319,082 GRT/3,768,828

DWT

by type: bulk carrier 3, container 6, liquefied gas 5, livestock

carrier 5, petroleum tanker 20

registered in other countries: 19 (2005)

Laos

total: 1 ship (1,000 GRT or over) 2,370 GRT/3,110 DWT

by type: cargo 1 (2005)

Latvia

total: 19 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 53,153 GRT/37,414 DWT

by type: cargo 7, chemical tanker 1, liquefied gas 2,

passenger/cargo 3, petroleum tanker 5, roll on/roll off 1

registered in other countries: 86 (2005)

Lebanon

total: 44 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 198,602 GRT/248,313 DWT

by type: bulk carrier 4, cargo 26, livestock carrier 8, refrigerated

cargo 1, roll on/roll off 2, vehicle carrier 3

foreign-owned: 6 (Austria 1, Greece 5)

registered in other countries: 40 (2005)

Liberia

total: 1,465 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 50,555,752

GRT/79,125,329 DWT

by type: barge carrier 3, bulk carrier 275, cargo 91, chemical

tanker 173, combination ore/oil 22, container 388, liquefied gas 78,

passenger 2, passenger/cargo 2, petroleum tanker 324, refrigerated

cargo 57, roll on/roll off 6, specialized tanker 9, vehicle carrier

35

foreign-owned: 1,392 (Argentina 8, Australia 2, Austria 13, Bahamas

3, Brazil 6, British 1, Canada 2, Chile 1, China 36, Croatia 7,

Cyprus 1, Denmark 5, France 3, Germany 511, Greece 149, Hong Kong

29, India 4, Indonesia 1, Isle of Man 5, Israel 7, Italy 12, Japan

106, Latvia 18, Monaco 10, Netherlands 18, Nigeria 1, Norway 57,

Pakistan 1, Poland 14, Romania 1, Russia 63, Saudi Arabia 23,

Singapore 29, Slovenia 1, South Korea 4, Sweden 12, Switzerland 10,

Taiwan 54, Turkey 4, Ukraine 7, UAE 10, United Kingdom 56, United

States 84, Uruguay 3) (2005)

Libya

total: 17 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 129,627 GRT/105,110 DWT

by type: cargo 7, liquefied gas 3, passenger/cargo 2, petroleum

tanker 1, roll on/roll off 4

foreign-owned: 1 (Algeria 1) (2005)

Lithuania

total: 54 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 296,856 GRT/317,731 DWT

by type: bulk carrier 8, cargo 24, chemical tanker 1,

passenger/cargo 6, petroleum tanker 1, refrigerated cargo 13, roll

on/roll off 1

foreign-owned: 12 (Denmark 12)

registered in other countries: 16 (2005)

Luxembourg

total: 40 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 652,454 GRT/805,101

DWT

by type: chemical tanker 16, container 6, liquefied gas 2, passenger

3, petroleum tanker 6, roll on/roll off 6, vehicle carrier 1

foreign-owned: 40 (Belgium 12, Finland 3, France 8, Germany 10,

Netherlands 4, United States 3) (2005)

Madagascar

total: 9 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 14,865 GRT/17,936 DWT

by type: cargo 5, passenger/cargo 2, petroleum tanker 2

registered in other countries: 1 (2005)

Malaysia

total: 346 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 5,389,397

GRT/7,539,178 DWT

by type: bulk carrier 45, cargo 109, chemical tanker 38, container

47, liquefied gas 26, livestock carrier 1, passenger 1,

passenger/cargo 6, petroleum tanker 62, roll on/roll off 6, vehicle

carrier 5

foreign-owned: 77 (China 1, Hong Kong 12, Japan 3, Singapore 61)

registered in other countries: 59 (2005)

Maldives

total: 16 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 57,118 GRT/72,831 DWT

by type: cargo 12, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 2,

refrigerated cargo 1

registered in other countries: 1 (2005)

Malta

total: 1,140 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 25,102,401

GRT/41,176,791 DWT

by type: barge carrier 1, bulk carrier 438, cargo 303, chemical

tanker 70, combination ore/oil 2, container 54, liquefied gas 8,

livestock carrier 1, passenger 5, passenger/cargo 13, petroleum

tanker 162, refrigerated cargo 43, roll on/roll off 26, specialized

tanker 1, vehicle carrier 13

foreign-owned: 1,080 (Austria 3, Azerbaijan 1, Bangladesh 3, Belgium

12, British 1, Bulgaria 18, Canada 9, China 15, Croatia 10, Cyprus

2, Czech Republic 2, Estonia 2, Finland 1, France 5, Germany 51,

Greece 527, Hong Kong 1, Iceland 7, Iran 4, Israel 26, Italy 17,

Japan 2, Latvia 30, Lebanon 6, Madagascar 1, Monaco 3, Netherlands

3, Norway 42, Pakistan 2, Poland 24, Portugal 4, Romania 5, Russia

64, Slovenia 3, South Korea 4, Sweden 3, Switzerland 32, Syria 6,

Taiwan 1, Turkey 87, Ukraine 25, UAE 5, United Kingdom 8, United

States 3)

registered in other countries: 3 (2005)

Man, Isle of

total: 267 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 6,834,626

GRT/11,354,689 DWT

by type: bulk carrier 31, cargo 54, chemical tanker 45, combination

ore/oil 1, container 15, liquefied gas 46, passenger/cargo 2,

petroleum tanker 53, refrigerated cargo 4, roll on/roll off 10,

specialized tanker 1, vehicle carrier 5

foreign-owned: 253 (Australia 1, Bahamas 8, Denmark 39, France 2,

Germany 55, Greece 20, Hong Kong 3, Italy 7, Japan 4, Netherlands 2,

New Zealand 1, Norway 18, Singapore 2, Sweden 1, Turkey 2, United

Kingdom 86, United States 2)

registered in other countries: 9 (2005)

Marshall Islands

total: 540 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 16,954,092

GRT/28,176,762 DWT

by type: barge carrier 2, bulk carrier 83, cargo 47, chemical tanker

77, combination ore/oil 12, container 88, liquefied gas 16,

passenger 8, petroleum tanker 192, refrigerated cargo 4, roll

on/roll off 6, vehicle carrier 5

foreign-owned: 462 (Australia 1, Bahamas 1, Bermuda 1, Canada 4,

Chile 2, Croatia 2, Cyprus 7, Denmark 2, Georgia 1, Germany 124,

Greece 106, Hong Kong 7, India 1, Italy 1, Japan 5, Latvia 6, Monaco

9, Netherlands 4, New Zealand 1, Norway 21, Philippines 1, Russia 1,

Saudi Arabia 1, Singapore 2, Slovenia 2, Spain 1, Switzerland 5,

Taiwan 1, Turkey 11, Ukraine 1, UAE 3, United Kingdom 15, United

States 112) (2005)

Mauritius

total: 8 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 22,946 GRT/27,102 DWT

by type: bulk carrier 4, passenger/cargo 2, refrigerated cargo 2

foreign-owned: 6 (India 4, Switzerland 2) (2005)

Mexico

total: 57 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 649,389 GRT/942,766 DWT

by type: bulk carrier 2, cargo 6, chemical tanker 5, liquefied gas

5, passenger/cargo 9, petroleum tanker 26, roll on/roll off 4

foreign-owned: 4 (Denmark 1, Germany 1, UAE 1, United States 1)

registered in other countries: 6 (2005)

Micronesia, Federated States of total: 2 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 2,423 GRT/1,551 DWT by type: cargo 1, passenger/cargo 1 foreign-owned: 2 (United States 2) (2005)

Moldova

total: 2 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 1,636 GRT/1,088 DWT

by type: cargo 2 (2005)

Monaco

registered in other countries: 54 (2005)

Mongolia

total: 65 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 339,423 GRT/533,853 DWT

by type: bulk carrier 6, cargo 54, liquefied gas 2, passenger/cargo

1, refrigerated cargo 1, roll on/roll off 1

foreign-owned: 38 (China 2, Lebanon 1, Philippines 1, Russia 10,

Singapore 10, South Korea 1, Syria 1, Thailand 1, Ukraine 1, UAE 4,

Vietnam 6) (2005)

Morocco

total: 41 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 236,131 GRT/252,367 DWT

by type: cargo 6, chemical tanker 6, container 8, passenger/cargo

13, petroleum tanker 1, refrigerated cargo 2, roll on/roll off 5

foreign-owned: 6 (France 1, Germany 2, Switzerland 2, United Kingdom

1) (2005)

Mozambique

total: 2 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 4,125 GRT/7,024 DWT

by type: cargo 2

foreign-owned: 2 (Belgium 2) (2005)

Namibia

total: 1 ship (1,000 GRT or over) 2,265 GRT/3,605 DWT

by type: cargo 1 (2005)

Netherlands

total: 558 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 4,796,460

GRT/5,212,557 DWT

by type: bulk carrier 14, cargo 361, chemical tanker 32, container

48, liquefied gas 13, passenger 11, passenger/cargo 14, petroleum

tanker 14, refrigerated cargo 32, roll on/roll off 15, specialized

tanker 4

foreign-owned: 139 (Bahamas 5, Belgium 2, Canada 1, Denmark 4,

Finland 7, Germany 62, Ireland 13, Norway 9, Sweden 19, United

Kingdom 6, United States 11)

registered in other countries: 223 (2005)

Netherlands Antilles

total: 168 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 1,317,007

GRT/1,668,499 DWT

by type: barge carrier 3, bulk carrier 23, cargo 72, chemical tanker

2, container 21, liquefied gas 6, passenger 2, petroleum tanker 3,

refrigerated cargo 30, roll on/roll off 4, specialized tanker 2

foreign-owned: 158 (Belgium 5, Cyprus 1, Denmark 1, Germany 57, Hong

Kong 3, Netherlands 71, Peru 1, Sweden 9, Turkey 7, United Kingdom

2, United States 1) (2005)

New Caledonia

total: 2 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 1,261 GRT/1,600 DWT

by type: cargo 1, passenger/cargo 1 (2005)

New Zealand

total: 13 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 77,523 GRT/108,352

DWT

by type: cargo 3, passenger/cargo 4, petroleum tanker 2, roll

on/roll off 1, bulk carrier 3

foreign-owned: 2 (Germany 1, Isle of Man 1)

registered in other countries: 5 (2005)

Nigeria

total: 46 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 327,808 GRT/608,076 DWT

by type: cargo 5, chemical tanker 6, combination ore/oil 1,

liquefied gas 1, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 31,

refrigerated cargo 1

foreign-owned: 3 (Norway 2, Pakistan 1)

registered in other countries: 25 (2005)

Norway

total: 740 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 18,820,495

GRT/27,449,456 DWT

by type: bulk carrier 51, cargo 168, chemical tanker 142,

combination ore/oil 20, container 3, liquefied gas 81, passenger 5,

passenger/cargo 113, petroleum tanker 79, refrigerated cargo 6, roll

on/roll off 30, vehicle carrier 42

foreign-owned: 174 (Belgium 1, China 3, Cyprus 5, Denmark 28,

Estonia 2, Finland 5, Germany 4, Hong Kong 52, Iceland 3, Italy 3,

Japan 3, Lithuania 1, Monaco 1, Netherlands 4, Poland 2, Saudi

Arabia 7, Singapore 10, Sweden 24, United States 16)

registered in other countries: 1,117 (2005)

Oman

total: 1 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 15,430 GRT/6,360 DWT

by type: passenger 1 (2005)

Pakistan

total: 13 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 329,486 GRT/512,506 DWT

by type: cargo 10, petroleum tanker 3

registered in other countries: 14 (2005)

Panama

total: 5,005 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 122,960,929

GRT/183,615,337 DWT

by type: barge carrier 1, bulk carrier 1,548, cargo 886, chemical

tanker 465, combination ore/oil 13, container 605, liquefied gas

183, livestock carrier 8, passenger 42, passenger/cargo 77,

petroleum tanker 521, refrigerated cargo 298, roll on/roll off 97,

specialized tanker 5, vehicle carrier 256

foreign-owned: 4,388 (Andorra 1, Argentina 9, Australia 3, Bahamas

1, Belgium 14, Brazil 1, Canada 1, Chile 14, China 310, Colombia 5,

Croatia 1, Cuba 9, Cyprus 7, Denmark 13, Egypt 15, France 7, Germany

23, Greece 546, Hong Kong 159, India 8, Indonesia 46, Ireland 1,

Isle of Man 2, Israel 3, Italy 8, Japan 1814, Jordan 9, Latvia 2,

Lithuania 5, Malaysia 11, Maldives 1, Malta 1, Mexico 4, Monaco 8,

Netherlands 22, New Zealand 1, Nigeria 6, Norway 66, Pakistan 1,

Peru 13, Philippines 15, Poland 19, Portugal 8, Romania 13, Russia

4, Saudi Arabia 4, Singapore 54, South Africa 3, South Korea 292,

Spain 41, Sri Lanka 1, Sudan 1, Sweden 4, Switzerland 188, Syria 7,

Taiwan 301, Thailand 10, Trinidad & Tobago 1, Tunisia 1, Turkey 18,

Ukraine 9, UAE 83, United Kingdom 29, United States 88, Venezuela

20, Vietnam 2, Yemen 1) (2005)

Papua New Guinea

total: 22 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 47,586

GRT/60,934 DWT

by type: bulk carrier 2, cargo 17, chemical tanker 1, petroleum

tanker 2

foreign-owned: 8 (Singapore 2, United Kingdom 6) (2005)

Paraguay

total: 21 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 31,667 GRT/30,826 DWT

by type: cargo 15, livestock carrier 1, passenger 1, petroleum

tanker 2, roll on/roll off 2

foreign-owned: 2 (Argentina 2)

registered in other countries: 1 (2005)

Peru

total: 4 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 13,666 GRT/17,611 DWT

by type: cargo 3, petroleum tanker 1

foreign-owned: 1 (United States 1)

registered in other countries: 14 (2005)

Philippines

total: 419 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 4,524,259

GRT/6,437,171 DWT

by type: bulk carrier 85, cargo 109, chemical tanker 13, container

5, liquefied gas 7, livestock carrier 15, passenger 11,

passenger/cargo 73, petroleum tanker 47, refrigerated cargo 23, roll

on/roll off 17, vehicle carrier 14

foreign-owned: 69 (Canada 1, China 2, Germany 2, Greece 5, Hong Kong

2, Japan 31, Malaysia 2, Netherlands 20, Norway 1, UAE 1, United

States 2)

registered in other countries: 40 (2005)

Poland

total: 7 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 154,710 GRT/228,132 DWT

by type: cargo 3, chemical tanker 2, passenger/cargo 1, roll on/roll

off 1

registered in other countries: 107 (2005)

Portugal

total: 114 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 872,557 GRT/1,236,025

DWT

by type: bulk carrier 10, cargo 38, chemical tanker 14, container 7,

liquefied gas 9, passenger 8, passenger/cargo 7, petroleum tanker 9,

roll on/roll off 4, vehicle carrier 8

foreign-owned: 97 (Australia 1, Belgium 6, Denmark 5, Germany 18,

Greece 4, Iceland 1, Italy 11, Japan 8, Lebanon 1, Malta 1, Norway

4, Spain 19, Switzerland 4)

registered in other countries: 28 (2005)

Puerto Rico

total: 2 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 36,728 GRT/37,048 DWT

by type: roll on/roll off 2

foreign-owned: 2 (United States 2)

registered in other countries: 1 (2005)

Qatar

total: 22 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 525,051 GRT/772,635 DWT

by type: cargo 3, chemical tanker 5, container 8, liquefied gas 2,

petroleum tanker 3, roll on/roll off 1

foreign-owned: 6 (Kuwait 6) (2005)

Reunion

total: 1 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 28,264 GRT/44,885 DWT

by type: chemical tanker 1

foreign-owned: 1 (France 1)

registered in other countries: 1 (2005)

Romania

total: 34 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 395,350 GRT/510,232 DWT

by type: bulk carrier 5, cargo 20, passenger 1, passenger/cargo 2,

petroleum tanker 2, roll on/roll off 4

foreign-owned: 2 (Italy 2)

registered in other countries: 39 (2005)

Russia

total: 1,194 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 4,521,472

GRT/5,505,118 DWT

by type: barge carrier 1, bulk carrier 45, cargo 767, chemical

tanker 20, combination ore/oil 48, container 21, passenger 11,

passenger/cargo 8, petroleum tanker 213, refrigerated cargo 46, roll

on/roll off 12, specialized tanker 2

foreign-owned: 56 (Belgium 2, Cyprus 1, Estonia 2, Germany 1, Hong

Kong 1, Latvia 3, Norway 1, Sweden 1, Turkey 28, Ukraine 10, United

Kingdom 2, United States 4)

registered in other countries: 326 (2005)

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

total: 657 ships (1,000 GRT or

over) 5,967,418 GRT/9,041,023 DWT

by type: bulk carrier 112, cargo 366, chemical tanker 18,

combination ore/oil 1, container 24, liquefied gas 4, livestock

carrier 6, passenger 5, passenger/cargo 19, petroleum tanker 29,

refrigerated cargo 48, roll on/roll off 22, specialized tanker 2,

vehicle carrier 1

foreign-owned: 554 (Australia 2, Bangladesh 5, Barbados 1, Belgium

1, British 5, Bulgaria 17, China 115, Congo 1, Croatia 7, Cuba 1,

Czech Republic 1, Denmark 12, Egypt 2, Estonia 19, France 12,

Germany 8, Greece 99, Guyana 3, Hong Kong 10, Iceland 11, India 6,

Iran 1, Ireland 1, Israel 3, Italy 18, Kenya 4, Latvia 9, Lebanon 6,

Lithuania 3, Monaco 4, Netherlands 7, Nigeria 3, Norway 19, Pakistan

4, Poland 1, Puerto Rico 1, Romania 1, Russia 20, Saudi Arabia 3,

Serbia & Montenegro 1, Singapore 2, Slovenia 6, South Korea 3, Spain

2, Sweden 1, Switzerland 7, Syria 6, Trinidad & Tobago 1, Tunisia 2,

Turkey 16, Ukraine 6, UAE 21, United Kingdom 10, United States 24)

(2005)

Samoa

total: 1 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 7,091 GRT/8,127 DWT

by type: cargo 1

foreign-owned: 1 (Germany 1) (2005)

Sao Tome and Principe

total: 15 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 79,490

GRT/97,077 DWT

by type: bulk carrier 2, cargo 11, chemical tanker 2

foreign-owned: 2 (Egypt 1, Greece 1) (2005)

Saudi Arabia

total: 64 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 1,306,706

GRT/1,963,191 DWT

by type: cargo 5, chemical tanker 12, container 4, passenger/cargo

8, petroleum tanker 23, refrigerated cargo 3, roll on/roll off 9

foreign-owned: 14 (Egypt 2, Hong Kong 1, Kuwait 5, Singapore 1,

Sudan 1, UAE 1, United Kingdom 3)

registered in other countries: 54 (2005)

Serbia and Montenegro

total: 2

by type: cargo 1, chemical tanker 1

foreign-owned: 2 (Finland 1, Turkey 1)

registered in other countries: 3 (2005)

Seychelles

total: 5 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 42,223 GRT/63,538 DWT

by type: cargo 1, chemical tanker 3, refrigerated cargo 1

foreign-owned: 1 (Nigeria 1) (2005)

Sierra Leone

total: 2 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 7,435 GRT/8,750 DWT

by type: petroleum tanker 2 (2005)

Singapore

total: 923 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 23,065,290

GRT/36,393,317 DWT

by type: bulk carrier 138, cargo 86, chemical tanker 115,

combination ore/oil 5, container 180, liquefied gas 42, livestock

carrier 1, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 316, refrigerated

cargo 3, vehicle carrier 36

foreign-owned: 487 (Australia 5, Bangladesh 1, Belgium 10, China 15,

Denmark 34, Germany 7, Greece 5, Hong Kong 43, India 3, Indonesia

54, Japan 83, Malaysia 31, Norway 83, Philippines 3, Russia 1,

Slovenia 1, South Korea 12, Sweden 12, Taiwan 44, Thailand 17, UAE

6, United Kingdom 12, United States 5)

registered in other countries: 276 (2005)

Slovakia

total: 24 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 41,891 GRT/63,185 DWT

by type: bulk carrier 5, cargo 18, chemical tanker 1

foreign-owned: 18 (Bulgaria 8, Estonia 1, Greece 1, Syria 1, Turkey

6, United Kingdom 1) (2005)

Slovenia

registered in other countries: 23

South Africa

total: 2 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 31,505 GRT/37,091 DWT

by type: container 1, petroleum tanker 1

foreign-owned: 1 (Denmark 1)

registered in other countries: 7 (2005)

Spain

total: 182 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 1,740,974 GRT/2,157,551

DWT

by type: bulk carrier 10, cargo 22, chemical tanker 16, container

19, liquefied gas 8, passenger 2, passenger/cargo 47, petroleum

tanker 20, refrigerated cargo 6, roll on/roll off 25, vehicle

carrier 7

foreign-owned: 29 (Cuba 2, Denmark 1, Germany 9, Italy 2, Norway 6,

United States 7, Uruguay 2)

registered in other countries: 192 (2005)

Sri Lanka

total: 23 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 120,924 GRT/173,604 DWT

by type: cargo 18, container 2, passenger 1, petroleum tanker 2

foreign-owned: 10 (Germany 10)

registered in other countries: 1 (2005)

Sudan

total: 2 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 20,466 GRT/26,973 DWT

by type: cargo 1, livestock carrier 1

registered in other countries: 2 (2005)

Suriname

total: 1 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 1,078 GRT/1,214 DWT

by type: cargo 1 (2005)

Sweden

total: 205 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 2,702,763 GRT/1,884,570

DWT

by type: bulk carrier 6, cargo 33, chemical tanker 51, passenger 4,

passenger/cargo 37, petroleum tanker 14, roll on/roll off 37,

specialized tanker 1, vehicle carrier 22

foreign-owned: 42 (Belgium 2, Denmark 4, Finland 11, Germany 6,

Italy 7, Japan 2, Netherlands 1, Norway 9)

registered in other countries: 155 (2005)

Switzerland

total: 23 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 604,843

GRT/1,050,914 DWT

by type: bulk carrier 12, cargo 6, chemical tanker 2, container 3

foreign-owned: 6 (United Kingdom 6)

registered in other countries: 291 (2005)

Syria

total: 120 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 446,981 GRT/636,620 DWT

by type: bulk carrier 8, cargo 105, container 1, livestock carrier

4, petroleum tanker 1, roll on/roll off 1

foreign-owned: 12 (Egypt 1, Greece 1, Jordan 2, Lebanon 7, Romania 1)

registered in other countries: 73 (2005)

Taiwan

total: 126 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 3,417,768 GRT/5,617,318

DWT

by type: bulk carrier 36, cargo 23, chemical tanker 2, container 37,

passenger/cargo 3, petroleum tanker 15, refrigerated cargo 9, roll

on/roll off 1

foreign-owned: 3 (Hong Kong 3)

registered in other countries: 432 (2005)

Tanzania

total: 11 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 25,481 GRT/31,011 DWT

by type: cargo 2, passenger/cargo 5, petroleum tanker 4

registered in other countries: 1 (2005)

Thailand

total: 386 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 2,038,597

GRT/3,104,712 DWT

by type: bulk carrier 57, cargo 142, chemical tanker 12, combination

ore/oil 1, container 21, liquefied gas 25, passenger 3,

passenger/cargo 4, petroleum tanker 89, refrigerated cargo 30, roll

on/roll off 1, specialized tanker 1

foreign-owned: 55 (Indonesia 1, Japan 3, Norway 45, Singapore 6)

registered in other countries: 35 (2005)

Togo

total: 2 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 3,918 GRT/3,852 DWT

by type: cargo 1, refrigerated cargo 1 (2005)

Tonga

total: 29 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 136,977 GRT/200,751 DWT

by type: cargo 21, chemical tanker 1, liquefied gas 2,

passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 1, refrigerated cargo 1, roll

on/roll off 1, vehicle carrier 1

foreign-owned: 7 (Cyprus 1, France 1, Greece 1, Norway 1, Romania 2,

United Kingdom 1) (2005)

Trinidad and Tobago

total: 6 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 7,178

GRT/3,633 DWT

by type: passenger 2, passenger/cargo 3, petroleum tanker 1

foreign-owned: 1 (United States 1)

registered in other countries: 4 (2005)

Tunisia

total: 12 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 124,733 GRT/122,664 DWT

by type: bulk carrier 1, cargo 1, chemical tanker 5, passenger/cargo

4, petroleum tanker 1

registered in other countries: 3 (2005)

Turkey

total: 526 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 4,666,895 GRT/7,311,504

DWT

by type: bulk carrier 108, cargo 228, chemical tanker 45,

combination ore/oil 1, container 25, liquefied gas 6, passenger 5,

passenger/cargo 50, petroleum tanker 33, refrigerated cargo 2, roll

on/roll off 22, specialized tanker 1

foreign-owned: 8 (Cyprus 3, Denmark 2, Greece 1, Italy 1,

Switzerland 1)

registered in other countries: 231 (2005)

Turkmenistan

total: 7 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 6,873 GRT/8,345 DWT

by type: cargo 3, combination ore/oil 1, petroleum tanker 2,

refrigerated cargo 1 (2005)

Tuvalu

total: 23 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 54,993 GRT/86,048 DWT

by type: cargo 20, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 2

foreign-owned: 16 (China 9, Germany 2, Hong Kong 4, Thailand 1)

(2005)

Ukraine

total: 201 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 675,904 GRT/709,802 DWT

by type: bulk carrier 6, cargo 148, container 4, passenger 7,

passenger/cargo 6, petroleum tanker 10, refrigerated cargo 11, roll

on/roll off 7, specialized tanker 2

foreign-owned: 1 (Russia 1)

registered in other countries: 113 (2005)

United Arab Emirates

total: 56 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 578,477

GRT/739,823 DWT

by type: bulk carrier 1, cargo 11, chemical tanker 5, container 6,

liquefied gas 1, passenger/cargo 4, petroleum tanker 21, roll

on/roll off 7

foreign-owned: 14 (Greece 2, Kuwait 6)

registered in other countries: 200 (2005)

United Kingdom

total: 429 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 9,181,284

GRT/9,566,275 DWT

by type: bulk carrier 18, cargo 55, chemical tanker 48, container

134, liquefied gas 11, passenger 12, passenger/cargo 64, petroleum

tanker 40, refrigerated cargo 19, roll on/roll off 25, vehicle

carrier 3

foreign-owned: 202 (Australia 3, Canada 15, Denmark 38, Finland 2,

Germany 56, Greece 4, Ireland 1, Italy 9, Netherlands 12, Norway 28,

South Africa 4, Sweden 15, Taiwan 7, United States 8)

registered in other countries: 446 (2005)

United States

total: 486 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 12,436,658

GRT/14,630,116 DWT

by type: barge carrier 7, bulk carrier 19, cargo 152, chemical

tanker 19, container 92, passenger 17, passenger/cargo 57, petroleum

tanker 79, refrigerated cargo 2, roll on/roll off 28, vehicle

carrier 14

foreign-owned: 49 (Australia 2, Canada 8, China 1, Denmark 20,

Malaysia 2, Netherlands 1, Norway 2, Singapore 11, Sweden 1, United

Kingdom 1)

registered in other countries: 680 (2005)

Uruguay

total: 11 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 10,918 GRT/10,342 DWT

by type: cargo 1, chemical tanker 1, passenger/cargo 6, petroleum

tanker 2, roll on/roll off 1

foreign-owned: 4 (Argentina 3, Greece 1)

registered in other countries: 8 (2005)

Vanuatu

total: 52 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 1,192,474 GRT/1,560,828

DWT

by type: bulk carrier 22, cargo 16, container 1, liquefied gas 2,

refrigerated cargo 4, roll on/roll off 2, vehicle carrier 5

foreign-owned: 52 (Australia 2, Canada 5, Estonia 1, Greece 1,

Israel 1, Japan 25, New Zealand 1, Poland 11, Russia 1, Switzerland

2, Thailand 1, United States 1)

registered in other countries: 1 (2005)

Venezuela

total: 56 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 740,919 GRT/1,191,483

DWT

by type: bulk carrier 4, cargo 16, chemical tanker 1, container 1,

liquefied gas 5, passenger/cargo 9, petroleum tanker 19, roll

on/roll off 1

foreign-owned: 9 (Denmark 2, Greece 1, Hong Kong 2, Mexico 1, Russia

2, Spain 1)

registered in other countries: 20 (2005)

Vietnam

total: 194 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 1,170,621 GRT/1,798,376

DWT

by type: bulk carrier 18, cargo 142, chemical tanker 3, container 2,

liquefied gas 4, petroleum tanker 22, refrigerated cargo 2, roll

on/roll off 1

registered in other countries: 11 (2005)

Wallis and Futuna total: 4 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 74,754 GRT/1,187 DWT by type: passenger 4 foreign-owned: 4 (France 3, United States 1) (2005)

World

total ships: 30,936 (2005)

Yemen

total: 5 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 19,766 GRT/24,794 DWT

by type: cargo 1, chemical tanker 1, petroleum tanker 2, roll

on/roll off 1

registered in other countries: 2 (2005)

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2109 National holiday

Afghanistan

Independence Day, 19 August (1919)

Albania

Independence Day, 28 November (1912)

Algeria

Revolution Day, 1 November (1954)

American Samoa

Flag Day, 17 April (1900)

Andorra

Our Lady of Meritxell Day, 8 September (1278)

Angola

Independence Day, 11 November (1975)

Anguilla

Anguilla Day, 30 May

Antigua and Barbuda

Independence Day (National Day), 1 November

(1981)

Argentina

Revolution Day, 25 May (1810)

Armenia

Independence Day, 21 September (1991)

Aruba

Flag Day, 18 March

Australia

Australia Day, 26 January (1788)

Austria

National Day, 26 October (1955); note - commemorates the

State Treaty restoring national sovereignty and the end of

occupation and the passage of the law on permanent neutrality

Azerbaijan

Founding of the Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan, 28 May

(1918)

Bahamas, The

Independence Day, 10 July (1973)

Bahrain

National Day, 16 December (1971); note - 15 August 1971 is

the date of independence from the UK, 16 December 1971 is the date

of independence from British protection

Bangladesh

Independence Day, 26 March (1971); note - 26 March 1971

is the date of independence from West Pakistan, 16 December 1971 is

Victory Day and commemorates the official creation of the state of

Bangladesh

Barbados

Independence Day, 30 November (1966)

Belarus

Independence Day, 3 July (1944); note - 3 July 1944 was the

date Minsk was liberated from German troops, 25 August 1991 was the

date of independence from the Soviet Union

Belgium

21 July (1831) ascension to the Throne of King Leopold I

Belize

Independence Day, 21 September (1981)

Benin

National Day, 1 August (1960)

Bermuda

Bermuda Day, 24 May

Bhutan

National Day (Ugyen WANGCHUCK became first hereditary king),

17 December (1907)

Bolivia

Independence Day, 6 August (1825)

Bosnia and Herzegovina

National Day, 25 November (1943)

Botswana

Independence Day (Botswana Day), 30 September (1966)

Brazil

Independence Day, 7 September (1822)

British Virgin Islands

Territory Day, 1 July

Brunei

National Day, 23 February (1984); note - 1 January 1984 was

the date of independence from the UK, 23 February 1984 was the date

of independence from British protection

Bulgaria

Liberation Day, 3 March (1878)

Burkina Faso

Republic Day, 11 December (1958)

Burma

Independence Day, 4 January (1948); Union Day, 12 February

(1947)

Burundi

Independence Day, 1 July (1962)

Cambodia

Independence Day, 9 November (1953)

Cameroon

Republic Day (National Day), 20 May (1972)

Canada

Canada Day, 1 July (1867)

Cape Verde

Independence Day, 5 July (1975)

Cayman Islands

Constitution Day, first Monday in July

Central African Republic

Republic Day, 1 December (1958)

Chad

Independence Day, 11 August (1960)

Chile

Independence Day, 18 September (1810)

China

Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China,

1 October (1949)

Christmas Island

Australia Day, 26 January (1788)

Cocos (Keeling) Islands

Australia Day, 26 January (1788)

Colombia

Independence Day, 20 July (1810)

Comoros

Independence Day, 6 July (1975)

Congo, Democratic Republic of the

Independence Day, 30 June (1960)

Congo, Republic of the

Independence Day, 15 August (1960)

Cook Islands

Constitution Day, first Monday in August (1965)

Costa Rica

Independence Day, 15 September (1821)

Cote d'Ivoire

Independence Day, 7 August (1960)

Croatia

Independence Day, 8 October (1991); note - 25 June 1991 is

the day the Croatian Parliament voted for independence; following a

3-month moratorium to allow the European Community to solve the

Yugoslav crisis peacefully, Parliament adopted a decision on 8

October 1991 to sever constitutional relations with Yugoslavia

Cuba

Independence Day, 10 December (1898); note - 10 December 1898

is the date of independence from Spain, 20 May 1902 is the date of

independence from US administration; Rebellion Day, 26 July (1953)

Cyprus

Independence Day, 1 October (1960); note - Turkish Cypriots

celebrate 15 November (1983) as Independence Day

Czech Republic

Czech Founding Day, 28 October (1918)

Denmark

none designated; Constitution Day, 5 June (1849) is

generally viewed as the National Day

Djibouti

Independence Day, 27 June (1977)

Dominica

Independence Day, 3 November (1978)

Dominican Republic

Independence Day, 27 February (1844)

East Timor

Independence Day, 28 November (1975)

Ecuador

Independence Day (independence of Quito), 10 August (1809)

Egypt

Revolution Day, 23 July (1952)

El Salvador

Independence Day, 15 September (1821)

Equatorial Guinea

Independence Day, 12 October (1968)

Eritrea

Independence Day, 24 May (1993)

Estonia

Independence Day, 24 February (1918); note - 24 February

1918 is the date Estonia declared its independence from Soviet

Russia; 20 August 1991 is the date it declared its independence from

the Soviet Union

Ethiopia

National Day (defeat of MENGISTU regime), 28 May (1991)

European Union

Europe Day 9 May (1950); note - a Union-wide holiday,

the day that Robert Schuman proposed the creation of an organized

Europe

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

Liberation Day, 14 June (1982)

Faroe Islands

Olaifest (Olavasoka), 29 July

Fiji

Independence Day, second Monday of October (1970)

Finland

Independence Day, 6 December (1917)

France

Bastille Day, 14 July (1789)

French Guiana

Bastille Day, 14 July (1789)

French Polynesia

Bastille Day, 14 July (1789)

Gabon

Founding of the Gabonese Democratic Party (PDG), 12 March

(1968)

Gambia, The

Independence Day, 18 February (1965)

Georgia

Independence Day, 26 May (1918); note - 26 May 1918 is the

date of independence from Soviet Russia, 9 April 1991 is the date of

independence from the Soviet Union

Germany

Unity Day, 3 October (1990)

Ghana

Independence Day, 6 March (1957)

Gibraltar

National Day, 10 September (1967); note - day of the

national referendum to decide whether to remain with the UK or go

with Spain

Greece

Independence Day, 25 March (1821)

Greenland

June 21 (longest day)

Grenada

Independence Day, 7 February (1974)

Guadeloupe

Bastille Day, 14 July (1789)

Guam

Discovery Day, first Monday in March (1521)

Guatemala

Independence Day, 15 September (1821)

Guernsey

Liberation Day, 9 May (1945)

Guinea

Independence Day, 2 October (1958)

Guinea-Bissau

Independence Day, 24 September (1973)

Guyana

Republic Day, 23 February (1970)

Haiti

Independence Day, 1 January (1804)

Holy See (Vatican City)

Coronation Day of Pope BENEDICT XVI, 24

April (2005)

Honduras

Independence Day, 15 September (1821)

Hong Kong

National Day (Anniversary of the Founding of the People's

Republic of China), 1 October (1949); note - 1 July 1997 is

celebrated as Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Establishment

Day

Hungary

Saint Stephen's Day, 20 August

Iceland

Independence Day, 17 June (1944)

India

Republic Day, 26 January (1950)

Indonesia

Independence Day, 17 August (1945)

Iran

Republic Day, 1 April (1979)

note: additional holidays celebrated widely in Iran include

Revolution Day, 11 February (1979); Noruz (New Year's Day), 21

March; Constitutional Monarchy Day, 5 August (1925)

Iraq

Revolution Day, 17 July (1968); note - this holiday was

celebrated under the SADDAM Husayn regime but the Iraqi Interim

Government has yet to declare a new national holiday

Ireland

Saint Patrick's Day, 17 March

Israel

Independence Day, 14 May (1948); note - Israel declared

independence on 14 May 1948, but the Jewish calendar is lunar and

the holiday may occur in April or May

Italy

Republic Day, 2 June (1946)

Jamaica

Independence Day, 6 August (1962)

Japan

Birthday of Emperor AKIHITO, 23 December (1933)

Jersey

Liberation Day, 9 May (1945)

Jordan

Independence Day, 25 May (1946)

Kazakhstan

Independence Day, 16 December (1991)

Kenya

Independence Day, 12 December (1963)

Kiribati

Independence Day, 12 July (1979)

Korea, North

Founding of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea

(DPRK), 9 September (1948)

Korea, South

Liberation Day, 15 August (1945)

Kuwait

National Day, 25 February (1950)

Kyrgyzstan

Independence Day, 31 August (1991)

Laos

Republic Day, 2 December (1975)

Latvia

Independence Day, 18 November (1918); note - 18 November 1918

is the date Latvia declared itself independent from Soviet Russia; 4

May 1990 is when it declared the renewal of independence; 21 August

1991 is the date of de facto independence from the Soviet Union

Lebanon

Independence Day, 22 November (1943)

Lesotho

Independence Day, 4 October (1966)

Liberia

Independence Day, 26 July (1847)

Libya

Revolution Day, 1 September (1969)

Liechtenstein

Assumption Day, 15 August

Lithuania

Independence Day, 16 February (1918); note - 16 February

1918 is the date Lithuania declared its independence from Soviet

Russia and established its statehood; 11 March 1990 is the date it

declared its independence from the Soviet Union

Luxembourg

National Day (Birthday of Grand Duchess Charlotte) 23 June

Macau

National Day (Anniversary of the Founding of the People's

Republic of China), 1 October (1949); note - 20 December 1999 is

celebrated as Macau Special Administrative Region Establishment Day

Macedonia

Uprising Day, 2 August (1903); note - also known as Saint

Elijah's Day and Ilinden

Madagascar

Independence Day, 26 June (1960)

Malawi

Independence Day (Republic Day), 6 July (1964)

Malaysia

Independence Day/Malaysia Day, 31 August (1957)

Maldives

Independence Day, 26 July (1965)

Mali

Independence Day, 22 September (1960)

Malta

Independence Day, 21 September (1964)

Man, Isle of

Tynwald Day, 5 July

Marshall Islands

Constitution Day, 1 May (1979)

Martinique

Bastille Day, 14 July (1789)

Mauritania

Independence Day, 28 November (1960)

Mauritius

Independence Day, 12 March (1968)

Mayotte

Bastille Day, 14 July (1789)

Mexico

Independence Day, 16 September (1810)

Micronesia, Federated States of

Constitution Day, 10 May (1979)

Moldova

Independence Day, 27 August (1991)

Monaco

National Day (Prince of Monaco Holiday), 19 November

Mongolia

Independence Day/Revolution Day, 11 July (1921)

Montserrat

Birthday of Queen ELIZABETH II, second Saturday in June

(1926)

Morocco

Throne Day (accession of King MOHAMED VI to the throne), 30

July (1999)

Mozambique

Independence Day, 25 June (1975)

Namibia

Independence Day, 21 March (1990)

Nauru

Independence Day, 31 January (1968)

Nepal

Birthday of King GYANENDRA, 7 July (1946)

Netherlands

Queen's Day (Birthday of Queen-Mother JULIANA in 1909

and accession to the throne of her oldest daughter BEATRIX in 1980),

30 April

Netherlands Antilles

Queen's Day (Birthday of Queen-Mother JULIANA

in 1909 and accession to the throne of her oldest daughter BEATRIX

in 1980), 30 April

New Caledonia

Bastille Day, 14 July (1789)

New Zealand

Waitangi Day (Treaty of Waitangi established British

sovereignty over New Zealand), 6 February (1840)

Nicaragua

Independence Day, 15 September (1821)

Niger

Republic Day, 18 December (1958)

Nigeria

Independence Day (National Day), 1 October (1960)

Niue

Waitangi Day (Treaty of Waitangi established British

sovereignty over New Zealand), 6 February (1840)

Norfolk Island

Bounty Day (commemorates the arrival of Pitcairn

Islanders), 8 June (1856)

Northern Mariana Islands

Commonwealth Day, 8 January (1978)

Norway

Constitution Day, 17 May (1814)

Oman

Birthday of Sultan QABOOS, 18 November (1940)

Pakistan

Republic Day, 23 March (1956)

Palau

Constitution Day, 9 July (1979)

Panama

Independence Day, 3 November (1903)

Papua New Guinea

Independence Day, 16 September (1975)

Paraguay

Independence Day, 14 May 1811 (observed 15 May annually)

Peru

Independence Day, 28 July (1821)

Philippines

Independence Day, 12 June (1898)

note: 12 June 1898 was date of declaration of independence from

Spain; 4 July 1946 was date of independence from US

Pitcairn Islands

Birthday of Queen ELIZABETH II, second Saturday in

June (1926)

Poland

Constitution Day, 3 May (1791)

Portugal

Portugal Day, 10 June (1580); note - also called Camoes

Day, the day that revered national poet Luis de Camoes (1524-80) died

Puerto Rico

US Independence Day, 4 July (1776); Puerto Rico

Constitution Day, 25 July (1952)

Qatar

Independence Day, 3 September (1971)

Reunion

Bastille Day, 14 July (1789)

Romania

Unification Day (of Romania and Transylvania), 1 December

(1918)

Russia

Russia Day, 12 June (1990)

Rwanda

Independence Day, 1 July (1962)

Saint Helena

Birthday of Queen ELIZABETH II, second Saturday in June

(1926)

Saint Kitts and Nevis

Independence Day, 19 September (1983)

Saint Lucia

Independence Day, 22 February (1979)

Saint Pierre and Miquelon

Bastille Day, 14 July (1789)

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Independence Day, 27 October (1979)

Samoa

Independence Day Celebration, 1 June (1962); note - 1 January

1962 is the date of independence from the New Zealand-administered

UN trusteeship, 1 June 1962 is the date that independence is

celebrated

San Marino

Founding of the Republic, 3 September (301)

Sao Tome and Principe

Independence Day, 12 July (1975)

Saudi Arabia

Unification of the Kingdom, 23 September (1932)

Senegal

Independence Day, 4 April (1960)

Serbia and Montenegro

National Day, 27 April

Seychelles

Constitution Day (National Day), 18 June (1993)

Sierra Leone

Independence Day, 27 April (1961)

Singapore

National Day, 9 August (1965)

Slovakia

Constitution Day, 1 September (1992)

Slovenia

Independence Day/Statehood Day, 25 June (1991)

Solomon Islands

Independence Day, 7 July (1978)

Somalia

Foundation of the Somali Republic, 1 July (1960); note - 26

June (1960) in Somaliland

South Africa

Freedom Day, 27 April (1994)

Spain

National Day, 12 October

Sri Lanka

Independence Day, 4 February (1948)

Sudan

Independence Day, 1 January (1956)

Suriname

Independence Day, 25 November (1975)

Svalbard

NA

Swaziland

Independence Day, 6 September (1968)

Sweden

Flag Day, 6 June

Switzerland

Founding of the Swiss Confederation, 1 August (1291)

Syria

Independence Day, 17 April (1946)

Taiwan

Republic Day (Anniversary of the Chinese Revolution), 10

October (1911)

Tajikistan

Independence Day (or National Day), 9 September (1991)

Tanzania

Union Day (Tanganyika and Zanzibar), 26 April (1964)

Thailand

Birthday of King PHUMIPHON, 5 December (1927)

Togo

Independence Day, 27 April (1960)

Tokelau

Waitangi Day (Treaty of Waitangi established British

sovereignty over New Zealand), 6 February (1840)

Tonga

Emancipation Day, 4 June (1970)

Trinidad and Tobago

Independence Day, 31 August (1962)

Tunisia

Independence Day, 20 March (1956)

Turkey

Republic Day, 29 October (1923)

Turkmenistan

Independence Day, 27 October (1991)

Turks and Caicos Islands

Constitution Day, 30 August (1976)

Tuvalu

Independence Day, 1 October (1978)

Uganda

Independence Day, 9 October (1962)

Ukraine

Independence Day, 24 August (1991); the date of 22 January

(1918), the day Ukraine first declared its independence (from Soviet

Russia), is now celebrated as Unity Day

United Arab Emirates

Independence Day, 2 December (1971)

United Kingdom

the UK does not celebrate one particular national

holiday

United States

Independence Day, 4 July (1776)

Uruguay

Independence Day, 25 August (1825)

Uzbekistan

Independence Day, 1 September (1991)

Vanuatu

Independence Day, 30 July (1980)

Venezuela

Independence Day, 5 July (1811)

Vietnam

Independence Day, 2 September (1945)

Virgin Islands

Transfer Day (from Denmark to the US), 27 March (1917)

Wallis and Futuna

Bastille Day, 14 July (1789)

Yemen

Unification Day, 22 May (1990)

Zambia

Independence Day, 24 October (1964)

Zimbabwe

Independence Day, 18 April (1980)

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2110 Nationality

Afghanistan

noun: Afghan(s)

adjective: Afghan

Albania

noun: Albanian(s)

adjective: Albanian

Algeria

noun: Algerian(s)

adjective: Algerian

American Samoa

noun: American Samoan(s)

adjective: American Samoan

Andorra

noun: Andorran(s)

adjective: Andorran

Angola

noun: Angolan(s)

adjective: Angolan

Anguilla

noun: Anguillan(s)

adjective: Anguillan

Antigua and Barbuda

noun: Antiguan(s), Barbudan(s)

adjective: Antiguan, Barbudan

Argentina

noun: Argentine(s)

adjective: Argentine

Armenia

noun: Armenian(s)

adjective: Armenian

Aruba

noun: Aruban(s)

adjective: Aruban; Dutch

Australia

noun: Australian(s)

adjective: Australian

Austria

noun: Austrian(s)

adjective: Austrian

Azerbaijan

noun: Azerbaijani(s)

adjective: Azerbaijani

Bahamas, The

noun: Bahamian(s)

adjective: Bahamian

Bahrain

noun: Bahraini(s)

adjective: Bahraini

Bangladesh

noun: Bangladeshi(s)

adjective: Bangladeshi

Barbados

noun: Barbadian(s) or Bajan (colloquial)

adjective: Barbadian or Bajan (colloquial)

Belarus

noun: Belarusian(s)

adjective: Belarusian

Belgium

noun: Belgian(s)

adjective: Belgian

Belize

noun: Belizean(s)

adjective: Belizean

Benin

noun: Beninese (singular and plural)

adjective: Beninese

Bermuda

noun: Bermudian(s)

adjective: Bermudian

Bhutan

noun: Bhutanese (singular and plural)

adjective: Bhutanese

Bolivia

noun: Bolivian(s)

adjective: Bolivian

Bosnia and Herzegovina

noun: Bosnian(s), Herzegovinian(s)

adjective: Bosnian, Herzegovinian

Botswana

noun: Motswana (singular), Batswana (plural)

adjective: Motswana (singular), Batswana (plural)

Brazil

noun: Brazilian(s)

adjective: Brazilian

British Virgin Islands

noun: British Virgin Islander(s)

adjective: British Virgin Islander

Brunei

noun: Bruneian(s)

adjective: Bruneian

Bulgaria

noun: Bulgarian(s)

adjective: Bulgarian

Burkina Faso

noun: Burkinabe (singular and plural)

adjective: Burkinabe

Burma

noun: Burmese (singular and plural)

adjective: Burmese

Burundi

noun: Burundian(s)

adjective: Burundian

Cambodia

noun: Cambodian(s)

adjective: Cambodian

Cameroon

noun: Cameroonian(s)

adjective: Cameroonian

Canada

noun: Canadian(s)

adjective: Canadian

Cape Verde

noun: Cape Verdean(s)

adjective: Cape Verdean

Cayman Islands

noun: Caymanian(s)

adjective: Caymanian

Central African Republic

noun: Central African(s)

adjective: Central African

Chad

noun: Chadian(s)

adjective: Chadian

Chile

noun: Chilean(s)

adjective: Chilean

China

noun: Chinese (singular and plural)

adjective: Chinese

Christmas Island

noun: Christmas Islander(s)

adjective: Christmas Island

Cocos (Keeling) Islands

noun: Cocos Islander(s)

adjective: Cocos Islander

Colombia

noun: Colombian(s)

adjective: Colombian

Comoros

noun: Comoran(s)

adjective: Comoran

Congo, Democratic Republic of the

noun: Congolese (singular and

plural)

adjective: Congolese or Congo

Congo, Republic of the

noun: Congolese (singular and plural)

adjective: Congolese or Congo

Cook Islands

noun: Cook Islander(s)

adjective: Cook Islander

Costa Rica

noun: Costa Rican(s)

adjective: Costa Rican

Cote d'Ivoire

noun: Ivoirian(s)

adjective: Ivoirian

Croatia

noun: Croat(s), Croatian(s)

adjective: Croatian

Cuba

noun: Cuban(s)

adjective: Cuban

Cyprus

noun: Cypriot(s)

adjective: Cypriot

Czech Republic

noun: Czech(s)

adjective: Czech

Denmark

noun: Dane(s)

adjective: Danish

Djibouti

noun: Djiboutian(s)

adjective: Djiboutian

Dominica

noun: Dominican(s)

adjective: Dominican

Dominican Republic

noun: Dominican(s)

adjective: Dominican

East Timor

noun: Timorese

adjective: Timorese

Ecuador

noun: Ecuadorian(s)

adjective: Ecuadorian

Egypt

noun: Egyptian(s)

adjective: Egyptian

El Salvador

noun: Salvadoran(s)

adjective: Salvadoran

Equatorial Guinea

noun: Equatorial Guinean(s) or Equatoguinean(s)

adjective: Equatorial Guinean or Equatoguinean

Eritrea

noun: Eritrean(s)

adjective: Eritrean

Estonia

noun: Estonian(s)

adjective: Estonian

Ethiopia

noun: Ethiopian(s)

adjective: Ethiopian

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

noun: Falkland Islander(s)

adjective: Falkland Island

Faroe Islands

noun: Faroese (singular and plural)

adjective: Faroese

Fiji

noun: Fijian(s)

adjective: Fijian

Finland

noun: Finn(s)

adjective: Finnish

France

noun: Frenchman(men), Frenchwoman(women)

adjective: French

French Guiana

noun: French Guianese (singular and plural)

adjective: French Guianese

French Polynesia

noun: French Polynesian(s)

adjective: French Polynesian

Gabon

noun: Gabonese (singular and plural)

adjective: Gabonese

Gambia, The

noun: Gambian(s)

adjective: Gambian

Gaza Strip

noun: NA

adjective: NA

Georgia

noun: Georgian(s)

adjective: Georgian

Germany

noun: German(s)

adjective: German

Ghana

noun: Ghanaian(s)

adjective: Ghanaian

Gibraltar

noun: Gibraltarian(s)

adjective: Gibraltar

Greece

noun: Greek(s)

adjective: Greek

Greenland

noun: Greenlander(s)

adjective: Greenlandic

Grenada

noun: Grenadian(s)

adjective: Grenadian

Guadeloupe

noun: Guadeloupian(s)

adjective: Guadeloupe

Guam

noun: Guamanian(s)

adjective: Guamanian

Guatemala

noun: Guatemalan(s)

adjective: Guatemalan

Guernsey

noun: Channel Islander(s)

adjective: Channel Islander

Guinea

noun: Guinean(s)

adjective: Guinean

Guinea-Bissau

noun: Guinean(s)

adjective: Guinean

Guyana

noun: Guyanese (singular and plural)

adjective: Guyanese

Haiti

noun: Haitian(s)

adjective: Haitian

Holy See (Vatican City)

noun: none

adjective: none

Honduras

noun: Honduran(s)

adjective: Honduran

Hong Kong

noun: Chinese/Hong Konger

adjective: Chinese/Hong Kong

Hungary

noun: Hungarian(s)

adjective: Hungarian

Iceland

noun: Icelander(s)

adjective: Icelandic

India

noun: Indian(s)

adjective: Indian

Indonesia

noun: Indonesian(s)

adjective: Indonesian

Iran

noun: Iranian(s)

adjective: Iranian

Iraq

noun: Iraqi(s)

adjective: Iraqi

Ireland

noun: Irishman(men), Irishwoman(women), Irish (collective

plural)

adjective: Irish

Israel

noun: Israeli(s)

adjective: Israeli

Italy

noun: Italian(s)

adjective: Italian

Jamaica

noun: Jamaican(s)

adjective: Jamaican

Japan

noun: Japanese (singular and plural)

adjective: Japanese

Jersey

noun: Channel Islander(s)

adjective: Channel Islander

Jordan

noun: Jordanian(s)

adjective: Jordanian

Kazakhstan

noun: Kazakhstani(s)

adjective: Kazakhstani

Kenya

noun: Kenyan(s)

adjective: Kenyan

Kiribati

noun: I-Kiribati (singular and plural)

adjective: I-Kiribati

Korea, North

noun: Korean(s)

adjective: Korean

Korea, South

noun: Korean(s)

adjective: Korean

Kuwait

noun: Kuwaiti(s)

adjective: Kuwaiti

Kyrgyzstan

noun: Kyrgyzstani(s)

adjective: Kyrgyzstani

Laos

noun: Lao(s) or Laotian(s)

adjective: Lao or Laotian

Latvia

noun: Latvian(s)

adjective: Latvian

Lebanon

noun: Lebanese (singular and plural)

adjective: Lebanese

Lesotho

noun: Mosotho (singular), Basotho (plural)

adjective: Basotho

Liberia

noun: Liberian(s)

adjective: Liberian

Libya

noun: Libyan(s)

adjective: Libyan

Liechtenstein

noun: Liechtensteiner(s)

adjective: Liechtenstein

Lithuania

noun: Lithuanian(s)

adjective: Lithuanian

Luxembourg

noun: Luxembourger(s)

adjective: Luxembourg

Macau

noun: Chinese

adjective: Chinese

Macedonia

noun: Macedonian(s)

adjective: Macedonian

Madagascar

noun: Malagasy (singular and plural)

adjective: Malagasy

Malawi

noun: Malawian(s)

adjective: Malawian

Malaysia

noun: Malaysian(s)

adjective: Malaysian

Maldives

noun: Maldivian(s)

adjective: Maldivian

Mali

noun: Malian(s)

adjective: Malian

Malta

noun: Maltese (singular and plural)

adjective: Maltese

Man, Isle of

noun: Manxman (men), Manxwoman (women)

adjective: Manx

Marshall Islands

noun: Marshallese (singular and plural)

adjective: Marshallese

Martinique

noun: Martiniquais (singular and plural)

adjective: Martiniquais

Mauritania

noun: Mauritanian(s)

adjective: Mauritanian

Mauritius

noun: Mauritian(s)

adjective: Mauritian

Mayotte

noun: Mahorais (singular and plural)

adjective: Mahoran

Mexico

noun: Mexican(s)

adjective: Mexican

Micronesia, Federated States of

noun: Micronesian(s)

adjective: Micronesian; Chuukese, Kosraen(s), Pohnpeian(s), Yapese

Moldova

noun: Moldovan(s)

adjective: Moldovan

Monaco

noun: Monegasque(s) or Monacan(s)

adjective: Monegasque or Monacan

Mongolia

noun: Mongolian(s)

adjective: Mongolian

Montserrat

noun: Montserratian(s)

adjective: Montserratian

Morocco

noun: Moroccan(s)

adjective: Moroccan

Mozambique

noun: Mozambican(s)

adjective: Mozambican

Namibia

noun: Namibian(s)

adjective: Namibian

Nauru

noun: Nauruan(s)

adjective: Nauruan

Nepal

noun: Nepalese (singular and plural)

adjective: Nepalese

Netherlands

noun: Dutchman(men), Dutchwoman(women)

adjective: Dutch

Netherlands Antilles

noun: Dutch Antillean(s)

adjective: Dutch Antillean

New Caledonia

noun: New Caledonian(s)

adjective: New Caledonian

New Zealand

noun: New Zealander(s)

adjective: New Zealand

Nicaragua

noun: Nicaraguan(s)

adjective: Nicaraguan

Niger

noun: Nigerien(s)

adjective: Nigerien

Nigeria

noun: Nigerian(s)

adjective: Nigerian

Niue

noun: Niuean(s)

adjective: Niuean

Norfolk Island

noun: Norfolk Islander(s)

adjective: Norfolk Islander(s)

Northern Mariana Islands

noun: NA

adjective: NA

Norway

noun: Norwegian(s)

adjective: Norwegian

Oman

noun: Omani(s)

adjective: Omani

Pakistan

noun: Pakistani(s)

adjective: Pakistani

Palau

noun: Palauan(s)

adjective: Palauan

Panama

noun: Panamanian(s)

adjective: Panamanian

Papua New Guinea

noun: Papua New Guinean(s)

adjective: Papua New Guinean

Paraguay

noun: Paraguayan(s)

adjective: Paraguayan

Peru

noun: Peruvian(s)

adjective: Peruvian

Philippines

noun: Filipino(s)

adjective: Philippine

Pitcairn Islands

noun: Pitcairn Islander(s)

adjective: Pitcairn Islander

Poland

noun: Pole(s)

adjective: Polish

Portugal

noun: Portuguese (singular and plural)

adjective: Portuguese

Puerto Rico

noun: Puerto Rican(s) (US citizens)

adjective: Puerto Rican

Qatar

noun: Qatari(s)

adjective: Qatari

Reunion

noun: Reunionese (singular and plural)

adjective: Reunionese

Romania

noun: Romanian(s)

adjective: Romanian

Russia

noun: Russian(s)

adjective: Russian

Rwanda

noun: Rwandan(s)

adjective: Rwandan

Saint Helena

noun: Saint Helenian(s)

adjective: Saint Helenian

Saint Kitts and Nevis

noun: Kittitian(s), Nevisian(s)

adjective: Kittitian, Nevisian

Saint Lucia

noun: Saint Lucian(s)

adjective: Saint Lucian

Saint Pierre and Miquelon

noun: Frenchman(men), Frenchwoman(women)

adjective: French

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

noun: Saint Vincentian(s) or

Vincentian(s)

adjective: Saint Vincentian or Vincentian

Samoa

noun: Samoan(s)

adjective: Samoan

San Marino

noun: Sammarinese (singular and plural)

adjective: Sammarinese

Sao Tome and Principe

noun: Sao Tomean(s)

adjective: Sao Tomean

Saudi Arabia

noun: Saudi(s)

adjective: Saudi or Saudi Arabian

Senegal

noun: Senegalese (singular and plural)

adjective: Senegalese

Serbia and Montenegro

noun: Serb(s); Montenegrin(s)

adjective: Serbian; Montenegrin

Seychelles

noun: Seychellois (singular and plural)

adjective: Seychellois

Sierra Leone

noun: Sierra Leonean(s)

adjective: Sierra Leonean

Singapore

noun: Singaporean(s)

adjective: Singapore

Slovakia

noun: Slovak(s)

adjective: Slovak

Slovenia

noun: Slovene(s)

adjective: Slovenian

Solomon Islands

noun: Solomon Islander(s)

adjective: Solomon Islander

Somalia

noun: Somali(s)

adjective: Somali

South Africa

noun: South African(s)

adjective: South African

Spain

noun: Spaniard(s)

adjective: Spanish

Sri Lanka

noun: Sri Lankan(s)

adjective: Sri Lankan

Sudan

noun: Sudanese (singular and plural)

adjective: Sudanese

Suriname

noun: Surinamer(s)

adjective: Surinamese

Swaziland

noun: Swazi(s)

adjective: Swazi

Sweden

noun: Swede(s)

adjective: Swedish

Switzerland

noun: Swiss (singular and plural)

adjective: Swiss

Syria

noun: Syrian(s)

adjective: Syrian

Taiwan

noun: Taiwan (singular and plural)

note: example: he or she is from Taiwan; they are from Taiwan

adjective: Taiwan

Tajikistan

noun: Tajikistani(s)

adjective: Tajikistani

Tanzania

noun: Tanzanian(s)

adjective: Tanzanian

Thailand

noun: Thai (singular and plural)

adjective: Thai

Togo

noun: Togolese (singular and plural)

adjective: Togolese

Tokelau

noun: Tokelauan(s)

adjective: Tokelauan

Tonga

noun: Tongan(s)

adjective: Tongan

Trinidad and Tobago

noun: Trinidadian(s), Tobagonian(s)

adjective: Trinidadian, Tobagonian

Tunisia

noun: Tunisian(s)

adjective: Tunisian

Turkey

noun: Turk(s)

adjective: Turkish

Turkmenistan

noun: Turkmen(s)

adjective: Turkmen

Turks and Caicos Islands

noun: none

adjective: none

Tuvalu

noun: Tuvaluan(s)

adjective: Tuvaluan

Uganda

noun: Ugandan(s)

adjective: Ugandan

Ukraine

noun: Ukrainian(s)

adjective: Ukrainian

United Arab Emirates

noun: Emirati(s)

adjective: Emirati

United Kingdom

noun: Briton(s), British (collective plural)

adjective: British

United States

noun: American(s)

adjective: American

Uruguay

noun: Uruguayan(s)

adjective: Uruguayan

Uzbekistan

noun: Uzbekistani

adjective: Uzbekistani

Vanuatu

noun: Ni-Vanuatu (singular and plural)

adjective: Ni-Vanuatu

Venezuela

noun: Venezuelan(s)

adjective: Venezuelan

Vietnam

noun: Vietnamese (singular and plural)

adjective: Vietnamese

Virgin Islands

noun: Virgin Islander(s)

adjective: Virgin Islander

Wallis and Futuna noun: Wallisian(s), Futunan(s), or Wallis and Futuna Islanders adjective: Wallisian, Futunan, or Wallis and Futuna Islander

West Bank

noun: NA

adjective: NA

Western Sahara

noun: Sahrawi(s), Sahraoui(s)

adjective: Sahrawi, Sahrawian, Sahraouian

Yemen

noun: Yemeni(s)

adjective: Yemeni

Zambia

noun: Zambian(s)

adjective: Zambian

Zimbabwe

noun: Zimbabwean(s)

adjective: Zimbabwean

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2111 Natural resources

Afghanistan

natural gas, petroleum, coal, copper, chromite, talc,

barites, sulfur, lead, zinc, iron ore, salt, precious and

semiprecious stones

Albania

petroleum, natural gas, coal, bauxite, chromite, copper,

iron ore, nickel, salt, timber, hydropower

Algeria

petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, phosphates, uranium, lead,

zinc

American Samoa

pumice, pumicite

Andorra

hydropower, mineral water, timber, iron ore, lead

Angola

petroleum, diamonds, iron ore, phosphates, copper, feldspar,

gold, bauxite, uranium

Anguilla

salt, fish, lobster

Antarctica

iron ore, chromium, copper, gold, nickel, platinum and

other minerals, and coal and hydrocarbons have been found in small

uncommercial quantities; none presently exploited; krill, finfish,

and crab have been taken by commercial fisheries

Antigua and Barbuda

NEGL; pleasant climate fosters tourism

Arctic Ocean

sand and gravel aggregates, placer deposits,

polymetallic nodules, oil and gas fields, fish, marine mammals

(seals and whales)

Argentina

fertile plains of the pampas, lead, zinc, tin, copper,

iron ore, manganese, petroleum, uranium

Armenia

small deposits of gold, copper, molybdenum, zinc, alumina

Aruba

NEGL; white sandy beaches

Ashmore and Cartier Islands

fish

Atlantic Ocean

oil and gas fields, fish, marine mammals (seals and

whales), sand and gravel aggregates, placer deposits, polymetallic

nodules, precious stones

Australia

bauxite, coal, iron ore, copper, tin, gold, silver,

uranium, nickel, tungsten, mineral sands, lead, zinc, diamonds,

natural gas, petroleum

Austria

oil, coal, lignite, timber, iron ore, copper, zinc,

antimony, magnesite, tungsten, graphite, salt, hydropower

Azerbaijan

petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, nonferrous metals,

alumina

Bahamas, The

salt, aragonite, timber, arable land

Bahrain

oil, associated and nonassociated natural gas, fish, pearls

Baker Island

guano (deposits worked until 1891), terrestrial and

aquatic wildlife

Bangladesh

natural gas, arable land, timber, coal

Barbados

petroleum, fish, natural gas

Bassas da India

none

Belarus

forests, peat deposits, small quantities of oil and natural

gas, granite, dolomitic limestone, marl, chalk, sand, gravel, clay

Belgium

construction materials, silica sand, carbonates

Belize

arable land potential, timber, fish, hydropower

Benin

small offshore oil deposits, limestone, marble, timber

Bermuda

limestone, pleasant climate fostering tourism

Bhutan

timber, hydropower, gypsum, calcium carbonate

Bolivia

tin, natural gas, petroleum, zinc, tungsten, antimony,

silver, iron, lead, gold, timber, hydropower

Bosnia and Herzegovina

coal, iron ore, bauxite, copper, lead, zinc,

chromite, cobalt, manganese, nickel, clay, gypsum, salt, sand,

forests, hydropower

Botswana

diamonds, copper, nickel, salt, soda ash, potash, coal,

iron ore, silver

Bouvet Island

none

Brazil

bauxite, gold, iron ore, manganese, nickel, phosphates,

platinum, tin, uranium, petroleum, hydropower, timber

British Indian Ocean Territory

coconuts, fish, sugarcane

British Virgin Islands

NEGL

Brunei

petroleum, natural gas, timber

Bulgaria

bauxite, copper, lead, zinc, coal, timber, arable land

Burkina Faso

manganese, limestone, marble; small deposits of gold,

phosphates, pumice, salt

Burma

petroleum, timber, tin, antimony, zinc, copper, tungsten,

lead, coal, some marble, limestone, precious stones, natural gas,

hydropower

Burundi

nickel, uranium, rare earth oxides, peat, cobalt, copper,

platinum, vanadium, arable land, hydropower, niobium, tantalum,

gold, tin, tungsten, kaolin, limestone

Cambodia

oil and gas, timber, gemstones, some iron ore, manganese,

phosphates, hydropower potential

Cameroon

petroleum, bauxite, iron ore, timber, hydropower

Canada

iron ore, nickel, zinc, copper, gold, lead, molybdenum,

potash, diamonds, silver, fish, timber, wildlife, coal, petroleum,

natural gas, hydropower

Cape Verde

salt, basalt rock, limestone, kaolin, fish, clay, gypsum

Cayman Islands

fish, climate and beaches that foster tourism

Central African Republic

diamonds, uranium, timber, gold, oil,

hydropower

Chad

petroleum, uranium, natron, kaolin, fish (Lake Chad), gold,

limestone, sand and gravel, salt

Chile

copper, timber, iron ore, nitrates, precious metals,

molybdenum, hydropower

China

coal, iron ore, petroleum, natural gas, mercury, tin,

tungsten, antimony, manganese, molybdenum, vanadium, magnetite,

aluminum, lead, zinc, uranium, hydropower potential (world's largest)

Christmas Island

phosphate, beaches

Clipperton Island

fish

Cocos (Keeling) Islands

fish

Colombia

petroleum, natural gas, coal, iron ore, nickel, gold,

copper, emeralds, hydropower

Comoros

NEGL

Congo, Democratic Republic of the cobalt, copper, niobium, tantalum, petroleum, industrial and gem diamonds, gold, silver, zinc, manganese, tin, uranium, coal, hydropower, timber

Congo, Republic of the petroleum, timber, potash, lead, zinc, uranium, copper, phosphates, gold, magnesium, natural gas, hydropower

Cook Islands

NEGL

Coral Sea Islands

NEGL

Costa Rica

hydropower

Cote d'Ivoire

petroleum, natural gas, diamonds, manganese, iron ore,

cobalt, bauxite, copper, gold, nickel, tantalum, silica sand, clay,

cocoa beans, coffee, palm oil, hydropower

Croatia

oil, some coal, bauxite, low-grade iron ore, calcium,

gypsum, natural asphalt, silica, mica, clays, salt, hydropower

Cuba

cobalt, nickel, iron ore, chromium, copper, salt, timber,

silica, petroleum, arable land

Cyprus

copper, pyrites, asbestos, gypsum, timber, salt, marble, clay

earth pigment

Czech Republic

hard coal, soft coal, kaolin, clay, graphite, timber

Denmark

petroleum, natural gas, fish, salt, limestone, chalk, stone,

gravel and sand

Djibouti

geothermal areas, gold, clay, granite, limestone, marble,

salt, diatomite, gypsum, pumice, petroleum

Dominica

timber, hydropower, arable land

Dominican Republic

nickel, bauxite, gold, silver

East Timor

gold, petroleum, natural gas, manganese, marble

Ecuador

petroleum, fish, timber, hydropower

Egypt

petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, phosphates, manganese,

limestone, gypsum, talc, asbestos, lead, zinc

El Salvador

hydropower, geothermal power, petroleum, arable land

Equatorial Guinea

petroleum, natural gas, timber, gold, bauxite,

diamonds, tantalum, sand and gravel, clay

Eritrea

gold, potash, zinc, copper, salt, possibly oil and natural

gas, fish

Estonia

oil shale, peat, phosphorite, clay, limestone, sand,

dolomite, arable land, sea mud

Ethiopia

small reserves of gold, platinum, copper, potash, natural

gas, hydropower

Europa Island

NEGL

European Union

iron ore, arable land, natural gas, petroleum, coal,

copper, lead, zinc, hydropower, uranium, potash, fish

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

fish, squid, wildlife, calcified

seaweed, sphagnum moss

Faroe Islands

fish, whales, hydropower, possible oil and gas

Fiji

timber, fish, gold, copper, offshore oil potential, hydropower

Finland

timber, iron ore, copper, lead, zinc, chromite, nickel,

gold, silver, limestone

France

coal, iron ore, bauxite, zinc, uranium, antimony, arsenic,

potash, feldspar, fluorospar, gypsum, timber, fish

French Guiana

bauxite, timber, gold (widely scattered), petroleum,

kaolin, fish, niobium, tantalum, clay

French Polynesia

timber, fish, cobalt, hydropower

French Southern and Antarctic Lands

fish, crayfish

Gabon

petroleum, natural gas, diamond, niobium, manganese, uranium,

gold, timber, iron ore, hydropower

Gambia, The

fish, titanium (rutile and ilmenite), tin, zircon,

silica sand, clay, petroleum

Gaza Strip

arable land, natural gas

Georgia

forests, hydropower, manganese deposits, iron ore, copper,

minor coal and oil deposits; coastal climate and soils allow for

important tea and citrus growth

Germany

coal, lignite, natural gas, iron ore, copper, nickel,

uranium, potash, salt, construction materials, timber, arable land

Ghana

gold, timber, industrial diamonds, bauxite, manganese, fish,

rubber, hydropower, petroleum, silver, salt, limestone

Gibraltar

none

Glorioso Islands

guano, coconuts

Greece

lignite, petroleum, iron ore, bauxite, lead, zinc, nickel,

magnesite, marble, salt, hydropower potential

Greenland

coal, iron ore, lead, zinc, molybdenum, gold, platinum,

uranium, fish, seals, whales, hydropower, possible oil and gas

Grenada

timber, tropical fruit, deepwater harbors

Guadeloupe

cultivable land, beaches and climate that foster tourism

Guam

fishing (largely undeveloped), tourism (especially from Japan)

Guatemala

petroleum, nickel, rare woods, fish, chicle, hydropower

Guernsey

cropland

Guinea

bauxite, iron ore, diamonds, gold, uranium, hydropower, fish,

salt

Guinea-Bissau

fish, timber, phosphates, bauxite, clay, granite,

limestone, unexploited deposits of petroleum

Guyana

bauxite, gold, diamonds, hardwood timber, shrimp, fish

Haiti

bauxite, copper, calcium carbonate, gold, marble, hydropower

Heard Island and McDonald Islands

fish

Holy See (Vatican City)

none

Honduras

timber, gold, silver, copper, lead, zinc, iron ore,

antimony, coal, fish, hydropower

Hong Kong

outstanding deepwater harbor, feldspar

Howland Island

guano (deposits worked until late 1800s), terrestrial

and aquatic wildlife

Hungary

bauxite, coal, natural gas, fertile soils, arable land

Iceland

fish, hydropower, geothermal power, diatomite

India

coal (fourth-largest reserves in the world), iron ore,

manganese, mica, bauxite, titanium ore, chromite, natural gas,

diamonds, petroleum, limestone, arable land

Indian Ocean

oil and gas fields, fish, shrimp, sand and gravel

aggregates, placer deposits, polymetallic nodules

Indonesia

petroleum, tin, natural gas, nickel, timber, bauxite,

copper, fertile soils, coal, gold, silver

Iran

petroleum, natural gas, coal, chromium, copper, iron ore, lead,

manganese, zinc, sulfur

Iraq

petroleum, natural gas, phosphates, sulfur

Ireland

natural gas, peat, copper, lead, zinc, silver, barite,

gypsum, limestone, dolomite

Israel

timber, potash, copper ore, natural gas, phosphate rock,

magnesium bromide, clays, sand

Italy

coal, mercury, zinc, potash, marble, barite, asbestos, pumice,

fluorospar, feldspar, pyrite (sulfur), natural gas and crude oil

reserves, fish, arable land

Jamaica

bauxite, gypsum, limestone

Jan Mayen

none

Japan

negligible mineral resources, fish

Jarvis Island

guano (deposits worked until late 1800s), terrestrial

and aquatic wildlife

Jersey

arable land

Johnston Atoll

guano deposits worked until depletion about 1890,

terrestrial and aquatic wildlife

Jordan

phosphates, potash, shale oil

Juan de Nova Island

guano deposits and other fertilizers

Kazakhstan

major deposits of petroleum, natural gas, coal, iron ore,

manganese, chrome ore, nickel, cobalt, copper, molybdenum, lead,

zinc, bauxite, gold, uranium

Kenya

limestone, soda ash, salt, gemstones, fluorspar, zinc,

diatomite, gypsum, wildlife, hydropower

Kingman Reef

terrestrial and aquatic wildlife

Kiribati

phosphate (production discontinued in 1979)

Korea, North

coal, lead, tungsten, zinc, graphite, magnesite, iron

ore, copper, gold, pyrites, salt, fluorspar, hydropower

Korea, South

coal, tungsten, graphite, molybdenum, lead, hydropower

potential

Kuwait

petroleum, fish, shrimp, natural gas

Kyrgyzstan

abundant hydropower; significant deposits of gold and

rare earth metals; locally exploitable coal, oil, and natural gas;

other deposits of nepheline, mercury, bismuth, lead, and zinc

Laos

timber, hydropower, gypsum, tin, gold, gemstones

Latvia

peat, limestone, dolomite, amber, hydropower, wood, arable

land

Lebanon

limestone, iron ore, salt, water-surplus state in a

water-deficit region, arable land

Lesotho

water, agricultural and grazing land, diamonds, sand, clay,

building stone

Liberia

iron ore, timber, diamonds, gold, hydropower

Libya

petroleum, natural gas, gypsum

Liechtenstein

hydroelectric potential, arable land

Lithuania

peat, arable land

Luxembourg

iron ore (no longer exploited), arable land

Macau

NEGL

Macedonia

low-grade iron ore, copper, lead, zinc, chromite,

manganese, nickel, tungsten, gold, silver, asbestos, gypsum, timber,

arable land

Madagascar

graphite, chromite, coal, bauxite, salt, quartz, tar

sands, semiprecious stones, mica, fish, hydropower

Malawi

limestone, arable land, hydropower, unexploited deposits of

uranium, coal, and bauxite

Malaysia

tin, petroleum, timber, copper, iron ore, natural gas,

bauxite

Maldives

fish

Mali

gold, phosphates, kaolin, salt, limestone, uranium, gypsum,

granite, hydropower

note: bauxite, iron ore, manganese, tin, and copper deposits are

known but not exploited

Malta

limestone, salt, arable land

Man, Isle of

none

Marshall Islands coconut products, marine products, deep seabed minerals

Martinique

coastal scenery and beaches, cultivable land

Mauritania

iron ore, gypsum, copper, phosphate, diamonds, gold, oil,

fish

Mauritius

arable land, fish

Mayotte

NEGL

Mexico

petroleum, silver, copper, gold, lead, zinc, natural gas,

timber

Micronesia, Federated States of

forests, marine products,

deep-seabed minerals, phosphate

Midway Islands

wildlife, terrestrial and aquatic

Moldova

lignite, phosphorites, gypsum, arable land, limestone

Monaco

none

Mongolia

oil, coal, copper, molybdenum, tungsten, phosphates, tin,

nickel, zinc, fluorspar, gold, silver, iron

Montserrat

NEGL

Morocco

phosphates, iron ore, manganese, lead, zinc, fish, salt

Mozambique

coal, titanium, natural gas, hydropower, tantalum,

graphite

Namibia

diamonds, copper, uranium, gold, lead, tin, lithium,

cadmium, zinc, salt, hydropower, fish

note: suspected deposits of oil, coal, and iron ore

Nauru

phosphates, fish

Navassa Island

guano

Nepal

quartz, water, timber, hydropower, scenic beauty, small

deposits of lignite, copper, cobalt, iron ore

Netherlands

natural gas, petroleum, peat, limestone, salt, sand and

gravel, arable land

Netherlands Antilles

phosphates (Curacao only), salt (Bonaire only)

New Caledonia

nickel, chrome, iron, cobalt, manganese, silver, gold,

lead, copper

New Zealand

natural gas, iron ore, sand, coal, timber, hydropower,

gold, limestone

Nicaragua

gold, silver, copper, tungsten, lead, zinc, timber, fish

Niger

uranium, coal, iron ore, tin, phosphates, gold, molybdenum,

gypsum, salt, petroleum

Nigeria

natural gas, petroleum, tin, iron ore, coal, limestone,

niobium, lead, zinc, arable land

Niue

fish, arable land

Norfolk Island

fish

Northern Mariana Islands

arable land, fish

Norway

petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, copper, lead, zinc,

titanium, pyrites, nickel, fish, timber, hydropower

Oman

petroleum, copper, asbestos, some marble, limestone, chromium,

gypsum, natural gas

Pacific Ocean

oil and gas fields, polymetallic nodules, sand and

gravel aggregates, placer deposits, fish

Pakistan

land, extensive natural gas reserves, limited petroleum,

poor quality coal, iron ore, copper, salt, limestone

Palau

forests, minerals (especially gold), marine products,

deep-seabed minerals

Palmyra Atoll

terrestrial and aquatic wildlife

Panama

copper, mahogany forests, shrimp, hydropower

Papua New Guinea

gold, copper, silver, natural gas, timber, oil,

fisheries

Paracel Islands

none

Paraguay

hydropower, timber, iron ore, manganese, limestone

Peru

copper, silver, gold, petroleum, timber, fish, iron ore, coal,

phosphate, potash, hydropower, natural gas

Philippines

timber, petroleum, nickel, cobalt, silver, gold, salt,

copper

Pitcairn Islands

miro trees (used for handicrafts), fish

note: manganese, iron, copper, gold, silver, and zinc have been

discovered offshore

Poland

coal, sulfur, copper, natural gas, silver, lead, salt, amber,

arable land

Portugal

fish, forests (cork), iron ore, copper, zinc, tin,

tungsten, silver, gold, uranium, marble, clay, gypsum, salt, arable

land, hydropower

Puerto Rico

some copper and nickel; potential for onshore and

offshore oil

Qatar

petroleum, natural gas, fish

Reunion

fish, arable land, hydropower

Romania

petroleum (reserves declining), timber, natural gas, coal,

iron ore, salt, arable land, hydropower

Russia

wide natural resource base including major deposits of oil,

natural gas, coal, and many strategic minerals, timber

note: formidable obstacles of climate, terrain, and distance hinder

exploitation of natural resources

Rwanda

gold, cassiterite (tin ore), wolframite (tungsten ore),

methane, hydropower, arable land

Saint Helena

fish

Saint Kitts and Nevis

arable land

Saint Lucia

forests, sandy beaches, minerals (pumice), mineral

springs, geothermal potential

Saint Pierre and Miquelon

fish, deepwater ports

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

hydropower, cropland

Samoa

hardwood forests, fish, hydropower

San Marino

building stone

Sao Tome and Principe

fish, hydropower

Saudi Arabia

petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, gold, copper

Senegal

fish, phosphates, iron ore

Serbia and Montenegro

oil, gas, coal, iron ore, bauxite, copper,

lead, zinc, antimony, chromite, nickel, gold, silver, magnesium,

pyrite, limestone, marble, salt, hydropower, arable land

Seychelles

fish, copra, cinnamon trees

Sierra Leone

diamonds, titanium ore, bauxite, iron ore, gold,

chromite

Singapore

fish, deepwater ports

Slovakia

brown coal and lignite; small amounts of iron ore, copper

and manganese ore; salt; arable land

Slovenia

lignite coal, lead, zinc, mercury, uranium, silver,

hydropower, forests

Solomon Islands

fish, forests, gold, bauxite, phosphates, lead,

zinc, nickel

Somalia

uranium and largely unexploited reserves of iron ore, tin,

gypsum, bauxite, copper, salt, natural gas, likely oil reserves

South Africa

gold, chromium, antimony, coal, iron ore, manganese,

nickel, phosphates, tin, uranium, gem diamonds, platinum, copper,

vanadium, salt, natural gas

South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands

fish

Southern Ocean

probable large and possible giant oil and gas fields

on the continental margin, manganese nodules, possible placer

deposits, sand and gravel, fresh water as icebergs; squid, whales,

and seals - none exploited; krill, fishes

Spain

coal, lignite, iron ore, copper, lead, zinc, uranium,

tungsten, mercury, pyrites, magnesite, fluorspar, gypsum, sepiolite,

kaolin, potash, hydropower, arable land

Spratly Islands

fish, guano, undetermined oil and natural gas

potential

Sri Lanka

limestone, graphite, mineral sands, gems, phosphates,

clay, hydropower

Sudan

petroleum; small reserves of iron ore, copper, chromium ore,

zinc, tungsten, mica, silver, gold, hydropower

Suriname

timber, hydropower, fish, kaolin, shrimp, bauxite, gold,

and small amounts of nickel, copper, platinum, iron ore

Svalbard

coal, iron ore, copper, zinc, phosphate, wildlife, fish

Swaziland

asbestos, coal, clay, cassiterite, hydropower, forests,

small gold and diamond deposits, quarry stone, and talc

Sweden

iron ore, copper, lead, zinc, gold, silver, tungsten,

uranium, arsenic, feldspar, timber, hydropower

Switzerland

hydropower potential, timber, salt

Syria

petroleum, phosphates, chrome and manganese ores, asphalt,

iron ore, rock salt, marble, gypsum, hydropower

Taiwan

small deposits of coal, natural gas, limestone, marble, and

asbestos

Tajikistan

hydropower, some petroleum, uranium, mercury, brown coal,

lead, zinc, antimony, tungsten, silver, gold

Tanzania

hydropower, tin, phosphates, iron ore, coal, diamonds,

gemstones, gold, natural gas, nickel

Thailand

tin, rubber, natural gas, tungsten, tantalum, timber, lead,

fish, gypsum, lignite, fluorite, arable land

Togo

phosphates, limestone, marble, arable land

Tokelau

NEGL

Tonga

fish, fertile soil

Trinidad and Tobago

petroleum, natural gas, asphalt

Tromelin Island

fish

Tunisia

petroleum, phosphates, iron ore, lead, zinc, salt

Turkey

coal, iron ore, copper, chromium, antimony, mercury, gold,

barite, borate, celestite (strontium), emery, feldspar, limestone,

magnesite, marble, perlite, pumice, pyrites (sulfur), clay, arable

land, hydropower

Turkmenistan

petroleum, natural gas, sulfur, salt

Turks and Caicos Islands

spiny lobster, conch

Tuvalu

fish

Uganda

copper, cobalt, hydropower, limestone, salt, arable land

Ukraine

iron ore, coal, manganese, natural gas, oil, salt, sulfur,

graphite, titanium, magnesium, kaolin, nickel, mercury, timber,

arable land

United Arab Emirates

petroleum, natural gas

United Kingdom

coal, petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, lead, zinc,

gold, tin, limestone, salt, clay, chalk, gypsum, potash, silica

sand, slate, arable land

United States

coal, copper, lead, molybdenum, phosphates, uranium,

bauxite, gold, iron, mercury, nickel, potash, silver, tungsten,

zinc, petroleum, natural gas, timber

Uruguay

arable land, hydropower, minor minerals, fisheries

Uzbekistan

natural gas, petroleum, coal, gold, uranium, silver,

copper, lead and zinc, tungsten, molybdenum

Vanuatu

manganese, hardwood forests, fish

Venezuela

petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, gold, bauxite, other

minerals, hydropower, diamonds

Vietnam

phosphates, coal, manganese, bauxite, chromate, offshore oil

and gas deposits, forests, hydropower

Virgin Islands

sun, sand, sea, surf

Wake Island

none

Wallis and Futuna

NEGL

West Bank

arable land

Western Sahara

phosphates, iron ore

World

the rapid depletion of nonrenewable mineral resources, the

depletion of forest areas and wetlands, the extinction of animal and

plant species, and the deterioration in air and water quality

(especially in Eastern Europe, the former USSR, and China) pose

serious long-term problems that governments and peoples are only

beginning to address

Yemen

petroleum, fish, rock salt, marble, small deposits of coal,

gold, lead, nickel, and copper, fertile soil in west

Zambia

copper, cobalt, zinc, lead, coal, emeralds, gold, silver,

uranium, hydropower

Zimbabwe

coal, chromium ore, asbestos, gold, nickel, copper, iron

ore, vanadium, lithium, tin, platinum group metals

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2112 Net migration rate (migrant(s)/1,000 population)

Afghanistan

21.43 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Albania

-4.8 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Algeria

-0.37 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

American Samoa

-20.89 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Andorra

6.53 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Angola

0.28 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Anguilla

8.83 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Antigua and Barbuda

-6.11 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Argentina

0.4 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Armenia

-6.1 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Aruba

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Australia

3.91 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Austria

1.97 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Azerbaijan

-4.64 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Bahamas, The

-2.18 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Bahrain

1.04 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Bangladesh

-0.69 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Barbados

-0.31 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Belarus

2.42 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Belgium

1.23 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Belize

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Benin

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Bermuda

2.45 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Bhutan

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Bolivia

-1.27 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Bosnia and Herzegovina

0.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Botswana

6.07 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Brazil

-0.03 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

British Virgin Islands

10.01 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Brunei

3.45 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Bulgaria

-4.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Burkina Faso

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Burma

-1.8 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Burundi

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Cambodia

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Cameroon

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Canada

5.9 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Cape Verde

-11.99 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Cayman Islands

18.25 migrant(s)/1,000 population

note: major destination for Cubans trying to migrate to the US (2005

est.)

Central African Republic

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Chad

-0.11 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Chile

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

China

-0.4 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Christmas Island

NA

Cocos (Keeling) Islands

NA

Colombia

-0.31 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Comoros

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Congo, Democratic Republic of the -0.17 migrant(s)/1,000 population note: fighting between the Congolese Government and Uganda- and Rwanda-backed Congolese rebels spawned a regional war in DROC in August 1998, which left 1.8 million Congolese internally displaced and caused 300,000 Congolese refugees to flee to surrounding countries (2005 est.)

Congo, Republic of the

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Costa Rica

0.5 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Cote d'Ivoire

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Croatia

1.58 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Cuba

-1.58 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Cyprus

0.43 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Czech Republic

0.97 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Denmark

2.53 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Djibouti

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Dominica

-11.6 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Dominican Republic

-3.02 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

East Timor

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Ecuador

-6.07 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Egypt

-0.22 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

El Salvador

-3.67 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Equatorial Guinea

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Eritrea

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population

note: UNHCR began repatriating about 150,000 Eritrean refugees from

Sudan in 2001 following the restoration of diplomatic relations

between the two countries in 2000 (2005 est.)

Estonia

-3.18 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Ethiopia

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population

note: repatriation of Ethiopians who fled to Sudan for refuge from

war and famine in earlier years is expected to continue for several

years; some Sudanese and Somali refugees, who fled to Ethiopia from

the fighting or famine in their own countries, continue to return to

their homes (2005 est.)

European Union

1.5 migrant(s)/1,000 population (July 2005 est.)

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

NA migrant(s)/1,000 population

(2005 est.)

Faroe Islands

0.94 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Fiji

-3.04 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Finland

0.89 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

France

0.66 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

French Guiana

5.11 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

French Polynesia

2.89 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Gabon

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Gambia, The

1.27 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Gaza Strip

1.54 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Georgia

-4.62 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Germany

2.18 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Ghana

-0.59 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Gibraltar

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Greece

2.34 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Greenland

-8.37 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Grenada

-13.25 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Guadeloupe

-0.15 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Guam

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Guatemala

-1.63 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Guernsey

3.83 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Guinea

-2.99 migrant(s)/1,000 population

note: as a result of conflict in neighboring countries, Guinea is

host to approximately 150,000 Liberian and Sierra Leonean refugees

(2005 est.)

Guinea-Bissau

-1.54 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Guyana

-7.51 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Haiti

-1.68 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Honduras

-1.95 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Hong Kong

5.24 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Hungary

0.86 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Iceland

2.06 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

India

-0.07 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Indonesia

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Iran

-2.64 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Iraq

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Ireland

4.93 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Israel

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Italy

2.07 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Jamaica

-4.07 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Japan

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Jersey

2.75 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Jordan

6.42 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Kazakhstan

-3.34 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Kenya

0.08 migrant(s)/1,000 population

note: according to UNHCR, by the end of 2001 Kenya was host to

220,000 refugees from neighboring countries, including: Somalia

145,000 and Sudan 68,000 (2005 est.)

Kiribati

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Korea, North

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Korea, South

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Kuwait

14.96 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Kyrgyzstan

-2.47 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Laos

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Latvia

-2.24 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Lebanon

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Lesotho

-0.74 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Liberia

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population

note: at least 200,000 Liberian refugees are in surrounding

countries; the uncertain security situation has hindered their

ability to return (2005 est.)

Libya

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Liechtenstein

4.8 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Lithuania

-0.71 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Luxembourg

8.86 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Macau

4.86 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Macedonia

-0.7 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Madagascar

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Malawi

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Malaysia

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population

note: does not reflect net flow of an unknown number of illegal

immigrants from other countries in the region (2005 est.)

Maldives

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Mali

-0.33 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Malta

2.06 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Man, Isle of

5.33 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Marshall Islands

-5.91 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Martinique

-0.04 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Mauritania

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Mauritius

-0.41 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Mayotte

5.62 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Mexico

-4.57 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Micronesia, Federated States of -21.01 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Moldova

-0.25 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Monaco

7.71 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Mongolia

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Montserrat

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Morocco

-0.92 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Mozambique

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Namibia

0.52 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Nauru

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Nepal

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Netherlands

2.8 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Netherlands Antilles

-0.4 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

New Caledonia

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

New Zealand

3.83 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Nicaragua

-1.19 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Niger

-0.65 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Nigeria

0.27 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Niue

NA migrant(s)/1,000 population

Norfolk Island

NA

Northern Mariana Islands

8.92 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Norway

1.73 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Oman

0.31 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Pakistan

-1.67 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Palau

2.36 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Panama

-0.86 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Papua New Guinea

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Paraguay

-0.08 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Peru

-1.03 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Philippines

-1.49 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Pitcairn Islands

NA

Poland

-0.49 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Portugal

3.49 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Puerto Rico

-1.38 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Qatar

15.17 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Reunion

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Romania

-0.13 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Russia

1.03 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Rwanda

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Saint Helena

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Saint Kitts and Nevis

-5.9 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Saint Lucia

-2.19 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Saint Pierre and Miquelon

-4.99 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005

est.)

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

-7.61 migrant(s)/1,000 population

(2005 est.)

Samoa

-11.73 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

San Marino

10.84 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sao Tome and Principe

-2.51 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Saudi Arabia

-3.85 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Senegal

0.2 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Serbia and Montenegro

-1.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Seychelles

-5.54 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sierra Leone

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population

note: refugees currently in surrounding countries are slowly

returning (2005 est.)

Singapore

10.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Slovakia

0.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Slovenia

1 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Solomon Islands

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Somalia

5.19 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

South Africa

-0.22 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Spain

0.99 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sri Lanka

-1.27 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sudan

-0.02 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Suriname

-8.78 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Svalbard

NA migrant(s)/1,000 population

Swaziland

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sweden

1.67 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Switzerland

3.58 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Syria

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Taiwan

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Tajikistan

-2.67 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Tanzania

-3.11 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Thailand

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Togo

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Tokelau

NA

Tonga

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Trinidad and Tobago

-10.87 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Tunisia

-0.54 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Turkey

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Turkmenistan

-0.81 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Turks and Caicos Islands 11.09 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Tuvalu

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Uganda

-1.49 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Ukraine

-0.38 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

United Arab Emirates

0.84 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

United Kingdom

2.18 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

United States

3.31 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Uruguay

-0.28 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Uzbekistan

-1.61 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Vanuatu

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Venezuela

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Vietnam

-0.43 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Virgin Islands

-8.64 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Wallis and Futuna

NA migrant(s)/1,000 population

note: there has been steady emigration from Wallis and Futuna to New

Caledonia (2005 est.)

West Bank

2.88 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Yemen

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Zambia

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Zimbabwe

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population negligible migrant(s)/1,000

population

note: there is an increasing flow of Zimbabweans into South Africa

and Botswana in search of better economic opportunities (2005 est.)

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2113 Geography - note

Afghanistan

landlocked; the Hindu Kush mountains that run northeast

to southwest divide the northern provinces from the rest of the

country; the highest peaks are in the northern Vakhan (Wakhan

Corridor)

Akrotiri

British extraterritorial rights also extended to several

small off-post sites scattered across Cyprus

Albania

strategic location along Strait of Otranto (links Adriatic

Sea to Ionian Sea and Mediterranean Sea)

Algeria

second-largest country in Africa (after Sudan)

American Samoa

Pago Pago has one of the best natural deepwater

harbors in the South Pacific Ocean, sheltered by shape from rough

seas and protected by peripheral mountains from high winds;

strategic location in the South Pacific Ocean

Andorra

landlocked; straddles a number of important crossroads in

the Pyrenees

Angola

the province of Cabinda is an exclave, separated from the

rest of the country by the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Anguilla

the most northerly of the Leeward Islands in the Lesser

Antilles

Antarctica

the coldest, windiest, highest (on average), and driest

continent; during summer, more solar radiation reaches the surface

at the South Pole than is received at the Equator in an equivalent

period; mostly uninhabitable

Antigua and Barbuda

Antigua has a deeply indented shoreline with

many natural harbors and beaches; Barbuda has a very large western

harbor

Arctic Ocean

major chokepoint is the southern Chukchi Sea (northern

access to the Pacific Ocean via the Bering Strait); strategic

location between North America and Russia; shortest marine link

between the extremes of eastern and western Russia; floating

research stations operated by the US and Russia; maximum snow cover

in March or April about 20 to 50 centimeters over the frozen ocean;

snow cover lasts about 10 months

Argentina

second-largest country in South America (after Brazil);

strategic location relative to sea lanes between the South Atlantic

and the South Pacific Oceans (Strait of Magellan, Beagle Channel,

Drake Passage); Cerro Aconcagua is South America's tallest mountain,

while Laguna del Carbon is the lowest point in the Western Hemisphere

Armenia

landlocked in the Lesser Caucasus Mountains; Sevana Lich

(Lake Sevan) is the largest lake in this mountain range

Aruba

a flat, riverless island renowned for its white sand beaches;

its tropical climate is moderated by constant trade winds from the

Atlantic Ocean; the temperature is almost constant at about 27

degrees Celsius (81 degrees Fahrenheit)

Ashmore and Cartier Islands

Ashmore Reef National Nature Reserve

established in August 1983

Atlantic Ocean

major chokepoints include the Dardanelles, Strait of

Gibraltar, access to the Panama and Suez Canals; strategic straits

include the Strait of Dover, Straits of Florida, Mona Passage, The

Sound (Oresund), and Windward Passage; the Equator divides the

Atlantic Ocean into the North Atlantic Ocean and South Atlantic Ocean

Australia

world's smallest continent but sixth-largest country;

population concentrated along the eastern and southeastern coasts;

the invigorating tropical sea breeze known as the "Fremantle Doctor"

affects the city of Perth on the west coast, and is one of the most

consistent winds in the world

Austria

landlocked; strategic location at the crossroads of central

Europe with many easily traversable Alpine passes and valleys; major

river is the Danube; population is concentrated on eastern lowlands

because of steep slopes, poor soils, and low temperatures elsewhere

Azerbaijan

both the main area of the country and the Naxcivan

exclave are landlocked

Bahamas, The

strategic location adjacent to US and Cuba; extensive

island chain of which 30 are inhabited

Bahrain

close to primary Middle Eastern petroleum sources; strategic

location in Persian Gulf, through which much of the Western world's

petroleum must transit to reach open ocean

Baker Island

treeless, sparse, and scattered vegetation consisting

of grasses, prostrate vines, and low growing shrubs; primarily a

nesting, roosting, and foraging habitat for seabirds, shorebirds,

and marine wildlife

Bangladesh

most of the country is situated on deltas of large rivers

flowing from the Himalayas: the Ganges unites with the Jamuna (main

channel of the Brahmaputra) and later joins the Meghna to eventually

empty into the Bay of Bengal

Barbados

easternmost Caribbean island

Bassas da India

the islands emerge from a circular reef that sits

atop a long-extinct, submerged volcano

Belarus

landlocked; glacial scouring accounts for the flatness of

Belarusian terrain and for its 11,000 lakes; the country is

geologically well endowed with extensive deposits of granite,

dolomitic limestone, marl, chalk, sand, gravel, and clay

Belgium

crossroads of Western Europe; majority of West European

capitals within 1,000 km of Brussels, the seat of both the European

Union and NATO

Belize

only country in Central America without a coastline on the

North Pacific Ocean

Benin

sandbanks create difficult access to a coast with no natural

harbors, river mouths, or islands

Bermuda

consists of about 138 coral islands and islets with ample

rainfall, but no rivers or freshwater lakes; some land was leased by

US Government from 1941 to 1995

Bhutan

landlocked; strategic location between China and India;

controls several key Himalayan mountain passes

Bolivia

landlocked; shares control of Lago Titicaca, world's highest

navigable lake (elevation 3,805 m), with Peru

Bosnia and Herzegovina

within Bosnia and Herzegovina's recognized

borders, the country is divided into a joint Bosniak/Croat

Federation (about 51% of the territory) and the Bosnian Serb-led

Republika Srpska or RS (about 49% of the territory); the region

called Herzegovina is contiguous to Croatia and Serbia and

Montenegro (Montenegro), and traditionally has been settled by an

ethnic Croat majority in the west and an ethnic Serb majority in the

east

Botswana

landlocked; population concentrated in eastern part of the

country

Bouvet Island

covered by glacial ice; declared a nature reserve

Brazil

largest country in South America; shares common boundaries

with every South American country except Chile and Ecuador

British Indian Ocean Territory archipelago of 2,300 islands; Diego Garcia, largest and southernmost island, occupies strategic location in central Indian Ocean; island is site of joint US-UK military facility

British Virgin Islands

strong ties to nearby US Virgin Islands and

Puerto Rico

Brunei

close to vital sea lanes through South China Sea linking

Indian and Pacific Oceans; two parts physically separated by

Malaysia; almost an enclave of Malaysia

Bulgaria

strategic location near Turkish Straits; controls key land

routes from Europe to Middle East and Asia

Burkina Faso

landlocked savanna cut by the three principal rivers of

the Black, Red, and White Voltas

Burma

strategic location near major Indian Ocean shipping lanes

Burundi

landlocked; straddles crest of the Nile-Congo watershed; the

Kagera, which drains into Lake Victoria, is the most remote

headstream of the White Nile

Cambodia

a land of paddies and forests dominated by the Mekong River

and Tonle Sap

Cameroon

sometimes referred to as the hinge of Africa; throughout

the country there are areas of thermal springs and indications of

current or prior volcanic activity; Mount Cameroon, the highest

mountain in Sub-Saharan west Africa, is an active volcano

Canada

second-largest country in world (after Russia); strategic

location between Russia and US via north polar route; approximately

90% of the population is concentrated within 160 km of the US border

Cape Verde

strategic location 500 km from west coast of Africa near

major north-south sea routes; important communications station;

important sea and air refueling site

Cayman Islands

important location between Cuba and Central America

Central African Republic

landlocked; almost the precise center of

Africa

Chad

landlocked; Lake Chad is the most significant water body in the

Sahel

Chile

strategic location relative to sea lanes between Atlantic and

Pacific Oceans (Strait of Magellan, Beagle Channel, Drake Passage);

Atacama Desert is one of world's driest regions

China

world's fourth largest country (after Russia, Canada, and US);

Mount Everest on the border with Nepal is the world's tallest peak

Christmas Island

located along major sea lanes of Indian Ocean

Clipperton Island

reef 12 km in circumference

Cocos (Keeling) Islands

islands are thickly covered with coconut

palms and other vegetation

Colombia

only South American country with coastlines on both the

North Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea

Comoros

important location at northern end of Mozambique Channel

Congo, Democratic Republic of the straddles equator; has very narrow strip of land that controls the lower Congo River and is only outlet to South Atlantic Ocean; dense tropical rain forest in central river basin and eastern highlands

Congo, Republic of the

about 70% of the population lives in

Brazzaville, Pointe-Noire, or along the railroad between them

Cook Islands

the northern Cook Islands are seven low-lying, sparsely

populated, coral atolls; the southern Cook Islands consist of eight

elevated, fertile, volcanic isles where most of the populace lives

Coral Sea Islands

important nesting area for birds and turtles

Costa Rica

four volcanoes, two of them active, rise near the capital

of San Jose in the center of the country; one of the volcanoes,

Irazu, erupted destructively in 1963-65

Cote d'Ivoire

most of the inhabitants live along the sandy coastal

region; apart from the capital area, the forested interior is

sparsely populated

Croatia

controls most land routes from Western Europe to Aegean Sea

and Turkish Straits

Cuba

largest country in Caribbean and westernmost island of the

Greater Antilles

Cyprus

the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea (after

Sicily and Sardinia)

Czech Republic

landlocked; strategically located astride some of

oldest and most significant land routes in Europe; Moravian Gate is

a traditional military corridor between the North European Plain and

the Danube in central Europe

Denmark

controls Danish Straits (Skagerrak and Kattegat) linking

Baltic and North Seas; about one-quarter of the population lives in

greater Copenhagen

Dhekelia

British extraterritorial rights also extended to several

small off-post sites scattered across Cyprus

Djibouti

strategic location near world's busiest shipping lanes and

close to Arabian oilfields; terminus of rail traffic into Ethiopia;

mostly wasteland; Lac Assal (Lake Assal) is the lowest point in

Africa

Dominica

known as "The Nature Island of the Caribbean" due to its

spectacular, lush, and varied flora and fauna, which are protected

by an extensive natural park system; the most mountainous of the

Lesser Antilles, its volcanic peaks are cones of lava craters and

include Boiling Lake, the second-largest, thermally active lake in

the world

Dominican Republic

shares island of Hispaniola with Haiti

East Timor

Timor comes from the Malay word for "East"; the island of

Timor is part of the Malay Archipelago and is the largest and

easternmost of the Lesser Sunda Islands

Ecuador

Cotopaxi in Andes is highest active volcano in world

Egypt

controls Sinai Peninsula, only land bridge between Africa and

remainder of Eastern Hemisphere; controls Suez Canal, a sea link

between Indian Ocean and Mediterranean Sea; size, and juxtaposition

to Israel, establish its major role in Middle Eastern geopolitics;

dependence on upstream neighbors; dominance of Nile basin issues;

prone to influxes of refugees

El Salvador

smallest Central American country and only one without a

coastline on Caribbean Sea

Equatorial Guinea

insular and continental regions rather widely

separated

Eritrea

strategic geopolitical position along world's busiest

shipping lanes; Eritrea retained the entire coastline of Ethiopia

along the Red Sea upon de jure independence from Ethiopia on 24 May

1993

Estonia

the mainland terrain is flat, boggy, and partly wooded;

offshore lie more than 1,500 islands

Ethiopia

landlocked - entire coastline along the Red Sea was lost

with the de jure independence of Eritrea on 24 May 1993; the Blue

Nile, the chief headstream of the Nile by water volume, rises in

T'ana Hayk (Lake Tana) in northwest Ethiopia; three major crops are

believed to have originated in Ethiopia: coffee, grain sorghum, and

castor bean

Europa Island

wildlife sanctuary

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

deeply indented coast provides

good natural harbors; short growing season

Faroe Islands

archipelago of 17 inhabited islands and one

uninhabited island, and a few uninhabited islets; strategically

located along important sea lanes in northeastern Atlantic;

precipitous terrain limits habitation to small coastal lowlands

Fiji

includes 332 islands of which approximately 110 are inhabited

Finland

long boundary with Russia; Helsinki is northernmost national

capital on European continent; population concentrated on small

southwestern coastal plain

France

largest West European nation

French Guiana

mostly an unsettled wilderness; the only

non-independent portion of the South American continent

French Polynesia

includes five archipelagoes (4 volcanic, 1 coral);

Makatea in French Polynesia is one of the three great phosphate rock

islands in the Pacific Ocean - the others are Banaba (Ocean Island)

in Kiribati and Nauru

French Southern and Antarctic Lands

islands component is widely

scattered across remote locations in the southern Indian Ocean

Gabon

a small population and oil and mineral reserves have helped

Gabon become one of Africa's wealthier countries; in general, these

circumstances have allowed the country to maintain and conserve its

pristine rain forest and rich biodiversity

Gambia, The

almost an enclave of Senegal; smallest country on the

continent of Africa

Gaza Strip

there are 25 Israeli settlements and civilian land use

sites in the Gaza Strip (February 2002 est.)

Georgia

strategically located east of the Black Sea; Georgia

controls much of the Caucasus Mountains and the routes through them

Germany

strategic location on North European Plain and along the

entrance to the Baltic Sea

Ghana

Lake Volta is the world's largest artificial lake

Gibraltar

strategic location on Strait of Gibraltar that links the

North Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea

Glorioso Islands

the islands and rocks are surrounded by an

extensive reef system

Greece

strategic location dominating the Aegean Sea and southern

approach to Turkish Straits; a peninsular country, possessing an

archipelago of about 2,000 islands

Greenland

dominates North Atlantic Ocean between North America and

Europe; sparse population confined to small settlements along coast,

but close to one-quarter of the population lives in the capital,

Nuuk; world's second largest ice cap

Grenada

the administration of the islands of the Grenadines group is

divided between Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Grenada

Guadeloupe

a narrow channel, the Riviere Salee, divides Guadeloupe

proper into two islands: the larger, western Basse-Terre and the

smaller, eastern Grande-Terre

Guam

largest and southernmost island in the Mariana Islands

archipelago; strategic location in western North Pacific Ocean

Guatemala

no natural harbors on west coast

Guernsey

large, deepwater harbor at Saint Peter Port

Guinea

the Niger and its important tributary the Milo have their

sources in the Guinean highlands

Guinea-Bissau

this small country is swampy along its western coast

and low-lying further inland

Guyana

the third-smallest country in South America after Suriname

and Uruguay; substantial portions of its western and eastern

territories are claimed by Venezuela and Suriname respectively

Haiti

shares island of Hispaniola with Dominican Republic (western

one-third is Haiti, eastern two-thirds is the Dominican Republic)

Holy See (Vatican City)

urban; landlocked; enclave in Rome, Italy;

world's smallest state; outside the Vatican City, 13 buildings in

Rome and Castel Gandolfo (the pope's summer residence) enjoy

extraterritorial rights

Honduras

has only a short Pacific coast but a long Caribbean

shoreline, including the virtually uninhabited eastern Mosquito Coast

Hong Kong

more than 200 islands

Howland Island

almost totally covered with grasses, prostrate vines,

and low-growing shrubs; small area of trees in the center; primarily

a nesting, roosting, and foraging habitat for seabirds, shorebirds,

and marine wildlife

Hungary

landlocked; strategic location astride main land routes

between Western Europe and Balkan Peninsula as well as between

Ukraine and Mediterranean basin; the north-south flowing Duna

(Danube) and Tisza Rivers divide the country into three large regions

Iceland

strategic location between Greenland and Europe; westernmost

European country; Reykjavik is the northernmost national capital in

the world; more land covered by glaciers than in all of continental

Europe

India

dominates South Asian subcontinent; near important Indian

Ocean trade routes

Indian Ocean

major chokepoints include Bab el Mandeb, Strait of

Hormuz, Strait of Malacca, southern access to the Suez Canal, and

the Lombok Strait

Indonesia

archipelago of 17,508 islands (6,000 inhabited); straddles

equator; strategic location astride or along major sea lanes from

Indian Ocean to Pacific Ocean

Iran

strategic location on the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz,

which are vital maritime pathways for crude oil transport

Iraq

strategic location on Shatt al Arab waterway and at the head of

the Persian Gulf

Ireland

strategic location on major air and sea routes between North

America and northern Europe; over 40% of the population resides

within 100 km of Dublin

Israel

there are 242 Israeli settlements and civilian land use sites

in the West Bank, 42 in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, 25 in

the Gaza Strip, and 29 in East Jerusalem (February 2002 est.); Sea

of Galilee is an important freshwater source

Italy

strategic location dominating central Mediterranean as well as

southern sea and air approaches to Western Europe

Jamaica

strategic location between Cayman Trench and Jamaica

Channel, the main sea lanes for the Panama Canal

Jan Mayen

barren volcanic island with some moss and grass

Japan

strategic location in northeast Asia

Jarvis Island

sparse bunch grass, prostrate vines, and low-growing

shrubs; primarily a nesting, roosting, and foraging habitat for

seabirds, shorebirds, and marine wildlife

Jersey

largest and southernmost of Channel Islands; about 30% of

population concentrated in Saint Helier

Johnston Atoll

strategic location in the North Pacific Ocean;

Johnston Island and Sand Island are natural islands, which have been

expanded by coral dredging; North Island (Akau) and East Island

(Hikina) are manmade islands formed from coral dredging; the

egg-shaped reef is 34 km in circumference; closed to the public; a

former US nuclear weapons test site; site of now-closed Johnston

Atoll Chemical Agent Disposal System (JACADS); most facilities

dismantled and cleanup complete in 2004; some low-growing vegetation

Jordan

strategic location at the head of the Gulf of Aqaba and as

the Arab country that shares the longest border with Israel and the

occupied West Bank

Juan de Nova Island

wildlife sanctuary

Kazakhstan

landlocked; Russia leases approximately 6,000 sq km of

territory enclosing the Baykonur Cosmodrome; in January 2004,

Kazakhstan and Russia extended the lease to 2050

Kenya

the Kenyan Highlands comprise one of the most successful

agricultural production regions in Africa; glaciers are found on

Mount Kenya, Africa's second highest peak; unique physiography

supports abundant and varied wildlife of scientific and economic

value

Kingman Reef

barren coral atoll with deep interior lagoon; closed to

the public

Kiribati

21 of the 33 islands are inhabited; Banaba (Ocean Island)

in Kiribati is one of the three great phosphate rock islands in the

Pacific Ocean - the others are Makatea in French Polynesia, and Nauru

Korea, North

strategic location bordering China, South Korea, and

Russia; mountainous interior is isolated and sparsely populated

Korea, South

strategic location on Korea Strait

Kuwait

strategic location at head of Persian Gulf

Kyrgyzstan

landlocked; entirely mountainous, dominated by the Tien

Shan range; many tall peaks, glaciers, and high-altitude lakes

Laos

landlocked; most of the country is mountainous and thickly

forested; the Mekong River forms a large part of the western

boundary with Thailand

Latvia

most of the country is composed of fertile, low-lying plains,

with some hills in the east

Lebanon

Nahr el Litani only major river in Near East not crossing an

international boundary; rugged terrain historically helped isolate,

protect, and develop numerous factional groups based on religion,

clan, and ethnicity

Lesotho

landlocked, completely surrounded by South Africa;

mountainous, more than 80% of the country is 1,800 meters above sea

level

Liberia

facing the Atlantic Ocean, the coastline is characterized by

lagoons, mangrove swamps, and river-deposited sandbars; the inland

grassy plateau supports limited agriculture

Libya

more than 90% of the country is desert or semidesert

Liechtenstein

along with Uzbekistan, one of only two doubly

landlocked countries in the world; variety of microclimatic

variations based on elevation

Lithuania

fertile central plains are separated by hilly uplands that

are ancient glacial deposits

Luxembourg

landlocked; the only Grand Duchy in the world

Macau

essentially urban; one causeway and two bridges connect the

two islands of Coloane and Taipa to the peninsula on mainland

Macedonia

landlocked; major transportation corridor from Western and

Central Europe to Aegean Sea and Southern Europe to Western Europe

Madagascar

world's fourth-largest island; strategic location along

Mozambique Channel

Malawi

landlocked; Lake Nyasa, some 580 km long, is the country's

most prominent physical feature

Malaysia

strategic location along Strait of Malacca and southern

South China Sea

Maldives

1,190 coral islands grouped into 26 atolls (200 inhabited

islands, plus 80 islands with tourist resorts); archipelago with

strategic location astride and along major sea lanes in Indian Ocean

Mali

landlocked; divided into three natural zones: the southern,

cultivated Sudanese; the central, semiarid Sahelian; and the

northern, arid Saharan

Malta

the country comprises an archipelago, with only the three

largest islands (Malta, Ghawdex or Gozo, and Kemmuna or Comino)

being inhabited; numerous bays provide good harbors; Malta and

Tunisia are discussing the commercial exploitation of the

continental shelf between their countries, particularly for oil

exploration

Man, Isle of

one small islet, the Calf of Man, lies to the

southwest, and is a bird sanctuary

Marshall Islands

two archipelagic island chains of 30 atolls and

1,152 islands; Bikini and Enewetak are former US nuclear test sites;

Kwajalein, the famous World War II battleground, is now used as a US

missile test range

Martinique

the island is dominated by Mount Pelee, which on 8 May

1902 erupted and completely destroyed the city of Saint Pierre,

killing 30,000 inhabitants

Mauritania

most of the population concentrated in the cities of

Nouakchott and Nouadhibou and along the Senegal River in the

southern part of the country

Mauritius

the main island, from which the country derives its name,

is of volcanic origin and is almost entirely surrounded by coral

reefs

Mayotte

part of Comoro Archipelago; 18 islands

Mexico

strategic location on southern border of US; corn (maize),

one of the world's major grain crops, is thought to have originated

in Mexico

Micronesia, Federated States of

four major island groups totaling

607 islands

Midway Islands

a coral atoll managed as a national wildlife refuge

and open to the public for wildlife-related recreation in the form

of wildlife observation and photography, sport fishing, snorkeling,

and scuba diving; the refuge is temporarily closed for

reorganization at present (2004)

Moldova

landlocked; well endowed with various sedimentary rocks and

minerals including sand, gravel, gypsum, and limestone

Monaco

second-smallest independent state in the world (after Holy

See); almost entirely urban

Mongolia

landlocked; strategic location between China and Russia

Montserrat

the island is entirely volcanic in origin and contains

seven active volcanoes

Morocco

strategic location along Strait of Gibraltar

Mozambique

the Zambezi flows through the north-central and most

fertile part of the country

Namibia

first country in the world to incorporate the protection of

the environment into its constitution; some 14% of the land is

protected, including virtually the entire Namib Desert coastal strip

Nauru

Nauru is one of the three great phosphate rock islands in the

Pacific Ocean - the others are Banaba (Ocean Island) in Kiribati and

Makatea in French Polynesia; only 53 km south of Equator

Navassa Island

strategic location 160 km south of the US Naval Base

at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; mostly exposed rock but with enough

grassland to support goat herds; dense stands of fig-like trees,

scattered cactus

Nepal

landlocked; strategic location between China and India;

contains eight of world's 10 highest peaks, including Mount Everest

- the world's tallest - on the border with China

Netherlands

located at mouths of three major European rivers (Rhine,

Maas or Meuse, and Schelde)

Netherlands Antilles

the five islands of the Netherlands Antilles

are divided geographically into the Leeward Islands (northern) group

(Saba, Sint Eustatius, and Sint Maarten) and the Windward Islands

(southern) group (Bonaire and Curacao)

New Caledonia

consists of the main island of New Caledonia (one of

the largest in the Pacific Ocean), the archipelago of Iles Loyaute,

and numerous small, sparsely populated islands and atolls

New Zealand

about 80% of the population lives in cities; Wellington

is the southernmost national capital in the world

Nicaragua

largest country in Central America; contains the largest

freshwater body in Central America, Lago de Nicaragua

Niger

landlocked; one of the hottest countries in the world:

northern four-fifths is desert, southern one-fifth is savanna,

suitable for livestock and limited agriculture

Nigeria

the Niger enters the country in the northwest and flows

southward through tropical rain forests and swamps to its delta in

the Gulf of Guinea

Niue

one of world's largest coral islands

Norfolk Island

most of the 32-km coastline consists of almost

inaccessible cliffs, but the land slopes down to the sea in one

small southern area on Sydney Bay, where the capital of Kingston is

situated

Northern Mariana Islands

strategic location in the North Pacific

Ocean

Norway

about two-thirds mountains; some 50,000 islands off its much

indented coastline; strategic location adjacent to sea lanes and air

routes in North Atlantic; one of most rugged and longest coastlines

in world

Oman

strategic location on Musandam Peninsula adjacent to Strait of

Hormuz, a vital transit point for world crude oil

Pacific Ocean

the major chokepoints are the Bering Strait, Panama

Canal, Luzon Strait, and the Singapore Strait; the Equator divides

the Pacific Ocean into the North Pacific Ocean and the South Pacific

Ocean; dotted with low coral islands and rugged volcanic islands in

the southwestern Pacific Ocean

Pakistan

controls Khyber Pass and Bolan Pass, traditional invasion

routes between Central Asia and the Indian Subcontinent

Palau

westernmost archipelago in the Caroline chain, consists of six

island groups totaling more than 300 islands; includes World War II

battleground of Beliliou (Peleliu) and world-famous rock islands

Palmyra Atoll

about 50 islets covered with dense vegetation, coconut

trees, and balsa-like trees up to 30 meters tall

Panama

strategic location on eastern end of isthmus forming land

bridge connecting North and South America; controls Panama Canal

that links North Atlantic Ocean via Caribbean Sea with North Pacific

Ocean

Papua New Guinea

shares island of New Guinea with Indonesia; one of

world's largest swamps along southwest coast

Paracel Islands

composed of 130 small coral islands and reefs

divided into the northeast Amphitrite Group and the western Crescent

Group

Paraguay

landlocked; lies between Argentina, Bolivia, and Brazil;

population concentrated in southern part of country

Peru

shares control of Lago Titicaca, world's highest navigable

lake, with Bolivia; a remote slope of Nevado Mismi, a 5,316 m peak,

is the ultimate source of the Amazon River

Philippines

the Philippine archipelago is made up of 7,107 islands;

favorably located in relation to many of Southeast Asia's main water

bodies: the South China Sea, Philippine Sea, Sulu Sea, Celebes Sea,

and Luzon Strait

Pitcairn Islands

Britain's most isolated dependency; only the larger

island of Pitcairn is inhabited but it has no port or natural

harbor; supplies must be transported by rowed longboat from larger

ships stationed offshore

Poland

historically, an area of conflict because of flat terrain and

the lack of natural barriers on the North European Plain

Portugal

Azores and Madeira Islands occupy strategic locations along

western sea approaches to Strait of Gibraltar

Puerto Rico

important location along the Mona Passage - a key

shipping lane to the Panama Canal; San Juan is one of the biggest

and best natural harbors in the Caribbean; many small rivers and

high central mountains ensure land is well watered; south coast

relatively dry; fertile coastal plain belt in north

Qatar

strategic location in central Persian Gulf near major

petroleum deposits

Reunion

this mountainous, volcanic island has an active volcano,

Piton de la Fournaise; there is a tropical cyclone center at

Saint-Denis, which is the monitoring station for the whole of the

Indian Ocean

Romania

controls most easily traversable land route between the

Balkans, Moldova, and Ukraine

Russia

largest country in the world in terms of area but unfavorably

located in relation to major sea lanes of the world; despite its

size, much of the country lacks proper soils and climates (either

too cold or too dry) for agriculture; Mount El'brus is Europe's

tallest peak

Rwanda

landlocked; most of the country is savanna grassland with the

population predominantly rural

Saint Helena

harbors at least 40 species of plants unknown anywhere

else in the world; Ascension is a breeding ground for sea turtles

and sooty terns

Saint Kitts and Nevis

with coastlines in the shape of a baseball bat

and ball, the two volcanic islands are separated by a three-km-wide

channel called The Narrows; on the southern tip of long, baseball

bat-shaped Saint Kitts lies the Great Salt Pond; Nevis Peak sits in

the center of its almost circular namesake island and its ball shape

complements that of its sister island

Saint Lucia

the twin Pitons (Gros Piton and Petit Piton), striking

cone-shaped peaks south of Soufriere, are one of the scenic natural

highlights of the Caribbean

Saint Pierre and Miquelon

vegetation scanty

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines the administration of the islands of the Grenadines group is divided between Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Grenada; Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is comprised of 32 islands and cays

Samoa

occupies an almost central position within Polynesia

San Marino

landlocked; smallest independent state in Europe after

the Holy See and Monaco; dominated by the Apennines

Sao Tome and Principe

the smallest country in Africa; the two main

islands form part of a chain of extinct volcanoes and both are

fairly mountainous

Saudi Arabia

extensive coastlines on Persian Gulf and Red Sea

provide great leverage on shipping (especially crude oil) through

Persian Gulf and Suez Canal

Senegal

westernmost country on the African continent; The Gambia is

almost an enclave within Senegal

Serbia and Montenegro

controls one of the major land routes from

Western Europe to Turkey and the Near East; strategic location along

the Adriatic coast

Seychelles

41 granitic and about 75 coralline islands

Sierra Leone

rainfall along the coast can reach 495 cm (195 inches)

a year, making it one of the wettest places along coastal, western

Africa

Singapore

focal point for Southeast Asian sea routes

Slovakia

landlocked; most of the country is rugged and mountainous;

the Tatra Mountains in the north are interspersed with many scenic

lakes and valleys

Slovenia

despite its small size, this eastern Alpine country

controls some of Europe's major transit routes

Solomon Islands

strategic location on sea routes between the South

Pacific Ocean, the Solomon Sea, and the Coral Sea

Somalia

strategic location on Horn of Africa along southern

approaches to Bab el Mandeb and route through Red Sea and Suez Canal

South Africa

South Africa completely surrounds Lesotho and almost

completely surrounds Swaziland

South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands

the north coast of

South Georgia has several large bays, which provide good anchorage;

reindeer, introduced early in the 20th century, live on South Georgia

Southern Ocean

the major chokepoint is the Drake Passage between

South America and Antarctica; the Polar Front (Antarctic

Convergence) is the best natural definition of the northern extent

of the Southern Ocean; it is a distinct region at the middle of the

Antarctic Circumpolar Current that separates the very cold polar

surface waters to the south from the warmer waters to the north; the

Front and the Current extend entirely around Antarctica, reaching

south of 60 degrees south near New Zealand and near 48 degrees south

in the far South Atlantic coinciding with the path of the maximum

westerly winds

Spain

strategic location along approaches to Strait of Gibraltar

Spratly Islands

strategically located near several primary shipping

lanes in the central South China Sea; includes numerous small

islands, atolls, shoals, and coral reefs

Sri Lanka

strategic location near major Indian Ocean sea lanes

Sudan

largest country in Africa; dominated by the Nile and its

tributaries

Suriname

smallest independent country on South American continent;

mostly tropical rain forest; great diversity of flora and fauna

that, for the most part, is increasingly threatened by new

development; relatively small population, mostly along the coast

Svalbard

northernmost part of the Kingdom of Norway; consists of

nine main islands; glaciers and snowfields cover 60% of the total

area

Swaziland

landlocked; almost completely surrounded by South Africa

Sweden

strategic location along Danish Straits linking Baltic and

North Seas

Switzerland

landlocked; crossroads of northern and southern Europe;

along with southeastern France, northern Italy, and southwestern

Austria, has the highest elevations in the Alps

Syria

there are 42 Israeli settlements and civilian land use sites

in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights (February 2002 est.)

Taiwan

strategic location adjacent to both the Taiwan Strait and the

Luzon Strait

Tajikistan

landlocked; mountainous region dominated by the

Trans-Alay Range in the north and the Pamirs in the southeast;

highest point, Qullai Ismoili Somoni (formerly Communism Peak), was

the tallest mountain in the former USSR

Tanzania

Kilimanjaro is highest point in Africa; bordered by three

of the largest lakes on the continent: Lake Victoria (the world's

second-largest freshwater lake) in the north, Lake Tanganyika (the

world's second deepest) in the west, and Lake Nyasa in the southwest

Thailand

controls only land route from Asia to Malaysia and Singapore

Togo

the country's length allows it to stretch through six distinct

geographic regions; climate varies from tropical to savanna

Tokelau

consists of three atolls, each with a lagoon surrounded by a

number of reef-bound islets of varying length and rising to over

three meters above sea level

Tonga

archipelago of 169 islands (36 inhabited)

Trinidad and Tobago

Pitch Lake, on Trinidad's southwestern coast, is

the world's largest natural reservoir of asphalt

Tromelin Island

climatologically important location for forecasting

cyclones; wildlife sanctuary (seabirds, tortoises)

Tunisia

strategic location in central Mediterranean; Malta and

Tunisia are discussing the commercial exploitation of the

continental shelf between their countries, particularly for oil

exploration

Turkey

strategic location controlling the Turkish Straits (Bosporus,

Sea of Marmara, Dardanelles) that link Black and Aegean Seas; Mount

Ararat, the legendary landing place of Noah's Ark, is in the far

eastern portion of the country

Turkmenistan

landlocked; the western and central low-lying, desolate

portions of the country make up the great Garagum (Kara-Kum) desert,

which occupies over 80% of the country; eastern part is plateau

Turks and Caicos Islands

about 40 islands (eight inhabited)

Tuvalu

one of the smallest and most remote countries on Earth; six

of the coral atolls - Nanumea, Nui, Vaitupu, Nukufetau, Funafuti,

and Nukulaelae - have lagoons open to the ocean; Nanumaya and Niutao

have landlocked lagoons; Niulakita does not have a lagoon

Uganda

landlocked; fertile, well-watered country with many lakes and

rivers

Ukraine

strategic position at the crossroads between Europe and

Asia; second-largest country in Europe

United Arab Emirates

strategic location along southern approaches to

Strait of Hormuz, a vital transit point for world crude oil

United Kingdom

lies near vital North Atlantic sea lanes; only 35 km

from France and now linked by tunnel under the English Channel;

because of heavily indented coastline, no location is more than 125

km from tidal waters

United States

world's third-largest country by size (after Russia

and Canada) and by population (after China and India); Mt. McKinley

is highest point in North America and Death Valley the lowest point

on the continent

Uruguay

second-smallest South American country (after Suriname);

most of the low-lying landscape (three-quarters of the country) is

grassland, ideal for cattle and sheep raising

Uzbekistan

along with Liechtenstein, one of the only two doubly

landlocked countries in the world

Vanuatu

a Y-shaped chain of four main islands and 80 smaller

islands; several of the islands have active volcanoes

Venezuela

on major sea and air routes linking North and South

America; Angel Falls in the Guiana Highlands is the world's highest

waterfall

Vietnam

extending 1,650 km north to south, the country is only 50 km

across at its narrowest point

Virgin Islands

important location along the Anegada Passage - a key

shipping lane for the Panama Canal; Saint Thomas has one of the best

natural deepwater harbors in the Caribbean

Wake Island

strategic location in the North Pacific Ocean; emergency

landing location for transpacific flights

Wallis and Futuna

both island groups have fringing reefs

West Bank

landlocked; highlands are main recharge area for Israel's

coastal aquifers; there are 244 West Bank settlements and 29 East

Jerusalem settlements in addition to at least 20 occupied outposts

(August 2003 est.)

Western Sahara

the waters off the coast are particularly rich

fishing areas

World

the world is now thought to be about 4.55 billion years old,

just about one-third of the 13-billion-year age estimated for the

universe

Yemen

strategic location on Bab el Mandeb, the strait linking the

Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, one of world's most active shipping

lanes

Zambia

landlocked; the Zambezi forms a natural riverine boundary

with Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe

landlocked; the Zambezi forms a natural riverine boundary

with Zambia; in full flood (February-April) the massive Victoria

Falls on the river forms the world's largest curtain of falling water

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2115 Political pressure groups and leaders

Afghanistan

Jamiat-e Islami (Society of Islam) [former President

Burhanuddin RABBANI]; Ittihad-e Islami (Islamic Union for the

Liberation of Afghanistan), [Abdul Rasul SAYYAF]; there are also

small monarchist, communist, and democratic groups

Albania

Confederation of Trade Unions of Albania or KSSH [Kastriot

MUCO]; Front for Albanian National Unification or FBKSH [Gafur

ADILI]; Omonia [Jani JANI]; Union of Independent Trade Unions of

Albania or BSPSH [Gezim KALAJA]

Algeria

The Algerian Human Rights League or LADH or LADDH [Yahia Ali

ABDENOUR]; SOS Disparus [Nacera DUTOUR]; Somoud [Ali MERABET]

American Samoa

NA

Andorra

NA

Angola

Front for the Liberation of the Enclave of Cabinda or FLEC

[N'zita Henriques TIAGO, Antonio Bento BEMBE]

note: FLEC is waging a small-scale, highly factionalized, armed

struggle for the independence of Cabinda Province

Anguilla

NA

Antigua and Barbuda

Antigua Trades and Labor Union or ATLU [William

ROBINSON]; People's Democratic Movement or PDM [Hugh MARSHALL]

Argentina

Argentine Association of Pharmaceutical Labs (CILFA);

Argentine Industrial Union (manufacturers' association); Argentine

Rural Society (large landowners' association); business

organizations; Central of Argentine Workers or CTA (a radical union

for employed and unemployed workers); General Confederation of Labor

or CGT (Peronist-leaning umbrella labor organization);

Peronist-dominated labor movement; Roman Catholic Church; students

Armenia

Yerkrapah Union [Manvel GRIGORIAN]

Aruba

NA

Austria

Austrian Trade Union Federation (nominally independent but

primarily Socialist) or OeGB; Federal Economic Chamber;

OeVP-oriented League of Austrian Industrialists or VOeI; Roman

Catholic Church, including its chief lay organization, Catholic

Action; three composite leagues of the Austrian People's Party or

OeVP representing business, labor, and farmers and other

non-government organizations in the areas of environment and human

rights

Azerbaijan

Sadval, Lezgin movement; self-proclaimed Armenian

Nagorno-Karabakh Republic; Talysh independence movement; Union of

Pro-Azerbaijani Forces (UPAF)

Bahamas, The

NA

Bahrain

Shi'a activists fomented unrest sporadically in 1994-97,

demanding the return of an elected National Assembly and an end to

unemployment; several small, clandestine leftist and Islamic

fundamentalist groups are active

Bangladesh

NA

Barbados

Barbados Workers Union [Leroy TROTMAN]; Clement Payne Labor

Union [David COMMISSIONG]; People's Progressive Movement [Eric

SEALY]; Worker's Party of Barbados [Dr. George BELLE]

Belarus

NA

Belgium

Christian, Socialist, and Liberal Trade Unions; Federation

of Belgian Industries; numerous other associations representing

bankers, manufacturers, middle-class artisans, and the legal and

medical professions; various organizations represent the cultural

interests of Flanders and Wallonia; various peace groups such as Pax

Christi and groups representing immigrants

Belize

Society for the Promotion of Education and Research or SPEAR

[Adele CATZIM]

Benin

NA

Bermuda

Bermuda Employer's Union [Eddie SAINTS]; Bermuda Industrial

Union or BIU [Derrick BURGESS]; Bermuda Public Services Union or

BPSU [Ed BALL]; Bermuda Union of Teachers [Michael CHARLES]

Bhutan

Buddhist clergy; ethnic Nepalese organizations leading

militant antigovernment campaign; Indian merchant community; United

Front for Democracy (exiled)

Bolivia

Cocalero Groups; indigenous organizations; labor unions;

Sole Confederation of Campesino Workers of Bolivia or CSUTCB [Roman

LOAYZA]

Bosnia and Herzegovina

NA

Botswana

NA

Brazil

Landless Worker's Movement; labor unions and federations;

large farmers' associations; religious groups including evangelical

christian churches and the Catholic Church

British Virgin Islands

NA

Brunei

NA

Bulgaria

Confederation of Independent Trade Unions of Bulgaria or

CITUB; Podkrepa Labor Confederation; numerous regional, ethnic, and

national interest groups with various agendas

Burkina Faso

Burkinabe General Confederation of Labor or CGTB;

Burkinabe Movement for Human Rights or MBDHP; Group of 14 February;

National Confederation of Burkinabe Workers or CNTB; National

Organization of Free Unions or ONSL; watchdog/political action

groups throughout the country in both organizations and communities

Burma

National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma or NCGUB

(self-proclaimed government in exile) ["Prime Minister" Dr. SEIN

WIN] consists of individuals, some legitimately elected to the

People's Assembly in 1990 (the group fled to a border area and

joined insurgents in December 1990 to form parallel government in

exile); Kachin Independence Army or KIA; Karen National Union or

KNU; several Shan factions; United Wa State Army or UWSA; Union

Solidarity and Development Association or USDA (pro-government, a

social and political organization) [THAN AUNG, general secretary]

Burundi

loosely organized Hutu and Tutsi militias, often affiliated

with Hutu and Tutsi extremist parties or subordinate to government

security forces

Cambodia

NA

Cameroon

Southern Cameroon National Council [Ayamba Ette OTUN];

Human Rights Defense Group [Albert MUKONG, president]

Canada

NA

Cape Verde

NA

Cayman Islands

NA

Central African Republic

NA

Chad

NA

Chile

revitalized university student federations at all major

universities; Roman Catholic Church; United Labor Central or CUT

includes trade unionists from the country's five largest labor

confederations

China

no substantial political opposition groups exist, although the

government has identified the Falungong spiritual movement and the

China Democracy Party as subversive groups

Christmas Island

none

Cocos (Keeling) Islands

none

Colombia

two largest insurgent groups active in Colombia -

Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia or FARC and National

Liberation Army or ELN; largest anti-insurgent paramilitary group is

United Self-Defense Groups of Colombia or AUC

Comoros

NA

Congo, Democratic Republic of the

NA

Congo, Republic of the

Congolese Trade Union Congress or CSC;

General Union of Congolese Pupils and Students or UGEEC;

Revolutionary Union of Congolese Women or URFC; Union of Congolese

Socialist Youth or UJSC

Cook Islands

NA

Costa Rica

Authentic Confederation of Democratic Workers or CATD

(Communist Party affiliate); Chamber of Coffee Growers; Confederated

Union of Workers or CUT (Communist Party affiliate); Costa Rican

Confederation of Democratic Workers or CCTD (Liberation Party

affiliate); Federation of Public Service Workers or FTSP; National

Association for Economic Development or ANFE; National Association

of Educators or ANDE; Rerum Novarum or CTRN (PLN affiliate) [Gilbert

Brown]

Cote d'Ivoire

NA

Croatia

NA

Cuba

NA

Cyprus

Confederation of Cypriot Workers or SEK (pro-West);

Confederation of Revolutionary Labor Unions or Dev-Is; Federation of

Turkish Cypriot Labor Unions or Turk-Sen; Pan-Cyprian Labor

Federation or PEO (Communist controlled)

Czech Republic

Bohemian and Moravian Trade Union Confederation

[Milan STECH]

Denmark

NA

Djibouti

Union for Presidential Majority UMP (coalition includes

RPP, FRUD, PPSD and PND); Union for Democratic Changeover or UAD

(opposition coalition includes ARD, MRDD, UDJ, and PDD) [Ahmed Dini

AHMED]

Dominica

Dominica Liberation Movement or DLM (a small leftist party)

Dominican Republic

Collective of Popular Organizations or COP;

Citizen Participation Group (Participacion Ciudadania); Foundation

for Institution-Building (FINJUS)

East Timor

Popular Council for the Defense of the Democratic

Republic of East Timor or CPD-RDTL [leader Antonio-Aitahan MATAK] is

largest political pressure group; it rejects current government and

claims to be rightful government; Kolimau 2000 [leader Dr. Bruno

MAGALHAES] is another opposition group; dissatisfied veterans of

struggle against Indonesia, led by one-time government advisor

Cornelio GAMA (also known as L-7), also play an important role in

pressuring government

Ecuador

Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador or

CONAIE [Luis MACAS, president]; Coordinator of Social Movements or

CMS [F. Napoleon SANTOS]; Federation of Indigenous Evangelists of

Ecuador or FEINE [Marco MURILLO, president]; National Federation of

Indigenous Afro-Ecuatorianos and Peasants or FENOCIN [Pedro DE LA

CRUZ, president]; Popular Front or FP [Luis VILLACIS]

Egypt

despite a constitutional ban against religious-based parties,

the technically illegal Muslim Brotherhood constitutes MUBARAK's

potentially most significant political opposition; MUBARAK tolerated

limited political activity by the Brotherhood for his first two

terms, but moved more aggressively since then to block its

influence; civic society groups are sanctioned, but constrained in

practical terms; trade unions and professional associations are

officially sanctioned

El Salvador

labor organizations - Electrical Industry Union of El

Salvador or SIES; Federation of the Construction Industry, Similar

Transport and other activities, or FESINCONTRANS; National

Confederation of Salvadoran Workers or CNTS; National Union of

Salvadoran Workers or UNTS; Port Industry Union of El Salvador or

SIPES; Salvadoran Union of Ex-Petrolleros and Peasant Workers or

USEPOC; Salvadoran Workers Central or CTS; Workers Union of

Electrical Corporation or STCEL; business organizations - National

Association of Small Enterprise or ANEP; Salvadoran Assembly

Industry Association or ASIC; Salvadoran Industrial Association or

ASI

Equatorial Guinea

NA

Eritrea

Eritrean Islamic Jihad or EIJ [leader NA] (also including

Eritrean Islamic Jihad Movement or EIJM (also known as the Abu Sihel

Movement) [leader NA]); Eritrean Islamic Salvation or EIS (also

known as the Arafa Movement) [leader NA]; Eritrean Liberation Front

or ELF [ABDULLAH Muhammed]; Eritrean National Alliance or ENA (a

coalition including EIJ, EIS, ELF, and a number of ELF factions)

[HERUY Tedla Biru]; Eritrean Public Forum or EPF [ARADOM Iyob]

Estonia

NA

Ethiopia

Afar Revolutionary Democratic Union Front or ARDUF [leader

NA]; Council of Alternative Forces for Peace and Democracy in

Ethiopia or CAFPDE [BEYANE Petros]; Southern Ethiopia People's

Democratic Coalition or SEPDC [BEYANE Petros]

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

none

Faroe Islands

NA

Fiji

NA

France

historically-Communist labor union (Confederation Generale du

Travail) or CGT, approximately 700,000 members (claimed);

left-leaning labor union (Confederation Francaise Democratique du

Travail) or CFDT, approximately 889,000 members (claimed);

independent labor union (Confederation Generale du Travail - Force

Ouvriere) or FO, 300,000 members (est.); independent white-collar

union (Confederation Generale des Cadres) or CGC, 196,000 members

(claimed); employers' union (Mouvement des Entreprises de France) or

MEDEF, 750,000 companies as members (claimed)

French Guiana

NA

French Polynesia

NA

Gabon

NA

Gambia, The

NA

Georgia

Georgian independent deputies from Abkhaz government in

exile; separatists in the breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South

Ossetia; supporters of the late ousted President Zviad GAMSAKHURDYA

Germany

business associations, employers' organizations; expellee,

refugee, trade unions, and veterans groups

Ghana

NA

Gibraltar

Chamber of Commerce; Gibraltar Representatives

Organization; Women's Association

Greece

General Confederation of Greek Workers or GSEE [Khristos

POLYZOGOPOLOS]; Federation of Greek Industries or SEV [Odysseas

KYRIAKOPOULOS]; Civil Servants Confederation or ADEDY [Spyros

PAPASPYROS]

Greenland

NA

Grenada

NA

Guadeloupe

Christian Movement for the Liberation of Guadeloupe or

KLPG; General Federation of Guadeloupe Workers or CGT-G; General

Union of Guadeloupe Workers or UGTG; Movement for Independent

Guadeloupe or MPGI; The Socialist Renewal Movement

Guam

NA

Guatemala

Agrarian Owners Group or UNAGRO; Alliance Against Impunity

or AAI; Committee for Campesino Unity or CUC; Coordinating Committee

of Agricultural, Commercial, Industrial, and Financial Associations

or CACIF; Mutual Support Group or GAM

Guernsey

none

Guinea

NA

Guinea-Bissau

NA

Guyana

Civil Liberties Action Committee or CLAC; Guyana Council of

Indian Organizations or GCIO; Trades Union Congress or TUC

note: the GCIO and the CLAC are small and active but not well

organized

Haiti

Autonomous Organizations of Haitian Workers or CATH [Fignole

ST-CYR]; Confederation of Haitian Workers or CTH; Federation of

Workers Trade Unions or FOS; Group of 184 Civil Society

Organization, or G-184 [Andy APAID]; National Popular Assembly or

APN; Papaye Peasants Movement or MPP [Chavannes JEAN-BAPTISTE];

Popular Organizations Gathering Power or PROP; Roman Catholic

Church; Protestant Federation of Haiti

Holy See (Vatican City)

none (exclusive of influence exercised by

church officers)

Honduras

Committee for the Defense of Human Rights in Honduras or

CODEH; Confederation of Honduran Workers or CTH; Coordinating

Committee of Popular Organizations or CCOP; General Workers

Confederation or CGT; Honduran Council of Private Enterprise or

COHEP; National Association of Honduran Campesinos or ANACH;

National Union of Campesinos or UNC; Popular Bloc or BP; United

Federation of Honduran Workers or FUTH

Hong Kong

Chinese General Chamber of Commerce (pro-China); Chinese

Manufacturers' Association of Hong Kong; Confederation of Trade

Unions or CTU (pro-democracy) [LAU Chin-shek, president; LEE

Cheuk-yan, general secretary]; Federation of Hong Kong Industries;

Federation of Trade Unions or FTU (pro-China) [CHENG Yiu-tong,

executive councilor]; Hong Kong Alliance in Support of the Patriotic

Democratic Movement in China [Szeto WAH, chairman]; Hong Kong and

Kowloon Trade Union Council (pro-Taiwan); Hong Kong General Chamber

of Commerce; Hong Kong Professional Teachers' Union [CHEUNG

Man-kwong, president]; Neighborhood and Workers' Service Center or

NWSC (pro-democracy); The Alliance [Bernard CHAN, exco member]

Hungary

NA

Iceland

NA

India

numerous religious or militant/chauvinistic organizations,

including Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Bajrang Dal, and Rashtriya

Swayamsevak Sangh; various separatist groups seeking greater

communal and/or regional autonomy, including the All Parties

Hurriyat Conference in the Kashmir Valley and the National Socialist

Council of Nagaland in the Northeast

Indonesia

NA

Iran

political pressure groups conduct most of Iran's political

activities; groups that generally support the Islamic Republic

include Ansar-e Hizballah, Muslim Students Following the Line of the

Imam, Tehran Militant Clergy Association (Ruhaniyat), Islamic

Coalition Party (Motalefeh), and Islamic Engineers Society; active

pro-reform student groups include the Organization for Strengthening

Unity; opposition groups include Freedom Movement of Iran, the

National Front, Marz-e Por Gohar, and various ethnic and Monarchist

organizations; armed political groups that have been almost

completely repressed by the government include Mujahidin-e Khalq

Organization (MEK), People's Fedayeen, Democratic Party of Iranian

Kurdistan, and Komala

Iraq

an insurgency against the Iraqi Interim Government and

Coalition forces is primarily concentrated in Baghdad and in areas

west and north of the capital; the diverse, multigroup insurgency is

led principally by Sunni Arabs whose only common denominator is a

shared desire to oust the Coalition and end US influence in Iraq

Ireland

NA

Israel

Israeli nationalists advocating Jewish settlement on the West

Bank and Gaza Strip; Peace Now supports territorial concessions in

the West Bank and Gaza Strip; Yesha (settler) Council promotes

settler interests and opposes territorial compromise; B'Tselem

monitors human rights abuses

Italy

Italian manufacturers and merchants associations

(Confindustria, Confcommercio); organized farm groups

(Confcoltivatori, Confagricoltura); Roman Catholic Church; three

major trade union confederations (Confederazione Generale Italiana

del Lavoro or CGIL [Guglielmo EPIFANI] which is left wing,

Confederazione Italiana dei Sindacati Lavoratori or CISL [Savino

PEZZOTTA], which is Roman Catholic centrist, and Unione Italiana del

Lavoro or UIL [Luigi ANGELETTI] which is lay centrist)

Jamaica

New Beginnings Movement or NBM; Rastafarians (black

religious/racial cultists, pan-Africanists)

Japan

NA

Jersey

none

Jordan

Anti-Normalization Committee [Ali Abu SUKKAR, president vice

chairman]; Jordanian Bar Association [Saleh ARMOUTI, president];

Jordanian Press Association [Sayf al-SHARIF, president]; Muslim

Brotherhood [Abd-al-Majid DHUNAYBAT, secretary general]

Kazakhstan

Adil-Soz [Tamara KALEYEVA]; Almaty Helsinki Group [Ninel

FOKINA]; Confederation of Free Trade Unions [Sergei BELKIN];

Kazakhstan International Bureau on Human Rights [Yevgeniy ZHOVTIS,

executive director]; Pensioners Movement or Pokoleniye [Irina

SAVOSTINA, chairwoman]; Republican Network of International Monitors

[Dos KUSHIM]; Transparency International [Sergei ZLOTNIKOV]

Kenya

human rights groups; labor unions; Muslim organizations;

National Convention Executive Council or NCEC, a proreform coalition

of political parties and nongovernment organizations [Kivutha

KIBWANA]; Protestant National Council of Churches of Kenya or NCCK

[Mutava MUSYIMI]; Roman Catholic and other Christian churches;

Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims or SUPKEM [Shaykh Abdul Gafur

al-BUSAIDY]

Kiribati

NA

Korea, North

none

Korea, South

Federation of Korean Industries; Federation of Korean

Trade Unions; Korean Confederation of Trade Unions; Korean National

Council of Churches; Korean Traders Association; Korean Veterans'

Association; National Council of Labor Unions; National Democratic

Alliance of Korea; National Federation of Farmers' Associations;

National Federation of Student Associations

Kuwait

several political groups act as de facto parties: Bedouins,

merchants, Sunni and Shi'a activists, and secular leftists and

nationalists

Kyrgyzstan

Council of Free Trade Unions; Kyrgyz Committee on Human

Rights [Ramazan DYRYLDAYEV]; National Unity Democratic Movement;

Union of Entrepreneurs

Laos

noncommunist political groups proscribed; most opposition

leaders fled the country in 1975

Latvia

Headquarters for the Protection of Russian Schools (SHTAB)

[Aleksandr KAZAKOV]

Lebanon

NA

Lesotho

NA

Liberia

NA

Libya

various Arab nationalist movements with almost negligible

memberships may be functioning clandestinely, as well as some

Islamic elements; an anti-QADHAFI Libyan exile movement exists,

primarily based in London, but has little influence

Liechtenstein

NA

Lithuania

NA

Luxembourg

ABBL (bankers' association); ALEBA (financial sector

trade union); Centrale Paysanne (federation of agricultural

producers); CEP (professional sector chamber); CGFP (trade union

representing civil service); Chambre de Commerce (Chamber of

Commerce); Chambre des Metiers (Chamber of Artisans); FEDIL

(federation of industrialists); LCGP (center-right trade union);

OGBL (center-left trade union)

Macau

NA

Macedonia

Civic Movement of Macedonia [Gordana SILJANOVSKA];

Movement for Macedonia's Euro-Atlantic Integration [Dosta DIMOVSKA]

Madagascar

Committee for the Defense of Truth and Justice or KMMR;

Committee for National Reconciliation or CRN [Albert Zafy]; National

Council of Christian Churches or FFKM

Malawi

NA

Malaysia

NA

Maldives

none

Mali

Patriotic Movement of the Ghanda Koye or MPGK; United Movement

and Fronts of Azawad or MFUA

Malta

NA

Man, Isle of

none

Marshall Islands

NA

Martinique

Caribbean Revolutionary Alliance or ARC; Central Union

for Martinique Workers or CSTM [Marc PULVAR]; Frantz Fanon Circle;

League of Workers and Peasants; Proletarian Action Group or GAP

Mauritania

Arab nationalists; Ba'thists; General Confederation of

Mauritanian Workers or CGTM [Abdallahi Ould MOHAMED, secretary

general]; Independent Confederation of Mauritanian Workers or CLTM

[Samory Ould BEYE]; Islamists; Mauritanian Workers Union or UTM

[Mohamed Ely Ould BRAHIM, secretary general]

Mauritius

various labor unions

Mayotte

NA

Mexico

Confederation of Employers of the Mexican Republic or

COPARMEX; Confederation of Industrial Chambers or CONCAMIN;

Confederation of Mexican Workers or CTM; Confederation of National

Chambers of Commerce or CONCANACO; Coordinator for Foreign Trade

Business Organizations or COECE; Federation of Unions Providing

Goods and Services or FESEBES; National Chamber of Transformation

Industries or CANACINTRA; National Peasant Confederation or CNC;

National Union of Workers or UNT; Regional Confederation of Mexican

Workers or CROM; Revolutionary Confederation of Workers and Peasants

or CROC; Roman Catholic Church

Moldova

NA

Monaco

NA

Mongolia

NA

Montserrat

NA

Morocco

Democratic Confederation of Labor or CDT [Noubir AMAOUI];

General Union of Moroccan Workers or UGTM [Abderrazzak AFILAL];

Moroccan Employers Association or CGEM [Hassan CHAMI]; National

Labor Union of Morocco or UNMT [Abdelslam MAATI]; Union of Moroccan

Workers or UMT [Mahjoub BENSEDDIK]

Mozambique

Institute for Peace and Democracy (Instituto para Paz e

Democracia) or IPADE [Raul DOMINGOS, president]; Etica [Abdul CARIMO

Issa, chairman]; Movement for Peace and Citizenship (Movimento para

Paz e Cidadania); Mozambican League of Human Rights (Liga

Mocambicana dos Direitos Humanos) or LDH [Alice MABOTE, president];

Human Rights and Development (Direitos Humanos e Desenvolvimento) or

DHD [Artemisia FRANCO, secretary general]

Namibia

NA

Nauru

NA

Nepal

Maoist guerrilla-based insurgency [Pushpa Kamal DAHAL, also

known as PRAHANDA, chairman; Dr. Baburam BHATTARAI, from Communist

Party of Nepal/Maoist, chief negotiator]; numerous small,

left-leaning student groups in the capital; several small, radical

Nepalese antimonarchist groups

Netherlands

Netherlands Trade Union Federation (FNV) (consisting of

a merger of Socialist and Catholic trade unions); Christian Trade

Union Federation (CNV); Trade Union Federation of Middle and High

Personnel (MHP); Federation of Catholic and Protestant Employers

Associations; Interchurch Peace Council or IKV; large multinational

firms; the nondenominational Federation of Netherlands Enterprises

Netherlands Antilles

NA

New Caledonia

NA

New Zealand

NA

Nicaragua

National Workers Front or FNT is a Sandinista umbrella

group of eight labor unions including - Farm Workers Association or

ATC, Health Workers Federation or FETASALUD, Heroes and Martyrs

Confederation of Professional Associations or CONAPRO, National

Association of Educators of Nicaragua or ANDEN, National Union of

Employees or UNE, National Union of Farmers and Ranchers or UNAG,

Sandinista Workers Central or CST, and Union of Journalists of

Nicaragua or UPN; Permanent Congress of Workers or CPT is an

umbrella group of four non-Sandinista labor unions including -

Autonomous Nicaraguan Workers Central or CTN-A, Confederation of

Labor Unification or CUS, Independent General Confederation of Labor

or CGT-I, and Labor Action and Unity Central or CAUS; Nicaraguan

Workers' Central or CTN is an independent labor union; Superior

Council of Private Enterprise or COSEP is a confederation of

business groups

Niger

NA

Nigeria

Niger Delta People's Volunteer Force or NDPVF [Mujahid

Dokubo ASARI]; Nigerian Labor Congress or NLC [Adams OSHIOMOLE]

Niue

NA

Norfolk Island

none

Northern Mariana Islands

NA

Norway

NA

Oman

none

Pakistan

military remains most important political force; ulema

(clergy), landowners, industrialists, and small merchants also

influential

Palau

NA

Panama

Chamber of Commerce; National Civic Crusade; National Council

of Organized Workers or CONATO; National Council of Private

Enterprise or CONEP; National Union of Construction and Similar

Workers (SUNTRACS); Panamanian Association of Business Executives or

APEDE; Panamanian Industrialists Society or SIP; Workers

Confederation of the Republic of Panama or CTRP

Papua New Guinea

NA

Paraguay

Ahorristas Estafados or AE; Coordinating Table of National

Campesino Organizations or MCNOC; National Federation of Campesinos

or FNC; National Workers Central or CNT; Paraguayan Workers

Confederation or CPT; Roman Catholic Church; Unitary Workers Central

or CUT

Peru

leftist guerrilla groups include Shining Path [Abimael GUZMAN

Reynoso (imprisoned), Gabriel MACARIO (top leader at-large)]; Tupac

Amaru Revolutionary Movement or MRTA [Victor POLAY (imprisoned),

Hugo AVALLENEDA Valdez (top leader at-large)]

Philippines

AKBAYAN [Reps. Etta ROSALES, Mario AGUJA, and Risa

HONTIVEROS-BARAQUIEL]; ANAKPAWIS [Reps. Crispin BELTRAN and Rafael

MARIANO]; Association of Philippine Electric Cooperatives (APEC)

[Reps. Edgar VALDEZ, Ernesto PABLO, and Sunny Rose MADAMBA]; Bayan

Muna [Reps. Satur OCAMPO, Joel VIRADOR, and Teodoro CASINO, Jr.];

BUHAY [Reps. Rene VELARDE and Hans Christian SENERES]; BUTIL [Rep.

Benjamin CRUZ]; CIBAC [Rep. Emmanuel Joel VILLANUEVA]; GABRIELA

[Rep. Liza MAZA]; PARTIDO NG MANGGAGAWA [Rep. Renato MAGTUBO] (2003)

Pitcairn Islands

none

Poland

All Poland Trade Union Alliance or OPZZ (trade union) [Jan

GUZ]; Roman Catholic Church [Cardinal Jozef GLEMP]; Solidarity Trade

Union [Janusz SNIADEK]

Portugal

NA

Puerto Rico

Armed Forces for National Liberation or FALN; Armed

Forces of Popular Resistance; Boricua Popular Army (also known as

the Macheteros); Volunteers of the Puerto Rican Revolution

Qatar

none

Reunion

NA

Romania

various human rights and professional associations

Russia

NA

Rwanda

IBUKA - association of genocide survivors

Saint Helena

none

Saint Kitts and Nevis

NA

Saint Lucia

NA

Saint Pierre and Miquelon

NA

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

NA

Samoa

NA

San Marino

NA

Sao Tome and Principe

NA

Saudi Arabia

none

Senegal

labor; Muslim brotherhoods; students; teachers

Serbia and Montenegro

Political Council for Presevo, Medvedja and

Bujanovac or PCPMB [leader NA]; Group for Changes of Montenegro or

GZP [Nebojsa MEDOJEVIC]

Seychelles

Roman Catholic Church; trade unions

Sierra Leone

trade unions and student unions

Singapore

NA

Slovakia

Association of Employers of Slovakia; Association of Towns

and Villages or ZMOS; Confederation of Trade Unions or KOZ; Metal

Workers Unions or KOVO and METALURG

Slovenia

NA

Solomon Islands

NA

Somalia

numerous clan and subclan factions are currently vying for

power

South Africa

Congress of South African Trade Unions or COSATU

[Zwelinzima VAVI, general secretary]; South African Communist Party

or SACP [Blade NZIMANDE, general secretary]; South African National

Civics Organization or SANCO [Mlungisi HLONGWANE, national

president]; note - COSATU and SACP are in a formal alliance with the

ANC

Spain

business and landowning interests; Catholic Church; free labor

unions (authorized in April 1977); Socialist General Union of

Workers or UGT and the smaller independent Workers Syndical Union or

USO; university students; Trade Union Confederation of Workers'

Commissions or CC.OO.; Nunca Mas (Galician for "Never Again"; formed

in response to the oil tanker Prestige oil spill)

Sri Lanka

Buddhist clergy; labor unions; Liberation Tigers of Tamil

Eelam or LTTE [Velupillai PRABHAKARAN](insurgent group fighting for

a separate state); radical chauvinist Sinhalese groups such as the

National Movement Against Terrorism; Sinhalese Buddhist lay groups

Sudan

Democratic Unionist Party [Muhammed Uthman AL-MIRGHANI];

National Democratic Alliance [Muhammed Uthman AL-MIRGHANI,

chairman]; Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army [Dr. John

GARANG]; Umma Party [Sadiq al-MAHDI]

Suriname

Association of Indigenous Village Chiefs [Ricardo PANE];

Association of Saramaccan Authorities or Maroon [Head Captain WASE];

Women's Parliament Forum or PVF [Iris GILLIAD]

Swaziland

NA

Sweden

NA

Switzerland

NA

Syria

conservative religious leaders; Kurdish Democratic Alliance

[leader NA]; Kurdish Democratic Front [leader NA]; Muslim

Brotherhood (operates in exile in London) [Ali Badr Eddine

al-BAYANOUNI]; National Democratic Front [Hassan Abd al-AZIM]

Taiwan

Taiwan independence movement, various business and

environmental groups

note: debate on Taiwan independence has become acceptable within the

mainstream of domestic politics on Taiwan; political liberalization

and the increased representation of opposition parties in Taiwan's

legislature have opened public debate on the island's national

identity; a broad popular consensus has developed that Taiwan

currently enjoys de facto independence and - whatever the ultimate

outcome regarding reunification or independence - that Taiwan's

people must have the deciding voice; advocates of Taiwan

independence oppose the stand that the island will eventually unify

with mainland China; goals of the Taiwan independence movement

include establishing a sovereign nation on Taiwan and entering the

UN; other organizations supporting Taiwan independence include the

World United Formosans for Independence and the Organization for

Taiwan Nation Building

Tajikistan

there are three unregistered political parties: Agrarian

Party or APT [Hikmatullo NASRIDDINOV]; Progressive Party [Sulton

QUVVATOV]; Unity Party [Hikmatullo SAIDOV]

Tanzania

NA

Thailand

NA

Togo

NA

Tokelau

none

Tonga

Human Rights and Democracy Movement Tonga or HRDMT [Rev.

Simote VEA, chairman]

Trinidad and Tobago

Jamaat-al Muslimeen [Yasin BAKR]

Tunisia

the Islamic fundamentalist party, Al Nahda (Renaissance), is

outlawed

Turkey

Confederation of Public Sector Unions or KESK [Sami EVREN];

Confederation of Revolutionary Workers Unions or DISK [Suleyman

CELEBI]; Independent Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association

or MUSIAD [Omer BOLAT]; Moral Rights Workers Union or Hak-Is [Salim

USLU]; Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association or

TUSIAD [Omer SABANCI]; Turkish Confederation of Employers' Unions or

TISK [Refik BAYDUR]; Turkish Confederation of Labor or Turk-Is

[Salih KILIC]; Turkish Confederation of Tradesmen and Craftsmen or

TESK [Dervis GUNDAY]; Turkish Union of Chambers of Commerce and

Commodity Exchanges or TOBB [M. Rifat HISARCIKLIOGLU]

Turkmenistan

NA

Turks and Caicos Islands

NA

Tuvalu

none

Uganda

Popular Resistance Against a Life President or PRALP

Ukraine

NA

United Arab Emirates

NA

United Kingdom

Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament; Confederation of

British Industry; National Farmers' Union; Trades Union Congress

United States

NA

Uruguay

Agrupacion UTE (powerful state worker's union), Rural

Association of Uruguay (rancher's association), Uruguayan

Construction League, Chamber of Uruguayan Industries (manufacturer's

association), Chemist and Pharmaceutical Association (professional

organization), Architect's Society of Uruguay (professional

organization), the Catholic Church, students

Uzbekistan

Agrarian and Entrepreneurs' Party [Marat ZAHIDOV]; Birlik

(Unity) Movement [Abdurakhim POLAT, chairman]; Erk (Freedom)

Democratic Party [Muhammad SOLIH, chairman] was banned 9 December

1992; Ezgulik Human Rights Society [Vasilia INOYATOVA]; Free

Farmers' Party or Ozod Dehqonlar [Nigara KHIDOYATOVA]; Human Rights

Society of Uzbekistan [Tolib YAKUBOV, chairman]; Independent Human

Rights Society of Uzbekistan [Mikhail ARDZINOV, chairman]; Mazlum

[leader NA]

Vanuatu

NA

Venezuela

FEDECAMARAS, a conservative business group; VECINOS

groups; Venezuelan Confederation of Workers or CTV (labor

organization dominated by the Democratic Action)

Vietnam

none

Virgin Islands

NA

Wallis and Futuna

NA

Western Sahara

none

Yemen

NA

Zambia

NA

Zimbabwe

National Constitutional Assembly or NCA [Lovemore MADHUKU];

Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition [Brian KAGORO]; Zimbabwe Congress of

Trade Unions or ZCTU [Lovemore MATOMBO]

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2116 Economy - overview

Afghanistan

Afghanistan's economic outlook has improved

significantly since the fall of the Taliban regime in 2001 because

of the infusion of over $2 billion in international assistance,

recovery of the agricultural sector, and the reestablishment of

market institutions. Agriculture boomed in 2003 with the end of a

four-year drought, but drought conditions returned for the southern

half of the country in 2004. Despite the progress of the past few

years, Afghanistan remains extremely poor, landlocked, and highly

dependent on foreign aid, farming, and trade with neighboring

countries. It will probably take the remainder of the decade and

continuing donor aid and attention to raise Afghanistan's living

standards up from its current status among the lowest in the world.

Much of the population continues to suffer from shortages of

housing, clean water, electricity, medical care, and jobs, but the

Afghan government and international donors remain committed to

improving access to these basic necessities by prioritizing

infrastructure development, education, housing development, jobs

programs, and economic reform over the next year. Growing political

stability and continued international commitment to Afghan

reconstruction create an optimistic outlook for maintaining

improvements in the Afghan economy in 2005. Expanding poppy

cultivation and a growing opium trade may account for one-third of

GDP and looms as one of Kabul's most serious policy challenges.

Akrotiri

Economic activity is limited to providing services to the

military and their families located in Akrotiri. All food and

manufactured goods must be imported.

Albania

Poor and backward by European standards, Albania is making

the difficult transition to a more modern open-market economy. The

government has taken measures to curb violent crime and to spur

economic activity and trade. The economy is bolstered by annual

remittances from abroad of $600-$800 million, mostly from Greece and

Italy; this helps offset the towering trade deficit. Agriculture,

which accounts for about one-half of GDP, is held back because of

frequent drought and the need to modernize equipment, to clarify

property rights, and to consolidate small plots of land. Energy

shortages and antiquated and inadequate infrastructure make it

difficult to attract and sustain foreign investment. The planned

construction of a new thermal power plant near Vlore and improved

transmission and distribution facilities will help relieve the

energy shortages. Also, the government is moving slowly to improve

the poor national road and rail network, a long-standing barrier to

sustained economic growth. On the positive side: growth was strong

in 2003 and 2004, the nation has important oil and gas reserves, and

inflation is not a problem.

Algeria

The hydrocarbons sector is the backbone of the economy,

accounting for roughly 60% of budget revenues, 30% of GDP, and over

95% of export earnings. Algeria has the seventh-largest reserves of

natural gas in the world and is the second-largest gas exporter; it

ranks 14th in oil reserves. Sustained high oil prices in recent

years, along with macroeconomic policy reforms supported by the IMF,

have helped improve Algeria's financial and macroeconomic

indicators. Algeria is running substantial trade surpluses and

building up record foreign exchange reserves. Real GDP has risen due

to higher oil output and increased government spending. The

government's continued efforts to diversify the economy by

attracting foreign and domestic investment outside the energy

sector, however, has had little success in reducing high

unemployment and improving living standards. Structural reform

within the economy moves ahead slowly.

American Samoa

This is a traditional Polynesian economy in which

more than 90% of the land is communally owned. Economic activity is

strongly linked to the US, with which American Samoa conducts most

of its foreign trade. Tuna fishing and tuna processing plants are

the backbone of the private sector, with canned tuna the primary

export. Transfers from the US Government add substantially to

American Samoa's economic well-being. Attempts by the government to

develop a larger and broader economy are restrained by Samoa's

remote location, its limited transportation, and its devastating

hurricanes. Tourism is a promising developing sector.

Andorra

Tourism, the mainstay of Andorra's tiny, well-to-do economy,

accounts for roughly 80% of GDP. An estimated 9 million tourists

visit annually, attracted by Andorra's duty-free status and by its

summer and winter resorts. Andorra's comparative advantage has

recently eroded as the economies of neighboring France and Spain

have been opened up, providing broader availability of goods and

lower tariffs. The banking sector, with its "tax haven" status, also

contributes substantially to the economy. Agricultural production is

limited - only 2% of the land is arable - and most food has to be

imported. The principal livestock activity is sheep raising.

Manufacturing output consists mainly of cigarettes, cigars, and

furniture. Andorra is a member of the EU Customs Union and is

treated as an EU member for trade in manufactured goods (no tariffs)

and as a non-EU member for agricultural products.

Angola

Angola has been an economy in disarray because of a quarter

century of nearly continuous warfare. An apparently durable peace

was established after the death of rebel leader Jonas SAVIMBI in

February 2002, but consequences from the conflict continue including

the impact of widespread land mines. Subsistence agriculture

provides the main livelihood for 85% of the population. Oil

production and the supporting activities are vital to the economy,

contributing about 45% to GDP and more than half of exports. Much of

the country's food must still be imported. To fully take advantage

of its rich natural resources - gold, diamonds, extensive forests,

Atlantic fisheries, and large oil deposits - Angola will need to

continue reforming government policies and to reduce corruption.

While Angola made progress in further lowering inflation, from 325%

in 2000 to about 106% in 2002, the government has failed to make

sufficient progress on reforms recommended by the IMF such as

increasing foreign exchange reserves and promoting greater

transparency in government spending. Increased oil production

supported 7% GDP growth in 2003 and 12% growth in 2004.

Anguilla

Anguilla has few natural resources, and the economy depends

heavily on luxury tourism, offshore banking, lobster fishing, and

remittances from emigrants. Increased activity in the tourism

industry, which has spurred the growth of the construction sector,

has contributed to economic growth. Anguillan officials have put

substantial effort into developing the offshore financial sector,

which is small, but growing. In the medium term, prospects for the

economy will depend largely on the tourism sector and, therefore, on

revived income growth in the industrialized nations as well as on

favorable weather conditions.

Antarctica

Fishing off the coast and tourism, both based abroad,

account for the limited economic activity. Antarctic fisheries in

2000-01 (1 July-30 June) reported landing 112,934 metric tons.

Unregulated fishing, particularly of Patagonian toothfish, is a

serious problem. The Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic

Marine Living Resources determines the recommended catch limits for

marine species. A total of 13,571 tourists visited in the 2002-03

antarctic summer, up from the 11,588 visitors the previous year.

Nearly all of them were passengers on commercial (nongovernmental)

ships and several yachts that make trips during the summer. Most

tourist trips last approximately two weeks.

Antigua and Barbuda

Tourism continues to dominate the economy,

accounting for more than half of GDP. Weak tourist arrival numbers

since early 2000 have slowed the economy, however, and pressed the

government into a tight fiscal corner. The dual-island nation's

agricultural production is focused on the domestic market and

constrained by a limited water supply and a labor shortage stemming

from the lure of higher wages in tourism and construction.

Manufacturing comprises enclave-type assembly for export with major

products being bedding, handicrafts, and electronic components.

Prospects for economic growth in the medium term will continue to

depend on income growth in the industrialized world, especially in

the US, which accounts for slightly more than one-third of tourist

arrivals.

Arctic Ocean

Economic activity is limited to the exploitation of

natural resources, including petroleum, natural gas, fish, and seals.

Argentina

Argentina benefits from rich natural resources, a highly

literate population, an export-oriented agricultural sector, and a

diversified industrial base. Over the past decade, however, the

country has suffered problems of inflation, external debt, capital

flight, and budget deficits. Growth in 2000 was a negative 0.8%, as

both domestic and foreign investors remained skeptical of the

government's ability to pay debts and maintain the peso's fixed

exchange rate with the US dollar. The economic situation worsened in

2001 with the widening of spreads on Argentine bonds, massive

withdrawals from the banks, and a further decline in consumer and

investor confidence. Government efforts to achieve a "zero deficit,"

to stabilize the banking system, and to restore economic growth

proved inadequate in the face of the mounting economic problems. The

peso's peg to the dollar was abandoned in January 2002, and the peso

was floated in February; the exchange rate plunged and real GDP fell

by 10.9% in 2002, but by mid-year the economy had stabilized, albeit

at a lower level. GDP expanded by more than 8% in 2003 and again in

2004, with unemployment falling and inflation remaining in single

digits.

Armenia

Under the old Soviet central planning system, Armenia had

developed a modern industrial sector, supplying machine tools,

textiles, and other manufactured goods to sister republics in

exchange for raw materials and energy. Since the implosion of the

USSR in December 1991, Armenia has switched to small-scale

agriculture away from the large agroindustrial complexes of the

Soviet era. The agricultural sector has long-term needs for more

investment and updated technology. The privatization of industry has

been at a slower pace, but has been given renewed emphasis by the

current administration. Armenia is a food importer, and its mineral

deposits (copper, gold, bauxite) are small. The ongoing conflict

with Azerbaijan over the ethnic Armenian-dominated region of

Nagorno-Karabakh and the breakup of the centrally directed economic

system of the former Soviet Union contributed to a severe economic

decline in the early 1990s. By 1994, however, the Armenian

Government had launched an ambitious IMF-sponsored economic

liberalization program that resulted in positive growth rates in

1995-2003. Armenia joined the WTO in January 2003. Armenia also has

managed to slash inflation, stabilize the local currency (the dram),

and privatize most small- and medium-sized enterprises. The chronic

energy shortages Armenia suffered in the early and mid-1990s have

been offset by the energy supplied by one of its nuclear power

plants at Metsamor. Armenia is now a net energy exporter, although

it does not have sufficient generating capacity to replace Metsamor,

which is under international pressure to close. The electricity

distribution system was privatized in 2002. Armenia's severe trade

imbalance has been offset somewhat by international aid and foreign

direct investment. Economic ties with Russia remain close,

especially in the energy sector.

Aruba

Tourism is the mainstay of the small, open Aruban economy,

with offshore banking and oil refining and storage also important.

The rapid growth of the tourism sector over the last decade has

resulted in a substantial expansion of other activities.

Construction has boomed, with hotel capacity five times the 1985

level. In addition, the reopening of the country's oil refinery in

1993, a major source of employment and foreign exchange earnings,

has further spurred growth. Aruba's small labor force and

exceptionally low unemployment rate have led to a large number of

unfilled job vacancies, despite sharp rises in wage rates in recent

years. Tourist arrivals have declined in the aftermath of the 11

September 2001 terrorist attacks on the US. The government now must

deal with a budget deficit and a negative trade balance.

Ashmore and Cartier Islands

no economic activity

Atlantic Ocean

The Atlantic Ocean provides some of the world's most

heavily trafficked sea routes, between and within the Eastern and

Western Hemispheres. Other economic activity includes the

exploitation of natural resources, e.g., fishing, dredging of

aragonite sands (The Bahamas), and production of crude oil and

natural gas (Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, and North Sea).

Australia

Australia has an enviable Western-style capitalist

economy, with a per capita GDP on par with the four dominant West

European economies. Rising output in the domestic economy, robust

business and consumer confidence, and rising exports of raw

materials and agricultural products are fueling the economy.

Australia's emphasis on reforms, low inflation, and growing ties

with China are other key factors behind the economy's strength. The

impact of drought, weak foreign demand, and strong import demand

pushed the trade deficit up from $8 billion in 2002, to $18 billion

in 2003, and to $13 billion in 2004. One other concern is the rapid

increase in domestic housing prices, which have raised the prospect

that interest rates will need to be raised to prevent a speculative

bubble.

Austria

Austria, with its well-developed market economy and high

standard of living, is closely tied to other EU economies,

especially Germany's. The economy features up-to-date industrial and

agricultural sectors. Timber is a key industry, 47% of the land area

being forested. Membership in the EU has drawn an influx of foreign

investors attracted by Austria's access to the single European

market and proximity to the new EU economies. Slow growth in Europe

has held the economy to 0.7% growth in 2001, 1.4% in 2002, 0.8% in

2003, and 1.9% in 2004. To meet increased competition from both EU

and Central European countries, particularly the new EU members,

Austria will need to emphasize knowledge-based sectors of the

economy, continue to deregulate the service sector, and encourage

much greater participation in the labor market by its aging

population. The aging phenomenon, together with already high health

and pension costs, poses fundamental problems in tax and welfare

policies.

Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan's number one export is oil. Azerbaijan's oil

production declined through 1997 but has registered an increase

every year since. Negotiation of production-sharing arrangements

(PSAs) with foreign firms, which have thus far committed $60 billion

to long-term oilfield development, should generate the funds needed

to spur future industrial development. Oil production under the

first of these PSAs, with the Azerbaijan International Operating

Company, began in November 1997. Azerbaijan shares all the

formidable problems of the former Soviet republics in making the

transition from a command to a market economy, but its considerable

energy resources brighten its long-term prospects. Baku has only

recently begun making progress on economic reform, and old economic

ties and structures are slowly being replaced. One obstacle to

economic progress is the need for stepped up foreign investment in

the non-energy sector. A second obstacle is the continuing conflict

with Armenia over the Nagorno-Karabakh region. Trade with Russia and

the other former Soviet republics is declining in importance while

trade is building with Turkey and the nations of Europe. Long-term

prospects will depend on world oil prices, the location of new

pipelines in the region, and Azerbaijan's ability to manage its oil

wealth.

Bahamas, The

The Bahamas is a stable, developing nation with an

economy heavily dependent on tourism and offshore banking. Tourism

alone accounts for more than 60% of GDP and directly or indirectly

employs half of the archipelago's labor force. Steady growth in

tourism receipts and a boom in construction of new hotels, resorts,

and residences had led to solid GDP growth in recent years, but the

slowdown in the US economy and the attacks of 11 September 2001 held

back growth in these sectors in 2001-03. Financial services

constitute the second-most important sector of the Bahamian economy,

accounting for about 15% of GDP. However, since December 2000, when

the government enacted new regulations on the financial sector, many

international businesses have left The Bahamas. Manufacturing and

agriculture together contribute approximately a tenth of GDP and

show little growth, despite government incentives aimed at those

sectors. Overall growth prospects in the short run rest heavily on

the fortunes of the tourism sector, which depends on growth in the

US, the source of more than 80% of the visitors. In addition to

tourism and banking, the government supports the development of a

"third pillar," e-commerce.

Bahrain

In well-to-do Bahrain, petroleum production and refining

account for about 60% of export receipts, 60% of government

revenues, and 30% of GDP. With its highly developed communication

and transport facilities, Bahrain is home to numerous multinational

firms with business in the Gulf. A large share of exports consist of

petroleum products made from refining imported crude. Construction

proceeds on several major industrial projects. Unemployment,

especially among the young, and the depletion of oil and underground

water resources are major long-term economic problems. In September

2004 Bahrain signed a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the United

States - the first such agreement undertaken by a Gulf state. Both

countries must ratify the FTA before it is enforced.

Baker Island

no economic activity

Bangladesh

Despite sustained domestic and international efforts to

improve economic and demographic prospects, Bangladesh remains a

poor, overpopulated, and ill-governed nation. Although half of GDP

is generated through the service sector, nearly two-thirds of

Bangladeshis are employed in the agriculture sector, with rice as

the single-most-important product. Major impediments to growth

include frequent cyclones and floods, inefficient state-owned

enterprises, inadequate port facilities, a rapidly growing labor

force that cannot be absorbed by agriculture, delays in exploiting

energy resources (natural gas), insufficient power supplies, and

slow implementation of economic reforms. Economic reform is stalled

in many instances by political infighting and corruption at all

levels of government. Progress also has been blocked by opposition

from the bureaucracy, public sector unions, and other vested

interest groups. The BNP government, led by Prime Minister Khaleda

ZIA, has the parliamentary strength to push through needed reforms,

but the party's political will to do so has been lacking in key

areas. One encouraging note: growth has been a steady 5% for the

past several years.

Barbados

Historically, the Barbadian economy had been dependent on

sugarcane cultivation and related activities, but production in

recent years has diversified into light industry and tourism.

Offshore finance and information services are important foreign

exchange earners. The government continues its efforts to reduce

unemployment, to encourage direct foreign investment, and to

privatize remaining state-owned enterprises. The economy contracted

in 2002-03 mainly due to a decline in tourism. Growth probably was

positive in 2004, as economic conditions in the US and Europe

moderately improved.

Bassas da India

no economic activity

Belarus

Belarus's economy in 2003-04 posted 6.1% and 6.4% growth.

Still, the economy continues to be hampered by high inflation,

persistent trade deficits, and ongoing rocky relations with Russia,

Belarus' largest trading partner and energy supplier. Belarus has

seen little structural reform since 1995, when President LUKASHENKO

launched the country on the path of "market socialism." In keeping

with this policy, LUKASHENKO reimposed administrative controls over

prices and currency exchange rates and expanded the state's right to

intervene in the management of private enterprises. In addition,

businesses have been subject to pressure on the part of central and

local governments, e.g., arbitrary changes in regulations, numerous

rigorous inspections, retroactive application of new business

regulations, and arrests of "disruptive" businessmen and factory

owners. A wide range of redistributive policies has helped those at

the bottom of the ladder; the Gini coefficient is among the lowest

in the world. For the time being, Belarus remains self-isolated from

the West and its open-market economies. Growth has been strong in

recent years, despite the roadblocks in a tough, centrally directed

economy and the high, but decreasing, rate of inflation. Growth has

been buoyed by increased Russian demand for generally noncompetitive

Belarusian goods.

Belgium

This modern private enterprise economy has capitalized on

its central geographic location, highly developed transport network,

and diversified industrial and commercial base. Industry is

concentrated mainly in the populous Flemish area in the north. With

few natural resources, Belgium must import substantial quantities of

raw materials and export a large volume of manufactures, making its

economy unusually dependent on the state of world markets. Roughly

three-quarters of its trade is with other EU countries. Public debt

is nearly 100% of GDP. On the positive side, the government has

succeeded in balancing its budget, and income distribution is

relatively equal. Belgium began circulating the euro currency in

January 2002. Economic growth in 2001-03 dropped sharply because of

the global economic slowdown, with moderate recovery in 2004.

Belize

In this small, essentially private enterprise economy the

tourism industry is the number one foreign exchange earner followed

by marine products, citrus, cane sugar, bananas, and garments. The

government's expansionary monetary and fiscal policies, initiated in

September 1998, led to sturdy GDP growth averaging nearly 6% in

1999-2004. Major concerns continue to be the sizable trade deficit

and foreign debt. A key short-term objective remains the reduction

of poverty with the help of international donors.

Benin

The economy of Benin remains underdeveloped and dependent on

subsistence agriculture, cotton production, and regional trade.

Growth in real output has averaged around 5% in the past six years,

but rapid population growth has offset much of this increase.

Inflation has subsided over the past several years. In order to

raise growth still further, Benin plans to attract more foreign

investment, place more emphasis on tourism, facilitate the

development of new food processing systems and agricultural

products, and encourage new information and communication

technology. The 2001 privatization policy should continue in

telecommunications, water, electricity, and agriculture in spite of

initial government reluctance. The Paris Club and bilateral

creditors have eased the external debt situation, while pressing for

more rapid structural reforms. Benin continues to be hurt by

Nigerian trade protection that bans imports of a growing list of

products from Benin and elsewhere. As a result, smuggling and

criminality along the Benin-Nigeria border has been on the rise.

Bermuda

Bermuda enjoys one of the highest per capita incomes in the

world, nearly equal to that of the US. Its economy is primarily

based on providing financial services for international business and

luxury facilities for tourists. The effects of 11 September 2001

have had both positive and negative ramifications for Bermuda. On

the positive side, a number of new reinsurance companies have

located on the island, contributing to the expansion of an already

robust international business sector. On the negative side,

Bermuda's tourism industry - which derives over 80% of its visitors

from the US - was severely hit as American tourists chose not to

travel. Tourism rebounded somewhat in 2002-04. Most capital

equipment and food must be imported. Bermuda's industrial sector is

small, although construction continues to be important; the average

cost of a house in June 2003 had risen to $976,000. Agriculture is

limited, only 20% of the land being arable.

Bhutan

The economy, one of the world's smallest and least developed,

is based on agriculture and forestry, which provide the main

livelihood for more than 90% of the population. Agriculture consists

largely of subsistence farming and animal husbandry. Rugged

mountains dominate the terrain and make the building of roads and

other infrastructure difficult and expensive. The economy is closely

aligned with India's through strong trade and monetary links and

dependence on India's financial assistance. The industrial sector is

technologically backward, with most production of the cottage

industry type. Most development projects, such as road construction,

rely on Indian migrant labor. Bhutan's hydropower potential and its

attraction for tourists are key resources. Model education, social,

and environment programs are underway with support from multilateral

development organizations. Each economic program takes into account

the government's desire to protect the country's environment and

cultural traditions. For example, the government, in its cautious

expansion of the tourist sector, encourages visits by upscale,

environmentally conscientious tourists. Detailed controls and

uncertain policies in areas like industrial licensing, trade, labor,

and finance continue to hamper foreign investment.

Bolivia

Bolivia, long one of the poorest and least developed Latin

American countries, reformed its economy after suffering a

disastrous economic crisis in the early 1980s. The reforms spurred

real GDP growth, which averaged 4 percent in the 1990s, and poverty

rates fell. Economic growth, however, lagged again beginning in 1999

because of a global slowdown and homegrown factors such as political

turmoil, civil unrest, and soaring fiscal deficits, all of which

hurt investor confidence. In 2003, violent protests against the

pro-foreign investment economic policies of President SANCHEZ DE

LOZADA led to his resignation and the cancellation of plans to

export Bolivia's newly discovered natural gas reserves to large

northern hemisphere markets. Foreign investment dried up as

companies adopted a wait-and-see attitude regarding new President

Carlos MESA's willingness to protect investor rights in the face of

increased demands by radical groups that the government expropriate

foreign-owned assets. Real GDP growth in 2003 and 2004 - helped by

increased demand for natural gas in neighboring Brazil - was

positive, but still below the levels seen during the 1990s. Bolivia

remains dependent on foreign aid from multilateral lenders and

foreign governments.

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Bosnia and Herzegovina ranked next to

Macedonia as the poorest republic in the old Yugoslav federation.

Although agriculture is almost all in private hands, farms are small

and inefficient, and the republic traditionally is a net importer of

food. Industry has been greatly overstaffed, one reflection of the

socialist economic structure of Yugoslavia. TITO had pushed the

development of military industries in the republic with the result

that Bosnia hosted a number of Yugoslavia's defense plants. The

interethnic warfare in Bosnia caused production to plummet by 80%

from 1992 to 1995 and unemployment to soar. With an uneasy peace in

place, output recovered in 1996-99 at high percentage rates from a

low base; but output growth slowed in 2000-02. Part of the lag in

output was made up in 2003-2004. National-level statistics are

limited and do not capture the large share of black market activity.

The konvertibilna marka (convertible mark or BAM)- the national

currency introduced in 1998 - is now pegged to the euro, and the

Central Bank of Bosnia and Herzegovina has dramatically increased

its reserve holdings. Implementation of privatization, however, has

been slow, and local entities only reluctantly support

national-level institutions. Banking reform accelerated in 2001 as

all the Communist-era payments bureaus were shut down. A sizeable

current account deficit and high unemployment rate remain the two

most serious economic problems. The country receives substantial

amounts of reconstruction assistance and humanitarian aid from the

international community but will have to prepare for an era of

declining assistance.

Botswana

Botswana has maintained one of the world's highest economic

growth rates since independence in 1966. Through fiscal discipline

and sound management, Botswana has transformed itself from one of

the poorest countries in the world to a middle-income country with a

per capita GDP of $9,200 in 2004. Two major investment services rank

Botswana as the best credit risk in Africa. Diamond mining has

fueled much of the expansion and currently accounts for more than

one-third of GDP and for 70-80% of export earnings. Tourism,

financial services, subsistence farming, and cattle raising are

other key sectors. On the downside, the government must deal with

high rates of unemployment and poverty. Unemployment officially is

23.8%, but unofficial estimates place it closer to 40%. HIV/AIDS

infection rates are the second highest in the world and threaten

Botswana's impressive economic gains. An expected leveling off in

diamond mining production overshadow long-term prospects.

Bouvet Island

no economic activity; declared a nature reserve

Brazil

Possessing large and well-developed agricultural, mining,

manufacturing, and service sectors, Brazil's economy outweighs that

of all other South American countries and is expanding its presence

in world markets. From 2001-03 real wages fell and Brazil's economy

grew, on average, only 2.2% per year, as the country absorbed a

series of domestic and international economic shocks. That Brazil

absorbed these shocks without financial collapse is a tribute to the

resiliency of the Brazilian economy and the economic program put in

place by former President CARDOSO and strengthened by President LULA

DA SILVA. In 2004, Brazil enjoyed more robust growth that yielded

increases in employment and real wages. The three pillars of the

economic program are a floating exchange rate, an

inflation-targeting regime, and tight fiscal policy, all reinforced

by a series of IMF programs. The currency depreciated sharply in

2001 and 2002, which contributed to a dramatic current account

adjustment: in 2003 and 2004, Brazil ran record trade surpluses and

recorded its first current account surpluses since 1992.

Productivity gains - particularly in agriculture - also contributed

to the surge in exports, and Brazil in 2004 surpassed the previous

year's record export level and again posted a current account

surplus. While economic management has been good, there remain

important economic vulnerabilities. The most significant are

debt-related: the government's largely domestic debt increased

steadily from 1994 to 2003 - straining government finances - before

falling as a percentage of GDP in 2004, while Brazil's foreign debt

(a mix of private and public debt) is large in relation to Brazil's

small (but growing) export base. Another challenge is maintaining

economic growth over a period of time to generate employment and

make the government debt burden more manageable.

British Indian Ocean Territory All economic activity is concentrated on the largest island of Diego Garcia, where joint UK-US defense facilities are located. Construction projects and various services needed to support the military installations are done by military and contract employees from the UK, Mauritius, the Philippines, and the US. There are no industrial or agricultural activities on the islands. When the Ilois return, they plan to reestablish sugarcane production and fishing.

British Virgin Islands

The economy, one of the most stable and

prosperous in the Caribbean, is highly dependent on tourism,

generating an estimated 45% of the national income. An estimated

350,000 tourists, mainly from the US, visited the islands in 1998.

Tourism suffered in 2002 because of the lackluster US economy. In

the mid-1980s, the government began offering offshore registration

to companies wishing to incorporate in the islands, and

incorporation fees now generate substantial revenues. Roughly

400,000 companies were on the offshore registry by yearend 2000. The

adoption of a comprehensive insurance law in late 1994, which

provides a blanket of confidentiality with regulated statutory

gateways for investigation of criminal offenses, is expected to make

the British Virgin Islands even more attractive to international

business. Livestock raising is the most important agricultural

activity; poor soils limit the islands' ability to meet domestic

food requirements. Because of traditionally close links with the US

Virgin Islands, the British Virgin Islands has used the dollar as

its currency since 1959.

Brunei

This small, well-to-do economy encompasses a mixture of

foreign and domestic entrepreneurship, government regulation,

welfare measures, and village tradition. Crude oil and natural gas

production account for nearly half of GDP. Per capita GDP is far

above most other Third World countries, and substantial income from

overseas investment supplements income from domestic production. The

government provides for all medical services and free education

through the university level and subsidizes rice and housing.

Brunei's leaders are concerned that steadily increased integration

in the world economy will undermine internal social cohesion,

although it became a more prominent player by serving as chairman

for the 2000 APEC (Asian Pacific Economic Cooperation) forum. Plans

for the future include upgrading the labor force, reducing

unemployment, strengthening the banking and tourist sectors, and, in

general, further widening the economic base beyond oil and gas.

Bulgaria

Bulgaria, a former communist country striving to enter the

European Union, has experienced macroeconomic stability and strong

growth since a major economic downturn in 1996 led to the fall of

the then socialist government. As a result, the government became

committed to economic reform and responsible fiscal planning.

Minerals, including coal, copper, and zinc play an important role in

industry. In 1997, macroeconomic stability was reinforced by the

imposition of a fixed exchange rate of the lev against the German

D-mark and the negotiation of an IMF standby agreement. Low

inflation and steady progress on structural reforms improved the

business environment; Bulgaria has averaged 4% growth since 2000 and

has begun to attract significant amounts of foreign direct

investment. Corruption in the public administration, a weak

judiciary, and the presence of organized crime remain the largest

challenges for Bulgaria.

Burkina Faso

One of the poorest countries in the world, landlocked

Burkina Faso has few natural resources and a weak industrial base.

About 90% of the population is engaged in subsistence agriculture,

which is vulnerable to harsh climatic conditions. Cotton is the key

crop and the government has joined with other cotton producing

countries in the region to lobby for improved access to Western

markets. GDP growth has largely been driven by increases in world

cotton prices. Industry remains dominated by unprofitable

government-controlled corporations. Following the African franc

currency devaluation in January 1994 the government updated its

development program in conjunction with international agencies;

exports and economic growth have increased. The government devolved

macroeconomic policy and inflation targeting to the West African

regional central bank (BCEAO), but maintains control over

microeconomic policies, including reducing the trade deficit and

implementing reforms to encourage private investment. The bitter

internal crisis in neighboring Cote d'Ivoire continues to hurt trade

and industrial prospects and deepens the need for international

assistance.

Burma

Burma is a resource-rich country that suffers from government

controls, inefficient economic policies, and abject rural poverty.

The junta took steps in the early 1990s to liberalize the economy

after decades of failure under the "Burmese Way to Socialism", but

those efforts have since stalled and some of the liberalization

measures have been rescinded. Burma has been unable to achieve

monetary or fiscal stability, resulting in an economy that suffers

from serious macroeconomic imbalances - including inflation and

multiple official exchange rates that overvalue the Burmese kyat. In

addition, most overseas development assistance ceased after the

junta began to suppress the democracy movement in 1988 and

subsequently ignored the results of the 1990 legislative elections.

Economic sanctions against Burma by the United States - including a

ban on imports of Burmese products and a ban on provision of

financial services by US persons in response to the government of

Burma's attack in May 2003 on AUNG SAN SUU KYI and her convoy -

further slowed the inflow of foreign exchange. Official statistics

are inaccurate. Published statistics on foreign trade are greatly

understated because of the size of the black market and unofficial

border trade - often estimated to be one to two times the size of

the official economy. Though the Burmese government has good

economic relations with its neighbors, a better investment climate

and an improved political situation are needed to promote foreign

investment, exports, and tourism. In February 2003, a major banking

crisis hit the country's 20 private banks, shutting them down and

disrupting the economy. As of January 2004, the largest private

banks remained moribund, leaving the private sector with little

formal access to credit.

Burundi

Burundi is a landlocked, resource-poor country with an

underdeveloped manufacturing sector. The economy is predominantly

agricultural with roughly 90% of the population dependent on

subsistence agriculture. Economic growth depends on coffee and tea

exports, which account for 90% of foreign exchange earnings. The

ability to pay for imports, therefore, rests primarily on weather

conditions and international coffee and tea prices. The Tutsi

minority, 14% of the population, dominates the government and the

coffee trade at the expense of the Hutu majority, 85% of the

population. Since October 1993 an ethnic-based war has resulted in

more than 200,000 deaths, forced 450,000 refugees into Tanzania, and

displaced 140,000 others internally. Doubts about the prospects for

sustainable peace continue to impede development. Only one in two

children go to school, and approximately one in ten adults has

HIV/AIDS. Food, medicine, and electricity remain in short supply.

Cambodia

Cambodia's economy slowed dramatically in 1997 and 1998 due

to the regional economic crisis, civil violence, and political

infighting, and foreign investment and tourism decreased. In 1999,

the first full year of peace in 30 years, the government made

progress on economic reforms. Growth resumed and remained about 5%

from 2000 to 2004. Economic growth has been largely driven by

expansion in the garment sector and tourism, but is expected to fall

in 2005 as growth in the garment sector stalls. Clothing exports

were fostered by a US-Cambodian Bilateral Textile Agreement signed

in 1999 which gave Cambodia a guaranteed quota of US textile imports

and established a bonus for improving working conditions and

enforcing Cambodian labor laws and international labor standards in

the industry. With the January 2005 expiration of a WTO Agreement on

Textiles and Clothing, Cambodia-based textile producers are in

direct competition with lower priced producing countries such as

China and India. Faced with the possibility that over the next five

years Cambodia may lose orders and some of the 250,000 well-paid

jobs the industry provides, Cambodia has committed itself to a

policy of continued support for high labor standards in an attempt

to maintain favor with buyers. Tourism growth remains strong, with

arrivals up 15% in 2004. The long-term development of the economy

after decades of war remains a daunting challenge. The population

lacks education and productive skills, particularly in the

poverty-ridden countryside, which suffers from an almost total lack

of basic infrastructure. Fully 75% of the population remains engaged

in subsistence farming. Fear of renewed political instability and a

dysfunctional legal system coupled with extensive government

corruption discourage foreign investment. The Cambodian government

continues to work with bilateral and multilateral donors to address

the country's many pressing needs. In December 2004, official donors

pledged $504 million in aid for 2005 on the condition that the

Cambodian government begins taking steps to address rampant

corruption. The next donor pledging session is scheduled for

December 2005. The major economic challenge for Cambodia over the

next decade will be fashioning an economic environment in which the

private sector can create enough jobs to handle Cambodia's

demographic imbalance. More than 50% of the population is 20 years

or younger.

Cameroon

Because of its oil resources and favorable agricultural

conditions, Cameroon has one of the best-endowed primary commodity

economies in sub-Saharan Africa. Still, it faces many of the serious

problems facing other underdeveloped countries, such as a top-heavy

civil service and a generally unfavorable climate for business

enterprise. Since 1990, the government has embarked on various IMF

and World Bank programs designed to spur business investment,

increase efficiency in agriculture, improve trade, and recapitalize

the nation's banks. In June 2000, the government completed an

IMF-sponsored, three-year structural adjustment program; however,

the IMF is pressing for more reforms, including increased budget

transparency, privatization, and poverty reduction programs.

International oil and cocoa prices have considerable impact on the

economy.

Canada

As an affluent, high-tech industrial society, newly entered

in the trillion dollar class, Canada closely resembles the US in its

market-oriented economic system, pattern of production, and affluent

living standards. Since World War II, the impressive growth of the

manufacturing, mining, and service sectors has transformed the

nation from a largely rural economy into one primarily industrial

and urban. The 1989 US-Canada Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and the

1994 North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) (which includes

Mexico) touched off a dramatic increase in trade and economic

integration with the US. Given its great natural resources, skilled

labor force, and modern capital plant Canada enjoys solid economic

prospects. Solid fiscal management has produced a long-term budget

surplus which is substantially reducing the national debt, although

public debate continues over how to manage the rising cost of the

publicly funded healthcare system. Exports account for roughly a

third of GDP. Canada enjoys a substantial trade surplus with its

principal trading partner, the United States, which absorbs more

than 85% of Canadian exports.

Cape Verde

This island economy suffers from a poor natural resource

base, including serious water shortages exacerbated by cycles of

long-term drought. The economy is service-oriented, with commerce,

transport, tourism, and public services accounting for 72% of GDP.

Although nearly 70% of the population lives in rural areas, the

share of agriculture in GDP in 2004 was only 12%, of which fishing

accounted for 1.5%. About 82% of food must be imported. The fishing

potential, mostly lobster and tuna, is not fully exploited. Cape

Verde annually runs a high trade deficit, financed by foreign aid

and remittances from emigrants; remittances supplement GDP by more

than 20%. Economic reforms are aimed at developing the private

sector and attracting foreign investment to diversify the economy.

Future prospects depend heavily on the maintenance of aid flows, the

encouragement of tourism, remittances, and the momentum of the

government's development program.

Cayman Islands

With no direct taxation, the islands are a thriving

offshore financial center. More than 40,000 companies were

registered in the Cayman Islands as of 1998, including almost 600

banks and trust companies; banking assets exceed $500 billion. A

stock exchange was opened in 1997. Tourism is also a mainstay,

accounting for about 70% of GDP and 75% of foreign currency

earnings. The tourist industry is aimed at the luxury market and

caters mainly to visitors from North America. Total tourist arrivals

exceeded 1.2 million in 1997, with 600,000 from the US. About 90% of

the islands' food and consumer goods must be imported. The

Caymanians enjoy one of the highest outputs per capita and one of

the highest standards of living in the world.

Central African Republic

Subsistence agriculture, together with

forestry, remains the backbone of the economy of the Central African

Republic (CAR), with more than 70% of the population living in

outlying areas. The agricultural sector generates half of GDP.

Timber has accounted for about 16% of export earnings and the

diamond industry, for 54%. Important constraints to economic

development include the CAR's landlocked position, a poor

transportation system, a largely unskilled work force, and a legacy

of misdirected macroeconomic policies. Factional fighting between

the government and its opponents remains a drag on economic

revitalization, with GDP growth at only 0.5% in 2004. Distribution

of income is extraordinarily unequal. Grants from France and the

international community can only partially meet humanitarian needs.

Chad

Chad's primarily agricultural economy will continue to be

boosted by major oilfield and pipeline projects that began in 2000.

Over 80% of Chad's population relies on subsistence farming and

livestock raising for its livelihood. Cotton, cattle, and gum arabic

provide the bulk of Chad's export earnings; Chad began to export oil

in 2004. Chad's economy has long been handicapped by its landlocked

position, high energy costs, and a history of instability. Chad

relies on foreign assistance and foreign capital for most public and

private sector investment projects. A consortium led by two US

companies has been investing $3.7 billion to develop oil reserves

estimated at 1 billion barrels in southern Chad. Oil production came

on stream in late 2003.

Chile

Chile has a market-oriented economy characterized by a high

level of foreign trade. During the early 1990s, Chile's reputation

as a role model for economic reform was strengthened when the

democratic government of Patricio AYLWIN - which took over from the

military in 1990 - deepened the economic reform initiated by the

military government. Growth in real GDP averaged 8% during 1991-97,

but fell to half that level in 1998 because of tight monetary

policies implemented to keep the current account deficit in check

and because of lower export earnings - the latter a product of the

global financial crisis. A severe drought exacerbated the recession

in 1999, reducing crop yields and causing hydroelectric shortfalls

and electricity rationing, and Chile experienced negative economic

growth for the first time in more than 15 years. Despite the effects

of the recession, Chile maintained its reputation for strong

financial institutions and sound policy that have given it the

strongest sovereign bond rating in South America. By the end of

1999, exports and economic activity had begun to recover, and growth

rebounded to 4.2% in 2000. Growth fell back to 3.1% in 2001 and 2.1%

in 2002, largely due to lackluster global growth and the devaluation

of the Argentine peso. Chile's economy began a slow recovery in

2003, growing 3.2% and accelerated to 5.8% in 2004. GDP growth

benefited from high copper prices, solid export earnings

(particularly forestry, fishing, and mining), and stepped-up foreign

direct investment. Unemployment, however, remains stubbornly high.

Chile deepened its longstanding commitment to trade liberalization

with the signing of a free trade agreement with the US, which took

effect on 1 January 2004.

China In late 1978 the Chinese leadership began moving the economy from a sluggish, inefficient, Soviet-style centrally planned economy to a more market-oriented system. Whereas the system operates within a political framework of strict Communist control, the economic influence of non-state organizations and individual citizens has been steadily increasing. The authorities switched to a system of household and village responsibility in agriculture in place of the old collectivization, increased the authority of local officials and plant managers in industry, permitted a wide variety of small-scale enterprises in services and light manufacturing, and opened the economy to increased foreign trade and investment. The result has been a quadrupling of GDP since 1978. Measured on a purchasing power parity (PPP) basis, China in 2004 stood as the second-largest economy in the world after the US, although in per capita terms the country is still poor. Agriculture and industry have posted major gains especially in coastal areas near Hong Kong and opposite Taiwan and in Shanghai, where foreign investment has helped spur output of both domestic and export goods. The leadership, however, often has experienced - as a result of its hybrid system - the worst results of socialism (bureaucracy and lassitude) and of capitalism (growing income disparities and rising unemployment). China thus has periodically backtracked, retightening central controls at intervals. The government has struggled to (a) sustain adequate jobs growth for tens of millions of workers laid off from state-owned enterprises, migrants, and new entrants to the work force; (b) reduce corruption and other economic crimes; and (c) keep afloat the large state-owned enterprises, many of which had been shielded from competition by subsidies and had been losing the ability to pay full wages and pensions. From 100 to 150 million surplus rural workers are adrift between the villages and the cities, many subsisting through part-time, low-paying jobs. Popular resistance, changes in central policy, and loss of authority by rural cadres have weakened China's population control program, which is essential to maintaining long-term growth in living standards. At the same time, one demographic consequence of the "one child" policy is that China is now one of the most rapidly aging countries in the world. Another long-term threat to growth is the deterioration in the environment - notably air pollution, soil erosion, and the steady fall of the water table especially in the north. China continues to lose arable land because of erosion and economic development. As part of its effort to gradually slow the rapid economic growth seen in 2004, Beijing says it will reduce somewhat its spending on infrastructure in 2005, while continuing to focus on poverty relief and through rural tax reform. Accession to the World Trade Organization helps strengthen its ability to maintain strong growth rates but at the same time puts additional pressure on the hybrid system of strong political controls and growing market influences. China has benefited from a huge expansion in computer Internet use, with 94 million users at the end of 2004. Foreign investment remains a strong element in China's remarkable economic growth. Shortages of electric power and raw materials may affect industrial output in 2005. More power generating capacity is scheduled to come on line in 2006. In its rivalry with India as an economic power, China has a lead in the absorption of technology, the rising prominence in world trade, and the alleviation of poverty; India has one important advantage in its relative mastery of the English language, but the number of competent Chinese English-speakers is growing rapidly.

Christmas Island

Phosphate mining had been the only significant

economic activity, but in December 1987 the Australian Government

closed the mine. In 1991, the mine was reopened. With the support of

the government, a $34 million casino opened in 1993. The casino

closed in 1998. The Australian Government in 2001 agreed to support

the creation of a commercial space-launching site on the island,

projected to begin operations in the near future

Clipperton Island

Although 115 species of fish have been identified

in the territorial waters of Clipperton Island, the only economic

activity is tuna fishing.

Cocos (Keeling) Islands

Grown throughout the islands, coconuts are

the sole cash crop. Small local gardens and fishing contribute to

the food supply, but additional food and most other necessities must

be imported from Australia. There is a small tourist industry.

Colombia

Colombia's economy has been on a recovery trend during the

past two years despite a serious armed conflict. The economy

continues to improve thanks to austere government budgets, focused

efforts to reduce public debt levels, and an export-oriented growth

focus. Ongoing economic problems facing President URIBE range from

reforming the pension system to reducing high unemployment. New

exploration is needed to offset declining oil production. On the

positive side, several international financial institutions have

praised the economic reforms introduced by URIBE, which include

measures designed to reduce the public-sector deficit below 2.5% of

GDP. The government's economic policy and democratic security

strategy have engendered a growing sense of confidence in the

economy, particularly within the business sector. Coffee prices have

recovered from previous lows as the Colombian coffee industry

pursues greater market shares in developed countries such as the

United States.

Comoros

One of the world's poorest countries, Comoros is made up of

three islands that have inadequate transportation links, a young and

rapidly increasing population, and few natural resources. The low

educational level of the labor force contributes to a subsistence

level of economic activity, high unemployment, and a heavy

dependence on foreign grants and technical assistance. Agriculture,

including fishing, hunting, and forestry, contributes 40% to GDP,

employs 80% of the labor force, and provides most of the exports.

The country is not self-sufficient in food production; rice, the

main staple, accounts for the bulk of imports. The government -

which is hampered by internal political disputes - is struggling to

upgrade education and technical training, privatize commercial and

industrial enterprises, improve health services, diversify exports,

promote tourism, and reduce the high population growth rate.

Increased foreign support is essential if the goal of 4% annual GDP

growth is to be met. Remittances from 150,000 Comorans abroad help

supplement GDP.

Congo, Democratic Republic of the

The economy of the Democratic

Republic of the Congo - a nation endowed with vast potential wealth

- has declined drastically since the mid-1980s. The war, which began

in August 1998, dramatically reduced national output and government

revenue, increased external debt, and resulted in the deaths of

perhaps 3.5 million people from war, famine, and disease. Foreign

businesses curtailed operations due to uncertainty about the outcome

of the conflict, lack of infrastructure, and the difficult operating

environment. Conditions improved in late 2002 with the withdrawal of

a large portion of the invading foreign troops. Several IMF and

World Bank missions have met with the government to help it develop

a coherent economic plan, and President KABILA has begun

implementing reforms. Much economic activity lies outside the GDP

data. Economic stability, aided by international donors, improved in

2003-04, although an uncertain legal framework, corruption, and a

lack of openness in government policy continues to hamper growth. In

2005, renewed activity in the mining sector, the source of most

exports, could boost Kinshasa's fiscal position and GDP growth.

Congo, Republic of the

The economy is a mixture of village

agriculture and handicrafts, an industrial sector based largely on

oil, support services, and a government characterized by budget

problems and overstaffing. Oil has supplanted forestry as the

mainstay of the economy, providing a major share of government

revenues and exports. In the early 1980s, rapidly rising oil

revenues enabled the government to finance large-scale development

projects with GDP growth averaging 5% annually, one of the highest

rates in Africa. The government has mortgaged a substantial portion

of its oil earnings, contributing to a shortage of revenues. The 12

January 1994 devaluation of Franc Zone currencies by 50% resulted in

inflation of 61% in 1994, but inflation has subsided since. Economic

reform efforts continued with the support of international

organizations, notably the World Bank and the IMF. The reform

program came to a halt in June 1997 when civil war erupted. Denis

SASSOU-NGUESSO, who returned to power when the war ended in October

1997, publicly expressed interest in moving forward on economic

reforms and privatization and in renewing cooperation with

international financial institutions. However, economic progress was

badly hurt by slumping oil prices and the resumption of armed

conflict in December 1998, which worsened the republic's budget

deficit. The current administration presides over an uneasy internal

peace and faces difficult economic challenges of stimulating

recovery and reducing poverty.

Cook Islands

Like many other South Pacific island nations, the Cook

Islands' economic development is hindered by the isolation of the

country from foreign markets, the limited size of domestic markets,

lack of natural resources, periodic devastation from natural

disasters, and inadequate infrastructure. Agriculture provides the

economic base with major exports made up of copra and citrus fruit.

Manufacturing activities are limited to fruit processing, clothing,

and handicrafts. Trade deficits are offset by remittances from

emigrants and by foreign aid, overwhelmingly from New Zealand. In

the 1980s and 1990s, the country lived beyond its means, maintaining

a bloated public service and accumulating a large foreign debt.

Subsequent reforms, including the sale of state assets, the

strengthening of economic management, the encouragement of tourism,

and a debt restructuring agreement, have rekindled investment and

growth.

Coral Sea Islands

no economic activity

Costa Rica

Costa Rica's basically stable economy depends on tourism,

agriculture, and electronics exports. Poverty has been substantially

reduced over the past 15 years, and a strong social safety net has

been put into place. Foreign investors remain attracted by the

country's political stability and high education levels, and tourism

continues to bring in foreign exchange. Low prices for coffee and

bananas have hurt the agricultural sector. The government continues

to grapple with its large deficit and massive internal debt. The

reduction of inflation remains a difficult problem because of rises

in the price of imports, labor market rigidities, and fiscal

deficits. The country also needs to reform its tax system and its

pattern of public expenditure. Costa Rica recently concluded

negotiations to participate in the US-Central American Free Trade

Agreement, which, if ratified by the Costa Rican Legislature, would

result in economic reforms and an improved investment climate.

Cote d'Ivoire

Cote d'Ivoire is among the world's largest producers

and exporters of coffee, cocoa beans, and palm oil. Consequently,

the economy is highly sensitive to fluctuations in international

prices for these products and weather conditions. Despite government

attempts to diversify the economy, it is still heavily dependent on

agriculture and related activities, engaging roughly 68% of the

population. After several years of lagging performance, the Ivorian

economy began a comeback in 1994, due to the 50% devaluation of the

CFA franc and improved prices for cocoa and coffee, growth in

nontraditional primary exports such as pineapples and rubber,

limited trade and banking liberalization, offshore oil and gas

discoveries, and generous external financing and debt rescheduling

by multilateral lenders and France. Moreover, government adherence

to donor-mandated reforms led to a jump to 5% annual growth during

1996-99. Growth was negative in 2000-03 because of the difficulty of

meeting the conditions of international donors, continued low prices

of key exports, and severe civil war. In November 2004 the situation

deteriorated when President GBAGBO's troops attacked and killed nine

French peacekeeping forces, and the UN imposed an arms embargo.

Political uncertainty has clouded the economic outlook for 2005,

with fear among Ivorians spreading, foreign investment shriveling,

businessmen fleeing, travel within the country falling, and criminal

elements that traffic in weapons and diamonds gaining ground.

Croatia

Before the dissolution of Yugoslavia, the Republic of

Croatia, after Slovenia, was the most prosperous and industrialized

area, with a per capita output perhaps one-third above the Yugoslav

average. The economy emerged from a mild recession in 2000 with

tourism, banking, and public investments leading the way.

Unemployment remains high, at about 14 percent, with structural

factors slowing its decline. While macroeconomic stabilization has

largely been achieved, structural reforms lag because of deep

resistance on the part of the public and lack of strong support from

politicians. Growth, while impressively about 4% for the last

several years, has been achieved through high fiscal and current

account deficits. The government is gradually reducing a heavy back

log of civil cases, many involving land tenure. The EU accession

process should accelerate fiscal and structural reform.

Cuba

The government continues to balance the need for economic

loosening against a desire for firm political control. It has

undertaken limited reforms to increase enterprise efficiency and

alleviate serious shortages of food, consumer goods, and services. A

major feature of the economy is the dichotomy between relatively

efficient export enclaves and inefficient domestic sectors. The

average Cuban's standard of living remains at a lower level than

before the depression of the 1990s, which was caused by the loss of

Soviet aid and domestic inefficiencies. The government in 2004

strengthened its controls over dollars coming into the economy from

tourism, remittances, and trade.

Cyprus

The Greek Cypriot economy is prosperous but highly

susceptible to external shocks. The service sector, mainly tourism

and financial services, dominates the economy; erratic growth rates

over the past decade reflect the economy's reliance on tourism,

which often fluctuates with political instability in the region and

economic conditions in Western Europe. Economic policy is focused on

meeting the criteria to join the European Exchange Rate Mechanism

(ERM2) within the next two years although sluggish tourism and poor

fiscal management have resulted in growing budget deficits since

2001. As in the Turkish sector, water shortages are a perennial

problem; a few desalination plants are now on-line. After 10 years

of drought, the country received substantial rainfall from 2001-03,

alleviating immediate concerns. The Turkish Cypriot economy has

roughly one-third of the per capita GDP of the south, and economic

growth tends to be volatile, given north Cyprus's relative

isolation, bloated public sector, reliance on the Turkish lira, and

small market size. The Turkish Cypriot economy grew 2.6% in 2004,

fueled by growth in the construction and education sectors as well

as increased employment of Turkish Cypriots in the Republic of

Cyprus. The Turkish Cypriots are heavily dependent on transfers from

the Turkish government. Ankara provides around $300 million a year

directly into the "TRNC" budget and regularly provides additional

financing for large infrastructure projects. Agriculture and

government service, together employ almost half of the work force,

and the potential for tourism is promising, especially with the

easing of border restrictions with the Greek Cypriots in April 2003.

Czech Republic

The Czech Republic is one of the most stable and

prosperous of the post-Communist states of Central and Eastern

Europe. Growth in 2000-04 was supported by exports to the EU,

primarily to Germany, and a strong recovery of foreign and domestic

investment. Domestic demand is playing an ever more important role

in underpinning growth as interest rates drop and the availability

of credit cards and mortgages increases. Current account deficits of

around 5% of GDP are beginning to decline as demand for Czech

products in the European Union increases. Inflation is under

control. Recent accession to the EU gives further impetus and

direction to structural reform. In early 2004 the government passed

increases in the Value Added Tax (VAT) and tightened eligibility for

social benefits with the intention to bring the public finance gap

down to 4% of GDP by 2006, but more difficult pension and healthcare

reforms will have to wait until after the next elections.

Privatization of the state-owned telecommunications firm Cesky

Telecom is scheduled to take place in 2005. Intensified

restructuring among large enterprises, improvements in the financial

sector, and effective use of available EU funds should strengthen

output growth.

Denmark

This thoroughly modern market economy features high-tech

agriculture, up-to-date small-scale and corporate industry,

extensive government welfare measures, comfortable living standards,

a stable currency, and high dependence on foreign trade. Denmark is

a net exporter of food and energy and enjoys a comfortable balance

of payments surplus. Government objectives include streamlining the

bureaucracy and further privatization of state assets. The

government has been successful in meeting, and even exceeding, the

economic convergence criteria for participating in the third phase

(a common European currency) of the European Economic and Monetary

Union (EMU), but Denmark has decided not to join 12 other EU members

in the euro; even so, the Danish krone remains pegged to the euro.

Growth in 2004 was sluggish, yet above the scanty 0.3% of 2003.

Because of high GDP per capita, welfare benefits, a low Gini index,

and political stability, the Danish people enjoy living standards

topped by no other nation. A major long-term issue will be the sharp

decline in the ratio of workers to retirees.

Dhekelia

Economic activity is limited to providing services to the

military and their families located in Dhekelia. All food and

manufactured goods must be imported.

Djibouti

The economy is based on service activities connected with

the country's strategic location and status as a free trade zone in

northeast Africa. Two-thirds of the inhabitants live in the capital

city, the remainder are mostly nomadic herders. Scanty rainfall

limits crop production to fruits and vegetables, and most food must

be imported. Djibouti provides services as both a transit port for

the region and an international transshipment and refueling center.

Djibouti has few natural resources and little industry. The nation

is, therefore, heavily dependent on foreign assistance to help

support its balance of payments and to finance development projects.

An unemployment rate of at least 50% continues to be a major

problem. While inflation is not a concern, due to the fixed tie of

the Djiboutian franc to the US dollar, the artificially high value

of the Djiboutian franc adversely affects Djibouti's balance of

payments. Per capita consumption dropped an estimated 35% over the

last seven years because of recession, civil war, and a high

population growth rate (including immigrants and refugees). Faced

with a multitude of economic difficulties, the government has fallen

in arrears on long-term external debt and has been struggling to

meet the stipulations of foreign aid donors.

Dominica

The Dominican economy depends on agriculture, primarily

bananas, and remains highly vulnerable to climatic conditions and

international economic developments. Production of bananas dropped

precipitously in 2003, a major reason for the 1% decline in GDP.

Tourism increased in 2003 as the government sought to promote

Dominica as an "ecotourism" destination. Development of the tourism

industry remains difficult, however, because of the rugged

coastline, lack of beaches, and the absence of an international

airport. The government began a comprehensive restructuring of the

economy in 2003 - including elimination of price controls,

privatization of the state banana company, and tax increases - to

address Dominica's economic crisis and to meet IMF targets. In order

to diversify the island's production base the government is

attempting to develop an offshore financial sector and is planning

to construct an oil refinery on the eastern part of the island.

Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic is a Caribbean

representative democracy which enjoyed GDP growth of more than 7% in

1998-2000. Growth subsequently plummeted as part of the global

economic slowdown. Although the country has long been viewed

primarily as an exporter of sugar, coffee, and tobacco, in recent

years the service sector has overtaken agriculture as the economy's

largest employer, due to growth in tourism and free trade zones. The

country suffers from marked income inequality; the poorest half of

the population receives less than one-fifth of GNP, while the

richest 10% enjoys nearly 40% of national income. Growth turned

negative in 2003 with reduced tourism, a major bank fraud, and

limited growth in the US economy (the source of about 85% of export

revenues), but recovered slightly in 2004. Resumption of a badly

needed IMF loan, slowed due to government repurchase of electrical

power plants, is basic to the restoration of social and economic

stability. Newly elected President FERNANDEZ in mid-2004 promised

belt-tightening reform. His administration has passed tax reform and

is working to meet preconditions for a $600 IMF standby arrangement

to ease the country's fiscal situation.

East Timor

In late 1999, about 70% of the economic infrastructure of

East Timor was laid waste by Indonesian troops and anti-independence

militias, and 300,000 people fled westward. Over the next three

years, however, a massive international program, manned by 5,000

peacekeepers (8,000 at peak) and 1,300 police officers, led to

substantial reconstruction in both urban and rural areas. By 2003,

all but about 30,000 of the refugees had returned. Growth was held

back in 2003 by extensive drought and the gradual winding down of

the international presence. The country faces great challenges in

continuing the rebuilding of infrastructure, strengthening the

infant civil administration, and generating jobs for young people

entering the workforce. One promising long-term project is the

planned development of oil and gas resources in nearby waters, which

have begun to supplement government revenues ahead of schedule.

Ecuador

Ecuador has substantial petroleum resources, which have

accounted for 40% of the country's export earnings and one-fourth of

central government budget revenues in recent years. Consequently,

fluctuations in world market prices can have a substantial domestic

impact. In the late 1990s, Ecuador suffered its worst economic

crisis, with natural disasters and sharp declines in world petroleum

prices driving Ecuador's economy into free fall in 1999. Real GDP

contracted by more than 6%, with poverty worsening significantly.

The banking system also collapsed, and Ecuador defaulted on its

external debt later that year. The currency depreciated by some 70%

in 1999, and, on the brink of hyperinflation, the MAHAUD government

announced it would dollarize the economy. A coup, however, ousted

MAHAUD from office in January 2000, and after a short-lived junta

failed to garner military support, Vice President Gustavo NOBOA took

over the presidency. In March 2000, Congress approved a series of

structural reforms that also provided the framework for the adoption

of the US dollar as legal tender. Dollarization stabilized the

economy, and growth returned to its pre-crisis levels in the years

that followed. Under the administration of Lucio GUTIERREZ - January

2003 to April 2005 - Ecuador benefited from higher world petroleum

prices, but the government has made little progress on economic

reforms necessary to reduce Ecuador's vulnerability to petroleum

price swings and financial crises.

Egypt

Lack of substantial progress on economic reform since the mid

1990s has limited foreign direct investment in Egypt and kept annual

GDP growth in the range of 2%-3% in 2001-03. However, in 2004 Egypt

implemented several measures to boost foreign direct investment. In

September 2004, Egypt pushed through custom reforms, proposed income

and corporate tax reforms, reduced energy subsidies, and privatized

several enterprises. The budget deficit rose to an estimated 8% of

GDP in 2004 compared to 6.1% of GDP the previous year, in part as a

result of these reforms. Monetary pressures on an overvalued

Egyptian pound led the government to float the currency in January

2003, leading to a sharp drop in its value and consequent

inflationary pressure. In 2004, the Central Bank implemented

measures to improve currency liquidity. Egypt reached record tourism

levels, despite the Taba and Nuweiba bombings in September 2004. The

development of an export market for natural gas is a bright spot for

future growth prospects, but improvement in the capital-intensive

hydrocarbons sector does little to reduce Egypt's persistent

unemployment.

El Salvador

GDP per capita is roughly half that of Brazil,

Argentina, and Chile, and the distribution of income is highly

unequal. The government is striving to open new export markets,

encourage foreign investment, modernize the tax and healthcare

systems, and stimulate the sluggish economy. Implementation of the

Central America-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement, ratified by

El Salvador in 2004, is viewed as a key policy to help achieve these

objectives. The trade deficit has been offset by annual remittances

from Salvadorans living abroad - 16% of GDP in 2004 - and external

aid. With the adoption of the US dollar as its currency, El Salvador

has lost control over monetary policy and must concentrate on

maintaining a disciplined fiscal policy.

Equatorial Guinea

The discovery and exploitation of large oil

reserves have contributed to dramatic economic growth in recent

years. Forestry, farming, and fishing are also major components of

GDP. Subsistence farming predominates. Although pre-independence

Equatorial Guinea counted on cocoa production for hard currency

earnings, the neglect of the rural economy under successive regimes

has diminished potential for agriculture-led growth (the government

has stated its intention to reinvest some oil revenue into

agriculture). A number of aid programs sponsored by the World Bank

and the IMF have been cut off since 1993 because of corruption and

mismanagement. No longer eligible for concessional financing because

of large oil revenues, the government has been unsuccessfully trying

to agree on a "shadow" fiscal management program with the World Bank

and IMF. Businesses, for the most part, are owned by government

officials and their family members. Undeveloped natural resources

include titanium, iron ore, manganese, uranium, and alluvial gold.

Growth presumably remained strong in 2004, led by oil.

Eritrea

Since independence from Ethiopia on 24 May 1993, Eritrea has

faced the economic problems of a small, desperately poor country.

Like the economies of many African nations, the economy is largely

based on subsistence agriculture, with 80% of the population

involved in farming and herding. The Ethiopian-Eritrea war in

1998-2000 severely hurt Eritrea's economy. GDP growth fell to zero

in 1999 and to -12.1% in 2000. The May 2000 Ethiopian offensive into

northern Eritrea caused some $600 million in property damage and

loss, including losses of $225 million in livestock and 55,000

homes. The attack prevented planting of crops in Eritrea's most

productive region, causing food production to drop by 62%. Even

during the war, Eritrea developed its transportation infrastructure,

asphalting new roads, improving its ports, and repairing war damaged

roads and bridges. Since the war ended, the government has

maintained a firm grip on the economy, expanding the use of the

military and party-owned businesses to complete Eritrea's

development agenda. Erratic rainfall and the delayed demobilization

of agriculturalists from the military kept cereal production well

below normal, holding down growth in 2002-04. Eritrea's economic

future depends upon its ability to master social problems such as

illiteracy, unemployment, and low skills, and to open its economy to

private enterprise so the diaspora's money and expertise can foster

economic growth.

Estonia

Estonia, as a new member of the World Trade Organization and

the European Union, has transitioned effectively to a modern market

economy with strong ties to the West, including the pegging of its

currency to the euro. The economy benefits from strong electronics

and telecommunications sectors and is greatly influenced by

developments in Finland, Sweden, and Germany, three major trading

partners. The current account deficit remains high; however, the

state budget enjoyed a surplus of $130 million in 2003.

Ethiopia

Ethiopia's poverty-stricken economy is based on

agriculture, accounting for half of GDP, 60% of exports, and 80% of

total employment. The agricultural sector suffers from frequent

drought and poor cultivation practices. Coffee is critical to the

Ethiopian economy with exports of some $156 million in 2002, but

historically low prices have seen many farmers switching to qat to

supplement income. The war with Eritrea in 1998-2000 and recurrent

drought have buffeted the economy, in particular coffee production.

In November 2001, Ethiopia qualified for debt relief from the Highly

Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative. Under Ethiopia's land

tenure system, the government owns all land and provides long-term

leases to the tenants; the system continues to hamper growth in the

industrial sector as entrepreneurs are unable to use land as

collateral for loans. Drought struck again late in 2002, leading to

a 2% decline in GDP in 2003. Normal weather patterns late in 2003

helped agricultural and GDP growth recover in 2004.

Europa Island

no economic activity

European Union

Domestically, the European Union attempts to lower

trade barriers, adopt a common currency, and move toward convergence

of living standards. Internationally, the EU aims to bolster

Europe's trade position and its political and economic power.

Because of the great differences in per capita income (from $10,000

to $28,000) and historic national animosities, the European

Community faces difficulties in devising and enforcing common

policies. For example, both Germany and France since 2003 have

flouted the member states' treaty obligation to prevent their

national budgets from running more than a 3% deficit. In 2004, the

EU admitted 10 central and eastern European countries that are, in

general, less advanced technologically and economically than the

existing 15. Twelve EU member states introduced the euro as their

common currency on 1 January 1999. The UK, Sweden, and Denmark do

not now participate; the 10 new member states may choose to adopt

the euro when they meet the EU's fiscal and monetary criteria and

the member states so agree.

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) The economy was formerly based on agriculture, mainly sheep farming, but today fishing contributes the bulk of economic activity. In 1987 the government began selling fishing licenses to foreign trawlers operating within the Falklands exclusive fishing zone. These license fees total more than $40 million per year, which goes to support the island's health, education, and welfare system. Squid accounts for 75% of the fish taken. Dairy farming supports domestic consumption; crops furnish winter fodder. Exports feature shipments of high-grade wool to the UK and the sale of postage stamps and coins. The islands are now self-financing except for defense. The British Geological Survey announced a 200-mile oil exploration zone around the islands in 1993, and early seismic surveys suggest substantial reserves capable of producing 500,000 barrels per day; to date no exploitable site has been identified. An agreement between Argentina and the UK in 1995 seeks to defuse licensing and sovereignty conflicts that would dampen foreign interest in exploiting potential oil reserves. Tourism, especially eco-tourism, is increasing rapidly, with about 30,000 visitors in 2001. Another large source of income is interest paid on money the government has in the bank. The British military presence also provides a sizeable economic boost.

Faroe Islands

The Faroese economy has had a strong performance since

1994, mostly as a result of increasing fish landings and high and

stable export prices. Unemployment is minimal and there are signs of

labor shortages in several sectors. The positive economic

development has helped the Faroese Home Rule Government produce

increasing budget surpluses, which in turn has helped to reduce the

large public debt, most of it owed to Denmark. However, the total

dependence on fishing makes the Faroese economy extremely

vulnerable, and the present fishing efforts appear in excess of what

is a sustainable level of fishing in the long term. Oil finds close

to the Faroese area give hope for deposits in the immediate Faroese

area, which may eventually lay the basis for a more diversified

economy and thus lessen dependence on Danish economic assistance.

Aided by a substantial annual subsidy (15% of GDP) from Denmark, the

Faroese have a standard of living not far below the Danes and other

Scandinavians.

Fiji

Fiji, endowed with forest, mineral, and fish resources, is one

of the most developed of the Pacific island economies, though still

with a large subsistence sector. Sugar exports and a growing tourist

industry - with 300,000 to 400,000 tourists annually - are the major

sources of foreign exchange. Sugar processing makes up one-third of

industrial activity, but is inefficient. Long-term problems include

low investment, uncertain land ownership rights, and the

government's ability to manage its budget. Yet short-run economic

prospects are good, provided tensions do not again erupt between

indigenous Fijians and Indo-Fijians. Overseas remittances from

Fijians working in Kuwait and Iraq have increased significantly.

Finland

Finland has a highly industrialized, largely free-market

economy, with per capita output roughly that of the UK, France,

Germany, and Italy. Its key economic sector is manufacturing -

principally the wood, metals, engineering, telecommunications, and

electronics industries. Trade is important, with exports equaling

two-fifths of GDP. Finland excels in high-tech exports, e.g., mobile

phones. Except for timber and several minerals, Finland depends on

imports of raw materials, energy, and some components for

manufactured goods. Because of the climate, agricultural development

is limited to maintaining self-sufficiency in basic products.

Forestry, an important export earner, provides a secondary

occupation for the rural population. Rapidly increasing integration

with Western Europe - Finland was one of the 12 countries joining

the European Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) - will dominate the

economic picture over the next several years. Growth in 2003 was

held back by the global slowdown but picked up in 2004. High

unemployment remains a persistent problem.

France

France is in the midst of transition, from a well-to-do

modern economy that has featured extensive government ownership and

intervention to one that relies more on market mechanisms. The

government has partially or fully privatized many large companies,

banks, and insurers. It retains controlling stakes in several

leading firms, including Air France, France Telecom, Renault, and

Thales, and is dominant in some sectors, particularly power, public

transport, and defense industries. The telecommunications sector is

gradually being opened to competition. France's leaders remain

committed to a capitalism in which they maintain social equity by

means of laws, tax policies, and social spending that reduce income

disparity and the impact of free markets on public health and

welfare. The government has lowered income taxes and introduced

measures to boost employment and reform the pension system. In

addition, it is focusing on the problems of the high cost of labor

and labor market inflexibility resulting from the 35-hour workweek

and restrictions on lay-offs. The tax burden remains one of the

highest in Europe (43.8% of GDP in 2003). The lingering economic

slowdown and inflexible budget items have pushed the budget deficit

above the eurozone's 3%-of-GDP limit. Finance Minister Herve GAYMARD

has promised that the 2005 deficit will fall below 3%.

French Guiana

The economy is tied closely to the much larger French

economy through subsidies and imports. Besides the French space

center at Kourou (which accounts for 25% of GDP), fishing and

forestry are the most important economic activities. Forest and

woodland cover 90% of the country. The large reserves of tropical

hardwoods, not fully exploited, support an expanding sawmill

industry that provides sawn logs for export. Cultivation of crops is

limited to the coastal area, where the population is largely

concentrated; rice and manioc are the major crops. French Guiana is

heavily dependent on imports of food and energy. Unemployment is a

serious problem, particularly among younger workers.

French Polynesia

Since 1962, when France stationed military

personnel in the region, French Polynesia has changed from a

subsistence agricultural economy to one in which a high proportion

of the work force is either employed by the military or supports the

tourist industry. With the halt of French nuclear testing in 1996,

the military contribution to the economy fell sharply. Tourism

accounts for about one-fourth of GDP and is a primary source of hard

currency earnings. Other sources of income are pearl farming and

deep-sea commercial fishing. The small manufacturing sector

primarily processes agricultural products. The territory benefits

substantially from development agreements with France aimed

principally at creating new businesses and strengthening social

services.

French Southern and Antarctic Lands

Economic activity is limited to

servicing meteorological and geophysical research stations and

French and other fishing fleets. The fish catches landed on Iles

Kerguelen by foreign ships are exported to France and Reunion.

Gabon

Gabon enjoys a per capita income four times that of most of

sub-Saharan African nations. This has supported a sharp decline in

extreme poverty; yet because of high income inequality a large

proportion of the population remains poor. Gabon depended on timber

and manganese until oil was discovered offshore in the early 1970s.

The oil sector now accounts for 50% of GDP. Gabon continues to face

fluctuating prices for its oil, timber, and manganese exports.

Despite the abundance of natural wealth, poor fiscal management

hobbles the economy. Devaluation of its currency by 50% in January

1994 sparked a one-time inflationary surge, to 35%; the rate dropped

to 6% in 1996. The IMF provided a one-year standby arrangement in

1994-95, a three-year Enhanced Financing Facility (EFF) at near

commercial rates beginning in late 1995, and stand-by credit of $119

million in October 2000. Those agreements mandate progress in

privatization and fiscal discipline. France provided additional

financial support in January 1997 after Gabon had met IMF targets

for mid-1996. In 1997, an IMF mission to Gabon criticized the

government for overspending on off-budget items, overborrowing from

the central bank, and slipping on its schedule for privatization and

administrative reform. The rebound of oil prices in 1999-2000 helped

growth, but drops in production hampered Gabon from fully realizing

potential gains. In December 2000, Gabon signed a new agreement with

the Paris Club to reschedule its official debt. A follow-up

bilateral repayment agreement with the US was signed in December

2001. Gabon signed a 14 month Stand-By Arrangement with the IMF in

May 2004, and received Paris Club debt rescheduling later that year.

Short-term progress depends on an upbeat world economy and fiscal

and other adjustments in line with IMF policies.

Gambia, The

The Gambia has no significant mineral or natural

resource deposits and has a limited agricultural base. About 75% of

the population depends on crops and livestock for its livelihood.

Small-scale manufacturing activity features the processing of

peanuts, fish, and hides. Reexport trade normally constitutes a

major segment of economic activity, but a 1999 government-imposed

preshipment inspection plan, and instability of the Gambian dalasi

(currency) have drawn some of the reexport trade away from The

Gambia. The government's 1998 seizure of the private peanut firm

Alimenta eliminated the largest purchaser of Gambian groundnuts; the

following two marketing seasons saw substantially lower prices and

sales. Despite an announced program to begin privatizing key

parastatals, no plans have been made public that would indicate that

the government intends to follow through on its promises.

Unemployment and underemployment rates remain extremely high;

short-run economic progress depends on sustained bilateral and

multilateral aid, on responsible government economic management, on

continued technical assistance from the IMF and bilateral donors,

and on expected growth in the construction sector.

Gaza Strip

High population density, limited land access, and strict

internal and external controls have kept economic conditions in the

Gaza Strip - the smaller of the two areas under the Palestinian

Authority - even more degraded than in the West Bank. An anticipated

Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip in 2005 may offer some

medium-term opportunities for economic growth. The beginning of the

second intifadah in September 2000 sparked an economic downturn,

largely the result of Israeli closure policies; these policies,

which were imposed in response to security interests in Israel,

disrupted labor and commodity relationships with the Gaza Strip. In

2001, and even more severely in 2003, Israeli military measures in

Palestinian Authority areas resulted in the destruction of much

capital plant, the disruption of administrative structure, and

widespread business closures. Including the West Bank, the UN

estimates that more than 100,000 Palestinians out of the 125,000 who

used to work in Israel or in joint industrial zones have lost their

jobs. International aid of $2 billion to Gaza Strip and the West

Bank in 2004 prevented the complete collapse of the economy and

allowed some reforms in the government's financial operations.

Meanwhile unemployment has continued at half the labor force.

ARAFAT's death in 2004 leaves open more political options that could

affect the economy.

Georgia

Georgia's main economic activities include the cultivation

of agricultural products such as citrus fruits, tea, hazelnuts, and

grapes; mining of manganese and copper; and output of a small

industrial sector producing alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages,

metals, machinery, and chemicals. The country imports the bulk of

its energy needs, including natural gas and oil products. Its only

sizable internal energy resource is hydropower. Despite the severe

damage the economy has suffered due to civil strife, Georgia, with

the help of the IMF and World Bank, has made substantial economic

gains since 1995, achieving positive GDP growth and curtailing

inflation. However, the Georgian Government has suffered from

limited resources due to a chronic failure to collect tax revenues.

Georgia's new government is making progress in reforming the tax

code, enforcing taxes, and cracking down on corruption. Georgia also

suffers from energy shortages; it privatized the T'bilisi

electricity distribution network in 1998, but payment collection

rates remain low, both in T'bilisi and throughout the regions. The

country is pinning its hopes for long-term growth on its role as a

transit state for pipelines and trade. The construction on the

Baku-T'bilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline and the Baku-T'bilisi-Erzerum gas

pipeline have brought much-needed investment and job opportunities.

Germany

Germany's affluent and technologically powerful economy -

the fifth largest in the world - has become one of the slowest

growing economies in the euro zone. A quick turnaround is not in the

offing in the foreseeable future. Growth in 2001-03 fell short of

1%, rising to 1.7% in 2004. The modernization and integration of the

eastern German economy continues to be a costly long-term process,

with annual transfers from west to east amounting to roughly $70

billion. Germany's aging population, combined with high

unemployment, has pushed social security outlays to a level

exceeding contributions from workers. Structural rigidities in the

labor market - including strict regulations on laying off workers

and the setting of wages on a national basis - have made

unemployment a chronic problem. Corporate restructuring and growing

capital markets are setting the foundations that could allow Germany

to meet the long-term challenges of European economic integration

and globalization, particularly if labor market rigidities are

further addressed. In the short run, however, the fall in government

revenues and the rise in expenditures have raised the deficit above

the EU's 3% debt limit.

Ghana

Well endowed with natural resources, Ghana has roughly twice

the per capita output of the poorer countries in West Africa. Even

so, Ghana remains heavily dependent on international financial and

technical assistance. Gold, timber, and cocoa production are major

sources of foreign exchange. The domestic economy continues to

revolve around subsistence agriculture, which accounts for 34% of

GDP and employs 60% of the work force, mainly small landholders.

Ghana opted for debt relief under the Heavily Indebted Poor Country

(HIPC) program in 2002. Priorities include tighter monetary and

fiscal policies, accelerated privatization, and improvement of

social services. Receipts from the gold sector helped sustain GDP

growth in 2004. Inflation should ease, but remain a major internal

problem.

Gibraltar

Self-sufficient Gibraltar benefits from an extensive

shipping trade, offshore banking, and its position as an

international conference center. The British military presence has

been sharply reduced and now contributes about 7% to the local

economy, compared with 60% in 1984. The financial sector, tourism

(almost 5 million visitors in 1998), shipping services fees, and

duties on consumer goods also generate revenue. The financial

sector, the shipping sector, and tourism each contribute 25%-30% of

GDP. Telecommunications accounts for another 10%. In recent years,

Gibraltar has seen major structural change from a public to a

private sector economy, but changes in government spending still

have a major impact on the level of employment.

Glorioso Islands

no economic activity

Greece

Greece has a capitalist economy with the public sector

accounting for about 40% of GDP and with per capita GDP 70% of the

leading euro-zone economies. Tourism provides 15% of GDP. Immigrants

make up nearly one-fifth of the work force, mainly in menial jobs.

Greece is a major beneficiary of EU aid, equal to about 3.3% of

annual GDP. The Greek economy grew by about 4.0% for the past two

years, largely because of an investment boom and infrastructure

upgrades for the 2004 Athens Olympic Games. Despite strong growth,

Greece has failed to meet the EU's Growth and Stability Pact budget

deficit criteria of 3% of GDP since 2000; public debt, inflation,

and unemployment are also above the eurozone average. Further

restructuring of the economy will need to include privatizing of

several state enterprises, undertaking pension and other reforms,

and minimizing bureaucratic inefficiencies.

Greenland

The economy remains critically dependent on exports of

fish and substantial support from the Danish Government, which

supplies about half of government revenues. The public sector,

including publicly-owned enterprises and the municipalities, plays

the dominant role in the economy. Despite several interesting

hydrocarbon and minerals exploration activities, it will take

several years before production can materialize. Tourism is the only

sector offering any near-term potential, and even this is limited

due to a short season and high costs.

Grenada

Grenada relies on tourism as its main source of foreign

exchange, especially since the construction of an international

airport in 1985. Strong performances in construction and

manufacturing, together with the development of an offshore

financial industry, have also contributed to growth in national

output.

Guadeloupe

The Caribbean economy depends on agriculture, tourism,

light industry, and services. It also depends on France for large

subsidies and imports. Tourism is a key industry, with most tourists

from the US; an increasingly large number of cruise ships visit the

islands. The traditional sugarcane crop is slowly being replaced by

other crops, such as bananas (which now supply about 50% of export

earnings), eggplant, and flowers. Other vegetables and root crops

are cultivated for local consumption, although Guadeloupe is still

dependent on imported food, mainly from France. Light industry

features sugar and rum production. Most manufactured goods and fuel

are imported. Unemployment is especially high among the young.

Hurricanes periodically devastate the economy.

Guam

The economy depends on US military spending, tourism, and the

export of fish and handicrafts. Total US grants, wage payments, and

procurement outlays amounted to $1 billion in 1998. Over the past 20

years, the tourist industry has grown rapidly, creating a

construction boom for new hotels and the expansion of older ones.

More than 1 million tourists visit Guam each year. The industry had

recently suffered setbacks because of the continuing Japanese

slowdown; the Japanese normally make up almost 90% of the tourists.

Most food and industrial goods are imported. Guam faces the problem

of building up the civilian economic sector to offset the impact of

military downsizing.

Guatemala

Guatemala is the largest and most populous of the Central

American countries with a GDP per capita roughly one-half that of

Brazil, Argentina, and Chile. The agricultural sector accounts for

about one-fourth of GDP, two-thirds of exports, and half of the

labor force. Coffee, sugar, and bananas are the main products. The

1996 signing of peace accords, which ended 36 years of civil war,

removed a major obstacle to foreign investment, but widespread

political violence and corruption scandals continue to dampen

investor confidence. The distribution of income remains highly

unequal, with perhaps 75% of the population below the poverty line.

Other ongoing challenges include increasing government revenues,

negotiating further assistance from international donors, upgrading

both government and private financial operations, curtailing drug

trafficking, and narrowing the trade deficit.

Guernsey

Financial services - banking, fund management, insurance -

account for about 55% of total income in this tiny, prosperous

Channel Island economy. Tourism, manufacturing, and horticulture,

mainly tomatoes and cut flowers, have been declining. Light tax and

death duties make Guernsey a popular tax haven. The evolving

economic integration of the EU nations is changing the environment

under which Guernsey operates.

Guinea

Guinea possesses major mineral, hydropower, and agricultural

resources, yet remains an underdeveloped nation. The country

possesses over 30% of the world's bauxite reserves and is the

second-largest bauxite producer. The mining sector accounted for

about 75% of exports in 1999. Long-run improvements in government

fiscal arrangements, literacy, and the legal framework are needed if

the country is to move out of poverty. Fighting along the Sierra

Leonean and Liberian borders, as well as refugee movements, have

caused major economic disruptions, aggravating a loss in investor

confidence. Foreign mining companies have reduced expatriate staff.

Panic buying has created food shortages and inflation and caused

riots in local markets. Guinea is not receiving multilateral aid.

The IMF and World Bank cut off most assistance in 2003. Growth rose

slightly in 2004, primarily due to increases in global demand and

commodity prices on world markets.

Guinea-Bissau

One of the 10 poorest countries in the world,

Guinea-Bissau depends mainly on farming and fishing. Cashew crops

have increased remarkably in recent years, and the country now ranks

sixth in cashew production. Guinea-Bissau exports fish and seafood

along with small amounts of peanuts, palm kernels, and timber. Rice

is the major crop and staple food. However, intermittent fighting

between Senegalese-backed government troops and a military junta

destroyed much of the country's infrastructure and caused widespread

damage to the economy in 1998; the civil war led to a 28% drop in

GDP that year, with partial recovery in 1999-2002. Before the war,

trade reform and price liberalization were the most successful part

of the country's structural adjustment program under IMF

sponsorship. The tightening of monetary policy and the development

of the private sector had also begun to reinvigorate the economy.

Because of high costs, the development of petroleum, phosphate, and

other mineral resources is not a near-term prospect. However,

unexploited offshore oil reserves could provide much-needed revenue

in the long run. The inequality of income distribution is one of the

most extreme in the world. The government and international donors

continue to work out plans to forward economic development from a

lamentably low base. In December 2003, the World Bank, IMF, and UNDP

were forced to step in to provide emergency budgetary support in the

amount of $107 million for 2004, representing over 80% of the total

national budget. Government drift and indecision, however, have

resulted in continued low growth in 2004.

Guyana

The Guyanese economy exhibited moderate economic growth in

2001-02, based on expansion in the agricultural and mining sectors,

a more favorable atmosphere for business initiatives, a more

realistic exchange rate, fairly low inflation, and the continued

support of international organizations. Growth then slowed in 2003

and came back gradually in 2004, buoyed largely by increased export

earnings. Chronic problems include a shortage of skilled labor and a

deficient infrastructure. The government is juggling a sizable

external debt against the urgent need for expanded public

investment. The bauxite mining sector should benefit in the near

term from restructuring and partial privatization.

Haiti

In this poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, 80% of the

population lives in abject poverty, and natural disasters frequently

sweep the nation. Two-thirds of all Haitians depend on the

agriculture sector, which consists mainly of small-scale subsistence

farming. Following legislative elections in May 2000, fraught with

irregularities, international donors - including the US and EU -

suspended almost all aid to Haiti. The economy shrank an estimated

1.2% in 2001, 0.9% in 2002, grew 0.4% in 2003, and shrank by 3.5% in

2004. Suspended aid and loan disbursements totaled more than $500

million at the start of 2003. Haiti also suffers from rampant

inflation, a lack of investment, and a severe trade deficit. In

early 2005 Haiti paid its arrears to the World Bank, paving the way

to reengagement with the Bank. The resumption of aid flows from all

donors is alleviating but not ending the nation's bitter economic

problems. Civil strife in 2004 combined with extensive damage from

flooding in southern Haiti in May 2004 and Tropical Storm Jeanne in

northwestern Haiti in September 2004 further impoverished Haiti.

Heard Island and McDonald Islands

No indigenous economic activity,

but the Australian Government allows limited fishing around the

islands.

Holy See (Vatican City)

This unique, noncommercial economy is

supported financially by an annual contribution from Roman Catholic

dioceses throughout the world (known as Peter's Pence); by the sale

of postage stamps, coins, medals, and tourist mementos; by fees for

admission to museums; and by the sale of publications. Investments

and real estate income also account for a sizable portion of

revenue. The incomes and living standards of lay workers are

comparable to those of counterparts who work in the city of Rome.

Honduras

Honduras, one of the poorest countries in the Western

Hemisphere with an extraordinarily unequal distribution of income

and massive unemployment, is banking on expanded trade under the

U.S.-Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) and on debt relief

under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative. The

country has met most of its macroeconomic targets, and began a

three-year IMF Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PGRF) program

in February 2004. Growth remains dependent on the economy of the US,

its largest trading partner, on commodity prices, particularly

coffee, and on reduction of the high crime rate.

Hong Kong

Hong Kong has a free market, entrepot economy, highly

dependent on international trade. Natural resources are limited, and

food and raw materials must be imported. Gross imports and exports

(i.e., including reexports to and from third countries) each exceed

GDP in dollar value. Even before Hong Kong reverted to Chinese

administration on 1 July 1997, it had extensive trade and investment

ties with China. Hong Kong has been further integrating its economy

with China because China's growing openness to the world economy has

made manufacturing in China much more cost effective. Hong Kong's

reexport business to and from China is a major driver of growth. Per

capita GDP is comparable to that of the four big economies of

Western Europe. GDP growth averaged a strong 5% from 1989 to 1997,

but Hong Kong suffered two recessions in the past six years because

of the Asian financial crisis in 1998 and the global downturn in

2001 and 2002. Although the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)

outbreak also battered Hong Kong's economy, a boom in tourism from

the mainland because of China's easing of travel restrictions, a

return of consumer confidence, and a solid rise in exports resulted

in the resumption of strong growth in late 2003 and in 2004.

Howland Island

no economic activity

Hungary

Hungary has made the transition from a centrally planned to

a market economy, with a per capita income one-half that of the Big

Four European nations. Hungary continues to demonstrate strong

economic growth and acceded to the European Union in May 2004. The

private sector accounts for over 80% of GDP. Foreign ownership of

and investment in Hungarian firms are widespread, with cumulative

foreign direct investment totaling more than $23 billion since 1989.

Hungarian sovereign debt was upgraded in 2000 and together with the

Czech Republic holds the highest rating among the Central European

transition economies; however, ratings agencies have expressed

concerns over Hungary's unsustainable budget and current account

deficits. Inflation has declined from 14% in 1998 to 7% in 2004.

Unemployment has persisted around the 6% level, but Hungary's labor

force participation rate of 57% is one of the lowest in the OECD.

Germany is by far Hungary's largest economic partner. Policy

challenges include cutting the public sector deficit to 3% of GDP by

2008, from about 5% in 2004, and orchestrating an orderly interest

rate reduction without sparking capital outflows.

Iceland

Iceland's Scandinavian-type economy is basically

capitalistic, yet with an extensive welfare system (including

generous housing subsidies), low unemployment, and remarkably even

distribution of income. In the absence of other natural resources

(except for abundant geothermal power), the economy depends heavily

on the fishing industry, which provides 70% of export earnings and

employs 8% of the work force. The economy remains sensitive to

declining fish stocks as well as to fluctuations in world prices for

its main exports: fish and fish products, aluminum, and

ferrosilicon. Government policies include reducing the budget and

current account deficits, limiting foreign borrowing, containing

inflation, revising agricultural and fishing policies, diversifying

the economy, and privatizing state-owned industries. The government

remains opposed to EU membership, primarily because of Icelanders'

concern about losing control over their fishing resources. Iceland's

economy has been diversifying into manufacturing and service

industries in the last decade, and new developments in software

production, biotechnology, and financial services are taking place.

The tourism sector is also expanding, with the recent trends in

ecotourism and whale watching. Growth had been remarkably steady in

1996-2001 at 3%-5%, but could not be sustained in 2002 in an

environment of global recession. Growth resumed in 2003, and

estimates call for strong growth until 2007, slowly dropping until

the end of the decade.

India

India's diverse economy encompasses traditional village

farming, modern agriculture, handicrafts, a wide range of modern

industries, and a multitude of services. Services are the major

source of economic growth, though two-thirds of the workforce is in

agriculture. The UPA government has committed to furthering economic

reforms and developing basic infrastructure to improve the lives of

the rural poor and boost economic performance. Government controls

on foreign trade and investment have been reduced in some areas, but

high tariffs (averaging 20% in 2004) and limits on foreign direct

investment are still in place. The government has indicated it will

do more to liberalize investment in civil aviation, telecom, and

insurance sectors in the near term. Privatization of

government-owned industries has proceeded slowly, and continues to

generate political debate; continued social, political, and economic

rigidities hold back needed initiatives. The economy has posted an

excellent average growth rate of 6.8% since 1994, reducing poverty

by about 10 percentage points. India is capitalizing on its large

numbers of well-educated people skilled in the English language to

become a major exporter of software services and software workers.

Despite strong growth, the World Bank and others worry about the

combined state and federal budget deficit, running at approximately

9% of GDP. The huge and growing population is the fundamental

social, economic, and environmental problem. In late December 2004,

a major tsunami took nearly 11,000 lives, left almost 6,000 missing,

destroyed $1.2 billion worth of property, and severely damaged the

fishing fleet.

Indian Ocean

The Indian Ocean provides major sea routes connecting

the Middle East, Africa, and East Asia with Europe and the Americas.

It carries a particularly heavy traffic of petroleum and petroleum

products from the oilfields of the Persian Gulf and Indonesia. Its

fish are of great and growing importance to the bordering countries

for domestic consumption and export. Fishing fleets from Russia,

Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan also exploit the Indian Ocean, mainly

for shrimp and tuna. Large reserves of hydrocarbons are being tapped

in the offshore areas of Saudi Arabia, Iran, India, and western

Australia. An estimated 40% of the world's offshore oil production

comes from the Indian Ocean. Beach sands rich in heavy minerals and

offshore placer deposits are actively exploited by bordering

countries, particularly India, South Africa, Indonesia, Sri Lanka,

and Thailand.

Indonesia

Indonesia, a vast polyglot nation, has restored financial

stability and pursued sober fiscal policies since the Asian

financial crisis, but many economic development problems remain,

including high unemployment, a fragile banking sector, endemic

corruption, inadequate infrastructure, a poor investment climate,

and unequal resource distribution among regions. Indonesia became a

net oil importer in 2004 due to declining production and lack of new

exploration investment. As a result, Jakarta is not reaping the

benefits of high world oil prices, and the cost of subsidizing

domestic fuel prices has placed an increasing strain on the budget.

Keys to future growth remain internal reform, building up the

confidence of international and domestic investors, and strong

global economic growth. In late December 2004, a major tsunami took

nearly 127,000 lives, left more than 93,000 missing and nearly

441,000 displaced, and destroyed $4.5 to $5.0 billion worth of

property.

Iran

Iran's economy is marked by a bloated, inefficient state

sector, over reliance on the oil sector, and statist policies that

create major distortions throughout. Most economic activity is

controlled by the state. Private sector activity is typically

small-scale - workshops, farming, and services. President KHATAMI

has continued to follow the market reform plans of former President

RAFSANJANI, with limited progress. Relatively high oil prices in

recent years have enabled Iran to amass some $30 billion in foreign

exchange reserves, but have not eased economic hardships such as

high unemployment and inflation. The proportion of the economy

devoted to the development of weapons of mass destruction remains a

contentious issue with leading Western nations.

Iraq

Iraq's economy is dominated by the oil sector, which has

traditionally provided about 95% of foreign exchange earnings.

Iraq's seizure of Kuwait in August 1990, subsequent international

economic sanctions, and damage from military action by an

international coalition beginning in January 1991 drastically

reduced economic activity. Although government policies supporting

large military and internal security forces and allocating resources

to key supporters of the regime hurt the economy, implementation of

the UN's oil-for-food program beginning in December 1996 helped

improve conditions for the average Iraqi citizen. Iraq was allowed

to export limited amounts of oil in exchange for food, medicine, and

some infrastructure spare parts. In December 1999, the UN Security

Council authorized Iraq to export under the program as much oil as

required to meet humanitarian needs. The drop in GDP in 2001-02 was

largely the result of the global economic slowdown and lower oil

prices. Per capita food imports increased significantly, while

medical supplies and health care services steadily improved. Per

capita output and living standards were still well below the

pre-1991 level, but any estimates have a wide range of error. The

military victory of the US-led coalition in March-April 2003

resulted in the shutdown of much of the central economic

administrative structure. Although a comparatively small amount of

capital plant was damaged during the hostilities, looting, insurgent

attacks, and sabotage have undermined efforts to rebuild the

economy. Despite continuing political uncertainty, the Iraqi Interim

Government (IG) has founded the institutions needed to implement

economic policy, and has successfully concluded a debt reduction

agreement with the Paris Club. The high percentage gain estimated

for GDP in 2004 is the result of starting from a low base.

Ireland

Ireland is a small, modern, trade-dependent economy with

growth averaging a robust 7% in 1995-2004. Agriculture, once the

most important sector, is now dwarfed by industry and services.

Industry accounts for 46% of GDP, about 80% of exports, and 29% of

the labor force. Although exports remain the primary engine for

Ireland's growth, the economy has also benefited from a rise in

consumer spending, construction, and business investment. Per capita

GDP is 10% above that of the four big European economies and the

second highest in the EU behind Luxembourg. Over the past decade,

the Irish Government has implemented a series of national economic

programs designed to curb price and wage inflation, reduce

government spending, increase labor force skills, and promote

foreign investment. Ireland joined in circulating the euro on 1

January 2002 along with 11 other EU nations.

Israel

Israel has a technologically advanced market economy with

substantial government participation. It depends on imports of crude

oil, grains, raw materials, and military equipment. Despite limited

natural resources, Israel has intensively developed its agricultural

and industrial sectors over the past 20 years. Israel imports

substantial quantities of grain, but is largely self-sufficient in

other agricultural products. Cut diamonds, high-technology

equipment, and agricultural products (fruits and vegetables) are the

leading exports. Israel usually posts sizable current account

deficits, which are covered by large transfer payments from abroad

and by foreign loans. Roughly half of the government's external debt

is owed to the US, which is its major source of economic and

military aid. The bitter Israeli-Palestinian conflict; difficulties

in the high-technology, construction, and tourist sectors; and

fiscal austerity in the face of growing inflation led to small

declines in GDP in 2001 and 2002. The economy grew at 1% in 2003,

with improvements in tourism and foreign direct investment. In 2004,

rising business and consumer confidence - as well as higher demand

for Israeli exports boosted GDP by 3.9%.

Italy

Italy has a diversified industrial economy with roughly the

same total and per capita output as France and the UK. This

capitalistic economy remains divided into a developed industrial

north, dominated by private companies, and a less developed,

welfare-dependent agricultural south, with 20% unemployment. Most

raw materials needed by industry and more than 75% of energy

requirements are imported. Over the past decade, Italy has pursued a

tight fiscal policy in order to meet the requirements of the

Economic and Monetary Unions and has benefited from lower interest

and inflation rates. The current government has enacted numerous

short-term reforms aimed at improving competitiveness and long-term

growth. Italy has moved slowly, however, on implementing needed

structural reforms, such as lightening the high tax burden and

overhauling Italy's rigid labor market and over-generous pension

system, because of the current economic slowdown and opposition from

labor unions. But the leadership faces a severe economic constraint:

the budget has breached the 3% EU deficit ceiling.

Jamaica

The Jamaican economy is heavily dependent on services, which

now account for 60% of GDP. The country continues to derive most of

its foreign exchange from tourism, remittances, and bauxite/alumina.

The global economic slowdown, particularly after the terrorist

attacks in the US on 11 September 2001, stunted economic growth; the

economy rebounded moderately in 2003-04, with brisk tourist seasons.

But the economy faces serious long-term problems: high interest

rates; increased foreign competition; a pressured, sometimes

sliding, exchange rate; a sizable merchandise trade deficit;

large-scale unemployment; and a growing internal debt, the result of

government bailouts to ailing sectors of the economy. The ratio of

debt to GDP is close to 150%. Inflation, previously a bright spot,

is expected to remain in the double digits. Uncertain economic

conditions have led to increased civil unrest, including gang

violence fueled by the drug trade. In 2004, the government faced the

difficult prospect of having to achieve fiscal discipline in order

to maintain debt payments while simultaneously attacking a serious

and growing crime problem which is hampering economic growth.

Attempts at deficit control were derailed by Hurricane Ivan in

September 2004, which required substantial government spending to

repair the damage. Despite the hurricane, tourism looks set to enjoy

solid growth for the foreseeable future.

Jan Mayen

Jan Mayen is a volcanic island with no exploitable natural

resources. Economic activity is limited to providing services for

employees of Norway's radio and meteorological stations on the

island.

Japan

Government-industry cooperation, a strong work ethic, mastery

of high technology, and a comparatively small defense allocation (1%

of GDP) helped Japan advance with extraordinary rapidity to the rank

of second most technologically-powerful economy in the world after

the US and third-largest economy after the US and China, measured on

a purchasing power parity (PPP) basis. (Using market exhange rates

rather than PPP rates, Japan's economy is larger than China's.) One

notable characteristic of the economy is the working together of

manufacturers, suppliers, and distributors in closely-knit groups

called keiretsu. A second basic feature has been the guarantee of

lifetime employment for a substantial portion of the urban labor

force. Both features are now eroding. Industry, the most important

sector of the economy, is heavily dependent on imported raw

materials and fuels. The tiny agricultural sector is highly

subsidized and protected, with crop yields among the highest in the

world. Usually self sufficient in rice, Japan must import about 50%

of its requirements of other grain and fodder crops. Japan maintains

one of the world's largest fishing fleets and accounts for nearly

15% of the global catch. For three decades overall real economic

growth had been spectacular: a 10% average in the 1960s, a 5%

average in the 1970s, and a 4% average in the 1980s. Growth slowed

markedly in the 1990s, averaging just 1.7%, largely because of the

after effects of overinvestment during the late 1980s and

contractionary domestic policies intended to wring speculative

excesses from the stock and real estate markets. From 2000 to 2003,

government efforts to revive economic growth met with little success

and were further hampered by the slowing of the US, European, and

Asian economies. In 2004, growth improved and the lingering fears of

deflation in prices and economic activity lessened. Japan's huge

government debt, which totals more than 160% of GDP, and the aging

of the population are two major long-run problems. A rise in taxes

could be viewed as endangering the revival of growth. Robotics

constitutes a key long-term economic strength with Japan possessing

410,000 of the world's 720,000 "working robots." Internal conflict

over the proper way to reform the ailing banking system continues.

Jarvis Island

no economic activity

Jersey

The Channel Island economy is based on international

financial services, agriculture, and tourism. In 1996 the finance

sector accounted for about 60% of the island's output. Potatoes,

cauliflower, tomatoes, and especially flowers are important export

crops, shipped mostly to the UK. The Jersey breed of dairy cattle is

known worldwide and represents an important export income earner.

Milk products go to the UK and other EU countries. Tourism accounts

for 24% of GDP. In recent years, the government has encouraged light

industry to locate in Jersey, with the result that an electronics

industry has developed alongside the traditional manufacturing of

knitwear. All raw material and energy requirements are imported, as

well as a large share of Jersey's food needs. Light taxes and death

duties make the island a popular tax haven. Living standards come

close to those of the UK.

Johnston Atoll

Economic activity is limited to providing services to

US military personnel and contractors located on the island. All

food and manufactured goods must be imported.

Jordan

Jordan is a small Arab country with inadequate supplies of

water and other natural resources such as oil. Debt, poverty, and

unemployment are fundamental problems, but King ABDALLAH, since

assuming the throne in 1999, has undertaken some broad economic

reforms in a long-term effort to improve living standards. Amman in

the past three years has worked closely with the IMF, practiced

careful monetary policy, and made substantial headway with

privatization. The government also has liberalized the trade regime

sufficiently to secure Jordan's membership in the WTO (2000), a free

trade accord with the US (2001), and an association agreement with

the EU (2001). These measures have helped improve productivity and

have put Jordan on the foreign investment map. Jordan imported most

of its oil from Iraq, but the US-led war in Iraq in 2003 made Jordan

more dependent on oil from other Gulf nations forcing the Jordanian

government to raise retail petroleum product prices and the sales

tax base. Jordan's export market, which is heavily dependent on

exports to Iraq, was also affected by the war but recovered quickly

while contributing to the Iraq recovery effort. The main challenges

facing Jordan are reducing dependence on foreign grants, reducing

the budget deficit, and creating investment incentives to promote

job creation.

Juan de Nova Island

Up to 12,000 tons of guano are mined per year.

Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan, the largest of the former Soviet republics in

territory, excluding Russia, possesses enormous fossil fuel reserves

as well as plentiful supplies of other minerals and metals. It also

has a large agricultural sector featuring livestock and grain.

Kazakhstan's industrial sector rests on the extraction and

processing of these natural resources and also on a growing

machine-building sector specializing in construction equipment,

tractors, agricultural machinery, and some defense items. The

breakup of the USSR in December 1991 and the collapse in demand for

Kazakhstan's traditional heavy industry products resulted in a

short-term contraction of the economy, with the steepest annual

decline occurring in 1994. In 1995-97, the pace of the government

program of economic reform and privatization quickened, resulting in

a substantial shifting of assets into the private sector. Kazakhstan

enjoyed double-digit growth in 2000-01 - and a solid 9.5% in 2002 -

thanks largely to its booming energy sector, but also to economic

reform, good harvests, and foreign investment. Growth remained at

the high 9% level in 2003 and 2004. The opening of the Caspian

Consortium pipeline in 2001, from western Kazakhstan's Tengiz

oilfield to the Black Sea, substantially raised export capacity. The

country has embarked upon an industrial policy designed to diversify

the economy away from overdependence on the oil sector, by

developing light industry. Additionally, the policy aims to reduce

the influence of foreign investment and foreign personnel; the

government has engaged in several disputes with foreign oil

companies over the terms of production agreements, and tensions

continue.

Kenya

The regional hub for trade and finance in East Africa, Kenya

has been hampered by corruption and by reliance upon several primary

goods whose prices have remained low. In 1997, the IMF suspended

Kenya's Enhanced Structural Adjustment Program due to the

government's failure to maintain reforms and curb corruption. A

severe drought from 1999 to 2000 compounded Kenya's problems,

causing water and energy rationing and reducing agricultural output.

As a result, GDP contracted by 0.2% in 2000. The IMF, which had

resumed loans in 2000 to help Kenya through the drought, again

halted lending in 2001 when the government failed to institute

several anticorruption measures. Despite the return of strong rains

in 2001, weak commodity prices, endemic corruption, and low

investment limited Kenya's economic growth to 1.2%. Growth lagged at

1.1% in 2002 because of erratic rains, low investor confidence,

meager donor support, and political infighting up to the elections.

In the key 27 December 2002 elections, Daniel Arap MOI's 24-year-old

reign ended, and a new opposition government took on the formidable

economic problems facing the nation. In 2003, progress was made in

rooting out corruption and encouraging donor support, with GDP

growth edging up to 1.7%. GDP grew a moderate 2.2% in 2004.

Kingman Reef

no economic activity

Kiribati

A remote country of 33 scattered coral atolls, Kiribati has

few natural resources. Commercially viable phosphate deposits were

exhausted at the time of independence from the UK in 1979. Copra and

fish now represent the bulk of production and exports. The economy

has fluctuated widely in recent years. Economic development is

constrained by a shortage of skilled workers, weak infrastructure,

and remoteness from international markets. Tourism provides more

than one-fifth of GDP. The financial sector is at an early stage of

development as is the expansion of private sector initiatives.

Foreign financial aid from UK, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, and

China equals 25%-50% of GDP. Remittances from workers abroad account

for more than $5 million each year.

Korea, North

North Korea, one of the world's most centrally planned

and isolated economies, faces desperate economic conditions.

Industrial capital stock is nearly beyond repair as a result of

years of underinvestment and spare parts shortages. Industrial and

power output have declined in parallel. The nation has suffered its

eleventh year of food shortages because of a lack of arable land,

collective farming, weather-related problems, and chronic shortages

of fertilizer and fuel. Massive international food aid deliveries

have allowed the regime to escape mass starvation since 1995, but

the population remains the victim of prolonged malnutrition and

deteriorating living conditions. Large-scale military spending eats

up resources needed for investment and civilian consumption. In July

2002, the government took limited steps toward a freer market

economy. In 2004, heightened political tensions with key donor

countries and general donor fatigue threatened the flow of

desperately needed food aid and fuel aid. Black market prices have

continued to rise following the increase in official prices and

wages in the summer of 2002, leaving some vulnerable groups, such as

the elderly and unemployed, less able to buy goods. In 2004, the

regime allowed private markets to sell a wider range of goods and

permitted private farming on an experimental basis in an effort to

boost agricultural output. Firm political control remains the

Communist government's overriding concern, which will constrain any

further loosening of economic regulations.

Korea, South

Since the early 1960s, South Korea has achieved an

incredible record of growth and integration into the high-tech

modern world economy. Four decades ago GDP per capita was comparable

with levels in the poorer countries of Africa and Asia. In 2004, it

joined the trillion dollar club of world economies. Today its GDP

per capita is 14 times North Korea's and equal to the lesser

economies of the European Union. This success through the late 1980s

was achieved by a system of close government/business ties,

including directed credit, import restrictions, sponsorship of

specific industries, and a strong labor effort. The government

promoted the import of raw materials and technology at the expense

of consumer goods and encouraged savings and investment over

consumption. The Asian financial crisis of 1997-99 exposed

longstanding weaknesses in South Korea's development model,

including high debt/equity ratios, massive foreign borrowing, and an

undisciplined financial sector. Growth plunged to a negative 6.9% in

1998, then strongly recovered to 9.5% in 1999 and 8.5% in 2000.

Growth fell back to 3.3% in 2001 because of the slowing global

economy, falling exports, and the perception that much-needed

corporate and financial reforms had stalled. Led by consumer

spending and exports, growth in 2002 was an impressive 7.0%, despite

anemic global growth. Economic growth fell to 3.1% in 2003 because

of a downturn in consumer spending and recovered to an estimated

4.6% in 2004 on the strength of rapid export growth. The government

plans to boost infrastructure spending in 2005. Moderate inflation,

low unemployment, an export surplus, and fairly equal distribution

of income characterize this solid economy.

Kuwait

Kuwait is a small, rich, relatively open economy with proved

crude oil reserves of about 96 billion barrels - 10% of world

reserves. Petroleum accounts for nearly half of GDP, 95% of export

revenues, and 80% of government income. Kuwait's climate limits

agricultural development. Consequently, with the exception of fish,

it depends almost wholly on food imports. About 75% of potable water

must be distilled or imported. Kuwait continues its discussions with

foreign oil companies to develop fields in the northern part of the

country.

Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan is a poor, mountainous country with a

predominantly agricultural economy. Cotton, tobacco, wool, and meat

are the main agricultural products, although only tobacco and cotton

are exported in any quantity. Industrial exports include gold,

mercury, uranium, and natural gas and electricity. Kyrgyzstan has

been fairly progressive in carrying out market reforms, such as an

improved regulatory system and land reform. Kyrgyzstan was the first

CIS country to be accepted into the World Trade Organization. With

fits and starts, inflation has been lowered to an estimated 7% in

2001, 2.1% in 2002, 4% in 2003, and 3.2% in 2004. Much of the

government's stock in enterprises has been sold. Drops in production

had been severe after the breakup of the Soviet Union in December

1991, but by mid-1995 production began to recover and exports began

to increase. Kyrgyzstan has distinguished itself by adopting

relatively liberal economic policies. The drop in output at the

Kumtor gold mine sparked a 0.5% decline in GDP in 2002, but GDP

growth bounced back to 6% in 2003 and 2004. The government has made

steady strides in controlling its substantial fiscal deficit and

aims to reduce the deficit to 3% of GDP in 2004. The government and

the international financial institutions have been engaged in a

comprehensive medium-term poverty reduction and economic growth

strategy. Further restructuring of domestic industry and success in

attracting foreign investment are keys to future growth.

Laos

The government of Laos - one of the few remaining official

Communist states - began decentralizing control and encouraging

private enterprise in 1986. The results, starting from an extremely

low base, were striking - growth averaged 6% in 1988-2004 except

during the short-lived drop caused by the Asian financial crisis

beginning in 1997. Despite this high growth rate, Laos remains a

country with a primitive infrastructure; it has no railroads, a

rudimentary road system, and limited external and internal

telecommunications. The government has sponsored major improvements

in the road system. Electricity is available in only a few urban

areas. Subsistence agriculture accounts for half of GDP and provides

80% of total employment. The economy will continue to benefit from

aid from the IMF and other international sources and from new

foreign investment in food processing and mining. In late 2004, Laos

gained Normal Trade Relations status with the US, allowing

Laos-based producers to face lower tariffs on their exports; this

may help spur growth.

Latvia

Latvia's transitional economy recovered from the 1998 Russian

financial crisis, largely due to the government's budget stringency

and a gradual reorientation of exports toward EU countries,

lessening Latvia's trade dependency on Russia. The majority of

companies, banks, and real estate have been privatized, although the

state still holds sizable stakes in a few large enterprises. Latvia

officially joined the World Trade Organization in February 1999. EU

membership, a top foreign policy goal, came in May 2004. The current

account and internal government deficits remain major concerns, but

the government's efforts to increase efficiency in revenue

collection may lessen the budget deficit. A growing perception that

many of Latvia's banks facilitate illicit activity could damage the

country's vibrant financial sector.

Lebanon

The 1975-91 civil war seriously damaged Lebanon's economic

infrastructure, cut national output by half, and all but ended

Lebanon's position as a Middle Eastern entrepot and banking hub. In

the years since, Lebanon has rebuilt much of its war-torn physical

and financial infrastructure by borrowing heavily - mostly from

domestic banks. In an attempt to reduce the ballooning national

debt, the HARIRI government began an austerity program, reining in

government expenditures, increasing revenue collection, and

privatizing state enterprises. In November 2002, the government met

with international donors at the Paris II conference to seek

bilateral assistance in restructuring its massive domestic debt at

lower rates of interest. Substantial receipts from donor nations

stabilized government finances in 2003, but did little to reduce the

debt, which stood at nearly 180% of GDP. In 2004 the HARIRI

government issued Eurobonds in an effort to manage maturing debt,

and the KARAMI government has continued this practice. However,

privatization of state-owned enterprises had not occurred by the end

of 2004, as promised during the Paris II conference.

Lesotho

Small, landlocked, and mountainous, Lesotho relies on

remittances from miners employed in South Africa and customs duties

from the Southern Africa Customs Union for the majority of

government revenue, but the government has strengthened its tax

system to reduce dependency on customs duties. Completion of a major

hydropower facility in January 1998 now permits the sale of water to

South Africa, also generating royalties for Lesotho. As the number

of mineworkers has declined steadily over the past several years, a

small manufacturing base has developed based on farm products that

support the milling, canning, leather, and jute industries and a

rapidly growing apparel-assembly sector. The garment industry has

grown significantly, mainly due to Lesotho qualifying for the trade

benefits contained in the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act. The

economy is still primarily based on subsistence agriculture,

especially livestock, although drought has decreased agricultural

activity. The extreme inequality in the distribution of income

remains a major drawback. Lesotho has signed an Interim Poverty

Reduction and Growth Facility with the IMF.

Liberia

Civil war and government mismanagement have destroyed much

of Liberia's economy, especially the infrastructure in and around

Monrovia, while continued international sanctions on diamonds and

timber exports will limit growth prospects for the foreseeable

future. Many businessmen have fled the country, taking capital and

expertise with them. Some have returned, but many will not. Richly

endowed with water, mineral resources, forests, and a climate

favorable to agriculture, Liberia had been a producer and exporter

of basic products - primarily raw timber and rubber. Local

manufacturing, mainly foreign owned, had been small in scope. The

departure of the former president, Charles TAYLOR, to Nigeria in

August 2003, the establishment of the all-inclusive Transitional

Government, and the arrival of a UN mission are all necessary for

the eventual end of the political crisis, but thus far have done

little to encourage economic development. The reconstruction of

infrastructure and the raising of incomes in this ravaged economy

will largely depend on generous financial support and technical

assistance from donor countries.

Libya

The Libyan economy depends primarily upon revenues from the

oil sector, which contribute practically all export earnings and

about one-quarter of GDP. These oil revenues and a small population

give Libya one of the highest per capita GDPs in Africa, but little

of this income flows down to the lower orders of society. Libyan

officials in the past four years have made progress on economic

reforms as part of a broader campaign to reintegrate the country

into the international fold. This effort picked up steam after UN

sanctions were lifted in September 2003 and as Libya announced in

December 2003 that it would abandon programs to build weapons of

mass destruction. Almost all US unilateral sanctions against Libya

were removed in April 2004. Libya faces a long road ahead in

liberalizing the socialist-oriented economy, but initial steps -

including applying for WTO membership, reducing some subsidies, and

announcing plans for privatization - are laying the groundwork for a

transition to a more market-based economy. The non-oil manufacturing

and construction sectors, which account for about 20% of GDP, have

expanded from processing mostly agricultural products to include the

production of petrochemicals, iron, steel, and aluminum. Climatic

conditions and poor soils severely limit agricultural output, and

Libya imports about 75% of its food.

Liechtenstein

Despite its small size and limited natural resources,

Liechtenstein has developed into a prosperous, highly

industrialized, free-enterprise economy with a vital financial

service sector and living standards on a par with its large European

neighbors. The Liechtenstein economy is widely diversified with a

large number of small businesses. Low business taxes - the maximum

tax rate is 20% - and easy incorporation rules have induced many

holding or so-called letter box companies to establish nominal

offices in Liechtenstein, providing 30% of state revenues. The

country participates in a customs union with Switzerland and uses

the Swiss franc as its national currency. It imports more than 90%

of its energy requirements. Liechtenstein has been a member of the

European Economic Area (an organization serving as a bridge between

the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and the EU) since May

1995. The government is working to harmonize its economic policies

with those of an integrated Europe.

Lithuania

Lithuania, the Baltic state that has conducted the most

trade with Russia, has slowly rebounded from the 1998 Russian

financial crisis. Unemployment dropped from 11% in 2003 to 8% in

2004. Growing domestic consumption and increased investment have

furthered recovery. Trade has been increasingly oriented toward the

West. Lithuania has gained membership in the World Trade

Organization and joined the EU in May 2004. Privatization of the

large, state-owned utilities, particularly in the energy sector, is

nearing completion. Overall, more than 80% of enterprises have been

privatized. Foreign government and business support have helped in

the transition from the old command economy to a market economy.

Luxembourg

This stable, high-income economy - in between France,

Belgium, and Germany - features solid growth, low inflation, and low

unemployment. The industrial sector, initially dominated by steel,

has become increasingly diversified to include chemicals, rubber,

and other products. Growth in the financial sector, which now

accounts for about 22% of GDP, has more than compensated for the

decline in steel. Most banks are foreign-owned and have extensive

foreign dealings. Agriculture is based on small family-owned farms.

The economy depends on foreign and cross-border workers for more

than 30% of its labor force. Although Luxembourg, like all EU

members, has suffered from the global economic slump, the country

enjoys an extraordinarily high standard of living.

Macau

Macau's well-to-do economy has remained one of the most open

in the world since its reversion to China in 1999. Apparel exports

and tourism are mainstays of the economy. Although the territory was

hit hard by the 1998 Asian financial crisis and the global downturn

in 2001, its economy grew 9.5% in 2002 and 15.6% in 2003. During the

first three quarters of 2004, Macau registered year-on-year GDP

increases of more than 20 percent. A rapid rise in the number of

mainland visitors because of China's easing of restrictions on

travel, increased public works expenditures, and significant

investment inflows associated with the liberalization of Macau's

gaming industry drove the recovery. The budget also returned to

surplus in 2002 because of the surge in visitors from China and a

hike in taxes on gambling profits, which generated about 70% of

government revenue. The three companies awarded gambling licenses

have pledged to invest $2.2 billion in the territory, which will

boost GDP growth. Much of Macau's textile industry may move to the

mainland as the Multi-Fiber Agreement is phased out. The territory

may have to rely more on gambling and trade-related services to

generate growth. Two new casinos were opened by new foreign gambling

licensees in 2004; development of new infrastructure and facilities

in preparation for Macau's hosting of the 2005 East Asian Games will

bolster the construction sector. The Closer Economic Partnership

Agreement (CEPA) between Macau and mainland China that came into

effect on 1 January 2004 offers many Macau-made products tariff-free

access to the mainland, and the range of products covered by CEPA

was to be expanded on 1 January 2005.

Macedonia

At independence in September 1991, Macedonia was the least

developed of the Yugoslav republics, producing a mere 5% of the

total federal output of goods and services. The collapse of

Yugoslavia ended transfer payments from the center and eliminated

advantages from inclusion in a de facto free trade area. An absence

of infrastructure, UN sanctions on the down-sized Yugoslavia, one of

its largest markets, and a Greek economic embargo over a dispute

about the country's constitutional name and flag hindered economic

growth until 1996. GDP subsequently rose each year through 2000.

However, the leadership's commitment to economic reform, free trade,

and regional integration was undermined by the ethnic Albanian

insurgency of 2001. The economy shrank 4.5% because of decreased

trade, intermittent border closures, increased deficit spending on

security needs, and investor uncertainty. Growth barely recovered in

2002 to 0.9%, then rose by a moderate 3.4% in 2003, and is estimated

at 1.3% in 2004. Unemployment at one-third of the workforce remains

a critical economic problem. Much of the extensive grey market

activity falls outside official statistics.

Madagascar

Having discarded past socialist economic policies,

Madagascar has since the mid 1990s followed a World Bank and IMF led

policy of privatization and liberalization. This strategy has placed

the country on a slow and steady growth path from an extremely low

level. Agriculture, including fishing and forestry, is a mainstay of

the economy, accounting for more than one-fourth of GDP and

employing 80% of the population. Exports of apparel have boomed in

recent years primarily due to duty-free access to the United States.

Deforestation and erosion, aggravated by the use of firewood as the

primary source of fuel are serious concerns. President RAVALOMANANA

has worked aggressively to revive the economy following the 2002

political crisis, which triggered a 12% drop in GDP that year.

Poverty reduction and combating corruption will be the centerpieces

of economic policy for the next few years.

Malawi

Landlocked Malawi ranks among the world's least developed

countries. The economy is predominately agricultural, with about 90%

of the population living in rural areas. Agriculture accounted for

nearly 40% of GDP and 88% of export revenues in 2001. The

performance of the tobacco sector is key to short-term growth as

tobacco accounts for over 50% of exports. The economy depends on

substantial inflows of economic assistance from the IMF, the World

Bank, and individual donor nations. In late 2000, Malawi was

approved for relief under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC)

program. The government faces strong challenges, including

developing a market economy, improving educational facilities,

facing up to environmental problems, dealing with the rapidly

growing problem of HIV/AIDS, and satisfying foreign donors that

fiscal discipline is being tightened. In 2005, the anticorruption

campaign championed by President MUTHARIKA may help encourage

investment and economic growth.

Malaysia

Malaysia, a middle-income country, transformed itself from

1971 through the late 1990's from a producer of raw materials into

an emerging multi-sector economy. Growth was almost exclusively

driven by exports - particularly of electronics. As a result,

Malaysia was hard hit by the global economic downturn and the slump

in the information technology (IT) sector in 2001 and 2002. GDP in

2001 grew only 0.5% due to an estimated 11% contraction in exports,

but a substantial fiscal stimulus package equal to US $1.9 billion

mitigated the worst of the recession and the economy rebounded in

2002 with a 4.1% increase. The economy grew 4.9% in 2003,

notwithstanding a difficult first half, when external pressures from

SARS and the Iraq War led to caution in the business community.

Growth topped 7% in 2004. Healthy foreign exchange reserves, low

inflation, and a small external debt are all strengths that make it

unlikely that Malaysia will experience a financial crisis similar to

the one in 1997. The economy remains dependent on continued growth

in the US, China, and Japan, top export destinations and key sources

of foreign investment.

Maldives

Tourism, Maldives' largest industry, accounts for 20% of

GDP and more than 60% of the Maldives' foreign exchange receipts.

Over 90% of government tax revenue comes from import duties and

tourism-related taxes. Fishing is a second leading sector. The

Maldivian Government began an economic reform program in 1989

initially by lifting import quotas and opening some exports to the

private sector. Subsequently, it has liberalized regulations to

allow more foreign investment. Agriculture and manufacturing

continue to play a lesser role in the economy, constrained by the

limited availability of cultivable land and the shortage of domestic

labor. Most staple foods must be imported. Industry, which consists

mainly of garment production, boat building, and handicrafts,

accounts for about 18% of GDP. Maldivian authorities worry about the

impact of erosion and possible global warming on their low-lying

country; 80% of the area is one meter or less above sea level. In

late December 2004, a major tsunami left more than 100 dead, 12,000

displaced, and property damage exceeding $300 million.

Mali

Mali is among the poorest countries in the world, with 65% of

its land area desert or semidesert and with a highly unequal

distribution of income. Economic activity is largely confined to the

riverine area irrigated by the Niger. About 10% of the population is

nomadic and some 80% of the labor force is engaged in farming and

fishing. Industrial activity is concentrated on processing farm

commodities. Mali is heavily dependent on foreign aid and vulnerable

to fluctuations in world prices for cotton, its main export, along

with gold. The government has continued its successful

implementation of an IMF-recommended structural adjustment program

that is helping the economy grow, diversify, and attract foreign

investment. Mali's adherence to economic reform and the 50%

devaluation of the African franc in January 1994 have pushed up

economic growth to a sturdy 5% average in 1996-2004. Worker

remittances and external trade routes have been jeopardized by

continued unrest in neighboring Cote d'Ivoire.

Malta

Major resources are limestone, a favorable geographic

location, and a productive labor force. Malta produces only about

20% of its food needs, has limited fresh water supplies, and has no

domestic energy sources. The economy is dependent on foreign trade,

manufacturing (especially electronics and textiles), and tourism.

Continued sluggishness in the European economy is holding back

exports, tourism, and overall growth.

Man, Isle of

Offshore banking, manufacturing, and tourism are key

sectors of the economy. The government's policy of offering

incentives to high-technology companies and financial institutions

to locate on the island has paid off in expanding employment

opportunities in high-income industries. As a result, agriculture

and fishing, once the mainstays of the economy, have declined in

their shares of GDP. Trade is mostly with the UK. The Isle of Man

enjoys free access to EU markets.

Marshall Islands

US Government assistance is the mainstay of this

tiny island economy. Agricultural production, primarily subsistence,

is concentrated on small farms; the most important commercial crops

are coconuts and breadfruit. Small-scale industry is limited to

handicrafts, tuna processing, and copra. The tourist industry, now a

small source of foreign exchange employing less than 10% of the

labor force, remains the best hope for future added income. The

islands have few natural resources, and imports far exceed exports.

Under the terms of the Amended Compact of Free Association, the US

will provide millions of dollars per year to the Marshall Islands

(RMI) through 2023, at which time a Trust Fund made up of US and RMI

contributions will begin perpetual annual payouts. Government

downsizing, drought, a drop in construction, the decline in tourism

and foreign investment due to the Asian financial difficulties, and

less income from the renewal of fishing vessel licenses have held

GDP growth to an average of 1% over the past decade.

Martinique

The economy is based on sugarcane, bananas, tourism, and

light industry. Agriculture accounts for about 6% of GDP and the

small industrial sector for 11%. Sugar production has declined, with

most of the sugarcane now used for the production of rum. Banana

exports are increasing, going mostly to France. The bulk of meat,

vegetable, and grain requirements must be imported, contributing to

a chronic trade deficit that requires large annual transfers of aid

from France. Tourism, which employs more than 11,000 people, has

become more important than agricultural exports as a source of

foreign exchange.

Mauritania

Half the population still depends on agriculture and

livestock for a livelihood, even though many of the nomads and

subsistence farmers were forced into the cities by recurrent

droughts in the 1970s and 1980s. Mauritania has extensive deposits

of iron ore, which account for nearly 40% of total exports. The

decline in world demand for this ore, however, has led to cutbacks

in production. The nation's coastal waters are among the richest

fishing areas in the world, but overexploitation by foreigners

threatens this key source of revenue. The country's first deepwater

port opened near Nouakchott in 1986. In the past, drought and

economic mismanagement resulted in a buildup of foreign debt. In

February 2000, Mauritania qualified for debt relief under the

Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative and in December

2001 received strong support from donor and lending countries at a

triennial Consultative Group review. In 2001, exploratory oil wells

in tracts 80 km offshore indicated potential extraction at current

world oil prices. A new investment code approved in December 2001

improved the opportunities for direct foreign investment. Ongoing

negotiations with the IMF involve problems of economic reforms and

fiscal discipline. Substantial oil production and exports probably

will not begin until 2006. Meantime the government emphasizes

reduction of poverty, improvement of health and education, and

promoting privatization of the economy.

Mauritius

Since independence in 1968, Mauritius has developed from a

low-income, agriculturally based economy to a middle-income

diversified economy with growing industrial, financial, and tourist

sectors. For most of the period, annual growth has been in the order

of 5% to 6%. This remarkable achievement has been reflected in more

equitable income distribution, increased life expectancy, lowered

infant mortality, and a much-improved infrastructure. Sugarcane is

grown on about 90% of the cultivated land area and accounts for 25%

of export earnings. The government's development strategy centers on

expanding local financial institutions and building a domestic

information telecommunications industry. Mauritius has attracted

more than 9,000 offshore entities, many aimed at commerce in India

and South Africa, and investment in the banking sector alone has

reached over $1 billion. Mauritius, with its strong textile sector,

has been well poised to take advantage of the Africa Growth and

Opportunity Act (AGOA).

Mayotte

Economic activity is based primarily on the agricultural

sector, including fishing and livestock raising. Mayotte is not

self-sufficient and must import a large portion of its food

requirements, mainly from France. The economy and future development

of the island are heavily dependent on French financial assistance,

an important supplement to GDP. Mayotte's remote location is an

obstacle to the development of tourism.

Mexico

Mexico has a free market economy that recently entered the

trillion dollar class. It contains a mixture of modern and outmoded

industry and agriculture, increasingly dominated by the private

sector. Recent administrations have expanded competition in

seaports, railroads, telecommunications, electricity generation,

natural gas distribution, and airports. Per capita income is

one-fourth that of the US; income distribution remains highly

unequal. Trade with the US and Canada has tripled since the

implementation of NAFTA in 1994. Mexico has 12 free trade agreements

with over 40 countries including, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador,

the European Free Trade Area, and Japan, putting more than 90% of

trade under free trade agreements. The government is cognizant of

the need to upgrade infrastructure, modernize the tax system and

labor laws, and provide incentives to invest in the energy sector,

but progress is slow.

Micronesia, Federated States of Economic activity consists primarily of subsistence farming and fishing. The islands have few mineral deposits worth exploiting, except for high-grade phosphate. The potential for a tourist industry exists, but the remote location, a lack of adequate facilities, and limited air connections hinder development. The Amended Compact of Free Association with the US guarantees the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) millions of dollars in annual aid through 2023, and establishes a Trust Fund into which the US and the FSM make annual contributions in order to provide annual payouts to the FSM in perpetuity after 2023. The country's medium-term economic outlook appears fragile due not only to the reduction in US assistance but also to the slow growth of the private sector. Geographical isolation and a poorly developed infrastructure remain major impediments to long-term growth.

Midway Islands

The economy is based on providing support services

for the national wildlife refuge activities located on the islands.

All food and manufactured goods must be imported.

Moldova

Moldova remains one of the poorest countries in Europe

despite recent progress from its small economic base. It enjoys a

favorable climate and good farmland but has no major mineral

deposits. As a result, the economy depends heavily on agriculture,

featuring fruits, vegetables, wine, and tobacco. Moldova must import

almost all of its energy supplies from Russia. Energy shortages

contributed to sharp production declines after the breakup of the

Soviet Union in December 1991. As part of an ambitious reform effort

after independence, Moldova introduced a convertible currency, freed

prices, stopped issuing preferential credits to state enterprises,

backed steady land privatization, removed export controls, and freed

interest rates. The government entered into agreements with the

World Bank and the IMF to promote growth and reduce poverty. The

economy returned to positive growth of 2.1% in 2000, 6.1% in 2001,

7.2% in 2002, 6.3% in 2003, and 6.8% in 2004. Further reforms will

come slowly because of strong political forces backing government

controls. The economy remains vulnerable to higher fuel prices, poor

agricultural weather, and the skepticism of foreign investors.

Monaco

Monaco, bordering France on the Mediterranean coast, is a

popular resort, attracting tourists to its casino and pleasant

climate. In 2001, a major construction project extended the pier

used by cruise ships in the main harbor. The principality has

successfully sought to diversify into services and small,

high-value-added, nonpolluting industries. The state has no income

tax and low business taxes and thrives as a tax haven both for

individuals who have established residence and for foreign companies

that have set up businesses and offices. The state retains

monopolies in a number of sectors, including tobacco, the telephone

network, and the postal service. Living standards are high, roughly

comparable to those in prosperous French metropolitan areas. Monaco

does not publish national income figures; the estimates below are

extremely rough.

Mongolia

Economic activity in Mongolia has traditionally been based

on herding and agriculture. Mongolia has extensive mineral deposits;

copper, coal, molybdenum, tin, tungsten and gold account for a large

part of industrial production. Soviet assistance, at its height

one-third of GDP, disappeared almost overnight in 1990 and 1991 at

the time of the dismantlement of the USSR. The following decade saw

Mongolia endure both deep recession due to political inaction and

natural disasters, as well as economic growth due to reform

embracing free-market economics and extensive privatization of the

formerly state-run economy. Severe winters and summer droughts in

2000, 2001, and 2002 resulted in massive livestock die-off and zero

or negative GDP growth. This was compounded by falling prices for

Mongolia's primary sector exports and widespread opposition to

privatization. Growth improved from 2002 at 4% to 2003 at 5%, due

largely to high copper prices and new gold production, with the

government claiming a 10.6% growth rate for 2004 that is

unconfirmed. Mongolia's economy continues to be heavily impacted by

its neighbors. For example, Mongolia purchases 80% of its petroleum

products and a substantial amount of electric power from Russia,

leaving it vulnerable to price increases. China is Mongolia's chief

export partner and a main source of the "shadow" or "grey" economy.

The World Bank and other international financial institutions

estimate the grey economy to be at least equal to that of the

official economy. The actual size of this grey - largely cash -

economy is difficult to calculate since the money does not pass

through the hands of tax authorities or the banking sector.

Remittances from Mongolians working abroad both legally and

illegally constitute a sizeable portion. Money laundering is growing

as an accompanying concern. Mongolia settled its $11 billion debt

with Russia at the end of 2003 on very favorable terms. Mongolia,

which joined the World Trade Organization in 1997, seeks to expand

its participation and integration into Asian regional economic and

trade regimes.

Montserrat

Severe volcanic activity, which began in July 1995, has

put a damper on this small, open economy. A catastrophic eruption in

June 1997 closed the airports and seaports, causing further economic

and social dislocation. Two-thirds of the 12,000 inhabitants fled

the island. Some began to return in 1998, but lack of housing

limited the number. The agriculture sector continued to be affected

by the lack of suitable land for farming and the destruction of

crops. Prospects for the economy depend largely on developments in

relation to the volcano and on public sector construction activity.

The UK has launched a three-year $122.8 million aid program to help

reconstruct the economy. Half of the island is expected to remain

uninhabitable for another decade.

Morocco

Morocco faces problems typical for developing countries:

restraining government spending, reducing constraints on private

activity and foreign trade, and achieving sustainable growth.

Despite structural adjustment programs supported by the IMF, the

World Bank, and the Paris Club, the dirham is only fully convertible

for current account transactions. In 2004 Moroccan authorities

instituted measures to boost foreign direct investment and trade by

signing a free trade agreement with the US and selling government

shares in the state telecommunications company and in the largest

state-owned bank. Favorable rainfall over the past two years has

boosted agricultural output and GDP growth passed 4% in 2004. In

2005 the budget deficit is expected to rise sharply - from 1.9% of

GDP in 2004 - because of substantial increases in wages and oil

subsidies. Long-term challenges include preparing the economy for

freer trade with the US and European Union, improving education and

job prospects for Morocco's youth, and raising living standards.

Mozambique

At independence in 1975, Mozambique was one of the

world's poorest countries. Socialist mismanagement and a brutal

civil war from 1977-92 exacerbated the situation. In 1987, the

government embarked on a series of macroeconomic reforms designed to

stabilize the economy. These steps, combined with donor assistance

and with political stability since the multi-party elections in

1994, have led to dramatic improvements in the country's growth

rate. Inflation was reduced to single digits during the late 1990s

although it returned to double digits in 2000-03. Fiscal reforms,

including the introduction of a value-added tax and reform of the

customs service, have improved the government's revenue collection

abilities. In spite of these gains, Mozambique remains dependent

upon foreign assistance for much of its annual budget, and the

majority of the population remains below the poverty line.

Subsistence agriculture continues to employ the vast majority of the

country's workforce. A substantial trade imbalance persists although

the opening of the MOZAL aluminum smelter, the country's largest

foreign investment project to date has increased export earnings.

Additional investment projects in titanium extraction and processing

and garment manufacturing should further close the import/export

gap. Mozambique's once substantial foreign debt has been reduced

through forgiveness and rescheduling under the IMF's Heavily

Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) and Enhanced HIPC initiatives, and is

now at a manageable level.

Namibia

The economy is heavily dependent on the extraction and

processing of minerals for export. Mining accounts for 20% of GDP.

Rich alluvial diamond deposits make Namibia a primary source for

gem-quality diamonds. Namibia is the fourth-largest exporter of

nonfuel minerals in Africa, the world's fifth-largest producer of

uranium, and the producer of large quantities of lead, zinc, tin,

silver, and tungsten. The mining sector employs only about 3% of the

population while about half of the population depends on subsistence

agriculture for its livelihood. Namibia normally imports about 50%

of its cereal requirements; in drought years food shortages are a

major problem in rural areas. A high per capita GDP, relative to the

region, hides the great inequality of income distribution; nearly

one-third of Namibians had annual incomes of less than $1,400 in

constant 1994 dollars, according to a 1993 study. The Namibian

economy is closely linked to South Africa with the Namibian dollar

pegged to the South African rand. Privatization of several

enterprises in coming years may stimulate long-run foreign

investment. Mining of zinc, copper, and silver and increased fish

production led growth in 2003-04.

Nauru

Revenues of this tiny island have traditionally come from

exports of phosphates, but reserves are now depleted. Few other

resources exist with most necessities being imported, mainly from

Australia, its former occupier and later major source of support.

The rehabilitation of mined land and the replacement of income from

phosphates are serious long-term problems. In anticipation of the

exhaustion of Nauru's phosphate deposits, substantial amounts of

phosphate income have been invested in trust funds to help cushion

the transition and provide for Nauru's economic future. As a result

of heavy spending from the trust funds, the government faces virtual

bankruptcy. To cut costs the government has called for a freeze on

wages, a reduction of over-staffed public service departments,

privatization of numerous government agencies, and closure of some

overseas consulates. In recent years Nauru has encouraged the

registration of offshore banks and corporations. In 2004 the

deterioration in housing, hospitals, and other capital plant

continued, and the cost to Australia of keeping the government and

economy afloat has substantially mounted. Few comprehensive

statistics on the Nauru economy exist, with estimates of Nauru's GDP

varying widely.

Navassa Island

subsistence fishing and commercial trawling

activities within refuge waters

Nepal

Nepal is among the poorest and least developed countries in

the world with 40% of its population living below the poverty line.

Agriculture is the mainstay of the economy, providing a livelihood

for over 80% of the population and accounting for 40% of GDP.

Industrial activity mainly involves the processing of agricultural

produce including jute, sugarcane, tobacco, and grain. Security

concerns in the wake of the Maoist conflict have led to a decrease

in tourism, a key source of foreign exchange. Nepal has considerable

scope for exploiting its potential in hydropower and tourism, areas

of recent foreign investment interest. Prospects for foreign trade

or investment in other sectors will remain poor, however, because of

the small size of the economy, its technological backwardness, its

remoteness, its landlocked geographic location, its civil strife,

and its susceptibility to natural disaster.

Netherlands

The Netherlands has a prosperous and open economy, which

depends heavily on foreign trade. The economy is noted for stable

industrial relations, moderate unemployment and inflation, a sizable

current account surplus, and an important role as a European

transportation hub. Industrial activity is predominantly in food

processing, chemicals, petroleum refining, and electrical machinery.

A highly mechanized agricultural sector employs no more than 4% of

the labor force but provides large surpluses for the food-processing

industry and for exports. The Netherlands, along with 11 of its EU

partners, began circulating the euro currency on 1 January 2002. The

country continues to be one of the leading European nations for

attracting foreign direct investment. Economic growth slowed

considerably in 2001-04, as part of the global economic slowdown,

but for the four years before that, annual growth averaged nearly

4%, well above the EU average.

Netherlands Antilles

Tourism, petroleum refining, and offshore

finance are the mainstays of this small economy, which is closely

tied to the outside world. Although GDP has declined or grown

slightly in each of the past eight years, the islands enjoy a high

per capita income and a well-developed infrastructure compared with

other countries in the region. Almost all consumer and capital goods

are imported, the US and Mexico being the major suppliers. Poor

soils and inadequate water supplies hamper the development of

agriculture. Budgetary problems hamper reform of the health and

pension systems of an aging population.

New Caledonia

New Caledonia has about 25% of the world's known

nickel resources. Only a small amount of the land is suitable for

cultivation, and food accounts for about 20% of imports. In addition

to nickel, substantial financial support from France - equal to more

than one-fourth of GDP - and tourism are keys to the health of the

economy. Substantial new investment in the nickel industry, combined

with the recovery of global nickel prices, brightens the economic

outlook for the next several years.

New Zealand

Over the past 20 years the government has transformed

New Zealand from an agrarian economy dependent on concessionary

British market access to a more industrialized, free market economy

that can compete globally. This dynamic growth has boosted real

incomes (but left behind many at the bottom of the ladder),

broadened and deepened the technological capabilities of the

industrial sector, and contained inflationary pressures. Per capita

income has risen for six consecutive years and is now more than

$23,000 in purchasing power parity terms. New Zealand is heavily

dependent on trade - particularly in agricultural products - to

drive growth. Exports are equal to about 20% of GDP. Thus far the

economy has been resilient, and the Labor Government promises that

expenditures on health, education, and pensions will increase

proportionately to output.

Nicaragua

Nicaragua, one of the hemisphere's poorest countries,

faces low per capita income, massive unemployment, and huge external

debt. Distribution of income is one of the most unequal on the

globe. While the country has made progress toward macroeconomic

stability over the past few years, GDP annual growth has been far

too low to meet the country's needs. As a result of successful

performance under its International Monetary Fund policy program and

other efforts, Nicaragua qualified in early 2004 for some $4 billion

in foreign debt reduction under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries

(HIPC) initiative. Even after this reduction, however, the

government continues to bear a significant foreign and domestic debt

burden. If ratified, the US-Central America Free Trade Agreement

(CAFTA) will provide an opportunity for Nicaragua to attract

investment, create jobs, and deepen economic development. While

President BOLANOS enjoys the support of the international financial

bodies, his internal political base is meager.

Niger

Niger is one of the poorest countries in the world, a

landlocked Sub-Saharan nation, whose economy centers on subsistence

crops, livestock, and some of the world's largest uranium deposits.

Drought cycles, desertification, a 3.3% population growth rate, and

the drop in world demand for uranium have undercut the economy.

Niger shares a common currency, the CFA franc, and a common central

bank, the Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO), with seven

other members of the West African Monetary Union. In December 2000,

Niger qualified for enhanced debt relief under the International

Monetary Fund program for Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) and

concluded an agreement with the Fund on a Poverty Reduction and

Growth Facility (PRGF). Debt relief provided under the enhanced HIPC

initiative significantly reduces Niger's annual debt service

obligations, freeing funds for expenditures on basic health care,

primary education, HIV/AIDS prevention, rural infrastructure, and

other programs geared at poverty reduction. Nearly half of the

government's budget is derived from foreign donor resources. Future

growth may be sustained by exploitation of oil, gold, coal, and

other mineral resources.

Nigeria

Oil-rich Nigeria, long hobbled by political instability,

corruption, inadequate infrastructure, and poor macroeconomic

management, is undertaking some reforms under the new civilian

administration. Nigeria's former military rulers failed to diversify

the economy away from overdependence on the capital-intensive oil

sector, which provides 20% of GDP, 95% of foreign exchange earnings,

and about 65% of budgetary revenues. The largely subsistence

agricultural sector has failed to keep up with rapid population

growth - Nigeria is Africa's most populous country - and the

country, once a large net exporter of food, now must import food.

Following the signing of an IMF stand-by agreement in August 2000,

Nigeria received a debt-restructuring deal from the Paris Club and a

$1 billion credit from the IMF, both contingent on economic reforms.

Nigeria pulled out of its IMF program in April 2002, after failing

to meet spending and exchange rate targets, making it ineligible for

additional debt forgiveness from the Paris Club. In the last year

the government has begun showing the political will to implement the

market-oriented reforms urged by the IMF, such as to modernize the

banking system, to curb inflation by blocking excessive wage

demands, and to resolve regional disputes over the distribution of

earnings from the oil industry. During 2003 the government began

deregulating fuel prices, announced the privatization of the

country's four oil refineries, and instituted the National Economic

Empowerment Development Strategy, a domestically designed and run

program modeled on the IMF's Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility

for fiscal and monetary management. GDP rose strongly in 2004.

Niue

The economy suffers from the typical Pacific island problems of

geographic isolation, few resources, and a small population.

Government expenditures regularly exceed revenues, and the shortfall

is made up by critically needed grants from New Zealand that are

used to pay wages to public employees. Niue has cut government

expenditures by reducing the public service by almost half. The

agricultural sector consists mainly of subsistence gardening,

although some cash crops are grown for export. Industry consists

primarily of small factories to process passion fruit, lime oil,

honey, and coconut cream. The sale of postage stamps to foreign

collectors is an important source of revenue. The island in recent

years has suffered a serious loss of population because of migration

of Niueans to New Zealand. Efforts to increase GDP include the

promotion of tourism and a financial services industry, although

former Premier LAKATANI announced in February 2002 that Niue will

shut down the offshore banking industry. Economic aid from New

Zealand in 2002 was about $2.6 million. Niue suffered a devastating

hurricane in January 2004, which decimated nascent economic

programs. While in the process of rebuilding, Niue has been

dependent on foreign aid.

Norfolk Island

Tourism, the primary economic activity, has steadily

increased over the years and has brought a level of prosperity

unusual among inhabitants of the Pacific islands. The agricultural

sector has become self-sufficient in the production of beef,

poultry, and eggs.

Northern Mariana Islands

The economy benefits substantially from

financial assistance from the US. The rate of funding has declined

as locally generated government revenues have grown. The key tourist

industry employs about 50% of the work force and accounts for

roughly one-fourth of GDP. Japanese tourists predominate. Annual

tourist entries have exceeded one-half million in recent years, but

financial difficulties in Japan have caused a temporary slowdown.

The agricultural sector is made up of cattle ranches and small farms

producing coconuts, breadfruit, tomatoes, and melons. Garment

production is by far the most important industry with employment of

17,500 mostly Chinese workers and sizable shipments to the US under

duty and quota exemptions.

Norway

The Norwegian economy is a prosperous bastion of welfare

capitalism, featuring a combination of free market activity and

government intervention. The government controls key areas, such as

the vital petroleum sector (through large-scale state enterprises).

The country is richly endowed with natural resources - petroleum,

hydropower, fish, forests, and minerals - and is highly dependent on

its oil production and international oil prices, with oil and gas

accounting for one-third of exports. Only Saudi Arabia and Russia

export more oil than Norway. Norway opted to stay out of the EU

during a referendum in November 1994; nonetheless, it contributes

sizably to the EU budget. The government has moved ahead with

privatization. With arguably the highest quality of life worldwide,

Norwegians still worry about that time in the next two decades when

the oil and gas will begin to run out. Accordingly, Norway has been

saving its oil-boosted budget surpluses in a Government Petroleum

Fund, which is invested abroad and now is valued at more than $150

billion. After lackluster growth of 1% in 2002 and 0.5% in 2003, GDP

growth picked up to 3.3% in 2004.

Oman

Oman is a middle-income economy in the Middle East with notable

oil and gas resources, a substantial trade surplus, and low

inflation. The government is privatizing its utilities and

diversifying its economy to attract foreign investment. Oman

continues to liberalize its markets and joined the World Trade

Organization (WTO) in November 2000. To reduce unemployment and

limit dependence on foreign countries, the government is encouraging

the replacement of expatriate workers with local people, i.e.,

Omanization. Training in information technology, business

management, and English support this objective. Industrial

development plans focus on gas resources, metal manufacturing,

petrochemicals, and international transshipment ports.

Pacific Ocean

The Pacific Ocean is a major contributor to the world

economy and particularly to those nations its waters directly touch.

It provides low-cost sea transportation between East and West,

extensive fishing grounds, offshore oil and gas fields, minerals,

and sand and gravel for the construction industry. In 1996, over 60%

of the world's fish catch came from the Pacific Ocean. Exploitation

of offshore oil and gas reserves is playing an ever-increasing role

in the energy supplies of the US, Australia, NZ, China, and Peru.

The high cost of recovering offshore oil and gas, combined with the

wide swings in world prices for oil since 1985, has led to

fluctuations in new drillings.

Pakistan

Pakistan, an impoverished and underdeveloped country, has

suffered from decades of internal political disputes, low levels of

foreign investment, and a costly, ongoing confrontation with

neighboring India. However, IMF-approved government policies,

bolstered by generous foreign assistance and renewed access to

global markets since 2001, have generated solid macroeconomic

recovery the last three years. The government has made substantial

macroeconomic reforms since 2000, although progress on more

politically sensitive reforms has slowed. For example, in the third

and final year of its $1.3 billion IMF Poverty Reduction and Growth

Facility, Islamabad has continued to require waivers for energy

sector reforms. While long-term prospects remain uncertain, given

Pakistan's low level of development, medium-term prospects for job

creation and poverty reduction are the best in nearly a decade.

Islamabad has raised development spending from about 2% of GDP in

the 1990s to 4% in 2003, a necessary step towards reversing the

broad underdevelopment of its social sector. GDP growth, spurred by

double-digit gains in industrial production over the past year, has

become less dependent on agriculture. Foreign exchange reserves

continued to reach new levels in 2004, supported by robust export

growth and steady worker remittances.

Palau

The economy consists primarily of tourism, subsistence

agriculture, and fishing. The government is the major employer of

the work force, relying heavily on financial assistance from the US.

Business and tourist arrivals numbered 63,000 in 2003. The

population enjoys a per capita income twice that of the Philippines

and much of Micronesia. Long-run prospects for the key tourist

sector have been greatly bolstered by the expansion of air travel in

the Pacific, the rising prosperity of leading East Asian countries,

and the willingness of foreigners to finance infrastructure

development.

Palmyra Atoll

no economic activity

Panama

Panama's dollarised economy rests primarily on a

well-developed services sector that accounts for four-fifths of GDP.

Services include operating the Panama Canal, banking, the Colon Free

Zone, insurance, container ports, flagship registry, and tourism. A

slump in Colon Free Zone and agricultural exports, the global

slowdown, and the withdrawal of US military forces held back

economic growth in 2000-03; growth picked up in 2004 led by

export-oriented services and a construction boom stimulated by tax

incentives. The government has been backing tax reforms, reform of

the social security program, new regional trade agreements, and

development of tourism. Unemployment remains high.

Papua New Guinea

Papua New Guinea is richly endowed with natural

resources, but exploitation has been hampered by rugged terrain and

the high cost of developing infrastructure. Agriculture provides a

subsistence livelihood for 85% of the population. Mineral deposits,

including oil, copper, and gold, account for 72% of export earnings.

The economy has improved over the past two years, following a

prolonged period of instability. Former Prime Minister Mekere

MORAUTA had tried to restore integrity to state institutions, to

stabilize the kina, restore stability to the national budget, to

privatize public enterprises where appropriate, and to ensure

ongoing peace on Bougainville. Australia annually supplies $240

million in aid, which accounts for 20% of the national budget.

Challenges face Prime Minister Michael SOMARE, including gaining

further investor confidence, continuing efforts to privatize

government assets, maintaining the support of members of Parliament,

and balancing relations with Australia, the former colonial ruler.

Paracel Islands

China announced plans in 1997 to open the islands

for tourism.

Paraguay

Landlocked Paraguay has a market economy marked by a large

informal sector. This sector features both reexport of imported

consumer goods to neighboring countries as well as the activities of

thousands of microenterprises and urban street vendors. Because of

the importance of the informal sector, accurate economic measures

are difficult to obtain. A large percentage of the population

derives their living from agricultural activity, often on a

subsistence basis. The formal economy grew by an average of about 3%

annually in 1995-97, but averaged near-zero growth in 1998-2001 and

contracted by 2.3 percent in 2002, in response to regional contagion

and an outbreak of hoof-and-mouth desease. On a per capita basis,

real income has stagnated at 1980 levels. Most observers attribute

Paraguay's poor economic performance to political uncertainty,

corruption, lack of progress on structural reform, substantial

internal and external debt, and deficient infrastructure. Aided by a

firmer exchange rate and perhaps a greater confidence in the

economic policy of the Duarte FRUTOS administration, the economy

rebounded in 2003 and 2004, posting modest growth each year.

Peru

Peru's economy reflects its varied geography - an arid coastal

region, the Andes further inland, and tropical lands bordering

Colombia and Brazil. Abundant mineral resources are found in the

mountainous areas, and Peru's coastal waters provide excellent

fishing grounds. However, overdependence on minerals and metals

subjects the economy to fluctuations in world prices, and a lack of

infrastructure deters trade and investment. After several years of

inconsistent economic performance, the Peruvian economy grew by an

average 4 percent per year during the period 2002-2004, with a

stable exchange rate and low inflation. Risk premiums on Peruvian

bonds on secondary markets reached historically low levels in late

2004, reflecting investor optimism regarding the government's

prudent fiscal policies and openness to trade and investment.

Despite the strong macroeconomic performance, the TOLEDO

administration remained unpopular in 2004, and unemployment and

poverty have stayed persistently high.

Philippines

The Philippines was less severely affected by the Asian

financial crisis of 1998 than its neighbors, aided in part by annual

remittances of $7-8 billion from overseas workers and no sustained

runup in asset prices or foreign borrowing prior to the crisis. From

a 0.6% decline in 1998, GDP expanded by 2.4% in 1999, and 4.4% in

2000, but slowed to 3.2% in 2001 in the context of a global economic

slowdown, an export slump, and political and security concerns. GDP

growth accelerated to 4.3% in 2002, 4.7% in 2003, and about 6% in

2004, reflecting the continued resilience of the service sector, and

improved exports and agricultural output. Nonetheless, it will take

a higher, sustained growth path to make appreciable progress in

poverty alleviation given the Philippines' high annual population

growth rate and unequal distribution of income. The Philippines also

faces higher oil prices, higher interest rates on its dollar

borrowings, and higher inflation. Fiscal constraints limit Manila's

ability to finance infrastructure and social spending. The

Philippines' consistently large budget deficit has produced a high

debt level and has forced Manila to spend a large portion of the

national government budget on debt service. Large, unprofitable

public enterprises, especially in the energy sector, contribute to

the government's debt because of slow progress on privatization.

Credit rating agencies are increasingly concerned about the

Philippines' ability to sustain the debt; legislative progress on

new revenue measures will weigh heavily on credit rating decisions.

Pitcairn Islands

The inhabitants of this tiny isolated economy exist

on fishing, subsistence farming, handicrafts, and postage stamps.

The fertile soil of the valleys produces a wide variety of fruits

and vegetables, including citrus, sugarcane, watermelons, bananas,

yams, and beans. Bartering is an important part of the economy. The

major sources of revenue are the sale of postage stamps to

collectors and the sale of handicrafts to passing ships. In October

2004, more than one-quarter of Pitcairn's labor force was arrested,

putting the economy in a bind, since their services were required as

lighter crew to load or unload passing ships.

Poland

Poland has steadfastly pursued a policy of economic

liberalization throughout the 1990s and today stands out as a

success story among transition economies. Even so, much remains to

be done, especially in bringing down unemployment. The privatization

of small and medium-sized state-owned companies and a liberal law on

establishing new firms has encouraged the development of the private

business sector, but legal and bureaucratic obstacles alongside

persistent corruption are hampering its further development.

Poland's agricultural sector remains handicapped by surplus labor,

inefficient small farms, and lack of investment. Restructuring and

privatization of "sensitive sectors" (e.g., coal, steel, railroads,

and energy), while recently initiated, have stalled. Reforms in

health care, education, the pension system, and state administration

have resulted in larger-than-expected fiscal pressures. Further

progress in public finance depends mainly on reducing losses in

Polish state enterprises, restraining entitlements, and overhauling

the tax code to incorporate the growing gray economy and farmers,

most of whom pay no tax. The government has introduced a package of

social and administrative spending cuts to reduce public spending by

about $17 billion through 2007. Additional reductions are under

discussion in the legislature but could be trumped by election-year

politics in 2005. Poland joined the EU in May 2004, and surging

exports to the EU contributed to Poland's strong growth in 2004,

though its competitiveness could be threatened by the zloty's

appreciation. GDP per capita roughly equals that of the three Baltic

states. Poland stands to benefit from nearly $13.5 billion in EU

funds, available through 2006. Farmers have already begun to reap

the rewards of membership via higher food prices and EU agricultural

subsidies.

Portugal

Portugal has become a diversified and increasingly

service-based economy since joining the European Community in 1986.

Over the past decade, successive governments have privatized many

state-controlled firms and liberalized key areas of the economy,

including the financial and telecommunications sectors. The country

qualified for the European Monetary Union (EMU) in 1998 and began

circulating the euro on 1 January 2002 along with 11 other EU member

economies. Economic growth had been above the EU average for much of

the past decade, but fell back in 2001-04. GDP per capita stands at

two-thirds that of the Big Four EU economies. A poor educational

system, in particular, has been an obstacle to greater productivity

and growth. Portugal has been increasingly overshadowed by

lower-cost producers in Central Europe and Asia as a target for

foreign direct investment. The government faces tough choices in its

attempts to boost Portugal's economic competitiveness while keeping

the budget deficit within the eurozone's 3%-of-GDP ceiling.

Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico has one of the most dynamic economies in the

Caribbean region. A diverse industrial sector has far surpassed

agriculture as the primary locus of economic activity and income.

Encouraged by duty-free access to the US and by tax incentives, US

firms have invested heavily in Puerto Rico since the 1950s. US

minimum wage laws apply. Sugar production has lost out to dairy

production and other livestock products as the main source of income

in the agricultural sector. Tourism has traditionally been an

important source of income, with estimated arrivals of nearly 5

million tourists in 1999. Growth fell off in 2001-03, largely due to

the slowdown in the US economy, and has recovered in 2004.

Qatar

Oil and gas account for more than 55% of GDP, roughly 85% of

export earnings, and 70% of government revenues. Oil and gas have

given Qatar a per capita GDP about 80% of that of the leading West

European industrial countries. Proved oil reserves of 16 billion

barrels should ensure continued output at current levels for 23

years. Qatar's proved reserves of natural gas exceed 14 trillion

cubic meters, more than 5% of the world total and third largest in

the world. Long-term goals feature the development of offshore

natural gas reserves to offset the ultimate decline in oil

production. In recent years, Qatar has consistently posted trade

surpluses largely because of high oil prices and increased natural

gas exports, becoming one of the world's fastest growing and highest

per-capita income countries.

Reunion

The economy has traditionally been based on agriculture, but

services now dominate. Sugarcane has been the primary crop for more

than a century, and in some years it accounts for 85% of exports.

The government has been pushing the development of a tourist

industry to relieve high unemployment, which amounts to one-third of

the labor force. The gap in Reunion between the well-off and the

poor is extraordinary and accounts for the persistent social

tensions. The white and Indian communities are substantially better

off than other segments of the population, often approaching

European standards, whereas minority groups suffer the poverty and

unemployment typical of the poorer nations of the African continent.

The outbreak of severe rioting in February 1991 illustrates the

seriousness of socioeconomic tensions. The economic well-being of

Reunion depends heavily on continued financial assistance from

France.

Romania

Romania began the transition from Communism in 1989 with a

largely obsolete industrial base and a pattern of output unsuited to

the country's needs. The country emerged in 2000 from a punishing

three-year recession thanks to strong demand in EU export markets.

Despite the global slowdown in 2001-02, strong domestic activity in

construction, agriculture, and consumption have kept growth above

4%. An IMF standby agreement, signed in 2001, has been accompanied

by slow but palpable gains in privatization, deficit reduction, and

the curbing of inflation. The IMF Board approved Romania's

completion of the standby agreement in October 2003, the first time

Romania has successfully concluded an IMF agreement since the 1989

revolution. In July 2004, the executive board of the IMF approved a

24-month standby agreement for $367 million. The Romanian

authorities do not intend to draw on this agreement, however,

viewing it simply as a precaution. Meanwhile, recent macroeconomic

gains have done little to address Romania's widespread poverty,

while corruption and red tape continue to handicap the business

environment.

Russia

Russia ended 2004 with its sixth straight year of growth,

averaging 6.5% annually since the financial crisis of 1998. Although

high oil prices and a relatively cheap ruble are important drivers

of this economic rebound, since 2000 investment and consumer-driven

demand have played a noticeably increasing role. Real fixed capital

investments have averaged gains greater than 10% over the last five

years, and real personal incomes have realized average increases

over 12%. Russia has also improved its international financial

position since the 1998 financial crisis, with its foreign debt

declining from 90% of GDP to around 28%. Strong oil export earnings

have allowed Russia to increase its foreign reserves from only $12

billion to some $120 billion at yearend 2004. These achievements,

along with a renewed government effort to advance structural

reforms, have raised business and investor confidence in Russia's

economic prospects. Nevertheless, serious problems persist. Economic

growth slowed down in the second half of 2004 and the Russian

government forecasts growth of only 4.5% to 6.2% for 2005. Oil,

natural gas, metals, and timber account for more than 80% of

exports, leaving the country vulnerable to swings in world prices.

Russia's manufacturing base is dilapidated and must be replaced or

modernized if the country is to achieve broad-based economic growth.

Other problems include a weak banking system, a poor business

climate that discourages both domestic and foreign investors,

corruption, and widespread lack of trust in institutions. In

addition, a string of investigations launched against a major

Russian oil company, culminating with the arrest of its CEO in the

fall of 2003, have raised concerns by some observers that President

PUTIN is granting more influence to forces within his government

that desire to reassert state control over the economy.

Rwanda

Rwanda is a poor rural country with about 90% of the

population engaged in (mainly subsistence) agriculture. It is the

most densely populated country in Africa; landlocked with few

natural resources and minimal industry. Primary foreign exchange

earners are coffee and tea. The 1994 genocide decimated Rwanda's

fragile economic base, severely impoverished the population,

particularly women, and eroded the country's ability to attract

private and external investment. However, Rwanda has made

substantial progress in stabilizing and rehabilitating its economy

to pre-1994 levels, although poverty levels are higher now. GDP has

rebounded and inflation has been curbed. Export earnings, however,

have been hindered by low beverage prices, depriving the country of

much needed hard currency. Despite Rwanda's fertile ecosystem, food

production often does not keep pace with population growth,

requiring food imports. Rwanda continues to receive substantial aid

money and was approved for IMF-World Bank Heavily Indebted Poor

Country (HIPC) initiative debt relief in late 2000. Kigali's high

defense expenditures have caused tension between the government and

international donors and lending agencies. An energy shortage and

instability in neighboring states may slow growth in 2005, while the

lack of adequate transportation linkages to other countries

continues to handicap export growth.

Saint Helena

The economy depends largely on financial assistance

from the UK, which amounted to about $5 million in 1997 or almost

one-half of annual budgetary revenues. The local population earns

income from fishing, raising livestock, and sales of handicrafts.

Because there are few jobs, 25% of the work force has left to seek

employment on Ascension Island, on the Falklands, and in the UK.

Saint Kitts and Nevis

Sugar was the traditional mainstay of the

Saint Kitts economy until the 1970s. Although the crop still

dominates the agricultural sector, activities such as tourism,

export-oriented manufacturing, and offshore banking have assumed

larger roles in the economy. Tourism revenues are now the chief

source of the islands' foreign exchange. The opening of a 470-room

resort in February 2003 was expected to bring in much-needed revenue.

Saint Lucia

Changes in the EU import preference regime and the

increased competition from Latin American bananas have made economic

diversification increasingly important in Saint Lucia. The island

nation has been able to attract foreign business and investment,

especially in its offshore banking and tourism industries. The

manufacturing sector is the most diverse in the Eastern Caribbean

area, and the government is trying to revitalize the banana

industry. Economic fundamentals remain solid, even though

unemployment needs to be cut.

Saint Pierre and Miquelon

The inhabitants have traditionally earned

their livelihood by fishing and by servicing fishing fleets

operating off the coast of Newfoundland. The economy has been

declining, however, because of disputes with Canada over fishing

quotas and a steady decline in the number of ships stopping at Saint

Pierre. In 1992, an arbitration panel awarded the islands an

exclusive economic zone of 12,348 sq km to settle a longstanding

territorial dispute with Canada, although it represents only 25% of

what France had sought. The islands are heavily subsidized by France

to the great betterment of living standards. The government hopes an

expansion of tourism will boost economic prospects. Recent test

drilling for oil may pave the way for development of the energy

sector.

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Economic growth in this

lower-middle-income country hinges upon seasonal variations in the

agricultural and tourism sectors. Tropical storms wiped out

substantial portions of crops in 1994, 1995, and 2002, and tourism

in the Eastern Caribbean has suffered low arrivals following 11

September 2001. Saint Vincent is home to a small offshore banking

sector and has moved to adopt international regulatory standards.

Saint Vincent is also a large producer of marijuana and is being

used as a transshipment point for illegal narcotics from South

America.

Samoa

The economy of Samoa has traditionally been dependent on

development aid, family remittances from overseas, agriculture, and

fishing. The country is vulnerable to devastating storms.

Agriculture employs two-thirds of the labor force, and furnishes 90%

of exports, featuring coconut cream, coconut oil, and copra. The

manufacturing sector mainly processes agricultural products. The

decline of fish stocks in the area is a continuing problem. Tourism

is an expanding sector, accounting for 25% of GDP; about 88,000

tourists visited the islands in 2001. One factory in the Foreign

Trade Zone employs 3,000 people to make automobile electrical

harnesses for an assembly plant in Australia. The Samoan Government

has called for deregulation of the financial sector, encouragement

of investment, and continued fiscal discipline, meantime protecting

the environment. Observers point to the flexibility of the labor

market as a basic strength for future economic advances. Foreign

reserves are in a relatively healthy state, the external debt is

stable, and inflation is low.

San Marino

The tourist sector contributes over 50% of GDP. In 2000

more than 3 million tourists visited San Marino. The key industries

are banking, wearing apparel, electronics, and ceramics. Main

agricultural products are wine and cheeses. The per capita level of

output and standard of living are comparable to those of the most

prosperous regions of Italy, which supplies much of its food.

Sao Tome and Principe

This small poor island economy has become

increasingly dependent on cocoa since independence in 1975. Cocoa

production has substantially declined in recent years because of

drought and mismanagement, but strengthening prices helped boost

export earnings in 2003. Sao Tome has to import all fuels, most

manufactured goods, consumer goods, and a substantial amount of

food. Over the years, it has had difficulty servicing its external

debt and has relied heavily on concessional aid and debt

rescheduling. Sao Tome benefited from $200 million in debt relief in

December 2000 under the Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC)

program, but lacking a formal poverty reduction program with the

IMF, it has not benefited from subsequent HIPC debt reductions. Sao

Tome's external debt stands at over $300 million. Considerable

potential exists for development of a tourist industry, and the

government has taken steps to expand facilities in recent years. The

government also has attempted to reduce price controls and

subsidies. Sao Tome is optimistic about the development of petroleum

resources in its territorial waters in the oil-rich Gulf of Guinea.

The first production license was sold to a consortium led by

US-based oil firms. Much of the 2005 budget is dependent upon the

sale of additional production licenses.

Saudi Arabia

This is an oil-based economy with strong government

controls over major economic activities. Saudi Arabia possesses 25%

of the world's proven petroleum reserves, ranks as the largest

exporter of petroleum, and plays a leading role in OPEC. The

petroleum sector accounts for roughly 75% of budget revenues, 45% of

GDP, and 90% of export earnings. About 40% of GDP comes from the

private sector. Roughly five and a half million foreign workers play

an important role in the Saudi economy, for example, in the oil and

service sectors. The government in 1999 announced plans to begin

privatizing the electricity companies, which follows the ongoing

privatization of the telecommunications company. The government is

encouraging private sector growth to lessen the kingdom's dependence

on oil and increase employment opportunities for the swelling Saudi

population. Priorities for government spending in the short term

include additional funds for education and for the water and sewage

systems. Economic reforms proceed cautiously because of deep-rooted

political and social conservatism.

Senegal

In January 1994, Senegal undertook a bold and ambitious

economic reform program with the support of the international donor

community. This reform began with a 50% devaluation of Senegal's

currency, the CFA franc, which was linked at a fixed rate to the

French franc. Government price controls and subsidies have been

steadily dismantled. After seeing its economy contract by 2.1% in

1993, Senegal made an important turnaround, thanks to the reform

program, with real growth in GDP averaging 5% annually during

1995-2003. Annual inflation had been pushed down to the low single

digits. As a member of the West African Economic and Monetary Union

(WAEMU), Senegal is working toward greater regional integration with

a unified external tariff and a more stable monetary policy. Senegal

still relies heavily upon outside donor assistance, however. Under

the IMF's Highly Indebted Poor Countries debt relief program,

Senegal will benefit from eradication of two-thirds of its

bilateral, multilateral, and private sector debt.

Serbia and Montenegro

MILOSEVIC-era mismanagement of the economy, an

extended period of economic sanctions, and the damage to

Yugoslavia's infrastructure and industry during the NATO airstrikes

in 1999 left the economy only half the size it was in 1990. After

the ousting of former Federal Yugoslav President MILOSEVIC in

October 2000, the Democratic Opposition of Serbia (DOS) coalition

government implemented stabilization measures and embarked on an

aggressive market reform program. After renewing its membership in

the IMF in December 2000, a down-sized Yugoslavia continued to

reintegrate into the international community by rejoining the World

Bank (IBRD) and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development

(EBRD). A World Bank-European Commission sponsored Donors'

Conference held in June 2001 raised $1.3 billion for economic

restructuring. An agreement rescheduling the country's $4.5 billion

Paris Club government debts was concluded in November 2001 - it

wrote off 66% of the debt - and the London Club of private creditors

forgave $1.7 billion of debt, just over half the total owed, in July

2004. The smaller republic of Montenegro severed its economy from

federal control and from Serbia during the MILOSEVIC era and

continues to maintain its own central bank, uses the euro instead of

the Yugoslav dinar as official currency, collects customs tariffs,

and manages its own budget. Kosovo's economy continues to transition

to a market-based system, and is largely dependent on the

international community and the diaspora for financial and technical

assistance. The euro and the Yugoslav dinar are both accepted

currencies in Kosovo. While maintaining ultimate oversight, UNMIK

continues to work with the European Union and Kosovo's local

provisional government to accelerate economic growth, lower

unemployment, and attract foreign investment to help Kosovo

integrate into regional economic structures. The complexity of

Serbia and Montenegro political relationships, slow progress in

privatization, legal uncertainty over property rights, scarcity of

foreign-investment and a substantial foreign trade deficit are

holding back the economy. Arrangements with the IMF, especially

requirements for fiscal discipline, are an important element in

policy formation. Severe unemployment remains a key political

economic problem for this entire region.

Seychelles

Since independence in 1976, per capita output in this

Indian Ocean archipelago has expanded to roughly seven times the old

near-subsistence level. Growth has been led by the tourist sector,

which employs about 30% of the labor force and provides more than

70% of hard currency earnings, and by tuna fishing. In recent years

the government has encouraged foreign investment in order to upgrade

hotels and other services. At the same time, the government has

moved to reduce the dependence on tourism by promoting the

development of farming, fishing, and small-scale manufacturing. A

sharp drop illustrated the vulnerability of the tourist sector in

1991-92 due largely to the Gulf war, and once again following the 11

September 2001 terrorist attacks on the US. Growth slowed in

1998-2002, and fell in 2003, due to sluggish tourist and tuna

sectors, but resumed in 2004, erasing a persistent budget deficit.

Tight controls on exchange rates and the scarcity of foreign

exchange have impaired short-term economic prospects. The black

market value of the Seychelles rupee is half the official exchange

rate; without a devaluation of the currency the tourist sector may

remain sluggish as vacationers seek cheaper destinations such as

Comoros, Mauritius, and Madagascar.

Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone is an extremely poor African nation with

tremendous inequality in income distribution. While it possesses

substantial mineral, agricultural, and fishery resources, its

economic and social infrastructure is not well developed, and

serious social disorders continue to hamper economic development.

About two-thirds of the working-age population engages in

subsistence agriculture. Manufacturing consists mainly of the

processing of raw materials and of light manufacturing for the

domestic market. Plans to reopen bauxite and rutile mines shut down

during an 11 year civil war have not been implemented due to lack of

foreign investment. Alluvial diamond mining remains the major source

of hard currency earnings. The fate of the economy depends upon the

maintenance of domestic peace and the continued receipt of

substantial aid from abroad, which is essential to offset the severe

trade imbalance and supplement government revenues. International

financial institutions contributed over $600 million in development

aid and budgetary support in 2003.

Singapore

Singapore, a highly developed and successful free market

economy, enjoys a remarkably open and corruption-free environment,

stable prices, and a per capita GDP equal to that of the Big 4 West

European countries. The economy depends heavily on exports,

particularly in electronics and manufacturing. It was hard hit in

2001-03 by the global recession, by the slump in the technology

sector, and by an outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome in

2003, which curbed tourism and consumer spending. The government

hopes to establish a new growth path that will be less vulnerable to

the external business cycle and will continue efforts to establish

Singapore as Southeast Asia's financial and high-tech hub. Fiscal

stimulus, low interest rates, a surge in exports, and internal

flexibility led to vigorous growth in 2004, with real GDP rising by

8 percent, by far the economy's best performance since 2000.

Slovakia

Slovakia has mastered much of the difficult transition from

a centrally planned economy to a modern market economy. The DZURINDA

government made excellent progress during 2001-04 in macroeconomic

stabilization and structural reform. Major privatizations are nearly

complete, the banking sector is almost completely in foreign hands,

and the government has helped facilitate a foreign investment boom

with business-friendly policies, such as labor market liberalization

and a 19% flat tax. Slovakia's economic growth exceeded expectations

in 2001-04, despite the general European slowdown. Unemployment, at

an unacceptable 15% in 2003-04, remains the economy's Achilles heel.

Slovakia joined the EU on 1 May 2004.

Slovenia

Slovenia, with its historical ties to Western Europe,

enjoys a GDP per capita substantially higher than that of the other

transitioning economies of Central Europe. In March 2004, Slovenia

became the first transition country to graduate from borrower status

to donor partner at the World Bank. Privatization of the economy

proceeded at an accelerated pace in 2002-04. Despite lackluster

performance in Europe in 2001-04, Slovenia maintained moderate

growth. Structural reforms to improve the business environment have

allowed for greater foreign participation in Slovenia's economy and

have helped to lower unemployment. Further measures to curb

inflation are still needed. Corruption and the high degree of

coordination between government, business, and central bank policy

were issues of concern in the run-up to Slovenia's 1 May 2004

accession to the European Union. In mid-2004 Slovenia agreed to

adopt the euro by 2007 and, therefore, must keep its debt levels,

budget deficits, interest rates, and inflation levels within the

EU's Maastrict criteria.

Solomon Islands

The bulk of the population depends on agriculture,

fishing, and forestry for at least part of their livelihood. Most

manufactured goods and petroleum products must be imported. The

islands are rich in undeveloped mineral resources such as lead,

zinc, nickel, and gold. Prior to the arrival of the Regional

Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI), severe ethnic

violence, the closing of key businesses, and an empty government

treasury culminated in economic collapse. RAMSI has enabled a return

to law and order, a new period of economic stability, and modest

growth as the economy rebuilds.

Somalia

Somalia's economic fortunes are driven by its deep political

divisions. The northwestern area has declared its independence as

the "Republic of Somaliland"; the northeastern region of Puntland is

a semi-autonomous state; and the remaining southern portion is

riddled with the struggles of rival factions. Economic life

continues, in part because much activity is local and relatively

easily protected. Agriculture is the most important sector, with

livestock normally accounting for about 40% of GDP and about 65% of

export earnings, but Saudi Arabia's recent ban on Somali livestock,

because of Rift Valley Fever concerns, has severely hampered the

sector. Nomads and semi-nomads, who are dependent upon livestock for

their livelihood, make up a large portion of the population.

Livestock, hides, fish, charcoal, and bananas are Somalia's

principal exports, while sugar, sorghum, corn, qat, and machined

goods are the principal imports. Somalia's small industrial sector,

based on the processing of agricultural products, has largely been

looted and sold as scrap metal. Despite the seeming anarchy,

Somalia's service sector has managed to survive and grow.

Telecommunication firms provide wireless services in most major

cities and offer the lowest international call rates on the

continent. In the absence of a formal banking sector, money exchange

services have sprouted throughout the country, handling between $500

million and $1 billion in remittances annually. Mogadishu's main

market offers a variety of goods from food to the newest electronic

gadgets. Hotels continue to operate, and militias provide security.

The ongoing civil disturbances and clan rivalries, however, have

interfered with any broad-based economic development and

international aid arrangements. In 2004 Somalia's overdue financial

obligations to the IMF continued to grow. Statistics on Somalia's

GDP, growth, per capita income, and inflation should be viewed

skeptically. In late December 2004, a major tsunami took an

estimated 150 lives and caused destruction of properity in coastal

areas.

South Africa

South Africa is a middle-income, emerging market with

an abundant supply of natural resources; well-developed financial,

legal, communications, energy, and transport sectors; a stock

exchange that ranks among the 10 largest in the world; and a modern

infrastructure supporting an efficient distribution of goods to

major urban centers throughout the region. However, growth has not

been strong enough to lower South Africa's high unemployment rate;

and daunting economic problems remain from the apartheid era,

especially poverty and lack of economic empowerment among the

disadvantaged groups. South African economic policy is fiscally

conservative, but pragmatic, focusing on targeting inflation and

liberalizing trade as means to increase job growth and household

income.

South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands

Some fishing takes

place in adjacent waters. There is a potential source of income from

harvesting finfish and krill. The islands receive income from

postage stamps produced in the UK, sale of fishing licenses, and

harbor and landing fees from tourist vessels. Tourism from

specialized cruise ships is increasing rapidly.

Southern Ocean

Fisheries in 2000-01 (1 July to 30 June) landed

112,934 metric tons, of which 87% was krill and 11% Patagonian

toothfish. International agreements were adopted in late 1999 to

reduce illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, which in the

2000-01 season landed, by one estimate, 8,376 metric tons of

Patagonian and antarctic toothfish. In the 2000-01 antarctic summer

12,248 tourists, most of them seaborne, visited the Southern Ocean

and Antarctica, compared to 14,762 the previous year.

Spain

The Spanish economy boomed from 1986 to 1990, averaging five

percent annual growth. After a European-wide recession in the early

1990s, the Spanish economy resumed moderate growth starting in 1994.

Spain's mixed capitalist economy supports a GDP that on a per capita

basis is 80% that of the four leading West European economies. The

center-right government of former President AZNAR successfully

worked to gain admission to the first group of countries launching

the European single currency (the euro) on 1 January 1999. The AZNAR

administration continued to advocate liberalization, privatization,

and deregulation of the economy and introduced some tax reforms to

that end. Unemployment fell steadily under the AZNAR administration

but remains high at 10.4%. Growth of 2.5% in 2003 and 2.6% in 2004

was satisfactory given the background of a faltering European

economy. The socialist president, RODRIGUEZ ZAPATERO, has initiated

economic and social reforms that are generally popular among the

masses of people but that are anathema to religious and other

conservative elements. Adjusting to the monetary and other economic

policies of an integrated Europe, reducing unemployment, and

absorbing widespread social changes will pose challenges to Spain

over the next few years.

Spratly Islands

Economic activity is limited to commercial fishing.

The proximity to nearby oil- and gas-producing sedimentary basins

suggests the potential for oil and gas deposits, but the region is

largely unexplored; there are no reliable estimates of potential

reserves; commercial exploitation has yet to be developed.

Sri Lanka

In 1977, Colombo abandoned statist economic policies and

its import substitution trade policy for market-oriented policies

and export-oriented trade. Sri Lanka's most dynamic sectors now are

food processing, textiles and apparel, food and beverages,

telecommunications, and insurance and banking. In 2003, plantation

crops made up only 15% of exports (compared with 93% in 1970), while

textiles and garments accounted for 63%. GDP grew at an average

annual rate of 5.5% in the early 1990s until a drought and a

deteriorating security situation lowered growth to 3.8% in 1996. The

economy rebounded in 1997-2000 with average growth of 5.3%, but 2001

saw the first contraction in the country's history, -1.4%, due to a

combination of power shortages, severe budgetary problems, the

global slowdown, and continuing civil strife. Growth recovered to

4.0% in 2002 and to 5.2% in both 2003 and 2004. About 800,000 Sri

Lankans work abroad, 90% in the Middle East. They send home about $1

billion a year. The struggle by the Tamil Tigers of the north and

east for a largely independent homeland continues to cast a shadow

over the economy. In late December 2004, a major tsunami took about

31,000 lives, left more than 6,300 missing and 443,000 displaced,

and destroyed an estimated $1.5 billion worth of property.

Sudan

Sudan has turned around a struggling economy with sound

economic policies and infrastructure investments, but it still faces

formidable economic problems, starting from its low level of per

capita output. From 1997 to date, Sudan has been implementing IMF

macroeconomic reforms. In 1999, Sudan began exporting crude oil and

in the last quarter of 1999 recorded its first trade surplus, which,

along with monetary policy, has stabilized the exchange rate.

Increased oil production, revived light industry, and expanded

export processing zones helped sustain GDP growth at 6.4% in 2004.

Agriculture production remains Sudan's most important sector,

employing 80% of the work force, contributing 39% of GDP, and

accounting for most of GDP growth, but most farms remain rain-fed

and susceptible to drought. Chronic instability - including the

long-standing civil war between the Muslim north and the

Christian/pagan south, adverse weather, and weak world agricultural

prices - ensure that much of the population will remain at or below

the poverty line for years.

Suriname

The economy is dominated by the alumina industry, which

accounts for more than 15% of GDP and 70% of export earnings.

Suriname's economic prospects for the medium term will depend on

continued commitment to responsible monetary and fiscal policies and

to the introduction of structural reforms to liberalize markets and

promote competition. The government of Ronald VENETIAAN has begun an

austerity program, raised taxes, and attempted to control spending.

While - in 2002 - President VENETIAAN agreed to a large pay raise

for civil servants, threatening his earlier gains in stabilizing the

economy, he has not repeated this promise in the run-up to the May

2005 elections. The Dutch Government has agreed to restart the aid

flow, which will allow Suriname to access international development

financing, but plans to phase out funds over the next five years.

The short-term economic outlook depends on the government's ability

to control inflation and on the development of projects in the

bauxite and gold mining sectors. Prospects for local onshore oil

production are good, as a drilling program is underway. Offshore oil

drilling was given a boost in 2004 when the State Oil Company

(Staatsolie) signed exploration agreements with Repsol and Mearsk.

Svalbard

Coal mining is the major economic activity on Svalbard. The

treaty of 9 February 1920 gives the 41 signatories equal rights to

exploit mineral deposits, subject to Norwegian regulation. Although

US, UK, Dutch, and Swedish coal companies have mined in the past,

the only companies still mining are Norwegian and Russian. The

settlements on Svalbard are essentially company towns. The Norwegian

state-owned coal company employs nearly 60% of the Norwegian

population on the island, runs many of the local services, and

provides most of the local infrastructure. There is also some

hunting of seal, reindeer, and fox.

Swaziland

In this small, landlocked economy, subsistence agriculture

occupies more than 80% of the population. The manufacturing sector

has diversified since the mid-1980s. Sugar and wood pulp remain

important foreign exchange earners. Mining has declined in

importance in recent years with only coal and quarry stone mines

remaining active. Surrounded by South Africa, except for a short

border with Mozambique, Swaziland is heavily dependent on South

Africa from which it receives about nine-tenths of its imports and

to which it sends nearly three-quarters of its exports. Customs

duties from the Southern African Customs Union and worker

remittances from South Africa substantially supplement domestically

earned income. The government is trying to improve the atmosphere

for foreign investment. Overgrazing, soil depletion, drought, and

sometimes floods persist as problems for the future. More than

one-fourth of the population needed emergency food aid in 2004

because of drought, and more than one-third of the adult population

was infected by HIV/AIDS.

Sweden

Aided by peace and neutrality for the whole 20th century,

Sweden has achieved an enviable standard of living under a mixed

system of high-tech capitalism and extensive welfare benefits. It

has a modern distribution system, excellent internal and external

communications, and a skilled labor force. Timber, hydropower, and

iron ore constitute the resource base of an economy heavily oriented

toward foreign trade. Privately owned firms account for about 90% of

industrial output, of which the engineering sector accounts for 50%

of output and exports. Agriculture accounts for only 2% of GDP and

2% of the jobs. The government's commitment to fiscal discipline

resulted in a substantial budgetary surplus in 2001, which was cut

by more than half in 2002, due to the global economic slowdown,

declining revenue, and increased spending. The Swedish central bank

(the Riksbank) focuses on price stability with its inflation target

of 2%. Growth remained sluggish in 2003, but picked up in 2004.

Presumably because of generous sicktime benefits, Swedish workers

report in sick more often than other Europeans. On 14 September

2003, Swedish voters turned down entry into the euro system,

concerned about the impact on democracy and sovereignty.

Switzerland

Switzerland is a peaceful, prosperous, and stable modern

market economy with low unemployment, a highly skilled labor force,

and a per capita GDP larger than that of the big Western European

economies. The Swiss in recent years have brought their economic

practices largely into conformity with the EU's to enhance their

international competitiveness. Switzerland remains a safe haven for

investors, because it has maintained a degree of bank secrecy and

has kept up the franc's long-term external value. Reflecting the

anemic economic conditions of Europe, GDP growth dropped in 2001 to

about 0.8%, to 0.2% in 2002, and to -0.3% in 2003, with a small rise

to 1.8% in 2004. Even so, unemployment has remained at less than

half the EU average.

Syria

Real GDP growth rose to 2.3 percent in 2004, a slight increase

from 2003 when the predominantly statist economy suffered from

disruptions caused by the war in Iraq and other developments in the

region. Annual real GDP growth has averaged 2.3 percent for the last

seven years. The Government of Syria has implemented modest economic

reforms in the last few years, including cutting interest rates,

opening private banks, consolidating some of the multiple exchange

rates, and raising prices on some subsidized foodstuffs.

Nevertheless, the economy remains highly controlled by the

government. Long run economic constraints include declining oil

production and exports and pressure on water supplies caused by

rapid population growth, industrial expansion, and increased water

pollution.

Taiwan

Taiwan has a dynamic capitalist economy with gradually

decreasing guidance of investment and foreign trade by government

authorities. In keeping with this trend, some large government-owned

banks and industrial firms are being privatized. Exports have

provided the primary impetus for industrialization. The trade

surplus is substantial, and foreign reserves are the world's third

largest. Agriculture contributes less than 2% to GDP, down from 32%

in 1952. Taiwan is a major investor throughout Southeast Asia. China

has overtaken the US to become Taiwan's largest export market.

Because of its conservative financial approach and its

entrepreneurial strengths, Taiwan suffered little compared with many

of its neighbors from the Asian financial crisis in 1998. The global

economic downturn, combined with problems in policy coordination by

the administration and bad debts in the banking system, pushed

Taiwan into recession in 2001, the first year of negative growth

ever recorded. Unemployment also reached record levels. Output

recovered moderately in 2002 in the face of continued global

slowdown, fragile consumer confidence, and bad bank loans; and the

essentially vibrant economy pushed ahead in 2003-04. Growing

economic ties with China are a dominant long-term factor, e.g.,

exports to China of parts and equipment for the assembly of goods

for export to developed countries.

Tajikistan

Tajikistan has one of the lowest per capita GDPs among

the 15 former Soviet republics. Only 5% to 6% of the land area is

arable. Cotton is the most important crop. Mineral resources, varied

but limited in amount, include silver, gold, uranium, and tungsten.

Industry consists only of a large aluminum plant, hydropower

facilities, and small obsolete factories mostly in light industry

and food processing. The civil war (1992-97) severely damaged the

already weak economic infrastructure and caused a sharp decline in

industrial and agricultural production. Even though 60% of its

people continue to live in abject poverty, Tajikistan has

experienced steady economic growth since 1997. Continued

privatization of medium and large state-owned enterprises will

further increase productivity. Tajikistan's economic situation,

however, remains fragile due to uneven implementation of structural

reforms, weak governance, widespread unemployment, and the external

debt burden. A debt restructuring agreement was reached with Russia

in December 2002, including an interest rate of 4%, a 3-year grace

period, and a US $49.8 million credit to the Central Bank of

Tajikistan.

Tanzania

Tanzania is one of the poorest countries in the world. The

economy depends heavily on agriculture, which accounts for almost

half of GDP, provides 85% of exports, and employs 80% of the work

force. Topography and climatic conditions, however, limit cultivated

crops to only 4% of the land area. Industry traditionally featured

the processing of agricultural products and light consumer goods.

The World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, and bilateral

donors have provided funds to rehabilitate Tanzania's out-of-date

economic infrastructure and to alleviate poverty. Growth in

1991-2002 featured a pickup in industrial production and a

substantial increase in output of minerals, led by gold. Recent

banking reforms have helped increase private sector growth and

investment. Continued donor assistance and solid macroeconomic

policies supported real GDP growth of nearly 6% in 2004.

Thailand

Thailand has a well developed infrastructure, a

free-enterprise economy, and welcomes foreign investment. Thailand

has fully recovered from the 1997-98 Asian Financial Crisis and was

one of East Asia's best performers in 2002-04. Increased consumption

and investment spending and strong export growth pushed GDP growth

up to 6.9% in 2003 and 6.1% in 2004 despite a sluggish global

economy. The highly popular government's expansionist policy,

including major support of village economic development, has raised

concerns about fiscal discipline and the health of financial

institutions. Bangkok has pursued preferential trade agreements with

a variety of partners in an effort to boost exports and maintain

high growth, and in 2004 began negotiations on a Free Trade

Agreement with the US. In late December 2004, a major tsunami took

8,500 lives in Thailand and caused massive destruction of property

in the southern provinces of Krabi, Phangnga, and Phuket.

Togo

This small sub-Saharan economy is heavily dependent on both

commercial and subsistence agriculture, which provides employment

for 65% of the labor force. Some basic foodstuffs must still be

imported. Cocoa, coffee, and cotton generate about 40% of export

earnings, with cotton being the most important cash crop. Togo is

the world's fourth-largest producer of phosphate, but production

fell an estimated 22% in 2002 due to power shortages and the cost of

developing new deposits. The government's decade-long effort,

supported by the World Bank and the IMF, to implement economic

reform measures, encourage foreign investment, and bring revenues in

line with expenditures has moved slowly. Progress depends on

following through on privatization, increased openness in government

financial operations, progress toward legislative elections, and

continued support from foreign donors.

Tokelau

Tokelau's small size (three villages), isolation, and lack

of resources greatly restrain economic development and confine

agriculture to the subsistence level. The people rely heavily on aid

from New Zealand - about $4 million annually - to maintain public

services, with annual aid being substantially greater than GDP. The

principal sources of revenue come from sales of copra, postage

stamps, souvenir coins, and handicrafts. Money is also remitted to

families from relatives in New Zealand.

Tonga

Tonga, a small, open, South Pacific island economy, has a

narrow export base in agricultural goods. Squash, coconuts, bananas,

and vanilla beans are the main crops, and agricultural exports make

up two-thirds of total exports. The country must import a high

proportion of its food, mainly from New Zealand. Tourism is the

second largest source of hard currency earnings following

remittances. The country remains dependent on external aid and

remittances from Tongan communities overseas to offset its trade

deficit. The government is emphasizing the development of the

private sector, especially the encouragement of investment, and is

committing increased funds for health and education. Tonga has a

reasonably sound basic infrastructure and well-developed social

services. High unemployment among the young, a continuing upturn in

inflation, and rising civil service expenditures are major issues

facing the government.

Trinidad and Tobago

Trinidad and Tobago, the leading Caribbean

producer of oil and gas, has earned a reputation as an excellent

investment site for international businesses. Tourism is a growing

sector, although not proportionately as important as in many other

Caribbean islands. The economy benefits from low inflation and a

growing trade surplus. Prospects for growth in 2004 are good as

prices for oil, petrochemicals, and liquified natural gas are

expected to remain high, and foreign direct investment continues to

grow to support expanded capacity in the energy sector. The

government is coping with a rise in violent crime.

Tromelin Island

no economic activity

Tunisia

Tunisia has a diverse economy, with important agricultural,

mining, energy, tourism, and manufacturing sectors. Governmental

control of economic affairs while still heavy has gradually lessened

over the past decade with increasing privatization, simplification

of the tax structure, and a prudent approach to debt. Progressive

social policies also have helped raise living conditions in Tunisia

relative to the region. Real growth slowed to a 15-year low of 1.9%

in 2002 because of agricultural drought and lackluster tourism.

Better rains in 2003 and 2004, however, helped push GDP growth above

5% for these years. Tourism also recovered after the end of combat

operations in Iraq. Tunisia is gradually removing barriers to trade

with the European Union. Broader privatization, further

liberalization of the investment code to increase foreign

investment, improvements in government efficiency, and reduction of

the trade deficit are among the challenges ahead.

Turkey

Turkey's dynamic economy is a complex mix of modern industry

and commerce along with a traditional agriculture sector that in

2004 still accounted for more than 35% of employment. It has a

strong and rapidly growing private sector, yet the state still plays

a major role in basic industry, banking, transport, and

communication. The largest industrial sector is textiles and

clothing, which accounts for one-third of industrial employment; it

faces stiff competition in international markets with the end of the

global quota system. However, other sectors, notably the automotive

and electronics industries, are rising in importance within Turkey's

export mix. In recent years the economic situation has been marked

by erratic economic growth and serious imbalances. Real GNP growth

has exceeded 6% in many years, but this strong expansion has been

interrupted by sharp declines in output in 1994, 1999, and 2001.

Inflation, in recent years in the high double-digit range, fell to

9.3% by 2004 - a 30-year low. Despite these strong economic gains in

2002-04, which were largely due to renewed investor interest in

emerging markets, IMF backing, and tighter fiscal policy, the

economy is still plagued with high debt and deficits. The public

sector fiscal deficit exceeds 6% of GDP - due in large part to the

huge burden of interest payments, which accounted for more than 40%

of central government spending in 2004, and to populist spending.

Foreign direct investment (FDI) in Turkey remains low - averaging

less than $1 billion annually, but further economic and judicial

reforms and prospective EU membership are expected to boost FDI. A

major political and economic issue over the next decade is whether

or not Turkey will become a member of the EU.

Turkmenistan

Turkmenistan is largely desert country with intensive

agriculture in irrigated oases and large gas and oil resources.

One-half of its irrigated land is planted in cotton; formerly it was

the world's tenth-largest producer. Poor harvests in recent years

have led to a nearly 46% decline in cotton exports. With an

authoritarian ex-Communist regime in power and a tribally based

social structure, Turkmenistan has taken a cautious approach to

economic reform, hoping to use gas and cotton sales to sustain its

inefficient economy. Privatization goals remain limited. In

1998-2004, Turkmenistan suffered from the continued lack of adequate

export routes for natural gas and from obligations on extensive

short-term external debt. At the same time, however, total exports

rose by perhaps 30% in 2003 and 19% in 2004, largely because of

higher international oil and gas prices. Overall prospects in the

near future are discouraging because of widespread internal poverty,

the burden of foreign debt, the government's irrational use of oil

and gas revenues, and its unwillingness to adopt market-oriented

reforms. Turkmenistan's economic statistics are state secrets, and

GDP and other figures are subject to wide margins of error. In

particular, the rate of GDP growth is uncertain.

Turks and Caicos Islands

The Turks and Caicos economy is based on

tourism, fishing, and offshore financial services. Most capital

goods and food for domestic consumption are imported. The US is the

leading source of tourists, accounting for more than half of the

annual 93,000 visitors in the late 1990s. Major sources of

government revenue also include fees from offshore financial

activities and customs receipts.

Tuvalu

Tuvalu consists of a densely populated, scattered group of

nine coral atolls with poor soil. The country has no known mineral

resources and few exports. Subsistence farming and fishing are the

primary economic activities. Fewer than 1,000 tourists, on average,

visit Tuvalu annually. Government revenues largely come from the

sale of stamps and coins and worker remittances. About 1,000

Tuvaluans work in Nauru in the phosphate mining industry. Nauru has

begun repatriating Tuvaluans, however, as phosphate resources

decline. Substantial income is received annually from an

international trust fund established in 1987 by Australia, NZ, and

the UK and supported also by Japan and South Korea. Thanks to wise

investments and conservative withdrawals, this fund has grown from

an initial $17 million to over $35 million in 1999. The US

government is also a major revenue source for Tuvalu because of

payments from a 1988 treaty on fisheries. In an effort to reduce its

dependence on foreign aid, the government is pursuing public sector

reforms, including privatization of some government functions and

personnel cuts of up to 7%. In 1998, Tuvalu began deriving revenue

from use of its area code for "900" lines and in 2000, from the

lease of its ".tv" Internet domain name. Royalties from these new

technology sources could increase substantially over the next

decade. With merchandise exports only a fraction of merchandise

imports, continued reliance must be placed on fishing and

telecommunications license fees, remittances from overseas workers,

official transfers, and income from overseas investments.

Uganda

Uganda has substantial natural resources, including fertile

soils, regular rainfall, and sizable mineral deposits of copper and

cobalt. Agriculture is the most important sector of the economy,

employing over 80% of the work force. Coffee accounts for the bulk

of export revenues. Since 1986, the government - with the support of

foreign countries and international agencies - has acted to

rehabilitate and stabilize the economy by undertaking currency

reform, raising producer prices on export crops, increasing prices

of petroleum products, and improving civil service wages. The policy

changes are especially aimed at dampening inflation and boosting

production and export earnings. During 1990-2001, the economy turned

in a solid performance based on continued investment in the

rehabilitation of infrastructure, improved incentives for production

and exports, reduced inflation, gradually improved domestic

security, and the return of exiled Indian-Ugandan entrepreneurs.

Corruption within the government and slippage in the government's

determination to press reforms raise doubts about the continuation

of strong growth. In 2000, Uganda qualified for enhanced Highly

Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) debt relief worth $1.3 billion and

Paris Club debt relief worth $145 million. These amounts combined

with the original HIPC debt relief added up to about $2 billion.

Growth for 2001-02 was solid despite continued decline in the price

of coffee, Uganda's principal export. Solid growth in 2003-04

reflected an upturn in Uganda's export markets.

Ukraine

After Russia, the Ukrainian republic was far and away the

most important economic component of the former Soviet Union,

producing about four times the output of the next-ranking republic.

Its fertile black soil generated more than one-fourth of Soviet

agricultural output, and its farms provided substantial quantities

of meat, milk, grain, and vegetables to other republics. Likewise,

its diversified heavy industry supplied the unique equipment (for

example, large diameter pipes) and raw materials to industrial and

mining sites (vertical drilling apparatus) in other regions of the

former USSR. Ukraine depends on imports of energy, especially

natural gas, to meet some 85% of its annual energy requirements.

Shortly after independence in December 1991, the Ukrainian

Government liberalized most prices and erected a legal framework for

privatization, but widespread resistance to reform within the

government and the legislature soon stalled reform efforts and led

to some backtracking. Output by 1999 had fallen to less than 40% of

the 1991 level. Loose monetary policies pushed inflation to

hyperinflationary levels in late 1993. Ukraine's dependence on

Russia for energy supplies and the lack of significant structural

reform have made the Ukrainian economy vulnerable to external

shocks. Ukrainian government officials have taken some steps to

reform the country's Byzantine tax code, such as the implementation

of lower tax rates aimed at bringing more economic activity out of

Ukraine's large shadow economy, but more improvements are needed,

including closing tax loopholes and eliminating tax privileges and

exemptions. Reforms in the more politically sensitive areas of

structural reform and land privatization are still lagging. Outside

institutions - particularly the IMF - have encouraged Ukraine to

quicken the pace and scope of reforms. GDP in 2000 showed strong

export-based growth of 6% - the first growth since independence -

and industrial production grew 12.9%. The economy continued to

expand in 2001 as real GDP rose 9% and industrial output grew by

over 14%. Growth of 4.6% in 2002 was more moderate, in part a

reflection of faltering growth in the developed world. In general,

growth has been undergirded by strong domestic demand, low

inflation, and solid consumer and investor confidence. Growth was a

sturdy 9.3% in 2003 and a remarkable 12% in 2004, despite a loss of

momentum in needed economic reforms.

United Arab Emirates

The UAE has an open economy with a high per

capita income and a sizable annual trade surplus. Its wealth is

based on oil and gas output (about 30% of GDP), and the fortunes of

the economy fluctuate with the prices of those commodities. Since

the discovery of oil in the UAE more than 30 years ago, the UAE has

undergone a profound transformation from an impoverished region of

small desert principalities to a modern state with a high standard

of living. At present levels of production, oil and gas reserves

should last for more than 100 years. The government has increased

spending on job creation and infrastructure expansion and is opening

up its utilities to greater private sector involvement. In April

2004, the UAE signed a Trade and Investment Framework Agreement

(TIFA) with Washington and in November 2004 agreed to undertake

negotiations toward a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the US.

United Kingdom

The UK, a leading trading power and financial center,

is one of the quartet of trillion dollar economies of Western

Europe. Over the past two decades the government has greatly reduced

public ownership and contained the growth of social welfare

programs. Agriculture is intensive, highly mechanized, and efficient

by European standards, producing about 60% of food needs with less

than 2% of the labor force. The UK has large coal, natural gas, and

oil reserves; primary energy production accounts for 10% of GDP, one

of the highest shares of any industrial nation. Services,

particularly banking, insurance, and business services, account by

far for the largest proportion of GDP while industry continues to

decline in importance. GDP growth slipped in 2001-03 as the global

downturn, the high value of the pound, and the bursting of the "new

economy" bubble hurt manufacturing and exports. Output recovered in

2004, to 3.2% growth. The economy is one of the strongest in Europe;

inflation, interest rates, and unemployment remain low. The

relatively good economic performance has complicated the BLAIR

government's efforts to make a case for Britain to join the European

Economic and Monetary Union (EMU). Critics point out that the

economy is doing well outside of EMU, and they cite public opinion

polls that continue to show a majority of Britons opposed to the

euro. Meantime, the government has been speeding up the improvement

of education, transport, and health services, at a cost in higher

taxes.

United States

The US has the largest and most technologically

powerful economy in the world, with a per capita GDP of $40,100. In

this market-oriented economy, private individuals and business firms

make most of the decisions, and the federal and state governments

buy needed goods and services predominantly in the private

marketplace. US business firms enjoy considerably greater

flexibility than their counterparts in Western Europe and Japan in

decisions to expand capital plant, to lay off surplus workers, and

to develop new products. At the same time, they face higher barriers

to entry in their rivals' home markets than the barriers to entry of

foreign firms in US markets. US firms are at or near the forefront

in technological advances, especially in computers and in medical,

aerospace, and military equipment; their advantage has narrowed

since the end of World War II. The onrush of technology largely

explains the gradual development of a "two-tier labor market" in

which those at the bottom lack the education and the

professional/technical skills of those at the top and, more and

more, fail to get comparable pay raises, health insurance coverage,

and other benefits. Since 1975, practically all the gains in

household income have gone to the top 20% of households. The

response to the terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001 showed the

remarkable resilience of the economy. The war in March/April 2003

between a US-led coalition and Iraq, and the subsequent occupation

of Iraq, required major shifts in national resources to the

military. The rise in GDP in 2004 was undergirded by substantial

gains in labor productivity. The economy suffered from a sharp

increase in energy prices in the second half of 2004. Long-term

problems include inadequate investment in economic infrastructure,

rapidly rising medical and pension costs of an aging population,

sizable trade and budget deficits, and stagnation of family income

in the lower economic groups.

Uruguay

Uruguay's well-to-do economy is characterized by an

export-oriented agricultural sector, a well-educated workforce, and

high levels of social spending. After averaging growth of 5%

annually during 1996-98, in 1999-2002 the economy suffered a major

downturn, stemming largely from the spillover effects of the

economic problems of its large neighbors, Argentina and Brazil. For

instance, in 2001-02 massive withdrawals by Argentina of dollars

deposited in Uruguayan banks led to a plunge in the Uruguyan peso

and a massive rise in unemployment. Total GDP in these four years

dropped by nearly 20%, with 2002 the worst year due to the serious

banking crisis. Unemployment rose to nearly 20% in 2002, inflation

surged, and the burden of external debt doubled. Cooperation with

the IMF limited the damage. The debt swap with private creditors

carried out in 2003, which extended the maturity dates on nearly

half of Uruguay's $11.3 billion in public debt, substantially

alleviated the country's amortization burden in the coming years and

restored public confidence. The economy grew about 10% in 2004 as a

result of high commodity prices for Uruguayan exports, the weakness

of the dollar against the euro, growth in the region, low

international interest rates, and greater export competitiveness.

Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan is a dry, landlocked country of which 11%

consists of intensely cultivated, irrigated river valleys. More than

60% of its population lives in densely populated rural communities.

Uzbekistan is now the world's second-largest cotton exporter, a

large producer of gold and oil, and a regionally significant

producer of chemicals and machinery. Following independence in

December 1991, the government sought to prop up its Soviet-style

command economy with subsidies and tight controls on production and

prices. Uzbekistan responded to the negative external conditions

generated by the Asian and Russian financial crises by emphasizing

import substitute industrialization and by tightening export and

currency controls within its already largely closed economy. The

government, while aware of the need to improve the investment

climate, sponsors measures that often increase, not decrease, the

government's control over business decisions. A sharp increase in

the inequality of income distribution has hurt the lower ranks of

society since independence. In 2003, the government accepted the

obligations of Article VIII under the International Monetary Fund

(IMF), providing for full currency convertibility. However, strict

currency controls and tightening of borders have lessened the

effects of convertibility and have also led to some shortages that

have further stifled economic activity.

Vanuatu

This South Pacific island economy is based primarily on

small-scale agriculture, which provides a living for 65% of the

population. Fishing, offshore financial services, and tourism, with

about 50,000 visitors in 2004, are other mainstays of the economy.

Mineral deposits are negligible; the country has no known petroleum

deposits. A small light industry sector caters to the local market.

Tax revenues come mainly from import duties. Economic development is

hindered by dependence on relatively few commodity exports,

vulnerability to natural disasters, and long distances from main

markets and between constituent islands. GDP growth rose less than

3% on average in the 1990s. In response to foreign concerns, the

government has promised to tighten regulation of its offshore

financial center. In mid-2002 the government stepped up efforts to

boost tourism. Agriculture, especially livestock farming, is a

second target for growth. Australia and New Zealand are the main

suppliers of tourists and foreign aid.

Venezuela

Venezuela continues to be highly dependent on the

petroleum sector, accounting for roughly one-third of GDP, around

80% of export earnings, and over half of government operating

revenues. A disastrous two-month national oil strike from December

2002 to February 2003, temporarily halted economic activity. The

economy remained in depression in 2003, declining by 9.2% after an

8.9% fall in 2002. Despite continued domestic instability, output

recovered strongly in 2004, aided by high oil prices. Both inflation

and unemployment remain fundamental problems.

Vietnam

Vietnam is a densely-populated, developing country that in

the last 30 years has had to recover from the ravages of war, the

loss of financial support from the old Soviet Bloc, and the

rigidities of a centrally planned economy. Substantial progress was

achieved from 1986 to 1997 in moving forward from an extremely low

level of development and significantly reducing poverty. Growth

averaged around 9% per year from 1993 to 1997. The 1997 Asian

financial crisis highlighted the problems in the Vietnamese economy

and temporarily allowed opponents of reform to slow progress towards

a market oriented economy. GDP growth of 8.5% in 1997 fell to 6% in

1998 and 5% in 1999. Growth then rose to 7% in 2000-04 even against

the background of global recession. Since 2001, however, Vietnamese

authorities have reaffirmed their commitment to economic

liberalization and international integration. They have moved to

implement the structural reforms needed to modernize the economy and

to produce more competitive, export-driven industries. However,

equitization of state-owned enterprises and reduction in the

proportion of non-performing loans has fallen behind schedule.

Vietnam's membership in the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA) and entry

into force of the US-Vietnam Bilateral Trade in December 2001 have

led to even more rapid changes in Vietnam's trade and economic

regime. Vietnam's exports to the US doubled in 2002 and again in

2003. Vietnam is working toward accession to the WTO in 2005. Among

other benefits, accession will allow Vietnam to take advantage of

the phase out of the Agreement on Textiles and Clothing, which

eliminated quotas on textiles and clothing for WTO partners on 1

January 2005. Vietnam is working to promote job creation to keep up

with the country's high population growth rate. However, in 2004,

high levels of inflation prompted Vietnamese authorities to tighten

monetary and fiscal policies.

Virgin Islands

Tourism is the primary economic activity, accounting

for 80% of GDP and employment. The islands normally host 2 million

visitors a year. The manufacturing sector consists of petroleum

refining, textiles, electronics, pharmaceuticals, and watch

assembly. The agricultural sector is small, with most food being

imported. International business and financial services are a small

but growing component of the economy. One of the world's largest

petroleum refineries is at Saint Croix. The islands are subject to

substantial damage from storms. The government is working to improve

fiscal discipline, to support construction projects in the private

sector, to expand tourist facilities, to reduce crime, and to

protect the environment.

Wake Island

Economic activity is limited to providing services to

contractors located on the island. All food and manufactured goods

must be imported.

Wallis and Futuna

The economy is limited to traditional subsistence

agriculture, with about 80% labor force earnings from agriculture

(coconuts and vegetables), livestock (mostly pigs), and fishing.

About 4% of the population is employed in government. Revenues come

from French Government subsidies, licensing of fishing rights to

Japan and South Korea, import taxes, and remittances from expatriate

workers in New Caledonia.

West Bank

The West Bank - the larger of the two areas under the

Palestine Authority - has experienced a general decline in economic

growth and a degradation in economic conditions made worse since the

second intifadah began in September 2000. The downturn has been

largely the result of the Israeli closure policies - the imposition

of border closures in response to security incidents in Israel -

which disrupted labor and commodity market relationships. In 2001,

and even more severely in 2002, Israeli military measures in

Palestine Authority areas resulted in the destruction of much

capital plant, the disruption of administrative structure, and

widespread business closures. Including the Gaza Strip, the UN

estimates that more than 100,000 Palestinians out of the 125,000 who

used to work in Israeli settlements, or in joint industrial zones,

have lost their jobs. International aid of $2 billion to the West

Bank and Gaza strip in 2004 prevented the complete collapse of the

economy and allowed some reforms in the government's financial

operations. Meanwhile, unemployment has continued at more than half

the labor force. ARAFAT's death in 2004 leaves open more political

options that could affect the economy.

Western Sahara

Western Sahara depends on pastoral nomadism, fishing,

and phosphate mining as the principal sources of income for the

population. The territory lacks sufficient rainfall for sustainable

agricultural production, and most of the food for the urban

population must be imported. All trade and other economic activities

are controlled by the Moroccan Government. Moroccan energy interests

in 2001 signed contracts to explore for oil off the coast of Western

Sahara, which has angered the Polisario. Incomes and standards of

living in Western Sahara are substantially below the Moroccan level.

World

Global output rose by 4.9% in 2004, led by China (9.1%),

Russia (6.7%), and India (6.2%). The other 14 successor nations of

the USSR and the other old Warsaw Pact nations again experienced

widely divergent growth rates; the three Baltic nations continued as

strong performers, in the 7% range of growth. Growth results posted

by the major industrial countries varied from a small gain in Italy

(1.3%) to a strong gain by the United States (4.4%). The developing

nations also varied in their growth results, with many countries

facing population increases that erode gains in output. Externally,

the nation-state, as a bedrock economic-political institution, is

steadily losing control over international flows of people, goods,

funds, and technology. Internally, the central government often

finds its control over resources slipping as separatist regional

movements - typically based on ethnicity - gain momentum, e.g., in

many of the successor states of the former Soviet Union, in the

former Yugoslavia, in India, in Iraq, in Indonesia, and in Canada.

Externally, the central government is losing decisionmaking powers

to international bodies, notably the European Union. In Western

Europe, governments face the difficult political problem of

channeling resources away from welfare programs in order to increase

investment and strengthen incentives to seek employment. The

addition of 75 million people each year to an already overcrowded

globe is exacerbating the problems of pollution, desertification,

underemployment, epidemics, and famine. Because of their own

internal problems and priorities, the industrialized countries

devote insufficient resources to deal effectively with the poorer

areas of the world, which, at least from an economic point of view,

are becoming further marginalized. The introduction of the euro as

the common currency of much of Western Europe in January 1999, while

paving the way for an integrated economic powerhouse, poses economic

risks because of varying levels of income and cultural and political

differences among the participating nations. The terrorist attacks

on the US on 11 September 2001 accentuate a further growing risk to

global prosperity, illustrated, for example, by the reallocation of

resources away from investment to anti-terrorist programs. The

opening of war in March 2003 between a US-led coalition and Iraq

added new uncertainties to global economic prospects. After the

coalition victory, the complex political difficulties and the high

economic cost of establishing domestic order in Iraq became major

global problems that continued into 2005.

Yemen

Yemen, one of the poorest countries in the Arab world, has

reported strong growth since 2000, but its economic fortunes depend

mostly on oil. Yemen has embarked on an IMF-supported structural

adjustment program designed to modernize and streamline the economy,

which has led to substantial foreign debt relief and restructuring.

Yemen has worked to maintain tight control over spending and to

implement additional components of the IMF program, but a high

population growth rate and internal political dissension complicate

the government's task. Plans include a diversification of the

economy, encouragement of tourism, and more efficient use of scarce

water resources.

Zambia

Despite progress in privatization and budgetary reform,

Zambia's economic growth remains somewhat below the 5% to 7% needed

to reduce poverty significantly. Privatization of government-owned

copper mines relieved the government from covering mammoth losses

generated by the industry and greatly improved the chances for

copper mining to return to profitability and spur economic growth.

Copper output increased in 2004 and is expected to increase again in

2005, due to higher copper prices and the opening of new mines. The

maize harvest was again good in 2004, helping boost GDP and

agricultural exports. Cooperation continues with international

bodies on programs to reduce poverty, including a new lending

arrangement with the IMF in the second quarter, 2004. A tighter

monetary policy will help cut inflation, but Zambia still has a

serious problem with fiscal discipline.

Zimbabwe

The government of Zimbabwe faces a wide variety of

difficult economic problems as it struggles with an unsustainable

fiscal deficit, an overvalued exchange rate, soaring inflation, and

bare shelves. Its 1998-2002 involvement in the war in the Democratic

Republic of the Congo, for example, drained hundreds of millions of

dollars from the economy. Badly needed support from the IMF has been

suspended because of the country's failure to meet budgetary goals.

Inflation rose from an annual rate of 32% in 1998 to 133% at the end

of 2004, while the exchange rate fell from 24 Zimbabwean dollars per

US dollar to 6,200 in the same time period. The government's land

reform program, characterized by chaos and violence, has badly

damaged the commercial farming sector, the traditional source of

exports and foreign exchange and the provider of 400,000 jobs.

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2117 Pipelines (km)

Afghanistan

gas 387 km (2004)

Albania

gas 339 km; oil 207 km (2004)

Algeria

condensate 1,344 km; gas 85,946 km; liquid petroleum gas

2,213 km; oil 6,496 km (2004)

Angola

gas 214 km; liquid natural gas 14 km; liquid petroleum gas 30

km; oil 837 km; refined products 56 km (2004)

Argentina

gas 27,166 km; liquid petroleum gas 41 km; oil 3,668 km;

refined products 2,945 km; unknown (oil/water) 13 km (2004)

Armenia

gas 1,871 km (2004)

Australia

condensate/gas 492 km; gas 28,680 km; liquid petroleum gas

240 km; oil 4,773 km; oil/gas/water 110 km (2004)

Austria

gas 2,722 km; oil 663 km; refined products 149 km (2004)

Azerbaijan

gas 4,451 km; oil 1,518 km (2004)

Bahrain

gas 20 km; oil 53 km (2004)

Bangladesh

gas 2,012 km (2004)

Belarus

gas 5,223 km; oil 2,443 km; refined products 1,686 km (2004)

Belgium

gas 1,485 km; oil 158 km; refined products 535 km (2004)

Bolivia

gas 4,860 km; liquid petroleum gas 47 km; oil 2,457 km;

refined products 1,589 km; unknown (oil/water) 247 km (2004)

Brazil

condensate/gas 244 km; gas 10,739 km; liquid petroleum gas

341 km; oil 5,212 km; refined products 4,755 km (2004)

Brunei

gas 665 km; oil 439 km (2004)

Bulgaria

gas 2,425 km; oil 339 km; refined products 156 km (2004)

Burma

gas 2,056 km; oil 558 km (2004)

Cameroon

gas 90 km; liquid petroleum gas 9 km; oil 1,120 km (2004)

Canada

crude and refined oil 23,564 km; liquid petroleum gas 74,980

km (2003)

Chad

oil 205 km (2004)

Chile

gas 2,583 km; gas/lpg 42 km; liquid petroleum gas 539 km; oil

1,003 km; refined products 757 km (2004)

China

gas 15,890 km; oil 14,478 km; refined products 3,280 km (2004)

Colombia

gas 4,360 km; oil 6,134 km; refined products 3,140 km (2004)

Congo, Democratic Republic of the

gas 54 km; oil 71 km (2004)

Congo, Republic of the

gas 53 km; oil 646 km (2004)

Costa Rica

refined products 242 km (2004)

Cote d'Ivoire

condensate 107 km; gas 223 km; oil 104 km (2004)

Croatia

gas 1,340 km; oil 583 km (2004)

Cuba

gas 49 km; oil 230 km (2004)

Czech Republic

gas 7,020 km; oil 547 km; refined products 94 km

(2004)

Denmark

condensate 12 km; gas 3,892 km; oil 455 km; oil/gas/water 2

km; unknown (oil/water) 64 km (2004)

Ecuador

extra heavy crude 578 km; gas 71 km; oil 1,386 km; refined

products 1,185 km (2004)

Egypt

condensate 289 km; condensate/gas 94 km; gas 6,115 km; liquid

petroleum gas 852 km; oil 5,032 km; oil/gas/water 36 km; refined

products 246 km (2004)

Equatorial Guinea condensate 37 km; gas 39 km; liquid natural gas 4 km; oil 24 km (2004)

Estonia

gas 859 km (2004)

Finland

gas 694 km (2004)

France

gas 14,232 km; oil 3,024 km; refined products 4,889 km (2004)

Gabon

gas 210 km; oil 1,385 km (2004)

Georgia

gas 1,697 km; oil 1,027 km; refined products 232 km (2004)

Germany

condensate 325 km; gas 25,293 km; oil 3,540 km; refined

products 3,827 km (2004)

Ghana

refined products 74 km (2004)

Greece

gas 1,166 km; oil 94 km (2004)

Guatemala

oil 480 km (2004)

Hungary

gas 4,397 km; oil 990 km; refined products 335 km (2004)

India

gas 6,171 km; liquid petroleum gas 1,195 km; oil 5,613 km;

refined products 5,567 km (2004)

Indonesia

condensate 850 km; condensate/gas 128 km; gas 8,506 km;

oil 7,472 km; oil/gas/water 66 km; refined products 1,329 km (2004)

Iran

condensate/gas 212 km; gas 16,998 km; liquid petroleum gas 570

km; oil 8,256 km; refined products 7,808 km (2004)

Iraq

gas 1,739 km; oil 5,418 km; refined products 1,343 km (2004)

Ireland

gas 1,795 km (2004)

Israel

gas 140 km; oil 1,509 km (2004)

Italy

gas 17,335 km; oil 1,136 km (2004)

Japan

gas 2,719 km; oil 170 km; oil/gas/water 60 km (2004)

Jordan

gas 10 km; oil 743 km (2004)

Kazakhstan

condensate 18 km; gas 10,370 km; oil 10,158 km; refined

products 1,187 km (2004)

Kenya

refined products 752 km (2004)

Korea, North

oil 154 km (2004)

Korea, South

gas 1,433 km; refined products 827 km (2004)

Kuwait

gas 169 km; oil 540 km; refined products 57 km (2004)

Kyrgyzstan

gas 367 km; oil 13 km (2004)

Laos

refined products 540 km (2004)

Latvia

gas 1,097 km; oil 409 km; refined products 415 km (2004)

Lebanon

oil 209 km (2004)

Libya

condensate 225 km; gas 3,611 km; oil 7,252 km (2004)

Liechtenstein

gas 20 km (2004)

Lithuania

gas 1,696 km; oil 331 km; refined products 109 km (2004)

Luxembourg

gas 155 km (2004)

Macedonia

gas 268 km; oil 120 km (2004)

Malaysia

condensate 279 km; gas 5,047 km; oil 1,841 km; refined

products 114 km (2004)

Mexico

crude oil 28,200 km; petroleum products 10,150 km; natural

gas 13,254 km; petrochemical 1,400 km (2003)

Moldova

gas 606 km (2004)

Morocco

gas 695 km; oil 285 km (2004)

Mozambique

gas 649 km; refined products 292 km (2004)

Netherlands

condensate 325 km; gas 6,998 km; oil 590 km; refined

products 716 km (2004)

New Zealand

gas 2,213 km; liquid petroleum gas 79 km; oil 160 km;

refined products 304 km (2004)

Nicaragua

oil 54 km (2004)

Nigeria

condensate 105 km; gas 1,896 km; oil 3,638 km; refined

products 3,626 km (2004)

Norway

condensate 411 km; gas 6,199 km; oil 2,213 km; oil/gas/water

746 km; unknown (oil/water) 38 km (2004)

Oman

gas 3,754 km; oil 3,212 km (2004)

Pakistan

gas 9,945 km; oil 1,821 km (2004)

Papua New Guinea

oil 264 km (2004)

Peru

gas 388 km; oil 1,557 km; refined products 13 km (2004)

Philippines

gas 565 km; oil 135 km; refined products 100 km (2004)

Poland

gas 13,552 km; oil 1,772 km (2004)

Portugal

gas 1,099 km; oil 8 km; refined products 174 km (2004)

Qatar

condensate 319 km; condensate/gas 209 km; gas 1,024 km; liquid

petroleum gas 87 km; oil 702 km; oil/gas/water 41 km (2004)

Romania

gas 3,508 km; oil 2,427 km (2004)

Russia

condensate 122 km; gas 150,007 km; oil 75,539 km; refined

products 13,771 km (2004)

Saudi Arabia

condensate 212 km; gas 1,780 km; liquid petroleum gas

1,191 km; oil 5,068 km; refined products 1,162 km (2004)

Senegal

gas 564 km (2004)

Serbia and Montenegro

gas 3,177 km; oil 393 km (2004)

Singapore

gas 139 km (2004)

Slovakia

gas 6,769 km; oil 449 km (2004)

Slovenia

gas 2,526 km; oil 11 km (2004)

South Africa

condensate 100 km; gas 1,052 km; oil 847 km; refined

products 1,354 km (2004)

Spain

gas 7,306 km; oil 730 km; refined products 3,512 km (2004)

Sudan

gas 156 km; oil 2,365 km; refined products 810 km (2004)

Suriname

oil 51 km (2004)

Sweden

gas 798 km (2004)

Switzerland

gas 1,831 km; oil 94 km; refined products 7 km (2004)

Syria

gas 2,300 km; oil 2,183 km (2004)

Taiwan

condensate 25 km; gas 435 km (2004)

Tajikistan

gas 541 km; oil 38 km (2004)

Tanzania

gas 29 km; oil 866 km (2004)

Thailand

gas 3,112 km; refined products 265 km (2004)

Trinidad and Tobago condensate 253 km; gas 1,117 km; oil 478 km (2004)

Tunisia

gas 3,059 km; oil 1,203 km; refined products 345 km (2004)

Turkey

gas 3,177 km; oil 3,562 km (2004)

Turkmenistan

gas 6,549 km; oil 1,395 km (2004)

Ukraine

gas 20,069 km; oil 4,540 km; refined products 4,169 km (2004)

United Arab Emirates

condensate 469 km; gas 2,655 km; liquid

petroleum gas 300 km; oil 2,936 km; oil/gas/water 5 km (2004)

United Kingdom

condensate 370 km; gas 21,446 km; liquid petroleum

gas 59 km; oil 6,420 km; oil/gas/water 63 km; refined products 4,474

km (2004)

United States

petroleum products 244,620 km; natural gas 548,665 km

(2003)

Uruguay

gas 192 km (2004)

Uzbekistan

gas 9,149 km; oil 869 km; refined products 33 km (2004)

Venezuela

extra heavy crude 992 km; gas 5,262 km; oil 7,360 km;

refined products 1,681 km; unknown (oil/water) 141 km (2004)

Vietnam

condensate/gas 432 km; gas 210 km; oil 3 km; refined

products 206 km (2004)

Yemen

gas 88 km; oil 1,174 km (2004)

Zambia

oil 771 km (2004)

Zimbabwe

refined products 261 km (2004)

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2118 Political parties and leaders

Afghanistan

note - includes only political parties approved by the

Ministry of Justice: Afghan Millat [Anwarul Haq AHADI]; De

Afghanistan De Solay Ghorzang Gond [Shahnawaz TANAI]; De Afghanistan

De Solay Mili Islami Gond [Shah Mahmood Polal ZAI]; Harakat-e-Islami

Afghanistan [Mohammad Asif MOHSINEE];

Hezb-e-Aarman-e-Mardum-e-Afghanistan [Iihaj Saraj-u-din ZAFAREE];

Hezb-e-Aazadee Afghanistan [Abdul MALIK]; Hezb-e-Adalat-e-Islami

Afghanistan [Mohammad Kabeer MARZBAN]; Hezb-e-Afghanistan-e-Wahid

[Mohammad Wasil RAHEEMEE]; Hezb-e-Afghan Watan Islami Gond [leader

NA]; Hezb-e-Congra-e-Mili Afghanistan [Latif PEDRAM];

Hezb-e-Falah-e-Mardum-e-Afghanistan [Mohammad ZAREEF];

Hezb-e-Libral-e-Aazadee Khwa-e-Mardum-e-Afghanistan [Ajmal SOHAIL];

Hezb-e-Hambastagee Mili Jawanan-e-Afghanistan [Mohammad Jamil

KARZAI]; Hezb-e-Hamnbatagee-e-Afghanistan [Abdul Khaleq NEMAT];

Hezb-e-Harakat-e-Mili Wahdat-e-Afghanistan [Mohammad Nadir AATASH];

Hezb-e-Harak-e-Islami Mardum-e-Afghanistan [Ilhaj Said Hssain

ANWARY]; Hezb-e-Ifazat Az Uqoq-e-Bashar Wa Inkishaf-e-Afghanistan

[Baryalai NASRATEE]; Hezb-e-Istiqlal-e-Afghanistan [Dr. Gh. Farooq

NIJZRABEE]; Hezb-e-Jamhoree Khwahan [Sibghatullah SANJAR];

Hezb-e-Kar Wa Tawsiha-e-Afghanistan [Zulfiar OMID]; Hezb-e-Mili

Afghanistan [Abdul Rasheed AARYAN]; Hezb-e-Mili

Wahdat-e-Aqwam-e-Islami Afghanistan [Mohammad Shah KHOGYANEE];

Hezb-e-Nuhzhat-e-Mili Afghanistan [Ahmad Wali MASOUD];

Hezb-e-Paiwand-e-Mili Afghanistan [Said Mansoor NADIRI];

Hezb-e-Rastakhaiz-e-Islami Mardum-e-Afghanistan [Said ZAHIR];

Hezb-e-Refah-e-Mardum-e-Afghanistan [Mia Gul WASEEQ];

Hezb-e-Risalat-e-Mardum-e-Afghanistan [Noor Aqa ROEEN];

Hezb-e-Sahadat-e-Mardum-e-Afghanistan [Mohammad Zubair PAIROZ];

Hezb-e-Sahadat-e-Mili Wa Islami Afghanistan [Mohammad Usman

SALIGZADA]; Hezb-e-Sulh-e-Mili Islami Aqwam-e-Afghanistan [Abdul

Qahir SHARYATEE]; Hezb-e-Sulh Wa Wahdat-e-Mili Afghanistan [Abdul

Qadir IMAMEE]; Hezb-e-Tafahum-e-Wa Democracy Afghanistan [Ahamad

SHAHEEN]; Hezb-e-Wahdat-e-Islami Afghanistan [Mohammad Karim

KHALILI]; Hezb-e-Wahdat-e-Islami Mardum-e-Afghanistan [Ustad

Mohammad MOHAQQEQ]; Hezb-e-Wahdat-e-Mili Afghanistan [Abdul Rasheed

Jalili]; Jamahat-ul-Dahwat ilal Qurhan-wa-Sunat-ul-Afghanistan

[Mawlawee Samiullah NAJEEBEE]; Jombesh-e Milli [Abdul Rashid

DOSTAM]; Mahaz-e-Mili Islami Afghanistan [Said Ahmad GAILANEE];

Majmah-e-Mili Fahaleen-e-Sulh-e-Afghanistan [Shams ul Haq Noor

SHAMS]; Nuhzat-e-Aazadee Wa democracy Afghanistan [Abdul Raqeeb

Jawid KUHISTANEE]; Nuhzat-e-Hambastagee Mili Afghanistan [Peer Said

Ishaq GAILANEE]; Sazman-e-Islami Afghanistan-e-Jawan [Siad Jawad

HUSSAINEE]; Tahreek Wahdat-e-Mili [Sultan Mahmood DHAZI] (30 Sep

2004)

Albania

Agrarian Environmentalist Party or PAA [Lufter XHUVELI];

Christian Democratic Party or PDK [Nikolle LESI]; Communist Party of

Albania or PKSH [Hysni MILLOSHI]; Democratic Alliance Party or PAD

[Neritan CEKA]; Democratic Party or PD [Sali BERISHA]; Legality

Movement Party or PLL [Ekrem SPAHIU]; Liberal Union Party or PBL

[Arjan STAROVA]; National Front Party (Balli Kombetar) or PBK

[Adriatik ALIMADHI]; New Democratic Party or PDR [Genc POLLO]; Party

of National Unity or PUK [Idajet BEQIRI]; Renewed Democratic Party

or PDR [Dashamir SHEHI]; Republican Party or PR [Fatmir MEDIU];

Social Democracy Party or PDS [Paskal MILO]; Social Democratic Party

or PSD [Skender GJINUSHI]; Socialist Movement for Integration or LSI

[Ilir META]; Socialist Party or PS (formerly the Albanian Party of

Labor) [Fatos NANO]; Union for Human Rights Party or PBDNJ [Vangjel

DULE]

Algeria

Algerian National Front or FNA [Moussa TOUATI]; Democratic

National Rally or RND [Ahmed OUYAHIA, chairman]; Islamic Salvation

Front or FIS (outlawed April 1992) [Ali BELHADJ and Dr. Abassi

MADANI, Rabeh KEBIR (self-exiled in Germany)]; National Entente

Movement or MEN [Ali BOUKHAZNA]; National Liberation Front or FLN

[Abdelaziz BELKHADEM, secretary general (also serves as Foreign

Minister)]; National Reform Movement or Islah (formerly MRN)

[Abdellah DJABALLAH]; National Renewal Party or PRA [Yacine

TERKMANE]; Progressive Republican Party [Khadir DRISS]; Rally for

Culture and Democracy or RCD [Said SAADI, secretary general];

Renaissance Movement or EnNahda Movement [Fatah RABEI]; Socialist

Forces Front or FFS [Hocine Ait AHMED, secretary general

(self-exiled in Switzerland)]; Social Liberal Party or PSL [Ahmed

KHELIL]; Society of Peace Movement or MSP [Boujerra SOLTANI];

Workers Party or PT [Louisa HANOUN]

note: a law banning political parties based on religion was enacted

in March 1997

American Samoa

Democratic Party [Oreta M. TOGAFAU]; Republican Party

[Tautai A. F. FAALEVAO]

Andorra

Andorran Democratic Center Party or CDA (formerly Democratic

Party or PD) [leader NA]; Liberal Party of Andorra or PLA (formerly

Liberal Union or UL) [Albert PINTAT]; Social Democratic Party or PS

(formerly part of National Democratic Group or AND) [Mariona

GONZALEZ REOLIT]

Angola

Liberal Democratic Party or PLD [Analia de Victoria PEREIRA];

National Front for the Liberation of Angola or FNLA [disputed

leadership: Lucas NGONDA, Holden ROBERTO]; National Union for the

Total Independence of Angola or UNITA [Isaias SAMAKUVA], largest

opposition party has engaged in years of armed resistance; Popular

Movement for the Liberation of Angola or MPLA [Jose Eduardo DOS

SANTOS], ruling party in power since 1975; Social Renewal Party or

PRS [disputed leadership: Eduardo KUANGANA, Antonio MUACHICUNGO]

note: about a dozen minor parties participated in the 1992 elections

but only won a few seats and have little influence in the National

Assembly

Anguilla

Anguilla United Movement or AUM [Hubert HUGHES]; The

Anguilla United Front or AUF [Osbourne FLEMING, Victor BANKS], a

coalition of the Anguilla Democratic Party or ADP and the Anguilla

National Alliance or ANA; Anguilla Progressive Party or APP [Roy

ROGERS]; Anguilla Strategic Alternative or ANSA [Edison BAIRD]

Antigua and Barbuda

Antigua Labor Party or ALP [Lester Bryant BIRD];

Barbuda People's Movement or BPM [Thomas H. FRANK]; United

Progressive Party or UPP [Baldwin SPENCER] (a coalition of three

opposition parties - United National Democratic Party or UNDP,

Antigua Caribbean Liberation Movement or ACLM, and Progressive Labor

Movement or PLM)

Argentina

Action for the Republic or AR [Domingo CAVALLO];

Alternative for a Republic of Equals or ARI [Elisa CARRIO]; Federal

Recreate Movement or RECREAR [Ricardo LOPEZ MURPHY]; Front for a

Country in Solidarity or Frepaso (a four-party coalition) [Dario

Pedro ALESSANDRO]; Interbloque Federal or IF (a broad coalition of

approximately 12 parties including RECREAR) [leader NA];

Justicialist Party or PJ (Peronist umbrella political organization)

[leader NA]; Radical Civic Union or UCR [Angel ROZAS]; Socialist

Party or PS [Ruben GIUSTINIANI]; Union For All [Patricia BULLRICH];

several provincial parties

Armenia

Agro-Industrial Party [Vladimir BADALIAN]; Armenia Party

[Myasnik MALKHASYAN]; Armenian National Movement or ANM [Alex

ARZUMANYAN, chairman]; Armenian Ramkavar Liberal Party or HRAK

[Harutyun MIRZAKHANYAN, chairman]; Armenian Revolutionary Federation

("Dashnak" Party) or ARF [Vahan HOVHANISSIAN]; Democratic Party

[Aram SARKISYAN]; Justice Bloc (comprised of the Democratic Party,

National Democratic Party, National Democratic Union, and the

People's Party) [Stepan DEMIRCHYAN]; National Democratic Party

[Shavarsh KOCHARIAN]; National Democratic Union or NDU [Vazgen

MANUKIAN]; National Unity Party [Artashes GEGAMIAN, chairman];

People's Party of Armenia [Stepan DEMIRCHYAN]; Republic Party

[Albert BAZEYAN and Aram SARKISYAN, chairmen]; Republican Party or

RPA [Andranik MARKARYAN]; Rule of Law Party [Artur BAGDASARIAN,

chairman]; Union of Constitutional Rights [Hrant KHACHATURYAN];

United Labor Party [Gurgen ARSENIAN]

Aruba

Aliansa/Aruban Social Movement or MSA [Robert WEVER]; Aruban

Liberal Organization or OLA [Glenbert CROES]; Aruban Patriotic

Movement or MPA [Monica ARENDS-KOCK]; Aruban Patriotic Party or PPA

[Benny NISBET]; Aruban People's Party or AVP [Mike EMAN]; People's

Electoral Movement Party or MEP [Nelson O. ODUBER]; Real Democracy

or PDR [Andin BIKKER]; RED [Rudy LAMPE]; Workers Political Platform

or PTT [Gregorio WOLFF]

Australia

Australian Democrats [Lyn ALLISON]; Australian Labor Party

[Kim BEAZLEY]; Australian Progressive Alliance [Meg LEES];

Australian Greens [Bob BROWN]; Liberal Party [John Winston HOWARD];

The Nationals [Mark VAILE]; One Nation Party [Len HARRIS]; Family

First Party [Steve FIELDING]

Austria

Alliance for the Future of Austria or BZOe [Joerg HAIDER];

Austrian People's Party or OeVP [Wolfgang SCHUESSEL]; Freedom Party

of Austria or FPOe [Heinz Christian STRACHE]; Social Democratic

Party of Austria or SPOe [Alfred GUSENBAUER]; The Greens [Alexander

VAN DER BELLEN]

Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan Popular Front or APF [Ali KARIMLI, leader of

"Reform" faction; Mirmahmud MIRALI-OGLU, leader of "Classic"

faction]; Civic Solidarity Party or CSP [Sabir RUSTAMKHANLY]; Civic

Union Party [Ayaz MUTALIBOV]; Communist Party of Azerbaijan or CPA

[Ramiz AHMADOV]; Compatriot Party [Mais SAFARLI]; Democratic Party

for Azerbaijan or DPA [Rasul QULIYEV, chairman]; Justice Party

[Ilyas ISMAILOV]; Liberal Party of Azerbaijan [Lala Shovkat

HACIYEVA]; Musavat [Isa GAMBAR, chairman]; New Azerbaijan Party or

NAP [vacant]; Party for National Independence of Azerbaijan or PNIA

[Etibar MAMMADLI, chairman]; Social Democratic Party of Azerbaijan

or SDP [Araz ALIZADE and Ayaz MUTALIBOV]

note: opposition parties regularly factionalize and form new parties

Bahamas, The

Free National Movement or FNM [Tommy TURNQUEST];

Progressive Liberal Party or PLP [Perry CHRISTIE]

Bahrain

political parties prohibited but politically oriented

societies are allowed

Bangladesh

Awami League or AL [Sheikh HASINA]; Bangladesh Communist

Party or BCP [Saifuddin Ahmed MANIK]; Bangladesh Nationalist Party

or BNP [Khaleda ZIA, chairperson]; Islami Oikya Jote or IOJ [Mufti

Fazlul Haq AMINI]; Jamaat-e-Islami or JI [Motiur Rahman NIZAMI];

Jatiya Party or JP (Ershad faction) [Hussain Mohammad ERSHAD];

Jatiya Party (Manzur faction) [Naziur Rahman MANZUR]

Barbados

Barbados Labor Party or BLP [Owen ARTHUR]; Democratic Labor

Party or DLP [Clyde Mascoll]

Belarus

Pro-government parties: Agrarian Party or AP [leader NA];

Belarusian Communist Party or KPB [leader NA]; Belarusian Patriotic

Movement (Belarusian Patriotic Party) or BPR [Anatoliy BARANKEVICH,

chairman]; Liberal Democratic Party of Belarus [Sergei GAYDUKEVICH];

Social-Sports Party [leader NA]; Opposition parties: Belarusian

Popular Front or BNF [Vintsuk VYACHORKA]; Belarusian Social-Democrat

Party Narodnaya Gromada or BSDP NG [Nikolay STATKEVICH, chairman];

Belarusian Social-Democratic Party Hromada [Stanislav SHUSHKEVICH,

chairman]; United Civic Party or UCP [Anatol LEBEDKO]; Party of

Communists Belarusian or PKB [Sergei KALYAKIN, chairman]; Women's

Party "Nadezhda" [Valentina MATUSEVICH, chairperson]

note: the opposition Belarusian Party of Labor [Aleksandr

BUKHVOSTOV] was liquidated in August 2004, but remains active

Belgium

Flemish parties: Christian Democrats and Flemish or CD & V

[Jo VANDEURZEN]; Flemish Liberal Democrats or VLD [Bart SOMERS];

GROEN! (formerly AGALEV, Flemish Greens) [Vera DUA]; New Flemish

Alliance or NVA [Bart DE WEVER]; Socialist Party.Alternative or SP.A

[Caroline GENNEZ]; Spirit [Geert LAMBERT] (new party now associated

with SP.A); Vlaams Belang (Flemish Interest) or VB [Frank VANHECKE]

Francophone parties: Ecolo (Francophone Greens) [Jean-Michel JAVAUX,

Evelyne HUYTEBROECK, Claude BROUIR]; Humanist and Democratic Center

of CDH [Joelle MILQUET]; National Front or FN [Daniel FERET];

Reformist Movement or MR [Didier REYNDERS]; Socialist Party or PS

[Elio DI RUPO]; other minor parties

Belize

People's United Party or PUP [Said MUSA]; United Democratic

Party or UDP [Dean BARROW, party leader; Douglas SINGH, party

chairman]

Benin

African Congress for Renewal or DUNYA [Saka SALEY]; African

Movement for Democracy and Progress or MADEP [Sefou FAGBOHOUN];

Alliance of the Social Democratic Party or PSD [Bruno AMOUSSOU];

Coalition of Democratic Forces [Gatien HOUNGBEDJI]; Democratic

Renewal Party or PRD [Adrien HOUNGBEDJI]; Front for Renewal and

Development or FARD-ALAFIA [Jerome Sakia KINA]; Impulse for Progress

and Democracy or IPD [Bertin BORNA]; Key Force or FC [leader NA];

Presidential Movement (UBF, MADEP, FC, IDP, and four small parties);

Renaissance Party du Benin or PRB [Nicephore SOGLO]; The Star

Alliance (Alliance E'toile) [Sacca LAFIA]; Union of Tomorrow's Benin

or UBF [Bruno AMOUSSOU]

note: approximately 20 additional minor parties

Bermuda

Progressive Labor Party or PLP [William Alexander SCOTT];

United Bermuda Party or UBP [Grant GIBBONS]

Bhutan

no legal parties

Bolivia

Bolivian Socialist Falange or FSB [Romel PANTOJA]; Civic

Solidarity Union or UCS [Johnny FERNANDEZ]; Free Bolivia Movement or

MBL [Franz BARRIOS]; Marshal of Ayacucho Institutional Vanguard or

VIMA [Freddy ZABALA]; Movement of the Revolutionary Left or MIR

[Jaime PAZ Zamora]; Movement Toward Socialism or MAS [Evo MORALES];

Movement Without Fear or MSM [Juan DEL GRANADO]; Nationalist

Democratic Action or ADN [Jorge Fernando QUIROGA Ramirez];

Nationalist Revolutionary Movement or MNR [leader NA]; New

Republican Force or NFR [Manfred REYES-VILLA]; Pachakuti Indigenous

Movement or MIP [Felipe QUISPE]; Socialist Party or PS [Jeres

JUSTINIANO]

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Alliance of Independent Social Democrats or

SNSD [Milorad DODIK]; Bosnian Party or BOSS [Mirnes AJANOVIC]; Civic

Democratic Party or GDS [Ibrahim SPAHIC]; Croatian Democratic Union

of Bosnia and Herzegovina or HDZ-BH [Barisa COLAK]; Croat Christian

Democratic Union of Bosnia and Herzegovina or HKDU [Mijo

IVANIC-LONIC]; Croat Party of Rights or HSP [Zdravko HRISTIC]; Croat

Peasants Party or HSS [Marko TADIC]; Democratic National Union or

DNZ [Fikret ABDIC]; Liberal Democratic Party or LDS [Rasim KADIC];

New Croat Initiative or NHI [Kresimir ZUBAK]; Party for Bosnia and

Herzegovina or SBiH [Safet HALILOVIC]; Party of Democratic Action or

SDA [Sulejman TIHIC]; Party of Democratic Progress or PDP [Mladen

IVANIC]; Serb Democratic Party or SDS [Dragan CAVIC - acting]; Serb

Radical Party of the Republika Srpska or SRS-RS [Milanko MIHAJLICA];

Serb Radical Party-Dr. Vojislav Seselj or SRS-VS [Radislav

KANJERIC]; Social Democratic Party of BIH or SDP [Zlatko

LAGUMDZIJA]; Social Democratic Union or SDU [Miro LAZOVIC];

Socialist Party of Republika Srpska or SPRS [Petar DJOKIC]

Botswana

Botswana Democratic Party or BDP [Festus G. MOGAE];

Botswana National Front or BNF [Otswoletse MOUPO]; Botswana Congress

Party or BCP [Otlaadisa KOOSALETSE]; Botswana Alliance Movement or

BAM [Ephraim Lepetu SETSHWAELO]

note: a number of minor parties joined forces in 1999 to form the

BAM but did not capture any parliamentary seats; the BAM parties

are: the United Action Party [Ephraim Lepetu SETSHWAELO]; the

Independence Freedom Party or IFP [Motsamai MPHO]; and the Botswana

Progressive Union [D. K. KWELE]

Brazil

Brazilian Democratic Movement Party or PMDB [Federal Deputy

Michel TEMER]; Brazilian Labor Party or PTB [Federal Deputy Roberto

JEFFERSON]; Brazilian Social Democracy Party or PSDB [Senator

Eduardo AZAREDO]; Brazilian Socialist Party or PSB [Federal Deputy

Miguel ARRAES]; Communist Party of Brazil or PCdoB [Renato RABELO];

Democratic Labor Party or PDT [Carlos LUPI]; Democratic Socialist

Party or PSD [Pedro Miguel SANTANA LOPES]; Green Party or PV [Jose

Luiz de Franca PENNA]; Liberal Front Party or PFL [Senator Jorge

BORNHAUSEN]; Liberal Party or PL [Federal Deputy Valdemar COSTA

Neto]; National Order Reconstruction Party or PRONA [Federal Deputy

Dr. Eneas CARNEIRO]; Popular Socialist Party or PPS [Federal Deputy

Roberto FREIRE]; Progressive Party or PP [Federal Deputy Pedro

CORREA]; Social Christian Party or PSC [Vitor Jorge ABDALA NOSSEIS];

Worker's Party or PT [Jose GENOINO]

British Virgin Islands

Concerned Citizens Movement or CCM [Ethlyn

SMITH]; National Democratic Party or NDP [Orlando SMITH]; United

Party or UP [Gregory MADURO]; Virgin Islands Party or VIP [Ralph T.

O'NEAL]

Brunei

National Development Party (NDP) [Yassin AFFENDI]; National

Unity Party of Brunei (PPKB) [leader NA]; People's Awareness Party

(PAKAR) [leader NA]

note: parties are small and inactive (2005)

Bulgaria

Attack National Union [Volen Siderov]; ATAKA (Attack

Coalition) (coalition of parties headed by the Attack National

Union); Bulgarian Agrarian National Union-People's Union or BANU

[Anastasia MOZER]; Bulgarian People's Union or BPU (coalition of

UFD, IMRO, and BANU); Bulgarian Socialist Party or BSP [Sergei

STANISHEV]; Coalition for Bulgaria or CfB (coalition of parties

dominated by BSP) [Sergei STANISHEV]; Democrats for a Strong

Bulgaria or DSB [Ivan KOSTOV]; Internal Macedonian Revolutionary

Organization or IMRO [Krasimir KARAKACHANOV]; Movement for Rights

and Freedoms or MRF [Ahmed DOGAN]; National Movement for Simeon II

or NMS2 [Simeon SAXE-COBURG-GOTHA]; New Time [Emil KOSHLUKOV]; Union

of Democratic Forces or UDF [Nadezhda MIKHAYLOVA]; Union of Free

Democrats or UFD [Stefan SOFIYANSKI]; United Democratic Forces or

UtDF (a coalition of center-right parties dominated by UDF)

Burkina Faso

African Democratic Rally-Alliance for Democracy and

Federation or RDA-ADF [Herman YAMEOGO]; Confederation for Federation

and Democracy or CFD [Amadou Diemdioda DICKO]; Congress for

Democracy and Progress or CDP [Roch Marc-Christian KABORE]; Movement

for Tolerance and Progress or MTP [Nayabtigungou Congo KABORE];

Party for African Independence or PAI [Philippe OUEDRAOGO]; Party

for Democracy and Progress or PDP [Joseph KI-ZERBO]; Socialist Party

or PS [leader NA]; Union of Greens for the Development of Burkina

Faso or UVDB [Ram OVEDRAGO]

Burma

National League for Democracy or NLD [AUNG SHWE, chairman,

AUNG SAN SUU KYI, general secretary]; National Unity Party or NUP

(pro-government) [THA KYAW]; Shan Nationalities League for Democracy

or SNLD [KHUN HTUN OO]; and other smaller parties

Burundi

the three national, mainstream, governing parties are: Unity

for National Progress or UPRONA [Jean-Baptiste MANWANGARI, secretary

general]; Burundi Democratic Front or FRODEBU [Jean MINANI,

president]; National Council for the Defense of Democracy, Front for

the Defense of Democracy of CNDD-FDD [Pierre NKURUNZIZA, president]

note: a multiparty system was introduced after 1998, included are:

National Resistance Movement for the Rehabilitation of the Citizen

or MRC-Rurenzangemero [Epitace BANYAGANAKANDI]; Party for National

Redress or PARENA [Jean-Baptiste BAGAZA]

Cambodia

Cambodian Pracheachon Party (Cambodian People's Party) or

CPP [CHEA SIM]; National United Front for an Independent, Neutral,

Peaceful, and Cooperative Cambodia or FUNCINPEC [Prince NORODOM

Ranariddh]; Sam Rangsi Party or SRP [SAM RANGSI]

Cameroon

Cameroonian Democratic Union or UDC [Adamou NDAM NJOYA];

Democratic Rally of the Cameroon People or RDCP [Paul BIYA];

Movement for the Defense of the Republic or MDR [Dakole DAISSALA];

Movement for the Liberation and Development of Cameroon or MLDC

[leader Marcel YONDO]; Movement for the Youth of Cameroon or MYC

[Dieudonne TINA]; National Union for Democracy and Progress or UNDP

[Maigari BELLO BOUBA]; Social Democratic Front or SDF [John FRU

NDI]; Union of Cameroonian Populations or UPC [Augustin Frederic

KODOCK]

Canada

Bloc Quebecois [Gilles DUCEPPE]; Conservative Party of Canada

(a merger of the Canadian Alliance and the Progressive Conservative

Party) [Stephen HARPER]; Green Party [Jim HARRIS]; Liberal Party

[Paul MARTIN]; New Democratic Party [Jack LAYTON]

Cape Verde

African Party for Independence of Cape Verde or PAICV

[Jose Maria Pereira NEVES, chairman]; Democratic Alliance for Change

or ADM [Dr. Eurico MONTEIRO] (a coalition of PCD, PTS, and UCID);

Democratic Christian Party or PDC [Manuel RODRIGUES, chairman];

Democratic Renovation Party or PRD [Jacinto SANTOS, president];

Movement for Democracy or MPD [Agostinho LOPES, president]; Party

for Democratic Convergence or PCD [Dr. Eurico MONTEIRO, president];

Party of Work and Solidarity or PTS [Isaias RODRIGUES, president];

Social Democratic Party or PSD [Joao ALEM, president]

Cayman Islands

no national teams (loose groupings of political

organizations) were formed for the 2000 elections; United Democratic

Party or UDP [leader McKeeva BUSH]; People's Progressive Movement or

PPM [leader Kurt TIBBETTS]

Central African Republic

Alliance for Democracy and Progress or ADP

[Jacques MBOLIEDAS]; Central African Democratic Assembly or RDC

[Andre KOLINGBA]; Civic Forum or FC [Gen. Timothee MALENDOMA];

Democratic Forum for Modernity or FODEM [Charles MASSI]; Liberal

Democratic Party or PLD [Nestor KOMBO-NAGUEMON]; Movement for

Democracy and Development or MDD [David DACKO]; Movement for the

Liberation of the Central African People or MLPC [the party of

deposed president, Ange-Felix PATASSE]; Patriotic Front for Progress

or FPP [Abel GOUMBA]; People's Union for the Republic or UPR [Pierre

Sammy MAKFOY]; National Unity Party or PUN [Jean-Paul NGOUPANDE];

Social Democratic Party or PSD [Enoch LAKOUE]

Chad

Federation Action for the Republic or FAR [Ngarlejy YORONGAR];

National Rally for Development and Progress or RNDP [Mamadou BISSO];

National Union for Democracy and Renewal or UNDR [Saleh KEBZABO];

Patriotic Salvation Movement or MPS [Mahamat Saleh AHMAT, chairman];

Rally for Democracy and Progress or RDP [Lol Mahamat CHOUA]; Union

for Renewal and Democracy or URD [Gen. Wadal Abdelkader KAMOUGUE];

Viva Rally for Development and Progress or Viva RNDP [Delwa Kassire

COUMAKOYE]

Chile

Alliance for Chile ("Alianza") or APC (including National

Renewal or RN [Sebastian PINERA] and Independent Democratic Union or

UDI [Pablo LONGUEIRA]); Coalition of Parties for Democracy

("Concertacion") or CPD (including Christian Democratic Party or PDC

[Adolfo ZALDIVAR], Socialist Party or PS [Gonzalo MARTNER], Party

for Democracy or PPD [Victor BARRUETO], Radical Social Democratic

Party or PRSD [Orlando CANTUARIAS]); Communist Party or PC [Gladys

MARIN]

China

Chinese Communist Party or CCP [HU Jintao, General Secretary

of the Central Committee]; eight registered small parties controlled

by CCP

Christmas Island

none

Cocos (Keeling) Islands

none

Colombia

Colombian Communist Party or PCC [Jaime CAICEDO];

Conservative Party or PSC [Carlos HOLGUIN Sardi]; Democratic Pole or

PDI [Samuel MORENO Rojas]; Liberal Party or PL [Juan Fernando CRISTO]

note: Colombia has about 60 formally recognized political parties,

most of which do not have a presence in either house of Congress

Comoros

Forces pour l'Action Republicaine or FAR [Col. Abdourazak

ABDULHAMID]; Forum pour la Redressement National or FRN (alliance of

12 parties); Front Democratique or FD [Moustoifa Said CHEIKH]; Front

National pour la Justice or FNJ (Islamic party in opposition) [Ahmed

RACHID]; Movement des Citoyens pour la Republique or MCR [Mahamoud

MRADABI]; Mouvement Populaire Anjouanais or MPA (Anjouan separatist

movement) [leader NA]; Mouvement pour la Democratie et le Progress

or MDP-NGDC [Abbas DJOUSSOUF]; Movement pour le Socialisme et la

Democratie or MSD (splinter group of FD) [Abdou SOEFOU]; Parti

Comorien pour la Democratie et le Progress or PCDP [Ali MROUDJAE];

Rassemblement National pour le Development or RND (party of the

government) [Omar TAMOU, Abdoulhamid AFFRAITANE]

Congo, Democratic Republic of the

Democratic Social Christian Party

or PDSC [Andre BO-BOLIKO]; Forces for Renovation for Union and

Solidarity or FONUS [Joseph OLENGHANKOY]; National Congolese

Lumumbist Movement or MNC [Francois LUMUMBA]; Popular Movement of

the Revolution or MPR (three factions: MPR-Fait Prive [Catherine

NZUZI wa Mbombo]; MPR/Vunduawe [Felix VUNDUAWE]; MPR/Mananga

[MANANGA Dintoka Mpholo]); Unified Lumumbast Party or PALU [Antoine

GIZENGA]; Union for Democracy and Social Progress or UDPS [Etienne

TSHISEKEDI wa Mulumba]; Union of Federalists and Independent

Republicans or UFERI (two factions: UFERI [Lokambo OMOKOKO];

UFERI/OR [Adolph Kishwe MAYA])

Congo, Republic of the

the most important of the many parties are

the Democratic and Patriotic Forces or FDP (an alliance of

Convention for Alternative Democracy, Congolese Labor Party or PCT,

Liberal Republican Party, National Union for Democracy and Progress,

Patriotic Union for the National Reconstruction, and Union for the

National Renewal) [Denis SASSOU-NGUESSO, president]; Congolese

Movement for Democracy and Integral Development or MCDDI [Michel

MAMPOUYA]; Pan-African Union for Social Development or UPADS [Martin

MBERI]; Rally for Democracy and Social Progress or RDPS [Jean-Pierre

Thystere TCHICAYA, president]; Rally for Democracy and the Republic

or RDR [Raymond Damasge NGOLLO]; Union for Democracy and Republic or

UDR [leader NA]; Union of Democratic Forces or UFD [Sebastian EBAO]

Cook Islands

Cook Islands People's Party or CIP [Geoffrey HENRY];

Democratic Alliance Party or DAP [Terepai MAOATE]; New Alliance

Party or NAP [Norman GEORGE]; Cook Islands National Party or CIN

[Teariki HEATHER]; Demo Party Tumu [Robert WOONTON]

Costa Rica

Authentic Member from Heredia [Jose SALAS]; Citizen

Action Party or PAC [Otton SOLIS]; Costa Rican Renovation Party or

PRC [Justo OROZCO]; Democratic Force Party or PFD [Juan Carlos

CHAVES Mora]; Democratic National Alliance [Emilia RODRIGUEZ];

General Union Party or PUGEN [Carlos Alberto FERNANDEZ Vega];

Homeland First [Juan Jose VARGAS]; Independent Worker Party or PIO

[Jose Alberto CUBERO Carmona]; Libertarian Movement Party or PML

[Otto GUEVARA Guth]; National Christian Alliance Party or ANC

[Victor GONZALEZ]; National Integration Party or PIN [Walter MUNOZ

Cespedes]; National Liberation Party or PLN [Francisco Antonio

PACHECO]; National Patriotic Party or PPN [Daniel Enrique REYNOLDS

Vargas]; National Rescue Party or PRN [Carlos VARGAS Solano];

Patriotic Union [Humberto ARCE]; Popular Vanguard [Trino BARRANTES

Araya]; Social Christian Unity Party or PUSC [Lorena VASQUEZ Badilla]

Cote d'Ivoire

Citizen's Democratic Union or UDCY [Eg Theodore MEL];

Democratic Party of Cote d'Ivoire-African Democratic Rally or

PDCI-RDA [Henri Konan BEDIE]; Ivorian Popular Front or FPI [Laurent

GBAGBO]; Ivorian Worker's Party or PIT [Francis WODIE]; Rally of the

Republicans or RDR [Alassane OUATTARA]; Union for Democracy and

Peace or UDPCI [Paul Akoto YAO]; over 20 smaller parties

Croatia

Croatian Bloc or HB [Ivic PASALIC]; Croatian Christian

Democratic Union or HKDU [Anto KOVACEVIC]; Croatian Democratic Union

or HDZ [Ivo SANADER]; Croatian Party of Rights or HSP [Anto DJAPIC];

Croatian Peasant Party or HSS [Zlatko TOMCIC]; Croatian Pensioner

Party or HSU [Vladimir JORDAN]; Croatian People's Party or HNS

[Vesna PUSIC] (in 2005 party merged with Libra to become Croatian

People's Party-Liberal Democrats or NS-LD [Vesna PUSIC]); Croatian

Social Liberal Party or HSLS [Ivan CEHOK]; Croatian True Revival

Party or HIP [Miroslav TUDJMAN]; Democratic Centre or DC [Vesna

SKARE-OZBOLT]; Independent Democratic Serb Party or SDSS [Vojislav

STANIMIROVIC]; Istrian Democratic Assembly or IDS [Ivan JAKOVCIC];

Liberal Party or LS [Zlatko BENASIC]; Party of Liberal Democrats or

Libra [Jozo RADOS] (in 2005 merged with HNS); Social Democratic

Party of Croatia or SDP [Ivica RACAN]

Cuba

only party - Cuban Communist Party or PCC [Fidel CASTRO Ruz,

first secretary]

Cyprus

Republic of Cyprus: Democratic Party or DIKO [Tassos

PAPADOPOULOS]; Democratic Rally or DISY [Nikos ANASTASIADHIS];

Fighting Democratic Movement or ADIK [Dinos MIKHAILIDIS]; Green

Party of Cyprus [George PERDIKIS]; New Horizons [Nikolaus KOUTSOU];

Restorative Party of the Working People or AKEL (Communist Party)

[Dimitrios CHRISTOFIAS]; Social Democrats Movement or KISOS

(formerly United Democratic Union of Cyprus or EDEK) [Yiannakis

OMIROU]; United Democrats Movement or EDE [George VASSILIOU]; north

Cyprus: Democratic Party or DP [Serder DENKTASH]; National Birth

Party or UDP [Enver EMIN]; National Unity Party or UBP [Dervis

EROGLU]; Our Party or BP [Okyay SADIKOGLU]; Patriotic Unity Movement

or YBH [Alpay DURDURAN]; Peace and Democratic Movement [Mustafa

AKINCI]; Republican Turkish Party or CTP [Mehmet ALI TALAT]

Czech Republic

Caucus SNK [Josef ZOSER]; Christian and Democratic

Union-Czechoslovak People's Party or KDU-CSL [Miroslav KALOUSEK,

chairman]; Civic Democratic Alliance or ODA [Jirina NOVAKOVA,

chairman]; Civic Democratic Party or ODS [Mirek TOPOLANEK,

chairman]; Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia or KSCM [Miroslav

GREBENICEK, chairman]; Communist Party of Czechoslovakia or KSC

[Miroslav STEPAN, chairman]; Czech National Social Party of CSNS

[Jaroslav ROVNY, chairman]; Czech Social Democratic Party or CSSD

[Stanislav GROSS, acting chairman]; European Democrats [Jan KASL];

Freedom Union-Democratic Union or US-DEU [Hana Marvanova,

chairwoman]; Open Democracy [Sona PAUKRTOVA, chairwoman]

Denmark

Center Democratic Party [Mimi JAKOBSEN]; Christian Democrats

(was Christian People's Party) [Marianne KARLSMOSE]; Conservative

Party (sometimes known as Conservative People's Party) [Bendt

BENDTSEN]; Danish People's Party [Pia KJAERSGAARD]; Liberal Party

[Anders Fogh RASMUSSEN]; Social Democratic Party [Helle

THORNING-SCHMIDT]; Social Liberal Party (sometimes called the

Radical Left) [Marianne JELVED, leader; Soren BALD, chairman];

Socialist People's Party [Villy SOEVNDAL]; Red-Green Unity List

(bloc includes Left Socialist Party, Communist Party of Denmark,

Socialist Workers' Party) [collective leadership]

Djibouti

Democratic National Party or PND [ADEN Robleh Awaleh];

Democratic Renewal Party or PRD [Abdillahi HAMARITEH]; Djibouti

Development Party or PDD [Mohamed Daoud CHEHEM]; Front pour la

Restauration de l'Unite Democratique or FRUD [Ali Mohamed DAOUD];

People's Progress Assembly or RPP (governing party) [Ismail Omar

GUELLEH]; Peoples Social Democratic Party or PPSD [Moumin Bahdon

FARAH]; Republican Alliance for Democracy or ARD [Ahmed Dini AHMED];

Union for Democracy and Justice or UDJ [leader NA]

Dominica

Dominica Freedom Party or DFP [Charles SAVARIN]; Dominica

Labor Party or DLP [Roosevelt SKERRIT]; United Workers Party or UWP

[Edison JAMES]

Dominican Republic

Dominican Liberation Party or PLD [Leonel

FERNANDEZ Reyna]; Dominican Revolutionary Party or PRD [Vicente

Sanchez BARET]; Social Christian Reformist Party or PRSC [Enrique

ATUN]

East Timor

Associacao Social-Democrata Timorense or ASDT [Francisco

Xavier do AMARAL]; Christian Democratic Party of Timor or PDC

[Antonio XIMENES]; Christian Democratic Union of Timor or UDC

[Vicente da Silva GUTERRES]; Democratic Party or PD [Fernando de

ARAUJO]; Liberal Party or PL [leader NA]; Maubere Democratic Party

or PDM [leader NA]; People's Party of Timor or PPT [Jacob XAVIER];

Revolutionary Front of Independent East Timor or FRETILIN [Lu OLO];

Social Democrat Party of East Timor or PSD [Mario CARRASCALAO];

Socialist Party of Timor or PST [leader Avelino COELHO]; Sons of the

Mountain Warriors (also known as Association of Timorese Heroes) or

KOTA [Clementino dos Reis AMARAL]; Timor Democratic Union or UDT

[Joao CARRASCALAO]; Timor Labor Party or PTT [Paulo Freitas DA

SILVA]; Timorese Nationalist Party or PNT [Abilio ARAUJO]; Timorese

Popular Democratic Association or APODETI [Frederico Almeida-Santos

DA COSTA]

Ecuador

Concentration of Popular Forces or CFP [Averroes BUCARAM];

Democratic Left or ID [Guillermo LANDAZURI]; National Action

Institutional Renewal Party or PRIAN [Alvaro NOBOA]; Pachakutik

Movement [Gilberto TALAHUA]; Patriotic Society Party or PSP [Lucio

GUTIERREZ Borbua]; Popular Democracy or DP [Dr. Juan Manuel

FUERTES]; Popular Democratic Movement or MPD [Gustavo TERAN Acosta];

Radical Alfarista Front or FRA [Fabian ALARCON, director]; Roldosist

Party or PRE [Abdala BUCARAM Ortiz, director]; Social Christian

Party or PSC [Leon FEBRES CORDERO]; Socialist Party - Broad Front or

PS-FA [Victor GRANDA]

Egypt

Al-Ahrar Party [Helmi SALEM]; Nasserist Arab Democratic Party

or Nasserists [Dia' al-din DAWUD]; National Democratic Party or NDP

[Mohammed Hosni MUBARAK (governing party)]; National Progressive

Unionist Grouping or Tagammu [Rifaat EL-SAID]; New Wafd Party or NWP

[No'man GOMAA]

note: formation of political parties must be approved by the

government

El Salvador

Christian Democratic Party or PDC [Rodolfo PARKER];

Democratic Convergence or CD (formerly United Democratic Center or

CDU) [Ruben ZAMORA, secretary general]; Democratic Party or PD

[Jorge MELENDEZ]; Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front or FMLN

[Medardo GONZALEZ]; Liberal Democratic Party or PLD [Kirio Waldo

SALGADO, president]; National Action Party or PAN [Gustavo Rogelio

SALINAS, secretary general]; National Conciliation Party or PCN

[Ciro CRUZ ZEPEDA, president]; National Republican Alliance or ARENA

[Elias Antonio SACA Gonzalez]; Social Christian Union or USC (formed

by the merger of Christian Social Renewal Party or PRSC and Unity

Movement or MU) [Abraham RODRIGUEZ, president]; Social Democratic

Party or PSD [Juan MEDRANO]

Equatorial Guinea

Convergence Party for Social Democracy or CPDS

[Placido MIKO Abogo]; Democratic Party for Equatorial Guinea or PDGE

(ruling party) [Teodoro OBIANG NGUEMA MBASOGO]; Party for Progress

of Equatorial Guinea or PPGE [Severo MOTO]; Popular Action of

Equatorial Guinea or APGE [Miguel Esono EMAN]; Popular Union or UP

[Andres Moises Bda ADA]; Progressive Democratic Alliance or ADP

[Victorino Bolekia BONAY]; Union of Independent Democrats of UDI

[Daniel OYONO]

Eritrea

People's Front for Democracy and Justice or PFDJ, the only

party recognized by the government [ISAIAS Afworki]; note - a

National Assembly committee drafted a law on political parties in

January 2001, but the full National Assembly has not yet debated or

voted on it

Estonia

Center Party of Estonia (Keskerakond) [Edgar SAVISAAR,

chairman]; Estonian People's Union (Rahvaliit) [Villu REILJAN,

chairman]; Estonian Reform Party (Reformierakond) [Andrus ANSIP];

Estonian United Russian People's Party or EUVRP [Yevgeniy TOMBERG,

chairman]; Pro Patria Union (Isamaaliit) [Tunne KELAM, chairman];

Res Publica [Juhan PARTS, chairman]; Social Democratic Party

(formerly People's Party Moodukad or Moderates) [Ivari PADAR,

chairman]; Social Liberals (group of 8 parliamentarians, former

Center Party members) [Peeter Kreitzberg]

Ethiopia

Afar National Democratic Party or ANDP [leader NA];

Benishangul Gumuz People's Democratic Unity Front or BGPDUF

[Mulualem BESSE]; Coalition for Unity and Democracy or CUD [HAILU

Shawil]; Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front or EPRDF

[MELES Zenawi] (an alliance of ANDM, OPDO, SEPDF, and TPLF); Gurage

Nationalities' Democratic Movement or GNDM [leader NA]; United

Ethopian Democratic Forces or UEDF [MERARA Gudina]; dozens of small

parties

European Union

Group of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for

Europe or ALDE [Graham R. WATSON]; Independence/Democracy Group or

IND/DEM [Jens-Peter BONDE and Nigel FARAGE]; Group of

Greens/European Free Alliance or Greens/EFA [Monica FRASSONI and

Daniel Marc COHN-BENDIT]; Socialist Group in the European Parliament

or PES [Martin SCHULZ]; Confederal Group of the European United

Left-Nordic Green Left or EUL/NGL [Francis WURTZ]; European People's

Party-European Democrats or EPP-ED [Hans-Gert POETTERING]; Union for

Europe of the Nations Group or UEN [Brian CROWLEY and Cristiana

MUSCARDINI]

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

none; all independents

Faroe Islands

Center Party [Jenis A. RANA]; Independence Party [Kari

P. HOJGAARD]; People's Party [Anfinn KALLSBERG]; Republican Party

[Hogni HOYDAL]; Social Democratic Party [Joannes EIDESGAARD]; Union

Party [Kaj Oeo JOHANNESEN]

Fiji

Bai Kei Viti Party or BKV [Ratu Tevita MOMOEDONU]; Conservative

Alliance Party/Matanitu Vanua or MV [Ratu Rakuita VAKALALABURE];

Dodonu Ni Taukei Party or DNT [Fereti S. DEWA]; Fiji Democratic

Party or FDP [Felipe BOLE] (a merger of the Christian Democrat

Alliance or VLV [Poesci Waqalevu BUNE], Fijian Association Party or

FAP [Adi Kuini SPEED], Fijian Political Party or SVT (primarily

Fijian) [Felipe BOLE], and New Labor Unity Party or NLUP [Tupeni

BABA]); Fiji Labor Party or FLP [Mahendra CHAUDRHRY]; General Voters

Party or GVP [leader NA] (became part of United General Party);

Girmit Heritage Party or GHP [leader NA]; Justice and Freedom Party

or AIM [leader NA]; Lio 'On Famor Rotuma Party or LFR [leader NA];

National Federation Party or NFP (primarily Indian) [Pramond RAE];

Nationalist Vanua Takolavo Party or NVTLP [Saula TELAWA]; Party of

National Unity or PANU [Meli BOGILEKA]; Party of the Truth or POTT

[leader NA]; United Fiji Party/Sogosogo Duavata ni Lewenivanua or

SDL [Laisenia QARASE]; United General Party or UGP [Millis Mick

BEDDOES]

Finland

Center Party or Kesk [Matti VANHANEN]; Christian Democrats

or KD [Paivi RASANEN]; Green League or VIHR [Tarja CRONBERG]; Left

Alliance or VAS composed of People's Democratic League and

Democratic Alternative [Suvi-Anne SIIMES]; National Coalition

(conservative) Party or Kok [Jyrki KATAINEN]; Social Democratic

Party or SDP [Eero HEINALUOMA]; Swedish People's Party or SFP

[Jan-Erik ENESTAM]

France

Citizen and Republican Movement or MCR [Jean Pierre

CHEVENEMENT]; Democratic and European Social Rally or RDSE (mainly

Radical Republican and Socialist Parties, and PRG) [Jacques

PELLETIER]; French Communist Party or PCF [Marie-George BUFFET];

Left Radical Party or PRG (previously Radical Socialist Party or PRS

and the Left Radical Movement or MRG) [Jean-Michel BAYLET]; Movement

for France or MPF [Philippe DE VILLIERS]; National Front or NF

[Jean-Marie LE PEN]; Rally for France or RPF [Charles PASQUA];

Socialist Party or PS [Francois HOLLANDE]; Greens [Yann WEHRLING,

national secretary]; Union for French Democracy or UDF [Francois

BAYROU]; Union for a Popular Movement or UMP (including RPR, DL, and

a part of UDF) [Nicolas SARKOZY]

French Guiana

Guyanese Democratic Action or ADG [Andre LECANTE];

Guyanese Socialist Party or PSG [Marie-Claude VERDAN]; Guyana

Democratic Forces or FDG [Georges OTHILY]; Popular National Guyanese

Party or PNPG [Jose DORCY]; Socialist Party or PS [Paul DEBRIETTE];

Union for a Popular Movement or UMP (includes RPR) [Muriel ICARE];

Walwari Committee (aligned with the PRG in France) [Christine

TAUBIRA-DELANON]

French Polynesia

Independent Front for the Liberation of Polynesia

(Tavini Huiraatira) [Oscar TEMARU]; New Fatherland Party (Ai'a Api)

[Emile VERNAUDON]; People's Rally for the Republic of Polynesia or

RPR (Tahoeraa Huiraatira) [Gaston FLOSSE]; The New Star (Te Fetia

Api) [Philippe SHYLE]; This Country is Yours (No Oe E Te Nunaa)

[Nicle BOUTEAU]; Union for Democracy or UPD [Oscar TEMARU]

Gabon

Circle of Liberal Reformers or CLR [General Jean Boniface

ASSELE]; Congress for Democracy and Justice or CDJ [Jules Aristide

Bourdes OGOULIGUENDE]; Democratic and Republican Alliance or ADERE

[Divungui-di-Ndinge DIDJOB]; Gabonese Democratic Party or PDG,

former sole party [Simplice Nguedet MANZELA]; Gabonese Party for

Progress or PGP [Pierre-Louis AGONDJO-OKAWE]; National Rally of

Woodcutters-Rally for Gabon or RNB-RPG (Bucherons) [Fr. Paul

M'BA-ABESSOLE]; People's Unity Party or PUP [Louis Gaston MAYILA];

Rally for Democracy and Progress or RDP [Pierre EMBONI]; Social

Democratic Party or PSD [Pierre Claver MAGANGA-MOUSSAVOU]; Union for

Democracy and Social Integration or UDIS [leader NA]; Union of

Gabonese People or UPG [Pierre MAMBOUNDOU]

Gambia, The

Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction or

APRC - the ruling party [Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH]; Gambian People's

Party-Progressive People's Party-United Democratic Party or

GPP-PPP-UDP Coalition [Ousainou DARBOE]; National Convention Party

or NCP [Sheriff DIBBA]; National Reconciliation Party or NRP [Hamat

N. K. BAH]; People's Democratic Organization for Independence and

Socialism or PDOIS [Sidia JATTA]

note: in August 2001, an independent electoral commission allowed

the reregistration of the GPP, NCP, and PPP, three parties banned

since 1996

Georgia

Burjanadze-Democrats [Nino BURJANADZE]; Georgian People's

Front [Nodar NATADZE]; Georgian United Communist Party or UCPG

[Panteleimon GIORGADZE]; Greens [Giorgi GACHECHILADZE]; Industry

Will Save Georgia (Industrialists) or IWSG [Georgi TOPADZE]; Labor

Party [Shalva NATELASHVILI]; National Democratic Party or NDP

[Bachuki KARDAVA]; National Movement Democratic Front [Mikheil

SAAKASHVILI] bloc composed of National Movement and

Burjanadze-Democrats; National Movement [Mikheil SAAKASHVILI]; New

Right [David GAMKRELIDZE]; Republican Party [David BERDZENISHVILI];

Rightist Opposition [David GAMKRELIDZE] bloc composed of

Industrialists and New Right Party; Socialist Party or SPG [Irakli

MINDELI]; Traditionalists [Akaki ASATIANI]; Union of National

Forces-Conservatives [Koba DAVITASHVILI and Zviad DZIDZIGURI]

Germany

Alliance '90/Greens [Angelika BEER and Reinhard BUETIKOFER];

Christian Democratic Union or CDU [Angela MERKEL]; Christian Social

Union or CSU [Edmund STOIBER, chairman]; Free Democratic Party or

FDP [Guido WESTERWELLE, chairman]; Left Party or PDS/WASG [Oskar

LAFONTAINE and Gregor GYSI]; Party of Democratic Socialism or PDS

[Lothar BISKY]; Social Democratic Party or SPD [Franz MUENTEFERING]

Ghana

Convention People's Party or CPP [Nii Noi DOWUONA, general

secretary]; Every Ghanaian Living Everywhere or EGLE [Owuraku AMOFA,

chairman]; Great Consolidated Popular Party or GCPP [Dan LARTY];

National Convention Party or NCP [Sarpong KUMA-KUMA]; National

Democratic Congress or NDC [Dr. Huudu YAHAYA, general secretary];

New Patriotic Party or NPP [Samuel Arthur ODOI-SYKES]; People's

Convention Party or PCP [P. K. DONKOH-AYIFI, acting chairman];

People's Heritage Party or PHP [Emmanuel Alexander ERSKINE];

People's National Convention or PNC [Edward MAHAMA]; Reform Party

[Kyeretwie OPUKU, general secretary]

Gibraltar

Gibraltar Liberal Party [Joseph GARCIA]; Gibraltar Social

Democrats or GSD [Peter CARUANA]; Gibraltar Socialist Labor Party or

GSLP [Joseph John BOSSANO]

Greece

Coalition of the Left and Progress (Synaspismos) [Alekos

ALAVANOS]; Communist Party of Greece or KKE [Aleka PAPARIGA]; New

Democracy or ND (conservative) [Konstandinos KARAMANLIS];

Panhellenic Socialist Movement or PASOK [Yiorgos PAPANDREOU];

Popular Orthodox Rally [Yeoryios KARATZAFERIS]

Greenland

Atassut Party (Solidarity, a conservative party favoring

continuing close relations with Denmark) [Augusta SALLING];

Demokratiit [Per BERTHELSEN]; Inuit Ataqatigiit or IA (Eskimo

Brotherhood, a leftist party favoring complete independence from

Denmark rather than home rule) [Josef MOTZFELDT]; Issituup (Polar

Party) [Nicolai HEINRICH]; Kattusseqatigiit (Candidate List, an

independent right-of-center party with no official platform [leader

NA]; Siumut (Forward Party, a social democratic party advocating

more distinct Greenlandic identity and greater autonomy from

Denmark) [Hans ENOKSEN]

Grenada

Grenada United Labor Party or GULP [Gloria Payne BANFIELD];

National Democratic Congress or NDC [Tillman THOMAS]; New National

Party or NNP [Keith MITCHELL]; People Labor Movement or PLM [Dr.

Francis ALEXIS]

Guadeloupe

Communist Party of Guadeloupe or PCG [Mona CADOCE]; FGPS

[Dominique LARIFLA]; Left Radical Party or PRG [Flavien FERRANT];

Progressive Democratic Party or PPDG [Henri BANGOU]; Socialist Party

or PS [Marlene MELISSE and Favrot DAVRAIN]; Union for French

Democracy or UDF [Marcel ESDRAS]; Union for a Popular Movement or

UMP (including RPR) [Robert JOYEUX]

Guam

Democratic Party [leader Michael PHILLIPS]; Republican Party

(controls the legislature) [leader Philip J. FLORES]

Guatemala

Authentic Integral Development or DIA [Eduardo SUGER];

Democratic Union or UD [Rodolfo PAIZ Andrade]; Grand National

Alliance or GANA [Oscar BERGER Perdomo]; Green Party or LOV [Rodolfo

ROSALES Garcis-Salaz]; Guatemalan Christian Democracy or DCG

[Vinicio CEREZO Arevalo]; Guatemalan National Revolutionary Unity or

URNG [Alba ESTELA Maldonado, secretary general]; Guatemalan

Republican Front or FRG [Efrain RIOS Montt]; Movement for Guatemalan

Unity or MGU [Jacobo ARBENZ Villanueva]; Movement for Principals and

Values or MPV [Francisco BIANCHI]; National Advancement Party or PAN

[Leonel LOPEZ Rodas, secretary general]; National Unity for Hope or

UNE [Alvarado COLOM Caballeros]; New Nation Alliance or ANN (formed

by an alliance of DIA, URNG, and several splinter groups most of

whom subsequently defected) [led by three co-equal partners - Nineth

Varenca MONTENEGRO Cottom, Rodolfo BAUER Paiz, and Jorge Antonio

BALSELLS TUT]; Patriot Party or PP [retired General Otto PEREZ

Molina]; Progressive Liberator Party or PLP [Acisclo VALLADARES

Molina]; Reform Movement or MR [Alfredo SKINNER-KLEE, secretary

general]; Unionista Party [leader NA]

Guernsey

none; all independents

Guinea

Democratic Party of Guinea-African Democratic Rally or

PDG-RDA [El Hadj Ismael Mohamed Gassim GUSHEIN]; National Union for

Progress or UPN [Mamadou Bhoye BARRY]; Party for Unity and Progress

or PUP [Lansana CONTE] - the governing party; People's Party of

Guinea or PPG [Pascal TOLNO]; Rally for the Guinean People or RPG

[Alpha CONDE]; Union of Democratic Forces of Guinea or UFDG [Mamadou

BA]; Union of Republican Forces or UFR [Sidya TOURE]; Union for

Progress and Renewal or UPR [Siradiou DIALLO]; Union for Progress of

Guinea or UPG [Jean-Marie DORE, secretary-general]

Guinea-Bissau

African Party for the Independence of Guinea-Bissau

and Cape Verde or PAIGC [Carlos GOMES Junior]; Front for the

Liberation and Independence of Guinea or FLING [Francois MENDY];

Guinea-Bissau Resistance-Ba Fata Movement or RGB-MB [Helder Vaz

LOPES]; Guinean Civic Forum or FCG [Antonieta Rosa GOMES];

International League for Ecological Protection or LIPE [Alhaje

Bubacar DJALO, president]; National Union for Democracy and Progress

or UNDP [Abubacer BALDE, secretary general]; Party for Democratic

Convergence or PCD [Victor MANDINGA]; Social Renovation Party or PRS

[Kumba YALA]; Union for Change or UM [Jorge MANDINGA, president, Dr.

Anne SAAD, secretary general]; United Platform or UP [coalition

formed by PCD, FDS, FLING, and RGB-MB]; United Social Democratic

Party or PUSD [Francisco Jose FADUL]

Guyana

Alliance for Guyana or AFG (includes Guyana Labor Party or

GLP and Working People's Alliance or WPA) [Rupert ROOPNARAINE];

Guyana Action Party or GAP [Paul HARDY]; Guyana Labor Party or GLP

[leader NA]; People's National Congress or PNC [Robert Herman

Orlando CORBIN]; People's Progressive Party/Civic or PPP/C [Bharrat

JAGDEO]; Rise, Organize, and Rebuild or ROAR [Ravi DEV]; The United

Force or TUF [Manzoor NADIR]; Working People's Alliance or WPA

[Rupert ROOPNARAINE]

Haiti

Alliance for the Liberation and Advancement of Haiti or ALAH

[Reynold GEORGES]; Assembly of Progressive National Democrats or

RDNP [Leslie MANIGAT]; Ayiti Kapab [Ernst VERDIEU]; Convention for

Democratic Unity or KID [Evans PAUL]; National Congress of

Democratic Movements or KONAKOM [Victor BENOIT]; Nationalist

Progressive Revolutionary Party or PANPRA [Serge GILLES]; Democratic

Movement for the Liberation of Haiti or MODELH [Francois LATORTUE];

Grand Center Right Front coalition (composed of MDN, MRN, and PDCH)

[Hubert de RONCERAY, Jean BUTEAU, Osner FEVRY and Marie-Denise

CLAUDE]; Haitian Christian Democratic Party or PDCH [Osner FEVRY and

Marie-Denise CLAUDE]; Haitian Democratic Party or PADEMH [Clark

PARENT]; Haitian Democratic and Reform Movement or MODEREH [Dany

TOUSSAINT and Pierre Soncon PRINCE]; Heads Together [Dr. Gerard

BLOT]; Lavalas Family or FL [leader NA]; Liberal Party of Haiti or

PLH [Michael MADSEN]; Mobilization for National Development or MDN

[Hubert DE RONCERAY]; Movement for National Reconstruction or MRN

[Jean Henold BUTEAU]; Movement for the Installation of Democracy in

Haiti or MIDH [Marc BAZIN]; National Front for the Reconstruction of

Haiti or FRON [Guy PHILIPPE]; National Progressive Democratic Party

or PNDPH [Turneb DELPE]; New Christian Movement for a New Haiti or

MOCHRENA [Luc MESADIEU]; Open the Gate Party (Parti Louvri Bayre) or

PLB [leader NA]; Popular Party for the Renewal of Haiti, or

Generation 2000 [Claude ROMAIN and Daniel SUPPLICE]; Struggling

People's Organization or OPL [Edgard LEBLANC]; MNP28 [Dejean

BELIZAIRE]; KOMBA [Evans LESCOUFLAIR]

Holy See (Vatican City)

none

Honduras

Christian Democratic Party or PDC [Juan Ramon VELAZQUEZ

Nassar]; Democratic Unification Party or PUD [Matias FUNES]; Liberal

Party or PL [Roberto MICHELETTI Bain]; National Innovation and Unity

Party-Social Democratic Party or PINU-SD [Olban F. VALLADARES];

National Party of Honduras or PN [Jose Celin DISCUA Elvir]; United

Confederation of Honduran Workers or CUTH

Hong Kong

Association for Democracy and People's Livelihood or ADPL

[Frederick FUNG Kin-kee, chairman]; Citizens Party [Alex CHAN

Kai-chung]; Democratic Alliance for the Betterment of Hong Kong or

DAB [MA Lik, chairman]; Democratic Party [LEE Wing-tat, chairman];

Frontier Party [Emily LAU Wai-hing, chairwoman]; Liberal Party

[James TIEN Pei-chun, chairman]

note: political blocs include: pro-democracy - Association for

Democracy and People's Livelihood, Democratic Party, Frontier Party;

pro-Beijing - Democratic Alliance for the Betterment of Hong Kong,

Hong Kong Progressive Alliance, Liberal Party

Hungary

Alliance of Free Democrats or SzDSz [Gabor KUNCZE];

Hungarian Civic Alliance or Fidesz [Viktor ORBAN, chairman];

Hungarian Democratic Forum or MDF [Ibolya DAVID]; Hungarian

Democratic People's Party or MDNP [Erzsebet PUSZTAI, chairman];

Hungarian Socialist Party or MSzP [Istvan HILLER, chairman];

Hungarian Workers' Party or MMP [Gyula THURMER, chairman]

Iceland

Independence Party or IP [David ODDSSON]; Left-Green

Alliance or LGP [Steingrimur SIGFUSSON]; Liberal Party or LP [Gudjon

KRISTJANSSON]; Progressive Party or PP [Halldor ASGRIMSSON]; Social

Democratic Alliance (includes People's Alliance or PA, Social

Democratic Party or SDP, Women's List) or SDA [Ingibjorg Solrun

GISLADOTTIR]

India

All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam or AIADMK [C.

Jayalalitha JAYARAM]; All India Forward Bloc or AIFB, [Debabrata

BISWAS]; Asom Gana Parishad [Brindaban GOSWAMI]; Bahujan Samaj Party

or BSP [MAYAWATI]; Bharatiya Janata Party or BJP [Lal Krishna

ADVANI]; Biju Janata Dal or BJD [Naveen PATNAIK]; Communist Party of

India or CPI [Ardhendu Bhushan BARDHAN]; Communist Party of India

(Marxist) or CPI (M) Hakishan Singh SURJEET]; Congress (I) Party

[Sonia GANDHI]; Dravida Munnetra Kazagham or DMK (a regional party

in Tamil Nadu) [M. KARUNANIDHI]; Indian National Congress or INC

[Sonia GANDHI]; Indian National League [Suliaman SAITH]; Janata Dal

(Secular) [H. D. Deve GOWDA]; Janata Dal (United) or JDU [Sharad

YADAV]; Jharkhand Mukti Morcha or JMM [leader NA]; Kerala Congress

(Mani faction) [K. M. MANI]; Lok Jan Shakti Party or LJSP [leader

NA]; Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam or MDMK [VAIKO]; Muslim

League [G. M. BANATWALA]; Nationalist Congress Party or NCP [Sharad

PAWAR]; Pattali Makkal Katchi or PMK [leader NA]; Rashtriya Janata

Dal or RJD [Laloo Prasad YADAV]; Revolutionary Socialist Party or

RSP [Abani ROY]; Samajwadi Party or SP [Mulayam Singh YADAV];

Shiromani Akali Dal or SAD [G. S. TOHRA]; Shiv Sena or SS [Bal

THACKERAY]; Tamil Maanila Congress [G. K. VASAN]; Telangana Rashtra

Samithi or TRS [leader NA]; Telugu Desam Party or TDP [Chandrababu

NAIDU]; Trinamool Congress [Mamata BANERJEE]

Indonesia

Crescent Moon and Star Party or PBB [Yusril Ihza MAHENDRA,

chairman]; Democratic Party or PD [Subur BUDHISANTOSO, chairman];

Functional Groups Party or Golkar [Yusuf KALLA, chairman]; Indonesia

Democratic Party-Struggle or PDI-P [MEGAWATI Sukarnoputri,

chairperson]; National Awakening Party or PKB [Alwi SHIHAB,

chairman]; National Mandate Party or PAN [Amien RAIS, chairman];

Prosperous Justice Party or PKS [MAHFUD, acting chairman]; United

Development Party or PPP [Hamzah HAZ, chairman]

Iran

formal political parties are a relatively new phenomenon in

Iran and most conservatives still prefer to work through political

pressure groups rather than parties; a loose pro-reform coalition

called the 2nd Khordad front, which includes political parties as

well as less formal pressure groups and organizations, achieved

considerable success at elections to the sixth Majles in early 2000;

groups in the coalition include: Islamic Iran Participation Front

(IIPF); Executives of Construction Party (Kargozaran); Solidarity

Party; Islamic Labor Party; Mardom Salari; Mojahedin of the Islamic

Revolution Organization (MIRO); and Militant Clerics Society

(Ruhaniyun); the coalition participated in the seventh Majles

elections in early 2004; a new apparently conservative group, the

Builders of Islamic Iran, took a leading position in the new Majles

after winning a majority of the seats in February 2004

Iraq

Al-Sadr Movement [Muqtada Al-SADR]; Constitutional Monarchy

Movement or CMM [Sharif Ali Bin al-HUSAYN]; Da'wa Party [Ibrahim

al-JA'FARI]; Independent Iraqi Alliance or IIA [Falah al-NAQIB];

Iraqi Hizballah [Karim Mahud al-MUHAMMADAWI]; Iraqi Independent

Democrats or IID [Adnan PACHACHI, Mahdi al-HAFIZ]; Iraqi Islamic

Party or IIP [Muhsin Abd al-HAMID, Hajim al-HASSANI]; Iraqi National

Accord or INA [Ayad ALLAWI]; Iraqi National Congress or INC [Ahmad

CHALABI]; Iraqi National Unity Movement or INUM [Ahmad al-KUBAYSI,

chairman]; Jama'at al Fadilah or JAF [Ayatollah Muhammad ' Ali

al-YAQUBI]; Kurdistan Democratic Party or KDP [Masud BARZANI];

Muslim Ulama Council or MUC [Harith Sulayman al-DARI, secretary

general]; Patriotic Union of Kurdistan or PUK [Jalal TALABANI]

note: the Democratic Patriotic Alliance of Kurdistan, the Iraqi

List, and the United Iraqi Alliance were only electoral slates

consisting of the representatives from the various Iraqi political

parties

Ireland

Fianna Fail [Bertie AHERN]; Fine Gael [Enda KENNY]; Green

Party [Trevor SARGENT]; Labor Party [Pat RABITTE]; Progressive

Democrats [Mary HARNEY]; Sinn Fein [Gerry ADAMS]; Socialist Party

[Joe HIGGINS]; The Workers' Party [Sean GARLAND]

Israel

Democratic Front for Peace and Equality (Hadash) [Muhammad

BARAKA]; Green Leaf Party (no longer active) [Boaz WACHTEL and

Shlomi SANDAK]; Herut (no longer active) [Michael KLEINER]; Labor

Party [Shimon PERES]; Likud Party [Ariel SHARON]; Meretz (merged

with YAHAD) [Zahava GALON]; National Democratic Assembly (Balad)

[Azmi BISHARA]; National Religious Party [Ephraim "Efie" EITAM];

National Union (Haichud Haleumi) [Avigdor LIBERMAN] (includes Tekuma

Moledet and Yisra'el Beiteinu); One Nation [David TAL]; Shas

[Eliyahu YISHAI]; Shinui [Yosef "Tommy" LAPID]; United Arab List

[Abd al-Malik DAHAMSHAH]; United Torah Judaism [Yaakov LITZMAN];

YAHAD [Yossi BEILIN]; Yisra'el Ba'Aliya or YBA (merged with Likud)

[Natan SHARANSKY]

Italy

Center-Left Olive Tree Coalition [Francesco RUTELLI] -

Democrats of the Left, Daisy Alliance (including Italian Popular

Party, Italian Renewal, Union of Democrats for Europe, The

Democrats), Sunflower Alliance (including Green Federation, Italian

Democratic Socialists), Italian Communist Party; Center-Right

Freedom House Coalition [Silvio BERLUSCONI] (formerly House of

Liberties and Freedom Alliance) - Forza Italia, National Alliance,

The Whiteflower Alliance (includes Christian Democratic Center,

United Christian Democrats), Northern League; Democrats of the Left

or DS [Piero FASSINO]; Forza Italia or FI [Silvio BERLUSCONI]; Green

Federation [Alfonso Pecoraro SCANIO]; Italian Communist Party or

PdCI [Armando COSSUTTA]; Italian Renewal or RI [Lamberto DINI];

merged with PPI and I Democratici to form La Margherita (or The

Daisy Alliance); Italian Social Democrats or SDI [Enrico BOSELLI];

Lega Padana [Roberto BERNARDELLI]; National Alliance or AN

[Gianfranco FINI]; Northern League or NL [Umberto BOSSI]; Per le

Autonomie [leader NA]; Socialist Movement-Tricolor Flame or

MS-Fiamma [Luca ROMAGNOLI]; South Tyrol People's Party or SVP

(German speakers) [Elmar Pichler ROLLE]; Sunflower Alliance

(includes Green Federation, Italian Social Democrats); The Daisy

Alliance (includes Italian Popular Party, Italian Renewal, Union of

Democrats for Europe, The Democrats) [Francesco RUTELLI]; The

Democrats [Arturo PARISI]; The Radicals (formerly Pannella Reformers

and Autonomous List) [Marco PANNELLA]; Union of Democrats for Europe

or UDEUR [Clemente MASTELLA]; Union of Christian and Center

Democrats or UDC [Marco FOLLINI]

Jamaica

Jamaica Labor Party or JLP [Bruce GOLDING]; National

Democratic Movement or NDM [Hyacinth BENNETT]; People's National

Party or PNP [Percival James PATTERSON]

Japan

Democratic Party of Japan or DPJ [Seiji MAEHARA, leader; Yukio

HATOYAMA, secretary general]; Japan Communist Party or JCP [Kazuo

SHII, chairman; Tadayoshi ICHIDA, secretary general]; Komeito

[Takenori KANZAKI, president; Tetsuzo FUYUSHIBA, secretary general];

Liberal Democratic Party or LDP [Junichiro KOIZUMI, president;

Tsutomu TAKEBE, secretary general]; Social Democratic Party or SDP

[Mizuho FUKUSHIMA, chairperson; Seiji MATAICHI, secretary general]

Jersey

none; all independents

Jordan

Al-Ajyal [Muhammad KHALAYLEH, secretary general]; Al-Umma

(Nation) Party [Ahmad al-HANANDEH, secretary general]; Arab Land

Party [Dr. Ayishah Salih HIJAZAYN, secretary general]; Ba'th Arab

Progressive Party [Fu'ad DABBUR, secretary general]; Communist Party

[Munir HAMARINAH, secretary general]; Constitutional National Party

[Ahmad al-SHUNNAQ, secretary general; Democratic Arab Islamic

Movement [Yusuf ABU BAKR, president]; Green Party [Muhammad

BATAYNEH, secretary general]; Islamic Action Front [Hazma MANSOUR,

secretary general]; Islamic al-Walsat Party [Marwan al-FAURI],

secretary general; Jordanian Democratic Left Party [Musa MA'AYTEH,

secretary general]; Jordanian Democratic Popular Unity Party [Sa'id

Dhiyab Ali MUSTAFA, secretary general]; Jordanian People's

Democratic (Hashd) Party [Ahmad YUSUF, secretary general]; Jordanian

Progressive Party [Fawwaz al-ZUBI, secretary general]; Labor Party

[Dr. Mazin Sulayman Jiryis HANNA, secretary general]; Muslim

Centrist Party [leader NA]; National Action (Haqq) Party [Tariq

al-KAYYALI, secretary general]; National Constitutional Party [Abdul

Hadi MAJALI, secretary general]; National Movement for Direct

Democracy [Mahmud al-NUWAYHI, secretary general]; Pan-Arab

(Democratic) Movement [Mahmud al-NUWAYHI, secretary general]; (Arab)

Socialist Ba'th Party [Taysir al-HIMSI, secretary general]

Kazakhstan

Agrarian Party [Romin MADINOV]; Ak Zhol Party "Bright

Path" [Bulat ABILOV, Uraz ZHANDOSOV, Lyudmila ZHULANOVA, Alikhan

BAYMENOV, Altynbek SARSENBAYEV, co-chairs]; ASAR "All Together"

[Dariga NAZARBAYEVA, chairwoman]; AUL "Village" [Gani KALIYEV];

Civic Party [Azat PERUASHEV, first secretary]; Communist Party or

KPK [Serikbolsyn ABDILDIN, first secretary]; Communist People's

Party of Kazakhstan [Vladislav KOSAREV]; Democratic Party of

Kazakhstan [Maksut NARIKBAEV]; Otan "Fatherland" [Bakhytzhan

ZHUMAGULOV, acting chairman]; Patriots' Party [Gani KASYMOV];

Rukhaniyat [Altynshash JAGANOVA]

Kenya

Forum for the Restoration of Democracy-People or FORD-People

[Kimaniwa NYOIKE, chairman]; Kenya African National Union or KANU

[Uhuru KENYATTA]; National Rainbow Coalition or NARC [Mwai KIBAKI] -

the governing party

Kiribati

Boutokaan Te Koaua Party or BTK [Taberannang TIMEON];

Maneaban Te Mauri Party or MTM [Teburoro TITO]; Maurin Kiribati Pati

or MKP [leader NA]; National Progressive Party or NPP [Dr. Harry

TONG]

note: there is no tradition of formally organized political parties

in Kiribati; they more closely resemble factions or interest groups

because they have no party headquarters, formal platforms, or party

structures

Korea, North

major party - Korean Workers' Party or KWP [KIM Jong

Il, general secretary]; minor parties - Chondoist Chongu Party [RYU

Mi Yong, chairwoman] (under KWP control); Social Democratic Party

[KIM Yong Dae, chairman] (under KWP control)

Korea, South

Democratic Labor Party or DLP [KIM Hye-kyung,

chairwoman]; Democratic Party or DP [HAHN Hwa-kap, chairman]; Grand

National Party or GNP [PARK Geun-hye, chairwoman]; United Liberal

Democrats or ULD [KIM Hak-won, chairman]; Uri Party [MOON Hee-sang,

chairman]

Kuwait

none; formation of political parties is illegal

Kyrgyzstan

Adilet (Justice) Party [Toychubek KASYMOV]; Agrarian

Labor Party of Kyrgyzstan [Uson SYDYKOV]; Agrarian Party of

Kyrgyzstan [Erkin ALIYEV]; Alga, Kyrgyzstan (Forward, Kyrgyzstan)

[Bolot BEGALIYEV]; Ar-Namys (Dignity) Party [Emil ALIYEV]; Asaba

(Banner National Revival Party) [Azimbek BEKNAZAROV]; Ata-Meken

(Fatherland) [Omurbek TEKEBAYEV]; Communist Party of Kyrgyzstan

[Klara ADZHIBEKOVA]; Democratic Movement of Kyrgyzstan or DDK [Jypar

JEKSHEYEV]; Erkin Kyrgyzstan Progressive and Democratic Party

[Bektur ASANOV]; Erkindik (Freedom) Party [Topchubek TURGUNALIYEV];

Future of Kyrgyzstan [Balbak TULEBAYEV]; Jany Kyrgyzstan (New

Kyrgyzstan) [Dosbol NUR UULU]; Kairan El [Dooronbek SADYKOV]; Kyrgyz

National Party [Bakyt BESHIMOV]; Kyrgyzstan Kelechegi [Ruslan

CHYNYBAYEV]; Manas El (Party of Spiritual Restoration) [Chingiz

AITMATOV]; Moya Strana (My Country Party of Action) [Joomart

OTORBAYEV]; Party of Communists of Kyrgyzstan or KCP [Bakytbek

BEKBOYEV]; Party of Justice and Progress [Muratbek IMANALIEV]; Party

of Peasants [Esengul ISAKOV]

Laos

Lao People's Revolutionary Party or LPRP [KHAMTAI Siphadon,

party president]; other parties proscribed

Latvia

First Party of Latvia or LPP [Juris LUJANS]; For Human Rights

in a United Latvia or PCTVL [Tatjana ZDANOKA, Jakovs PLINERS]; For

the Fatherland and Freedom/Latvian National Independence Movement or

TB/LNNK [Janis STRAUME]; Harmony Center or SC [Sergejs DOLGOPOLOVS];

Latvian Green Party or LZP [Indulis EMSIS, Viesturs SILENIEKS,

Raimonds VEJONIS]; Latvian Farmer's Union or LZS [Augusts

BRIGMANIS]; Latvian Social Democratic Workers Party (Social

Democrats) or LSDSP [Juris BOJARS]; Latvian Socialist Party or LSP

[Alfreds RUBIKS]; Latvia's Way or LC [Ivars GODMANIS]; New Democrats

or JD [Maris GULBIS]; New Era Party or JL [Einars REPSE]; People's

Harmony Party or TSP [Aivars DATAVS]; People's Party or TP [Atis

SLAKTERIS]; Social Democratic Union or SDS [Egils BALDZENS]

Lebanon

Ba'th Party [leader NA]; Democratic Gathering [Walid

JUNBLATT]; Democratic Left [leader NA]; Development and Resistance

Bloc [Nabih BARRI, Amal leader/speaker]; Free Patriotic Movement

[Michel AWN]; Future Movement Bloc [Sa'ad HARIRI]; Kataeb Party

[leader NA]; Kataeb Reform Movement [leader NA]; Lebanese Forces

[leader NA]; Loyalty to the Resistance [Mohammad RA'AD]; Nasserite

Popular Movement [leader NA]; Popular Bloc [leader NA]; Qornet

Shewan [leader NA]; Syrian National Socialist Party [leader NA];

Tripoli Independent Bloc [leader NA]

Lesotho

Basotholand African Congress or BAC [Khauhelo RALITAPOLE];

Basotholand Congress Party or BCP [Ntsukunyane MPHANYA]; Basotho

National Party or BNP [Maj. Gen. Justine Metsing LEKHANYA]; Lesotho

Congress for Democracy or LCD [Pakalitha MOSISILI] - the governing

party; Lesotho People's Congress or LPC [Kelebone MAOPE]; Lesotho

Workers Party of LWP [Macaefa BILLY]; Marematlou Freedom Party or

MFP [Vincent MALEBO]; National Independent Party or NIP [Anthony

MANYELI]; National Progressive Party or NPP [Chief Peete Nkoebe

PEETE]; Popular Front for Democracy or PFD [Lekhetho RAKUOANE];

Sefate Democratic Party or SDP [Bofihla NKUEBE]

Liberia

Alliance of Political Parties (a coalition of LAP and LUP)

[leader NA]; All Liberia Coalition Party or ALCOP [Peter KERBAY];

Liberian Action Party or LAP [C. Gyude BRYANT]; Liberian People's

Party or LPP [Koffa NAGBE]; Liberia Unification Party or LUP [leader

NA]; National Patriotic Party or NPP [Cyril ALLEN] - governing

party; United People's Party or UPP [Wesley JOHNSON]; Unity Party or

UP [Charles CLARKE]

Libya

none

Liechtenstein

Patriotic Union (was Fatherland Union) or VU [Heinz

FROMMELT]; Progressive Citizens' Party or FBP [Johannes MATT]; The

Free List or FL [Dr. Pepo FRICK, Elisabeth TELLENBACH-FRICK, Adolf

RITTER]

Lithuania

Electoral Action of Lithuanian Poles [Valdemar

TOMASZEVSKI, chairman]; Homeland Union/Conservative Party or TS

[Andrius KUBILIUS, chairman]; Labor Party [Viktor USPASKICH,

chairman]; Liberal and Center Union [Arturas ZUOKAS, chairman];

Liberal Democratic Party [Valentinas MAZURONIS, chairman];

Lithuanian Christian Democrats or LKD [Valentinas STUNDYS,

chairman]; Lithuanian People's Union for a Fair Lithuania;

Lithuanian Social Democratic Coalition [Algirdas BRAZAUSKAS,

chairman] consists of the Lithuanian Democratic Labor Party or LDDP

and the Lithuanian Social Democratic Party or LSDP; New Democracy

and Farmer's Union or VNDPS [Kazimiera PRUNSKIENE, chairman]; Social

Liberals (New Union) [Arturas PAULAUSKAS, chairman]; Social Union of

Christian Conservatives [Gediminas VAGNORIUS, chairman]; Young

Lithuania and New Nationalists

Luxembourg

Action Committee for Democracy and Justice or ADR [Gast

GIBERYEN]; Christian Social People's Party or CSV (known also as

Christian Social Party or PCS) [Francois BILTGEN]; Democratic Party

or DP [Claude MEISCH]; Green Party [Francois BAUSCH]; Luxembourg

Socialist Workers' Party or LSAP [Alex BODRY]; Marxist and Reformed

Communist Party dei Lenk/la Gauche (the Left) [no formal

leadership]; other minor parties

Macau

Civil Service Union [Jose Maria Pereira COUTINHO]; Development

Union [KWAN Tsui-hang]; Macau Development Alliance [Angela LEONG

On-kei]; Macau United Citizens' Association [CHAN Meng-kam]; New

Democratic Macau Association [Antonio NG Kuok-cheong]; United Forces

[leader NA]

Macedonia

Democratic Alliance [Pavle TRAJANOV]; Democratic

Alternative or DA [Vasil TUPURKOVSKI, president]; Democratic League

of the Bosniaks [Rafet MUMINOVIC]; Democratic Party of Albanians or

PDSH/DPA [Arben XHAFERI, president]; Democratic Party of Serbs [Ivan

STOILJKOVIC]; Democratic Party of Turks [Kenan HASIPI]; Democratic

Republican Union of Macedonia or DRUM [Dosta DIMOVSKA]; Democratic

Union of Vlachs for Macedonia [leader NA]; Democratic Union for

Integration or BDI/DUI [Ali AHMETI]; Internal Macedonian

Revolutionary Organization-Agrarian Party or VMRO-Agrarian Party

[Marjan GJORCEV]; Internal Macedonian Revolutionary

Organization-Democratic Party for Macedonian National Unity or

VMRO-DPMNE (including VMRO and LDT) [Nikola GRUEVSKI]; Internal

Macedonian Revolutionary Organization-True Macedonian Option or

VMRO-Vistinska [Boris ZMEJKOVSKI]; Internal Macedonian Revolutionary

Organization-Macedonian [Boris STOJMENOV]; Internal Macedonian

Revolutionary Organization-People's Party or VMRO-Narodna [Vesna

JANEVSKA]; League for Democracy [Gjorgi MARJANOVIC]; Liberal

Democratic Party or LDP [Risto PENOV]; Liberal Party [Stojan ANDOV];

National Democratic Party or PDK [Basri HALITI]; National Farmers'

Party [Vejljo TANTAROV]; Party for Democratic Prosperity or PPD/PDP

[Abduljhadi VEJSELI]; Social Democratic Alliance of Macedonia or

SDSM [Vlado BUCKOVSKI, president]; Socialist Party of Macedonia or

SP [Ljubisav IVANOV, president]; Together for Macedonia coalition

(including the SDSM and LDP) [Vlado BUCKOVSI]; United Party for

Emancipation or OPE [Nezdet MUSTAFA]

Madagascar

Association for the Rebirth of Madagascar or AREMA

[Pierrot RAJAONARIVO]; Economic Liberalism and Democratic Action for

National Recovery or LEADER/Fanilo [Herizo RAZAFIMAHALEO]; Fihaonana

Party or FP [Guy-Willy RAZANAMASY]; I Love Madagascar or TIM [Marc

RAVALOMANANA]; Renewal of the Social Democratic Party or RPSD

[Evariste MARSON]

Malawi

Alliance for Democracy or AFORD [Chakufwa CHIHANA]; Malawi

Congress Party or MCP [John TEMBO]; Malawi Democratic Party or MDP

[Kampelo KALUA]; Malawi Forum for Unity and Development or MAFUNDE

[George MNESA]; Mgwirizano Coalition or MC (coalition of MAFUNDE,

MDP, MGODE, NUP, PETRA, PPM, RP) [Gwandaguluwe CHAKUAMBA]; Movement

for Genuine Democratic Change or MGODE [Sam Kandodo BANDA]; National

Democratic Alliance or NDA [Brown MPINGANJIRA]; National Unity Party

or NUP [Harry CHIUME]; New Congress for Democracy or NCD [Hetherwick

NTABA]; People's Progressive Movement or PPM [Aleke BANDA]; People's

Transformation Movement or PETRA [Kamuzu CHIBAMBO]; Republican Party

or RP [Gwandaguluwe CHAKUAMBA]; United Democratic Front or UDF

[Bingu wa MUTHARIKA] - governing party

Malaysia

ruling-coalition National Front (Barisan Nasional) or BN,

consisting of the following parties: Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia Party

or PGRM [LIM Keng Yaik]; Liberal Democratic Party (Parti Liberal

Demokratik - Sabah) or LDP [CHONG Kah Kiat]; Malaysian Chinese

Association (Persatuan China Malaysia) or MCA [ONG Ka Ting];

Malaysian Indian Congress (Kongresi India Malaysia) or MIC [S. Samy

VELLU]; Parti Bersatu Pakyat Sabah or PBRS [Joseph KURUP]; Parti

Bersatu Sabah or PBS [Joseph PAIRIN Kitingan]; Parti Pesaka

Bumiputra Bersatu or PBB [Patinggi Haji Abdul TAIB Mahmud]; Parti

Rakyat Sarawak or PRS [James MASING]; Sabah Progressive Party (Parti

Progresif Sabah) or SAPP [YONG Teck Lee]; Sarawak United People's

Party (Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sarawak) or SUPP [George CHAN Hong Nam];

United Malays National Organization or UMNO [ABDULLAH bin Ahmad

Badawi]; United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organization

(Pertubuhan Pasko Momogun Kadazan Dusun Bersatu) or UPKO [Bernard

DOMPOK]; People's Progressive Party (Parti Progresif Penduduk

Malaysia) or PPP [M.Keyveas]; Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party

or SPDP [William MAWANI]; opposition parties: Democratic Action

Party (Parti Tindakan Demokratik) or DAP [KARPAL Singh]; Islamic

Party of Malaysia (Parti Islam se Malaysia) or PAS [Abdul HADI

Awang]; People's Justice Party (Parti Keadilan Rakyat) or PKR [WAN

AZIZAH Wan Ismael]; Sarawak National Party or SNAP [Edwin DANDUNG];

opposition coalition Alternative Front (Barisan Alternatif) or BA

consists of PAS and PKR

Maldives

although political parties are not banned, none exist

Mali

Alliance for Democracy or ADEMA [Diounconda TRAORE, party

chairman]; Block of Alternative for the Renewal of Africa or BARA

[Yoro DIAKITE]; Democratic and Social Convention or CDS [Mamadou

Bakary SANGARE, chairman]; Hope 2002 [leader NA]; Movement for the

Independence, Renaissance and Integration of Africa or MIRIA

[Mohamed Lamine TRAORE, Mouhamedou DICKO]; National Congress for

Democratic Initiative or CNID [Mountaga TALL, chairman]; Party for

Democracy and Progress or PDP [Me Idrissa TRAORE]; Party for

National Renewal or PARENA [Yoro DIAKITE, chairman; Tiebile DRAME,

secretary general]; Rally for Democracy and Labor or RDT [Ali

GNANGADO]; Rally for Democracy and Progress or RDP [Almamy SYLLA,

chairman]; Rally for Mali or RPM [Ibrahim Boubacar KEITA, chairman];

Sudanese Union/African Democratic Rally or US/RDA [Mamadou Bamou

TOURE, secretary general]; Union of Democratic Forces for Progress

or UFDP [Youssouf TOURE, secretary general]; Union for Democracy and

Development or UDD [Moussa Balla COULIBALY]; Union for Republic and

Democracy or URD [Soumaila CISSE]

Malta

Alternativa Demokratika/Alliance for Social Justice or AD

[Harry VASSALLO]; Malta Labor Party or MLP [Alfred SANT];

Nationalist Party or PN [Lawrence GONZI]

Man, Isle of

Man Labor Party [leader NA]; Alliance for Progressive

Government [leader NA]; Man Nationalist Party [leader NA]

note: most members sit as independents

Marshall Islands

traditionally there have been no formally organized

political parties; what has existed more closely resembles factions

or interest groups because they do not have party headquarters,

formal platforms, or party structures; the following two "groupings"

have competed in legislative balloting in recent years - Kabua Party

[Imata KABUA] and United Democratic Party or UDP [Litokwa TOMEING]

Martinique

Martinique Communist Party or PCM [Georges ERICHOT];

Martinique Independence Movement or MIM [Alfred MARIE-JEANNE];

Martinique Progressive Party or PPM [Pierre SUEDILE]; Martinique

Socialist Party or PMS [Ernest WAN-AJOUHU]; Movement of Democrats

and Ecologists for a Sovereign Martinique or Modemas [Garcin MALSA];

Rally for the Republic or RPR [Michel CHARLONE]; Socialist

Revolution Group or GRS [Philippe PIERRE-CHARLES]; Union for French

Democracy or UDF [Jean MAREN]

Mauritania

Action for Change or AC [Messoud Ould BOULKHEIR];

Alliance for Justice and Democracy or AJD [Kebe ABDOULAYE];

Democratic and Social Republican Party or PRDS (ruling party)

[President Maaouya Ould Sid Ahmed TAYA]; Mauritanian Party for

Renewal and Concorde or PMRC [Molaye El Hassen Ould JIYID]; National

Union for Democracy and Development or UNDD [Tidjane KOITA]; Party

for Liberty, Equality and Justice or PLEJ [Daouda M'BAGNIGA];

Popular Front or FP [Ch'bih Ould CHEIKH MALAININE]; Popular Progress

Alliance or APP [Messoud Ould BOULKHEIR]; Popular Social and

Democratic Union or UPSD [Mohamed Mahmoud Ould MAH]; Progress Force

Union or UFP [Mohamed Ould MAOULOUD]; Rally of Democratic Forces or

RFD [Ahmed Ould DADDAH]; Rally for Democracy and Unity or RDU [Ahmed

Ould SIDI BABA]; Union for Democracy and Progress or UDP [Naha Mint

MOUKNASS]

note: the Action for Change party was banned in January 2002

although its members were permitted to keep their seats in the

National Assembly; parties legalized by constitution ratified 12

July 1991, however, politics continue to be tribally based

Mauritius

Hizbullah [Cehl Mohamed FAKEEMEEAH]; Mauritian Labor Party

or MLP [Navinchandra RAMGOOLAM]; Mauritian Militant Movement or MMM

[Paul BERENGER] - in coalition with MSM; Mauritian Social Democrat

Party or PMSD [Charles Xavier-Luc DUVAL]; Militant Socialist

Movement or MSM [Pravind JUGNAUTH] - governing party; Rodrigues

Movement or MR [Joseph (Nicholas) Von MALLY]; Rodrigues Peoples

Organization or OPR [Serge CLAIR]

Mayotte

Democratic Front or FD [Youssouf MOUSSA]; Mahoran Popular

Movement or MPM [Ahmed MADI]; FARC [leader NA]; Federation of

Mahorans or RPR (UMP) [Mansour KAMARDINE]; Movement for Department

Status Mayotte or MDM [Mouhoutar SALIM]; Renewed Communist Party of

Mayotte or MRC [Omar SIMBA]; Socialist Party or PS (local branch of

French Parti Socialiste) [Ibrahim ABUBACAR]; Union for French

Democracy or UDF [Henri JEAN-BAPTISTE]

Mexico

Convergence for Democracy or CD [Dante DELGADO Ranauro];

Institutional Revolutionary Party or PRI [Roberto MADRAZO Pintado];

Mexican Green Ecological Party or PVEM [Jorge Emilio GONZALEZ

Martinez]; National Action Party or PAN [Luis Felipe BRAVO Mena];

Party of the Democratic Revolution or PRD [Leonel GODOY]; Workers

Party or PT [Alberto ANAYA Gutierrez]

Micronesia, Federated States of

no formal parties

Moldova

Democratic Modova Bloc [Serafim URECHEANU] includes:

Democratic Party [Dumitru DIACOV], Our Moldova Alliance [Dumitru

BRAGHIS, Serafim URECHEANU], Social Liberal Party [Oleg SEREBRIAN];

Communist Party of the Republic of Moldova or PCRM [Vladimir

VORONIN, first chairman]; Popular Christian Democratic Party or PPCD

[Iurie ROSCA]

Monaco

National and Democratic Union or UND [Jean-Louis CAMPORA];

Union for Monaco or UPM (including National Union for the Future of

Monaco or UNAM) [leader NA]

Mongolia

Citizens' Will Republican Party or CWRP (also called Civil

Courage Republican Party or CCRP) [Sanjaasurengiin OYUN]; Democratic

Party or DP [R. GONCHIKDORJ]; Motherland-Mongolian New Socialist

Democratic Party or M-MNSDP [Badarchyn ERDENEBAT]; Mongolian

People's Revolutionary Party or MPRP [Nambaryn ENKHBAYAR]; Mongolian

Republican Party or MRP [Bazarsadyn JARGALSAIKHAN]

note: DP and M-MNSDP formed Motherland-Democracy Coalition (MDC) in

2003 and with CWRP contested June 2004 elections as single party;

MDC's leadership dissolved coalition in December 2004

Montserrat

National Progressive Party or NPP [Reuben T. MEADE]; New

People's Liberation Movement or NPLM [John A. OSBORNE]

Morocco

Action Party or PA [Muhammad EL IDRISSI]; Alliance of

Liberties or ADL [Ali BELHAJ]; Annahj Addimocrati or Annahj

[Abdellah EL HARIF]; Avant Garde Social Democratic Party or PADS

[Ahmed BENJELLOUN]; Citizen Forces or FC [Abderrahman LAHJOUJI];

Citizen's Initiatives for Development [Mohamed BENHAMOU];

Constitutional Union or UC [Mohamed ABIED (interim)]; Democratic and

Independence Party or PDI [Abdelwahed MAACH]; Democratic and Social

Movement or MDS [Mahmoud ARCHANE]; Democratic Socialist Party or PSD

[Aissa OUARDIGHI]; Democratic Union or UD [Bouazza IKKEN];

Environment and Development Party or PED [Ahmed EL ALAMI]; Front of

Democratic Forces or FFD [Thami EL KHYARI]; Istiqlal Party

(Independence Party) or PI [Abbas El FASSI]; Justice and Development

Party or PJD [Saad Eddine OTHMANI]; Moroccan Liberal Party or PML

[Mohamed ZIANE]; National Democratic Party or PND [Abdallah KADIRI];

National Ittihadi Congress Party or CNI [Abdelmajid BOUZOUBAA];

National Popular Movement or MNP [Mahjoubi AHERDANE]; National Rally

of Independents or RNI [Ahmed OSMAN]; National Union of Popular

Forces or UNFP [Abdellah IBRAHIM]; Parti Al Ahd or Al Ahd [Najib EL

OUAZZANI, chairman]; Party of Progress and Socialism or PPS [Ismail

ALAOUI]; Party of Renewal and Equity or PRE [Chakir ACHABAR]; Party

of the Unified Socialist Left or GSU [Mohamed Ben Said AIT IDDER];

Popular Movement or MP [Mohamed LAENSER]; Reform and Development

Party or PRD [Abderrahmane EL KOUHEN]; Social Center Party or PSC

[Lahcen MADIH]; Socialist Union of Popular Forces or USFP [Mohammed

El-YAZGHI]

Mozambique

Front for the Liberation of Mozambique (Frente de

Liberatacao de Mocambique) or FRELIMO [Armando Emilio GUEBUZA,

president]; Mozambique National Resistance-Electoral Union

(Resistencia Nacional Mocambicana-Uniao Eleitoral) or RENAMO-UE

[Afonso DHLAKAMA, president]

Namibia

Congress of Democrats or COD [Ben ULENGA]; Democratic

Turnhalle Alliance of Namibia or DTA [Katuutire KAURA, president];

Monitor Action Group or MAG [Kosie PRETORIUS]; South West Africa

People's Organization or SWAPO [Sam Shafishuna NUJOMA]; United

Democratic Front or UDF [Justus GAROEB]

Nauru

loose multiparty system; Democratic Party [Kennan ADEANG];

Nauru Party (informal) [leader NA]; Naoero Amo (Nauru First) Party

[leader NA]

Nepal

Communist Party of Nepal/United Marxist-Leninist or CPN/UML

[Madhav Kumar NEPAL, general secretary]; National Democratic Party

or NDP (also called Rastriya Prajantra Party or RPP) [Surya Bahadur

THAPA, chairman]; People's Front Nepal (Rastriya Jana Morcha)

[Chitra BAHADUR, chairman]; Nepali Congress-Democratic [Sher Bahadur

DEUBA, president]; Nepali Congress or NC [Girija Prasad KOIRALA,

party president; Sushil KOIRALA, general secretary]; Nepal

Sadbhavana (Goodwill) Party or NSP [Bhadri Prasad MANDAL, acting

party president]; Nepal Workers and Peasants Party or NWPP [Narayan

Man BIJUKCHHE, party chairman]; Samyukta Janmorcha Nepal [leader NA]

Netherlands

Christian Democratic Appeal or CDA [Maxime Jacques

Marcel VERHAGEN]; Christian Union Party [Andre ROUVOET]; Democrats

66 or D66 [Boris DITTRICH]; Green Party [Femke HALSEMA]; Labor Party

or PvdA [Wouter BOS]; List Pim Fortuyn [Gerard van AS]; People's

Party for Freedom and Democracy (Liberal) or VVD [Jozias VAN

AARTSEN]; Socialist Party [Jan MARIJNISSEN]; plus a few minor parties

Netherlands Antilles

Antillean Restructuring Party or PAR [Etienne

YS]; C 93 [Stanley BROWN]; Democratic Party of Bonaire or PDB [Jopi

ABRAHAM]; Democratic Party of Curacao or DP [Errol HERNANDEZ];

Democratic Party of Sint Eustatius or DP-St. E [Julian WOODLEY];

Democratic Party of Sint Maarten or DP-St. M [Sarah

WESCOTT-WILLIAMS]; Foundation Energetic Management Anti-Narcotics or

FAME [Eric LODEWIJKS]; Labor Party People's Crusade or PLKP [Errol

COVA]; National Alliance [William MARLIN]; National People's Party

or PNP [Susanne F. C. CAMELIA-ROMER]; New Antilles Movement or MAN

[Kenneth GIJSBERTHA]; Patriotic Union of Bonaire or UP Bonaire

[Ramonsito BOOI]; Patriotic Movement of Sint Maarten or SPA [Vance

JAMES, Jr.]; People's Party or PAPU [Richard HODI]; Pro Curacao

Party or PPK [Winston LOURENS]; Saba Democratic Labor Movement

[Steve HASSELL]; Saba Unity Party [Carmen SIMMONDS]; St. Eustatius

Alliance or SEA [Kenneth VAN PUTTEN]; Serious Alternative People's

Party or Sapp [Julian ROLLOCKS]; Social Action Cause or KAS [Benny

DEMEI]; Windward Islands People's Movement or WIPM [Will JOHNSTON];

Workers' Liberation Front or FOL [Anthony GODETT, Rignald LAK,

Editha WRIGHT]

note: political parties are indigenous to each island

New Caledonia

Alliance pour la Caledonie or APLC [Didier LE ROUX];

Caleonian Union or UC [leader NA]; Federation des Comites de

Coordination des Independantistes or FCCI [Francois BURCK]; Front

National or FN [Guy GEORGE]; Front Uni de Liberation Kanak or FULK

[Ernest UNE]; Kanak Socialist Front for National Liberation or FLNKS

[leader NA] (includes PALIKA, UNI, UC, and UPM); Parti de Liberation

Kanak or PALIKA [Paul NEAOUTYINE and Elie POIGOUNE]; Rally for

Caledonia in the Republic (anti independent) or RPCR-UMP [Jacques

LAFLEUR]; The Future Together or AE [Harold MARTIN]; Union Nationale

pour l'Independance or UNI [Paul NEAOUTYINE]; note - may no longer

exist, but Paul NEAOUTYINE has since become a president of Parti de

Liberation Kanak or PALIKA; Union Progressiste Melanesienne or UPM

[Victor TUTUGORO]

New Zealand

ACT New Zealand [Rodney HIDE]; Green Party [Jeanette

FITZSIMONS and Rod DONALD]; Maori Party [Whatarangi WINIATA];

National Party or NP [Don BRASH]; New Zealand First Party or NZFP

[Winston PETERS]; New Zealand Labor Party or NZLP [Helen CLARK];

Progressive Party [James (Jim) ANDERTON]; United Future or UF [Peter

DUNNE]

Nicaragua

Alliance for the Republic or APRE [Miguel LOPEZ Baldizon,

Oscar WENDOLYN Vargas, Karla WHITE]; Central American Unionist Party

or PUCA [leader NA]; Christian Alternative Party or AC [Orlando

TARDENCILLA Espinoza]; Conservative Party of Nicaragua or PCN [Mario

RAPPACCIOLI]; Independent Liberal Party or PLI [Anibal MARTINEZ

Nunez, Pedro REYES Vallejos]; Independent Liberal Party for National

Unity or PLIUN [leader NA]; Liberal Constitutional Party or PLC

[Jorge CASTILLO Quant]; Liberal Salvation Movement or MSL [Eliseo

NUNEZ Hernandez]; New Liberal Party or PALI [leader NA]; Nicaraguan

Party of the Christian Path or PCCN [Guillermo OSORNO Molina];

Nicaraguan Resistance Party or PRN [Salvador TALAVERA]; Sandinista

National Liberation Front or FSLN [Daniel ORTEGA Saavedra];

Sandinista Renovation Movement or MRS [leader NA]; Unity Alliance or

AU [leader NA]

Niger

Alliance for Democracy and Progress or ANDP [leader NA];

Democratic Rally of the People-Jama'a or RDP-Jama'a [Hamid ALGABID];

Democratic and Social Convention-Rahama or CDS-Rahama [Mahamane

OUSMANE]; National Movement for a Developing Society-Nassara or

MNSD-Nassara [TANDJA Mamadou, chairman]; Nigerien Alliance for

Democracy and Social Progress-Zaman Lahiya or ANDPS-Zaman Lahiya

[Moumouni Adamou DJERMAKOYE]; Nigerien Party for Democracy and

Socialism-Tarayya or PNDS-Tarayya [Mahamadou ISSOUFOU]; Party for

Socialism and Democracy in Niger [leader NA]; Rally for Social

Democracy or RSD [Cheiffou AMADOU]; Union of Democratic Patriots and

Progressives-Chamoua or UPDP-Chamoua [Professor Andre' SALIFOU,

chairman]

Nigeria

Alliance for Democracy or AD [Alhaji Adamu ABDULKADIR]; All

Nigeria Peoples' Party or ANPP [Don ETIEBET]; All Progressives Grand

Alliance or APGA [Chekwas OKORIE]; National Democratic Party or NDP

[Aliyu Habu FARI]; Peoples Democratic Party or PDP [Dr. Ahmadu ALI];

Peoples Redemption Party or PRP [Abdulkadir Balarabe MUSA]; Peoples

Salvation Party or PSP [Lawal MAITURARE]; United Nigeria Peoples

Party or UNPP [Saleh JAMBO]

Niue

Niue People's Action Party or NPP [Young VIVIAN]; Alliance of

Independents or AI [leader NA]

Norfolk Island

none

Northern Mariana Islands

Democratic Party [Dr. Carlos S. CAMACHO];

Republican Party [NA]; Covenant Party [Benigno R. FITIAL]

Norway

Center Party [Aslaug Marie HAGA]; Christian People's Party

[Dagfinn HOYBRATEN]; Coastal Party [Roy WAAGE]; Conservative Party

[Erna SOLBERG]; Labor Party [Jens STOLTENBERG]; Liberal Party [Lars

SPONHEIM]; Progress Party [Carl I. HAGEN]; Socialist Left Party

[Kristin HALVORSEN]

Oman

none

Pakistan

Awami National Party or ANP [Wali KHAN]; Balochistan

National Movement/Hayee Group or BNM/H [Dr. Hayee BALUCH]; Baluch

National Party/Awami or BNP/Awami [Moheem Khan BALOCH]; Baluch

National Party-Mengal or BNP/M [Sardar Ataullah MENGAL]; Jamhoori

Watan Party or JWP [Akbar Khan BUGTI]; Jamiat-al-Hadith or JAH

[Sajid MIR]; Jamiat-i-Islami or JI [Qazi Hussain AHMED]; Jamiat

Ulema-i-Islam, Fazlur Rehman faction or JUI/F [Fazlur REHMAN];

Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam, Sami ul-HAQ faction or JUI/S [Sami ul-HAQ];

Jamiat Ulema-i-Pakistan or JUP [Shah Faridul HAQ]; Millat Party or

MP [Farooq LEGHARI]; Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal Pakistan or MMA [Qazi

Hussain AHMED]; Muttahida Qaumi Movement, Altaf faction or MQM/A

[Altaf HUSSAIN]; Muttahida Quami Movement, Haqiqi faction or MQM/H

[Afaq AHMAD]; National People's Party or NPP [Ghulam Mustapha

JATOI]; Pakhtun Khwa Milli Awami Party or PkMAP [Mahmood Khan

ACHAKZAI]; Pakhtun Quami Party or PQP [Mohammed Afzal KHAN];

Pakistan Awami Tehrik or PAT [Tahir ul QADRI]; Pakistan Democratic

Party or PDP [Mehbooba Mufti SAYEED]; Pakistan Muslim League,

Functional Group or PML/F [Pir PAGARO]; Pakistan Muslim League,

Nawaz Sharif faction or PML/N [Nawaz SHARIF]; Pakistan Muslim League

or PML [Chaudhry Shujaat HUSSAIN]; note - as of May 2004, the PML/Q

changed its name to PML and absorbed the PML/J, PML/Z, and NA;

Pakistan National Party or PNP [Hasil BIZENJO]; Pakistan People's

Party or PPP [Aftab Ahmed Khan SHERPAO]; Pakistan People's Party

Parliamentarians or PPPP [Benazir BHUTTO]; Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaaf

or PTI [Imran KHAN]; Tehrik-i-Islami [Allama Sajid NAQVI]

note: political alliances in Pakistan can shift frequently

Palau

none

Panama

Democratic Change or CD [Ricardo MARTINELLI]; Democratic

Revolutionary Party or PRD [Martin TORRIJOS]; National Liberal Party

or PLN [Anibal GALINDO]; Nationalist Republican Liberal Movement or

MOLIRENA [Jesus ROSAS]; Panamenista Party or PA (formerly the

Arnulfista Party) [Mireya Elisa MOSCOSO Rodriguez]; Popular Party or

PP (formerly Christian Democratic Party or PDC) [Ruben AROSEMENA];

Solidarity Party or PS [Jose Raul MULINO]

Papua New Guinea

Christian Democratic Party [Dr. Banare BUN, party

leader]; Melanesian Alliance Party or MAP [Sir Moi AVEL, party

leader]; National Alliance Party or NA [Michael SOMARE, party

leader; George MANOA, party president]; National Party [Melchior

PEP, party leader]; Papua and Niugini Union Party or PANGU [Chris

HAIVETA, party leader]; Papua New Guinea First Party [Cecilking

DORUBA, party leader]; Papua New Guinea Labor Party [Bob DANAYA,

party leader]; Papua New Guinea Party (was People's Democratic

Movement or PDM) [Sir Mekere MORAUTA, party leader]; People's Action

Party or PAP [Moses MALADINA, party leader]; People's Labor Party or

PLP [Ekis ROPENU, party leader]; People's National Congress or PNC

[Peter O'NEILL, party leader]; People's Progressive Party or PPP

[Andrew BAING, party leader]; Pipol First Party [Luther WENGE, party

leader]; Rural People's Party [Peter NAMUS, party leader]; United

Party [Bire KIMASOPA, party leader]; United Resources Party or URP

[Tim NEVILLE, party leader] (2004)

Paraguay

Asociacion Nacional Republicana - Colorado Party or ANR

[Herminio CACERES, interim president]; Movimiento Union Nacional de

Ciudadanos Eticos or UNACE [Enrique GONZALEZ Quintana, acting

chairman]; Patria Querida (Beloved Fatherland Party) or PQ [Pedro

Nicolas Maraa FADUL Niella]; Partido Encuentro Nacional or PEN [Luis

TORALES Kenney]; Partido Liberal Radical Autentico or PLRA [Julio

Cesar FRANCO]; Partido Pais Solidario or PPS [Carlos Alberto

FILIZZOLA Pallares]

note: Nicanor DUARTE Frutos on leave as party leader of the Colorado

Party or ANR while serving as President of Paraguay; Lino Cesar

OVIEDO Silva, leader of UNACE, is currently serving a ten-year

prison term

Peru

Independent Moralizing Front or FIM [Fernando OLIVERA Vega];

National Unity (Unidad Nacional) or UN [Lourdes FLORES Nano]; Peru

Posible or PP [David WAISMAN]; Peruvian Aprista Party or PAP (also

referred to by its original name Alianza Popular Revolucionaria

Americana or APRA) [Alan GARCIA]; Popular Action or AP [Javier DIAZ

Orihuela]; Solucion Popular [Carlos BOLANA]; Somos Peru or SP

[Alberto ANDRADE]; Union for Peru or UPP [Roger GUERRA Garcia]

Philippines

Laban Ng Demokratikong Pilipino (Struggle of Filipino

Democrats) or LDP [Edgardo ANGARA, president]; Lakas Ng Edsa

(National Union of Christian Democrats) or Lakas [Jose DE VENECIA,

president; Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, chairperson]; Liberal Party or

LP [Franklin DRILON, president; Jose ATIENZA, JR., chairman];

National People's Coalition or NPC [Eduardo COJUANGCO, chairman

emeritus; Frisco SAN JUAN, president]; PDP-Laban [Aquilino PIMENTEL,

president]; Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (Party of the Philippine

Masses) or PMP [Joseph ESTRADA, president; Juan Ponce ENRILE,

chairman]; Aksyon Demokratiko Party [Raul ROCO, president]; Reporma

[Renato DE VILLA, chairman]; PROMDI [Emilio OSMENA, president];

Nacionalista [Manuel VILLAR, president]; People's Reform Party

[Miriam Defensor SANTIAGO, president}

Pitcairn Islands

none

Poland

Catholic-National Movement or RKN [Antoni MACIEREWICZ]; Civic

Platform or PO [Donald TUSK]; Conservative Peasants Party or KL

[Artur BALAZS]; Democratic Left Alliance or SLD [Jozef OLEKSY]; Dom

Ojczysty (Fatherland Home); Freedom Union or UW [Wladyslaw

FRASYNIUK]; German Minority of Lower Silesia or MNSO [Henryk KROLL];

Law and Justice or PiS [Jaroslaw KACZYNSKI]; League of Polish

Families or LPR [Marek KOTLINOWSKI]; Movement for the Reconstruction

of Poland or ROP [Jan OLSZEWSKI]; Peasant-Democratic Party or PLD

[Roman JAGIELINSKI]; Polish Accord or PP [Jan LOPUSZANSKI]; Polish

Peasant Party or PSL [Waldemar PAWLAK]; Samoobrona or SO [Andrzej

LEPPER]; Social Democratic Party of Poland or SDPL [Marek BOROWSKI];

Social Movement or RS [Krzysztof PIESIEWICZ]; Union of Labor or UP

[Izabela JARUGA-NOWACKA]

Portugal

Green Ecologist Party or PEV [Heloisa APOLONIA]; Popular

Party or PP [Jose Ribeiro e CASTRO]; Portuguese Communist Party or

PCP [Jeronimo de SOUSA]; Portuguese Socialist Party or PS [Jose

SOCRATES Carvalho Pinto de Sousa]; Social Democratic Party or PSD

[Luis Marques MENDES]; The Left Bloc or BE [Franciso Anacleto

LOUCA]; Unitarian Democratic Coalition or UDC [Jeronimo de SOUSA]

Puerto Rico

National Democratic Party [Celeste BENITEZ]; National

Republican Party of Puerto Rico [Dr. Tiody FERRE]; New Progressive

Party or PNP (pro-US statehood) [Pedro ROSSELLO]; Popular Democratic

Party or PPD (pro-commonwealth) [Anibal ACEVEDO-VILA]; Puerto Rican

Independence Party or PIP (pro-independence) [Ruben BERRIOS Martinez]

Qatar

none

Reunion

Communist Party of Reunion or PCR [Paul VERGES]; Rally for

the Republic or RPR [Andre Maurice PIHOUEE]; Socialist Party or PS

[Jean-Claude FRUTEAU]; Union for French Democracy or UDF [Gilbert

GERARD]; Union for a Popular Movement or UMP [leader NA]

Romania

Conservative Party [Dan VOICULESCU], formerly Humanist Party

or PUR; Democratic Party or PD [Emil BOC]; Democratic Union of

Hungarians in Romania or UDMR [Bela MARKO]; National Liberal Party

or PNL [Calin Popescu TARICEANU]; Romania Mare Party (Greater

Romanian Party) or PRM [Corneliu Vadim TUDOR]; Social Democratic

Party or PSD [Mircea Dan GEOANA], formerly Party of Social Democracy

in Romania or PDSR

Russia

Communist Party of the Russian Federation or CPRF [Gennadiy

Andreyevich ZYUGANOV]; Liberal Democratic Party of Russia or LDPR

[Vladimir Volfovich ZHIRINOVSKIY]; Motherland Bloc (Rodina) [Dmitriy

ROGOZIN]; People's Party [Gennadiy RAYKOV]; Union of Right Forces or

SPS [Anatoliy Borisovich CHUBAYS, Yegor Timurovich GAYDAR, Irina

Mutsuovna KHAKAMADA, Boris Yefimovich NEMTSOV]; United Russia [Boris

Vyacheslavovich GRYZLOV]; Yabloko Party [Grigoriy Alekseyevich

YAVLINSKIY]

Rwanda

Centrist Democratic Party or PDC [Alfred MUKEZAMFURA];

Democratic Popular Union of Rwanda or UDPR [Adrien RANGIRA];

Democratic Republican Movement or MDR (officially banned) [Celestin

KABANDA]; Islamic Democratic Party or PDI [Andre BUMAYA]; Liberal

Party or PL [Prosper HIGIRO]; Party for Democratic Renewal

(officially banned) [Pasteur BIZIMUNGU and Charles NTAKARUTINKA];

Rwandan Patriotic Front or RPF [Paul KAGAME]; Social Democratic

Party or PSD [Vincent BIRUTA]

Saint Helena

none

Saint Kitts and Nevis

Concerned Citizens Movement or CCM [Vance

AMORY]; Nevis Reformation Party or NRP [Joseph PARRY]; People's

Action Movement or PAM [Lindsey GRANT]; Saint Kitts and Nevis Labor

Party or SKNLP [Dr. Denzil DOUGLAS]

Saint Lucia

National Alliance or NA [George ODLUM]; Saint Lucia

Freedom Party or SFP [Martinus FRANCOIS]; Saint Lucia Labor Party or

SLP [Kenneth ANTHONY]; Sou Tout Apwe Fete Fini or STAFF [Christopher

HUNTE]; United Workers Party or UWP [Dr. Morella JOSEPH]

Saint Pierre and Miquelon

Left Radical Party or PRG [leader NA];

Rassemblement pour la Republique or RPR (now UMP) [leader NA];

Socialist Party or PS [leader NA]; Union pour la Democratie

Francaise or UDF [leader NA]

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

National Reform Party or NRP [Joel

MIGUEL]; New Democratic Party or NDP [Arnhim EUSTACE]; People's

Progressive Movement or PPM [Ken BOYEA]; Progressive Labor Party or

PLP [leader NA]; United People's Movement or UPM [Adrian SAUNDERS];

Unity Labor Party or ULP [Ralph GONSALVES] (formed by the coalition

of Saint Vincent Labor Party or SVLP and the Movement for National

Unity or MNU)

Samoa

Christian Democratic Party [leader NA]; Human Rights

Protection Party or HRPP [Sailele Malielegaoi TUILA'EPA, chairman];

Samoan Democratic United Party or SDUP [LE MAMEA Ropati, chairman]

(opposition)

San Marino

Communist Refoundation or RC [Ivan FOSHI]; Ideas in

Movement or IM [Alessandro ROSSI]; National Alliance or AN [leader

NA]; Party of Democrats or PD [Claudio FELICI]; San Marino Christian

Democratic Party or PDCS [Giovanni LONFERNINI]; San Marino Popular

Alliance of Democrats or APDS [Roberto GIORGETTI]; San Marino

Socialist Party or PSS [Alberto CECCHETTI]; Socialists for Reform or

SR [Renzo GIARDI]

Sao Tome and Principe

Democratic Renovation Party [Armindo GRACA];

Force for Change Democratic Movement [leader NA]; Independent

Democratic Action or ADI [Carlos NEVES]; Movement for the Liberation

of Sao Tome and Principe-Social Democratic Party or MLSTP-PSD

[Manuel Pinto Da COSTA]; Party for Democratic Convergence or PCD

[Aldo BANDEIRA]; Ue-Kedadji coalition [leader NA]; other small

parties

Saudi Arabia

none

Senegal

African Party for Democracy and Socialism or And Jef (also

known as PADS/AJ) [Landing SAVANE, secretary general]; African Party

of Independence [Majhemout DIOP]; Alliance of Forces of Progress or

AFP [Moustapha NIASSE]; Democratic and Patriotic Convention or CDP

(also known as Garab-Gi) [Dr. Iba Der THIAM]; Democratic

League-Labor Party Movement or LD-MPT [Dr. Abdoulaye BATHILY]; Front

for Socialism and Democracy or FSD [Cheikh Abdoulaye DIEYE]; Gainde

Centrist Bloc or BGC [Jean-Paul DIAS]; Independence and Labor Party

or PIT [Amath DANSOKHO]; National Democratic Rally or RND [Madier

DIOUF]; Senegalese Democratic Party or PDS [Abdoulaye WADE];

Socialist Party or PS [Ousmane Tanor DIENG]; SOPI Coalition (a

coalition led by the PDS) [Abdoulaye WADE]; Union for Democratic

Renewal or URD [Djibo Leyti KA]; other small parties

Serbia and Montenegro

Democratic Party or DS [Boris TADIC];

Democratic Party of Serbia or DSS [Vojislav KOSTUNICA]; Democratic

Party of Socialists of Montenegro or DPS [Milo DJUKANOVIC];

Democratic Serbian Party of Montenegro or DSS [Bozidar BOJOVIC]; G17

Plus [Miroljub LABUS]; New Serbia or NS [Velimir ILIC]; Liberal

Party of Montenegro or LSCG [Miodrag ZIVKOVIC]; People's Party of

Montenegro or NS [Dragan SOC]; Power of Serbia Movement or PSS

[Bogoljub KARIC]; Serbian Radical Party or SRS [Tomislav NIKOLIC];

Serbian Renewal Movement or SPO [Vuk DRASKOVIC]; Serbian Socialist

Party or SPS (former Communist Party and party of Slobodan

MILOSEVIC) [Ivica DACIC, president of Main Board]; Social Democratic

Party of Montenegro or SDP [Ranko KRIVOKAPIC]; Socialist People's

Party of Montenegro or SNP [Predrag BULATOVIC]

note: the following political parties participate in elections and

institutions only in Kosovo, which has been governed by the UN under

UNSCR 1244 since 1999: Albanian Christian Democratic Party or PSHDK

[Mark KRASNIQI]; Alliance for the Future of Kosovo or AAK [Ramush

HARADINAJ]; Citizens' Initiative of Serbia or GIS [Slavisa

PETKOVIC]; Democratic Ashkali Party of Kosovo or PDAK [Sabit

RRAHMANI]; Democratic League of Kosovo or LDK [Ibrahim RUGOVA];

Democratic Party of Kosovo or PDK [Hashim THACI]; Justice Party of

PD [Sylejman CERKEZI]; Kosovo Democratic Turkish Party of KDTP

[Mahir YAGCILAR]; Liberal Party of Kosovo or PLK [Gjergj DEDAJ]; Ora

[Veton SURROI]; New Democratic Initiative of Kosovo or IRDK [Bislim

HOTI]; Party of Democratic Action or SDA [Numan BALIC]; Popular

Movement of Kosovo or LPK [Emrush XHEMAJLI]; Prizren-Dragas

Initiative or PDI [Ismajl KARADOLAMI]; Serb List for Kosovo and

Metohija or SLKM [Oliver IVANOVIC]; United Roma Party of Kosovo or

PREBK [Haxhi Zylfi MERXHA]; Vakat [leader NA]

Seychelles

Democratic Party or DP [James MANCHAM, Daniel BELLE];

Mouvement Seychellois pour la Democratie [Jacques HODOUL];

Seychelles National Party or SNP (formerly the United Opposition or

UO) [Wavel RAMKALAWAN]; Seychelles People's Progressive Front or

SPPF [France Albert RENE, James MICHEL] - the governing party

Sierra Leone

All People's Congress or APC [Ben KANU]; Peace and

Liberation Party or PLP [Darlington MORRISON, interim chairman];

Sierra Leone People's Party or SLPP [Sama BANYA]; numerous others

Singapore

governing party: People's Action Party or PAP [LEE Hsien

Loong]; opposition parties: Democratic Progressive Party or DPP

[LING How Dong]; National Solidarity Party or NSP [vacant] (SDA

group); Singapore Democratic Alliance or SDA [CHIAM See Tong]

(includes SPP, PKMS, NSP, SJP); Singapore Democratic Party or SDP

[CHEE Soon Juan]; Singapore Justice Party or SJP [Desmond LIM] (SDA

group); Singapore National Malay Organization or PKMS [Malik ISMAIL]

(SDA group); Singapore People's Party or SPP [CHIAM See Tong] (SDA

group); Workers' Party or WP [Sylvia Lim Swee LIAN]

Slovakia

Christian Democratic Movement or KDH [Pavol HRUSOVSKY];

Direction (Smer) [Robert FICO]; Free Forum [Zuzana MARTINAKOVA];

Movement for Democracy or HZD [Jozef GRAPA]; Movement for a

Democratic Slovakia-People's Party or HZDS-LS [Vladimir MECIAR]; New

Citizens Alliance or ANO [Pavol RUSKO]; Party of the Hungarian

Coalition or SMK [Bela BUGAR]; People's Union or LU [Gustav KRAJCI];

Slovak Communist Party or KSS [Jozef SEVC]; Slovak Democratic and

Christian Union or SDKU [Mikulas DZURINDA]; Slovak National Party or

SNS [Peter SULOVSKY]

Slovenia

Democratic Party of Retired (Persons) of Slovenia or DeSUS

[Anton ROUS]; Liberal Democratic Party or LDS [Anton ROP]; New

Slovenia or NSi [Andrej BAJUK]; Slovene Democratic Party or SDS

[Janez JANSA]; Slovene National Party or SNS [Zmago JELINCIC];

Slovene People's Party or SLS [Janez PODOBNIK]; Slovene Youth Party

or SMS [Darko KRANJC]; United List of Social Democrats or ZLSD

[Borut PAHOR]

Solomon Islands

Association of Independents [Snyder RINI]; People's

Alliance Party or PAP [Allan KEMAKEZA]; People's Progressive Party

or PPP [Mannaseh Damukana SOGAVARE]; Solomon Islands Alliance for

Change Coalition or SIACC [Bartholomew ULUFA'ALU]; Solomon Islands

Labor Party or SILP [Joses TUHANUKU]

note: in general, Solomon Islands politics is characterized by fluid

coalitions

Somalia

none

South Africa

African Christian Democratic Party or ACDP [Kenneth

MESHOE, president]; African National Congress or ANC [Thabo MBEKI,

president]; Democratic Alliance or DA (formed from the merger of the

Democratic Party or DP and the Freedom Alliance or FA) [Anthony

LEON]; Inkatha Freedom Party or IFP [Mangosuthu BUTHELEZI,

president]; Pan-Africanist Congress or PAC [Stanley MOGOBA,

president]; United Democratic Movement or UDM [Bantu HOLOMISA]

Spain

Basque Nationalist Party or PNV [Josu Jon IMAZ]; Canarian

Coalition or CC (a coalition of five parties) [Paulino RIVERO

Baute]; Convergence and Union or CiU [Artur MAS i Gavarro] (a

coalition of the Democratic Convergence of Catalonia or CDC [Artur

MAS i Gavarro] and the Democratic Union of Catalonia or UDC [Josep

Antoni DURAN y LLEIDA]); Entesa Catalonia de Progress (a Senate

coalition grouping four Catalan parties - PSC, ERC, ICV, EUA)

[leader NA]; Galician Nationalist Bloc or BNG [Anxo Manuel

QUINTANA]; Party of Independents from Lanzarote or PIL [Dimas MARTIN

Martin]; Popular Party or PP [Mariano RAJOY]; Republican Left of

Catalonia or ERC [Josep-Lluis CAROD-ROVIRA]; Spanish Socialist

Workers Party or PSOE [Jose Luis RODRIGUEZ ZAPATERO]; United Left or

IU (a coalition of parties including the PCE and other small

parties) [Gaspar LLAMAZARES]

Sri Lanka

All Ceylon Tamil Congress or ACTC [KUMARGURUPARAM]; Ceylon

Workers Congress or CWC [Arumugam THONDAMAN]; Communist Party or CP

[D. GUNASEKERA]; Democratic United National (Lalith) Front or DUNLF

[Shrimani ATULATHMUDALI]; Eelam People's Democratic Party or EPDP

[Douglas DEVANANDA]; Eelam People's Revolutionary Liberation Front

or EPRLF [Suresh PREMACHANDRAN]; Janatha Vimukthi Perumuna or JVP

[Tilvan SILVA]; National Heritage Party or JHU [Tilak KARUNARATNE];

National Unity Alliance or NUA [Ferial ASHRAFF]; People's Liberation

Organization of Tamil Eelam or PLOTE [leader NA]; Sihala Urumaya or

SU [leader NA]; Sri Lanka Freedom Party or SLFP [Chandrika

Bandaranaike KUMARATUNGA]; Sri Lanka Muslim Congress or SLMC [Rauff

HAKEEM]; Sri Lanka Progressive Front or SLPF [P. Nelson PERERA];

Tamil Eelam Liberation Organization or TELO [SABARATNAM]; Tamil

National Alliance or TNA [R. SAMPANTHAN]; Tamil United Liberation

Front or TULF [V. ANANDASANGAREE]; United National Party or UNP

[Ranil WICKREMASINGHE]; Up-country People's Front or UPF [P.

CHANDRASEKARAN]; several ethnic Tamil and Muslim parties,

represented in either Parliament or provincial councils

Sudan

the government allows political "associations" under a 1998

law revised in 2000; to obtain government approval parties must

accept the constitution and refrain from advocating or using

violence against the regime; approved parties include the National

Congress Party or NCP [Ibrahim Ahmed UMAR], Popular National

Congress or PNC [Hassan al-TURABI], and over 20 minor,

pro-government parties

Suriname

A-Combinatie (coalition of Brotherhood and Unity in

Politics or BEP [Caprino ALENDY], General Interior Development Party

or ABOP [Ronnie BRUNSWIJK], Progressive Laborers and Farmers Union

or PALU [Jim HOK], Seeka [Paul ABENA]); Alternative-1 or A-1 (a

coalition of Democratic Alternative 1991 or DA-91 [Winston

JESSURUN], Democrats of the 21st Century or D-21 [Soewarto

MOESTADJA], Nieuw Suriname or NS [Radjen Nanan PANDAY], Political

Wing of the FAL or PVF [Jiwan SITAL], Trefpunt 2000 or T-2000 [Arti

JESSURUN]); National Democratic Party or NDP [Desire BOUTERSE]; New

Front for Democracy and Development or NF (a coalition includes

National Party Suriname or NPS (Ronald VENETIAAN], United Reform

Party or VHP [Ram SARDJOE], Pertjaja Luhur or PL [Salam Paul

SOMOHARDJO], Surinamese Labor Party or SPA [Siegfried GILDS]); Party

for Democracy and Development in Unity or DOE [Marten Schalkwijk];

People's Alliance for Progress or VVV (a coalition of Democratic

National Platform 2000 or DNP-2000 [Jules WIJDENBOSCH], Grassroots

Party for Renewal and Democracy or BVD [Tjan GOBARDHAN], Party for

National Unity and Solidarity of the Highest Order or KTPI [Willy

SOEMITA], Party for Progression, Justice, and Perserverance or PPRS

[Renee KAIMAN], Pendawalima or PL [Raymond SAPOEN]); Union of

Progressive Surinamers or UPS [Sheoradj PANDAY]

Swaziland

political parties are banned by the government - the

following are considered political associations; Imbokodvo National

Movement or INM [leader NA]; Ngwane National Liberatory Congress or

NNLC [Obed DLAMINI, president]; People's United Democratic Movement

or PUDEMO [Mario MASUKU, president]

Sweden

Center Party [Maud OLOFSSON]; Christian Democratic Party

[Goran HAGGLUND]; Green Party [no formal leader but party

spokespersons are Maria WETTERSTRAND and Peter ERIKSSON]; Left Party

or V (formerly Communist) [Lars OHLY]; Liberal People's Party [Lars

LEIJONBORG]; Moderate Party (conservative) [Fredrik REINFELDT];

Social Democratic Party [Goran PERSSON]

Switzerland

Green Party (Grune Partei der Schweiz or Grune, Parti

Ecologiste Suisse or Les Verts, Partito Ecologista Svizzero or I

Verdi, Partida Ecologica Svizra or La Verda) [Ruth GENNER];

Christian Democratic People's Party (Christichdemokratische

Volkspartei der Schweiz or CVP, Parti Democrate-Chretien Suisse or

PDC, Partito Democratico-Cristiano Popolare Svizzero or PDC, Partida

Cristiandemocratica dalla Svizra or PCD) [Doris LEUTHARD,

president]; Radical Free Democratic Party (Freisinnig-Demokratische

Partei der Schweiz or FDP, Parti Radical-Democratique Suisse or PRD,

Partitio Liberal-Radicale Svizzero or PLR) [Marianne

KLEINER-SCHLAEPFER, president]; Social Democratic Party

(Sozialdemokratische Partei der Schweiz or SPS, Parti Socialist

Suisse or PSS, Partito Socialista Svizzero or PSS, Partida

Socialdemocratica de la Svizra or PSS) [Hans-Juerg FEHR, president];

Swiss People's Party (Schweizerische Volkspartei or SVP, Union

Democratique du Centre or UDC, Unione Democratica de Centro or UDC,

Uniun Democratica dal Center or UDC) [Ueli MAURER, president]; and

other minor parties

Syria

Arab Socialist Unionist Movement [Ahmed al-AHMED]; National

Progressive Front or NPF (includes Arab Socialist Renaissance

(Ba'th) Party; the governing party) [President Bashar al-ASAD,

secretary general]; Socialist Unionist Democratic Party [Fadlallal

Nasr Al-DIN]; Syrian Arab Socialist Party or ASP [Safwan QUDSI];

Syrian Communist Party (two branches) [Wissal Farha BAKDASH, Yuusuf

Rashid FAYSAL]; Syrian Social National Party [Jubran URAYJI];

Unionist Socialist Party [Fayez ISMAIL]

Taiwan

Democratic Progressive Party or DPP [SU Tseng-chang,

chairman]; Kuomintang or KMT (Nationalist Party) [MA Ying-jeou,

chairman]; People First Party or PFP [James SOONG (SOONG Chu-yu),

chairman]; Taiwan Solidarity Union or TSU [SU Chin-chiang,

chairman]; other minor parties including the Chinese New Party or CNP

Tajikistan

Democratic Party or DPT [Mahmadruzi ISKANDAROV]; Islamic

Revival Party [Said Abdullo NURI]; People's Democratic Party of

Tajikistan or PDPT [Emomali RAHMONOV]; Social Democratic Party or

SDPT [Rahmatullo ZOIROV]; Socialist Party or SPT [Mirhuseyn

NAZRIYEV]; Tajik Communist Party or CPT [Shodi SHABDOLOV]

Tanzania

Chama Cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (Party of Democracy and

Development) or CHADEMA [Bob MAKANI]; Chama Cha Mapinduzi or CCM

(Revolutionary Party) [Benjamin William MKAPA]; Civic United Front

or CUF [Ibrahim LIPUMBA]; Democratic Party (unregistered)

[Christopher MTIKLA]; Tanzania Labor Party or TLP [Augustine

Lyatonga MREME]; United Democratic Party or UDP [John CHEYO]

Thailand

Democrat Party or DP (Prachathipat Party) [ABHISIT

Wetchachiwa]; People's Party or PP (Mahachon Party) [ANEK

Laothamatas]; Thai Nation Party or TNP (Chat Thai Party) [BARNHARN

SILPA-ARCHA]; Thai Rak Thai Party or TRT [THAKSIN Chinnawat]

Togo

Juvento [Monsilia DJATO]; Movement of the Believers of Peace

and Equality or MOCEP [leader NA]; Rally for the Support for

Development and Democracy or RSDD [Harry OLYMPIO]; Rally of the

Togolese People or RPT [Faure GNASSINGBE]; Union for Democracy and

Social Progress or UDPS [Gagou KOKOU]

note: Rally of the Togolese People or RPT, led by President

GNASSINGBE, was the only party until the formation of multiple

parties was legalized 12 April 1991

Tokelau

none

Tonga

there are no political parties

Trinidad and Tobago

National Alliance for Reconstruction or NAR

[Lennox SANKERSINGH]; People's National Movement or PNM [Patrick

MANNING]; Team Unity or TU [Ramesh MAHARAJ]; United National

Congress or UNC [Basdeo PANDAY]; Democratic Action Committee or DAC

[Hochoy CHARLES], note - only active in Tobago

Tunisia

Al-Tajdid Movement [Ali HALOUANI]; Constitutional Democratic

Rally Party (Rassemblement Constitutionnel Democratique) or RCD

[President Zine El Abidine BEN ALI (official ruling party)]; Liberal

Social Party or PSL [Mounir BEJI]; Movement of Socialist Democrats

or MDS [Ismail BOULAHYA]; Popular Unity Party or PUP [Mohamed

BOUCHIHA]; Progressive Democratic Party [Nejib CHEBBI]; Unionist

Democratic Union or UDU [Abderrahmane TLILI]

Turkey

Democratic Left Party or DSP [Mehmet Zeki SEZER]; Democratic

People's Party or DEHAP [Tuncer BAKIRHAN]; Justice and Development

Party or AKP [Recep Tayyip ERDOGAN]; Liberal Democratic Party or LDP

[Emin SIRIN]; Motherland Party or ANAP [Ali Talip OZDEMIR];

Nationalist Action Party or MHP [Devlet BAHCELI]; Republican

People's Party or CHP (includes the New Turkey Party) [Deniz

BAYKAL]; Felicity Party (sometimes translated as Contentment Party)

or SP [Necmettin ERBEKAN]; Social Democratic People's Party or SHP

[Murat KARAYALCIN]; True Path Party (sometimes translated as Correct

Way Party) or DYP [Mehmet AGAR]

note: the parties listed above are some of the more significant of

the 49 parties that Turkey had on 1 December 2004

Turkmenistan

Democratic Party of Turkmenistan or DPT [Saparmurat

NIYAZOV]

note: formal opposition parties are outlawed; unofficial, small

opposition movements exist underground or in foreign countries; the

two most prominent opposition groups-in-exile have been Gundogar and

Erkin; Gundogar was led by former Foreign Minister Boris

SHIKHMURADOV until his arrest and imprisonment in the wake of the 25

November 2002 assassination attempt on President NIYAZOV; Erkin is

led by former Foreign Minister Abdy KULIEV and is based out of

Moscow; the Union of Democratic Forces, a coalition of

opposition-in-exile groups, is based in Europe

Turks and Caicos Islands

People's Democratic Movement or PDM [Derek

H. TAYLOR]; Progressive National Party or PNP [Michael Eugene MISICK]

Tuvalu

there are no political parties but members of Parliament

usually align themselves in informal groupings

Uganda

only one political organization, the Movement (formerly the

NRM) [President MUSEVENI, chairman] is allowed to operate

unfettered; note - the president maintains that the Movement is not

a political party, but a mass organization, which claims the loyalty

of all Ugandans

note: the constitution requires the suspension of political parties

while the Movement organization is in governance; of the political

parties that exist but are prohibited from sponsoring candidates,

the most important are the Ugandan People's Congress or UPC [Milton

OBOTE]; Democratic Party or DP [Paul SSEMOGERERE]; Conservative

Party or CP [Ken LUKYAMUZI]; Justice Forum [Muhammad Kibirige

MAYANJA]; and National Democrats Forum [Chapaa KARUHANGA]

Ukraine

Agrarian Party [Volodymyr LYTVYN]; Communist Party of

Ukraine or CPU [Petro SYMONENKO]; Democratic Initiatives [Stepan

HAVRYSH]; Industrialists and Entrepreneurs [Anatoliy KINAKH]; Our

Ukraine bloc (comprised of several parties the most prominent of

which are Rukh, the Ukrainian People's Party, Reforms and Order, and

Solidarity) [Viktor YUSHCHENKO]; People's Democratic Party or PDP

[Valeriy PUSTOVOYTENKO]; Regions of Ukraine [Viktor YANUKOVYCH];

Socialist Party of Ukraine or SPU [Oleksandr MOROZ, chairman];

United Social Democratic Party [Viktor MEDVEDCHUK]; Working Ukraine

[Serhiy TYHYPKO]; Yuliya Tymoshenko Bloc [Yuliya TYMOSHENKO]

note: as well as numerous smaller parties; United Ukraine and Center

Group are not actual political parties, but rather deputy groups

(factions not based on a party)

United Arab Emirates

none

United Kingdom

Conservative and Unionist Party [Michael HOWARD];

Democratic Unionist Party (Northern Ireland) [Rev. Ian PAISLEY];

Labor Party [Anthony (Tony) BLAIR]; Liberal Democrats [Charles

KENNEDY]; Party of Wales (Plaid Cymru) [Dafydd IWAN]; Scottish

National Party or SNP [Alex SALMOND]; Sinn Fein (Northern Ireland)

[Gerry ADAMS]; Social Democratic and Labor Party or SDLP (Northern

Ireland) [Mark DURKAN]; Ulster Unionist Party (Northern Ireland)

[Sir Reg EMPEY]

United States

Democratic Party [Howard DEAN]; Green Party [leader

NA]; Libertarian Party [Steve DAMERELL]; Republican Party [Ken

MEHLMAN]

Uruguay

Colorado Party [Jorge BATLLE Ibanez]; National Party or

Blanco [Luis Alberto LACALLE Herrera]; New Sector/Space Coalition

(Nuevo Espacio) [Rafael MICHELINI]; Progressive Encounter/Broad

Front Coalition (Encuentro Progresista/Frente Amplio) or EP-FA

[Tabare VAZQUEZ]; Independent Party (Partido Independiente) [leader

NA]

Uzbekistan

Adolat (Justice) Social Democratic Party [Dilorom

TOSHMUHAMMADOVA, chairman]; Democratic National Rebirth Party (Milly

Tiklanish) or MTP [Xurshid DOSTMUHAMMADOV, chief]; Liberal

Democratic Party of Uzbekistan or LDPU [Adham SHODMONOV, chairman];

People's Democratic Party or NDP (formerly Communist Party)

[Asliddin RUSTAMOV, first secretary]; Self-Sacrificers Party or

Fidokorlar National Democratic Party [Ahtam TURSUNOV, chief]; note -

Fatherland Progress Party merged with Self-Sacrificers Party

Vanuatu

Jon Frum Movement [Song KEASPAI]; Melanesian Progressive

Party or MPP [Barak SOPE]; National United Party or NUP [leader NA];

Union of Moderate Parties or UMP [Serge VOHOR]; Vanua'aku Pati (Our

Land Party) or VP [Edward NATAPEI]; Vanuatu Republican Party or VRP

[Maxime Carlot KORMAN]; Vanuatu Greens Party or VGP [Moana CARCASSES]

Venezuela

Democratic Action or AD [Jesus MENDEZ Quijada]; Fifth

Republic Movement or MVR [Hugo CHAVEZ]; Homeland for All or PPT

[Jose ALBORNOZ]; Justice First [Julio BORGES]; Movement Toward

Socialism or MAS [Hector MUJICA]; National Convergence or

Convergencia [Juan Jose CALDERA]; Radical Cause or La Causa R

[Andres VELASQUEZ]; Social Christian Party or COPEI [Eduardo

FERNANDEZ]; Venezuela Project or PV [Henrique SALAS Romer]

Vietnam

only party - Communist Party of Vietnam or CPV [Nong Duc

MANH, general secretary]

Virgin Islands

Democratic Party [Arturo WATLINGTON]; Independent

Citizens' Movement or ICM [Usie RICHARDS]; Republican Party [Gary

SPRAUVE]

Wallis and Futuna

Lua Kae Tahi (Giscardians) [leader NA]; Mouvement

des Radicaux de Gauche or MRG [leader NA]; Rally for the Republic or

RPR [Clovis LOGOLOGOFOLAU]; Taumu'a Lelei [Soane Muni UHILA]; Union

Populaire Locale or UPL [Falakiko GATA]; Union Pour la Democratie

Francaise or UDF [leader NA]

Yemen

there are more than 12 political parties active in Yemen, some

of the more prominent are: General People's Congress or GPC

[President Ali Abdallah SALIH]; Islamic Reform Grouping or Islah

[Shaykh Abdallah bin Husayn al-AHMAR]; Nasserite Unionist Party

[Abdel Malik al-MAKHLAFI]; National Arab Socialist Ba'th Party [Dr.

Qassim SALAAM]; Yemeni Socialist Party or YSP [Ali Salih MUQBIL]

note: President SALIH's General People's Congress or GPC won a

landslide victory in the April 1997 legislative election and no

longer governs in coalition with Shaykh Abdallah bin Husayn

al-AHMAR's Islamic Reform Grouping or Islah - the two parties had

been in coalition since the end of the civil war in 1994; the YSP, a

loyal opposition party, represents the remnants of the former South

Yemeni leadership; leaders of the 1994 secessionist movement have

been pardoned by President SALIH and some are now returning to Yemen

from exile

Zambia

Agenda for Zambia or AZ [Inonge MBIKUSITA-LEWANIKA]; Forum

for Democracy and Development or FDD [Christon TEMBO]; Heritage

Party or HP [Godfrey MIYANDA]; Liberal Progressive Front or LPF

[Roger CHONGWE, president]; Movement for Multiparty Democracy or MMD

[Levy MWANAWASA, acting president]; National Leadership for

Development or NLD [Yobert SHAMAPANDE]; National Party or NP [Dr.

Sam CHIPUNGU]; Patriotic Front or PF [Michael SATA]; Zambian

Republican Party or ZRP [Benjamin MWILA]; Social Democratic Party or

SDP [Gwendoline KONIE]; United National Independence Party or UNIP

[Francis NKHOMA, president]; United Party for National Development

or UPND [Anderson MAZOKA]

Zimbabwe

Movement for Democratic Change or MDC [Morgan TSVANGIRAI];

National Alliance for Good Governance or NAGG [Shakespeare MAYA];

United Parties [Abel MUZOREWA]; Zimbabwe African National

Union-Ndonga or ZANU-Ndonga [Wilson KUMBULA]; Zimbabwe African

National Union-Patriotic Front or ZANU-PF [Robert Gabriel MUGABE];

Zimbabwe African Peoples Union or ZAPU [Agrippa MADLELA]

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2119 Population

Afghanistan

29,928,987 (July 2005 est.)

Akrotiri

no indigenous inhabitants

note: approximately 1,300 military personnel are on the base; there

are another 5,000 British citizens who are families of military

personnel or civilian staff on both Akrotiri and Dhekelia; Cyprus

citizens work on the base, but do not live there

Albania

3,563,112 (July 2005 est.)

Algeria

32,531,853 (July 2005 est.)

American Samoa

57,881 (July 2005 est.)

Andorra

70,549 (July 2005 est.)

Angola

11,190,786 (July 2005 est.)

Anguilla

13,254 (July 2005 est.)

Antarctica

no indigenous inhabitants, but there are both permanent

and summer-only staffed research stations

note: 26 nations, all signatory to the Antarctic Treaty, operate

seasonal (summer) and year-round research stations on the continent

and in its surrounding oceans; the population of persons doing and

supporting science on the continent and its nearby islands south of

60 degrees south latitude (the region covered by the Antarctic

Treaty) varies from approximately 4,000 in summer to 1,000 in

winter; in addition, approximately 1,000 personnel including ship's

crew and scientists doing onboard research are present in the waters

of the treaty region; summer (January) population - 3,687 total;

Argentina 302, Australia 201, Belgium 13, Brazil 80, Bulgaria 16,

Chile 352, China 70, Finland 11, France 100, Germany 51, India 60,

Italy 106, Japan 136, South Korea 14, Netherlands 10, NZ 60, Norway

40, Peru 28, Poland 70, Russia 254, South Africa 80, Spain 43,

Sweden 20, UK 192, US 1,378 (1998-99); winter (July) population -

964 total; Argentina 165, Australia 75, Brazil 12, Chile 129, China

33, France 33, Germany 9, India 25, Japan 40, South Korea 14, NZ 10,

Poland 20, Russia 102, South Africa 10, UK 39, US 248 (1998-99);

research stations operated within the Antarctic Treaty area (south

of 60 degrees south) by members of the Council of Managers of

National Antarctic Programs (COMNAP): year-round stations - 38

total; Argentina 6, Australia 3, Brazil 1, Chile 4, China 2, France

1, Germany 1, India 1, Japan 1, South Korea 1, NZ 1, Poland 1,

Russia 6, South Africa 1, Ukraine 1, UK 2, US 3, Uruguay 1, Italy

and France jointly 1 (2005); summer-only stations - 34 total;

Argentina 8, Australia 2, Bulgaria 1, Chile 5, Ecuador 1, Finland 1,

Germany 2, Italy 1, Japan 3, Norway 2, Peru 1, Russia 2, South

Africa 1, Spain 2, Sweden 1, UK 1 (2004-2005); in addition, during

the austral summer some nations have numerous occupied locations

such as tent camps, summer-long temporary facilities, and mobile

traverses in support of research

Antigua and Barbuda

68,722 (July 2005 est.)

Argentina

39,537,943 (July 2005 est.)

Armenia

2,982,904 (July 2005 est.)

Aruba

71,566 (July 2005 est.)

Ashmore and Cartier Islands no indigenous inhabitants note: Indonesian fishermen are allowed access to the lagoon and fresh water at Ashmore Reef's West Island (July 2005 est.)

Australia

20,090,437 (July 2005 est.)

Austria

8,184,691 (July 2005 est.)

Azerbaijan

7,911,974 (July 2005 est.)

Bahamas, The

301,790

note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the

effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower

life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower

population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of

population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July

2005 est.)

Bahrain

688,345

note: includes 235,108 non-nationals (July 2005 est.)

Baker Island

uninhabited

note: American civilians evacuated in 1942 after Japanese air and

naval attacks during World War II; occupied by US military during

World War II, but abandoned after the war; public entry is by

special-use permit from US Fish and Wildlife Service only and

generally restricted to scientists and educators; a cemetery and

remnants of structures from early settlement are located near the

middle of the west coast; visited annually by US Fish and Wildlife

Service (2005 est.)

Bangladesh

144,319,628 (July 2005 est.)

Barbados

279,254 (July 2005 est.)

Bassas da India

uninhabited (July 2005 est.)

Belarus

10,300,483 (July 2005 est.)

Belgium

10,364,388 (July 2005 est.)

Belize

279,457 (July 2005 est.)

Benin

7,460,025

note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the

effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower

life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower

population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of

population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July

2005 est.)

Bermuda

65,365 (July 2005 est.)

Bhutan 2,232,291 note: other estimates range as low as 810,000 (July 2005 est.)

Bolivia

8,857,870 (July 2005 est.)

Bosnia and Herzegovina

4,025,476 (July 2005 est.)

Botswana

1,640,115

note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the

effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower

life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower

population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of

population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July

2005 est.)

Bouvet Island

uninhabited (July 2005 est.)

Brazil

186,112,794

note: Brazil took a count in August 2000, which reported a

population of 169,799,170; that figure was about 3.3% lower than

projections by the US Census Bureau, and is close to the implied

underenumeration of 4.6% for the 1991 census; estimates for this

country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality

due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant

mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and

changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would

otherwise be expected (July 2005 est.)

British Indian Ocean Territory

no indigenous inhabitants

note: approximately 1,200 former agricultural workers resident in

the Chagos Archipelago, often referred to as Chagossians or Ilois,

were relocated to Mauritius and the Seychelles in the 1960s and

1970s, in November 2000 they were granted the right of return by a

British High Court ruling, though no timetable has been set; in

2001, there were approximately 1,500 UK and US military personnel

and 2,000 civilian contractors living on the island of Diego Garcia

(July 2005 est.)

British Virgin Islands

22,643 (July 2005 est.)

Brunei

372,361 (July 2005 est.)

Bulgaria

7,450,349 (July 2005 est.)

Burkina Faso

13,925,313

note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the

effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower

life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower

population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of

population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July

2005 est.)

Burma

42,909,464

note: estimates for this country take into account the effects of

excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life

expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower

population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of

population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July

2005 est.)

Burundi

6,370,609

note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the

effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower

life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower

population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of

population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July

2005 est.)

Cambodia

13,607,069

note: estimates for this country take into account the effects of

excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life

expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower

population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of

population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July

2005 est.)

Cameroon

16,380,005

note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the

effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower

life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower

population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of

population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July

2005 est.)

Canada

32,805,041 (July 2005 est.)

Cape Verde

418,224 (July 2005 est.)

Cayman Islands

44,270 (July 2005 est.)

Central African Republic

3,799,897

note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the

effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower

life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower

population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of

population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July

2005 est.)

Chad

9,826,419 (July 2005 est.)

Chile

15,980,912 (July 2005 est.)

China

1,306,313,812 (July 2005 est.)

Christmas Island

361 (July 2005 est.)

Clipperton Island

uninhabited (July 2005 est.)

Cocos (Keeling) Islands

628 (July 2005 est.)

Colombia

42,954,279 (July 2005 est.)

Comoros

671,247 (July 2005 est.)

Congo, Democratic Republic of the

60,085,804

note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the

effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower

life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower

population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of

population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July

2005 est.)

Congo, Republic of the

3,039,126

note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the

effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower

life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower

population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of

population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July

2005 est.)

Cook Islands

21,388 (July 2005 est.)

Coral Sea Islands

no indigenous inhabitants

note: there is a staff of three to four at the meteorological

station (2005 est.)

Costa Rica

4,016,173 (July 2005 est.)

Cote d'Ivoire

17,298,040

note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the

effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower

life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower

population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of

population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July

2005 est.)

Croatia

4,495,904 (July 2005 est.)

Cuba

11,346,670 (July 2005 est.)

Cyprus

780,133 (July 2005 est.)

Czech Republic

10,241,138 (July 2005 est.)

Denmark

5,432,335 (July 2005 est.)

Dhekelia

no indigenous personnel

note: approximately 2,200 military personnel are on the base; there

are another 5,000 British citizens who are families of military

personnel or civilian staff on both the bases of Akrotiri and

Dhekelia; Cyprus citizens work on the base, but do not live there

Djibouti

476,703 (July 2005 est.)

Dominica

69,029 (July 2005 est.)

Dominican Republic

8,950,034 (July 2005 est.)

East Timor 1,040,880 note: other estimates range as low as 800,000 (July 2005 est.)

Ecuador

13,363,593 (July 2005 est.)

Egypt

77,505,756 (July 2005 est.)

El Salvador

6,704,932 (July 2005 est.)

Equatorial Guinea

535,881 (July 2005 est.)

Eritrea

4,561,599 (July 2005 est.)

Estonia

1,332,893 (July 2005 est.)

Ethiopia

73,053,286

note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the

effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower

life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower

population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of

population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July

2005 est.)

Europa Island

no indigenous inhabitants

note: there is a small French military garrison and a few

meteorologists; visited by scientists (July 2005 est.)

European Union

456,953,258 (July 2005 est.)

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

2,967 (July 2005 est.)

Faroe Islands

46,962 (July 2005 est.)

Fiji

893,354 (July 2005 est.)

Finland

5,223,442 (July 2005 est.)

France

60,656,178 (July 2005 est.)

French Guiana

195,506 (July 2005 est.)

French Polynesia

270,485 (July 2005 est.)

French Southern and Antarctic Lands

no indigenous inhabitants (July

2005 est.)

note: in 2002, there were 145 researchers whose numbers vary from

winter (July) to summer (January) (July 2005 est.)

Gabon

1,389,201

note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the

effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower

life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower

population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of

population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July

2005 est.)

Gambia, The

1,593,256 (July 2005 est.)

Gaza Strip

1,376,289

note: in addition, there are more than 5,000 Israeli settlers in the

Gaza Strip (July 2005 est.)

Georgia

4,677,401 (July 2005 est.)

Germany

82,431,390 (July 2005 est.)

Ghana

21,029,853

note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the

effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower

life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower

population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of

population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July

2005 est.)

Gibraltar

27,884 (July 2005 est.)

Glorioso Islands

no indigenous inhabitants

note: there is a small French military garrison along with a few

meteorologists; visited by scientists (July 2005 est.)

Greece

10,668,354 (July 2005 est.)

Greenland

56,375 (July 2005 est.)

Grenada

89,502 (July 2005 est.)

Guadeloupe

448,713 (July 2005 est.)

Guam

168,564 (July 2005 est.)

Guatemala

14,655,189 (July 2005 est.)

Guernsey

65,228 (July 2005 est.)

Guinea

9,467,866 (July 2005 est.)

Guinea-Bissau

1,416,027 (July 2005 est.)

Guyana

765,283

note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the

effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower

life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower

population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of

population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July

2005 est.)

Haiti

8,121,622

note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the

effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower

life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower

population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of

population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July

2005 est.)

Heard Island and McDonald Islands

uninhabited (July 2005 est.)

Holy See (Vatican City)

921 (July 2005 est.)

Honduras

6,975,204

note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the

effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower

life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower

population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of

population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July

2005 est.)

Hong Kong

6,898,686 (July 2005 est.)

Howland Island

uninhabited

note: American civilians evacuated in 1942 after Japanese air and

naval attacks during World War II; occupied by US military during

World War II, but abandoned after the war; public entry is by

special-use permit from US Fish and Wildlife Service only and

generally restricted to scientists and educators; visited annually

by US Fish and Wildlife Service (July 2005 est.)

Hungary

10,006,835 (July 2005 est.)

Iceland

296,737 (July 2005 est.)

India

1,080,264,388 (July 2005 est.)

Indonesia

241,973,879 (July 2005 est.)

Iran

68,017,860 (July 2005 est.)

Iraq

26,074,906 (July 2005 est.)

Ireland

4,015,676 (July 2005 est.)

Israel

6,276,883

note: includes about 187,000 Israeli settlers in the West Bank,

about 20,000 in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, more than 5,000

in the Gaza Strip, and fewer than 177,000 in East Jerusalem (July

2005 est.)

Italy

58,103,033 (July 2005 est.)

Jamaica

2,731,832 (July 2005 est.)

Jan Mayen

no indigenous inhabitants

note: personnel operate the Long Range Navigation (Loran-C) base and

the weather and coastal services radio station (July 2005 est.)

Japan

127,417,244 (July 2005 est.)

Jarvis Island

uninhabited

note: Millersville settlement on western side of island occasionally

used as a weather station from 1935 until World War II, when it was

abandoned; reoccupied in 1957 during the International Geophysical

Year by scientists who left in 1958; public entry is by special-use

permit from US Fish and Wildlife Service only and generally

restricted to scientists and educators; visited annually by US Fish

and Wildlife Service (July 2005 est.)

Jersey

90,812 (July 2005 est.)

Johnston Atoll

361 no indigenous inhabitants

note: in previous years, there was an average of 1,100 US military

and civilian contractor personnel present; as of September 2001,

population had decreased significantly when US Army Chemical

Activity Pacific (USACAP) departed; as of January 2004 the island

population was just above 200 personnel, including US Air Force, US

Fish and Wildlife Service, and civilian contractor personnel (July

2005 est.)

Jordan

5,759,732 (July 2005 est.)

Juan de Nova Island no indigenous inhabitants note: there is a small French military garrison along with a few meteorologists; occasionally visited by scientists (July 2005 est.)

Kazakhstan

15,185,844 (July 2005 est.)

Kenya

33,829,590

note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the

effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower

life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower

population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of

population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July

2005 est.)

Kingman Reef

uninhabited (July 2005 est.)

Kiribati

103,092 (July 2005 est.)

Korea, North

22,912,177 (July 2005 est.)

Korea, South

48,422,644 (July 2005 est.)

Kuwait 2,335,648 note: includes 1,291,354 non-nationals (July 2005 est.)

Kyrgyzstan

5,146,281 (July 2005 est.)

Laos

6,217,141 (July 2005 est.)

Latvia

2,290,237 (July 2005 est.)

Lebanon

3,826,018 (July 2005 est.)

Lesotho

1,867,035

note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the

effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower

life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower

population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of

population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July

2005 est.)

Liberia

3,482,211 (July 2005 est.)

Libya 5,765,563 note: includes 166,510 non-nationals (July 2005 est.)

Liechtenstein

33,717 (July 2005 est.)

Lithuania

3,596,617 (July 2005 est.)

Luxembourg

468,571 (July 2005 est.)

Macau

449,198 (July 2005 est.)

Macedonia

2,045,262 (July 2005 est.)

Madagascar

18,040,341 (July 2005 est.)

Malawi

12,158,924

note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the

effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower

life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower

population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of

population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July

2005 est.)

Malaysia

23,953,136 (July 2005 est.)

Maldives

349,106 (July 2005 est.)

Mali

12,291,529 (July 2005 est.)

Malta

398,534 (July 2005 est.)

Man, Isle of

75,049 (July 2005 est.)

Marshall Islands

59,071 (July 2005 est.)

Martinique

432,900 (July 2005 est.)

Mauritania

3,086,859 (July 2005 est.)

Mauritius

1,230,602 (July 2005 est.)

Mayotte

193,633 (July 2005 est.)

Mexico

106,202,903 (July 2005 est.)

Micronesia, Federated States of

108,105 (July 2005 est.)

Midway Islands

no indigenous inhabitants; approximately 40 people

make up the staff of US Fish and Wildlife Service and their services

contractor living at the atoll (July 2005 est.)

Moldova

4,455,421 (July 2005 est.)

Monaco

32,409 (July 2005 est.)

Mongolia

2,791,272 (July 2005 est.)

Montserrat

9,341

note: an estimated 8,000 refugees left the island following the

resumption of volcanic activity in July 1995; some have returned

(July 2005 est.)

Morocco

32,725,847 (July 2005 est.)

Mozambique

19,406,703

note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the

effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower

life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower

population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of

population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected; the 1997

Mozambican census reported a population of 16,099,246 (July 2005

est.)

Namibia

2,030,692

note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the

effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower

life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower

population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of

population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July

2005 est.)

Nauru

13,048 (July 2005 est.)

Navassa Island

uninhabited

note: transient Haitian fishermen and others camp on the island

(July 2005 est.)

Nepal

27,676,547 (July 2005 est.)

Netherlands

16,407,491 (July 2005 est.)

Netherlands Antilles

219,958 (July 2005 est.)

New Caledonia

216,494 (July 2005 est.)

New Zealand

4,035,461 (July 2005 est.)

Nicaragua

5,465,100 (July 2005 est.)

Niger

11,665,937 (July 2005 est.)

Nigeria

128,771,988

note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the

effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower

life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower

population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of

population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July

2005 est.)

Niue

2,166 (July 2005 est.)

Norfolk Island

1,828 (July 2005 est.)

Northern Mariana Islands

80,362 (July 2005 est.)

Norway

4,593,041 (July 2005 est.)

Oman 3,001,583 note: includes 577,293 non-nationals (July 2005 est.)

Pakistan

162,419,946 (July 2005 est.)

Palau

20,303 (July 2005 est.)

Palmyra Atoll

no indigenous inhabitants; 4 to 20 Nature Conservancy

staff, US Fish and Wildlife staff (July 2005 est.)

Panama

3,039,150 (July 2005 est.)

Papua New Guinea

5,545,268 (July 2005 est.)

Paracel Islands no indigenous inhabitants note: there are scattered Chinese garrisons

Paraguay

6,347,884 (July 2005 est.)

Peru

27,925,628 (July 2005 est.)

Philippines

87,857,473 (July 2005 est.)

Pitcairn Islands

46 (July 2005 est.)

Poland

38,635,144 (July 2005 est.)

Portugal

10,566,212 (July 2005 est.)

Puerto Rico

3,916,632 (July 2005 est.)

Qatar

863,051 (July 2005 est.)

Reunion

776,948 (July 2005 est.)

Romania

22,329,977 (July 2005 est.)

Russia

143,420,309 (July 2005 est.)

Rwanda

8,440,820

note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the

effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower

life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower

population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of

population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July

2005 est.)

Saint Helena

7,460 (July 2005 est.)

Saint Kitts and Nevis

38,958 (July 2005 est.)

Saint Lucia

166,312 (July 2005 est.)

Saint Pierre and Miquelon

7,012 (July 2005 est.)

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

117,534 (July 2005 est.)

Samoa

177,287 (July 2005 est.)

San Marino

28,880 (July 2005 est.)

Sao Tome and Principe

187,410 (July 2005 est.)

Saudi Arabia 26,417,599 note: includes 5,576,076 non-nationals (July 2005 est.)

Senegal

11,126,832 (July 2005 est.)

Serbia and Montenegro

10,829,175 (July 2005 est.)

Seychelles

81,188 (July 2005 est.)

Sierra Leone

6,017,643 (July 2005 est.)

Singapore

4,425,720 (July 2005 est.)

Slovakia

5,431,363 (July 2005 est.)

Slovenia

2,011,070 (July 2005 est.)

Solomon Islands

538,032 (July 2005 est.)

Somalia

8,591,629

note: this estimate was derived from an official census taken in

1975 by the Somali Government; population counting in Somalia is

complicated by the large number of nomads and by refugee movements

in response to famine and clan warfare (July 2005 est.)

South Africa

44,344,136

note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the

effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower

life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower

population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of

population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July

2005 est.)

South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands

no indigenous

inhabitants

note: the small military garrison on South Georgia withdrew in March

2001, to be replaced by a permanent group of scientists of the

British Antarctic Survey, which also has a biological station on

Bird Island; the South Sandwich Islands are uninhabited (July 2005

est.)

Spain

40,341,462 (July 2005 est.)

Spratly Islands

no indigenous inhabitants

note: there are scattered garrisons occupied by personnel of several

claimant states (2004)

Sri Lanka

20,064,776

note: since the outbreak of hostilities between the government and

armed Tamil separatists in the mid-1980s, several hundred thousand

Tamil civilians have fled the island and more than 200,000 Tamils

have sought refuge in the West (July 2005 est.)

Sudan

40,187,486 (July 2005 est.)

Suriname

438,144 (July 2005 est.)

Svalbard

2,701 (July 2005 est.)

Swaziland

1,173,900

note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the

effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower

life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower

population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of

population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July

2005 est.)

Sweden

9,001,774 (July 2005 est.)

Switzerland

7,489,370 (July 2005 est.)

Syria

18,448,752

note: in addition, about 40,000 people live in the Israeli-occupied

Golan Heights - 20,000 Arabs (18,000 Druze and 2,000 Alawites) and

about 20,000 Israeli settlers (July 2005 est.)

Taiwan

22,894,384 (July 2005 est.)

Tajikistan

7,163,506 (July 2005 est.)

Tanzania

36,766,356

note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the

effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower

life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower

population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of

population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July

2005 est.)

Thailand

65,444,371

note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the

effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower

life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower

population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of

population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July

2005 est.)

Togo

5,681,519

note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the

effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower

life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower

population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of

population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July

2005 est.)

Tokelau

1,405 (July 2005 est.)

Tonga

112,422 (July 2005 est.)

Trinidad and Tobago

1,088,644 (July 2005 est.)

Tromelin Island

uninhabited, except for visits by scientists (July

2005 est.)

Tunisia

10,074,951 (July 2005 est.)

Turkey

69,660,559 (July 2005 est.)

Turkmenistan

4,952,081 (July 2005 est.)

Turks and Caicos Islands

20,556 (July 2005 est.)

Tuvalu

11,636 (July 2005 est.)

Uganda

27,269,482

note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the

effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower

life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower

population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of

population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July

2005 est.)

Ukraine

47,425,336 (July 2005 est.)

United Arab Emirates

2,563,212

note: includes an estimated 1,606,079 non-nationals; the 17 December

1995 census presents a total population figure of 2,377,453, and

there are estimates of 3.44 million for 2002 (July 2005 est.)

United Kingdom

60,441,457 (July 2005 est.)

United States

295,734,134 (July 2005 est.)

Uruguay

3,415,920 (July 2005 est.)

Uzbekistan

26,851,195 (July 2005 est.)

Vanuatu

205,754 (July 2005 est.)

Venezuela

25,375,281 (July 2005 est.)

Vietnam

83,535,576 (July 2005 est.)

Virgin Islands

108,708 (July 2005 est.)

Wake Island

no indigenous inhabitants

note: US military personnel have left the island, but contractor

personnel remain; as of October 2001, 200 contractor personnel were

present (July 2005 est.)

Wallis and Futuna

16,025 (July 2005 est.)

West Bank

2,385,615

note: in addition, there are about 187,000 Israeli settlers in the

West Bank and fewer than 177,000 in East Jerusalem (July 2004 est.)

Western Sahara

273,008 (July 2005 est.)

World

6,446,131,400 (July 2005 est.)

Yemen

20,727,063 (July 2005 est.)

Zambia

11,261,795

note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the

effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower

life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower

population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of

population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July

2005 est.)

Zimbabwe

12,746,990

note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the

effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower

life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower

population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of

population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July

2005 est.)

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2120 Ports and harbors

Afghanistan

Kheyrabad, Shir Khan

Albania

Durres, Sarande, Shengjin, Vlore

Algeria

Algiers, Annaba, Arzew, Bejaia, Djendjene, Jijel,

Mostaganem, Oran, Skikda

American Samoa

Pago Pago

Angola

Cabinda, Luanda, Soyo

Anguilla

Blowing Point, Road Bay

Antarctica

there are no developed ports and harbors in Antarctica;

most coastal stations have offshore anchorages, and supplies are

transferred from ship to shore by small boats, barges, and

helicopters; a few stations have a basic wharf facility; US coastal

stations include McMurdo (77 51 S, 166 40 E), Palmer (64 43 S, 64 03

W); government use only except by permit (see Permit Office under

"Legal System"); all ships at port are subject to inspection in

accordance with Article 7, Antarctic Treaty; offshore anchorage is

sparse and intermittent; relevant legal instruments and

authorization procedures adopted by the states party to the

Antarctic Treaty regulating access to the Antarctic Treaty area, to

all areas between 60 and 90 degrees of latitude South, have to be

complied with (see "Legal System") (2004)

Antigua and Barbuda

Saint John's

Arctic Ocean

Churchill (Canada), Murmansk (Russia), Prudhoe Bay (US)

Argentina

Bahia Blanca, Buenos Aires, Concepcion del Uruguay, La

Plata, Punta Colorada, Rosario, San Lorenzo-San Martin, San Nicolas

Aruba

Barcadera, Oranjestad, Sint Nicolaas

Ashmore and Cartier Islands

none; offshore anchorage only

Atlantic Ocean

Alexandria (Egypt), Algiers (Algeria), Antwerp

(Belgium), Barcelona (Spain), Buenos Aires (Argentina), Casablanca

(Morocco), Colon (Panama), Copenhagen (Denmark), Dakar (Senegal),

Gdansk (Poland), Hamburg (Germany), Helsinki (Finland), Las Palmas

(Canary Islands, Spain), Le Havre (France), Lisbon (Portugal),

London (UK), Marseille (France), Montevideo (Uruguay), Montreal

(Canada), Naples (Italy), New Orleans (US), New York (US), Oran

(Algeria), Oslo (Norway), Peiraiefs or Piraeus (Greece), Rio de

Janeiro (Brazil), Rotterdam (Netherlands), Saint Petersburg

(Russia), Stockholm (Sweden)

Australia

Brisbane, Dampier, Fremantle, Gladstone, Hay Point,

Melbourne, Newcastle, Port Hedland, Port Kembla, Port Walcott, Sydney

Austria

Enns, Krems, Linz, Vienna

Azerbaijan

Baku (Baki)

Bahamas, The

Freeport, Nassau, South Riding Point

Bahrain

Mina' Salman, Sitrah

Baker Island

none; offshore anchorage only; note - there is one

small boat landing area along the middle of the west coast

Bangladesh

Chittagong, Mongla Port

Barbados

Bridgetown

Bassas da India

none; offshore anchorage only

Belarus

Mazyr

Belgium

Antwerp, Brussels, Gent, Liege, Oostende, Zeebrugge

Belize

Belize City

Benin

Cotonou

Bermuda

Hamilton, Saint George

Bolivia

Puerto Aguirre (on the Paraguay/Parana waterway, at the

Bolivia/Brazil border); also, Bolivia has free port privileges in

maritime ports in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Paraguay

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Bosanska Gradiska, Bosanski Brod, Bosanski

Samac, and Brcko (all inland waterway ports on the Sava), Orasje

Bouvet Island

none; offshore anchorage only

Brazil

Gebig, Itaqui, Rio de Janeiro, Rio Grande, San Sebasttiao,

Santos, Sepetiba Terminal, Tubarao, Vitoria

British Indian Ocean Territory

Diego Garcia

British Virgin Islands

Road Town

Brunei

Lumut, Muara, Seria

Bulgaria

Burgas, Varna

Burma

Moulmein, Rangoon, Sittwe

Burundi

Bujumbura

Cambodia

Phnom Penh

Cameroon

Douala, Limboh Terminal

Canada

Fraser River Port, Goderich, Montreal, Port Cartier, Quebec,

Saint John's (Newfoundland), Sept Isles, Vancouver

Cape Verde

Mindelo, Praia, Tarrafal

Cayman Islands

Cayman Brac, George Town

Central African Republic

Bangui, Nola, Salo, Nzinga

Chile

Antofagasta, Arica, Huasco, Iquique, Lirquen, San Antonio, San

Vicente, Valparaiso

China

Dalian, Guangzhou, Nanjing, Ningbo, Qingdao, Qinhuangdao,

Shanghai

Christmas Island

Flying Fish Cove

Clipperton Island

none; offshore anchorage only

Cocos (Keeling) Islands

Port Refuge

Colombia

Barranquilla, Buenaventura, Cartagena, Muelles El Bosque,

Puerto Bolivar, Santa Marta, Turbo

Comoros

Mayotte, Moutsamoudou

Congo, Democratic Republic of the

Banana, Boma, Bukavu, Bumba, Goma,

Kalemie, Kindu, Kinshasa, Kisangani, Matadi, Mbandaka

Congo, Republic of the

Brazzaville, Djeno, Impfondo, Ouesso, Oyo,

Pointe-Noire

Cook Islands

Avatiu

Coral Sea Islands

none; offshore anchorage only

Costa Rica

Caldera, Puerto Limon

Cote d'Ivoire

Abidjan, Aboisso, Dabou, San-Pedro

Croatia

Omisalj, Ploce, Rijeka, Sibenik, Vukovar (on Danube)

Cuba

Cienfuegos, Havana, Matanzas

Cyprus

Famagusta, Kyrenia, Larnaca, Limassol, Vasilikos

Czech Republic

Decin, Prague, Usti nad Labem

Denmark

Aalborg, Aarhus, Asnaesvaerkets, Copenhagen, Elsinore,

Ensted, Esbjerg, Fredericia, Frederikshavn, Graasten, Kalundborg,

Odense, Roenne

Djibouti

Djibouti

Dominica

Portsmouth, Roseau

Dominican Republic

Boca Chica, Puerto Plata, Rio Haina, Santo Domingo

East Timor

Dili

Ecuador

Esmeraldas, Guayaquil, La Libertad, Manta, Puerto Bolivar

Egypt

Alexandria, Damietta, El Dekheila, Port Said, Suez, Zeit

El Salvador

Acajutla, Puerto Cutuco

Equatorial Guinea

Malabo

Eritrea

Assab, Massawa

Estonia

Kopli, Kuivastu, Muuga, Tallinn, Virtsu

Ethiopia

Ethiopia is landlocked and has used ports of Assab and

Massawa in Eritrea and port of Djibouti

Europa Island

none; offshore anchorage only

European Union

Antwerp (Belgium), Barcelona (Spain), Bremen

(Germany), Copenhagen (Denmark), Gdansk (Poland), Hamburg (Germany),

Helsinki (Finland), Las Palmas (Canary Islands, Spain), Le Havre

(France), Lisbon (Portugal), London (UK), Marseille (France), Naples

(Italy), Peiraiefs or Piraeus (Greece), Riga (Latvia), Rotterdam

(Netherlands), Stockholm (Sweden), Talinn (Estonia)

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

Stanley

Faroe Islands

Torshavn

Fiji

Lambasa, Lautoka, Suva

Finland

Hamina, Hanko, Helsinki, Kotka, Naantali, Pori, Porvou,

Raahe, Rauma, Turku

France

Bordeaux, Calais, Dunkerque, La Pallice, Le Havre, Marseille,

Nantes, Paris, Rouen, Strasbourg

French Guiana

Degrad des Cannes

French Polynesia

Papeete

French Southern and Antarctic Lands

none; offshore anchorage only

Gabon

Gamba, Libreville, Lucinda, Owendo, Port-Gentil

Gambia, The

Banjul

Gaza Strip

Gaza

Georgia

Bat'umi, P'ot'i

Germany

Bremen, Bremerhaven, Brunsbuttel, Duisburg, Frankfurt,

Hamburg, Karlsruhe, Mainz, Rostock, Wilhemshaven

Ghana

Takoradi, Tema

Gibraltar

Gibraltar

Glorioso Islands

none; offshore anchorage only

Greece

Agioitheodoroi, Aspropyrgos, Irakleion, Pachi, Peiraiefs,

Thessaloniki

Greenland

Sisimiut

Grenada

Saint George's

Guadeloupe

Basse-Terre, Gustavia, Pointe-a-Pitre

Guam

Apra Harbor

Guatemala

Puerto Quetzal, Santo Tomas de Castilla

Guernsey

Saint Peter Port, Saint Sampson

Guinea

Kamsar

Guinea-Bissau

Bissau, Buba, Cacheu, Farim

Guyana

Georgetown

Haiti

Cap-Haitien

Heard Island and McDonald Islands

none; offshore anchorage only

Honduras

Puerto Castilla, Puerto Cortes, San Lorenzo, Tela

Hong Kong

Hong Kong

Howland Island

none; offshore anchorage only; note - there is one

small boat landing area along the middle of the west coast

Hungary

Budapest, Dunaujvaros, Gyor-Gonyu, Csepel, Baja, Mohacs

(2003)

Iceland

Grundartangi, Hafnarfjordur, Hornafjordhur, Reykjavik,

Seydhisfjordhur

India

Chennai, Haldia, Jawaharal Nehru, Kandla, Kolkata (Calcutta),

Mumbai (Bombay), New Mangalore, Vishakhapatnam

Indian Ocean

Chennai (Madras; India), Colombo (Sri Lanka), Durban

(South Africa), Jakarta (Indonesia), Kolkata (Calcutta; India)

Melbourne (Australia), Mumbai (Bombay; India), Richards Bay (South

Africa)

Indonesia

Banjarmasin, Belawan, Ciwandan, Krueg Geukueh, Palembang,

Panjang, Sungai Pakning, Tanjung Perak, Tanjung Priok

Iran

Assaluyeh, Bushehr

Iraq

Al Basrah, Khawr az Zubayr, Umm Qasr

Ireland

Cork, Dublin, New Ross, Shannon Foynes, Waterford

Israel

Ashdod, Elat (Eilat), Hadera, Haifa

Italy

Augusta, Genoa, Livorno, Melilli Oil Terminal, Ravenna,

Taranto, Trieste, Venice

Jamaica

Kingston, Port Esquivel, Port Kaiser, Port Rhoades, Rocky

Point

Jan Mayen

none; offshore anchorage only

Japan

Chiba, Kawasaki, Kiire, Kisarazu, Kobe, Mizushima, Nagoya,

Osaka, Tokyo, Yohohama

Jarvis Island

none; offshore anchorage only; note - there is one

small boat landing area in the middle of the west coast and another

near the southwest corner of the island

Jersey

Gorey, Saint Aubin, Saint Helier

Johnston Atoll

Johnston Island

Jordan

Al 'Aqabah

Juan de Nova Island

none; offshore anchorage only

Kazakhstan

Aqtau (Shevchenko), Atyrau (Gur'yev), Oskemen

(Ust-Kamenogorsk), Pavlodar, Semey (Semipalatinsk)

Kenya

Mombasa

Kingman Reef

none; offshore anchorage only

Kiribati

Betio

Korea, North

Ch'ongjin, Haeju, Hungnam (Hamhung), Kimch'aek, Kosong,

Najin, Namp'o, Sinuiju, Songnim, Sonbong (formerly Unggi), Ungsang,

Wonsan

Korea, South

Inch'on, Masan, P'ohang, Pusan, Ulsan

Kuwait

Ash Shu'aybah, Ash Shuwaykh, Mina' 'Abd Allah, Mina' al

Ahmadi, Mina' Su'ud

Kyrgyzstan

Balykchy (Ysyk-Kol or Rybach'ye)

Latvia

Riga, Ventspils

Lebanon

Beirut, Chekka, Jounie, Tripoli

Liberia

Buchanan, Monrovia

Libya

As Sidrah, Az Zuwaytinah, Marsa al Burayqah, Ra's Lanuf,

Tripoli, Zawiyah

Liechtenstein

none

Lithuania

Klaipeda

Luxembourg

Mertert

Macau

Macau

Madagascar

Antsiranana, Mahajanga, Toamasina, Toliara

Malawi

Chipoka, Monkey Bay, Nkhata Bay, Nkhotakota, Chilumba

Malaysia

Bintulu, Johor, Labuan, Lahad Datu, Lumut, Miri, George

Town (Penang), Port Kelang, Tanjung Pelepas

Maldives

Male

Mali

Koulikoro

Malta

Marsaxlokk, Valletta

Man, Isle of

Castletown, Douglas, Ramsey

Marshall Islands

Majuro

Martinique

Fort-de-France, La Trinite, Marin

Mauritania

Nouadhibou, Nouakchott

Mauritius

Port Louis

Mayotte

Dzaoudzi

Mexico

Altamira, Manzanillo, Morro Redondo, Salina Cruz, Tampico,

Topolobampo, Veracruz

Micronesia, Federated States of

Tomil Harbor

Midway Islands

Sand Island

Monaco

Monaco

Montserrat

Plymouth

Morocco

Agadir, Casablanca, Mohammedia, Nador, Safi, Tangier

Mozambique

Beira, Maputo, Nacala

Namibia

Luderitz, Walvis Bay

Nauru

Nauru

Navassa Island

none; offshore anchorage only

Netherlands

Amsterdam, Groningen, Ijmuiden, Rotterdam, Terneuzen,

Vlissingen, Zaanstad

Netherlands Antilles

Bopec Terminal, Fuik Bay, Kralendijk, Willemstad

New Caledonia

Noumea

New Zealand

Auckland, Lyttelton, Tauranga, Wellington, Whangarei

Nicaragua

Bluefields, Corinto, El Bluff

Niger

none

Nigeria

Calabar, Lagos, Onne, Port Harcourt

Niue

none; offshore anchorage only

Norfolk Island

none; loading jetties at Kingston and Cascade

Northern Mariana Islands

Saipan, Tinian

Norway

Borg Havn, Bergen, Mo i Rana, Molde, Mongstad, Narvik, Oslo,

Sture

Oman

Mina' Qabus, Salalah

Pacific Ocean

Bangkok (Thailand), Hong Kong (China), Kao-hsiung

(Taiwan), Los Angeles (US), Manila (Philippines), Pusan (South

Korea), San Francisco (US), Seattle (US), Shanghai (China),

Singapore, Sydney (Australia), Vladivostok (Russia), Wellington

(NZ), Yokohama (Japan)

Pakistan

Karachi, Port Muhammad bin Qasim

Palau

Koror

Palmyra Atoll

West Lagoon

Panama

Balboa, Colon, Cristobal

Papua New Guinea

Kimbe, Lae, Rabaul

Paracel Islands

small Chinese port facilities on Woody Island and

Duncan Island being expanded

Paraguay

Asuncion, Villeta, San Antonio, Encarnacion

Peru

Callao, Iquitos, Matarani, Pucallpa, Yurimaguas

note: Iquitos, Pucallpa, and Yurimaguas are on the upper reaches of

the Amazon and its tributaries

Philippines

Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Iligan, Iloilo, Manila,

Surigao

Pitcairn Islands

Adamstown (on Bounty Bay)

Poland

Gdansk, Gdynia, Swinoujscie, Szczecin

Portugal

Leixoes, Lisbon, Setubal, Sines

Puerto Rico

Las Mareas, Mayaguez, San Juan

Qatar

Doha

Reunion

Le Port

Romania

Braila, Constanta, Galati, Tulcea

Russia

Anapa, Kaliningrad, Murmansk, Nakhodka, Novorossiysk,

Rostov-na-Donu, Saint Petersburg, Taganrog, Vanino, Vostochnyy

Rwanda

Cyangugu, Gisenyi, Kibuye

Saint Helena

Georgetown (on Ascension), Jamestown

Saint Kitts and Nevis

Basseterre, Charlestown

Saint Lucia

Castries, Cul-de-Sac, Vieux-Fort

Saint Pierre and Miquelon

Saint-Pierre

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Kingstown

Samoa

Apia

Sao Tome and Principe

Sao Tome

Saudi Arabia

Ad Dammam, Al Jubayl, Jiddah, Yanbu' al Sinaiyah

Senegal

Dakar

Serbia and Montenegro

Bar

Seychelles

Victoria

Sierra Leone

Freetown, Pepel, Sherbro Islands

Singapore

Singapore

Slovakia

Bratislava, Komarno

Slovenia

Koper

Solomon Islands

Honiara, Malloco Bay, Shortland Harbor, Viru Harbor,

Yandina

Somalia

Boosaaso, Berbera, Chisimayu (Kismaayo), Merca, Mogadishu

South Africa

Cape Town, Durban, East London, Port Elizabeth,

Richards Bay, Saldanha Bay

South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands

Grytviken

Southern Ocean

McMurdo, Palmer, and offshore anchorages in Antarctica

note: few ports or harbors exist on the southern side of the

Southern Ocean; ice conditions limit use of most of them to short

periods in midsummer; even then some cannot be entered without

icebreaker escort; most antarctic ports are operated by government

research stations and, except in an emergency, are not open to

commercial or private vessels; vessels in any port south of 60

degrees south are subject to inspection by Antarctic Treaty

observers (see Article 7)

Spain

Algeciras, Barcelona, Cartagena, Gijon, Huelva, La Coruna,

Tarragona, Valencia

Spratly Islands

none; offshore anchorage only

Sri Lanka

Colombo, Galle

Sudan

Port Sudan

Suriname

Paramaribo

Svalbard

Barentsburg, Longyearbyen, Ny-Alesund, Pyramiden

Sweden

Goteborg, Helsingborg, Karlshamn, Lulea, Malmo, Oxelosund,

Stenungsund, Stockholm, Trelleborg

Switzerland

Basel

Syria

Baniyas, Latakia

Taiwan

Chi-lung (Keelung), Hua-lien, Kao-hsiung, Su-ao, T'ai-chung

Tanzania

Dar es Salaam, Mtwara, Zanzibar City

Thailand

Bangkok, Laem Chabang, Prachuap Port, Si Racha

Togo

Kpeme, Lome

Tokelau

none; offshore anchorage only

Tonga

Nuku'alofa

Trinidad and Tobago

Pointe-a-Pierre, Point Lisas, Port-of-Spain

Tromelin Island

none; offshore anchorage only

Tunisia

Bizerte, Gabes, La Goulette, Skhira

Turkey

Aliaga, Ambarli, Eregli, Haydarpasa, Istanbul, Kocaeli

(Izmit), Skhira, Toros

Turkmenistan

Turkmenbasy

Turks and Caicos Islands

Grand Turk, Providenciales

Tuvalu

Funafuti

Uganda

Entebbe, Jinja, Port Bell

Ukraine

Feodosiya, Kerch, Kherson, Mariupol', Mykolayiv, Odesa,

Reni, Yuzhnyy

United Arab Emirates

Al Fujayrah, Khawr Fakkan, Mina' Jabal 'Ali,

Mina' Rashid, Mina' Saqr, Mina' Zayid, Sharjan

United Kingdom

Hound Point, Immingham, Milford Haven, Liverpool,

London, Southampton, Sullom Voe, Teesport

United States

Corpus Christi, Duluth, Hampton Roads, Houston, Long

Beach, Los Angeles, New Orleans, New York, Philadelphia, Tampa,

Texas City

note: 13 ports north of New Orleans (South Louisiana Ports) on the

Mississippi River handle 290,000,000 tons of cargo annually.

Uruguay

Montevideo

Uzbekistan

Termiz (Amu Darya)

Vanuatu

Forari, Port-Vila, Santo (Espiritu Santo)

Venezuela

Amuay, La Guaira, Maracaibo, Puerto Cabello, Punta Cardon

Vietnam

Hai Phong, Ho Chi Minh City

Virgin Islands

Charlotte Amalie, Limetree Bay

Wake Island

none; two offshore anchorages for large ships

Wallis and Futuna

Leava, Mata-Utu

Western Sahara

Ad Dakhla, Cabo Bojador, Laayoune (El Aaiun)

Yemen

Aden, Nishtun

Zambia

Mpulungu

Zimbabwe

Binga, Kariba

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2121 Railways (km)

Albania total: 447 km standard gauge: 447 km 1.435-m gauge (2004)

Algeria

total: 3,973 km

standard gauge: 2,888 km 1.435-m gauge (283 km electrified)

narrow gauge: 1,085 km 1.055-m gauge (2004)

Angola

total: 2,761 km

narrow gauge: 2,638 km 1.067-m gauge; 123 km 0.600-m gauge (2004)

Argentina

total: 34,091 km (167 km electrified)

broad gauge: 20,594 km 1.676-m gauge (141 km electrified)

standard gauge: 2,885 km 1.435-m gauge (26 km electrified)

narrow gauge: 10,375 km 1.000-m gauge; 237 km 0.750-m gauge (2004)

Armenia

total: 845 km

broad gauge: 845 km 1.520-m gauge (828 km electrified)

note: some lines are out of service (2004)

Australia

total: 54,439 km (3859 km electrified)

broad gauge: 5,434 km 1.600-m gauge

standard gauge: 34,110 km 1.435-m gauge (1,397 km electrified)

narrow gauge: 14,895 km 1.067-m gauge (2,462 km electrified)

dual gauge: 213 km dual gauge (2004)

Austria

total: 6,021 km (3,552 km electrified)

standard gauge: 5,565 km 1.435-m gauge (3,430 km electrified)

narrow gauge: 34 km 1.000-m gauge (28 km electrified); 422 km

0.760-m gauge (94 km electrified) (2004)

Azerbaijan

total: 2,957 km

broad gauge: 2,957 km 1.520-m gauge (1,278 km electrified) (2004)

Bangladesh

total: 2,706 km

broad gauge: 884 km 1.676-m gauge

narrow gauge: 1,822 km 1.000-m gauge (2004)

Belarus

total: 5,512 km

broad gauge: 5,497 km 1.520-m gauge (874 km electrified)

standard gauge: 15 km 1.435-m (2004)

Belgium

total: 3,521 km

standard gauge: 3,521 km 1.435-m gauge (2,927 km electrified) (2004)

Benin

total: 578 km

narrow gauge: 578 km 1.000-m gauge (2004)

Bolivia

total: 3,519 km

narrow gauge: 3,519 km 1.000-m gauge (2004)

Bosnia and Herzegovina

total: 1,021 km (795 km electrified)

standard gauge: 1,021 km 1.435-m gauge (2004)

Botswana

total: 888 km

narrow gauge: 888 km 1.067-m gauge (2004)

Brazil

total: 29,412 km (1,567 km electrified)

broad gauge: 4,907 km 1.600-m gauge (908 km electrified)

standard gauge: 194 km 1.440-m gauge

narrow gauge: 23,915 km 1.000-m gauge (581 km electrified)

dual gauge: 396 km 1.000-m and 1.600-m gauges (three rails) (78 km

electrified) (2004)

Bulgaria

total: 4,294 km

standard gauge: 4,049 km 1.435-m gauge (2,710 km electrified)

narrow gauge: 245 km 0.760-m gauge (2004)

Burkina Faso

total: 622 km

narrow gauge: 622 km 1.000-m gauge

note:: another 660 km of this railway extends into Cote D'Ivoire

(2004)

Burma

total: 3,955 km

narrow gauge: 3,955 km 1.000-m gauge (2004)

Cambodia

total: 602 km

narrow gauge: 602 km 1.000-m gauge (2004)

Cameroon

total: 1,008 km

narrow gauge: 1,008 km 1.000-m gauge (2004)

Canada

total: 48,683 km

standard gauge: 48,683 km 1.435-m gauge (2004)

Chile

total: 6,585 km

broad gauge: 2,831 km 1.676-m gauge (1,317 km electrified)

narrow gauge: 3,754 km 1.000-m gauge (2004)

China

total: 71,898 km

standard gauge: 71,898 km 1.435-m gauge (18,115 km electrified)

dual gauge: 23,945 km (multiple track not included in total) (2002)

Colombia

total: 3,304 km

standard gauge: 150 km 1.435-m gauge

narrow gauge: 3,154 km 0.914-m gauge (2004)

Congo, Democratic Republic of the

total: 5,138 km

narrow gauge: 3,987 km 1.067-m gauge (858 km electrified); 125 km

1.000-m gauge; 1,026 km 0.600-m gauge (2004)

Congo, Republic of the

total: 894 km

narrow gauge: 894 km 1.067-m gauge (2004)

Costa Rica

total: 278 km

narrow gauge: 278 km 1.067-m gauge (2004)

Cote d'Ivoire

total: 660 km

narrow gauge: 660 km 1.000-meter gauge

note: an additional 622 km of this railroad extends into Burkina

Faso (2004)

Croatia

total: 2,726 km

standard gauge: 2,726 km 1.435-m gauge (984 km electrified) (2004)

Cuba

total: 4,226 km

standard gauge: 4,226 km 1.435-m gauge (140 km electrified)

note: an additional 7,742 km of track is used by sugar plantations;

about 65% of this track is standard gauge; the rest is narrow gauge

(2004)

Czech Republic

total: 9,543 km

standard gauge: 9,421 km 1.435-m gauge (2,893 km electrified)

narrow gauge: 122 km 0.760-m gauge (23 km electrified) (2004)

Denmark

total: 2,628 km

standard gauge: 2,628 km 1.435-m gauge (595 km electrified) (2004)

Djibouti

total: 100 km (Djibouti segment of the Addis Ababa-Djibouti

railway)

narrow gauge: 100 km 1.000-m gauge

note: railway under joint control of Djibouti and Ethiopia (2004)

Dominican Republic

total: 1,743 km

standard gauge: 375 km 1.435-m gauge

narrow gauge: 142 km 0.762-m gauge

note: additional 1,226 km operated by sugar companies in 1.076-m,

0.889-m, and 0.762-m gauges (2004)

Ecuador

total: 966 km

narrow gauge: 966 km 1.067-m gauge (2004)

Egypt

total: 5,063 km

standard gauge: 5,063 km 1.435-m gauge (62 km electrified) (2004)

El Salvador

total: 283 km

narrow gauge: 283 km 0.914-m gauge

note: length of operational route reduced from 562 km to 283 km by

disuse and lack of maintenance (2004)

Eritrea

total: 306 km

narrow gauge: 306 km 0.950-m gauge (2004)

Estonia

total: 958 km

broad gauge: 958 km 1.520-m/1.524-m gauge (132 km electrified) (2004)

Ethiopia

total: 681 km (Ethiopian segment of the Addis

Ababa-Djibouti railroad)

narrow gauge: 681 km 1.000-m gauge

note: railway under joint control of Djibouti and Ethiopia (2004)

European Union total: 222,293 km broad gauge: 28,438 km standard gauge: 186,405 km narrow gauge: 7,427 km other: 23 km (2003)

Fiji

total: 597 km

narrow gauge: 597 km 0.600-m gauge

note: belongs to the government-owned Fiji Sugar Corporation; used

to haul sugarcane during harvest season (May to December) (2003)

Finland

total: 5,851 km

broad gauge: 5,851 km 1.524-m gauge (2,400 km electrified) (2004)

France

total: 29,519 km

standard gauge: 29,352 km 1.435-m gauge (14,481 km electrified)

narrow gauge: 167 km 1.000-m gauge (2004)

Gabon

total: 814 km

standard gauge: 814 km 1.435-m gauge (2004)

Georgia

total: 1,612 km (1,612 km electrified)

broad gauge: 1,575 km 1.520-m gauge (1,575 electrified)

narrow gauge: 37 km 0.912-m gauge (37 electrified) (2004)

Germany

total: 46,142 km (20,100 km electrified)

standard gauge: 45,928 km 1.435-m gauge (20,084 km electrified)

narrow gauge: 214 km 1.000-m gauge (16 km electrified); 24 km

0.750-m gauge (2004)

Ghana

total: 953 km

narrow gauge: 953 km 1.067-m gauge (2004)

Greece

total: 2,571 km (764 km electrified)

standard gauge: 1,565 km 1.435-m gauge

narrow gauge: 961 km 1.000-m gauge; 22 km 0.750-m gauge

dual gauge: 23 km combined 1.435-m and 1.000-m gauges (three rail

system) (2004)

Guatemala

total: 886 km

narrow gauge: 886 km 0.914-m gauge (2004)

Guinea

total: 837 km

standard gauge: 175 km 1.435-m gauge

narrow gauge: 662 km 1.000-m gauge (2004)

Guyana

total: 187 km

standard gauge: 139 km 1.435-m gauge

narrow gauge: 48 km 0.914-m gauge

note: all dedicated to ore transport (2001 est.)

Honduras

total: 699 km

narrow gauge: 279 km 1.067-m gauge; 420 km 0.914-m gauge (2004)

Hungary

total: 7,937 km

broad gauge: 36 km 1.524-m gauge

standard gauge: 7,682 km 1.435-m gauge (2,628 km electrified)

narrow gauge: 219 km 0.760-m gauge (2004)

India

total: 63,230 km (16,693 km electrified)

broad gauge: 45,718 km 1.676-m gauge

narrow gauge: 14,406 km 1.000-m gauge; 3,106 km 0.762-m gauge and

0.610-m gauge (2004)

Indonesia

total: 6,458 km

narrow gauge: 5,961 km 1.067-m gauge (125 km electrified); 497 km

0.750-m gauge (2004)

Iran

total: 7,203 km

broad gauge: 94 km 1.676-m gauge

standard gauge: 7,109 km 1.435-m gauge (189 km electrified) (2004)

Iraq

total: 2,200 km

standard gauge: 2,200 km 1.435-m gauge (2004)

Ireland

total: 3,312 km

broad gauge: 1,947 km 1.600-m gauge (46 km electrified)

narrow gauge: 1,365 km 0.914-m gauge (operated by the Irish Peat

Board to transport peat to power stations and briquetting plants)

(2004)

Israel

total: 640 km

standard gauge: 640 km 1.435-m gauge (2004)

Italy

total: 19,319 km (11,613 km electrified)

standard gauge: 18,001 km 1.435-m gauge (11,333 km electrified)

narrow gauge: 123 km 1.000-m gauge (122 km electrified); 1,195 km

0.950-m gauge (158 km electrified) (2004)

Jamaica

total: 272 km

standard gauge: 272 km 1.435-m gauge

note: 207 of these km belonging to the Jamaica Railway Corporation

had been in common carrier service until 1992 but are no longer

operational; 57 km of the remaining track is privately owned and

used by ALCAN to transport bauxite (2003)

Japan

total: 23,577 km (16,519 km electrified)

standard gauge: 3,204 km 1.435-m gauge (3,204 km electrified)

narrow gauge: 77 km 1.372-m gauge (77 km electrified); 20,265 km

1.067-m gauge (13,227 km electrified); 11 km 0.762-m gauge (11 km

electrified) (2004)

Jordan

total: 505 km

narrow gauge: 505 km 1.050-m gauge (2004)

Kazakhstan

total: 13,700 km

broad gauge: 13,700 km 1.520-m gauge (3,700 km electrified) (2004)

Kenya

total: 2,778 km

narrow gauge: 2,778 km 1.000-m gauge (2004)

Korea, North

total: 5,214 km

standard gauge: 5,214 km 1.435-m gauge (3,500 km electrified) (2004)

Korea, South

total: 3,472 km

standard gauge: 3,472 km 1.435-m gauge (1,342 km electrified) (2004)

Kyrgyzstan

total: 470 km

broad gauge: 470 km 1.520-m gauge (2004)

Latvia

total: 2,303 km

broad gauge: 2,270 km 1.520-m gauge (257 km electrified)

narrow gauge: 33 km 0.750-m gauge (2004)

Lebanon

total: 401 km

standard gauge: 319 km 1.435-m

narrow gauge: 82 km 1.050-m

note: rail system became unusable because of damage during the civil

war in the 1980s; short sections are operable (2004)

Liberia

total: 490 km

standard gauge: 345 km 1.435-m gauge

narrow gauge: 145 km 1.067-m gauge

note: none of the railways are in operation because of the civil war

(2004)

Libya

0 km

note: Libya is working on 7 lines totaling 2,757 km of 1.435-m gauge

track; it hopes to have trains running by 2008 (2004)

Lithuania

total: 1,998 km

broad gauge: 1,807 km 1.524-m gauge (122 km electrified)

standard gauge: 22 km 1.435-m gauge

narrow gauge: 169 km 0.750-m gauge (2004)

Luxembourg

total: 274 km

standard gauge: 274 km 1.435-m gauge (242 km electrified) (2004)

Macedonia

total: 699 km

standard gauge: 699 km 1.435-m gauge (233 km electrified) (2004)

Madagascar

total: 732 km

narrow gauge: 732 km 1.000-m gauge (2004)

Malawi

total: 797 km

narrow gauge: 797 km 1.067-m gauge (2004)

Malaysia

total: 1,890 km (207 km electrified)

standard gauge: 57 km 1.435-m gauge (57 km electrified)

narrow gauge: 1,833 km 1.000-m gauge (150 km electrified) (2004)

Mali

total: 729 km

narrow gauge: 729 km 1.000-m gauge (2004)

Man, Isle of

total: 61 km (35 km electrified) (2003)

Mauritania

717 km

standard gauge: 717 km 1.435-m gauge (2004)

Mexico

total: 17,634 km

standard gauge: 17,634 km 1.435-m gauge (2004)

Moldova

total: 1,138 km

broad gauge: 1,124 km 1.520-m gauge

standard gauge: 14 km 1.435-m gauge (2004)

Mongolia

total: 1,810 km

broad gauge: 1,810 km 1.524-m gauge (2004)

Morocco

total: 1,907 km

standard gauge: 1,907 km 1.435-m gauge (1,003 km electrified) (2004)

Mozambique

total: 3,123 km

narrow gauge: 2,983 km 1.067-m gauge; 140 km 0.762-m gauge (2004)

Namibia

total: 2,382 km

narrow gauge: 2,382 km 1.067-m gauge (2004)

Nepal

total: 59 km

narrow gauge: 59 km 0.762-m gauge (2004)

Netherlands

total: 2,808 km

standard gauge: 2,808 km 1.435-m gauge (2,061 km electrified) (2004)

New Zealand

total: 3,898 km

narrow gauge: 3,898 km 1.067-m gauge (506 km electrified) (2004)

Nicaragua

total: 6 km

narrow gauge: 6 km 1.067-m gauge (2004)

Nigeria

total: 3,557 km

narrow gauge: 3,505 km 1.067-m gauge

standard gauge: 52 km 1.435-m gauge (2004)

Norway

total: 4,077 km

standard gauge: 4,077 km 1.435-m gauge (2,518 km electrified) (2004)

Pakistan

total: 8,163 km

broad gauge: 7,718 km 1.676-m gauge (293 km electrified)

narrow gauge: 445 km 1.000-m gauge (2004)

Panama

total: 355 km

standard gauge: 76 km 1.435-m gauge

narrow gauge: 279 km 0.914-m gauge (2004)

Paraguay

total: 441 km

standard gauge: 441 km 1.435-m gauge (2004)

Peru

total: 3,462 km

standard gauge: 2,962 km 1.435-m gauge

narrow gauge: 500 km 0.914-m gauge (2004)

Philippines

total: 897 km

narrow gauge: 897 km 1.067-m gauge (492 km are in operation) (2004)

Poland

total: 23,852 km

broad gauge: 629 km 1.524-m gauge

standard gauge: 23,223 km 1.435-m gauge (20,555 km operational)

(11,962 km electrified) (2004)

Portugal

total: 2,850 km

broad gauge: 2,576 km 1.668-m gauge (623 km electrified)

narrow gauge: 274 km 1.000-m gauge (2004)

Puerto Rico

total: 96 km

narrow gauge: 96 km 1.000-m gauge (2004)

Romania

total: 11,385 km (3,888 km electrified)

standard gauge: 10,898 km 1.435-m gauge

broad gauge: 60 km 1.524-m gauge

narrow gauge: 427 km 0.760-m gauge (2004)

Russia

total: 87,157 km

broad gauge: 86,200 km 1.520-m gauge (40,300 km electrified)

narrow gauge: 957 km 1.067-m gauge (on Sakhalin Island)

note: an additional 30,000 km of non-common carrier lines serve

industries (2004)

Saint Kitts and Nevis

total: 50 km

narrow gauge: 50 km 0.762-m gauge on Saint Kitts to serve sugarcane

plantations during harvest season (2003)

Saudi Arabia

total: 1,392 km

standard gauge: 1,392 km 1.435-m gauge (with branch lines and

sidings) (2004)

Senegal

total: 906 km

narrow gauge: 906 km 1.000-meter gauge (2004)

Serbia and Montenegro

total: 4,380 km

standard gauge: 4,380 km 1.435-m gauge (1,364 km electrified) (2004)

Slovakia

total: 3,662 km

broad gauge: 100 km 1.520-m gauge

standard gauge: 3,512 km 1.435-m gauge (1,588 km electrified)

narrow gauge: 50 km (1.000-m or 0.750-m gauge) (2004)

Slovenia

total: 1,201 km

standard gauge: 1,201 km 1.435-m gauge (499 km electrified) (2004)

South Africa

total: 20,872 km

narrow gauge: 20,436 km 1.065-m gauge (10,436 km electrified); 436

km 0.610-m gauge

note: includes a 1,210 km commuter rail system (2004)

Spain

total: 14,781 km (7,718 km electrified)

broad gauge: 11,829 km 1.668-m gauge (6,950 km electrified)

standard gauge: 998 km 1.435-m gauge (998 km electrified)

narrow gauge: 1,926 km 1.000-m gauge (815 km electrified); 28 km

0.914-m gauge (28 km electrified) (2004)

Sri Lanka

total: 1,449 km

broad gauge: 1,449 km 1.676-m gauge (2004)

Sudan

total: 5,995 km

narrow gauge: 4,595 km 1.067-m gauge; 1,400 km .600-m gauge for

cotton plantations (2004)

Swaziland

total: 301 km

narrow gauge: 301 km 1.067-m gauge (2004)

Sweden

total: 11,481 km

standard gauge: 11,481 km 1.435-m gauge (9,400 km electrified) (2004)

Switzerland

total: 4,527 km

standard gauge: 3,232 km 1.435-m gauge (3,211 km electrified)

narrow gauge: 1,285 km 1.000-m gauge (1,273 km electrified); 10 km

0.800-m gauge (10 km electrified) (2004)

Syria

total: 2,711 km

standard gauge: 2,460 km 1.435-m gauge

narrow gauge: 251 km 1.050-m gauge (2004)

Taiwan

total: 2,497 km

narrow gauge: 1,097 km 1.067-m gauge (685 km electrified)

note: 1,400 km .762-m gauge (belonging to the Taiwan Sugar

Corporation and to the Taiwan Forestry Bureau used to haul products

and limited numbers of passengers (2004)

Tajikistan

total: 482 km

broad gauge: 482 km 1.520-m gauge (2004)

Tanzania

total: 3,690 km

narrow gauge: 969 km 1.067-m gauge; 2,721 km 1.000-m gauge (2004)

Thailand

total: 4,071 km

narrow gauge: 4,071 km 1.000-m gauge (2004)

Togo

total: 568 km

narrow gauge: 568 km 1.000-m gauge (2004)

Tunisia

total: 2,152 km

standard gauge: 468 km 1.435-m gauge

narrow gauge: 1,674 km 1.000-m gauge (65 km electrified)

dual gauge: 10 km 1.435-m and 1.000-m gauges (three rails) (2004)

Turkey

total: 8,697 km

standard gauge: 8,697 km 1.435-m gauge (2,122 km electrified) (2004)

Turkmenistan

total: 2,440 km

broad gauge: 2,440 km 1.520-m gauge (2004)

Uganda

total: 1,241 km

narrow gauge: 1,241 km 1.000-m gauge (2004)

Ukraine

total: 22,473 km

broad gauge: 22,473 km 1.524-m gauge (9,250 km electrified) (2004)

United Kingdom

total: 17,274 km

standard gauge: 16,814 km 1.435-m gauge (5,296 km electrified)

broad gauge: 460 km 1.600-m gauge (in Northern Ireland) (2004)

United States

total: 227,736 km

standard gauge: 227,736 km 1.435-m gauge (2003)

Uruguay

total: 2,073 km

standard gauge: 2,073 km 1.435-m gauge

note: 461 km have been taken out of service and 460 km are in

partial use (2004)

Uzbekistan

total: 3,950 km

broad gauge: 3,950 km 1.520-m gauge (620 km electrified) (2004)

Venezuela

total: 682 km

standard gauge: 682 km 1.435-m gauge (2004)

Vietnam

total: 2,600 km

standard gauge: 178 km 1.435-m gauge

narrow gauge: 2,169 km 1.000-m gauge

dual gauge: 253 km three-rail track combining 1.435-m and 1.000-m

gauges (2004)

World

total: 1,115,205 km

broad gauge: 257,481 km

standard gauge: 671,413 km

narrow gauge: 186,311 km (2003)

Zambia

total: 2,173 km

narrow gauge: 2,173 km 1.067-m gauge

note: includes 891 km of the Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority

(TAZARA) (2004)

Zimbabwe total: 3,077 km narrow gauge: 3,077 km 1.067-m gauge (313 km electrified) (2004)

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2122 Religions (%)

Afghanistan

Sunni Muslim 80%, Shi'a Muslim 19%, other 1%

Albania

Muslim 70%, Albanian Orthodox 20%, Roman Catholic 10%

note: percentages are estimates; there are no available current

statistics on religious affiliation; all mosques and churches were

closed in 1967 and religious observances prohibited; in November

1990, Albania began allowing private religious practice

Algeria

Sunni Muslim (state religion) 99%, Christian and Jewish 1%

American Samoa

Christian Congregationalist 50%, Roman Catholic 20%,

Protestant and other 30%

Andorra

Roman Catholic (predominant)

Angola

indigenous beliefs 47%, Roman Catholic 38%, Protestant 15%

(1998 est.)

Anguilla

Anglican 29%, Methodist 23.9%, other Protestant 30.2%,

Roman Catholic 5.7%, other Christian 1.7%, other 5.2%, none or

unspecified 4.3% (2001 Census)

Antigua and Barbuda

Christian, (predominantly Anglican with other

Protestant, and some Roman Catholic)

Argentina

nominally Roman Catholic 92% (less than 20% practicing),

Protestant 2%, Jewish 2%, other 4%

Armenia

Armenian Apostolic 94.7%, other Christian 4%, Yezidi

(monotheist with elements of nature worship) 1.3%

Aruba

Roman Catholic 82%, Protestant 8%, Hindu, Muslim, Confucian,

Jewish

Australia

Catholic 26.4%, Anglican 20.5%, other Christian 20.5%,

Buddhist 1.9%, Muslim 1.5%, other 1.2%, unspecified 12.7%, none

15.3% (2001 Census)

Austria

Roman Catholic 73.6%, Protestant 4.7%, Muslim 4.2%, other

3.5%, unspecified 2%, none 12% (2001 census)

Azerbaijan

Muslim 93.4%, Russian Orthodox 2.5%, Armenian Orthodox

2.3%, other 1.8% (1995 est.)

note: religious affiliation is still nominal in Azerbaijan;

percentages for actual practicing adherents are much lower

Bahamas, The

Baptist 35.4%, Anglican 15.1%, Roman Catholic 13.5%,

Pentecostal 8.1%, Church of God 4.8%, Methodist 4.2%, other

Christian 15.2%, none or unspecified 2.9%, other 0.8% (2000 census)

Bahrain

Muslim (Shi'a and Sunni) 81.2%, Christian 9%, other 9.8%

(2001 census)

Bangladesh

Muslim 83%, Hindu 16%, other 1% (1998)

Barbados

Protestant 67% (Anglican 40%, Pentecostal 8%, Methodist 7%,

other 12%), Roman Catholic 4%, none 17%, other 12%

Belarus

Eastern Orthodox 80%, other (including Roman Catholic,

Protestant, Jewish, and Muslim) 20% (1997 est.)

Belgium

Roman Catholic 75%, Protestant or other 25%

Belize

Roman Catholic 49.6%, Protestant 27% (Pentecostal 7.4%,

Anglican 5.3%, Seventh-Day Adventist 5.2%, Mennonite 4.1%, Methodist

3.5%, Jehovah's Witnesses 1.5%), other 14%, none 9.4% (2000)

Benin

indigenous beliefs 50%, Christian 30%, Muslim 20%

Bermuda

Anglican 23%, Roman Catholic 15%, African Methodist

Episcopal 11%, other Protestant 18%, other 12%, unaffiliated 6%,

unspecified 1%, none 14% (2000 census)

Bhutan

Lamaistic Buddhist 75%, Indian- and Nepalese-influenced

Hinduism 25%

Bolivia

Roman Catholic 95%, Protestant (Evangelical Methodist) 5%

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Muslim 40%, Orthodox 31%, Roman Catholic 15%,

other 14%

Botswana

Christian 71.6%, Badimo 6%, other 1.4%, unspecified 0.4%,

none 20.6% (2001 census)

Brazil

Roman Catholic (nominal) 73.6%, Protestant 15.4%,

Spriritualist 1.3%, Bantu/voodoo 0.3%, other 1.8%, unspecified 0.2%,

none 7.4% (2000 census)

British Virgin Islands

Protestant 86% (Methodist 33%, Anglican 17%,

Church of God 9%, Seventh-Day Adventist 6%, Baptist 4%, Jehovah's

Witnesses 2%, other 15%), Roman Catholic 10%, none 2%, other 2%

(1991)

Brunei

Muslim (official) 67%, Buddhist 13%, Christian 10%,

indigenous beliefs and other 10%

Bulgaria

Bulgarian Orthodox 82.6%, Muslim 12.2%, other Christian

1.2%, other 4% (2001 census)

Burkina Faso

indigenous beliefs 40%, Muslim 50%, Christian (mainly

Roman Catholic) 10%

Burma

Buddhist 89%, Christian 4% (Baptist 3%, Roman Catholic 1%),

Muslim 4%, animist 1%, other 2%

Burundi

Christian 67% (Roman Catholic 62%, Protestant 5%),

indigenous beliefs 23%, Muslim 10%

Cambodia

Theravada Buddhist 95%, other 5%

Cameroon

indigenous beliefs 40%, Christian 40%, Muslim 20%

Canada

Roman Catholic 42.6%, Protestant 23.3% (including United

Church 9.5%, Anglican 6.8%, Baptist 2.4%, Lutheran 2%), other

Christian 4.4%, Muslim 1.9%, other and unspecified 11.8%, none 16%

(2001 census)

Cape Verde

Roman Catholic (infused with indigenous beliefs);

Protestant (mostly Church of the Nazarene)

Cayman Islands

United Church (Presbyterian and Congregational),

Anglican, Baptist, Church of God, other Protestant, Roman Catholic

Central African Republic

indigenous beliefs 35%, Protestant 25%,

Roman Catholic 25%, Muslim 15%

note: animistic beliefs and practices strongly influence the

Christian majority

Chad

Muslim 51%, Christian 35%, animist 7%, other 7%

Chile

Roman Catholic 89%, Protestant 11%, Jewish NEGL%

China

Daoist (Taoist), Buddhist, Muslim 1%-2%, Christian 3%-4%

note: officially atheist (2002 est.)

Christmas Island

Buddhist 36%, Muslim 25%, Christian 18%, other 21%

(1997)

Cocos (Keeling) Islands

Sunni Muslim 80%, other 20% (2002 est.)

Colombia

Roman Catholic 90%, other 10%

Comoros

Sunni Muslim 98%, Roman Catholic 2%

Congo, Democratic Republic of the

Roman Catholic 50%, Protestant

20%, Kimbanguist 10%, Muslim 10%, other syncretic sects and

indigenous beliefs 10%

Congo, Republic of the

Christian 50%, animist 48%, Muslim 2%

Cook Islands

Cook Islands Christian Church 55.9%, Roman Catholic

16.8%, Seventh Day Saint 7.9%, Church of Latter Day Saints 3.8%,

other Protestant 5.8%, other 4.2%, unspecified 2.6%, none 3% (2001

census)

Costa Rica

Roman Catholic 76.3%, Evangelical 13.7%, Jehovah's

Witnesses 1.3%, other Protestant 0.7%, other 4.8%, none 3.2%

Cote d'Ivoire

Christian 20-30%, Muslim 35-40%, indigenous 25-40%

(2001)

note: the majority of foreigners (migratory workers) are Muslim

(70%) and Christian (20%)

Croatia

Roman Catholic 87.8%, Orthodox 4.4%, other Christian 0.4%,

Muslim 1.3%, other and unspecified 0.9%, none 5.2% (2001 census)

Cuba

nominally 85% Roman Catholic prior to CASTRO assuming power;

Protestants, Jehovah's Witnesses, Jews, and Santeria are also

represented

Cyprus

Greek Orthodox 78%, Muslim 18%, Maronite, Armenian Apostolic,

and other 4%

Czech Republic

Roman Catholic 26.8%, Protestant 2.1%, other 3.3%,

unspecified 8.8%, unaffiliated 59% (2001 census)

Denmark

Evangelical Lutheran 95%, other Protestant and Roman

Catholic 3%, Muslim 2%

Djibouti

Muslim 94%, Christian 6%

Dominica

Roman Catholic 77%, Protestant 15% (Methodist 5%,

Pentecostal 3%, Seventh-Day Adventist 3%, Baptist 2%, other 2%),

other 6%, none 2%

Dominican Republic

Roman Catholic 95%

East Timor

Roman Catholic 90%, Muslim 4%, Protestant 3%, Hindu 0.5%,

Buddhist, Animist (1992 est.)

Ecuador

Roman Catholic 95%, other 5%

Egypt

Muslim (mostly Sunni) 94%, Coptic Christian and other 6%

El Salvador

Roman Catholic 83%, other 17%

note: there is extensive activity by Protestant groups throughout

the country; by the end of 1992, there were an estimated 1 million

Protestant evangelicals in El Salvador

Equatorial Guinea

nominally Christian and predominantly Roman

Catholic, pagan practices

Eritrea

Muslim, Coptic Christian, Roman Catholic, Protestant

Estonia

Evangelical Lutheran 13.6%, Orthodox 12.8%, other Christian

(including Methodist, Seventh-Day Adventist, Roman Catholic,

Pentecostal) 1.4%, unaffiliated 34.1%, other and unspecified 32%,

none 6.1% (2000 census)

Ethiopia

Muslim 45%-50%, Ethiopian Orthodox 35%-40%, animist 12%,

other 3%-8%

European Union

Roman Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox, Muslim, Jewish

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

primarily Anglican, Roman

Catholic, United Free Church, Evangelist Church, Jehovah's

Witnesses, Lutheran, Seventh-Day Adventist

Faroe Islands

Evangelical Lutheran

Fiji

Christian 52% (Methodist 37%, Roman Catholic 9%), Hindu 38%,

Muslim 8%, other 2%

note: Fijians are mainly Christian, Indians are Hindu, and there is

a Muslim minority (1986)

Finland

Lutheran National Church 84.2%, Greek Orthodox in Finland

1.1%, other Christian 1.1%, other 0.1%, none 13.5% (2003)

France

Roman Catholic 83%-88%, Protestant 2%, Jewish 1%, Muslim

5%-10%, unaffiliated 4%

French Guiana

Roman Catholic

French Polynesia

Protestant 54%, Roman Catholic 30%, other 10%, no

religion 6%

Gabon

Christian 55%-75%, animist, Muslim less than 1%

Gambia, The

Muslim 90%, Christian 9%, indigenous beliefs 1%

Gaza Strip

Muslim (predominantly Sunni) 98.7%, Christian 0.7%,

Jewish 0.6%

Georgia

Orthodox Christian 83.9%, Armenian-Gregorian 3.9%, Catholic

0.8%, Muslim 9.9%, other 0.8%, none 0.7% (2002 census)

Germany

Protestant 34%, Roman Catholic 34%, Muslim 3.7%,

unaffiliated or other 28.3%

Ghana

Christian 63%, Muslim 16%, indigenous beliefs 21%

Gibraltar

Roman Catholic 78.1%, Church of England 7%, other

Christian 3.2%, Muslim 4%, Jewish 2.1%, Hindu 1.8%, other or

unspecified 0.9%, none 2.9% (2001 census)

Greece

Greek Orthodox 98%, Muslim 1.3%, other 0.7%

Greenland

Evangelical Lutheran

Grenada

Roman Catholic 53%, Anglican 13.8%, other Protestant 33.2%

Guadeloupe

Roman Catholic 95%, Hindu and pagan African 4%,

Protestant 1%

Guam

Roman Catholic 85%, other 15% (1999 est.)

Guatemala

Roman Catholic, Protestant, indigenous Mayan beliefs

Guernsey

Anglican, Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, Baptist,

Congregational, Methodist

Guinea

Muslim 85%, Christian 8%, indigenous beliefs 7%

Guinea-Bissau

indigenous beliefs 50%, Muslim 45%, Christian 5%

Guyana

Christian 50%, Hindu 35%, Muslim 10%, other 5%

Haiti

Roman Catholic 80%, Protestant 16% (Baptist 10%, Pentecostal

4%, Adventist 1%, other 1%), none 1%, other 3% (1982)

note: roughly half of the population practices Voodoo

Holy See (Vatican City)

Roman Catholic

Honduras

Roman Catholic 97%, Protestant 3%

Hong Kong

eclectic mixture of local religions 90%, Christian 10%

Hungary

Roman Catholic 51.9%, Calvinist 15.9%, Lutheran 3%, Greek

Catholic 2.6%, other Christian 1%, other or unspecified 11.1%,

unaffiliated 14.5% (2001 census)

Iceland

Lutheran Church of Iceland 85.5%, Reykjavik Free Church

2.1%, Roman Catholic Church 2%, Hafnarfjorour Free Church 1.5%,

other Christian 2.7%, other or unspecified 3.8%, unaffiliated 2.4%

(2004)

India

Hindu 80.5%, Muslim 13.4%, Christian 2.3%, Sikh 1.9%, other

1.8%, unspecified 0.1% (2001 census)

Indonesia

Muslim 88%, Protestant 5%, Roman Catholic 3%, Hindu 2%,

Buddhist 1%, other 1% (1998)

Iran

Shi'a Muslim 89%, Sunni Muslim 9%, Zoroastrian, Jewish,

Christian, and Baha'i 2%

Iraq

Muslim 97% (Shi'a 60%-65%, Sunni 32%-37%), Christian or other 3%

Ireland

Roman Catholic 88.4%, Church of Ireland 3%, other Christian

1.6%, other 1.5%, unspecified 2%, none 3.5% (2002 census)

Israel

Jewish 76.5%, Muslim 15.9%, Arab Christians 1.7%, other

Christian 0.4%, Druze 1.6%, unspecified 3.9% (2003)

Italy

predominately Roman Catholic with mature Protestant and Jewish

communities and a growing Muslim immigrant community

Jamaica

Protestant 61.3% (Church of God 21.2%, Baptist 8.8%,

Anglican 5.5%, Seventh-Day Adventist 9%, Pentecostal 7.6%, Methodist

2.7%, United Church 2.7%, Brethren 1.1%, Jehovah's Witness 1.6%,

Moravian 1.1%), Roman Catholic 4%, other including some spiritual

cults 34.7%

Japan

observe both Shinto and Buddhist 84%, other 16% (including

Christian 0.7%)

Jersey

Anglican, Roman Catholic, Baptist, Congregational New Church,

Methodist, Presbyterian

Jordan

Sunni Muslim 92%, Christian 6% (majority Greek Orthodox, but

some Greek and Roman Catholics, Syrian Orthodox, Coptic Orthodox,

Armenian Orthodox, and Protestant denominations), other 2% (several

small Shi'a Muslim and Druze populations) (2001 est.)

Kazakhstan

Muslim 47%, Russian Orthodox 44%, Protestant 2%, other 7%

Kenya

Protestant 45%, Roman Catholic 33%, indigenous beliefs 10%,

Muslim 10%, other 2%

note: a large majority of Kenyans are Christian, but estimates for

the percentage of the population that adheres to Islam or indigenous

beliefs vary widely

Kiribati

Roman Catholic 52%, Protestant (Congregational) 40%, some

Seventh-Day Adventist, Muslim, Baha'i, Latter-day Saints, and Church

of God (1999)

Korea, North

traditionally Buddhist and Confucianist, some Christian

and syncretic Chondogyo (Religion of the Heavenly Way)

note: autonomous religious activities now almost nonexistent;

government-sponsored religious groups exist to provide illusion of

religious freedom

Korea, South

no affiliation 46%, Christian 26%, Buddhist 26%,

Confucianist 1%, other 1%

Kuwait

Muslim 85% (Sunni 70%, Shi'a 30%), Christian, Hindu, Parsi,

and other 15%

Kyrgyzstan

Muslim 75%, Russian Orthodox 20%, other 5%

Laos

Buddhist 60%, animist and other 40% (including various

Christian denominations 1.5%)

Latvia

Lutheran, Roman Catholic, Russian Orthodox

Lebanon

Muslim 59.7% (Shi'a, Sunni, Druze, Isma'ilite, Alawite or

Nusayri), Christian 39% (Maronite Catholic, Greek Orthodox, Melkite

Catholic, Armenian Orthodox, Syrian Catholic, Armenian Catholic,

Syrian Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Chaldean, Assyrian, Copt,

Protestant), other 1.3%

note: seventeen religious sects recognized

Lesotho

Christian 80%, indigenous beliefs 20%

Liberia

indigenous beliefs 40%, Christian 40%, Muslim 20%

Libya

Sunni Muslim 97%

Liechtenstein

Roman Catholic 76.2%, Protestant 7%, unknown 10.6%,

other 6.2% (June 2002)

Lithuania

Roman Catholic 79%, Russian Orthodox 4.1%, Protestant

(including Lutheran and Evangelical Christian Baptist) 1.9%, other

or unspecified 5.5%, none 9.5% (2001 census)

Luxembourg

87% Roman Catholic, 13% Protestants, Jews, and Muslims

(2000)

Macau

Buddhist 50%, Roman Catholic 15%, none and other 35% (1997

est.)

Macedonia

Macedonian Orthodox 32.4%, other Christian 0.2%, Muslim

16.9%, other and unspecified 50.5% (2002 census)

Madagascar

indigenous beliefs 52%, Christian 41%, Muslim 7%

Malawi

Christian 79.9%, Muslim 12.8%, other 3%, none 4.3% (1998

census)

Malaysia

Muslim, Buddhist, Daoist, Hindu, Christian, Sikh; note - in

addition, Shamanism is practiced in East Malaysia

Maldives

Sunni Muslim

Mali

Muslim 90%, indigenous beliefs 9%, Christian 1%

Malta

Roman Catholic 98%

Man, Isle of

Anglican, Roman Catholic, Methodist, Baptist,

Presbyterian, Society of Friends

Marshall Islands

Protestant 54.8%, Assembly of God 25.8%, Roman

Catholic 8.4%, Bukot nan Jesus 2.8%, Mormon 2.1%, other Christian

3.6%, other 1%, none 1.5% (1999 census)

Martinique

Roman Catholic 85%, Protestant 10.5%, Muslim 0.5%, Hindu

0.5%, other 3.5% (1997)

Mauritania

Muslim 100%

Mauritius

Hindu 48%, Roman Catholic 23.6%, other Christian 8.6%,

Muslim 16.6%, other 2.5%, unspecified 0.3%, none 0.4% (2000 census)

Mayotte

Muslim 97%, Christian (mostly Roman Catholic)

Mexico

nominally Roman Catholic 89%, Protestant 6%, other 5%

Micronesia, Federated States of

Roman Catholic 50%, Protestant 47%

Moldova

Eastern Orthodox 98%, Jewish 1.5%, Baptist and other 0.5%

(2000)

Monaco

Roman Catholic 90%

Mongolia

Buddhist Lamaist 50%, none 40%, Shamanist and Christian 6%,

Muslim 4% (2004)

Montserrat

Anglican, Methodist, Roman Catholic, Pentecostal,

Seventh-Day Adventist, other Christian denominations

Morocco

Muslim 98.7%, Christian 1.1%, Jewish 0.2%

Mozambique

Catholic 23.8%, Zionist Christian 17.5%, Muslim 17.8%,

other 17.8%, none 23.1% (1997 census)

Namibia

Christian 80% to 90% (Lutheran 50% at least), indigenous

beliefs 10% to 20%

Nauru

Christian (two-thirds Protestant, one-third Roman Catholic)

Nepal

Hindu 80.6%, Buddhist 10.7%, Muslim 4.2%, Kirant 3.6%, other

0.9% (2001 census)

note: only official Hindu state in the world

Netherlands

Roman Catholic 31%, Dutch Reformed 13%, Calvinist 7%,

Muslim 5.5%, other 2.5%, none 41% (2002)

Netherlands Antilles

Roman Catholic 72%, Pentecostal 4.9%,

Protestant 3.5%, Seventh-Day Adventist 3.1%, Methodist 2.9%,

Jehovah's Witnesses 1.7%, other Christian 4.2%, Jewish 1.3%, other

or unspecified 1.2%, none 5.2% (2001 census)

New Caledonia

Roman Catholic 60%, Protestant 30%, other 10%

New Zealand

Anglican 14.9%, Roman Catholic 12.4%, Presbyterian

10.9%, Methodist 2.9%, Pentecostal 1.7%, Baptist 1.3%, other

Christian 9.4%, other 3.3%, unspecified 17.2%, none 26% (2001 census)

Nicaragua

Roman Catholic 72.9%, Evangelical 15.1%, Moravian 1.5%,

Episcopal 0.1%, other 1.9%, none 8.5% (1995 census)

Niger

Muslim 80%, remainder indigenous beliefs and Christian

Nigeria

Muslim 50%, Christian 40%, indigenous beliefs 10%

Niue

Ekalesia Niue (Niuean Church - a Protestant church closely

related to the London Missionary Society) 61.1%, Latter-Day Saints

8.8%, Roman Catholic 7.2%, Jehovah's Witnesses 2.4%, Seventh-Day

Adventist 1.4%, other 8.4%, unspecified 8.7%, none 1.9% (2001 census)

Norfolk Island

Anglican 34.9%, Roman Catholic 11.7%, Uniting Church

in Australia 11.2%, Seventh-Day Adventist 2.8%, Australian Christian

2.4%, Jehovah's Witness 0.9%, other 2.7%, unspecified 15.3%, none

18.1% (2001 census)

Northern Mariana Islands

Christian (Roman Catholic majority,

although traditional beliefs and taboos may still be found)

Norway

Church of Norway 85.7%, Pentecostal 1%, Roman Catholic 1%,

other Christian 2.4%, Muslim 1.8%, other 8.1% (2004)

Oman

Ibadhi Muslim 75%, Sunni Muslim, Shi'a Muslim, Hindu

Pakistan

Muslim 97% (Sunni 77%, Shi'a 20%), Christian, Hindu, and

other 3%

Palau

Roman Catholic 41.6%, Protestant 23.3%, Modekngei 8.8%

(indigenous to Palau), Seventh-Day Adventist 5.3%, Jehovah's Witness

0.9%, Latter-Day Saints 0.6%, other religion 3.1%, unspecified or

none 16.4% (2000 census)

Panama

Roman Catholic 85%, Protestant 15%

Papua New Guinea

Roman Catholic 22%, Lutheran 16%,

Presbyterian/Methodist/London Missionary Society 8%, Anglican 5%,

Evangelical Alliance 4%, Seventh-Day Adventist 1%, other Protestant

10%, indigenous beliefs 34%

Paraguay

Roman Catholic 90%, Mennonite and other Protestant 10%

Peru

Roman Catholic 81%, Seventh Day Adventist 1.4%, other Christian

0.7%, other 0.6%, unspecified or none 16.3% (2003 est.)

Philippines

Roman Catholic 80.9%, Evangelical 2.8%, Iglesia ni

Kristo 2.3%, Aglipayan 2%, other Christian 4.5%, Muslim 5%, other

1.8%, unspecified 0.6%, none 0.1% (2000 census)

Pitcairn Islands

Seventh-Day Adventist 100%

Poland

Roman Catholic 89.8% (about 75% practicing), Eastern Orthodox

1.3%, Protestant 0.3%, other 0.3%, unspecified 8.3% (2002)

Portugal

Roman Catholic 94%, Protestant (1995)

Puerto Rico

Roman Catholic 85%, Protestant and other 15%

Qatar

Muslim 95%

Reunion

Roman Catholic 86%, Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist (1995)

Romania

Eastern Orthodox (including all sub-denominations) 86.8%,

Protestant (various denominations including Reformate and

Pentecostal) 7.5%, Roman Catholic 4.7%, other (mostly Muslim) and

unspecified 0.9%, none 0.1% (2002 census)

Russia

Russian Orthodox, Muslim, other

Rwanda

Roman Catholic 56.5%, Protestant 26%, Adventist 11.1%, Muslim

4.6%, indigenous beliefs 0.1%, none 1.7% (2001)

Saint Helena

Anglican (majority), Baptist, Seventh-Day Adventist,

Roman Catholic

Saint Kitts and Nevis

Anglican, other Protestant, Roman Catholic

Saint Lucia

Roman Catholic 67.5%, Seventh Day Adventist 8.5%,

Pentecostal 5.7%, Anglican 2%, Evangelical 2%, other Christian 5.1%,

Rastafarian 2.1%, other 1.1%, unspecified 1.5%, none 4.5% (2001

census)

Saint Pierre and Miquelon

Roman Catholic 99%

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Anglican 47%, Methodist 28%, Roman

Catholic 13%, Hindu, Seventh-Day Adventist, other Protestant

Samoa

Congregationalist 34.8%, Roman Catholic 19.6%, Methodist 15%,

Latter-Day Saints 12.7%, Assembly of God 6.6%, Seventh-Day Adventist

3.5%, other Christian 4.5%, Worship Centre 1.3%, other 1.7%,

unspecified 0.1% (2001 census)

San Marino

Roman Catholic

Sao Tome and Principe

Catholic 70.3%, Evangelical 3.4%, New

Apostolic 2%, Adventist 1.8%, other 3.1%, none 19.4% (2001 census)

Saudi Arabia

Muslim 100%

Senegal

Muslim 94%, indigenous beliefs 1%, Christian 5% (mostly

Roman Catholic)

Serbia and Montenegro

Orthodox 65%, Muslim 19%, Roman Catholic 4%,

Protestant 1%, other 11%

Seychelles

Roman Catholic 82.3%, Anglican 6.4%, Seventh Day

Adventist 1.1%, other Christian 3.4%, Hindu 2.1%, Muslim 1.1%, other

non-Christian 1.5%, unspecified 1.5%, none 0.6% (2002 census)

Sierra Leone

Muslim 60%, indigenous beliefs 30%, Christian 10%

Singapore

Buddhist 42.5%, Muslim 14.9%, Taoist 8.5%, Hindu 4%,

Catholic 4.8%, other Christian 9.8%, other 0.7%, none 14.8% (2000

census)

Slovakia

Roman Catholic 68.9%, Protestant 10.8%, Greek Catholic

4.1%, other or unspecified 3.2%, none 13% (2001 census)

Slovenia

Catholic 57.8%, Orthodox 2.3%, other Christian 0.9%, Muslim

2.4%, unaffiliated 3.5%, other or unspecified 23%, none 10.1% (2002

census)

Solomon Islands

Church of Melanesia 32.8%, Roman Catholic 19%, South

Seas Evangelical 17%, Seventh-Day Adventist 11.2%, United Church

10.3%, Christian Fellowship Church 2.4%, other Christian 4.4%, other

2.4%, unspecified 0.3%, none 0.2% (1999 census)

Somalia

Sunni Muslim

South Africa

Zion Christian 11.1%, Pentecostal/Charismatic 8.2%,

Catholic 7.1%, Methodist 6.8%, Dutch Reformed 6.7%, Anglican 3.8%,

other Christian 36%, Islam 1.5%, other 2.3%, unspecified 1.4%, none

15.1% (2001 census)

Spain

Roman Catholic 94%, other 6%

Sri Lanka

Buddhist 69.1%, Muslim 7.6%, Hindu 7.1%, Christian 6.2%,

unspecified 10% (2001 census provisional data)

Sudan

Sunni Muslim 70% (in north), indigenous beliefs 25%, Christian

5% (mostly in south and Khartoum)

Suriname

Hindu 27.4%, Protestant 25.2% (predominantly Moravian),

Roman Catholic 22.8%, Muslim 19.6%, indigenous beliefs 5%

Swaziland

Zionist (a blend of Christianity and indigenous ancestral

worship) 40%, Roman Catholic 20%, Muslim 10%, Anglican, Bahai,

Methodist, Mormon, Jewish and other 30%

Sweden

Lutheran 87%, Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Baptist, Muslim,

Jewish, Buddhist

Switzerland

Roman Catholic 41.8%, Protestant 35.3%, Orthodox 1.8%,

other Christian 0.4%, Muslim 4.3%, other 1%, unspecified 4.3%, none

11.1% (2000 census)

Syria

Sunni Muslim 74%, Alawite, Druze, and other Muslim sects 16%,

Christian (various sects) 10%, Jewish (tiny communities in Damascus,

Al Qamishli, and Aleppo)

Taiwan

mixture of Buddhist, Confucian, and Taoist 93%, Christian

4.5%, other 2.5%

Tajikistan

Sunni Muslim 85%, Shi'a Muslim 5%, other 10% (2003 est.)

Tanzania

mainland - Christian 30%, Muslim 35%, indigenous beliefs

35%; Zanzibar - more than 99% Muslim

Thailand

Buddhist 94.6%, Muslim 4.6%, Christian 0.7%, other 0.1%

(2000 census)

Togo

indigenous beliefs 51%, Christian 29%, Muslim 20%

Tokelau

Congregational Christian Church 70%, Roman Catholic 28%,

other 2%

note: on Atafu, all Congregational Christian Church of Samoa; on

Nukunonu, all Roman Catholic; on Fakaofo, both denominations, with

the Congregational Christian Church predominant

Tonga

Christian (Free Wesleyan Church claims over 30,000 adherents)

Trinidad and Tobago

Roman Catholic 26%, Hindu 22.5%, Anglican 7.8%,

Baptist 7.2%, Pentecostal 6.8%, Seventh Day Adventist 4%, other

Christian 5.8%, Muslim 5.8%, other 10.8%, unspecified 1.4%, none

1.9% (2000 census)

Tunisia

Muslim 98%, Christian 1%, Jewish and other 1%

Turkey

Muslim 99.8% (mostly Sunni), other 0.2% (mostly Christians

and Jews)

Turkmenistan

Muslim 89%, Eastern Orthodox 9%, unknown 2%

Turks and Caicos Islands

Baptist 40%, Methodist 16%, Anglican 18%,

Church of God 12%, other 14% (1990)

Tuvalu

Church of Tuvalu (Congregationalist) 97%, Seventh-Day

Adventist 1.4%, Baha'i 1%, other 0.6%

Uganda

Roman Catholic 33%, Protestant 33%, Muslim 16%, indigenous

beliefs 18%

Ukraine

Ukrainian Orthodox - Kiev Patriarchate 19%, Orthodox (no

particular jurisdiction) 16%, Ukrainian Orthodox - Moscow

Patriarchate 9%, Ukrainian Greek Catholic 6%, Ukrainian

Autocephalous Orthodox 1.7%, Protestant, Jewish, none 38% (2004 est.)

United Arab Emirates

Muslim 96% (Shi'a 16%), Christian, Hindu, and

other 4%

United Kingdom

Christian (Anglican, Roman Catholic, Presbyterian,

Methodist) 71.6%, Muslim 2.7%, Hindu 1%, other 1.6%, unspecified or

none 23.1% (2001 census)

United States

Protestant 52%, Roman Catholic 24%, Mormon 2%, Jewish

1%, Muslim 1%, other 10%, none 10% (2002 est.)

Uruguay

Roman Catholic 66% (less than half of the adult population

attends church regularly), Protestant 2%, Jewish 1%, nonprofessing

or other 31%

Uzbekistan

Muslim 88% (mostly Sunnis), Eastern Orthodox 9%, other 3%

Vanuatu

Presbyterian 31.4%, Anglican 13.4%, Roman Catholic 13.1%,

Seventh-Day Adventist 10.8%, other Christian 13.8%, indigenous

beliefs 5.6% (including Jon Frum cargo cult), other 9.6%, none 1%,

unspecified 1.3% (1999 Census)

Venezuela

nominally Roman Catholic 96%, Protestant 2%, other 2%

Vietnam

Buddhist 9.3%, Catholic 6.7%, Hoa Hao 1.5%, Cao Dai 1.1%,

Protestant 0.5%, Muslim 0.1%, none 80.8% (1999 census)

Virgin Islands

Baptist 42%, Roman Catholic 34%, Episcopalian 17%,

other 7%

Wallis and Futuna

Roman Catholic 99%, other 1%

West Bank

Muslim 75% (predominantly Sunni), Jewish 17%, Christian

and other 8%

Western Sahara

Muslim

World

Christians 32.84% (of which Roman Catholics 17.34%,

Protestants 5.78%, Orthodox 3.44%, Anglicans 1.27%), Muslims 19.9%,

Hindus 13.29%, Buddhists 5.92%, Sikhs 0.39%, Jews 0.23%, other

religions 12.63%, non-religious 12.44%, atheists 2.36% (2003 est.)

Yemen

Muslim including Shaf'i (Sunni) and Zaydi (Shi'a), small

numbers of Jewish, Christian, and Hindu

Zambia

Christian 50%-75%, Muslim and Hindu 24%-49%, indigenous

beliefs 1%

Zimbabwe

syncretic (part Christian, part indigenous beliefs) 50%,

Christian 25%, indigenous beliefs 24%, Muslim and other 1%

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2123 Suffrage

Afghanistan

18 years of age; universal

Albania

18 years of age; universal

Algeria

18 years of age; universal

American Samoa

18 years of age; universal

Andorra

18 years of age; universal

Angola

18 years of age; universal

Anguilla

18 years of age; universal

Antigua and Barbuda

18 years of age; universal

Argentina

18 years of age; universal and compulsory

Armenia

18 years of age; universal

Aruba

18 years of age; universal

Australia

18 years of age; universal and compulsory

Austria

18 years of age; universal; compulsory for presidential

elections

Azerbaijan

18 years of age; universal

Bahamas, The

18 years of age; universal

Bahrain

18 years of age; universal

Bangladesh

18 years of age; universal

Barbados

18 years of age; universal

Belarus

18 years of age; universal

Belgium

18 years of age; universal and compulsory

Belize

18 years of age; universal

Benin

18 years of age; universal

Bermuda

18 years of age; universal

Bhutan

each family has one vote in village-level elections; note -

in late 2003 Bhutan's legislature passed a new election law

Bolivia

18 years of age, universal and compulsory (married); 21

years of age, universal and compulsory (single)

Bosnia and Herzegovina

18 years of age, universal

Botswana

18 years of age; universal

Brazil

voluntary between 16 and 18 years of age and over 70;

compulsory over 18 and under 70 years of age; note - military

conscripts do not vote

British Virgin Islands

18 years of age; universal

Brunei

none

Bulgaria

18 years of age; universal

Burkina Faso

universal

Burma

18 years of age; universal

Burundi

NA years of age; universal adult

Cambodia

18 years of age; universal

Cameroon

20 years of age; universal

Canada

18 years of age; universal

Cape Verde

18 years of age; universal

Cayman Islands

18 years of age; universal

Central African Republic

21 years of age; universal

Chad

18 years of age; universal

Chile

18 years of age; universal and compulsory

China

18 years of age; universal

Cocos (Keeling) Islands

NA

Colombia

18 years of age; universal

Comoros

18 years of age; universal

Congo, Democratic Republic of the 18 years of age; universal and compulsory

Congo, Republic of the

18 years of age; universal

Cook Islands

NA years of age; universal adult

Costa Rica

18 years of age; universal and compulsory

Cote d'Ivoire

18 years of age; universal

Croatia

18 years of age; universal (16 years of age, if employed)

Cuba

16 years of age; universal

Cyprus

18 years of age; universal

Czech Republic

18 years of age; universal

Denmark

18 years of age; universal

Djibouti

18 years of age; universal adult

Dominica

18 years of age; universal

Dominican Republic 18 years of age, universal and compulsory; married persons regardless of age note: members of the armed forces and national police cannot vote

East Timor

17 years of age; universal

Ecuador

18 years of age; universal, compulsory for literate persons

ages 18-65, optional for other eligible voters

Egypt

18 years of age; universal and compulsory

El Salvador

18 years of age; universal

Equatorial Guinea

18 years of age; universal adult

Eritrea

18 years of age; universal

Estonia

18 years of age; universal for all Estonian citizens

Ethiopia

18 years of age; universal

European Union

18 years of age; universal

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

18 years of age; universal

Faroe Islands

18 years of age; universal

Fiji

21 years of age; universal

Finland

18 years of age; universal

France

18 years of age; universal

French Guiana

18 years of age; universal

French Polynesia

18 years of age; universal

Gabon

21 years of age; universal

Gambia, The

18 years of age; universal

Georgia

18 years of age; universal

Germany

18 years of age; universal

Ghana

18 years of age; universal

Gibraltar

18 years of age; universal, plus other UK subjects who

have been residents six months or more

Greece

18 years of age; universal and compulsory

Greenland

18 years of age; universal

Grenada

18 years of age; universal

Guadeloupe

18 years of age; universal

Guam

18 years of age; universal; US citizens, but do not vote in US

presidential elections

Guatemala

18 years of age; universal (active duty members of the

armed forces may not vote and are restricted to their barracks on

election day)

Guernsey

18 years of age; universal

Guinea

18 years of age; universal

Guinea-Bissau

18 years of age; universal

Guyana

18 years of age; universal

Haiti

18 years of age; universal

Holy See (Vatican City)

limited to cardinals less than 80 years old

Honduras

18 years of age; universal and compulsory

Hong Kong

direct election 18 years of age; universal for permanent

residents living in the territory of Hong Kong for the past seven

years; indirect election limited to about 200,000 members of

functional constituencies and an 800-member election committee drawn

from broad regional groupings, municipal organizations, and central

government bodies

Hungary

18 years of age; universal

Iceland

18 years of age; universal

India

18 years of age; universal

Indonesia

17 years of age; universal and married persons regardless

of age

Iran

15 years of age; universal

Iraq

formerly 18 years of age; universal

Ireland

18 years of age; universal

Israel

18 years of age; universal

Italy

18 years of age; universal (except in senatorial elections,

where minimum age is 25)

Jamaica

18 years of age; universal

Japan

20 years of age; universal

Jersey

NA years of age; universal adult

Jordan

18 years of age; universal

Kazakhstan

18 years of age; universal

Kenya

18 years of age; universal

Kiribati

18 years of age; universal

Korea, North

17 years of age; universal

Korea, South

20 years of age; universal

Kuwait

adult males who have been naturalized for 30 years or more or

have resided in Kuwait since before 1920 and their male descendants

at age 21

note: only 10% of all citizens are eligible to vote; in 1996,

naturalized citizens who do not meet the pre-1920 qualification but

have been naturalized for 30 years were eligible to vote for the

first time

Kyrgyzstan

18 years of age; universal

Laos

18 years of age; universal

Latvia

18 years of age; universal for Latvian citizens

Lebanon

21 years of age; compulsory for all males; authorized for

women at age 21 with elementary education

Lesotho

18 years of age; universal

Liberia

18 years of age; universal

Libya

18 years of age; universal and compulsory

Liechtenstein

18 years of age; universal

Lithuania

18 years of age; universal

Luxembourg

18 years of age; universal and compulsory

Macau

direct election 18 years of age, universal for permanent

residents living in Macau for the past seven years; indirect

election limited to organizations registered as "corporate voters"

(257 are currently registered) and a 300-member Election Committee

drawn from broad regional groupings, municipal organizations, and

central government bodies

Macedonia

18 years of age; universal

Madagascar

18 years of age; universal

Malawi

18 years of age; universal

Malaysia

21 years of age; universal

Maldives

21 years of age; universal

Mali

18 years of age; universal

Malta

18 years of age; universal

Man, Isle of

18 years of age; universal

Marshall Islands

18 years of age; universal

Martinique

18 years of age; universal

Mauritania

18 years of age; universal

Mauritius

18 years of age; universal

Mayotte

18 years of age; universal

Mexico

18 years of age; universal and compulsory (but not enforced)

Micronesia, Federated States of

18 years of age; universal

Moldova

18 years of age; universal

Monaco

21 years of age; universal

Mongolia

18 years of age; universal

Montserrat

18 years of age; universal

Morocco

18 years of age; universal (as of January 2003)

Mozambique

18 years of age; universal

Namibia

18 years of age; universal

Nauru

20 years of age; universal and compulsory

Nepal

18 years of age; universal

Netherlands

18 years of age; universal

Netherlands Antilles

18 years of age; universal

New Caledonia

18 years of age; universal

New Zealand

18 years of age; universal

Nicaragua

16 years of age; universal

Niger

18 years of age; universal

Nigeria

18 years of age; universal

Niue

18 years of age; universal

Norfolk Island

18 years of age; universal

Northern Mariana Islands 18 years of age; universal; indigenous inhabitants are US citizens but do not vote in US presidential elections

Norway

18 years of age; universal

Oman

in Oman's most recent Majlis al-Shura elections in 2003,

suffrage was universal for all Omanis over age 21 except for members

of the military and security forces; the next Majlis al-Shura

elections are scheduled for 2007

Pakistan

18 years of age; universal; joint electorates and reserved

parliamentary seats for women and non-Muslims

Palau

18 years of age; universal

Panama

18 years of age; universal and compulsory

Papua New Guinea

18 years of age; universal

Paraguay

18 years of age; universal and compulsory up to age 75

Peru

18 years of age; universal and compulsory until the age of 70;

note - members of the military and national police may not vote

Philippines

18 years of age; universal

Pitcairn Islands 18 years of age; universal with three years residency

Poland

18 years of age; universal

Portugal

18 years of age; universal

Puerto Rico

18 years of age; universal; island residents are US

citizens but do not vote in US presidential elections

Qatar

18 years of age; universal

Reunion

18 years of age; universal

Romania

18 years of age; universal

Russia

18 years of age; universal

Rwanda

18 years of age; universal adult

Saint Helena

NA years of age

Saint Kitts and Nevis

18 years of age; universal

Saint Lucia

18 years of age; universal

Saint Pierre and Miquelon

18 years of age; universal

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

18 years of age; universal

Samoa

21 years of age; universal

San Marino

18 years of age; universal

Sao Tome and Principe

18 years of age; universal

Saudi Arabia

adult male citizens age 21 or older

note: voter registration began in November 2004 for partial

municipal council elections scheduled nationwide for February

through April 2005

Senegal

18 years of age; universal

Serbia and Montenegro 16 years of age, if employed; 18 years of age, universal

Seychelles

17 years of age; universal

Sierra Leone

18 years of age; universal

Singapore

21 years of age; universal and compulsory

Slovakia

18 years of age; universal

Slovenia

18 years of age; universal (16 years of age, if employed)

Solomon Islands

21 years of age; universal

Somalia

18 years of age; universal

South Africa

18 years of age; universal

Spain

18 years of age; universal

Sri Lanka

18 years of age; universal

Sudan

17 years of age; universal, but noncompulsory

Suriname

18 years of age; universal

Swaziland

18 years of age

Sweden

18 years of age; universal

Switzerland

18 years of age; universal

Syria

18 years of age; universal

Taiwan

20 years of age; universal

Tajikistan

18 years of age; universal

Tanzania

18 years of age; universal

Thailand

18 years of age; universal and compulsory

Togo

NA years of age; universal adult

Tokelau

21 years of age; universal

Tonga

21 years of age; universal

Trinidad and Tobago

18 years of age; universal

Tunisia

20 years of age; universal

Turkey

18 years of age; universal

Turkmenistan

18 years of age; universal

Turks and Caicos Islands

18 years of age; universal

Tuvalu

18 years of age; universal

Uganda

18 years of age; universal

Ukraine

18 years of age; universal

United Arab Emirates

none

United Kingdom

18 years of age; universal

United States

18 years of age; universal

Uruguay

18 years of age; universal and compulsory

Uzbekistan

18 years of age; universal

Vanuatu

18 years of age; universal

Venezuela

18 years of age; universal

Vietnam

18 years of age; universal

Virgin Islands

18 years of age; universal; note - island residents

are US citizens but do not vote in US presidential elections

Wallis and Futuna

18 years of age; universal

Western Sahara

none; a UN-sponsored voter identification campaign

not yet completed

Yemen

18 years of age; universal

Zambia

18 years of age; universal

Zimbabwe

18 years of age; universal

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2124 Telephone system

Afghanistan

general assessment: very limited telephone and telegraph

service

domestic: telephone service improving with the establishment of two

mobile phone operators by 2003; telephone main lines remain weak

with only 0.1 line per 10 people

international: country code - 93; five VSAT's installed in Kabul,

Herat, Mazar-e-Sharif, Kandahar, and Jalalabad provide international

and domestic voice and data connectivity

Albania

general assessment: despite new investment in fixed lines,

the density of main lines remains the lowest in Europe with roughly

8 lines per 100 people; however, cellular telephone use is

widespread and generally effective

domestic: offsetting the shortage of fixed line capacity, mobile

phone service has been available since 1996; by 2003 two companies

were providing mobile services at a greater density than some of

Albania's Balkan neighbors

international: country code - 355; inadequate fixed main lines;

adequate cellular connections; international traffic carried by

microwave radio relay from the Tirana exchange to Italy and Greece

(2003)

Algeria

general assessment: telephone density in Algeria is very

low, not exceeding five telephones per 100 persons; the number of

fixed main lines increased in the last few years to a little more

than 2,000,000, but only about two-thirds of these have subscribers;

much of the infrastructure is outdated and inefficient

domestic: good service in north but sparse in south; domestic

satellite system with 12 earth stations (20 additional domestic

earth stations are planned)

international: country code - 213; 5 submarine cables; microwave

radio relay to Italy, France, Spain, Morocco, and Tunisia; coaxial

cable to Morocco and Tunisia; participant in Medarabtel; satellite

earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean), 1

Intersputnik, and 1 Arabsat (1998)

American Samoa

general assessment: NA

domestic: good telex, telegraph, facsimile and cellular telephone

services; domestic satellite system with 1 Comsat earth station

international: country code - 1-684; satellite earth station - 1

Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)

Andorra

general assessment: NA

domestic: modern system with microwave radio relay connections

between exchanges

international: country code - 376; landline circuits to France and

Spain

Angola

general assessment: telephone service limited mostly to

government and business use; HF radiotelephone used extensively for

military links

domestic: limited system of wire, microwave radio relay, and

tropospheric scatter

international: country code - 244; satellite earth stations - 2

Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); fiber optic submarine cable (SAT-3/WASC)

provides connectivity to Europe and Asia

Anguilla

general assessment: NA

domestic: modern internal telephone system

international: country code - 1-264; microwave radio relay to island

of Saint Martin (Guadeloupe and Netherlands Antilles)

Antarctica

general assessment: local systems at some research

stations

domestic: NA

international: country code - 672; via satellite (mobile Inmarsat

and Iridium system) from some research stations

Antigua and Barbuda

general assessment: NA

domestic: good automatic telephone system

international: country code - 1-268; 1 coaxial submarine cable;

satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); tropospheric

scatter to Saba (Netherlands Antilles) and Guadeloupe

Argentina

general assessment: by opening the telecommunications

market to competition and foreign investment with the

"Telecommunications Liberalization Plan of 1998," Argentina

encouraged the growth of modern telecommunication technology;

fiber-optic cable trunk lines are being installed between all major

cities; the major networks are entirely digital and the availability

of telephone service is being improved; however, telephone density

is presently minimal, and making telephone service universally

available will take time

domestic: microwave radio relay, fiber-optic cable, and a domestic

satellite system with 40 earth stations serve the trunk network;

more than 110,000 pay telephones are installed and mobile telephone

use is rapidly expanding

international: country code - 54; satellite earth stations - 8

Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); Atlantis II and Unisur submarine cables;

two international gateways near Buenos Aires (1999)

Armenia

general assessment: system inadequate; now 90% privately

owned and undergoing modernization and expansion

domestic: the majority of subscribers and the most modern equipment

are in Yerevan (this includes paging and mobile cellular service)

international: country code - 374; Yerevan is connected to the

Trans-Asia-Europe fiber-optic cable through Iran; additional

international service is available by microwave radio relay and

landline connections to the other countries of the Commonwealth of

Independent States and through the Moscow international switch and

by satellite to the rest of the world; satellite earth stations - 1

Intelsat (2000)

Aruba

general assessment: modern fully automatic telecommunications

system

domestic: increased competition through privatization; 3 wireless

service providers are now licensed

international: country code - 297; 1 submarine cable to Sint Maarten

(Netherlands Antilles); extensive interisland microwave radio relay

links

Australia

general assessment: excellent domestic and international

service

domestic: domestic satellite system; much use of radiotelephone in

areas of low population density; rapid growth of mobile cellular

telephones

international: country code - 61; submarine cables to New Zealand,

Papua New Guinea, and Indonesia; satellite earth stations - 10

Intelsat (4 Indian Ocean and 6 Pacific Ocean), 2 Inmarsat (Indian

and Pacific Ocean regions) (1998)

Austria

general assessment: highly developed and efficient

domestic: there are 48 main lines for every 100 persons; the fiber

optic net is very extensive; all telephone applications and Internet

services are available

international: country code - 43; satellite earth stations - 2

Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean) and 1 Eutelsat; in

addition, there are about 600 VSAT (very small aperture terminals)

(2002)

Azerbaijan

general assessment: inadequate; requires considerable

expansion and modernization; teledensity of 10 main lines per 100

persons is low (2002)

domestic: the majority of telephones are in Baku and other

industrial centers - about 700 villages still without public

telephone service; satellite service connects Baku to a modern

switch in its exclave of Naxcivan

international: country code - 994; the old Soviet system of cable

and microwave is still serviceable; a satellite connection to Turkey

enables Baku to reach about 200 additional countries, some of which

are directly connected to Baku by satellite providers other than

Turkey (1997)

Bahamas, The

general assessment: modern facilities

domestic: totally automatic system; highly developed

international: country code - 1-242; tropospheric scatter and

submarine cable to Florida; 3 coaxial submarine cables; satellite

earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (1997)

Bahrain

general assessment: modern system

domestic: modern fiber-optic integrated services; digital network

with rapidly growing use of mobile cellular telephones

international: country code - 973; tropospheric scatter to Qatar and

UAE; microwave radio relay to Saudi Arabia; submarine cable to

Qatar, UAE, and Saudi Arabia; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat

(1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean) and 1 Arabsat (1997)

Bangladesh

general assessment: totally inadequate for a modern

country

domestic: modernizing; introducing digital systems; trunk systems

include VHF and UHF microwave radio relay links, and some

fiber-optic cable in cities

international: country code - 880; satellite earth stations - 2

Intelsat (Indian Ocean); international radiotelephone communications

and landline service to neighboring countries (2000)

Barbados

general assessment: NA

domestic: island-wide automatic telephone system

international: country code - 1-246; satellite earth stations - 4

Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); tropospheric scatter to Trinidad and

Saint Lucia

Belarus

general assessment: the Ministry of Telecommunications

controls all telecommunications through its carrier (a joint stock

company) Beltelcom which is a monopoly

domestic: local - Minsk has a digital metropolitan network and a

cellular NMT-450 network; waiting lists for telephones are long;

local service outside Minsk is neglected and poor; intercity -

Belarus has a partly developed fiber-optic backbone system presently

serving at least 13 major cities (1998); Belarus' fiber optics form

synchronous digital hierarchy rings through other countries'

systems; an inadequate analog system remains operational

international: country code - 375; Belarus is a member of the

Trans-European Line (TEL), Trans-Asia-Europe (TAE) fiber-optic line,

and has access to the Trans-Siberia Line (TSL); three fiber-optic

segments provide connectivity to Latvia, Poland, Russia, and

Ukraine; worldwide service is available to Belarus through this

infrastructure; additional analog lines to Russia; Intelsat,

Eutelsat, and Intersputnik earth stations

Belgium

general assessment: highly developed, technologically

advanced, and completely automated domestic and international

telephone and telegraph facilities

domestic: nationwide cellular telephone system; extensive cable

network; limited microwave radio relay network

international: country code - 32; 5 submarine cables; satellite

earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) and 1 Eutelsat

Belize

general assessment: above-average system

domestic: trunk network depends primarily on microwave radio relay

international: country code - 501; satellite earth station - 1

Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Benin

general assessment: NA

domestic: fair system of open-wire, microwave radio relay, and

cellular connections

international: country code - 229; satellite earth station - 1

Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); fiber optic submarine cable (SAT-3/WASC)

provides connectivity to Europe and Asia

Bermuda

general assessment: good

domestic: fully automatic digital telephone system; fiber optic

trunk lines

international: country code - 1-441; 3 fiber optic submarine cables;

satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Bhutan

general assessment: telecommunications facilities are poor

domestic: very low tele-density; domestic service is very poor

especially in rural areas; wireless service available since 2003

international: country code - 975; international telephone and

telegraph service via landline and microwave relay through India;

satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2005)

Bolivia

general assessment: new subscribers face bureaucratic

difficulties; most telephones are concentrated in La Paz and other

cities; mobile cellular telephone use expanding rapidly

domestic: primary trunk system, which is being expanded, employs

digital microwave radio relay; some areas are served by fiber-optic

cable; mobile cellular systems are being expanded

international: country code - 591; satellite earth station - 1

Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Bosnia and Herzegovina

general assessment: telephone and telegraph

network needs modernization and expansion; many urban areas are

below average as contrasted with services in other former Yugoslav

republics

domestic: NA

international: country code - 387; no satellite earth stations

Botswana

general assessment: the system is expanding with the growth

of mobile cellular service and participation in regional development

domestic: small system of open-wire lines, microwave radio relay

links, and a few radiotelephone communication stations; mobile

cellular service is growing fast

international: country code - 267; two international exchanges;

digital microwave radio relay links to Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe,

and South Africa; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean)

Brazil

general assessment: good working system

domestic: extensive microwave radio relay system and a domestic

satellite system with 64 earth stations

international: country code - 55; 3 coaxial submarine cables;

satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean), 1 Inmarsat

(Atlantic Ocean region east), connected by microwave relay system to

Mercosur Brazilsat B3 satellite earth station

British Indian Ocean Territory general assessment: separate facilities for military and public needs are available domestic: all commercial telephone services are available, including connection to the Internet international: international telephone service is carried by satellite (2000)

British Virgin Islands

general assessment: worldwide telephone

service

domestic: NA

international: country code - 1-284; submarine cable to Bermuda

Brunei

general assessment: service throughout the country is

excellent; international service is good to East Asia, Europe, and

the US

domestic: every service available

international: country code - 673; satellite earth stations - 2

Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Pacific Ocean); digital submarine

cable links to Malaysia, the Philippines, and Singapore (2001)

Bulgaria

general assessment: extensive but antiquated

domestic: more than two-thirds of the lines are residential;

telephone service is available in most villages; a fairly modern

digital cable trunk line now connects switching centers in most of

the regions, the others are connected by digital microwave radio

relay

international: country code - 359; direct dialing to 58 countries;

satellite earth stations - 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region); 2

Intelsat (Atlantic and Indian Ocean regions)

Burkina Faso

general assessment: all services only fair

domestic: microwave radio relay, open-wire, and radiotelephone

communication stations

international: country code - 226; satellite earth station - 1

Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Burma

general assessment: barely meets minimum requirements for

local and intercity service for business and government;

international service is fair

domestic: NA

international: country code - 95; satellite earth station - 2,

Intelsat (Indian Ocean), and ShinSat

Burundi

general assessment: primitive system

domestic: sparse system of open-wire, radiotelephone communications,

and low-capacity microwave radio relay

international: country code - 257; satellite earth station - 1

Intelsat (Indian Ocean)

Cambodia

general assessment: adequate landline and/or cellular

service in Phnom Penh and other provincial cities; mobile phone

coverage is rapidly expanding in rural areas

domestic: NA

international: country code - 855; adequate but expensive landline

and cellular service available to all countries from Phnom Penh and

major provincial cities; satellite earth station - 1 Intersputnik

(Indian Ocean region)

Cameroon

general assessment: available only to business and

government

domestic: cable, microwave radio relay, and tropospheric scatter

international: country code - 237; satellite earth stations - 2

Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); fiber optic submarine cable (SAT-3/WASC)

provides connectivity to Europe and Asia

Canada

general assessment: excellent service provided by modern

technology

domestic: domestic satellite system with about 300 earth stations

international: country code - 1-xxx; 5 coaxial submarine cables;

satellite earth stations - 5 Intelsat (4 Atlantic Ocean and 1

Pacific Ocean) and 2 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region)

Cape Verde

general assessment: effective system, extensive

modernization from 1996-2000 following partial privatization in 1995

domestic: major service provider is Cabo Verde Telecom (CVT); fiber

optic ring, completed in 2001, links all islands providing Internet

access and ISDN services; cellular service introduced in 1998

international: country code - 238; 2 coaxial submarine cables; HF

radiotelephone to Senegal and Guinea-Bissau; satellite earth station

- 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Cayman Islands

general assessment: reasonably good system

domestic: liberalization of telecom market in 2003 reflected in

falling prices and improving services

international: country code - 1-345; 2 submarine fiber optic cables

(Maya-1, Cayman-Jamaica); satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat

(Atlantic Ocean)

Central African Republic

general assessment: fair system

domestic: network consists principally of microwave radio relay and

low-capacity, low-powered radiotelephone communication

international: country code - 236; satellite earth station - 1

Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Chad

general assessment: primitive system

domestic: fair system of radiotelephone communication stations

international: country code - 235; satellite earth station - 1

Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Chile

general assessment: modern system based on extensive microwave

radio relay facilities

domestic: extensive microwave radio relay links; domestic satellite

system with 3 earth stations

international: country code - 56; satellite earth stations - 2

Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

China

general assessment: domestic and international services are

increasingly available for private use; unevenly distributed

domestic system serves principal cities, industrial centers, and

many towns

domestic: interprovincial fiber-optic trunk lines and cellular

telephone systems have been installed; a domestic satellite system

with 55 earth stations is in place

international: country code - 86; satellite earth stations - 5

Intelsat (4 Pacific Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean), 1 Intersputnik

(Indian Ocean region) and 1 Inmarsat (Pacific and Indian Ocean

regions); several international fiber-optic links to Japan, South

Korea, Hong Kong, Russia, and Germany (2000)

Christmas Island

general assessment: service provided by the

Australian network

domestic: GSM mobile telephone service replaced older analog system

in February 2005

international: country code - 61-891; satellite earth stations - one

Intelsat earth station provides telephone and telex service (2000)

Cocos (Keeling) Islands

general assessment: connected within

Australia's telecommunication system

domestic: NA

international: country code - 61-891; telephone, telex, and

facsimile communications with Australia and elsewhere via satellite;

1 satellite earth station of NA type (2002)

Colombia

general assessment: modern system in many respects

domestic: nationwide microwave radio relay system; domestic

satellite system with 41 earth stations; fiber-optic network linking

50 cities

international: country code - 57; satellite earth stations - 6

Intelsat, 1 Inmarsat; 3 fully digitalized international switching

centers; 8 submarine cables

Comoros

general assessment: sparse system of microwave radio relay

and HF radiotelephone communication stations

domestic: HF radiotelephone communications and microwave radio relay

international: country code - 269; HF radiotelephone communications

to Madagascar and Reunion

Congo, Democratic Republic of the

general assessment: poor

domestic: barely adequate wire and microwave radio relay service in

and between urban areas; domestic satellite system with 14 earth

stations

international: country code - 243; satellite earth station - 1

Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Congo, Republic of the

general assessment: services barely adequate

for government use; key exchanges are in Brazzaville, Pointe-Noire,

and Loubomo; intercity lines frequently out of order

domestic: primary network consists of microwave radio relay and

coaxial cable

international: country code - 242; satellite earth station - 1

Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Cook Islands

general assessment: Telecom Cook Islands offers

international direct dialing, Internet, email, fax, and Telex

domestic: the individual islands are connected by a combination of

satellite earth stations, microwave systems, and VHF and HF

radiotelephone; within the islands, service is provided by small

exchanges connected to subscribers by open-wire, cable, and

fiber-optic cable

international: country code - 682; satellite earth station - 1

Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)

Costa Rica

general assessment: good domestic telephone service in

terms of breadth of coverage; restricted cellular telephone service

domestic: point-to-point and point-to-multi-point microwave,

fiber-optic, and coaxial cable link rural areas; Internet service is

available

international: country code - 506; connected to Central American

Microwave System; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic

Ocean); two submarine cables (1999)

Cote d'Ivoire

general assessment: well developed by African

standards but operating well below capacity

domestic: open-wire lines and microwave radio relay; 90% digitalized

international: country code - 225; satellite earth stations - 2

Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean); 2 submarine cables

(June 1999)

Croatia

general assessment: NA

domestic: reconstruction plan calls for replacement of all analog

circuits with digital and enlarging the network; a backup will be

included in the plan for the main trunk

international: country code - 385; digital international service is

provided through the main switch in Zagreb; Croatia participates in

the Trans-Asia-Europe (TEL) fiber-optic project, which consists of

two fiber-optic trunk connections with Slovenia and a fiber-optic

trunk line from Rijeka to Split and Dubrovnik; Croatia is also

investing in ADRIA 1, a joint fiber-optic project with Germany,

Albania, and Greece (2000)

Cuba

general assessment: greater investment beginning in 1994 and

the establishment of a new Ministry of Information Technology and

Communications in 2000 has resulted in improvements in the system;

wireless service is expensive and remains restricted to foreigners

and regime elites, many Cubans procure wireless service illegally

with the help of foreigners

domestic: national fiber-optic system under development; 85% of

switches digitized by end of 2004; telephone line density remains

low, at 10 per 100 inhabitants; domestic cellular service expanding

international: country code - 53; fiber-optic cable laid to but not

linked to US network; satellite earth station - 1 Intersputnik

(Atlantic Ocean region)

Cyprus

general assessment: excellent in both Republic of Cyprus and

north Cyprus areas

domestic: open-wire, fiber-optic cable, and microwave radio relay

international: country code - 357; tropospheric scatter; 3 coaxial

and 5 fiber-optic submarine cables; satellite earth stations - 3

Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Indian Ocean), 2 Eutelsat, 2

Intersputnik, and 1 Arabsat

Czech Republic

general assessment: privatization and modernization

of the Czech telecommunication system got a late start but is

advancing steadily; growth in the use of mobile cellular telephones

is particularly vigorous

domestic: 86% of exchanges now digital; existing copper subscriber

systems now being enhanced with Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line

(ADSL) equipment to accommodate Internet and other digital signals;

trunk systems include fiber-optic cable and microwave radio relay

international: country code - 420; satellite earth stations - 2

Intersputnik (Atlantic and Indian Ocean regions), 1 Intelsat, 1

Eutelsat, 1 Inmarsat, 1 Globalstar

Denmark

general assessment: excellent telephone and telegraph

services

domestic: buried and submarine cables and microwave radio relay form

trunk network, 4 cellular mobile communications systems

international: country code - 45; 18 submarine fiber-optic cables

linking Denmark with Canada, Faroe Islands, Germany, Iceland,

Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Russia, Sweden, and UK; satellite earth

stations - 6 Intelsat, 10 Eutelsat, 1 Orion, 1 Inmarsat

(Blaavand-Atlantic-East); note - the Nordic countries (Denmark,

Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden) share the Danish earth station

and the Eik, Norway, station for worldwide Inmarsat access (1997)

Djibouti

general assessment: telephone facilities in the city of

Djibouti are adequate as are the microwave radio relay connections

to outlying areas of the country

domestic: microwave radio relay network

international: country code - 253; submarine cable to Jiddah, Suez,

Sicily, Marseilles, Colombo, and Singapore; satellite earth stations

- 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) and 1 Arabsat; Medarabtel regional

microwave radio relay telephone network

Dominica

general assessment: NA

domestic: fully automatic network

international: country code - 1-767; microwave radio relay and SHF

radiotelephone links to Martinique and Guadeloupe; VHF and UHF

radiotelephone links to Saint Lucia

Dominican Republic

general assessment: NA

domestic: relatively efficient system based on island-wide microwave

radio relay network

international: country code - 1-809; 1 coaxial submarine cable;

satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

East Timor

NA

Ecuador

general assessment: generally elementary but being expanded

domestic: facilities generally inadequate and unreliable

international: country code - 593; satellite earth station - 1

Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Egypt

general assessment: large system; underwent extensive

upgrading during 1990s and is reasonably modern; Internet access and

cellular service are available

domestic: principal centers at Alexandria, Cairo, Al Mansurah,

Ismailia, Suez, and Tanta are connected by coaxial cable and

microwave radio relay

international: country code - 20; satellite earth stations - 2

Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean and Indian Ocean), 1 Arabsat, and 1

Inmarsat; 5 coaxial submarine cables; tropospheric scatter to Sudan;

microwave radio relay to Israel; a participant in Medarabtel

El Salvador

general assessment: NA

domestic: nationwide microwave radio relay system

international: country code - 503; satellite earth station - 1

Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); connected to Central American Microwave

System

Equatorial Guinea

general assessment: poor system with adequate

government services

domestic: NA

international: country code - 240; international communications from

Bata and Malabo to African and European countries; satellite earth

station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean)

Eritrea

general assessment: inadequate

domestic: very inadequate; most telephones are in Asmara; government

is seeking international tenders to improve the system (2002)

international: country code - 291; note - international connections

exist

Estonia

general assessment: foreign investment in the form of joint

business ventures greatly improved telephone service; substantial

fiber-optic cable systems carry telephone, TV, and radio traffic in

the digital mode; Internet services are available throughout most of

the country - only about 11,000 subscriber requests were unfilled by

September 2000

domestic: a wide range of high quality voice, data, and Internet

services is available throughout the country

international: country code - 372; fiber-optic cables to Finland,

Sweden, Latvia, and Russia provide worldwide packet-switched

service; two international switches are located in Tallinn (2001)

Ethiopia

general assessment: adequate for government use

domestic: open-wire; microwave radio relay; radio communication in

the HF, VHF, and UHF frequencies; two domestic satellites provide

the national trunk service

international: country code - 251; open-wire to Sudan and Djibouti;

microwave radio relay to Kenya and Djibouti; satellite earth

stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Pacific Ocean)

European Union

note - see individual country entries of member states

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

general assessment: NA

domestic: government-operated radiotelephone and private VHF/CB

radiotelephone networks provide effective service to almost all

points on both islands

international: country code - 500; satellite earth station - 1

Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) with links through London to other

countries

Faroe Islands

general assessment: good international communications;

good domestic facilities

domestic: digitalization was completed in 1998; both NMT (analog)

and GSM (digital) mobile telephone systems are installed

international: country code - 298; satellite earth stations - 1

Orion; 1 fiber-optic submarine cable to the Shetland Islands,

linking the Faroe Islands with Denmark and Iceland; fiber-optic

submarine cable connection to Canada-Europe cable

Fiji

general assessment: modern local, interisland, and

international (wire/radio integrated) public and special-purpose

telephone, telegraph, and teleprinter facilities; regional radio

communications center

domestic: NA

international: country code - 679; access to important cable links

between US and Canada as well as between NZ and Australia; satellite

earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)

Finland

general assessment: modern system with excellent service

domestic: digital fiber-optic fixed-line network and an extensive

cellular network provide domestic needs

international: country code - 358; 1 submarine cable (Finland

Estonia Connection); satellite earth stations - access to Intelsat

transmission service via a Swedish satellite earth station, 1

Inmarsat (Atlantic and Indian Ocean regions); note - Finland shares

the Inmarsat earth station with the other Nordic countries (Denmark,

Iceland, Norway, and Sweden)

France

general assessment: highly developed

domestic: extensive cable and microwave radio relay; extensive

introduction of fiber-optic cable; domestic satellite system

international: country code - 33; satellite earth stations - 2

Intelsat (with total of 5 antennas - 2 for Indian Ocean and 3 for

Atlantic Ocean), NA Eutelsat, 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic Ocean region); HF

radiotelephone communications with more than 20 countries

French Guiana

general assessment: NA

domestic: fair open-wire and microwave radio relay system

international: country code - 594; satellite earth station - 1

Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

French Polynesia

general assessment: NA

domestic: NA

international: country code - 689; satellite earth station - 1

Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)

Gabon

general assessment: adequate service by African standards and

improving with the help of the growing mobile cell system

domestic: adequate system of cable, microwave radio relay,

tropospheric scatter, radiotelephone communication stations, and a

domestic satellite system with 12 earth stations

international: country code - 241; satellite earth stations - 3

Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); fiber optic submarine cable (SAT-3/WASC)

provides connectivity to Europe and Asia

Gambia, The

general assessment: adequate; a packet switched data

network is available

domestic: adequate network of microwave radio relay and open-wire

international: country code - 220; microwave radio relay links to

Senegal and Guinea-Bissau; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat

(Atlantic Ocean)

Gaza Strip

general assessment: NA

domestic: rudimentary telephone services provided by an open-wire

system

international: NA

Georgia

general assessment: NA

domestic: local - T'bilisi and K'ut'aisi have cellular telephone

networks; urban telephone density is about 20 per 100 people; rural

telephone density is about 4 per 100 people; intercity facilities

include a fiber-optic line between T'bilisi and K'ut'aisi;

nationwide pager service is available

international: country code - 995; Georgia and Russia are working on

a fiber-optic line between P'ot'i and Sochi (Russia); present

international service is available by microwave, landline, and

satellite through the Moscow switch; international electronic mail

and telex service are available

Germany

general assessment: Germany has one of the world's most

technologically advanced telecommunications systems; as a result of

intensive capital expenditures since reunification, the formerly

backward system of the eastern part of the country, dating back to

World War II, has been modernized and integrated with that of the

western part

domestic: Germany is served by an extensive system of automatic

telephone exchanges connected by modern networks of fiber-optic

cable, coaxial cable, microwave radio relay, and a domestic

satellite system; cellular telephone service is widely available,

expanding rapidly, and includes roaming service to many foreign

countries

international: country code - 49; Germany's international service is

excellent worldwide, consisting of extensive land and undersea cable

facilities as well as earth stations in the Inmarsat, Intelsat,

Eutelsat, and Intersputnik satellite systems (2001)

Ghana

general assessment: poor to fair system; Internet accessible;

many rural communities not yet connected; expansion of services is

underway

domestic: primarily microwave radio relay; wireless local loop has

been installed

international: country code - 233; satellite earth stations - 4

Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); microwave radio relay link to Panaftel

system connects Ghana to its neighbors; fiber optic submarine cable

(SAT-3/WASC) provides connectivity to Europe and Asia

Gibraltar

general assessment: adequate, automatic domestic system

and adequate international facilities

domestic: automatic exchange facilities

international: country code - 350; radiotelephone; microwave radio

relay; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Greece

general assessment: adequate, modern networks reach all

areas; good mobile telephone and international service

domestic: microwave radio relay trunk system; extensive open-wire

connections; submarine cable to offshore islands

international: country code - 30; tropospheric scatter; 8 submarine

cables; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and

1 Indian Ocean), 1 Eutelsat, and 1 Inmarsat (Indian Ocean region)

Greenland

general assessment: adequate domestic and international

service provided by satellite, cables and microwave radio relay;

totally digitalized in 1995

domestic: microwave radio relay and satellite

international: country code - 299; satellite earth stations - 12

Intelsat, 1 Eutelsat, 2 Americom GE-2 (all Atlantic Ocean)

Grenada

general assessment: automatic, islandwide telephone system

domestic: interisland VHF and UHF radiotelephone links

international: country code - 1-473; new SHF radiotelephone links to

Trinidad and Tobago and Saint Vincent; VHF and UHF radio links to

Trinidad

Guadeloupe

general assessment: domestic facilities inadequate

domestic: NA

international: country code - 590; satellite earth station - 1

Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); microwave radio relay to Antigua and

Barbuda, Dominica, and Martinique

Guam

general assessment: modern system, integrated with US

facilities for direct dialing, including free use of 800 numbers

domestic: modern digital system, including cellular mobile service

and local access to the Internet

international: country code - 1-671; satellite earth stations - 2

Intelsat (Pacific Ocean); submarine cables to US and Japan (Guam is

a trans-Pacific communications hub for MCI, Sprint, AT&T, IT&E, and

GTE, linking the US and Asia)

Guatemala

general assessment: fairly modern network centered in the

city of Guatemala

domestic: NA

international: country code - 502; connected to Central American

Microwave System; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic

Ocean)

Guernsey

general assessment: NA

domestic: NA

international: 1 submarine cable

Guinea

general assessment: poor to fair system of open-wire lines,

small radiotelephone communication stations, and new microwave radio

relay system

domestic: microwave radio relay and radiotelephone communication

international: country code - 224; satellite earth station - 1

Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Guinea-Bissau

general assessment: small system

domestic: combination of microwave radio relay, open-wire lines,

radiotelephone, and cellular communications

international: country code - 245

Guyana

general assessment: fair system for long-distance service

domestic: microwave radio relay network for trunk lines

international: country code - 592; tropospheric scatter to Trinidad;

satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Haiti

general assessment: domestic facilities barely adequate;

international facilities slightly better

domestic: coaxial cable and microwave radio relay trunk service

international: country code - 509; satellite earth station - 1

Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Holy See (Vatican City)

general assessment: automatic exchange

domestic: tied into Italian system

international: country code - 39; uses Italian system

Honduras

general assessment: inadequate system

domestic: NA

international: country code - 504; satellite earth stations - 2

Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); connected to Central American Microwave

System

Hong Kong

general assessment: modern facilities provide excellent

domestic and international services

domestic: microwave radio relay links and extensive fiber-optic

network

international: country code - 852; satellite earth stations - 3

Intelsat (1 Pacific Ocean and 2 Indian Ocean); coaxial cable to

Guangzhou, China; access to 5 international submarine cables

providing connections to ASEAN member nations, Japan, Taiwan,

Australia, Middle East, and Western Europe

Hungary

general assessment: the telephone system has been modernized

and is capable of satisfying all requests for telecommunication

service

domestic: the system is digitalized and highly automated; trunk

services are carried by fiber-optic cable and digital microwave

radio relay; a program for fiber-optic subscriber connections was

initiated in 1996; heavy use is made of mobile cellular telephones

international: country code - 36; Hungary has fiber-optic cable

connections with all neighboring countries; the international switch

is in Budapest; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic

Ocean and Indian Ocean regions), 1 Inmarsat, 1 very small aperture

terminal (VSAT) system of ground terminals

Iceland

general assessment: extensive domestic service

domestic: the trunk network consists of coaxial and fiber-optic

cables and microwave radio relay links

international: country code - 354; satellite earth stations - 2

Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean), 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic and Indian Ocean

regions); note - Iceland shares the Inmarsat earth station with the

other Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden)

India

general assessment: recent deregulation and liberalization of

telecommunications laws and policies have prompted rapid change;

local and long distance service provided throughout all regions of

the country, with services primarily concentrated in the urban

areas; steady improvement is taking place with the recent admission

of private and private-public investors, but telephone density

remains low at about seven for each 100 persons nationwide but only

one per 100 persons in rural areas and a national waiting list of

over 1.7 million; fastest growth is in cellular service with modest

growth in fixed lines

domestic: expansion of domestic service, although still weak in

rural areas, resulted from increased competition and dramatic

reductions in price led in large part by wireless service; mobile

cellular service (both CDMA and GSM) introduced in 1994 and

organized nationwide into four metropolitan cities and 19 telecom

circles each with about three private service providers and one

state-owned service provider; in recent years significant trunk

capacity added in the form of fiber-optic cable and one of the

world's largest domestic satellite systems, the Indian National

Satellite system (INSAT), with five satellites supporting 33,000

very small aperture terminals (VSAT)

international: country code - 91; satellite earth stations - 8

Intelsat (Indian Ocean) and 1 Inmarsat (Indian Ocean region); nine

gateway exchanges operating from Mumbai (Bombay), New Delhi, Kolkata

(Calcutta), Chennai (Madras), Jalandhar, Kanpur, Gandhinagar,

Hyderabad, and Ernakulam; 5 submarine cables, including Sea-Me-We-3

with landing sites at Cochin and Mumbai (Bombay), Fiber-Optic Link

Around the Globe (FLAG) with landing site at Mumbai (Bombay), South

Africa - Far East (SAFE) with landing site at Cochin, i2icn linking

to Singapore with landing sites at Mumbai (Bombay) and Chennai

(Madras), and Tata Indicom linking Singapore and Chennai (Madras),

provide a significant increase in the bandwidth available for both

voice and data traffic (2004)

Indonesia

general assessment: domestic service fair, international

service good

domestic: interisland microwave system and HF radio police net;

domestic satellite communications system

international: country code - 62; satellite earth stations - 2

Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Pacific Ocean)

Iran

general assessment: inadequate but currently being modernized

and expanded with the goal of not only improving the efficiency and

increasing the volume of the urban service but also bringing

telephone service to several thousand villages, not presently

connected

domestic: as a result of heavy investing in the telephone system

since 1994, the number of long-distance channels in the microwave

radio relay trunk has grown substantially; many villages have been

brought into the net; the number of main lines in the urban systems

has approximately doubled; and thousands of mobile cellular

subscribers are being served; moreover, the technical level of the

system has been raised by the installation of thousands of digital

switches

international: country code - 98; HF radio and microwave radio relay

to Turkey, Azerbaijan, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Syria,

Kuwait, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan; submarine fiber-optic cable to

UAE with access to Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe (FLAG);

Trans-Asia-Europe (TAE) fiber-optic line runs from Azerbaijan

through the northern portion of Iran to Turkmenistan with expansion

to Georgia and Azerbaijan; satellite earth stations - 9 Intelsat and

4 Inmarsat

Iraq

general assessment: the 2003 war severely disrupted

telecommunications throughout Iraq including international

connections; USAID is overseeing the repair of switching capability

and the construction of mobile and satellite communication facilities

domestic: repairs to switches and lines destroyed in the recent

fighting continue, but sabotage remains a problem; cellular service

is expected to be in place within two years

international: country code - 964; satellite earth stations - 2

Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean), 1 Intersputnik

(Atlantic Ocean region), and 1 Arabsat (inoperative); coaxial cable

and microwave radio relay to Jordan, Kuwait, Syria, and Turkey;

Kuwait line is probably nonoperational

Ireland

general assessment: modern digital system using cable and

microwave radio relay

domestic: microwave radio relay

international: country code - 353; satellite earth station - 1

Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Israel

general assessment: most highly developed system in the

Middle East although not the largest

domestic: good system of coaxial cable and microwave radio relay;

all systems are digital

international: country code - 972; 3 submarine cables; satellite

earth stations - 3 Intelsat (2 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean)

Italy

general assessment: modern, well developed, fast; fully

automated telephone, telex, and data services

domestic: high-capacity cable and microwave radio relay trunks

international: country code - 39; satellite earth stations - 3

Intelsat (with a total of 5 antennas - 3 for Atlantic Ocean and 2

for Indian Ocean), 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic Ocean region), and NA

Eutelsat; 21 submarine cables

Jamaica

general assessment: fully automatic domestic telephone

network

domestic: NA

international: country code - 1-876; satellite earth stations - 2

Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); 3 coaxial submarine cables

Japan

general assessment: excellent domestic and international

service

domestic: high level of modern technology and excellent service of

every kind

international: country code - 81; satellite earth stations - 5

Intelsat (4 Pacific Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean), 1 Intersputnik

(Indian Ocean region), and 1 Inmarsat (Pacific and Indian Ocean

regions); submarine cables to China, Philippines, Russia, and US

(via Guam) (1999)

Jersey

general assessment: NA

domestic: NA

international: 3 submarine cables

Johnston Atoll

general assessment: NA

domestic: 512 KB satellite link to Hawaii teleport; 20 (POTS) voice

and data lines

international: NA (2002)

Jordan

general assessment: service has improved recently with

increased use of digital switching equipment, but better access to

the telephone system is needed in the rural areas and easier access

to pay telephones is needed by the urban public

domestic: microwave radio relay transmission and coaxial and

fiber-optic cable are employed on trunk lines; considerable use of

mobile cellular systems; Internet service is available

international: country code - 962; satellite earth stations - 3

Intelsat, 1 Arabsat, and 29 land and maritime Inmarsat terminals;

fiber-optic cable to Saudi Arabia and microwave radio relay link

with Egypt and Syria; connection to international submarine cable

FLAG (Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe); participant in MEDARABTEL;

international links total about 4,000

Kazakhstan

general assessment: service is poor; equipment antiquated

domestic: intercity by landline and microwave radio relay; mobile

cellular systems are available in most of Kazakhstan

international: country code - 7; international traffic with other

former Soviet republics and China carried by landline and microwave

radio relay and with other countries by satellite and by the

Trans-Asia-Europe (TAE) fiber-optic cable; satellite earth stations

- 2 Intelsat

Kenya

general assessment: unreliable; little attempt to modernize

except for service to business

domestic: trunks are primarily microwave radio relay; business data

commonly transferred by a very small aperture terminal (VSAT) system

international: country code - 254; satellite earth stations - 4

Intelsat

Kiribati

general assessment: generally good quality national and

international service

domestic: wire line service available on Tarawa and Kiritimati;

connections to outer islands by HF/VHF radiotelephone; wireless

service available in Tarawa since 1999

international: country code - 686; Kiribati is being linked to the

Pacific Ocean Cooperative Telecommunications Network, which should

improve telephone service; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat

(Pacific Ocean)

Korea, North

general assessment: NA

domestic: NA

international: country code - 850; satellite earth stations - 1

Intelsat (Indian Ocean) and 1 Russian (Indian Ocean region); other

international connections through Moscow and Beijing

Korea, South

general assessment: excellent domestic and

international services

domestic: NA

international: country code - 82; fiber-optic submarine cable to

China; the Russia-Korea-Japan submarine cable; satellite earth

stations - 3 Intelsat (2 Pacific Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean) and 1

Inmarsat (Pacific Ocean region)

Kuwait

general assessment: the quality of service is excellent

domestic: new telephone exchanges provide a large capacity for new

subscribers; trunk traffic is carried by microwave radio relay,

coaxial cable, and open-wire and fiber-optic cable; a cellular

telephone system operates throughout Kuwait, and the country is well

supplied with pay telephones

international: country code - 965; coaxial cable and microwave radio

relay to Saudi Arabia; linked to Bahrain, Qatar, UAE via the

Fiber-Optic Gulf (FOG) cable; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat

(1 Atlantic Ocean, 2 Indian Ocean), 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic Ocean), and

2 Arabsat

Kyrgyzstan

general assessment: poorly developed; about 100,000

unsatisfied applications for household telephones

domestic: principally microwave radio relay; one cellular provider,

probably limited to Bishkek region

international: country code - 996; connections with other CIS

countries by landline or microwave radio relay and with other

countries by leased connections with Moscow international gateway

switch and by satellite; satellite earth stations - 1 Intersputnik

and 1 Intelsat; connected internationally by the Trans-Asia-Europe

(TAE) fiber-optic line

Laos

general assessment: service to general public is poor but

improving with over 20,000 telephones currently in service and an

additional 48,000 expected by 2001; the government relies on a

radiotelephone network to communicate with remote areas

domestic: radiotelephone communications

international: country code - 856; satellite earth station - 1

Intersputnik (Indian Ocean region)

Latvia

general assessment: inadequate, but is being modernized to

provide an international capability independent of the Moscow

international switch; more facilities are being installed for

individual use

domestic: expansion underway in intercity trunk line connections,

rural exchanges, and mobile systems; still many unsatisfied

subscriber applications

international: country code - 371; international connections are now

available via cable and a satellite earth station at Riga, enabling

direct connections for most calls (1998)

Lebanon

general assessment: telecommunications system severely

damaged by civil war; rebuilding well underway

domestic: primarily microwave radio relay and cable

international: country code - 961; satellite earth stations - 2

Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Atlantic Ocean) (erratic operations);

coaxial cable to Syria; microwave radio relay to Syria but

inoperable beyond Syria to Jordan; 3 submarine coaxial cables

Lesotho

general assessment: rudimentary system

domestic: consists of a modest but growing number of landlines, a

small microwave radio relay system, and a minor radiotelephone

communication system; a cellular mobile telephone system is growing

international: country code - 266; satellite earth station - 1

Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Liberia

general assessment: the limited services available are found

almost exclusively in the capital Monrovia

domestic: fully automatic system with very low density of .21 fixed

mainlines per 100 persons; limited wireless service available

international: country code - 231; satellite earth station - 1

Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Libya

general assessment: telecommunications system is being

modernized; mobile cellular telephone system became operational in

1996

domestic: microwave radio relay, coaxial cable, cellular,

tropospheric scatter, and a domestic satellite system with 14 earth

stations

international: country code - 218; satellite earth stations - 4

Intelsat, NA Arabsat, and NA Intersputnik; submarine cables to

France and Italy; microwave radio relay to Tunisia and Egypt;

tropospheric scatter to Greece; participant in Medarabtel (1999)

Liechtenstein

general assessment: automatic telephone system

domestic: NA

international: country code - 423; linked to Swiss networks by cable

and microwave radio relay

Lithuania

general assessment: inadequate, but is being modernized to

provide an improved international capability and better residential

access

domestic: a national, fiber-optic cable, interurban, trunk system is

nearing completion; rural exchanges are being improved and expanded;

mobile cellular systems are being installed; access to the Internet

is available; still many unsatisfied telephone subscriber

applications

international: country code - 370; landline connections to Latvia

and Poland; major international connections to Denmark, Sweden, and

Norway by submarine cable for further transmission by satellite

Luxembourg

general assessment: highly developed, completely

automated and efficient system, mainly buried cables

domestic: nationwide cellular telephone system; buried cable

international: country code - 352; 3 channels leased on TAT-6

coaxial submarine cable (Europe to North America)

Macau

general assessment: fairly modern communication facilities

maintained for domestic and international services

domestic: NA

international: country code - 853; HF radiotelephone communication

facility; access to international communications carriers provided

via Hong Kong and China; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat

(Indian Ocean)

Macedonia

general assessment: NA

domestic: NA

international: country code - 389

Madagascar

general assessment: system is above average for the region

domestic: open-wire lines, coaxial cables, microwave radio relay,

and tropospheric scatter links connect regions

international: country code - 261; submarine cable to Bahrain;

satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) and 1

Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region)

Malawi

general assessment: NA

domestic: system employs open-wire lines, microwave radio relay

links, and radiotelephone communications stations

international: country code - 265; satellite earth stations - 2

Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Atlantic Ocean)

Malaysia

general assessment: modern system; international service

excellent

domestic: good intercity service provided on Peninsular Malaysia

mainly by microwave radio relay; adequate intercity microwave radio

relay network between Sabah and Sarawak via Brunei; domestic

satellite system with 2 earth stations

international: country code - 60; submarine cables to India, Hong

Kong, and Singapore; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian

Ocean and 1 Pacific Ocean) (2001)

Maldives

general assessment: minimal domestic and international

facilities

domestic: interatoll communication through microwave links; all

inhabited islands are connected with telephone and fax service

international: country code - 960; satellite earth station - 3

Intelsat (Indian Ocean)

Mali

general assessment: domestic system unreliable but improving;

provides only minimal service

domestic: network consists of microwave radio relay, open-wire, and

radiotelephone communications stations; expansion of microwave radio

relay in progress

international: country code - 223; satellite earth stations - 2

Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean)

Malta

general assessment: automatic system satisfies normal

requirements

domestic: submarine cable and microwave radio relay between islands

international: country code - 356; 2 submarine cables; satellite

earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Man, Isle of

general assessment: NA

domestic: landline, telefax, mobile cellular telephone system

international: fiber-optic cable, microwave radio relay, satellite

earth station, submarine cable

Marshall Islands

general assessment: digital switching equipment;

modern services include telex, cellular, internet, international

calling, caller ID, and leased data circuits

domestic: Majuro Atoll and Ebeye and Kwajalein islands have regular,

seven-digit, direct-dial telephones; other islands interconnected by

shortwave radiotelephone (used mostly for government purposes)

international: country code - 692; satellite earth stations - 2

Intelsat (Pacific Ocean); US Government satellite communications

system on Kwajalein (2001)

Martinique

general assessment: domestic facilities are adequate

domestic: NA

international: country code - 596; microwave radio relay to

Guadeloupe, Dominica, and Saint Lucia; satellite earth stations - 2

Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Mauritania

general assessment: limited system of cable and open-wire

lines, minor microwave radio relay links, and radiotelephone

communications stations (improvements being made)

domestic: mostly cable and open-wire lines; a recently completed

domestic satellite telecommunications system links Nouakchott with

regional capitals

international: country code - 222; satellite earth stations - 1

Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) and 2 Arabsat

Mauritius

general assessment: small system with good service

domestic: primarily microwave radio relay trunk system

international: country code - 230; satellite earth station - 1

Intelsat (Indian Ocean); new microwave link to Reunion; HF

radiotelephone links to several countries; fiber optic submarine

cable (SAT-3/WASC/SAFE) provides connectivity to Europe and Asia

Mayotte

general assessment: small system administered by French

Department of Posts and Telecommunications

domestic: NA

international: country code - 269; microwave radio relay and HF

radiotelephone communications to Comoros (2001)

Mexico

general assessment: low telephone density with about 15.2

main lines per 100 persons; privatized in December 1990; the opening

to competition in January 1997 improved prospects for development,

but Telmex remains dominant

domestic: adequate telephone service for business and government,

but the population is poorly served; mobile subscribers far

outnumber fixed-line subscribers; domestic satellite system with 120

earth stations; extensive microwave radio relay network;

considerable use of fiber-optic cable and coaxial cable

international: country code - 52; satellite earth stations - 32

Intelsat, 2 Solidaridad (giving Mexico improved access to South

America, Central America, and much of the US as well as enhancing

domestic communications), numerous Inmarsat mobile earth stations;

linked to Central American Microwave System of trunk connections;

high capacity Columbus-2 fiber-optic submarine cable with access to

the US, Virgin Islands, Canary Islands, Morocco, Spain, and Italy

(1997)

Micronesia, Federated States of

general assessment: adequate system

domestic: islands interconnected by shortwave radiotelephone (used

mostly for government purposes), satellite (Intelsat) ground

stations, and some coaxial and fiber-optic cable; cellular service

available on Kosrae, Pohnpei, and Yap

international: country code - 691; satellite earth stations - 5

Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) (2002)

Moldova

general assessment: inadequate, outmoded, poor service

outside Chisinau; some effort to modernize is under way

domestic: new subscribers face long wait for service; mobile

cellular telephone service being introduced

international: country code - 373; service through Romania and

Russia via landline; satellite earth stations - Intelsat, Eutelsat,

and Intersputnik

Monaco

general assessment: modern automatic telephone system

domestic: NA

international: country code - 377; no satellite earth stations;

connected by cable into the French communications system

Mongolia

general assessment: network is improving with international

direct dialing available in many areas

domestic: very low density of about 6.5 telephones for each thousand

persons; two wireless providers cover all but two provinces

international: country code - 976; satellite earth station - 1

Intersputnik (Indian Ocean Region)

Montserrat

general assessment: modern and fully digitalized

domestic: NA

international: country code - 1-664

Morocco

general assessment: modern system with all important

capabilities; however, density is low with only 4.6 main lines

available for each 100 persons

domestic: good system composed of open-wire lines, cables, and

microwave radio relay links; Internet available but expensive;

principal switching centers are Casablanca and Rabat; national

network nearly 100% digital using fiber-optic links; improved rural

service employs microwave radio relay

international: country code - 212; 7 submarine cables; satellite

earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) and 1 Arabsat;

microwave radio relay to Gibraltar, Spain, and Western Sahara;

coaxial cable and microwave radio relay to Algeria; participant in

Medarabtel; fiber-optic cable link from Agadir to Algeria and

Tunisia (1998)

Mozambique

general assessment: fair system but not available

generally (telephone density is only 16 telephones for each 1,000

persons)

domestic: the system consists of open-wire lines and trunk

connection by microwave radio relay and tropospheric scatter

international: country code - 258; satellite earth stations - 5

Intelsat (2 Atlantic Ocean and 3 Indian Ocean)

Namibia

general assessment: good system; about 6 telephones for each

100 persons

domestic: good urban services; fair rural service; microwave radio

relay links major towns; connections to other populated places are

by open wire; 100% digital

international: country code - 264; fiber-optic cable to South

Africa, microwave radio relay link to Botswana, direct links to

other neighboring countries; connected to Africa ONE and South

African Far East (SAFE) submarine cables through South Africa;

satellite earth stations - 4 Intelsat (2002)

Nauru

general assessment: adequate local and international

radiotelephone communication provided via Australian facilities

domestic: NA

international: country code - 674; satellite earth station - 1

Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)

Nepal

general assessment: poor telephone and telegraph service; fair

radiotelephone communication service and mobile cellular telephone

network

domestic: NA

international: country code - 977; radiotelephone communications;

microwave landline to India; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat

(Indian Ocean)

Netherlands

general assessment: highly developed and well maintained

domestic: extensive fixed-line fiber-optic network; cellular

telephone system is one of the largest in Europe with five major

network operators utilizing the third generation of the Global

System for Mobile Communications (GSM)

international: country code - 31; 9 submarine cables; satellite

earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 2 Atlantic Ocean), 1

Eutelsat, and 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic and Indian Ocean regions) (2004)

Netherlands Antilles

general assessment: generally adequate

facilities

domestic: extensive interisland microwave radio relay links

international: country code - 599; submarine cables - 2; satellite

earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

New Caledonia

general assessment: NA

domestic: NA

international: country code - 687; satellite earth station - 1

Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)

New Zealand

general assessment: excellent domestic and international

systems

domestic: NA

international: country code - 64; submarine cables to Australia and

Fiji; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)

Nicaragua

general assessment: inadequate system being upgraded by

foreign investment

domestic: low-capacity microwave radio relay and wire system being

expanded; connected to Central American Microwave System

international: country code - 505; satellite earth stations - 1

Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region) and 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Niger

general assessment: small system of wire, radio telephone

communications, and microwave radio relay links concentrated in the

southwestern area of Niger

domestic: wire, radiotelephone communications, and microwave radio

relay; domestic satellite system with 3 earth stations and 1 planned

international: country code - 227; satellite earth stations - 2

Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean)

Nigeria

general assessment: an inadequate system, further limited by

poor maintenance; major expansion is required and a start has been

made

domestic: intercity traffic is carried by coaxial cable, microwave

radio relay, a domestic communications satellite system with 19

earth stations, and a coastal submarine cable; mobile cellular

facilities and the Internet are available

international: country code - 234; satellite earth stations - 3

Intelsat (2 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean); fiber optic

submarine cable (SAT-3/WASC) provides connectivity to Europe and Asia

Niue

domestic: single-line telephone system connects all villages on

island

international: country code - 683

Norfolk Island

general assessment: adequate

domestic: free local calls

international: country code - 672; undersea coaxial cable links with

Australia, New Zealand, and Canada; satellite earth station

Northern Mariana Islands

general assessment: NA

domestic: NA

international: country code - 1-670; satellite earth stations - 2

Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)

Norway

general assessment: modern in all respects; one of the most

advanced telecommunications networks in Europe

domestic: Norway has a domestic satellite system; moreover, the

prevalence of rural areas encourages the wide use of cellular mobile

systems instead of fixed-wire systems

international: country code - 47; 2 buried coaxial cable systems; 4

coaxial submarine cables; satellite earth stations - NA Eutelsat, NA

Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean), and 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic and Indian Ocean

regions); note - Norway shares the Inmarsat earth station with the

other Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, and Sweden) (1999)

Oman

general assessment: modern system consisting of open-wire,

microwave, and radiotelephone communication stations; limited

coaxial cable

domestic: open-wire, microwave, radiotelephone communications, and a

domestic satellite system with 8 earth stations

international: country code - 968; satellite earth stations - 2

Intelsat (Indian Ocean) and 1 Arabsat

Pakistan

general assessment: the domestic system is mediocre, but

improving; service is adequate for government and business use, in

part because major businesses have established their own private

systems; since 1988, the government has promoted investment in the

national telecommunications system on a priority basis,

significantly increasing network capacity; despite major

improvements in trunk and urban systems, telecommunication services

are still not readily available to the majority of the rural

population

domestic: microwave radio relay, coaxial cable, fiber-optic cable,

cellular, and satellite networks

international: country code - 92; satellite earth stations - 3

Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Indian Ocean); 3 operational

international gateway exchanges (1 at Karachi and 2 at Islamabad);

microwave radio relay to neighboring countries (1999)

Palau

general assessment: NA

domestic: NA

international: country code - 680; satellite earth station - 1

Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)

Panama

general assessment: domestic and international facilities

well developed

domestic: NA

international: country code - 507; 1 coaxial submarine cable;

satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); connected to

the Central American Microwave System

Papua New Guinea

general assessment: services are adequate;

facilities provide radiotelephone and telegraph, coastal radio,

aeronautical radio, and international radio communication services

domestic: mostly radiotelephone

international: country code - 675; submarine cables to Australia and

Guam; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean);

international radio communication service

Paraguay

general assessment: meager telephone service; principal

switching center is Asuncion

domestic: fair microwave radio relay network

international: country code - 595; satellite earth station - 1

Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Peru

general assessment: adequate for most requirements

domestic: nationwide microwave radio relay system and a domestic

satellite system with 12 earth stations

international: country code - 51; satellite earth stations - 2

Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); Pan American submarine cable

Philippines

general assessment: good international radiotelephone

and submarine cable services; domestic and inter-island service

adequate

domestic: domestic satellite system with 11 earth stations

international: country code - 63; 9 international gateways;

satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 2 Pacific

Ocean); submarine cables to Hong Kong, Guam, Singapore, Taiwan, and

Japan

Pitcairn Islands

general assessment: satellite phone services

domestic: domestic communication via radio (CB)

international: country code - 872; satellite earth station (Inmarsat)

Poland

general assessment: underdeveloped and outmoded system in the

process of being overhauled; partial privatization of the

state-owned telephone monopoly is underway; the long waiting list

for main line telephone service has resulted in a boom in mobile

cellular telephone use

domestic: cable, open-wire, and microwave radio relay; 3 cellular

networks; local exchanges 56.6% digital

international: country code - 48; satellite earth stations - 2

Intelsat, NA Eutelsat, 2 Inmarsat (Atlantic and Indian Ocean

regions), and 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region)

Portugal

general assessment: Portugal's telephone system has

achieved a state-of-the-art network with broadband, high-speed

capabilities and a main line telephone density of 53%

domestic: integrated network of coaxial cables, open-wire, microwave

radio relay, and domestic satellite earth stations

international: country code - 351; 6 submarine cables; satellite

earth stations - 3 Intelsat (2 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean),

NA Eutelsat; tropospheric scatter to Azores; note - an earth station

for Inmarsat (Atlantic Ocean region) is planned

Puerto Rico

general assessment: modern system integrated with that

of the US by high-capacity submarine cable and Intelsat with

high-speed data capability

domestic: digital telephone system; cellular telephone service

international: country code - 1-787, 939; satellite earth station -

1 Intelsat; submarine cable to US

Qatar

general assessment: modern system centered in Doha

domestic: NA

international: country code - 974; tropospheric scatter to Bahrain;

microwave radio relay to Saudi Arabia and UAE; submarine cable to

Bahrain and UAE; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic

Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean) and 1 Arabsat

Reunion

general assessment: adequate system; principal center is

Saint-Denis

domestic: modern open-wire and microwave radio relay network

international: country code - 262; radiotelephone communication to

Comoros, France, Madagascar; new microwave route to Mauritius;

satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean); fiber optic

submarine cable (SAT-3/WASC/SAFE) provides connectivity to Europe

and Asia

Romania

general assessment: poor domestic service, but improving

domestic: 90% of telephone network is automatic; trunk network is

mostly microwave radio relay, with some fiber-optic cable; about

one-third of exchange capacity is digital; roughly 3,300 villages

have no service

international: country code - 40; satellite earth station - 1

Intelsat; new digital, international, direct-dial exchanges operate

in Bucharest; note - Romania is an active participant in several

international telecommunication network projects (1999)

Russia

general assessment: the telephone system underwent

significant changes in the 1990s; there are more than 1,000

companies licensed to offer communication services; access to

digital lines has improved, particularly in urban centers; Internet

and e-mail services are improving; Russia has made progress toward

building the telecommunications infrastructure necessary for a

market economy; however, a large demand for main line service

remains unsatisfied

domestic: cross-country digital trunk lines run from Saint

Petersburg to Khabarovsk, and from Moscow to Novorossiysk; the

telephone systems in 60 regional capitals have modern digital

infrastructures; cellular services, both analog and digital, are

available in many areas; in rural areas, the telephone services are

still outdated, inadequate, and low density

international: country code - 7; Russia is connected internationally

by three undersea fiber-optic cables; digital switches in several

cities provide more than 50,000 lines for international calls;

satellite earth stations provide access to Intelsat, Intersputnik,

Eutelsat, Inmarsat, and Orbita systems

Rwanda

general assessment: telephone system primarily serves

business and government

domestic: the capital, Kigali, is connected to the centers of the

provinces by microwave radio relay and, recently, by cellular

telephone service; much of the network depends on wire and HF

radiotelephone

international: country code - 250; international connections employ

microwave radio relay to neighboring countries and satellite

communications to more distant countries; satellite earth stations -

1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) in Kigali (includes telex and telefax

service)

Saint Helena

general assessment: can communicate worldwide

domestic: automatic network

international: country code - 290; HF radiotelephone from Saint

Helena to Ascension Island, which is a major coaxial submarine cable

relay point between South Africa, Portugal, and UK; satellite earth

stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Saint Kitts and Nevis

general assessment: good interisland and

international connections

domestic: inter-island links via Eastern Caribbean Fiber Optic

cable; construction of enhanced wireless infrastructure launched in

November 2004

international: country code - 1-869; international calls are carried

by submarine cable or Intelsat

Saint Lucia

general assessment: adequate system

domestic: system is automatically switched

international: country code - 1-758; direct microwave radio relay

link with Martinique and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines;

tropospheric scatter to Barbados; international calls beyond these

countries are carried by Intelsat from Martinique

Saint Pierre and Miquelon

general assessment: adequate

domestic: NA

international: country code - 508; radiotelephone communication with

most countries in the world; 1 earth station in French domestic

satellite system

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

general assessment: adequate system

domestic: islandwide, fully automatic telephone system; VHF/UHF

radiotelephone from Saint Vincent to the other islands of the

Grenadines

international: country code - 1-784; VHF/UHF radiotelephone from

Saint Vincent to Barbados; new SHF radiotelephone to Grenada and to

Saint Lucia; access to Intelsat earth station in Martinique through

Saint Lucia

Samoa

general assessment: adequate

domestic: NA

international: country code - 685; satellite earth station - 1

Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)

San Marino

general assessment: adequate connections

domestic: automatic telephone system completely integrated into

Italian system

international: country code - 378; connected to Italian

international network

Sao Tome and Principe

general assessment: adequate facilities

domestic: minimal system

international: country code - 239; satellite earth station - 1

Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Saudi Arabia

general assessment: modern system

domestic: extensive microwave radio relay, coaxial cable, and

fiber-optic cable systems

international: country code - 966; microwave radio relay to Bahrain,

Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, UAE, Yemen, and Sudan; coaxial cable to

Kuwait and Jordan; submarine cable to Djibouti, Egypt and Bahrain;

satellite earth stations - 5 Intelsat (3 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Indian

Ocean), 1 Arabsat, and 1 Inmarsat (Indian Ocean region)

Senegal

general assessment: good system

domestic: above-average urban system; microwave radio relay, coaxial

cable and fiber-optic cable in trunk system

international: country code - 221; 4 submarine cables; satellite

earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Serbia and Montenegro

general assessment: NA

domestic: NA

international: country code - 381; satellite earth station - 1

Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Seychelles

general assessment: effective system

domestic: radiotelephone communications between islands in the

archipelago

international: country code - 248; direct radiotelephone

communications with adjacent island countries and African coastal

countries; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean)

Sierra Leone

general assessment: marginal telephone and telegraph

service

domestic: the national microwave radio relay trunk system connects

Freetown to Bo and Kenema

international: country code - 232; satellite earth station - 1

Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Singapore

general assessment: excellent service

domestic: excellent domestic facilities

international: country code - 65; submarine cables to Malaysia

(Sabah and Peninsular Malaysia), Indonesia, and the Philippines;

satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Pacific

Ocean), and 1 Inmarsat (Pacific Ocean region)

Slovakia

general assessment: a modernization and privatization

program is increasing accessibility to telephone service, reducing

the waiting time for new subscribers, and generally improving

service quality

domestic: predominantly an analog system that is now receiving

digital equipment and is being enlarged with fiber-optic cable,

especially in the larger cities; mobile cellular capability has been

added

international: country code - 421; three international exchanges

(one in Bratislava and two in Banska Bystrica) are available;

Slovakia is participating in several international

telecommunications projects that will increase the availability of

external services

Slovenia

general assessment: NA

domestic: 100% digital (2000)

international: country code - 386

Solomon Islands

general assessment: NA

domestic: NA

international: country code - 677; satellite earth station - 1

Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)

Somalia

general assessment: the public telecommunications system was

almost completely destroyed or dismantled by the civil war factions;

private wireless companies offer service in most major cities and

charge the lowest international rates on the continent

domestic: local cellular telephone systems have been established in

Mogadishu and in several other population centers

international: country code - 252; international connections are

available from Mogadishu by satellite

South Africa

general assessment: the system is the best developed

and most modern in Africa

domestic: consists of carrier-equipped open-wire lines, coaxial

cables, microwave radio relay links, fiber-optic cable,

radiotelephone communication stations, and wireless local loops; key

centers are Bloemfontein, Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg, Port

Elizabeth, and Pretoria

international: country code - 27; 2 submarine cables; satellite

earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 2 Atlantic Ocean)

South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands

general assessment: NA

domestic: NA

international: coastal radiotelephone station at Grytviken

Spain

general assessment: generally adequate, modern facilities;

teledensity is 44 main lines for each 100 persons

domestic: NA

international: country code - 34; 22 coaxial submarine cables;

satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian

Ocean), NA Eutelsat; tropospheric scatter to adjacent countries

Sri Lanka

general assessment: very inadequate domestic service,

particularly in rural areas; likely improvement with privatization

of national telephone company and encouragement to private

investment; good international service (1999)

domestic: national trunk network consists mostly of digital

microwave radio relay; fiber-optic links now in use in Colombo area

and two fixed wireless local loops have been installed; competition

is strong in mobile cellular systems; telephone density remains low

at 2.6 main lines per 100 persons (1999)

international: country code - 94; submarine cables to Indonesia and

Djibouti; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (1999)

Sudan

general assessment: large, well-equipped system by regional

standards and being upgraded; cellular communications started in

1996 and have expanded substantially

domestic: consists of microwave radio relay, cable, radiotelephone

communications, tropospheric scatter, and a domestic satellite

system with 14 earth stations

international: country code - 249; satellite earth stations - 1

Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) and 1 Arabsat (2000)

Suriname

general assessment: international facilities are good

domestic: microwave radio relay network

international: country code - 597; satellite earth stations - 2

Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Svalbard

general assessment: probably adequate

domestic: local telephone service

international: country code - 47-790; satellite earth station - 1 of

unknown type (for communication with Norwegian mainland only)

Swaziland

general assessment: a somewhat modern but not an advanced

system

domestic: system consists of carrier-equipped, open-wire lines and

low-capacity, microwave radio relay

international: country code - 268; satellite earth station - 1

Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Sweden

general assessment: excellent domestic and international

facilities; automatic system

domestic: coaxial and multiconductor cables carry most of the voice

traffic; parallel microwave radio relay systems carry some

additional telephone channels

international: country code - 46; 5 submarine coaxial cables;

satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean), 1 Eutelsat,

and 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic and Indian Ocean regions); note - Sweden

shares the Inmarsat earth station with the other Nordic countries

(Denmark, Finland, Iceland, and Norway)

Switzerland

general assessment: excellent domestic and international

services

domestic: extensive cable and microwave radio relay networks

international: country code - 41; satellite earth stations - 2

Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean and Indian Ocean)

Syria

general assessment: fair system currently undergoing

significant improvement and digital upgrades, including fiber-optic

technology

domestic: coaxial cable and microwave radio relay network

international: country code - 963; satellite earth stations - 1

Intelsat (Indian Ocean) and 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region);

1 submarine cable; coaxial cable and microwave radio relay to Iraq,

Jordan, Lebanon, and Turkey; participant in Medarabtel

Taiwan

general assessment: provides telecommunications service for

every business and private need

domestic: thoroughly modern; completely digitalized

international: country code - 886; satellite earth stations - 2

Intelsat (1 Pacific Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean); submarine cables to

Japan (Okinawa), Philippines, Guam, Singapore, Hong Kong, Indonesia,

Australia, Middle East, and Western Europe (1999)

Tajikistan

general assessment: poorly developed and not well

maintained; many towns are not linked to the national network

domestic: cable and microwave radio relay

international: country code - 992; linked by cable and microwave

radio relay to other CIS republics and by leased connections to the

Moscow international gateway switch; Dushanbe linked by Intelsat to

international gateway switch in Ankara (Turkey); satellite earth

stations - 1 Orbita and 2 Intelsat

Tanzania

general assessment: fair system operating below capacity

and being modernized for better service; VSAT (very small aperture

terminal) system under construction

domestic: trunk service provided by open-wire, microwave radio

relay, tropospheric scatter, and fiber-optic cable; some links being

made digital

international: country code - 255; satellite earth stations - 2

Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Atlantic Ocean)

Thailand

general assessment: high quality system, especially in

urban areas like Bangkok; WTO requirement for privatization of

telecom sector is planned to be complete by 2006

domestic: fixed line system provided by both a government owned and

commercial provider; wireless service expanding rapidly and

outpacing fixed lines

international: country code - 66; satellite earth stations - 2

Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Pacific Ocean); landing country for

APCN submarine cable

Togo

general assessment: fair system based on a network of microwave

radio relay routes supplemented by open-wire lines and a mobile

cellular system

domestic: microwave radio relay and open-wire lines for conventional

system; cellular system has capacity of 10,000 telephones

international: country code - 228; satellite earth stations - 1

Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) and 1 Symphonie

Tokelau

general assessment: modern satellite-based communications

system;

domestic: radiotelephone service between islands

international: country code - 690; radiotelephone service to Samoa;

government-regulated telephone service (TeleTok), with 3 satellite

earth stations, established in 1997

Tonga

general assessment: competition between Tonga

Telecommunications Corporation (TCC) and Shoreline Communications

Tonga (SCT) is accelerating expansion of telecommunications; SCT

recently granted authority to develop high-speed digital service for

telephone, Internet, and television

domestic: fully automatic switched network

international: country code - 676; satellite earth station - 1

Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) (2004)

Trinidad and Tobago

general assessment: excellent international

service; good local service

domestic: NA

international: country code - 1-868; satellite earth station - 1

Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); tropospheric scatter to Barbados and

Guyana

Tunisia

general assessment: above the African average and continuing

to be upgraded; key centers are Sfax, Sousse, Bizerte, and Tunis;

Internet access available

domestic: trunk facilities consist of open-wire lines, coaxial

cable, and microwave radio relay

international: country code - 216; 5 submarine cables; satellite

earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) and 1 Arabsat; coaxial

cable and microwave radio relay to Algeria and Libya; participant in

Medarabtel; two international gateway digital switches

Turkey

general assessment: undergoing rapid modernization and

expansion, especially with cellular telephones

domestic: additional digital exchanges are permitting a rapid

increase in subscribers; the construction of a network of

technologically advanced intercity trunk lines, using both

fiber-optic cable and digital microwave radio relay is facilitating

communication between urban centers; remote areas are reached by a

domestic satellite system; the number of subscribers to mobile

cellular telephone service is growing rapidly

international: country code - 90; international service is provided

by three submarine fiber-optic cables in the Mediterranean and Black

Seas, linking Turkey with Italy, Greece, Israel, Bulgaria, Romania,

and Russia; also by 12 Intelsat earth stations, and by 328 mobile

satellite terminals in the Inmarsat and Eutelsat systems (2002)

Turkmenistan

general assessment: poorly developed

domestic: NA

international: country code - 993; linked by cable and microwave

radio relay to other CIS republics and to other countries by leased

connections to the Moscow international gateway switch; a new

telephone link from Ashgabat to Iran has been established; a new

exchange in Ashgabat switches international traffic through Turkey

via Intelsat; satellite earth stations - 1 Orbita and 1 Intelsat

Turks and Caicos Islands

general assessment: fully digital system

with international direct dialing

domestic: full range of services available

international: country code - 1-649; 2 submarine cables; satellite

earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Tuvalu

general assessment: serves particular needs for internal

communications

domestic: radiotelephone communications between islands

international: country code - 688; international calls can be made

by satellite

Uganda

general assessment: seriously inadequate; two cellular

systems have been introduced, but a sharp increase in the number of

main lines is essential; e-mail and Internet services are available

domestic: intercity traffic by wire, microwave radio relay, and

radiotelephone communication stations, fixed and mobile cellular

systems for short-range traffic

international: country code - 256; satellite earth stations - 1

Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) and 1 Inmarsat; analog links to Kenya and

Tanzania

Ukraine

general assessment: Ukraine's telecommunication development

plan, running through 2005, emphasizes improving domestic trunk

lines, international connections, and the mobile cellular system

domestic: at independence in December 1991, Ukraine inherited a

telephone system that was antiquated, inefficient, and in disrepair;

more than 3.5 million applications for telephones could not be

satisfied; telephone density is now rising slowly and the domestic

trunk system is being improved; the mobile cellular telephone system

is expanding at a high rate

international: country code - 380; two new domestic trunk lines are

a part of the fiber-optic Trans-Asia-Europe (TAE) system and three

Ukrainian links have been installed in the fiber-optic

Trans-European Lines (TEL) project that connects 18 countries;

additional international service is provided by the

Italy-Turkey-Ukraine-Russia (ITUR) fiber-optic submarine cable and

by earth stations in the Intelsat, Inmarsat, and Intersputnik

satellite systems

United Arab Emirates

general assessment: modern fiber-optic

integrated services; digital network with rapidly growing use of

mobile cellular telephones; key centers are Abu Dhabi and Dubai

domestic: microwave radio relay, fiber optic and coaxial cable

international: country code - 971; satellite earth stations - 3

Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Indian Ocean) and 1 Arabsat;

submarine cables to Qatar, Bahrain, India, and Pakistan;

tropospheric scatter to Bahrain; microwave radio relay to Saudi

Arabia

United Kingdom

general assessment: technologically advanced domestic

and international system

domestic: equal mix of buried cables, microwave radio relay, and

fiber-optic systems

international: country code - 44; 40 coaxial submarine cables;

satellite earth stations - 10 Intelsat (7 Atlantic Ocean and 3

Indian Ocean), 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic Ocean region), and 1 Eutelsat;

at least 8 large international switching centers

United States

general assessment: a large, technologically advanced,

multipurpose communications system

domestic: a large system of fiber-optic cable, microwave radio

relay, coaxial cable, and domestic satellites carries every form of

telephone traffic; a rapidly growing cellular system carries mobile

telephone traffic throughout the country

international: country code - 1; 24 ocean cable systems in use;

satellite earth stations - 61 Intelsat (45 Atlantic Ocean and 16

Pacific Ocean), 5 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region), and 4

Inmarsat (Pacific and Atlantic Ocean regions) (2000)

Uruguay

general assessment: fully digitalized

domestic: most modern facilities concentrated in Montevideo; new

nationwide microwave radio relay network

international: country code - 598; satellite earth stations - 2

Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2002)

Uzbekistan

general assessment: antiquated and inadequate; in serious

need of modernization

domestic: the domestic telephone system is being expanded and

technologically improved, particularly in Tashkent (Toshkent) and

Samarqand, under contracts with prominent companies in

industrialized countries; moreover, by 1998, six cellular networks

had been placed in operation - four of the GSM type (Global System

for Mobile Communication), one D-AMPS type (Digital Advanced Mobile

Phone System), and one AMPS type (Advanced Mobile Phone System)

international: country code - 998; linked by landline or microwave

radio relay with CIS member states and to other countries by leased

connection via the Moscow international gateway switch; after the

completion of the Uzbek link to the Trans-Asia-Europe (TAE)

fiber-optic cable, Uzbekistan will be independent of Russian

facilities for international communications; Inmarsat also provides

an international connection, albeit an expensive one; satellite

earth stations - NA (1998)

Vanuatu

general assessment: NA

domestic: NA

international: country code - 678; satellite earth station - 1

Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)

Venezuela

general assessment: modern and expanding

domestic: domestic satellite system with 3 earth stations; recent

substantial improvement in telephone service in rural areas;

substantial increase in digitalization of exchanges and trunk lines;

installation of a national interurban fiber-optic network capable of

digital multimedia services

international: country code - 58; 3 submarine coaxial cables;

satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) and 1

PanAmSat; participating with Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia in

the construction of an international fiber-optic network

Vietnam

general assessment: Vietnam is putting considerable effort

into modernization and expansion of its telecommunication system,

but its performance continues to lag behind that of its more modern

neighbors

domestic: all provincial exchanges are digitalized and connected to

Hanoi, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City by fiber-optic cable or

microwave radio relay networks; main lines have been substantially

increased, and the use of mobile telephones is growing rapidly

international: country code - 84; satellite earth stations - 2

Intersputnik (Indian Ocean region)

Virgin Islands

general assessment: modern system with total digital

switching, uses fiber-optic cable and microwave radio relay

domestic: full range of services available

international: country code - 1-340; 2 submarine cable connections

(Taino Carib, Americas-1); satellite earth stations - NA

Wake Island

general assessment: satellite communications; 1 DSN

circuit off the Overseas Telephone System (OTS)

domestic: NA

international: NA

Wallis and Futuna

general assessment: NA

domestic: NA

international: country code - 681

West Bank

general assessment: NA

domestic: NA

international: NA

note: Israeli company BEZEK and the Palestinian company PALTEL are

responsible for communication services in the West Bank

Western Sahara

general assessment: sparse and limited system

domestic: NA

international: country code - 212; tied into Morocco's system by

microwave radio relay, tropospheric scatter, and satellite;

satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) linked to

Rabat, Morocco

World

general assessment: NA

domestic: NA

international: NA

Yemen

general assessment: since unification in 1990, efforts have

been made to create a national telecommunications network

domestic: the national network consists of microwave radio relay,

cable, tropospheric scatter, and GSM cellular mobile telephone

systems

international: country code - 967; satellite earth stations - 3

Intelsat (2 Indian Ocean and 1 Atlantic Ocean), 1 Intersputnik

(Atlantic Ocean region), and 2 Arabsat; microwave radio relay to

Saudi Arabia and Djibouti

Zambia

general assessment: facilities are aging but still among the

best in Sub-Saharan Africa

domestic: high-capacity microwave radio relay connects most larger

towns and cities; several cellular telephone services in operation;

Internet service is widely available; very small aperture terminal

(VSAT) networks are operated by private firms

international: country code - 260; satellite earth stations - 2

Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Atlantic Ocean)

Zimbabwe

general assessment: system was once one of the best in

Africa, but now suffers from poor maintenance; more than 100,000

outstanding requests for connection despite an equally large number

of installed but unused main lines

domestic: consists of microwave radio relay links, open-wire lines,

radiotelephone communication stations, fixed wireless local loop

installations, and a substantial mobile cellular network; Internet

connection is available in Harare and planned for all major towns

and for some of the smaller ones

international: country code - 263; satellite earth stations - 2

Intelsat; two international digital gateway exchanges (in Harare and

Gweru)

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2125 Terrain

Afghanistan

mostly rugged mountains; plains in north and southwest

Albania

mostly mountains and hills; small plains along coast

Algeria

mostly high plateau and desert; some mountains; narrow,

discontinuous coastal plain

American Samoa

five volcanic islands with rugged peaks and limited

coastal plains, two coral atolls (Rose Island, Swains Island)

Andorra

rugged mountains dissected by narrow valleys

Angola

narrow coastal plain rises abruptly to vast interior plateau

Anguilla

flat and low-lying island of coral and limestone

Antarctica

about 98% thick continental ice sheet and 2% barren rock,

with average elevations between 2,000 and 4,000 meters; mountain

ranges up to nearly 5,000 meters; ice-free coastal areas include

parts of southern Victoria Land, Wilkes Land, the Antarctic

Peninsula area, and parts of Ross Island on McMurdo Sound; glaciers

form ice shelves along about half of the coastline, and floating ice

shelves constitute 11% of the area of the continent

Antigua and Barbuda

mostly low-lying limestone and coral islands,

with some higher volcanic areas

Arctic Ocean

central surface covered by a perennial drifting polar

icepack that, on average, is about 3 meters thick, although pressure

ridges may be three times that thickness; clockwise drift pattern in

the Beaufort Gyral Stream, but nearly straight-line movement from

the New Siberian Islands (Russia) to Denmark Strait (between

Greenland and Iceland); the icepack is surrounded by open seas

during the summer, but more than doubles in size during the winter

and extends to the encircling landmasses; the ocean floor is about

50% continental shelf (highest percentage of any ocean) with the

remainder a central basin interrupted by three submarine ridges

(Alpha Cordillera, Nansen Cordillera, and Lomonosov Ridge)

Argentina

rich plains of the Pampas in northern half, flat to

rolling plateau of Patagonia in south, rugged Andes along western

border

Armenia

Armenian Highland with mountains; little forest land; fast

flowing rivers; good soil in Aras River valley

Aruba

flat with a few hills; scant vegetation

Ashmore and Cartier Islands

low with sand and coral

Atlantic Ocean

surface usually covered with sea ice in Labrador Sea,

Denmark Strait, and coastal portions of the Baltic Sea from October

to June; clockwise warm-water gyre (broad, circular system of

currents) in the northern Atlantic, counterclockwise warm-water gyre

in the southern Atlantic; the ocean floor is dominated by the

Mid-Atlantic Ridge, a rugged north-south centerline for the entire

Atlantic basin

Australia

mostly low plateau with deserts; fertile plain in southeast

Austria

in the west and south mostly mountains (Alps); along the

eastern and northern margins mostly flat or gently sloping

Azerbaijan

large, flat Kur-Araz Ovaligi (Kura-Araks Lowland) (much

of it below sea level) with Great Caucasus Mountains to the north,

Qarabag Yaylasi (Karabakh Upland) in west; Baku lies on Abseron

Yasaqligi (Apsheron Peninsula) that juts into Caspian Sea

Bahamas, The

long, flat coral formations with some low rounded hills

Bahrain

mostly low desert plain rising gently to low central

escarpment

Baker Island

low, nearly level coral island surrounded by a narrow

fringing reef

Bangladesh

mostly flat alluvial plain; hilly in southeast

Barbados

relatively flat; rises gently to central highland region

Bassas da India

volcanic rock

Belarus

generally flat and contains much marshland

Belgium

flat coastal plains in northwest, central rolling hills,

rugged mountains of Ardennes Forest in southeast

Belize

flat, swampy coastal plain; low mountains in south

Benin

mostly flat to undulating plain; some hills and low mountains

Bermuda

low hills separated by fertile depressions

Bhutan

mostly mountainous with some fertile valleys and savanna

Bolivia

rugged Andes Mountains with a highland plateau (Altiplano),

hills, lowland plains of the Amazon Basin

Bosnia and Herzegovina

mountains and valleys

Botswana

predominantly flat to gently rolling tableland; Kalahari

Desert in southwest

Bouvet Island

volcanic; coast is mostly inaccessible

Brazil

mostly flat to rolling lowlands in north; some plains, hills,

mountains, and narrow coastal belt

British Indian Ocean Territory

flat and low (most areas do not

exceed four meters in elevation)

British Virgin Islands

coral islands relatively flat; volcanic

islands steep, hilly

Brunei

flat coastal plain rises to mountains in east; hilly lowland

in west

Bulgaria

mostly mountains with lowlands in north and southeast

Burkina Faso

mostly flat to dissected, undulating plains; hills in

west and southeast

Burma

central lowlands ringed by steep, rugged highlands

Burundi

hilly and mountainous, dropping to a plateau in east, some

plains

Cambodia

mostly low, flat plains; mountains in southwest and north

Cameroon

diverse, with coastal plain in southwest, dissected plateau

in center, mountains in west, plains in north

Canada

mostly plains with mountains in west and lowlands in southeast

Cape Verde

steep, rugged, rocky, volcanic

Cayman Islands

low-lying limestone base surrounded by coral reefs

Central African Republic

vast, flat to rolling, monotonous plateau;

scattered hills in northeast and southwest

Chad

broad, arid plains in center, desert in north, mountains in

northwest, lowlands in south

Chile

low coastal mountains; fertile central valley; rugged Andes in

east

China

mostly mountains, high plateaus, deserts in west; plains,

deltas, and hills in east

Christmas Island

steep cliffs along coast rise abruptly to central

plateau

Clipperton Island

coral atoll

Cocos (Keeling) Islands

flat, low-lying coral atolls

Colombia

flat coastal lowlands, central highlands, high Andes

Mountains, eastern lowland plains

Comoros

volcanic islands, interiors vary from steep mountains to low

hills

Congo, Democratic Republic of the

vast central basin is a low-lying

plateau; mountains in east

Congo, Republic of the

coastal plain, southern basin, central

plateau, northern basin

Cook Islands

low coral atolls in north; volcanic, hilly islands in

south

Coral Sea Islands

sand and coral reefs and islands (or cays)

Costa Rica

coastal plains separated by rugged mountains including

over 100 volcanic cones, of which several are major volcanoes

Cote d'Ivoire

mostly flat to undulating plains; mountains in

northwest

Croatia

geographically diverse; flat plains along Hungarian border,

low mountains and highlands near Adriatic coastline and islands

Cuba

mostly flat to rolling plains, with rugged hills and mountains

in the southeast

Cyprus

central plain with mountains to north and south; scattered

but significant plains along southern coast

Czech Republic

Bohemia in the west consists of rolling plains,

hills, and plateaus surrounded by low mountains; Moravia in the east

consists of very hilly country

Denmark

low and flat to gently rolling plains

Djibouti

coastal plain and plateau separated by central mountains

Dominica

rugged mountains of volcanic origin

Dominican Republic rugged highlands and mountains with fertile valleys interspersed

East Timor

mountainous

Ecuador

coastal plain (costa), inter-Andean central highlands

(sierra), and flat to rolling eastern jungle (oriente)

Egypt

vast desert plateau interrupted by Nile valley and delta

El Salvador

mostly mountains with narrow coastal belt and central

plateau

Equatorial Guinea

coastal plains rise to interior hills; islands are

volcanic

Eritrea

dominated by extension of Ethiopian north-south trending

highlands, descending on the east to a coastal desert plain, on the

northwest to hilly terrain and on the southwest to flat-to-rolling

plains

Estonia

marshy, lowlands; flat in the north, hilly in the south

Ethiopia

high plateau with central mountain range divided by Great

Rift Valley

Europa Island

low and flat

European Union

fairly flat along the Baltic and Atlantic coast;

mountainous in the central and southern areas

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

rocky, hilly, mountainous with

some boggy, undulating plains

Faroe Islands

rugged, rocky, some low peaks; cliffs along most of

coast

Fiji

mostly mountains of volcanic origin

Finland

mostly low, flat to rolling plains interspersed with lakes

and low hills

France

mostly flat plains or gently rolling hills in north and west;

remainder is mountainous, especially Pyrenees in south, Alps in east

French Guiana

low-lying coastal plains rising to hills and small

mountains

French Polynesia

mixture of rugged high islands and low islands with

reefs

French Southern and Antarctic Lands

volcanic

Gabon

narrow coastal plain; hilly interior; savanna in east and south

Gambia, The

flood plain of the Gambia River flanked by some low hills

Gaza Strip

flat to rolling, sand- and dune-covered coastal plain

Georgia

largely mountainous with Great Caucasus Mountains in the

north and Lesser Caucasus Mountains in the south; Kolkhet'is Dablobi

(Kolkhida Lowland) opens to the Black Sea in the west; Mtkvari River

Basin in the east; good soils in river valley flood plains,

foothills of Kolkhida Lowland

Germany

lowlands in north, uplands in center, Bavarian Alps in south

Ghana

mostly low plains with dissected plateau in south-central area

Gibraltar

a narrow coastal lowland borders the Rock of Gibraltar

Glorioso Islands

low and flat

Greece

mostly mountains with ranges extending into the sea as

peninsulas or chains of islands

Greenland

flat to gradually sloping icecap covers all but a narrow,

mountainous, barren, rocky coast

Grenada

volcanic in origin with central mountains

Guadeloupe

Basse-Terre is volcanic in origin with interior

mountains; Grande-Terre is low limestone formation; most of the

seven other islands are volcanic in origin

Guam

volcanic origin, surrounded by coral reefs; relatively flat

coralline limestone plateau (source of most fresh water), with steep

coastal cliffs and narrow coastal plains in north, low hills in

center, mountains in south

Guatemala

mostly mountains with narrow coastal plains and rolling

limestone plateau (Peten)

Guernsey

mostly level with low hills in southwest

Guinea

generally flat coastal plain, hilly to mountainous interior

Guinea-Bissau

mostly low coastal plain rising to savanna in east

Guyana

mostly rolling highlands; low coastal plain; savanna in south

Haiti

mostly rough and mountainous

Heard Island and McDonald Islands Heard Island - 80% ice-covered, bleak and mountainous, dominated by a large massif (Big Ben) and an active volcano (Mawson Peak); McDonald Islands - small and rocky

Holy See (Vatican City)

low hill

Honduras

mostly mountains in interior, narrow coastal plains

Hong Kong

hilly to mountainous with steep slopes; lowlands in north

Howland Island

low-lying, nearly level, sandy, coral island

surrounded by a narrow fringing reef; depressed central area

Hungary

mostly flat to rolling plains; hills and low mountains on

the Slovakian border

Iceland

mostly plateau interspersed with mountain peaks, icefields;

coast deeply indented by bays and fiords

India

upland plain (Deccan Plateau) in south, flat to rolling plain

along the Ganges, deserts in west, Himalayas in north

Indian Ocean

surface dominated by counterclockwise gyre (broad,

circular system of currents) in the southern Indian Ocean; unique

reversal of surface currents in the northern Indian Ocean; low

atmospheric pressure over southwest Asia from hot, rising, summer

air results in the southwest monsoon and southwest-to-northeast

winds and currents, while high pressure over northern Asia from

cold, falling, winter air results in the northeast monsoon and

northeast-to-southwest winds and currents; ocean floor is dominated

by the Mid-Indian Ocean Ridge and subdivided by the Southeast Indian

Ocean Ridge, Southwest Indian Ocean Ridge, and Ninetyeast Ridge

Indonesia

mostly coastal lowlands; larger islands have interior

mountains

Iran

rugged, mountainous rim; high, central basin with deserts,

mountains; small, discontinuous plains along both coasts

Iraq

mostly broad plains; reedy marshes along Iranian border in

south with large flooded areas; mountains along borders with Iran

and Turkey

Ireland

mostly level to rolling interior plain surrounded by rugged

hills and low mountains; sea cliffs on west coast

Israel

Negev desert in the south; low coastal plain; central

mountains; Jordan Rift Valley

Italy

mostly rugged and mountainous; some plains, coastal lowlands

Jamaica

mostly mountains, with narrow, discontinuous coastal plain

Jan Mayen

volcanic island, partly covered by glaciers

Japan

mostly rugged and mountainous

Jarvis Island

sandy, coral island surrounded by a narrow fringing

reef

Jersey

gently rolling plain with low, rugged hills along north coast

Johnston Atoll

mostly flat

Jordan

mostly desert plateau in east, highland area in west; Great

Rift Valley separates East and West Banks of the Jordan River

Juan de Nova Island

low and flat

Kazakhstan

extends from the Volga to the Altai Mountains and from

the plains in western Siberia to oases and desert in Central Asia

Kenya

low plains rise to central highlands bisected by Great Rift

Valley; fertile plateau in west

Kingman Reef

low and nearly level

Kiribati

mostly low-lying coral atolls surrounded by extensive reefs

Korea, North

mostly hills and mountains separated by deep, narrow

valleys; coastal plains wide in west, discontinuous in east

Korea, South

mostly hills and mountains; wide coastal plains in west

and south

Kuwait

flat to slightly undulating desert plain

Kyrgyzstan

peaks of Tien Shan and associated valleys and basins

encompass entire nation

Laos

mostly rugged mountains; some plains and plateaus

Latvia

low plain

Lebanon

narrow coastal plain; El Beqaa (Bekaa Valley) separates

Lebanon and Anti-Lebanon Mountains

Lesotho

mostly highland with plateaus, hills, and mountains

Liberia

mostly flat to rolling coastal plains rising to rolling

plateau and low mountains in northeast

Libya

mostly barren, flat to undulating plains, plateaus, depressions

Liechtenstein

mostly mountainous (Alps) with Rhine Valley in western

third

Lithuania

lowland, many scattered small lakes, fertile soil

Luxembourg

mostly gently rolling uplands with broad, shallow

valleys; uplands to slightly mountainous in the north; steep slope

down to Moselle flood plain in the southeast

Macau

generally flat

Macedonia

mountainous territory covered with deep basins and

valleys; three large lakes, each divided by a frontier line; country

bisected by the Vardar River

Madagascar

narrow coastal plain, high plateau and mountains in center

Malawi

narrow elongated plateau with rolling plains, rounded hills,

some mountains

Malaysia

coastal plains rising to hills and mountains

Maldives

flat, with white sandy beaches

Mali

mostly flat to rolling northern plains covered by sand; savanna

in south, rugged hills in northeast

Malta

mostly low, rocky, flat to dissected plains; many coastal

cliffs

Man, Isle of

hills in north and south bisected by central valley

Marshall Islands

low coral limestone and sand islands

Martinique

mountainous with indented coastline; dormant volcano

Mauritania

mostly barren, flat plains of the Sahara; some central

hills

Mauritius

small coastal plain rising to discontinuous mountains

encircling central plateau

Mayotte

generally undulating, with deep ravines and ancient volcanic

peaks

Mexico

high, rugged mountains; low coastal plains; high plateaus;

desert

Micronesia, Federated States of islands vary geologically from high mountainous islands to low, coral atolls; volcanic outcroppings on Pohnpei, Kosrae, and Chuuk

Midway Islands

low, nearly level

Moldova

rolling steppe, gradual slope south to Black Sea

Monaco

hilly, rugged, rocky

Mongolia

vast semidesert and desert plains, grassy steppe, mountains

in west and southwest; Gobi Desert in south-central

Montserrat

volcanic island, mostly mountainous, with small coastal

lowland

Morocco

northern coast and interior are mountainous with large areas

of bordering plateaus, intermontane valleys, and rich coastal plains

Mozambique

mostly coastal lowlands, uplands in center, high plateaus

in northwest, mountains in west

Namibia

mostly high plateau; Namib Desert along coast; Kalahari

Desert in east

Nauru

sandy beach rises to fertile ring around raised coral reefs

with phosphate plateau in center

Navassa Island

raised coral and limestone plateau, flat to

undulating; ringed by vertical white cliffs (9 to 15 m high)

Nepal

Tarai or flat river plain of the Ganges in south, central hill

region, rugged Himalayas in north

Netherlands

mostly coastal lowland and reclaimed land (polders);

some hills in southeast

Netherlands Antilles

generally hilly, volcanic interiors

New Caledonia

coastal plains with interior mountains

New Zealand

predominately mountainous with some large coastal plains

Nicaragua

extensive Atlantic coastal plains rising to central

interior mountains; narrow Pacific coastal plain interrupted by

volcanoes

Niger

predominately desert plains and sand dunes; flat to rolling

plains in south; hills in north

Nigeria

southern lowlands merge into central hills and plateaus;

mountains in southeast, plains in north

Niue

steep limestone cliffs along coast, central plateau

Norfolk Island

volcanic formation with mostly rolling plains

Northern Mariana Islands

southern islands are limestone with level

terraces and fringing coral reefs; northern islands are volcanic

Norway

glaciated; mostly high plateaus and rugged mountains broken

by fertile valleys; small, scattered plains; coastline deeply

indented by fjords; arctic tundra in north

Oman

central desert plain, rugged mountains in north and south

Pacific Ocean

surface currents in the northern Pacific are dominated

by a clockwise, warm-water gyre (broad circular system of currents)

and in the southern Pacific by a counterclockwise, cool-water gyre;

in the northern Pacific, sea ice forms in the Bering Sea and Sea of

Okhotsk in winter; in the southern Pacific, sea ice from Antarctica

reaches its northernmost extent in October; the ocean floor in the

eastern Pacific is dominated by the East Pacific Rise, while the

western Pacific is dissected by deep trenches, including the Mariana

Trench, which is the world's deepest

Pakistan

flat Indus plain in east; mountains in north and northwest;

Balochistan plateau in west

Palau

varying geologically from the high, mountainous main island of

Babelthuap to low, coral islands usually fringed by large barrier

reefs

Palmyra Atoll

very low

Panama

interior mostly steep, rugged mountains and dissected, upland

plains; coastal areas largely plains and rolling hills

Papua New Guinea

mostly mountains with coastal lowlands and rolling

foothills

Paracel Islands

mostly low and flat

Paraguay

grassy plains and wooded hills east of Rio Paraguay; Gran

Chaco region west of Rio Paraguay mostly low, marshy plain near the

river, and dry forest and thorny scrub elsewhere

Peru

western coastal plain (costa), high and rugged Andes in center

(sierra), eastern lowland jungle of Amazon Basin (selva)

Philippines

mostly mountains with narrow to extensive coastal

lowlands

Pitcairn Islands

rugged volcanic formation; rocky coastline with

cliffs

Poland

mostly flat plain; mountains along southern border

Portugal

mountainous north of the Tagus River, rolling plains in

south

Puerto Rico

mostly mountains with coastal plain belt in north;

mountains precipitous to sea on west coast; sandy beaches along most

coastal areas

Qatar

mostly flat and barren desert covered with loose sand and

gravel

Reunion

mostly rugged and mountainous; fertile lowlands along coast

Romania

central Transylvanian Basin is separated from the Plain of

Moldavia on the east by the Carpathian Mountains and separated from

the Walachian Plain on the south by the Transylvanian Alps

Russia

broad plain with low hills west of Urals; vast coniferous

forest and tundra in Siberia; uplands and mountains along southern

border regions

Rwanda

mostly grassy uplands and hills; relief is mountainous with

altitude declining from west to east

Saint Helena

Saint Helena - rugged, volcanic; small scattered

plateaus and plains

note: the other islands of the group have a volcanic origin

Saint Kitts and Nevis

volcanic with mountainous interiors

Saint Lucia

volcanic and mountainous with some broad, fertile valleys

Saint Pierre and Miquelon

mostly barren rock

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

volcanic, mountainous

Samoa

two main islands (Savaii, Upolu) and several smaller islands

and uninhabited islets; narrow coastal plain with volcanic, rocky,

rugged mountains in interior

San Marino

rugged mountains

Sao Tome and Principe

volcanic, mountainous

Saudi Arabia

mostly uninhabited, sandy desert

Senegal

generally low, rolling, plains rising to foothills in

southeast

Serbia and Montenegro

extremely varied; to the north, rich fertile

plains; to the east, limestone ranges and basins; to the southeast,

ancient mountains and hills; to the southwest, extremely high

shoreline with no islands off the coast

Seychelles

Mahe Group is granitic, narrow coastal strip, rocky,

hilly; others are coral, flat, elevated reefs

Sierra Leone

coastal belt of mangrove swamps, wooded hill country,

upland plateau, mountains in east

Singapore

lowland; gently undulating central plateau contains water

catchment area and nature preserve

Slovakia

rugged mountains in the central and northern part and

lowlands in the south

Slovenia

a short coastal strip on the Adriatic, an alpine mountain

region adjacent to Italy and Austria, mixed mountains and valleys

with numerous rivers to the east

Solomon Islands

mostly rugged mountains with some low coral atolls

Somalia

mostly flat to undulating plateau rising to hills in north

South Africa

vast interior plateau rimmed by rugged hills and narrow

coastal plain

South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands

most of the islands,

rising steeply from the sea, are rugged and mountainous; South

Georgia is largely barren and has steep, glacier-covered mountains;

the South Sandwich Islands are of volcanic origin with some active

volcanoes

Southern Ocean

the Southern Ocean is deep, 4,000 to 5,000 meters

over most of its extent with only limited areas of shallow water;

the Antarctic continental shelf is generally narrow and unusually

deep, its edge lying at depths of 400 to 800 meters (the global mean

is 133 meters); the Antarctic icepack grows from an average minimum

of 2.6 million square kilometers in March to about 18.8 million

square kilometers in September, better than a sixfold increase in

area; the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (21,000 km in length) moves

perpetually eastward; it is the world's largest ocean current,

transporting 130 million cubic meters of water per second - 100

times the flow of all the world's rivers

Spain

large, flat to dissected plateau surrounded by rugged hills;

Pyrenees in north

Spratly Islands

flat

Sri Lanka

mostly low, flat to rolling plain; mountains in

south-central interior

Sudan

generally flat, featureless plain; mountains in far south,

northeast and west; desert dominates the north

Suriname

mostly rolling hills; narrow coastal plain with swamps

Svalbard

wild, rugged mountains; much of high land ice covered; west

coast clear of ice about one-half of the year; fjords along west and

north coasts

Swaziland

mostly mountains and hills; some moderately sloping plains

Sweden

mostly flat or gently rolling lowlands; mountains in west

Switzerland

mostly mountains (Alps in south, Jura in northwest) with

a central plateau of rolling hills, plains, and large lakes

Syria

primarily semiarid and desert plateau; narrow coastal plain;

mountains in west

Taiwan

eastern two-thirds mostly rugged mountains; flat to gently

rolling plains in west

Tajikistan

Pamir and Alay Mountains dominate landscape; western

Fergana Valley in north, Kofarnihon and Vakhsh Valleys in southwest

Tanzania

plains along coast; central plateau; highlands in north,

south

Thailand

central plain; Khorat Plateau in the east; mountains

elsewhere

Togo

gently rolling savanna in north; central hills; southern

plateau; low coastal plain with extensive lagoons and marshes

Tokelau

low-lying coral atolls enclosing large lagoons

Tonga

most islands have limestone base formed from uplifted coral

formation; others have limestone overlying volcanic base

Trinidad and Tobago

mostly plains with some hills and low mountains

Tromelin Island

low, flat, and sandy; likely volcanic

Tunisia

mountains in north; hot, dry central plain; semiarid south

merges into the Sahara

Turkey

high central plateau (Anatolia); narrow coastal plain;

several mountain ranges

Turkmenistan

flat-to-rolling sandy desert with dunes rising to

mountains in the south; low mountains along border with Iran;

borders Caspian Sea in west

Turks and Caicos Islands low, flat limestone; extensive marshes and mangrove swamps

Tuvalu

very low-lying and narrow coral atolls

Uganda

mostly plateau with rim of mountains

Ukraine

most of Ukraine consists of fertile plains (steppes) and

plateaus, mountains being found only in the west (the Carpathians),

and in the Crimean Peninsula in the extreme south

United Arab Emirates

flat, barren coastal plain merging into rolling

sand dunes of vast desert wasteland; mountains in east

United Kingdom

mostly rugged hills and low mountains; level to

rolling plains in east and southeast

United States

vast central plain, mountains in west, hills and low

mountains in east; rugged mountains and broad river valleys in

Alaska; rugged, volcanic topography in Hawaii

Uruguay

mostly rolling plains and low hills; fertile coastal lowland

Uzbekistan

mostly flat-to-rolling sandy desert with dunes; broad,

flat intensely irrigated river valleys along course of Amu Darya,

Syr Darya (Sirdaryo), and Zarafshon; Fergana Valley in east

surrounded by mountainous Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan; shrinking Aral

Sea in west

Vanuatu

mostly mountainous islands of volcanic origin; narrow

coastal plains

Venezuela

Andes Mountains and Maracaibo Lowlands in northwest;

central plains (llanos); Guiana Highlands in southeast

Vietnam

low, flat delta in south and north; central highlands;

hilly, mountainous in far north and northwest

Virgin Islands

mostly hilly to rugged and mountainous with little

level land

Wake Island

atoll of three coral islands built up on an underwater

volcano; central lagoon is former crater, islands are part of the rim

Wallis and Futuna

volcanic origin; low hills

West Bank

mostly rugged dissected upland, some vegetation in west,

but barren in east

Western Sahara

mostly low, flat desert with large areas of rocky or

sandy surfaces rising to small mountains in south and northeast

World

the greatest ocean depth is the Mariana Trench at 10,924 m in

the Pacific Ocean

Yemen

narrow coastal plain backed by flat-topped hills and rugged

mountains; dissected upland desert plains in center slope into the

desert interior of the Arabian Peninsula

Zambia

mostly high plateau with some hills and mountains

Zimbabwe

mostly high plateau with higher central plateau (high

veld); mountains in east

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2127 Total fertility rate (children born/woman)

Afghanistan

6.75 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Albania

2.04 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Algeria

1.92 children born/woman (2005 est.)

American Samoa

3.25 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Andorra

1.29 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Angola

6.27 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Anguilla

1.73 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Antigua and Barbuda

2.26 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Argentina

2.19 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Armenia

1.32 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Aruba

1.79 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Australia

1.76 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Austria

1.36 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Azerbaijan

2.44 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Bahamas, The

2.2 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Bahrain

2.63 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Bangladesh

3.13 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Barbados

1.65 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Belarus

1.39 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Belgium

1.64 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Belize

3.68 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Benin

5.86 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Bermuda

1.89 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Bhutan

4.81 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Bolivia

2.94 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Bosnia and Herzegovina

1.71 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Botswana

2.85 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Brazil

1.93 children born/woman (2005 est.)

British Virgin Islands

1.72 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Brunei

2.3 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Bulgaria

1.38 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Burkina Faso

6.23 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Burma

2.01 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Burundi

5.81 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Cambodia

3.44 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Cameroon

4.47 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Canada

1.61 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Cape Verde

3.48 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Cayman Islands

1.9 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Central African Republic

4.5 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Chad

6.32 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Chile

2.02 children born/woman (2005 est.)

China

1.72 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Christmas Island

NA

Cocos (Keeling) Islands

NA

Colombia

2.56 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Comoros

5.09 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Congo, Democratic Republic of the 6.54 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Congo, Republic of the

3.54 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Cook Islands

NA children born/woman (2005 est.)

Costa Rica

2.28 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Cote d'Ivoire

4.58 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Croatia

1.39 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Cuba

1.66 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Cyprus

1.83 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Czech Republic

1.2 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Denmark

1.74 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Djibouti

5.4 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Dominica

1.96 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Dominican Republic

2.86 children born/woman (2005 est.)

East Timor

3.61 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Ecuador

2.72 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Egypt

2.88 children born/woman (2005 est.)

El Salvador

3.16 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Equatorial Guinea

4.62 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Eritrea

5.61 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Estonia

1.39 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Ethiopia

5.33 children born/woman (2005 est.)

European Union

1.47 children born/woman (July 2005 est.)

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

NA children born/woman (2005 est.)

Faroe Islands

2.2 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Fiji

2.75 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Finland

1.73 children born/woman (2005 est.)

France

1.85 children born/woman (2005 est.)

French Guiana

3.01 children born/woman (2005 est.)

French Polynesia

2.04 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Gabon

4.77 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Gambia, The

5.38 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Gaza Strip

5.91 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Georgia

1.41 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Germany

1.39 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Ghana

3.02 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Gibraltar

1.65 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Greece

1.33 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Greenland

2.41 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Grenada

2.37 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Guadeloupe

1.91 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Guam

2.6 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Guatemala

4.53 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Guernsey

1.38 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Guinea

5.83 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Guinea-Bissau

4.93 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Guyana

2.05 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Haiti

5.02 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Honduras

3.87 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Hong Kong

0.91 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Hungary

1.32 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Iceland

1.92 children born/woman (2005 est.)

India

2.78 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Indonesia

2.44 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Iran

1.82 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Iraq

4.28 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Ireland

1.87 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Israel

2.44 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Italy

1.28 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Jamaica

1.95 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Japan

1.39 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Jersey

1.57 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Jordan

2.71 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Kazakhstan

1.89 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Kenya

4.96 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Kiribati

4.2 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Korea, North

2.15 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Korea, South

1.26 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Kuwait

2.97 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Kyrgyzstan

2.7 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Laos

4.77 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Latvia

1.26 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Lebanon

1.92 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Lesotho

3.35 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Liberia

6.09 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Libya

3.34 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Liechtenstein

1.51 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Lithuania

1.19 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Luxembourg

1.79 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Macau

0.93 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Macedonia

1.57 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Madagascar

5.66 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Malawi

5.98 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Malaysia

3.07 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Maldives

5.02 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Mali

6.5 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Malta

1.5 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Man, Isle of

1.65 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Marshall Islands

3.93 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Martinique

1.79 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Mauritania

5.94 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Mauritius

1.96 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Mayotte

5.89 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Mexico

2.45 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Micronesia, Federated States of

3.25 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Moldova

1.81 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Monaco

1.76 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Mongolia

2.26 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Montserrat

1.78 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Morocco

2.73 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Mozambique

4.7 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Namibia

3.18 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Nauru

3.19 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Nepal

4.19 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Netherlands

1.66 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Netherlands Antilles

2 children born/woman (2005 est.)

New Caledonia

2.31 children born/woman (2005 est.)

New Zealand

1.79 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Nicaragua

2.81 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Niger

6.75 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Nigeria

5.53 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Niue

NA

Norfolk Island

NA

Northern Mariana Islands

1.27 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Norway

1.78 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Oman

5.84 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Pakistan

4.14 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Palau

2.46 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Panama

2.45 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Papua New Guinea

3.96 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Paraguay

3.93 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Peru

2.56 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Philippines

3.16 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Pitcairn Islands

NA

Poland

1.39 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Portugal

1.47 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Puerto Rico

1.91 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Qatar

2.87 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Reunion

2.47 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Romania

1.36 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Russia

1.27 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Rwanda

5.49 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Saint Helena

1.54 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Saint Kitts and Nevis

2.33 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Saint Lucia

2.21 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Saint Pierre and Miquelon

2.03 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

1.85 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Samoa

3.01 children born/woman (2005 est.)

San Marino

1.33 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Sao Tome and Principe

5.71 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Saudi Arabia

4.05 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Senegal

4.75 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Serbia and Montenegro

1.67 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Seychelles

1.75 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Sierra Leone

5.72 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Singapore

1.05 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Slovakia

1.32 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Slovenia

1.24 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Solomon Islands

4.04 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Somalia

6.84 children born/woman (2005 est.)

South Africa

2.24 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Spain

1.28 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Sri Lanka

1.85 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Sudan

4.85 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Suriname

2.34 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Svalbard

NA children born/woman

Swaziland

3.7 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Sweden

1.66 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Switzerland

1.42 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Syria

3.5 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Taiwan

1.57 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Tajikistan

4.05 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Tanzania

5.06 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Thailand

1.88 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Togo

4.61 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Tokelau

NA

Tonga

3 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Trinidad and Tobago

1.75 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Tunisia

1.75 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Turkey

1.94 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Turkmenistan

3.41 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Turks and Caicos Islands

3.08 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Tuvalu

3 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Uganda

6.74 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Ukraine

1.4 children born/woman (2005 est.)

United Arab Emirates

2.94 children born/woman (2005 est.)

United Kingdom

1.66 children born/woman (2005 est.)

United States

2.08 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Uruguay

1.91 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Uzbekistan

2.94 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Vanuatu

2.77 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Venezuela

2.26 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Vietnam

1.94 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Virgin Islands

2.19 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Wallis and Futuna

NA children born/woman

West Bank

4.4 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Western Sahara

NA children born/woman

World

2.6 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Yemen

6.67 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Zambia

5.47 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Zimbabwe

3.54 children born/woman (2005 est.)

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2128 Government type

Afghanistan

Islamic republic

Albania

emerging democracy

Algeria

republic

American Samoa

NA

Andorra

parliamentary democracy (since March 1993) that retains as

its chiefs of state a coprincipality; the two princes are the

president of France and bishop of Seo de Urgel, Spain, who are

represented locally by coprinces' representatives

Angola

republic, nominally a multiparty democracy with a strong

presidential system

Anguilla

NA

Antarctica Antarctic Treaty Summary - the Antarctic Treaty, signed on 1 December 1959 and entered into force on 23 June 1961, establishes the legal framework for the management of Antarctica; the 27th Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting was held in Cape Town, South Africa in May-June 2004; at these periodic meetings, decisions are made by consensus (not by vote) of all consultative member nations; at the end of 2003, there were 45 treaty member nations: 28 consultative and 17 non-consultative; consultative (decision-making) members include the seven nations that claim portions of Antarctica as national territory (some claims overlap) and 21 non-claimant nations; the US and Russia have reserved the right to make claims; the US does not recognize the claims of others; Antarctica is administered through meetings of the consultative member nations; decisions from these meetings are carried out by these member nations (with respect to their own nationals and operations) in accordance with their own national laws; the year in parentheses indicates when an acceding nation was accepted as a consultative member, while no date indicates the country was an original 1959 treaty signatory; claimant nations are - Argentina, Australia, Chile, France, New Zealand, Norway, and the UK. Nonclaimant consultative nations are - Belgium, Brazil (1983), Bulgaria (1998) China (1985), Ecuador (1990), Finland (1989), Germany (1981), India (1983), Italy (1987), Japan, South Korea (1989), Netherlands (1990), Peru (1989), Poland (1977), Russia, South Africa, Spain (1988), Sweden (1988), Ukraine (1992), Uruguay (1985), and the US; non-consultative members, with year of accession in parentheses, are - Austria (1987), Canada (1988), Colombia (1989), Cuba (1984), Czech Republic (1993), Denmark (1965), Estonia (2001), Greece (1987), Guatemala (1991), Hungary (1984), North Korea (1987), Papua New Guinea (1981), Romania (1971), Slovakia (1993), Switzerland (1990), Turkey (1995), and Venezuela (1999); Article 1 - area to be used for peaceful purposes only; military activity, such as weapons testing, is prohibited, but military personnel and equipment may be used for scientific research or any other peaceful purpose; Article 2 - freedom of scientific investigation and cooperation shall continue; Article 3 - free exchange of information and personnel, cooperation with the UN and other international agencies; Article 4 - does not recognize, dispute, or establish territorial claims and no new claims shall be asserted while the treaty is in force; Article 5 - prohibits nuclear explosions or disposal of radioactive wastes; Article 6 - includes under the treaty all land and ice shelves south of 60 degrees 00 minutes south and reserves high seas rights; Article 7 - treaty-state observers have free access, including aerial observation, to any area and may inspect all stations, installations, and equipment; advance notice of all expeditions and of the introduction of military personnel must be given; Article 8 - allows for jurisdiction over observers and scientists by their own states; Article 9 - frequent consultative meetings take place among member nations; Article 10 - treaty states will discourage activities by any country in Antarctica that are contrary to the treaty; Article 11 - disputes to be settled peacefully by the parties concerned or, ultimately, by the ICJ; Articles 12, 13, 14 - deal with upholding, interpreting, and amending the treaty among involved nations; other agreements - some 200 recommendations adopted at treaty consultative meetings and ratified by governments include - Agreed Measures for Fauna and Flora (1964) which were later incorporated into the Environmental Protocol; Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Seals (1972); Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (1980); a mineral resources agreement was signed in 1988 but remains unratified; the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty was signed 4 October 1991 and entered into force 14 January 1998; this agreement provides for the protection of the Antarctic environment through five specific annexes: 1) environmental impact assessment, 2) conservation of Antarctic fauna and flora, 3) waste disposal and waste management, 4) prevention of marine pollution, and 5) area protection and management; it prohibits all activities relating to mineral resources except scientific research; a permanent Antarctic Treaty Secretariat was established in 2004 in Buenos Aires, Argentina

Antigua and Barbuda

constitutional monarchy with UK-style parliament

Argentina

republic

Armenia

republic

Aruba

parliamentary democracy

Australia

democratic, federal-state system recognizing the British

monarch as sovereign

Austria

federal republic

Azerbaijan

republic

Bahamas, The

constitutional parliamentary democracy

Bahrain

constitutional hereditary monarchy

Bangladesh

parliamentary democracy

Barbados

parliamentary democracy; independent sovereign state within

the Commonwealth

Belarus

republic in name, although in fact a dictatorship

Belgium

federal parliamentary democracy under a constitutional

monarch

Belize

parliamentary democracy

Benin

republic under multiparty democratic rule; dropped

Marxism-Leninism December 1989

Bermuda

parliamentary British overseas territory with internal

self-government

Bhutan

monarchy; special treaty relationship with India

Bolivia

republic

Bosnia and Herzegovina

emerging federal democratic republic

Botswana

parliamentary republic

Brazil

federative republic

British Virgin Islands

NA

Brunei

constitutional sultanate

Bulgaria

parliamentary democracy

Burkina Faso

parliamentary republic

Burma

military junta

Burundi

republic

Cambodia

multiparty democracy under a constitutional monarchy

established in September 1993

Cameroon

unitary republic; multiparty presidential regime

(opposition parties legalized in 1990)

note: preponderance of power remains with the president

Canada

a constitutional monarchy that is also a parliamentary

democracy and a federation

Cape Verde

republic

Cayman Islands

British crown colony

Central African Republic

republic

Chad

republic

Chile

republic

China

Communist state

Christmas Island

NA

Cocos (Keeling) Islands

NA

Colombia

republic; executive branch dominates government structure

Comoros

independent republic

Congo, Democratic Republic of the dictatorship; presumably undergoing a transition to representative government

Congo, Republic of the

republic

Cook Islands

self-governing parliamentary democracy

Costa Rica

democratic republic

Cote d'Ivoire

republic; multiparty presidential regime established

1960

Croatia

presidential/parliamentary democracy

Cuba

Communist state

Cyprus

republic

note: a separation of the two ethnic communities inhabiting the

island began following the outbreak of communal strife in 1963; this

separation was further solidified after the Turkish intervention in

July 1974 that followed a Greek junta-supported coup attempt gave

the Turkish Cypriots de facto control in the north; Greek Cypriots

control the only internationally recognized government; on 15

November 1983 Turkish Cypriot "President" Rauf DENKTASH declared

independence and the formation of a "Turkish Republic of Northern

Cyprus" (TRNC), recognized only by Turkey

Czech Republic

parliamentary democracy

Denmark

constitutional monarchy

Djibouti

republic

Dominica

parliamentary democracy; republic within the Commonwealth

Dominican Republic

representative democracy

East Timor

Republic

Ecuador

republic

Egypt

republic

El Salvador

republic

Equatorial Guinea

republic

Eritrea

transitional government

note: following a successful referendum on independence for the

Autonomous Region of Eritrea on 23-25 April 1993, a National

Assembly, composed entirely of the People's Front for Democracy and

Justice or PFDJ, was established as a transitional legislature; a

Constitutional Commission was also established to draft a

constitution; ISAIAS Afworki was elected president by the

transitional legislature; the constitution, ratified in May 1997,

did not enter into effect, pending parliamentary and presidential

elections; parliamentary elections had been scheduled in December

2001, but were postponed indefinitely; currently the sole legal

party is the People's Front for Democracy and Justice (PFDJ)

Estonia

parliamentary republic

Ethiopia

federal republic

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

NA

Faroe Islands

NA

Fiji

republic

note: military coup leader Maj. Gen. Sitiveni RABUKA formally

declared Fiji a republic on 6 October 1987

Finland

republic

France

republic

French Guiana

NA

French Polynesia

NA

Gabon

republic; multiparty presidential regime (opposition parties

legalized in 1990)

Gambia, The

republic under multiparty democratic rule

Georgia

republic

Germany

federal republic

Ghana

constitutional democracy

Gibraltar

NA

Greece

parliamentary republic; monarchy rejected by referendum 8

December 1974

Greenland

parliamentary democracy within a constitutional monarchy

Grenada

constitutional monarchy with Westminster-style parliament

Guadeloupe

NA

Guam

NA

Guatemala

constitutional democratic republic

Guernsey

NA

Guinea

republic

Guinea-Bissau

republic, multiparty since mid-1991

Guyana

republic within the Commonwealth

Haiti

elected government

Holy See (Vatican City)

ecclesiastical

Honduras

democratic constitutional republic

Hong Kong

limited democracy

Hungary

parliamentary democracy

Iceland

constitutional republic

India

federal republic

Indonesia

republic

Iran

theocratic republic

Iraq

none; note - the Iraqi Interim Government (IG) was appointed on

1 June 2004

Ireland

republic

Israel

parliamentary democracy

Italy

republic

Jamaica

constitutional parliamentary democracy

Japan

constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary government

Jersey

NA

Jordan

constitutional monarchy

Kazakhstan

republic; authoritarian presidential rule, with little

power outside the executive branch

Kenya

republic

Kiribati

republic

Korea, North

Communist state one-man dictatorship

Korea, South

republic

Kuwait

nominal constitutional monarchy

Kyrgyzstan

republic

Laos

Communist state

Latvia

parliamentary democracy

Lebanon

republic

Lesotho

parliamentary constitutional monarchy

Liberia

republic

Libya

Jamahiriya (a state of the masses) in theory, governed by the

populace through local councils; in fact, a military dictatorship

Liechtenstein

hereditary constitutional monarchy on a democratic and

parliamentary basis

Lithuania

parliamentary democracy

Luxembourg

constitutional monarchy

Macau

limited democracy

Macedonia

parliamentary democracy

Madagascar

republic

Malawi

multiparty democracy

Malaysia

constitutional monarchy

note: nominally headed by paramount ruler and a bicameral Parliament

consisting of a nonelected upper house and an elected lower house;

all Peninsular Malaysian states have hereditary rulers except Melaka

and Pulau Pinang (Penang); those two states along with Sabah and

Sarawak in East Malaysia have governors appointed by government;

powers of state governments are limited by federal constitution;

under terms of federation, Sabah and Sarawak retain certain

constitutional prerogatives (e.g., right to maintain their own

immigration controls); Sabah - holds 20 seats in House of

Representatives and will hold 25 seats after the next election;

Sarawak holds 28 seats in House of Representatives

Maldives

republic

Mali

republic

Malta

republic

Man, Isle of

parliamentary democracy

Marshall Islands

constitutional government in free association with

the US; the Compact of Free Association entered into force 21

October 1986 and the Amended Compact entered into force in May 2004

Martinique

NA

Mauritania

republic

Mauritius

parliamentary democracy

Mayotte

NA

Mexico

federal republic

Micronesia, Federated States of constitutional government in free association with the US; the Compact of Free Association entered into force 3 November 1986 and the Amended Compact entered into force May 2004

Moldova

republic

Monaco

constitutional monarchy

Mongolia

mixed parliamentary/presidential

Montserrat

NA

Morocco

constitutional monarchy

Mozambique

republic

Namibia

republic

Nauru

republic

Nepal

parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy

Netherlands

constitutional monarchy

Netherlands Antilles

parliamentary

New Caledonia

NA

New Zealand

parliamentary democracy

Nicaragua

republic

Niger

republic

Nigeria

federal republic

Niue

self-governing parliamentary democracy

Norfolk Island

NA

Northern Mariana Islands commonwealth; self-governing with locally elected governor, lieutenant governor, and legislature

Norway

constitutional monarchy

Oman

monarchy

Pakistan

federal republic

Palau

constitutional government in free association with the US; the

Compact of Free Association entered into force 1 October 1994

Panama

constitutional democracy

Papua New Guinea

constitutional monarchy with parliamentary democracy

Paraguay

constitutional republic

Peru

constitutional republic

Philippines

republic

Pitcairn Islands

NA

Poland

republic

Portugal

parliamentary democracy

Puerto Rico

commonwealth

Qatar

traditional monarchy

Reunion

NA

Romania

republic

Russia

federation

Rwanda

republic; presidential, multiparty system

Saint Helena

NA

Saint Kitts and Nevis

constitutional monarchy with Westminster-style

parliament

Saint Lucia

Westminster-style parliamentary democracy

Saint Pierre and Miquelon

NA

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines parliamentary democracy; independent sovereign state within the Commonwealth

Samoa

mix of parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy

San Marino

independent republic

Sao Tome and Principe

republic

Saudi Arabia

monarchy

Senegal

republic under multiparty democratic rule

Serbia and Montenegro

republic

Seychelles

republic

Sierra Leone

constitutional democracy

Singapore

parliamentary republic

Slovakia

parliamentary democracy

Slovenia

parliamentary democratic republic

Solomon Islands

parliamentary democracy

Somalia

no permanent national government; transitional,

parliamentary federal government

South Africa

republic

Spain

parliamentary monarchy

Sri Lanka

republic

Sudan

authoritarian regime - ruling military junta took power in

1989; government is run by an alliance of the military and the

National Congress Party (NCP), formerly the National Islamic Front

(NIF), which espouses an Islamist platform

Suriname

constitutional democracy

Svalbard

NA

Swaziland

monarchy; independent member of Commonwealth

Sweden

constitutional monarchy

Switzerland

formally a confederation, but similar in structure to a

federal republic

Syria

republic under military regime since March 1963

Taiwan

multiparty democratic regime headed by popularly-elected

president and unicameral legislature

Tajikistan

republic

Tanzania

republic

Thailand

constitutional monarchy

Togo

republic under transition to multiparty democratic rule

Tokelau

NA

Tonga

hereditary constitutional monarchy

Trinidad and Tobago

parliamentary democracy

Tunisia

republic

Turkey

republican parliamentary democracy

Turkmenistan

republic; authoritarian presidential rule, with little

power outside the executive branch

Turks and Caicos Islands

NA

Tuvalu

constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary democracy; began

debating republic status in 1992

Uganda

republic

Ukraine

republic

United Arab Emirates

federation with specified powers delegated to

the UAE federal government and other powers reserved to member

emirates

United Kingdom

constitutional monarchy

United States

Constitution-based federal republic; strong democratic

tradition

Uruguay

constitutional republic

Uzbekistan

republic; authoritarian presidential rule, with little

power outside the executive branch

Vanuatu

parliamentary republic

Venezuela

federal republic

Vietnam

Communist state

Virgin Islands

NA

Wallis and Futuna

NA

Western Sahara

legal status of territory and issue of sovereignty

unresolved; territory contested by Morocco and Polisario Front

(Popular Front for the Liberation of the Saguia el Hamra and Rio de

Oro), which in February 1976 formally proclaimed a

government-in-exile of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR),

led by President Mohamed ABDELAZIZ; territory partitioned between

Morocco and Mauritania in April 1976, with Morocco acquiring

northern two-thirds; Mauritania, under pressure from Polisario

guerrillas, abandoned all claims to its portion in August 1979;

Morocco moved to occupy that sector shortly thereafter and has since

asserted administrative control; the Polisario's government-in-exile

was seated as an OAU member in 1984; guerrilla activities continued

sporadically, until a UN-monitored cease-fire was implemented 6

September 1991

Yemen

republic

Zambia

republic

Zimbabwe

parliamentary democracy

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2129 Unemployment rate (%)

Afghanistan

NA

Albania

14.8% officially; may be as high as 30% (2001 est.)

Algeria

25.4% (2004 est.)

American Samoa

6% (2000)

Andorra

0% (1996 est.)

Angola

extensive unemployment and underemployment affecting more

than half the population (2001 est.)

Anguilla

8% (2002)

Antigua and Barbuda

11% (2001 est.)

Argentina

14.8% (2004 est.)

Armenia

30% (2003 est.)

Aruba

0.6% (2003 est.)

Australia

5.1% (December 2004 est.)

Austria

4.4% (2004 est.)

Azerbaijan

1.2% (official rate) (2004 est.)

Bahamas, The

10.2% (2004 est.)

Bahrain

15% (1998 est.)

Bangladesh

40% (includes underemployment) (2004 est.)

Barbados

10.7% (2003 est.)

Belarus

2% officially registered unemployed; large number of

underemployed workers (2004)

Belgium

12% (first half, 2004)

Belize

12.9% (2003)

Benin

NA

Bermuda

5% (2002 est.)

Bhutan

NA

Bolivia

9.2% in urban areas

note: widespread underemployment (2003 est.)

Bosnia and Herzegovina

44% officially; however, grey economy may

reduce actual unemployment to near 20% (2004 est.)

Botswana

23.8% (2004 est.)

Brazil

11.5% (2004 est.)

British Virgin Islands

3% (1995)

Brunei

3.2% (2002 est.)

Bulgaria

12.7% (2004 est.)

Burkina Faso

NA%

Burma

5.2% (2004 est.)

Burundi

NA

Cambodia

2.5% (2000 est.)

Cameroon

30% (2001 est.)

Canada

7% (2004)

Cape Verde

21% (2000 est.)

Cayman Islands

4.1% (1997)

Central African Republic

8% (23% for Bangui) (2001 est.)

Chad

NA

Chile

8.5% (2004 est.)

China

9.8% in urban areas; substantial unemployment and

underemployment in rural areas; an official Chinese journal

estimated overall unemployment (including rural areas) for 2003 at

20% (2004 est.)

Cocos (Keeling) Islands

60% (2000 est.)

Colombia

13.6% (2004 est.)

Comoros

20% (1996 est.)

Congo, Democratic Republic of the

NA (2003 est.)

Congo, Republic of the

NA (2003)

Cook Islands

13% (1996)

Costa Rica

6.6% (2004 est.)

Cote d'Ivoire

13% in urban areas (1998)

Croatia

13.8% (2004 est.)

Cuba

2.5% (2004 est.)

Cyprus

Republic of Cyprus: 3.2%; north Cyprus: 5.6% (2004 est.)

Czech Republic

10.6% (2004 est.)

Denmark

6.2% (2004 est.)

Djibouti

50% (2004 est.)

Dominica

23% (2000 est.)

Dominican Republic

17% (2004 est.)

East Timor

50% (including underemployment) (1992 est.)

Ecuador

11.1%; note - underemployment of 47% (2004 est.)

Egypt

10.9% (2004 est.)

El Salvador

6.3% - but the economy has much underemployment (2004

est.)

Equatorial Guinea

30% (1998 est.)

Eritrea

NA (2003 est.)

Estonia

9.6% (2004 est.)

Ethiopia

NA (2002)

European Union

9.5% (2004 est.)

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) full employment; labor shortage (2001)

Faroe Islands

1% (October 2000)

Fiji

7.6% (1999)

Finland

8.9% (2004 est.)

France

10.1% (2004 est.)

French Guiana

22% (2001)

French Polynesia

11.8% (1994)

Gabon

21% (1997 est.)

Gambia, The

NA (2002 est.)

Gaza Strip

50% (includes West Bank) (2003 est.)

Georgia

17% (2001 est.)

Germany

10.6% (2004 est.)

Ghana

20% (1997 est.)

Gibraltar

2% (2001 est.)

Greece

10% (2004 est.)

Greenland

10% (2000 est.)

Grenada

12.5% (2000)

Guadeloupe

27.8% (1998)

Guam

15% (2000 est.)

Guatemala

7.5% (2003 est.)

Guernsey

0.5% (1999 est.)

Guinea

NA (2002 est.)

Guinea-Bissau

NA (1998)

Guyana

9.1% (understated) (2000)

Haiti

widespread unemployment and underemployment; more than

two-thirds of the labor force do not have formal jobs (2002 est.)

Honduras

28.5% (2004 est.)

Hong Kong

6.7% (2004 est.)

Hungary

5.9% (2004 est.)

Iceland

3.1% (2004 est.)

India

9.2% (2004 est.)

Indonesia

9.2% (2004 est.)

Iran

11.2% (2004 est.)

Iraq

25% to 30% (2004 est.)

Ireland

4.3% (2004 est.)

Israel

10.7% (2004 est.)

Italy

8.6% (2004 est.)

Jamaica

15% (2004 est.)

Japan

4.7% (2004 est.)

Jersey

0.9% (2004 est.)

Jordan

15% official rate; unofficial rate is approximately 30% (2004

est.)

Kazakhstan

8% (2004 est.)

Kenya

40% (2001 est.)

Kiribati

2%; underemployment 70% (1992 est.)

Korea, North

NA (2003)

Korea, South

3.6% (2004 est.)

Kuwait

2.2% (2004 est.)

Kyrgyzstan

18% (2004 est.)

Laos

5.7% (1997 est.)

Latvia

8.8% (2004 est.)

Lebanon

18% (1997 est.)

Lesotho

45% (2002)

Liberia

85% (2003 est.)

Libya

30% (2004)

Liechtenstein

1.3% (September 2002)

Lithuania

8% (2004 est.)

Luxembourg

4.5% (December, 2004 est.)

Macau

4.7% (3rd Quarter, 2004)

Macedonia

37.7% (3rd quarter, 2004 est.)

Malawi

NA (2003 est.)

Malaysia

3% (2004 est.)

Maldives

NEGL% (2003 est.)

Mali

14.6% urban areas; 5.3% rural areas (2001 est.)

Malta

7% (2003 est.)

Man, Isle of

0.6% (2004 est.)

Marshall Islands

30.9% (1999 est.)

Martinique

27.2% (1998)

Mauritania

20% (2004 est.)

Mauritius

10.8% (2004 est.)

Mayotte

38% (1999)

Mexico

3.2% plus underemployment of perhaps 25% (2004 est.)

Micronesia, Federated States of

16% (1999 est.)

Moldova

8% (roughly 25% of working age Moldovans are employed

abroad) (2002 est.)

Monaco

22% (1999)

Mongolia

6.7% (2003)

Montserrat

6% (1998 est.)

Morocco

12.1% (2004 est.)

Mozambique

21% (1997 est.)

Namibia

35% (1998)

Nauru

90% (2004 est.)

Nepal

47% (2001 est.)

Netherlands

6% (2004 est.)

Netherlands Antilles

15.6% (2002 est.)

New Caledonia

19% (1996)

New Zealand

4.2% (2004 est.)

Nicaragua

7.8% plus underemployment of 46.5% (2003 est.)

Niger

NA (2002 est.)

Nigeria

NA

Niue

NA

Norfolk Island

0%

Northern Mariana Islands

NA

Norway

4.3% (2004 est.)

Oman

15% (2004 est.)

Pakistan

8.3% plus substantial underemployment (2004 est.)

Palau

2.3% (2000 est.)

Panama

12.6% (2004 est.)

Papua New Guinea

NA

Paraguay

15.1% (2004 est.)

Peru

9.6% in metropolitan Lima; widespread underemployment (2004

est.)

Philippines

11.7% (2004 est.)

Pitcairn Islands

NA

Poland

19.5% (2004 est.)

Portugal

6.5% (2004 est.)

Puerto Rico

12% (2002)

Qatar

2.7% (2001)

Reunion

36% (1999 est.)

Romania

6.3% (2004 est.)

Russia

8.3% plus considerable underemployment (2004 est.)

Rwanda

NA

Saint Helena

14% (1998 est.)

Saint Kitts and Nevis

4.5% (1997)

Saint Lucia

20% (2003 est.)

Saint Pierre and Miquelon

9.8% (1997)

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

15% (2001 est.)

Samoa

NA; note - substantial underemployment

San Marino

2.6% (2001)

Sao Tome and Principe

NA

Saudi Arabia

25% (unofficial estimate) (2004 est.)

Senegal

48% (urban youth 40%) (2001 est.)

Serbia and Montenegro

30%

note: unemployment is approximately 50% in Kosovo (2004 est.)

Seychelles

NA

Sierra Leone

NA

Singapore

3.4% (2004 est.)

Slovakia

13.1% (31 December 2004 est.)

Slovenia

6.4% (2004 est.)

Solomon Islands

NA%

Somalia

NA

South Africa

26.2% (2004 est.)

Spain

10.4% (2004 est.)

Sri Lanka

7.8% (2004 est.)

Sudan

18.7% (2002 est.)

Suriname

17% (2000)

Swaziland

34% (2000 est.)

Sweden

5.6% (2004 est.)

Switzerland

3.4% (2004 est.)

Syria

20% (2002 est.)

Taiwan

4.5% (2004 est.)

Tajikistan

40% (2002 est.)

Tanzania

NA

Thailand

1.5% (November 2004 est.)

Togo

NA (2003 est.)

Tokelau

NA%

Tonga

13.3% (1996 est.)

Trinidad and Tobago

10.4% (2004 est.)

Tunisia

13.8% (2004 est.)

Turkey

9.3% (plus underemployment of 4.0%) (2004 est.)

Turkmenistan

60% (2004 est.)

Turks and Caicos Islands

10% (1997 est.)

Tuvalu

NA%

Uganda

NA (2002 est.)

Ukraine

3.5% officially registered; large number of unregistered or

underemployed workers; the International Labor Organization

calculates that Ukraine's real unemployment level is around 9-10

percent (2004 est.)

United Arab Emirates

2.4% (2001)

United Kingdom

4.8% (2004 est.)

United States

5.5% (2004 est.)

Uruguay

13% (2004 est.)

Uzbekistan

0.6% officially, plus another 20% underemployed (2004

est.)

Vanuatu

NA%

Venezuela

17.1% (2004 est.)

Vietnam

1.9% (2004 est.)

Virgin Islands

9.3% (2003 est.)

Wallis and Futuna

NA%

West Bank

27.2% (includes Gaza Strip) (2004 est.)

Western Sahara

NA

World

30% combined unemployment and underemployment in many

non-industrialized countries; developed countries typically 4%-12%

unemployment

Yemen

35% (2003 est.)

Zambia

50% (2000 est.)

Zimbabwe

70% (2002 est.)

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2137 Military - note

Akrotiri

Akrotiri has a full RAF base, Headquarters for British

Forces on Cyprus, and Episkopi Support Unit

American Samoa

defense is the responsibility of the US

Andorra

defense is the responsibility of France and Spain

Anguilla

defense is the responsibility of the UK

Antarctica

the Antarctic Treaty prohibits any measures of a military

nature, such as the establishment of military bases and

fortifications, the carrying out of military maneuvers, or the

testing of any type of weapon; it permits the use of military

personnel or equipment for scientific research or for any other

peaceful purposes

Argentina

the Argentine military is a well-organized force

constrained by the country's prolonged economic hardship; the

country has recently experienced a strong recovery, and the military

is now implementing "Plan 2000," aimed at making the ground forces

lighter and more responsive (2005)

Aruba

defense is the responsibility of the Kingdom of the Netherlands

Ashmore and Cartier Islands

defense is the responsibility of

Australia; periodic visits by the Royal Australian Navy and Royal

Australian Air Force

Baker Island

defense is the responsibility of the US; visited

annually by the US Coast Guard

Barbados

the Royal Barbados Defense Force includes a land-based

Troop Command and a small Coast Guard; the primary role of the land

element is to defend the island against external aggression; the

Command consists of a single, part-time battalion with a small

regular cadre that is deployed throughout the island; it

increasingly supports the police in patrolling the coastline to

prevent smuggling and other illicit activities (2005)

Bassas da India

defense is the responsibility of France

Bermuda

defense is the responsibility of the UK

Bouvet Island

defense is the responsibility of Norway

British Indian Ocean Territory

defense is the responsibility of the

UK; the US lease on Diego Garcia expires in 2016

British Virgin Islands

defense is the responsibility of the UK

Cayman Islands

defense is the responsibility of the UK

Christmas Island

defense is the responsibility of Australia

Clipperton Island

defense is the responsibility of France

Cocos (Keeling) Islands

defense is the responsibility of Australia;

the territory does have a five-person police force

Cook Islands

defense is the responsibility of New Zealand, in

consultation with the Cook Islands and at its request

Coral Sea Islands

defense is the responsibility of Australia;

visited regularly by the Royal Australian Navy; Australia has

control over the activities of visitors

Cuba

Moscow, for decades the key military supporter and supplier of

Cuba, cut off almost all military aid by 1993

Dhekelia

includes Dheklia Garrison and Ayios Nikolaos Station

connected by a roadway

Europa Island

defense is the responsibility of France

European Union

In November 2004, the European Union heads of

government signed a "Treaty Establishing a Constitution for Europe"

that offers possibilities - with some limits - for increased defense

and security cooperation. If ratified, in a process that may take

some two years, this treaty will in effect make operational the

European Security and Defense Policy (ESDP) approved in the 2000

Nice Treaty. Despite limits of cooperation for some EU members,

development of a European military planning unit is likely to

continue. So is creation of a rapid-reaction military force and a

humanitarian aid system, which the planning unit will support.

France, Germany, Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg, and Italy

continue to press for wider coordination. The five-nation Eurocorps

- created in 1992 by France, Germany, Belgium, Spain, and Luxembourg

- has already deployed troops and police on peacekeeping missions to

Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia, and the Democratic Republic of

Congo and assumed command of the International Security Assistance

Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan in August 2004. Eurocorps directly

commands the 5,000-man Franco-German Brigade, the Multinational

Command Support Brigade, and EUFOR, which took over from SFOR in

Bosnia in December 2004. Other troop contributions are under

national command - committments to provide 67,100 troops were made

at the Helsinki EU session in 2000. Some 56,000 EU troops were

actually deployed in 2003. In August 2004, the new European Defense

Agency, tasked with promoting cooperative European defense

capabilities, began operations. In November 2004, the EU Council of

Ministers formally committed to creating thirteen 1,500-man "battle

groups" by the end of 2007, to respond to international crises on a

rotating basis. Twenty-two of the EU's 25 nations have agreed to

supply troops. France, Italy, and the UK are to form the first three

battle groups in 2005, with Spain to follow. In May 2005, Norway,

Sweden, and Finland agreed to establish one of the battle groups,

possibly to include Estonian forces. The remaining groups are to be

formed by 2007. (2005)

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) defense is the responsibility of the UK

Faroe Islands

defense is the responsibility of Denmark

French Guiana

defense is the responsibility of France

French Polynesia

defense is the responsibility of France

French Southern and Antarctic Lands

defense is the responsibility of

France

Georgia

a CIS peacekeeping force of Russian troops is deployed in

the Abkhazia region of Georgia together with a UN military observer

group; a Russian peacekeeping battalion is deployed in South Ossetia

Gibraltar

defense is the responsibility of the UK; the last British

regular infantry forces left Gibraltar in 1992, replaced by the

Royal Gibraltar Regiment

Glorioso Islands

defense is the responsibility of France

Greenland

defense is the responsibility of Denmark

Guadeloupe

defense is the responsibility of France

Guam

defense is the responsibility of the US

Guernsey

defense is the responsibility of the UK

Heard Island and McDonald Islands

defense is the responsibility of

Australia; Australia conducts fisheries patrols

Holy See (Vatican City) defense is the responsibility of Italy; ceremonial and limited security duties performed by Pontifical Swiss Guard

Hong Kong

defense is the responsibility of China

Howland Island

defense is the responsibility of the US; visited

annually by the US Coast Guard

Iceland

defense is provided by the US-manned Icelandic Defense Force

(IDF) headquartered at Keflavik

Jan Mayen

defense is the responsibility of Norway

Jarvis Island

defense is the responsibility of the US; visited

annually by the US Coast Guard

Jersey

defense is the responsibility of the UK

Johnston Atoll

defense is the responsibility of the US

Juan de Nova Island

defense is the responsibility of France

Kingman Reef

defense is the responsibility of the US

Kiribati

Kiribati does not have military forces; defense assistance

is provided by Australia and NZ

Laos

Laos is one of the world's least developed countries; the Lao

People's Armed Forces are small, poorly funded, and ineffectively

resourced; there is little political will to allocate sparse funding

to the military, and the armed forces' gradual degradation is likely

to continue; the massive drug production and trafficking industry

centered in the Golden Triangle makes Laos an important narcotics

transit country, and armed Wa and Chinese smugglers are active on

the Lao-Burma border (2005)

Lesotho

the Lesotho Government in 1999 began an open debate on the

future structure, size, and role of the armed forces, especially

considering the Lesotho Defense Force's (LDF) history of intervening

in political affairs

Liechtenstein

defense is the responsibility of Switzerland

Man, Isle of

defense is the responsibility of the UK

Marshall Islands

defense is the responsibility of the US

Martinique

defense is the responsibility of France

Mayotte

defense is the responsibility of France; small contingent of

French forces stationed on the island

Micronesia, Federated States of

Federated States of Micronesia (FSM)

is a sovereign, self-governing state in free association with the

US; FSM is totally dependent on the US for its defense

Midway Islands

defense is the responsibility of the US

Monaco

defense is the responsibility of France; the Palace Guard

performs ceremonial duties (2003)

Montserrat

defense is the responsibility of the UK

Nauru

Nauru maintains no defense forces; under an informal

agreement, defense is the responsibility of Australia

Navassa Island

defense is the responsibility of the US

Netherlands Antilles defense is the responsibility of the Kingdom of the Netherlands

New Caledonia

defense is the responsibility of France

Niue

defense is the responsibility of New Zealand

Norfolk Island

defense is the responsibility of Australia

Northern Mariana Islands

defense is the responsibility of the US

Palau

defense is the responsibility of the US; under a Compact of

Free Association between Palau and the US, the US military is

granted access to the islands for 50 years

Palmyra Atoll

defense is the responsibility of the US

Panama

on 10 February 1990, the government of then President ENDARA

abolished Panama's military and reformed the security apparatus by

creating the Panamanian Public Forces; in October 1994, Panama's

Legislative Assembly approved a constitutional amendment prohibiting

the creation of a standing military force, but allowing the

temporary establishment of special police units to counter acts of

"external aggression"

Paracel Islands

occupied by China

Pitcairn Islands

defense is the responsibility of the UK

Puerto Rico

defense is the responsibility of the US

Reunion

defense is the responsibility of France

Saint Helena

defense is the responsibility of the UK

Saint Pierre and Miquelon

defense is the responsibility of France

Samoa

Samoa has no formal defense structure or regular armed forces;

informal defense ties exist with NZ, which is required to consider

any Samoan request for assistance under the 1962 Treaty of Friendship

San Marino

defense is the responsibility of Italy

Sao Tome and Principe

Sao Tome and Principe's army is a tiny force

with almost no resouces at its disposal and would be wholly

ineffective operating unilaterally; infantry equipment is considered

simple to operate and maintain but may require refurbishment or

replacement after 25 years in tropical climates; poor pay and

conditions have been a problem in the past, as has alleged nepotism

in the promotion of officers, as reflected in the 1995 and 2003

coups; these issues are being addressed with foreign assistance as

intial steps towards the improvement of the army and its focus on

realistic security concerns; command is excersized from the

president, through the Minister of Defense, to the Chief of the

Armed Forces staff (2005)

South Africa

with the end of apartheid and the establishment of

majority rule, former military, black homelands forces, and

ex-opposition forces were integrated into the South African National

Defense Force (SANDF); as of 2003 the integration process was

considered complete

South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands

defense is the

responsibility of the UK

Spratly Islands

Spratly Islands consist of more than 100 small

islands or reefs, of which about 45 are claimed and occupied by

China, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam

Svalbard

demilitarized by treaty on 9 February 1920

Tokelau

defense is the responsibility of New Zealand

Tromelin Island

defense is the responsibility of France

Turkey

in the early 1990s, the Turkish Land Force was a large but

badly equipped infantry force; there were 14 infantry divisions, but

only one was mechanized, and out of 16 infantry brigades, only six

were mechanized; the overhaul that has taken place since has

produced highly moblie forces with greatly enhanced firepower in

accordance with NATO's new strategic concept (2005)

Turks and Caicos Islands

defense is the responsibility of the UK

Virgin Islands

defense is the responsibility of the US

Wake Island

defense is the responsibility of the US; launch support

facility is part of the Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test

Site (RTS) administered by US Army Space and Missile Defense Command

(SMDC)

Wallis and Futuna

defense is the responsibility of France

Yemen

a Coast Guard was established in 2002

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2138 Communications - note

Afghanistan

in March 2003 'af' was established as Afghanistan's

domain name; Internet access is growing through Internet cafes as

well as public "telekiosks" in Kabul that are part of a nationwide

network proposed by the Transitional Authority for Internet access

(2002)

Bouvet Island

automatic meteorological station

Coral Sea Islands there are automatic weather stations on many of the isles and reefs relaying data to the mainland

Europa Island

1 meteorological station

Glorioso Islands

1 meteorological station

Juan de Nova Island

1 meteorological station

Saint Helena

Gough Island has a meteorological station

Tromelin Island

important meteorological station

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2140 Government - note

Malawi

the executive exerts considerable influence over the

legislature

Solomon Islands

June 2003 Prime Minister Sir Allan KEMAKEZA sought

the intervention of Australia to aid in restoring order; parliament

approved the request for intervention in July 2003; troops from

Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, and Tonga arrived 24

July 2003. By the end of 2004 the Regional Assistance Mission to the

Solomon Islands (RAMSI) had been scaled back to 302 police officers

and 120 military in addition to civilian technical advisors.

Somalia

although an interim government was created in 2004 other

governing bodies continue to exist and control various cities and

regions of the country, including the self-declared Republic of

Somaliland, and traditional clan and faction strongholds

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2142 Country name

Afghanistan

conventional long form: Islamic Republic of Afghanistan

conventional short form: Afghanistan

local long form: Jomhuri-ye Eslami-ye Afghanestan

local short form: Afghanestan

former: Republic of Afghanistan

Akrotiri

conventional long form: Akrotiri Sovereign Base Area

conventional short form: Akrotiri

Albania

conventional long form: Republic of Albania

conventional short form: Albania

local long form: Republika e Shqiperise

local short form: Shqiperia

former: People's Socialist Republic of Albania

Algeria

conventional long form: People's Democratic Republic of

Algeria

conventional short form: Algeria

local long form: Al Jumhuriyah al Jaza'iriyah ad Dimuqratiyah ash

Sha'biyah

local short form: Al Jaza'ir

American Samoa

conventional long form: Territory of American Samoa

conventional short form: American Samoa

abbreviation: AS

Andorra

conventional long form: Principality of Andorra

conventional short form: Andorra

local long form: Principat d'Andorra

local short form: Andorra

Angola

conventional long form: Republic of Angola

conventional short form: Angola

local long form: Republica de Angola

local short form: Angola

former: People's Republic of Angola

Anguilla

conventional long form: none

conventional short form: Anguilla

Antarctica

conventional long form: none

conventional short form: Antarctica

Antigua and Barbuda

conventional long form: none

conventional short form: Antigua and Barbuda

Argentina

conventional long form: Argentine Republic

conventional short form: Argentina

local long form: Republica Argentina

local short form: Argentina

Armenia

conventional long form: Republic of Armenia

conventional short form: Armenia

local long form: Hayastani Hanrapetut'yun

local short form: Hayastan

former: Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic; Armenian Republic

Aruba

conventional long form: none

conventional short form: Aruba

Ashmore and Cartier Islands

conventional long form: Territory of

Ashmore and Cartier Islands

conventional short form: Ashmore and Cartier Islands

Australia

conventional long form: Commonwealth of Australia

conventional short form: Australia

Austria

conventional long form: Republic of Austria

conventional short form: Austria

local long form: Republik Oesterreich

local short form: Oesterreich

Azerbaijan

conventional long form: Republic of Azerbaijan

conventional short form: Azerbaijan

local long form: Azarbaycan Respublikasi

local short form: none

former: Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic

Bahamas, The

conventional long form: Commonwealth of The Bahamas

conventional short form: The Bahamas

Bahrain

conventional long form: Kingdom of Bahrain

conventional short form: Bahrain

local long form: Mamlakat al Bahrayn

local short form: Al Bahrayn

former: Dilmun

Baker Island

conventional long form: none

conventional short form: Baker Island

Bangladesh

conventional long form: People's Republic of Bangladesh

conventional short form: Bangladesh

former: East Pakistan

Barbados

conventional long form: none

conventional short form: Barbados

Bassas da India

conventional long form: none

conventional short form: Bassas da India

Belarus

conventional long form: Republic of Belarus

conventional short form: Belarus

local long form: Respublika Byelarus'

local short form: none

former: Belorussian (Byelorussian) Soviet Socialist Republic

Belgium

conventional long form: Kingdom of Belgium

conventional short form: Belgium

local long form: Royaume de Belgique/Koninkrijk Belgie

local short form: Belgique/Belgie

Belize

conventional long form: none

conventional short form: Belize

former: British Honduras

Benin

conventional long form: Republic of Benin

conventional short form: Benin

local long form: Republique du Benin

local short form: Benin

former: Dahomey

Bermuda

conventional long form: none

conventional short form: Bermuda

former: Somers Islands

Bhutan

conventional long form: Kingdom of Bhutan

conventional short form: Bhutan

Bolivia

conventional long form: Republic of Bolivia

conventional short form: Bolivia

local long form: Republica de Bolivia

local short form: Bolivia

Bosnia and Herzegovina conventional long form: none conventional short form: Bosnia and Herzegovina local long form: none local short form: Bosna i Hercegovina former: People's Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Socialist Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina

Botswana

conventional long form: Republic of Botswana

conventional short form: Botswana

former: Bechuanaland

Bouvet Island

conventional long form: none

conventional short form: Bouvet Island

Brazil

conventional long form: Federative Republic of Brazil

conventional short form: Brazil

local long form: Republica Federativa do Brasil

local short form: Brasil

British Indian Ocean Territory

conventional long form: British

Indian Ocean Territory

conventional short form: none

abbreviation: BIOT

British Virgin Islands

conventional long form: none

conventional short form: British Virgin Islands

abbreviation: BVI

Brunei

conventional long form: Negara Brunei Darussalam

conventional short form: Brunei

Bulgaria

conventional long form: Republic of Bulgaria

conventional short form: Bulgaria

Burkina Faso

conventional long form: none

conventional short form: Burkina Faso

former: Upper Volta, Republic of Upper Volta

Burma

conventional long form: Union of Burma

conventional short form: Burma

local long form: Pyidaungzu Myanma Naingngandaw (translated by the

US Government as Union of Myanma and by the Burmese as Union of

Myanmar)

local short form: Myanma Naingngandaw

former: Socialist Republic of the Union of Burma

note: since 1989 the military authorities in Burma have promoted the

name Myanmar as a conventional name for their state; this decision

was not approved by any sitting legislature in Burma, and the US

Government did not adopt the name, which is a derivative of the

Burmese short-form name Myanma Naingngandaw

Burundi

conventional long form: Republic of Burundi

conventional short form: Burundi

local long form: Republika y'u Burundi

local short form: Burundi

former: Urundi

Cambodia

conventional long form: Kingdom of Cambodia

conventional short form: Cambodia

local long form: Preahreacheanacha Kampuchea (phonetic pronunciation)

local short form: Kampuchea

former: Kingdom of Cambodia, Khmer Republic, Democratic Kampuchea,

People's Republic of Kampuchea, State of Cambodia

Cameroon

conventional long form: Republic of Cameroon

conventional short form: Cameroon

former: French Cameroon

Canada

conventional long form: none

conventional short form: Canada

Cape Verde

conventional long form: Republic of Cape Verde

conventional short form: Cape Verde

local long form: Republica de Cabo Verde

local short form: Cabo Verde

Cayman Islands

conventional long form: none

conventional short form: Cayman Islands

Central African Republic

conventional long form: Central African

Republic

conventional short form: none

local long form: Republique Centrafricaine

local short form: none

former: Ubangi-Shari, Central African Empire

abbreviation: CAR

Chad

conventional long form: Republic of Chad

conventional short form: Chad

local long form: Republique du Tchad

local short form: Tchad

Chile

conventional long form: Republic of Chile

conventional short form: Chile

local long form: Republica de Chile

local short form: Chile

China

conventional long form: People's Republic of China

conventional short form: China

local long form: Zhonghua Renmin Gongheguo

local short form: Zhong Guo

abbreviation: PRC

Christmas Island

conventional long form: Territory of Christmas

Island

conventional short form: Christmas Island

Clipperton Island conventional long form: none conventional short form: Clipperton Island local long form: none local short form: Ile Clipperton former: sometimes called Ile de la Passion

Cocos (Keeling) Islands conventional long form: Territory of Cocos (Keeling) Islands conventional short form: Cocos (Keeling) Islands

Colombia

conventional long form: Republic of Colombia

conventional short form: Colombia

local long form: Republica de Colombia

local short form: Colombia

Comoros

conventional long form: Union of the Comoros

conventional short form: Comoros

local long form: Union des Comores

local short form: Comores

Congo, Democratic Republic of the conventional long form: Democratic Republic of the Congo conventional short form: none local long form: Republique Democratique du Congo local short form: none former: Congo Free State, Belgian Congo, Congo/Leopoldville, Congo/Kinshasa, Zaire abbreviation: DROC

Congo, Republic of the conventional long form: Republic of the Congo conventional short form: Congo (Brazzaville) local long form: Republique du Congo local short form: none former: Middle Congo, Congo/Brazzaville, Congo

Cook Islands

conventional long form: none

conventional short form: Cook Islands

former: Harvey Islands

Coral Sea Islands

conventional long form: Coral Sea Islands Territory

conventional short form: Coral Sea Islands

Costa Rica

conventional long form: Republic of Costa Rica

conventional short form: Costa Rica

local long form: Republica de Costa Rica

local short form: Costa Rica

Cote d'Ivoire

conventional long form: Republic of Cote d'Ivoire

conventional short form: Cote d'Ivoire

local long form: Republique de Cote d'Ivoire

local short form: Cote d'Ivoire

former: Ivory Coast

Croatia

conventional long form: Republic of Croatia

conventional short form: Croatia

local long form: Republika Hrvatska

local short form: Hrvatska

former: People's Republic of Croatia, Socialist Republic of Croatia

Cuba

conventional long form: Republic of Cuba

conventional short form: Cuba

local long form: Republica de Cuba

local short form: Cuba

Cyprus

conventional long form: Republic of Cyprus

conventional short form: Cyprus

note: the Turkish Cypriot community (north Cyprus) refers to itself

as the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" (TRNC)

Czech Republic

conventional long form: Czech Republic

conventional short form: Czech Republic

local long form: Ceska Republika

local short form: Ceska Republika

Denmark

conventional long form: Kingdom of Denmark

conventional short form: Denmark

local long form: Kongeriget Danmark

local short form: Danmark

Dhekelia

conventional long form: Dhekelia Sovereign Base Area

conventional short form: Dhekelia

Djibouti

conventional long form: Republic of Djibouti

conventional short form: Djibouti

former: French Territory of the Afars and Issas, French Somaliland

Dominica

conventional long form: Commonwealth of Dominica

conventional short form: Dominica

Dominican Republic conventional long form: Dominican Republic conventional short form: The Dominican local long form: Republica Dominicana local short form: La Dominicana

East Timor

conventional long form: Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste

conventional short form: East Timor

local long form: Republika Demokratika Timor Lorosa'e [Tetum];

Republica Democratica de Timor-Leste [Portuguese]

local short form: Timor Lorosa'e [Tetum]; Timor-Leste [Portuguese]

former: Portuguese Timor

Ecuador

conventional long form: Republic of Ecuador

conventional short form: Ecuador

local long form: Republica del Ecuador

local short form: Ecuador

Egypt

conventional long form: Arab Republic of Egypt

conventional short form: Egypt

local long form: Jumhuriyat Misr al-Arabiyah

local short form: Misr

former: United Arab Republic (with Syria)

El Salvador

conventional long form: Republic of El Salvador

conventional short form: El Salvador

local long form: Republica de El Salvador

local short form: El Salvador

Equatorial Guinea

conventional long form: Republic of Equatorial

Guinea

conventional short form: Equatorial Guinea

local long form: Republica de Guinea Ecuatorial

local short form: Guinea Ecuatorial

former: Spanish Guinea

Eritrea

conventional long form: State of Eritrea

conventional short form: Eritrea

local long form: Hagere Ertra

local short form: Ertra

former: Eritrea Autonomous Region in Ethiopia

Estonia

conventional long form: Republic of Estonia

conventional short form: Estonia

local long form: Eesti Vabariik

local short form: Eesti

former: Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic

Ethiopia

conventional long form: Federal Democratic Republic of

Ethiopia

conventional short form: Ethiopia

local long form: Ityop'iya Federalawi Demokrasiyawi Ripeblik

local short form: Ityop'iya

former: Abyssinia, Italian East Africa

abbreviation: FDRE

Europa Island

conventional long form: none

conventional short form: Europa Island

local long form: none

local short form: Ile Europa

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

conventional long form: none

conventional short form: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

Faroe Islands

conventional long form: none

conventional short form: Faroe Islands

local long form: none

local short form: Foroyar

Fiji

conventional long form: Republic of the Fiji Islands

conventional short form: Fiji

Finland

conventional long form: Republic of Finland

conventional short form: Finland

local long form: Suomen Tasavalta

local short form: Suomi

France

conventional long form: French Republic

conventional short form: France

local long form: Republique Francaise

local short form: France

French Guiana

conventional long form: Department of Guiana

conventional short form: French Guiana

local long form: none

local short form: Guyane

French Polynesia

conventional long form: Overseas Lands of French

Polynesia

conventional short form: French Polynesia

local long form: Pays d'outre-mer de la Polynesie Francaise

local short form: Polynesie Francaise

former: French Colony of Oceania

French Southern and Antarctic Lands

conventional long form:

Territory of the French Southern and Antarctic Lands

conventional short form: French Southern and Antarctic Lands

local long form: Territoire des Terres Australes et Antarctiques

Francaises

local short form: Terres Australes et Antarctiques Francaises

Gabon

conventional long form: Gabonese Republic

conventional short form: Gabon

local long form: Republique Gabonaise

local short form: Gabon

Gambia, The

conventional long form: Republic of The Gambia

conventional short form: The Gambia

Gaza Strip

conventional long form: none

conventional short form: Gaza Strip

local long form: none

local short form: Qita Ghazzah

Georgia

conventional long form: none

conventional short form: Georgia

local long form: none

local short form: Sak'art'velo

former: Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic

Germany

conventional long form: Federal Republic of Germany

conventional short form: Germany

local long form: Bundesrepublik Deutschland

local short form: Deutschland

former: German Empire, German Republic, German Reich

Ghana

conventional long form: Republic of Ghana

conventional short form: Ghana

former: Gold Coast

Gibraltar

conventional long form: none

conventional short form: Gibraltar

Glorioso Islands conventional long form: none conventional short form: Glorioso Islands local long form: none local short form: Iles Glorieuses

Greece

conventional long form: Hellenic Republic

conventional short form: Greece

local long form: Elliniki Dhimokratia

local short form: Ellas or Ellada

former: Kingdom of Greece

Greenland

conventional long form: none

conventional short form: Greenland

local long form: none

local short form: Kalaallit Nunaat

Grenada

conventional long form: none

conventional short form: Grenada

Guadeloupe

conventional long form: Department of Guadeloupe

conventional short form: Guadeloupe

local long form: Departement de la Guadeloupe

local short form: Guadeloupe

Guam

conventional long form: Territory of Guam

conventional short form: Guam

local long form: Guahan

Guatemala

conventional long form: Republic of Guatemala

conventional short form: Guatemala

local long form: Republica de Guatemala

local short form: Guatemala

Guernsey

conventional long form: Bailiwick of Guernsey

conventional short form: Guernsey

Guinea

conventional long form: Republic of Guinea

conventional short form: Guinea

local long form: Republique de Guinee

local short form: Guinee

former: French Guinea

Guinea-Bissau

conventional long form: Republic of Guinea-Bissau

conventional short form: Guinea-Bissau

local long form: Republica da Guine-Bissau

local short form: Guine-Bissau

former: Portuguese Guinea

Guyana

conventional long form: Co-operative Republic of Guyana

conventional short form: Guyana

former: British Guiana

Haiti

conventional long form: Republic of Haiti

conventional short form: Haiti

local long form: Republique d'Haiti

local short form: Haiti

Heard Island and McDonald Islands conventional long form: Territory of Heard Island and McDonald Islands conventional short form: Heard Island and McDonald Islands

Holy See (Vatican City) conventional long form: The Holy See (State of the Vatican City) conventional short form: Holy See (Vatican City) local long form: Santa Sede (Stato della Citta del Vaticano) local short form: Santa Sede (Citta del Vaticano)

Honduras

conventional long form: Republic of Honduras

conventional short form: Honduras

local long form: Republica de Honduras

local short form: Honduras

Hong Kong

conventional long form: Hong Kong Special Administrative

Region

conventional short form: Hong Kong

local long form: Xianggang Tebie Xingzhengqu

local short form: Xianggang

abbreviation: HK

Howland Island

conventional long form: none

conventional short form: Howland Island

Hungary

conventional long form: Republic of Hungary

conventional short form: Hungary

local long form: Magyar Koztarsasag

local short form: Magyarorszag

Iceland

conventional long form: Republic of Iceland

conventional short form: Iceland

local long form: Lydhveldidh Island

local short form: Island

India

conventional long form: Republic of India

conventional short form: India

Indonesia

conventional long form: Republic of Indonesia

conventional short form: Indonesia

local long form: Republik Indonesia

local short form: Indonesia

former: Netherlands East Indies; Dutch East Indies

Iran

conventional long form: Islamic Republic of Iran

conventional short form: Iran

local long form: Jomhuri-ye Eslami-ye Iran

local short form: Iran

former: Persia

Iraq

conventional long form: Republic of Iraq

conventional short form: Iraq

local long form: Al Jumhuriyah al Iraqiyah

local short form: Al Iraq

Ireland

conventional long form: none

conventional short form: Ireland

local long form: none

local short form: Eire

Israel

conventional long form: State of Israel

conventional short form: Israel

local long form: Medinat Yisra'el

local short form: Yisra'el

Italy

conventional long form: Italian Republic

conventional short form: Italy

local long form: Repubblica Italiana

local short form: Italia

former: Kingdom of Italy

Jamaica

conventional long form: none

conventional short form: Jamaica

Jan Mayen

conventional long form: none

conventional short form: Jan Mayen

Japan

conventional long form: none

conventional short form: Japan

Jarvis Island

conventional long form: none

conventional short form: Jarvis Island

Jersey

conventional long form: Bailiwick of Jersey

conventional short form: Jersey

Johnston Atoll

conventional long form: none

conventional short form: Johnston Atoll

Jordan

conventional long form: Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan

conventional short form: Jordan

local long form: Al Mamlakah al Urduniyah al Hashimiyah

local short form: Al Urdun

former: Transjordan

Juan de Nova Island conventional long form: none conventional short form: Juan de Nova Island local long form: none local short form: Ile Juan de Nova

Kazakhstan

conventional long form: Republic of Kazakhstan

conventional short form: Kazakhstan

local long form: Qazaqstan Respublikasy

local short form: none

former: Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic

Kenya

conventional long form: Republic of Kenya

conventional short form: Kenya

former: British East Africa

Kingman Reef

conventional long form: none

conventional short form: Kingman Reef

Kiribati

conventional long form: Republic of Kiribati

conventional short form: Kiribati

note: pronounced keer-ree-bahss

former: Gilbert Islands

Korea, North

conventional long form: Democratic People's Republic of

Korea

conventional short form: North Korea

local long form: Choson-minjujuui-inmin-konghwaguk

local short form: none

note: the North Koreans generally use the term "Choson" to refer to

their country

abbreviation: DPRK

Korea, South

conventional long form: Republic of Korea

conventional short form: South Korea

local long form: Taehan-min'guk

local short form: none

note: the South Koreans generally use the term "Han'guk" to refer to

their country

abbreviation: ROK

Kuwait

conventional long form: State of Kuwait

conventional short form: Kuwait

local long form: Dawlat al Kuwayt

local short form: Al Kuwayt

Kyrgyzstan

conventional long form: Kyrgyz Republic

conventional short form: Kyrgyzstan

local long form: Kyrgyz Respublikasy

local short form: none

former: Kirghiz Soviet Socialist Republic

Laos

conventional long form: Lao People's Democratic Republic

conventional short form: Laos

local long form: Sathalanalat Paxathipatai Paxaxon Lao

local short form: none

Latvia

conventional long form: Republic of Latvia

conventional short form: Latvia

local long form: Latvijas Republika

local short form: Latvija

former: Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic

Lebanon

conventional long form: Lebanese Republic

conventional short form: Lebanon

local long form: Al Jumhuriyah al Lubnaniyah

local short form: Lubnan

Lesotho

conventional long form: Kingdom of Lesotho

conventional short form: Lesotho

former: Basutoland

Liberia

conventional long form: Republic of Liberia

conventional short form: Liberia

Libya

conventional long form: Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab

Jamahiriya

conventional short form: Libya

local long form: Al Jumahiriyah al Arabiyah al Libiyah ash Shabiyah

al Ishtirakiyah al Uzma

local short form: none

Liechtenstein

conventional long form: Principality of Liechtenstein

conventional short form: Liechtenstein

local long form: Fuerstentum Liechtenstein

local short form: Liechtenstein

Lithuania

conventional long form: Republic of Lithuania

conventional short form: Lithuania

local long form: Lietuvos Respublika

local short form: Lietuva

former: Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic

Luxembourg

conventional long form: Grand Duchy of Luxembourg

conventional short form: Luxembourg

local long form: Grand Duche de Luxembourg

local short form: Luxembourg

Macau

conventional long form: Macau Special Administrative Region

conventional short form: Macau

local long form: Aomen Tebie Xingzhengqu (Chinese); Regiao

Administrativa Especial de Macau (Portuguese)

local short form: Aomen (Chinese); Macau (Portuguese)

Macedonia

conventional long form: Republic of Macedonia

conventional short form: Macedonia; note - the provisional

designation used by the UN, EU, and NATO is Former Yugoslav Republic

of Macedonia (FYROM)

local long form: Republika Makedonija

local short form: Makedonija

former: People's Republic of Macedonia, Socialist Republic of

Macedonia

Madagascar

conventional long form: Republic of Madagascar

conventional short form: Madagascar

local long form: Republique de Madagascar

local short form: Madagascar

former: Malagasy Republic

Malawi

conventional long form: Republic of Malawi

conventional short form: Malawi

former: British Central African Protectorate, Nyasaland

Protectorate, Nyasaland

Malaysia

conventional long form: none

conventional short form: Malaysia

former: Federation of Malaysia

Maldives

conventional long form: Republic of Maldives

conventional short form: Maldives

local long form: Dhivehi Raajjeyge Jumhooriyyaa

local short form: Dhivehi Raajje

Mali

conventional long form: Republic of Mali

conventional short form: Mali

local long form: Republique de Mali

local short form: Mali

former: French Sudan and Sudanese Republic

Malta

conventional long form: Republic of Malta

conventional short form: Malta

local long form: Repubblika ta' Malta

local short form: Malta

Man, Isle of

conventional long form: none

conventional short form: Isle of Man

Marshall Islands

conventional long form: Republic of the Marshall

Islands

conventional short form: Marshall Islands

former: Marshall Islands District (Trust Territory of the Pacific

Islands)

Martinique

conventional long form: Department of Martinique

conventional short form: Martinique

local long form: Departement de la Martinique

local short form: Martinique

Mauritania

conventional long form: Islamic Republic of Mauritania

conventional short form: Mauritania

local long form: Al Jumhuriyah al Islamiyah al Muritaniyah

local short form: Muritaniyah

Mauritius

conventional long form: Republic of Mauritius

conventional short form: Mauritius

Mayotte

conventional long form: Territorial Collectivity of Mayotte

conventional short form: Mayotte

Mexico

conventional long form: United Mexican States

conventional short form: Mexico

local long form: Estados Unidos Mexicanos

local short form: Mexico

Micronesia, Federated States of conventional long form: Federated States of Micronesia conventional short form: none former: Ponape, Truk, and Yap Districts (Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands) abbreviation: FSM

Midway Islands conventional long form: none conventional short form: Midway Islands

Moldova

conventional long form: Republic of Moldova

conventional short form: Moldova

local long form: Republica Moldova

local short form: none

former: Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic; Moldovan Soviet

Socialist Republic

Monaco

conventional long form: Principality of Monaco

conventional short form: Monaco

local long form: Principaute de Monaco

local short form: Monaco

Mongolia

conventional long form: none

conventional short form: Mongolia

local long form: none

local short form: Mongol Uls

former: Outer Mongolia

Montserrat

conventional long form: none

conventional short form: Montserrat

Morocco

conventional long form: Kingdom of Morocco

conventional short form: Morocco

local long form: Al Mamlakah al Maghribiyah

local short form: Al Maghrib

Mozambique

conventional long form: Republic of Mozambique

conventional short form: Mozambique

local long form: Republica de Mocambique

local short form: Mocambique

former: Portuguese East Africa

Namibia

conventional long form: Republic of Namibia

conventional short form: Namibia

former: German Southwest Africa, South-West Africa

Nauru

conventional long form: Republic of Nauru

conventional short form: Nauru

former: Pleasant Island

Navassa Island

conventional long form: none

conventional short form: Navassa Island

Nepal

conventional long form: Kingdom of Nepal

conventional short form: Nepal

Netherlands

conventional long form: Kingdom of the Netherlands

conventional short form: Netherlands

local long form: Koninkrijk der Nederlanden

local short form: Nederland

Netherlands Antilles

conventional long form: none

conventional short form: Netherlands Antilles

local long form: none

local short form: Nederlandse Antillen

former: Curacao and Dependencies

New Caledonia

conventional long form: Territory of New Caledonia and

Dependencies

conventional short form: New Caledonia

local long form: Territoire des Nouvelle-Caledonie et Dependances

local short form: Nouvelle-Caledonie

New Zealand

conventional long form: none

conventional short form: New Zealand

abbreviation: NZ

Nicaragua

conventional long form: Republic of Nicaragua

conventional short form: Nicaragua

local long form: Republica de Nicaragua

local short form: Nicaragua

Niger

conventional long form: Republic of Niger

conventional short form: Niger

local long form: Republique du Niger

local short form: Niger

Nigeria

conventional long form: Federal Republic of Nigeria

conventional short form: Nigeria

Niue

conventional long form: none

conventional short form: Niue

former: Savage Island

Norfolk Island

conventional long form: Territory of Norfolk Island

conventional short form: Norfolk Island

Northern Mariana Islands

conventional long form: Commonwealth of the

Northern Mariana Islands

conventional short form: Northern Mariana Islands

former: Mariana Islands District (Trust Territory of the Pacific

Islands)

Norway

conventional long form: Kingdom of Norway

conventional short form: Norway

local long form: Kongeriket Norge

local short form: Norge

Oman

conventional long form: Sultanate of Oman

conventional short form: Oman

local long form: Saltanat Uman

local short form: Uman

former: Muscat and Oman

Pakistan

conventional long form: Islamic Republic of Pakistan

conventional short form: Pakistan

former: West Pakistan

Palau

conventional long form: Republic of Palau

conventional short form: Palau

local long form: Beluu er a Belau

local short form: Belau

former: Palau District (Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands)

Palmyra Atoll

conventional long form: none

conventional short form: Palmyra Atoll

Panama

conventional long form: Republic of Panama

conventional short form: Panama

local long form: Republica de Panama

local short form: Panama

Papua New Guinea

conventional long form: Independent State of Papua

New Guinea

conventional short form: Papua New Guinea

former: Territory of Papua and New Guinea

abbreviation: PNG

Paracel Islands

conventional long form: none

conventional short form: Paracel Islands

Paraguay

conventional long form: Republic of Paraguay

conventional short form: Paraguay

local long form: Republica del Paraguay

local short form: Paraguay

Peru

conventional long form: Republic of Peru

conventional short form: Peru

local long form: Republica del Peru

local short form: Peru

Philippines

conventional long form: Republic of the Philippines

conventional short form: Philippines

local long form: Republika ng Pilipinas

local short form: Pilipinas

Pitcairn Islands

conventional long form: Pitcairn, Henderson, Ducie,

and Oeno Islands

conventional short form: Pitcairn Islands

Poland

conventional long form: Republic of Poland

conventional short form: Poland

local long form: Rzeczpospolita Polska

local short form: Polska

Portugal

conventional long form: Portuguese Republic

conventional short form: Portugal

local long form: Republica Portuguesa

local short form: Portugal

Puerto Rico

conventional long form: Commonwealth of Puerto Rico

conventional short form: Puerto Rico

Qatar

conventional long form: State of Qatar

conventional short form: Qatar

local long form: Dawlat Qatar

local short form: Qatar

note: closest approximation of the native pronunciation falls

between cutter and gutter, but not like guitar

Reunion

conventional long form: Department of Reunion

conventional short form: Reunion

local long form: none

local short form: Ile de la Reunion

former: Bourbon Island

Romania

conventional long form: none

conventional short form: Romania

local long form: none

local short form: Romania

Russia

conventional long form: Russian Federation

conventional short form: Russia

local long form: Rossiyskaya Federatsiya

local short form: Rossiya

former: Russian Empire, Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic

Rwanda

conventional long form: Republic of Rwanda

conventional short form: Rwanda

local long form: Republika y'u Rwanda

local short form: Rwanda

former: Ruanda

Saint Helena conventional long form: none conventional short form: Saint Helena

Saint Kitts and Nevis conventional long form: Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis conventional short form: Saint Kitts and Nevis former: Federation of Saint Christopher and Nevis

Saint Lucia conventional long form: none conventional short form: Saint Lucia

Saint Pierre and Miquelon conventional long form: Territorial Collectivity of Saint Pierre and Miquelon conventional short form: Saint Pierre and Miquelon local long form: Departement de Saint-Pierre et Miquelon local short form: Saint-Pierre et Miquelon

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines conventional long form: none conventional short form: Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Samoa

conventional long form: Independent State of Samoa

conventional short form: Samoa

former: Western Samoa

San Marino

conventional long form: Republic of San Marino

conventional short form: San Marino

local long form: Repubblica di San Marino

local short form: San Marino

Sao Tome and Principe conventional long form: Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe conventional short form: Sao Tome and Principe local long form: Republica Democratica de Sao Tome e Principe local short form: Sao Tome e Principe

Saudi Arabia

conventional long form: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

conventional short form: Saudi Arabia

local long form: Al Mamlakah al Arabiyah as Suudiyah

local short form: Al Arabiyah as Suudiyah

Senegal

conventional long form: Republic of Senegal

conventional short form: Senegal

local long form: Republique du Senegal

local short form: Senegal

Serbia and Montenegro conventional long form: Serbia and Montenegro conventional short form: none local long form: Srbija i Crna Gora local short form: none former: Federal Republic of Yugoslavia abbreviation: SCG

Seychelles

conventional long form: Republic of Seychelles

conventional short form: Seychelles

Sierra Leone

conventional long form: Republic of Sierra Leone

conventional short form: Sierra Leone

Singapore

conventional long form: Republic of Singapore

conventional short form: Singapore

Slovakia

conventional long form: Slovak Republic

conventional short form: Slovakia

local long form: Slovenska Republika

local short form: Slovensko

Slovenia

conventional long form: Republic of Slovenia

conventional short form: Slovenia

local long form: Republika Slovenija

local short form: Slovenija

former: People's Republic of Slovenia, Socialist Republic of Slovenia

Solomon Islands

conventional long form: none

conventional short form: Solomon Islands

former: British Solomon Islands

Somalia

conventional long form: none

conventional short form: Somalia

former: Somali Republic, Somali Democratic Republic

South Africa

conventional long form: Republic of South Africa

conventional short form: South Africa

former: Union of South Africa

abbreviation: RSA

South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands

conventional long form:

South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands

conventional short form: none

Spain

conventional long form: Kingdom of Spain

conventional short form: Spain

local short form: Espana

Spratly Islands

conventional long form: none

conventional short form: Spratly Islands

Sri Lanka

conventional long form: Democratic Socialist Republic of

Sri Lanka

conventional short form: Sri Lanka

former: Serendib, Ceylon

Sudan

conventional long form: Republic of the Sudan

conventional short form: Sudan

local long form: Jumhuriyat as-Sudan

local short form: As-Sudan

former: Anglo-Egyptian Sudan

Suriname

conventional long form: Republic of Suriname

conventional short form: Suriname

local long form: Republiek Suriname

local short form: Suriname

former: Netherlands Guiana, Dutch Guiana

Svalbard

conventional long form: none

conventional short form: Svalbard (sometimes referred to as

Spitzbergen)

Swaziland

conventional long form: Kingdom of Swaziland

conventional short form: Swaziland

Sweden

conventional long form: Kingdom of Sweden

conventional short form: Sweden

local long form: Konungariket Sverige

local short form: Sverige

Switzerland

conventional long form: Swiss Confederation

conventional short form: Switzerland

local long form: Schweizerische Eidgenossenschaft (German),

Confederation Suisse (French), Confederazione Svizzera (Italian)

local short form: Schweiz (German), Suisse (French), Svizzera

(Italian)

Syria

conventional long form: Syrian Arab Republic

conventional short form: Syria

local long form: Al Jumhuriyah al Arabiyah as Suriyah

local short form: Suriyah

former: United Arab Republic (with Egypt)

Taiwan

conventional long form: none

conventional short form: Taiwan

local long form: none

local short form: T'ai-wan

former: Formosa

Tajikistan

conventional long form: Republic of Tajikistan

conventional short form: Tajikistan

local long form: Jumhurii Tojikiston

local short form: Tojikiston

former: Tajik Soviet Socialist Republic

Tanzania

conventional long form: United Republic of Tanzania

conventional short form: Tanzania

former: United Republic of Tanganyika and Zanzibar

Thailand

conventional long form: Kingdom of Thailand

conventional short form: Thailand

former: Siam

Togo

conventional long form: Togolese Republic

conventional short form: Togo

local long form: Republique Togolaise

local short form: none

former: French Togoland

Tokelau

conventional long form: none

conventional short form: Tokelau

Tonga

conventional long form: Kingdom of Tonga

conventional short form: Tonga

former: Friendly Islands

Trinidad and Tobago

conventional long form: Republic of Trinidad and

Tobago

conventional short form: Trinidad and Tobago

Tromelin Island

conventional long form: none

conventional short form: Tromelin Island

local long form: none

local short form: Ile Tromelin

Tunisia

conventional long form: Tunisian Republic

conventional short form: Tunisia

local long form: Al Jumhuriyah at Tunisiyah

local short form: Tunis

Turkey

conventional long form: Republic of Turkey

conventional short form: Turkey

local long form: Turkiye Cumhuriyeti

local short form: Turkiye

Turkmenistan

conventional long form: none

conventional short form: Turkmenistan

local long form: none

local short form: Turkmenistan

former: Turkmen Soviet Socialist Republic

Turks and Caicos Islands

conventional long form: none

conventional short form: Turks and Caicos Islands

Tuvalu

conventional long form: none

conventional short form: Tuvalu

former: Ellice Islands

note: "Tuvalu" means "group of eight," referring to the country's

eight traditionally inhabited islands

Uganda

conventional long form: Republic of Uganda

conventional short form: Uganda

Ukraine

conventional long form: none

conventional short form: Ukraine

local long form: none

local short form: Ukrayina

former: Ukrainian National Republic, Ukrainian State, Ukrainian

Soviet Socialist Republic

United Arab Emirates

conventional long form: United Arab Emirates

conventional short form: none

local long form: Al Imarat al Arabiyah al Muttahidah

local short form: none

former: Trucial Oman, Trucial States

abbreviation: UAE

United Kingdom

conventional long form: United Kingdom of Great

Britain and Northern Ireland; note - Great Britain includes England,

Scotland, and Wales

conventional short form: United Kingdom

abbreviation: UK

United States

conventional long form: United States of America

conventional short form: United States

abbreviation: US or USA

Uruguay

conventional long form: Oriental Republic of Uruguay

conventional short form: Uruguay

local long form: Republica Oriental del Uruguay

local short form: Uruguay

former: Banda Oriental, Cisplatine Province

Uzbekistan

conventional long form: Republic of Uzbekistan

conventional short form: Uzbekistan

local long form: Ozbekiston Respublikasi

local short form: Ozbekiston

former: Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic

Vanuatu

conventional long form: Republic of Vanuatu

conventional short form: Vanuatu

former: New Hebrides

Venezuela

conventional long form: Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela

conventional short form: Venezuela

local long form: Republica Bolivariana de Venezuela

local short form: Venezuela

Vietnam

conventional long form: Socialist Republic of Vietnam

conventional short form: Vietnam

local long form: Cong Hoa Xa Hoi Chu Nghia Viet Nam

local short form: Viet Nam

abbreviation: SRV

Virgin Islands

conventional long form: United States Virgin Islands

conventional short form: Virgin Islands

former: Danish West Indies

Wake Island

conventional long form: none

conventional short form: Wake Island

Wallis and Futuna

conventional long form: Territory of the Wallis

and Futuna Islands

conventional short form: Wallis and Futuna

local long form: Territoire des Iles Wallis et Futuna

local short form: Wallis et Futuna

West Bank

conventional long form: none

conventional short form: West Bank

Western Sahara

conventional long form: none

conventional short form: Western Sahara

former: Spanish Sahara

Yemen

conventional long form: Republic of Yemen

conventional short form: Yemen

local long form: Al Jumhuriyah al Yamaniyah

local short form: Al Yaman

former: Yemen Arab Republic [Yemen (Sanaa) or North Yemen] and

People's Democratic Republic of Yemen [Yemen (Aden) or South Yemen]

Zambia

conventional long form: Republic of Zambia

conventional short form: Zambia

former: Northern Rhodesia

Zimbabwe

conventional long form: Republic of Zimbabwe

conventional short form: Zimbabwe

former: Southern Rhodesia, Rhodesia

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2144 Location

Afghanistan

Southern Asia, north and west of Pakistan, east of Iran

Akrotiri

peninsula on the southwest coast of Cyprus

Albania

Southeastern Europe, bordering the Adriatic Sea and Ionian

Sea, between Greece and Serbia and Montenegro

Algeria

Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between

Morocco and Tunisia

American Samoa

Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean,

about half way between Hawaii and New Zealand

Andorra

Southwestern Europe, between France and Spain

Angola

Southern Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between

Namibia and Democratic Republic of the Congo

Anguilla

Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and North

Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico

Antarctica

continent mostly south of the Antarctic Circle

Antigua and Barbuda

Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and

the North Atlantic Ocean, east-southeast of Puerto Rico

Arctic Ocean

body of water between Europe, Asia, and North America,

mostly north of the Arctic Circle

Argentina

Southern South America, bordering the South Atlantic

Ocean, between Chile and Uruguay

Armenia

Southwestern Asia, east of Turkey

Aruba

Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, north of Venezuela

Ashmore and Cartier Islands

Southeastern Asia, islands in the Indian

Ocean, midway between northwestern Australia and Timor island

Atlantic Ocean

body of water between Africa, Europe, the Southern

Ocean, and the Western Hemisphere

Australia

Oceania, continent between the Indian Ocean and the South

Pacific Ocean

Austria

Central Europe, north of Italy and Slovenia

Azerbaijan

Southwestern Asia, bordering the Caspian Sea, between

Iran and Russia, with a small European portion north of the Caucasus

range

Bahamas, The

Caribbean, chain of islands in the North Atlantic

Ocean, southeast of Florida, northeast of Cuba

Bahrain

Middle East, archipelago in the Persian Gulf, east of Saudi

Arabia

Baker Island

Oceania, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, about half

way between Hawaii and Australia

Bangladesh

Southern Asia, bordering the Bay of Bengal, between Burma

and India

Barbados

Caribbean, island in the North Atlantic Ocean, northeast of

Venezuela

Bassas da India

Southern Africa, islands in the southern Mozambique

Channel, about one-half of the way from Madagascar to Mozambique

Belarus

Eastern Europe, east of Poland

Belgium

Western Europe, bordering the North Sea, between France and

the Netherlands

Belize

Central America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between

Guatemala and Mexico

Benin

Western Africa, bordering the Bight of Benin, between Nigeria

and Togo

Bermuda

North America, group of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean,

east of South Carolina (US)

Bhutan

Southern Asia, between China and India

Bolivia

Central South America, southwest of Brazil

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Southeastern Europe, bordering the Adriatic

Sea and Croatia

Botswana

Southern Africa, north of South Africa

Bouvet Island

island in the South Atlantic Ocean, southwest of the

Cape of Good Hope (South Africa)

Brazil

Eastern South America, bordering the Atlantic Ocean

British Indian Ocean Territory

archipelago in the Indian Ocean,

south of India, about one-half the way from Africa to Indonesia

British Virgin Islands

Caribbean, between the Caribbean Sea and the

North Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico

Brunei

Southeastern Asia, bordering the South China Sea and Malaysia

Bulgaria

Southeastern Europe, bordering the Black Sea, between

Romania and Turkey

Burkina Faso

Western Africa, north of Ghana

Burma

Southeastern Asia, bordering the Andaman Sea and the Bay of

Bengal, between Bangladesh and Thailand

Burundi

Central Africa, east of Democratic Republic of the Congo

Cambodia

Southeastern Asia, bordering the Gulf of Thailand, between

Thailand, Vietnam, and Laos

Cameroon

Western Africa, bordering the Bight of Biafra, between

Equatorial Guinea and Nigeria

Canada

Northern North America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean on

the east, North Pacific Ocean on the west, and the Arctic Ocean on

the north, north of the conterminous US

Cape Verde

Western Africa, group of islands in the North Atlantic

Ocean, west of Senegal

Cayman Islands

Caribbean, island group in Caribbean Sea, nearly

one-half of the way from Cuba to Honduras

Central African Republic

Central Africa, north of Democratic

Republic of the Congo

Chad

Central Africa, south of Libya

Chile

Southern South America, bordering the South Pacific Ocean,

between Argentina and Peru

China

Eastern Asia, bordering the East China Sea, Korea Bay, Yellow

Sea, and South China Sea, between North Korea and Vietnam

Christmas Island

Southeastern Asia, island in the Indian Ocean,

south of Indonesia

Clipperton Island

Middle America, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean,

1,120 km southwest of Mexico

Cocos (Keeling) Islands

Southeastern Asia, group of islands in the

Indian Ocean, southwest of Indonesia, about halfway from Australia

to Sri Lanka

Colombia

Northern South America, bordering the Caribbean Sea,

between Panama and Venezuela, and bordering the North Pacific Ocean,

between Ecuador and Panama

Comoros

Southern Africa, group of islands at the northern mouth of

the Mozambique Channel, about two-thirds of the way between northern

Madagascar and northern Mozambique

Congo, Democratic Republic of the

Central Africa, northeast of Angola

Congo, Republic of the

Western Africa, bordering the South Atlantic

Ocean, between Angola and Gabon

Cook Islands

Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean,

about one-half of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand

Coral Sea Islands

Oceania, islands in the Coral Sea, northeast of

Australia

Costa Rica

Central America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the

North Pacific Ocean, between Nicaragua and Panama

Cote d'Ivoire

Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean,

between Ghana and Liberia

Croatia

Southeastern Europe, bordering the Adriatic Sea, between

Bosnia and Herzegovina and Slovenia

Cuba

Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and the North

Atlantic Ocean, 150 km south of Key West, Florida

Cyprus

Middle East, island in the Mediterranean Sea, south of Turkey

Czech Republic

Central Europe, southeast of Germany

Denmark

Northern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea and the North Sea,

on a peninsula north of Germany (Jutland); also includes two major

islands (Sjaelland and Fyn)

Dhekelia

on the southeast coast of Cyprus near Famagusta

Djibouti

Eastern Africa, bordering the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea,

between Eritrea and Somalia

Dominica

Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and the North

Atlantic Ocean, about one-half of the way from Puerto Rico to

Trinidad and Tobago

Dominican Republic

Caribbean, eastern two-thirds of the island of

Hispaniola, between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean,

east of Haiti

East Timor

Southeastern Asia, northwest of Australia in the Lesser

Sunda Islands at the eastern end of the Indonesian archipelago; note

- East Timor includes the eastern half of the island of Timor, the

Oecussi (Ambeno) region on the northwest portion of the island of

Timor, and the islands of Pulau Atauro and Pulau Jaco

Ecuador

Western South America, bordering the Pacific Ocean at the

Equator, between Colombia and Peru

Egypt

Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between

Libya and the Gaza Strip, and the Red Sea north of Sudan, and

includes the Asian Sinai Peninsula

El Salvador

Central America, bordering the North Pacific Ocean,

between Guatemala and Honduras

Equatorial Guinea

Western Africa, bordering the Bight of Biafra,

between Cameroon and Gabon

Eritrea

Eastern Africa, bordering the Red Sea, between Djibouti and

Sudan

Estonia

Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea and Gulf of

Finland, between Latvia and Russia

Ethiopia

Eastern Africa, west of Somalia

Europa Island

Southern Africa, island in the Mozambique Channel,

about half way between southern Madagascar and southern Mozambique

European Union

Europe between Belarus, Ukraine, Russia, southeastern

Europe, and the North Atlantic Ocean

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

Southern South America, islands in

the South Atlantic Ocean, east of southern Argentina

Faroe Islands

Northern Europe, island group between the Norwegian

Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, about one-half of the way from

Iceland to Norway

Fiji

Oceania, island group in the South Pacific Ocean, about

two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand

Finland

Northern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, Gulf of Bothnia,

and Gulf of Finland, between Sweden and Russia

France

Western Europe, bordering the Bay of Biscay and English

Channel, between Belgium and Spain, southeast of the UK; bordering

the Mediterranean Sea, between Italy and Spain

French Guiana

Northern South America, bordering the North Atlantic

Ocean, between Brazil and Suriname

French Polynesia

Oceania, archipelagoes in the South Pacific Ocean,

about one-half of the way from South America to Australia

French Southern and Antarctic Lands

southeast of Africa, islands in

the southern Indian Ocean, about equidistant between Africa,

Antarctica, and Australia; note - French Southern and Antarctic

Lands include Ile Amsterdam, Ile Saint-Paul, Iles Crozet, and Iles

Kerguelen in the southern Indian Ocean, along with the

French-claimed sector of Antarctica, "Adelie Land"; the US does not

recognize the French claim to "Adelie Land"

Gabon

Western Africa, bordering the Atlantic Ocean at the Equator,

between Republic of the Congo and Equatorial Guinea

Gambia, The

Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean and

Senegal

Gaza Strip

Middle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between

Egypt and Israel

Georgia

Southwestern Asia, bordering the Black Sea, between Turkey

and Russia

Germany

Central Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea and the North Sea,

between the Netherlands and Poland, south of Denmark

Ghana

Western Africa, bordering the Gulf of Guinea, between Cote

d'Ivoire and Togo

Gibraltar

Southwestern Europe, bordering the Strait of Gibraltar,

which links the Mediterranean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, on

the southern coast of Spain

Glorioso Islands

Southern Africa, group of islands in the Indian

Ocean, northwest of Madagascar

Greece

Southern Europe, bordering the Aegean Sea, Ionian Sea, and

the Mediterranean Sea, between Albania and Turkey

Greenland

Northern North America, island between the Arctic Ocean

and the North Atlantic Ocean, northeast of Canada

Grenada

Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic

Ocean, north of Trinidad and Tobago

Guadeloupe

Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the

North Atlantic Ocean, southeast of Puerto Rico

Guam

Oceania, island in the North Pacific Ocean, about

three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to the Philippines

Guatemala

Central America, bordering the North Pacific Ocean,

between El Salvador and Mexico, and bordering the Gulf of Honduras

(Caribbean Sea) between Honduras and Belize

Guernsey

Western Europe, islands in the English Channel, northwest

of France

Guinea

Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between

Guinea-Bissau and Sierra Leone

Guinea-Bissau

Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean,

between Guinea and Senegal

Guyana

Northern South America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean,

between Suriname and Venezuela

Haiti

Caribbean, western one-third of the island of Hispaniola,

between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, west of the

Dominican Republic

Heard Island and McDonald Islands

islands in the Indian Ocean, about

two-thirds of the way from Madagascar to Antarctica

Holy See (Vatican City)

Southern Europe, an enclave of Rome (Italy)

Honduras

Central America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between

Guatemala and Nicaragua and bordering the Gulf of Fonseca (North

Pacific Ocean), between El Salvador and Nicaragua

Hong Kong

Eastern Asia, bordering the South China Sea and China

Howland Island

Oceania, island in the North Pacific Ocean, about

half way between Hawaii and Australia

Hungary

Central Europe, northwest of Romania

Iceland

Northern Europe, island between the Greenland Sea and the

North Atlantic Ocean, northwest of the UK

India

Southern Asia, bordering the Arabian Sea and the Bay of

Bengal, between Burma and Pakistan

Indian Ocean

body of water between Africa, the Southern Ocean, Asia,

and Australia

Indonesia

Southeastern Asia, archipelago between the Indian Ocean

and the Pacific Ocean

Iran

Middle East, bordering the Gulf of Oman, the Persian Gulf, and

the Caspian Sea, between Iraq and Pakistan

Iraq

Middle East, bordering the Persian Gulf, between Iran and Kuwait

Ireland

Western Europe, occupying five-sixths of the island of

Ireland in the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Great Britain

Israel

Middle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Egypt

and Lebanon

Italy

Southern Europe, a peninsula extending into the central

Mediterranean Sea, northeast of Tunisia

Jamaica

Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, south of Cuba

Jan Mayen

Northern Europe, island between the Greenland Sea and the

Norwegian Sea, northeast of Iceland

Japan

Eastern Asia, island chain between the North Pacific Ocean and

the Sea of Japan, east of the Korean Peninsula

Jarvis Island

Oceania, island in the South Pacific Ocean, about half

way between Hawaii and the Cook Islands

Jersey

Western Europe, island in the English Channel, northwest of

France

Johnston Atoll

Oceania, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean 717 nm

(1328 km) southwest of Honolulu, Hawaii, about one-third of the way

from Hawaii to the Marshall Islands

Jordan

Middle East, northwest of Saudi Arabia

Juan de Nova Island

Southern Africa, island in the Mozambique

Channel, about one-third of the way between Madagascar and Mozambique

Kazakhstan

Central Asia, northwest of China; a small portion west of

the Ural River in eastern-most Europe

Kenya

Eastern Africa, bordering the Indian Ocean, between Somalia

and Tanzania

Kingman Reef

Oceania, reef in the North Pacific Ocean, about half

way between Hawaii and American Samoa

Kiribati

Oceania, group of 33 coral atolls in the Pacific Ocean,

straddling the equator; the capital Tarawa is about one-half of the

way from Hawaii to Australia; note - on 1 January 1995, Kiribati

proclaimed that all of its territory lies in the same time zone as

its Gilbert Islands group (GMT +12) even though the Phoenix Islands

and the Line Islands under its jurisdiction lie on the other side of

the International Date Line

Korea, North

Eastern Asia, northern half of the Korean Peninsula

bordering the Korea Bay and the Sea of Japan, between China and

South Korea

Korea, South

Eastern Asia, southern half of the Korean Peninsula

bordering the Sea of Japan and the Yellow Sea

Kuwait

Middle East, bordering the Persian Gulf, between Iraq and

Saudi Arabia

Kyrgyzstan

Central Asia, west of China

Laos

Southeastern Asia, northeast of Thailand, west of Vietnam

Latvia

Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, between Estonia and

Lithuania

Lebanon

Middle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Israel

and Syria

Lesotho

Southern Africa, an enclave of South Africa

Liberia

Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between

Cote d'Ivoire and Sierra Leone

Libya

Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between

Egypt and Tunisia

Liechtenstein

Central Europe, between Austria and Switzerland

Lithuania

Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, between Latvia

and Russia

Luxembourg

Western Europe, between France and Germany

Macau

Eastern Asia, bordering the South China Sea and China

Macedonia

Southeastern Europe, north of Greece

Madagascar

Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, east of

Mozambique

Malawi

Southern Africa, east of Zambia

Malaysia

Southeastern Asia, peninsula bordering Thailand and

northern one-third of the island of Borneo, bordering Indonesia,

Brunei, and the South China Sea, south of Vietnam

Maldives

Southern Asia, group of atolls in the Indian Ocean,

south-southwest of India

Mali

Western Africa, southwest of Algeria

Malta

Southern Europe, islands in the Mediterranean Sea, south of

Sicily (Italy)

Man, Isle of

Western Europe, island in the Irish Sea, between Great

Britain and Ireland

Marshall Islands

Oceania, group of atolls and reefs in the North

Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to Australia

Martinique

Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and North

Atlantic Ocean, north of Trinidad and Tobago

Mauritania

Northern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean,

between Senegal and Western Sahara

Mauritius

Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, east of

Madagascar

Mayotte

Southern Africa, island in the Mozambique Channel, about

one-half of the way from northern Madagascar to northern Mozambique

Mexico

Middle America, bordering the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of

Mexico, between Belize and the US and bordering the North Pacific

Ocean, between Guatemala and the US

Micronesia, Federated States of

Oceania, island group in the North

Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to

Indonesia

Midway Islands

Oceania, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, about

one-third of the way from Honolulu to Tokyo

Moldova

Eastern Europe, northeast of Romania

Monaco

Western Europe, bordering the Mediterranean Sea on the

southern coast of France, near the border with Italy

Mongolia

Northern Asia, between China and Russia

Montserrat

Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, southeast of

Puerto Rico

Morocco

Northern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean and the

Mediterranean Sea, between Algeria and Western Sahara

Mozambique

South-eastern Africa, bordering the Mozambique Channel,

between South Africa and Tanzania

Namibia

Southern Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between

Angola and South Africa

Nauru

Oceania, island in the South Pacific Ocean, south of the

Marshall Islands

Navassa Island

Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, 35 miles west

of Tiburon Peninsula of Haiti

Nepal

Southern Asia, between China and India

Netherlands

Western Europe, bordering the North Sea, between Belgium

and Germany

Netherlands Antilles

Caribbean, two island groups in the Caribbean

Sea - composed of five islands, Curacao and Bonaire located off the

coast of Venezuela, and St. Maarten, Saba, and St. Eustatius lie

east of the US Virgin Islands

New Caledonia

Oceania, islands in the South Pacific Ocean, east of

Australia

New Zealand

Oceania, islands in the South Pacific Ocean, southeast

of Australia

Nicaragua

Central America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the

North Pacific Ocean, between Costa Rica and Honduras

Niger

Western Africa, southeast of Algeria

Nigeria

Western Africa, bordering the Gulf of Guinea, between Benin

and Cameroon

Niue

Oceania, island in the South Pacific Ocean, east of Tonga

Norfolk Island

Oceania, island in the South Pacific Ocean, east of

Australia

Northern Mariana Islands

Oceania, islands in the North Pacific

Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to the Philippines

Norway

Northern Europe, bordering the North Sea and the North

Atlantic Ocean, west of Sweden

Oman

Middle East, bordering the Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman, and

Persian Gulf, between Yemen and UAE

Pacific Ocean

body of water between the Southern Ocean, Asia,

Australia, and the Western Hemisphere

Pakistan

Southern Asia, bordering the Arabian Sea, between India on

the east and Iran and Afghanistan on the west and China in the north

Palau

Oceania, group of islands in the North Pacific Ocean,

southeast of the Philippines

Palmyra Atoll

Oceania, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, about half

way between Hawaii and American Samoa

Panama

Central America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the

North Pacific Ocean, between Colombia and Costa Rica

Papua New Guinea

Oceania, group of islands including the eastern

half of the island of New Guinea between the Coral Sea and the South

Pacific Ocean, east of Indonesia

Paracel Islands

Southeastern Asia, group of small islands and reefs

in the South China Sea, about one-third of the way from central

Vietnam to the northern Philippines

Paraguay

Central South America, northeast of Argentina

Peru

Western South America, bordering the South Pacific Ocean,

between Chile and Ecuador

Philippines

Southeastern Asia, archipelago between the Philippine

Sea and the South China Sea, east of Vietnam

Pitcairn Islands

Oceania, islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about

midway between Peru and New Zealand

Poland

Central Europe, east of Germany

Portugal

Southwestern Europe, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean,

west of Spain

Puerto Rico

Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and the

North Atlantic Ocean, east of the Dominican Republic

Qatar

Middle East, peninsula bordering the Persian Gulf and Saudi

Arabia

Reunion

Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, east of

Madagascar

Romania

Southeastern Europe, bordering the Black Sea, between

Bulgaria and Ukraine

Russia

Northern Asia (that part west of the Urals is included with

Europe), bordering the Arctic Ocean, between Europe and the North

Pacific Ocean

Rwanda

Central Africa, east of Democratic Republic of the Congo

Saint Helena

islands in the South Atlantic Ocean, about midway

between South America and Africa

Saint Kitts and Nevis

Caribbean, islands in the Caribbean Sea, about

one-third of the way from Puerto Rico to Trinidad and Tobago

Saint Lucia

Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and North

Atlantic Ocean, north of Trinidad and Tobago

Saint Pierre and Miquelon

Northern North America, islands in the

North Atlantic Ocean, south of Newfoundland (Canada)

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Caribbean, islands between the

Caribbean Sea and North Atlantic Ocean, north of Trinidad and Tobago

Samoa

Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about

one-half of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand

San Marino

Southern Europe, an enclave in central Italy

Sao Tome and Principe

Western Africa, islands in the Gulf of Guinea,

straddling the Equator, west of Gabon

Saudi Arabia

Middle East, bordering the Persian Gulf and the Red

Sea, north of Yemen

Senegal

Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between

Guinea-Bissau and Mauritania

Serbia and Montenegro

Southeastern Europe, bordering the Adriatic

Sea, between Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina

Seychelles

archipelago in the Indian Ocean, northeast of Madagascar

Sierra Leone

Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean,

between Guinea and Liberia

Singapore

Southeastern Asia, islands between Malaysia and Indonesia

Slovakia

Central Europe, south of Poland

Slovenia

Central Europe, eastern Alps bordering the Adriatic Sea,

between Austria and Croatia

Solomon Islands

Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific

Ocean, east of Papua New Guinea

Somalia

Eastern Africa, bordering the Gulf of Aden and the Indian

Ocean, east of Ethiopia

South Africa

Southern Africa, at the southern tip of the continent

of Africa

South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands

Southern South America,

islands in the South Atlantic Ocean, east of the tip of South America

Southern Ocean

body of water between 60 degrees south latitude and

Antarctica

Spain

Southwestern Europe, bordering the Bay of Biscay,

Mediterranean Sea, North Atlantic Ocean, and Pyrenees Mountains,

southwest of France

Spratly Islands

Southeastern Asia, group of reefs and islands in the

South China Sea, about two-thirds of the way from southern Vietnam

to the southern Philippines

Sri Lanka

Southern Asia, island in the Indian Ocean, south of India

Sudan

Northern Africa, bordering the Red Sea, between Egypt and

Eritrea

Suriname

Northern South America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean,

between French Guiana and Guyana

Svalbard

Northern Europe, islands between the Arctic Ocean, Barents

Sea, Greenland Sea, and Norwegian Sea, north of Norway

Swaziland

Southern Africa, between Mozambique and South Africa

Sweden

Northern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, Gulf of Bothnia,

Kattegat, and Skagerrak, between Finland and Norway

Switzerland

Central Europe, east of France, north of Italy

Syria

Middle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Lebanon

and Turkey

Taiwan

Eastern Asia, islands bordering the East China Sea,

Philippine Sea, South China Sea, and Taiwan Strait, north of the

Philippines, off the southeastern coast of China

Tajikistan

Central Asia, west of China

Tanzania

Eastern Africa, bordering the Indian Ocean, between Kenya

and Mozambique

Thailand

Southeastern Asia, bordering the Andaman Sea and the Gulf

of Thailand, southeast of Burma

Togo

Western Africa, bordering the Bight of Benin, between Benin and

Ghana

Tokelau

Oceania, group of three atolls in the South Pacific Ocean,

about one-half of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand

Tonga

Oceania, archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean, about

two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand

Trinidad and Tobago

Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and

the North Atlantic Ocean, northeast of Venezuela

Tromelin Island

Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, east of

Madagascar

Tunisia

Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between

Algeria and Libya

Turkey

southeastern Europe and southwestern Asia (that portion of

Turkey west of the Bosporus is geographically part of Europe),

bordering the Black Sea, between Bulgaria and Georgia, and bordering

the Aegean Sea and the Mediterranean Sea, between Greece and Syria

Turkmenistan

Central Asia, bordering the Caspian Sea, between Iran

and Kazakhstan

Turks and Caicos Islands

Caribbean, two island groups in the North

Atlantic Ocean, southeast of The Bahamas, north of Haiti

Tuvalu

Oceania, island group consisting of nine coral atolls in the

South Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to

Australia

Uganda

Eastern Africa, west of Kenya

Ukraine

Eastern Europe, bordering the Black Sea, between Poland,

Romania, and Moldova in the west and Russia in the east

United Arab Emirates

Middle East, bordering the Gulf of Oman and the

Persian Gulf, between Oman and Saudi Arabia

United Kingdom

Western Europe, islands including the northern

one-sixth of the island of Ireland between the North Atlantic Ocean

and the North Sea, northwest of France

United States

North America, bordering both the North Atlantic Ocean

and the North Pacific Ocean, between Canada and Mexico

Uruguay

Southern South America, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean,

between Argentina and Brazil

Uzbekistan

Central Asia, north of Afghanistan

Vanuatu

Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about

three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to Australia

Venezuela

Northern South America, bordering the Caribbean Sea and

the North Atlantic Ocean, between Colombia and Guyana

Vietnam

Southeastern Asia, bordering the Gulf of Thailand, Gulf of

Tonkin, and South China Sea, alongside China, Laos, and Cambodia

Virgin Islands

Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the

North Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico

Wake Island

Oceania, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, about

two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to the Northern Mariana Islands

Wallis and Futuna

Oceania, islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about

two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand

West Bank

Middle East, west of Jordan

Western Sahara

Northern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean,

between Mauritania and Morocco

Yemen

Middle East, bordering the Arabian Sea, Gulf of Aden, and Red

Sea, between Oman and Saudi Arabia

Zambia

Southern Africa, east of Angola

Zimbabwe

Southern Africa, between South Africa and Zambia

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2145 Map references

Afghanistan

Asia

Akrotiri

Middle East

Albania

Europe

Algeria

Africa

American Samoa

Oceania

Andorra

Europe

Angola

Africa

Anguilla

Central America and the Caribbean

Antarctica

Antarctic Region

Antigua and Barbuda

Central America and the Caribbean

Arctic Ocean

Arctic Region

Argentina

South America

Armenia

Asia

Aruba

Central America and the Caribbean

Ashmore and Cartier Islands

Southeast Asia

Atlantic Ocean

Political Map of the World

Australia

Oceania

Austria

Europe

Azerbaijan

Asia

Bahamas, The

Central America and the Caribbean

Bahrain

Middle East

Baker Island

Oceania

Bangladesh

Asia

Barbados

Central America and the Caribbean

Bassas da India

Africa

Belarus

Europe

Belgium

Europe

Belize

Central America and the Caribbean

Benin

Africa

Bermuda

North America

Bhutan

Asia

Bolivia

South America

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Europe

Botswana

Africa

Bouvet Island

Antarctic Region

Brazil

South America

British Indian Ocean Territory

Political Map of the World

British Virgin Islands

Central America and the Caribbean

Brunei

Southeast Asia

Bulgaria

Europe

Burkina Faso

Africa

Burma

Southeast Asia

Burundi

Africa

Cambodia

Southeast Asia

Cameroon

Africa

Canada

North America

Cape Verde

Political Map of the World

Cayman Islands

Central America and the Caribbean

Central African Republic

Africa

Chad

Africa

Chile

South America

China

Asia

Christmas Island

Southeast Asia

Clipperton Island

Political Map of the World

Cocos (Keeling) Islands

Southeast Asia

Colombia

South America

Comoros

Africa

Congo, Democratic Republic of the

Africa

Congo, Republic of the

Africa

Cook Islands

Oceania

Coral Sea Islands

Oceania

Costa Rica

Central America and the Caribbean

Cote d'Ivoire

Africa

Croatia

Europe

Cuba

Central America and the Caribbean

Cyprus

Middle East

Czech Republic

Europe

Denmark

Europe

Dhekelia

Middle East

Djibouti

Africa

Dominica

Central America and the Caribbean

Dominican Republic

Central America and the Caribbean

East Timor

Southeast Asia

Ecuador

South America

Egypt

Africa

El Salvador

Central America and the Caribbean

Equatorial Guinea

Africa

Eritrea

Africa

Estonia

Europe

Ethiopia

Africa

Europa Island

Africa

European Union

Europe

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

South America

Faroe Islands

Europe

Fiji

Oceania

Finland

Europe

France

Europe

French Guiana

South America

French Polynesia

Oceania

French Southern and Antarctic Lands

Antarctic Region

Gabon

Africa

Gambia, The

Africa

Gaza Strip

Middle East

Georgia

Asia

Germany

Europe

Ghana

Africa

Gibraltar

Europe

Glorioso Islands

Africa

Greece

Europe

Greenland

Arctic Region

Grenada

Central America and the Caribbean

Guadeloupe

Central America and the Caribbean

Guam

Oceania

Guatemala

Central America and the Caribbean

Guernsey

Europe

Guinea

Africa

Guinea-Bissau

Africa

Guyana

South America

Haiti

Central America and the Caribbean

Heard Island and McDonald Islands

Antarctic Region

Holy See (Vatican City)

Europe

Honduras

Central America and the Caribbean

Hong Kong

Southeast Asia

Howland Island

Oceania

Hungary

Europe

Iceland

Arctic Region

India

Asia

Indian Ocean

Political Map of the World

Indonesia

Southeast Asia

Iran

Middle East

Iraq

Middle East

Ireland

Europe

Israel

Middle East

Italy

Europe

Jamaica

Central America and the Caribbean

Jan Mayen

Arctic Region

Japan

Asia

Jarvis Island

Oceania

Jersey

Europe

Johnston Atoll

Oceania

Jordan

Middle East

Juan de Nova Island

Africa

Kazakhstan

Asia

Kenya

Africa

Kingman Reef

Oceania

Kiribati

Oceania

Korea, North

Asia

Korea, South

Asia

Kuwait

Middle East

Kyrgyzstan

Asia

Laos

Southeast Asia

Latvia

Europe

Lebanon

Middle East

Lesotho

Africa

Liberia

Africa

Libya

Africa

Liechtenstein

Europe

Lithuania

Europe

Luxembourg

Europe

Macau

Southeast Asia

Macedonia

Europe

Madagascar

Africa

Malawi

Africa

Malaysia

Southeast Asia

Maldives

Asia

Mali

Africa

Malta

Europe

Man, Isle of

Europe

Marshall Islands

Oceania

Martinique

Central America and the Caribbean

Mauritania

Africa

Mauritius

Political Map of the World

Mayotte

Africa

Mexico

North America

Micronesia, Federated States of

Oceania

Midway Islands

Oceania

Moldova

Europe

Monaco

Europe

Mongolia

Asia

Montserrat

Central America and the Caribbean

Morocco

Africa

Mozambique

Africa

Namibia

Africa

Nauru

Oceania

Navassa Island

Central America and the Caribbean

Nepal

Asia

Netherlands

Europe

Netherlands Antilles

Central America and the Caribbean

New Caledonia

Oceania

New Zealand

Oceania

Nicaragua

Central America and the Caribbean

Niger

Africa

Nigeria

Africa

Niue

Oceania

Norfolk Island

Oceania

Northern Mariana Islands

Oceania

Norway

Europe

Oman

Middle East

Pacific Ocean

Political Map of the World

Pakistan

Asia

Palau

Oceania

Palmyra Atoll

Oceania

Panama

Central America and the Caribbean

Papua New Guinea

Oceania

Paracel Islands

Southeast Asia

Paraguay

South America

Peru

South America

Philippines

Southeast Asia

Pitcairn Islands

Oceania

Poland

Europe

Portugal

Europe

Puerto Rico

Central America and the Caribbean

Qatar

Middle East

Reunion

World

Romania

Europe

Russia

Asia

Rwanda

Africa

Saint Helena

Africa

Saint Kitts and Nevis

Central America and the Caribbean

Saint Lucia

Central America and the Caribbean

Saint Pierre and Miquelon

North America

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Central America and the Caribbean

Samoa

Oceania

San Marino

Europe

Sao Tome and Principe

Africa

Saudi Arabia

Middle East

Senegal

Africa

Serbia and Montenegro

Europe

Seychelles

Africa

Sierra Leone

Africa

Singapore

Southeast Asia

Slovakia

Europe

Slovenia

Europe

Solomon Islands

Oceania

Somalia

Africa

South Africa

Africa

South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands

Antarctic Region

Southern Ocean

Antarctic Region

Spain

Europe

Spratly Islands

Southeast Asia

Sri Lanka

Asia

Sudan

Africa

Suriname

South America

Svalbard

Arctic Region

Swaziland

Africa

Sweden

Europe

Switzerland

Europe

Syria

Middle East

Taiwan

Southeast Asia

Tajikistan

Asia

Tanzania

Africa

Thailand

Southeast Asia

Togo

Africa

Tokelau

Oceania

Tonga

Oceania

Trinidad and Tobago

Central America and the Caribbean

Tromelin Island

Africa

Tunisia

Africa

Turkey

Middle East

Turkmenistan

Asia

Turks and Caicos Islands

Central America and the Caribbean

Tuvalu

Oceania

Uganda

Africa

Ukraine

Asia, Europe

United Arab Emirates

Middle East

United Kingdom

Europe

United States

North America

Uruguay

South America

Uzbekistan

Asia

Vanuatu

Oceania

Venezuela

South America

Vietnam

Southeast Asia

Virgin Islands

Central America and the Caribbean

Wake Island

Oceania

Wallis and Futuna

Oceania

West Bank

Middle East

Western Sahara

Africa

World

Physical Map of the World, Political Map of the World,

Standard Time Zones of the World

Yemen

Middle East

Zambia

Africa

Zimbabwe

Africa

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2146 Irrigated land (sq km)

Afghanistan

23,860 sq km (1998 est.)

Albania

3,400 sq km (1998 est.)

Algeria

5,600 sq km (1998 est.)

American Samoa

NA sq km

Andorra

NA sq km

Angola

750 sq km (1998 est.)

Anguilla

NA

Antarctica

0 sq km

Antigua and Barbuda

NA

Argentina

15,610 sq km (1998 est.)

Armenia

2,870 sq km (1998 est.)

Aruba

0.01 sq km (1998 est.)

Ashmore and Cartier Islands

0 sq km (1998 est.)

Australia

24,000 sq km (1998 est.)

Austria

457 sq km (2000 est.)

Azerbaijan

14,550 sq km (1998 est.)

Bahamas, The

NA

Bahrain

50 sq km (1998 est.)

Baker Island

0 sq km (1998 est.)

Bangladesh

38,440 sq km (1998 est.)

Barbados

10 sq km (1998 est.)

Bassas da India

0 sq km (1998 est.)

Belarus

1,150 sq km (1998 est.)

Belgium

40 sq km (includes Luxembourg) (1998 est.)

Belize

30 sq km (1998 est.)

Benin

120 sq km (1998 est.)

Bermuda

NA

Bhutan

400 sq km (1998 est.)

Bolivia

1,280 sq km (1998 est.)

Bosnia and Herzegovina

20 sq km (1998 est.)

Botswana

10 sq km (1998 est.)

Bouvet Island

0 sq km (1998 est.)

Brazil

26,560 sq km (1998 est.)

British Indian Ocean Territory

0 sq km (1998 est.)

British Virgin Islands

NA

Brunei

10 sq km (1998 est.)

Bulgaria

8,000 sq km (1998 est.)

Burkina Faso

250 sq km (1998 est.)

Burma

15,920 sq km (1998 est.)

Burundi

740 sq km (1998 est.)

Cambodia

2,700 sq km (1998 est.)

Cameroon

330 sq km (1998 est.)

Canada

7,200 sq km (1998 est.)

Cape Verde

30 sq km (1998 est.)

Cayman Islands

NA sq km

Central African Republic

NA sq km

Chad

200 sq km (1998 est.)

Chile

18,000 sq km (1998 est.)

China

525,800 sq km (1998 est.)

Christmas Island

NA sq km

Clipperton Island

0 sq km (1998 est.)

Cocos (Keeling) Islands

NA sq km

Colombia

8,500 sq km (1998 est.)

Comoros

NA sq km

Congo, Democratic Republic of the

110 sq km (1998 est.)

Congo, Republic of the

10 sq km (1998 est.)

Cook Islands

NA

Coral Sea Islands

0 sq km

Costa Rica

1,260 sq km (1998 est.)

Cote d'Ivoire

730 sq km (1998 est.)

Croatia

30 sq km (1998 est.)

Cuba

870 sq km (1998 est.)

Cyprus

382 sq km (2001 est.)

Czech Republic

240 sq km (1998 est.)

Denmark

4,760 sq km (1998 est.)

Djibouti

10 sq km (1998 est.)

Dominica

NA sq km

Dominican Republic

2,590 sq km (1998 est.)

East Timor

1,065 sq km (est.)

Ecuador

8,650 sq km (1998 est.)

Egypt

33,000 sq km (1998 est.)

El Salvador

360 sq km (1998 est.)

Equatorial Guinea

NA sq km

Eritrea

220 sq km (1998 est.)

Estonia

40 sq km (1998 est.)

Ethiopia

1,900 sq km (1998 est.)

Europa Island

0 sq km (1998 est.)

European Union

115,807 sq km

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

NA sq km

Faroe Islands

0 sq km (1998 est.)

Fiji

30 sq km (1998 est.)

Finland

640 sq km (1998 est.)

France

20,000 sq km (1998 est.)

French Guiana

20 sq km (1998 est.)

French Polynesia

NA sq km

French Southern and Antarctic Lands

0 sq km (1998 est.)

Gabon

150 sq km (1998 est.)

Gambia, The

20 sq km (1998 est.)

Gaza Strip

120 sq km (1998 est.)

Georgia

4,700 sq km (1998 est.)

Germany

4,850 sq km (1998 est.)

Ghana

110 sq km (1998 est.)

Gibraltar

NA sq km

Glorioso Islands

0 sq km (1998 est.)

Greece

14,220 sq km (1998 est.)

Greenland

NA sq km

Grenada

NA sq km

Guadeloupe

20 sq km (1998 est.)

Guam

NA

Guatemala

1,250 sq km (1998 est.)

Guernsey

NA sq km

Guinea

950 sq km (1998 est.)

Guinea-Bissau

170 sq km (1998 est.)

Guyana

1,500 sq km (1998 est.)

Haiti

750 sq km (1998 est.)

Heard Island and McDonald Islands

0 sq km

Holy See (Vatican City)

0 sq km (1998 est.)

Honduras

760 sq km (1998 est.)

Hong Kong

20 sq km (1998 est.)

Howland Island

0 sq km

Hungary

2,100 sq km (1998 est.)

Iceland

NA sq km

India

590,000 sq km (1998 est.)

Indonesia

48,150 sq km (1998 est.)

Iran

75,620 sq km (1998 est.)

Iraq

35,250 sq km (1998 est.)

Ireland

NA sq km

Israel

1,990 sq km (1998 est.)

Italy

26,980 sq km (1998 est.)

Jamaica

250 sq km (1998 est.)

Jan Mayen

0 sq km (1998 est.)

Japan

26,790 sq km (1998 est.)

Jarvis Island

0 sq km (1998 est.)

Jersey

NA sq km

Johnston Atoll

0 sq km (1998 est.)

Jordan

750 sq km (1998 est.)

Juan de Nova Island

0 sq km (1998 est.)

Kazakhstan

23,320 sq km (1998 est.)

Kenya

670 sq km (1998 est.)

Kingman Reef

0 sq km (1998 est.)

Kiribati

NA

Korea, North

14,600 sq km (1998 est.)

Korea, South

11,590 sq km (1998 est.)

Kuwait

60 sq km (1998 est.)

Kyrgyzstan

10,740 sq km (1998 est.)

Laos

1,640 sq km

note: rainy season irrigation - 2,169 sq km; dry season irrigation -

750 sq km (1998 est.)

Latvia

200 sq km

note: land in Latvia is often too wet, and in need of drainage, not

irrigation; approximately 16,000 sq km or 85% of agricultural land

has been improved by drainage (1998 est.)

Lebanon

1,200 sq km (1998 est.)

Lesotho

10 sq km (1998 est.)

Liberia

30 sq km (1998 est.)

Libya

4,700 sq km (1998 est.)

Liechtenstein

NA sq km

Lithuania

90 sq km (1998 est.)

Luxembourg

40 sq km (includes Belgium) (1998 est.)

Macau

NA sq km

Macedonia

550 sq km (1998 est.)

Madagascar

10,900 sq km (2000 est.)

Malawi

280 sq km (1998 est.)

Malaysia

3,650 sq km (1998 est.)

Maldives

NA sq km

Mali

1,380 sq km (1998 est.)

Malta

20 sq km (1998 est.)

Man, Isle of

0 sq km (1998 est.)

Marshall Islands

0 sq km

Martinique

30 sq km (1998 est.)

Mauritania

490 sq km (1998 est.)

Mauritius

200 sq km (2000 est.)

Mayotte

NA sq km

Mexico

65,000 sq km (1998 est.)

Micronesia, Federated States of

NA

Midway Islands

0 sq km (1998 est.)

Moldova

3,070 sq km (1998 est.)

Monaco

NA sq km

Mongolia

840 sq km (1998 est.)

Montserrat

NA sq km

Morocco

12,910 sq km (1998 est.)

Mozambique

1,070 sq km (1998 est.)

Namibia

70 sq km (1998 est.)

Nauru

NA

Navassa Island

0 sq km (1998 est.)

Nepal

11,350 sq km (1998 est.)

Netherlands

5,650 sq km (1998 est.)

Netherlands Antilles

NA sq km

New Caledonia

160 sq km (1991)

New Zealand

2,850 sq km (1998 est.)

Nicaragua

880 sq km (1998 est.)

Niger

660 sq km (1998 est.)

Nigeria

2,330 sq km (1998 est.)

Niue

NA

Norfolk Island

NA

Northern Mariana Islands

NA

Norway

1,270 sq km (1998 est.)

Oman

620 sq km (1998 est.)

Pakistan

180,000 sq km (1998 est.)

Palau

NA

Palmyra Atoll

0 sq km (1998 est.)

Panama

320 sq km (1998 est.)

Papua New Guinea

NA sq km

Paracel Islands

0 sq km (1998 est.)

Paraguay

670 sq km (1998 est.)

Peru

11,950 sq km (1998 est.)

Philippines

15,500 sq km (1998 est.)

Pitcairn Islands

NA

Poland

1,000 sq km (1998 est.)

Portugal

6,320 sq km (1998 est.)

Puerto Rico

400 sq km (1998 est.)

Qatar

130 sq km (1998 est.)

Reunion

120 sq km (1998 est.)

Romania

28,800 sq km (1998 est.)

Russia

46,630 sq km (1998 est.)

Rwanda

40 sq km (1998 est.)

Saint Helena

NA sq km

Saint Kitts and Nevis

NA sq km

Saint Lucia

30 sq km (1998 est.)

Saint Pierre and Miquelon

NA sq km

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

10 sq km (1998 est.)

Samoa

NA

San Marino

NA sq km

Sao Tome and Principe

100 sq km (1998 est.)

Saudi Arabia

16,200 sq km (1998 est.)

Senegal

710 sq km (1998 est.)

Serbia and Montenegro

570 sq km

Seychelles

NA sq km

Sierra Leone

290 sq km (1998 est.)

Singapore

NA sq km

Slovakia

1,740 sq km (1998 est.)

Slovenia

20 sq km (1998 est.)

Solomon Islands

NA

Somalia

2,000 sq km (1998 est.)

South Africa

13,500 sq km (1998 est.)

South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands

0 sq km (1998 est.)

Spain

36,400 sq km (1998 est.)

Spratly Islands

0 sq km (1998 est.)

Sri Lanka

6,510 sq km (1998 est.)

Sudan

19,500 sq km (1998 est.)

Suriname

490 sq km (1998 est.)

Svalbard

NA sq km

Swaziland

690 sq km (1998 est.)

Sweden

1,150 sq km (1998 est.)

Switzerland

250 sq km (1998 est.)

Syria

12,130 sq km (1998 est.)

Taiwan

NA sq km

Tajikistan

7,200 sq km (1998 est.)

Tanzania

1,550 sq km (1998 est.)

Thailand

47,490 sq km (1998 est.)

Togo

70 sq km (1998 est.)

Tokelau

NA sq km

Tonga

NA

Trinidad and Tobago

30 sq km (1998 est.)

Tromelin Island

0 sq km (1998 est.)

Tunisia

3,800 sq km (1998 est.)

Turkey

42,000 sq km (1998 est.)

Turkmenistan

17,500 sq km (2003 est.)

Turks and Caicos Islands

NA sq km

Tuvalu

NA

Uganda

90 sq km (1998 est.)

Ukraine

24,540 sq km (1998 est.)

United Arab Emirates

720 sq km (1998 est.)

United Kingdom

1,080 sq km (1998 est.)

United States

214,000 sq km (1998 est.)

Uruguay

1,800 sq km (1998 est.)

Uzbekistan

42,810 sq km (1998 est.)

Vanuatu

NA

Venezuela

540 sq km (1998 est.)

Vietnam

30,000 sq km (1998 est.)

Virgin Islands

NA

Wake Island

0 sq km (1998 est.)

Wallis and Futuna

NA sq km

West Bank

NA sq km

Western Sahara

NA sq km

World

2,714,320 sq km (1998 est.)

Yemen

4,900 sq km (1998 est.)

Zambia

460 sq km (1998 est.)

Zimbabwe

1,170 sq km (1998 est.)

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2147 Area (sq km)

Afghanistan total: 647,500 sq km land: 647,500 sq km water: 0 sq km

Akrotiri total: 123 sq km note: includes a salt lake and wetlands

Albania

total: 28,748 sq km

land: 27,398 sq km

water: 1,350 sq km

Algeria

total: 2,381,740 sq km

land: 2,381,740 sq km

water: 0 sq km

American Samoa total: 199 sq km land: 199 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes Rose Island and Swains Island

Andorra

total: 468 sq km

land: 468 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Angola

total: 1,246,700 sq km

land: 1,246,700 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Anguilla

total: 102 sq km

land: 102 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Antarctica

total: 14 million sq km

land: 14 million sq km (280,000 sq km ice-free, 13.72 million sq km

ice-covered) (est.)

note: fifth-largest continent, following Asia, Africa, North

America, and South America, but larger than Australia and the

subcontinent of Europe

Antigua and Barbuda total: 442.6 sq km (Antigua 280 sq km; Barbuda 161 sq km) land: 442.6 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes Redonda, 1.6 sq km

Arctic Ocean

total: 14.056 million sq km

note: includes Baffin Bay, Barents Sea, Beaufort Sea, Chukchi Sea,

East Siberian Sea, Greenland Sea, Hudson Bay, Hudson Strait, Kara

Sea, Laptev Sea, Northwest Passage, and other tributary water bodies

Argentina

total: 2,766,890 sq km

land: 2,736,690 sq km

water: 30,200 sq km

Armenia

total: 29,800 sq km

land: 28,400 sq km

water: 1,400 sq km

Aruba

total: 193 sq km

land: 193 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Ashmore and Cartier Islands

total: 5 sq km

land: 5 sq km

water: 0 sq km

note: includes Ashmore Reef (West, Middle, and East Islets) and

Cartier Island

Atlantic Ocean

total: 76.762 million sq km

note: includes Baltic Sea, Black Sea, Caribbean Sea, Davis Strait,

Denmark Strait, part of the Drake Passage, Gulf of Mexico, Labrador

Sea, Mediterranean Sea, North Sea, Norwegian Sea, almost all of the

Scotia Sea, and other tributary water bodies

Australia

total: 7,686,850 sq km

land: 7,617,930 sq km

water: 68,920 sq km

note: includes Lord Howe Island and Macquarie Island

Austria

total: 83,870 sq km

land: 82,444 sq km

water: 1,426 sq km

Azerbaijan

total: 86,600 sq km

land: 86,100 sq km

water: 500 sq km

note: includes the exclave of Naxcivan Autonomous Republic and the

Nagorno-Karabakh region; the region's autonomy was abolished by

Azerbaijani Supreme Soviet on 26 November 1991

Bahamas, The

total: 13,940 sq km

land: 10,070 sq km

water: 3,870 sq km

Bahrain

total: 665 sq km

land: 665 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Baker Island

total: 1.4 sq km

land: 1.4 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Bangladesh

total: 144,000 sq km

land: 133,910 sq km

water: 10,090 sq km

Barbados

total: 431 sq km

land: 431 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Bassas da India

total: 0.2 sq km

land: 0.2 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Belarus

total: 207,600 sq km

land: 207,600 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Belgium

total: 30,528 sq km

land: 30,278 sq km

water: 250 sq km

Belize

total: 22,966 sq km

land: 22,806 sq km

water: 160 sq km

Benin

total: 112,620 sq km

land: 110,620 sq km

water: 2,000 sq km

Bermuda

total: 53.3 sq km

land: 53.3 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Bhutan

total: 47,000 sq km

land: 47,000 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Bolivia

total: 1,098,580 sq km

land: 1,084,390 sq km

water: 14,190 sq km

Bosnia and Herzegovina

total: 51,129 sq km

land: 51,129 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Botswana

total: 600,370 sq km

land: 585,370 sq km

water: 15,000 sq km

Bouvet Island

total: 58.5 sq km

land: 58.5 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Brazil

total: 8,511,965 sq km

land: 8,456,510 sq km

water: 55,455 sq km

note: includes Arquipelago de Fernando de Noronha, Atol das Rocas,

Ilha da Trindade, Ilhas Martin Vaz, and Penedos de Sao Pedro e Sao

Paulo

British Indian Ocean Territory total: 60 sq km land: 60 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes the entire Chagos Archipelago

British Virgin Islands total: 153 sq km land: 153 sq km water: 0 sq km note: comprised of 16 inhabited and more than 20 uninhabited islands; includes the island of Anegada

Brunei

total: 5,770 sq km

land: 5,270 sq km

water: 500 sq km

Bulgaria

total: 110,910 sq km

land: 110,550 sq km

water: 360 sq km

Burkina Faso

total: 274,200 sq km

land: 273,800 sq km

water: 400 sq km

Burma

total: 678,500 sq km

land: 657,740 sq km

water: 20,760 sq km

Burundi

total: 27,830 sq km

land: 25,650 sq km

water: 2,180 sq km

Cambodia

total: 181,040 sq km

land: 176,520 sq km

water: 4,520 sq km

Cameroon

total: 475,440 sq km

land: 469,440 sq km

water: 6,000 sq km

Canada

total: 9,984,670 sq km

land: 9,093,507 sq km

water: 891,163 sq km

Cape Verde

total: 4,033 sq km

land: 4,033 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Cayman Islands

total: 262 sq km

land: 262 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Central African Republic

total: 622,984 sq km

land: 622,984 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Chad

total: 1.284 million sq km

land: 1,259,200 sq km

water: 24,800 sq km

Chile

total: 756,950 sq km

land: 748,800 sq km

water: 8,150 sq km

note: includes Easter Island (Isla de Pascua) and Isla Sala y Gomez

China

total: 9,596,960 sq km

land: 9,326,410 sq km

water: 270,550 sq km

Christmas Island

total: 135 sq km

land: 135 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Clipperton Island

total: 6 sq km

land: 6 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Cocos (Keeling) Islands total: 14 sq km land: 14 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes the two main islands of West Island and Home Island

Colombia

total: 1,138,910 sq km

land: 1,038,700 sq km

water: 100,210 sq km

note: includes Isla de Malpelo, Roncador Cay, Serrana Bank, and

Serranilla Bank

Comoros

total: 2,170 sq km

land: 2,170 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Congo, Democratic Republic of the

total: 2,345,410 sq km

land: 2,267,600 sq km

water: 77,810 sq km

Congo, Republic of the

total: 342,000 sq km

land: 341,500 sq km

water: 500 sq km

Cook Islands

total: 240 sq km

land: 240 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Coral Sea Islands

total: less than 3 sq km

land: less than 3 sq km

water: 0 sq km

note: includes numerous small islands and reefs scattered over a sea

area of about 780,000 sq km, with the Willis Islets the most

important

Costa Rica total: 51,100 sq km land: 50,660 sq km water: 440 sq km note: includes Isla del Coco

Cote d'Ivoire

total: 322,460 sq km

land: 318,000 sq km

water: 4,460 sq km

Croatia

total: 56,542 sq km

land: 56,414 sq km

water: 128 sq km

Cuba

total: 110,860 sq km

land: 110,860 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Cyprus

total: 9,250 sq km (of which 3,355 sq km are in north Cyprus)

land: 9,240 sq km

water: 10 sq km

Czech Republic

total: 78,866 sq km

land: 77,276 sq km

water: 1,590 sq km

Denmark

total: 43,094 sq km

land: 42,394 sq km

water: 700 sq km

note: includes the island of Bornholm in the Baltic Sea and the rest

of metropolitan Denmark (the Jutland Peninsula, and the major

islands of Sjaelland and Fyn), but excludes the Faroe Islands and

Greenland

Dhekelia

total: 130.8 sq km

note: area surrounds three Cypriot enclaves

Djibouti

total: 23,000 sq km

land: 22,980 sq km

water: 20 sq km

Dominica

total: 754 sq km

land: 754 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Dominican Republic

total: 48,730 sq km

land: 48,380 sq km

water: 350 sq km

East Timor

total: 15,007 sq km

land: NA

water: NA

Ecuador

total: 283,560 sq km

land: 276,840 sq km

water: 6,720 sq km

note: includes Galapagos Islands

Egypt

total: 1,001,450 sq km

land: 995,450 sq km

water: 6,000 sq km

El Salvador

total: 21,040 sq km

land: 20,720 sq km

water: 320 sq km

Equatorial Guinea

total: 28,051 sq km

land: 28,051 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Eritrea

total: 121,320 sq km

land: 121,320 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Estonia

total: 45,226 sq km

land: 43,211 sq km

water: 2,015 sq km

note: includes 1,520 islands in the Baltic Sea

Ethiopia

total: 1,127,127 sq km

land: 1,119,683 sq km

water: 7,444 sq km

Europa Island

total: 28 sq km

land: 28 sq km

water: 0 sq km

European Union

total: 3,976,372 sq km

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) total: 12,173 sq km land: 12,173 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes the two main islands of East and West Falkland and about 200 small islands

Faroe Islands

total: 1,399 sq km

land: 1,399 sq km

water: 0 sq km (some lakes and streams)

Fiji

total: 18,270 sq km

land: 18,270 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Finland

total: 338,145 sq km

land: 304,473 sq km

water: 33,672 sq km

France

total: 547,030 sq km

land: 545,630 sq km

water: 1,400 sq km

note: includes only metropolitan France; excludes the overseas

administrative divisions

French Guiana

total: 91,000 sq km

land: 89,150 sq km

water: 1,850 sq km

French Polynesia

total: 4,167 sq km (118 islands and atolls)

land: 3,660 sq km

water: 507 sq km

French Southern and Antarctic Lands

total: 7,829 sq km

land: 7,829 sq km

water: 0 sq km

note: includes Ile Amsterdam, Ile Saint-Paul, Iles Crozet and Iles

Kerguelen; excludes "Adelie Land" claim of about 500,000 sq km in

Antarctica that is not recognized by the US

Gabon

total: 267,667 sq km

land: 257,667 sq km

water: 10,000 sq km

Gambia, The

total: 11,300 sq km

land: 10,000 sq km

water: 1,300 sq km

Gaza Strip

total: 360 sq km

land: 360 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Georgia

total: 69,700 sq km

land: 69,700 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Germany

total: 357,021 sq km

land: 349,223 sq km

water: 7,798 sq km

Ghana

total: 239,460 sq km

land: 230,940 sq km

water: 8,520 sq km

Gibraltar

total: 6.5 sq km

land: 6.5 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Glorioso Islands total: 5 sq km land: 5 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes Ile Glorieuse, Ile du Lys, Verte Rocks, Wreck Rock, and South Rock

Greece

total: 131,940 sq km

land: 130,800 sq km

water: 1,140 sq km

Greenland

total: 2,166,086 sq km

land: 2,166,086 sq km (410,449 sq km ice-free, 1,755,637 sq km

ice-covered) (2000 est.)

Grenada

total: 344 sq km

land: 344 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Guadeloupe

total: 1,780 sq km

land: 1,706 sq km

water: 74 sq km

note: Guadeloupe is an archipelago of nine inhabited islands,

including Basse-Terre, Grande-Terre, Marie-Galante, La Desirade,

Iles des Saintes (2), Saint-Barthelemy, Iles de la Petite Terre, and

Saint-Martin (French part of the island of Saint Martin)

Guam

total: 549 sq km

land: 549 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Guatemala

total: 108,890 sq km

land: 108,430 sq km

water: 460 sq km

Guernsey

total: 78 sq km

land: 78 sq km

water: 0 sq km

note: includes Alderney, Guernsey, Herm, Sark, and some other

smaller islands

Guinea

total: 245,857 sq km

land: 245,857 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Guinea-Bissau

total: 36,120 sq km

land: 28,000 sq km

water: 8,120 sq km

Guyana

total: 214,970 sq km

land: 196,850 sq km

water: 18,120 sq km

Haiti

total: 27,750 sq km

land: 27,560 sq km

water: 190 sq km

Heard Island and McDonald Islands

total: 412 sq km

land: 412 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Holy See (Vatican City)

total: 0.44 sq km

land: 0.44 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Honduras

total: 112,090 sq km

land: 111,890 sq km

water: 200 sq km

Hong Kong

total: 1,092 sq km

land: 1,042 sq km

water: 50 sq km

Howland Island

total: 1.6 sq km

land: 1.6 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Hungary

total: 93,030 sq km

land: 92,340 sq km

water: 690 sq km

Iceland

total: 103,000 sq km

land: 100,250 sq km

water: 2,750 sq km

India

total: 3,287,590 sq km

land: 2,973,190 sq km

water: 314,400 sq km

Indian Ocean

total: 68.556 million sq km

note: includes Andaman Sea, Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal, Flores Sea,

Great Australian Bight, Gulf of Aden, Gulf of Oman, Java Sea,

Mozambique Channel, Persian Gulf, Red Sea, Savu Sea, Strait of

Malacca, Timor Sea, and other tributary water bodies

Indonesia

total: 1,919,440 sq km

land: 1,826,440 sq km

water: 93,000 sq km

Iran

total: 1.648 million sq km

land: 1.636 million sq km

water: 12,000 sq km

Iraq

total: 437,072 sq km

land: 432,162 sq km

water: 4,910 sq km

Ireland

total: 70,280 sq km

land: 68,890 sq km

water: 1,390 sq km

Israel

total: 20,770 sq km

land: 20,330 sq km

water: 440 sq km

Italy

total: 301,230 sq km

land: 294,020 sq km

water: 7,210 sq km

note: includes Sardinia and Sicily

Jamaica

total: 10,991 sq km

land: 10,831 sq km

water: 160 sq km

Jan Mayen

total: 373 sq km

land: 373 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Japan

total: 377,835 sq km

land: 374,744 sq km

water: 3,091 sq km

note: includes Bonin Islands (Ogasawara-gunto), Daito-shoto,

Minami-jima, Okino-tori-shima, Ryukyu Islands (Nansei-shoto), and

Volcano Islands (Kazan-retto)

Jarvis Island

total: 4.5 sq km

land: 4.5 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Jersey

total: 116 sq km

land: 116 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Johnston Atoll

total: 2.8 sq km

land: 2.8 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Jordan

total: 92,300 sq km

land: 91,971 sq km

water: 329 sq km

Juan de Nova Island

total: 4.4 sq km

land: 4.4 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Kazakhstan

total: 2,717,300 sq km

land: 2,669,800 sq km

water: 47,500 sq km

Kenya

total: 582,650 sq km

land: 569,250 sq km

water: 13,400 sq km

Kingman Reef

total: 1 sq km

land: 1 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Kiribati

total: 811 sq km

land: 811 sq km

water: 0 sq km

note: includes three island groups - Gilbert Islands, Line Islands,

Phoenix Islands

Korea, North

total: 120,540 sq km

land: 120,410 sq km

water: 130 sq km

Korea, South

total: 98,480 sq km

land: 98,190 sq km

water: 290 sq km

Kuwait

total: 17,820 sq km

land: 17,820 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Kyrgyzstan

total: 198,500 sq km

land: 191,300 sq km

water: 7,200 sq km

Laos

total: 236,800 sq km

land: 230,800 sq km

water: 6,000 sq km

Latvia

total: 64,589 sq km

land: 63,589 sq km

water: 1,000 sq km

Lebanon

total: 10,400 sq km

land: 10,230 sq km

water: 170 sq km

Lesotho

total: 30,355 sq km

land: 30,355 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Liberia

total: 111,370 sq km

land: 96,320 sq km

water: 15,050 sq km

Libya

total: 1,759,540 sq km

land: 1,759,540 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Liechtenstein

total: 160 sq km

land: 160 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Lithuania

total: 65,200 sq km

land: NA sq km

water: NA sq km

Luxembourg

total: 2,586 sq km

land: 2,586 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Macau

total: 25.4 sq km

land: 25.4 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Macedonia

total: 25,333 sq km

land: 24,856 sq km

water: 477 sq km

Madagascar

total: 587,040 sq km

land: 581,540 sq km

water: 5,500 sq km

Malawi

total: 118,480 sq km

land: 94,080 sq km

water: 24,400 sq km

Malaysia

total: 329,750 sq km

land: 328,550 sq km

water: 1,200 sq km

Maldives

total: 300 sq km

land: 300 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Mali

total: 1.24 million sq km

land: 1.22 million sq km

water: 20,000 sq km

Malta

total: 316 sq km

land: 316 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Man, Isle of

total: 572 sq km

land: 572 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Marshall Islands total: 181.3 sq km land: 181.3 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes the atolls of Bikini, Enewetak, Kwajalein, Majuro, Rongelap, and Utirik

Martinique

total: 1,100 sq km

land: 1,060 sq km

water: 40 sq km

Mauritania

total: 1,030,700 sq km

land: 1,030,400 sq km

water: 300 sq km

Mauritius

total: 2,040 sq km

land: 2,030 sq km

water: 10 sq km

note: includes Agalega Islands, Cargados Carajos Shoals (Saint

Brandon), and Rodrigues

Mayotte

total: 374 sq km

land: 374 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Mexico

total: 1,972,550 sq km

land: 1,923,040 sq km

water: 49,510 sq km

Micronesia, Federated States of total: 702 sq km land: 702 sq km water: 0 sq km (fresh water only) note: includes Pohnpei (Ponape), Chuuk (Truk) Islands, Yap Islands, and Kosrae (Kosaie)

Midway Islands total: 6.2 sq km land: 6.2 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes Eastern Island, Sand Island, and Spit Island

Moldova

total: 33,843 sq km

land: 33,371 sq km

water: 472 sq km

Monaco

total: 1.95 sq km

land: 1.95 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Mongolia

total: 1,564,116 sq km

Montserrat

total: 102 sq km

land: 102 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Morocco

total: 446,550 sq km

land: 446,300 sq km

water: 250 sq km

Mozambique

total: 801,590 sq km

land: 784,090 sq km

water: 17,500 sq km

Namibia

total: 825,418 sq km

land: 825,418 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Nauru

total: 21 sq km

land: 21 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Navassa Island

total: 5.4 sq km

land: 5.4 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Nepal

total: 140,800 sq km

land: 136,800 sq km

water: 4,000 sq km

Netherlands

total: 41,526 sq km

land: 33,883 sq km

water: 7,643 sq km

Netherlands Antilles total: 960 sq km land: 960 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes Bonaire, Curacao, Saba, Sint Eustatius, and Sint Maarten (Dutch part of the island of Saint Martin)

New Caledonia total: 19,060 sq km land: 18,575 sq km water: 485 sq km

New Zealand

total: 268,680 sq km

land: 268,021 sq km

water: NA

note: includes Antipodes Islands, Auckland Islands, Bounty Islands,

Campbell Island, Chatham Islands, and Kermadec Islands

Nicaragua

total: 129,494 sq km

land: 120,254 sq km

water: 9,240 sq km

Niger

total: 1.267 million sq km

land: 1,266,700 sq km

water: 300 sq km

Nigeria

total: 923,768 sq km

land: 910,768 sq km

water: 13,000 sq km

Niue

total: 260 sq km

land: 260 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Norfolk Island

total: 34.6 sq km

land: 34.6 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Northern Mariana Islands total: 477 sq km land: 477 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes 14 islands including Saipan, Rota, and Tinian

Norway

total: 324,220 sq km

land: 307,860 sq km

water: 16,360 sq km

Oman

total: 212,460 sq km

land: 212,460 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Pacific Ocean

total: 155.557 million sq km

note: includes Bali Sea, Bering Sea, Bering Strait, Coral Sea, East

China Sea, Gulf of Alaska, Gulf of Tonkin, Philippine Sea, Sea of

Japan, Sea of Okhotsk, South China Sea, Tasman Sea, and other

tributary water bodies

Pakistan

total: 803,940 sq km

land: 778,720 sq km

water: 25,220 sq km

Palau

total: 458 sq km

land: 458 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Palmyra Atoll

total: 11.9 sq km

land: 11.9 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Panama

total: 78,200 sq km

land: 75,990 sq km

water: 2,210 sq km

Papua New Guinea

total: 462,840 sq km

land: 452,860 sq km

water: 9,980 sq km

Paracel Islands

total: NA sq km

land: NA sq km

water: 0 sq km

Paraguay

total: 406,750 sq km

land: 397,300 sq km

water: 9,450 sq km

Peru

total: 1,285,220 sq km

land: 1.28 million sq km

water: 5,220 sq km

Philippines

total: 300,000 sq km

land: 298,170 sq km

water: 1,830 sq km

Pitcairn Islands

total: 47 sq km

land: 47 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Poland

total: 312,685 sq km

land: 304,465 sq km

water: 8,220 sq km

Portugal

total: 92,391 sq km

land: 91,951 sq km

water: 440 sq km

note: includes Azores and Madeira Islands

Puerto Rico

total: 9,104 sq km

land: 8,959 sq km

water: 145 sq km

Qatar

total: 11,437 sq km

land: 11,437 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Reunion

total: 2,517 sq km

land: 2,507 sq km

water: 10 sq km

Romania

total: 237,500 sq km

land: 230,340 sq km

water: 7,160 sq km

Russia

total: 17,075,200 sq km

land: 16,995,800 sq km

water: 79,400 sq km

Rwanda

total: 26,338 sq km

land: 24,948 sq km

water: 1,390 sq km

Saint Helena

total: 410 sq km

land: 410 sq km

water: 0 sq km

note: includes Saint Helena Island, Ascension, and the island group

of Tristan da Cunha, which consists of Tristan da Cunha Island,

Gough Island, Inaccessible Island, and the three Nightingale Islands

Saint Kitts and Nevis

total: 261 sq km (Saint Kitts 168 sq km; Nevis

93 sq km)

land: 261 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Saint Lucia total: 616 sq km land: 606 sq km water: 10 sq km

Saint Pierre and Miquelon total: 242 sq km land: 242 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes eight small islands in the Saint Pierre and the Miquelon groups

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

total: 389 sq km (Saint Vincent 344

sq km)

land: 389 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Samoa

total: 2,944 sq km

land: 2,934 sq km

water: 10 sq km

San Marino

total: 61.2 sq km

land: 61.2 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Sao Tome and Principe

total: 1,001 sq km

land: 1,001 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Saudi Arabia

total: 1,960,582 sq km

land: 1,960,582 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Senegal

total: 196,190 sq km

land: 192,000 sq km

water: 4,190 sq km

Serbia and Montenegro

total: 102,350 sq km

land: 102,136 sq km

water: 214 sq km

Seychelles

total: 455 sq km

land: 455 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Sierra Leone

total: 71,740 sq km

land: 71,620 sq km

water: 120 sq km

Singapore

total: 692.7 sq km

land: 682.7 sq km

water: 10 sq km

Slovakia

total: 48,845 sq km

land: 48,800 sq km

water: 45 sq km

Slovenia

total: 20,273 sq km

land: 20,151 sq km

water: 122 sq km

Solomon Islands

total: 28,450 sq km

land: 27,540 sq km

water: 910 sq km

Somalia

total: 637,657 sq km

land: 627,337 sq km

water: 10,320 sq km

South Africa

total: 1,219,912 sq km

land: 1,219,912 sq km

water: 0 sq km

note: includes Prince Edward Islands (Marion Island and Prince

Edward Island)

South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands

total: 3,903 sq km

land: 3,903 sq km

water: 0 sq km

note: includes Shag Rocks, Black Rock, Clerke Rocks, South Georgia

Island, Bird Island, and the South Sandwich Islands, which consist

of some nine islands

Southern Ocean

total: 20.327 million sq km

note: includes Amundsen Sea, Bellingshausen Sea, part of the Drake

Passage, Ross Sea, a small part of the Scotia Sea, Weddell Sea, and

other tributary water bodies

Spain

total: 504,782 sq km

land: 499,542 sq km

water: 5,240 sq km

note: there are 19 autonomous communities including Balearic Islands

and Canary Islands, and three small Spanish possessions off the

coast of Morocco - Islas Chafarinas, Penon de Alhucemas, and Penon

de Velez de la Gomera

Spratly Islands

total: less than 5 sq km

land: less than 5 sq km

water: 0 sq km

note: includes 100 or so islets, coral reefs, and sea mounts

scattered over an area of nearly 410,000 sq km of the central South

China Sea

Sri Lanka

total: 65,610 sq km

land: 64,740 sq km

water: 870 sq km

Sudan

total: 2,505,810 sq km

land: 2.376 million sq km

water: 129,810 sq km

Suriname

total: 163,270 sq km

land: 161,470 sq km

water: 1,800 sq km

Svalbard

total: 62,049 sq km

land: 62,049 sq km

water: 0 sq km

note: includes Spitsbergen and Bjornoya (Bear Island)

Swaziland

total: 17,363 sq km

land: 17,203 sq km

water: 160 sq km

Sweden

total: 449,964 sq km

land: 410,934 sq km

water: 39,030 sq km

Switzerland

total: 41,290 sq km

land: 39,770 sq km

water: 1,520 sq km

Syria

total: 185,180 sq km

land: 184,050 sq km

water: 1,130 sq km

note: includes 1,295 sq km of Israeli-occupied territory

Taiwan

total: 35,980 sq km

land: 32,260 sq km

water: 3,720 sq km

note: includes the Pescadores, Matsu, and Quemoy

Tajikistan

total: 143,100 sq km

land: 142,700 sq km

water: 400 sq km

Tanzania

total: 945,087 sq km

land: 886,037 sq km

water: 59,050 sq km

note: includes the islands of Mafia, Pemba, and Zanzibar

Thailand

total: 514,000 sq km

land: 511,770 sq km

water: 2,230 sq km

Togo

total: 56,785 sq km

land: 54,385 sq km

water: 2,400 sq km

Tokelau

total: 10 sq km

land: 10 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Tonga

total: 748 sq km

land: 718 sq km

water: 30 sq km

Trinidad and Tobago

total: 5,128 sq km

land: 5,128 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Tromelin Island

total: 1 sq km

land: 1 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Tunisia

total: 163,610 sq km

land: 155,360 sq km

water: 8,250 sq km

Turkey

total: 780,580 sq km

land: 770,760 sq km

water: 9,820 sq km

Turkmenistan

total: 488,100 sq km

land: 488,100 sq km

water: negl.

Turks and Caicos Islands

total: 430 sq km

land: 430 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Tuvalu

total: 26 sq km

land: 26 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Uganda

total: 236,040 sq km

land: 199,710 sq km

water: 36,330 sq km

Ukraine

total: 603,700 sq km

land: 603,700 sq km

water: 0 sq km

United Arab Emirates

total: 82,880 sq km

land: 82,880 sq km

water: 0 sq km

United Kingdom

total: 244,820 sq km

land: 241,590 sq km

water: 3,230 sq km

note: includes Rockall and Shetland Islands

United States

total: 9,631,418 sq km

land: 9,161,923 sq km

water: 469,495 sq km

note: includes only the 50 states and District of Columbia

Uruguay

total: 176,220 sq km

land: 173,620 sq km

water: 2,600 sq km

Uzbekistan

total: 447,400 sq km

land: 425,400 sq km

water: 22,000 sq km

Vanuatu

total: 12,200 sq km

land: 12,200 sq km

water: 0 sq km

note: includes more than 80 islands, about 65 of which are inhabited

Venezuela

total: 912,050 sq km

land: 882,050 sq km

water: 30,000 sq km

Vietnam

total: 329,560 sq km

land: 325,360 sq km

water: 4,200 sq km

Virgin Islands

total: 352 sq km

land: 349 sq km

water: 3 sq km

Wake Island

total: 6.5 sq km

land: 6.5 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Wallis and Futuna total: 274 sq km land: 274 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes Ile Uvea (Wallis Island), Ile Futuna (Futuna Island), Ile Alofi, and 20 islets

West Bank

total: 5,860 sq km

land: 5,640 sq km

water: 220 sq km

note: includes West Bank, Latrun Salient, and the northwest quarter

of the Dead Sea, but excludes Mt. Scopus; East Jerusalem and

Jerusalem No Man's Land are also included only as a means of

depicting the entire area occupied by Israel in 1967

Western Sahara

total: 266,000 sq km

land: 266,000 sq km

water: 0 sq km

World

total: 510.072 million sq km

land: 148.94 million sq km

water: 361.132 million sq km

note: 70.8% of the world's surface is water, 29.2% is land

Yemen

total: 527,970 sq km

land: 527,970 sq km

water: 0 sq km

note: includes Perim, Socotra, the former Yemen Arab Republic (YAR

or North Yemen), and the former People's Democratic Republic of

Yemen (PDRY or South Yemen)

Zambia

total: 752,614 sq km

land: 740,724 sq km

water: 11,890 sq km

Zimbabwe

total: 390,580 sq km

land: 386,670 sq km

water: 3,910 sq km

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2149 Diplomatic representation in the US

Afghanistan

chief of mission: Ambassador Said Tayeb JAWAD

chancery: 2118 Kalorama Road NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] 202-483-6410

FAX: [1] 202-483-6488

consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, New York

Akrotiri

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Albania

chief of mission: Ambassador Agim NESHO

chancery: 2100 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 223-4942

FAX: [1] (202) 628-7342

Algeria

chief of mission: Ambassador Amine KHERBI

chancery: 2137 Wyoming Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 265-2800

FAX: [1] (202) 667-2174

American Samoa

none (territory of the US)

Andorra

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires

Jelena V. PIA-COMELLA

chancery: 2 United Nations Plaza, 25th Floor, New York, NY 10017

telephone: [1] (212) 750-8064

FAX: [1] (212) 750-6630

Angola

chief of mission: Ambassador Josefina Perpetua Pitra DIAKIDI

chancery: 2108 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009

telephone: [1] (202) 785-1156

FAX: [1] (202) 785-1258

consulate(s) general: Houston and New York

Anguilla

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Antigua and Barbuda chief of mission: Ambassador Lionel A. HURST chancery: 3216 New Mexico Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016 telephone: [1] (202) 362-5122 FAX: [1] (202) 362-5225 consulate(s) general: Miami

Argentina

chief of mission: Ambassador Jose Octavio BORDON

chancery: 1600 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009

telephone: [1] (202) 238-6400

FAX: [1] (202) 332-3171

consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami,

New York

Armenia

chief of mission: Ambassador Tatoul MARKARIAN

chancery: 2225 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 319-1976

FAX: [1] (202) 319-2982

consulate(s) general: Los Angeles

Aruba

none (represented by the Kingdom of the Netherlands); note -

Mr. Henry Baarh, Minister Plenipotentiary for Aruba at the Embassy

of the Kingdom of the Netherlands

Ashmore and Cartier Islands

none (territory of Australia)

Australia

chief of mission: Ambassador Michael J. THAWLEY

chancery: 1601 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036

telephone: [1] (202) 797-3000

FAX: [1] (202) 797-3168

consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Chicago, Honolulu, Los Angeles, New

York, and San Francisco

Austria

chief of mission: Ambassador Eva NOWOTNY

chancery: 3524 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008-3035

telephone: [1] (202) 895-6700

FAX: [1] (202) 895-6750

consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York

Azerbaijan

chief of mission: Ambassador Hafiz PASHAYEV

chancery: 2741 34th Street NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 337-3500

FAX: [1] (202) 337-5911

Bahamas, The

chief of mission: Ambassador Joshua SEARS

chancery: 2220 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 319-2660

FAX: [1] (202) 319-2668

consulate(s) general: Miami and New York

Bahrain

chief of mission: Ambassador Nasir al-BALUSHI

chancery: 3502 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 342-1111

FAX: [1] (202) 362-2192

consulate(s) general: New York

Bangladesh

chief of mission: Ambassador Shamsher Mobin CHOWDHURY

chancery: 3510 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 244-0183

FAX: [1] (202) 244-5366

consulate(s) general: Los Angeles and New York

Barbados

chief of mission: Ambassador Michael Ian KING

chancery: 2144 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 939-9200

FAX: [1] (202) 332-7467

consulate(s) general: Miami and New York

consulate(s): Los Angeles

Belarus

chief of mission: Ambassador Mikhail KHVOSTOV

chancery: 1619 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009

telephone: [1] (202) 986-1604

FAX: [1] (202) 986-1805

consulate(s) general: New York

Belgium

chief of mission: Ambassador Franciskus VAN DAELE

chancery: 3330 Garfield Street NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 333-6900

FAX: [1] (202) 333-3079

consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Los Angeles, and New York

Belize

chief of mission: Ambassador Lisa M. SHOMAN

chancery: 2535 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 332-9636

FAX: [1] (202) 332-6888

consulate(s) general: Los Angeles

Benin

chief of mission: Ambassador Cyrille Segbe OGUIN

chancery: 2124 Kalorama Road NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 232-6656

FAX: [1] (202) 265-1996

Bermuda

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Bhutan

none; note - Bhutan has a Permanent Mission to the UN;

address: 2 United Nations Plaza, 27th Floor, New York, NY 10017;

telephone [1] (212) 826-1919; FAX [1] (212) 826-2998; the Bhutanese

mission to the UN has consular jurisdiction in the US

consulate(s) general: New York

Bolivia

chief of mission: Ambassador Jaime APARICIO Otero

chancery: 3014 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 483-4410

FAX: [1] (202) 328-3712

consulate(s) general: Miami, New York, and San Francisco

Bosnia and Herzegovina

chief of mission: Ambassador Bisera TURKOVIC

chancery: 2109 E Street NW, Washington, DC 20037

telephone: [1] (202) 337-1500

FAX: [1] (202) 337-1502

consulate(s) general: Chicago, New York

Botswana

chief of mission: Ambassador Lapologang Caesar LEKOA

chancery: 1531-1533 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036

telephone: [1] (202) 244-4990

FAX: [1] (202) 244-4164

Brazil

chief of mission: Ambassador Roberto ABDENUR

chancery: 3006 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 238-2700

FAX: [1] (202) 238-2827

consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami,

New York, and San Francisco

British Indian Ocean Territory

none (overseas territory of the UK)

British Virgin Islands

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Brunei

chief of mission: Ambassador Pengiran Anak Dato PUTEH

chancery: 3520 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 237-1838

FAX: [1] (202) 885-0560

Bulgaria

chief of mission: Ambassador Elena B. POPTODOROVA

chancery: 1621 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 387-0174

FAX: [1] (202) 234-7973

consulate(s) general: Chicago and New York

consulate(s): Los Angeles

Burkina Faso

chief of mission: Ambassador Tertius ZONGO

chancery: 2340 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 332-5577

FAX: [1] (202) 667-1882

Burma

chief of mission: vacant

chancery: 2300 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 332-9044

FAX: [1] (202) 332-9046

consulate(s) general: New York

Burundi

chief of mission: Ambassador Antoine NTAMOBWA

chancery: Suite 212, 2233 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007

telephone: [1] (202) 342-2574

FAX: [1] (202) 342-2578

Cambodia

chief of mission: Ambassador EK SEREYWATH

chancery: 4530 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20011

telephone: [1] (202) 726-7742

FAX: [1] (202) 726-8381

Cameroon

chief of mission: Ambassador Jerome MENDOUGA

chancery: 2349 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 265-8790

FAX: [1] (202) 387-3826

Canada

chief of mission: Ambassador Francis Joseph MCKENNA

chancery: 501 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20001

telephone: [1] (202) 682-1740

FAX: [1] (202) 682-7726

consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Boston, Buffalo, Chicago, Dallas,

Denver, Detroit, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis, New York, Phoenix,

San Diego, and Seattle

consulate(s): Anchorage, Houston, Philadelphia, Princeton, Raleigh,

San Francisco, and San Jose

Cape Verde

chief of mission: Ambassador Jose BRITO

chancery: 3415 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007

telephone: [1] (202) 965-6820

FAX: [1] (202) 965-1207

consulate(s) general: Boston

Cayman Islands

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Central African Republic

chief of mission: Ambassador Emmanuel

TOUABOY

chancery: 1618 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 483-7800

FAX: [1] (202) 332-9893

Chad

chief of mission: Ambassador Mahamat Adam BECHIR

chancery: 2002 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20009

telephone: [1] (202) 462-4009

FAX: [1] (202) 265-1937

Chile

chief of mission: Ambassador Andres BIANCHI

chancery: 1732 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036

telephone: [1] (202) 785-1746

FAX: [1] (202) 887-5579

consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New

York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and San Juan (Puerto Rico)

China

chief of mission: Ambassador YANG Jiechi

chancery: 2300 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 328-2500

FAX: [1] (202) 328-2582

consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, and

San Francisco

consulate(s): Los Angeles

Christmas Island

none (territory of Australia)

Cocos (Keeling) Islands

none (territory of Australia)

Colombia

chief of mission: Ambassador Luis Alberto MORENO Mejia

chancery: 2118 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 387-8338

FAX: [1] (202) 232-8643

consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Beverly Hills, Boston, Chicago,

Houston, Miami, New Orleans, New York, San Francisco, San Juan

(Puerto Rico), and Washington, DC

Comoros

chief of mission: Ambassador Mahmoud M. ABOUD (ambassador to

the US and Canada and permanent representative to the UN)

chancery: (temporary) care of the Permanent Mission of the Union of

the Comoros to the United Nations, 420 East 50th Street, New York,

NY 10022

telephone: [1] (212) 972-8010 and 223-2711

FAX: [1] (212) 983-4712 and 715-0699

Congo, Democratic Republic of the

chief of mission: Ambassador Faida

MITIFU

chancery: 1800 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009: note -

Consular Office at 1726 M Street, NW, Wasington, DC, 20036

telephone: [1] (202) 234-7690, 7691

FAX: [1] (202) 234-2609

Congo, Republic of the

chief of mission: Ambassador Serge MOMBOULI

chancery: 4891 Colorado Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20011

telephone: [1] (202) 726-5500

FAX: [1] (202) 726-1860

Cook Islands

none (self-governing in free association with New

Zealand)

Coral Sea Islands

none (territory of Australia)

Costa Rica

chief of mission: Ambassador Tomas DUENAS

chancery: 2114 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 234-2945

FAX: [1] (202) 265-4795

consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami,

New Orleans, New York, San Francisco, San Juan (Puerto Rico), and

Tampa

consulate(s): Austin

Cote d'Ivoire

chief of mission: Ambassador Daouda DIABATE

chancery: 3421 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007

telephone: [1] (202) 797-0300

FAX: [1] (202) 462-9444

Croatia

chief of mission: Ambassador Neven JURICA

chancery: 2343 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 588-5899

FAX: [1] (202) 588-8936

consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, New York

Cuba

none; note - Cuba has an Interests Section in the Swiss

Embassy, headed by Principal Officer Dagoberto RODRIGUEZ Barrera;

address: Cuban Interests Section, Swiss Embassy, 2630 16th Street

NW, Washington, DC 20009; telephone: [1] (202) 797-8518

Cyprus

chief of mission: Ambassador Euripides L. EVRIVIADES

chancery: 2211 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 462-5772

FAX: [1] (202) 483-6710

consulate(s) general: New York

note: representative of the Turkish Cypriot community in the US is

Osman ERTUG; office at 1667 K Street NW, Washington, DC; telephone

[1] (202) 887-6198

Czech Republic

chief of mission: Ambassador Martin PALOUS

chancery: 3900 Spring of Freedom Street NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 274-9100

FAX: [1] (202) 966-8540

consulate(s) general: Los Angeles and New York

Denmark

chief of mission: Ambassador Friis PETERSEN

chancery: 3200 Whitehaven Street NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 234-4300

FAX: [1] (202) 328-1470

consulate(s) general: Chicago and New York

Dhekelia

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Djibouti

chief of mission: Ambassador ROBLE Olhaye

chancery: Suite 515, 1156 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005

telephone: [1] (202) 331-0270

FAX: [1] (202) 331-0302

Dominica

chief of mission: Ambassador Swinburne LESTRADE

chancery: 3216 New Mexico Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016

telephone: [1] (202) 364-6781

FAX: [1] (202) 364-6791

consulate(s) general: New York

Dominican Republic

chief of mission: Ambassador-designate Flavio

Dario Espinal JACOBO

chancery: 1715 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 332-6280

FAX: [1] (202) 265-8057

consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Mayaguez (Puerto Rico),

Miami, New Orleans, New York, Philadelphia, and San Juan (Puerto

Rico)

East Timor

chief of mission: Ambassador Jose Luis GUTERRES

chancery: 3415 Massachusetts Avenue, Washington, DC 20007

telephone: 202 965-1515

FAX: 202 965-1517

consulate(s) general: New York (the ambassador resides in New York)

(2004)

Ecuador

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant)

chancery: 2535 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009

telephone: [1] (202) 234-7200

FAX: [1] (202) 667-3482

consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, Jersey City (New Jersey),

Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, and San Francisco

Egypt

chief of mission: Ambassador M. Nabil FAHMY

chancery: 3521 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 895-5400

FAX: [1] (202) 244-4319

consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, New York, and San Francisco

El Salvador

chief of mission: Ambassador Rene Antonio LEON Rodriguez

chancery: 2308 California Street NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 265-9671

FAX: [1] (202) 234-3834

consulate(s) general: Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Las Vegas, Los

Angeles, Miami, New York (2), San Francisco, and Washington, DC

consulate(s): Boston

Equatorial Guinea

chief of mission: Ambassador Teodoro Biyogo NSUE

chancery: 2020 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009

telephone: [1] (202) 518-5700

FAX: [1] (202) 518-5252

Eritrea

chief of mission: Ambassador GIRMA Asmerom

chancery: 1708 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009

telephone: [1] (202) 319-1991

FAX: [1] (202) 319-1304

consulate(s) general: Oakland (California)

Estonia

chief of mission: Ambassador Juri LUIK

chancery: 2131 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 588-0101

FAX: [1] (202) 588-0108

consulate(s) general: New York

Ethiopia

chief of mission: Ambassador KASSAHUN Ayele

chancery: 3506 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 364-1200

FAX: [1] (202) 686-9551

consulate(s) general: Los Angeles

consulate(s): New York

European Union

chief of mission: Ambassador John BRUTON

chancery: 2300 M Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20037

telephone: [1] (202) 862-9500

FAX: [1] (202) 429-1766

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

none (overseas territory of the

UK; also claimed by Argentina)

Faroe Islands

none (self-governing overseas administrative division

of Denmark)

Fiji

chief of mission: Mr. Paula NAVUNISARAVI (Charge D'Affaires ad

Interim)

chancery: 2233 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Suite 240, Washington, DC 20007

telephone: [1] (202) 337-8320

FAX: [1] (202) 337-1996

Finland

chief of mission: Ambassador Jukka Robert VALTASAARI

chancery: 3301 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 298-5800

FAX: [1] (202) 298-6030

consulate(s) general: Los Angeles and New York

France

chief of mission: Ambassador Jean-David LEVITTE

chancery: 4101 Reservoir Road NW, Washington, DC 20007

telephone: [1] (202) 944-6000

FAX: [1] (202) 944-6166

consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los

Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, and San Francisco

French Guiana

none (overseas department of France)

French Polynesia

none (overseas lands of France)

French Southern and Antarctic Lands

none (overseas territory of

France)

Gabon

chief of mission: Ambassador Jules Marius OGOUEBANDJA

chancery: Suite 200, 2034 20th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009

telephone: [1] (202) 797-1000

FAX: [1] (202) 332-0668

consulate(s): New York

Gambia, The

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant)

chancery: Suite 905, 1156 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005

telephone: [1] (202) 785-1379

FAX: [1] (202) 785-1430

Georgia

chief of mission: Ambassador Levan MIKELADZE

chancery: Suite 602, 1101 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005

telephone: [1] (202) 387-4537

FAX: [1] (202) 393-4537

Germany

chief of mission: Ambassador Wolfgang Friedrich ISCHINGER

chancery: 4645 Reservoir Road NW, Washington, DC 20007

telephone: [1] (202) 298-8140

FAX: [1] (202) 298-4249

consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los

Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco

Ghana

chief of mission: Ambassador Alan J. KYEREMATEN

chancery: 3512 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 686-4520

FAX: [1] (202) 686-4527

consulate(s) general: New York

Gibraltar

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Glorioso Islands

none (possession of France)

Greece

chief of mission: Ambassador Yeoryios SAVVAIDIS

chancery: 2221 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 939-1300

FAX: [1] (202) 939-1324

consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, San

Francisco, and Tampa

consulate(s): Atlanta, Houston, and New Orleans

Greenland

none (self-governing overseas administrative division of

Denmark)

Grenada

chief of mission: Ambassador Denis G. ANTOINE

chancery: 1701 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009

telephone: [1] (202) 265-2561

FAX: [1] (202) 265-2468

consulate(s) general: New York

Guadeloupe

none (overseas department of France)

Guam

none (territory of the US)

Guatemala

chief of mission: Ambassador Guillermo CASTILLO

chancery: 2220 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 745-4952

FAX: [1] (202) 745-1908

consulate(s) general: Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami,

New York, and San Francisco

Guernsey

none (British crown dependency)

Guinea

chief of mission: Ambassador Rafiou Alpha Oumar BARRY

chancery: 2112 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 986-4300

FAX: [1] (202) 478-3010

Guinea-Bissau

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge

d'Affaires Henrique Adriano DA SILVA

chancery: 1511 K Street NW, Suite 519, Washington, DC 20005

telephone: [1] (202) 347-3950

FAX: [1] (202) 347-3954

Guyana

chief of mission: Ambassador Bayney KARRAN

chancery: 2490 Tracy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 265-6900

FAX: [1] (202) 232-1297

consulate(s) general: New York

Haiti

chief of mission: Charge d'Affaires Raymond JOSEPH (as of

November 2004)

chancery: 2311 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 332-4090

FAX: [1] (202) 745-7215

consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Miami, New York, and San Juan

(Puerto Rico)

Heard Island and McDonald Islands

none (territory of Australia)

Holy See (Vatican City)

chief of mission: Apostolic Nuncio

Archbishop Gabriel MONTALVO

chancery: 3339 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 333-7121

FAX: [1] (202) 337-4036

Honduras

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant)

chancery: Suite 4-M, 3007 Tilden Street NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 966-7702

FAX: [1] (202) 966-9751

consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami,

New Orleans, New York, Phoenix, San Francisco

honorary consulate(s): Boston, Detroit, Jacksonville

Hong Kong

none (special administrative region of China)

Hungary

chief of mission: Ambassador Andras SIMONYI

chancery: 3910 Shoemaker Street NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 362-6730

FAX: [1] (202) 966-8135

consulate(s) general: Los Angeles and New York

Iceland

chief of mission: Ambassador Helgi AGUSTSSON

chancery: Suite 1200, 1156 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005-1704

telephone: [1] (202) 265-6653

FAX: [1] (202) 265-6656

consulate(s) general: New York

India

chief of mission: Ambassador Ranendra SEN

chancery: 2107 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008; note -

Consular Wing located at 2536 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington,

DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 939-7000

FAX: [1] (202) 265-4351

consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, New York, and San Francisco

Indonesia

chief of mission: Ambassador SOEMADI Brotodiningrat

chancery: 2020 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036

telephone: [1] (202) 775-5200

FAX: [1] (202) 775-5365

consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, and

San Francisco

Iran

none; note - Iran has an Interests Section in the Pakistani

Embassy; address: Iranian Interests Section, Pakistani Embassy, 2209

Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007; telephone: [1] (202)

965-4990; FAX [1] (202) 965-1073

Iraq

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Rend

Rahim FRANCKE

chancery: 1801 P Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20036

telephone: [1] (202) 483-7500

FAX: [1] (202) 462-5066

Ireland

chief of mission: Ambassador Noel FAHEY

chancery: 2234 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 462-3939

FAX: [1] (202) 232-5993

consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, New York, and San Francisco

Israel

chief of mission: Ambassador Daniel AYALON

chancery: 3514 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 364-5578

FAX: [1] (202) 364-5560

consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los

Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, and San Francisco

Italy

chief of mission: Ambassador Giovanni CASTELLANETA

chancery: 3000 Whitehaven Street NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 612-4400

FAX: [1] (202) 518-2151

consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Houston, Miami, New York, Los

Angeles, Philadelphia, and San Francisco

consulate(s): Detroit and San Francisco

Jamaica

chief of mission: Ambassador Gordon SHIRLEY

chancery: 1520 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036

telephone: [1] (202) 452-0660

FAX: [1] (202) 452-0081

consulate(s) general: Miami and New York

Japan

chief of mission: Ambassador Ryozo KATO

chancery: 2520 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 238-6700

FAX: [1] (202) 328-2187

consulate(s) general: Anchorage, Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Denver,

Detroit, Agana (Guam), Honolulu, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New

Orleans, New York, Portland (Oregon), San Francisco, and Seattle

consulate(s): Saipan (Northern Mariana Islands)

Jersey

none (British crown dependency)

Jordan

chief of mission: Ambassador Karim Tawfiq KAWAR

chancery: 3504 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 966-2664

FAX: [1] (202) 966-3110

Juan de Nova Island

none (possession of France)

Kazakhstan

chief of mission: Ambassador Kanat B. SAUDABAYEV

chancery: 1401 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20036

telephone: [1] (202) 232-5488

FAX: [1] (202) 232-5845

consulate(s): New York

Kenya

chief of mission: Ambassador Leonard NGAITHE

chancery: 2249 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 387-6101

FAX: [1] (202) 462-3829

consulate(s) general: Los Angeles

Kiribati

Kiribati does not have an embassy in the US; there is an

honorary consulate in Honolulu

Korea, North

none; North Korea has a Permanent Mission to the UN in

New York

Korea, South

chief of mission: Ambassador Lee Tae-sik (designated)

chancery: 2450 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 939-5600

FAX: [1] (202) 387-0205

consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Honolulu, Houston,

Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, and Seattle

consulate(s): Agana (Guam) and New York

Kuwait

chief of mission: Ambassador SALIM Abdallah al-Jabir al-Sabah

chancery: 2940 Tilden Street NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 966-0702

FAX: [1] (202) 364-2868

Kyrgyzstan

chief of mission: Ambassador Zamira SYDYKOVA

chancery: 1732 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007

telephone: [1] (202) 338-5141

FAX: [1] (202) 338-5139

consulate(s): New York

Laos

chief of mission: Ambassador PHANTHONG Phommahaxay

chancery: 2222 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 332-6416

FAX: [1] (202) 332-4923

Latvia

chief of mission: Ambassador Maris RIEKSTINS

chancery: 4325 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20011

telephone: [1] (202) 726-8213, 8214

FAX: [1] (202) 726-6785

Lebanon

chief of mission: Ambassador Dr. Farid ABBOUD

chancery: 2560 28th Street NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 939-6300

FAX: [1] (202) 939-6324

consulate(s) general: Detroit, New York, and Los Angeles

Lesotho

chief of mission: Ambassador Molelekeng E. RAPOLAKI

chancery: 2511 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 797-5533 through 5536

FAX: [1] (202) 234-6815

Liberia

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires

Aaron B. KOLLIE

chancery: 5201 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20011

telephone: [1] (202) 723-0437

FAX: [1] (202) 723-0436

consulate(s) general: New York

Libya

Libya does not have an embassy in the US but maintains an

interest section under the protective power of the United Arab

Emirates Embassy in the US

Liechtenstein

chief of mission: Ambassador Claudia FRITSCHE

chancery: 1300 Eye Street NW, Suite 550W, Washington, DC 20005

telephone: [1] (202) 216-0460

FAX: [1] (202) 216-0459

Lithuania

chief of mission: Ambassador Vygaudas USACKAS

chancery: 2622 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009

telephone: [1] (202) 234-5860

FAX: [1] (202) 328-0466

consulate(s) general: Chicago and New York

Luxembourg

chief of mission: Ambassador Arlette CONZEMIUS-PACCOURD

chancery: 2200 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 265-4171

FAX: [1] (202) 328-8270

consulate(s) general: New York and San Francisco

Macau

none (special administrative region of China)

Macedonia

chief of mission: Ambassador Nikola DIMITROV

chancery: Suite 302, 1101 30th Street NW, Washington, DC 20007

telephone: [1] (202) 337-3063

FAX: [1] (202) 337-3093

consulate(s) general: Southfield (Michigan)

Madagascar

chief of mission: Ambassador Rajaonarivony NARISOA

chancery: 2374 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 265-5525, 5526

FAX: [1] (202) 483-7603

consulate(s) general: New York

Malawi

chief of mission: Ambassador Bernard Herbert SANDE

chancery: 1156 15th Street, NW, Suite 320, Washington, DC 20005

telephone: [1] (202) 721-0270

FAX: [1] (202) 721-0288

Malaysia

chief of mission: Ambassador GHAZZALI bin Sheikh Abdul

Khalid

chancery: 3516 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 572-9700

FAX: [1] (202) 572-9882

consulate(s) general: Los Angeles and New York

Maldives

chief of mission: Ambassador Dr. Mohamed LATHEEF

chancery: 800 2nd Avenue, Suite 400E, New York, NY 10017

telephone: [1] (212) 599-6195

Mali

chief of mission: Ambassador Abdoulaye DIOP

chancery: 2130 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 332-2249, 939-8950

FAX: [1] (202) 332-6603

Malta

chief of mission: Ambassador John LOWELL

chancery: 2017 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 462-3611, 3612

FAX: [1] (202) 387-5470

consulate(s): New York

Man, Isle of

none (British crown dependency)

Marshall Islands

chief of mission: Ambassador Banny DE BRUM

chancery: 2433 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 234-5414

FAX: [1] (202) 232-3236

consulate(s) general: Honolulu

Martinique

none (overseas department of France)

Mauritania

chief of mission: Ambassador Tijani Ould KERIM

chancery: 2129 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 232-5700, 5701

FAX: [1] (202) 319-2623

Mauritius

chief of mission: Ambassador Usha JEETAH

chancery: 4301 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 441, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 244-1491, 1492

FAX: [1] (202) 966-0983

Mayotte

none (territorial collectivity of France)

Mexico

chief of mission: Ambassador-designate Carlos Alberto de

ICAZA Gonzalez

chancery: 1911 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20006

telephone: [1] (202) 728-1600

FAX: [1] (202) 728-1698

consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Austin, Boston, Chicago, Dallas,

Denver, El Paso, Houston, Laredo (Texas), Los Angeles, Miami, New

Orleans, New York, Nogales (Arizona), Phoenix, Sacramento, San

Antonio, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose, San Juan (Puerto Rico)

consulate(s): Albuquerque, Brownsville (Texas), Calexico

(California), Corpus Christi (Texas), Del Rio (Texas), Detroit,

Douglas (Arizona), Eagle Pass (Texas), Fresno (California),

Indianapolis (Indiana), Kansas City (Missouri), Las Vegas, McAllen

(Texas), Midland (Texas), Omaha, Orlando, Oxnard (California),

Philadelphia, Portland (Oregon), Presidio (Texas), Raleigh, Salt

Lake City, San Bernardino, Santa Ana (California), Seattle, Tucson,

Yuma (Arizona)

Micronesia, Federated States of chief of mission: Ambassador Jesse Bibiano MAREHALAU chancery: 1725 N Street NW, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 223-4383 FAX: [1] (202) 223-4391 consulate(s) general: Honolulu and Tamuning (Guam)

Moldova

chief of mission: Ambassador Mihail MANOLI

chancery: 2101 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 667-1130

FAX: [1] (202) 667-1204

Monaco

Monaco does not have an embassy in the US

consulate(s) general: New York

Mongolia

chief of mission: Ambassador Ravdangiyn BOLD

chancery: 2833 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20007

telephone: [1] (202) 333-7117

FAX: [1] (202) 298-9227

consulate(s) general: New York

Montserrat

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Morocco

chief of mission: Ambassador Aziz MEKOUAR

chancery: 1601 21st Street NW, Washington, DC 20009

telephone: [1] (202) 462-7979 through 7982

FAX: [1] (202) 265-0161

consulate(s) general: New York

Mozambique

chief of mission: Ambassador Armando PANGUENE

chancery: 1990 M Street NW, Suite 570, Washington, DC 20036

telephone: [1] (202) 293-7146

FAX: [1] (202) 835-0245

Namibia

chief of mission: Ambassador Leonard Nangolo IIPUMBU

chancery: 1605 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009

telephone: [1] (202) 986-0540

FAX: [1] (202) 986-0443

Nauru

Nauru does not have an embassy in the US, but does have a UN

office at 800 2nd Avenue, Suite 400 D, New York, New York 10017;

telephone: (212) 937-0074

consulate(s): Agana (Guam)

Nepal

chief of mission: Ambassador Kedar Bhakta SHRESTHA

chancery: 2131 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 667-4550

FAX: [1] (202) 667-5534

consulate(s) general: New York

Netherlands

chief of mission: Ambassador Boudewijn J. VAN EENENNAAM

chancery: 4200 Linnean Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 244-5300

FAX: [1] (202) 362-3430

consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York

consulate(s): Boston

Netherlands Antilles

none (represented by the Kingdom of the

Netherlands)

New Caledonia

none (overseas territory of France)

New Zealand

chief of mission: Ambassador L. John WOOD

chancery: 37 Observatory Circle NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 328-4800

FAX: [1] (202) 667-5227

consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, New York

Nicaragua

chief of mission: Ambassador Salvador STADTHAGEN (since 5

December 2003)

chancery: 1627 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009

telephone: [1] (202) 939-6570, [1] (202) 939-6573

FAX: [1] (202) 939-6545

consulate(s) general: Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San

Francisco

Niger

chief of mission: Ambassador Joseph DIATTA

chancery: 2204 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 483-4224 through 4227

FAX: [1] (202)483-3169

Nigeria

chief of mission: Ambassador Professor George A. OBIOZOR

chancery: 3519 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 986-8400

FAX: [1] (202) 775-1385

consulate(s) general: Atlanta and New York

Niue

none (self-governing territory in free association with New

Zealand)

Norfolk Island

none (territory of Australia)

Norway

chief of mission: Ambassador Knut VOLLEBAEK

chancery: 2720 34th Street NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 333-6000

FAX: [1] (202) 337-0870

consulate(s) general: Houston, Minneapolis, New York, and San

Francisco

Oman

chief of mission: Ambassador Muhammad bin Ali bin Thani

al-KHUSSAIBY

chancery: 2535 Belmont Road, NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 387-1980 through 1981, 1988

FAX: [1] (202) 745-4933

Pakistan

chief of mission: Ambassador Jehangir KARAMAT

chancery: 3517 International Court, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 243-3277

FAX: [1] (202) 686-1534

consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, New York, Sunnyvale (California)

consulate(s): Chicago, Houston

Palau

chief of mission: Ambassador Hersey KYOTA

chancery: 1800 K Street NW, Suite 714, Washington, DC 20006

telephone: [1] (202) 452-6814

FAX: [1] (202) 452-6281

consulate(s): Tamuning (Guam)

Panama

chief of mission: Ambassador Federico HUMBERT Arias

chancery: 2862 McGill Terrace NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 483-1407

FAX: [1] (202) 483-8416

consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Houston, Miami, New Orleans, New

York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, San Juan (Puerto Rico), Tampa

Papua New Guinea

chief of mission: Ambassador Evan Jeremy PAKI

chancery: 1779 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Suite 805, Washington, DC

20036

telephone: [1] (202) 745-3680

FAX: [1] (202) 745-3679

Paraguay

chief of mission: Ambassador James SPALDING Hellmers

chancery: 2400 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 483-6960 through 6962

FAX: [1] (202) 234-4508

consulate(s) general: Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York

Peru

chief of mission: Ambassador Eduardo FERRERO Costa

chancery: 1700 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036

telephone: [1] (202) 833-9860 through 9869

FAX: [1] (202) 659-8124

consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Denver, Hartford, Houston,

Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Paterson (New Jersey), San Francisco,

Washington, DC

Philippines

chief of mission: Ambassador Albert DEL ROSARIO

chancery: 1600 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036

telephone: [1] (202) 467-9300

FAX: [1] (202) 328-7614

consulate(s) general: Chicago, Honolulu, Los Angeles, New York, San

Francisco, San Jose (Northern Mariana Islands), Tamuning (Guam)

Pitcairn Islands

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Poland

chief of mission: Ambassador Przemyslaw GRUDZINSKI

chancery: 2640 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009

telephone: [1] (202) 234-3800 through 3802

FAX: [1] (202) 328-6270

consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York

Portugal

chief of mission: Ambassador Pedro Manuel Dos Reis Alves

CATARINO

chancery: 2125 Kalorama Road NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 328-8610

FAX: [1] (202) 462-3726

consulate(s) general: Boston, New York, Newark (New Jersey), and San

Francisco

consulate(s): New Bedford (Massachusetts), Providence (Rhode Island)

Puerto Rico

none (commonwealth associated with the US)

Qatar

chief of mission: Ambassador Nasir bin Hamad bin Mubarak

al-KHALIFA

chancery: 4200 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20016

telephone: [1] (202) 274-1600 and 274-1603

FAX: [1] (202) 237-0061

consulate(s) general: Houston

Reunion

none (overseas department of France)

Romania

chief of mission: Ambassador Sorin Dumitru DUCARU

chancery: 1607 23rd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 332-4846, 4848, 4851

FAX: [1] (202) 232-4748

consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York

Russia

chief of mission: Ambassador Yuriy Viktorovich USHAKOV

chancery: 2650 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007

telephone: [1] (202) 298-5700, 5701, 5704, 5708

FAX: [1] (202) 298-5735

consulate(s) general: Houston, New York, San Francisco, and Seattle

Rwanda

chief of mission: Ambassador Zac NSENGA

chancery: 1714 New Hampshire Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20009

telephone: [1] (202) 232-2882

FAX: [1] (202) 232-4544

Saint Helena

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Saint Kitts and Nevis chief of mission: Ambassador Dr. Izben Cordinal WILLIAMS chancery: 3216 New Mexico Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016 telephone: [1] (202) 686-2636 FAX: [1] (202) 686-5740 consulate(s) general: New York

Saint Lucia

chief of mission: Ambassador Sonia Merlyn JOHNNY

chancery: 3216 New Mexico Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016

telephone: [1] (202) 364-6792 through 6795

FAX: [1] (202) 364-6723

consulate(s) general: Miami and New York

Saint Pierre and Miquelon

none (territorial collectivity of France)

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines chief of mission: Ambassador Ellsworth I. A. JOHN chancery: 3216 New Mexico Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016 telephone: [1] (202) 364-6730 FAX: [1] (202) 364-6736 consulate(s) general: New York

Samoa

chief of mission: Ambassador Aliioaiga Feturi ELISAIA

chancery: 800 Second Avenue, Suite 400D, New York, NY 10017

telephone: [1] (212) 599-6196, 6197

FAX: [1] (212) 599-0797

San Marino

San Marino does not have an embassy in the US

honorary consulate(s) general: Washington, DC and New York

honorary consulate(s): Detroit and Honolulu

Sao Tome and Principe

Sao Tome and Principe does not have an embassy

in the US, but does have a Permanent Mission to the UN, headed by

First Secretary Domingos Augusto FERREIRA, located at 400 Park

Avenue, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10022, telephone [1] (212) 317-0580

Saudi Arabia

chief of mission: Ambassador Turki al-Faysal bin Abd

al-Aziz Al Saud

chancery: 601 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20037

telephone: [1] (202) 342-3800

consulate(s) general: Houston, Los Angeles, and New York

Senegal

chief of mission: Ambassador Amadou Lamine BA

chancery: 2112 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 234-0540

FAX: [1] (202) 332-6315

consulate(s) general: New York

Serbia and Montenegro

chief of mission: Ambassador Ivan VUJACIC

chancery: 2134 Kalorama Road NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 332-0333

FAX: [1] (202) 332-3933

consulate(s) general: Chicago

Seychelles

chief of mission: Ambassador Claude Sylvestre MOREL

chancery: 800 Second Avenue, Suite 400C, New York, NY 10017

telephone: [1] (212) 972-1785

FAX: [1] (212) 972-1786

Sierra Leone

chief of mission: Ambassador Ibrahim M. KAMARA

chancery: 1701 19th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009

telephone: [1] (202) 939-9261 through 9263

FAX: [1] (202) 483-1793

Singapore

chief of mission: Ambassador CHAN Heng Chee

chancery: 3501 International Place NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 537-3100

FAX: [1] (202) 537-0876

consulate(s) general: San Francisco

consulate(s): New York

Slovakia

chief of mission: Ambassador Rastislav KACER

chancery: 3523 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 237-1054

FAX: [1] (202) 237-6438

consulate(s) general: Los Angeles and New York

Slovenia

chief of mission: Ambassador Samuel ZBOGAR

chancery: 1525 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036

telephone: [1] (202) 667-5363

FAX: [1] (202) 667-4563

consulate(s) general: New York and Cleveland

Solomon Islands

chief of mission: Ambassador Collin David BECK

chancery: 800 Second Avenue, Suite 400L, New York, NY 10017

telephone: [1] (212) 599-6192, 6193

FAX: [1] (212) 661-8925

Somalia

Somalia does not have an embassy in the US (ceased

operations on 8 May 1991); note - the TNG and other factions have

representatives in Washington and at the United Nations

South Africa

chief of mission: Ambassador Barbara Joyce Mosima

MASEKELA

chancery: 3051 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 232-4400

FAX: [1] (202) 265-1607

consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York

South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands

none (overseas

territory of the UK, also claimed by Argentina)

Spain

chief of mission: Ambassador Carlos WESTENDORP

chancery: 2375 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20037

telephone: [1] (202) 452-0100, 728-2340

FAX: [1] (202) 833-5670

consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami,

New Orleans, New York, San Francisco, and San Juan (Puerto Rico)

Sri Lanka

chief of mission: Ambassador Bernard GOONETILLEKE

chancery: 2148 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 483-4025 (through 4028)

FAX: [1] (202) 232-7181

consulate(s) general: Los Angeles

consulate(s): New York

Sudan

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires, Ad

Interim Khidir Haroun AHMED (since April 2001)

chancery: 2210 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 338-8565

FAX: [1] (202) 667-2406

Suriname

chief of mission: Ambassador Henry Lothar ILLES

chancery: Suite 460, 4301 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 244-7488

FAX: [1] (202) 244-5878

consulate(s) general: Miami

Swaziland

chief of mission: Ambassador Mary Madzandza KANYA

chancery: 1712 New Hampshire Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20009

telephone: [1] (202) 234-5002

FAX: [1] (202) 234-8254

Sweden

chief of mission: Ambassador Jan ELIASSON

chancery: 1501 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20005-1702

telephone: [1] (202) 467-2600

FAX: [1] (202) 467-2699

consulate(s) general: Los Angeles and New York

Switzerland

chief of mission: Ambassador Christian BLICKENSTORFER

chancery: 2900 Cathedral Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 745-7900

FAX: [1] (202) 387-2564

consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New

York, and San Francisco

consulate(s): Boston

Syria

chief of mission: Ambassador Imad MUSTAFA

chancery: 2215 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 232-6313

FAX: [1] (202) 234-9548

Taiwan

none; unofficial commercial and cultural relations with the

people of the US are maintained through an unofficial

instrumentality, the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative

Office (TECRO) in the US with headquarters in Taipei and field

offices in Washington and 12 other US cities

Tajikistan

chief of mission: Ambassador Hamrohon ZARIPOV

chancery: 1725 K Street NW, Suite 409, Washington, DC 20006

telephone: [1] (202) 223-6090

FAX: [1] (202) 223-6091

Tanzania

chief of mission: Ambassador Andrew Mhando DARAJA

chancery: 2139 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 939-6125

FAX: [1] (202) 797-7408

Thailand

chief of mission: KASIT Piromya

chancery: 1024 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Suite 401, Washington, DC

20007-3681

telephone: [1] (202) 944-3600

FAX: [1] (202) 944-3611

consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York

Togo

chief of mission: Ambassador Akoussoulelou BODJONA

chancery: 2208 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 234-4212

FAX: [1] (202) 232-3190

Tokelau

none (territory of New Zealand)

Tonga

chief of mission: Ambassador Fekitamoeloa 'UTOIKAMANU

chancery: 250 East 51st Street, New York, NY 10022

telephone: [1] (917) 369-1025

FAX: [1] (917) 369-1024

consulate(s) general: San Francisco

Trinidad and Tobago

chief of mission: Ambassador Marina Annette

VALERE

chancery: 1708 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036

telephone: [1] (202) 467-6490

FAX: [1] (202) 785-3130

consulate(s) general: Miami and New York

Tunisia

chief of mission: Ambassador Mohamed Nejib HACHANA

chancery: 1515 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20005

telephone: [1] (202) 862-1850

FAX: [1] (202) 862-1858

Turkey

chief of mission: Ambassador Dr. Osman Faruk LOGOGLU

chancery: 2525 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 612-6700

FAX: [1] (202) 612-6744

consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, and New York

Turkmenistan

chief of mission: Ambassador Mered Bairamovich ORAZOV

chancery: 2207 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 588-1500

FAX: [1] (202) 588-0697

Turks and Caicos Islands

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Tuvalu

Tuvalu does not have an embassy in the US - the country's

only diplomatic post is in Fiji - Tuvalu does, however, have a UN

office located at 800 2nd Avenue, Suite 400D, New York, New York

10017, telephone: [1] (212) 490-0534

Uganda

chief of mission: Ambassador Edith Grace SSEMPALA

chancery: 5911 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20011

telephone: [1] (202) 726-7100 through 7102, 0416

FAX: [1] (202) 726-1727

Ukraine

chief of mission: Ambassador Mykhailo B. REZNIK

chancery: 3350 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20007

telephone: [1] (202) 349-2920

FAX: [1] (202) 333-0817

consulate(s) general: Chicago, New York, San Francisco

United Arab Emirates

chief of mission: Ambassador Asri Said Ahmad

al-DHAHIRI

chancery: 3522 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 243-2400

FAX: [1] (202) 243-2432

note: consulates in New York and Houston

United Kingdom

chief of mission: Ambassador David G. MANNING

chancery: 3100 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 588-6500

FAX: [1] (202) 588-7870

consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los

Angeles, New York, and San Francisco

consulate(s): Dallas, Denver, Miami, and Seattle

Uruguay

chief of mission: Ambassador Carlos GIANELLI Derois

chancery: 1913 I Street NW, Washington, DC 20006

telephone: [1] (202) 331-1313 through 1316

FAX: [1] (202) 331-8142

consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, and New York

consulate(s): San Juan (Puerto Rico)

Uzbekistan

chief of mission: Ambassador Abdulaziz KAMILOV

chancery: 1746 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036

telephone: [1] (202) 293-6803

FAX: [1] (202) 293-6804

consulate(s) general: New York

Vanuatu

Vanuatu does not have an embassy in the US; it does,

however, have a Permanent Mission to the UN

Venezuela

chief of mission: Ambassador Bernardo ALVAREZ Herrera

chancery: 1099 30th Street NW, Washington, DC 20007

telephone: [1] (202) 342-2214

FAX: [1] (202) 342-6820

consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Houston, Miami, New Orleans,

New York, San Francisco, and San Juan (Puerto Rico)

Vietnam

chief of mission: Ambassador Nguyen Tam CHIEN

chancery: 1233 20th Street NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20036

telephone: [1] (202) 861-0737

FAX: [1] (202) 861-0917

consulate(s) general: San Francisco

Virgin Islands

none (territory of the US)

Wallis and Futuna

none (overseas territory of France)

Western Sahara

none

Yemen

chief of mission: Ambassador Abd al-Wahab Abdallah al-HAJRI

chancery: Suite 705, 2600 Virginia Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20037

telephone: [1] (202) 965-4760

FAX: [1] (202) 337-2017

Zambia

chief of mission: Ambassador Inonge MBIKUSITA-LEWANIKA

chancery: 2419 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 265-9717 through 9719

FAX: [1] (202) 332-0826

Zimbabwe

chief of mission: Ambassador Simbi Veke MUBAKO

chancery: 1608 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009

telephone: [1] (202) 332-7100

FAX: [1] (202) 483-9326

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2150 Telephones - main lines in use

Afghanistan

33,100 (2002)

Albania

255,000 (2003)

Algeria

2,199,600 (2003)

American Samoa

15,000 (2001)

Andorra

35,000 (2001)

Angola

96,300 (2003)

Anguilla

6,200 (2002)

Antarctica

0

note: information for US bases only (2001)

Antigua and Barbuda

38,000 (2002)

Argentina

8,009,400 (2002)

Armenia

562,600 (2003)

Aruba

37,100 (2002)

Australia

10.815 million (2003)

Austria

3.881 million (2003)

Azerbaijan

923,800 (2002)

Bahamas, The

131,700 (2003)

Bahrain

185,800 (2003)

Bangladesh

740,000 (2003)

Barbados

134,000 (2003)

Belarus

3,071,300 (2003)

Belgium

5,120,400 (2002)

Belize

33,300 (2003)

Benin

66,500 (2003)

Bermuda

56,000 (2002)

Bhutan

25,200 (2003)

Bolivia

600,100 (2003)

Bosnia and Herzegovina

938,000 (2003)

Botswana

142,400 (2002)

Brazil

38.81 million (2002)

British Indian Ocean Territory

NA

British Virgin Islands

11,700 (2002)

Brunei

90,000 (2002)

Bulgaria

2,868,200 (2002)

Burkina Faso

65,400 (2003)

Burma

357,300 (2003)

Burundi

23,900 (2003)

Cambodia

35,400 (2002)

Cameroon

110,900 (2002)

Canada

19,950,900 (2003)

Cape Verde

71,700 (2003)

Cayman Islands

38,000 (2002)

Central African Republic

9,000 (2002)

Chad

11,800 (2002)

Chile

3.467 million (2002)

China

263 million (2003)

Christmas Island

NA

Cocos (Keeling) Islands

287 (1992)

Colombia

8,768,100 (2003)

Comoros

13,200 (2003)

Congo, Democratic Republic of the

10,000 (2002)

Congo, Republic of the

7,000 (2003)

Cook Islands

6,200 (2002)

Costa Rica

1.132 million (2002)

Cote d'Ivoire

328,000 (2003)

Croatia

1.825 million (2002)

Cuba

574,400 (2002)

Cyprus

Republic of Cyprus: 427,400 (2002); north Cyprus: 86,228

(2002)

Czech Republic

3.626 million (2003)

Denmark

3,610,100 (2003)

Djibouti

9,500 (2003)

Dominica

23,700 (2002)

Dominican Republic

901,800 (2003)

East Timor

NA

Ecuador

1.549 million (2003)

Egypt

9.6 million (2005)

El Salvador

752,600 (2003)

Equatorial Guinea

9,600 (2003)

Eritrea

38,100 (2003)

Estonia

475,000 (2002)

Ethiopia

435,000 (2003)

European Union

238,763,162 (2002)

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

2,400 (2002)

Faroe Islands

23,000 (2002)

Fiji

102,000 (2003)

Finland

2.548 million (2003)

France

33,905,400 (2003)

French Guiana

51,000 (2001)

French Polynesia

52,500 (2002)

Gabon

38,400 (2003)

Gambia, The

38,400 (2002)

Gaza Strip

95,729 (total for Gaza Strip and West Bank) (1997)

Georgia

650,500 (2003)

Germany

54.35 million (2003)

Ghana

302,300 (2003)

Gibraltar

24,512 (2002)

Greece

5,205,100 (2003)

Greenland

26,000 (2001)

Grenada

33,500 (2002)

Guadeloupe

210,000 (2001)

Guam

84,134 (2001)

Guatemala

846,000 (2002)

Guernsey

55,000 (2001)

Guinea

26,200 (2003)

Guinea-Bissau

10,600 (2003)

Guyana

80,400 (2002)

Haiti

130,000 (2002)

Holy See (Vatican City)

NA

Honduras

322,500 (2002)

Hong Kong

3,801,300 (2003)

Hungary

3,666,400 (2002)

Iceland

190,700 (2003)

India

48.917 million (2003)

Indonesia

7.75 million (2002)

Iran

14,571,100 (2003)

Iraq

675,000; note - an unknown number of telephone lines were

damaged or destroyed during the March-April 2003 war (2003)

Ireland

1.955 million (2003)

Israel

3.006 million (2002)

Italy

26.596 million (2003)

Jamaica

444,400 (2002)

Japan

71.149 million (2002)

Jersey

73,900 (2001)

Jordan

622,600 (2003)

Kazakhstan

2,081,900 (2002)

Kenya

328,400 (2003)

Kiribati

4,500 (2002)

Korea, North

1.1 million (2001)

Korea, South

22.877 million (2003)

Kuwait

486,900 (2003)

Kyrgyzstan

394,800 (2002)

Laos

61,900 (2002)

Latvia

653,900 (2003)

Lebanon

678,800 (2002)

Lesotho

28,600 (2002)

Liberia

7,000 (2001)

Libya

750,000 (2003)

Liechtenstein

19,900 (2002)

Lithuania

824,200 (2003)

Luxembourg

355,400 (2002)

Macau

174,600 (2003)

Macedonia

560,000 (2002)

Madagascar

59,600 (2003)

Malawi

85,000 (2003)

Malaysia

4,571,600 (2003)

Maldives

28,700 (2002)

Mali

56,600 (2002)

Malta

208,300 (2003)

Man, Isle of

51,000 (1999)

Marshall Islands

4,500 (2003)

Martinique

172,000 est (2001)

Mauritania

31,500 (2002)

Mauritius

348,200 (2003)

Mayotte

10,000 (2001)

Mexico

15,958,700 (2003)

Micronesia, Federated States of

10,100 (2001)

Moldova

706,900 (2002)

Monaco

33,700 (2002)

Mongolia

142,300 (2004)

Montserrat

NA

Morocco

1,219,200 (2003)

Mozambique

83,700 (2002)

Namibia

127,400 (2003)

Nauru

1,900 (2002)

Nepal

371,800 (2003)

Netherlands

10.004 million (2002)

Netherlands Antilles

81,000 (2001)

New Caledonia

52,000 (2002)

New Zealand

1.765 million (2002)

Nicaragua

171,600 (2002)

Niger

22,400 (2002)

Nigeria

853,100 (2003)

Niue

1,100 est (2002)

Norfolk Island

2,532; note - a mix of analog (2500) and digital (32)

circuits (2004)

Northern Mariana Islands

21,000 (2000)

Norway

3.343 million (2002)

Oman

233,900 (2002)

Pakistan

3,982,800 (2003)

Palau

6,700 (2002)

Panama

386,900 (2002)

Papua New Guinea

62,000 (2002)

Paraguay

273,200 (2002)

Peru

1,839,200 (2003)

Philippines

3,310,900 (2002)

Pitcairn Islands 1 (there are 17 telephones on one party line); (2004)

Poland

12.3 million (2003)

Portugal

4,278,800 (2003)

Puerto Rico

1,329,500 (2002)

Qatar

184,500 (2003)

Reunion

300,000 est (2001)

Romania

4.3 million (2003)

Russia

35.5 million (2002)

Rwanda

23,200 (2002)

Saint Helena

2,200 (2002)

Saint Kitts and Nevis

23,500 (2002)

Saint Lucia

51,100 (2002)

Saint Pierre and Miquelon

4,800 (2002)

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

27,300 (2002)

Samoa

11,800 (2002)

San Marino

20,600 (2002)

Sao Tome and Principe

7,000 (2003)

Saudi Arabia

3,502,600 (2003)

Senegal

228,800 (2003)

Serbia and Montenegro

2,611,700 (2003)

Seychelles

21,700 (2002)

Sierra Leone

24,000 (2002)

Singapore

1,896,100 (2004)

Slovakia

1,294,700 (2003)

Slovenia

812,300 (2003)

Solomon Islands

6,600 (2002)

Somalia

100,000 (2002 est.)

South Africa

4.844 million (2002)

Spain

17,567,500 (2003)

Sri Lanka

881,400 (2002)

Sudan

900,000 (2003)

Suriname

79,800 (2003)

Svalbard

NA

Swaziland

46,200 (2003)

Sweden

6,579,200 (2002)

Switzerland

5.419 million (2002)

Syria

2,099,300 (2002)

Taiwan

13.355 million (2003)

Tajikistan

242,100 (2003)

Tanzania

149,100 (2003)

Thailand

6,617,400 (2003)

Togo

60,600 (2003)

Tokelau

300 (2002)

Tonga

11,200 (2002)

Trinidad and Tobago

325,100 (2002)

Tunisia

1,163,800 (2003)

Turkey

18,916,700 (2003)

Turkmenistan

374,000 (2002)

Turks and Caicos Islands

5,700 (2002)

Tuvalu

700 (2002)

Uganda

61,000 (2003)

Ukraine

10,833,300 (2002)

United Arab Emirates

1,135,800 (2003)

United Kingdom

34.898 million (2002)

United States

181,599,900 (2003)

Uruguay

946,500 (2002)

Uzbekistan

1,717,100 (2003)

Vanuatu

6,500 (2003)

Venezuela

2,841,800 (2002)

Vietnam

4.402 million (2003)

Virgin Islands

69,400 (2002)

Wallis and Futuna

1,900 (2002)

West Bank

301,600 (total for West Bank and Gaza Strip) (2002)

Western Sahara

about 2,000 (1999 est.)

World

843,923,500 (2003)

Yemen

542,200 (2002)

Zambia

88,400 (2003)

Zimbabwe

300,900 (2003)

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2151 Telephones - mobile cellular

Afghanistan

15,000 (2002)

Albania

1.1 million (2003)

Algeria

1,447,310 (2003)

American Samoa

2,377 (1999)

Andorra

23,500 (2001)

Angola

130,000 (2002)

Anguilla

1,800 (2002)

Antarctica

NA

Antigua and Barbuda

38,200 (2002)

Argentina

6.5 million (2002)

Armenia

114,400 (2003)

Aruba

53,000 (2001)

Australia

14.347 million (2003)

Austria

7,094,500 (2003)

Azerbaijan

870,000 (2002)

Bahamas, The

121,800 (2002)

Bahrain

443,100 (2003)

Bangladesh

1.365 million (2003)

Barbados

140,000 (2003)

Belarus

1.118 million (2003)

Belgium

8,135,500 (2002)

Belize

60,400 (2003)

Benin

236,200 (2003)

Bermuda

37,873 (2003)

Bhutan

22,000 (2005)

Bolivia

1,401,500 (2003)

Bosnia and Herzegovina

1.05 million (2003)

Botswana

435,000 (2002)

Brazil

46,373,300 (2003)

British Virgin Islands

8,000 (2002)

Brunei

137,000 (2002)

Bulgaria

2,597,500 (2002)

Burkina Faso

227,000 (2003)

Burma

66,500 (2003)

Burundi

64,000 (2003)

Cambodia

380,000 (2002)

Cameroon

1.077 million (2003)

Canada

13,221,800 (2003)

Cape Verde

53,300 (2003)

Cayman Islands

17,000 (2002)

Central African Republic

13,000 (2003)

Chad

65,000 (2003)

Chile

6,445,700 (2002)

China

269 million (2003)

Christmas Island

NA

Cocos (Keeling) Islands

note - analog cellular service available

Colombia

6,186,200 (2003)

Comoros

2,000 (2003)

Congo, Democratic Republic of the

1 million (2003)

Congo, Republic of the

330,000 (2003)

Cook Islands

1,500 (2002)

Costa Rica

528,047 (2002)

Cote d'Ivoire

1.236 million (2003)

Croatia

2.553 million (2003)

Cuba

17,900 (2002)

Cyprus

Republic of Cyprus: 417,900 (2002); north Cyprus: 143,178

(2002)

Czech Republic

9,708,700 (2003)

Denmark

4,785,300 (2003)

Djibouti

23,000 (2003)

Dominica

9,400 (2002)

Dominican Republic

2,120,400 (2003)

East Timor

NA

Ecuador

2,394,400 (2003)

Egypt

8,583,940 (2005)

El Salvador

1,149,800 (2003)

Equatorial Guinea

41,500 (2003)

Eritrea

NA

Estonia

881,000 (2002)

Ethiopia

97,800 (2003)

European Union

314,644,700 (2002)

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

0 (2001)

Faroe Islands

30,700 (2002)

Fiji

109,900 (2003)

Finland

4.7 million (2003)

France

41,683,100 (2003)

French Guiana

138,200 (2002)

French Polynesia

90,000 (2002)

Gabon

300,000 (2003)

Gambia, The

100,000 (2002)

Gaza Strip

320,000 (cellular subscribers in both Gaza Strip and West

Bank) (2002)

Georgia

522,300 (2003)

Germany

64.8 million (2003)

Ghana

799,900 (2003)

Gibraltar

9,797 (2002)

Greece

8,936,200 (2003)

Greenland

16,747 (2001)

Grenada

7,600 (2002)

Guadeloupe

323,500 (2002)

Guam

32,600 (2001)

Guatemala

1,577,100 (2002)

Guernsey

31,500 (2001)

Guinea

111,500 (2003)

Guinea-Bissau

1,300 (2003)

Guyana

87,300 (2002)

Haiti

140,000 (2002)

Holy See (Vatican City)

NA

Honduras

326,500 (2002)

Hong Kong

7,241,400 (2003)

Hungary

6,862,800 (2002)

Iceland

279,100 (2003)

India

26,154,400 (2003)

Indonesia

11.7 million (2002)

Iran

3,376,500 (2003)

Iraq

20,000 (2002)

Ireland

3.4 million (2003)

Israel

6.334 million (2002)

Italy

55.918 million (2003)

Jamaica

1.4 million (2002)

Japan

86,658,600 (2003)

Jersey

61,400 (2001)

Jordan

1,325,300 (2003)

Kazakhstan

1.027 million (2002)

Kenya

1,590,800 (2003)

Kiribati

500 (2002)

Korea, North

NA

Korea, South

33,591,800 (2003)

Kuwait

1.42 million (2003)

Kyrgyzstan

53,100 (2002)

Laos

55,200 (2002)

Latvia

1,219,600 (2003)

Lebanon

775,100 (2002)

Lesotho

92,000 (2002)

Liberia

2,000 (2001)

Libya

100,000 (2003)

Liechtenstein

11,400 (2002)

Lithuania

2,169,900 (2003)

Luxembourg

473,000 (2002)

Macau

364,000 (2003)

Macedonia

830,000 (2005)

Madagascar

279,500 (2003)

Malawi

135,100 (2003)

Malaysia

11,124,100 (2003)

Maldives

41,900 (2002)

Mali

250,000 (2003)

Malta

290,000 (2003)

Man, Isle of

NA

Marshall Islands

600 (2002)

Martinique

319,900 (2002)

Mauritania

300,000 (2003)

Mauritius

462,400 (2003)

Mayotte

21,700 (2002)

Mexico

28.125 million (2003)

Micronesia, Federated States of

1,800 (2002)

Moldova

338,200 (2002)

Monaco

19,300 (2002)

Mongolia

404,400 (2004)

Montserrat

70 (1994)

Morocco

7,332,800 (2003)

Mozambique

428,900 (2003)

Namibia

223,700 (2003)

Nauru

1,500 (2002)

Nepal

50,400 (2003)

Netherlands

12.5 million (2003)

Netherlands Antilles

81,000 (2001)

New Caledonia

80,000 (2002)

New Zealand

2.599 million (2003)

Nicaragua

202,800 (2002)

Niger

24,000 (2003)

Nigeria

3,149,500 (2003)

Niue

400 (2002)

Norfolk Island

0 (proposed cellular service disallowed in August

2002 island referendum) (2002)

Northern Mariana Islands

3,000 (2000)

Norway

4,163,400 (2003)

Oman

464,900 (2002)

Pakistan

2,624,800 (2003)

Palau

1,000 (2002)

Panama

834,000 (2003)

Papua New Guinea

15,000 (2002)

Paraguay

1,770,300 (2003)

Peru

2,908,800 (2003)

Philippines

15.201 million (2002)

Poland

17.401 million (2003)

Portugal

9,341,400 (2003)

Puerto Rico

1,211,111 (2001)

Qatar

376,500 (2003)

Reunion

489,800 (2002)

Romania

6.9 million (2003)

Russia

17,608,800 (2002)

Rwanda

134,000

note: Rwanda has mobile cellular service between Kigali and several

provincial capitals (2003)

Saint Helena

0 (1997)

Saint Kitts and Nevis

5,000 (2002)

Saint Lucia

14,300 (2002)

Saint Pierre and Miquelon

0 (1994)

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

10,000 (2002)

Samoa

2,700 (2002)

San Marino

16,800 (2002)

Sao Tome and Principe

4,800 (2003)

Saudi Arabia

7,238,200 (2003)

Senegal

575,900 (2003)

Serbia and Montenegro

3,634,600 (2003)

Seychelles

54,500 (2003)

Sierra Leone

67,000 (2002)

Singapore

3,521,800 (2004)

Slovakia

3,678,800 (2003)

Slovenia

1,739,100 (2003)

Solomon Islands

1,000 (2002)

Somalia

35,000 (2002)

South Africa

16.86 million (2003)

Spain

37,506,700 (2003)

Sri Lanka

931,600 (2002)

Sudan

650,000 (2003)

Suriname

168,100 (2003)

Svalbard

NA

Swaziland

88,000 (2003)

Sweden

7.949 million (2002)

Switzerland

6.172 million (2003)

Syria

400,000 (2002)

Taiwan

25,089,600 (2003)

Tajikistan

47,600 (2003)

Tanzania

891,200 (2003)

Thailand

26.5 million (2005)

Togo

220,000 (2003)

Tokelau

0 (2001)

Tonga

9,000 (2004)

Trinidad and Tobago

361,900 (2002)

Tunisia

1,899,900 (2003)

Turkey

27,887,500 (2003)

Turkmenistan

52,000 (2004)

Turks and Caicos Islands

1,700 (1999)

Tuvalu

0 (2004)

Uganda

776,200 (2003)

Ukraine

4.2 million (2002)

United Arab Emirates

2,972,300 (2003)

United Kingdom

49.677 million (2002)

United States

158.722 million (2003)

Uruguay

652,000 (2002)

Uzbekistan

320,800 (2003)

Vanuatu

7,800 (2003)

Venezuela

6,463,600 (2002)

Vietnam

2.742 million (2003)

Virgin Islands

41,000 (2002)

Wallis and Futuna

0 (1994)

West Bank

480,000 (cellular subscribers in both West Bank and Gaza

Strip) (2003)

Western Sahara

0 (1999)

World

NA

Yemen

411,100 (2002)

Zambia

241,000 (2003)

Zimbabwe

379,100 (2003)

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2153 Internet users

Afghanistan

1,000 (2002)

Albania

30,000 (2003)

Algeria

500,000 (2002)

American Samoa

NA

Andorra

24,500 (2001)

Angola

41,000 (2002)

Anguilla

3,000 (2002)

Antigua and Barbuda

10,000 (2002)

Argentina

4.1 million (2002)

Armenia

150,000 (2003)

Aruba

24,000 (2002)

Australia

9.472 million (2002)

Austria

3.73 million (2003)

Azerbaijan

300,000 (2002)

Bahamas, The

84,000 (2003)

Bahrain

195,700 (2003)

Bangladesh

243,000 (2003)

Barbados

100,000 (2003)

Belarus

1,391,900 (2003)

Belgium

3.4 million (2002)

Belize

30,000 (2002)

Benin

70,000 (2003)

Bermuda

34,500 (2003)

Bhutan

15,000 (2003)

Bolivia

270,000 (2002)

Bosnia and Herzegovina

100,000 (2002)

Botswana

60,000 (2002)

Brazil

14.3 million (2002)

British Virgin Islands

4,000 (2002)

Brunei

35,000 (2002)

Bulgaria

630,000 (2002)

Burkina Faso

48,000 (2003)

Burma

28,000 (2003)

Burundi

14,000 (2003)

Cambodia

30,000 (2002)

Cameroon 60,000 (2002) note: Cameroon also had more than 100 cyber-cafes in 2001

Canada

16.11 million (2002)

Cape Verde

20,400 (2003)

Cayman Islands

9,909 (2003)

Central African Republic

5,000 (2002)

Chad

15,000 (2002)

Chile

3.575 million (2002)

China

94 million (2004)

Christmas Island

NA

Cocos (Keeling) Islands

NA

Colombia

2,732,200 (2003)

Comoros

5,000 (2003)

Congo, Democratic Republic of the

50,000 (2002)

Congo, Republic of the

15,000 (2003)

Cook Islands

3,600 (2002)

Costa Rica

800,000 (2002)

Cote d'Ivoire

90,000 (2002)

Croatia

1.014 million (2003)

Cuba

120,000

note: private citizens are prohibited from buying computers or

accessing the Internet without special authorization; foreigners may

access the Internet in large hotels, but are subject to firewalls;

some Cubans buy illegal passwords on the black market, or take

advantage of public outlets to access limited email and the

government-controlled "intranet" (2004)

Cyprus

210,000 (2002)

Czech Republic

2.7 million (2003)

Denmark

2.756 million (2002)

Djibouti

6,500 (2003)

Dominica

12,500 (2002)

Dominican Republic

500,000 (2003)

East Timor

NA

Ecuador

569,700 (2003)

Egypt

4.2 million (2005)

El Salvador

550,000 (2003)

Equatorial Guinea

1,800 (2002)

Eritrea

9,500 (2003)

Estonia

444,000 (2002)

Ethiopia

75,000 (2003)

European Union

206,032,067 (September 2004)

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

NA; however one-half of all

households are reported to have internet access (2002)

Faroe Islands

25,000 (2002)

Fiji

55,000 (2003)

Finland

2.65 million (2002)

France

21.9 million (2003)

French Guiana

3,200 (2002)

French Polynesia

35,000 (2002)

Gabon

35,000 (2003)

Gambia, The

25,000 (2002)

Gaza Strip

60,000 (includes West Bank) (2001)

Georgia

150,500 (2003)

Germany

39 million (2003)

Ghana

170,000 (2002)

Gibraltar

6,200 (2002)

Greece

1,718,400 (2003)

Greenland

20,000 (2002)

Grenada

15,000 (2002)

Guadeloupe

20,000 (2002)

Guam

50,000 (2002)

Guatemala

400,000 (2002)

Guernsey

NA

Guinea

40,000 (2003)

Guinea-Bissau

19,000 (2003)

Guyana

125,000 (2002)

Haiti

80,000 (2002)

Holy See (Vatican City)

NA

Honduras

168,600 (2002)

Hong Kong

3,212,800 (2003)

Hungary

1.6 million (2002)

Iceland

195,000 (2003)

India

18.481 million (2003)

Indonesia

8 million (2002)

Iran

4.3 million (2003)

Iraq

25,000 (2002)

Ireland

1.26 million (2003)

Israel

2 million (2002)

Italy

18.5 million (2003)

Jamaica

600,000 (2002)

Japan

57.2 million (2002)

Jersey

NA

Jordan

457,000 (2003)

Kazakhstan

250,000 (2002)

Kenya

400,000 (2002)

Kiribati

2,000 (2002)

Korea, North

NA

Korea, South

29.22 million (2003)

Kuwait

567,000 (2003)

Kyrgyzstan

152,000 (2002)

Laos

15,000 (2002)

Latvia

936,000 (2003)

Lebanon

400,000 (2002)

Lesotho

21,000 (2002)

Liberia

1,000 (2002)

Libya

160,000 (2003)

Liechtenstein

20,000 (2002)

Lithuania

695,700 (2003)

Luxembourg

165,000 (2002)

Macau

120,000 (2003)

Macedonia

100,000 (2002)

Madagascar

70,500 (2003)

Malawi

36,000 (2003)

Malaysia

8,692,100 (2003)

Maldives

15,000 (2002)

Mali

25,000 (2002)

Malta

120,000 (2002)

Man, Isle of

NA

Marshall Islands

1,400 (2003)

Martinique

40,000 (2002)

Mauritania

10,000 (2002)

Mauritius

150,000 (2003)

Mayotte

NA

Mexico

10.033 million (2002)

Micronesia, Federated States of

6,000 (2002)

Moldova

150,000 (2002)

Monaco

16,000 (2002)

Mongolia

220,000 (2004)

Montserrat

NA

Morocco

800,000 (2003)

Mozambique

50,000 (2002)

Namibia

65,000 (2003)

Nauru

300 (2002)

Nepal

80,000 (2002)

Netherlands

8.5 million (2003)

Netherlands Antilles

2,000 (2000)

New Caledonia

60,000 (2003)

New Zealand

2.11 million (2003)

Nicaragua

90,000 (2002)

Niger

15,000 (2002)

Nigeria

750,000 (2003)

Niue

NA

Norfolk Island

700

Northern Mariana Islands

NA

Norway

2.288 million (2002)

Oman

180,000 (2002)

Pakistan

1.5 million (2002)

Panama

120,000 (2002)

Papua New Guinea

75,000 (2002)

Paraguay

120,000 (2003)

Peru

2.85 million (2003)

Philippines

3.5 million (2002)

Pitcairn Islands

NA

Poland

8.97 million (2003)

Portugal

3.6 million (2002)

Puerto Rico

600,000 (2002)

Qatar

126,000 (2003)

Reunion

150,000 (2002)

Romania

4 million (2003)

Russia

6 million (2002)

Rwanda

25,000 (2002)

Saint Helena

500 (2002)

Saint Kitts and Nevis

10,000 (2002)

Saint Lucia

13,000 (2002)

Saint Pierre and Miquelon

NA

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

7,000 (2002)

Samoa

4,000 (2002)

San Marino

14,300 (2002)

Sao Tome and Principe

15,000 (2003)

Saudi Arabia

1.5 million (2003)

Senegal

225,000 (2003)

Serbia and Montenegro

847,000 (2003)

Seychelles

11,700 (2002)

Sierra Leone

8,000 (2002)

Singapore

2.31 million (2002)

Slovakia

1,375,800 (2003)

Slovenia

750,000 (2002)

Solomon Islands

2,200 (2002)

Somalia

89,000 (2002)

South Africa

3.1 million (2002)

Spain

9.789 million (2003)

Sri Lanka

200,000 (2002)

Sudan

300,000 (2003)

Suriname

20,000 (2002)

Svalbard

NA

Swaziland

27,000 (2003)

Sweden

5.125 million (2002)

Switzerland

2.556 million (2002)

Syria

220,000 (2002)

Taiwan

13.8 million (2005)

Tajikistan

4,100 (2003)

Tanzania

250,000 (2003)

Thailand

6,971,500 (2003)

Togo

210,000 (2003)

Tokelau

NA

Tonga

2,900 (2002)

Trinidad and Tobago

138,000 (2002)

Tunisia

630,000 (2003)

Turkey

5.5 million (2003)

Turkmenistan

8,000 (2002)

Turks and Caicos Islands

NA

Tuvalu

1,300 (2002)

Uganda

125,000 (2003)

Ukraine

3.8 million (2003)

United Arab Emirates

1,110,200 (2003)

United Kingdom

25 million (2002)

United States

159 million (2002)

Uruguay

400,000 (2002)

Uzbekistan

492,000 (2003)

Vanuatu

7,500 (2003)

Venezuela

1,274,400 (2002)

Vietnam

3.5 million (2003)

Virgin Islands

30,000 (2002)

Wallis and Futuna

900 (2002)

West Bank

145,000 (includes Gaza Strip) (2003)

Western Sahara

NA

World

604,111,719 (2002 est.)

Yemen

100,000 (2002)

Zambia

68,200 (2003)

Zimbabwe

500,000 (2002)

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2154 Internet country code

Afghanistan

.af

Albania

.al

Algeria

.dz

American Samoa

.as

Andorra

.ad

Angola

.ao

Anguilla

.ai

Antarctica

.aq

Antigua and Barbuda

.ag

Argentina

.ar

Armenia

.am

Aruba

.aw

Australia

.au

Austria

.at

Azerbaijan

.az

Bahamas, The

.bs

Bahrain

.bh

Bangladesh

.bd

Barbados

.bb

Belarus

.by

Belgium

.be

Belize

.bz

Benin

.bj

Bermuda

.bm

Bhutan

.bt

Bolivia

.bo

Bosnia and Herzegovina

.ba

Botswana

.bw

Bouvet Island

.bv

Brazil

.br

British Indian Ocean Territory

.io

British Virgin Islands

.vg

Brunei

.bn

Bulgaria

.bg

Burkina Faso

.bf

Burma

.mm

Burundi

.bi

Cambodia

.kh

Cameroon

.cm

Canada

.ca

Cape Verde

.cv

Cayman Islands

.ky

Central African Republic

.cf

Chad

.td

Chile

.cl

China

.cn

Christmas Island

.cx

Cocos (Keeling) Islands

.cc

Colombia

.co

Comoros

.km

Congo, Democratic Republic of the

.cd

Congo, Republic of the

.cg

Cook Islands

.ck

Costa Rica

.cr

Cote d'Ivoire

.ci

Croatia

.hr

Cuba

.cu

Cyprus

.cy

Czech Republic

.cz

Denmark

.dk

Djibouti

.dj

Dominica

.dm

Dominican Republic

.do

East Timor

.tl; note - ICANN approved the change from .tp in January

2005

Ecuador

.ec

Egypt

.eg

El Salvador

.sv

Equatorial Guinea

.gq

Eritrea

.er

Estonia

.ee

Ethiopia

.et

European Union

.eu (effective 2005); note - see country entries of

member states for individual country codes

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

.fk

Faroe Islands

.fo

Fiji

.fj

Finland

.fi

France

.fr

French Guiana

.gf

French Polynesia

.pf

French Southern and Antarctic Lands

.tf

Gabon

.ga

Gambia, The

.gm

Gaza Strip

.ps

Georgia

.ge

Germany

.de

Ghana

.gh

Gibraltar

.gi

Greece

.gr

Greenland

.gl

Grenada

.gd

Guadeloupe

.gp

Guam

.gu

Guatemala

.gt

Guernsey

.gg

Guinea

.gn

Guinea-Bissau

.gw

Guyana

.gy

Haiti

.ht

Heard Island and McDonald Islands

.hm

Holy See (Vatican City)

.va

Honduras

.hn

Hong Kong

.hk

Hungary

.hu

Iceland

.is

India

.in

Indonesia

.id

Iran

.ir

Iraq

.iq

Ireland

.ie

Israel

.il

Italy

.it

Jamaica

.jm

Japan

.jp

Jersey

.je

Jordan

.jo

Kazakhstan

.kz

Kenya

.ke

Kiribati

.ki

Korea, North

.kp

Korea, South

.kr

Kuwait

.kw

Kyrgyzstan

.kg

Laos

.la

Latvia

.lv

Lebanon

.lb

Lesotho

.ls

Liberia

.lr

Libya

.ly

Liechtenstein

.li

Lithuania

.lt

Luxembourg

.lu

Macau

.mo

Macedonia

.mk

Madagascar

.mg

Malawi

.mw

Malaysia

.my

Maldives

.mv

Mali

.ml

Malta

.mt

Man, Isle of

.im

Marshall Islands

.mh

Martinique

.mq

Mauritania

.mr

Mauritius

.mu

Mayotte

.yt

Mexico

.mx

Micronesia, Federated States of

.fm

Moldova

.md

Monaco

.mc

Mongolia

.mn

Montserrat

.ms

Morocco

.ma

Mozambique

.mz

Namibia

.na

Nauru

.nr

Nepal

.np

Netherlands

.nl

Netherlands Antilles

.an

New Caledonia

.nc

New Zealand

.nz

Nicaragua

.ni

Niger

.ne

Nigeria

.ng

Niue

.nu

Norfolk Island

.nf

Northern Mariana Islands

.mp

Norway

.no

Oman

.om

Pakistan

.pk

Palau

.pw

Panama

.pa

Papua New Guinea

.pg

Paraguay

.py

Peru

.pe

Philippines

.ph

Pitcairn Islands

.pn

Poland

.pl

Portugal

.pt

Puerto Rico

.pr

Qatar

.qa

Reunion

.re

Romania

.ro

Russia

.ru; Russia also has responsibility for a legacy domain ".su"

that was allocated to the Soviet Union, and whose legal status and

ownership are contested by the Russian Government, ICANN, and

several Russian commercial entities

Rwanda

.rw

Saint Helena

.sh

Saint Kitts and Nevis

.kn

Saint Lucia

.lc

Saint Pierre and Miquelon

.pm

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

.vc

Samoa

.ws

San Marino

.sm

Sao Tome and Principe

.st

Saudi Arabia

.sa

Senegal

.sn

Serbia and Montenegro

.cs

Seychelles

.sc

Sierra Leone

.sl

Singapore

.sg

Slovakia

.sk

Slovenia

.si

Solomon Islands

.sb

Somalia

.so

South Africa

.za

South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands

.gs

Spain

.es

Sri Lanka

.lk

Sudan

.sd

Suriname

.sr

Svalbard

.sj

Swaziland

.sz

Sweden

.se

Switzerland

.ch

Syria

.sy

Taiwan

.tw

Tajikistan

.tj

Tanzania

.tz

Thailand

.th

Togo

.tg

Tokelau

.tk

Tonga

.to

Trinidad and Tobago

.tt

Tunisia

.tn

Turkey

.tr

Turkmenistan

.tm

Turks and Caicos Islands

.tc

Tuvalu

.tv

Uganda

.ug

Ukraine

.ua

United Arab Emirates

.ae

United Kingdom

.uk

United States

.us

Uruguay

.uy

Uzbekistan

.uz

Vanuatu

.vu

Venezuela

.ve

Vietnam

.vn

Virgin Islands

.vi

Wallis and Futuna

.wf

West Bank

.ps

Western Sahara

.eh

Yemen

.ye

Zambia

.zm

Zimbabwe

.zw

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2155 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate (%)

Afghanistan

0.01% (2001 est.)

Albania

NA%

Algeria

0.1% ; note - no country specific models provided (2001 est.)

American Samoa

NA

Andorra

NA%

Angola

3.9% (2003 est.)

Anguilla

NA

Antigua and Barbuda

NA

Argentina

0.7% (2001 est.)

Armenia

0.1% (2003 est.)

Aruba

NA

Australia

0.1% (2003 est.)

Austria

0.3% (2003 est.)

Azerbaijan

less than 0.1% (2003 est.)

Bahamas, The

3% (2003 est.)

Bahrain

0.2% (2001 est.)

Bangladesh

less than 0.1% (2001 est.)

Barbados

1.5% (2003 est.)

Belarus

0.3% (2001 est.)

Belgium

0.2% (2003 est.)

Belize

2.4% (2003 est.)

Benin

1.9% (2003 est.)

Bermuda

NA

Bhutan

less than 0.1% (2001 est.)

Bolivia

0.1% (2003 est.)

Bosnia and Herzegovina

less than 0.1% (2001 est.)

Botswana

37.3% (2003 est.)

Brazil

0.7% (2003 est.)

British Virgin Islands

NA

Brunei

less than 0.1% (2003 est.)

Bulgaria

less than 0.1% - note - no country specific models provided

(2001 est.)

Burkina Faso

4.2% (2003 est.)

Burma

1.2% (2003 est.)

Burundi

6% (2003 est.)

Cambodia

2.6% (2003 est.)

Cameroon

6.9% (2003 est.)

Canada

0.3% (2003 est.)

Cape Verde

0.035% (2001 est.)

Cayman Islands

NA

Central African Republic

13.5% (2003 est.)

Chad

4.8% (2003 est.)

Chile

0.3% (2003 est.)

China

0.1% (2003 est.)

Christmas Island

NA

Cocos (Keeling) Islands

NA

Colombia

0.7% (2003 est.)

Comoros

0.12% (2001 est.)

Congo, Democratic Republic of the

4.2% (2003 est.)

Congo, Republic of the

4.9% (2003 est.)

Cook Islands

NA

Costa Rica

0.6% (2003 est.)

Cote d'Ivoire

7% (2003 est.)

Croatia

less than 0.1% (2001 est.)

Cuba

less than 0.1% (2003 est.)

Cyprus

0.1% (2003 est.)

Czech Republic

less than 0.1% (2001 est.)

Denmark

0.2% (2003 est.)

Djibouti

2.9% (2003 est.)

Dominica

NA

Dominican Republic

1.7% (2003 est.)

East Timor

NA

Ecuador

0.3% (2003 est.)

Egypt

less than 0.1% (2001 est.)

El Salvador

0.7% (2003 est.)

Equatorial Guinea

3.4% (2001 est.)

Eritrea

2.7% (2003 est.)

Estonia

1.1% (2001 est.)

Ethiopia

4.4% (2003 est.)

European Union

NA%

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

NA

Faroe Islands

NA%

Fiji

0.1% (2003 est.)

Finland

less than 0.1% (2003 est.)

France

0.4% (2003 est.)

French Guiana

NA%

French Polynesia

NA%

Gabon

8.1% (2003 est.)

Gambia, The

1.2% (2003 est.)

Gaza Strip

NA

Georgia

less than 0.1% (2001 est.)

Germany

0.1% (2001 est.)

Ghana

3.1% (2003 est.)

Gibraltar

NA%

Greece

0.2% (2001 est.)

Greenland

NA%

Grenada

NA

Guadeloupe

NA%

Guam

NA

Guatemala

1.1% (2003 est.)

Guernsey

NA%

Guinea

3.2% (2003 est.)

Guinea-Bissau

10% (2003 est.)

Guyana

2.5% (2003 est.)

Haiti

5.6% (2003 est.)

Holy See (Vatican City)

NA%

Honduras

1.8% (2003 est.)

Hong Kong

0.1% (2003 est.)

Hungary

0.1% (2001 est.)

Iceland

0.2% (2001 est.)

India

0.9% (2001 est.)

Indonesia

0.1% (2003 est.)

Iran

less than 0.1% (2001 est.)

Iraq

less than 0.1% (2001 est.)

Ireland

0.1% (2001 est.)

Israel

0.1% (2001 est.)

Italy

0.5% (2001 est.)

Jamaica

1.2% (2003 est.)

Japan

less than 0.1% (2003 est.)

Jersey

NA%

Jordan

less than 0.1% (2001 est.)

Kazakhstan

0.2% (2001 est.)

Kenya

6.7% (2003 est.)

Kiribati

NA

Korea, North

NA

Korea, South

less than 0.1% (2003 est.)

Kuwait

0.12% (2001 est.)

Kyrgyzstan

less than 0.1% (2001 est.)

Laos

0.1% (2003 est.)

Latvia

0.6% (2001 est.)

Lebanon

0.1% (2001 est.)

Lesotho

28.9% (2003 est.)

Liberia

5.9% (2003 est.)

Libya

0.3% (2001 est.)

Liechtenstein

NA%

Lithuania

0.1% (2001 est.)

Luxembourg

0.2% (2001 est.)

Macau

NA

Macedonia

less than 0.1% (2001 est.)

Madagascar

1.7% (2003 est.)

Malawi

14.2% (2003 est.)

Malaysia

0.4% (2003 est.)

Maldives

0.1% (2001 est.)

Mali

1.9% (2003 est.)

Malta

0.2% (2001 est.)

Man, Isle of

NA%

Marshall Islands

NA

Martinique

NA%

Mauritania

0.6% (2003 est.)

Mauritius

0.1% (2001 est.)

Mayotte

NA%

Mexico

0.3% (2003 est.)

Micronesia, Federated States of

NA

Moldova

0.2% (2001 est.)

Monaco

NA%

Mongolia

less than 0.1% (2003 est.)

Montserrat

NA

Morocco

0.1% (2001 est.)

Mozambique

12.2% (2003 est.)

Namibia

21.3% (2003 est.)

Nauru

NA

Nepal

0.5% (2001 est.)

Netherlands

0.2% (2001 est.)

Netherlands Antilles

NA

New Caledonia

NA%

New Zealand

0.1% (2003 est.)

Nicaragua

0.2% (2003 est.)

Niger

1.2% (2003 est.)

Nigeria

5.4% (2003 est.)

Niue

NA

Norfolk Island

NA

Northern Mariana Islands

NA

Norway

0.1% (2001 est.)

Oman

0.1% (2001 est.)

Pakistan

0.1% (2001 est.)

Palau

NA

Panama

0.9% (2003 est.)

Papua New Guinea

0.6% (2003 est.)

Paraguay

0.5% (2003 est.)

Peru

0.5% (2003 est.)

Philippines

less than 0.1% (2003 est.)

Pitcairn Islands

NA

Poland

0.1% ; note - no country specific models provided (2001 est.)

Portugal

0.4% (2001 est.)

Puerto Rico

NA

Qatar

0.09% (2001 est.)

Reunion

NA%

Romania

less than 0.1% (2001 est.)

Russia

1.1% (2001 est.)

Rwanda

5.1% (2003 est.)

Saint Helena

NA

Saint Kitts and Nevis

NA

Saint Lucia

NA

Saint Pierre and Miquelon

NA%

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

NA

Samoa

NA

San Marino

NA%

Sao Tome and Principe

NA

Saudi Arabia

0.01% (2001 est.)

Senegal

0.8% (2003 est.)

Serbia and Montenegro

0.2% (2001 est.)

Seychelles

NA

Sierra Leone

7% (2001 est.)

Singapore

0.2% (2003 est.)

Slovakia

less than 0.1% (2001 est.)

Slovenia

less than 0.1% (2001 est.)

Solomon Islands

NA

Somalia

1% (2001 est.)

South Africa

21.5% (2003 est.)

Spain

0.7% (2001 est.)

Sri Lanka

less than 0.1% (2001 est.)

Sudan

2.3% (2001 est.)

Suriname

1.7% (2001 est.)

Svalbard

0% (2001)

Swaziland

38.8% (2003 est.)

Sweden

0.1% (2001 est.)

Switzerland

0.4% (2001 est.)

Syria

less than 0.1% (2001 est.)

Taiwan

NA

Tajikistan

less than 0.1% (2001 est.)

Tanzania

8.8% (2003 est.)

Thailand

1.5% (2003 est.)

Togo

4.1% (2003 est.)

Tokelau

NA

Tonga

NA

Trinidad and Tobago

3.2% (2003 est.)

Tunisia

less than 0.1% (2005 est.)

Turkey

less than 0.1% - note - no country specific models provided

(2001 est.)

Turkmenistan

less than 0.1% (2004 est.)

Turks and Caicos Islands

NA

Tuvalu

NA

Uganda

4.1% (2003 est.)

Ukraine

1.4% (2003 est.)

United Arab Emirates

0.18% (2001 est.)

United Kingdom

0.2% (2001 est.)

United States

0.6% (2003 est.)

Uruguay

0.3% (2001 est.)

Uzbekistan

less than 0.1% (2001 est.)

Vanuatu

NA

Venezuela

0.7% - note - no country specific models provided (2001

est.)

Vietnam

0.4% (2003 est.)

Virgin Islands

NA

Wallis and Futuna

NA%

West Bank

NA

Western Sahara

NA

World

NA%

Yemen

0.1% (2001 est.)

Zambia

16.5% (2003 est.)

Zimbabwe

24.6% (2001 est.)

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2156 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

Afghanistan

NA

Albania

NA

Algeria

9,100 (2003 est.)

American Samoa

NA

Andorra

NA

Angola

240,000 (2003 est.)

Anguilla

NA

Antigua and Barbuda

NA

Argentina

130,000 (2001 est.)

Armenia

2,600 (2003 est.)

Aruba

NA

Australia

14,000 (2003 est.)

Austria

10,000 (2003 est.)

Azerbaijan

1,400 (2003 est.)

Bahamas, The

5,600 (2003 est.)

Bahrain

less than 600 (2003 est.)

Bangladesh

13,000 (2001 est.)

Barbados

2,500 (2003 est.)

Belarus

15,000 (2001 est.)

Belgium

10,000 (2003 est.)

Belize

3,600 (2003 est.)

Benin

68,000 (2003 est.)

Bermuda

NA

Bhutan

less than 100 (1999 est.)

Bolivia

4,900 (2003 est.)

Bosnia and Herzegovina

900 (2003 est.)

Botswana

350,000 (2003 est.)

Brazil

660,000 (2003 est.)

British Virgin Islands

NA

Brunei

less than 200 (2003 est.)

Bulgaria

346 (2001 est.)

Burkina Faso

300,000 (2003 est.)

Burma

330,000 (2003 est.)

Burundi

250,000 (2003 est.)

Cambodia

170,000 (2003 est.)

Cameroon

560,000 (2003 est.)

Canada

56,000 (2003 est.)

Cape Verde

775 (2001)

Cayman Islands

NA

Central African Republic

260,000 (2003 est.)

Chad

200,000 (2003 est.)

Chile

26,000 (2003 est.)

China

840,000 (2003 est.)

Christmas Island

NA

Cocos (Keeling) Islands

NA

Colombia

190,000 (2003 est.)

Comoros

NA

Congo, Democratic Republic of the

1.1 million (2003 est.)

Congo, Republic of the

90,000 (2003 est.)

Cook Islands

NA

Costa Rica

12,000 (2003 est.)

Cote d'Ivoire

570,000 (2003 est.)

Croatia

200 (2001 est.)

Cuba

3,300 (2003 est.)

Cyprus

less than 1,000 (1999 est.)

Czech Republic

2,500 (2001 est.)

Denmark

5,000 (2003 est.)

Djibouti

9,100 (2003 est.)

Dominica

NA

Dominican Republic

88,000 (2003 est.)

East Timor

NA

Ecuador

21,000 (2003 est.)

Egypt

12,000 (2001 est.)

El Salvador

29,000 (2003 est.)

Equatorial Guinea

5,900 (2001 est.)

Eritrea

60,000 (2003 est.)

Estonia

7,800 (2003 est.)

Ethiopia

1.5 million (2003 est.)

European Union

NA

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

NA

Faroe Islands

NA

Fiji

600 (2003 est.)

Finland

1,500 (2003 est.)

France

120,000 (2003 est.)

French Guiana

NA

French Polynesia

NA

Gabon

48,000 (2003 est.)

Gambia, The

6,800 (2003 est.)

Gaza Strip

NA

Georgia

3,000 (2003 est.)

Germany

43,000 (2001 est.)

Ghana

350,000 (2003 est.)

Gibraltar

NA

Greece

9,100 (2001 est.)

Greenland

100 (1999)

Grenada

NA

Guadeloupe

NA

Guam

NA

Guatemala

78,000 (2003 est.)

Guernsey

NA

Guinea

140,000 (2003 est.)

Guinea-Bissau

17,000 (2001 est.)

Guyana

11,000 (2003 est.)

Haiti

280,000 (2003 est.)

Holy See (Vatican City)

NA

Honduras

63,000 (2003 est.)

Hong Kong

2,600 (2003 est.)

Hungary

2,800 (2001 est.)

Iceland

220 (2001 est.)

India

5.1 million (2001 est.)

Indonesia

110,000 (2003 est.)

Iran

31,000 (2001 est.)

Iraq

less than 500 (2003 est.)

Ireland

2,800 (2001 est.)

Israel

3,000 (1999 est.)

Italy

140,000 (2001 est.)

Jamaica

22,000 (2003 est.)

Japan

12,000 (2003 est.)

Jersey

NA

Jordan

600 (2003 est.)

Kazakhstan

16,500 (2001 est.)

Kenya

1.2 million (2003 est.)

Kiribati

NA

Korea, North

NA

Korea, South

8,300 (2003 est.)

Kuwait

NA

Kyrgyzstan

3,900 (2003 est.)

Laos

1,700 (2003 est.)

Latvia

7,600 (2001 est.)

Lebanon

2,800 (2003 est.)

Lesotho

320,000 (2003 est.)

Liberia

100,000 (2003 est.)

Libya

10,000 (2001 est.)

Liechtenstein

NA

Lithuania

1,300 (2003 est.)

Luxembourg

less than 500 (2003 est.)

Macau

NA

Macedonia

less than 200 (2003 est.)

Madagascar

140,000 (2003 est.)

Malawi

900,000 (2003 est.)

Malaysia

52,000 (2003 est.)

Maldives

less than 100 (2001 est.)

Mali

140,000 (2003 est.)

Malta

less than 500 (2003 est.)

Man, Isle of

NA

Marshall Islands

NA

Martinique

NA

Mauritania

9,500 (2003 est.)

Mauritius

700 (2001 est.)

Mayotte

NA

Mexico

160,000 (2003 est.)

Micronesia, Federated States of

NA

Moldova

5,500 (2001 est.)

Monaco

NA

Mongolia

less than 500 (2003 est)

Montserrat

NA

Morocco

15,000 (2001 est.)

Mozambique

1.3 million (2003 est.)

Namibia

210,000 (2001 est.)

Nauru

NA

Nepal

61,000 (2001 est.)

Netherlands

19,000 (2001 est.)

Netherlands Antilles

NA

New Caledonia

NA

New Zealand

1,400 (2003 est.)

Nicaragua

6,400 (2003 est.)

Niger

70,000 (2003 est.)

Nigeria

3.6 million (2003 est.)

Niue

NA

Norfolk Island

NA

Northern Mariana Islands

NA

Norway

2,100 (2001 est.)

Oman

1,300 (2001 est.)

Pakistan

74,000 (2001 est.)

Palau

NA

Panama

16,000 (2003 est.)

Papua New Guinea

16,000 (2003 est.)

Paraguay

15,000 (1999 est.)

Peru

82,000 (2003 est.)

Philippines

9,000 (2003 est.)

Pitcairn Islands

NA

Poland

14,000 (2003 est.)

Portugal

22,000 (2001 est.)

Puerto Rico

7,397 (1997)

Qatar

NA

Reunion

NA

Romania

6,500 (2001 est.)

Russia

860,000 (2001 est.)

Rwanda

250,000 (2003 est.)

Saint Helena

NA

Saint Kitts and Nevis

NA

Saint Lucia

NA

Saint Pierre and Miquelon

NA

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

NA

Samoa

12

San Marino

NA

Sao Tome and Principe

NA

Saudi Arabia

NA

Senegal

44,000 (2003 est.)

Serbia and Montenegro

10,000 (2001 est.)

Seychelles

NA

Sierra Leone

170,000 (2001 est.)

Singapore

4,100 (2003 est.)

Slovakia

less than 200 (2003 est.)

Slovenia

280 (2001 est.)

Solomon Islands

NA

Somalia

43,000 (2001 est.)

South Africa

5.3 million (2003 est.)

Spain

140,000 (2001 est.)

Sri Lanka

3,500 (2001 est.)

Sudan

400,000 (2001 est.)

Suriname

5,200 (2001 est.)

Svalbard

0 (2001)

Swaziland

220,000 (2003 est.)

Sweden

3,600 (2001 est.)

Switzerland

13,000 (2001 est.)

Syria

less than 500 (2003 est.)

Taiwan

NA

Tajikistan

less than 200 (2003 est.)

Tanzania

1.6 million (2003 est.)

Thailand

570,000 (2003 est.)

Togo

110,000 (2003 est.)

Tokelau

NA

Tonga

NA

Trinidad and Tobago

29,000 (2003 est.)

Tunisia

1,000 (2003 est.)

Turkey

NA

Turkmenistan

less than 200 (2003 est.)

Turks and Caicos Islands

NA

Tuvalu

NA

Uganda

530,000 (2001 est.)

Ukraine

360,000 (2001 est.)

United Arab Emirates

NA

United Kingdom

51,000 (2001 est.)

United States

950,000 (2003 est.)

Uruguay

6,000 (2001 est.)

Uzbekistan

11,000 (2003 est.)

Vanuatu

NA

Venezuela

110,000 (1999 est.)

Vietnam

220,000 (2003 est.)

Virgin Islands

NA

Wallis and Futuna

NA

West Bank

NA

Western Sahara

NA

World

NA

Yemen

12,000 (2001 est.)

Zambia

920,000 (2003 est.)

Zimbabwe

1.8 million (2001 est.)

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2157 HIV/AIDS - deaths

Afghanistan

NA

Albania

NA

Algeria

less than 500 (2003 est.)

American Samoa

NA

Andorra

NA

Angola

21,000 (2003 est.)

Anguilla

NA

Antigua and Barbuda

NA

Argentina

1,500 (2003 est.)

Armenia

less than 200 (2003 est.)

Aruba

NA

Australia

less than 200 (2003 est.)

Austria

less than 100 (2003 est.)

Azerbaijan

less than 100 (2001 est.)

Bahamas, The

less than 200 (2003 est.)

Bahrain

less than 200 (2003 est.)

Bangladesh

650 (2001 est.)

Barbados

less than 200 (2003 est.)

Belarus

1,000 (2001 est.)

Belgium

less than 100 (2003 est.)

Belize

less than 200 (2003 est.)

Benin

5,800 (2003 est.)

Bermuda

NA

Bhutan

NA

Bolivia

less than 500 (2003 est.)

Bosnia and Herzegovina

100 (2001 est.)

Botswana

33,000 (2003 est.)

Brazil

15,000 (2003 est.)

British Virgin Islands

NA

Brunei

less than 200 (2003 est.)

Bulgaria

100 (2001 est.)

Burkina Faso

29,000 (2003 est.)

Burma

20,000 (2003 est.)

Burundi

25,000 (2003 est.)

Cambodia

15,000 (2003 est.)

Cameroon

49,000 (2003 est.)

Canada

1,500 (2003 est.)

Cape Verde

225 (as of 2001)

Cayman Islands

NA

Central African Republic

23,000 (2003 est.)

Chad

18,000 (2003 est.)

Chile

1,400 (2003 est.)

China

44,000 (2003 est.)

Christmas Island

NA

Cocos (Keeling) Islands

NA

Colombia

3,600 (2003 est.)

Comoros

NA

Congo, Democratic Republic of the

100,000 (2003 est.)

Congo, Republic of the

9,700 (2003 est.)

Cook Islands

NA

Costa Rica

900 (2003 est.)

Cote d'Ivoire

47,000 (2003 est.)

Croatia

less than 10 (2001 est.)

Cuba

less than 200 (2003 est.)

Cyprus

NA

Czech Republic

less than 10 (2001 est.)

Denmark

less than 100 (2003 est.)

Djibouti

690 (2003 est.)

Dominica

NA

Dominican Republic

7,900 (2003 est.)

East Timor

NA

Ecuador

1,700 (2003 est.)

Egypt

700 (2003 est.)

El Salvador

2,200 (2003 est.)

Equatorial Guinea

370 (2001 est.)

Eritrea

6,300 (2003 est.)

Estonia

less than 200 (2003 est.)

Ethiopia

120,000 (2003 est.)

European Union

NA

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

NA

Faroe Islands

NA

Fiji

less than 200 (2003 est.)

Finland

less than 100 (2003 est.)

France

less than 1,000 (2003 est.)

French Guiana

NA

French Polynesia

NA

Gabon

3,000 (2003 est.)

Gambia, The

600 (2003 est.)

Gaza Strip

NA

Georgia

less than 200 (2003 est.)

Germany

less than 1,000 (2003 est.)

Ghana

30,000 (2003 est.)

Gibraltar

NA

Greece

less than 100 (2003 est.)

Greenland

NA

Grenada

NA

Guadeloupe

NA

Guam

NA

Guatemala

5,800 (2003 est.)

Guernsey

NA

Guinea

9,000 (2003 est.)

Guinea-Bissau

1,200 (2001 est.)

Guyana

1,100 (2003 est.)

Haiti

24,000 (2003 est.)

Holy See (Vatican City)

NA

Honduras

4,100 (2003 est.)

Hong Kong

less than 200 (2003 est.)

Hungary

less than 100 (2001 est.)

Iceland

less than 100 (2003 est.)

India

310,000 (2001 est.)

Indonesia

2,400 (2003 est.)

Iran

800 (2003 est.)

Iraq

NA

Ireland

less than 100 (2003 est.)

Israel

100 (2001 est.)

Italy

less than 1,000 (2003 est.)

Jamaica

900 (2003 est.)

Japan

500 (2003 est.)

Jersey

NA

Jordan

less than 500 (2003 est.)

Kazakhstan

less than 200 (2003 est.)

Kenya

150,000 (2003 est.)

Kiribati

NA

Korea, North

NA

Korea, South

less than 200 (2003 est.)

Kuwait

NA

Kyrgyzstan

less than 200 (2003 est.)

Laos

less than 200 (2003 est.)

Latvia

less than 500 (2003 est.)

Lebanon

less than 200 (2003 est.)

Lesotho

29,000 (2003 est.)

Liberia

7,200 (2003 est.)

Libya

NA

Liechtenstein

NA

Lithuania

less than 200 (2003 est.)

Luxembourg

less than 100 (2003 est.)

Macau

NA

Macedonia

less than 100 (2003 est.)

Madagascar

7,500 (2003 est.)

Malawi

84,000 (2003 est.)

Malaysia

2,000 (2003 est.)

Maldives

NA

Mali

12,000 (2003 est.)

Malta

less than 100 (2003 est.)

Man, Isle of

NA

Marshall Islands

NA

Martinique

NA

Mauritania

less than 500 (2003 est.)

Mauritius

less than 100 (2001 est.)

Mayotte

NA

Mexico

5,000 (2003 est.)

Micronesia, Federated States of

NA

Moldova

less than 300 (2001 est.)

Monaco

NA

Mongolia

less than 200 (2003 est.)

Montserrat

NA

Morocco

NA

Mozambique

110,000 (2003 est.)

Namibia

16,000 (2003 est.)

Nauru

NA

Nepal

3,100 (2003 est.)

Netherlands

less than 100 (2003 est.)

Netherlands Antilles

NA

New Caledonia

NA

New Zealand

less than 200 (2003 est.)

Nicaragua

less than 500 (2003 est.)

Niger

4,800 (2003 est.)

Nigeria

310,000 (2003 est.)

Niue

NA

Norfolk Island

NA

Northern Mariana Islands

NA

Norway

less than 100 (2003 est.)

Oman

less than 200 (2003 est.)

Pakistan

4,900 (2003 est.)

Palau

NA

Panama

less than 500 (2003 est.)

Papua New Guinea

600 (2003 est.)

Paraguay

600 (2003 est.)

Peru

4,200 (2003 est.)

Philippines

less than 500 (2003 est.)

Pitcairn Islands

NA

Poland

100 (2001 est.)

Portugal

less than 1,000 (2003 est.)

Puerto Rico

NA

Qatar

NA

Reunion

NA

Romania

350 (2001 est.)

Russia

9,000 (2001 est.)

Rwanda

22,000 (2003 est.)

Saint Helena

NA

Saint Kitts and Nevis

NA

Saint Lucia

NA

Saint Pierre and Miquelon

NA

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

NA

Samoa

3

San Marino

NA

Sao Tome and Principe

NA

Saudi Arabia

NA

Senegal

3,500 (2003 est.)

Serbia and Montenegro

less than 100 (2003 est.)

Seychelles

NA

Sierra Leone

11,000 (2001 est.)

Singapore

less than 200 (2003 est.)

Slovakia

less than 100 (2001 est.)

Slovenia

less than 100 (2003 est.)

Solomon Islands

NA

Somalia

NA

South Africa

370,000 (2003 est.)

Spain

less than 1,000 (2003 est.)

Sri Lanka

less than 200 (2003 est.)

Sudan

23,000 (2003 est.)

Suriname

less than 500 (2003 est.)

Svalbard

0 (2001)

Swaziland

17,000 (2003 est.)

Sweden

less than 100 (2003 est.)

Switzerland

less than 100 (2003 est.)

Syria

less than 200 (2003 est.)

Taiwan

NA

Tajikistan

less than 100 (2001 est.)

Tanzania

160,000 (2003 est.)

Thailand

58,000 (2003 est.)

Togo

10,000 (2003 est.)

Tokelau

NA

Tonga

NA

Trinidad and Tobago

1,900 (2003 est.)

Tunisia

less than 200 (2003 est.)

Turkey

NA

Turkmenistan

less than 100 (2004 est.)

Turks and Caicos Islands

NA

Tuvalu

NA

Uganda

78,000 (2003 est.)

Ukraine

20,000 (2003 est.)

United Arab Emirates

NA

United Kingdom

less than 500 (2003 est.)

United States

14,000 (2003 est.)

Uruguay

less than 500 (2003 est.)

Uzbekistan

less than 500 (2003 est.)

Vanuatu

NA

Venezuela

4,100 (2003 est.)

Vietnam

9,000 (2003 est.)

Virgin Islands

NA

Wallis and Futuna

NA

West Bank

NA

Western Sahara

NA

World

NA

Yemen

NA

Zambia

89,000 (2003 est.)

Zimbabwe

170,000 (2003 est.)

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2158 Currency code

Afghanistan

AFA

Albania

ALL

Algeria

DZD

American Samoa

USD

Andorra

EUR

Angola

AOA

Anguilla

XCD

Antigua and Barbuda

XCD

Argentina

ARS

Armenia

AMD

Aruba

AWG

Australia

AUD

Austria

EUR

Azerbaijan

AZM

Bahamas, The

BSD

Bahrain

BHD

Bangladesh

BDT

Barbados

BBD

Belarus

BYB/BYR

Belgium

EUR

Belize

BZD

Benin

XOF

Bermuda

BMD

Bhutan

BTN; INR

Bolivia

BOB

Bosnia and Herzegovina

BAM

Botswana

BWP

Brazil

BRL

British Virgin Islands

USD

Brunei

BND

Bulgaria

BGN

Burkina Faso

XOF

Burma

MMK

Burundi

BIF

Cambodia

KHR

Cameroon

XAF

Canada

CAD

Cape Verde

CVE

Cayman Islands

KYD

Central African Republic

XAF

Chad

XAF

Chile

CLP

China

CNY

Christmas Island

AUD

Cocos (Keeling) Islands

AUD

Colombia

COP

Comoros

KMF

Congo, Democratic Republic of the

CDF

Congo, Republic of the

XAF

Cook Islands

NZD

Costa Rica

CRC

Cote d'Ivoire

XOF

Croatia

HRK

Cuba

CUP (nonconvertible Cuban peso) and CUC (convertible Cuban peso)

Cyprus

CYP; TRL

Czech Republic

CZK

Denmark

DKK

Djibouti

DJF

Dominica

XCD

Dominican Republic

DOP

East Timor

USD

Ecuador

USD

Egypt

EGP

El Salvador

USD

Equatorial Guinea

XAF

Eritrea

ERN

Estonia

EEK

Ethiopia

ETB

European Union

EUR

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

FKP

Faroe Islands

DKK

Fiji

FJD

Finland

EUR

France

EUR

French Guiana

EUR

French Polynesia

XPF

Gabon

XAF

Gambia, The

GMD

Gaza Strip

ILS

Georgia

GEL

Germany

EUR

Ghana

GHC

Gibraltar

GIP

Greece

EUR

Greenland

DKK

Grenada

XCD

Guadeloupe

EUR

Guam

USD

Guatemala

GTQ; USD

Guernsey

GBP

Guinea

GNF

Guinea-Bissau

XOF; GWP

Guyana

GYD

Haiti

HTG

Holy See (Vatican City)

EUR

Honduras

HNL

Hong Kong

HKD

Hungary

HUF

Iceland

ISK

India

INR

Indonesia

IDR

Iran

IRR

Iraq

NID, IQD prior to 22 January 2004

Ireland

EUR

Israel

ILS

Italy

EUR

Jamaica

JMD

Japan

JPY

Jersey

GBP

Jordan

JOD

Kazakhstan

KZT

Kenya

KES

Kiribati

AUD

Korea, North

KPW

Korea, South

KRW

Kuwait

KWD

Kyrgyzstan

KGS

Laos

LAK

Latvia

LVL

Lebanon

LBP

Lesotho

LSL; ZAR

Liberia

LRD

Libya

LYD

Liechtenstein

CHF

Lithuania

LTL

Luxembourg

EUR

Macau

MOP

Macedonia

MKD

Madagascar

MGF

Malawi

MWK

Malaysia

MYR

Maldives

MVR

Mali

XOF

Malta

MTL

Man, Isle of

GBP

Marshall Islands

USD

Martinique

EUR

Mauritania

MRO

Mauritius

MUR

Mayotte

EUR

Mexico

MXN

Micronesia, Federated States of

USD

Moldova

MDL

Monaco

EUR

Mongolia

MNT

Montserrat

XCD

Morocco

MAD

Mozambique

MZM

Namibia

NAD; ZAR

Nauru

AUD

Nepal

NPR

Netherlands

EUR

Netherlands Antilles

ANG

New Caledonia

XPF

New Zealand

NZD

Nicaragua

NIO

Niger

XOF

Nigeria

NGN

Niue

NZD

Norfolk Island

AUD

Northern Mariana Islands

USD

Norway

NOK

Oman

OMR

Pakistan

PKR

Palau

USD

Panama

PAB; USD

Papua New Guinea

PGK

Paraguay

PYG

Peru

PEN

Philippines

PHP

Pitcairn Islands

NZD

Poland

PLN

Portugal

EUR

Puerto Rico

USD

Qatar

QAR

Reunion

EUR

Romania

ROL

Russia

RUR

Rwanda

RWF

Saint Helena

SHP

Saint Kitts and Nevis

XCD

Saint Lucia

XCD

Saint Pierre and Miquelon

EUR

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

XCD

Samoa

SAT (former WST code is still in wide use)

San Marino

EUR

Sao Tome and Principe

STD

Saudi Arabia

SAR

Senegal

XOF

Serbia and Montenegro

CSD, EUR

Seychelles

SCR

Sierra Leone

SLL

Singapore

SGD

Slovakia

SKK

Slovenia

SIT

Solomon Islands

SBD

Somalia

SOS

South Africa

ZAR

Spain

EUR

Sri Lanka

LKR

Sudan

SDD

Suriname

SRG

Svalbard

NOK

Swaziland

SZL

Sweden

SEK

Switzerland

CHF

Syria

SYP

Taiwan

TWD

Tajikistan

TJS

Tanzania

TZS

Thailand

THB

Togo

XOF

Tokelau

NZD

Tonga

TOP

Trinidad and Tobago

TTD

Tunisia

TND

Turkey

TRL, YTL

Turkmenistan

TMM

Turks and Caicos Islands

USD

Tuvalu

AUD

Uganda

UGX

Ukraine

UAH

United Arab Emirates

AED

United Kingdom

GBP

United States

USD

Uruguay

UYU

Uzbekistan

UZS

Vanuatu

VUV

Venezuela

VEB

Vietnam

VND

Virgin Islands

USD

Wallis and Futuna

XPF

West Bank

ILS; JOD

Western Sahara

MAD

Yemen

YER

Zambia

ZMK

Zimbabwe

ZWD

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2172 Distribution of family income - Gini index

Algeria

35.3 (1995)

Armenia

44.4 (1996)

Australia

35.2 (1994)

Austria

31 (1995)

Azerbaijan

36 (1995)

Bangladesh

33.6 (FY95/96)

Belarus

21.7 (1998)

Belgium

28.7 (1996)

Bolivia

44.7 (1999)

Brazil

60.7 (1998)

Bulgaria

26.4 (2001)

Burkina Faso

48.2 (1994)

Burundi

42.5 (1998)

Cambodia

40 (2004 est.)

Cameroon

47.7 (1996)

Canada

31.5 (1994)

Central African Republic

61.3 (1993)

Chile

57.1 (2000)

China

44 (2002)

Colombia

57.1 (1996)

Costa Rica

45.9 (1997)

Cote d'Ivoire

36.7 (1995)

Croatia

29 (1998)

Czech Republic

25.4 (1996)

Denmark

24.7 (1992)

Dominican Republic

47.4 (1998)

East Timor

38 (2002 est.)

Ecuador 42 note: data are for urban households (2003)

Egypt

34.4 (2001)

El Salvador

52.5 (2001)

Estonia

37 (1999)

Ethiopia

40 (1995)

European Union

31.2 (2003 est.)

Finland

25.6 (1991)

France

32.7 (1995)

Georgia

37.1 (1996)

Germany

30 (1994)

Ghana

40.7 (1999)

Greece

35.4 (1998)

Guatemala

55.8 (1998)

Guinea

40.3 (1994)

Honduras

56.3 (1998)

Hungary

24.4 (1998)

India

37.8 (1997)

Indonesia

37 (2001)

Ireland

35.9 (1987)

Israel

35.5 (2001)

Italy

27.3 (1995)

Jamaica

37.9 (2000)

Japan

24.9 (1993)

Jordan

36.4 (1997)

Kazakhstan

31.5 (2003)

Kenya

44.9 (1997)

Korea, South

35.8 (2000)

Kyrgyzstan

29 (2001)

Laos

37 (1997)

Latvia

32 (1999)

Lesotho

56 (1986-87)

Lithuania

34 (1999)

Madagascar

38.1 (1999)

Malaysia

49.2 (1997)

Mali

50.5 (1994)

Mauritania

37.3 (1995)

Mauritius

37 (1987 est.)

Mexico

53.1 (1998)

Moldova

40.6 (1997)

Mongolia

44 (1998)

Morocco

39.5 (1998-99)

Mozambique

39.6 (1996-97)

Namibia

70 (2003)

Nepal

36.7 (FY95/96)

Netherlands

32.6 (1994)

Nicaragua

55.1 (2001)

Niger

50.5 (1995)

Nigeria

50.6 (1996-97)

Norway

25.8 (1995)

Pakistan

41 (FY98/99)

Panama

48.5 (1997)

Papua New Guinea

50.9 (1996)

Paraguay

57.7 (1998)

Peru

49.8 (2000)

Philippines

46.6 (2003)

Poland

31.6 (1998)

Portugal

35.6 (1994-95)

Romania

28.8 (2003)

Russia

39.9 (2001)

Rwanda

28.9 (1985)

Senegal

41.3 (1995)

Sierra Leone

62.9 (1989)

Slovakia

26.3 (1996)

Slovenia

28.4 (1998)

South Africa

59.3 (1993-94)

Spain

32.5 (1990)

Sri Lanka

34.4 (1995)

Sweden

25 (1992)

Switzerland

33.1 (1992)

Tajikistan

34.7 (1998)

Tanzania

38.2 (1993)

Thailand

51.1 (2002)

Tunisia

41.7 (1995)

Turkey

42 (2003)

Turkmenistan

40.8 (1998)

Uganda

37.4 (1996)

Ukraine

29 (1999)

United Kingdom

36.8 (1999)

United States

45 (2004)

Uruguay

44.8 (1999)

Uzbekistan

44.7 (1998)

Venezuela

49.5 (1998)

Vietnam

36.1 (1998)

Yemen

33.4 (1998)

Zambia

52.6 (1998)

Zimbabwe

50.1 (1995)

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2173 Oil - production (bbl/day)

Afghanistan

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Albania

2,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Algeria

1.2 million bbl/day (2004 est.)

American Samoa

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Angola

980,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Antigua and Barbuda

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Argentina

755,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Armenia

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Aruba

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Australia

537,500 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Austria

20,670 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Azerbaijan

312,800 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Bahamas, The

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Bahrain

44,000 bbl/day (2003)

Bangladesh

3,581 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Barbados

1,271 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Belarus

36,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Belgium

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Belize

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Benin

700 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Bermuda

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Bhutan

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Bolivia

39,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Bosnia and Herzegovina

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Botswana

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Brazil

1.788 million bbl/day (2004 est.)

British Virgin Islands

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Brunei

204,000 bbl/day (2003 est.)

Bulgaria

603 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Burkina Faso

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Burma

17,550 bbl/day (2003 est.)

Burundi

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Cambodia

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Cameroon

94,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Canada

3.11 million bbl/day (2004 est.)

Cape Verde

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Cayman Islands

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Central African Republic

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Chad

200,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Chile

18,500 bbl/day (2003 est.)

China

3.392 million bbl/day (2003 est.)

Colombia

531,100 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Comoros

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Congo, Democratic Republic of the

24,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Congo, Republic of the

227,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Cook Islands

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Costa Rica

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Cote d'Ivoire

29,300 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Croatia

21,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Cuba

77,900 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Cyprus

300 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Czech Republic

7,419 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Denmark

346,200 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Djibouti

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Dominica

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Dominican Republic

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Ecuador

523,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Egypt

740,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)

El Salvador

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Equatorial Guinea

350,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Eritrea

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Estonia

5,100 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Ethiopia

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

European Union

2.648 million bbl/day (2001)

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Faroe Islands

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Fiji

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Finland

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

France

34,920 bbl/day (2001 est.)

French Guiana

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

French Polynesia

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Gabon

264,900 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Gambia, The

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Georgia

2,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Germany

74,100 bbl/day (2003)

Ghana

7,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Gibraltar

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Greece

5,992 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Greenland

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Grenada

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Guadeloupe

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Guam

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Guatemala

25,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Guinea

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Guinea-Bissau

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Guyana

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Haiti

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Honduras

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Hong Kong

0 bbl/day (2003 est.)

Hungary

41,190 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Iceland

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

India

780,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Indonesia

971,000 bbl/day (2003 est.)

Iran

3.962 million bbl/day (2004 est.)

Iraq

2.25 million bbl/day (2004 est.); note - prewar production (in

2002) was 2.03 million bbl/day (2004 est.)

Ireland

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Israel

80 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Italy

79,460 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Jamaica

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Japan

17,330 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Jordan

40 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Kazakhstan

1.2 million bbl/day (2004 est.)

Kenya

0 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Kiribati

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Korea, North

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Korea, South

0 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Kuwait

2.319 million bbl/day (2004 est.)

Kyrgyzstan

2,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Laos

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Latvia

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Lebanon

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Lesotho

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Liberia

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Libya

1.518 million bbl/day (2004 est.)

Lithuania

4,594 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Luxembourg

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Macau

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Macedonia

0 bbl/day (2003 est.)

Madagascar

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Malawi

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Malaysia

785,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Maldives

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Mali

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Malta

0 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Martinique

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Mauritania

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Mauritius

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Mexico

3.46 million bbl/day (2004 est.)

Moldova

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Mongolia

542 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Montserrat

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Morocco

1,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Mozambique

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Namibia

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Nauru

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Nepal

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Netherlands

46,200 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Netherlands Antilles

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

New Caledonia

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

New Zealand

42,160 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Nicaragua

0 bbl/day (2003 est.)

Niger

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Nigeria

2.356 million bbl/day (2004 est.)

Niue

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Norway

3.31 million bbl/day (2004 est.)

Oman

775,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Pakistan

61,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Panama

0 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Papua New Guinea

46,200 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Paraguay

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Peru

95,500 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Philippines

26,000 bbl/day (2003 est.)

Poland

17,180 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Portugal

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Puerto Rico

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Qatar

790,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Reunion

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Romania

128,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Russia

8.42 million bbl/day (2003 est.)

Rwanda

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Saint Helena

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Saint Kitts and Nevis

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Saint Lucia

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Saint Pierre and Miquelon

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Samoa

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Sao Tome and Principe

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Saudi Arabia

9.021 million bbl/day (2004 est.)

Senegal

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Serbia and Montenegro

15,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Seychelles

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Sierra Leone

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Singapore

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Slovakia

1,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Slovenia

20 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Solomon Islands

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Somalia

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

South Africa

196,200 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Spain

7,099 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Sri Lanka

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Sudan

345,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Suriname

12,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Swaziland

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Sweden

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Switzerland

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Syria

525,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Taiwan

500 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Tajikistan

250 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Tanzania

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Thailand

225,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Togo

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Tonga

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Trinidad and Tobago

140,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Tunisia

72,580 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Turkey

48,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Turkmenistan

162,500 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Turks and Caicos Islands

0 bbl/day

Uganda

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Ukraine

72,000 bbl/day (2003 est.)

United Arab Emirates

2.335 million bbl/day (2004 est.)

United Kingdom

1.957 million bbl/day (2003 est.)

United States

7.8 million bbl/day (2004 est.)

Uruguay

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Uzbekistan

143,300 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Vanuatu

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Venezuela

2.6 million bbl/day (2004 est.)

Vietnam

359,400 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Virgin Islands

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Western Sahara

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

World

76.01 million bbl/day (2001 est.)

Yemen

417,500 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Zambia

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Zimbabwe

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2174 Oil - consumption (bbl/day)

Afghanistan

3,500 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Albania

7,500 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Algeria

209,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

American Samoa

3,800 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Angola

31,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Antigua and Barbuda

3,600 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Argentina

486,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Armenia

5,700 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Aruba

6,500 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Australia

796,500 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Austria

262,400 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Azerbaijan

140,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Bahamas, The

23,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Bahrain

40,000 bbl/day (2003 est.)

Bangladesh

71,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Barbados

10,900 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Belarus

285,000 bbl/day (2003 est.)

Belgium

595,100 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Belize

5,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Benin

11,500 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Bermuda

4,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Bhutan

1,020 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Bolivia

49,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Bosnia and Herzegovina

20,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Botswana

16,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Brazil

2.199 million bbl/day (2001 est.)

British Virgin Islands

420 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Brunei

13,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Bulgaria

94,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Burkina Faso

8,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Burma

60,950 bbl/day (2003 est.)

Burundi

2,750 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Cambodia

7,200 bbl/day (2002 est.)

Cameroon

22,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Canada

2.2 million bbl/day (2003 est.)

Cape Verde

2,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Cayman Islands

2,400 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Central African Republic

2,400 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Chad

1,500 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Chile

240,000 bbl/day (2003 est.)

China

4.956 million bbl/day (2002 est.)

Colombia

252,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Comoros

700 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Congo, Democratic Republic of the

14,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Congo, Republic of the

5,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Cook Islands

450 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Costa Rica

37,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Cote d'Ivoire

32,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Croatia

89,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Cuba

163,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Cyprus

Republic of Cyprus: 49,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Czech Republic

175,700 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Denmark

218,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Djibouti

11,300 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Dominica

600 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Dominican Republic

129,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Ecuador

129,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Egypt

562,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

El Salvador

39,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Equatorial Guinea

2,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Eritrea

6,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Estonia

24,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Ethiopia

23,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

European Union

14.54 million bbl/day (2001)

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

200 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Faroe Islands

4,500 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Fiji

5,700 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Finland

211,400 bbl/day (2001 est.)

France

2.026 million bbl/day (2001 est.)

French Guiana

6,500 bbl/day (2001 est.)

French Polynesia

4,750 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Gabon

13,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Gambia, The

1,900 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Georgia

31,500 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Germany

2.891 million bbl/day (2003)

Ghana

38,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Gibraltar

42,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Greece

405,700 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Greenland

3,700 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Grenada

1,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Guadeloupe

13,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Guam

20,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Guatemala

61,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Guinea

8,600 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Guinea-Bissau

2,500 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Guyana

11,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Haiti

11,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Honduras

29,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Hong Kong

257,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Hungary

140,700 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Iceland

16,300 bbl/day (2001 est.)

India

2.13 million bbl/day (2001 est.)

Indonesia

1.183 million bbl/day (2003 est.)

Iran

1.4 million bbl/day (2002 est.)

Iraq

383,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Ireland

174,400 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Israel

260,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Italy

1.866 million bbl/day (2001 est.)

Jamaica

66,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Japan

5.29 million bbl/day (2001 est.)

Jordan

103,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Kazakhstan

189,400 bbl/day (2003 est.)

Kenya

57,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Kiribati

190 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Korea, North

85,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Korea, South

2.07 million bbl/day (2004 est.)

Kuwait

293,000 bbl/day (2003 est.)

Kyrgyzstan

20,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Laos

2,750 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Latvia

44,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Lebanon

107,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Lesotho

1,500 bbl/day (2001)

Liberia

3,100 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Libya

216,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Lithuania

72,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Luxembourg

50,650 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Macau

11,190 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Macedonia

22,000 bbl/day (2003 est.)

Madagascar

13,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Malawi

5,400 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Malaysia

460,000 bbl/day (2003 est.)

Maldives

3,200 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Mali

4,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Malta

20,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Martinique

13,500 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Mauritania

24,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Mauritius

21,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Mexico

1.752 million bbl/day (2004 est.)

Moldova

24,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Mongolia

11,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Montserrat

400 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Morocco

167,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Mozambique

8,500 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Namibia

13,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Nauru

1,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Nepal

16,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Netherlands

895,300 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Netherlands Antilles

72,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

New Caledonia

8,750 bbl/day (2001 est.)

New Zealand

132,700 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Nicaragua

25,770 bbl/day (2003 est.)

Niger

5,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Nigeria

275,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Niue

20 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Norway

171,100 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oman

54,000 bbl/day (2003 est.)

Pakistan

365,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Panama

40,520 bbl/day (2003 est.)

Papua New Guinea

15,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Paraguay

25,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Peru

161,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Philippines

338,000 bbl/day (2003 est.)

Poland

424,100 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Portugal

339,800 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Puerto Rico

190,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Qatar

30,000 bbl/day (2003 est.)

Reunion

18,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Romania

253,800 bbl/day (2003 est.)

Russia

2.31 million bbl/day (2003 est.)

Rwanda

5,300 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Saint Helena

200 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Saint Kitts and Nevis

710 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Saint Lucia

2,400 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Saint Pierre and Miquelon

600 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

1,250 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Samoa

1,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Sao Tome and Principe

700 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Saudi Arabia

1.55 million bbl/day (2003)

Senegal

31,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Serbia and Montenegro

64,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Seychelles

4,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Sierra Leone

6,500 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Singapore

700,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Slovakia

82,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Slovenia

53,300 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Solomon Islands

1,250 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Somalia

4,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

South Africa

460,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Spain

1.497 million bbl/day (2001 est.)

Sri Lanka

75,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Sudan

70,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Suriname

14,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Swaziland

3,500 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Sweden

328,600 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Switzerland

290,400 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Syria

240,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Taiwan

988,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Tajikistan

20,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Tanzania

17,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Thailand

785,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Togo

10,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Tonga

1,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Trinidad and Tobago

24,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Tunisia

87,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Turkey

619,500 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Turkmenistan

63,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Turks and Caicos Islands

0 bbl/day

Uganda

8,750 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Ukraine

303,000 bbl/day (2003 est.)

United Arab Emirates

310,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)

United Kingdom

1.692 million bbl/day (2003 est.)

United States

19.65 million bbl/day (2001 est.)

Uruguay

41,500 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Uzbekistan

142,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Vanuatu

600 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Venezuela

500,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Vietnam

185,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Virgin Islands

66,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Western Sahara

1,800 bbl/day (2001 est.)

World

77.04 million bbl/day (2001 est.)

Yemen

78,000 bbl/day (2003 est.)

Zambia

11,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Zimbabwe

23,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2175 Oil - imports (bbl/day)

Afghanistan

NA

Albania

5,500 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Algeria

NA

American Samoa

NA

Angola

NA

Antigua and Barbuda

NA

Argentina

NA

Armenia

NA

Aruba

NA

Australia

530,800 bbl/day (2001)

Austria

262,000 bbl/day (2001)

Azerbaijan

NA

Bahamas, The

NA

Bahrain

NA

Bangladesh

NA

Barbados

NA

Belarus

360,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Belgium

1.042 million bbl/day (2001)

Belize

NA

Benin

NA

Bermuda

NA

Bhutan

NA

Bolivia

NA

Bosnia and Herzegovina

NA

Botswana

NA

Brazil

NA

British Virgin Islands

NA

Brunei

NA

Bulgaria

NA

Burkina Faso

NA

Burma

49,230 bbl/day (2003)

Burundi

NA

Cambodia

NA

Cameroon

NA

Canada

987,000 bbl/day (2004)

Cape Verde

NA

Cayman Islands

NA

Central African Republic

NA

Chad

NA

Chile

221,500 bbl/day (2003 est.)

China

2.414 million bbl/day (2002)

Colombia

NA

Comoros

NA

Congo, Democratic Republic of the

NA

Congo, Republic of the

NA

Cook Islands

NA

Costa Rica

NA

Cote d'Ivoire

NA

Croatia

NA

Cuba

NA

Cyprus

NA

Czech Republic

192,300 bbl/day (2001)

Denmark

195,000 bbl/day (2001)

Djibouti

NA

Dominica

NA

Dominican Republic

129,900 bbl/day (2003)

Ecuador

NA

Egypt

NA

El Salvador

NA

Equatorial Guinea

NA

Eritrea

NA

Estonia

NA

Ethiopia

NA

European Union

15.69 million bbl/day (2001)

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

NA

Faroe Islands

NA

Fiji

NA

Finland

318,300 bbl/day (2001)

France

2.281 million bbl/day (2001)

French Guiana

NA

French Polynesia

NA

Gabon

NA

Gambia, The

NA

Georgia

NA

Germany

2.135 million bbl/day (2003)

Ghana

NA

Gibraltar

NA

Greece

468,300 bbl/day (2001)

Greenland

NA

Grenada

NA

Guadeloupe

NA

Guam

NA

Guatemala

NA

Guinea

NA

Guinea-Bissau

NA

Guyana

NA

Haiti

NA

Honduras

NA

Hong Kong

NA

Hungary

136,600 bbl/day (2001)

Iceland

15,470 bbl/day (2001)

India

NA

Indonesia

370,500 bbl/day (2003)

Iran

NA

Iraq

NA

Ireland

178,600 bbl/day (2001)

Israel

NA

Italy

2.158 million bbl/day (2001)

Jamaica

NA

Japan

5.449 million bbl/day (2001)

Jordan

100,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Kazakhstan

47,000 bbl/day (2003)

Kenya

NA

Kiribati

NA

Korea, North

11,500 bbl/day (2003 est.)

Korea, South

2.263 million bbl/day (2003)

Kuwait

NA

Kyrgyzstan

NA

Laos

NA

Latvia

NA

Lebanon

NA

Lesotho

NA

Liberia

NA

Libya

NA

Lithuania

NA

Luxembourg

50,700 bbl/day (2001)

Macau

NA

Macedonia

NA

Madagascar

NA

Malawi

NA

Malaysia

NA

Maldives

NA

Mali

NA

Malta

NA

Martinique

NA

Mauritania

NA

Mauritius

NA

Mexico

205,000 bbl/day (2004)

Moldova

NA

Mongolia

11,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Montserrat

NA

Morocco

NA

Mozambique

NA

Namibia

NA

Nauru

NA

Nepal

NA

Netherlands

2.284 million bbl/day (2001)

Netherlands Antilles

NA

New Caledonia

NA

New Zealand

119,700 bbl/day (2001)

Nicaragua

27,950 bbl/day (2003)

Niger

NA

Nigeria

NA

Niue

NA

Norway

88,870 bbl/day (2001)

Oman

NA

Pakistan

NA

Panama

NA

Papua New Guinea

NA

Paraguay

NA

Peru

NA

Philippines

312,000 bbl/day (2003)

Poland

413,700 bbl/day (2001)

Portugal

357,300 bbl/day (2001)

Puerto Rico

NA

Qatar

NA

Reunion

NA

Romania

NA

Russia

NA

Rwanda

NA

Saint Helena

NA

Saint Kitts and Nevis

NA

Saint Lucia

NA

Saint Pierre and Miquelon

NA

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

NA

Samoa

NA

Sao Tome and Principe

NA

Saudi Arabia

0 bbl/day (2003)

Senegal

NA

Serbia and Montenegro

NA

Seychelles

NA

Sierra Leone

NA

Singapore

NA

Slovakia

NA

Slovenia

NA

Solomon Islands

NA

Somalia

NA

South Africa

NA

Spain

1.582 million bbl/day (2001)

Sri Lanka

NA

Sudan

0 bbl/day (2004)

Suriname

1,644 bbl/day (2003)

Swaziland

NA

Sweden

553,100 bbl/day (2001)

Switzerland

289,500 bbl/day (2001)

Syria

NA

Taiwan

NA

Tajikistan

NA

Tanzania

NA

Thailand

NA

Togo

NA

Tonga

NA

Trinidad and Tobago

NA

Tunisia

NA

Turkey

616,500 bbl/day (2001)

Turkmenistan

NA

Turks and Caicos Islands

NA

Uganda

NA

Ukraine

NA

United Arab Emirates

0 bbl/day (2004)

United Kingdom

1.084 million bbl/day (2003)

United States

NA

Uruguay

NA

Uzbekistan

NA

Vanuatu

NA

Venezuela

NA

Vietnam

NA

Virgin Islands

NA

Western Sahara

NA

Yemen

NA

Zambia

NA

Zimbabwe

NA

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2176 Oil - exports (bbl/day)

Afghanistan

NA

Albania

0 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Algeria

NA

American Samoa

NA

Angola

NA

Antigua and Barbuda

NA

Argentina

NA

Armenia

NA

Aruba

NA

Australia

523,400 bbl/day (2001)

Austria

35,470 bbl/day (2001)

Azerbaijan

NA

Bahamas, The

transhipments of 29,000 bbl/day (2003)

Bahrain

NA

Bangladesh

NA

Barbados

NA

Belarus

14,500 bbl/day (2003 est.)

Belgium

450,000 bbl/day (2001)

Belize

NA

Benin

NA

Bermuda

NA

Bhutan

NA

Bolivia

NA

Bosnia and Herzegovina

NA

Botswana

NA

Brazil

NA

British Virgin Islands

NA

Brunei

199,000 bbl/day (2003)

Bulgaria

NA

Burkina Faso

NA

Burma

3,356 bbl/day (2003)

Burundi

NA

Cambodia

NA

Cameroon

NA

Canada

1.37 million bbl/day (2004)

Cape Verde

NA

Cayman Islands

NA

Central African Republic

NA

Chad

NA

Chile

0 bbl/day (2003)

China

427,800 bbl/day (2002)

Colombia

NA

Comoros

NA

Congo, Democratic Republic of the

NA

Congo, Republic of the

NA

Cook Islands

NA

Costa Rica

NA

Cote d'Ivoire

NA

Croatia

NA

Cuba

NA

Cyprus

NA

Czech Republic

26,670 bbl/day (2001)

Denmark

332,100 bbl/day (2001)

Djibouti

NA

Dominica

NA

Dominican Republic

NA

Ecuador

387,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Egypt

NA

El Salvador

NA

Equatorial Guinea

NA

Eritrea

NA

Estonia

NA

Ethiopia

NA

European Union

5.322 million bbl/day (2001)

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

NA

Faroe Islands

NA

Fiji

NA

Finland

101,000 bbl/day (2001)

France

409,600 bbl/day (2001)

French Guiana

NA

French Polynesia

NA

Gabon

NA

Gambia, The

NA

Georgia

NA

Germany

12,990 bbl/day (2003)

Ghana

NA

Gibraltar

NA

Greece

84,720 bbl/day (2001)

Greenland

NA

Grenada

NA

Guadeloupe

NA

Guam

NA

Guatemala

3,104 bbl/day (2003)

Guinea

NA

Guinea-Bissau

NA

Guyana

NA

Haiti

NA

Honduras

NA

Hong Kong

NA

Hungary

47,180 bbl/day (2001)

Iceland

0 bbl/day (2001)

India

NA

Indonesia

518,100 bbl/day (2003)

Iran

2.5 million bbl/day (2004 est.)

Iraq

1.49 million bbl/day (2004 est.)

Ireland

27,450 bbl/day (2001)

Israel

NA

Italy

456,600 bbl/day (2001)

Jamaica

NA

Japan

93,360 bbl/day (2001)

Jordan

0 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Kazakhstan

890,000 bbl/day (2003)

Kenya

NA

Kiribati

NA

Korea, North

NA

Korea, South

630,100 bbl/day (2003)

Kuwait

1.97 million bbl/day (2003)

Kyrgyzstan

NA

Laos

NA

Latvia

NA

Lebanon

NA

Lesotho

NA

Libya

NA

Lithuania

NA

Luxembourg

634 bbl/day (2001)

Macau

NA

Macedonia

NA

Madagascar

NA

Malawi

NA

Malaysia

230,200 bbl/day (2003)

Maldives

NA

Mali

NA

Malta

NA

Martinique

NA

Mauritania

NA

Mauritius

NA

Mexico

1.863 million bbl/day (2004)

Moldova

NA

Mongolia

497 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Montserrat

NA

Morocco

NA

Mozambique

NA

Namibia

NA

Nauru

NA

Nepal

NA

Netherlands

1.418 million bbl/day (2001)

Netherlands Antilles

NA

New Caledonia

NA

New Zealand

30,220 bbl/day (2001)

Nicaragua

738 bbl/day (2003)

Niger

NA

Nigeria

NA

Niue

NA

Norway

3.466 million bbl/day (2001)

Oman

721,000 bbl/day (2004)

Pakistan

NA

Panama

NA

Papua New Guinea

NA

Paraguay

NA

Peru

49,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Philippines

0 bbl/day (2001)

Poland

53,000 bbl/day (2001)

Portugal

28,830 bbl/day (2001)

Puerto Rico

NA

Qatar

NA

Reunion

NA

Romania

NA

Russia

6.11 million bbl/day (2003)

Rwanda

NA

Saint Helena

NA

Saint Kitts and Nevis

NA

Saint Lucia

NA

Saint Pierre and Miquelon

NA

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

NA

Samoa

NA

Sao Tome and Principe

NA

Saudi Arabia

7.92 million bbl/day (2003)

Senegal

NA

Serbia and Montenegro

NA

Seychelles

NA

Sierra Leone

NA

Singapore

NA

Slovakia

NA

Slovenia

NA

Solomon Islands

NA

Somalia

NA

South Africa

NA

Spain

135,100 bbl/day (2001)

Sri Lanka

NA

Sudan

275,000 bbl/day (2004)

Suriname

1,370 bbl/day (2003)

Swaziland

NA

Sweden

203,700 bbl/day (2001)

Switzerland

10,420 bbl/day (2001)

Syria

285,000 bbl/day (2004)

Taiwan

NA

Tajikistan

NA

Tanzania

NA

Thailand

NA

Togo

NA

Tonga

NA

Trinidad and Tobago

NA

Tunisia

NA

Turkey

46,110 bbl/day (2001)

Turkmenistan

NA

Turks and Caicos Islands

NA

Uganda

NA

Ukraine

NA

United Arab Emirates

2.5 million bbl/day (2004 est.)

United Kingdom

1.498 million bbl/day (2001)

United States

NA

Uruguay

NA

Uzbekistan

NA

Vanuatu

NA

Venezuela

2.1 million bbl/day (2004 est.)

Vietnam

NA

Virgin Islands

NA

Western Sahara

NA

Yemen

370,300 bbl/day (2003)

Zambia

NA

Zimbabwe

NA

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2177 Median age (years)

Afghanistan

total: 17.56 years

male: 17.55 years

female: 17.57 years (2005 est.)

Albania

total: 28.52 years

male: 27.95 years

female: 29.1 years (2005 est.)

Algeria

total: 24.36 years

male: 24.18 years

female: 24.53 years (2005 est.)

American Samoa

total: 22.76 years

male: 22.5 years

female: 23.05 years (2005 est.)

Andorra

total: 40.34 years

male: 40.63 years

female: 40.02 years (2005 est.)

Angola

total: 18.12 years

male: 18.12 years

female: 18.11 years (2005 est.)

Anguilla

total: 30.76 years

male: 30.81 years

female: 30.7 years (2005 est.)

Antigua and Barbuda

total: 29.67 years

male: 29.19 years

female: 30.15 years (2005 est.)

Argentina

total: 29.42 years

male: 28.52 years

female: 30.4 years (2005 est.)

Armenia

total: 30.07 years

male: 27.45 years

female: 32.84 years (2005 est.)

Aruba

total: 38 years

male: 36.07 years

female: 39.7 years (2005 est.)

Australia

total: 36.56 years

male: 35.74 years

female: 37.4 years (2005 est.)

Austria

total: 40.44 years

male: 39.3 years

female: 41.61 years (2005 est.)

Azerbaijan

total: 27.53 years

male: 26.09 years

female: 29 years (2005 est.)

Bahamas, The

total: 27.55 years

male: 26.78 years

female: 28.34 years (2005 est.)

Bahrain

total: 29.19 years

male: 32.16 years

female: 25.54 years (2005 est.)

Bangladesh

total: 21.87 years

male: 21.88 years

female: 21.85 years (2005 est.)

Barbados

total: 34.15 years

male: 32.99 years

female: 35.28 years (2005 est.)

Belarus

total: 37.03 years

male: 34.32 years

female: 39.7 years (2005 est.)

Belgium

total: 40.55 years

male: 39.29 years

female: 41.81 years (2005 est.)

Belize

total: 19.35 years

male: 19.21 years

female: 19.49 years (2005 est.)

Benin

total: 16.56 years

male: 16.12 years

female: 17.01 years (2005 est.)

Bermuda

total: 39.76 years

male: 38.78 years

female: 40.58 years (2005 est.)

Bhutan

total: 20.27 years

male: 20.11 years

female: 20.44 years (2005 est.)

Bolivia

total: 21.47 years

male: 20.79 years

female: 22.17 years (2005 est.)

Bosnia and Herzegovina

total: 36.21 years

male: 35.81 years

female: 36.63 years (2005 est.)

Botswana

total: 19.29 years

male: 18.64 years

female: 19.93 years (2005 est.)

Brazil

total: 27.81 years

male: 27.06 years

female: 28.57 years (2005 est.)

British Virgin Islands

total: 30.9 years

male: 31.1 years

female: 30.7 years (2005 est.)

Brunei

total: 27.04 years

male: 27.63 years

female: 26.4 years (2005 est.)

Bulgaria

total: 40.66 years

male: 38.59 years

female: 42.66 years (2005 est.)

Burkina Faso

total: 16.82 years

male: 16.43 years

female: 17.22 years (2005 est.)

Burma

total: 26.14 years

male: 25.57 years

female: 26.72 years (2005 est.)

Burundi

total: 16.6 years

male: 16.27 years

female: 16.95 years (2005 est.)

Cambodia

total: 19.91 years

male: 19.16 years

female: 20.79 years (2005 est.)

Cameroon

total: 18.6 years

male: 18.45 years

female: 18.76 years (2005 est.)

Canada

total: 38.54 years

male: 37.54 years

female: 39.56 years (2005 est.)

Cape Verde

total: 19.4 years

male: 18.62 years

female: 20.25 years (2005 est.)

Cayman Islands

total: 36.83 years

male: 36.48 years

female: 37.18 years (2005 est.)

Central African Republic

total: 18.12 years

male: 17.75 years

female: 18.5 years (2005 est.)

Chad

total: 16.02 years

male: 15.32 years

female: 16.71 years (2005 est.)

Chile

total: 30.07 years

male: 29.17 years

female: 31.05 years (2005 est.)

China

total: 32.26 years

male: 31.87 years

female: 32.67 years (2005 est.)

Colombia

total: 26.04 years

male: 25.14 years

female: 26.93 years (2005 est.)

Comoros

total: 18.61 years

male: 18.35 years

female: 18.87 years (2005 est.)

Congo, Democratic Republic of the

total: 15.8 years

male: 15.4 years

female: 16.2 years (2005 est.)

Congo, Republic of the

total: 20.7 years

male: 20.2 years

female: 21.1 years (2005 est.)

Costa Rica

total: 26.03 years

male: 25.59 years

female: 26.5 years (2005 est.)

Cote d'Ivoire

total: 19.05 years

male: 19.36 years

female: 18.76 years (2005 est.)

Croatia

total: 39.97 years

male: 38.01 years

female: 41.76 years (2005 est.)

Cuba

total: 35.36 years

male: 34.73 years

female: 35.98 years (2005 est.)

Cyprus

total: 34.68 years

male: 33.64 years

female: 35.7 years (2005 est.)

Czech Republic

total: 38.97 years

male: 37.2 years

female: 40.82 years (2005 est.)

Denmark

total: 39.47 years

male: 38.55 years

female: 40.4 years (2005 est.)

Djibouti

total: 18.23 years

male: 18.77 years

female: 17.69 years (2005 est.)

Dominica

total: 29.59 years

male: 29.26 years

female: 29.95 years (2005 est.)

Dominican Republic

total: 23.88 years

male: 23.68 years

female: 24.09 years (2005 est.)

East Timor

total: 20.41 years

male: 20.46 years

female: 20.35 years (2005 est.)

Ecuador

total: 23.27 years

male: 22.82 years

female: 23.74 years (2005 est.)

Egypt

total: 23.68 years

male: 23.31 years

female: 24.05 years (2005 est.)

El Salvador

total: 21.57 years

male: 20.44 years

female: 22.69 years (2005 est.)

Equatorial Guinea

total: 18.83 years

male: 18.2 years

female: 19.46 years (2005 est.)

Eritrea

total: 17.54 years

male: 17.35 years

female: 17.73 years (2005 est.)

Estonia

total: 39.06 years

male: 35.52 years

female: 42.35 years (2005 est.)

Ethiopia

total: 17.75 years

male: 17.64 years

female: 17.85 years (2005 est.)

European Union

NA

Faroe Islands

total: 35.11 years

male: 34.64 years

female: 35.68 years (2005 est.)

Fiji

total: 24.28 years

male: 23.84 years

female: 24.74 years (2005 est.)

Finland

total: 40.97 years

male: 39.43 years

female: 42.52 years (2005 est.)

France

total: 38.85 years

male: 37.3 years

female: 40.39 years (2005 est.)

French Guiana

total: 28.45 years

male: 29.49 years

female: 27.31 years (2005 est.)

French Polynesia

total: 27.48 years

male: 27.84 years

female: 27.1 years (2005 est.)

Gabon

total: 18.57 years

male: 18.34 years

female: 18.8 years (2005 est.)

Gambia, The

total: 17.59 years

male: 17.45 years

female: 17.74 years (2005 est.)

Gaza Strip

total: 15.65 years

male: 15.5 years

female: 15.81 years (2005 est.)

Georgia

total: 37.36 years

male: 34.93 years

female: 39.7 years (2005 est.)

Germany

total: 42.16 years

male: 40.88 years

female: 43.53 years (2005 est.)

Ghana

total: 20.45 years

male: 20.2 years

female: 20.7 years (2005 est.)

Gibraltar

total: 39.4 years

male: 39.12 years

female: 39.63 years (2005 est.)

Greece

total: 40.5 years

male: 39.39 years

female: 41.65 years (2005 est.)

Greenland

total: 33.83 years

male: 35.15 years

female: 32.14 years (2005 est.)

Grenada

total: 21.26 years

male: 21.73 years

female: 20.76 years (2005 est.)

Guadeloupe

total: 31.81 years

male: 30.91 years

female: 32.73 years (2005 est.)

Guam

total: 28.38 years

male: 28.16 years

female: 28.61 years (2005 est.)

Guatemala

total: 18.47 years

male: 18.25 years

female: 18.71 years (2005 est.)

Guernsey

total: 40.99 years

male: 40.03 years

female: 41.91 years (2005 est.)

Guinea

total: 17.67 years

male: 17.42 years

female: 17.93 years (2005 est.)

Guinea-Bissau

total: 18.97 years

male: 18.37 years

female: 19.57 years (2005 est.)

Guyana

total: 26.91 years

male: 26.44 years

female: 27.4 years (2005 est.)

Haiti

total: 18.03 years

male: 17.63 years

female: 18.44 years (2005 est.)

Honduras

total: 19.15 years

male: 18.75 years

female: 19.56 years (2005 est.)

Hong Kong

total: 39.4 years

male: 39.3 years

female: 39.6 years (2005 est.)

Hungary

total: 38.57 years

male: 36.1 years

female: 41.24 years (2005 est.)

Iceland

total: 34 years

male: 33.53 years

female: 34.49 years (2005 est.)

India

total: 24.66 years

male: 24.64 years

female: 24.67 years (2005 est.)

Indonesia

total: 26.48 years

male: 26.03 years

female: 26.93 years (2005 est.)

Iran

total: 24.23 years

male: 24.03 years

female: 24.44 years (2005 est.)

Iraq

total: 19.43 years

male: 19.35 years

female: 19.51 years (2005 est.)

Ireland

total: 33.7 years

male: 32.9 years

female: 34.49 years (2005 est.)

Israel

total: 29.39 years

male: 28.58 years

female: 30.27 years (2005 est.)

Italy

total: 41.77 years

male: 40.24 years

female: 43.35 years (2005 est.)

Jamaica

total: 27.25 years

male: 26.55 years

female: 27.97 years (2005 est.)

Japan

total: 42.64 years

male: 40.87 years

female: 44.44 years (2005 est.)

Jersey

total: 40.89 years

male: 40.13 years

female: 41.63 years (2005 est.)

Jordan

total: 22.62 years

male: 23.25 years

female: 21.94 years (2005 est.)

Kazakhstan

total: 28.52 years

male: 26.92 years

female: 30.25 years (2005 est.)

Kenya

total: 18.19 years

male: 18.08 years

female: 18.3 years (2005 est.)

Kiribati

total: 20.05 years

male: 19.61 years

female: 20.58 years (2005 est.)

Korea, North

total: 31.74 years

male: 30.47 years

female: 33 years (2005 est.)

Korea, South

total: 34.51 years

male: 33.53 years

female: 35.53 years (2005 est.)

Kuwait

total: 25.86 years

male: 28.05 years

female: 22.12 years (2005 est.)

Kyrgyzstan

total: 23.39 years

male: 22.52 years

female: 24.27 years (2005 est.)

Laos

total: 18.74 years

male: 18.42 years

female: 19.08 years (2005 est.)

Latvia

total: 39.12 years

male: 35.95 years

female: 42.15 years (2005 est.)

Lebanon

total: 27.34 years

male: 26.28 years

female: 28.43 years (2005 est.)

Lesotho

total: 20.19 years

male: 19.68 years

female: 20.74 years (2005 est.)

Liberia

total: 18.06 years

male: 17.69 years

female: 18.42 years (2005 est.)

Libya

total: 22.68 years

male: 22.8 years

female: 22.56 years (2005 est.)

Liechtenstein

total: 39.22 years

male: 38.74 years

female: 39.68 years (2005 est.)

Lithuania

total: 37.83 years

male: 35.25 years

female: 40.46 years (2005 est.)

Luxembourg

total: 38.51 years

male: 37.56 years

female: 39.48 years (2005 est.)

Macau

total: 35.2 years

male: 34.9 years

female: 35.4 years (2005 est.)

Macedonia

total: 32.8 years

male: 31.7 years

female: 33.9 years (2005 est.)

Madagascar

total: 17.46 years

male: 17.24 years

female: 17.67 years (2005 est.)

Malawi

total: 16.34 years

male: 16.04 years

female: 16.65 years (2005 est.)

Malaysia

total: 23.92 years

male: 23.32 years

female: 24.54 years (2005 est.)

Maldives

total: 17.69 years

male: 17.58 years

female: 17.8 years (2005 est.)

Mali

total: 16.35 years

male: 15.79 years

female: 16.92 years (2005 est.)

Malta

total: 38.36 years

male: 36.91 years

female: 39.84 years (2005 est.)

Man, Isle of

total: 39.48 years

male: 38.16 years

female: 40.89 years (2005 est.)

Marshall Islands

total: 19.95 years

male: 19.98 years

female: 19.92 years (2005 est.)

Martinique

total: 33.61 years

male: 32.95 years

female: 34.28 years (2005 est.)

Mauritania

total: 16.98 years

male: 16.71 years

female: 17.24 years (2005 est.)

Mauritius

total: 30.5 years

male: 29.65 years

female: 31.46 years (2005 est.)

Mayotte

total: 16.96 years

male: 18.04 years

female: 15.87 years (2005 est.)

Mexico

total: 24.93 years

male: 24.04 years

female: 25.85 years (2005 est.)

Moldova

total: 32.22 years

male: 30.14 years

female: 34.27 years (2005 est.)

Monaco

total: 45.25 years

male: 43.27 years

female: 47.19 years (2005 est.)

Mongolia

total: 24.28 years

male: 23.93 years

female: 24.64 years (2005 est.)

Montserrat

total: 28.56 years

male: 28.29 years

female: 28.79 years (2005 est.)

Morocco

total: 23.61 years

male: 23.11 years

female: 24.13 years (2005 est.)

Mozambique

total: 18.29 years

male: 17.74 years

female: 18.83 years (2005 est.)

Namibia

total: 19.79 years

male: 19.63 years

female: 19.94 years (2005 est.)

Nauru

total: 20.24 years

male: 19.76 years

female: 20.78 years (2005 est.)

Nepal

total: 20.07 years

male: 19.91 years

female: 20.24 years (2005 est.)

Netherlands

total: 39.04 years

male: 38.22 years

female: 39.9 years (2005 est.)

Netherlands Antilles

total: 32.46 years

male: 30.86 years

female: 34.01 years (2005 est.)

New Caledonia

total: 27.5 years

male: 27.16 years

female: 27.84 years (2005 est.)

New Zealand

total: 33.65 years

male: 32.92 years

female: 34.4 years (2005 est.)

Nicaragua

total: 20.56 years

male: 20.15 years

female: 20.98 years (2005 est.)

Niger

total: 16.25 years

male: 15.8 years

female: 16.72 years (2005 est.)

Nigeria

total: 18.63 years

male: 18.71 years

female: 18.55 years (2005 est.)

Northern Mariana Islands

total: 29.33 years

male: 31.54 years

female: 28.33 years (2005 est.)

Norway

total: 38.17 years

male: 37.29 years

female: 39.07 years (2005 est.)

Oman

total: 19.13 years

male: 21.88 years

female: 16.45 years (2005 est.)

Pakistan

total: 19.58 years

male: 19.44 years

female: 19.74 years (2005 est.)

Palau

total: 31.43 years

male: 32.4 years

female: 30.36 years (2005 est.)

Panama

total: 26.18 years

male: 25.89 years

female: 26.48 years (2005 est.)

Papua New Guinea

total: 21.09 years

male: 21.25 years

female: 20.93 years (2005 est.)

Paraguay

total: 21.2 years

male: 20.94 years

female: 21.46 years (2005 est.)

Peru

total: 24.95 years

male: 24.69 years

female: 25.21 years (2005 est.)

Philippines

total: 22.27 years

male: 21.77 years

female: 22.8 years (2005 est.)

Poland

total: 36.43 years

male: 34.52 years

female: 38.49 years (2005 est.)

Portugal

total: 38.2 years

male: 36.06 years

female: 40.33 years (2005 est.)

Puerto Rico

total: 34.23 years

male: 32.5 years

female: 35.87 years (2005 est.)

Qatar

total: 31.57 years

male: 36.87 years

female: 22.33 years (2005 est.)

Reunion

total: 26.72 years

male: 25.53 years

female: 27.92 years (2005 est.)

Romania

total: 36.39 years

male: 35.04 years

female: 37.77 years (2005 est.)

Russia

total: 38.15 years

male: 34.99 years

female: 41.03 years (2005 est.)

Rwanda

total: 18.48 years

male: 18.26 years

female: 18.7 years (2005 est.)

Saint Helena

total: 35.4 years

male: 35.61 years

female: 35.21 years (2005 est.)

Saint Kitts and Nevis

total: 27.6 years

male: 26.78 years

female: 28.38 years (2005 est.)

Saint Lucia

total: 24.81 years

male: 24.03 years

female: 25.66 years (2005 est.)

Saint Pierre and Miquelon

total: 33.7 years

male: 33.39 years

female: 33.96 years (2005 est.)

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

total: 26.36 years

male: 26.21 years

female: 26.53 years (2005 est.)

Samoa

total: 24.59 years

male: 27.42 years

female: 21.42 years (2005 est.)

San Marino

total: 40.29 years

male: 39.91 years

female: 40.65 years (2005 est.)

Sao Tome and Principe

total: 16.12 years

male: 15.53 years

female: 16.71 years (2005 est.)

Saudi Arabia

total: 21.28 years

male: 22.84 years

female: 19.28 years (2005 est.)

Senegal

total: 18.15 years

male: 17.6 years

female: 18.7 years (2005 est.)

Serbia and Montenegro

total: 36.79 years

male: 35.3 years

female: 38.29 years (2005 est.)

Seychelles

total: 27.7 years

male: 26.62 years

female: 28.76 years (2005 est.)

Sierra Leone

total: 17.53 years

male: 17.2 years

female: 17.84 years (2005 est.)

Singapore

total: 36.76 years

male: 36.4 years

female: 37.07 years (2005 est.)

Slovakia

total: 35.43 years

male: 33.85 years

female: 37.25 years (2005 est.)

Slovenia

total: 40.23 years

male: 38.65 years

female: 41.75 years (2005 est.)

Solomon Islands

total: 18.63 years

male: 18.5 years

female: 18.76 years (2005 est.)

Somalia

total: 17.59 years

male: 17.53 years

female: 17.65 years (2005 est.)

South Africa

total: 23.98 years

male: 23.12 years

female: 24.86 years (2005 est.)

Spain

total: 39.51 years

male: 38.18 years

female: 40.93 years (2005 est.)

Sri Lanka

total: 29.44 years

male: 28.38 years

female: 30.51 years (2005 est.)

Sudan

total: 18.07 years

male: 17.86 years

female: 18.29 years (2005 est.)

Suriname

total: 26.13 years

male: 25.72 years

female: 26.58 years (2005 est.)

Swaziland

total: 18.72 years

male: 18.53 years

female: 18.92 years (2005 est.)

Sweden

total: 40.6 years

male: 39.49 years

female: 41.75 years (2005 est.)

Switzerland

total: 39.77 years

male: 38.75 years

female: 40.81 years (2005 est.)

Syria

total: 20.37 years

male: 20.24 years

female: 20.51 years (2005 est.)

Taiwan

total: 34.14 years

male: 33.71 years

female: 34.57 years (2005 est.)

Tajikistan

total: 19.73 years

male: 19.45 years

female: 20.02 years (2005 est.)

Tanzania

total: 17.62 years

male: 17.36 years

female: 17.89 years (2005 est.)

Thailand

total: 30.88 years

male: 30.11 years

female: 31.66 years (2005 est.)

Togo

total: 17.78 years

male: 17.42 years

female: 18.14 years (2005 est.)

Tonga

total: 20.46 years

male: 19.93 years

female: 21.02 years (2005 est.)

Trinidad and Tobago

total: 30.91 years

male: 30.46 years

female: 31.44 years (2005 est.)

Tunisia

total: 27.29 years

male: 26.78 years

female: 27.82 years (2005 est.)

Turkey

total: 27.7 years

male: 27.52 years

female: 27.89 years (2005 est.)

Turkmenistan

total: 21.56 years

male: 20.68 years

female: 22.44 years (2005 est.)

Turks and Caicos Islands

total: 27.35 years

male: 28.08 years

female: 26.62 years (2005 est.)

Tuvalu

total: 24.45 years

male: 23.36 years

female: 25.85 years (2005 est.)

Uganda

total: 14.97 years

male: 14.87 years

female: 15.08 years (2005 est.)

Ukraine

total: 38.22 years

male: 34.91 years

female: 41.21 years (2005 est.)

United Arab Emirates

total: 27.9 years

male: 35.2 years

female: 22.9 years (2005 est.)

United Kingdom

total: 38.99 years

male: 37.89 years

female: 40.13 years (2005 est.)

United States

total: 36.27 years

male: 34.94 years

female: 37.6 years (2005 est.)

Uruguay

total: 32.46 years

male: 31.02 years

female: 33.95 years (2005 est.)

Uzbekistan

total: 22.36 years

male: 21.74 years

female: 23 years (2005 est.)

Vanuatu

total: 22.64 years

male: 22.68 years

female: 22.59 years (2005 est.)

Venezuela

total: 25.6 years

male: 24.98 years

female: 26.24 years (2005 est.)

Vietnam

total: 25.51 years

male: 24.47 years

female: 26.68 years (2005 est.)

Virgin Islands

total: 36.52 years

male: 35.6 years

female: 37.33 years (2005 est.)

West Bank

total: 18.14 years

male: 17.99 years

female: 18.3 years (2005 est.)

World

total: 27.6 years

male: 27 years

female: 28.2 years (2005 est.)

Yemen

total: 16.54 years

male: 16.53 years

female: 16.56 years (2005 est.)

Zambia

total: 16.46 years

male: 16.26 years

female: 16.67 years (2005 est.)

Zimbabwe

total: 19.26 years

male: 19.28 years

female: 19.24 years (2005 est.)

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2178 Oil - proved reserves (bbl)

Afghanistan

0 bbl (1 January 2002)

Albania

185.5 million bbl (1 January 2002)

Algeria

11.87 billion bbl (2004 est.)

Angola

22.88 billion bbl (2004 est.)

Argentina

2.9 billion bbl (2004 est.)

Australia

3.664 billion bbl (1 January 2002)

Austria

85.69 million bbl (1 January 2002)

Azerbaijan

589 million bbl (1 January 2002)

Bahrain

126 million bbl (2004 est.)

Bangladesh

28.45 million bbl (1 January 2002)

Barbados

1.254 million bbl (1 January 2002)

Benin

4.105 million bbl (1 January 2002)

Bolivia

458.8 million bbl (1 January 2002)

Brazil

13.9 billion bbl (2004 est.)

Brunei

1.255 billion bbl (1 January 2002)

Bulgaria

8.1 million bbl (1 January 2002)

Burma

3.2 billion bbl (2003)

Cameroon

80 million bbl (2004 est.)

Canada

178.9 billion bbl including shale oil (2004 est.)

Chile

150 million bbl (1 January 2004)

China

17.74 billion bbl (2004 est.)

Colombia

1.7 billion bbl (2004 est.)

Congo, Democratic Republic of the

1.538 billion bbl (1 January 2002)

Congo, Republic of the

93.5 million bbl (1 January 2002)

Cote d'Ivoire

220 million bbl (2004 est.)

Croatia

93.6 million bbl (1 January 2002)

Cuba

532 million bbl (1 January 2002)

Czech Republic

17.25 million bbl (1 January 2002)

Denmark

1.23 billion bbl (1 January 2002)

Ecuador

4.408 billion bbl (2004 est.)

Egypt

2.7 billion bbl (2004 est.)

Equatorial Guinea

563.5 million bbl (1 January 2002)

Ethiopia

214,000 bbl (1 January 2002)

European Union

28.21 billion bbl (1 January 2002)

France

144.3 million bbl (1 January 2002)

Gabon

2.022 billion bbl (2004 est.)

Germany

395.8 million bbl (1 January 2004)

Ghana

8.255 million bbl (1 January 2002)

Greece

4.5 million bbl (1 January 2002)

Guatemala

263 million bbl (1 January 2002)

Hungary

110.7 million bbl (1 January 2002)

India

5.7 billion bbl (2004 est.)

Indonesia

4.9 billion bbl (2004 est.)

Iran

130.8 billion bbl (2004 est.)

Iraq

112.5 billion bbl (2004 est.)

Ireland

0 bbl (1 January 2002)

Israel

1.92 million bbl (1 January 2002)

Italy

586.6 million bbl (1 January 2002)

Japan

29.29 million bbl (1 January 2002)

Jordan

445,000 bbl (1 January 2002)

Kazakhstan

26 billion bbl (1 January 2004)

Kuwait

96.5 billion bbl (2004 est.)

Libya

38 billion bbl (2004 est.)

Madagascar

0 bbl (1 January 2002)

Malaysia

3.2 billion bbl (2004 est.)

Mexico

18 billion bbl (2004 est.)

Morocco

300 million bbl (2004 est.)

Mozambique

0 bbl (1 January 2002)

Namibia

0 bbl (1 January 2002)

Netherlands

88.06 million bbl (1 January 2002)

New Zealand

89.62 million bbl (1 January 2002)

Nigeria

34 billion bbl (2004 est.)

Norway

9.859 billion bbl (1 January 2002)

Oman

5.5 billion bbl (2003 est.)

Pakistan

325.5 million bbl (2004 est.)

Papua New Guinea

170 million bbl (2004 est.)

Peru

408.8 million bbl (2004 est.)

Philippines

152 million bbl (1 January 2004)

Poland

116.4 million bbl (1 January 2002)

Qatar

16 billion bbl (2004 est.)

Romania

1.055 billion bbl (1 January 2002)

Russia

69 billion bbl (2003 est.)

Rwanda

0 bbl (1 January 2002)

Saudi Arabia

261.7 billion bbl (2004 est.)

Serbia and Montenegro

38.75 million bbl (1 January 2002)

Slovakia

4.5 million bbl (1 January 2002)

Somalia

0 bbl (1 January 2002)

South Africa

7.84 million bbl (1 January 2002)

Spain

10.5 million bbl (1 January 2002)

Sudan

1.6 billion bbl (2004 est.)

Suriname

99 million bbl (2004)

Syria

2.5 billion bbl (2004 est.)

Taiwan

2.9 million bbl (2004 est.)

Tanzania

0 bbl (1 January 2002)

Thailand

600 million bbl (1 January 2003)

Trinidad and Tobago

990 million bbl (1 January 2004)

Tunisia

1.7 billion bbl (2004 est.)

Turkey

288.4 million bbl (1 January 2002)

Turkmenistan

273 million bbl (1 January 2002)

Ukraine

395 million bbl (9 November 2004)

United Arab Emirates

97.8 billion bbl (2004 est.)

United Kingdom

25.41 billion bbl (2003)

United States

22.45 billion bbl (1 January 2002)

Uzbekistan

297 million bbl (1 January 2002)

Venezuela

78 billion bbl (2004 est.)

Vietnam

650 million bbl (2004 est.)

World

1.025 trillion bbl (1 January 2002 est.)

Yemen

4 billion bbl (2004 est.)

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2179 Natural gas - proved reserves (cu m)

Afghanistan

49.98 billion cu m (1 January 2002)

Albania

3.316 billion cu m (1 January 2002)

Algeria

4.739 trillion cu m (2004)

Angola

79.57 billion cu m (2004)

Argentina

768 billion cu m (2004)

Australia

2.407 trillion cu m (1 January 2002)

Austria

24.9 billion cu m (1 January 2002)

Azerbaijan

62.3 billion cu m (1 January 2002)

Bahrain

46 billion cu m (2004)

Bangladesh

150.3 billion cu m (1 January 2002)

Barbados

70.79 million cu m (1 January 2002)

Benin

608.8 million cu m (1 January 2002)

Bolivia

727.2 billion cu m (1 January 2002)

Brazil

221.7 billion cu m (2004)

Brunei

315 billion cu m (1 January 2002)

Bulgaria

3.724 billion cu m (1 January 2002)

Burma

2.46 trillion cu m (2003)

Cameroon

55.22 billion cu m (2004)

Canada

1.691 trillion cu m (2004)

Chile

99.05 billion cu m (1 January 2004)

China

2.23 trillion cu m (2004)

Colombia

132 billion cu m (2004)

Congo, Democratic Republic of the

104.8 billion cu m (1 January 2002)

Congo, Republic of the

495.5 million cu m (1 January 2002)

Cote d'Ivoire

14.87 billion cu m (2004)

Croatia

34.36 billion cu m (1 January 2002)

Cuba

42.62 billion cu m (1 January 2002)

Czech Republic

3.057 billion cu m (1 January 2002)

Denmark

81.98 billion cu m (1 January 2002)

Ecuador

106.5 billion cu m (2004)

Egypt

1.264 trillion cu m (2004)

Equatorial Guinea

68.53 billion cu m (1 January 2002)

Ethiopia

12.46 billion cu m (1 January 2002)

European Union

3.256 trillion cu m (1 January 2002)

France

12.86 billion cu m (1 January 2002)

Gabon

66.47 billion cu m (2004)

Germany

293 billion cu m (1 January 2004)

Ghana

11.89 billion cu m (1 January 2002)

Greece

254.9 million cu m (1 January 2002)

Guatemala

1.543 billion cu m (1 January 2002)

Hungary

50.45 billion cu m (1 January 2002)

India

542.4 billion cu m (2004)

Indonesia

2.549 trillion cu m (2004)

Iran

26.7 trillion cu m (2004)

Iraq

3.149 trillion cu m (2004)

Ireland

9.911 billion cu m (1 January 2002)

Israel

20.81 billion cu m (1 January 2002)

Italy

209.7 billion cu m (1 January 2002)

Japan

20.02 billion cu m (1 January 2002)

Jordan

3.256 billion cu m (1 January 2002)

Kazakhstan

1.8 trillion cu m (1 January 2004)

Kuwait

1.548 trillion cu m (2004)

Libya

1.321 trillion cu m (2004)

Madagascar

0 cu m (1 January 2002)

Malaysia

2.23 trillion cu m (2004)

Mexico

420 billion cu m (2004)

Morocco

665.4 million cu m (2004)

Mozambique

63.71 billion cu m (1 January 2002)

Namibia

31.15 billion cu m (1 January 2002)

Netherlands

1.693 trillion cu m (1 January 2002)

New Zealand

58.94 billion cu m (1 January 2002)

Nigeria

4.007 trillion cu m (2004)

Norway

1.716 trillion cu m (1 January 2002)

Oman

829.7 billion cu m (2003)

Pakistan

695.6 billion cu m (2004)

Papua New Guinea

385.5 billion cu m (2004)

Peru

245.1 billion cu m (2004)

Philippines

107.6 billion cu m (1 January 2004)

Poland

154.4 billion cu m (1 January 2002)

Qatar

14.41 trillion cu m (2004)

Romania

111.1 billion cu m (1 January 2002)

Russia

47 trillion cu m (2003)

Rwanda

28.32 billion cu m (1 January 2002)

Saudi Arabia

6.339 trillion cu m (2004)

Serbia and Montenegro

24.07 billion cu m (1 January 2002)

Slovakia

7.504 billion cu m (1 January 2002)

Somalia

2.832 billion cu m (1 January 2002)

South Africa

14.16 billion cu m (1 January 2002)

Spain

254.9 million cu m (1 January 2002)

Sudan

99.11 billion cu m (2004)

Suriname

0 cu m (2004)

Syria

240.7 billion cu m (2004)

Taiwan

38.23 billion cu m (2004)

Tanzania

11.33 billion cu m (1 January 2002)

Thailand

368.2 billion cu m (1 January 2003)

Trinidad and Tobago

589 billion cu m (1 January 2004)

Tunisia

77.16 billion cu m (2004)

Turkey

8.685 billion cu m (1 January 2002)

Turkmenistan

1.43 trillion cu m (1 January 2002)

Ukraine

560.7 billion cu m (9 November 2004)

United Arab Emirates

6.06 trillion cu m (2004)

United Kingdom

714.9 billion cu m (2003)

United States

5.195 trillion cu m (1 January 2002)

Uzbekistan

937.3 billion cu m (1 January 2002)

Venezuela

4.19 trillion cu m (2004)

Vietnam

192.6 billion cu m (2004)

World

161.2 trillion cu m (1 January 2002)

Yemen

480 billion cu m (2004)

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2180 Natural gas - production (cu m)

Afghanistan

220 million cu m (2001 est.)

Albania

30 million cu m (2001 est.)

Algeria

80.3 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Angola

530 million cu m (2001 est.)

Argentina

37.15 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Armenia

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Australia

33.08 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Austria

1.731 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Azerbaijan

5.72 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Bahrain

32.7 billion cu m (2002 est.)

Bangladesh

9.9 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Barbados

29.17 million cu m (2001 est.)

Belarus

250 million cu m (2004 est.)

Belgium

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Bolivia

8.44 billion cu m (2004 est.)

Bosnia and Herzegovina

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Brazil

5.95 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Brunei

10.35 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Bulgaria

4 million cu m (2001 est.)

Burma

9.98 billion cu m (2003 est.)

Cameroon

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Canada

165.8 billion cu m (2003 est.)

Chile

1.18 billion cu m (2002 est.)

China

35 billion cu m (2003 est.)

Colombia

5.7 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Congo, Republic of the

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Cote d'Ivoire

1.35 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Croatia

1.76 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Cuba

600 million cu m (2001 est.)

Czech Republic

160 million cu m (2001 est.)

Denmark

8.38 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Ecuador

160 million cu m (2001 est.)

Egypt

21.2 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Equatorial Guinea

20 million cu m (2001 est.)

Estonia

0 cu m (2001 est.)

European Union

242.6 billion cu m (2001)

Finland

0 cu m (2001 est.)

France

1.898 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Gabon

80 million cu m (2001 est.)

Georgia

60 million cu m (2001 est.)

Germany

21 billion cu m (2003)

Greece

35 million cu m (2001 est.)

Hong Kong

NA

Hungary

3.231 billion cu m (2001 est.)

India

22.75 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Indonesia

77.6 billion cu m (2003 est.)

Iran

79 billion cu m (2003 est.)

Iraq

2.35 billion cu m (2002 est.)

Ireland

815 million cu m (2001 est.)

Israel

10 million cu m (2001 est.)

Italy

15.49 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Japan

2.519 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Jordan

290 million cu m (2001 est.)

Kazakhstan

11.6 billion cu m (2004 est.)

Korea, South

0 cu m (2003 est.)

Kuwait

8.7 billion cu m (2002 est.)

Kyrgyzstan

16 million cu m (2001 est.)

Latvia

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Libya

6.18 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Lithuania

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Luxembourg

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Malaysia

53.66 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Mexico

47.3 billion cu m (2004 est.)

Moldova

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Morocco

50 million cu m (2001 est.)

Mozambique

60 million cu m (2001 est.)

Netherlands

77.75 billion cu m (2001 est.)

New Zealand

6.504 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Nigeria

15.68 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Norway

54.6 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Oman

13.77 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Pakistan

23.4 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Papua New Guinea

110 million cu m (2001 est.)

Peru

910 million cu m (2004 est.)

Philippines

2.5 million cu m (2004 est.)

Poland

5.471 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Portugal

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Puerto Rico

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Qatar

32.4 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Romania

12.6 billion cu m (2003 est.)

Russia

578.6 billion cu m (2003 est.)

Saudi Arabia

56.4 billion cu m (2002)

Senegal

50 million cu m (2001 est.)

Serbia and Montenegro

602 million cu m (2001 est.)

Singapore

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Slovakia

190 million cu m (2003 est.)

Slovenia

0 cu m (2001 est.)

South Africa

1.8 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Spain

516 million cu m (2001 est.)

Sweden

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Switzerland

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Syria

5.84 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Taiwan

750 million cu m (2001 est.)

Tajikistan

50 million cu m (2001 est.)

Thailand

18.73 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Trinidad and Tobago

25 billion cu m (2003 est.)

Tunisia

2.25 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Turkey

312 million cu m (2001 est.)

Turkmenistan

58.57 billion cu m (2004 est.)

Ukraine

19.6 billion cu m (2003 est.)

United Arab Emirates

44.4 billion cu m (2003 est.)

United Kingdom

105.9 billion cu m (2001 est.)

United States

548.1 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Uruguay

0 cu m (2003 est.)

Uzbekistan

63.1 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Venezuela

29.4 billion cu m (2003 est.)

Vietnam

1.3 billion cu m (2001 est.)

World

2.637 trillion cu m (2001 est.)

Yemen

0 cu m (2003 est.)

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2181 Natural gas - consumption (cu m)

Afghanistan

220 million cu m (2001 est.)

Albania

30 million cu m (2001 est.)

Algeria

22.32 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Angola

530 million cu m (2001 est.)

Argentina

31.1 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Armenia

1.4 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Australia

23.33 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Austria

7.81 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Azerbaijan

6.72 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Bahrain

32.7 billion cu m (2002 est.)

Bangladesh

9.9 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Barbados

29.17 million cu m (2001 est.)

Belarus

18.8 billion cu m (2004 est.)

Belgium

15.5 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Bolivia

1.15 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Bosnia and Herzegovina

300 million cu m (2001 est.)

Brazil

9.59 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Brunei

1.35 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Bulgaria

5.804 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Burma

1.569 billion cu m (2003 est.)

Cameroon

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Canada

55.8 billion cu m (2003 est.)

Chile

6.517 billion cu m (2002 est.)

China

29.18 billion cu m (2002 est.)

Colombia

5.7 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Congo, Republic of the

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Cote d'Ivoire

1.35 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Croatia

2.84 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Cuba

600 million cu m (2001 est.)

Czech Republic

9.892 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Denmark

5.28 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Ecuador

160 million cu m (2001 est.)

Egypt

21.2 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Equatorial Guinea

20 million cu m (2001 est.)

Estonia

1.27 billion cu m (2001 est.)

European Union

467.7 billion cu m (2001)

Finland

4.557 billion cu m (2001 est.)

France

42.01 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Gabon

80 million cu m (2001 est.)

Georgia

1.16 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Germany

99.55 billion cu m (2003)

Greece

2.021 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Hong Kong

680.9 million cu m (2001 est.)

Hungary

13.37 billion cu m (2001 est.)

India

22.75 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Indonesia

55.3 billion cu m (2003 est.)

Iran

72.4 billion cu m (2003 est.)

Iraq

2.35 billion cu m (2002 est.)

Ireland

4.199 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Israel

10 million cu m (2001 est.)

Italy

71.18 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Japan

80.42 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Jordan

290 million cu m (2001 est.)

Kazakhstan

14.3 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Korea, South

20.92 billion cu m (2003 est.)

Kuwait

8.7 billion cu m (2002 est.)

Kyrgyzstan

2.016 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Latvia

1.7 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Libya

5.41 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Lithuania

2.76 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Luxembourg

865 million cu m (2001 est.)

Malaysia

31.25 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Mexico

55.1 billion cu m (2004 est.)

Moldova

2.05 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Morocco

50 million cu m (2001 est.)

Mozambique

60 million cu m (2001 est.)

Netherlands

49.72 billion cu m (2001 est.)

New Zealand

6.504 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Nigeria

7.85 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Norway

4.1 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Oman

6.34 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Pakistan

23.4 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Papua New Guinea

110 million cu m (2001 est.)

Peru

910 million cu m (2004 est.)

Philippines

25 million cu m (2004 est.)

Poland

13.85 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Portugal

2.542 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Puerto Rico

630 million cu m (2001 est.)

Qatar

15.86 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Romania

18.5 billion cu m (2003 est.)

Russia

405.8 billion cu m (2003 est.)

Saudi Arabia

56.4 billion cu m (2002)

Senegal

50 million cu m (2001 est.)

Serbia and Montenegro

602 million cu m (2001 est.)

Singapore

2.5 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Slovakia

6.8 billion cu m (2003 est.)

Slovenia

1.04 billion cu m (2001 est.)

South Africa

1.8 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Spain

17.96 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Sweden

949 million cu m (2001 est.)

Switzerland

3.093 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Syria

5.84 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Taiwan

6.64 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Tajikistan

1.3 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Thailand

23.93 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Trinidad and Tobago

13.76 billion cu m (2003 est.)

Tunisia

3.83 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Turkey

15.94 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Turkmenistan

9.6 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Ukraine

79.86 billion cu m (2003 est.)

United Arab Emirates

33.7 billion cu m (2003 est.)

United Kingdom

92.85 billion cu m (2001 est.)

United States

640.9 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Uruguay

64.5 million cu m (2003 est.)

Uzbekistan

45.2 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Venezuela

29.4 billion cu m (2003 est.)

Vietnam

1.3 billion cu m (2001 est.)

World

2.599 trillion cu m (2001 est.)

Yemen

0 cu m (2003 est.)

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2182 Natural gas - imports (cu m)

Afghanistan

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Albania

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Algeria

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Angola

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Argentina

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Armenia

1.4 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Australia

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Austria

6.033 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Azerbaijan

1 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Bahrain

0 cu m (2002 est.)

Bangladesh

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Barbados

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Belarus

18.5 billion cu m (2004 est.)

Belgium

15.4 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Bolivia

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Bosnia and Herzegovina

300 million cu m (2001 est.)

Brazil

3.64 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Brunei

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Bulgaria

5.8 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Burma

0 cu m (2003 est.)

Cameroon

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Canada

8.73 billion cu m (2003 est.)

Chile

5.337 billion cu m (2002 est.)

China

0 cu m (2002 est.)

Colombia

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Congo, Republic of the

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Cote d'Ivoire

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Croatia

1.08 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Cuba

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Czech Republic

9.521 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Denmark

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Ecuador

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Egypt

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Equatorial Guinea

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Estonia

1.27 billion cu m (2001 est.)

European Union

297.8 billion cu m (2001)

Finland

4.567 billion cu m (2001 est.)

France

40.26 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Gabon

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Georgia

1.1 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Germany

85.02 billion cu m (2003)

Greece

2.018 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Hong Kong

680.9 million cu m (2001 est.)

Hungary

9.587 billion cu m (2001 est.)

India

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Indonesia

0 cu m (2003 est.)

Iran

4.92 billion cu m (2003 est.)

Iraq

0 cu m (2004 est.)

Ireland

3.384 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Israel

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Italy

54.78 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Japan

77.73 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Jordan

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Kazakhstan

8.696 billion cu m (2003 est.)

Korea, South

21.11 billion cu m (2003 est.)

Kuwait

0 cu m (2002 est.)

Kyrgyzstan

2 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Latvia

1.7 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Libya

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Lithuania

2.76 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Luxembourg

867 million cu m (2001 est.)

Malaysia

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Mexico

7.85 billion cu m (2004 est.)

Moldova

2.05 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Morocco

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Mozambique

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Netherlands

20.78 billion cu m (2001 est.)

New Zealand

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Nigeria

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Norway

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Oman

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Pakistan

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Papua New Guinea

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Peru

0 cu m (2004 est.)

Philippines

0 cu m (2004 est.)

Poland

8.782 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Portugal

2.553 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Puerto Rico

630 million cu m (2001 est.)

Qatar

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Romania

5.4 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Russia

32.7 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Saudi Arabia

0 cu m (2002)

Senegal

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Serbia and Montenegro

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Singapore 2.5 billion cu m note: from Indonesia and Malaysia (2001 est.)

Slovakia

6.6 billion cu m (2003 est.)

Slovenia

1.04 billion cu m (2001 est.)

South Africa

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Spain

17.26 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Sweden

968 million cu m (2001 est.)

Switzerland

3.093 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Syria

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Taiwan

6.3 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Tajikistan

1.25 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Thailand

5.2 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Trinidad and Tobago

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Tunisia

1.58 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Turkey

15.75 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Turkmenistan

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Ukraine

60.4 billion cu m (2003 est.)

United Arab Emirates

0 cu m (2003 est.)

United Kingdom

2.7 billion cu m (2001 est.)

United States

114.1 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Uruguay

65 million cu m (2003 est.)

Uzbekistan

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Venezuela

0 cu m (2004 est.)

Vietnam

0 cu m (2001 est.)

World

718.7 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Yemen

0 cu m (2003 est.)

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2183 Natural gas - exports (cu m)

Afghanistan

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Albania

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Algeria

57.98 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Angola

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Argentina

6.05 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Armenia

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Australia

9.744 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Austria

403 million cu m (2001 est.)

Azerbaijan

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Bahrain

0 cu m (2002 est.)

Bangladesh

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Barbados

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Belarus

0 cu m (2004 est.)

Belgium

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Bolivia

2.9 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Bosnia and Herzegovina

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Brazil

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Brunei

9 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Bulgaria

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Burma

8.424 billion cu m (2003 est.)

Cameroon

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Canada

91.52 billion cu m (2003 est.)

Chile

0 cu m (2002)

China

0 cu m (2002 est.)

Colombia

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Congo, Republic of the

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Cote d'Ivoire

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Croatia

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Cuba

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Czech Republic

1 million cu m (2001 est.)

Denmark

3.1 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Ecuador

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Egypt

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Equatorial Guinea

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Estonia

0 cu m (2001 est.)

European Union

78.1 billion cu m (2001)

Finland

0 cu m (2001 est.)

France

1.725 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Gabon

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Georgia

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Germany

7.731 billion cu m (2003)

Greece

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Hong Kong

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Hungary

4 million cu m (2001 est.)

India

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Indonesia

39.7 billion cu m (2003 est.)

Iran

3.4 billion cu m (2003 est.)

Iraq

0 cu m (2004 est.)

Ireland

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Israel

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Italy

61 million cu m (2001 est.)

Japan

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Jordan

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Kazakhstan

11.01 billion cu m (2003 est.)

Korea, South

0 cu m (2003 est.)

Kuwait

0 cu m (2002 est.)

Kyrgyzstan

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Latvia

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Libya

770 million cu m (2001 est.)

Lithuania

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Luxembourg

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Malaysia

22.41 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Mexico

0 cu m (2004 est.)

Moldova

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Morocco

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Mozambique

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Netherlands

49.28 billion cu m (2001 est.)

New Zealand

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Nigeria

7.83 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Norway

50.5 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Oman

7.43 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Pakistan

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Papua New Guinea

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Peru

0 cu m (2004 est.)

Philippines

0 cu m (2004 est.)

Poland

41 million cu m (2001 est.)

Portugal

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Puerto Rico

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Qatar

18.2 billion cu m (2004 est.)

Romania

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Russia

171 billion cu m (2003 est.)

Saudi Arabia

0 cu m (2002)

Senegal

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Serbia and Montenegro

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Singapore

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Slovakia

0 cu m (2003 est.)

Slovenia

0 cu m (2001 est.)

South Africa

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Spain

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Sweden

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Switzerland

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Syria

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Taiwan

410 million cu m (2001 est.)

Tajikistan

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Thailand

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Trinidad and Tobago

11.79 billion cu m (2003 est.)

Tunisia

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Turkey

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Turkmenistan

43.5 billion cu m (2004 est.)

Ukraine

5.8 billion cu m (2003 est.)

United Arab Emirates

7.19 billion cu m (2003 est.)

United Kingdom

15.75 billion cu m (2001 est.)

United States

11.16 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Uruguay

0 cu m (2003 est.)

Uzbekistan

17.9 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Venezuela

0 cu m (2004 est.)

Vietnam

0 cu m (2001 est.)

World

693.7 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Yemen

0 cu m (2003 est.)

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2184 Internet hosts

Albania

455 (2004)

Algeria

897 (2004)

Andorra

4,144 (2004)

Angola

17 (2003)

Antigua and Barbuda

1,665 (2003)

Argentina

742,358 (2003)

Armenia

2,206 (2004)

Aruba

923 (2001)

Australia

2,847,763 (2003)

Austria

387,006 (2004)

Azerbaijan

586 (2004)

Bahamas, The

302 (2003)

Bahrain

1,334 (2003)

Bangladesh

1 (2003)

Barbados

204 (2003)

Belarus

5,308 (2004)

Belgium

166,799 (2004)

Belize

2,613 (2003)

Benin

879 (2004)

Bermuda

5,161 (2001)

Bhutan

985 (2003)

Bolivia

7,080 (2003)

Bosnia and Herzegovina

6,994 (2004)

Botswana

1,920 (2003)

Brazil

3,163,349 (2003)

Brunei

6,409 (2003)

Bulgaria

53,421 (2004)

Burkina Faso

442 (2003)

Burma

3 (2003)

Burundi

22 (2003)

Cambodia

818 (2003)

Cameroon

479 (2004)

Canada

3,210,081 (2003)

Cape Verde

118 (2004)

Central African Republic

6 (2002)

Chad

8 (2004)

Chile

202,429 (2003)

China

160,421 (2003)

Colombia

115,158 (2003)

Comoros

11 (2003)

Congo, Democratic Republic of the

153 (2003)

Congo, Republic of the

46 (2003)

Costa Rica

10,826 (2003)

Cote d'Ivoire

3,795 (2004)

Croatia

29,644 (2004)

Cuba

1,529 (2003)

Cyprus

5,901 (2004)

Czech Republic

295,677 (2004)

Denmark

1,219,925 (2004)

Djibouti

702 (2004)

Dominica

681 (2003)

Dominican Republic

64,197 (2003)

Ecuador

3,188 (2003)

Egypt

3,401 (2004)

El Salvador

4,084 (2003)

Equatorial Guinea

3 (2004)

Eritrea

1,047 (2004)

Estonia

82,142 (2004)

Ethiopia

9 (2003)

European Union

22,000,414 (2004); note - sum of individual country

Internet hosts

Fiji

493 (2003)

Finland

1,219,173 (2004)

France

2,396,761 (2004)

French Polynesia

5,123 (2003)

Gabon

93 (2004)

Gambia, The

568 (2004)

Georgia

5,160 (2004)

Germany

2,686,119 (2004)

Ghana

407 (2004)

Greece

208,977 (2004)

Greenland

2,642 (2004)

Grenada

18 (2003)

Guatemala

20,360 (2003)

Guinea

380 (2004)

Guinea-Bissau

2 (2004)

Guyana

613 (2003)

Haiti

NA

Holy See (Vatican City)

9 (2004)

Honduras

1,944 (2003)

Hong Kong

591,993 (2003)

Hungary

383,071 (2004)

Iceland

122,175 (2004)

India

86,871 (2003)

Indonesia

62,036 (2003)

Iran

5,269 (2004)

Ireland

162,228 (2004)

Israel

437,516 (2004)

Italy

1,437,511 (2004)

Jamaica

1,480 (2003)

Japan

12,962,065 (2003)

Jordan

3,160 (2004)

Kazakhstan

21,984 (2004)

Kenya

8,325 (2003)

Korea, South

694,206 (2001)

Kuwait

3,437 (2001)

Kyrgyzstan

12,299 (2004)

Laos

937 (2003)

Latvia

51,758 (2004)

Lebanon

6,998 (2004)

Lesotho

119 (2003)

Liberia

14 (2004)

Libya

67 (2003)

Liechtenstein

3,727 (2004)

Lithuania

67,769 (2004)

Luxembourg

28,214 (2003)

Macau

89 (2003)

Macedonia

3,738 (2004)

Madagascar

773 (2003)

Malawi

18 (2003)

Malaysia

107,971 (2003)

Maldives

532 (2003)

Mali

187 (2003)

Malta

7,156 (2004)

Marshall Islands

6 (2003)

Mauritania

25 (2003)

Mauritius

3,985 (2003)

Mexico

1,333,406 (2003)

Moldova

11,984 (2003)

Monaco

533 (2004)

Mongolia

1,000 (2004)

Morocco

3,627 (2004)

Mozambique

3,249 (2003)

Namibia

3,164 (2003)

Nepal

917 (2003)

Netherlands

4,518,226 (2004)

Netherlands Antilles

119 (2001)

New Caledonia

4,449 (2003)

New Zealand

474,395 (2003)

Nicaragua

7,094 (2003)

Niger

134 (2003)

Nigeria

1,142 (2004)

Norway

593,850 (2004)

Oman

726 (2003)

Pakistan

15,124 (2003)

Panama

7,129 (2003)

Papua New Guinea

389 (2003)

Paraguay

9,243 (2003)

Peru

65,868 (2003)

Philippines

38,440 (2002)

Poland

804,915 (2004)

Portugal

346,078 (2004)

Qatar

221 (2004)

Romania

50,807 (2004)

Russia

560,874 (2004)

Rwanda

1,495 (2003)

Saint Kitts and Nevis

51 (2003)

Saint Lucia

41 (2003)

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

4 (2003)

Samoa

8,225 (2003)

San Marino

1,763 (2004)

Sao Tome and Principe

1,069 (2003)

Saudi Arabia

15,931 (2004)

Senegal

672 (2003)

Serbia and Montenegro

20,207 (2004)

Seychelles

264 (2003)

Sierra Leone

277 (2004)

Singapore

484,825 (2003)

Slovakia

89,592 (2004)

Slovenia

45,491 (2004)

Solomon Islands

398 (2003)

Somalia

4 (2004)

South Africa

288,633 (2003)

Spain

1,056,950 (2004)

Sri Lanka

1,882 (2003)

Sudan

NA

Suriname

18 (2003)

Swaziland

1,401 (2003)

Sweden

945,221 (2004)

Switzerland

667,275 (2004)

Syria

11 (2004)

Taiwan

2,777,085 (2003)

Tajikistan

69 (2004)

Tanzania

5,534 (2003)

Thailand

103,700 (2003)

Togo

82 (2003)

Tonga

18,906 (2003)

Trinidad and Tobago

8,003 (2003)

Tunisia

281 (2004)

Turkey

355,215 (2004)

Turkmenistan

524 (2004)

Uganda

2,692 (2004)

Ukraine

94,345 (2004)

United Arab Emirates

56,283 (2004)

United Kingdom

3,398,708 (2004)

United States

115,311,958 (2002)

Uruguay

87,630 (2003)

Uzbekistan

1,040 (2003)

Vanuatu

512 (2003)

Venezuela

35,301 (2003)

Vietnam

340 (2003)

Yemen

138 (2004)

Zambia

1,880 (2003)

Zimbabwe

4,501 (2003)

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2185 Investment (gross fixed) (% of GDP)

Albania

18.4% of GDP (2004 est.)

Algeria

26.2% of GDP (2004 est.)

Angola

34.5% of GDP (2004 est.)

Argentina

18.3% of GDP (2004 est.)

Armenia

19.8% of GDP (2004 est.)

Australia

25.3% of GDP (2004 est.)

Austria

22.6% of GDP (2004 est.)

Azerbaijan

65.1% of GDP (2004 est.)

Bahrain

12.8% of GDP (2004 est.)

Bangladesh

23.5% of GDP (2004 est.)

Belarus

21.8% of GDP (2004 est.)

Belgium

19.1% of GDP (2004 est.)

Belize

33.6% of GDP (2004 est.)

Benin

19.3% of GDP (2004 est.)

Bolivia

10.4% of GDP (2003 est.)

Botswana

25.5% of GDP (2004 est.)

Brazil

19.8% of GDP (2004 est.)

Bulgaria

18.6% of GDP (2004 est.)

Burkina Faso

29.1% of GDP (2004 est.)

Burma

10.2% of GDP (2004 est.)

Burundi

10.7% of GDP (2004 est.)

Cambodia

20.9% of GDP (2004 est.)

Cameroon

16.1% of GDP (2004 est.)

Canada

19.4% of GDP (2004 est.)

Cape Verde

19.2% of GDP (2004 est.)

Chad

24.7% of GDP (2004 est.)

Chile

23.9% of GDP (2004 est.)

China

46% of GDP (2004 est.)

Colombia

15.8% of GDP (2004 est.)

Congo, Republic of the

25.8% of GDP (2004 est.)

Costa Rica

19.2% of GDP (2004 est.)

Cote d'Ivoire

11.3% of GDP (2004 est.)

Croatia

28.6% of GDP (2004 est.)

Cuba

11.2% of GDP (2004 est.)

Cyprus

Republic of Cyprus: 17.9% of GDP (2004 est.)

Czech Republic

29% of GDP (2004 est.)

Denmark

19.8% of GDP (2004 est.)

Dominican Republic

18.9% of GDP (2004 est.)

Ecuador

20.6% of GDP (2004 est.)

Egypt

15.8% of GDP (2004 est.)

El Salvador

16.6% of GDP (2004 est.)

Equatorial Guinea

50.8% of GDP (2004 est.)

Eritrea

26.3% of GDP (2002)

Estonia

28.2% of GDP (2004 est.)

Ethiopia

17.8% of GDP (2004 est.)

European Union

percent of GDP - 19.5% of GDP (2004 est.)

Finland

18.3% of GDP (2004 est.)

France

19.2% of GDP (2004 est.)

Gabon

21.8% of GDP (2004 est.)

Gambia, The

25.3% of GDP (2004 est.)

Georgia

18.5% of GDP (2004 est.)

Germany

17.6% of GDP (2004)

Ghana

19.7% of GDP (2004 est.)

Greece

27% of GDP (2004 est.)

Guatemala

14.9% of GDP (2004 est.)

Guinea

21% of GDP (2004 est.)

Guyana

34.5% of GDP (2004 est.)

Honduras

24.1% of GDP (2004 est.)

Hong Kong

22.7% of GDP (2004 est.)

Hungary

22.8% of GDP (2004 est.)

Iceland

23.8% of GDP (2004 est.)

India

23.8% of GDP (2004 est.)

Indonesia

16.6% of GDP (2004 est.)

Iran

31.3% of GDP (2004 est.)

Ireland

23.8% of GDP (2004 est.)

Israel

17.6% of GDP (2004 est.)

Italy

19.3% of GDP (2004 est.)

Jamaica

32% of GDP (2004 est.)

Japan

24% of GDP (2004 est.)

Jordan

11.6% of GDP (2004 est.)

Kazakhstan

23.9% of GDP (2004 est.)

Kenya

14.7% of GDP (2004 est.)

Korea, South

28.7% of GDP (2004 est.)

Kuwait

8% of GDP (2004 est.)

Kyrgyzstan

17% of GDP (2004 est.)

Latvia

26.1% of GDP (2004 est.)

Lebanon

26% of GDP (2004 est.)

Lesotho

39.6% of GDP (2004 est.)

Libya

9.9% of GDP (2004 est.)

Lithuania

21.9% of GDP (2004 est.)

Luxembourg

19.8% of GDP (2004 est.)

Macedonia

17.5% of GDP (2004 est.)

Madagascar

14.7% of GDP (2004 est.)

Malawi

10.7% of GDP (2004 est.)

Malaysia

21.7% of GDP (2004 est.)

Malta

26.4% of GDP (2004 est.)

Mauritius

22.5% of GDP (2004 est.)

Mexico

19.4% of GDP (2004 est.)

Moldova

17.1% of GDP (2004 est.)

Morocco

22.4% of GDP (2004 est.)

Mozambique

47% of GDP (2004 est.)

Namibia

19.6% of GDP (2004 est.)

Netherlands

19.9% of GDP (2004 est.)

New Zealand

22.4% of GDP (2004 est.)

Nicaragua

28% of GDP (2004 est.)

Nigeria

18% of GDP (2004 est.)

Norway

17.5% of GDP (2004 est.)

Oman

13.5% of GDP (2004 est.)

Pakistan

16.4% of GDP (FY03/04 est.)

Panama

25% of GDP (2004 est.)

Papua New Guinea

13.6% of GDP (2004 est.)

Paraguay

18.1% of GDP (2004 est.)

Peru

17.8% of GDP (2004 est.)

Philippines

17% of GDP (2004 est.)

Poland

18.4% of GDP (2004 est.)

Portugal

22.3% of GDP (2004 est.)

Qatar

22.9% of GDP (2004 est.)

Romania

23.3% of GDP (2004 est.)

Russia

19.1% of GDP (2004 est.)

Rwanda

20% of GDP (2004 est.)

Sao Tome and Principe

31.5% of GDP (2004 est.)

Saudi Arabia

17.2% of GDP (2004 est.)

Senegal

20.1% of GDP (2004 est.)

Serbia and Montenegro

14.4% of GDP (2004 est.)

Seychelles

39.5% of GDP (2004 est.)

Singapore

27.4% of GDP (2004 est.)

Slovakia

24% of GDP (2004 est.)

Slovenia

24.9% of GDP (2004 est.)

South Africa

16.7% of GDP (2004 est.)

Spain

25.4% of GDP (2004 est.)

Sri Lanka

22.4% of GDP (2004 est.)

Sudan

16% of GDP (2004 est.)

Swaziland

23.6% of GDP (2004 est.)

Sweden

15.8% of GDP (2004 est.)

Switzerland

20.4% of GDP (2004 est.)

Syria

16.3% of GDP (2004 est.)

Taiwan

18% of GDP (2004 est.)

Tajikistan

22% of GDP (2004 est.)

Tanzania

16.2% of GDP (2004 est.)

Thailand

22.5% of GDP (Jan - Sep 2004 est.)

Togo

19.1% of GDP (2004 est.)

Trinidad and Tobago

19.4% of GDP (2004 est.)

Tunisia

24.5% of GDP (2004 est.)

Turkey

17.3% of GDP (2004 est.)

Turkmenistan

29% of GDP (2004 est.)

Uganda

22.4% of GDP (2004 est.)

Ukraine

18.8% of GDP (2004 est.)

United Arab Emirates

20.8% of GDP (2004 est.)

United Kingdom

16.2% of GDP (2004 est.)

United States

15.7% of GDP (2004 est.)

Uruguay

9.6% of GDP (2004 est.)

Venezuela

12.9% of GDP (2004 est.)

Vietnam

36.6% of GDP (2004 est.)

Yemen

16.1% of GDP (2004 est.)

Zambia

41.4% of GDP (2004 est.)

Zimbabwe

9.9% of GDP (2004 est.)

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2186 Public debt (% of GDP)

Algeria

37.4% of GDP (2004 est.)

Argentina

118% of GDP (June 2004 est.)

Australia

17.4% of GDP (2004 est.)

Austria

64.2% of GDP (2004 est.)

Azerbaijan

18.9% of GDP (2004 est.)

Bahrain

63.8% of GDP (2004 est.)

Bangladesh

43% of GDP (2004 est.)

Belgium

96.2% of GDP (2004 est.)

Botswana

8.6% of GDP (2004 est.)

Brazil

52% of GDP (2004 est.)

Bulgaria

41.9% of GDP (2004 est.)

Cameroon

69.1% of GDP (2004 est.)

Canada

NA (2004 est.)

Chile

12.8% of GDP (2004 est.)

China

31.4% of GDP (2004 est.)

Colombia

51.8% of GDP (2004 est.)

Costa Rica

58% of GDP (2004 est.)

Cote d'Ivoire

74.8% of GDP (2004 est.)

Croatia

41.7% of GDP (2004 est.)

Cyprus

Republic of Cyprus: 74.9% of GDP (2004 est.)

Czech Republic

33.5% of GDP (2004 est.)

Denmark

42.5% of GDP (2004 est.)

Dominican Republic

61.1% of GDP (2004 est.)

Ecuador

49.2% of GDP (2004 est.)

Egypt

102.7% of GDP (2004 est.)

El Salvador

41.7% of GDP (2004 est.)

Estonia

5.4% of GDP (2004 est.)

Finland

46.8% of GDP (2004 est.)

France

67.7% of GDP (2004 est.)

Gabon

29.3% of GDP (2004 est.)

Germany

65.8% of GDP (2004 est.)

Greece

112% of GDP (2004 est.)

Guatemala

32% of GDP (2004 est.)

Honduras

74.1% of GDP (2004 est.)

Hong Kong

2.1% of GDP (2004 est.)

Hungary

58.3% of GDP (2004 est.)

Iceland

35.9% of GDP (2004 est.)

India

59.7% of GDP (federal debt only; state debt not included)

(2004 est.)

Indonesia

56.2% of GDP (2004 est.)

Iran

27% of GDP (2004 est.)

Ireland

31.2% of GDP (2004 est.)

Israel

104.5% of GDP (2004 est.)

Italy

105.6% of GDP (2004 est.)

Jamaica

146.1% of GDP (2004 est.)

Japan

164.3% of GDP (2004 est.)

Jordan

85.8% of GDP (2004 est.)

Kazakhstan

13.7% of GDP (2004 est.)

Kenya

74.3% of GDP (2004 est.)

Korea, South

21.3% of GDP (2004 est.)

Kuwait

29.6% of GDP (2004 est.)

Latvia

11.8% of GDP (2004 est.)

Lebanon

177.9% of GDP (2004 est.)

Libya

8.8% of GDP (2004 est.)

Lithuania

25.2% of GDP (2004 est.)

Macedonia

20% of GDP (2004 est.)

Malawi

228.3% of GDP (2004 est.)

Malaysia

45.4% of GDP (2004 est.)

Mauritius

29.2% of GDP (2004 est.)

Mexico

23.5% of GDP (2004 est.)

Moldova

63.4% of GDP (2004 est.)

Morocco

70.2% of GDP (2004 est.)

Namibia

38.5% of GDP (2004 est.)

Netherlands

55.8% of GDP (2004 est.)

New Zealand

22.1% of GDP (2004 est.)

Nicaragua

69.5% of GDP (2004 est.)

Nigeria

20% of GDP (2004 est.)

Norway

33.1% of GDP (2004 est.)

Oman

10.3% of GDP (2004 est.)

Pakistan

71.4% of GDP (2004 est.)

Panama

69.2% of GDP (2004 est.)

Papua New Guinea

59.3% of GDP (2004 est.)

Paraguay

39.2% of GDP (2004 est.)

Peru

44.1% of GDP (2004 est.)

Philippines

74.2% of GDP (September 2004 est.)

Poland

49.9% of GDP (2004 est.)

Portugal

61.5% of GDP (2004 est.)

Qatar

NA

Romania

23.6% of GDP (2004 est.)

Russia

28.2% of GDP (2004 est.)

Saudi Arabia

75% of GDP (2004 est.)

Senegal

55.2% of GDP (2004 est.)

Serbia and Montenegro

80% of GDP (2004 est.)

Seychelles

122.8% of GDP (2004 est.)

Singapore

102.5% of GDP (2004 est.)

Slovakia

46.6% of GDP (2004 est.)

Slovenia

31.5% of GDP (2004 est.)

South Africa

45.9% of GDP (2004 est.)

Spain

53.2% of GDP (2004 est.)

Sri Lanka

104.3% of GDP (2004 est.)

Sudan

79.7% of GDP (2004 est.)

Sweden

51.6% of GDP (2004 est.)

Switzerland

57.2% of GDP (2004 est.)

Syria

32% of GDP (2004 est.)

Taiwan

32.4% of GDP (2004 est.)

Tanzania

5% of GDP (2004 est.)

Thailand

47.6% of GDP (November 2004 est.)

Trinidad and Tobago

54.4% of GDP (2004 est.)

Tunisia

59.2% of GDP (2004 est.)

Turkey

74.3% of GDP (2004 est.)

Uganda

73.9% of GDP (2004 est.)

Ukraine

24.7% of GDP (2004 est.)

United Arab Emirates

17.6% of GDP (2004 est.)

United Kingdom

39.6% of GDP (2004 est.)

United States

65% of GDP (2004 est.)

Uzbekistan

41.5% of GDP (2004 est.)

Venezuela

43.1% of GDP (2004 est.)

Vietnam

65.9% of GDP (2004 est.)

Yemen

46.4% of GDP (2004 est.)

Zambia

127.5% of GDP (2004 est.)

Zimbabwe

52.3% of GDP (2004 est.)

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2187 Current account balance

Albania

$-504 million (2004 est.)

Algeria

$11.9 billion (2004 est.)

Angola

$-37.88 million (2004 est.)

Argentina

$5.473 billion (2004 est.)

Armenia

$-240.4 million (2004 est.)

Australia

$-38.3 billion (2004 est.)

Austria

$-3.283 billion (2004 est.)

Azerbaijan

$-2.899 billion (2004 est.)

Bahrain

$586.1 million (2004 est.)

Bangladesh

$216.6 million (2004 est.)

Belarus

$-1.119 billion (2004 est.)

Belgium

$11.4 billion (2004 est.)

Belize

$-115 million (2004 est.)

Benin

$-159.9 million (2004 est.)

Bolivia

$273 million (2004 est.)

Bosnia and Herzegovina

$-2.1 billion (2004 est.)

Botswana

$337 million (2004 est.)

Brazil

$8 billion (2004 est.)

Bulgaria

$682.9 million (2004 est.)

Burkina Faso

$-471.7 million (2004 est.)

Burma

$-185 million (2004 est.)

Burundi

$-59.5 million (2004 est.)

Cambodia

$-316.2 million (2004 est.)

Cameroon

$-149.1 million (2004 est.)

Canada

$28.2 billion (2004 est.)

Cape Verde

$-93.76 million (2004 est.)

Chad

$330.2 million (2004 est.)

Chile

$2.185 billion (2004 est.)

China

$30.32 billion (2004 est.)

Colombia

$-1.706 billion (2004 est.)

Congo, Republic of the

$266 million (2004 est.)

Costa Rica

$-980.3 million (2004 est.)

Cote d'Ivoire

$-421.5 million (2004 est.)

Croatia

$-1.925 billion (2004 est.)

Cuba

$-185.1 million (2004 est.)

Cyprus

$-619.9 million (2004 est.)

Czech Republic

$-5.73 billion (2004 est.)

Denmark

$6.529 billion (2004 est.)

Dominican Republic

$762.2 million (2004 est.)

Ecuador

$261.1 million (2004 est.)

Egypt

$2.113 billion (2004 est.)

El Salvador

$-880.5 million (2004 est.)

Equatorial Guinea

$-578.6 million (2004 est.)

Eritrea

$-144.9 million (2004 est.)

Estonia

$-1.169 billion (2004 est.)

Ethiopia

$-464.4 million (2004 est.)

European Union

$NA

Finland

$11.39 billion (2004 est.)

France

$-305 million (2004 est.)

Gabon

$196.8 million (2004 est.)

Gambia, The

$-16.4 million (2004 est.)

Georgia

$-632.9 million (2004 est.)

Germany

$73.59 billion (2004 est.)

Ghana

$83.87 million (2004 est.)

Greece

$-8 billion (2004 est.)

Guatemala

$-1.381 billion (2004 est.)

Guinea

$-308.3 million (2004 est.)

Guyana

$-129.4 million (2004 est.)

Haiti

$-27.63 million (2004 est.)

Honduras

$258.3 million (2003 est.)

Hong Kong

$14.85 billion (2004 est.)

Hungary

$-7.941 billion (2004 est.)

Iceland

$-570 million (2004 est.)

India

$4.897 billion (2004 est.)

Indonesia

$7.338 billion (2004 est.)

Iran

$2.1 billion (2004 est.)

Iraq

$-560 million (2003 est.)

Ireland

$-2.881 billion (2004 est.)

Israel

$211.9 million (2004 est.)

Italy

$-21.1 billion (2004 est.)

Jamaica

$-830.7 million (2004 est.)

Japan

$170.2 billion (2004 est.)

Jordan

$203.2 million (2004 est.)

Kazakhstan

$-39.02 million (2004 est.)

Kenya

$-459.2 million (2004 est.)

Korea, South

$26.78 billion (2004 est.)

Kuwait

$12.04 billion (2004 est.)

Kyrgyzstan

$-87.92 million (2004 est.)

Laos

$-80.76 million (2004 est.)

Latvia

$-1.251 billion (2004 est.)

Lebanon

$-2.389 billion (2004 est.)

Lesotho

$-108.3 million (2004 est.)

Libya

$9.895 billion (2004 est.)

Lithuania

$-1.6 billion (2004 est.)

Macedonia

$-311 million (2004 est.)

Madagascar

$-281.9 million (2004 est.)

Malawi

$-55.5 million (2004 est.)

Malaysia

$11.81 billion (2004 est.)

Malta

$-241 million (2004 est.)

Mauritius

$284.1 million (2004 est.)

Mexico

$-4.113 billion (2004 est.)

Moldova

$-148.4 million (2004 est.)

Morocco

$765.4 million (2004 est.)

Mozambique

$-101.2 million (2004 est.)

Namibia

$234.3 million (2004 est.)

Netherlands

$19.9 billion (2004 est.)

New Zealand

$-3.647 billion (2004 est.)

Nicaragua

$-843.1 million (2004 est.)

Nigeria

$5.228 billion (2004 est.)

Norway

$30.52 billion (2004 est.)

Oman

$2.674 billion (2004 est.)

Pakistan

$1.4 billion (2004 est.)

Panama

$-469.6 million (2004 est.)

Papua New Guinea

$29.15 million (2004 est.)

Paraguay

$-36.11 million (2004 est.)

Peru

$-30 million (2004 est.)

Philippines

$3.6 billion (2004 est.)

Poland

$-3.831 billion (2004 est.)

Portugal

$-8.12 billion (2004 est.)

Qatar

$5.187 billion (2004 est.)

Romania

$-3.631 billion (2004 est.)

Russia

$46.04 billion (2004 est.)

Rwanda

$-212.5 million (2004 est.)

Sao Tome and Principe

$-31.5 million (2004 est.)

Saudi Arabia

$51.5 billion (2004 est.)

Senegal

$-518.8 million (2004 est.)

Serbia and Montenegro

$-3.008 billion (2004 est.)

Seychelles

$-98.42 million (2004 est.)

Singapore

$8.8 billion (2004 est.)

Slovakia

$-1.4 billion (2004 est.)

Slovenia

$-51.64 million (2004 est.)

South Africa

$-2.48 billion (2004 est.)

Spain

$-30.89 billion (2004 est.)

Sri Lanka

$-587.3 million (2004 est.)

Sudan

$-763.6 million (2004 est.)

Swaziland

$-82.4 million (2004 est.)

Sweden

$24.08 billion (2004 est.)

Switzerland

$40.95 billion (2004 est.)

Syria

$1.1 billion (2003)

Taiwan

$21.16 billion (2004 est.)

Tajikistan

$-52 million (2004 est.)

Tanzania

$-327.4 million (2004 est.)

Thailand

$6.736 billion (2004 est.)

Togo

$-125.6 million (2004 est.)

Trinidad and Tobago

$1.548 billion (2004 est.)

Tunisia

$71.85 million (2004 est.)

Turkey

$-15.3 billion (2004 est.)

Turkmenistan

$114 million (2004 est.)

Uganda

$-590.8 million (2004 est.)

Ukraine

$4.584 billion (2004 est.)

United Arab Emirates

$6.3 billion (2004 est.)

United Kingdom

$-33.46 billion (2004 est.)

United States

$-646.5 billion (2004 est.)

Uruguay

$181.8 million (2004 est.)

Uzbekistan

$461.9 million (2004 est.)

Venezuela

$14.59 billion (2004 est.)

Vietnam

$-2.061 billion (2004 est.)

Yemen

$369.9 million (2004 est.)

Zambia

$-181.4 million (2004 est.)

Zimbabwe

$-230.3 million (2004 est.)

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2188 Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

Albania

$1.206 billion (2004 est.)

Algeria

$43.55 billion (2004 est.)

Angola

$800 million (2004 est.)

Argentina

$19.47 billion (2004 est.)

Armenia

$555 million (2004 est.)

Australia

$35.14 billion (2004 est.)

Austria

$12.73 billion (2003)

Azerbaijan

$875 million (2004 est.)

Bahrain

$2.141 billion (2004 est.)

Bangladesh

$3 billion (2004 est.)

Belarus

$770.2 million (2004 est.)

Belgium

$14.45 billion (2003)

Belize

$111.1 million (2004 est.)

Benin

$839.3 million (2004 est.)

Bolivia

$1.214 billion (2004 est.)

Bosnia and Herzegovina

$2 billion (2004 est.)

Botswana

$5.7 billion (2004 est.)

Brazil

$52.94 billion (2004 est.)

Bulgaria

$7.526 billion (2004 est.)

Burkina Faso

$474.9 million (2004 est.)

Burma

$590 million (2004 est.)

Burundi

$76.89 million (2004 est.)

Cambodia

$997.5 million (2004 est.)

Cameroon

$687.5 million (2004 est.)

Canada

$36.27 billion (2003)

Cape Verde

$112.7 million (2004 est.)

Chad

$652.7 million (2004 est.)

Chile

$16.02 billion (2004)

China

$609.9 billion (2004 est.)

Colombia

$11.94 billion (2004 est.)

Congo, Republic of the

$40.42 million (2004 est.)

Costa Rica

$1.736 billion (2004 est.)

Cote d'Ivoire

$1.95 billion (2004 est.)

Croatia

$8.563 billion (2004 est.)

Cuba

$738.6 million (2004 est.)

Cyprus

Republic of Cyprus: $3.385 billion

north Cyprus: $941.6 million (2004 est.)

Czech Republic

$32.78 billion (2004 est.)

Denmark

$37.98 billion (2003)

Dominican Republic

$426 million (2004 est.)

Ecuador

$1.436 billion (December 2004 est.)

Egypt

$14.03 billion (2004 est.)

El Salvador

$1.888 billion (2004 est.)

Equatorial Guinea

$235.2 million (2004 est.)

Eritrea

$30.87 million (2004 est.)

Estonia

$1.503 billion (2004 est.)

Ethiopia

$923.1 million (2004 est.)

European Union

$NA

Finland

$11.17 billion (2003)

France

$70.76 billion (2003)

Gabon

$268.6 million (2004 est.)

Gambia, The

$113.1 million (2004 est.)

Georgia

$231.4 million (2004 est.)

Germany

$96.84 billion (2003)

Ghana

$1.267 billion (2004 est.)

Greece

$7.3 billion (2004 est.)

Guatemala

$3.084 billion (2004 est.)

Guinea

$201.7 million (2004 est.)

Guyana

$280.6 million (2004 est.)

Haiti

$80.64 million (2004 est.)

Honduras

$1.464 billion (2004 est.)

Hong Kong

$123.6 billion (31 December 2004 est.)

Hungary

$14.8 billion (2004 est.)

Iceland

$935 million (2004)

India

$126 billion (2004 est.)

Indonesia

$35.82 billion (2004 est.)

Iran

$29.87 billion (2004 est.)

Ireland

$4.152 billion (2003)

Israel

$28.48 billion (2004 est.)

Italy

$61.5 billion (2004 est.)

Jamaica

$1.4 billion (2004 est.)

Japan

$664.6 billion (2003)

Jordan

$5.457 billion (2004 est.)

Kazakhstan

$14.35 billion (2004 est.)

Kenya

$1.5 billion (2004 est.)

Korea, South

$199.1 billion (2004 est.)

Kuwait

$7.333 billion (2004 est.)

Kyrgyzstan

$498.7 million (2004 est.)

Laos

$193.1 million (2004 est.)

Latvia

$1.65 billion (2004 est.)

Lebanon

$16.3 billion (2004 est.)

Lesotho

$402.2 million (2004 est.)

Libya

$24.18 billion (2004 est.)

Lithuania

$4.61 billion (2004 est.)

Macedonia

$928 million (2004 est.)

Madagascar

$500.3 million (2004 est.)

Malawi

$160.5 million (2004 est.)

Malaysia

$55.27 billion (2004 est.)

Malta

$2.865 billion (2004 est.)

Mauritius

$1.676 billion (2004 est.)

Mexico

$60.67 billion (2004 est.)

Moldova

$390 million (2004 est.)

Morocco

$15.14 billion (2004 est.)

Mozambique

$1.206 billion (2004 est.)

Namibia

$360 million (2004 est.)

Netherlands

$21.44 billion (2003)

New Zealand

$4.805 billion (2004 est.)

Nicaragua

$670 million (2004 est.)

Nigeria

$14.71 billion (2004 est.)

Oman

$4.144 billion (2004 est.)

Pakistan

$12.58 billion (2004 est.)

Panama

$1.076 billion (2004 est.)

Papua New Guinea

$635.8 million (2004 est.)

Paraguay

$1.164 billion (2004 est.)

Peru

$12.7 billion (2004 est.)

Philippines

$16.05 billion (2004)

Poland

$41.88 billion (2004 est.)

Portugal

$12.3 billion (2004 est.)

Qatar

$3.351 billion (2004 est.)

Romania

$16.21 billion (2004)

Russia

$124.5 billion (3 December 2004 e)

Rwanda

$210.9 million (2004 est.)

Sao Tome and Principe

$29.78 million (2004 est.)

Saudi Arabia

$23.62 billion (2004 est.)

Senegal

$820 million (2004 est.)

Serbia and Montenegro

$3.55 billion (2004 est.)

Seychelles

$70.94 million (2004 est.)

Singapore

$112.8 billion (2004 est.)

Slovakia

$14.91 billion (2004 est.)

Slovenia

$8.493 billion (2004 est.)

South Africa

$11.68 billion (2004 est.)

Spain

$19.7 billion (2004 est.)

Sri Lanka

$2.475 billion (2004 est.)

Sudan

$1.652 billion (2004 est.)

Swaziland

$320.5 million (2004 est.)

Sweden

$19.99 billion (2003)

Switzerland

$69.58 billion (2003)

Syria

$5 billion (2004 est.)

Taiwan

$246.5 billion (2004 est.)

Tajikistan

$145.3 million (2004 est.)

Tanzania

$2.175 billion (2004 est.)

Thailand

$48.3 billion (2004)

Togo

$267.4 million (2004 est.)

Trinidad and Tobago

$2.927 billion (2004 est.)

Tunisia

$3.509 billion (2004 est.)

Turkey

$37.1 billion (2004 est.)

Turkmenistan

$3.034 billion (2004 est.)

Uganda

$1.2 billion (2004 est.)

Ukraine

$11.33 billion (2004 est.)

United Arab Emirates

$18.64 billion (2004 est.)

United Kingdom

$48.73 billion (2004)

United States

$85.94 billion (2003)

Uruguay

$2.362 billion (2004 est.)

Uzbekistan

$1.603 billion (2004 est.)

Venezuela

$25.75 billion (2004 est.)

Vietnam

$6.51 billion (2004 est.)

Yemen

$5.3 billion (2004 est.)

Zambia

$345 million (2004 est.)

Zimbabwe

$57 million (2004 est.)

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2193 Major infectious diseases

Afghanistan

degree of risk: high

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea,

hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

vectorborne disease: malaria is a high risk countrywide below 2,000

meters from March through November

animal contact disease: rabies (2004)

Algeria

degree of risk: intermediate

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and

typhoid fever

vectorborne disease: cutaneous leishmaniasis is a high risk in some

locations (2004)

Angola

degree of risk: very high

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea,

hepatitis A, typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases: malaria, African trypanosomiasis (sleeping

sickness) are high risks in some locations

respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis

water contact disease: schistosomiasis (2004)

Bangladesh

degree of risk: high

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A and E,

and typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria are high risks in

some locations

water contact disease: leptospirosis

animal contact disease: rabies (2004)

Benin

degree of risk: very high

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea,

hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases: malaria, yellow fever, and others are high

risks in some locations

respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis (2004)

Botswana

degree of risk: high

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and

typhoid fever

vectorborne disease: malaria (2004)

Burkina Faso

degree of risk: very high

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea,

hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

vectorborne disease: malaria is a high risk in some locations

water contact disease: schistosomiasis

respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis (2004)

Burma

degree of risk: very high

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea,

hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria are high risks in

some locations (2004)

Burundi

degree of risk: very high

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and

typhoid fever

vectorborne disease: malaria (2004)

Cambodia

degree of risk: very high

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea,

hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases: dengue fever, malaria, and Japanese

encephalitis are high risks in some locations (2004)

Cameroon

degree of risk: very high

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and

typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases: malaria and yellow fever are high risks in

some locations

water contact disease: schistosomiasis

respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis (2004)

Central African Republic

degree of risk: very high

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and

typhoid fever

vectorborne disease: malaria

respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis (2004)

Chad

degree of risk: very high

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea,

hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

vectorborne disease: malaria

water contact disease: schistosomiasis

respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis (2004)

Congo, Democratic Republic of the

degree of risk: very high

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea,

hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases: malaria, plague, and African trypanosomiasis

(sleeping sickness) are high risks in some locations

water contact disease: schistosomiasis (2004)

Congo, Republic of the

degree of risk: very high

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and

typhoid fever

vectorborne disease: malaria (2004)

Cote d'Ivoire

degree of risk: very high

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and

typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases: malaria, yellow fever, and others are high

risks in some locations

water contact: schistosomiasis (2004)

Djibouti

degree of risk: high

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea,

hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever

vectorborne disease: malaria (2004)

Equatorial Guinea

degree of risk: very high

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and

typhoid fever

vectorborne disease: malaria (2004)

Eritrea

degree of risk: high

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and

typhoid fever

vectorborne disease: malaria is a high risk in some locations (2004)

Ethiopia

degree of risk: very high

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea,

hepatitis A, typhoid fever, and hepatitis E

vectorborne diseases: malaria and cutaneous leishmaniasis are high

risks in some locations

respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis

animal contact disease: rabies

water contact disease: schistosomiasis (2004)

Gabon

degree of risk: very high

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and

typhoid fever

vectorborne disease: malaria (2004)

Gambia, The

degree of risk: very high

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea,

hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases: dengue fever, malaria, Crimean-Congo

hemorrhagic fever, yellow fever are high risks in some locations

water contact disease: schistosomiasis

respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis (2004)

Ghana

degree of risk: very high

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea,

hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases: malaria and yellow fever are high risks in

some locations

water contact disease: schistosomiasis

respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis (2004)

Guinea

degree of risk: very high

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea,

hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases: malaria and yellow fever are high risks in

some locations

water contact disease: schistosomiasis

respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis

aerosolized dust or soil contact disease: Lassa fever (2004)

Guinea-Bissau

degree of risk: very high

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea,

hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases: malaria and yellow fever are high risks in

some locations

water contact disease: schistosomiasis

respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis (2004)

India

degree of risk: high

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A and E,

and typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases: dengue fever, malaria, and Japanese

encephalitis are high risks in some locations

animal contact disease: rabies (2004)

Indonesia

degree of risk: high

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea,

hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases: dengue fever, malaria, and chikungunya are

high risks in some locations (2004)

Kenya

degree of risk: very high

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea,

hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

vectorborne disease: malaria is a high risk in some locations

water contact disease: schistosomiasis (2004)

Liberia

degree of risk: very high

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea,

hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases: malaria and yellow fever are high risks in

some locations

water contact disease: schistosomiasis

aerosolized dust or soil contact disease: Lassa fever (2004)

Libya

degree of risk: intermediate

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and

typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases: may be a significant risk in some locations

during the transmission season (typically April through October)

(2004)

Madagascar

degree of risk: high

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea,

hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases: malaria and plague are high risks in some

locations

water contact disease: schistosomiasis (2004)

Malawi

degree of risk: very high

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea,

hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases: malaria and plague are high risks in some

locations

water contact disease: schistosomiasis (2004)

Malaysia

degree of risk: high

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and

typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria are high risks in

some locations (2004)

Mali

degree of risk: very high

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea,

hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

vectorborne disease: malaria is a high risk in some locations

water contact disease: schistosomiasis

respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis (2004)

Mauritania

degree of risk: very high

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea,

hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases: malaria and Rift Valley fever are high risks

in some locations

respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis (2004)

Morocco

degree of risk: intermediate

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, and hepatitis A

vectorborne diseases: may be a significant risk in some locations

during the transmission season (typically April through November)

(2004)

Mozambique

degree of risk: very high

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea,

hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases: malaria and plague are high risks in some

locations

water contact disease: schistosomiasis (2004)

Namibia

degree of risk: high

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and

typhoid fever

vectorborne disease: malaria

water contact disease: schistosomiasis (2004)

Niger

degree of risk: very high

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea,

hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

vectorborne disease: malaria is a high risk in some locations

respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis (2004)

Nigeria

degree of risk: very high

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea,

hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

vectorborne disease: malaria

respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis

aerosolized dust or soil contact disease: one of the most highly

endemic areas for Lassa fever (2004)

Pakistan

degree of risk: high

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A and E,

and typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases: dengue fever, malaria, and cutaneous

leishmaniasis are high risks depending on location

animal contact disease: rabies (2004)

Papua New Guinea

degree of risk: very high

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea,

hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria are high risks in

some locations (2004)

Philippines

degree of risk: high

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and

typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria are high risks in

some locations

animal contact disease: rabies (2004)

Rwanda

degree of risk: very high

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and

typhoid fever

vectorborne disease: malaria (2004)

Sao Tome and Principe

degree of risk: high

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and

typhoid fever

vectorborne disease: malaria (2004)

Senegal

degree of risk: very high

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea,

hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases: dengue fever, malaria, yellow fever,

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, and Rift Valley fever are high

risks in some locations

water contact disease: schistosomiasis

respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis (2004)

Sierra Leone

degree of risk: very high

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea,

hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases: malaria and yellow fever are high risks in

some locations

water contact disease: schistosomiasis

aerosolized dust or soil contact disease: Lassa fever (2004)

Somalia

degree of risk: very high

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea,

hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases: malaria and dengue fever are high risks in

some locations

water contact disease: schistosomiasis

animal contact disease: rabies (2004)

Sudan

degree of risk: very high

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea,

hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases: malaria, dengue fever, African trypanosomiasis

(sleeping sickness) are high risks in some locations

water contact disease: schistosomiasis

respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis (2004)

Tanzania

degree of risk: very high

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and

typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases: malaria, Rift Valley fever and plague are high

risks in some locations

water contact disease: schistosomiasis (2004)

Thailand

degree of risk: high

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea and hepatitis A

vectorborne diseases: dengue fever, malaria, Japanese encephalitis,

and plague are high risks in some locations

animal contact disease: rabies

water contact disease: leptospirosis (2004)

Togo

degree of risk: very high

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea,

hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases: malaria and yellow fever are high risks in

some locations

water contact disease: schistosomiasis

respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis (2004)

Tunisia

degree of risk: intermediate

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, and hepatitis A

vectorborne diseases: may be a significant risk in some locations

during the transmission season (typically April through November)

(2004)

Uganda

degree of risk: very high

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and

typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases: malaria and African trypanosomiasis (sleeping

sickness) are high risks in some locations

water contact disease: schistosomiasis (2004)

Vietnam

degree of risk: high

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and

typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases: dengue fever, malaria, Japanese encephalitis,

and plague are high risks in some locations

animal contact disease: rabies

water contact disease: leptospirosis (2004)

Western Sahara

degree of risk: intermediate

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea,

hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases: may be a significant risk in some locations

during the transmission season (typically April through November)

(2004)

Zambia

degree of risk: very high

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and

typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases: malaria and plague are high risks in some

locations

water contact disease: schistosomiasis (2004)

Zimbabwe

degree of risk: high

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and

typhoid

vectorborne disease: malaria

water contact disease: schistosomiasis (2004)

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

@2194 Refugees and internally displaced persons

Afghanistan

IDPs: 167,000 - 200,000 (mostly Pashtuns and Kuchis

displaced in south and west due to drought and instability) (2004)

Algeria

refugees (country of origin): 165,000 (Western Saharan

Sahrawi, mostly living in Algerian-sponsored camps in the

southwestern Algerian town of Tindouf)

IDPs: 100,000 - 200,000 (conflict between government forces, Islamic

insurgents) (2004)

Angola

IDPs: 40,000-60,000 (27-year civil war ending in 2002; 4

million IDPs already have returned) (2004)

Armenia

refugees (country of origin): 236,306 (Azerbaijan)

IDPs: 50,000 (conflict with Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh) (2004)

Azerbaijan

IDPs: 571,000 (conflict with Armenia over

Nagorno-Karabakh) (2004)

Bangladesh

IDPs: 61,000 (land conflicts, religious persecution)

(2004)

Bosnia and Herzegovina

IDPs: 327,200 (Bosnian Croats, Serbs, and

Muslims displaced in 1992-95 war) (2004)

Burma

IDPs: 600,000 - 1,000,000 (government offensives against

ethnic insurgent groups near borders; most IDPs are ethnic Karen,

Karenni, Shan, and Mon) (2004)

Burundi

refugees (country of origin): 60,288 (Democratic Republic of

the Congo)

IDPs: 140,000 (armed conflict between government and rebels; most

IDPs in northern and western Burundi) (2004)

Cameroon

refugees (country of origin): 39,261 (Chad) 16,983

(Nigeria) 9,634 (Cote d'Ivoire) (2004)

Central African Republic

refugees (country of origin): 36,479

(Sudan) 1,864 (Chad) 6,484 (Democratic Republic of the Congo)

IDPs: 200,000 (unrest following coup in 2003) (2004)

Chad

refugees (country of origin): 200,000 (Sudan) 30,000 (Central

African Republic) (2004)

China

refugees (country of origin): 299,287 (Vietnam) estimated

30,000-50,000 (North Korea) (2004)

Colombia

IDPs: 2,730,000 - 3,100,000 (conflict between government

and FARC; drug wars) (2004)

Congo, Democratic Republic of the refugees (country of origin): 45,060 (Sudan) 100,000 (Angola) 19,552 (Burundi) 6,626 (Republic of Congo) 19,743 (Rwanda) 18,953 (Uganda) IDPs: 2.33 million (fighting between government forces and rebels since mid-1990s; most IDPs are in eastern provinces) (2004)

Congo, Republic of the

IDPs: 60,000 (multiple civil wars since 1992;

most IDPs are ethnic Lari) (2004)

Cote d'Ivoire

refugees (country of origin): 71,711 (Liberia)

IDPs: 500,000 (2002 coup; most IDPs are in western regions) (2004)

Croatia

IDPs: 12,600 (Croats and Serbs displaced in 1992-1995 war)

(2004)

Cyprus

IDPs: 265,000 (both Turkish and Greek Cypriots; many

displaced for over 30 years) (2004)

Djibouti

refugees (country of origin): 25,474 (Somalia) (2004)

Egypt

refugees (country of origin): 70,215 (Palestinian Territories)

(2004)

Eritrea

IDPs: 59,000 (border war with Ethiopia from 1998-2000; most

IDPs are near the central border region) (2004)

Ethiopia

refugees (country of origin): 93,032 (Sudan) 23,578

(Somalia)

IDPs: 132,000 (border war with Eritrea from 1998-2000 and ethnic

clashes in Gambela; most IDPs are in Tigray and Gambela Provinces)

(2004)

Gaza Strip

refugees (country of origin): 922,674 (Palestinian

Refugees (UNRWA)) (2004)

Georgia

IDPs: 260,000 (displaced from Abkhazia and South Ossetia)

(2004)

Ghana

refugees (country of origin): 42,466 (Liberia) (2004)

Guatemala

IDPs: 250,000 (government's scorched-earth offensive in

1980s against indigenous people) (2004)

Guinea

refugees (country of origin): 133,175 (Liberia) 13,633

(Sierra Leone) 7,064 (Cote d'Ivoire)

IDPs: 100,000 (cross-border incursions from Liberia, Sierra Leone,

Cote d'Ivoire) (2004)

India

refugees (country of origin): 92,394 (Tibet/China) 60,922 (Sri

Lanka)

IDPs: 650,000 (Jammu and Kashmir conflicts; most IDPs are Kashmiri

Hindus); 113,000 (resulting from 26 December 2004 tsunami) (2004)

Indonesia

IDPs: 535,000 (government offensives against rebels in

Aceh; most IDPs in Aceh, Central Kalimantan, Maluku, and Central

Sulawesi Provinces); 441,000 (resulting from 26 December 2004

tsunmai) (2004)

Iran

refugees (country of origin): 1,223,823 (Afghanistan) 124,014

(Iraq) (2004)

Iraq

refugees (country of origin): 150,000 (Palestinian Territories)

IDPs: 1,340,280 (ongoing US-led war and Kurds' subsequent return)

(2004)

Israel

IDPs: 276,000 (Arab villagers displaced from homes in

northern Israel) (2004)

Jordan

refugees (country of origin): 1,740,170 (Palestinian Refugees

(UNRWA))

IDPs: 800,000 (1967 Arab-Israeli War) (2004)

Kenya

refugees (country of origin): 154,272 (Somalia) 11,139

(Ethiopia) 63,197 (Sudan)

IDPs: 350,000 (KANU attacks on opposition tribal groups in 1990s)

(2004)

Korea, North

IDPs: 50,000-250,000 (government repression and famine)

(2004)

Lebanon

refugees (country of origin): 394,532 (Palestinian Refugees

(UNRWA))

IDPs: 300,000 (1975-90 civil war, Israeli invasions) (2004)

Liberia

refugees (country of origin): 13,941 (Sierra Leone) 38,325

(Cote d'Ivoire)

IDPs: 500,000 (civil war from 1990-2004; IDP resettlement began in

November 2004) (2004)

Macedonia

IDPs: 2,678 (ethnic conflict in 2001; most IDPs have

returned) (2004)

Maldives

IDPs: 12,000 (26 December 2004 tsunami victims) (2005)

Mexico

IDPs: 12,000 (government's quashing of Zapatista uprising in

1994 in eastern Chiapas Region) (2004)

Moldova

IDPs: 1,000 (internal secessionist uprising in

Transdniestrian region in 1991) (2004)

Nepal

refugees (country of origin): 104,235 (Bhutan)

IDPs: 100,000-200,000 (ongoing conflict between government forces

and Maoist rebels; displacement spread across the country) (2004)

Nigeria

IDPs: 250,000 (communal violence between Christians and

Muslims since President OBASANJO's election in 1999) (2004)

Pakistan

refugees (country of origin): 1,064,230 (Afghanistan)

IDPs: undetermined (government strikes on Islamic militants in South

Waziristan) (2004)

Peru

IDPs: 60,000 (civil war from 1980-2000; most IDPs are

indigenous peasants in Andean and Amazonian regions) (2004)

Philippines

IDPs: 150,000 (fighting between government troops and

MILF and Abu Sayyaf groups) (2004)

Russia

IDPs: 368,000 (displacement from Chechnya and North Ossetia)

(2004)

Rwanda

refugees (country of origin): 37,691 (Democratic Republic of

the Congo)

IDPs: 4,158 (incursions by Hutu rebels from Democratic Republic of

the Congo, 1997-99; most IDPs in northwest) (2004)

Saudi Arabia

refugees (country of origin): 240,000 (Palestinian

Territories) (2004)

Senegal

IDPs: 17,000 (clashes between government troops and

separatists in Casamance region) (2004)

Serbia and Montenegro

refugees (country of origin): 99,170 (Bosnia)

188,656 (Croatia)

IDPs: 225,000 (mostly ethnic Serbs and Roma who fled Kosovo in 1999)

(2004)

Sierra Leone

refugees (country of origin): 67,000 (Liberia) (2004)

Somalia

IDPs: 375,000 (civil war since 1988, clan-based competition

for resources) (2004)

Sri Lanka

IDPs: 362,000 (both Tamils and non-Tamils displaced due to

Tamil conflict); 555,000 (resulting from 26 December 2004 tsunami)

(2004)

Sudan

refugees (country of origin): 108,251 (Eritrea) 5,023 (Chad)

7,983 (Uganda)

IDPs: 4.367 million (internal conflict since 1980s; ongoing

genocide) (2004)

Syria

refugees (country of origin): 413,827 (Palestinian Refugees

(UNRWA))

IDPs: 170,000 (most displaced from Golan Heights during 1967

Arab-Israeli War) (2004)

Tanzania

refugees (country of origin): 447,877 (Burundi) 153,155

(Democratic Republic of the Congo) 3,036 (Somalia) (2004)

Thailand

refugees (country of origin): 118,407 (Burma) (2004)

Turkey

IDPs: 350,000-1,000,000 (fighting from 1984-99 between

Kurdish PKK and Turkish military; most IDPs in southeastern

provinces) (2004)

Uganda

refugees (country of origin): 184,731 (Sudan) 18,000 (Rwanda)

IDPs: 1.4 million note - ongoing Lord's Resistance Army (LRA)

rebellion, mainly in the north; LRA frequently attacks IDP camps

(2004)

United States

refugees (country of origin): the United States

admitted 52,868 refugees during FY03/04 including: 13,331 (Somalia),

6,000 (Laos), 3,482 (Ukraine), 2,959 (Cuba), 1,787 (Iran); note -

27,239 refugees have been admitted as of 31 May 2005

Uzbekistan

IDPs: 3,000 (forced population transfers by government

from villages near Tajikistan border) (2004)

West Bank

refugees (country of origin): 665,246 (Palestinian

Refugees (UNRWA)) (2004)

World

the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)

estimated that in December 2003 there was a global population of 9.7

million refugees and as many as 25 million IDPs

Yemen

refugees (country of origin): 60,901 (Somalia) (2004)

Zambia

refugees (country of origin): 158,894 (Angola) 58,405

(Democratic Republic of the Congo) 5,767 (Rwanda) (2004)

Zimbabwe

IDPs: 100,000-150,000 (MUGABE-led political violence, human

rights violations, land reform, and economic collapse) (2004)

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

Rank code: @2001

Rank Country GDP (purchasing power parity) Date of Information

1 World $ 55,500,000,000,000 2004 est. 2 United States $ 11,750,000,000,000 2004 est. 3 European Union $ 11,650,000,000,000 2004 est. 4 China $ 7,262,000,000,000 2004 est. 5 Japan $ 3,745,000,000,000 2004 est. 6 India $ 3,319,000,000,000 2004 est. 7 Germany $ 2,362,000,000,000 2004 est. 8 United Kingdom $ 1,782,000,000,000 2004 est. 9 France $ 1,737,000,000,000 2004 est. 10 Italy $ 1,609,000,000,000 2004 est. 11 Brazil $ 1,492,000,000,000 2004 est. 12 Russia $ 1,408,000,000,000 2004 est. 13 Canada $ 1,023,000,000,000 2004 est. 14 Mexico $ 1,006,000,000,000 2004 est. 15 Spain $ 937,600,000,000 2004 est. 16 Korea, South $ 925,100,000,000 2004 est. 17 Indonesia $ 827,400,000,000 2004 est. 18 Australia $ 611,700,000,000 2004 est. 19 Taiwan $ 576,200,000,000 2004 est. 20 Thailand $ 524,800,000,000 2004 est. 21 Iran $ 516,700,000,000 2004 est. 22 Turkey $ 508,700,000,000 2004 est. 23 South Africa $ 491,400,000,000 2004 est. 24 Argentina $ 483,500,000,000 2004 est. 25 Netherlands $ 481,100,000,000 2004 est. 26 Poland $ 463,000,000,000 2004 est. 27 Philippines $ 430,600,000,000 2004 est. 28 Pakistan $ 347,300,000,000 2004 est. 29 Egypt $ 316,300,000,000 2004 est. 30 Belgium $ 316,200,000,000 2004 est. 31 Saudi Arabia $ 310,200,000,000 2004 est. 32 Ukraine $ 299,100,000,000 2004 est. 33 Colombia $ 281,100,000,000 2004 est. 34 Bangladesh $ 275,700,000,000 2004 est. 35 Austria $ 255,900,000,000 2004 est. 36 Sweden $ 255,400,000,000 2004 est. 37 Switzerland $ 251,900,000,000 2004 est. 38 Hong Kong $ 234,500,000,000 2004 est. 39 Malaysia $ 229,300,000,000 2004 est. 40 Vietnam $ 227,200,000,000 2004 est. 41 Greece $ 226,400,000,000 2004 est. 42 Algeria $ 212,300,000,000 2004 est. 43 Portugal $ 188,700,000,000 2004 est. 44 Norway $ 183,000,000,000 2004 est. 45 Denmark $ 174,400,000,000 2004 est. 46 Czech Republic $ 172,200,000,000 2004 est. 47 Romania $ 171,500,000,000 2004 est. 48 Chile $ 169,100,000,000 2004 est. 49 Peru $ 155,300,000,000 2004 est. 50 Finland $ 151,200,000,000 2004 est. 51 Hungary $ 149,300,000,000 2004 est. 52 Venezuela $ 145,200,000,000 2004 est. 53 Morocco $ 134,600,000,000 2004 est. 54 Israel $ 129,000,000,000 2004 est. 55 Ireland $ 126,400,000,000 2004 est. 56 Nigeria $ 125,700,000,000 2004 est. 57 Singapore $ 120,900,000,000 2004 est. 58 Kazakhstan $ 118,400,000,000 2004 est. 59 New Zealand $ 92,510,000,000 2004 est. 60 Sri Lanka $ 80,580,000,000 2004 est. 61 Slovakia $ 78,890,000,000 2004 est. 62 Sudan $ 76,190,000,000 2004 est. 63 Burma $ 74,300,000,000 2004 est. 64 Tunisia $ 70,880,000,000 2004 est. 65 Belarus $ 70,500,000,000 2004 est. 66 Puerto Rico $ 68,950,000,000 2004 est. 67 United Arab Emirates $ 63,670,000,000 2004 est. 68 Bulgaria $ 61,630,000,000 2004 est. 69 Syria $ 60,440,000,000 2004 est. 70 Guatemala $ 59,470,000,000 2004 est. 71 Dominican Republic $ 55,680,000,000 2004 est. 72 Ethiopia $ 54,890,000,000 2004 est. 73 Iraq $ 54,400,000,000 2004 est. 74 Croatia $ 50,330,000,000 2004 est. 75 Ecuador $ 49,510,000,000 2004 est. 76 Uruguay $ 49,270,000,000 2004 est. 77 Ghana $ 48,270,000,000 2004 est. 78 Kuwait $ 48,000,000,000 2004 est. 79 Uzbekistan $ 47,590,000,000 2004 est. 80 Lithuania $ 45,230,000,000 2004 est. 81 Congo, Democratic Republic of the $ 42,740,000,000 2004 est. 82 Korea, North $ 40,000,000,000 2004 est. 83 Nepal $ 39,530,000,000 2004 est. 84 Slovenia $ 39,410,000,000 2004 est. 85 Uganda $ 39,390,000,000 2004 est. 86 Oman $ 38,090,000,000 2004 est. 87 Costa Rica $ 37,970,000,000 2004 est. 88 Libya $ 37,480,000,000 2004 est. 89 Kenya $ 34,680,000,000 2004 est. 90 Cuba $ 33,920,000,000 2004 est. 91 El Salvador $ 32,350,000,000 2004 est. 92 Cameroon $ 30,170,000,000 2004 est. 93 Azerbaijan $ 30,010,000,000 2004 est. 94 Paraguay $ 29,930,000,000 2004 est. 95 Turkmenistan $ 27,600,000,000 2004 est. 96 Luxembourg $ 27,270,000,000 2004 est. 97 Cambodia $ 26,990,000,000 2004 est. 98 Latvia $ 26,530,000,000 2004 est. 99 Serbia and Montenegro $ 26,270,000,000 2004 est. 100 Bosnia and Herzegovina $ 26,210,000,000 2004 est. 101 Jordan $ 25,500,000,000 2004 est. 102 Cote d'Ivoire $ 24,780,000,000 2004 est. 103 Zimbabwe $ 24,370,000,000 2004 est. 104 Tanzania $ 23,710,000,000 2004 est. 105 Mozambique $ 23,380,000,000 2004 est. 106 Angola $ 23,170,000,000 2004 est. 107 Bolivia $ 22,330,000,000 2004 est. 108 Afghanistan $ 21,500,000,000 2003 est. 109 Panama $ 20,570,000,000 2004 est. 110 Guinea $ 19,500,000,000 2004 est. 111 Qatar $ 19,490,000,000 2004 est. 112 Estonia $ 19,230,000,000 2004 est. 113 Lebanon $ 18,830,000,000 2004 est. 114 Honduras $ 18,790,000,000 2004 est. 115 Senegal $ 18,360,000,000 2004 est. 116 Albania $ 17,460,000,000 2004 est. 117 Yemen $ 16,250,000,000 2004 est. 118 Burkina Faso $ 15,740,000,000 2004 est. 119 Cyprus $ 15,710,000,000 2004 est. 120 Mauritius $ 15,680,000,000 2004 est. 121 Chad $ 15,660,000,000 2004 est. 122 Botswana $ 15,050,000,000 2004 est. 123 Namibia $ 14,760,000,000 2004 est. 124 Madagascar $ 14,560,000,000 2004 est. 125 Georgia $ 14,450,000,000 2004 est. 126 Macedonia $ 14,400,000,000 2004 est. 127 Armenia $ 13,650,000,000 2004 est. 128 Bahrain $ 13,010,000,000 2004 est. 129 Nicaragua $ 12,340,000,000 2004 est. 130 Haiti $ 12,050,000,000 2004 est. 131 Papua New Guinea $ 11,990,000,000 2004 est. 132 Trinidad and Tobago $ 11,480,000,000 2004 est. 133 Laos $ 11,280,000,000 2004 est. 134 Jamaica $ 11,130,000,000 2004 est. 135 Mali $ 11,000,000,000 2004 est. 136 Rwanda $ 10,430,000,000 2004 est. 137 Niger $ 9,716,000,000 2004 est. 138 Zambia $ 9,409,000,000 2004 est. 139 Iceland $ 9,373,000,000 2004 est. 140 Macau $ 9,100,000,000 2003 141 Togo $ 8,684,000,000 2004 est. 142 Moldova $ 8,581,000,000 2004 est. 143 Kyrgyzstan $ 8,495,000,000 2004 est. 144 Benin $ 8,338,000,000 2004 est. 145 Gabon $ 7,966,000,000 2004 est. 146 Tajikistan $ 7,950,000,000 2004 est. 147 Malawi $ 7,410,000,000 2004 est. 148 Malta $ 7,223,000,000 2004 est. 149 Brunei $ 6,842,000,000 2003 est. 150 Martinique $ 6,117,000,000 2003 est. 151 Swaziland $ 6,018,000,000 2004 est. 152 Lesotho $ 5,892,000,000 2004 est. 153 Mauritania $ 5,534,000,000 2004 est. 154 Mongolia $ 5,332,000,000 2004 est. 155 Bahamas, The $ 5,295,000,000 2004 est. 156 Fiji $ 5,173,000,000 2004 est. 157 Somalia $ 4,597,000,000 2004 est. 158 French Polynesia $ 4,580,000,000 2003 est. 159 Reunion $ 4,570,000,000 2004 est. 160 Barbados $ 4,569,000,000 2004 est. 161 Cyprus $ 4,540,000,000 2004 est. 162 Central African Republic $ 4,248,000,000 2004 est. 163 Eritrea $ 4,154,000,000 2004 est. 164 Burundi $ 4,001,000,000 2004 est. 165 Jersey $ 3,600,000,000 2003 est. 166 Guadeloupe $ 3,513,000,000 2003 est. 167 Sierra Leone $ 3,335,000,000 2004 est. 168 Guam $ 3,200,000,000 2000 est. 169 New Caledonia $ 3,158,000,000 2003 est. 170 Liberia $ 2,903,000,000 2004 est. 171 Bhutan $ 2,900,000,000 2003 est. 172 Guyana $ 2,899,000,000 2004 est. 173 Gambia, The $ 2,799,000,000 2004 est. 174 Guernsey $ 2,590,000,000 2003 est. 175 Virgin Islands $ 2,500,000,000 2002 est. 176 British Virgin Islands $ 2,498,000,000 2004 est. 177 Netherlands Antilles $ 2,450,000,000 2003 est. 178 Bermuda $ 2,330,000,000 2003 est. 179 Congo, Republic of the $ 2,324,000,000 2004 est. 180 Man, Isle of $ 2,113,000,000 2003 est. 181 Aruba $ 1,940,000,000 2002 est. 182 Andorra $ 1,900,000,000 2003 est. 183 Suriname $ 1,885,000,000 2004 est. 184 West Bank $ 1,800,000,000 2003 est. 185 Belize $ 1,778,000,000 2004 est. 186 French Guiana $ 1,551,000,000 2003 est. 187 Cayman Islands $ 1,391,000,000 2004 est. 188 Equatorial Guinea $ 1,270,000,000 2002 est. 189 Maldives $ 1,250,000,000 2002 est. 190 Greenland $ 1,100,000,000 2001 est. 191 Guinea-Bissau $ 1,008,000,000 2004 est. 192 Faroe Islands $ 1,000,000,000 2001 est. 193 Samoa $ 1,000,000,000 2002 est. 194 San Marino $ 940,000,000 2001 est. 195 Northern Mariana Islands $ 900,000,000 2000 est. 196 Monaco $ 870,000,000 2000 est. 197 Saint Lucia $ 866,000,000 2002 est. 198 Liechtenstein $ 825,000,000 1999 est. 199 Solomon Islands $ 800,000,000 2002 est. 200 Gibraltar $ 769,000,000 2000 est. 201 Gaza Strip $ 768,000,000 2003 est. 202 Antigua and Barbuda $ 750,000,000 2002 est. 203 Seychelles $ 626,000,000 2002 est. 204 Djibouti $ 619,000,000 2002 est. 205 Cape Verde $ 600,000,000 2002 est. 206 Vanuatu $ 580,000,000 2003 est. 207 American Samoa $ 500,000,000 2000 est. 208 Mayotte $ 466,800,000 2003 est. 209 Comoros $ 441,000,000 2002 est. 210 Grenada $ 440,000,000 2002 est. 211 Dominica $ 384,000,000 2003 est. 212 East Timor $ 370,000,000 2004 est. 213 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines $ 342,000,000 2002 est. 214 Saint Kitts and Nevis $ 339,000,000 2002 est. 215 Micronesia, Federated States of $ 277,000,000 2002 est. 216 Tonga $ 244,000,000 2002 est. 217 Turks and Caicos Islands $ 216,000,000 2002 est. 218 Sao Tome and Principe $ 214,000,000 2003 est. 219 Palau $ 174,000,000 2001 est. 220 Marshall Islands $ 115,000,000 2001 est. 221 Anguilla $ 112,000,000 2002 est. 222 Cook Islands $ 105,000,000 2001 est. 223 Kiribati $ 79,000,000 2001 est. 224 Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) $ 75,000,000 2002 est. 225 Nauru $ 60,000,000 2001 est. 226 Wallis and Futuna $ 60,000,000 2004 est. 227 Saint Pierre and Miquelon $ 48,300,000 2003 est. 228 Montserrat $ 29,000,000 2002 est. 229 Saint Helena $ 18,000,000 1998 est. 230 Tuvalu $ 12,200,000 2000 est. 231 Niue $ 7,600,000 2000 est. 232 Tokelau $ 1,500,000 1993 est.

This file was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

Rank code: @2003

Rank Country GDP - real growth rate(%) Date of Information

1 Iraq 52.30 2004 est. 2 Chad 38.00 2004 est. 3 Liberia 21.80 2004 est. 4 Equatorial Guinea 20.00 2002 est. 5 Venezuela 16.80 2004 est. 6 Macau 15.60 2003 7 Ukraine 12.00 2004 est. 8 Angola 11.70 2004 est. 9 Ethiopia 11.60 2004 est. 10 Liechtenstein 11.00 1999 est. 11 Mongolia 10.60 2004 est. 12 Tajikistan 10.50 2004 est. 13 Uruguay 10.20 2004 est. 14 Faroe Islands 10.00 2001 est. 15 Azerbaijan 9.80 2004 est. 16 Georgia 9.50 2004 est. 17 China 9.10 2004 est. 18 Kazakhstan 9.10 2004 est. 19 Armenia 9.00 2004 est. 20 Qatar 8.70 2004 est. 21 Argentina 8.30 2004 est. 22 Mozambique 8.20 2004 est. 23 Turkey 8.20 2004 est. 24 Romania 8.10 2004 est. 25 Singapore 8.10 2004 est. 26 Hong Kong 7.90 2004 est. 27 Vietnam 7.70 2004 est. 28 Latvia 7.60 2004 est. 29 Afghanistan 7.50 2004 est. 30 Turkmenistan 7.50 2004 est. 31 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 7.50 2004 est. 32 San Marino 7.50 2001 est. 33 Cook Islands 7.10 2001 est. 34 Malaysia 7.10 2004 est. 35 Kuwait 6.80 2004 est. 36 Moldova 6.80 2004 est. 37 Russia 6.70 2004 est. 38 Lithuania 6.60 2004 est. 39 Serbia and Montenegro 6.50 2004 est. 40 Belarus 6.40 2004 est. 41 Sudan 6.40 2004 est. 42 Iran 6.30 2004 est. 43 India 6.20 2004 est. 44 Nigeria 6.20 2004 est. 45 Algeria 6.10 2004 est. 46 Thailand 6.10 2004 est. 47 Pakistan 6.10 2004 est. 48 Estonia 6.00 2004 est. 49 Gambia, The 6.00 2004 est. 50 West Bank 6.00 2003 est. 51 Taiwan 6.00 2004 est. 52 Sao Tome and Principe 6.00 2004 est. 53 Sierra Leone 6.00 2004 est. 54 Panama 6.00 2004 est. 55 Laos 6.00 2004 est. 56 Kyrgyzstan 6.00 2004 est. 57 Philippines 5.90 2004 est. 58 Solomon Islands 5.80 2003 est. 59 Ecuador 5.80 2004 est. 60 Tanzania 5.80 2004 est. 61 Chile 5.80 2004 est. 62 United Arab Emirates 5.70 2004 est. 63 Trinidad and Tobago 5.70 2004 est. 64 Albania 5.60 2004 est. 65 Bahrain 5.60 2004 est. 66 Poland 5.60 2004 est. 67 Madagascar 5.50 2004 est. 68 Cambodia 5.40 2004 est. 69 Ghana 5.40 2004 est. 70 Bhutan 5.30 2003 est. 71 Slovakia 5.30 2004 est. 72 Bulgaria 5.30 2004 est. 73 Sri Lanka 5.20 2004 est. 74 Brazil 5.10 2004 est. 75 Ireland 5.10 2004 est. 76 Tunisia 5.10 2004 est. 77 Jordan 5.10 2004 est. 78 Bosnia and Herzegovina 5.00 2004 est. 79 Samoa 5.00 2002 est. 80 Cape Verde 5.00 2004 est. 81 Saudi Arabia 5.00 2004 est. 82 Uganda 5.00 2004 est. 83 Benin 5.00 2004 est. 84 Bangladesh 4.90 2004 est. 85 World 4.90 2004 est. 86 Turks and Caicos Islands 4.90 2000 est. 87 Libya 4.90 2004 est. 88 Indonesia 4.90 2004 est. 89 Cameroon 4.90 2004 est. 90 New Zealand 4.80 2004 est. 91 Burkina Faso 4.80 2004 est. 92 Namibia 4.80 2004 est. 93 Mauritius 4.70 2004 est. 94 Korea, South 4.60 2004 est. 95 Zambia 4.60 2004 est. 96 Egypt 4.50 2004 est. 97 Peru 4.50 2004 est. 98 Gaza Strip 4.50 2003 est. 99 Morocco 4.40 2004 est. 100 Uzbekistan 4.40 2004 est. 101 United States 4.40 2004 est. 102 Honduras 4.20 2004 est. 103 Suriname 4.20 2004 est. 104 Mexico 4.10 2004 est. 105 Lebanon 4.00 2004 est. 106 Nicaragua 4.00 2004 est. 107 Mali 4.00 2004 est. 108 Malawi 4.00 2004 est. 109 Costa Rica 3.90 2004 est. 110 Hungary 3.90 2004 est. 111 Slovenia 3.90 2004 est. 112 Israel 3.90 2004 est. 113 Bolivia 3.70 2004 est. 114 Greece 3.70 2004 est. 115 Congo, Republic of the 3.70 2004 est. 116 Croatia 3.70 2004 est. 117 Czech Republic 3.70 2004 est. 118 Colombia 3.60 2004 est. 119 Fiji 3.60 2004 est. 120 Sweden 3.60 2004 est. 121 Australia 3.50 2004 est. 122 Djibouti 3.50 2002 est. 123 Botswana 3.50 2004 est. 124 Belize 3.50 2004 est. 125 Niger 3.50 2004 est. 126 South Africa 3.50 2004 est. 127 Lesotho 3.30 2004 est. 128 Norway 3.30 2004 est. 129 Saint Lucia 3.30 2002 est. 130 Brunei 3.20 2003 est. 131 United Kingdom 3.20 2004 est. 132 Senegal 3.20 2004 est. 133 Cyprus 3.20 2004 est. 134 Antigua and Barbuda 3.00 2002 est. 135 Bahamas, The 3.00 2004 est. 136 Tuvalu 3.00 2000 est. 137 Togo 3.00 2004 est. 138 Nepal 3.00 2004 est. 139 Mauritania 3.00 2004 est. 140 Guernsey 3.00 2003 est. 141 Finland 3.00 2004 est. 142 Cuba 3.00 2004 est. 143 Burundi 3.00 2004 est. 144 Japan 2.90 2004 est. 145 Anguilla 2.80 2001 est. 146 Somalia 2.80 2004 est. 147 Paraguay 2.80 2004 est. 148 Puerto Rico 2.70 2004 est. 149 Belgium 2.60 2004 est. 150 Cyprus 2.60 2004 est. 151 Guatemala 2.60 2004 est. 152 Spain 2.60 2004 est. 153 Guinea-Bissau 2.60 2004 est. 154 Eritrea 2.50 2004 est. 155 Swaziland 2.50 2004 est. 156 Grenada 2.50 2002 est. 157 Reunion 2.50 2004 est. 158 Canada 2.40 2004 est. 159 European Union 2.40 2004 est. 160 Barbados 2.30 2004 est. 161 Maldives 2.30 2002 est. 162 Syria 2.30 2004 est. 163 Luxembourg 2.30 2004 est. 164 Kenya 2.20 2004 est. 165 Denmark 2.10 2004 est. 166 France 2.10 2004 est. 167 Andorra 2.00 2003 est. 168 Virgin Islands 2.00 2002 est. 169 Comoros 2.00 2002 est. 170 Bermuda 2.00 2003 est. 171 Austria 1.90 2004 est. 172 Gabon 1.90 2004 est. 173 Guyana 1.90 2004 est. 174 Yemen 1.90 2004 est. 175 Jamaica 1.90 2004 est. 176 El Salvador 1.80 2004 est. 177 Greenland 1.80 2001 est. 178 Switzerland 1.80 2004 est. 179 Iceland 1.80 2004 est. 180 Cayman Islands 1.70 2002 est. 181 Germany 1.70 2004 est. 182 Dominican Republic 1.70 2004 est. 183 Kiribati 1.50 2001 est. 184 Tonga 1.50 2002 est. 185 Seychelles 1.50 2004 est. 186 Italy 1.30 2004 est. 187 Macedonia 1.30 2004 est. 188 Oman 1.20 2004 est. 189 Netherlands 1.20 2004 est. 190 Vanuatu 1.10 2003 est. 191 Portugal 1.10 2004 est. 192 Micronesia, Federated States of 1.00 2002 est. 193 Guinea 1.00 2004 est. 194 Palau 1.00 2001 est. 195 British Virgin Islands 1.00 2002 est. 196 East Timor 1.00 2004 est. 197 Marshall Islands 1.00 2001 est. 198 Malta 1.00 2004 est. 199 Korea, North 1.00 2004 est. 200 Monaco 0.90 2000 est. 201 Rwanda 0.90 2004 est. 202 Papua New Guinea 0.90 2004 est. 203 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 0.70 2002 est. 204 Central African Republic 0.50 2004 est. 205 Netherlands Antilles 0.50 2003 est. 206 Niue -0.30 2000 est. 207 Dominica -1.00 2003 est. 208 Montserrat -1.00 2002 est. 209 Cote d'Ivoire -1.00 2004 est. 210 Burma -1.30 2004 est. 211 Aruba -1.50 2002 est. 212 Saint Kitts and Nevis -1.90 2002 est. 213 Haiti -3.50 2004 est. 214 Zimbabwe -8.20 2004 est.

This file was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

Rank code: @2004

Rank Country GDP - per capita Date of Information

1 Luxembourg $ 58,900 2004 est. 2 United States $ 40,100 2004 est. 3 Guernsey $ 40,000 2003 est. 4 Norway $ 40,000 2004 est. 5 Jersey $ 40,000 2003 est. 6 British Virgin Islands $ 38,500 2004 est. 7 Bermuda $ 36,000 2003 est. 8 San Marino $ 34,600 2001 est. 9 Hong Kong $ 34,200 2004 est. 10 Switzerland $ 33,800 2004 est. 11 Cayman Islands $ 32,300 2004 est. 12 Denmark $ 32,200 2004 est. 13 Ireland $ 31,900 2004 est. 14 Iceland $ 31,900 2004 est. 15 Canada $ 31,500 2004 est. 16 Austria $ 31,300 2004 est. 17 Australia $ 30,700 2004 est. 18 Belgium $ 30,600 2004 est. 19 United Kingdom $ 29,600 2004 est. 20 Netherlands $ 29,500 2004 est. 21 Japan $ 29,400 2004 est. 22 Finland $ 29,000 2004 est. 23 France $ 28,700 2004 est. 24 Germany $ 28,700 2004 est. 25 Man, Isle of $ 28,500 2003 est. 26 Sweden $ 28,400 2004 est. 27 Aruba $ 28,000 2002 est. 28 Gibraltar $ 27,900 2000 est. 29 Singapore $ 27,800 2004 est. 30 Italy $ 27,700 2004 est. 31 Monaco $ 27,000 2000 est. 32 European Union $ 26,900 2004 est. 33 Andorra $ 26,800 2003 est. 34 Taiwan $ 25,300 2004 est. 35 United Arab Emirates $ 25,200 2004 est. 36 Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) $ 25,000 2002 est. 37 Liechtenstein $ 25,000 1999 est. 38 Brunei $ 23,600 2003 est. 39 Spain $ 23,300 2004 est. 40 New Zealand $ 23,200 2004 est. 41 Qatar $ 23,200 2004 est. 42 Faroe Islands $ 22,000 2001 est. 43 Greece $ 21,300 2004 est. 44 Kuwait $ 21,300 2004 est. 45 Guam $ 21,000 2000 est. 46 Israel $ 20,800 2004 est. 47 Cyprus $ 20,300 2004 est. 48 Greenland $ 20,000 2001 est. 49 Slovenia $ 19,600 2004 est. 50 Macau $ 19,400 2003 51 Bahrain $ 19,200 2004 est. 52 Korea, South $ 19,200 2004 est. 53 Malta $ 18,200 2004 est. 54 Portugal $ 17,900 2004 est. 55 Bahamas, The $ 17,700 2004 est. 56 Puerto Rico $ 17,700 2004 est. 57 French Polynesia $ 17,500 2003 est. 58 Virgin Islands $ 17,200 2002 est. 59 Czech Republic $ 16,800 2004 est. 60 Barbados $ 16,400 2004 est. 61 New Caledonia $ 15,000 2003 est. 62 Hungary $ 14,900 2004 est. 63 Slovakia $ 14,500 2004 est. 64 Uruguay $ 14,500 2004 est. 65 Martinique $ 14,400 2003 est. 66 Estonia $ 14,300 2004 est. 67 Oman $ 13,100 2004 est. 68 Mauritius $ 12,800 2004 est. 69 Northern Mariana Islands $ 12,500 2000 est. 70 Lithuania $ 12,500 2004 est. 71 Argentina $ 12,400 2004 est. 72 Poland $ 12,000 2004 est. 73 Saudi Arabia $ 12,000 2004 est. 74 Latvia $ 11,500 2004 est. 75 Turks and Caicos Islands $ 11,500 2002 est. 76 Netherlands Antilles $ 11,400 2003 est. 77 Croatia $ 11,200 2004 est. 78 South Africa $ 11,100 2004 est. 79 Antigua and Barbuda $ 11,000 2002 est. 80 Chile $ 10,700 2004 est. 81 Trinidad and Tobago $ 10,500 2004 est. 82 Russia $ 9,800 2004 est. 83 Malaysia $ 9,700 2004 est. 84 Costa Rica $ 9,600 2004 est. 85 Mexico $ 9,600 2004 est. 86 Botswana $ 9,200 2004 est. 87 Palau $ 9,000 2001 est. 88 Saint Kitts and Nevis $ 8,800 2002 est. 89 World $ 8,800 2004 est. 90 French Guiana $ 8,300 2003 est. 91 Bulgaria $ 8,200 2004 est. 92 Brazil $ 8,100 2004 est. 93 Thailand $ 8,100 2004 est. 94 American Samoa $ 8,000 2000 est. 95 Guadeloupe $ 7,900 2003 est. 96 Kazakhstan $ 7,800 2004 est. 97 Seychelles $ 7,800 2002 est. 98 Iran $ 7,700 2004 est. 99 Romania $ 7,700 2004 est. 100 Anguilla $ 7,500 2002 est. 101 Turkey $ 7,400 2004 est. 102 Namibia $ 7,300 2004 est. 103 Cyprus $ 7,135 2004 est. 104 Macedonia $ 7,100 2004 est. 105 Tunisia $ 7,100 2004 est. 106 Saint Pierre and Miquelon $ 7,000 2001 est. 107 Panama $ 6,900 2004 est. 108 Belarus $ 6,800 2004 est. 109 Libya $ 6,700 2004 est. 110 Algeria $ 6,600 2004 est. 111 Colombia $ 6,600 2004 est. 112 Belize $ 6,500 2004 est. 113 Bosnia and Herzegovina $ 6,500 2004 est. 114 Dominican Republic $ 6,300 2004 est. 115 Ukraine $ 6,300 2004 est. 116 Reunion $ 6,000 2004 est. 117 Fiji $ 5,900 2004 est. 118 Gabon $ 5,900 2004 est. 119 Venezuela $ 5,800 2004 est. 120 Turkmenistan $ 5,700 2004 est. 121 China $ 5,600 2004 est. 122 Peru $ 5,600 2004 est. 123 Samoa $ 5,600 2002 est. 124 Dominica $ 5,500 2003 est. 125 Saint Lucia $ 5,400 2002 est. 126 Swaziland $ 5,100 2004 est. 127 Cook Islands $ 5,000 2001 est. 128 Lebanon $ 5,000 2004 est. 129 Philippines $ 5,000 2004 est. 130 Nauru $ 5,000 2001 est. 131 Grenada $ 5,000 2002 est. 132 Albania $ 4,900 2004 est. 133 El Salvador $ 4,900 2004 est. 134 Paraguay $ 4,800 2004 est. 135 Armenia $ 4,600 2004 est. 136 Jordan $ 4,500 2004 est. 137 Suriname $ 4,300 2004 est. 138 Egypt $ 4,200 2004 est. 139 Morocco $ 4,200 2004 est. 140 Guatemala $ 4,200 2004 est. 141 Jamaica $ 4,100 2004 est. 142 Sri Lanka $ 4,000 2004 est. 143 Maldives $ 3,900 2002 est. 144 Azerbaijan $ 3,800 2004 est. 145 Wallis and Futuna $ 3,800 2004 est. 146 Guyana $ 3,800 2004 est. 147 Ecuador $ 3,700 2004 est. 148 Niue $ 3,600 2000 est. 149 Indonesia $ 3,500 2004 est. 150 Montserrat $ 3,400 2002 est. 151 Syria $ 3,400 2004 est. 152 Lesotho $ 3,200 2004 est. 153 Georgia $ 3,100 2004 est. 154 India $ 3,100 2004 est. 155 Cuba $ 3,000 2004 est. 156 Vanuatu $ 2,900 2003 est. 157 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines $ 2,900 2002 est. 158 Honduras $ 2,800 2004 est. 159 Equatorial Guinea $ 2,700 2002 est. 160 Vietnam $ 2,700 2004 est. 161 Bolivia $ 2,600 2004 est. 162 Mayotte $ 2,600 2003 est. 163 Saint Helena $ 2,500 1998 est. 164 Serbia and Montenegro $ 2,400 2004 est. 165 Ghana $ 2,300 2004 est. 166 Tonga $ 2,300 2002 est. 167 Nicaragua $ 2,300 2004 est. 168 Pakistan $ 2,200 2004 est. 169 Papua New Guinea $ 2,200 2004 est. 170 Angola $ 2,100 2004 est. 171 Guinea $ 2,100 2004 est. 172 Iraq $ 2,100 2004 est. 173 Bangladesh $ 2,000 2004 est. 174 Cambodia $ 2,000 2004 est. 175 Micronesia, Federated States of $ 2,000 2002 est. 176 Cameroon $ 1,900 2004 est. 177 Laos $ 1,900 2004 est. 178 Mongolia $ 1,900 2004 est. 179 Moldova $ 1,900 2004 est. 180 Zimbabwe $ 1,900 2004 est. 181 Sudan $ 1,900 2004 est. 182 Gambia, The $ 1,800 2004 est. 183 Uzbekistan $ 1,800 2004 est. 184 Mauritania $ 1,800 2004 est. 185 Burma $ 1,700 2004 est. 186 Senegal $ 1,700 2004 est. 187 Kyrgyzstan $ 1,700 2004 est. 188 Korea, North $ 1,700 2004 est. 189 Solomon Islands $ 1,700 2002 est. 190 Chad $ 1,600 2004 est. 191 Togo $ 1,600 2004 est. 192 Marshall Islands $ 1,600 2001 est. 193 Haiti $ 1,500 2004 est. 194 Cote d'Ivoire $ 1,500 2004 est. 195 Uganda $ 1,500 2004 est. 196 Nepal $ 1,500 2004 est. 197 Bhutan $ 1,400 2003 est. 198 Cape Verde $ 1,400 2002 est. 199 Djibouti $ 1,300 2002 est. 200 Rwanda $ 1,300 2004 est. 201 Benin $ 1,200 2004 est. 202 Mozambique $ 1,200 2004 est. 203 Burkina Faso $ 1,200 2004 est. 204 Sao Tome and Principe $ 1,200 2003 est. 205 Central African Republic $ 1,100 2004 est. 206 Tuvalu $ 1,100 2000 est. 207 Tajikistan $ 1,100 2004 est. 208 Kenya $ 1,100 2004 est. 209 Nigeria $ 1,000 2004 est. 210 Tokelau $ 1,000 1993 est. 211 Eritrea $ 900 2004 est. 212 Zambia $ 900 2004 est. 213 Niger $ 900 2004 est. 214 Mali $ 900 2004 est. 215 Liberia $ 900 2004 est. 216 Afghanistan $ 800 2003 est. 217 Congo, Republic of the $ 800 2004 est. 218 Kiribati $ 800 2001 est. 219 Ethiopia $ 800 2004 est. 220 Madagascar $ 800 2004 est. 221 Yemen $ 800 2004 est. 222 West Bank $ 800 2003 est. 223 Congo, Democratic Republic of the $ 700 2004 est. 224 Guinea-Bissau $ 700 2004 est. 225 Tanzania $ 700 2004 est. 226 Comoros $ 700 2002 est. 227 Burundi $ 600 2004 est. 228 Somalia $ 600 2004 est. 229 Gaza Strip $ 600 2003 est. 230 Sierra Leone $ 600 2004 est. 231 Malawi $ 600 2004 est. 232 East Timor $ 400 2004 est.

This file was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

Rank code: @2034

Rank Country Military expenditures - percent of GDP(%) Date of Information

1 Jordan 14.60 2004 2 Eritrea 13.40 2004 3 Oman 11.40 2003 4 Angola 10.60 2004 5 Qatar 10.00 6 Saudi Arabia 10.00 2002 7 Israel 8.70 FY02 8 Yemen 7.80 2003 9 Armenia 6.50 FY01 10 Bahrain 6.30 2004 11 Burundi 6.00 2004 12 Macedonia 6.00 13 Syria 5.90 14 Maldives 5.50 2004 15 Kuwait 5.30 2004 16 Turkey 5.30 2003 17 Brunei 5.10 2004 18 Morocco 5.00 2004 19 Pakistan 4.90 2004 20 Singapore 4.90 21 Ethiopia 4.60 2004 22 Bosnia and Herzegovina 4.50 23 Djibouti 4.40 2004 24 China 4.30 2004 25 Greece 4.30 2003 26 Zimbabwe 4.30 2004 27 Botswana 3.90 2004 28 Libya 3.90 29 Tajikistan 3.90 FY01 30 Chile 3.80 2004 31 Cyprus 3.80 32 Colombia 3.40 FY01 33 Turkmenistan 3.40 34 Egypt 3.40 2004 35 Iran 3.30 2003 est. 36 United States 3.30 February 2004 37 Algeria 3.20 2004 38 Rwanda 3.20 2004 39 United Arab Emirates 3.10 40 Namibia 3.10 2004 41 Guinea-Bissau 3.10 2004 42 Lebanon 3.10 2004 43 Cambodia 3.00 44 Sudan 3.00 2004 45 Comoros 3.00 2004 46 Indonesia 3.00 2004 47 India 2.93 2005/06 48 Congo, Republic of the 2.80 2004 49 Korea, South 2.80 2004 50 Australia 2.70 2004 51 Afghanistan 2.60 2004 52 Azerbaijan 2.60 53 Taiwan 2.60 2004 54 France 2.60 2003 55 Sri Lanka 2.60 2004 56 Bulgaria 2.60 2003 57 Equatorial Guinea 2.50 2004 58 Vietnam 2.50 59 Romania 2.47 2002 60 Benin 2.40 2004 61 United Kingdom 2.40 2003 62 Croatia 2.39 2002 est. 63 Lesotho 2.30 2004 64 Portugal 2.30 2003 65 Ecuador 2.20 2004 66 Fiji 2.20 FY02 67 Mozambique 2.20 2004 68 Mongolia 2.20 FY02 69 Uganda 2.20 2004 70 Burma 2.10 71 Chad 2.10 2004 72 Malaysia 2.03 73 Czech Republic 2.02 2004 74 Belize 2.00 2003 75 Finland 2.00 FY98/99 76 Gabon 2.00 2004 77 Estonia 2.00 2002 est. 78 Uruguay 2.00 2004 79 World 2.00 80 Uzbekistan 2.00 81 Lithuania 1.90 FY01 82 Norway 1.90 2003 83 Togo 1.90 2004 84 Slovakia 1.89 2002 85 Bangladesh 1.80 2004 86 Zambia 1.80 2004 87 Thailand 1.80 2003 88 Seychelles 1.80 2004 89 Italy 1.80 2004 90 Brazil 1.80 2004 91 Cuba 1.80 2003 92 Bhutan 1.80 2004 93 Hungary 1.75 2002 est. 94 Poland 1.71 2002 95 Guinea 1.70 2004 96 Sierra Leone 1.70 2004 97 Sweden 1.70 2004 98 Slovenia 1.70 FY00 99 Mauritania 1.70 2004 100 Bolivia 1.60 2004 101 Netherlands 1.60 2004 102 Cameroon 1.60 2004 103 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 1.50 2004 104 Cape Verde 1.50 2004 105 Denmark 1.50 2004 106 Germany 1.50 2003 107 Nepal 1.50 2004 108 South Africa 1.50 2004 109 Venezuela 1.50 2004 110 Tunisia 1.50 111 Senegal 1.50 2004 112 Albania 1.49 FY02 113 Belarus 1.40 FY02 114 Honduras 1.40 2004 115 Swaziland 1.40 2004 116 Ukraine 1.40 FY02 117 Peru 1.40 2004 118 Papua New Guinea 1.40 FY02 119 Kyrgyzstan 1.40 FY01 120 Argentina 1.30 FY00 121 Belgium 1.30 2003 122 Burkina Faso 1.30 2004 123 Kenya 1.30 2004 124 Cote d'Ivoire 1.20 2004 125 Madagascar 1.20 2004 126 Latvia 1.20 FY01 127 Spain 1.20 2003 128 Canada 1.10 2003 129 Dominican Republic 1.10 1998 130 Niger 1.10 2004 131 Panama 1.10 2004 132 El Salvador 1.10 2003 133 Central African Republic 1.00 2004 134 Japan 1.00 2004 135 Philippines 1.00 2004 136 Switzerland 1.00 FY01 137 New Zealand 1.00 FY02 138 Austria 0.90 2004 139 Ireland 0.90 FY00/01 140 Guyana 0.90 2004 141 Somalia 0.90 2003 142 Paraguay 0.90 2003 143 Mexico 0.90 2004 144 Luxembourg 0.90 2003 145 Kazakhstan 0.90 FY02 146 Haiti 0.90 2003 147 Guatemala 0.80 2003 148 Nigeria 0.80 2004 149 Sao Tome and Principe 0.80 2004 150 Malawi 0.70 2004 151 Malta 0.70 2004 152 Suriname 0.70 2003 153 Nicaragua 0.70 2004 154 Ghana 0.60 2004 155 Trinidad and Tobago 0.60 2003 156 Georgia 0.59 157 Laos 0.50 2004 158 Costa Rica 0.40 2003 159 Moldova 0.40 FY02 160 Jamaica 0.40 2003 161 Mali 0.40 2004 162 Gambia, The 0.30 2004 163 Liberia 0.20 2004 164 Mauritius 0.20 2004 165 Tanzania 0.20 2004 166 Bermuda 0.11

This file was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

Rank code: @2038

Rank Country Electricity - production(kWh) Date of Information

1 World 15,290,000,000,000 2002 est. 2 United States 3,839,000,000,000 2002 3 European Union 2,888,000,000,000 2002 est. 4 China 1,910,000,000,000 2003 5 Japan 1,044,000,000,000 2002 6 Russia 915,000,000,000 2003 7 Germany 560,000,000,000 2003 8 Canada 548,900,000,000 2002 9 India 547,200,000,000 2002 10 France 528,600,000,000 2002 11 United Kingdom 395,900,000,000 2003 12 Brazil 339,000,000,000 2002 13 Korea, South 322,500,000,000 2003 14 Italy 261,600,000,000 2002 15 Spain 229,000,000,000 2002 16 Australia 210,300,000,000 2002 17 Mexico 203,600,000,000 2002 18 South Africa 202,600,000,000 2002 19 Ukraine 180,000,000,000 2003 20 Taiwan 158,500,000,000 2002 21 Sweden 142,800,000,000 2002 22 Turkey 139,700,000,000 2003 23 Saudi Arabia 138,200,000,000 2002 24 Poland 133,800,000,000 2002 25 Iran 129,000,000,000 2002 26 Norway 125,900,000,000 2002 27 Thailand 118,900,000,000 2003 28 Indonesia 110,200,000,000 2003 29 Netherlands 90,610,000,000 2002 30 Venezuela 89,700,000,000 2003 31 Argentina 81,390,000,000 2002 32 Egypt 81,270,000,000 2002 33 Belgium 76,580,000,000 2002 34 Malaysia 75,330,000,000 2002 35 Pakistan 75,270,000,000 2003 36 Czech Republic 71,750,000,000 2002 37 Finland 71,590,000,000 2002 38 Kazakhstan 66,820,000,000 2003 39 Switzerland 63,470,000,000 2002 40 Austria 58,490,000,000 2002 41 Romania 56,530,000,000 2003 42 Philippines 52,860,000,000 2003 43 Chile 48,600,000,000 2004 44 Paraguay 48,360,000,000 2002 45 Uzbekistan 47,700,000,000 2002 46 Greece 47,220,000,000 2002 47 United Arab Emirates 45,120,000,000 2004 48 Colombia 44,870,000,000 2002 49 Portugal 43,280,000,000 2002 50 Bulgaria 43,070,000,000 2002 51 Israel 42,670,000,000 2002 52 New Zealand 38,390,000,000 2002 53 Denmark 36,380,000,000 2002 54 Hong Kong 35,510,000,000 2003 55 Singapore 35,330,000,000 2003 56 Vietnam 34,480,000,000 2002 57 Hungary 34,070,000,000 2002 58 Korea, North 33,620,000,000 2002 59 Iraq 32,600,000,000 2004 60 Kuwait 32,430,000,000 2002 61 Serbia and Montenegro 31,640,000,000 2002 62 Slovakia 31,150,000,000 2003 63 Belarus 30,000,000,000 2004 64 Syria 26,150,000,000 2002 65 Algeria 25,760,000,000 2002 66 Ireland 22,880,000,000 2002 67 Peru 22,880,000,000 2004 est. 68 Puerto Rico 22,090,000,000 2002 69 Libya 20,890,000,000 2002 70 Nigeria 19,850,000,000 2002 71 Lithuania 17,930,000,000 2002 72 Azerbaijan 17,550,000,000 2002 73 Bangladesh 16,450,000,000 2002 74 Tajikistan 15,080,000,000 2002 75 Cuba 14,410,000,000 2002 76 Morocco 13,910,000,000 2002 77 Croatia 12,510,000,000 2002 78 Slovenia 12,490,000,000 2003 79 Kyrgyzstan 11,720,000,000 2002 80 Ecuador 11,540,000,000 2002 81 Turkmenistan 11,410,000,000 2004 est. 82 Tunisia 10,720,000,000 2002 83 Bosnia and Herzegovina 10,040,000,000 2002 84 Oman 9,896,000,000 2003 85 Qatar 9,727,000,000 2002 86 Dominican Republic 9,583,000,000 2002 87 Mozambique 8,859,000,000 2002 88 Zimbabwe 8,839,000,000 2002 89 Uruguay 8,536,000,000 2003 90 Estonia 8,301,000,000 2002 91 Iceland 8,271,000,000 2002 92 Zambia 8,167,000,000 2002 93 Lebanon 8,066,000,000 2002 94 Jordan 7,307,000,000 2002 95 Ghana 6,922,000,000 2002 96 Bahrain 6,860,000,000 2002 97 Georgia 6,732,000,000 2002 98 Sri Lanka 6,697,000,000 2002 99 Costa Rica 6,614,000,000 2002 100 Guatemala 6,608,000,000 2002 101 Armenia 6,492,000,000 2002 102 Jamaica 6,289,000,000 2002 103 Macedonia 6,273,000,000 2003 104 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 6,086,000,000 2002 105 Trinidad and Tobago 5,743,000,000 2002 106 Albania 5,680,000,000 2004 107 Burma 5,068,000,000 2003 108 Panama 4,873,000,000 2002 109 Cote d'Ivoire 4,759,000,000 2002 110 Latvia 4,547,000,000 2002 111 Kenya 4,475,000,000 2002 112 El Salvador 4,158,000,000 2004 113 Bolivia 4,132,000,000 2002 114 Cyprus 4,000,000,000 2003 115 Moldova 3,876,000,000 2002 116 Honduras 3,626,000,000 2002 117 Cameroon 3,571,000,000 2002 118 Laos 3,560,000,000 2002 119 Yemen 3,040,000,000 2002 est. 120 Tanzania 2,727,000,000 2002 121 Mongolia 2,692,000,000 2004 est. 122 Sudan 2,581,000,000 2002 123 Nicaragua 2,553,000,000 2002 124 Luxembourg 2,511,000,000 2002 125 Brunei 2,458,000,000 2002 126 Malta 2,150,000,000 2002 127 Ethiopia 2,149,000,000 2002 128 Nepal 2,054,000,000 2002 129 Bhutan 2,001,000,000 2002 130 Suriname 1,984,000,000 2002 131 Mauritius 1,836,000,000 2002 132 Uganda 1,775,000,000 2002 133 Senegal 1,737,000,000 2002 134 Macau 1,719,000,000 2003 135 Bahamas, The 1,716,000,000 2002 136 Angola 1,707,000,000 2002 137 Papua New Guinea 1,679,000,000 2002 138 New Caledonia 1,581,000,000 2002 139 Martinique 1,178,000,000 2002 140 Namibia 1,167,000,000 2002 141 Reunion 1,166,000,000 2002 142 Gabon 1,161,000,000 2002 143 Guadeloupe 1,160,000,000 2002 144 Malawi 1,088,000,000 2002 145 Virgin Islands 1,035,000,000 2002 146 Netherlands Antilles 1,005,000,000 2002 147 Botswana 930,000,000 2002 148 Guinea 855,000,000 2002 149 Madagascar 840,200,000 2002 150 Guam 835,000,000 2002 151 Guyana 808,000,000 2002 152 Aruba 807,700,000 2002 153 Barbados 800,000,000 2002 154 Fiji 750,000,000 2002 155 Mali 700,000,000 2002 156 Bermuda 643,000,000 2002 157 Haiti 618,000,000 2002 158 Afghanistan 540,000,000 2002 159 Liberia 488,800,000 2002 160 French Guiana 460,100,000 2002 161 Cayman Islands 410,800,000 2002 162 Swaziland 402,000,000 2002 163 French Polynesia 380,000,000 2002 164 Burkina Faso 361,000,000 2002 165 Congo, Republic of the 348,000,000 2002 166 Lesotho 314,000,000 2002 167 Benin 285,200,000 2002 168 Saint Lucia 270,300,000 2002 169 Niger 266,200,000 2002 170 Sierra Leone 255,300,000 2002 171 Eritrea 246,600,000 2002 172 Greenland 245,000,000 2002 173 Somalia 240,300,000 2002 174 Faroe Islands 220,000,000 2002 175 Seychelles 218,000,000 2002 176 Micronesia, Federated States of 192,000,000 2002 177 Mauritania 190,200,000 2002 178 Djibouti 180,000,000 2002 179 Rwanda 166,700,000 2002 180 Grenada 149,000,000 2002 181 Burundi 132,000,000 2002 182 American Samoa 130,000,000 2002 183 Maldives 124,400,000 2002 184 Cambodia 122,000,000 2003 185 Samoa 122,000,000 2002 186 Belize 117,000,000 2002 187 Antigua and Barbuda 110,800,000 2002 188 Togo 108,800,000 2002 189 Central African Republic 106,000,000 2002 190 Saint Kitts and Nevis 105,800,000 2002 191 Gibraltar 104,000,000 2002 192 Chad 96,130,000 2002 193 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 91,200,000 2002 194 Gambia, The 90,310,000 2002 195 Western Sahara 90,000,000 2002 196 Dominica 68,410,000 2002 197 Guinea-Bissau 55,000,000 2002 198 Vanuatu 48,420,000 2002 199 Cape Verde 43,080,000 2002 200 Saint Pierre and Miquelon 43,080,000 2002 201 British Virgin Islands 36,280,000 2002 202 Solomon Islands 32,000,000 2002 203 Nauru 30,000,000 2002 204 Cook Islands 27,000,000 2002 205 Equatorial Guinea 26,690,000 2002 206 Tonga 24,790,000 2002 207 Comoros 23,840,000 2002 208 Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 19,060,000 2002 209 Sao Tome and Principe 17,000,000 2002 210 Kiribati 7,000,000 2002 211 Saint Helena 5,000,000 2002 212 Turks and Caicos Islands 5,000,000 2002 213 Niue 3,000,000 2002 214 Montserrat 1,800,000 2002

This file was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

Rank code: @2042

Rank Country Electricity - consumption(kWh) Date of Information

1 World 14,280,000,000,000 2002 est. 2 United States 3,660,000,000,000 2002 3 European Union 2,661,000,000,000 2002 est. 4 China 1,630,000,000,000 2003 5 Japan 971,000,000,000 2002 6 Russia 894,300,000,000 2003 7 Germany 519,500,000,000 2003 8 India 510,100,000,000 2002 9 Canada 487,300,000,000 2002 10 France 414,700,000,000 2002 11 Brazil 351,900,000,000 2002 12 United Kingdom 337,400,000,000 2003 13 Italy 293,900,000,000 2002 14 Korea, South 293,600,000,000 2003 15 Spain 218,400,000,000 2002 16 Australia 195,600,000,000 2002 17 Mexico 189,700,000,000 2002 18 South Africa 189,400,000,000 2002 19 Taiwan 147,400,000,000 2002 20 Sweden 138,100,000,000 2002 21 Ukraine 132,000,000,000 2003 22 Saudi Arabia 128,500,000,000 2002 23 Iran 119,900,000,000 2002 24 Turkey 117,900,000,000 2002 25 Poland 117,400,000,000 2002 26 Norway 107,400,000,000 2002 27 Thailand 106,100,000,000 2003 28 Netherlands 100,700,000,000 2002 29 Indonesia 92,350,000,000 2003 30 Venezuela 89,300,000,000 2003 31 Argentina 81,650,000,000 2002 32 Belgium 78,820,000,000 2002 33 Finland 78,580,000,000 2002 34 Egypt 75,580,000,000 2002 35 Malaysia 68,400,000,000 2002 36 Kazakhstan 62,210,000,000 203 37 Romania 57,500,000,000 2003 38 Czech Republic 55,330,000,000 2002 39 Austria 55,090,000,000 2002 40 Switzerland 54,530,000,000 2002 41 Pakistan 52,660,000,000 2003 42 Greece 47,420,000,000 2002 43 Uzbekistan 46,660,000,000 2002 44 Philippines 46,050,000,000 2003 45 Portugal 42,150,000,000 2002 46 Chile 41,800,000,000 2002 47 Colombia 41,140,000,000 2002 48 Hong Kong 38,450,000,000 2003 49 Israel 38,300,000,000 2002 50 United Arab Emirates 36,510,000,000 2002 51 Hungary 35,990,000,000 2002 52 New Zealand 35,710,000,000 2002 53 Belarus 34,300,000,000 2004 54 Iraq 33,700,000,000 2004 55 Bulgaria 32,710,000,000 2002 56 Serbia and Montenegro 32,330,000,000 2002 57 Vietnam 32,060,000,000 2002 58 Singapore 32,000,000,000 2003 59 Denmark 31,630,000,000 2002 60 Korea, North 31,260,000,000 2002 61 Kuwait 30,160,000,000 2002 62 Slovakia 28,890,000,000 2003 63 Syria 24,320,000,000 2002 64 Algeria 23,610,000,000 2002 65 Ireland 21,780,000,000 2002 66 Puerto Rico 20,540,000,000 2002 67 Peru 20,220,000,000 2002 68 Libya 19,430,000,000 2002 69 Nigeria 18,430,000,000 2002 70 Azerbaijan 17,370,000,000 2002 71 Bangladesh 15,300,000,000 2002 72 Croatia 15,200,000,000 2002 73 Tajikistan 14,410,000,000 2002 74 Morocco 14,240,000,000 2002 75 Cuba 13,400,000,000 2002 76 Slovenia 11,800,000,000 2003 77 Zimbabwe 11,220,000,000 2002 78 Ecuador 10,790,000,000 2002 79 Kyrgyzstan 10,210,000,000 2002 80 Lithuania 10,170,000,000 2002 81 Tunisia 10,050,000,000 2002 82 Oman 9,792,000,000 2003 83 Qatar 9,046,000,000 2002 84 Dominican Republic 8,912,000,000 2002 85 Turkmenistan 8,908,000,000 2002 86 Lebanon 8,591,000,000 2002 87 Bosnia and Herzegovina 8,318,000,000 2002 88 Iceland 7,692,000,000 2002 89 Macedonia 7,216,000,000 2003 90 Jordan 7,094,000,000 2002 91 Georgia 6,811,000,000 2002 92 Albania 6,760,000,000 2004 93 Bahrain 6,379,000,000 2002 94 Estonia 6,358,000,000 2002 95 Sri Lanka 6,228,000,000 2002 96 Ghana 6,137,000,000 2002 97 Uruguay 5,878,000,000 2003 98 Jamaica 5,849,000,000 2002 99 Latvia 5,829,000,000 2002 100 Armenia 5,797,000,000 2002 101 Guatemala 5,760,000,000 2002 102 Luxembourg 5,735,000,000 2002 103 Costa Rica 5,733,000,000 2002 104 Zambia 5,345,000,000 2002 105 Trinidad and Tobago 5,341,000,000 2002 106 Mozambique 5,046,000,000 2002 107 Moldova 4,605,000,000 2002 108 Panama 4,473,000,000 2002 109 El Salvador 4,450,000,000 2004 110 Kenya 4,337,000,000 2002 111 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 4,168,000,000 2002 112 Bolivia 3,848,000,000 2002 113 Honduras 3,771,000,000 2002 114 Cyprus 3,663,000,000 2003 115 Burma 3,484,000,000 2003 116 Cameroon 3,321,000,000 2002 117 Laos 3,036,000,000 2002 118 Cote d'Ivoire 2,976,000,000 2002 119 Yemen 2,827,000,000 2002 est. 120 Tanzania 2,566,000,000 2002 121 Paraguay 2,469,000,000 2002 122 Sudan 2,400,000,000 2002 123 Nicaragua 2,318,000,000 2002 124 Brunei 2,286,000,000 2002 125 Mongolia 2,209,000,000 2004 est. 126 Nepal 2,005,000,000 2002 127 Malta 2,000,000,000 2002 128 Ethiopia 1,998,000,000 2002 129 Namibia 1,920,000,000 2002 130 Botswana 1,890,000,000 2002 131 Suriname 1,845,000,000 2002 132 Macau 1,772,000,000 2003 133 Mauritius 1,707,000,000 2002 134 Senegal 1,615,000,000 2002 135 Bahamas, The 1,596,000,000 2002 136 Angola 1,587,000,000 2002 137 Papua New Guinea 1,561,000,000 2002 138 New Caledonia 1,471,000,000 2002 139 Uganda 1,401,000,000 2002 140 Swaziland 1,173,000,000 2002 141 Martinique 1,095,000,000 2002 142 Reunion 1,084,000,000 2002 143 Gabon 1,080,000,000 2002 144 Guadeloupe 1,079,000,000 2002 145 Malawi 1,012,000,000 2002 146 Virgin Islands 962,600,000 2002 147 Netherlands Antilles 934,300,000 2002 148 Guinea 795,200,000 2002 149 Madagascar 781,400,000 2002 150 Guam 776,600,000 2002 151 Guyana 751,400,000 2002 152 Aruba 751,200,000 2002 153 Barbados 744,000,000 2002 154 Fiji 697,500,000 2002 155 Afghanistan 652,200,000 2002 156 Mali 651,000,000 2002 157 Jersey 630,100,000 2004 est. 158 Cyprus 602,000,000 2003 159 Bermuda 598,000,000 2002 160 Haiti 574,700,000 2002 161 Congo, Republic of the 573,600,000 2002 162 Benin 565,200,000 2002 163 Liberia 454,600,000 2002 164 Togo 451,200,000 2002 165 French Guiana 427,900,000 2002 166 Cayman Islands 382,100,000 2002 167 French Polynesia 353,400,000 2002 168 Burkina Faso 335,700,000 2002 169 Niger 327,600,000 2002 170 Bhutan 312,900,000 2002 171 Lesotho 308,000,000 2002 172 Saint Lucia 251,300,000 2002 173 Sierra Leone 237,400,000 2002 174 Eritrea 229,400,000 2002 175 Greenland 227,900,000 2002 176 Somalia 223,500,000 2002 177 Faroe Islands 204,600,000 2002 178 Seychelles 202,800,000 2002 179 Rwanda 195,000,000 2002 180 Micronesia, Federated States of 178,600,000 2002 181 Mauritania 176,900,000 2002 182 Djibouti 167,400,000 2002 183 Grenada 138,600,000 2002 184 Burundi 137,800,000 2002 185 American Samoa 120,900,000 2002 186 Maldives 115,700,000 2002 187 Samoa 113,500,000 2002 188 Belize 108,800,000 2002 189 Antigua and Barbuda 103,000,000 2002 190 Cambodia 100,600,000 2002 191 Central African Republic 98,580,000 2002 192 Saint Kitts and Nevis 98,440,000 2002 193 Gibraltar 96,760,000 2002 194 Chad 89,400,000 2002 195 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 84,820,000 2002 196 Gambia, The 83,990,000 2002 197 Western Sahara 83,700,000 2002 198 Dominica 63,620,000 2002 199 Guinea-Bissau 51,150,000 2002 200 Vanuatu 45,030,000 2002 201 Anguilla 42,600,000 202 Cape Verde 40,060,000 2002 203 Saint Pierre and Miquelon 40,060,000 2002 204 British Virgin Islands 33,740,000 2002 205 Solomon Islands 29,760,000 2002 206 Nauru 27,900,000 2002 207 Cook Islands 25,110,000 2002 208 Equatorial Guinea 24,820,000 2002 209 Tonga 23,060,000 2002 210 Comoros 22,170,000 2002 211 Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 17,720,000 2002 212 Sao Tome and Principe 15,810,000 2002 213 Kiribati 6,510,000 2002 214 Saint Helena 4,650,000 2002 215 Turks and Caicos Islands 4,650,000 2002 216 Niue 2,790,000 2002 217 Montserrat 1,674,000 2002

This file was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

Rank code: @2053

Rank Country Airports Date of Information

1 World 49,973 2004 2 United States 14,857 2004 est. 3 Brazil 4,136 2004 est. 4 European Union 3,130 2004 est. 5 Russia 2,586 2004 est. 6 Mexico 1,833 2004 est. 7 Argentina 1,334 2004 est. 8 Canada 1,326 2004 est. 9 Bolivia 1,065 2004 est. 10 Colombia 980 2004 est. 11 Paraguay 878 2004 est. 12 South Africa 728 2004 est. 13 Indonesia 667 2004 est. 14 Ukraine 656 2004 est. 15 Papua New Guinea 571 2004 est. 16 Germany 550 2004 est. 17 France 478 2004 est. 18 China 472 2004 est. 19 United Kingdom 471 2004 est. 20 Guatemala 452 2004 est. 21 Australia 448 2004 est. 22 Zimbabwe 404 2004 est. 23 Venezuela 369 2004 est. 24 Chile 364 2004 est. 25 India 333 2004 est. 26 Kazakhstan 314 2004 est. 27 Iran 305 2004 est. 28 Philippines 255 2004 est. 29 Sweden 254 2004 est. 30 Angola 243 2004 est. 31 Peru 234 2004 est. 32 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 230 2004 est. 33 Uzbekistan 226 2004 est. 34 Kenya 221 2004 est. 35 Bulgaria 213 2004 est. 36 Ecuador 205 2004 est. 37 Saudi Arabia 201 2004 est. 38 Korea, South 179 2004 est. 39 Nicaragua 176 2004 est. 40 Japan 174 2004 est. 41 Cuba 170 2004 est. 42 Mozambique 158 2004 est. 43 Spain 156 2004 est. 44 Costa Rica 149 2004 est. 45 Finland 148 2004 est. 46 Libya 139 2004 est. 47 Algeria 137 2004 est. 48 Oman 136 2004 est. 49 Namibia 136 2004 est. 50 Italy 134 2004 est. 51 Belarus 133 2004 est. 52 Pakistan 131 2004 est. 53 Poland 123 2004 est. 54 Tanzania 123 2004 est. 55 Czech Republic 120 2004 est. 56 Turkey 119 2004 est. 57 Malaysia 117 2004 est. 58 Madagascar 116 2004 est. 59 New Zealand 116 2004 est. 60 Honduras 115 2004 est. 61 Iraq 111 2004 est. 62 Thailand 109 2004 est. 63 Zambia 109 2004 est. 64 Panama 105 2004 est. 65 Lithuania 102 2004 est. 66 Norway 101 2004 est. 67 Iceland 98 2004 est. 68 Denmark 97 2004 est. 69 Syria 92 2004 est. 70 Egypt 87 2004 est. 71 Botswana 85 2004 est. 72 Ethiopia 83 2004 est. 73 Greece 80 2004 est. 74 Burma 78 2004 est. 75 Korea, North 78 2004 est. 76 Sudan 75 2004 est. 77 El Salvador 73 2004 est. 78 Nigeria 70 2004 est. 79 Croatia 68 2004 est. 80 Portugal 65 2004 est. 81 Switzerland 65 2004 est. 82 Uruguay 64 2004 est. 83 Bahamas, The 63 2004 est. 84 Morocco 63 2004 est. 85 Romania 61 2004 est. 86 Somalia 60 2004 est. 87 Gabon 56 2004 est. 88 Austria 55 2004 est. 89 Tajikistan 55 2004 est. 90 Liberia 53 2004 est. 91 Turkmenistan 53 2004 est. 92 Kyrgyzstan 52 2004 est. 93 Israel 51 2004 est. 94 Azerbaijan 50 2004 est. 95 Chad 50 2004 est. 96 Central African Republic 50 2004 est. 97 Latvia 50 2004 est. 98 French Polynesia 50 2004 est. 99 Guyana 49 2004 est. 100 Afghanistan 47 2004 est. 101 Cameroon 47 2004 est. 102 Mongolia 46 2004 est. 103 Suriname 46 2004 est. 104 Nepal 46 2004 est. 105 Hungary 44 2004 est. 106 Serbia and Montenegro 44 2004 est. 107 Yemen 44 2004 est. 108 Laos 44 2004 est. 109 Belgium 43 2004 est. 110 Belize 43 2004 est. 111 Malawi 42 2004 est. 112 Taiwan 40 2004 est. 113 Cote d'Ivoire 37 2004 est. 114 Ireland 36 2004 est. 115 United Arab Emirates 35 2004 est. 116 Jamaica 35 2004 est. 117 Slovakia 34 2004 est. 118 Solomon Islands 33 2004 est. 119 Burkina Faso 33 2004 est. 120 Congo, Republic of the 32 2004 est. 121 Dominican Republic 31 2004 est. 122 Georgia 30 2004 est. 123 Tunisia 30 2004 est. 124 Puerto Rico 30 2004 est. 125 Vanuatu 30 2004 est. 126 Estonia 29 2004 est. 127 Uganda 29 2004 est. 128 Fiji 28 2004 est. 129 Lesotho 28 2004 est. 130 Mali 28 2004 est. 131 Guinea-Bissau 28 2004 est. 132 Bosnia and Herzegovina 27 2004 est. 133 Niger 27 2004 est. 134 Netherlands 27 2004 est. 135 New Caledonia 25 2004 est. 136 Mauritania 24 2004 est. 137 Vietnam 24 2004 est. 138 Moldova 23 2004 est. 139 Cambodia 20 2004 est. 140 Senegal 20 2004 est. 141 Kiribati 20 2004 est. 142 Swaziland 18 2004 est. 143 Cyprus 17 2004 est. 144 Macedonia 17 2004 est. 145 Jordan 17 2004 est. 146 Eritrea 17 2004 est. 147 Armenia 16 2004 est. 148 Guinea 16 2004 est. 149 Bangladesh 16 2004 est. 150 Marshall Islands 15 2004 est. 151 Seychelles 15 2004 est. 152 Sri Lanka 14 2004 est. 153 Greenland 14 2004 est. 154 Slovenia 14 2004 est. 155 Djibouti 13 2004 est. 156 Haiti 13 2004 est. 157 Ghana 12 2004 est. 158 Albania 11 2004 est. 159 Western Sahara 11 2004 est. 160 French Guiana 11 2004 est. 161 Sierra Leone 10 2004 est. 162 Singapore 10 2004 est. 163 Cook Islands 9 2004 est. 164 Togo 9 2004 est. 165 Rwanda 9 2004 est. 166 Guadeloupe 9 2004 est. 167 Burundi 8 2004 est. 168 East Timor 8 2004 est. 169 Turks and Caicos Islands 8 2004 est. 170 Lebanon 8 2004 est. 171 Cape Verde 7 2004 est. 172 Kuwait 7 2004 est. 173 Micronesia, Federated States of 6 2004 est. 174 Trinidad and Tobago 6 2004 est. 175 Mauritius 6 2004 est. 176 Tonga 6 2004 est. 177 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 6 2004 est. 178 Benin 5 2004 est. 179 Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 5 2004 est. 180 Northern Mariana Islands 5 2004 est. 181 Maldives 5 2004 est. 182 Netherlands Antilles 5 2004 est. 183 Guam 5 2004 est. 184 Bahrain 4 2004 est. 185 Equatorial Guinea 4 2004 est. 186 Qatar 4 2004 est. 187 Samoa 4 2004 est. 188 Svalbard 4 2004 est. 189 Comoros 4 2004 est. 190 Hong Kong 4 2004 est. 191 Antigua and Barbuda 3 2004 est. 192 Cayman Islands 3 2004 est. 193 West Bank 3 2004 est. 194 British Virgin Islands 3 2004 est. 195 Palau 3 2004 est. 196 Spratly Islands 3 2004 est. 197 Midway Islands 3 2004 est. 198 Grenada 3 2004 est. 199 Anguilla 3 2004 est. 200 American Samoa 3 2004 est. 201 Bhutan 2 2004 est. 202 Saint Pierre and Miquelon 2 2004 est. 203 Wallis and Futuna 2 2004 est. 204 Virgin Islands 2 2004 est. 205 Sao Tome and Principe 2 2004 est. 206 Saint Lucia 2 2004 est. 207 Saint Kitts and Nevis 2 2004 est. 208 Reunion 2 2004 est. 209 Luxembourg 2 2004 est. 210 Martinique 2 2004 est. 211 Gaza Strip 2 2004 est. 212 Brunei 2 2004 est. 213 Guernsey 2 2004 est. 214 Dominica 2 2004 est. 215 Aruba 1 2004 est. 216 Wake Island 1 2004 est. 217 Tuvalu 1 2004 est. 218 Tromelin Island 1 2004 est. 219 Saint Helena 1 2004 est. 220 Paracel Islands 1 2004 est. 221 Palmyra Atoll 1 2004 est. 222 Christmas Island 1 2004 est. 223 Juan de Nova Island 1 2004 est. 224 Johnston Atoll 1 2004 est. 225 Jan Mayen 1 2004 est. 226 Jersey 1 2004 est. 227 British Indian Ocean Territory 1 2004 est. 228 Man, Isle of 1 2004 est. 229 Glorioso Islands 1 2004 est. 230 Nauru 1 2004 est. 231 Norfolk Island 1 2004 est. 232 Niue 1 2004 est. 233 Malta 1 2004 est. 234 Montserrat 1 2004 est. 235 Mayotte 1 2004 est. 236 Macau 1 2004 est. 237 Gibraltar 1 2004 est. 238 Gambia, The 1 2004 est. 239 Bermuda 1 2004 est. 240 Cocos (Keeling) Islands 1 2004 est. 241 Faroe Islands 1 2004 est. 242 Europa Island 1 2004 est. 243 Barbados 1 2004 est.

This file was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

Rank code: @2054

Rank Country Birth rate(births/1,000 population) Date of Information

1 Niger 51.33 2005 est. 2 Mali 49.99 2005 est. 3 Uganda 47.39 2005 est. 4 Afghanistan 47.02 2005 est. 5 Chad 46.17 2005 est. 6 Sierra Leone 46.13 2005 est. 7 Burkina Faso 45.96 2005 est. 8 Angola 45.63 2005 est. 9 Somalia 45.62 2005 est. 10 Liberia 45.61 2005 est. 11 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 44.07 2005 est. 12 Malawi 43.49 2005 est. 13 Yemen 43.07 2005 est. 14 Congo, Republic of the 43.01 2005 est. 15 Burundi 42.46 2005 est. 16 Guinea 42.01 2005 est. 17 Madagascar 41.66 2005 est. 18 Mayotte 41.58 2005 est. 19 Mauritania 41.43 2005 est. 20 Zambia 41.38 2005 est. 21 Sao Tome and Principe 40.80 2005 est. 22 Nigeria 40.65 2005 est. 23 Rwanda 40.60 2005 est. 24 Kenya 40.13 2005 est. 25 Gaza Strip 40.03 2005 est. 26 Djibouti 39.98 2005 est. 27 Gambia, The 39.89 2005 est. 28 Benin 39.58 2005 est. 29 Ethiopia 38.61 2005 est. 30 Tanzania 38.16 2005 est. 31 Guinea-Bissau 37.62 2005 est. 32 Comoros 37.52 2005 est. 33 Togo 37.17 2005 est. 34 Oman 36.73 2005 est. 35 Haiti 36.59 2005 est. 36 Gabon 36.34 2005 est. 37 Equatorial Guinea 36.01 2005 est. 38 Laos 35.99 2005 est. 39 Mozambique 35.79 2005 est. 40 Cote d'Ivoire 35.51 2005 est. 41 Maldives 35.43 2005 est. 42 Sudan 35.17 2005 est. 43 Eritrea 34.78 2005 est. 44 Central African Republic 34.32 2005 est. 45 Cameroon 34.30 2005 est. 46 Bhutan 34.03 2005 est. 47 Marshall Islands 33.52 2005 est. 48 Senegal 33.42 2005 est. 49 Tajikistan 32.58 2005 est. 50 Iraq 32.50 2005 est. 51 West Bank 32.37 2005 est. 52 Nepal 31.45 2005 est. 53 Ghana 31.12 2005 est. 54 Kiribati 30.86 2005 est. 55 Solomon Islands 30.74 2005 est. 56 Guatemala 30.56 2005 est. 57 Pakistan 30.42 2005 est. 58 Bangladesh 30.01 2005 est. 59 Papua New Guinea 29.95 2005 est. 60 Saudi Arabia 29.56 2005 est. 61 Paraguay 29.43 2005 est. 62 Belize 29.32 2005 est. 63 Honduras 28.87 2005 est. 64 Syria 28.29 2005 est. 65 Zimbabwe 28.22 2005 est. 66 Swaziland 27.92 2005 est. 67 Turkmenistan 27.68 2005 est. 68 East Timor 27.19 2005 est. 69 El Salvador 27.04 2005 est. 70 Cambodia 26.93 2005 est. 71 Libya 26.82 2005 est. 72 Uzbekistan 26.22 2005 est. 73 Cape Verde 25.33 2005 est. 74 Philippines 25.31 2005 est. 75 Tonga 25.18 2005 est. 76 Namibia 25.16 2005 est. 77 Nauru 25.14 2005 est. 78 Lesotho 25.12 2005 est. 79 Micronesia, Federated States of 25.11 2005 est. 80 Nicaragua 24.88 2005 est. 81 Bolivia 23.76 2005 est. 82 Dominican Republic 23.51 2005 est. 83 Botswana 23.33 2005 est. 84 Egypt 23.32 2005 est. 85 American Samoa 23.13 2005 est. 86 Malaysia 23.07 2005 est. 87 Vanuatu 23.06 2005 est. 88 Fiji 22.73 2005 est. 89 Ecuador 22.67 2005 est. 90 Kyrgyzstan 22.48 2005 est. 91 India 22.32 2005 est. 92 Grenada 22.30 2005 est. 93 Morocco 22.29 2005 est. 94 Turks and Caicos Islands 22.23 2005 est. 95 Panama 22.00 2005 est. 96 Tuvalu 21.91 2005 est. 97 Kuwait 21.88 2005 est. 98 Jordan 21.76 2005 est. 99 Mongolia 21.52 2005 est. 100 Jamaica 21.25 2005 est. 101 Mexico 21.01 2005 est. 102 Peru 20.87 2005 est. 103 Colombia 20.82 2005 est. 104 Indonesia 20.71 2005 est. 105 French Guiana 20.70 2005 est. 106 Azerbaijan 20.40 2005 est. 107 World 20.15 2005 est. 108 Saint Lucia 20.05 2005 est. 109 Northern Mariana Islands 19.51 2005 est. 110 Reunion 19.26 2005 est. 111 Guam 19.03 2005 est. 112 Brunei 19.01 2005 est. 113 Venezuela 18.91 2005 est. 114 Lebanon 18.88 2005 est. 115 United Arab Emirates 18.78 2005 est. 116 Costa Rica 18.60 2005 est. 117 New Caledonia 18.49 2005 est. 118 South Africa 18.48 2005 est. 119 Guyana 18.45 2005 est. 120 Suriname 18.39 2005 est. 121 Palau 18.37 2005 est. 122 Israel 18.21 2005 est. 123 Burma 18.12 2005 est. 124 Saint Kitts and Nevis 18.12 2005 est. 125 Bahrain 18.10 2005 est. 126 Bahamas, The 17.87 2005 est. 127 Montserrat 17.56 2005 est. 128 Antigua and Barbuda 17.26 2005 est. 129 Algeria 17.13 2005 est. 130 Vietnam 17.07 2005 est. 131 French Polynesia 16.93 2005 est. 132 Argentina 16.90 2005 est. 133 Brazil 16.83 2005 est. 134 Turkey 16.83 2005 est. 135 Iran 16.83 2005 est. 136 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 16.34 2005 est. 137 Seychelles 16.22 2005 est. 138 Korea, North 16.09 2005 est. 139 Samoa 15.95 2005 est. 140 Greenland 15.93 2005 est. 141 Kazakhstan 15.78 2005 est. 142 Dominica 15.73 2005 est. 143 Sri Lanka 15.63 2005 est. 144 Mauritius 15.62 2005 est. 145 Qatar 15.54 2005 est. 146 Tunisia 15.50 2005 est. 147 Chile 15.44 2005 est. 148 Guadeloupe 15.42 2005 est. 149 Moldova 15.27 2005 est. 150 Albania 15.08 2005 est. 151 Netherlands Antilles 15.00 2005 est. 152 British Virgin Islands 14.88 2005 est. 153 Ireland 14.47 2005 est. 154 Anguilla 14.26 2005 est. 155 Virgin Islands 14.20 2005 est. 156 Martinique 14.14 2005 est. 157 United States 14.14 2005 est. 158 Uruguay 14.09 2005 est. 159 Thailand 14.00 2005 est. 160 Faroe Islands 13.97 2005 est. 161 New Zealand 13.90 2005 est. 162 Saint Pierre and Miquelon 13.83 2005 est. 163 Iceland 13.73 2005 est. 164 China 13.14 2005 est. 165 Cayman Islands 12.92 2005 est. 166 Puerto Rico 12.88 2005 est. 167 Barbados 12.81 2005 est. 168 Trinidad and Tobago 12.72 2005 est. 169 Taiwan 12.64 2005 est. 170 Cyprus 12.57 2005 est. 171 Saint Helena 12.33 2005 est. 172 Australia 12.26 2005 est. 173 France 12.15 2005 est. 174 Serbia and Montenegro 12.12 2005 est. 175 Luxembourg 12.06 2005 est. 176 Cuba 12.03 2005 est. 177 Macedonia 12.00 2005 est. 178 Armenia 11.76 2005 est. 179 Norway 11.67 2005 est. 180 Bermuda 11.60 2005 est. 181 Denmark 11.36 2005 est. 182 Aruba 11.26 2005 est. 183 Man, Isle of 11.18 2005 est. 184 Netherlands 11.14 2005 est. 185 Gibraltar 10.87 2005 est. 186 Canada 10.84 2005 est. 187 Belarus 10.83 2005 est. 188 Portugal 10.82 2005 est. 189 United Kingdom 10.78 2005 est. 190 Romania 10.70 2005 est. 191 Slovakia 10.62 2005 est. 192 Finland 10.50 2005 est. 193 Belgium 10.48 2005 est. 194 Liechtenstein 10.41 2005 est. 195 Sweden 10.36 2005 est. 196 Georgia 10.25 2005 est. 197 San Marino 10.18 2005 est. 198 Malta 10.17 2005 est. 199 Spain 10.10 2005 est. 200 Korea, South 10.04 2005 est. 201 European Union 10.00 July 2005 est. 202 Estonia 9.91 2005 est. 203 Russia 9.80 2005 est. 204 Switzerland 9.77 2005 est. 205 Hungary 9.76 2005 est. 206 Greece 9.72 2005 est. 207 Poland 9.72 2005 est. 208 Bulgaria 9.66 2005 est. 209 Jersey 9.66 2005 est. 210 Croatia 9.57 2005 est. 211 Singapore 9.49 2005 est. 212 Japan 9.47 2005 est. 213 Monaco 9.26 2005 est. 214 Czech Republic 9.07 2005 est. 215 Latvia 9.04 2005 est. 216 Guernsey 9.01 2005 est. 217 Andorra 9.00 2005 est. 218 Slovenia 8.95 2005 est. 219 Italy 8.89 2005 est. 220 Austria 8.81 2005 est. 221 Bosnia and Herzegovina 8.75 2005 est. 222 Ukraine 8.67 2005 est. 223 Lithuania 8.62 2005 est. 224 Macau 8.47 2005 est. 225 Germany 8.33 2005 est. 226 Hong Kong 7.26 2005 est.

This file was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

Rank code: @2066

Rank Country Death rate(deaths/1,000 population) Date of Information

1 Botswana 29.36 2005 est. 2 Swaziland 28.82 2005 est. 3 Lesotho 28.67 2005 est. 4 Angola 24.50 2005 est. 5 Liberia 23.93 2005 est. 6 Sierra Leone 23.43 2005 est. 7 Zimbabwe 21.92 2005 est. 8 South Africa 21.32 2005 est. 9 Niger 21.19 2005 est. 10 Mozambique 20.99 2005 est. 11 Afghanistan 20.75 2005 est. 12 Zambia 20.23 2005 est. 13 Malawi 19.63 2005 est. 14 Djibouti 19.39 2005 est. 15 Central African Republic 18.81 2005 est. 16 Namibia 18.36 2005 est. 17 Mali 17.23 2005 est. 18 Nigeria 17.18 2005 est. 19 Somalia 16.97 2005 est. 20 Guinea-Bissau 16.73 2005 est. 21 Chad 16.71 2005 est. 22 Tanzania 16.71 2005 est. 23 Rwanda 16.32 2005 est. 24 Burkina Faso 15.92 2005 est. 25 Guinea 15.63 2005 est. 26 Ethiopia 15.06 2005 est. 27 Equatorial Guinea 15.04 2005 est. 28 Cote d'Ivoire 14.94 2005 est. 29 Kenya 14.65 2005 est. 30 Russia 14.52 2005 est. 31 Ukraine 14.43 2005 est. 32 Bulgaria 14.26 2005 est. 33 Belarus 14.15 2005 est. 34 Burundi 13.79 2005 est. 35 Latvia 13.70 2005 est. 36 Cameroon 13.63 2005 est. 37 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 13.54 2005 est. 38 Congo, Republic of the 13.30 2005 est. 39 Estonia 13.21 2005 est. 40 Hungary 13.19 2005 est. 41 Bhutan 12.94 2005 est. 42 Uganda 12.80 2005 est. 43 Moldova 12.79 2005 est. 44 Monaco 12.71 2005 est. 45 Gambia, The 12.52 2005 est. 46 Benin 12.49 2005 est. 47 Mauritania 12.44 2005 est. 48 Haiti 12.34 2005 est. 49 Gabon 12.03 2005 est. 50 Laos 11.83 2005 est. 51 Romania 11.74 2005 est. 52 Croatia 11.38 2005 est. 53 Madagascar 11.35 2005 est. 54 Man, Isle of 11.26 2005 est. 55 Lithuania 10.92 2005 est. 56 Germany 10.55 2005 est. 57 Czech Republic 10.54 2005 est. 58 Serbia and Montenegro 10.49 2005 est. 59 Denmark 10.43 2005 est. 60 Portugal 10.43 2005 est. 61 Sweden 10.36 2005 est. 62 Trinidad and Tobago 10.36 2005 est. 63 Italy 10.30 2005 est. 64 Belgium 10.22 2005 est. 65 Slovenia 10.22 2005 est. 66 United Kingdom 10.18 2005 est. 67 Greece 10.15 2005 est. 68 European Union 10.10 July 2005 est. 69 Togo 10.01 2005 est. 70 Guernsey 9.95 2005 est. 71 Ghana 9.91 2005 est. 72 Eritrea 9.87 2005 est. 73 Azerbaijan 9.86 2005 est. 74 Burma 9.85 2005 est. 75 Poland 9.84 2005 est. 76 Finland 9.79 2005 est. 77 Austria 9.70 2005 est. 78 Spain 9.63 2005 est. 79 Senegal 9.59 2005 est. 80 Nepal 9.47 2005 est. 81 Kazakhstan 9.46 2005 est. 82 Norway 9.45 2005 est. 83 Slovakia 9.43 2005 est. 84 Jersey 9.19 2005 est. 85 Gibraltar 9.18 2005 est. 86 Sudan 9.16 2005 est. 87 Cambodia 9.15 2005 est. 88 Georgia 9.09 2005 est. 89 France 9.08 2005 est. 90 Uruguay 9.06 2005 est. 91 Bahamas, The 8.97 2005 est. 92 Japan 8.95 2005 est. 93 Turkmenistan 8.78 2005 est. 94 World 8.78 2005 est. 95 Barbados 8.74 2005 est. 96 Macedonia 8.73 2005 est. 97 Faroe Islands 8.69 2005 est. 98 Netherlands 8.68 2005 est. 99 Yemen 8.53 2005 est. 100 Switzerland 8.48 2005 est. 101 Saint Kitts and Nevis 8.47 2005 est. 102 Pakistan 8.45 2005 est. 103 Luxembourg 8.41 2005 est. 104 Bangladesh 8.40 2005 est. 105 Comoros 8.40 2005 est. 106 Tajikistan 8.39 2005 est. 107 Kiribati 8.37 2005 est. 108 Guyana 8.32 2005 est. 109 India 8.28 2005 est. 110 United States 8.25 2005 est. 111 Armenia 8.16 2005 est. 112 Bosnia and Herzegovina 8.08 2005 est. 113 San Marino 8.07 2005 est. 114 Malta 8.00 2005 est. 115 Uzbekistan 7.95 2005 est. 116 Mayotte 7.90 2005 est. 117 Vanuatu 7.90 2005 est. 118 Ireland 7.85 2005 est. 119 Greenland 7.77 2005 est. 120 Canada 7.73 2005 est. 121 Bolivia 7.64 2005 est. 122 Cyprus 7.64 2005 est. 123 Bermuda 7.63 2005 est. 124 Argentina 7.56 2005 est. 125 Puerto Rico 7.54 2005 est. 126 New Zealand 7.53 2005 est. 127 Australia 7.44 2005 est. 128 Papua New Guinea 7.37 2005 est. 129 Maldives 7.24 2005 est. 130 Tuvalu 7.22 2005 est. 131 Cuba 7.19 2005 est. 132 Grenada 7.17 2005 est. 133 Montserrat 7.17 2005 est. 134 Suriname 7.16 2005 est. 135 Kyrgyzstan 7.13 2005 est. 136 Liechtenstein 7.06 2005 est. 137 Korea, North 7.05 2005 est. 138 Mongolia 7.03 2005 est. 139 Thailand 6.98 2005 est. 140 China 6.94 2005 est. 141 Palau 6.85 2005 est. 142 Mauritius 6.83 2005 est. 143 Nauru 6.82 2005 est. 144 Dominica 6.81 2005 est. 145 Saint Pierre and Miquelon 6.70 2005 est. 146 Iceland 6.68 2005 est. 147 Sao Tome and Principe 6.68 2005 est. 148 Cape Verde 6.62 2005 est. 149 Aruba 6.57 2005 est. 150 Samoa 6.54 2005 est. 151 Sri Lanka 6.49 2005 est. 152 Jamaica 6.47 2005 est. 153 Martinique 6.44 2005 est. 154 Saint Helena 6.43 2005 est. 155 Netherlands Antilles 6.41 2005 est. 156 Taiwan 6.38 2005 est. 157 Seychelles 6.34 2005 est. 158 East Timor 6.30 2005 est. 159 Peru 6.26 2005 est. 160 Virgin Islands 6.26 2005 est. 161 Indonesia 6.25 2005 est. 162 Lebanon 6.24 2005 est. 163 Vietnam 6.20 2005 est. 164 Israel 6.18 2005 est. 165 Brazil 6.15 2005 est. 166 Hong Kong 6.13 2005 est. 167 Andorra 6.07 2005 est. 168 Guadeloupe 6.06 2005 est. 169 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 6.00 2005 est. 170 Turkey 5.96 2005 est. 171 El Salvador 5.85 2005 est. 172 Chile 5.76 2005 est. 173 Dominican Republic 5.73 2005 est. 174 Korea, South 5.72 2005 est. 175 Belize 5.65 2005 est. 176 New Caledonia 5.65 2005 est. 177 Fiji 5.65 2005 est. 178 Morocco 5.64 2005 est. 179 Colombia 5.59 2005 est. 180 Iran 5.55 2005 est. 181 Iraq 5.49 2005 est. 182 Reunion 5.48 2005 est. 183 Philippines 5.47 2005 est. 184 Antigua and Barbuda 5.44 2005 est. 185 Anguilla 5.43 2005 est. 186 Tonga 5.35 2005 est. 187 Guatemala 5.30 2005 est. 188 Panama 5.28 2005 est. 189 Egypt 5.26 2005 est. 190 Honduras 5.25 2005 est. 191 Albania 5.12 2005 est. 192 Saint Lucia 5.12 2005 est. 193 Tunisia 5.09 2005 est. 194 Malaysia 5.06 2005 est. 195 Venezuela 4.90 2005 est. 196 Marshall Islands 4.88 2005 est. 197 Syria 4.88 2005 est. 198 Micronesia, Federated States of 4.87 2005 est. 199 French Guiana 4.85 2005 est. 200 Cayman Islands 4.81 2005 est. 201 Mexico 4.73 2005 est. 202 French Polynesia 4.63 2005 est. 203 Qatar 4.61 2005 est. 204 Algeria 4.60 2005 est. 205 Paraguay 4.53 2005 est. 206 Nicaragua 4.49 2005 est. 207 British Virgin Islands 4.42 2005 est. 208 Guam 4.41 2005 est. 209 Macau 4.35 2005 est. 210 Costa Rica 4.33 2005 est. 211 Turks and Caicos Islands 4.28 2005 est. 212 United Arab Emirates 4.26 2005 est. 213 Ecuador 4.24 2005 est. 214 Singapore 4.16 2005 est. 215 Bahrain 4.08 2005 est. 216 West Bank 3.99 2005 est. 217 Solomon Islands 3.98 2005 est. 218 Gaza Strip 3.87 2005 est. 219 Oman 3.86 2005 est. 220 Libya 3.48 2005 est. 221 Brunei 3.42 2005 est. 222 American Samoa 3.33 2005 est. 223 Jordan 2.63 2005 est. 224 Saudi Arabia 2.62 2005 est. 225 Kuwait 2.42 2005 est. 226 Northern Mariana Islands 2.30 2005 est.

This file was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

Rank code: @2067

Rank Country Military expenditures - dollar figure Date of Information

1 United States $ 370,700,000,000 March 2003 2 China $ 67,490,000,000 2004 3 Japan $ 45,841,000,000 2004 4 France $ 45,238,100,000 2003 5 United Kingdom $ 42,836,500,000 2003 6 Germany $ 35,063,000,000 2003 7 Italy $ 28,182,800,000 2003 8 India $ 18,860,000,000 2005 9 Saudi Arabia $ 18,000,000,000 2002 10 Australia $ 16,650,000,000 2004 11 Korea, South $ 16,180,000,000 2004 12 Turkey $ 12,155,000,000 2003 13 Brazil $ 11,000,000,000 2004 14 Spain $ 9,906,500,000 2003 15 Canada $ 9,801,700,000 2003 16 Netherlands $ 9,408,000,000 2004 17 Israel $ 9,110,000,000 FY03 18 Taiwan $ 7,574,000,000 2003 19 Mexico $ 6,043,000,000 2004 20 Greece $ 5,890,000,000 2004 21 Sweden $ 5,729,000,000 2004 22 Korea, North $ 5,217,400,000 FY02 23 Singapore $ 4,470,000,000 24 Argentina $ 4,300,000,000 25 Iran $ 4,300,000,000 2003 est. 26 Norway $ 4,033,500,000 2003 27 Belgium $ 3,999,000,000 2003 28 Pakistan $ 3,848,000,000 2004 29 Poland $ 3,500,000,000 2002 30 Portugal $ 3,497,800,000 2003 31 Chile $ 3,420,000,000 2004 32 Colombia $ 3,300,000,000 33 Denmark $ 3,271,600,000 2003 34 South Africa $ 3,172,000,000 2004 35 Kuwait $ 2,584,500,000 2004 36 Switzerland $ 2,548,000,000 FY01 37 Algeria $ 2,480,000,000 2004 38 Egypt $ 2,440,000,000 2003 39 Morocco $ 2,305,600,000 2003 40 Czech Republic $ 2,170,000,000 2004 41 Finland $ 1,800,000,000 FY98/99 42 Thailand $ 1,775,000,000 43 Malaysia $ 1,690,000,000 44 Venezuela $ 1,687,000,000 2004 45 United Arab Emirates $ 1,600,000,000 46 Austria $ 1,497,000,000 FY01/02 47 Jordan $ 1,460,000,000 2004 48 Indonesia $ 1,300,000,000 2004 49 Iraq $ 1,300,000,000 FY00 50 Libya $ 1,300,000,000 51 New Zealand $ 1,147,000,000 FY03/04 52 Hungary $ 1,080,000,000 2002 est. 53 Bangladesh $ 995,300,000 2004 54 Romania $ 985,000,000 2002 55 Yemen $ 885,500,000 2003 56 Syria $ 858,000,000 57 Peru $ 829,300,000 2003 58 Philippines $ 805,500,000 2004 59 Qatar $ 723,000,000 60 Ireland $ 700,000,000 FY00/01 61 Ecuador $ 655,000,000 2004 62 Serbia and Montenegro $ 654,000,000 2002 63 Vietnam $ 650,000,000 64 Bahrain $ 628,900,000 2004 65 Croatia $ 620,000,000 2004 66 Ukraine $ 617,900,000 FY02 67 Sudan $ 587,000,000 2004 68 Cuba $ 572,300,000 2003 69 Nigeria $ 544,600,000 2004 70 Lebanon $ 540,600,000 2004 71 Sri Lanka $ 514,800,000 2004 72 Slovakia $ 406,000,000 2002 73 Cyprus $ 384,000,000 74 Slovenia $ 370,000,000 FY00 75 Bulgaria $ 356,000,000 FY02 76 Tunisia $ 356,000,000 77 Botswana $ 338,500,000 2004 78 Ethiopia $ 337,100,000 2004 79 Brunei $ 290,700,000 2004 80 Uruguay $ 257,500,000 2004 81 Oman $ 252,990,000 2004 82 Bosnia and Herzegovina $ 234,300,000 83 Luxembourg $ 231,600,000 2003 84 Lithuania $ 230,800,000 FY01 85 Kazakhstan $ 221,800,000 FY02 86 Cameroon $ 221,100,000 2004 87 Zimbabwe $ 217,000,000 2004 88 Guatemala $ 201,900,000 2004 89 Macedonia $ 200,000,000 90 Uzbekistan $ 200,000,000 91 Afghanistan $ 188,400,000 2004 92 Gabon $ 184,800,000 2004 93 Angola $ 183,580,000 2004 94 Cote d'Ivoire $ 180,200,000 2004 95 Dominican Republic $ 180,000,000 1998 96 Kenya $ 177,100,000 2004 97 Belarus $ 176,100,000 FY02 98 Uganda $ 170,300,000 2004 99 Namibia $ 168,400,000 2004 100 El Salvador $ 157,000,000 2003 101 Estonia $ 155,000,000 2002 est. 102 Eritrea $ 151,000,000 2004 103 Panama $ 147,000,000 2004 104 Armenia $ 135,000,000 FY01 105 Bolivia $ 132,200,000 2004 106 Congo, Republic of the $ 126,500,000 2004 107 Equatorial Guinea $ 126,200,000 2004 108 Azerbaijan $ 121,000,000 109 Mozambique $ 117,300,000 2004 110 Cambodia $ 112,000,000 111 Senegal $ 107,300,000 2004 112 Zambia $ 106,800,000 2004 113 Chad $ 101,300,000 2004 114 Honduras $ 100,600,000 2004 115 Nepal $ 99,200,000 2004 116 Benin $ 96,500,000 2004 117 Congo, Democratic Republic of the $ 93,500,000 2004 118 Turkmenistan $ 90,000,000 119 Latvia $ 87,000,000 FY01 120 Trinidad and Tobago $ 66,700,000 2003 121 Costa Rica $ 64,200,000 2004 122 Burkina Faso $ 64,200,000 2004 123 Guinea $ 56,700,000 2004 124 Albania $ 56,500,000 FY02 125 Paraguay $ 53,100,000 2004 126 Rwanda $ 50,100,000 2004 127 Ghana $ 49,200,000 2004 128 Madagascar $ 44,600,000 2004 129 Maldives $ 41,100,000 2004 130 Swaziland $ 40,500,000 2004 131 Burma $ 39,000,000 132 Burundi $ 38,700,000 2004 133 Fiji $ 36,000,000 2004 134 Togo $ 35,500,000 2004 135 Tajikistan $ 35,400,000 FY01 136 Niger $ 33,300,000 2004 137 Nicaragua $ 32,800,000 2004 138 Lesotho $ 32,300,000 2004 139 Jamaica $ 31,200,000 2003 140 Malta $ 31,100,000 2004 141 Djibouti $ 28,600,000 2004 142 Haiti $ 26,000,000 2003 143 Mongolia $ 23,100,000 FY02 144 Georgia $ 23,000,000 145 Mali $ 22,400,000 2004 146 Mauritania $ 20,800,000 2004 147 Tanzania $ 20,600,000 2004 148 Kyrgyzstan $ 19,200,000 FY01 149 Somalia $ 18,900,000 2003 150 Belize $ 18,000,000 2003 151 Papua New Guinea $ 16,900,000 2003 152 Central African Republic $ 15,500,000 2004 153 Cape Verde $ 14,100,000 2004 154 Bhutan $ 13,700,000 2004 155 Sierra Leone $ 13,200,000 2004 156 Mauritius $ 12,500,000 2004 157 Seychelles $ 12,300,000 2004 158 Comoros $ 11,600,000 2004 159 Malawi $ 11,100,000 2004 160 Laos $ 10,700,000 2004 161 Guinea-Bissau $ 8,900,000 2004 162 Moldova $ 8,700,000 2004 163 Suriname $ 7,500,000 2003 164 Guyana $ 6,500,000 2003 165 East Timor $ 4,400,000 FY03 166 Bermuda $ 4,030,000 2001 167 Liberia $ 1,500,000 2004 168 Gambia, The $ 1,000,000 2004 169 San Marino $ 700,000 FY00/01 170 Sao Tome and Principe $ 700,000 2004

This file was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

Rank code: @2078

Rank Country Exports Date of Information

1 World $ 8,819,000,000,000 2003 est. 2 European Union $ 1,109,000,000,000 2003 3 Germany $ 893,300,000,000 2004 est. 4 United States $ 795,000,000,000 2004 est. 5 China $ 583,100,000,000 2004 est. 6 Japan $ 538,800,000,000 2004 est. 7 France $ 419,000,000,000 2004 est. 8 United Kingdom $ 347,200,000,000 2004 est. 9 Italy $ 336,400,000,000 2004 est. 10 Canada $ 315,600,000,000 2004 est. 11 Netherlands $ 293,100,000,000 2004 est. 12 Hong Kong $ 268,100,000,000 2004 est. 13 Belgium $ 255,700,000,000 2003 est. 14 Korea, South $ 250,600,000,000 2004 est. 15 Mexico $ 182,400,000,000 2004 est. 16 Singapore $ 174,000,000,000 2004 est. 17 Spain $ 172,500,000,000 2004 est. 18 Taiwan $ 170,500,000,000 2004 est. 19 Russia $ 162,500,000,000 2004 est. 20 Switzerland $ 130,700,000,000 2004 est. 21 Malaysia $ 123,500,000,000 2004 est. 22 Sweden $ 121,700,000,000 2004 est. 23 Saudi Arabia $ 113,000,000,000 2004 est. 24 Ireland $ 103,800,000,000 2004 est. 25 Austria $ 102,700,000,000 2004 est. 26 Brazil $ 95,000,000,000 2004 est. 27 Thailand $ 87,910,000,000 2004 est. 28 Australia $ 86,890,000,000 2004 est. 29 Norway $ 76,640,000,000 2004 est. 30 Poland $ 75,980,000,000 2004 est. 31 Denmark $ 73,060,000,000 2004 est. 32 Indonesia $ 69,860,000,000 2004 est. 33 United Arab Emirates $ 69,480,000,000 2004 est. 34 Turkey $ 69,460,000,000 2004 est. 35 India $ 69,180,000,000 2004 est. 36 Czech Republic $ 66,510,000,000 2004 est. 37 Finland $ 61,040,000,000 2004 est. 38 Hungary $ 54,620,000,000 2004 est. 39 Puerto Rico $ 46,900,000,000 2001 40 South Africa $ 41,970,000,000 2004 est. 41 Iran $ 38,790,000,000 2004 est. 42 Philippines $ 38,630,000,000 2004 est. 43 Portugal $ 37,680,000,000 2004 est. 44 Venezuela $ 35,840,000,000 2004 est. 45 Israel $ 34,410,000,000 2004 est. 46 Nigeria $ 33,990,000,000 2004 est. 47 Argentina $ 33,780,000,000 2004 est. 48 Ukraine $ 32,910,000,000 2004 est. 49 Algeria $ 32,160,000,000 2004 est. 50 Slovakia $ 29,240,000,000 2004 est. 51 Chile $ 29,200,000,000 2004 est. 52 Kuwait $ 27,420,000,000 2004 est. 53 Vietnam $ 23,720,000,000 2004 est. 54 Romania $ 23,540,000,000 2004 est. 55 New Zealand $ 19,850,000,000 2004 est. 56 Libya $ 18,650,000,000 2004 est. 57 Kazakhstan $ 18,470,000,000 2004 est. 58 Colombia $ 15,500,000,000 2004 est. 59 Greece $ 15,500,000,000 2004 est. 60 Pakistan $ 15,070,000,000 2004 est. 61 Qatar $ 15,000,000,000 2004 est. 62 Slovenia $ 14,970,000,000 2004 est. 63 Luxembourg $ 13,400,000,000 2003 64 Oman $ 13,140,000,000 2004 est. 65 Angola $ 12,760,000,000 2004 est. 66 Peru $ 12,300,000,000 2004 est. 67 Belarus $ 11,470,000,000 2004 est. 68 Egypt $ 11,000,000,000 2004 est. 69 Iraq $ 10,100,000,000 2004 est. 70 Tunisia $ 9,926,000,000 2004 est. 71 Morocco $ 9,754,000,000 2004 est. 72 Bulgaria $ 9,134,000,000 2004 est. 73 Lithuania $ 8,880,000,000 2004 est. 74 Bahrain $ 8,205,000,000 2004 est. 75 Croatia $ 7,845,000,000 2004 est. 76 Brunei $ 7,700,000,000 2003 est. 77 Ecuador $ 7,560,000,000 2004 est. 78 Bangladesh $ 7,478,000,000 2004 est. 79 Trinidad and Tobago $ 6,671,000,000 2004 est. 80 Costa Rica $ 6,184,000,000 2004 est. 81 Syria $ 6,086,000,000 2004 est. 82 Estonia $ 5,701,000,000 2004 est. 83 Panama $ 5,699,000,000 2004 est. 84 Dominican Republic $ 5,446,000,000 2004 est. 85 Sri Lanka $ 5,306,000,000 2004 est. 86 Cote d'Ivoire $ 5,124,000,000 2004 est. 87 Yemen $ 4,468,000,000 2004 est. 88 Turkmenistan $ 4,000,000,000 2004 est. 89 Gabon $ 3,710,000,000 2004 est. 90 Uzbekistan $ 3,700,000,000 2004 est. 91 Latvia $ 3,569,000,000 2004 est. 92 Sudan $ 3,395,000,000 2004 est. 93 El Salvador $ 3,249,000,000 2004 est. 94 Serbia and Montenegro $ 3,245,000,000 2004 est. 95 Jordan $ 3,200,000,000 2004 est. 96 Azerbaijan $ 3,168,000,000 2004 est. 97 Ghana $ 3,010,000,000 2004 est. 98 Botswana $ 2,940,000,000 2004 est. 99 Paraguay $ 2,936,000,000 2004 est. 100 Guatemala $ 2,911,000,000 2004 est. 101 Iceland $ 2,902,000,000 2004 est. 102 Equatorial Guinea $ 2,771,000,000 2004 est. 103 Malta $ 2,625,000,000 2004 est. 104 Kenya $ 2,589,000,000 2004 est. 105 Macau $ 2,580,000,000 2003 106 Liechtenstein $ 2,470,000,000 1996 107 Cameroon $ 2,445,000,000 2004 est. 108 Papua New Guinea $ 2,437,000,000 2004 est. 109 Cambodia $ 2,311,000,000 2004 est. 110 Congo, Republic of the $ 2,224,000,000 2004 est. 111 Uruguay $ 2,200,000,000 2003 est. 112 Burma $ 2,137,000,000 2004 est. 113 Cuba $ 2,104,000,000 2004 est. 114 Mauritius $ 2,012,000,000 2004 est. 115 Bolivia $ 1,986,000,000 2004 est. 116 Lebanon $ 1,783,000,000 2004 est. 117 Bosnia and Herzegovina $ 1,700,000,000 2004 est. 118 Jamaica $ 1,679,000,000 2004 est. 119 Macedonia $ 1,629,000,000 2004 est. 120 Netherlands Antilles $ 1,579,000,000 2002 121 Zambia $ 1,548,000,000 2004 est. 122 Honduras $ 1,457,000,000 2004 est. 123 Congo, Democratic Republic of the $ 1,417,000,000 2002 est. 124 Zimbabwe $ 1,409,000,000 2004 est. 125 Senegal $ 1,374,000,000 2004 est. 126 Namibia $ 1,356,000,000 2004 est. 127 Tanzania $ 1,248,000,000 2004 est. 128 Korea, North $ 1,200,000,000 2003 est. 129 Tajikistan $ 1,130,000,000 2004 est. 130 Cyprus $ 1,094,000,000 2004 est. 131 Liberia $ 1,079,000,000 2002 est. 132 Moldova $ 1,030,000,000 2004 est. 133 Mali $ 915,000,000 2002 est. 134 Georgia $ 909,400,000 2004 est. 135 Swaziland $ 900,100,000 2004 est. 136 Bermuda $ 879,000,000 2002 137 Madagascar $ 868,200,000 2004 est. 138 Mongolia $ 853,000,000 2004 est. 139 Armenia $ 850,000,000 2004 est. 140 Nicaragua $ 750,000,000 2004 est. 141 Benin $ 720,900,000 2004 est. 142 Guinea $ 709,200,000 2004 est. 143 Mozambique $ 689,400,000 2004 est. 144 Antigua and Barbuda $ 689,000,000 2002 145 Togo $ 663,100,000 2004 est. 146 Kyrgyzstan $ 646,700,000 2004 est. 147 Bahamas, The $ 636,000,000 2003 est. 148 Uganda $ 621,700,000 2004 est. 149 Fiji $ 609,000,000 2002 150 Guyana $ 570,200,000 2004 est. 151 Nepal $ 568,000,000 2002 est. 152 Ethiopia $ 562,800,000 2004 est. 153 Albania $ 552,400,000 2004 est. 154 Mauritania $ 541,000,000 2002 155 Malawi $ 503,400,000 2004 est. 156 Suriname $ 495,000,000 2002 157 Lesotho $ 484,500,000 2004 est. 158 New Caledonia $ 448,000,000 2002 159 Afghanistan $ 446,000,000 FY03-04 160 Burkina Faso $ 418,600,000 2004 est. 161 Faroe Islands $ 408,000,000 2002 162 Belize $ 401,400,000 2004 est. 163 Greenland $ 388,000,000 2002 164 Laos $ 365,500,000 2004 est. 165 Chad $ 365,000,000 2003 est. 166 Haiti $ 338,100,000 2004 est. 167 Niger $ 280,000,000 2002 est. 168 Seychelles $ 256,200,000 2004 est. 169 Martinique $ 250,000,000 1997 170 French Polynesia $ 244,000,000 2002 171 Reunion $ 214,000,000 1997 172 Barbados $ 206,000,000 2002 173 Gaza Strip $ 205,000,000 2002 174 West Bank $ 205,000,000 2002 175 Central African Republic $ 172,000,000 2002 est. 176 Turks and Caicos Islands $ 169,200,000 2000 177 Djibouti $ 155,000,000 2002 est. 178 French Guiana $ 155,000,000 2002 est. 179 Bhutan $ 154,000,000 2000 est. 180 Guadeloupe $ 140,000,000 1997 181 Gibraltar $ 136,000,000 2002 182 Aruba $ 128,000,000 2002 est. 183 Gambia, The $ 114,400,000 2004 est. 184 Maldives $ 90,000,000 2002 est. 185 Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) $ 82,000,000 2002 186 Somalia $ 79,000,000 2002 est. 187 Solomon Islands $ 74,000,000 2003 est. 188 Saint Kitts and Nevis $ 70,000,000 2002 est. 189 Rwanda $ 69,780,000 2004 est. 190 Saint Lucia $ 66,000,000 2002 est. 191 Eritrea $ 64,440,000 2004 est. 192 Cape Verde $ 61,110,000 2004 est. 193 Andorra $ 58,000,000 1998 194 Guinea-Bissau $ 54,000,000 2002 est. 195 Cyprus $ 49,300,000 2004 est. 196 Sierra Leone $ 49,000,000 2002 est. 197 Grenada $ 46,000,000 2002 est. 198 Dominica $ 39,000,000 2003 est. 199 Guam $ 38,000,000 2002 est. 200 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines $ 38,000,000 2002 est. 201 Kiribati $ 35,000,000 2002 202 Burundi $ 31,840,000 2004 est. 203 American Samoa $ 30,000,000 2002 204 Comoros $ 28,000,000 2002 est. 205 Tonga $ 27,000,000 2002 est. 206 Vanuatu $ 26,600,000 2003 207 British Virgin Islands $ 25,300,000 2002 208 Micronesia, Federated States of $ 22,000,000 FY99/00 est. 209 Palau $ 18,000,000 2001 est. 210 Saint Helena $ 17,000,000 2002 211 Samoa $ 14,000,000 2002 212 Saint Pierre and Miquelon $ 10,000,000 2002 213 Cook Islands $ 9,100,000 2000 214 Marshall Islands $ 9,000,000 2000 215 East Timor $ 8,000,000 2004 est. 216 Sao Tome and Principe $ 6,700,000 2004 est. 217 Mayotte $ 3,440,000 1997 218 Anguilla $ 2,600,000 1999 219 Norfolk Island $ 1,500,000 FY99/00 220 Cayman Islands $ 1,200,000 1999 221 Tuvalu $ 1,000,000 2002 222 Montserrat $ 700,000 2001 223 Nauru $ 640,000 2004 est. 224 Wallis and Futuna $ 250,000 1999 225 Niue $ 137,200 1999 226 Tokelau $ 98,000 1983

This file was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

Rank code: @2079

Rank Country Debt - external Date of Information

1 World $ 12,700,000,000,000 2004 est. 2 United Kingdom $ 4,710,000,000,000 2003 3 United States $ 1,400,000,000,000 2001 est. 4 Italy $ 913,900,000,000 2004 est. 5 Spain $ 771,100,000,000 2004 est. 6 Canada $ 570,000,000,000 2004 7 Australia $ 308,700,000,000 3rd quarter, 2004 est. 8 Portugal $ 274,700,000,000 2004 est. 9 China $ 233,300,000,000 3rd quarter 2004 est. 10 Brazil $ 219,800,000,000 2004 est. 11 Russia $ 169,600,000,000 2004 est. 12 Korea, South $ 160,000,000,000 2004 est. 13 Argentina $ 157,700,000,000 2004 est. 14 Mexico $ 149,900,000,000 2004 est. 15 Indonesia $ 141,500,000,000 2004 est. 16 Iraq $ 125,000,000,000 2004 est. 17 India $ 117,200,000,000 2004 est. 18 Poland $ 99,150,000,000 2004 est. 19 Israel $ 74,460,000,000 2004 est. 20 Greece $ 67,230,000,000 2004 est. 21 Hong Kong $ 66,940,000,000 2004 est. 22 Sweden $ 66,500,000,000 1994 23 Hungary $ 57,000,000,000 2004 est. 24 Philippines $ 55,600,000,000 September 2004 est. 25 Taiwan $ 55,500,000,000 2004 est. 26 Malaysia $ 53,360,000,000 2004 est. 27 Thailand $ 50,590,000,000 2004 est. 28 New Zealand $ 47,340,000,000 2004 est. 29 Chile $ 44,600,000,000 2004 est. 30 Colombia $ 38,700,000,000 2004 est. 31 Czech Republic $ 36,280,000,000 2004 est. 32 Saudi Arabia $ 34,350,000,000 2004 est. 33 Pakistan $ 33,970,000,000 2004 est. 34 Egypt $ 33,750,000,000 2004 est. 35 Venezuela $ 33,290,000,000 2004 est. 36 Nigeria $ 30,550,000,000 2004 est. 37 Finland $ 30,000,000,000 December 1993 38 Peru $ 29,790,000,000 2004 est. 39 Belgium $ 28,300,000,000 1999 est. 40 South Africa $ 27,010,000,000 2004 est. 41 Croatia $ 26,400,000,000 2004 est. 42 Kazakhstan $ 26,030,000,000 2004 est. 43 Romania $ 24,590,000,000 2004 est. 44 Algeria $ 21,900,000,000 2004 est. 45 Denmark $ 21,700,000,000 2000 46 Sudan $ 21,000,000,000 2004 est. 47 Bangladesh $ 19,970,000,000 2004 est. 48 Slovakia $ 19,540,000,000 2004 est. 49 Singapore $ 19,400,000,000 2004 est. 50 Qatar $ 18,620,000,000 2004 est. 51 Monaco $ 18,000,000,000 2000 est. 52 Morocco $ 17,070,000,000 2004 est. 53 Turkey $ 16,900,000,000 2004 est. 54 Ecuador $ 16,810,000,000 2004 est. 55 Vietnam $ 16,550,000,000 2004 est. 56 Ukraine $ 16,370,000,000 2004 est. 57 Bulgaria $ 16,100,000,000 November 2004 est. 58 Lebanon $ 15,840,000,000 2004 est. 59 Austria $ 15,500,000,000 2003 est. 60 Kuwait $ 15,020,000,000 2004 est. 61 Tunisia $ 14,710,000,000 2004 est. 62 Slovenia $ 14,650,000,000 2004 est. 63 Iran $ 13,400,000,000 2004 est. 64 Serbia and Montenegro $ 12,970,000,000 2004 est. 65 Uruguay $ 12,800,000,000 March 2004 66 Cuba $ 12,090,000,000 2004 est. 67 Korea, North $ 12,000,000,000 1996 est. 68 Cote d'Ivoire $ 11,810,000,000 2004 est. 69 Congo, Democratic Republic of the $ 11,600,000,000 2000 est. 70 Ireland $ 11,000,000,000 1998 71 Sri Lanka $ 10,850,000,000 2004 est. 72 Angola $ 10,450,000,000 2004 est. 73 Lithuania $ 10,010,000,000 2004 est. 74 Panama $ 8,780,000,000 2004 est. 75 Cameroon $ 8,460,000,000 2004 est. 76 Estonia $ 8,373,000,000 2004 est. 77 Afghanistan $ 8,000,000,000 2004 78 Dominican Republic $ 7,745,000,000 2004 est. 79 Ghana $ 7,396,000,000 2004 est. 80 Latvia $ 7,368,000,000 2004 est. 81 Cyprus $ 7,327,000,000 2004 est. 82 Tanzania $ 7,321,000,000 2004 est. 83 Jordan $ 7,320,000,000 2004 est. 84 Kenya $ 6,792,000,000 2004 est. 85 Burma $ 6,752,000,000 2004 est. 86 Bahrain $ 6,215,000,000 2004 est. 87 Guatemala $ 5,969,000,000 2004 est. 88 Jamaica $ 5,964,000,000 2004 est. 89 Costa Rica $ 5,962,000,000 2004 est. 90 United Arab Emirates $ 5,900,000,000 2004 est. 91 Bolivia $ 5,439,000,000 June 2004 est. 92 Yemen $ 5,400,000,000 2004 est. 93 Honduras $ 5,365,000,000 September 2004 est. 94 Zambia $ 5,353,000,000 2004 est. 95 Congo, Republic of the $ 5,000,000,000 2000 est. 96 Oman $ 4,814,000,000 2004 est. 97 El Salvador $ 4,792,000,000 September 2004 est. 98 Madagascar $ 4,600,000,000 2002 99 Nicaragua $ 4,573,000,000 2004 est. 100 Uzbekistan $ 4,351,000,000 2004 est. 101 Zimbabwe $ 4,086,000,000 2004 est. 102 Libya $ 4,069,000,000 2004 est. 103 Syria $ 4,000,000,000 2004 est. 104 Uganda $ 3,865,000,000 2004 est. 105 Gabon $ 3,804,000,000 2004 est. 106 Senegal $ 3,476,000,000 2004 est. 107 Mali $ 3,300,000,000 2000 108 Guinea $ 3,250,000,000 2001 est. 109 Paraguay $ 3,239,000,000 2004 est. 110 Malawi $ 3,129,000,000 2004 est. 111 Iceland $ 3,073,000,000 2002 112 Bosnia and Herzegovina $ 3,000,000,000 2004 est. 113 Somalia $ 3,000,000,000 2001 est. 114 Trinidad and Tobago $ 2,940,000,000 2004 est. 115 Ethiopia $ 2,900,000,000 2001 est. 116 Macau $ 2,700,000,000 2003 117 Nepal $ 2,700,000,000 2001 118 Mauritania $ 2,500,000,000 2000 119 Laos $ 2,490,000,000 2001 120 Papua New Guinea $ 2,463,000,000 2004 est. 121 Cambodia $ 2,400,000,000 2002 est. 122 Turkmenistan $ 2,400,000,000 2001 est. 123 Liberia $ 2,100,000,000 2000 est. 124 Kyrgyzstan $ 1,970,000,000 2004 est. 125 Macedonia $ 1,863,000,000 2004 est. 126 Azerbaijan $ 1,832,000,000 2004 est. 127 Georgia $ 1,800,000,000 2002 128 Mauritius $ 1,780,000,000 2004 est. 129 Benin $ 1,600,000,000 2000 130 Niger $ 1,600,000,000 1999 est. 131 Sierra Leone $ 1,500,000,000 2002 est. 132 Albania $ 1,410,000,000 2003 133 Moldova $ 1,400,000,000 2004 est. 134 Togo $ 1,400,000,000 2000 135 Belize $ 1,362,000,000 June 2004 est. 136 Netherlands Antilles $ 1,350,000,000 1996 137 Rwanda $ 1,300,000,000 2000 est. 138 Burkina Faso $ 1,300,000,000 2000 139 French Guiana $ 1,200,000,000 1988 140 Haiti $ 1,200,000,000 2004 est. 141 Guyana $ 1,200,000,000 2002 142 Mongolia $ 1,191,000,000 2004 est. 143 Namibia $ 1,136,000,000 2004 est. 144 Burundi $ 1,133,000,000 2002 145 Chad $ 1,100,000,000 2000 est. 146 Mozambique $ 966,000,000 2002 est. 147 Guinea-Bissau $ 941,500,000 2000 est. 148 Armenia $ 905,000,000 June 2001 149 Tajikistan $ 888,000,000 2004 est. 150 Central African Republic $ 881,400,000 2000 est. 151 Lesotho $ 735,000,000 2002 152 Barbados $ 668,000,000 2003 153 Belarus $ 600,000,000 2004 est. 154 Botswana $ 531,000,000 2004 est. 155 Gambia, The $ 476,000,000 2001 est. 156 Djibouti $ 366,000,000 2002 est. 157 Cape Verde $ 325,000,000 2002 158 Suriname $ 321,000,000 2002 est. 159 Swaziland $ 320,000,000 2002 est. 160 Sao Tome and Principe $ 318,000,000 2002 161 Eritrea $ 311,000,000 2000 est. 162 Bahamas, The $ 308,500,000 2002 163 Aruba $ 285,000,000 1996 164 Maldives $ 281,000,000 2003 est. 165 Equatorial Guinea $ 248,000,000 2000 est. 166 Bhutan $ 245,000,000 2000 167 Comoros $ 232,000,000 2000 est. 168 Antigua and Barbuda $ 231,000,000 1999 169 Seychelles $ 218,100,000 2004 est. 170 Saint Lucia $ 214,000,000 2000 171 Samoa $ 197,000,000 2000 172 Grenada $ 196,000,000 2000 173 Fiji $ 188,100,000 2001 est. 174 Solomon Islands $ 180,400,000 2002 175 Martinique $ 180,000,000 1994 176 Saint Kitts and Nevis $ 171,000,000 2001 177 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines $ 167,200,000 2000 178 Dominica $ 161,500,000 2001 179 Bermuda $ 160,000,000 FY99/00 180 Cook Islands $ 141,000,000 1996 est. 181 Malta $ 130,000,000 1997 182 Gaza Strip $ 108,000,000 1997 est. 183 West Bank $ 108,000,000 1997 est. 184 Marshall Islands $ 86,500,000 FY99/00 est. 185 Vanuatu $ 83,700,000 2002 186 New Caledonia $ 79,000,000 1998 est. 187 Cayman Islands $ 70,000,000 1996 188 Faroe Islands $ 64,000,000 1999 189 Tonga $ 63,400,000 2001 190 Micronesia, Federated States of $ 53,100,000 FY02/03 est. 191 British Virgin Islands $ 36,100,000 1997 192 Nauru $ 33,300,000 2002 193 Greenland $ 25,000,000 1999 194 Kiribati $ 10,000,000 1999 est. 195 Montserrat $ 8,900,000 1997 196 Anguilla $ 8,800,000 1998 197 Niue $ 418,000 2002 est. 198 Brunei $ 0 199 Norway $ 0 2003 est. 200 Tokelau $ 0 201 Palau $ 0 FY99/00 202 Liechtenstein $ 0 2001

This file was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

Rank code: @2085

Rank Country Highways(km) Date of Information

1 World 32,345,165 2002 2 United States 6,393,603 2003 3 European Union 4,634,810 1999-2000 4 India 2,525,989 1999 5 China 1,765,222 2002 est. 6 Brazil 1,724,929 2000 7 Canada 1,408,800 2002 8 Japan 1,171,647 2001 9 France 893,100 2002 10 Australia 811,603 1999 est. 11 Spain 664,852 2001 12 Russia 537,289 2001 13 Italy 479,688 1999 14 United Kingdom 392,931 2003 15 Poland 364,697 2001 16 Turkey 354,421 2002 17 Indonesia 342,700 1999 est. 18 Mexico 329,532 1999 est. 19 South Africa 275,971 2002 20 Pakistan 257,683 2001 21 Germany 230,735 1999 22 Argentina 215,471 1999 23 Sweden 213,237 2002 24 Bangladesh 207,486 1999 25 Philippines 202,124 2002 26 Austria 200,000 2002 27 Romania 198,755 2002 28 Nigeria 194,394 1999 est. 29 Ukraine 169,679 2002 30 Iran 167,157 1998 31 Hungary 159,568 2002 32 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 157,000 1999 est. 33 Saudi Arabia 152,044 2000 34 Belgium 149,028 2002 35 Czech Republic 127,204 2002 36 Greece 117,000 1999 est. 37 Netherlands 116,500 1999 38 Colombia 112,998 2000 39 Algeria 104,000 1999 40 Venezuela 96,155 1999 est. 41 Ireland 95,736 2002 42 Vietnam 93,300 1999 est. 43 New Zealand 92,382 2002 44 Norway 91,852 2002 45 Zambia 91,440 2001 46 Tanzania 88,200 1999 est. 47 Korea, South 86,990 2001 48 Libya 83,200 1999 est. 49 Kazakhstan 82,980 2002 50 Uzbekistan 81,600 1999 est. 51 Belarus 79,990 2002 52 Chile 79,605 2001 53 Peru 78,230 2001 54 Finland 78,197 2004 55 Lithuania 77,148 2002 56 Denmark 71,847 2002 57 Switzerland 71,212 2002 58 Yemen 67,000 1999 est. 59 Malaysia 65,877 2001 60 Egypt 64,000 1999 est. 61 Kenya 63,942 2000 62 Cuba 60,858 1999 est. 63 Latvia 60,472 2002 64 Bolivia 60,282 2002 65 Morocco 57,694 2002 66 Thailand 57,403 2000 est. 67 Estonia 55,944 2002 68 Angola 51,429 2001 69 Cote d'Ivoire 50,400 1999 est. 70 Madagascar 49,827 1999 est. 71 Mongolia 49,256 2002 72 Ghana 46,176 1999 est. 73 Syria 45,697 2002 74 Iraq 45,550 1999 75 Serbia and Montenegro 45,290 2002 76 Ecuador 43,197 2002 77 Slovakia 42,970 2002 78 Namibia 42,237 2002 79 Taiwan 37,299 2002 80 Bulgaria 37,077 2002 81 Costa Rica 35,303 2002 82 Oman 34,965 2001 83 Cameroon 34,300 1999 est. 84 Chad 33,400 1999 est. 85 Ethiopia 33,297 2002 86 Korea, North 31,200 1999 est. 87 Guinea 30,500 1999 est. 88 Mozambique 30,400 1999 est. 89 Paraguay 29,500 1999 est 90 Malawi 28,400 1999 est. 91 Croatia 28,344 2002 92 Burma 28,200 1996 est. 93 Azerbaijan 28,030 2002 94 Tajikistan 27,767 2000 95 Uganda 27,000 1999 est. 96 Puerto Rico 25,328 2004 97 Turkmenistan 24,000 1999 est. 98 Central African Republic 23,810 1999 est. 99 Somalia 22,100 1999 est. 100 Bosnia and Herzegovina 21,846 1999 est. 101 Laos 21,716 1999 est. 102 Afghanistan 21,000 1999 est. 103 Slovenia 20,250 2002 104 Georgia 20,229 2002 105 Papua New Guinea 19,600 1999 est. 106 Tunisia 18,997 2001 107 Nicaragua 18,712 2002 108 Jamaica 18,700 1999 est. 109 Kyrgyzstan 18,500 1999 est. 110 Zimbabwe 18,338 1999 est. 111 Albania 18,000 2002 112 Portugal 17,135 2002 113 Israel 16,903 2002 114 Mali 15,100 1999 est. 115 Senegal 14,576 2000 116 Burundi 14,480 1999 est. 117 Guatemala 14,118 1999 118 Cyprus 13,943 2002/1996 est. 119 Honduras 13,603 1999 est. 120 Nepal 13,223 1999 est. 121 Iceland 13,004 2004 122 Congo, Republic of the 12,800 1999 est. 123 Moldova 12,719 2002 124 Dominican Republic 12,600 1999 125 Burkina Faso 12,506 1999 126 Cambodia 12,323 2000 est 127 Rwanda 12,000 1999 est. 128 Sudan 11,900 1999 est. 129 Sri Lanka 11,650 2002 130 Panama 11,643 2000 est. 131 Sierra Leone 11,300 2002 132 Liberia 10,600 1999 est. 133 Botswana 10,217 1999 134 Niger 10,100 1999 est. 135 El Salvador 10,029 1999 est. 136 Uruguay 8,983 1999 est. 137 Macedonia 8,684 1999 est. 138 Gabon 8,464 2000 est. 139 Armenia 8,431 2002 140 Trinidad and Tobago 8,320 1999 est. 141 Guyana 7,970 1999 est. 142 Mauritania 7,660 1999 est. 143 Togo 7,520 1999 est. 144 Jordan 7,301 2002 145 Lebanon 7,300 1999 est. 146 Benin 6,787 1999 est. 147 Western Sahara 6,200 1991 est 148 Lesotho 5,940 1999 149 New Caledonia 5,432 2000 150 Luxembourg 5,210 2002 151 West Bank 4,500 1997 est. 152 Suriname 4,492 2002 153 Kuwait 4,450 1999 est. 154 Guinea-Bissau 4,400 1999 est. 155 Haiti 4,160 1999 est. 156 Eritrea 4,010 1999 est. 157 Bhutan 4,007 2002 158 East Timor 3,800 1995 159 Bahrain 3,459 2002 160 Fiji 3,440 1999 est. 161 Singapore 3,130 2002 162 Swaziland 3,107 2000 163 Djibouti 2,890 1999 est. 164 Equatorial Guinea 2,880 1999 est. 165 Belize 2,872 1999 est. 166 Gambia, The 2,700 1999 167 Bahamas, The 2,693 1999 est. 168 French Polynesia 2,590 1999 169 Brunei 2,525 2000 170 Malta 2,222 2002 171 Martinique 2,105 2000 172 Mauritius 2,000 2002 173 Hong Kong 1,831 1999 est. 174 Barbados 1,600 2002 175 Solomon Islands 1,360 1999 est. 176 Cape Verde 1,350 2000 177 Virgin Islands 1,257 2003 178 Qatar 1,230 1999 est. 179 Reunion 1,214 2001 180 Saint Lucia 1,210 1999 est. 181 United Arab Emirates 1,088 1999 est. 182 Vanuatu 1,070 1999 est. 183 Grenada 1,040 1999 est. 184 Guam 977 2004 185 Guadeloupe 947 2002 186 Comoros 880 1999 est 187 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 829 2002 188 French Guiana 817 1998 189 Aruba 800 1995 190 Man, Isle of 800 1999 191 Samoa 790 1999 est. 192 Cayman Islands 785 2000 193 Dominica 780 1999 est. 194 Tonga 680 1999 est. 195 Kiribati 670 1999 est. 196 Netherlands Antilles 600 197 Jersey 577 198 Faroe Islands 463 1999 199 Bermuda 450 2002 200 Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 440 2002 201 Seychelles 373 1997 est. 202 Northern Mariana Islands 362 1991 203 Macau 341 2002 204 Cook Islands 320 2000 205 Sao Tome and Principe 320 1999 est. 206 Saint Kitts and Nevis 320 1999 est 207 Andorra 269 208 Antigua and Barbuda 250 1999 est. 209 Liechtenstein 250 210 Micronesia, Federated States of 240 1999 est. 211 Christmas Island 240 2000 212 Niue 234 2001 213 Montserrat 227 2003 214 San Marino 220 2001 215 Saint Helena 198 2000 216 American Samoa 185 2004 217 British Virgin Islands 177 2000 218 Turks and Caicos Islands 121 2000 219 Wallis and Futuna 120 220 Saint Pierre and Miquelon 114 221 Anguilla 105 1997 222 Mayotte 93 223 Norfolk Island 80 2001 224 Marshall Islands 65 2002 225 Palau 61 226 Monaco 50 1999 est. 227 Nauru 30 1999 est. 228 Gibraltar 29 2002 229 Cocos (Keeling) Islands 15 2003 230 Tuvalu 8 1999 est. 231 Pitcairn Islands 6

This file was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

Rank code: @2087

Rank Country Imports Date of Information

1 World $ 8,754,000,000,000 2003 est. 2 United States $ 1,476,000,000,000 2004 est. 3 European Union $ 1,123,000,000,000 2003 4 Germany $ 716,700,000,000 2004 est. 5 China $ 552,400,000,000 2004 est. 6 United Kingdom $ 439,400,000,000 2004 est. 7 France $ 419,700,000,000 2004 est. 8 Japan $ 401,800,000,000 2004 est. 9 Italy $ 329,300,000,000 2004 est. 10 Hong Kong $ 275,900,000,000 2004 est. 11 Canada $ 256,100,000,000 2004 est. 12 Netherlands $ 252,700,000,000 2004 est. 13 Belgium $ 235,000,000,000 2003 est. 14 Spain $ 222,000,000,000 2004 est. 15 Korea, South $ 214,200,000,000 2004 est. 16 Mexico $ 190,800,000,000 2004 est. 17 Taiwan $ 165,400,000,000 2004 est. 18 Singapore $ 155,200,000,000 2004 est. 19 Switzerland $ 121,100,000,000 2004 est. 20 Austria $ 101,200,000,000 2004 est. 21 Malaysia $ 99,300,000,000 2004 est. 22 Australia $ 98,100,000,000 2004 est. 23 Sweden $ 97,970,000,000 2004 est. 24 Turkey $ 94,500,000,000 2004 est. 25 Russia $ 92,910,000,000 2004 est. 26 India $ 89,330,000,000 2004 est. 27 Poland $ 81,610,000,000 2004 est. 28 Thailand $ 80,840,000,000 2004 est. 29 Czech Republic $ 68,190,000,000 2004 est. 30 Denmark $ 63,450,000,000 2004 est. 31 Brazil $ 61,000,000,000 2004 est. 32 Ireland $ 60,650,000,000 2004 est. 33 Hungary $ 58,680,000,000 2004 est. 34 Greece $ 54,280,000,000 2004 est. 35 Portugal $ 52,100,000,000 2004 est. 36 Norway $ 45,960,000,000 2004 est. 37 United Arab Emirates $ 45,660,000,000 2004 est. 38 Finland $ 45,170,000,000 2004 est. 39 Indonesia $ 45,070,000,000 2004 est. 40 South Africa $ 39,420,000,000 2004 est. 41 Philippines $ 37,500,000,000 2004 est. 42 Israel $ 36,840,000,000 2004 est. 43 Saudi Arabia $ 36,210,000,000 2004 est. 44 Ukraine $ 31,450,000,000 2004 est. 45 Iran $ 31,300,000,000 2004 est. 46 Slovakia $ 29,670,000,000 2004 est. 47 Puerto Rico $ 29,100,000,000 2001 48 Romania $ 28,430,000,000 2004 est. 49 Vietnam $ 26,310,000,000 2004 est. 50 Chile $ 22,530,000,000 2004 est. 51 Argentina $ 22,060,000,000 2004 est. 52 New Zealand $ 19,770,000,000 2004 est. 53 Egypt $ 19,210,000,000 2004 est. 54 Nigeria $ 17,140,000,000 2004 est. 55 Croatia $ 16,700,000,000 2004 est. 56 Luxembourg $ 16,300,000,000 2003 57 Slovenia $ 16,070,000,000 2004 est. 58 Morocco $ 15,630,000,000 2004 est. 59 Colombia $ 15,340,000,000 2004 est. 60 Algeria $ 15,250,000,000 2004 est. 61 Venezuela $ 14,980,000,000 2004 est. 62 Pakistan $ 14,010,000,000 2004 est. 63 Belarus $ 13,570,000,000 2004 est. 64 Kazakhstan $ 13,070,000,000 2004 est. 65 Bulgaria $ 12,230,000,000 2004 est. 66 Tunisia $ 11,520,000,000 2004 est. 67 Kuwait $ 11,120,000,000 2004 est. 68 Lithuania $ 11,020,000,000 2004 est. 69 Bangladesh $ 10,030,000,000 2004 est. 70 Iraq $ 9,900,000,000 2004 est. 71 Peru $ 9,600,000,000 2004 est. 72 Serbia and Montenegro $ 9,538,000,000 2004 est. 73 Lebanon $ 8,162,000,000 2004 est. 74 Dominican Republic $ 8,093,000,000 2004 est. 75 Costa Rica $ 7,842,000,000 2004 est. 76 Guatemala $ 7,770,000,000 2004 est. 77 Ecuador $ 7,650,000,000 2004 est. 78 Jordan $ 7,600,000,000 2004 est. 79 Estonia $ 7,318,000,000 2004 est. 80 Sri Lanka $ 7,265,000,000 2004 est. 81 Libya $ 7,224,000,000 2004 est. 82 Panama $ 7,164,000,000 2004 est. 83 Oman $ 6,373,000,000 2004 est. 84 Qatar $ 6,150,000,000 2004 est. 85 Latvia $ 5,970,000,000 2004 est. 86 El Salvador $ 5,968,000,000 2004 est. 87 Bahrain $ 5,870,000,000 2004 est. 88 Bermuda $ 5,523,000,000 2002 89 Cuba $ 5,296,000,000 2004 est. 90 Cyprus $ 5,258,000,000 2004 est. 91 Bosnia and Herzegovina $ 5,200,000,000 2004 est. 92 Brunei $ 5,200,000,000 2003 93 Liberia $ 5,051,000,000 2002 est. 94 Syria $ 5,042,000,000 2004 est. 95 Angola $ 4,896,000,000 2004 est. 96 Trinidad and Tobago $ 4,650,000,000 2004 est. 97 Kenya $ 4,190,000,000 2004 est. 98 Afghanistan $ 3,759,000,000 FY03-04 99 Yemen $ 3,734,000,000 2004 est. 100 Ghana $ 3,699,000,000 2004 est. 101 Jamaica $ 3,624,000,000 2004 est. 102 Azerbaijan $ 3,622,000,000 2004 est. 103 Sudan $ 3,496,000,000 2004 est. 104 Malta $ 3,407,000,000 2004 est. 105 Cote d'Ivoire $ 3,360,000,000 2004 est. 106 Honduras $ 3,332,000,000 2004 est. 107 Paraguay $ 3,330,000,000 2004 est. 108 Iceland $ 3,307,000,000 2004 est. 109 Cambodia $ 3,129,000,000 2004 est. 110 Turkmenistan $ 2,850,000,000 2004 est. 111 Uzbekistan $ 2,820,000,000 2004 est. 112 Macau $ 2,760,000,000 2003 113 Macedonia $ 2,677,000,000 2004 est. 114 Reunion $ 2,500,000,000 1997 115 Botswana $ 2,255,000,000 2004 est. 116 Mauritius $ 2,245,000,000 2004 est. 117 Netherlands Antilles $ 2,233,000,000 2002 118 Senegal $ 2,128,000,000 2004 est. 119 Ethiopia $ 2,104,000,000 2004 est. 120 Korea, North $ 2,100,000,000 2003 121 Albania $ 2,076,000,000 2004 est. 122 Uruguay $ 2,071,000,000 2003 123 Nicaragua $ 2,020,000,000 2004 est. 124 Martinique $ 2,000,000,000 1997 125 Cameroon $ 1,979,000,000 2004 est. 126 Tanzania $ 1,972,000,000 2004 est. 127 Gaza Strip $ 1,900,000,000 2002 128 Moldova $ 1,830,000,000 2004 est. 129 Georgia $ 1,806,000,000 2004 est. 130 Burma $ 1,754,000,000 2004 est. 131 Gibraltar $ 1,743,000,000 2002 132 Guadeloupe $ 1,700,000,000 1997 133 Bahamas, The $ 1,630,000,000 2003 134 Zimbabwe $ 1,599,000,000 2004 est. 135 Bolivia $ 1,595,000,000 2004 est. 136 Zambia $ 1,519,000,000 2004 est. 137 West Bank $ 1,500,000,000 2002 138 Namibia $ 1,473,000,000 2004 est. 139 Nepal $ 1,419,000,000 2002 est. 140 Papua New Guinea $ 1,353,000,000 2004 est. 141 French Polynesia $ 1,341,000,000 2002 142 Uganda $ 1,306,000,000 2004 est. 143 Armenia $ 1,300,000,000 2004 est. 144 Tajikistan $ 1,300,000,000 2004 est. 145 Gabon $ 1,225,000,000 2004 est. 146 Equatorial Guinea $ 1,167,000,000 2004 est. 147 Madagascar $ 1,147,000,000 2004 est. 148 Swaziland $ 1,140,000,000 2004 est. 149 Haiti $ 1,085,000,000 2004 est. 150 Andorra $ 1,077,000,000 1998 151 Barbados $ 1,039,000,000 2002 152 New Caledonia $ 1,007,000,000 2002 153 Mongolia $ 1,000,000,000 2004 est. 154 Mozambique $ 972,900,000 2004 est. 155 Benin $ 934,500,000 2004 est. 156 Congo, Democratic Republic of the $ 933,000,000 2002 est. 157 Mali $ 927,000,000 2002 est. 158 Liechtenstein $ 917,300,000 1996 159 Burkina Faso $ 866,300,000 2004 est. 160 Mauritania $ 860,000,000 2002 161 Aruba $ 841,000,000 2002 est. 162 Fiji $ 835,000,000 2002 163 Togo $ 824,900,000 2004 est. 164 Kyrgyzstan $ 775,100,000 2004 est. 165 Congo, Republic of the $ 749,300,000 2004 est. 166 Lesotho $ 730,900,000 2004 est. 167 Antigua and Barbuda $ 692,000,000 2002 est. 168 Djibouti $ 665,000,000 2002 est. 169 Guyana $ 650,100,000 2004 est. 170 Guinea $ 641,500,000 2004 est. 171 French Guiana $ 625,000,000 2002 est. 172 Eritrea $ 622,000,000 2004 est. 173 Suriname $ 604,000,000 2002 174 Belize $ 579,900,000 2004 est. 175 Laos $ 579,500,000 2004 est. 176 Malawi $ 521,100,000 2004 est. 177 Chad $ 500,700,000 2004 est. 178 Faroe Islands $ 466,000,000 2002 179 Guam $ 462,000,000 2002 est. 180 Cayman Islands $ 457,400,000 1999 181 Greenland $ 445,000,000 2002 182 Cyprus $ 415,200,000 2004 est. 183 Niger $ 400,000,000 2002 est. 184 Seychelles $ 393,400,000 2004 est. 185 Maldives $ 392,000,000 2002 est. 186 Cape Verde $ 387,300,000 2004 est. 187 Somalia $ 344,000,000 2002 est. 188 Saint Lucia $ 267,000,000 2002 est. 189 Sierra Leone $ 264,000,000 2002 est. 190 Rwanda $ 260,000,000 2004 est. 191 Grenada $ 208,000,000 2002 est. 192 Bhutan $ 196,000,000 2000 est. 193 Saint Kitts and Nevis $ 195,000,000 2002 est. 194 British Virgin Islands $ 187,000,000 2002 est. 195 Gambia, The $ 180,900,000 2004 est. 196 Turks and Caicos Islands $ 175,600,000 2000 197 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines $ 174,000,000 2002 est. 198 East Timor $ 167,000,000 2004 est. 199 Micronesia, Federated States of $ 149,000,000 FY99/00 est. 200 Mayotte $ 141,300,000 1997 201 Burundi $ 138,200,000 2004 est. 202 Vanuatu $ 138,000,000 2002 203 Central African Republic $ 136,000,000 2002 est. 204 American Samoa $ 123,000,000 2002 205 Samoa $ 113,000,000 2002 206 Saint Pierre and Miquelon $ 106,000,000 2002 207 Guinea-Bissau $ 104,000,000 2002 est. 208 Palau $ 99,000,000 2001 est. 209 Dominica $ 98,200,000 2003 est. 210 Comoros $ 88,000,000 2002 est. 211 Tonga $ 86,000,000 2002 est. 212 Kiribati $ 83,000,000 2002 213 Anguilla $ 80,900,000 1999 214 Tuvalu $ 79,000,000 2002 215 Solomon Islands $ 67,000,000 2003 216 Marshall Islands $ 54,000,000 2000 217 Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) $ 53,000,000 2002 218 Cook Islands $ 50,700,000 2000 219 Saint Helena $ 42,000,000 2002 220 Sao Tome and Principe $ 41,000,000 2004 est. 221 Nauru $ 19,800,000 2004 est. 222 Norfolk Island $ 17,900,000 FY91/92 223 Montserrat $ 17,000,000 2001 224 Niue $ 2,380,000 1999 225 Tokelau $ 323,000 1983 226 Wallis and Futuna $ 300,000 1999

This file was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

Rank code: @2089

Rank Country Industrial production growth rate(%) Date of Information

1 Equatorial Guinea 30.00 2002 est. 2 Cambodia 22.00 2002 est. 3 Turkmenistan 22.00 2003 est. 4 Uruguay 22.00 2004 est. 5 Burundi 18.00 2001 6 China 17.10 2004 est. 7 Moldova 17.00 2003 est. 8 Turkey 16.50 2004 est. 9 Ukraine 16.50 2004 est. 10 Vietnam 16.00 2004 est. 11 Lesotho 15.50 1999 12 Armenia 15.00 2002 est. 13 Cote d'Ivoire 15.00 1998 est. 14 Burkina Faso 14.00 2001 est. 15 Pakistan 13.10 2004 est. 16 Venezuela 12.30 2004 est. 17 Taiwan 12.20 2004 est. 18 Argentina 12.00 2004 est. 19 Lithuania 12.00 2004 est. 20 Singapore 11.10 2004 est. 21 Kazakhstan 10.60 2004 est. 22 Indonesia 10.50 2004 est. 23 Malaysia 10.20 2004 est. 24 Korea, South 10.10 2004 est. 25 Ecuador 10.00 2004 est. 26 Poland 10.00 2004 est. 27 Qatar 10.00 2003 est. 28 Laos 9.70 2001 est. 29 Hungary 9.60 2004 est. 30 Bhutan 9.30 1996 est. 31 Iceland 8.80 2004 est. 32 Nepal 8.70 FY99/00 33 Tonga 8.60 FY98/99 34 Latvia 8.50 2004 est. 35 Sudan 8.50 1999 est. 36 East Timor 8.50 37 Thailand 8.50 2004 est. 38 Tanzania 8.40 1999 est. 39 Benin 8.30 2001 est. 40 Tajikistan 8.20 2002 est. 41 Faroe Islands 8.00 1999 est. 42 Mauritius 8.00 2000 est. 43 Chile 7.80 2004 est. 44 Honduras 7.70 2003 est. 45 India 7.40 2004 est. 46 Trinidad and Tobago 7.20 2004 est. 47 Sri Lanka 7.10 2004 est. 48 Guyana 7.10 1997 est. 49 Ireland 7.00 2004 est. 50 Syria 7.00 2002 est. 51 Rwanda 7.00 2001 est. 52 Zambia 6.90 2004 est. 53 Ethiopia 6.70 2001 est. 54 Japan 6.60 2004 est. 55 Bangladesh 6.50 2004 est. 56 Suriname 6.50 1994 est. 57 Russia 6.40 2004 est. 58 Uzbekistan 6.20 2003 est. 59 Antigua and Barbuda 6.00 1997 est. 60 Kyrgyzstan 6.00 2000 est. 61 Algeria 6.00 2004 est. 62 San Marino 6.00 1997 est. 63 Brazil 6.00 2004 est. 64 New Zealand 5.90 2004 est. 65 Bolivia 5.70 2004 est. 66 Uganda 5.60 2004 est. 67 Bosnia and Herzegovina 5.50 2003 est. 68 South Africa 5.50 2004 est. 69 Sweden 5.50 2004 est. 70 Panama 5.40 2004 est. 71 Bulgaria 5.20 2004 est. 72 Norway 5.20 2004 est. 73 Peru 5.20 2004 est. 74 Slovakia 5.10 2004 est. 75 Brunei 5.00 2002 est. 76 Philippines 5.00 2004 est. 77 Estonia 5.00 2000 est. 78 Jordan 5.00 2004 est. 79 Chad 5.00 1995 80 Czech Republic 4.70 2004 est. 81 Senegal 4.70 2004 est. 82 Switzerland 4.70 2004 est. 83 Belize 4.60 1999 84 Israel 4.50 2004 est. 85 Botswana 4.40 2004 est. 86 United States 4.40 2004 est. 87 Tunisia 4.40 2004 est. 88 Nicaragua 4.40 2000 est. 89 Maldives 4.40 1996 est. 90 Cameroon 4.20 1999 est. 91 Greece 4.10 2004 est. 92 Mongolia 4.10 2002 est. 93 Guatemala 4.10 1999 94 United Arab Emirates 4.00 2000 95 Colombia 4.00 2004 est. 96 Azerbaijan 4.00 2004 est. 97 Belarus 4.00 2004 est. 98 Romania 4.00 2004 est. 99 Slovenia 3.90 2004 est. 100 Ghana 3.80 2000 est. 101 Mexico 3.80 2004 est. 102 Swaziland 3.70 FY95/96 103 Belgium 3.50 2004 est. 104 Iran 3.50 2004 est. 105 Mozambique 3.40 2000 106 Austria 3.30 2004 est. 107 Guinea 3.20 1994 108 Man, Isle of 3.20 FY96/97 109 Albania 3.10 2004 est. 110 Costa Rica 3.10 2004 est. 111 Anguilla 3.10 1997 est. 112 Central African Republic 3.00 2002 113 Djibouti 3.00 1996 est. 114 Georgia 3.00 2000 115 Yemen 3.00 2003 est. 116 World 3.00 2003 est. 117 Spain 3.00 2004 est. 118 Madagascar 3.00 2000 est. 119 Luxembourg 2.90 2004 est. 120 Saudi Arabia 2.80 2004 est. 121 Samoa 2.80 2000 122 Croatia 2.70 2004 est. 123 Kenya 2.60 2004 est. 124 Guinea-Bissau 2.60 1997 est. 125 Egypt 2.50 2004 est. 126 European Union 2.40 2004 est. 127 Germany 2.20 2004 est. 128 Bahrain 2.00 2000 est. 129 Finland 2.00 2004 est. 130 Mauritania 2.00 2000 est. 131 Dominican Republic 2.00 2001 est. 132 Canada 2.00 2004 est. 133 Australia 1.90 2004 est. 134 Nigeria 1.80 2004 est. 135 Denmark 1.70 2004 est. 136 France 1.70 2004 est. 137 Serbia and Montenegro 1.70 2002 est. 138 Gabon 1.60 2002 est. 139 Cuba 1.40 2004 est. 140 Malawi 1.40 2004 est. 141 Portugal 1.10 2004 est. 142 Angola 1.00 2000 143 Hong Kong 1.00 2004 est. 144 Vanuatu 1.00 1997 est. 145 Cook Islands 1.00 2002 146 United Kingdom 0.90 2004 est. 147 Netherlands 0.80 2004 est. 148 El Salvador 0.70 2004 est. 149 Kiribati 0.70 1991 est. 150 Italy 0.70 2004 est. 151 Grenada 0.70 1997 est. 152 Cyprus 0.40 2002 153 Congo, Republic of the 0.00 2002 est. 154 Paraguay 0.00 2000 est. 155 Macedonia 0.00 2004 est. 156 Cyprus -0.30 2002 157 New Caledonia -0.60 1996 158 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines -0.90 1997 est. 159 Oman -1.20 2004 est. 160 Comoros -2.00 1999 est. 161 Jamaica -2.00 2000 est. 162 Barbados -3.20 2000 est. 163 Kuwait -5.00 2002 est. 164 Zimbabwe -7.80 2004 est. 165 Saint Lucia -8.90 1997 est. 166 Dominica -10.00 1997 est.

This file was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

Rank code: @2091

Rank Country Infant mortality rate(deaths/1,000 live births) Date of Information

1 Angola 187.49 2005 est. 2 Afghanistan 163.07 2005 est. 3 Sierra Leone 162.55 2005 est. 4 Liberia 161.99 2005 est. 5 Mozambique 130.79 2005 est. 6 Niger 119.69 2005 est. 7 Somalia 116.70 2005 est. 8 Tajikistan 110.76 2005 est. 9 Mali 109.47 2005 est. 10 Guinea-Bissau 107.15 2005 est. 11 Djibouti 104.13 2005 est. 12 Bhutan 100.44 2005 est. 13 Nigeria 98.80 2005 est. 14 Tanzania 98.54 2005 est. 15 Malawi 96.14 2005 est. 16 Ethiopia 95.32 2005 est. 17 Chad 93.13 2005 est. 18 Burkina Faso 92.94 2005 est. 19 Guinea 91.45 2005 est. 20 Rwanda 91.23 2005 est. 21 Equatorial Guinea 91.16 2005 est. 22 Cote d'Ivoire 90.83 2005 est. 23 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 90.66 2005 est. 24 Lesotho 88.75 2005 est. 25 Zambia 88.29 2005 est. 26 Congo, Republic of the 87.41 2005 est. 27 Central African Republic 87.33 2005 est. 28 Laos 85.22 2005 est. 29 Azerbaijan 81.74 2005 est. 30 Benin 81.29 2005 est. 31 Madagascar 76.83 2005 est. 32 Comoros 74.93 2005 est. 33 Haiti 73.45 2005 est. 34 Turkmenistan 73.08 2005 est. 35 Gambia, The 73.07 2005 est. 36 Swaziland 72.92 2005 est. 37 Pakistan 72.44 2005 est. 38 Uzbekistan 71.10 2005 est. 39 Cambodia 70.89 2005 est. 40 Mauritania 70.89 2005 est. 41 Uganda 67.83 2005 est. 42 Nepal 66.98 2005 est. 43 Cameroon 64.87 2005 est. 44 Burundi 64.39 2005 est. 45 Burma 63.56 2005 est. 46 Bangladesh 62.60 2005 est. 47 Sudan 62.50 2005 est. 48 Mayotte 62.40 2005 est. 49 Togo 62.20 2005 est. 50 South Africa 61.81 2005 est. 51 Yemen 61.50 2005 est. 52 Kenya 61.47 2005 est. 53 Maldives 56.52 2005 est. 54 Ghana 56.36 2005 est. 55 India 56.29 2005 est. 56 Gabon 55.35 2005 est. 57 Vanuatu 55.16 2005 est. 58 Botswana 54.58 2005 est. 59 Senegal 54.12 2005 est. 60 Mongolia 53.79 2005 est. 61 Bolivia 53.11 2005 est. 62 Zimbabwe 52.34 2005 est. 63 Papua New Guinea 51.45 2005 est. 64 Iraq 50.25 2005 est. 65 World 50.11 2005 est. 66 Namibia 48.98 2005 est. 67 Kiribati 48.52 2005 est. 68 Cape Verde 47.77 2005 est. 69 Eritrea 47.41 2005 est. 70 East Timor 47.41 2005 est. 71 Sao Tome and Principe 43.11 2005 est. 72 Morocco 41.62 2005 est. 73 Iran 41.58 2005 est. 74 Turkey 41.04 2005 est. 75 Moldova 40.42 2005 est. 76 Kyrgyzstan 35.64 2005 est. 77 Indonesia 35.60 2005 est. 78 Guyana 33.26 2005 est. 79 Egypt 32.59 2005 est. 80 Guatemala 32.00 2005 est. 81 Peru 31.94 2005 est. 82 Algeria 31.00 2005 est. 83 Micronesia, Federated States of 30.21 2005 est. 84 Brazil 29.61 2005 est. 85 Syria 29.53 2005 est. 86 Marshall Islands 29.45 2005 est. 87 Dominican Republic 29.37 2005 est. 88 Kazakhstan 29.21 2005 est. 89 Nicaragua 29.11 2005 est. 90 Samoa 27.71 2005 est. 91 Honduras 26.47 2005 est. 92 Romania 26.43 2005 est. 93 Vietnam 25.95 2005 est. 94 Trinidad and Tobago 25.81 2005 est. 95 Paraguay 25.63 2005 est. 96 Belize 25.40 2005 est. 97 Bahamas, The 25.21 2005 est. 98 El Salvador 25.10 2005 est. 99 Tunisia 24.77 2005 est. 100 Libya 24.60 2005 est. 101 Lebanon 24.52 2005 est. 102 China 24.18 2005 est. 103 Korea, North 24.04 2005 est. 104 Ecuador 23.66 2005 est. 105 Suriname 23.57 2005 est. 106 Philippines 23.51 2005 est. 107 Armenia 23.28 2005 est. 108 Gaza Strip 22.93 2005 est. 109 Venezuela 22.20 2005 est. 110 Albania 21.52 2005 est. 111 Solomon Islands 21.29 2005 est. 112 Anguilla 21.03 2005 est. 113 Colombia 20.97 2005 est. 114 Mexico 20.91 2005 est. 115 Bulgaria 20.55 2005 est. 116 Thailand 20.16 2005 est. 117 Tuvalu 20.03 2005 est. 118 West Bank 19.62 2005 est. 119 Oman 19.51 2005 est. 120 Antigua and Barbuda 19.46 2005 est. 121 Saint Helena 19.00 2005 est. 122 Qatar 18.61 2005 est. 123 Georgia 18.59 2005 est. 124 Malaysia 17.70 2005 est. 125 Jordan 17.35 2005 est. 126 British Virgin Islands 17.30 2005 est. 127 Bahrain 17.27 2005 est. 128 Panama 16.73 2005 est. 129 Jamaica 16.33 2005 est. 130 Greenland 15.82 2005 est. 131 Turks and Caicos Islands 15.67 2005 est. 132 Seychelles 15.53 2005 est. 133 Russia 15.39 2005 est. 134 Argentina 15.18 2005 est. 135 Mauritius 15.03 2005 est. 136 Palau 14.84 2005 est. 137 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 14.78 2005 est. 138 Grenada 14.62 2005 est. 139 United Arab Emirates 14.51 2005 est. 140 Saint Kitts and Nevis 14.49 2005 est. 141 Sri Lanka 14.35 2005 est. 142 Dominica 14.15 2005 est. 143 Saint Lucia 13.53 2005 est. 144 Belarus 13.37 2005 est. 145 Saudi Arabia 13.24 2005 est. 146 Serbia and Montenegro 12.89 2005 est. 147 Fiji 12.62 2005 est. 148 Tonga 12.62 2005 est. 149 Brunei 12.61 2005 est. 150 French Guiana 12.07 2005 est. 151 Uruguay 11.95 2005 est. 152 Barbados 11.72 2005 est. 153 Ukraine 10.11 2005 est. 154 Macedonia 10.09 2005 est. 155 Bosnia and Herzegovina 10.07 2005 est. 156 Netherlands Antilles 10.03 2005 est. 157 Costa Rica 9.95 2005 est. 158 Kuwait 9.95 2005 est. 159 Nauru 9.95 2005 est. 160 Latvia 9.55 2005 est. 161 Puerto Rico 9.28 2005 est. 162 American Samoa 9.27 2005 est. 163 Chile 8.80 2005 est. 164 Guadeloupe 8.60 2005 est. 165 Hungary 8.57 2005 est. 166 Bermuda 8.53 2005 est. 167 French Polynesia 8.44 2005 est. 168 Cayman Islands 8.19 2005 est. 169 Virgin Islands 8.03 2005 est. 170 Estonia 7.87 2005 est. 171 Reunion 7.78 2005 est. 172 New Caledonia 7.72 2005 est. 173 Saint Pierre and Miquelon 7.54 2005 est. 174 Slovakia 7.41 2005 est. 175 Poland 7.36 2005 est. 176 Montserrat 7.35 2005 est. 177 Cyprus 7.18 2005 est. 178 Northern Mariana Islands 7.11 2005 est. 179 Martinique 7.09 2005 est. 180 Israel 7.03 2005 est. 181 Guam 6.94 2005 est. 182 Lithuania 6.89 2005 est. 183 Croatia 6.84 2005 est. 184 United States 6.50 2005 est. 185 Taiwan 6.40 2005 est. 186 Cuba 6.33 2005 est. 187 Korea, South 6.28 2005 est. 188 Faroe Islands 6.24 2005 est. 189 Italy 5.94 2005 est. 190 Man, Isle of 5.93 2005 est. 191 Aruba 5.89 2005 est. 192 New Zealand 5.85 2005 est. 193 San Marino 5.73 2005 est. 194 Greece 5.53 2005 est. 195 Monaco 5.43 2005 est. 196 Ireland 5.39 2005 est. 197 Jersey 5.24 2005 est. 198 United Kingdom 5.16 2005 est. 199 Gibraltar 5.13 2005 est. 200 European Union 5.10 July 2005 est. 201 Portugal 5.05 2005 est. 202 Netherlands 5.04 2005 est. 203 Luxembourg 4.81 2005 est. 204 Canada 4.75 2005 est. 205 Guernsey 4.71 2005 est. 206 Liechtenstein 4.70 2005 est. 207 Australia 4.69 2005 est. 208 Belgium 4.68 2005 est. 209 Austria 4.66 2005 est. 210 Denmark 4.56 2005 est. 211 Slovenia 4.45 2005 est. 212 Spain 4.42 2005 est. 213 Switzerland 4.39 2005 est. 214 Macau 4.37 2005 est. 215 France 4.26 2005 est. 216 Germany 4.16 2005 est. 217 Andorra 4.05 2005 est. 218 Czech Republic 3.93 2005 est. 219 Malta 3.89 2005 est. 220 Norway 3.70 2005 est. 221 Finland 3.57 2005 est. 222 Iceland 3.31 2005 est. 223 Japan 3.26 2005 est. 224 Hong Kong 2.96 2005 est. 225 Sweden 2.77 2005 est. 226 Singapore 2.29 2005 est.

This file was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

Rank code: @2092

Rank Country Inflation rate (consumer prices)(%) Date of Information

1 Nauru -3.60 1993 2 New Caledonia -0.60 2000 est. 3 Barbados -0.50 2003 est. 4 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines -0.40 2001 est. 5 Hong Kong -0.30 2004 est. 6 Japan -0.10 2004 est. 7 Guam 0.00 1999 est. 8 Israel 0.00 2004 est. 9 Oman 0.20 2004 est. 10 Brunei 0.30 2003 est. 11 Antigua and Barbuda 0.40 2000 est. 12 Macedonia 0.40 2004 est. 13 Finland 0.70 2004 est. 14 Sweden 0.70 2004 est. 15 Saudi Arabia 0.80 2004 est. 16 Senegal 0.80 2004 est. 17 Switzerland 0.90 2004 est. 18 Cameroon 1.00 2004 est. 19 Togo 1.00 2004 est. 20 Sierra Leone 1.00 2002 est. 21 Norway 1.00 2004 est. 22 Niue 1.00 1995 23 Maldives 1.00 2002 est. 24 Micronesia, Federated States of 1.00 2002 est. 25 Liechtenstein 1.00 2001 26 Dominica 1.00 2001 est. 27 Bosnia and Herzegovina 1.10 2004 est. 28 Lithuania 1.10 2004 est. 29 Bahamas, The 1.20 30 Northern Mariana Islands 1.20 1997 est. 31 Malaysia 1.30 2004 est. 32 Denmark 1.40 2004 est. 33 United Kingdom 1.40 2004 est. 34 Netherlands 1.40 2004 est. 35 Cote d'Ivoire 1.40 2004 est. 36 Cape Verde 1.50 2004 est. 37 French Guiana 1.50 2002 est. 38 Gabon 1.50 2004 est. 39 Gibraltar 1.50 1998 40 French Polynesia 1.50 2002 est. 41 Fiji 1.60 2002 est. 42 Greenland 1.60 1999 est. 43 Germany 1.60 2004 est. 44 Saint Kitts and Nevis 1.70 2001 est. 45 Singapore 1.70 2004 est. 46 Taiwan 1.70 2004 est. 47 Austria 1.80 2004 est. 48 Congo, Republic of the 1.80 2004 est. 49 Belgium 1.90 2004 est. 50 Canada 1.90 2004 est. 51 Monaco 1.90 2000 52 Djibouti 2.00 2002 est. 53 Lebanon 2.00 2004 est. 54 Panama 2.00 2004 est. 55 Marshall Islands 2.00 2001 est. 56 Macau 2.00 3rd quarter, 2004 57 Ecuador 2.00 2004 est. 58 Bahrain 2.10 2004 est. 59 Syria 2.10 2004 est. 60 Saint Pierre and Miquelon 2.10 1991-96 average 61 Portugal 2.10 2004 est. 62 Netherlands Antilles 2.10 2003 est. 63 Morocco 2.10 2004 est. 64 European Union 2.10 2004 est. 65 Ireland 2.20 2004 est. 66 West Bank 2.20 2001 est. 67 Gaza Strip 2.20 2001 est. 68 Virgin Islands 2.20 2003 69 Australia 2.30 2004 est. 70 Anguilla 2.30 71 France 2.30 2004 est. 72 Italy 2.30 2004 est. 73 Kuwait 2.30 2004 est. 74 Chile 2.40 2004 est. 75 Cyprus 2.40 2003 est. 76 Ethiopia 2.40 2004 est. 77 Luxembourg 2.40 2004 est. 78 New Zealand 2.40 2004 est. 79 Burkina Faso 2.40 2004 est. 80 Croatia 2.50 2004 est. 81 Kiribati 2.50 2001 est. 82 United States 2.50 2004 est. 83 British Virgin Islands 2.50 2003 84 Montserrat 2.60 2002 est. 85 Benin 2.80 2004 est. 86 Cayman Islands 2.80 2002 87 Thailand 2.80 2004 est. 88 Grenada 2.80 2001 est. 89 Belize 2.90 2004 est. 90 Malta 2.90 2004 est. 91 Nepal 2.90 2002 est. 92 Libya 2.90 2004 est. 93 Greece 2.90 2004 est. 94 Bhutan 3.00 2002 est. 95 Qatar 3.00 2004 est. 96 Uzbekistan 3.00 2004 est. 97 Saint Lucia 3.00 2001 est. 98 Niger 3.00 2002 est. 99 Estonia 3.00 2004 est. 100 Algeria 3.10 2004 est. 101 Cuba 3.10 2004 est. 102 Vanuatu 3.10 2003 est. 103 Cambodia 3.10 2004 est. 104 Aruba 3.20 2002 est. 105 United Arab Emirates 3.20 2004 est. 106 Spain 3.20 2004 est. 107 Saint Helena 3.20 1997 est. 108 Kyrgyzstan 3.20 2004 est. 109 Jordan 3.20 2004 est. 110 Czech Republic 3.20 2004 est. 111 Cook Islands 3.20 2000 est. 112 Albania 3.20 2004 est. 113 Bermuda 3.30 mid-2003 est. 114 Slovenia 3.30 2004 est. 115 Trinidad and Tobago 3.30 2004 est. 116 San Marino 3.30 2001 117 Poland 3.40 2004 est. 118 Palau 3.40 2000 est. 119 Armenia 3.50 2004 est. 120 Comoros 3.50 2001 est. 121 Uganda 3.50 2004 est. 122 Central African Republic 3.60 2001 est. 123 Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 3.60 1998 124 Korea, South 3.60 2004 est. 125 Man, Isle of 3.60 March 2003 est. 126 Peru 3.80 2004 est. 127 Martinique 3.90 1990 128 Iceland 4.00 2004 est. 129 Turks and Caicos Islands 4.00 1995 130 Samoa 4.00 2001 est. 131 East Timor 4.00 2003 est. 132 Guinea-Bissau 4.00 2002 est. 133 China 4.10 2004 est. 134 Tunisia 4.10 2004 est. 135 India 4.20 2004 est. 136 Namibia 4.20 2004 est. 137 Papua New Guinea 4.20 2004 est. 138 Andorra 4.30 2000 139 Guyana 4.50 2004 est. 140 Mali 4.50 2002 est. 141 South Africa 4.50 2004 est. 142 Mauritius 4.50 2004 est. 143 Azerbaijan 4.60 2004 est. 144 Pakistan 4.80 FY03/04 est. 145 Bolivia 4.90 2004 est. 146 Guernsey 4.90 2004 est. 147 Seychelles 5.00 2004 est. 148 Tuvalu 5.00 2000 est. 149 Faroe Islands 5.10 1999 150 Paraguay 5.10 2004 est. 151 Jersey 5.30 2004 152 Lesotho 5.30 2004 est. 153 El Salvador 5.40 2004 est. 154 Swaziland 5.40 2004 est. 155 Tanzania 5.40 2004 est. 156 Mexico 5.40 2004 est. 157 Georgia 5.50 2004 est. 158 Philippines 5.50 2004 est. 159 Sri Lanka 5.80 2004 est. 160 Colombia 5.90 2004 est. 161 Bangladesh 6.00 2004 est. 162 Latvia 6.00 2004 est. 163 Argentina 6.10 2004 est. 164 Indonesia 6.10 2004 est. 165 Bulgaria 6.10 2004 est. 166 Puerto Rico 6.50 2003 est. 167 Kazakhstan 6.90 2004 est. 168 Botswana 7.00 2004 est. 169 Gambia, The 7.00 2004 est. 170 Rwanda 7.00 2004 est. 171 Mauritania 7.00 2003 est. 172 Hungary 7.00 2004 est. 173 Honduras 7.00 2004 est. 174 Guatemala 7.20 2004 est. 175 Slovakia 7.50 2004 est. 176 Madagascar 7.50 2004 est. 177 Brazil 7.60 2004 est. 178 Uruguay 7.60 2004 est. 179 Chad 8.00 2004 est. 180 Tajikistan 8.00 2004 est. 181 Burundi 8.50 2004 est. 182 Equatorial Guinea 8.50 2004 est. 183 Serbia and Montenegro 8.80 2004 est. 184 Kenya 9.00 2004 est. 185 Sudan 9.00 2004 est. 186 Turkmenistan 9.00 2004 est. 187 Nicaragua 9.30 2004 est. 188 Turkey 9.30 2004 est. 189 Egypt 9.50 2004 est. 190 Vietnam 9.50 2004 est. 191 Romania 9.60 2004 est. 192 Solomon Islands 10.00 2003 est. 193 Eritrea 10.00 2004 est. 194 Afghanistan 10.30 2003 195 Tonga 10.30 2002 est. 196 Mongolia 11.00 2004 est. 197 Costa Rica 11.50 2004 est. 198 Moldova 11.50 2004 est. 199 Russia 11.50 2004 est. 200 Malawi 12.00 2004 est. 201 Ukraine 12.00 2004 est. 202 Yemen 12.20 2004 est. 203 Laos 12.30 2004 est. 204 Jamaica 12.40 2004 est. 205 Cyprus 12.60 2003 est. 206 Mozambique 12.80 2004 est. 207 Ghana 13.00 2004 est. 208 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 14.00 2003 est. 209 Sao Tome and Principe 14.00 2004 est. 210 Liberia 15.00 2003 est. 211 Iran 15.50 2004 est. 212 Nigeria 16.50 2004 est. 213 Burma 17.20 2004 est. 214 Belarus 17.40 2004 est. 215 Guinea 18.00 2004 est. 216 Zambia 18.30 2004 est. 217 Haiti 22.00 2004 est. 218 Venezuela 22.40 2004 est. 219 Suriname 23.00 2003 est. 220 Iraq 25.40 2004 est. 221 Angola 43.80 2004 est. 222 Dominican Republic 55.00 2004 est. 223 Zimbabwe 133.00 2004 est.

This file was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

Rank code: @2093

Rank Country Waterways(km) Date of Information

1 World 671,886 2004 2 China 121,557 2002 3 Russia 96,000 2004 4 European Union 53,512 5 Brazil 50,000 2004 6 United States 41,009 2004 7 Indonesia 21,579 2004 8 Vietnam 17,702 2004 9 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 15,000 2004 10 India 14,500 2004 11 Burma 12,800 2004 12 Argentina 11,000 2004 13 Papua New Guinea 10,940 2003 14 Bolivia 10,000 2004 15 Colombia 9,187 2004 16 Peru 8,808 2004 17 Nigeria 8,600 2004 18 France 8,500 2000 19 Bangladesh 8,372 2004 20 Finland 7,842 2004 21 Germany 7,300 2004 22 Malaysia 7,200 2004 23 Venezuela 7,100 2004 24 Iraq 5,275 2004 25 Netherlands 5,046 2004 26 Laos 4,600 2003 27 Congo, Republic of the 4,385 2004 28 Sudan 4,068 2004 29 Kazakhstan 4,000 2004 30 Thailand 4,000 2003 31 Poland 3,997 2003 32 French Guiana 3,760 2004 33 Egypt 3,500 2004 34 Philippines 3,219 2004 35 United Kingdom 3,200 2004 36 Paraguay 3,100 2004 37 Mexico 2,900 2004 38 Central African Republic 2,800 2004 39 Belarus 2,500 2003 40 Cambodia 2,400 2004 41 Italy 2,400 2004 42 Korea, North 2,250 2004 43 Zambia 2,250 2003 44 Nicaragua 2,220 1997 45 Belgium 2,043 2003 46 Australia 2,000 2004 47 Mali 1,815 2004 48 Japan 1,770 2004 49 Romania 1,731 2004 50 Ukraine 1,672 2004 51 Hungary 1,622 2004 52 Korea, South 1,608 2004 53 Gabon 1,600 2003 54 Uruguay 1,600 2002 55 Ecuador 1,500 2003 56 Angola 1,300 2004 57 Turkmenistan 1,300 2003 58 Guinea 1,295 2003 59 Ghana 1,293 2003 60 Afghanistan 1,200 2004 61 Turkey 1,200 2003 62 Suriname 1,200 2003 63 Uzbekistan 1,100 2004 64 Guyana 1,077 2004 65 Spain 1,045 2003 66 Senegal 1,000 2003 67 Guatemala 990 2004 68 Cote d'Ivoire 980 2003 69 Syria 900 2002 70 Iran 850 2004 71 Belize 825 2004 72 Panama 800 2004 73 Sierra Leone 800 2003 74 Croatia 785 2004 75 Ireland 753 2004 76 Costa Rica 730 2004 77 Malawi 700 2003 78 Czech Republic 664 2004 79 Canada 631 2003 80 Kyrgyzstan 600 2004 81 Lithuania 600 2004 82 Madagascar 600 2004 83 Serbia and Montenegro 587 2004 84 Mongolia 580 2004 85 Estonia 500 2003 86 Bulgaria 470 2004 87 Honduras 465 2004 88 Mozambique 460 2004 89 Moldova 424 2004 90 Denmark 417 2001 91 Gambia, The 390 2004 92 Austria 358 2003 93 Latvia 300 2004 94 Niger 300 2004 95 Uganda 300 2004 est. 96 Cuba 240 2004 97 Portugal 210 2003 98 Brunei 209 2004 99 Fiji 203 2004 100 Tajikistan 200 2003 101 Slovakia 172 2004 102 Sri Lanka 160 2004 103 Benin 150 2004 104 Switzerland 65 2003 105 Togo 50 2003 106 Albania 43 2004 107 Luxembourg 37 2003 108 Liechtenstein 28 2004 109 Greece 6 2004 110 Kiribati 5 2003

This file was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

Rank code: @2095

Rank Country Labor force Date of Information

1 China 760,800,000 2003 2 India 482,200,000 2004 est. 3 European Union 215,000,000 various 4 United States 147,400,000 2004 est. 5 Indonesia 111,500,000 2004 est. 6 Brazil 89,000,000 2004 est. 7 Russia 71,830,000 2004 est. 8 Japan 66,970,000 2004 est. 9 Bangladesh 65,490,000 2004 est. 10 Nigeria 55,670,000 2004 est. 11 Pakistan 45,430,000 2004 est. 12 Vietnam 42,980,000 2004 est. 13 Germany 42,630,000 2004 est. 14 Thailand 36,430,000 November 2004 est. 15 Philippines 35,860,000 2004 est. 16 Mexico 34,730,000 2004 est. 17 United Kingdom 29,780,000 2004 est. 18 France 27,700,000 2004 est. 19 Burma 27,010,000 2004 est. 20 Turkey 25,300,000 2003 est. 21 Italy 24,270,000 2004 est. 22 Iran 23,000,000 2004 est. 23 Korea, South 22,900,000 2004 est. 24 Ukraine 21,110,000 2004 est. 25 Egypt 20,710,000 2004 est. 26 Colombia 20,700,000 2004 est. 27 Spain 19,330,000 2004 est. 28 Tanzania 19,000,000 2004 est. 29 Canada 17,370,000 2004 30 Poland 17,020,000 2004 est. 31 South Africa 16,630,000 2004 est. 32 Argentina 15,040,000 2004 est. 33 Uzbekistan 14,640,000 2004 est. 34 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 14,510,000 1993 est. 35 Uganda 12,410,000 2004 est. 36 Venezuela 12,250,000 2004 est. 37 Afghanistan 11,800,000 2001 est. 38 Kenya 11,400,000 2004 est. 39 Morocco 11,020,000 2004 est. 40 Peru 11,000,000 2004 est. 41 Sudan 11,000,000 1996 est. 42 Malaysia 10,490,000 2004 est. 43 Australia 10,350,000 2004 est. 44 Ghana 10,240,000 2004 est. 45 Taiwan 10,220,000 2004 est. 46 Nepal 10,000,000 1996 est. 47 Algeria 9,910,000 2004 est. 48 Romania 9,660,000 2004 est. 49 Korea, North 9,600,000 50 Mozambique 9,200,000 2000 est. 51 Kazakhstan 7,950,000 2004 est. 52 Netherlands 7,530,000 2004 est. 53 Madagascar 7,300,000 2000 54 Sri Lanka 7,260,000 2004 est. 55 Cambodia 7,000,000 2003 est. 56 Cote d'Ivoire 6,700,000 2004 est. 57 Iraq 6,700,000 2004 est. 58 Cameroon 6,680,000 2004 est. 59 Saudi Arabia 6,620,000 2004 est. 60 Chile 6,200,000 2004 est. 61 Yemen 5,980,000 2004 est. 62 Portugal 5,480,000 2004 est. 63 Angola 5,410,000 2004 est. 64 Czech Republic 5,250,000 2004 est. 65 Syria 5,120,000 2004 est. 66 Azerbaijan 5,090,000 2004 est. 67 Burkina Faso 5,000,000 2003 68 Belgium 4,750,000 2004 est. 69 Senegal 4,650,000 2004 est. 70 Zambia 4,630,000 2004 est. 71 Rwanda 4,600,000 2000 72 Cuba 4,550,000 2004 est. 73 Ecuador 4,530,000 2004 est. 74 Malawi 4,500,000 2001 est. 75 Sweden 4,460,000 2004 est. 76 Greece 4,400,000 2004 est. 77 Belarus 4,305,000 31 December 2003 78 Zimbabwe 4,230,000 2004 est. 79 Hungary 4,170,000 2004 est. 80 Mali 3,930,000 2001 est. 81 Bolivia 3,800,000 2004 est. 82 Switzerland 3,770,000 2004 est. 83 Somalia 3,700,000 84 Guatemala 3,680,000 2004 est. 85 Haiti 3,600,000 1995 86 Tunisia 3,550,000 2004 est. 87 Hong Kong 3,540,000 October 2004 est. 88 Austria 3,450,000 2004 est. 89 Bulgaria 3,398,000 2004 est. 90 Papua New Guinea 3,320,000 2004 est. 91 Serbia and Montenegro 3,200,000 2004 est. 92 Tajikistan 3,187,000 2000 93 Guinea 3,000,000 1999 94 Burundi 2,990,000 2002 95 Denmark 2,870,000 2004 est. 96 El Salvador 2,750,000 2004 est. 97 Kyrgyzstan 2,700,000 2000 98 Israel 2,680,000 2004 est. 99 Finland 2,660,000 2004 est. 100 Paraguay 2,660,000 2004 est. 101 Laos 2,600,000 2001 est. 102 Lebanon 2,600,000 2001 est. 103 Honduras 2,470,000 2004 est. 104 Norway 2,380,000 2004 est. 105 United Arab Emirates 2,360,000 2004 est. 106 Turkmenistan 2,320,000 2003 est. 107 Slovakia 2,200,000 3rd quarter, 2004 est. 108 Singapore 2,180,000 2004 est. 109 Georgia 2,100,000 2001 est. 110 New Zealand 2,050,000 2004 est. 111 Nicaragua 1,930,000 2004 est. 112 Ireland 1,920,000 2004 est. 113 Costa Rica 1,810,000 2004 est. 114 Togo 1,740,000 1996 115 Croatia 1,710,000 2004 est. 116 Lithuania 1,630,000 2004 est. 117 Libya 1,590,000 2004 est. 118 Uruguay 1,560,000 2004 est. 119 Mongolia 1,488,000 2003 120 Kuwait 1,420,000 2004 est. 121 Jordan 1,410,000 2004 est. 122 Armenia 1,400,000 2001 123 Sierra Leone 1,369,000 1981 est. 124 Moldova 1,360,000 2004 est. 125 Panama 1,320,000 2004 est. 126 Puerto Rico 1,300,000 2000 127 Latvia 1,170,000 2004 est. 128 Jamaica 1,140,000 2004 est. 129 Albania 1,090,000 2004 est. 130 Bosnia and Herzegovina 1,026,000 2001 131 Oman 920,000 2002 est. 132 Slovenia 870,000 2004 est. 133 Macedonia 855,000 2004 est. 134 Namibia 840,000 2004 est. 135 Lesotho 838,000 2000 136 Mauritania 786,000 2001 137 Gaza Strip 725,000 2004 138 Estonia 660,000 2004 est. 139 Gabon 650,000 2004 est. 140 Trinidad and Tobago 590,000 2004 est. 141 Mauritius 560,000 2004 est. 142 Guinea-Bissau 480,000 1999 143 Guyana 418,000 2001 est. 144 Gambia, The 400,000 1996 145 Swaziland 383,200 2000 146 Bahrain 370,000 2004 est. 147 West Bank 364,000 2004 148 Cyprus 330,000 2004 est. 149 Reunion 309,900 2000 150 Luxembourg 293,700 2004 est. 151 Djibouti 282,000 2000 152 Botswana 264,000 2000 153 Macau 231,500 3rd Quarter, 2004 154 Martinique 165,900 1998 155 Malta 160,000 2002 est. 156 Iceland 158,100 2004 est. 157 Brunei 158,000 2002 est. 158 Bahamas, The 156,000 1999 159 Comoros 144,500 1996 est. 160 Qatar 140,000 2004 est. 161 Fiji 137,000 1999 162 Barbados 128,500 2001 est. 163 Guadeloupe 125,900 1997 164 Suriname 104,000 2003 165 Cyprus 95,025 2004 est. 166 Belize 90,000 2001 est. 167 Samoa 90,000 2000 est. 168 Netherlands Antilles 89,000 2000 169 Maldives 88,000 2000 170 New Caledonia 79,400 1996 171 French Polynesia 70,000 1996 172 Niger 70,000 2002 est. 173 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 67,000 1984 est. 174 Guam 60,000 2000 est. 175 French Guiana 58,800 1997 176 Jersey 52,790 2004 177 Virgin Islands 48,900 2003 est. 178 Mayotte 48,800 2000 179 Saint Lucia 43,800 2001 est. 180 Grenada 42,300 1996 181 Aruba 41,500 1997 est. 182 Man, Isle of 39,690 2001 183 Bermuda 37,470 2000 184 Tonga 33,910 1996 185 Andorra 33,000 2001 est. 186 Guernsey 32,290 2001 187 Seychelles 30,900 1996 188 Monaco 30,540 January 1994 189 Antigua and Barbuda 30,000 190 Liechtenstein 29,000 31 December 2001 191 Marshall Islands 28,700 1996 est. 192 Solomon Islands 26,840 1999 193 Dominica 25,000 1999 est. 194 Greenland 24,500 1999 est. 195 Faroe Islands 24,250 October 2000 196 Cayman Islands 19,820 1995 197 San Marino 18,500 1999 198 Saint Kitts and Nevis 18,170 June 1995 199 Gibraltar 14,800 1999 200 American Samoa 14,000 1996 201 British Virgin Islands 12,770 2004 202 Western Sahara 12,000 203 Palau 9,845 2000 204 Cook Islands 8,000 1996 205 Kiribati 7,870 2001 est. 206 Tuvalu 7,000 2001 est. 207 Anguilla 6,049 2001 208 Northern Mariana Islands 6,006 June 1995 209 Turks and Caicos Islands 4,848 1990 est. 210 Montserrat 4,521 2000 est. 211 Saint Helena 3,500 1998 est. 212 Saint Pierre and Miquelon 3,261 1999 213 Norfolk Island 1,345 214 Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 1,100 215 Pitcairn Islands 15 2004

This file was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

Rank code: @2102

Rank Country Life expectancy at birth(years) Date of Information

1 Andorra 83.51 2005 est. 2 Macau 82.12 2005 est. 3 San Marino 81.62 2005 est. 4 Singapore 81.62 2005 est. 5 Hong Kong 81.50 2005 est. 6 Japan 81.15 2005 est. 7 Sweden 80.40 2005 est. 8 Australia 80.39 2005 est. 9 Switzerland 80.39 2005 est. 10 Guernsey 80.30 2005 est. 11 Iceland 80.19 2005 est. 12 Canada 80.10 2005 est. 13 Cayman Islands 79.95 2005 est. 14 Italy 79.68 2005 est. 15 Gibraltar 79.67 2005 est. 16 France 79.60 2005 est. 17 Monaco 79.57 2005 est. 18 Liechtenstein 79.55 2005 est. 19 Spain 79.52 2005 est. 20 Norway 79.40 2005 est. 21 Israel 79.32 2005 est. 22 Jersey 79.24 2005 est. 23 Faroe Islands 79.21 2005 est. 24 Aruba 79.14 2005 est. 25 Greece 79.09 2005 est. 26 Martinique 79.04 2005 est. 27 Austria 78.92 2005 est. 28 Virgin Islands 78.91 2005 est. 29 Malta 78.86 2005 est. 30 Netherlands 78.81 2005 est. 31 Luxembourg 78.74 2005 est. 32 Montserrat 78.71 2005 est. 33 New Zealand 78.66 2005 est. 34 Germany 78.65 2005 est. 35 Belgium 78.62 2005 est. 36 Saint Pierre and Miquelon 78.46 2005 est. 37 Guam 78.40 2005 est. 38 United Kingdom 78.38 2005 est. 39 Finland 78.35 2005 est. 40 Man, Isle of 78.34 2005 est. 41 European Union 78.30 July 2005 est. 42 Puerto Rico 78.29 2005 est. 43 Jordan 78.24 2005 est. 44 Guadeloupe 77.90 2005 est. 45 Bosnia and Herzegovina 77.83 2005 est. 46 Bermuda 77.79 2005 est. 47 Saint Helena 77.76 2005 est. 48 United States 77.71 2005 est. 49 Cyprus 77.65 2005 est. 50 Denmark 77.62 2005 est. 51 Ireland 77.56 2005 est. 52 Portugal 77.53 2005 est. 53 Taiwan 77.26 2005 est. 54 Albania 77.24 2005 est. 55 Cuba 77.23 2005 est. 56 Anguilla 77.11 2005 est. 57 French Guiana 77.09 2005 est. 58 Kuwait 77.03 2005 est. 59 Korea, South 76.85 2005 est. 60 Costa Rica 76.84 2005 est. 61 Chile 76.58 2005 est. 62 Libya 76.50 2005 est. 63 British Virgin Islands 76.49 2005 est. 64 Ecuador 76.21 2005 est. 65 Slovenia 76.14 2005 est. 66 Uruguay 76.13 2005 est. 67 Czech Republic 76.02 2005 est. 68 Argentina 75.91 2005 est. 69 French Polynesia 75.90 2005 est. 70 Northern Mariana Islands 75.88 2005 est. 71 Georgia 75.88 2005 est. 72 American Samoa 75.84 2005 est. 73 Netherlands Antilles 75.83 2005 est. 74 Saudi Arabia 75.46 2005 est. 75 Panama 75.25 2005 est. 76 United Arab Emirates 75.24 2005 est. 77 Mexico 75.19 2005 est. 78 Paraguay 74.89 2005 est. 79 Tunisia 74.89 2005 est. 80 Brunei 74.80 2005 est. 81 Poland 74.74 2005 est. 82 Serbia and Montenegro 74.73 2005 est. 83 Dominica 74.65 2005 est. 84 Turks and Caicos Islands 74.51 2005 est. 85 Slovakia 74.50 2005 est. 86 Croatia 74.45 2005 est. 87 Venezuela 74.31 2005 est. 88 Bahrain 74.23 2005 est. 89 New Caledonia 74.04 2005 est. 90 Lithuania 73.97 2005 est. 91 Reunion 73.95 2005 est. 92 Macedonia 73.73 2005 est. 93 Qatar 73.67 2005 est. 94 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 73.62 2005 est. 95 Saint Lucia 73.61 2005 est. 96 Jamaica 73.33 2005 est. 97 Sri Lanka 73.17 2005 est. 98 Oman 73.13 2005 est. 99 West Bank 73.08 2005 est. 100 Algeria 73.00 2005 est. 101 Solomon Islands 72.66 2005 est. 102 Lebanon 72.63 2005 est. 103 Barbados 72.59 2005 est. 104 Hungary 72.40 2005 est. 105 Mauritius 72.38 2005 est. 106 Turkey 72.36 2005 est. 107 China 72.27 2005 est. 108 Malaysia 72.24 2005 est. 109 Saint Kitts and Nevis 72.15 2005 est. 110 Bulgaria 72.03 2005 est. 111 Thailand 71.95 2005 est. 112 Antigua and Barbuda 71.90 2005 est. 113 Seychelles 71.82 2005 est. 114 Gaza Strip 71.79 2005 est. 115 Estonia 71.77 2005 est. 116 Colombia 71.72 2005 est. 117 Brazil 71.69 2005 est. 118 Armenia 71.55 2005 est. 119 Dominican Republic 71.44 2005 est. 120 Korea, North 71.37 2005 est. 121 Romania 71.35 2005 est. 122 El Salvador 71.22 2005 est. 123 Latvia 71.05 2005 est. 124 Egypt 71.00 2005 est. 125 Samoa 70.72 2005 est. 126 Morocco 70.66 2005 est. 127 Vietnam 70.61 2005 est. 128 Cape Verde 70.45 2005 est. 129 Nicaragua 70.33 2005 est. 130 Palau 70.14 2005 est. 131 Syria 70.03 2005 est. 132 Marshall Islands 70.01 2005 est. 133 Iran 69.96 2005 est. 134 Philippines 69.91 2005 est. 135 Micronesia, Federated States of 69.75 2005 est. 136 Ukraine 69.68 2005 est. 137 Greenland 69.65 2005 est. 138 Indonesia 69.57 2005 est. 139 Fiji 69.53 2005 est. 140 Peru 69.53 2005 est. 141 Tonga 69.53 2005 est. 142 Honduras 69.30 2005 est. 143 Guatemala 69.06 2005 est. 144 Suriname 68.96 2005 est. 145 Belarus 68.72 2005 est. 146 Iraq 68.70 2005 est. 147 Belize 68.44 2005 est. 148 Kyrgyzstan 68.16 2005 est. 149 Tuvalu 68.01 2005 est. 150 Russia 67.10 2005 est. 151 Sao Tome and Principe 66.99 2005 est. 152 Trinidad and Tobago 66.73 2005 est. 153 Kazakhstan 66.55 2005 est. 154 East Timor 65.90 2005 est. 155 Bahamas, The 65.54 2005 est. 156 Bolivia 65.50 2005 est. 157 Guyana 65.50 2005 est. 158 Moldova 65.18 2005 est. 159 Papua New Guinea 64.93 2005 est. 160 Tajikistan 64.56 2005 est. 161 Grenada 64.53 2005 est. 162 Mongolia 64.52 2005 est. 163 India 64.35 2005 est. 164 World 64.33 2005 est. 165 Uzbekistan 64.19 2005 est. 166 Maldives 64.06 2005 est. 167 Azerbaijan 63.35 2005 est. 168 Pakistan 63.00 2005 est. 169 Nauru 62.73 2005 est. 170 Vanuatu 62.49 2005 est. 171 Bangladesh 62.08 2005 est. 172 Comoros 61.96 2005 est. 173 Yemen 61.75 2005 est. 174 Kiribati 61.71 2005 est. 175 Mayotte 61.39 2005 est. 176 Turkmenistan 61.39 2005 est. 177 Burma 60.70 2005 est. 178 Nepal 59.80 2005 est. 179 Cambodia 58.92 2005 est. 180 Senegal 58.90 2005 est. 181 Sudan 58.54 2005 est. 182 Eritrea 58.47 2005 est. 183 Ghana 58.47 2005 est. 184 Togo 57.01 2005 est. 185 Madagascar 56.95 2005 est. 186 Laos 55.08 2005 est. 187 Gabon 55.02 2005 est. 188 Bhutan 54.39 2005 est. 189 Gambia, The 53.75 2005 est. 190 Haiti 52.92 2005 est. 191 Mauritania 52.73 2005 est. 192 Benin 52.66 2005 est. 193 Congo, Republic of the 52.26 2005 est. 194 Uganda 51.59 2005 est. 195 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 51.10 2005 est. 196 Cameroon 50.89 2005 est. 197 Burundi 50.29 2005 est. 198 Equatorial Guinea 49.70 2005 est. 199 Guinea 49.36 2005 est. 200 Ethiopia 48.83 2005 est. 201 Mali 48.64 2005 est. 202 Cote d'Ivoire 48.62 2005 est. 203 Burkina Faso 48.45 2005 est. 204 Somalia 48.09 2005 est. 205 Kenya 47.99 2005 est. 206 Chad 47.18 2005 est. 207 Rwanda 46.96 2005 est. 208 Nigeria 46.74 2005 est. 209 Guinea-Bissau 46.61 2005 est. 210 Tanzania 45.24 2005 est. 211 Namibia 43.93 2005 est. 212 Niger 43.50 2005 est. 213 Central African Republic 43.39 2005 est. 214 South Africa 43.27 2005 est. 215 Djibouti 43.10 2005 est. 216 Afghanistan 42.90 2005 est. 217 Malawi 41.43 2005 est. 218 Mozambique 40.32 2005 est. 219 Sierra Leone 39.87 2005 est. 220 Zambia 39.70 2005 est. 221 Zimbabwe 39.13 2005 est. 222 Liberia 38.89 2005 est. 223 Angola 38.43 2005 est. 224 Lesotho 34.47 2005 est. 225 Botswana 33.87 2005 est. 226 Swaziland 33.22 2005 est.

This file was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

Rank code: @2108

Rank Country Merchant marine Date of Information

1 World 30,936 2005 2 Panama 5,005 2005 3 China 1,649 2005 4 Liberia 1,465 2005 5 Russia 1,194 2005 6 Malta 1,140 2005 7 Bahamas, The 1,119 2005 8 Antigua and Barbuda 980 2005 9 Cyprus 972 2005 10 Singapore 923 2005 11 Greece 861 2005 12 Hong Kong 837 2005 13 Norway 740 2005 14 Indonesia 728 2005 15 Japan 702 2005 16 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 657 2005 17 Korea, South 601 2005 18 Italy 565 2005 19 Netherlands 558 2005 20 Marshall Islands 540 2005 21 Turkey 526 2005 22 United States 486 2005 23 Cambodia 479 2005 24 United Kingdom 429 2005 25 Philippines 419 2005 26 Thailand 386 2005 27 Malaysia 346 2005 28 Germany 332 2005 29 India 299 2005 30 Belize 295 2005 31 Denmark 287 2005 32 Man, Isle of 267 2005 33 Korea, North 238 2005 34 Sweden 205 2005 35 Ukraine 201 2005 36 Vietnam 194 2005 37 Spain 182 2005 38 Georgia 175 2005 39 Canada 169 2005 40 Netherlands Antilles 168 2005 41 Gibraltar 161 2005 42 Brazil 150 2005 43 Iran 144 2005 44 Honduras 137 2005 45 Cayman Islands 129 2005 46 Taiwan 126 2005 47 Syria 120 2005 48 Portugal 114 2005 49 Bermuda 108 2005 50 Finland 94 2005 51 Azerbaijan 81 2005 52 Comoros 79 2005 53 Egypt 77 2005 54 French Southern and Antarctic Lands 75 2005 55 Croatia 73 2005 56 Mongolia 65 2005 57 Bulgaria 64 2005 58 Saudi Arabia 64 2005 59 Barbados 58 2005 60 Mexico 57 2005 61 United Arab Emirates 56 2005 62 Algeria 56 2005 63 Venezuela 56 2005 64 France 56 2005 65 Australia 55 2005 66 Lithuania 54 2005 67 Monaco 54 2005 68 Belgium 53 2005 69 Vanuatu 52 2005 70 Chile 47 2005 71 Nigeria 46 2005 72 Lebanon 44 2005 73 Estonia 43 2005 74 Bangladesh 41 2005 75 Morocco 41 2005 76 Luxembourg 40 2005 77 Ireland 39 2005 78 Kuwait 39 2005 79 Burma 37 2005 80 Romania 34 2005 81 Bolivia 32 2005 82 Dominica 32 2005 83 Ecuador 31 2005 84 Tonga 29 2005 85 Argentina 26 2005 86 Albania 25 2005 87 Slovakia 24 2005 88 Sri Lanka 23 2005 89 Switzerland 23 2005 90 Tuvalu 23 2005 91 Slovenia 23 92 Papua New Guinea 22 2005 93 Qatar 22 2005 94 Paraguay 21 2005 95 Jordan 20 2005 96 Latvia 19 2005 97 Israel 17 2005 98 Libya 17 2005 99 Maldives 16 2005 100 Colombia 15 2005 101 Sao Tome and Principe 15 2005 102 French Polynesia 15 2005 103 Cuba 15 2005 104 Faroe Islands 14 2005 105 Iraq 14 2005 106 New Zealand 13 2005 107 Pakistan 13 2005 108 Tunisia 12 2005 109 Tanzania 11 2005 110 Uruguay 11 2005 111 Jamaica 9 2005 112 Madagascar 9 2005 113 Austria 8 2005 114 Bahrain 8 2005 115 Brunei 8 2005 116 Ethiopia 8 2005 117 Mauritius 8 2005 118 Fiji 7 2005 119 Poland 7 2005 120 Turkmenistan 7 2005 121 Eritrea 6 2005 122 Guyana 6 2005 123 Trinidad and Tobago 6 2005 124 Cape Verde 5 2005 125 Seychelles 5 2005 126 Yemen 5 2005 127 Angola 4 2005 128 Gambia, The 4 2005 129 Wallis and Futuna 4 2005 130 Peru 4 2005 131 Ghana 4 2005 132 Dominican Republic 3 2005 133 Kazakhstan 3 2005 134 Kenya 3 2005 135 Iceland 3 2005 136 Greenland 3 2005 137 French Guiana 3 138 Czech Republic 3 139 Costa Rica 2 2005 140 Sudan 2 2005 141 Serbia and Montenegro 2 2005 142 Togo 2 2005 143 Sierra Leone 2 2005 144 Moldova 2 2005 145 New Caledonia 2 2005 146 Puerto Rico 2 2005 147 South Africa 2 2005 148 Mozambique 2 2005 149 Micronesia, Federated States of 2 2005 150 Andorra 1 151 Samoa 1 2005 152 Namibia 1 2005 153 British Virgin Islands 1 2005 154 Reunion 1 2005 155 Suriname 1 2005 156 Oman 1 2005 157 Laos 1 2005 158 Guadeloupe 1 2005 159 Cook Islands 1 2005 160 Djibouti 1 2005 161 Kiribati 1 2005 162 Equatorial Guinea 1 2005 163 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 1 164 Cameroon 1 2005

This file was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

Rank code: @2119

Rank Country Population Date of Information

1 World 6,446,131,400 July 2005 est. 2 China 1,306,313,812 July 2005 est. 3 India 1,080,264,388 July 2005 est. 4 European Union 456,953,258 July 2005 est. 5 United States 295,734,134 July 2005 est. 6 Indonesia 241,973,879 July 2005 est. 7 Brazil 186,112,794 July 2005 est. 8 Pakistan 162,419,946 July 2005 est. 9 Bangladesh 144,319,628 July 2005 est. 10 Russia 143,420,309 July 2005 est. 11 Nigeria 128,765,768 July 2005 est. 12 Japan 127,417,244 July 2005 est. 13 Mexico 106,202,903 July 2005 est. 14 Philippines 87,857,473 July 2005 est. 15 Vietnam 83,535,576 July 2005 est. 16 Germany 82,431,390 July 2005 est. 17 Egypt 77,505,756 July 2005 est. 18 Ethiopia 73,053,286 July 2005 est. 19 Turkey 69,660,559 July 2005 est. 20 Iran 68,017,860 July 2005 est. 21 Thailand 64,185,502 July 2005 est. 22 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 60,764,490 July 2005 est. 23 France 60,656,178 July 2005 est. 24 United Kingdom 60,441,457 July 2005 est. 25 Italy 58,103,033 July 2005 est. 26 Korea, South 48,640,671 July 2005 est. 27 Ukraine 46,996,765 July 2005 est. 28 Burma 46,996,558 July 2005 est. 29 South Africa 44,344,136 July 2005 est. 30 Colombia 42,954,279 July 2005 est. 31 Spain 40,341,462 July 2005 est. 32 Sudan 40,187,486 July 2005 est. 33 Argentina 39,537,943 July 2005 est. 34 Poland 38,557,984 July 2005 est. 35 Tanzania 36,766,356 July 2005 est. 36 Kenya 33,829,590 July 2005 est. 37 Canada 32,805,041 July 2005 est. 38 Morocco 32,725,847 July 2005 est. 39 Algeria 32,531,853 July 2005 est. 40 Afghanistan 29,928,987 July 2005 est. 41 Peru 27,925,628 July 2005 est. 42 Nepal 27,676,547 July 2005 est. 43 Uganda 27,269,482 July 2005 est. 44 Uzbekistan 26,851,195 July 2005 est. 45 Saudi Arabia 26,417,599 July 2005 est. 46 Iraq 26,074,906 July 2005 est. 47 Venezuela 25,375,281 July 2005 est. 48 Malaysia 23,953,136 July 2005 est. 49 Korea, North 22,912,177 July 2005 est. 50 Taiwan 22,894,384 July 2005 est. 51 Romania 22,329,977 July 2005 est. 52 Ghana 21,946,247 July 2005 est. 53 Yemen 20,727,063 July 2005 est. 54 Australia 20,090,437 July 2005 est. 55 Sri Lanka 20,064,776 July 2005 est. 56 Mozambique 19,406,703 July 2005 est. 57 Syria 18,448,752 July 2005 est. 58 Madagascar 18,040,341 July 2005 est. 59 Cote d'Ivoire 17,298,040 July 2005 est. 60 Cameroon 16,988,132 July 2005 est. 61 Netherlands 16,407,491 July 2005 est. 62 Chile 15,980,912 July 2005 est. 63 Kazakhstan 15,185,844 July 2005 est. 64 Cambodia 13,636,398 July 2005 est. 65 Burkina Faso 13,491,736 July 2005 est. 66 Ecuador 13,363,593 July 2005 est. 67 Malawi 12,707,464 July 2005 est. 68 Niger 12,162,856 July 2005 est. 69 Zimbabwe 12,160,782 July 2005 est. 70 Guatemala 12,013,907 July 2005 est. 71 Angola 11,827,315 July 2005 est. 72 Senegal 11,706,498 July 2005 est. 73 Mali 11,415,261 July 2005 est. 74 Cuba 11,346,670 July 2005 est. 75 Zambia 11,261,795 July 2005 est. 76 Serbia and Montenegro 10,829,175 July 2005 est. 77 Greece 10,668,354 July 2005 est. 78 Portugal 10,566,212 July 2005 est. 79 Belgium 10,364,388 July 2005 est. 80 Belarus 10,300,483 July 2005 est. 81 Czech Republic 10,241,138 July 2005 est. 82 Tunisia 10,074,951 July 2005 est. 83 Hungary 10,006,835 July 2005 est. 84 Chad 9,657,069 July 2005 est. 85 Guinea 9,452,670 July 2005 est. 86 Dominican Republic 9,049,595 July 2005 est. 87 Sweden 9,001,774 July 2005 est. 88 Bolivia 8,857,870 July 2005 est. 89 Somalia 8,591,629 July 2005 est. 90 Rwanda 8,440,820 July 2005 est. 91 Austria 8,184,691 July 2005 est. 92 Haiti 8,121,622 July 2005 est. 93 Azerbaijan 7,911,974 July 2005 est. 94 Burundi 7,795,426 July 2005 est. 95 Benin 7,649,360 July 2005 est. 96 Switzerland 7,489,370 July 2005 est. 97 Bulgaria 7,450,349 July 2005 est. 98 Honduras 7,167,902 July 2005 est. 99 Tajikistan 7,163,506 July 2005 est. 100 Hong Kong 6,898,686 July 2005 est. 101 El Salvador 6,704,932 July 2005 est. 102 Paraguay 6,347,884 July 2005 est. 103 Israel 6,276,883 July 2005 est. 104 Laos 6,217,141 July 2005 est. 105 Sierra Leone 5,867,426 July 2005 est. 106 Libya 5,765,563 July 2005 est. 107 Jordan 5,759,732 July 2005 est. 108 Papua New Guinea 5,545,268 July 2005 est. 109 Nicaragua 5,465,100 July 2005 est. 110 Denmark 5,432,335 July 2005 est. 111 Slovakia 5,431,363 July 2005 est. 112 Togo 5,399,991 July 2005 est. 113 Finland 5,223,442 July 2005 est. 114 Kyrgyzstan 5,146,281 July 2005 est. 115 Turkmenistan 4,952,081 July 2005 est. 116 Georgia 4,677,401 July 2005 est. 117 Eritrea 4,669,638 July 2005 est. 118 Norway 4,593,041 July 2005 est. 119 Croatia 4,495,904 July 2005 est. 120 Moldova 4,455,421 July 2005 est. 121 Bosnia and Herzegovina 4,430,494 July 2005 est. 122 Singapore 4,425,720 July 2005 est. 123 Central African Republic 4,237,703 July 2005 est. 124 New Zealand 4,035,461 July 2005 est. 125 Costa Rica 4,016,173 July 2005 est. 126 Ireland 4,015,676 July 2005 est. 127 Puerto Rico 3,911,299 July 2005 est. 128 Lebanon 3,826,018 July 2005 est. 129 Congo, Republic of the 3,602,269 July 2005 est. 130 Lithuania 3,596,617 July 2005 est. 131 Albania 3,563,112 July 2005 est. 132 Uruguay 3,415,920 July 2005 est. 133 Panama 3,140,232 July 2005 est. 134 Mauritania 3,086,859 July 2005 est. 135 Oman 3,001,583 July 2005 est. 136 Armenia 2,982,904 July 2005 est. 137 Liberia 2,900,269 July 2005 est. 138 Mongolia 2,791,272 July 2005 est. 139 Jamaica 2,735,520 July 2005 est. 140 United Arab Emirates 2,563,212 July 2005 est. 141 West Bank 2,385,615 142 Kuwait 2,335,648 July 2005 est. 143 Latvia 2,290,237 July 2005 est. 144 Bhutan 2,232,291 July 2005 est. 145 Macedonia 2,045,262 July 2005 est. 146 Lesotho 2,031,348 July 2005 est. 147 Namibia 2,030,692 July 2005 est. 148 Slovenia 2,011,070 July 2005 est. 149 Botswana 1,640,115 July 2005 est. 150 Gambia, The 1,595,086 July 2005 est. 151 Guinea-Bissau 1,413,446 July 2005 est. 152 Gabon 1,394,307 July 2005 est. 153 Gaza Strip 1,376,289 July 2005 est. 154 Estonia 1,332,893 July 2005 est. 155 Mauritius 1,230,602 July 2005 est. 156 Swaziland 1,138,227 July 2005 est. 157 Trinidad and Tobago 1,075,066 July 2005 est. 158 East Timor 1,040,880 July 2005 est. 159 Fiji 893,354 July 2005 est. 160 Qatar 863,051 July 2005 est. 161 Cyprus 780,133 July 2005 est. 162 Reunion 776,948 July 2005 est. 163 Guyana 765,283 July 2005 est. 164 Bahrain 688,345 July 2005 est. 165 Comoros 671,247 July 2005 est. 166 Solomon Islands 538,032 July 2005 est. 167 Equatorial Guinea 529,034 July 2005 est. 168 Djibouti 476,703 July 2005 est. 169 Luxembourg 468,571 July 2005 est. 170 Macau 449,198 July 2005 est. 171 Guadeloupe 448,713 July 2005 est. 172 Suriname 438,144 July 2005 est. 173 Martinique 432,900 July 2005 est. 174 Cape Verde 418,224 July 2005 est. 175 Malta 398,534 July 2005 est. 176 Brunei 372,361 July 2005 est. 177 Maldives 349,106 July 2005 est. 178 Bahamas, The 301,790 July 2005 est. 179 Iceland 296,737 July 2005 est. 180 Belize 281,084 July 2005 est. 181 Barbados 278,870 July 2005 est. 182 Western Sahara 273,008 July 2005 est. 183 French Polynesia 270,485 July 2005 est. 184 Netherlands Antilles 219,958 July 2005 est. 185 New Caledonia 216,494 July 2005 est. 186 Vanuatu 205,754 July 2005 est. 187 French Guiana 195,506 July 2005 est. 188 Mayotte 193,633 July 2005 est. 189 Sao Tome and Principe 187,410 July 2005 est. 190 Samoa 177,287 July 2005 est. 191 Guam 168,564 July 2005 est. 192 Saint Lucia 166,312 July 2005 est. 193 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 117,534 July 2005 est. 194 Tonga 112,422 July 2005 est. 195 Virgin Islands 108,708 July 2005 est. 196 Micronesia, Federated States of 108,105 July 2005 est. 197 Kiribati 103,092 July 2005 est. 198 Jersey 90,812 July 2005 est. 199 Grenada 89,502 July 2005 est. 200 Seychelles 81,188 July 2005 est. 201 Northern Mariana Islands 80,362 July 2005 est. 202 Man, Isle of 75,049 July 2005 est. 203 Aruba 71,566 July 2005 est. 204 Andorra 70,549 July 2005 est. 205 Dominica 69,029 July 2005 est. 206 Antigua and Barbuda 68,722 July 2005 est. 207 Bermuda 65,365 July 2005 est. 208 Guernsey 65,228 July 2005 est. 209 Marshall Islands 59,071 July 2005 est. 210 American Samoa 57,881 July 2005 est. 211 Greenland 56,375 July 2005 est. 212 Faroe Islands 46,962 July 2005 est. 213 Cayman Islands 44,270 July 2005 est. 214 Saint Kitts and Nevis 38,958 July 2005 est. 215 Liechtenstein 33,717 July 2005 est. 216 Monaco 32,409 July 2005 est. 217 San Marino 28,880 July 2005 est. 218 Gibraltar 27,884 July 2005 est. 219 British Virgin Islands 22,643 July 2005 est. 220 Cook Islands 21,388 July 2005 est. 221 Turks and Caicos Islands 20,556 July 2005 est. 222 Palau 20,303 July 2005 est. 223 Wallis and Futuna 16,025 July 2005 est. 224 Anguilla 13,254 July 2005 est. 225 Nauru 13,048 July 2005 est. 226 Tuvalu 11,636 July 2005 est. 227 Montserrat 9,341 July 2005 est. 228 Saint Helena 7,460 July 2005 est. 229 Saint Pierre and Miquelon 7,012 July 2005 est. 230 Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 2,967 July 2005 est. 231 Svalbard 2,701 July 2005 est. 232 Niue 2,166 July 2005 est. 233 Norfolk Island 1,828 July 2005 est. 234 Tokelau 1,392 July 2005 est. 235 Holy See (Vatican City) 932 July 2005 est. 236 Cocos (Keeling) Islands 628 July 2005 est. 237 Johnston Atoll 361 July 2005 est. 238 Christmas Island 361 July 2005 est. 239 Pitcairn Islands 45 July 2005 est.

This file was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

Rank code: @2121

Rank Country Railways(km) Date of Information

1 World 1,115,205 2003 2 United States 227,736 2003 3 European Union 222,293 2003 4 Russia 87,157 2004 5 China 71,898 2002 6 India 63,230 2004 7 Australia 54,439 2004 8 Canada 48,683 2004 9 Germany 46,142 2004 10 Argentina 34,091 2004 11 France 29,519 2004 12 Brazil 29,412 2004 13 Poland 23,852 2004 14 Japan 23,577 2004 15 Ukraine 22,473 2004 16 South Africa 20,872 2004 17 Italy 19,319 2004 18 Mexico 17,634 2004 19 United Kingdom 17,274 2004 20 Spain 14,781 2004 21 Kazakhstan 13,700 2004 22 Sweden 11,481 2004 23 Romania 11,385 2004 24 Czech Republic 9,543 2004 25 Turkey 8,697 2004 26 Pakistan 8,163 2004 27 Hungary 7,937 2004 28 Iran 7,203 2004 29 Chile 6,585 2004 30 Indonesia 6,458 2004 31 Austria 6,021 2004 32 Sudan 5,995 2004 33 Finland 5,851 2004 34 Belarus 5,512 2004 35 Korea, North 5,214 2004 36 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 5,138 2004 37 Egypt 5,063 2004 38 Switzerland 4,527 2004 39 Serbia and Montenegro 4,380 2004 40 Bulgaria 4,294 2004 41 Cuba 4,226 2004 42 Norway 4,077 2004 43 Thailand 4,071 2004 44 Algeria 3,973 2004 45 Burma 3,955 2004 46 Uzbekistan 3,950 2004 47 New Zealand 3,898 2004 48 Tanzania 3,690 2004 49 Slovakia 3,662 2004 50 Nigeria 3,557 2004 51 Belgium 3,521 2004 52 Bolivia 3,519 2004 53 Korea, South 3,472 2004 54 Peru 3,462 2004 55 Ireland 3,312 2004 56 Colombia 3,304 2004 57 Mozambique 3,123 2004 58 Zimbabwe 3,077 2004 59 Azerbaijan 2,957 2004 60 Portugal 2,850 2004 61 Netherlands 2,808 2004 62 Kenya 2,778 2004 63 Angola 2,761 2004 64 Croatia 2,726 2004 65 Syria 2,711 2004 66 Bangladesh 2,706 2004 67 Denmark 2,628 2004 68 Vietnam 2,600 2004 69 Greece 2,571 2004 70 Taiwan 2,497 2004 71 Turkmenistan 2,440 2004 72 Namibia 2,382 2004 73 Latvia 2,303 2004 74 Iraq 2,200 2004 75 Zambia 2,173 2004 76 Tunisia 2,152 2004 77 Uruguay 2,073 2004 78 Lithuania 1,998 2004 79 Morocco 1,907 2004 80 Malaysia 1,890 2004 81 Mongolia 1,810 2004 82 Dominican Republic 1,743 2004 83 Georgia 1,612 2004 84 Sri Lanka 1,449 2004 85 Saudi Arabia 1,392 2004 86 Uganda 1,241 2004 87 Slovenia 1,201 2004 88 Moldova 1,138 2004 89 Bosnia and Herzegovina 1,021 2004 90 Cameroon 1,008 2004 91 Ecuador 966 2004 92 Estonia 958 2004 93 Ghana 953 2004 94 Senegal 906 2004 95 Philippines 897 2004 96 Congo, Republic of the 894 2004 97 Botswana 888 2004 98 Guatemala 886 2004 99 Armenia 845 2004 100 Guinea 837 2004 101 Gabon 814 2004 102 Malawi 797 2004 103 Madagascar 732 2004 104 Mali 729 2004 105 Honduras 699 2004 106 Macedonia 699 2004 107 Venezuela 682 2004 108 Ethiopia 681 2004 109 Cote d'Ivoire 660 2004 110 Israel 640 2004 111 Burkina Faso 622 2004 112 Cambodia 602 2004 113 Fiji 597 2003 114 Benin 578 2004 115 Togo 568 2004 116 Jordan 505 2004 117 Liberia 490 2004 118 Tajikistan 482 2004 119 Kyrgyzstan 470 2004 120 Albania 447 2004 121 Paraguay 441 2004 122 Lebanon 401 2004 123 Panama 355 2004 124 Eritrea 306 2004 125 Swaziland 301 2004 126 El Salvador 283 2004 127 Costa Rica 278 2004 128 Luxembourg 274 2004 129 Jamaica 272 2003 130 Guyana 187 2001 est. 131 Djibouti 100 2004 132 Puerto Rico 96 2004 133 Man, Isle of 61 2003 134 Nepal 59 2004 135 Saint Kitts and Nevis 50 2003 136 Nicaragua 6 2004

This file was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

Rank code: @2127

Rank Country Total fertility rate(children born/woman) Date of Information

1 Niger 7.55 2005 est. 2 Mali 7.47 2005 est. 3 Somalia 6.84 2005 est. 4 Afghanistan 6.75 2005 est. 5 Uganda 6.74 2005 est. 6 Yemen 6.67 2005 est. 7 Burundi 6.63 2005 est. 8 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 6.54 2005 est. 9 Burkina Faso 6.54 2005 est. 10 Angola 6.42 2005 est. 11 Chad 6.32 2005 est. 12 Sierra Leone 6.15 2005 est. 13 Congo, Republic of the 6.14 2005 est. 14 Liberia 6.09 2005 est. 15 Malawi 5.98 2005 est. 16 Mauritania 5.94 2005 est. 17 Gaza Strip 5.91 2005 est. 18 Mayotte 5.89 2005 est. 19 Oman 5.84 2005 est. 20 Guinea 5.83 2005 est. 21 Sao Tome and Principe 5.71 2005 est. 22 Madagascar 5.66 2005 est. 23 Nigeria 5.53 2005 est. 24 Rwanda 5.49 2005 est. 25 Zambia 5.47 2005 est. 26 Djibouti 5.40 2005 est. 27 Gambia, The 5.38 2005 est. 28 Ethiopia 5.33 2005 est. 29 Benin 5.32 2005 est. 30 Eritrea 5.20 2005 est. 31 Comoros 5.09 2005 est. 32 Tanzania 5.06 2005 est. 33 Haiti 5.02 2005 est. 34 Maldives 5.02 2005 est. 35 Togo 5.01 2005 est. 36 Kenya 4.96 2005 est. 37 Guinea-Bissau 4.93 2005 est. 38 Sudan 4.85 2005 est. 39 Bhutan 4.81 2005 est. 40 Gabon 4.77 2005 est. 41 Laos 4.77 2005 est. 42 Mozambique 4.70 2005 est. 43 Equatorial Guinea 4.62 2005 est. 44 Cote d'Ivoire 4.58 2005 est. 45 Central African Republic 4.50 2005 est. 46 Senegal 4.50 2005 est. 47 Cameroon 4.47 2005 est. 48 West Bank 4.40 2005 est. 49 Iraq 4.28 2005 est. 50 Kiribati 4.20 2005 est. 51 Nepal 4.19 2005 est. 52 Pakistan 4.14 2005 est. 53 Ghana 4.10 2005 est. 54 Saudi Arabia 4.05 2005 est. 55 Tajikistan 4.05 2005 est. 56 Solomon Islands 4.04 2005 est. 57 Papua New Guinea 3.96 2005 est. 58 Guatemala 3.93 2005 est. 59 Paraguay 3.93 2005 est. 60 Marshall Islands 3.93 2005 est. 61 Honduras 3.69 2005 est. 62 Belize 3.68 2005 est. 63 Swaziland 3.62 2005 est. 64 East Timor 3.61 2005 est. 65 Syria 3.50 2005 est. 66 Cape Verde 3.48 2005 est. 67 Cambodia 3.44 2005 est. 68 Turkmenistan 3.41 2005 est. 69 Lesotho 3.35 2005 est. 70 Libya 3.34 2005 est. 71 American Samoa 3.25 2005 est. 72 Micronesia, Federated States of 3.25 2005 est. 73 Nauru 3.19 2005 est. 74 Namibia 3.18 2005 est. 75 Zimbabwe 3.18 2005 est. 76 El Salvador 3.16 2005 est. 77 Philippines 3.16 2005 est. 78 Bangladesh 3.13 2005 est. 79 Turks and Caicos Islands 3.08 2005 est. 80 Malaysia 3.07 2005 est. 81 French Guiana 3.01 2005 est. 82 Samoa 3.01 2005 est. 83 Tonga 3.00 2005 est. 84 Tuvalu 3.00 2005 est. 85 Kuwait 2.97 2005 est. 86 United Arab Emirates 2.94 2005 est. 87 Uzbekistan 2.94 2005 est. 88 Bolivia 2.94 2005 est. 89 Egypt 2.88 2005 est. 90 Qatar 2.87 2005 est. 91 Dominican Republic 2.86 2005 est. 92 Botswana 2.85 2005 est. 93 Nicaragua 2.81 2005 est. 94 India 2.78 2005 est. 95 Vanuatu 2.77 2005 est. 96 Fiji 2.75 2005 est. 97 Morocco 2.73 2005 est. 98 Ecuador 2.72 2005 est. 99 Jordan 2.71 2005 est. 100 Kyrgyzstan 2.70 2005 est. 101 Panama 2.70 2005 est. 102 Bahrain 2.63 2005 est. 103 Guam 2.60 2005 est. 104 World 2.60 2005 est. 105 Colombia 2.56 2005 est. 106 Peru 2.56 2005 est. 107 Jamaica 2.47 2005 est. 108 Reunion 2.47 2005 est. 109 Palau 2.46 2005 est. 110 Mexico 2.45 2005 est. 111 Azerbaijan 2.44 2005 est. 112 Israel 2.44 2005 est. 113 Indonesia 2.44 2005 est. 114 Greenland 2.41 2005 est. 115 Grenada 2.37 2005 est. 116 Suriname 2.34 2005 est. 117 Saint Kitts and Nevis 2.33 2005 est. 118 New Caledonia 2.31 2005 est. 119 Brunei 2.30 2005 est. 120 Costa Rica 2.28 2005 est. 121 Antigua and Barbuda 2.26 2005 est. 122 Mongolia 2.26 2005 est. 123 Venezuela 2.26 2005 est. 124 South Africa 2.24 2005 est. 125 Saint Lucia 2.21 2005 est. 126 Bahamas, The 2.20 2005 est. 127 Faroe Islands 2.20 2005 est. 128 Argentina 2.19 2005 est. 129 Virgin Islands 2.19 2005 est. 130 Korea, North 2.15 2005 est. 131 United States 2.08 2005 est. 132 Guyana 2.05 2005 est. 133 Albania 2.04 2005 est. 134 French Polynesia 2.04 2005 est. 135 Saint Pierre and Miquelon 2.03 2005 est. 136 Chile 2.02 2005 est. 137 Burma 2.01 2005 est. 138 Netherlands Antilles 2.00 2005 est. 139 Dominica 1.96 2005 est. 140 Mauritius 1.96 2005 est. 141 Turkey 1.94 2005 est. 142 Vietnam 1.94 2005 est. 143 Brazil 1.93 2005 est. 144 Algeria 1.92 2005 est. 145 Lebanon 1.92 2005 est. 146 Iceland 1.92 2005 est. 147 Guadeloupe 1.91 2005 est. 148 Uruguay 1.91 2005 est. 149 Cayman Islands 1.90 2005 est. 150 Bermuda 1.89 2005 est. 151 Kazakhstan 1.89 2005 est. 152 Ireland 1.87 2005 est. 153 Sri Lanka 1.85 2005 est. 154 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1.85 2005 est. 155 France 1.85 2005 est. 156 Cyprus 1.83 2005 est. 157 Iran 1.82 2005 est. 158 Moldova 1.81 2005 est. 159 Aruba 1.79 2005 est. 160 New Zealand 1.79 2005 est. 161 Luxembourg 1.79 2005 est. 162 Martinique 1.79 2005 est. 163 Montserrat 1.78 2005 est. 164 Norway 1.78 2005 est. 165 Australia 1.76 2005 est. 166 Monaco 1.76 2005 est. 167 Puerto Rico 1.75 2005 est. 168 Seychelles 1.75 2005 est. 169 Tunisia 1.75 2005 est. 170 Trinidad and Tobago 1.75 2005 est. 171 Denmark 1.74 2005 est. 172 Anguilla 1.73 2005 est. 173 Finland 1.73 2005 est. 174 China 1.72 2005 est. 175 British Virgin Islands 1.72 2005 est. 176 Serbia and Montenegro 1.67 2005 est. 177 Cuba 1.66 2005 est. 178 Netherlands 1.66 2005 est. 179 United Kingdom 1.66 2005 est. 180 Sweden 1.66 2005 est. 181 Gibraltar 1.65 2005 est. 182 Man, Isle of 1.65 2005 est. 183 Barbados 1.64 2005 est. 184 Belgium 1.64 2005 est. 185 Thailand 1.63 2005 est. 186 Canada 1.61 2005 est. 187 Jersey 1.57 2005 est. 188 Taiwan 1.57 2005 est. 189 Macedonia 1.57 2005 est. 190 Saint Helena 1.54 2005 est. 191 Liechtenstein 1.51 2005 est. 192 Malta 1.50 2005 est. 193 European Union 1.47 July 2005 est. 194 Portugal 1.47 2005 est. 195 Switzerland 1.43 2005 est. 196 Georgia 1.41 2005 est. 197 Belarus 1.39 2005 est. 198 Germany 1.39 2005 est. 199 Croatia 1.39 2005 est. 200 Japan 1.39 2005 est. 201 Estonia 1.39 2005 est. 202 Bulgaria 1.38 2005 est. 203 Guernsey 1.38 2005 est. 204 Austria 1.36 2005 est. 205 Romania 1.36 2005 est. 206 Greece 1.33 2005 est. 207 San Marino 1.33 2005 est. 208 Armenia 1.32 2005 est. 209 Hungary 1.32 2005 est. 210 Slovakia 1.32 2005 est. 211 Andorra 1.29 2005 est. 212 Italy 1.28 2005 est. 213 Spain 1.28 2005 est. 214 Northern Mariana Islands 1.27 2005 est. 215 Russia 1.27 2005 est. 216 Korea, South 1.26 2005 est. 217 Latvia 1.26 2005 est. 218 Poland 1.24 2005 est. 219 Slovenia 1.24 2005 est. 220 Bosnia and Herzegovina 1.21 2005 est. 221 Czech Republic 1.20 2005 est. 222 Lithuania 1.19 2005 est. 223 Ukraine 1.16 2005 est. 224 Singapore 1.05 2005 est. 225 Macau 1.00 2005 est. 226 Hong Kong 0.93 2005 est.

This file was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

Rank code: @2129

Rank Country Unemployment rate(%) Date of Information

1 Andorra 0.00 1996 est. 2 Norfolk Island 0.00 3 Guernsey 0.50 1999 est. 4 Aruba 0.60 2003 est. 5 Man, Isle of 0.60 2004 est. 6 Uzbekistan 0.60 2004 est. 7 Jersey 0.90 2004 est. 8 Faroe Islands 1.00 October 2000 9 Azerbaijan 1.20 2004 est. 10 Liechtenstein 1.30 September 2002 11 Thailand 1.50 November 2004 est. 12 Vietnam 1.90 2004 est. 13 Belarus 2.00 2004 14 Gibraltar 2.00 2001 est. 15 Kiribati 2.00 1992 est. 16 Kuwait 2.20 2004 est. 17 Palau 2.30 2000 est. 18 United Arab Emirates 2.40 2001 19 Cambodia 2.50 2000 est. 20 Cuba 2.50 2004 est. 21 San Marino 2.60 2001 22 Qatar 2.70 2001 23 Malaysia 3.00 2004 est. 24 British Virgin Islands 3.00 1995 25 Iceland 3.10 2004 est. 26 Brunei 3.20 2002 est. 27 Mexico 3.20 2004 est. 28 Cyprus 3.20 2004 est. 29 Singapore 3.40 2004 est. 30 Switzerland 3.40 2004 est. 31 Ukraine 3.50 2004 est. 32 Korea, South 3.60 2004 est. 33 Cayman Islands 4.10 1997 34 New Zealand 4.20 2004 est. 35 Ireland 4.30 2004 est. 36 Norway 4.30 2004 est. 37 Austria 4.40 2004 est. 38 Luxembourg 4.50 December, 2004 est. 39 Saint Kitts and Nevis 4.50 1997 40 Taiwan 4.50 2004 est. 41 Japan 4.70 2004 est. 42 Macau 4.70 3rd Quarter, 2004 43 United Kingdom 4.80 2004 est. 44 Bermuda 5.00 2002 est. 45 Australia 5.10 December 2004 est. 46 Burma 5.20 2004 est. 47 Mali 5.30 2001 est. 48 United States 5.50 2004 est. 49 Cyprus 5.60 2004 est. 50 Sweden 5.60 2004 est. 51 Laos 5.70 1997 est. 52 Hungary 5.90 2004 est. 53 American Samoa 6.00 2000 54 Netherlands 6.00 2004 est. 55 Montserrat 6.00 1998 est. 56 Denmark 6.20 2004 est. 57 El Salvador 6.30 2004 est. 58 Romania 6.30 2004 est. 59 Slovenia 6.40 2004 est. 60 Portugal 6.50 2004 est. 61 Costa Rica 6.60 2004 est. 62 Hong Kong 6.70 2004 est. 63 Mongolia 6.70 2003 64 Canada 7.00 2004 65 Malta 7.00 2003 est. 66 Guatemala 7.50 2003 est. 67 Fiji 7.60 1999 68 Sri Lanka 7.80 2004 est. 69 Nicaragua 7.80 2003 est. 70 Anguilla 8.00 2002 71 Central African Republic 8.00 2001 est. 72 Kazakhstan 8.00 2004 est. 73 Moldova 8.00 2002 est. 74 Lithuania 8.00 2004 est. 75 Pakistan 8.30 2004 est. 76 Russia 8.30 2004 est. 77 Chile 8.50 2004 est. 78 Italy 8.60 2004 est. 79 Latvia 8.80 2004 est. 80 Finland 8.90 2004 est. 81 Bolivia 9.20 2003 est. 82 Indonesia 9.20 2004 est. 83 India 9.20 2004 est. 84 Turkey 9.30 2004 est. 85 Virgin Islands 9.30 2003 est. 86 European Union 9.50 2004 est. 87 Estonia 9.60 2004 est. 88 Peru 9.60 2004 est. 89 China 9.80 2004 est. 90 Saint Pierre and Miquelon 9.80 1997 91 Greenland 10.00 2000 est. 92 Greece 10.00 2004 est. 93 Turks and Caicos Islands 10.00 1997 est. 94 France 10.10 2004 est. 95 Bahamas, The 10.20 2004 est. 96 Spain 10.40 2004 est. 97 Trinidad and Tobago 10.40 2004 est. 98 Czech Republic 10.60 2004 est. 99 Germany 10.60 2004 est. 100 Barbados 10.70 2003 est. 101 Israel 10.70 2004 est. 102 Mauritius 10.80 2004 est. 103 Egypt 10.90 2004 est. 104 Antigua and Barbuda 11.00 2001 est. 105 Ecuador 11.10 2004 est. 106 Iran 11.20 2004 est. 107 Brazil 11.50 2004 est. 108 Philippines 11.70 2004 est. 109 French Polynesia 11.80 1994 110 Belgium 12.00 first half, 2004 111 Puerto Rico 12.00 2002 112 Morocco 12.10 2004 est. 113 Grenada 12.50 2000 114 Panama 12.60 2004 est. 115 Bulgaria 12.70 2004 est. 116 Belize 12.90 2003 117 Cook Islands 13.00 1996 118 Cote d'Ivoire 13.00 1998 119 Uruguay 13.00 2004 est. 120 Slovakia 13.10 31 December 2004 est. 121 Tonga 13.30 1996 est. 122 Colombia 13.60 2004 est. 123 Croatia 13.80 2004 est. 124 Tunisia 13.80 2004 est. 125 Saint Helena 14.00 1998 est. 126 Mali 14.60 2001 est. 127 Albania 14.80 2001 est. 128 Argentina 14.80 2004 est. 129 Bahrain 15.00 1998 est. 130 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 15.00 2001 est. 131 Oman 15.00 2004 est. 132 Jordan 15.00 2004 est. 133 Jamaica 15.00 2004 est. 134 Guam 15.00 2000 est. 135 Paraguay 15.10 2004 est. 136 Netherlands Antilles 15.60 2002 est. 137 Micronesia, Federated States of 16.00 1999 est. 138 Dominican Republic 17.00 2004 est. 139 Georgia 17.00 2001 est. 140 Suriname 17.00 2000 141 Venezuela 17.10 2004 est. 142 Kyrgyzstan 18.00 2004 est. 143 Lebanon 18.00 1997 est. 144 Sudan 18.70 2002 est. 145 New Caledonia 19.00 1996 146 Poland 19.50 2004 est. 147 Comoros 20.00 1996 est. 148 Syria 20.00 2002 est. 149 Saint Lucia 20.00 2003 est. 150 Mauritania 20.00 2004 est. 151 Ghana 20.00 1997 est. 152 Cape Verde 21.00 2000 est. 153 Gabon 21.00 1997 est. 154 Mozambique 21.00 1997 est. 155 French Guiana 22.00 2001 156 Monaco 22.00 1999 157 Dominica 23.00 2000 est. 158 Botswana 23.80 2004 est. 159 Iraq 25.00 2004 est. 160 Saudi Arabia 25.00 2004 est. 161 Algeria 25.40 2004 est. 162 South Africa 26.20 2004 est. 163 Martinique 27.20 1998 164 West Bank 27.20 2004 est. 165 Guadeloupe 27.80 1998 166 Honduras 28.50 2004 est. 167 Armenia 30.00 2003 est. 168 Libya 30.00 2004 169 Cameroon 30.00 2001 est. 170 Serbia and Montenegro 30.00 2004 est. 171 World 30.00 172 Equatorial Guinea 30.00 1998 est. 173 Marshall Islands 30.90 1999 est. 174 Swaziland 34.00 2000 est. 175 Namibia 35.00 1998 176 Yemen 35.00 2003 est. 177 Reunion 36.00 1999 est. 178 Macedonia 37.70 3rd quarter, 2004 est. 179 Mayotte 38.00 1999 180 Bangladesh 40.00 2004 est. 181 Kenya 40.00 2001 est. 182 Tajikistan 40.00 2002 est. 183 Bosnia and Herzegovina 44.00 2004 est. 184 Lesotho 45.00 2002 185 Nepal 47.00 2001 est. 186 Senegal 48.00 2001 est. 187 Djibouti 50.00 2004 est. 188 East Timor 50.00 1992 est. 189 Zambia 50.00 2000 est. 190 Gaza Strip 50.00 2003 est. 191 Cocos (Keeling) Islands 60.00 2000 est. 192 Turkmenistan 60.00 2004 est. 193 Kiribati 70.00 1992 est. 194 Zimbabwe 70.00 2002 est. 195 Liberia 85.00 2003 est. 196 Nauru 90.00 2004 est.

This file was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

Rank code: @2147

Rank Country Area(sq km) Date of Information

1 World 510,072,000 2 Pacific Ocean 155,557,000 3 Atlantic Ocean 76,762,000 4 Indian Ocean 68,556,000 5 Southern Ocean 20,327,000 6 Russia 17,075,200 7 Arctic Ocean 14,056,000 8 Antarctica 14,000,000 9 Canada 9,984,670 10 United States 9,631,418 11 China 9,596,960 12 Brazil 8,511,965 13 Australia 7,686,850 14 European Union 3,976,372 15 India 3,287,590 16 Argentina 2,766,890 17 Kazakhstan 2,717,300 18 Sudan 2,505,810 19 Algeria 2,381,740 20 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 2,345,410 21 Greenland 2,166,086 22 Mexico 1,972,550 23 Saudi Arabia 1,960,582 24 Indonesia 1,919,440 25 Libya 1,759,540 26 Iran 1,648,000 27 Mongolia 1,564,116 28 Peru 1,285,220 29 Chad 1,284,000 30 Niger 1,267,000 31 Angola 1,246,700 32 Mali 1,240,000 33 South Africa 1,219,912 34 Colombia 1,138,910 35 Ethiopia 1,127,127 36 Bolivia 1,098,580 37 Mauritania 1,030,700 38 Egypt 1,001,450 39 Tanzania 945,087 40 Nigeria 923,768 41 Venezuela 912,050 42 Namibia 825,418 43 Pakistan 803,940 44 Mozambique 801,590 45 Turkey 780,580 46 Chile 756,950 47 Zambia 752,614 48 Burma 678,500 49 Afghanistan 647,500 50 Somalia 637,657 51 Central African Republic 622,984 52 Ukraine 603,700 53 Botswana 600,370 54 Madagascar 587,040 55 Kenya 582,650 56 France 547,030 57 Yemen 527,970 58 Thailand 514,000 59 Spain 504,782 60 Turkmenistan 488,100 61 Cameroon 475,440 62 Papua New Guinea 462,840 63 Sweden 449,964 64 Uzbekistan 447,400 65 Morocco 446,550 66 Iraq 437,072 67 Paraguay 406,750 68 Zimbabwe 390,580 69 Japan 377,835 70 Germany 357,021 71 Congo, Republic of the 342,000 72 Finland 338,145 73 Malaysia 329,750 74 Vietnam 329,560 75 Norway 324,220 76 Cote d'Ivoire 322,460 77 Poland 312,685 78 Italy 301,230 79 Philippines 300,000 80 Ecuador 283,560 81 Burkina Faso 274,200 82 New Zealand 268,680 83 Gabon 267,667 84 Western Sahara 266,000 85 Guinea 245,857 86 United Kingdom 244,820 87 Ghana 239,460 88 Romania 237,500 89 Laos 236,800 90 Uganda 236,040 91 Guyana 214,970 92 Oman 212,460 93 Belarus 207,600 94 Kyrgyzstan 198,500 95 Senegal 196,190 96 Syria 185,180 97 Cambodia 181,040 98 Uruguay 176,220 99 Tunisia 163,610 100 Suriname 163,270 101 Bangladesh 144,000 102 Tajikistan 143,100 103 Nepal 140,800 104 Greece 131,940 105 Nicaragua 129,494 106 Eritrea 121,320 107 Korea, North 120,540 108 Malawi 118,480 109 Benin 112,620 110 Honduras 112,090 111 Liberia 111,370 112 Bulgaria 110,910 113 Cuba 110,860 114 Guatemala 108,890 115 Iceland 103,000 116 Serbia and Montenegro 102,350 117 Korea, South 98,480 118 Hungary 93,030 119 Portugal 92,391 120 Jordan 92,300 121 French Guiana 91,000 122 Azerbaijan 86,600 123 Austria 83,870 124 United Arab Emirates 82,880 125 Czech Republic 78,866 126 Panama 78,200 127 Sierra Leone 71,740 128 Ireland 70,280 129 Georgia 69,700 130 Sri Lanka 65,610 131 Lithuania 65,200 132 Latvia 64,589 133 Svalbard 62,049 134 Togo 56,785 135 Croatia 56,542 136 Bosnia and Herzegovina 51,129 137 Costa Rica 51,100 138 Slovakia 48,845 139 Dominican Republic 48,730 140 Bhutan 47,000 141 Estonia 45,226 142 Denmark 43,094 143 Netherlands 41,526 144 Switzerland 41,290 145 Guinea-Bissau 36,120 146 Taiwan 35,980 147 Moldova 33,843 148 Belgium 30,528 149 Lesotho 30,355 150 Armenia 29,800 151 Albania 28,748 152 Solomon Islands 28,450 153 Equatorial Guinea 28,051 154 Burundi 27,830 155 Haiti 27,750 156 Rwanda 26,338 157 Macedonia 25,333 158 Djibouti 23,000 159 Belize 22,966 160 El Salvador 21,040 161 Israel 20,770 162 Slovenia 20,273 163 New Caledonia 19,060 164 Fiji 18,270 165 Kuwait 17,820 166 Swaziland 17,363 167 East Timor 15,007 168 Bahamas, The 13,940 169 Vanuatu 12,200 170 Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 12,173 171 Qatar 11,437 172 Gambia, The 11,300 173 Jamaica 10,991 174 Lebanon 10,400 175 Cyprus 9,250 176 Puerto Rico 9,104 177 French Southern and Antarctic Lands 7,829 178 West Bank 5,860 179 Brunei 5,770 180 Trinidad and Tobago 5,128 181 French Polynesia 4,167 182 Cape Verde 4,033 183 South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands 3,903 184 Samoa 2,944 185 Luxembourg 2,586 186 Reunion 2,517 187 Comoros 2,170 188 Mauritius 2,040 189 Guadeloupe 1,780 190 Faroe Islands 1,399 191 Martinique 1,100 192 Hong Kong 1,092 193 Sao Tome and Principe 1,001 194 Netherlands Antilles 960 195 Kiribati 811 196 Dominica 754 197 Tonga 748 198 Micronesia, Federated States of 702 199 Singapore 693 200 Bahrain 665 201 Saint Lucia 616 202 Man, Isle of 572 203 Guam 549 204 Northern Mariana Islands 477 205 Andorra 468 206 Palau 458 207 Seychelles 455 208 Antigua and Barbuda 443 209 Barbados 431 210 Turks and Caicos Islands 430 211 Heard Island and McDonald Islands 412 212 Saint Helena 410 213 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 389 214 Mayotte 374 215 Jan Mayen 373 216 Gaza Strip 360 217 Virgin Islands 352 218 Grenada 344 219 Malta 316 220 Maldives 300 221 Wallis and Futuna 274 222 Cayman Islands 262 223 Saint Kitts and Nevis 261 224 Niue 260 225 Saint Pierre and Miquelon 242 226 Cook Islands 240 227 American Samoa 199 228 Aruba 193 229 Marshall Islands 181 230 Liechtenstein 160 231 British Virgin Islands 153 232 Christmas Island 135 233 Dhekelia 131 234 Akrotiri 123 235 Jersey 116 236 Anguilla 102 237 Montserrat 102 238 Guernsey 78 239 San Marino 61 240 British Indian Ocean Territory 60 241 Bouvet Island 59 242 Bermuda 53 243 Pitcairn Islands 47 244 Norfolk Island 35 245 Europa Island 28 246 Tuvalu 26 247 Macau 25 248 Nauru 21 249 Cocos (Keeling) Islands 14 250 Palmyra Atoll 12 251 Tokelau 10 252 Gibraltar 7 253 Wake Island 7 254 Midway Islands 6 255 Clipperton Island 6 256 Navassa Island 5 257 Ashmore and Cartier Islands 5 258 Glorioso Islands 5 259 Spratly Islands 5 260 Jarvis Island 5 261 Juan de Nova Island 4 262 Coral Sea Islands 3 263 Johnston Atoll 3 264 Monaco 2 265 Howland Island 2 266 Baker Island 1 267 Kingman Reef 1 268 Tromelin Island 1 269 Holy See (Vatican City) 0 270 Bassas da India 0

This file was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

Rank code: @2150

Rank Country Telephones - main lines in use Date of Information

1 World 843,923,500 2003 2 China 263,000,000 2003 3 European Union 238,763,162 2002 4 United States 181,599,900 2003 5 Japan 71,149,000 2002 6 Germany 54,350,000 2003 7 India 48,917,000 2003 8 Brazil 38,810,000 2002 9 Russia 35,500,000 2002 10 United Kingdom 34,898,000 2002 11 France 33,905,400 2003 12 Italy 26,596,000 2003 13 Korea, South 22,877,000 2003 14 Canada 19,950,900 2003 15 Turkey 18,916,700 2003 16 Spain 17,567,500 2003 17 Mexico 15,958,700 2003 18 Iran 14,571,100 2003 19 Taiwan 13,355,000 2003 20 Poland 12,300,000 2003 21 Ukraine 10,833,300 2002 22 Australia 10,815,000 2003 23 Netherlands 10,004,000 2002 24 Egypt 9,600,000 2005 25 Colombia 8,768,100 2003 26 Argentina 8,009,400 2002 27 Indonesia 7,750,000 2002 28 Thailand 6,617,400 2003 29 Sweden 6,579,200 2002 30 Switzerland 5,419,000 2002 31 Greece 5,205,100 2003 32 Belgium 5,120,400 2002 33 South Africa 4,844,000 2002 34 Malaysia 4,571,600 2003 35 Vietnam 4,402,000 2003 36 Romania 4,300,000 2003 37 Portugal 4,278,800 2003 38 Pakistan 3,982,800 2003 39 Austria 3,881,000 2003 40 Hong Kong 3,801,300 2003 41 Hungary 3,666,400 2002 42 Czech Republic 3,626,000 2003 43 Denmark 3,610,100 2003 44 Saudi Arabia 3,502,600 2003 45 Chile 3,467,000 2002 46 Norway 3,343,000 2002 47 Philippines 3,310,900 2002 48 Belarus 3,071,300 2003 49 Israel 3,006,000 2002 50 Bulgaria 2,868,200 2002 51 Venezuela 2,841,800 2002 52 Serbia and Montenegro 2,611,700 2003 53 Finland 2,548,000 2003 54 Algeria 2,199,600 2003 55 Syria 2,099,300 2002 56 Kazakhstan 2,081,900 2002 57 Ireland 1,955,000 2003 58 Singapore 1,896,100 2004 59 Peru 1,839,200 2003 60 Croatia 1,825,000 2002 61 New Zealand 1,765,000 2002 62 Uzbekistan 1,717,100 2003 63 Ecuador 1,549,000 2003 64 Puerto Rico 1,329,500 2002 65 Slovakia 1,294,700 2003 66 Morocco 1,219,200 2003 67 Tunisia 1,163,800 2003 68 United Arab Emirates 1,135,800 2003 69 Costa Rica 1,132,000 2002 70 Korea, North 1,100,000 2001 71 Uruguay 946,500 2002 72 Bosnia and Herzegovina 938,000 2003 73 Azerbaijan 923,800 2002 74 Dominican Republic 901,800 2003 75 Sudan 900,000 2003 76 Sri Lanka 881,400 2002 77 Nigeria 853,100 2003 78 Guatemala 846,000 2002 79 Lithuania 824,200 2003 80 Slovenia 812,300 2003 81 El Salvador 752,600 2003 82 Libya 750,000 2003 83 Bangladesh 740,000 2003 84 Moldova 706,900 2002 85 Lebanon 678,800 2002 86 Iraq 675,000 2003 87 Latvia 653,900 2003 88 Georgia 650,500 2003 89 Jordan 622,600 2003 90 Bolivia 600,100 2003 91 Cuba 574,400 2002 92 Armenia 562,600 2003 93 Macedonia 560,000 2002 94 Yemen 542,200 2002 95 Kuwait 486,900 2003 96 Estonia 475,000 2002 97 Jamaica 444,400 2002 98 Ethiopia 435,000 2003 99 Cyprus 427,400 100 Kyrgyzstan 394,800 2002 101 Panama 386,900 2002 102 Turkmenistan 374,000 2002 103 Nepal 371,800 2003 104 Burma 357,300 2003 105 Luxembourg 355,400 2002 106 Mauritius 348,200 2003 107 Kenya 328,400 2003 108 Cote d'Ivoire 328,000 2003 109 Trinidad and Tobago 325,100 2002 110 Honduras 322,500 2002 111 Ghana 302,300 2003 112 West Bank 301,600 2002 113 Zimbabwe 300,900 2003 114 Reunion 300,000 2001 115 Paraguay 273,200 2002 116 Albania 255,000 2003 117 Tajikistan 242,100 2003 118 Oman 233,900 2002 119 Senegal 228,800 2003 120 Guadeloupe 210,000 2001 121 Malta 208,300 2003 122 Iceland 190,700 2003 123 Bahrain 185,800 2003 124 Qatar 184,500 2003 125 Macau 174,600 2003 126 Martinique 172,000 2001 127 Nicaragua 171,600 2002 128 Tanzania 149,100 2003 129 Botswana 142,400 2002 130 Mongolia 142,300 2004 131 Barbados 134,000 2003 132 Bahamas, The 131,700 2003 133 Haiti 130,000 2002 134 Namibia 127,400 2003 135 Cameroon 110,900 2002 136 Fiji 102,000 2003 137 Somalia 100,000 2002 est. 138 Angola 96,300 2003 139 Gaza Strip 95,729 1997 140 Brunei 90,000 2002 141 Zambia 88,400 2003 142 Cyprus 86,228 143 Malawi 85,000 2003 144 Guam 84,134 2001 145 Mozambique 83,700 2002 146 Netherlands Antilles 81,000 2001 147 Guyana 80,400 2002 148 Suriname 79,800 2003 149 Jersey 73,900 2001 150 Cape Verde 71,700 2003 151 Virgin Islands 69,400 2002 152 Benin 66,500 2003 153 Burkina Faso 65,400 2003 154 Papua New Guinea 62,000 2002 155 Laos 61,900 2002 156 Uganda 61,000 2003 157 Togo 60,600 2003 158 Madagascar 59,600 2003 159 Mali 56,600 2002 160 Bermuda 56,000 2002 161 Guernsey 55,000 2001 162 French Polynesia 52,500 2002 163 New Caledonia 52,000 2002 164 Saint Lucia 51,100 2002 165 French Guiana 51,000 2001 166 Man, Isle of 51,000 1999 167 Swaziland 46,200 2003 168 Gambia, The 38,400 2002 169 Gabon 38,400 2003 170 Eritrea 38,100 2003 171 Antigua and Barbuda 38,000 2002 172 Cayman Islands 38,000 2002 173 Aruba 37,100 2002 174 Cambodia 35,400 2002 175 Andorra 35,000 2001 176 Monaco 33,700 2002 177 Grenada 33,500 2002 178 Belize 33,300 2003 179 Afghanistan 33,100 2002 180 Mauritania 31,500 2002 181 Maldives 28,700 2002 182 Lesotho 28,600 2002 183 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 27,300 2002 184 Guinea 26,200 2003 185 Greenland 26,000 2001 186 Bhutan 25,200 2003 187 Gibraltar 24,512 2002 188 Sierra Leone 24,000 2002 189 Burundi 23,900 2003 190 Dominica 23,700 2002 191 Saint Kitts and Nevis 23,500 2002 192 Rwanda 23,200 2002 193 Faroe Islands 23,000 2002 194 Niger 22,400 2002 195 Seychelles 21,700 2002 196 Northern Mariana Islands 21,000 2000 197 San Marino 20,600 2002 198 Liechtenstein 19,900 2002 199 American Samoa 15,000 2001 200 Comoros 13,200 2003 201 Chad 11,800 2002 202 Samoa 11,800 2002 203 British Virgin Islands 11,700 2002 204 Tonga 11,200 2002 205 Guinea-Bissau 10,600 2003 206 Micronesia, Federated States of 10,100 2001 207 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 10,000 2002 208 Mayotte 10,000 2001 209 Equatorial Guinea 9,600 2003 210 Djibouti 9,500 2003 211 Central African Republic 9,000 2002 212 Congo, Republic of the 7,000 2003 213 Sao Tome and Principe 7,000 2003 214 Liberia 7,000 2001 215 Palau 6,700 2002 216 Solomon Islands 6,600 2002 217 Vanuatu 6,500 2003 218 Anguilla 6,200 2002 219 Cook Islands 6,200 2002 220 Turks and Caicos Islands 5,700 2002 221 Saint Pierre and Miquelon 4,800 2002 222 Kiribati 4,500 2002 223 Marshall Islands 4,500 2003 224 Norfolk Island 2,532 2004 225 Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 2,400 2002 226 Saint Helena 2,200 2002 227 Nauru 1,900 2002 228 Wallis and Futuna 1,900 2002 229 Niue 1,100 2002 230 Tuvalu 700 2002 231 Tokelau 300 2002 232 Cocos (Keeling) Islands 287 1992 233 Pitcairn Islands 1 2004 234 Antarctica 0 2001

This file was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

Rank code: @2151

Rank Country Telephones - mobile cellular Date of Information

1 European Union 314,644,700 2002 2 China 269,000,000 2003 3 United States 158,722,000 2003 4 Japan 86,658,600 2003 5 Germany 64,800,000 2003 6 Italy 55,918,000 2003 7 United Kingdom 49,677,000 2002 8 Brazil 46,373,300 2003 9 France 41,683,100 2003 10 Spain 37,506,700 2003 11 Korea, South 33,591,800 2003 12 Mexico 28,125,000 2003 13 Turkey 27,887,500 2003 14 Thailand 26,500,000 2005 15 India 26,154,400 2003 16 Taiwan 25,089,600 2003 17 Russia 17,608,800 2002 18 Poland 17,401,000 2003 19 South Africa 16,860,000 2003 20 Philippines 15,201,000 2002 21 Australia 14,347,000 2003 22 Canada 13,221,800 2003 23 Netherlands 12,500,000 2003 24 Indonesia 11,700,000 2002 25 Malaysia 11,124,100 2003 26 Czech Republic 9,708,700 2003 27 Portugal 9,341,400 2003 28 Greece 8,936,200 2003 29 Egypt 8,583,940 2005 30 Belgium 8,135,500 2002 31 Sweden 7,949,000 2002 32 Morocco 7,332,800 2003 33 Hong Kong 7,241,400 2003 34 Saudi Arabia 7,238,200 2003 35 Austria 7,094,500 2003 36 Romania 6,900,000 2003 37 Hungary 6,862,800 2002 38 Argentina 6,500,000 2002 39 Venezuela 6,463,600 2002 40 Chile 6,445,700 2002 41 Israel 6,334,000 2002 42 Colombia 6,186,200 2003 43 Switzerland 6,172,000 2003 44 Denmark 4,785,300 2003 45 Finland 4,700,000 2003 46 Ukraine 4,200,000 2002 47 Norway 4,163,400 2003 48 Slovakia 3,678,800 2003 49 Serbia and Montenegro 3,634,600 2003 50 Singapore 3,521,800 2004 51 Ireland 3,400,000 2003 52 Iran 3,376,500 2003 53 Nigeria 3,149,500 2003 54 United Arab Emirates 2,972,300 2003 55 Peru 2,908,800 2003 56 Vietnam 2,742,000 2003 57 Pakistan 2,624,800 2003 58 New Zealand 2,599,000 2003 59 Bulgaria 2,597,500 2002 60 Croatia 2,553,000 2003 61 Ecuador 2,394,400 2003 62 Lithuania 2,169,900 2003 63 Dominican Republic 2,120,400 2003 64 Tunisia 1,899,900 2003 65 Paraguay 1,770,300 2003 66 Slovenia 1,739,100 2003 67 Kenya 1,590,800 2003 68 Guatemala 1,577,100 2002 69 Algeria 1,447,310 2003 70 Kuwait 1,420,000 2003 71 Bolivia 1,401,500 2003 72 Jamaica 1,400,000 2002 73 Bangladesh 1,365,000 2003 74 Jordan 1,325,300 2003 75 Cote d'Ivoire 1,236,000 2003 76 Latvia 1,219,600 2003 77 Puerto Rico 1,211,111 2001 78 El Salvador 1,149,800 2003 79 Belarus 1,118,000 2003 80 Albania 1,100,000 2003 81 Cameroon 1,077,000 2003 82 Bosnia and Herzegovina 1,050,000 2003 83 Kazakhstan 1,027,000 2002 84 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 1,000,000 2003 85 Sri Lanka 931,600 2002 86 Tanzania 891,200 2003 87 Estonia 881,000 2002 88 Azerbaijan 870,000 2002 89 Panama 834,000 2003 90 Macedonia 830,000 2005 91 Ghana 799,900 2003 92 Uganda 776,200 2003 93 Lebanon 775,100 2002 94 Uruguay 652,000 2002 95 Sudan 650,000 2003 96 Senegal 575,900 2003 97 Costa Rica 528,047 2002 98 Georgia 522,300 2003 99 Reunion 489,800 2002 100 West Bank 480,000 2003 101 Luxembourg 473,000 2002 102 Oman 464,900 2002 103 Mauritius 462,400 2003 104 Bahrain 443,100 2003 105 Botswana 435,000 2002 106 Mozambique 428,900 2003 107 Cyprus 417,900 108 Yemen 411,100 2002 109 Mongolia 404,400 2004 110 Syria 400,000 2002 111 Cambodia 380,000 2002 112 Zimbabwe 379,100 2003 113 Qatar 376,500 2003 114 Macau 364,000 2003 115 Trinidad and Tobago 361,900 2002 116 Moldova 338,200 2002 117 Congo, Republic of the 330,000 2003 118 Honduras 326,500 2002 119 Guadeloupe 323,500 2002 120 Uzbekistan 320,800 2003 121 Gaza Strip 320,000 2002 122 Martinique 319,900 2002 123 Gabon 300,000 2003 124 Mauritania 300,000 2003 125 Malta 290,000 2003 126 Madagascar 279,500 2003 127 Iceland 279,100 2003 128 Mali 250,000 2003 129 Zambia 241,000 2003 130 Benin 236,200 2003 131 Burkina Faso 227,000 2003 132 Namibia 223,700 2003 133 Togo 220,000 2003 134 Nicaragua 202,800 2002 135 Suriname 168,100 2003 136 Cyprus 143,178 137 Barbados 140,000 2003 138 Haiti 140,000 2002 139 French Guiana 138,200 2002 140 Brunei 137,000 2002 141 Malawi 135,100 2003 142 Rwanda 134,000 2003 143 Angola 130,000 2002 144 Bahamas, The 121,800 2002 145 Armenia 114,400 2003 146 Guinea 111,500 2003 147 Fiji 109,900 2003 148 Gambia, The 100,000 2002 149 Libya 100,000 2003 150 Ethiopia 97,800 2003 151 Lesotho 92,000 2002 152 French Polynesia 90,000 2002 153 Swaziland 88,000 2003 154 Guyana 87,300 2002 155 Netherlands Antilles 81,000 2001 156 New Caledonia 80,000 2002 157 Sierra Leone 67,000 2002 158 Burma 66,500 2003 159 Chad 65,000 2003 160 Burundi 64,000 2003 161 Jersey 61,400 2001 162 Belize 60,400 2003 163 Laos 55,200 2002 164 Seychelles 54,500 2003 165 Cape Verde 53,300 2003 166 Kyrgyzstan 53,100 2002 167 Aruba 53,000 2001 168 Turkmenistan 52,000 2004 169 Nepal 50,400 2003 170 Tajikistan 47,600 2003 171 Maldives 41,900 2002 172 Equatorial Guinea 41,500 2003 173 Virgin Islands 41,000 2002 174 Antigua and Barbuda 38,200 2002 175 Bermuda 37,873 2003 176 Somalia 35,000 2002 177 Guam 32,600 2001 178 Guernsey 31,500 2001 179 Faroe Islands 30,700 2002 180 Niger 24,000 2003 181 Andorra 23,500 2001 182 Djibouti 23,000 2003 183 Bhutan 22,000 2005 184 Mayotte 21,700 2002 185 Iraq 20,000 2002 186 Monaco 19,300 2002 187 Cuba 17,900 2002 188 Cayman Islands 17,000 2002 189 San Marino 16,800 2002 190 Greenland 16,747 2001 191 Afghanistan 15,000 2002 192 Papua New Guinea 15,000 2002 193 Saint Lucia 14,300 2002 194 Central African Republic 13,000 2003 195 Liechtenstein 11,400 2002 196 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 10,000 2002 197 Gibraltar 9,797 2002 198 Dominica 9,400 2002 199 Tonga 9,000 2004 200 British Virgin Islands 8,000 2002 201 Vanuatu 7,800 2003 202 Grenada 7,600 2002 203 Saint Kitts and Nevis 5,000 2002 204 Sao Tome and Principe 4,800 2003 205 Northern Mariana Islands 3,000 2000 206 Samoa 2,700 2002 207 American Samoa 2,377 1999 208 Comoros 2,000 2003 209 Liberia 2,000 2001 210 Anguilla 1,800 2002 211 Micronesia, Federated States of 1,800 2002 212 Turks and Caicos Islands 1,700 1999 213 Cook Islands 1,500 2002 214 Nauru 1,500 2002 215 Guinea-Bissau 1,300 2003 216 Solomon Islands 1,000 2002 217 Palau 1,000 2002 218 Marshall Islands 600 2002 219 Kiribati 500 2002 220 Niue 400 2002 221 Montserrat 70 1994 222 Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 0 2001 223 Western Sahara 0 1999 224 Wallis and Futuna 0 1994 225 Tuvalu 0 2004 226 Tokelau 0 2001 227 Saint Helena 0 1997 228 Saint Pierre and Miquelon 0 1994 229 Norfolk Island 0 2002

This file was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

Rank code: @2153

Rank Country Internet users Date of Information

1 World 604,111,719 2 European Union 206,032,067 September 2004 3 United States 159,000,000 2002 4 China 94,000,000 2004 5 Japan 57,200,000 2002 6 Germany 39,000,000 2003 7 Korea, South 29,220,000 2003 8 United Kingdom 25,000,000 2002 9 France 21,900,000 2003 10 Italy 18,500,000 2003 11 India 18,481,000 2003 12 Canada 16,110,000 2002 13 Brazil 14,300,000 2002 14 Taiwan 13,800,000 2005 15 Mexico 10,033,000 2002 16 Spain 9,789,000 2003 17 Australia 9,472,000 2002 18 Poland 8,970,000 2003 19 Malaysia 8,692,100 2003 20 Netherlands 8,500,000 2003 21 Indonesia 8,000,000 2002 22 Thailand 6,971,500 2003 23 Russia 6,000,000 2002 24 Turkey 5,500,000 2003 25 Sweden 5,125,000 2002 26 Iran 4,300,000 2003 27 Egypt 4,200,000 2005 28 Argentina 4,100,000 2002 29 Romania 4,000,000 2003 30 Ukraine 3,800,000 2003 31 Austria 3,730,000 2003 32 Portugal 3,600,000 2002 33 Chile 3,575,000 2002 34 Philippines 3,500,000 2002 35 Vietnam 3,500,000 2003 36 Belgium 3,400,000 2002 37 Hong Kong 3,212,800 2003 38 South Africa 3,100,000 2002 39 Peru 2,850,000 2003 40 Denmark 2,756,000 2002 41 Colombia 2,732,200 2003 42 Czech Republic 2,700,000 2003 43 Finland 2,650,000 2002 44 Switzerland 2,556,000 2002 45 Singapore 2,310,000 2002 46 Norway 2,288,000 2002 47 New Zealand 2,110,000 2003 48 Israel 2,000,000 2002 49 Greece 1,718,400 2003 50 Hungary 1,600,000 2002 51 Pakistan 1,500,000 2002 52 Saudi Arabia 1,500,000 2003 53 Belarus 1,391,900 2003 54 Slovakia 1,375,800 2003 55 Venezuela 1,274,400 2002 56 Ireland 1,260,000 2003 57 United Arab Emirates 1,110,200 2003 58 Croatia 1,014,000 2003 59 Latvia 936,000 2003 60 Serbia and Montenegro 847,000 2003 61 Costa Rica 800,000 2002 62 Morocco 800,000 2003 63 Nigeria 750,000 2003 64 Slovenia 750,000 2002 65 Lithuania 695,700 2003 66 Bulgaria 630,000 2002 67 Tunisia 630,000 2003 68 Jamaica 600,000 2002 69 Puerto Rico 600,000 2002 70 Ecuador 569,700 2003 71 Kuwait 567,000 2003 72 El Salvador 550,000 2003 73 Algeria 500,000 2002 74 Dominican Republic 500,000 2003 75 Zimbabwe 500,000 2002 76 Uzbekistan 492,000 2003 77 Jordan 457,000 2003 78 Estonia 444,000 2002 79 Guatemala 400,000 2002 80 Uruguay 400,000 2002 81 Lebanon 400,000 2002 82 Kenya 400,000 2002 83 Azerbaijan 300,000 2002 84 Sudan 300,000 2003 85 Bolivia 270,000 2002 86 Kazakhstan 250,000 2002 87 Tanzania 250,000 2003 88 Bangladesh 243,000 2003 89 Senegal 225,000 2003 90 Mongolia 220,000 2004 91 Syria 220,000 2002 92 Cyprus 210,000 2002 93 Togo 210,000 2003 94 Sri Lanka 200,000 2002 95 Bahrain 195,700 2003 96 Iceland 195,000 2003 97 Oman 180,000 2002 98 Ghana 170,000 2002 99 Honduras 168,600 2002 100 Luxembourg 165,000 2002 101 Libya 160,000 2003 102 Kyrgyzstan 152,000 2002 103 Georgia 150,500 2003 104 Armenia 150,000 2003 105 Reunion 150,000 2002 106 Moldova 150,000 2002 107 Mauritius 150,000 2003 108 West Bank 145,000 2003 109 Trinidad and Tobago 138,000 2002 110 Qatar 126,000 2003 111 Guyana 125,000 2002 112 Uganda 125,000 2003 113 Cuba 120,000 2004 114 Malta 120,000 2002 115 Panama 120,000 2002 116 Paraguay 120,000 2003 117 Macau 120,000 2003 118 Barbados 100,000 2003 119 Yemen 100,000 2002 120 Macedonia 100,000 2002 121 Bosnia and Herzegovina 100,000 2002 122 Cote d'Ivoire 90,000 2002 123 Nicaragua 90,000 2002 124 Somalia 89,000 2002 125 Bahamas, The 84,000 2003 126 Haiti 80,000 2002 127 Nepal 80,000 2002 128 Ethiopia 75,000 2003 129 Papua New Guinea 75,000 2002 130 Madagascar 70,500 2003 131 Benin 70,000 2003 132 Zambia 68,200 2003 133 Namibia 65,000 2003 134 Botswana 60,000 2002 135 Cameroon 60,000 136 New Caledonia 60,000 2003 137 Gaza Strip 60,000 138 Fiji 55,000 2003 139 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 50,000 2002 140 Mozambique 50,000 2002 141 Guam 50,000 2002 142 Burkina Faso 48,000 2003 143 Angola 41,000 2002 144 Guinea 40,000 2003 145 Martinique 40,000 2002 146 Malawi 36,000 2003 147 Brunei 35,000 2002 148 French Polynesia 35,000 2002 149 Gabon 35,000 2003 150 Bermuda 34,500 2003 151 Albania 30,000 2003 152 Belize 30,000 2002 153 Virgin Islands 30,000 2002 154 Cambodia 30,000 2002 155 Burma 28,000 2003 156 Swaziland 27,000 2003 157 Faroe Islands 25,000 2002 158 Iraq 25,000 2002 159 Mali 25,000 2002 160 Rwanda 25,000 2002 161 Gambia, The 25,000 2002 162 Andorra 24,500 2001 163 Aruba 24,000 2002 164 Lesotho 21,000 2002 165 Cape Verde 20,400 2003 166 Greenland 20,000 2002 167 Guadeloupe 20,000 2002 168 Liechtenstein 20,000 2002 169 Suriname 20,000 2002 170 Guinea-Bissau 19,000 2003 171 Monaco 16,000 2002 172 Bhutan 15,000 2003 173 Sao Tome and Principe 15,000 2003 174 Niger 15,000 2002 175 Maldives 15,000 2002 176 Laos 15,000 2002 177 Grenada 15,000 2002 178 Chad 15,000 2002 179 Congo, Republic of the 15,000 2003 180 San Marino 14,300 2002 181 Burundi 14,000 2003 182 Saint Lucia 13,000 2002 183 Dominica 12,500 2002 184 Seychelles 11,700 2002 185 Antigua and Barbuda 10,000 2002 186 Saint Kitts and Nevis 10,000 2002 187 Mauritania 10,000 2002 188 Cayman Islands 9,909 2003 189 Eritrea 9,500 2003 190 Sierra Leone 8,000 2002 191 Turkmenistan 8,000 2002 192 Vanuatu 7,500 2003 193 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 7,000 2002 194 Djibouti 6,500 2003 195 Gibraltar 6,200 2002 196 Micronesia, Federated States of 6,000 2002 197 Comoros 5,000 2003 198 Central African Republic 5,000 2002 199 Tajikistan 4,100 2003 200 British Virgin Islands 4,000 2002 201 Samoa 4,000 2002 202 Cook Islands 3,600 2002 203 French Guiana 3,200 2002 204 Anguilla 3,000 2002 205 Tonga 2,900 2002 206 Solomon Islands 2,200 2002 207 Kiribati 2,000 2002 208 Netherlands Antilles 2,000 2000 209 Equatorial Guinea 1,800 2002 210 Marshall Islands 1,400 2003 211 Tuvalu 1,300 2002 212 Afghanistan 1,000 2002 213 Liberia 1,000 2002 214 Wallis and Futuna 900 2002 215 Norfolk Island 700 216 Saint Helena 500 2002 217 Nauru 300 2002

This file was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

Rank code: @2155

Rank Country HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate(%) Date of Information

1 Swaziland 38.80 2003 est. 2 Botswana 37.30 2003 est. 3 Lesotho 28.90 2003 est. 4 Zimbabwe 24.60 2001 est. 5 South Africa 21.50 2003 est. 6 Namibia 21.30 2003 est. 7 Zambia 16.50 2003 est. 8 Malawi 14.20 2003 est. 9 Central African Republic 13.50 2003 est. 10 Mozambique 12.20 2003 est. 11 Guinea-Bissau 10.00 2003 est. 12 Tanzania 8.80 2003 est. 13 Gabon 8.10 2003 est. 14 Cote d'Ivoire 7.00 2003 est. 15 Sierra Leone 7.00 2001 est. 16 Cameroon 6.90 2003 est. 17 Kenya 6.70 2003 est. 18 Burundi 6.00 2003 est. 19 Liberia 5.90 2003 est. 20 Haiti 5.60 2003 est. 21 Nigeria 5.40 2003 est. 22 Rwanda 5.10 2003 est. 23 Congo, Republic of the 4.90 2003 est. 24 Chad 4.80 2003 est. 25 Ethiopia 4.40 2003 est. 26 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 4.20 2003 est. 27 Burkina Faso 4.20 2003 est. 28 Togo 4.10 2003 est. 29 Uganda 4.10 2003 est. 30 Angola 3.90 2003 est. 31 Equatorial Guinea 3.40 2001 est. 32 Guinea 3.20 2003 est. 33 Trinidad and Tobago 3.20 2003 est. 34 Ghana 3.10 2003 est. 35 Bahamas, The 3.00 2003 est. 36 Djibouti 2.90 2003 est. 37 Eritrea 2.70 2003 est. 38 Cambodia 2.60 2003 est. 39 Guyana 2.50 2003 est. 40 Belize 2.40 2003 est. 41 Sudan 2.30 2001 est. 42 Benin 1.90 2003 est. 43 Mali 1.90 2003 est. 44 Honduras 1.80 2003 est. 45 Dominican Republic 1.70 2003 est. 46 Madagascar 1.70 2003 est. 47 Suriname 1.70 2001 est. 48 Barbados 1.50 2003 est. 49 Thailand 1.50 2003 est. 50 Ukraine 1.40 2003 est. 51 Burma 1.20 2003 est. 52 Gambia, The 1.20 2003 est. 53 Niger 1.20 2003 est. 54 Jamaica 1.20 2003 est. 55 Estonia 1.10 2001 est. 56 Guatemala 1.10 2003 est. 57 Russia 1.10 2001 est. 58 Somalia 1.00 2001 est. 59 India 0.90 2001 est. 60 Panama 0.90 2003 est. 61 Senegal 0.80 2003 est. 62 Argentina 0.70 2001 est. 63 Venezuela 0.70 2001 est. 64 Spain 0.70 2001 est. 65 El Salvador 0.70 2003 est. 66 Colombia 0.70 2003 est. 67 Brazil 0.70 2003 est. 68 Costa Rica 0.60 2003 est. 69 United States 0.60 2003 est. 70 Papua New Guinea 0.60 2003 est. 71 Mauritania 0.60 2003 est. 72 Latvia 0.60 2001 est. 73 Italy 0.50 2001 est. 74 Paraguay 0.50 2003 est. 75 Peru 0.50 2003 est. 76 Nepal 0.50 2001 est. 77 France 0.40 2003 est. 78 Switzerland 0.40 2001 est. 79 Vietnam 0.40 2003 est. 80 Portugal 0.40 2001 est. 81 Malaysia 0.40 2003 est. 82 Austria 0.30 2003 est. 83 Uruguay 0.30 2001 est. 84 Chile 0.30 2003 est. 85 Mexico 0.30 2003 est. 86 Libya 0.30 2001 est. 87 Canada 0.30 2003 est. 88 Ecuador 0.30 2003 est. 89 Belarus 0.30 2001 est. 90 Bahrain 0.20 2001 est. 91 Belgium 0.20 2003 est. 92 Serbia and Montenegro 0.20 2001 est. 93 United Kingdom 0.20 2001 est. 94 Singapore 0.20 2003 est. 95 Nicaragua 0.20 2003 est. 96 Netherlands 0.20 2001 est. 97 Malta 0.20 2001 est. 98 Moldova 0.20 2001 est. 99 Luxembourg 0.20 2001 est. 100 Kazakhstan 0.20 2001 est. 101 Iceland 0.20 2001 est. 102 Greece 0.20 2001 est. 103 Denmark 0.20 2003 est. 104 United Arab Emirates 0.18 2001 est. 105 Comoros 0.12 2001 est. 106 Kuwait 0.12 2001 est. 107 Algeria 0.10 2001 est. 108 Australia 0.10 2003 est. 109 Azerbaijan 0.10 2003 est. 110 Bolivia 0.10 2003 est. 111 Bulgaria 0.10 2001 est. 112 Sri Lanka 0.10 2001 est. 113 Maldives 0.10 2001 est. 114 Oman 0.10 2001 est. 115 Mauritius 0.10 2001 est. 116 Morocco 0.10 2001 est. 117 Macedonia 0.10 2001 est. 118 Georgia 0.10 2001 est. 119 Fiji 0.10 2003 est. 120 Finland 0.10 2003 est. 121 Czech Republic 0.10 2001 est. 122 Ireland 0.10 2001 est. 123 Egypt 0.10 2001 est. 124 Cyprus 0.10 2003 est. 125 Cuba 0.10 2003 est. 126 China 0.10 2003 est. 127 Tajikistan 0.10 2001 est. 128 Syria 0.10 2001 est. 129 Sweden 0.10 2001 est. 130 Slovenia 0.10 2001 est. 131 Philippines 0.10 2003 est. 132 Romania 0.10 2001 est. 133 Poland 0.10 2001 est. 134 Pakistan 0.10 2001 est. 135 Mongolia 0.10 2003 est. 136 Yemen 0.10 2001 est. 137 Uzbekistan 0.10 2001 est. 138 Turkmenistan 0.10 2004 est. 139 Turkey 0.10 2001 est. 140 Tunisia 0.10 2005 est. 141 Slovakia 0.10 2001 est. 142 Lithuania 0.10 2001 est. 143 Lebanon 0.10 2001 est. 144 Laos 0.10 2003 est. 145 Korea, South 0.10 2003 est. 146 Kyrgyzstan 0.10 2001 est. 147 Jordan 0.10 2001 est. 148 Japan 0.10 2003 est. 149 New Zealand 0.10 2003 est. 150 Norway 0.10 2001 est. 151 Iraq 0.10 2001 est. 152 Israel 0.10 2001 est. 153 Iran 0.10 2001 est. 154 Indonesia 0.10 2003 est. 155 Hungary 0.10 2001 est. 156 Croatia 0.10 2001 est. 157 Hong Kong 0.10 2003 est. 158 Germany 0.10 2001 est. 159 Brunei 0.10 2003 est. 160 Bhutan 0.10 2001 est. 161 Bosnia and Herzegovina 0.10 2001 est. 162 Bangladesh 0.10 2001 est. 163 Armenia 0.10 2003 est. 164 Qatar 0.09 2001 est. 165 Cape Verde 0.04 166 Afghanistan 0.01 2001 est. 167 Saudi Arabia 0.01 2001 est. 168 Svalbard 0.00 2001

This file was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

Rank code: @2156

Rank Country HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS Date of Information

1 South Africa 5,300,000 2003 est. 2 India 5,100,000 2001 est. 3 Nigeria 3,600,000 2003 est. 4 Zimbabwe 1,800,000 2001 est. 5 Tanzania 1,600,000 2003 est. 6 Ethiopia 1,500,000 2003 est. 7 Mozambique 1,300,000 2003 est. 8 Kenya 1,200,000 2003 est. 9 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 1,100,000 2003 est. 10 United States 950,000 2003 est. 11 Zambia 920,000 2003 est. 12 Malawi 900,000 2003 est. 13 Russia 860,000 2001 est. 14 China 840,000 2003 est. 15 Brazil 660,000 2003 est. 16 Cote d'Ivoire 570,000 2003 est. 17 Thailand 570,000 2003 est. 18 Cameroon 560,000 2003 est. 19 Uganda 530,000 2001 est. 20 Sudan 400,000 2001 est. 21 Ukraine 360,000 2001 est. 22 Botswana 350,000 2003 est. 23 Ghana 350,000 2003 est. 24 Burma 330,000 2003 est. 25 Lesotho 320,000 2003 est. 26 Burkina Faso 300,000 2003 est. 27 Haiti 280,000 2003 est. 28 Central African Republic 260,000 2003 est. 29 Burundi 250,000 2003 est. 30 Rwanda 250,000 2003 est. 31 Angola 240,000 2003 est. 32 Vietnam 220,000 2003 est. 33 Swaziland 220,000 2003 est. 34 Namibia 210,000 2001 est. 35 Chad 200,000 2003 est. 36 Colombia 190,000 2003 est. 37 Cambodia 170,000 2003 est. 38 Sierra Leone 170,000 2001 est. 39 Mexico 160,000 2003 est. 40 Guinea 140,000 2003 est. 41 Madagascar 140,000 2003 est. 42 Italy 140,000 2001 est. 43 Mali 140,000 2003 est. 44 Spain 140,000 2001 est. 45 Argentina 130,000 2001 est. 46 France 120,000 2003 est. 47 Indonesia 110,000 2003 est. 48 Togo 110,000 2003 est. 49 Venezuela 110,000 1999 est. 50 Liberia 100,000 2003 est. 51 Congo, Republic of the 90,000 2003 est. 52 Dominican Republic 88,000 2003 est. 53 Peru 82,000 2003 est. 54 Guatemala 78,000 2003 est. 55 Pakistan 74,000 2001 est. 56 Niger 70,000 2003 est. 57 Benin 68,000 2003 est. 58 Honduras 63,000 2003 est. 59 Nepal 61,000 2001 est. 60 Eritrea 60,000 2003 est. 61 Canada 56,000 2003 est. 62 Malaysia 52,000 2003 est. 63 United Kingdom 51,000 2001 est. 64 Gabon 48,000 2003 est. 65 Senegal 44,000 2003 est. 66 Germany 43,000 2001 est. 67 Somalia 43,000 2001 est. 68 Iran 31,000 2001 est. 69 El Salvador 29,000 2003 est. 70 Trinidad and Tobago 29,000 2003 est. 71 Chile 26,000 2003 est. 72 Jamaica 22,000 2003 est. 73 Portugal 22,000 2001 est. 74 Ecuador 21,000 2003 est. 75 Netherlands 19,000 2001 est. 76 Guinea-Bissau 17,000 2001 est. 77 Kazakhstan 16,500 2001 est. 78 Panama 16,000 2003 est. 79 Papua New Guinea 16,000 2003 est. 80 Belarus 15,000 2001 est. 81 Morocco 15,000 2001 est. 82 Paraguay 15,000 1999 est. 83 Australia 14,000 2003 est. 84 Poland 14,000 2003 est. 85 Bangladesh 13,000 2001 est. 86 Switzerland 13,000 2001 est. 87 Costa Rica 12,000 2003 est. 88 Yemen 12,000 2001 est. 89 Japan 12,000 2003 est. 90 Egypt 12,000 2001 est. 91 Guyana 11,000 2003 est. 92 Uzbekistan 11,000 2003 est. 93 Austria 10,000 2003 est. 94 Belgium 10,000 2003 est. 95 Libya 10,000 2001 est. 96 Serbia and Montenegro 10,000 2001 est. 97 Mauritania 9,500 2003 est. 98 Algeria 9,100 2003 est. 99 Greece 9,100 2001 est. 100 Djibouti 9,100 2003 est. 101 Philippines 9,000 2003 est. 102 Korea, South 8,300 2003 est. 103 Estonia 7,800 2003 est. 104 Latvia 7,600 2001 est. 105 Puerto Rico 7,397 106 Gambia, The 6,800 2003 est. 107 Romania 6,500 2001 est. 108 Nicaragua 6,400 2003 est. 109 Uruguay 6,000 2001 est. 110 Equatorial Guinea 5,900 2001 est. 111 Bahamas, The 5,600 2003 est. 112 Moldova 5,500 2001 est. 113 Suriname 5,200 2001 est. 114 Denmark 5,000 2003 est. 115 Bolivia 4,900 2003 est. 116 Singapore 4,100 2003 est. 117 Kyrgyzstan 3,900 2003 est. 118 Belize 3,600 2003 est. 119 Sweden 3,600 2001 est. 120 Sri Lanka 3,500 2001 est. 121 Cuba 3,300 2003 est. 122 Georgia 3,000 2003 est. 123 Israel 3,000 1999 est. 124 Ireland 2,800 2001 est. 125 Hungary 2,800 2001 est. 126 Lebanon 2,800 2003 est. 127 Armenia 2,600 2003 est. 128 Hong Kong 2,600 2003 est. 129 Barbados 2,500 2003 est. 130 Czech Republic 2,500 2001 est. 131 Norway 2,100 2001 est. 132 Laos 1,700 2003 est. 133 Finland 1,500 2003 est. 134 Azerbaijan 1,400 2003 est. 135 New Zealand 1,400 2003 est. 136 Lithuania 1,300 2003 est. 137 Oman 1,300 2001 est. 138 Cyprus 1,000 1999 est. 139 Tunisia 1,000 2003 est. 140 Bosnia and Herzegovina 900 2003 est. 141 Cape Verde 775 142 Mauritius 700 2001 est. 143 Bahrain 600 2003 est. 144 Fiji 600 2003 est. 145 Jordan 600 2003 est. 146 Iraq 500 2003 est. 147 Syria 500 2003 est. 148 Malta 500 2003 est. 149 Mongolia 500 2003 est 150 Luxembourg 500 2003 est. 151 Bulgaria 346 2001 est. 152 Slovenia 280 2001 est. 153 Iceland 220 2001 est. 154 Brunei 200 2003 est. 155 Turkmenistan 200 2003 est. 156 Tajikistan 200 2003 est. 157 Macedonia 200 2003 est. 158 Slovakia 200 2003 est. 159 Croatia 200 2001 est. 160 Bhutan 100 1999 est. 161 Greenland 100 162 Maldives 100 2001 est. 163 Samoa 12 164 Svalbard 0 2001

This file was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

Rank code: @2157

Rank Country HIV/AIDS - deaths Date of Information

1 South Africa 370,000 2003 est. 2 India 310,000 2001 est. 3 Nigeria 310,000 2003 est. 4 Zimbabwe 170,000 2003 est. 5 Tanzania 160,000 2003 est. 6 Kenya 150,000 2003 est. 7 Ethiopia 120,000 2003 est. 8 Mozambique 110,000 2003 est. 9 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 100,000 2003 est. 10 Zambia 89,000 2003 est. 11 Malawi 84,000 2003 est. 12 Uganda 78,000 2003 est. 13 Thailand 58,000 2003 est. 14 Cameroon 49,000 2003 est. 15 Cote d'Ivoire 47,000 2003 est. 16 China 44,000 2003 est. 17 Botswana 33,000 2003 est. 18 Ghana 30,000 2003 est. 19 Lesotho 29,000 2003 est. 20 Burkina Faso 29,000 2003 est. 21 Burundi 25,000 2003 est. 22 Haiti 24,000 2003 est. 23 Central African Republic 23,000 2003 est. 24 Sudan 23,000 2003 est. 25 Rwanda 22,000 2003 est. 26 Angola 21,000 2003 est. 27 Burma 20,000 2003 est. 28 Ukraine 20,000 2003 est. 29 Chad 18,000 2003 est. 30 Swaziland 17,000 2003 est. 31 Namibia 16,000 2003 est. 32 Brazil 15,000 2003 est. 33 Cambodia 15,000 2003 est. 34 United States 14,000 2003 est. 35 Mali 12,000 2003 est. 36 Sierra Leone 11,000 2001 est. 37 Togo 10,000 2003 est. 38 Congo, Republic of the 9,700 2003 est. 39 Guinea 9,000 2003 est. 40 Russia 9,000 2001 est. 41 Vietnam 9,000 2003 est. 42 Dominican Republic 7,900 2003 est. 43 Madagascar 7,500 2003 est. 44 Liberia 7,200 2003 est. 45 Eritrea 6,300 2003 est. 46 Benin 5,800 2003 est. 47 Guatemala 5,800 2003 est. 48 Mexico 5,000 2003 est. 49 Pakistan 4,900 2003 est. 50 Niger 4,800 2003 est. 51 Peru 4,200 2003 est. 52 Honduras 4,100 2003 est. 53 Venezuela 4,100 2003 est. 54 Colombia 3,600 2003 est. 55 Senegal 3,500 2003 est. 56 Nepal 3,100 2003 est. 57 Gabon 3,000 2003 est. 58 Indonesia 2,400 2003 est. 59 El Salvador 2,200 2003 est. 60 Malaysia 2,000 2003 est. 61 Trinidad and Tobago 1,900 2003 est. 62 Ecuador 1,700 2003 est. 63 Argentina 1,500 2003 est. 64 Canada 1,500 2003 est. 65 Chile 1,400 2003 est. 66 Guinea-Bissau 1,200 2001 est. 67 Guyana 1,100 2003 est. 68 Belarus 1,000 2001 est. 69 France 1,000 2003 est. 70 Italy 1,000 2003 est. 71 Spain 1,000 2003 est. 72 Portugal 1,000 2003 est. 73 Germany 1,000 2003 est. 74 Costa Rica 900 2003 est. 75 Jamaica 900 2003 est. 76 Iran 800 2003 est. 77 Egypt 700 2003 est. 78 Djibouti 690 2003 est. 79 Bangladesh 650 2001 est. 80 Gambia, The 600 2003 est. 81 Papua New Guinea 600 2003 est. 82 Paraguay 600 2003 est. 83 Algeria 500 2003 est. 84 Latvia 500 2003 est. 85 Philippines 500 2003 est. 86 Uzbekistan 500 2003 est. 87 Uruguay 500 2003 est. 88 United Kingdom 500 2003 est. 89 Suriname 500 2003 est. 90 Jordan 500 2003 est. 91 Japan 500 2003 est. 92 Equatorial Guinea 370 2001 est. 93 Romania 350 2001 est. 94 Moldova 300 2001 est. 95 Cape Verde 225 96 Armenia 200 2003 est. 97 Lithuania 200 2003 est. 98 Lebanon 200 2003 est. 99 Laos 200 2003 est. 100 Kazakhstan 200 2003 est. 101 Korea, South 200 2003 est. 102 Kyrgyzstan 200 2003 est. 103 Hong Kong 200 2003 est. 104 Georgia 200 2003 est. 105 Fiji 200 2003 est. 106 Tunisia 200 2003 est. 107 Syria 200 2003 est. 108 Singapore 200 2003 est. 109 New Zealand 200 2003 est. 110 Oman 200 2003 est. 111 Mongolia 200 2003 est. 112 Estonia 200 2003 est. 113 Cuba 200 2003 est. 114 Sri Lanka 200 2003 est. 115 Brunei 200 2003 est. 116 Barbados 200 2003 est. 117 Bahamas, The 200 2003 est. 118 Bahrain 200 2003 est. 119 Azerbaijan 100 2001 est. 120 Serbia and Montenegro 100 2003 est. 121 Turkmenistan 100 2004 est. 122 Switzerland 100 2003 est. 123 Sweden 100 2003 est. 124 Slovenia 100 2003 est. 125 Poland 100 2001 est. 126 Norway 100 2003 est. 127 Netherlands 100 2003 est. 128 Malta 100 2003 est. 129 Mauritius 100 2001 est. 130 Macedonia 100 2003 est. 131 Tajikistan 100 2001 est. 132 Luxembourg 100 2003 est. 133 Slovakia 100 2001 est. 134 Israel 100 2001 est. 135 Iceland 100 2003 est. 136 Hungary 100 2001 est. 137 Greece 100 2003 est. 138 Finland 100 2003 est. 139 Bulgaria 100 2001 est. 140 Bosnia and Herzegovina 100 2001 est. 141 Denmark 100 2003 est. 142 Ireland 100 2003 est. 143 Belgium 100 2003 est. 144 Austria 100 2003 est. 145 Czech Republic 10 2001 est. 146 Croatia 10 2001 est. 147 Samoa 3 148 Svalbard 0 2001

This file was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

Rank code: @2173

Rank Country Oil - production(bbl/day) Date of Information

1 World 76,010,000 2001 est. 2 Saudi Arabia 9,021,000 2004 est. 3 Russia 8,420,000 2003 est. 4 United States 7,800,000 2004 est. 5 Iran 3,962,000 2004 est. 6 Mexico 3,460,000 2004 est. 7 China 3,392,000 2003 est. 8 Norway 3,310,000 2004 est. 9 Canada 3,110,000 2004 est. 10 European Union 2,648,000 2001 11 Venezuela 2,600,000 2004 est. 12 Nigeria 2,356,000 2004 est. 13 United Arab Emirates 2,335,000 2004 est. 14 Kuwait 2,319,000 2004 est. 15 Iraq 2,250,000 2004 est. 16 United Kingdom 1,957,000 2003 est. 17 Brazil 1,788,000 2004 est. 18 Libya 1,518,000 2004 est. 19 Algeria 1,200,000 2004 est. 20 Kazakhstan 1,200,000 2004 est. 21 Angola 980,000 2004 est. 22 Indonesia 971,000 2003 est. 23 Qatar 790,000 2004 est. 24 Malaysia 785,000 2004 est. 25 India 780,000 2004 est. 26 Oman 775,000 2004 est. 27 Argentina 755,000 2004 est. 28 Egypt 740,000 2004 est. 29 Australia 537,500 2004 est. 30 Colombia 531,100 2004 est. 31 Syria 525,000 2004 est. 32 Ecuador 523,000 2004 est. 33 Yemen 417,500 2004 est. 34 Vietnam 359,400 2004 est. 35 Equatorial Guinea 350,000 2004 est. 36 Denmark 346,200 2001 est. 37 Sudan 345,000 2004 est. 38 Azerbaijan 312,800 2004 est. 39 Gabon 264,900 2004 est. 40 Congo, Republic of the 227,000 2004 est. 41 Thailand 225,000 2004 est. 42 Brunei 204,000 2003 est. 43 Chad 200,000 2004 est. 44 South Africa 196,200 2001 est. 45 Turkmenistan 162,500 2001 est. 46 Uzbekistan 143,300 2004 est. 47 Trinidad and Tobago 140,000 2004 est. 48 Romania 128,000 2004 est. 49 Peru 95,500 2004 est. 50 Cameroon 94,000 2004 est. 51 Italy 79,460 2001 est. 52 Cuba 77,900 2004 est. 53 Germany 74,100 2003 54 Tunisia 72,580 2001 est. 55 Ukraine 72,000 2003 est. 56 Pakistan 61,000 2004 est. 57 Turkey 48,000 2001 est. 58 Netherlands 46,200 2001 est. 59 Papua New Guinea 46,200 2004 est. 60 Bahrain 44,000 2003 61 New Zealand 42,160 2001 est. 62 Hungary 41,190 2001 est. 63 Bolivia 39,000 2004 est. 64 Belarus 36,000 2004 est. 65 France 34,920 2001 est. 66 Cote d'Ivoire 29,300 2004 est. 67 Philippines 26,000 2003 est. 68 Guatemala 25,000 2004 est. 69 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 24,000 2001 est. 70 Croatia 21,000 2004 est. 71 Austria 20,670 2001 est. 72 Chile 18,500 2003 est. 73 Burma 17,550 2003 est. 74 Japan 17,330 2001 est. 75 Poland 17,180 2001 est. 76 Serbia and Montenegro 15,000 2001 est. 77 Suriname 12,000 2004 est. 78 Czech Republic 7,419 2001 est. 79 Spain 7,099 2001 est. 80 Ghana 7,000 2001 est. 81 Greece 5,992 2001 est. 82 Estonia 5,100 2001 est. 83 Lithuania 4,594 2001 est. 84 Bangladesh 3,581 2001 est. 85 Albania 2,000 2004 est. 86 Kyrgyzstan 2,000 2001 est. 87 Georgia 2,000 2001 est. 88 Barbados 1,271 2001 est. 89 Slovakia 1,000 2001 est. 90 Morocco 1,000 2004 est. 91 Benin 700 2001 est. 92 Bulgaria 603 2001 est. 93 Mongolia 542 2004 est. 94 Taiwan 500 2004 est. 95 Cyprus 300 2004 est. 96 Tajikistan 250 2001 est. 97 Israel 80 2001 est. 98 Jordan 40 2004 est. 99 Slovenia 20 2001 est. 100 Aruba 0 2001 est. 101 Afghanistan 0 2001 est. 102 Botswana 0 2001 est. 103 Belgium 0 2001 est. 104 Belize 0 2001 est. 105 Bhutan 0 2001 est. 106 Zimbabwe 0 2001 est. 107 Zambia 0 2001 est. 108 Swaziland 0 2001 est. 109 Samoa 0 2001 est. 110 Western Sahara 0 2001 est. 111 Namibia 0 2001 est. 112 Virgin Islands 0 2001 est. 113 British Virgin Islands 0 2001 est. 114 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 0 2001 est. 115 Uruguay 0 2001 est. 116 Burkina Faso 0 2001 est. 117 Uganda 0 2001 est. 118 Tanzania 0 2001 est. 119 Sao Tome and Principe 0 2001 est. 120 Togo 0 2001 est. 121 Tonga 0 2001 est. 122 Turks and Caicos Islands 0 123 Switzerland 0 2001 est. 124 Sweden 0 2001 est. 125 Saint Lucia 0 2001 est. 126 Somalia 0 2001 est. 127 Singapore 0 2001 est. 128 Sierra Leone 0 2001 est. 129 Saint Helena 0 2001 est. 130 Senegal 0 2001 est. 131 Seychelles 0 2001 est. 132 Saint Kitts and Nevis 0 2001 est. 133 Saint Pierre and Miquelon 0 2001 est. 134 Rwanda 0 2001 est. 135 Puerto Rico 0 2001 est. 136 Reunion 0 2001 est. 137 Guinea-Bissau 0 2001 est. 138 Portugal 0 2001 est. 139 Panama 0 2004 est. 140 Netherlands Antilles 0 2001 est. 141 Nauru 0 2001 est. 142 Nepal 0 2001 est. 143 Vanuatu 0 2001 est. 144 Niger 0 2001 est. 145 Niue 0 2001 est. 146 New Caledonia 0 2001 est. 147 Mozambique 0 2001 est. 148 Lebanon 0 2001 est. 149 Paraguay 0 2001 est. 150 Nicaragua 0 2003 est. 151 Laos 0 2001 est. 152 Korea, South 0 2004 est. 153 Kiribati 0 2001 est. 154 Korea, North 0 2001 est. 155 Kenya 0 2004 est. 156 Jamaica 0 2001 est. 157 Iceland 0 2001 est. 158 Honduras 0 2001 est. 159 Maldives 0 2001 est. 160 Malta 0 2004 est. 161 Mauritania 0 2001 est. 162 Mauritius 0 2001 est. 163 Mali 0 2001 est. 164 Macedonia 0 2003 est. 165 Malawi 0 2001 est. 166 Montserrat 0 2001 est. 167 Moldova 0 2001 est. 168 Macau 0 2001 est. 169 Martinique 0 2001 est. 170 Madagascar 0 2001 est. 171 Luxembourg 0 2001 est. 172 Lesotho 0 2001 est. 173 Liberia 0 2001 est. 174 Latvia 0 2001 est. 175 Hong Kong 0 2003 est. 176 Haiti 0 2001 est. 177 Guyana 0 2001 est. 178 Guinea 0 2001 est. 179 Guam 0 2001 est. 180 Guadeloupe 0 2001 est. 181 Greenland 0 2001 est. 182 Grenada 0 2001 est. 183 Gibraltar 0 2001 est. 184 Gambia, The 0 2001 est. 185 French Polynesia 0 2001 est. 186 Faroe Islands 0 2001 est. 187 Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 0 2001 est. 188 Fiji 0 2001 est. 189 Finland 0 2001 est. 190 French Guiana 0 2001 est. 191 Ethiopia 0 2001 est. 192 El Salvador 0 2001 est. 193 Eritrea 0 2001 est. 194 Ireland 0 2001 est. 195 Dominican Republic 0 2001 est. 196 Dominica 0 2001 est. 197 Djibouti 0 2001 est. 198 Cook Islands 0 2001 est. 199 Cape Verde 0 2001 est. 200 Central African Republic 0 2001 est. 201 Costa Rica 0 2001 est. 202 Comoros 0 2001 est. 203 Cayman Islands 0 2001 est. 204 Sri Lanka 0 2001 est. 205 Cambodia 0 2001 est. 206 Burundi 0 2001 est. 207 Solomon Islands 0 2001 est. 208 Bosnia and Herzegovina 0 2001 est. 209 Bahamas, The 0 2001 est. 210 Bermuda 0 2001 est. 211 Armenia 0 2001 est. 212 American Samoa 0 2001 est. 213 Antigua and Barbuda 0 2001 est.

This file was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

Rank code: @2174

Rank Country Oil - consumption(bbl/day) Date of Information

1 World 77,040,000 2001 est. 2 United States 19,650,000 2001 est. 3 European Union 14,540,000 2001 4 Japan 5,290,000 2001 est. 5 China 4,956,000 2002 est. 6 Germany 2,891,000 2003 7 Russia 2,310,000 2003 est. 8 Canada 2,200,000 2003 est. 9 Brazil 2,199,000 2001 est. 10 India 2,130,000 2001 est. 11 Korea, South 2,070,000 2004 est. 12 France 2,026,000 2001 est. 13 Italy 1,866,000 2001 est. 14 Mexico 1,752,000 2004 est. 15 United Kingdom 1,692,000 2003 est. 16 Saudi Arabia 1,550,000 2003 17 Spain 1,497,000 2001 est. 18 Iran 1,400,000 2002 est. 19 Indonesia 1,183,000 2003 est. 20 Taiwan 988,000 2001 est. 21 Netherlands 895,300 2001 est. 22 Australia 796,500 2001 est. 23 Thailand 785,000 2001 est. 24 Singapore 700,000 2001 est. 25 Turkey 619,500 2001 est. 26 Belgium 595,100 2001 est. 27 Egypt 562,000 2001 est. 28 Venezuela 500,000 2004 est. 29 Argentina 486,000 2001 est. 30 Malaysia 460,000 2003 est. 31 South Africa 460,000 2001 est. 32 Poland 424,100 2001 est. 33 Greece 405,700 2001 est. 34 Iraq 383,000 2004 est. 35 Pakistan 365,000 2004 est. 36 Portugal 339,800 2001 est. 37 Philippines 338,000 2003 est. 38 Sweden 328,600 2001 est. 39 United Arab Emirates 310,000 2004 est. 40 Ukraine 303,000 2003 est. 41 Kuwait 293,000 2003 est. 42 Switzerland 290,400 2001 est. 43 Belarus 285,000 2003 est. 44 Nigeria 275,000 2001 est. 45 Austria 262,400 2001 est. 46 Israel 260,000 2001 est. 47 Hong Kong 257,000 2001 est. 48 Romania 253,800 2003 est. 49 Colombia 252,000 2001 est. 50 Chile 240,000 2003 est. 51 Syria 240,000 2004 est. 52 Denmark 218,000 2001 est. 53 Libya 216,000 2001 est. 54 Finland 211,400 2001 est. 55 Algeria 209,000 2001 est. 56 Puerto Rico 190,000 2001 est. 57 Kazakhstan 189,400 2003 est. 58 Vietnam 185,000 2001 est. 59 Czech Republic 175,700 2001 est. 60 Ireland 174,400 2001 est. 61 Norway 171,100 2001 est. 62 Morocco 167,000 2001 est. 63 Cuba 163,000 2001 est. 64 Peru 161,000 2001 est. 65 Uzbekistan 142,000 2001 est. 66 Hungary 140,700 2001 est. 67 Azerbaijan 140,000 2001 est. 68 New Zealand 132,700 2001 est. 69 Dominican Republic 129,000 2001 est. 70 Ecuador 129,000 2001 est. 71 Lebanon 107,000 2001 est. 72 Jordan 103,000 2004 est. 73 Bulgaria 94,000 2001 est. 74 Croatia 89,000 2001 est. 75 Tunisia 87,000 2001 est. 76 Korea, North 85,000 2001 est. 77 Slovakia 82,000 2001 est. 78 Yemen 78,000 2003 est. 79 Sri Lanka 75,000 2001 est. 80 Lithuania 72,000 2001 est. 81 Netherlands Antilles 72,000 2001 est. 82 Bangladesh 71,000 2001 est. 83 Sudan 70,000 2004 est. 84 Jamaica 66,000 2001 est. 85 Virgin Islands 66,000 2001 est. 86 Serbia and Montenegro 64,000 2001 est. 87 Turkmenistan 63,000 2001 est. 88 Guatemala 61,000 2001 est. 89 Burma 60,950 2003 est. 90 Kenya 57,000 2001 est. 91 Oman 54,000 2003 est. 92 Slovenia 53,300 2001 est. 93 Luxembourg 50,650 2001 est. 94 Bolivia 49,000 2001 est. 95 Cyprus 49,000 2001 est. 96 Latvia 44,000 2001 est. 97 Gibraltar 42,000 2001 est. 98 Uruguay 41,500 2001 est. 99 Panama 40,520 2003 est. 100 Bahrain 40,000 2003 est. 101 El Salvador 39,000 2001 est. 102 Ghana 38,000 2001 est. 103 Costa Rica 37,000 2001 est. 104 Cote d'Ivoire 32,000 2001 est. 105 Georgia 31,500 2001 est. 106 Angola 31,000 2001 est. 107 Senegal 31,000 2001 est. 108 Qatar 30,000 2003 est. 109 Honduras 29,000 2001 est. 110 Nicaragua 25,770 2003 est. 111 Paraguay 25,000 2001 est. 112 Estonia 24,000 2001 est. 113 Mauritania 24,000 2001 est. 114 Trinidad and Tobago 24,000 2001 est. 115 Moldova 24,000 2001 est. 116 Bahamas, The 23,000 2001 est. 117 Zimbabwe 23,000 2001 est. 118 Ethiopia 23,000 2001 est. 119 Cameroon 22,000 2001 est. 120 Macedonia 22,000 2003 est. 121 Mauritius 21,000 2001 est. 122 Bosnia and Herzegovina 20,000 2001 est. 123 Guam 20,000 2001 est. 124 Tajikistan 20,000 2001 est. 125 Malta 20,000 2001 est. 126 Kyrgyzstan 20,000 2001 est. 127 Reunion 18,000 2001 est. 128 Tanzania 17,000 2001 est. 129 Iceland 16,300 2001 est. 130 Botswana 16,000 2001 est. 131 Nepal 16,000 2001 est. 132 Papua New Guinea 15,000 2001 est. 133 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 14,000 2001 est. 134 Suriname 14,000 2004 est. 135 Martinique 13,500 2001 est. 136 Brunei 13,000 2001 est. 137 Madagascar 13,000 2001 est. 138 Gabon 13,000 2001 est. 139 Namibia 13,000 2001 est. 140 Guadeloupe 13,000 2001 est. 141 Benin 11,500 2001 est. 142 Djibouti 11,300 2001 est. 143 Macau 11,190 2001 est. 144 Guyana 11,000 2001 est. 145 Mongolia 11,000 2004 est. 146 Haiti 11,000 2001 est. 147 Zambia 11,000 2001 est. 148 Barbados 10,900 2001 est. 149 Togo 10,000 2001 est. 150 New Caledonia 8,750 2001 est. 151 Uganda 8,750 2001 est. 152 Guinea 8,600 2001 est. 153 Mozambique 8,500 2001 est. 154 Burkina Faso 8,000 2001 est. 155 Albania 7,500 2004 est. 156 Cambodia 7,200 2002 est. 157 Aruba 6,500 2001 est. 158 French Guiana 6,500 2001 est. 159 Sierra Leone 6,500 2001 est. 160 Eritrea 6,000 2001 est. 161 Armenia 5,700 2001 est. 162 Fiji 5,700 2001 est. 163 Malawi 5,400 2001 est. 164 Rwanda 5,300 2001 est. 165 Belize 5,000 2001 est. 166 Niger 5,000 2001 est. 167 Congo, Republic of the 5,000 2001 est. 168 French Polynesia 4,750 2001 est. 169 Faroe Islands 4,500 2001 est. 170 Bermuda 4,000 2001 est. 171 Mali 4,000 2001 est. 172 Seychelles 4,000 2001 est. 173 Somalia 4,000 2001 est. 174 American Samoa 3,800 2001 est. 175 Greenland 3,700 2001 est. 176 Antigua and Barbuda 3,600 2001 est. 177 Afghanistan 3,500 2001 est. 178 Swaziland 3,500 2001 est. 179 Maldives 3,200 2001 est. 180 Liberia 3,100 2001 est. 181 Burundi 2,750 2001 est. 182 Laos 2,750 2001 est. 183 Guinea-Bissau 2,500 2001 est. 184 Cayman Islands 2,400 2001 est. 185 Central African Republic 2,400 2001 est. 186 Saint Lucia 2,400 2001 est. 187 Cape Verde 2,000 2001 est. 188 Equatorial Guinea 2,000 2001 est. 189 Gambia, The 1,900 2001 est. 190 Western Sahara 1,800 2001 est. 191 Chad 1,500 2001 est. 192 Lesotho 1,500 2001 193 Solomon Islands 1,250 2001 est. 194 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1,250 2001 est. 195 Bhutan 1,020 2001 est. 196 Grenada 1,000 2001 est. 197 Samoa 1,000 2001 est. 198 Tonga 1,000 2001 est. 199 Nauru 1,000 2001 est. 200 Saint Kitts and Nevis 710 2001 est. 201 Comoros 700 2001 est. 202 Sao Tome and Principe 700 2001 est. 203 Dominica 600 2001 est. 204 Vanuatu 600 2001 est. 205 Saint Pierre and Miquelon 600 2001 est. 206 Cook Islands 450 2001 est. 207 British Virgin Islands 420 2001 est. 208 Montserrat 400 2001 est. 209 Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 200 2001 est. 210 Saint Helena 200 2001 est. 211 Kiribati 190 2001 est. 212 Niue 20 2001 est. 213 Turks and Caicos Islands 0

This file was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

Rank code: @2175

Rank Country Oil - imports(bbl/day) Date of Information

1 European Union 15,690,000 2001 2 Japan 5,449,000 2001 3 China 2,414,000 2002 4 Netherlands 2,284,000 2001 5 France 2,281,000 2001 6 Korea, South 2,263,000 2003 7 Italy 2,158,000 2001 8 Germany 2,135,000 2003 9 Spain 1,582,000 2001 10 United Kingdom 1,084,000 2003 11 Belgium 1,042,000 2001 12 Canada 987,000 2004 13 Turkey 616,500 2001 14 Sweden 553,100 2001 15 Australia 530,800 2001 16 Greece 468,300 2001 17 Poland 413,700 2001 18 Indonesia 370,500 2003 19 Belarus 360,000 2004 est. 20 Portugal 357,300 2001 21 Finland 318,300 2001 22 Philippines 312,000 2003 23 Switzerland 289,500 2001 24 Austria 262,000 2001 25 Chile 221,500 2003 est. 26 Mexico 205,000 2004 27 Denmark 195,000 2001 28 Czech Republic 192,300 2001 29 Ireland 178,600 2001 30 Hungary 136,600 2001 31 Dominican Republic 129,900 2003 32 New Zealand 119,700 2001 33 Jordan 100,000 2004 est. 34 Norway 88,870 2001 35 Luxembourg 50,700 2001 36 Burma 49,230 2003 37 Kazakhstan 47,000 2003 38 Nicaragua 27,950 2003 39 Iceland 15,470 2001 40 Korea, North 11,500 2003 est. 41 Mongolia 11,000 2004 est. 42 Albania 5,500 2004 est. 43 Suriname 1,644 2003 44 United Arab Emirates 0 2004 45 Saudi Arabia 0 2003 46 Sudan 0 2004

This file was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

Rank code: @2176

Rank Country Oil - exports(bbl/day) Date of Information

1 Saudi Arabia 7,920,000 2003 2 Russia 6,110,000 2003 3 European Union 5,322,000 2001 4 Norway 3,466,000 2001 5 United Arab Emirates 2,500,000 2004 est. 6 Iran 2,500,000 2004 est. 7 Venezuela 2,100,000 2004 est. 8 Kuwait 1,970,000 2003 9 Mexico 1,863,000 2004 10 United Kingdom 1,498,000 2001 11 Iraq 1,490,000 2004 est. 12 Netherlands 1,418,000 2001 13 Canada 1,370,000 2004 14 Kazakhstan 890,000 2003 15 Oman 721,000 2004 16 Korea, South 630,100 2003 17 Australia 523,400 2001 18 Indonesia 518,100 2003 19 Italy 456,600 2001 20 Belgium 450,000 2001 21 China 427,800 2002 22 France 409,600 2001 23 Ecuador 387,000 2004 est. 24 Yemen 370,300 2003 25 Denmark 332,100 2001 26 Syria 285,000 2004 27 Sudan 275,000 2004 28 Malaysia 230,200 2003 29 Sweden 203,700 2001 30 Brunei 199,000 2003 31 Spain 135,100 2001 32 Finland 101,000 2001 33 Japan 93,360 2001 34 Greece 84,720 2001 35 Poland 53,000 2001 36 Peru 49,000 2004 est. 37 Hungary 47,180 2001 38 Turkey 46,110 2001 39 Austria 35,470 2001 40 New Zealand 30,220 2001 41 Bahamas, The 29,000 2003 42 Portugal 28,830 2001 43 Ireland 27,450 2001 44 Czech Republic 26,670 2001 45 Belarus 14,500 2003 est. 46 Germany 12,990 2003 47 Switzerland 10,420 2001 48 Burma 3,356 2003 49 Guatemala 3,104 2003 50 Suriname 1,370 2003 51 Nicaragua 738 2003 52 Luxembourg 634 2001 53 Mongolia 497 2004 est. 54 Albania 0 2004 est. 55 Chile 0 2003 56 Philippines 0 2001 57 Jordan 0 2004 est. 58 Iceland 0 2001

This file was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

Rank code: @2178

Rank Country Oil - proved reserves(bbl) Date of Information

1 World 1,025,000,000,000 1 January 2002 est. 2 Saudi Arabia 261,700,000,000 2004 est. 3 Canada 178,900,000,000 2004 est. 4 Iran 130,800,000,000 2004 est. 5 Iraq 112,500,000,000 2004 est. 6 United Arab Emirates 97,800,000,000 2004 est. 7 Kuwait 96,500,000,000 2004 est. 8 Venezuela 78,000,000,000 2004 est. 9 Russia 69,000,000,000 2003 est. 10 Libya 38,000,000,000 2004 est. 11 Nigeria 34,000,000,000 2004 est. 12 European Union 28,210,000,000 1 January 2002 13 Kazakhstan 26,000,000,000 1 January 2004 14 United Kingdom 25,410,000,000 2003 15 Angola 22,880,000,000 2004 est. 16 United States 22,450,000,000 1 January 2002 17 Mexico 18,000,000,000 2004 est. 18 China 17,740,000,000 2004 est. 19 Qatar 16,000,000,000 2004 est. 20 Brazil 13,900,000,000 2004 est. 21 Algeria 11,870,000,000 2004 est. 22 Norway 9,859,000,000 1 January 2002 23 India 5,700,000,000 2004 est. 24 Oman 5,500,000,000 2003 est. 25 Indonesia 4,900,000,000 2004 est. 26 Ecuador 4,408,000,000 2004 est. 27 Yemen 4,000,000,000 2004 est. 28 Australia 3,664,000,000 1 January 2002 29 Burma 3,200,000,000 2003 30 Malaysia 3,200,000,000 2004 est. 31 Argentina 2,900,000,000 2004 est. 32 Egypt 2,700,000,000 2004 est. 33 Syria 2,500,000,000 2004 est. 34 Gabon 2,022,000,000 2004 est. 35 Colombia 1,700,000,000 2004 est. 36 Tunisia 1,700,000,000 2004 est. 37 Sudan 1,600,000,000 2004 est. 38 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 1,538,000,000 1 January 2002 39 Brunei 1,255,000,000 1 January 2002 40 Denmark 1,230,000,000 1 January 2002 41 Romania 1,055,000,000 1 January 2002 42 Trinidad and Tobago 990,000,000 1 January 2004 43 Vietnam 650,000,000 2004 est. 44 Thailand 600,000,000 1 January 2003 45 Azerbaijan 589,000,000 1 January 2002 46 Italy 586,600,000 1 January 2002 47 Equatorial Guinea 563,500,000 1 January 2002 48 Cuba 532,000,000 1 January 2002 49 Bolivia 458,800,000 1 January 2002 50 Peru 408,800,000 2004 est. 51 Germany 395,800,000 1 January 2004 52 Ukraine 395,000,000 9 November 2004 53 Pakistan 325,500,000 2004 est. 54 Morocco 300,000,000 2004 est. 55 Uzbekistan 297,000,000 1 January 2002 56 Turkey 288,400,000 1 January 2002 57 Turkmenistan 273,000,000 1 January 2002 58 Guatemala 263,000,000 1 January 2002 59 Cote d'Ivoire 220,000,000 2004 est. 60 Albania 185,500,000 1 January 2002 61 Papua New Guinea 170,000,000 2004 est. 62 Philippines 152,000,000 1 January 2004 63 Chile 150,000,000 1 January 2004 64 France 144,300,000 1 January 2002 65 Bahrain 126,000,000 2004 est. 66 Poland 116,400,000 1 January 2002 67 Hungary 110,700,000 1 January 2002 68 Suriname 99,000,000 2004 69 Croatia 93,600,000 1 January 2002 70 Congo, Republic of the 93,500,000 1 January 2002 71 New Zealand 89,620,000 1 January 2002 72 Netherlands 88,060,000 1 January 2002 73 Austria 85,690,000 1 January 2002 74 Cameroon 80,000,000 2004 est. 75 Serbia and Montenegro 38,750,000 1 January 2002 76 Japan 29,290,000 1 January 2002 77 Bangladesh 28,450,000 1 January 2002 78 Czech Republic 17,250,000 1 January 2002 79 Spain 10,500,000 1 January 2002 80 Ghana 8,255,000 1 January 2002 81 Bulgaria 8,100,000 1 January 2002 82 South Africa 7,840,000 1 January 2002 83 Greece 4,500,000 1 January 2002 84 Slovakia 4,500,000 1 January 2002 85 Benin 4,105,000 1 January 2002 86 Taiwan 2,900,000 2004 est. 87 Israel 1,920,000 1 January 2002 88 Barbados 1,254,000 1 January 2002 89 Jordan 445,000 1 January 2002 90 Ethiopia 214,000 1 January 2002 91 Afghanistan 0 1 January 2002 92 Rwanda 0 1 January 2002 93 Tanzania 0 1 January 2002 94 Namibia 0 1 January 2002 95 Somalia 0 1 January 2002 96 Mozambique 0 1 January 2002 97 Ireland 0 1 January 2002 98 Madagascar 0 1 January 2002

This file was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

Rank code: @2179

Rank Country Natural gas - proved reserves(cu m) Date of Information

1 World 161,200,000,000,000 1 January 2002 2 Russia 47,000,000,000,000 2003 3 Iran 26,700,000,000,000 2004 4 Qatar 14,410,000,000,000 2004 5 Saudi Arabia 6,339,000,000,000 2004 6 United Arab Emirates 6,060,000,000,000 2004 7 United States 5,195,000,000,000 1 January 2002 8 Algeria 4,739,000,000,000 2004 9 Venezuela 4,190,000,000,000 2004 10 Nigeria 4,007,000,000,000 2004 11 European Union 3,256,000,000,000 1 January 2002 12 Iraq 3,149,000,000,000 2004 13 Indonesia 2,549,000,000,000 2004 14 Burma 2,460,000,000,000 2003 15 Australia 2,407,000,000,000 1 January 2002 16 China 2,230,000,000,000 2004 17 Malaysia 2,230,000,000,000 2004 18 Kazakhstan 1,800,000,000,000 1 January 2004 19 Norway 1,716,000,000,000 1 January 2002 20 Netherlands 1,693,000,000,000 1 January 2002 21 Canada 1,691,000,000,000 2004 22 Kuwait 1,548,000,000,000 2004 23 Turkmenistan 1,430,000,000,000 1 January 2002 24 Libya 1,321,000,000,000 2004 25 Egypt 1,264,000,000,000 2004 26 Uzbekistan 937,300,000,000 1 January 2002 27 Oman 829,700,000,000 2003 28 Argentina 768,000,000,000 2004 29 Bolivia 727,200,000,000 1 January 2002 30 United Kingdom 714,900,000,000 2003 31 Pakistan 695,600,000,000 2004 32 Trinidad and Tobago 589,000,000,000 1 January 2004 33 Ukraine 560,700,000,000 9 November 2004 34 India 542,400,000,000 2004 35 Yemen 480,000,000,000 2004 36 Mexico 420,000,000,000 2004 37 Papua New Guinea 385,500,000,000 2004 38 Thailand 368,200,000,000 1 January 2003 39 Brunei 315,000,000,000 1 January 2002 40 Germany 293,000,000,000 1 January 2004 41 Peru 245,100,000,000 2004 42 Syria 240,700,000,000 2004 43 Brazil 221,700,000,000 2004 44 Italy 209,700,000,000 1 January 2002 45 Vietnam 192,600,000,000 2004 46 Poland 154,400,000,000 1 January 2002 47 Bangladesh 150,300,000,000 1 January 2002 48 Colombia 132,000,000,000 2004 49 Romania 111,100,000,000 1 January 2002 50 Philippines 107,600,000,000 1 January 2004 51 Ecuador 106,500,000,000 2004 52 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 104,800,000,000 1 January 2002 53 Sudan 99,110,000,000 2004 54 Chile 99,050,000,000 1 January 2004 55 Denmark 81,980,000,000 1 January 2002 56 Angola 79,570,000,000 2004 57 Tunisia 77,160,000,000 2004 58 Equatorial Guinea 68,530,000,000 1 January 2002 59 Gabon 66,470,000,000 2004 60 Mozambique 63,710,000,000 1 January 2002 61 Azerbaijan 62,300,000,000 1 January 2002 62 New Zealand 58,940,000,000 1 January 2002 63 Cameroon 55,220,000,000 2004 64 Hungary 50,450,000,000 1 January 2002 65 Afghanistan 49,980,000,000 1 January 2002 66 Bahrain 46,000,000,000 2004 67 Cuba 42,620,000,000 1 January 2002 68 Taiwan 38,230,000,000 2004 69 Croatia 34,360,000,000 1 January 2002 70 Namibia 31,150,000,000 1 January 2002 71 Rwanda 28,320,000,000 1 January 2002 72 Austria 24,900,000,000 1 January 2002 73 Serbia and Montenegro 24,070,000,000 1 January 2002 74 Israel 20,810,000,000 1 January 2002 75 Japan 20,020,000,000 1 January 2002 76 Cote d'Ivoire 14,870,000,000 2004 77 South Africa 14,160,000,000 1 January 2002 78 France 12,860,000,000 1 January 2002 79 Ethiopia 12,460,000,000 1 January 2002 80 Ghana 11,890,000,000 1 January 2002 81 Tanzania 11,330,000,000 1 January 2002 82 Ireland 9,911,000,000 1 January 2002 83 Turkey 8,685,000,000 1 January 2002 84 Slovakia 7,504,000,000 1 January 2002 85 Bulgaria 3,724,000,000 1 January 2002 86 Albania 3,316,000,000 1 January 2002 87 Jordan 3,256,000,000 1 January 2002 88 Czech Republic 3,057,000,000 1 January 2002 89 Somalia 2,832,000,000 1 January 2002 90 Guatemala 1,543,000,000 1 January 2002 91 Morocco 665,400,000 2004 92 Benin 608,800,000 1 January 2002 93 Congo, Republic of the 495,500,000 1 January 2002 94 Greece 254,900,000 1 January 2002 95 Spain 254,900,000 1 January 2002 96 Barbados 70,790,000 1 January 2002 97 Madagascar 0 1 January 2002 98 Suriname 0 2004

This file was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

Rank code: @2180

Rank Country Natural gas - production(cu m) Date of Information

1 World 2,637,000,000,000 2001 est. 2 Russia 578,600,000,000 2003 est. 3 United States 548,100,000,000 2001 est. 4 European Union 242,600,000,000 2001 5 Canada 165,800,000,000 2003 est. 6 United Kingdom 105,900,000,000 2001 est. 7 Algeria 80,300,000,000 2001 est. 8 Iran 79,000,000,000 2003 est. 9 Netherlands 77,750,000,000 2001 est. 10 Indonesia 77,600,000,000 2003 est. 11 Uzbekistan 63,100,000,000 2001 est. 12 Turkmenistan 58,570,000,000 2004 est. 13 Saudi Arabia 56,400,000,000 2002 14 Norway 54,600,000,000 2001 est. 15 Malaysia 53,660,000,000 2001 est. 16 Mexico 47,300,000,000 2004 est. 17 United Arab Emirates 44,400,000,000 2003 est. 18 Argentina 37,150,000,000 2001 est. 19 China 35,000,000,000 2003 est. 20 Australia 33,080,000,000 2001 est. 21 Bahrain 32,700,000,000 2002 est. 22 Qatar 32,400,000,000 2001 est. 23 Venezuela 29,400,000,000 2003 est. 24 Trinidad and Tobago 25,000,000,000 2003 est. 25 Pakistan 23,400,000,000 2001 est. 26 India 22,750,000,000 2001 est. 27 Egypt 21,200,000,000 2001 est. 28 Germany 21,000,000,000 2003 29 Ukraine 19,600,000,000 2003 est. 30 Thailand 18,730,000,000 2001 est. 31 Nigeria 15,680,000,000 2001 est. 32 Italy 15,490,000,000 2001 est. 33 Oman 13,770,000,000 2001 est. 34 Romania 12,600,000,000 2003 est. 35 Kazakhstan 11,600,000,000 2004 est. 36 Brunei 10,350,000,000 2001 est. 37 Burma 9,980,000,000 2003 est. 38 Bangladesh 9,900,000,000 2001 est. 39 Kuwait 8,700,000,000 2002 est. 40 Bolivia 8,440,000,000 2004 est. 41 Denmark 8,380,000,000 2001 est. 42 New Zealand 6,504,000,000 2001 est. 43 Libya 6,180,000,000 2001 est. 44 Brazil 5,950,000,000 2001 est. 45 Syria 5,840,000,000 2001 est. 46 Azerbaijan 5,720,000,000 2001 est. 47 Colombia 5,700,000,000 2001 est. 48 Poland 5,471,000,000 2001 est. 49 Hungary 3,231,000,000 2001 est. 50 Japan 2,519,000,000 2001 est. 51 Iraq 2,350,000,000 2002 est. 52 Tunisia 2,250,000,000 2001 est. 53 France 1,898,000,000 2001 est. 54 South Africa 1,800,000,000 2001 est. 55 Croatia 1,760,000,000 2001 est. 56 Austria 1,731,000,000 2001 est. 57 Cote d'Ivoire 1,350,000,000 2001 est. 58 Vietnam 1,300,000,000 2001 est. 59 Chile 1,180,000,000 2002 est. 60 Peru 910,000,000 2004 est. 61 Ireland 815,000,000 2001 est. 62 Taiwan 750,000,000 2001 est. 63 Serbia and Montenegro 602,000,000 2001 est. 64 Cuba 600,000,000 2001 est. 65 Angola 530,000,000 2001 est. 66 Spain 516,000,000 2001 est. 67 Turkey 312,000,000 2001 est. 68 Jordan 290,000,000 2001 est. 69 Belarus 250,000,000 2004 est. 70 Afghanistan 220,000,000 2001 est. 71 Slovakia 190,000,000 2003 est. 72 Ecuador 160,000,000 2001 est. 73 Czech Republic 160,000,000 2001 est. 74 Papua New Guinea 110,000,000 2001 est. 75 Gabon 80,000,000 2001 est. 76 Georgia 60,000,000 2001 est. 77 Mozambique 60,000,000 2001 est. 78 Morocco 50,000,000 2001 est. 79 Tajikistan 50,000,000 2001 est. 80 Senegal 50,000,000 2001 est. 81 Greece 35,000,000 2001 est. 82 Albania 30,000,000 2001 est. 83 Barbados 29,170,000 2001 est. 84 Equatorial Guinea 20,000,000 2001 est. 85 Kyrgyzstan 16,000,000 2001 est. 86 Israel 10,000,000 2001 est. 87 Bulgaria 4,000,000 2001 est. 88 Philippines 2,500,000 2004 est. 89 Armenia 0 2001 est. 90 Korea, South 0 2003 est. 91 Lithuania 0 2001 est. 92 Yemen 0 2003 est. 93 Uruguay 0 2003 est. 94 Switzerland 0 2001 est. 95 Sweden 0 2001 est. 96 Singapore 0 2001 est. 97 Slovenia 0 2001 est. 98 Puerto Rico 0 2001 est. 99 Portugal 0 2001 est. 100 Moldova 0 2001 est. 101 Luxembourg 0 2001 est. 102 Latvia 0 2001 est. 103 Estonia 0 2001 est. 104 Finland 0 2001 est. 105 Belgium 0 2001 est. 106 Cameroon 0 2001 est. 107 Congo, Republic of the 0 2001 est. 108 Bosnia and Herzegovina 0 2001 est.

This file was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

Rank code: @2181

Rank Country Natural gas - consumption(cu m) Date of Information

1 World 2,599,000,000,000 2001 est. 2 United States 640,900,000,000 2001 est. 3 European Union 467,700,000,000 2001 4 Russia 405,800,000,000 2003 est. 5 Germany 99,550,000,000 2003 6 United Kingdom 92,850,000,000 2001 est. 7 Japan 80,420,000,000 2001 est. 8 Ukraine 79,860,000,000 2003 est. 9 Iran 72,400,000,000 2003 est. 10 Italy 71,180,000,000 2001 est. 11 Saudi Arabia 56,400,000,000 2002 12 Canada 55,800,000,000 2003 est. 13 Indonesia 55,300,000,000 2003 est. 14 Mexico 55,100,000,000 2004 est. 15 Netherlands 49,720,000,000 2001 est. 16 Uzbekistan 45,200,000,000 2001 est. 17 France 42,010,000,000 2001 est. 18 United Arab Emirates 33,700,000,000 2003 est. 19 Bahrain 32,700,000,000 2002 est. 20 Malaysia 31,250,000,000 2001 est. 21 Argentina 31,100,000,000 2001 est. 22 Venezuela 29,400,000,000 2003 est. 23 China 29,180,000,000 2002 est. 24 Thailand 23,930,000,000 2001 est. 25 Pakistan 23,400,000,000 2001 est. 26 Australia 23,330,000,000 2001 est. 27 India 22,750,000,000 2001 est. 28 Algeria 22,320,000,000 2001 est. 29 Egypt 21,200,000,000 2001 est. 30 Korea, South 20,920,000,000 2003 est. 31 Belarus 18,800,000,000 2004 est. 32 Romania 18,500,000,000 2003 est. 33 Spain 17,960,000,000 2001 est. 34 Turkey 15,940,000,000 2001 est. 35 Qatar 15,860,000,000 2001 est. 36 Belgium 15,500,000,000 2001 est. 37 Kazakhstan 14,300,000,000 2001 est. 38 Poland 13,850,000,000 2001 est. 39 Trinidad and Tobago 13,760,000,000 2003 est. 40 Hungary 13,370,000,000 2001 est. 41 Bangladesh 9,900,000,000 2001 est. 42 Czech Republic 9,892,000,000 2001 est. 43 Turkmenistan 9,600,000,000 2001 est. 44 Brazil 9,590,000,000 2001 est. 45 Kuwait 8,700,000,000 2002 est. 46 Nigeria 7,850,000,000 2001 est. 47 Austria 7,810,000,000 2001 est. 48 Slovakia 6,800,000,000 2003 est. 49 Azerbaijan 6,720,000,000 2001 est. 50 Taiwan 6,640,000,000 2001 est. 51 Chile 6,517,000,000 2002 est. 52 New Zealand 6,504,000,000 2001 est. 53 Oman 6,340,000,000 2001 est. 54 Syria 5,840,000,000 2001 est. 55 Bulgaria 5,804,000,000 2001 est. 56 Colombia 5,700,000,000 2001 est. 57 Libya 5,410,000,000 2001 est. 58 Denmark 5,280,000,000 2001 est. 59 Finland 4,557,000,000 2001 est. 60 Ireland 4,199,000,000 2001 est. 61 Norway 4,100,000,000 2001 est. 62 Tunisia 3,830,000,000 2001 est. 63 Switzerland 3,093,000,000 2001 est. 64 Croatia 2,840,000,000 2001 est. 65 Lithuania 2,760,000,000 2001 est. 66 Portugal 2,542,000,000 2001 est. 67 Singapore 2,500,000,000 2001 est. 68 Iraq 2,350,000,000 2002 est. 69 Moldova 2,050,000,000 2001 est. 70 Greece 2,021,000,000 2001 est. 71 Kyrgyzstan 2,016,000,000 2001 est. 72 South Africa 1,800,000,000 2001 est. 73 Latvia 1,700,000,000 2001 est. 74 Burma 1,569,000,000 2003 est. 75 Armenia 1,400,000,000 2001 est. 76 Brunei 1,350,000,000 2001 est. 77 Cote d'Ivoire 1,350,000,000 2001 est. 78 Tajikistan 1,300,000,000 2001 est. 79 Vietnam 1,300,000,000 2001 est. 80 Estonia 1,270,000,000 2001 est. 81 Georgia 1,160,000,000 2001 est. 82 Bolivia 1,150,000,000 2001 est. 83 Slovenia 1,040,000,000 2001 est. 84 Sweden 949,000,000 2001 est. 85 Peru 910,000,000 2004 est. 86 Luxembourg 865,000,000 2001 est. 87 Hong Kong 680,900,000 2001 est. 88 Puerto Rico 630,000,000 2001 est. 89 Serbia and Montenegro 602,000,000 2001 est. 90 Cuba 600,000,000 2001 est. 91 Angola 530,000,000 2001 est. 92 Bosnia and Herzegovina 300,000,000 2001 est. 93 Jordan 290,000,000 2001 est. 94 Afghanistan 220,000,000 2001 est. 95 Ecuador 160,000,000 2001 est. 96 Papua New Guinea 110,000,000 2001 est. 97 Gabon 80,000,000 2001 est. 98 Uruguay 64,500,000 2003 est. 99 Mozambique 60,000,000 2001 est. 100 Morocco 50,000,000 2001 est. 101 Senegal 50,000,000 2001 est. 102 Albania 30,000,000 2001 est. 103 Barbados 29,170,000 2001 est. 104 Philippines 25,000,000 2004 est. 105 Equatorial Guinea 20,000,000 2001 est. 106 Israel 10,000,000 2001 est. 107 Congo, Republic of the 0 2001 est. 108 Yemen 0 2003 est. 109 Cameroon 0 2001 est.

This file was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

Rank code: @2182

Rank Country Natural gas - imports(cu m) Date of Information

1 World 718,700,000,000 2001 est. 2 European Union 297,800,000,000 2001 3 United States 114,100,000,000 2001 est. 4 Germany 85,020,000,000 2003 5 Japan 77,730,000,000 2001 est. 6 Ukraine 60,400,000,000 2003 est. 7 Italy 54,780,000,000 2001 est. 8 France 40,260,000,000 2001 est. 9 Russia 32,700,000,000 2001 est. 10 Korea, South 21,110,000,000 2003 est. 11 Netherlands 20,780,000,000 2001 est. 12 Belarus 18,500,000,000 2004 est. 13 Spain 17,260,000,000 2001 est. 14 Turkey 15,750,000,000 2001 est. 15 Belgium 15,400,000,000 2001 est. 16 Hungary 9,587,000,000 2001 est. 17 Czech Republic 9,521,000,000 2001 est. 18 Poland 8,782,000,000 2001 est. 19 Canada 8,730,000,000 2003 est. 20 Kazakhstan 8,696,000,000 2003 est. 21 Mexico 7,850,000,000 2004 est. 22 Slovakia 6,600,000,000 2003 est. 23 Taiwan 6,300,000,000 2001 est. 24 Austria 6,033,000,000 2001 est. 25 Bulgaria 5,800,000,000 2001 est. 26 Romania 5,400,000,000 2001 est. 27 Chile 5,337,000,000 2002 est. 28 Thailand 5,200,000,000 2001 est. 29 Iran 4,920,000,000 2003 est. 30 Finland 4,567,000,000 2001 est. 31 Brazil 3,640,000,000 2001 est. 32 Ireland 3,384,000,000 2001 est. 33 Switzerland 3,093,000,000 2001 est. 34 Lithuania 2,760,000,000 2001 est. 35 United Kingdom 2,700,000,000 2001 est. 36 Portugal 2,553,000,000 2001 est. 37 Singapore 2,500,000,000 2001 est. 38 Moldova 2,050,000,000 2001 est. 39 Greece 2,018,000,000 2001 est. 40 Kyrgyzstan 2,000,000,000 2001 est. 41 Latvia 1,700,000,000 2001 est. 42 Tunisia 1,580,000,000 2001 est. 43 Armenia 1,400,000,000 2001 est. 44 Estonia 1,270,000,000 2001 est. 45 Tajikistan 1,250,000,000 2001 est. 46 Georgia 1,100,000,000 2001 est. 47 Croatia 1,080,000,000 2001 est. 48 Slovenia 1,040,000,000 2001 est. 49 Azerbaijan 1,000,000,000 2001 est. 50 Sweden 968,000,000 2001 est. 51 Luxembourg 867,000,000 2001 est. 52 Hong Kong 680,900,000 2001 est. 53 Puerto Rico 630,000,000 2001 est. 54 Bosnia and Herzegovina 300,000,000 2001 est. 55 Uruguay 65,000,000 2003 est. 56 United Arab Emirates 0 2003 est. 57 Afghanistan 0 2001 est. 58 Argentina 0 2001 est. 59 Bolivia 0 2001 est. 60 Senegal 0 2001 est. 61 South Africa 0 2001 est. 62 Saudi Arabia 0 2002 63 Philippines 0 2004 est. 64 Qatar 0 2001 est. 65 Papua New Guinea 0 2001 est. 66 Pakistan 0 2001 est. 67 Peru 0 2004 est. 68 New Zealand 0 2001 est. 69 Yemen 0 2003 est. 70 Serbia and Montenegro 0 2001 est. 71 Vietnam 0 2001 est. 72 Venezuela 0 2004 est. 73 Uzbekistan 0 2001 est. 74 Turkmenistan 0 2001 est. 75 Trinidad and Tobago 0 2001 est. 76 Syria 0 2001 est. 77 Norway 0 2001 est. 78 Nigeria 0 2001 est. 79 Mozambique 0 2001 est. 80 Malaysia 0 2001 est. 81 Oman 0 2001 est. 82 Morocco 0 2001 est. 83 Libya 0 2001 est. 84 Kuwait 0 2002 est. 85 Jordan 0 2001 est. 86 Iraq 0 2004 est. 87 Cote d'Ivoire 0 2001 est. 88 Israel 0 2001 est. 89 India 0 2001 est. 90 Indonesia 0 2003 est. 91 Gabon 0 2001 est. 92 Ecuador 0 2001 est. 93 Denmark 0 2001 est. 94 Cuba 0 2001 est. 95 Colombia 0 2001 est. 96 Cameroon 0 2001 est. 97 China 0 2002 est. 98 Congo, Republic of the 0 2001 est. 99 Brunei 0 2001 est. 100 Burma 0 2003 est. 101 Equatorial Guinea 0 2001 est. 102 Egypt 0 2001 est. 103 Bangladesh 0 2001 est. 104 Barbados 0 2001 est. 105 Bahrain 0 2002 est. 106 Australia 0 2001 est. 107 Angola 0 2001 est. 108 Albania 0 2001 est. 109 Algeria 0 2001 est.

This file was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

Rank code: @2183

Rank Country Natural gas - exports(cu m) Date of Information

1 World 693,700,000,000 2001 est. 2 Russia 171,000,000,000 2003 est. 3 Canada 91,520,000,000 2003 est. 4 European Union 78,100,000,000 2001 5 Algeria 57,980,000,000 2001 est. 6 Norway 50,500,000,000 2001 est. 7 Netherlands 49,280,000,000 2001 est. 8 Turkmenistan 43,500,000,000 2004 est. 9 Indonesia 39,700,000,000 2003 est. 10 Malaysia 22,410,000,000 2001 est. 11 Qatar 18,200,000,000 2004 est. 12 Uzbekistan 17,900,000,000 2001 est. 13 United Kingdom 15,750,000,000 2001 est. 14 Trinidad and Tobago 11,790,000,000 2003 est. 15 United States 11,160,000,000 2001 est. 16 Kazakhstan 11,010,000,000 2003 est. 17 Australia 9,744,000,000 2001 est. 18 Brunei 9,000,000,000 2001 est. 19 Burma 8,424,000,000 2003 est. 20 Nigeria 7,830,000,000 2001 est. 21 Germany 7,731,000,000 2003 22 Oman 7,430,000,000 2001 est. 23 United Arab Emirates 7,190,000,000 2003 est. 24 Argentina 6,050,000,000 2001 est. 25 Ukraine 5,800,000,000 2003 est. 26 Iran 3,400,000,000 2003 est. 27 Denmark 3,100,000,000 2001 est. 28 Bolivia 2,900,000,000 2001 est. 29 France 1,725,000,000 2001 est. 30 Libya 770,000,000 2001 est. 31 Taiwan 410,000,000 2001 est. 32 Austria 403,000,000 2001 est. 33 Italy 61,000,000 2001 est. 34 Poland 41,000,000 2001 est. 35 Hungary 4,000,000 2001 est. 36 Czech Republic 1,000,000 2001 est. 37 Afghanistan 0 2001 est. 38 Barbados 0 2001 est. 39 Bangladesh 0 2001 est. 40 Cuba 0 2001 est. 41 Colombia 0 2001 est. 42 Cameroon 0 2001 est. 43 Chile 0 2002 44 China 0 2002 est. 45 Congo, Republic of the 0 2001 est. 46 Bulgaria 0 2001 est. 47 Brazil 0 2001 est. 48 Belarus 0 2004 est. 49 Moldova 0 2001 est. 50 Luxembourg 0 2001 est. 51 Slovakia 0 2003 est. 52 Lithuania 0 2001 est. 53 Latvia 0 2001 est. 54 Kuwait 0 2002 est. 55 Korea, South 0 2003 est. 56 Kyrgyzstan 0 2001 est. 57 Jordan 0 2001 est. 58 Uruguay 0 2003 est. 59 Turkey 0 2001 est. 60 Tunisia 0 2001 est. 61 Tajikistan 0 2001 est. 62 Thailand 0 2001 est. 63 Switzerland 0 2001 est. 64 Syria 0 2001 est. 65 Sweden 0 2001 est. 66 Spain 0 2001 est. 67 Yemen 0 2003 est. 68 Serbia and Montenegro 0 2001 est. 69 Vietnam 0 2001 est. 70 Venezuela 0 2004 est. 71 Singapore 0 2001 est. 72 Slovenia 0 2001 est. 73 Senegal 0 2001 est. 74 South Africa 0 2001 est. 75 Saudi Arabia 0 2002 76 Puerto Rico 0 2001 est. 77 Philippines 0 2004 est. 78 Romania 0 2001 est. 79 Papua New Guinea 0 2001 est. 80 Portugal 0 2001 est. 81 Pakistan 0 2001 est. 82 Peru 0 2004 est. 83 New Zealand 0 2001 est. 84 Mozambique 0 2001 est. 85 Mexico 0 2004 est. 86 Morocco 0 2001 est. 87 Japan 0 2001 est. 88 Iraq 0 2004 est. 89 Cote d'Ivoire 0 2001 est. 90 Israel 0 2001 est. 91 India 0 2001 est. 92 Croatia 0 2001 est. 93 Hong Kong 0 2001 est. 94 Greece 0 2001 est. 95 Georgia 0 2001 est. 96 Gabon 0 2001 est. 97 Finland 0 2001 est. 98 Estonia 0 2001 est. 99 Equatorial Guinea 0 2001 est. 100 Ireland 0 2001 est. 101 Egypt 0 2001 est. 102 Ecuador 0 2001 est. 103 Bosnia and Herzegovina 0 2001 est. 104 Belgium 0 2001 est. 105 Bahrain 0 2002 est. 106 Azerbaijan 0 2001 est. 107 Albania 0 2001 est. 108 Armenia 0 2001 est. 109 Angola 0 2001 est.

This file was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

Rank code: @2184

Rank Country Internet hosts Date of Information

1 United States 115,311,958 2002 2 European Union 22,000,414 3 Japan 12,962,065 2003 4 Netherlands 4,518,226 2004 5 United Kingdom 3,398,708 2004 6 Canada 3,210,081 2003 7 Brazil 3,163,349 2003 8 Australia 2,847,763 2003 9 Taiwan 2,777,085 2003 10 Germany 2,686,119 2004 11 France 2,396,761 2004 12 Italy 1,437,511 2004 13 Mexico 1,333,406 2003 14 Denmark 1,219,925 2004 15 Finland 1,219,173 2004 16 Spain 1,056,950 2004 17 Sweden 945,221 2004 18 Poland 804,915 2004 19 Argentina 742,358 2003 20 Korea, South 694,206 2001 21 Switzerland 667,275 2004 22 Norway 593,850 2004 23 Hong Kong 591,993 2003 24 Russia 560,874 2004 25 Singapore 484,825 2003 26 New Zealand 474,395 2003 27 Israel 437,516 2004 28 Austria 387,006 2004 29 Hungary 383,071 2004 30 Turkey 355,215 2004 31 Portugal 346,078 2004 32 Czech Republic 295,677 2004 33 South Africa 288,633 2003 34 Greece 208,977 2004 35 Chile 202,429 2003 36 Belgium 166,799 2004 37 Ireland 162,228 2004 38 China 160,421 2003 39 Iceland 122,175 2004 40 Colombia 115,158 2003 41 Malaysia 107,971 2003 42 Thailand 103,700 2003 43 Ukraine 94,345 2004 44 Slovakia 89,592 2004 45 Uruguay 87,630 2003 46 India 86,871 2003 47 Estonia 82,142 2004 48 Lithuania 67,769 2004 49 Peru 65,868 2003 50 Dominican Republic 64,197 2003 51 Indonesia 62,036 2003 52 United Arab Emirates 56,283 2004 53 Bulgaria 53,421 2004 54 Latvia 51,758 2004 55 Romania 50,807 2004 56 Slovenia 45,491 2004 57 Philippines 38,440 2002 58 Venezuela 35,301 2003 59 Croatia 29,644 2004 60 Luxembourg 28,214 2003 61 Kazakhstan 21,984 2004 62 Guatemala 20,360 2003 63 Serbia and Montenegro 20,207 2004 64 Tonga 18,906 2003 65 Saudi Arabia 15,931 2004 66 Pakistan 15,124 2003 67 Kyrgyzstan 12,299 2004 68 Moldova 11,984 2003 69 Costa Rica 10,826 2003 70 Paraguay 9,243 2003 71 Kenya 8,325 2003 72 Samoa 8,225 2003 73 Trinidad and Tobago 8,003 2003 74 Malta 7,156 2004 75 Panama 7,129 2003 76 Nicaragua 7,094 2003 77 Bolivia 7,080 2003 78 Lebanon 6,998 2004 79 Bosnia and Herzegovina 6,994 2004 80 Brunei 6,409 2003 81 Cyprus 5,901 2004 82 Tanzania 5,534 2003 83 Belarus 5,308 2004 84 Iran 5,269 2004 85 Bermuda 5,161 2001 86 Georgia 5,160 2004 87 French Polynesia 5,123 2003 88 Zimbabwe 4,501 2003 89 New Caledonia 4,449 2003 90 Andorra 4,144 2004 91 El Salvador 4,084 2003 92 Mauritius 3,985 2003 93 Cote d'Ivoire 3,795 2004 94 Macedonia 3,738 2004 95 Liechtenstein 3,727 2004 96 Morocco 3,627 2004 97 Kuwait 3,437 2001 98 Egypt 3,401 2004 99 Mozambique 3,249 2003 100 Ecuador 3,188 2003 101 Namibia 3,164 2003 102 Jordan 3,160 2004 103 Uganda 2,692 2004 104 Greenland 2,642 2004 105 Belize 2,613 2003 106 Armenia 2,206 2004 107 Honduras 1,944 2003 108 Botswana 1,920 2003 109 Sri Lanka 1,882 2003 110 Zambia 1,880 2003 111 San Marino 1,763 2004 112 Antigua and Barbuda 1,665 2003 113 Cuba 1,529 2003 114 Rwanda 1,495 2003 115 Jamaica 1,480 2003 116 Swaziland 1,401 2003 117 Bahrain 1,334 2003 118 Nigeria 1,142 2004 119 Sao Tome and Principe 1,069 2003 120 Eritrea 1,047 2004 121 Uzbekistan 1,040 2003 122 Mongolia 1,000 2004 123 Bhutan 985 2003 124 Laos 937 2003 125 Aruba 923 2001 126 Nepal 917 2003 127 Algeria 897 2004 128 Benin 879 2004 129 Cambodia 818 2003 130 Madagascar 773 2003 131 Oman 726 2003 132 Djibouti 702 2004 133 Dominica 681 2003 134 Senegal 672 2003 135 Guyana 613 2003 136 Azerbaijan 586 2004 137 Gambia, The 568 2004 138 Monaco 533 2004 139 Maldives 532 2003 140 Turkmenistan 524 2004 141 Vanuatu 512 2003 142 Fiji 493 2003 143 Cameroon 479 2004 144 Albania 455 2004 145 Burkina Faso 442 2003 146 Ghana 407 2004 147 Solomon Islands 398 2003 148 Papua New Guinea 389 2003 149 Guinea 380 2004 150 Vietnam 340 2003 151 Bahamas, The 302 2003 152 Tunisia 281 2004 153 Sierra Leone 277 2004 154 Seychelles 264 2003 155 Qatar 221 2004 156 Barbados 204 2003 157 Mali 187 2003 158 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 153 2003 159 Yemen 138 2004 160 Niger 134 2003 161 Lesotho 119 2003 162 Netherlands Antilles 119 2001 163 Cape Verde 118 2004 164 Gabon 93 2004 165 Macau 89 2003 166 Togo 82 2003 167 Tajikistan 69 2004 168 Libya 67 2003 169 Saint Kitts and Nevis 51 2003 170 Congo, Republic of the 46 2003 171 Saint Lucia 41 2003 172 Mauritania 25 2003 173 Burundi 22 2003 174 Grenada 18 2003 175 Suriname 18 2003 176 Malawi 18 2003 177 Angola 17 2003 178 Liberia 14 2004 179 Comoros 11 2003 180 Syria 11 2004 181 Ethiopia 9 2003 182 Holy See (Vatican City) 9 2004 183 Chad 8 2004 184 Central African Republic 6 2002 185 Marshall Islands 6 2003 186 Somalia 4 2004 187 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 4 2003 188 Burma 3 2003 189 Equatorial Guinea 3 2004 190 Guinea-Bissau 2 2004 191 Bangladesh 1 2003

This file was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

Rank code: @2185

Rank Country Investment (gross fixed)(% of GDP) Date of Information

1 Azerbaijan 65.10 2004 est. 2 Equatorial Guinea 50.80 2004 est. 3 Mozambique 47.00 2004 est. 4 China 46.00 2004 est. 5 Zambia 41.40 2004 est. 6 Lesotho 39.60 2004 est. 7 Seychelles 39.50 2004 est. 8 Vietnam 36.60 2004 est. 9 Angola 34.50 2004 est. 10 Guyana 34.50 2004 est. 11 Belize 33.60 2004 est. 12 Jamaica 32.00 2004 est. 13 Sao Tome and Principe 31.50 2004 est. 14 Iran 31.30 2004 est. 15 Burkina Faso 29.10 2004 est. 16 Czech Republic 29.00 2004 est. 17 Turkmenistan 29.00 2004 est. 18 Korea, South 28.70 2004 est. 19 Croatia 28.60 2004 est. 20 Estonia 28.20 2004 est. 21 Nicaragua 28.00 2004 est. 22 Singapore 27.40 2004 est. 23 Greece 27.00 2004 est. 24 Malta 26.40 2004 est. 25 Eritrea 26.30 2002 26 Algeria 26.20 2004 est. 27 Latvia 26.10 2004 est. 28 Lebanon 26.00 2004 est. 29 Congo, Republic of the 25.80 2004 est. 30 Botswana 25.50 2004 est. 31 Spain 25.40 2004 est. 32 Australia 25.30 2004 est. 33 Gambia, The 25.30 2004 est. 34 Panama 25.00 2004 est. 35 Slovenia 24.90 2004 est. 36 Chad 24.70 2004 est. 37 Tunisia 24.50 2004 est. 38 Honduras 24.10 2004 est. 39 Japan 24.00 2004 est. 40 Slovakia 24.00 2004 est. 41 Chile 23.90 2004 est. 42 Kazakhstan 23.90 2004 est. 43 Ireland 23.80 2004 est. 44 India 23.80 2004 est. 45 Iceland 23.80 2004 est. 46 Swaziland 23.60 2004 est. 47 Bangladesh 23.50 2004 est. 48 Romania 23.30 2004 est. 49 Qatar 22.90 2004 est. 50 Hungary 22.80 2004 est. 51 Hong Kong 22.70 2004 est. 52 Austria 22.60 2004 est. 53 Mauritius 22.50 2004 est. 54 Thailand 22.50 Jan - Sep 2004 est. 55 Sri Lanka 22.40 2004 est. 56 Morocco 22.40 2004 est. 57 Uganda 22.40 2004 est. 58 New Zealand 22.40 2004 est. 59 Portugal 22.30 2004 est. 60 Tajikistan 22.00 2004 est. 61 Lithuania 21.90 2004 est. 62 Belarus 21.80 2004 est. 63 Gabon 21.80 2004 est. 64 Malaysia 21.70 2004 est. 65 Guinea 21.00 2004 est. 66 Cambodia 20.90 2004 est. 67 United Arab Emirates 20.80 2004 est. 68 Ecuador 20.60 2004 est. 69 Switzerland 20.40 2004 est. 70 Senegal 20.10 2004 est. 71 Rwanda 20.00 2004 est. 72 Netherlands 19.90 2004 est. 73 Armenia 19.80 2004 est. 74 Brazil 19.80 2004 est. 75 Denmark 19.80 2004 est. 76 Luxembourg 19.80 2004 est. 77 Ghana 19.70 2004 est. 78 Namibia 19.60 2004 est. 79 European Union 19.50 2004 est. 80 Canada 19.40 2004 est. 81 Mexico 19.40 2004 est. 82 Trinidad and Tobago 19.40 2004 est. 83 Benin 19.30 2004 est. 84 Italy 19.30 2004 est. 85 Costa Rica 19.20 2004 est. 86 France 19.20 2004 est. 87 Cape Verde 19.20 2004 est. 88 Belgium 19.10 2004 est. 89 Togo 19.10 2004 est. 90 Russia 19.10 2004 est. 91 Dominican Republic 18.90 2004 est. 92 Ukraine 18.80 2004 est. 93 Bulgaria 18.60 2004 est. 94 Georgia 18.50 2004 est. 95 Albania 18.40 2004 est. 96 Poland 18.40 2004 est. 97 Argentina 18.30 2004 est. 98 Finland 18.30 2004 est. 99 Paraguay 18.10 2004 est. 100 Nigeria 18.00 2004 est. 101 Taiwan 18.00 2004 est. 102 Cyprus 17.90 2004 est. 103 Ethiopia 17.80 2004 est. 104 Peru 17.80 2004 est. 105 Germany 17.60 2004 106 Israel 17.60 2004 est. 107 Macedonia 17.50 2004 est. 108 Norway 17.50 2004 est. 109 Turkey 17.30 2004 est. 110 Saudi Arabia 17.20 2004 est. 111 Moldova 17.10 2004 est. 112 Kyrgyzstan 17.00 2004 est. 113 Philippines 17.00 2004 est. 114 South Africa 16.70 2004 est. 115 El Salvador 16.60 2004 est. 116 Indonesia 16.60 2004 est. 117 Pakistan 16.40 FY03/04 est. 118 Syria 16.30 2004 est. 119 Tanzania 16.20 2004 est. 120 United Kingdom 16.20 2004 est. 121 Cameroon 16.10 2004 est. 122 Yemen 16.10 2004 est. 123 Sudan 16.00 2004 est. 124 Colombia 15.80 2004 est. 125 Sweden 15.80 2004 est. 126 Egypt 15.80 2004 est. 127 United States 15.70 2004 est. 128 Guatemala 14.90 2004 est. 129 Kenya 14.70 2004 est. 130 Madagascar 14.70 2004 est. 131 Serbia and Montenegro 14.40 2004 est. 132 Papua New Guinea 13.60 2004 est. 133 Oman 13.50 2004 est. 134 Venezuela 12.90 2004 est. 135 Bahrain 12.80 2004 est. 136 Jordan 11.60 2004 est. 137 Cote d'Ivoire 11.30 2004 est. 138 Cuba 11.20 2004 est. 139 Burundi 10.70 2004 est. 140 Malawi 10.70 2004 est. 141 Bolivia 10.40 2003 est. 142 Burma 10.20 2004 est. 143 Libya 9.90 2004 est. 144 Zimbabwe 9.90 2004 est. 145 Uruguay 9.60 2004 est. 146 Kuwait 8.00 2004 est.

This file was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

Rank code: @2186

Rank Country Public debt(% of GDP) Date of Information

1 Malawi 228.30 2004 est. 2 Lebanon 177.90 2004 est. 3 Japan 164.30 2004 est. 4 Jamaica 146.10 2004 est. 5 Zambia 127.50 2004 est. 6 Seychelles 122.80 2004 est. 7 Argentina 118.00 June 2004 est. 8 Greece 112.00 2004 est. 9 Italy 105.60 2004 est. 10 Israel 104.50 2004 est. 11 Sri Lanka 104.30 2004 est. 12 Egypt 102.70 2004 est. 13 Singapore 102.50 2004 est. 14 Belgium 96.20 2004 est. 15 Jordan 85.80 2004 est. 16 Serbia and Montenegro 80.00 2004 est. 17 Sudan 79.70 2004 est. 18 Saudi Arabia 75.00 2004 est. 19 Cyprus 74.90 2004 est. 20 Cote d'Ivoire 74.80 2004 est. 21 Kenya 74.30 2004 est. 22 Turkey 74.30 2004 est. 23 Philippines 74.20 September 2004 est. 24 Honduras 74.10 2004 est. 25 Uganda 73.90 2004 est. 26 Pakistan 71.40 2004 est. 27 Morocco 70.20 2004 est. 28 Nicaragua 69.50 2004 est. 29 Panama 69.20 2004 est. 30 Cameroon 69.10 2004 est. 31 France 67.70 2004 est. 32 Vietnam 65.90 2004 est. 33 Germany 65.80 2004 est. 34 United States 65.00 2004 est. 35 Austria 64.20 2004 est. 36 Bahrain 63.80 2004 est. 37 Moldova 63.40 2004 est. 38 Portugal 61.50 2004 est. 39 Dominican Republic 61.10 2004 est. 40 India 59.70 2004 est. 41 Papua New Guinea 59.30 2004 est. 42 Tunisia 59.20 2004 est. 43 Hungary 58.30 2004 est. 44 Costa Rica 58.00 2004 est. 45 Switzerland 57.20 2004 est. 46 Indonesia 56.20 2004 est. 47 Netherlands 55.80 2004 est. 48 Senegal 55.20 2004 est. 49 Trinidad and Tobago 54.40 2004 est. 50 Spain 53.20 2004 est. 51 Zimbabwe 52.30 2004 est. 52 Brazil 52.00 2004 est. 53 Colombia 51.80 2004 est. 54 Sweden 51.60 2004 est. 55 Poland 49.90 2004 est. 56 Ecuador 49.20 2004 est. 57 Thailand 47.60 November 2004 est. 58 Finland 46.80 2004 est. 59 Slovakia 46.60 2004 est. 60 Yemen 46.40 2004 est. 61 South Africa 45.90 2004 est. 62 Malaysia 45.40 2004 est. 63 Peru 44.10 2004 est. 64 Venezuela 43.10 2004 est. 65 Bangladesh 43.00 2004 est. 66 Denmark 42.50 2004 est. 67 Bulgaria 41.90 2004 est. 68 El Salvador 41.70 2004 est. 69 Croatia 41.70 2004 est. 70 Uzbekistan 41.50 2004 est. 71 United Kingdom 39.60 2004 est. 72 Paraguay 39.20 2004 est. 73 Namibia 38.50 2004 est. 74 Algeria 37.40 2004 est. 75 Iceland 35.90 2004 est. 76 Czech Republic 33.50 2004 est. 77 Norway 33.10 2004 est. 78 Taiwan 32.40 2004 est. 79 Guatemala 32.00 2004 est. 80 Syria 32.00 2004 est. 81 Slovenia 31.50 2004 est. 82 China 31.40 2004 est. 83 Ireland 31.20 2004 est. 84 Kuwait 29.60 2004 est. 85 Gabon 29.30 2004 est. 86 Mauritius 29.20 2004 est. 87 Russia 28.20 2004 est. 88 Iran 27.00 2004 est. 89 Lithuania 25.20 2004 est. 90 Ukraine 24.70 2004 est. 91 Romania 23.60 2004 est. 92 Mexico 23.50 2004 est. 93 New Zealand 22.10 2004 est. 94 Korea, South 21.30 2004 est. 95 Macedonia 20.00 2004 est. 96 Nigeria 20.00 2004 est. 97 Azerbaijan 18.90 2004 est. 98 United Arab Emirates 17.60 2004 est. 99 Australia 17.40 2004 est. 100 Kazakhstan 13.70 2004 est. 101 Chile 12.80 2004 est. 102 Latvia 11.80 2004 est. 103 Oman 10.30 2004 est. 104 Libya 8.80 2004 est. 105 Botswana 8.60 2004 est. 106 Estonia 5.40 2004 est. 107 Tanzania 5.00 2004 est. 108 Hong Kong 2.10 2004 est.

This file was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

Rank code: @2187

Rank Country Current account balance Date of Information

1 Japan $ 170,200,000,000 2004 est. 2 Germany $ 73,590,000,000 2004 est. 3 Saudi Arabia $ 51,500,000,000 2004 est. 4 Russia $ 46,040,000,000 2004 est. 5 Switzerland $ 40,950,000,000 2004 est. 6 Norway $ 30,520,000,000 2004 est. 7 China $ 30,320,000,000 2004 est. 8 Canada $ 28,200,000,000 2004 est. 9 Korea, South $ 26,780,000,000 2004 est. 10 Sweden $ 24,080,000,000 2004 est. 11 Taiwan $ 21,160,000,000 2004 est. 12 Netherlands $ 19,900,000,000 2004 est. 13 Hong Kong $ 14,850,000,000 2004 est. 14 Venezuela $ 14,590,000,000 2004 est. 15 Kuwait $ 12,040,000,000 2004 est. 16 Algeria $ 11,900,000,000 2004 est. 17 Malaysia $ 11,810,000,000 2004 est. 18 Belgium $ 11,400,000,000 2004 est. 19 Finland $ 11,390,000,000 2004 est. 20 Libya $ 9,895,000,000 2004 est. 21 Singapore $ 8,800,000,000 2004 est. 22 Brazil $ 8,000,000,000 2004 est. 23 Indonesia $ 7,338,000,000 2004 est. 24 Thailand $ 6,736,000,000 2004 est. 25 Denmark $ 6,529,000,000 2004 est. 26 United Arab Emirates $ 6,300,000,000 2004 est. 27 Argentina $ 5,473,000,000 2004 est. 28 Nigeria $ 5,228,000,000 2004 est. 29 Qatar $ 5,187,000,000 2004 est. 30 India $ 4,897,000,000 2004 est. 31 Ukraine $ 4,584,000,000 2004 est. 32 Philippines $ 3,600,000,000 2004 est. 33 Oman $ 2,674,000,000 2004 est. 34 Chile $ 2,185,000,000 2004 est. 35 Egypt $ 2,113,000,000 2004 est. 36 Iran $ 2,100,000,000 2004 est. 37 Trinidad and Tobago $ 1,548,000,000 2004 est. 38 Pakistan $ 1,400,000,000 2004 est. 39 Syria $ 1,100,000,000 2003 40 Morocco $ 765,400,000 2004 est. 41 Dominican Republic $ 762,200,000 2004 est. 42 Bulgaria $ 682,900,000 2004 est. 43 Bahrain $ 586,100,000 2004 est. 44 Uzbekistan $ 461,900,000 2004 est. 45 Yemen $ 369,900,000 2004 est. 46 Botswana $ 337,000,000 2004 est. 47 Chad $ 330,200,000 2004 est. 48 Mauritius $ 284,100,000 2004 est. 49 Bolivia $ 273,000,000 2004 est. 50 Congo, Republic of the $ 266,000,000 2004 est. 51 Ecuador $ 261,100,000 2004 est. 52 Honduras $ 258,300,000 2003 est. 53 Namibia $ 234,300,000 2004 est. 54 Bangladesh $ 216,600,000 2004 est. 55 Israel $ 211,900,000 2004 est. 56 Jordan $ 203,200,000 2004 est. 57 Gabon $ 196,800,000 2004 est. 58 Uruguay $ 181,800,000 2004 est. 59 Turkmenistan $ 114,000,000 2004 est. 60 Ghana $ 83,870,000 2004 est. 61 Tunisia $ 71,850,000 2004 est. 62 Papua New Guinea $ 29,150,000 2004 est. 63 Gambia, The $ -16,400,000 2004 est. 64 Haiti $ -27,630,000 2004 est. 65 Peru $ -30,000,000 2004 est. 66 Sao Tome and Principe $ -31,500,000 2004 est. 67 Paraguay $ -36,110,000 2004 est. 68 Angola $ -37,880,000 2004 est. 69 Kazakhstan $ -39,020,000 2004 est. 70 Slovenia $ -51,640,000 2004 est. 71 Tajikistan $ -52,000,000 2004 est. 72 Malawi $ -55,500,000 2004 est. 73 Burundi $ -59,500,000 2004 est. 74 Laos $ -80,760,000 2004 est. 75 Swaziland $ -82,400,000 2004 est. 76 Kyrgyzstan $ -87,920,000 2004 est. 77 Cape Verde $ -93,760,000 2004 est. 78 Seychelles $ -98,420,000 2004 est. 79 Mozambique $ -101,200,000 2004 est. 80 Lesotho $ -108,300,000 2004 est. 81 Belize $ -115,000,000 2004 est. 82 Togo $ -125,600,000 2004 est. 83 Guyana $ -129,400,000 2004 est. 84 Eritrea $ -144,900,000 2004 est. 85 Moldova $ -148,400,000 2004 est. 86 Cameroon $ -149,100,000 2004 est. 87 Benin $ -159,900,000 2004 est. 88 Zambia $ -181,400,000 2004 est. 89 Burma $ -185,000,000 2004 est. 90 Cuba $ -185,100,000 2004 est. 91 Rwanda $ -212,500,000 2004 est. 92 Zimbabwe $ -230,300,000 2004 est. 93 Armenia $ -240,400,000 2004 est. 94 Malta $ -241,000,000 2004 est. 95 Madagascar $ -281,900,000 2004 est. 96 France $ -305,000,000 2004 est. 97 Guinea $ -308,300,000 2004 est. 98 Macedonia $ -311,000,000 2004 est. 99 Cambodia $ -316,200,000 2004 est. 100 Tanzania $ -327,400,000 2004 est. 101 Cote d'Ivoire $ -421,500,000 2004 est. 102 Kenya $ -459,200,000 2004 est. 103 Ethiopia $ -464,400,000 2004 est. 104 Panama $ -469,600,000 2004 est. 105 Burkina Faso $ -471,700,000 2004 est. 106 Albania $ -504,000,000 2004 est. 107 Senegal $ -518,800,000 2004 est. 108 Iraq $ -560,000,000 2003 est. 109 Iceland $ -570,000,000 2004 est. 110 Equatorial Guinea $ -578,600,000 2004 est. 111 Sri Lanka $ -587,300,000 2004 est. 112 Uganda $ -590,800,000 2004 est. 113 Cyprus $ -619,900,000 2004 est. 114 Georgia $ -632,900,000 2004 est. 115 Sudan $ -763,600,000 2004 est. 116 Jamaica $ -830,700,000 2004 est. 117 Nicaragua $ -843,100,000 2004 est. 118 El Salvador $ -880,500,000 2004 est. 119 Costa Rica $ -980,300,000 2004 est. 120 Belarus $ -1,119,000,000 2004 est. 121 Estonia $ -1,169,000,000 2004 est. 122 Latvia $ -1,251,000,000 2004 est. 123 Guatemala $ -1,381,000,000 2004 est. 124 Slovakia $ -1,400,000,000 2004 est. 125 Lithuania $ -1,600,000,000 2004 est. 126 Colombia $ -1,706,000,000 2004 est. 127 Croatia $ -1,925,000,000 2004 est. 128 Vietnam $ -2,061,000,000 2004 est. 129 Bosnia and Herzegovina $ -2,100,000,000 2004 est. 130 Lebanon $ -2,389,000,000 2004 est. 131 South Africa $ -2,480,000,000 2004 est. 132 Ireland $ -2,881,000,000 2004 est. 133 Azerbaijan $ -2,899,000,000 2004 est. 134 Serbia and Montenegro $ -3,008,000,000 2004 est. 135 Austria $ -3,283,000,000 2004 est. 136 Romania $ -3,631,000,000 2004 est. 137 New Zealand $ -3,647,000,000 2004 est. 138 Poland $ -3,831,000,000 2004 est. 139 Mexico $ -4,113,000,000 2004 est. 140 Czech Republic $ -5,730,000,000 2004 est. 141 Hungary $ -7,941,000,000 2004 est. 142 Greece $ -8,000,000,000 2004 est. 143 Portugal $ -8,120,000,000 2004 est. 144 Turkey $ -15,300,000,000 2004 est. 145 Italy $ -21,100,000,000 2004 est. 146 Spain $ -30,890,000,000 2004 est. 147 United Kingdom $ -33,460,000,000 2004 est. 148 Australia $ -38,300,000,000 2004 est. 149 United States $ -646,500,000,000 2004 est.

This file was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

Rank code: @2188

Rank Country Reserves of foreign exchange and gold Date of Information

1 Japan $ 664,600,000,000 2003 2 China $ 609,900,000,000 2004 est. 3 Taiwan $ 246,500,000,000 2004 est. 4 Korea, South $ 199,100,000,000 2004 est. 5 India $ 126,000,000,000 2004 est. 6 Russia $ 124,500,000,000 3 December 2004 est. 7 Hong Kong $ 123,600,000,000 31 December 2004 est. 8 Singapore $ 112,800,000,000 2004 est. 9 Germany $ 96,840,000,000 2003 10 United States $ 85,940,000,000 2003 11 France $ 70,760,000,000 2003 12 Switzerland $ 69,580,000,000 2003 13 Italy $ 61,500,000,000 2004 est. 14 Mexico $ 60,670,000,000 2004 est. 15 Malaysia $ 55,270,000,000 2004 est. 16 Brazil $ 52,940,000,000 2004 est. 17 United Kingdom $ 48,730,000,000 2004 18 Thailand $ 48,300,000,000 2004 19 Algeria $ 43,550,000,000 2004 est. 20 Poland $ 41,880,000,000 2004 est. 21 Denmark $ 37,980,000,000 2003 22 Turkey $ 37,100,000,000 2004 est. 23 Canada $ 36,270,000,000 2003 24 Indonesia $ 35,820,000,000 2004 est. 25 Australia $ 35,140,000,000 2004 est. 26 Czech Republic $ 32,780,000,000 2004 est. 27 Iran $ 29,870,000,000 2004 est. 28 Israel $ 28,480,000,000 2004 est. 29 Venezuela $ 25,750,000,000 2004 est. 30 Libya $ 24,180,000,000 2004 est. 31 Saudi Arabia $ 23,620,000,000 2004 est. 32 Netherlands $ 21,440,000,000 2003 33 Sweden $ 19,990,000,000 2003 34 Spain $ 19,700,000,000 2004 est. 35 Argentina $ 19,470,000,000 2004 est. 36 United Arab Emirates $ 18,640,000,000 2004 est. 37 Lebanon $ 16,300,000,000 2004 est. 38 Romania $ 16,210,000,000 2004 39 Philippines $ 16,050,000,000 2004 40 Chile $ 16,020,000,000 2004 41 Morocco $ 15,140,000,000 2004 est. 42 Slovakia $ 14,910,000,000 2004 est. 43 Hungary $ 14,800,000,000 2004 est. 44 Nigeria $ 14,710,000,000 2004 est. 45 Belgium $ 14,450,000,000 2003 46 Kazakhstan $ 14,350,000,000 2004 est. 47 Egypt $ 14,030,000,000 2004 est. 48 Austria $ 12,730,000,000 2003 49 Peru $ 12,700,000,000 2004 est. 50 Pakistan $ 12,580,000,000 2004 est. 51 Portugal $ 12,300,000,000 2004 est. 52 Colombia $ 11,940,000,000 2004 est. 53 South Africa $ 11,680,000,000 2004 est. 54 Ukraine $ 11,330,000,000 2004 est. 55 Finland $ 11,170,000,000 2003 56 Croatia $ 8,563,000,000 2004 est. 57 Slovenia $ 8,493,000,000 2004 est. 58 Bulgaria $ 7,526,000,000 2004 est. 59 Kuwait $ 7,333,000,000 2004 est. 60 Greece $ 7,300,000,000 2004 est. 61 Vietnam $ 6,510,000,000 2004 est. 62 Botswana $ 5,700,000,000 2004 est. 63 Jordan $ 5,457,000,000 2004 est. 64 Yemen $ 5,300,000,000 2004 est. 65 Syria $ 5,000,000,000 2004 est. 66 New Zealand $ 4,805,000,000 2004 est. 67 Lithuania $ 4,610,000,000 2004 est. 68 Ireland $ 4,152,000,000 2003 69 Oman $ 4,144,000,000 2004 est. 70 Serbia and Montenegro $ 3,550,000,000 2004 est. 71 Tunisia $ 3,509,000,000 2004 est. 72 Cyprus $ 3,385,000,000 2004 est. 73 Qatar $ 3,351,000,000 2004 est. 74 Guatemala $ 3,084,000,000 2004 est. 75 Turkmenistan $ 3,034,000,000 2004 est. 76 Bangladesh $ 3,000,000,000 2004 est. 77 Trinidad and Tobago $ 2,927,000,000 2004 est. 78 Malta $ 2,865,000,000 2004 est. 79 Sri Lanka $ 2,475,000,000 2004 est. 80 Uruguay $ 2,362,000,000 2004 est. 81 Tanzania $ 2,175,000,000 2004 est. 82 Bahrain $ 2,141,000,000 2004 est. 83 Bosnia and Herzegovina $ 2,000,000,000 2004 est. 84 Cote d'Ivoire $ 1,950,000,000 2004 est. 85 El Salvador $ 1,888,000,000 2004 est. 86 Costa Rica $ 1,736,000,000 2004 est. 87 Mauritius $ 1,676,000,000 2004 est. 88 Sudan $ 1,652,000,000 2004 est. 89 Latvia $ 1,650,000,000 2004 est. 90 Uzbekistan $ 1,603,000,000 2004 est. 91 Estonia $ 1,503,000,000 2004 est. 92 Kenya $ 1,500,000,000 2004 est. 93 Honduras $ 1,464,000,000 2004 est. 94 Ecuador $ 1,436,000,000 December 2004 est. 95 Jamaica $ 1,400,000,000 2004 est. 96 Ghana $ 1,267,000,000 2004 est. 97 Bolivia $ 1,214,000,000 2004 est. 98 Albania $ 1,206,000,000 2004 est. 99 Mozambique $ 1,206,000,000 2004 est. 100 Uganda $ 1,200,000,000 2004 est. 101 Paraguay $ 1,164,000,000 2004 est. 102 Panama $ 1,076,000,000 2004 est. 103 Cambodia $ 997,500,000 2004 est. 104 Cyprus $ 941,600,000 2004 est. 105 Iceland $ 935,000,000 2004 106 Macedonia $ 928,000,000 2004 est. 107 Ethiopia $ 923,100,000 2004 est. 108 Azerbaijan $ 875,000,000 2004 est. 109 Benin $ 839,300,000 2004 est. 110 Senegal $ 820,000,000 2004 est. 111 Angola $ 800,000,000 2004 est. 112 Belarus $ 770,200,000 2004 est. 113 Cuba $ 738,600,000 2004 est. 114 Cameroon $ 687,500,000 2004 est. 115 Nicaragua $ 670,000,000 2004 est. 116 Chad $ 652,700,000 2004 est. 117 Papua New Guinea $ 635,800,000 2004 est. 118 Burma $ 590,000,000 2004 est. 119 Armenia $ 555,000,000 2004 est. 120 Madagascar $ 500,300,000 2004 est. 121 Kyrgyzstan $ 498,700,000 2004 est. 122 Burkina Faso $ 474,900,000 2004 est. 123 Dominican Republic $ 426,000,000 2004 est. 124 Lesotho $ 402,200,000 2004 est. 125 Moldova $ 390,000,000 2004 est. 126 Namibia $ 360,000,000 2004 est. 127 Zambia $ 345,000,000 2004 est. 128 Swaziland $ 320,500,000 2004 est. 129 Guyana $ 280,600,000 2004 est. 130 Gabon $ 268,600,000 2004 est. 131 Togo $ 267,400,000 2004 est. 132 Equatorial Guinea $ 235,200,000 2004 est. 133 Georgia $ 231,400,000 2004 est. 134 Rwanda $ 210,900,000 2004 est. 135 Guinea $ 201,700,000 2004 est. 136 Laos $ 193,100,000 2004 est. 137 Malawi $ 160,500,000 2004 est. 138 Tajikistan $ 145,300,000 2004 est. 139 Gambia, The $ 113,100,000 2004 est. 140 Cape Verde $ 112,700,000 2004 est. 141 Belize $ 111,100,000 2004 est. 142 Haiti $ 80,640,000 2004 est. 143 Burundi $ 76,890,000 2004 est. 144 Seychelles $ 70,940,000 2004 est. 145 Zimbabwe $ 57,000,000 2004 est. 146 Congo, Republic of the $ 40,420,000 2004 est. 147 Eritrea $ 30,870,000 2004 est. 148 Sao Tome and Principe $ 29,780,000 2004 est.

This file was last updated on 20 October, 2005

======================================================================

Appendix A - Abbreviations

ABEDA: Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa

ACCT: Agency for the French-Speaking Community

ACP Group: African, Caribbean, and Pacific Group of States

AfDB: African Development Bank

AFESD: Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development

Air Pollution: Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution

Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides: Protocol to the 1979 Convention on

Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution Concerning the Control of

Emissions of Nitrogen Oxides or Their Transboundary Fluxes

Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants: Protocol to the 1979

Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution on Persistent

Organic Pollutants

Air Pollution-Sulphur 85: Protocol to the 1979 Convention on Long- Range Transboundary Air Pollution on the Reduction of Sulphur Emissions or Their Transboundary Fluxes by at Least 30%

Air Pollution-Sulphur 94: Protocol to the 1979 Convention on Long-

Range Transboundary Air Pollution on Further Reduction of Sulphur

Emissions

Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds: Protocol to the 1979

Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution Concerning the

Control of Emissions of Volatile Organic Compounds or Their

Transboundary Fluxes

AMF: Arab Monetary Fund

AMU: Arab Maghreb Union

Antarctic-Environmental Protocol: Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty

Antarctic Marine Living Resources: Convention on the Conservation of

Antarctic Marine Living Resources

ANZUS: Australia-New Zealand-United States Security Treaty

Antarctic Seals: Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Seals

APEC: Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation

Arabsat: Arab Satellite Communications Organization

ARF: ASEAN Regional Forum

AsDB: Asian Development Bank

ASEAN: Association of Southeast Asian Nations

Autodin: Automatic Digital Network

AU: African Union

bbl/day: barrels per day

BCIE: Central American Bank for Economic Integration

BDEAC: Central African States Development Bank

Benelux: Benelux Economic Union

Biodiversity: Convention on Biological Diversity

BGN: United States Board on Geographic Names

BIS: Bank for International Settlements

BSEC: Black Sea Economic Cooperation Zone

C: Commonwealth

c.i.f.: cost, insurance, and freight

CACM: Central American Common Market

CAEU: Council of Arab Economic Unity

CAN: Andean Community of Nations

Caricom: Caribbean Community and Common Market

CB: citizen's band mobile radio communications

CBSS: Council of the Baltic Sea States

CCC: Customs Cooperation Council

CDB: Caribbean Development Bank

CE: Council of Europe

CEI: Central European Initiative

CEMA: Council for Mutual Economic Assistance; also known as CMEA or

Comecon

CEMAC: Monetary and Economic Community of Central Africa

CEPGL: Economic Community of the Great Lakes Countries

CERN: European Organization for Nuclear Research

CEPT: Conference Europeanne des Poste et Telecommunications

CIS: Commonwealth of Independent States

CITES: see Endangered Species

Climate Change: United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol: Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations

Framework Convention on Climate Change

COCOM: Coordinating Committee on Export Controls

Comsat: Communications Satellite Corporation

COMESA: Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa

CP: Colombo Plan

CY: calendar year

DC: developed country

Desertification: United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in Those Countries Experiencing Serious Drought and/or Desertification, Particularly in Africa

DDT: dichloro-diphenyl-trichloro-ethane

DSN: Defense Switched Network

DIA: United States Defense Intelligence Agency

DWT: deadweight ton

EADB: East African Development Bank

EAPC: Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council

EBRD: European Bank for Reconstruction and Development

EC: European Community

ECA: Economic Commission for Africa

ECE: Economic Commission for Europe

ECLAC: Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean

ECO: Economic Cooperation Organization

ECOSOC: Economic and Social Council

ECOWAS: Economic Community of West African States

ECSC: European Coal and Steel Community

EEC: European Economic Community

EFTA: European Free Trade Association

EEZ: exclusive economic zone

EIB: European Investment Bank

EMU: European Monetary Union

Endangered Species: Convention on the International Trade in

Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES)

Entente: Council of the Entente

Environmental Modification: Convention on the Prohibition of Military or Any Other Hostile Use of Environmental Modification Techniques

ESA: European Space Agency

ESCAP: Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific

ESCWA: Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia

est.: estimate

EU: European Union

Euratom: European Atomic Energy Community

Eutelsat: European Telecommunications Satellite Organization

Ex-Im: Export-Import Bank of the United States

f.o.b.: free on board

FAO: Food and Agriculture Organization

FAX: facsimile

FLS: Front Line States

FRG: Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany); used for information dated before 3 October 1990 or CY91

FOC: flags of convenience

FSU: former Soviet Union

FY: fiscal year

FZ: Franc Zone

G-2: Group of 2

G-3: Group of 3

G-5: Group of 5

G-6: Group of 6

G-7: Group of 7

G-8: Group of 8

G-9: Group of 9

G-10: Group of 10

G-15: Group of 15

G-11: Group of 11

G-24: Group of 24

G-77: Group of 77

GATT: General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade; now WTO

GCC: Gulf Cooperation Council

GDP: gross domestic product

GDR: German Democratic Republic (East Germany); used for information dated before 3 October 1990 or CY91

GNP: gross national product

GRT: gross register ton

GSM: global system for mobile cellular communications

GWP: gross world product

GUUAM: acronym for member states - Georgia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan,

Azerbaijan, Moldova

Hazardous Wastes: Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary

Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal

HF: high-frequency

IADB: Inter-American Development Bank

HIV/AIDS: human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome

IAEA: International Atomic Energy Agency

IANA: Internet Assigned Numbers Authority

IBRD: International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (World

Bank)

ICAO: International Civil Aviation Organization

ICC: International Chamber of Commerce

ICCt: International Criminal Court

ICJ: International Court of Justice (World Court)

ICFTU: International Confederation of Free Trade Unions

ICRC: International Committee of the Red Cross

ICRM: International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement

ICTR: International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda

ICSID: International Center for Secretariat of Investment Disputes

ICTY: International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia

IDA: International Development Association

IDB: Islamic Development Bank

IEA: International Energy Agency

IFAD: International Fund for Agricultural Development

IFC: International Finance Corporation

IFRCS: International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent

Societies

IGAD: Inter-Governmental Authority on Development

IHO: International Hydrographic Organization

ILO: International Labor Organization

IMF: International Monetary Fund

IMO: International Maritime Organization

Inmarsat: International Maritime Satellite Organization

InOC: Indian Ocean Commission

INSTRAW: International Research and Training Institute for the

Advancement of Women

Intelsat: International Telecommunications Satellite Organization

Interpol: International Criminal Police Organization

Intersputnik: International Organization of Space Communications

IOC: International Olympic Committee

IOM: International Organization for Migration

ISO: International Organization for Standardization

ITU: International Telecommunication Union

ISP: Internet Service Provider

kHz: kilohertz

km: kilometer

kW: kilowatt

kWh: kilowatt-hour

LAES: Latin American Economic System

LAIA: Latin American Integration Association

Law of the Sea: United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (LOS)

LAS: League of Arab States

LDC: less developed country

LLDC: least developed country

London Convention: see Marine Dumping

LOS: see Law of the Sea

m: meter

Marecs: Maritime European Communications Satellite

Marine Dumping: Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by

Dumping Wastes and Other Matter

Marine Life Conservation: Convention on Fishing and Conservation of

Living Resources of the High Seas

MARPOL: see Ship Pollution

Medarabtel: Middle East Telecommunications Project of the

International Telecommunications Union

Mercosur: Southern Cone Common Market

MHz: megahertz

MICAH: Internatlional Civilian Support Mission in Haiti

MINURSO: United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara

MIGA: Multilateral Investment Geographic Agency

MINUSTAH: United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti

MONUC: United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

NA: not available

NAM: Nonaligned Movement

NAFTA: North American Free Trade Agreement

NATO: North Atlantic Treaty Organization

NC: Nordic Council

NEA: Nuclear Energy Agency

NEGL: negligible

NIB: Nordic Investment Bank

NGA: National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency

NIC: newly industrializing country

NIE: newly industrializing economy

NIS: new independent states

nm: nautical mile

NMT: Nordic Mobile Telephone

NSG: Nuclear Suppliers Group

Nuclear Test Ban: Treaty Banning Nuclear Weapons Tests in the

Atmosphere, in Outer Space, and Under Water

NZ: New Zealand

OAPEC: Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries

OAS: Organization of American States

OAU: Organization of African Unity; see African Union

ODA: official development assistance

OECD: Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development

OECS: Organization of Eastern Caribbean States

OHCHR: Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights

OIC: Organization of the Islamic Conference

ONUB: United Nations Operation in Burundi

OOF: other official flows

OPANAL: Agency for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America and the Caribbean

OPCW: Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons

OPEC: Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries

OSCE: Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe

Ozone Layer Protection: Montreal Protocol on Substances That Deplete the Ozone Layer

PCA: Permanent Court of Arbitration

PDRY: People's Democratic Republic of Yemen [Yemen (Aden) or South

Yemen]; used for information dated before 22 May 1990 or CY91

PFP: Partnership for Peace

PIF: Pacific Islands Forum

PPP: purchasing power parity

Ramsar: see Wetlands

RG: Rio Group

SAARC: South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation

SACU: Southern African Customs Union

SACEP: South Asia Co-opeative Environment Programme

SADC: Southern African Development Community

SAFE: South African Far East Cable

SCO: Shanghai Cooperative Organization

SFRY: Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia

SHF: super-high-frequency

Ship Pollution: Protocol of 1978 Relating to the International

Convention for the Prevention of Pollution From Ships, 1973 (MARPOL)

Sparteca: South Pacific Regional Trade and Economic Cooperation

Agreement

SPF: South Pacific Forum

sq km: square kilometer

sq mi: square mile

TAT: Trans-Atlantic Telephone

Tropical Timber 83: International Tropical Timber Agreement, 1983

Tropical Timber 94: International Tropical Timber Agreement, 1994

UAE: United Arab Emirates

UDEAC: Central African Customs and Economic Union

UHF: ultra-high-frequency

UK: United Kingdom

UN: United Nations

UNAMSIL: United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone

UNCLOS: United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, also know as

LOS

UNCTAD: United Nations Conference on Trade and Development

UNDCP: United Nations Drug Control Program

UNDOF: United Nations Disengagement Observer Force

UNDP: United Nations Development Program

UNEP: United Nations Environment Program

UNESCO: United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural

Organization

UNFICYP: United Nations Peace-keeping Force in Cyprus

UNFPA: United Nations Population Fund

UNHCR: United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

UNICEF: United Nations Children's Fund

UNICEP: United Nations International Comparison Program

UNICRI: United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research

Institute

UNIDIR: United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research

UNIDO: United Nations Industrial Development Organization

UNIFIL: United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon

UNITAR: United Nations Institute for Training and Research

UNMEE: United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea

UNMIK: United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo

UNMIL: United Nations Mission in Liberia

UNMISET: United Nations Mission of Support in East Timor

UNMOGIP: United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan

UNMOVIC: United Nations Monitoring, Verification, and Inspection

Commission

UNOMIG: United Nations Observer Mission in Georgia

UNOCI: United Nations Operation in Cote d'Ivoire

UNOPS: United Nations Office of Project Services

UNRISD: United Nations Research Institute for Social Development

UNRWA: United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East

UNSC: United Nations Security Council

UNSSC: Untied Nations System Staff College

UNTSO: United Nations Truce Supervision Organization

UNU: United Nations University

UPU: Universal Postal Union

US: United States

USSR: Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (Soviet Union); used for information dated before 25 December 1991

USSR/EE: Union of Soviet Socialist Republics/Eastern Europe

UV: ultra violet

VHF: very-high-frequency

VSAT: very small aperture terminal

WADB: West African Development Bank

WAEMU: West African Economic and Monetary Union

WCL: World Confederation of Labor

WCO: World Customs Organization

Wetlands: Convention on Wetlands of International Importance

Especially As Waterfowl Habitat

WEU: Western European Union

WFP: World Food Program

WFTU: World Federation of Trade Unions

Whaling: International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling

WHO: World Health Organization

WIPO: World Intellectual Property Organization

WMO: World Meteorological Organization

WP: Warsaw Pact

WTO: World Trade Organization note - see WToO for World Tourism

Organization

WToO: World Tourism Organization

YAR: Yemen Arab Republic [Yemen (Sanaa) or North Yemen]; used for information dated before 22 May 1990 or CY91

ZC: Zangger Committee

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

=====================================================================

Appendix B - International Organizations and Groups

ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF): established - 25 July 1994

aim - to foster constructive dialogue and consultation on political and security issues of common interest and concern

members - (24) Australia, Brunei, Burma, Cambodia, Canada, China, EU,

India, Indonesia, Japan, North Korea, South Korea, Laos, Malaysia,

Mongolia, NZ, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Russia,

Singapore, Thailand, US, Vietnam

ASEAN plus 3 (APT): established - 16 December 1997

aim - to coordinate areas of cooperation ranging from agriculture to information technologies

members - (13) Brunei, Burma, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam

African Development Bank (AfDB): note - its predecessor was

Organization of African Unity (OAU)

established - 9 September 1999

aim - to promote economic and social development

regional members - (53) Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso,

Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros,

Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Cote d'Ivoire,

Djibouti, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, The

Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya,

Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique,

Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal,

Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Swaziland,

Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe

nonregional members - (24) Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada,

China, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, South

Korea, Kuwait, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Spain,

Sweden, Switzerland, UK, US

African Union (AU): note - replaces Organization of African Unity

(OAU)

established - 8 July 2001

aim - to achieve greater unity among African States; to defend states' integrity and independence; to accelerate political, social, and economic integration; to encourage international cooperation; to promote democratic principles and institutions

members - (53) Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi,

Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros,

Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Cote d'Ivoire,

Djibouti, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, The

Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya,

Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia,

Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, Sao Tome and

Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa,

Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe

African, Caribbean, and Pacific Group of States (ACP Group): established - 6 June 1975

aim - to manage their preferential economic and aid relationship with the EU

members - (79) Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados,

Belize, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde,

Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the

Congo, Republic of the Congo, Cook Island, Cote d'Ivoire, Cuba,

Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, East Timor, Equatorial Guinea,

Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guinea,

Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Kenya, Kiribati, Lesotho,

Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Marshall Islands, Mauritania,

Mauritius, Federated States of Micronesia, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru,

Niger, Nigeria, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and

Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Sao Tome

and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands,

Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Suriname, Swiziland, Tanzania, Togo,

Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Agency for the French-Speaking Community (ACCT): note - formerly

Agency for Cultural and Technical Cooperation

established - 20 March 1970; name changed 1996

aim - to promote cultural and technical cooperation among French- speaking countries

members - (50) Albania, Belgium, Benin, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso,

Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African

Republic, Chad, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of

the Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Djibouti, Dominica, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea,

France, French Community of Belgium, Gabon, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau,

Haiti, Laos, Lebanon, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Madagascar, Mali,

Mauritania, Mauritius, Moldova, Monaco, Morocco, New Brunswick

(Canada), Niger, Quebec (Canada), Romania, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Sao

Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Switzerland, Togo, Tunisia,

Vanuatu

observers - (5) Czech Republic, Lithuania, Poland, Slovenia, Vietnam

Agency for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America and the Caribbean (OPANAL): note - acronym from Organismo para la Proscripcion de las Armas Nucleares en la America Latina y el Caribe (OPANAL)

established - 14 February 1967 under the Treaty of Tlatelolco; effective - 25 April 1969 on the 11th ratification

aim - to encourage the peaceful uses of atomic energy and prohibit nuclear weapons

members - (33) Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, The Bahamas, Barbados,

Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominica,

Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana,

Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru,

Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines,

Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay, Venezuela

Andean Community of Nations (CAN): note - formerly known as the Andean

Group (AG), the Andean Parliament, and most recently as the Andean

Common Market (Ancom)

established - 26 May 1969; present name established 1 October 1992; effective - 16 October 1969

aim - to promote harmonious development through economic integration

members - (5) Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela

Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (ABEDA): note - also known as Banque Arabe de Developpement Economique en Afrique (BADEA)

established - 18 February 1974; effective - 16 September 1974

aim - to promote economic development

members - (17 plus the Palestine Liberation Organization) Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, UAE, Palestine Liberation Organization; note - these are all the members of the Arab League excluding Comoros, Djibouti, Somalia, Yemen

Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development (AFESD): established - 16 May 1968

aim - to promote economic and social development

members - (20 plus the Palestine Liberation Organization) Algeria, Bahrain, Djibouti, Egypt, Iraq (suspended 1993), Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia (suspended 1993), Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, UAE, Yemen, Palestine Liberation Organization

Arab Maghreb Union (AMU): established - 17 February 1989

aim - to promote cooperation and integration among the Arab states of northern Africa

members - (5) Algeria, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Tunisia

Arab Monetary Fund (AMF): established - 27 April 1976; effective - 2

February 1977

aim - to promote Arab cooperation, development, and integration in monetary and economic affairs

members - (21 plus the Palestine Liberation Organization) Algeria,

Bahrain, Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon,

Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan,

Syria, Tunisia, UAE, Yemen, Palestine Liberation Organization

Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC): established - 7 November 1989

aim - to promote trade and investment in the Pacific basin

members - (21) Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, NZ, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, US, Vietnam

observers - (3) Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Pacific Economic Cooperation Council, Pacific Islands Forum

Asian Development Bank (AsDB): established - 19 December 1966

aim - to promote regional economic cooperation

members - (45) Afghanistan, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bhutan,

Burma, Cambodia, China, Cook Islands, East Timor, Fiji, Hong Kong,

India, Indonesia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kiribati, South Korea, Kyrgyzstan,

Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Federated States of

Micronesia, Mongolia, Nauru, Nepal, NZ, Pakistan, Palau, Papua New

Guinea, Philippines, Samoa, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka,

Taiwan, Tajikistan, Thailand, Tonga, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uzbekistan,

Vanuatu, Vietnam

nonregional members - (17) Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, UK, US

Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN): established - 8 August 1967

aim - to encourage regional economic, social, and cultural cooperation among the non-Communist countries of Southeast Asia

members - (10) Brunei, Burma, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam

associate member - (1) Papua New Guinea

dialogue partners - (12) Australia, Canada, China, EU, India, Japan, Pakistan, South Korea, NZ, Russia, US, UNDP

Australia Group: established - June 1985

aim - to consult on and coordinate export controls related to chemical and biological weapons

members - (39) Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria,

Canada, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, European Commission,

Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy,

Japan, South Korea, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands,

NZ, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain,

Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, UK, US

Australia-New Zealand-United States Security Treaty (ANZUS): established - 1 September 1951; effective - 29 April 1952

aim - to implement a trilateral mutual security agreement, although the US suspended security obligations to NZ on 11 August 1986; Australia and the US continue to hold annual meetings

members - (3) Australia, NZ, US

Bank for International Settlements (BIS): established - 20 January 1930; effective - 17 March 1930

aim - to promote cooperation among central banks in international financial settlements

members - (55) Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, China, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, European Central Bank, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, NZ, Norway, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Serbia and Montenegro, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, UK, US; note - Serbia and Montenegro have separate central banks; their links with BIS are currently under review

Benelux Economic Union (Benelux): note - acronym from Belgium,

Netherlands, and Luxembourg

established - 3 February 1958; effective - 1 November 1960

aim - to develop closer economic cooperation and integration

members - (3) Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands

Big Seven: note - membership is the same as the Group of 7

established - 1975

aim - to discuss and coordinate major economic policies

members - (7) Big Six (Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, UK) plus the US

Big Six: note - not to be confused with the Group of 6

established - 1967

aim - to foster economic cooperation

members - (6) Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, UK

Black Sea Economic Cooperation Zone (BSEC): established - 25 June 1992

aim - to enhance regional stability through economic cooperation

members - (12) Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Georgia, Greece, Moldova, Romania, Russia, Serbia and Montenegro, Turkey, Ukraine; note - Macedonia is in the process of joining

observers - (8) Austria, Egypt, France, Germany, Israel, Italy, Poland, Tunisia

Caribbean Community and Common Market (Caricom): established - 4 July 1973; effective - 1 August 1973

aim - to promote economic integration and development, especially among the less developed countries

members - (15) Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize,

Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, Saint Kitts and

Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname,

Trinidad and Tobago

associate members - (5) Anguilla, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Turks and Caicos Islands

Caribbean Development Bank (CDB): established - 18 October 1969; effective - 26 January 1970

aim - to promote economic development and cooperation

regional members - (20) Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas,

Barbados, Belize, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Colombia,

Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Mexico, Montserrat, Saint Kitts and

Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and

Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, Venezuela

nonregional members - (5) Canada, China, Germany, Italy, UK

Central African Customs and Economic Union (UDEAC): see Monetary and

Economic Community of Central Africa (CEMAC)

Central African States Development Bank (BDEAC): note - acronym from

Banque de Developpement des Etats de l'Afrique Centrale

established - 3 December 1975

aim - to provide loans for economic development

members - (10) African Development Bank (AfDB), Cameroon, Central African States Bank (BEAC), Central African Republic, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, France, Gabon, Kuwait

Central American Bank for Economic Integration (BCIE): note - acronym from Banco Centroamericano de Integracion Economico

established - 13 December 1960 signature of Articles of Agreement; 31 May 1961 began operations

aim - to promote economic integration and development

members - (5) Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua

nonregional members - (5) Argentina, Colombia, Mexico, Spain, Taiwan

Central American Common Market (CACM): established - 13 December 1960, collapsed in 1969, reinstated in 1991

aim - to promote establishment of a Central American Common Market

members - (5) Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua; note - Panama, although not a member, pursues full regional cooperation

Central European Initiative (CEI): note - evolved from the

Quadrilateral Initiative and the Hexagonal Initiative

established - 11 November 1989 as the Quadrilateral Initiative, 27 July 1991 became the Hexagonal Initiative, July 1992 its present name was adopted

aim - to form an economic and political cooperation group for the region between the Adriatic and the Baltic Seas

members - (17) Albania, Austria, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Italy, Macedonia, Moldova, Poland, Romania, Serbia and Montenegro, Slovakia, Slovenia, Ukraine

Colombo Plan (CP): established - May 1950 proposal was adopted; 1 July 1951 commenced full operations

aim - to promote economic and social development in Asia and the Pacific

members - (25) Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Burma, Fiji,

India, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, South Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives,

Mongolia, Nepal, NZ, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines,

Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, US, Vietnam

Commonwealth (C): note - also known as Commonwealth of Nations

established - 31 December 1931

aim - to foster multinational cooperation and assistance, as a voluntary association that evolved from the British Empire

members - (53) Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, The Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Botswana, Brunei, Cameroon, Canada, Cyprus, Dominica, Fiji, The Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guyana, India, Jamaica, Kenya, Kiribati, Lesotho, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, NZ, Nigeria, Pakistan (suspended), Papua New Guinea, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Swaziland, Tanzania, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, Uganda, UK, Vanuatu, Zambia; note - on 7 December 2003 Zimbabwe withdrew its membership from the Commonwealth

Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS): established - 8 December 1991; effective - 21 December 1991

aim - to coordinate intercommonwealth relations and to provide a mechanism for the orderly dissolution of the USSR

members - (12) Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan

Communist countries: traditionally the Marxist-Leninist states with authoritarian governments and command economies based on the Soviet model; most of the original and the successor states are no longer Communist; see centrally planned economies

Coordinating Committee on Export Controls (COCOM): established in 1949 to control the export of strategic products and technical data from member countries to proscribed destinations; members were: Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Turkey, UK, US; abolished 31 March 1994; COCOM members established a new organization, the Wassenaar Arrangement, with expanded membership on 12 July 1996 that focuses on nonproliferation export controls as opposed to East- West control of advanced technology

Council for Mutual Economic Assistance (CEMA): note - also known as

CMEA or Comecon

established 25 January 1949 to promote the development of socialist economies and abolished 1 January 1991; members included Afghanistan (observer), Albania (had not participated since 1961 break with USSR), Angola (observer), Bulgaria, Cuba, Czechoslovakia, Ethiopia (observer), GDR, Hungary, Laos (observer), Mongolia, Mozambique (observer), Nicaragua (observer), Poland, Romania, USSR, Vietnam, Yemen (observer), Yugoslavia (associate)

Council of Arab Economic Unity (CAEU): established - 3 June 1957; effective - 30 May 1964

aim - to promote economic integration among Arab nations

members - (10 plus the Palestine Liberation Organization) Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Libya, Mauritania, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Yemen, Palestine Liberation Organization

Council of Europe (CE): established - 5 May 1949; effective - 3 August 1949

aim - to promote increased unity and quality of life in Europe

members - (46) Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belgium,

Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic,

Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary,

Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg,

Macedonia, Malta, Moldova, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland,

Portugal, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Serbia and Montenegro, Slovakia,

Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, UK

observers - (6) Canada, Holy See, Israel, Japan, Mexico, US

Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS): established - 6 March 1992

aim - to promote cooperation among the Baltic Sea states in the areas of aid to new democratic institutions, economic development, humanitarian aid, energy and the environment, cultural programs and education, and transportation and communication

members - (12) Denmark, Estonia, EC, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, Russia, Sweden

Council of the Entente (Entente): established - 29 May 1959

aim - to promote economic, social, and political coordination

members - (5) Benin, Burkina Faso, Cote d'Ivoire, Niger, Togo

Customs Cooperation Council (CCC): note - see World Customs

Organization (WCO)

East African Development Bank (EADB): established - 6 June 1967; effective - 1 December 1967

aim - to promote economic development

members - (3) Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda

Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS): established - 28

May 1975

aim - to promote regional economic cooperation

members - (15) Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Cote d'Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Togo

Economic Community of the Great Lakes Countries (CEPGL): note - acronym from Communaute Economique des Pays des Grands Lacs

established - 20 September 1976

aim - to promote regional economic cooperation and integration

members - (3) Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda

Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO): established - 27-29 January 1985

aim - to promote regional cooperation in trade, transportation, communications, tourism, cultural affairs, and economic development

members - (10) Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan

associate member - (1) "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus"

Economic and Monetary Union (EMU): note - an integral part of the

European Union; also known as the European Economic and Monetary Union

established - 1-2 December 1969 (proposed at summit conference of heads of government; 7 February 1992 (Maastricht Treaty signed)

aim - to promote a single market by creating a single currency, the euro; timetable - 2 May 1998: European exchange rates fixed for 1 January 1999; 1 January 1999: all banks and stock exchanges begin using euros; 1 January 2002: the euro goes into circulation; 1 July 2002 local currencies no longer accepted

members - (12) Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain

Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC): established - 26 June 1945; effective - 24 October 1945

aim - to coordinate the economic and social work of the UN; includes five regional commissions (Economic Commission for Africa, Economic Commission for Europe, Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia) and nine functional commissions (Commission for Social Development, Commission on Human Rights, Commission on Narcotic Drugs, Commission on the Status of Women, Commission on Population and Development, Statistical Commission, Commission on Science and Technology for Development, Commission on Sustainable Development, and Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice)

members - (54) selected on a rotating basis from all regions

Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council (EAPC): note - began as the North

Atlantic Cooperation Council (NACC); an extension of NATO

established - 8 November 1991; effective - 20 December 1991

aim - to discuss cooperation on mutual political and security issues

members - (46) Albania, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium,

Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland,

France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy,

Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia,

Moldova, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia,

Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Turkey,

Turkmenistan, Ukraine, UK, US, Uzbekistan

European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD): established - 8-9 January 1990 (proposals made); 15 April 1991 (bank inaugurated)

aim - to facilitate the transition of seven centrally planned economies in Europe (Bulgaria, former Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Poland, Romania, former USSR, and former Yugoslavia) to market economies by committing 60% of its loans to privatization

members - (62) Albania, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan,

Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia,

Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, EU, European Investment Bank

(EIB), Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary,

Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, South Korea,

Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia,

Malta, Mexico, Moldova, Mongolia, Morocco, Netherlands, NZ, Norway,

Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Serbia and Montenegro, Slovakia,

Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan,

Ukraine, UK, US, Uzbekistan

European Community (or European Communities, EC): established 8 April 1965 to integrate the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom), the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC), the European Economic Community (EEC or Common Market), and to establish a completely integrated common market and an eventual federation of Europe; merged into the European Union (EU) on 7 February 1992; member states at the time of merger were Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, UK

European Free Trade Association (EFTA): established - 4 January 1960; effective - 3 May 1960

aim - to promote expansion of free trade

members - (4) Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland

European Investment Bank (EIB): established - 25 March 1957; effective - 1 January 1958

aim - to promote economic development of the EU and its predecessors, the EEC and the EC

members - (25) Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark,

Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy,

Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal,

Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, UK

European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN): note - acronym retained from the predecessor organization Conseil Europeenne pour la Recherche Nucleaire

established - 1 July 1953; effective - 29 September 1954

aim - to foster nuclear research for peaceful purposes only

members - (20) Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK

observers - (8) European Commission, India, Israel, Japan, Russia, Turkey, United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), US

European Space Agency (ESA): established - 31 May 1975

aim - to promote peaceful cooperation in space research and technology

members - (15) Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK

cooperating states - (2) Canada, Hungary

European Union (EU): note - see European Union entry at the end of the "country" listings

First World: another term for countries with advanced, industrialized economies; this term is fading from use; see developed countries (DCs)

Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO): established - 16 October 1945

aim - to raise living standards and increase availability of agricultural products; a UN specialized agency

members - (187) includes all UN member countries except Andorra, Belarus, Brunei, Liechtenstein, Russia, and Singapore (185 total); plus Cook Islands and Niue

Four Dragons: the four small Asian less developed countries (LDCs) that have experienced unusually rapid economic growth; also known as the Four Tigers; this group consists of Hong Kong, South Korea, Singapore, Taiwan; these countries are included in the IMF's "advanced economies" group

Franc Zone (FZ): note - also known as Conference des Ministres des

Finances des Pays de la Zone Franc

established - 1964

aim - to form a monetary union among countries whose currencies are linked to the French franc

members - (16) Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Republic of the Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, France, Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Niger, Senegal, Togo

Front Line States (FLS): established to achieve black majority rule in

South Africa; has since gone out of existence; members included Angola,

Botswana, Mozambique, Namibia, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe

GUUAM: note-acronym standing for the member countries, Georgia,

Uzbekistan, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, Moldova

established - 7 June 2001

aim - commits the countries to cooperation and assistance in social and economic development, the strengthening and broadening of trade and economic relations, and the development and effective use of transport and communications, highways, and related infrastructure crossing the boundaries of the member states

members - (4) Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine; note - Uzbekistan withdrew from GUUAM 5 May 2005

General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT): see the World Trade

Organization (WTO)

Group of 10 (G-10): note - also known as the Paris Club; includes the wealthiest members of the IMF who provide most of the money to be loaned and act as the informal steering committee; name persists despite increased membership

established - October 1962

aim - to coordinate credit policy

members - (19) Austria, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Norway, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK, US

nonstate participants - (4) BIS, EU, IMF, OECD

Group of 11 (G-11): note - also known as the Cartagena Group

established in 21-22 June 1984, in Cartagena, Colombia, aim was to provide a forum for largest debtor nations in Latin America; members were: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela

Group of 15 (G-15): note - byproduct of the Nonaligned Movement; name persists despite increased membership

established - September 1989

aim - to promote economic cooperation among developing nations; to act as the main political organ for the Nonaligned Movement

members - (17) Algeria, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Jamaica, Kenya, Malaysia, Mexico, Nigeria, Peru, Senegal, Sri Lanka, Venezuela, Zimbabwe

Group of 2 (G-2): informal term that came into use about 1986; to facilitate bilateral economic cooperation between the two most powerful economic giants; members were Japan, US

Group of 24 (G-24): established - 1 August 1989

aim - to promote the interests of developing countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America within the IMF

members - (24) Algeria, Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Democratic

Republic of the Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Egypt, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana,

Guatemala, India, Iran, Lebanon, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru,

Philippines, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Syria, Trinidad and Tobago,

Venezuela

Group of 3 (G-3): established - September 1990

aim - mechanism for policy coordination

members - (3) Colombia, Mexico, Venezuela

Group of 5 (G-5): established - 22 September 1985

aim - to coordinate the economic policies of five major noncommunist economic powers

members - (5) France, Germany, Japan, UK, US

Group of 6 (G-6): note - also known as Groupe des Six Sur le

Desarmement; not to be confused with the Big Six

established - 22 May 1984

aim - to achieve nuclear disarmament

members - (6) Argentina, Greece, India, Mexico, Sweden, Tanzania

Group of 7 (G-7): note - membership is the same as the Big Seven

established - 22 September 1985

aim - to facilitate economic cooperation among the seven major noncommunist economic powers

members - (7) Group of 5 (France, Germany, Japan, UK, US) plus Canada and Italy

Group of 77 (G-77): established - 15 June1964; October 1967 first ministerial meeting

aim - to promote economic cooperation among developing countries; name persists in spite of increased membership

members - (131 plus the Palestine Liberation Organization) Afghanistan,

Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, The Bahamas, Bahrain,

Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and

Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Burkina Faso, Burma, Burundi,

Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile,

China, Colombia, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of

the Congo, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Cuba, Djibouti, Dominica,

Dominican Republic, East Timor, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial

Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Grenada,

Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, India,

Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya, North Korea, Kuwait,

Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia,

Maldives, Mali, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Federated

States of Micronesia, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal,

Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Panama, Papua New

Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Romania, Rwanda, Saint

Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa,

Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone,

Singapore, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan,

Suriname, Swaziland, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad

and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Uganda, UAE, Uruguay, Vanuatu,

Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Palestine Liberation

Organization

Group of 8 (G-8): established - October 1975

aim - to facilitate economic cooperation among the developed countries (DCs) that participated in the Conference on International Economic Cooperation (CIEC), held in several sessions between December 1975 and 3 June 1977

members - (8) Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, UK, US

Group of 9 (G-9): established - NA

aim - to discuss matters of mutual interest on an informal basis

members - (8) Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Finland, Hungary, Romania, Sweden

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC): note - also known as the Cooperation

Council for the Arab States of the Gulf

established - 25 May 1981

aim - to promote regional cooperation in economic, social, political, and military affairs

members - (6) Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE

Indian Ocean Commission (InOC): established - 21 December 1982

aim - to organize and promote regional cooperation in all sectors, especially economic

members - (5) Comoros, France (for Reunion), Madagascar, Mauritius, Seychelles

Inter-American Development Bank (IADB): note - also known as Banco

Interamericano de Desarrollo (BID)

established - 8 April 1959; effective - 30 December 1959

aim - to promote economic and social development in Latin America

members - (46) Argentina, Austria, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium,

Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia,

Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Finland, France,

Germany, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Israel, Italy, Jamaica,

Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Peru,

Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Trinidad and

Tobago, UK, US, Uruguay, Venezuela

Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD): note - formerly known as Inter-Governmental Authority on Drought and Development (IGADD)

established - 15-16 January 1986 as the Inter-Governmental Authority on Drought and Development; revitalized - 21 March 1996 as the Inter- Governmental Authority on Development

aim - to promote a social, economic, and scientific community among its members

members - (7) Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan, Uganda

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA): established - 26 October 1956; effective - 29 July 1957

aim - to promote peaceful uses of atomic energy

members - (137) Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Argentina,

Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium,

Benin, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria,

Burkina Faso, Burma, Cameroon, Canada, Central African Republic, Chile,

China, Colombia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Costa Rica, Cote

d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican

Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia,

Finland, France, Gabon, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala,

Haiti, Holy See, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran,

Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan,

Kenya, South Korea, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lebanon, Liberia,

Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Madagascar,

Malaysia, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova,

Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Namibia, Netherlands, NZ, Nicaragua, Niger,

Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland,

Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia and

Montenegro, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia,

South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria,

Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, UAE,

UK, US, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia,

Zimbabwe

International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD): note - also known as the World Bank

established - 22 July 1944; effective - 27 December 1945

aim - to provide economic development loans; a UN specialized agency

members - (184) includes all UN member countries except Andorra, Cuba, North Korea, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Nauru, and Tuvalu

International Chamber of Commerce (ICC): established - 1919

aim - to promote free trade and private enterprise and to represent business interests at national and international levels

members - (89 national committees) Algeria, Argentina, Australia,

Austria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belgium, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Cameroon,

Canada, Caribbean, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cuba,

Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Finland,

France, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland,

India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, South

Korea, Kuwait, Lebanon, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Mexico,

Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Nepal, Netherlands, NZ, Nigeria, Norway,

Pakistan, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania,

Russia, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia and Montenegro, Singapore,

Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden,

Switzerland, Syria, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey,

Ukraine, UAE, UK, US, Uruguay, Venezuela

International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO): established - 7

December 1944; effective - 4 April 1947

aim - to promote international cooperation in civil aviation; a UN specialized agency

members - (188) includes all UN member countries except Dominica, East Timor, Liechtenstein, and Tuvalu (187 total); plus Cook Islands

International Civilian Support Mission in Haiti (MICAH): established

17 December 1999 to promote respect for human rights; members included

Argentina, Benin, Canada, France, India, Mali, Niger, Senegal, Togo,

Tunisia, US; closed 2001

International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC): established - 17

February 1863

aim - to provide humanitarian aid in wartime

members - (25 individuals) all Swiss nationals

International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU): established

- December 1949

aim - to promote the trade union movement

members - (231 affiliated organizations in the following 153 countries

plus the Palestine Liberation Organization) Albania, Algeria, Angola,

Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, The

Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin,

Bermuda, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon,

Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, Colombia,

Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Cook Islands,

Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Curacao, Cyprus, Czech Republic,

Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador,

Eritrea, Estonia, Falkland Islands, Fiji, Finland, France, French

Polynesia, Gabon, The Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada,

Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Holy See, Honduras, Hong

Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy,

Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kiribati, South Korea, Latvia, Lebanon,

Liberia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali,

Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, Mongolia, Montserrat,

Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Caledonia, NZ,

Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea,

Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Romania,

Russia, Rwanda, Saint Helena, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint

Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe,

Senegal, Serbia and Montenegro, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore,

Slovakia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden,

Switzerland, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and

Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, UK, US, Vanuatu, Venezuela,

Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Palestine Liberation Organization

International Court of Justice (ICJ): note - also known as the World

Court

established - 3 February 1946 superseded Permanent Court of International Justice

aim - primary judicial organ of the UN

members - (15 judges) elected by the UN General Assembly and Security Council to represent all principal legal systems

International Criminal Court (ICCt): established - 11 April 2002

aim - to hold all individuals and countries accountable to international laws of conduct; to specify international standards of conduct; to provide an important mechanism for implementing these standards; to ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice

members (countries that have ratified the treaty) - (97) Afghanistan,

Albania, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria,

Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina,

Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Canada,

Central African Republic, Colombia, Republic of the Congo, Costa Rica,

Croatia, Cyprus, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Denmark, Djibouti,

Dominica, East Timor, Ecuador, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon,

The Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guinea, Guyana, Honduras,

Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Jordan, South Korea, Latvia, Lesotho,

Liberia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malawi, Mali,

Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mongolia, Namibia, Nauru,

Netherlands, NZ, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Peru,

Poland, Portugal, Romania, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San

Marino, Senegal, Serbia and Montenegro, Sierra Leone, Slovakia,

Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan,

Tanzania, Trinidad and Tobago, Uganda, UK, Uruguay, Venezuela, Zambia

signatory states (countries that have signed, but not ratified, the

treaty) - (46) Algeria, Angola, Armenia, The Bahamas, Bahrain,

Bangladesh, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Chad, Chile, Comoros, Cote d'Ivoire,

Czech Republic, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Eritrea, Guinea-Bissau,

Haiti, Iran, Israel, Jamaica, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Madagascar,

Mexico, Moldova, Monaco, Morocco, Mozambique, Oman, Philippines,

Russia, Saint Lucia, Sao Tome and Principe, Seychelles, Solomon

Islands, Sudan, Syria, Thailand, Ukraine, UAE, US, Uzbekistan, Yemen,

Zimbabwe

International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol): established - September 1923 set up as the International Criminal Police Commission; 13 June 1956 constitution modified and present name adopted

aim - to promote international cooperation among police authorities in fighting crime

members - (182) Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Antigua

and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan,

The Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize,

Benin, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei,

Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burma, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada,

Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia,

Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Costa

Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark,

Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, East Timor, Ecuador, Egypt, El

Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland,

France, Gabon, The Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada,

Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary,

Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica,

Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, South Korea, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan,

Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein,

Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia,

Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico,

Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal,

Netherlands, Netherlands Antilles, NZ, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria,

Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru,

Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saint

Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sao

Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia and Montenegro,

Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Somalia, South

Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden,

Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tonga,

Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, UAE, UK, US,

Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe

subbureaus - (14) American Samoa, Anguilla, Bermuda, British Virgin

Islands, Cayman Islands, Gibraltar, Guam, Hong Kong, Macau, Montserrat,

Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, Turks and Caicos Islands, Virgin

Islands

International Development Association (IDA): established - 26 January 1960; effective - 24 September 1960

aim - to provide economic loans for low-income countries; UN specialized agency and IBRD affiliate

members - (166)

Part I - (27 developed countries) Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, EU, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Luxembourg, Netherlands, NZ, Norway, Portugal, Russia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UAE, UK, US

Part II - (139 less developed countries) Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Burma, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, East Timor, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, The Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, South Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Macedonia, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Federated States of Micronesia, Moldova, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia and Montenegro, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Swaziland, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe

International Energy Agency (IEA): established - 15 November 1974

aim - to promote cooperation on energy matters, especially emergency oil sharing and relations between oil consumers and oil producers; established by the OECD

members - (27) Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic,

Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy,

Japan, South Korea, Luxembourg, Netherlands, NZ, Norway, Portugal,

Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, UK, US

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

(IFRCS): note - formerly known as League of Red Cross and Red Crescent

Societies (LORCS)

established - 5 May 1919

aim - to organize, coordinate, and direct international relief actions; to promote humanitarian activities; to represent and encourage the development of National Societies; to bring help to victims of armed conflicts, refugees, and displaced people; to reduce the vulnerability of people through development programs

members - (182) Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Antigua

and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, The

Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize,

Benin, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei,

Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burma, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada,

Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia,

Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Cook Islands,

Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Czech Republic, Denmark,

Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador,

Equatorial Guinea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, The

Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea,

Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India,

Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan,

Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, North Korea, South Korea, Kuwait,

Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya,

Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Madagascar, Malawi,

Malaysia, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Federated States

of Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia,

Nepal, Netherlands, NZ, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan,

Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland,

Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint

Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome

and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia and Montenegro, Seychelles,

Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia,

South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden,

Switzerland, Syria, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo,

Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda,

Ukraine, UAE, UK, US, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam,

Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe

observers - (5 plus the Palestine Liberation Organization) Comoros, East Timor, Eritrea, Israel, Tuvalu, Palestine Liberation Organization

International Finance Corporation (IFC): established - 25 May 1955; effective - 24 July 1956

aim - to support private enterprise in international economic development; a UN specialized agency and IBRD affiliate

members - (177) Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and

Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, The

Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize,

Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil,

Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burma, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada,

Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia,

Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Costa

Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark,

Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, East Timor, Ecuador, Egypt, El

Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland,

France, Gabon, The Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada,

Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary,

Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica,

Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, South Korea, Kuwait,

Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Lithuania,

Luxembourg, Macedonia, Madgascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali,

Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Federated States of

Micronesia, Moldova, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal,

Netherlands, NZ, Nicaragua, Niger Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan,

Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland,

Portugal, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia,

Samoa, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sebia and Montenegro, Seychelles, Sierra

Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South

Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria,

Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago,

Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, UAE, UK, US, Uruguay,

Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe

International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD): established -

November 1974

aim - to promote agricultural development; a UN specialized agency

members - (163)

Category I - (23 industrialized aid contributors) Australia, Austria,

Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland,

Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Netherlands, NZ, Norway, Portugal,

Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK, US

Category II - (12 petroleum-exporting aid contributors) Algeria, Gabon,

Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Nigeria, Qatar, Saudi Arabia,

UAE, Venezuela

Category III - (128 aid recipients) Afghanistan, Albania, Angola,

Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh,

Barbados, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina,

Botswana, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Burma, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon,

Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia,

Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Cook

Islands, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Djibouti,

Dominica, Dominican Republic, East Timor, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador,

Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, The Gambia, Georgia, Ghana,

Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras,

India, Israel, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, North Korea, South

Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Macedonia,

Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania,

Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia,

Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea,

Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Romania, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis,

Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Sao Tome and

Principe, Senegal, Serbia and Montenegro, Seychelles, Sierra Leone,

Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname,

Swaziland, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad

and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, Uruguay, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia,

Zimbabwe

International Hydrographic Organization (IHO): note - name changed from International Hydrographic Bureau on 22 September 1970

established - June 1919; effective - June 1921

aim - to train hydrographic surveyors and nautical cartographers to achieve standardization in nautical charts and electronic chart displays; to provide advice on nautical cartography and hydrography; to develop the sciences in the field of hydrography and techniques used for descriptive oceanograrphy

members - (74) Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Bahrain, Bangladesh,

Belgium, Brazil, Burma, Canada, Chile, China (including Hong Kong and

Macau), Colombia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Croatia, Cuba,

Cyprus, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Estonia, Fiji,

Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Iceland, India, Indonesia,

Iran, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, North Korea, South Korea, Kuwait,

Malaysia, Mexico, Monaco, Morocco, Mozambique, Netherlands, NZ,

Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines,

Poland, Portugal, Russia, Serbia and Montenegro, Singapore, Slovenia,

South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Sweden, Syria, Thailand,

Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, UAE, UK, US,

Uruguay, Venezuela

membership pending - (3) Bulgaria, Mauritania, Qatar

International Labor Organization (ILO): established - 28 June 1919 set up as part of Treaty of Versailles; 11 April 1919 became operative; 14 December 1946 affiliated with the UN

aim - to deal with world labor issues; a UN specialized agency

members - (177) includes all UN member countries except Andorra,

Bhutan, Brunei, North Korea, Liechtenstein, Maldives, Marshall Islands,

Federated States of Micronesia, Monaco, Nauru, Palau, Samoa, Tonga and

Tuvalu; note - includes the following dependencies: Netherlands

(Netherlands Antilles and Aruba)

International Maritime Organization (IMO): note - name changed from Intergovernmental Maritime Consultative Organization (IMCO) on 22 May 1982

established - 6 March 1948 set up as the Inter-Governmental Maritime Consultative Organization; effective - 17 Mar 1958

aim - to deal with international maritime affairs; a UN specialized agency

members - (164) includes all UN member countries except Afghanistan,

Andorra, Armenia, Belarus, Bhutan, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi,

Central African Republic, Chad, East Timor, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lesotho,

Liechtenstein, Mali, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, Niger,

Palau, Rwanda, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Uganda, Uzbekistan, Zambia,

Zimbabwe

associate members - (3) Faroe Islands, Hong Kong, Macau

International Monetary Fund (IMF): established - 22 July 1944; effective - 27 December 1945

aim - to promote world monetary stability and economic development; a UN specialized agency

members - (184) includes all UN member countries except Andorra, Cuba, North Korea, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Nauru, Tuvalu; note - includes the following dependencies or areas of special interest: China (Hong Kong and Macau), Netherlands (Netherlands Antilles and Aruba)

International Olympic Committee (IOC): established - 23 June 1894

aim - to promote the Olympic ideals and administer the Olympic games: 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy; 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China; 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, Canada

National Olympic Committees - (201 and the Palestine Liberation

Organization) Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, American Samoa, Andorra,

Angola (suspended), Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Aruba,

Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, The Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh,

Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bermuda, Bhutan, Bolivia,

Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, British Virgin Islands,

Brunei, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burma, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon,

Canada, Cape Verde, Cayman Islands, Central African Republic, Chad,

Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo,

Republic of the Congo, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire,

Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica,

Dominican Republic, East Timor, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial

Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, The

Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guam, Guatemala,

Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary,

Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica,

Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, North Korea, South Korea,

Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya,

Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Madagascar, Malawi,

Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico,

Federated States of Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco,

Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, Netherlands Antilles,

NZ, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Panama,

Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Puerto

Rico, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint

Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome

and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia and Montenegro, Seychelles,

Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia,

South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden,

Switzerland, Syria, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo,

Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda,

Ukraine, UAE, UK, US, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam,

Virgin Islands, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Palestine Liberation

Organization

International Organization for Migration (IOM): note - established as

Provisional Intergovernmental Committee for the Movement of Migrants

from Europe; renamed Intergovernmental Committee for European Migration

(ICEM) on 15 November 1952; renamed Intergovernmental Committee for

Migration (ICM) in Novem

established - 5 December 1951

aim - to facilitate orderly international emigration and immigration

members - (109) Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Argentina,

Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, The Bahamas, Bangladesh,

Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso,

Cambodia, Canada, Cape Verde, Chile, Colombia, Democratic Republic of

the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia,

Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El

Salvador, Estonia, Finland, France, The Gambia, Georgia, Germany,

Greece, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary,

Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, South

Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Liberia, Libya, Lithuania, Luxembourg,

Madagascar, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mexico, Moldova, Morocco,

Netherlands, NZ, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Panama,

Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Rwanda,

Senegal, Serbia and Montenegro, Sierra Leone, Slovakia, Slovenia, South

Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Tanzania,

Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, UK, US, Uruguay, Venezuela,

Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe

observers - (25) Belarus, Bhutan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Burundi,

China, Cuba, Estonia, Ethiopia, Ghana, Holy See, India, Indonesia,

Jamaica, Macedonia, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Papua New Guinea,

Russia, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Somalia, Spain,

Turkmenistan, Vietnam

International Organization for Standardization (ISO): established -

February 1947

aim - to promote the development of international standards with a view to facilitating international exchange of goods and services and to developing cooperation in the sphere of intellectual, scientific, technological and economic activity

members - (99 national standards organizations) Algeria, Argentina,

Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Barbados, Bahrain,

Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria,

Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus,

Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Egypt, Ethiopia, Finland, France,

Germany, Ghana, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq,

Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya,

North Korea, South Korea, Kuwait, Libya, Luxembourg, Macedonia,

Malaysia, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Netherlands, NZ,

Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Philippines, Poland, Portugal,

Qatar, Romania, Russia, Saint Lucia, Saudi Arabia, Serbia and

Montenegro, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sri

Lanka, Sudan, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Trinidad

and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, UAE, UK, US, Uruguay, Uzbekistan,

Venezuela, Vietnam, Zimbabwe

correspondent members - (36 plus the Palestine Liberation Organization)

Albania, Angola, Benin, Bolivia, Brunei, Democratic Republic of the

Congo, El Salvador, Eritrea, Estonia, Fiji, Guatemala, Guinea, Hong

Kong, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lebanon, Lithuania, Macau, Madagascar,

Malawi, Moldova, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Papua New

Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Rwanda, Senegal, Seychelles, Swaziland,

Turkmenistan, Uganda, Yemen, Zambia, Palestine Liberation Operation

subscriber members - (11) Antigua and Barbuda, Burundi, Cambodia, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guyana, Honduras, Lesotho, Niger, Tajikistan

International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (ICRM): established - 1928

aim - to promote worldwide humanitarian aid through the International

Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in wartime, and International

Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRCS; formerly

League of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies or LORCS) in peacetime

National Societies - (182 countries); note - same as membership for

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

(IFRCS)

International Telecommunication Union (ITU): established - 17 May 1865 set up as the International Telegraph Union; 9 December 1932 adopted present name; effective - 1 January 1934; affiliated with the UN - 15 November 1947

aim - to deal with world telecommunications issues; a UN specialized agency

members - (189) includes all UN member countries except East Timor, Palau, St. Kitts and Nevis (188 total); plus Holy See

Islamic Development Bank (IDB): established - 15 December 1973 by declaration of intent; effective - 12 August 1974

aim - to promote Islamic economic aid and social development

members - (54 plus the Palestine Liberation Organization) Afghanistan,

Albania, Algeria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Benin, Brunei,

Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Comoros, Cote d?Ivoire, Djibouti, Egypt,

Gabon, The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq,

Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Libya, Malaysia,

Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Mozambique, Niger, Oman, Pakistan,

Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Suriname,

Syria, Tajikistan, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, UAE,

Uzbekistan, Yemen, Palestine Liberation Organization

Latin American Economic System (LAES): note - also known as Sistema

Economico Latinoamericana (SELA)

established - 17 October 1975

aim - to promote economic and social development through regional cooperation

members - (27) Argentina, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bolivia,

Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador,

Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico,

Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago,

Uruguay, Venezuela

Latin American Integration Association (LAIA): note - also known as

Asociacion Latinoamericana de Integracion (ALADI)

established - 12 August 1980; effective - 18 March 1981

aim - to promote freer regional trade

members - (12) Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela

observers - (25) China, Corporacion Andina de Fomento, Costa Rica,

Dominican Republic, EC, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Inter-

American Development Bank, Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on

Agriculture, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Latin America Economic System,

Nicaragua, Organization of American States, Panama, Pan-American Health

Organization, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Spain, Switzerland, United

Nations Development Program, United Nations Economic Commission for

Latin America and the Caribbean

League of Arab States (LAS): note - also known as Arab League (AL)

established - 22 March 1945

aim - aim - to promote economic, social, political, and military cooperation

members - (21 plus the Palestine Liberation Organization) Algeria,

Bahrain, Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon,

Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan,

Syria, Tunisia, UAE, Yemen, Palestine Liberation Organization

Monetary and Economic Community of Central Africa (CEMAC): note - was formerly the Central African Customs and Economic Union (UDEAC)

established - 8 December 1964; effective - 1 January 1966

aim - to promote the establishment of a Central African Common Market

members - (6) Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon

Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA): established - 12

April 1988

aim - encourages flow of foreign direct investment among member countries by offering investment insurance, consultation, and negotiation on conditions for foreign investment and technical assistance; a UN specialized agency

members - (164) includes all UN member countries except Andorra,

Antigua and Barbuda, Bhutan, Brunei, Burma, Comoros, Cuba, Djibouti,

Guinea-Bissau, Iraq, Kirabati, North Korea, Liberia, Liechtenstein,

Maldives, Marshall Islands, Mexico, Monaco, Nauru, NZ, Niger, San

Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Solomon Islands, Somalia, Tonga, Tuvalu

Near Abroad: Russian term for the 14 non-Russian successor states of the USSR, in which 25 million ethnic Russians live and in which Moscow has expressed a strong national security interest; the 14 countries are Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Estonia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan

Nonaligned Movement (NAM): established - 1-6 September 1961

aim - to establish political and military cooperation apart from the traditional East or West blocs

members - (114 plus the Palestine Liberation Organization) Afghanistan,

Algeria, Angola, The Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus,

Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brunei, Burkina Faso, Burma,

Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic,

Chad, Chile, Colombia, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo,

Republic of the Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Cuba, Cyprus, Djibouti, Dominican

Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon,

The Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana,

Honduras, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya, North

Korea, Kuwait, Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar,

Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius,

Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger,

Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines,

Qatar, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia,

Senegal, Serbia and Montenegro, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore,

Somalia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Syria,

Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkmenistan,

Uganda, UAE, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia,

Zimbabwe, Palestine Liberation Organization

observers - (13) Armenia, Belarus, Brazil, China, Costa Rica, Croatia, Dominica, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mexico, Paraguay, Ukraine, Uruguay

guests - (28) Australia, Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria,

Canada, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Holy See, Hungary, Ireland,

Italy, Japan, South Korea, Netherlands, NZ, Norway, Poland, Portugal,

Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, UK, US

Nordic Council (NC): established - 16 March 1952; effective - 12

February 1953

aim - to promote regional economic, cultural, and environmental cooperation

members - (5) Denmark (including Faroe Islands and Greenland), Finland (including Aland Islands), Iceland, Norway, Sweden

observers - (3) the Sami (Lapp) local parliaments of Finland, Norway, and Sweden

Nordic Investment Bank (NIB): established - 4 December 1975; effective - 1 June 1976

aim - to promote economic cooperation and development

members - (8) Denmark (including Faroe Islands and Greenland), Estonia, Finland (including Aland Islands), Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Sweden

North: a popular term for the rich industrialized countries generally located in the northern portion of the Northern Hemisphere; the counterpart of the South; see developed countries (DCs)

North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA): established - 17 December 1992

aim - to eliminate trade barriers, promote fair competition, increase investment opportunities, provide protection of intellectual property rights, and create procedures to settle disputes

members - (3) Canada, Mexico, US

North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO): established - 4 April 1949

aim - to promote mutual defense and cooperation

members - (26) Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark,

Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia,

Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania,

Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Turkey, UK, US

Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA): note - also known as OECD Nuclear Energy

Agency

established - 1 February 1958

aim - to promote the peaceful uses of nuclear energy; associated with OECD

members - (28) Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic,

Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland,

Italy, Japan, South Korea, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, Norway,

Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, UK, US

Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG): note - also known as the London

Suppliers Group or the London Group

established - 1974; effective - 1975

aim - to establish guidelines for exports of nuclear materials, processing equipment for uranium enrichment, and technical information to countries of proliferation concern and regions of conflict and instability

members - (44) Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Brazil,

Bulgaria, Canada, China, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,

Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Japan,

Kazakhstan, South Korea, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta,

Netherlands, NZ, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Slovakia,

Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine,

UK, US

observer - (1) European Commission (a policy-planning body for the EU)

Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD): established - 14 December 1960; effective - 30 September 1961

aim - to promote economic cooperation and development

members - (30) Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic,

Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland,

Italy, Japan, South Korea, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, NZ, Norway,

Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, UK, US

special member - (1) EU

Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE): note - formerly the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE) established 3 July 1975

established - 1 January 1995

aim - to foster the implementation of human rights, fundamental freedoms, democracy, and the rule of law; to act as an instrument of early warning, conflict prevention, and crisis management; and to serve as a framework for conventional arms control and confidence building measures

members - (55) Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus,

Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus,

Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany,

Greece, Holy See, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Kazakhstan,

Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia,

Malta, Moldova, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania,

Russia, San Marino, Serbia and Montenegro, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain,

Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, UK, US,

Uzbekistan

partners for cooperation - (10) Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Japan, Jordan, South Korea, Mongolia, Morocco, Thailand, Tunisia

Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW): established - 29 April 1997

aim - to enforce the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on Their Destruction; to provide a forum for consultation and cooperation among the signatories of the Convention

members (countries that have ratified the Convention) - (167)

Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Argentina, Armenia, Australia,

Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, Belize,

Benin, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei,

Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Chad,

Chile, China, Colombia, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire,

Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominica, East Timor,

Ecuador, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia,

Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, The Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana,

Greece, Guatemala, Guinea, Guyana, Holy See, Hungary, Iceland, India,

Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan,

Kenya, Kiribati, South Korea, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia,

Lesotho, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar,

Macedonia, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands,

Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Federated States of Micronesia, Moldova,

Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal,

Netherlands, NZ, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan,

Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland,

Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint

Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome

and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia and Montenegro, Seychelles,

Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South

Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden,

Switzerland, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and

Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, UAE,

UK, US, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia,

Zimbabwe

signatory states (countries that have signed, but not ratified, the Convention) - (16) The Bahamas, Bhutan, Burma, Cambodia, Central African Republic, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Honduras, Israel, Liberia

Organization of African Unity (OAU): see African Union

Organization of American States (OAS): established - 14 April 1890 as the International Union of American Republics; 30 April 1948 adopted present charter; effective - 13 December 1951

aim - to promote regional peace and security as well as economic and social development

members - (35) Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba (excluded from formal participation since 1962), Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, US, Uruguay, Venezuela

observers - (59) Algeria, Angola, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan,

Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, China, Croatia, Cyprus,

Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Estonia, EU,

Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Holy See, Hungary,

India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, South Korea, Latvia,

Lebanon, Luxembourg, Morocco, Netherlands, Norway, Pakistan,

Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia,

Serbia and Montenegro, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden,

Switzerland, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, UK, Yemen

Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries (OAPEC): established - 9 January 1968

aim - to promote cooperation in the petroleum industry

members - (11) Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, UAE

Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS): established - 18 June 1981; effective - 4 July 1981

aim - to promote political, economic, and defense cooperation

members - (7) Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

associate member - (2) Anguilla, British Virgin Islands

Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC): established - 14

September 1960

aim - to coordinate petroleum policies

members - (11) Algeria, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Nigeria, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Venezuela

Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC): established - 22-25

September 1969

aim - to promote Islamic solidarity in economic, social, cultural, and political affairs

members - (56 plus the Palestine Liberation Organization) Afghanistan,

Albania, Algeria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Benin, Brunei,

Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Comoros, Cote d'Ivoire, Djibouti, Egypt,

Gabon, The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Indonesia, Iran,

Iraq, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Libya, Malaysia,

Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Oman,

Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan,

Suriname, Syria, Tajikistan, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan,

Uganda, UAE, Uzbekistan, Yemen, Palestine Liberation Organization

observers - (10) Bosnia and Herzegovina, Central African Republic, ECO, LAS, Moro National Liberation Front, NAM, OAU, Thailand, Turkish Muslim Community of Kibris, UN

Pacific Community: note - formerly known as the South Pacific

Commission (SPC)

established - 6 February 1947; effective - 29 July 1948

aim - to promote regional cooperation in economic and social matters

members - (27) American Samoa, Australia, Cook Islands, Fiji, France,

French Polynesia, Guam, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Federated States of

Micronesia, Nauru, New Caledonia, NZ, Niue, Northern Mariana Islands,

Palau, Papua New Guinea, Pitcairn Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands,

Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, UK, US, Vanuatu, Wallis and Futuna

Pacific Islands Forum (PIF): note - formerly known as South Pacific

Forum (SPF)

established - 5 August 1971

aim - to promote regional cooperation in political matters

members - (16) Australia, Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, NZ, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu

observers - (3) East Timor, French Polynesia, New Caledonia

Paris Club: established - 1956

aim - to provide a forum for debtor countries to negotiate rescheduling of debt service payments or loans extended by governments or official agencies of participating countries; to help restore normal trade and project finance to debtor countries

members - (19) Austria, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Norway, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK, US

Partnership for Peace (PFP): established - 10-11 January 1994

aim - to expand and intensify political and military cooperation throughout Europe, increase stability, diminish threats to peace, and build relationships by promoting the spirit of practical cooperation and commitment to democratic principles that underpin NATO; program under the auspices of NATO

members - (22) Albania, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Croatia, Finland, Georgia, Ireland, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Moldova, Russia, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan; note - a nation that becomes a member of NATO is no longer a member of PFP

Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA): established - 29 July 1899

aim - to facilitate the settlement of international disputes

members - (103) Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belarus, Belgium,

Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cameroon,

Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Costa

Rica, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican

Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia,

Fiji, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti,

Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy,

Japan, Jordan, South Korea, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon,

Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malaysia,

Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, NZ, Nicaragua, Nigeria,

Norway, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Romania,

Russia, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia and Montenegro, Singapore,

Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname,

Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Togo, Turkey, Uganda,

Ukraine, UK, US, Uruguay, Venezuela, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Rio Group (RG): note - formerly known as Grupo de los Ocho, established NA December 1986; composed of the Contadora Group and the Lima Group

established - 1988

aim - to consult on regional Latin American issues

members - (19) Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, CARICOM, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guyana, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela

Second World: another term for the traditionally Marxist-Leninist states of the USSR and Eastern Europe, with authoritarian governments and command economies based on the Soviet model; the term is fading from use; see centrally planned economies

Shanghai Cooperative Organization (SCO): established - 15 June 1901

aim - to combat terrorism, extremism, and separatism; to safeguard regional security through mutual trust, disarmament, and cooperative security; and to increase cooperation in political, trade, economic, scientific and technological, cultural, and educational fields

members - (6) China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan

observer - (1) Mongolia

South: a popular term for the poorer, less industrialized countries generally located south of the developed countries; the counterpart of the North; see less developed countries (LDCs)

South American Community of Nations (CSN): established - 9 December 2004

aim - to coordinate common policies regarding multilateral organizations, to integrate physical infrastructure, and to consolidate the merger of CAN and Mercosur

members - (12) Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Surinam, Uruguay, Venezuela

South Asia Co-operative Environment Program (SACEP): established -

January 1983

aim - to promote regional cooperation in South Asia in the field of environment, both natural and human, and on issues of economic and social development; to support conservation and management of natural resources of the region

members - (8) Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka

South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC): established - 8 December 1985

aim - to promote economic, social, and cultural cooperation

members - (7) Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka

South Pacific Forum (SPF): note - see Pacific Island Forum

South Pacific Regional Trade and Economic Cooperation Agreement

(Sparteca): established - 1981

aim - to redress unequal trade relationships of Australia and New Zealand with small island economies in the Pacific region

members - (16) Australia, Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, NZ, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu

Southern African Customs Union (SACU): established - 11 December 1969

aim - to promote free trade and cooperation in customs matters

members - (5) Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland

Southern African Development Community (SADC): note - evolved from the

Southern African Development Coordination Conference (SADCC)

established - 17 August 1992

aim - to promote regional economic development and integration

members - (14) Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Southern Cone Common Market (Mercosur) or Southern Common Market: note - also known as Mercado Comun del Cono Sur (Mercosur)

established - 26 March 1991

aim - to increase regional economic cooperation

members - (4) Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay

associate members - (6) Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela

Third World: another term for the less developed countries; the term is obsolescent; see less developed countries (LDCs)

United Nations (UN): established - 26 June 1945; effective - 24

October 1945

aim - to maintain international peace and security and to promote cooperation involving economic, social, cultural, and humanitarian problems

constituent organizations - the UN is composed of six principal organs and numerous subordinate agencies and bodies as follows:

1) Secretariat

2) General Assembly: Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (UN

AIDS), International Research and Training Institute for the

Advancement of Women (INSTRAW), Office of the United Nations High

Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), United Nations Center for Human

Settlements (UN-Habitat), United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF),

United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), United

Nations Development Program (UNDP), United Nations Drug Control Program

(UNDCP), United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), United Nations High

Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), United Nations Institute for

Disarmament Research (UNIDIR), United Nations Institute for Training

and Research (UNITAR), United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice

Research Institute (UNICRI), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA),

United Nations Office of Project Services (UNOPS), United Nations

Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East

(UNRWA), United Nations Research Institute for Social Development

(UNRISD), United Nations System Staff College (UNSSC), and United

Nations University (UNU), World Food Program (WFP)

3) Security Council: International Criminal Tribunal for the Former

Yugoslavia (ICTY), International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR),

United Nations Compensation Commission, United Nations Disengagement

Observer Force (UNDOF), United Nations Interim Administration Mission

in Kosovo (UNMIK), United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL),

United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL), United Nations Mission of

Support in East Timor (UNMISET), United Nations Military Observer Group

in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP), United Nations Mission for the

Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO), United Nations Mission in

Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE), United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone

(UNAMSIL), United Nations Monitoring and Verification Commission

(UNMOVIC), United Nations Observer Mission in Georgia (UNOMIG), United

Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

(MONUC), United Nations Peace-Keeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP), and

United Nations Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO)

4) Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC): Commission for Social

Development, Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice,

Commission on Human Rights, Commission on Narcotics Drugs, Commission

on Population and Development, Commission on Science and Technology for

Development, Commission on Sustainable Development, Commission on the

Status of Women, Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the

Pacific (ESCAP), Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia

(ESCWA), Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), Economic Commission for

Europe (ECE), Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean

(ECLAC), Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO),

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), International Bank for

Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), International Center for

Secretariat of Investment Disputes (ICSID), International Civil

Aviation Organization (ICAO), International Development Association

(IDA), International Finance Corporation (IFC), International Fund for

Agricultural Development (IFAD), International Labor Organization

(ILO), International Maritime Organization (IMO), International

Monetary Fund (IMF), International Telecommunication Union (ITU),

Multilateral Investment Geographic Agency (MIGA), Statistical

Commission, United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural

Organization (UNESCO), United Nations Forum on Forests, United Nations

Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), Universal Postal Union

(UPU), World Health Organization (WHO), World Intellectual Property

Organization (WIPO), World Meteorological Organization (WMO), World

Tourism Organization (WToO), and World Trade Organization (WTO)

5) Trusteeship Council (inactive; no trusteeships at this time)

6) International Court of Justice (ICJ)

United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF): note - acronym retained from the predecessor organization, UN International Children's Emergency Fund

established - 11 December 1946

aim - to help establish child health and welfare services

members - (37) selected on a rotating basis from all regions

United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD): established - 30 December 1964

aim - to promote international trade

members - (192) all UN members plus Holy See

United Nations Development Program (UNDP): established - 22 November 1965

aim - to provide technical assistance to stimulate economic and social development

members (executive board) - (36) selected on a rotating basis from all regions

United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF): established - 31

May 1974

aim - to observe the 1973 Arab-Israeli cease-fire; established by the UN Security Council

members - (6) Austria, Canada, Japan, Nepal, Poland, Slovakia

United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization

(UNESCO): established - 16 November 1945; effective - 4 November 1946

aim - to promote cooperation in education, science, and culture

members - (190) includes all UN member countries except Brunei, Liechtenstein, and Singapore (188 total); plus Cook Islands and Niue

associate members - (6) Aruba, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Macau, Netherlands Antilles, Tokelau

United Nations Environment Program (UNEP): established - 15 December 1972

aim - to promote international cooperation on all environmental matters

members - (58) selected on a rotating basis from all regions

United Nations General Assembly: established - 26 June 1945; effective - 24 October 1945

aim - to function as the primary deliberative organ of the UN

members - (191) all UN members are represented in the General Assembly

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR): established - 3

December 1949; effective - 1 January 1951

aim - to ensure the humanitarian treatment of refugees and find permanent solutions to refugee problems

members (executive committee) - (66) Algeria, Argentina, Australia,

Austria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia,

Democratic Republic of the Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Cyprus, Denmark,

Ecuador, Egypt, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guinea,

Holy See, Hungary, India, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kenya,

South Korea, Lebanon, Lesotho, Madagascar, Mexico, Morocco, Mozambique,

Namibia, Netherlands, NZ, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan,

Philippines, Poland, Russia, Serbia and Montenegro, Somalia, South

Africa, Spain, Sudan, Sweden, Switzerland, Tanzania, Thailand, Tunisia,

Turkey, Uganda, UK, US, Venezuela, Yemen, Zambia

United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO): established - 17 November 1966; effective - 1 January 1967

aim - UN specialized agency that promotes industrial development especially among the members

members - (171) includes all UN member countries except Andorra,

Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Brunei, Canada, Estonia, Iceland,

Kiribati, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Marshall Islands, Federated States of

Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, Samoa, San Marino, Singapore, Solomon

Islands, Tuvalu, US

United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR): established - 11 December 1963 adoption of the resolution establishing the Institute; effective - 24 March 1965

aim - to help the UN become more effective through training and research

members (Board of Trustees) - (21) Austria, Brazil, China, Czech Republic, Egypt, France, Ghana, Japan, Kuwait, Mexico, Monaco, Morocco, Netherlands, Nigeria, Pakistan, Russia, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, UK, US; note - the UN Secretary General can appoint up to 30 members

United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK): established - 10 June 1999

aim - to promote the establishment of substantial autonomy and self- government in Kosovo; to perform basic civilian administrative functions; to support the reconstruction of key infrastructure and humanitarian and disaster relief

members - (50) Argentina, Austria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Bolivia,

Brazil, Bulgaria, Cameroon, Chile, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt,

Fiji, Finland, France, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Hungary, India, Ireland,

Italy, Jordan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Lithuania, Malawi, Malaysia,

Mauritius, Nepal, NZ, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Philippines, Poland,

Portugal, Romania, Russia, Senegal, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden,

Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, UK, US, Zambia, Zimbabwe

United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL): established - 19

March 1978

aim - to confirm the withdrawal of Israeli forces, and assist in reestablishing Lebanese authority in southern Lebanon; established by the UN Security Council

members - (7) France, Ghana, India, Ireland, Italy, Poland, Ukraine

United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP): established - 24 January 1949

aim - to observe the 1949 India-Pakistan cease-fire; established by the UN Security Council

members - (9) Belgium, Chile, Croatia, Denmark, Finland, Italy, South Korea, Sweden, Uruguay

United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO): established - 29 April 1991

aim - to supervise the cease-fire and conduct a referendum in Western Sahara; established by the UN Security Council

members - (24) Argentina, Austria, Bangladesh, Croatia, Egypt, El

Slavador, France, Ghana, Greece, Guinea, Honduras, Hungary, Ireland,

Italy, Kenya, South Korea, Malaysia, Mongolia, Nigeria, Pakistan,

Poland, Russia, Sri Lanka, Uruguay

United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE): established - 31 July 2000

aim - to monitor the cessation of hostilities

members - (41) Algeria, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Bosnia and

Herzegovina, Bulgaria, China, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark,

Finland, France, The Gambia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, India, Iran,

Italy, Jordan, Kenya, Malaysia, Namibia, Nepal, Nigeria, Norway,

Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Romania, Russia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden,

Switzerland, Tanzania, Tunisia, Ukraine, US, Uruguay, Zambia

United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL): established - 19 September 2003

aim - to support the cease-fire agreement and peace process, protect UN facilities and people, support humanitarian activities, and assist in national security reform

members - (48) Bangladesh, Benin, Bolivia, Brazil, Bulgaria, China,

Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador,

Ethiopia, Finland, France, The Gambia, Ghana, Indonesia, Ireland,

Jordan, Kenya, South Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali,

Moldova, Namibia, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Paraguay, Peru,

Philippines, Poland, Romania, Russia, Senegal, Serbia and Montenegro,

South Africa, Sweden, Togo, Ukraine, UK, US, Zambia

United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL): established - 22

October 1999

aim - to cooperate with the Government of Sierra Leone and the other parties to the Peace Agreement in the implementation of the agreement; to monitor the military and security situation in Sierra Leone; to monitor the disarmament and demobilization of combatants and members of the Civil Defense Forces (CFD); to assist in monitoring respect for international humanitarian law

members - (31) Bangladesh, Bolivia, Canada, China, Croatia, Czech

Republic, Denmark, Egypt, The Gambia, Germany, Ghana, Guinea,

Indonesia, Jordan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, Mali, Nepal, NZ,

Nigeria, Pakistan, Russia, Slovakia, Sweden, Tanzania, Thailand,

Ukraine, UK, Uruguay, Zambia

United Nations Mission of Support in East Timor (UNMISET): established - 17 May 2002

aim - to provide assistance to structures critical to political stability; to provide law enforcement and public security and to assist in the development of law enforcement agencies; to contribute to external security

members - (16) Australia, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Brazil, Denmark, Fiji, Jordan, Malaysia, Mozambique, Nepal, NZ, Pakistan, Philippines, Portugal, Russia, Sweden

United Nations Monitoring, Verification, and Inspection Commission (UNMOVIC): note - formerly known as United Nations Special Commission for the Elimination of Iraq's Weapons of Mass Destruction (UNSCOM)

established - December 1999

aim - to identify, account for, and eliminate Iraq's weapons of mass destruction and the capacity to produce them

commissioners - (15) Argentina, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Japan, Mexico, Nigeria, Russia, Senegal, Ukraine, UK, US; note - the organization's mandate has been extended up to early 2006

United Nations Observer Mission in Georgia (UNOMIG): established - 24

August 1993

aim - to verify compliance with the cease-fire agreement, to monitor weapons exclusion zone, and to supervise CIS peacekeeping force for Abkhazia; established by the UN Security Council

members - (23) Albania, Austria, Bangladesh, Czech Republic, Denmark,

Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Indonesia, Jordan, South

Korea, Pakistan, Poland, Russia, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine,

UK, US, Uruguay

United Nations Operation in Burundi (ONUB): established - 21 May 2004

aim - to support and help implement the efforts undertaken by Burundians to restore lasting peace and bring about national reconciliation

members - (44) Bangladesh, Belgium, Benin, Bolivia, Burkina Faso, Chad,

China, Egypt, Ethiopia, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Guatemala, Guinea,

India, Jordan, Kenya, South Korea, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Mozambique,

Nambia, Nepal, Netherlands, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Paraguay, Peru,

Philippines, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Senegal, Serbia and Montenegro,

South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Togo, Tunisia, Uruguay, Yemen, Zambia

United Nations Operation in Cote d'Ivoire (UNOCI): established - 27

February 2004

aim - to facilitate the implementation by the Ivorian parties of the peace agreement signed by them in January 2003

members - (41) Bangladesh, Benin, Bolivia, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Chad,

China, Republic of the Congo, Croatia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El

Salvador, France, The Gambia, Ghana, Guatemala, Guinea, India, Ireland,

Jordan, Kenya, Moldova, Morocco, Namibia, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria,

Pakistan, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Romania, Russia,

Senegal, Serbia and Montenegro, Togo, Tunisia, Uruguay, Yemen, Zambia

United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the

Congo (MONUC): established - 30 November 1999

aim - to establish contacts with the signatories to the cease-fire agreement and to plan for the observation of the cease-fire and disengagement of forces

members - (47) Algeria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Benin, Bolivia, Bosnia and

Herzegovina, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Canada, China, Czech Republic,

Denmark, Egypt, France, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Jordan,

Kenya, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Nepal,

Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Romania, Russia,

Senegal, Serbia and Montenegro, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden,

Switzerland, Tunisia, Ukraine, UK, Uruguay, Zambia

United Nations Peace-keeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP): established - 4 March 1964

aim - to serve as a peacekeeping force between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots in Cyprus; established by the UN Security Council

(10) Argentina, Austria, Canada, Croatia, Finland, Hungary, Ireland, Slovakia, UK, Uruguay

United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA): note - acronym retained from predecessor organization UN Fund for Population Activities

established - July 1967

aim - to assist both developed and developing countries to deal with their population problems

members (executive board ) - (36) selected on a rotating basis from all regions

United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the

Near East (UNRWA): established - 8 December 1949

aim - to provide assistance to Palestinian refugees

members (advisory commission) - (10) Belgium, Egypt, France, Japan, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Turkey, UK, US

United Nations Research Institute for Social Development (UNRISD): established - 1963

aim - to conduct research into the problems of economic development during different phases of economic growth

members - no country members, but a Board of Directors consisting of a chairman appointed by the UN secretary general and 10 individual members

United Nations Secretariat: established - 26 June 1945; effective - 24

October 1945

aim - to serve as the primary administrative organ of the UN; a Secretary General is appointed for a five-year term by the General Assembly on the recommendation of the Security Council

members - the UN Secretary General and staff

United Nations Security Council (UNSC): established - 26 June 1945; effective - 24 October 1945

aim - to maintain international peace and security

permanent members - (5) China, France, Russia, UK, US

nonpermanent members - (10) elected for two-year terms by the UN General Assembly; Algeria (2004-05), Argentina (2005-06), Benin (2004- 05), Brazil (2004-05), Denmark (2005-06), Greece (2005-06), Japan (2005-06), Philippines (2004-05), Romania (2004-05), Tanzania (2005-06)

United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH): established - 30 April 2004

aim - to stabilize Haiti in many areas for at least six months

members - (20) Argentina, Benin, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Croatia, Ecuador, France, Guatemala, Jordan, Nepal, Morocco, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Spain, Sri Lanka, US, Uruguay

United Nations Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO): established -

June 1948

aim - to supervise the 1948 Arab-Israeli cease-fire; currently supports timely deployment of reinforcements to other peacekeeping operations in the region as needed; initially established by the UN Security Council

members - (23) Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Chile,

China, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Ireland, Italy, Nepal,

Netherlands, NZ, Norway, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden,

Switzerland, US

United Nations Trusteeship Council: established on 26 June 1945, effective on 24 October 1945, to supervise the administration of the 11 UN trust territories; members were China, France, Russia, UK, US; it formally suspended operations 1 November 1995 after the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (Palau) became the Republic of Palau, a constitutional government in free association with the US; the Trusteeship Council was not dissolved

United Nations University (UNU): established - 3 December 1973

aim - to conduct research in development, welfare, and human survival and to train scholars

members - (24 members of UNU Council and the Rector are appointed by the Secretary General of the United Nations and the Director General of UNESCO)

Universal Postal Union (UPU): established - 9 October 1874, affiliated with the UN 15 November 1947; effective - 1 July 1948

aim - to promote international postal cooperation; a UN specialized agency

members - (188) includes all UN member countries except Andorra,

Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, and Palau (187

total); plus Holy See; note - includes the following dependencies or

areas of special interest: Australia (Norfolk Island), China (Hong

Kong, Macau), Denmark (Faroe Islands, Greenland), France (French

Guiana, French Polynesia, Martinique, Mayotte, New Caledonia, Reunion,

St. Pierre and Miquelon, Wallis and Futuna), Netherlands (Aruba,

Netherlands Antilles), NZ (Cook Island, Niue, Tokelau), UK (Guernsey,

Jersey, Isle of Man; Anguilla, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman

Islands, Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, Montserrat, Pitcairn, Saint

Helena, Turks and Caicos), US (American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico,

Virgin Islands)

Warsaw Pact (WP): established 14 May 1955 to promote mutual defense; members met 1 July 1991 to dissolve the alliance; member states at the time of dissolution were: Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Poland, Romania, and the USSR; earlier members included GDR and Albania

West African Development Bank (WADB): note - also known as Banque

Ouest-Africaine de Developpement (BOAD); is a financial institution of

WAEMU

established - 14 November 1973

aim - to promote regional economic development and integration

regional members - (9) Central Bank of West African States, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cote d'Ivoire, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Niger, Senegal, Togo

international/nonregional members - (5) African Development Bank, Belgium, European Investment Bank, France, Germany

West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU): note - also known as

Union Economique et Monetaire Ouest Africaine (UEMOA)

established - 1 August 1994

aim - to increase competitiveness of members' economic markets; to create a common market

members - (8) Benin, Burkina Faso, Cote d'Ivoire, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Niger, Senegal, Togo

Western European Union (WEU): established - 23 October 1954; effective - 6 May 1955

aim - to provide mutual defense and to move toward political unification

members - (10) Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, UK; affiliate members - (8) Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland. Slovakia, Slovenia

associate members - (3) Iceland, Norway, Turkey; affiliate associate members - (2) Bulgaria, Romania

observers - (5) Austria, Denmark, Finland, Ireland, Sweden; affiliate observers - (2) Cyprus, Malta

World Bank Group: includes International Bank for Reconstruction and

Development (IBRD), International Development Association (IDA),

International Finance Corporation (IFC), and Multilateral Investment

Guarantee Agency (MIGA)

World Confederation of Labor (WCL): established - 19 June 1920 as the

International Federation of Christian Trade Unions (IFCTU), renamed 4

October 1

aim - to promote the trade union movement

members - (102 national organizations) Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina,

Aruba, Austria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Brazil,

Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Canada, Central African Republic,

Chad, Chile, Colombia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of

the Congo, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic,

Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, France, French

Guiana, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Guinea,

Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran,

Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, South Korea, Liberia, Liechtenstein,

Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Madagascar, Malaysia, Malawi, Malta,

Martinique, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Morocco, Namibia,

Netherlands, Netherlands Antilles, Nicaragua, Niger, Pakistan, Panama,

Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Romania,

Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sao Tome and

Principe, Senegal, Serbia and Montenegro, Sierra Leone, Singapore,

Slovakia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Switzerland,

Taiwan, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Ukraine, US, Uruguay,

Venezuela, Vietnam, Zambia, Zimbabwe

World Customs Organization (WCO): note - began as the Customs

Cooperation Council (CCC)

established - 15 December 1950

aim - to promote international cooperation in customs matters

members - (164) Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola,

Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, The Bahamas,

Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Benin, Bermuda,

Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso,

Burma, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African

Republic, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the

Congo, Republic of the Congo, Costa Rica, Cote d?Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba,

Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, East Timor,

Ecuador, Egypt, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France,

Gabon, The Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea,

Guyana, Haiti, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran,

Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan,

Kenya, South Korea, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho,

Liberia, Libya, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macau, Macedonia, Madagascar,

Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico,

Moldova, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands,

Netherlands Antilles, NZ, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman,

Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines,

Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Samoa, Saudi Arabia,

Senegal, Serbia and Montenegro, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore,

Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Swaziland,

Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo,

Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine,

UAE, UK, US, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia,

Zimbabwe

World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU): established - 3 October 1945

aim - to promote the trade union movement

members - (125 and the Palestine Liberation Organization) Afghanistan,

Albania, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia,

Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Benin,

Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cameroon,

Canada, Chile, Colombia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of

the Congo, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic,

Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea,

Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, French Guiana, The Gambia, Ghana,

Greece, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti,

Honduras, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Japan,

Jordan, Kazakhstan, North Korea, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon,

Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali,

Martinique, Mauritius, Mexico, Mozambique, Nepal, New Caledonia, NZ,

Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Peru,

Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Reunion, Romania, Russia,

Saint Lucia, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Saint Vincent and the

Grenadines, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Slovakia, Solomon

Islands, Somalia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Sweden, Syria,

Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia,

Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu,

Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Zimbabwe, Palestine Liberation Organization

World Food Program (WFP): established - 24 November 1961

aim - to provide food aid in support of economic development or disaster relief; an ECOSOC organization

members - (36) selected on a rotating basis from all regions

World Health Organization (WHO): established - 22 July 1946; effective - 7 April 1948

aim - to deal with health matters worldwide; a UN specialized agency

members - (192) includes all UN member countries except Liechtenstein (190 total); plus Cook Islands and Niue

World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO): established - 14 July 1967; effective - 26 April 1970

aim - to furnish protection for literary, artistic, and scientific works; a UN specialized agency

members - (181) includes all UN member countries except Afghanistan, Comoros, East Timor, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Vanuatu (180 total); plus Holy See

World Meteorological Organization (WMO): established - 11 October 1947; effective - 4 April 1951

aim - to sponsor meteorological cooperation; a UN specialized agency

members - (187) includes all UN member countries except Andorra, East

Timor, Equatorial Guinea, Grenada, Liechtenstein, Marshall Islands,

Nauru, Palau, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, San

Marino, Tuvalu (179 total); plus British Caribbean Territories, Cook

Islands, French Polynesia, Hong Kong, Macau, Netherlands Antilles, New

Caledonia, and Niue

World Tourism Organization (WToO): established - 2 January 1975

aim - to promote tourism as a means of contributing to economic development, international understanding, and peace

members - (144) Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola,

Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain,

Bangladesh, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana,

Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada,

Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia,

Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Costa Rica,

Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Djibouti,

Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea,

Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, France, Gabon, The Gambia, Georgia, Germany,

Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Honduras,

Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan,

Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, North Korea, South Korea, Kuwait,

Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libya, Lithuania, Macedonia,

Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania,

Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique,

Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan,

Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania,

Russia, Rwanda, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia,

Senegal, Serbia and Montenegro, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Slovakia,

Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Swaziland,

Switzerland, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey,

Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Vietnam,

Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe

associate members - (7) Aruba, Flanders, Hong Kong, Macau, Madeira Islands, Netherlands Antilles, Puerto Rico

observers - (2) Holy See, Palestine Liberation Organization

World Trade Organization (WTO): note - succeeded General Agreement on

Tariff and Trade (GATT)

established - 15 April 1994; effective - 1 January 1995

aim - to provide a forum to resolve trade conflicts between members and to carry on negotiations with the goal of further lowering and/or eliminating tariffs and other trade barriers

members - (148) Albania, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina,

Armenia, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belgium,

Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burkina

Faso, Burma, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Central African

Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Democratic Republic of the

Congo, Republic of the Congo, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba,

Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican

Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Estonia, EC, Fiji, Finland,

France, Gabon, The Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada,

Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hong Kong,

Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica,

Japan, Jordan, Kenya, South Korea, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lesotho,

Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macau, Macedonia, Madagascar,

Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico,

Moldova, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands,

NZ, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua

New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar,

Romania, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and

the Grenadines, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia,

Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Swaziland,

Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and

Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, UAE, UK, US, Uruguay, Venezuela,

Zambia, Zimbabwe

observers - (31) Afghanistan, Algeria, Andorra, Azerbaijan, The Bahamas, Belarus, Bhutan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cape Verde, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Holy See, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Laos, Lebanon, Libya, Russia, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Serbia and Montenegro, Seychelles, Sudan, Tajikistan, Tonga, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Vietnam, Yemen; note - must start accession negotiations within five years of becoming observers

Zangger Committee (ZC): established - early 1970s

aim - to establish guidelines for the export control provisions of the Nonproliferation of Nuclear Weapons Treaty (NPT)

members - (35) Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria,

Canada, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany,

Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Luxembourg,

Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Slovakia,

Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey Ukraine, UK,

US

advanced developing countries: another term for those less developed countries (LDCs) with particularly rapid industrial development; see newly industrializing economies (NIEs)

advanced economies: a term used by the International Monetary FUND (IMF) for the top group in its hierarchy of advanced economies, countries in transition, and developing countries; it includes the following 28 advanced economies: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Luxembourg, Netherlands, NZ, Norway, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, UK, US; note - this group would presumably also cover the following seven smaller countries of Andorra, Bermuda, Faroe Islands, Holy See, Liechtenstein, Monaco, and San Marino that are included in the more comprehensive group of "developed countries"

centrally planned economies: a term applied mainly to the traditionally Communist states that looked to the former USSR for leadership; most are now evolving toward more democratic and market- oriented systems; also known formerly as the Second World or as as the Communist countries; through the 1980s, this group included Albania, Bulgaria, Cambodia, China, Cuba, Czechoslovakia, GDR, Hungary, North Korea, Laos, Mongolia, Poland, Romania, Serbia and Montenegro, USSR, Vietnam

countries in transition: a term used by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for the middle group in its hierarchy of advanced economies, countries in transition, and developing countries; IMF statistics include the following 28 countries in transition: Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Georgia, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Moldova, Mongolia, Poland, Romania, Russia, Serbia and Montenegro, Slovakia, Slovenia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan; note - this group is identical to the group traditionally referred to as the "former USSR/Eastern Europe" except for the addition of Mongolia

developed countries (DCs): the top group in the hierarchy of developed countries (DCs), former USSR/Eastern Europe (former USSR/EE), and less developed countries (LDCs); includes the market-oriented economies of the mainly democratic nations in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), Bermuda, Israel, South Africa, and the European ministates; also known as the First World, high-income countries, the North, industrial countries; generally have a per capita GDP in excess of $10,000 although four OECD countries and South Africa have figures well under $10,000 and two of the excluded OPEC countries have figures of more than $10,000; the 34 DCs are: Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bermuda, Canada, Denmark, Faroe Islands, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Holy See, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, NZ, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, UK, US; note - similar to the new International Monetary Fund (IMF) term "advanced economies" that adds Hong Kong, South Korea, Singapore, and Taiwan but drops Malta, Mexico, South Africa, and Turkey

developing countries: a term used by the International Monetary Fund

(IMF) for the bottom group in its hierarchy of advanced economies,

countries in transition, and developing countries; IMF statistics

include the following 126 developing countries: Afghanistan, Algeria,

Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Aruba, The Bahamas, Bahrain,

Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil,

Burkina Faso, Burma, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central

African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Democratic

Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Costa Rica, Cote

d'Ivoire, Cyprus, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador,

Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, The

Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana,

Haiti, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya,

Kiribati, Kuwait, Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar,

Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania,

Mauritius, Mexico, Federated States of Micronesia, Morocco, Mozambique,

Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands Antilles, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Oman,

Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Qatar,

Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the

Grenadines, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal,

Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, Sri

Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo,

Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, UAE, Uganda, Uruguay, Vanuatu,

Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe; note - this category would

presumably also cover the following 46 other countries that are

traditionally included in the more comprehensive group of "less

developed countries": American Samoa, Anguilla, British Virgin Islands,

Brunei, Cayman Islands, Christmas Island, Cocos Islands, Cook Islands,

Cuba, Eritrea, Falkland Islands, French Guiana, French Polynesia, Gaza

Strip, Gibraltar, Greenland, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guam, Guernsey,

Jersey, North Korea, Macau, Isle of Man, Martinique, Mayotte,

Montserrat, Nauru, New Caledonia, Niue, Norfolk Island, Northern

Mariana Islands, Palau, Pitcairn Islands, Puerto Rico, Reunion, Saint

Helena, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Tokelau, Tonga, Turks and Caicos

Islands, Tuvalu, Virgin Islands, Wallis and Futuna, West Bank, Western

Sahara

former Soviet Union (FSU): former term often used to identify as a group the successor nations to the Soviet Union or USSR; this group of 15 countries consists of: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Estonia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan

former USSR/Eastern Europe (former USSR/EE): the middle group in the hierarchy of developed countries (DCs), former USSR/Eastern Europe (former USSR/EE), and less developed countries (LDCs); these countries are in political and economic transition and may well be grouped differently in the near future; this group of 27 countries consists of: Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Georgia, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Moldova, Poland, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Yugoslavia; this group is identical to the IMF group "countries in transition" except for the IMF's inclusion of Mongolia

high income countries: another term for the industrialized countries with high per capita GDPs; see developed countries (DCs)

industrial countries: another term for the developed countries; see developed countries (DCs)

least developed countries (LLDCs): that subgroup of the less developed countries (LDCs) initially identified by the UN General Assembly in 1971 as having no significant economic growth, per capita GDPs normally less than $1,000, and low literacy rates; also known as the undeveloped countries; the 42 LLDCs are: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Benin, Bhutan, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burma, Burundi, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Kiribati, Laos, Lesotho, Malawi, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Nepal, Niger, Rwanda, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu, Yemen

less developed countries (LDCs): the bottom group in the hierarchy of developed countries (DCs), former USSR/Eastern Europe (former USSR/EE), and less developed countries (LDCs); mainly countries and dependent areas with low levels of output, living standards, and technology; per capita GDPs are generally below $5,000 and often less than $1,500; however, the group also includes a number of countries with high per capita incomes, areas of advanced technology, and rapid rates of growth; includes the advanced developing countries, developing countries, Four Dragons (Four Tigers), least developed countries (LLDCs), low-income countries, middle-income countries, newly industrializing economies (NIEs), the South, Third World, underdeveloped countries, undeveloped countries; the 172 LDCs are: Afghanistan, Algeria, American Samoa, Angola, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Aruba, The Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, British Virgin Islands, Brunei, Burkina Faso, Burma, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Cayman Islands, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Christmas Island, Cocos Islands, Colombia, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Cuba, Cyprus, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Falkland Islands, Fiji, French Guiana, French Polynesia, Gabon, The Gambia, Gaza Strip, Ghana, Gibraltar, Greenland, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guam, Guatemala, Guernsey, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Jersey, Jordan, Kenya, Kiribati, North Korea, South Korea, Kuwait, Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Macau, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Isle of Man, Marshall Islands, Martinique, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mayotte, Federated States of Micronesia, Mongolia, Montserrat, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands Antilles, New Caledonia, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Niue, Norfolk Island, Northern Mariana Islands, Oman, Palau, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Pitcairn Islands, Puerto Rico, Qatar, Reunion, Rwanda, Saint Helena, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Syria, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tokelau, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turks and Caicos Islands, Tuvalu, UAE, Uganda, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, Virgin Islands, Wallis and Futuna, West Bank, Western Sahara, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe; note - similar to the new International Monetary Fund (IMF) term "developing countries" which adds Malta, Mexico, South Africa, and Turkey but omits in its recently published statistics American Samoa, Anguilla, British Virgin Islands, Brunei, Cayman Islands, Christmas Island, Cocos Islands, Cook Islands, Cuba, Eritrea, Falkland Islands, French Guiana, French Polynesia, Gaza Strip, Gibraltar, Greenland, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guam, Guernsey, Jersey, North Korea, Macau, Isle of Man, Martinique, Mayotte, Montserrat, Nauru, New Caledonia, Niue, Norfolk Island, Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, Pitcairn Islands, Puerto Rico, Reunion, Saint Helena, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Tokelau, Tonga, Turks and Caicos Islands, Tuvalu, Virgin Islands, Wallis and Futuna, West Bank, Western Sahara

low-income countries: another term for those less developed countries with below-average per capita GDPs; see less developed countries (LDCs)

middle-income countries: another term for those less developed countries with above-average per capita GDPs; see less developed countries (LDCs)

new independent states (NIS): a term referring to all the countries of the FSU except the Baltic countries (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania)

newly industrializing countries (NICs): former term for the newly industrializing economies; see newly industrializing economies (NIEs)

newly industrializing economies (NIEs): that subgroup of the less developed countries (LDCs) that has experienced particularly rapid industrialization of their economies; formerly known as the newly industrializing countries (NICs); also known as advanced developing countries; usually includes the Four Dragons (Hong Kong, South Korea, Singapore, Taiwan), and Brazil

socialist countries: in general, countries in which the government owns and plans the use of the major factors of production; note - the term is sometimes used incorrectly as a synonym for Communist countries

underdeveloped countries: refers to those less developed countries with the potential for above-average economic growth; see less developed countries (LDCs)

undeveloped countries: refers to those extremely poor less developed countries (LDCs) with little prospect for economic growth; see least developed countries (LLDCs)

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

=====================================================================

Appendix C - Selected International Environmental Agreements

Air Pollution

see Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution

Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides

see Protocol to the 1979 Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution Concerning the Control of Emissions of Nitrogen Oxides or Their Transboundary Fluxes

Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants

see Protocol to the 1979 Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution on Persistent Organic Pollutants

Air Pollution-Sulphur 85

see Protocol to the 1979 Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution on the Reduction of Sulphur Emissions or Their Transboundary Fluxes by at least 30%

Air Pollution-Sulphur 94

see Protocol to the 1979 Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution on Further Reduction of Sulphur Emissions

Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds

see Protocol to the 1979 Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution Concerning the Control of Emissions of Volatile Organic Compounds or Their Transboundary Fluxes

Antarctic - Environmental Protocol

see Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty

Antarctic Treaty

opened for signature - 1 December 1959

entered into force - 23 June 1961

objective - to ensure that Antarctica is used for peaceful purposes only (such as international cooperation in scientific research); to defer the question of territorial claims asserted by some nations and not recognized by others; to provide an international forum for management of the region; applies to land and ice shelves south of 60 degrees South latitude

parties - (45) Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil,

Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Cuba, Czech Republic,

Denmark, Ecuador, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala,

Hungary, India, Italy, Japan, North Korea, South Korea, Netherlands,

NZ, Norway, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Poland, Romania, Russia, Slovakia,

South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, UK, US,

Uruguay, Venezuela

Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous

Wastes and Their Disposal

note - abbreviated as Hazardous Wastes

opened for signature - 22 March 1989

entered into force - 5 May 1992

objective - to reduce transboundary movements of wastes subject to the Convention to a minimum consistent with the environmentally sound and efficient management of such wastes; to minimize the amount and toxicity of wastes generated and ensure their environmentally sound management as closely as possible to the source of generation; and to assist LDCs in environmentally sound management of the hazardous and other wastes they generate

parties - (149) Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda,

Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, The Bahamas,

Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin,

Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina

Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Chile, China,

Colombia, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Costa Rica, Cote

d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominica,

Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Estonia, Ethiopia, EU,

Finland, France, The Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Guatemala,

Guinea, Guyana, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran,

Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kiribati, South Korea,

Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libya, Liechtenstein,

Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia,

Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Federated States

of Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia,

Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, NZ, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman,

Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines,

Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint

Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia

and Montenegro, Seychelles, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South

Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tanzania,

Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda,

Ukraine, UAE, UK, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen,

Zambia

countries that have signed, but not yet ratified - (3) Afghanistan, Haiti, US

Biodiversity

see Convention on Biological Diversity

Climate Change

see United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol

see Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Seals

note - abbreviated as Antarctic Seals

opened for signature - 1 June 1972

entered into force - 11 March 1978

objective - to promote and achieve the protection, scientific study, and rational use of Antarctic seals, and to maintain a satisfactory balance within the ecological system of Antarctica

parties - (16) Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Norway, Poland, Russia, South Africa, UK, US

countries that have signed, but not yet ratified - (1) NZ

Convention on Biological Diversity

note - abbreviated as Biodiversity

opened for signature - 5 June 1992

entered into force - 29 December 1993

objective - to develop national strategies for the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity

parties - (182) Albania, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda,

Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, The Bahamas,

Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan,

Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burma, Burundi,

Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad,

Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo,

Republic of the Congo, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire,

Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica,

Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea,

Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, EU, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, The

Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea,

Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India,

Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan,

Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, North Korea, South Korea, Kyrgyzstan,

Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein,

Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia,

Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico,

Federated States of Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco,

Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, NZ, Nicaragua, Niger,

Nigeria, Niue, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea,

Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia,

Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the

Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia,

Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia,

Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname,

Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Togo,

Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda,

Ukraine, UAE, UK, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam,

Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe

countries that have signed, but not yet ratified - (6) Afghanistan, Kuwait, Serbia and Montenegro, Thailand, Tuvalu, US

Convention on Fishing and Conservation of Living Resources of the High

Seas

note - abbreviated as Marine Life Conservation

opened for signature - 29 April 1958

entered into force - 20 March 1966

objective - to solve through international cooperation the problems involved in the conservation of living resources of the high seas, considering that because of the development of modern technology some of these resources are in danger of being overexploited

parties - (37) Australia, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Burkina

Faso, Cambodia, Colombia, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Fiji, Finland,

France, Haiti, Jamaica, Kenya, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia,

Mauritius, Mexico, Netherlands, Nigeria, Portugal, Senegal, Serbia and

Montenegro, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain,

Switzerland, Thailand, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Uganda, UK, US,

Venezuela

countries that have signed, but not yet ratified - (21) Afghanistan,

Argentina, Bolivia, Canada, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ghana, Iceland,

Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Lebanon, Liberia, Nepal, NZ,

Pakistan, Panama, Sri Lanka, Tunisia, Uruguay

Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution

note - abbreviated as Air Pollution

opened for signature - 13 November 1979

entered into force - 16 March 1983

objective - to protect the human environment against air pollution and to gradually reduce and prevent air pollution, including long-range transboundary air pollution

parties - (48) Armenia, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and

Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic,

Denmark, Estonia, EU, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece,

Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia,

Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malta, Moldova,

Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Serbia

and Montenegro, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey,

Ukraine, UK, US

countries that have signed, but not yet ratified - (2) Holy See, San Marino

Convention on Wetlands of International Importance Especially as

Waterfowl Habitat (Ramsar)

note - abbreviated as Wetlands

opened for signature - 2 February 1971

entered into force - 21 December 1975

objective - to stem the progressive encroachment on and loss of wetlands now and in the future, recognizing the fundamental ecological functions of wetlands and their economic, cultural, scientific, and recreational value

parties - (125) Albania, Algeria, Argentina, Armenia, Australia,

Austria, Azerbaijan, The Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus,

Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana,

Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Canada, Chad, Chile, China,

Colombia, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the

Congo, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Czech Republic,

Denmark, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Estonia, Finland, France, Gabon,

The Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-

Bissau, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland,

Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, South Korea, Latvia,

Lebanon, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Madagascar,

Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco,

Mongolia, Morocco, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, NZ, Nicaragua, Niger,

Norway, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru,

Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Senegal, Serbia and

Montenegro, Sierra Leone, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sri

Lanka, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Thailand,

Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, UK, US,

Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Vietnam, Zambia

Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources

note - abbreviated as Antarctic-Marine Living Resources

opened for signature - 5 May 1980

entered into force - 7 April 1982

objective - to safeguard the environment and protect the integrity of the ecosystem of the seas surrounding Antarctica, and to conserve Antarctic marine living resources

parties - (31) Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada,

Chile, EU, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, India, Italy, Japan, South

Korea, Namibia, Netherlands, NZ, Norway, Peru, Poland, Russia, South

Africa, Spain, Sweden, Ukraine, UK, US, Uruguay, Vanuatu

Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild

Flora and Fauna (CITES)

note - abbreviated as Endangered Species

opened for signature - 3 March 1973

entered into force - 1 July 1975

objective - to protect certain endangered species from overexploitation by means of a system of import/export permits

parties - (156) Afghanistan, Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina,

Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, The Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados,

Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei,

Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burma, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada,

Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros,

Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Costa Rica,

Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark,

Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador,

Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France,

Gabon, The Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala,

Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India,

Indonesia, Iran, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan,

Kenya, South Korea, Latvia, Liberia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania,

Luxembourg, Macedonia, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Malta,

Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco,

Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, NZ, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria,

Norway, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru,

Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saint

Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sao

Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone,

Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka,

Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Tanzania, Thailand,

Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, UAE, UK,

US, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia,

Zimbabwe

countries that have signed, but not yet ratified - (3) Ireland, Kuwait, Lesotho

Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping Wastes and

Other Matter (London Convention)

note - abbreviated as Marine Dumping

opened for signature - 29 December 1972

entered into force - 30 August 1975

objective - to control pollution of the sea by dumping and to encourage regional agreements supplementary to the Convention

parties - (78) Afghanistan, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia,

Azerbaijan, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Cape Verde,

Chile, China, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Costa Rica, Cote

d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Egypt,

Finland, France, Gabon, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras,

Hong Kong (associate member), Hungary, Iceland, Iran, Ireland, Italy,

Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kiribati, South Korea, Libya,

Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Morocco, Nauru, Netherlands, NZ,

Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Philippines,

Poland, Portugal, Russia, Saint Lucia, Serbia and Montenegro,

Seychelles, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Suriname,

Sweden, Switzerland, Tonga, Tunisia, Ukraine, UAE, UK, US, Vanuatu

Convention on the Prohibition of Military or Any Other Hostile Use of

Environmental Modification Techniques

note - abbreviated as Environmental Modification

opened for signature - 10 December 1976

entered into force - 5 October 1978

objective - to prohibit the military or other hostile use of environmental modification techniques in order to further world peace and trust among nations

parties - (66) Afghanistan, Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina,

Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, Benin, Brazil,

Bulgaria, Canada, Cape Verde, Chile, Costa Rica, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech

Republic, Denmark, Dominica, Egypt, Finland, Germany, Ghana, Greece,

Guatemala, Hungary, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, North Korea, South

Korea, Kuwait, Laos, Malawi, Mauritius, Mongolia, Netherlands, NZ,

Niger, Norway, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Poland, Romania, Russia,

Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sao Tome and Principe,

Slovakia, Solomon Islands, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland,

Tajikistan, Tunisia, Ukraine, UK, US, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vietnam,

Yemen

countries that have signed, but not yet ratified - (17) Bolivia,

Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Holy See, Iceland, Iran,

Iraq, Lebanon, Liberia, Luxembourg, Morocco, Nicaragua, Portugal,

Sierra Leone, Syria, Turkey, Uganda

Desertification

see United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in those Countries Experiencing Serious Drought and/or Desertification, Particularly in Africa

Endangered Species

see Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES)

Environmental Modification

see Convention on the Prohibition of Military or Any Other Hostile Use of Environmental Modification Techniques

Hazardous Wastes

see Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal

International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling

note - abbreviated as Whaling

opened for signature - 2 December 1946

entered into force - 10 November 1948

objective - to protect all species of whales from overhunting; to establish a system of international regulation for the whale fisheries to ensure proper conservation and development of whale stocks; and to safeguard for future generations the great natural resources represented by whale stocks

parties - (42) Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria,

Brazil, Chile, China, Costa Rica, Denmark, Dominica, Finland, France,

Germany, Grenada, Guinea, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kenya, South

Korea, Mexico, Monaco, Morocco, Netherlands, NZ, Norway, Oman, Panama,

Peru, Russia, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the

Grenadines, Senegal, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sweden,

Switzerland, UK, US

International Tropical Timber Agreement, 1983

note - abbreviated as Tropical Timber 83

opened for signature - 18 November 1983

entered into force - 1 April 1985; this agreement expired when the International Tropical Timber Agreement, 1994, went into force

objective - to provide an effective framework for cooperation between tropical timber producers and consumers and to encourage the development of national policies aimed at sustainable utilization and conservation of tropical forests and their genetic resources

parties - (54) Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Burma,

Cameroon, Canada, China, Colombia, Democratic Republic of the Congo,

Republic of the Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Denmark, Ecuador, Egypt, EU,

Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guyana, Honduras,

India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Liberia,

Luxembourg, Malaysia, Nepal, Netherlands, NZ, Norway, Panama, Papua New

Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Portugal, Russia, Spain, Sweden,

Switzerland, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, UK, US, Venezuela

International Tropical Timber Agreement, 1994

note - abbreviated as Tropical Timber 94

opened for signature - 26 January 1994

entered into force - 1 January 1997

objective - to ensure that by the year 2000 exports of tropical timber originate from sustainably managed sources; to establish a fund to assist tropical timber producers in obtaining the resources necessary to reach this objective

parties - (58) Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Burma,

Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Central African Republic, China, Colombia,

Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Cote d'Ivoire,

Denmark, Ecuador, Egypt, EU, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, Germany,

Ghana, Greece, Guyana, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy,

Japan, South Korea, Liberia, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Nepal, Netherlands,

NZ, Norway, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Portugal,

Spain, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and

Tobago, UK, US, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezuela

countries that have signed, but not yet ratified - (1) Ireland

Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate

Change

note - abbreviated as Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol

opened for signature - 16 March 1998

entered into force - 23 February 2005

objective - to further reduce greenhouse gas emissions by enhancing the national programs of developed countries aimed at this goal and by establishing percentage reduction targets for the developed countries

parties - (144) Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia,

Austria, Azerbaijan, The Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belgium,

Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burma,

Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Cook

Island, Costa Rica, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti,

Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial

Guinea, Estonia, EU, Fiji, Finland, France, The Gambia, Georgia,

Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guyana, Honduras,

Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica,

Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kiribati, South Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia,

Lesotho, Liberia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia,

Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands,

Mauritius, Mexico, Federated States of Micronesia, Moldova, Mongolia,

Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Netherlands, New Zealand,

Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Niue, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Panama,

Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar,

Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines,

Samoa, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon

Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Sweden, Switzerland,

Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkmenistan,

Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, UK, Uruguay, Uzbekistan,

Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen

countries that have signed, but not yet ratified - (6) Australia, Croatia, Kazakhstan, Monaco, US, Zambia

Law of the Sea

see United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (LOS)

Marine Dumping

see Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping Wastes and Other Matter (London Convention)

Marine Life Conservation

see Convention on Fishing and Conservation of Living Resources of the High Seas

Montreal Protocol on Substances That Deplete the Ozone Layer

< I>note - abbreviated as Ozone Layer Protection

opened for signature - 16 September 1987

entered into force - 1 January 1989

objective - to protect the ozone layer by controlling emissions of substances that deplete it

parties - (183) Albania, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda,

Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, The Bahamas,

Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin,

Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria,

Burkina Faso, Burma, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde,

Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros,

Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Costa Rica,

Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark,

Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador,

Estonia, Ethiopia, EU, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, The Gambia,

Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guyana,

Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland,

Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati,

North Korea, South Korea, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon,

Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg,

Macedonia, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta,

Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Federated States of

Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia,

Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, NZ, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman,

Pakistan, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines,

Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and

Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Sao Tome

and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia and Montenegro, Seychelles,

Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia,

South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden,

Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tonga,

Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda,

Ukraine, UAE, UK, US, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam,

Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Nuclear Test Ban

see Treaty Banning Nuclear Weapons Tests in the Atmosphere, in Outer Space, and Under Water

Ozone Layer Protection

see Montreal Protocol on Substances That Deplete the Ozone Layer

Protocol of 1978 Relating to the International Convention for the

Prevention of Pollution From Ships, 1973 (MARPOL)

note - abbreviated as Ship Pollution

opened for signature - 17 February 1978

entered into force - 2 October 1983

objective - to preserve the marine environment through the complete elimination of pollution by oil and other harmful substances and the minimization of accidental discharge of such substances

parties - (119) Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina,

Australia, Austria, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize,

Benin, Bolivia, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burma, Cambodia, Canada,

Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus,

Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic,

Ecuador, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Estonia, Finland, France, Gabon, The

Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras,

Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica,

Japan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, North Korea, South Korea, Latvia, Lebanon,

Liberia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malawi, Malaysia, Malta, Marshall

Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Morocco, Netherlands,

NZ, Nicaragua, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Peru,

Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Saint Kitts and Nevis,

Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sao Tome and Principe,

Senegal, Serbia and Montenegro, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore,

Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Sweden,

Switzerland, Syria, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey,

Tuvalu, Ukraine, UK, US, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam

Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty

note - abbreviated as Antarctic-Environmental Protocol

opened for signature - 4 October 1991

entered into force - 14 January 1998

objective - to provide for comprehensive protection of the Antarctic environment and dependent and associated ecosystems; applies to the area covered by the Antarctic Treaty

consultative parties - (27) Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil,

Bulgaria, Chile, China, Ecuador, Finland, France, Germany, India,

Italy, Japan, South Korea, Netherlands, NZ, Norway, Peru, Poland,

Russia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, UK, US, Uruguay

non consultative parties - (16) Austria, Canada, Colombia, Cuba, Czech Republic, Denmark, Greece, Guatemala, Hungary, North Korea, Papua New Guinea, Romania, Slovakia, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine

Protocol to the 1979 Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air

Pollution Concerning the Control of Emissions of Nitrogen Oxides or

Their Transboundary Fluxes

note - abbreviated as Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides

opened for signature - 31 October 1988

entered into force - 14 February 1991

objective - to provide for the control or reduction of nitrogen oxides and their transboundary fluxes

parties - (28) Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Czech

Republic, Denmark, Estonia, EU, Finland, France, Germany, Greece,

Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Netherlands,

Norway, Russia, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, UK, US

countries that have signed, but not yet ratified - (1) Poland

Protocol to the 1979 Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air

Pollution Concerning the Control of Emissions of Volatile Organic

Compounds or Their Transboundary Fluxes

note - abbreviated as Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds

opened for signature - 18 November 1991

entered into force - 29 September 1997

objective - to provide for the control and reduction of emissions of volatile organic compounds in order to reduce their transboundary fluxes so as to protect human health and the environment from adverse effects

parties - (21) Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark,

Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Liechtenstein,

Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden,

Switzerland, UK

countries that have signed, but not yet ratified - (6) Canada, EU, Greece, Portugal, Ukraine, US

Protocol to the 1979 Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air

Pollution on Further Reduction of Sulphur Emissions

note - abbreviated as Air Pollution-Sulphur 94

opened for signature - 14 June 1994

entered into force - 5 August 1998

objective - to provide for a further reduction in sulfur emissions or transboundary fluxes

parties - (23) Austria, Belgium, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic,

Denmark, EU, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy,

Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Slovakia, Slovenia,

Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK

countries that have signed, but not yet ratified - (5) Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, Russia, Ukraine

Protocol to the 1979 Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air

Pollution on Persistent Organic Pollutants

note - abbreviated as Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants

opened for signature - 24 June 1998

entered into force - 23 October 2003

objective - to provide for the control and reduction of emissions of persistent organic pollutants in order to reduce their transboundary fluxes so as to protect human health and the environment from adverse effects

parties - (22) Austria, Bulgaria, Canada, Cyprus, Czech Republic,

Denmark, EU, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Latvia,

Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Moldova, Netherlands, Norway, Romania,

Slovakia, Sweden, Switzerland

countries that have signed, but not yet ratified - (14) Armenia, Belgium, Croatia, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Ukraine, UK, US

Protocol to the 1979 Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air

Pollution on the Reduction of Sulphur Emissions or Their Transboundary

Fluxes by at Least 30%

note - abbreviated as Air Pollution-Sulphur 85

opened for signature - 8 July 1985

entered into force - 2 September 1987

objective - to provide for a 30% reduction in sulfur emissions or transboundary fluxes by 1993

parties - (22) Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Czech

Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy,

Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Russia, Slovakia,

Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine

Ship Pollution

see Protocol of 1978 Relating to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution From Ships, 1973 (MARPOL)

Treaty Banning Nuclear Weapon Tests in the Atmosphere, in Outer Space, and Under Water

note - abbreviated as Nuclear Test Ban

opened for signature - 5 August 1963

entered into force - 10 October 1963

objective - to obtain an agreement on general and complete disarmament under strict international control in accordance with the objectives of the United Nations; to put an end to the armaments race and eliminate incentives for the production and testing of all kinds of weapons, including nuclear weapons

parties - (113) Afghanistan, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia,

Australia, Austria, The Bahamas, Bangladesh, Belgium, Benin, Bhutan,

Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burma,

Canada, Central African Republic, Chad, China, Colombia, Democratic

Republic of the Congo, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cyprus,

Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El

Salvador, Fiji, Finland, Gabon, The Gambia, Germany, Ghana, Greece,

Guatemala, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq,

Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, South Korea,

Kuwait, Laos, Lebanon, Liberia, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi,

Malaysia, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Morocco, Nepal,

Netherlands, NZ, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Panama, Papua New

Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Samoa, San

Marino, Senegal, Serbia and Montenegro, Seychelles, Sierra Leone,

Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan,

Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Thailand, Togo, Tonga,

Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, UK, US, Venezuela, Zambia

countries that have signed, but not yet ratified - (17) Algeria,

Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Chile, Ethiopia, Haiti, Libya, Mali,

Pakistan, Paraguay, Portugal, Somalia, Tanzania, Uruguay, Vietnam,

Yemen

Tropical Timber 83

see International Tropical Timber Agreement, 1983

Tropical Timber 94

see International Tropical Timber Agreement, 1994

United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (LOS)

note - abbreviated as Law of the Sea

opened for signature - 10 December 1982

entered into force - 16 November 1994

objective - to set up a comprehensive new legal regime for the sea and oceans; to include rules concerning environmental standards as well as enforcement provisions dealing with pollution of the marine environment

parties - (148) Albania, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda,

Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, The Bahamas, Bahrain,

Bangladesh, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Bosnia and

Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burma,

Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Chile, China, Comoros, Democratic

Republic of the Congo, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire,

Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica,

Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, EU, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, The Gambia,

Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-

Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia,

Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kiribati, South

Korea, Kuwait, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia,

Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands,

Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Federated States of Micronesia, Monaco,

Mongolia, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, NZ,

Nicaragua, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Panama, Papua New

Guinea, Paraguay, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania,

Russia, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the

Grenadines, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia

and Montenegro, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia,

Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka,

Sudan, Suriname, Sweden, Tanzania, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago,

Tunisia, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, UK, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Vietnam, Yemen,

Zambia, Zimbabwe

countries that have signed, but not yet ratified - (29) Afghanistan,

Bangladesh, Belarus, Bhutan, Burundi, Cambodia, Central African

Republic, Chad, Colombia, Republic of the Congo, Dominican Republic, El

Salvador, Ethiopia, Iran, North Korea, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya,

Liechtenstein, Madagascar, Malawi, Morocco, Niger, Niue, Rwanda,

Swaziland, Switzerland, Thailand, UAE

United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in Those Countries

Experiencing Serious Drought and/or Desertification, Particularly in

Africa

note - abbreviated as Desertification

opened for signature - 14 October 1994

entered into force - 26 December 1996

objective - to combat desertification and mitigate the effects of drought through national action programs that incorporate long-term strategies supported by international cooperation and partnership arrangements

parties - (178) Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and

Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, The

Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize,

Benin, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burma,

Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African

Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Democratic Republic of

the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Cote

d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti,

Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial

Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, EU, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, The

Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea,

Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India,

Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan,

Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, South Korea, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos,

Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg,

Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands,

Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Federated States of Micronesia, Moldova,

Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal,

Netherlands, NZ, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Niue, Norway, Oman,

Pakistan, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines,

Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint

Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome

and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone,

Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain,

Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria,

Thailand, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago,

Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, UAE, UK, US, Uruguay,

Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

note - abbreviated as Climate Change

opened for signature - 9 May 1992

entered into force - 21 March 1994

objective - to achieve stabilization of greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a low enough level to prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system

parties - (189) Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and

Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, The

Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize,

Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil,

Brunei, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burma, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon,

Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China,

Colombia, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the

Congo, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus,

Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic,

Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia,

Ethiopia, EU, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, The Gambia, Georgia,

Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau,

Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran,

Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya,

Kiribati, North Korea, South Korea, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia,

Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg,

Macedonia, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta,

Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Federated States of

Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia,

Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, NZ, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Niue, Norway,

Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru,

Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saint

Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa,

San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia and

Montenegro, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia,

Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname,

Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand,

Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan,

Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, UAE, UK, US, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu,

Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Wetlands

see Convention on Wetlands of International Importance Especially As Waterfowl Habitat (Ramsar)

Whaling

see International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

=====================================================================

Appendix D - Cross-Reference List of Country Data Codes

FIPS 10-4: Countries, Dependencies, Areas of Special Sovereignty, and Their Principal Administrative Divisions (FIPS PUB 10-4) is maintained by the Office of the Geographer and Global Issues (Department of State) and published by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (Department of Commerce). FIPS 10-4 codes are intended for general use throughout the US Government, especially in activities associated with the mission of the Department of State and national defense programs.

ISO 3166:Codes for the Representation of Names of Countries (ISO 3166) is prepared by the International Organization for Standardization. ISO 3166 includes two- and three-character alphabetic codes and three-digit numeric codes that may be needed for activities involving exchange of data with international organizations that have adopted that standard. Except for the numeric codes, ISO 3166 codes have been adopted in the US as FIPS 104-1: American National Standard Codes for the Representation of Names of Countries, Dependencies, and Areas of Special Sovereignty for Information Interchange.

Internet: The Internet country code is the two-letter digraph maintained by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in the ISO 3166 Alpha-2 list and used by the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) to establish country-coded top-level domains (ccTLDs).

Entity FIPS 10-4 ISO 3166 Internet Comment

Afghanistan AF AF AFG 004 .af

Albania AL AL ALB 008 .al

Algeria AG DZ DZA 012 .dz

American Samoa AQ AS ASM 016 .as

Andorra AN AD AND 020 .ad

Angola AO AO AGO 024 .ao

Anguilla AV AI AIA 660 .ai

Antarctica AY AQ ATA 010 .aq

ISO defines as the territory south of 60 degrees south latitude

Antigua and Barbuda AC AG ATG 028 .ag

Argentina AR AR ARG 032 .ar

Armenia AM AM ARM 051 .am

Aruba AA AW ABW 533 .aw

Ashmore and Cartier IslandsAT - - -

ISO includes with Australia

Australia AS AU AUS 036 .au

ISO includes Ashmore and Cartier Islands, Coral Sea Islands

Austria AU AT AUT 040 .at

Azerbaijan AJ AZ AZE 031 .az

Bahamas, The BF BS BHS 044 .bs

Bahrain BA BH BHR 048 .bh

Baker Island FQ - - -

ISO includes with the US Minor Outlying Islands

Bangladesh BG BD BGD 050 .bd

Barbados BB BB BRB 052 .bb

Bassas da India BS - - - -

administered from Reunion; no ISO codes assigned

Belarus BO BY BLR 112 .by

Belgium BE BE BEL 056 .be

Belize BH BZ BLZ 084 .bz

Benin BN BJ BEN 204 .bj

Bermuda BD BM BMU 060 .bm

Bhutan BT BT BTN 064 .bt

Bolivia BL BO BOL 068 .bo

Bosnia and

Herzegovina BK BA BIH 070 .ba

Botswana BC BW BWA 072 .bw

Bouvet Island BV BV BVT 074 .bv

Brazil BR BR BRA 076 .br

British Indian

Ocean Territory IO IO IOT 086 .io

British Virgin

Islands VI VG VGB 092 .vg

Brunei BX BN BRN 096 .bn

Bulgaria BU BG BGR 100 .bg

Burkina Faso UV BF BFA 854 .bf

Burma BM MM MMR 104 .mm

ISO uses the name Myanmar

Burundi BY BI BDI 108 .bi

Cambodia CB KH KHM 116 .kh

Cameroon CM CM CMR 120 .cm

Canada CA CA CAN 124 .ca

Cape Verde CV CV CPV 132 .cv

Cayman Islands CJ KY CYM 136 .ky

Central African

Republic CT CF CAF 140 .cf

Chad CD TD TCD 148 .td

Chile CI CL CHL 152 .cl

China CH CN CHN 156 .cn

see also Taiwan

Christmas Island KT CX CXR 162 .cx

Clipperton Island IP - - -

ISO includes with French Polynesia

Cocos (Keeling)

Islands CK CC CCK 166 .cc

Colombia CO CO COL 170 .co

Comoros CN KM COM 174 .km

Congo, Democratic

Republic of the CG CD COD 180 .cd

formerly Zaire

Congo, Republic

of the CF CG COG 178 .cg

Cook Islands CW CK COK 184 .ck

Coral Sea Islands CR - - -

ISO includes with Australia

Costa Rica CS CR CRI 188 .cr

Cote d'Ivoire IV CI CIV 384 .ci

Croatia HR HR HRV 191 .hr

Cuba CU CU CUB 192 .cu

Cyprus CY CY CYP 196 .cy

Czech Republic EZ CZ CZE 203 .cz

Denmark DA DK DNK 208 .dk

Djibouti DJ DJ DJI 262 .dj

Dominica DO DM DMA 212 .dm

Dominican Republic DR DO DOM 214 .do

East Timor TT TL TLS 626 .tl

Ecuador EC EC ECU 218 .ec

Egypt EG EG EGY 818 .eg

El Salvador ES SV SLV 222 .sv

Equatorial Guinea EK GQ GNQ 226 .gq

Eritrea ER ER ERI 232 .er

Estonia EN EE EST 233 .ee

Ethiopia ET ET ETH 231 .et

Europa Island EU - - - -

administered from Reunion; no ISO codes assigned

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)FKFKFLK 238 .fk

Faroe Islands FO FO FRO 234 .fo

Fiji FJ FJ FJI 242 .fj

Finland FI FI FIN 246 .fi

France FR FR FRA 250 .fr

France,

Metropolitan - FX FXX 249 .fx

ISO limits to the European part of France, excluding French

Guiana, French Polynesia, French Southern and Antarctic Lands,

Guadeloupe, Martinique, Mayotte, New Caledonia, Reunion, Saint

Pierre and Miquelon, Wallis and Futuna

French Guiana FG GF GUF 254 .gf

French Polynesia FP PF PYF 258 .pf

ISO includes Clipperton Island

French Southern

and Antarctic

Lands FS TF ATF 260 .tf

FIPS 10-4 does not include the French-claimed portion of

Antarctica (Terre Adelie)

Gabon GB GA GAB 266 .ga

Gambia, The GA GM GMB 270 .gm

Gaza Strip GZ PS PSE 275 .ps

ISO identifies as Occupied Palestinian Territory

Georgia GG GE GEO 268 .ge

Germany GM DE DEU 276 .de

Ghana GH GH GHA 288 .gh

Gibraltar GI GI GIB 292 .gi

Glorioso Islands GO - - - -

administered from Reunion; no ISO codes assigned

Greece GR GR GRC 300 .gr

Greenland GL GL GRL 304 .gl

Grenada GJ GD GRD 308 .gd

Guadeloupe GP GP GLP 312 .gp

Guam GQ GU GUM 316 .gu

Guatemala GT GT GTM 320 .gt

Guernsey GK - - .gg

ISO includes with the UK

Guinea GV GN GIN 324 .gn

Guinea-Bissau PU GW GNB 624 .gw

Guyana GY GY GUY 328 .gy

Haiti HA HT HTI 332 .ht

Heard Island and

McDonald Islands HM HM HMD 334 .hm

Holy See

(Vatican City) VT VA VAT 336 .va

Honduras HO HN HND 340 .hn

Hong Kong HK HK HKG 344 .hk

Howland Island HQ - - -

ISO includes with the US Minor Outlying Islands

Hungary HU HU HUN 348 .hu

Iceland IC IS ISL 352 .is

India IN IN IND 356 .in

Indonesia ID ID IDN 360 .id

Iran IR IR IRN 364 .ir

Iraq IZ IQ IRQ 368 .iq

Ireland EI IE IRL 372 .ie

Israel IS IL ISR 376 .il

Italy IT IT ITA 380 .it

Jamaica JM JM JAM 388 .jm

Jan Mayen JN - - -

ISO includes with Svalbard

Japan JA JP JPN 392 .jp

Jarvis Island DQ - - -

ISO includes with the US Minor Outlying Islands

Jersey JE - - .je

ISO includes with the UK

Johnston Atoll JQ - - -

ISO includes with the US Minor Outlying Islands

Jordan JO JO JOR 400 .jo Juan de Nova Island JU - - - - adminstered from Reunion; no ISO codes assigned

Kazakhstan KZ KZ KAZ 398 .kz

Kenya KE KE KEN 404 .ke

Kingman Reef KQ - - -

ISO includes with the US Minor Outlying Islands

Kiribati KR KI KIR 296 .ki

Korea, North KN KP PRK 408 .kp

Korea, South KS KR KOR 410 .kr

Kuwait KU KW KWT 414 .kw

Kyrgyzstan KG KG KGZ 417 .kg

Laos LA LA LAO 418 .la

Latvia LG LV LVA 428 .lv

Lebanon LE LB LBN 422 .lb

Lesotho LT LS LSO 426 .ls

Liberia LI LR LBR 430 .lr

Libya LY LY LBY 434 .ly

Liechtenstein LS LI LIE 438 .li

Lithuania LH LT LTU 440 .lt

Luxembourg LU LU LUX 442 .lu

Macau MC MO MAC 446 .mo

Macedonia MK MK MKD 807 .mk

Madagascar MA MG MDG 450 .mg

Malawi MI MW MWI 454 .mw

Malaysia MY MY MYS 458 .my

Maldives MV MV MDV 462 .mv

Mali ML ML MLI 466 .ml

Malta MT MT MLT 470 .mt

Man, Isle of IM - - .im

ISO includes with the UK

Marshall Islands RM MH MHL 584 .mh

Martinique MB MQ MTQ 474 .mq

Mauritania MR MR MRT 478 .mr

Mauritius MP MU MUS 480 .mu

Mayotte MF YT MYT 175 .yt

Mexico MX MX MEX 484 .mx

Micronesia,

Federated

States of FM FM FSM 583 .fm

Midway Islands MQ - - -

ISO includes with the US Minor Outlying Islands

Moldova MD MD MDA 498 .md

Monaco MN MC MCO 492 .mc

Mongolia MG MN MNG 496 .mn

Montserrat MH MS MSR 500 .ms

Morocco MO MA MAR 504 .ma

Mozambique MZ MZ MOZ 508 .mz

Myanmar - - - -

see Burma

Namibia WA NA NAM 516 .na

Nauru NR NR NRU 520 .nr

Navassa Island BQ - - - -

ISO includes with the US Minor Outlying Islands

Nepal NP NP NPL 524 .np

Netherlands NL NL NLD 528 .nl

Netherlands

Antilles NT AN ANT 530 .an

New Caledonia NC NC NCL 540 .nc

New Zealand NZ NZ NZL 554 .nz

Nicaragua NU NI NIC 558 .ni

Niger NG NE NER 562 .ne

Nigeria NI NG NGA 566 .ng

Niue NE NU NIU 570 .nu

Norfolk Island NF NF NFK 574 .nf

Northern Mariana

Islands CQ MP MNP 580 .mp

Norway NO NO NOR 578 .no

Oman MU OM OMN 512 .om

Pakistan PK PK PAK 586 .pk

Palau PS PW PLW 585 .pw

Palmyra Atoll LQ - - -

ISO includes with the US Minor Outlying Islands

Panama PM PA PAN 591 .pa

Papua New Guinea PP PG PNG 598 .pg

Paracel Islands PF - - -

Paraguay PA PY PRY 600 .py

Peru PE PE PER 604 .pe

Philippines RP PH PHL 608 .ph

Pitcairn Islands PC PN PCN 612 .pn

Poland PL PL POL 616 .pl

Portugal PO PT PRT 620 .pt

Puerto Rico RQ PR PRI 630 .pr

Qatar QA QA QAT 634 .qa

Reunion RE RE REU 638 .re

Romania RO RO ROU 642 .ro

Russia RS RU RUS 643 .ru

Rwanda RW RW RWA 646 .rw

Saint Helena SH SH SHN 654 .sh

Saint Kitts

and Nevis SC KN KNA 659 .kn

Saint Lucia ST LC LCA 662 .lc

Saint Pierre

and Miquelon SB PM SPM 666 .pm

Saint Vincent

and the

Grenadines VC VC VCT 670 .vc

Samoa WS WS WSM 882 .ws

San Marino SM SM SMR 674 .sm

Sao Tome and

Principe TP ST STP 678 .st

Saudi Arabia SA SA SAU 682 .sa

Senegal SG SN SEN 686 .sn

Serbia and

Montenegro YI CS SCG 891 .cs

Seychelles SE SC SYC 690 .sc

Sierra Leone SL SL SLE 694 .sl

Singapore SN SG SGP 702 .sg

Slovakia LO SK SVK 703 .sk

Slovenia SI SI SVN 705 .si

Solomon Islands BP SB SLB 090 .sb

Somalia SO SO SOM 706 .so

South Africa SF ZA ZAF 710 .za

South Georgia and

the Islands SX GS SGS 239 .gs

Spain SP ES ESP 724 .es

Spratly Islands PG - - -

Sri Lanka CE LK LKA 144 .lk

Sudan SU SD SDN 736 .sd

Suriname NS SR SUR 740 .sr

Svalbard SV SJ SJM 744 .sj

ISO includes Jan Mayen

Swaziland WZ SZ SWZ 748 .sz

Sweden SW SE SWE 752 .se

Switzerland SZ CH CHE 756 .ch

Syria SY SY SYR 760 .sy

Taiwan TW TW TWN 158 .tw

Tajikistan TI TJ TJK 762 .tj

Tanzania TZ TZ TZA 834 .tz

Thailand TH TH THA 764 .th

Togo TO TG TGO 768 .tg

Tokelau TL TK TKL 772 .tk

Tonga TN TO TON 776 .to

Trinidad and Tobago TD TT TTO 780 .tt

Tromelin Island TE - - - -

administered from Reunion; no ISO codes assigned

Tunisia TS TN TUN 788 .tn

Turkey TU TR TUR 792 .tr

Turkmenistan TX TM TKM 795 .tm

Turks and

Caicos Islands TK TC TCA 796 .tc

Tuvalu TV TV TUV 798 .tv

Uganda UG UG UGA 800 .ug

Ukraine UP UA UKR 804 .ua

United Arab

Emirates AE AE ARE 784 .ae

United Kingdom UK GB GBR 826 .uk

ISO includes Guernsey, Isle of Man, Jersey

United States US US USA 840 .us

United States

Minor Outlying

Islands - UM UMI 581 .um

ISO includes Baker Island, Howland Island, Jarvis Island,

Johnston Atoll, Kingman Reef, Midway Islands, Navassa Island,

Palmyra Atoll, Wake Island

Uruguay UY UY URY 858 .uy

Uzbekistan UZ UZ UZB 860 .uz

Vanuatu NH VU VUT 548 .vu

Venezuela VE VE VEN 862 .ve

Vietnam VM VN VNM 704 .vn

Virgin Islands VQ VI VIR 850 .vi

Virgin Islands (UK) - - - .vg

see British Virgin Islands

Virgin Islands (US) - - - .vi

see Virgin Islands

Wake Island WQ - - - -

ISO includes with the US Minor Outlying Islands

Wallis and Futuna WF WF WLF 876 .wf

West Bank WE PS PSE 275 .ps

ISO identifies as Occupied Palestinian Territory

Western Sahara WI EH ESH 732 .eh Western Samoa - - - .ws see Samoa

World - - - -

the Factbook uses the W data code from DIAM 65-18 Geopolitical

Data Elements and Related Features, Data Standard No. 3,

December 1994, published by the Defense Intelligence Agency

Yemen YM YE YEM 887 .ye Zaire - - - - see Democratic Republic of the Congo

Zambia ZA ZM ZMB 894 .zm

Zimbabwe ZI ZW ZWE 716 .zw

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

=====================================================================

Appendix E - Cross-Reference List of Hydrographic Data Codes

IHO 23-4th: Limits of Oceans and Seas, Special Publication 23, Draft 4th Edition 1986, published by the International Hydrographic Bureau of the International Hydrographic Organization

IHO 23-3rd: Limits of Oceans and Seas, Special Publication 23, 3rd

Edition 1953, published by the International Hydrographic Organization

ACIC M 49-1: Chart of Limits of Seas and Oceans, revised January 1958,

published by the Aeronautical Chart and Information Center (ACIC),

United States Air Force; note - ACIC is now part of the National

Imagery and Mapping Agency (NIMA)

DIAM 65-18: Geopolitical Data Elements and Related Features, Data Standard No. 4, Defense Intelligence Agency Manual 65-18, December 1994, published by the Defense Intelligence Agency

The US Government has not yet adopted a standard for hydrographic codes similar to the Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS) 10-4 country codes. The names and limits of the following oceans and seas are not always directly comparable because of differences in the customers, needs, and requirements of the individual organizations. Even the number of principal water bodies varies from organization to organization. Factbook users, for example, find the Atlantic Ocean and Pacific Ocean entries useful, but none of the following standards include those oceans in their entirety. Nor is there any provision for combining codes or overcodes to aggregate water bodies. The recently delimited Southern Ocean is not included.

Principal Oceans and Seas of the World

With Hydrographic Codes by Institution

IHO 23-4th IHO 23-3rd* ACIC M 49-1 DIAM 65-18

Arctic Ocean 9 17 A 5A

Atlantic Ocean - - - -

Baltic Sea 2 1 B26 7B

Eastern Mediterranean 3.1.2 28 B - 8E

Indian Ocean 5 45 F 6A

Mediterranean Sea 3.1 28 B11 -

North Atlantic Ocean 1 23 B 1A

North Pacific Ocean 7 57 D 3A

Pacific Ocean - - - -

South Atlantic Ocean 4 32 C 2A

South China and Eastern 6 49, 48 D18 plus 3U plus

Archipelagic Seas others others

South Pacific Ocean 8 61 E 4A

Western Mediterranean 3.1.1 28 A - 8W

*The letters after the numbers are subdivisions, not footnotes.

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

=====================================================================

Appendix F - Cross-Reference List of Geographic Names

Name Entry in The World Latitude Longitude

Factbook (deg min) (deg min)

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

=====================================================================

*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE 2005 CIA WORLD FACTBOOK ***

Updated editions will replace the previous one—the old editions will be renamed.

Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project Gutenberg™ electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG™ concept and trademark. Project Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you charge for an eBook, except by following the terms of the trademark license, including paying royalties for use of the Project Gutenberg trademark. If you do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the trademark license is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and research. Project Gutenberg eBooks may be modified and printed and given away—you may do practically ANYTHING in the United States with eBooks not protected by U.S. copyright law. Redistribution is subject to the trademark license, especially commercial redistribution.

START: FULL LICENSE

THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE

PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK

To protect the Project Gutenberg™ mission of promoting the free distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase “Project Gutenberg”), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project Gutenberg™ License available with this file or online at www.gutenberg.org/license.

Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg™ electronic works

1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg™ electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy all copies of Project Gutenberg™ electronic works in your possession. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project Gutenberg™ electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8.

1.B. “Project Gutenberg” is a registered trademark. It may only be used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg™ electronic works even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project Gutenberg™ electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg™ electronic works. See paragraph 1.E below.

1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation (“the Foundation” or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project Gutenberg™ electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an individual work is unprotected by copyright law in the United States and you are located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project Gutenberg™ mission of promoting free access to electronic works by freely sharing Project Gutenberg™ works in compliance with the terms of this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg™ name associated with the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project Gutenberg™ License when you share it without charge with others.

1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project Gutenberg™ work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning the copyright status of any work in any country other than the United States.

1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg:

1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate access to, the full Project Gutenberg™ License must appear prominently whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg™ work (any work on which the phrase “Project Gutenberg” appears, or with which the phrase “Project Gutenberg” is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, copied or distributed:

This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this eBook.

1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg™ electronic work is derived from texts not protected by U.S. copyright law (does not contain a notice indicating that it is posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work with the phrase “Project Gutenberg” associated with or appearing on the work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the Project Gutenberg™ trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or 1.E.9.

1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg™ electronic work is posted with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked to the Project Gutenberg™ License for all works posted with the permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work.

1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg™ License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg™.

1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project Gutenberg™ License.

1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg™ work in a format other than “Plain Vanilla ASCII” or other format used in the official version posted on the official Project Gutenberg™ website (www.gutenberg.org), you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon request, of the work in its original “Plain Vanilla ASCII” or other form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg™ License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1.

1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg™ works unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9.

1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing access to or distributing Project Gutenberg™ electronic works provided that:

- • You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from the use of Project Gutenberg™ works calculated using the method you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg™ trademark, but he has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the address specified in Section 4, “Information about donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation.”

- • You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg™ License. You must require such a user to return or destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of Project Gutenberg™ works.

- • You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days of receipt of the work.

- • You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free distribution of Project Gutenberg™ works.

1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg™ electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the manager of the Project Gutenberg™ trademark. Contact the Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below.

1.F.

1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread works not protected by U.S. copyright law in creating the Project Gutenberg™ collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg™ electronic works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain “Defects,” such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by your equipment.

1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the “Right of Replacement or Refund” described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project Gutenberg™ trademark, and any other party distributing a Project Gutenberg™ electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.

1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further opportunities to fix the problem.

1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you ‘AS-IS’, WITH NO OTHER WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE.

1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions.

1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone providing copies of Project Gutenberg™ electronic works in accordance with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg™ electronic works, harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg™ work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any Project Gutenberg™ work, and (c) any Defect you cause.

Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg™

Project Gutenberg™ is synonymous with the free distribution of electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from people in all walks of life.

Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg™’s goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg™ collection will remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure and permanent future for Project Gutenberg™ and future generations. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 and the Foundation information page at www.gutenberg.org.

Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation

The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal Revenue Service. The Foundation’s EIN or federal tax identification number is 64-6221541. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state’s laws.

The Foundation’s business office is located at 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887. Email contact links and up to date contact information can be found at the Foundation’s website and official page at www.gutenberg.org/contact

Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation

Project Gutenberg™ depends upon and cannot survive without widespread public support and donations to carry out its mission of increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be freely distributed in machine-readable form accessible by the widest array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt status with the IRS.

The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any particular state visit www.gutenberg.org/donate.

While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who approach us with offers to donate.

International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff.

Please check the Project Gutenberg web pages for current donation methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. To donate, please visit: www.gutenberg.org/donate.

Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg™ electronic works

Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg™ concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared with anyone. For forty years, he produced and distributed Project Gutenberg™ eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support.

Project Gutenberg™ eBooks are often created from several printed editions, all of which are confirmed as not protected by copyright in the U.S. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition.

Most people start at our website which has the main PG search facility: www.gutenberg.org.

This website includes information about Project Gutenberg™, including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks.

Table of Contents

THE CIA WORLD FACTBOOK 2005

CONTENTS

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

J

K

L

M

N

O

P

Q

R

S

T

U

V

W

Y

Z

THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE